//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: New World, Old Fight // by SGTBRONY //------------------------------// Chapter 6 A day to remember… I awoke at 0900 sharp, my mind going too fast to allow for sleep, it was my day off and I had a young lady er mare, (Semantics) to sweep off her hooves. I dressed quickly and made my way downstairs, Spike was already making breakfast, Twilight was nowhere to be seen. “What’s up little man?” The tiny dragon jumped about a foot in the air, “Jeez Mike! Give a guy some warning next time!” “Heh, sorry dude, oh I meant to ask. How’d hanging out at Rarity’s go?, you drop the bomb yet?” “Not yet, I’ve been trying to talk Twilight into bringing back the moustache. Mares love a guy with rugged good looks.” he said waving around the spatula for emphasis. I chuckled, ”I hear ya man, I’ll talk to her. We’ll have you walking on the wild side in no time. Speaking of Twi, have you seen her anywhere?” “I did earlier, she ate and ran. Said something about important errands” “Ah gotcha, any idea when she’ll be back? I need to talk to her about something” “Sometime around 3 or 4 if I remember right, are you hungry? ” “No thanks, I’ve got some supplies to pick up and I want to get an early start. Spike can I ask you something?” “Shoot” I cleared my throat, this was going to be more difficult than I’d thought. “How would you feel if there was something romantic going on between Twilight and me?” “Well sure I- WHOA! WHAT?!” “Calm down little guy, some things have come to light lately about how Twi and I feel about each other, you‘re her family and she means a lot to you, honestly man? I‘d like your blessing” Spike looked deep in thought for a moment before responding, “If it’s what makes Twilight and you happy, I’d have no right to judge. Heck I won’t lie and say it doesn’t make me happy in a way” “Really? how’s that?” “Put it this way, I’ve watched Twilight go from a literal shut in, to having lifelong friends, and that’s an amazing transition. But something is still missing, I honestly think it’s you Mike, somepony to love and take care of her in a way none of her friends or I can. And if that‘s you, and you make her happy then I‘m happy” “Wow, and he comes out of the corner swinging, that was incredibly insightful Spike.” “Sometimes it just hits me.” he said with a laugh “But I’ll warn you, hurt her and things WILL get ugly around here” I smiled “Fair enough, hey! If things get real serious I’m gonna be your new dad-” WAP! “OW!, WHAT IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE AND FUCKING OVEN MITTS!?” Black eye aside, I was humming all the way to the market, I wanted to cook Twilight something nice for dinner before I blew the lid off the whole thing. I settled on a nice array of veggies, I figured salad for the main course, as no man no matter how inept he may be can fuck up naturally occurring greens and I was no chef, not by a damn sight. I also grabbed Twi a bouquet of lilies, Spike had told me, over the course of 15 minutes of emergency eye maintenance, that Twilight loved lilies. Her mother used to grow them as a snack for Twi whenever she came home from the Academy. I wondered how she would react when she found out her feelings were shared and returned, I wondered- “HELP! SOMEPONY HELP!!” My head snapped around searching the square for the source of the terrified cry, I spotted a small unicorn mare backed into a corner by a hulking creature, a creature gripping a wicked-looking blade. Time slowed as I dumped the groceries and busted a full sprint towards the two, checking the alleyway behind them for this asshole’s backup. “Nobody huh?, bad move” I shoulder checked the animal away from the screaming mare and straight into the wall, I barely had time to spring back as his blade closed the gap between us, whistling as it did. I grabbed the creature's wrist as it shot past, going for control of the weapon, my right hand came up palm open and collided with his elbow, producing a wet snap and a decidedly canine howl of pain from my opponent. Now in control I kicked out his left leg and got my arm around his neck, locking out my muscles and pulling him off balance, he struggled against me but I had enough experience to know it was over before it started. I could smell him now, like a mixture of blood, dirt, and feral rage, I pulled a bit tighter and whispered in his ear. “Adios motherfucker” I twisted violently and was rewarded with a sharp crack and a low whine, I dropped him into the dirt where he twitched violently before falling still. I turned my attention to the mare, her face obscured by the shadows, but I could hear her sobbing. “Miss are you alright?”...“Miss?" She moved into the light and my blood froze in my veins. “Oh, Twilight... Jesus”