Chapter 3 Mending Bridges

I’m My Own Master
Chapter 3:
Brains vs. Brawn

It was another day in Ponyville, but due to the fact I don’t want to repeat myself I’ll just get to it. Amongst the apple trees on the farm was Nightshade, and unlike usual he decided he would relax for a while amongst the shaded trees but it was short lived as he was awoken by a thud, then shaking and finally…*smack!*

“Ow why me…?” He groaned as he got up and then felt 1,2,3,4 and lastly…5 apples landing on his head “Ow…”

“Hehehe sorry about that Nightshade I didn’t know you were up there” said Applejack as she helped him up

“No it’s fine I really should have picked a better tree” he said as he smiled weakly and shook his head “Still what are you doing?”

“I’m harvesting the apples until I shook down a rather big one” she explained with a smile

Nightshade then looked towards the tree and stood there for a moment before asking

“So I hit it?” he asked as he continued to stare it down

“Yea but you don’t need to help I've got this” she said before going over to another tree and bucking it until it rained apples, then she took notice of Nightshade doing the same and the same result happened

“Before you ask, you gave me a home and food so for me to just lay around and do nothing would be inconsiderate of me” Nightshade explained as he hit another with his back hooves

“Hey you have bigger things to worry about that and you don’t exactly want to be tired when talking with my friends do you?” she asked as he stopped and smirked

“Well I just think you’re afraid of me beating you at this” he challenged which Applejack grinned also “I mean it doesn’t look too difficult”

“Oh is that right well I’m already far ahead so you would have to-“

“Done” interrupted Nightshade as he seemed to catch up to Applejack in 10 seconds flat

“Fine then let's see if you put your money where your mouth is!” she dared

“Oh ok then let’s do this!” he shouted as they began hitting every tree that was still bearing fruit

*Strike*…*thud*…*strike*…*thud* and so on as they both kept going but with each hit they grew tired but neither wanted to break as they kept going but as time grew their progress slowed until they both fell in exhaustion and pain. Nightshade sat with his back against a tree as the sweat trickled down his face

“So I guess were done?” he said between breaths “My lungs feel like collapsing”

“Yea um did we keep track?” she asked as she fanned herself with her stenson

“Yes um I got 54 and you got 59 so yes you won” he said as he got to his hooves

“Well at least you kept up so I can’t argue with that” Applejack responded as she two got up “Shall we go?”

“Yea might as well but I warn I don’t think I could pay much attention if the rainbow one yells” he said with a hint of sarcasm

“Yes well that’s RD for ya” Applejack responded rolling her eyes

15 Minutes Later…

As Applejack and Nightshade got closer to the doors of the castle Nightshade’s mind seemed to race. What if he’s interrogated again? What if this was a trap? What if those bots show up? Will they blame him for it again? Applejack took notice of this a nudged him

“You’re worried aren’t ya?” she asked and he nodded

“Look trust me I won’t let them get to you and if things get… out of hoof than will leave” he nodded again and by the time Nightshade knew it they were actually outside a door in a massive hallway

“Wait how did-“he said baffled

“You were in too much thought to notice” Applejack said as she opened the door reviling a massive room with a map of what Nightshade could tell, of the world and then 6 chairs sat around it and then he saw the others

“Well let’s see my options I can jump out a number of windows or out the door… I’m done for”

“Hi Nightshade how are you?” asked Twilight

“Well better than being beaten into the ground so yea good” he responded

“Look Nightshade I’m sorry I only wanted to make sure you weren’t a threat but I didn’t mean to hurt you… I’m very sorry” said Twilight as her ears flattened and the rest apologised two except for Dash, no surprise there.

“Hey it’s alright you were just being careful but please never do that again... friends?” he asked with a smile

“Friends” she responded as they shook hooves and then Nightshade got to the point

“But if I were to guess now you would like me to answer any questions you have?”

“How did you know?” asked Twilight

“AJ said you normally do this” he said bluntly

“Well ok then let's see do you remember anything from before?” she began as the rest listened intently

“Well the only memories that came up are One my name, Two flashes of light and a person but that’s about it” he explained

“Do you know how you got here?” asked Fluttershy as she saw him nod sadly “Oh I’m sorry you must be really sad that you can’t remember a thing”

“Well I found out that my memory can come back through certain events but I don’t know when they’ll be triggered” Nightshade explained as he then saw Dash begin to speak

“Oh boy here we go”

“Yea sure… you only just happen to loose your memory shortly after that monster Tirek attacked!” She shouted sarcastically

“Um who’s Tirek?” Nightshade whispered to Applejack as she whispered back and his eyes widened “Well that’s one way to take over, but no just because I happen to show up after does not prove anything”

“Sure just like how Discord betrayed us to help that wretched thing” responded Dash which at this point he decided to be quite until he started to hear something in the back of his mind

Do it…

Hurt them…

Do it…

They hate you…

Hurt them… Do it…

Hurt them…

Do it…

They hate you…

Hurt them…

Do it…

Do it… hurt them…

Before they hurt you… do it…

Do it…

Do it…

Do it… hurt them…

Before they hurt you… do it…

Do it…

Nightshade clutched his head again and groaned in pain

“Shut up, shut up, shut up” and they did “I really hate when that happens”

“Nightshade you alright?” asked Applejack with a worried look as Nightshade just smiled back

“Yea just headaches” he said as he felt something pop up in his mind… as he remembered something

“What was that about?” Asked Twilight as she looked over at him “I wonder if something is trying to enter his mind”

“He is Rampant” Nightshade said a he grew scared

“Who’s that sugarcube?” asked Applejack

“He is Rampant the one who…” he stopped as his eyes grew with fear “He’s coming for me, he’s the one behind the attacks!”

“What does he look like?” asked Twilight with a hint of fear

“I-i don’t know I only remember his name” was all he said as he tried to remember more

“I don’t like this” said Fluttershy now worried about this thing

“I-I’m just gonna go for a walk…I need to clear my head” Said Nightshade before walking out of the room leaving everyone to their thoughts

Nightshade stood looking out over the balcony as the sky lift up in an array of yellows and oranges. He kept playing that name in his head to try jogging his memory but nothing, only death and destruction filled his head until someone got his attention. As he turned he saw Dash standing beside him, but her face showed she was either concerned or guilty.

“Are you here to yell at me again?” Nightshade said but was very unamused

“No... I’m here to say...I’m sorry” This took Nightshade by surprise “I overreacted and made your memory loss more... unbearable”

“Thanks Dash...Friends?” Nightshade said as he held his hoof out and she shook

“Friends” Dash said happily “Oh and Pinkie wanted to know if you were up for a party? Don’t worry she does this to everyone who’s new”

“Well it beats moping around so yes” Nightshade said as he was then tackled by a pink blur

“Alrightsowhat’syourfavoritefooddrinkscoloranimalnamedoyoueverwonderwhywerehere?-mmm” Pinkie said at an astonishing rate

“Please stop talking so fast” Nightshade said as he tried to shut the mare up before his brain fried again and he watched as the others laughed as he tried to crawl away but to no avail

“Hmm I wonder... is he fragmented?” Thought Twilight “I should call him...”

Author's Note

Does Twilight know something that the other don't? only time will tell...

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and the just FYI the next is more of a slice of life.

To see my main story click here