//------------------------------//
// Welcome to Ponyville 
// Story: Dissidia Final Fantasy Friendship is Magic 
// by Final Fantasy BRN 
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            Warrior took time to wander around the world to seek his crystal before returning to Equestria. He had many encounters with manikins as he now wanders around Kefka’s fortress. He felt fatigued due to the fact that he was fighting ten manikins in the last half hour.

No matter how many fall there is always another wave. Warrior thought. What kind of numbers do these abominations have? Around the corner, the Dragoon Kain Highwind arrived. "Kain!"

"My friend. You’re unscathed." Kain said as he approached Warrior.

"Yes… But breaks in the fighting are few and far between. I can only hope the others have fared as well."

Kain put on a look that explained he is in a great dilemma. "Manikins…hm." 

Warrior looked at Kain with a puzzled look. "What of them?"

Kain’s look now became one of great seriousness. "I wonder. How do you place our odds?" Warrior became confused, he was now curious to see why Kain would say such a thing. "Against numbers like these, do you think we actually stand to win?"

Warrior’s expression changed again, this time he knew what to say. "I cannot speak for the outcome, but we can fight as long as we have strength."

“Hmph." Kain smiled, "That’s one answer."  He started to walk some more until he was a few steps behind him. "You are correct. We can fight for as long as we have strength, and almost certainly lose." Warrior sighed in realization that there was nothing the warriors of Cosmos can do, for they have already lost. "But IF! IF there were a way to make a winning possible by accepting that loss as inevitable. Would you be able to commit yourself to such a purpose?"

Warrior was more confused than ever. In fact he was more confused than he was when he woke up in Equestria. "What do you mean?"

"We are trapped." Kain explained. "This war is a cycle with no proper end. We fight and fall, we are revived, and the process repeats." Warrior’s eyes bugged and he took a heavy gasp, coming to grips with the fact that he is in an endless war. He knew that the war has been going on for a very long time, but he never knew this was in fact without end.

"I realize that this is not easy to believe, but consider. If what I’ve said to you is true, then so is this, we’ll have another chance. As long as some of our strength remains, we will be brought back and provided with a chance to fight again." Warrior was still taking this all in, but the only thing his mind is thinking about is, why? If this is the case, then what is the point of sending him to Equestria?

"What is it you purpose we do?" Warrior asked.

"We must embrace our defeat." Kain said. "We must fall, however Lightning has seen how I’m making everyone submit. I tried to defeat her, but I could not. There was also a sudden increase in manikins. Lightning advised everyone to return to the Sanctuary and they all hit a snag and they are now all separated." Warrior put on an angry face, he now knows why he's the only warrior defending Equestria. 

"You’ve been felling our comrades?" Warrior shouted. "Are you mad? Or have you simply betrayed us?!"

"It is necessary in order to win. Remember, once we fall, we will be revived at full strength to fight again." Kain explained. Warrior froze, he needed time to take this in, so he let Kain go. Right then he remembered he made a promise to return to Equestria. After a while he came back to the sanctuary and returned to Comos’s side. 

"The manikin situation is getting worse." Warrior said. "Right now it seems as if only this is the only safe place for us." Cosmos started to frown and she stared at Warrior.

"Someone is going to be joining our ranks when we fight again." Cosmos explained.

"What are you talking about?"  Warrior asked. "Who would be brave enough to join our ranks?"

"A young man and a former soldier of Chaos, a man who wishes for his friend to be safe. He turned against the god of discord and is now banished in darkness, but I heard him make a prayer for his friend. In turn, I gave him the powers of harmony and found out that he is one of my chosen. The ex-SOLDIER Cloud." Warrior was taking in not about how he had gained a new comrade, but rather how Cosmos was so willing to accept a Warrior of Chaos. Warrior started to hear footsteps and painful moaning and quickly drew his sword when he and Cosmos noticed the girl, Terra Branford in the distance. She was staggering towards the throne clutching her arm. She appeared to be hurt and she looked tired. Warrior was getting ready to attack her.

"Hold!" Cosmos ordered, and Warrior complied. Terra continued to moan in pain and she finally collapsed on the floor of the Sanctuary. Warrior sheathed his sword and both he and Cosmos started to think about what could have happened to her.

"Could it be that she was sparring with the manikins?" Warrior asked.

"It may well be so." Cosmos said. "Perhaps she was wounded and wandered here unknowingly."

"But…Why?"

"I sense a strong conviction in her." Cosmos smiled. “She no longer wishes to fight. She wants peace.” She stretched out her hand and began to give Terra her powers of harmony.

"Cosmos… you do realize this girl is a warrior of chaos?" Warrior’s thoughts of accepting a Warrior of Chaos became even more confusing to him.

"Yes. But even so, she is also a warrior who longs to bring an end to this war. I do not wish that dream to be extinguished." Warrior’s confusion started to subside for he was starting to understand what this means. It’s the need to fight in order to make a change. "Rest, child. You are well." Cosmos gave Terra the powers of harmony. "When you awaken, you can choose a new path… of your own free will." Terra faded away, for in the next battle she will be with Cosmos. "Now don’t you have a meeting in Equestria?" Warrior nodded and proceeded to march towards the gateway to Equestria. "Now… surely Celestia has questions and I will provide her with answers." Cosmos flashed into the heavens.

Warrior continued to march through the darkness and once he appeared at the grind beam he climbed on it. As he slid on it, the darkness came to light, and Ponyville took the atmosphere.

"You there!" Called an elderly voice, Warrior turned his head to the right and noticed an older mare approaching him. She had a white mane and her coat was pale brown. She was also wearing glasses covering her blue eyes, around her neck she was wearing a white collar held together with green fake flower. She bears a cutie mark that resembles a diploma. This was Mayor Mare.

"What is it?" Warrior asked. "I must meet Twilight and Spike to see this place."

“I am the mayor around here.” Mayor Mare said in a nagging tone. “And I am here to make sure you bring us no trouble, being who you are. The princess told me everything about who you are and what could be coming to our beautiful home!"

"I will not lie to you that there will be war and danger."

"I surely hope you will honor your word to protect us, for you see that I will be watching you very closely."

"So, you don’t trust me, Very well, use your eyes and maybe your instincts will show you that I do intend to protect your home."

"Warrior!" Twilight called from the left, she was approaching with Spike right beside her. 

"Is everything all right, Mayor?" Twilight asked. "I see you met our new friend, Warrior of Light."

"I’m going to make sure that he won’t cause trouble, with him being a human, and a soldier. I can’t be too careful, especially after what happened with Nightmare Moon."

"So you know about humans, too?" Warrior asked. "Then I will do all I can to prove that I can be trusted."

“Fine." Mayor Mare sighed. “Remember, I’ll be watching you!” Mayor Mare turned around and walked off.

“Sorry about that.” Twilight giggled. “We really do need to get over what happened.”

"Well, now that that’s over." Spike said. "Let’s show you around." Warrior, being led by the two, began to tour around Ponyville. They took time to see the town and what the others do here. He saw a few places that were familiar to him, Sugar Cube Corner and the Library.  

"I would ask the details of what happened specifically."  Warrior said. "But I would prefer to ask your other princess about that. However, one thing I must know is how did you spare her from the conflict?"

"Well, when Princess Luna was corrupted she became Nightmare Moon." Twilight explained. "We needed to use six elements, that is, six Elements of Harmony."

"What!?" Warrior shouted, his eyes bugged out, that name began to ring in his mind.

"The Elements of Harmony. I’ll show you a book that says what the elements are, but as it turns out me and my five friends that you met, are chosen to wield them. You see, as the name says, the six elements are what harmony is made of. Each of the virtues the elements correspond with chose one of my friends who shine with the virtue they best represent."

"I guess you six are similar to me and my comrades." Warrior said. "Chosen friends charged to protect this world with your inner light."

"Using the elements, we were able to defeat Nightmare Moon and purify her of her own jealousy." Many ponies that they passed by waved to Warrior, which he naturally waved back. He wasn't having problems seeing this openness because after his welcoming party he learned to accept that these ponies have no natural problems that humans have. He feels that not only their world must be protected, so should their happiness.





At Canterlot Castle, Celestia began contemplating on what happened before, when Warrior fought the manikin and what is to come. Just then, Cosmos flashed into the room and Celestia ordered her guards to step out of the room for a while.

"Haven’t you heard of knocking?" Celestia joked.

"Sorry Celestia, this is not a social call." Cosmos sighed.

"All right." Celestia sighed. “Just what is it you’re up to, Cosmos? Who exactly is the Warrior of Light?” Cosmos frowned as she began to explain everything.





Back in Ponyville, the three already made it to their first stop, The Carousel Boutique.

"So this is Rarity’s fashion studio?" Warrior asked, staring at the building that looks similar to a small cathedral. They entered it and fancy piano music was playing throughout the air.

"Why, hello there, my dear Twilight and little Spiky-wikey, and welcome Warrior of Light." Rarity said, approaching them from the back of the studio. Spike stared at Rarity with red cheeks and droopy eyes.

"What’s wrong with you?"  Warrior asked Spike.

"Spike sort of has a crush on her." Twilight whispered.

I’ll still never be able to understand what could possibly be in this strange world that could help us. Warrior thought as he sighed. 

"Glad to see you again, Rarity." Warrior nodded, he began to eye the place. He took notice that the place bore a lot of class and beauty, lots of drapes of all different colors hanging all around the ceiling. Many mirrors and pony-shaped mannequins were all over the place, the latter still covered with fabrics and cloths. 

"I’m so glad you’re here, for I have already spoken to a strong stallion to be a smithy for me, so that I can design an ensemble that can make you look even more debonair and knightly than you do now!"

"What do you need a smithy for?" Twilight asked confused. "If you were going to make a suit for Warrior, wouldn’t it be just simpler to cut some cloth and fabric?"

“For some parts of this new outfit, but that alone just won’t do. I need a smithy to help me make some fashionable suits of armor.” She went over to Warrior and surprised him as she began to take measurements of his arms, legs, and torso. "This human anatomy is very complicated. Before I can even think about making anything, I’m going to have to get a human shaped mannequin."

"I appreciate your generosity, but I prefer my own garments." Warrior said trying to get Rarity to stop.

"Oh, nonsense." Rarity scoffed. "I'll spare no expense to make you the delight and envy of all your comrades, and you will look like a strong guard for Cosmos when I’m done with you." Warrior gave Twilight an uncomfortable look, signaling that it was time to go.

"Well, thank you, Rarity. But we have a lot to see today and we really should be going." Twilight said, nudging Warrior’s back and moving him towards the door. When they were about 10 feet away, Twilight stopped nudging and Warrior stopped moving.

"Hi there!" A small voice squeaked. "Are you one of Rarity’s friends?" Warrior looked around to his left and right and saw nothing. "Down here!" Warrior looked down and saw a small filly that looks much like Rarity except her flank was blank, her eyes are a light shade of green and her mane is colored in sections of shaded mulberry and faded rose.

"We are acquaintances." Warrior assured, kneeling down to filly's eye level. "Who are you?"

"I’m Rarity’s little sister Sweetie Belle, you must be the human I heard so much about!"

"Of course. I am here to make sure that you and your sister will have a bright future."

"Thank you so much, brave knight!" She cheered jumping in the air and wiggling her legs.

"OK." Twilight said loudly. "Nice seeing you again, Sweetie Belle, and Warrior of Light is pleased to meet you, but now we must pay a visit to Sweet Apple Acres." She continued on pushing Warrior out the door. Sweetie Belle simply waved bye to him when they went outside.

"So Rarity is one of the six who spared the princess?" Warrior asked as they walked to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight nodded. “So which element does she represent?”

“Generosity.” Twilight said. "We encountered a serpent whose mustache was damaged and Rarity used a part of her tail to repair it."

"You understand that she is as kind as she is beautiful." Spike cooed. Warrior sighed at Spike’s infatuation.

"So where did all this occur?" Warrior asked. Twilight stopped for a minute, then she nudged her head to the east and Warrior turned his head. The three were looking at a creepy forest that looked dark and abysmal.

"That is the Everfree Forest." Spike explained "There’s scary stuff in there. I don’t know much about it, but Twilight told me that she and the others haven’t even seen the whole place, or what all is in it because it’s so dangerous." Warrior sensed something inside the forest and began to stare it down with an angry look. Little did he know that someone is watching them but not from within the forest.

"Oh!" Twilight jumped at being reminded of something. "Hey, Warrior!" Her call snapped Warrior out of his trance. She moved her hoof to the sky, pointing to something. "If you look up you will see Cloudsdale, That’s where Rainbow Dash lives and where Fluttershy is from." Warrior looked up and saw a city built on a giant cloud. In fact clouds are what the city appeared to be made of. The city itself looked like a giant castle big enough for a whole population to live in. Also, many falls of liquid rainbow and water were pouring on the ground below. Warrior also noticed in the sky that there was a very small dark cloud many feet away from Cloudsdale, but when Warrior laid his eyes on it, the cloud instantly vanished.

“This world is really something out of the ordinary.” Warrior said. “Can anyone live there?”

"Not really." Twilight said. "Only pegasi built it so only pegasi can inhabit it. Right now, I’m currently trying to find a way for earth ponies and unicorns to visit the city, and I’m sure that I’m very close to an answer."

"I’m sure whatever the secret that this world holds is will be worth it." Warrior thought. He spotted Rainbow Dash leaving a tower in the city, she spotted Warrior on the ground and flew down to greet him.

"Hello Warrior." Rainbow Dash said. "Fight any manikins lately?"

"Many." Warrior sighed. "Sadly, their numbers are infinite, and it seems like hope is running is out for victory."

"Oh my." Twilight frowned. "We just met. You can’t lose now!"

"Hey." Rainbow Dash said, putting her hoof on Warrior’s shoulder, "I was always told that things will tend to be darkest before dawn, although I still think you should let me in on the fight." Warrior thought that maybe he should ask one of his new acquaintances about the situation regarding Kain, depending on how they answer could help Warrior decide on which action to take.

"Twilight, if you could fail, but bounce back and win later because you have a second chance, would you do it?"

"I think so." Spike said. "I mean, if I knew I could try again, I would do it."

"Me, too." Twilight said. "I was always taught that success comes from failure. So I think it’s necessary."

“Except me, because for me, losing is not an option.” Rainbow Dash said.

"Also, would you do something that was horribly drastic to your friends, if it turns out what you're about to do is really for their own good?"

"Gosh!" Twilight said, jumping at the question, "I never thought of it that way……Maybe if it REALLY was for their own good, I would."

"Luckily for me, I haven’t been in that type of situation, and will never have to be." Rainbow Dash laughed.

"I guess I may have to take Kain’s side on this matter." Warrior thought. Now accompanied by Rainbow Dash, they headed to Sweet Apple Acres. Ten minutes later, they finally made it to the orchard. Before heading in, Warrior took some time to see the area around, and he saw everything that he expected to see in a farm: Miles and miles of apple trees. The farm has a big red barn, and a deep well for water, an average farm house for the Apple family to live in.

"Let’s go. Applejack is expecting us." Twilight said, everyone began to stroll down the dirt road and into Sweet Apple Acres.





Meanwhile at Ultimecia’s Castle, Ultimecia, Garland, and the Emperor were having a meeting after acquiring some vital information to their strategy.

"So, our informant has gathered the information we needed." Garland said.

“A world filled with ponies?” Ultimecia laughed. "Cosmos’s hopes now lie in a weak, pathetic, and pretty world and its inhabitants?"

"Do not make the mistake of underestimating them. While I’m not surprised that they managed to stop a corrupted mare from darkening their world, I am intrigued at how they were able to break the powers of discord." The Emperor said. “Think, if Cosmos would send her only protector to keep this world intact, then there must be something there that’s worth protecting.” 

"Equestria is the name of this world, so that explains much." Garland said. The three villains all looked at each other and shared an evil laugh, for now they know what it is they’re dealing with. "I must tell Chaos about this good news."

"Now, the manikins are more than enough to stop the Cosmos warriors." The Emperor said. "Our spy will lie in wait before striking. For every moment it lies in wait, it grows more powerful. I shall pay a visit to a certain Warrior of Cosmos who troubles me."

"Who is that exactly?" Garland asked.

"A warrior, who just happens to have all of her memories, no matter how many times Cosmos has lost."

“That’s odd.” Ultimecia said. “The only ones who are allowed to keep their memories are the ones who win the battles.”

"Yes, but she also seems to have something to do with our young warrior, Tidus." The Emperor said. "After my business is concluded, if our spy hasn’t already engulfed Equestria, then I will simply take matters into my own hands."





Back in Canterlot, Cosmos just finished explaining what she is up to and what the Warrior of Light is.

"I see." Celestia said. "So the instincts I’ve been having when I first saw him are correct, and he is his special creation?”

"I’m afraid so." Cosmos said. “So the elements have chosen their wielders?”

"Yes, the six who you met before, and their powers are safe for now. The reports are still safe and everyone is still unaware of their existence now."

"I am doing the right thing, then." Cosmos said. "The Warrior will have to help them with their everyday problems and join their bond."

"Yes." Celestia nodded. "Not only will it help with the conflict, but it will be for his own good. As you said, you do wish to provide him with a more meaningful and more fulfilling existence than what he already has. In that case, he will need much more interaction with the ponies here in Equestria, so takes these." Celestia called for a servant and he walked in with a pillow in his mouth with two gold tickets laying on it. She used her magic to make the tickets float in the air and handed them to Cosmos. She thanked the servant and he walked away.

Cosmos took the tickets and read the name of the event they are for out loud. “The Grand Galloping Gala.”

"Yes, it is a special ball coming in a matter of days. I’m going to invite my student, Twilight Sparkle, and allow her to bring one guest with her. She and Warrior can go together, and you are more than welcome to join." Cosmos frowned and handed one of the tickets back to Celestia.

"Warrior may be there, but I cannot." Cosmos said sadly. "I must not take my sight away from my other warriors."

"I understand". Celestia nodded, who is making the ticket fly in the air again and placed it back on the pillow.

"I do hope to see you again." Cosmos said, and the two smiled at each other before Cosmos Vanished.

"For now, my student must continue her studies on the magic of friendship." Celestia thought.





Back in Ponyville, the three were walking towards the barn in Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight also finished telling Warrior about Rainbow Dash and how she represents loyalty.

"So you rather stick to your friends if it means that you may have to walk away from fame and fortune? I truly admire your conviction to stick with those you care about." Warrior said.

"Thanks!" Rainbow Dash smiled.

"In fact I do think you have what it takes to be a knight." Warrior said.

"Cool to know that you support me." Rainbow Dash smiled. As they walked towards the barn, they noticed the front door is open and Applejack was speaking to a large red stallion with a half green apple for a mark.

"Hi, Applejack!" called Twilight. That caught her attention and Applejack walked over to greet their visitors.

"Well, howdy ya’ll!"  Applejack said. "Mighty fine how ya decided to visit us on this fine day."

"Eeyup." The red stallion said.

"This is ma big brother, Big Macintosh." Applejack announced, pointing her hoof to the stallion. Warrior noticed a fire stove in the corner with a large hammer and an anvil next to it. Warrior put two and two together.

"Are you the stallion Rarity asked to be the smithy to make armor for me?" He asked Big Macintosh.

"Eeyup."

"I should let you know that I prefer what I have on. You really shouldn’t trouble yourself with such things, but on a serious note, are you ok with that?"

"Eeyup, but me and Rarity are friends, and when I heard ‘bout ya, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to try something new. It’s a chance to take a break from all these apples."

"Yeah, but don’t forget yer job to help run this here orchard!" Applejack nagged. She walked over behind Warrior and began to shove his back with her head forcing him to move forward, "Time to go in the house. Ya have to meet the others." Warrior, being forced into the house, he had to ask her a question.

"Applejack, which of the six elements do you represent?"

"I represent honesty. When Twilight was dangling off a cliff, I assured her that everything would be all right. When ah told her to take the dive, she would be safe, and I was right." Warrior was forced through the door and he was now staring at an old green mare sitting in a rocking chair.

"Why, who is this young whippersnapper?" She said.

"This is Warrior of Light," Applejack said. "this is my granny, Granny Smith."

"Pleasure to meet you." Warrior said walking up to Granny Smith and kneeling before her.

"My, my, my, aren’t you a well-mannered little human!" Granny Smith giggled.

Warrior jumped up in surprise. "You know what a human is?"

"Of course!" Granny Smith said. "Just because humans don’t exist here in Equestria doesn’t mean that some don’t know about them!"

"Makes sense after all Princess Celestia does know about them, too." Warrior said. "Maybe I wasn't the first human to arrive here."

"Well I'll be bucked in the brains. I sure am stunned to see more ponies round here know more ‘bout these guys. After all, I never did." Applejack said.

“Some human?” Asked a small voice that has the same accent as the other members of the Apple family.  Warrior turned his attention to a filly standing on stairs that led up. The filly was yellow with a red mane, and she was accessorized with a big red bow.

"This is my li’l sis, Applebloom." Applejack said pointing her hoof at the filly.

“So that is what you are, a human?” Applebloom asked, Warrior nodded and he took great notice that like Sweetie Belle she also bore no mark on her flank. Warrior’s nose started to twitch.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t help but notice that there is something cooking." He said.

"Well, here in Sweet Apple Acres we love makin’ friends and makin’ visitors feel like they’re part of the family." Applejack said. "When we heard that you were comin’ over, we decided to prepare a fancy gift for ya." A ding was heard, and Applejack and Applebloom headed to the kitchen and proceeded to pull out an apple pie from the oven. 

“For you.” Applebloom said, and Applejack sat the pie on a table and motioned to Warrior to come over and enjoy it.

"I thank you for such manners and courtesy." Warrior nodded his head and took his helmet off. He walked over to the table and sat in the chair. He took the fork and knife and he took a slice of the pie. He blew on it to cool it off before he took a piece of it on the fork and proceeded to eat it.

"So how is it?" Applebloom asked with anticipation.

"It’s delicious". Warrior said. "I am honored to accept such a welcoming gift." He sped up the time between taking bites of the pie, and slowly chewing it to savor its taste.

"So how goes the war?" Applejack asked.

"’War’?!"  Granny Smith shouted in disgust.

"Not good." Warrior said taking bites of the pie between breaks in his speech. "You see, the manikins are ruthlessly attacking me and my allies, and I rarely get a chance to catch my breath and I don’t have much time to recover."

"How awful! I guess if it’s hard on you, then it must be hard fer the rest of yer kin." Applejack said.

"I’m afraid that only the Sanctuary and this world are the only places safe for now."

"Fer now?" Applejack said in disbelief. "Ya don’t think the army could attack this place, could they?"

"There’s something you need to understand." Warrior said. "You see, Chaos is of equal strength to Cosmos. He can send manikins and his warriors here just as good as Cosmos can. But I made a promise, and I intend to use every ounce of my beating heart to protect this world."

"Don’t worry, we’ll be right on yer side if that ever happens!" Applejack said with strong resolve. Warrior finished the pie and got up and put his helmet back on.

"Thank you for the pie. It really helps at times when I'm unable to recover my strength, and I’m honored to meet a steed as noble as yourself. But I must be off, for I still have more to see."

"All right, y’all come back now, ya hear?!" Applebloom said loudly.

"Oh, you will be seeing me more often." Warrior assured. He walked out the door and rejoined Twilight, Spike, and Rainbow Dash, who were helping Big Macintosh with getting apples from the trees.

"Are you ready to go?" Twilight asked. Warrior nodded and after they bid a farewell to Big Macintosh, they left Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight took the lead when they started to move on to their next stop.

"We only have one place left to visit." Twilight said. "Fluttershy’s cottage. We’ll have to step out of Ponyville for a while. In fact, I believe that Pinkie Pie is there waiting for us."

"So tell me, what do they represent?" Warrior asked.

"Pinkie Pie is able to laugh in the face of danger and can always find humor in any situation. Laughter is what she represents." Twilight explained. "Fluttershy was able to calm a savage beast by simply opening her heart to it. She represents Kindness."

"It’s so odd how such humble things in a personality are what can still crisis." Warrior thought.

"What are these odd brands that are on all the flanks on the ponies in this world? I noticed that the two fillies I met have no brand." Warrior asked.

"Those are Cutie Marks." Rainbow Dash explained. "You see, everypony has something about them that sets them apart from all the rest. They will get their Cutie Mark when they discover what their talent is."

“So it must not be those fillies’ time yet." Warrior concluded, he began to think. "So it’s a means for one to find their place in this world." Ponyville now behind them, they entered a beautiful meadow where they saw a small cottage in the center of it. A small bridge was over a small creek which leads to the front door. Many trees surrounding the place were filled with many birds and bird houses. Many small woodland creatures were playing in the grass surrounding the cottage.

"Well, this is it." Spike said. "Fluttershy’s cottage."

"I can see that she has much regard of all life." Warrior said.

"She’s friends with almost all the small creatures in Equestria." Twilight said. They approached the door and Rainbow Dash rung the bell.

"Um… Yes?" Fluttershy’s voice called.

"Hi, Flutthersy. It’s us!" Spike called.

“Oh..Come in.” Everyone entered and, sure enough, Pinkie Pie was waiting for them. There were many birds and small creatures inside, too, along with many small beds, bird houses and cages. While they are hanging above the floor, many small staircases led up to them.  "Hello, Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash. Nice to see you again, Warrior."

"I’m glad to see you, too!" Pinkie Pie cheered.

"I did say I would come back." Warrior said.

"In fact, Gummy wants to say hi, too!" Pinkie scooped a small alligator up with her hooves. She held the alligator that had unfocused eyes up to Warrior’s face.

"Who is this?" Warrior asked, staring at the alligator with a confused look.

"My friend and pet alligator, Gummy! Go on, say hi!"

"Hello, Gummy." Warrior said with an even more confused look.

"Gummy says hi back!" Pinkie sat him down.

"Well as long as we’re meeting our friends, say hello to my friend, Angel." Fluttershy said. A little white rabbit hopped over to Warrior’s feet and shot him a smile.

"Thanks, uh Angel, nice to meet you." Warrior stammered, now more stupefied than ever.

"Is everything ok?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes." Warrior said, shrugging off the fact that it is only natural for this human-free world to have such symbiotic bonds between pony and every other type of creature.

"Are you getting closer to the answers you’re after?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"You don’t have to worry about those things, and I’m fine. It does not concern me. If I fight, and have some reason to fight, then my existence is given meaning."

"It’s great that you don’t feel lost, but can you really just pick up the quill and parchment and just start again?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Please, this is my problem. You don’t need to trouble yourselves with it." Warrior began to think more about the situation he gotten himself into with Kain, and while that was happening the ponies and Spike are huddling and whispering something. 

"If what Twilight said is true, and if there really is no chance of victory now, then I must take Kain’s advice. My comrades must go to sleep." Warrior snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the sounds of whispers, and he turned his head and noticed that they were huddled together. Before he could ask what they were talking about, there was a loud scream outside the cottage. They all ran outside to see two manikins destroying a house in Ponyville. Warrior charged towards the scene with everypony and Spike behind him.

"Now see here!" Mayor Mare shouted at the manikins. "As Mayor of Ponyville, I order you to cease that destructive activity at once!" One manikin just stared at Mayor Mare, and threw a small fireball at her. She jumped to the side and the fireball hit the ground.

"You did well, Mayor." Warrior said, arriving to the scene with the others. "Now stand aside, I shall handle this rubbish." Warrior drew his sword and got ready to fight.

"What are they?" A bystanding pony asked.

"Manikins." Twilight said with a stern tone.

"A Capricious Thief and a Fallacious Wanderer." Warrior said. He charged at the manikins. It wasn’t until he swung his sword at the Thief did they turned their attention to him. Warrior slashed at the thief who leaped out of the way, while the Wanderer threw many holy spheres at Warrior.  He saw them homing on him quickly, and he raised his shield to block the spheres, sending them back at the Wanderer. The Thief summoned four streams of lightning around Warrior, but he was unable to block it. The lightning zapped Warrior before a geyser of water popped up from the ground beneath him and launched him upwards.  He cried in pain at the assault.

"Warrior!" Fluttershy cried.

"Go on, Warrior!" Pinkie Pie cheered. "Give him a left! And a right! Then fake to the right! And pretend to fake to the right!"

"How barbaric!" Mayor Mare shouted, staring at the fight in awe as were many other ponies in attendance. The Wanderer threw more holy spheres at Warrior. The spheres managed to hit him this time and he was sent flying up even higher, thus initiating a chase. The Thief charged at Warrior through the air and got almost directly in his face. It took one of its blades and attempted to slash at him downwards, but Warrior managed to flip around and dodge its attack.  Now that it’s his turn to take the offensive, he readied his sword for a fatal blow. Unfortunately, the thief rolled to dodge too early.

"This is it!" He said as his blade began to glow, and he successfully cut the Thief in two. Its remains fell to the ground below, but before its head shattered against the ground, it uttered in its distorted voice.

“What?... This can’t be!”

The Wanderer made the dark sword appear and he hit Warrior from behind. He got hit with a lot of dark magic that engulfed his body in black flames and burned him, causing him to hiss in pain. Once the magic faded off Warrior’s body, he was launched away, slamming into the wall of the same house the manikins were destroying earlier.

"I can’t watch!" Fluttershy whimpered, turning her head away and covering her face in her hooves.

"So that’s what it would be like if I sneezed on somepony." Spike said, thinking about the dark fire that covered Warrior’s body.

"I’ll help you, Warrior!" Rainbow Dash shouted, she took flight and she charged at the Wanderer from behind.

"Rainbow Dash! NO!!" Twilight shouted. Rainbow Dash, going at breakneck speed, was successful in headbutting the Wanderer and knocking him several feet away, but it didn’t defeat it. It got up and stared at Rainbow Dash with red eyes.

“See?!” Twilight called angrily as Rainbow Dash landed on the ground and stared the manikin down. “All you managed to do is make it mad!”

The Wanderer made the Buster Sword appear and the wanderer ran to Rainbow Dash with it. Rainbow Dash flew upwards, but the wanderer threw holy spheres at Rainbow Dash. It hit her and brought her down, eliciting a cry of pain. Everypony covered their mouths in fear as Rainbow Dash struggled to get back up. While her body and no part of it are broken, it is racked with so much pain she couldn’t get away.

“SHINE!” Warrior called, and a blinding light emanated from his shield, which pierced the manikin from behind. It wailed in pain as the light obliterated it. The light vanished, and he lowered his shield. The manikins have been defeated, and the battle has ended.

"Are you ok?" Warrior asked Rainbow Dash. He helped her get on her hooves. Fluttershy uncovered her face.

"I’ll heal quickly, thanks." Rainbow Dash said dejectedly.

Mayor Mare turned her attention to all the ponies watching. "Okay, the crisis is over! Please go back to your business!" The ponies began to whisper amongst themselves, then went on to what they were doing before. Mayor Mare nodded to Warrior and walked away.

"Strange, how two more are not here to take their place." Warrior thought. 

The others rushed over to Warrior, and Fluttershy checked Warrior’s body before seeing a blood stain on his arm. "Oh my!" she cried, "You’re hurt!"

"It’s not bad." Warrior said, tryng to calm her down. "I hardly feel it." But Fluttershy dashed away, and came back quickly with Angel and a first aid kit. 

"When a creature or a friend is in need, she is never too slow to help them." Rainbow Dash explained. Fluttershy used her mouth to remove his armlets before disinfecting his wound and wrapped it up.

"Thank you, Fluttershy." Warrior nodded as he put his armlets back on. "Unfortunately, this is a sign that there is a chance that Chaos or one of his warriors could be here already. I will patrol this place often in case there are more of them, and find out if there are any Warriors of Chaos here".

"All right, thanks." Twilight said. "Well, I made a promise to Applejack that I would help her buck apples at Sweet Apple Acres, so see you around! Are you going to help, Rainbow?"

"Wait, Twilight! I must know. Which of the elements do you represent?" Warrior asked.

"I wield the element of Magic." Twilight replied.

"But that doesn't make harmony...... Maybe that's what Cosmos meant when she said that I need to spend more time here to solve the mystery of this place." Warrior thought.

"No, I’m too busy!" Rainbow Dash smiled, responding to Twilight’s request for help. "I’m already feeling better. Told you I’d heal fast!" Spike waved at Warrior and got on Twilight’s back before they walked back to Sweet Apple Acres.

"Well, be thankful that your wing is not broken." Warrior assured Rainbow Dash.

"We have to have a party to celebrate how you beat those manikins, and that you saved our town!" Pinkie Pie cheered. In a flash, he dashed off to her house before Warrior could object. 





Warrior headed back to his own world and arrived at the Lunar Subterrane. Once there, he met a friendly face, his comrade, The Onion Knight.

"Hi there"! Onion Knight called. "The manikins are getting really tough. How have things been going with you?"

"It’s fine." Warrior said in a soothing tone to him. "You can stop now and take a rest."

"What do you mean?" Onion Knight asked, but his words were cut short as he heard Warrior draw his sword. He froze in fear when Warrior pointed his blade right at his face. "Wha…What are you doing?! Why?!"

"Forgive me. It’s for your own good."

Proofread by Angel Starlight