//------------------------------// // Truth or Dare sucks // Story: Commander Thorn in Equestria. // by SolidArc5542 //------------------------------// "Surrender General, you're outnumbered." "You dare to attack a Jedi!?" "I will not be undermined; by creatures bred in some laboratory!" Captain Rex ordering the Jedi traitor; General Krell to surrender, for making clones attack their own. ------------- "So, how did you say this game was played again?" Thorn asked while sitting down on the ground. "It's simple." Rainbow Dash said while sitting down across from Thorn. "You spin the bottle, and after the bottle stops spinning and points at somepony; you get to ask that pony a question or you can dare her to do something." Rainbow Dash explained. "But when you ask somepony a question, they have to answer it honestly; there will be no lying." "And don't even try ta lie, cause ah know when somepony is lying or not." Applejack added. "OK?" Thorn replied. "So who should begin?" "I think I should begin." Rainbow Dash said while spinning the bottle. The bottle spun around for a few seconds until it stopped in front of Rarity. "Alright, Rarity: Truth or Dare?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Truth." Rarity replied. "What was the first thing you thought; when you saw Thorn kicking Chrysalis's flank?" Rainbow Dash asked. Rarity smiled and looked at Thorn. "At first I thought he was some kind of dangerous creature that came from the pits of Tartarus itself." "Ouch." Rainbow Dash said. "That's a little harsh, don'tcha ya think?" Rarity cocked an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash. "Well the game is called Truth or Dare, and what I am telling; is the truth." "Okay?" Rainbow Dash said. Rarity just rolled her eyes and spun the bottle by using her magic. The bottle spun a few times until it landed on Twilight. "Twilight darling: Truth or Dare?: Rarity asked. "Truth." Twilight replied. "Are you going to bombard Thorn with questions when this is over?" Rarity asked. "Yes!" Twilight quickly replied. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, while the others just laughed. Thorn didn't really know how to react; he had never been involved in one of these 'Truth or Dare' games before, so he really didn't know what to expect. 'Let's just hope that bottle will skip me, but whatever I do; I will defiantly not go for dare.' Thorn thought while watching Twilight spin the bottle. The bottle stopped, facing Pinkie Pie. "OOH! OOH! Dare! I choose dare!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. Twilight chuckled. "Pinkie Pie, I have to ask you first; remember?" "Okie dokie lokie." Pinkie replied. "Alright: Truth or Dare?" Twilight asked. "Truth." Pinkie replied. "But, didn't you just say dare?" Twilight asked confused. "Yeah, but that was before you asked me if I wanted to choose; Truth or Dare." Pinkie Pie replied. Twilight just gave her a confused look before speaking up. "Alright, what do you think of Commander Thorn?" Pinkie Pie's ears immediately perked up at her question. "I think he's the most fun, cool, strong, funny, and overall awesome alien EVER!" Pinkie replied while running towards Thorn and grabbing him into a bone-crushing hug. "Gaah!" Thorn exclaimed while trying to push the pink party mare off him. "Pinkie Pie!" Twilight exclaimed while using her magic to get Pinkie off of the clone Commander "Awwww." Pinkie said defeated. "But I was just trying to be nice." "Ah, don't think that tha fella likes getting his body crushed; by ya Pinkie." Applejack said in a as a matter of factly tone. Pinkie just huffed in response and crossed her hoofs. "..Pinkie, it's your turn." Rainbow Dash said. Pinkie's ears immediately perked up as she spun the bottle. Please stop on Thornie, Please stop on Thornie. Pinkie whispered. 'Please don't stop on me, please don't stop on me.' Thorn thought while mentally crossing his fingers. The bottle stopped spinning and landed on..Fluttershy. "Awww." Pinkie said sadly. "And I really wanted to ask Thornie a question." 'Is she ever going to stop with that stupid nickname?' Thorn thought while looking at her. 'Thorn is just fine, or even CC-4254; but Thornie? No way.' "Fluttershy, Truth or Dare?" Pinkie asked. "Uhm, I uhm...... Don't know." Fluttershy replied. "Come on Fluttershy, it's not that big of a deal." Rainbow Dash said. "Uhm I-I-I-I, I choose dare!" Fluttershy quickly exclaimed. All of the ponies looked at Fluttershy with shocked expressions. "Dare? That's something I would have expected Dash to do; but Fluttershy?" Pinkie said. "I-I." Fluttershy managed to speak out before giving a little squeak. Pinkie smiled before speaking up. "Aw, come on Fluttershy; there's nothing to be afraid of." Pinkie said reassuringly. Fluttershy looked at Pinkie before giving her a soft smile. "I-If you s-say so." "Alright!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I dare you to". Pinkie said while looking around the room. She stopped when her eyes were set on Thorn. "Blast." Thorn whispered. "I dare you to put on Thornie's helmet." Pinkie said. "What?!" Thorn exclaimed. "Oh no no no, no one is touching my helmet; without my permission, let alone putting it on." Thorn said while getting up. Thorn took put his hands on his holsters. 'Come any closer, and I'll stun you.' Thorn thought as he watched Pinkie move closer to him. "Oh come on Thornie." Pinkie Pie said while suddenly appearing in front of Thorn's face. "Gaah!" Thorn exclaimed while tripping over his own feet. Pinkie Pie took advantage of the situation and (somehow) grabbed his helmet with her hooves. She quickly threw his helmet at Fluttershy. "Quickly! Put it on!" Pinkie said while jumping on Thorn and pinning his arms down with her hooves. "Get off!" Thorn ordered. Thorn rolled, now Pinkie was the one who was pinned down. Thorn gave Pinkie a angry glare. Pinkie smiled sheepishly at him. "Hi Thornie!" Thorn sighed and got off from Pinkie. He got back up and turned around. "Now, just give me back my helmet and...What do you think you're doing?" Thorn asked as he saw that Fluttershy was wearing his helmet. A normal person would have laughed his ass off if he or she saw what Thorn was seeing, Fluttershy's head was completely covered by his helmet; but because Thorn's head was slightly bigger than Fluttershy's; the helmet just bobbled up and down every time Fluttershy would try to look through the visor. "Uhm, d-doing as I was dared to?" Fluttershy replied. Thorn sighed again and walked over to Fluttershy. He bent over and removed his helmet from her head. Fluttershy shook her head a few time; to get her fuzzy mane back to its normal state. Thorn wiped his helmet and put it back on. "Now let me just make one thing clear." Thorn said with a serious tone. "No one, but I mean no one; touches my helmet or anything else what belongs to me; without my permission. Am I understood?" Thorn asked. The ponies gave him quick nods in response. "Loud and clear." Applejack said. "Ah don't like it when somepony touches ma hat, so ah know tha feelin partner." Thorn nodded and sat back down on the ground. "Could we please finish this game as soon as possible." Thorn asked. "Jeez Thorn, is it that boring?" Rainbow Dash asked sarcastically. "No." Thorn replied. "I just don't like playing games; that I think are a waste of my time." "Waste of your time?" Rainbow Dash repeated. "What could you possibly have to do that is so important, because from what I've heard you can't contact The Republic, meaning you can't return to your home." Applejack gave Rainbow Dash an angry glare. "That's not very nice to say, how do ya think tha fella feels about all of this?" Applejack said while pointing her hoof at Thorn "Well I-I don't know, sad maybe?" Rainbow Dash replied. "I don't feel sad." Thorn interrupted. "I wasn't bred to feel sad, I wasn't bred to play games, I was bred to fight." Applejack gave Thorn a compassionate look. "Now dontcha go and say something like that, everypony has a purpose in life; and I'm sure yours isn't just to fight." Thorn chuckled at her response. "You don't understand what it means to be a clone, none of you do; and none of you ever will." Twilight gave Thorn a curious look. "And why is that?" "Because you've never seen the things I've seen, never been through the things I've been through." Thorn replied. "You only told us a little about that war didn't you?" Twilight asked with a sad tone. "I am not going to tell you about every battle I've fought in, every brother I lost, every droid I blasted." Thorn replied. "I am not planning on bugging you with my life." "But we're friends." Pinkie said reassuringly. "You can tell us everything, but if it gets too scary; then please stop." Thorn sighed. "I'm sorry, but I don't think that would be a good idea." "Why not?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I mean, sure war is bad; but if we want to get to know the 'real' you, you have to tell us everything." "Some things, are better left untold." Thorn replied. Rainbow gave Thorn a pout. "Alright, but I still want to try out that 'big gun' of yours." Thorn chuckled. 'This is gonna be like Hardcase all over again.' Thorn thought. "Fluttershy, it's your turn." Rainbow Dash said while handing her the bottle. "Oh, uhm I-I'm not sure if I should--." "Don't worry sugarcube, it's just 'fun and games' remember?" Applejack said reassuringly. "I-If you say so." Fluttershy said while spinning the bottle. The bottle spun a few times until it stopped in front of a certain bipedal creature. 'Oh come on!' Thorn mentally shouted. "T-Thorn,T-Truth or D-Dare?" Fluttershy asked. Thorn sighed. 'I'd rather escort Senator Binks; than to answer these questions.' Thorn thought. "I choose truth." Thorn replied. "OK, h-how long h-have you been fighting against The Separatists? If I may ask." Fluttershy asked. Thorn was expecting such a question, he couldn't blame her; they were probably just curious about the things he had been through. But this was a touchy subject for Thorn, he usually forgot about his past battles; in order to prepare for the next ones. "Hello? Equus to Thorn, you there?" Rainbow Dash asked while waving a hoof in front of his visor. "Huh?" Thorn replied. "Oh, your fine." Rainbow Dash said while flying back to her spot. "I'm sorry, I spaced out a little." Thorn said. "Don't worry about it, happens to me sometimes too." Rainbow Dash said. "More like all tha time." Applejack added. Rainbow Dash just gave her an angry glare in response. "Can we please continue the game?" Rainbow Dash asked with an annoyed tone. Applejack rolled her eyes. "Ahw shucks, can't handle tha truth?" Applejack asked mockingly. Rainbow Dash snorted in response. "Yeah, whatever." All of the ponies laughed at the scene, but Thorn didn't even chuckle; he was still busy thinking of something to answer the question he had been asked. 'What should I tell them? Should I tell them the truth? ........No, that's none of their business; there are some things I don't want to bring up.' Thorn thought. But back to the main topic. Rainbow Dash said while crossing her hooves. "Just in how many battles have you fought?" "....... Too many." Thorn replied grimly. "Too many? Can you be a 'little' more specific?" Rainbow Dash asked. "No." Thorn replied. "Why not?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Come on sugarcube, we won't judge ya." Applejack said. "This...Is something I don't like to talk about, I've told you some things about the war; but hearing someone tell you, and seeing it for yourself; are two different things." The ponies gave Thorn a sad look. "Well, then I suggest you choose dare." Pinkie said. Thorn turned his head to gaze at Pinkie." Why?" "So that you don't have to answer our questions." Pinkie replied. "But couldn't Fluttershy just--." "Nope!" Pinkie cut Thorn off. "*sigh* Just get it over with." Thorn said. Fluttershy nervously looked around, searching for any kind of escape; but unfortunately for her, there was no escape. Uhm, "T-Thorn I d-dare you to......--" "Dare him to do what?" Rainbow Dash asked impatiently. "I dare y-you t-to.....--" Come on Fluttershy, it's just a game. Rainbow Dash said with slight annoyance. Fluttershy looked around and saw the others giving her reassuring looks; and nods. Fluttershy gathered her courage and sighed. "Thorn, I dare you to help me take care of my animal friends for one day." Fluttershy said. "What!?" Thorn and Rainbow Dash exclaimed in unison. 'We have got to stop doing that.' Thorn thought while looking at Rainbow Dash. "I'm afraid I couldn't quite hear you, but did you say something about animals?" Thorn asked. Fluttershy gave a slow nod. "Yes, that is my dare......If that's OK with you of course." "Of course it's OK with him." Rainbow Dash said. "Unless, he wants to chicken out." "Chicken out? What's that supposed to mean?" Thorn thought. "So, are you gonna do it? Or not?" Rainbow Dash asked mockingly. Thorn sighed. "Do I have to?" "Those are the rules." Rainbow Dash replied. ".......Blast." Thorn said whim lowering his head. "We'll take that; as a yes." Rainbow Dash said while grabbing the bottle. "Hey, isn't it supposed to be my turn?" Thorn asked confused. "Yes." Rainbow Dash replied casually. "Then why are you grabbing the bottle?" Thorn asked. "Because, you have to do your dare first." Rainbow Dash replied. "Alright, then where are these 'animals' I have to take care of?" Thorn asked. "In Ponyville." Rainbow Dash said with a grin. "And, where would that be?" Thorn asked. "It's not that far, we just have to take the train here in Canterlot to get there." Rainbow Dash replied. "So, there not here?" Thorn asked. "Nope, and we can't continue the game; until you've completed your dare." Rainbow Dash replied while getting up. "So, when do you want to leave?" "....You had this planned out all along, didn't you?" Thorn asked while getting up. "Nope, but this outcome is even better than I expected." Rainbow Dash replied. "Why is that?" Thorn asked. "Well, I was kinda hoping I could; dare you to let me use your 'big gun', but having you stay in Ponyville is even better!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. '.....This is going to be Ryloth all over again.' Thorn thought. "Aww shucks." Applejack said while getting up. "Dontcha worry 'bout a thing sugarcube, everythang is gonna be alright." "It's gonna be alright Thorn, just get to the extraction point as soon as you can!" "Sir, yes sir!" Thorn shouted. Thorn looked around and saw that everyone was giving him confused looks? "What was that about?" Twilight asked. "Yeah, why did you suddenly started shouting "Sir, yes sir!", we're all mares silly; there are no stallions here." Pinkie said. "I-I'm not sure." Thorn replied. 'Blast! Why do I keep having these blasted flashbacks?' Thorn thought while remembering the line that just crossed his mind. That was the battle of Kamino, I had been assigned by Nada Sè; to help evacuate the hospitalized clones to the evacuation frigates. But we were ambushed by a droid garrison, by the time me and my men arrived at the extraction point; the frigates had already been destroyed by Separatist Hyena bombers Luckily for us, Jedi master Shaak Ti was there to help us out. Without her, we would not have lived to fight another day. "Hello? Thorn, you there?" Rainbow Dash asked while tapping him on his helmet. "Rainbow Dash!" Rarity exclaimed. "Watch what you're doing, you might damage his armor." "Pfft, even Chrysalis couldn't damage his armor; so I think a slight 'tap', isn't even going to leave a scratch." "Huh? What are you talking about?" Thorn asked confused. "If you wouldn't have spaced out again, you would have heard what we were telling you." Rainbow Dash replied. "Then what were you telling me?" Thorn asked. "I was just telling you that, Princess Celestia might give you permission to go to Ponyville with us." Twilight said. "Yeah, wouldn't that be awesome?" Rainbow Dash asked. Thorn shrugged. "I've never been into Ponyville before, so I don't know what to expect." "Ponyville is a nice town, the ponies will have to get used to you; but they'll eventually warm up to you." Twilight said with a smile. "Well then." Rainbow Dash said while hovering towards the door; and opening it. "What are we waiting for?" "What do you mean?" Twilight asked confused. "Let's go and talk to the Princess." Rainbow Dash replied. "Wait, you want Thorn to go with us; today?" Twilight asked. "Duh." Rainbow Dash replied. "I'm not real a big fan of Canterlot anyway, too many stuck up royals." "How can you say such a thing?!" Rarity exclaimed. "You have absolutely no idea what kind of beauties; this city holds." "Sorry Rarity, but fashion isn't really my thing." Rainbow Dash replied sarcastically. Rarity rolled her eyes at Rainbow Dash. "I knew that." "But seriously." Rainbow Dash said. "Can we please get a move on?" Thorn mentally sighed.'This is going to be a very long and stressful day.' Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow Dash's impatience, while Pinkie happily bounced towards the door, Applejack chuckled and had to drag Rarity with her; because she insisted on staying, Rainbow Dash was already few meters in front of the others, and Fluttershy slowly made her way over towards the door. And Thorn? Let's just say Thorn was having the 'best' day of his life. 'First I get tricked into playing a stupid game, and now I have to go back with them to this 'Ponyville'. Luckily for them, I was the only clone to arrive here; I don't know how things would have turned out if Hardcase had of been here instead of me.' Thorn thought while walking towards the door. He walked through the door and closed it, when he turned around; he saw non other than Princess Celestia standing in front of him. "Hello." Thorn said casually. Celestia smiled. "Hello Commander, did my sudden appearance not startle you?" "No, I've been startled so many times now; it doesn't even surprise me anymore when somebody appears right behind me." Thorn replied while turning his gaze towards Pinkie Pie. Celestia turned her head; so that she could see who Thorn was looking at, and gave him a nod. "I know what you mean." Celestia whispered. Thorn quickly returned his gaze towards the Princess and spoke up. "Uhm ma'am, I have something to ask you and--." "The answer is yes Commander." Celestia cut him off. "How did you?" Thorn asked. Celestia winked at him. "There are some things that nopony knows about me." Thorn cocked an eyebrow underneath his helmet, but decided to play along. "So I have permission to escort them to Ponyville?" Thorn asked while pointing his index finger at the mane six. "Escort? Weren't you dared to go with them?" Celestia asked. "*sigh* yes ma'am." Thorn replied defeated. Celestia had to hold back a chuckle but gave Thorn a smile instead. "Commander, I wish you the best of luck." Celestia turned her gaze to her personal student and her friends. "Twilight, I am hereby giving you permission to take Commander Thorn; with you to Ponyville." Twilight smiled and gave Celestia a hug. "Thank you Princess, we'll make sure that Thorn will have a pleasant stay in Ponyville." Twilight said while breaking the hug. Celestia smiled at her student. "I'm sure you will, but I hope that the ponies in Ponyville will warm up to Thorn; as you have." "Don't worry, when they see Thorn with me; they'll warm up to him right away." Rainbow Dash said. 'Again, too overconfident.' Thorn thought while looking at Rainbow Dash. "I'm sure they will." Celestia said. "Ma'am, if we are to leave soon; I need to get my belongings." Thorn said. "While of course, we can leave whenever you want." Celestia replied. "I would like to leave as soon as possible." Thorn said. "The sooner this is over, the better." Celestia smiled. "That can be arranged, if we hurry up; we can get you on the train in half an hour." Thorn nodded in agreement. "Yes ma'am." Thorn turned around and began walking to his room. "Where are you going?" Celestia asked. Thorn stopped in his tracks and turned around. "To my chambers, to gather my belongings." "You can get lost pretty easily, I will walk with you." Celestia said while walking up next to Thorn. When she was beside Thorn, she turned around and spoke up. "Twilight, you and your friends can wait here; while I escort Thorn to his room." Twilight nodded in response. "We will wait here; until you return." Celestia smiled at her student and motioned Thorn to follow her. Thorn turned around and followed her. -------- The walk to Thorn's room was a quiet one, Thorn didn't say much; he only answered the questions Celestia asked him. Eventually, they reached his chambers. Thorn opened the door and stepped inside, he walked towards his bed and picked up his grenades and Z6 rotary blaster canon. 'Too bad I had to use a Thermal detonator to blast through that door. Now I only have two left.' Thorn though while picking up his grenades. "Are you done?" Celestia asked while poking her head through the doorway. "Yeah." Thorn replied while grabbing his Z6. He spun the barrel around to see if it was still operational, luckily for him; it still was. 'Thank Kamino for that.' Thorn thought while walking towards the door. He pushed the door open and walked through. He closed the door behind him and turned around to see Celestia with a sad look on her face. "What's wrong?" Thorn asked. "I-Its nothing." Celestia replied. "I can see you are upset, tell me what's bothering you." Thorn said. "Why?" Celestia asked. "Why what? Thorn asked confused. "Why are you, who you are?" Celestia asked. Thorn looked at the Princess, she was sad about something; but he didn't know what was bothering her. "Listen." Thorn said while putting his Z6 on the ground. He grabbed his helmet and removed it. "Tell me what you meant with your question, and I will answer it." Celestia gave Thorn a sad smile. "Why are you asking nothing in return? Why are you not angry about the fact that you cannot return to your world? Why are you...So caring?" "Because that's just who I am." Thorn replied. "Let me guess, that's how they made you; right?" Celestia asked. "No, that's how I made myself. "Thorn replied. "Made yourself? What do you mean?" Celestia asked. "When I was deployed for the first time, I thought that I had to follow standard protocol to survive; follow the orders given by your superiors, do not hesitate to take out an enemy." Thorn said while looking down at his helmet. "But from time to time, every clone starts to develop their own protocol, their own set of rules that they follow." "But, wouldn't that mean that the clones would not follow orders from their superiors?" Celestia asked. "No, we clones still follow orders from our Jedi Generals; but sometimes we make our own decisions." Thorn said while remembering what Rex had told him. "General Krell did what?!" "He made us kill our own brothers, he betrayed us." "...Who executed him?" "....." "Rex, who executed General Krell?" "Dogma." "Dogma? But didn't you say he followed every order that Krell gave you; and your men, all of those suicidal missions he sent you on." "Yes, but he was just following protocol.! "So he was a 'by the book clone' huh?" "Yes, but when General Krell confessed his actions, Dogma finally saw that what he did; was wrong." "So he disobeyed protocol and executed a Commanding General?" "Yes, but that was his choice; his own free will." "What happened to him?" "Court martialed." "....Blast." "I know, but at least he did; what he thought was right." "Thorn are you alright?" Celestia asked concerned. "Huh?" Thorn asked while looking at the solar diarch. "Are you alright?" Celestia repeated. "I'm fine, I-I just spaced out." Thorn replied. Celestia looked at him with a suspicious look, but decided to drop the subject. "If you say so, have you gathered everything you need?" "Yes." Thorn replied. Thorn put his helmet back on and picked up his Z6 rotary blaster cannon. "Shall we get going?" Celestia nodded at him. "Of course." **** *TOOT* *TOOT* Everypony aboard for Ponyville! The train conductor shouted. "I still can't believe Princess Celestia rented the entire first class suite for us." Rarity said while sitting down on one of the comfortable first class benches.. "Yeah, thank Thorn for that." Rainbow Dash added. Thorn didn't say anything, he stood in front of a window and crossed his arms. 'This world sure is something.' Thorn thought. As the train left the station, he could already see the beautiful landscape of this planet. He could see big mountains, trees as far as the eye could see, and the grassy fields. It looked peaceful, something he wasn't able to even think about; during his battles against The Separatist forces. "Hey Thorn?" Twilight asked while gently tugging his leg. Thorn looked down at the purple unicorn. "What is it?" He asked. Twilight fondled with her hooves nervously. "I just uhm, I just wanted to say; thank you one more time." "Don't mention it Twilight, I only did wha--." "What you thought was right, I know; but it's just.... I just wanted to thank you personally." Twilight said while motioning him to bend over. Thorn bend over and was met with a tight hug from Twilight. Thorn flinched when Twilight wrapped her hooves around his torso, but he returned the favor by patting her on the back. "Group hug!" Pinkie exclaimed while wrapping her front hooves around Thorn's back. Thorn had to concentrate on not falling over; because of the extra weight on his back. It didn't help that everypony else decided to join the hug, even Fluttershy. Eventually after what felt like minutes, the ponies let go of Thorn and looked up at him; with big smiles planted on their faces. "And that's how thankful we are." Twilight said. Thorn smiled underneath his helmet. Gratitude, something he hadn't experienced in a while. These ponies really were happy; that he was there to save them. 'I could get used to this.' Thorn thought while turning his gaze back out the window. Stay alive! Rex's words echoed in Thorn's mind. 'I'm sorry Rex, but that promise; I broke.' "Hey Thorn, could you tell us more of this 'Kamino' you're from?" Twilight asked while sitting down on one of the benches. Thorn sat down on the ground and crossed his legs. "Of course, prepare yourself for the story of your life."