//------------------------------// // Episode 4: Anony Mousboa // Story: Horse La Horse Season 2: Desperate Struggle // by Stegtorn //------------------------------// You manage to get on two wobbly feet. Woozily you wriggle toward Will. Knees weak, palms sweaty and head pounding, you make your way for Iron Will's couch, hoping to lay down. “I might need your help,” you say, clawing your way inside. “What for?” the old bull huffs, inspecting his wounds. “I gotta get that position.” “No way I'm helping you with that.” You collapse onto the leather couch, sinking into it a little. “It's for a good cause.” “Pfft, joining a villain quintet is a 'good cause.' My ass it is.” He shoves you over and takes a seat for himself, “lodging is a different deal. I've been looking for a roomie anyway. There are some prerequisites though.” “Listen, if I can manage to infiltrate their group I might have a chance at saving the Princess and the entirety of the Ponyroom kingdom.” Iron Will laughs right in your face, nose ring jiggling with each new burst of hilarity, “fat chance after you just got your shit kicked in by Discord. You think you can take on four other SUPERvillains? Laughable. ‘HA’ Iron Will says, ‘HA’ to you.” “Alone, maybe not, but you're a rough and tough guy. We could team up,” you already don't like the sound of this Plan B that you're cooking up. You shouldn't really plan. It always goes better when you fly by the seat of your pants. “Hmm,” Iron Will thinks, tapping his chin. “Think about it. Two Superheroes, us,” you point between you and him, “against five idiots. Easy pickin's.” “How about no,” he stands and makes for the kitchen, probably for a drink. “Get me some water, please my friend?” He groans but you see him grab two glasses and set to pouring. “Besides, I haven't fought in a long time. Training on the other hand, I used to do that for fighting types all the time over at my gym.” “You owned a gym?” “I was a gym leader. You had to be able to beat me to use cut,” he hands you the water. It heals some HP, but you wish it was a little bit colder. You've got two weeks, and a lot of work and adjustments to your plan. Plan A is gone now with your suit disenchanted, Plan B could have been cool but meh, it's time for Plan C. And Iron Will is going to be a part of that. Whether he wants to or not. A day of rest passes. Iron does not bother asking you to leave, and for a moment you think he almost enjoys your company. He feeds and waters you, gently, like someone taking care of a sunflower. He allows you to stay the night on his couch. You lounge about with him, listening to the radio. Most of the news is about Celestia being in the captivity of the Mega Forces, and how Canterlot is now effectively Thunderdome, but some of it is cool radio shows about a Daring mare who Does stuff. Unfortunately, Neko Neko's TV spot has been put on hiatus, which sent Iron Will into a brief rage. He's a powerful dude, from what you can tell. He's buff, and able to send a coffee table through a thatched roof without much effort. Not to mention that royal thrashing he gave Discord. If he could teach you some of his moves, you'd be golden! “Hey, didn't you say you used to be a henchmen?” you ask over breakfast, not so subtly. Today's menu featured porridge, freshly squeezed OhJay (no name brand Orange Juice), and a bit of buttered toast with a side of eggs. A healthy way to start the day, and tasty too! “Yeah! I was for a bit,” he replies cheerily, scarfing down the toast like a ravenous hound, “I was also a trainer at a gym, like I said. Then I became a motivational speaker, and then a bouncer at a club, and then not allowed near Ponyville any more.” “Well, you look like a big guy with a lot of experience.” “Getting experience was part of my plan.” “So what's the next step in your plan?” “Starting this farm, with no weeds surviving.” You finish off the last of your drink, and stand to bring your plates to the sink next to the kitchen table. “I was wondering if you could make me buff and big like you.” “Of course,” he flexes, “anyone can get big as Iron Will, and I believe you've got what it takes.” He nods his head and grins. “What if we only had two weeks to train? Think you could do it?” you prod. “I mean, anythings possible I guess,” he looks unconvinced by his own words. “Ah,” you shrug and begin to saunter off, feigning dejection, “I thought the legendary public speaker and iron pumper Iron Will would be able to help me. Thought wrong I guess.” “Now hold it!” He jumps to his feet, knocking over his bowl of hot oats and milk. “I said it was possible.” “Well let's start then, we don't have much time.” “Okay, if you've got such a death wish I'll train you best I can, get you into shape. You don't look too awful now, but improvements can be made.” “I also don't have the super powers I used too, so I'm going to have to rely on pure HUMAN strength,” you strike a pose and flex a bit. The suit does not show off your muscles, and Will is unimpressed. He cleans off his own plate and pushes past you into the living room. “I Will do it on one condition.” “Anything!” you chirp. “You sign a one year contract living and working here as my roommate and farmhand.” “This is a one room cottage though,” you plead. “You can sleep on the couch, you did it last night.” “For a year?” you ask, not feeling good about this. “Yes, shake on it,” he says, putting forth one singularly hairy arm. “It’s a deal,” you say, hoping it's not a deal with a hairy devil, “as long as you shave a bit more.” “Not a chance,” he gaffs. Iron Will begins picking up about the house, idly chatting about ways that he could potentially mold you into a big strong villain. You bounce a couple ideas at him, mega schemes involving world domination, extinguishing the Earth pony race, and steal Canterlot’s biggest diamond in a single night with a team of 12 highly trained and roguish characters. Iron Will reminds you that physical training is the focus, and your spirits are dampened. “How’s about a bout?” he suggests. “About about what?” “Yeah, 1 round, whoever goes down first. To gauge your current strength. If you can beat me, I doubt I’d be able to help you.” Iron Will is turning out to be a tab bit smarter than not at all, you think, nodding in agreement to his proposal. He sets off to the backyard of the house, which luckily has a boxing ring. Who would have though? How convenient, a ring all the way out here, just when you two need it. The hardened bullman sets up a boombox, also conveniently nearby, and pops in a familiar tape. “You’d be surprised how much music does to improve performance,” he comments, flexing his way through the large pieces of licorice serving as ropes. You take off your suit jacket and set it on the ground, and roll up your slightly grimy sleeves. Iron Will is not impressed by your attempts to show off your muscles. This does lower your morale. Your body is still sore, and you can feel the lack of power in yourself, you’re all hollowed out. Without a doubt your vitality points have been reduced now that you’re without the enchantments. With a click that will be enhanced in post so it will be extremely noticeable, Iron Will turns on the boom box and a tune trickles out. Theme of Iron Will’s training session: Pursuit, Cornered - Phoenix Wright “Iron Will’s gonna pound you into a fine young man,” he says with a laugh, readying up in one corner of the ring, prancing two and fro. He’s moving with unexpected grace and finesse! You assume a monkey stance and drag your hands across the canvas a little, taunting him to move first. Iron Will flicks his big snout with his thumb and accepts, jiving into your personal space with sweat, hair and intent to bruise. You think you’ve caught him in your sly trap, and when he’s in range you tense up and try to deliver and upward launching attack that will allow you to continue the combo in the air for style points. Your pale fist collides with his hairy pectoral area. CRACK! His barrelled chest is hard as rock! Iron Will lets out a grunt of a laugh, watching as you flail your hand in pain. The sweating begins now, as you reevaluate your situation. It’s lookin’ like you’re gonna have a bad time. “The Iron Clutch will make you hum-bell,” he roars, butting you with his elbow, which staggers you. He catches you in a spam of r1s to the abdomen, pulverizing your solar plexus into submission. Your body shakes, and you feel like you’re gonna fallover and hurl at the same time. But something keeps you standing. “You’re already pinned,” Iron Will says, waving a finger and smiling. He charges into you, hoofsteps shaking the canvas and nearly knocking you over in your delicate state. He circled around behind you, grabbed you hard in some sensitive areas with those big calloused bull hands, and flipped you hard onto the mat. As a final embarrassment he buried your face in his big patch of chest hair, and counted to 3, slowly as possible. He tasted like sweat and Parmesan, with just a hint of something. What is that? Paprika? How could you defeat any of the evil mega forces if you can’t even beat Iron Will? Thoughts of loss and defeat and sweaty Italian food with too much paprika on it danced in your head. Your new mentor carried you out of the ring with a spring in his step, proud to have defeated another opponent. He slaps you down on the couch and lets you lie. End of Episode 4, Season 2. IN THE NEXT EPISODE: Can Iron Will's training really help Anonymous? Will the duo ever make it to Canterlot? Can the magic of the suit ever be restored? FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON HORSE LA HORSE!