Author's Note: Editted by Rampage.
[Shadow's P.O.V.]
"I think you're correct, Shadow," Master Art conceded standing a few feet away.
Bass's body twitched sporadically. I put a hoof on his forehead. "He feels hot."
I arose and walked to face Master Art. "Do you have any wet rags?"
"I don't think he'll need it," he answered, smirking.
"Why not?"
Instead of answering me he pointed back at Bass's direction. His eyes. They're open.
I hovered there quickly to attend to him. As I neared him he suddenly shot up from his bed.
Then he briefly grabbed his head and groaned. "You've been out for a while. And this has happened a few times. It may have damaged your head severely. Anyway you better lay down," I said as I lightly pushed him down.
"It isn't like I planned to hurt my head," Bass shot back harshly. "Thank you though."
"No problem. Helping is what friends do."
Bass's stomach rumbled furiously. "Hey Shadow would you happen to have any of that soup you made before?" Bass asked blushing.
"I do but it is back at Fluttershy's cottage," I explained sadly.
"Would you mind getting it and making me some?" he inquired hopefully.
"You really want that soup?"
He smiled. "Not if it is too much of a bother."
I shook my head. "I'll get it for you. It just will be a while."
"That is okay. It isn't like I'm going anywhere for a while," he joked chuckling.
"I'll be back," I said as I exited the dojo and quickly made my way to the cottage.
"Take your time!"
[Bass's P.O.V.]
"You have a great friend there," Master said as Shadow left.
"I know."
Martial Art neared my bed,"What is it you want to talk about?"
"What?"
"Your face gave you away. So what is it you want to ask me?" he explained smiling.
"I want to know about Rampage," I said blatantly.
Master rose a brow,"Don't you mean Rage?"
I shook my head. Master sighed at that.
"So you know his true name. What is it you want to know about him?" he said his voice gaining an edge.
I took a deep breath.He sounds mad. Probably I should just...no. I have to know why.
"Why did he fight me like he did?" I asked abruptly. "It looked like he wanted to cripple me."
"That is my fault. I told him about you. Although I don't know how he found out you were the one I was talking about," he admitted sighing.
I chuckled," I told him. I didn't think about it at the time. Still why did he want to hurt me so badly?"
"Because you're my new student and he was my old student. He is jealous." Master's eyes softened. "I never thought he would have ended up like this."
"Master how did you even meet him?" I inquired desperately.
"It was on a rainy day," he began.
[Years ago. Martial's P.O.V.]
I had arrived at the marketplace sooner than I expected. I need some new supplies.
Rain fell wildly. To my shock stands stood regardless of the rain and lack of customers.
I approached a familiar stand. It was colored purple and had a banner advertising its priced product.
I placed a few bits on the stand. "Five barrels of carrots please."
The earth mare running the stand gave a quick smile. "It is nice to see you come out. Too bad it had to be a day like today,"she sighed sadly. She proceeded to lift a few barrels.
"Thanks Miss Grove," I said smiling.
I quickly glanced around searching for another particular stand. "Grove would you happen to know where the Apple stand is?" I questioned curiously.
Grove frowned, "Yes. Apparently they wanted to look at a business opportunity. They left the kids and Granny Smith to watch over them. They've been gone a few weeks."
"You mean the parents?" I asked raising a brow.
Grove nodded. "They're the ones who typically run the stand."
"I suppose I will have to wait for the jam. Have a nice day Grove," I said as I placed two barrels on my back.
I began to walk away.
"Hey! You forgot your other barrels!" Grove yelled helpfully.
"Keep the change," I shouted back chuckling.
I headed back towards my home.
As I passed the marketplace I small two small colts run past me.
Shortly after I hear somepony yell,"After them! Thieves! Get them!"
I froze and a large stallion passed me by. He was enormous however it appeared to be more fat than muscle. He had a light purple coat and a dark red mane. His eyes burned with a fierce flame. He shot me an angry glare. Then he proceeded to chase after the young colts.
I sighed and placed my barrels down and chased after them.
The stallion grabbed the smaller of the colts and threw him against the side of a building.
The colt was a white coated unicorn with a blond mane. His green eyes were being drowned by the rain. Wait that isn't the rain. Those are tears.
"Get back here and your buddy doesn't get hurt," the stallion threatened lifting the tiny colt by his neck.
The larger colt sighed and approached the stallion. He revealed the stolen item.
The stallion took it back. As soon as he gave the stallion back what he took the colt went to help his companion.
The stallion bucked him. Smacking his body against the wall of the building.
"That outta teach ya to steal from me. Now it is your turn," he said threateningly as he walked towards the small colt.
The larger colt tried in vain to pick himself up and muttered,"No."
The small colt closed his eyes hoping that the pain would pass quickly. The stallion readied to buck him.
I blocked the colt from the buck.
"What?!" the stallion yelled, shocked at my presence.
"What do you think you are doing?" I demanded icily.
"I was punishing these thieves," he replied heatedly.
"Please they are just foals. Leave them alone," I pleaded sadly.
The stallion backed away from me. "I'm going to give you to the count of three," he warned annoyed.
"Let them go."
"One."
"They're just colts."
"Two."
"Please."
"Three!" he yelled bucking at them again.
"I'm sorry," I said as once again I intercepted his blow. Unlike last time though I hit his legs away from the kids.
"Why you!" he yelled throwing a punch my way.
I ducked his hit. I countered with one to his jaw.
He stumbled a few feet back.
I advanced and bucked his exposed stomach. He gasped desperately for air as he fell over.
I turned around to face the young colts. I offered a hoof to the older colt. He eyed me warily.
I smiled. "Come now. I won't bite."
He accepted my help. I then turned towards the smaller one. He had his eyes closed but he still wept.
"Hey," I said placing a hoof on his head,"No need for tears."
He opened his eyes and saw me. He picked himself up and quickly rubbed his eyes.
"Thank you sir," the older colt said sounding sad.
"Don't worry I didn't break any of his bones. He'll just be out a while," I assured them smiling. "So where are your parents?"
The smaller one hid behind the larger one. "We're orphans. I'm Clockwork by the way."
"Well Clockwork how about you two come with me?"
"What?" Clockwork asked stunned.
"I have plenty of room at my own home."
"You'd let us live with you? After what we did?" he asked skeptically.
"Of course. That way I can assure you repay your debt. Speaking of which," I said pointing at the attacker,"We'll need to get him to the hospital."
"I thought you said he'd be fine."
"That doesn't mean he won't catch a cold in this rain."
Clockwork nodded and assisted me in taking the stallion to outside of the hospital.
"You go in. I'll wait here," I said encouragingly.
"Probably you can take him in. He needs me," he said walking towards the small colt. I stopped him.
"What he needs now is to get home as soon as possible. So don't argue with me," I answered coldly. Clockwork nodded and dragged the stallion into the building.
The colt was sitting a few feet away from me on a fountain.
I neared a few feet. He retreated a few more. I tried to go near him again and again he moved away. "Why are you running from me?" I sighed tiredly.
That is when I noticed the colt was playing with his hooves. I saw him throw his hooves up and my eyes caught an interesting sight.
An emerald?! But how?! Could he be from those ponies? I simply stared at the colt amazed.
"Um...can you stop staring at me?" the colt asked sheepishly.
I shook my head. "How about I make you a deal?"
His ears twitched at the mention of that. "What kinda deal?" he inquired warily.
"If I stop at staring at you then you have to tell me your name," I elaborated smirking.
"Okay."
"Okay then," I said as I looked away,"what is your name?"
The colt didn't answer.
"I thought we had," I turned to face the colt again to see him desperately trying to run away,"a deal."
As fate would have it at that moment Clockwork emerged from the hospital. "Done."
He looked around and grew pale. "Where did he go?!"
"I asked him his name and he ran away," I explained calmly.
"Then we have to chase him, now."
I nodded and we ran after him.
Within two minutes we caught him. When we did Clockwork had some choice words for his friend.
"Where did you think you were going?!" he asked angrily.
The colt chose not to answer.
"Why would you do that?!"
The colt mumbled.
"What?!"
The colt again spoke under his breath.
"Huh?"
"I was afraid okay!" he yelled tears flooding his cheeks. Clockwork went silent as the colt ran up to cry on his legs. "After what happened to mom and dad! And the...the orphanage! I was afraid I'd have to leave again because of my name! They always asked me my name before they took me away! All of them!"
Clockwork gave me a pain filled look.
I neared the colt. I tapped his head again. He refused to leave the embrace of Clockwork.
"Look you don't have to give me your real name. I'll need something to call you by though," I explained soothingly.
"Wait. You'll really take us in?" he asked shocked. "For real?"
"Of course."
"Even after I tried to run away?"
"Yes. Now what should we call you?"
"Rage," he answered through his tears,"call me Rage."
"Fine. Rage it is then."
Rage turned toward me. "What should we call you?"
"You can call me Master Art."
Rage moved slowly from his friend to me. He embraced my neck.
"Wait Master? Master of what exactly?" Clockwork inquired curiously.
I grinned.
[Present Day. Bass's P.O.V.]
"When we arrived at the dojo they understood what I taught. I asked them if they wanted to know how to defend themselves. Clockwork was eager to begin. Rampage however wasn't. Still I trained him as well,"Master explained helpfully.
"With his power? How does he do that anyway?"
"It is in his blood," Master answered plainly.
"What?"
Before Master could explain there was a knock at the door. "Hey Bass it is me. I'm back from the cottage and I have the soup ready."
"We'll talk later," Master said sternly.
"Fine," I sighed. I smirked,"but I really want to know what happened to the two barrel of carrots."
Master's stomach roared and he chuckled. "I think I'll join you with the soup."
"Come on in Shadow. I'm decent I swear."
The door opened to reveal Shadow.
"What happened to you?" I spat out in shock.
Shadow had cuts and bruises all over his body. He also was soaked, "Long story."
I shrugged,"I got time."
[Rampage's P.O.V.]
I stood on a bench as the weather commenced. I felt something drop on my face.
It is raining. Like that day.
I felt my body grow cold. I closed my eyes.
Clockwork. I miss you brother.
"Are you okay?" I heard a young filly ask. I opened my eyes to reveal a white unicorn filly.
I nodded but she looked unconvinced.
"What are you doing in the rain? Don't you have somewhere to stay?" she asked concerned.
"I don't need any place," I snapped harshly.
She cringed and backed up slowly.
"Sorry."
She smiled and moved forward a bit."You're that diamond pony from the tournament right? The one who beat Dylan?"
"Yeah that is me," I confirmed warily.
"Then I think she won't mind if you stay a few nights," she said grabbing my hoof and dragging
me in an unknown direction.
"Who?" I asked not struggling. Might as well be well rested when I finish him.
"My sister Rarity of course," she answered grinning.
I think I might regret this.