//------------------------------// // Grass Cutter // Story: The Cursed Prodigy and The Three Special-Grades // by I Ate Appiness //------------------------------// The verdant heart of the Everfree Forest convulsed, its silent symphony drowned out by the jarring boom of a portal tearing reality apart. Like a festering wound on the fabric of existence, it spat forth a figure wreathed in an unsettling aura of wrongness. A child, yet not a child, with featureless skin that seemed to drink in the surrounding light, leaving only swirling shadows where a face should be. She spoke with a voice that echoed not with sound but with a cold, chilling emptiness, "This will do." Her hand, skeletal and devoid of warmth, rose, each long fingertip glowing with a malevolent green energy. As she spread her hand wide, the air crackled with power, and two portals ripped open on either side of her. They weren't portals of light but swirling voids, hungry and dark, pulsating with a sickly green luminescence. "Curse Technique Amplification: Egress." From these gaping wounds in reality, came a torrent of tortured souls. Grotesque figures, some wispy and translucent, others twisted and monstrous spilt out with ear-splitting shudders and tormented moans. Some, bound by spectral chains, bemoaned and writhed in agony as they took to the skies, their ethereal screams swallowed by the dense canopy. Others, silent and numb, stumbled forth from the portals, their forms flickering and insubstantial, like living shadows. Trudging on through lush trees and roots. Yet, despite their diversity, one singular purpose bound them. Drawn by an unseen leash, a vicious hunger, they were compelled to move. Forward, always forward, through the tangled undergrowth, following an irresistible lure towards the light, towards life... towards the unsuspecting hearts of Ponyville. The forest seemed to groan under their silent passage, the shadows deepening, the air heavy with the anticipation of coming doom. Pushing open the teacher lounge door with a sigh, Yuta found himself bathed in the slightly stale aroma of old coffee and forgotten lunches. Stepping inside, he bypassed the worn-out couches and mismatched armchairs, his gaze already fixed on the prize: the mini coffee maker tucked away in the corner kitchen. With practised ease, he pulled open the cabinet labelled "Filter," his fingers brushing against a chipped mug someone had promised to replace "someday." Selecting a fresh filter, he slotted it into the machine's holder, the white paper contrasting starkly with the chrome exterior. Next came the water, filling the reservoir until it gleamed under the fluorescent lights. Two tablespoons of coffee grounds followed, measured with meticulous precision despite the bag's faded "Best Before" date. With a satisfying click, the lid snapped shut, and Yuta pressed the start button, the red light illuminating the machine's belly like a tiny, expectant heart. Leaning against the counter, he folded his arms, the granite cool against his skin. The wait felt longer than usual, perhaps due to the awkward height difference. On the taller side, Yuta found himself hunching slightly to rest his forearms comfortably, a small price to pay for his morning caffeine fix. His gaze drifted around the lounge, taking in the abandoned lesson plans scattered on a table, the half-eaten apple core someone had left on a plate, and alone, wilting peace lily on the windowsill. The silence was broken only by the rhythmic gurgling of the coffee maker, each sound promising a delicious end to his wait. "Enjoy coffee, Mr. Okkotsu?" Yuta nearly jumped at the voice; the gentle hum of the brewing coffee abruptly interrupted. Turning, he was met with the sight of Headmare Glimmer, her lilac coat shimmering under the lounge's fluorescent lights. Her mane, a cascade of purple and teal, seemed to sway with a hidden rhythm, and her tail, the same vibrant hues, flicked softly against the floor. She was a vision of elegance, her tailored velvet attire contrasting the worn-out furniture surrounding them. A light blue button-up peeked out from under the jacket, adorned with gold cuffs that gleamed like miniature suns. "Good morning, Headmare Glimmer." Yuta greeted with a nod. "Good morning to you too, Special-Grade Sorcerer." Her smile widened, the twinkle in her eyes betraying a playful glint. He winced internally at the title. "Word spreads fast, you know," she continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "This was actually one of the rare times the students were this engaged in a lesson. Especially by a substitute." Yuta felt a blush creep up his neck. "It wasn't that difficult," he mumbled, hoping to deflect the attention. "They're a good bunch, just… energetic." "Energetic, perhaps," Glimmer chuckled, her gaze lingering on him longer than necessary. "But rarely captivated by the intricacies of cursed energy theory, especially not delivered by a fresh face." Her smile turned, knowing. "Tell me, Mr. Okkotsu, are you enjoying your temporary stay at Ponyville High?" He humbly scratched his neck. "Yes, the lodging your acquaintances and the princess has provided is more than enough. by the way, here are the rest of the forms from the students." Unhooking his arms. He passed the small stack of papers over to Starlight, her magical grip taking hold midair. He relaxed his right arm to the top of the surface, supporting his weight and drumming his fingers. "How are the preparations coming up?" "It should be done by tomorrow, and be ready at the end of the week. So in two days' time. Either way, I'm glad you're adjusting well to such a new environment. Hearing from how you had so abruptly ended up in Equestria." "Is that so? I guess it is kinda sudden with a cursed spirit being able to open wormholes. I thought I was a goner. But never mind that there's something I'd like to ask you about." Starlight Glimmer's brow furrowed as Yuta spoke, his casual dismissal of his near-death experience sending a shiver down her spine. "Is that so?" she finally replied, her voice laced with concern. "It certainly would be startling... a cursed spirit opening wormholes? I had almost resigned myself to becoming another unfortunate statistic. But that's not important now," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "There's something I need to ask." Starlight sat nearby and leaned back in her chair, mirroring his sombre demeanour. "What is it, Mr. Okkotsu?" she inquired, her ears twitching slightly as she awaited his question. "Have there been any strange happenings lately?" he pressed, his gaze intense. "Unusual objects appearing, perhaps? Or maybe any... extreme anomalies in the past couple of decades?" Starlight closed her eyes, tapping her chin with a hoof as she searched her memory. "Hmm, no, not that I can recall," she finally admitted, a thoughtful hum escaping her lips. "There was the Tree of Harmony, of course, and the Elements... but they've been safeguarding Equestria for centuries. King Sombra? No, he was vaporised. The Pillars of Equestria? Not a chance... Hm, no, nothing comes to mind. Why do you ask?" "Who's King Sombra?" Yuta inquired, a hint of confusion playing on his lips. "He sounds evil." "Violent tyrant, actually," Starlight clarified, a hoof waving dismissively. "Nothing to concern yourself with anymore." He nodded in understanding. "I appreciate the clarification," he replied, leaning forward slightly. "Now, back to my question. Objects with concentrated cursed energy tend to attract curses like moths to a flame. Sometimes, they even act as conduits, amplifying and manifesting these spirits. It's a possibility that explains the recent surge in curse activity here." Starlight's ears perked up at his explanation. "I understand," she said, her eyes widening. "If I stumble upon anything unusual, Mr. Okkotsu, I'll let you know immediately." "Great!" Yuta exclaimed, a genuine smile finally breaking through his stoic facade. He held it for a moment, the rhythmic ticking of the clock and his nervous drumming providing the only soundtrack to the room. However, the lighthearted atmosphere quickly evaporated, replaced by an unsettling tension. With a sigh, he dropped his smile and met Starlight's gaze directly. "This has something to do with the Princess, doesn't it?" he asked, his voice laced with a quiet knowing. Starlight sighed in defeat, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Twilight wanted me to convey her sincerest apologies. She deeply regrets not being able to face you herself, but her duties as a ruler are quite demanding." The air hung heavy with unspoken words, the weight of the situation settling between them like a physical presence. Yuta's tense drumming ceased as Starlight's words sank in. He understood the pressure Princess Twilight Sparkle must be under, having just dealt with an extraterrestrial crash landing in his own world. A rueful smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Believe me, Headmare, I get it," he said, his voice softening. "If some strange being materialised in Tokyo suddenly, I'd probably be buried under the workload myself." A beat of silence followed the only sound of the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the faint echo of Yuta's sigh. Then, with a determined glint in his eye, he spoke again. "Let's do this together, Headmare. Tell the princess I apologise too, for getting a little rough with one of her friends." Starlight gulped audibly, He picked up the now-steaming coffee pot, its ceramic surface warm against his fingers. He poured a cup with practised ease, the rich aroma swirling upwards. Setting the pot back on the warming plate, he offered it to Starlight with a nod. "Help yourself, please." Walking towards the door, he stopped beside her, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the lingering tension in the air. "On my way here, I picked up a disturbing amount of cursed energy emanating from the nearby forest. I plan to investigate tomorrow tonight. Should those curse spirits breach the barrier, be prepared to evacuate the villagers." Starlight whipped around, eyes wide with alarm. "What do you mean by that?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. But Yuta had already turned and stepped towards the door, taking a fortifying sip of his coffee. With each swallow, his resolve seemed to solidify. As he exited the office, nearly stumbling into a surprised Rainbow Dash, "Oh, hello Rainbow Dash! Sorry, didn't see you there." Rainbow laughed. "Just "Dash" Is fine, Yuta! Anyway, I was looking for you!" Okkotsu tilted his head at the reply. "What do you mean?" Rainbow shuffled her wings a bit before pulling out a card. "Here you go! Gallus and his friends wanted me to pass this to you. They also told me to tell you to watch them at the Sports Festival, that they're gonna show you what "they can really do." " Rainbow finished with air quotes and folding her forehooves, a smirk crossing her face. "Looks like they wanna impress you. Mr. Special-Grade." " *Sigh* Not you too," Yuta said with a sad look, taking the card from her and reading it. After a brief moment, he chuckled at the contents. Looking back up, he nodded. "Tell them I'll be there!" One and a half moons later, Yuta stands at the edge of the Everfree forest, unsheathed blade already in hand. Walking in, he could feel the heightened amount of cursed energy flowing from deeper within. Now that he's alone, he sees no reason to withdraw his cursed energy and unleash a wave of cursed energy that mirrors the forest's hostile hum. His feet barely touched the damp earth as he darted through the dense jungle, a blur of black and green. Fluttershy's words echoed in his mind, each sway of a branch, each rustle of leaves a potential warning. The forest held its secrets close, but Yuta was attuned to its whispers tonight. He wasn't far when a flicker of movement caught his eye. A grotesque figure emerged from behind a moss-covered oak, its form shifting and swirling like smoke. A curse. Adrenaline surged through him. Clenching his jaw, he drew his katana, the blade singing a deadly song as he unleashed a mighty swing. The cursed spirit was caught off guard and was bisected cleanly, dissolving into wisps of dark energy that dissipated into the twilight. He skidded to a halt, his momentum carrying him forward. Two more curses materialised before him, their eyes burning with malevolent hunger. Without hesitation, he hurled his katana, infused with cursed energy, at the one farther away. The blade flew true, a silver streak in the gloom, cleaving the spirit in two. Simultaneously, he lunged at the remaining curse, his fist imbued with raw power. The impact echoed through the clearing, the creature dissolving in a shriek of agony. Two down, countless more to go. Yuta stood poised, his senses alert, facing the encroaching darkness of the Everfree. Kicking off the fading spirit he had one-punched to death, he grabbed his lodged blade from the ground and continued his sprint. Swaying his body leftward, he spun to his right twice to slash one last cursed spirit before coming to a halt. Looking past the greens, he saw even more vengeful spirits running toward him. A deep groan rumbled through the forest floor as Yuta tilted his head back, cracking his neck and shoulders. The air thrummed with the malignant undercurrent of cursed energy, its source undoubtedly linked to the entity that had flung him into this strange world. A scowl creased his brow. Summoning Rika at full manifestation for these low-level threats seemed unnecessary, and his Reverse Cursed Technique cost was far too high. He had to stop them before they breached the forest's barrier and threatened Ponyville. His senses snapped to attention as a guttural growl pierced the stillness. A monstrous, wormy creature with a timberwolf-like head lunged from the shadows, attempting to clamp its jaws onto him. The sorcerer grabbed onto its mandible with swift accuracy, stopping its assault. Pulling down with explosive force, Yuta ripped its jaw off. Purple blood spewed onto the ground as it reeled and whimpered in pain. Channeling cursed energy into his katana, he jabbed it into its cranium. Violently bursting the beast from within as it collapsed onto the ground lifelessly. A chilling sight met his eyes as he turned his gaze back to the clearing. A swarm of the same grotesque beings hovered menacingly above him, their forms twisting and shifting in the dim moonlight. Behind them, more poured forth from the forest's depths, their hunger palpable even at this distance. "Sorry, but I have students waiting for me back home," he muttered, gripping his katana tighter. The moonlight danced off the polished metal, reflecting the steely resolve in his eyes. "Let's get this over with." Dawn dripped onto the Everfree Forest, cloaking it in a damp, grey haze. The wind held its breath, leaving the stillness humming with an unsettling quiet. Zecora, the forest's sole resident and self-proclaimed navigator, ventured out early, her basket slung over one shoulder, eyes scanning the undergrowth for the morning's bounty of herbs. But unlike other mornings, her destination this day wasn't just the whispering leaves and hidden blooms. The previous night, the rhythmic booms of monstrous wails had shaken her hut, disrupting the forest's usual nocturnal symphony. Curiosity, seasoned with a dash of concern, propelled her deeper into the heart of the woods, following the lingering tremors of that unseen battle. Though heavy with dew, the air carried a faint echo of cursed energy, its taint a foreign element in the forest's natural magic. Stumbling through thick roots, she walks across some familiar tiny critters. "Are these Fluttershy's friends I see?" She said in a melodic tone, "So deep into the jungle, what is it that you seek?" The family of squirrels signalled some gestures in a comedic fashion, pointing to one another, then to themselves. It took a while for her to fully grasp what message they were trying to convey, though it didn't take too long for the zebra to catch on. "Ah, trying to find a friend? Come with me. another set of eyes will do you well, then." Agreeing, the squirrels climbed onto Zecora's back. Carrying on deeper into the forest. Traversing through heavier, it was a matter of time before they came across a light breaking through the thick wall of trunks. The branches nearby writhed in agony, yet they dared not approach whatever was the cause of it. Almost like they know their fate if they do so. Passing the barrier, Zecora and friends were greeted with an unnaturally large clearing. Lopped trees riddled the scene, along with piles upon piles of dead curses' bodies scattered everywhere, all of them ashing away slowly. However, that wasn't the scary part. A tall figure is located at the centre of the massacre; pools of violet blood lay beneath his feet, and his white jacket and his blade were now drenched in a sickly purple, dripping fluid from the tip of the weapon he held by those that weren't his. Yuta took a breath in before giving a long and steady exhale. It didn't matter to him how stained his clothes were since they would disappear anyway. Throughout the night, he had battled wave after wave of curses, none particularly strong, yet their incessant numbers had tested his stamina to the limit. He kept replenishing his cursed energy, yet a hint of exhaustion flickered in his eyes. "I think the festival should have started already. Gotta quickly head back." Turning around, Yuta finally noticed the figure behind him. "A zebra? What are you doing here." Zecora instinctively recoiled, a tremor of fear rippling through her. Before she could reply, the ground beneath them convulsed with a violent shudder. A surge of cursed energy, palpable like a physical blow, pulsed through the clearing. Before their shocked eyes, the earth cracked open, a jagged crater devouring the space where Yuta had stood a moment before. From the depths, monstrous roots erupted like gnarled serpents, their obsidian tips aimed with deadly precision at the unsuspecting zebra. In the blink of an eye, Yuta materialised beside Zecora, his presence a shield against the incoming attack. With a snarl that echoed through the clearing, he parried the root's strike, his cursed blade clashing against the ebony wood with a deafening clang. Sparks flew, the impact sending shockwaves through his body. He gritted his teeth, sweat mingling with the grime and gore staining his face. "Run! Now!" His own words barely registered in his mind as he pushed past the shock and adrenaline coursing through him. Heeding his desperate order, Zecora vanished into the tangled depths of the forest, her hooves barely touching the ground. Alone, he turned his weary gaze to the source of the renewed threat. Three monstrous figures materialised from the pulsating crater, their grotesque forms fueled by malevolent energy. One, perched atop a swirling tsunami of twisted branches, resembled a macabre parody of a rose, its thorny stem and petals dripping with viscous purple sap. Another, a grotesque mockery of a unicorn, stood on the ground, its once noble head replaced by a blazing skull that crackled with unholy hunger. The third, a winged horror, swooped down from the sky, its body devoid of limbs except for many insectoid wings sprouting from its back and head, obscuring its face in a writhing mass of feathers. Yuta gritted his teeth, the exhaustion threatening to pull him under. He gripped his katana tighter, the metal cool against his sweat-slick palm. "Let's get this over with." A distant boom in the direction of Ponyville caught his attention. Turning his gaze, a large cloud of smoke had begun to emit from that general area. His eyes widen at the realisation. "A forest fire!?" The faceless curse stood fuming at the edge of the Everfree, veins throbbing on their forehead. Every cursed spirit they'd meticulously gathered from across Equestria, driven towards Ponyville like hungry wolves, had been thwarted by Yuta. Frustration gnawed at them, a bitter taste in their non-existent mouth. "No..." they hissed, frustration bubbling over. This wasn't the plan. Yuta shouldn't have been able to withstand such overwhelming numbers. "Not yet." Their gaze fell on a nearby tree, its branches thick and sturdy. With a growl, they placed a hand on its bark, channelling cursed energy. The branches thrashed and writhed, twisting and turning as if possessed. Their tips sharpened, morphing into wicked barbs aimed at the faceless curse intent on binding them in place. "Curse Technique:—" The air crackled with anticipation. The curse hissed again, a sound like wind through dry leaves. They raised their other hand, summoning two swirling oval portals above their palm. As the barbs lunged, the portals spun, converging like the jaws of a predatory flower. When they met, a flash of blinding light erupted, forcing the barbs to recoil. Then came the heat. The air trapped between the portals became a churning inferno, superheated molecules colliding with a fury that rivalled the sun's heart. Where the portals had been now burned a raging ball of fire, fueled not by sunlight but by raw cursed energy. "Friction." Blasting the tree they were previously touching, they set it ablaze. Allowing the engulfing flame to spread to the trees close by. With a malicious cackle that echoed through the forest, the curse snapped their fingers. The fire, propelled by their will, spread like wildfire, quickly engulfing the surrounding trees. "Not yet..." the curse hissed, their voice dripping with venom. "Not until I've seen it with my own eyes." The inferno's heat intensified, casting an eerie glow on the faceless figure. The distraction was set, the flames dancing to their dark tune.