Rugia

by Darkenergy345

Rating: teen
Tags: Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Princess Luna, Random, Princess Celestia
Length: 34077

When a strange being named Rugia comes to town, life as they knew it begins to change.

A strange being from another world by the name of Rugia comes to ponyville in hopes of starting a new life from the one he had. While Rugia seems to be the nicest thing they've met, Rainbow dash can't shake the feeling he's hiding something. Is she right?

Published 2012-02-19 23:04:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-04-15 16:06:31 UTC

Chapter 1 - The Being From Athother World

//Auther: Darkenergy345//

It was 9:30am in the morning, Twilight was deep in her studies when there came a knock at her door. From the sound of the knock it was frantic, so she answered.

"Coming", she said as whoever was behind the door began knocking again.

"Hold on I said I was coming." she huffed as she opened the door to the sight of her friends.

"Hurry up sugarcube we're gonna be late." Apple Jack said with an excited look on her face.

"late for what." she asked with an eyebrow raised.

Her friends looked shocked, Twilight was never one to be foregetful. She was always the one reminding them of important dates. For them, this came as a surprise. Twilight forgetful? At that point it didn't matter, Rarity wasn't about to stand there and wait for someone to remind her

where they needed to be.

"Darling don't tell us you forgot we are supposed to meet a new resident thats come to live in our town." Rarity said with a look of concern.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe I forgot all about it", Twilight said jumping a step back, "let's get going!"

As they walked to the town hall, Rainbow Dash joined them and with the sound of impationce in her voice asked what took them so long. But her question was brushed off with the sounds of the rest of the group poping questions to each other about the new comer. They all seemed excited to see this new commer, all except Rainbow who wasn't so sure the new resident was going to be anything special.

"Ah' hear he's nothin' anypony has seen befer." said Apple Jack.

"I... hope he's... nice." said a nervous Fluttershy.

"I wonder what kind of pony he is," wondered Rarity,"Unicorn? Earth pony perhaps? Or mabe a pegasus?!"

"From what Princess Celestia said," Twilight paused,"he isn't a pony at all."

All except Rainbow Dash exchanged a series of shocked looks. What was this new resident? If he wasn't a pony, then what is he?

"What is he then?" asked Rarity.

"I don't know," replied Twilight, "Princess Celestia said that he isn't even from our planet."

"WOW, he must be an alien!" squealed Pinkie Pie with excitement.

"An alien?" scoffed Rainbow Dash, "Oh please, there are no such thing as aliens."

"But Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy, "what if he really is an alien?"

"It could be posible Rainbow." said Apple Jack.

Rainbow just rolled her eyes and said nothing else. The rest of the way to Town Hall they continued to pop questions of what this "alien" was like. From what could be seen the whole town was talking about him. No one seemed to Know anything about this mysterious new commer. So many questions were left floating around the group. Rainbow was stil refusing to believe the whole alien thing.
While the rest of them kept getting more curious the more they discussed the matter. Soon thier questions would be answered, for they had arrived at town hall. As they entered the Town Hall, they noticed a large number of ponies had gathered inside to catch a glemps at the unusual creature. None of the mane 6 could see him passed the many heads blocking there view as they approached.
But when they got out of the crowd, they saw him. There he stood talking to the mayor. It blew thier minds, he wasn't from this world at all. He was indeed... an alien.

This being stood staight up on two legs instead of four. He only had hair on the top of his head, which to thier surprise was just like Rainbow's hair. The only difference was that his wasn't as long and did't come down over his shoulder, and was the color brown. He stood at least seven feet at the least. He wore a white short sleeve shirt with blue jeans and what looked like cowboy boots. He was slinder, and had a face that said friendly all over it. Twilight was baffled beyond belief at this sight. She never dreamed there could be such a creature like this one. To top it of there was a female fox with him that stood the same way he did and had long blond hair with a big fluffy tail and with soft green eyes. She wore a green short sleeve shirt and blue jeans but no shoes what so ever.

"It was nice talking with you," said the mayor, "and welcome to ponyville."

"Thank you," said the creature with a friendly smile, "I'm sure my wife and I will be happy here."

As he turned, his blue eyes stopped on Twilight. He looked at her with a smile and crossed his arms.

"Hello Twilight Sparkle, my name is Rugia." he said. A loud gasp came from every pony in the room. Twilight was probably more shocked than anyone else in the room. She had never met this strange creature before. And yet... he knew her name.

"How do you know my name?" she asked with wide eyes. Rugia put a hand on his chin and replied, "The stars on your side gave me the impression that your name was "Twilight"; meaning the time when the stars begin to show, and "Sparkle", from the glittering of the stars."

"You figured out my name just by looking at my cutie mark?" asked Twilight with amazement.

Rugia replied with a nod and said,"Well now, what have we here." Rugia crossed the room and knelt down to Fluttershy who let out a small whimper and tried to hide her face behind her hair.

"You have to be the most adorable pony I have seen so far."

fluttershy backed away a few steps.

"Let's see," Rugia said sitting cross-legged on the floor, "looking at the butterflies on you and your shy behavior..." He paused for a moment. "Your name is Fluttershy." he said as he reached out slowly and ran his hand through Fluttershy's mane,"Don't be scared, I think you and I are going to be good friends."Fluttershy was still afraid, and Rugia could see this. He pondered for a moment and then began rumaging through his pocket and pulled out a gold coin.He looked at it for a second or two then back at Fluttershy, who seemed to have taken a slight interest in what Rugia was doing.

"Fluttershy do you like magic tricks?" he asked in a soft tone. Fluttershy slowly nodded.

"Good," he began flipping the coin and catching it, "I may not have magic like the unicorns do, but I am a master of illusion."

He tosed the coin into the air, and as it came down he clapped his hands on it as if to catch a fly. He opened his hands to reveal that the coin had vanished.Rugia began searching all around him in a fruitless attempt to locate it. He turned to Apple Jack and started searching her ears and under her hat.

"Now where did that silly thing get to this time?" he said as he searched Pinkie's hair."Strange, I can't seem to find it."

Rugia dug into his book bag and took out a water bottle and proceeded to drink from it. He sat back down in front of Fluttershy and taped the bottle in frustration.He suddenly let out a beltch and a storm of bubbles floated from his mouth, in turn made the ponies laugh including Fluttershy. Rainbow just stood there and didn't even smirk.As the bubbles popped a dozen coins fell to the floor.

"Well I guess that expains why I have been short on money lately." he said looking at the coins on the floor. It was then the whole room roared with laughter. However Rainbow's pride kept her from laughing.

Fluttershy was feeling more comfortable around him, knowing he meant no harm to anyone. Rugia picked up the coins one after the other and placed them into his pocket. With a smile he pat Fluttershy gently on the head and turned to Pinkie who was bouncing around, excited about finding out what Rugia would do next. Rugia gave a short laugh and watched Pinkie Pie fire off a ton of comments.When Rugia guessed her name and said he loved parties and would love to come to the one she was planing tomorrow, Pinkie stood star-struck. How did he know about the party, she pondered to her self.

"Well, howdy miss Apple Jack," Rugia said turning to shake her hoof, "It's certainly a pleasure to meet you."At this point, everyone was used to the fact that Rugia could guess names. But it didn't hurt to know how he was able to figure out thier names.

"Quite honestly, your cutie mark reminded me of a cereal box." he said.

Rugia then pulled out a sticky note and scribbled something on it and handed it to Rarity, who intern read what it said.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who is the fairest one of all?" she resited.

Rugia posisioned like a genie and replied, "I have an answer for thee, for it be you, beautiful Rarity who is the fairest of all."

"Oh my." Rarity said blushing at the fact that Rugia threw in a complement along with guessing her name. Rugia stood from the floor, and as he did there was an applause from the crowd.He took a bow to the crowd and began thanking them kindly. The crowd was amazed at the talents he had displayed so far. It truely was a sight to behold.One question still remained. Just how smart was Rugia? The crowd wondered this as he continued to list names of the ponies. It soon came to the point where they had to know, so Twilight was to first to ask.

"If you don't mind Rugia," Twilight looked nervous to ask this question, "how smart are you?"

"I have an IQ of one thousand, and my brain works at one hundred percent." he said.

"That's amazing." said Fluttershy.

"Well shoot," Apple Jack scratched her head with her hoof,"ah' didn't anythin' could be that smart."

"You must know everything!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.

"Oh please, he doesn't know everything," Rainbow Dash stated, "I bet he's not even as smart as he says he is."

"It's best you don't judge a book by it's cover Rainbow Dash." Rugia said looking frustrated with Rainbow's comment.

Rainbow Dash blew a raspberry and looked at him with a prideful smirk. Rugia raised an I brow and took her response as a challenge.

He walked up to Rainbow and said he would name off everything that he knew about her. Rainbow laughed at him and gave him the guesture to bring it on.

"Alright," Rugia smirked, "Your name is Rainbow Dash, for as long as you can remember you have been a fan of the Wonderbolts and have always wanted to be a part of them.In the Cloudsdale flight academy you were known as "Rainbow Crash" to the other ponies for crashing into things. You however dropped out of flight school, it's a wonder you can fly at all, and became the mananger of the weather team. It surprises me that you haven't detroyed the town yet. In your free time you try to create tricks, of your own with names of course, which you want to impress the Wonderbolts. (Good luck with that). However, your greatest trait is the Sonic Rainboom. Pff, I've built machines that can travel at mach 13. So I guess on a second thought your Sonic Rainboom isn't anything special.You are stubbern, bullheaded, have a belief you are better talented than everyone around you, though you can be a loyal friend I don't find you pleasant at all, and in my opinion it's impossible to take you seriously with that stupid hair-due. So how did I do?"

Rainbow stood speachless, Rugia knew about the Sonic Rainboom, her obsession with the Wonderbolts, and her times in flight school. Rugia gave a shrug and gathered his belongings and excused himself and his wife to go find a place to build his house.

The trip to the location of where Rugia's new house was going to be was enjoyable for him. He talked with five of the mane six about their interests and his own. Rugia's wife Candace seemed to enjoy being part of the conversations as well.
Rugia talked about loving to read books as much as Twilight, the fact he could read an intire five hundred page book in under an hour. Candace mentioned her love of jewlery and her and Rarity kicked off a conversation on diamonds and gems. Rainbow Dash, unlike the rest of them did not like Rugia one bit. She didn't trust him, she believed he was hiding something. What if he's not as nice as he appears? Maybe he he's just trying to earn there trust so he could take over Equestria. What ever the case, she didn't want anything to do with him. But she couldn't leave her friends. What if he turned on them when she wasn't there? She kept wondering what it was about him that made her not trust him.

They came to a nice spot on a hill a short ways from the town where Rugia decided to build is house. When Apple Jack offered to fetch the building crew Rugia said there was no need and he pulled out a large key board from his book bag. Legs folded out from it and he sat it on the ground. It then brough up a hologram screen and Rugia began draging squares into different spots on the screen. He continued to do this until a house appeared on the screen. Rugia typed a few codes on the keyboard, a large green wire frame appeared on the ground and it took the form of a house. Sure enough a house appeared from the wire frame. The six ponies had never seen a house built that way before. Rugia did the same thing on the inside of the house and furniture appeared all throughout the house. Rugia was about to move on to situate his lab when Candace reminded him they were supposed to meet the princess. Rugia put his keyboard away and walked into a changing room and came right back out in a tux. Candace followed suit and came out in a dress.

"Shall we meet the Princess in person my darling?" Rugia held his arm out.

"Lets," Candace said taking his arm and they left the house for Canterlot.

Chapter 2 - Dinner With the Princess

Upon arriving at the castle, Rugia got the same reaction like in ponyville. Every pony looked at him with a state of shock. Of course he didn’t care, if he wasn’t married to a vixen he would probably think the same about them. At the castle doors they were greeted by Princess Celestia, who had met Rugia through a holo-message when his messenger robot came crashing through her bedroom window and landed in the fire place. Rugia greeted her with a smile and said it was better to talk in person than through a flaming, screaming robot. Princess Celestia led Rugia and Candace to the ball room where a number of guests had already arrived to welcome Rugia and his wife to Equestria. Rugia took a seat on a couch with his wife and placed a duffle bag next to him on the floor. Sitting on the couch across from them was Princess Luna who greeted them as Celestia took a seat next to her. Shortly after this; Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy had arrived and took there places around the sofas to be part of the discussion.

“I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier,” Celestia kicked of the conversation, “but what species are you?”

“My race calls ourselves humans,” Replied Rugia who reached over the back of the couch and snatched a glass of tea off the waiter’s tray behind him, “of course if I was talking about me the term would be human.”

“What are humans like?” asked a curious Twilight.

Rugia took a sip of tea and replied, “My race isn’t much to brag about. Most of my race are kind and understanding, but others are a bunch of selfish monsters who care only for themselves and hate each other. My race kill each other every day, mostly out of anger, hatred, a sad child hood.” He paused to sip more tea and continued. “Of course there are those like me who try to solve the world’s problems and make life easier. But it’s fruitless to try to help because no matter how much I’ve tried to help things just keep getting worse. So here I am trying to have a better life, and I think its going to work out.”

“But humans can’t be that bad can they?” asked Fluttershy.

“Your opinion would change if you lived on my home planet for a while.” Rugia replied straightening his tie.

“Well, what else do humans do?” asked Twilight.

“Well other than starting wars and killing each other,” Rugia said with an expression of boredom, “my race will read books like yourselves, they have jobs to support their families. They also like to engage in sports.” Rainbow heard the word “sports” and was immediately wanting to know more.

“What kind of sports are we taking about here?” Rainbow asked with and excited expression.
“Oh good, you’re still breathing,” Rugia sat up straight, “I though you died over there. Humans engage in sports like baseball; a sport with four white, square pads and the players hit a ball with a stick called a bat. They run the four bases to score, and they also have a person called an umpire who can be a complete moron and make the wrong calls. Another sport we have is soccer; a sport where players try to kick a ball into a goal net to score. There is also football where the players try to run across a large field to score and tackle each other to get the ball. There are a lot of sports but my favorite is the one called hockey; in this game the players try to hit a round disk into a goal net much like soccer to score. Of course my favorite part is where the fans and players get angry and beat the stuffing out of each other because of a bad call.” The comment on hockey made the group laugh. Rainbow began to warm up to Rugia, but still couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something. But she decided to try to get to know him better, not to say she would forget her suspicions.

“So Rugia,” Rainbow began, “what do you do? You know hobbies and stuff.”

“Well, when I’m not paying attention to my wife,” Rugia emptied the last of his tea, “I spend my time reading books or walking. But my most favorite hobby I have is inventing gadgets, gizmos, and all sorts of machinery.”

“We would be most grateful if thow were to show us sometime.” Luna said with a sound of interest.

Rugia began unzipping his duffle bag, “Well I happened to have brought a few gadgets-” just then a three foot tall robot with an oval shaped head, alien-green-like eyes, thin arms and torso, with four spider like legs jumped out of the bag and screamed, “TA DA!” Everyone nearly fell over from being startled by the small creature.

“R-17 what did I tell you about hiding in my bag so you could travel!?” Rugia scolded.

“Sorry daddy,” The silver robot replied, “I just wanted to see the ponies and their many colors… So many colors!”

“Oh well,” Rugia said snatching another glass of tea, “I guess since we’re playing show and tell I can talk about you.”

“YAAAAAAAY!” R-17 exclaimed as he began running circles around Twilight and her friends singing, “Ponies, ponies, I love the ponies, ponies yeah!”

“Woooooo.” R-17 stopped running when he noticed Princess Celestia and walked over to her. “Big pretty pony.” he said leaping on to the couch and stood between Celestia and Luna. R-17 began observing Celestia and tilted his head to his left. “Shiny.” he said pointing at the neck bracelet on Celestia.

“So you made this adorable creature Rugia?” She said turning to Rugia.

“Yes I buil-”

“Pretty…. Pretty…. Pretty…. Pretty,” R-17 had started petting Celestia’s mane, “Pretty…. Pretty…. Pretty…. Pretty…. Pretty….”

“R-17 what have I told you about touching other beings?” Rugia looked at R-17 with frustration.

“Don’t touch other beings unless asked permission or for scientific research.” R-17 said tapping his index fingers together.

“Is Celestia scientific research?” Rugia raised an eye brow.

R-17 paused for a few moments and replied, “Yes”, and started petting Celestia’s mane again.

“Stop that!” Rugia commanded.

“I like the colors!” R-17 exclaimed as he leaped to the couch and sat next to Rugia.

“I’m very sorry about that Princess,” Rugia said, “He gets excited when meeting new faces. He’s extremely obsessed with bright colors.”

It’s quite alright,” Princess Celestia said motioning for a tray of tea to be brought over for the rest of them. “So tell us about him. What is he?”

“R-17 is a sentry robot I had designed to protect my lab from intruders.” Rugia began, “However he would get to excited and attack my family members when they would come into my lab. So he pretty much helps me with research and development. He makes good company and likes to play mostly. He also acts like a child, mostly because he has the personality of one.”

“What is a sentry robot?” asked Twilight observing R-17.

Rugia pat R-17 on the head and said, “A sentry robot is a mechanical creature with weapons that it can use to defend itself and others. They'ere like hunters really. I’ve built five other sentries two months ago before I came here. I call them the SCS series.”

“What does SCS stand fer’?” asked Apple Jack.

“The initials SCS stands for “security sentry”, and believe me, you do not want to meet the SCS series.” Rugia said.

“Why not?” asked Celestia.

“They were not meant to be programmed the way they are.” Rugia had a look of dread in his eyes. “But when I designed them they got a very aggressive personality. Needless to say the SCS’s will kill anything that enters the restricted section of the lab that isn’t part of the household.”

They looked at Rugia with worry. Twilight asked with a frightened voice, “Are they back on your world?”

“No,” Rugia shook his head, “I couldn’t leave them on Earth because of how dangerous they are. Also I had to bring them with me so they could provide extra protection. They also hate being left alone for a long time away from me because they fear for my safety.”

“Are they watching us right now?” Asked Rarity.

“No they’re back at ponyville guarding the house.” replied Rugia.

“They don’t get out.. of the house… do they?” asked a scared Fluttershy.

“Don’t worry, they won’t leave the house unless I tell them too.” assured Rugia. “You are safe from the SCS series as long as you stay away from them.”

Celestia was worried, Rugia assured them that the SCS’s would not attack as long as they were left alone but still worried for the safety of her subjects. “Why do you need such dangerous creatures to guard your household?” asked the Princess with firm words.

Rugia looked at her and replied, “The technology I build could cause mass destruction in the wrong hands. So I need the SCS series for encase there is an intruder while I’m not home. There is no reason to worry, the security sentries will only attack when they feel threatened.”

No one spoke for a while. The thought of a possibility of an SCS getting loose in Ponyville was still on their minds. All that happened for the next five minutes was the sound of guests in the background. Rugia started wishing he hadn’t said anything about the sentries but he had to talk about them or safety would be an issue. Rugia couldn’t take the silence and grabbed a throw pillow and walked off with it. As soon as he walked away he came sliding back across the floor on the pillow sitting like a genie. They watched him come back across the room again.

“What are you doing?” asked Celestia with an eyebrow raised.

As Rugia came sliding back across the floor he said, “Sometimes in order to get your mind off of the bad, you have to do something weird for a laugh.” He came sliding back again, “Grab a pillow Princess its really fun.” As Rugia disappeared to the far side of the room, Celestia hesitated, but soon levitated a pillow to the floor and sat on it, not sure if it was a good idea or not.
“You know it helps to push off something to get moving.” Rugia said as he came to a slow stop next to her.

“I don’t know.” she said.

Rugia stood up and walked around behind her. “Pardon me your highness.” Rugia said as he gave Celestia a hefty shove and she slid a good distance across the room on the pillow. When she came to a stop she stood up with a smile and said, “That was… fun!”

Celestia sat on the pillow again and came sliding back across the room giggling. Soon, Twilight and the others joined in. They did this for thirty minutes before Rugia went spinning across the room and crashed into a table, nearly destroying a vase. But his fast reflexes allowed him to catch it before it hit the floor. He put it back in its place and came walking back to the others and said it was time do something else. Rugia remembered that he gave R-17 the ability to play music.

“Hey let’s dance I’ll have R-17 play for us.” Rugia led them to the dance floor. “Ok R-17, track seven please.”

(Please play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNfzfsUnQHw&list=FLJyUmLqjzlwz6KNFPBfvfWQ&index=19&feature=plpp_video; before continuing. Unless you don’t want to.)

When the music started, Rugia slid to the center of the floor then to his right then to his left. He began motioning for ponies to join him on the dance floor. None of them were sure how to react to the situation. Rugia continued side stepping left and right on the floor. When the music kicked into high tempo he really started grooving with it. He would spin around and walked backwards sliding his feet on the floor. The crowd watching soon began to tap their hooves. They didn’t typically play music like this at the castle, but it was a nice change. Rugia slid to Luna and began encouraging her to dance all the while dancing himself. She hesitated but started swaying with the beat and the rest of them followed after her. R-17, while playing the music got down with the beat and would spin his head a time or two. Soon the whole room was dancing and singing to the song. Rainbow Dash really got into it and started swinging her head around while Apple Jack followed suit. Rarity and Twilight side stepped right to left while Pinkie Pie hopped around laughing. Fluttershy, like Luna swayed side to side. Princess Celestia acted like this was the most fun she had in years and was doing something close to Rugia’s walking in place routine. Candace came up and danced with Rugia who began doing “the monkey”. The lot of them danced like there was no tomorrow. Rugia thought he would make an impression on them but not this much.

(Wait till the end of the song, unless you were not listening to it. Just let your imagination do the rest.)

They kept dancing till the song ended. None of them had ever experienced a party with a song like that one. The rest of the time was spent with more songs and laughter. Rugia really felt like he was able to make a lot of ponies happy and became friends with not just Celestia and Luna, but with the mane six as well. Maybe his life here will be better than the one he had on Earth. But what really made him leave Earth in the first place? Only time will tell.

Chapter 3 - The SCS Series

After the party at the castle, Rugia and Candace went home to Ponyville. They were happy to get home because of the exhaustion they felt. When the carriage disappeared from sight, Candace went inside to ready herself for bed. Candace felt that Rugia was starting to loosen up since leaving Earth. He hadn’t smiled as much as he did tonight since when their marriage first started. Candace climbed into bed and was ready for sleep. However, Rugia was not in the house. Candace knew he had gone to the restricted section of his lab to check on the SCS series. She knew they wouldn’t do any harm to him or herself. But they still frightened her. Even she had concerns that one of the SCS’s would leave the lab. Candace heard the front door open and could hear Rugia talking to what didn’t sound like R-17.

“Alright you two, “He said, “one of you can guard the entry of the house and the other in the living room.” As Rugia said this, R-17 came running into the bedroom and jumped onto the bed and hid under the covers. He began making a small robotic whimper. Candace knew that if R-17 was scared and hiding under something it meant only one thing. Rugia gave the SCS series permission to guard the house itself. Rugia came into the bedroom but looked out of the room to tell one of the sentries to stay in the living room. These robots were masters of stealth because Candace could never be able to hear one coming, even though she was a fox. R-17 was terrified of the SCS series and made sure to avoid them as much as possible. The reason for the SCS’s being in the house was because they worried about Rugia being gone for several hours and wanted to be close to him. They also didn’t trust the residents of Ponyville. According to Rugia one of the sentries had gotten out of the lab to spy on the residents. Being in a new environment made them more defensive. Rugia comforted R-17 and laid down for bed himself.

Later that night Candace woke up and laid in bed awake for a while. Since it was a new place she couldn’t sleep hardly. She laid on her back and thought about her new friends. She remembered how Rarity wanted her come by the store so she could try to make a dress for her to ware. Candace looked forward to it. When Candace turned to look at her sleeping husband, her eyes stopped on a pair of alien-like eyes in the door way that glowed red instead of green like R-17’s. One of the security sentries was watching them. Since the house was so dark she could only see its’ eyes. When she blinked the eyes were gone, the robot had vanished as quickly as it had been noticed. Candace found it hard to go back to sleep, the fact that one of the sentries had been watching them worried her. She could tell by that one’s behavior that they were getting restless.

The next day there was no sign of the SCS series, it was as if they were never in the house to begin with. Rugia said they had gone back to the lab and haven’t come out since last night.

“Rugia,” Candace hesitated, “One of the security sentries was watching us last night.” Candace was looking at Rugia with a look of worry.

Rugia continued to flip eggs on the skillet, “I know, I saw him too.” Rugia tossed the eggs onto a plate and handed it to Candace and started on his own. “That was SCS-1 in the doorway last night. He’s kind of nervous about being in an unfamiliar environment, so it’s making him get a little too defensive.” SCS-1 was the first of the SCS series, he’s the leading sentry of the series. SCS-1 was also very protective of his creator Rugia. Come to think of it, all five of the SCS series were very protective of Rugia and the rest of the house.

Rugia sat down at the table with his breakfast to join his wife. Other than the discussion on SCS-1’s behavior, they discussed what was on today’s agenda. Candace had to meet Rarity to have a dress crafted for her; Rarity seemed very excited to try to make a dress for a being that wasn’t a pony. Rugia had been invited to Sweet Apple Acers to meet Apple Jack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash to get a tour of the town. Of course he also had to do some arranging in his lab. Boxes were still cluttering the place do to the unpacking needing to being finished. Rugia stepped out of the house to begin his day. Opening the garage door and hopping into a red Ferrari sports car that he had designed himself. The engine started and he drove off in the direction of the farm.

At the farm, Apple Jack had just finished the last touches on the paint-job for the barn. Upon exiting the barn, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy arrived.

“Has he arrived yet?” asked Rainbow. Rainbow has been wanting to know more about Rugia since the party. She still felt as if he was still hiding something but didn’t want to treat him like a bad guy anymore.

“No, not yet.” replied Apple Jack while closing the barn door.

“I’m so excited to show him all the cute animals I have.” said Fluttershy.

“I would like to see what other inventions he has.” Rainbow was astounded when she saw R-17, and was hoping to see more of what Rugia had in his lab.

“He’ll get here when he get’s here.” Apple Jack blew a puff of air to get her hair out of her face, “We jus’ have to wait fer Rugia to get here.”

Right as Apple Jack finished speaking, Rugia came driving up in his car. “Well Rainbow,” Apple Jack said looking at the unusual contraption that came to a stop in front of them. “looks like you got yer’ wish.”

“Hey Apple Jack,” Rugia climbed out of the car, “how are you?”

“I’m fine.” replied Apple Jack still looking at Rugia’s car.

“How about you Rainbow?” Rugia locked the doors on his car. “What’s up, other than you and the sky?”

“Only the excitement of seeing more of your inventions!” Rainbow flew over next to Apple Jack.

I’ll make sure to show you today.” he said walking over to Fluttershy. “So how are you feeling today Fluttershy?”

“I’m doing great.” she said quietly. “I’m so excited to show you the animals I have.”

Rugia pulled out his PDA and began typing on it. “We can add that to the list of things to do today.” he said putting his PDA back in his pocket. “So let’s get going.”

With that the four of them set out on foot to town. While in Ponyville, they viewed everything. From simple residential homes to businesses. Upon entering Sugar Cube Corner, they were greeted by Pinkie, who had been raiding the sweets again. Rugia was offered deserts to try and gladly sat down for a piece of red velvet. Afterwards Pinkie joined them as they made their way to Twilight’s house, where they were greeted by Spike. Twilight was deep in her studies, and when no one could get her attention Rugia slammed a book on the table next to her. Which scared Twilight into knocking the stack of books next to her over. After the unexpected greeting and tour of the house, the six of them headed to Rarity’s house. When they arrived, Candace had already been fit into a very beautiful dress made by Rarity. Candace was very pleased with it and so was Rugia. He stated that the dress reminded him of their prom night in high school. Rainbow was getting fidgety and was wanting to see Rugia’s lab, and so were the others.

“Pardon the mess I still have to finish unpacking.” Rugia said leading them into his lab.

“We’d be happy to help you unpack Rugia.” said Twilight. Rugia took the offer and began opening boxes. Within an hour they had organized most of the lab. Rarity noticed a door with the word “restricted” on it.

“Rugia,” she said, “What is behind this door here?”

“That is the restricted section of my lab,” He said, “that room contains inventions that are used for emergencies and the generator powering the house.”

“Would you mind showing us?” she smiled.

“No,” he shook his head, “that room is far too dangerous to take all of you in there.”

“What could possibly be in there that could be so dangerous?” Rarity looked back at the door.

“Ok Rarity,” Rugia said calmly, “I’ll let you go in there so you can be target practice for my security sentries I warned you about.”

Rarity’s expression changed, “Oh…. right…. I forgot about them.”

“So that’s where you keep the SCS series to guard your lab?” Twilight stared at the door.

“Yeah,” Rugia answered with the same look of dread as last night, “like I said last night, they will target what ever isn’t part of the household. It‘s best to just leave them alone.”

“I want to see one of them up close!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“What part of “leave the sentries alone” do you not understand Rainbow Dash?” snapped Rugia. “I am warning you, stay away from the restricted part of the lab.”

The rest of the time was spent finishing with the organizing of the lab and Rugia took the time to introduce them to his small, robotic assistant named Vox. Who had been wedged under Rugia’s fusion reactor. Vox ranted on and on about Rugia putting him in a box and forgetting he was in there. Rugia got Vox to calm down and the one foot tall robot started floating around the room making sure everything was in order. While Rugia continued to show them the rest of his work, Vox began singing “Banana Phone” and R-17 was playing the tune for it. After show and tell was over, Rugia was knee deep in animals at Fluttershy’s cottage. The sight of so many animals was quite a joy to him. Rugia spent a couple of hours with Fluttershy before retrieving his car and returning home.

Later at a café, Rainbow and Apple Jack sat discussing the day they had with Rugia. Rainbow was still focused on the mysterious security sentries. It kept her in a state of suspense. Even though Rugia warned them about the sentries, she still wanted to catch a glimpse of one. After talking Apple Jack into going with her to Rugia’s house in an attempt to see one, they set out for the restricted section of the lab.

“Rainbow this is crazy,” Apple Jack said as they headed for the back entrance to the restricted part of the lab. “Rugia told us to stay away from there.”

“Relax AJ,” Rainbow replied with a confident smile, “we can just peek through the window. Besides, if one does attack we can out run it easily.”

Apple Jack was as curious as Rainbow Dash was, but didn’t want to risk her life to see one, “This is the most foolish thang y'all have ever talked me into do’n Rainbow.”

“Oh quit you complaining AJ.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and trotted for the back window.
As they approached the back window, Apple Jack tried to reason with Rainbow one more time. Unfortunately, Rainbow was already looking through the window. Inside the room was very dark, which made seeing anything close to impossible. Rainbow squinted to try and at least see the form of one. Apple Jack however, was constantly looking around in hopes that they wouldn’t be attacked by a free-roaming sentry, or caught by Rugia. All though she would rather Rugia to come and talk some sense into Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Apple Jack I see one!” she said nudging Apple Jack.

“You do?” asked Apple Jack as she too placed her front hooves on the window seal to look in.

Sure enough they saw the shadow of a robotic figure moving in-between objects. They couldn’t see its’ details because of the darkness of the room, even with the four o’clock sun out. They continued to watch it move about the room, Rainbow was ecstatic to actually see one. Apple Jack was watching it hoping it would not notice them, but it appeared to be focused on what it was doing. The sentry disappeared without a trace, and brought up the question of where it went.

“Ok,” Apple Jack got back down on all fours and faced away from the window, “We saw one, now let’s get out’a here.”

“Alright,” Rainbow huffed as she joined Apple Jack, “You have to admit, it was cool to at least see one of them.”

“Even though it was against Rugia’s wishes,” said Apple Jack, “ah’ have to say it was pertty some-”

CRASH!

Before Apple Jack could finish her response one of the security sentries came smashing through the back window. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack got a good look at it this time. Unlike R-17, this sentry was at least five feet tall, its’ color was solid black, the head was the shape of an arrow head with three points in the back. It had a thin torso, like R-17, and four spider-like legs. Its’ for-arms were bulky and the fingers looked like they could stab through solid metal. On its’ right arm was its’ name; SCS-1.

Before either of them could react, SCS-1 came charging at Rainbow so quickly she didn’t have time to react. However, when SCS-1 got within five feet of Rainbow, Apple Jack kicked him in the head. SCS-1 ceased his attack on Rainbow, and turned on Apple Jack. Apple Jack tried for another hit on SCS-1, but the sentry grabbed both her legs and broke the bone in them. Apple Jack let out a wale of agony and SCS-1 knocked her to the ground sending her hat across the lawn. Rainbow could only watch in horror as SCS-1 began brutally beating Apple Jack.

“All unauthorized intruders will be eliminated,” SCS-1 said as he slammed Apple Jack’s head against the ground.

SCS-1 held Apple Jack in the air by her neck. Time seemed to slow down as SCS-1’s right arm changed into a sword and he stabbed it through Apple Jack. Her eyes widened and she gasped in pain. For Rainbow it was if time froze for that moment. SCS-1 removed his sword and threw Apple Jack against a tree, where she hit the ground and lay motionless.

“APPLE JACK!!!” Rainbow shrieked with terror. As she looked at her dieing friend, Rainbow began regretting ever talking her into coming with her to see the sentries. She got her wish of seeing one up close, but the result could cost them their lives. Rainbow couldn’t move, she was frozen with terror at the sight of the vicious killing machine in front of her. With no time to react, the sentry tackled Rainbow to the ground. Its arm changed into a machine gun. All Rainbow could do, was lay there and wait for her fate and wish she had listened to Rugia when he warned about the sentries.

“STOP SCS-1, STAND DOWN!” cried the terrified voice of Rugia.

Immediately, SCS-1’s arm reverted to normal and he released his hold on Rainbow and backed away. Rugia saw Apple Jack laying in a puddle of her own blood, and took off in a dead run to her. He scooped her up in his arms without stopping and set off in a furious dash to the hospital. Rainbow stood there frozen in place. The terror she felt inside rendered her from moving. Apple Jack was going to die, and it was all her fault. As she watched SCS-1 disappear through the window, she became overwhelmed by regret and fell to the ground sobbing.

“Wh-what have I DONE!?”

Chapter 4 - Enter Dr. Yunkov, Followed By A Not So Lethal Disaster

Rainbow sat in the waiting room of the hospital, terrified of what would befall Apple Jack. Would she live? Or would she die? The question was still unanswered. She sat there breathing like she was suffocating. Images of the sentry attack still ran through her mind. Watching the sentry beat Apple Jack to a bloody pulp, and then seeing the look on her face when the sentry stabbed her. The more Rainbow thought about it, the more she panicked. Finally her friends came running into the room. They looked better than she did, but were frightened none the less. When Rainbow explained what happened it only made things worse for her. Her friends began to panic as well. According to Rainbow and what she had heard from the nurse Rugia had been working non-stop with the doctors to save Apple Jack’s life. For fifteen minutes the six of them sat there, plus spike, waiting for the news. Finally Nurse Redheart came into the room.

“Is Apple Jack going to be ok?” asked Twilight looking glum.

“From what I was told,” Nurse Redheart sighed, “they have stabilized her. But her vitals are still weak.”

“Well at least-” Rarity started but was interrupted by the sound of crashing objects out in the hall.

“GET OUT OF MY WAY!” they heard Rugia scream at the top of his lungs. He came in the room and told Nurse Redheart to leave and slammed the door after she left.

“WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU!?” he screamed at Rainbow which made all of them jump. “WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THINGS GOOD POSSESED YOU TO GO AGAINST WHAT I SAID? I TOLD YOU TO NOT GO NEAR THE RESTRICTED SECTION OF THE LAB!” He was now leaning over Rainbow Dash. Everyone in that room had never imagined that Rugia could get as angry as he was. It frightened them to see him like this, they never thought that under that kind exterior was a force of rage. “Did you listen to me when I said to stay away from the sentries? NO! And look what happened. Apple Jack is in the emergency room because of YOU! What do you have to say for yourself?” It looked like Rugia was a father yelling at his child.

“I-I… I… just-” Rainbow choked.

“Forget it.” Rugia hissed, “Just FORGET IT! I DON’T WANT TO STAND HERE AND LISTEN TO YOUR EXQUSSES!” Rugia paused and ran his hand down his face. He looked at the blood that was occupying half his shirt and most of his pants. “Words can not describe how ang-… no… How furious I am right now. Two days… TWO DAYS I HAVE BEEN HERE! And I’m already having to repair a tragedy. I’m going to have to tell Celestia what happened. And to top it off, I’ll have to put SCS-1 on probation. I made a mistake taking you into my lab. I - really though you were responsible Rainbow. Boy I was wrong. Did I listen to my better judgment when it said to not take all of you into my lab? Noooo. Was it a good idea to tell you about the sentries and the restricted lab? Noooo. Instead here I am spending my time having to fix a mess some stupid pegasus created.” Rainbow began to sob in her hooves. “Apple Jack is in the ER practically on her death bed because of your stupidity.”

“Rugia,” Twilight intervened, “Nurse Redheart said that she was stable.”

“IT DOESN’T MATTER TWILIGHT,” Rugia was screaming again, “APPLE JACK HAS A THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT CHANCE OF SURVIVING! Being stable means nothing as long as her vitals are as low as they are. She could turn for the worst in the blink of an eye. I will never forgive myself if Apple Jack dies.”

“IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!” screamed Rainbow Dash. “I should have been the one attacked and injured. I should be the one dieing in the ER! I was the one being attacked by SCS-1, but Apple Jack saved my life at the price of possibly loosing her life! Oh Apple Jack… PLEASE DON’T DIE!”

At this point Rainbow was sobbing uncontrollably on the arm of the chair. Rugia stood there still angry, but his anger soon turned to depression. Rainbow felt bad enough as it was, and Apple Jack being on the thin line between life and death didn’t help either. Rugia screaming at her only made her feel even worse and put her into more pain. It was hurting Rugia too, the fact he screamed at his new friend broke his heart. Rugia’s eyes teared with regret, and he walked over and picked up Rainbow and embraced her with a gentle hug.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you Rainbow,” Rugia’s voice was at a whisper, “I let my anger get the best of me. I shouldn’t have lost my temper with you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you Rugia.” Rainbow whimpered.

“When I heard you scream,” he said hugging Rainbow tighter, “I was so afraid that I was going to loose you. And now I’m scared I’ll loose Apple Jack. You guy’s are like my family. I love all of you like Family. What’s important is that you are alive and so is Apple Jack… barely.”

Rugia sat in a chair and held Rainbow close to him. No one felt like talking. They sat there for two hours, wondering when they would hear from the doctors. Finally they were taken into the ER to see Apple Jack. She was still unconscious, but at least the doctors said she was going to live. It eased the pain on Rainbow but she was still under deep depression. It was hard to look at her while she was bandaged up and still bloody. But at least they were able to stop the bleeding. The doctors said there was more they wished they could do but couldn’t. It didn’t help that Apple Jack was also in a coma. Apple Bloom was distraught with fear of Apple Jack getting worse like the rest of them.

“I’ve got it!” Rugia’s head shot up and he pulled out his satellite phone and began dialing a number on it.

“What ever are you doing darling?” Rarity asked.

“Calling a friend.” he said. They could here a voice answer on the phone. “Victor, I need your help. Yeah I know I left without saying goodbye. Loo-look, I need you to pack your things and come to coordinates: 5-9-0-3-3-6-2. Ok. See you in a few days. Bye.”

“Who was that?” asked Twilight.

“The man who will save Apple Jack’s life.” Rugia said with excitement.

They looked at him confused. “Just trust me on this.” he said leaving the room.

Two days passed, Rugia hadn’t spoke with Twilight and the others since he had left the hospital. No one felt like talking anyway, Apple Jack’s condition was too much pressure on them. Twilight found it hard to stay focused on her studies, Pinkie tried her best to make things better but her own depression weighed her down, and her straight mane was proof of it. Poor Fluttershy was always seen with her head hanging so close to the ground that her mane dragged in the dirt as she would walk. Candace went to visit Rarity, but had found her store a total mess and found Rarity sitting amongst the manikins crying her eyes out. She couldn’t stand the thought of loosing one of her dearest friends. Rainbow however hadn’t been seen since they left the hospital the day Apple Jack was injured. Twilight had tried her house, but she wasn’t there. They couldn’t find her anywhere. Where she was, no one knew.

That night the rain came down hard. Rugia sat at home in the living room, with his wife laying against him as they watched movies on their TV. R-17 was laying on the floor like strung out rag doll, his normally green eyes were blue with sadness. The rain didn’t help the pain Rugia was feeling inside, even John Wayne scolding Stumpy on the television didn’t make him smile. He couldn’t help feel responsible for what happened. He had warned about the sentries’ aggressive behavior toward unfamiliar faces, but still couldn’t keep curiosity from clouding the judgment of his now missing cyan friend with rainbow hair. Suddenly there came a light knock at the door. It was a very slow knock, that beat slower than the sad tune Rugia’s heart was playing. Rugia wondered who in the right mind would be out in the rain at this hour. Rugia opened the door and found Rainbow Dash standing in the downpour. She was completely soaked, her hair was covering her eyes, and her wings were hanging to the ground. Tears were streaming down her face worse than the rain.

“Good heavens Rainbow Dash,” Rugia exclaimed beckoning her in, “come inside before you get sick.” Rugia closed the door and turned to Rainbow, “What are you doing out in a storm like this? Are you trying to catch ammonia?”

A small whisper came from her mouth, “I’m s-so sorry r-Rugia… I-I… I never meant for it to happen.”

Rugia knelt down and lifted Rainbow’s hanging head with his left hand, and lifted her mane out of her face with his right. What he saw, broke his heart clean in two. Rainbow’s beautiful rose-colored eyes were blood-shot. She looked utterly miserable and exhausted. From what could be seen of the poor pony, she hadn’t slept in two days. Her face, even though soaked by the rain, was stained with tear lines.

“I forgive you Rainbow.” Rugia stroked her neck, “I guess we are both to blame for this. I shouldn’t have told you so much about the SCS’s, and…” Rugia paused and decided not to continue. He knew if he finished that sentence, it would hurt Rainbow even more.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Rugia said picking her up in his arms, “and you can sleep here tonight.”

Rainbow said nothing as Rugia made his way into the living room. Candace jumped to her feet at the sight of the cyan pegasus in Rugia’s arms. Candace drew a bath, and Rugia placed Rainbow on the rug in the bathroom. Rugia left Candace to clean Rainbow’s coat and headed to the bedroom to change into his pajamas.

Rugia sat in the living room watching another John Wayne film. As he sat there, Candace came back in and sat next to him. Rainbow slowly came in still looking miserable. She hopped into the recliner. But before she got a chance to lay down, Rugia offered a seat next to him. Rainbow slowly climbed over the arm of the couch and laid down on the couch with her head next to Rugia. It pained Rugia to see anyone in a state of depression. Of course he was depressed as well, but Rainbow’s state was plain out heart-breaking. Rugia watched as another tear made its’ way down Rainbow’s face and onto the couch. Rugia gently scratched her behind the ears to bring some sort of comfort to her.

Later, the movie ended. Rainbow was laying across Rugia’s lap sleeping. As peaceful as she looked, she still looked miserable. Rugia carried her into the guest bedroom and tucked her under the covers. Rainbow let out a soft sigh and cuddled up to the pillow.

Rugia sighed and said, “You and me both Rainbow.” Like Rainbow, Rugia hadn’t slept in two days either. Maybe they both will be well rested for tomorrow.

That night, Rainbow Dash dreamt that she went walking through Ponyville. The town was completely deserted, not a soul could be found. When she would call out for someone to answer, she would only hear the echo of her own voice. The further she went the more worried she became. But as she came to the center of town, she found Apple Jack lying dead in the middle of the dirt road. She tried to run to her, but her legs would not move. She began calling for help, but as she did she began to notice all of her friends were dead as well. All were warring blank expressions. Before she could react to the sight before her, she found herself in a completely black room. In the middle of the room stood SCS-1, who stared at her menacingly. She asked why it killed her friends, but the robot didn’t answer. SCS-1 changed his arm into a gun and opened fire, ending Rainbow’s existence.

Rainbow woke up screaming. As she did Rugia came running in to see what was happening. Rainbow stopped screaming and began sobbing. Rugia wrapped his arms around Rainbow and began calming her down. When she was calm enough, he went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. Rainbow drank the water like she hadn’t drank anything for several days.

“You going to be alright, Dash?” Rugia asked her as she stopped drinking.

Rainbow nodded and handed Rugia the glass. Rugia bid her goodnight and left the room to put the glass in the kitchen. Rainbow watched him come back pass her room to get back to his own bed. Rainbow sat there for a moment trying to decide weather it was a good idea to try to sleep or not. But she soon laid down and made an attempt to sleep. However when she got comfy, SCS-1 one was standing over her on the bed with his red alien eyes on her. Before she could say anything, SCS-1 clamped his hand down on her mouth to keep her from talking. Rainbow’s eyes widened with fear.

“I remember you,” SCS-1 said in a very dark tone, “you were with that orange thing that tried to break into my creator’s lab.” Rainbow’s eyes teared with fear. “I’m warning you, if your blue hide is found around the lab without my creator’s authorized permission…” The sentry paused and got close to her face while still holding its hand over her mouth, “You won’t walk away alive.”

Dash blinked and SCS-1 was gone, he was no where to be seen. Rainbow sat up in bed and looked around the room, but couldn’t see the sentry anywhere. I remember you, those words echoed in her mind. The sentry spoke to her like it was another pony, it remembered seeing her the day she was outside the lab’s restricted section. The last time she saw it, it talked like it was brainwashed. Rainbow laid her head down again to try and sleep, a few moments passed and she slipped off to sleep.

The next morning, Rainbow Dash woke up laying in Rugia’s arms in Apple Jack’s hospital room. She looked around and saw all of her friends were there, but none of them seemed to know she was awake. Pinkie was the first to notice her and let the others know. Rugia explained that he had carried her to the hospital because he got a call from his friend, saying that he was just about there. Rainbow hopped down off of Rugia’s lap and walked over to Apple Jacks side. She looked at her still unconscious friend. The bandages on AJ’s body were still bloody, like they haven’t been changed yet. Apple Jack, as injured as she was, looked peaceful laying there in the bed but almost lifeless. Rainbow began to tear up again, but there came a voice from out in the hall.
“You are trying my patience,” the voice said angrily, “vere is ze patient?”

A tall man in an old-time medic’s uniform that came down to his knees came walking into the room. His height was roughly three inches shorter than Rugia’s, he wore a pair of boot’s that were like British horse riding boots with his brown pant legs tucked into them, and a pair of thick rubber gloves that went up to his elbows. He looked around the room through his circular glasses and his eyes rested on Rugia.

“Hello my friend!” the tall man exclaimed.

“It’s good to see you.” Rugia replied.

“May I ask your name good sir?” Twilight requested.

“Dr. Victor Hines Yunkov, at your service.” he replied.

Another doctor came into the room to check on Apple Jack but stopped when he noticed Victor. “You must be the doctor that Rugia called.” he said.

“Yes I-” Victor stopped as he saw Apple Jack in the bed.

“NIEN!” he screamed, “Vat is zis? Vat have you done to ze patient!? ZE BANDAGES ARE STILL BLOODY!” victor was observing Apple Jack head to hoof. “Do you shtupid ponies ever change ze bandages? Why have you not changed ze bandages? If I hadn’t gotten here ven I did ze patient vould probably be dead in a few hours from now.”

“It was hard enough as it was to keep her alive,” the doctor said looking offended, “its still a struggle to keep her alive now.”

“Congratulations you have ze IQ of common nurse.” Victor said beginning to dig into his medical bag. “Now do me a favor and get out. Your useless services are not needed.”

“I beg your pardon,” said the doctor, “I’m in charge of this patient.”

“Sorry nurse,” Victor turned to the unicorn doctor,” but ze princess has put me in charge of ze fräulein. Now get out!”

“I must de-”

“NURSE!” screamed Victor, “Somevon get me a NURSE!”

A nurse came to the doorway. “Yes Dr. Yunkov?”

Victor looked at her angrily, “Vat are you vaiting for? An invitation? GET IN HERE!” The pegasus nurse did as Victor said. “Please ezcort Dr. Dumbnuts into ze hall so he cannot bother me!”

“That is not my name!” the doctor said leaving the room.

“I DON’T CARE!” Victor shouted as loud as he could.

“Is your friend always this unbearable?” came the voice of Princess Luna. Rugia turned to look out the window to see her floating there. Apparently Rugia was the only one who noticed her because the others were to busy watching Victor shout at the nurses and insult the doctors.

“He acts like this when he’s mad about something.” said Rugia.

“What’s he angry about?” Luna asked.

“Victor is just angry at me for leaving Earth without saying goodbye and putting our partnership as businessmen to an end.” Rugia said scratching his head. “I see you are doing well speaking the modern language.”

“It’s thanks to you.” she said, “It wouldn’t have been easy without your help and I thank you for that. Are you sure your friend won‘t hurt any of the staff?”

“Yeah,” said Rugia looking at Victor who continued to scream at a nurse, “The only time we need to worry is if he starts throwing objects.” As Rugia said this a potted plant sailed out the door and smashed on the wall above a nurse’s head in the hallway.

“GO AVAY YOU USELESS INSECTS!” Victor bellowed. The nurses ran out of sight and Victor turned his attention to Twilight and the others. “Vat is zis, ze ugly mule fest? GET OUT!”

“How dare you call us mules!” Rarity retaliated, “You sir are the most horrible mannered thing I have ever met!”

“Oooh, did I offend you?” Victor said tauntingly, “Let me start again. Ahem… Why hello zere, I couldn’t help but notice you are ze ugliest mule I have ever seen. My soul burns in pain as I look at you. NOW LEAVE!” With that, they left the room and Victor slammed the door behind them. Four seconds later he shoved Rugia out the door as well.

“How could anyone be so cruel?” Rarity asked with tears running down her face.

“It’s alright Rarity,” Rugia said, “you are not ugly. Besides, Victor is a fun guy when he’s not in a bad mood.” Just then the curtains opened and Victor pressed his face against the window and stared angrily at them. None of them could decide if it was a good idea to laugh at the fact that the way Victor had his face against the window made him look like he had a pig nose. Victor vanished behind the curtains and wasn’t seen again. So with nothing else to do they all went home.

Later that day Rugia was in his backyard working. While he was, Luna came walking up to him and asked if she could observe his work. Rugia welcomed her with a smile and continued to work.

“What are you doing?” She asked him.

“Oh just fixing the broken messenger robot.” Rugia sighed, “You know, the one that crashed into your sister’s bedroom fireplace. This is the fifth time today I have fixed this thing since I got back from the hospital.” Luna came closer to view the robot’s progress on recovery and sparks shot out of the hole Rugia was working in. “Yep, that’s gotta go.” and he took out the sparking object and threw it behind him and put a new one in the robot. When he finished, he and Luna took a few steps back. Rugia typed a few codes into his PDA and the robot began to shake violently. “Oh no, not again.” The robot shot into the air like a rocket and took off over the trees and disappeared.

“Well,” Rugia said, “at least it took flight this time. The last time I tried this the trusters separated from it and went into the atmusphere.”

“Where do you think it’s going?” Luna asked looking at the streak of smoke going over the trees in the distance.

“I don’t know.” Rugia said putting his PDA back in his pocket. It was then Celestia came walking around the house. And greeted them both.

“Hello,” she said, “I see you two are still getting along. What’s wrong Rugia?”

“The stupid messenger bot is still on the fritze.” he said staring in the direction the robot was last seen taring through a tree. “I can’t fix that thing for some reason. Is there something wrong Princess?”

“No I just came to see how you have been fairing since the incedent that happened.” Celestia said walking over to him.

Rugia turned to her and said, “Oh I’m fine, it’s been a little- GET DOWN!” Rugia grabed Celestia and pulled her to the ground as the rouge messenger bot came flying over their heads like a missle screaming “MALFUNCTION” as it did. It began doing loops as it took off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. “Oh just great!” Rugia exclaimed, “I’m going to have to chase it down!” With that Rugia ran off after the out of control messenger bot and Celestia and Luna followed.

When they reached Sweet Apple Acres they had lost sight of the robot. They looked around and found R-17 shooting apples out of a tree and putting them in baskets.

“What are you doing here R-17?” asked Rugia looking at him with curiosity.

“I’m helping Big Macintosh harvest apples while Miss Apple Jack is in the Hospital.” he said proudly.

Rugia smiled at the happy little sentry, “That’s very kind of you R-17. Have you seen the messenger bot come flying through here?

“You mean that big, fat thing flying circles in the air?” R-17 pointed at the Robot. “It funny.”

The robot suddenly took off in another direction and Rugia, Celestia, and Luna followed. “By my calculations,” Rugia began, “it should land-”

KA-BOOM!

They robot crashed into Apple Jack’s barn and exploded, completely destroying it. Flaminng lumber shot up in the air and rained down all over the farm. Rugia stood there looking completely unhappy. He motioned Celestia to take seven steps to her left. After she did a large chunk of the barn’s roof came crashing down next to her. Then the thrusters from the robot rocketed off into the herizon and vanished. Rugia continued to stand there and stare at the burning remains of the barn and Macintosh came running out of the trees to see what the blast was and stared open-mouthed at the mound of burning lumber. Apple Bloom happened to come home from school at this time and saw the area where a barn once stood.

“My sister jus’ repainted that thing four days ago.” she said staring at the fire.

Rugia ran his hand down his face and sighed, “Just one more thing to gone wrong around here. I guess we can just consider this to be a “not so lethal disaster” since no one got hurt.”

The robot exploded again and sent a fire ball into the air and Rugia sighed again. He then turned to go home to get his keyboard he used to build his house, and use it to fix AJ’s barn.

Chapter 5 - Welcome Back, And A Day of Dates

It was four o’clock when Rugia got back to his house to retrieve his keyboard, however Candace stopped him and said he needed to get to the hospital. She said Victor had called saying he needed to get to there in a hurry. Rugia ran back out the door as quickly as he could. What happened that could have made Victor need him so badly? Did Apple Jack get worse? Was she going to die? Or had she died? Rugia pondered this all the way to the hospital. The more his mind thought about the many possibilities, the faster he ran. Along the way Twilight and the others joined up with him and they all made a frantic dash for the hospital. Victor definitely sent a message to them, he new this because they kept asking what was going on. But Rugia couldn’t answer this because he didn’t know the answer either. The hospital came into view and the group ran towards it with anxiety fueling their every step. They came running through the hospital practically knocking nurses and doctors over as they made their way to the urgent care room Apple Jack was in. Her room came into view, but they stopped dead in their tracks when they heard a familiar laugh. It was Apple Jack’s laugh they were hearing. The group came into the room to find Victor sitting in a chair next to the bed smiling, and Apple Jack sitting up in it laughing hysterically.

“Vait! Vait! It gets better!” Victor said giggling, “Ven ze patient voke up the bones in his arm vere missing a ze doctor was no where to be found!” Victor and Apple Jack burst into laughter simultaneously. Tears were coming out of her eyes as she laughed. When Victor caught his breath he said, “Anyvay, that’s how father lost his medical license, heh, heh.”

“That sure was funny Victor,” Apple Jack said wiping her eyes, “did y’all’s father really do a thing like that?”

“Sadly yes he did,” Victor sighed, “Vat a vonderful man he vas… Before he vent insane.”

“So what part of Earth did y’all come from Victor?” asked Apple Jack.

“Vell Ms. Apple Jack,” Victor said sitting up straight, “I come from a place on Earth called Germany. It’s a nice country, even though I vas feared by others because everyvon thought I would be insane like my father had become. Oh vell.”

“Apple Jack!” Rugia and the others exclaimed with joy. They all rushed over to the bed to see her.

“Howdy everyone.” said Apple Jack with the smile that everyone had been dieing to see for days. “How’ve y’all been?”

“Terrible!” shouted Pinkie Pie on the verge of tears of happiness, “We’ve been worried sick about you! We thought you were going to die! I’m so… so… BWAAAAAAH!” Pinkie burst into tears and hugged Apple Jack as hard as she could, nearly suffocating her.

“Pinkie,” Apple Jack wheezed, “If y’all hug me any tighter my ribs’ll break!”

“Sorry AJ.” Pinkie apologized as she let her go.

“Nice work Victor,” Rugia said proudly, “you really out done yourself.”

Victor stood and replied, “Vas zere any doubt?” He picked up his medical bag and readjusted his glasses.

“Dr. Yunkov,” Twilight asked, “the doctors could barely keep Apple Jack alive, but you got her healed in just six hours. How did you do it?”

Victor set his bag down on the chair he was sitting in and pulled out, what looked like a UFO the size of a base ball. On the dome of the device was a small keypad and a screen. Victor explained that this little thing was how he returned Apple Jack to her peek physical condition. When activated the device would extend four spider legs that would clamp to the chest of the patient. The device would then send out waves of energy that would accelerate the body’s healing process by three hundred percent.

“As much as I vould love to stay and chat,” said Victor, “I really must get my house built so I can begin doing good for zis town.” Victor took his leave and on his way out they heard him say to himself, “I swear zees’ doctors vill kill some poor soul some day.”

They couldn’t help but chuckle at Victor’s dislike of the doctors at the hospital. They asked Apple Jack if he was a complete jerk to her as he was to them, but to their surprise Apple Jack told them he sat and told her jokes and stories ever since she woke up. She talked about how as soon as she woke up, Victor answered her questions and told her how long she had been out. She also told them about how he chased a doctor out of the room with a bone saw for insulting his methods, and how he threatened to throw a nurse off the roof for bringing him the wrong cleaning materials for the bloody mess from her bandages. From the sound of everything else she told them, Victor took good care of her until they arrived.

“Apple Jack…” Rainbow Dash hesitated, “I’m so sorry for talking you into doing something so stupid.”

“Its all right Rain-”

“Its not all right AJ. You could have died because of me. It was so stupid of me to go against Rugia, and then bring you into it. What kind of friend am I? You ended up in the hospital because my actions. I don’t see how you can just sit there and forgive me for what happened.” Rainbow Dash was teary eyed and looked like she was going cry, but Apple Jack spoke before she could.

“Rainbow,” she said, “yer my friend, even though y’all are stubborn and bullheaded ah’m always gonna’ forgive ya. Sure what y’all did was foolish and a little stupid, but there aint no reason to dwell on what happened. What’s important is, we’re both alive. Now snap out of it and be that stubborn pony ah’ know.”

A confidant smile made its way onto Rainbow Dash’s face. For several days she had been beating herself up over what happened. She had been distraught with regret and guilt. But since Apple Jack had forgiven her, she found it easier to forgive herself.

“So are you able to leave and go home?” asked Rarity still feeling overjoyed to see Apple Jack back her almost normal self.

“The doc’ says it would be best if ah’ stayed for a spell.” replied Apple Jack snuggling down into the covers and then letting out a yawn. “He says ah’ll be able to go home tomorrow after lunch, just to be safe. (yawn) Anyway it was nice to see y’all toda-…”

Apple Jack was so tired from her recovery she couldn’t finish her sentence. She fell into a deep sleep before she could finish talking to them. At least this time she was sleeping and not in a coma. Apple Jack’s snoring was proof that she was asleep. It was a soft, quiet snore that sounded peaceful. Apple Jack definitely needed a good sleep, especially after the struggle between life and death. For everyone else, they couldn’t believe that just this morning they were told that it would be months before she would recover, but here she was sleeping like a small filly. It was thanks to Victor that she was alive and well. They stood there for several minutes and watched the mare sleep before Rugia motioned for them to leave, his self included. Everyone left the hospital feeling one hundred percent better emotionally and went their separate ways for home. Of course Fluttershy followed Rugia because both their houses were slightly in the same direction.

“Rugia?” asked Fluttershy nervously.

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“I was wondering if you… if you would come and help me with the animals tomorrow?”

“Of course I will. What time?”

“Will eleven be alright. Unless you have something else planned for that time.”

“I will be there at eleven.”

“Thank you Rugia.”

The next morning Rugia got up and was surprised to find letters from his friends waiting for him on the table. The first letter was from Twilight, asking Rugia if he would go bird watching. Apparently Twilight had been reading a book on bird species and wanted to see the ones common to Ponyville in the wild, and wanted Rugia to meet her at nine. Rugia had a feeling that they had got together and organized times to request his assistance. Pinkie Pie wanted him to come to Sugarcube Corner at one and then at three to six o’clock he was going to help out Apple Jack around her farm as well as fix the barn his rouge messenger robot reduced to flaming ruble. Rugia suddenly realized he forgot to tell Apple Jack when he saw her in the hospital yesterday, he had destroyed her barn. Well she didn’t know yesterday, but she would know today. To top off the stack of letters, Rarity was running behind on her productivity of dresses, and requested for Rugia to come into the Carousel Boutique to help her tomorrow. She wanted him to arrive at seven in the morning and help with the dresses for most of the day, at least until twelve in the afternoon. So knowing what he had ahead of him, Rugia grabbed his book bag and began packing it for a day of dates. He packed a few reading books, pencils, a drawing pad, and his lunch. He grabbed his PDA and satellite phone and headed for the door to meet Twilight. As he opened the door, he found Rainbow Dash standing outside the house with her hoof out like she was getting ready to knock on the door.

“Hello there Rainbow,” Rugia said stepping out the door and closing it behind him, “what brings you here?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today.” she replied with a smile.

“Sorry Rainbow I’m booked today.” Rugia said, “I have to meet Twilight at nine, then head to Fluttershy’s cottage at eleven, then at one I’m meeting Pinkie at Sugarcube Corner, and from three to six I’m working with Apple Jack on her farm. Then tonight I have to go to bed early.”

“So what about tomorrow?” Rainbow asked.

“Well,” Rugia replied scratching his head, “tomorrow I have to be at Rarity’s place at seven in the morning to help restock her shelves.”

“Your busy tomorrow too?!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Only until twelve.” Rugia snapped his fingers.” Yeah, that’s a good time. I’ll leave a few minutes early to meat you at SCC.”

“SCC?” Rainbow pondered for a moment, “Oh! Sugarcube Corner! Alright we’ll meet tomorrow at twelve. You better not be late.”

“Never a day in my life.” Rugia replied.

Rugia then waved as he strode of in the direction that Twilight wanted to meet at. As Rugia made his way to the forest leading to Canterlot, he came across Spike who was carring a large stack of books that he seemed to be struggling with. Rugia walked over to him to assist him.

“Need a hand getting those to Twilight, Spike?” Rugia offered with his friendly smile.

“Oh man do ever, thanks!” Spike said trying not to drop the heavy stack. Rugia picked up the top half of the books and rested them under his left arm, like carrying a football.

“Is that better?” Rugia asked.

“Definitely.” Spike replied as he resituated the books in his care into a more comordable position. “Twilight’s right, you do know everything. You knew where I was going and I hadn’t even said anything to you.”

Rugia shook his head as they headed for Twilight, “I don’t know everything spike.”

“Of course you do Rugia, you’re the smartest thing in Equestria!” Spike braged.

Rugia looked at the small dragon and replied, “That may be true, but don’t know everything. I just have a distinct ability to figure things out be observing details. For example, Twilight told you about when she met me for the first time right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well I figured out her name by just observing her details. Having an IQ like I do has its benefits, I’ve solved crimes, tracked animals that had came through an area weeks before, and even built technology years ahead of its time.”

“Like the little sentry thing that runs around Ponyville sometimes.”

“Yeah.”

The trip to Twilight was a continued discussion on all the things Rugia has done with his “powerful mind”. Spike took in every word as if he was listening to a conversation on gems. Rugia enjoyed the fact Spike took interest in what he was saying, it was a good way for Rugia to make an impression on him. They talked the whole way to Twilight’s location. Twilight found it hard to get their attention. They were deep in a talk about the consiquences for splitting an atom. When they realized Twilights frusteration was a wits end they handed over the books so the bird watching could comince. So many birds were in the area Twilight was beside herself with all the species that were present. Rugia sat against a tree and pulled out his drawing pad and a pencil. He sat there and drew image after image of the different birds that were flying around the area. Spike watched a couple robins chase each other through the trees. Twilight was looking back and forth between the book she was glancing through and the blue jays sitting on a log watching them. It was good to see Twilight so happy since Apple Jack’s recovery, she would gasp with excitement every time a specimen would come flying by. Rugia couldn’t help but chuckle from time to time.

10:15 rolled around and Rugia finished a drawing he had been working on for the past fifteen minutes, considering the others he drew only took two minutes a piece to finish. Rugia gazed at his masterpiece for a couple moments. He then removed it from the pad and placed it in a picture frame.

“This is the highlight of the moment.” he said handing the image to Twilight, “Place it somewhere nice in your home.”

Twilight watched a cardinal land on Rugia’s drawing pad and Rugia proceeded to draw it while Spike came up and watched quietly. She turned and looked at the image Rugia called their highlight. The image Rugia drew had her sitting next to a stack of books smiling while watching the birds on the log. Twilight smiled at the image and carefully placed it in the safety of her bags. Rugia finished his scetch and the cardinal hopped down onto his hand to have a look for itself. Rugia asked the cardinal if the drawing was good and the cardinal responded with its natural whistle. Rugia took that as a yes and the cardinal took flight into a tree. Rugia checked his PDA for the time and made for Flutterfhy’s cottage. As Rugia walked through town, he waved at Pinkie Pie who saw him from her bedroom window. Rugia continued his strole through town, as he did he came across Rarity who was dashing down the dirt road to get to her house with the materials she was carrying. If Rarity was running like she was, she was definitely behind on her stock. Rugia kept walking till he reached Fluttershy’s property. But when her house came into view, he saw three baby rabits come running his way and Fluttershy following behind them trying to catch them.

“Oh please stop little bunnies!” she cried running completely pass Rugia. Rugia stood and watched her run back up the yard and under the bridge. He shrugged and walked to the house not paying any attention to the pegasus’ pleas for the rabbits to stop running from her. Rugia pulled out a long black tube, he pushed a button on it and it unfolded into a lawn chair and he sat in it. He sat with one leg over the other and watched Fluttershy continue to persue the rabbits. They ran under the bridge again and Fluttershy followed. She followed them all over the place, she even ran pass Rugia again and still didn’t notice him. Rugia wondered if he should interviene, but he was already recording every moment of the pegasus’ expense with his PDA. The rabbits darted under the house and Fluttershy would have smached her head on the wall if she hadn’t stopped in time. She pleaded for rabbits to come out but they stayed where they were. Rugia stopped the recording and continued to watch her try to persuade the animals under her home. After five minutes she gave up and sat in the ground with a sigh.

“What will do now?” she asked herself aloud.

“Maybe ask me for some help.” Rugia suggested.

Fluttershy jumped to her hooves, “Oh goodness! Rugia, when did you get here?”

“I got here at eleven,” he breathed, “just like you wanted me to.”

“You were just sitting there watching me chase those bunnies?” she asked him, “Why didn’t you offer to help before they went under the house?”

“Pff, I wasn’t going to help you scare those little guys anymore than you already were.” he said getting up and walking over to the spot the rabbits run under. He knelt down to the hole and said in a soft voice, “Come on out, you have nothing to fear.” For a few seconds nothing happened, but then the rabbits came out and climbed into Rugia’s arms.

“You guys are cute.” he snuggled them, “Shame on you Fluttershy for scaring these poor, defenseless, baby bunnies.”

“I didn’t mean to scare them.” she whimpered with tears in her eyes. She hung her head and began scrapping the ground sadly with her hoof.

“Take it easy Fluttershy I’m kidding.” he chuckled.

“That wasn’t nice Rugia.” she eyed him from behind her mane.

“Your right Fluttershy,” he said, “I’m sorry for getting you upset. So how did these little guys get spooked anyway?”

“I accidentally knocked a bucket over.” Fluttershy said now looking at the rabbits snuggled in Rugia’s arms.

Rugia chuckled and said, “So that’s it. These little guys are easier to scare than you are Fluttershy.”

Both Fluttershy and Rugia sat there for a moment in silence, then they burst into laughter. When the laughing was over, Rugia walked with Fluttershy to the back of the house to put the rabbits back in their pin. Futtershy wasn’t kidding when she said she needed help with the animals. A few animals had mild injuries and quite a lot of them were sick. Typically Fluttershy would handle it, but in this case the matter was probably a little to much for her to handle on her own. Rugia didn’t ask questions, he got straight to work. Rugia and Fluttershy were able to get the animals all patched up in an hour and a half. If they discussed anything, it was on how the animals were to medicated. Rugia would have stayed longer for tea, but he had fifteen minutes to get to Sugarcube Corner to meet Pikie Pie. So Rugia gave Fluttershy a sketch of there highlight together, he then waved good bye to Fluttershy and Angel and went on his marry way. As Rugia walked back to town he noticed Rainbow Dash flying over head, doing loops as she went. Rugia continued to watch the rainbow pegasus till she disappeared over the horizon, then he reached into his bag over his shoulder and pulled out a book on unicon magic and read it as he continued to walk.

Later Rugia reached Sugarcube Corner, as he walked through the door he had finished reading the intire book and put it back in his bag. He then reached in his poket and pulled out his PDA and started checking the status of his equipment at home. To his satisfaction, all of the equipment was still functioning as it should. He put away his PDA and put his bag behind the counter and waited for Pinkie to show. Several minutes later she came into the room wareing a party hat.

“There you are Pinkie Pie,” Rugia said, “what’s with the hat? Is there a party or something?”

Pinkie giggled at the question, “No, I’m just feeling festive today.”

“Sounds like a good reason to ware a party hat.” Rugia shrugged as he walked to the kitchen with Pinkie Pie.

After an hour had passed, they had produced a wide veriety of deserts thanks to Rugia modifying the oven to cook deserts faster. They produced enough cake and caupcakes to fill a market. It had been a while since Rugia backed anything, but he still had the skills to make a good desert. They were on the verge of doing another batch when Rugia halted the production before it started.

“Wait a moment Pinkie,” Rugia said, “I have an idea.”

“Lets hear it!” she beamed.

“I was thinking of sharing an old Nelson family recipe with you.” he suggested.

“Is Nelson your last name?” Pinkie asked.

Rugia nodded, “My full name is Rugia R. Nelson, so would like to try the recipe?”

“Yes please!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Alright then,” Rugia pulled out the family recipe book marked: Nelson Secret Recipes, “This book contains all of my family’s famous recipes for any kinds of deserts. But I think the one that I will share with you Pinkie is a very special cake that made my family famous. But, you have to promise to not breath a word of this recipe to anyone.”

“Cross my heart, hope to cry, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Pinkie rehursed.

“Alright then, lets begin.” Rugia declaired.

With that, they star-… Oh sorry, Rugia doesn’t want the contents of his recipe to be written in the story so we are just going to skip ahead.

Ding!

The cake was finished, Rugia didn’t waste any time taking the cake out. He sat it on the counter and began cutting slices into it. Rugia had sent Pinkie Pie to get Twilight and the others while the cake had been backeing in the oven. As they were sitting there, Rugia came out of the kitchen with Pinkie on his heels. He began dishing cake as fast as he could.

“Heavans darling why the rush?” Rarity asked.

“To answer your question Rarity,” Rugia dipped under the counter for napkins and then came back up with a stack which he placed on the counter, “this cake is different from the ordinary pastery. After backing a cake like this it has to be eaten right away, otherwise if it cools down to room temperature it looses its flavor and goes bad. I also only have a short time before Apple Jack and I have to get going.”

“How about we jus’ reschedual for three-thirty?” Apple Jack suggested to the rushing human behind the counter.

“Sounds good,” Rugia said quickly as he scooped up Rarity and set her in front of the counter and went back behind it. “Ok Rarity here you go. Take a bit and tell me your opinion.”

Rarity levitated a fork to her and took a piece out of the slice of cake she was given. She took a moment to look the piece over. She placed the piece of cake in her mouth and began chewing it. Suddenly the fork dropped to the plate and Rarity froze for a few seconds. Everyone looked at her in a state of worry.

“Rarity, y’all ok?” Apple Jack asked walking over to her.

“This…” Rarity paused, “Is simply the most delicious cake I have ever tasted!” Rarity resumed eating her piece of cake. The others came to the counter and collected their slices as well. Rugia took a seat and started on his own piece.

“So this is your family’s special recipe?” asked Rainbow Dash after finishing off her slice.

“Yeah,” Rugia wiped his mouth, “My great, great, Grandmother, Rosetta Nelson made this recipe. It didn’t get its name until it became famous for winning every year in the county fair. So she gave it the name, Nelson’s Famous Chocolate Cake. So every year the family cake would be entered in the fair and would win first place; which is how my family ended up with a lot of money. Before I cut the cake up for eating earlier, it was completely circular. With a chocolate inside, and a dark chocolate iceing covering it; from what you saw. The white flowers on the slices circled the outside and center of the cake. Origanally the cake was only made once a year so it would be special. Unfortunatly, after I graduated from high school I had it one last time. It hadn’t been made since, until now.”

“It was very good,” Fluttershy complemented after finishing her slice.

“I hope we get to enjoy it more than once a year.” said Spike with chocolate iceing still on his face.

“How about this,” Rugia stood up, “on everyone’s birthdays, I’ll bake this cake?”

Everyone in the room agreed, that was a good idea to only back the cake for their birthdays. Rugia made a schedule for the line of birthdays coming up on his PDA. After he finished, he and Apple Jack left for Sweet Apple Acres. On their way there, Rugia stopped by the house to get his keyboard to fix AJ’s barn, or rebuild it so to say.

Apon arriving, Rugia unfolded his keyboard and began rebuilding the barn. He had it finished in ten minutes, after looking it over he put his keyboard away and set out to help Apple Jack with the apple harvest. She was still stiff from her recovery in the hospital, so it wasn’t easy for her to knock apples out of the tree like she normally did. Rugia decided it would be a good idea to call his house and have R-17 come out and help with the harvest. Inturn the sentry came running up the dirt road after three minutes and started blasting apples out of the tree into baskets. Apple Jack gave it some thought and requested that R-17 could help her for a few days, Big Macintosh was sick in bed so it was just her out there. Rugia agreed and said it would be fine as long as she kept a good eye on R-17. The sentry had a neck for sometimes getting the urge to use inanimate objects for target practice.

In no time at all six o’clock came around and Rugia left for home with R-17 on his heels. The little robot talked non-stop the whole way home about how excited he was about helping the Apple family for a few days. Rugia just smiled to himself and listened to R-17’s chatter as they neared the house. Rugia came into the house and R-17 darted to the couch and started up again talling Candace about what he will be doing for the next few days. Rugia chuckled and set of into the back bedroom to prepare for another long day ahead of him.

Chapter 6 - A Secret Revealed

Six-forty-five o’clock, Rugia came walking through town at an even pace. This morning he was on his way to the Carousel Boutique to help Rarity restock her dresses. However when the boutique came into view, Rugia stopped and stared in horror at what was before him. Rarity’s home was on fire, and ponies were running franticly to put out the blaze. Rugia ran up to the house and saw a blue fox with a military type outfit on top of the roof laughing maniacally. In his right arm was Rarity, screaming in terror and calling for help. Rugia could only watch as the mysterious fox took flight into the air. For Rugia, it was like watching Superman fly off in the movies. Rarity and the perpetrator vanished into the Everfree forest. Rugia stood in place in a state of shock. Rugia didn’t know what to do, should he stay and help put the fire out? Should he run to Twilight’s house and send a message to Celestia? Twilight might have already done that. Before Rugia could decide, he found himself running in the direction the blue fox took Rarity. He ran out of the town as fast as he could. The trees were blurring past him like he was riding in his car, going down the highway on earth. His heart began to race and he ran faster, faster than any human normally could.

Meanwhile, Rarity found herself face to face with three of these unusual foxes. They all stood upright and had the same body type that Rugia did. They stood off to the side talking amongst themselves. Rarity was tied to a tree like a dog on a leash. No matter how many times she tried to untie the rope with her magic, the rope wouldn’t budge.

“Hey, Daxis.” one of the foxes called, “That pony you kidnapped is trying to use magic on her restraint.”

The very creature that abducted Rarity came walking forward, “Your not going to break that.” the strange creature said grinning devilishly. “That rope is made of a material that cannot be broken by magic. It would take a very strong force to get you free.”

“I demand that you release me you ruffian!” Rarity shouted. The foxes broke out in laughter at Rarity’s demand. They began mocking her in anyway they could.

“I demand that you release me you ruffian!” one of the foxes said in an attempt to sound like Rarity.

“What are you going to do to us,” laughed Daxis, “pamper us to death?”

“Careful Daxis,” said the first fox, “she might use her all powerful magic on us.” The three of them stood for a moment in silence, but burst into laughter again.

“That’s a good one Almondo,” squeaked Daxis trying to catch his breath.

“I find her so threatening considering she can’t even break that rope.” mocked the third fox. As they continued to laugh at Rarity, her patience grew thin. She levitated a rock and sent it flying at Daxis. The rock hit him in the head and all three of them stopped laughing immediately.

“Take that you ruffian!” Rarity shouted. Daxis grinned at Rarity, and before she knew it, Daxis had knocked her to the ground and had his boot pressing down on her head.

“Did you honestly think a rock was going to hurt me?” Daxis pressed harder on Rarity’s head and she let out a small whimper. “I am a Rucan, a being with powers that surpass your pathetic magic. I can fall from a cliff at three hundred feet and still get up and walk away like it was nothing.” Daxis removed his boot from Rarity’s head and stood staring at her. As Rarity tried to stand, Daxis kicked her in the side knocking the wind out of her and she collapsed to the ground. Daxis walked away chuckling evilly, and began talking to the other two again.

Elsewhere, Rugia came tarring through a shrub as he ran to catch up to Rarity and her kidnappers. As he ran, Rainbow Dash came flying up next to him.

“Rugia, what’s going on here?” she asked him, “Who were those guys? And why did they take Rarity?”

“I don’t know,” Rugia panted, “All I know is Rarity is in danger and we have to save her!”

“But shouldn’t we wait for Princess Celestia to arrive?” Rainbow flew a little ahead of him as he continued to run. “Those guys seemed like they were very dangerous.” Rugia didn’t respond, his heart began pounding faster and his steps quickened. Rainbow couldn’t believe what she was seeing, Rugia was running faster than she could. She didn’t have time to ask herself a lot of questions, she had to catch up to Rugia to be some sort of help. Rugia didn’t slow down for anything, the safety of his friend was to important to him. Rainbow followed behind him as they continued their way through the forest.

At this time Daxis was getting bored, “Hey Damien,” he said smacking the fox’s shoulder, “are you as bored as I am?”

“Yeah.” replied Damien.

“I second that.” said Almondo chucking a rock through the trees. The three sat there against the tree wondering what they should do next. Daxis looked at Rarity who was sitting next to the tree she was tied too and was looking around the forest. An evil smile crept across Daxis’ face and he chuckled aloud.

“Hey guys,” he said, “I know what we could do for amusement.” Almondo and Damien followed Daxis as he walked over to Rarity.

“What do you rapscallions want?” she snapped at them.

“Well little pony,” smirked Daxis, “my friends and I are going to have some fun with you.” Daxis began laughing devilishly and Rarity backed up to the tree.

“Wh-what are you going to do to me?” she asked with frightened eyes.

“Yeah boss,” asked Damien, “what are we going to do to her?”

Daxis laughed and pulled a combat knife from his belt and held it up, “We are going to see how much pain she can take before she cries and begs us to stop.”

“Oh, I like that.” Almondo’s tongue made a lap around his mouth, “But how about we just kill her slowly and as painfully as possible?”

Daxis looked at Rarity through the long strands of his blue hair, “That’s an even better idea Almondo.”

“No please,” Rarity begged, “I’ll give you anything you-”

“Begging won’t help you,” Daxis interrupted, “besides, we already destroyed your home. So you have nothing to give. Hold her down boys.” Immediately Almondo and Damien pounced on Rarity, holding her legs to the ground so she couldn’t move. She tried to use her magic on them, but it seemed they were unaffected by it like the rope around her neck.

“Oh I love it when they fight.” snarled Damien, “Don’t you Almondo?”

“Yeah,” replied Almondo with a big grin, “It makes it that more fun.”

“NO!” cried Rarity, “Please don’t!” Daxis laughed as he sliced a five inch cut down Rarity’s side and she screamed in pain. “PLEASE STOP!” she screamed but the Rucan continued to put cuts on her body.

Rugia and Rainbow could hear Rarity screaming in agony as they drew closer. Rugia’s heart jumped at the sound and he was now running even faster. His panting increased as he tore through another bush. When they came to Rarity’s location, The Rucans were laughing at poor Rarity who was crying in pain on the ground. Blood was running down her body and the sight made Rugia’s heart fill with anger.

“Leave her alone.” he commanded and the rucans stopped and looked at him. Rainbow Dash finally caught up and landed next to Rugia.

Daxis smiled, “Well what do you know. There is a human here on this planet boys.”

“And it thinks we’re going to stop because it commands us to.” mocked Almondo. Daxis smiled and turned to Rarity who was weeping in pain. Daxis twirled the knife in his hand and then sank the blade deep into Rarity’s hind leg. Rarity let out a blood curdling scream and the three Rucans roared with laughter.

“STOP IT!” cried Rainbow, “What did Rarity do to you?!”

“She was born.” replied Daxis with his evil smile. The Rucans began to laugh again while Rarity was sobbing on the ground. Rugia’s breathing increased into heavy pants, his anger grew into rage and his arms were shaking violently. His eyes viewed the Rucans one at a time, feeling angrier with each glance. His body felt like it was on fire, he was now gripping his fists even tighter. His heart was pounding so fast it was amazing he was still alive.

“Monsters…” Rugia breathed.

“What?” Daxis raised an eyebrow. Rugia’s body was shaking even more violently than before.

“You MONSTERS!!!” he screamed, “HOW DARE YOU HURT RARITY!!! HOW DARE YOU HURT MY FRIEND!!! Nnnngh! I… I won’t let you… get away… WITH THIS!!! Ghhhh!” Rainbow backed away from Rugia in fear. The sight of how angry he was frightened her. As angry as he was at her the time she went against his warnings about his sentries, this was worse than that time. She didn’t know if she was seeing things, but a bolt of white lightning shot up Rugia’s body and his hair stood on end for a moment and laid back down. The three Rucans watched as another bolt of lightning came up Rugia’s body and the same thing happened again.

“Uh, boss,” Damien eyed Rugia with worry, “are humans supposed to have white lightning come from their bodies when they get angry?”

“No,” replied Daxis, “this guy is not a human. I don’t know what he is but this doesn’t look good at all.” The three stepped away from Rarity and continued to watch Rugia’s anger grow. White aura surrounded Rugia’s body and blazed like a fire. His eyes became a very light cyan blue.

“You… won’t… get… away… WITH THIS!!!” Rugia snarled, his rage becoming a blind fury as his eyes connected with Rarity’s. Watching the tears flow down her face from the pain she was in became to much for him. His hair stood completely up and turned white. A bright light surrounded Rugia, blinding the vision of everyone there. There was a loud thunder crack and the light dissipated. Rainbow’s eyes widened at what she saw.

“Wh-what the…?” she stuttered.

(Start video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crO9JybTt8A)

Rugia stood before them, his normal brown hair had become white and stood on end. It appeared to have grown a bit longer. His ears had become fox ears with white fur. He had also grown a white fox tail as well. He stared at the three Rucans with hate in his eyes. Rainbow didn’t know what to think of the situation. She didn’t want to believe it, but she was right about Rugia hiding something. But now that she knew what it was, it made her fear him.

“Wait a minute,” Daxis said, “I know you. You are that Rugia guy we have heard rumors about. You posses the powers of a Rucan and a Luquian don’t you? Well I have news for you bud, we can transform just like you can.” With that, the three of them transformed the same way. Almondo’s body had become a bright orange, Damien was a lighter shade of blue, and Daxis had become a bright red.

Damien smirked and said, “Don’t think because you look tough, means that you can beat all three of us by yourself.”

“Yeah,” remarked Almondo, “once we’re finished with you, we’ll finish having our fun with that worthless trash on the ground.” Rugia’s eyes thinned and in the blink of an eye, he had slammed his fist into Almondo’s face and sent him flying through several trees. Rugia had moved from the spot he was standing so quickly that no one could tell what had happened. Rainbow stood open mouthed at what she saw. She had never seen anything move that fast before. She watched as Rugia turned his attention to Daxis and Damien, kicking Daxis in the chest and sending him back into Damien. They both slid into a three knocking it over. Rugia turned slowly and eyed the combat knife still stuck in Rarity’s leg. Just looking at fueled his anger and he pulled it out of her. Rarity gasped as the knife left her leg. As Daxis and Damien stood up, Rugia turned and threw the knife into Daxis’ right leg and the rucan yelped and fell to the ground. Damien charged at Rugia and made an attempt to slug him in the face. However, Rugia wrapped his left arm around Damien’s outstretched arm. With one jerk, Damien’s arm snapped and he howled in pain. Rugia began pounding Damien into the face as hard as he could, until the Rucan could no longer stand. Rugia grabbed the back of his outfit and threw him into a boulder, breaking it in two and rendering Damien unconscious. Rugia walked over to Daxis who was trying to crawl away. Rugia kicked him in the side to knock him over on his back. Daxis lay on the ground looking into Rugia’s eyes, and saw the hatred in him. Daxis began to realize just how strong Rugia was, and for the first time in his life he was terrified of someone.

“Alright,” Daxis cried, “I give up, you win. Please… just let me go.” Rugia didn’t seem to hear him. It was like he was in a trance, being controlled by his own rage. Rugia planted his boot firmly on Daxis’ chest and began pressing down on it. Daxis began to scream as his ribs began breaking one by one.

(Stop music)

“RUGIA STOP!” screamed Rainbow Dash. Rugia halted his assault and looked at Rainbow. He could see the fear in her eyes. Tears ran down her face as she said, “Please… stop the fighting. (sniff) Please Rugia… Your not like this… You re not like them. You’re kind a-and gentle. (sniff) I can’t… I can’t bare to watch my friend kill someone… Please stop Rugia… Please…”

At that moment, Rugia snapped back to reasoning and backed away from his wounded enemy. He looked around at his surroundings and could see all of the damage he had done. He saw Almondo come limping back to the battle field, his face covered in blood. Rugia looked at Damien who lay in a heap on the ground next to a smashed boulder and then back at Daxis. He could see how much Daxis feared him. He looked at his hands and could see the blood on them, and began to realize what he had done. There was a flash of light and Rugia had returned to his normal form. No more white hair, fox ears, or tail. He was regular Rugia again. Almondo dragged Damien over to Daxis.

“I’ll have the ship beam us up.” he breathed. As he did, Daxis sat up the best he could and gave Rugia his warning.

“You might have defeated us without a struggle,” he winced, “We’ll be back, and next time we’ll bring the Shadow Armada with us.” As he said these words, all three Rucans vanished. Rugia slowly turned and walked over to Rarity, and gently picked her up after removing the rope and turned to Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow I need you to go see if there is anything you can do to help in town.” he said calmly, “I’m going to take Rarity to the hospital.” Rugia then teleported to the hospital without hesitation. Rainbow stood where she was and took another look at the scenery around her. It was hard to believe that Rugia was a monster on the inside. He had never told her about his powers. Rainbow took flight and slowly made her way to Ponyville. As she did, images of Rugia’s assault on the Rucans continued to go through her mind.

Later, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Spike, and Rainbow Dash came to the hospital to see Rarity. Rainbow was silent the whole way there, they couldn’t get her to say a thing. Seeing Rugia like he was, put a lot on her. The receptionist directed them to the room Rarity was in, which was on the third floor. Apparently her injuries were not to savvier, which made the group feel more confident. As they drew closer to Rarity’s room, they heard her scream and they rushed to see what was happening.

“NEIN!” they heard Victor shout, “GET OUT! ZAT EZ NOT HOW YOU KEEP A PATIENT FROM SQUERMING!” Victor chased two nurses out of the room and shouted after them, “Dummkopfs!” He saw Twilight and the others standing looking at him with concern and he straightened up. “Ahem, my apologies. If you will follow me I vill take you to your friend.” They came into the room and saw Rugia sitting over in the corner in a chair with his head in his hands. To the right they saw Rarity who was still bleeding and was laying on a bed still weeping. They came over to the bed at a slow pace and stopped at the side of the bed.

“Victor,” asked Twilight, “why has Rarity not been bandaged yet?”

Victor picked up an antiseptic bottle and shook his head, “I cannot put ze bandages on her until I clean her vounds.” Victor unscrewed the cap on the bottle, “However, she vill not stay still. She has already spilt two bottles of antiseptic, and I cannot get her to understand zat she needs lay still.”

“Only because that dreadful liquid burns so badly!” shouted Rarity, “Can’t you simply put the bandages on and start healing me?”

“I could do zat but I vould be taking a chance on you getting infected.” Victor replied, “Now please, hold still.”

“I don’t want that horrible liquid on me!” Rarity exclaimed, tears flowing down her face, “These cuts hurt bad enough as it is!”

“But Rarity,” detested Spike, “if you don’t let victor clean your wounds they could get infected.” Rarity continued to refuse the antiseptics and non of her friends could reason with her. Victor was at wits end and was on the verge using restraints to keep her from moving. But Fluttershy stopped him and asked him to let her try to Reason with Rarity.

“Um… Rarity,” Fluttershy said, “I know that the antiseptics hurt, but um… you don’t want get sick from a possible infection do you?”

“Of course not,” Rarity replied, “but it just hurts too much.”

“Well,” said Fluttershy, “if you just let Victor clean your wounds, I’m sure it won’t take to long. It won’t will it Victor?”

“Not at all,” Victor replied, “if you vill kindly hold still, I promise zat I vill be finished in two minutes at ze most.”

“Well…” Rarity hesitated, “Lets get it over with.”

Victor picked the antiseptic up and said, “Vhy don’t you tell me about your hobbies Ms. Rarity?”

“Well my greatest hobby is-AAAAAGH!” Rarity had started but was interrupted by a searing pain as Victor poured the antiseptic on her leg wound. Victor finished her leg and began doctoring the other wounds. When he finished, he quickly wrapped bandages around her body.

“Zere,” Victor said finishing the last touches on the bandages, “zat looks good. Now let’s get zis on you and we can begin ze healing process.” Victor took out the small device he used to heal Apple Jack, and attached it to Rarity. The spider legs on the device worried her but she soon relaxed.

“Well,” Rarity breathed, “I guess that didn’t take to long.”

“It vould have been done sooner if you had stayed still to begin with.” Victor said putting the antiseptic away, “Verrückt das pony.”

“How bad is my home?” Rarity asked glumly.

“Sadly,” replied Twilight in a sorrowful tone, “by the time the fire was extinguished nothing could be salvaged.”

“Is Opalescence alright?” Rarity asked, “Please tell me Opalescence is alive.” Her friends looked at each other and then back at her.

“Sorry sugarcube,” Apple Jack said sadly, “we couldn’t find Opalescence anywhere.”

“We really tried Rarity,” Pinkie hung her head.

“All we found was her collar.” Twilight said levitating the remains of Opalescence’s collar onto the bed.

“Opal…” Rarity whimpered, “Opalescence is dead?” Her friends hung their heads and remained silent. Rarity couldn’t believe it. She lost her home, her belongings, but worst of all she lost her cat. Something she treasured very dearly and loved, was gone. Rarity covered her eyes with her hooves and cried. Rugia still remained over in the corner, his head in his hands. He felt guilty for not staying in town; he could have saved Opalescence, but could have lost Rarity to the hands of the Rucans he fought. However, the thing he regretted the most was Rainbow and Rarity seeing his powers, and the monster he was on the inside. He couldn’t look at any of his friends in the eye, his guilt made him feel responsible for what happened.

“I’m sorry Rarity…” Rugia said slowly, “I’m so… so sorry. I should have stayed… Maybe I could have saved Opalescence.”

“B-but you n-never w-would have saved m-me.” Rarity chocked, still sobbing.

“Rugia saved you?” Twilight’s head perked up.

“Yes,” Rarity replied, “he fought those horrible creatures and ran them off.”

“Wait,” Apple Jack looked at Rugia, “how did Rugia defeat them vermints? They threw wagons like they were mere stones.”

“Its because he’s one of them!” Rainbow shouted, “Rugia has the same powers they do.”

“Rugia,” asked Twilight, “what is she talking about?” Victor stood looking at Rugia with a questionable look, realizing he never told them about what he really was. Rugia finally sat up in the chair, but still didn’t look at them.

“I should have told you before now.” Rugia said, “I am not a normal human. My DNA is composed of human, Rucan, Luquian, and fox DNA. The three creatures you saw were called Rucans, and I have the same powers they do. I can fly, I can pick heavy objects up and throw them like they were nothing, I even have the ability to transform like they can.”

“Transform?” asked Twilight. Rugia in an instant transformed into the same form he was in when he defeated the three Rucans that attacked Rarity. Everyone except Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Victor, jumped in shock. Rugia remained in the transformation for a few seconds and then returned to normal form.

“That form is referred to as “Super Ruca”.” Rugia continued, “The Rucans originally called it “The Form Of Awakening”, but later changed the name. Its one of three transformations.”

“How many forms do you have?” asked Fluttershy.

“All three,” Rugia replied, “Awakening, Ascension, and Panicle.”

“How many other Rucans have all three forms?” asked Twilight.

“I don’t know,” Rugia sighed looking at the floor, “There are not a vast number of Rucans with the third form out there. Most of the race has Super Ruca 1 and Super Ruca 2. The third form is a very hard form to achieve.”

“What’s the point of having these forms?” asked Twilight.

“The forms do more than make a Rucan look different,” Rugia replied, “the forms make a Rucan stronger. Rucans are fierce warriors, so the transformations come in handy for tough enemies.”

“Are all Rucans as cruel as the three that attacked me?” asked Rarity, tears still flowing down her face.

“Not all of them.” Rugia finally turned to look at his friends, “Most of the race are kind and caring, but others are cruel and merciless. The three Rucans all of you saw today were part of a group called the Shadow Armada, the cruelest group of evil Rucans out there. They are led by a Rucan by the name of Resnoff. According to the Rucan named Daxis, they will return but with the entire Shadow Armada.”

“We have to do something y’all!” exclaimed Apple Jack, “We have to prepare to fight them lousy vermints!”

“You can’t fight them Apple Jack.” Rugia said with an aggressive tone, “Even if all of Equestria fought them at once, it would be like a grunt fighting an entire army. They will destroy everything.”

“We have to at least try.” she argued.

“You don’t understand Apple Jack,” Rugia stood up, “the Shadow Armada has three hundred soldiers, four hundred at the most.”

“But there are thousands of ponies in Equestria,” Twilight said, “we would out number them.”

“It wouldn’t matter.” Rugia replied with a dreadful expression, “Just one of those Shadow Armada camanders could wipe Ponyville and the Everfree Forest off the face of the planet in a single heart beat. No one has any chance of defeating them.”

“Except you Rugia.” Twilight stepped forward, “You could use your gift to defeat the Shadow Armada’s general. The armada would have to-”

“My powers are not a gift Twilight,” Rugia interrupted, “they are a curse. I can’t control my powers like I used to.”

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight worry-eyed.

“Because my DNA contains two species that were never supposed to reproduce together,” Rugia replied, “my powers are unstable. Rucan powers are influenced by emotion. When a Rucan gets angry, their streingth increases. The angrier they get, the stronger they become. All Rucans can transform at will, I can too. However, when I get angry my body will force itself into the first form. But worst of all, when I become angry… people die. I loose control and act completely on instinct.” Rugia hung his head, “My powers are the real reason I left Earth. I had attacked my own daughter by mistake. She’s still alive, but I couldn’t face any of my children after that. So now you know the real reason I’m here.”

“Isn’t there anyway to control your anger?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I’ve tried everything,” Rugia said turning to the window and opening it, “there is no way to control my anger.” When Rugia finished his sentence, he climbed out the window and dropped down to the ground. Rainbow ran to the window and looked out to see Rugia walking to town with his hands in his pockets. Rainbow turned to her friends who looked scared.

“What are we going to do?” squeaked Fluttershy.

“How are we going to have any chance of winning against those Rucans if Rugia won’t help us fight them?” asked Pinkie Pie panicing.

“I don’t know.” Twilight sighed looking at the floor.

Chapter 7 - My Family

Victor checked Rarity out of the hospital at three o’clock that afternoon. Rarity thanked Victor for taking good care of her, and vacated the hospital with her friends to see what was left of her once beautiful home. All though she was happy to be out of the hospital, Rarity was in a lot of emotional pain over the loss of Opalescence. Her friends didn’t like to her so depressed, granted they were upset about Opal’s passing as well. Another thing that had them down was that for one thing; Rugia had kept his powers hidden from them and lied to them about his reason for leaving his home. The other was the fact that they were going to end up fighting in a war they can’t win without Rugia’s help, but Rugia refuses to fight in that war because he’s afraid of loosing control. The six, plus Spike made their way through Ponyville until they reached the location of where the Carousel Boutique once stood. Rugia was moving large chunks of the Carousel Boutique out of the way in hopes of finding something that survived. Unfortunately, each piece of the house moved was just a fruitless attempt. Rugia saw them but paid no heed to them. A time or two Rugia would kick a brick or some kind of object out of the way as he walked around the rubble. Rugia dug his way into the remains of the kitchen and disappeared. Rarity looked at what was left of her home. She looked at what remained of a dress she had started that morning before she was attacked by Daxis and his cohorts. Rarity began to weep again and she wrapped her forelegs around her nearest friend, which happened to be Spike. Spike could feel Rarity’s tears on his shoulder as she cried. It tore him apart to see the pony he was in love with so broken hearted. Rarity’s weeping made him tear-up as well.

“Hey Rarity,” they heard Rugia call as he came out of the destroyed kitchen, “look what I found!”

“What is it Rugia?” Rarity said letting go of Spike and turning to see what Rugia had found. Rugia came walking up holding something in his arms.

“You’re going to love this Rarity.” Rugia said. A meow came from the object, and Rugia revealed it to be Opalescence.

“Opal!” Rarity cried as Rugia placed the cat on the ground. Rarity galloped over to her beloved Opalescence and embraced her, “Oh Opalescence, thank goodness you are alive.” Rarity hadn’t lost everything after all, she still had her cat. “Where ever did you find her Rugia?”

“Believe it or not,” he replied, “one of the cabinets survived and that’s where I found her.”

“I don’t how you survived,” Rarity said to her cat, “but I’m glad that you are safe Opal. But what are we going to do about my house?”

Rugia looked at the rubble and said, “I would rebuild it with my keyboard, but according to my PDA the keyboard has a short in it. So its going to be a while before your house is rebuilt and completed.”

“Hmm, well I suppose I should stay with someone until my house is fixed.” Rarity said petting Opalescence.

“Why don’t you stay with my wife and I?” Rugia offered, “Its least I could do since I can’t fix your house.”

“Oh darling,” Rarity replied, “that’s very thoughtful of you but I couldn’t possibly put a burden on you.”

“Please,” Rugia smiled, “I insist, besides Candace would love to have you around the house. She talks a lot about how she enjoys visiting you. It would be like a slumber party for her.”

“Very well,” Rarity said, “I accept your offer.”

“Hey guys!” exclaimed Pinkie, “Lets have a slumber party at Rugia’s house!”

“We should see if its ok with Rugia first.” Fluttershy said turning to Rugia, “Um… you don’t mind do you?”

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Rugia replied, “We could use a slumber party after the day we have been through.”

Five o’clock rolled around and everyone had settled in. Although Candace felt bad for her, she was very happy to welcome her greatest fashion friend into her home. Having Rarity around for a while meant Candace was going to get a lot of tips on keeping her hair nice and beautiful. Candace and Rarity didn’t waste anytime, the instant everyone settled into the living room they started talking up a storm on clothing their hair styles. For everyone else, it was hard to get a conversation going. Rugia going ape and nearly killing someone was still on Rainbow’s mind. Also Rugia lying about his reason for leaving Earth had them wondering what else he was hiding. And if things weren’t bad enough, a war was going to be waged between Equestria and the Rucan Shadow Armada, which at this point seemed like it was completely useless to try and fight back.

“Rugia,” Twilight asked slowly, “why did you keep your powers a secret from us?”

“I didn’t want any of you to fear me for what I am.” Rugia replied, regret in his eyes. Before anyone could ask another question, there was a knock at Rugia’s door. Rugia excused himself from the room to see who it was. Upon opening the door, Rugia was greeted by Princess Celestia.

“Rugia we need to talk.” she said bluntly.

“Of course,” Rugia said stepping out of the way so she could come in. Rugia came into the living room with Celestia behind him. Rugia took a seat on the couch where he was before and offered Celestia a seat on the love-seat next to the window.

“So what do you want to know?” Rugia asked calmly.

“Who and what were those creatures that attacked Ponyville.” Celestia asked.

Rugia rested his right leg over his left and replied, “They were Rucans, very evil Rucans who are part of an army called the Shadow Armada. These Rucans will attack and conquer planets and turn their residents into slaves. They are led by a Rucan by the name of Resnoff Arteze.”

“You seem to know a lot about the Shadow Armada,” Celestia eyed Rugia with suspicion, “you weren’t part of them at one point were you?”

“No,” replied Rugia, “I was never apart of them.”

“How can we be so sure?” Celestia raised an eye brow, “You lied about your reason for leaving your home. Can we be sure your telling us the truth? For all we know you could be lying to us now.” As soon as she said these words, Rugia gripped the chair and shot a very aggressive look at Celestia.

“I would never intentionally harm an innocent creature.” he said as calmly as he could. Rugia was sensitive about being accused of doing harm to an innocent. “The day my powers developed I made a vow to use my powers to protect the defenseless.”

“Twilight’s letter said you have trouble controlling your powers when you get angry.” Celestia’s eyes thinned, “You claim that your powers are unstable,” she watched Rugia closely, “but according to what Rainbow Dash saw, you looked like you were in complete control of your actions.” Candace saw Rugia’s expression, he was growing frustrated by Celestia’s words. When Celestia said her next sentence, the inevitable happened.

“I think your just making excuses for your actions.” She said.

Rugia’s pupils shrank and he screamed at Celestia, “WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY POWERS!!!” Everyone jumped when Rugia responded to Celestia’s comment. “YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY POWERS!!!” Rugia’s irises changed to the same light blue they become in his transformed state. “HOW COULD YOU KNOW? YOU ARE NOT ME! YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE EVERY DAY IN FEAR, AFRAID THAT YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT!!!” white aura flashed around Rugia’s body and vanished. “DON’T YOU DARE TELL ME THAT I’M MAKING EXCUSES!!! I KNOW MORE ABOUT MYSELF THAN YOU EVER COULD!!!” Rugia was standing now, breathing heavier and shaking the same way he was that morning when he fought the Rucans.

“Rugia please,” Celestia asked calmly, “calm down. I was just testing you to see if there was a truth to what you said to Twilight.”

Rugia’s anger exploded and he changed into his Super Ruca form. In a movement that was to quick to see, Rugia was on top of Celestia, pressing her head down against the couch. Celestia tried to use a levitation spell to get Rugia off of her, but it had no effect on him. Twilight realized that Celestia didn’t know magic had no effect on Rugia. The six knew that if they didn’t stop Rugia somehow, he would kill Celestia. Rugia tightened his grip on Celestia’s head and she yelped in pain. Celestia tried to squirm so Rugia’s grip would loosen, but Rugia only tightened his grip more.

“Rugia stop it!” shouted Twilight, “You’re going to kill her!” Sadly, Rugia didn’t respond. It was like Rugia didn’t even hear her. The six tried to get him to stop, but could get no reaction from him. Two guards came in the house to see what was happening. Seeing Rugia attacking Princess Celestia led them attack him, but Candace stopped them and warned them that attacking him would only result in him turning on them. She calmly walked over to Rugia, who was on the verge of crushing Celestia’s skull, and she slowly hugged Rugia from behind.

She rested her head on Rugia’s left shoulder and softly spoke, “Don’t do it Rugia,” she hugged him tighter, “Celestia is your friend.” Immediately Rugia gasped and released Celestia. Rugia was gasping for air as Candace guided him to the floor where she held him close to her. Celestia sat up slowly with one hoof on her head, it felt as if her heart was in the side of her head. Each pulse brought a searing pain to her.

“Are you alright Princess?” twilight asked franticly.

“I’ll be alright,” she said roughly as she closed her eyes tightly from the pain. Candace was softly shushing and Rugia’s gasping slowed to soft breathing.

“What jus’ happened?” Apple Jack asked scratching her head.

“It’s always been like this.” Candace replied quietly, “When Rugia would loose control, he would always come to his senses around me. Just the sound of my voice calms him down.”

“I understand what your saying darling.” Rarity said, “your saying that as his wife you provide comfort for him. So when he’s unhappy, you are like his safety blanket.”

“That’s exactly what I am to him.” Candace said rubbing Rugia’s back. His body slowly returned to normal and he opened his eyes and looked around at everyone. He saw the fright in their eyes and looked up at Candace.

“What happened Candace?” Rugia asked sitting up and placing his hand on his head.

“What do you mean, what happened?” Twilight shouted angrily.

“I… I can’t remember,” Rugia was still holding his head, “what was I doing?”

“What where you doing!?” Twilight jumped to her hooves and trotted over to Rugia.

“Twilight, take it easy on him.” Candace said putting her hand on Rugia, “After Rugia looses control he doesn't remember what he did. He can only remember what happened before he became enraged.” Rugia was staring at his right hand, as if waiting for something to happen. He flexed it a time or two before looking at Celestia. Celestia still had her hoof against the left side of her head where Rugia had previously made an attempt to crush her skull. Rugia turned away from her and slowly began to realize what had happened.

“I’m so sorry Celestia,” he said hanging his head an stared at the floor, “this is the second time I have accidentally attacked someone I cared about. It keeps getting worse every time I lose control.”

“Who was the first to be attacked by you?” Celestia asked.

“My own daughter,” he replied, “Jewly was the first.”

“What happened?” Twilight asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Rugia sat up in the cross-leg position.

“But if you tell us about it you-”

“I said I don’t want to talk about it!” Rugia hissed at Twilight. A bolt of white lightning shot up his body and he gripped his head in pain.

“Try to stay calm sweet-heart.” Candace embraced Rugia in a gentle hug. Rugia’s friends could see just how hard it was for Rugia to take control of his anger, he sat there holding his head while his wife comforted him. The two guards that had come in went back outside to wait by the carriage. Rugia’s pain subsided and he wrapped his arm around Candace to return the hug. Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe that Rugia had attacked Celestia, she wanted it to be a dream, but knew what she was seeing was real. Rainbow walked over to Rugia and looked him in the eyes and saw his depression. Rainbow wrapped her for-legs around him.

“Thank you Rainbow Dash.” Rugia said wrapping his arms around her, “Are you afraid of me?”

“I’m not afraid of you Rugia,” she said, “its your powers I’m afraid of.”

After twenty minutes, Rugia was finally ready to sit down and discuss the matters at hand. While Rugia had been calming down, Candace brought an icepack for Celestia to rest on her head. Everyone in the room had settled down and prepared to continue their discussion on what to do about the coming war at hand.

“About these Rucans,” Celestia began, “what should we do about them?”

“I’m not sure.” came Rugia’s reply.

“What?!” shouted Twilight, “What do you mean your not sure?!”

“Well excuse me for not being perfect,” Rugia said looking with a bored expression, “I don’t have all of the answers.”

“There has to be something you know about the Rucans that could help us.” Celestia encouraged him.

“Well,” Rugia tapped his chin, “I know that the Rucans have a rule that if their general is challenged and defeated, they will admit defeat.”

“Well then,” Celestia asked, “can’t you just challenge there general and-”

“No.” Rugia stopped her, “I refuse to use my powers at all.”

Celestia looked at Rugia, shocked that he said he won’t fight, “But if you don’t, we will lose the kingdom.”

“I wish I could help but my powers are too unstable.” Rugia shook his head, “I would take a chance on loosing control like I did earlier. Each time I loose control it gets worse.”

“There must be something you can do to control your anger, Rugia.” Celestia said. Rugia just looked at the floor, eyes closed and shook his head. At this point it was clear that they were not going to convince him at all to fight to protect Equestria, but if Rugia would not fight, how could they save themselves?

“If it’s alright with all of you,” Rugia requested, “I would rather just get off the subject and just have dinner. Your welcome to stay if you like, Celestia.” Rugia eased out of the chair and made his way into the kitchen. Celestia could see that Rugia did not like one bit of the situation at hand. Involuntarily attacking her probably wasn’t easy on him either. To not make him feel worse, Celestia decided to stay for dinner. For the dinner menu, Rugia and his wife had prepared fruit salads for everyone in the home. Rugia and Candace delivered the salads one by one to each of their guests and took a seat themselves. Rugia asked the blessing and they commenced eating the food prepared for them. For a few minutes no one said anything, but soon the silence was broken.

“Rugia darling,” asked Rarity, “would you mind telling us a little about your family?”

“Of course.” came Rugia’s reply as he picked up a photo album from the coffee table.

“I’ll go take my shower while you do.” Candace said leaving the room and putting her empty bowl in the kitchen and heading to the back room.

“Ok why don’t w-” Rugia was interrupted by the sound of Candace screaming in the bathroom and Rugia shot up from the couch and ran off to the bathroom to see what was wrong. He came to the bathroom as Candace came running out. “Sweet-heart what’s wrong, what is it?”

“There is something drinking out of the toilet!” she squeaked. Rugia looked inside the bathroom and saw a very large bird with dark red feathers drinking out of the white porcelain bowl. The bird lifted its head out of the toilet and revealed it had feathers that stuck up in a straight line in the center of its head and went in a long curve down the back of its head. Its tail feathers were longer than any normal bird’s as well. It was larger than a bald eagle, but had the beak of one. It saw Rugia and let out an unusual squawk. Rugia recognized the bird rigth away.

“Arckamedes!” shouted Rugia. The bird leaped to the counter and tilted its head, “Where have you been you silly bird?! You disappeared the instant we got out of the plane and weren’t heard from again. And now here you are drinking out of the toilet and frightening Candace, again!”

“I’m-a-sorry” Arckamedes said.

“You better be you naughty bird.” Rugia replied. Arckamedes flapped his wings and jumped onto Rugia’s shoulder. He then laid his head on top of Rugia’s and made a cat’s purring sound. Rugia pat the large bird on the back and said, “You are a strange animal Arckamedes. But you’re my strange bird.” Rugia left Candace to shower and walked back to the living room with Arckamedes on his shoulder. Fluttershy saw Arckamedes and was filled with excitement.

“What a pretty bird.” she said and the others looked in Rugia’s direction.

“This is Arckamedes,” Rugia said stroking the birds back, “he is my pet and a pest at the same time.” Arckamedes lifted his head off of Rugia and looked him in the eyes, “Yeah, you know you are a pest.” Arckamedes blew a raspberry and turned his head so he wasn’t looking at Rugia.

“What kind of bird is he?” asked Fluttershy, “I’ve never seen a bird like him before.”

“He’s a Ruzoark.” Rugia replied.

“A Ruzoark?” repeated Rainbow Dash.

“This bird is from the Rucan home world,” Rugia said picking the album up again, “This particular bird species are very intelligent. Arckamedes can repeat words said, mimic any animal noise, and do a lot of other things too. Go say hi Arckamedes.” The large bird hopped off of Rugia’s shoulder and landed on the floor in front of Rainbow and said hello in Rugia’s voice. While his friends were distracted by his pet, Rugia looked at the album’s cover and thought about how much he missed his family. He looked at the ponies in his living room, they reminded him a lot of his children. They may not be related, but his new friends were now part of his family. Rugia set the album down and sat on the couch and watched Arckamedes mock Rarity in her voice. Every one of them was laughing at Rarity’s expense, but soon she was laughing too. For a moment, everyone had forgotten about the Rucans.

Chapter 8 - They're Here

The following morning everyone was laughing about the fact that Celestia had fallen asleep on the couch and forgot the guards were waiting outside to take her back to the castle. To be honest everyone forgot they were out there. Celestia realized this when she came outside and found them asleep in the carriage. Rugia and friends waved goodbye as she left and began bidding there fair wells.

“Rugia,” asked Twilight, “how long do you think it will be till the Rucans arrive?”

“I don’t know Twilight,” Rugia replied, “Its hard to say. When they come, they come. When that time comes, I will face Resnoff in battle.”

“You will?” everyone responded simultaneously. Rugia gave them a reassuring smile and it gave the group more comfort. At least now, they had someone to fight for them.

________________________________________________________________________

A full year had past since that day, and there was no sign of the Shadow Armada. Every pony in Ponyville seemed to have forgotten about them. Life went as it normally did, and Rugia had been able to take better control of his powers thanks to Fluttershy. She came up with the idea for him to spend a little time in his first transformation each day to see if it would help. Turns out she was right. Rugia had been doing this exercise for a full year and it had made him feel much better. For a full year, he hadn’t lost control. Rugia’s relationship with Twilight and the others had grown much stronger than the year before. He and Rainbow Dash had become the best of friends, and were always finding good times to hang out. Life was going very well, but then the unexpected happened. Rainbow and Fluttershy had arrived at Rugia’s house for a visit, and saw Candace come storming out of the house with a suit case and headed for Ponyville. Rainbow and Fluttershy ran into Rugia’s home to find him in the recliner chair with his head in his hands.

“Rugia,” Rainbow ran to him, “what’s going on?”

“My wife and I had our first fight.” he replied.

“How bad was it?” asked Fluttershy.

“Nothing short of some screaming and the exchange of very hurtful words.” Rugia said.

“How long have you two been together?” asked Rainbow.

“One hundred sixty-one years.” Rugia sat up in the chair revealing his depression.

“How…” Rainbow stopped short.

“Candace and I are half immortal,” Rugia explained, “We can’t age, but we can still be killed. As mush as I would love to talk you two, I would rather just be alone right now.” Reluctantly, the two left Rugia to his thoughts and headed for town to spread the news to the other four. The mane six had no idea what to do, Candace had vanished, and Rugia had SCS-1 guarding the front of the house. It wasn’t going to be easy to get a word with any of them.

Several days went by, Rugia still hadn’t left his house and Candace hadn’t been heard from either.

“We have to do something girls,” Pinkie said, “Rugia and Candace’s marriage could be at stake.”

“We can’t do anything about it,” Twilight said, “we don’t even know what the fight was about. And besides, its not our business.”

“Darling,” detested Rarity, “we have to do something. Rugia is our friend, we can’t just sit by and do nothing. Rugia has been there for us when we were in need. He took me in when my house was destroyed and cared for me until it was rebuilt. When Fluttershy broke her leg from that fall she had last year, Rugia stayed at her house until she was able fend for herself again.”

“It’s true,” said Fluttershy, “he did take care of me for several months. He also took care of the animals for me.”

“He also took care of Spike and me when we both got sick at the same time.” Twilight said, “But what can we do?”

“We could try to just throw Rugia a party,” Pinkie suggested, “You know, just to show our appreciation to him for being a good friend.”

“That’s a good idea Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash said, “I’ll get Rugia while you guys get the party together.”

“Be careful Rainbow,” Apple Jack said, “SCS-1 has been guarding the outside of the house. He may not let you inside.”

“Oh yeah,” Rainbow stopped in her tracks, “I forgot about him. I think he’s still aggressive towards me. I’m still going to try anyway, for Rugia.” Rainbow Dash shot into the air like a rocket and headed for Rugia’s house. The others looked at one another with worry. The last time they heard about SCS-1, Apple Jack was nearly killed by him. Would SCS-1 kill Rainbow, or would he listen to her?

________________________________________________________________________

Rainbow Dash landed a few yards away from Rugia’s house and looked around to see if SCS-1 was around. The sentry was no where to be seen, but Rainbow didn’t want to take a chance on being caught by surprise by him.

“Come out SCS-1,” Rainbow shouted bravely, “I know you are there!”

A few seconds past, nothing happened and Rainbow began to think SCS-1 wasn’t around. But then…

“What do you want pony.” SCS-1 demanded as he uncloaked in front of her. Rainbow choked at the sight of him. The last time she saw this robot was when he had her pinned to the bed and threatening her life.

“I-I… I…”

“Speak now.” SCS-1 commanded in frustration.

Rainbow stood up straight and spoke firmly, “I’m here to see Rugia. We are throwing him a party to appreciate the friendship he has given us.”

“NO!” came SCS-1’s angry reply.

“But why?” Rainbow asked.

“Why?” SCS-1 repeated, “One; my creator wants no visitors. Two; I hate you.”

“Why are you so protective of him?” Rainbow asked. As soon as she asked this, SCS-2 through 5 uncloaked and surrounded Rainbow. “Sorry I asked…”

“You would be protective of him too if he gave you all five senses and emotions.” SCS-1 replied.

“You mean…?” Rainbow’s eye’s widened.

“That’s right,” SCS-1 said, “we are alive as much as you are.”

“So you can experience smell, touch, and taste along side sight and hearing?” Rainbow stood awestruck at what she heard. Sentries that had not just the ability to think and feel emotions, but all five senses to boot.

“What does she want One?” asked SCS-3.

“She wants to see Rugia about some party they have prepared for him.” replied SCS-1.

“Let me ask you something cyan pony.” SCS-4 stepped toward Rainbow Dash, “Will this party cheer our creator up? Will he come back a happier man than he is now?”

“That’s what we’re hoping.” Rainbow said nervously. The sentries began looking at each other as if expecting one of them say a response to Rainbow’s answer. They started making gestures at one another, and Rainbow realized that the sentries were communicating telepathically to one another.

“Very well,” SCS-1 finally said, “we will permit you to see our creator. We’re getting tired of him moping around the house anyway.”

“Thank you,” Rainbow Dash said walking to the door, “we’ll do our best to cheer him up.”

“On the contrary,” said SCS-5, “we are the ones who should be thanking you.”

“Rainbow Dash,” came the voice of SCS-1, “I apologize for trying to kill your friend. I was scared, and thought you and her were trying to steal from the lab.” Rainbow Dash always thought that SCS-1 attacked out of aggression. But he actually was afraid of Apple Jack and herself. Rainbow watched SCS-1 and his brothers cloak one by one and disappear. She turned to the door and opened it. When she came into the living room, Rugia was sitting in the same recliner chair he was in the last time she saw him.

“Rugia?” asked Rainbow Dash in a soft voice.

“Hm?” Rugia slowly looked up at her, “What is it Rainbow Dash?”

“We’re throwing a party,” Rainbow said walking to her depressed friend, “to celebrate our friendship with you. The party would be nothing without you there.” She gave a big smile, hoping to get a positive reaction from Rugia. But Rugia just stood up and headed for the front door.

“Well,” he said slowly, “we don’t want to be late, so lets get going.”

Rainbow Dash followed Rugia out the door. After Rugia locked his house, Rainbow led Rugia to Sugarcube Corner where the party was being held at. Rainbow tried to start a conversation with Rugia, but he didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her. Rugia’s thoughts on his fight with his wife were still weighing him down. He had said a lot of things out of anger he didn’t mean, and now he was regretting it.

________________________________________________________________________

A lot of ponies had come to this arrangement, the group was so large that they had to move the event down into Pinkie’s basement where there was more room. Rainbow Dash and Rugia came down into the basement shortly after everyone else had arrived. Rugia didn’t say a word and just sat with his back in a corner on the far side of the room. Every pony in the room could see Rugia’s depression and wanted to do something for him. But what could they do? Pinkie Pie tried to sing him some kind of happy tune to at least get a smile out of him, but he didn’t even stir. Fluttershy tried to offer him some cake but no answer came from him. Every one of the mane six tried to cheer him up enough to get him to at least say something to them. But to their misfortune, nothing worked. The party continued to go on, but not the way anyone wanted it to. Rainbow couldn’t stand it anymore, Rugia’s depression was getting on her nerves. Rainbow Dash found twilight and asked her to come up stairs for a moment.

“Twilight I need you to do me a favor.” Rainbow said.

“What is it Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked.

“I need you to make me like Candace.” Rainbow said.

“What?” Twilight looked shocked at Rainbows request.

“I need you make my body ant… ath…”

“Anthropomorphic?” asked Twilight.

“Yes!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Why?” asked Twilight.

“I want to dance with Rugia.” Rainbow said, “Do you know any spells that would work?”

“Well,” Twilight paused, “I know one… but its complicated. I don’t even know if I could perform it correctly.”

“You have to at least try Twilight.” Rainbow pleaded.

“Alright,” Twilight said, “I’ll try. If it works, you will have a body like Candace’s. However, you will only get one hour before the spell wares off. Before we begin, you might want to retrieve your dress for the gala.” Rainbow ran out of Sugarcube Corner as quickly as she could and took flight for her home.

Ten minutes later Rainbow Dash came back into Sugarcube Corner warring her gala dress and Twilight readied herself for the task at hand.

“Ok,” Twilight asked, “are you ready?

“Lay it on me.” Rainbow said. Twilights horn began to glow brightly and she touched it to Rainbow’s forehead.

Downstairs, Rugia was still sitting in the same corner. It was hard for his friends and the other ponies to enjoy the party with him like he was. Rugia was still thinking about what he had said to his wife when the music suddenly stopped and the room fell silent. Rugia didn’t pay any attention to what was happening. He heard the sound of a pair of hooves slowly coming closer to him. The voice was all too familiar to him.

“You know the party would be more fun for you if you would participate.” came the voice of Rainbow Dash. Rugia looked up and jumped in surprise to see an anthropomorphic Rainbow Dash. “I guess I look a little weird, don’t I?”

“Not at all.” Rugia said calmly standing up, “How did you get this way?”

“You can thank Twilight for this.” Rainbow said, “It feels strange to stand up right like this. I’m not used to having hands either. I almost fell down the stairs when I came down here.”

Rugia chuckled and asked, “So why did have Twilight do this?”

“I wanted to dance with you.” Rainbow replied.

This too surprised Rugia, “You’re not usually the sentimental type Rainbow,” he said, “what’s gotten into you?”

“I couldn’t stand to see you so depressed.” she said, “I don’t like the depressed you, I prefer the pain in butt that insults my mane and calls me crashie when I smack into a tree or something. So are you going to dance with me or not?”

Rugia’s spirits lifted slightly, it made him feel good to know that Rainbow Dash cared about him enough to do anything to brighten his day. Rugia smiled and took Rainbow’s hand and they walked out to the center of the room. Pinkie Pie put a slow song on the record player and the two friends waltzed around the room. Beside the change in her body structure, Rainbow Dash’s friends couldn’t believe this was the same Rainbow Dash that was rowdy and bullheaded.

“I have never seen Rainbow Dash so lady-like.” Rarity said watching Rugia and Rainbow dance around the room.

Rugia couldn’t help but keep smiling at his friend. Rainbow Dash would smile back and would glance around at the other ponies to see their expressions.

“You look beautiful Rainbow.” Rugia said.

Normally when someone complimented Rainbow Dash she would get excited and would start bragging about herself. But this time was different, she was at a loss of words and couldn’t come up with any response.

“Do you really mean that?” she asked blushing.

“You’ve always been beautiful.” Rugia replied and then whispered in her ear. “If you ask me, you without a doubt out class Rarity. Don’t tell her I said that.”

Rainbow Dash didn’t say a word the rest of the time they danced. The complement Rugia gave her made her feel so happy. No one had ever said anything like that to her. At the end of the song, Rugia embraced Rainbow Dash in a hug.

“Thank you Rainbow,” Rugia said, “you are a wonderful friend. I think tomorrow I will go to Canterlot and find Candace. I’ll set things right with her.”

________________________________________________________________________

Later after the party was over and Rainbow had returned to being a regular pony, everyone departed for home. After waving goodbye to a much happier Rugia, Rainbow Dash was confronted by her friends.

“That was very sweet of you Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said.

“You wouldn’t happen to have a crush on him would ya, Dash?” Apple Jack grinned.

“I don’t have a crush on him AJ!” Rainbow replied angrily at Apple Jack, “He’s married.”

“Sure ya don’t.” Apple Jack said sarcastically.

“I just wanted to help Rugia feel better.” Rainbow said, “He was there for me when you were in the hospital last year AJ, so I wanted to be there for him.”

“And that was very kind Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said and then turned to Apple Jack, “At least someone is capable of such kindness.” Apple Jack rolled her eyes and walked up to Rainbow Dash.

“I’m jus’ kidn’ ya Rainbow,” AJ said putting a foreleg around Rainbow Dash, “He looked a lot happier when he left.”

“I just hope Candace will forgive Rugia,” Rainbow said glumly.

“You needn’t worry about that darling,” Rarity reassured Rainbow, “Candace told me that she always forgives Rugia, no matter what.”

________________________________________________________________________

The next morning Rugia hopped into his car and drove off to Canterlot to find his wife. His friends waved goodbye to him as he disappeared over the horizon for Canterlot. Rugia was determined to make things right between him and Candace, his relationship with her was the most important thing in his life. Rugia drove up the mountain path, careful not to hit any pedestrians on his way up. He came through the gates of Canterlot and drove the streets, and fortunately found Candace with Celestia and Luna. Rugia’s car came to a screeching halt in front of them and he jumped out of his vehicle.

“Candace!” Rugia exclaimed running to his wife and embracing her, “I love you so much sweet-heart. I am so sorry for the things I had said to you.”

“I love you too Rugia,” Candace replied, “I’m sorry too.”

“Let’s go home,” Rugia said, “and we can go on another honey-moon to some tropical island.”

“I love that idea Rugia.” Candace said cuddling her husband.

“Lets ge-” Rugia stopped, his eyes widened and he turned to his right releasing his wife.

“What is it Rugia?” Candace asked.

“Its them!” Rugia exclaimed, “They’re here!”

“What?” asked a confused Celestia, “Who is here.”

“The Shadow Armada!” Rugia shouted.

“How right you are.” said a voice as three Rucans landed before them in the street.

All three Rucans were warring Shadow Armada uniforms. These Rucans were different from the three Rugia encountered the previous year. One Rucan was a couple feet shorter than Rugia but looked like he had been lifting too many weights, and had short scraggly hair. The Rucan in the center was thin and nearly as tall as Rugia, his hair was long and smooth like he had just came out of a beauty pageant. The Rucan on the far right was short and riddled with scars and had short spiky hair. All three were smiling devilishly at they’re prey.

“Ok what’s your story shorty?” Rugia said to the short Rucan, “You must be the short one with the ugly face.”

“Hey!” shouted the short Rucan.

“Take it easy Corx,” said the tall Rucan, “he’s just speaking his mind before we kill him.”

“Is it safe for Rugia to be insulting enemies as powerful as he claims?” asked Luna.

“He only insults the enemies he can beat without a struggle.” Candace replied.

Rugia looked at the Rucan in the center and said, “You are definitely the lazy one who thinks he’s too handsome to fight and makes his comrades do all the work.”

“Its true I am the handsome one.” the center Rucan bragged.

“You make the short one look like the most handsome male in the world.” Rugia smirked.

“That’s it!” shouted the short one and he charged Rugia. Rugia huffed and simply kicked the short Rucan into the tall one and they both went into the side of a house. The muscular Rucan shot Rugia a very mean look.

“What’s the big idea insulting my friends?” demanded the muscle bound bruit.

“Let me guess Fatso,” said Rugia, “you must be the big, tough, stupid one.”

“YOU TAKE THAT BACK OR I’LL TARE YOUR HEAD OFF!” the Rucan screamed.

“Ok I take it back,” Rugia smiled politely, “your not tough, you can be beaten by a nursing Rucan.”

“Thank you,” the Rucan stood proudly, “that’s better.”

“Rugia didn’t you-?” asked Celestia.

“Wait a moment.” Rugia said. The Rucan stood there a few more moments, then finally realized what Rugia said.

“HEY!” shouted the Rucan, “THAT’S IT YOU ARE DEAD!”

The Rucan swung at Rugia but he jumped out of the way. The Rucan charged Rugia and swung at him again. He missed however and put his fist through a carriage. Rugia landed on top of the carriage and laughed.

“Look I know you have an eating disorder,” Rugia said, “but that does not mean you can take it out on this defenseless carriage.”

The Rucan pulled his arm out of the carriage and yelled, “I’LL KILL YOU!”

Rugia simply laughed and said, “I’ll feel threatened when you actually catch me.” Then leaped backwards onto the house behind him.

The muscular Rucan, now angrier than before transformed into the first form and flew up to the roof of the house Rugia was on. He then began swinging at Rugia trying to hit him but to no success. The fact Rugia was still in his base form was insulting to the Rucan, which in turn made him try to hit Rugia that more desperately. Rugia’s fist suddenly slammed into the side of the Rucan’s head sending him off the roof and into the street.

“He thinks he’s so tough,” said the Rucan getting back up and flying at Rugia again, “I’ll show him!”

FWAP!

Rugia kicked the Rucan in the head and he came crashing into the street again. The Rucan got back up and charged again.

“Ok, go for the left he won’t see it cuh-” FWAP “AAGH HE SAW IT COMING!” The Rucan came crashing into the street once again. Candace, Celestia, and Luna stared and watched the muscle bound Rucan get smacked off the roof over and over before he gave up. This time instead of flying to Rugia, he ran into the house.

“That’s it,” he said as he disappeared into the house but his voice could still be heard, “I’ll wait down here and catch him off guard.”

“Hey.” came the voice of Rugia.

“Hey.” the Rucan replied.

“What-cha doin’?”

“Oh, I’m just waiting for that jerk on the roof to come down so I can surprise him!”

“Is it his Birthday or something?”

“No, he ticked me off the roof so I’m going to pound his face in.”

“Neat.”

“Yeah, when he comes down here he won’t see me cuh-… Oh no.”

KABOOM!

The Rucan came flying out of the house, leaving a big hole in the wall. He rolled to a stop and lost consciousness, and his transformation faded. Rugia came walking out of the house and headed for his wife and the princesses.

“All of you get down!” he shouted and shot an energy ball from his hand. It sailed over their heads and collided into a Rucan that was trying to sneak up on them. He was carried backwards into building where the ball exploded.

“You are a lot stronger than we thought.” Came a voice Rugia had not heard since the year before.

“Daxis!” Rugia said turning around to find him standing behind him a few yards away.

Rugia noticed Daxis was warring a Commander’s uniform this time instead of a soldier uniform. This could only mean that he had achieved more strength in the year that had past.

“The last time we fought you were much stronger than me,” Daxis said, “but now I have come back stronger than before. I have achieved Super Ruca 2! Lets see how you fair against someone who posses the same amount of power you do!”

Daxis screamed out and his fur became the same bright red it was before and the hair on his head stood up as usual, only it was longer, and his body would get a bolt of lightning every ten seconds. Rugia only crossed his arms and transformed into the Super Ruca transformation. His white fox tail swung side to side slowly behind him as he stared at Daxis with aggression in his eyes.

“Just look at you,” Daxis scoffed, “you make it look so easy to transform. It’s so insulting. I’ll make you pay for defeating my friends and I.”

“Are you going to tell me a story or are we going to fight.” Rugia said calmly.

“Sure,” Daxis smirked, “but are you sure you should be acting so tough around an opponent that’s stronger than you.”

Rugia smirked and said, “I don’t think you should underestimate me.”

Chapter 9 - The Mighty Super Ruca 3

Daxis watched as Rugia’s body flashed again and his hair had extended a few inches. His body had been granted the same lightning aura as Daxis, only white. Some of the hair on the back of Rugia’s head hung down and rested on his back. Rugia grinned and revealed his teeth had become the same as a canine’s. Rugia stood in a battle ready position and prepared for the battle at hand. Candace and the princesses watched in suspense, wondering who would win.

The battle kicked off with Daxis making a leap at Rugia, attempting to slug him in the face. Rugia’s left arm blocked the punch and he countered with his knee which was blocked by Daxis’s. The next few moments were filled with high speed blows and movements that were hard for anyone watching to keep up with. There was a loud thunder crack sound from the two of them colliding punches and they took off into the air. Like lightning, the two zipped through the air clashing against each other and then disappearing, then repeating the pattern again. It got to the point where there were only shock waves going through the air, which broke all of the windows in the area. The ground suddenly exploded in front of Celestia and Luna. In the dust, they could see Rugia trying to overpower Daxis in a struggle to push each other off balance. Rugia’s right leg came up in the blink of an eye and Daxis was sent into the air. Rugia took flight after him and made for an attack, but Daxis was able to recover and swated Rugia out of the air. Rugia landed on his hands and back flipped to his feet. Rugia simply smiled and took flight again. He and Daxis began zipping through the sky again causing shock waves with every collision. The surrounding ponies watched they sky as shock waves traveled through the area. A louder, bigger shock wave went off and the two combatants sled away from each other. They stood staring each other down waiting for something to happen. Rugia stood straight up and crossed his arms. He then closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Just what is that supposed to mean?” demanded Daxis.

“If that’s all you’ve got,” sighed Rugia, “then you are just wasting my time.”

“What!?” shouted Daxis, “You think you can best me!?”

Before Daxis knew what had happened, Rugia had plowed his fist into his stomach. Daxis immediately coughed up blood and his form faded. Rugia withdrew his fist and Daxis fell to the ground, unable to move.

“I thought I told you,” Rugia said, “don’t underestimate me.”

“I don’t understand, “Daxis wheezed, “my power is higher than your’s. How are you able to paralyze me with a single punch? Wait! You were just suppressing you power weren’t you?”

Rugia nodded slowly.

“I see,” Daxis said, “so you do have the pinnacle form after all. I never stood a chance against you.” Tears rolled down his face, “I’m a failure to the Shadow Armada.”

“Commander Daxis,” a voice said, “are you alright sir?” A Rucan flew down and laded next to Daxis, helping him up.

“Just take me back to the ship,” Daxis said, “my job is done anyway.”

“What does that mean?” demanded Celestia.

“While Rugia has been busy with us,” Daxis smirked, “Resnoff has been in Ponyville having his fun.”

Rugia’s eyes widened in shock. It was then an explosion came from Ponyville and everyone looked in the direction of the blast.

“You and your squad were only a distraction!” Rugia exclaimed.

“For someone so smart,” Daxis replied, “it took you this long to figure it out.”

Rugia didn’t take the time to respond, he took flight and headed straight for ponyville. Daxis chuckled at his success as he slowly lost consciousness.

________________________________________________________________________

Down in Ponyville, several buildings were a blaze and ponies were fleeing for their lives. A tall Rucan in a black combat uniform came walking out of the fire of a house laughing. His hair was long and stood out the right. His blue fur was darker than the other Rucans seen so far. His irises where yellow and he had a scar going down the right side of his face. He spotted Sweetie Belle, who was crying out for Rarity.

“Well what do we have here?” Resnoff said snatching Sweetie Belle up and held her like a tiny hostage.

The other Rucans watched their general with blood thirsty eyes. Rarity came running up to retrieve her sister, but stopped seeing Resnoff and the large number of Rucans behind him.

“Rarity help me!” cried Sweetie Belle as tears of fear ran down her face.

“Please,” Rarity begged, “let Sweetie Belle go.”

“I don’t know,” Resnoff smirked, “give me a reason why I should.”

“Please,” Rarity pleaded, “she’s only a child.”

“Well if you insist.” Resnoff said.

He slowly placed the scared unicorn filly on the ground. Sweetie Belle looked at the towering Rucan and then at Rarity. Sweetie Belle ran to Rarity, but just as she was about to reach her Resnoff appeared next to her in the blink of an eye. Resnoff kicked Sweetie Belle in the head and she was sent twenty feet away from Rarity.

“SWEETIE BELLE!!!” shrieked Rarity as she ran to her sister.

Resnoff grinned evilly. Rarity began nudging her sister, trying to get a response from her.

“Sweetie Belle!?” Rarity cried, “Sweetie Belle, please answer me! Sweetie Belle!?”

Rarity’s please were in vain, Sweetie Belle was dead. Rarity tried a few more times to get her sister to move, but to no success. Rarity sat on the ground and looked at her lifeless sister. Rarity began to weep, but her weeping soon turned to sobbing. Tears were pouring from her eyes, soaking her face and the ground. Twilight and Fluttershy came running up to Rarity to find her sister dead. This sent Fluttershy into a furious rage.

“How could you!?” Fluttershy shouted, “Someone should teach you a lesson!”

“Unless you want to die too,” said Resnoff, “you will stay where you are and not attack me.”

As quickly as her rage appeared, it disappeared and Fluttershy cowered behind Twilight. Twilight looked at Sweetie Belle with saddened eyes. Her eyes were still open, which made her look like a dead animal you would see on the side of the road. A tear made its way down Twilight’s face and she looked at Resnoff in anger. Resnoff only laughed in response to Twilight’s anger. He bid them farewell and he left along with his army, saying he would be back when Rugia saw the damage.

________________________________________________________________________

Shortly after Resnoff left, Rugia had finally arrived. He looked out across Ponyville and saw the chaos that Resnoff had caused. He found SCS-1 moving a large wood beam out of the road and ran to him. SCS-1 said that Twilight and the others were just up the road and Rugia took off in wild dash to find them. As he ran, Rugia powered down to his normal state. He soon came across the tent where all of the wounded were being treated. He came running to the tent’s entrance but he was stopped be Victor.

“Vhere have you been!?” he demanded, “While you vere off with your wife ze Shadow Armada desecrated Ponyville!”

“Its not my fault Victor,” Rugia replied, “I was attacked by a squad of them in Canterlot, and then I had to fight my way here.”

“Vell it doesn’t matter now,” Victor said, “Just go inside and you vill find your friends in a puddle of tears.”

Hearing this made Rugia’s heart leap and he ran inside the tent. Inside he saw the large number of ponies who had been injured, all of which had Victor’s healing devices on them.

“Rugia you’re here.” he heard Rainbow’s sad voice to his left and turned to see she was crying.

“Rainbow Dash.” Rugia said walking to her and squatting down to hug her in his arms.

“Sweetie Belle is…” Rainbow choked, “She’s dead.”

Rugia couldn’t believe what he heard. He released Rainbow Dash and followed her to find the others in the morgue section of the tent. Rarity had her face buried in the blanket covering Sweetie Belle’s body, and was sobbing loudly. Rugia walked slowly to the other side of the bed and pulled the blanket back enough to see Sweetie Belle’s face. Her eye’s had been closed by Victor before she had been covered up. Rugia gently covered Sweetie Belle back up and turned around to see Apple Jack crying on Fluttershy’s shoulder. Rugia saw three beds next to them, he wished he would be wrong on who they were. Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith had been killed in the chaos as well. He then saw Twilight weeping next to a bed with Spikes lifeless body on it.

“Not Spike too.” Rugia said walking to his bed side.

Looking around again Rugia had noticed that a lot of ponies had been killed; the Cakes, the mayor, Cheerilee, and many others. Scootaloo came up to Rugia, tears and snot running down her face. Rugia grabbed the nearest Kleenex and wiped the snot and tears from her face.

“Why did they kill my friends?” she sobbed.

Rugia looked around the tent once more and was suddenly filled with rage. He stood to his feet and walked to the tent’s entrance and stopped. He clinched his fists and turned to his friends who had followed him to the exit. Anger burned in his eyes and he was breathing heavily.

“I promise,” he said, “Resnoff and the Shadow Armada won’t get away with this.”

A bolt of white lightning shot up his body as he walked out of the tent. He walked to the center of the road and screamed at the top of his lungs, frightening every pony around him.

“RESNOFF YOU COWARD,” he screamed, “COME AND FACE ME!”

It was then that Celestia’s carriage landed and she got off along with Luna and Candace.

“WHERE ARE YOU RESNOFF!?” he screamed once more, “STOP HIDDING FROM ME!!!”

“Alright enough with the screaming,” Resnoff said as he landed thirty feet in front of Rugia, “I can hear you just fine.”

Luna was looking at Rugia confused, “I don’t understand,” she said, “why is he so angry?”

“Princess Celestia!” came Twilight’s voice.

“Twilight what happened here.” asked Celestia concerned.

“They killed so many ponies,” she said bursting into tears, “Spike is dead too.”

This left Celestia speechless, the Shadow Armada had attacked Ponyville and then left them to clean up the mess. But worst of it all was the fact that the armada had killed it’s residents. Twilight explained that twenty adult ponies were killed as well as sixteen children.

“That horrible monster murdered my beloved Sweetie Belle.” sobbed Rarity as she walked up to them.

(play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuFoOOGVgLU)

Suddenly, a loud beeping came from Candace’s pocket. She pulled out the object that was beeping, and revealed it to be a scanner that detected Rugia’s energy levels and body status. At that time Rugia was screaming at the sky like he was in pain and his hair turned white and grew out to his waste line. His eyes turned completely white and a bright flash of light surrounded his body. When the light disappeared, Rugia had ascended to the third and final form, Super Ruca 3. His hair was down to his waste and was spikier than in the other forms, and had a single lock of hair hanging in front of his face. His body’s muscle mass had increased in size slightly. To top it off he had become a white fox instead of just the usual tail and ears add-on. White lightning was surging through his hair and his pupils had become slits like a snake’s eyes.

“Now fight me,” Rugia said in a dark voice, “if you’re ready to be destroyed.”

Rugia didn’t give Resnoff any time to react. In one swift movement, Resnoff was sent crashing through several houses. Rugia stood calmly looking in Resnoff’s direction, knowing that one attack wasn’t enough to defeat Resnoff. Rugia shifted into a more aggressive stance, and an explosion of power came from the rubble of a house and Resnoff, in his third transformation came flying at Rugia. Rugia have stepped out of the way, but upon missing Resnoff turned and round-house kicked Rugia through the air. Resnoff took off after him in an attempt to deal more damage, but Rugia dodged just before Resnoff’s fist made contact with him. Rugia appeared behind Resnoff and made a swing at him, but his attack was blocked. The two started at each other as hard as they could, dodging and blocking each other’s attacks. But the struggle suddenly ended with Rugia being smashed into the ground. Resnoff pinned Rugia to the ground and started pounding Rugia in the face repeatedly. Rugia managed to focus his energy and teleport behind Resnoff, kicking him into the air. With a quick movement he chased after Resnoff through the air delivering punishing blows to the purple Super Ruca 3. Resnoff blocked a single hit and the two disappeared in a flash.

“I can’t see them,” Rainbow said looking around to see a sign of them, “where are they?”

“I don’t think they’re still here a’tall.” Apple Jack said squinting.

“There both still here.” Candace said looking at the scanner in her hand, “They’re just moving to fast for anyone to see them. Rugia told me that the Panicle form’s top speed is faster than the speed of light.”

“I wish I could fly that fast.” Rainbow said looking to the sky.

A massive shock wave went off and the two combatants landed on their feet. A small amount of smoke was coming off of them from moving so fast.

“Hold it Resnoff.” Rugia said standing straight up.

“What is it.” Resnoff demanded.

“Let’s take this battle outside Ponyville.” Rugia said levitating into the air, “More innocent lives could be harmed.”

“Very well.” Resnoff said coolly as he followed Rugia to the outskirts of what was left of ponyville.

Every able bodied pony had gathered outside Ponyville to watch the battle taking place. When Candace and the other’s arrived, Rugia and Resnoff had already started at each other again and had already caused significant damage to the area. Shock waves were exploding all over the place.

“Do you think Rugia can win?” Luna asked watching Rugia zip through the air.

“Rugia has pulled through in the past,” Candace said slowly, “but I’m worried about him this time.”

“Of course Rugia will win!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, “He promised us he would make Resnoff pay for hurting our friends and loved ones! He has never broken a promise to any of us before!”

“I hope you are right Rainbow.” Twilight said glumly her mind still on the loss of Spike.

________________________________________________________________________

The battle dragged on for an hour and neither Rugia nor Resnoff were showing any signs of slowing down. But both had taken a good deal of damage. As the battle continued, it brought more stress to the spectators. Rugia was suddenly hit hard in the head and crashed into a large bolder and was buried in it’s debris. Resnoff started laughing at Rugia’s collision with the bolder and started insulting him.

“I will not stand for this any longer.” Celestia declared teleporting to the battle field and launched a beam of light from her horn at Resnoff.

Resnoff took the blast head on and didn’t even blink. Celestia stood aw-struck at the result.

“You pathetic creature,” Resnoff shook his head, “your magical powers are worthless against me.”

Celestia tried again but this time her shot was sent flying into the other direction. Resnoff’s patience was running thin and he charged an energy ball in his hand.

“WHY DON’T YOU JUST DIE!!!” Resnoff screamed as he sent a massive beam of energy barreling at the terrified princess.

The blast came to quick for her to dodge it. The beam came crashing down and exploded putting a crater in the ground.

“CELESTIA!!!” shrieked Luna staring terrified at what she saw.

Every stood in a state of terror. They had just watched their princess die at the hands of a monster. Saddened tears began to fall from every pony’s eyes. But then a flash of light appeared in front of them revealing Rugia, and Celestia laying behind him confused on what happened. Rugia’s left side of his body had been damaged badly, he had apparently shielded Celestia with his own body. Blood was running down his arm but he didn’t show hardly any sign of intense pain. Rugia turned and yanked Celestia to her hooves by her mane.

“You idiot!” he shouted shoving her at the crowd, “Are you out of your mind!?”

“I’m a princess Rugia,” Celestia shouted back at him, “it’s my duty to protect this kingdom! I have to help!”

“BY GETTING YOURSELF KILLED!?” screamed Rugia in anger.

Celestia looked at the ground glumly.

“You may be the most powerful pony in Equestria Celestia,” Rugia said walking up slowly and putting his right hand on the side of her face, “but Resnoff would have killed you if I hadn’t got there when I did. Please Celestia, I know how much this kingdom means to you. But if you die the sun will never move again.”

“He has taken so many lives Rugia.” Celestia said, tears beginning to roll down her face.

“It hurts me as much as it does you Celestia,” Rugia said hugging her with his right arm, “but please let me handle this.”

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to fight?” Resnoff said impatiently, “Watching you talk to that worthless trash is boring me.”

Resnoff keeled over in pain and Rugia appeared seconds later with his fist planted in his stomach area. Rugia’s left hand grabbed a handful of Resnoff’s hair.

“ DON’T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT CELESTIA THAT WAY!!!” Rugia screamed and he started punching Resnoff in the gut repeatedly before kneeing him in the face and then plowing him into the ground.

Rugia kicked Resnoff in the side and he was sent flopping across the ground like a rag doll. Resnoff shot into the air and began creating a giant energy ball in the air declaring he would destroy Rugia. Rugia put his hands at his sides like Ryu from street fighter and a ball of blue light began shining from them and slowly grew bigger.

“Parish with these worthless creatures!” Resnoff shouted sending the enormous ball of energy at Rugia.

The ball came down at Rugia. The ball of energy in Rugia’s hands doubled in size and started making a high pitch ringing sound.

“Here goes nothing!” Rugia said, “Full power, Super Buster Cannon!”

Rugia thrust his hands forward and a giant blue energy beam was sent colliding into the ball of purple energy. For a few moments the ball pushed Rugia’s beam backwards, but with all his might Rugia poured his power into to beam making it larger. It burst though the ball engulfing Resnoff.

Chapter 10 - Goodbye

When the beam disappeared, Resnoff was still standing with heavy damage but still undefeated. The attack only made Resnoff angrier than before. Rugia stumbled to keep his balance and started panting. The Super Buster Cannon drained his power greatly.
Unlike in his other forms, the panicle form doesn’t regenerate energy as fast as the other forms. To top it off, if the user takes too much damage in this form they will begin to loose power. The injury Rugia had sustained wasn’t helping any.

“Darn it.” Rugia breathed, “I put everything I had into that. My body is too badly damaged to operate at full capacity. But that doesn‘t mean I cuh-”

Rugia was cut off by and extreme pain surging through him and he fell to his hands and knees. His body’s lightning aura disappeared and his hair and body returned to normal. The crowd of ponies gasped at Rugia’s sudden loss of power.

“No…” Rugia groaned in pain, “I was so close.”

“What a shame.” Resnoff said walking up to Rugia, “It looks like you reached your limit. Maybe if your princess hadn’t tried to play the hero you probably would have won. I really thought I was dead there for a moment. Now I’m going to finish you off.”

Resnoff grabbed Rugia’s throat and held him off the ground and proceeded to beat Rugia in the stomach. He Threw Rugia to the ground and began stomping him. Candace and the town watched in horror as Rugia was beaten senseless.

“Rugia no!” exclaimed Candace.

“Don’t give up Rugia,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, “fight back!”

Hearing the screams of his friends made Rugia try to defend himself but Resnoff kicked him hard in the stomach, sliding him forty feet across the ground. Rugia coughed up blood. Rugia refused to stay down, and he struggled to stand up. His legs wobbled as he stood panting and looking Resnoff in the eyes.

“Rugia stop it!” Candace begged, “I don’t want you to die! Please just stay down!”

“I would still kill him anyway.” Resnoff said preparing to charge Rugia.

A sonic boom sounded off behind Resnoff and he turned to see Rainbow Dash streaking towards him with a rainbow trailing behind her.

“I WON’T LET YOU KILL HIM!!!” she screamed.

“You filthy pest!” Resnoff shouted as he shot a small beam of energy through her chest the size of a small bullet.

Rainbow Dash crashed into the ground and came to a rolling stop twenty feet from Rugia. Rugia’s eyes widened in horror and the rest of the town began gasping. Rainbows friends came Running to the battle field to get to her. Rugia tried to get to her as quickly as he could but collapsed from his injuries and had to crawl to her. Rugia got to his knees and held Rainbow Dash’s head up in his Right arm and held her right hoof in his left.

(play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Am4cHMBKM, skip the ad)

“Rainbow Dash,” Rugia said franticly, “just hold on we’ll get Victor here. Candace call Victor!”

“I can’t,” she replied, “the phone’s battery is dead! Someone go get Victor!”

Several ponies ran off to get Victor and Rugia turned his attention to Rainbow Dash who started coughing. Blood came out of her mouth and she looked at Rugia, who’s eyes were filled with fear.

“I guess that was a stupid idea,” she said weakly, “wasn’t it… Rugia?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Rugia said, “Just hold on, Victor will be here soon.”

“Rugia I have to tell you something,” Rainbow said.

“What is it?” Rugia said.

“I just want you to know…” she said with tears running down her face, “You are the best friend I have ever had. I have never had a friend like you that I could have a race with that could keep up with me. The times you and I hung out together were some really good times, even if the first few days I knew you were rough. You are like a father to me Rugia, you were always there for me when I was sad, angry, or I just needed a friend to talk to. I will never forget the times I have had with you.”

Rainbow clenched in pain and looked at Rugia with her happy smile.

“Goodbye Daddy… I love you…”

With that, she was gone. Rainbow Dash past away in Rugia’s arms and lay lifeless. Rugia’s heart broke in two.

“Rainbow Dash?” Rugia begged, “Rainbow Dash!? No please… Please don’t die. Please don’t die on me Rainbow Dash! Please! Come back… Please come back. I love you… I love so much…”

Rugia had never once cried in his life, but the pain of loosing his best friend was to much for him. He was filled with a sadness so painful, it made him sob uncontrollably as he held Rainbow Dash close to him. His tears ran down his face and onto Rainbow. Not once had he ever had to watch someone he loved dearly die in his arms.

Twilight and the others began to cry as well. Candace came to Rugia and wrapped her arms around him and she teared up as well. Victor came running up as fast as he could but stopped and fell to his knees when he saw he was too late. Victor didn’t like Rainbow Dash to much, he couldn’t help but tear up at the sight before him.

Rugia had lost the will to keep fighting, it wouldn’t have done him any good anyway. When Rucans become depressed, their powers are weakened and they can’t transform. But Rugia didn’t care anymore, his beloved Rainbow Dash was gone, the only friend he ever loved like a daughter. His sobs slowed to quiet weeps of sadness. He held Rainbow Dash closer to him as he fell into deeper despair.

“Yet another pony,” Resnoff said cruelly, “you could have saved.”

Twilight looked at him with heart broken eyes.

“How can you just stand there and be so heartless?” she wept.

“I care nothing for what happens to you creatures.” he replied, “As far as I’m concerned, that pony was just a piece of worthless garbage. Killing it felt good to me.”

(play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKV6lx9crAs&feature=related)

“You…” Rugia spoke with a shaky voice, “You monster… How dare you… how… HOW DARE YOU!!!”

Candace’s scanner suddenly went berserk and started beeping loudly again. She looked at it with fright in her eyes.

“Wait,” she said, “this can’t be right.”

“What’s going on Candace?” Celestia asked her.

“It’s Rugia’s energy level!” she exclaimed, “It’s rising at an alarming rate! It has already shot up higher than Super Ruca 2! It’s accelerating!

Everyone backed away from Rugia as his energy began to go out of control. The ground began to shake as he grew stronger.

“What’s going on?” Resnoff demanded, “Rucan’s can’t power up under sadness! So how is his energy able to rise even when he is at his limit!?”

Dark storm clouds gathered over the area and lightning began striking the area. Everyone looked around in fear, confused at what was happening. Rugia’s body began shaking and a bolt of gold lightning surged through his body and vanished.

“What the…?” Resnoff said confused.

“Was that gold lightning?” asked Rarity.

Candace watched another bolt make it’s way through Rugia’s body and vanish again. The scanner started beeping at an even higher pitch as Rugia’s energy levels sky rocketed.

“I don’t understand,” she said drawing the attention from every pony around her, “Rugia said that Rucans never get gold lightning or aura. They only get red, blue, green, orange, blue, yellow, or purple.”

“What’s happening to him?” asked a scared Fluttershy.

“I don’t know!” she exclaimed looking at her scanner and gasping, “six hundred million!? But how can he have that much power? That’s more than his third form!”

Rugia’s pain was growing more and more as he continued to look at the lifeless Rainbow Dash in his arms. His hair flashed gold and changed back to brown. The pressure from his energy cracked the ground and started lifting chucks of the earth into the air. Rugia’s mind began forcing itself to remember every moment with Rainbow Dash. He remembered first meeting her, and how she didn’t like him at all. He remembered saving her from SCS-1. He remembered the time he took her in when he found her on his door step the night it was raining. He remembered his powers being revealed to her for the first time and how scared she was. He remembered all the times they played together, racing each other, and talked to each other. He remembered last year, on her birthday, he went through so much to get the Wonderbolts to perform at her party and how happy it made her. His mind drifted to last night, when he was deeply depressed, and Rainbow Dash danced with him to cheer him up. In his mind he watched her embrace him, and then the memory faded and he saw her before him dead in his arms. At this sight Rugia snapped, and let out a blood curdling scream and a blast of gold energy went through out Ponyville passing through everything.

The blast traveled through the medical tent and all of the healing devices detached from the patients, revealing they were healed instantly. The nurses and doctors stood in fear at what was happening. In the morgue, every pony including spike began gasping for air as they drew breath once more.

“What’s going on here!? Exclaimed a nurse.

Back on the battle field, Rugia’s powers exploded again creating another blast of gold energy. Rainbow Dash’s eyes opened and she gasped for air. Seeing her alive made Rugia’s heart explode and he and Rainbow Dash were engulfed in a dome of gold light. Everyone could hear Rugia’s screaming grow louder as the dome grew larger and exploded sending energy throughout the area. As the dust began to clear, they saw Rugia’s figure standing with Rainbow Dash in his arms.

(Author’s note: I cried when I wrote Rainbow Dash’s death in this chapter. I also apologize for the short chapter by the way. Also this is my first fanfic, so I’m sorry for writing a bad story. I’m still going to finish it though. In the future feed back would be appreciated, please no negative comments.)

Chapter 11 - The Ledgendary Super Ruca 4

(Play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvTaXDmxDrs)

The scanner in Candace’s hand began flashing the word “error” in bold letters across its screen. Rugia’s power was so strong the scanner couldn’t read it any more. The dust cleared to reveal a fox with gold fur and hair standing with Rainbow Dash in its arms. The hair was like the first form’s appearance but was spikier. When Rugia’s eyes opened, the pulps had become slits like in the third form, but the irises were red instead of light blue. Gold aura emitted from his body like steam and his muscle mass had increases as well.

“Rugia what happened?” Rainbow asked confused, “How am I alive? And what happened to you?”

“I don’t know Rainbow,” Rugia said darkly and placed her on the ground, “but I need you to go with your friends and get someplace safe.”

“Ok Rugia.” she said running to Twilight and the others and was greeted by hugs and cries of happiness.

Resnoff stood confused on the matter. I was sure he had killed Rainbow Dash. But there she stood with her friends.

“I don’t know how that thing is still standing,” Resnoff said angrily, “but when I’m finished with you, I’ll kill her again. I’ll make sure its very slow and painful.”

“You heartless monster.” Rugia growled, “You just keep killing innocent ponies one after another, and you don’t even care. Don’t you have any sense of remorse?”

“No I don’t.” Resnoff replied, “I don’t have any regrets about killing them. I don’t care how that worthless pony came back from the dead, nor do I care how your body has returned to peek physical condition. All I know is that every last one of you are doomed.”

“Worthless pony?” Rugia teeth were showing, “That pony’s name… is… RAINBOW DASH!!!”

A streak of gold light crashed into Resnoff’s torso, creating a shock wave that tore up the ground behind him for fifty meters. Two seconds later Rugia blurred to and was in front of Resnoff, with his fist planted in his stomach. Rugia retracted and Resnoff stumbled backwards gasping for air.

“It can’t be…” Candace said shocked at Rugia’s immense speed.

“What is it Candace?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Rugia said it was only a legend.” Candace said, “He said that if a Rucan with all three forms feels and extreme sadness, they would transform into the Super Ruca 4 transformation. But it was only a legend.”

“RAAAAAGH!!!”

Rugia’s fist slammed into Resnoff’s head, sending him slamming into rocks and trees. Rugia leapt through the air and came down on Resnoff and began pounding him in the face as hard as he could.

“I’LL NEVER LET YOU GET AWAY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!!!” Rugia screamed as he grabbed Resnoff’s hair and began slamming his head into ground.

Rugia threw Resnoff high into the air, he pulled his fist back. He waited for the right moment and punched the air and sent a bullet-like shock wave smashing into Resnoff causing him so spin out of control. Rugia vanished in a flash of gold light. Resnoff suddenly came crashing into the ground hard. Rugia appeared shortly on top him pressing his foot into his stomach.

“I’m truly angry Resnoff.” Rugia growled, “I’ll make you pay. This is for what you did to Sweetie Belle!”

Rugia kicked Resnoff across the ground and he slid to a stop in front of the ponies of Ponyville.

“This is for the apple family!” Rugia shouted kicking Resnoff’s face knocking him over again.

Rugia grabbed Resnoff’s shirt collar and looked him deeply in the eyes.

“This is for Spike!” Rugia said punching Resnoff so hard in the face causing him to roll back wards.

Resnoff was laying on the ground holding his face and screaming.

“And this,” Rugia growled as he walked up to Resnoff and picking him by his hair, “is for what you did to Rainbow Dash and all of the other ponies.”

Rugia began dealing a series of punishing blow to Resnoff. Rugia wasn’t holding anything back. Rugia made one last final kick to Resnoff sending him across the ground. Rugia leaped through the air and came down slamming his fist into Resnoff causing the ground to explode from the impact.

(Stop music)

When the dust cleared Rugia was standing over Resnoff. Resnoff was laying motionless on the ground but was still conscious, his third form was gone. The ponies gathered around to see what would happen.

“I can’t believe I lost to the likes of you.” Resnoff said weakly, “Go ahead, finish me. I don’t deserve to live after failing to defeat you and harming your friends.”

“No Resnoff,” Rugia said calmly, “I’m not like you. I refuse to take your life.”

“What?” Resnoff was shocked, “How can you just say that after all I have done?”

“I don’t fight to kill my enemies Resnoff,” Rugia replied, “I fight to protect the innocent.”

“I see…” Resnoff said looking at the ponies around them, “Your love for these creatures gave you the strength to win. I only wish I knew what was like to have someone care for me, like you care for your Rainbow Dash friend. I feel so ashamed of myself. Rugia I’m asking that you please forgive me for my actions.”

“Sure.” Rugia said extending his hand, “let me help you up my friend.”

Resnoff reached out his hand to take hold of Rugia’s. As soon as he made contact with Rugia, his body immediately healed and he stood up. Rugia smiled at him as his body reverted to normal. Resnoff was filled a happiness he never felt before. He finally had someone he could truly call a friend.

________________________________________________________________________

Resnoff left Equestria a changed Rucan. The blue fox vowed to go throughout the galaxy protecting those in need. Rugia and friends watched the ship leave the planet’s orbit and disappear. Peace had returned and those who were killed had been reunited with their loved ones. Rarity was cuddling her sister and continuously saying how much she loved her. Twilight was holding Spike close to her as well, and the apple’s were all huddled together in a group hug. Rainbow Dash came up to Rugia who immediately scooped her up and hugged her tight.

“You know what Rainbow Dash?” Rugia asked.

“What?” Rainbow asked.

“From now on things are going to change.” he said, “First of all I’m going to stop being a smarty pants and having an answer to nearly every question. I’ll just help when asked. I’m also done fighting, its to stressful. Lastly, I’m going to get a job. Maybe I can ask Rarity if she has any openings for another designer.”

“Sounds like you learned an important lesson today.” Celestia said walking to him.

Rugia looked at her with guilt and said, “Princess, I’m sorry for getting cross with you like I did. It wasn’t right.”

“Its quite alright,” she smiled, “I shouldn’t have tried to interfere in the battle. I almost got you killed.”

“It’s like you said Princes,” Rugia said, “You have a duty to up hold. Mine is to protect you and my friends.”

“Well it sure has been an interestin’ year having y’all around Rugia.” Applejack said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a party animal like you Rugia.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed hopping around him.

“I must say you certainly have an eye for fashion.” Rarity said, “I think I could use you around the house.”

“Looks like I’ve got the job Rainbow,” Rugia laughed, “I didn’t even need an interview.”

“Your still going to keep racing me from time to time aren’t ya Rugia?” Rainbow asked poking him in the chest.

“Of course.” he replied.

“And you’ll still come around to help with the animals when you can, right?” Fluttershy asked, “That is if you don’t mind.”

“You can count on it.” Rugia said.

“Can you come by every now and then to talk about magic with me Rugia?” asked Twilight.

“What?” Rugia asked with a devilish smirk, “Is spike that useless?”

“Hey!” shouted Spike with his arms at his sides.

Everyone crackled into laugher and Spike started in too. With Resnoff defeated, the only thing left to do was repair Ponyville and continue their peaceful lives.

The End