A Hardened Warrior

Chapter 6 - An Old Enemy, A New Hero

Once Roderick went back inside the barn, where he was and is still sleeping in, a shadow emerged from the darkness. It had no shape, other than a simple floating mass, with a ghost-like appearance. He felt it’s presence, grabbing the massive two-handed sword by instinct.

“Who goes there? Show yourself.” Roderick stated flatly, a warriors tone. But the ‘wisp’, as they’re called, remained silent. Watching from above, as Roderick listened intently for any breathing or other noises other than his own. When he came to the conclusion that his mind was playing tricks on him, he lied down to sleep, still uneasy about the earlier feeling. The wisp then left again, leaving a sparkling blue trail behind it as it slipped through the open window in the middle of the barn.

“And what might this devilish creature be?” The wisp thought aloud, but to itself, in a feminine voice. “Perhaps it will be an asset to me... It seems very... corruptible.” The wisp disappeared back into the darkness

“Roderick? Y’in here?” Applejack called out, but with no response, she went in. She was thoroughly disappointed when she saw him awake, sitting indian style, staring blankly at the wall. She was also slightly worried for him. “Y’okay? Roderick, say sumthin.”

...silence...

“Roderick! This ain’t funny. Say sumthin!” before she came closer, and saw his eyes weren’t their natural color, but completely black, no pupils, irises, or sclera. Just midnight black, like a demon’s. An audible scream could be heard for miles, coming from the barn.

Big mac came in, ready for a fight, only to see Applejack wide-eyed in fear staring at the human. “What’s wrong?” was all he could say. Before Roderick moved. Before he attacked the two ponies viciously, but non-lethally. The ponies fought back, bucking the armored soldier as hard as they could, but to no avail, and near broken legs from the recoil.

"This body is mine..." A dark, and foreboding voice over shadowed Roderick's own.

“Twilight!” was heard through the library door, followed by pounding, with Rainbow Dash’s voice. “Something happened to AJ!” That was all Twilight needed to hear to wake her up, and unlock the door.

“What happened? Is she hurt?”

“Yeah! she’s got bruises and cuts all over! she’s at the hospital, with Big Mac. And that human thing ran into the Everfree forest!”

“What? I don’t understand, do the other girls know about this?”

“Yeah, they’re all at the hospital with AJ.”

“Then lets go!” Twilight shouted while leaving a note for Spike and rushing out the door.

They arrived at the hospital, heading into the lobby with the others. They explained what they knew happened, and their beliefs, along with some nasty comments about how ‘they never should have trusted it’. This led to a heated discussion of where they should start looking, after sending a letter to the princess. A few seconds later later came a reply, along with the princess with a concerned mixed with furious look on her face. The hospital ponies quickly got out of her way, fearing what kind of wrath she would bestow upon those who were foolish enough to get in her way.

I will be there shortly. Was all the letter said. No seal. No signature. Just a sentence in hastily scrawled lettering.

The door to the room flung open.

“Twilight, girls, I need to speak to Applejack, is she awake?”

“Yes Princess.” The girls stepped aside, allowing the princess to see AJ, with a bruised face and broken left foreleg.

“Howdy Princess, sorry I can’t bow to ya, nothin personal.”

“Which way?”

“Pardon?”

“Which way did it go?”

“Oh... Princess... ah need t’explain sumthin first.”

“What is it?”

“It wasn’t him.”

"What?!" All the ponies replied in unison.

Meanwhile, in the Everfree forest, Roderick was having a mental battle with Nightmare for control of his body. He was resisting well, which angered her, loosening still the hold Nightmare had upon him. He would not let her free, however. But instead become her prison, for all of eternity.

'Mortal, I have granted you immortality, now I ask that you serve me, allow me control of your body.'

'I will never serve you.'

'Why do you resist?!'

'I know your intentions. I will not follow your command. Demon.'

'I WILL BREAK YOU MORTAL!'

'Fat chance.'

'You will suffer!'

'Don't care. It's a worthy trade, to become a hero, and suffer forever. And you shall rot inside me for the rest of eternity. Demon.'

He remained sitting, observing the surroundings of his new, and (hopefully) permanent home while chatting away with Nightmare about his homeland. Getting only a few statements out of it.

Recap: Nightmare made Roderick immortal, and he took over, now he sits in the everfree forest alone for the rest of the existence of time. AJ explains to the princess and girls what happened to Roderick.

A/N: Sorry for the long update time, next chapter won't be out for a few days, going on vacation for the weekend. It's currently 12:00, and I shall release this chapter! :D

also, chapters will now be released on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. At 3pm Central time ;3