Kurai the Forsaken

by Seth Typofather


Chapter 6: Truth

The moon was shining over Equestria, and from the looks of it a full moon. For farmers it’s considered a blessing from Luna herself, because of the extra reflected sunlight to grow the crops. But for Sweet Apple Acres and Kurai it only meant everything can be seen. He stood outside near a tree waiting patiently for Applejack, as usual protocol he had to hand his pouch over to Granny Smith as she was the only pony responsible enough to handle it. Seeing her leave the home with a trembling Apple Bloom hiding behind the window with Big Mac and Granny Smith hoping to see how this will end up.

“Kurai, I hope you realise how much trouble we could have all been in. Do you realise how traumatised my little sister could be?” Raising her voice each time she began speaking again. “Do you even realise how close she was to being killed!? DO YOU?! We’ve already lost two Apples and by golly I’m not letting another leave this world before their time!”

“I heard of them, I am sorry to hear about Honey Blossom and Merton Charm. I'm sure they were great par-“ Before he could finish Applejack screamed and bucked at his stomach, losing all the wind he had he fell to his knees.

Tears streamed down her face as she faced him. “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SPEAK THEIR NAMES YOU MONSTER!” Having made up her mind she pointed with a hoof to the exit. “Leave. Get outta here and never come back.”

Coughing he slowly got up, trying to speak. Though she was small she was strong, especially for her age as well. Immediately, the feeling came back, the feeling of hollowing or something more. Kurai's mind tried to make sense of the emotions he felt, rage, sadness and the feeling of loss. “Fine. I’ll leave.” He turned to leave the gate, walking out. It was painful hearing the cries of a distant Apple Bloom but he felt she would be much safer without a ‘monster’ like him around.

Opening the door Applejack placed her hat on a rack nearby, none would look her in the eye until her little sister spoke. “WHY?! Why, why why why?!” Slamming her front hooves into Applejack's chest. “He saved me! Why did you make him leave!” Each impact got weaker until she gave up, curled up into the floor, though she knew him for a day, she grew to like him. Even developing a schoolgirl styled crush on him from his calm demeanour.

Applejack strokes her sister's red mane, calmly explaining. “Sugercube, I know it’s hard but. You have to understand, I have to protect you. You know I have to take after ma and pa’s job parenting you, it ain’t easy…”

Snapping back Apple Bloom glared at her sister with streaks running down her face. “HE WAS MORE OF A PARENT THAN YOU!” All in the room was silent while Applejack held a hoof to he mouth at hearing that while Big Mac and Granny Smith’s jaws hung wide open. “Unlike you he actually protected me from Diamond Tiara! He faced a problem head on and solved it, not like how you just stood there and watched! Heck, even Babs became more of mother after dealing with Tiara that one time!”

The truth was out, and there was no turning back. While the room was silent Apple Bloom stomped up to her room, refusing to look anypony in the eye.

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That was it, he had been abandoned and turned away. Even after helping slay an abomination of a flying reptile was he even given praise? No, instead he was blamed for the incident as usual. No different from Lordran now that he thought about it, considering how Applejack decided to handle the situation when she talked to him. He was trapped in this crazy world and not one lick of sense could be made for why he has been chosen to be there. While deep in his demented thoughts he heard the flapping sound of wings, from the amount of wind being pushed with each beat he could determine it was Rainbow Dash. “So are you here to yell at me and finish the job Applejack started?” Turning to glare at her he realised she was returning a confused tilted stare.

“Uuh, no. Just I came to say how awesome you were back there, not as awesome as me but still pretty awesome.” Realising what he said she flew around Kurai to stop him before landing in front of him. “What happened?” Her face was etched with a cocktail of emotions, worry, curiosity and annoyance as if something like this has happened before.

It was pleasantly surprising to be complimented, but from how her tone changed so quickly at the mention of her friends name could lead to trouble if Kurai let out how he currently felt. But despite that, she needed to know. As he started his tale she hung onto every word that left his lips, nodding understandably every time he finished a sentence. Those Daring Do books she had been reading had increased her tendency to listen things through nowadays rather than jump to conclusions. And from how he puts it, Applejack is still as stubborn as ever. But after what has been happening recently, she had a right to be.

“Wow, so let me get this straight. You hang out with Apple Bloom, a giant monster appears, we take it down, Applejack kicks you out and yells at you even though Apple Bloom would most likely be angry at her for doing that?”

“Well, that might be it in a nutshell.”

Rainbow Dash stood still, contemplating about what could be done. After a few seconds of thinking she simply shrugged. “I dunno, she can be very stubborn. Pride and all.” Kurai raised an eyebrow. “Yeah I’m not one to talk. Oh!” With a quick burst she was in the air and back within a few seconds, this time holding a familiar blade in her mouth and dropping it onto an open hand. “Here, thanks for letting me use it.”

“Hmm, keep it. You seem to be putting it to better use than I am, just remember this. Cut in the direction of your movements, never try to outsmart with fancy swordplay. Outsmart with speed, and from the looks of it you have a lot of speed to pull it off.”

Unable to contain it she flew upwards just above eye level cheering happily for the gift. “Aww yeah!!! Best present ever! I’ll go put this somewhere safe for later, see ya!” She stopped mid flight to her home. “Oh, if you’re heading to the library, I wouldn’t. Filthy Rich put a call out to what you did to that Diamond Tiara kid. She totally had it coming, police are all over the place looking for you. Don’t worry, I won’t tell. Anypony who goes this far to fight that thing alone to protect somepony else is alright in my book. And one last thing.” Flying up to him she gave him a playful but rough nudge on his arm. “Thats for the way you spoke to me back there.” Sticking her tongue out before flying back to her home.

Chuckling under his helmet after that he was glad to have made another connection, with the element of loyalty, Rainbow Dash. “Thanks.” The library was guarded by officers either surrounding Ponyville or wandering inside, as tempting as it was he can’t simply run in and slaughter them. He had no weapons and that would result in being actively hunted down by the royal guard. Mumbling he continued to think of ways to stay hidden, the farm was a no go. Ponyville was heavily guarded and anywhere else was too far. Now that he remembers it, he did see a treehouse just on the outskirts of the farm. It may not seem like much but at this point it was better than nothing. Nodding to himself he began to formulate a plan on how to get in by drawing a few diagrams in the dirt with a stick, the Apple family had certain sleeping patterns. Early to rise and early to rest from the looks of it. In about seven minutes they will be tucking in and he will have a three hour window if the farm animals don’t get spooked by his appearance.

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Sitting at a table in town hall was daunting, but what was even worse is that it was boring. Yawning at whatever’s taking so long for Filthy Rich and Mayor Mare to finish their conversation in the next room, though Twilight Sparkle was trying to be patient the dull colours of the room did not help. Sighing she might as well while she waits, opening up her saddlebags a few scrolls levitated onto the table in front of her. “Great soul arrow? No. Homing soul mass? I’ll save that for later. Hidden weapon? Haven’t seen that one yet.” With a small smile she read the effect and incantation, the things she could do with that spell. It was not restricted to weapons, anything she held would be invisible for a set time, could be a good prank for Spike if he overslept by turning his bed invisible as he slept. Whispering the incantation the spell took effect, too late she realised she had a hoof on the table.

Panicking she piled the scrolls into her saddlebags before anypony saw, Twilight heard two voices approaching from the other room. Eyes widening Twilight attempted to undo the spell, no effect. Of course, when something like this happens two of the most financially powerful ponies are about to come in. Acting natural she puts on her best calm expression as Filthy Rich walks in closely followed by Mayor Mare. “Now do I have your word that this Kurai pony will be captured?”

“Without a-“ Finally noticing something was off Mayor Mare looked around Filthy Rich to Twilight who simply waved to distract her. “Wasn’t there a table there?”

“N-No! No table here, none at all!” Twilight replied, laughing nervously.

Rich cleared his throat to recapture the mayor's attention. “I paid good money I could be using instead on my sweet little Tiara to have you deploy these jokes.” He began walking towards the window which was on the other side of an invisible table, this was the moment Twilight slipped away before anything happens. “If you can’t have the job done by monday I’ll see to it your election won’t go so- OOF!” With a sickening thud his chin lay flat on the invisible table.

In a half closed door Twilight saw what just happened, stifling a laugh she left the building with her sanity intact. “Finally some colour, for a mayor she really needs to lighten up her wallpaper.”