A week have passed since that night. All of Ponyville already knows that Fluttershy changed, or at least now more open rather than her usual shyness. To Jino, it was a new beginning. As he lays lazily underneth a tree, he daydream away in his past memories. Ohh...Kirin.....how he wished she could be here to see the looks on her face. Jino still could clearly remembers the kiss he got from Fluttershy. It was warm, but soft at the end, as if filled with passion. He smiles, unable to hold it in his head.
" Ha see som'epony really ove'r he own head ra'ght now..." Applejack appears from nowhere, laughing at Jino.
" We're only making out....nothing serious....really! "
" nah don't cha worry partner! I'm ma know that...As far as ha can tell, ya earn my trust...she told all of us what ya' did that day..that very brave of ya...."
Jino rubs his head, his face reds from her compliment. " I reck'on ya head back, storms building up....." Applejack gesture to Jino as she stares to the sky. She's right. Dark storm clouds are building up, probably by the pegasus pony ready to make rain. " RACE YA BACK TO THE BARN!!!....Last 1 back is a ROTTEN APPLE!!! " Before Jino could even voice out, Applejack took off already. Typical....not being a bad sports, Jino ran after Applejack.
As Jino was catching up with Applejack, he notice something on the dirtroad as he pass a crossroad. Another pony, probably injured, as it was walking, no...limping slowly. The wind already began to howl loudly, indicating the approach of a heavy storm. Without thinking twice, Jino gallop over to help the injured pony. But as he close in he notice something odd about that pony. He was wearing a rather torn cape, but the pattern seems familiar. Jino's mind is twitching, desperatly tryinng to remember when or where he had seen it before, But the falling raindrops detere him to do otherwise. All he can do now is to assist him to a place of safety.
Moments later Jino manage to reach back to the farm in time despite carrying the injured pony on his back. As Jino enter the Applejack's home, he voice out loudy for Applejack to bring some dry towels and warm water. He lay the helpless pony on the floor, trying to clean all the dirt of him aswell as trying to get a proper visual on his face. Applejack walks up to Jino with a bucket warm water and dry towel, still puzzed on why Jino needed it. Then she sees the injured pony.
" Gosh...is he okay? " Applejack voice out as she walks to the otherside of the injured pony. Jino shacks his head.
" Seems like he's pretty beat up. " Jino comment as he looks at the bruises and cuts that are all over the body. As he further cleans the dirt on the injured pony, he remembers the torn cape on his back. Curious he takes it off.
" Applejack, could you tend to his wound for a while, i need to check on something...." Jino says as he held the torn cape in his mouth. Applejack dip the towel into the bucket and she continue to wipe the dirt of the face. He wasn't unconcious, rather in a very difficult state. Probably explains the bruises and the wounds.
As day turns to night, the storm rages on. Winds howls aloud, and the rain pours hard. Jino returns from his room with the cape in his mouth. Before Applejack ask Jino anything she notice there's something different. An expression never seen before by her. Anger? Rage? Jino eye were like a beast, and something was indeed wrong. Jino's eye, it wasn't normal, his left eye was blood red, and the right was blue. As Applejack recall, Jino's pupil was a bright red, not like this. Something is indeed not right. Afraid to speak up, she just observe Jino from afar.
A fews hours later, the mysterious pony finnaly got his sences back. He moves his arms around, trying to see the extend of his injuries. Confuse and weary, he looks around...having only to be taken by surprise a blade place dangerously close to his neck.
" JINO!! What DA' HAY!!! What Are YA'DOIN!? " Applejack immediatly confronts Jino but keeps her distance.
Jino stares down that mysterious pony, his blade poise to taste blood. His eyes. It burns with fury and hate. Jino breathing hasten, his eyes looked at Applejack. Chills runs down her spine, as if the intend to murder were pressence in his blood eye. The tension in the air is almost unbearable.
" Akno no I'sina Komandanum.....no'm mo de santum!! ( Who are you?! and Why are you here? SPEAK!! ) " Jino utter words not understood by Applejack.
" So that's how you treat someone that did so much for you in the past? " Those words stuns Jino as it reaches his ears. He lowers his blades and somehow the colour of his eyes revert back to its original colour. Than Jino got up and hugs that mysterious pony. " It's been too long, Master Kira....it's been too long " . Tears flows down the side of his cheek, as he hugs the pony closer.
" MASTER?!? " Applejack were dumbfound by the sound of that word.
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As the night goes on and the rain continues to pour, Jino , Applejack and Kira settle down to chat. Applebloom seems to notice the commotion earlier, and join them. A couple of warm applecider tea sits on the table, waiting to be drink.
" It's been to long , Jino. Ever since you were banished, things didn't really went well for all of us. But I came to deliver more news. " Master Kira sips a little applecider from the cup infront of him. " Somehow along the few month after you left, something happen..."
" Then tell me master, no more holding back , please..."
" I am sure you remember Irou? Seems like he went a little overboard...."
"After he took my place in the Council of 7? "
"............yes. " Kira sigh loudly. " Corruption and Death....is now the law that rules above all else....seems like Honor just died in the hearts of many. When Irou replace you as mentor in the Council of Seven, he bend the other 6 high Council to his will and change everything...."
" Council of 7?? What the hay is that? " Applejack interupt.
" The Council of 7 is basically another form of goverment. But instead of politics, we involved ourself to protect our fellow ponies and serving our apointed ruler to the death. When the Great War comes to an end, all the 7 states in our land agread on a peace treaty and form our great nation. The Council of 7 are composed of 7 ponies that represent each states. The members of the council are often subjected to many hard and terrible task before anyone of them is demed worthy to receive the post.....and i was their Grandmaster that taught them all the skills...." Master Kira continue to sip his drink.
" Since my father was a close friend to Master Kira, he took me in after his death, and taught me everything he know. Since then my life was nothing but training day and night. "
"......hahaha. I could still remember the day you got your cutie mark. I was never prouder to see that particular mark on your flank, Jino. " Master Kira say as he points at Jino's flank. A clear bright mark of a Plum Blossom. " Honor before self....your father would have been proud if he saw you save Kirin with his own eyes...How you save the Emperor's daughter was simple heroic even if it was reckless. You defeat a group of assasins single-handedly and earn the Emperor's blessings later that same day. The way you fight was nothing compare in training and the other ponies i train. I can tell when somepony fight with his heart and soul, the buring desire to protect. HAHAHAH!!!! " Master Kira suddendly burst out laughing.
" It was a proud moments in my life. Back to the story....what happen when I was gone? " The expression on Master Kira suddendly change. He took a moment to take a deep breath.
" Irou broke our most sacred rule, shatter what was once our creed....now our honor is forever disavoved. He.....corrupt the Council of 7 and took the Emperor as prisoner. Now he sits upon the throne rulling us all." Master Kira face was cleary bitter. " I was with the Emperor that night, and i was taken by surprised. Badly injured and the Emperor captured, my only option left was you, Jino. Somepony must redeem us of this great betrayal. "
"....Irou......What have you done...." Jino's expression change again. The same blood eye and the blue returns.
" While I make my escape...Irou chase me but.....i manage to but just barely...if it weren't for Kirin....she..sh...." His voice starts to break. The tension in the air thicken. Jino's heart beats even harder.
" She was killed in the bid to aid my escape.....i'm sorry...Jino...i'm truly sorry...."
".....noo...nooOO......NNOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Jino burst out in rage. Tears flow from eyes as he scream aloud. His heart now filled with noting more than hate. Pure hatered. As if the storm that rage outside resonate with his fit of anger. Loud and furious. Jino storms out of the barn despite the storm. Applejack gets up to stop Jino but was stopped by Master Kira.
" Leave him be...Give him some space. Time will tell when he's ready....."