//------------------------------// // Inner Thoughts // Story: The Cursed Prodigy and The Three Special-Grades // by I Ate Appiness //------------------------------// "Sorry! Did I startle you guys?" Yuta was perched high on a raised platform, looking down at the crowd below. His sword gleamed in the light, and he flicked it with ease, sending a spray of purple blood across the ground. His expression remained serene, his heavenly gaze piercing through the souls of those who stared back at him. But despite his calm demeanour, an awkward silence hung in the air, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. However, everybody else could beg to differ. Assumptions and ideas stringing and guiding their minds, all leading them to the same conclusion: that Yuta was a force to be feared. They could sense the malice and cursed energy that surrounded him, and it sent shivers down their spines. Even his smile seemed ominous as if he was enjoying the fear and confusion he was causing. Like a hive mind, everybody can only come to one single collective thought as to The Sorcerer's appearance. 'He's the one behind all of this!' "L-let them go!"Silverstream's voice trembled as she spoke up, surprising Yuta with her sudden brashness. He turned to face the pink hippogriff, raising an eyebrow at her attempted hostility. Despite this, Yuta's smile remained calm and neutral as he tried to understand what was going on. Silverstream hesitated but steeled herself with a stomp, her gaze fierce. Not allowing herself to succumb to fear when the lives of her friends are seemingly on the line. "I-I won't say it again!" "Ok." Much to everyone's surprise, Yuta suddenly released Smolder and Gallus from his hold and raised his left arm in a way that made it look like someone had just pointed a banana at him. "You're... Not threatening us?" Silverstream inquired. "....No? What makes you think that?" The human replied. Ocellus took a step back and nervously looked Yuta up and down. "You look um... Intimidating...and pretty evil," she piped up, her voice shaking slightly. Yuta's heart sank at the comment. This was the last thing he wanted them to think of him. "Ah! Sorry, sorry! I don't mean any harm, I promise you!" Dialling back his cursed energy, the tension in the air seemed to have dissipated, and the invisible weight weighing on everybody's shoulder had vanished. Finally, The Young Six, The royal guards, and the local civilians get to have a good look at Yuta's face. His smile appeared to look genuine now. Silverstream let out a sigh of relief as she wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. "Phew! That was scary!" she exclaimed, her voice still trembling with fear. However, before she could take another breath, Ocellus darted past her with a sense of urgency, heading straight for Smolder and Gallus, who were lying motionless on the ground. "Smolder! Gallus! Are you two alright?" "Barely..." Gallus chimed, holding his torso with tears in his eyes. "Was that thing poisonous? I feel sick..." Smolder asked, her scales stained with small flecks of blood, indicating that some form of internal bleeding occurred and it was coughed up. Ocellus bowed her head slightly, allowing her horn to make contact with Smolder's scales. She concentrated, spreading her healing magic across the orange dragon's body, doing what she could to minimise and close the internal bleeding. This alleviated some of the pain she was feeling as she repeated what she did for Gallus, tending to his wounds. "This should help soothe the pain to some extent. Sorry, but that's as far as I can manage. You two still need medical attention. So please don't push yourself." "Yeah, appreciate it," Gallus thanked. "Thanks a bunch," Smolder added. The two got up, stretching slightly before feeling a sharp pain in their ribs. What Ocellus said was true; they weren't fully treated. Gallus buckled somewhat due to the sudden sensation, his face looking to be on the verge of screaming. Smolder, on the other hand, was trying to stifle tears from streaming down her face. As all of this was happening, the Special Grade Sorcerer stood by impartial emotions, his mind busy with other matters. In spite of that, the voice of Ocellus broke through his gearing mind and caught his attention. "So, um, what are you mister?" "Me?" Yuta replied. "Yeah, you! I hadn't seen a creature like you before!" Silverstream interjected with excitement, now understanding the human in front of her is of no harm. “My name is Okkotsu Yuta. But my friends just call me Yuta." "Guys... A-a little help?" Chimed Sandbar, squashed between a bent lamppost and an unconscious Yona. Silverstream was about to make her way over, though a white blur reached Sandbar first, his sword sheathed to his waist. "Here, allow me," With impressive strength and a gentle touch, Yuta gracefully lifted the sleeping Yak off of Sandbar's back. He didn't seem to break a sweat, "Thanks, dude." The Earth Pony stood, just like his dragon and griffon companions. He also suspected he had broken something, but his sturdy Earth Pony physiology helped dampen the pain. Though not as bad, he isn't in a better situation either. "How are you feeling? Is everything Alright?" Yuta asked, "I'll manage," Sandbar responded with a light stroke of his side. The Young Six, Yuta, along with a few of the royals, now stood outside the Maneway Station. Currently discussing the situation at hand. "Wait, so you're an alien?!" The six yelled in unison, causing some of the nearby pedestrians to turn heads. "How are you so laid back about this?" Gallus asked. Yuta could only smile and give a shrug. As he takes in his surroundings, he can't help but notice how strangely serene he feels despite the circumstances. It's as though the environment around him is enveloping him in a warm and welcoming embrace, providing a sense of comfort that he hasn't felt in a long time. Even though the recent events that brought him here were far from pleasant, he still can't help but feel as though he's been whisked away on a vacation. However, he knows that this trip is going to be far longer and more indefinite than any vacation he's ever taken before. 'Is this what Gojo-sensei meant by Sorcerers gotta have a few screws loose?' The boy thought. "In your perspective, you can consider me an alien. The thing is, I'm looking for a way to get back to my own world. You see, I was caught up in a battle with a monster that had supernatural abilities, and during our fight, it somehow managed to transport me here. " "So, like, some sort of magic that transported you over to Equestria? If so, maybe the Princess can help you. She's practically a magic goddess!" Smolder asked, her hand caressing her ribs. 'Wait, magic? Goddess?' "Tell us how you managed to beat that monster!" The happy-go-lucky hippogriff, now up in Yuta's face, almost demanded an answer. Adding. "You were so cool! Though admittedly a bit scary. But still cool nonetheless!" "Even Yona impressed with Yuta's strength! But Yaks still strongest." "I just exorcised it with force. Didn't you guys try to do the same thing?" "...Excorise? Uhh, yeah, we did." Gallus scruffed, "And look how that turned out. You don't look like the power type, Yuta. Yet you're still really strong. Is there a trick, some sort of magic?" "I get that a lot. Well, it just boils down to training, I guess? Hahaha." Yuta answered, rubbing the back of his head in modesty before continuing. "Anyway, I'd like to have a chance to meet with The Princess you speak of. Maybe she'd have a way back for me." "Sure. In fact, Silverstream and Ocellus, you two can accompany Yuta to see the Princess. The rest of us are gonna go check in at the local hospital." "Um, is it really ok to trust him Sandbar?" Ocellus asked. "Well, he did save our lives. It's the least we could do. Besides, I don't think he has any intention of harming us. If he did, he would have already done so. Plus, It would also be strange if an alien monkey suddenly appeared in Canterlot alone. No offence, Yuta." "None taken." That said, Yuta can't help but think back to that Sorcerer with the weird bangs. "Ooh, alright. Well then, we can first board the next train that's coming. Just follow Silverstream and me, Yuta." Ocellus stated, leading the way up the stairs. "Take care, guys!" Silverstream waved before flying to catch up with the two in the front. "Yona gets a scary feeling from the monkey; Yona hopes Ocellus and Silverstream stay safe." A hoof patted Yona's back soothingly. Turning, she could see it was Sandbar. "It's alright, Yuta seems pretty chill. I mean, if things go South. Princess Twilight and her friends can handle it." "I'm still surprised he could speak Equis." The orange dragon commented. As the two groups went their separate ways, a child with no face stood on top of a towering high-rise building, towering over them like an ominous figure. Small embers chipped away at the edge of her ear. Her facial muscles were visible as she looked down at them with animosity and spite, While her sets of teeth snapped and crooked into a creepy smile. Her hand still holding the Pony doll. With a squeeze, With a sudden squeeze, she crushed it with ease, not giving it a second glance. The child's eyes were empty and devoid of any emotion, and yet, she too began to speak, her voice sounding eerily calm and detached. "I will see it for myself." The train ride to Canterlot has remained rather quiet ever since they left Manehatten. The rhythmic chugging of the train provided a calming, white noise that helped to drown out any noise from the surroundings. The gentle swaying of the carriage and the occasional hum of the engine made the journey feel almost meditative. Initially, fellow passengers would glance their way, curious about the group travelling together. However, upon spotting Yuta with two of the Ambassadors, their worries dissipated, and their inquisitive gazes soon turned into friendly nods and smiles. The two friends sat across from Yuta while he had his katana resting on the seat next to him. Silverstream had already dozed off from the long day's journey to and from as she unintentionally laid her head on Ocellus from fatigue. While Ocellus still looked to be rather reserved, keeping to herself. This hadn't bothered Yuta at all. Resting his chin on his arm, he lazily looked out the window. Taking in the scenery of the quickly changing landscape, thinking back to the events today had to offer. He summed up what happened in his mind. 'From my conversation with the six of them, they seem to haven't had the slightest clue about cursed energy. Otherwise, the dragon...Smolder? And her blue friend, Gallus, wouldn't be so brazen as to charge that cursed spirit. So there are two possibilities. A Jujutsu society exist A jujutsu society doesn't exist Assuming that a Jujutsu society does exist, they could be more effective and efficient in clearing cursed spirits if they had garnered to such an extent. Also, the least they could do was draw a veil. Yet, there wasn't any when I arrived. Sooner or later, Jujutsu would've been outed as a means to exorcise the curses, which would eliminate the incident earlier. Now, the second option. A jujutsu society doesn't exist in Equestria. That would either mean these curses are a recent occurrence, thus explaining why and how the citizens are so unprepared. Or there are no readily available means to adapt cursed energy as a whole. That would explain why I hadn't come across any creatures that were leaking cursed energy. And based on their usage of "magic", it looks to be their primary source of utility. Hence, the only possibility could be number two. Furthermore, the fact that large curses are spawning into a world without any form of Jujutsu to protect themselves is an open invitation asking for global extinction. Additionally, they seemed to be rather uncomfortable and even in pain just because of the emission of my cursed energy. That's something I'd like to look into regarding this phenomenon. Moving on, the fact that these people are unfamiliar with Jujutsu is a significant advantage for me. Being in this foreign world, I understand their caution towards me. Therefore, I need to establish a positive relationship with them. My ultimate goal is to leave this world on good terms with these people. However, in the worst-case scenario, I may have to resort to violence to find my way back to Earth. Otherwise, I risk being stranded here Permanently. Still, that curse that sent me here, the faceless one. I wonder if it's in this world like I am. I'll figure it out later. With a deep sigh, he folded his arms and slouched into his seat. Feeling the need to rest, he closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep, his head bobbing slightly with the movement of the vehicle. The loud sounds of activated speakers shook Yuta from his slumber. Fluttering his eyes open, he could hear some form of static coming over in the intercoms before the voice of the conductor came on. "Attention every creature! The final destination, Canterlot, is fast approaching! Please gather your valuables and luggage as you prepare to alight the Friendship Express. Thank you for travelling with us! I Repeat." Grabbing his weapon, Yuta quickly slings it onto his shoulder. Ocellus and Silverstream looked to have just woken up as well. "*Yawn* We should get going, c'mon!" Silverstream suggested, giving her wings a good stretch. Alighting the train, the three stepped onto The Canterlot Train Station. A group of royal guards was already standing there at attention, patiently waiting for them. "It seems that Gallus and the others have already informed Princess Twilight about our arrival," Ocellus remarked. As they approached, the guards quickly rushed over to them. Ocellus and Silverstream received nods of affirmation, but Yuta only received side glares. The guards then acted with near-perfect synchronisation, surrounding the trio like bodyguards protecting a celebrity. Yuta was taken aback by this gesture, as he had never been treated like this before. However, he realised that it was necessary when guiding a foreign life form through a busy city like Canterlot. Speaking of Canterlot, walking through with a literal ring of guards does draw quite a bit of unwanted attention. Not to mention, Yuta wasn't particularly tall in any regard. But these ponies, griffons, hippogriffs, changelings, yaks, and dragons are so small it makes him look gigantic. That said, it was quite amusing to watch the guards, who didn't seem to care at all, shouting at every creature that crossed their path, demanding them to make way, or else they would be pushed aside. It may sound harsh, but it was quite effective. This showcase lasted all the way to Canterlot Castle, where the guards finally gave Yuta some breathing room. Strolling through the halls, the walls were shined a pristine white and decorated with just enough floral so that it didn't feel as empty as it should be. "Woah. So, this is a castle? The carpet smells expensive." The two giggled at Yuta's remark. "It is the Canterlot Castle, after all, the one in which the Princess resides. So, of course, everything gotta be top-notch!" Silverstream said. "Speaking of the Princess, we've arrived."