Stryker’s Crush

By Amber Chrystryker

“Stryker, right?” asks Rainbow Dash. You don’t hear her because you are too fixated on her adorable face. “Stryker? Hello? Anybody in there?” Rainbow Dash knocks on your head, breaking your stare.

“Oh. Huh?” you ask.

“Your name is Stryker, right?” Rainbow Dash asks again.

“Y-yeah. MacAllaster Alexej Chrystryker, or Stryker for short,” you say, blushing.

“Stryker. Focus.” Says Rainbow Dash, sharply.

“Uh. Yeah. R-rainbow Dash,” you stutter.

“Yes, Stryker?”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you this, but…” Don’t say it, buddy! “Shut up, me!” you think.

“Yes Stryker?” she says, eyes widening.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you that I- DUCK!” you say as you shove Rainbow Dash out of the way and dive to the grass.

Right then, one of Snips’ and Snails’ Garbage Balloons explodes where Rainbow Dash was standing just seconds earlier.

“Stryker. What the fu- Oh. I see,” she says. You cough, stand up, and rush over to Rainbow.

“Are you alright, Dashie?” you say as you help her up and brush her off.

“Dashie? Did you just call me... Dashie” she asks with an edge of skepticism in her voice.

“Keh heh… No…” you say, blushing slightly.

“That is a lie!”

You blush just as the bell rings. “Gotta go. Sorry, Rainbow. Can’t talk now,” you say as you rush to the door and off to class.

When you turn a corner into a hall to get to Professor Chrysalis’ (the hall is pretty empty, as you were taking your time to get to class, which is not unusual for you) there’s Rainbow Dash leaning up against a locker.

“Heh heh heh. Look who it is…"

“What do you want, Rainbow Dash?” you say in an irritated manner.

“Tell me the truth,” Rainbow Dash says in a voice that sounds like, “you lie, and I’ll rip out your throat!”

You gulp.

Told you, buddy… I knew you’d get in trouble. Better play it safe, or she will rip out your throat!

“Oh, shut up! No one asked you, me!” you think.

“Wait… How long have you known, Rainbow Dash?” you snarl.

“Oh… Since you laid eyes on me. I first noticed it in science when we were assigned partners for that project for Professor Chrysalis. Remember?” asked Rainbow.

“Oh yyyyeaaaaah… I forgot about that… Keh heh heh… Good times…” you say as you and Rainbow laugh.

“Anyway, you were always staring at me all dreamy-eyed. I could see you out of the corner of my eye.” You blush. “Anyway, Stryker. Let’s get to science. Professor Chrysalis is going to freak like its 1999!”

As you and Rainbow walk to class, Principal Celestia catches the two of you.

“What are you two doing out here?! You’re very late!” she snaps.

“We’re sorry, ma’am. We won’t do it again,” you say.

“Next time I catch you two in the hallway this late, it’s a detention for both of you. Understood?!”

“Yes ma’am!” you and Rainbow Dash say in unison, saluting. As Principal Celestia walks away, you and Rainbow laugh.

When you and Rainbow Dash arrive at Professor Chrysalis’ classroom, you and she pause.

“On ‘three’. One… Two… Three!” You turn the knob and slip into the classroom.

No one but Professor Chrysalis notices you and Rainbow.

“Stryker and Rainbow Dash… Tsk tsk… you’re a tad late, don’t you think?” says Chrysalis in her usual teasing manner.

“Sorry, professor. We won’t do it again. We promise,” you say. You and Rainbow make your way to your science table, as you sit together.

“Rainbow Dash,” you whisper.

“Yes, Stryker?” she whispers back.

“Do you like me?” you ask.

“What is your meaning of ‘like’? Is it friend like, crush like, or like like?” asks Rainbow Dash in a whisper.

“Rainbow Dash!” yells Chrysalis. “Get to work!”

“Yes ma’am…” mutters Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow. Can I talk to you after class?” you ask.

“Sure,” she says.

As class draws to the end, the bell rings. You and Rainbow slip out of the classroom and walk into a dusty, dark, cobwebby hallway.

“What’s up?” asks Rainbow Dash.

“What I was going to say earlier: I do have a huge crush on you, but I’ve always been so scared to actually tell you. I never meant to make you skeptical about me, but I failed at that. Are you going to rip my throat out?” you ask Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash laughs.

“Oh Stryker! Heh heh! You are too funny. No I’m not going to rip out your throat, but I will do this…”

Rainbow Dash pulls you into a long kiss. Your pupils shrink. When you break away, you look at Rainbow.

“W-what on Earth was… that?” you ask.

“I have the same feelings for you that you do for me, Stryker,” says Rainbow.

Your pupils shrink to tiny pin pricks.

“You okay, Stryker? I can barely see your pupils,” says Rainbow Dash with a tremor in her voice.

Rainbow Dash brushes back a lock of your shiny, holey teal-blue hair and wipes a tear from your eye. You hug Rainbow Dash tightly as your pupils grow back to normal.

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash. You are the sweetest, nicest, most adorable girl I’ve ever met,” you say in barely a whisper. Rainbow Dash blushes.

“Thanks, uh, Stryker,” she stutters.

~~~

The next day, you arrive in the courtyard of CHS.

“Hey lover-boy! Where’s your girlfriend, ay?” teases Snips.

“Yeah, Stryker! Where’s Rainbow Crash?” asks Snails.

You were prepared for this. You pull out 2 water balloons and throw them with inhuman accuracy at Snips and Snails, hitting them smack in the face.

“Not so affectionate, am I… Snips and Snails,” you snarl in such an unpleasant manner, it sends chills through those nearby.

Snips and Snails land with a loud thud from their excellent sniping spot on one of the new metal overhangs.

“HOLY SHIT! He’s got deadly aim!” cries Snips. “Run!”

You laugh as Rainbow Dash walks up to you.

“Heyyyyy Stryker!” says Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Rainbow!” you say.

She kisses you.

“Stryker. Why were Snips and Snails all wet and bruised?”

"I sniped ‘em with a couple ‘o water balloons. Good fun,” you say, chuckling. Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes.

You and Rainbow walk to the front doors of CHS. Rainbow Dash opens it for you.

“Thank you, Rainbow,” you say, winking. The two of you walk through the door.

“Ooh… Look who it is…” coos Berry Punch.

“Ignore her, Rainbow,” you say.

“Heh heh heh. Look! It’s MacAllaster ‘n’ Cheese and Rainbow Crash!” teases Hoops.

“Ay! You gonna kiss again? Heh! I’d love to see it!” snarls Cannon Blast.

“Aww… How cute! Heh heh heh!” says Trixie in a horrifyingly vicious tone. A chill goes up your spine.

“That was actually kind of horrifying,” says Rainbow Dash.

“You can say that again, Rainbow!” you tease.

You and Rainbow walk to Tech Ed.

“Mr. Bushmaster’s class. Ugh…” you groan.

You and Rainbow Dash walk into Mr. Bushmaster’s class.

“Ah… Rainbow Dash an'… Stryker, if I ain't mistaken?” asks Mr. Bushmaster wearing his usual army uniform.

“You are not mistaken, sir,” you say, saluting Mr. Bushmaster.

Mr. Bushmaster salutes you back.

You and Rainbow make your way to your table, like in Professor Chrysalis’ class, you sit next to her.

“Alrigh'y den, ev’rybody. Let’s get to work…” says Mr. Bushmaster.

You and Rainbow work on a video game programming project. You and Rainbow’s game is a soccer game that’s made for 2-4 players.

“Soon, I’ll be comin’ ‘round to see what your games ‘r like. ‘fy like ‘em, then A-A+, ‘fit needs some ‘provement, I’ll tell you. That’d be a C-D. ‘fy can’ c'n'trol nuthin’, sorry, kids. ‘n F.”

You and Rainbow break into a sweat, thinking the same thing: “Oh, jeez. Here comes the hammer!”

Soon, Mr. Bushmaster reaches your game.

“Well, well, well. If t’ain’t Mr. Stryker and Ms. Dashie. Wattaya got ‘ere?” says Mr. Bushmaster in a teasing manner.

Saluting, Rainbow Dash says, “A soccer game, sir!”

Mr. Bushmaster lifts one side of his mouth.

“Ya know, I used teh play soccer when I was ‘bout yer age. Bes’ on m’team. Good times,” he says, chuckling. “It’s on, Dashie!” His eyes narrow.

Mr. Bushmaster faces Rainbow Dash and wins 2-10.

“Damn, Mr. Bushmaster. You’re good!” says Rainbow Dash, shocked beyond belief.

Mr. Bushmaster chuckles.

“Hey. They d’int call me Annihilator fer nuthin’!” His voice trails off as the bell rings.

“Good game, Mr. Bushmaster!” Rainbow Dash calls over her shoulder.

“Yeh teh, Dashie!” he calls after her. “Kids. Heh heh. Always into sports.”

“We got biology next. We don’t want Professor Chrysalis to yell at us like yesterday,” you say.

“That’s true, Stryker” says Rainbow.

You and Rainbow Dash arrive at Professor Chrysalis’ classroom. You turn the door knob.

“Ah… Stryker and Rainbow Dash. It appears you aren’t late this time,” she says in a tone that would make anyone confess … to anything.

“Yes, ma’am,” you say as you and Rainbow Dash head for your shared table.

You and Rainbow work on your study project all through class.

Time seems to slow and your thoughts begin fog up.

What in the name of Dogaeen? you think.

The bell parts the fog. The class pours out of the room. You and your friend slip out of class again, but a chill goes up and down your spine: the exact same feeling anybody has when Professor Chrysalis is watching you when your back is turned.

“Do you feel that, Rainbow?” you ask.

“If you’re talking about that piercing Chrysalis stare, then yeah, I feel it,” she says.

You chuckle, though you don’t feel like laughing.

“Stryker, Stryker, Stryker... Hmm… You and Rainbow Dash seem to make a good pair. Heh heh heh… What am I saying? You are an amazing pair! If I could compare you to any couple in this school, I’d say better than Cannon Blast and Pinkie Pie… If you’d seen them, I’d swear you’d think it’s ADORABLE!” says Chrysalis’ voice.

“What the? Professor Chrysalis?” you think.

“Yes… It is I… Queen- I mean Professor Chrysalis!” she says. “And I will now take over your mind! Gahahahaha!”

You shudder, which Rainbow Dash notices.

“You okay?” she asks.

Your eyes swim for a bit, then they focus.

“Uh… Yeah,” you say in a zombie-like tone.

Rainbow Dash eyes you suspiciously. You stop in the middle of the hallway.

“Stryker! Now’s the time you ask her out according to plan!” hisses Chrysalis.

“What plan? What on Earth are you talking about… Changeling Queen Chrysalis!” you think in a ‘ah-ha!’ like tone.

“What in the!?! Stryker! You know?!” she screeches.

“Yup! I know! I’ve known since one of my memories came back! One I couldn’t believe!” you snap in your mind.

“Which one?” she asks.

“The Legend of the Battle of the Bones!” you think.

“No! Impossible! The mind of a Raptorian always thwarts tricks,” she snaps. “Heh heh heh. Not bad, though. A man has his ways. And you’re no exception.”

“GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!” you screech.

Everyone in the hallway around you looks at you like, “What the heck is up with the new kid?” or “Is he okay?”

“Fine. It seems like you’re a bit tough to wrap my head around… I better not bite off more than I can chew!” says Chrysalis, laughing.

The words ‘I better not bite off more than I can chew’ bounces around in your head. Sunset Shimmer dashes around the corner.

“Stryker. Are you okay?” she asks in a worried tone.

You are breathing unevenly.

“Yeah… Sunset… I’m f-fine,” you say.

“We felt it too,” says Rainbow Dash.

“We felt Chrysalis drill out of your head. She’s going to target someone else.”

“We better tell Principal Celestia!” you say as you run down the halls towards Principal Celestia’s office.

Sunset Shimmer knocks on the door.

“Come in,” says Chrysalis in a quiet voice.

You open the door to see Chrysalis - Changeling Queen Chrysalis - facing the window.

“Queen Chrysalis…” you snarl.

“Heh heh heh! Stryker, Sunset Shimmer, and Rainbow Dash… You’ve come to pay me a visit?” she asks.

“What do you want, Chrysalis?” says Rainbow Dash.

Chrysalis walks around Principal Celestia’s table.

“Listen closely. I’ve seen what the six of you can do... Equestrian magic… I am quite impressed… But all I need is one of you to tell me how you use it… And nopony gets hurt…” she laughs evilly.

“We’d rather die than tell you our secret!” snaps Rainbow Dash.

“Hahahahaha! Then I’ll just have to rip it out of you!” snarls Chrysalis.

She walks toward Stryker.

“Tell me… How do you use Equestrian magic?”

“I actually don’t know… I’m really sorry…” you say apologetically.

“Yeah…” says Chrysalis sarcastically.

“Don’t blame him, Chrysalis… He’s the new guy…” says Rainbow Dash angrily.

Chrysalis walks to Rainbow Dash.

“Excuse me, Miss? What did you say?” she asks.

“I said, ‘Don’t blame him, Chrysalis… He’s the new guy…’!” Rainbow Dash snaps.

“Well then… Rainbow Dash…” snarls Chrysalis. “You will tell me now!”

Chrysalis’ horn glows. Rainbow Dash moans as Chrysalis gets into her mind, but then you tackle Chrysalis breaking her spell.

“Tell us where Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna are… NOW!” you snarl viciously, as if saying, “tell me or DIE!”

“Stryker… why would I tell you! You act innocent… But you aren’t!” she says, smirking in a deadly manner.

You walk up to her, looking brave but in the pit of your stomach, you are terrified. A beautiful, 8-foot tall equine-changeling thing standing in front of you.

“You wouldn’t hurt me, would you… Stryker?” she asks.

You ninja-dash at her.

“Not even if I... restored your glory... General Chrystryker?”

That makes you skid to a stop.

“Wha… How do you know I’m-?” you say, shocked.

“I know a lot of things,” she says, softly.

She takes a few steps and lightly lays a hoof on your shoulder.

Okay, buddy… Stay calm....

You take a deep breath.

I know you can defeat her!

“You know I’m not all that powerful…” you think.

“Chrysalis… I’m not scared, 1, and 2, I'm kind of already important in Equestria,” you say, snickering.

Chrysalis looks wounded.

“You mean… You didn’t like my offer?” she asks.

“Only I restore his glory... Changeling!” snarls Rainbow Dash, charging.

Rainbow punches Chrysalis, allowing Sunset Shimmer to back toward the door.

“Heh heh heh… Where do you think you’re going?” says Chrysalis as she recovers and makes a magic fence in front of the door.

“You will do nothing to her, ya hear?” you snarl.

You start to float and glow with a black aura around you.

“He’s ponying up!” whispers Sunset to Rainbow Dash.

“You WILL tell us where Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna are… NOW!!!” you yell.

Chrysalis seems to shrink with a scared look on her face.

“Okay… Okay… I’ll tell you…” she says. “In the secret compartment under the table.”

Chrysalis presses the button. The table splits in half with a hydraulic hiss and sinks into the floor revealing a compartment with Principal Celestia and vice Principal Luna. You help them out of the compartment.

“Stryker. I don’t know how to thank to you. Me and my sister are forever grateful,” says Celestia. “Now… What to do with you.”

A smile spreads across your face, looking at the pit in front of you.

~~A few months later at Graduation~~

It’s your turn to go up on the stage. As you walk up, you look at Rainbow Dash who winks at you. You wink back and march up the stairs toward Celestia and Luna.

“Today I’d like to honour a very special student here at CHS by the name of MacAllaster Alexej Chrystryker. He saved me and Principal Celestia from the evil grasp of Changeling Queen Chrysalis,” says Luna.

“He, Rainbow Dash, and Sunset Shimmer stood up to her. He used a magic he had no idea he had and used it to defeat the Changeling Queen. He’s not only smart, he’s a brave man, too. He didn’t give up in the face of danger. He also saved his girlfriend Rainbow Dash from being controlled by taking risky maneuvers and knocked the Queen’s spell off of its target,” adds Celestia.

“Hey. Don’t forget that I caught her off guard after she made a slightly promising offer,” you add, "which I regret declining. And me and Rainbow Dash aren't quite there yet."

“That t- wait, you're not?,” says Principal Celestia, puzzled, "umm... well, anyway, congrats Chrystryker!"

Mr. Bushmaster stands up.

“An’ I can’ ferget his efforts ‘n class. He’s a good man. Ain’t gonna ferget ‘im and ‘is ‘mazin’ work,” adds Mr. Bushmaster. “Always gonna miss ‘im when he leaves. Good luck out there, son. Good luck ‘n fair seas! Hope ya visit at some point. ‘Tis gonna be mighty lonely ‘thout ya.”

Everybody in the gym, including Rainbow, applaud Stryker. Stryker waves, his cheeks reddening slightly.

~~~~The End~~~~

Author's Note

I know I've gotten some hate about this story and I am rather disappointed about that. Just know that this story isn't my best work, so please don't hate it.

I did some extra work to fix it.I fixed some things, tampered with some others, and read over it multiple times.

Even if you didn't like it, thanks for reading it anyway!

And I also wrote a theme for Stryker himself; here's the link:

https://musescore.com/user/3876471/scores/1857066

-Amber