Celestia hummed to herself, putting the finishing touches on her breakfast. Once it was done, she had a stack of pancakes with a face on top made of various berries. She smiled at her handiwork and sat down at her table. She then levitated the morning paper to read as she ate.
“A monster attack in Ponyville,” she read aloud between bites. “My goodness, I hope Twilight and her friends are okay.” She continued to read, taking a sip of orange juice.
Moments later, her eyes widened and she spat the liquid out in a mist. She then lit up her horn and teleported with the paper in tow. When she reappeared, she was in Luna’s bedroom. “Luna, wake up!” she cried, grabbing her sister by the shoulders.
Luna frowned, pushing her rather intrusive sister away. “Sister, thou hast best have a good reason for waking me up,” Luna spoke, her grogginess causing her to mix her speech up.
Celestia levitated the newspaper into Luna’s hands, pointing out the article she had been reading. “I do. A Kamen Rider has appeared again.”
Luna blinked for a few moments before gripping the paper hard enough for her knuckles to go white. She stared at the page, reading over the head line again and again. “Didn’t you tell me Agito had vanished some time after I was banished?”
Celestia nodded, a frown on her face. “Yes, he did. It seems he was able to survive through the years as we have.” Celestia gave Luna a hard look. “Perhaps we should check Ponyville? Agito might still be close by.”
Luna tossed her covers away, rising to her hooves. “Agreed. If Agito has returned, it can only mean that something has his attention. Something that we should know about.”
Celestia nodded and teleported out of the room to her own bedroom. She quickly changed out of her bathrobe and put on a dress and her regalia. She then teleported back to Luna’s room to see her sister had gotten dressed as well.
“I believe we should pay my student a visit,” Celestia commented. “I’m sure she’s heard something about this rider.”
Luna nodded and the two lit up their horns. They disappeared in a flash and reappeared in Ponyville. There was a gasp around them and the two sisters looked to see the townsponies bowing.
“There is no need to bow, my little ponies.” Celestia smiled, gesturing for them to rise. “I hope everypony is alright. When I heard the news of the attack, I had to come here myself. I assure you, we will do everything in our power to protect you from any further incidents.”
The ponies rose up and returned her smile. There was a quick chorus of thanks and assurances that everypony was safe. They then dispersed, going about their day.
Nodding at Luna, Celestia started to walk towards the library. Running over the possibilities in her mind, she began to formulate what exactly she would say to Agito. The man hadn’t exactly left on the best of terms, and she doubted he’d be happy to see either of them. She shook her head as she approached the library door. It didn’t matter if things were tense between them, she had a duty to protect her citizens. She reached out, knocked at the library door and waited for a response.
After a few moments, the door opened to reveal a yawning Spike. He opened his eyes and suddenly snapped to attention. “Princess!” he cried, looking between the sisters. “What are you two doing here?”
Celestia spoke first. “We heard of the attack, and were worried you and the elements were harmed.” She glanced around before leaning in. “Where is the rider?”
Spike’s eyes widened for a moment before letting them inside. “I’ll go get Twilight. You two can make yourselves at home.” He waved a claw over to the nearby couches while he rushed upstairs.
He returned a few moments later with a disheveled Twilight, her mane sticking out at odd angles. “Princesses, Spike told me you were here about the rider,” she said, a nervous smile on her face.
Celestia nodded, a stern look on her face. “Where is he now, Twilight? I need to see Agito as soon as possible.”
Twilight blinked for a moment before tilting her head at them. “Um, Wyatt said his base form is Decade.” Her eyes then widened. “But he did say he could turn into Agito. Wait,” she tilted her head and looked between them, “how do you know about Agito?”
Celestia and Luna exchanged looks, before focusing on Twilight. “Twilight, if you wouldn’t mind bringing us this ‘Wyatt’, I would be very grateful.” Celestia smiled reassuringly. “I promise you, he’s not in trouble.”
Twilight motioned at Spike who nodded and headed down to the basement. They all heard a muffled cry of, “What?!” before what sounded like a dull thud of someone falling. A few minutes later and Spike came back with a thin young man who looked between them with barely contained nerves.
“Hello,” Wyatt said, cracking a nervous smile.
Celestia looked Wyatt over, turning to Luna. “He’s certainly not Agito. A son perhaps?”
“Maybe we should ask him directly?” Luna offered, waving a hand to him. “He is right here and can hear everything we’re saying after all.”
Blushing, Celestia cleared her throat. “Forgive me, Wyatt. It has been a long time since we’ve seen a human, let alone a Kamen Rider. Please, tell us, what has brought you here?”
“Uh to be honest, I’m not really sure,” Wyatt said, rubbing the back of his head. “One minute I was at a convention, and the next thing I know I woke up in the Ponyville hospital.” He blinked, digesting Celestia’s earlier statements. “Wait a second, there have been Kamen Riders before me?”
“A pair of brothers,” Luna explained, leaning back on the couch. “Kuuga and Agito. They gave us a similar story to the one you just told us.”
Wyatt gaped at them, looking between the sisters. “This is nuts.” He took a seat across from them, looking down at his lap. “I thought I’d be the only human here.”
Celestia gave him a bright smile. “While there are no humans in Equestria, they do exist on this world. They live across the western sea, and choose to keep to themselves.”
“What?!” Twilight cried, stepping over to Wyatt’s side. “How come I’ve never heard this before?”
Wyatt ignored her outburst, staring up at the princesses in disbelief. “Why did they choose to isolate themselves?”
“Tensions were high after the unification. Not many nations were willing to forgive them for what the Gurongi did.”
Wyatt balled balled his fists at the word, a pit forming in his stomach. “So the Grongi appeared before I was here. Are Kuuga and Agito a part of this story?”
“Patience,” Celestia chided. “Spike, would you mind getting us some tea?”
Spike nodded and walked over to the kitchen. Wyatt took a deep breath, doing his best to wrap his head around all the new information. Coming back a few moments later, Spike passed out a few cups of tea.
Sipping at her tea, Celestia made herself comfortable. “Like we ponies, humanity was once separated into tribes. These tribes were the Linto and the Gurongi. The Linto were peaceful like us, but, the Gurongi were a brutal warrior tribe, constantly harassing their peaceful relatives.”
Wyatt arched a brow at her, adding a couple sugarcubes to his cup of tea. “That Gurongi tribe sounds like the monsters Kuuga fought.”
“Things changed when a meteor crashed into Gurongi lands. They harvested the strange materials and somehow used them to grant themselves the ability to take on the forms of monsters. The created a ‘game’ called the Gegeru, one that if completed, would have made the Linto as violent as they were.”
Spike gulped, taking a seat next to Twilight. “Did they do it? Did they complete the game?”
Luna smiled, shaking her head. “Luckily for us, Kuuga and Agito appeared to challenge them. They fought when the Linto could not, and brought the Gurongi leader low. However, instead of finishing off the vile tribe, Kuuga offered them peace.” Her ears drooped and she stared into her cup. “And while they achieved it, Kuuga did not live to see it.”
Wyatt gulped, placing a hand on one of the bruises on his chest. He winced slightly as he let that news sink in. It served to remind him how close to dying he had come himself the day before. Or what could happen if he kept using the belt. Then an image of Rainbow Dash in a bloody heap replayed in his head and he clenched his hand over his chest.
Celestia picked up the conversation. “After Kuuga’s passing, Agito became distant. After the Nightmare Incident, he vanished altogether, though, over the years I’ve gotten reports of someone wielding powers like his. The last was around the time Twilight first became my student.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened and his sip of tea went down the wrong pipe, sending him into a coughing fit. He rubbed his throat before speaking. “Are you saying that Agito’s been around that long?” He scratched his chin for a moment. “Or maybe the original Agito passed his powers down to someone.”
“Kuuga was of the impression that their powers would keep them young, much like us.” Celestia gestured to herself and Luna. “While I am slightly disappointed you are not him, I’d like to think news of your existence will draw him out.”
Wyatt chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I’m sure I’m nowhere near as impressive to see as a hero that helped save the world.”
“Still,” Celestia pressed, putting her cup down. “Agito’s return would aid us greatly. When one monster appears, many are sure to follow. Equestria has been at peace for so long, my little ponies have forgotten how to fight.”
Wyatt nodded, giving the princesses a serious look. “I’m sure. I know I’m not the rider you’re looking for, but I’ll help you however I can. It’s not like I can give my powers to someone else.”
Celestia smiled sadly. “I hate asking this of you. To put yourself in danger to protect a race that is not your own.” She reached over, taking his hand. “You have my thanks, Wyatt.”
Wyatt returned her smile and rubbed the back of his head. “Consider it my way of repaying you all for giving me a place to stay.” He slowly pulled his hand away from her. “Besides, what kind of person would I be if I let others die when there’s something I can do?”
Luna nodded, an approving smile on her face. “Well said, I hope you keep that attitude in mind during the trials ahead.”
Wyatt smiled at her. “Can I just make a small request? I’d like my identity as Decade to remain private.”
Celestia and Luna exchanged a look for a few moments before facing him again.
“That should be fine,” Celestia assured him.
“Thank you,” Wyatt said, relaxing in his seat. “Um, is it okay if I ask you something?” His eyes moved from their heads to their backs. “What kind of pony are you exactly?”
Giggling, Celestia spread her wings. “My sister and I are alicorns. In us, all pony tribes are represented. A unicorn’s magic, a pegasi’s flight, an earth pony’s strength.”
Wyatt nodded in understanding. “No wonder you two are the princesses.”
“That’s not all,” Spike chimed, “they also raise the sun and moon everyday.”
Wyatt turned to the drake, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. “That’s impossible.”
Twilight let out a gasp, shooting up from her seat. “Oh my goodness, I just remembered something!” She turned to Wyatt and Spike. “We’re supposed to meet the girls at the hospital today!”
“You’re right!” Spike gasped, his eyes going wide. “Rainbow Dash should be awake!”
Celestia and Luna shared another look before turning to Twilight with a concerned expression.
“Does Rainbow Dash being in the hospital have anything to do with the monster attack?”
Wyatt nodded, getting out of his seat. “Yeah, it knocked her through a window.”
“If you don’t mind, may we join you?” Luna asked.
Twilight flashed the princesses a smile. “Of course you can come.” She walked over to the front door and motioned for the others to follow.
Everyone else got up from their seats and followed her out the door into town. Most of the trip was spent in relative silence, though Wyatt couldn’t help but notice the reverent looks directed at the princesses. The silence was broken when they passed by a schoolhouse. The faint sounds of children screaming caught their attention.
They ran towards the sounds and were stunned by what they saw. A humanoid monster that was a deep green with a staff in its hand that had a crescent moon shaped blade at the end. Its head had an alien look to it and spikes jutted out from its head and various parts of its body. In its other hand was a charcoal colored pegasus foal that it was holding up by the foal’s throat.
“Wh-whaddya want from us?” a yellow earth pony filly with a red mane asked, holding her hands over a gash on her leg.
“Wings!” the monster cried, raising its weapon as it prepared to strike the foal in its grasp.
Wyatt’s eyes widened and he concentrated on his driver appearing in his hand. It only took a moment for it and the card case to appear. He placed the driver to his waist and the belt formed around him. He then pulled out the Decade card and slotted it into the driver.
“Henshin!” Wyatt called out, pressing the handles on the buckle together.
“Kamen ride,” the familiar voice of the driver said, various silhouettes appearing around Wyatt, “Decade!” The silhouettes converged and with a flash, Wyatt appeared in the Decade armor.
“Beast, you won’t hurt a hair on those foals!” Luna was the first to spring into action. A war hammer appeared in her hands, and she leapt into the air, quickly closing the distance between them. With a savage cry, she brought it down onto its head with as much force as she could muster.
The monster stumbled, causing it to release the pegasus foal. Before they could hit the ground, Wyatt dove and caught them.
“Are you okay?” Wyatt asked, looking down at the foal. He stood up and put himself between the injured filly and the monster. “Can you move?”
“Y-yeah!” the filly shuttered, staring with wide eyes.
Wyatt put the pegasus foal down next to the filly and turned his attention back to the monster. He grabbed his card case off his belt and unfolded it into its sword form. “Then you two get to safety. The princesses and I will take care of this.”
“Come on!” The pegasus grabbed the filly’s arm, dragging her along as he made a run for it.
Wyatt felt a surge of relief fill him as he charged the monster. He slashed the monster’s back while it and Luna’s weapons were crossed. Sparks flew up from the creature’s back and it let out a roar of pain. Out of the corner of his eye, Wyatt noted Celestia was standing guard over the school children, wielding a sword and shield. The monster growled, pushing Luna and her hammer and creating an opening in her guard. Just as the monster was about to strike at her, Wyatt jumped in front of her and blocked its fist with his sword.
Wyatt grunted and shoved the monster back. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to hit a lady?” Wyatt asked.
Luna spread her wings, giving them a flap to regain her balance. “I take it you know what this creature is?”
“It’s an Imagin,” Wyatt answered, taking a card out of his case. “It gains power by forming a contract with someone and granting their wish.” He slotted the card into his belt, pressing the handles together.
“Kamen ride: Den-O!” the driver called out, Wyatt’s form shifting.
The main color of his armor became red, with silver trimming running down the center of the chestplate that resembled train tracks. His boots and gauntlets were entirely silver with the unarmored portions on his arms and legs being black. The mouthpiece of his helmet was silver, the almost triangular eyepieces extended out a little past the helmet and a golden band ran along the top of the helmet. His sword changed in appearance as well, with a black and silver handle and a long, red blade that was thicker than the one he used as Decade.
Luna gazed at him, hefting her hammer again. “I never ceased to be amazed by rider transformations.”
Wyatt got into a stance with his sword, bending his knees. “I’ve got eight more I can show you.” He leapt forward, slashing diagonally at the monster’s chest. It hissed in pain, stumbling backwards.
Luna followed up by swinging her hammer horizontally and catching the monster in its side. “Die monster!”
Wyatt pulled out a card from his case. “I think I can help with that. You might wanna step back.”
Luna heeded his warning as he put the card in his driver.
“Final attack ride: D-D-Den-O!” The blade on Wyatt’s sword shot out from the hilt, a bright glow surrounding it. He then moved his arm in a horizontal motion and the blade quickly followed it in a blur. He did this again, a shower of sparks shooting out from the monster. Finally, he swung the hilt down from over his head and the blade cleaved the monster in two, soil and grass erupting out from the force. The remains then dissolved into sand as Wyatt reverted to Decade.
Luna let her hammer drop, eyeing the sand carefully. “Are you sure it’s dead?”
Wyatt nodded, his body relaxing. “Yeah, it’s dead.” He walked over, kicking the sand to demonstrate. Part of it drifted away with the breeze, but nothing else happened.
Dispelling her hammer, Luna pat a hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “You’ve certainly earned your keep. If only there were more like you.”
Wyatt smiled under his helmet, looking between Luna and the foals. “In my world there’s a popular saying; with great power comes great responsibility. If I’ve got the powers of a rider, then I’ll do the job of one.”
A distant smile formed on Luna’s lips. “Kuuga shared a similar sentiment. He always strived to protect those who could not protect themselves.”
Wyatt felt a bit of pride at the comment, glancing back at her. “Well, I think I’m gonna go off and turn back to normal away from everyone. But I think you and your sister should talk to the foals. I’ve got a feeling that one of them made the contract.” He started to walk off.
Luna walked over to her sister, whispering everything Wyatt had told her. Celestia’s eyes widened for a moment, glancing back at the foals.
“We will need to tread carefully,” Celestia whispered. “I’m sure the foal in question is already quite shaken up by what happened here.”
Luna nodded. “Tact has always been more of your strong suit.” She scanned through the group, looking for any foal that seemed particularly out of sorts. Her eyes settled on an orange pegasus filly that was trying to make herself as small as possible. “What is your name?” she asked, making the filly jump.
“Um, S-Scootaloo, Princess,” the filly answered, not meeting the alicorn’s gaze. It was then that Luna noticed that the filly’s wings looked rather underdeveloped for her age.
“Please come here, Scootaloo,” Celestia instructed, kneeling down to her level. Giving Scootaloo her best smile, Celestia gestured to the playground. “Can you tell me about what happened? I promise, no matter what, you won’t be in trouble.”
Scootaloo’s face fell and her eyes darted around frantically as if she were contemplating running away. After a few moments she her shoulders sagged and she started to walk towards the jungle gym.
Celestia turned to the school teacher, who had been keeping the other foals under control. “You may go inside. I suggest ending school for the rest of the day. I’ll send my guards out to escort the children home.”
The teacher nodded and motioned toward the door for all the foals to see. “Okay everypony, let’s get inside until the nice guards come here.” She turned to the yellow filly and pegasus foal that had gotten caught up in the attack. “Apple Bloom, Rumble, do you two need any help getting inside?”
“Ah should be fine,” Apple Bloom assured, carefully taking a step forward on her injured leg.
“I’ll help!” Rumble stepped over, bracing Apple Bloom’s shoulder.
“Okay, just go over to my desk so I can clean that up,” the teacher said, ushering the students into the schoolhouse. “I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”
Celestia and Luna watched them file into the building for a moment before joining Scootaloo by the jungle gym. They took a seat besides her, both of them giving her comforting smiles.
“Do you know how this monster attack started?” Celestia asked. She put a hand on the filly’s back. “Tell us whatever you can.”
Scootaloo stared down at the ground, trembling for a few moments. “I-It was all my fault,” she admitted. “T-that thing came up to me. It rose up from a pile of sand and asked me what my wish was. I-I know I shouldn’t have told him, but I couldn’t resist. I told it that I wanted to fly.” She shuddered, clenching her hands around her knees. “Because of me, one of my best friends got hurt.” Tears openly fell from her eyes. “If it weren’t for you and that weird armored guy, they might’ve-” She stopped herself from finishing and broke into sobs.
Luna’s expression fell, the monster’s intentions suddenly becoming clear. She put a hand on the filly’s shoulder. “Nopony could blame you for falling into that sort of temptation.” Taking a chance, she pulled Scootaloo into a hug. “Least of all me. You are not at fault for what that beast did.”
Scootaloo’s sobs slowed slightly as she returned Luna’s hug. She stayed like that with the princess for a while.
The sun blazed high over head, sending unrelenting heat down onto the dry ground below. A single being walked along a well worn path, their form hidden under a cloak. A pale mask concealed their face, depicting a horned demon. The rhythmic crunch of dried grass under foot was the only sound that graced the area. The figure adjusted their cloak, the blazing sun making the article of clothing uncomfortable. They climbed to the top of a hill, spotting a town nearby. Nothing about it stuck out, not after all the other towns the figure had seen.
Resuming their trek, they passed a sign stating the town was named “Appleloosa.” The figure turned their head, seeing a treeline just outside of the town. The figure guessed it was an orchard if the name of the town was anything to go by. The figure turned back toward the town, slowly making their way toward it.
As they walked into town, a few ponies stopped to watch them. One such pony, a yellow stallion with a leather vest and cowboy hat, made a beeline for the newcomer. Clearing his throat, he threw his arms out wide. “Welcome to Appleloosa!!!!!”
The figure was taken aback by the greeting. Normally ponies weren’t so happy to see a cloak and demon mask. In fact, the figure had been run out of towns instantly more than once at torch and pitchfork-point.
“Hello,” the figure greeted, their voice rasping from the early stages of dehydration. “You must be the welcome wagon.”
The stallion chuckled. “Ah make sure all our guests feel welcome.” Pausing to look over the newcomer, he smiled. “Ya’ll musta been walkin’ fer a while. Come on, ah’ll show ya to the saloon. First drinks on me.”
“I’ve never been able to turn down a free drink.” The figure motioned towards the rest of the town. “Lead the way.”
“Ah’m Braeburn by the way,” the stallion introduced, leading him through the town.
The figure looked around, finding everything to have an Old West aesthetic. He half expected to see Clint Eastwood and John Wayne to walk out and have a shootout. He turned back to Braeburn. “You can call me Oni.”
“Oni huh?” Braeburn asked, eyeing him critically. “Well, Oni, we ain’t ones ta turn away a weary traveller. Us Apples Especially!”
Braeburn led him through the stereotypical doors of the saloon, swinging behind them for a few seconds before coming to a rest. “I appreciate it. I’m a little sick of cactus juice,” “Oni” replied. The pair got a few looks, but, no one bothered them.
The pair took a seat at the counter, Braeburn motioning over the barkeep. “Tapper, two Apple Family Ciders please.”
“Comin’ right up!” Tapper, an olive colored mare with a fiery red mane, replied. She grabbed two mugs, filling them up from a keg set into the wall. Turning around, she slid them along the bar. “Enjoy boys!”
Braeburn and Oni caught their mugs by the handle and picked them up. “Thank ya kindly.” Braeburn flashed her a bright smile before taking a long swig.
“Thanks.” Oni tilted his mask up, taking a long drink from his mug. “Haven’t had anything like this in a while.”
Braeburn chuckled and grinned. He leaned on the bar as he turned to Oni. “Ah doubt you’ve ever had anything like this. It’s mah family’s secret recipe. Best in all o’ Equestria.” From what Braeburn could see of Oni’s face, it appeared the stallion was smiling.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that a lot. Apples tend to be everywhere you go.”
Braeburn chuckled and took another swig. “Eeyup, the family tends t’plant a lot o’ seeds if ya catch mah drift.”
Oni took another drink from his glass, setting it on the bar. “Yeah, I know what you mean. What about you? Plant any seeds yet?”
Braeburn set his own mug down and looked up. “Not yet. Appleoosa is still settlin’ in. Between buildin’ the town, plantin’ the orchard and settlin’ the feud with the buffalo, everypony’s had their hands full.” He turned back to Oni with a wide smile. “Ah ain’t worried none about it though. Ah ain’t even thirty yet. Way too soon t’think about makin’ little Apple saplings.”
Oni shrugged. “You never know. A kid could just jump out at you.”
Braeburn laughed for a few moments, tilting his hat back. “Yeah, as if a little filly’ll fall on mah head and Ah’d adopt her right quick.”
Chuckling, Oni shook his head. “It could happen.”
Braeburn shook his head and smiled. “Maybe. Stranger things have happened. Mah cousin became an Element of Harmony and Princess Luna returned. Anything’s possible.”
At Luna’s name, Oni tensed up. ‘I heard about that. Must have been some reunion. I can only imagine how happy Celestia was.”
Braeburn finished his cider, putting his mug on the counter. “From what Ah heard, there was a lot of tears and hugs.”
“Good for them.” Oni finished his drink, placing a few bits on the table. “For the tip.” He slide his mask back down, heading towards the door.
Braeburn watched him as he left. “Aint’cha gonna stick around? Ya haven’t even had a bite t’eat. Not t’mention the desert don’t exactly have soft beds.”
“You got an inn?” Oni asked, looking over his shoulder.
“Not exactly,” Braeburn replied, adjusting his hat again. “But there’s a spare room at mah place. It ain’t nothin’ fancy, but it’ll keep the cold, night air away.” Adjusting his hat, he gave Oni a smile. “Yer welcome to it, ah insist.”
Oni turned back, taking his hand off the door. “I guess one night won’t hurt.” He faced Braeburn, the eyes of the mask boring into the stallion. “But I can’t stay longer than that.”
Braeburn nodded and waved Oni back over. “Alright, whatever ya say. Now why don’t ya come and get a bite t’eat? Tapper may not be able t’brew anything like mah family’s cider, but she’s a mean cook.” He flashed the bartender a teasing smile.
Tapper huffed, smoothing down her dress. Satisfied it was presentable, she flashed Oni a smile. “Come on, sugar, whaddya have?”
Oni took his seat back at the bar, resting his elbows on the counter. “I’ll take just about anything that doesn’t have hay or flowers in it. Got anything like that?”
Tapper smiled and nodded. “I’ll whip ya somethin right up, sugar.” She dipped back into the kitchen and grabbed a variety of materials. Half an hour later and she returned with a steaming plate of a vegetarian shepherd’s pie.
“Smells good,” Oni complimented. Once again, he slid his mask up, just enough to allow him to eat. He took the offered fork and cut into the crust. A wave of steam came out and revealed the gravy and vegetables. Taking a bite, he gave Tapper a thumbs up.
Tapper’s smile grew and she grabbed Oni’s mug to fill it back up. “Glad ya like it, hun.” She slid the mug back over to him.
Oni nodded in thanks, grabbing the mug and taking a long drink from it. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, a faint smile on his face. Just as he was about to take another bite, the doors opened and slammed into the wall. He turned to see several stallions with weapons in their hands. Oni sighed, putting his fork down as he prepared for the worst.
Standing up, he turned to the stallions. “And what do you idiots want?”
“Easy, we’re taking this town for everything it’s got,” the largest earth pony stallion of the group answered, seemingly ignoring the insult. “This place doesn’t even have guards, just an old sheriff.”
Oni eyed them closely. “I suggest you turn around and leave. These are nice people, they don’t deserve to be bothered by the likes of you.”
The group laughed, nearly doubling over. The leader quickly recovered and pointed his dagger at Oni. “You must be some sort of comedian.” The stallion grinned. “They may not deserve to get robbed, but we deserve a pile of bits.”
Sighing, Oni shook his head. “It’s always the stupid ones.” He held out his hand, and a rush of blue energy emerged from his cloak. It formed in his hand, becoming a blue staff, with a blade on either end. The would-be bandits flinched and gaped at the unknown weapon. A glare from the leader caused them to get into stances against Oni. They spread out around him, keeping his back to the counter.
“Do we really have to do this?” he asked, moving his gaze between them.
“Of course not,” the leader said, “just let us take what we came for and we won’t hurt anypony.”
“Too bad, I can’t let you have that.”
The leader motioned with his hand and the rest of the bandits charged at Oni. Oni was quick to react and swept his weapon at the hooves of a scrawny, cream-colored unicorn. Knocking the stallion off his hooves, Oni kicked him in the stomach, sending him into the guy behind him. Another earth pony stallion charged at Oni with an axe, the weapon held high above his head. Oni spun his polearm around, smacking the charging stallion in his elbows. The stallion lost his grip on the axe, the butt of the handle falling and hitting the stallion in the head. The axe then hit the floor, the blade lodging itself into the floorboard.
Oni leveled the blade with the stallion's neck, lightly pressing it into his skin. Locking eyes with the leader, he spoke. “Are we done now?”
The leader was about to say something when the remaining bandits ran out the door, their weapons clattering to the floor. The leader grit his teeth before hanging his head. “We give up.”
Oni dispelled the weapon, retaking his seat. “Thought so.”
The patrons of the bar surrounded the leader and the remaining bandit and dragged them off towards the jail. Braeburn and Tapper stared at Oni as he resumed eating, their mouths agape. Oni ignored them, turning his attention to the pie in front of him. He grumbled to himself over the fact that the pie had become lukewarm.
Braeburn was the first to recover from his stupor. “Well, Ah’ll be, that was amazin’ Oni! How’d ya do that anyway?”
Oni shrugged and took another bite of his pie. “It’s just something certain members of my kind can do.” He took a few more bites before standing up. “Sorry about the mess.” Reaching into his cloak, he pulled out a small bag, placing it on the counter.
Tapper recovered and put the bag back into his hand. “Yer money’s no good here, hun. Not after keepin’ us all from gettin’ robbed.”
Oni grunted, putting the bag away. He turned on his heels, walking out of the saloon.
“Ya leavin’ town already?” Braeburn asked, a frown on his face.
“Sorry. Don’t need the attention.” Oni paused, looking over his shoulder. “Hey Braeburn, is Granny Smith still around?”
A large grin spread across Braeburn’s face. “Eeyup, she’s alive and kickin’. Ah think her stubborn ways are gonna make her immortal.”
“Tell her, Pear says he’s sorry.” Without further conversation, Oni walked out of the building, vanishing from sight.