Kaneki Ken

"Once the foe stands before you, you fight. Even if it costs your arms and legs."Mr. Mado, to Amon.-----------------

Physical condition didn't really matter for a Ghoul. Ghouls had more stamina and strength than most Humans did. They could run faster, think faster, act faster. But still, that didn't mean Kaneki couldn't be a little tired. He had been running for god knows how long. His legs started to get a little sore. 'Just keep heading East.' Kaneki thought as he ran through a desert; like area. He didn't know if he had reached The Badlands. Heck, he didn't even know what The Badlands were! Kaneki stopped running, catching his breath and regaining his strength. He sighed and looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly over the desert area he was in. Kaneki thought back to the Anteiku raid, how The CCG began their biggest fight yet, against the Ghouls.

'Why am I even doing this?' Kaneki thought, remembering the events of a hour ago. Why did he offered to help them? These were talking horses for crying out loud! 'Come to think of it, since when do horses have the ability to speak. And why do they speak Japanese, out of all languages?' Kaneki thought. He sighed again and shook his head. 'Well, I did kind of promise them I would return with that flower. So, might as well keep searching.' Kaneki thought as he began running again.

"Hurry up you fools!"

Kaneki stopped in his tracks and turned around. In the distance, he saw a black cloud flying towards him. Upon closer inspection, the distance "cloud", turned out to be the insectoid creatures he encountered before. There were a lot of them, but he did kill their Queen. Perhaps they knew, and that's why they left the castle? Kaneki pondered the idea, unaware that two insectoids were closing in on him. Kaneki felt a sting in his back as he dropped on his knees. "Damn, that hurt!"

"We got it!" He heard someone say.

Turning his head, he saw two of the insectoids behind him. He slowly got up, but was shot a second time. Kaneki fell on his knees again.

"You better stay down!" One of the insectoids ordered.

Kaneki got up again. One of his tail-like kagune impaled one of the insectoids, while the other was smacked away by his three other kagune tails. Kaneki jumped up and turned around, the swarm of insectoids was closing in on him. He could fight them, but those things they shot at him, did kind of hurt. Kaneki, deciding to be smart, took cover inside a nearby, not to mention very convenient, cave. He quickly got into the cave, and watched as the swarm flew by. Sighing, Kanek turned around, only to be greeted by a terrified insectoid staring at him. "Hello." Kaneki greeted.

"Wha- I don't even..." The insectoid trailed of.

"Listen." Kaneki said as he placed his hand on the insectoids' back. I need to find a flower, called: The Magica flower. Do you know where I can find it?

The insectoid slowly nodded. "Y-Yes, but t-the only place were it grows, is in The C-Changeling hive."

"Changeling hive?" Kaneki repeated, the insectoid nodded in confirmation. And, where do I find this hive?" Kaneki asked.

"I-It's near the East. Trust me, you can't miss it." The Changeling replied.

"Thank you." Kaneki said as one of his kagune's impaled the Changeling through it's skull. Kaneki threw the Changeling further into the cave, and he walked out of the cave. Kaneki got outside, and saw the swarm flying East. Guess they know were to go. Kaneki thought as he ran after the swarm. Good thing I didn't engage. He thought as he remembered his fight with Chrysalis. 'If that was their Queen, these things must be really easy to kill.' Kaneki thought.

After some more running, he finally reached the hive. It was big, and it looked like one of those ant-nests he encountered when he went camping once. The hive was full of huge openings, the Changelings probably used those to enter. Deciding to enter the way they did, he went into the hive. Gross. Kaneki thought as he stepped into some kind of green goo, not to even mention the sour smell that it gave of. Kaneki, was already regretting his decision. But he made a promise, and besides, at least he did something that didn't include fighting The CCG. Finally reaching a huge, round area inside of the hive, he saw a dozen of green eyes watching him. It was dark inside, but he could see those eyes staring down at him. But those eyes weren't the only things he saw. The flower! Kaneki thought he saw the azure flower, only a few feet away from him.

He walked towards the flower, but he noticed the eyes were getting bigger and bigger. Cracking his finger, husband kagune's shot out of his back. If these things wanted a fight, they would get one. Suddenly, the round area was lit up, revealing hundreds of Changelings eyeing Kaneki in anger. Kaneki looked at the Changelings, then at the flower, then at the Changelings again. 'Alright, better grab that flower and get out.' Kaneki thought as he sprinted towards the flower. The Changelings roared as they flew towards Kaneki, shooting bolts of magic at him. Kaneki used his kagune's to block as many bolts as possible, even taking out some Changelings while doing so. Kaneki leaped towards the flower and grabbed hold it. Instantly turning around, he saw that the Changelings had blocked the exit. Kaneki sighed, now there was no going around it, he had to fight, and he had to win.

"Get it!" One of the Changelings ordered. All of the Changelings flew and sprang towards Kaneki. Kaneki cracked his finger and leaped towards the Changelings, his kagune slashing away at the Changelings, as he kept on running and dodging. He jumped sky high as his kagune's pierced through the hive's upper ceiling. Kaneki watched as the Changelings all flew towards him, firing those bolts at him. Kaneki waited untill the Changelings were almost near him. His kagune's pulled out of the ceiling, and Kaneki fell towards the ground. Using his kagune to break his fall, he safely landed and started attacking again. Changelings were being thrown into the walls and ceiling, their body's either being cut in half, or pierced by Kaneki.

Kaneki had to admit,  these Changelings were pretty easy to taie car of, but because of their numbers, Kaneki was quickly surrounded. Kaneki fell to the ground as several bolts hit his back, legs, and arms. Kaneki tried to get up, but was unable to, because of the Changelings continuously kept firing bolts of magic at him. Kaneki gritted his teeth and let out a ear-shattering scream of pain and anger. Kaneki kept slashing away, closing his eyes and letting his anger take over.

"Die! Die! Die!" Kaneki screamed.

Screams of pain and agony could be heard, echoing through the hive. Kaneki's screams came to an end, and when he opened his eyes, he was greeted with a easing sight. All of the Changelings, all of them, were either dead, or close to death. The entire room he was in, was painted in grenade blood, organs, and several other body parts. Kaneki was panting, he had done it. These things had to die, right? If they didn't stood in his way, all of this could have been prevented, right?

"Hello? Daddy, mommy is getting worried. Are you out there?" Kaneki heard a childish, feminine voice asked.

Kaneki turned around, his eyes widening when he saw to who the voice belonged to. There it stood, a small, yet fragile looking Changeling. The Changeling, who seemingly; hadn't noticed the carnage yet, walked towards Kaneki.

"Excuse me, but have you seen my daddy?" The Changeling asked politely.

Kaneki stared at the Changeling. He swallowed his pride and spoke up. "J-Just close your eyes, and you'll see your daddy again." Kaneki said with a small smile.

"Okay!" The Changeling replied happily as she closed her eyes.

Kaneki let out a sad sigh.

*CRACK*

".... What have I done?"

****

Princess Cadence couldn't be sadder; than she was on this very day. First the invasion, then the mysterious creature, and her husband, well, technically he wasn't her husband yet. But Cadence couldn't car less. She sat by her husband's bed, watching over him as she heard his slow breathing. He wasn't going to last long, soon, very soon, he would be no more.

Cadence felt her eyes tear up. She had ordered Twilight and her friends to help the citizens of Canterlot, and, of course, freeing Princess Celestia. She couldn't believe this was happening. She started sobbing ars she rested her head on her husband's head. Suddenly, she fell a small gust of wind. Looking around the room, she scanned the area, but there was nopony there.

"Strange." Cadence whispered as she returned her gaze to her husband. Only, she was greeted by a more easing sight. There lay her husband, safe and sound. And on top of his head, laid a peculiar azure flower. Cadence felt her eyes tear up again as she silently thanked the creature. Finally, her husband was saved.

Wonderful. That was how this day could be described for: Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Her husband was saved, her sister-in law and everypony else was happy. The wedding went of with a blast. Everypony was happy for the newly married couple. The chariot, holding the two love birds, rode away from the castle. Everything turned out fine. But there was one thing, one tiny thing, that kept Cadence from sleeping that night.

"Where are you?" Cadence whispered as she stepped out of her temporary bed. She was to head for The Crystal Empire soon. "Why did you leave?" She asked as she looked out the window. Watching the beautiful stars and moon, that painted the night sky. Cadence let out a small sigh. Why did it leave? She didn't even got the chance to thank it. Sighing yet again, she returned to her bed and closed her eyes. And for some odd reason, she fell asleep very quickly.

****

Kaneki positioned himself in a comfortable position. He laid himself against a tree. He had not returned to the Badlands, instead, he head South. Reaching a forest. Deciding not to venture too far into the forest, Kaneki decided to get some rest. Closing his eyes, he drifted of to sleep, only to hear a familiar, yet sinister female voice.

"Kaneki-san"