Chapter 2

Mystery's Melody

Fluttershy awoke to the sound of someone calling her name and somepony shaking her. When she opened her eyes, she saw Wataru's face. This caused her to suddenly sit up in surprise and bonk heads with Wataru. As they both rubbed their heads, Fluttershy looked around in confusion.

“Wha...what happened? I...” she stopped as the memories came flooding back to her. The Fangire attacking and Wataru's reveal as the armored pony. Fluttershy looked at Wataru, who was still rubbing his head. She noticed that the golden bat, who she now knew was called Kivat, was nowhere to be seen.

“Um....Wataru?” Fluttershy said softly. Wataru looked at her with a nervous look on his face.

“Y-yes Miss Fluttershy?”

“So...you were the armored pony?” Fluttershy said, almost ready to faint again. Wataru sweated and rubbed the back of his head, trying to think of what to say.

Luckily, Wataru was saved by the Mane Six as they rushed onto the scene shouting for Fluttershy. When they spotted her they immediately ran up to her and began asking if she was okay.

“I'm fine girls..really”.

“We heard from some other ponies that the Fangire attacked again. We were trying to figure out where it was when we saw that dragon..castle..thing,” Twilight said.

“I was about to chase it when the thing disappeared into thin air!” Said a frustrated Rainbow Dash.

“Ah'm just glad nopony got hurt. That Fangire whatchamacallit seemed pretty dangerous,” Applejack said.

“Are you sure you're okay Fluttershy dear?” Rarity asked. Fluttershy nodded.

“I'm fine..W-Wataru helped protect me,” Fluttershy said. The other Mane Six turned to look at Wataru. Wataru was looking every direction and sweating profusely.

“You protected Fluttershy from the Fangire?” Rainbow Dash questioned.

“W-w-w-well...uh....I just did what I could. Besides, I didn't really do much apart from get tossed around. It was Kiva who really saved the day,” he stuttered nervously.

“Kiva? Do you mean the armored pony?” Twilight asked. Wataru's eyes turned to pinpricks.

“How do you know what he's called?” Twilight said.

“Um.......I heard him say it at one point during the fight. Yeah, that's right,” Wataru said as he laughed nervously. Twilight and everyone else raised their eyebrows.

“Did he say anything else?” Twilight asked.

“Um...he was kinda busy fighting and stuff. I'm sorry..I've got to go. I'll see you all later,” Wataru said as he began to walk away, stumbling a bit as he did so

“You okay partner? You're lookin' pretty banged up there,” Applejack said. Her words were certainly true. Wataru was bleeding in a few places and had a massive bruise on his head.

“I'm fine, just a bit bruised that's all,” he said laughing nervously. Fluttershy looked at Wataru concerned.

“Are you sure that you're okay Wataru? That Fangire threw you pretty hard,” Fluttershy said walking up to the nervous stallion. Wataru continued to put on a tough exterior, however weak it was.

“I'm fine, really. See” he began to punch and kick the air “I'm completely....” he said before he began to stumble and fall over. Fluttershy managed to catch him before he hit the ground. She looked him over and found that his head was now bleeding.

“Wataru!” Fluttershy yelled as the other Mane Six ran up to her.

“Oh Celestia, he's really hurt. Come on girls, we need to get him to a hospital,” Twilight said as she enveloped Wataru's unconscious form in a purple aura.

As they ran to the hospital, Kivat watched them from the sky.

“This is bad. Not only did he get hurt, but he's been found out as Kiva. I knew coming to this town was a bad idea,” Kivat said as he flew after the group of mares and one unconscious stallion.

Meanwhile in Canterlot

Celestia sat on a couch in her quarters, enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of her favorite strawberry cake. Celestia cherished these few times she was able to relax. Usually her day was filled with nothing but boring meetings, visits from dignitaries and ambassadors and the like. However, the things she hated most was....paperwork. Mountains upon mountains of it. She had secretaries to help her with most of it, but she still had a massive workload on her plate. A workload broken only by the sparse moments of rest, like the one she was currently enjoying.

As Celestia prepared to take the first bite of her cake, her peace was interrupted by her sister, Princess Luna, throwing the doors to her chambers open.

“Sister, we have a serious problem!” Luna said in an urgent tone. Celestia set her cake down with an annoyed look on her face. Ever since Luna had been redeemed for her actions as Nightmare Moon, she had been having some trouble adapting to modern society. She had interrupted her break time many times to complain about what she considered “serious problems”.

“SISTER, WE HAVE A PROBLEM. OUR SUBJECTS SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OUR ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE”.

“Sister, what has happened with this new, atrocious music?”

“Sister, the bathroom has changed location since we have been gone”.

Celestia loved her sister, but she was about ready to snap from all the interruptions. She put on a calm demeanor and turned to her sister.

“What is it this time Luna? Did you scare somepony with the Royal Canterlot Voice again?” she asked.

“We are afraid it is much more serious than that sister,” Luna said as she opened to blinds to her sister's quarters.

As Luna opened the blinds, she noticed something was off immediately. Primarily, that there was no sunlight shining in, despite it being the middle of the day. Celestia ran to the window to find that, instead of the sun being in the sky, the moon was in full view. She also noticed that the sky was tinged red and black. Needless to say, Celestia was shocked. Outside, the sky dissipated back to it's normal sunny appearance as the faint cry of a dragon was heard in the distance. Luna turned to her sister.

“Sister, you know what this means,” Luna said. Celestia nodded somberly.

“Yes. It looks like a new Kiva has finally arisen,” Celestia said somberly. She sighed as she walked up to her bookcase. She pulled a book down from the shelf, the cover bearing a familiar bat-like symbol. The book was wrapped in heavy chains with a lock placed in the middle.

“I had hoped the Fangire would just disappear into history as an old pony tale, but looks like I was wrong,” she said with sadness.

“We too hoped the Fangire had disappeared by now. We ask that you let us handle this matter sister. After all, we were the ones that.....”

“Don't, Luna. You were Nightmare Moon, you didn't know any better. If you wish, I will let you handle them. But not without my help, understood?” Celestia said. Luna bowed to her sister.

“Thank you sister. We shall correct our most egregious error,” Luna said. Celestia smiled at her sister.

“Come Luna, we have much to discuss,” she said as she lead her sister out of the room, making sure to bring the ancient book and her cake along with her.

Fluttershy sat by Wataru's bedside in the hospital as he slept. Luckily his injuries had not been as severe as they thought. He had however sustained some bruised ribs, a minor concussion, and a few minor cuts and scrapes. Fluttershy volunteered to stay by his side while the other Mane Six went to gather more information about the Fangire attack.

As Fluttershy watched Wataru sleep, her mind was racing with questions.

“How was Wataru able to turn into that armored form? Where did he learn to use it?” she thought as she looked at his sleeping and bandaged form.

“Who are you?” she thought to herself.

Suddenly, Wataru began to stir in his sleep. Fluttershy noticed this and got up out of her seat and moved closer to his bed. Wataru eyes opened and he turned his head to see Fluttershy standing there.

“Miss Fluttershy?” he asked. Fluttershy sighed in relief.

“Thank goodness, you're awake,” she said. Wataru tried to sit up but Fluttershy stopped him.

“Don't move just yet, you're still injured,” she said gently pushing him back down. Wataru merely nodded and laid in his bed.

The two sat like that for a long while, neither of them knowing exactly what to say. Both knew what the elephant in the room was however. That being that Wataru was able to transform into some strange armored form and fight monsters. The mere idea of it made Fluttershy think of something she'd see in one of the comic books Spike was always raving about.

It was Wataru who finally broke the silence “Miss Fluttershy?” he asked.

“Y-yes Wataru?”

“I...I know it must be shocking to learn about my little....secret”.

“Well.....um....I don't really know what to say about it. I mean...It's just so.....bizarre,” she said, trying to say it as nicely as she could. Wataru looked down somberly. Fluttershy saw this and tried to think of something else to say.

“Um...what was it you called your armor?” she asked. This caught Wataru's attention.

“It's called the Armor of Kiva. According to Kivat it's some sort of ancient and powerful relic. Truth be told I know very little about it, only what Kivat's told me,” he said.

“Kivat? The gold bat from earlier?” she asked. Wataru nodded and smiled.

“That's him. He can be a bit crabby at times, but he's pretty nice. He's the reason I'm even able to become Kiva,” he said.

Wataru's smile disappeared as his face grew serious “Miss Fluttershy, I need to ask you something”.

“Y-yes?” she said.

“I need you to keep me being Kiva a secret,” he said, his face completely serious.

“W-what?” she said. Wataru sat up and looked her in the eye.

“My job as Kiva is dangerous. If my identity gets out, people will get hurt. If I'm to keep fighting the Fangire, I need you to keep my being Kiva a secret,” he said in an uncharacteristically serious tone.

“But...what if I told my friends. We're the Elements of Harmony, maybe we could help you?” she said. Wataru shook his head.

“I don't want anypony else to have to put themselves in danger because of me. This is a battle I have to fight alone,” he said as his face grew sad. Fluttershy could see something in his eyes she knew all too well. Loneliness. She put a hoof on his shoulder.

“You don't have to worry Wataru....I'll...keep your secret safe,” she said. This made Wataru smile.

“Thank you Miss Fluttershy I really appreciate...”

“But...on one condition,” she said. Wataru looked at her confused.

“What?”

“I'll keep your secret on the provision that you let me help you,” she said with an air of confidence.

“Miss Fluttershy I,” he began before she stopped him.

“Wataru..please. Nopony should have to do something like this on their own. Even if I can't help you fight, I can still support you as your friend,” she said giving him a determined look. Wataru looked away in thought for a moment before he sighed in defeat.

“Okay. But when the fighting starts, you run as far as you can. Agreed?” he said. She nodded and smiled. Wataru couldn't help but smile as well.

“Um..Wataru...also,” she said.

“Yes?” he said. Fluttershy leaned in closer to him as she wrapped her hooves around him in a hug

“Thank you for saving me. You were very brave,” she said. Wataru sat there shocked for a moment before he returned her hug. After a few moments, they both broke the hug and smiled. However, they soon realized how close they were and had just been and both instantly blushed a deep red.

“Well, I-I-I-I guess I should be going then. My animals are probably worried,” she stammered out. Wataru nodded his head.

“Y-yeah. Besides, I-I.... need to rest,” he said as he laid back down, both his and Fluttershy's faces still bright red. Fluttershy nodded and began to walk out of the room.

“Um..Miss Fluttershy,” Wataru said. Fluttershy turned around to face the stallion.

“Y-yes?”

“Thank you,” Wataru said with a smile and his blush still present. This caused Fluttershy to blush even more.

“Um...you're welcome...Wataru,” she said as she smiled and exited the room, leaving Wataru alone with his thoughts.

Or, he would have been alone if Kivat hadn't flown in after Fluttershy left. Kivat flew up to Wataru and looked at him with a smug grin. Wataru jumped at the appearance of his bat friend.

“Kivat! Um..how long have you been here?” he asked embarrassed.

“Long enough to see you flirting with that Fluttershy mare,” he said making kissy noises at Wataru. Wataru blushed and threw a pillow at Kivat, who dodged it.

“Stop it Kivat! It's not like that,” Wataru said, though the blush and the smile on his face told otherwise. Kivat perched himself on Wataru's bedpost.

“Come now, I'm only teasing. Besides, I think it's nice you're finally pursuing somepony. I was worried you'd never find someone, especially as shy as you are,” he said as Wataru's blush grew deeper. Kivat merely laughed at his friend's embarrassment.

“Well, I've had my fun. I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you were okay. Get some rest, you're gonna need it,” he said as he began to fly away. This caught Wataru's attention.

“What do you mean Kivat?” he asked. Kivat turned to look at Wataru.

“It's only going to get tougher from here. You've revealed yourself, not just to that Fluttershy mare but to the world as well. You know what that means don't you Wataru?” he said ominously. Wataru looked down somberly before he nodded.

“I do, and I'm prepared for what's to come,” he said somberly but with some confidence. Kivat couldn't help but smile at Wataru.

“There may be some hope for you yet,” Kivat said as he flew out the window.

Author's Note

UPDATE!!!!! Seriously though, sorry I haven't updated the story for a while. College classes just started back up so that's eating up a good chunk of my time. I'll try to update when I can, but it might take a while. Well, that's about it. Hope you enjoy the new chapter, have a nice day, and party on.