//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Hold your fire! // Story: Flame of Courage. // by shattered_sky //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Hold your fire! Why did I leave those two at the castle? Maybe I should have tossed them in the river or something. I asked myself as I was munching on some fish I caught earlier. I set camp in the cave were I found the dragon a while ago, I didn't camp in the dragon's chamber because reasons. It was quiet aside from the crackling of the campfire and the occasional howl of the Timberwolves. Damn, that's a quiet dragon. Or am I deaf? On another note, I bet the two freaks are after me right now. Applepills has normal eyesight but Rainbine has proximity sensors. And I'm basically a walking torch, I'm surprised the forest hasn't burned down yet. Damn freaks. Easy to kill hard to subdue. I also have no idea if the other freaks are here or not. I think Evergreen can take them on but I'd rather use him on another occasion, plus I can handle myself anyways. I beat them before I can do it a thousand times over. But that was when I was at full power... I stopped munching as I realized something. "This is like a fucked up game of chess plus hide and seek." If I don't move soon everybody will be after me. And that is the last thing I need. So... "I shall make my move! "I then stood up. "Someone once said do not wait for the perfect moment, seize the moment and make it perfect!" I then threw my hands up in the air but I immediately sat down and crossed my arms and legs. "I shall make the moment perfect tomorrow." What!? It's like nighttime, I could probably attone for my sins in the morning. Plus a moment that will set the path to my redemption won't come in the middle of the night much less in the middle of the Everfree Forrest. I then heard a scream coming from the middle of the forest. I Chuckled and shook my head. "Fate. Two things, fuck you and I love you." I got up and ran out of the cave, I then spread my wings and took flight, I landed on the cliff I fell off a while ago. Why am I still wearing my shades? It's nighttime. I placed my shades on my forehead and squinted my eyes as I looked into the distance. From beyond the bushes I saw several glowing green eyes in the distance and a... Yellow filly with a red mane running from what I could assume are Timberwolves... A pack of seven Timberwolves... Oh that's Applebloom. What the fuck is Applebloom doing in the middle of the Everfree? As I ran towards the pack of Timberwolves I drew my sword and clutched it in my left hand. I wonder though... I was always a lefty, they say lefties are good in arts... Well swordplay is an art. Applebloom tripped on a very convenient root and fell face first in the dirt. A Timberwolf then tried leap on the fallen filly. Oh no you don't. This move took me a lot of practice. "No bestiality on my watch!" I shouted as I hurled my sword at the wooden dog. It spun as it sailed through the air, shattering the wooden dog, my sword then came back like a boomerang. I ran and did a flip catching my sword in mid air. "Eat your heart out Draven!" I said as I landed. I glanced at the stunned filly as she got up. "Little filly, are you alright?" She stared at me with her orange eyes. She nodded slowly with her mouth open. "Good." I then turned my attention back to the wolves. Three of them rushed upon me and I responded by swinging my sword in a arc, shattering the wolves. A wolf jumped on me and latched itself on my right shoulder. "Gah! Arrrghh!" I smashed the wolf's head with the hilt of my sword. Damn I need to get back in shape. Two wolves were growling at me, waiting for a chance to pounce on me. I formed a small ball of orange flame in my hand. I then threw it at woody blowing it up. I then asked the remaining wolf. "You were saying?" The wolf whimpered and fell to the ground as a pile of twigs. "Thought so." I then turned to face Applebloom. She was staring at me wide eyed and mouth agape. Oh shit. I think I scared her shittless. "....." "....." "Mister that was amazing! How did ya do that!?" I could have sworn I heard crickets chirping. Out from my mouth came an unintelligible reply. "......Eh?" That is tad bit ooc Applebloom. I then composed myself and spoke. "Didn't your elders tell you don't talk to strangers?" "Uhhh....." Applebloom replied. "My name is... Nathan , now I am not a stranger. What's your name little filly?" I asked even though I know her name. "Oh! Mah name's Applebloom! She cheerfully said. "An I am not little!" She stomped and pouted. Hnnng! Dia... Beetus! (Geez I know how to spell it properly diabetes.) I laughed in the face of death countless times and walked through Tartarus with a smile. But to cuteness I must submitt and gain type 2 diabeetus in the process. I still managed to resist the cuteness and the urge to snuggle the filly. "Hehe, okay young lady, don't get your mane in a bunch." I joked. But my tone then went serious. "But what are you doing here? The Everfree is dangerous especially around nighttime." She looked down and shifted uncomfortably. "Well ah... Ah couldn't sleep so ah went out... I heard some loud noise, I then saw a pillar of some strange looken fire in the forrest so ah..." Shit. She saw that? ----one hour ago---- Shit! I was just minding my own business and a Cragadile appears and attacks me! How come these things always happen to me!? Damn stone hide, my flames are almost useless! The Cragadile spewed fire on me. Wrong move. I extended my left hand and the flames parted around me. "Haha! Ooof!" The Cragadile leapt in front of me, knocking me down. How the fuck is that possible!? How can a fucking one ton stone crocodile jump!? But in all honesty I think it's supposed to be an alligator... No time for that. Okay. Shit, it caught me in it's maw. I'm kinda calm about this... Panicking now. "AAAAAAAHHHHHH!" I shouted as I repeatedly punched the Cragadile's head in an attempt to break free. I then grabbed both sides of its maw and forced it open. As I tried to get out it started crushing me again. It then threw me high into the air and opened its maw. Waiting for it's meal to fall down. Not today lady death. I then blasted the Cragadile with a giant stream of purple fire. *BOOM* The good thing about purple fire it doesn't burn things like normal fire, in fact I can hold things with it. Sure it's still hot... I can also use it sucker punch people because I can manipulate its properties, make it as solid as rock or flexible like water. But enough of the magical mumbo jumbo. I landed in front of the knocked out Cragadile, lying down in a crater. Well that was loud.I hope nobody noticed the stunt I did. Well it's late, no one is up by now... ----Present---- "And history was made." I said as I cut her off, shoving the flashback of my Cragadile encounter to the back of my head. She tilted her head to the side. "Huh?" "Nevermind let's get you back home." I said. "Your family must be worried sick if they find out you're gone." "Oh no! Mah big sister is going to ground me forever for this! Am never gonna get my cutie mark! What if..." Okay that's enough. I smiled and asked. "What if Timberwolves attack us? How about Manticores? Or... Cragadiles or a Hydra?" She then latched herself on my right leg, while visibly shaking. "M-m-manticores? H-hydras?" She shakily asked. I did babysitting once. I was never allowed again. "O-okay let's go..." But still. Monsters under your bed, works every time. I looked down at the filly attached to my leg. I stroked her red mane and tried to comfort her. "Shh... It's going to be alright... I'll get you back safe and sound..." I coed. "R-really?" She asked. "Yeah let's get going." I hope we don't encounter any unwanted guests. ----1 hour later---- "Are we lost?" Applebloom asked. I can see perfectly in the dark but I have no sense of direction. "No." I answered. I hate to admit it but I have no idea where I am. Maybe I should take to the skies to get an idea where I am. "Applebloom. Stay here. I'll fly up and check." Before she could react I spread my wings and took flight. As I hovered above the forest I could see Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres. I then landed beside Applebloom with a direction in mind. "Mister Nathan? Are you a pegasus?" Uhhh... Theoretically I guess. "Call me Nathan. And uhh... Yeah. Didn't you see my wings?" I'm a horrible liar, but she's just a little girl. She wouldn't notice it, right? Oh yeah ponies can't see well in the dark. "I didn't notice them until ya flew. But how did ya do magic?" *Sigh* Man she's curious. "Uhh... Magical glove artifact thingy?" I said as I showed her my gloved hands. Geez it's hard to ignore the pain. She's breaking my focus. "Wow!" Applebloom exclaimed. "Can I try?" A kid is asking to wield a magical artifact. Well it's not a power glove. It's a suppressor slash stabilizer for my powers. "No." I answered flatly. She pouted again. Enough with the pouts! I'm gonna die of cuteness. "No." I said firmly. She crossed her arms and looked down. "Aw shoot! Sorry Nathan." She apologized. The problem with ponies especially fillies, can't resist them can't stay mad at them forever. "Nah. It's okay. Just..." I stopped walking as I saw a glint in the sky. "Applebloom. Hop on my back." I commanded her. "Huh? Whoa!" I grabbed her and placed her on my shoulders, ignoring the pain. "What are you doing!?" She asked. I started running. "Running!" I shouted back. Just like on cue explosions followed as I ran. Damn why now!? "Hold on!" I shouted. She responded by wrapping her arms around my forehead. "What's going on!" She shouted. I didn't answer, instead I continued running. My running came to a stop when something hit me in the guts. "*crack!* Ooof!" As I sailed through the air I instinctively grabbed Applebloom and held her to my chest. "*Crash! Crack!* Gah!" I went through a tree and skidded on the ground for a bit. Pain. And lots of it. Applebloom got off me and went to my side. "Nathan! Are you okay!?" I smiled and gave her a thumbs up. I got up and leaned on a nearby tree. I started coughing. I covered my mouth and coughed blood. I looked at my blood covered hand and smirked. Heh. "Your hurt!" Applebloom looked horrified. I tried to comfort her. I smiled and faced her. "I am alright. I'm not dying anytime soon." I assured her. "It would take more than that to put me six feet under. Are you okay?" She nodded in response. "Bleh! You're so sappy. You going to make me puke." I turned around and I saw Rainbine. "You think that could keep me down!? So think again you fucking idiot!" Shit. "Applebloom. Run." I ordered her. "Who is that?" She asked. "A bad pony. Run." "But..." "RUN! AND DON'T LOOK BACK!" I shouted at her. She flinched and took a few steps back. She then turned around and ran.   "Applepills! Get that filly!" I froze. Applepills? Oh shit. Applepills was the one who knocked me down I guess. She was just standing there as Applebloom ran past. "What the fuck are you doing!? Rainbine shouted. "Do I have to handle everything!?" She then took flight after the filly. Oh no you don't. "Hey skittles! Forgot about me!?" I dashed towards her and grabbed the back of her head. I then slammed her face into the ground. I then grabbed her tail and tossed her into a tree using my good arm. Ignore the pain. Ignore the pain. I repeated like a mantra. I need to end this fast. She then got up and started taking shots with her shotgun. I drew my sword and deflected the incoming bullets as I ran towards her. As I neared her arm morphed into a sword. When did she learn that? I was about to swing when Applepills attempted to ram into me. I managed to dodge her and I returned my attention to Rainbine. Our blades clashed, her strikes were erratic and rage fueled, I managed to parry and block all of her strikes. She took flight and fired her minigun at me. She has one!? I took flight also and maneuvered around the bullets. After she ran out of bullets, I flew up to her and our blades clashed again. She took a swing at me and I cut her arm off. "*Boom!* Gah! Grrrrr!" I then flew back. And sheathed my sword. I raised my left hand and created a large fireball. "Okay last chance. Don't force me to blow you up." I don't like killing but it's me or her. "Please surrender." I pleaded. She was holding the stump that was once her arm. "Give it your best shot monkey! A little flame isn't going to hurt me!" You asked for it. I froze as I heard voices in my head. "I was right! You are a monster!" "H-how could you? " "P-please... Don't seek revenge..." "How pitiful. You have the power to destroy mountains but you couldn't save the one you love. Her love for you was delicious by the way." I gritted my teeth and my hand shook. Don't hesitate Nathan you've killed before, but what has changed? I feel guilty. A thousand thoughts rang in my head, my mind was suddenly assaulted by images of all of the sins I committed. "How did you lose your spine? You would rant about what is right and bravery and all of those horseshit." Rainbine went on. I tossed the fireball which narrowly missed her. I-I can't... "Heh you're pathetic. You're nothing but a coward. Now die!" She dashed over to me and kicked me back to the ground. I was distracted by my thoughts and I fell back to earth. I got up but immediately fell in my knees, I then coughed up blood. My right shoulder is bleeding and my chest and stomach was damp and warm with blood. My stomach was in agony, I guess I broke a few ribs. Wait where's applepills? I stood up and looked to my right. "Pills..." Applepills mumbled as she lay down in a small crater. Wait. She got hit? She was covered in soot and her chest slowly went up and down. Other than that she looks fine. Anime, game and cartoon logic. Nuff said. I stood up and faced Rainbine as she landed near me. "Hah! Not so invincible now eh?." She sneered. "I'm surprised you're still alive, you've gotten too soft for your own good." She grinned manically as she leveled her shotgun at me. I have an idea! "Nah I'm not alive. I'm just breathing, bleeding, and trying to find ways to insult you." I replied sarcastically. "Oh! I have a joke you wanna hear it? No? Too bad I'm still telling. Why did the T Rex cross the road!?" I can still win if I trick her into close range combat. She looked at me with an uninterested expression but still asked. "Why?" "Because the chicken didn't evolve yet! *Ba dum crash*!" Okay that was horrible. Where did the sound come from? "Geddit!?" "No." Rainbine deadpanned. "Man! If you were any slower you would be walking backwards." I said as I slapped my knee. "What the fuck are you..." "Are you serious? Wow you actually make snips and snails look smart. It's understandable because you haven't been upgraded in a millennium. But still, my gameboy's processor is faster than yours!" Its working! Rainbine was steaming... literally! "Why you little pri..." I cut her off again and continued my verbal assault. "If your IQ was any lower you would trip on it. Also you are the carpenter's dream." I'm not sure if this insult will work. "Because your chest is so flat." I could have sworn I heard glass breaking. She then stared at her chest. Then she glared at me. Looks like I struck a nerve. "Wait!? So that's true!? Oh man what do you put in your bra!? Grenades!? Is your cup size A minus minus!? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Eh?" I flinched as I looked at Rainbine. She was on fire, literally. It's a miracle she hasn't turned into super mode. Her eyes were glowing red and she was on fire. Hmmm... Interesting. She then raised her remaining arm and it was surging with power. A high risk move like that? Even if she could hit or kill me she would shut down soon afterwards. "YOU THINK THAT'S FUNNY YOU FREAKIN MORON!? WE'LL SEE WHO'S LAUGHING WHEN I DANCE ON YOUR GRAVE!!!" She then launched herself at me. I easily dodged her punch and I delivered a strong punch to her stomach. She staggered back and aimed her cannon at me. "SEE YOU IN HELL FUCKER!" I shoved my sword down the cannon effectively jamming it. "What did you do!?" Rainbine shouted in fear as she stepped back. Her cannon was releasing arcs of electricity it then started to glow. Oh fuck. I put on my shades then started running away from the cyborg. The cannon then exploded in a brilliant light. Is it just me or some of my sentences sounded dirty? The blast knocked me into a tree. What is it with me and trees today anyway? As I watched the explosion through the safety of my shades I wondered. Where is my sword? Just right on cue the sword came flying, impaling me. "Gah! Arrrghhh! Why did I even ask!?" I managed to wheeze out. Wow this is a good sword it pierced my armour. I noticed the sword went through my left chest. Dumb luck. My heart for some reason is on the other side. My vision was getting blurry and my body began to get cold. As the smoke cleared Rainbine was still standing up. She lost her remaining arm and she was sparking all over. "I w-win *crackle bzzzt* g-game over." Not yet bitch. I pulled out the sword and slowly stood up. "Gah! I'm a heartless bastard missy!" Her eyes widened but soon narrowed. Damn I think she lost it. "Die... *Bzzzzt* DIE!" She then ran towards me. Live or die. And I choose live. With all of the strength I could draw upon. I dashed towards her. I was about to bring my sword down on her when my blade came in contact with two hovering swords. Oh fuck. I then leapt back. Rainbine looked pissed because of the intervention. I looked around wildly for a certain pony. Flying above us was a dark purple alicorn with a long dark blue mane with a red and black streak running through her hair. *Sigh* Brutalight Sparcake. (Horrible name I know.) Basically she's Christian Brutal Sniper plus Weaslecake plus Twilight Sparkle. "Yo Brutalight! What's up!? Oh you're up! Hehe." I think I'm crazy, I'm about to be killed and I can still crack lame jokes. Oh Rainbine shut down just about now. "So here I am. Ready when you are." I took a battle stance. I have no intention of dying tonight. She summoned her blades to her side and she slowly landed on the ground. Her blades then disappeared. She said nothing so I spoke again. "If your gonna kill me with magic, don't bother wizzard! I will only come back stronger!" She laughed and summoned a Eyelander in her hand. She looked at the blade and ran a finger along it. "I'm not here to kill you."  She said flatly. Wait. What!? "Not now actually. You see Courage..." "Nathan." I corrected her. Why does she keep on calling me Courage? "Dont interrupt me." She growled at me. But whatever she's gonna say I feel it is important so I won't annoy the hell out of her. "A certain acquaintance of ours has set a very inconvenient spell on us." Spell? What spell!? I heard someone snap their fingers and a complex magic circle was revealed on my chest. How did I not feel it!? I then looked at Brutalight. She had the same circle on her chest, I then looked at the two fallen Elements of Insanity, they had the same circle too. Okay I know only one person err... Draconequus who can explain. "DISCORD!" Speak of devil and he will come. "Looks like he was right. This way I am never late." A certain Draconequus stated. He was wearing coattails, a monocle, a top hat and he was holding a pocket watch in his lion paw. "Well it looks like you had a little... disagreement. I am glad to see you are fine Nathan." Discord stated as he looked around the area. "Umm... aside from getting stabbed in the chest, kicked through multiple trees, breaking several bones, losing some of my pride and bleeding to death. I'm pretty fine." I replied sarcastically. "Now explain Discord." "Well to put it simply if one of the people with that magic circle die all of them die." That son of a bitch... "Yes. Jared did it. No I can't remove it, right now. Unless..." "No." Me and Brutalight said in unison. Discord is too... High maintenance. Plus, freeing him would make me public enemy number 1. Looks like even Brutalight agrees with me. I was suddenly enveloped in a lavender magic aura. "There, that will stop the bleeding." Brutalight said as the aura faded. "But this changes nothing. We are still enemies. Temporary truce, until I can remove the circles. All I need to do is remove one and all of the circles are destroyed. After this predicament we're enemies again." I simply smiled. "Duly noted. Wanna head to Burger Princess?" She just glared at me. "My treat~! No? Suit yourself." Damn I'm getting dizzy. I clutched my head as I felt the world spin. "Oh you'll be fine Nathan." Discord stated. After a bright flash of light the three ponies disappeared. "Well that was rude." Discord then crossed his arms. "A few ponies are coming here. Ask for the directions to the nearest hospital." Discord said. But his next words were serious though. "Old friend. Don't die, I have so few." Discord being serious is like Celestia giving up cake. Still a perfect opportunity for a joke. "Who are you and what have you done to Discord!?" I pointed a finger accusingly. "Heh. Take care Discord." I said. "Okay, thanks!" He said as he held a briefcase with care written on it in bold red letters. "I'm gonna have to leave you so that the story can progress. Tata~!" He then disappeared in a flash. Huh? Well I could only shake my head. He has no respect for the 'Fourth Wall'... If it even exists. Wait. Damnit! Those bastards left me here! I stood for a moment and the pain started to flood in. "Gah! Ugghh..." I fell to my knees and clutched my stomach. I can only suppress the pain for so long. My vision started to darken and I felt cold. Damnit! She only stopped the bleeding, she didn't heal my wounds. I heard shouting in the distance. My vision slowly faded into darkness. All of the pain melted away as I began to lose consciousness. I fell face first into the ground. The world around me then faded into darkness.