Later on…
"Where do we go next, Lightning Bug? I have had enough weaponry for one day." Luna said.
"Patience, my dear. I must think carefully." Fury said, trying to remember some places he went too.
Jade spoke up. "Maybe I can recommend-"
"Ah ah ah. Let me decide." Fury was still wrapping his head on where to go. "Maybe I need to see an old friend of mine. Maybe I need to see…"
"Fury!"
"No, I'm Fury. I'm saying I need to see… wait… is that…"
"Fury! It's been so long!"
"Queen Bee!" Fury and Jade said together as a Speed Shifter came zipping through. Her fur was a bright yellow and was covered in black stripes, almost identical to that of a bumblebee. Her aura was a glistening gold as she raced towards her old friend and hugged Fury.
"Oh by the gods. I've been worried sick about you! Do you really think you can just come back without saying hello to me? Well not anymore pal! I've been waiting forever." She said, squeezing him tightly.
Yep, just as firm as I remember. Fury thought to himself.
"Well, Bee, it's good to see you too. But uh can you let off a bit? I need air." Fury wheezed.
"Whoops! My bad!" She said dropping Fury. "I guess when you miss someone, you just go all out."
"Yeah, no kidding." Fury said. "You haven't changed one bit."
Twilight was confused. "Wait, who is this? Is this a friend of yours?"
"Not just any friend, one of my best friends! Ladies, I'd like you to meet Queen Bee! The best beekeeper in town and my old babysitter." Fury said.
"That's right! Me and this little ball of fuzz were tighter than a barnacle on a reef! Oh, look at how big you've gotten! It's like you traveled through time while you were gone! You're not the little guy I knew from back then."
"Heh, glad you noticed. Yep, life's been a weird mish mash of craziness for sure. But somehow I made it through." Fury said.
"I wouldn't doubt that. Let me ask though to make sure you are still the Fury I know though. Do you still eat fish? Or have you become an herbivore like those ponies you hang out with?" She asked, with a teasing smile.
Fury took the statement with disgust. "Whoa whoa whoa. I object to that statement! I might have hung out with ponies but I will never ever turn to the dark side. The side that thinks bland dry grass is somehow acceptable. I only go with the good."
Jade nodded. "Yeah, you should have seen him with those cheese towers. He hasn't lost his bite."
Twilight had an unamused face. How dare they dismiss her favorite delicacy as bland.
"So you've still got your appetite, huh? That's good. You are still you. But that's not all I need to check…" Bee said, growing a smile that looked more devious than happy. "I think everyone knows what we have to do now."
"Uh, say hi?"
She shook her head.
"Talk about how the weather is?"
Same result.
"Oh I know! Talking about my diplomatic record! Yeah, that has to be-"
"No more stalling, Fury! I'm going to give you the tickle session you knew but improved. I have gained experience with my paws and you're my test subject!" She said, getting ready to pounce on him.
Fury sighed.
"Heh, this I've gotta see." Jade said. "My favorite part."
"Now, Bee, I am… older. More mature. I'm past those days of playing tickle games. The past is the past."
Cadence laughed at that. "Yeah, that's what you thought when you played pranks on us. You're just the same."
"Shut up." Fury said, looking nervous.
"You're never too old to be tickled by me boy! Here I come!" She said, jumping into the air.
Fury narrowly dodged her swoop.
"Sorry, but I gotta run. I gotta check out some stuff. See you when you're saner!" He said, about to run away.
"Oh I don't think so."
When Fury took his first steps, he realized he sprung a trap. And the ropes wrapped around his legs leaving him helpless
"Even a Speed Shifter as fast as you can't resist a good knot." She said. "Now where to start with you..."
She said slowly examining the helpless victim.
"Where to strike you first. Hmmmm... The belly is always a good spot to make you squeal. But let's start small. How about your big ears? Let's see how they feel."
"Well I guess it can't be too bad-" Fury said. He turned out to be very wrong. As soon as she made contact with his ears, he went all fuzzy. It wasn't a ticklish feeling, but more a scratchy feeling. The more she scratched, the more Fury was pushed into a zen state. And at the very top of it, he let loose.
Purrrrr…
At that utterance, Fury felt great embarrassment. Everyone heard it. His father and Jade snickered, whereas the princesses and his mother gave a great big…
"Awwwwwwww!"
"It's not that big of a deal! It's just what felines do!"
"By that, do you mean being extremely adorable?" Celestia asked.
"Yes- Wait, No! Daaah, now I'm confused!"
"Well, you won't be confused for very long, Fury. You're about to be very certain of my next trick." She said, raising his arms up.
"No no, I take it back! Can we go back to the ears?! Anything but that." Fury pleaded.
"You forget the rule of Speed Shifters. We do not show mercy." Queen Bee said cheekily. She wiggled her paws near his armpits and began to tickle them. And when she did, she struck gold. Laughing immediately filled the air as Bee scribbled all over his underarms.
"Ahh, there's that giggle that I remember. It's been too long since I've heard you let your laugh out." Bee giggled, continuing her assault.
"Yeah, a time that I tried to forget!!!" Fury said. "Though not just from you but for my friends too."
Curious, the Shifter looked at the ponies. "Wait a second. So you ponies managed to tickle him?! I thought that was too hard for non shifters… uh no offense."
Luna then replied. "Oh you have no idea. We ponies can be far more dreadful than you might think. I know I like to give him a good tickle when he gets out of line."
"Here, here!" Cadence agreed.
"Yeah, and that's what kills me!" Fury weeped.
"Oh don't be such a wimp, it's not that bad… Yet." Bee stretched an evil smile across her features as she eyed the grand prize of her little plan.
"Oh no, you are not going there! I'm not letting you!" Fury said, trying to struggle out of the ropes in vain.
"What makes you think you had any input in this matter?" She said in a menacing way that made even Black Ice a little terrified.
"Yikes." Cadence said simply.
"I'll give you a deal. I won't tickle you if you promise… to have hayburgers for a whole week. All the cheese towers can be left for me. Agree and I will release you." She said, with sadistic glee.
"Bee… you do realize I can turn into a pony and do that easily, right? No sweat."
"Ah ah ah. Let's be clear. AS A SHIFTER. You must eat it as a purebred feline." She corrected.
"What the scrap!?!" At this statement, Fury looked at her in disgust. He then proceeded to make a speech that would rival the greats. "I would rather you tickle me for eternity than to lower myself to that. You can take my house, you can take my speed… but ain't nobody taking my fish from me!"
"Suit yourself, pipsqueak. I'm about to have my fun." Queen Bee said, moving in to attack. But Fury put up a struggle, moving away from her reach by swinging. Eventually, he gained enough momentum to swing up onto a branch that conveniently had the rope tied to it.
"Oh no." She said.
"Yahoo!" Fury called as he swung around. "While you were yapping your trap and while I was making my speech, I was figuring out how to escape. I knew your quickly made traps had a weakness. And it looks like I found it!"
She dropped her jaw at this revelation. She thought she was invincible.
"You see, Queen Bee. I am not the same little cub you used to take care of. I no longer have to fear your ticklish torture." But then Fury calmed and took a deep breath. "But it was pretty fun I have to admit. It was fun going through old times. So I figured as a reward for that nostalgic trip, I'll let you know I felt being tickled."
She still was cocky. "What are you going to do about it huh? You still are tied up!"
"You sure about that?" There was then an audible snap, the rope around him falling loose and hanging limp from the branch. Jumping down, he landed with a bit of force and blew some air in all directions.
"You put me through the worst as a kid, and while I still have love for the times you treated me well, you and your devilish moments. And so, I figured I would get some payback. And it's as easy as 1… 2… 3!"
Fury, unlike his former babysitter, didn't even bother starting with the ears. He went straight smack dab at the armpits themselves.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! OH MY GOSH WHAT IS THIS FEELING?!?!"
Fury was not satisfied. "Never knew how it felt huh? Well, just think of this as education for caretaking."
She continued to laugh her lungs out. She wasn't used to being on the receiving end.
"Now this is what I call entertaining drama." Celestia said. "This is more emotional than many plays I've encountered."
"Who would have thought there would be someone that could match Fury's energy?" Cadence said.
"Now you know why we hired her." Obsidian said. "Partially because she likes to be crazy like him. Partially to get him to do chores or else he would face tickles. But now… it looks like the tables have turned."
Bee continued to laugh and giggle to her heart's content as Fury went crazy on her, but not before she decided to show his friends one of her old games from her time as a babysitter.
"Okay, okay, Fury, I see ha ha you have defeated me so far! But I have a special guest for you to see."
"Guest?" Fury asked and stopped tickling for a moment. "What are you talking about, girl?"
"Oh come on, don't you remember that little game we always played? And I would always win?" Queen Bee asked.
"Wait a second," Fury said worriedly. "You don't mean hide and tickle."
She laughed menacingly. "Yep. I know what I said. You still haven't bested me at this yet. Just like you and Amethyst tried to escape from me but failed. Let me say this, you are tougher than before but you haven't proven anything till you can beat me at the ultimate hide and tickle."
"Well what if I proved you wrong on that front? I bet I could be completely hidden and find a way for you to be tickled, not me." Fury proposed. "It's only fair to give me a second chance to prove myself."
Queen Bee thought about it and agreed. "Okay then, the bet is on! And to add a bit of spice. It won't just be me looking out for you."
"Sure! But just so you know, I'm the All Powerful now. I can gain a lot more distance between us since then." Fury said as he turned red and blew off like a bullet train, shockwave and all. Before Queen Bee had the chance to get up, the forest already went silent and Night Fury was nowhere to be seen. He didn't even leave a trail like he used to.
"You clever rascal… No evidence left behind this time huh?" But that was of no concern to the mischievous babysitter. "That's fine. Just makes it funner for me when I find ya!" She said before chasing right after him.
"I bet on Fury." Jade said.
"Okay I bet on Queen Bee." Cadence replied. "Let's see who wins this round."
-
"Come on. Where are you, you little furball?" She said drudging through the trees. She leaped through tree branches trying to find any evidence.
What she didn't realize was that Fury was quite close by. He was hiding in leaves, he had some camouflage on to blend into the surroundings.
Shoot, she already caught up. She's just as persistent as she was back then. No. No. I'm not nearly as squeaky as I was back then. I'll blend in. She won't even know.
Bee decided to look at possible traces. She noticed one branch seemed scratched up and the leaves disturbed.
"Hmmmm, interesting spot." She leaped onto the branch. It seemed to make sense to her. She saw a hole in the tree. Looking inside, she noticed some black fur in there. She grinned slyly at the sight. Even he couldn't get past old habits.
"Think you can hide from me? Well you're wrong!" She leapt onto her tickle victim. "How do you like that?! Huh?! Ha ha ha? Wait…"
She then realized something. She didn't grab Fury.
"This is a bunch of fur wrapped around a log!" She cried out.
"And right you are, Bee!" Cried out a voice behind her. "Now you're the one who's caught!" Fury then hit the tree unleashing something icky.
"Ah I'm stuck! This tree sap has made me stuck!!!" She said, "Let me out!"
"Don't worry the sap will deactivate in five minutes. I finally mastered this sap trap. But before you rip a new one into me, I got a little memento for you."
Fury got out some blue finger paint and drew on her flank that was still unsapped.
"I'm a skinny old lamebrain, and Fury is cooler." All with a drawing of a silly looking stick figure with a tongue out.
"See ya!"
He kept running.
"Fury!!!!"
–
"Ha, what a move! She's gonna be fuming about it for weeks!" Fury laughed. The black feline ran through the forest with speed that none could replicate, blowing leaves off trees and sending whistling winds blowing through holes in logs.
Ahead of him, he heard voices and clashing weapons. At first, he thought he had run too far out and ran into an enemy camp. But once he heard the voice of someone he fumed about ever since he left, he knew where he was.
Slowing down, he hid in a bush and got an eye on what he had stumbled upon.
"Yep, I remember this spot. My ears and legs sure remember…"
He saw several shifters, most younger than himself speeding by, all the while hearing the hollering of a familiar lady.
"Move it, rookies! We don't have all day! You're a greater disappointment than my grandma's cooking! Go fix it!" Amethyst yelled.
"Yep, that's Amethyst alright. Still as hard as possible. What I would give to put her in her place, the half brained twit!"
Part of Fury was worried if his dreaded ex babysitter would finally catch up. But he figured he had run along enough and besides she and Amethyst might distract each other long enough for him to get away.
"Amy, here I come. Finally, a little payback." Fury said stealthily walking between trees to get to his former trainer. As he snuck up on her, he saw a batch of fresh tree sap leaking from a large oak next to him. After seeing the sap, his deviousness faded and his vicious eyes crept into view. Scooping a glob of the stuff onto his paw, he aimed for Amethyst's eyes and threw his hardest.
"I want to see sweat off of those flabby limbs, you weaklings! If not that, then I'll make sure it's blood!" She shouted. Just then, her vision was blocked by an amber liquid.
"Huh!? What is this-" Before she could figure out what was happening, she was knocked to the ground. Laying on her side, she felt a paw weigh her down and kept her still. Then, she heard a voice.
"Guess who's back, you insufferable twit?" The voice whispered harshly before kicking her while she was down and disappearing.
Amethyst got back up and wiped the sap off of her face before going into hypothesis mode. The voice that she heard sounded familiar. Too familiar.
"It can't be, is that… Fury??" She thought. It had been almost a year since he disappeared along with his folks. Many of her recruits had heard of what happened to him and came up with her own theories. Some say he got kidnapped by the same raiders that took his parents, others think he took the guilt of his failed attack to heart and killed himself. But only a rare few even dared to make the assumption that he may have been still alive. And one of those theorists was Amethyst herself.
Is the pipsqueak actually still alive? If that was him, he didn't sound happy with me. And he kicked me while I was down, one of the most disrespectful moves a Shifter can make. Why? Why would he do this?
Amethyst knew that her track record of being a hard case was someone Fury held close to him. But while he did complain about the rigorous training exercises and punishments she would put him through, he never openly showed his resentment towards her, if he had any to begin with. All of this spun the commander through an imaginary loop, new questions and concerns flooding her mind as the voice of the now much older sounding Fury passed through her brain.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Aren't you gonna hit my nose or slash my tail?" Fury asked.
Amethyst tried to regain her gruff composure. "Fury, what has gotten into you?! I was busy doing my job training these rookies and after a year of me worrying about what happened to you and your family, you have the gall to greet me like this?!"
"Did I ask for your irrelevant opinion, you slimy ingrate!?" As soon as Night Fury's volume increased, all of the training rookies froze and snapped onto the scene ongoing.
"Ma'am, are you okay?!" One of the trainees asked. "You, I oughta…"
"Stay out of this!" She emphasized. "This is a personal matter. Just keep on training!"
"But-"
"You heard what she said. Now leave us be." Fury said with ferocity in which the trainee left. "Now back to the business at paw… I guess I'm back. And I'm looking for retribution."
"Retribution? For what?" She asked, confused. "I trained you and taught you several methods. I helped you when others would not give you a chance. I was one of the few who helped you. Just what did I do wrong?!"
"The training is the point! You saw what happened to Mom and Dad, did you even take the time to check on me after that!? And the Cragodile. Oh, the Cragodile… You pushed me to the point of my bones cracking and you didn't even try to console me!"
At this point things were more quiet now. Amethyst looked down. "I-I thought you didn't need it. I was trying to give you a solution to gain your respect back. And that was to strengthen you…."
"Oh don't give me that nonsense, you knew just as well as I did that it wouldn't work. Do you even know what I suffered through after that!?" Amethyst shook her head. Then Fury began to laugh, from a small chuckle to something resembling an act of insanity before he stared her down.
"Of course you didn't even know the slightest thing about me, you never cared. From the day I met you, all you've been is a trainer. Working me until I couldn't move and was weeping for my life. But not once, even once… were you ever… family. You may be family to Dad, but you weren't ever… a part of my family."
Fury then pulled out his Memory Sealer and tossed it to Amethyst, leaving her stumbling to catch it before gaining a grip.
"Take a peak, see what I saw. Maybe then you'll actually have a reason to exist after seeing someone really crash and burn." Fury said before rearing back and landing a solid right swing on Amethyst's jaw.
She said nothing and simply stared into the device and from there she saw Fury's memories.
–
She saw Fury slapped by Amethyst for being too slow.
"You better get moving, you little disgrace!"
"But my legs…."
"Will be even worse if you don't move your butt! Now go!"
–
"Oh quit you're crying. It won't bring your parents back. Go scrub the floors, why don't ya!?"
–
"How could my cousin have such a dweeb like you as his son?"
–
All the memories were laid to bear. Amethyst did indeed remember. But she never saw it from Fury's perspective. But that wasn't all. The next set of memories detailed what the rest of the town did to him the following weeks.
–
"Hey, let's throw tomatoes at the coward!"
–
"I heard he might not even be Obsidian's kid. Maybe he's just some random runt Obsidian showed too much pity for."
–
"Get lost dweeb, no one likes you!"
–
"What mother would give birth to such a disappointment!?"
–
Amethyst knew Fury lost his reputation. But she never knew how deep it truly was. She assumed she was doing him a service by being so harsh with him.
"Was it really that bad?" Amethyst asked herself. With all of this in mind, she began to wonder about a certain conversation she had with Obsidian the day of the attack.
–
In the past…
Amethyst was cleaning a blade for her personal training in town, using a wet rag and polish to keep it in pristine condition. She always took pride in her training, having come down from a long line of successful warriors in her family.
Just then, a voice caught her attention.
"Hey, Amethyst!" The commander looked over to see Obsidian walking up. But he wasn't showing his usual blank face when he was just being casual, he seemed distressed.
"Hey cuz, what's going on?" She asked.
"Listen, I don't want to worry you, but… I think Fury might be suicidal."
She dropped what she was doing. "What? Fury? That little furball? He's the most energetic and fun loving kid I've ever met. He's the last Shifter I'd think would be depressed."
Obsidian shook his head. "On the surface. But I know him better. I just talked to him after he got back from the infirmary and he was packing up for a so-called 'Camping Trip'. But as I asked him more and about why he was packing so light and why he was being so dodgy, it was clear that he wasn't planning on making it back home. I'm pretty sure I found a ripped up letter somewhere in his room."
"Have you told Black Ice? I'd figure she'd be the one to tell about this." Amethyst asked.
"C'mon Amy, you know just as well as I do that her reaction to such a piece of news would be catastrophic. All of that drama she would stir up is the absolute last thing Fury needs while he recovers." Obsidian reminded her. Amethyst understood where her cousin was coming from, especially with him having to deal with the antics of his wife on the constant.
She would probably be raising the demons below over hearing that her son might have almost committed suicide. It wouldn't be a surprise if she had gone to the council and told them herself that she believed that Night Fury needed to be guarded and monitored 24/7 from then on.
"Good point. But… Fury. I'm assuming you came to me because you think I can help him with his problems, right?"
"You're the only one I can come to for this. I dare not speak to the rest of town with how they're currently taking the loss, not to mention the council. This entire place is an emotional warzone that's close to going nuclear." Obsidian then sighed.
"The thing is… you're the only one I trust to do this. Maybe that Jade boy on the side, but you're the top of my list. I've seen you motivate the best we have in our defense force to this day, and I think you can do the same for him. Just… show a little compassion with him for a while. He's fragile."
She smiled. "You can count on me, cuz. That boy isn't going anywhere. I'll see to it that he's alright. You have my word."
It was ironic she didn't think much of his advice on compassion. She interpreted that in a very superficial way like making him train one hour less or limit her corporal punishments and focus more on threats. But now she could see Obsidian being disappointing with her draconian tactics.
Obsidian felt relieved at that notion and smiled in return. "Thank you, Amy. You're truly the best part of the family we have."
–
In the present…
Amethyst was slowly losing her self confidence as she relived the conversation she had with her cousin. He told her to show compassion and to give him some well needed support. And what did she do?
Everything she had ever done with him to this day, from a crawling kitten to whatever he just turned into, she was there. But she didn't even do the bare minimum of what she was supposed to do. It was like Fury said, she may be a part of his father's family… But who was she to think that even one time that she was a part of his?
She then noticed Fury was gone. It seemed he didn't want to talk too much, just enough to make her aware.
I can't believe I left him hanging for so long, and with such a heavy load of baggage to bear. I simply assumed he was alright with my methods and I never thought about how he actually felt. No wonder he kicked me while I was down… I did the same thing to him, and now he's getting payback. I… I need to take my mind off of this for a while.
Amethyst then went back to training the rookies, drilling them as she usually wood. But while the trainees didn't notice anything about her as her voice was enough to keep them distracted, her tone was, though mostly unnoticed, much softer as her mind ran through all that she had seen.
As soon as I get back to town with these trainees… I'm going to have a lot to handle.
–
Later on…
Fury was running through the forest as he was before. Although he made a quick pitstop to show Amethyst what for, he hadn't forgotten about the game he and Queen Bee were still playing. But he could use some playful fun to get his mind off of the traumatic memories.
He still felt confident that he was far ahead of his dreaded babysitter. He wondered where she could possibly be.
"Heh, I guess my trap really set her back. Even though the tree sap deactivated, she must be so sticky with all that honey. She probably looks like a clown." Fury said to himself laughing.
"A clown, am I?"
"Eh?" Fury looked around for what or who was speaking, but his search bore no fruit.
"Well, I have to say you're way more clever than you were as a cub. You're not as vulnerable. You even made some nice traps. Good for you." She said in a faux happy voice. "But… don't think you're the only one who's gotten more crafty."
Fury's blood ran cold as his mind clicked on exactly who was talking. But despite his internal fear, he kept calm and focused on where it was coming from. His ears twitched in every direction until they locked onto his right side. Looking over, he spotted a yellow ball of fur in a tree.
"Looks like you've been training for this day. I can respect the hustle, but not everything you said has come to fruition. What exactly did you mean by 'I won't be the only one looking for you'?" Fury asked.
"Let's just say you've become a bit of a legend today. What with you returning after all this time. Someone really wants to see you again. And that will come sooner than later." Queen Bee said ominously.
"Ah so you want to keep it a secret? Well, I'll make you talk then!" Fury said, jumping into the yellow tuft of fur.
But when he hit the fur, it turned out to be a log of fur just like the one he did with her.
"Ha ha ha, you fell right into my trap!" She said as honey fell on it. "Now you're mine!"
The real Queen Bee revealed herself and went to Fury. But when she pounced on him, it turned out he was not there anymore.
"Wait, where did you go?!"
"Simple. I knew exactly what you were trying to do. What you saw was one of the memories from when I got stuck in some honey long ago. This memory cube is quite handy."
"So that's just a past memory?! Well it figures you'd get stuck back then." She said smugly.
"Yeah, but through clumsiness, I learned some tricks. And so…" Fury then pounced from another tree onto her, restraining her on the bough.
"Sorry Bee, you gotta do better than that to stump me." Fury said, sticking his tongue out. "You better hope that whatever 'Old Friend' you recruited has better strategy than you do."
"Okay, okay, you got me. I got duped. I accept that. Even if it is going to take hours to remove this honey off my fur." Then she smirked. "But… at least I managed to stall you a bit."
Fury then frowned. "Stall? Okay, I've had enough just tell me who she is and I won't tickle your armpits like you did to me."
"Okay, okay, since you're so impatient. Remember that girl in your class who always was so hyper and tried to ambush every student whenever possible?"
"Oh no. Not her. She was even more of a prankster than me!"
"Oh yes, she's back. And she's much older too. She's been just as tricky as ever as of recently and she's been waiting for a prime target for a while." Bee said, looking like a master villain.
"Great. Well, I had fun but I'm outta here. Bye!" But then he felt his ear being tugged. "Ow! Ow! Ow!"
He heard giggling. "Well well well, if it isn't sweet little Fury himself, hee hee. Aren't you glad to see me?"
That voice. He remembered it well, but not in a good way.
He dared to look behind him and saw a Shifter with an overly large grin and intense eyes breathing heavily. She looked extremely messy. She was basically the opposite of Blue Ocean.
"So it's you… Hello, Silver Bullet." Fury moaned, looking back at the gray coated Shifter with a still firm grip on his ear.
"Ha ha ha! My old rival in mischief! Good see to ya!" She said, slapping his back.
"Ouch!"
"It was getting so boring without you. Everyone is so lame and predictable. You were the only one who gave me a challenge." Then her expression changed to anger. "Do you realize how bored I've been! Do you realize how tired I was of all the normalcy and you just ran off?!"
"Yeah yeah, get all the drama out of your system, Silver. But do you even know what my mental state was back then? I was getting drilled by the rest of town and got verbally dragged through the mud! I know I disappeared, but it was for a reason."
Silver nodded. "I see. I see. You had your reasons. I understand you."
"You do? I would have thought with your craziness, you would have just pushed it off as a random excuse." Fury said, surprised that she actually understood him.
"Well, mostly, I have bigger things to do than moan and groan. All that matters is now. And now…" Then she turned to sheer happiness. "I got you right where I want you Fury!" She said, turning his face to her.
"I can finally finish our war!" She then turned angry again. "You think you could just put all those whoopie cushions and not let me retaliate full force? Or trying to fake that cheese tower with a lookalike?!"
"Sheesh, your mood swings are worse than a girl in her third trimester." Fury moaned. "Again, disappeared for a reason. And secondly, that cheese tower was Jade. He did it because he was feeling bitter over you dumping him! Though the whoopie cushions were actually me, and it was hilarious."
Fury always found Silver Bullet a strange girl. On the one paw, she was not stuck up like the other girls in school. She might have been the closest thing to Pinkie Pie at the village. But on the other paw, even Pinkie didn't have her crazy mood swings. And if Fury was the self proclaimed king of pranks, then Silver was the tyrant of pranks. She did not know how to take most things seriously and her pranks in her younger years were sometimes actually dangerous. Fury was confused whether she was his friend or feared nemesis.
"Yeah, I guess those whoopies were kind of fun. But I don't let something like that slide, especially if it lasts longer than a year! So, I teamed up with Queen Bee when she told me about you being back in town with your pony pals to give you some memories of us."
Fury tensed up. "Bee, you had all this planned out even when you hugged me?!"
Bee nodded. "Yep!"
Fury normally loved prank battles but she always had some sort of catch to each battle that terrified him. She felt like the next level.
"Well, I guess I'm stuck with you, aren't I?" Fury said.
"You bet. But we're not going to do it here, I think we should bring you back to the starting line and show the crowd your capture." Silver giggled.
"Not on my watch! I've got bets on my victory, and I'm getting my fair share!" Fury said as he shook both of them off and made a b-line for the edge of town where his friends and parents were.
Meanwhile the babysitter laughed in a rather devious way. "Ah, Fury, always the competitive one. Wait till you see what she has in store for you."
-
Fury ran back to the group he was formerly with.
"Well, Cadence, I told ya Fury would make it out!" Jade said, flicking his open paw. "So pay up."
"Okay, fine."
Fury on the other hand, stopped Cadence. "Hold it you guys, I won the battle but not the war. Sorry Jade, but it turns out our dreaded babysitter had a secret ally on her side."
Jade was confused and wanted clarification. "And may I ask who this ally is?"
Fury gave a deep breath, knowing this would be particularly awkward for him. "Silv- Ugh, I don't like that name… Silver Bullet."
Jade's cool demeanor quickly gave way to terror "Wait you mean her? No. No. No!"
Twilight was confused. "What's his deal?"
"You don't get it, Twi! Silver Bullet has been the craziest prankster in the village, even crazier than Fury! She's basically our version of that Pinkie Pie you told me about earlier, only with paws and a silver coat." Jade said frantically.
"Ever since elementary school, that four-legged crazy queen has torn through the town like a tornado. Though she can show compassion when she wants to, her mood swings have more rebound than a buckball at halftime!" Fury added, his attitude just as jittery.
Jade gulped. 'Okay, I do NOT want to get involved with her… I am going to leave now! See ya!"
But as he ran, he set off a trap. Clipping a tripwire, a batch of leaves was swept away and revealed time tied roping that hoisted him up, catching him in a net.
"Now is that any way to treat a lady? Just leaving her? I expected better from you, Jadey." The infamous prankster revealed herself from a bush.
"I told you not to call me that anymore!"
"Oh come on! It brings back the good old days. Just a bunch of kids doing naughty stuff against the teachers!"
"You put a Star Spider egg sack in the teacher's lounge and set them loose." Jade said bluntly.
"And it was very enriching for all children. It was more educational than anything they could blabber on about. Right, Fury?"
"Okay, I'll admit that was pretty hilarious." Fury admitted. "But you almost got us caught by yelling out what we did! We're talking 3 weeks detention!"
"That's what you're upset about? That you got caught not by all the chaos?" Jade asked. "You both ruined me."
"Eh, the chase made it even funner." She said happily before switching to serious. "BUT ENOUGH TALK! WE'RE NOT HERE FOR COZY CHIT CHAT!!! WE'RE HERE TO PROVE OURSELVES."
Luna asked. "Prove? Is this a competition of wits?"
"More like blatant stupidity." Fury huffed, finally over Silver's nonsense. "Ya know what, I'm done. Listen honey, whatever type of ignorance your parents went through raising you, you don't need to show it off. We're not kids anymore, we're grown adults with lives ahead of us. You know what you are? A last laugh. The one thing that everyone hates, being the last one to get the joke. And that joke… is you. You never understand the boundaries between a simple prank and pure insanity."
"Well guess what, we've both had it with you. You're not funny anymore, nobody likes your jokes, your mood swings are ever increasingly annoying and your grating voice drives us mad. So let me make this final. You're just an annoyance to all of us. A dragged, tired, lazy, impulsive shrimp that'll never be anything more than a sucky prankster and a pest. You want to tell a good joke? Here's one… YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!"
Everyone became silent except for Jade.
"Fury, I know she was quite annoying. But I think you went too far-"
"No." She said. "Maybe he is right. Maybe I am a joke. But you know what? At least I was still joking around while Fury was all mopey and miserable. I tried to get you to open up but you don't even care anymore! I don't know what happened to my former prank compadre!"
"Like that hot air you constantly spewed out was any good. I've changed, Silver. This town turned its back on me, so what's the harm in giving it a few hits in return? Take it from me. The more you try at something just to entertain the rest of the world, the less they'll want to hear it. So why don't you go and let your voice drown itself out with the silence of everyone who actually cares?" Fury huffed judgmentally.
She then turned back. "Hmph! You know what, maybe I will! If you want to be all boring and mopey, that's fine by me! I have other people that aren't so boring." She said as she dashed away, leaving a dust cloud in her wake.
"Ugh!" Jade wheezed from the dust. "Silver! We can work this out!"
"Keep your trap shut, Jade. Let her run. Watching her hide from me is… satisfying."
"Satisfying? Satifying?!" Jade asked. "Fury, she used to be one of our friends! Annoying as she is, she was also nice in the end! And that's how you treat her?"
"No one is my friend after what this town did to me!" Fury roared, all four of his paws cracking the ground as he let loose. "There's much more that I could do to this goddess forsaken mud pit, but I choose to hold back. You're lucky that you aren't one on my list, I'd leave you and everyone else more than just emotionally scarred."
Jade and everyone else wondered what was going on. He seemed to be happy to be back at first. And now his mood took a 180. What in the Emperor's great name happened?
"You will never understand the pain I went through after I left. The nightmares, the constant headaches, the wish to just run back here under my own influence and wipe this place off the map… Everyone and everything has caused me pain here. It's time they felt me hit back."
Twilight asked "Fury, what happened? Did someone insult you? You were very happy before."
"And did anyone ask you to speak, you smart mouthed twit?" Fury snapped.
"I'm just wondering why you're acting like this!"
Before anyone continued, Luna intervened.
"Lightning Bug, we all care about you. Please open up to us. Or at least to me. You can do that, can't you?" Luna said, placing a hoof on his shoulder.
Fury pushed it off. "You have no idea what lengths I'll go to shut this place up for good. Bruises, blood or bones, it will be done." Fury snarled.
Jade then took out his metal claws. "Fury, you're my friend. I would die for you. But if you try to hurt anyone in this village, I'll make sure you'll be begging for mercy. From both me and the whole army of Thunder Hollow"
"Jade, you're not helping." Obsidian said quietly with gritted teeth.
"Are you sure you're ready to make that sacrifice?" Fury growled, his eyes turning into pure black pits.
"If need be." Jade said. "But I'd rather not fight my old non-blood brother."
"So, the first thing you do is try and kill me? Nice move. But don't worry, once I dig your brains out, I'll get rid of all that aggression. And most of your motor functions, but who cares?" Fury said, almost excited at the possibility.
Celestia whispered to Obsidian. "He's in one of his moods it looks like. We have to stop him! Is there a way we can prevent him from doing damage? Maybe incapacitate him?"
Obsidian looked at her. "Look, let me handle this."
"Alright, Jade put down your spear. And Fury… J-just… don't go demon on me. We will let you have time to yourself. You don't want to talk. So we won't. This is something you'll have to sort out in your own head right. But I will say this… don't do anything you'll regret."
"Oh trust me, I won't regret watching everyone in this town bow down to me. Let's see who's the real coward. Let's see who's the mistake. Let's see who wasn't meant to be born."
Jade said. "You see what he's saying?!"
Obsidian responded. "Yes, I know. Fury can get this way sometimes. But he won't do anything unless you really provoke him now. Which is why we're going to leave."
"But…"
"Now! If you lay one claw on him now, you'll ruin everything. Just let him cool down. Otherwise you'll have to go through me too." He said firmly.
"Oh don't worry, he won't have to." Fury said, having heard his father clearly. With one quick move, he grabbed the metal claws, snapped it with just one paw and bashed his head into Jade's face, knocking him unconscious.
"There. Now we don't have to worry about any sudden moves from him. If he can move at all anymore." He said, laughing darkly before glitching red and disappearing somewhere else.
"Jade!" Black Ice cried out. "Are you alright?!"
"He's fine. Fury just knocked him unconscious." Obsidian said. "It's actually preferable he did that than outright fighting him."
"Alright, but we have to stop him before he hurts everyone!" Cadence said.
"No! Twilight yelled. Everyone froze and turned to the purple alicorn. "If I know anything, trying to confront him at this stage is not only unadvisable, but dangerous. Cadence, we can't risk him becoming violent towards us now that he's aggravated. You saw what happened with Blueblood. For now, we just let him be. I can't in good conscience as the Princess Of Friendship let him hurt anyone, but it's not worth risking his life or ours"
Obsidian gave an approving smile. "Good. You're quite wise. As fierce as Fury can be now, he still knows this is his village and these are his people. This is not like going after someone trying to kill or defame him. He has some things to work out but I know he will. I don't know what caused him to rage like this, but he will probably try to distance himself from everyone. So let's let him have that solitude." He said.
Cadence sighed but nodded. "Okay, I just hope he'll get out of this funk sooner than later."
"Speaking of rage triggers, look who's stepping out of the treeline." Black Ice said. Everyone looked over to a nearby path and out came a squad of Speed Shifters being led by a familiar purple commander.
Obsidian looked on and he could already piece everything together. He sighed. "Oh great. He just had to see her."
Amethyst marched to the group. "Obsidian, Black Ice I'm glad to see you guys are well. But sadly I have to go find Fu- By the emperor, what happened to Jade?!"
"Let's just say our son was a little high strung when he came back from that same treeline you're bringing those trainees from. Say, you wouldn't have run into him, did you?" Black Ice asked, almost in an interrogating manner.
Amethyst sighed. "More like the other way around. He blinded me temporarily with some honey and went into a mad rage at me. And before I could say anything, he just left." Then she looked at Jade. "And I'm assuming he's responsible for Jade's unconsciousness?"
"Among many other things." Obsidian said. He then took notice of a Memory Sealer in Amethyst's bags. "Hey, is that Night Fury's Memory Sealer?"
"Yeah. He gave it to me before he left, saying that once I saw what he went through and felt what he felt, I might actually have a reason to exist besides being a pain."
Everyone was shocked by the words Fury had said. But Obsidian kept that hidden.
"I'm so sorry he said that to you." Black Ice said. "He didn't mean those things back there."
Obsidian on the other paw, spoke up with a stoic tone. "So he told you all his personal feelings? I assume it was about his insecurities and his low self esteem?"
"He didn't have to, I saw it all. I never heard anything from anyone in town about his screw up, let alone how far the insults went. And I didn't do anything but make it worse. No wonder he was fuming, he was looking for a fight." She said, looking to the ground.
She sighed. "I guess I underestimated just how much turmoil was going on in his head. I thought… he could handle tough love. I thought I was making him tougher and more used to hardship. But now I'm starting to think I went too far."
"While I don't have any hard feelings for how you took the news, I have much more confusion over how this even went under your radar. It just doesn't make sense." Obsidian said, scratching his chin in thought. The area was silent for a moment, everyone in intense thought over how this very vocal information was so well hidden for years. Then, Twilight made a hypothetical question.
"What if this was planned?" Twilight asked. Everyone snapped over to the purple princess as if she had just spelled out a demonic incantation.
"Twilight, you can't honestly think that an entire town grouped up to do this to one of their own!?" Cadence questioned frantically. But before anyone could dig in further, Luna showed her support.
"As much as such a blasphemous rumor should be questioned and interrogated, this hypothetical idea makes some sort of sense." Luna said.
"Think about it. Night Fury told me on our first true date that while he may seem like he comes from a very happy home, most of the residents here were much duller than he was, making him an oddity among most. He also mentioned how he would constantly be belittled and berated for his, while very energetic and unorthodox, mostly innocent feats of childish endearment. Perhaps what was suspected to be a random act of mob mentality, was actually a planned endeavor." Luna explained further.
Black Ice looked in disbelief. "So you're saying almost all of the village rallied against Fury in a united effort?! All behind our noses?!" She said with rage.
Luna and Twilight nodded. "It all seems to add up to that. Whoever started it, the rumors spread of him being a disgrace and so they went against him."
Obsidian ran this by his knowledge of what went down on that fateful day. To his surprise, it all seemed to add up.
"It seems crazy, but it makes sense. Doesn't it seem a bit too lucky that not only Amethyst, not only Black Ice and I, but the council went completely unaware of what happened until now? It just doesn't make sense that it would all just turn out like this without some sort of coordination of secret keeping along the way." Obsidian said, thinking about all of the events leading to now.
"It all makes sense. Yep. I think we've all been duped. There was some conspiracy against Fury." Obsidian said. "And hidden quite well."
"Disgusting." Black Ice snarled. "Fury might have his faults but he is a good Shifter! He deserves better! They repay his passion and happiness with betrayal?!"
"While I share your displeasure in this seemingly coordinated emotional attack, I believe this comes from another source." Celesia said, all eyes going to her.
"As we all know, Chief ThunderClaws implemented a 'Trust no other creature' policy some time before this incident. Tension was high, anxiety was through the roof, which most likely caused moods to tank and become easily agitated. So perhaps the pressure from this policy of the higher ups caused the dulled down emotional states of the residents of this town, which eventually caused most to expect the same from others and when one did not show the same, the resentment and ostracizing began." Celesia wondered aloud.
At that point, all of the recent confusion cleared up like mist over the sea.
Obsidian clarified. "Everyone was fearful back then, we didn't know what the future would hold. No one was in the mood for decency but rather hostility, even if it meant blaming others. Such as Fury."
Amethyst sighed. "Perhaps I was part of that. I was so on guard that I forgot those that you put under my guidance."
"Still, we must rectify this immediately. And to begin such a campaign, we must locate the affected party." Celesia declared.
"Right." Luna said. "He went somewhere in that direction. We need to go in that direction. We must make haste."
Twilight asked "What about Jade?"
"I'll stay here and take care of the captain, you all go find the pipsqueak. All I can say is, just hope he doesn't try to kill anyone."
"He won't!" Obsidian said. "We'll find him before things get out of paw. Let's go!"
Everyone save for Jade and Amethyst went after Fury. At this point, even Obsidian was a little worried. He never realized how much of a can of worms he opened up by him returning to this place of memories.
-
Meanwhile, near the Thunder Hollow Schoolhouse…
The angry Shifter gazed from a cliff at his old schoolhouse. It had grown larger than before with more playgrounds and bigger classrooms. But it was the same stone structure adorned with statues of admirable Shifters made from granite and sometimes even jade. How ironic.
This place… this was the last place I felt safe… seen… liked by a good majority. Heh, still has the same bell after so many years. Wonder if it still rings the same.
He thought, chuckling to himself.
He saw the young Shifters racing each other or playing in the mini cave sets. Others were reading some books, probably ancient texts required for learning. He also saw two Shifters wrestling each other. He even saw someone put a whoopie cushion on a seat.
The more time goes on, the more things stay the same. I wonder if my old teacher is still here from when I was a cub.
He remembered that teacher. She was a pretty nice lady. Definitely not as much of a control freak as his mother, and she even gave out some sardines to students who answered right. Even so she could be pretty strict, and wanted one to follow the rules. She sort of reminded him of Twilight albeit less of an egghead.
He then sighed. But even she for all her wisdom didn't know what I was going through. She was just like Amethyst. Not aware of all the problems I was dealing with. And then she scolded me publically as if I were a delinquent. But it wasn't all that bad. I have to admit, she was a bit of a sweetheart. I think she even told me that I was her favorite, although in private. She knew almost everything about me. My big appetite, my energetic personality… my embarrassing ticklishness. She was nice but stern.
Fury kept his eyes on the school, watching as the young ones went from class to class. He was so locked in that he didn't hear the approaching search party.
They saw Fury just staring at the schoolhouse. Everyone was surprised at how still he was.
"What is this place?" Twilight whispered.
"Night Fury's old elementary school. This place was very important to him. It was where he met Jade, found his first crush, learned how to walk…" Black Ice said.
"But it's also the last place Fury had the relative freedom to let out his energetic personality and be himself before having to face the reality that is our world out here." Obsidian finished. The princesses took a look at the school and could understand what Obsidian meant. While it was much different from Equestrian schools, it still seemed to have the same amount of charm and life that any elementary school had.
"Ah, the bliss of childhood…" Luna sighed, thinking back to her own adolescence. "We all strive for that time when things seemed so much more simple. I know I have when I still lived with our mother. And I suppose Fury feels that same longing. And regret that things could not stay so simple."
"We all wish to go back to that magical time in our childhood, Auntie." Cadence added. "But we have to face facts. Time moves forward and carries us along with it, we just have to learn to accept that."
Celestia nodded. "That is true. I have had to learn many times in my life. Me and my sister both." She said with a tinge of sadness. "But the question is for Fury, is he ready to accept that too or will he be stuck in the past?"
"As much as I support that, Celestia, it just doesn't add up to real values." Twilight interjected. "We can't say that he'll leave the past behind entirely, he'll just miss it more and wish it were back. And we can't say he'll stay stuck in the past either because of the conflicting memories that come along with his childhood." The purple alicorn said.
"Besides, Night Fury is still a child at heart. His energetic personality, wild imagination, love for all things fast and even his wonder-filled fascination with everything that we've shown him in his year of being in Equestria. He may have to move on from the past, but that doesn't mean he can't cherish it. And I think we can all agree on him keeping that part of his life close to him. Not only because it will help him heal from his emotional wounds, but he just wouldn't be the same without them." Luna added.
Celestia nodded and smiled. "That is very wise my sister. I would never want Fury to change too much. We need to keep him the way he is and help him realize that he is loved that way. Even if we have to remind him every time, he must remember that he will always have those who care for him."
Black Ice chuckled a bit at that. "I must say, your highness, you speak of him almost like I do. A motherly figure to her son. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a mother yourself."
Celestia blushed at this. "Well, I have always tried to be a mother to my people. One in theory. But a real one? Oh stop, you're making me blush."
Twilight smiled at this. "You were always a sort of secondary mother to me, besides my real mother of course."
Meanwhile Obsidian was looking at his son. "Well, perhaps it's time to break the ice. I'll see if I can get through to him first."
Obsidian walked over to Fury. He was a little nervous but he knew this had to be resolved especially since he seemed to have calmed down from their last encounter.
"Um… hi there Fury." Obsidian said softly. His son slowly turned his head to his father.
"So… you found me. Would've expected you to find me." Fury said quietly, turning back to look at the school.
"Yeah. I had a feeling you'd come to certain places from your olden days. I'm the same way. The school still looks nice doesn't it?"
Fury looked on. "Yep. It's still strong for sure." He said with a sigh.
Obsidian could still hear a sense of sadness in his voice. He knew he was not completely comforted by this school.
Obsidian decided to try to break up the tension. "So… how is it going for you now? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"How can I? I'm in the same place I had my life basically ruined, not to mention where I lost you and Mom." Fury reminded his father. "And now all I can do is long for better times I'll never have back."
Obsidian shook his head. "Fury, you are not in the same place. You have a girlfriend, you have friends who would die for you, you are an ambassador and you even managed to get the council to agree to a pony Hollow alliance. Fury, things have gotten better."
Fury looked at him. "Yeah, but is it really? All of my past has been lost. While others could remember their teen years with fondness, I look at it with misery. And things have gotten better but it's not the same. Sure, I have friends and a girlfriend who would die for me, but what's good about having them when you're constantly reminding yourself that one slip up will probably have you sitting on the business end of a guillotine?"
"Do you feel like you can lose everything still? Are you worried about that?" Twilight asked, jumping in.
"Yeah. Yeah I do. It's still there. I know probably somewhere someone is still thinking of how I messed up back then. They might not say but I know they do have that vision in their head." Then Fury turned a bit angry. "And also, I haven't heard many apologies yet. No apology for how I became a pariah and was almost driven to suicide."
His mother walked to him. "I understand. But that was all in the past. There's no need to think of those things anymore. You've attained so much. Is there anything more you could ask for?" She asked.
Fury then looked angry. "Well maybe to you, safety and success are all that matters. But to me, I've been wronged. And I've had to live with this burden I didn't ask for! How would you feel if Grandpa left you with… I don't know, keeping the family fortune intact?"
His mother was repulsed. "Don't you dare talk about that! That was different!"
"Black Ice, you're being just as bad as Jade. Stand down." Twilight whispered harshly.
Black Ice sighed. "I'm sorry." She said as she walked away.
Cadence then walked up to him. "Listen, can I ask you something? What will honestly make you happy? Because it seems like no matter what you just want to be sad."
"I don't want this, Cadence. It's just something that comes back from time to time. To be honest… I just want to feel free from all of my responsibilities. Release myself from my nagging past, have some silly fun, do something stupid… I just want to have what I couldn't have back then to happen now. Do something that I could have done as a kid as the new me. Sleepovers, Hide and Seek, Tag, Playing with friends that actually understand me. Just like how it could have been." Fury said a bit calmer.
"But now, I have all this responsibility. Frankly, sometimes I wish I was just a traveling sales cat or something, so I could travel places at my own free will, but still have you guys around. You're more friends than anyone I have here. Even the blacksmith was friendly but still just an acquaintance. I didn't have much of a childhood when it was around, so I want to have a more grown up version of what I missed." Fury sighed. "You know what, never mind. Forget I said anything. None of you would get it."
"Well I do." Luna said. "May I sit by you?"
"Sure, whatever." Fury sighed.
She did so.
"You gonna try to talk me out of my misery?"
"No. Well maybe not yet. But that's besides the point. I just… was it really that hard for you back then? Did everyone truly conspire against you and treat you like a Shadow Shifter?"
Fury slowly nodded. "Yeah. Well at least I felt that way. They definitely didn't give me any comfort. Someone like Jade they would help with. But someone like me, they would tell me to solve my own problems even if they don't say that about themselves."
Luna nodded. "Did you sometimes wish you could be their ruler and make them have to grovel at your paws?"
"Luna, that's a little…" Twilight started, but Night Fury stopped her.
"No, it's just fine. Honestly, I wish I could kill 'em. Put them in an eternal silence and show them what being trapped in your own thoughts really feels like." Fury said with a growl.
The others looked a little worried. But Luna showed only an emotionless face.
"I see. That makes sense."
Fury had to admit he was a little surprised with how well Luna was taking his attitude.
"Makes sense? Luna, can you just get to the point with your questions already. I'm not in the mood."
"You know why it makes sense. Because I felt the same way." Luna said.
"It couldn't have been worse than mine."
"Well, however you compare it, I felt I was unjustly robbed of the childhood I had. I had to go out to public meetings. And I could always hear someone make a snide joke about my shyness and awkwardness. And that is why I became Nightmare Moon. I felt all that hatred from others even if I tried my best." Luna said angrily.
"And sadly I missed a whole millennium of experiences. But do you know what happened next?"
Fury was silent.
"Twilight became a friend. The Mane Six showed me new experiences. And you… you showed me the meaning of love."
Fury was still silent.
"Fury, I know life was tough but for what it's worth, you gave me something truly irreplaceable. And I would not want time to erase that. You produced new experiences. And maybe if you try, you can make new memories to replace the old bad ones, out with the old in with the new. Perhaps starting with seeing that teacher you seem so fond of." She said with a smirk.
"Who, Ms. Mayflower? Yeah, she was the one teacher I grew up with. From daycare to 4th grade, she taught me basically everything. How to walk, talk, sing my ABC's, count… even how to tell a good joke. Even if hers were terrible now that I look back on it." He chuckled to himself.
Luna giggled. "Sadly, the bad jokes didn't stop with her it seems."
"Why you little…" Fury then grappled his girlfriend and began to aggressively nuzzle her. Her giggles turned to outright laughter.
"If my jokes are so bad then why are you laughing, huh?" Fury said, nuzzling her neck.
The others were happy to see Fury in a more relaxed mood for sure.
After Fury stopped his little game with her. He got Luna back up.
Fury then looked a bit more serious. "But let me ask you for real. Luna, you really think I should see her again? And that will help me through my troubles?"
"I believe so. Old friends and acquaintances can provide a unique perspective on problems, both personal and external. I believe that reuniting with your old teacher may show you that you do have something to adore from your old home." Luna said.
Fury thought about it. He realized she might have a point. He had so much to tell her after all. So much to relate. And he already had an outpouring of negativity in his mind. He knew he had to get past it.
"I guess you're right, I could use a bit of reconnecting with old friends. Plus, it's an off day, not many kids should be around besides the alternate schedule classes. C'mon, I'll show you guys where I grew up."
Everyone nodded and went to the old yet grand stone building. They only saw a few cubs on their way.
They passed through the halls, seeing more statues of jade of prominent historical figures including great warriors. Twilight kept on looking at them, but Cadence kept her focused on the matter at hoof.
They finally came to the entrance of the staff dining area.
"You think she'll still be here?" Cadence asked.
Fury nodded. "Yep. She always likes a good load of smoked sardines. And of course she loves teaching kids. I bet I'll see her in the same spot!"
Fury opened the door. Only to reveal that there were a bunch of teachers he didn't even recognize.
Fury felt worried. Was she gone for good?
"Hello, may I help you? The teachers are having a break."
Then he looked behind at a familiar voice. It was her! But she looked a bit older and she had on her wooden tag a name saying Principal Mayflower. Apparently, she had moved up the ladder to the boss of the whole place.
"Why yes, you may help me. But I'll only receive your help if you recognize me." Fury said.
Mayflower looked at him with a bit of confusion. Who was this young Shifter? Did she know him?
"Um…were you some janitor at my cousin's jewelry shop?" She asked.
Fury chuckled a bit. "No, I was someone much different. Think back a few years. Who was the one Speed Shifter that had the most enthusiasm, the most potential, and most importantly… the most goofy personality in the room?"
"Wait…" She looked awestruck. "No… no… you are… Night Fury?!"
"Hey Ms. Mayflower, ya miss me?" He said, opening himself up to what he predicted to be an oncoming hug.
Fortunately, he was right. Ms. Mayflower moved in quickly to hug her former student. She was absolutely elated to see that he had returned to visit her after all these years. She remembered him like he was a long lost child.
"OH LITTLE FURY! YOU'VE GROWN SO TALL AND STRONG!!! I THOUGHT WORSE HAPPENED TO YOU!!! I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!!!" The now giddy principle squealed.
"Yep. Likeise, teach. But can you let me go now? The others are watching." He said with a giggling Cadance and others behind him.
"Hmmmm. Not yet." She said still hugging him to his slight embarrassment. "Okay, I release you."
"Your jobs might have changed but your hugs haven't!" Fury said smiling. "How's it going?!"
"It's been a long couple of years, but I survived. As you may have noticed, I have become the principal of this fine educational facility. Watching over the operations with an eagle eye to make sure things run smoothly. But enough of that, let's focus on you. How are you after all this time?"
"Boy, do I have a story for you, teach. You better sit down for this one." Fury said, smiling widely. He then proceeded to regale everyone in the room, teachers and all about his grand achievements in the distant land of Equestria.
He told them various tales from his seeing the wedding, the party cannon prank, exploring the Silver Blue, to freeing his parents from the Shadow Shifter labor camp. They were tales of things she couldn't imagine any Shifter doing in his lifetime.
"Wow. You have done quite a lot in your young life. More than when I was your age for sure." Then she looked cheekily at him. "And it seems my education did prove useful. All those tales of old I told you were not such a waste hmmm?"
"Okay okay you win. You win." Fury admitted.
"But seriously, it's amazing you got through all that. I was truly worried for you when you disappeared. I have no idea how you got through all of that…"
Fury chuckled. "Yeah, I wonder about that myself too. Well let's just say, I had some help." He said pointing out to the guests behind him. "And of course the hard training did get me used to the times ahead…even if I hated it."
She smiled sincerely at him. "You truly have grown into a strong young Shifter. Some staff said you were a hopeless case compared to others. But I knew that was completely wrong. You had a potential only you could fulfill."
"Eh, you kinda learn to expect stuff like that when you're the most energetic kid in the building. Not a lot of others could actually keep up with me in my early days, not even you. Remember when Mom and Dad showed up for my first day and I decided to try and hide on Mom to try and sneak away?"
She sighed along with Fury's parents. "Oh how could I forget. Somehow your parents were with you the whole time, and yet you still slipped by."
Black Ice had a look of trauma on her face. "I thought I lost you! That was very dangerous what you did!"
"C'mon mom, I was a toddler. I had no moral compass or ethical values. The only thing that was going through my mind was 'School bad. Toys at home good.'. At that age, I couldn't have cared less." Fury defended.
"He's got a point, honey." Obsidian spoke up. "It's not like we were teaching any of that to him that early, we couldn't have expected him to be any less like himself just because he was just that little bit closer to being able to talk. And besides, you were just as anxious to let him go as he was to even be there."
"Fair. Fair. It was still a hard job to find him though." Black Ice grumbled.
"Mom… I was latched onto the underside of your belly, hanging upside down like a bat and watched as you looked around for me. You didn't feel that extra weight?" Fury asked, chuckling a bit.
"What? No! I just thought I had a bigger breakfast than I remembered that morning." Black Ice said. "I didn't expect you to have such prowess for hiding that early on."
"Ha ha ha ha!" Ms. Mayflower laughed. "I guess you still are the same cheeky youngster as you were as a toddler."
"Oh please, you couldn't have remembered all of that after so long." Fury said. But he turned out to be oh so wrong.
"Actually, I didn't have to. You do realize that you're not the only one with a Memory Sealer, right?" She said, showing one from her pouch. "And mine has a catalog of my students' most interesting moments.
She threw the device onto the floor and it activated on its own. The first memory revealed was the exact incident that had just been discussed between mother and son.
–
In the past…
"Oh stop being so fussy, honey. It's just daycare." Black Ice was tending to her toddler son l, Night Fury while Obsidian held his own and made sure they were heading the right way. All the while the small cub was squealing and squirming in an attempt to get away before the building got too close. Then it would be out of his tiny, but still noticeable power to resist.
"Ugh, this little fuzzball is impossible! He just keeps squirming and squealing like a pig in mud. I can't get him to stay still." Black Ice lamented, tossing a glance at the toddler on her back.
"Well, you have to expect it, Icey. He's been very happy at home with us for a long time now. Playing with toys, playing games with you and me, taking naps… At this age, you should have at least had a hunch that he would be disagreeable when this was eventually going to come around." Obsidian said, trading glances between the map in his paw, his wife, his son, and the path ahead.
"I was trying to be optimistic." Black Ice deadpanned, trying to give Fury a bottle to calm him down. To which Fury seemed like he was not interested in and pushed it away. "I miss when I used to think being a mother was easy."
"Well too bad, honey. Now you have a toddler, baby weight, slowly diminishing but still active cravings and a new husband that has to take the brunt of it. For better or worse…" Obsidian whispered that last part. "But at least we're almost there. We just have to survive a little longer."
They kept on going trying to keep up appearances of calmness, greeting passersby trying to give forced smiles to show they have everything under control until they finally made it to the daycare. They came inside to see the caretaker.
"At last. I can be free again." Black Ice said. Once they entered the building, they saw the sole caretaker that would be responsible for their son. Her fur was ice white, eyes as blue as the sea and a smile that only a loving mother could replicate.
"Ahh, you must be Black Ice and Obsidian. My name is Ms. Mayflower and I'll be your son's caretaker." She greeted.
"Yes we are." Black Ice said.downank you so much for watching our little Fury."
"It's my pleasure, Ms. Ice. Now, where is this little one?" She asked.
"Um he's right… here?" Black Ice said confused before turning to panic. She realized in horror, he was not there. "Oh no, Obsidian, did you see where he went?!"
"Um no. But calm down, Icey. We'll find him I'm sure." He said trying to be calm but still worried.
"Son, where are you?!" Black Ice said in terror as she looked around the immediate area. "Oh no. What if something happened to him?! This can't be!"
Mayflower and Obsidian tried to calm her down.
Mayflower spoke up. "Just calm down, ma'am. I'm sure he couldn't have gotten far, you said in our meeting that he was only a toddler. Let's just take a breath and look for him."
They looked around the hallway even behind vases and statues. Still nothing.
"Ms. Ice, have you noticed anything that has happened?" Mayflower asked.
"Well not much just walking to the daycare although traveling with Fury was difficult. I did start to feel my stomach rumble a few minutes ago even though I ate a whole lot and honestly, it still feels that way… wait, I'm getting carried away-"
"Wait a second." Mayflower said. "You feel something vibrating in your belly?"
"Um yes. I don't see what that has to do with anything though." Black Ice said.
"Excuse me, ma'am." She looked down at her belly to see what was there. "Just as I expected. It was not your stomach but rather your son!"
Black Ice looked down between her legs and saw her son was safe and sound, hanging onto her belly.
"I've seen a few kids trying to find ways to not go to daycare, but trying to hide below your belly is the one I find most impressive."
"More like very worrying!" Black Ice said. "I hope he never does anything like that again. You take care of my sweet boy. And please make sure he doesn't let this become a habit."
"Oh don't worry I'll teach and take good care of him." Ms. Mayflower said as she scooped the little Shifter up.
"Hello, little one. That was a very sneaky trick you pulled, you seem none the more upset about it. You liked watching us panic, didn't you?" She asked, the small toddler clapping his paws and giggling like he was playing a game.
Obsidian and even Black Ice smiled. They had someone who understood how to take care of toddlers. Someone who truly enjoyed it. And even had a talent with it.
"Aba ba ba ba…" Fury babbled, poking his belly.
"It's alright. I'll take good care of you, boy. Kootchie kootchie koo." Ms. Mayflower tickled his little tummy, making him squeal with laughter. "You'll be a handsome Shifter when you grow up. Just stick with me and I'll teach you everything you need to know."
And so Mayflower took the toddler into the room. And the memory ended.
-
Obsidian chuckled. "Ah the days of confused parenthood. We might have been strong in our running or transforming abilities but parenthood was a different story."
Black Ice shuddered. "Yeesh. But at least we got used to it. And we had Mayflower help us out."
"Oh please, you're lucky you don't have to anymore. Because I'm much worse now." Fury playfully snarled. "And besides, all of those games I played back then kept me distracted anyway."
Fury turned a dial on the device and the next memory of Ms. Mayflower playing games with Fury began to play.
–
In the past…
"Come now, Fury. I have many fun games we can play. Let me show you." Ms. Mayflower was trying her best to entertain the little cub, showing him all she had to offer. But so far, he seemed no more interested in her than eating grass.
"Oh, I know! How about we play Monster and Knight?" She suggested. Toddler Fury gave a confused squeak and a tilted head in return.
"It seems I've caught your interest. This is way more interesting. Basically one of us pretends to be some sort of grotesque beast like a Manticore or Cragodile who stole treasure and the other is a brave and gallant knight whose goal is to recover it. The goal of the monster is to make sure the treasure is in its greedy claws and the knight has to retrieve it." Then she showed him a medallion. "See this. Whoever the knight is has to get this. Will you be so daring to take it or will the dragon laugh at you smugly as it plays with your treasure?"
The small toddler sat up straight at the sight of the shiny object and tried to nab at it. But the so-called monster quickly withdrew it from his reach.
"Whoops. Sorry squirt, this is mine. It looks better on me anyways."
Fury was not deterred. He swooped for it again. She took it away. He tried to do another swoop. Same result.
In frustration, he leaped as much as a toddler could at the medallion.
"Oh you little runt! You are too cute and tiny to get my treasure! Ha ha ha ha!"
At this point, the little knight was getting frustrated. But then he realized that his small size could be of use to him. While he still couldn't walk, he could quickly crawl his way under the mighty monster and sit below its belly.
"Ahh, have you given up, oh strong and powerful knight? Have you deemed your service unwanted to your kingdom and wish to be swallowed?" The monster asked, but the young knight didn't listen. From what the point sized feline could remember, there was always one thing that his mom did to make him laugh. And now, he would see if the same trick worked on this large beast.
"Hmmm, and just what are you-" She stopped as a strange feeling overcame her stomach. She was being tickled. "Ha ha ha ha ha!"
She tried to get away from the cub, but to no avail as he hung on for dear life and with small but quick paws gave her the tickle session of her life.
"No no no no! It's not fair. It's not fair! I am supposed to be feared in the land!" While she may have exaggerated her happiness, she was indeed trying to get Fury to stop tickling her.
She fell on her back and kept on getting tickled and tickled. "No no no… I will not yield! I WILL NOT!"
But then Fury had an even more devious look on his face and gave his caretaker something new but even more ticklish. A raspberry.
"BWAHAHAHAH! CURSES! You really do want this medallion!" She said, not even joking this time. "Alright take it! You've won today, Sir Night Fury! Please leave the monster be!" She said, handing him the medallion.
And with that the powerful knight, Fury, looked with satisfaction at a job well done. Ms. Mayflower was impressed with both his cheekiness and his quick thinking, it was like his brain was developing faster than the rest of him. But even in the amazement and impressed thoughts that ran through her mind, a hint of her own cheekiness and vengeful nature seeped through.
"I, the big bad Mayflower may have lost once. You may be sitting there thinking you're the emperor and I am your subject, but not yet. Not quite yet. I have a desire for vengeance." She said, licking her lips and slowly approaching Fury.
When Fury saw her approaching, he was not afraid. He just grinned and leaped for her belly. But she predicted that and caught him. She pinned him to the ground with his back to the ground and her paws on his stomach.
"And now, my vengeance shall be unleashed." She said to a worried toddler.
She then lifted one and quickly tickled his belly. Unlike the small Fury, she could do the tickling quickly and with more intensity.
Now he was the one laughing. Hopeless, he tried to struggle out but to no avail. He was receiving her vengeance.
"Oh what a shame, the once powerful Sir Night Fury has been bested by the one oversight he didn't see. Difference in size is both a blessing and a curse." Ms. Mayflower chuckled evilly.
The vengeful caretaker may have laughed a lot, but Fury, who was inexperienced, laughed so much the whole daycare could hear it. He desperately tried to get himself out.
"Who's the winner now? Who's the winner now?! Sorry knight but I got you right in my paws." She said with a smug grin. Night Fury had been laughing for a good few minutes now and began to try and push against her.
"Oh sorry but that won't work. I'm stronger than you and there is nothing you can do about- Ouch!"
Fury bit her toes as hard as he could. His teeth may not have been fully developed but it was enough to distract her so as to slip and to bite her again this time her tail.
"Ow ow ow ow! Get off me!" This was not what she had in mind. He was one persistent little guy for sure. She had to stop him
"Here you want the amulet, take it! In fact, I'll even give you those cheese tuna treats you like so much!" She said getting one of them out.
Fury stopped his rough play and happily ate. For her, she was just relieved. This little cub was, if nothing else, stubborn and surprisingly clever.
Caretaking was indeed fun but by the gods was it a rough ride.
-
"You are one tough caretaker if you could handle all of little Fury's wrath. But you learned a valuable lesson in being too cocky." Obsidian said amused.
"You can never underestimate whatever crazy things go through his head." Black Ice added.
"I'm many things. Some good. Some not. But the one thing I'm proud of. I'm really tricky. And that is something I appreciate very much." Fury boasted. But then he got serious. "Even so, my wrath can go both ways. And sometimes it gets directed to someone who doesn't know their place. You remember Mr. HardTack, teach?"
"Heh heh." She gave a big nod. "Oh yes I remember that old dog."
"Who is this HardTack?" Twilight asked. "Was he another teacher?"
Fury nodded. "A substitute teacher. But he was more than that. He was also a complete, ragtag, two-faced, mud slinging, pain in my ever loving-"
"Anyways, before someone gets their mouth washed out with soap…" Mayflower interrupted with Black Ice's approving nod and a disgruntled snort from Fury.
"He was basically assigned to teach class while I was out dealing with a rather stubborn case of chickenpox. And to say he got on Fury's bad side… well, I think it's best to show the visual evidence rather than verbal."
She turned the dial once more to show them Fury's next and more unpleasant memory.
–
In the past…
The class all looked in anticipation at the new teacher. He was a sight to behold. He had an eyepatch and scars on much of his body. Though he was shorter than most male adult Shifters, the intensity of his one eye was enough to send shivers down even a warrior's back. Despite this he seemed to be groomed very neatly and even had what looked like a medal.
"Alright students. I am your substitute for the day. I am known as HardTack but you are to refer to me as Mr. Hardtack! I see all of you. I can tell all of you are without discipline and without duty. Well… if any of you even thinks of disobeying one of my rules…"
Wack!
"You get the cane! Just like my sergeant gave me in the olden days to prepare to fight our accursed enemies! You shall learn like I did." He yelled. While all of the other students flinched at the loud smack, one particular black feline sat still as a stone and was giving this high and mighty veteran the stink eye.
Wow, can this guy just chill out? It's just class, why does he have to be such a drama queen?
He looked upon the class. He was satisfied with the fear that all the students had. No one dared to defy him. He would smile if he were a lesser warrior. Except for one. Night Fury.
Oh what is this? I think I've heard of him. He's the little runt always playing pranks.
"Well it seems that all of you understand my authority. Even ones that like to waste their lives and play jokes all day. My condolences to the parents, even if they aren't the best." He said looking directly at Fury.
"Yeah, right. Like I care what you think, geezer. I don't respect anyone who doesn't show respect to me first, and you are not one. So how about you keep getting closer to the grave and keep my parents' names out ya darn mouth!"
The whole class was shocked.
"Fury! What are you doing?!" Jade asked. "Say sorry to him now!"
"I'm only sorry I didn't also call him an old Cragodile!" Fury responded with a smug grin.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Silver said, clapping.
"Oh by the Emperor..." Ocean Blue sighed from the back of the room. She often was the classroom parent to keep a close eye on the class and be closer to her daughter, Bluebell.
"Silence!!!!" He said with a huge roar. He turned his gaze to Fury.
"So you think you're quite funny, right? You think you can just say whatever you want? That I belong in a grave? Well…" The teacher got out his cane. "You'll be there first when I'm through with you. Come over here this instant. I'll deal with Silver next." He said with restrained rage.
The young Night Fury stood up, silent and straight faced. "Everyone… MOVE."
"What?" Ocean asked. "I don't-"
"I said move out of my way! You heard me!" Fury repeated.
A young Jade spoke up after his friend's demand. "It's for the best. Move!"
The class all moved away.
"So giving orders to my classroom? We call that mutiny where I come from. Now I'll double what I was planning to give you!" He said.
"Oh so we're talking origin stories now? Good…" Fury snapped. "Cause I'm about to show you where I grew up."
The young Shifter drew his claws and was fully ready to attack this overcooked egg of a teacher, hardheaded and stubborn.
"You wanna get disrespectful with me? I'll show you disrespectful when even the grim reaper wets himself after I put you through the ringer." Fury said in-between aggravated huffing.
"Oh I am going to enjoy putting you in your place, brat!" He said, grabbing his cane about to hit him.
"What in the world is going on here?!"
The crowd gasped as their old teacher, Ms. Mayflower, walked in just before the action.
"Does anyone want to explain why you all look like you're prepared for a fight to break out!?" She asked, both aggravated and confused.
Hardtack spoke up first. "Mayflower! I'm afraid I have to inform you that Night Fury has spoken violent words against me and even dares to try to attack me! I did the best I could to mediate things but he wouldn't have it! I say we send him to the headmaster of this school!"
"Oh you've got to be kidding me! There's no way you switched up that quickly!?" Fury said in disbelief.
"I didn't switch, Fury. I am showing what a leader has to do to inspire order." He replied smugly.
Mayflower was not sure what to think. Fury was for all his mischief, but was quite friendly in the end. But she did know he could be quite disagreeable at certain times. And with this knowledge, she would send him to be disciplined. That is, if she didn't get interrupted by the rest of the class with a different story.
"Hold on! I have something to say!" Ocean Blue said.
"Thank you but that will not be necessary." Hardtacks said.
"I say it is!" Ocean Blue slammed the desk. "Fury might have said a few harsh things that are improper. BUT. That was in response to Hardtack escalating the situation including insulting his parents and threatening to beat him brutally."
Hardtacks growled. "Now, that is just an exaggeration! I was responding properly in that situation. You have to believe me Mayflower when I say that this cub caused a lot of disorder! And I had to stem before it was too late. We cannot live in chaos after all."
"Begging for someone to believe you? Pfft, please, that's like the first rule in 'Pretending To Be Innocent' for dummies!" Fury spat out.
"Well would you rather believe? A well respected veteran who has fought countless Shadow Shifters and monsters or some mischievous little runt like him?! That's what I'm asking!" He said losing his cool. It seems Fury's voice was enough to make him lose it.
"Sorry, past you was cool. Now you're just hiding behind your title to make yourself still sound cool."
"Why you little-"
Mayflower spoke up. "Alright, that's enough for both of you!" She then closed her eyes.
"Hardtack, we respect your great deeds in battle. You truly helped our tribe with your expertise..." Mayflower said.
Hard Tacks gave a smug smile. "Oh please, you're too kind." He said with fake humility that made Fury gag.
"BUT. I know Ocean Blue. She is a lady of her word and honor and if she says Fury was only reacting to you then I believe her. And also, I know Fury may be naughty but he still is a good kid. In fact, let me ask the other students." She turned to the other cubs. "Do you think Fury went too far?"
Most were silent. But a few came up. "Everything Ms. Blue said was right! Fury is not the bad guy here."
Silver spoke up too. "Yeah he was just standing up to Mr. Grumpypants here!"
And Ocean's very own daughter also spoke up. "Fury might be quite a nuisance sometimes, but at least he didn't insult the teacher's parents."
Mayflower nodded. "Thank you." She turned to the now sputtering substitute. "I think you know very well our position on this."
"But… but… HOW COULD YOU LISTEN TO THAT WAYWARD CUB!? HE JUST WANTS TO SHIRK HIS DUTY! AND YOU'RE MAKING ME OUT AS THE BAD GUY!?!?!" He said ferociously.
"The only duty I have is putting two bit annoyances like you in line. You're lucky you're not having your guts on the ground, covered in scratches and bite marks." Fury said.
"That will not be necessary, Fury. Because I will make sure he gets taken care of." She looked at the teacher. "Hardtack. You are to leave this classroom and never come back again. You have defied basic decency. Children should not be raised in your hostile environment."
"Yeah, so beat it punk!" Fury said.
"Gahhhh! I'll show you, you little punk!" Hardtack said grabbing the cane anyways and running to Fury.
"You made a big mistake, teach." Fury said with sadistic glee.
Just as the teacher was about to run to him, Fury jumped to the side. Hardtack kept trying to get to him but he always dodged.
"Stop running!"
"Okay!" Fury then jumped on the teacher's back. "I'll wonder what happens if I do something with this scar on your neck."
"You would not dare- Gahhhhh!!!" Fury bit through his neck on one of his scars. Hardtack tried to get him off but to no avail. Fury's teeth were in deep.
"Let me go! Let me go! Mayflower, get him off!"
"Only if you apologize for demeaning him so much then maybe I will help."
"I don't apologize to anyone- OUCH, NOT THERE!!!" He finally gave up. "Okay fine! I'm sorry I humiliated you in front of the class. I will not do it again!" He said, seemingly resisting tears.
Mayflower had a look of satisfaction as well as Fury. "Good. You can let him go now."
Fury wanted to do more but he was satisfied now. He went off and smugly looked at the now humbled Hardtack leave the door.
"Know your place, old timer. You're in my world. Besides, my father did even more great stuff than you and he doesn't act like a big jerk!" Fury said.
Mayflower looked at Fury. "Now Fury, I would normally let that aggression slide. But since he was going to hit you despite me telling him to leave, I say you acted how any warrior would. Just remember to only go that far when they threaten like that."
"Yes, Ms. Mayflower. Only to big ugly jerks." Fury said with a slight chuckle.
Ms. Mayflower gave a chuckle in return to his comment. "Oh what am I going to do with you, my little sparkler?"
"Well, right now since that whole scuffle took awhile, maybe the class could go for a cheese tower. I mean I did learn how to fight." Fury said, hoping to get out of class.
Mayflower laughed hard. "Oh Fury. You're adorable. You still have to learn your mathematics. Since I'm back, it's time for me to teach the class. So you are going to get back to your seat."
Furry grumbled. "Dang it, I thought that would work." But he got over that, knowing he put a miserable teacher in his place. Fury knew he would not be ordered around and treated like garbage without a few scars from his aggressor. And it seems the other cubs, even the ones who didn't like him, at least had some respect for him there.
-
"Now that's what I call a win! Bye bye Hardtack. Ha!" Fury laughed confidently at his win.
"Wow, even back then, you were really savage." Cadence spoke. "I wouldn't want to be your teacher if I got on your bad side."
"Yeah, he thought he could get away with what he did. Most folks just saw he was a cool war hero, and used to justify him being a bully. But not me. I don't let anyone mess with me, my friends or my family." Fury said with pride.
"That's my boy!" Obsidian said. "Making your old dad proud."
"Normally I would oppose calling a teacher a Cragodile, but with someone who threatens my boy? I am very very satisfied." Black Ice said with unusual enthusiasm.
"Oh so many memories, but I believe you have something else on your mind. Say… Lunch?" Ms. Mayflower teased, getting a blush out of her old student.
"How in the world can you tell!?" Twilight asked, amazed at the principal's perceptiveness.
"When you've been a teacher for as long as I have, you begin to understand the little details of each of your students. Like how when Night Fury's tail swishes from side to side every few seconds, his eyes begin to wander and his ears flick in the direction of town where all of the restaurants are… you know his appetite is beginning to gnaw at him." Mayflower said with a knowing smile.
"Heh, you know me well, Mayflower. Yep. All this storytelling has made me hungry like a manticore. C'mon guys, let's bolt. There should be a good enough restaurant somewhere close."
Celestia nodded. "I could go for some food. A princess needs her nourishment."
Everyone agreed unanimously and proceeded to leave the school. After waving farewell to Mayflower they went their way.
-
Fury's ears flickered ever more. He was getting impatient. The problem was he was now quite far from the last cheese tower stand and he did not feel like running now, so he would have to improvise. Combined with his flicking ears, his nose passively sniffed the breeze for any signs of food being cooked nearby. To the rest of the group, it almost looked like he was a bloodhound from a detective movie.
"Come on, nose! Don't fail me now! Show us the goodies!"
Twilight looked with fascination. "Is this common for Speed Shifters to sniff out like this?"
"When scouting, it's common. So we can find our enemies or find traps." Obsidian said. "Or sometimes simply if you're really really hungry."
"I'm not proud of the fact that I kinda look like a dog sniffing for a treat sometimes. But if it gets me fed, I could care less." Fury said, continuing to sniff. Just then, a familiar scent wafted close to him. Raising his head slowly, he took in a huge inhale before his eyes snapped open.
"Bingo! Target locked! Time for a flavor explosion." Fury said confidently, taking off in a random direction. The others tried their best to keep up, but his youthful body and mystical power of his ancestors drove a groove between them as he bolted off. Luckily, his sprint wouldn't last long as he skidded to a stop in front of a restaurant that was designed like a log cabin.
"Ah yes. Truly the king of kings when it comes to cheese towers. Nothing can match its greatness. Ladies, I present to you the one and only Cheese Tsunami!"
They looked at a sign with a cloud and from it cheese shooting out and shifter drowning in the yellow liquid. It looked like a poster from an epic play but about food.
"I'm assuming that there is going to be some cheese here?" Luna asked with a chuckle.
"How perceptive, sweetheart. Two points. And more if you come on in! Come on, the tsunami waits for no one."
Fury and everyone else went in to see a rustic looking inside with shifters discussing topics. But most importantly there was a menu of different foods from cheese dip and fries to cheesy salmon and so forth.
"By the gods, the recipes, they're still here. It's beautiful. So beautiful. I think I could cry at how beautiful this is." Fury said sniffing as his mouth watered.
"Wow, the one thing here that gets you in tears is food? Why am I not surprised?" Twilight huffed sarcastically. Night Fury ignored her for the moment and just marveled at how much was at his grasp. Then, the owner came through to see him and his posse walking up. Her fur was a dark brown and her eyes were a lighter shade of the same color. On her right paw, she wore a golden ring on one of her toes. Most likely a wedding ring.
Upon seeing the familiar black face of the All Powerful, she was instantly reminded of who he was and greeted him as such.
"Well, well, if it isn't the monster eater himself. How are you doing, sonny? You still have a craving for my treats all these years?"
"Hey Goldie, you know I do! And I can tell you I have gone far and wide in my life. But from all the monsters like Cragodiles to evil kings, one monster I haven't conquered and that is my hunger. You still doing good at the food biz?" Fury asked.
"I've got customers ringing in like bees to roses. Basically the entire town has a thing for my cheesy delights. To be honest, with how much business I've been drumming up with this cheese, you'd think some of them are secretly mice." Goldie chuckled.
His mother giggled. "Including one particular darkly colored fast mouse." She said, patting Fury.
"Okay okay, guilty as charged. But if being a mouse means eating all this, I take that title with honor. And so, Goldie, I ask you. What is a good recipe you can recommend for my esteemed royal friends? Ahem… P-plus my girlfriend, heh."
"Ah so you finally got one. It's about time! Definitely not what I was expecting. I thought you were going to try your luck with girls like that Bluebell girl."
Fury chuckled. "Eh, I thought so at first. But she's a bit too normal for my taste. She'd probably demand I sleep at eight or something. Luna's way cooler and mysterious. And she even has a mischievous side, just how I like her."
Luna smiled at this.
"But enough talk. Give me your best recipe!"
The brown Shifter looked at the menu, and scrambled her head for some ideas. They all were nice but none of them seemed to pop out so to speak.
But maybe I need something better. Something not even on the menu. Something experimental.
"Okay. It's not on the menu yet. It's still a secret to the public. But I have what I believe is the most mouthwatering cheese extravaganza in the whole world."
Fury nodded. "Well what are you waiting for? Give it here! We're ready to chow down!"
"You got it! Trust me when I say, you won't feel the same after this one. Now go, rest your legs while I work my magic."
And so everyone waited by the window in a semicircle booth. They were twiddling their claws and hooves, eager for what was ahead.
"Hoo boy, I haven't been this excited for Goldie's works ever since I was a kid. It's been a long time since I've been here, way too long." Fury said, panting.
Twilight spoke up. "Just to be clear Fury, there's no meat or any other disagreeable things for ponies, right?"
Fury shook his head. "Nope. You can all enjoy a cheese marathon together. The only thing that could stop you is your stomach."
Before Twilight could elaborate, they heard a voice crying out. "ONE MEGA NACHO NUKE, UP!"
All the guests looked in curiosity at the manticore size array of nachos. It was all inundated with cheese sauce, bean chili and jalapenos.
"Sweet mother of Solar winds…"
"Is something even worthy of mere mortals?"
"How does something like that even exist?!"
Goldie came in while pushing the plate of nachos. Everyone's mouth watered at the sight.
Cadence looked dazed. "Fury, is that real?"
Fury nodded slowly. "Well I can see it with my eyes. So I have to say yes. Yes it is."
Black Ice tried to hide her amazement. "It looks like that recipe you used to tell me you would make finally came true. Never thought you would actually go through with it."
"I… have no words for what I see before me. Never in both mine and my sister's multi millenia long rule have we seen such a mammoth size dish." Lune said as if gazing into the gates of the heavens themselves.
Goldie was quite satisfied with the reception. "Well, there ya go! The cheesiest, gooiest, most mouth watering dish we've got. Please, enjoy yourselves." She said as she walked away with a smile that could shine for miles.
As she left, everyone took a moment to just admire the dish. The immaculate placing and decorations, the mountain of chips drenched in cheese, the many dips to use for flavor. This admiration of culinary arts didn't last long as soon enough, to no one's surprise, Night Fury took the first chip and dipped it in salsa.
"Well, time to dive right in." Fury dipped and inserted it into his mouth. Normally, he would eat quickly so he could get going. But he knew he had to show food this special its due respect. He chewed and chewed and let his tongue take in the flavors. And then he swallowed.
"Well, son, was it a masterpiece?" Obsidian asked. Fury took a moment to let the taste sink in, letting in a drawn out breath. Then, he let it out and smiled.
"The gods have blessed my taste buds with the most blissful array of cheese and salsa ever to grace the earth." He said, sounding like a wise sage. But he soon reverted to his old self.
"But enough of this philosophical stuff, dig in! You guys have got to get in on this!"
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's make the most of these tasty cheesy morsels." Cadence said.
"Agreed. Nothing can stop us!" Celestia declared.
Everyone nodded along and ate each nacho taking the mix of spicy and cheesy. Each nacho felt like a new journey. It was almost a tragedy to swallow because they were so good.
Twilight and Black Ice went for the shallow side and stayed with the guacamole as their taste buds weren't as comfortable with the spiciness. Celestia and the rest of the group on the other hoof, was completely different. Celestia was an obvious candidate for the spice squad as she was the literal embodiment of everything warm in the world.
Obsidian was also a fan of the hot side as he basically worked hours on end in the fiery inferno that was the town blacksmith. Surprisingly, Luna was also enduring the salsa fairly well. While she wasn't much of a daredevil, she did secretly like the taste of spicy food. Lastly, Cadence and Night Fury were the jacks of all trades.
They didn't care what they covered their chips in, whether it was the rich guacamole or the sucker punch salsa, they just wanted to eat. And eat they did, they went all in like animals. Well Fury more literally and Cadence just ate more rapidly.
Fury was in heavenly bliss now. Oh yeah, that's the good stuff! Why couldn't this have been out earlier? It's to die for. Oh that spice!
As they kept on going, they didn't realize the other guests were staring in complete surprise at the sheer speed of these guests. What food could inspire this much passion?
"You see what happens when you give other cultures a chance to surprise you? You get the beauty of stuff like this. Hey Twi, pass the guac, would ya?"
"I can see what you mean! Here!" Twilight passed it with one hoof as she put some extra salt on her chips with the other.
Cadence looked troubled. "Bad news! I'm out of cheese! I need some more stat!"
"Here is some for you, dearie." Black Ice said. "Now give me some of your lemon, if you please!"
"Hey Tia, got some extra jalapenos for ya!" Fury said, passing a small bowl of the sliced peppers over to her.
"Here you go! Just be sure to have some milk handy and eat these slowly!"
Everyone was busy passing food, chewing, tasting. It was like a battlefield. Everyone took it seriously. Despite the number of chips, it decreased in size rapidly.
After a litany of chewing, burping and swallowing, everyone was stuffed. Even the normally posh Black Ice had a messy face from eating so rapidly.
"Ah. That's the spot." Fury said. "Only in legends told by the elders could I have expected food this good to exist. What about it, guys? You starting to see what the Speed Shifters race has to offer?"
Celestia nodded. "We ponies might have our cakes and our pastries which are still unmatched. But when it comes to cheese and spice, we are outclassed. Your people have indeed proved yourselves."
Twilight agreed. "Your people are fascinating in many ways. From your speed to your transformations. And now to your culinary traditions. Truly something inspirational."
"I haven't felt this satisfied in ages!" Luna said. "I never had the metaphorical guts to say this publicly, but the food at the castle has never truly been good to me. Ever since I returned, things have changed dramatically. From the portion sizes to the food itself, it seemed like everything was basically halved from its original state. No true flavor, just regulated portions and dietary constraints."
"All of the fitness mumbo jumbo and 'Looking presentable' nonsense has done away with what made being a princess somewhat enjoyable. But now, I feel like a new mare. Once we agree on this peace deal, the first priority must be food negotiation." Luna declared.
Cadence sighed heavily as she slumped over. "I'm stuffed. My trainer is going to yell at me for this." She chuckled. "I need to be done eating. But maybe just one more chip."
As she grabbed another chip, she knew she felt full, but she had to dip it in cheese, guacamole and some sour cream. She placed a jalapeño for what was to be her last chip.
She chewed slowly again to take in the flavor. It was indeed good. She finally swallowed. Her tongue felt satisfied. But not her stomach.
"Ugh it was just one chip! Now I feel bloated. Ugh." Cadence said.
"You're not the only one to feel that, dear." Black Ice said. "My stomach feels full too but in an odd way."
"Seriously? I feel fine." Fury said casually. "Eh, I guess it's my All Powerful-hood jacking up my appetite. Speaking of which…"
Fury proceeded to show the rest of the group how different he was from them and took not one, but three chips and dipped them in every available bowl before eating them.
"Yep. Fine by me." Fury said. "Nothing but a variety of flavors."
"Well it looks like you have grown quite a stomach or at least an appetite." Obsidian said.
"But should we really eat more while we're full?" Twilight asked.
"Twi, you've heard of the odd phenomenon that is eating a really good meal but not wanting it to end? That's exactly this. We've been treated to a legendary lunch that we all loved, we're just trying to make the most of what's left by pushing our limits to make it last. It's like I always say… if you can't still remember that food you had from a few days before, was it even that good?" Fury explained.
Twilight thought back on how she ate all those hayburgers ever since fillyhood. She could remember each and every kid's meal, deluxe pack and mega meal she got over the years and after all of that, she could still reminisce. She understood him now.
"Okay, I see what you mean. But I have to agree with your mom, I feel absolutely full."
Celestia did not share her former student's sentiments. "Well for me, I have to agree with our ambassador. I still have not yet begun to taste all the multiple spices." She said, her mouth watering.
Obsidian nodded. "It's not everyday you get all this cheesy goodness. So I'm going to go all out before we have to keep going."
"You said it, dad! If you already ate all this, why stop now?!" Fury then felt a flame of challenge come over him. "In fact I challenge you, Celestia, to see who can eat all these nachos and clear the plate!"
"Hmph." Celestia said. "You dare to think I can be bested by your appetite. Preposterous! I will not let you get away with that!"
"Then let's go all out!" Fury said as he gazed at the last chips and then back at Celestia who also stared at him militantly.
They had their condiments, their napkins and their milk at the ready. The others looked with some astonishment, except for Luna who already knew these two's appetites.
"I will defeat you!" Celestia said chewing six ranch covered nachos in one bite.
"Not a chance, Sunbutt!" Fury replied before quickly eating seven salsa covered chips.
And so the two stuffed their mouths with all the sauces and all the condiments. It was like a warzone. There was no restraint on that table.
"Just give it up, sun tush. You can't and won't beat me. I know your limits, I know your weaknesses… I know everything." Fury snarled. But the solar princess remained undeterred.
"No, you know not. I have more experience than you. I ate a whole forest supply of fruits when I was stranded!"
"Well, I'll make it a planet's supply of food when I get through with this!" Fury shot back.
They both kept on eating ravenously.
"Luna, I think your coltfriend and sister have gone crazy!" Twilight said. "We have to stop them!"
"It's too late knowing these two cannot be stopped…"
As they kept on eating, it seemed to never end. But then…
A huge rumbling sound was heard and the two contestants stopped immediately.
"Ugh, I feel a meteor hit me…" Celestia moaned.
"More like a fully loaded freight train for me." Fury added. "Gahhhh!"
"Um, are you two okay?" Cadence asked.
"Oh I feel just finnneeeee!!!" Fury squealed, feeling like everything inside of him was swirling.
Celestia panted heavily. "Oh I feel it too! Oh no what is going on!"
Goldie came in and saw the commotion. "Are you two alright?"
"I feel like a storm is hitting my belly now!" Fury said.
"Oh no." Goldie said. "I didn't think this would happen. The tsunami is in full swing now!"
Fury was in the middle of a panic, trying to figure out what was happening. Then, he came to a realization. "Wait a minute… Goldie, just how did this place get its name?"
Goldie gulped "Well…to be perfectly honest, it was because of how the food is so enticing, so appealing, so overwhelming, that some would eat more than usual. Causing a storm to brew on the inside. And as we learned that storm cannot be contained but must come out…. Like a bomb."
"A Bomb!?"
"Wait a bomb? What does that mean- Oof. Oh no." Fury said. "It's coming!"
"Oh no me too!"
His stomach expanded more and more over time. Her stomach expanded. It was taller than Luna or Cadence.
"Are we going to die?!" Fury asked.
Goldie shook her head. "No but you will-"
BOOOM!!!
All of a sudden cheese got all over everywhere on the windows and on the walls and on the counters.
"Uuuuuugh… I… think my guts just went supernova." Celestia moaned.
"I know… my birthmark means 'The Raging Storm', but not even I could have handled that. Uraaap!"
Everyone looked horrified. Especially Black Ice.
"What in the world was in that food!?"
Goldie sighed. "You see, this is why it was experimental. It has a magic ingredient from a plant that makes it so appealing. But the unfortunate consequence was it caused bloating and well, you can see that for yourself. The recipe was not supposed to do that anymore but those two must have eaten more than expected. Thus causing the storm to happen."
"Why am I not surprised that a retired bomb engineer would do something like this?" Fury moaned from the ground.
"Wait, Goldie was a bomb maker?" Twilight asked, wiping some cheese goo off.
"65 years of explosive perfection. Goldie's full name is actually Golden Goose, and rightfully so considering that her quote 'Golden eggs' were the best in our military. She eventually retired and took up this place after her father, Gold Nugget." The ambassador explained.
"You got that right. And it looks like my martial spirit had not died but was renewed in these treats. Although with more collateral damage than in my day." She said looking at all the cheese. "I'm very sorry princesses, I should not have given you something so appetizing and so experimental without testing it more. I just didn't expect you to eat so much."
Fury shook his head. "Don't apologize! This was the best dang meal I have ever had! I would take all of those explosions daily if it meant me eating all this good stuff. No regrets, no matter how messy."
"As strange as it sounds, I concur with the Ambassador." Celestia said. "I do not regret eating a worthy meal."
Twilight stood. "As much as I would not like to admit it, I would have to agree. It is exhilarating and tasty and I do not regret the taste."
"You've got my props! I've honestly had enough of staring out into more crystals and snow, I needed some fresh material." Cadence admitted.
"I'm also giving you my respect, Golden. You have shown us that one skill can be turned into something else that everyone can enjoy. You will hear no complaints from me." Luna added.
"Hey, Tia? I've seen what you're like on the day to day, constantly held up to a spotlight for your regal attitude and goddess-hood. But really, I'd have to say at heart, you're no more regal than I am." Fury chuckled.
"You say that truthfully? You think I'm like you?" The solar princess asked.
"Well, of course not publicly. But I see the same thing in you that Luna sees in me, a youthful light shining through the darkness of responsibility and adulthood. And that's not even related to your looks! Ya know, I just think you've been cooped up in that castle for too long. You're like a hardboiled egg, a hassle to crack and a time consuming task to peel. But once those layers of hard outer shell are gone… you're just as soft and squishy on the inside as me."
Celestia wondered about this. "Hmmm, perhaps you're onto something. Maybe I am a bit silly in the head. On the outside I am regal, but my sister can see that I am still a very silly pony in the end."
Luna smiled. "That is quite true."
"Well, you're not the only one who looks silly. Especially since we're both covered in cheese goo." Fury laughed.
Everyone else laughed, too amused at the all the commotion. For Fury, his culinary satisfaction was at an all time high.
"Wait. Look at this cheese mess. Are we going to have to clean this up?" Twilight asked.
"Leave that one to me, Twi. Need I remind everyone the mark I carry on my back? Just give me a sec." Fury boasted, standing up and looking around at the yellow splatter. He closed his eyes, focusing his aura to engage his speed. And once he opened them, everything and everyone slowed down.
Everything was in slow motion for him. Birds moved at a snail's pace, the mouths of his friends and family barely moving an inch every second. He had heard from Spike that superheros in his comics, specifically the speedsters, saw everything in slow motion when using their powers. Fury had thought such a phenomenon to be just that, fictional. But he had to realize that he was a real life speedster.
He realigned his focus though as he had to clean all of this goop up. Racing out of the restaurant, he grabbed a water bucket and a sponge from a random spot in town and came back to a scene that was indeed, still in slow motion. With this at his disposal, he got to work. In an instant, he covered the place with suds and bubbles.
Normally this would be grueling work, but with his superspeed, it was like sliding on ice. He smoothly swept, scrubbed, scraped and mopped up the place. Every gooey part was a piece of cake.
But he did shave one area where the cheese stuck on due to heat from the fireplace. It was caked in. He didn't fret. He just used his electric powers to melt the cheese back to its goo-like state and wipe it up.
He finally took a look at the restaurant and it was brand new. Even a bit more shiny than before. He then returned the supplies he borrowed, raced back inside and snapped his claws. Time returned to normal and he watched as the reactions rolled in.
"Wait what just happened?!" Black Ice asked. "I blinked and this whole place looks shinier than a jewelry market!"
"Uh… you're welcome! I guess I'm just that good." Fury boasted, smiling at his victory. His confidence was short lived though as the princess of love spoke up.
"I'd say you're right, but you forgot something." She said with a smile.
Night Fury was confused. "Wait, I did? Did I miss a spot?"
Cadence giggled at his obliviousness. "Yes, you did. And that spot… is you."
Fury raised an eyebrow and looked down at himself. To his surprise, in his rapid cleaning spree, he had forgotten that he himself was still covered in cheesy goop.
"Whoa! It looks like in my goal to clean up the cheesy mess, I've become a cheesy mess myself. Oh wait, I already was." Fury said, laughing at his joke.
Some laughed like Cadence and some groaned at the joke like Twilight.
"Oh very comedic of you. But what won't be comedic is trying to get that cheese off you. How are we going to get that off?" Twilight asked.
"Don't look at me, grape juice, it's not like I can do this myself!" Fury said.
Celestia nodded. "Don't worry everyone. Believe it or not, I've seen situations like this that I would rather not retell. Let's just say from experience, I know that it will take a lot of magic to clean this up quickly without spending hours at the bath. But it will take the help of other princesses and the help of Fury's parents would help too."
"Anything to get that filth off my son! I will follow your lead!" Black Ice said in a very serious tone.
Everyone else concurred albeit less passionately.
"Twilight, Luna, Cadence and I will form a fairly far away circle." Celestia said while moving in position as well as the other princesses.
"Obsidian and Black Ice will be closer but still a few feet apart. You two will spin and run as fast as you can while we will imbue you with a spell that makes cheese disappear." The two parents did so.
Fury looked a little worried. "Wait, I won't disappear too, right?"
Celestia shook her head. "Only inorganic objects not living organisms which I am quite sure you are. Unless you are a secret robot."
"Heh, that's not a bad concept. Maybe I'm from a distant future where all organics have been eradicated and robots have taken over the world!" Fury said.
"Okay, I think you've been reading too many of Spike's comics." Twilight said. "Time travel after all does seem extremely improbable and also-"
"Oh no, she's about to kill me with her science babble! Someone clean me up already!" Fury said comically to Twilight's annoyance.
Of course everyone was ready. The magic users closed their eyes which turned a bright blue.They shot their magic at Obsidian and Black Ice. They ran around Fury in a circle. Black Ice was not as much of a runner so she had to give it her all to be fast enough. But finally the whole system was complete. They were going around and around like planets around the sun but at a rapid pace.
"Oh boy, I'm feeling some magic here!" Fury said, feeling the residual of the magic from his parents. He felt the cheese get looser and looser.
"Good work. Just one last thing. Now you have to touch the cheese and it should disappear into nothingness." Celestia instructed.
"Ewww really? I have to touch that?" Black Ice asked.
"Would you rather have a son who is like a big pile of bad cheese then?" Obsidian asked.
She hated to admit it but her husband had a point. "Ugh, fine. But let's make this quick."
With all the power stored up, they kept on running each time getting a bit closer to Fury's body and when their paws touched, a bright light emanated.
"Hey, all the cheese is gone! I can finally see my beautiful black fur." Fury said confidently, admiring his now practically glistening coat.
Luna nodded. "You look so clean and shiny like a full moon. You have made it look so amazing! And now I understand why I fell in love with you."
"Oh, you know there was more to it than looks, babe." Fury said slyly. Just then, Black Ice decided to split up the romantics.
"Hey, not to be a bad sport, but is it normal for the entire council to be walking towards town?" She asked, pointing out of a nearby window. Everyone looked out of the windows of the restaurant and confirmed the mother's story. Every member of the council was walking in a group. Even Amethyst and an injured Jade were walking with them.
This sight raised concern in the unofficially retired blacksmith, the officially retired bomb engineer and the All Powerful ambassador.
"What's going on with the council?" Goldy asked. "They don't usually meet up this late in the day."
"Oh great." Obsidian said, worried. "Amethyst met up with the council! I wanted to talk to her first about these issues before letting the council know!"
"I may be seething about her basically neglecting me all these years, pop… But that's not the face of someone looking for a fight. Look at how she's harboring Jade along, making glances left and right at the passing scenery. I've been an ambassador for long enough to know that she's not on a mission to expose me, none of them are. They're about to confront the town about my past."
Obsidian looked at him. "I know. I know she cares for us. I just wanted to make sure things were under control."
"Dad… Control went out the window when we showed the council my memories. As if literally, the cat is out of the bag. They know what they did, the town did, what happened to me. Whatever happens next is out of even Celestia's control. This isn't something political anymore. For the time being, for everyone involved… This is personal." Fury said with a straight face.
Black Ice then spoke up. "Maybe you're right, Fury. That's why me and your father will go to the council and we can both talk things out and settle everything. Don't you worry, dear."
Fury shook his head. "Nice try, mom. Thanks for trying to protect me, but this is something I can't just hide from. I'm a full grown adult with his own responsibilities and priorities, this being one of them. My memories of what happened after you two were taken are about to be tossed around like pancakes in a skillet. Arguments will be had, conflicts will rise, motives and morals will be brought into question. If anything… this is just another day as an ambassador."
Black Ice responded. "But I was just thinking Amethyst and Jade might have some bad blood with you for certain actions and it might be better if we represented you."
Fury shook his head. "That's even more reason for me and not you to represent myself. They deserve to hear it from me, not be shallow enough to rely on someone else for this." Fury said with conviction. "Besides, I kind of owe it to Jade and as much I hate to admit it, Amy for me wacking them like a mad manticore."
Black Ice was finally silent. And she gave a slow nod along with her husband. They both smiled.
"You're wiser than you ever were before." Obsidian said. "I trust you'll know what to say."
"Agreed. I have confidence now." Black Ice concurred. "But if you ever need help, you'll know who to find."
"I know." Fury said quietly. "I've got to catch up with them. I'll be front and center for this, so show some support but don't let emotions get in the way. I've already got a bad feeling about this." He said, opening the door and taking off after the council.
This is it. I'm finally gonna settle what's been on my mind for years. May the gods be with me, cause I'm sure gonna need it.
–
Fury walked to the council. It seemed they were busy discussing things. About him of course. It seemed to be a fairly heated debate. For obvious reasons.
"It looks like everything is heated up! Mind if I join in?" Fury said.
All the council turned to him as well as Jade and Amethyst. The commander looked away and stayed silent while the captain was still recovering from being head-butted. The chief, however, rose to address the one who would be the subject of this council.
"Well, Fury. It is quite convenient you should be here now. We were just talking about you. And your actions." Chief ThunderClaws said with a straight face betraying no emotion.
"I am fully aware of what happened to Jade. And I show no remorse for it. He got what was coming." Fury said in a tone with much more venom, but in the same level as the chief.
Golden Eyes spoke up. "Night Fury, you do realize you thrashed not a criminal but one of our village's greatest young warriors? Do you expect us to let that pass?"
"Not at all. I've been exposed, verbally harassed, struck down and even nearly assassinated for just existing. This brings no surprise to me." The ambassador replied, bearing a surprising level of stoicism.
"Why have you come here?" The Chief asked. "If you are not here to apologize then what do you hope to attain?"
"...To clarify some things." Fury said simply.
Fury walked up closer. "I know from what I said, it sounds like I want to burn everything down. But that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to settle what should have been settled long ago. This may be the only chance I get to both get closure for what I was out through for months and see just what lies under the skin of whom I used to call my brethren."
Ocean Blue spoke up. "I hope you do Fury. I do like you but as part of this council, I'd better hear a very good one. I say this as a counselor and a mother who wants to protect her family and friends."
Fury looked at her. "Let's start with those words, 'Friends and Family'. For the longest time when I heard them, I thought it meant people who would never turn their backs on you. No matter if you did something foolish or made a mistake, they would stick by your side. But I started to learn that a lot of times they're just words people throw around until it seems inconvenient. And I learned that the hard way."
"For the past few years, I was a laughingstock. No one wanted to associate with a supposed loser and coward like me. I didn't even try to hurt anyone and yet that serial killer we had a few years ago was hated less than some kid who didn't know any better." Fury said.
"I felt lonely. I felt cut off from others except for my family and my friends and acquaintances. But I do have to confess even with Jade, he didn't understand how hard my life really was and at one time he even thought I was whining too much about my situation. Or even that lovely girl of yours for all her formalities and politeness, didn't even give me one word of encouragement in all those years."
"I could have planned something to get back at all if you, but I didn't. I could have let myself get killed to finally end the suffering that was my life, but I didn't. Heck, I could have killed everyone in this goddess forsaken slime hole to finally see what happens when I use my power to my fullest… But, I didn't. If anything, you should all consider yourselves lucky I didn't come here today with an entire invasion force. All I've ever felt was revenge running through my head, intrusive thoughts of ripping all of you skin to bone for what you did to me. And trust me when I say… that option is still on the list if any of you try something."
Some of the councilors panicked and were about to say something but Chief Thunderclaws stared at them to not say anything.
"You truly felt this after all this time?" He asked.
"Yes. Yes I did."
"Do you blame the village or the council for this neglect of duty? Do not be afraid to answer."
"I can't blame any of you for this. Even you, Golden Eyes. While you and your pretentious attitude, nonsense blabbering and completely idiotic stereotyping can stick it where the sun doesn't shine, this has nothing to do with you. The town as a whole kept this from you in a twisted attempt to hopefully see me deal the final blow to myself out of grief."
"They all saw me as a disgrace and being the clever oh so polite types, they hid their true ways from you. I felt powerless. So powerless. But not anymore." Fury said. "You understand what hardships I have faced so you know you have to see to it that the village knows that they can't get away with this."
"That's one of the main reasons I even came back here besides sparking a peace deal. To give myself some long awaited peace. I have constantly been questioning my own sanity even after I managed to find a place in Equestria, having random rage bursts whenever my parents were even brought up. I know to some of you, that may seem like I have anger issues. But answer me this. Is it so bad to have such a knee jerk reaction when you're forced to relive a horrifying moment that almost drove you to the bitter edge?"
Everyone was silent at this.
"Well, however you see it, that's up to you. But what I do ask for is that you see from my perspective, my struggles and bring back the honor that was stolen from me." Fury said.
The Chief spoke up. "The whole village will have to acknowledge its wrongdoing. Our village has always prided itself in honor. This will be the first time in a while that we will admit our grievous faults."
Fury then spoke up. "But what's more shameful? Just accepting this wrong and hiding it and go on, never learning from this? Or to admit your sins so you can become better? I might have slept through a lot of history class. My teacher can attest to that. But I know one thing from history: that we Speed Shifters always seeked to do what was honorable and that nothing was more important than that."
Everyone was made silent by this speech. Even the normally skeptical Golden Hooves was moved by his words.
"Fury. You have grown in wisdom. Despite all the abuse you have dealt with, you were strong all this time. You have a stronger sense of honor than most Shifters. We have forgotten about that virtue. But we must bring it back. And so…"
The chief slammed the table with his claw. "LET IT BE PROCLAIMED, FURY SHALL BE MADE A HERO OF THE VILLAGE. HE WILL EXPLAIN HIS GREAT DEEDS TO THIS VILLAGE. AND THOSE WHO MOCKED HIM WILL LOOK AT THEMSELVES WITH SHAME AT THEIR DEEDS." He proclaimed.
The other councilors all agreed. Strangely Golden Hooves first, then Ocean Blue and then the others. They all hit the table at the same time to proclaim this solemn decision.
Fury felt a sense of fulfillment that he longed to have. He finally will get the honor he lost so long ago.
This is it, the final stretch. All I have to do is stick it up in public and make sure everyone knows who I am… And their place in this world as long as I exist.
"Thanks. I'm glad we can resolve these things. I'll make my speech to the whole village in due time. And they will know who I really am."
Fury turned back.
"You did it, Night Fury. You convinced them!" Luna said excitedly, giving him a hug.
"Oh son, your words have grown more eloquent!" Black Ice said. "You have grown to be a fine ambassador."
"Mom, please don't do this today. I'm just a casual, non-elite, regular-"
"Stop! Stop it right there!" Cadence interrupted. "You know something, Fury? I think when it comes to being an ambassador… Heck, even having an above average amount of bits in your possession for my auntie's sake, you are too modest."
Fury sighed. "It's just… I never really cared about being an ambassador and all that. Yeah, it was nice to see the cool stuff. But for me, I just wanted to have others to treat me with respect."
"Fury, respect can still be shown even if you show off a bit. It may be to an extent that you can boast about things before you look entitled, but you can have a little fun with your title while also having a respectable profile. Honestly, you boast more about your powers than you do your title and that's just wrong. As a matter of fact, being too humble can actually hurt your social standing." Cadence said, catching Fury by surprise.
"Wait really? I always heard about being too cocky or being too snooty being a problem, but too humble?" He asked, getting an affirming nod from not only Cadence, but her aunts as well.
"My niece has a point. You might seem proud of yourself. But deep down, I can see you feel insecure. You feel like you are not good enough. That you are simply some shifter with interesting powers. But you feel you could never truly be worthy of respect."
Fury looked down to the ground.
"But! That is false! You have wisdom that so many underestimate. You have passion that so many lack these days. You remind me of Twilight in a certain way. In that you are so determined to follow your moral code and honor, you are willing to fight for it even when lesser people would just give up. But not you. Not you. And I need you to understand that. That is why you deserve to be praised." Celestia said to him.
"My sister brings a valid point, but I also see a different angle. You seem to act so humble and reserved about your ambassador title and easily acquired wealth as if it were a curse, a thing you don't deserve. Tell me, do you act this way because of how easily you obtained it as opposed to others? Or is it because you refuse to allow yourself to enjoy it because you see your mystical destiny to be reward enough, subsequently rendering all other gifts in your life as poison to you and passing it off as you just getting lucky?" Luna asked him.
Fury sighed and pondered about these things. These two sisters had put into question things he just took for granted. But this was something rattling his mind for a while.
"I guess, Moonpie, you could say I never really thought of the ambassador side as being my specialty. I mean I knew some when I was a kid hearing dad talk to the council and let me tell you, they didn't casually make jokes or throw out slang for sure. I guess I always felt like I was never going to be the best at diplomacy. And I guess you could say that my destiny was a defining factor as well. I kind of like it, but I'm not really what a metaphorical and literal god probably should be for most."
"I'd have to say that I've been somewhat conditioned into not reveling in my riches. For one, I always thought it would just make me look entitled. You can thank Ms. Humble paws over there." Fury said, pointing out his mom.
"It kind of came to light after Blueblood tried to kill me. If he's that determined to give me the death roll just for acquiring some bits and a nice house, no use in enjoying it if it's over blood. Not only that, but I just… sort of kept myself from enjoying it personally because I'd already been given such a high spot in society as an All Powerful. I'd figured, I have enough already, why push it further and make myself look spoiled? And it didn't help that my villa was a diamond in a dirt patch compared to the rest of Ponyville. Uh, no offense Twi."
"None taken. I mean to be honest, before I lived in Ponyville, I lived in a big mansion too. Not to mention the tower that Celestia lent me as her student. So I can relate to not wanting to show off too much."
Fury smiled at the reassuring statement before continuing. "I guess when it comes down to it, I just didn't want to become another outcast. Being judged not for my failures, but the complete opposite. I thought if I even dared to stick my nose up a bit with my ambassadorship, loads of bits and my All Powerfulness to any extent… I figured you guys would just brush me off as some hot shot foreigner who makes it a point that he got a lucky break by making friends with royalty."
Cadence laughed. "Well I guess it worked. I could never see you as some snobby out of touch politician. I have to deal with so many of them, believe me. But you… you're a guy who would rather prank others or play games than try to show off your mansion or fancy food. I never saw you as some guy like that."
Then Cadence looked more serious. "But even so, you've more than proved to me that you're a great diplomat and you don't have to hide that, you have a skill and I think you deserve to give yourself credit. Because we know you're not just a normal boring politician. You're Night Fury, the most laid back straight forward guy I've ever met."
Everyone nodded along. All of the princesses and his parents.
Fury smiled at this. He was happy to have such non judgemental people around. He was always used to people criticizing him for a certain fault back in his village. He liked the praise so much that he began to glow softly and purr affectionately as he moved in to nuzzle Cadence without a word.
He finally did say something. "Thanks. I'm glad to have friends like you. You guys got me through when it was rough. Sometimes I feel like I have to prove myself but with you, I feel totally comfortable."
Everyone smiled at this. They were glad of their friend Fury.
Well except Luna, who was a little annoyed. "Ah nuzzle her. I'm sure she is better to caress than I am, Lightning Bug." She said pouting.
"Oh come on, going green eyed already, my sweet Moonpie?" Fury asked. "Nuzzling is a platonic thing felines both sapient and not always do. But you know what I would never do with her that I would do with you?"
Before Luna could answer. Fury quickly ran up and kissed her on the lips. She didn't expect it, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.
"Does that make it better, sweetie?" Fury asked.
Luna nodded. "Yes, my love, yes it does." Luna said with a smile. "But admit it. You knew that would make me jealous, didn't you?"
"Not at first," Then Fury gave a mischievous smirk. "But when I saw you get a little unamused, I figured I'd do it a little longer. But considering our kiss, I think it worked quite well."
"Oh Fury, you're the same sly trickster as you were as a kid." Obsidian said.
"Yep! And no amount of politeness classes from Miss Bookhorse will ever quench that."
Twilight rolled her eyes while smiling. "I can attest to that fact."
Everyone had a good laugh at that. It was truly a perfect time so far despite the hiccups. Even the scenery of a beautiful sunset fit the occasion.
"Well, I'd say this homecoming trip is concluded. You guys wanna get going?" Fury asked.
"Yep. I've done enough walking for today to be honest." Obsidian said.
"Agreed we all need our rest for today." Celestia said. "We've earned it."
But Twilight did not share that sentiment and wanted to keep exploring. "Aww, but I wanted to see some of the historical sites of this village. Like the old statues or fountains. And even ask about the customs of this place-"
"Wow, Twilight being the one who doesn't want to leave. No surprise there." Cadence chuckled, getting a blush from her sister-in-law. "But we'll do it later, you have to recover your strength before pressing on."
Twilight knew she was right and reluctantly nodded. "Fine, but I will write about this place later."
"Well, I guess that settles it. Mom, Dad, I already know what you're about to say. If you want to grab anything from here before we go, do it." Fury said.
"Oh good, there were a few things I wanted to recover before we left. Don't worry, sweetie, we'll be quick." Black Ice said.
Fury nodded. "Okay, just make sure you don't spend a whole week at the store."
The two parents just laughed and went on to do their thing. As they did, Fury said his goodbyes to the council and led his group out of the building. He left Jade and Amethyst out of the picture though, they would need some time before they got anything out of him that was remotely positive.
And so, the group finally caught the train out of the valley and took the trip home. As they rode along the rails, Fury stared back at his old home. Not with hatred or rage, but with a bit of hope in his eyes. He saw that some of the village managed to change after he left. And while some of it will be missed, he knew it was for the better for not just him but for the whole village.
Maybe the Emperor was right. Being an All Powerful is not just about having powerful abilities, but also an ability to bring others together.
And so he smiled and decided to take a rest for the next day.