//------------------------------// // Aikido // Story: Zombie Chronicles: New School // by ZombieBrony22 //------------------------------// The trial was off for the day after I showed Diamond the orphanage. We were at home, where I wanted to grab something. "What is it?" She asked. "You'll see." I said as I rummaged through an old box. I saw photo albums, fliers, and other various objects. Then I found it. "What is that?" Diamond asked. I pulled it out of the box. It was forever ever since I used it, but I decided she could use it. My Bo Staff. "If we win, it doesn't mean your mom won't come back. She will, and she'll be violent. You need to protect yourself." I promised. "And you want to teach me?" Diamond asked. "I can't, but I know someone who can." I said as I grabbed a flier and handed it to her. "It'd be better than hoping you can fend her off..." I said. Diamond was struck by this. She looked at the flier and looked back. "I'll think about it." She said as she put the flier in her pocket. I felt a grin form on my face and I took the staff to my room for the time being. I noticed that it was about 6:00, and since Diamond was staying home, I volunteered to stay with her. "Thanks." Diamond said as she went back into her room. I went to the kitchen to cook something Apple Bloom had taught me: Apple Pancakes. "It's easy: When you're makin' the batter, pour some apple sauce in it. It really makes it more fillin'"! She told me about 2 years ago. I don't know why she's been so distant lately. Is it Diamond? Is it something I did? Was it my past? Before I could think on it, I had to be sure to make these right. I waited until it looked like-- and this is what Apple Bloom said-- Granny Smith's back. Never thought I'd be waiting to picture that... After I made them, I called Diamond out and I set them up. I didn't expect her to be impressed, you know, with her having butlers her whole life. She took a bite and... "Hey... this is... good. Jason, how did you make this?!" She asked in awe. I was suprised, but I was able to speak. "Easy. The normal batter, and some apple sauce." I said. "Well, I guess I'm starting to see how the Apples make their living." Diamond said. "Oh, they don't make these. At least, they don't sell them. We've seen them with everything else, though. Apple cider, apple jam, apple pies... you name it, put 'Apple' in front of it, and they have it." I said. "Well, this is good. Did Applejack teach you this?" Diamond asked. "Actually, Apple Bloom did..." I started. "I know she's been distant to you lately. And I know it's because of me." Diamond said. "Okay, she has some problems with you, but I bet she can forgive if she tries. And she will try, I'll make sure." I said. We were silent as we ate. Diamond finally looked up. "I've thought about the flier. If you know someone who can teach me... tell them I'm in." Diamond said. I was relieved. "I'll give him a call." I said as I grabbed my cell and looked under S. Sensei Jack. We went in the door of the dojo. I saw him training some other students with orange belts. He saw me and told me to follow him into the back. "Nice to see you again. I see you have a visitor." Jack said. "Yeah, I was wondering if you can train her Aikido. She's having some legal trouble with her mother right now, and I think she'll need to defend herself." I said. "I am sorry, but the dojo roster's full. If anyone should train her, it's you. You were one of my only top students with a Bo Staff-- if anyone can train her, it is you." Jack said. I nodded and we went out the door and started walking back home. As we went back, I saw two people standing in front of our door. One of them had a switchblade. "Diamond, go get help." I said as I got ready to fend them off. The man with the knife charged. I jumped sideways, and he fell flat on his face. I attacked a pressure point and he was incapacitated. I took the knife and put it in my pocket as evidence. The other man pulled out a handheld cattle prod and came at me. I dodged it and I kicked him to the ground. I took the taser out of his hand and held it to his shoulder. "Who sent you?" I asked him, moving the taser. "Wouldn't you like to know?" The man asked as he held out a badge. RICH INDUSTRIES. I jabbed him with the taser, knocking him out, and I took my phone and called the authorities. "I have two men here. They were sent by someone involved in a abuse case with their child. I subdued them and I am near Samurai Jack's Dojo in Canterlot City." I said. Diamond came out. "How did you do that?" She asked. "Aikido. Taking them down, but caring about their wellfare. I don't use the staff, but I doubt you'd want to be in hand-to-hand." I said. "Can you teach me anyway? Just in case?" Diamond asked. "Of course." I said as a police car rolled up. An officer came out and took one of the men by the shoulders. "Pressure points... smart." He said. I read his badge. Shining Armor. "Wait... weren't you involved with the Adams Case, back in 2013?" I asked. "Yep. Good to see you learned self defense. Good way to avoid a gunshot." Shining said as he loaded the other man. "I also have a piece of evidence." I said as I handed him the switchblade. "Thanks." Shining said as he got in the car and drove off.