//------------------------------//
// Darkening Night 
// Story: Dark Warrior of...... Neutrality?! 
// by Cipherthefightingwriter 
//------------------------------//

	As Fluttershy and I returned to the others, I thought about everything that Jason told me about being displaced and the other displaced.  Not about if I wanted to go home or meet other displaced, but rather on who could have enough issues to come after this Equestria and would have enough power to get Tirek to listen to them.  Whats more, I knew who ever it had been would have to know about the box and have some sort of issue.  Arriving outside where the new castle was, the group seen us and Link was about to say something, only to see the expression on my face as I said to them, "We need to talk, all of us.  I don't think things are going to lighten up."

At The House

Finishing up my summary of what had been told to me by Jason and with Fluttershy as a witness, the group looked extremely disconcerted by what I told them.  Finally it was Link who summed everything up, "So there are others like you?  All of whom were pulled from your world and dropped into versions of Equestria?"

I nodded, "And apparently I am one of the few who didn't take on the character they dressed as."

Celestia then spoke, "And you suspect another one of these, 'displaced' to be responsible for both Tirek and the dream?"

I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose as my concern for what was going on overrode my hate of Celestia, "It is the only thing to explain Tirek knowing about the box.   Everything till then had been going by the show of you guys from back home, so he wasn't suppose to know of the box and was instead suppose to be going around blasting the Everfree with his magic.  Not only did he know but he said it himself that someone or something told him about the box.  So ultimately, whatever was the cause of the dream, something is coming, something that got Tirek to listen to it."

Luna nodded, "Then we shall have to prepare, if this thing is powerful enough to make Tirek heed its words, then we must be prepared."

I nodded only to scowl when Celestia spoke, "In the mean time, you along with Twilight and her friends should be awarded Blaze, you have proven to be a hero and-."

I interrupted her as I stood up, "Awarded for what? Being fodder?!  Ask everyone here that saw my fight.  Not only did I lose it and nearly wreck everything in my first moments as Ganon, I still ultimately both times in that form was utterly useless and did jack-shit in terms of damage to him.  Only reason any sort of damage was done was due to that guy Jason!  No, the only heroes were Jason for keeping most of Tirek's focus on him, and Twilight and her friends for the finishing touches.  I was just the pissed jackass wanting my pound of flesh from him."

Before she could say anything else and make me  madder, I went outside and headed into the forest for the pond.  When I got there, I scowled, due to the fighting, the pond had been wrecked and most of the water and fish were gone.  Groaning, I sat down to try to calm down and keep my anger under control.   As I sat, I started breathing calmly, only to hear Cia's voice, "I never got to ask before, but what is it you have against being being a hero?"

Keeping my irritation under control, I replied, "Because it is pointless being a hero.  Yeah, heroes get respect and revered, but ultimately, it goes bad.  They do good for so long and so much, but when they take a break people flip out and panic.  They fail just once and on a minor thing and they become hated for it.  Also, for one's health, it doesn't pay for food or a home.  As for villains, whats the point, they automatically earn the hate of the world and can't trust anyone.  They are constantly hunted so they get no peace whatsoever, and if or when they do win, what then?  For world domination they would then have to make sure that no one rebels and if they do the rebellion is crushed quick.  For destruction, they will ultimately be left with nothing, no company, no comfort, nothing.  There is a saying from a game I like, 'Take away a man's light, his clothes, his food, his friends, his air, and you leave him with nothing but himself. And for most that is not pleasant company'.  So ultimately, both sides of the coin prove completely and utterly pointless.  It is why the gray men, the people who live their lives without getting involved in either side are the survivors.  no one expects anything of them, they get to live their lives and be successful in neutral terms."

"You truly hate both roles so much don't you?"

I turned when I heard Zelda's voice and seen that her and Fluttershy were there as well, "Hero's are forgotten and villains despised for as long as they are remembered.  Whats more, who or what truly defines a hero?  Someone who kills an evil being?  Someone who fights evil?  Or according to my world, the people who entertain and haven't fought a single time in their life.  Plain and simple, I hate what the term 'hero' has become.  If he truly existed, there was only one true hero, and even in the end, he was executed for his beliefs and even betrayed for thirty pieces of silver."

Cia crossed her arms, "Then why do you fight?  You say you do not want to be a hero yet you still do noble things."

I  gritted my teeth as I felt my  magic started to leak through thanks to my irritation, "Why don't I give you a hint?!  It goes with the saying I just stated!"

Deciding to not let my anger take over right then and there, I went into the forest, intent on letting out the anger I had built up.

Later 3rd PoV

Zelda couldn't sleep, after seeing Blaze earlier so angry, enough so that he went into the Everfree forest and changed into Ganon before tearing a section apart, she was worried.  Lately Blaze had seemed like he was trouble, one thing after another bothering him badly.  Whats more, she could see how disillusioned he was with the world.  The contempt he held for any view of black and white for good and evil.  Sighing, she got up and left her room, deciding to continue her studies, similar to Blaze, and continue working on learning the Equestrian language.  Arriving in the lounge though, she found the pony who previously hired Blaze, Daring Do, was awake and looking at a map.  Zelda went to leave, only for a board beneath her to creak, startling both of them and causing Daring to whirl to her, preparing for a fight.  Embarrassed, Zelda bowed, "I am sorry, I hadn't been aware that anyone else had been awake."

Daring calmed down, "It's alright, I am not use to being on my own so I still tend to be jumpy."

Zelda went and sat down at the table, "I understand, my bodyguard Impa, would be the same way in terms of being cautious."

Daring nodded before motioning to Zelda, "So what are you doing up?  You don't strike me as the type to do so."

"I had too many thoughts on mind so I couldn't sleep."

"Thoughts about Blaze?"

Zelda blushed, "Is it obvious?"

Daring waved a hand, "Everyone in the house is wondering what is wrong with him.  Hay, even I am.  He seemed so calmed when we first met, now he seems tightly wound."

Zelda nodded, "It worries me, he hasn't lashed out at any of us yet, but with the way things are going so far-."

"Not going to happen, while he doesn't trust anyone here completely yet, he does care about us enough.  In the time we worked together, I could see that he thinks the world of his friends.  In fact, when he accidentally wrecked my place because of me bringing up one of the things that sends him into a rant and lost his temper, he did and still does apologize for it.  It took me threatening to castrate him before he would stop saying he would work for free in order to repay me."

Zelda was surprised, "He destroyed your house?!"

Daring shrugged, "It was an accident, plus, the way things were, I needed to move anyways, if fans of the books I wrote could find me along with hired thugs, it would only be a matter of time before a worse enemy showed up.  But there is something that does worry me about him."

"What has you worried?"

Daring hesitated, "At first, I thought during the first few ruins while getting the artifacts in them, Blaze seemed impatient and would just charge on into areas that obviously had traps, which, as you have seen, led to him getting injured more than a few times.  It was the fifth one we went into that I noticed, when he actually got through it unscathed, even bumbling through a couple traps that narrowly missed him, he seemed upset.  I thought at the time he was disappointed in the lack of a challenge, but later when a poison dart trap in another ruin managed to hit him with one of the darts, he was disappointed again when he was told that the poison had been completely removed."

Zelda was horrified at what Daring was getting at, "Are you saying that he is suicidal?!"

She nodded, "It is the only thing that makes sense.  I don't like saying that seeing as, despite his actions and words, he seems decent enough, but it is the only thing that seems to describe his actions back then."

Zelda, unbelieving of that, got up after thanking Daring for informing her of that, then headed to Blaze's room.  Quietly opening the door, she looked in, and found that Blaze was fast asleep, facing the door.  Quietly entering, she took a candle she picked up and started looking around the room, she went to the bookshelf, hoping to find something.  Sure enough, she found what she was looking for and pulled out a book labeled with a J.  Moving into the hall, she opened it and started looking through Blaze's journal for relevant information.  Finally, she came to an entry from three weeks ago.

Dear Journal

It has been hard lately, I have been trying to keep calm but it looks like my issue is still here.  Zelda and the others have noticed me acting a little odd and Daring has been watching me closely, but I am not telling them about my depression.  This is my problem, not theirs, besides, all I have to do is find medicine for it or at least something to help keep it under control.  Damn though, if it hadn't flared up during the major jobs with Daring I could just pass the whole thing off as something unimportant or even blame my time while imprisoned.  Maybe I still can though, if one of them brings it up I will pass it off as that.  Anyways as for the rest of the day-.

Zelda closed the book and brought it to her chest, worried.  She didn't understand what Blaze meant by medicine for his depression, but she still understood that it must be severe with how his behavior has been.  As she tried to figure out what to do, she heard a whimper, prompting her to look in the room.  She was alarmed when she seen a distressed look on Blaze's face as he slept along with a tear rolling down his face.  Remembering what he said in the forest and knowing he needed comfort, she got into his bed with him after setting his journal back in place then hugged him from behind.  She then started to softly hum a lullaby that her mother would sing to her.  After a bit of humming, she smiled softly as Blaze relaxed in his sleep and his whimpers stopped.  She continued to hum as she hugged Blaze.

The next day, Blaze's PoV

Waking up, I couldn't help but to feel better  than I had been in a while.  Sighing, I decided maybe I could sleep in longer, only to realize that there was something against my back and that there was something along my side.  Twisting as best as I could, I looked to see what was behind me, only to blush bright red when I seen Zelda was in bed with me, hugging me.  Deciding to not disturb her and cause potential embarrassment, I gently slipped out of her embraced.  Getting ready quietly, I went and headed out.  Deciding to see where things were going to go from this point, I headed to the new castle.  Arriving there, I wasn't surprised to see some guards there already.  Walking up, I expected them to stop me and request identification or something, but instead, they stepped aside with one saying, "Sir Blaze, Princess Sparkle has made the request that you are to head to the library in order to assist her."

Amused, I asked him, "What makes you sure that I am Blaze?"

"Forgive me sir, but we were informed of the group of humans in town, and whats more, we were told that you were a being that rivaled Princess Luna and Princess Celestia in height and that your green skin and red hair were impossible to miss, along with the gold eyes."

"I could still be a changeling you know."

This time the other guard spoke, "There is currently a bubble around the castle that detects hostile changelings, so we would have been informed if you were one.  Additionally, we are aware of the lone changeling in town and that she is safe and has been vouched for by each of the princesses."

"Thorough aren't you?"

They said nothing as they allowed me inside and I headed for the library, only to stop and think, 'Where is the library in this place?'.

A while later

"Sir, are you sure you do not need to be lead to the library?"

I continued walking as I commented to the guard that was following me, "Nope mein friend, I will figure this out, just need to keep looking I will get there eventually."

The guard mumbled something but I ignored him as I continued to look, determined to find the library on my own.  I know it would have been easier to ask someone where to go, but all things considered, this was a new place, the fact that I was at the very least exploring it while searching for the library.  Though admittedly, at this point, instead of finding the library, I was finding a whole lot of nothing.  Finally, just before my frustration could come out, "Blaze?  There you are, I was beginning to wonder where you were."

I turned and seen that it was Twilight, embarrassed, I rubbed the back of my head, "I was having a little trouble trying to find the library."

The guard snorted, "He has been trying to find the library for the past hour and has refused any attempts at asking for directions."

I puffed up despite the obvious blush on my face, "I'm a man darn it!  Men don't need to ask for directions!"

Twilight seemed to think about something and grinned, "What about if someone offers directions?"

"Nope, not taking the offer!"

She looked amused, "Then what if someone were actually heading in that direction but said nothing about offering directions or help?"  I just shrugged, to which, she shook her head then turned and walked away.  Deciding to see what she was going to do, I fell in behind her along with the guard.  Before I knew it, we had reached the library, where Twilight then turned to me and with a smug grin, commented, "And there you go, and you didn't have to ask or be given directions."

I rolled my eyes as the guard snickered then went inside before me.  Getting inside, I whistled at the sight of the shelves, "I think this might be close to what you prefer in the size of a library Twilight."

She gave me a look, "What is that suppose to mean Blaze?"

I grinned, "Only that you love books more than anyone I know, even me and I read on an eleventh grade reading level back in the 3rd or 4th grade.  Though considering you, there is a reason why you are the definition of adorkable."  She blushed as I went and looked over the shelves before commenting, "Though admittedly, I know you would love the Library of Congress back at my home, the place is huge!"

"How big is huge Blaze?"

I took a book off a shelf and looked it over as I replied, "Over thirty million last I heard some in other languages."  

When I didn't hear a reply or comment for a while, I finally looked back to see what Twilight was doing, only to see her standing there looking like she was in a daze.  Finally the guard went over and poked her for a reaction, before turning to me, "Um... I think you broke her."

I nodded, then grinned before taking the book in  my hand, making sure it was in her view, then creasing the page.  Sure enough, she snapped out of it and snatched the book from me, getting me to laugh as she fixed it.  Finally after setting the book back, she asked me, "Is that really true?  That your library back home has thirty million books?"

Still joking, I commented, "Not my library but my home land's.  Anyways, yeah, though it is mainly nonfiction things like books on science and politics."

"Still, thirty million, how can a single library have that many?"

"A lot of collecting during America's short time in existence."

She seemed to wonder something, "How long has your country been around?"

"Only about two hundred and thirty something before I wound up here.  Yet in that time, the states has proven to be one of the more durable countries around.  In fact, I once heard someone comment that, if something happened to the states, the rest of the world wouldn't know what to do since we have the biggest influence.  Though I have heard plenty of jackasses comment that we need to isolate ourselves, and to what effect?  It would only be a matter of time before we get attacked again like in world war two or 9/11."

She went to ask about those but I cut her off, not intending to go into the upsetting subjects, "Anyways, what do you need me to do today?"

she motioned to the shelves, "Well, for today, we need to go through and make sure everything is organized, I will warn you though, some of the books aren't in their proper places so we may have to switch them back into place."

"Sounds good, something simple and monotonous sounds good."

Later

"I take it back, this is flat out a pain in the ass."

"You're the one who said it would be easy, so you have no right to complain."

I scowled at the guard who decided to stick around before continuing my work.  After a bit, I decided to take a break and stretched, groaning some when my back popped, causing Twilight who walked in to look somewhat  disgusted, "Between you and Shining Armor, that is disgusting."

I scowled but shrugged, "Don't compare me to him, and  besides, it helps with any kinks and keeps my back from hurting."  I thought of something, "Speaking of him and I am sorry for bringing up a sore subject, but when Luna punished him back then, why was the punishment so harsh?"

Twilight sighed and ran a hand through her mane, "Normally, the punishment for cheaters isn't so harsh, they're still punished but not as harshly.  You see, after Princess Celestia had sent Luna to the moon when she became Nightmare Moon, she had been alone.  She wound up meeting a stallion she fell for and dated, but it turned out later he was dating her publicly but in secret was cheating on her.  The fallout alone very nearly caused first a civil war when the nobility used it as ammo to claim she was making poor decisions, but while she was recovering, she went into seclusion and for two days didn't lower the sun, angering the lands neighboring Equestria.  Ever since, she made it a crime to cheat on another without consent or knowledge, but cheating on royalty which could cause such a backlash is treated even worse."

I nodded, "Still don't like her at all, but it makes sense.  Nobles like politicians back home will make a molehill into a mountain out of anything if it benefits them, even if it starts a war."

She nodded, "It just hurts though still, to know my brother was guilty of such a crime and that he was banished..."

Seeing she was upset, I got up with a sigh before going and hugging her gently.  When I stopped, she was blushing but nodded, saying a quiet thank you.  I smiled softly and went to get back to work, only to be stopped by a voice commenting, "Forgive me Blaze but you realize,  by continuing to show kindness and comforting others like that, you will be constantly told you are a noble soul."

Looking to the voice, I blushed at seeing that it was Zelda.  Not only did I remember how I woke up with her in bed with me, but she was in a new outfit.  She was wearing a purple long sleeved shirt with a light purple vest over it, along with light purple pants and a pair of boots.  Trying to hide the blush, I commented, "Yes, and then I will say...?"

She rolled her eyes then both her and Twilight remarked, "That you are far from noble and just don't want to see her/me cry."

I nodded, smug, "There you go, the two of you are learning."

They just shook their heads while I resumed working.  After a while, the guard left and then Twilight as well when she had to go and meet her friends.  I kept my focus on the books, too embarrassed to talk to Zelda, only for her to speak instead, "Blaze?  This morning, I'd like to apologize for my actions.  I am ashamed for sleeping in your bed with you without your permission, but based on last night, I did not believe it wise to leave you alone, and that proved true when I found you crying in your sleep."

I blinked, I remembered dreaming of the past, of memories that hurt, but I also remembered after a bit they changed to more happy memories.  Knowing the cause, I nodded, still blushing though, "Thank you Zelda, it was embarrassing waking up like that, but I am grateful you did that."

"... There is more I need to apologize for though.  Before I had done that, I will not lie to you.  You have been someone I can trust as much as Impa or Link, but... out of concern for how you had been acting...  why did you write in your journal about medicine to help with you being sad?"

I flinched when she said that she had read my journal.  I wanted to be angry with her for doing so, for invading my privacy.  Yet I couldn't because I had been the idiot who left my journal in a spot for anyone to read in the first place.  Sighing, and wishing I could avoid it, I turned and sat at the table across from her, "First off Zelda, I won't lie, I am annoyed you read my  journal, invading my privacy, but my anger is at myself for leaving it where anyone could read it thinking it was just another book.  Second, my depression isn't what you are thinking.  A difference between our worlds is... well... Have you ever seen someone who, they seemed so paranoid that it was unnatural, or that they would act far differently from others, for example, screaming obscenities without meaning to do so?"

She nodded, "I have seen such  cases, but what does that have to do with you acting like depression is an illness?"

I sighed, "Because back home, physical disorders aren't the only thing people are found to be born with.  There are also mental ones that people wind up with, chronic depression being one, and I am one of the people forced to deal with it."

She looked concerned, "How severe is this depression illness?"

"A lot of people endure it, and more so have committed suicide from it, one of our greatest comedic actors included.  There is medicine to help suppress it, but there is no cure, and ultimately it hurts worse than anything else."

She looked disturbed, "But you seem so happy and peaceful a lot of times, stressed if something bothers you, but normally calm."

I ran my hand through my hair, "It isn't so easy to spot Zelda, hell, even Robin Williams, the actor I mentioned, seemed like the happiest and most joy filled man, and yet he ultimately hanged himself.  Depression can be controlled Zelda, but it takes being diagnosed and having the medicine around to do so, and I don't have any of the medicine or know how to make or get it."

She surprised me when she touched my hand, "Then let us help Blaze, we are your friends and won't think any less of you for it."

"This is my situation to endure Zelda!  Gary Stu I am not, but I am not throwing the weight of my issues on anyone, especially not my friends."

She looked frustrated before slamming her hands into the table, actually making me jump, "Blaze, normally I would not do this, especially with a friend.  But as princess of Hyrule, I am ordering you to talk to us when you are in need of someone to talk to."

I scowled, "You're forgetting Zelda, this is not Hyrule, you're position does not carry any weight here!"

"No, but mine does Blaze."  I turned to see Twilight walk in, a determined look on her face, "As a princess of Equestria, I am ordering you to, when you need it, to vent to Zelda, myself, or any of us that are your friends.  If you do not, I will have my guards escort you to a therapist and all of us gathered to listen, am I clear?"

I wanted to argue, but I could see it was two against one right here, and they weren't going to let the others stay out of the loop.  Seeing that I was defeated, I sighed, "Fine, but do not let Urahara near me, who knows what that idiot will do if he heard about this."

Twilight nodded, "Alright, in the mean time, I will try to find any medicine I can that can help you.  Remember  though, if you don't talk to us, I will have you taken to a therapist, and Urahara will be there as well!"

I blanched at the thought, "Alright! Alright, I give, but if I prove to be a headache you guys are the ones responsible."

They nodded only for a familiar obnoxious voice to comment, "I will make sure to provide the medicine for the headaches and if they can't find anything  for you then I am sure I can whip something up!'

With precision I never thought I would see much less pull off, I took a book, got up, and threw it, nailing Urahara between the legs and sending him to the ground in pain.  Smug from tthat victory, I commented, "You're a masochist, you know that Urahara?  It is the only thing to explain your idiot moments."  He just whimpered as I went to resume my work, only to stop, "Zelda?"

"Yes Blaze?"

"... Thank you."