//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Power of Emotions // by awdawfddsgse //------------------------------// You awoke to the sweet scent of some kind of flower. You looked down and found the purple mare balled up in your arms once again. The smell made you think about yourself. It had been three days since you had last showered, and the smell was starting to get noticeable. You gently let go of Twilight and got up, being careful not to awaken her. You grabbed your backpack that you had filled with clothes last night, along with your shoes, and went to the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom, closing the door behind you. You hadn't worn your shoes home since your feet were very dirty and you wanted to clean them first. You took off your shirt and boxers, and got in the shower. Most showers on earth only had the options of third degree burns, or skinny dipping in Antarctica, but with this shower, it was easy to get the temperature just right. You finished your shower, changed into a new pair of clothes from your backpack, and put your shoes on. Your neck ached a bit from having to bend down to get under the water faucet. You walked out of the bathroom to find Twilight still asleep, in bed. You put your backpack next to her bed along with your guitar, still in its case, and were about to tiptoe out of the room, it was then you noticed your dirty jeans on the floor. You took the phone and butterfly knife from its pockets, and put them in the pockets of the shorts you were currently wearing. Then you quietly went downstairs, and saw Spike sitting on the couch reading a book. "Dude, Spike where the hell have you been? Don't you live here?" You asked. "Yeah, I've been helping Zecora find potion ingredients lately to get some extra bits. I do plan on moving out eventually." "Who's Zecora, and what are bits?" "Zecora is a zebra that lives in the Everfree Forest who makes potions, and magic remedies. And bits are the currency here in Equestria. Now if your hungry I made eggs, they're on the stove." "Alright, thanks." You replied Yes, eggs! Some actual protein. You walked into the kitchen and saw a skillet full of scrambled eggs on the stove, with two plates on the counter next to it. You helped yourself to a full plate. As you sat down, Twilight appeared in the doorway, and started levitating eggs onto the other plate. "Morning Twilight. How'd you sleep?" "Fine, but i couldn't get the songs you played at the party out of my head. They were really good." "Thanks, I don't often get the chance to play in front of an audience. Especially not ones that big." "Um...do you think, you could maybe...play another song after breakfast." "Maybe later. I really feel the need to go for a walk right now, not sure why." "Oh, okay, just don't get lost." You quickly finished your breakfast, and took off down a random path. You weren't sure why exactly you felt you needed to do this. You had been walking for about five minutes. A majority of the ponies that walked past you would say things like "nice music last night." or "i never knew humans were so good at playing music." The only ponies who didn't say things like this, are ones you didn't recognize, and most likely weren't at the party last night. You saw an alley that you felt the need to look into. As you started walking toward it, for a tiny fraction of a second you heard a high pitched scream. None of the ponies around you seemed to be phased by it. You increased your pace toward the alley, feeling something was wrong. You peeked your head around a building and looked into the alley. Nothing was there, the alley was about ten feet wide and maybe forty yards long. But it was one of those allies that had a turn turned and most likely ended in a dead end. You walked down the alley and started to hear voices. You peeked around the corner to reveal a light gray earth pony with a black mane laying on her back about another forty yards away. Her legs and mouth were covered in what looked like the Equestria equivalent of duct tape, and she had a treble clef for a cutie mark. Surrounding her were two earth stallions, one light brown with a darker brown mane, and the other black with a white mane, a navy blue unicorn stallion with a brown mane levitating a knife, and a Pegasus stallion with a green body, and a very short Light green mane. You could slightly hear one of them. "Your not leaving here until every single one of us get what we want." Said the light brown earth stallion, in a devilish voice. It was fairly obvious what they were about to do to the poor mare lying on her back being held down against her will. You had to think quickly, if you left to get help, chances are you wouldn't make it back in time before at least one of them had commuted their crime. So you had to fight them. Chances are the unicorn would be the most dangerous, you would have to take him out first. You still had your knife, but if you went in to stab him, he would most likely hear your footsteps before you got close enough. Okay you were going to have to throw it, but you were too far from here. You would have to sneak up close enough to throw it, but far enough so they wouldn't hear you. You pulled the knife out of your pocket and flipped it open as you tiptoed toward the unicorn. You were about twenty five feet away, it was close enough, it had to be. You grip the blade of the knife between your index finger and your thumb, in your right hand. You had remembered watching a TV show about guns, where in one episode the contestants had to use throwing knives. You remember the instructor teaching them that it doesn't matter how hard you throw the knife, if you tried to put too much strength into it, you would surely miss. You brought the knife up to your eye level and aimed at your victims back. You didn't wanna flat out chuck a knife in his head and kill him. You hoped that he would just be injured, and teleport to the hospital to let you deal with the other three. You moved your arm back and forth, taking aim. You quickly swung your arm forward, and released the knife. "AAAAHHHHHH" The unicorn howled in pain as the knife sank into his back on the right side, and he fell to the ground. The brown earth stallion noticed you and yelled orders. "Hey! Get him!" The brown stallion that was likely their leader, grabbed the knife that you had throw in his mouth. He pulled at it, and with another cry of pain from the unicorn, the knife released its grasp. dumb ass. The unicorn simply said one word. "Hospital!" With a bright flash he disappeared, leaving nothing but a puddle of blood behind. Your plan had gone perfectly. But now you had a Pegasus and an earth pony charging at you. The earth pony was slightly quicker than his buddy, with one quick fluent motion, he spun around 180 degrees and tried to buck you with both legs. You made a quick hop back and grabbed onto his legs. With adrenaline and rage fueling your muscles, you spun around carrying his legs with you, and released after your 180 degree spin. He went flying at least ten yards, and landed on his head. two down. You quickly spun back around and landed a punch to where you estimated the Pegasuses head was. You had estimated perfectly, and had delivered a punch straight to his forehead. His inanimate body fell to the ground. One left. You eyed the leader of the group. He was holding your knife in his mouth, glaring at you from about ten feet away. You needed something to distract him. You looked at the mare behind him who was still on her back, and opened your eyes and mouth wide, like something had surprised you. He followed your gaze and turned around. Perfect. You lunged at him, wrapping an arm around his neck, getting him in a perfect choke hold. He immediately began flailing his legs around, trying to get you off of him, but your grip was to strong. He slowly but surely stopped moving. You dropped him, picked up your knife, and looked at your work. A puddle of blood and three unconscious stallions. You turned around, pocketed your knife, and started walking toward the light gray mare. "Hey what did you do!? Come on Shadow, lets get him!" You turned around and saw two Pegasus flying toward you. You quickly picked up the mare and flew into the sky. "Don't worry I wont let them get you!" You shouted as you flew She was trying to talk through the tape, not being very successful. You started flying in a random direction and tried to think of a plan. I cant retreat to twilight's house, that would put her in danger. I most likely wont be able to outrun these two. You looked around for something to help you. You spotted a forest not too far away. Maybe you could hide in their and loose them. You turned in the opposite direction of the forest, and slowed yourself down a bit, letting your pursuers catch up. When they were about a yard behind you, you made a quick turn around, now going straight towards the forest at full speed. The pursuers made a sharp turn and gave chase once again. This time moving much faster than before. They must be pissed. You wouldn't be able to make it to the forest before they caught up. You had to land and fight them. You angled yourself down into a nose dive. You slowed your self as you neared the ground. You gently sat down your cargo and turned around, only to get bucked in the face and knocked to the ground. You tasted blood. The other Pegasus tried to stomp on your chest and face, but you caught one of his hooves unfortunately the other one hit your face again. You held his other hoof tight, and with your other arm, you pushed up at the leg, making it go in the opposite direction it was made for. *SNAP!* "AAAHHH!" You had successfully broken his leg. He wobbled away with three legs for a few steps before taking flight, and retreating. You were left with the last of the group standing by your legs. "Loo-" You kicked him in the head before he could finish. You got back to your feet and walked over to the pony you had just saved. You pulled the tape off her mouth and cut the tape off her legs with your knife. She didn't move, she just lie there staring at you. "Who...Who are you?" She must of been one of the ponies that wasn't at the party. "The names Mark." "Oh yeah, you were the one playing the music at the party last night right?" Or maybe not. "Yeah." "I'm Octavia. I was in the back so i couldn't really see what you looked like, even though you are very tall it was still hard to see when other ponies heads are blocking my view. But aside from that, thank you for saving me." "No problem. Where do you live? I can fly you home if you'd like. Well as long as its not more than five minutes away." "I think i can walk. You've done enough. But why no farther than five minutes?" "Because ill have lost my ability to fly by then. Its the rush of adrenaline that allows me to do so." "Well I wont forget this Mark. I'll return the favor someday." She said as she got up. "Consider us even. Now get on home before I need to save you from another six stallions." You replied She giggled as she trotted off. You flew up into the sky and made your way toward the library. When you got there you landed on the doormat, stepped inside, and closed the door behind you. "That should be him!" You heard Twilight say from upstairs. She appeared at the top of the stairs with Applejack, Rainbowdash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkiepie right behind her. She started walking down the stairs. "I hope you don't mind, I invited the other girls too s-" She stopped when she was close enough to see the blood dripping from your mouth and nose. "Mark...what happened?" Asked an obviously worried Twilight. "What in tarnation did this to ya mark?" Asked Applejack. Fuck what do i tell them? If i tell them that I took out six ponies, they might be scared of me. But what am I supposed to say about the blood? "It's...not important." You replied. "Well I think its obvious what happened!" Said Rainbowdash "You got your butt kicked by a stallion! Well now we know that ponies are better fighters tha-" "There were six of them! Two are most likely in the hospital, and the other four are probably still unconscious! They were going to rape this pony named Octavia, but I saved her! You roared. "And now I'm and idiot because I just fell for reverse psychology." You face palmed. Everyone stared at you with their mouths hung open. All except for Rainbowdash who appeared to be lost in thought, and Pinkiepie. "Whats reverse psychology?" Asked Rainbowdash You face palmed the face palm of your life. "We will just have to throw them a get well soon party then!" Said Pinkie with a smile on her face. "Six ponies verse you and Octavia?" Asked Twilight. "No Octavia was tied up. It was just me." You replied. "Wait dear, did you say they were trying to perform sexual acts on Octavia without her consent?" Asked Rarity. "That's what rape is, yes." "What am' more interested in is 'ow you managed to take out six ponies all by yurself." "Yeah what gives? I don't even see anything on your body you could even hit them with. Us ponies have hooves the good old hooves." Said Rainbowdash as she flew up close to your face. You quickly swung her body around and wrapped your arm around her neck, getting her in a chock hold, however you didn't apply pressure. You looked back at everyone. "This is called a chock hold. Normally I would squeeze her neck as hard as I could, and she would pass out in about fifteen seconds from lack of oxygen." You said. You released her. "And just because I don't have hooves doesn't mean I cant kick." "That's great, but next time ask me before using me as a test dummy." Said Rainbowdash with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Right, sorry. How about I make it up to you with some music." All their shocked faces turned to smiles. "Deal!" Cried Rainbowdash. "You can all go get comfortable. I'm going to get my stuff ready." As you walked up the stairs you started thinking of what song you should play. Play whats on your mind right? You entered Twilight's bedroom to find your stuff right where you left it. First you washed the blood off your face in the bathroom. Then you did your procedure of hooking everything up to each other, only you didn't use your mic, and you turned the amps volume way down. It was a small audience, and you could get by with your unaided voice. You walked down the stairs with your amp clipped to your belt, and guitar hanging from you by its strap. You saw Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy sitting on the couch, and Rainbowdash, Rarity, and Pinkie sitting on the floor, in front of the couch. You walked about ten feet in front of the couch and taped "Animal I Have Become jam alone" from your iPhone. ***** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqds0B_meys ***** (*Bass and drums start*) You looked down at your guitar, and waited for the basses forth repetition. (*You start playing your guitar*) I cant escape, this hell. So you many times I've tried. But I'm still caged inside. You looked up at your mini audience. Somebody get me through this nightmare, I can't control myself! You backfliped and hovered in air. So what if you could see, the darkest side of me! No one would ever change this animal I have become! Help me believe! its not the real me! Somebody help me tame this animal! This animal! There was a knock at the door. This animal! I can't escape myself. You flew over to the door and turned the knob with both your feet. So many times I've lied. You pulled the door open and flew back over to your spot in front of the couch. But there's still rage inside. Three ponies entered through the door and stood behind the couch. Somebody get me through this nightmare, I can't control myself! So what if you could see! The darkest side of me! No one would ever change this animal I have become! Help me believe! It's not the real me! Somebody help me tame this animal I have become! Help me believe! It's not the real me! Somebody help me tame this animal! Two other ponies walked through the door. Somebody help me through this nightmare! I cant control myself! Somebody wake me from this nightmare I can't escape this hell! A sixth pony walked in. You scanned everyone over. "This animal...this animal...this animal...this animal... You vaguely recognized two of them from the party last night. So what if you could see! The darkest side of me! No one would ever change this animal I have become! Help me believe! It's not the real me! Somebody help me tame this animal i have become! Help me believable! It's not the real me! Somebody help me tame this animal! This animal I have become! (*You finish the song*) Everyone stomped their hooves as a seventh spectator walked in. Always leave them wanting more. You thought to yourself. "Okay everypony that's it, shows over" There was a collective series of "awws" from the small crowd. You chuckled as you flew upstairs to put your stuff away. Everyone had left after your song. Twilight and you had finished dinner about an hour ago. You were now sitting on the couch, reading a book about Equestrian science. It amazed you to find almost nothing happened naturally here. Not even rainbows couldn't be made without aid from a Pegasus. Twilight had gone up in her room about thirty minutes ago, when the thunder and lightning started, and you hadn't seen her since. Maybe you should go check on her. You couldn't deny the fact that you did care about her. After closing your book and returning it to the right shelf, you ascended the stairs to Twilight's room. You eased the door open to reveal Twilight laying on her bed with a pillow over her head. You thought you heard...crying? You approached the bed and put a hand on Twilight's back. "Twilight?" She looked up at you with her red, tear soaked eyes. As soon as you saw this, you wrapped your arms around her, hugging her close, letting her cry in your shoulder. "My p-parents...my parents h-house was struck b-by l-lightning last year. It caught fire, and burned down. N-n-neither of them m-made it out a-a-alive. I've g-gotten over my p-parents death for the m-most part. B-but I l-live in a t-tree! The same thing c-could happen to m-me! She said between sobs. You hugged her for a while longer, saying nothing, before gently laying her down on the bed, and sitting next to her. You picked up your guitar, amp, and phone. You connected them all, again not using your mic, but turning up the volume on the amp a bit so it could be heard better over the rain. You picked up your iPhone and selected "No More jam alone". ***** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB70LFhGPQc ***** You looked down at your guitar. *(about thirty seconds in when singing starts.)* Give me a reason to stay here...cause I don't wanna live in fear. You turn your head and look into Twilight's eyes. I can't stop the rain, but I can stop the tears. Oh I can't fight the fire, but I can fight the fear. No more! I just cant live, no more! I can't take it, can't take it! No more! What do we stand for!? When we all live in fear! Twilight was simple staring back up at you, into your eyes. Give me a reason to believe...cause you don't wanna see me leave. You inched closer to her face, now about a foot away. I can't stop the rain, but I can stop tears. Oh I can't fight the fire, but I can fight the fear. No more! I just cant live, no more! I can't take it, can't take it! No more! What do we stand for!? When we all live in fear! *(Guitar solo, still eye locked with Twilight)* No more! I just cant live, no more! I can't take it, cant take it! No more! What do we stand for!? When we all live in fear. *(finish song)* The two of you very slowly started inching toward each other. Oh merciful god please don't let something ruin this moment. Your eyes never broke contact. Your faces were inches away, then centimeters, then millimeters. You lips finally met, kissing each other with much passion, for several seconds. You were the first to pull away, setting your equipment down beside the bed. As soon as you turned back to meet her gaze, she jumped on top of you, and pulled you into a tight embrace. You returned the hug, holding her for several minutes, before you were sure she had fallen asleep. You quickly realized that you were growing drowsy as well, the combat from earlier that day had caught up with you. It wasn't long before you fell asleep too, with Twilight still in your arms.