*Raiden POV*
As I popped out of the mirror and started running towards the explosion sight, I almost ended up slamming into Nicholas who, along with Fluttershy, were just coming back into town.
"What the heck is going on, Nick?" I yelled as ponies were either rushing to get into their houses or panicking wildly. Great survival instincts, folks.
"Don't ask me! We're trying to get away from the explosion." He said as Twilight ran up to us.
"Fluttershy, do you know what happened?" She asked the mare that was currently shaking like a leaf in the wind.
Fluttershy squeaked but answered slowly as Nicholas wrapped an arm around her. "N-N-No, Twilight." I sighed and turned to Twilight.
"I'm going to check it out." I said as she nodded.
"Alright, but I'm coming with you. Whatever could blow up an entire hillside has to be powerful, and there's no way I'm letting you fight that alone." She said as I smiled at the conviction behind her words.
"Thanks Sparkle. Lets go save the world." I said as we ran towards the fields. about a minute later a big tree came flying towards us from our destination.
"Twilight watch out!" I yelled as I dive-tackled Twilight out of the way of the tree, both of us rolling a bit before we stopped, finding myself on top of her.
"Are you alright?" I asked, slightly worried. She blinked and looked to the tree for a second before turning back to me.
"I'm alright...thanks" She said as her face became very red. I blinked before realizing I was inches from her face. I got up quickly and cleared my throat
"C'mon, we have no time to waste." I said, my own face slightly red as we continued our run to the location of the explosion.
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Nicholas POV
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After Raiden and Twilight left, I spent the following minutes calming down Fluttershy, who currently didn't want to move from the middle of the road.
"Fluttermom, C'mon! We have to go!" I said as I tried to pull her by the hoof, but to no avail as she squeaked and shook her head slightly.
"Nicholas!" I heard a voice yell to me. I turned and saw Tak run into town with Scootaloo on his back. Scootaloo seemed different though, as if her very soul had been drained.
"What the hay happened to her?" I asked before doing a double-take. Hay? this town and its inhabitants are getting to me.
"Dadiolus took her prisoner and replaced her a bit ago. And now she might not make it unless we get her to a hospital." He said with extreme concern and fear in his voice.
"That shall not be necessary." We heard a authoritative voice from behind us say. We turned and were met with a hooded pony. The hood looked oddly familiar, but I couldn't place it.
"Who are you?" I asked as the hooded pony turned to tak and lifted a hoof. Scootaloo was enveloped in a magenta light and placed on the ground.
"What are you doing?!" Tak growled, but for some reason, I raised a hand to halt him.
"Wait...Let him do what he needs to." I said, although why I thought I could trust this guy is beyond me. He just seemed familiar to me, like he was...
family? that can't be right. the dude is a pony, for goodness sake.
I saw a soft frown appear on his muzzle. "This wee lass has been through a lot, hasn't she?" The light around her strengthened for a second before fading slowly. He turned his gaze back to us just as Fluttershy looked out of her mane.
"What was that?" I asked him as he smiled and tilted his head.
"Nothing to crazy, just a wee soul cleansin' spell I cooked up in me early days." With that he turned and started to walk off.
"W-Who are you?" Fluttershy asked, still shaken up a bit from the events earlier. The figure paused and sighed.
"Just a stranger tryin' tah fix his mistakes." He said as he continued walking away. I went to follow him but stopped as Scootaloo woke up with a small cough.
"Scootaloo!" Tak said as he knelt by her and lifted her head a bit. She looked up at him and smiled weakly.
"Tak...could you not tell Rainbow Dash about this?" She said as Tak tilted his head.
"About what?" He said as Scootaloo pulled him in and kissed him...quite passionately. My jaw dropped and Fluttershy blushed deeply.
"Oh my..." She whispered as I cracked up laughing as Scootaloo broke the kiss, leaving Tak to literally pass out on the middle of the street.
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Raiden POV
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As we approached the sight, a beam of light shot straight up, causing Twilight and myself to stop in our tracks.
"Whoa..." Twilight said quietly as I quietly agreed with a nod before continuing the jog until we got over the hill...
...in time to see Ronin pull his blade out of Dadiolus and sheath it as said villian faded away. I was about to call out to Ronin when I saw him fall over.
"Ronin!" I yelled as I made a beeline for him and quickly checked his pulse.
Phew! still has a heartbeat.
"Raiden, I heard you yell is everything.....ok?" Twilight asked as she approached us. "Is he...?"
"No, he'll live long enough for me to kill him for going after Dadiolus alone." I said as I heard what sounded like flames behind us. We turned and were face to face with a peeved Chrysalis.
"What the buck has been going on up here? Can a queen NOT get some quiet to create her drones in peace?!" She yelled at no one in particular before seeing Ronin. "And what did he do this time?!"
"Dadiolus reappered and Ronin put him six feet under, although he is apparently passed out right now due to exhaustion." I said as Chrysalis walked over to Ronin and sat on his chest, leaning her head down to his.
She turned to Twilight. "The fiend that killed my people is dead?" Twilight nodded as Chrysalis smiled and turned back to the man she was sitting on, who was slowly stirring.
"ooooh...what the- CHRYSALIS?!" He yelled out in surpise as said queen smirked. "What are you doing back so early?"
"The drone process is having some...complications. That and I cannot work my magic with all the noise up here. Speaking of that..." Chrysalis suddenly slapped Ronin across the face.
"What the hell was that for?" Ronin growled as Chrysalis growled back and answered.
"That was for fighting Dadiolus alone AND for not letting me kill him." She said before pulling Ronin into a deep kiss. Twilight visibly turned green and backed away a bit as I rolled my eyes.
Chrysalis pulled away and licked her lips as she smiled at Ronin. "That was for avenging our people and sending that fool to tartarus." She said as she got off Ronin and let him stand up. After stretching out a bit, Ronin turned to me and smiled.
"Well, Dadiolus is dead and Nicholas is sa-Oof!" I cut him off with a sharp kick to the stomach, not too unlike the one he gave me a month ago.
https://m."What do you think your-" Chrysalis started, but I raised a hand and stopped her.
"This is between brothers, stay out of it." I said as Twilight gave me a worried glance. I nodded to her, hoping to ease her concern before turning back to Ronin, who had stood back up.
"What the heck is your problem?!" He yelled at me. But I was having none of it.
"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH AND LISTEN TO ME!" I snapped and Twilight jumped back in suprise, Chrysalis's jaw dropped, and Ronin took a step back. "EVER SINCE WE WERE DROPPED IN THIS WOLRD, YOU'VE BEEN DOING YOUR OWN THING, NOT CARING ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOU OR HOW OTHERS WOULD FEEL IF YOU DIED! HECK, YOU NEARLY STARTED A WAR!"
Ronin's eyes narrowed, and he fired back. "I was doing what was necessary to save those changelings from opression that YOUR BUDDIES PUT THEM IN!"
I wasn't done though. "THAT DOESN'T MATTER! YOU HAVE ALMOST DIED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT! WE ALMOST LOST YOU BACK IN CANTERLOT, AND I'M NOT LETTING THAT HAPPEN AGAIN!" I dropped to my knees, my composure breaking slowly. "I can't lose you or Nicholas...you two are all I have left." And with that, I was reduced to a crying state.
I felt Ronin kneel next to me and pull me into a tight hug. "Brother...I'm sorry." He started, and I could feel the tears going off his face onto my neck. "I thought I was playing hero, but I was really just pushing you and Nick away. I'm so sorry." He said as we sat there for a minute as Twilight and Chrysalis looked on.
After a minute, we separated and got up. Ronin turned to Chrysalis and smirked. "So the queen can cry after all. " He said as Chrysalis blinked quickly and turned away.
"This stays between the four of us." She said with a low growl and walked off as Twilight giggled and I laughed as I turned to Twilight.
"So, shall we return to town. I'm sure they would love to know what happened." She nodded and the three of us walked back to town, enjoying the scenery and the feeling of peace that came with it.
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Nicholas POV
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After waiting for Tak to recover from his rarity moment, I took the two to sugercube corner so we could celebrate Scootaloos rescue.
After getting a cupcake, and having to watch Scootaloo explain to Tak that sprinkes are not rainbow bird droppings, we sat down and relaxed.
"So, what was that explosion earlier?" I asked Tak.
"Oh, Dadiolus came back and is currently fighting Ronin." He said as both Scootaloo and I froze up and regarded Tak with shock on our faces.
"What?" He said as my eye twiched slightly.
"What do you mean what? He's fighting Dadiolus alone?!" I nearly yelled but kept my composure and calmed down slightly.
"Indeed. It is not my place to question him. After all, he is the future king of my species. Not to mention he is kinda like a father to me." Tak confessed as he shyly looked down, a sad smile clear on his face.
Scootaloo pulled him into a one legged hug. "Hey, cheer up Tak. There's nothing wrong with seeing Ronin as your dad." She said as Tak looked up at her, his mood visibly more cheerful.
That did bring another question to mind though. "Scootaloo, when you were replaced, Tak said Dadiolus told him about your parents dying...is that true?" I asked as it was her turn to look sorrowful.
She took a deep breath and answered. "Yeah, it is. About six years ago I lost both of them to a freak hurricane that had gotten out of control in Trottingham. After that, I was placed in an orphanage. But I ran away and stowed on a train here. Once I found that old farm there was a nice old unicorn that let me stay there. All he asked for me in return was to not tell anypony he was there and..." She trailed off as she connected the dots, as did we.
"It seems Dadiolus has been using you for a while. Draining small amounts of love from you when he could to power that staff he had in that old house." Tak said, but Scootaloo shook her head.
"But I never saw a staff there! And if he drained the love out of me, wouldn't I had felt it or been weaker somehow?" She asked as my eyes widened. I pointed at her wings.
"Scootaloo, can you fly?" I asked as she was taken back by the sudden question.
"Huh? what's that gotta do with anything?" She stated as Tak himself seemed to be deep in thought.
I continued. "I have seen several pegasi your age and smaller fly with ease. Heck, there is an infant pegasus flying around over there right now." I said, nodding to the flying baby pony that was evading a diaper change from Ms. Cake. "So, I'll ask again. Can you fly?"
She looked down and sighed. "No, I can't ok! But what does that have to do with that Dadiolus guy?" She stated as Tak looked at her quickly.
"If he has been draining love off you slowly for several years, then the aftereffects could involve major damage to your body, especially if you happened to have a developing body like a child such as you and I would have." Tak said as Scootaloo's eyes widened.
"You mean to tell me that creep is the reason I have so much trouble flying?!" She pretty much yelled, anger scrunching uo her face as Tak suddenly shot straight into a upright position a soldier would take when he salutes.
"Umm....Tak buddy. What are you doing?" I asked as looked to me and smiled.
"Ronin has been successful and has eraticated Dadiolus. Hereby avenging my fallen people and saving this world." He said almost autonomously before recovering and shaking his head. "Whoa...haven't had a message be broadcasted through the hive mind in years."
"Message?" Scootaloo and I ask at the same time.
"Whenever something big happens in the hive, the queen sends out a mental message that goes to every changeling in the hive mind." Tak frowns a bit. "But if mother did that, then that means she has started the drone making process."
I raised an eyebrow, but Scootaloo smiled. "So Chrysalis is making more of you? That's awesome! Now your not going to be the only changeling anymore!" She exclaimed as she hugged Tak tight, who returned it happily. I couldn't help but smile at the situation until I heard a voice behind me.
"Nick?"
Grimacing, I turned around in the booth and saw Applebloom and Sweetiebelle standing there, the former looking slightly depressed and the latter looking like she would sweat bullets right now.
This should be fun...
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Ronin POV
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When we got back, all the townsponies were surrounding a stage that had the mayor standing on it. The poor mare was attempting to keep peace, something that was a lost cause, because the townsfolk were not listening at all. Instead, they were clammoring and freaking out over nothing.
"Do they do this EVERY time there is a disaster?" Raiden asked as Twilight sighed and face-hoofed. I smirked and jumped up into the stage, suprising the mayor.
"Mind if I take over?" I said with a wink. The mayor took a couple steps back and I turned to the crowd after walking behind the pedestal. Twilight and Raiden walked over and joined the crowd, albeit the latter was giving me the 'Dont screw around' look.
I cleared my throat. "Folks. I know you have some questions regarding a certain boom earlier. but before we get to that, what do you ponies actually know about what happened?" I asked the crowd as some raised their hoofs. I pointed to a mare with a mint blue coat. "Yes?"
"Can I taste your hands?" The mare asked as several ponies around her groaned or gave her weird looks. I blinked as I tried to process the question.
"E-Excuse me?" I said as she walked up on stage and looked up at me. The mare was a unicorn and had a lyre on her flank.
Her horn glowed and my left hand was encompassed in an orange glow. She moved it towards her face and inspected it with giddy eyes I had only seen on Pinkie before.
"Wow...such rough, calloused hands!" She exclaimed before-
PLOP!!!
I could only stand there with my mouth gaping as I watched the unicorn magically shove my hand in her mouth and start suckling on it. The whole hand. THE HAND!!!
Her eyes went dim as she moaned in content. I was now starting to freak out and was seconds from drawing my blade on this crazy lady before Pinkie tackled the mare off the stage.
They landed on the ground in front of the stage with Pinkie pinning the unicorn down. "Those hands belong to me, Lyra! if they are going in any ponies mouth, it will be mine!" My eyes widened in horror when she said that. I turned to the crowd quickly.
"The explosion earlier was caused by a bad guy but I defeated him so everyone is safe goodbye!!!" I yelled the last part as Lyra teleported up on stage and went after me again, causing me to jump off the stage and break out into a frenzied run. As I ran by Raiden, I couldn't help but see his laughing face at my expense.
Sometimes, I really do hate this town.
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Nicholas POV
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For a bit, no one moved. I kept a neutral stare with Applebloom and Sweetiebelle while Tak and Scootaloo looked on.
Then, I spoke up. "Afternoon, Applebloom." I said politely, yet with no emotion. She winced slightly but gave me a weak smile.
"Howdy Nick. Can ah talk tah ya fer a second?" She asked, motioning to another booth. I internally sighed and followed her to the booth, where I sat across from her.
"So, what is it?" I asked. She sighed, that smile gone now, and answered.
"Ah talked with Diamond Tiara after you left and ah just wanted to say that Ah'm sorry!" She cried the last part as tears started to come to her face. "Ah was letting mah thoughts about Diamond get the best of me, and look good that did!" She wiped her eyes and looked me in the face, her orange eyes gleaming with sorrow. "Ya may not forgive me fer snappin at ya and all, but that's alright." Her tone betrayed her words, but she got up from the booth anyway and gave me a nod. "Thank ya fer listening tah me, I'll leave ya alone like ya wanted me tah do." She turned and started walking off.
As she began to walk off, I felt this pang in my chest. It was like someone was taking a jackhammer and drilling into my very soul. Applebloom may have snapped at me before, but she didn't deserve to be forgotten or ignored forever. And as I watched her walk away, I realized something.
I couldn't imagine life here without her. Whether she be just a friend or something more.
"Applebloom, wait!" I called out and lept from my seat. She turned around just in time to be met by a strong hug from me.
"What are ya doin' Nick?!" She asked me, her voice cracking as she supressed a sob. "Ah thought ya hated me."
I pulled away from her in shock. "I could never hate you, Applebloom." I said as I did something drastic and risky.
I leaned in and kissed her. Nothing too crazy, but my heart was definitely in it.
I heard several awws from around the room (and one eww from Scootaloo. Can it, bug girl.) I pulled away and watched as Appleblooms face started to become a deep red as she processed the event that just took place.
"Nick..." She said with a swooning tone before fainting. I looked at her for a second before sighing.
"This better not be a natural occurance here." I said with a smile as Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle laughed and Tak face-hoofed.