//------------------------------// // …Didn't See that Coming… // Story: To Call the Moon My Own // by That_Random_Pony //------------------------------// Tony spun around and kicked a soldier to the ground, stabbing his Daedalak into its chest before ripping it out and slashing a gap into another's throat. Dan pumped his dad's shotgun and blew off another Arthanian's head, a scout dashing under the barrel and headbutting him to the ground. It climbed onto him, but the Signa piked it on his sword then punched it in the head. "Where's Nimani?" The Signa female slid under a spear, slashed its leg, dug her other dagger into the back of its head, and jumped onto another. She wrapped her legs around its head and twisted to the side, breaking its neck and tossing it into a soldier. Before it could get up, she grabbed the fallen spear and stabbed it into it's neck. She wiped the black blood from her face, then flipped her hair to the side. Dan and Tony stared for a moment, looking to each other soon after. "She's just like you," Dan smirked, patting his back. With a faint blush, the Doshu'um walked with his friend to meet up with her. "All done?" "Yes," Nimani nodded, opening her palm and showing a small USB. "Jerosh's contacts, allies, and Arthanian command post and breeding cavern locations." Tony took it and store it in his pocket. "Good. We just have to get out of here now." Nyla. I'm on my way! Soldiers giving you trouble? Give me a minute. Istaka and I… are circling back. We'll try and get them off you. "They can't get close without getting shot down," Tony said. "What about those awesome alien grenades?" Dan asked. The Signa sighed softly. "All out," Nimani told him. "But there is a way to make a bomb. If we sabotage the gas lines-" "It'll send this place to Eden and back," Tony grinned. "Let's get to it then." The mostly cleared structure sitting on a rock formation just off the coast of Madagascar smelled of various odors, being scout and soldier droppings along with different weapons of theirs. But even so, Tony could smell the biggest accumulation of gases in the building. They took a more rushed approach, Nimani and Tony ramming right into the soldiers while Dan picked off any they forgot or left. Tony punched a soldier's muzzle, then uppercut one to his side. Nimani kicked the airborne soldier to the ground, pushing off of Tony's palm and pinning another to the ground with her daggers in its throat. With the room cleared, Tony slashed a gas pipe with his sword and cracked an Arthanian's gun in half. He took the weapon core out, twisting it and placing it in the hole, along with two others. "That should do it," Tony said, pushing them in just a bit. "Alright." ISTAKA! Nimani screamed as her heart felt as though a hole had burned through it. Tony helped her up gently, hearing her sniffle and feeling her arms clench. "She… Istaka's… gone." Tony hugged her comfortingly, hating her whimpers and sobs she tried so hard to contain. She had lost her partner. The only other being she could trust and love unconditionally. It was a Signa's other half, and no warrior was ever the same without them. Nyla, get to the southern side now. Yes… agh! What's wrong?! Nothing… just… just a scratch… Just go! "Nimani… she's with our family and ancestors. Minira will honor her for her sacrifice… but you have to honor her and keep on," Tony whispered softly. "Come on." She wiped her eyes, nodding slowly and clenching her fists. "I'm going to make them pay." There we go. BANG! The three of them spun around to the sealed door, hearing snarling and growling. Tony's nose picked up on the scent, but he had never smelled it before. Whatever it was had to be big. A tusk pierced the metal door, then another, and the door was torn apart. Tony and Nimani gasped when they realized what it was. "RUN!" They shouted, pulling Dan along. The door tore open just enough for the beast to break free. "What is that?!" Dan shouted, his legs carrying him faster than they ever had. "Gungrich!" Tony said, directing them left. "The only thing that matches it's appetite is its temper!" Nimani yelled, using her rites to pull the wall into the creature. The stone broke against the Gungrich's two arms, and it's four eyes locked onto them. It roared and ran faster, destroying the hall around it. Tony picked up a spear and beamed it at the creature, but it's thick hide only allowed a good inch or two. The monster bounded the distance between them, closing the distance slowly and tearing apart the hallway. Their next sharp turn caused the Gungrich to slip and tumble into the wall, giving them some time to escape. But when Tony kicked open the door and ran halfway down the path he realized… …it was a dead end. The Gungrich roared as it smashed through the door, getting a lock on them. It screeched before it charged swiftly for them, it's six legs pumping in sync. Tony glanced between the Gungrich and the glass wall, growling as he grabbed Dan's shotgun. He pumped the gun three times on the glass, then kicked it to pieces. "JUMP!" Tony ordered. "Where's Nyla?!" Dan shouted. "Dan, come on!" Nimani yelled, pulling him with her. Tony gave the shotgun back and faced the charging creature just halfway down the hall. He grabbed the rifle core from his back pocket and held it, waiting for the right moment. It bashed stone from the room, pulled boulders out from the floor and leaked drool from its mouth. It went to roar as it launched itself forward on its back four legs, the other two reached out to him. Summoning his metals, Tony crushed the core and threw it into the Gungrich's mouth. He threw himself out of the building, just as charred Gungrich meat went flying in every direction. Tony covered his face as the blast sent him hurtling down a thousand and seven hundred feet. His vision cleared, and below him he could see Nimani and Dan. He shook from his daze and dove for them, getting a hold of Dan's hand while Nimani wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Tony grabbed his Daedalak and stabbed it into the side of the building, screaming as his arm broke but his hand held firm. "Tony!" Spike called, not receiving an answer, even as he banged on the door. "Toooony! Fluttershy's here!" Tony gasped as he broke from his memory sequence in a cold sweat. "O-Okay!" Tony called, his voice weak. "I'll… be down in a minute!" Spike furrowed a brow. "Are you okay?" he called, inching the door open. Tony wiped the sweat from his face quickly, feigning a smile to the young Nera'ak. "Yeah… just a little… mad I forgot about Fluttershy," he chuckled weakly. "Tell her I'll be down quick." Spike nodded and left him to go see the shy mare. "He fell asleep a couple hours ago," Spike said from the stairs, reaching the bottom soon after. "He'll be down in a little." "Okay," Fluttershy smiled. "Maybe I shouldn't have asked him to come so early." "He's usually up around now," Spike said. "Maybe he was just taking a nap? I always need a nap!" True to Tony's word, the man bounded down the steps and hurried over to Fluttershy, banging his foot on the couch. "Ready?" he grunted, ignoring the pain. Fluttershy giggled and nodded. They left the library to the young drake and Twilight, who was in the basement working on some new experiment. They walked along the border of the town, mostly silent because of Tony's thoughts. And a small hesitance greater than what Fluttershy usually had. "Um… Tony?" The man barely registered his own name and looked down to her. "W-When will we… play the song?" "On Hearth's Warming," Tony said. "After the play we'll have a bunch of different ponies perform and maybe the Royal Orchestra. Maybe for a grand finale we could play the Kital. Well… if Celestia says yes." Fluttershy nodded, looking at the trail ahead. "In front of… th-thousands of p-ponies?" She managed to ask. Tony smiled softly and nodded. "Don't worry, Fluttershy," he said, placing a hand behind her head. "We're gonna blow them out of their suits and dresses. And I'm gonna be right next to you, okay?" Another faint bit of red creeped onto her face, and she barely managed to nod with his hand still touching her. Tony smiled, continuing to walk until they reached her cottage. They went into the back so that her animals wouldn't get in the way. Tony deemed it unnecessary, as the Kital usually put them to sleep or calmed them to the point where they barely moved. Tony looked at the sky, sighing as he noticed the darkening clouds just east of the town. "We should get started," Tony said. "The last thing I need is rain in this weather." Fluttershy nodded and pulled a grass blade from the ground, Tony doing the same. "Okay… what would be a good one?" Tony hummed, thinking back to Eishla's songs. "Hmm… what if…" "What if what?" Tony's lips slowly curled into a smile, be it sad or happy to the eye. "Listen and when I nod… repeat what I did." He steadied his breathing, gently placing his fingers on the folded grass and pressing it to his lips. Thrumming his fingers a bit quickly, he let a harmonic and high-pitched combination of notes fill the silence. Fluttershy listened closely to every little jump of every note, making sure to memorize the order and tempo of each. He dropped down suddenly to a slow and low type of pace, but it was still beautiful beyond the instruments of norm. After the small break, he resumed his high, swift note playing, his fingers fidgeting every which way for every note. Tony remembered this song… the song that he had always loved as a child. Sure, he always had trouble getting it right, and he forgot some of the notes when he was small. But it was the only song he ever felt comfortable replaying in his head. He dropped a low note then climbed it back up to the usual notes. By the time he finished off the composition with the steady high, he was nearly out of breath. "That was amazing!" Fluttershy smiled. Tony returned the gesture, then took a moment to catch his breath. "Yeah. So… think you can get it?" Tony asked. Fluttershy fiddled with the grass instrument, truly unsure if she could. She gripped the Kital with her hoof and brought it level with her face. "I might have to practice for a while." Hours. Hours needed to help her get each part correct. The first part, second, and third were the most challenging, as they had the fastest jumps and notes. But there was that part of her that always came out when they practiced. She was learning faster than he had ever, even if she still wasn't perfect. But she could be. With just a few weeks of practice with and without him, she could be a musical expert with the Kital. And it didn't go unappreciated. Fluttershy constantly discouraged herself, saying that it was too hard or that it would take months (which they didn't have) for her to even sound half as good ad him. And he always told her how much potential she had, how fast she was learning, and how good she was getting. Every time she messed up, they went right back to the start: no groaning or grumbling on his part. She was so frustrated about the number of times she was missing a note or even garbling the song, she felt like screaming. And it was the cutest scream he had ever seen, hands and hooves down. Still, if it helped her relieve the stress he was slowly building in her, then he didn't mind. And he couldn't deny it was a bit amusing that that was the loudest she could scream. With his guidance, and instructions about slowing down the song, she was slowly getting the right notes in the correct order. As long as she knew the rhythm and song by heart, she could practice without him whenever she pleased. But he still wanted to be there to see her master it. He could just imagine her reaction. They finished their twenty-fifth rehearsal, panting heavily and laughing a bit. "I think I stressed you enough for one day," Tony laughed. "Maybe we could call it a day?" Fluttershy nodded, placing the grass back on the dirt. "Would you like some tea?" She asked, standing up and brushing away the grass. Tony did the same, patting the back of his jeans to clear it away. "Sure," he nodded. "No sugar." When they stepped inside, snores of all kinds echoed through the house. Fluttershy giggled at the sight of Angel Bunny snoring on his usual spot on the couch, which Tony had learned was his territory. Even so, he took the bunny's blanket from the arm rest and draped it over him. The smell of bitter green tea tickled his nostril, and Fluttershy soon came over with a tray in her mouth carrying a steaming pot and two teacups. "Is there anywhere where we couldn't bother them?" Tony chuckled. Fluttershy thought for a moment, her faint rose cheeks barely visible before she motioned with a wing for him to follow. Tony walked behind Fluttershy, who went into a room cut off from the rest by a hallway. The pegasus set the tin tray down on a nightstand and unsteadily poured their tea. Tony took his and sipped it. The boiling temperature of it would have burned any other pony or human, but he loved the hot feeling that warmed him. Fluttershy gingerly blew on hers and took small sips. "So what room is this?" Tony asked, sitting down on a rather large bed. Fluttershy hesitated. "It's um… my room," she whispered. "Oh. It's… kinda small, isn't it?" Tony chuckled. "I-I never really use it… most of the time I fall asleep with Angel Bunny," Fluttershy said softly. "S-So… am I getting better?" Tony drank the rest of his tea and nodded. "Very. Even if you can't learn stuff by hearing it, you're learning much faster than I did!" Tony laughed. "But I think you'll have this in your hoof way before Hearth's Warming. How is it, anyway?" "Oh, it's a wonderful time!" Fluttershy smiled. "The play was a little embarrassing… but I still can't believe Princess Celestia asked us to be actors." "Think she'll ask again?" Tony chuckled, laughing harder when he saw her whole face redden. "I hope not. B-B-But I'm sure the girls would love to do it again," Fluttershy stammered. Tony chuckled softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Celestia and Luna probably want you guys with us in the seats. So you don't have to-" CRACK! Fluttershy yelped, nearly dropping her teacup before Tony caught it with his rites, and she cowered under the bed. Dropping the liquid into the cup, he levitated it onto the tray and knelled down with a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Come on, 'Shy, it's only… rain." Tony groaned loudly and smacked himself in the head. He quickly ran to the front door, getting soaked as soon as he opened the door. He pushed it closed, shivering as the cold blew through his sweater and licked at his skin. Fluttershy came out from her room, seeing him wet and chilled to the bone. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I-I didn't meant to keep you here long." Tony wiped his face and sighed. "Wasn't your fault, anyway," Tony chuckled wryly. "Well, maybe I can get there before I freeze to death." He mentally braced himself for the evil winds, but Fluttershy placed her hoof on his thigh. "M-Maybe… you could stay here?" Fluttershy said barely above a whisper. "Well… unless this couch opens up, I don't know where I could sleep." Fluttershy's face turned a brighter scarlet. "W-Well… there's, um… my… my room." "Fluttershy, I'm soaked and you're asking me to sleep on your bed," Tony told her, tugging on his shirt. "Y-You could… dry up in the bathroom, and go to sleep there," Fluttershy said, looking at her hooves. "I-If you want, I mean." It does sound better than freezing my ass off… and the library is across town… "You're sure it won't bother you?" Tony asked, glancing to Angel Bunny still sleeping on the couch. "He doesn't look like he's gonna move." Fluttershy's face reached an all-time bright red as she forced her wings to keep still. "I-I-I… thought we could… share it?" "Sure… but…" What if I start remembering? What if it starts all over again? If I… If I thrash around like with my old memories? He had to trust himself to think of better times, just for one night. "…will there be enough room?" Tony went to her bathroom and used several towels to dry himself, after stripping down to his bare chest and using a small amount of energy to dry his moist pants. He would try it with his shirt and sweater, but he didn't want to risk burning them to a crisp. With the storm raging outside, and the constant cracks of thunder making his ear sting, the storm didn't look like it would blow over until morning. At least Fluttershy's willing to share a bed… if I don't knock her off it in my sleep at least. Chuckling to himself, he felt a wave of exhaustion pass over him. Either he had missed his thirty-two hour mark of sleep, or his nap's interruption was taking its toll. In any case, he made his way back to Fluttershy's room, where the meek mare was already lying down. She scooted over and made enough room for him to lie down on his side. Her bed was pretty comfortable and it didn't smell of animals or worse. All he really smelled was rose mixed with lillies, which was her normal scent. "Night, Fluttershy," Tony whispered. "Good… goodnight." … … … He couldn't fall asleep. Every little sound and smell drew his attention like a moth to a light. It was times like these he wished he didn't have Loki'irian senses. He could hear Fluttershy's even, turning a bit sparotic, breathing. She was awake, and by the sound of it she was thinking about something bothering her. "Something up?" Tony asked, sitting up. Fluttershy sat up too, but she shook her head. "Um… I… I was just…" She lowered her gaze, sighing deeply and fiddling with her hooves. Tony put a hand on her shoulder, missing the slight fidget of her wing. "Fluttershy, I'm your friend. You can tell me anything. Whatever you say, stays between you and me." She glanced up to him, looking into his interesting hazel eyes. They looked almost like the nebula of space that were in astronomy books. She could feel her heart rate going into overdrive, as well as her temperature rising fast. He was so kind, very caring, even if she had offered him a home and a bed. And he was still staring at her, waiting for an answer. … … … …what… the… TUVEK?!?! Fluttershy was currently leaning forward, her mouth placed on his with her eyes closed. It took a moment for Tony to get over his initial shock and pull her away. "Fluttershy, w… what?!" Tony exclaimed. He realized how wrong he had expressed that, as she looked heartbroken. "I-I thought…" "Fluttershy, I'm with Luna… and I don't like you like that." Again, too forward. He dreaded the even more hurt expression she bore, and he could see tears brimming her eyelids. "O-Oh… I understand," she sniffled, almost inaudibly. She climbed out of bed and went to the door. "Fluttershy-" "I'm going… I'm going to sleep with Angel Bunny," Fluttershy told him, her voice breaking as she tried to hold her sobs. "Goodnight." "Fluttershy!" Tony called, standing up and chasing after her. "I didn't mean it like that! Well… sort of, but-" "Why?" Fluttershy questioned, making a sudden about-face. "Lots of stallions have lots of mares! What's wrong with me?" "There's nothing… I'm not… I just can't!" Tony exclaimed, teetering between loud and yelling. "I can't explain it, but I literally can't love you like that! And… I'm not comfortable with two or three mares to love. It just doesn't sound right, no matter how I look at it!" Fluttershy went over to the couch, leaving him to stand there. "Goodnight." She snuggled in next to Angel Bunny, muffling her sobs with a pillow. Tony's fist clenched, not because he was mad at her. But because, once again, he had managed to hurt his friends. He went to the bathroom and grabbed his still wet clothes from the rack and pulled them on, trying to keep warm with a small amount of energy in his hands. He opened the front door and waded out into the freezing rain. Tony shivered violently as the cold rain mixed with the freezing winds, some of the droplets freezing on his face. A crack of lightning arced through the sky, a boom of thunder passing almost instantly. He jogged through deep puddles of muddy water and beard through the harsh weather until he came to the massive tree. His clothes were freezing into place, and his face was locked into position. The storm chilled him to the bone, his hands stiff as he raised one to knock. He rapped on the door four times with his fist, hoping either one of them would be awake. When a few minutes passed, he groaned and went to the platform, jumping on top of it and running into his room. He went straight into the bathroom and threw his wet clothes into the tub, running back into his room in the nude. After finding the warmest shirts, undies, sweater, and pants, he went into Twilight's room and went over to Spike. The young drake snored away, murmuring about ice cream. "Spike. Spike." Tony whispered. "Spiiiiike." He shook him with increasing vigor, until he finally opened his eyes and yawned. "Tony? What… it's one in the morning," he moaned sleepily. "Can't you get Twilight to do it?" Tony handed him a scroll. "No. She can't." Luna, I need to speak with you as soon as possible. Something's come up. --Tony It sounded like it was bothering him. Luna glanced into the hallway leading to the throne room. It was empty, as it usually was on Sunday night. Even if somepony had a complaint, she doubted they would come at one in the morning. Her horn lit instantly, and in a blue flash, she was teleported into Tony's room. He was staring at the rain pouring on the platform outside, the small arch of the opening providing cover. She shivered a bit, as the library's heater enchantment only worked in enclosed rooms. "Tony?" He turned around, his face speaking of sadness and a hint of confusion. She came over and embraced him, his hands sluggishly moving up to do the same. "What's wrong?" Tony sat on his bed and sighed, grasping her hoof. "Now that I think about it, I feel so stupid," Tony sighed. "I can't believe I didn't see it before." "See what, Tony?" Luna asked. He sighed, looking directly at her. "I promised to help Fluttershy with the Kital, the grass songs that my people play," Tony said. "And I've helped her for the past three months. I just didn't think-" "Tony," Luna said sternly yet caring. "Tell me." He sighed again. "Fluttershy let me stay at her house for the night, because of the storm and all. And… I think she likes me as something more than a friend." Luna tilted her head. "Why do you say that?" She asked. … "She kissed me." … … "And?" Tony's jaw dropped, words refusing to come out intelligibly. "You… wha… she… WHAT?!" Tony exclaimed, surprising her. "She kissed me, and I'm with you!" "I heard that," Luna nodded, raising a brow at his outburst. "But I don't see what the problem is. Ponies are polygymous, and Fluttershy is a beautiful mare." She seriously couldn't understand why he was making this such a big deal. Fluttershy was a grown, stunning pegasus with large wings and wonderful child bearing hips. What stallion, or man in this case, would refused her? "But Loki'irians aren't." She would have facehoofed, but Tony was serious about his concern. "Did you tell her?" Luna asked. "How you feel?" "Yes," Tony groaned, rubbing his head. "But I overreacted… and she's probably crying." He showed how sad and angry he was at himself through his fallen frown. She guided his gaze to her slowly, but he refused to look at her. "Tony, I'm sure you didn't mean to say what you did," Luna said softly. "I didn't." Tony rubbed his forehead, her words starting to mix between two. The second he dreaded hearing from. "I just… don't know what to tell her. This is just bothering me… so… much…" He glanced to her, his muscles locking as her face switched between Nimani's and her own. Luna felt his hand grasp hers a bit tighter. If it was bothering him this much, she had to help. From what her mother had shown her and the others, the humans were monogymous. The fact that he wasn't comfortable with having several relationships was something she could expect. And if he really only wanted to be with her, he needed to relax before he spoke to Fluttershy. She shuffled behind him, placing her hooves around his neck and kissing his cheek. "Tony… I'm sure Fluttershy will need time to collect her thoughts, too," Luna said softly. "Have you ever actually relaxed?" Now that he thought about it… …never. It was always tracking a Signa, ending him, then moving on. The longest he stayed in an area was a month, as the young warriors were in the world's biggest countries. He had the FBI, CIA, Russian spec ops, German law, and Chinese Triads after him. He avoided them all, but through wild forests, unstable caverns, and rocky beds. The comfiest thing he had slept on in a long time was her bed, but that was it. "I thought so," Luna giggled, nuzzling his cheek. "Maybe tomorrow, I could bring you to a favorite spot of mine in Canterlot. Just the two of us. Have you ever visited a spa?" Other than tracking down a Signa, no. Luna smirked, and he remembered certain abilities of her own. "No. But… is that necessary?" Tony questioned. "Trust me. The royal masseus' can work wonders on the body," Luna smiled, kissing his cheek again. "I could send Fluttershy to Aloe and Lotus Blossom's spa, free of charge." Tony chuckled, then tilted his head with a smirk. "Let her go with Rarity, and you have a deal," Tony grinned. Luna poked his with her horn, kissing him right after. "Deal. I should get back to Canterlot before somepony drags themselves into my castle," Luna sighed, getting a small chuckle from her man. "Sure you can't stay a couple more minutes?" Tony asked. Luna shook her head with a smile, then kissed him lovingly. She climbed off his bed, standing back as her horn lit up. Tony shut his eyes as the flash signaled her leave. He laid down on his bed, the cold seeming to not bother him for once. If I think of her, I see Nimani. I think of Nimani, and I see her. Why? Damn it, Discord. Everything would've been better if you just left it in the past. He turned on his side, watching the rain pelt the platform. Would it?