An Equestrian Witcher 2.0

by OblivionShadow


16: Poor Choices

Oblivion awoke feeling warmth against his back and he closed his eyes for several seconds before he looked over his shoulder to see Sasa against his back. A few seconds passed as the rooster crowed and Oblivion bit back a low groan as Sasa jumped at the sudden noise. He gave a low growl as he moved to sit up on the bed.

“I am really contemplating how upset anypony would be if I turned that bird inside out.” He commented as Sasa growled.

“I will help you.” She replied merrily.

He pushed the blanket away and got off the bed. Sasa jumped off of it as well and stretched, her fangs showing along with her long claws. She shook herself as Oblivion stretched out his wings and their tips laid against the ceiling, folding them heavily. He placed his swords on his back and they buckled into place. He went to the door and opened it to find Apple Bloom trotting merrily past his door. She smiled brightly at him and Sasa, keeping her pace as she went by them. He walked down the hall a few steps behind her as she descended the stairs. He reached downstairs and was in the kitchen as Sasa came up behind him and went to the table and laid down under it to stay out of the way. He sat down by the table and waited for things to move forward in the normal routine.

Applejack was already cooking by the time he sat down so he waited in silence with the others. Granny Smith came up behind him and reached out a hoof to use his shoulder to help hoist her aged bones into her seat. He remained still to allow her to use him as an aid. Several minutes passed as Apple spun around and set a plate of pancakes on the table. She picked up two and was about to set it on the floor for the feline when she stopped mid-motion. Her eyes went from the cat to him and then back to her.

“Can she have any?” She asked as she once more looked at him.

“Ask her. It’s her stomach, not mine.” He said as he began to eat his own meal.

Applejack blinked in uncertainty as Sasa gave a loud rumbling purr to regain the mare’s attention. “Ya want these pretty kitty?”

Sasa grumbled further, Applejack smiled as she took that as a yes and set the plate on the floor for the feline to eat from. Oblivion ate through his share and started to get up when a hoof fell on his shoulder and gripped his fur and a piece of his mane once more. He lowered himself back to sitting and the hoof was removed.

“Ya’ll sit quiet and wait fer the others ta finish.” Granny Smith said to him. Once he nodded she went back to her own breakfast.

He sat in silence as Sasa finished her food and rumbled a growl up at him for him to take the plate from her. He picked up and plate and set it on top of his own and left them on the table in front of him. He waited for the others to finish and stood up when they were done. Apple Bloom trotted outside and played with a ball while she waited for Oblivion to walk her to school. The stallion walked out with Sasa behind him. Apple Bloom kicked the ball toward him and Sasa jumped on it, her paws batting it back to the filly. Oblivion watched as the two played. Sasa looked at him and batted the ball to him. The black stallion cringed for a moment before kicking it back to them. Apple Bloom kicked it to him next and the stallion grumbled but played along. He looked to the sun and put a hoof on the ball to stop it.

“Time to go Apple Bloom.” He said to her as he picked up the ball and held it above her head.

“Aww.” She called out as she came up to him and made to jump for the ball. “But we’re havin’ fun.”

Sasa came to sit down beside him as a way to encourage the filly to stop and agree with him. “That may be the case, you can play more with her after school has let out.” He said to her as he tossed the ball over his shoulder and bumped it off his flank to land by the house. Apple Bloom groaned but she gave in and walked with the stallion and the feline toward the schoolhouse.

Sasa trotted out ahead of them and he watched her scanning the grounds and trees around her. She was quiet as they walked as she watched her surroundings. “This is a beautiful place, Chosen.” She said to him and he simply made a noise in reply to her. They reached the front gates and Apple Bloom ran ahead to retrieve her teacher. The foals began to approach him but they paused in sudden fear of the great cat that was with him. Oblivion saw the fear in them and he reached out to Sasa and gripped the fur of her back and used it to pull her to sit down by his side.

“You’re frightening the foals Sasa.” He said to her as she sat down heavily.

The Witcher said nothing further as Sasa focused on the hesitant foals. He watched her blink for a second before she laid down to try to make herself seem smaller. Apple Bloom came out of the building with Cheerilee on her heels.

“Stay down.” He said to her as he waited for the pair to reach him.

Cheerilee stopped at the sight of the cat. Apple Bloom stopped with her and looked up at her teacher. “Oh, she’s really nice. She just a big ol’ pretty kitty.” The foal said and walked over to Sasa. She put her forelegs around Sasa’s snout and hugged her. The cat purred in response to her touch.

“She’s harmless, I assure you,” Oblivion said to the mare.

The foals seemed to take his words to heart and suddenly the foals were clamoring to get a hoof on the cat’s soft coat of fur. Cheerilee came up to him and stood close by to allow her to speak to him without getting in the way of the foals. Sasa remained still as the foals touched and prodded her fur, her brilliant aqua eyes looked up at the mare as Cheerilee reached out a hoof and stroked the cat’s wide forehead.

“She’s beautiful. Where did you find her?” The teacher asked him.

“The menagerie in Canterlot.” He replied easily.

“Chosen.” Sasa's voice rang out in his mind and he looked down at her as her eyes bore back at him.

“She was a gift from a friend. She took a liking to me and after seeing her with me they decided to do as she wished and allow her to stay with me.” He added to keep the truth just out of reach.

“How kind of them. She is a gentle creature by the look of her. She stays with you at all times?”

“Yes. She does not like to be too far from me.” He responded.

“Well thank you for bringing her with you. The foals seem to have grown to like her.” Cheerilee said to him and put her hoof back on the ground. “Apple Bloom says that you agreed to tell the class another story.”

Oblivion removed his hoof from Sasa’s back as the foals were now frozen in place looking at him as their hooves remained in the cat’s striped fur. “Yes, that’s true.”

The foals broke into cheers and jumped gleefully around them. Cheerilee smiled happily at their clear joy as she looked back at him. “That’s good to hear. They have been asking her daily if she asked you yet.” She said with a giggle. “Would it be all right if I allowed some of the parents who have been asking about you to come as well?”

Oblivion leaned back on his haunches and made it clear he was debating it. “Sasa? Opinions?”

“I think it would be interesting Chosen. The fact that these foals enjoy it so much is a good thing. Plus it will get you used to crowds of ponies.”

He managed to stop himself from a slight cringe at the thought of crowds of ponies. “That would be fine.”

“Well done.” Sasa praised as she purred.

The foals had gone back to petting her as the excitement from learning he would be speaking to them again wore off of them. Cheerilee looked pleased as well as she leaned back on his haunches and clapped her hooves together, gaining the attention of the foals.

“All right everypony. It’s time to go inside, say goodbye to Mr. Shadow and his kitty. I will arrange a time for you to speak to them again. I will let Apple Bloom know when we have it figured out. I will mention it to you before hoof though.”

The foals all waved ad they patted the cat one last time. They filed back into the schoolhouse and he could hear Apple bloom informing them of Sasa’s name as they went inside. “Let’s head back.” He said to her and she pulled herself off the ground to follow him. She shook herself to rid herself of the dirt on her belly and flanks. She fell in at his side as they walked back to the farm. Applejack was standing at the gate as they drew up to after walking in silence. She saw them approaching and waved to ensure they stopped to speak to her at the gate. Sasa trotted up to her and the two of them waited for the Witcher to join them.

“Ah’m headin’ inta town. Care ta join me?” The orange farm mare asked.

Oblivion nodded in response. “Sure. I had planned on returning a book to the Library and getting a new one to replace it anyway.”

“Perfect. Then let’s head out. We can go ta the Library first. Twilight is an early riser so she should be up by the time we get there.” Applejack said to him as he looked around and his body lit with his magic he summoned the book he needed to his back. His wings lifted slightly to allow the book to sit easily in place. He moved to walk with her and Sasa fell in at his hip. Applejack frowned at the cat. “Ya sure bringin’ her is a good idea?”

“Even if I tried to leave her she would follow. I see no reason to leave her behind. She lives in this place as well and they will have to get used to her in some way or another.” He replied as he showed no sign of leaving the feline behind.

“Ah suppose that’s true.” Applejack replied as she looked at the cat beside him. “Ah’m sorry pretty girl. Yer owner is right. Not fair ta leave ya behind.”

Applejack trained her eyes ahead of them as Sasa growled and bumped Oblivions hip. “Owner? Hah!” She said to him and he chuckled in reply but said nothing in response.


The Library loomed ahead of them as they reached town and Applejack knocked on the door as they waited for it to be opened. Oblivion was fairly sure that they could just walk in but he also guessed it helped to be polite since Twilight did technically live there. The door opened and the baby dragon stood in front of them and a smile pulled across his young face.

“Hey Applejack! Hey Oblivion! Hey…Wow!” The dragon greeted each of them in turn but his eyes went wide at the sight of Sasa and he slammed the door with as much force as he could.

Oblivions ears flicked forward as Twilight began asking him what was wrong and the baby dragon stammered out an unintelligible reply. Oblivion snorted and he put his shoulder into the door and began to force it open. He knew that his magic would make it easier but they were in town and he was not able to use it. He got the door open and Applejack walked in ahead of him and Sasa went in behind her. He walked in and once she was inside he let go of the door and it slammed behind him. Spike fell to the floor as he had been trying to keep it closed against the force of the stallions pushing. Twilight’s eyes went wide at the sight of the large feline.

“She’s harmless. She is my companion.” He assured the nervous mare before she could make any moves for or against the tiger. “She is called Sasa.”

Twilight smiled now that she knew what was happening and she came forward a step to greet them. “What a lovely name.” She said as she stopped in front of the great cat. “Can I pet her?”

Oblivion looked at Sasa who looked back at him. “Ask her. It’s not my fur you’re asking to touch.”

Twilight quizzically at him and then she jumped slightly as Sasa rubbed her head against the mare's shoulder. “She’s so sweet. Where did you find such a lovely tiger?”

“She was a gift.”

“From who?” She asked her tone pitched slightly in surprise.

“Blue Blood. She was one of the cats in the menagerie. She took a liking to me and didn’t like to be separated from me so he gifted her to me.” He explained.

“How kind of him. I had never heard of Blue Blood being nice to anypony. I’m glad to hear those rumors are false.” She said as she petted the feline.

“Well, mostly false.” Sasa chuckled as Oblivion raised a hoof and kicked one of her hind legs. “Ouch.” She griped in response to him.

“So how can I help?” She asked her friends, her tone merry.

“I was looking to pick up a new book.” He stated to her and turned slightly to show the returned book on his back.

“Oh sure. Did you want to pick up Equestrian History Volume two or History of Magic Volume three?”

Applejack snickered into her hoof. “Ya memorized what book ‘e has?”

Oblivion watched as Twilight flushed brightly. “Well, he’s the only one interested in those subjects so it was easy to recall.” She replied and turned quickly to the shelves.

“I would like the Equestrian History book. I appreciate that you remembered my preferences. It made the choice simple.” He replied to both of them as Twilight pulled the book from the shelf and smiled at him as he defended her in his own way.

“Here you go. Equestrian History Volume Two. I have three and four as well if you would like to borrow them as well.”

Oblivion's magic flowed as he realized he had left one book behind earlier when he summoned them. A book appeared in front of him and it hovered in front of the mare and she took it from him and set it back on the shelf in its place.

“Here is History of Magic volume two. I had almost forgotten about it. Your mentioning it reminded me I had finished it. So I will take volume three as well.” He explained.

Twilight pulled the other book from the shelf and he set both on his back. Spike sat up from his place on the floor and saw Sasa once more. He yelped and took off running. Aqua mist covered him and he found himself sitting in front of the saber-toothed cat. He closed his eyes and waited. He opened them when he felt a rough tongue licking him. Sasa purred and held him in her front paws.

“He’s so small.” Sasa gushed to Oblivion through their connection. “Just the perfect size to hold and snuggle with.”

Spike blinked and looked at the affectionate cat. “Why is she holding me and licking me?”

“She likes you. Not in a predatory way but in an affectionate manner. I think she sees you as a small cub, which means you are to be taken care of.” Oblivion explained.

Spike looked at the adult ponies, his face a mix of shock and horror. “But I’m not a baby cat!” He yelped as the cat continued to hold him in place.

“I never said you were. You’re small.” Oblivion stated blandly.

Spike glared hotly at the black Pegasus as the mares both giggled. “But I have to help Twilight with her magic. We’re on the last trick.” He complained as he struggled against the cat, who laid down to allow her to hold onto him tighter.

“Trick?” Oblivion looked at the mare.

“Yes. He’s right we were working on growing magic.” She explained.

“Oh? And how does that work?” Oblivion asked her, his interest piqued.

"Basically creating something from nothing. I’m going to create an item and place it on Spike.” The mare explained further.

Oblivion looked at the mare for a moment before giving a quiet snort. “May I join in on this? If I cannot join then may I at least watch?”

Twilight was quiet for a moment before she gave him a surprised look. “Well, you can of course join in. But I think this exercise is below your level.” She admitted to him. “You can already do growing magic.”

He tilted his head slightly as he regarded her. “I can?”

“She means your conjuring Chosen.” Sasa pointed out from her place on the floor.

Oblivion startled and looked at the feline. “You mean the items I have conjured?”

Twilight nodded. “That’s why I was so shocked to see you had magic at all. Pegasi typically don’t have magic that can be used outside of their own bodies. I had heard from Applejack about the ceiling, the wagon wheel, and then you have been able to teleport over vast distances. The wagon wheel especially surprised me due to not using any tools or items to use in exchange.”

“Wait. Exchange?” He interrupted and the mare looked at him as he went on. “You mean using items as fodder to repurpose into a new object? Correct?”

“Somepony read the chapter about Magical Exchange,” Twilight said with a wide smile. Oblivion nodded and waited for her to explain further. “Right. Applejack told me about the ceiling and the wagon wheel at the farm. Your magic ignores most rules and conventional paths. It seems to be that you choose the outcome and the magic conforms to that goal. Without being a Unicorn you have proven to be one of the most magically powerful ponies that I have ever met. You might even be able to outclass Princess Celestia in time.”

Applejack stepped forward during the lull in the conversation. “Well Ah gotta head into town. Ya have fun playin’ with magic.” She said as she nudged the black Pegasus and trend to leave.

Twilight looked back at him and smiled. “But I will not tell you no about joining on us practicing. You’re always welcome to join in. I can question your technique afterward.” She said as she turned to the giant cat on the floor with the baby dragon in her paws. “I know he is small and cute Sasa but I need him back.” She said to the feline, who seemed to have chosen to ignore her.

Sasa held Spike firmly in her paws as she looked away from the mare and pretended to not have heard her.

“Sasa,” Oblivion said her name, and the cat glanced at him. “Release the dragon.”

Sasa sighed and stood up, dropping Spike to the floor. “Ruining my fun.” She said to him as she laughed.

Spike go to his feet and looked down at himself. “I’m covered in giant cat drool.” He griped and Sasa roared as the baby dragon jumped and ran to hide behind Twilights tail. “I mean… Umm… That pretty kitty cleaned me off, which was so nice of her… and… umm… She’s not gonna eat me is she?”

Oblivion gave a quiet chuckle as he shook his head slowly. “No.”

Spike backed up and fled in the direction of the kitchen. “Be right back.”

Oblivion reached out a hoof and petted Sasa’s smooth fur as they waited for him to return. Seconds passed before Spike returned and the baby dragon jumped to land beside a tall whiteboard. “Okay, Twilight. Make with the magic.” He said to her and braced.

“Okay, here we go.” Twilight’s horn lit with her magenta aura as she concentrated.

A magenta gleam surrounded Spike's mouth and nose. The purple Unicorns magic flashed and a mustache was left in its wake. Oblivion looked at it and he felt laughter bubble in his throat but he quashed it and remained stone-faced.

“Pfth.” Sasa snorted and hid her head in Oblivion wing. “Is he kidding?”

Oblivion's stone face continued as he looked at Spike who seemed more than a bit pleased with the mustache on his face. Spike spun to look into the mirror off to the side of him.

“You did it Twilight! Twenty-five tricks and counting. Now we can check growing manic off the list.” He picked up a marker and checked the box next to growing magic off the list. “And I think this is the best one so far.” Oblivion stared as the baby dragon went back to the mirror and began to pose with one arm on his chin and the other on his hip. “Well hello, there Rarity. What's that? Oh, it’s nothing. Just my perfect mustache.”

Oblivion bit back a slight grin at the dragon’s obvious favoritism toward the white Unicorn mare. Sasa he found was not as composed as he was. She had sat down and had her paws wrapped around his left foreleg as her sides quaked while she laughed. A deep chuffing sound escaped her as she laughed. The stallion said nothing as he looked at Twilight, who rolled her eyes.

“As handsome as you look Spike it’s only for practice and it’s gotta go.” Her magic lit up and covered the fake facial hair.

Spike put his claws over it and tried to hide it. “Oh come on Twilight! I need to show Rarity. No!” It vanished in a flash of magenta. “Blast.”

Twilight giggled, then looked to Oblivion who had narrowed his eyes and a glint of mischief went through his orange eyes. Magic flowed over his body as the aqua mist flowed away from him and Twilight looked to see Spike covered in the aqua glow. Spike looked nervous as Oblivion’s magic covered him. Oblivion waited for a moment, waiting for the pressure to build when it was enough he released it. Spike found himself with a different mustache that pointed up at the ends. Wearing an outfit that Dandelion would have worn. The shirt was a deep purple with gold ornaments along the collar. The pants were bunched at the knees in a similar color to the shirt. The boots were knee-high and a deep brown in color. Spike looked in the mirror and blinked. Oblivion looked to Sasa who had released his leg and was on her back. The cat howled with laughter in his mind. Twilight held her sides as she too fell to the floor. Spike looked at the black stallion.

“What did I do to make you hate me?” The baby dragon asked, his voice melancholy.

Oblivion said nothing for several seconds as he allowed a slight grin to turn up one side of his mouth. Sasa stood up, looked at the dragon for a moment before she erupted in laughter once more and more and fell to her side. His magic flowed once more as he regarded the dragon. “I don’t hate you, Spike. Never insult my companion.” He said to him as the ridiculous outfit vanished from his body.

Spike looked down and found that he was no longer wearing the outfit and he patted himself for a moment. “I will never say anything bad about that glorious cat again.” He vowed, saluting the stallion crisply.

Sasa stood up and leaned heavily on the stallion’s side as she breathed deeply. “Oh thank you. That was one of the funniest things I have ever seen.”

Oblivion reached back and stroked her fur as Twilight got to her hooves and gasped as she breathed in a gulp of air. “Oh wow. Oblivion that was incredible. I don’t even mind that you showed me up, it was worth it.” Spike glared at the purple mare as she tried to hold back a giggle. “Sorry, Spike. But it was really funny. Anyway, we were going to head into town to get a treat. Would you care to join us?”

Oblivion nodded to her as he walked back to the door and opened it for her. The mare trotted out and Sasa and Spike followed her as he moved out and closed the door behind them. He broke into a swift trot and easily caught up with them and he fell in beside the mare.

Spike looked at her as they walked and Oblivion could see the bright spirit that flowed off the baby dragon. “Twenty-five Twilight. Twenty-five tricks and counting. Aren’t Unicorns supposed to have a little magic that goes along with their special talent?”

Oblivion glanced back at the ridiculous marking on his flank but his ears kept him abreast of the conversation as he looked ahead once more. “That's true. For ponies who are talented in cooking, or sewing, or things like that. But what if a Unicorn's talent is in magic?” She said to him.

“Just like you right Twilight?” Spike said to her.

“Oh, Spike. There are plenty of Unicorns that are far more talented than I am. I’m sure there are several right here in Ponyville.” Twilight said as her eyes fell on the black Pegasus. She leaned her head down a bit to speak quieter. “Oblivion is one such pony.” She pointed out.

“Because I was made to wield a World Spirit.” He said to Sasa, who rumbled a reply.

Spike looked at the tall pony with them and then back to the mare. “He doesn’t count. He’s not a Unicorn.”

“He still counts,” Twilight argued.

Oblivion opened his mouth to speak when the sound of drumming hooves caught his attention. The hooves were small but they were approaching at a high rate of speed. He looked to the mare and dragon with him.

“Lookout.” He said as he jumped to the side, taking Sasa with him as two colts raced in between himself and Twilight, taking Spike with them.

The Witcher recognized them as being from Apple Bloom's class. “I thought the class was in session right now.” He observed as Spike tried to speak to the racing colts. They came to an abrupt stop that sent the dragon rolling across the ground. The two adult ponies and the large cat quickly caught up as the dragon rejoined them, brushing dust off his scales.

“Snips, Snails what's going on?”

The tall foal, Snails, his excitement clear as he hurriedly spoke in reply. “Haven’t you heard? There’s a new Unicorn in town.” He said to them.

The shorter foal, Snips, reared as he spoke. “Yeah! They say she has more magical power than any other Unicorn ever.”

Spike scoffed at their proclamation. “No way. That title goes to Twilight here.”

Twilight blushed and looked away for a moment before addressing the foals. “Where is this new Unicorn?”

Oblivion's ear flicked to listen as the sound of a distant thunder sounded out. His ears told him the sound was similar to thunder but it was shriller. “If I had to say they’re in the town square.” He said to them and the foals both nodded almost frantically.

“Yeah! Come on.” Snails called out as the two broke into a run.

Twilight cast a glance to the black Pegasus who shrugged in reply to her unspoken question. She broke into a lope with Spike running to keep up, with Oblivion and Sasa on her heels. They ran into the town center and Oblivion cringed at the fireworks. Oblivion slowed to a walk as they neared the stage. Fireworks and effects sounded, causing Oblivion to pin his ears from the noise. A light blue mare wearing a wizard's hat and a star-covered cape stood on the stage.

“Come one, come all! Come and bear witness to the Great and Powerful Trixie!” The mare yelled to the crowd.

More fireworks went off and oblivion bit back a growl of annoyance at the piercing sounds. They went off from behind the mare as she reared up among the fanfare. Ponies were awed in the crowd as the effects went off. Oblivion managed not to roll his eyes too far back in his head as he cocked one hip and took the weight off that leg. “Watch in awe at the great, magical feats of the Great and Powerful Trixie! Watch as Trixie performs the most astounding feasts ever witnessed by pony eyes!” The mare yelled again to the crowd, triggering more fireworks.

Rarity scoffed. “My, my, what boasting.”

“Come on, no pony is as talented as Twi...umm...hey Rarity….Mustache!” Spike yelled and fled from the mare.

Oblivion shook his head at the dragon. Twilight pulled up next to Rarity. “There’s nothing wrong with being talented is there?” She asked the others.

“Nothing at all. ‘Cept when a pony goes around showin’ off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons.” Applejack said.

“Just because one can perform a great amount of magic does not make one better than the rest of us.” Rarity said to them.

Oblivion watched as Twilight shrunk a bit from the proclamation from the white mare. He started to speak when more fireworks stopped him and he cringed. He watched Rainbow Dash hover by them.

“Yeah, especially when you have me being better than the rest of us.” She said aloud. Oblivion cast her a bland look as the mares glared hotly at her. “Eh uh I mean...Magic schmagic...Boo!” She said to keep the other mares and stallion from continuing to glare at her.

“Well, well, well, it seems we have some neigh-sayers in the audience,” Trixie said to the crowd. Oblivion cringed at the horse joke. “Who is so ignorant, that they would challenge the awesome magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Are they not aware that they are in the presence of the most magical Unicorn in all of Equestria?”

Oblivion shook his head and sighed, already bored at the mares boasting. Rarity looked away from the other ponies and back to the others around her. “Just who does she think she is?”

Spike had returned from wherever he had run off to and was now between Oblivion and Twilight. “Yeah. Since we all know Twilight is the…”

Twilight silenced him with a hoof, earning her his attention. “What? What's wrong Twilight?”

The mare leaned over him and Oblivion could hear her almost frantic whispering. “You see the way they reacted to Trixie’s bragging? I don’t want them to think I’m a show-off.”

Fireworks went off on stage and Oblivion sighed deeply through boredom. “This is tedious.” He commented to Sasa through their connection.

“I agree. This is a one pony show and dull to the point of being painful.” The cat replied. “I can’t see how Twilight thinks the others will think her a show off for putting the pathetic mare in her place. I alone could do that as well. What about you Chosen?”

“No. I have nothing to prove to anypony. Should any pony be harmed then I will act. Otherwise, I will remain a spectator, there is no reason for me to take part in this foolishness.” He replied to the feline’s question.

“I agree. Her friends will not think of her as a showoff. There is a difference between showing off and standing proud of one's skills.” She agreed.

Sasa nudged his shoulder and turned back to the stage as more fireworks went off. Oblivion watched as Twilight finished whispering to the baby dragon and once more watched the stage. Rainbow Dash flew up to be muzzle to muzzle with the show pony and hovered close by her.

“So, ‘Great and Powerful Trixie’. What makes you think you're so awesome anyway?” The mare asked.

The pale blue mare scoffed. “Why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major!” The crowd was impressed by the fanfare and commentary of the mare. “When all hope was lost, the ponies of Hoofington had no pony to turn to. So the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in to help and with her awesome magic she vanquished the Ursa Major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree forest.” Fireworks sounded off and the stallion winced.

Snips and Snails had to shake their heads to pick their jaws off the dirt road. They were now staring at the mare in clear admiration.

“What?” Snips exclaimed.

“No way!” Snails yelped.

“That settles it.” Snips yelled to the crowd.

“Trixie truly is the most, amazing, most talented, most magical Unicorn in all of Ponyville.” Snails said.

Snips reared up and flailed. “No. In all of Equestria!” He shrilled.

Oblivion rolled his eyes to the skies above him but kept his silence.

Spike on the other hoof had no such control. “How do you know? You didn’t see it. Besides everypony knows that Twi…” He was silenced when a zipper went across his mouth, he sent a glare at the purple mare whose horn was alight with her aura.

Trixie laughed from her place on the stage. “It's true my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville.” No pony said anything in response to her. “Don’t believe the great and Powerful Trixie? Well then here is a challenge to all of you Ponyvillians, anything you can do, I can do better. Any takers, anypony? Or is Trixie meant to go down in history as the greatest equine that has ever lived?” She reared up and fireworks went off behind her.

Oblivion shook his head, fighting a yawn, bored of the spectacle. Spike unzipped his mouth and lunged to grab Twilight's fetlocks.

“Please! Ya gotta do something, she’s unbearable.” He whined to the purple mare.

Twilight looked at him and shook her head. “There is no way I am using my magic now Spike.”

Trixie looked around the crowd and pointed into it. “How about you?” Oblivion heard Twilight gulp and saw her shrink back a bit. “Well, little hayseed?”

Applejack started then her eyes took on a hard edge to them. “That’s it Ah can’t take no more of this.”

Spike stood up and cheered for the orange mare. “You get her AJ.”

Applejack pulled a rope out from behind her, Oblivion stared since the rope hadn’t been with her before, but he ignored it and waited. “Can yer magical powers do this?”

She swung the rope with her tail and jumped over it. She flicked her tail and the rope went out to snag an apple off a tree and brought it back to her mouth. She crossed her front hooves and looked to Trixie as the crowd cheered. “Top that, Missy.” She jeered.

Trixie smirked. “Oh, ye of little talent. Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie.”

The music went through the air as the rope snaked up and then went around AJ’s legs and turned her onto her back and shoved an apple into her mouth.

“Once again the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails.”

Applejack glared at the other mare. Oblivion shook his head as Applejack hopped off the stage. She went to the side and Oblivion met her there to help with the rope. He removed the rope as the orange mare spat out the apple. She glared back at the other mare.

Rainbow Dash went up to the stage to confront the boasting mare. “There no need for you to go struttin’ around and showin’ off like that.”

Trixie looked to Pegasus. “Oh?”

“That's my job.” She said and took off.

The Pegasus went around the windmill causing it to spin. Then broke through several clouds and stopped in front of the sun. Oblivion could see her as she posed and he rolled his eyes. The mare turned back and picked up speed as she flew through the holes in the clouds that she had created. Water followed in her wake as she flew and circled the windmill again causing it to spin faster. She screeched to a halt on the stage and the water that was following her struck her fur and caused a rainbow to appear above her. The crowd cheered at the display.

“They don’t call me Rainbow Dash for nothing.” She stated with a cocky smile.

Trixie's magic covered her horn. “When I'm done with you the only thing they will call you is a loser."

Magic covered the rainbow and it spun to hold Rainbow. The blue mare was spun in circles and then deposited on the ground. Her eyes spun in her head as she tried to recover. “I think I’m...Gonna be sick.” Rainbow whimpered as she slowly got to her hooves.

“Seems like any pony with a Dash of good sense would think twice before challenging Trixie.” The pale mare laughed.

A dark cloud spun into existence behind Rainbow as AJ helped her to her hooves. A bolt of lightning lashed out and struck the mare in the flanks, causing her to yelp in pain. The crowd laughed at the mare.

Spike looked to the group. “What we need is a Unicorn to show this Unicorn who's boss.”

AJ nodded to the dragon. “A real Unicorn to Unicorn tussle.”

Oblivion looked to Twilight beside him who looked away from them, stuttering.

“Enough, enough all of you. I take your hint. But Rarity is above such things. Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace.” The white mare said to them.

Trixie pointed to her. “Ooh. Afraid you’ll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed and she growled. “Oh, it is on.” She ascended the small stairs to the side of the stage. “You may think you’re tough with your so-called powers, but there is more to magic than your brutish ways. A Unicorn needs to be more than just a muscle. A Unicorn needs to have style.” Her magic gripped a part of the curtain and pulled it from the stage. It swirled around the mare and created a dress on her and did up her mane in style. “A Unicorn is not a Unicorn without grace and beauty.”

Spike stared as he spoke. “Rarity won’t let Trixie get the best of her. She’s strong and beautiful and...” A flash of light silenced the dragon.

Even Oblivion blanched at the sight before him. Rarities mane had been turned a very unflattering shade of green with sticks in it. Sasa backed up a step and looked away.

“Oh wow.” Sasa thought to him and he said nothing in reply as the crowd gasped.

“What did she do? I know she did something to my hair. What did she do to my hair?” She panicked.

“It's nothing,” Twilight said to the mare.

“It's fine,” Rainbow commented.

“It's gorgeous.” Applejack said as she stared.

"It's stunning," Oblivion added.

“It's green.” Spike deadpanned.

Oblivion grimaced and slapped the back of the dragon's head with his hoof, eliciting a cry from the baby dragon.
“Cute, but foolish.” Sasa commented as the stallion nodded in agreement and put his hoof back on the ground.

Rarity didn’t seem to dare to look up as she began to look nervous. “Quick, I need a mirror. Somepony get me a mirror!” She paused as Spike's words sunk in. “Green hair? Oh, Goddess, not green hair!” She fled the stage and the ponies parted to let her through. “Such an awful color.” She wailed.

Oblivion grimaced as the mare ran away from them. “That’s going to take time to fix.” He commented aloud as Twilight nodded in agreement.

Spike looked around him and his eyes landed on the black Pegasus. “Oblivion? There has to be something that you can do to stop Trixie.”

Oblivion was sure there was and he had a few ideas but he didn’t feel any particular need to show the mare the error of her ways. “No.”

Spike and the mares all looked stricken. “But you’re a Witcher!” Spike argued.

“That’s true I am,” Oblivion replied. “That does not mean I am out to put little mares in their place. I have nothing to prove. Besting that pathetic little mare is a waste of time.” Oblivion replied as the mare on stage looked angered by his words.

“Too frightened to try your hoof against me?” Trixie goaded.

Oblivion looked up at her and a slight grin tugged at his mouth. She wisely seemed uncertain of the little grin that was directed at her and she backed up a step. “Little mare, I could best you fairly easily by skill alone. Magic is not needed to put you in your place. You, little foal, are a waste of time.” He said to her and her jaw dropped open as he spun on his heel. He walked through the crowd and for a moment he considered what his next plan was but Sasa bumped him and he was angled toward Rarity’s home and he gave a slight sigh. “Very well.”

Sasa gave a pleased chirp as she fell in at his side. His wings flicked at his sides as he walked with purpose toward the mare's home and business. His hooves were silent on the packed dirt road and he was soon in front of the mare’s door and he rapped his hoof on the door. Nothing happened and his ears flicked as he listened for any sign of movement inside. When nothing happened he slowly opened the front door and was greeted with a dark interior.

“Rarity?” He called out, his voice quiet so as not to startle her. “Rarity I know you’re here, your spirit is a dead giveaway.” He informed her as he moved into the business.

Sasa walked into the building further and she tipped her head into the next room. He waited till the door closed before he called on his own magic and it illuminated the room fully as though it were daylight. He walked up to join the cat and found the mare sprawled on a red velvet couch. She looked up as he rapped his hoof on the floor. She startled and huddled into the back of the couch.

“Don’t look at me! I’m hideous!” She wailed, her cries muffled by the couches surface.

Oblivion managed not to roll his eyes as his magic covered her mane and tail. A gentle flash of aqua light and the damage to her hair had been repaired. “Rarity, your hair is fine.”

She looked up and her horn lit to cast light on her mane. She sat up and stared at him. “Oh, Oblivion! You fixed it?” The black stallion nodded. The mare got up and trotted to him. She threw her forelegs around his neck and held onto him, he balanced his books on his back. “That is so very kind of you darling. I must return the favor somehow.”

He said nothing in reply for several seconds before he looked at her. “I do have a favor to ask then.” He said as she nodded happily and released him. “I met with Blue Blood this last weekend.”

She nodded and motioned for him to follow her. “Come this way dear. I will get you a cup of coffee in thanks at the very least.”

He followed her deeper into her home and she motioned for him to have a seat at a small table. Rarity went to the counter and began to brew a pot of coffee for the two of them. Rarity leaned forward. “How is he? He hasn’t responded to my last letter. He seemed a bit down, to be honest.” She replied.

“That's what I wanted to speak to you about. He seems to be having a bit of a hard time. I have set it up with him to visit every Saturday to have donuts with him. That seemed to raise his spirits a bit, but I am wondering if you would be willing to throw another letter to him and encourage him some. I don’t expect you to lay it on thick. Just enough to lift his...spirits a bit.” Oblivion sipped his coffee and waited as the mare thought over what he had said.

“I would love to write him again. I see no reason not to. I will not ask him any direct questions so that he does not know you spoke to me about him. One moment dear.” She said as she got up from her chair and left the kitchen.

“Sasa?” The cat looked up at him from her spot by his hooves. “Is it possible to reach out through the World Spirit to check on a pony, to see how they are down in this moment?”

Sasa looked at him and her head tilted slightly as she thought over what he had asked. “Interesting thought. It should be possible. Since you are connected to the Spirit of Equestria and everything is connected to it in some way then I would think it would be possible.”

“Any idea how to accomplish it?”

“I assume it could be done through focus and channeling. But I am not one hundred percent positive of the method. Your magic does as it is commanded and the World Spirit is the same to some extent.” Sasa replied.

Oblivion set his coffee down and bowed his head. His magic once more lit up the room as he focused on Blue’s Spirit. He found it and held onto it. Rarity came back into the room and stopped as Oblivion's body was covered in his own aura. Sasa was watching in silence. Oblivion jolted and the magic faded.

“Shit.” He grumbled loudly.

“Darling. What in Equestria were you doing?” Rarity questioned as she came up to the table.

He looked up to find the mare watching him closely, her eyes questioning. “My apologies. I was trying to see if I could connect my magic to Blue to check on him.”

“What were you checking on?” She asked.

“His spirit. As the Element of Spirit, I was using it to check on him.” He clarified.

Her eyes widened a bit as he explained. “I had no idea you could do that.” She replied as she sat down, a scroll and quill hovering in her aura. “Did it work?”

“It did yes. He appears to be quite upset about something. Though without being there I am not sure what the cause is.” The black Pegasus replied.

Rarity immediately set the scroll down in front of herself and began to write. “Well, I cannot allow him to go through the day without a bit of encouragement.” She proclaimed as she wrote.

Oblivion leaned back in his chair as he glanced at the feline. “I’m not sure what is wrong but he has that Prince mask on full display.”

“Damn. I hope one day he no longer needs it.” She replied with a sigh.

“As do I.”

Rarity looked up as Oblivion picked up his coffee in his hooves and sipped it as he waited. She wrote quickly as he waited and he gave no indication that he was in a hurry as time went by. “Here we go.” She said as she finished and he nodded in response. His magic lit the room once more as it flowed over his body. The Elder Language flowed over him and he lifted the scroll as she finished rolling it into a tight spiral. A spark went out as the letter vanished.

“On the way.” He informed her as he sipped his coffee once more.

She picked up her own coffee and took a sip as she regarded him as the aqua mist that came from his magic vanished. “I am truly grateful for your help Oblivion dear.” She said as she set her cup down on the tabletop.

He looked at her as his head gave a slight tilt, unsure of why she was thanking him. She gave a slight movement of her mane and his eyes closed in realization. “Oh, you mean your mane?”

“Yes. It was quite a shock to see what had happened to it.” She said as she nodded.

He leaned forward and bit and leaned on the table. “It's fine rarity.”

“Did Twilight put that boastful filly in her place?” She asked with a derisive snort. “I would ask if you did but you are not able to due to nopony knowing about your magic aside from us.”

“No.”

She stared at him for a moment. “Why ever not?”

“I walked away before the end but I am certain that she didn’t do anything. Her reasoning is a bit skewed I think but it is her own.” He explained.

He knew why she was not helping but he chose not to speak of it. It was her choice and he was not going to judge whether it was the right choice or not. He waited as the white mare seemed uncertain for a moment but seemed to drop it before she asked for more details from him.

“I see. Well hopefully Trixie gets her comeuppance and her boasting will be put to an end.” She said as her cup hovered in her magic.

“One can only hope for so much.” He replied and downed the last of his coffee. “Well thank you for the coffee Rarity. I appreciate it. Come on Sasa.” He said to the cat as she yawned and got up to follow him.

“She is simply beautiful Oblivion. I would have spoken up sooner but we were chatting.” She said as Sasa purred and brushed her fur against Rarity’s shoulder. “Oh, how soft. Those stripes have given me an idea. Pardon me darlings but I must create!” She said as she trotted away from them and into a different section of the store.

Oblivion shrugged as she disappeared and they left the boutique behind them. HE led the cat through town and onto the road that would lead them to the farm. He walked through the town square and the stage was still there but no performance was going at the moment. He stopped and he could see that the pony was behind the stage. He had a moment of thought to put her in her place with a small blast of magic but after a moment he chose to ignore her and move on. Sasa padded at his hip and broke into a trot to keep up with him as he trotted back to the farm. The Pegasus trotted through the front gates and he found Applejack and Mac standing by the barn. Mac waved him over and Oblivion slowed to a walk to join them. He could see that if he was judging by spirit alone then Applejack was upset by something. He drew up next to them and waited for them to speak to him.

“Ya could have helped.” Applejack griped at him.

“Helped with what?” He asked her in reply as Sasa leaned against his hind leg.

“When we were gettin’ our tails thrown around by that Trixie.” She replied, her voice accusatory.

His ears went back for a moment before he gave a slight shake of his head. “What would that have accomplished? Her magic is weaker than Rarity’s in terms of raw power.”

Applejack looked at him. “Ya can tell that how?”

“That’s one reason why I didn’t act. All she was doing was manipulation magic. Not true conjuring for example. Think about it. She used your rope, the rainbow Dash made, and Rarity’s hair. Nothing major. She was doing it to humiliate you. Nothing more.” The black stallion replied.

Applejack looked at Mac who nodded. “Still ya have the skills ta have done somethin’. Twilight ran away instead of helpin’. Ya both could have shown ‘er up.”

Big Mac looked at his sister. “Now hold up. Oblivion is a lot o’ things Applejack but he wouldn’t ‘ave did nuthin’ unless ‘e felt it was right. If nopony got hurt then Ah’m with ‘im. He was right not ta jump in. Ya remember ‘im fixin’ yer mistakes.” MAC said to his younger sister who cringed at the memory of her own mistakes days earlier. Mac looked at their elder brother and motioned for him to follow him. All righ’ let’s go shift the apples afore we start getting’ ‘em ready ta move out.”

Oblivion nodded and magic flowed over him as he sent the books on his back to his room. He followed the red pony as close as he dared and waited for an explanation. “So what are we doing?”

“We gotta get ‘em ready ta ship out. We got orders ta fill and the apples need to be made ready ta move. When we ship ‘em ya may need ta drop yer spell from ‘em.”

“I can if needed.” Oblivion agreed as Mac directed the Pegasus as the two of them, with Sasa helping as she was able, moved the apples into separate parts of the barn. They placed labels on separate buckets and entire areas were marked with the names of ponies or locations where they needed to go.


The evening wore on as they finished moving and settling the apples into their places. Oblivion found himself looking at the various labels and his eyes fell on one of them and he gave a slight tilt of his head at the name on it.

“There is a pony named Filthy Rich, seriously?”

“Yup. Been a long-term business partner o’ ours.”

Sasa seemed to be suppressing a laugh as she pressed her head into his right side. The Pegasus said nothing further as he shook his head. He looked away from the label and decided that if it worked for them then it wasn’t his business to judge them based on their names. He looked at Sasa as the cat seemed to recover from the laughter that had overtaken her and she gave him a toothy smile in reply to his look.

“I’m going to take Sasa hunting. We will return at the normal time. There is no need to wait up for us.” He said to Mac.

The red stallion nodded. “Happy Huntin’.”

Oblivion nodded as he looked at Sasa who was now dancing on her paws. “Come on Sasa.” He said to her as he spun on his heels and his body flowed from a standstill to a full gallop. The cat growled as she fell in close by him. The cat bounded just behind him and she slid under a tree that the Pegasus had leaped. He led her down a normal trail and she kept up with him as he broke the trail for her. He reached his normal clearing and he paused to let her catch up to him. He started trotting down a separate game trail as he tracked a small herd of what he thought was deer. His mane fell against his neck as the tie that held it loosened and he paused to pull the loose tie out of his mane and let it fall on his neck. His wings spread from his back and he slowed a bit to allow them to stretch and then they went back to hang loosely at his sides. He suddenly stopped and froze in place.

“Chosen?”

“Hold.” He ordered her and she froze at his hip.

He began to slowly move forward and she mirrored his movements. Her paws were quiet on the grass as she stayed at his side. His ears flicked and he put his nose up to scent the air. He once more stopped in place and he narrowed his eyes to look ahead of them as something came into view ahead of him.

“What in the Hells is that?” He whispered.

Sasa looked in front of him and leaned back at the sight in front of her. The creature was enormous. Easily forty to fifty feet tall. Its fur was a deep purple and shone like a star. It had flecks of lights in its fur and a short tail behind it. It walked on its hind legs and had teeth coming out of the side of its mouth that was similar to Sasa’s front teeth. Long claws that were easily 4-5 feet long were on its paws. It had a blue marking on its forehead and appeared upset. It looked around frantically and snarled. Oblivion’s sword shone in the darkness of the Everfree Forest. Sasa spread her long claws and waited for her Chosen to signal her. Oblivion watched it as it moved around. It suddenly looked in the direction of Ponyville and started to lumber in that direction. Oblivion looked in that direction and cursed as he took off after the monster. He got in front of it and stopped, sliding in front of the beast. The beast looked down and saw the black Pegasus. It lowered down to four legs and swiped at the stallion, who leaped deftly to the side.

“Sasa distract it!” He hollered to the cat.

Sasa ran around to it and leaped to land on its shoulder, digging her claws into the thick pelt and into its skin. The animal roared and swiped at the cat, who leaped away from the claws. She jumped around its forelegs and swiped her claws across its fur when she could. She leaped in and out of its immediate vision and tore at its flesh with her long claws, enraging the enormous beast further.

“Sasa get away from it!” Oblivion yelled and the cat raced away from it.

He saw her look around to find him and she found him, hovering just above it. He had sheathed his blade and turned his body to angle down toward the animal. His body lit with his magic as lit his body and he gave off an ethereal glow from his place above the fight. He angled himself further as the animal roared and he dove out of the sky to collide with the bests back. He hit it between the shoulder blades and the force of it knocked the animal to its belly with a loud roar. The Witcher said nothing as he pulled his sword ponce more and its tip dug into the beast’s shoulders and it screamed in pain and rage. His wings beat and he was lifted quickly off the beast's back and he returned to hovering above it. The animal pulled itself to its paws and righted itself to stand on its hind legs. His wings gave one large beat and he was propelled higher into the air. He watched as it began to look for desperately around to find who was tormenting it.

“Sasa start driving it back to the cave behind us!” He commanded the cat as he dove out of the sky once more to harry the best.

“At your command!” Sasa cried out as she went to harry the beast from behind, swiping her claws and biting at the animal’s thick fur and hide.

Oblivion landed in front of the animal and dared it to chase him. His sword blocked swipes from the animal as it was moving forward. Sasa could see paw prints in blood as she bit at its fur. Oblivion teleported out of its sight as Sasa drove it into the cave. Oblivion landed on the side of the cave and looked to Sasa. He opened his mouth to speak when something moving in the cave caught his eye, he teleported to her and shoved her to the ground. The cat started to complain when an arm snaked out of the cave and struck Oblivion, sending him rolling. The Pegasus grunted as he was struck and he rolled several feet away from the Tiger, who stared, stunned. Oblivion stopped rolling and laid still, unmoving in place. One wing pinned under him and the other crumpled on the ground. His ears thundered for a moment before his vision went dark.


Sasa got to her paws and her eyes fell on the Pegasus’s unmoving form. “Chosen?” She whimpered to him through their connection. “Answer me.” She pleaded with the stallion, who was still silent. “Oblivion?”

She looked away from him as movement caught her eye and she turned to see the animal starting to come out of the cave. A loud growl tore from her as it paused at the sound coming from her. The growl grew into a vicious snarl as she rounded on the animal as it paused at the entrance to the cave. The mist that flowed off of her grew in power and it enveloped the ground at her paws and grew into a thick soupy fog that covered her from paw to halfway up her legs. Her fur stood up from her back and she arched her back as a roar pulled from her.

She lunged at the animal and one set of her claws snaked out and tore into the beast’s nose and the other slapped across its face, nearly hitting its eye. It yelped and cried out as it skittered back into the cave as she remained in front of the cave entrance. Her snarl echoed through the entrance of the cave and she remained in the entrance, waiting for it to try to leave the cave. The mist around her billowed across the ground and soon covered the front of the cave entrance, its unnatural magic bristling with unspent power and it threatened to grow in power the more it rolled across the ground. Sasa slowly calmed and the mist began to dissipate.

Her breathing came out in a ragged pant as a groan sounded off to the side of her. Her ears went up and she immediately turned to the fallen stallion. The mist vanished as her rage no longer fed it and it faded to nothing. She watched the stallions crumpled form as the wing he wasn’t laying on began to move. She roared in glee as she raced over to him, she leaped his prone body and landed on his other side to be right in front of him. His eyes were still closed as she looked at him. His wing stretched for a moment before it fell to the ground behind him, limp.

“Chosen? Oblivion?” She said to him, her voice pleading with him to respond.


Oblivion opened one eye and he blinked roc leas it as he saw the great cat lying directly in front of him. The black stallion began to move his body but he paused as pain bit at him. Sasa scooted as close to him as she possibly could to allow her to be close to him. He began to move his limbs one at a time as he checked for breaks or injuries. He could tell that he was going to be sore but nothing appeared to be broken. He slowly sat up and opened his other eye now that it was no longer in the dirt.

He looked at the distressed cat and laid in place as a low groan escaped him. He glanced behind him as he flexed one wing and then the other, finding out that they were both fine as well. Sasa got to her paws and she began to lick his side and hip. He hissed in pain as she put her rough tongue over a wound to his side. He looked at where she was tending and he could see that the skin on his side and hip had been torn open by the animal’s long claws. Sasa kept licking his torn flesh as he hissed in pain.

“Easy Sasa. Gods below.” Oblivion growled at the cat as her rough tongue pulled at the torn flesh of his wounds.

She raised her head and growled at him. His ears pinned in reply to her tone as she snorted and resumed her cleaning of the wounds. He got his forelegs under him and began to try to stand only to have the cat try to pin him. She laid her hip across his shoulder and pinned his body under her weight. He looked up and found that he was staring at the sky from his place under the great cat. He groaned as her tongue pulled at his skin.

“Okay Sasa. You need to stop so I can sit up. And in case you were wondering you’re doing more damage to me than the wounds themselves.” He groaned at her.

She stopped mid-lick and her bright eyes looked at him as she seemed to be considering what he had said. She leaned her weight off of him and backed up a step to allow him to move. He sat up and laid with his hooves folded under him. He groaned and looked to assess the damage. The cuts went from just behind his shoulder to his hip. So they were close to a foot and some inches long. The cuts were raw, their edges frayed. He sighed and stayed on his belly as he looked for his sword. He saw it a few feet away and magic flowed over him as he summoned it to him. Sasa sat down at his side, from the corner of his eye he saw her look down at the ground in shame.

“I’m sorry Chosen.” She said to him, her voice quiet.

He looked from the weapon to her, his expression questioning. “Why are you apologizing to me?”

“I was not paying attention. You protected me, it is supposed to be the other way around.” She lamented. “I am meant to be at your side and watch over you. Not have you injured in my stead.”

Oblivion listened to her as she spoke, explaining herself. “I don’t recall asking you to be a shield for me.” He pointed out to her as she remained silent. “I choose what I do in each situation. Even if you asked me to let you be the one struck I would have done something to stop or prevent it. You know me well enough to know that by now.”

The cat looked up and her blue eyes locked with his. “Still. If I had been watching the cave and not the surrounding area I would have seen what you did and acted accordingly.”

Oblivion chuckled and reached out a clawed hoof to grip her scruff. He pulled her scruff till she moved as he wanted her to. She fell over his other foreleg and he laid the other over her, after releasing her fur. He held the cat as she pushed her head into his chest, pressing her ear against him, hearing his heartbeat.

“I’m fine.”

Sasa pushed herself against him and purred. The purr was loud even to his ears and it seemed to vibrate the air around her. He sighed and let her remain where he had placed her. He looked back to the wounds and now he was able to look closer at them. They were shallow and he was not concerned with them. They would be fine until he cleaned them later. As much as he appreciated Sasa’s intent to help keep them clean, her grating her tongue over the ragged wounds had simply made the pain from them worse. The stallion laid in silence as Sasa purred and he remained still for several minutes before she moved off of him and stood aside to allow him to stand. He reached a clawed hoof to her and lifted her head to be level with his own, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

“I chose to protect you. You are my companion and I know you would have done the same for me.” She nodded as he spoke and he got to his hooves. All right now we need to check on Ponyville and… What in the Hells is that?” He motioned for her to look up and he saw her head tilt at the sight in front of them. A bear floated past them, encased in a magenta aura, into the cave.

Sasa looked at it and then to him. He pulled his mane back into the tie to keep it out of his face as he whirled to face the town. “Come on Sasa.” She said as he broke into a gallop, heading for Ponyville. “I know that aura that was Twilight.” He said to her as they ran.

He jumped a fallen tree and he gave a low hiss as his side stretched as he slowed for a few strides. Sasa growled at him as he slowed for those few strides. Oblivion stayed with her as they resumed their race for Ponyville. He led her into the town and they were soon following a trail of destruction into the town center. He slowed as he caught sight of Twilights aura and then Spike and the other mares came into view as well. He slowed to a walk as he came around the corner and walked toward them.

“Twilight!” He yelled.

The purple mare whirled around to face him, a wide smile on her muzzle. "Oblivion!”

The stallion stopped at an angle to keep the wounds hidden from her and out of her line of sight. “What happened here?”

“We brought an Ursa to town.” Snips said to him.

Oblivion took a moment and he blinked uncomprehendingly at the foals as they beamed. “Wait, what? Those things are real? I thought that fool mare made it up.”

Twilight giggled as Trixie gave a low snort of indignation. “They are real, just very reclusive.”

Oblivion shook his head and then looked at the colts. So that’s what happened to those houses I saw on my way into town?”

Twilight cringed. “Yes. Those will get fixed over the next few days.”

Applejack walked up to him. “Ah’m sorry Ah got so sore at ya. Mac said ya went fer a run after ya finished workin’. Ya have a good run?”

He knew that she was trying to be discreet about the real reason for his trip to the Everfree. “It was fine.” He replied as Sasa growled at him. He turned to look at her and gave a low growl of his own in reply to her. The great cat sat down and sulked in place as he turned back to the ponies. Applejack gave him a look and he shook his head to drop it.

“So we were just discussing a punishment when you arrived. Any ideas?” Twilight asked him.

He looked at the purple mare. “I am not one to ask since I only came here when I saw a floating bear.”

“Oh that was the Ursa Minor.” Twilight informed him.

Sasa looked up. “Wait.” He help up a hoof to stop any talking. “Minor?”

“Yes. The minor was woken up by those two and followed them into town. It was pretty cranky at being woken up.” She explained.

Oblivion said nothing for several seconds as he put the puzzle together in his mind as he looked at Sasa. “So that big one was simply looking for its cub?” Sasa nodded in reply to him. “Gods dammit.” He gave a loud curse and his head turned to look at the two colts. “This is where you thank whatever Gods you believe in that I was in the Everfree and stopped a bear the size of two houses from walking into town.” His voice dripped venom and the two colts cringed.

Twilight spun to look at him. “Wait. You went up against an Ursa Major?”

Oblivion looked away from the colts and back to her. “I was going to leave it alone until it turned for town. Sasa and I drove it back into its cave. Where you sent the little one a few minutes later.”

“How in tarnation did ya drive it back?” Applejack asked him, her eyes wide.

“Through force mostly.” He admitted. “Sasa harassed it from the rear and I forced it to focus on me and chase me. It worked well given we had no time to plan a strategy.” He explained. “I’m more aggravated that I attacked a parent that was looking for its child.”

Sasa walked up to him and rubbed her head on his shoulder. He ran his claws through her fur. “Least ya came out of it unscathed.” Applejack said to him as she put a hoof on his right shoulder.

He cringed and leaned away from her hoof. “Are you okay?” Twilight asked him as the two mares looked at him.

“I’m fine.” He assured them. Sasa gave a low growl but he was able to silence her with a look.

Applejack rounded on him. “That’s what ya said when ya had a bad leg.”

Oblivion gave her a blank look before he sighed. “I will be fine.”

Twilight didn’t appear convinced as the stallion spun on his heel to leave them behind. He said nothing further as he walked away from the, Sasa trailing him, a low grumble raising from her as he walked. He saw a flash of magenta off to the side as Twilight teleported next to him. She reached out a hoof to stop him from walking and her hoof landed squarely on the wounds to his side. He hissed at the sudden touch and stepped away from her. She looked to her hoof and saw that it had blood on it. She looked up to Oblivion and her horn lit up. Its light showed her the tears across his rib cage. Oblivion stood in place as the light stayed on him. Twilight fell to her haunches at the long gashes. Applejack came over and stared.

“They will heal.” He said to her as she stared. He turned to walk away once more when twilight’s magic gripped his long tail and stopped him.

“No, not this time.” She said to him. The mare’s magic held his tail and she got to her hooves to walk to stand in front of him. “I let the other injury go because you were laying quiet and it would have been fine. That was nothing compared to this. I know you don’t like to be messed with but this is serious. What happened?”

Oblivion flicked his tail and her magic released it and it dropped back to bump his legs. “I protected Sasa from an attack from the Ursa Major.”

Twilight looked from him to the feline who was now hanging her head. “I guess she’s not happy about that though.”

Oblivion looked to the cat, reached out, and pulled her fur till she was against him. She wrapped her paws around his right foreleg and stayed there. “Yes. She was less than happy with my choice to protect her.” Sasa whimpered and held his leg, her ear against his chest. Twilight walked over to the cat and gently pet her fur.

Twilight looked at him as he ran his hoof through her fur, comforting the feline. “I can’t say I like the result but I would have done the same for any of my friends.” She said to him. “But I want to take you to the hospital to get those cleaned up. No argument this time.” She nearly pleaded the last part.

Sasa whimpered, pleading with him to agree. He looked at the two mares with him and he gave a deep sigh as he nodded in agreement. “Very well.”

Twilight smiled and her horn lit up. A flash of magenta found himself, Sasa, Applejack, and Twilight standing in front of the desk. He shook his head to clear it. Sasa grumbled and released his leg. A mare that he recognized from a week ago walked up to them. She stopped a couple of feet away from them and smiled.

“I remember you. You’re the stallion that used that concoction to help those ponies with food poisoning. How can I help you?” She said to them, a warm smile on her face.

Twilight stepped forward. “Nurse Redheart this is Oblivion Shadow. He was injured while fighting an Ursa Major and keeping it from coming into town.” She said as she pushed Oblivion to the side to show the gashes to his side.

“Oh my.” The mare replied at the sight in front of her, she turned to another hallway and motioned for him to follow her. “Follow me please. Your cat needs to stay with the others.” Oblivion nodded and Sasa plopped herself onto the floor after being told to stay. He followed her down the hallway as she stopped at a intercom on the wall to call for help. “I need a wound care team in room eight.”

Ponies came from several rooms to meet with her as they moved down the hallway. He was a bit surprised by how many were needed for a few little gashes but he assumed that there was more to it than he guessed. She motioned for him to walk into a nearby room and he led her into the room. He stood in the center of it as another pony came into the room. He wore a white coat and he immediately looked at the wounds on Oblivions side.

“I am Doctor Secret Heart. What in Equestrian did you do to yourself my friend?” The pony asked as Oblivion turned his heads to look at him. He had a white blaze going down the middle of his face with a strawberry roan coat.

“I was hit by an Ursa Major while protecting my companion, Sasa.” He replied.

The pony gave him a look of confusion as he processed what had been said. “An Ursa Major? What is that?”

Oblivion considered how best to reply when he decided that a simple description would suffice. “It’s a monster that stands approximately forty to fifty feet tall with long arms that end in claws about a pony tall, saber-tooth fangs with… Shall I go on?” He asked as the ponies in the room were now staring at him as though he had grown a second head.

“No that’s good enough.” Secret Heart replied. “Why in Celestia’s name would you fight something like that?”

“It was headed for Ponyville. If it had reached it then the town would have been destroyed and ponies could have lost their lives.” He replied.

“I see. Well you have my thanks for stopping it then.” The Doctor said to him. “What we need to do is give you a local anesthetic to prevent any pain from the injuries to you.”

“Which will render me...?” Oblivion pressed.

“Oh your thinking I mean to put you under sedation or something similar?” He asked and Oblivion nodded. “No. For this level of injury that’s not what we would be needing to do. This is just a numbing agent that will ensure we do not cause any unneeded pain to you while we clean it and bandage the wounds. Anything more severe and we would be asking to sedate you more. For this it’s just what we call a local.”

Oblivion nodded as he explained. “And how is that applied?”

“We inject a large volume of the chemical. We always make sure to inject is slowly to ensure that there is enough of the anesthetic ahead of the needle to avoid causing pain. It is important to make sure the tip of the needle never gets ahead of the advancing wheel of local anesthesia.” He explained further as a tray of needles was brought to sit beside him by another nurse.

Oblivion looked at the needles and nodded in understanding. He closed as the first needle was used and he felt the slight prick of the needle but after that any pain was minor and he was soon bored with it and raised his head to ignore the continued application of it and he closed his eyes.

“Sasa?”

“Yes Chosen? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. This is going to take some time.”

“So you are chatting with me to alleviate some boredom?”

“Pretty much.” He replied and she chuckled in response.

“Well at least I can be of some help.” She chuckled.

Oblivion opened one eye and glanced back to the doctors and his actions. The chemical they had used was still being applied as the wounds were rather large. “And I thought Trixie’s performance was tedious.” He said to her and she barked a laugh. “Perhaps sleeping through this would have been preferable but that was not an option.”

“Well if it helps the mares are still here. Twilight is going to wear a rut into the floor with her pacing. Applejack is doing tricks with her hat and I am staying by the door. I have to admit I think I have scared a few ponies by sitting here. Without you here to calm them they tend to walk away very quickly.”

“Then stop sitting in the doorway.”

“I should but I can’t seem to move away from it. I’m watching for the mare you went with.”

“She’s in here. So it will take some time before you see her again. They are still applying something called anesthetic. So it might take me a while.”

“Oh are they using local or…”

“Yes. That’s what they called it. You lived in a menagerie how do you know what it is?” He questioned.

“I may have lived there but I have the ability to listen to ponies as well. You’d be surprised what they will talk about when they think no pony is there to listen.” She pointed out.

He said nothing in reply for a moment as he considered what she had said. A spike of pain caught his attention. He turned his head to look and Secret Heart was pressing the needle in slowly as he patted Oblivions shoulder in apology as he focused on what he was doing.

“Sorry.” He said and kept his attention on his task.

Oblivion said nothing in reply, simply closed his eyes once more and went still. He winced again as the doctor pulled a shard of the animals claws from his side and his eyes were wide as he stared at it.

“You weren’t kidding about the size of the animal.” He quipped.

“Try being right next to it,” Oblivion replied.

The nurse chuckled and nodded with her eyes wide at the shard. The shard was laid on the table next to the doctor as he continued to use the needle. He clicked his tongue after several minutes as he finished with the needle.

“Okay that is done. Now we will let it sit for a moment and I will describe to you what the plan is now while we wait.” Secret Heart said to him and oblivion turned his head to focus on him. “We will be trying to stitch the gashes closed as much as possible as we go along. Some of these we obviously can’t do that with.” He said as he pointed to the middle of one of the gashes where the skin had been sheared off.

“So the plan for that area is?”

“We will wrap it to avoid it being put against dirt and cloth. We will do our best to protect it from outside issues and we will do what we can to keep it clean. That will need to grow back on its own and hopefully it will grow back quickly for you. Otherwise we will need to see what else we can do to get the skin to grow back.”

“I see,” Oblivion replied as he looked at the gashes from his angle.

“We will obviously stitch it closed where we can.” He went on. “If you could keep your wings up then that will make things easier for us.”

Oblivion nodded and his wings raised up higher to avoid them getting in the way. He raised his head once more and closed his eyes to allow himself to meditate in silence as they finished their tasks. His swords were in the middle of his back and he kept them still as they stitched his skin.


He felt a gentle prod to his shoulder and he opened one eye to look at the pony who was prodding him. Redheart was watching him as he focused on her.

“So the stitches are done and now we will be wrapping the wounds. We want you to be focused on us for this to assure us that the bandages are not over tight and you are capable of easily moving and breathing comfortably.” She said to him.

He nodded in understanding as the nurses began to carefully wrap the wounds and he kept his wings elevated and he pulled his baldric off his back to allow them to easily bandage it. Oblivion leaned his baldric against his shoulder as they worked. The ponies wrapped his chest and angled the bandages to circle the top of his legs and then wrapped them around his girth from shoulder to hip. The bandages stood out against his onyx black coat. The nurses stepped back to give him room to move. He moved his shoulders to see how tight the bandage was and if he could breathe with it.

“How does it feel?” Redheart asked him when he stopped moving.

“It’s fine.” He assured her.

She smiled and looked at the white bandages. “Good now follow me. I will lead you back to your friends and pet.” She walked ahead with Oblivion trailing behind her after he retrieved his swords from their place at his side. He pinned them against his other side with one wing. “The front desk already got your information from Miss Applejack. So this way you can give your preference for your bill. You will need to come back in three to four days to change the bandage and have the stitches checked. When you’re given a clean bill of health you can pay the bill.”

He looked ahead of them and he saw Sasa’s head poke out from behind a wall and he was sure she was within the room. She growled deeply as he approached the room. She ducked back into the room and Redheart opened the door fully to allow them to see the stallion. Twilight was the first to see him and her eyes went from happy to see him too concerned at the sight of the bandages around his body.

“Wow. Is he going to be okay?” She asked.

Redheart nodded with a warm smile. “He’ll be fine. No exercise for a week and very light work after that. Come back in three to four days for a bandage change.”

Oblivion looked at them. “I can work just fine.”

Applejack shook her head. “Ah think not.” She said to him. “Ya can rest up while ya heal.”

He opened his mouth to speak when Sasa ran her tongue over his shoulder and he went silent. Sasa stopped licking him and went to his chest to nuzzle him gently. She was clearly careful of the bandages on his body as she was affectionate towards him. He turned to the counter and the pony behind it looked at him in return.

“Your information was given to us by Applejack so now we just need to figure out your billing.”

Oblivion nodded in response to him. “I will pay in full once the last treatment is completed.”

The appaloosa nodded. “I’ll make note of it.”

“Is there an approximate amount or is it to be determined?”

“Not at the moment. That is finished with the final change. By then we will have everything figured out and we will let you know.” He supplied.

“Very well.”

“Did you really fight off an Ursa Major?” He asked and Oblivion nodded in reply. “I’m not sure if that was brave or foolish.”

“I was going to leave it alone until it started for Ponyville,” Oblivion replied.

“So you only went after it once it went to attack the town?” He asked as the stallion nodded in reply. “I guess that makes you more brave than foolish.”

Oblivion shrugged, earning him a twinge of pain between his shoulders. His right-wing settled onto his back and his swords were pinned to his left side to avoid them sitting on his back. Sasa stayed at his side as they finished the discharge papers and left the hospital a few minutes later. Twilight walked them to the farm and then he watched as she teleported herself back to the Library. Applejack followed him into the house and ushered him up the stairs.

“Did ya get in a good hunt afore ya got in that there fight?” She asked as they reached his room.

“No. The Ursa caught my attention before we even had a chance to get started.” He informed her as he opened his bedroom door.

He saw her cringe out of the corner of his eye. “So ya haven’t eaten yet?” He nodded. “If ya go without eatin’ meat der too long it starts ta hurt ya right? Maybe ya can have yer pretty kitty do the work fer ya.”

“Might have to.” He agreed. “I can’t move as I should with these bandages on. I can’t run easily if at all for now. She will have to do the majority of the work as much as I hate to admit it.” He said to her. Sasa grumbled and batted at his tail, doing her best to urge him to go the rest of the way into his room. The stallion flicked his tail and struck her in the face with it. “Easy girl. I’m not made of glass.”

Applejack chuckled at her. “Git ta bed wit’ ya then. Afore that pretty kitty a yers get angry at ya.”

Oblivion walked into his room as Applejack went past him to go to her own room. He closed the door and then let himself lean his flank against it as a sigh pulled from him. He let his head hang down and his eyes closed.

“Chosen?” Sasa said to him as she nuzzled the side of his face and his neck.

“I’m fine.” He said to her.

“I don’t believe you.”

He gave a low chuckle. “I know you don’t.” The black Pegasus pushed off the door and raised his head. He stood still for a moment and simply breathed.

“Are you in pain?”

“No, not really. I probably should be but it’s not registering due to the chemical they used on me. Though I’m certain to feel it in the morning.” He opened his mouth to speak further when the sound of hooves stopped him. He walked away from the door as a soft knock sounded out. “Come in.”

Applejack peeked her head into the room. “Ah fergot ta mention that the doc gave me yer prescription fer some pain killers and antibiotics. Ah’ll get ‘em fer ya in the morning.”

Oblivion nodded. “Thank you AJ.”

“He said ta take it easy in the mornin’ since the medicine might have worn off by then.” She advised.

The stallion nodded and he watched her leave. The door closed behind her and Oblivion looked at the cat as she jumped onto the bed and waited for him to lay down. He moved his swords out from under his wing and leaned them against the desk. He pulled the binding out of his mane and set it aside. He pushed the blanket back and Sasa laid down in her place as he laid down in his place. He oriented himself to lay on his belly versus on one of his sides. Sasa shifted her place until her back was against his left side.

“Get some rest Chosen.” She purred to him.

“You as well.” He replied to her, his voice low.

He was silent as he laid still and closed his eyes, trying to relax enough to sleep. His mind went over the fight as he lay in silence. He knew that Sasa could not die so long as he wielded the Spirit of Equestria, but that had not stop him from jumping to protect her. He should have kept driving the animal deeper into the cave. Instead, he stood there like a fool waiting for things to happen. He had been trained better than that. The stallion berated himself for his own faults as time ticked past him. Minutes passed and he finally relaxed enough to sleep.