A Journey Beyond Sanity

by Darkwing Dust

Chapter Eighty-One: The Phantom Menace

Punch. Kick. Swing.

And rinse and repeat.

"Woo-ee!" I heard an enthusiastic Applejack exclaim as I sped by, roundhousing another tree trunk, Apple Bloom perfectly catching the falling apples in her baskets, "It's so nice of you to be helpin' out like this Stardust. We appreciate the assistance."

Eh, whatever helps me prepare myself for the inevitable showdown between myself and... Him. No, not Big Macintosh, who caught the descending apples of the next tree I punched, but quite possibly the worst villain in the entire show. I needed to prepare, to get stronger when I face this monster.

And to do that, I needed to train.

"Got to admit, it's surprising that you decided to volunteer today. Usually ya just sleep in on Mondays, Star."

"Ee-yup."

Less talking, more punching.

I had to be ready. I must be ready...

This persistence is understandable, yet foolhardy if you wish to overexert yourself, Sombra advised. Advised? That's a new one. And the last thing we require is your suicidal confrontation against this foe by simple exhaustion.

Sombra is correct, Jack, Specter agreed with the weakened villain, his tone far more patient and non-patronizing, To face this next obstacle, rest is as much a necessity as training.

And, as if on cue, an elderly voice called, "Lunchtime! Get yer lunch now!" Without hesitation, Apple Bloom rushed back towards the farm, apples falling out one by one at the speed. Big Mac followed more calmly, picking up the fallen red fruit into his own baskets.

"You comin'?" I heard Applejack than ask from behind, just as my back hoof was about to meet with another trunk, pausing in thought.

...Fine. A five-minute break would do.

At my nod, the orange Earth Pony led the way.

---

"The food is delicious, Granny Smith," Despite the majority of it being something made from apples, "Thank you for inviting me to lunch."

"Pah!" The aged green Earth Pony waved dismissively from the other side of the table, "Think nothin' of it! After all the help you've done for us, why, I'd be a foolhardy mare otherwise!"

Implying you aren't already.

Shut up Sombra.

Oblivious to my brief annoyance, Applejack glanced at me to her left, smiling brightly, "Considerin' the times you helped out the farm in the past, what kind of hosts would we be not invitin' ya to lunch, sugarcube?"

Idly watching Apple Bloom dig into her food in amusement, I smirked lightly, "Indeed," Before looking back at the orange mare, "Although I can't help but feel like I'm imposing anyway, Applejack. That's just part of who I am."

The cowgirl Earth Pony winked playfully, "Yeah I know, along many other things that can get annoyin' sometimes."

"Hey!"

A snortful chuckle prompted our humoured looks to gaze at Granny Smith, who was grinning toothily at both myself and Applejack. She said slyly, "Ya know, someone as big and strong as you could be a good match for my hard-working granddaughter, Stardust."

Oh my God.

"Granny!" Applejack scolded in pure embarrassment, a light red hue present on her face while glaring at my laughter, Apple Bloom's giggling and Big Mac's snickering. "He's with Twilight, as you should know!"

The elder Earth Pony shrugged. "Ah well, it was worth a shot."

"Hahahaha!" I eventually stopped laughing at poor Applejack's expense, grinning humouredly. "I think Applejack here would tire me out for the rest of my life if I were with her." The others continued snickering, and I added sincerely, "But I'm sure whoever ends up with your granddaughter in the end, Mrs Smith, will be one of the luckiest stallions in the world." Applejack blinked in surprise... Before smiling in flattery.

Ugh, you are exasperatedly corny at times.

Yep.

"Stardust..." The orange mare began, ducking her blush behind the hat. "That's real sweet of ya... Thanks."

We should resume training.

Agreed. I had my fun.

Standing up rather abruptly, I stretched a little before saying in appreciation, "Thank you for the lunch, Granny Smith, but if you'll pardon me, I'd like to get back to training in the woods?"

"Ya sure about that, sonny? We haven't even gotten to desert yet: fresh warm apple pie!"

...Now I'm very tempted-

Training.

Oh alright alright.

"Not today, thank you." I replied finally, before turning around to head back into the apple woods, "Don't wanna stuff myself, not today anyway."

"Why, are ya preparin' for somethin'?"

I paused at Applejack's joking question, glancing over my shoulder with a serious tone, "You have no idea, Applejack." Before resuming my walk.

Just seeing that content family, enjoying themselves without a care in the world, strengthened my resolve. I have to prepare myself for what's to come.

For them, for Twilight, for everyone in Equestria.

---

Punch. Kick. Leap. Left swing-

Oof!

You are recklessly aiming your attacks boy; randomly selecting an area of the opposition won't get you anywhere through the fight. Select a specific area which appears vulnerable, and focus your energy against that spot.

I don't need your scolding, nor your lecture, Sombra... But I'll keep some of it in mind. Rubbing my sore hoof absent-mindedly, I took a few steps back from the rough trunk and stood on two hind legs again, charging again at the innocent tress surrounding me.

Punch. Kick. Leap. Right swing. Block. Deflect. Roundhouse kick. Leap and punch.

Aha!

I grinned in satisfaction as this combo of attacks was working, apples falling from the trees in response. Now we're getting somewhere, and this time without the Apple family using my training to their advantage.

But I can't stop now.

It will take more than brute force to best our inevitable enemy, Sombra commented while I continued my practicing, We must exploit his weaknesses at the present opportunity. Currently, that creature hasn't taken the magic from anypony who we know, which gives us the chance to destroy him while we have it.

Punch. Kick. Swing. Leap-

"Still trainin'?"

Oh [BEEP]. I immediately rolled onto the ground from my jump at the sudden distraction, forcing my back into the tree trunk roughly. Ow... And some red apples deciding to take revenge on my vulnerable state.

Applejack looked amused, approaching with a shake of the head, "Not that I don't approve of the effort, but don't strian yerself, 'kay sugarcube? We wouldn't want Twilight to think that I pushed yer to yer very limits, now would we?" Probably not. As I got up, dusting myself off, the Earth Pony tilted her head curiously, "Exactly how long do ya plan on trainin' today anyway?"

Until the next rising sun? "As long as needed," I answered simply, resuming my focused gaze on the tree trunk.

But Applejack didn't take the hint just yet. "Heh, I haven't seen ya so intensely focused on fightin' since ya trained in confrontin' Queen Chrysalis."

"..."

At my frozen state and lack of response, Applejack spoke in calm concern from behind, "Now that I've come to mention, ya haven't exactly been relaxed since your meetin' with... Him."

Oh God, busted...

Blame your lack of subtlety, boy.

Shut up.

"And you've been awfully vague about how it went. Hmm..." Whoa! Without warning, the mare suddenly grabbed my sweating fur from the back and spun me around, green eyes staring intensely into my soul. I forced myself not to flinch at the searching, narrowed gaze of the very perceptive farmer.

I failed.

"Well... You don't look possessed." Ah, so that's what she assumed. Applejack, after a moment of searching and prodding, relented and provided me with personal space again, but still frowning thoughtfully, with a hint of worry in those green orbs. "I know Twilight said that King Sombra ain't got enough magic to influence yer and yer decisions, sugarcube... But I can't help but be a little skeptic."

Understandable.

"So if there's somethin' botherin' you, Star, we can and will help," Applejack stated firmly, as if attempting to nail the vow into my head. "If Sombra's doin' somethin' to ya, we have to know."

A small part of me says I should confess about the upcoming danger towards Equestria and all ponykind. Another side, more protective of these mares, urged me not to share anything, reassuring myself that I can handle this danger alone... Which might be foolish, considering exactly who we were facing.

"It's not Sombra," The farmer Earth Pony blinked at the admittance, and I forcibly looked away from her, "He has nothing to do with my current state..."

"Really?" I nodded after Applejack asked that skeptic question, the suspicion clear in her tone, "Then what... Or who?"

I sucked in a breath, pondering my options. Should I tell her? Should I tell them? Would that help get better prepared, or face even more danger by thinking of insanely hunting down the villain themselves?

Was it care that was making me reluctant... Or pride?

"Well?"

With a sharp sigh, I responded rather quietly, feeling quite ashamed of myself for some reason. "Please, Applejack, just let me train. If all goes well, you won't have to worry about a thing."

Even saying that outloud, it sounded incredibly unconvincing.

I didn't dare to look at Applejack's doubtful gaze, but relief flooded me as the mare eventually responded obligingly, "Alright... I'll get back to my chores now and leave ya to it. But don't strain yourself Star... For everyone's sake."

Nodding slowly, my eyes resumed on the tall tree trunks surrounding my field of vision, waiting for me to continue striking them. And yet, part of me no longer has the incentive to keep hitting them, that small conversation with Applejack had forced me to consider the possibility that I was, in fact, driving my friends away again by protecting them.

Friendships do not last forever. You said so yourself.

Maybe... But I will do my best to maintain that friendship with everyone here for as long as possible.

Now, better get back to work.

Punch. Kick. Leap. Swing-

---

Punch... Kick... Leap... Swing...

Heh... Heh... Ugh...

Getting there.

I continued ignoring Sombra's exasperation. You are overexerting yourself, hours have passed. Take a moment.

Concern, Your Highness? That's a new one...

I'd rather not have my host die of exhaustion.

Yeah well... Heh... Not that that hasn't stopped me before...

"Stardust!"

Huh...

"Hey Spike..." I acknowledged without turning to face the dragon, working on straightening my shaking hoof. "Twilight sent you?"

"Uh-huh." Of course she did. The dragon walked over to my field of vision, smiling. "She was worried, so asked me to find you at Sweet Apple Acres and bring you back."

"...All by yourself?"

The question incited Spike's frown, folding his arms defiantly. "I can take care of myself, ya know."

Of course you can...

"Sorry... Brotherly instincts."

That answer seemed to satisfy the dragon, who grinned before inquiring, "So, are ya coming back then?"

I can't...

"Not yet."

Spike then frowned, blinking at the tired answer, "Why not? You've been out here all day! It's almost midnight, for crying out loud!"

Is it really... Huh...

"Tell Twilight... I'll be back soon." Followed by a concentrated kick against the tree trunk. Fortunately, the night hadn't completely blackened my vision. Yet it was getting really hard to focus. But I must...

For their sake.

"How soon?"

However long necessary...

"Soon."

Fo a moment, Spike looked rather hesitant to relay that message... Before finally nodding in acceptance, "Okay. But don't take too long, alright? Heh, you know how Twilight gets when she's worried. See ya back home!" The dragon started leaving while saying that, and I smiled slightly at those words. Yes, Twilight can exaggerate tremendously.

And I find that amusing... And endearing...

And time was slowly catching up, crawling my fur with exhaustion and demand to rest...Oh Jesus, my body was aching for me to stop...

Boy. Cease this madness at once, The fallen King downright ordered, Not even balance itself can replenish your energy with you wasting it like this.

...Just one more. One more time.

Punch... Kick... Le... Leap... And swin... Swin... Uhhh...

---

...Hm?

Wha-?!

Immediately, my body shot upwards, my surrounding unfamiliar to what I usually woke up to. Instead of the bedroom I've grown accustomed to during my time here in Ponyville, I was greeted by a terrible odour, the moo'ing of cows and my own body sleeping on hay, with a light blue blanket resting atop me. And my currently location was clearly in the farm.

The barn, to be more specific.

Eh... What? How did I get here? Last thing I recall, I was training, and-

"G'morning sugarcube."

Applejack...

The orange Earth Pony was preoccupied with piling together some obvious filled buckets. Of what, I didn't presume to ask, but she noticed my awakening almost immediately, smiling in greeting at the sight of my startled state. Then that cheerful expression turned amused, "I found ya sleepin' in the woods, and took ya back here to rest properly, It's not much, but I imagine some hay would be a more comfortable bed than the ground."

Probably...

"What happened?"

The mare then raised a brow at my hoarse question, before nodding almost to herself, setting the metal bucket down and walking over to the barn entrance. "Just a sec." Alright...? For a moment, I was left alone, accompanied only by the oblivious cows, seemingly indifferent to my presence, when I knew for a fact these animals were as equally intelligent as ponykind on Equestria. Then, a small filly entered the barn rather hurriedly, a tall glass shaking dangerously on her shaking head.

"Here ya go!"

Ah, wonderful. "Thank you," I said to Apple Bloom, happily accepting the water and drinking it without hesitation, the refreshing cool taste bringing life to my throat and exhausted body once again. The filly Earth Pony beamed happily in response, before rushing out, no doubt to complete her chores.

And Applejack returned as her sister passed her, smiling lightly. "I had a feelin' you'd need that water after exertin' yourself last night to the brink of collapsin'."

...Oh.

I paused from drinking, lowering the glass from my muzzle in realization. So that's what happened. Then, upon thinking that, the Earth Pony immediately started scowling disapprovingly in my direction, approaching my makeshift bed, "And speakin' of which, just what in tarnation were ya thinkin' Stardust? I told yer not to strain yerself, and that's exactly what you did!"

Oops...

Guess I was a little dedicated last night...

"And ya didn't just worry me," Applejack continued in lecture, "The rest of our friends - and especially Twilight - had to learn about your passing out in the middle of the woods. Who knows what could've happened!"

Fair point.

"I'm sorry-"

"And don't even bother tryin' to make excuses." Oh dear. I winced at the stern hardened gaze from the cowgirl mare, "What could be so important as to exhaust yourself like that and causin' yer friends concern? You told me it wasn't about King Sombra, but I'm startin' to think that-"

"It's not Sombra."

"Then what? It's not as if we're goin' to face a new more dangerous enemy anytime soon!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Right?"

...I'm a terrible master of discretion.

Oh. Applejack snatched my almost-empty glass before I could hide my thin muzzle behind it, green eyes searching, demanding answers. "What aren't ya tellin' us, Stardust? You haven't been this on edge in ages! 'Cept somethin's different, it's almost like... Like you're afraid of somethin'."

And at last, one of them uncovers the truth.

"You... You are afraid." Applejack stepped back, eyes widening at her perceptiveness, the epiphany of my cowardice and shame seeming somewhat alien to her. Regarding me silently for a moment, as though taking this slowly, the mare then asked rather quietly, "But of what?"

"Applejack-"

"But of what?"

I couldn't resist looking away, staring at the stack of hay as memories surfaced; recollection of a villain I'd rather not face in my entire life. Well, cat's out of the bag now, might as well confess. So much for handling things myself. Sombra was right, one one regard, in that I was far too sentimental for my own good.

"Of a creature... More powerful and deadly than anything we've faced yet." At the corner of my eye, Applejack nodded for me to continue. Sighing regretfully, I carried on with a somber voice, red skin and yellow eyes bubbling at the top of my mind. "It's... His name is Tirek, capable of absorbing magic from any and all ponies to fuel himself."

"Wha... What?" I know, tell me about it. Applejack was gasping in shock, the very idea seemingly hard to contemplate. "Is that even possible?"

"Hmph. Anything seems possibly on this world, Applejack." I pointed out quietly, before saying next, "Anyway, Sombra and I encountered that demon at the old castle, in his weakened state." But that didn't make him any less a force to be reckoned with.

"That's why you've been trainin' yerself like this..." No [BEEP]. The orange Earth Pony replied as though it was an Earth-shattering epiphany. "You knew this Tirek was comin', and thought about fightin' 'im yerself so no one else could get in danger!"

Very observant.

Approval, Sombra? That's rather unlike you.

"He's far more dangerous than anything we've faced before, Applejack," I said sternly, finally meeting her gaze, shaking my head. "I'll be damned if I allow anyone to get hurt by that monster, not while I can change things."

"By endangerin' yerself?" Applejack inquired flatly.

"It hasn't stopped me before."

"And yet look at how much they almost cost you. Your lack of self-care ends up only hurtin' everyone who cares about you!" The mare bared her teeth while saying that, clearly annoyed by my foolhardy plan and pointing sternly, "Well, you certainly ain't facin' this guy alone, if he's as deadly as you say, sugarcube."

That's what I was afraid of...

"She's right! You're not gonna fight this 'Tirek' all on your lonesome!"

Oh no...

The mares finally chose to reveal themselves, clearly having been listening in through the barn doors. Their expressions were of grim, concern and determination. Rainbow Dash continued boastfully, "He'll be no match for my awesome flying moves. No creature will take me or my friend's magic anytime soon!"

"Rainbow is right, darling," Rarity concurred, voice resonating calmness and her own resolve, "We shall triumph through the power of our friendship, as we have done time and time again!"

"Yeah!" Pinkie exclaimed cheerfully, hoofing the air, "We're not scared of some super scary monster who can take away our magic to power himself and potentially destroy all of Equestria!"

"Um... Same." Fluttershy grinned meekly after the pink mare beside said all that in one quick breath. "We'll be right behind you."

Applejack smiled at our friend's support, motioning to the mares. "Ya see? You won't fightin' this Tirek fella all by yer lonesome. You're stuck with us whether you wanna be or not."

You guys...

And, at that moment, it was the mare of my dreams who approached, speaking next with a calm resolve and tone of pure conviction, "After everything you've done for us, and you're our best friend, we're not going to abandon you against this new opposition. We're with you to the very end Jack."

...Heh...

Hmph, how sappy and childish. They're willingly becoming lambs for the slaughter just to help their undeserving friend.

Again, ignoring that. I was far too happy and relieved to care.

"Twilight... Everyone..." I began, breathing slowly before continued in a tired yet more blissful tone, "God knows what I've done to earn such great friends... And, special somepony." There, I said it, yer happy? Twilight looked happy, blushing yet beaming at the words, prompting my own resolve to harden, words confidently escaping my throat, "I won't lie, this will be the greatest challenge we've faced yet. And I'd rather face this threat without letting anyone get hurt, even if it costs me my own life to save those I care for the most." As they opened their mouths to protest, I cut them off with a small grin of my own, "But I know... If there's anyone I can count on more while I'm here... It's you six. Thank you."

Suddenly, things were starting to look up. Maybe I won't have to face Tirek alone. Maybe I can trust these mares to look after themselves as we faced this new and deadliest threat. Maybe, just maybe, I should stop being afraid of the unknown. And as a welcoming group hug was initiated by Pinkie Pie, Specter's voice resonated from the heavens.

I'm proud of you, Jack; you have come so far since the beginning of your journey. Rest assured, your friends will always be there to aid you in your hour of need, just as you will face Lord Tirek, united.

Comments

[Mix-up]

This is an interesting turn of even and I hope that the turn of even will go better then just tell Twilight to hide out in Ponyville with uberpowers and do nothing, while Tirek gathers his own magic for himself from the ponies. I know Celestia has premonition skills but I wander how she could certain that Twilight could unlock the box in time to use the rainbow magic against Tirek. I do like the hypotheses that discord was play double sides by making Tirek take the long road to reach Twilight especially sense he had provided her with all his own research on about the tree before going after the naydowell.

[Crystalruby]

"Maybe I won't have to face Tirek along". What? It should be: alone.

[Fireeaters]

I've been thinking about what Specter's motives are. I think he's vetting Jack for an ascension to immortality. Probably as a companion for Twilight. Celestia and Luna have eachother and aren't nutters; Discord is alone and his screw is so loose that it's in a completely different solar system. I think there might be a connection.

[lainverse]

Sooo... Let me get this straight. Instead of reporting Tirek to Celly for her to sick Equestrian army or some other special forces on him while he has no power Jack decided to spend a lot of time training to hit that fella's face himself because... Why exactly? That's quite stupid. No, that's mighty stupid with a dumb on a side and idiotic on top.

Yet it was getting really hard to focus. But I must...

And apparently he haven't learn how to properly train either. Nice.

Oh well, at least he isn't smart enough to hide this.