The light was blinding but slowly dissipated, although I swore I saw what looked like red hair before it became all dark again, maybe it wasn't my time yet and I was to stay in Limbo and be dicked around by some spirit? Well that can't be right. As the darkness engulfed me once more I heard a voice.
"Rise and join me, My Rinshi!"
'Why does that remind me of something... oh no. oh dear god no. Please don't tell me I've-'
My own thoughts were interrupted as I rose from the ground along with many other creatures. Each of them looked alike and I assumed I was like them as well. Whatever that called us from the grave was too far for me to see properly however it's command was still ringing in my head. I fought the command as best as I could so I could at least think by myself. I could definitely see a few other Rinshi doing the same as well but another command forced us into line and looking at the podium. Standing at the center of the podium was three creatures which was extremely familiar. I couldn't remember who they were but I could remember their title and motive of the monster. The first who was sitting and what looks like a throne, was the Land Fist Demon styled after the bear, flanking on his two sides where the Sea Fist Demon who was styled after a Jelly fish, and the third who I could remember his name was the Sky Fist Demon Kata who was styled after the Hawk.
"Hear me My Rishi!" shouted the Land Fist," We are in a new land and a new world. One without the Fierce Beast-Fist Beast Arts and their pathetic justice! Here OUR power will rule! For this world is ill prepared for our Ringi! So you our warriors will be put to task as we take over this land of Equestria!"
Fuck my after life, I'm a foot soldier from a series where foot soldiers get killed easily in a little girl's world. I'm pretty sure I'm going to die again on my first outing.
"I leave all of you in the hands of your lord Kata, as he will train you all," shouted the Land Fist, who I remembered was named Maku, as he stood up and walked away with the Sea Fist Demon.
"I thank Lord Maku for this responsibility. Each of you will now receive your responsibility and you will follow the schedule I have place for you. Now go and be useful!"
A pain seared though my head told me that I must go into the prison barracks and feed the captives. Which is weird since I didn't know that there were already subjugated ponies. I tried to walk but I could not. It appears that I was right in my assumption back in Arnold's apartment that the Rinshi are in fact modeled very close to the Jiangshi (Chinese Vampire or zombie depends on your interpretation) all the way down to having to hop everywhere. So I hopped towards the kitchen and picked up a bucket of fruits and then hopped towards the prison barracks.
On the way there I started to take note of my surroundings. This place, called the Confrontational Beast Hall, seems very similar to the show but also showed other things such as the library and the armory. In fact it looks like this place was rebuilt and expanded quick greatly which makes me wonder how long the Rinshi had been in Equestria. Reaching the prison barracks, I passed some of the fruits the guards before heading down to the prison itself. There I noticed there were only two cells that were occupied, but I had to overcome my own shock first at what I was looking at. These ponies were not looking like the one from the show but the ones from some fan art Gale showed me once, ponies who were 'anthropomorphic' as it were. The first of the two prisoners was a white pony with pink mane and tail. I couldn't name this pony but I knew she was featured in one episode that involved Rarity. She was left to lie on the floor with minimal restrictions other than her cell door. I did my job and loaded up her plate before sliding it into the cell.
The second prisoner however was very well known to me. Dubbed to me by Gale as Queen Stupid Bug, Chrysalis was the queen of the changeling who attacked Canterlot for food, when the whole thing could have been avoided by negotiating rather than out right attacking. As I loaded her tray of food, I took notice that she was chained to the wall so I had to open her cell to place the plate of food nearer to her.
"Why," asked Chrysalis as I stood up from placing the food within her reach," You bastards are usually content on leaving it at the door."
I attempted to answer but I couldn't make out words that could be understood by Chrysalis, after several attempts I gave up and bowed my head before leaving and locking the Cell Door. I felt extreme pity for both Chrysalis and the pink pony.
Waiting for further instruction and receiving none I made my way to the Library. I knew that, at least from what Arnold had shown me, the Rinshi from the show eventually developed their own personality which was derived from their style of fighting but I didn't know where they got the knowledge, so I made a guess that it could be learned at the library.
Well I was right as I saw a few other Rinshi reading what looked like manuals for different styles of the Confrontation Beast Fist-style. I browsed though the selves of the Library and looked though the many different styles such as Mantis, Boar, Gecko and so on. However nearing towards the end of the Library I noticed three books that caught my eye. The first was Confrontation Lion-Fist style, which after a quick flip though was very similar to the previous leader, Rio used save for the black armor thing. The other was an oddity, as it read as Fierce Beast Wolf-Fist. I was rather surprise that a Fierce Beast manual ended up in a Confrontation Beast library. The style was very similar the the powerhouse of Maui Thai like in the show. The last however was what really surprised me. It was a manual for Mythical Beast Chimera-Fist, a style that mixes the different powers from Confrontation, Fierce and Mythical, depending on what the user has learned along side the Chimera-Fist. It took me awhile to read but it seemed to me that the styles themselves were almost the same save for the energy that is drawn to use the ability, which was why Mythical Beast Chimera-Fist interested me as it allowed any of the energy to power any technique.
I knew if I was found out using the last two manuals I would be killed by any of the Fist Demons, I was toast. So I looked around for anything else I could use which I found a rather thick manual following Confrontation Beast Scorpion-Fist, Fierce Beast Cheetah-Fist and a Mythical Beast Pixie-Fist manual. With a bit of editing thanks to some tape I found in the library, and don't ask me how there is tape in here, I made it look like I was checking out Lion-Fist and Scorpion-Fist.
Heading to my bunk which I had no idea how I knew the way there, I started reading all the styles as best I could. I took as while and I was practicing both day and night with the styles as I found out Rinshi don't sleep, ever but the Fist-Demons and the RinRinshi (the advanced Rinshi who acted as officers and had gone though some sort of trial, they looks like normal Rinshi expect without the hat/blindfold and wearing red) do for some reason. The Bunks are there to rest but not actual sleep.
I did both C-Lion-Fist and C-Scorpion-Fist in the day while doing M-Pixie-Fist,M-Chimera-Fist, F-Wolf-Fist and F-Cheetah-Fist in secret which was easy as there were areas that weren't in use yet. My guess is that the three Fist-Demons can only create or summon more Rinshi every once in a while. So there might be a plan to bring in enough for a large army and the empty spaces was to house them. I had to also be very careful as to not deter from my work as well, luckily it was simple things that didn't take up to much time, which included feeding the prisoners.
** Four Months later**
Keeping my head down and out of the way was easy as I found out, just act like a normal Rinshi and do your work and the Fist Demon or the RinRinshi will leave you alone. During the four months I keep visiting the prisoners, keeping them feed and healthy. Chrysalis was still a bitch but at least she was cooperative with me, ever since I found out English and Equestrian was very similar in writing. I managed to communicate with her saying I will get her and the other pony free once I become strong enough. She agreed and told me of the other pony's name which was Fleur De Lis. I tasked her of keeping Fleur's hope up while I train which she also agreed.
It was after a month that I learn though Chrysalis why Fleur was even here, the Rinshi kidnapped her and brought her here to keep Chrysalis alive and that they were here for a total of five months, six if only counted Chrysalis. Why, however, eluded the three of us. However, the Sea-Fist Demon constantly came to ask her about Equestria and the surrounding nations. Chrysalis did her best to try and feed false info or useless info, but that usually lead me to sneak into her cell at night to give her medical attention when the Sea-Fist Demon found out the lie.
Today was the time for me to take the test, even though I feel that I wasn't ready for it. The reason was because Fleur was getting to weak from being stuck in the cell despite me and Chrysalis try and keep her hope up. Very recently Fleur stopped eating the food I gave her so I knew I had to speed up my plan.
Talking to a RinRinshi by the name of Makirika, a C-Mantis-Fist User to lead me to the test, he agreed although was laughing that he thinks that I would get my undead ass handed to me, which could be the case. I had learned early on that Rinshi can talk to other Rinshi without effort witch made it easier but confusing at the same time, all we are doing after all is grunting.
"Here we are!" exclaimed Makirika waving his hand towards a pagoda like building," Here is the Challenge of Trials, here Rinshi like yourself before stronger and greater! Now prove yourself and become a RinRinshi and I will present you to our masters."
I bowed and hopped into the building which had a ton of Rinshi inside, each and every one wanted to beat me into a pulp. I decided to use only C-Lion-Fist to help divert any attention towards me. Starting with the Lion-style Ringi Resshūken (Violent Kick Fist) I tore though the Rinshi with my 'claws' and threw them all over. It took me about an hour before defeating the 60 Rinshi in the building which was in all purposes difficult since I was trying not to show the other styles which I had already drilled into my head.
Exiting the building, Makirika was laughing joyously," Wonderful! Another brother at arms! Er you will be a brother right? It's hard to tell before you guys become RinRinshi."
I nodded and asked when will the presentation be held which Makirika replied," Oh I will show you to the Masters tomorrow, since it's pretty late already. Don't worry brother, they will be rather happy when you are granted your RinRinshi Form."
That night I made my plans and packed the manuals I've been learning from, so that I can carry them back to wherever Chrysalis and Fleur were bring me.
And tomorrow I will have to run for my life, or rather unlife that is.