//------------------------------// // Life in Colony 9 (Part 2) // Story: Ponyblade Chronicles // by ZeroChill //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle, Applejack and Shulk made it onto the surface of the outdoor fortress. Within their line of sight, they saw Plain Donut bucking and charging against Reyn in a defensive stance with his shield lance extended. “Come on, Donut, is that the best you can do?” Reyn enthusiastically called out. Plain Donut’s stare intensified. He redoubled his efforts and bucked at a side of the shield lance that lacked any spikes. Striking the area, he sent Reyn flying onto the upper level of the fortress. “How is that for my best?” Plain Donut snidely remarked. “You have some good guards if one of them can knock Reyn off-guard like that.” Shulk commented to Twilight Sparkle. “It is what they were trained to do. If brute force won’t cut it, then they have to analyze their opponent’s weaknesses. Reyn just happened to be a bit cocky with how he was throwing around his defense.” Twilight Sparkle stated. “That’s Reyn down to a ‘T’ alright. But, that’s why we all love him. Don’t let his cockiness give you the wrong idea; he’s very good at what he does.” Shulk replied. “You know, I’m beginning to like this Reyn fellow, Shulk. He does things head on and isn’t afraid of anything.” Applejack voiced out with a smile. The trio walked through the gates of the fortress. In the background, Reyn sat up from the ground. Plain Donut, who walked up to Reyn from a set of stairs, offered a helping hoof. Reyn smiled, grasping his right front hoof and getting up. “That was excellent form, Private. I wonder how Sprinkles and Ice Cream are doing.” Reyn stated, his voice cracking under rising giggles. Plain Donut looked at him with an unamused expression on his face. “Heh, didn’t mean to laugh at your names. I’m still trying to get used to this whole business with you creatures.” “No offense taken, Reyn. And, for future references, we are known as ponies.” Plain Donut corrected. “And, I wouldn’t worry about those two. They are my superiors for a reason, after all.” “So you two are creatures known as ponies? That’s a strange word for me.” Shulk announced, grasping his chin with his index finger and thumb and walking down a bridge way with Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. “There are four different kinds of ponies, in case if you didn’t know. Ponies like Applejack and Plain Donut are known as earth ponies. They might not have any additional appendages, but they make up with their own brand of stamina and connection to the land.” Twilight Sparkle explained. “And you saw those wings on Sprinkles there? He is what is known as a pegasus pony. Pegasi are capable of flight and weather manipulation.” Applejack added on. “And that horn on Ice Cream’s head signifies that he’s a unicorn. Unicorns are capable of freely using magic. Some of the levitation you might have witnessed Twi’ using is an example of such magic.” “I see. And Twilight here has wings and a horn. I would also like to assume that she shares in the benefits of being an earth pony as well?” Shulk rhetorically stated. “Alicorns are the rarest of the four ponies. The only two natural alicorns are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Any other known alicorns gained access to a powerful source of magic that transformed them into such.” Twilight Sparkle stated. “I used to be a unicorn, but since completing Starswirl’s spell and changing my friends’ destinies, I was able to ascend into alicornhood using the magic of the Elements of Harmony.” “This all sounds fascinating. Elements of Harmony, magic and changing one’s destiny.” Shulk voiced out. “Is it wrong that I would compare magic to another source of energy known as ether?” Twilight Sparkle and Applejack rolled their tongues at the last word he stated. “I take it that ether is your world’s brand of magic?” She asked. “Ether is the life composition of all matter on the Bionis. It is necessary for the survival and development of life. In addition, we use ether for a plethora of tasks and are capable of channeling it. We Homs have a very limited control over our internal ether without a catalyst, but the Nopon are capable of channeling it through their breath.” Shulk explained. “You mean those like Chiigo have more capability of using their ether than people like you? I wonder if there are any other beings in your world that have more proficiency in using this life energy.” Twilight Sparkle voiced out. “I find it difficult to believe that this would be the limit of the ether usage in my world, especially considering unicorns and alicorns exist in your world with great control over their life energy.” Shulk stated with a hope of disbelief in his voice. In the midst of the conversation and walk, Applejack’s stomach growled. She sheepishly smiled and chuckled. Twilight Sparkle looked at the Styrofoam container on her back and levitated it towards Applejack. “Here, Applejack. I was saving this up for later, but you need this more than I do. It’s not much, but it should stave off your hunger.” Twilight Sparkle said, with Applejack peering into the container. “I hope it still is warm.” Applejack smiled wider than a hyena, digging into the curry face first with voracious excitement. A few second have passed, and all of the curry within the container was gone. “Yeehaw! That’s how we do it in the Apple Family!” She called out. “Mighty thanks to you, Twi’. I appreciate the food that you saved up for me. There’s nothing worse than travelling on an empty stomach. Plus, that food was delicious!” “I’m glad you enjoyed it, Applejack. Giorgio would be happy to know that he can get another customer with you.” Shulk replied. The three walked down through the commercial district, going through the crowds of various people. They came across a two-story house, tucked away by the edge of the commercial district. “Well, this is it; this is Dunban’s house.” Shulk announced, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack and himself entering inside the abode. Dunban sat on the edge of his bed, attempting to hold the spoon with his right hand. It shook rapidly as he dipped it into the stew. With the food scooped out, he slowly brought it to his mouth. The moment it reached his open mouth, he dropped the spoon into the bowl. He let out an exasperated sigh. “Relax, Dunban. It’s just soup. You’re a grown man who can feed himself.” He stated. Within the moment that he picked the spoon up, he heard a myriad of footsteps come from the first floor. “Come upstairs.” He smiled slightly when he saw Shulk appear up the stairs, but batted an eye when Twilight Sparkle and Applejack walked in unison with him. “Dunban, did you see where Fiora went? I am looking for her right now.” Shulk asked. “She actually went off to your lab to visit you. You must have missed each other along the way.” Dunban replied with a chuckle. “I see.” Shulk replied, remaining silent for a few moments. He turned towards Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. “Would you two mind if I left you here with Dunban? I need to think about some things, and he enjoys any sort of company he can get.” “It would be our pleasure, Shulk. I have many questions to ask him.” Twilight Sparkle stated with a smile. “If he’s as tough as you say he is, Shulk, then he should be a very interesting fellow.” Applejack compliantly agreed. “Thanks, girls. I’ll be at the Outlook Park. Fiora will undoubtedly come there when she doesn’t see me in the lab.” Shulk stated, gently walking towards the stairs and leaving Dunban, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack alone. Twilight Sparkle looked over towards Dunban and saw his heavily-scarred right arm. She cringed slightly. Applejack, however, examined it more closely with a peculiar interest. Dunban examined the two ponies before him with similar reactions. “Out of all the guests that have visited me, you two are by far the most unusual.” He noted. “We’ve been getting that a lot around these parts, Dunban. My name is Applejack, and this here is Twilight Sparkle. Just call her Twi’ or Twilight.” Applejack responded with a good-natured smile. “I see. But, variety is the spice of life, is it not, Applejack?” Dunban stated with a light-hearted chuckle. “Yep. I’m actually more interested with that scarring on your right arm. Shulk said something about you being hurt by the Monado.” Applejack replied. “So Shulk showed you two the Monado then? Though I was capable of wielding the Monado, it constantly rejected me. It hurt to wield it, but I needed to do what I needed to do to protect everyone. By the time the Battle of Sword Valley ended in the favor of the Bionis forces, my right arm gave up on me.” Dunban recalled. Twilight Sparkle examined the black and white photo on the nightstand, her interest caught by the people within the photo. “You are here, and there’s Dickson. But, who is that man to the left?” She asked. In that moment, Dunban’s cheery smile changed into a serious frown. “That is Mumkhar. He was a war buddy of mine. That was until he left Dickson and me to fend for ourselves so that he could claim the Monado for himself when we would die. We managed to survive that encounter and win, but I will never forgive him for deserting us like that.” Dunban stated. Hearing his words, Twilight Sparkle frowned slightly. The contrast between the pictured fantasy with smiling faces depicting closeness with the harsh reality of betrayal dampened her mood. “That must have been hard to deal with. In a way, it reminds me when how one of my friends was tricked into giving away her sense of loyalty for betrayal. It’s all better now, though, and I’m in the midst of forgiving the one who tricked her.” She stated. “It seems like this trickster has caused you a lot of pain, Twilight. Of course, if it were me, I would have given him a good bashing for hurting my friends.” Dunban remarked, eliciting a fit of nervous giggling from Twilight Sparkle. “Well, we did something like that. No violence was involved, however.” Applejack looked up onto the wall, seeing an image of Fiora and Dunban with large smiles on their faces. “So this must be Fiora in the picture then?” She asked, rewarded with a smiling nod from Dunban. “Indeed. She’s my younger sister. I know we don’t look too similar to each other, but we still are very close to each other. We are all that we have, you know.” Dunban stated. “My parents died after Fiora was born, so I had to play the role of being the parent and raise her. She’s blossoming into a beautiful woman.” Dunban’s words struck the center of Applejack’s heart. She stayed still there for the moment, pondering on his words. Finally, she smiled, turning around and facing him. “You’re real strong, Dunban. I can respect that about you.” She happily said. “I try, Applejack. I try.” Dunban somberly stated. “You know, you two look as if you can take on anything in your path. Have you tried your hand at fighting yet?” Twilight Sparkle and Applejack’s ears jolted upwards from the nature of the question. “Ummm… we don’t actually fight unless if we don’t have a choice but to fight. Why did you ask that question, Dunban?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Dunban stood up from his bed with a smile brimming with enthusiasm. He walked over towards a nearby drawer, opening it and pulling out a short-sleeved shirt of a blue color. He tossed it over his head and put it on. “Call me crazy, but you two definitely have the spirits that would make fine warriors. I can see it in your eyes; once you start with something, you won’t stop until you see it to its end. Am I not wrong?” He stated. “Well, you aren’t wrong, per se, but fights just only end up with endless violent cycles.” Twilight Sparkle rhetorically answered. “Well, follow me. I got some weapons that you two will be interested in.” Dunban said, ignoring the intent of Twilight Sparkle’s words. Applejack shrugged, walking downstairs with Dunban. Twilight Sparkle groaned audibly and followed the two downstairs. Shulk sat on a bench in a park just outside of the Colony, looking down on the ground with a somber expression on his face. “The Monado… it’s the only sword that’s effective against the Mechon armour. They say that before time began, it was wielded by the Bionis. The same Bionis that we all live on. It must have a secret. That’s how Dunban was able to destroy so many Mechon, and why he lost the use of his right arm. And what is with the sudden appearance of these new creatures? Are they a sign connected with the Monado? If only I can just unlock its power, then things will make more sense.” “Shulk!” Fiora shouted, running up the stairs to the park and interrupting Shulk’s train of thought. “Fiora!” Shulk shouted, seeing Fiora happily hold a metal box from its strap. Fiora sat down next to Shulk, passing him the box. Shulk opened its contents, revealing a sandwich, stew and cup within. Immediately, he grabbed the sandwich and cup and began consuming the contents. “This is great! It tastes so good!” Shulk happily called out. “Really?” Fiora skeptically asked, leaning her body over to see Shulk’s face. “It’s amazing!” Shulk called out, downing the beverage in his hand. “Oh, Shulk. You say that every day.” Fiora stated with a sigh. “Not quite. It’s always delicious. But today it’s amazing.” Shulk reasoned. “Really?” Fiora asked, her neck getting outwards with anticipation. “Yeah.” “Thank goodness! I used some special herbs and spices today. So, if you said it was the same as usual, I’d know for sure you had no sense of taste.” She said, resting her head on her cupped hands. “What?” Shulk replied with an oblivious tone. “Oh, nothing.” Both Shulk and Fiora sat at the bench, enjoying the sight of the lake, colony and white apparatuses the size of islands below. Fiora smiled, feeling a gentle wind caress her skin. “The breeze feels so good.” She stated with a euphoric smile. “Yeah. I had forgotten what it feels like.” Shulk readily agreed. “I never thought it would be so quiet here.” Fiora leaned forward with a grin on her face. “You’re spending too much time with Reyn. You’re getting used to all the noise he makes.” “Yeah, maybe.” Shulk responded with a small shrug and laugh. Fiora grinned with a smile on her face. “It’s so peaceful. You know, Shulk, I hope everyday can be like this, always.” She stated. Shulk stared at the ground for a moment, his eyes barking at him with curiosity. “Fiora, did you happen to notice anything strange with the crowd in Colony 9 today?” He asked, turning his head towards Fiora’s direction. “Not really. It’s just the same as every other day. Why do you ask, Shulk?” Fiora questioned with a confused smile. “Well, it’s just that today, I’ve met some strange creatures today that call themselves ponies. I’ve only seen five of them, but it’s implied that there are many more ponies within the colony. One of the ponies even says that she’s a princess from a different dimension. I don’t know how that’s theoretically possible.” Shulk answered. “Oh? Can you tell me more about them, Shulk?” Fiora asked, leaning her head forward with interest. “Apparently, they come from some land known as Equestria. There are different types of them. I left the two of them with Dunban to give him some company. The other three are with Reyn and the soldiers since they want to serve as soldiers for Colony 9 while they are here.” Shulk responded. In that moment, an alarm blared out throughout the entire colony. “The debris siren.” Shulk stated, staring at two large sheets of stone falling from the sky. “Strange. There hasn’t been much falling lately.” One of the apparatus islands directed its bulb towards the falling sheets. From their tips, blue lasers shot out that aimed towards the debris. The debris became destroyed in a smoky explosion. Fiora packed the box within her bag while Shulk stood up from his seat. “There might be more on the way. The Anti-Air batteries can’t protect us out here. Let’s get back to the lab.” He said. “Okay.” Fiora complied, standing up from the bench and walking out with Shulk. Dunban, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack walked a fair amount of distance away from the colony, down to a grassy area by the water’s edge. Dunban inhaled deeply through his nose, a confident smile on his face. In his left hand, he held a sturdy briefcase. “This should be a good spot to train you girls in the art of combat.” He said with enthusiasm. “Again, Dunban, we don’t really fight.” Twilight Sparkle innocently voiced. “We would rather solve our problems by talking them out.” A burst of hearty laughter erupted from Dunban’s mouth. He looked back towards Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, kneeling down towards their height levels and looking at both of them in their eyes. A cocky smile was on his face. “Not everything can be solved with words, dear Twilight and Applejack. You’ve learned that the hard way at times, have you not?” He asked. “Well… there was that situation when the Changelings that invaded Canterlot, and I did see Twilight here battle Tirek in a super-powered fight with my very own eyes.” Applejack stated, putting her right hoof underneath her chin while doing so. “Then it is settled; you two will learn how to fight with these weapons.” Dunban stated, opening the briefcase in the grasp of his left hand. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack looked into the box and saw a war hammer with a black edge and a stalk that looks as if even pony’s hooves can grasp. Looking next to the war hammer, Twilight Sparkle noticed a viciously-curved blade with a holster that appears as if it can fit on her horn. Both Twilight Sparkle and Applejack frowned nervously at the sight. “Seriously? These things look as if they can do more than harm a living being.” Twilight Sparkle commented, levitating the horn blade next to her face. “I’m with ya, Twi. These weapons look as if they can break apart skulls.” Applejack uneasily stated, grasping the war hammer with her hooves. “That’s the idea! On the Bionis, there are many monsters that wouldn’t be afraid to hurt its inhabitants. So, we bring terror to them before they can bring terror to us.” Dunban reasoned, standing up from his position. He then pulled out a long blade from a sheath attached to his right hip. Twilight Sparkle let out an exasperated sigh, levitating the holster of the blade to her horn. “Alright, so we have our weapons, Dunban. What’s next?” She asked with very dull interest in her voice. “I’m glad you asked, Twilight. Tell me; are you familiar with combat arts?” He asked. “Not… really.” Twilight Sparkle replied with nervous curiosity. “Combat arts are essentially moves that one can use. There are many different classifications of arts, but the main ones boil down to physical and ether arts. Based off of how you two look, Applejack would be more suited to using physical arts and you would be more suited to using ether arts. However, that doesn’t mean that they are exclusive one person. I’m sure that you have physical arts, just like how Applejack has ether arts. Understood?” Dunban explained. “Understood. I’ve heard from Shulk that ether is this world’s equivalent to magic though, so I’m not sure if anything is really needed to restore ether levels.” Twilight Sparkle replied. “Just a bit of a few seconds of cooldown time is all. It depends on which arts you use, after all.” Dunban stated. In that moment, several sizeable rocks began to shake, revealing orange crustaceans underneath. “It seems like some Beach Krabbles decided to give us a few training dummies. I’ll show you how one properly uses arts.” Dunban ran up towards the Krabble with sword in hand. With a powerful swing of his sword, Dunban struck the Krabble in its shell. The Krabble turned around and clasped its claws, running towards Dunban. Dunban held his left arm out and pointed the tip of his blade towards the Krabble. “Gale Slash!” He shouted with winds surging underneath his feet. He dashed forward, not moving his legs in the slightest, and thrust his blade forward and pierced through the Krabble. Immediately after, his foot flashed in a pink energy. “Electric Gutbuster!” He shouted, kicking the Krabble and knocking it off-balance. His left fist lit up in a green energy, he launched it forward against the Krabble “Steel Strike!” The Krabble felt the sheer force of the fist hit it. Already having wobbly legs, it got knocked over on its back, its many feet moving quickly in an attempt to get its balance. Its vital liquids seeped out of its stab wound until it stopped moving. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack stared wide-eyed at the fallen Krabble, their eyes widened and jaws dropped in shock. Applejack raised a shaken hoof towards Dunban. “Did you just…” She barely stuttered out. “Gale Slash is a very important art for me, as it allows me to continue into other moves that grant different effects after I use it. It also makes those that are struck bleed for a period of time. Electric Gutbuster is an art I would use after using Gale Slash, knocking my opponent off-balance. It was then when I would use Steel Strike to topple them. The combination of those moves combined with the damage from bleeding out finished off that Krabble like how Reyn finishes off his curry.” Dunban proudly proclaimed. “I don’t know whether to laugh at that joke you’ve made, or feel horrified that you made that as a comparison to taking a life.” Twilight Sparkle stated with her voice drenched in uncertainty. “Now, Twilight, one shouldn’t overthink morals within battle. Rather, one should just act and use every single opportunity to overwhelm his or her foe in battle. You can only win a battle if your foe is rendered incapacitated under all costs.” Listening to Dunban’s words, it felt as if a blood vessel within Twilight Sparkle’s brain ruptured. “What did Shulk get Applejack and me in?” She said softly to herself. In that moment, a group of angry Beach Krabble walked up towards the group of three. Dunban smiled and pointed his blade towards them while Twilight Sparkle and Applejack gulped on air and backed up slightly. “Well, looks like we have no other choice but to fight! These Krabble consider us a threat right now.” Dunban stated. “Shouldn’t that be a cue for us to, oh I don’t know, leave?!” Twilight Sparkle shouted. “They are just Krabble, Twilight. If anything, this large amount of monsters will prove to be the most fun I’ve had since I was first bed-ridden.” “What?! Do you mean that you brought us out here to fight creatures just because you were bored?!” Twilight Sparkle screamed with fire burning in her voice. “I might have implied that, yes. But, it was mostly to teach you girls to hone your warrior’s spirit and get you into the swing of what is done on the Bionis.” Dunban explained. “Now, are you two going to run away like cowards or be real warriors and stand up to these Krabble?” Twilight Sparkle opened her mouth, only to be interrupted by Applejack. “I’ll stand up with ya, Dunban. No Apple should run away from a situation in front of them! Plus, this hammer feels natural around my hooves and is just screaming to be used.” Applejack responded. Twilight Sparkle looked towards Dunban, Applejack and the horde of Krabble around them. “Well, if Applejack is with you, then I guess I have to be with you as well. I don’t think your sister would appreciate seeing you fight in this condition though.” She reluctantly stated. “Now, now, Twilight, she doesn’t need to find out. Thank you for not running away from me, Twilight and Applejack.” Dunban stated with a laugh. “Now we’ll be able to show all these Krabble the wrath of each warrior’s spirit!”