//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A Hasty Defense // Story: Dead on Your Hooves // by AppleBucker22 //------------------------------// Knight watched the two embrace for a moment and walked away quietly, back towards the rest of the group, who had caught up during the conversation but had remained silent. “U-um... Knight? W-why are they hugging?” Fluttershy asked meekly. “Chris is AJ’s father...” he replied. The group gasped. Unable to comprehend the situation, they ran over to her friend to give her ‘the third degree’. “Knight says that he’s your father? Is that true?” Twilight asked, pointing at Chris. “Eeeyup!” Big Mac responded, instead of his sister. “B-but I thought you father was.....dead?” Fluttershy said very quietly. “Ah guess he must’ve survived the war....” Applejack said. “He did more than that.” Knight replied. “He saved my flank. And no, I won’t tell the story. That’s between me, him, and Hollow, and we’d rather keep it to ourselves.” Chris had been looking at Applejack, non-stop. After some time, he finally got the nerve to ask her the question. “Can I see her?” Chris asked. Applejack just quietly nodded and went inside the barn, to get her little sister. “But sis, you said to stay inside no matter what!” “Ah know Applebloom, but it’s safe now, so why dontcha come out?” Applejack had to drag the little filly by her tail. “But ah saw what they did! They tried tah eat other ponies! Yer sayin’ they’re gone?” “Yes, they’re gone.” Chris said, while looking down at Applebloom. For a while, they just looked at each other. Applebloom puzzled, unaware that this was her father. It took some time for her to notice, his green eyes and his cutie mark. “Mister, who are you?” “I can’t believe you wouldn’t recognize your own father!” Chris gave her a little smile. “....what? Yer mah...father?” Applebloom said, looking from him to her siblings, who both nodded in unison, and back to him. “Eeeeyup!” Chris said, almost exactly like Big Mac. “Hey, ain’t that mah line?” Big Mac told Chris. “I’m the one who invented it!” Chris told Mac, “Anyways, Applebloom. Have this... It’s a locket, of your sister and your brother... It’s been all over Equestria, lost and found again. Keep it safe, yeah?” Applebloom looked at the locket and lowered her head as Chris placed the locket around her neck, before jumping up and wrapping her forelegs around his neck tightly and crying into his shoulder. “Oh, there, there... You’re gonna break daddy’s neck....” Applebloom wouldn’t let go, “Okay, seriously now kiddo.... Errr, Mac? Assistance?” “Eeenope.” Big Mac said with a chuckle as he and Applejack watched Chris struggle to pry Applebloom of his neck with barely concealed laughter. “Ok, time to go.” Knight almost shouted, grabbing everypony’s attention. “We’re heading for Canterlot, though with the way things are going, trains are out of the question, so we’re hoofing it.” Chris pulled Knight aside, “Sidebar, Knight?” “Listen, I think we should stay here for a day or two. Before you say anything, I know we gotta get to Canterlot n’ all, but our food supplies are scarce and applebucking season is here, and Zecora needs time to work on her cure. This place is also fairly defendable...” Chris looked at Knight with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “I...Alright. We’ll stay.” Knight replied. “Really I expected more--” Chris was cut off by loud growls from outside the farm. “Talk later, survive now.” Knight said, walking towards the barn, and tripping over a loose piece of debris. “Dammit. Damn ribs!” “Applebloom, go inside, Applejack, take care of her!” Chris yelled. “But, Ah wanna---!” Applejack complained. “No ‘buts’, I’m not intending to lose you!” Chris yelled, “Knight, Horny Ones, on our six!” “Great.” Knight muttered sarcastically, forcing himself up and gasping in pain. “Shit, can’t even concentrate enough to use magic.” “Ah crap.... Twilight, could you help him out?” Chris asked. “Y-yes, I think so.” Twilight replied, running over to Knight and pointing her horn towards him. “Knight, this will hurt. A lot. But it should fix your ribs and whatever other injuries you have.” she explained. “Fine...Do it.” He said, closing his eyes and relaxing his body as best he could as Twilight cast the spell. The second it hit him however, his eyes shot open and he fell to the ground, writhing in agony as his ribs were forcibly put back together and his cuts were knitted back together. It only lasted a few seconds, but to Knight it felt like hours. “Dammit...that was...almost as bad...as the experiments...” He wheezed, getting up and testing to make sure he was really healed. “Mac, can you take Spike and the Cakes over to the barn? Just make sure not to get bitten..” Chris told Mac, “Oh and Pinkie... Guess what time it is?” “Hmm, I don’t know? Four Thirty?” Pinkie answered. “Nope! It’s killin’ time!” Pinkie took out her Party katana, and went out to the front lines. Everypony was amazed as she just cut down wave after wave. In the air, you could hear flying sounds, and faint eagle noises. “Twi... Think you could whip up a barrier..? Fast?!” Chris asked. “Yes.....why?” She asked. “One word...FEATHERBRAINS!” Twilight’s horn quickly became enveloped in magic, and a light barrier was formed around Sweet Apple Acres. The Featherbrains were quickly chipping away at the barrier, causing a few to get inside. “Oh damn! Rainbow Dash! You and me will take care of those! Just ram ‘em as hard as ya can!” Chris said. “Got it!” Rainbow confirmed. At the main gate of the Acres, a small horde of the undead came shuffling towards the group. “Oh, whatever shall we do?! Out of all the possible things that could HAPPEN! THIS! IS! THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!” Rarity levitated a sofa near herself and began crying on it. “Dammit. Everypony else, into the barn! NOW!” Knight yelled, stepping to the front of the group. “Chris, that includes you. What I’m about to do, is something I’d prefer to keep a secret.” “You and your Celestia-danged secrets! Fine, Rainbow, let’s go to the barn!” You could only feel a slight ‘aww’ coming from Rainbow, as she was looking forward to ram a Featherbrain. Once everypony got into the barn, Knight went outside. “Ok.....Shadow, you’re up.” Knight took a deep breath as his body started to change. His coat became pitch-black, and his mane and tail became white as snow. His eyes turned to slits like a dragon’s. He cracked his neck a few times and spoke in a much deeper, more menacing voice. “Ok you undead bastards..I hope you made your peace with God...CAUSE YOU’RE ABOUT TO MEET YOUR MAKER!” he yelled as he charged them, his horn glowing with a pure-white aura surrounding it. Several hoofers simply turned to ash, while any featherbrains that got close found themselves slammed into the ground so fast they were smashed apart on impact. The horny ones were simply encased in small barriers that contained the explosion caused by their magical build-up and absorbed the energy created into ‘Knight’. “Huh...expected more. Guess they don’t make ‘em like they used to.” He chuckled as he surveyed the carnage he had wrought. “Alright Knight, I’m done. Time to take the wheel again.” “Knight? Who the hell you talkin’ to?” The group started to go near Knight, who appeared to have different fur and mane. “Uh....crap, you weren’t supposed to see this.” ‘Knight’ replied in his still deep voice. “You.... You’re not Knight?” Chris immediatley pulled his knife out, in his battle stance, “If you’re not Knight... Who are you? “That’s none of your business. Who I am is between me and Knight. Nopony else.” He replied. “...Shadow?” a voice near the back called. Everypony turned to see Hollow, who had seemingly overcome her obsession with the Soul Gem, and had placed it within a small pack. “Shadow, what are you doing?” “Hollow, it’s nothing. Knight needed some extra help, that’s all. Just like you need to stop staring at that Soul Gem all the time.” The pony called Shadow replied. “You know something about that gem?” Chris asked, pulling away his knife. “Yes...giving it to Hollow was a bad idea. There’s a reason it’s taboo for a changeling to use one.” Shadow said angrily. “Clarify...” Chris said angrily. “They become obsessed with it to the point that they either die due to lack of nourishment, or their own soul figuratively gets sucked into it.” He stated. “Hollow, give me the gem.” “NO!” She yelled, ripping it out of the bag, jumping back and taking off. “Ah for Celestia’s sake, I’m going after her...” Chris stated, “Wake up Knight, we need his sorry flank in the air as well.” Chris flew up, giving chase to Hollow. She was really fast, gripping onto the gem as if she was gripping for her dear life. She flew high, then she flew low. As Applejack was coming out of the house she noticed Hollow flying low, right next to her. She grabbed a shovel, and quickly bashed her on the face with it, causing her to crash. “I should’ve never given you this...” Chris said gripping the gem, “I’ll end, what I started...” Chris took the gem, and smashed it on the ground. Millions of souls, flying out of it, all being absorbed into him. Tattoos formed on his hoof, they were blue and black, spreading over his right hoof. “That’s new...haven’t seen that happen to a non-changeling since I last fought Celestia and Luna...uhhhhh...” Shadow trailed off at the glares being shot at him. “You fought the princesses?” Twilight asked. “Yeah...that was a really long time ago...” Twilight simply nodded, and looked upon Shadow with a look that spells: ‘Sweet Celestia, you’re awesome!’. “Uhhhhh....why are you looking at me like that?” Shadow asked, taking a precautionary step backwards. “Umm guys?” Chris said, “These tattoos are spreading.....” “Oh, don’t worry about those...they’re just a side-effect of the gem giving you the knowledge that all the changeling souls inside it had. In other words...you’re about to get a whole lot smarter, and a whole lot wiser.” Shadow explained. “Well, I think it’d be wise for all of us to hit the hay.. I’m plum tuckered.” Chris said. “Same...I’m gonna rest...And none of you are to bother Knight about what happened. Am I clear. That goes double for you Ms. Sparkle. I can see the curiosity in your eyes. The kind a scientist would get when exploring a new field. Let it go.” Shadow warned, ignoring Twilight’s ears drooping and her head lowering in sadness as he started to change back. “Dad, come over here!” Applebloom shouted. Chris came over only to see an elderly pony with a pie as her cutie mark, “Dad, dad, this is your....!” “Mom....” Chris whispered. “Don’t you mom me, sonny...” Granny Smith retorted, staring at Chris with anger. “You got a lot of nerve showin’ up after leavin’ like that.” “I’m... I was..... I had to....” Chris muttered, unsure what to say. “Enough!” Knight stated. “Granny Smith, that’s enough. Your son did what he had to do to protect his family. If it wasn’t for what happened to me, he would’ve been home a lot sooner. Cut him some slack.” “Momma, I’m awfully sorry I never came back. But I’m here now, and you guys need me.” Chris said, “Now how’s about we all retire to bed? Get workin’ on a fence for tommorow. We’re gonna need this place to hold.” “I’ll take care of that. I don’t sleep after all.” Knight offered. “All I need is as much spare materials as you have.” The ponies retired to sleep. The apple family stayed in their usual house. Pinkie Pie was in charge of looking after the Cakes and Spike. The rest shacked in a barn, usually intended for storing hay and other necessities. Zecora was working the whole night. Morning had dawned, and Chris had went outside to see Knight’s progress. As Chris slowly stretched out his neck and wings, he could feel a familiar cracking sound that always happens when he does that. The tattoos on his leg didn’t stop growing, they were up to half of his hoof now. “Knight, mornin’! How’s the fence?” Chris asked. “See for yourself.” Knight replied, stepping back to admire his handiwork. “Impressive. What kinds of zomponies does it hold off?” Chris asked. “Well, it’ll definitely hold off Hoofers, and Shadow reinforced it magically so it’ll hold against Horny Ones. All we need is somepony to take down Featherbrains, and we’re set.” “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll also post Rainbow as the lookout. Let’s get to the house, Granny’s makin’ breakfast.” Chris said, pointing to the house. “Thanks...” Knight smiled, following Chris. When they arrived at the house, everypony was already there, sitting at a big dinner table. Granny Smith rolled out the red carpet, and presented her famous: Zap Apple Jam! Everypony grabbed a piece of bread and started scarfin’ it down. Except Rarity, who was eating like a lady! “We should grabs some weapons from Fluttershy’s” Chris said, “What do you think Knight?” “Hmmm...I think you’re right...and I think you’re all safer here than anywhere else, which is why when I leave for Canterlot, I won’t be asking any of you to follow me.” “What do you mean, ‘I’ leave? There’s no way I’m abandoning you man. We’re in this to the end, like it or not!” Chris said. “No. there’s even more out there than there are in Ponyville. I won’t be putting you or anypony else at risk by having you follow me on a journey that would probably be suicide for the rest of you!” Knight retorted. “Cool off, I’d like to know who’s behind this as much as you do. And.... I’m not gonna let a friend go into the fray alone... Not without some help, at least!” Chris responded. “Chris, you’ve got your family here. You promised me you’d look after them, remember.” “.....I know.... But... Give it some thought... Okay?...” Chris asked. Knight didn’t answer, simply excusing himself from the table and walking out of the house. Before Knight could exit the house, Zecora ran in with a few tubes of juice in her hooves. “I did it, I did it!” Zecora shouted. “Did what Zecora?” Chris asked. “If a cure is what you seek, do not be so meek, as the cure is finished, ready to drink, so let’s head over, you big ball of pink!” Pinkie Pie immediately stood up and galloped toward the barn in which Spike and the Cakes were held. “Come on, let’s go! Knight.... You coming?” Chris asked. “Sure...why not?” Knight replied. As everypony moved to the barn, you could see baby spike wiggling around in his magic chains, trying to break free, and Mr and Ms. Cake, standing idly as they always did. “Which one do I cure first?” Zecora asked. “Cure Spike, please...” Twilight looked upon Spike who, the day before tried to chew her face off. As the yellow brew slowly rolled down the baby dragon’s throat, he slowly came to. His eyes no longer white, regaining their colour. His fangs were retracted, and thank Celestia, he wasn’t trying to eat anypony. “Wahh.... What’s going on....? Twilight....?” Spike said confusingly, before being swept up in a tearful embrace by the purple unicorn. “Oh Spike...You’re back...” She cried as she tightened her grip on the little dragon. “Wow...nice work Zecora...” Knight said, staring intently at Spike just in case something had gone wrong. “Now how about the Cakes?” Chris asked. Pinkie Pie took Zecora’s cure, and slowly poured it down the Cakes’ throat. “Ohhh maaaan... My head.... “ Mr. Cake groaned. “Not so loud sweetie, you’re making my head ring....” Ms. Cake said. “Impressive Zecora, you’ve outdone yourself” Chris said. “Well, looks like we have a chance, huh?” Knight said with a smile, before turning towards the barn. “If you need me, I’ll be preparing my gear.” Chris let out a loud sigh. Applejack came to talk to him: “What’s the matter dad?” She asked. “I don’t know sweetie... I just.... These tattoos... They’re giving me some kind of visions... Things are not looking up for that pony... I’ve gotta help him out...” Chris said. “He doesn’t want you to come with him. Thinks you’ll abandon us again.” Applejack said with a little frown. “Well... Perhaps you don’t need to leave them!” Twilight said. “What?” Chris asked. “We could come with you! That way, you won’t leave Applejack, and you can still take care of Knight!” Twilight said with a gleeful smile. “I dunno... I’m gonna ask him..” Chris said. “Oh and dad?” Applejack said, “Lose the Fillydelphia accent... Go back to your old accent!” Chris simply gave a chuckle and proceeded on to Knight. “Hey Knight...” Chris said with a little smile, offering a helping hoof to Knight. “Hey...” Knight replied, ignoring his hoof as he went through his saddlebags. “I know what you’re gonna ask. I’m going alone. I’m not gonna put anypony else at risk.” “Like hell you will. There’s a solution that will benefit us both!” Chris said with a sheepish smile. “Is that right?” Knight muttered as he closed the bags again and placed them on his sides, securing the straps with magic and adjusting them so that his swords didn’t poke them when he placed them in their sheaths. “Eeeyup.. Girls offered to come along, if you’d have them. Me included. Look, I know you don’t need help, but if something happened to you, and something will, I couldn’t stand to watch it.” Chris said. “If, something were to happen, Shadow would be able to take care of things. After all, he did fight the princesses during Discord’s first reign.” Knight replied. “I’ll fight you for it.” Chris bluntly said. “Oh really...” Knight said with a chuckle. “You’re willing to get the living crap beaten out of you, just so that I’ll agree to let you and your family risk their lives on a journey I’m taking solely to find out about my birth family, something which doesn’t concern any of you?” “Yes... Because, as much as you wanna find out who the heck you are, I wanna find out who did this and maybe cut him up into tiny little pieces for ruining lives of thousands of ponies out there!” Chris yelled at Knight. “I already know who was responsible. And trust me, neither you, nor anypony other than the princesses could ever stand a chance against him, or his lackey.” Knight retorted. When Knight was turned around, putting supplies into his saddlebag, Chris came up behind him, turned him around and planted a hoof in his face, sending him to the ground, “If I can take you, I can certainly take that bastard who did this!” “No...you can’t...” Knight replied sadly, spitting blood from his mouth. “I couldn’t beat him, my parents couldn’t beat him. Hell, I have doubts as to whether Discord himself could beat him. And if they couldn’t, what makes you think you could.” “Because, I got the only weapon that can defeat him!” Chris yelled at Knight. “You mean that knife of yours?” Knight spat. “Let me tell you something. That knife, it’s nothing, compared to the horrors he’s created in the facility.” “It’s not the knife....” Chris said with a sad expression, “It’s me... I’m the weapon...” “A weapon is a tool to be used until it is no longer necessary or sufficient, upon which time it is simply thrown away by those who use it. If you’re a weapon, then who threw you away?” “Time...” Chris said, slightly whimpering, “The changelings... They came into my dreams last night... Said they control me... Said that, I’m a walking time bomb... See, once these tattoos reach the end of my body, I’ll become a weapon of mass murder. Neither friend, nor foe... I’ll just kill everything in my sight... Before all that happens.. I’d like to visit the bastard who created this... And give him a piece of my mind... Before you have to put me down.... Else, I’ll kill everyone...Cursed Soul Gem...” Chris said looking at his tattoos, “Is that good enough of a reason to come along?” “You know what Shadow said...all those tattoos mean is that their knowledge is becoming yours. Their souls have passed on. There’s no way in tartarus that you’re gonna become a monster of any kind...” Knight replied. Suddenly Chris collapsed. He was lying on the ground for a few seconds, when an unknown voice came from him. “Perhaps you would like a little demonstration of our vengeful power, Rising Knight?” The pony began laughing manically, “And the whole world shall beckon... Ahahahaha!” Suddenly Chris’ tattoos spread all over his body, and he began to twitch like crazy. “K-Knight.... Help....” Chris yelled out before he was turned into an abomination. His whole body turned blue and black, his mane turned fully black and his eyes were as dark as the lowest pits of tartarus. His tattoos were glowing non-stop. “Foolish half-bred unicorn!” Rising Knight was knocked down with a powerful force of magic, and went flying through the wall of the barn. “We know more than you think!” He was then lifted upwards to the skies, only to be dropped down. “And what are these precious swords of yours eh? Oh, they seem to be gifts from your PARENTS. How a lab rat like yourself could have parents is beyond US!” The pony mocked. “My parents? What do you mean these blades were gifts from my parents?” Knight asked in confusion as he tried several times to get up, but fell flat on his face with each attempt. “Oh you mean they didn’t tell you? Oh you poor boy, we almost feel sorry for you! Seems like being a lab rat for a bunch of worthless alicorns isn’t paying out at all, isn’t that right.... Shadow Knight...?” The pony smiled manically. “Damn...Shadow...Limit Removal...” Knight muttered, passing out as Shadow took over again. However, his changes were hidden by a massive flash, temporarily blinding the pony. “Welcome back Rising Shadow.... Son!” “I’m nobody’s son.” Shadow yelled as the light faded, revealing a tall bipedal creature wearing a black shirt, black pants, black shoes, and a white t-shirt. “I am a Dark Guardian...and you...are GOING DOWN!” “You’re welcome to try... You take down one of us, another one fills the place!” The pony said, “I can’t imagine how a simple little lab rat, weak and pathetic, could take US down.” “You already know how...So, may I ask why you call me son when I’m not even of this universe?” Shadow asked curiously. “Oh, before the soul gem wound up in that whelp’s hands, it was, as you know, Discord’s. Discord had seen everything, and all dimensions. Once in a century, he’d go on and wreak havoc in the universe he arrived in to. Your father, was one of the victims. See, in these million souls that are in here, you father is one of them. Just another one of the slaves, that form the great pyramid.” The pony said. “...I see.” Shadow said calmly. “So, it was Discord..he’s the reason? My friend was telling the truth about being controlled that day? And one thing,” Shadow drew the two blades strapped to his back and took a kendo stance. “You may know who Knight’s parents are, but he has to hear it from them himself. DON’T YOU DARE TRY TO TEMPT FATE!” “Oh, we’re not tempting fate... We’re weaving it!” The pony’s horn suddenly glowed and that sudden burst of magic went straight into Rising Shadow, smashing him into the barn wall. “Nice hit...but you’ll have to do a lot better than that!” Shadow yelled. “TWO HEAVENS TORNADO!” he cried, jumping to the top of the barn and leaping towards the pony, blades facing outwards and spinning so fast he created a miniature tornado. The pony still left standing, unscratched, spoke up to Rising Shadow. “You want us to do better? Deal...” The pony suddenly was enveloped in Dark Magic, swirling all around him. “You think you’ll remember your old friend, The Horseman!" The pony came back, a dark figure, like a Centaur. In his hands he held a dark long Scythe while his hooves released death wherever they stepped. Beside him were a couple of Hoofers and Horny Ones, all ready to attack on their master’s command. “Seriously, that’s it? Fine then...No more holding back.” Shadow muttered, before being covered in a glittering black aura. It kept shifting in shape and as he started to walk towards the group, he burned his footprints into the ground. The Horseman quickly pulled out his hand, and grabbed Rising Shadow with some unknown force. Rising Shadow looked into his eyes, which were black as the deepest levels or Tartarus. “I am Death. The last thing you will see. Although. You may be too important to kill. You still have a destiny.” The horseman let go, put his scythe back on his back and released the Zomponies on Rising Shadow. “Typical. Never like to get your hands dirty, huh Death.” Shadow said, sheathing his blades and slamming his fist into the ground. At first, nothing happened, and the undead continued to advance on him until two massive shapes burst upwards and devoured several of the creatures. “Chaos art. Twin dragons of shadow. Have I got your attention yet?” The Horseman got quickly annoyed. He pulled out his Scythe, slammed it into Rising Shadow’s chest. “Never call me, unless you have a death wish MORTAL.” “Heh, just what I was hoping for Death. Your final mistake.” Shadow grinned. “Chaos art, position substitution.” Death’s eyes widened in surprise as the two switched places. Shadow now stood where Death once did, while Death himself was now impaled by his own scythe. The Horseman growled: “Listen Mortal, your time is short. You’re to get rid of this plague. But be warned. The horsemen are on their way, and unless you want your friends to suffer, you’d oughta get moving. I sense a foreign presence inside you...” The Horseman quickly turned around. Dark magic enveloped him again, as he turned back to the original pony we all know and love, Chris! “Wha.... What’s going on....? Knight...?” Chris muttered. “Not exactly...” Shadow said in a slightly amused tone. “Welcome back, Chris.” “Whaaaaa-?” Chris had passed out. SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER Chris had woken up after he passed out. He was surrounded by his family, and his friends, including Knight. “Knight... What’s going on...?” Chris asked. “Well...long story short...All the souls from the gem came back from wherever they went, took over your body, and tried to kill me, or rather, they tried to kill Shadow. Then they summoned Death and he fought Shadow. And then Death said something, and now you’re back to normal.” “What drugs have you been taking man?” Chris asked with a huge grin on his face. “None. You’re just an idiot.” Knight retorted. “Seriously, you may be doomed...” “Well...... Anypony got any apples?” Chris asked jokingly. “THIS ISN’T A TIME FOR GAMES, CHRISTOPHER!” A voice boomed from everywhere at once. “Alright! Jeez! What’s the plan?” Chris asked. “Same as before. We get to Canterlot. Simple as that.” Knight said with a shrug. “And Shadow, seriously, the mega voice?” Chris had nothing but say, so he simply smiled at Knight, and everyone near him. Tomorrow, they would have left for Canterlot.