Kori's Talesby Kori KitsuneChaptersChapter 1 The CreatureChapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 promisesChapter 5: the castle Chapter 1 The Creature“Are ya sure this is a good idea? I don’t think we’re supposed to be this close to the Everfree Forest.” Apple Bloom whispered to her friends as she looked to the forest. “We aren’t even close, yet. Besides we might get our cuite marks in film, and what better place to find something to film than in the Everfree Forest?” Scootaloo remarked, moving closer to the wall of trees. “What was that?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed looking in the direction of the noise. “I hear it too. Is the camera rolling Apple Bloom?” “It’s rolling. I wonder what it is.” Apple Bloom announced, holding the camera up and pointing it in the direction of the sound. “Um. What do we do if it’s a Timberwolf?” Sweetie Belle asked and the others had a look of fear as they thought of the quick wolves. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I mean if that’s a Timberwolf than we could be in some serious trouble.” Apple Bloom whispered backing away from the noise as she did. “Toki ishi sore owari?” Came the rasp from the woods as a red head came into view. “Timberwolf!” The three screamed, dropping the camera and running off towards the town. “Nani jigoku? Denakereba narimasen genkaku.” The figure moaned as he walked forward never turning. Applejack looked back up at the customer she had just finished selling a basket of apples to. “Ya’ll come back soon.” “Applejack, Timberwolf, forest, camera, help!” Came the call as the three fillies rushed towards Applejack. “What now? Slow down a bit.” Applejack stated looking to the three fillies. “We were by the Everfree Forest with a camera hoping to get our cutie marks in film but a timberwolf came out and we don’t know if it followed us.” The three exclaimed quickly. “I don’t see a timberwolf.” “But, we saw a timberwolf. There it is!” Scootaloo screamed as she saw the red figure limping towards them. “That’s not a timberwolf. But whatever it is, it’s heading this way.” AppleJack exclaimed ushering the fillies into the closet building. “Y’all stay here.” “Hey Fido! I’m talking to you!” Came the yell as Rainbow Dash flew alongside the creature. “Any idea what it is?” AppleJack asked as she followed the new creature. “No idea. It won’t answer me.” “Go and get Fluttershy. I’ll make sure this doesn’t do anything it’ll regret.” AppleJack instructed. “Got it!” “Mizu.” The red figure muttered as it went past the town fountain taking a drink as it did. AppleJack used this chance to look over the creature. Its fur was a deep red except for the ends of its arms which took on a brown color. It was in the shape of a large dog yet its tail was much larger than a normal tail, being almost as big as the creature itself. It was tenderly putting its weight on two of its legs the many lacerations on its body showing through the thick coat of fur as it drank. “What are ya?” “Oh my. What happened to you?” Came the sympathetic call as Fluttershy landed by the creature. “You really shouldn’t be walking.” “I don’t think it can understand you.” AppleJack stated as she kept pace with the weak creature. “It still shouldn’t be walking.” Fluttershy exclaimed standing in front of the creature. “Please stop.” “Dono kurai nagaku?” The figure uttered as he bumped past Fluttershy, only to have her jump back in front of him. “Now I know that you want to walk but you really should rest. How about you come back to my cottage and I’ll fix you up so you can walk all you want?” Fluttershy offered yet the creature just looked past her as he walked forward. “Please?” “Honmonode wanai.” “Oh, can you please stop? You’re gonna hurt yourself.” Fluttershy whispered as she walked along it. “I don’t want you to faint or anything.” The red creature didn’t respond to this as it continued its walk in the direction of the town library. Not turning as it walked straight at the tree not even noticing it. “Now you can’t go there. I don’t care how much you ignore us, you’re not going ta Twilight.” AppleJack uttered and gave the creature a shove to steer its path away from the tree only to have it fall over. “Oh my.” Fluttershy exclaimed rushing to the side of the creature and looking at it not daring to touch it. “Its out cold.” “Oops. Well now you don’t have to worry about it hurting itself.” AppleJack joked as Fluttershy picked the creature up showing it to be almost as large as her. “It doesn’t weigh very much. Oh I hope that I can help it.” Fluttershy exclaimed as she walked to her cottage. “Alright y’all can come out now. Its gone.” AppleJack called out to all the houses as she saw that nopony was outside. --------------氷狐-------------- “Oh my. He’s really hurt. Let’s see, I need some bandages, a splint, some alcohol, some thread, needle and a comfy blanket so he’s comfortable. That should be everything, right Angel?” Fluttershy muttered as she rushed around her house grabbing everything she could think of to help the creature. “Fluttershy? Are you okay? I heard that you took something home and I was wondering if you could use some help.” Twilight called out as she entered the cottage. “Twilight! Oh thank goodness. I need all the help I can get. He’s in such a bad condition that I don’t know if I’ve even found all the wounds yet.” “Okay... So how can I help?” “Do you have a spell that can find wounds?” “I think. Do you think its a good idea using magic on it though?” “it’s a him, not an it. And why wouldn’t it be a good idea?” “Some creatures don’t go well with magic. I don’t know what ‘he’ is and I don’t know if ‘he’ will go well with magic. I’ll try it, but if something goes wrong I’m gonna stop.” Twilight muttered as her horn was filled with strength and a glow enveloped the creature. It didn’t stir as the spell ran over it not noticing some of the obvious wounds on it as it lit up only a couple of deep cuts. It went down the figure until it reached the tips of its tail and nose before the purple glow faded away. “What? I don’t understand, it didn’t notice anything that we didn’t already. Is there another way I could help?” Twilight Exclaimed. “Umm... Yeah. Can you help me fix his arm? It’s broken and I have to... rebreak it so it’s in the right spot when I set it.” Fluttershy asked setting her hooves on the arm in question causing the creature to flinch at the touch. “Sure. What exactly do you need me to do?” “I need you to set your hoof here so I can... break it properly.” Fluttershy instructed gesturing at a spot on the arm for Twilight. “Ready Twi?” “Ready.” Twilight confirmed and set her hoof down as Fluttershy put the arm back into place. The creature did not take kindly to the sudden action as it leapt up and swiped at the ponies, its claws missing by a mere inch as it fell to the ground once more whimpering. “Oh I’m so sorry! Let me get a pill to help with the pain!” Fluttershy exclaimed rushing off into her kitchen to find the bottle of painkillers she kept. “Sheiko!? Sono kizu!” It screamed grasping its arm in agony. “Naze?” “I’m sorry. I can’t understand you. What was that?” Twilight asked as the creature looked up at her. “Why?” It muttered the pain forcing it on its back. “Got it.” Fluttershy whimpered as she rushed back out of the kitchen a small pill bottle in her mouth from which she took a few red pills. “I need you to take one of these.” “No!” It yelped scooting back from them. “Please? It’ll help you feel better.” Fluttershy whispered. “You just hurt me and now you offer pill? What it do?” He whimpered not letting the two out of his sight as he backed into a corner. “It’ll help you sleep so we can fix you up.” “No. I’ll stay awake. Anything but sleep.” “Oh my. You don’t want to be awake for this. I don’t want to hurt you.” “Used to it.” He muttered leaning back as his body began to give on him. “No.... sleep.” “If the pills don’t put you out then you’ll just pass out. I promise that the pills will keep you from feeling any pain. Okay?” Fluttershy whispered in the way she would with a frightened animal. “No.... shuripu...... Shinaide........ hitsuyo.” He muttered as he slowly loses consciousness. “Please take the pill.” Fluttershy whispered holding out the pills for him which he took quickly. “Thanks.” “Please don’t lie about this.” It muttered as it waited for the pills to take effect. “Will I dream?” “Do you want to dream?” “No.” “I don’t know.” “Oh no. Please, don’t let me sleep. I don’t want...... the........ dreams.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Is he still asleep?” Twilight asked as she and the others walked in to the cottage, wary of all the animals inside. “Yes. He must’ve been really tired.” Fluttershy answered gesturing to the red creature on her couch. She had put a light blanket over him as he slept to hide the body mostly covered in bandages. “It’s a he, right? Well, he doesn’t look too good.” Rarity stated, resting the length of her arm on its head to move some of the long hair aside only to feel the heat radiating from it. “He’s burning up!” “Oh my. I don’t know if he can handle a fever right now. I don’t even know if I have stuff to treat a fever right now!” Fluttershy exclaimed rushing to look for something to help with the fever. “What can we do to help?” Rainbow exclaimed her wings at the ready. “I need to cool him down. Oh, I’m out of some medicine as well, I-If you don’t mind helping that is.” “What medicine do you need?” Twilight exclaimed already rushing towards the door. “I need some antibiotics and an ice pack. Can the rest of you help me find my-” “Thermometer?” Pinkie exclaimed holding the the fragile tool out for her friend who eagerly took it. “Thanks. I can hardly believe that he’s still alive. By all rights he shouldn’t have been able to walk yet here he is.” Fluttershy muttered as she put the thermometer in its mouth. “One hundred and seven. Oh I hope I cleaned his wounds good enough.” “I’m sure you did just fine sugarcube. All we can do is make sure it is comfortable and give it some medicine and hope it lives. Whatever it is.” AppleJack stated looking over the sick figure. --------------氷狐-------------- “Where am I?” The creature muttered as it awoke. “Ugh man I need something to drink.” The creature silently slid from the couch, taking note at the sleeping butter pegasus in the chair and heading to the kitchen. It cringed at each step as the broken bones and cuts made themselves known. The splint on its arm causing each step on the leg to be awkward for it. “How did I end up in the one place with nothing to drink? Never mind that. How did I end up here at all?” He whispered walking out of the building intent on going to the town bar. He moved quickly through the night town leaping across streets and moving out of sight from the few ponies he saw. The building stood out in the night as the lights and laughs from within combined with the smell gave it the atmosphere of the town bar. “Easy enough to find. Now lets see if I can get anything good without them noticing.” He whispered as he slipped behind the counter and grabbing a bottle of ‘AppleJack Daniels’. “So Berry Punch. Got anything special to drink tonight?” Came the startling call as a white unicorn walked in. “Not much. Just some of the usual stuff. I got an extra shipment of AppleJack Daniels if you want some of that.” Came the reply as a purple pony walked behind the bar, forcing the creature beneath the bar. “Sounds great. I’ll take a bottle.” Came the reply along with a sudden pain to the head as the bartender through the creature onto the bar and held him there. “What the?! What is this thing doing stealing my alcohol?” The pony exclaimed as it saw the bottle still in its mouth. “I don’t think it’s stealing.” The second pony stated, causing the creature to look up and see that she had some large tinted glasses on and a ragged blue mane. “It looks like it was bringing me my drink. I wonder if it would like to join me for a drink?” “Are you drunk?” “Not yet. That’s the point of buying a drink right?” “Great, a drunk pony.” The creature muttered trying to wiggle out from under the hoof that held him down. “So are you gonna have a drink or are you gonna sit around for the cops?” The white pony joked as she sat at the bar. “Drink. What is a ‘cop’ anyways?” He muttered as he sat on the seat by her. “You try that again and you’re gonna get in trouble. Don’t think that I’ll bail you out of anything after this.” “You don’t even know me.” He muttered grasping at the glass the bartender had put out for him as the new pony poured him a drink. “You’re point? I’m Vinyl by the way.” She said offering him a hoof as she poured her own drink. “What’s your name?” “Why you care?” Came the remark at it downed the glass and poured itself another. “Well I just kept you out of jail and paid for the drink to share with you. I’d like to know your name.” She joked holding the bottle back as it downed its second shot. “I am Kori Kitsune.” “I didn’t catch any of that. Sorry I don’t speak, whatever language you just used.” Vinyl joked pouring the creature another drink. “My name Kori. Kori Kitsune.” “Well Kori.” Vinyl began downing her own shot as she did. “Nother question. What are you?” “Fox. Just red fox.” Kori muttered lifting his tail up to cover the bottom of his face as he felt the eyes of half the bar fall on him. “Why you buy drink?” “Why not? You looked like you could use a drink. Doesn’t help that you didn’t let that bottle out of your mouth even after Berry here put you on the bar.” “Help with pain. Most of time.” Kori muttered his paw instinctively going to his back. “What kind of pain?” “All pain. Bones break. Memories scar. Skin rips.” Kori whimpered grasping his back. “Are you okay?” “Fine. Still healing.” “You shouldn’t be out here if you are hurt. lets take you to Fluttershy so she can help you.” Vinyl exclaimed standing hoping for Kori to follow. “Are you alright?” “Pills. Not good.” Kori muttered as he lost control of his body and fell. “Crap! What is it Kori? Are you sick?” “No. I just need to fix my back.” Kori muttered leaning against the bar and bending backwards resulting in a sick pop. “There.” “That didn’t sound good. Are you sure you’re okay?” “Fine. Just need, drink.” Kori muttered grabbing the bottle and pouring it into his mouth. “Hey come on. Save some for me at least. Drink like that and you’re going to hate it in the morning.” “That not problem.” Kori moaned grasping his gut. “Everything hurts.” “What happened to you anyways?” “Royal hit me with metal pipe. I got him back, still hurt.” “A royal?” “Foxes with three tail and blue fur. Think they are great. They not so great.” Kori muttered looking over himself at the multiple wounds and splints. “They didn’t have reason. Didn’t need one.” “You gotta go back to Fluttershy okay. You are in no shape to be out and about.” Vinyl stated lifting the fox in her blue arua. “Put me down! You’re not taking me anywhere!” Kori exclaimed wiggling from the magic grasp. “You will not take me anywhere.” “Its pretty obvious that you’re hurt and I’m not sure that the vet would know what to do. I don’t think you have much else choice.” “Just let heal. Don’t need help.” “You’re kidding right? I don’t know how things run where you come from but around here we help each other. So that this keeps going.” Vinyl uttered setting hoof on his chest feeling the beat of his heart through the thin figure. Kori’s entire figure froze at the touch as he felt his own heart beat vibrate off the hoof. There was no rush to it, no need to get blood running through him. The usual haste of his heart was gone, all he felt was a calm thump of his heart. “Off!” Kori exclaimed pushing the hoof from him. “How you do that?” “Do what? All I did was put my hoof on your chest.” Vinyl remarked thinking of how she could get the fox to Fluttershy. “You slow it. How you slow down heart?” “I didn’t do anything. Why do you think that I’d try to slow your heart?” “It never slow. Why slow? Slow can’t be good. Can it?” Kori muttered his paw on his chest listening to his heart. “Maybe it just means you are relaxed? From the looks of it you could use some relaxing.” Vinyl joked pouring the fox another drink. “Relaxed? How am I relaxed when I should be scared? I’m in a place I’ve never been, stuck in this place with you, my arms and back are broken. How am I relaxed?!” Kori muttered not noticing him use his own language. “Are you okay? I can’t understand you.” Vinyl asked stepping back a bit from the fox. “You’re crying.” “What?” Kori whimpered raising his paw to his face to find a tear on his paw. “I don’t understand.” “Careful!” Vinyl bellowed as the fox fell to its side sucumbing to the pain. “Ugh man. Now I gotta carry you to Fluttershy... After one more drink.” --------------氷狐-------------- Fluttershy was laying on the chair when she awoke to see Angel was the one who woke her. “Well hello there Angel Bunny. What’s the matter?” Fluttershy whispered following her pets gestures to the empty couch. “Where’d he go?!?” Fluttershy leapt from her chair to hover over the spot she had left the creature. The blanket had fallen in the direction of the kitchen yet the creature wasn’t there either. “Oh no. He shouldn’t be awake, let alone out and about. Maybe he just went to the bathroom?” Fluttershy pondered looking to Angel who only gave her a disappointed glare and pointed to the door. “Why would he go outside!?” Fluttershy rushed to her door eager to find the creature yet when she opened it she saw something she never expected to see. There was Vinyl with her signature shades on and her mane in its usual mess with the creature on her back. “Yo, Fluttershy. What are you up to?” Vinyl exclaimed before Fluttershy took the creature off her back and put it back on the couch. “Oh thank you. W-Where did you find him?” Fluttershy whispered looking over the creature to see if it was hurt. “Kori here was down at the bar trying to steal a drink. He looked like he could use one so I bought what he was trying to steal and split it with him.” “Did anything happen to him while he was there?” Came the question as Fluttershy ran her hoof down Kori’s back and felt the area where he had bent it. “He said something about him fixing his back. Oh and he said something about some foxes with more tails and special fur attacked him. He could have been drunk though.” “Well, thanks Vinyl. I can handle it from here.” “Alright.” Vinyl muttered as she walked out the door and Fluttershy closed it behind her. “Kori? I guess that’s your name. So Kori the fox, what did you do to your back?” Fluttershy began putting her hoof back on Kori’s back to find the spot. “You’re so skinny, I can feel every bone. I’ve gotta find out what you can eat before I forget. There it is.” His back had one part where the entire spine became out of place and it felt as though Kori had attempted to set it back into place many times. Fluttershy cringed as she set her hoof on the point and prepared to push it back into place. She knew that Kori was going to feel it no matter how many pain pills he had in him and that she might not get a better chance to set it back. “Sorry.” Came the mutter as she pushed down resulting in a sickening pop as the bones went back into place. “What in the hell!?! Whoever did that is gonna be in a whole new world of hurt when I’m done!” Kori bellowed trying to look at the pony above him only to have her keep him down. “Who!?” “Relax. You’re okay. I had to fix your back.” Fluttershy whispered soothingly still holding the writhing fox down. “What happened to your back Kori?” “How you know name?” Kori moaned trying to escape the grasp with putting more strain on his back. “Vinyl called you Kori. That is your name right?” “Yes.” “So how’d you do this to your back?” “I didn’t. Royal did. Took pipe and surprised me. Royal was not so tough. Broke his neck.” Kori explained slowing his attempts to escape. “He deserved worse.” “Who are you to say that he deserved worse? Maybe he was just scared?” “Scared? A scared one run. A monster kill. He didn’t care about others. Just himself.” Kori began only to have his stomach rumble mid sentence. “You must be really hungry.” “No.” Kori stated but his stomach rumbled in disapproval. “Yes.” “Can I see your teeth?” “Why?” “So I know what you eat.” Fluttershy answered looking at Kori’s mouth which slowly opened. “Omnivore.” “What?” “You can eat plants and meat?” “Yes.” “That’s what Omnivore means. Now you just stay right there and I’ll get you something to eat.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Fluttershy? Are you home?” Twilight called out as she entered the cottage seeing the creature still on the couch. “Hi Twilight. Do you need something?” Fluttershy replied coming down from her room on the second floor. “I was just coming over to tell you that the princesses, me included, would like to have ‘him’ come to Canterlot so we can see if he’s safe to have in Equestria.” “I don’t think Kori is in any condition to be going anywhere, let alone all the way to Canterlot.” Fluttershy whispered looking over at the fox who had turned to look away from them in his sleep. “Well, do you have any idea when he might be ready to come to Canterlot and talk?” “Kori might be able to go in a week. That would also give him some time to get used to our language.” “Kori?” “That’s his name. At least that’s what he calls himself.” “So, ‘Kori’ should be good in a week? Celestia is pretty interested in this new species.” Twilight asked looking at Kori her mind racing at the idea of what he could be. “He won’t be running about but I’m sure he would be able to take the train and walk in a week. He can already walk but we don’t want him being like this the whole time.” “Not much good in a hurt bridge. Alright then. I’ll tell Celestia a week and two days.” Twilight stated starting towards the door to leave. “Why the two days?” “So he can learn a bit about ponies in the meantime. And maybe we can learn a bit about him as well.” “He’ll be ready.” Author's Note Re-writing the entire story (yeah all 190k of it) so tell me what you guys think of the pacing and the content. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 “How long have I been out?” Kori muttered as he awoke to a hum. He lifted his head slightly and found that he was still laying on the couch. “And why do I feel so warm?” “You’re awake. Are you feeling okay?” Fluttershy asked as she walked around the room, feeding the many animals within. “No. Feel funny.” Kori moaned, as he felt his body resisting him from standing. “How long?” “About a day... y-you cry in your sleep. Kept saying ‘sorry’ and other stuff.” Fluttershy whispered, not sure how her guest would react. “It some dreams. Nothing to worry. One week one day?” “What?” “I hear you before sleep. Something about ‘princesses meeting me’.” “Oh yeah. They just wanna see what you are and make sure you’re not a threat. That shouldn’t be a problem though, should it?” “If they know about my kind, could be problem. How make me look good?” Kori asked trying to sit up and look at her. “What? Oh, you want us to make you look good? Well, Applejack is really liked, I’m sure that she would like to help you.”Fluttershy said with a nod, looking Kori over. “You look starving. Wait here while I get you something to eat.” Fluttershy instructed, curiously looking back at Kori before she went to the kitchen. “Sure.” Kori groaned, looking around the room. The birdhouses hanging from the ceiling showed where the quiet hum was coming from, and as he watched a few birds poked out of their homes to investigate the new presence who watched with equal curiosity. He looked down the blanket that still covered most of him just in time to see a flash of grey run up it. “Crap!” Kori exclaimed as it came towards his face only to be a bold squirrel looking curiously at the new figure. “What kinda hello was that? You scared me, I almost bit you in half!” “Are you okay in there?” Fluttershy asked, looking back into the room to find Kori staring down at the squirrel . “Who this?” Kori whispered, gesturing his nose towards the squirrel. “He doesn’t have a name. I don’t give them names so if they get an owner they can name them. He’s a little cutie isn’t he?” She answered as she searched her kitchen. “Cute, yes. Smart, not really. Lets say the last to touch my nose didn’t walk away.” Kori stated the image of the assailant rushing through his mind, before Fluttershy brought him out of the trance by bumping his nose. “Boop.” She giggled as she pulled her hoof back from his nose resulting in him sneezing at the touch. “Don’t do that. I don’t like being touched.” Kori muttered, not noticing he had again gone back to his own language. “So Kori. Are you hungry?” “No.” Kori uttered to have his stomach betray him with a loud growl. “Maybe...” “Well I guess its a good thing that I have some soup ready, i-if you want some that is.” Fluttershy offered, looking around her cottage to avoid looking at Kori. “Anything do. It been awhile since I ate.” Kori muttered. “Its nothing much, just some vegetable soup.” Fluttershy hummed as she walked into her kitchen and returned with a bowl on her wing. “Here you go.” “Thanks.” Kori muttered as he hesitantly sipped the contents. Fluttershy sat uncomfortably close to him as he ate. “What?” “I’m just making sure that you’re okay.” Fluttershy whispered almost to herself as she Leaned closer looking Kori right in the eyes, never blinking. “What are you-” Kori began but froze in terror as Fluttershy rested the side of her hoof on Kori’s head.“S-Sorry.” Fluttershy squeaked as she backed away, seeing Kori was wearing a look of pure shock. “I-I had to check your temperature.... Thanks for not clawing me.” “Why would I claw you? You haven’t done anything to hurt me. At least nothing that didn’t help me more than hurt me.” Kori groaned, pulling on one of the stained bandages binding his chest. “Careful now. You have to keep those on if you want to get better.” Fluttershy warned as she saw Kori fighting with his bandages. “Oh, come on. Looks like I’m gonna be stuck with these for a while. What owe you?” “Owe me? Why would you owe me anything?” “The help.” I don’t know how I would pay her but I don’t want her knowing that. “Oh no. You don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad that I was able to help.” This can’t be good. She has me right here and she doesn’t want anything? “Nothing?” “Nothing. Well-” Fluttershy stammered. “Well what?” “Well, there’s a few ponies around town who would like to meet you.” “I’m gonna look like a pet if I go walking around town with her.” Kori breathed, taking another look around the cottage. “Doesn’t look like that’s very far off from how I probably am right now.” “Plus you might even make a few friends.” Fluttershy beamed ,walking to her bags. “Why would I make friends?” “So that you can have somepony in case you ever feel lonely.” Fluttershy giggled. “Lonely? Think I lonely?” “I-I never said you were lonely. I was just saying that if you ever felt lonely-” “I no need friends. I don’t need a pony breathing down my back every second either, but I don’t have much choice there.” Kori muttered under his breath, sliding onto the floor with a thump. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel alone.” “No matter. Soon as ‘princesses’ see me, I’ll be forced to leave.” Kori spat, pushing from the couch with his hind legs. “I don’t think that Celestia would do something like that. She would do everything she could to keep all her subjects happy.” “I am no subject. I die before serve royal.” Kori spat, lifting himself off the ground to walk to the chair across the room. “You don’t serve her. Its just to say that she is the princess and she loves us.” Fluttershy explained, standing to walk over to Kori who was now in the chair. “The day I submit to royals, is the day that all I have is lost.” Kori groaned rolling in the chair to keep his back to the pegasus as she approached him. “I’ve lost enough,” “I’m sorry Kori. How about I this? I know that Applejack would like to meet you, and I’m sure that once you have a few more friends that you’ll cheer up.” Fluttershy reassured the angry fox, resting her hoof on Kori’s back. “This should be fun.” Came the sigh as Kori flicked Fluttershy’s hoof away and looked over at her. “When?” “Y-You actually want to go? Oh, well whenever you feel better. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” “I’ve fought with worse stuff than I have right now. I’m fine. Can we get this done?” Kori moaned as he turned to slide off the chair only to see Fluttershy in his way. “Now before you rush off, you really must have some more to eat. It’s not healthy being as skinny as you are.” Fluttershy stated, laying a blanket across Kori before he got a chance to stand. “Oh, by the way, the squirrel is still on your back.” --------------氷狐-------------- “I can’t believe that a Timberwolf went into town! And that Fluttershy is takin’ care of it!” Applebloom blustered, a loud thump of hooves on wood being the only sound as she passed her sister. “It wasn’t a Timberwolf. I’m not sure what it was, but it wasn’t a Timberwolf.” Applejack repeated for what felt like the hundredth time that day. “Now are you gonna help so we can get this done before winter?” “How do you know? Fluttershy is in her cottage with that, thing!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, ignoring her sisters question. She instead found herself looking down the path to town only to see the pegasus in question walking towards them. “Timberwolf!” Came the shriek, as Applebloom ran off into the trees. “Well howdy there! Whatcha up to?” Applejack called out to her friend. “Oh.” “What?” Kori muttered noticing the shock in the mare’s face as she spotted him. “Do I look scary?” “Not at all. Applejack, this is Kori. Kori this is my friend, Applejack.” Fluttershy stated, nudging Kori towards her friend. “Well, howdy Kori. Nice to meet ya.” Applejack exclaimed hesitantly, extending her hoof towards Kori. “Hi.” Came the response as Kori dropped his head, draping his tail over his face as he did. “Why’s your head down?” “Umm. It kinda, stuck. I’ll just crick it back, and..... Bad idea.” “Oh my. Do you need help?” Fluttershy exclaimed, walking to Kori’s side. “No. I just-” Kori groaned trying to twist his neck in any way he could. “Umm.” “Are you sure you don’t need help? It’s really no trouble at all.” “Oh this is gonna hurt.” Came the muffled response as Kori quickly took his paw and cranked his neck to the side resulting in a loud pop. “That could have been worse.” “Oh my. What happened to your neck? Did you hurt it somehow?” Fluttershy said, moving to look at his neck. “No. I will be fine.” Came the quiet response as Kori looked back up to Applejack. “Anyways.” “Are you sure?” “I’m fine!” Kori barked, then retreated behind his tail at the hostile glare from Applejack. “So what can I help you two with?” Applejack offered looking to her friend past Kori. “Well, Kori here has been feeling kinda lonely. I thought that if he got a few more friends he wouldn’t feel so lonely.” “No privacy of how I feel here?” Kori whispered to himself as Applejack looked over at him. “I guess not.” “That makes sense. We’re about to have some lunch. Would you two like to join?” Applejack offered after some time. “That sounds nice. How does that sound to you, Kori?” “Not hungry.” Kori growled only to have his stomach let out a low growl of its own. “You little.... Sound ok.” “Than it looks like we have guests. And knowing Rainbow she’ll probably come over.” Applejack exclaimed turning to walk to the house. “Ya’ll coming?” “Kori? Are you coming?” Fluttershy giggled, bumping Kori on the nose grabbing his attention. “Hmm? Oh. Yeah. I thought that I saw something over there.” Kori whispered knowing they couldn’t understand him as he followed. “So Kori. Sorry about knocking you down when you first got here. I didn’t know what ya were doin.” Came the apology as Applejack walked with them to the house, never letting Kori from her sight as she did. “Hmm? You knocked me down? When?” Kori groaned, one of his legs twitching with each step. “When ya came into town. Ya don’t remember? It was only two days ago.” “I don’t remember the last week. I was, walking. That all I know.” “Well you were walking right to a place that I didn’t trust you at. I tried ta bump so you would walk past and ya just fell over.” Applejack explained putting a bit of space between her and Kori. “You had reason. No harm.” “Why do ya keep twitching yer leg? No offence but it’s a bit, uh, distracting.” Applejack asked, looking back at Kori’s leg that yet again twitched as it moved. “It itches. The... What that called?” Kori said gesturing to the wooden splint on his leg. “A splint?” Fluttershy answered looking at the object in question. “Yes. It rubbing leg each step.” “I’m sorry. But you have to keep them both on if you want your legs to heal properly.” “Fine.... What was that?” Kori exclaimed looking over at the trees to their right. “What was what? I don’t see anything. The only thing different here is, well, you.” Applejack muttered to herself not realizing that Kori could hear her. “I keep seeing something. Don’t know what is though.” “Ya sure that you’re seeing somethin’? No offence, but how do ya see through all that fur anyway?” “I know I saw something. Something moving in the trees.” Kori groaned, swiping some of his fur from his face. watching the trees for any sign of movement. “What was that? I couldn’t understand that last one.... So Fluttershy, how are things going for you?” “Things are good. Mr. Beverton caused a little trouble a few days ago but nothing much.” Fluttershy responded, watching Kori as he stared towards the trees. “Are you okay Kori?” “It’s a Timberwolf!” Came the scream as an old green mare lunged at Kori a frying pan in mouth. “Get back to the forest ya monster!” “Wait!” Kori exclaimed stepping back to dodge a swing from the pan. I can’t fight back. I can’t afford to make myself look any worse. “Woah, Nelly. Hold on now Granny.” Applejack bellowed stopping the old mare from swinging again. “Do I look like a Timberwolf?” Kori exclaimed keeping himself as far from the old mare as he could. “Yes.” Applejack answered bluntly. “Now Granny, this is Kori. He is coming over for lunch.” Applejack explained gesturing at the fox behind her. “Kori this is Granny Smith. Do treat her with some respect.” “Of course. I always treat someone who attacks me out of nowhere with respect.” Kori groaned looking back to the trees to catch a glimpse of a red mane going behind a tree. Granny Smith looked up at the tan pony, a fire in her eyes. “I’m not gonna trust to have a... a... Timberwolf in my home! It’s a danger to us all and you know it!” “You could have just said you don’t want me around.” Kori muttered under his breath. “It’s chanting! The beast is chanting! It is not coming near my home with its crazy moon language! Be gone!” “What? I’m not chanting.” “You’re not coming into my house either! And that is that.” Granny Smith bellowed as best she could, stomping her hoof down as she did. “Granny. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Applejack whispered to the old mare walking to the side with her. “Well there goes ‘making friends’. I guess that I’ve just got to wait out a week.... What?” Kori whispered to himself noticing that Fluttershy was looking at his neck. “H-How does it feel?” “It feels fine.” “Are you sure? I mean, no offence, but that didn’t sound good when you turned it. Does it hurt if I touch your neck?” Fluttershy asked quickly resting her hoof on the back of Kori’s neck. “Hey! Two things. One. Don’t touch me. No offence meant, just, don’t.” Kori began hopping back from the hoof. “Two. Slow down. Can’t understand when you talk fast.” “S-Sorry. Did that hurt? When I touched your neck?” “No.” “Oh, that’s good. If you are in a lot of pain, tell me. Okay?” “If in pain tell you? Really?” “I want to make sure that you are as happy as you can be. That’s not easy if you are hurt all the time.” “Sure.” Kori replied looking over at the two mares who were talking about something he couldn’t hear. “So. Applejack and Granny Smith?” “What about them?” “That is their names right?” “Oh. Yes.” “Is there anyone else that I should know about?” Kori asked looking towards the trees to catch a glimpse of something white leaping behind a tree. “Well Rainbow Dash will be here. And with her you’ll probably see Scootaloo... Oh and there is Big Mac and Applebloom living here with Applejack.” Fluttershy whispered to Kori, following his gaze to the trees. “Look out below!” Kori heard moments before a blue pegasus crashed through the trees landing in front of him. “What in the? A rainbow colored pony just fell from the sky. I must be sick or this is Rainbow.” “Hey Fluttershy. What are you doing here?” The pegasus exclaimed joyously, but her face fell upon seeing Kori. “What is it doing here?!” “Great to see that no one is gonna give me a nice greeting. I guess I also shouldn’t expect anyone to like me right away, or ever.” “What’s that? I can’t understand you. Did it get hit on the head or something?” She joked looking at Kori. “I’m just not talking like you.” Kori groaned, returning the look from the pegasus. “Name’s Rainbow Dash.” She said extending a hoof to Kori, much to his surprise. “What’s your name?” “Kori Kitsune. What’s with your... I don’t know the word.” Kori asked gesturing to the still extended hoof. “My hoof?” “Sure. Why it pointed at me?” “It’s a hoof shake.” Rainbow explained shaking her still extended hoof. “I will pass. I don’t, touch.” Kori muttered walking past the mare towards the tree line. “I know that I saw something. Now what was it?” “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re talking funny.” Rainbow asked, walking to stand by Kori following his gaze. “Are you sure that I talk funny? You talk funny to me. Did you see that?” “See what?” “I keep seeing-” Kori began only to have an apple hit him on the nose. “Who threw that?! Oh that smarts. Right on the nose too!” “Are you okay Kori? Does it hurt?” Fluttershy asked, holding Kori’s snout in her hooves. “Fluttershy? Touching?” “O-Oh. Sorry.” Fluttershy whispered, gently letting go of Kori’s nose as soon as she was sure it wasn’t hurt. “It was just an apple. But who threw it?” Kori groaned focusing his attention back on the trees. “Is it there?” “Nope. Still blank.” “Girls. Now is not the time to be checking for cutie marks. We gotta protect the farm from.... where’d it go?” “Where’d what go?” Kori whispered, approaching from behind the tree beside the three fillies. “The... Timberwolf!” The yellow filly screamed as she and the others ran to the path. “I’m not a Timberwolf.” Kori moaned as he followed them. “This should be interesting.” “Woah now. What’s got you three scared?” Applejack exclaimed grabbing the fillies as they ran past. “The Timberwolf!” Came the bellow from the three as they pointed back at Kori. “I don’t look like a Timberwolf. Why is that the first thing that every last one of these ponies is gonna say when they see me?” Kori muttered as he walked back to the path. “All I understood was ponies. Are you saying stuff about us that we can’t understand?” Rainbow Dash accused, jabbing her hoof at Kori. “Yeah. Your language is hard.” Kori replied sitting on the edge of the path as the ponies stood around him. “What’s that supposed to mean? What is it too ‘hard’ for you to talk like us? I bet that your language is so much easier than ours is.” Rainbow exclaimed, hovering towards Kori. “Yeah.” Kori replied only to have Rainbow Dash continue heading towards him. “Oh what did I say wrong?” “Why are you here? Don’t you have some family back where you come from to help?” Granny Smith exclaimed taking her chance to get rid of Kori. “No. Just me” Came the quiet reply. “Y-You’re all alone? I’m sorry.” Fluttershy whispered beside Kori. “Why would you be sorry?” Kori muttered. “I’m fine as ever.” “I have no idea what he’s saying. Anypony know what he’s saying?” Rainbow Dash said in a joking tone. “No idea. Why are we trusting it to be around us again?” Scootaloo whimpered from behind Rainbow Dash. “Hey, don’t worry about him. He won’t be able to do anything bad as long as I’m here.” Rainbow stated confidently, looking back at the scared filly. “Okay?” “Okay.” Scootaloo replied cheerfully, looking past her ‘big sister’. “Looks like evrapony is here. How about we go and eat?” --------------氷狐-------------- “Alrighty. Ya’ll go ahead and sit down and I’ll get the food.” Applejack said, as she walked into her house with the group. “Should I be concerned about him?” She whispered to Fluttershy, pointing a hoof at Kori who was busy looking around. “I’m sure that Kori won’t do anything bad.” Fluttershy answered with a giggle as Kori looked at some of the many family photos on on the wall. “Alright. Just remember what Celestia said. He’s still dangerous. Even in this condition.” “I will.” Fluttershy said, walking over to Kori who was looking at a picture of the Apple family’s reunion. “Lot of ponies.” Kori muttered glancing around the picture at all the ponies. ”Don’t think I could remember that many.” “It’s different when it’s your family.” Fluttershy said, sitting at the table with the others. “Sure.” Kori muttered, sitting with the others. “So.... How’d you break your arm?” Rainbow asked. “Oh, um. Well. I fell. From a tree.” Kori giggled, planting his paw on his tail to keep it from covering his face. The group of ponies went quiet at this, their faces twitching as they withheld their laughs. “Should have seen it. Was asleep when I fell. Almost landed on my face.” Kori giggled, looking up as he pressed another paw on his tail. “Alright then.” Applejack exclaimed, walking in with some food for the group. “Who’s hungry?” “Eeyup.” Came the call from behind Kori as a door closed. Kori glanced back to see the source of the voice and his entire body shook at the sight of the new pony. Its fur was a deep red and was sporting a split green apple on his flank. The wheat mane and tail were in a shaggy state suggesting that the stallion had been busy working. Yet what held Kori in fear was the size of the stallion. It stood at such a height that it looked to be twice Kori’s size and with enough muscle to throw Kori through a wall. The stallion looked down at the group and froze at the sight of the bandaged fox. He was in awe at what could put something in a condition that it was covered in bandages and had splints on two of its legs. Yet that was nothing in comparison to the thought of what was strong enough to be conscious in that condition. “Hi.” Kori whimpered, his tail and ears drooping down submittingly. “Howdy there. Looks like you came back just in time for some grub.” Applejack called out, setting a few tins on the table. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “Nope.” He muttered, sitting at the table next to Kori. “Big Macintosh, this is Kori. Kori this is my brother, Big Macintosh.” Applejack explained gesturing to the two in turn. “Kori here is going to have lunch with us.” “Speaking of. What is it?” Kori asked, looking to the tins across the table. “Apple pie.” Granny Smith called out proudly, walking in with a tin of pie on her own back. “Pie?” Kori muttered, pondering over the new word. “Never had that.” “R-Really?” Fluttershy stammered. “Don’t think so. Didn’t eat much though.” “Well it’s good that your first slice is going to be from the Apple family themselves.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “You don’t get any better than that.” “Well I ain't much for bragging, but they are some of the best pies in Equestria.” Applejack said, sliding a slice of pie over to Kori. Well I guess there’s no point in sitting here without trying the food. Kori thought as he half heartedly nibbled on the pie. “What do ya think?” Applejack asked, drawing Kori’s attention from the pie. Kori looked up at the mare with a wide grin on his face before taking another bite of the pie. “How did I make it without this?” “I take it that’s a good thing?” Applejack chuckled, glancing over to Rainbow Dash who tossed a coin to the grinning mare. “Even foxes like apple pie.” “What you mean by that?” Kori quizzed, taking another bite of the slice as he did. “Nothin.” Applejack exclaimed quickly. “I’ve really got to get to work.” “What kind of work?” Kori said, refusing to let her get off that easily. “I’ve got to harvest the rest of the apples before winter.” “Do you need any help?” “Well, some help would be appreciated.” “Could I help?” “I-I don’t think that you’re in any condition to be working. You could hurt yourself.” Fluttershy stammered, looking over the many white clothes she had wrapped around Kori just a couple days ago. “I’ll be fine. I can’t stand just sitting around. I feel lazy.” Kori stated, finishing the pie as he did. “I don’t like the idea of watching a hurt creature work. It doesn’t feel right.” “I’m not your problem.” Kori muttered, glancing back to the door. “My choice. I want to help.” “I don’t mind if he helps. We need all the help we can get if we’re gonna get all the apples before winter.” Applejack said. Win! I don’t know how long I’ve been out but I don’t like sitting around for so- Kori thought before a shudder ran down his back and he rushed upstairs. “What do ya think that was about?” Applejack giggled, waiting before the fox was out of hearing. “You do know why I want him ta help right?” “I know. I don’t have to like it though.” Fluttershy replied. “We have to see if he’s a threat or not. I figure that this is a perfect chance to see how strong he is.” “I don’t see what the big deal is. He doesn’t seem like much of a threat to me.” Rainbow remarked, swallowing the last of her pie. “Celestia said that he could be dangerous. I can’t tell if he is or not so I had to think of someway to find out. He did offer after all.” “I know. But he’s still hurt.” Fluttershy whispered, listening for any signs of what Kori could be doing. “What is he doing up there?” Rainbow muttered, flying up the stairs to only hover back down. “What’s he doing?” Granny Smith asked, her mind racing with what the dangerous creature could be doing to her house. “He’s in the bathroom.” Rainbow giggled, sitting back at the table. “Makes sense.” Fluttershy began, listening to the flow of water in the sink above them. “He hasn’t gone since he got here.” “I don’t care what he’s doing! I don’t want him hurting anypony! I say we just bring him to Celestia right now and let her deal with him!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Twilight said that he had a week. We’re giving him a week.” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Fine.” Rainbow groaned as she heard the water turn off above them. “Let’s get this over with.” --------------氷狐-------------- Note to self. Don’t get kicked by a pony. Kori noted, as he watched Applejack use the pure force of her legs to knock all the apples out of yet another tree. All the while Applebloom caught any stray apples in her basket. I don’t think that I could do that. “Still want to help?” Rainbow joked as she kicked the tree Kori was under, knocking several apples into the baskets around him. “Yeah.” Kori replied, grabbing one of the baskets and bringing it to the rest of them. “Why?” “Because it doesn’t look like you’re doing much other than bringing a few baskets over.” “Not like I can do much else.” Kori sneered to himself, as he brought a few empty baskets to the next tree. “Can’t kick tree.” “That’s not stopping Fluttershy.” Rainbow remarked, pointing to the pegasus who was shaking the apples out of a nearby tree. “So?” “Nothing. I just thought that a fox would be able to harvest a few apples.” Rainbow cracked, kicking the apples from the tree. “But, looks like I was wrong.” “Okay. I’ll get next tree.” Kori exclaimed, walking to the tree in question. “And how do you plan on doing that? It’s not like you can fly up there-” Rainbow began, as Kori sunk his claws into the tree and flung himself up the tree. “Awesome.” “Told you!” Kori proclaimed, kicking the nearby branches of the tree. “Don’t break your legs, again.” “Don’t plan on it.” Kori giggled, as he hopped down and saw that he had filled the baskets. “Next?” “It looks like he healed quicker than we expected.” Applejack muttered as she stood beneath a tree beside Fluttershy, watching Kori literally run up a tree. “He really shouldn’t be climbing trees. He could hurt himself.” Fluttershy whispered, cringing as Kori leapt down from his current tree. “Let him. If he hurts himself it means he’s less of a threat to everypony else.” Applejack moaned, turning to get back to work. “I know that he looks innocent but if what Celestia says is true. He can’t stay.” “I know that. That doesn’t mean I’m willing to watch him hurt himself.” Fluttershy whimpered, watching Kori as he climbed another tree. “Hey Rainbow!” Came the ear ringing cry as Scootaloo ran past the two to her ‘sister’. “What’s up Scoots?” Rainbow giggled, as the orange filly came to a halt before her. “I was just coming over here to see if you needed any help.” The filly explained, her voice full of energy. “I don’t know. You could help carry the baskets back.” “You got it!” Came the ecstatic response, as Scootaloo grabbed one of the filled baskets and dragged it to the others. Rainbow looked over to see Kori hop down from the tree and fall to his side. “Are you alright?” She asked, Kori leaping up to his paws in response. “Yeah. Just a bit tired." “Alright. Just a few more trees and we’re done.” “Sounds good-” Kori breathed before falling to the ground, landing beside Scootaloo. “What happened? He just fell down.” Scootaloo yelped, watching the fox’s chest as he breathed. “This is why I didn’t want him to work.” Fluttershy bellowed, resting her hoof on Kori’s head. “His body has only had a day to heal. He just passed out.” “We know that he has limits. I’m going to tell Twilight.” Rainbow stated, ready to fly off to her friend. “Better make sure that he’s okay.” “I’m going to take him back home.” Fluttershy asserted, lifting Kori onto her back. “Why don’t you leave him here?” Applejack offered, walking over to grab Kori. “I don’t mind taking care of him. Besides, what if he needed my help and I wasn’t here to help him?” “I guess I can’t argue with that. Twilight will be heading over some time tonight to see how everything is going” “Okay. Bye.” “Bye now.” Applejack called back, watching as she walked away before turning to Rainbow Dash. “I hope she knows what she’s doing.” --------------氷狐-------------- The cottage was full of life as Fluttershy walked in and was greeted by the many critters that called it home. The birds were chirping above her while the mice ran around her, a single white bunny hopping towards her. “Hi Angel.” Fluttershy beamed, walking towards the stairs. The bunny hopped between her and the stairs, his foot thumping on the floor. “What is it?” Angel simply pointed to the fox on her back and back to the door. “Now Angel. I can’t just leave him outside.” Angel glared back up at his owner his paw pointing back to the door, stomping his foot at her answer. “Kori needs some help. I’m just helping him until he can get back on his paws.” Fluttershy said, stepping past the bunny. “How do you trust them?” The whisper of a question came as Kori lifted his head off her side. “T-Trust who?” “The others. How can you trust them?” “Why wouldn’t I trust them? They’re like family.” Fluttershy answered, spreading her wings to hold Kori in place as she walked up the stairs. “Pft. Don’t see what that has to do with it.” “You’re supposed to trust your family. It helps if you don’t lie to them.” “When did I- oh.” “You told me that you broke your legs getting hit by a pipe.” Fluttershy remarked reaching the top of the stairs. “But you told them you fell out of a tree.” “They don’t need to know that. They would just see me as a killer if they did.” Kori moaned, his mind slipping to sleep. “They don’t trust me, do they?” “I don’t know. You should really go to sleep.” Fluttershy said, rolling Kori onto the end of the bed. “I can sleep down there.” Kori muttered, making a move to stand just to fall back onto the bed. “You’re fine.” Fluttershy whispered, draping a blanket over him as he lost his battle against sleep. “Fluttershy? Are you here?” The familiar call came from downstairs. “I was wondering if Kori was awake so I could talk to him.” “He’s asleep.” Fluttershy replied, walking downstairs to see that Twilight was standing in her doorway. “I just put him upstairs.” “Rainbow already told me how he was at the farm. I know that he’s in bad condition but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to give him this much time to heal.” Twilight explained, looking up the stairs. “He was hardly able to work before he passed out. I’d be surprised if he can do much of anything tomorrow.” “Alright. If we are going to give him time to heal we might as well teach him a thing or two about ponies.” Twilight began, her mind racing with the stories Celestia had told of the foxes. “I’m sure that Pinkie would love to show him around town.” “Sounds good to me. I’ll make sure we’re ready-” “Listen. You should stay while he goes into town. You’ve been taking care of him, and I’m sure that can’t be easy.” Twilight cut in, her mind thinking of the worst that could come of her friend being around the ‘threat’. “It’s not that-” “Besides. You could have tea with some of the other critters while he’s in town.” “Yeah.” “I’ll see you later. Okay?” Twilight said, walking towards the door. “Okay.” Fluttershy whispered, walking up the stairs to her bed. --------------氷狐-------------- A grunt escaped the form of the fox in the corner as it stirred. It didn’t know where it was or how it had gotten there but it knew that the room around it was not a place he wanted to be. The walls were a mixture of wooden supports with paper walls draped between them with one sliding door on the other side of the room. Between him and the door was a stone table that must of had some metal atop it that was now rusted to a copper tone. Above that was a rusted chandelier with broken lights at the bottom also covered in rust. He threw his head back in an attempt to break through the paper wall but found that it must have been many inches thick as a solid thud resided through the room. The wall had been painted an aged yellow and bore illustrations of a large feast being held by blue foxes while a war raged outside the feast. The lower parts of the wall had been stained a deep red that became a sea of blood at the floor. A hook was across the room from him and from it was a rope connected to the ceiling that suspended the chandelier in the center of the table. He couldn’t imagine how such a large ornament had been put that high above the ground but he knew that it wasn’t by free souls. Looking down at himself the fox found that his body had been beaten to a point that only a fox could survive as blood rushed from a cut across his chest. The red of the blood indistinguishable in the rest of his fur. His paws had been cut with such precision that his claws were gone. As he tried to stand he felt his bones bend and fell to the floor in a cry of pain. “Well it looks like someone’s little ‘experiment’ has failed.” Came the piercing voice as two royals walked in. “It hasn’t failed. Just because we don’t know where he is doesn’t mean anything.” The second said in a growl of a voice looking over to the hurt fox in the corner. “But he knows.” “Well then. Lets find out where he is then.” The first exclaimed, her voice full of want as she leapt onto the table and into the little light the room had. It had the always present three tails and blue fur of a royal fox yet its fur was patterned with a mixture of skulls and thorns that gave a sense of dread. “So then. What will it be?” The first taunted as the second lept onto the red. It’s fur was patterned with orbs of life flowing down its body. “The forelegs or the hindlegs?” “I-I don’t understand.” Came the whimper of a reply. “Then I’ll choose. How about..... the foreleg?” “Sounds good to me.” The second growled reaching for a plate on the table, breaking it on the edge and plunging the shard into the reds leg. “Now where is he?” “Who?!” The red screamed, trying to break free from the adamantite grasp. “The lost one you bastard!” The second bellowed, plunging another shard into the reds arm a few inches above the first. “Where did he go?!” “I don’t know. He was heading north last I saw him.” Came the whimper as the red attempted to pull the shards from its arm only to have the second push his head against the wall. “Be more specific. Or Kiga over there is going to be having your leg for a snack.” The second warned tugging on the foreleg of the captive red. “Don’t mess with Kami. Unless you want to find out why he is feared as much as he is.” Kiga added gesturing to the royal atop the red. “He was walking north from the northernmost city! I don’t know where he was going, I just saw him leaving town.” “Looks like your experiment has left you Kami. Such a shame to. He really was looking to be a great fighter.” Kiga taunted hopping from the table. “He is still alive.” Kami exclaimed throwing the red onto the table. “Stay!” “Really? Well in that case, I guess that you either go and get him or wait for him to come back.” Kiga added walking to the wall where a rope was tied. “I don’t care as long as I get to eat.” The royal clipped the rope in one felt swing, dropping the chandelier onto the table. The many spikes of it drove into the red as he screamed, pinning him to the table but missing anything precious. “Now if you don’t mind brother.” Kiga declared. “I’m hungry. Go and find your failed experiment.” “Kori has not failed me yet.” Kami barked, slamming the door to the room closed as the cries of the trapped fox escaped the room. Author's Note Finally posted this :D It's been awhile because my laptop is broken and I've been to busy with other stuff to get it fixed. Anyways, I hope you liked this and if you have any ideas for the name of this chapter please tell me because I have no idea. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 “Not even one night,”Kori muttered, as he looked out the window to see the moon still high in the sky. I guess that I could just drink till I pass out. If I had any money. A movement at the head of the bed draws Kori’s eye as one of Fluttershy’s wings stretches out before folding back against her. Kori slides off the bed with the blanket, heading towards the stairs. Uh, please tell me that I still have my smokes. Kori shook his tail once, waiting for something to fall out only to have nothing. Damnit. No drinks, no smokes, and no sleep. At least things can’t get much worse. Kori walked over to the kitchen shiting slightly as he glanced around the room. As he entered the kitchen his eyes locked with a white bunny that sat on the counter, a carrot in its paws. “Looks like someone else is up. I don’t suppose that you know where I could get some smokes?” Kori giggled as he watched as the bunny hop past him. Guess not. Well, I’ve got a few hours until day and nothing to do... great. He walked over and opened the fridge, grabbing the jug of milk from it. Now where do I get a cup? Kori set the jug on the counter before searching through the cupboards for a cup. Bowls, bowls, plates. Where are the cups? She’s gotta have some cups around here somewhere. “Kori.” “Hmm...? Meh,” Kori groaned, looking back up to the cupboards. “Kori.” He glances back, his eyes adjusting to the darkness as he saw a dark figure approach him. “Hello?” “Kori!” it called out. Its fur a deep blue that shimmered beneath the dark guards it wore over it. The face was covered in a hood which revealed piercing eyes from beneath it as it stared at Kori. The very air around it seemed to blur by its mere presence, a shriek like metal on metal resonating from it as it walked. It walked with a feeling of pride as it eyed Kori. A drop of blood dropping from the rows of teeth hidden behind the hood. “No,” Kori whimpered as the creature stepped forward. Stepping back from the creature as he tried to find an escape.“What are you doing here?!” Kori cried out as the beast lift its head to reveal the face beneath its hood. “You can’t be real!” --------------氷狐-------------- Angel was laying on the pillow beside Fluttershy, looking towards the stairs for the image of the red creature. “What are you doing here?!” Angel’s head shot up as he heard the scream, waking Fluttershy as he did. “Huh?” Fluttershy groaned. “What’s going-” “You can’t be real!” “Kori?!” She exclaimed as she noticed that the red figure wasn’t at the base of the bed. “Kori!” Fluttershy leapt from the bed and rushed down the stairs to see the figure of Kori huddled in the corner of her kitchen. His paws over his head. “Kori? What’s wrong?” Fluttershy exclaimed as she came to Kori’s side. “It’s not real. It can’t be real,” Kori whimpered. “Hey, what’s wrong Kori?” Fluttershy whispered, resting her hoof on his shoulder. Kori’s entire form tensed at the touch, his claws digging into his head as he did. “It’s okay Kori.” “Fluttershy?” He heaved, looking up to see the pegasus. Tears streaming down his face. “What happen-” Fluttershy began before Kori pressed his head into her shoulder. “I-I-I t-thought, I-I was g-going to-” Kori whimpered, his body convulsing with each word. “It’s okay,” Fluttershy hummed, wrapping her arms around Kori. What could have scared him so badly? She wondered looking around the room to find that the door was closed along with the windows. “It’s okay. See? There’s nothing here,” “It’s not real. It’s not real,” He whimpered, Fluttershy’s pink mane draped between her shoulder and him. “It can’t be. It just can’t be,” “Hush now quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now quiet now, it’s time to go to bed,” Fluttershy sang, rocking back and forth as she did. “It’s not real. It’s not-” Kori muttered as he drifted to sleep in Fluttershy’s arms. She looked past Kori for a moment to see Angel glancing at the now sleeping fox. Angel hopped over to Kori’s tail and began to pull it in the direction of the couch. His feet sliding on the floor as he did. He doesn’t look like he could hurt anything. Fluttershy thought as Kori’s shifted in her arms, putting her hoof on one of his many bandages. The feeling of the cloth wrapped around him reminding her why he was there in the first place. Maybe he just needs some help. It’s not like he did this to himself. Angel hopped up to his owner, his arms a blur as he gestured for her to put Kori outside. “You must be tired.” Fluttershy yawned as she fluttered her wings to hover up the stairs. Kori still in her arms. “Let’s get you to bed.” Fluttershy laid on the bed, keeping Kori in her arms to keep from waking him. She gently uses her wings to pull her blanket up over them as Kori lifts his head up onto her neck. Fluttershy rubbed her hoof down his back as his body relaxed. He’s like a toddler. A fluffy toddler. --------------氷狐-------------- “Morning already?” Fluttershy yawned as she felt the warmth of the sun on her back, gingerly lifting a wing to cover Kori’s face from the sun as it rose further. “Still a fluffy toddler.” “M’n not a toddler,” Kori yawned, stretching his legs as he pushed back from Fluttershy. “You’re still fluffy,” Fluttershy joked as she got off the bed and walked towards the window. “Sure,” Kori muttered, pulling the sheet back up over him. “Not a toddler,” “How old are you?” Fluttershy asked as she pulled the blinds up and let some chilly morning air in. “Old enough,” Came the quiet response as Kori pressed his head back into the pillow. “Come on Kori, you have to get up too,” Fluttershy giggled as she saw Kori who responded with a low groan. “Okay then. I’ll give you a bit longer to sleep,” “M’kay,” “But then you have to get up. You’re going into town today,” She added as she walked down the stairs with a towel. “M’kay,” Wait?! I’m going into town? Kori grudgingly thought as his mind wondered how the ponies would react to him. If it’s anything like the last few than I might as well stay here. But I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here, so why not? He rolled onto his back as he thought, unable to fall back to sleep. There goes sleeping in. Might as well find something to do. He thought as his stomach let out a low growl of its own. Guess I know what I’m doing. He kicked his legs as he tossed the blanket off of him. He walked down the stairs silently cursing the splints on his legs for rubbing his skin as he remembered the events of the last night. Kori stopped where he was, lowering himself as he looked around the main room of the cottage. Windows are closed, door in one piece. Kori thought, listing off anything that he could think of in the cottage. No sign of entrance. He took a few more steps down the stairs, reaching the bottom as he glanced around the rest of the cottage. I guess I was just seeing things. He thought as he heard yet another growl from his stomach. Alright already. I’m going to- “Hi there!” Came the ecstatic voice as he walked past the door to the house. Kori lept forward at the voice, his hind legs lifting up and grabbing a hoof of the pony as he flung it onto the couch as he flipped over. The static blur of pink giggling as it landed. “Woo! Let’s do it again!” it exclaimed, bouncing off the couch and over to Kori. “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie!” She said, the smile she wore suppressing a giggle as she saw Kori was still on his back. “Pinkie Pie?” Kori muttered as he rolled back onto his stomach as the name ran through his head. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!” “Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie giggled, hopping around Kori. “So, whatcha doin’?” “Getting something to eat,” Kori said, watching the pink pony hop around him before it sat in the center of the room. “Can I help you?” “No thanks, I’m good. I’ve already had breakfast,” Pinkie said. “Oh wait! I’m supposed to bring you into town today.” “You’re the one bringing me into town?” Kori groaned as he glanced towards the door to see it still closed. “Yup!” Pinkie answered, already bouncing towards the door. “Can I get something to eat first?” Kori exclaimed, his stomach voicing its agreement. “Sure,” Pinkie exclaimed, hopping into the kitchen. How’d she get in? Kori pondered, looking about the room to see any kind of entry point. His train of thought was lost as a clang came from the kitchen. “Kori? What was that?” came the quiet voice as Fluttershy walked out of a door, a towel around her mane. “It wasn’t me!” Kori exclaimed, glancing into the kitchen at the pink pony. If this pony gets me in trouble! “Hiya Fluttershy!” Pinkie giggled at seeing her friend. “Hi, Pinkie,” Fluttershy replied as Pinkie hopped out of her kitchen. “What are you doing here?” “Getting Kori,” Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at him. Why am I the interest of everyone here?! “Right,” Fluttershy whispered glancing at Kori who sat between the two of them, his fur twitching as one of the bandages rubbed against his fur. “Hey Kori.” “Hmm?” He muttered, holding himself from ripping the bandage off of him. “You’re cuts should be closed by now. You should be able to take off the bandages.” Finally! If I would have had these itchy things on me for one more minute I would have lost it! Kori thought. “The splints have to stay though,” She said quickly as Kori bit on the cloth wrapping them to him. “Your bones still have to set.” “Fine,” Kori groaned as he took the rest of the wrappings off of him. Shaking himself to get his fur into a more natural fit. Much better. “Alright silly billy, you ready?” Pinkie giggled, once again hopping towards the door. Do I honestly have much choice? --------------氷狐-------------- “So, Kori, do you like cake? Because I sure know I like cake, one time I ate so much cake that I actually thought I wouldn’t ever be able to eat cake again but then I thought about how silly that would be, I mean a baker who doesn’t eat cake is like a farmer that doesn’t grow stuff and Applejack grows lots of apples that make the best of pies even better than blueberry pies,” Pinkie exclaimed, trailing further and further off topic as she continued towards the group of buildings in the distance. How does anyone talk so much? I can’t even understand what she’s saying anymore. “And then I said ‘waffles? That’s silly.’” I swear, if I have to deal with this all day! “Pinkie,” Kori muttered as Pinkie kept walking forward. “I mean who else do you know that can read so fast?” “Pinkie,” Kori repeated as he tried his best to stay calm. “Who would have guessed that Rarity could do that?” “Pinkie!” “Yeah?” “Can you just... Not talk so much?” Kori whimpered, noticing that he was at the edge of the town as a few ponies looked over at him. “Okie dokie,” Pinkie giggled, unphased by the outburst. Kori on the other hand had put both of his paws on his tail to keep it from covering his face. Just my luck. Now the first impression they get of me is telling Pinkie to stop talking. Kori thought as he followed Pinkie further into town. His stomach letting out a low growl as he walked. “Sounds like you’re hungry,” Pinkie giggled, gesturing for Kori to turn up ahead. “I know just the place.” Oh joy. What’s could it be with this pony? A candy house- “Welcome to Sugarcube corner!” Pinkie exclaimed as she walked into the colorful building, leaving Kori to stare in wonder at the colorful outside. I guess I did ask for it, Kori thought as he looked over the building that appeared to have been made completely out of sweets. I- I’m just gonna shut up. Kori walked in and saw that the theme was the same inside and out as Pinkie hopped behind the counter. “Come on silly,” Pinkie called out as she went into a different room behind the counter. Oh yeah, there’s an idea. Let’s just go into the back room. What does she think I am? He thought, sitting down where he was as he watched the doorway. But there is food back there. Kori walked to the door way and stuck his head through the doorway, looking around at the room behind. It was a large kitchen with a multitude of ovens and closed cupboards. Walking about the kitchen were three ponies: two of which Kori had never seen before. One was a tall but thin stallion with a bright yellow coat and a carrot mane. The other was a short blue mare, who was more on the round side, with a pink, swirled mane. On second thought, I think I’ll- “Come on in Kori. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Pinkie called out, alerting the others to his presence. He made no effort to stop his tail as it lifted over his face, covering his look of fear at the extra pairs of eyes looking at him. He slowly walked into the kitchen, dodging around the other ponies to Pinkie. “Here you go,” Pinkie beamed as she put a plate with some warm pastry on it on the floor before him. “What’s this?” “It’s just a breakfast strudel,” She explained glancing towards the doorway. Breakfast strudel? Kori’s mind repeated as he took a cautious bite. Oh man,ponies can make some great stuff. “I guess he likes it.” Pinkie grinned as Kori took a large bite of the pastry. “I’ll keep some blueberry strudels around for you,” Pinkie glanced back to the door as something in the shop moved. What’s she looking at? Kori thought, looking back at the door to see three ponies enter. The first was the familiar form of Rainbow Dash as she stood by the door, a deadset look on her face. The second was a new form with white fur and a purple mane curled artfully past a dull horn. She walked with a sway in her hips and her head held high.The final had an air of authority to her as lavender fur and a deep purple mane became visible. A pair of wings on her side along with a well managed horn on her head that supported a crown. “So I take it you’re Kori?” The lavender pony called out as she entered. The feeling of authority prominent in her voice, yet there was a sense of curiosity hidden behind it. “Yes? What’s it to you?” He replied, snapping his tail back behind him. “I am here on the part of the princess herself. I’d like to ask you a few things,” She explained, opening a bag she had on her side. “What kind of questions?” He snapped, his form tensed up as something floated out of the bag. “Just some simple questions the princess gave me,” She said as she calmly held a scroll before her. “Let’s start with your name.” “Kori. Kori Kitsune.” He replied. “What about you?” “My name is Twilight Sparkle. This is Rarity and you’ve already met Rainbow Dash,” Twilight answered, gesturing to the two ponies in turn. “Kori Kitsune? Does that mean anything?” “It does,” Kori said, waiting for Twilight to ask her next question. “And what would that be?” “Why do you care?” Kori snapped, the two unnamed ponies in the room jumping at the sound. “Well I would like to know what it means. I think it could be important,” She answered, something scribbled down on the scroll as she did. “It’s not important,” Came the sharp response as his entire figure visually tensed. “Alright,” Twilight said, doing her best to remain calm as she scribbled something on the scroll. “I understand you said that you have no family. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to them?” “Who?” “Your parents. What happened to them?” Twilight explained, the sides of her mouth turned downwards as she seemed to be thinking of ways to comfort the new creature. “I don’t know,” He muttered, his figure holding no change at the words. “You mean you don’t know what happened to them?” Twilight asked as she scribbled down on the scroll. Kori watching with great interest as she wrote. “Never knew them. Doesn’t bother me though, those cowards probably just left me,” Kori muttered, his eyes following the hovering quill. Ignoring the looks of shock the ponies wore. “How do you do that?” “Do what?” Twilight stumered. The quill halting its movements. “The floating thing,” He said, gesturing to the floating items before Twilight. Bringing his paw up and grasping the scroll. “Magic?” She asked as Kori pulled the scroll out of her aura. “How’d you? You shouldn’t be able to do that.” “Why would you risk using magic for this?” Kori exclaimed, looking over the scroll before giving it back to Twilight. “Risk?” Twilight asked as she snatched the scroll back into her magic. “What risk?” “The risk of burning,” Kori replied. The others were confused by his response. “If you use too much magic you run a risk of bursting into flames.” “I wasn’t aware that magic was so dangerous!” Rarity exclaimed, thinking through anything that supported Kori’s statement. “Yet you look like you have nothing to fear of it.” Kori muttered, looking up at the horns the two ponies donned. “So you know how to use magic?” Twilight began as she continued to scribble on the scroll. “I do.” “Could you show us? It doesn’t have to be anything major,” Twilight asked, her eyes wide at the opportunity to see this new creature use magic. Kori lifted his paw up to his mouth as he blew into the air. The air chilled around them as a thin sheet of ice covered Kori’s paw. “Is that enough for you?” Twilight opened her mouth to speak but the sound of somepony entering the store stopped her. “Rainbow!” A dark pegasus entered the room, a thundercloud on his flank. “There you are.” “Hey, Thunderlane. What’s going on? And why aren’t you helping with the clouds?” Rainbow asked. “We’ve got an issue. There’s a pink, fluffy unicorn dancing on a rainbow,” Thunderlane explained. “Really? Just get it down from there. The first blizzard is tomorrow,” Rainbow said, looking back to the entrance as the store’s door once again opened. “Hey Vinyl! Ready for winter?” “You know I am,” Came the familiar voice as Kori saw a white unicorn with blue mane walk to the counter. Her shades still covering her eyes. “Just came by to pick up some bread for tomorrow. Hey, Kori! Whatcha doing here?” “Hey.... Vinyl, right?” “Yeah. Vinyl Scratch is my name, and music is my game,” Vinyl said as Kori saw the music note on her leg. “Hey. You’re the one from the bar. Thanks for the drink,” Kori said, unaware of the fact that everypony in the room was watching him. “Don’t mention it. Your back feeling better?” “If by ‘better’ you mean it doesn’t feel broken, then it’s getting there,” He replied, glancing at Twilight who was watching with great interest. “Great to hear. So what are you doing here anyways?” Vinyl asked as one of the ponies in the kitchen brought her some bread. “I was seeing the town.” Or at least I was before Twilight here decided to play twenty questions. “Actually, do you think that you could show Kori around town?” Twilight said, taking note on Kori’s actions as she did. “Sure. I’ve got a few errands to run around town anyways.” “Okay. Just bring Kori by my place when you’re done.” Alright. Looks like I’ll get to look around town after all. “Sounds like a plan,” Vinyl said as she led Kori out of the store. “Do you really think that it’s a good idea to have Vinyl show him around town?” Rarity stammered, her hoof resting on her necklace as she did. “One of us should go with, just in case.” “He trusts Vinyl. It would be easier to have her show him around than for one of us to,” Twilight said, walking out the back of the store, the quill still scribbling across the scroll. --------------氷狐-------------- “So Kori,” Vinyl began as she walked past the joke shop. “You have a lover?” “W-what?!” Kori stammered shocked by the sudden question. “No.” “Never found a girl good enough?” Vinyl asked, before an idea came to her. “Or guy?” “Maybe I never did,” Kori said, glancing into the shop. The multitude of gizmos and toys inside intriguing him. “Wait. Girl or guy?” “Maybe.” “Which one?” Vinyl giggled thoroughly confused at this point. “Meh,” Kori muttered, looking over at a pony with a box in its hooves that was watching him. “Hi-” The pony lifted the box up to its eyes and a flash of light sent Kori reeling backwards. “What the heck!” Kori exclaimed, covering his eyes as the light flashed a few more times. “Let me introduce myself. My names Shot and I’d like an interview,” The tan pegasus announced, setting the box back down and pulling an notepad out of his pack. “Interview?” “Yes. I’m always the first one to get an interview on news and you sir are big news.” “What are you talking about?” Kori muttered rubbing the stars from his eyes. “And who are you trying to blind me?!” “Blind ya? I was just getting a few pictures. And of course you’re big news! A new species is discovered when one of them walks into the middle of town and passes out. His body in such terrible condition that most would be dead,” Shot announced as though there was some unseen audience before him. “I’d just like to ask you a few questions and I’ll be off.” More questions! Honestly unless this guy has something to eat I’m not talking. “Hold on now.” Vinyl exclaimed stepping between the two. “What’s in it for him?” “And he’s friends with the DJ Pon-3! This just gets better and better,” Shot exclaimed, grabbing a pen in his teeth and jotting down on the notepad. “Well ,of course, I am fine offering to take you both to lunch. That is if you two are hungry?” Of course he offers food. Kori moans, his stomach already voicing its answer. “Fine.” “Great! So what are you two hungry for?” Shot exclaimed, notepad in one wing with a pen in the other. “There’s a nice place right over there. How about we go there?” Vinyl said, gesturing to a building that wasn’t as spectacular as Sugarcube Corner but about as big. A few tables shaped like mushrooms outside. “Sounds good to me,” If it’s anything like the other stuff ponies have I’d be missing out. “Great! So what’s your name?” “Kori. Kori Kitsune.” “Nice to meet you Kori,” Shot beamed as he sat down at a table, Vinyl and Kori following suit. “So what brings you here?” “I didn’t like where I was, so I left. Finding this place was a complete accident,” Kori muttered as he glanced at the menu. Now I’m going to look like an idiot that can’t read. I guess it’s ask for help now or look dumb later. “Hey Kori.” Vinyl said, glancing at her own menu. “They got something here called the ‘Daniel’s sandwich’. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?” “Yeah,” Or she could make everything easier and suggest something. That works too. “So you left everything behind?” Shot inquired, setting his menu down. “Didn’t have anything to leave behind.” Daniel’s Sandwich? Was it Applejack Daniels that I had at the bar? I wonder if that has anything to do with this. “Nothing? No family or friends?” Shot drilled, eager to get anything he could from Kori. “Nope. Hey, Vinyl, what was it that I drank at the bar?” Kori asked, his own curiosity taking hold. “Applejack Daniels. Says the sandwich is lathered in some sauce made of that,” Vinyl replied, nudging her shades back onto her muzzle. Oh that sounds good. Let’s just hope that ponies don’t eat stuff that I can’t. “Lettuce, daisies, special sauce. Makes me hungry just thinking about it,” Vinyl remarked, shifting her shades around a bit more as she did. “That does sound good,” Oh man, I’m drooling just thinking about it. Daisies? Can I eat daisies? “What do your kind eat anyways?” Shot quizzed, pen at the ready. “Well I wasn’t very picky about what I ate. If you mean plants or meat, then we can eat both,” Kori replied, watching as Shot scribbled it down quickly. “So what are your kind called anyways? Just for records.” “We’re called Foxes,” Oh man I hope the waiter comes soon. I can’t wait. “So Kori, what do you think of the stuffed leaves? Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?” Shot asked, grabbing the pen back from his wing as he jotted down Kori’s reaction. “Stuffed leaves?” Kori muttered, glancing at the menu. Any of these could be that. “I don’t see that.” “Middle page, the third one up.” He’s testing if I can read. How would I know this language? “Trouble finding it?” “I still don’t see it.” “Or maybe you can’t read it?” Shot exclaimed, jotting a few lines on his notepad before Vinyl took the pen and pad in her magic. “Now what’s that have to do with Kori?” Vinyl muttered, scribbling across the last few lines with the pen. “Did you expect him to know how to read our language?” “I guess not. It should still be in the paper!” “And I don’t think it should,” She bit, as she skimmed through the notes, scratching out a few lines as she did. “This interview is over.” “What? This interview isn’t about you! You can’t just jump in because you feel like it!” Shot exclaimed as Vinyl tossed the notepad back to him. “True. But I don’t think it’s very nice to be saying those kind of things about Kori here,” Vinyl stated, calmly lifting her glasses onto her horn, “now if you wouldn’t mind. I’d like to enjoy my lunch,” Vinyl snapped as she glared her red eyes at Shot. “S-sure,” Shot stammered, flying off from the threatening mare. “What was that about?” Kori asked, his body tense from the threatening glare. “Gotta be careful around the paparazzi. They don’t really care what they say about you,” Vinyl glared the direction the pegasus had fled. “As long as they get paid,” Vinyl explained, gesturing for a waiter as she did. “Okay. Why was he afraid of you?” “I hurt him one time when he took my shades off. Hit him right on the nose,” She said, a giggle forming in her throat. “He had a bandage on his nose for a month afterwards.” Nice. “So he’s afraid of you when you have your shades off?” “It was more to remind him that I broke his nose.” Vinyl grinned as she looked up, the memory in the front of her mind. “It worked.” Huh. That actually explains that. Oh thank goodness the waiters here. “Two Daniel’s Sandwiches with two cream sodas,” Vinyl stated, giving the menus to the waiter. Ah crap! I can’t pay. I felt fine with the paparaz guy paying but this is twice now that Vinyl is paying for me. “Yo, Kori.” Vinyl exclaimed, bumping Kori’s shoulder with her hoof. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve trashed so much stuff during my gigs that one meal seems like nothing.” “Gigs? Oh yeah, you said music is your ‘game’. What kind of music?” “House, Drum and bass, dubstep. You know, techno.” “Techno?” Techno, techno? Oh! “You’re a DJ!” “Yup. I’m the D to the J to the P-O-N-3, and ain't no other pony drop the bass like me,” Vinyl exclaimed, giggling at the outburst as Kori held in his own laugh. “I said that in front of my marefriend once. She was laughing for an hour.” “I can guess why.” Kori giggled, holding a paw to his muzzle to keep himself from laughing. “What was that?” “I can guess why,” Kori reclaimed, making sure to be in the ponies language. “How do you know pony anyways?” Vinyl asked, giggling a bit more as Kori’s tail twitched up to his face. “My kind heard a bunch of Zebras talking like this so they learned it and it spread.” “So foxes are friends with the Zebras?” Kori froze as he thought over the question. The joy he had shown seconds before disappearing from him. “Far from it. My kind live by them. Let’s just say it’s a, very, bloody relationship,” Kori whimpered, his tail dropping back down to the floor. “Oh. Better tell you that there is a Zebra living nearby. She comes by town every here and there. Just so you know.” Great just one more thing for me to worry about. Kori groaned as the waiter returned and set a plate before him. No use complaining on an empty stomach. --------------氷狐-------------- “What’s taking them so long?” Rarity asked as she grabbed a book from its shelf. “Maybe we should go and find them.” “They’ll come. If we go and get him that would just make us look like we don’t trust him.” Twilight replied, glancing at the book Rarity had grabbed before jotting it down on the list of out books. Fashion, the Works of the Greatest.“All we know about him is what Celestia told me. This could be a chance to gain an interesting friend.” “Or a dangerous enemy,” Rainbow muttered, a new copy of Daring Doo laying on the floor in front of her. She turned back to her friend, the necklace she wore glowing at the feeling of loyalty coming from its bearer. “We should have taken him to Celestia while we had the chance.” “We don’t have any reason to fear him.” But I can’t deny that Celestia has to see him. Twilight muttered as the door to the library opened. “Twilight?” came the call as Kori poked into the room, freezing as he saw the three ponies in it. “I’m here.” “Hello Kori. How’d it go?” Twilight said, her magic enveloping her crown as Kori walked in. “Good... So, what’s this about?” “I was just thinking,” Twilight began, looking towards her friends before returning her gaze to Kori. “You seem to be healing faster than we expected.” “You could say that,” Kori said, internally cursing the splints he still had. A tall dark figure walking into the room with what appeared to be a ball of pink fuzz with a tongue on its back. “Look what we have here. A fox,” it called out, a feeling of lust in her voice. “What would one of your kind want here?” “I don’t have anything that you could feed on!” “I know that. Your kind are so blunt sometimes. Leaves a bitter taste afterwards.” “What are you two talking about? I didn’t know that changelings knew of foxes,” Twilight exclaimed, glaring at the two in turn. “Of course we do. My kind have tried to feed on foxes for the longest time now. We deemed it too dangerous and gave up after a while. We can’t hide from them and we certainly can’t fight them.” “Okay Chrysalis, let me get this right. You’ve known about this species for how long now?” Twilight quizzed, pulling the quill and scroll back out of her bags. “As long as I’ve been alive. Why would I mention such a vile species to such a peaceful ‘ally’?” “Me? Vile? Have you looked in the mirror recently?” “If it wasn’t for the fact that Twilight was right here I would hang your fur on the wall!” Chrysalis snapped, her horn shining a bitter green as she did. “And how would you do that? Magic doesn’t work on my kind and I doubt that you would dare fight me,” he whispered, leaning towards Chrysalis as he did. Suddenly aware of something patting at his tail. Kori looked back to see the pink ball of fuzz was batting at his tail with what looked like a hoof, blowing a raspberry the entire time. “Twilight, what’s this?” “That’s Fluffle Puff. The only thing I can think of with fur thicker than yours,” Twilight responded, watching with great interest as Fluffle Puff continued to bat at Kori’s tail. Kori turned his body around, bringing himself face to face with the fuzzy pony. It glanced down at Kori showing no notion of its intents before it raised one hoof and bumped Kori on the nose with it, blowing another raspberry at him as it did. “Really?” He muttered, sticking his own tongue out at Fluffle. “Pft.” “Ppppppfffffffffffffttttttttttttttt,” Fluffle retaliated. “Pft, pft, pft. Pffft.” Fluffle took a long breath in, bellowing her chest as she sucked in some air. “Ppppppppppppppfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt! Pft!” “I’m done,” Kori stated ah he turned back to Twilight. “Why did you want to see me?” “Well, I gave you a week so you would have time to heal. Seeing as you’re mostly healed and winter is coming, I feel it would be best to move the meeting to the day after tomorrow,” Twilight explained, glancing out the window at Celestia’s falling sun. “O-oh, o-okay. Y-yeah,” Kori stammered “You should get back before it’s dark. Don’t want to scare anypony, do we?” That went better than expected. “Yeah,” he whimpered as he walked back out of the Library. His tail rubbing along across the ground as he did. “That solves that. Now we just have to get him to Canterlot,” Rainbow muttered as she hovered towards the door. “I have to go and make sure that the weather team is ready for the first blizzard. I’ll see you two later.” “Good bye,” Rarity called out, busy jotting something on a sheet of paper. “I should have taken measurements.” “For what?” Twilight pondered, glancing at the sheet to see a rough pen sketch of Kori’s form. “Well I thought that he should have something to wear when he sees the princesses. I was thinking something like a robe, maybe in a green to contrast his fur?” Rarity said, sketching a few pencil lines over the sketch. “Did Celestia tell you anything about what a fox might wear?” “No. Wait, why green?” “Green is the contrast to red. Although I should add some red details in so it’s not overwhelming. Perhaps some blue to compliment the red,” Rarity remarked, sketching in a some patterns off to the side. “And perhaps I could do something involving ice. He did freeze his paw afteral.” “True.” Note to self remember to ask him how he froze air. --------------氷狐-------------- Two days. They couldn’t just keep the original date? Kori thought as he walked into the cottage, Fluttershy lying on the floor with a book. I guess that means I won’t have to wait as long. Though I’d rather wait forever then have to go sooner. “Hey, Kori,” Fluttershy beamed as she noticed Kori. “How was it?” “Good,” He moaned, laying on the couch expecting a certain squirrel to lay ontop of him. What he got was a silent cottage without an animal in sight. “Where are the animals?” “They’re either sleeping or they went south for the winter. Is something wrong?” “No. I’m fine as always,” Kori muttered turning away from her as he tried to drift to sleep. “Are you sure?” she said, walking over to stand by the couch. “As always?” “I’m fine,” Nothing that she should be concerned with. I’m only going to be here another day anyways. “Okay,” she whispered, glancing out the window to see the sun reaching the horizon. “Good night.” “Yeah,” Kori whispered in response, closing his eyes as he felt his mind wander. Atleast I’m safe here. Last night wasn’t real. I was tired and saw something when there was nothing. Whether it was a few minutes or a few hours he didn’t know. All he knew was that he had been laying awake unable to sleep as the shadows covered him. I just want to sleep. Is that to much to ask for? Kori moaned as he rolled off the couch and started towards the stairs. Grabbing a blanket off the chair as he did. “Fluttershy?” he whispered as he reached the top of the stairs. “Hm? What is it Kori?” Fluttershy yawned as she half consciously glanced at Kori. “Can I sleep up here?” “Sure,” she mumbled, scooting to a side of the bed as she did. “Thanks,” Kori muttered as he slipped up under the sheets and laid with his head pressed into Fluttershy’s shoulder. Fluttershy lifting one of her hooves as Kori slid into her embrace. Her pink mane covering his face as he drifted to sleep. “Still a fluffy toddler.” “M’n nt a tdlr.” Author's Note It's done! I'm having trouble think of a name for this so if anyone has a suggestion let me know. Chapter 4 promisesThe yellow pegasus shifted around in her sleep as she felt something tap one of her hind hooves. What? She thought as she glanced down and saw Kori’s tail swiping between her hoof and the edge of the bed. She saw that he was still deep in his dreams. Little cutie. I’ll let you sleep in today. Fluttershy lifted her front right leg off the bed to slide it out from under Kori, who muttered something as she did. Kori letting out a quiet moan out as he felt the leg leave, but stayed as he was. Still asleep? She thought as Kori shifted around under the blanket before resting on his other side. Yup. Fluttershy walked down her steps, breathing in the warm cottage air as she saw the snow falling outside her window. Her hoofsteps the only sound as she reached the main room. It was a warming sense as she walked into the small kitchen and grabbed two small boxes from a cupboard. Tea and pancakes,still the best way to start winter, She thought as she pulled out two mugs and started her oven, Boiling a pot of water as soon as the stove was warm enough. Let’s see if Kori likes tea. A slight clicking noise drew Fluttershy’s gaze to the stairs. She saw Kori slowly making his way down, his claws lazily tapping the wood with each step. Fluttershy debated asking him how he was feeling but held her tongue as Kori turned into the bathroom. Looks like someones awake. I guess he was going to get up eventually. She thought as she started on the pancakes. Putting some blueberries into the mix as it cooked. Hope he likes blueberries. “Watashi nikumu daisies,” Kori groaned as he walked out of the bath and laid on the couch. “What was that?” “I hate daisies,” he groaned as he pulled a blanket over him. “Why’s that?” “They hate me,” he moaned. “Oh.” Note to self. Kori doesn’t like daisies. “Are you hungry?” “Yeah,” he said as he put his nose up and smelled the air. “Just some blueberry pancakes and tea,” she said as Kori slid off the couch. “Tea? I didn’t know that ponies had tea.” “Do foxes have tea?” Fluttershy asked as she grabbed a mug of the tea and gave it to Kori. “Yeah,” he replied before he sipped from the mug. “I’ve never really been able to get any though.” “Do you like it?” “It’s.... good,” He muttered as he took another sip of the tea. “I’d still prefer other stuff, but it’s not bad.” “I’m glad you like it.” “So... what do we do now?” “Well, we’re stuck inside until tomorrow. I have some books and boardgames if you want,” she said as she walked back into the kitchen. “Would you like a pancake?” “Tashika,” Kori said before before he shook his head and repeated. “Sure.” “Here you go,” Fluttershy said as she brought two plates out to the main room and set them on the table. I hope he likes it. “Pony tashika tsukuru subarashi shokuhin,” he hummed as he took a few bites out of his small stack of pancakes. “Kansha.” “Is that good?” “Mm hm,” Kori muttered as he took another bite from the stack. “About the princesses.” “What about them?” “They’re gonna help me, right?” he whimpered, not daring to look up from the plate. “Of course they will. They always help.” “Sure. So, boardgames?” “Oh yeah. I’ve got checkers, chess, battlecloud and a deck of cards.” I wonder if he knows how to play any of those. “Chess? Are you very good at that?” Kori said as he looked around the room from the table for the black and white pattern of a chess board. “I’m not the best but I’m not bad,” she answered as she finished her breakfast. “Great, because I suck at it.” “You can’t be any worse than me.” “You sure? I’ve never been any good at it,” he replied grinning at the thought of losing to Fluttershy. “Let’s find out,” Fluttershy exclaimed as she walked over to a shelf of books and grabbed a box from among them. “What color do you want?” “I’ll be black. That way you can go first.” I see what your doing. “Okay,” she said as she set the board on the table. Setting the many pieces in their spots as Kori finished his pancakes and set the plate to the side. “Ready?” “I guess,” he said as Fluttershy moved one of her pieces forward. “So how was it yesterday?” “It was, okay. Just a town,” Kori answered moving one of his pieces to block her advance. “I guess. It’s still a nice town.” “True,” came the groaned response as Fluttershy broke some of his defenses. “Told you I suck at this.” “You haven’t lost. I only got a pawn.” Fluttershy remarked as Kori picked up the pawn and twirled it around with his paw. “I’ve never won a single game of chess.” “There’s a first time for everything. See, you got one of my pawns.” “After you already took one of mine. You’ve got the advantage.” “You’ve still got a chance,” she added, watching as Kori twirled the pawn around his paw. “You okay?” “Yeah. Just a bit twitchy. It’s nothing,” he muttered, the pawn spinning on its head before he quickly swooped it up and spun it again. “Alright.” The two continued with their game as piece after piece was taken from the board until Kori found his king surrounded. “Checkmate?” he mumbled as Fluttershy moved the last piece into place. “Looks like,” she halfheartedly confirmed. “And Kori loses another chess game, no surprises all around.” “You didn’t lose by that much. You almost had me there.” “Sure. Like I said, I’ve never won a single game of chess,” Kori muttered as he set the pawn among his pile of pieces to see Fluttershy’s wasn’t half the size of his. “You on the other paw...” “Twilight and I usually play chess together. I guess that she’s the reason I’m good at it.” “Yeah. Whatever.” “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem, down,” Fluttershy said as she picked up some of her pieces and put them in the box. “What makes you think that?” “Your tail hasn’t moved an inch since you woke up,” she explained, gesturing towards the tail that laid behind Kori. “You’re usually so curious. Today? Not so much.” “So? Why would you care?” “I don’t like seeing anything sad. What’s the matter?” “Nothing.” “I know that’s not true. Did something happen in town?” “No. It’s nothing important.” “Are you hurt?” Maybe his legs are sore. “No,” he muttered as he walked to the couch. “It’s nothing.” “How about this? We’ll play one more game, you get to choose and if I win then you tell me what’s wrong?” “And if I win?” “I won’t ask about it again,” she said, sitting on her hind legs as she did. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” “What was that?” he asked as Fluttershy finished the silly display. “That means I promise.” I should’ve just said that. “Twenty one.” “Huh?” “The card game twenty one. That’s what I choose.” “Oh.” I thought that twenty one was for gambling.... I guess this is like gambling anyways. “O-Okay.” Kori grabbed the deck of cards and shuffled it on the table with frightening precision. “Do you know how to play?” “Y-Yeah. Which one of us is the dealer?” “Well, since you’re the one who made the bet you can be the dealer,” he said, sliding the shuffled deck over to her. “First one to win five times wins?” “O-Okay,” Fluttershy stammered as she put four cards on the table. Why do I get the feeling that number is going to raise quickly? “Twenty one!” Kori exclaimed as he saw the cards before him only to see Fluttershy’s top card was an ace. “What’s under yours?” She turned over her second card to see the face of a king beneath it. “Twenty one.” “No garakuta a,” Kori groaned as Fluttershy put out the next four cards. The two of them continued this cycle until a victor was decided. Kori let a out a low groan and put his head on the table as he saw the winning hand. “Is that five?” Fluttershy asked as she won her fifth round. “Sukoshi rakki,” he groaned as he tapped the table with his claws. “So what’s wrong Kori?” “What do you care?” “I don’t like the thought of you being sad. I thought the deal was if I won you’d tell me?” she remarked. “I don’t want to go to see the princesses. Happy?” he snapped. “Is that all? Why don’t you want to go see them?” “Why would I want to see them?” “They’re going to help.” “Like they’d help me.” “They’ll help in every way they can. I promise.” “How do you know?” --------------氷狐-------------- Rarity stood in her boutique with some bits of cloth floating before her as she heard the door to her store open. “Welcome to Carousel boutique where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique. How can I help you?” “Hi Rarity,” Twilight exclaimed as she set her scarf on the stand by the door. “Twilight?! What ever are you doing here? Did you walk through that ghastly blizzard?” “It wasn’t that bad. I teleported most of the way. I just came by to ask how everything’s going.” “Other than the fact that I can’t go outside today? Everything going marvelous. It’s not everyday that I get to make something for somepony that’s not a pony,” she said as she pulled the sketch over to her and set some cloth in the sewing machine. “Though I must admit that, without any measurements, I’m stuck making something simple for him. Perhaps a deeper lime would look better.” “Still going with green?” “Well it’s hard to find a shade of green that I can use in bulk that still looks good with his fur,” Rarity said as she compared a new cloth to a red sheet that was the closest to Kori’s fur she had. “Maybe I should use blue instead. Do you think that would be insulting though?” “I’m not sure. He did say that the ‘royals’ were blue and he didn’t seem to like them. Though if there’s no good green I don’t think that there’s much else choice.” “True. Is there any reason that you came over here?” “I got a letter from Celestia that I’d like to go over,” the princess said as she pulled a scroll from her bags. “‘Dear my faithful student. I hope that beast isn’t giving you to much trouble down there in Ponyville. I also approve of your decision of bringing it here sooner and I ask that you bring it to the throne room as soon as you arrive. If you would feel a escort necessary then I shall send a group of guards to meet you at the station and keep this ‘Kori’ under check. Your mentor, Celestia.’” “She sounds like she has no trust in Kori. Though she has been saying this whole time that she’s afraid for the town, not to mention that she told us she had an entire platoon of guards ready to fly down and help if ‘something goes wrong’. It feels like she expects him to try and kill us.” “That’s what I wanted to talk about. Kori is going to be put on trial as soon as he arrives at Canterlot and I wanted to ask you what you think about him.” “What I think about him? I don’t think he’s really a threat. He seems like he is a modest creature, and he’s never shown any signs of wanting to hurt us.” “Is that all you have to say?” “Well I don’t really know what else I would say. I only saw him those two times so I’m not certain what else I could say.” “That’s plenty,” Twilight said a she walks towards the door. “Thanks Rarity. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Goodbye,” Rarity said as Twilight disappeared in a flash of purple. “Perhaps a navy blue.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Howdy, Twilight. What do I owe the visit for?” Applejack exclaimed as she opened her front door and saw the lavender alicorn. “Hi, Applejack. I’ve got to ask you something,” she exclaimed as she rushed inside the house and over to the fireplace. “Woah now. If this is advice for stallions than you’d be better off going to Rarity,” AJ exclaimed as she closed the front door. “No. I was wondering what you thought of Kori.” “The red dog thing? To be honest with ya I’m not sure how to feel about him. I mean, I know what Celestia said about him and all and I do see what she’s talking about, but at the same time he seemed so weak when he was here. Why do ya ask?” “Princess Celestia want’s to know how you feel about him. He’ll be put on trial as soon as he gets to Canterlot to determine whether or not he’s a threat. Your input should help in determining whether or not he’s dangerous.” “Oh. That’s a lot of pressure. Like I said I don’t know how to feel about him.” “Neither do I. I still have to go and see Pinkie and Rainbow. Is it okay if I stay here to warm up for a bit?” “Sure thing sugarcube. It’s a mighty strong blizzard out there.” Twilight shivered at the thought of the storm outside. “Yeah. The pegasi sure have outdone themselves this year.” “Yup.” --------------氷狐-------------- “It’s okay. Just a blizzard,” Pinkie hummed as she spotted the twins starring in fear at the windows. A knock at the door caught her attention and she rushed over to let the shivering pony in. “Hiya Twilight,” she said before looking back to the twins. “See? It’s just snow.” “H-Hi Pinkie. Oh wow it’s cold out,” Twilight said with a shiver as she sat in the main room and rubbed her hooves together. “You want some hot chocolate?” Pinkie asked as she sat beside her friend. “Y-y-yes p-please,” Twilight stammered gratefully accepting a warm mug from the kitchen. “Thanks.” “No problem. But what are you doing outside? It’s freezing out there.” “I know. I had to ask you what you thought of Kori.” “Oh, he’s so cute! He’s got the little paws, his big fluffy fur, the cutest ears that flick if he hears something!” “Okay, I need to be more specific. Do you think he’s a threat?” “How could something so fluffy be a threat? I mean, have you seen how fluffy that tail is? It’s almost as big as he is!” “I guess that makes sense. In some strange way.” “Of course it makes sense. Fluff always makes sense,” Pinkie exclaimed as she shook a few miscellaneous items from her mane. “Besides, if he lives in Ponyville that means that many more parties!” “I guess. That just leaves Rainbow,” Twilight muttered as she took a nice warm sip from the mug. “I’ll go there in a bit.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Coming!” Rainbow exclaimed as she hopped down her stairs and to her door. The cloud floor freezing beneath her hooves as they snowed onto the ground beneath it. “Hey Twilight! Don’t you know there’s a blizzard?” “Y-y-y-yes,” the shivering alicorn exclaimed as she rushed into the house. “I-I’m sending l-letters next time.” “What’re you doing here? I thought you would’ve been at home reading, or something like that.” “I‘ve come to, ask you what you thought about, Kori. Do you have some hot chocolate?” “Kori?” Rainbow spat as she walked into her kitchen with her friend in tow. “I think that he should go back.” “Oh? Go on.” “He made it where he was and if what Celestia says about him is true then I don’t want him here. I know that he looks like he just needs help but I don’t trust him. Looks can be deceiving after all.” “True.” “I don’t know what he’s trying to pull with the whole innocent-cute act but I’m not gonna fall for it. He’s dangerous.” “Thanks Rainbow. I better get home before Spike eats too much ice cream.” “Later,” the cyan pegasus exclaimed as her friend walked towards the door. “Don’t you think that you should warm up a bit before you head back out?” “Yeah.” Looks like it’s three for him to stay and one for him to leave with one in the middle, and me. Why can’t I decide? On one hoof he needs help but I can’t just forget about all the things that Celestia says he’s capable of. I guess it comes down to one life or the lives of many. --------------氷狐-------------- “I have no idea what they’ll do to me,” Kori whimpered as slumped down against the table. “They’ll have me right where they want me, and there’s nothing that I could do if they decided to...” “They wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I wouldn’t let them.” “Oh sure.” Like she could ever do anything to change their minds. She’s a simple pawn to them. That’s all we ever are to royalty. “I’m serious. I’d do everything I could to stop them if they tried to hurt you. They’d never hurt you.” “You don’t know that.” “But I do. How could they hurt you? You’re too fluffy to hurt. If anything as soon as they saw you they’d want to hug you.” Hugs from some royal pricks? I think I’d rather they attacked me. “You don’t know.” “Hey. How about this? In a week once we go there and you see that they’d never hurt you, we’ll go and eat somewhere nice?” “It’s tomorrow,” he whimpered, the fear in his voice almost palpable. “But it was in a few days.” “They changed it. I’m going there tomorrow. I’ll be right in front of them and there will be nothing I can do about it. They could kill me right there if they felt like it!” he screamed as he slumped to the floor. “I’ll be there the whole time. I promise that I won’t let them do anything to you. You’ll see that there’s no need to worry.” “I have no say in this. They could kill me without me saying a thing. They’ll decide my fate... Some royal pricks deciding if I live or die,” he whimpered as he put his paws over his head in a defensive position. Fluttershy laid beside him as he whimpered. “Hey now. Don’t worry. How about we play another game?” she hummed to no response. “I’ve got some blueberries if you’re hungry.” “Leave me alone. Why don’t you just leave like everything else?” “I don’t like seeing anything sad. That includes you mister fox,” she said with a giggle as she tapped Kori’s exposed nose with her hoof. “Come on, let’s play a game so you can enjoy today.” “I wouldn’t have to enjoy today if I knew I would get tomorrow.” “You will get tomorrow, and the day after that, and many days after that. Nothings going to happen.” “You don’t know that.” “Come on now. In a few days you’re going to look back to now and see how silly you’re being,” she said as she draped one of her wings over his back and pulled him closer. “Meh. Let me go,” he muttered as he tried to wiggle out from the wing only to have it tighten around him. “I will, once you stop being sad.” “I’m not sad.” I’m currently pissed off! “You look sad.” “Not sad.” “Than what are you?” Fluttershy said with a giggle as she started to tickle Kori’s side with her hoof. “Huh?” “Stop it! Stop! I’m not-” Kori exclaimed as he tried to suppress his own laugh. “Just ate! Please!” “Okay,” she said as she withdrew her hoof from his side. “Since you said the magic word.” “Please?” he asked to see Fluttershy nod her head. “Please let me go?” “Okay,” she answered as she folded her wing back. Kori rolling forward and ending up facing her as he laid on his left. “So you can smile.” “What made you think I couldn’t?” “I haven’t really seen you smile. I thought that maybe you don’t like smiling.” “If I’m smiling it means I’ve forgotten. And trust me when I say that there’s a lot that I want to forget,” he said as his paw reached for his eye only to go past and scratch his head. “I understand. How about another game? And maybe this time you’ll win.” That’s not helping me feel like I could win. “Sure.” “You know that they will help you right?” “You keep saying that. I just... find it hard to believe.” “You didn’t get much help where you come from did you?” “Try none,” he moaned. “It was always just me. No one wanted to help a runt like me. Not even my own parents.” “Well I promise that you’ll get the help you need.” “Thanks.” Chapter 5: the castle Chapter 5: the castle My tail just loves to shake in the morning. Kori thought as he felt his tail tapping Fluttershy’s hoof. Kori raised his head to look up the bed and saw that the pegasus was starting to stir. “Morning, Kori,” Fluttershy said with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and looked over at the fox, who scrunched up his nose and rolled over with a moan. “It’s not morning yet. Wake me up tomorrow,” Kori said into the quilted blanket, then tried to bury himself under the blanket. “Sorry, Kori, but it’s time to get up!” she said with a chuckle, then crawled over to Kori and wrapped her hooves around him. She’s gonna choke me if she hugs me any tighter. “Fine.” “How’d you sleep, Fluffy?” “Fluffy? Did that Fluffle Puff pony sneak in?” Kori muttered as he tried to slip from her grasp. “I meant you, so how’d you sleep?” Fluttershy asked as she quickly scratched his side in an attempt to get his legs to kick like a happy pup. “I didn’t,” he moaned as he finally slipped out of her grasp and sluggishly limped over to lay his head on a pillow. “Why not? Does it have anything to do with today?” Fluttershy asked with a concerned look. Kori tucked his head under the pillow. “No,” Kori groaned. He twisted one of his legs, which resulted in a loud pop. Fluttershy cringed at the noise as she thought of how such an action would feel to an already-broken leg; it hurt her to see him injure himself. Little did she know this was just another one of the many things Kori had learned from his home; pain was nothing new to him. “You shouldn’t do that. Doesn’t it hurt?” “Only for a moment,” he moaned as he shifted it once more with another muffled pop. With a glance, he saw that Fluttershy was watching him closely. “You don’t have to worry about me, I’ll be out of your fur in no time at all. The princesses will be making sure of that, one way or another.” “I promised I’d see you through this. I just don’t want to see you in pain, so could you please stop doing that to yourself? Please?” “Fine. Can I just...” “Just what?” Fluttershy asked as set a hoof on Kori’s leg, making it twitch reflexively. “Forget it, it was a dumb idea,” Kori muttered as he slid off the bed and began towards the stairs. “Let’s just get something to eat.” “Hold on. What were you going to say?” “I was gonna ask if I could just sleep through today, but I’d rather face this head on. I will see those princesses, and they’ll help me. Right?” “That’s right. Come on, let’s get some toast and tea so we’ll be ready to go,” she said as they entered the kitchen. “Sounds like a plan.” The sooner we get there, the sooner I’ll never have to hear about pony royalty again. “You make the tea and I’ll make the toast?” “Sure,” Kori replied as he walked over to the cupboards and got a small pot. “Where’re the cups? I couldn’t find them.” “They’re on a higher shelf so that no critters can climb up and play with them.” “Got it,” Kori said as he started boiling some water before he hopped up onto the counter. A sharp pain shot up his leg as he landed, and he flinched in pain before he forced himself to adopt a calm expression. He stopped himself from grunting as he stretched up to look on top of the higher shelves. Stop showing pain, can’t afford to look weak. “Found them.” “Be careful! You already have two broken legs.” “I’m being careful.” Don’t drop the cups. Don’t yelp. I’m not weak. Not gonna look weak... Kori thought before one of his paws slipped on the counter causing his entire body to tense so he didn’t fall. Some of his claws dug into the wood as he struggled to hold himself up. He groaned through the cup in his mouth as he felt his legs straining from the effort, the pain of his injuries flaring up. “Oh my! Maybe you should let me get the cups,” Fluttershy exclaimed, a hoof over her mouth in shock. “Iv gt i,” Kori spat through the mug in his mouth. “...I can’t just sit and watch as you do something so dangerous with two broken legs!” Fluttershy exclaimed, then raced over to Kori and wrapped her legs around his chest, carefully lowering him to the ground. “I’ll get the other cup, and you can still make the tea.” “I was fine, it’s not like that fall would’ve hurt anything,” Kori snapped, ears laid down against his head as he slouched, embarrassed. “Kori, that was almost a four-foot fall onto your head. That could’ve seriously injured you.” “No. It would take more than that to hurt me,” Kori muttered darkly as Fluttershy set a second mug beside him. “Kori, you have to realize that you are still a living being, and that means that you can be hurt. And that sometimes you need some help.” “I can help myself,” Kori muttered under his breath which caught a glance from the pegasus. “What was that?” she asked. “I said that I can help myself,” he snapped. “I never said you couldn’t,” she said with a shrug, “it’s just that sometimes a little help would make things a lot easier on you.” “When am I supposed to see the princesses?” Kori asked, changing the subject with a sigh. “Well, the train doesn’t leave for a few hours, but Twilight might come by to talk to you before then.” Fluttershy said slowly, looking Kori over a second time. Fan-fricken-tastic. I’m finally ready to get this stupid royal business done and I find out that I have to wait a few hours before I actually have to deal with them! ...I don’t have anything to do until then. “Toast’s ready.” Fluttershy said, derailing Kori’s train of thought. “Alright.” “Do you know how to make tea?” Fluttershy asked, realizing he hadn’t started making any yet. “Just because I couldn’t afford it doesn’t mean I can’t make it,” he said as he grabbed a couple teabags from one of the cupboards and set them in the mugs before he put the water in them. Being sure that he turned the stove off afterwards. “So... what do you wanna do?” she asked as she munched on a piece of toast. “No idea,” he muttered as he blew a tuft of fur out from in front of his eyes. At the moment I’m stuck waiting for Twilight to come by. “We could always play something while we wait.” Oh yes, let’s see just how many times you can humiliate me in a game. “Or we could find something else to do.” “Sure.” A few knocks at the door drew the attention of the two. Kori stood and crossed the room to answer it. “Hello, Kori,” came the voice as he opened the door to see Twilight was on the other side with a scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. “May I come in?” “Come on in Twilight,” Fluttershy said as she set a two plates down on the table before walking over to greet her friend. “We were just about to have breakfast.” “Breakfast? At ten thirty?” “T-ten thirty?!” the pegasus exclaimed as she looked over her oaken wall clock. “We must’ve slept in later than I thought.” “There’s still an hour until we have to go and Rarity.... was right behind me?” “I’m here!” Rarity exclaimed as she rushed into the house, a multitude of miscellaneous tools in tow. “I thought I forgot my pencil, but it was right here next to the thread.” Wasn’t she one of the ponies I met yesterday? It’s so hard to tell when there’s so many ponies around. “Hi, Rarity,” Fluttershy said joyously as she saw her friend. “What’s with the stuff?” Kori asked as the unicorn held a cloth out before her. “It’s just a little something for when you go and meet the princesses. First impressions are important after all,” she said as a tape of some kind floated over to Kori and was held along side him. “I want to make sure that this fits.” “That what fits?” he asked as he flicked the tape away from himself. “It’s not my best work, but I’m certain that it’ll help you look your best when you see the princesses in a few hours,” she replied as a few needles wove their way through the cloth. “It was a bit longer than it should’ve been.” “Alright Kori,” Twilight began, pulling Kori’s attention from the seamstress. “The princesses and I are going to be meeting you in the throne room in a few hours, and depending on how it goes there could be a feast afterwards.” Depending on how it goes? Kori thought as a shudder ran through his body. No! Fluttershy promised me I’ll be safe. I haven’t done anything wrong afterall, so they’ll have no reason to hurt me. “See Kori?” Fluttershy said as she bumped Kori’s shoulder. “I told you that you’d get something to eat afterwards.” “Yeah.” She did say that. And now I have something to look forward to after all this royal shi... stuff’s done. “That should do it!” Rarity exclaimed as she pulled the needles from the cloth and held it up to show that it was a simple yet elegant robe about Kori’s size. “Would you mind trying it on to see how the fit is?” “S-sure,” Kori muttered as he put his forepaws through the sleeves and let the rest of it lay atop of him. The cloth was a bright blue that had been chosen to contrast his natural fur with a multitude of simple snowflakes put in a pattern across the back. The back was made so that it draped over his tail without restricting it. “How does it feel?” Rarity asked, suddenly nervous as to how Kori would react. “It feels... weird? Never wore something before though,” he said as he shifted around inside the robe. It feels so weird! How do the rich stand wearing this kind of stuff?! “Does it itch?” “No. It just feels weird on my fur. It doesn’t feel... natural.” “You’ll get used to it, darling. What do you all think?” Rarity asked, turning to her friends. “It’s not my best work, but it’s still pretty good for a rush job, wouldn’t you agree?” the unicorn asked of the others as she glanced over the robe herself. “I think it looks nice,” Fluttershy said as she ate some of her toast. “It really brings out your fur.” “Just what I was thinking!” Rarity exclaimed. A moment later she glanced at the clock and began to trot in place. “Oh my! We’re going to be late if we stand around and talk like this! I’ll hold onto it until we get there if you’d like.” “Sure,” Kori said as he pulled the robe off his head and gave it to the eager unicorn. For a second I was afraid I was gonna have to wear that the entire way there. “We should head into town so that we’ll be able to catch the train. We still have to meet up with Pinkie, Rainbow and Applejack before we go,” Twilight said as she stood to leave. “Yeah. Let me just grab something for the cold. Would you like a scarf Kori?” Fluttershy asked as she too stood. Kori shook his head with a forced giggle at this. “My fur’s not thick for show.” “Right,” she said as she walked to the door with a scarf wrapped around her for warmth. “Come on Kori.” “Alright- One sec!” he exclaimed as he crammed a slice of toast in his mouth before rushing out after the ponies. --------------氷狐-------------- “Welcome to Canterlot!” Rarity exclaimed as she hopped off the train, Kori close in tow. “Are you okay?” “I feel sick,” Kori muttered as he swayed a bit on the solid ground. Note to self: trains move fast. “I didn’t know you had motion sickness,” Fluttershy said as she got off the train behind him. “I would’ve brought something to help if I knew.” “News to both of us here. I’m fine. I just-” “Woo hoo!” Rainbow exclaimed as she soared out of the train and hovered above the group. “Feels great to stretch my wings a bit.” Blah blah blah. Lucky little- “Alright everypony,” Twilight exclaimed drawing the attention of everypony as Kori sat and gained back control of his legs. “The sooner we get to the castle the more time we have until we head back.” “Which means more time for parties!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped off the train with a bag of snacks hanging from her tail. She brings food and I get sick from a train ride. Just my luck. “Hey,” Fluttershy said as she set a hoof on Kori’s back. “Are you okay? I can get you something if you’d like.” “Just dizzy,” he muttered as he slowly straightened up. “I’m fine.” “Ya sure? You look a bit tipsy,” Applejack said as Kori took a wobbly step forward. “Yeah. Never been on train bef-” Kori began before he stumbled against Fluttershy. “Careful!” the pegasus exclaimed as she caught him before his face met the floor. “Okay. Just sit down, wait until the ground stops tilting.” “Sure,” he moaned as he laid on the floor. Just close your eyes. The world’s not tilting like some fun house. “I feel like I’m about to lose my breakfast.” “Oh boy,” Rainbow muttered as she watched him sway where he laid. “You sure you don’t need something?” “I’m go- second thought. Anything to get the ground to hold still.” “Probably needs something in his stomach. That always helped me when I was little,” the cyan mare said as she glanced off for something to help him. “How about doughnuts?” “Ugh. I‘m ready to puke and you say to eat?” Rainbow giggled at this. “Yeah, that’s what I said when a teacher first said that to me. It helps settle your stomach, though if you’d rather wait it out I guess that’s always-” “No! I don’t want to wait!” I swear if I have to wait for this to stop I will puke! “Well, I guess it’s a good thing that Doughnut Joe’s place is open all day,” Twilight stated with a gesture into the city. This better not be some prank to get me to puke. Kori thought as he stood to follow the pegasus only to have Fluttershy stand beside him supportingly. “Careful,” she exclaimed as Kori fell against her. “We don’t want you falling on the ground before you even get to the castle now, do we?” Kori looked up in search of the castle. To his surprise, he saw that the entire town had been built on the side of a mountain, and a large white castle stood vigil at the top. The golden roofs seeming to reflect the light to every inch of the town as they walked through a well lit archway. So much for modesty. I feel like I’m in the middle of a giant pissing contest. He remarked as the buildings gradually got bigger and more elaborate. Now if only the buildings would hold still I’d be able to stop tilting around like a drunk. “Feeling better?” Fluttershy asked as she noticed Kori had stopped bumping against her. “A little,” he lied. Don’t fall on your face. Don’t- “And here we are!” Rainbow exclaimed as they arrived at a small white building with a large brown circle covered in chocolate and some colorful sprinkles atop it. Thank toast that.... Kori thought before he feigned a trip and landed on his face. That hurt a lot more than I thought it would. “Oh my!” the pegasus exclaimed as she noticed Kori’s position. “Are you okay? “Mm hm.” If I ever said that aloud I’d probably drop dead from embarrassment. “Come on. Let me see,” she said as she helped Kori up and glanced over his snout to see a drop of blood running down it. “Come on now, let’s get that fixed up.” she said as she pulled him into the building. “What?” he muttered as the blood reached his mouth and he had the familiar taste of blood on his tongue. It’s just a nose bleed. It’s not like I’ve broken something. The inside of the building had a more relaxing theme of warm reds painted along the wall with an assortment of pastries on display in the counter. Fluttershy sat at the counter and Kori followed suit beside her as she grabbed a few napkins. “Hold these to your nose.” Sure thing your majesty, he thought as he did as she said, the wide assortment of colored pastries drawing his attention. Still dizzy as a drunk in a tire that just rolled down some mountain. “Doughnut Joe! Are you back there?” Twilight called out as she sat on the other side of Kori. “Would that be, Princess, Twilight?” a voice called out from the back as a large pale stallion walked out behind the counter. “What do I owe the visit to?” “Just going up to see the princesses.” Don’t forget the never before seen creature sitting beside you. “Well I’ll have to thank them the next time I see them. What can I get for you seven?” No remark on how I look? No ‘Timberwolf!’ or asking what I am? Not even a remark on the bloody napkins?!? “What’d you like Kori?” the pegasus beside him asked as she pointed out a pink ring. “Oh, um. How about that one?” he said as he pointed out a solid ring with some white frosting atop it. “Here you are,” Doughnut Joe said as he grabbed the pastry with a napkin and set it before Kori. “Thanks,” Still? He wasn’t even surprised that the big red fluffy dog looking thing can talk! Wow, I’m being harder on myself than this pony is. “Ya gonna eat it or are ya just gonna sit there like a bug in front of a light?” Applejack remarked as she bit into her own pastry. Right, food! Kori thought as he took a bite of the pastry to find it was filled with a sweet cream. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better they think of something that tastes better than the last! “He sure likes his sweets,” Rainbow remarked as Kori took another bite of the. “Feeling better yet?” Can’t talk, busy eating. “Looks like,” Twilight remarked as she set a few bits out on the counter only to have Joe shake his head. “It’s on the house.” On the house? I don’t even think I’m gonna try and understand that one. “Thanks. But I’d feel better if I paid.” “Are you telling me that I’m supposed to allow an old friend to pay me for a few doughnuts?” “Yes,” the alicorn said as she pushed the bits closer to Joe. She denied free stuff?! I get the feeling that it’s going to be a long time before I understand this place. At least the world stopped spinning- Kori thought before his chair suddenly spun in place as Pinkie rushed past. “Be right back!” she exclaimed as she rushed into a side door. And the ground’s tilting again. “Food not helping now.” “We should probably get to the castle before something else happens,” Rarity said as she finished her pastry. “Yeah.” Let’s get this over with before I lose what food I have in me, again. “Princess Twilight Sparkle?” a voice called from the entrance as three large white stallions in gold armour entered the shop. “Yes?” she replied in shock at those who’d entered. “Celestia was concerned as to what was taking you so long. We’re here to escort you and your group to the castle,” the first said in a voice that made it seem like the stallion had eaten a breakfast consisting of gravel and nails. I guess they really want to see me. Kori thought as his body visibly drooped. I guess that I’ve got to get this over with sooner than I thought. “Hey,” Fluttershy said as she set a hoof on Kori’s back. “Don’t worry.” Twilight’s glanced at the floor to hide her face as she spoke. “Y-yeah. Why would they hurt you?” “I-I guess they don’t have a reason to do anything to me.” Can’t stop myself from remembering what I’m about to do. Kori Kitsune, the poor little runt of the litter, is about to ask some royal’s for help? “We’ll take you to the castle as soon as you are ready to go.” Twilight looked towards the guards keeping her face hidden from the fox.“Th-” “No point in waiting. I’m ready.” “We’ll take you there right away. Princess Twilight?” “I’m coming. You five can finish your breakfast. We’ll meet up with you afterwards.” --------------氷狐-------------- “How do you ponies wear this stuff?” Kori muttered as he scratched at the robe. “It feels weird.” “It takes some getting used to but it’s more of a formality than anything,” Twilight said as they walked through the halls of the castle towards their destination. “We don’t always wear clothes.” “I don’t know why you’d ever wear this stuff,” Kori complained, “it just itches and it moves my fur around.” “Because…” Twilight stopped for a moment and tapped her chin with a hoof, then shrugged. “I guess it makes you look rich if you can afford to wear fancy stuff.” “Ah,” Kori said curtly. “So you’re trying to make me look better than I normally am?” “First impressions are lasting. It’s this room right here,” she said as she stopped next to a large, ornate stone door. “Ready?” “Not like I have a choice,” he muttered darkly. “Excuse me,” a nearby guard said as he held out a small steel chain and shackle to Kori. “As a formality, we must ask that you put this on.” “Really?” Kori asked, perplexed. Why the hell would they do that? Have they met foxes before? ...I’m gonna be slaughtered if they’ve met any. “Yes. Officially, it’s a precaution, to keep the princesses safe from any possible harm.” “F-Fine,” he replied as he put the chains on. They kept his paws within a foot of each other, and they were much heavier than they appeared. Twilight nodded towards the door. The guard pushed it open and gestured Kori inside. The first thing he noticed about the room was the size of it: the room was at least five times as long as Fluttershy's home, and at least twice as wide. The walls were lined with banners of the Equestrian flag, a Yin-Yang symbol with twin alicorns swirling around the sun and moon. The ceiling was high enough to allow a few pegsi guards to hover above the door as he entered. Magnificent marble pillars ran parallel to the red carpet that spanned the length of the hall. At the end of the room was a raised platform on top of which sat three gilded thrones: a gleaming golden sun was rested atop of the center throne, which sat surrounded by the thrones of the silver stars and the moon. On the throne of the moon sat a dark blue alicorn who was busy writing on a scroll. "Good luck!" Kori whipped his head around to see Twilight wave to him as the great doors began to close. He flinched as they slammed shut, cutting her from his view. He felt his heart stop as he realized that there wasn't a single familiar face with him. This isn't right. Fluttershy said she'd be right here. “Is it safe to presume that you’re Kori?” the alicorn called out. Kori slowly turned to look back up to the dais. She hadn't looked up from the scroll. He took a quick breath, steadied himself, and then lifted his head high with a proud stance and called out, “I am!” He boldly walked towards the thrones. "And you are?” “My name is Luna. I’m here to represent my sister until she arrives. Now, before we start, I’d like to ask you something.” “S-sure,” he stuttered. He shook his head to calm his nerves and forced his voice to remain steady. "Of course." “Why are you here?” the Lunar Princess asked, finally looking up and putting her scroll down. “I wasn’t safe where I came from. I stumbled across Ponyville, and Fluttershy took me in,” he said. “What were you running from?” Luna asked, curious. “Someone that didn’t want me around.” Kori responded evasively. “Alright." She pulled out a scroll, a six-pointed star on the broken seal, from behind her throne. "Now then, I see here that you are in need of help.” she said as she looked the scroll over. “Help? I guess I don’t have much," he said with a nonchalant shrug. “Well, you could always make a home for yourself here. That is, if this goes well.” “Right...” “Do you have any special talents?” “Um... I did work as a courier for a few years. Is that what you mean?” “It will suffice,” she said with a slight nod. Going good so far; this royal is surprisingly civil. “What put you in this state?” she asked with a gesture towards his splinted legs. “I was attacked," he said bluntly. “Attacked?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow and lowering the scroll. "Did you agitate your attacker in any way?” “I-I...” Kori stammered, his facade beginning to break. I can’t lie. They’ll never trust me if I lie about this and they find out. He lowered his head and saw the chains still connecting his legs. It’s not like they trust me anyways. Kori took a deep shuddering breath, and then admitted, “I did. I had stolen from him. I... I was forced to kill him afterwards.” Silence. Kori waited for her to respond, to say something, anything, for what felt like hours. Finally, he looked up at her. She simply sat there, still, staring at him as if unable to comprehend what he'd said. “You... you beast!” came a bellowing roar from Kori's right, then a massive wall of force slammed into his side and sent him flying into a nearby pillar. “You won’t harm anypony as long as I’m here!” Luna shook her head, still shocked. She leapt down from the throne and walked over to Kori’s assailant. She glanced at Kori as he struggled to stand with a snarl. “Do you think you got him, sister?” “It seems not,” the attacker growled as Kori stood, leaning against the base of the pillar. He saw that he was faced with a large white alicorn who towered over him as she glared down at him. I should’ve known. He groaned as he stood to see that his robe had been torn from the attack, though he remained mostly intact as his fur dispelled the blast. Several pegasus guards rushed to surround him at a respectable distance, spears pointed at his throat. “Royalty’s a bitch, watch for the bait and switch.” Kori muttered, disgusted with himself for dropping his guard. “Silence, beast!” one of the guards called out. “We don’t want to hurt you if we don’t have to!” He exclaimed. Another two alicorns entered, one pink, the other purple, and were shocked to see the princesses glaring down at a surrounded figure. The guards all surrounded Kori, who glared back with equal malice. “Celestia! You said that you’d wait for me before you did anything,” the first alicorn said as she ran in. Kori quickly recognizing her as Twilight. “He at least deserves a chance to defend his case!” “Twilight! That thing has nothing to defend!” Celestia exclaimed as she jabbed a hoof at Kori. “I’m not going to let it be a threat to us!” Twilight walked over to stand by Celestia, then looked at Kori, surprised to see that he was standing firm. “Did he attack you first?” she asked, getting a silent glare from the princess as all the guards shuffled uncomfortably. “No! She attacked me,” Kori hissed, unaware of the fact that in his rage he’d reverted to his own language. “Stay back, Twilight!” Celestia exclaimed. A guard jabbed his spear at Kori’s face, and he reflexively knocked the spear away. “That was your last chance! Guards, take him out!” The guards reared back, then rammed their spears at Kori. The air chilled, and the spears were deflected away from his hide, sliding across patches of glistening ice on his fur. The chains slid off his now-frozen front paws. Celestia gave in to her rage at that moment, pressing her advantage as Kori slid the chains from his claws. She hadn’t the time for that as a ball of fire appeared above her horn and she sent it hurtling past the guards to Kori. Twilight’s horn lit to defend Kori only to have a large white stallion leap from the guards to stop her. “Twily!” “S-shining?” Twilight stammered, then looked back to where Kori was to see a flaming figure in his place. “I... I could’ve...” “The beast is slain! Huzzah!” Luna called out as the figure fell to the floor. She turned and asked her sister with a grin, “You thought that it’d be a problem?” “That was too easy,” Celestia muttered as she poked the burning form. The cloth fell, and Kori was nowhere to be seen. “Guards!” Celestia shouted, backpedalling and looking around frantically, “He isn’t dead! Find him before he kills somepony!” The guards scattered, quick to ensure every door was secure as they looked for the fox. The group was baffled to find that the red creature appeared to have vanished. They finished their search and began to look through nearby rooms. The alicorns stayed where they were, taking stock. Kori bit his tongue, barely able to refrain from screaming at the pain in his legs. That was too close, he thought as he looked down to see where the alicorns were, standing by the thrones as they discussed something he couldn’t hear. His unbroken legs dug into the top of the banner from which he hung as they looked around. Looks like even these idiots don’t look up when they try and find something. He looked back the again-barred entrance, thinking on how to escape. The dark alicorn glanced up at the banners and began to scan them with haste. “There you are,” she muttered. She spread her wings and pushed off the ground, surging up to to the fox. She slammed her hooves across his head as she flew by, flinging him from the banner and to the ground with a crunch. “Is he...?” Twilight whimpered, eyes wide as she saw Kori’s legs bent in wrong angles, blood streaming from his stressed wounds as he lay there. “Can’t be too sure,” Celestia muttered before a ball of flames formed over her horn and was flung towards the broken figure. --------------氷狐-------------- “Are you sure this is the right room?” Fluttershy asked as she and the others stopped before a large stone door in the inner works of the castle. “This is the throne room,” Applejack said as she pushed on the door to find it looked closed. “I don’t really know where else they’d be.” “Maybe there’s a side room?” Rarity said as she glanced down the hall for any indication as to where her friends had gone. “It’d probably be best if we just waited around in the cafeteria until Twi or one of the other princesses goes there.” “You just ate. It isn’t very posh for a lady to be constantly stuffing her face,” Rarity said as she flipped her mane back to the side. “So you don’t want any Canterlot Castle Cake then?” The cyan mare said as she began to hover down the hall. “I never said that. One can always feel free to have an extra slice of cake, or two.” Pinkie was bouncing after Rainbow as Rarity said this. “Woo hoo! Let’s-” A loud crash against the door grabbed the attention of the group as they looked back to see the cause of the noise only to find a still closed door. The group exchanged looks of shock at the sudden noise from where their friends were supposed to be. “Ya’ll heard that too right?” Applejack asked to see the others nod. “I-I wonder what that was. It sounded-” A crash rang through the halls as a red figure was thrown through the doorway and into the hall. The group of five letting out startled screams as it landed beside Fluttershy. “K-K-Kori?” Fluttershy stammered, starring in horror as she saw that the bloody figure at her hooves was the fox from earlier that day. His body doused in his blood and covered in lacerations from a fight. “W-What happened?!” “Stand back!” Shining exclaimed as he rushed through the doorway and pointed his sword at the downed figure. “He looks to be unconscious, but he could always be faking.” “We sent him through a stone door that had a three inch gold bar keeping it closed,” Cadence said as she walked out close behind him. “I think he’s out.” “Guards!” Celestia roared as she stepped out of the room and looked down on the bloody creature. “I want the restraints on him now! He’s not dead so if he wakes you are to scream for reinforcements and try to overwhelm him.” “W-What happened in there?” Fluttershy whimpered as she set a hoof on Kori’s chest and felt the faint beat of his heart. “We’ve saved countless lives today. I would like to thank you all for helping in such an important battle. We shall have a feast in your names tonight!” Luna said with a roar. “B-But,” the butter pegasus cried as a few guards put chains on Kori legs and pulled him off to the side. “You know where to take him,” Celestia said as she wiped a bit of blood off her cheek before turning her attention to the ponies before her. A certain butter pegasus in particular. “I’d like to apologize for anything Kori might have done while he was in your care. I shall pay for anything that he might have cost you and would like to say that I shall give you something as a reward for this great feat. But right now it seems that my sister is throwing a feast. We wouldn’t want to miss that now would we?” Fluttershy was left in shock as she walked with her friends to the banquet hall, the feeling of Kori’s blood on her hoof present with each step. “To those who risked themselves to keep us safe!” Luna exclaimed as she raised her glass of ‘royal wine’ to have those at the table mirror her. “Without whom we may have never caught the beast!” “Fluttershy!” Rainbow exclaimed as she nudged her friend, her plate untouched before her. “You’re not scared of all the ponies are you?” “N-no. I’m just, I can’t eat after seeing that.” “They didn’t have to do that!” Applejack muttered as she pushed her plate of leaves away. “They went too far! He’d done nothin’ wrong!” “They didn’t have to try and kill him, I just thought they’d kick him out.” Rainbow muttered as she saw that the others were mimicking each other as they pushed their plates from them. “I know that Celestia said he was dangerous but I just...” Rarity said as she swished around her wine before setting it back on the table. “Didn’t think that they’d attack him?” Pinkie whimpered as she blew some of her now straight hair from her face. “Yeah. He really didn’t seem like he wanted to hurt us, he seemed more afraid that we’d hurt him than anything. ” the farmer whimpered as she tapped at her mug of cider. “I can’t believe that Celestia would stoop to trapping him in a room and beating him!” Rarity hissed. “I thought that the idea of taking a life died long ago, but I guess that they forgot that this isn’t a hundred years ago.” “He was afraid,” Fluttershy whispered, her face on the table as she let her mane drape over her face. “He said that he didn’t want to come yesterday and he wanted to sleep through today so he wouldn’t come.” “He was afraid of us?” Twilight whimpered as she saw the red on the base of Fluttershy’s hoof. “He actually wanted us to help him.” “That’s the only way I could get him to come. I promised him that he wouldn’t be hurt. The only reason he’s here is because he trusted me. I should’ve been in there with him, maybe then things would’ve gone differently.” Rainbow looked down into her mug to see her reflection shone back in a red tint from the wine. “He didn’t do anything wrong, they just attacked him.” “Never did anything wrong?!” a nearby guard exclaimed as he shook a pack of ice which he was holding up to his head. “I don’t count knocking five royal guards out as doing nothing wrong. Trust me when I say that having a spear broken over your head, hurts!” “H-he broke a spear over your head?” the butter pegasus stammered. “Yeah, after he had already broken the heads off eight of them at once and knocked four guards out. He probably did more harm to himself than we did to him,” the guard groaned as his head rang out in pain. “I’m not sure though, he knocked me out pretty quick.” “I-I can’t believe that he’d do that. I wanna see him.” “I don’t think he’ll be waking up anytime soon,” luna said as she set her own glass down for a servant to fill. “We do need to keep him alive though.” “I-I-I could help him! I helped him when he first got here.” “And for that we’re very thankful,” Celestia said as she set her own mug down beside her sister’s. “But we have vets who are willing to keep him alive for us.” “But does he trust them?” Fluttershy said. “If he wakes up and sees somepony he doesn’t know, after what just happened?” “She does have a point,” Cadence said as she nudged her husband’s shoulder who pulled his head from his food. “He’s likely to attack anything he doesn’t recognize right now.” “F-fine,” Celestia groaned as she took a large sip from her newly filled mug of wine. “But as soon as he’s stable Luna is going to go into his dreams to find why he really came here.” “It should be easy seeing as he’s technically asleep now. We’ll get you what you need as soon as you’d like.” “If you don’t mind, I’d like them now.” “Certainly. The sooner you get to him the better chance of him making it.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Right this way miss Shy,” the guard assigned to escorting Fluttershy to Kori’s ‘cell’ said as he led her deeper into the castle. “I-I didn’t know that the castle went into the mountain. There’s so many gems.” It’s really beautiful. “It’s cell is up ahead,” he said as they walked past four guards to enter a spherical room with a large glass cube suspended in the center of it by eight thick chains. It’s like they’re trying to cage a dragon! “Bring it down!” the guard called out as a few guards pulled a switch on the wall to lower the cell. “We’ll be right here.” “T-thanks,” Fluttershy whispered as she looked into the cell and saw the figure of Kori. His fur had a wet appearance that she knew all too well was blood as it slowly ran across the floor. His entire body seemed to have been put through a mincer save for the intact shackles around his wrists, and the shackles pierced through his ears. They pierced his ears?! Haven’t they done enough!? She thought as she looked over his wounds. He’s been burnt and cut in multiple areas, his legs are broken again and he won’t stop bleeding. I’ll have to sew the- Fluttershy began before she noticed a piercing green on Kori’s form and saw that his eyes were locked on her. “You’re awake!” “Be careful Miss Shy! He could be dangerous!” “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know that they would do this to you,” she exclaimed as Kori’s eyes drifted over towards the still open cell door. “You have to believe that I had no idea.” Kori’s legs twitched before a slight groan resounded from him. His gaze deadlocked on the space past the door. “Just relax, I’m going to be as gentle as possible. Okay?” she said as she noticed a splint of wood lodged in his side. “I’m sorry, but this might sting,” she lulled as she grabbed it in her mouth and jerked it out of his side. A few drops of blood across her nose from the action. “How’s everything going in there?” the guard exclaimed as he glanced back into the cell. “E-everything’s fine.” The walls are glass, just look in and see for yourself. “Could you give me that thread?” “Of course!” he said with a salute as he hovered the thread into the room. “Thanks,” she said as she began to stitch Kori’s wounds closed. Each time the needle pierced his skin she could see his eyes cringe at the feeling. “I’m so sorry. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.” Why would he believe me? It already looks like I lied to him to get him here. “Report!” a voice bellowed as the butter pegasus turned to see that Luna was approaching the cell. “Subject gained consciousness for seven minutes yet was unable to do anything past look around! He also showed signs of being able to feel his wounds being sewn shut!” a guard exclaimed once he finished bowing to the princess. He passed out again? “Thank you. How is he Fluttershy?” “H-he’s in terrible condition. I’ve closed the major wounds and re-splinted his legs.” “Good to hear, because I’m here to check his reasons for being here so you may return to the main chambers and are welcome to stay the night if you can’t catch the next train.” “T-thanks,” Fluttershy said as she followed the guard back to the main halls of the castle. “Close the door and put him back up there. I’m going to be walking through some of the most corrupt thoughts possible. If I seem to be in pain I want you to kick my side to get me out.” “Yes princess!” the guards called in unison as Luna laid on the floor before the cell. “I’m going in.” --------------氷狐-------------- The scene was a blank slate as Luna opened her eyes, ready to avoid anything that she may find. What she found was a panicked Kori hunched in nowhere particular, the scene quickly shifting as he noticed her. “Get out of here!” The scene faded to a scene of a group of young foxes standing in front of a wrecked building which was being used as a makeshift orphanage. The group of younglings were shouting at a much younger pup who had been trapped on the stairs of the building. He retreated into a memory! Well, that means he must be in this group somewhere. I’ll have to pick him out of ten foxes. “You know why you’re here right!?” one of the larger reds exclaimed. “Because your parents were to weak to keep themselves safe and they died because of it!” “No no no!” another slightly smaller red exclaimed. “They’re not dead, didn’t you hear? This runt was left outside the doors a few days ago. Because nobody wants him!” “He’s like a weed!” a royal exclaimed as he grabbed a bit of dirt off the nearby path and tossed it into the pup’s face. “All anything wants to do with him is pull him out and throw him away!” “Yeah! Weed!” a royal bellowed to the now laughing group. “Why don’t you go and find a place that wants you?!” “I hear the dump could always use more trash!” “I don’t even think they’d take him! He’d be better off jumping in a fire and ending it!” “But he’d put the fire out!” a red bellowed as he picked up a rock and stuck it into the door behind the pup. “All he can do is wait for someone to pluck him out and deal with him!” That’s enough of this! Luna thought as she sent a burst of magic from her horn which destroyed all of the dream’s images. And then there was, one? The spell had worked as it was intended yet Luna found her tempted to try and rip any power Kori had of the memory from him as she saw the only remaining figure. The crying pup on the steps. “I’m not a weed. I didn’t want to be left here,” Luna heard as the small figure wept before her. It’s thought’s audible in the dream. Kori? Luna said as she placed a hoof on the figure to see that it was indeed the truth. “Please, come back. I don’t want to be left here. I want to go home.” Author's Note Took a while to upload and I hate ending on cliffhangers but I'm working my hardest to get the next chapter out A.S.A.P. Thanks for reading. Had to rework this chapter due to errors in the plot that had to be fixed, but now it is DONE and chapter 6 will be released soon! Well, relatively soon that is. Anyone catch the appearing item?
Chapter 1 The Creature“Are ya sure this is a good idea? I don’t think we’re supposed to be this close to the Everfree Forest.” Apple Bloom whispered to her friends as she looked to the forest. “We aren’t even close, yet. Besides we might get our cuite marks in film, and what better place to find something to film than in the Everfree Forest?” Scootaloo remarked, moving closer to the wall of trees. “What was that?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed looking in the direction of the noise. “I hear it too. Is the camera rolling Apple Bloom?” “It’s rolling. I wonder what it is.” Apple Bloom announced, holding the camera up and pointing it in the direction of the sound. “Um. What do we do if it’s a Timberwolf?” Sweetie Belle asked and the others had a look of fear as they thought of the quick wolves. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I mean if that’s a Timberwolf than we could be in some serious trouble.” Apple Bloom whispered backing away from the noise as she did. “Toki ishi sore owari?” Came the rasp from the woods as a red head came into view. “Timberwolf!” The three screamed, dropping the camera and running off towards the town. “Nani jigoku? Denakereba narimasen genkaku.” The figure moaned as he walked forward never turning. Applejack looked back up at the customer she had just finished selling a basket of apples to. “Ya’ll come back soon.” “Applejack, Timberwolf, forest, camera, help!” Came the call as the three fillies rushed towards Applejack. “What now? Slow down a bit.” Applejack stated looking to the three fillies. “We were by the Everfree Forest with a camera hoping to get our cutie marks in film but a timberwolf came out and we don’t know if it followed us.” The three exclaimed quickly. “I don’t see a timberwolf.” “But, we saw a timberwolf. There it is!” Scootaloo screamed as she saw the red figure limping towards them. “That’s not a timberwolf. But whatever it is, it’s heading this way.” AppleJack exclaimed ushering the fillies into the closet building. “Y’all stay here.” “Hey Fido! I’m talking to you!” Came the yell as Rainbow Dash flew alongside the creature. “Any idea what it is?” AppleJack asked as she followed the new creature. “No idea. It won’t answer me.” “Go and get Fluttershy. I’ll make sure this doesn’t do anything it’ll regret.” AppleJack instructed. “Got it!” “Mizu.” The red figure muttered as it went past the town fountain taking a drink as it did. AppleJack used this chance to look over the creature. Its fur was a deep red except for the ends of its arms which took on a brown color. It was in the shape of a large dog yet its tail was much larger than a normal tail, being almost as big as the creature itself. It was tenderly putting its weight on two of its legs the many lacerations on its body showing through the thick coat of fur as it drank. “What are ya?” “Oh my. What happened to you?” Came the sympathetic call as Fluttershy landed by the creature. “You really shouldn’t be walking.” “I don’t think it can understand you.” AppleJack stated as she kept pace with the weak creature. “It still shouldn’t be walking.” Fluttershy exclaimed standing in front of the creature. “Please stop.” “Dono kurai nagaku?” The figure uttered as he bumped past Fluttershy, only to have her jump back in front of him. “Now I know that you want to walk but you really should rest. How about you come back to my cottage and I’ll fix you up so you can walk all you want?” Fluttershy offered yet the creature just looked past her as he walked forward. “Please?” “Honmonode wanai.” “Oh, can you please stop? You’re gonna hurt yourself.” Fluttershy whispered as she walked along it. “I don’t want you to faint or anything.” The red creature didn’t respond to this as it continued its walk in the direction of the town library. Not turning as it walked straight at the tree not even noticing it. “Now you can’t go there. I don’t care how much you ignore us, you’re not going ta Twilight.” AppleJack uttered and gave the creature a shove to steer its path away from the tree only to have it fall over. “Oh my.” Fluttershy exclaimed rushing to the side of the creature and looking at it not daring to touch it. “Its out cold.” “Oops. Well now you don’t have to worry about it hurting itself.” AppleJack joked as Fluttershy picked the creature up showing it to be almost as large as her. “It doesn’t weigh very much. Oh I hope that I can help it.” Fluttershy exclaimed as she walked to her cottage. “Alright y’all can come out now. Its gone.” AppleJack called out to all the houses as she saw that nopony was outside. --------------氷狐-------------- “Oh my. He’s really hurt. Let’s see, I need some bandages, a splint, some alcohol, some thread, needle and a comfy blanket so he’s comfortable. That should be everything, right Angel?” Fluttershy muttered as she rushed around her house grabbing everything she could think of to help the creature. “Fluttershy? Are you okay? I heard that you took something home and I was wondering if you could use some help.” Twilight called out as she entered the cottage. “Twilight! Oh thank goodness. I need all the help I can get. He’s in such a bad condition that I don’t know if I’ve even found all the wounds yet.” “Okay... So how can I help?” “Do you have a spell that can find wounds?” “I think. Do you think its a good idea using magic on it though?” “it’s a him, not an it. And why wouldn’t it be a good idea?” “Some creatures don’t go well with magic. I don’t know what ‘he’ is and I don’t know if ‘he’ will go well with magic. I’ll try it, but if something goes wrong I’m gonna stop.” Twilight muttered as her horn was filled with strength and a glow enveloped the creature. It didn’t stir as the spell ran over it not noticing some of the obvious wounds on it as it lit up only a couple of deep cuts. It went down the figure until it reached the tips of its tail and nose before the purple glow faded away. “What? I don’t understand, it didn’t notice anything that we didn’t already. Is there another way I could help?” Twilight Exclaimed. “Umm... Yeah. Can you help me fix his arm? It’s broken and I have to... rebreak it so it’s in the right spot when I set it.” Fluttershy asked setting her hooves on the arm in question causing the creature to flinch at the touch. “Sure. What exactly do you need me to do?” “I need you to set your hoof here so I can... break it properly.” Fluttershy instructed gesturing at a spot on the arm for Twilight. “Ready Twi?” “Ready.” Twilight confirmed and set her hoof down as Fluttershy put the arm back into place. The creature did not take kindly to the sudden action as it leapt up and swiped at the ponies, its claws missing by a mere inch as it fell to the ground once more whimpering. “Oh I’m so sorry! Let me get a pill to help with the pain!” Fluttershy exclaimed rushing off into her kitchen to find the bottle of painkillers she kept. “Sheiko!? Sono kizu!” It screamed grasping its arm in agony. “Naze?” “I’m sorry. I can’t understand you. What was that?” Twilight asked as the creature looked up at her. “Why?” It muttered the pain forcing it on its back. “Got it.” Fluttershy whimpered as she rushed back out of the kitchen a small pill bottle in her mouth from which she took a few red pills. “I need you to take one of these.” “No!” It yelped scooting back from them. “Please? It’ll help you feel better.” Fluttershy whispered. “You just hurt me and now you offer pill? What it do?” He whimpered not letting the two out of his sight as he backed into a corner. “It’ll help you sleep so we can fix you up.” “No. I’ll stay awake. Anything but sleep.” “Oh my. You don’t want to be awake for this. I don’t want to hurt you.” “Used to it.” He muttered leaning back as his body began to give on him. “No.... sleep.” “If the pills don’t put you out then you’ll just pass out. I promise that the pills will keep you from feeling any pain. Okay?” Fluttershy whispered in the way she would with a frightened animal. “No.... shuripu...... Shinaide........ hitsuyo.” He muttered as he slowly loses consciousness. “Please take the pill.” Fluttershy whispered holding out the pills for him which he took quickly. “Thanks.” “Please don’t lie about this.” It muttered as it waited for the pills to take effect. “Will I dream?” “Do you want to dream?” “No.” “I don’t know.” “Oh no. Please, don’t let me sleep. I don’t want...... the........ dreams.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Is he still asleep?” Twilight asked as she and the others walked in to the cottage, wary of all the animals inside. “Yes. He must’ve been really tired.” Fluttershy answered gesturing to the red creature on her couch. She had put a light blanket over him as he slept to hide the body mostly covered in bandages. “It’s a he, right? Well, he doesn’t look too good.” Rarity stated, resting the length of her arm on its head to move some of the long hair aside only to feel the heat radiating from it. “He’s burning up!” “Oh my. I don’t know if he can handle a fever right now. I don’t even know if I have stuff to treat a fever right now!” Fluttershy exclaimed rushing to look for something to help with the fever. “What can we do to help?” Rainbow exclaimed her wings at the ready. “I need to cool him down. Oh, I’m out of some medicine as well, I-If you don’t mind helping that is.” “What medicine do you need?” Twilight exclaimed already rushing towards the door. “I need some antibiotics and an ice pack. Can the rest of you help me find my-” “Thermometer?” Pinkie exclaimed holding the the fragile tool out for her friend who eagerly took it. “Thanks. I can hardly believe that he’s still alive. By all rights he shouldn’t have been able to walk yet here he is.” Fluttershy muttered as she put the thermometer in its mouth. “One hundred and seven. Oh I hope I cleaned his wounds good enough.” “I’m sure you did just fine sugarcube. All we can do is make sure it is comfortable and give it some medicine and hope it lives. Whatever it is.” AppleJack stated looking over the sick figure. --------------氷狐-------------- “Where am I?” The creature muttered as it awoke. “Ugh man I need something to drink.” The creature silently slid from the couch, taking note at the sleeping butter pegasus in the chair and heading to the kitchen. It cringed at each step as the broken bones and cuts made themselves known. The splint on its arm causing each step on the leg to be awkward for it. “How did I end up in the one place with nothing to drink? Never mind that. How did I end up here at all?” He whispered walking out of the building intent on going to the town bar. He moved quickly through the night town leaping across streets and moving out of sight from the few ponies he saw. The building stood out in the night as the lights and laughs from within combined with the smell gave it the atmosphere of the town bar. “Easy enough to find. Now lets see if I can get anything good without them noticing.” He whispered as he slipped behind the counter and grabbing a bottle of ‘AppleJack Daniels’. “So Berry Punch. Got anything special to drink tonight?” Came the startling call as a white unicorn walked in. “Not much. Just some of the usual stuff. I got an extra shipment of AppleJack Daniels if you want some of that.” Came the reply as a purple pony walked behind the bar, forcing the creature beneath the bar. “Sounds great. I’ll take a bottle.” Came the reply along with a sudden pain to the head as the bartender through the creature onto the bar and held him there. “What the?! What is this thing doing stealing my alcohol?” The pony exclaimed as it saw the bottle still in its mouth. “I don’t think it’s stealing.” The second pony stated, causing the creature to look up and see that she had some large tinted glasses on and a ragged blue mane. “It looks like it was bringing me my drink. I wonder if it would like to join me for a drink?” “Are you drunk?” “Not yet. That’s the point of buying a drink right?” “Great, a drunk pony.” The creature muttered trying to wiggle out from under the hoof that held him down. “So are you gonna have a drink or are you gonna sit around for the cops?” The white pony joked as she sat at the bar. “Drink. What is a ‘cop’ anyways?” He muttered as he sat on the seat by her. “You try that again and you’re gonna get in trouble. Don’t think that I’ll bail you out of anything after this.” “You don’t even know me.” He muttered grasping at the glass the bartender had put out for him as the new pony poured him a drink. “You’re point? I’m Vinyl by the way.” She said offering him a hoof as she poured her own drink. “What’s your name?” “Why you care?” Came the remark at it downed the glass and poured itself another. “Well I just kept you out of jail and paid for the drink to share with you. I’d like to know your name.” She joked holding the bottle back as it downed its second shot. “I am Kori Kitsune.” “I didn’t catch any of that. Sorry I don’t speak, whatever language you just used.” Vinyl joked pouring the creature another drink. “My name Kori. Kori Kitsune.” “Well Kori.” Vinyl began downing her own shot as she did. “Nother question. What are you?” “Fox. Just red fox.” Kori muttered lifting his tail up to cover the bottom of his face as he felt the eyes of half the bar fall on him. “Why you buy drink?” “Why not? You looked like you could use a drink. Doesn’t help that you didn’t let that bottle out of your mouth even after Berry here put you on the bar.” “Help with pain. Most of time.” Kori muttered his paw instinctively going to his back. “What kind of pain?” “All pain. Bones break. Memories scar. Skin rips.” Kori whimpered grasping his back. “Are you okay?” “Fine. Still healing.” “You shouldn’t be out here if you are hurt. lets take you to Fluttershy so she can help you.” Vinyl exclaimed standing hoping for Kori to follow. “Are you alright?” “Pills. Not good.” Kori muttered as he lost control of his body and fell. “Crap! What is it Kori? Are you sick?” “No. I just need to fix my back.” Kori muttered leaning against the bar and bending backwards resulting in a sick pop. “There.” “That didn’t sound good. Are you sure you’re okay?” “Fine. Just need, drink.” Kori muttered grabbing the bottle and pouring it into his mouth. “Hey come on. Save some for me at least. Drink like that and you’re going to hate it in the morning.” “That not problem.” Kori moaned grasping his gut. “Everything hurts.” “What happened to you anyways?” “Royal hit me with metal pipe. I got him back, still hurt.” “A royal?” “Foxes with three tail and blue fur. Think they are great. They not so great.” Kori muttered looking over himself at the multiple wounds and splints. “They didn’t have reason. Didn’t need one.” “You gotta go back to Fluttershy okay. You are in no shape to be out and about.” Vinyl stated lifting the fox in her blue arua. “Put me down! You’re not taking me anywhere!” Kori exclaimed wiggling from the magic grasp. “You will not take me anywhere.” “Its pretty obvious that you’re hurt and I’m not sure that the vet would know what to do. I don’t think you have much else choice.” “Just let heal. Don’t need help.” “You’re kidding right? I don’t know how things run where you come from but around here we help each other. So that this keeps going.” Vinyl uttered setting hoof on his chest feeling the beat of his heart through the thin figure. Kori’s entire figure froze at the touch as he felt his own heart beat vibrate off the hoof. There was no rush to it, no need to get blood running through him. The usual haste of his heart was gone, all he felt was a calm thump of his heart. “Off!” Kori exclaimed pushing the hoof from him. “How you do that?” “Do what? All I did was put my hoof on your chest.” Vinyl remarked thinking of how she could get the fox to Fluttershy. “You slow it. How you slow down heart?” “I didn’t do anything. Why do you think that I’d try to slow your heart?” “It never slow. Why slow? Slow can’t be good. Can it?” Kori muttered his paw on his chest listening to his heart. “Maybe it just means you are relaxed? From the looks of it you could use some relaxing.” Vinyl joked pouring the fox another drink. “Relaxed? How am I relaxed when I should be scared? I’m in a place I’ve never been, stuck in this place with you, my arms and back are broken. How am I relaxed?!” Kori muttered not noticing him use his own language. “Are you okay? I can’t understand you.” Vinyl asked stepping back a bit from the fox. “You’re crying.” “What?” Kori whimpered raising his paw to his face to find a tear on his paw. “I don’t understand.” “Careful!” Vinyl bellowed as the fox fell to its side sucumbing to the pain. “Ugh man. Now I gotta carry you to Fluttershy... After one more drink.” --------------氷狐-------------- Fluttershy was laying on the chair when she awoke to see Angel was the one who woke her. “Well hello there Angel Bunny. What’s the matter?” Fluttershy whispered following her pets gestures to the empty couch. “Where’d he go?!?” Fluttershy leapt from her chair to hover over the spot she had left the creature. The blanket had fallen in the direction of the kitchen yet the creature wasn’t there either. “Oh no. He shouldn’t be awake, let alone out and about. Maybe he just went to the bathroom?” Fluttershy pondered looking to Angel who only gave her a disappointed glare and pointed to the door. “Why would he go outside!?” Fluttershy rushed to her door eager to find the creature yet when she opened it she saw something she never expected to see. There was Vinyl with her signature shades on and her mane in its usual mess with the creature on her back. “Yo, Fluttershy. What are you up to?” Vinyl exclaimed before Fluttershy took the creature off her back and put it back on the couch. “Oh thank you. W-Where did you find him?” Fluttershy whispered looking over the creature to see if it was hurt. “Kori here was down at the bar trying to steal a drink. He looked like he could use one so I bought what he was trying to steal and split it with him.” “Did anything happen to him while he was there?” Came the question as Fluttershy ran her hoof down Kori’s back and felt the area where he had bent it. “He said something about him fixing his back. Oh and he said something about some foxes with more tails and special fur attacked him. He could have been drunk though.” “Well, thanks Vinyl. I can handle it from here.” “Alright.” Vinyl muttered as she walked out the door and Fluttershy closed it behind her. “Kori? I guess that’s your name. So Kori the fox, what did you do to your back?” Fluttershy began putting her hoof back on Kori’s back to find the spot. “You’re so skinny, I can feel every bone. I’ve gotta find out what you can eat before I forget. There it is.” His back had one part where the entire spine became out of place and it felt as though Kori had attempted to set it back into place many times. Fluttershy cringed as she set her hoof on the point and prepared to push it back into place. She knew that Kori was going to feel it no matter how many pain pills he had in him and that she might not get a better chance to set it back. “Sorry.” Came the mutter as she pushed down resulting in a sickening pop as the bones went back into place. “What in the hell!?! Whoever did that is gonna be in a whole new world of hurt when I’m done!” Kori bellowed trying to look at the pony above him only to have her keep him down. “Who!?” “Relax. You’re okay. I had to fix your back.” Fluttershy whispered soothingly still holding the writhing fox down. “What happened to your back Kori?” “How you know name?” Kori moaned trying to escape the grasp with putting more strain on his back. “Vinyl called you Kori. That is your name right?” “Yes.” “So how’d you do this to your back?” “I didn’t. Royal did. Took pipe and surprised me. Royal was not so tough. Broke his neck.” Kori explained slowing his attempts to escape. “He deserved worse.” “Who are you to say that he deserved worse? Maybe he was just scared?” “Scared? A scared one run. A monster kill. He didn’t care about others. Just himself.” Kori began only to have his stomach rumble mid sentence. “You must be really hungry.” “No.” Kori stated but his stomach rumbled in disapproval. “Yes.” “Can I see your teeth?” “Why?” “So I know what you eat.” Fluttershy answered looking at Kori’s mouth which slowly opened. “Omnivore.” “What?” “You can eat plants and meat?” “Yes.” “That’s what Omnivore means. Now you just stay right there and I’ll get you something to eat.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Fluttershy? Are you home?” Twilight called out as she entered the cottage seeing the creature still on the couch. “Hi Twilight. Do you need something?” Fluttershy replied coming down from her room on the second floor. “I was just coming over to tell you that the princesses, me included, would like to have ‘him’ come to Canterlot so we can see if he’s safe to have in Equestria.” “I don’t think Kori is in any condition to be going anywhere, let alone all the way to Canterlot.” Fluttershy whispered looking over at the fox who had turned to look away from them in his sleep. “Well, do you have any idea when he might be ready to come to Canterlot and talk?” “Kori might be able to go in a week. That would also give him some time to get used to our language.” “Kori?” “That’s his name. At least that’s what he calls himself.” “So, ‘Kori’ should be good in a week? Celestia is pretty interested in this new species.” Twilight asked looking at Kori her mind racing at the idea of what he could be. “He won’t be running about but I’m sure he would be able to take the train and walk in a week. He can already walk but we don’t want him being like this the whole time.” “Not much good in a hurt bridge. Alright then. I’ll tell Celestia a week and two days.” Twilight stated starting towards the door to leave. “Why the two days?” “So he can learn a bit about ponies in the meantime. And maybe we can learn a bit about him as well.” “He’ll be ready.” Author's Note Re-writing the entire story (yeah all 190k of it) so tell me what you guys think of the pacing and the content.
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 “How long have I been out?” Kori muttered as he awoke to a hum. He lifted his head slightly and found that he was still laying on the couch. “And why do I feel so warm?” “You’re awake. Are you feeling okay?” Fluttershy asked as she walked around the room, feeding the many animals within. “No. Feel funny.” Kori moaned, as he felt his body resisting him from standing. “How long?” “About a day... y-you cry in your sleep. Kept saying ‘sorry’ and other stuff.” Fluttershy whispered, not sure how her guest would react. “It some dreams. Nothing to worry. One week one day?” “What?” “I hear you before sleep. Something about ‘princesses meeting me’.” “Oh yeah. They just wanna see what you are and make sure you’re not a threat. That shouldn’t be a problem though, should it?” “If they know about my kind, could be problem. How make me look good?” Kori asked trying to sit up and look at her. “What? Oh, you want us to make you look good? Well, Applejack is really liked, I’m sure that she would like to help you.”Fluttershy said with a nod, looking Kori over. “You look starving. Wait here while I get you something to eat.” Fluttershy instructed, curiously looking back at Kori before she went to the kitchen. “Sure.” Kori groaned, looking around the room. The birdhouses hanging from the ceiling showed where the quiet hum was coming from, and as he watched a few birds poked out of their homes to investigate the new presence who watched with equal curiosity. He looked down the blanket that still covered most of him just in time to see a flash of grey run up it. “Crap!” Kori exclaimed as it came towards his face only to be a bold squirrel looking curiously at the new figure. “What kinda hello was that? You scared me, I almost bit you in half!” “Are you okay in there?” Fluttershy asked, looking back into the room to find Kori staring down at the squirrel . “Who this?” Kori whispered, gesturing his nose towards the squirrel. “He doesn’t have a name. I don’t give them names so if they get an owner they can name them. He’s a little cutie isn’t he?” She answered as she searched her kitchen. “Cute, yes. Smart, not really. Lets say the last to touch my nose didn’t walk away.” Kori stated the image of the assailant rushing through his mind, before Fluttershy brought him out of the trance by bumping his nose. “Boop.” She giggled as she pulled her hoof back from his nose resulting in him sneezing at the touch. “Don’t do that. I don’t like being touched.” Kori muttered, not noticing he had again gone back to his own language. “So Kori. Are you hungry?” “No.” Kori uttered to have his stomach betray him with a loud growl. “Maybe...” “Well I guess its a good thing that I have some soup ready, i-if you want some that is.” Fluttershy offered, looking around her cottage to avoid looking at Kori. “Anything do. It been awhile since I ate.” Kori muttered. “Its nothing much, just some vegetable soup.” Fluttershy hummed as she walked into her kitchen and returned with a bowl on her wing. “Here you go.” “Thanks.” Kori muttered as he hesitantly sipped the contents. Fluttershy sat uncomfortably close to him as he ate. “What?” “I’m just making sure that you’re okay.” Fluttershy whispered almost to herself as she Leaned closer looking Kori right in the eyes, never blinking. “What are you-” Kori began but froze in terror as Fluttershy rested the side of her hoof on Kori’s head.“S-Sorry.” Fluttershy squeaked as she backed away, seeing Kori was wearing a look of pure shock. “I-I had to check your temperature.... Thanks for not clawing me.” “Why would I claw you? You haven’t done anything to hurt me. At least nothing that didn’t help me more than hurt me.” Kori groaned, pulling on one of the stained bandages binding his chest. “Careful now. You have to keep those on if you want to get better.” Fluttershy warned as she saw Kori fighting with his bandages. “Oh, come on. Looks like I’m gonna be stuck with these for a while. What owe you?” “Owe me? Why would you owe me anything?” “The help.” I don’t know how I would pay her but I don’t want her knowing that. “Oh no. You don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad that I was able to help.” This can’t be good. She has me right here and she doesn’t want anything? “Nothing?” “Nothing. Well-” Fluttershy stammered. “Well what?” “Well, there’s a few ponies around town who would like to meet you.” “I’m gonna look like a pet if I go walking around town with her.” Kori breathed, taking another look around the cottage. “Doesn’t look like that’s very far off from how I probably am right now.” “Plus you might even make a few friends.” Fluttershy beamed ,walking to her bags. “Why would I make friends?” “So that you can have somepony in case you ever feel lonely.” Fluttershy giggled. “Lonely? Think I lonely?” “I-I never said you were lonely. I was just saying that if you ever felt lonely-” “I no need friends. I don’t need a pony breathing down my back every second either, but I don’t have much choice there.” Kori muttered under his breath, sliding onto the floor with a thump. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel alone.” “No matter. Soon as ‘princesses’ see me, I’ll be forced to leave.” Kori spat, pushing from the couch with his hind legs. “I don’t think that Celestia would do something like that. She would do everything she could to keep all her subjects happy.” “I am no subject. I die before serve royal.” Kori spat, lifting himself off the ground to walk to the chair across the room. “You don’t serve her. Its just to say that she is the princess and she loves us.” Fluttershy explained, standing to walk over to Kori who was now in the chair. “The day I submit to royals, is the day that all I have is lost.” Kori groaned rolling in the chair to keep his back to the pegasus as she approached him. “I’ve lost enough,” “I’m sorry Kori. How about I this? I know that Applejack would like to meet you, and I’m sure that once you have a few more friends that you’ll cheer up.” Fluttershy reassured the angry fox, resting her hoof on Kori’s back. “This should be fun.” Came the sigh as Kori flicked Fluttershy’s hoof away and looked over at her. “When?” “Y-You actually want to go? Oh, well whenever you feel better. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” “I’ve fought with worse stuff than I have right now. I’m fine. Can we get this done?” Kori moaned as he turned to slide off the chair only to see Fluttershy in his way. “Now before you rush off, you really must have some more to eat. It’s not healthy being as skinny as you are.” Fluttershy stated, laying a blanket across Kori before he got a chance to stand. “Oh, by the way, the squirrel is still on your back.” --------------氷狐-------------- “I can’t believe that a Timberwolf went into town! And that Fluttershy is takin’ care of it!” Applebloom blustered, a loud thump of hooves on wood being the only sound as she passed her sister. “It wasn’t a Timberwolf. I’m not sure what it was, but it wasn’t a Timberwolf.” Applejack repeated for what felt like the hundredth time that day. “Now are you gonna help so we can get this done before winter?” “How do you know? Fluttershy is in her cottage with that, thing!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, ignoring her sisters question. She instead found herself looking down the path to town only to see the pegasus in question walking towards them. “Timberwolf!” Came the shriek, as Applebloom ran off into the trees. “Well howdy there! Whatcha up to?” Applejack called out to her friend. “Oh.” “What?” Kori muttered noticing the shock in the mare’s face as she spotted him. “Do I look scary?” “Not at all. Applejack, this is Kori. Kori this is my friend, Applejack.” Fluttershy stated, nudging Kori towards her friend. “Well, howdy Kori. Nice to meet ya.” Applejack exclaimed hesitantly, extending her hoof towards Kori. “Hi.” Came the response as Kori dropped his head, draping his tail over his face as he did. “Why’s your head down?” “Umm. It kinda, stuck. I’ll just crick it back, and..... Bad idea.” “Oh my. Do you need help?” Fluttershy exclaimed, walking to Kori’s side. “No. I just-” Kori groaned trying to twist his neck in any way he could. “Umm.” “Are you sure you don’t need help? It’s really no trouble at all.” “Oh this is gonna hurt.” Came the muffled response as Kori quickly took his paw and cranked his neck to the side resulting in a loud pop. “That could have been worse.” “Oh my. What happened to your neck? Did you hurt it somehow?” Fluttershy said, moving to look at his neck. “No. I will be fine.” Came the quiet response as Kori looked back up to Applejack. “Anyways.” “Are you sure?” “I’m fine!” Kori barked, then retreated behind his tail at the hostile glare from Applejack. “So what can I help you two with?” Applejack offered looking to her friend past Kori. “Well, Kori here has been feeling kinda lonely. I thought that if he got a few more friends he wouldn’t feel so lonely.” “No privacy of how I feel here?” Kori whispered to himself as Applejack looked over at him. “I guess not.” “That makes sense. We’re about to have some lunch. Would you two like to join?” Applejack offered after some time. “That sounds nice. How does that sound to you, Kori?” “Not hungry.” Kori growled only to have his stomach let out a low growl of its own. “You little.... Sound ok.” “Than it looks like we have guests. And knowing Rainbow she’ll probably come over.” Applejack exclaimed turning to walk to the house. “Ya’ll coming?” “Kori? Are you coming?” Fluttershy giggled, bumping Kori on the nose grabbing his attention. “Hmm? Oh. Yeah. I thought that I saw something over there.” Kori whispered knowing they couldn’t understand him as he followed. “So Kori. Sorry about knocking you down when you first got here. I didn’t know what ya were doin.” Came the apology as Applejack walked with them to the house, never letting Kori from her sight as she did. “Hmm? You knocked me down? When?” Kori groaned, one of his legs twitching with each step. “When ya came into town. Ya don’t remember? It was only two days ago.” “I don’t remember the last week. I was, walking. That all I know.” “Well you were walking right to a place that I didn’t trust you at. I tried ta bump so you would walk past and ya just fell over.” Applejack explained putting a bit of space between her and Kori. “You had reason. No harm.” “Why do ya keep twitching yer leg? No offence but it’s a bit, uh, distracting.” Applejack asked, looking back at Kori’s leg that yet again twitched as it moved. “It itches. The... What that called?” Kori said gesturing to the wooden splint on his leg. “A splint?” Fluttershy answered looking at the object in question. “Yes. It rubbing leg each step.” “I’m sorry. But you have to keep them both on if you want your legs to heal properly.” “Fine.... What was that?” Kori exclaimed looking over at the trees to their right. “What was what? I don’t see anything. The only thing different here is, well, you.” Applejack muttered to herself not realizing that Kori could hear her. “I keep seeing something. Don’t know what is though.” “Ya sure that you’re seeing somethin’? No offence, but how do ya see through all that fur anyway?” “I know I saw something. Something moving in the trees.” Kori groaned, swiping some of his fur from his face. watching the trees for any sign of movement. “What was that? I couldn’t understand that last one.... So Fluttershy, how are things going for you?” “Things are good. Mr. Beverton caused a little trouble a few days ago but nothing much.” Fluttershy responded, watching Kori as he stared towards the trees. “Are you okay Kori?” “It’s a Timberwolf!” Came the scream as an old green mare lunged at Kori a frying pan in mouth. “Get back to the forest ya monster!” “Wait!” Kori exclaimed stepping back to dodge a swing from the pan. I can’t fight back. I can’t afford to make myself look any worse. “Woah, Nelly. Hold on now Granny.” Applejack bellowed stopping the old mare from swinging again. “Do I look like a Timberwolf?” Kori exclaimed keeping himself as far from the old mare as he could. “Yes.” Applejack answered bluntly. “Now Granny, this is Kori. He is coming over for lunch.” Applejack explained gesturing at the fox behind her. “Kori this is Granny Smith. Do treat her with some respect.” “Of course. I always treat someone who attacks me out of nowhere with respect.” Kori groaned looking back to the trees to catch a glimpse of a red mane going behind a tree. Granny Smith looked up at the tan pony, a fire in her eyes. “I’m not gonna trust to have a... a... Timberwolf in my home! It’s a danger to us all and you know it!” “You could have just said you don’t want me around.” Kori muttered under his breath. “It’s chanting! The beast is chanting! It is not coming near my home with its crazy moon language! Be gone!” “What? I’m not chanting.” “You’re not coming into my house either! And that is that.” Granny Smith bellowed as best she could, stomping her hoof down as she did. “Granny. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Applejack whispered to the old mare walking to the side with her. “Well there goes ‘making friends’. I guess that I’ve just got to wait out a week.... What?” Kori whispered to himself noticing that Fluttershy was looking at his neck. “H-How does it feel?” “It feels fine.” “Are you sure? I mean, no offence, but that didn’t sound good when you turned it. Does it hurt if I touch your neck?” Fluttershy asked quickly resting her hoof on the back of Kori’s neck. “Hey! Two things. One. Don’t touch me. No offence meant, just, don’t.” Kori began hopping back from the hoof. “Two. Slow down. Can’t understand when you talk fast.” “S-Sorry. Did that hurt? When I touched your neck?” “No.” “Oh, that’s good. If you are in a lot of pain, tell me. Okay?” “If in pain tell you? Really?” “I want to make sure that you are as happy as you can be. That’s not easy if you are hurt all the time.” “Sure.” Kori replied looking over at the two mares who were talking about something he couldn’t hear. “So. Applejack and Granny Smith?” “What about them?” “That is their names right?” “Oh. Yes.” “Is there anyone else that I should know about?” Kori asked looking towards the trees to catch a glimpse of something white leaping behind a tree. “Well Rainbow Dash will be here. And with her you’ll probably see Scootaloo... Oh and there is Big Mac and Applebloom living here with Applejack.” Fluttershy whispered to Kori, following his gaze to the trees. “Look out below!” Kori heard moments before a blue pegasus crashed through the trees landing in front of him. “What in the? A rainbow colored pony just fell from the sky. I must be sick or this is Rainbow.” “Hey Fluttershy. What are you doing here?” The pegasus exclaimed joyously, but her face fell upon seeing Kori. “What is it doing here?!” “Great to see that no one is gonna give me a nice greeting. I guess I also shouldn’t expect anyone to like me right away, or ever.” “What’s that? I can’t understand you. Did it get hit on the head or something?” She joked looking at Kori. “I’m just not talking like you.” Kori groaned, returning the look from the pegasus. “Name’s Rainbow Dash.” She said extending a hoof to Kori, much to his surprise. “What’s your name?” “Kori Kitsune. What’s with your... I don’t know the word.” Kori asked gesturing to the still extended hoof. “My hoof?” “Sure. Why it pointed at me?” “It’s a hoof shake.” Rainbow explained shaking her still extended hoof. “I will pass. I don’t, touch.” Kori muttered walking past the mare towards the tree line. “I know that I saw something. Now what was it?” “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re talking funny.” Rainbow asked, walking to stand by Kori following his gaze. “Are you sure that I talk funny? You talk funny to me. Did you see that?” “See what?” “I keep seeing-” Kori began only to have an apple hit him on the nose. “Who threw that?! Oh that smarts. Right on the nose too!” “Are you okay Kori? Does it hurt?” Fluttershy asked, holding Kori’s snout in her hooves. “Fluttershy? Touching?” “O-Oh. Sorry.” Fluttershy whispered, gently letting go of Kori’s nose as soon as she was sure it wasn’t hurt. “It was just an apple. But who threw it?” Kori groaned focusing his attention back on the trees. “Is it there?” “Nope. Still blank.” “Girls. Now is not the time to be checking for cutie marks. We gotta protect the farm from.... where’d it go?” “Where’d what go?” Kori whispered, approaching from behind the tree beside the three fillies. “The... Timberwolf!” The yellow filly screamed as she and the others ran to the path. “I’m not a Timberwolf.” Kori moaned as he followed them. “This should be interesting.” “Woah now. What’s got you three scared?” Applejack exclaimed grabbing the fillies as they ran past. “The Timberwolf!” Came the bellow from the three as they pointed back at Kori. “I don’t look like a Timberwolf. Why is that the first thing that every last one of these ponies is gonna say when they see me?” Kori muttered as he walked back to the path. “All I understood was ponies. Are you saying stuff about us that we can’t understand?” Rainbow Dash accused, jabbing her hoof at Kori. “Yeah. Your language is hard.” Kori replied sitting on the edge of the path as the ponies stood around him. “What’s that supposed to mean? What is it too ‘hard’ for you to talk like us? I bet that your language is so much easier than ours is.” Rainbow exclaimed, hovering towards Kori. “Yeah.” Kori replied only to have Rainbow Dash continue heading towards him. “Oh what did I say wrong?” “Why are you here? Don’t you have some family back where you come from to help?” Granny Smith exclaimed taking her chance to get rid of Kori. “No. Just me” Came the quiet reply. “Y-You’re all alone? I’m sorry.” Fluttershy whispered beside Kori. “Why would you be sorry?” Kori muttered. “I’m fine as ever.” “I have no idea what he’s saying. Anypony know what he’s saying?” Rainbow Dash said in a joking tone. “No idea. Why are we trusting it to be around us again?” Scootaloo whimpered from behind Rainbow Dash. “Hey, don’t worry about him. He won’t be able to do anything bad as long as I’m here.” Rainbow stated confidently, looking back at the scared filly. “Okay?” “Okay.” Scootaloo replied cheerfully, looking past her ‘big sister’. “Looks like evrapony is here. How about we go and eat?” --------------氷狐-------------- “Alrighty. Ya’ll go ahead and sit down and I’ll get the food.” Applejack said, as she walked into her house with the group. “Should I be concerned about him?” She whispered to Fluttershy, pointing a hoof at Kori who was busy looking around. “I’m sure that Kori won’t do anything bad.” Fluttershy answered with a giggle as Kori looked at some of the many family photos on on the wall. “Alright. Just remember what Celestia said. He’s still dangerous. Even in this condition.” “I will.” Fluttershy said, walking over to Kori who was looking at a picture of the Apple family’s reunion. “Lot of ponies.” Kori muttered glancing around the picture at all the ponies. ”Don’t think I could remember that many.” “It’s different when it’s your family.” Fluttershy said, sitting at the table with the others. “Sure.” Kori muttered, sitting with the others. “So.... How’d you break your arm?” Rainbow asked. “Oh, um. Well. I fell. From a tree.” Kori giggled, planting his paw on his tail to keep it from covering his face. The group of ponies went quiet at this, their faces twitching as they withheld their laughs. “Should have seen it. Was asleep when I fell. Almost landed on my face.” Kori giggled, looking up as he pressed another paw on his tail. “Alright then.” Applejack exclaimed, walking in with some food for the group. “Who’s hungry?” “Eeyup.” Came the call from behind Kori as a door closed. Kori glanced back to see the source of the voice and his entire body shook at the sight of the new pony. Its fur was a deep red and was sporting a split green apple on his flank. The wheat mane and tail were in a shaggy state suggesting that the stallion had been busy working. Yet what held Kori in fear was the size of the stallion. It stood at such a height that it looked to be twice Kori’s size and with enough muscle to throw Kori through a wall. The stallion looked down at the group and froze at the sight of the bandaged fox. He was in awe at what could put something in a condition that it was covered in bandages and had splints on two of its legs. Yet that was nothing in comparison to the thought of what was strong enough to be conscious in that condition. “Hi.” Kori whimpered, his tail and ears drooping down submittingly. “Howdy there. Looks like you came back just in time for some grub.” Applejack called out, setting a few tins on the table. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “Nope.” He muttered, sitting at the table next to Kori. “Big Macintosh, this is Kori. Kori this is my brother, Big Macintosh.” Applejack explained gesturing to the two in turn. “Kori here is going to have lunch with us.” “Speaking of. What is it?” Kori asked, looking to the tins across the table. “Apple pie.” Granny Smith called out proudly, walking in with a tin of pie on her own back. “Pie?” Kori muttered, pondering over the new word. “Never had that.” “R-Really?” Fluttershy stammered. “Don’t think so. Didn’t eat much though.” “Well it’s good that your first slice is going to be from the Apple family themselves.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “You don’t get any better than that.” “Well I ain't much for bragging, but they are some of the best pies in Equestria.” Applejack said, sliding a slice of pie over to Kori. Well I guess there’s no point in sitting here without trying the food. Kori thought as he half heartedly nibbled on the pie. “What do ya think?” Applejack asked, drawing Kori’s attention from the pie. Kori looked up at the mare with a wide grin on his face before taking another bite of the pie. “How did I make it without this?” “I take it that’s a good thing?” Applejack chuckled, glancing over to Rainbow Dash who tossed a coin to the grinning mare. “Even foxes like apple pie.” “What you mean by that?” Kori quizzed, taking another bite of the slice as he did. “Nothin.” Applejack exclaimed quickly. “I’ve really got to get to work.” “What kind of work?” Kori said, refusing to let her get off that easily. “I’ve got to harvest the rest of the apples before winter.” “Do you need any help?” “Well, some help would be appreciated.” “Could I help?” “I-I don’t think that you’re in any condition to be working. You could hurt yourself.” Fluttershy stammered, looking over the many white clothes she had wrapped around Kori just a couple days ago. “I’ll be fine. I can’t stand just sitting around. I feel lazy.” Kori stated, finishing the pie as he did. “I don’t like the idea of watching a hurt creature work. It doesn’t feel right.” “I’m not your problem.” Kori muttered, glancing back to the door. “My choice. I want to help.” “I don’t mind if he helps. We need all the help we can get if we’re gonna get all the apples before winter.” Applejack said. Win! I don’t know how long I’ve been out but I don’t like sitting around for so- Kori thought before a shudder ran down his back and he rushed upstairs. “What do ya think that was about?” Applejack giggled, waiting before the fox was out of hearing. “You do know why I want him ta help right?” “I know. I don’t have to like it though.” Fluttershy replied. “We have to see if he’s a threat or not. I figure that this is a perfect chance to see how strong he is.” “I don’t see what the big deal is. He doesn’t seem like much of a threat to me.” Rainbow remarked, swallowing the last of her pie. “Celestia said that he could be dangerous. I can’t tell if he is or not so I had to think of someway to find out. He did offer after all.” “I know. But he’s still hurt.” Fluttershy whispered, listening for any signs of what Kori could be doing. “What is he doing up there?” Rainbow muttered, flying up the stairs to only hover back down. “What’s he doing?” Granny Smith asked, her mind racing with what the dangerous creature could be doing to her house. “He’s in the bathroom.” Rainbow giggled, sitting back at the table. “Makes sense.” Fluttershy began, listening to the flow of water in the sink above them. “He hasn’t gone since he got here.” “I don’t care what he’s doing! I don’t want him hurting anypony! I say we just bring him to Celestia right now and let her deal with him!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Twilight said that he had a week. We’re giving him a week.” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Fine.” Rainbow groaned as she heard the water turn off above them. “Let’s get this over with.” --------------氷狐-------------- Note to self. Don’t get kicked by a pony. Kori noted, as he watched Applejack use the pure force of her legs to knock all the apples out of yet another tree. All the while Applebloom caught any stray apples in her basket. I don’t think that I could do that. “Still want to help?” Rainbow joked as she kicked the tree Kori was under, knocking several apples into the baskets around him. “Yeah.” Kori replied, grabbing one of the baskets and bringing it to the rest of them. “Why?” “Because it doesn’t look like you’re doing much other than bringing a few baskets over.” “Not like I can do much else.” Kori sneered to himself, as he brought a few empty baskets to the next tree. “Can’t kick tree.” “That’s not stopping Fluttershy.” Rainbow remarked, pointing to the pegasus who was shaking the apples out of a nearby tree. “So?” “Nothing. I just thought that a fox would be able to harvest a few apples.” Rainbow cracked, kicking the apples from the tree. “But, looks like I was wrong.” “Okay. I’ll get next tree.” Kori exclaimed, walking to the tree in question. “And how do you plan on doing that? It’s not like you can fly up there-” Rainbow began, as Kori sunk his claws into the tree and flung himself up the tree. “Awesome.” “Told you!” Kori proclaimed, kicking the nearby branches of the tree. “Don’t break your legs, again.” “Don’t plan on it.” Kori giggled, as he hopped down and saw that he had filled the baskets. “Next?” “It looks like he healed quicker than we expected.” Applejack muttered as she stood beneath a tree beside Fluttershy, watching Kori literally run up a tree. “He really shouldn’t be climbing trees. He could hurt himself.” Fluttershy whispered, cringing as Kori leapt down from his current tree. “Let him. If he hurts himself it means he’s less of a threat to everypony else.” Applejack moaned, turning to get back to work. “I know that he looks innocent but if what Celestia says is true. He can’t stay.” “I know that. That doesn’t mean I’m willing to watch him hurt himself.” Fluttershy whimpered, watching Kori as he climbed another tree. “Hey Rainbow!” Came the ear ringing cry as Scootaloo ran past the two to her ‘sister’. “What’s up Scoots?” Rainbow giggled, as the orange filly came to a halt before her. “I was just coming over here to see if you needed any help.” The filly explained, her voice full of energy. “I don’t know. You could help carry the baskets back.” “You got it!” Came the ecstatic response, as Scootaloo grabbed one of the filled baskets and dragged it to the others. Rainbow looked over to see Kori hop down from the tree and fall to his side. “Are you alright?” She asked, Kori leaping up to his paws in response. “Yeah. Just a bit tired." “Alright. Just a few more trees and we’re done.” “Sounds good-” Kori breathed before falling to the ground, landing beside Scootaloo. “What happened? He just fell down.” Scootaloo yelped, watching the fox’s chest as he breathed. “This is why I didn’t want him to work.” Fluttershy bellowed, resting her hoof on Kori’s head. “His body has only had a day to heal. He just passed out.” “We know that he has limits. I’m going to tell Twilight.” Rainbow stated, ready to fly off to her friend. “Better make sure that he’s okay.” “I’m going to take him back home.” Fluttershy asserted, lifting Kori onto her back. “Why don’t you leave him here?” Applejack offered, walking over to grab Kori. “I don’t mind taking care of him. Besides, what if he needed my help and I wasn’t here to help him?” “I guess I can’t argue with that. Twilight will be heading over some time tonight to see how everything is going” “Okay. Bye.” “Bye now.” Applejack called back, watching as she walked away before turning to Rainbow Dash. “I hope she knows what she’s doing.” --------------氷狐-------------- The cottage was full of life as Fluttershy walked in and was greeted by the many critters that called it home. The birds were chirping above her while the mice ran around her, a single white bunny hopping towards her. “Hi Angel.” Fluttershy beamed, walking towards the stairs. The bunny hopped between her and the stairs, his foot thumping on the floor. “What is it?” Angel simply pointed to the fox on her back and back to the door. “Now Angel. I can’t just leave him outside.” Angel glared back up at his owner his paw pointing back to the door, stomping his foot at her answer. “Kori needs some help. I’m just helping him until he can get back on his paws.” Fluttershy said, stepping past the bunny. “How do you trust them?” The whisper of a question came as Kori lifted his head off her side. “T-Trust who?” “The others. How can you trust them?” “Why wouldn’t I trust them? They’re like family.” Fluttershy answered, spreading her wings to hold Kori in place as she walked up the stairs. “Pft. Don’t see what that has to do with it.” “You’re supposed to trust your family. It helps if you don’t lie to them.” “When did I- oh.” “You told me that you broke your legs getting hit by a pipe.” Fluttershy remarked reaching the top of the stairs. “But you told them you fell out of a tree.” “They don’t need to know that. They would just see me as a killer if they did.” Kori moaned, his mind slipping to sleep. “They don’t trust me, do they?” “I don’t know. You should really go to sleep.” Fluttershy said, rolling Kori onto the end of the bed. “I can sleep down there.” Kori muttered, making a move to stand just to fall back onto the bed. “You’re fine.” Fluttershy whispered, draping a blanket over him as he lost his battle against sleep. “Fluttershy? Are you here?” The familiar call came from downstairs. “I was wondering if Kori was awake so I could talk to him.” “He’s asleep.” Fluttershy replied, walking downstairs to see that Twilight was standing in her doorway. “I just put him upstairs.” “Rainbow already told me how he was at the farm. I know that he’s in bad condition but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to give him this much time to heal.” Twilight explained, looking up the stairs. “He was hardly able to work before he passed out. I’d be surprised if he can do much of anything tomorrow.” “Alright. If we are going to give him time to heal we might as well teach him a thing or two about ponies.” Twilight began, her mind racing with the stories Celestia had told of the foxes. “I’m sure that Pinkie would love to show him around town.” “Sounds good to me. I’ll make sure we’re ready-” “Listen. You should stay while he goes into town. You’ve been taking care of him, and I’m sure that can’t be easy.” Twilight cut in, her mind thinking of the worst that could come of her friend being around the ‘threat’. “It’s not that-” “Besides. You could have tea with some of the other critters while he’s in town.” “Yeah.” “I’ll see you later. Okay?” Twilight said, walking towards the door. “Okay.” Fluttershy whispered, walking up the stairs to her bed. --------------氷狐-------------- A grunt escaped the form of the fox in the corner as it stirred. It didn’t know where it was or how it had gotten there but it knew that the room around it was not a place he wanted to be. The walls were a mixture of wooden supports with paper walls draped between them with one sliding door on the other side of the room. Between him and the door was a stone table that must of had some metal atop it that was now rusted to a copper tone. Above that was a rusted chandelier with broken lights at the bottom also covered in rust. He threw his head back in an attempt to break through the paper wall but found that it must have been many inches thick as a solid thud resided through the room. The wall had been painted an aged yellow and bore illustrations of a large feast being held by blue foxes while a war raged outside the feast. The lower parts of the wall had been stained a deep red that became a sea of blood at the floor. A hook was across the room from him and from it was a rope connected to the ceiling that suspended the chandelier in the center of the table. He couldn’t imagine how such a large ornament had been put that high above the ground but he knew that it wasn’t by free souls. Looking down at himself the fox found that his body had been beaten to a point that only a fox could survive as blood rushed from a cut across his chest. The red of the blood indistinguishable in the rest of his fur. His paws had been cut with such precision that his claws were gone. As he tried to stand he felt his bones bend and fell to the floor in a cry of pain. “Well it looks like someone’s little ‘experiment’ has failed.” Came the piercing voice as two royals walked in. “It hasn’t failed. Just because we don’t know where he is doesn’t mean anything.” The second said in a growl of a voice looking over to the hurt fox in the corner. “But he knows.” “Well then. Lets find out where he is then.” The first exclaimed, her voice full of want as she leapt onto the table and into the little light the room had. It had the always present three tails and blue fur of a royal fox yet its fur was patterned with a mixture of skulls and thorns that gave a sense of dread. “So then. What will it be?” The first taunted as the second lept onto the red. It’s fur was patterned with orbs of life flowing down its body. “The forelegs or the hindlegs?” “I-I don’t understand.” Came the whimper of a reply. “Then I’ll choose. How about..... the foreleg?” “Sounds good to me.” The second growled reaching for a plate on the table, breaking it on the edge and plunging the shard into the reds leg. “Now where is he?” “Who?!” The red screamed, trying to break free from the adamantite grasp. “The lost one you bastard!” The second bellowed, plunging another shard into the reds arm a few inches above the first. “Where did he go?!” “I don’t know. He was heading north last I saw him.” Came the whimper as the red attempted to pull the shards from its arm only to have the second push his head against the wall. “Be more specific. Or Kiga over there is going to be having your leg for a snack.” The second warned tugging on the foreleg of the captive red. “Don’t mess with Kami. Unless you want to find out why he is feared as much as he is.” Kiga added gesturing to the royal atop the red. “He was walking north from the northernmost city! I don’t know where he was going, I just saw him leaving town.” “Looks like your experiment has left you Kami. Such a shame to. He really was looking to be a great fighter.” Kiga taunted hopping from the table. “He is still alive.” Kami exclaimed throwing the red onto the table. “Stay!” “Really? Well in that case, I guess that you either go and get him or wait for him to come back.” Kiga added walking to the wall where a rope was tied. “I don’t care as long as I get to eat.” The royal clipped the rope in one felt swing, dropping the chandelier onto the table. The many spikes of it drove into the red as he screamed, pinning him to the table but missing anything precious. “Now if you don’t mind brother.” Kiga declared. “I’m hungry. Go and find your failed experiment.” “Kori has not failed me yet.” Kami barked, slamming the door to the room closed as the cries of the trapped fox escaped the room. Author's Note Finally posted this :D It's been awhile because my laptop is broken and I've been to busy with other stuff to get it fixed. Anyways, I hope you liked this and if you have any ideas for the name of this chapter please tell me because I have no idea.
Chapter 3 Chapter 3 “Not even one night,”Kori muttered, as he looked out the window to see the moon still high in the sky. I guess that I could just drink till I pass out. If I had any money. A movement at the head of the bed draws Kori’s eye as one of Fluttershy’s wings stretches out before folding back against her. Kori slides off the bed with the blanket, heading towards the stairs. Uh, please tell me that I still have my smokes. Kori shook his tail once, waiting for something to fall out only to have nothing. Damnit. No drinks, no smokes, and no sleep. At least things can’t get much worse. Kori walked over to the kitchen shiting slightly as he glanced around the room. As he entered the kitchen his eyes locked with a white bunny that sat on the counter, a carrot in its paws. “Looks like someone else is up. I don’t suppose that you know where I could get some smokes?” Kori giggled as he watched as the bunny hop past him. Guess not. Well, I’ve got a few hours until day and nothing to do... great. He walked over and opened the fridge, grabbing the jug of milk from it. Now where do I get a cup? Kori set the jug on the counter before searching through the cupboards for a cup. Bowls, bowls, plates. Where are the cups? She’s gotta have some cups around here somewhere. “Kori.” “Hmm...? Meh,” Kori groaned, looking back up to the cupboards. “Kori.” He glances back, his eyes adjusting to the darkness as he saw a dark figure approach him. “Hello?” “Kori!” it called out. Its fur a deep blue that shimmered beneath the dark guards it wore over it. The face was covered in a hood which revealed piercing eyes from beneath it as it stared at Kori. The very air around it seemed to blur by its mere presence, a shriek like metal on metal resonating from it as it walked. It walked with a feeling of pride as it eyed Kori. A drop of blood dropping from the rows of teeth hidden behind the hood. “No,” Kori whimpered as the creature stepped forward. Stepping back from the creature as he tried to find an escape.“What are you doing here?!” Kori cried out as the beast lift its head to reveal the face beneath its hood. “You can’t be real!” --------------氷狐-------------- Angel was laying on the pillow beside Fluttershy, looking towards the stairs for the image of the red creature. “What are you doing here?!” Angel’s head shot up as he heard the scream, waking Fluttershy as he did. “Huh?” Fluttershy groaned. “What’s going-” “You can’t be real!” “Kori?!” She exclaimed as she noticed that the red figure wasn’t at the base of the bed. “Kori!” Fluttershy leapt from the bed and rushed down the stairs to see the figure of Kori huddled in the corner of her kitchen. His paws over his head. “Kori? What’s wrong?” Fluttershy exclaimed as she came to Kori’s side. “It’s not real. It can’t be real,” Kori whimpered. “Hey, what’s wrong Kori?” Fluttershy whispered, resting her hoof on his shoulder. Kori’s entire form tensed at the touch, his claws digging into his head as he did. “It’s okay Kori.” “Fluttershy?” He heaved, looking up to see the pegasus. Tears streaming down his face. “What happen-” Fluttershy began before Kori pressed his head into her shoulder. “I-I-I t-thought, I-I was g-going to-” Kori whimpered, his body convulsing with each word. “It’s okay,” Fluttershy hummed, wrapping her arms around Kori. What could have scared him so badly? She wondered looking around the room to find that the door was closed along with the windows. “It’s okay. See? There’s nothing here,” “It’s not real. It’s not real,” He whimpered, Fluttershy’s pink mane draped between her shoulder and him. “It can’t be. It just can’t be,” “Hush now quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now quiet now, it’s time to go to bed,” Fluttershy sang, rocking back and forth as she did. “It’s not real. It’s not-” Kori muttered as he drifted to sleep in Fluttershy’s arms. She looked past Kori for a moment to see Angel glancing at the now sleeping fox. Angel hopped over to Kori’s tail and began to pull it in the direction of the couch. His feet sliding on the floor as he did. He doesn’t look like he could hurt anything. Fluttershy thought as Kori’s shifted in her arms, putting her hoof on one of his many bandages. The feeling of the cloth wrapped around him reminding her why he was there in the first place. Maybe he just needs some help. It’s not like he did this to himself. Angel hopped up to his owner, his arms a blur as he gestured for her to put Kori outside. “You must be tired.” Fluttershy yawned as she fluttered her wings to hover up the stairs. Kori still in her arms. “Let’s get you to bed.” Fluttershy laid on the bed, keeping Kori in her arms to keep from waking him. She gently uses her wings to pull her blanket up over them as Kori lifts his head up onto her neck. Fluttershy rubbed her hoof down his back as his body relaxed. He’s like a toddler. A fluffy toddler. --------------氷狐-------------- “Morning already?” Fluttershy yawned as she felt the warmth of the sun on her back, gingerly lifting a wing to cover Kori’s face from the sun as it rose further. “Still a fluffy toddler.” “M’n not a toddler,” Kori yawned, stretching his legs as he pushed back from Fluttershy. “You’re still fluffy,” Fluttershy joked as she got off the bed and walked towards the window. “Sure,” Kori muttered, pulling the sheet back up over him. “Not a toddler,” “How old are you?” Fluttershy asked as she pulled the blinds up and let some chilly morning air in. “Old enough,” Came the quiet response as Kori pressed his head back into the pillow. “Come on Kori, you have to get up too,” Fluttershy giggled as she saw Kori who responded with a low groan. “Okay then. I’ll give you a bit longer to sleep,” “M’kay,” “But then you have to get up. You’re going into town today,” She added as she walked down the stairs with a towel. “M’kay,” Wait?! I’m going into town? Kori grudgingly thought as his mind wondered how the ponies would react to him. If it’s anything like the last few than I might as well stay here. But I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here, so why not? He rolled onto his back as he thought, unable to fall back to sleep. There goes sleeping in. Might as well find something to do. He thought as his stomach let out a low growl of its own. Guess I know what I’m doing. He kicked his legs as he tossed the blanket off of him. He walked down the stairs silently cursing the splints on his legs for rubbing his skin as he remembered the events of the last night. Kori stopped where he was, lowering himself as he looked around the main room of the cottage. Windows are closed, door in one piece. Kori thought, listing off anything that he could think of in the cottage. No sign of entrance. He took a few more steps down the stairs, reaching the bottom as he glanced around the rest of the cottage. I guess I was just seeing things. He thought as he heard yet another growl from his stomach. Alright already. I’m going to- “Hi there!” Came the ecstatic voice as he walked past the door to the house. Kori lept forward at the voice, his hind legs lifting up and grabbing a hoof of the pony as he flung it onto the couch as he flipped over. The static blur of pink giggling as it landed. “Woo! Let’s do it again!” it exclaimed, bouncing off the couch and over to Kori. “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie!” She said, the smile she wore suppressing a giggle as she saw Kori was still on his back. “Pinkie Pie?” Kori muttered as he rolled back onto his stomach as the name ran through his head. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!” “Okie dokie lokie,” Pinkie giggled, hopping around Kori. “So, whatcha doin’?” “Getting something to eat,” Kori said, watching the pink pony hop around him before it sat in the center of the room. “Can I help you?” “No thanks, I’m good. I’ve already had breakfast,” Pinkie said. “Oh wait! I’m supposed to bring you into town today.” “You’re the one bringing me into town?” Kori groaned as he glanced towards the door to see it still closed. “Yup!” Pinkie answered, already bouncing towards the door. “Can I get something to eat first?” Kori exclaimed, his stomach voicing its agreement. “Sure,” Pinkie exclaimed, hopping into the kitchen. How’d she get in? Kori pondered, looking about the room to see any kind of entry point. His train of thought was lost as a clang came from the kitchen. “Kori? What was that?” came the quiet voice as Fluttershy walked out of a door, a towel around her mane. “It wasn’t me!” Kori exclaimed, glancing into the kitchen at the pink pony. If this pony gets me in trouble! “Hiya Fluttershy!” Pinkie giggled at seeing her friend. “Hi, Pinkie,” Fluttershy replied as Pinkie hopped out of her kitchen. “What are you doing here?” “Getting Kori,” Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at him. Why am I the interest of everyone here?! “Right,” Fluttershy whispered glancing at Kori who sat between the two of them, his fur twitching as one of the bandages rubbed against his fur. “Hey Kori.” “Hmm?” He muttered, holding himself from ripping the bandage off of him. “You’re cuts should be closed by now. You should be able to take off the bandages.” Finally! If I would have had these itchy things on me for one more minute I would have lost it! Kori thought. “The splints have to stay though,” She said quickly as Kori bit on the cloth wrapping them to him. “Your bones still have to set.” “Fine,” Kori groaned as he took the rest of the wrappings off of him. Shaking himself to get his fur into a more natural fit. Much better. “Alright silly billy, you ready?” Pinkie giggled, once again hopping towards the door. Do I honestly have much choice? --------------氷狐-------------- “So, Kori, do you like cake? Because I sure know I like cake, one time I ate so much cake that I actually thought I wouldn’t ever be able to eat cake again but then I thought about how silly that would be, I mean a baker who doesn’t eat cake is like a farmer that doesn’t grow stuff and Applejack grows lots of apples that make the best of pies even better than blueberry pies,” Pinkie exclaimed, trailing further and further off topic as she continued towards the group of buildings in the distance. How does anyone talk so much? I can’t even understand what she’s saying anymore. “And then I said ‘waffles? That’s silly.’” I swear, if I have to deal with this all day! “Pinkie,” Kori muttered as Pinkie kept walking forward. “I mean who else do you know that can read so fast?” “Pinkie,” Kori repeated as he tried his best to stay calm. “Who would have guessed that Rarity could do that?” “Pinkie!” “Yeah?” “Can you just... Not talk so much?” Kori whimpered, noticing that he was at the edge of the town as a few ponies looked over at him. “Okie dokie,” Pinkie giggled, unphased by the outburst. Kori on the other hand had put both of his paws on his tail to keep it from covering his face. Just my luck. Now the first impression they get of me is telling Pinkie to stop talking. Kori thought as he followed Pinkie further into town. His stomach letting out a low growl as he walked. “Sounds like you’re hungry,” Pinkie giggled, gesturing for Kori to turn up ahead. “I know just the place.” Oh joy. What’s could it be with this pony? A candy house- “Welcome to Sugarcube corner!” Pinkie exclaimed as she walked into the colorful building, leaving Kori to stare in wonder at the colorful outside. I guess I did ask for it, Kori thought as he looked over the building that appeared to have been made completely out of sweets. I- I’m just gonna shut up. Kori walked in and saw that the theme was the same inside and out as Pinkie hopped behind the counter. “Come on silly,” Pinkie called out as she went into a different room behind the counter. Oh yeah, there’s an idea. Let’s just go into the back room. What does she think I am? He thought, sitting down where he was as he watched the doorway. But there is food back there. Kori walked to the door way and stuck his head through the doorway, looking around at the room behind. It was a large kitchen with a multitude of ovens and closed cupboards. Walking about the kitchen were three ponies: two of which Kori had never seen before. One was a tall but thin stallion with a bright yellow coat and a carrot mane. The other was a short blue mare, who was more on the round side, with a pink, swirled mane. On second thought, I think I’ll- “Come on in Kori. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Pinkie called out, alerting the others to his presence. He made no effort to stop his tail as it lifted over his face, covering his look of fear at the extra pairs of eyes looking at him. He slowly walked into the kitchen, dodging around the other ponies to Pinkie. “Here you go,” Pinkie beamed as she put a plate with some warm pastry on it on the floor before him. “What’s this?” “It’s just a breakfast strudel,” She explained glancing towards the doorway. Breakfast strudel? Kori’s mind repeated as he took a cautious bite. Oh man,ponies can make some great stuff. “I guess he likes it.” Pinkie grinned as Kori took a large bite of the pastry. “I’ll keep some blueberry strudels around for you,” Pinkie glanced back to the door as something in the shop moved. What’s she looking at? Kori thought, looking back at the door to see three ponies enter. The first was the familiar form of Rainbow Dash as she stood by the door, a deadset look on her face. The second was a new form with white fur and a purple mane curled artfully past a dull horn. She walked with a sway in her hips and her head held high.The final had an air of authority to her as lavender fur and a deep purple mane became visible. A pair of wings on her side along with a well managed horn on her head that supported a crown. “So I take it you’re Kori?” The lavender pony called out as she entered. The feeling of authority prominent in her voice, yet there was a sense of curiosity hidden behind it. “Yes? What’s it to you?” He replied, snapping his tail back behind him. “I am here on the part of the princess herself. I’d like to ask you a few things,” She explained, opening a bag she had on her side. “What kind of questions?” He snapped, his form tensed up as something floated out of the bag. “Just some simple questions the princess gave me,” She said as she calmly held a scroll before her. “Let’s start with your name.” “Kori. Kori Kitsune.” He replied. “What about you?” “My name is Twilight Sparkle. This is Rarity and you’ve already met Rainbow Dash,” Twilight answered, gesturing to the two ponies in turn. “Kori Kitsune? Does that mean anything?” “It does,” Kori said, waiting for Twilight to ask her next question. “And what would that be?” “Why do you care?” Kori snapped, the two unnamed ponies in the room jumping at the sound. “Well I would like to know what it means. I think it could be important,” She answered, something scribbled down on the scroll as she did. “It’s not important,” Came the sharp response as his entire figure visually tensed. “Alright,” Twilight said, doing her best to remain calm as she scribbled something on the scroll. “I understand you said that you have no family. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to them?” “Who?” “Your parents. What happened to them?” Twilight explained, the sides of her mouth turned downwards as she seemed to be thinking of ways to comfort the new creature. “I don’t know,” He muttered, his figure holding no change at the words. “You mean you don’t know what happened to them?” Twilight asked as she scribbled down on the scroll. Kori watching with great interest as she wrote. “Never knew them. Doesn’t bother me though, those cowards probably just left me,” Kori muttered, his eyes following the hovering quill. Ignoring the looks of shock the ponies wore. “How do you do that?” “Do what?” Twilight stumered. The quill halting its movements. “The floating thing,” He said, gesturing to the floating items before Twilight. Bringing his paw up and grasping the scroll. “Magic?” She asked as Kori pulled the scroll out of her aura. “How’d you? You shouldn’t be able to do that.” “Why would you risk using magic for this?” Kori exclaimed, looking over the scroll before giving it back to Twilight. “Risk?” Twilight asked as she snatched the scroll back into her magic. “What risk?” “The risk of burning,” Kori replied. The others were confused by his response. “If you use too much magic you run a risk of bursting into flames.” “I wasn’t aware that magic was so dangerous!” Rarity exclaimed, thinking through anything that supported Kori’s statement. “Yet you look like you have nothing to fear of it.” Kori muttered, looking up at the horns the two ponies donned. “So you know how to use magic?” Twilight began as she continued to scribble on the scroll. “I do.” “Could you show us? It doesn’t have to be anything major,” Twilight asked, her eyes wide at the opportunity to see this new creature use magic. Kori lifted his paw up to his mouth as he blew into the air. The air chilled around them as a thin sheet of ice covered Kori’s paw. “Is that enough for you?” Twilight opened her mouth to speak but the sound of somepony entering the store stopped her. “Rainbow!” A dark pegasus entered the room, a thundercloud on his flank. “There you are.” “Hey, Thunderlane. What’s going on? And why aren’t you helping with the clouds?” Rainbow asked. “We’ve got an issue. There’s a pink, fluffy unicorn dancing on a rainbow,” Thunderlane explained. “Really? Just get it down from there. The first blizzard is tomorrow,” Rainbow said, looking back to the entrance as the store’s door once again opened. “Hey Vinyl! Ready for winter?” “You know I am,” Came the familiar voice as Kori saw a white unicorn with blue mane walk to the counter. Her shades still covering her eyes. “Just came by to pick up some bread for tomorrow. Hey, Kori! Whatcha doing here?” “Hey.... Vinyl, right?” “Yeah. Vinyl Scratch is my name, and music is my game,” Vinyl said as Kori saw the music note on her leg. “Hey. You’re the one from the bar. Thanks for the drink,” Kori said, unaware of the fact that everypony in the room was watching him. “Don’t mention it. Your back feeling better?” “If by ‘better’ you mean it doesn’t feel broken, then it’s getting there,” He replied, glancing at Twilight who was watching with great interest. “Great to hear. So what are you doing here anyways?” Vinyl asked as one of the ponies in the kitchen brought her some bread. “I was seeing the town.” Or at least I was before Twilight here decided to play twenty questions. “Actually, do you think that you could show Kori around town?” Twilight said, taking note on Kori’s actions as she did. “Sure. I’ve got a few errands to run around town anyways.” “Okay. Just bring Kori by my place when you’re done.” Alright. Looks like I’ll get to look around town after all. “Sounds like a plan,” Vinyl said as she led Kori out of the store. “Do you really think that it’s a good idea to have Vinyl show him around town?” Rarity stammered, her hoof resting on her necklace as she did. “One of us should go with, just in case.” “He trusts Vinyl. It would be easier to have her show him around than for one of us to,” Twilight said, walking out the back of the store, the quill still scribbling across the scroll. --------------氷狐-------------- “So Kori,” Vinyl began as she walked past the joke shop. “You have a lover?” “W-what?!” Kori stammered shocked by the sudden question. “No.” “Never found a girl good enough?” Vinyl asked, before an idea came to her. “Or guy?” “Maybe I never did,” Kori said, glancing into the shop. The multitude of gizmos and toys inside intriguing him. “Wait. Girl or guy?” “Maybe.” “Which one?” Vinyl giggled thoroughly confused at this point. “Meh,” Kori muttered, looking over at a pony with a box in its hooves that was watching him. “Hi-” The pony lifted the box up to its eyes and a flash of light sent Kori reeling backwards. “What the heck!” Kori exclaimed, covering his eyes as the light flashed a few more times. “Let me introduce myself. My names Shot and I’d like an interview,” The tan pegasus announced, setting the box back down and pulling an notepad out of his pack. “Interview?” “Yes. I’m always the first one to get an interview on news and you sir are big news.” “What are you talking about?” Kori muttered rubbing the stars from his eyes. “And who are you trying to blind me?!” “Blind ya? I was just getting a few pictures. And of course you’re big news! A new species is discovered when one of them walks into the middle of town and passes out. His body in such terrible condition that most would be dead,” Shot announced as though there was some unseen audience before him. “I’d just like to ask you a few questions and I’ll be off.” More questions! Honestly unless this guy has something to eat I’m not talking. “Hold on now.” Vinyl exclaimed stepping between the two. “What’s in it for him?” “And he’s friends with the DJ Pon-3! This just gets better and better,” Shot exclaimed, grabbing a pen in his teeth and jotting down on the notepad. “Well ,of course, I am fine offering to take you both to lunch. That is if you two are hungry?” Of course he offers food. Kori moans, his stomach already voicing its answer. “Fine.” “Great! So what are you two hungry for?” Shot exclaimed, notepad in one wing with a pen in the other. “There’s a nice place right over there. How about we go there?” Vinyl said, gesturing to a building that wasn’t as spectacular as Sugarcube Corner but about as big. A few tables shaped like mushrooms outside. “Sounds good to me,” If it’s anything like the other stuff ponies have I’d be missing out. “Great! So what’s your name?” “Kori. Kori Kitsune.” “Nice to meet you Kori,” Shot beamed as he sat down at a table, Vinyl and Kori following suit. “So what brings you here?” “I didn’t like where I was, so I left. Finding this place was a complete accident,” Kori muttered as he glanced at the menu. Now I’m going to look like an idiot that can’t read. I guess it’s ask for help now or look dumb later. “Hey Kori.” Vinyl said, glancing at her own menu. “They got something here called the ‘Daniel’s sandwich’. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?” “Yeah,” Or she could make everything easier and suggest something. That works too. “So you left everything behind?” Shot inquired, setting his menu down. “Didn’t have anything to leave behind.” Daniel’s Sandwich? Was it Applejack Daniels that I had at the bar? I wonder if that has anything to do with this. “Nothing? No family or friends?” Shot drilled, eager to get anything he could from Kori. “Nope. Hey, Vinyl, what was it that I drank at the bar?” Kori asked, his own curiosity taking hold. “Applejack Daniels. Says the sandwich is lathered in some sauce made of that,” Vinyl replied, nudging her shades back onto her muzzle. Oh that sounds good. Let’s just hope that ponies don’t eat stuff that I can’t. “Lettuce, daisies, special sauce. Makes me hungry just thinking about it,” Vinyl remarked, shifting her shades around a bit more as she did. “That does sound good,” Oh man, I’m drooling just thinking about it. Daisies? Can I eat daisies? “What do your kind eat anyways?” Shot quizzed, pen at the ready. “Well I wasn’t very picky about what I ate. If you mean plants or meat, then we can eat both,” Kori replied, watching as Shot scribbled it down quickly. “So what are your kind called anyways? Just for records.” “We’re called Foxes,” Oh man I hope the waiter comes soon. I can’t wait. “So Kori, what do you think of the stuffed leaves? Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?” Shot asked, grabbing the pen back from his wing as he jotted down Kori’s reaction. “Stuffed leaves?” Kori muttered, glancing at the menu. Any of these could be that. “I don’t see that.” “Middle page, the third one up.” He’s testing if I can read. How would I know this language? “Trouble finding it?” “I still don’t see it.” “Or maybe you can’t read it?” Shot exclaimed, jotting a few lines on his notepad before Vinyl took the pen and pad in her magic. “Now what’s that have to do with Kori?” Vinyl muttered, scribbling across the last few lines with the pen. “Did you expect him to know how to read our language?” “I guess not. It should still be in the paper!” “And I don’t think it should,” She bit, as she skimmed through the notes, scratching out a few lines as she did. “This interview is over.” “What? This interview isn’t about you! You can’t just jump in because you feel like it!” Shot exclaimed as Vinyl tossed the notepad back to him. “True. But I don’t think it’s very nice to be saying those kind of things about Kori here,” Vinyl stated, calmly lifting her glasses onto her horn, “now if you wouldn’t mind. I’d like to enjoy my lunch,” Vinyl snapped as she glared her red eyes at Shot. “S-sure,” Shot stammered, flying off from the threatening mare. “What was that about?” Kori asked, his body tense from the threatening glare. “Gotta be careful around the paparazzi. They don’t really care what they say about you,” Vinyl glared the direction the pegasus had fled. “As long as they get paid,” Vinyl explained, gesturing for a waiter as she did. “Okay. Why was he afraid of you?” “I hurt him one time when he took my shades off. Hit him right on the nose,” She said, a giggle forming in her throat. “He had a bandage on his nose for a month afterwards.” Nice. “So he’s afraid of you when you have your shades off?” “It was more to remind him that I broke his nose.” Vinyl grinned as she looked up, the memory in the front of her mind. “It worked.” Huh. That actually explains that. Oh thank goodness the waiters here. “Two Daniel’s Sandwiches with two cream sodas,” Vinyl stated, giving the menus to the waiter. Ah crap! I can’t pay. I felt fine with the paparaz guy paying but this is twice now that Vinyl is paying for me. “Yo, Kori.” Vinyl exclaimed, bumping Kori’s shoulder with her hoof. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve trashed so much stuff during my gigs that one meal seems like nothing.” “Gigs? Oh yeah, you said music is your ‘game’. What kind of music?” “House, Drum and bass, dubstep. You know, techno.” “Techno?” Techno, techno? Oh! “You’re a DJ!” “Yup. I’m the D to the J to the P-O-N-3, and ain't no other pony drop the bass like me,” Vinyl exclaimed, giggling at the outburst as Kori held in his own laugh. “I said that in front of my marefriend once. She was laughing for an hour.” “I can guess why.” Kori giggled, holding a paw to his muzzle to keep himself from laughing. “What was that?” “I can guess why,” Kori reclaimed, making sure to be in the ponies language. “How do you know pony anyways?” Vinyl asked, giggling a bit more as Kori’s tail twitched up to his face. “My kind heard a bunch of Zebras talking like this so they learned it and it spread.” “So foxes are friends with the Zebras?” Kori froze as he thought over the question. The joy he had shown seconds before disappearing from him. “Far from it. My kind live by them. Let’s just say it’s a, very, bloody relationship,” Kori whimpered, his tail dropping back down to the floor. “Oh. Better tell you that there is a Zebra living nearby. She comes by town every here and there. Just so you know.” Great just one more thing for me to worry about. Kori groaned as the waiter returned and set a plate before him. No use complaining on an empty stomach. --------------氷狐-------------- “What’s taking them so long?” Rarity asked as she grabbed a book from its shelf. “Maybe we should go and find them.” “They’ll come. If we go and get him that would just make us look like we don’t trust him.” Twilight replied, glancing at the book Rarity had grabbed before jotting it down on the list of out books. Fashion, the Works of the Greatest.“All we know about him is what Celestia told me. This could be a chance to gain an interesting friend.” “Or a dangerous enemy,” Rainbow muttered, a new copy of Daring Doo laying on the floor in front of her. She turned back to her friend, the necklace she wore glowing at the feeling of loyalty coming from its bearer. “We should have taken him to Celestia while we had the chance.” “We don’t have any reason to fear him.” But I can’t deny that Celestia has to see him. Twilight muttered as the door to the library opened. “Twilight?” came the call as Kori poked into the room, freezing as he saw the three ponies in it. “I’m here.” “Hello Kori. How’d it go?” Twilight said, her magic enveloping her crown as Kori walked in. “Good... So, what’s this about?” “I was just thinking,” Twilight began, looking towards her friends before returning her gaze to Kori. “You seem to be healing faster than we expected.” “You could say that,” Kori said, internally cursing the splints he still had. A tall dark figure walking into the room with what appeared to be a ball of pink fuzz with a tongue on its back. “Look what we have here. A fox,” it called out, a feeling of lust in her voice. “What would one of your kind want here?” “I don’t have anything that you could feed on!” “I know that. Your kind are so blunt sometimes. Leaves a bitter taste afterwards.” “What are you two talking about? I didn’t know that changelings knew of foxes,” Twilight exclaimed, glaring at the two in turn. “Of course we do. My kind have tried to feed on foxes for the longest time now. We deemed it too dangerous and gave up after a while. We can’t hide from them and we certainly can’t fight them.” “Okay Chrysalis, let me get this right. You’ve known about this species for how long now?” Twilight quizzed, pulling the quill and scroll back out of her bags. “As long as I’ve been alive. Why would I mention such a vile species to such a peaceful ‘ally’?” “Me? Vile? Have you looked in the mirror recently?” “If it wasn’t for the fact that Twilight was right here I would hang your fur on the wall!” Chrysalis snapped, her horn shining a bitter green as she did. “And how would you do that? Magic doesn’t work on my kind and I doubt that you would dare fight me,” he whispered, leaning towards Chrysalis as he did. Suddenly aware of something patting at his tail. Kori looked back to see the pink ball of fuzz was batting at his tail with what looked like a hoof, blowing a raspberry the entire time. “Twilight, what’s this?” “That’s Fluffle Puff. The only thing I can think of with fur thicker than yours,” Twilight responded, watching with great interest as Fluffle Puff continued to bat at Kori’s tail. Kori turned his body around, bringing himself face to face with the fuzzy pony. It glanced down at Kori showing no notion of its intents before it raised one hoof and bumped Kori on the nose with it, blowing another raspberry at him as it did. “Really?” He muttered, sticking his own tongue out at Fluffle. “Pft.” “Ppppppfffffffffffffttttttttttttttt,” Fluffle retaliated. “Pft, pft, pft. Pffft.” Fluffle took a long breath in, bellowing her chest as she sucked in some air. “Ppppppppppppppfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt! Pft!” “I’m done,” Kori stated ah he turned back to Twilight. “Why did you want to see me?” “Well, I gave you a week so you would have time to heal. Seeing as you’re mostly healed and winter is coming, I feel it would be best to move the meeting to the day after tomorrow,” Twilight explained, glancing out the window at Celestia’s falling sun. “O-oh, o-okay. Y-yeah,” Kori stammered “You should get back before it’s dark. Don’t want to scare anypony, do we?” That went better than expected. “Yeah,” he whimpered as he walked back out of the Library. His tail rubbing along across the ground as he did. “That solves that. Now we just have to get him to Canterlot,” Rainbow muttered as she hovered towards the door. “I have to go and make sure that the weather team is ready for the first blizzard. I’ll see you two later.” “Good bye,” Rarity called out, busy jotting something on a sheet of paper. “I should have taken measurements.” “For what?” Twilight pondered, glancing at the sheet to see a rough pen sketch of Kori’s form. “Well I thought that he should have something to wear when he sees the princesses. I was thinking something like a robe, maybe in a green to contrast his fur?” Rarity said, sketching a few pencil lines over the sketch. “Did Celestia tell you anything about what a fox might wear?” “No. Wait, why green?” “Green is the contrast to red. Although I should add some red details in so it’s not overwhelming. Perhaps some blue to compliment the red,” Rarity remarked, sketching in a some patterns off to the side. “And perhaps I could do something involving ice. He did freeze his paw afteral.” “True.” Note to self remember to ask him how he froze air. --------------氷狐-------------- Two days. They couldn’t just keep the original date? Kori thought as he walked into the cottage, Fluttershy lying on the floor with a book. I guess that means I won’t have to wait as long. Though I’d rather wait forever then have to go sooner. “Hey, Kori,” Fluttershy beamed as she noticed Kori. “How was it?” “Good,” He moaned, laying on the couch expecting a certain squirrel to lay ontop of him. What he got was a silent cottage without an animal in sight. “Where are the animals?” “They’re either sleeping or they went south for the winter. Is something wrong?” “No. I’m fine as always,” Kori muttered turning away from her as he tried to drift to sleep. “Are you sure?” she said, walking over to stand by the couch. “As always?” “I’m fine,” Nothing that she should be concerned with. I’m only going to be here another day anyways. “Okay,” she whispered, glancing out the window to see the sun reaching the horizon. “Good night.” “Yeah,” Kori whispered in response, closing his eyes as he felt his mind wander. Atleast I’m safe here. Last night wasn’t real. I was tired and saw something when there was nothing. Whether it was a few minutes or a few hours he didn’t know. All he knew was that he had been laying awake unable to sleep as the shadows covered him. I just want to sleep. Is that to much to ask for? Kori moaned as he rolled off the couch and started towards the stairs. Grabbing a blanket off the chair as he did. “Fluttershy?” he whispered as he reached the top of the stairs. “Hm? What is it Kori?” Fluttershy yawned as she half consciously glanced at Kori. “Can I sleep up here?” “Sure,” she mumbled, scooting to a side of the bed as she did. “Thanks,” Kori muttered as he slipped up under the sheets and laid with his head pressed into Fluttershy’s shoulder. Fluttershy lifting one of her hooves as Kori slid into her embrace. Her pink mane covering his face as he drifted to sleep. “Still a fluffy toddler.” “M’n nt a tdlr.” Author's Note It's done! I'm having trouble think of a name for this so if anyone has a suggestion let me know.
Chapter 4 promisesThe yellow pegasus shifted around in her sleep as she felt something tap one of her hind hooves. What? She thought as she glanced down and saw Kori’s tail swiping between her hoof and the edge of the bed. She saw that he was still deep in his dreams. Little cutie. I’ll let you sleep in today. Fluttershy lifted her front right leg off the bed to slide it out from under Kori, who muttered something as she did. Kori letting out a quiet moan out as he felt the leg leave, but stayed as he was. Still asleep? She thought as Kori shifted around under the blanket before resting on his other side. Yup. Fluttershy walked down her steps, breathing in the warm cottage air as she saw the snow falling outside her window. Her hoofsteps the only sound as she reached the main room. It was a warming sense as she walked into the small kitchen and grabbed two small boxes from a cupboard. Tea and pancakes,still the best way to start winter, She thought as she pulled out two mugs and started her oven, Boiling a pot of water as soon as the stove was warm enough. Let’s see if Kori likes tea. A slight clicking noise drew Fluttershy’s gaze to the stairs. She saw Kori slowly making his way down, his claws lazily tapping the wood with each step. Fluttershy debated asking him how he was feeling but held her tongue as Kori turned into the bathroom. Looks like someones awake. I guess he was going to get up eventually. She thought as she started on the pancakes. Putting some blueberries into the mix as it cooked. Hope he likes blueberries. “Watashi nikumu daisies,” Kori groaned as he walked out of the bath and laid on the couch. “What was that?” “I hate daisies,” he groaned as he pulled a blanket over him. “Why’s that?” “They hate me,” he moaned. “Oh.” Note to self. Kori doesn’t like daisies. “Are you hungry?” “Yeah,” he said as he put his nose up and smelled the air. “Just some blueberry pancakes and tea,” she said as Kori slid off the couch. “Tea? I didn’t know that ponies had tea.” “Do foxes have tea?” Fluttershy asked as she grabbed a mug of the tea and gave it to Kori. “Yeah,” he replied before he sipped from the mug. “I’ve never really been able to get any though.” “Do you like it?” “It’s.... good,” He muttered as he took another sip of the tea. “I’d still prefer other stuff, but it’s not bad.” “I’m glad you like it.” “So... what do we do now?” “Well, we’re stuck inside until tomorrow. I have some books and boardgames if you want,” she said as she walked back into the kitchen. “Would you like a pancake?” “Tashika,” Kori said before before he shook his head and repeated. “Sure.” “Here you go,” Fluttershy said as she brought two plates out to the main room and set them on the table. I hope he likes it. “Pony tashika tsukuru subarashi shokuhin,” he hummed as he took a few bites out of his small stack of pancakes. “Kansha.” “Is that good?” “Mm hm,” Kori muttered as he took another bite from the stack. “About the princesses.” “What about them?” “They’re gonna help me, right?” he whimpered, not daring to look up from the plate. “Of course they will. They always help.” “Sure. So, boardgames?” “Oh yeah. I’ve got checkers, chess, battlecloud and a deck of cards.” I wonder if he knows how to play any of those. “Chess? Are you very good at that?” Kori said as he looked around the room from the table for the black and white pattern of a chess board. “I’m not the best but I’m not bad,” she answered as she finished her breakfast. “Great, because I suck at it.” “You can’t be any worse than me.” “You sure? I’ve never been any good at it,” he replied grinning at the thought of losing to Fluttershy. “Let’s find out,” Fluttershy exclaimed as she walked over to a shelf of books and grabbed a box from among them. “What color do you want?” “I’ll be black. That way you can go first.” I see what your doing. “Okay,” she said as she set the board on the table. Setting the many pieces in their spots as Kori finished his pancakes and set the plate to the side. “Ready?” “I guess,” he said as Fluttershy moved one of her pieces forward. “So how was it yesterday?” “It was, okay. Just a town,” Kori answered moving one of his pieces to block her advance. “I guess. It’s still a nice town.” “True,” came the groaned response as Fluttershy broke some of his defenses. “Told you I suck at this.” “You haven’t lost. I only got a pawn.” Fluttershy remarked as Kori picked up the pawn and twirled it around with his paw. “I’ve never won a single game of chess.” “There’s a first time for everything. See, you got one of my pawns.” “After you already took one of mine. You’ve got the advantage.” “You’ve still got a chance,” she added, watching as Kori twirled the pawn around his paw. “You okay?” “Yeah. Just a bit twitchy. It’s nothing,” he muttered, the pawn spinning on its head before he quickly swooped it up and spun it again. “Alright.” The two continued with their game as piece after piece was taken from the board until Kori found his king surrounded. “Checkmate?” he mumbled as Fluttershy moved the last piece into place. “Looks like,” she halfheartedly confirmed. “And Kori loses another chess game, no surprises all around.” “You didn’t lose by that much. You almost had me there.” “Sure. Like I said, I’ve never won a single game of chess,” Kori muttered as he set the pawn among his pile of pieces to see Fluttershy’s wasn’t half the size of his. “You on the other paw...” “Twilight and I usually play chess together. I guess that she’s the reason I’m good at it.” “Yeah. Whatever.” “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem, down,” Fluttershy said as she picked up some of her pieces and put them in the box. “What makes you think that?” “Your tail hasn’t moved an inch since you woke up,” she explained, gesturing towards the tail that laid behind Kori. “You’re usually so curious. Today? Not so much.” “So? Why would you care?” “I don’t like seeing anything sad. What’s the matter?” “Nothing.” “I know that’s not true. Did something happen in town?” “No. It’s nothing important.” “Are you hurt?” Maybe his legs are sore. “No,” he muttered as he walked to the couch. “It’s nothing.” “How about this? We’ll play one more game, you get to choose and if I win then you tell me what’s wrong?” “And if I win?” “I won’t ask about it again,” she said, sitting on her hind legs as she did. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” “What was that?” he asked as Fluttershy finished the silly display. “That means I promise.” I should’ve just said that. “Twenty one.” “Huh?” “The card game twenty one. That’s what I choose.” “Oh.” I thought that twenty one was for gambling.... I guess this is like gambling anyways. “O-Okay.” Kori grabbed the deck of cards and shuffled it on the table with frightening precision. “Do you know how to play?” “Y-Yeah. Which one of us is the dealer?” “Well, since you’re the one who made the bet you can be the dealer,” he said, sliding the shuffled deck over to her. “First one to win five times wins?” “O-Okay,” Fluttershy stammered as she put four cards on the table. Why do I get the feeling that number is going to raise quickly? “Twenty one!” Kori exclaimed as he saw the cards before him only to see Fluttershy’s top card was an ace. “What’s under yours?” She turned over her second card to see the face of a king beneath it. “Twenty one.” “No garakuta a,” Kori groaned as Fluttershy put out the next four cards. The two of them continued this cycle until a victor was decided. Kori let a out a low groan and put his head on the table as he saw the winning hand. “Is that five?” Fluttershy asked as she won her fifth round. “Sukoshi rakki,” he groaned as he tapped the table with his claws. “So what’s wrong Kori?” “What do you care?” “I don’t like the thought of you being sad. I thought the deal was if I won you’d tell me?” she remarked. “I don’t want to go to see the princesses. Happy?” he snapped. “Is that all? Why don’t you want to go see them?” “Why would I want to see them?” “They’re going to help.” “Like they’d help me.” “They’ll help in every way they can. I promise.” “How do you know?” --------------氷狐-------------- Rarity stood in her boutique with some bits of cloth floating before her as she heard the door to her store open. “Welcome to Carousel boutique where everything is chic, unique, and magnifique. How can I help you?” “Hi Rarity,” Twilight exclaimed as she set her scarf on the stand by the door. “Twilight?! What ever are you doing here? Did you walk through that ghastly blizzard?” “It wasn’t that bad. I teleported most of the way. I just came by to ask how everything’s going.” “Other than the fact that I can’t go outside today? Everything going marvelous. It’s not everyday that I get to make something for somepony that’s not a pony,” she said as she pulled the sketch over to her and set some cloth in the sewing machine. “Though I must admit that, without any measurements, I’m stuck making something simple for him. Perhaps a deeper lime would look better.” “Still going with green?” “Well it’s hard to find a shade of green that I can use in bulk that still looks good with his fur,” Rarity said as she compared a new cloth to a red sheet that was the closest to Kori’s fur she had. “Maybe I should use blue instead. Do you think that would be insulting though?” “I’m not sure. He did say that the ‘royals’ were blue and he didn’t seem to like them. Though if there’s no good green I don’t think that there’s much else choice.” “True. Is there any reason that you came over here?” “I got a letter from Celestia that I’d like to go over,” the princess said as she pulled a scroll from her bags. “‘Dear my faithful student. I hope that beast isn’t giving you to much trouble down there in Ponyville. I also approve of your decision of bringing it here sooner and I ask that you bring it to the throne room as soon as you arrive. If you would feel a escort necessary then I shall send a group of guards to meet you at the station and keep this ‘Kori’ under check. Your mentor, Celestia.’” “She sounds like she has no trust in Kori. Though she has been saying this whole time that she’s afraid for the town, not to mention that she told us she had an entire platoon of guards ready to fly down and help if ‘something goes wrong’. It feels like she expects him to try and kill us.” “That’s what I wanted to talk about. Kori is going to be put on trial as soon as he arrives at Canterlot and I wanted to ask you what you think about him.” “What I think about him? I don’t think he’s really a threat. He seems like he is a modest creature, and he’s never shown any signs of wanting to hurt us.” “Is that all you have to say?” “Well I don’t really know what else I would say. I only saw him those two times so I’m not certain what else I could say.” “That’s plenty,” Twilight said a she walks towards the door. “Thanks Rarity. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Goodbye,” Rarity said as Twilight disappeared in a flash of purple. “Perhaps a navy blue.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Howdy, Twilight. What do I owe the visit for?” Applejack exclaimed as she opened her front door and saw the lavender alicorn. “Hi, Applejack. I’ve got to ask you something,” she exclaimed as she rushed inside the house and over to the fireplace. “Woah now. If this is advice for stallions than you’d be better off going to Rarity,” AJ exclaimed as she closed the front door. “No. I was wondering what you thought of Kori.” “The red dog thing? To be honest with ya I’m not sure how to feel about him. I mean, I know what Celestia said about him and all and I do see what she’s talking about, but at the same time he seemed so weak when he was here. Why do ya ask?” “Princess Celestia want’s to know how you feel about him. He’ll be put on trial as soon as he gets to Canterlot to determine whether or not he’s a threat. Your input should help in determining whether or not he’s dangerous.” “Oh. That’s a lot of pressure. Like I said I don’t know how to feel about him.” “Neither do I. I still have to go and see Pinkie and Rainbow. Is it okay if I stay here to warm up for a bit?” “Sure thing sugarcube. It’s a mighty strong blizzard out there.” Twilight shivered at the thought of the storm outside. “Yeah. The pegasi sure have outdone themselves this year.” “Yup.” --------------氷狐-------------- “It’s okay. Just a blizzard,” Pinkie hummed as she spotted the twins starring in fear at the windows. A knock at the door caught her attention and she rushed over to let the shivering pony in. “Hiya Twilight,” she said before looking back to the twins. “See? It’s just snow.” “H-Hi Pinkie. Oh wow it’s cold out,” Twilight said with a shiver as she sat in the main room and rubbed her hooves together. “You want some hot chocolate?” Pinkie asked as she sat beside her friend. “Y-y-yes p-please,” Twilight stammered gratefully accepting a warm mug from the kitchen. “Thanks.” “No problem. But what are you doing outside? It’s freezing out there.” “I know. I had to ask you what you thought of Kori.” “Oh, he’s so cute! He’s got the little paws, his big fluffy fur, the cutest ears that flick if he hears something!” “Okay, I need to be more specific. Do you think he’s a threat?” “How could something so fluffy be a threat? I mean, have you seen how fluffy that tail is? It’s almost as big as he is!” “I guess that makes sense. In some strange way.” “Of course it makes sense. Fluff always makes sense,” Pinkie exclaimed as she shook a few miscellaneous items from her mane. “Besides, if he lives in Ponyville that means that many more parties!” “I guess. That just leaves Rainbow,” Twilight muttered as she took a nice warm sip from the mug. “I’ll go there in a bit.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Coming!” Rainbow exclaimed as she hopped down her stairs and to her door. The cloud floor freezing beneath her hooves as they snowed onto the ground beneath it. “Hey Twilight! Don’t you know there’s a blizzard?” “Y-y-y-yes,” the shivering alicorn exclaimed as she rushed into the house. “I-I’m sending l-letters next time.” “What’re you doing here? I thought you would’ve been at home reading, or something like that.” “I‘ve come to, ask you what you thought about, Kori. Do you have some hot chocolate?” “Kori?” Rainbow spat as she walked into her kitchen with her friend in tow. “I think that he should go back.” “Oh? Go on.” “He made it where he was and if what Celestia says about him is true then I don’t want him here. I know that he looks like he just needs help but I don’t trust him. Looks can be deceiving after all.” “True.” “I don’t know what he’s trying to pull with the whole innocent-cute act but I’m not gonna fall for it. He’s dangerous.” “Thanks Rainbow. I better get home before Spike eats too much ice cream.” “Later,” the cyan pegasus exclaimed as her friend walked towards the door. “Don’t you think that you should warm up a bit before you head back out?” “Yeah.” Looks like it’s three for him to stay and one for him to leave with one in the middle, and me. Why can’t I decide? On one hoof he needs help but I can’t just forget about all the things that Celestia says he’s capable of. I guess it comes down to one life or the lives of many. --------------氷狐-------------- “I have no idea what they’ll do to me,” Kori whimpered as slumped down against the table. “They’ll have me right where they want me, and there’s nothing that I could do if they decided to...” “They wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I wouldn’t let them.” “Oh sure.” Like she could ever do anything to change their minds. She’s a simple pawn to them. That’s all we ever are to royalty. “I’m serious. I’d do everything I could to stop them if they tried to hurt you. They’d never hurt you.” “You don’t know that.” “But I do. How could they hurt you? You’re too fluffy to hurt. If anything as soon as they saw you they’d want to hug you.” Hugs from some royal pricks? I think I’d rather they attacked me. “You don’t know.” “Hey. How about this? In a week once we go there and you see that they’d never hurt you, we’ll go and eat somewhere nice?” “It’s tomorrow,” he whimpered, the fear in his voice almost palpable. “But it was in a few days.” “They changed it. I’m going there tomorrow. I’ll be right in front of them and there will be nothing I can do about it. They could kill me right there if they felt like it!” he screamed as he slumped to the floor. “I’ll be there the whole time. I promise that I won’t let them do anything to you. You’ll see that there’s no need to worry.” “I have no say in this. They could kill me without me saying a thing. They’ll decide my fate... Some royal pricks deciding if I live or die,” he whimpered as he put his paws over his head in a defensive position. Fluttershy laid beside him as he whimpered. “Hey now. Don’t worry. How about we play another game?” she hummed to no response. “I’ve got some blueberries if you’re hungry.” “Leave me alone. Why don’t you just leave like everything else?” “I don’t like seeing anything sad. That includes you mister fox,” she said with a giggle as she tapped Kori’s exposed nose with her hoof. “Come on, let’s play a game so you can enjoy today.” “I wouldn’t have to enjoy today if I knew I would get tomorrow.” “You will get tomorrow, and the day after that, and many days after that. Nothings going to happen.” “You don’t know that.” “Come on now. In a few days you’re going to look back to now and see how silly you’re being,” she said as she draped one of her wings over his back and pulled him closer. “Meh. Let me go,” he muttered as he tried to wiggle out from the wing only to have it tighten around him. “I will, once you stop being sad.” “I’m not sad.” I’m currently pissed off! “You look sad.” “Not sad.” “Than what are you?” Fluttershy said with a giggle as she started to tickle Kori’s side with her hoof. “Huh?” “Stop it! Stop! I’m not-” Kori exclaimed as he tried to suppress his own laugh. “Just ate! Please!” “Okay,” she said as she withdrew her hoof from his side. “Since you said the magic word.” “Please?” he asked to see Fluttershy nod her head. “Please let me go?” “Okay,” she answered as she folded her wing back. Kori rolling forward and ending up facing her as he laid on his left. “So you can smile.” “What made you think I couldn’t?” “I haven’t really seen you smile. I thought that maybe you don’t like smiling.” “If I’m smiling it means I’ve forgotten. And trust me when I say that there’s a lot that I want to forget,” he said as his paw reached for his eye only to go past and scratch his head. “I understand. How about another game? And maybe this time you’ll win.” That’s not helping me feel like I could win. “Sure.” “You know that they will help you right?” “You keep saying that. I just... find it hard to believe.” “You didn’t get much help where you come from did you?” “Try none,” he moaned. “It was always just me. No one wanted to help a runt like me. Not even my own parents.” “Well I promise that you’ll get the help you need.” “Thanks.”
Chapter 5: the castle Chapter 5: the castle My tail just loves to shake in the morning. Kori thought as he felt his tail tapping Fluttershy’s hoof. Kori raised his head to look up the bed and saw that the pegasus was starting to stir. “Morning, Kori,” Fluttershy said with a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and looked over at the fox, who scrunched up his nose and rolled over with a moan. “It’s not morning yet. Wake me up tomorrow,” Kori said into the quilted blanket, then tried to bury himself under the blanket. “Sorry, Kori, but it’s time to get up!” she said with a chuckle, then crawled over to Kori and wrapped her hooves around him. She’s gonna choke me if she hugs me any tighter. “Fine.” “How’d you sleep, Fluffy?” “Fluffy? Did that Fluffle Puff pony sneak in?” Kori muttered as he tried to slip from her grasp. “I meant you, so how’d you sleep?” Fluttershy asked as she quickly scratched his side in an attempt to get his legs to kick like a happy pup. “I didn’t,” he moaned as he finally slipped out of her grasp and sluggishly limped over to lay his head on a pillow. “Why not? Does it have anything to do with today?” Fluttershy asked with a concerned look. Kori tucked his head under the pillow. “No,” Kori groaned. He twisted one of his legs, which resulted in a loud pop. Fluttershy cringed at the noise as she thought of how such an action would feel to an already-broken leg; it hurt her to see him injure himself. Little did she know this was just another one of the many things Kori had learned from his home; pain was nothing new to him. “You shouldn’t do that. Doesn’t it hurt?” “Only for a moment,” he moaned as he shifted it once more with another muffled pop. With a glance, he saw that Fluttershy was watching him closely. “You don’t have to worry about me, I’ll be out of your fur in no time at all. The princesses will be making sure of that, one way or another.” “I promised I’d see you through this. I just don’t want to see you in pain, so could you please stop doing that to yourself? Please?” “Fine. Can I just...” “Just what?” Fluttershy asked as set a hoof on Kori’s leg, making it twitch reflexively. “Forget it, it was a dumb idea,” Kori muttered as he slid off the bed and began towards the stairs. “Let’s just get something to eat.” “Hold on. What were you going to say?” “I was gonna ask if I could just sleep through today, but I’d rather face this head on. I will see those princesses, and they’ll help me. Right?” “That’s right. Come on, let’s get some toast and tea so we’ll be ready to go,” she said as they entered the kitchen. “Sounds like a plan.” The sooner we get there, the sooner I’ll never have to hear about pony royalty again. “You make the tea and I’ll make the toast?” “Sure,” Kori replied as he walked over to the cupboards and got a small pot. “Where’re the cups? I couldn’t find them.” “They’re on a higher shelf so that no critters can climb up and play with them.” “Got it,” Kori said as he started boiling some water before he hopped up onto the counter. A sharp pain shot up his leg as he landed, and he flinched in pain before he forced himself to adopt a calm expression. He stopped himself from grunting as he stretched up to look on top of the higher shelves. Stop showing pain, can’t afford to look weak. “Found them.” “Be careful! You already have two broken legs.” “I’m being careful.” Don’t drop the cups. Don’t yelp. I’m not weak. Not gonna look weak... Kori thought before one of his paws slipped on the counter causing his entire body to tense so he didn’t fall. Some of his claws dug into the wood as he struggled to hold himself up. He groaned through the cup in his mouth as he felt his legs straining from the effort, the pain of his injuries flaring up. “Oh my! Maybe you should let me get the cups,” Fluttershy exclaimed, a hoof over her mouth in shock. “Iv gt i,” Kori spat through the mug in his mouth. “...I can’t just sit and watch as you do something so dangerous with two broken legs!” Fluttershy exclaimed, then raced over to Kori and wrapped her legs around his chest, carefully lowering him to the ground. “I’ll get the other cup, and you can still make the tea.” “I was fine, it’s not like that fall would’ve hurt anything,” Kori snapped, ears laid down against his head as he slouched, embarrassed. “Kori, that was almost a four-foot fall onto your head. That could’ve seriously injured you.” “No. It would take more than that to hurt me,” Kori muttered darkly as Fluttershy set a second mug beside him. “Kori, you have to realize that you are still a living being, and that means that you can be hurt. And that sometimes you need some help.” “I can help myself,” Kori muttered under his breath which caught a glance from the pegasus. “What was that?” she asked. “I said that I can help myself,” he snapped. “I never said you couldn’t,” she said with a shrug, “it’s just that sometimes a little help would make things a lot easier on you.” “When am I supposed to see the princesses?” Kori asked, changing the subject with a sigh. “Well, the train doesn’t leave for a few hours, but Twilight might come by to talk to you before then.” Fluttershy said slowly, looking Kori over a second time. Fan-fricken-tastic. I’m finally ready to get this stupid royal business done and I find out that I have to wait a few hours before I actually have to deal with them! ...I don’t have anything to do until then. “Toast’s ready.” Fluttershy said, derailing Kori’s train of thought. “Alright.” “Do you know how to make tea?” Fluttershy asked, realizing he hadn’t started making any yet. “Just because I couldn’t afford it doesn’t mean I can’t make it,” he said as he grabbed a couple teabags from one of the cupboards and set them in the mugs before he put the water in them. Being sure that he turned the stove off afterwards. “So... what do you wanna do?” she asked as she munched on a piece of toast. “No idea,” he muttered as he blew a tuft of fur out from in front of his eyes. At the moment I’m stuck waiting for Twilight to come by. “We could always play something while we wait.” Oh yes, let’s see just how many times you can humiliate me in a game. “Or we could find something else to do.” “Sure.” A few knocks at the door drew the attention of the two. Kori stood and crossed the room to answer it. “Hello, Kori,” came the voice as he opened the door to see Twilight was on the other side with a scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. “May I come in?” “Come on in Twilight,” Fluttershy said as she set a two plates down on the table before walking over to greet her friend. “We were just about to have breakfast.” “Breakfast? At ten thirty?” “T-ten thirty?!” the pegasus exclaimed as she looked over her oaken wall clock. “We must’ve slept in later than I thought.” “There’s still an hour until we have to go and Rarity.... was right behind me?” “I’m here!” Rarity exclaimed as she rushed into the house, a multitude of miscellaneous tools in tow. “I thought I forgot my pencil, but it was right here next to the thread.” Wasn’t she one of the ponies I met yesterday? It’s so hard to tell when there’s so many ponies around. “Hi, Rarity,” Fluttershy said joyously as she saw her friend. “What’s with the stuff?” Kori asked as the unicorn held a cloth out before her. “It’s just a little something for when you go and meet the princesses. First impressions are important after all,” she said as a tape of some kind floated over to Kori and was held along side him. “I want to make sure that this fits.” “That what fits?” he asked as he flicked the tape away from himself. “It’s not my best work, but I’m certain that it’ll help you look your best when you see the princesses in a few hours,” she replied as a few needles wove their way through the cloth. “It was a bit longer than it should’ve been.” “Alright Kori,” Twilight began, pulling Kori’s attention from the seamstress. “The princesses and I are going to be meeting you in the throne room in a few hours, and depending on how it goes there could be a feast afterwards.” Depending on how it goes? Kori thought as a shudder ran through his body. No! Fluttershy promised me I’ll be safe. I haven’t done anything wrong afterall, so they’ll have no reason to hurt me. “See Kori?” Fluttershy said as she bumped Kori’s shoulder. “I told you that you’d get something to eat afterwards.” “Yeah.” She did say that. And now I have something to look forward to after all this royal shi... stuff’s done. “That should do it!” Rarity exclaimed as she pulled the needles from the cloth and held it up to show that it was a simple yet elegant robe about Kori’s size. “Would you mind trying it on to see how the fit is?” “S-sure,” Kori muttered as he put his forepaws through the sleeves and let the rest of it lay atop of him. The cloth was a bright blue that had been chosen to contrast his natural fur with a multitude of simple snowflakes put in a pattern across the back. The back was made so that it draped over his tail without restricting it. “How does it feel?” Rarity asked, suddenly nervous as to how Kori would react. “It feels... weird? Never wore something before though,” he said as he shifted around inside the robe. It feels so weird! How do the rich stand wearing this kind of stuff?! “Does it itch?” “No. It just feels weird on my fur. It doesn’t feel... natural.” “You’ll get used to it, darling. What do you all think?” Rarity asked, turning to her friends. “It’s not my best work, but it’s still pretty good for a rush job, wouldn’t you agree?” the unicorn asked of the others as she glanced over the robe herself. “I think it looks nice,” Fluttershy said as she ate some of her toast. “It really brings out your fur.” “Just what I was thinking!” Rarity exclaimed. A moment later she glanced at the clock and began to trot in place. “Oh my! We’re going to be late if we stand around and talk like this! I’ll hold onto it until we get there if you’d like.” “Sure,” Kori said as he pulled the robe off his head and gave it to the eager unicorn. For a second I was afraid I was gonna have to wear that the entire way there. “We should head into town so that we’ll be able to catch the train. We still have to meet up with Pinkie, Rainbow and Applejack before we go,” Twilight said as she stood to leave. “Yeah. Let me just grab something for the cold. Would you like a scarf Kori?” Fluttershy asked as she too stood. Kori shook his head with a forced giggle at this. “My fur’s not thick for show.” “Right,” she said as she walked to the door with a scarf wrapped around her for warmth. “Come on Kori.” “Alright- One sec!” he exclaimed as he crammed a slice of toast in his mouth before rushing out after the ponies. --------------氷狐-------------- “Welcome to Canterlot!” Rarity exclaimed as she hopped off the train, Kori close in tow. “Are you okay?” “I feel sick,” Kori muttered as he swayed a bit on the solid ground. Note to self: trains move fast. “I didn’t know you had motion sickness,” Fluttershy said as she got off the train behind him. “I would’ve brought something to help if I knew.” “News to both of us here. I’m fine. I just-” “Woo hoo!” Rainbow exclaimed as she soared out of the train and hovered above the group. “Feels great to stretch my wings a bit.” Blah blah blah. Lucky little- “Alright everypony,” Twilight exclaimed drawing the attention of everypony as Kori sat and gained back control of his legs. “The sooner we get to the castle the more time we have until we head back.” “Which means more time for parties!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped off the train with a bag of snacks hanging from her tail. She brings food and I get sick from a train ride. Just my luck. “Hey,” Fluttershy said as she set a hoof on Kori’s back. “Are you okay? I can get you something if you’d like.” “Just dizzy,” he muttered as he slowly straightened up. “I’m fine.” “Ya sure? You look a bit tipsy,” Applejack said as Kori took a wobbly step forward. “Yeah. Never been on train bef-” Kori began before he stumbled against Fluttershy. “Careful!” the pegasus exclaimed as she caught him before his face met the floor. “Okay. Just sit down, wait until the ground stops tilting.” “Sure,” he moaned as he laid on the floor. Just close your eyes. The world’s not tilting like some fun house. “I feel like I’m about to lose my breakfast.” “Oh boy,” Rainbow muttered as she watched him sway where he laid. “You sure you don’t need something?” “I’m go- second thought. Anything to get the ground to hold still.” “Probably needs something in his stomach. That always helped me when I was little,” the cyan mare said as she glanced off for something to help him. “How about doughnuts?” “Ugh. I‘m ready to puke and you say to eat?” Rainbow giggled at this. “Yeah, that’s what I said when a teacher first said that to me. It helps settle your stomach, though if you’d rather wait it out I guess that’s always-” “No! I don’t want to wait!” I swear if I have to wait for this to stop I will puke! “Well, I guess it’s a good thing that Doughnut Joe’s place is open all day,” Twilight stated with a gesture into the city. This better not be some prank to get me to puke. Kori thought as he stood to follow the pegasus only to have Fluttershy stand beside him supportingly. “Careful,” she exclaimed as Kori fell against her. “We don’t want you falling on the ground before you even get to the castle now, do we?” Kori looked up in search of the castle. To his surprise, he saw that the entire town had been built on the side of a mountain, and a large white castle stood vigil at the top. The golden roofs seeming to reflect the light to every inch of the town as they walked through a well lit archway. So much for modesty. I feel like I’m in the middle of a giant pissing contest. He remarked as the buildings gradually got bigger and more elaborate. Now if only the buildings would hold still I’d be able to stop tilting around like a drunk. “Feeling better?” Fluttershy asked as she noticed Kori had stopped bumping against her. “A little,” he lied. Don’t fall on your face. Don’t- “And here we are!” Rainbow exclaimed as they arrived at a small white building with a large brown circle covered in chocolate and some colorful sprinkles atop it. Thank toast that.... Kori thought before he feigned a trip and landed on his face. That hurt a lot more than I thought it would. “Oh my!” the pegasus exclaimed as she noticed Kori’s position. “Are you okay? “Mm hm.” If I ever said that aloud I’d probably drop dead from embarrassment. “Come on. Let me see,” she said as she helped Kori up and glanced over his snout to see a drop of blood running down it. “Come on now, let’s get that fixed up.” she said as she pulled him into the building. “What?” he muttered as the blood reached his mouth and he had the familiar taste of blood on his tongue. It’s just a nose bleed. It’s not like I’ve broken something. The inside of the building had a more relaxing theme of warm reds painted along the wall with an assortment of pastries on display in the counter. Fluttershy sat at the counter and Kori followed suit beside her as she grabbed a few napkins. “Hold these to your nose.” Sure thing your majesty, he thought as he did as she said, the wide assortment of colored pastries drawing his attention. Still dizzy as a drunk in a tire that just rolled down some mountain. “Doughnut Joe! Are you back there?” Twilight called out as she sat on the other side of Kori. “Would that be, Princess, Twilight?” a voice called out from the back as a large pale stallion walked out behind the counter. “What do I owe the visit to?” “Just going up to see the princesses.” Don’t forget the never before seen creature sitting beside you. “Well I’ll have to thank them the next time I see them. What can I get for you seven?” No remark on how I look? No ‘Timberwolf!’ or asking what I am? Not even a remark on the bloody napkins?!? “What’d you like Kori?” the pegasus beside him asked as she pointed out a pink ring. “Oh, um. How about that one?” he said as he pointed out a solid ring with some white frosting atop it. “Here you are,” Doughnut Joe said as he grabbed the pastry with a napkin and set it before Kori. “Thanks,” Still? He wasn’t even surprised that the big red fluffy dog looking thing can talk! Wow, I’m being harder on myself than this pony is. “Ya gonna eat it or are ya just gonna sit there like a bug in front of a light?” Applejack remarked as she bit into her own pastry. Right, food! Kori thought as he took a bite of the pastry to find it was filled with a sweet cream. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better they think of something that tastes better than the last! “He sure likes his sweets,” Rainbow remarked as Kori took another bite of the. “Feeling better yet?” Can’t talk, busy eating. “Looks like,” Twilight remarked as she set a few bits out on the counter only to have Joe shake his head. “It’s on the house.” On the house? I don’t even think I’m gonna try and understand that one. “Thanks. But I’d feel better if I paid.” “Are you telling me that I’m supposed to allow an old friend to pay me for a few doughnuts?” “Yes,” the alicorn said as she pushed the bits closer to Joe. She denied free stuff?! I get the feeling that it’s going to be a long time before I understand this place. At least the world stopped spinning- Kori thought before his chair suddenly spun in place as Pinkie rushed past. “Be right back!” she exclaimed as she rushed into a side door. And the ground’s tilting again. “Food not helping now.” “We should probably get to the castle before something else happens,” Rarity said as she finished her pastry. “Yeah.” Let’s get this over with before I lose what food I have in me, again. “Princess Twilight Sparkle?” a voice called from the entrance as three large white stallions in gold armour entered the shop. “Yes?” she replied in shock at those who’d entered. “Celestia was concerned as to what was taking you so long. We’re here to escort you and your group to the castle,” the first said in a voice that made it seem like the stallion had eaten a breakfast consisting of gravel and nails. I guess they really want to see me. Kori thought as his body visibly drooped. I guess that I’ve got to get this over with sooner than I thought. “Hey,” Fluttershy said as she set a hoof on Kori’s back. “Don’t worry.” Twilight’s glanced at the floor to hide her face as she spoke. “Y-yeah. Why would they hurt you?” “I-I guess they don’t have a reason to do anything to me.” Can’t stop myself from remembering what I’m about to do. Kori Kitsune, the poor little runt of the litter, is about to ask some royal’s for help? “We’ll take you to the castle as soon as you are ready to go.” Twilight looked towards the guards keeping her face hidden from the fox.“Th-” “No point in waiting. I’m ready.” “We’ll take you there right away. Princess Twilight?” “I’m coming. You five can finish your breakfast. We’ll meet up with you afterwards.” --------------氷狐-------------- “How do you ponies wear this stuff?” Kori muttered as he scratched at the robe. “It feels weird.” “It takes some getting used to but it’s more of a formality than anything,” Twilight said as they walked through the halls of the castle towards their destination. “We don’t always wear clothes.” “I don’t know why you’d ever wear this stuff,” Kori complained, “it just itches and it moves my fur around.” “Because…” Twilight stopped for a moment and tapped her chin with a hoof, then shrugged. “I guess it makes you look rich if you can afford to wear fancy stuff.” “Ah,” Kori said curtly. “So you’re trying to make me look better than I normally am?” “First impressions are lasting. It’s this room right here,” she said as she stopped next to a large, ornate stone door. “Ready?” “Not like I have a choice,” he muttered darkly. “Excuse me,” a nearby guard said as he held out a small steel chain and shackle to Kori. “As a formality, we must ask that you put this on.” “Really?” Kori asked, perplexed. Why the hell would they do that? Have they met foxes before? ...I’m gonna be slaughtered if they’ve met any. “Yes. Officially, it’s a precaution, to keep the princesses safe from any possible harm.” “F-Fine,” he replied as he put the chains on. They kept his paws within a foot of each other, and they were much heavier than they appeared. Twilight nodded towards the door. The guard pushed it open and gestured Kori inside. The first thing he noticed about the room was the size of it: the room was at least five times as long as Fluttershy's home, and at least twice as wide. The walls were lined with banners of the Equestrian flag, a Yin-Yang symbol with twin alicorns swirling around the sun and moon. The ceiling was high enough to allow a few pegsi guards to hover above the door as he entered. Magnificent marble pillars ran parallel to the red carpet that spanned the length of the hall. At the end of the room was a raised platform on top of which sat three gilded thrones: a gleaming golden sun was rested atop of the center throne, which sat surrounded by the thrones of the silver stars and the moon. On the throne of the moon sat a dark blue alicorn who was busy writing on a scroll. "Good luck!" Kori whipped his head around to see Twilight wave to him as the great doors began to close. He flinched as they slammed shut, cutting her from his view. He felt his heart stop as he realized that there wasn't a single familiar face with him. This isn't right. Fluttershy said she'd be right here. “Is it safe to presume that you’re Kori?” the alicorn called out. Kori slowly turned to look back up to the dais. She hadn't looked up from the scroll. He took a quick breath, steadied himself, and then lifted his head high with a proud stance and called out, “I am!” He boldly walked towards the thrones. "And you are?” “My name is Luna. I’m here to represent my sister until she arrives. Now, before we start, I’d like to ask you something.” “S-sure,” he stuttered. He shook his head to calm his nerves and forced his voice to remain steady. "Of course." “Why are you here?” the Lunar Princess asked, finally looking up and putting her scroll down. “I wasn’t safe where I came from. I stumbled across Ponyville, and Fluttershy took me in,” he said. “What were you running from?” Luna asked, curious. “Someone that didn’t want me around.” Kori responded evasively. “Alright." She pulled out a scroll, a six-pointed star on the broken seal, from behind her throne. "Now then, I see here that you are in need of help.” she said as she looked the scroll over. “Help? I guess I don’t have much," he said with a nonchalant shrug. “Well, you could always make a home for yourself here. That is, if this goes well.” “Right...” “Do you have any special talents?” “Um... I did work as a courier for a few years. Is that what you mean?” “It will suffice,” she said with a slight nod. Going good so far; this royal is surprisingly civil. “What put you in this state?” she asked with a gesture towards his splinted legs. “I was attacked," he said bluntly. “Attacked?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow and lowering the scroll. "Did you agitate your attacker in any way?” “I-I...” Kori stammered, his facade beginning to break. I can’t lie. They’ll never trust me if I lie about this and they find out. He lowered his head and saw the chains still connecting his legs. It’s not like they trust me anyways. Kori took a deep shuddering breath, and then admitted, “I did. I had stolen from him. I... I was forced to kill him afterwards.” Silence. Kori waited for her to respond, to say something, anything, for what felt like hours. Finally, he looked up at her. She simply sat there, still, staring at him as if unable to comprehend what he'd said. “You... you beast!” came a bellowing roar from Kori's right, then a massive wall of force slammed into his side and sent him flying into a nearby pillar. “You won’t harm anypony as long as I’m here!” Luna shook her head, still shocked. She leapt down from the throne and walked over to Kori’s assailant. She glanced at Kori as he struggled to stand with a snarl. “Do you think you got him, sister?” “It seems not,” the attacker growled as Kori stood, leaning against the base of the pillar. He saw that he was faced with a large white alicorn who towered over him as she glared down at him. I should’ve known. He groaned as he stood to see that his robe had been torn from the attack, though he remained mostly intact as his fur dispelled the blast. Several pegasus guards rushed to surround him at a respectable distance, spears pointed at his throat. “Royalty’s a bitch, watch for the bait and switch.” Kori muttered, disgusted with himself for dropping his guard. “Silence, beast!” one of the guards called out. “We don’t want to hurt you if we don’t have to!” He exclaimed. Another two alicorns entered, one pink, the other purple, and were shocked to see the princesses glaring down at a surrounded figure. The guards all surrounded Kori, who glared back with equal malice. “Celestia! You said that you’d wait for me before you did anything,” the first alicorn said as she ran in. Kori quickly recognizing her as Twilight. “He at least deserves a chance to defend his case!” “Twilight! That thing has nothing to defend!” Celestia exclaimed as she jabbed a hoof at Kori. “I’m not going to let it be a threat to us!” Twilight walked over to stand by Celestia, then looked at Kori, surprised to see that he was standing firm. “Did he attack you first?” she asked, getting a silent glare from the princess as all the guards shuffled uncomfortably. “No! She attacked me,” Kori hissed, unaware of the fact that in his rage he’d reverted to his own language. “Stay back, Twilight!” Celestia exclaimed. A guard jabbed his spear at Kori’s face, and he reflexively knocked the spear away. “That was your last chance! Guards, take him out!” The guards reared back, then rammed their spears at Kori. The air chilled, and the spears were deflected away from his hide, sliding across patches of glistening ice on his fur. The chains slid off his now-frozen front paws. Celestia gave in to her rage at that moment, pressing her advantage as Kori slid the chains from his claws. She hadn’t the time for that as a ball of fire appeared above her horn and she sent it hurtling past the guards to Kori. Twilight’s horn lit to defend Kori only to have a large white stallion leap from the guards to stop her. “Twily!” “S-shining?” Twilight stammered, then looked back to where Kori was to see a flaming figure in his place. “I... I could’ve...” “The beast is slain! Huzzah!” Luna called out as the figure fell to the floor. She turned and asked her sister with a grin, “You thought that it’d be a problem?” “That was too easy,” Celestia muttered as she poked the burning form. The cloth fell, and Kori was nowhere to be seen. “Guards!” Celestia shouted, backpedalling and looking around frantically, “He isn’t dead! Find him before he kills somepony!” The guards scattered, quick to ensure every door was secure as they looked for the fox. The group was baffled to find that the red creature appeared to have vanished. They finished their search and began to look through nearby rooms. The alicorns stayed where they were, taking stock. Kori bit his tongue, barely able to refrain from screaming at the pain in his legs. That was too close, he thought as he looked down to see where the alicorns were, standing by the thrones as they discussed something he couldn’t hear. His unbroken legs dug into the top of the banner from which he hung as they looked around. Looks like even these idiots don’t look up when they try and find something. He looked back the again-barred entrance, thinking on how to escape. The dark alicorn glanced up at the banners and began to scan them with haste. “There you are,” she muttered. She spread her wings and pushed off the ground, surging up to to the fox. She slammed her hooves across his head as she flew by, flinging him from the banner and to the ground with a crunch. “Is he...?” Twilight whimpered, eyes wide as she saw Kori’s legs bent in wrong angles, blood streaming from his stressed wounds as he lay there. “Can’t be too sure,” Celestia muttered before a ball of flames formed over her horn and was flung towards the broken figure. --------------氷狐-------------- “Are you sure this is the right room?” Fluttershy asked as she and the others stopped before a large stone door in the inner works of the castle. “This is the throne room,” Applejack said as she pushed on the door to find it looked closed. “I don’t really know where else they’d be.” “Maybe there’s a side room?” Rarity said as she glanced down the hall for any indication as to where her friends had gone. “It’d probably be best if we just waited around in the cafeteria until Twi or one of the other princesses goes there.” “You just ate. It isn’t very posh for a lady to be constantly stuffing her face,” Rarity said as she flipped her mane back to the side. “So you don’t want any Canterlot Castle Cake then?” The cyan mare said as she began to hover down the hall. “I never said that. One can always feel free to have an extra slice of cake, or two.” Pinkie was bouncing after Rainbow as Rarity said this. “Woo hoo! Let’s-” A loud crash against the door grabbed the attention of the group as they looked back to see the cause of the noise only to find a still closed door. The group exchanged looks of shock at the sudden noise from where their friends were supposed to be. “Ya’ll heard that too right?” Applejack asked to see the others nod. “I-I wonder what that was. It sounded-” A crash rang through the halls as a red figure was thrown through the doorway and into the hall. The group of five letting out startled screams as it landed beside Fluttershy. “K-K-Kori?” Fluttershy stammered, starring in horror as she saw that the bloody figure at her hooves was the fox from earlier that day. His body doused in his blood and covered in lacerations from a fight. “W-What happened?!” “Stand back!” Shining exclaimed as he rushed through the doorway and pointed his sword at the downed figure. “He looks to be unconscious, but he could always be faking.” “We sent him through a stone door that had a three inch gold bar keeping it closed,” Cadence said as she walked out close behind him. “I think he’s out.” “Guards!” Celestia roared as she stepped out of the room and looked down on the bloody creature. “I want the restraints on him now! He’s not dead so if he wakes you are to scream for reinforcements and try to overwhelm him.” “W-What happened in there?” Fluttershy whimpered as she set a hoof on Kori’s chest and felt the faint beat of his heart. “We’ve saved countless lives today. I would like to thank you all for helping in such an important battle. We shall have a feast in your names tonight!” Luna said with a roar. “B-But,” the butter pegasus cried as a few guards put chains on Kori legs and pulled him off to the side. “You know where to take him,” Celestia said as she wiped a bit of blood off her cheek before turning her attention to the ponies before her. A certain butter pegasus in particular. “I’d like to apologize for anything Kori might have done while he was in your care. I shall pay for anything that he might have cost you and would like to say that I shall give you something as a reward for this great feat. But right now it seems that my sister is throwing a feast. We wouldn’t want to miss that now would we?” Fluttershy was left in shock as she walked with her friends to the banquet hall, the feeling of Kori’s blood on her hoof present with each step. “To those who risked themselves to keep us safe!” Luna exclaimed as she raised her glass of ‘royal wine’ to have those at the table mirror her. “Without whom we may have never caught the beast!” “Fluttershy!” Rainbow exclaimed as she nudged her friend, her plate untouched before her. “You’re not scared of all the ponies are you?” “N-no. I’m just, I can’t eat after seeing that.” “They didn’t have to do that!” Applejack muttered as she pushed her plate of leaves away. “They went too far! He’d done nothin’ wrong!” “They didn’t have to try and kill him, I just thought they’d kick him out.” Rainbow muttered as she saw that the others were mimicking each other as they pushed their plates from them. “I know that Celestia said he was dangerous but I just...” Rarity said as she swished around her wine before setting it back on the table. “Didn’t think that they’d attack him?” Pinkie whimpered as she blew some of her now straight hair from her face. “Yeah. He really didn’t seem like he wanted to hurt us, he seemed more afraid that we’d hurt him than anything. ” the farmer whimpered as she tapped at her mug of cider. “I can’t believe that Celestia would stoop to trapping him in a room and beating him!” Rarity hissed. “I thought that the idea of taking a life died long ago, but I guess that they forgot that this isn’t a hundred years ago.” “He was afraid,” Fluttershy whispered, her face on the table as she let her mane drape over her face. “He said that he didn’t want to come yesterday and he wanted to sleep through today so he wouldn’t come.” “He was afraid of us?” Twilight whimpered as she saw the red on the base of Fluttershy’s hoof. “He actually wanted us to help him.” “That’s the only way I could get him to come. I promised him that he wouldn’t be hurt. The only reason he’s here is because he trusted me. I should’ve been in there with him, maybe then things would’ve gone differently.” Rainbow looked down into her mug to see her reflection shone back in a red tint from the wine. “He didn’t do anything wrong, they just attacked him.” “Never did anything wrong?!” a nearby guard exclaimed as he shook a pack of ice which he was holding up to his head. “I don’t count knocking five royal guards out as doing nothing wrong. Trust me when I say that having a spear broken over your head, hurts!” “H-he broke a spear over your head?” the butter pegasus stammered. “Yeah, after he had already broken the heads off eight of them at once and knocked four guards out. He probably did more harm to himself than we did to him,” the guard groaned as his head rang out in pain. “I’m not sure though, he knocked me out pretty quick.” “I-I can’t believe that he’d do that. I wanna see him.” “I don’t think he’ll be waking up anytime soon,” luna said as she set her own glass down for a servant to fill. “We do need to keep him alive though.” “I-I-I could help him! I helped him when he first got here.” “And for that we’re very thankful,” Celestia said as she set her own mug down beside her sister’s. “But we have vets who are willing to keep him alive for us.” “But does he trust them?” Fluttershy said. “If he wakes up and sees somepony he doesn’t know, after what just happened?” “She does have a point,” Cadence said as she nudged her husband’s shoulder who pulled his head from his food. “He’s likely to attack anything he doesn’t recognize right now.” “F-fine,” Celestia groaned as she took a large sip from her newly filled mug of wine. “But as soon as he’s stable Luna is going to go into his dreams to find why he really came here.” “It should be easy seeing as he’s technically asleep now. We’ll get you what you need as soon as you’d like.” “If you don’t mind, I’d like them now.” “Certainly. The sooner you get to him the better chance of him making it.” --------------氷狐-------------- “Right this way miss Shy,” the guard assigned to escorting Fluttershy to Kori’s ‘cell’ said as he led her deeper into the castle. “I-I didn’t know that the castle went into the mountain. There’s so many gems.” It’s really beautiful. “It’s cell is up ahead,” he said as they walked past four guards to enter a spherical room with a large glass cube suspended in the center of it by eight thick chains. It’s like they’re trying to cage a dragon! “Bring it down!” the guard called out as a few guards pulled a switch on the wall to lower the cell. “We’ll be right here.” “T-thanks,” Fluttershy whispered as she looked into the cell and saw the figure of Kori. His fur had a wet appearance that she knew all too well was blood as it slowly ran across the floor. His entire body seemed to have been put through a mincer save for the intact shackles around his wrists, and the shackles pierced through his ears. They pierced his ears?! Haven’t they done enough!? She thought as she looked over his wounds. He’s been burnt and cut in multiple areas, his legs are broken again and he won’t stop bleeding. I’ll have to sew the- Fluttershy began before she noticed a piercing green on Kori’s form and saw that his eyes were locked on her. “You’re awake!” “Be careful Miss Shy! He could be dangerous!” “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know that they would do this to you,” she exclaimed as Kori’s eyes drifted over towards the still open cell door. “You have to believe that I had no idea.” Kori’s legs twitched before a slight groan resounded from him. His gaze deadlocked on the space past the door. “Just relax, I’m going to be as gentle as possible. Okay?” she said as she noticed a splint of wood lodged in his side. “I’m sorry, but this might sting,” she lulled as she grabbed it in her mouth and jerked it out of his side. A few drops of blood across her nose from the action. “How’s everything going in there?” the guard exclaimed as he glanced back into the cell. “E-everything’s fine.” The walls are glass, just look in and see for yourself. “Could you give me that thread?” “Of course!” he said with a salute as he hovered the thread into the room. “Thanks,” she said as she began to stitch Kori’s wounds closed. Each time the needle pierced his skin she could see his eyes cringe at the feeling. “I’m so sorry. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.” Why would he believe me? It already looks like I lied to him to get him here. “Report!” a voice bellowed as the butter pegasus turned to see that Luna was approaching the cell. “Subject gained consciousness for seven minutes yet was unable to do anything past look around! He also showed signs of being able to feel his wounds being sewn shut!” a guard exclaimed once he finished bowing to the princess. He passed out again? “Thank you. How is he Fluttershy?” “H-he’s in terrible condition. I’ve closed the major wounds and re-splinted his legs.” “Good to hear, because I’m here to check his reasons for being here so you may return to the main chambers and are welcome to stay the night if you can’t catch the next train.” “T-thanks,” Fluttershy said as she followed the guard back to the main halls of the castle. “Close the door and put him back up there. I’m going to be walking through some of the most corrupt thoughts possible. If I seem to be in pain I want you to kick my side to get me out.” “Yes princess!” the guards called in unison as Luna laid on the floor before the cell. “I’m going in.” --------------氷狐-------------- The scene was a blank slate as Luna opened her eyes, ready to avoid anything that she may find. What she found was a panicked Kori hunched in nowhere particular, the scene quickly shifting as he noticed her. “Get out of here!” The scene faded to a scene of a group of young foxes standing in front of a wrecked building which was being used as a makeshift orphanage. The group of younglings were shouting at a much younger pup who had been trapped on the stairs of the building. He retreated into a memory! Well, that means he must be in this group somewhere. I’ll have to pick him out of ten foxes. “You know why you’re here right!?” one of the larger reds exclaimed. “Because your parents were to weak to keep themselves safe and they died because of it!” “No no no!” another slightly smaller red exclaimed. “They’re not dead, didn’t you hear? This runt was left outside the doors a few days ago. Because nobody wants him!” “He’s like a weed!” a royal exclaimed as he grabbed a bit of dirt off the nearby path and tossed it into the pup’s face. “All anything wants to do with him is pull him out and throw him away!” “Yeah! Weed!” a royal bellowed to the now laughing group. “Why don’t you go and find a place that wants you?!” “I hear the dump could always use more trash!” “I don’t even think they’d take him! He’d be better off jumping in a fire and ending it!” “But he’d put the fire out!” a red bellowed as he picked up a rock and stuck it into the door behind the pup. “All he can do is wait for someone to pluck him out and deal with him!” That’s enough of this! Luna thought as she sent a burst of magic from her horn which destroyed all of the dream’s images. And then there was, one? The spell had worked as it was intended yet Luna found her tempted to try and rip any power Kori had of the memory from him as she saw the only remaining figure. The crying pup on the steps. “I’m not a weed. I didn’t want to be left here,” Luna heard as the small figure wept before her. It’s thought’s audible in the dream. Kori? Luna said as she placed a hoof on the figure to see that it was indeed the truth. “Please, come back. I don’t want to be left here. I want to go home.” Author's Note Took a while to upload and I hate ending on cliffhangers but I'm working my hardest to get the next chapter out A.S.A.P. Thanks for reading. Had to rework this chapter due to errors in the plot that had to be fixed, but now it is DONE and chapter 6 will be released soon! Well, relatively soon that is. Anyone catch the appearing item?
