Friendship is NEXT to Heroicness

Friendship is NEXT to Heroicness

a Tiger & Bunny / My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Crossover

by GracieLizzy

CHAPTER TWO

Wrong Number

Twilight didn’t know what to make of the creatures, what were they? They looked somewhat like Diamond Dogs in composition, they were bipedal and their forelimbs ended in a sort of claw or paw – presumably like a Diamond Dog or Dragon they didn’t have a Pony’s ability to manipulate objects without requiring digits. They were taller than Diamond Dogs, about twice as tall as a Pony and hairless except for a mane like pile atop their heads, and the fact that one was bearded.

“Why didn’t it get one of the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow asked again, an expression of mild disgust crossed her face, she’d wanted a hero not some weird species to appear.

“What’s a Wonderbolt?” asked the bearded one, “and why can you guys talk?”

“Why wouldn’t we talk?” replied the cerulean speedster, “It’s pretty normal for Ponies to talk after all?”

“News to me,” replied the creature, its companion remaining silent “how did we get here?” it asked looking around the library, though not moving out of the bubble of light that contained it.

“That would be my doing,” admitted the lilac spell caster “I was trying out some new magic, a long distance communication spell, we we’re looking for an expert to get advice on heroism and valour from… but we were expecting other Ponies.”

The blond creature spoke for the first time, simply saying “A Unicorn?”

“Yes, I’m a Unicorn,” Twilight answered in a mildly confused tone, “are we rare were you live?”

“More like mythological” it replied.

“But if it’s advice on heroism you want you might be in luck!” said the one with the beard as he grabbed his compatriot’s shoulder pulling him close “After all, this is Barnaby Brookes, Jr you have here!” he stretch out the other forelimb and assumed a ‘tah-dah!’ like pose, Twilight’s thoughts briefly jumped to her friend Pinkie Pie.

“And that means what to me exactly?” ventured the cyan Pegasus earning sigh and a look of exasperation at the winged one’s impolite manner from Twilight.

“Huh, you don’t know who he is?” asked behatted creature, letting go of his companion and raising his claw like appendage to rest on his chin, “that’s weird”

For the first time since they had appeared the blond ‘maned’ being lost it composure slightly, adopting a vaguely flabbergasted pose as it turned to face its raven haired comrade.

“Given the circumstances, Kotetsu, I don’t think it’s all that surprising.” an audible touch of irritation in its voice.

“Oh, yeah,” the one apparently named Kotetsu admitted, “anyway, he’s a hero, does heroic deeds. It’s a shame you guys don’t have HERO TV here.”

“Hero what now?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Huh.” Kotetsu grunted seemingly struggling to explain the concept he was trying to describe.

He had to admit, over the course of his entire career of being a hero this had to be one of the strangest things that had happened to him. Talking to pastel coloured horses, definitely at least in his top five of bizarre circumstances.

It was at this point Barnaby decided to chip in again.

“We are both powered heroes who work to defeat criminals and save lives in city called Sternbild, by doing so we aquire points, the one with the most points gets crowned ‘King of Heroes’,” he began “our exploits are commonly filmed and broadcast to the mass populace for entertainment value.”

Kotetsu and the two equines looked at the blond youth silently. His explanation had been given in a matter of face composed tone despite the words.

“What? Is it supposed to be a difficult concept to describe?” he asked, he is voice remaining similarly unemotional.

“I guess not” the older hero admitted.

“Huh, I guess that’s kinda cool, still… I’d have rather had somepony from the Wonderbolts.” the multicolour maned mare mused.

“Rainbow don’t be rude!” Twilight finally admonished, “Anyway, I guess we should at least introduce ourselves. I’m Twilight Sparkle, this is Rainbow Dash… you’re Barnaby Brookes Jr. and… Kotetsu is it?”

“Yeah, Kotetsu T. Kaburagi.” The waistcoat wearer confirmed.

“And you’re both heroes?” the Unicorn queried.

Kotetsu opened his mouth to object, then the obvious hit him, when were a bunch of ponies, talking or not, going to meet Sternbild’s media?

“Yeah… Wild Tiger, I usually try and keep my identity secret though Bunny here being a bit of an exception to the rule.”

“Bunny?” the periwinkle coloured pony asked with a giggle, “I thought you said his name was Barnaby?”

“Bunny is a… nickname… he has for Me.” the bespectacled man said, his tenor indicating it was one he tolerated rather than enjoyed.

“So what type of advice were you after?” asked the veteran hero.

“Well was really, really hoping for somepony who can fly to give me their angle on how to be a hero really and neither of you guys have wings so…” Rainbow Dash trailed off.

“If that’s the case I am surprised you didn’t contact Sky High.” Barnaby pondered.

“Yeah, I’ll admit if it’s a flying hero you wanted Sky High’s a better option than either of us.” Kotetsu agreed.

“Darn it Twilight, your spell seems to have royally screwed up. It didn’t get a Wonderbolt, it didn’t get this ‘Sky Guy’, you sure you did it right?” The aqua equine groaned.

“I did exactly as the spell instructed Dash,” the violet magician replied, levitating the book she’d used in front of her nose as she looked again at the spell, “I’m not really sure what went wrong.”

“Perhaps then you should simply return us and reattempt your conjuration?” suggested Barnaby.

“I would…” Twilight began, her ears drooping as she let out a sigh, “…I’m not sure how soon I could, this spell a little exhausting, I don’t think I’d be ready to recast it for a few days at least. We should probably try to make the best of a bad situation.”

It was only then that Rainbow Dash noticed how drained her friend was looking, the colour was waning from her cheeks and beads of sweat were collecting at her brow. Her legs were even beginning to look a little shaky.

“Twilight you sure you can keep this up? I don’t want you hurting yourself on my part” said the fastest flyer in Equestria as she crossed the room to help prop her friend her friend up.

“Oh no, I’ll be fine, it’s not that bad. I promised you I’d get you hero advice and that’s what I’m going to do… just try and make it quick if you can.” the purple unicorn told her, a hint of stress in her voice.

“Okay…. Hmm, I not sure what to ask now that flying questions are pointless. Um, oh I know! Why’d you guys decide to become heroes?”

Kotetsu blinked at the question, suddenly he felt like he was on one of Sternbild’s many chat shows again.

“Well I was inspired by one of the great heroes to become one myself when I was a kid, he told me not to be scared of my powers because I could use them to save people.” He surmised.

“How’d you get me meet him? And what’s a ‘people’?” asked the curious Pegasus.

“I was at bank during a hold up, he came to save us,” the beard wearer told them, “and people is a word for… well us.”

“Huh?” murmured Rainbow Dash.

“It’s an alternate word for our species, we also call ourselves ‘human’” the glasses clad blond ventured.

“Oh, right…” the blue coated athlete replied, “and what about you, why’d you become a hero?”

“Revenge” said Barnaby calmly.

The two ponies stared at him, slightly aghast.

“I wanted to find out who killed my parents, becoming a hero was a means to an end” the blond admitted.

“Er, yeah, but you’ve done that now, so you’re not doing it for revenge now right Bunny?” uttered Kotetsu with a nervous laugh.

“I see no point to stop whilst I am doing well in the rankings.” Barnaby said flatly.

Twilight was concerned, I really hope this spell has worked properly, this Barnaby guy seems to be rather unsuitable hero material if you ask me, she thought to herself, I just hope Rainbow listens to the other one.

“So you guys, have, like superpowers or something?” the mare with the many hued hair enquired.

“Yeah! You want a demo? I’ll need something heavy though.” Kotetsu told them eagerly, walking across the bubble of light that contained the two humans heading for Twilight’s desk.

“No!” the lilac mage admonished loudly, “don’t move out of the light!”

Kotetsu halted, body going ridged in reply trapping him a rather silly pose, He looks like a mixture of goose stepping with the cover of Abbey Road by The Beatles Barnaby thought his face still remaining calm despite the thought.

“You can’t break that containment field or else something terrible could happen, I can just… feel it.” continued Celestia’s favourite student.

“Oh, okay then,” the elder hero replied, back tracking his steps slightly, “uh… you have any other questions.”

“I suppose,” Rainbow Dash pondered “You have any general pointers?”

“Hmm,” Kotetsu said, hand on chin again as he thought, “well always give it your all, and remember a hero never gives up hope, no matter how bad a situation is! Even if chances are slim that you can rescue someone try anyway!” his voice burnt with passion as he ended his statement.

The Barnaby rolled his eyes, “I just do what I need to do to get the job done, stay focused, have a clear idea of what I want to achieve and avoid pointless grandstanding and over idealistic twaddle.”

Rainbow glance from one hero to the next, she could tell they both had different approaches, and she wasn’t sure she liked Barnaby’s. Kotetsu seemed silly, but part of her could tell he had the same sort of passionate heart she did.

“Right, um, anything else?” asked the winged hopeful heroine.

“I don’t believe there’s really any advice we could offer you Miss… Dash, was it? Not without being able to demonstrate our abilites.” offered the yellow haired hero.

“Oh” Rainbow sighed, “I guess that’s that then. You can stop the spell now.”

“Okay Da– ” Twilight began, but she was suddenly cut off by an ear piercing din. It was a scream, as scream that rang out from the direction of Carousel Boutique. Both ponies were just registering that the voice belonged to their fashonista friend when they heard the rapid patter of footsteps.

Twilight turned “No! Don’t!” she yelled, but it was too late – the black haired hero had darted forward breaking through the bubble of light. There was a bright flash, and resonating boom as he did which shook the library and caused Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Barnaby to tumble to the floor – and apparently knocked all them all out cold.

He had acted instinctively, as soon as he heard the scream he knew someone – or somepony – was in trouble and his first reaction was to help. If he’d been in Sternbild he would have messaged for the Apollon Media van so he could suit up, but without he defaulted back to his base impulse to head for the location of the screaming.

It registered in the back of his mind that he had ignored the purple pony’s request not to leave the containment field, but he pushed the thought aside, he’d apologise later. The explosion that he created as he exited had thrown him forward a few feet and caused him to topple forwards losing his footing as tingling feeling had rushed over his whole body.

It was a feeling he quickly shook off as he activated his ‘Hundred Power’, he was vaguely aware of the fact that he hadn’t been able to get back onto his two feet but his mind was focused on the direction the yells had emanated from. He looked around, and as second scream rang out his eyes fell on the location – a building that looked like a fair ride.

He ran forward, part of him thinking he should have donned the domino mask he usually wore beneath his armour and for out of costume appearances, but he didn’t have the time for that now. He raced through the building’s doors to find a white coated unicorn prostrate on a chaise longue crying as though someone had struck a blow against her.

“What’s the matter? I’m Wild Tiger, I’m here to help!” he asked hoping she was still in a fit state to speak.

"Out of all the things that could happen, this is the. Worst. POSSIBLE. THING!"

“What? What thing happened?” asked Kotetsu, voice full of concern as he moved over to help her up.

“Oh it’s awful! Simply awful!” she cried, her ringleted purple mane quivering on every word, “I can’t stand it!”

“Miss I can’t help you if I you don’t tell me what’s wrong!” the super powered being advised.

“I can’t find my design for Sapphire Shores’ next outfit! She’s a very important client and I worked on it for three whole days!” the unicorn wailed.

“What.” Kotetsu said flatly. He was flabbergasted, he’d broken the containment field… for a lost bit of paper? He couldn’t believe his ears. “Wait, that’s what all this screaming was about?” he asked.

“Well of course, if that outfit isn’t delivered in time my reputation a designer could be in tatters! I simply must find it… oh there it is!” she said floating a small unfurled scroll from somewhere in a pile of papers back to her drawing table.

“WHAT?” now he was beginning to get annoyed, she’d drawn his attention for a misplaced clothing design and it had been with easy view? What sort of histrionic pony was she?

“Well there’s one crisis averted, onto another” chirped the amethyst maned designer.

“What’s that?” the superstrong hero asked hoping that his rash act of instinct hadn’t been in vain and that she was about to tell him about a real disaster he could assist with.

“Your clothes sir!” she cried.

“Huh? What’s wrong with my clothes?” he asked incredulous.

“Well sir for one thing they are far too large for you that’s for sure, in fact they are too large for anypony. Were they designed for Diamond Dog or an adolescent dragon of some sort?” she ventured “And really… a green shirt on a green coat? Ick, too much Darling, though I do applaud the chapeau, a little retro but it suits you perfectly! The waistcoat isn’t a shabby choice either.”

Kotetsu was baffled, last he checked his clothes fit perfectly well, What does she mean green coat? I’m not wearing a coat.

“Ah well, measurements time!” she said with a happy trill to her voice floating her measuring tape, pencil and note paper, and reading glasses over “just relax dear, this won’t take long.”

“Um I don’t really have time for this I need to get back to…” he started, but the white pony cut him off.

“Oh pish dear, this won’t take long at all, and soon you’ll be most well dressed Gentlecolt in Ponyville!”

“What do you mean ‘Gentlecoat’?” the hero asked, a waver of concern in his voice.

“Well clearly sir, you’re no mare,” she said with a laugh as the pencil she controlled scratched down a series of numbers “that handsome beard is not very fillylike is it? Ah done, next colour swatches!” with this she floated a full length mirror and box containing patches of material over. She positioned the mirror in front of them and then suspended several bits of material in mid air.

In the mirror, staring back at him from within the glass was a green furred, black maned pony. Oh crap.

“I think slate grey might be your colour Mr Tiger if I’m not mistaken!” said the alabaster pony brightly.

“…yeah.” Kotetsu replied weakily. Bunny is going to kill me.

Barnaby Brooks Jr awoke to a pounding head and blurred vision, the force of the blast had thrown him back across the room, he’d landed against a bookshelf and the avalanche of books that had subsequently fallen on his head had not helped.

He tried to get to his feet but careened forwards as he tried, he shook his head, attempting to shake off the dizzy spell he was experiencing – perhaps if he activated his powers? No, he thought may need it later. He sat down, and attempted to compose himself - if only he had his glasses.

As if in response he felt his spectacles being slid back onto the bridge of his nose, this was accompanied by a soft vocalised “Here” which he recognised as coming from the purple pony. She came into focus, seeming larger than before, and wearing a very concerned expression.

“What happened?” he asked trying not focus on the pain.

“After your friend broke the containment field there seems to have been a minor explosion, probably as the result of amount of power it takes to transmogrify two individuals, which knocked us all out.” She informed him.

“Does that guy always rush head first into things without thinking?” asked the Pegasus, who was standing just behind Twilight.

“Yes, always… wait did you say transmogrify?” Barnaby asked, suddenly noticing that his clothes were in a neatly folded pile off to the purple unicorn’s left.

“Uh, yeah… you’d better brace yourself,” answered the violet coloured magic user, she bit her lip as small hand mirror hovered over to them, “I was amazed as well!”

She turned the mirror in midair and Barnaby was faced with a red coated unicorn with a quaffed blond mane. I am going to kill him.