The Ronin Samurai

Chapter 16

The Means to Bring About the End

(Medical Wing)

“So how’s the kid doing?” Hanako asked at Northstar looked over the sleeping pup.

“Well besides a few scratches and some minor internal bruises. He’s going to be fine. Though he’s going to have to stay here for a few days. Just to make sure that we didn’t miss anything or if there’s anything that might come up.”

“Well that’s good to know. How about the others? Are any of the ponies injured?”

“Surprisingly none, well besides a few black eyes and sore spots. Have to say that you enforcing that “All citizens must learn how to fight” thing paid off.”

“For the most part at least. Some of the citizens are being held in a section of the changeling hive from what Thorax told me. Reason why they haven’t left was because of a huge mineral deposit behind and underneath them.”

“You have a plan on getting them out?” Amber asked as the human placed a hand to her chin.

“I have one but it’s going to require the assistance of your sister. How good is she in staying in the dark?”

“A lot better then I am if I’m scouting out the enemy. Why?”

“Simple. I’m going in there alone to distract them. While I’m doing that, your sister will knock the diamond dogs out…..Speaking of, where is she anyway?”

“I’m right here.” Citrine said as Hanako jumped back in surprise from her appearing out of nowhere.

“Seriously, I need to put a bell on you if you’re going to keep appearing like that. But it’s a good thing you’re here.”

“I overheard your plans and I’m willing to follow out your orders. But wouldn’t it be wise to kill them instead of knocking them out?”

“Normally yes. But after what happen down below in the hive, things have changed. Get your squad of ponies that are available ready. We leave in about thirty minutes or more depending.”

“Yes my lady.”Citrine said before disappearing.

“Really freaks me out that your sister can do that.”

“Getting cold feet around your citizens are you?” Amber teased as Hanako booped her on the nose causing her to shrunch her face up a bit.

“I’ll boop you every time you sass me pony.”

“Don’t think that will stop me from being sassy with you~.” Amber said in a sing song tone before trotting off sassly. Hanako simple rolled her eyes with a smirk on her face as she begins to walk out of the medical wing and back down to the changeling hive.

[Friendship Express]

“This stinks!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she glare out at the Castle through the window of the Friendship Express. “Who does that thing think it is ordering us around.”

“I know that you’re angry Rainbow Dash, but there’s nothing we can do for now.” Twilight said as she placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Once we get back to Canterlot, we can explain the situation on what’s going on here to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Maybe they can help solve this problem that we’re having.”

“You expect them to do something about this? You saw what she did to your brother right? It pretty much mopped the floor with him.”

“I’m right here you know?” Shining said with an annoyed expression on his face.

“Oh….um….Sorry.” Rainbow said as the stallion rolled his eyes to the sheepish expression on her face.

“Still can’t believe she beat me that quick. Talk about getting humiliated in front of my men….”

“I’m sure you can beat her next time when you get the chance.” Pinkie said as she pulled out a slice of cake from her mane.

“Where did you even get that?” Rarity asked as she watched the party pony lick her lips.

“I got it from that Hanako hooman. I have to say, her chefs know how to make a mean tasty looking crystal cake~” The party pony said as she ate the cake. “Anypony want some? They gave the recipe and a few samples to share back in Ponyville.”

“I don’t think now is the time for cake Pinkie.” Twilight said as she looked over at Cadence staring out the window. “How are you holding up Cadence?”

“I can’t believe that creature stole the throne that Aunt Celestia gave to me. Who does that creature think she is?”

“She’s the new ruler of the Crystal Empire! Even the crystal ponies find her amazing!” answered Pinkie as she got a glare from Cadence, Shining Armor, and Rainbow Dash. “What? That’s what she and the other ponies said.”

“That was a rhetorical question Pinkie. I still can’t believe she humiliated me. Not to mention she’s holding some of our guards as hostages.”

“With all due respect Princess. But you did have some of the royal guards sneak around in the kingdom that were off limits, and she did warn us what will happen if anyone of us were to break that rule.” Applejack said as she leaned back in her seat and tilted her hat to cover her eyes. “I say she has every right for doing that seeing how the crystal ponies claimed her to be their ruler.”

“How can you be so...so relaxed about this? Don’t you know that she might be planning on taking over Equestria from what we saw in there?” Rainbow Dash asked as Applejack looked over at the cyan pegasus.

“All I saw was a mare keeping her home safe for her subjects. Now if ya’ll were to calm down and look over the things you saw, then ya’ll would know that she isn’t a bad pony or anything.”

“She could be hiding behind a facade. Waiting to lull us into lowering our guard before stabbing us in the back.”

“Need I remind you of what happened in Ponyville with Zecora? Instead of just going on assumptions, we should get our facts first before anything.”

“S-She does make a point. I mean, she doesn’t seem so bad...besides the fact that she eats...m-meat.” Fluttershy added as Rainbow Dash huffed in annoyance.

“Yes. Besides the whole meat eating thing, she does seem to be nice. Not to mention the silk I got from her kingdom is something that I could never imagine. Just think of all the new stuff I can make with this.” Rarity said before she felt a spark of inspiration hit her. “Oh! I have an idea~!”

“Whatever, just wait until she does show her true colors. And when she does, I will say I told you all so.”

“Like all those other times when you tried to prove you were right?” Applejack said before sighing. “Look, there’s nothing we can do about it now. We’ll just have to let Princess Celestia and Princess Luna handle this.”

“Applejack is right. With any luck, Hanako might be more willing to let the Princesses convince her to let Cadence be ruler, or an ambassador of the Crystal Empire.” Twilight said as she and the others felt the Friendship Express starting to move.

[Crystal Empire, Changeling Hive]

“So that's what happened when I was busy fighting off their leader….I’ll be sure to deal with Pharynx once this is over and done with Hanako.” Chrysalis said as she and Hanako made their way to where the Diamond Dogs were huddle up in.

“Make sure you keep him in line. And for the love of god don’t kill the poor S.O.B. I’m not going to let him have the satisfaction that he can drive me to kill him.”

“I’ll be sure to do that…..S.O.B?”

“Son of a bitch for short….it’s a human thing. Don’t question it now, I’ll explain about it later.”

“I’ll….keep that in mind when we have some free time later on for me to ask you about that.” Chrysalis said as she looked up at the entrance. “We’re here.”

“Alright. Just stay in case anyone tries to escape or reinforcements come for the Diamond Dogs.” Hanako said as she grabs a tattered cloak from off of the ponies that were saved. “I need to borrow this good sir.”

“Not that I’m judging, but why did you take that from the stallion?”

“I always wore something like this in battle. It’s comforting and helps me fight a bit better.” The human said as she unsheath her katana. “Citrine.”

“You called, my lady?” Citrine said as she appeared behind Hanako.

“Are your men in position?” She asked as the mare nodded. “You ponies never stop being amazing when learning from the books I gave you. Anyway, when I begin to fight their leader you will order them to knock the ones that are holding them hostage. Understand?”

“As you command my lady.” Citrine said before disappearing in a blink of an eye.

“I wish you luck human. Do try not to get yourself killed. I prefer not to be the one who gets blamed for what happens to you.” Chrysalis said as she ordered her soldiers to get in position.

“I’m pretty sure the folks here won’t blame you for my death. Unless you’re referring to-.”

“Twilight and her friends, yes.”

“Right….Welp, better take this fight seriously then huh?” Hanako said as she walked over to the hole that lead to the room the Diamond Dogs were held in as she slides down it. During her slide down the hole, she began to use her sword as a means to help her make sharp turns and reduce speed when needed. She had to admit. The changelings did a pretty good job in constructing the pathway to get from one room to another. She kinda wondered if they were thinking about doing the same thing she was doing or not. Either way she’ll have to thank them on a job well done when she gets the chance. Her train of thought was cut short as she saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Hanako quickly used her sword to stop herself as she came to a slow stop right in front of the entrance of the cave.

“What the? Who is that creature?” One of the diamond dogs asked as Hanako looked over to the left to see the group standing in front of the crystal ponies.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s in league with the hostages?” Another one said as they quickly took up arms and aim their weapons at the samurai.

“Who cares, we just kill it or else Alpha will kill us first!” Hanako took notice to the way their legs were shaking and the way they were backing away a bit from her. With a tug on her cloak, she took a few steps forward towards the group of dogs.

“I am here to fight your leader in one-on-one combat. Is he here or not?” Hanako asked as the dogs had confused expressions on their faces.

“Y-You want to fight Blitz?”

“That is correct. Figured I'd go after the leader so we can end this peacefully.”

“And why should we believe you? You proprobly in league with the changelings and crystal ponies.”

“I’m giving you a chance to surrender. As Ruler of the Crystal Empire, I am giving you a choice. Surrender now so there won’t be blood shed, or die here in this room and be forgotten and never found.” The human said as her sword began to burst on fire. “Well, what do you say dogs?” The diamond dogs looked at each other for awhile before looking at Hanako. One of them was about to reply until a deep stern voice interrupted him.

“Us surrender? Don’t make me laugh hairless ape!” Appearing from above and landing in between them was a very tall and muscular Diamond Dog wearing heavily scratched up armor while holding a rusty sword in his hand. “Diamond Dogs never surrender to someone like you who rule over weak ponies.”

“I take it you’re their leader?”

“That is correct. I am Blitz. Leader of the Diamond Dogs and soon to be ruler of the Crystal Empire.”

“Man, talk about an ego complex.” Hanako thought as she deadpan’s at Blitz. “Something tells me that talking with you isn’t going to help. So how about we have a one-on-one duel between the two of us. If I win, then you must release the ponies and never return. If you win, you will become the new ruler of the Crystal Empire. Deal?” She asked as both crystal ponies and diamond dogs eyes widen to what the human said.

“What makes you think that you can give Blitz orders? We have hostages that we will have no problem killing.”

“You kill the hostages, then the entire force of both changeling and crystal ponies will come upon you. And unlike you guys, they have powerful magic that can kill you all within seconds. Not to mention that you have nowhere else to dig or escape. If I was in your shoes, then I would take this chance that is given to you.” Blitz paused for a moment as he placed a hand to his chin. “Well? What do you say leader of the diamond dogs?”

“Alright, I accept your challenge creature.” Blitz said as he aimed his sword at Hanako. “Prepare to die creature for the soon to be new diamond dog empire!” He yelled as he quickly charges the human while preparing to try to cut her head off. Hanako takes up a fighting stance as she quickly holds her ground against Blitz’s attack. With his weapon making contact with her blade. Hanako slid his sword to the side to the guard of her katana and begins to make her way towards him with her katana trailing along his sword. As she got close to him, Blitz quickly brought up his foot to kick the human backwards away from him as he charges with his sword raised up to cut her head off.

Hanako saw Blitz heading towards her as she quickly jumped over the diamond dog, landing behind him, and slashed the backside of the leader’s back causing him to roar in pain from the gash on his back.

“You’re skilled in combat I’ll give you that. But you’re relying on too much brute strength to try and win this fight.”

“Shut it Ape!” Blitz yells as he turns around and charges at Hanako again with a thrust attack.

“All that talent and you’re almost as dumb as dirt.” She said before quickly dodging the sword and countering with a vertical slash to Blitz’s side as his armor was chipped off from the hit. “Yet you have some decent armor for the most part.” Blitz quickly swung his sword at the samurai’s head as Hanako barely dodged his attack as the tip of his sword grazed her cheek on the right side of her face.

“Hold still so me can kill you creature!!!” Blitz yelled as Hanako continued to dodge the diamond dog’s attacks. While she was dodging, Hanako took notice of the other diamond dogs passing out onto the ground. As the diamond dogs lay on the ground sleeping, Citrine along with her squad appeared and began to lead the hostages out of the room they were in and towards the entrance.

“Okay, first part’s done. Now to take care of this meathead before he notice them leaving-” Before she could finish her thought, she soon felt herself getting punched in the face and skidding against the ground face first. “Fucking hell!”

“Ha! Should’ve paid attention to Blitz then at hostages…..wait a minute.” Blitz looks over at the hostages as they were being taking over to the entrance. “HEY!!!” He yelled as the ponies looked over at Blitz like a deer caught in the headlights.

“A hell’s bells.” Hanako staggered to pull herself up as she kneels down on one knee due to her getting hit in the chin “Dammit, why now does my body choose not to move?”

“You no escape from me ponies! You belong to diamond dogs!” Blitz said as he charges at the ponies escaping. Just as he was about to grab one of them by the neck, Citrine quickly drew her blade and cut the palm of Blitz’s hand causing him to reel back in pain.

“Get the citizens out of here. I’ll deal with the dog’s leader.” The mare said before charging at the diamond dog and pushed him away from the group continuing to escape. Blitz grits his teeth as he turns his attention to Citrine and tries to stab her with his sword.

“Out of my way you stupid pony! You let other ponies escape!”

“That's the point mongrel.” The ninja pony said as she continues to dodge Blitz’s attacks while countering with her sword at his armor. Hanako took notice of the pieces of armor chipping away as she slowly felt her body beginning to respond to her command.

“That’s it, just hold on a little bit longer Citrine and I’ll take the fight from you.” She thought as she slowly began to feel her limbs beginning to move right again.

Blitz began to let out a snarl as he continues to swing his sword around to hit the ninja pony. But everytime he did, Citrine would easily dodge his sluggish strikes and counters with a hit to his chest, legs and shoulder armor each time. This process seem to go on for quite a while before the diamond dog quickly backed away from the mare and pants.

“Annoying pony. This is suppose to be a one on one fight with leaders. Not two on one!”

“I’m pretty sure that ended the moment you tried to attack one of the citizens….then again when you think about it. That was only a ruse to get the citizens out of here and let Hanako kill you off.”

“That’s cheating!”

“Says the dog that tried to attack said hostage.”

“Because you try stealing them from me!”

“Huh….I guess that makes sense...Oh well.” Citrine jumped into the air and kicked the diamond dog in the face. This caused him to reel back a bit in pain as he glares at her. “I’m a ninja. There aren’t any rules that says that I have to play fair.”

“You pay for that!” He said before charging at her. Citrine was prepared for anything the diamond dog had in stored for her as she noticed him getting ready to throw his sword at her. A grin appeared on Blitz’s face as he turns around and threw his sword at Hanako. “Bet you no see this coming mule!”

“Lady Hanako!” Citrine yelled as she rushes over to the human’s side, only for Blitz’s to block her path and sucker punch her in the face. The punch sent the mare flying as she crashed side first into a piece of crystal standing out of the ground and fell to the ground knocked out.

“Smart move on his part. But a huge mistake for hurting Citrine.” Hanako looked over at the sword heading towards her as she closed her eyes for a moment. Upon doing that she started feeling motion in her right hand as she quickly shattered the rusty sword into pieces. As she opened her eyes, she took notice of Blitz missing from her field of vision and began to look around for him. In a matter of seconds, the human’s eyes widen to the realization and looked up to see him coming down at her with an axe in both hands. “Dammit, and I still can’t move my legs yet.”

“YOU DIE!!!” Blitz yells as Hanako lifted up her sword to parry most of the atack to the side, but the blade of the axe hit her shoulder and cut a chunk of her flesh clean off as the force behind the axe hitting the ground sent her tumbling off to the side a bit. “Me missed? But me sure I was aiming to split you in two.” He said as he slowly begins to make his way over to Hanako as he cracks his neck.

“Yeah...Starting to see the blunder in my judgement of error here.” Hanako thought as her vision began to fade in and out. “Rule one, never underestimate your opponents. Especially if they do something like this. You think I would’ve learn this by now.” She said before noticing Blitz standing next to her with his axe raised.

“Looks like Blitz will be running new kingdom for Diamond Dogs.” He said with a devilish grin on his face. “Creature shouldn’t underestimate leader.” Just as he was about to slam his axe into Hanako’s head, the sound of something hitting flesh echoed throughout the room as Hanako looked up to see a short sword stuck in Blitz’s hand as the axe quickly dropped a few inches near the humans head causing her to jolt up to her feet.

“Holy crap that was close...wait I can move my legs again?” She asked as she started to move her legs a bit and grins. The samurai soon took notice to the sword in the diamond dog’s hand as she looks behind him to see Citrine standing up barely with some blood dripping from her mouth.

“M-My lady….you must flee while I have the mongrel’s attention.” Citrine said as she tried to move, only for her to collapse onto the ground.

“Stupid pony should’ve stayed down and dead-” Before Blitz could finish his statement, he soon felt his left arm fall to the ground. Looking over he saw his arm cut off clean as a stream of blood gushed out from it as he stumbles backwards a bit from the pain as he screams in pain. “You ugly naked monkey! How can you still fight with one arm!?”

“Just because my katana is two handed, doesn’t mean I need that much power to cut your arm clean off like that.” Hanako answered as she winced from the pain of the giant open wound on her left shoulder, or what remains of her shoulder. “I would show you mercy and give you a chance to surrender. But given the fact of tonight and from the damage you inflicted on us, that pretty much sealed the deal on your death.” Blitz gritted his teeth as he tried to grab his axe with his other hand, only for it to be cut off upon him trying to lift it up.

“Y-You think you won fight? Don’t get cocky ape! I will return to kill you and ponies will serve diamond-” Blitz was soon cut off mid-sentence as Hanako cut though his neck with her katana. As she slowly begins to sheath her weapon. Upon hearing the click sound of her weapon being sheathed, Blitz’s head rolled clean off from his body as he fell to the ground dead.

“Okay...that was a bit too close for comfort on my part.” Hanako said before falling to the ground. “So that’s how strong a diamond dog is...should’ve been more prepared and shouldn’t have underestimated him for being a brute.” She said before noticing Citrine staggering over to her. “Glad to see you’re still alive….guess that plan went south real quickly huh?” She asked with a weak chuckle followed by a wince of pain.

“It wouldn't have if you stayed focus, but it’s also our fault for not getting the hostages out as quickly as possible.” The mare said as she looked down at the ground in shame. “We could’ve done better than that.”

“Well you learn from it and will do better next time if something like this happens. But for now we should get out of here and regroup with the others to inform them about what happen.” Hanako said as she pulls herself up a bit only to fall back down onto her bottom. “Oh right...still kinda lost my footing after getting hit in the face and loss of blood.”

“Guess that quick boost of adrenaline wore off sooner than expected.” Citrine said before staggering off towards the entrance of the room they’re in. “I’ll be back with some help. Do try not to pass out from blood loss or something else Lady Hanako.”

“No offense, but how are you going to get out of here with your in-” Hanako looked over to see that Citrine vanished within a blink of an eye as she deadpans. “Right, stupid question on my part...Amber is not going to let this one down, that’s for sure.”