Brawler glared at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie. They glanced at each other, then back at him.
They don't get it do they?
"U-um, why is that bad?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"You want your little sister to be like me?" asked Brawler.
"Wha-? She wouldn't-"
"She'd have a different fighting style, and some personality differences but she'd be like me," interrupted Brawler, "As in she'd have a need to get into fights daily to stay sane."
"Well you're a fighter too aren't you? You could fight with them and all four of you could be happy," said Pinkie.
Brawler laughed. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie gulped.
"You really think Sunshine would let me get away with something like that? Turning three innocent little fillies into the embodiment of everything she's against? Heh, she'd lock me in some deep dark hole and throw away the key."
"Celestia would never do anything like that!" protested Rainbow Dash.
"She already tried, and you know she wants me back in that cell," said Brawler, "And even if you ignore all that, do you really want to be afraid of your little sister?"
"What?"
"You're scared of me Dashie, don't deny it. I train Scootaloo to be like me, you'll be scared of her too."
"Scootaloo's my little sister! Families don't do that kind of thing!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
"That's what I thought, then my dad pushed me off Cloudsdale." said Brawler.
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie's eyes widened.
"What?" whispered Pinkie.
"It was a few months after I got my mark," Brawler grit his teeth, "I hadn't learned how to fly yet. The bastard took me to the edge of the clouds, then pushed me off," Brawler stared at the floor, "I fell, flapping and screaming, all that bucker did was fly home," Brawler looked up, "The only reason I'm alive is because of a griffon named Garry. He's a traveling salesman and he caught me when I was about halfway down. He flew me back up to Cloudsdale, I told him what happened but he couldn't do anything about it."
"WHAT! He saw you get pushed off Cloudsdale, rescued you, then just leaves!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
"No, he saw me falling off Cloudsdale. He barely believed me about my dad. And even after I convinced him; what the hell was he supposed to do? Take it to court? Nopony would believe a griffon, and a 'dangerous' colt in a million years. Take me under his wing? He was struggling financially and he has a family of four in the griffon kingdom. He had already helped me as best as he could. So I walked home, gave my dad the middle feather, and never trusted the son of a bitch again," said Brawler.
"What about your mom?" asked Pinkie.
Brawler sighed.
"She tried sticking by me for awhile, but even she got scared when I started eating meat," he said.
Rainbow Dash gasped and Pinkie took a step back.
Way to go Brawler, that'll scare them off.
Angry tears started to well up in Brawler's eye's but he blinked them back.
"Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I eat meat! I'm just a big scary monster aren't I?" He raised his voice until he was yelling, "Everypony run! Hide! Brawler's coming! He's a violent psychopath who eats animal flesh! Run for your lives! He'll kill you! And don't listen to a word he says, he'll trick you into thinking he's an actual pony. But don't you dare listen, he's a HEARTLESS DEMO-"
Pinkie threw herself forward and latched onto him before he could finish. Brawler thought she was attacking him and struggled, but Pinkie held on and didn't move. Then it hit Brawler, she was hugging him. He stopped struggling.
"Pinks, wha-?"
"You need it," said Pinkie.
Brawler didn't fight against the hug, but he was a little too shocked to return it. Rainbow Dash shifted from side to side, wondering what to do.
Eventually Brawler broke the silence.
"Thanks Pinks but I just-, I just need some time alone right now."
"Okay," whispered Pinkie, she gave him a quick squeeze, then let go.
Brawler gave her and Rainbow Dash a nod, then quickly trotted over to the storage room and sat on the couch. He heard the mares leave, then sighed. He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling, wondering just what the hell he should think.
Rainbow Dash led Pinkie out of the dojo, and they found the Cutie Mark Crusaders with their ears pressed against one of the windows. Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. The fillies whipped around and started making excuses but Rainbow Dash held up her hoof.
"It's alright, none of you are in trouble," she said. The fillies let out a sigh of relief.
"What was going on in there?" asked Sweetie Belle, "We didn't really hear anything until he started shouting."
"We'll tell you soon," said Rainbow Dash.
"We will?" asked Pinkie.
"Rarity and Applejack need to know about this, and so do Twilight and Fluttershy if they want to be his friend," said Rainbow Dash.
"Know about what?" asked Applebloom.
Rainbow Dash sighed.
"Just go get your sister's and meet us at Twilight's. Scootaloo you go with Pinkie and let Twilight know we're coming. I'll go get Fluttershy. Once everypony's there we'll explain," she said.
The fillies looked at each other, then nodded to Rainbow Dash and started to walk away.
"Are you sure about this Rainbow Dash?" asked Pinkie, "I'm not sure Brawly would like us telling everypony about that."
"They NEED to know. Plus if he's right about the CMC's Cutie Marks then Rarity and AJ REALLY need to know."
"Isn't this talking about him behind his back?" asked Pinkie.
"Yes... no, gah!" Rainbow Dash held her head, "I don't know. I just don't know what else to do! I mean, my foalhood wasn't easy but buck, he's been through hell. I don't know how to deal with it, maybe one of our friends will."
Pinkie thought about it, nodded, then bounced after Scootaloo.
Rainbow Dash sighed again. Then took off and flew to Fluttershy's cottage. She landed at the door and knocked. Fluttershy opened the door a few moments later.
"Oh hi Rainbow Dash. How are you?" she asked.
"I'm alright Shy, but we need to get over to Twilight's. Pinkie and I need to tell you and the others something," said Rainbow Dash.
"Oh! Um, okay. Let's go," said Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash took off and hovered a few feet off the ground, then flew slowly towards Twilight's with Fluttershy trotting behind her.
"Um, so what are you and Pinkie going to tell us about? I mean, if you don't mind me asking," said Fluttershy.
"It's about Brawler," said Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy let out a small 'Eep', then went quiet. Rainbow Dash inwardly sighed.
"He's not a bad pony Fluttershy, he's just been through a lot," she said.
If Fluttershy responded it was too quiet to hear. They went the rest of the way in silence.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached Twilight's castle and headed inside, both the other members of the Mane six and the CMC were waiting for them in the throne room.
"Ah, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, you're here," said Twilight.
"Oh! Are we late?" asked Fluttershy worriedly.
"No, no darling of course not! I only arrived a few moments ago," said Rarity.
"Same here," said Applejack, "But what's this about anyhow? Applebloom said it had somethin' ta do with Brawler?"
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash sighed, "You might want to sit down, this is going to take awhile."
In actuality it only took a little more than five minutes for her and Pinkie to tell the others what Brawler had told them. By the time they were done however, nopony looked comfortable.
Twilight had her head in her hoof and was staring at the floor. Rarity's eyes flickered around the room and was rapidly tapping her hoof. Applejack had gone wide-eyed and was shaking her head. Fluttershy was trembling. The Cutie Mark Crusaders' gazes shifted between each other, their flanks, and their sisters.
For awhile nopony spoke.
"So." Everypony turned to Sweetie Belle, she hesitated for an instant, then continued.
"So we're fighters?" she asked.
"W-well let's not be too hasty Sweetie Belle. Just because Brawler thinks you are doesn't mean it's true," said Rarity.
"Well, yes and no," said Twilight.
"What do you mean? It's impossible to tell what a pony's Cutie Mark will be before they earn it," said Rarity.
"Well the exact Cutie Mark is impossible to predict, but it's possible to be correct with a general prediction. Brawler knows how a fighter will act better than anypony and his line of reasoning is fairly sound, so the Cutie Mark Crusaders being fighters is a distinct possibility," said Twilight.
"Okay, so what do we do?" asked Scootaloo.
For a moment, nopony answered.
"What if Brawly trained them?" suggested Pinkie.
The effect was instant.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
"I really must protest daring."
"Hold yer horses there Sugarcube."
"Well if there are more fighters around won't ponies get used to them?" asked Pinkie.
Everypony was stunned.
"That's, actually a pretty good point," said Twilight, "Plus since a lot of ponies here know the Cutie Mark Crusaders and know they aren't dangerous. If it was revealed that they were fighters ponies might be more open to it than being introduced to a complete stranger who was a fighter."
"So... Us bein' trained by Brawler would be a good thing?" asked Applebloom.
"Well, uh, don't be to hasty there Sugarcube," said Applejack.
"Twilight said it was good! Well, kind of anyway but I want to him to train me," said Scootaloo.
"You sure about it squirt? After everything we just told you?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Sure I'm sure! You and my friends would never let me down like that so having a fighter Cutie Mark sounds AWESOME!"
Rainbow Dash smiled, and a tear welled up in her eye. She wiped it away before anypony noticed.
Thanks for trusting me that much Sis.
"Alright, if it's what you want to do, go for it," said Rainbow Dash.
"YES!" Scootaloo punched the air. Applebloom turned to Applejack. Applejack sighed.
"Do ya really want ta do it Applebloom?" she asked.
"I really wanna get mah Cutie Mark, an' I'd be lyin' if I said havin' a fighter mark doesn't sound pretty cool," said Applebloom.
Applejack sighed again.
"Alright, go fer it," she said. Applebloom smiled and pumped her hoof.
Sweetie Belle turned to Rarity.
"You can't be serious," said Rarity.
"Rarity, Brawler thinks that I'm a fighter and Twilight thinks he's probably right. I just don't have my Cutie Mark to confirm it yet. Do you wanna keep me from getting my Cutie Mark?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"What?! NO! I want you to get your Cutie Mark Sweetie Belle and I'll stay with you no matter what it is. It's just... Forgive me if I'm a tad hesitant to let a stallion like Brawler be your role model," said Rarity.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes.
"I'm not going to turn into a miniature him. He's far too smelly to be a proper role model," she said.
Rarity laughed. Rainbow Dash smirked when she noticed Sweetie Belle winking to the other CMC.
"Ah, very well, as you wish," said Rarity.
Sweetie Belle smiled and nodded.
"Alright! Let's go tell Brawly-boy he's got some ponies to train!" said Rainbow Dash.
Rarity followed behind Rainbow Dash and Applejack towards the dojo. Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie still wanted to talk about Brawler so they had stayed at the castle. At first Rarity had tried to make the Cutie Mark Crusaders stay as well, but they wanted to start training as soon as possible so they tagged along. She glanced back at the three fillies, they were talking to one another excitedly as they followed.
No doubt discussing what they think their fighting styles and Cutie Marks will be.
Rarity sighed, then looked forward
I really hope this is the right thing to do.
To say that she and Brawler had gotten off on the wrong hoof was like saying Brawler could be a tad intimidating at times. Brawler had made it clear that he didn't want her friendship. The fact that he constantly called her Bitch made it difficult for Rarity to want his. And even if she ignored his profane attitude there was still the fact that Brawler was, and probably always will be, scary. Rarity had noticed more than a few bruises on Rainbow Dash and Pinkie when they told everypony about Brawler's past, and those two were the closest thing he had to friends. Rarity shuddered to think how Brawler treated ponies he didn't like.
Yet at the same time, she had never met a pony in more desperate need of a friend. Rarity and her parents sometimes had difficulty seeing eye to eye, but they still cared about each other very much. Brawler's Father had tried to kill him and his Mother was afraid of him. Rarity had gotten along with her peers in school. If his rant was anything to go by, everypony in Cloudsdale thought Brawler was a monster.
I want to help him. I really do. But is letting Sweetie Belle hang out with him really a good way to do it?
The dojo came into sight.
No backing out now Rarity, you already agreed to let her.
When they reached the dojo's door, Rainbow Dash knocked.
"Hey Brawly-boy, can we come in?" she called.
Brawler didn't answer. Rainbow Dash pounded on the door a few more times and Brawler still didn't respond. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and opened the door.
"Brawly-boy, we're coming in!" she called, then she trotted inside. Applejack and Rarity followed with the CMC right behind them. Rarity looked around the dusty sparring hall in mild disgust.
The wallpaper's drab and the floorboards look like they haven't been polished in a decade! How does anypony live like this?
She turned up her nose, then noticed something else.
Does this building not have any lights?
Before she could voice her question she heard a strange thumping sound. She lowered her nose and looked around, the noise seemed to come from the door on the right. The others had heard it as well and they started for the door with Rainbow Dash once again in the lead. When they entered the room they saw the source of the noise. Brawler was striking a punching bag in the center of what appeared to be the workout room. He had his back to them and was completely focused on the bag in front of him.
Jab, jab. Hook, duck left, counter right.
It was strangely hypnotic to watch. Every punch he threw was brutal, but every movement was, dare she say it, graceful. After watching him for a few moments Rarity began to understand why someponies liked watching martial arts so much. But they weren't here to watch Brawler practice.
Rarity cleared her throat. Brawler paused.
"What part of 'I need time alone' did you not get?" He turned, then did a double take when he saw Rarity.
"What the buck are YOU doing here?" he demanded.
Rarity's eyebrow twitched.
"My humblest apologies good sir Brawler, I wasn't aware entering your fine estate was a crime," she said, giving him a curtsey.
Brawler wasn't nearly as courteous.
"Buck off, Bitch."
"Hey!" cried Sweetie Belle, "Don't talk to my sister like that!"
"Come over here and st-" Brawler paused when he saw the CMC, he sighed, then turned his attention to Rainbow Dash. "What the hell's going on?"
"Ya know how you think our sisters are fighters? Well we want you to train them," said Rainbow Dash.
Brawler blinked. Then his eyes narrowed.
"Are you BUCKING insane?!?" he demanded, "After EVERYTHING I tell you, you want me to make your sisters fighters? Do I need to repeat myself? AFTER I BECAME A FIGHTER MY OWN BUCKING FAMILY GOT SCARED OF ME! You want to be afraid of your own little sis?"
"That ain't gonna happen Brawler," said Applejack. She gulped when Brawler's glare shifted to her but held her ground.
"Since we know what's gonna happen we can, ya know, prepare for it so it won't be as big of a shock," she said.
"Assuming that works, and that's a pretty damn big assumption, my parents weren't the only ponies who were afraid of me. Ever hear a school filly scream just because you wandered too close to her? Then getting detention for it? Not a lot of fun," said Brawler.
"Ponyville's a lot smaller than Cloudsdale," said Rainbow Dash.
"What's that got to do with anything?" asked Brawler.
"It means schools and classes here are a lot smaller too. So most kids in school know each other at least a little bit and are usually pretty friendly to each other. Right squirt?" called Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo looked up.
"Uh, yeah! I mean I haven't really seen much of them since it's summer but when we run into a kid from our class we usually say hi," she said.
Applebloom mumbled something that Rarity couldn't quite make out, but she saw Sweetie Belle scowl and nod.
Brawler opened his mouth but Rainbow Dash beat him to it.
"And there's none of that 'this is how popular kids act so I should act that way too' bullshit," she said.
"Rainbow Dash! Language!" said Rarity.
"What? You didn't say anything when Brawly-boy swore!" protested Rainbow Dash.
"Telling him to stop swearing would be like telling Pinkie to calm down and keep quiet," said Rarity, "It happens rarely and only when they want to."
"Get to the bucking point," said Brawler.
"Isn't it obvious darling? Since the fillies and colts at school are more acquainted with our sisters and know they aren't dangerous they'll be more accepting towards them if they get fighter Cutie Marks," said Rarity.
Brawler stomped his right foreleg and growled.
"Even if you're right, and again that's a big bucking if, what about Sunshine? She'd never let me get away with it," he said, "Hell, she might even arrest your sisters while she's at it."
"Ah'm sure Twi can help ya out with that. What with her bein' a princess too an' all," said Applejack.
"Until I get solid proof that Sunshine won't lock us up for it, there's no way in hell I'm training them," said Brawler.
"Oh so we just get that and you'll do it?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Wha-? No! Even if you had that, and even if I wanted to train them I haven't got everything I need," said Brawler.
"Your talking about electricity and plumbing, yes?" asked Rarity.
"What?"
"You have no lights and you obviously haven't showered; you need electricity and plumbing right?" asked Rarity.
Brawler grunted.
"I guess, but I was talking about meat," he said.
That sent a chill down everypony else's spine. Brawler rolled his eyes.
"You want those three to be fighters? Then they'll have to start eating meat every day."
"Why?" asked Applebloom.
"You need the extra protein if you want to build some real muscle. If you don't eat meat I won't train you," said Brawler, "And since I don't have any meat, or bits to buy some, I guess I won't train you."
"Out of curiosity do you cook with a stove or a grill?" asked Rarity.
Brawler raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, grill, why?"
"So, if I'm correct you need an electric system, plumbing, a grill, meat, and perhaps a fridge to store the meat in?" asked Rarity.
"I guess, but I haven't got a single bit to pay for any of that stuff," said Brawler.
"You misunderstand darling, I'll buy it all for you," said Rarity.
"WHAT!? That's like five hundred bits!" exclaimed Brawler.
"Actually it's more like seven hundred seventy five, and that's without the price of meat as I don't know the prices," said Rarity.
"Don't do me any favors," snarled Brawler.
"How exactly do plan to stop me from giving you numerous household luxuries?" asked Rarity, "Snarl at a few workers?"
Brawler's eye twitched and he growled.
"Fine," he spat, "I'll pay you back."
"No, no, darling, I won't accept it. I'm doing you a favor, not giving a loan," said Rarity, "If you feel so strongly about it simply do me a favor later."
"I'll do you a favor and pay half the money back," said Brawler.
"Very well. You can return the favor by training our sisters," said Rarity.
"That's three favors," said Brawler.
"Uh, Brawler sir?" asked Sweetie Belle.
He turned and glared at her. She didn't bat an eye.
"Why are you so against having three ponies dedicate their lives to combat training and constantly seek a challenging opponent?" she asked.
Brawler stared at her. Then he sighed and shook his head, but he was grinning.
"You are one manipulative little bu-"
Rarity cleared her throat.
"Bugger, ya know that?" said Brawler, catching himself at the last second. Sweetie Belle smiled innocently.
"Alright, if you're so dead set on giving your family nightmares, I'll train you," he said, "AFTER I get a guarantee that Sunshine won't lock me up AND you start eating meat. Got it?"
The fillies looked at each other.
"Do we really gotta start eatin' meat?" asked Applebloom.
"Only if you wanna be a fighter," said Brawler, "And nopony said you had to-"
"We're not gonna back down Brawly-boy so stop trying to scare us," said Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle nodded in agreement. Applebloom hesitated, then nodded as well.
Brawler grunted.
"When shit hits the fan, don't say I didn't warn you," he turned to Rarity, "If you're buying the meat as well, chicken's the cheapest. Three of them should be enough to feed the four of us for the next month. Normally that's about two hundred twenty bits but I know a guy who gives me a permanent 50% discount."
"Why in the world would he do that?" asked Rarity.
"I assume Dashie and Pinks told you about Garry?" he asked.
Rainbow Dash grimaced.
"I'm sorry for telling them all that stuff Brawler. I, I just-"
"Don't sweat it Dash. If I had really wanted to keep it all a secret I would've kept my mouth shut," said Brawler, "Anyway about a year after he rescued me he came back to Cloudsdale. Partly for business and partly to check up on me. Anyway his money problems had sorted themselves out and he felt sorry for me so he offered me a permanent 50% off on all his stuff. One of the things he sells is meat. I didn't want to try it at first but he told me about how boxers ate it all the time so I bought some, and I've been buying from him ever since."
"Well that's nice an' all, but how are ya gonna find 'im? Didn't ya say he was a traveling salesman?" asked Applejack.
"He has a permanent room in, what was it? The Altocumulus Inn. Just send the order there and they'll forward it to wherever on Equis he is," said Brawler, "Just send a letter ordering three chickens along with a hundred and ten bits, they'll get it to him. But be sure to mention that the stuff's for me or you won't get the discount."
"Very well darling, I'll start the letter now," said Rarity, turning for the door.
"Not so fast," said Brawler, "How many bits do I owe you?"
"You're not going to allow me to just help you?"
"I don't like charity. I pay you half the bits back and do you a favor, that was the deal."
"Alright, let's see. The chickens are a hundred ten bits, a grill costs a hundred bits, a mini fridge is about a hundred fifty bits, installing electricity is about two hundred fifteen bits and plumbing with a shower and toilet should cost about five hundred bits for a grand total of: One thousand seventy five bits," calculated Rarity.
"So I owe you five hundred thirty eight, right?" asked Brawler.
"If you insist, yes," said Rarity.
Though it would soften the blow. I can afford to do it all but it's still a thousand bits
"Wait, if you haven't got a toilet, where have you been-?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"The forest, it's not that long a walk, where else?" asked Brawler.
Everypony's eyes bulged.
"You've been doin' yer business in the Everfree forest?" asked Applejack.
"Home to some of the scariest monsters in Equestria?!" asked Rainbow Dash.
Brawler smirked.
"They're smart enough not to bother me while I'm taking a shit," he said, "Besides it's not like I go that far in."
"Uh, right, well," Rarity cleared her throat, "I believe my business here is concluded. I'll go order everything for you, hopefully it will all arrive by tomorrow. Come along Sweetie Belle."
"But-"
"Kid, none of you are getting any training until I get proof Sunshine won't lock me up for it," said Brawler.
"Oh, okay," sighed Sweetie Belle.
Rarity started for the door with her sister trailing behind her. Then something unexpected happened.
"Hey Rares," called Brawler.
Rarity paused, and turned.
Rares?
"Sorry for calling you a bitch," he said.
Rarity's eyes bulged briefly but she quickly composed herself.
"All the times you called me a bitch?" she asked.
Brawler rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I'm sorry for all the times I called you a bitch."
Rarity smiled.
"Apology accepted. Farewell."
She turned back to the exit and trotted away.
Brawler watched Rarity and Sweetie Belle leave.
Never thought I'd say that. But no bitch would ever offer to just pay for everything I need.
He looked back to Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
"You'll let Sparky know about this right?" he asked.
"Well she already knows you're gonna train them, but I'll tell her to make sure Celestia won't come after you," said Rainbow Dash.
"Thanks Dashie."
"No prob, race ya to the Egghead palace squirt!"
"One sec," Scootaloo turned to Brawler, "Thanks for saying you'll do it, I'm sure it's gonna be AWESOME!"
She jumped on her scooter and sped away before Brawler could respond, Rainbow Dash speeding right behind her.
Brawler looked after them, shook his head, and sighed. Applejack raised an eyebrow.
"Applebloom," she said, " Ah wanna talk with Brawler fer a few more minutes. You can start headin' back ta the farm if ya want."
"Why? What're ya gonna be talkin' 'bout?" asked Applebloom.
"Nothin' important, and Ah'm sure Granny Smith'd like some help with the apple pies fer tonight," said Applejack.
Applebloom cocked her head, then shrugged.
"Alright," she made for the door, but paused next to Brawler, "I'm really lookin' forward ta trainin' Brawler. I'm sure with yer help we'll get our Cutie Marks lickity split."
Brawler grunted, then Applebloom trotted out the door.
"You wanted to talk?" he asked.
"Why'd ya agree ta train 'em? Seems like ya still don't wanna do it," said Applejack.
"It's cause of what Sweetie Belle said," said Brawler, "On the one hoof, being a fighter can be hell, and I don't wanna put a few kids through that. On the other, three fighters to train and spar with?"
He chuckled and grinned.
"That's like Dashie getting a shot at racing Spitfire. I couldn't resist," his grin faded, "Really hope this somehow works out."
"Ah'm not gonna let Applebloom down," said Applejack.
Brawler snorted.
"Funny. That's what my Ma told me," He looked Applejack in the eye, "I made up my mind, and I'll train them. Maybe it'll work out the way you seem to think it will and everypony'll be happy. But again, if shit hits the fan, don't say I didn't warn you."
Applejack took a deep breath.
"Alright, Ah understand," she said, "Now before I go ya know tomorrow's Monday right? Well if ya still wanna work on the farm I'll have ta wake ya at five, that okay?"
"Alright, see ya then."
"See ya Brawler."
Applejack trotted out the door.
Brawler turned back to the punching bag but he didn't feel like training anymore. He sat down, looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?