Indomitable

by Slendy

Chp. 13 - Budding

|So, we're in agreement then?| Hearing this, I took a long sip of my tea, setting the cup down before my sister who was sitting with me in the library, the two of us have finally struck an agreement after the course of events involving Zinogre yesterday, about the state of both my task and their wellbeing

|Yeah, I will tell them, just need to round them first, knowing Taka she's with her egg, don't know where Kazu or Asher would be...| With a nod and smile, Summer sat back, stretching out a yawn. |I'm surprised you actually decided to agree with me on this? Given the numerous attempts on my life|

She chuckled, |You make it sound like we do it to be mean|

I nodded, |It's grating at times, yes, I feel as though you don't trust me is all| My answer made her pause, her paw pointed at me

|You're my little brother, of course, I'm worried, but... you wouldn't quit unless you yourself decided to, so I'll support you however I can| Summer put her paws on the table, sighing with a small smile, tail flicking toward the shelves. |Come on, there are some books I'm sure you'll enjoy|

That made me snort, |If it's more history I might just throw myself through the window| I saw her deadpan stare, even while bobbing up onto a stool

|We're residents in a world full of magic, unknown history, and much more, brushing up on our knowledge past the show is paramount| Says the egghead who lives with an egghead

Shrugging and sitting down with Trinity's book I scoured the listings of TMs and HMs, the movesets labeled with their properties and effects while instructing me on how to master them, the Hyper Beam I conjured was unleashed due to uncontrollable rage and my instinct to protect Taka, but not every move would work that way guarantee. Sat in the sunlight, Summer propped a book up to cover her head, tail swaying back and forth cutely. All was right with this messed up world I found myself in.

*Knock-Knock-Knock*

And the good news just keeps on coming. Summer skipped off toward the door as I adjusted my scarf anxiously. From the doorway came a surprised 'oh' from my sister, clearly as surprised as I was nervous, why? Well, it was obvious.

|Yui? What's up?| Despite not being able to understand her, Yui looked to have a good guess herself as I fumbled around for my rucksack

"O-oh, hi, Summer, I, uh, um... is Zen here?" Someone's trembling just as I was, don't blame her given her... not so subtle request earlier today

|Ready to go, Yui?| I walked over. Summer's eyes continued to dart between us, trying with difficulty to understand the situation. |Try not to blow a fuse, Sunny|

|Yeah...| She trailed off

From under her hood, the one-winged bat-pony smiled nervously, a bag on her back also. "Yep, got everything I need, except you of course."

I gave Summer a nod, the Eevee's head darting slowly as the gears looked to clime in her head, ears straight. |Right, I'll be back later I suppose|

|I am lost, but okay... have fun on your date| That had me nearly trip over my own foot as I groaned, facepalming

|I hate you so much| I shut the door behind us, wiping the sweat off my forehead. "Okay, that was awkward as hell."

"I... kinda expected that." And on that, we agree on Yui, watching her sheepishly rub her foreleg. "Sorry if my request for today was a little... erm, out of context?"

With a shrug, I nudge her head. "Don't worry about it, let's just finally enjoy a day without a monster looming on the horizon."

---

After much tribulation, I had acquired the books I found interesting, and as per mine and Yui's agreement once she handed over the lost books to an official within the book store she was compensated accordingly, much to my surprise a small place like this book trade would have business partners with the government. Beforehand we did some window shopping, and even with our new-found wealth we were too much alike, myself buying supplies such as herbs and medicinal supplies alongside a few tools and trinkets for the road, Yui did the same, restocking what she lost and making repairs to tools. In the end, our day out had gone well so far, and in pleasant company.

Yui was over on the other half of the store by the time I found her, browsing in a section that did draw a few prying eyes, though the sight of a bipedal wolf was enough to steer their gazes in the opposite direction. Yui was in... a spicy section, shall we say?

Yui was smiling, "Yay, they have it." She happily held out the book for me to read the title of, a hard-cover of maroon red with gold writing, fancy and bold too, and with what I've learned so far of Equestrian writing it roughly said

"'Stallion With Two Souls'... huh, think I heard of that before?" Where though, and why did I feel like a reference to something? The other book in her hoof was actually held with the cover facing away from me. "And the other?"

With her hoof tightened to her head, Yui's face flushed a little, quickly strolling past me to buy the book as I ghosted her. It's -- I, well... um, I really shouldn't tell."

"It's smut." I pointed out bluntly, just as Yui handed the books over to pay for them. She didn't speak other than to thank the stallion as I did the same with my books, once we left the store with a wave to the guy, Yui immediately grabbed my scarf, face turning red again

"Why would you just say that so abruptly!? A-and how did you--" Prying her off my scarf I rolled my eyes, pointing to my eyes

"The section you picked it from was... erm, 'Heavy Romance', and I was kinda surprised you just waltz right down that section, a number of shoppers were too," I replied with a smug grin, seeing her face slowly turn up in temperature

Yui let out a high-pitched whimper that bugged my ears, then she covered her face with her hood, burying her face into the fabric as she seemed visibly smaller after I blinked, chuckling a little at her reaction. Yui's got a thing for smut, never thought I'd see the day.

"You know, your depth perception sucks, surprised the rest of the novels didn't tip you off." For a Treasure Hunter, I thought that'd be obvious

"Nu-huh." She shook her body side-to-side, planting her head against my torso in a vain attempt to hide herself from the world

"Are you going to stop using me as a shield?" She shook her head, and I resisted the urge to glance in fear of others watching us. "...Okay, fine, shall we go someplace else?"

"Uh-huh." Her head bobbed up and down against my fur, and with my arm around her head, I tugged her along, only letting her collide with a lamppost to get her to walk straight, but not once did she let go of me. As odd and embarrassing as this was, she was too adorable to be left for the world to swallow her whole.

The walk wasn't far, just until we were far enough away from the shop and from people as I set her down on a bench overlooking Ponyville from a risen plot of land, it was a nice view, but Yui was still unable to tug her hood down.

With a stare, I smirked, "Yui, you can return from the azure lands now."

"Nope. I think I'll stay in here forever until history forgets about me." Doubtful. With my right paw, I threw the hood back, revealing the puppy-dog eyes that soon turned mortified. "Let me hide...~"

"Now you're being dramatic, so what if you like smut -- I'm into romance but you don't see me preaching my love to every girl I walk by, not that anyone could understand me," You see this? Books can be dangerous

"I-It's just I think it adds a certain level of realism is all... but w-what if he thinks I like this stuff!? W-W-What if I'm given, ugh, recommendations!?" Yui waved her hooves frantically, as though swatting away the images

Again I pinched my nose. "Yui, again, stop overthinking this. Judging someone based on what they read is literally like 'judging a book by its cover', I mean for God's sake I'm a perfect example!" I preached, her eyes lifting to me. "I mean sure, I've got all these great powers and the months I've spent here have been amazing! But... without this form, these gifts..." I looked away, "I'm... not much of anything, I'm a shut-in at times, and utterly ordinary, heck, I'm fine with normality," That then lifted a small smile. "That's why you're amazing because your life is never normal, it's filled with experiences unlike any other."

Her eyes widened a little, and her expression was starting to come around. "I... that's true I guess? But you don't have to be abnormal to be amazing, you know," Wait what? "I like you the way you are, so don't change because you feel pressured to, okay?" Now it was me left uncertain of what to say, so instead, I cleared my throat

"Not the point," I stopped her from continuing. "Point is, you like the book and you have your reasons, end of story -- No pun intended."

Her wing them patted her bag. "I also got a gift too... for my brother."

Interesting, "Why's that?"

Her smile softened. "I want... to go home, for a few days that is..." Wonder why? The times she brought up her family I was under the impression she felt unwelcomed due to her brother and father's demanding of her involvement with the Royal Guard? "Sure, things... haven't been the smoothest, but seeing you and your friends, your sister interact after being months apart, I realized that if I spent so long hooked on the past I might end of regretting it someday," She sat upright, eyes brimming with determination. "So my next journey is to visit them!"

I nudged her, "Heh, guess I was good for something after all," Shame... soon we'd be parting ways... I'll be on the road alone again, without Yui's banter, joy for treasure, or just her smile. Holding a poker face I continued matter-of-factly. "And since you've been such a big girl today, I... got us something for the occasion."

The moment came crashing down, Yui puffed out her cheeks. "Stop acting like I went to the doctor's or something!"

"Never gonna happen -- now here," I fished around in my backpack, having abandoned Yui immediately after being given my cut to find a place selling these, and fresh might I add... lots of bloody Bits for these so here's to my observation on our journey through the Everfree

I saw the look of confusion warp and widen into surprise as I held out a small box, opening it to reveal the still partially warm chocolate-chip cookies from a bakery nearby, half had strawberries mixed in while the other half were just chocolate. Hers cost me, being made of rare imported ingredients from what Pinkie told me, don't know how she can understand me but I'm convinced she's a Forth Dimensional being at this point.

"Oh, My Gosh...! Strawberry-Chip-Cookies! I heard these's are expensive to buy from Sugarcube Corner! But how!? When!? Where!?" Holding back the box from her drooling expression I held a neutral but relaxed face

"I told you before, I'm glad it was you I ran into when I first got here," Exhaling through my nose I continued. "So a gift for my best friend, so... here, I guess."

"But... but they cost a fortune!!" She blinked between me and the box. "You didn't have to..."

I'm not doing this back-and-forth BS with her. "...Usually when refusing a gift one doesn't typically latch onto said gift like a leech."

Yui blinked, having noticed her vice-like grip before chuckling nervously. "Hehe, hunger?"

"Sure," I handed the box to her as she flicked the box open with bright crimson eyes, already picking one out to bite down half in a single chomp. Her cheeks flushed as she squealed at the taste, a visible shiver running up her back

"These are sooooo good~! I wish I had some milk though!" Maybe if she didn't devour them she'll have some left. Taking out one of the strawberry ones, I snapped it in half, savoring the taste. "Mmm~! I haven't tasted anything so amazing in years!"

I nodded with her, my body shivering at the sweetness, how long has it been since I've tried something so unbelievably sweet? And with someone no less? "They certainly were worth the wait... but maybe a little too late -- Jesus, Pinkie is beyond amazing."

"Agreed!" Yui munched another before her expression brightened. "Oh-oh-oh, we should bake our own sometime! Put your skill in cooking and my keen sixth sense for fine details together I bet we'd create something even Pinkie herself would find surprising!"

That... didn't sound like a bad idea. I certainly haven't done baking in a while, not that I'm bad but a little rusty, doubt we could outmatch Pinkie but hey if there's a chance I wouldn't mind at all.

"If we have time... sure," I didn't see an issue with that, but I did snag the box from Yui before she could eat anymore. "Not to be that guy, and I will be, try not to give yourself a stomach ache like last time."

Her face froze while stammered a blush. "I-I thought you forgot about that!?"

"Nope." I smiled slyly, her hooves desperately trying to take back the box as cartoonish tears fell from her eyes. "Not going through that mess again... and the Timberwolves, ouch."

"Come on, Zen, I'm super duper sorry~! I'll be careful, promise~!"

I patted my chest, looking to her while deadpanning. "Aura, remember?" She froze, then continued to complain

"Waaaah... you jerrrk...!"

To Be Continued...

Author's Note:

Another sweet chapter between the duo as decisions meet with uncertainty. I hope you enjoyed, seeya in the next chapter!

Chp. 14 - Promise
Zen feels the ruby drawing him toward his next destination, but before he can answer, he and Yui share a final adventure, both uncertain of what lies ahead.

Comments

[kitsune119]

So cute

[Slendy]

10303396
It gets cuter

[kitsune119]

10303438
Then i might die from so much cuteness

[falconstrings]

so, great story, i hope to see more in the future.

[Zapper Frost]

"'Stallion With Two Souls'... huh, think I heard of that before?" Where though, and why did I feel like a reference to something? The other book in her hoof was actually held with the cover facing away from me. "And the other?"

Nice

[Reishin Amara]

10372845
Now thats a katana.

[Soul King Vulcar]

Oh ma god! Sonata of Fire!

[Slendy]

11105159
Wow, I didn't think anyone would get the literal chapter-sized reference. That event seemed very fitting for this moment, no?

Still, I am very impressed someone figured it out

[tsaukpaetra]

It's funny how he's assuming she won't take him with her. Sorry our Aura-wielding friend, you're wooing her fiercely and won't get away that easily!