//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Iron Spirit // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// “I can’t believe that rainbow bitch beat me!” “HOW DARE YOU INSULT MISS RAINBOW DASH!” Clyde raged out and stood over Vice who was cowering in fear on the ground. “Sorry, holy crap.” Vice raised his hooves in defense and slowly got back up. “Just never thought I’d be beat by some random girl.” “That girl is Rainbow Dash, one of the Elements of-“ “Harmony, yeah okay she’s important. Save me from telling the same story again,” Vice said rolling his eyes. ‘Well now I don’t feel as bad now,' he thought. Celestia’s sun shone brightly in the sky as Clyde, Vice, and Enzo traversed through an ordinary meadow. Only Clyde seemed to know where he was going, Vice and Enzo simply followed behind. Ponyville could be seen not too far away from the trio as Clyde and Enzo picked up Vice in the middle of nowhere. “I’m still ashamed of you,” Clyde said disapprovingly. “How did you manage to lose your job when it hasn’t even been a full day?” “I don’t even know. I seriously got fired? Haha, oh wow.” Vice sounded somewhat surprised. “That’s hilarious, how’d it go down?” Both Clyde and Vice turned to Enzo. “Um, well once you left, Applejack immediately noticed you were gone. She said she hated lazy lowlifes like you.” Enzo drowned out his last words. “I expected much,” Vice said with cocky acceptance. “How can you be so nonchalant about this, Mister Vice?” Clyde said aggravated. “Hey, I’m playing everything by ear. Can’t be dreading the past now can we? Just gotta focus on the present,” said Vice stately. “You’re not going to get very far in life ‘playing everything by ear’,” Clyde said mimicking Vice’s words. “Well it got me this far. Say, where-no, what are we even doing?” asked Vice. “Erm.” Clyde hesitated on the subject. “…do you remember, Miss Fluttershy? The one who-“ “Kicked our asses? Yeah, what about her?” Vice’s tone changed to a slightly darker one as he remembered the mare who thoroughly dealt with him. “Ahem, yes. She’s been reported as being calmer and that this ‘New Fluttershy’ thing had gone way over her head,” Clyde stated. “Reported? By who, your personal detective? S’far as I know, you said you’re the only authority around here,” Vice concluded. “That is correct, but,” Clyde eyed Vice with suspicion. His eyes burst out as he realized Vice’s accusation. “I’M PERFORMING MY ROYAL DUTIES!” he yelled in disbelief. “Alrighty, I’m not gonna joke about being a stalker or anything.” Vice realized he didn’t even know how old Clyde was, but kept to himself. After the outrage, Clyde had calmed down and the trio had entered Ponyville once more. Clyde still led Vice and Enzo to a location unknown to them. Few ponies were passing by, the streets looked deserted. “So does this make us your personal detectives?” asked Vice with a smirk. Clyde gave Vice a look he couldn’t quite figure out, but he got no other response than that. With communication going nowhere, time passed by quickly. The duo soon found themselves in someplace new and unsettling. The scenery had left Clyde in a stunned state, but Vice and Enzo took in the dreary picture. A tree filled with various widows was boarded up heavily with wooden planks crudely nailed in. Almost every surrounding opening was covered up somehow as the trio analyzed the sight. The tree itself was bare; its branches hung low in despair. “Well that’s obviously bad voodoo right there,” Vice commented at the scene. “A house lookin’ like that in broad daylight? Nuh-uh, that’s a bad sign right there.” Clyde’s mouth still hung wide open as Vice inspected the sad outlook. “…this is Fluttershy’s house isn’t it?” Enzo said with a wave of anguish. “Wow, where’d you come from, buddy? Making assum-“ “He’s right, this is Miss Fluttershy’s house,” Clyde finally said breaking his shocked state. “Really? This run-down tree is her place?” Vice asked. “Yes, and to think I talked to the young mare just the other day. I never would’ve expected her cottage to change so rapidly.” Clyde took a hesitant step forward, slowly advancing towards the bare tree. Upon closer inspection, he noted that the mailbox was new, yet it had an old feeling to go with it. Vice noticed Enzo’s uneasiness with the whole situation. He moved toward the house and gestured the other stallion to follow. Soon enough, all three ponies were at the doorstep of the cottage. Now, Vice sensed both the uneasiness that his companions held and sighed. “Okay guys, I’m pretty sure a spooky house ain’t gonna come get you in your sleep,” Vice whispered. “You don’t get it,” Enzo said plainly. “Get what?” “It’s not about the atmosphere, it’s about Fluttershy,” Enzo said quietly. “I bet she’s in so much pain now.” Clyde acknowledged that Enzo understood what was going on, but Vice was still ignorant to the whole scene. “Uh, did I miss something here?” “Let me tell you this,” said Clyde trying to get Vice in the loop. “Fluttershy met this minotaur named Iron Will. Half bull, half human, he taught her how to be more assertive. This is the result, she’s shunned herself from society because of what that monster did to her.” Vice didn’t move for a second, barely taking in the rest of Clyde’s statement. “He’s half...never mind, I get it. So this Iron Will dude, we gonna rough him up or something?” Vice suddenly brightened up and started to pump himself up similar to the time he had pumped himself up during the apple bucking. “Where is he, huh? I’ll show him somethin’ or two about being assertive. C’mon out n’ play ya pansy!” Vice yelled insults into the air. A faint cry could be heard within the house. Everypony whipped around the see what happened. Vice facehoofed himself so hard he almost fell backward. “Nononoo, I didn’t mean you,” Vice shouted at the house. “I meant-“ “Iron Will?” a husky voice said from behind. Vice twirled around slowly and the rest of the ponies followed. Standing before them was a hulking mass of blue muscle. Its giant horns added to the intimidation. Vice spotted a short black tie as well as a gray mic piece sporting from the creature’s head. “Well just take a steamy dump on me,” Vice said as the yellow eyes of the minotaur cut down his soul. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Mooorre pills!” “Mister Blitz, I simply cannot give you any more of these!” “But nuuuuuurse!” “Just sleep it off and you’ll be fine tomorrow.” “Nooooooooo…” Blitz fell back on his bed after laying up and didn’t make a sound. Nurse Redheart peered over the still stallion to make sure he was asleep. Sighing for relief, Nurse Redheart picked up a tray filled with a half eaten sandwich and empty glass. She filed out of the room and closed the lights. “I hope he gets better tomorrow, that sleeping pill should hold him that long, I hope,” Nurse Redheart said eying the empty glass cup. She made a few steps down the hall before letting out a silent laugh. “I haven’t had a patient like this in years,” she said reminiscing in a distant memory. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Big mothaf-“ That was all Vice said before his hoof came in contact with the minotaur’s stomach. As he hit his target, Vice’s hoof felt as if he had a hit a stone wall instead. He slowly looked up and noticed that the blue creature was unfazed. The minotaur raised his giant, meaty fist and unleashed a downward punch towards Vice. He missed his mark and pounded the ground as Vice sidestepped to the right, jumping a few feet back afterwards. Both Enzo and Clyde backed away as the two opponents faced each other in their little arena. “Mister Vice! What are you doing?” Clyde called out. “Improvising!” Vice hollered back. “He did look like he was ready to pound my face in!” “So,” the huge beast said. “Iron Will came to pick up his pay and look what he found.” “Pay? What does he mean?” Enzo said to Clyde. “I’m still trying to figure it out myself,” Clyde replied scratching his chin abruptly. “Hey, when you daisies are done putting two and two together, mind lending me a hand?” Vice said to his comrades. “Are you too scared to fight Iron Will alone?” “Well when you put it that way…” Vice bolted towards the minotaur with his trench coat flailing in the opposing wind. Iron Will planted his feet shoulder width apart and raised his hands. Vice came upon the battle ready beast, feigning a lunge as Iron Will grabbed at air. Vice took this chance to get a few ineffective hooks in on the minotaur’s sides before ducking a swing from the beast and staggering back. “Let’s dance, big man, eh? Let’s tango,” Vice taunted. This time it was Iron Will’s turn to charge. Vice, quick on his two hind legs, anticipated the blue creature’s next attack. He dodged a thrown punch by the beast and countered. He extended his wings, tipped with metal, and jabbed Iron Will in between his arm and body; his armpit. The rounded metal edge end of the wing hit soft flesh and Iron Will jolted back with a hysterical cry. Vice took initiative to spin around and he brought his wing crashing against the blue beast’s torso. The momentum caused Iron Will to falter back, making loud thumps along the way. The big creature held his right ab, doubling over in pain. Vice didn’t hesitate as he sent a flurry of wing blows to Iron Will's now vulnerable face. Iron Will’s head swung back and forth as the cold metal made contact with his face. Vice charged himself up for a power blow, but Iron Will intercepted him at a blinding speed with a grip of steel as both his hands clamped around Vice. Vice attempted to break free of the monster’s hold, but couldn’t even move a muscle as Iron Will raised him higher in the sky. He thought he could hear cracking and realized what his captor was doing. The minotaur brought Vice down with full force towards the ground. Vice’s wings made sharp, scratching sounds as he hit the surface. Iron Will proceeded to pick up the sprawled pony and briskly hurled him towards nearby trees. Vice could feel jolts and sparks of rushing pain as he was tossed about like a rag doll. He didn’t even have time to get up before Iron Will landed a finishing blow to Vice’s face, sending him packing into yet another tree. A disgusting bang was heard as face met trunk before Vice crumpled to the ground, unmoving and still. The half bull, half human creature stepped back and took in his victory. “And so,” Iron Will coughed out. “Iron Will is victorious!” He raised his hands in triumph. Enzo rushed over to the unconscious stallion and quickly checked his pulse. Still breathing, Vice maintained many cuts and various bruises, primarily on his body. His trench coat was slightly torn from the crash and bloodied from the cuts. Enzo noticed splinters lodged into his friend’s side as well as a large welt on the stallion’s upper left eyebrow area. He quietly and carefully tucked Vice’s metal covered wings back through the slits of his trench coat. ‘Why Vice,’ thought Enzo sorrowfully. ‘Why do you do these things to yourself?’ Enzo turned to the celebrating minotaur. Iron Will’s face consisted of a punched out eye, bloodied nose and lip, and a swelled up cheek. A reddish-pinkish mark was spotted on his right part of his stomach. The black stallion slowly approached Iron Will with a burning question. “Why does Fluttershy owe you?” Enzo said calmly. “Huh?” The minotaur turned to the earth pony. “Oh yeah, almost forgot why Iron Will came. Iron Will taught that pony how to be assertive and seeing that she’s not a pushover anymore proves that Iron Will did his job.” “Did your job? Look what you’ve done to her!” Enzo’s voice started to rise. “Iron Will made a deal, so Iron Will deserves his fair share,” the minotaur said with steam puffing out his nose. “Iron Will pities the foal that gets in his way!” After assortments of snorts and foot shuffles, Enzo realized what Iron Will was planning. “Wait,” Enzo called out, but failed to get the attention of the minotaur. He braced himself for the charging monster, the beast’s face was bright cherry red. Enzo felt a spark of hostility build inside him. His eyes grew intense as he stood his ground. Locking eyes with the speeding minotaur, Enzo raised his hoof with the blue band wrapped around it. Before either opponent got the chance to meet, Iron Will was stopped in his tracks. Clyde had magically materialized next to Iron Will, decking him towards a cluster of trees. The sheer power of Clyde’s body was enough to cause the minotaur to cling onto the trees in order not to fall over. Iron Will couldn’t even retaliate as he was finished off with a well placed buck to the stomach from Clyde. A large and lugging thud was heard as the blue beast crashed through trees and lay still in a broken mess of branches and leaves. “He must have forgotten that there were three of us,” Clyde said walking over to the unconscious Vice and tense Enzo. “I don’t usually enact force, but this brute has gone too far. An incident like this hasn’t happened in quite a while.” Clyde approached the injured stallion and inspected his wounds. He warily picked up Vice and placed him on his back. Enzo had to assist Clyde with this task as he didn’t want to hurt Vice. With the pegasus secured on Clyde’s back, he spread his white wings wide open and flapped them gently. “I’m going to take mister Vice to the hospital. He doesn’t seem to be in any serious condition, but that Iron Will character gave him a rough beating.” Clyde quickly glanced over to the area where Iron Will took a tumble. “It seems our friend has vanished. Shame, I was going to come back with a few friends of my own.” “Is Vice going to be in any trouble?” said Enzo with growing concern. “Under normal circumstances, yes. But, I’ll let this one slide just for you,” Clyde answered with a subtle smile. “Also…Clyde.” “Yes, what is it mister Enzo?” “I was prepared to kill him.” Enzo said the sentence with a coldness in his voice. He started to raise his hoof with the blue band. “We all get worked up in a serious brawl. But my dear boy, I don’t think that we would get to a point where killing is necessary,” said Clyde chuckling a hearty laugh. “Yeah, your right. I guess I was just caught up in the moment” Enzo slowly brought his hoof back down. “Your friend knows quite a knowledge of combat. I’m intrigued by his fighting style, I’ve never seen somepony take out another with their own pair of wings.” Clyde said impressed. A sudden rate of alarm surged through Enzo’s body. “You saw his wings?” Enzo asked nervously. “Yes, he did just use them to fend off that Iron Will didn’t he? His wings are a bit odd though…I’ve never seen anything like them before.” Clyde responded not noticing Enzo’s change of character. “Are they a problem?” “No!” “Wow, hold it there, son. I’m just kidding, no need to be so antsy,” Clyde said with another of his warm laughs. “Listen, I really need to get mister Vice medical care now. I’m going to have to trust you with making sure Fluttershy is doing all right. After all, I bet she’s wondering what’s going on outside her house.” “Y-you want me to t-talk to Fluttershy?” Enzo said with quick stutters. A fresh gleam of sweat appeared over his forehead. “Of course, I can’t be in two places at once,” said Clyde unaware of Enzo’s change of state. “We did come here to assure she was alright.” “…” “Just make sure to tell her what happens and that Clyde himself sent you to deal with the problem.” “Okay…” Enzo turned towards the mare’s cottage and made an unconfident walk. “Wait, what if I can’t-” Enzo looked back and noticed the pegasus was already gone. “Oh no.”