//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Good Intentions? // Story: A Lost Hero // by Emerald Byte //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Good Intentions? Kald could feel the wind in his hair as the amazing sensation of soaring through the sky filled him, but why did this feel so familiar. Wham! Kald rolled off the couch and awoke from his sleep as he hit the floor, “Only a dream,” he thought but why did it feel like he had done that before, why did it seem like soaring through the sky should be normal. Kald yawned and stretched wondering what he should do today with his new found freedom, Kald began to yawn again as he proceeded to walk down the stair to the main room of the library. “O, good morning,” Twilight greeted as Kald was coming down the stairs, “Morning,” Kald replied back with half a yawn, “So should I do today, I don't really know anypony and I don’t know what to do with all my newly acquired free time,” Kald asked Twilight in hopes that she would give him something to do. “Well, why don’t you go to Rarity’s at the Carousel Boutique she was telling me earlier about wanting to properly thank you for the other day,” Kald smiled “Ok then, but she really shouldn't she doesn’t need to,” Twilight chuckled “Yeah I know, but she it pretty generous like that sometimes, just head on over whenever you're ready i’m sure she will be glad to see you, and then just try getting to know some ponies,” Kald grabbed his ragged green jacket and threw it on anyway, he didn't want to leave one of his few possessions behind as he walked out the door. As he walked through town Kald was greeted by a few ponies and he helped one of them pick up the contents of her spilled cart and was rewarded with a free apple for his efforts, which Kald had appreciated very much since he hadn’t had anything to eat yet. As Kald continued his walk he managed to see Scootaloo pass by and it looked as if she were headed somewhere important since she raced by without even noticing Kald but he just laughed and thought to himself, “Kids will be kids no matter where you are i suppose,”. *********** Kald had finally arrived at Rarity’s and was glad that it seemed that everypony was starting to like him, he smirked being reassured of himself and opened the door, “Rarity i'm here,” Kald called as he walked inside and saw all the fabric and dresses on pony mannequins. “Good good i'm so glad you're finally here darling now we can get started,” Kald looked at Rarity with confusion, “Get started on what?”, Rarity had a look of surprise on her face, “Why started on your new clothes of course I can’t have the one who saved me running around in rags now hold still and let me get your measurements,” soon all kinds of tape measures and other instruments were floating around and measuring Kald and taking in his stature. “O this will be so wonderful and fun i have never designed clothes for a human before, this is so exciting,” Kald stood and did as instructed so that Rarity could get proper measurements, “Umm you don't have to go out of your way I appreciate your offer but just a new shirt, pants, and jacket will suffice you don't have to make anything special for me,” Kald said a little embarrassed at all this trouble for his sake. Rarity sighed, “Of course darling sorry to overwhelm you all of a sudden don’t worry i’ll just whip up some nice casual clothes for you,” Rarity jumped in excitement “O, I just can’t wait to get started why don’t you go back to Twilights and I will see if i can’t get your clothes finished today,” Kald thanked Rarity and began walking back to the library. As Kald leisurely walked back through town with a confident smirk on his face he saw a young couple of young colts playing up on a roof, one looked like an opal color and the other amber. Kald watched on a little worried the young ones might hurt themselves but was soon interrupted by a girly little voice, “And what do you think you're doing you disgusting thing,” Kald turned around but only to see a small magenta filly with a tiara cutie mark. Kald just smiled as he shrugged off the comment, “O nothing just watching those two up there making sure they don’t get hurt,” the filly looked at Kald with disgust. Kald looked back confused, “What’s wrong did i offend you?”, he said as he tried to walk closer to the filly, “Eww, get away from me before i get you in trouble,” she demanded. Kald glared at her, “What reason do you have to be so rude someone should teach you..”, Kald was cut off as he heard the screams of the two colts as he quickly turned around and saw them falling. In an instant the rings on Kald’s legs reappeared as he jumped on the side of the house and then directly over to catch the two colts in mid air as he landed safely with them as the rings disappeared leaving Kald with that strange familiar sensation again. Kald noticed the small rude filly running away screaming, and as he set down the two colts they also ran away yelling, “Help help the human is gonna get us,” Kald was confused as to what had just happened. “Ouch!”, Kald yelled as an apple hit him in the head, to which he quickly turned around to see a stallion who had an apple stand with another apple in hoof, “You better leave them children alone,” he said with a glare, “Yea you tell him Red Delicious,” came a resound of approval. Kald quickly backed up from everypony, “No no you have it wrong i was saving those two colts from falling and...”, Kald was quickly interrupted by a flustered mare, “O yea well what about that little filly!,” Kald backed up a little more, “I didn't do anything to her she just ran.” A group of ponies gathered up glaring at Kald, the crowd saw a flash of green in Kald’s eyes behind his glasses “You might wanna run yourself we will inform Princess Celestia and then we will see about you Human,” Kald began to run back towards the library yelling back, “I’m telling you you have things wrong,” as he made it out of the town square and back to the library. “O good your back that took longer than i expected, and why are you out of breath?”, ask Twilight as Kald returned, Kald tried to compose himself, “O, it’s just a misunderstanding nothing big,” he managed between breaths. Twilight looked at him with puzzlement, “Oookay then, well me and the girls were planning a picnic why don’t you come join us i would like to try and get to know you better since you're staying here in the library,” Kald looked at her with his confident smile back, “Sure sounds great want me to carry anything?”, “Sure,” Twilight said as she handed Kald the food basket and led him out the door. *********** Kald and Twilight arrived at a nice little opening amongst some trees where the others were waiting, “Hey Kald,” Rainbow Dash yelled in excitement as he sat down to join everyone. “Hey Rainbow, what's up,” greeted Kald as he grabbed an apple which Rainbow knocked up out of his hand and ate, “Hey what was that for,” Kald snapped at Rainbow Dash who was laughing, “O come on it’s not hurt and besides you eat apple’s all the time, here try this sandwich i brought,” as she handed Kald a sandwich of what appeared to only have lettuce and tomatoes between the bread. Kald accepted the sandwich, “You could have just said something you know,” Kald said a little annoyed at the trick, “Yea but then i wouldnt have been able to see that priceless face of yours,” Kald rolled his eyes as he began to eat his newly acquired sandwich. “So what’s this cool magic trick you have Kald,” chimed in Pinkie Pie, “Magic what magic?”, Twilight inquired, Rainbows face lit up with excitement, “O yea, I hadn't had time to tell you but in the mountains when Kald saved us from that dragon youngling he did this awesome thing with his arm that knocked that dragon on his rump you shoulda been there Twilight,” Twilight looked to Kald in curiosity. “It’s not magic though it's something different I don't know how i know i just feel it,” Kald said in his defense. “I would like to see it too please, if it’s not too much trouble,” said Fluttershy gently, Kald looked at them all as they stared at him, “But I don’t even know how I did it.” Twilight thought for a moment, “Well just try to think back to when it happened and see if you can replicate the feeling,” Kald stood up, “Well everyone was in danger I just wanted to protect them,” Kald closed his eyes and tried to picture the moment in his mind but nothing happened, “It’s not working,” Kald said with disappointment. “Eek! Help! Help! Whatever shall I do!,” came Rarity’s voice as Kald quickly spun around only so see Rarity giggling and completely fine, “Well that seemed to do the trick,” she giggled as she trotted over to join everyone with a saddle bag on her side, Kald looked down at his arms to see the rings on both his arms and legs, as he turned and saw everyponies surprised faces they vanished. “Quick, do it again,” Twilight said to Kald with excitement, Kald smirked “No problem,” as he threw out his arms and had all the rings back out again, Twilight looked and saw his eyes flash green even if it was only there for an instant she was sure she saw it, “I don't know how to describe it but i feel amazing,” Kald said as he gazed at the rings, “What do you mean,” said Twilight, Kald just smirked, “Let me show ya,” as he jumped at a nearby tree with his feet landing firmly on the tree as he kicked off doing a backflip back to where he started. “Come on Kald show us that thing again,” Rainbow Dash said barely holding her excitement, Kald point his fist at a nearby rock and the rings began to spin, “Easy,” Kald said with confidence and at that moment Foom!, Kald was thrown back into a tree as the rings discharged, backfiring Kald and upon impact slumped to the ground, as everypony started laughing. “I can get this,” Kald said between gritted teeth as he got up and began running and through his arm forward Foom!, only so be slammed back into the tree again by the backfire making everyone laugh more. Once the laughing died down Twilight looked over to Kald, “So what exactly are you trying to do?” “It was some kind of awesome air blast thing,” Rainbow Dash looked over to Kald, “So what are you gonna call it?” Kald looked puzzled, “Call it what do you mean?”, Rainbow flew over to Kald and put a hoof on his shoulder “Come on man, every cool move needs an awesome name, like my Sonic Rainboom and my Fantastic Filly Flash,” Kald thought for a moment but couldn't come up with a name. “How about the Sonic Air Blast or the Boom Blast,” Rainbow suggested, Kald thought it over, “No, those don't sound right.” Rarity trotted over to Kald, “Let him come up with a name on his own Rainbow Dash it is his move after all, here dear I don't have everything done but i thought you would like it,” as she pulled a new green jacket from a saddle bag and laid it in Kald’s lap. Kald took it in hand and smiled and hugged Rarity, “It’s amazing and i love the style and all the pockets,” Rarity blushed, “Well i figured you might would like a kind of rugged look that could also be useful,” Kald began to take off his old jacket and put on the new jacket. “Oh, deary let me see if I can’t fix this old one for you at least,” as Rarity took Kald’s old jacket with her magic placing it inside her saddle bag. “Come on crusaders it came from over here,” said a young voice with a similar accent as Applejack, Kald turned to see three fillies galloping his direction, Hey Scootaloo,” Kald called over waving his arm. “You know him?,” said the white unicorn filly in surprise to Scootaloo, “Yea, I told you remember he saved me from falling off the roof that one day.” “Oh yea, guess i forgot,” as the three fillies laughed, Kald recognized the small white unicorn, “Her I remember you,” the white unicorn looked back at Kald, “Well i would hope so.” “Sweetie Belle, when did you meet Kald?” “I saw him at his hearing when we were visiting Canterlot for your dress stuff I spoke on his behalf cause it didn't seem like everypony else was being fair to him.” Rarity was surprised at what her sister had said but quickly smiled and hugged her, “Well that was a brave and generous thing to do, i'm proud of you.” Applejack walked over to the three fillies, “What are y’all doin here Applebloom i thought you were playing with your friends at the farm,” Applebloom looked at the other two fillies, “Well we heard a booming noise and we came over here on an adventure to try and earn our cutie-marks.” “Cutie-marks, so that's what you call the things on your flanks?”, Kald said with interest in his voice. “Yes they appear when ponies discover their special talent,” Twilight informed Kald. “Yea, but we don't have ours yet so we are on a quest to find them,” Applebloom said as the three came together and cheered, “We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Kald smiled at the crusaders, “Well I wish you luck on your quest, I have one of my own too, i'm trying to learn to control my powers.” “Can we watch?,” Scootaloo asked with wide eyes, Kald smiled “Sure you can.” Kald got up and revved up his rings in confidence, “I’ll get it this time,” only to be stopped by a familiar voice, “I don't think that would be wise to try again so soon from what i’ve seen,” as Princess Celestia’s carriage landed with Luna following behind. Kald kneeled along with the others bowing, “Come now there is no need for such formalities please stand and be at ease,” Celestia said softly, “Princess what brings you here all of a sudden?”, Twilight asked as she hugged Celestia, “Well i figured it time to return some of Kald’s things to him,” Celestia said turning to Luna, “Go on”, she said as she motioned Luna forward. Luna stepped over as a small pouch and metal board followed behind her with a cobalt blue aura around it, “These are yours Kald i took them from you when i found you,” Kald took them as his face instantly lit up, “I know what these are!” he exclaimed with joy, Luna again saw the green glow as well as did Celestia and Twilight. “What is it?”, Rainbow asked, Kald just smiled, “Let me show ya,” as he dropped the metal board and reached into the pouch and removed a metal oval disk and threw it forward as he jumped. The disk began to expand and unfold turning into another board as Kald landed on it and took off into the air with amazing speed and control as he performed a few flips and landed folding the board back into a disk and placing it back in the pouch. Rainbow with her mouth wide open just managed to squeak out, “That was so awesome,” Kald walked back over to the other board on the ground and looked it over, “This one is broken beyond repair but i think i can do something with some parts and my other prototype,” as Kald opened a compartment of the broken board and took a few tools from it. Kald detached a few parts and added them to the other board and soon the board folded back into its disk form, “What's the deal it looks the same,” said Rainbow with disappointment, Kald looked over to her, “Oh yeah u wanna have a race?” *********** Kald on his board and Rainbow at the ready Fluttershy walked out in front of the two, “Oh, umm, uh,... go,” and just as she had finished both took off at lightning speed, “That all you got, weak,” as Rainbow pulled ahead of Kald. Kald smiled and as he did it seemed he jumped ahead of his board but as he did so it folded and compressed and attached to his back around his shoulders and mid section as the two thrusters stacked on top of themselves and two wings sprout off the sides as the board turned into a twin turbine boosterpack and Kald rocketed ahead of Rainbow. Amongst the race Luna took Celestia off to the side to talk in private, “You saw it too sister, the flash of green in his eyes, could he be a changeling?,” Celestia looked back at Kald as he raced Rainbow Dash, “I do not believe so sister, i do not know of a changeling taking a form like that,”; “But what about the green flash,” pleaded Luna. Celestia silenced her sister, “I know you have good intentions sister but oppressing him will not help if he meant us harm don’t you think he would have done it by now,” Luna looked on in distress, “But sister....” Celestia cut her off, “No, no more of this you can continue to watch him but do not be hasty sister,” Celestia walked back over to Twilight, “We must depart back to Canterlot, there is still much to do,” Twilight turned back to Celestia, “Of course i understand Princess don't worry Kald is in good hooves with me,” they shared a smile and then Celestia and Luna departed. Kald and Rainbow Dash landed with Kald barely coming in the lead, “You got luck cause i didn't expect you to be that fast,” Rainbow said antagonizing Kald, “Yea right you just can’t stand that i'm faster,” said Kald playfully. *********** As the day neared its end the picnic was finished and everyone departed for home with Twilight having a million questions for Kald. “So how does your jetpack work?” Twilight questioned, “I’m not real sure how i know how it works i just know that it work kinda like the rings do,” Kald replied as Twilight lost herself in thought again. As Kald opened the door and Twilight entered the library she quickly lit up with an idea as she turned around to Kald as he walked in. “O please Kald you must let me study you, your just so fascinating i can’t let this pass me by,” Kald was surprised by the sudden outburst, “Woah wait what?” “It would be easy i have all the equipment downstairs and I could look at your blood and genetics, O there is just so much to learn I could be the first pony to document on human, O this is so exciting,” Kald was confused of this sudden conversation thrown at him. “Princess Celestia would be so impressed, maybe I could even learn how you arrived here, or maybe even where your from quick we must start immediately there is no time to waste,” as Twilight quickly darted over and opened the door to the basement. Twilight turned to see Kald looking at her in utter confusion, “Heh heh ummm that is if it’s ok with you of course,” she said smiling a big innocent smile to Kald as she finally realized what she had just done. Kald blinked a couple times, “Uh yea sure that's fine,” Twilight squealed in excitement as she rushed down the stairs as Kald through off his jacket and followed behind her. Once Kald was in the basement Twilight sat him in a chair and strapped his arms down and attached a bunch of stuff to him, “So what is all this?” “Oh its nothing just some research equipment i tried to use on Pinkie Pie once, now for that blood sample,” Twilight used her magic and floated a needle over to Kald’s arm, “This will pinch a bit,” Kald watched as the needle skillfully entered his arm and filled with his blood. Twilight kept looking at her machines and excitedly jotting things down in a notebook, “So where is Spike?”, Kald asked trying to start conversation. “Oh, he’s asleep i'm sure he loves his sleep,..... hmmm,” Kald looked over to Twilight seeing her stare at something on a monitor, “What is it?” “Well this is weird, but something seems to be in your blood,” Kald’s eyes widened with worry “What do you mean?” “I don't know i can see you normal blood cells but then it looks like something is inside them, but it doesn't look like its hurting you, and it’s so strange how similar you are to ponies,” Kald sighed in relief that there didn't seem to be anything wrong. “Wow this is remarkable your internals and the way your body works is nearly identical to ponies, it’s just moved around a bit,” Twilight unhooked Kald from her machines satisfied with her data. “Hey Twilight, i'm gonna go for a walk okay,” Twilight was still writing in her notebook, “Ok, O, and i would love to research more on your powers once you learn to control them,” Kald smiled and sighed, “Okay deal i’ll see you later.” “Don't get in any trouble,” Twilight called out as Kald closed the door. *********** It was night as Kald walked back to where he and the ponies had the picnic earlier that day and sat at the tree he had knocked himself against trying to show off his power. Kald took some deep breaths and slowly stood up and looked at the rock he had tried to hit earlier, Kald looked down at his arm and clenched a fist as he brought the rings up. Kald closed his eyes hearing Rainbows words echo in his head, “A name huh,” Kald thought to himself as he opened his eyes and brought up his fist to aim at the rock, “I have a name.” “Impact Bullet,” Kald yelled as he fired a perfect shot into the center of the rock cracking it, Kald stared at what he had done. “Yes! I did it! I knew i would get it!” Kald yelled in excitement as he fired another two dead center into the rock making it bust. Kald breathed heavy feeling winded as he smirked, “Impact Bullet, that's a pretty cool name I can't wait to tell Rainbow Dash.” Kald turned around ready to head back to the library to sleep when “Gah!” A cobalt blue bolt of magic struck him in the chest, knocking him to the ground and leaving him out of breath. Luna stepped out of the shadows glaring at Kald, “Why?” Kald asked as he tried to stand and get his breath back. “I saw you use your powers and destroy that rock I knew you were dangerous,” Kald leaned against the tree to keep his footing, “I wasn’t practicing it to hurt anypony.” Luna’s face twisted with anger, “Stop talking like us, you are not a pony and you are a menace who can not be trusted, your resistance to magic is great the blast should have knocked you out but don’t worry, i’ll get it right this time,” Luna smiled a menacing smile as her horn glowed with her magic aura and zapped Kald in the head leaving him unconscious. “Guards!” Luna called as a chariot pulled by two Canterlot pegasus guards emerged from the shadows where she came from. Luna tried to pick Kald up with her mouth by the neck of his shirt and placed him in the chariot, and hopped on herself, “To Canterlot where we can lock up this foul creature,” the guards took off carrying the Chariot away into the night back to Canterlot Castle.