A Hardened Warrior

Chapter 5 - An Old Enemy, A New Hero (pt 1/2)

As Roderick was walking, carrying an EXTREMELY drunken Applejack, to the orchard for the night, Roderick couldn’t help but feel he was being watched. But every time he turned around, he saw no one. The feeling didn’t leave him though, until he reached the barn. He had left AJ with Big Macintosh, who was just heading back into the house. He had fallen asleep within the barn again, and rested peacefully until morning came.

This was Roderick’s day off, but he did his job regardless, against the suggestions of Applejack and Big Macintosh. The day went well, he had harvested nearly one and a half times what he usually harvested, much to the surprise of the Apple family. He didn’t eat all day, and didn’t speak a word, and started to scare AJ when he wouldn’t stop. When night came, he wasn’t even tired, but he went back to the barn anyways. He drifted off into space all night, never falling asleep. The same happened for a few days, he ate when he became weak, and spoke straight, flat answers when necessary.

“Twi, ah think there’s sumthin wrong with Roderick.” Her voice had a hint of concern, and a bit of fear. Twilight picked up on it.

“What do you mean?” Becoming concerned that her fears might be coming true.

“He’s distant, won’t talk much, and doesn’t eat a lot.”

“Hmm, are you sure he’s not just sad? He did lose a lot you know.”

“Ah know, but it’s not like ‘im”

“How long?”

“A week now, ah really think sumthin’s wrong with him.”

“Then we should talk to him, if he doesn’t answer us, then we’ll leave him alone.”

“alright, ah’ll be back at the farm then.”

“I’m coming with, we’ll talk to him now. Spike! I’m going out for a while, look after the library.”

An almost inaudible reply came from the dragon, who was reading a book labeled “Dragon Origins and Behavior”.

Roderick was at the last tree on the orchard when he was interrupted by Twilight and Applejack calling his name. They had a short conversation, about his eating, sleeping, and working habits. Twilight seemed pleased to know that he wasn’t going to harm anypony any time soon. They exchanged goodbyes and the two ponies began a small conversation on the way to the house.

“I told you he was just missing his friends.”

“Ah don’t think that’s all though, ah really think he’s comin’ down with sumthin.”

“AJ, he’s fine, he doesn’t have any symptoms, and he’s running at 100%, there’s absolutely nothing to fear.”

But that night, they were going to learn how wrong they were.

A/N: sorry it took so damn long to write this, part two will come tomorrow while I write ahead. trying to pace myself, oh and also... sorry for the short chapters, I'm still trying to learn how to write longer ones. I'm going to try to keep the pace at 3 chapters a week.

cliffhanger <3