It was like any other day for eight year old Jimmy, Jim for short. The sun was out, the sky was clear with the exception of a few puffy clouds, and the breeze was blowing gently. The boy lived a very comfortable life in a very safe suburban neighborhood with his mom and dad. They lived in a large two story with multiple rooms, the couple expecting to have more children. They had Jim at a very young age, barely into their twenties. While he was a surprise for the dating college students they were happy nonetheless. They both finished their schooling and now had secure job security. His mom worked for a law firm while his dad was a civil engineer. Jimmy never knew a time of hardship, his schooling and social life were very rewarding. If there was one thing Jimmy loved more than life itself it was making his parents proud, especially his dad. Jimmy loved watching his dad tinker with things in his garage, the countless tools and complicated machines drawing his curiosity.
Jimmy was watching the clock intently, watching as the little hand neared four every time the big hand moved. The big hand slowly crept towards the 12 and when it finally reached it Jimmy ran towards the window. He stared out at the street intently, searching for his dad’s car. Within minutes he recognized his dad’s black car and watched it pull into the driveway. Jimmy ducked out of view and raced for the front door, standing around the corner of the entryway and out of sight. He listened carefully, acknowledging the car engine turning off and the door shutting. He could hear his father’s steps and watched the door handle turn. Knowing now was the time Jimmy ran out of cover and towards the now open door.
“Daddy!” His dad quickly dropped his briefcase and crouched catching Jimmy in a bone crushing hug.
“Hey bud! Did you have a good day?”
“Yeah! I helped mom make lunch today!”
His dad set him down. “Really? What did you make?”
“I made a ham sandwich all by myself.”
His dad quirked an eyebrow. “All by yourself?”
Jimmy looked down at the ground. “Well, maybe she helped get the stuff I couldn’t reach.”
Jimmy felt relief when his dad smiled. “Ah, don’t worry about it. You’ll grow taller sooner or later. Now, where’s mom at?”
Jimmy pointed down the hallway. “She’s in the office working.”
“You didn’t bug her did you? She has very important work.” Jimmy shook his head. His dad smiled and ruffled Jimmy’s hair. “Alright, I have to go talk to her. Why don’t you go play outside for a bit? It’s too nice for you to be cooped up inside all day.”
“Can I bring my trucks outside?”
“Yes you can, just be sure to bring them back in before bed.” He began walking down the hallway before turning around. “Don’t forget to clean them off. You remember what happened last time you drug sand inside right?”
Jimmy looked down towards the ground again. “Mommy got mad and made me stand in the corner for 10 minutes.”
His dad nodded, “That’s right. Now go play.”
Jimmy turned and ran to his room. He spotted the large blue toy box his dad had built for him and opened the heavy wooden lid. Inside were countless toys that any little boy could possibly need in playtime emergencies. He brushed aside some of the lighter and smaller toys until he reached the bottom. He found his prize and pulled out the heavy metal Tonka truck his grandpa had given him. He set it down and grabbed the few others he had. He struggled to hold them all at once as each toy was almost a quarter of his size, the dented but surprisingly durable metal toys weighing heavily in his arms. He waddled through the house, careful to not scratch the walls. He walked through the kitchen and approached the sliding glass door. Using his face he opened the door and carefully stepped down. He shut the door before sprinting across the lush green grass, careful to not trip on his payload. He leaped over a wooden border and landed in a spray of sand. He unceremoniously dropped his toys before setting them all upright. He sifted through the sand with his hand before he spotted an orange glint. He felt along the hard plastic before finding an edge, pulling the object out and emptying it of sand. He placed the oversized orange hardhat his dad had given him on his head. “Jimmy’s Construction is in business.”
Jimmy played in the sand for an hour, pushing the sand around with the construction trucks and visualizing huge cities, roads, bridges, and farms. He had just demolished one of the old warehouses in his mind when he suddenly realized how long he had been playing. He stood up and took the hardhat off while shaking the sand off his clothes. He turned and ran out of the sandbox, heading around the side of the house and into the front yard, kicking up colorful leaves in his wake. When he looked towards the house he noticed that the garage door was open and there was a cranking noise emanating from it. He angled himself so that he could see the entirety of the garage. One of his dad’s classic cars was sitting in the center of the work space with a pair of blue legs capped with brown boots sticking out from under it. Jimmy grabbed a five gallon bucket out of a corner and tipped it upside down, creating a makeshift seat. With a comfortable seat he watched his dad fumble around under the vehicle for five minutes. He heard a loud clang and a brief spout of expletives before his dad rolled out from under it on a wheeled cart. He rubbed his head with the back of his hand before getting to his feet. He finally noticed Jimmy watching him from his upturned bucket.
“Jimmy? How long have you been sitting there?”
“Not long.”
His dad nodded before looking at him seriously. “Don’t repeat anything you heard to mom alright? It could get dad in big trouble.”
Jimmy’s young mind still wasn’t mature enough to catch the intended meaning behind it as he suddenly straightened his posture and nodded furiously at his dad. “Yes sir!”
His dad nodded with a slight smile on his face while whipping his hands with a dirty rag. He looked around real quick before asking Jimmy, “So, is there something you needed?”
Jimmy shook his head, “No, I was just watching you.” Jimmy suddenly realized something he could do. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
His dad frowned as he replied, “I’m sorry buddy. This is a bit advanced for you.” Seeing Jimmy’s crestfallen expression he tried to comfort him. “Don’t worry though, you’ll learn someday.”
“But that’s what you always say.”
Jimmy’s dad literally felt his words strike him. He felt bad that his son couldn’t help him; automotive maintenance would only confuse him and make him frustrated. A sudden idea made itself known and Jimmy’s dad smiled at the new found solution.
“Say, I know something you can do to help.”
Jimmy looked up at him with a hopeful expression. “Really!?” His dad nodded as he witnessed Jimmy’s change in attitude. “What is it?”
“Well, did you know that there are different levels you need to pass to become a true man?” Jimmy shook his head. “Working on a car is reserved for those who have reached the paramount of manliness. You just need to work up to it.”
“What level am I at?”
Jimmy’s dad faltered slightly as he tried to come up with a quick response. “Uh, well, the system is very complicated and I don’t rightly know where you’re at, but that’s beside the point,” he added quickly. “What is important is that we set you well on your way to accomplish the levels.”
Jimmy nodded with rapt attention as he suddenly stood, knocking the bucket over. “What’s the first thing I have to do?”
Jimmy’s dad quickly looked around, trying to think of something that could benefit both of them while giving Jimmy a sense of accomplishment. He found his answer hanging on the wall. “Wait here.” He walked over to the wall and grabbed the object, heading back over to his son and setting it down in front of him.
“This here is the Echo PB-500TC blower, the bane of all fallen leaves and stray dogs. Every man has had to have used one of these at least one point in his life.” Throughout the whole time he was saying this he was filling it with gas and oil, checking to make sure everything was in working order. “You use this to blow leaves into piles where you either burn it or collect it in trash bags.” Jimmy was nodding and staring at it. “So, what do you say? Are you ready to take on your first challenge as a man?”
Jimmy clicked his heels together as he stood straight and proud, saluting his dad. “Yes sir!”
“Well then, I bestow upon you your first challenge. Blow the leaves in the yard into piles, but watch out! There are soldiers called Leaf Guardians that protect their leafy home worlds. If they bother you use your mighty blower to wage combat with them alright?” Jimmy again nodded with a serious look on his face. His dad picked up the blower by the handle and held it behind Jimmy, helping him hook his arms in the straps.
“This might be a bit heavy for you so if you get tired just set it down gently. Now listen closely, to turn it on you reach behind your left shoulder with your right hand and grab the pull cord. Yank it completely and straight up. When it starts let go and grab this handle.” He held the plastic funnel up and pointed out the grip. “When you want to blow you pull this orange trigger alright?” Jimmy nodded enthusiastically and made to walk away before his dad suddenly interrupted him.
“Wait!” His dad ran over to his workbench and opened a drawer. He reached in and pulled out a pair of black nylon gloves with red leather placed in high stress areas and a pair of clear plastic work glasses. He walked back over to Jimmy and gave them to him. “Wear these; I don’t want you getting burned if you touch something hot and the glasses will help protect your eyes.” He placed the glasses on Jimmy’s face and helped him put on the oversized gloves and turned him around. “I’ll start it up for you since it takes a couple of tries to start it up when it’s cold.” He held the engine steady with one hand as he yanked on the pull cord, the engine coughing and spluttering as the cylinder failed to catch ignition. After a few pulls the engine roared to life, vibrating enough to make Jimmy’s teeth chatter if he held his jaw loosely. Jimmy felt his dad pat him on the shoulder and pointed him into the yard before pushing him gently off.
Jimmy smiled madly as he walked across the paved driveway and into the leaf littered grass. Relishing the moment, he pulled the trigger and felt the vibrations cease slightly in intensity but increase in speed. The engine whined loudly as air rushed out at speeds of 195 miles per hour. The leaves stood no chance as they rushed away from the oncoming torrents of swirling air. Jimmy could appreciate the dance the leaves performed as they fled his awesome power, slowly clearing the yard as they began clustering up into a single area. It was a good thing he was watching so carefully or he might have missed what happened next.
A slight shift in the leaves motion caught his eye, prompting him to release the trigger, the engine reaching an idle state. His eyes widened in surprise as the leaves continued to move without the assistance of the blower. They swirled up from the ground and clustered into five tight masses. Jimmy watched as they formed into distinct human forms, seemingly wearing cloaks made out of leaves. Their faces were lost in a black abyss provided by their hoods. Long thin shapes formed from their leafy hands, the blades seemingly being made out of their very bodies.
‘Leaf Guardians,’ Jimmy realized. His dad had warned him of these foes. He was about to yell for help before he remembered his dad telling him how to combat them.
“There are soldiers called Leaf Guardians that protect their leafy home worlds. If they bother you use your mighty blower to wage combat with them.”
Jimmy smiled as he clenched his fists and gestured ‘come and get it’. Two of the five ran at him with their leafy blades raised up, intending on slashing downwards at him. Jimmy swiftly raised the blower and blasted one of them in the face, causing the Guardian to disperse as Jimmy landed a critical blow. The boy sidestepped the other Guardian’s attack as the blower was too unwieldy in close quarters combat. He lunged back as the Guardian attempted a blind backwards slash. Jimmy was no far enough to use the blower. Pulling the trigger he unleashed a small hurricane upon the creature, watching as it disintegrated in the high velocity wind. Jimmy turned around and faced the remaining three Guardians. What Jimmy assumed to be the leader pointed at him, causing the other two standing behind him to run past their leader and towards the boy. He raised his trusty weapon and ran to meet them head on.
A woman pushing a baby stroller was walking on the other side of the street. It was the same woman that had done it every day for the past three months, so it was to be expected. What she didn’t expect however was to see the Klenstand’s kid raging around the yard with a leaf blower. He seemed to be making a bigger mess as he twirled, thrusted, slashed, and stabbed the empty air with the black blower. She officially placed the kid under her ‘stay away from my child’ list as she hurriedly pushed the stroller past and left the scene.
Meanwhile, Jimmy had dispatched the two other Guardians and was now in the middle of a fight with their leader. Jimmy was in a bout of panic; whatever he tried to do the Guardian Boss seemed to counter it. Jimmy had tried blowing it to pieces but it only slowed the Guardian down slightly, his leaf body resisting the powerful winds. The monster raised one of his two swords and attempted to slice him from the top, Jimmy meeting his strike with the black blower. The other sword came in for a sideways strike. Maneuvering in such a way that the overhead sword stuck with the blower, Jimmy pushed the blower down and to his right, blocking the incoming attack. The Leaf Guardian was silent as it pulled its swords back and kept attacking Jimmy. Deciding to change tactics the Guardian went for a double overhead strike, causing Jimmy to raise the blower horizontally into the air. The boy had left himself undefended as the Guardian lashed out with a vicious kick.
Jimmy landed on his back painfully, the still running engine digging painfully into his back. A blade swinging down filled his vision, causing Jimmy to roll quickly. The blade dug into the ground and released a spray of dirt. Before Jimmy could react as he was facedown the other blade collided with the engine, sparks flying everywhere. Jimmy rolled onto his back and swung with the blower wildly, the Guardian catching it with both blades.
Jimmy was a very smart child and learned incredibly fast. He took the situation into account and realized he would turn his enemies’ own tactics against it. With lightning quick precision Jimmy landed a kick on the Guardian’s knee, watching as it buckled slightly. The Guardian seemed to roar silently in pain, Jimmy taking advantage of its distraction. With two swift punches he used his ‘gloves of power’ to create two holes in its torso. The creature lashed out with a back hand, pushing Jimmy away. The boy landed on his feet and looked up. The Guardian splayed his blades down and slightly outward in a threatening display. It charged forward and was met with a torrent of air. Jimmy was relieved to see that the damage was done and the Guardian faltered, dropping its blades and clutching its disintegrating chest. His eyes widened however as the Guardian produced a green ball of fire in its hands. Before Jimmy could react the flaming green sphere was thrown at him. The fire contacted and erupted around him in a swirling green vortex, the flames licking at him painlessly. Jimmy yelled as the magical fire engulfed him. With a silent blink Jimmy, the dying Guardian, and the green fire disappeared from existence.
“When we get there I’m going to kick their flank!”
Twilight rolled her eyes. She shook her coat to rid herself of the dust that was covering her. A muffled yell caught her attention as she turned to look at Rarity. She was glaring at Twilight as she too ruffled the dust out of her coat. She looked down at her dirtied self with disdain.
“I should have brought a coat,” she complained.
“Oh it’s just a lil’ dirt sugarcube,” Applejack responded. “You can wash it out when ya get home.” Rarity glumly nodded.
Twilight shivered as another strong gust of wind hit her. “Sheesh Rainbow, you think the pegasi are doing a fine enough job?”
“Well what do you expect Twilight? Blame the new Leaf Guardians recent attacks. You know that wind seems to be a good counter defense against them. They’re made of leaves for pony’s sake!”
Twilight silently agreed, trudging onwards on the dusty road. A week back a distant shape had appeared far on the horizon. Nopony knew what it was and simply viewed it as a passing curiosity. That was until two days ago, when ‘they’ came. Twilight had been working in the library when she received the letter. Twilight didn’t believe it at first until photographs showed up in the paper. Creatures that called themselves Leaf Guardians had attacked Equestria’s most distant towns to the North East. The ponies that didn’t escape were entombed in enchanted piles of leaves. The Royal Guard tried to stop them but failed. It was only when a particularly gusty day had revealed a solution. The Guardians couldn’t travel in the wind as it damaged them, destroying them if it was strong enough. The weather factory and all available pegasi created a high pressure zone over most of Equestria, the front slowing down the Leaf Guardians as it blew into the surrounding low pressure areas.
Twilight had deduced that the new structure on the horizon had something to do with it. When she reported her findings to Princess Celestia she was immediately tasked with finding and stopping the leader of the new army, peacefully or not. She felt the comforting weight of her element perched on her head as she continued to walk along the forested road. It wasn’t long before they reached the edge of the forest and were greeted with a vast barren land.
“Well, we best get a move on ya’ll,” Applejack stated as she began moving forward. The rest of the group complied before a loud popping sound followed by a loud grunt drew their attention to the forest. The forest stayed silent for a few seconds before a loud scuffling sound was heard. Suddenly, something crashed out of the forest and ran a few meters into the barren land. It was a strange creature that stood upright and was wearing clothes. It had pale skin with little hair and was wearing strange clothes. It also had something on its back. Twilight was curious and went to garner its attention before the wind stopped.
Jimmy landed on his back again and grunted loudly, hissing in pain as the engine once again dug into his back. He opened his eyes and immediately noticed three things. He wasn’t burned alive. He physically confirmed this by feeling around his body, encountering nothing that was charred. He wasn’t in his front yard as the tree canopy he was staring into confirmed that. The last and by far most strange thing was his protective glasses. A white scan line pulsed through the trees, highlighting the outlines of resting Guardians. A small diagram of the blower on his back showed up in the corner of his view and read that the engine was green. There was a small power readout above the engine and it was currently at zero.
He got up and instantly noticed that the blower seemed lighter. He knew he was the same height as he wasn’t dizzy when he looked at the ground and that his muscle mass was the same when he looked at his arms. He shrugged, figuring the engine got lighter or he was getting used to it.
Remembering the dying Guardian Jimmy whipped around. He saw the Guardian standing on his knees. It was staring at him and seemed to be laughing judging by the way its shoulders were shaking. It suddenly raised its head and a barely audible whistle was heard. Jimmy’s new found HUD flashed as the outlined Guardians turned red, the now visible forms waking up and dropping to the ground. Jimmy realized he was in a bad position and that he was about to be surrounded. Turning around he sprinted for his life, crashing through the woods. He only ran for a dozen seconds before bursting out into a barren land. He noticed a huge spire in the background and, when his HUD automatically zoomed in, he could see that it was made of countless leaves. The bottom of the tower was out of view as the barren hills interrupted his view.
Jimmy turned around and watched in horror as Leaf Guardians began pouring from the forest. Jimmy reached behind him and attempted to start the engine. It coughed as it was somehow cold and would not start. He was swamped quickly and tried to punch, kick, and swing his way out of it. He was quickly subdued and his vision turned to black.
Twilight fired one last spell, molding the atmosphere and unleashing a powerful gust of wind on the last few Leaf Guardians. They burst in a beautiful display of colored leaves, gently floating down to the ground. Twilight slowed her breathing, calming her beating heart. They saw the creature get engulfed by the charging enemies, the girls fighting to get to him. The leaf warriors were too numerous however and were able to sneak off with the creature before the girls could get to him. Luckily the girls themselves weren’t captured as they had taken lessons in fighting bad guys since they seemed to attract trouble. Rainbow Dash simply blew them away with her aerial stunts and speed. Fluttershy would have swarms of birds cluster together and take them apart leaf by leaf. That was an interesting conversation for a later time. Pinkie and Applejack used their strength to melee the leaf men to pieces. Finally, Twilight and Rarity would use their magic to manipulate the air and blast them away. The purple alicorn set her sights on the spire and regrouped with the other girls.
“Well that’s the last of them,” Rainbow said.
Fluttershy shook her head. “Oh no, didn’t you see what happened to that poor animal?”
“They hog tied him up and dragged him away!” Applejack exclaimed.
“We have to go get him! I didn’t get to throw him a party yet!” Pinkie shouted, dragging out her party cannon.
Twilight nodded with a set determination. “Let’s go girls. We have a friend to save.”
Jimmy woke up slowly, his head throbbing slightly. He opened his eyes and was met with dark walls. He closed his eyes before moving his head upright. He opened his eyes and noticed that he was restrained in a chair. He looked up and saw the blower sitting on a table along with his glasses. He started struggling to escape, the material holding him firmly. A wood door opened and Jimmy stopped moving, watching as a new Leaf Guardian stepped inside. Jimmy corrected his original statement when he saw a crown sitting on its head.
“Leaf King.”
The being faced him, his face enshrouded in a black abyss like the others. Jimmy was however surprised when it spoke.
“You have caused me much trouble.” His voice was gravelly, like he hadn’t used it in an incredibly long time. “But no more.”
“Hey, you attacked me first.”
“Yes, you are not of this world. I can sense it.” It turned and touched the engine. “You pose a great threat to my campaign.”
“And what exactly would that be?”
The king laughed, “Ah, you want me to reveal my plans? Very well.” He began pacing around the room as he told his story. “A few weeks ago I came into being. There was just nothing and then suddenly I was staring into the most hideous face I’ve ever seen. It had yellow eyes and different sized pupils. I ran, the whole time it was laughing a most horrendous laugh. When I finally escaped I began exploring this world. It was beautiful. But then I realized something. I watched the inhabitants of this world were mistreating the leaves, my very essence. I watched as they collected my fallen brothers and burned them, threw them away, or raked them into ditches. The abuse was so bad that I knew I had to change it.”
The king threw his arms around him. “I built this place and several adventurous ponies fell into my trap. I captured them and put them into a state of comatose. They in turn are powering my army. After I conquer this world the beings in it will simply fade away as my brothers once did.”
Jimmy may have been eight but he lived in the modern world. He had seen enough movies to know that his reasoning incredibly clichéd. The king picked up the glasses and inspected them. “I must say, I’ve never encountered a machine such as yours. It must be very advanced where you come from.” He set the glasses down. “Tell me, how does it work? I’ve had witnesses say that pulling on that cord start it but it does not when we try it.”
Jimmy smiled as his gloves began glowing red, the king backing up as he noticed it. “Wha-,”
Jimmy broke out of his cuffs in an impressive display of strength as he lunged and slugged the king right in the face. The king exploded as his life force was destroyed by the now glowing gloves. Jimmy reached onto the table and placed the work glasses on while also putting the engine on his back. With a single pull the engine roared to life and the tower began shaking. He looked down at the pile of leaves that used to be the king and clenched his fist while raising it. “It’s because you require the gloves of power!” Jimmy stood there for a second before sighing. “I pictured that better in my mind.”
He turned and opened the door, sprinting down the hall as the tower began crumbling.
Twilight had just crested a ridge and was met with the entire view of the spire. It was surrounded by a large fortress with many Leaf Guardians patrolling the wall. Her friends strolled up beside her and opened their eyes in shock.
“Anypony know how we’re gonna get in there?” Applejack asked.
“I vote we charge in and kick their door down,” Rainbow Dash boasted.
Twilight shook her head. “No girls, we have to find a way to sneak inside. Anypony see any weaknesses in their defenses?”
The girls shook their heads no. Twilight was about to suggest something else when a low rumbling sound caught their attention. They looked towards the spire and watched as chunks of it began to fall. A loud whining appeared as the girls looked at the fortress wall. The creature from before was running along the wall with the thing on his back releasing a shrilling sound. He smashed the attacking Leaf Guardians with the black tube he carried and aimed it at others. The shrilling increased as the Guardians literally disintegrated in front of him. A Guardian rushed up behind him, the girls yelling warnings up at him. He looked over his shoulder and lashed out a backhand at him, his red glowing gloves somehow starting the leaf warrior on fire.
The spire finally toppled, falling in a hail of debris. The Leaf Guardians suddenly stopped and began collapsing to the ground, their bodies dispersing in the wind kicked up from the falling structure. The fortress wall began buckling and falling apart. The girls watched in horror as the creature jumped from the wall as it fell from under its feet, plunging towards the ground at a suicidal rate. The black piece was aimed towards the ground and whined loudly, the creature stopping mere inches from the ground in a whirlwind of dust. The loud sound stopped as the creature landed on its feet.
The girls ran towards it and stopped a few meters away. Twilight was shocked by what she saw. Now that she had a closer view she realized that it was actually a child. A child had fought and beaten the Leaf Empire. She could tell by her friends faces that they were thinking the same thing. The creature observed them before making to pass them. “Wait!”
The creature stopped and faced Twilight. “What is your name?”
“Jimmy Klenstand.”
“What are you?”
The boy looked puzzled. “I’m a boy.”
Twilight shook her head. “No, what is your species?”
“Human. Any you’re a pony right?”
Twilight was elated that the creature knew what she was. “Yes! You’ve met us before?”
The boy shook his head. “Not like you. The ones I know couldn’t talk, didn’t have horns and wings, and they weren’t so colorful.”
Twilight frowned slightly. “Where did you come from?”
“My front yard. Do you know how to get back?”
Twilight shook her head. “I’m afraid not.” When she saw the look on the boys face she knew she had to help him. “But I know somepony that can!”
Celestia paced back and forth in the throne room, anxious for the return of Twilight. She had seen the tower fall and had heard of the reports of the Leaf Guardians disappearing along with the return of missing ponies. Whatever happened, Celestia knew that Twilight and her friends had once again overcome the odds and saved Equestria again.
“Sister, you are worrying too much. Relax, all is well.”
Celestia turned towards Luna. “I know sister, but what if somepony was injured? Or worse?”
“Have faith Tia. Twilight and her friends are more than capable of taking care of themselves and each other.”
Celestia took heart in her sister’s response and calmed down. “Thank you.” Luna nodded and Celestia sat down in her throne. After two hours a guard finally entered the throne room.
“Your majesty, Twilight and her friends have returned. They also bring a guest.”
‘A guest? It can’t be the leader of the Leaf Guardians forces as they all disappeared. Who could it be? Maybe she made another friend who helped them along the way.’ Celestia smiled. “Show them in.”
Jimmy watched as a guard gestured them in. He had chatted with the ponies during their journey back, answering many questions. Especially from the purple one. He followed the group through the door and found himself in a large throne room. They walked up to a pair of very regal looking ponies, the members exchanging pleasantries. The white one looked towards Jimmy and was about to speak before a monster suddenly walked into the throne room. Jimmy yanked on the pull cord and leapt in front of the ponies, holding the blower threateningly as it aimed it at the monster.
“Jimmy! That’s Discord! He’s a friend,” Twilight explained. Jimmy lowered his blower but still kept it running, just in case.
Discord stared at Jimmy before looking away and whistling nonchalantly. Celestia looked towards Jimmy and spoke.
“I must say I haven’t seen any of your kind before. Did Twilight save you from the Leaf Guardians?”
Jimmy shook his head and before he could explain the cyan one interrupted him. “We didn’t save him! He fought off like thousands of them before he was captured and brought to their castle. We eventually found it but before we could do anything he sprung out and destroyed the whole base, fighting off gazzilions of them! He was like Daring Doo only in the flesh!”
Celestia, while expecting Rainbow Dash to exaggerate, was still shocked when she heard her story. This young boy destroyed a whole empire? “Where did you come from?”
“I already said my front yard.”
Celestia shook her head. She looked towards Twilight. “Have you found out anything about his origins?” Twilight shook her head as well. Celestia again addressed Jimmy, “Who brought you here?”
Jimmy was about to say the Leaf Guardians but they were no longer around. He then remembered the Leaf Kings story. The monster that was still whistling had the same exact eyes that the king had described. Jimmy decided the next best option was to point at Discord.
Discord’s eyes widened as the mares stared at him with narrowed expressions. “Well, uh, you see, I can explain.”
“It had better be a good explanation,” Celestia said. The mares instinctively shielded the boy from Discord, their maternal instincts overriding their body’s motor control. Discord tapped his talon and lions paw nervously.
“Um, I can figure out where he came from if I just talk to him for a second.”
The mares slowly stepped away and allowed Discord passage. He walked between them and crouched down to jimmy’s level. He whispered in his ear for a few brief seconds before Jimmy smiled. He aimed his blower at Celestia’s face and pulled the trigger. The sun princess’s jowls flapped in the high wind, her ears streaming back and her eye lids stretched back. The engine sputtered and coughed, trying to keep a constant ignition before it died. Celestia looked a bit flustered as everypony in the room froze. Celestia calmly tipped her tiara back in place before looking at Discord. He was struggling to hold in his laughs before she spoke lowly.
“Jimmy, I would personally like to thank you for your heroic actions in the defense of Equestria. You shall be rewarded. Discord, send him back, now. And it better be his home with his family. We will have words.”
Discord’s smile faltered and with a sigh he snapped his fingers, Jimmy watching the world blink out of existence only to be replaced with the view of his home. The dead leaves were in a neat pile in his front yard and it seemed as if little time had passed. His dad walked out of the garage and noticed Jimmy.
“Hey! Looks like you did a good job! Consider level one passed!” He then noticed something at Jimmies feet. “What do you have there?”
Jimmy looked down and noticed a large cloth sack. He picked it up and looked inside. Candy! And lots of it! Jimmy tightened the strings and ran over to his dad. He took the blower off his back and set it on the ground, his gloves and glasses following before running into the house, intent on finding a hiding spot for his newly gained wealth. His dad shrugged and picked up the blower, noticing that it seemed to be empty of gas.
“Huh, I just filled it didn’t I?” He shook his head before putting away the blower, gloves, and hanging the glasses on the wall. He shut the garage door and walked into the house, missing the glasses flashing briefly as a white line ran down the lens.
Somewhere, in a far away time and place, a majestic castle resides on a powerful mountain. Within the castle are many records of its history, some of the more important events depicted on stained glass windows. On one of these windows is a very important battle. It shows a strange creature pointing an even stranger weapon at the dreaded Leaf Guardians, forever honoring the hero and the destroyer of nations.
