The Big Three

The sun slowly rises above the horizon on another glorious day. The light paints the sky pink and the clouds red. Markus sits awake on his bed made of moss and wood while his comrades, Indie and Caleb, rest about on beds made the same way. It's not comfortable and it's not stiff. It just takes some getting used to is all. But that is not the reason Markus is awake.

"I see you are awake." A voice calls from the doorway to the left of him.

Markus nods his head, "Though I wish I wasn't."

" Oh? And why is that?" The cat warrior asks as the light shines upon his brown and orange body.

He wears a tunic long enough to cover him from shoulder to knee. He seems completely comfy and his tail shows that he's pretty happy about everything this morning. Unless it just does that always. Markus figures he'll ask about it later. Right now, he has a question to answer.

"Because I don't look forward to training something other than my mind." He says with a low and nervous chuckle.

The cat chuckles back and shakes his head, "Caleb told us you might not take well to physical training. That's why I have come to you so we may take a walk."

Markus lifts up an eyebrow, "A walk with a stranger? Sounds good enough."

"Heh. Excuse my manners. I am Fireheart. I am a priest as well as a warrior." He says turning his back to Markus, "Now come. We have much to do."

Markus gets up and quickly follows behind Fireheart. He can already tell he's going to like this trip at first to only hate it in the end. He can only hope that the other two's training fairs well. Though he figures they'll probably teach them about patience or something... Markus starts wondering if he'll come back to a burned down village.
~

"So where are we heading?" Markus asks following along the slippery path behind Firheart.

"You'll see. It's the same place I go to train myself." He says simply without breaking his stride.

Markus can't say for sure how long they've been walking, but the sun is now well into the sky compared to this morning. The only breakfast he has had is the few berries he ate before starting his trek up here. The sweat dripping down his face and arms is really starting to get to him. Mostly due to the forest's rising humidity and the fatigue he's starting to feel on is body. He really hopes that all of this will be worth it in the end. He can already tell that the Neko is working on his endurance... probably.

"I bet it's a place that radiates power." Markus says pumped despite his fatigue.

"Yes. In fact, it roars it."

"Great! I've ben lacking power ever since the beginning. I rely on Caleb and Indie too much..."

"And what's wrong with relying on your allies?" He asks looking back slightly.

"Nothing... It's just... they should be able to rely on me back."

"You think they can't rely on you?" Fireheart asks stopping.

"I know they can't. I'm the weakest of the group and every time I use my power too much, I always end up coming close to dying..."

Fireheart makes a sound close to hmph and a purr. He continues walking forward and Markus follows. They're are both completely quiet on their long journey till a noise catches Markus' ears.

"What is that?"

"It's the sound of power." Fireheart says with a giant smile.

The two walk to a bush and part it so they can stare at a giant waterfall that crashes down into a giant river. Trees are hardly close to the river and different sorts of animals pass along it without a care in the world. A brown deer stoops it's head down and drinks from the rushing water. It's coat changes from brown to black before going back into the forest.

"Wha-What is this?"

"It's is our training ground Markus." Fireheart says walking towards the river and out of the tree line, "This is where we shall meditate and increase your strength."

"H-How will this river do that? I just watched it turn a deer black?! That's not natural!"

"You will not be drinking the water young one. You'll simply be sitting in it for now. Now disrobe."

"... Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Fireheart begins to shed the little protection of clothing he has on at the moment.

"Whoa! Hey! I don't think things are supposed to be like this!" Markus says backing up sheepishly.

Markus remembers the few lesson on skinman ship that Celestia brought to them. They're no strangers to the nude body of their species and, unfortunately, the Ponies as well.

Fireheart stands their in a cloth wrappings around his crotch. He walks to the river and sits in the raging current like it's nothing. He seems calm and at peace with the nature around him. Markus rubs his arms and looks around to make sure no one is watch or trying to play a joke on him.

"Man... I bet Indie and Caleb are behind this... Either that or Franklin is trying to teach me another lesson..." Markus says as he starts taking off his shirt followed by his pants.

He walks cautiously towards the river and looks at Fireheart who is still calmly letting the water ride across his lower section. Markus looks at the water and shrugs his shoulders. He figures that if Fireheart can just simply sit down in it, it won't be so hard.

Markus sets his right foot into the water and is immediately set of balance by the push of the water. His other foot slips on the grass and he finds himself taking off down the river chocking on water and rolling across the rough earth the river has created.

As Markus washes away, Fireheart chuckles to himself.

"This is going to be fun."

Caleb awakens at the same time Indie does. The two rise from their beds groggily the sun already well into the sky. They look around at their surrounding before sitting up in bed. Last night, they spent their time getting to know the locals a little bit. This place is really starting to catch their attention. From what they can tell, the place is built upon the idea that nature is true strength. The more that one is with nature, the more power they shall have. These Nekos have learned to be like the majestic and fierce tiger of the woods and yet sturdy as the ox. Or something like that. The two can't remember well what Franklin had told them last night after their... tenth drink?

"God... my head hurts..." Caleb says rubbing his face.

"Mine too..." Indie says laying back down, "What time is it?"

"How should I know?"

"So, how are you two doing?" A voice ask as two black furred people walk in each caring a weapon on their back.

The right one has a sword and the other one a bow. They both wear happy smiles on their face, but their eyes speak mischief. Caleb raises his hand into the air.

"What's going on?"

"Training of course! Don't you remember? Though with how much you guys celebrated... I wouldn't doubt that you have forgotten." The right one says leaning against the wall closest to the door.

"You got that right! It's like you guys were made for the stuff!" The left says sounding more enthusiastic and girlish than the right.

"Training? What about the recruitment?" Indie asks as he sits up in bed and swing his legs out from under the covers.

"In do time! If we wish to really get them on board, you'll probably have to show off your strength!" The left one says, "So that brings us to where we are now!"

"Well... aren't you a happy one..." Caleb says getting annoyed by his mood.

"Well someone has to be sour puss." The left says pouting.

Indie chuckles as he stands up, "I like this one. Anyone who annoys Caleb is fine with me."

"Watch your words Indie." Caleb says getting out of bed as well, "I might not feel good, but I feel well enough to fight you."

"Any time hot head." Indie replies water rippling along his skin.

"They remind me of us!" The left warrior says looking at the right.

"Got that right. Small world huh?" The right warrior says pushing himself off the wall, "But since you guys wanna fight so bad... How about we make it a two on two match. You two versus us."

"You're on!" Caleb says immediately and soon rushes out the door in nothing but his boxers.

The three wait there a moment before Caleb walks back in, "I uh... forgot my clothes..."