A week has passed since Nightmare Moon had been destroyed and Luna was back to herself once more. At least Kenji now knows what the other tower was for now. He hasn’t been to see Luna as of yet. But maybe he shouldn't. On account of he did beat the ever living night lights out of her, but he did it to save her from Nightmare Moon..wait. Anyways, Today was going to be an interesting day though. While Cadence was of doing her thing, something came up for Kenji. Twilight has requested him to come to Ponyville to visit her and her friends, since they never really got to introduce each other from the other night. He didn’t see any harm in doing this, since he had Twilight to vouch for him should things go wrong when he gets there.

“You sure you won’t need me today Cadence?”

He asked as he was leaning against the wall in her room, watching her do her usual studies and such.

“I am sure Kenji, go ahead and go see Twily, I am sure she has been eager for you to meet all of her Ponyville friends.”

“I wish you could come along though. Instead of being cramped up in here all day…”

Cadence gets up from her chair and walks over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzles into him.

“I know, Kenji. I really wish I could go to, but today is an important day. I got a big test in less than a few hours and it is crucial I pass it.”

Kenji smiles and lightly runs his hand up and down her back.

“Well,how about when I get back I give you one of my famous massages? Those always seem to help you feel better.”

Cadence blushed brightly, but nodded rapidly as an answer. She loved his skilled hands, and no matter where he touched her, it made shivers run down her spine, even what he was doing now made her feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

“I will definitely hold you to that, Kenji. You do know how to help me relax. Now, go on, don’t keep her waiting now.”

“Right...Twi is usually pretty impatient isn’t she?”

They both laughed lightly. Kenji hugs her gently against him before heading out.

“Study hard Cadence, I know you got this in the bag.”

“And your faith in me makes me all the more determined!”

She said enthusiastically.

“Alright, should things come up, you know how to get ahold of me.”

She giggles and pushes him towards the door, well...tries to anyways. But he got the message.

“Have fun Kenji.”

“I will return early in the evening.”

“Good, you can join me for a bath when you get back.”

Kenji blinks as she says this. But shakes his head.

“Why must you tease me all the time Cadence?”

“Oh no, I am being serious this time. We have known each other for three years Kenji. I feel I can trust you when I am completely nude in front of you. Plus you can scrub me down, then give me that massage. Anyways, I look forward to it! See you later!”

Before he could protest however, the door was shut.

“Geez...what is with ehr?”

Kenji made his way out of the castle and began his long glide down to Ponyville. Once there, he lands in the middle of the town square in front of the fountain. When he does, all eyes were now fixed on him. Ponies stared at him like he was something completely new to them. Then again, he probably was. And his size wasn’t helping the situation either, the tallest pony came up to his waist, barely above his hip. The princesses came up to his chest, including their horns..

“Um….afternoon all. Any idea where I might find Twilight Sparkle? I am supposed to meet with ehr and-”

“Kenjiiiii!”

Shouted that familiar voice that was getting closer and closer. He turned around to see the unicorn rushing towards him at max speed, leaping up and wrapping her arms around his neck and hanging off him, nuzzling into him.

“You finally made it! I was on my way back to the Library when I saw you gliding in.”

A mare with mint green firt and white hair approaches Kenji, looking up at him.

“You are the one that goes by Kenji?”

“That I am.”

“Well...we have all heard how you stopped Nightmare Moon. I can see they were not exaggerating your size….you are just so...large and built like a mountain…”

She said as she continued to eye him, a slight blush on her cheeks as she imaged him without his robes on. Kenji just shook his head and cradles the lavender unicorn in his arms.

“Showme which way to go, and I will carry you on the way, Twi.”

She was living a little filly’s dream, to be carried by someone stronger and protective, she nestled into his arms.

“Straight ahead, the large tree in the middle of the town.”

As they walked, Kenuji began asking Twilight question about Cadence.

“Hey Twi...has Cadence ever had a coltfriend before?”

She places a finger on her cheek and thinks, then shakes her head.

“No, she has not...mainly because I scare them away. Why do you ask?”

“Well...I can’t tell if she is teasing me all the time, or she is making advances on me. Before I came here today, she said I will be joining her for a bath when I return tonight. And she was serious about it.”

Twilight looked up at Kenji with half lidded eyes and a smile.

“Go for it K”

“.....Wait, what?”

“If it was anyone else, I would not let such a thing happen. But you, you have become like family to me, especially after Shining’s passing. And when we are together, I see how she looks at you. She adores you, Kenji. And deep down I know you adore her as well. But you let your differences of where you come from get in the way of that. I know you feel you have an obligation to act professional around ehr. But loosen up and enjoy a nice bath with her tonight.”

“I also did promise her a massage to tonight since she couldn’t come along. But if you think it would be fine, I will take her up on her offer.”

They make it to the library, he sets her down so that she can walk in, he goes in after after, but has to nealy squat to get into the door. It was rather dark for a moment, then the lights turn on.

“SURPRISE!!!”

Everypony yelled at once, making Kenji instantly draw his weapon Though Twilight calmed him down.

“Kenji, it’s just a party! No one is going to attack, silly man.”

“Oh….sorry.”

He said before putting his weapon back on his back. The first pony to approach him was a very bouncy and curvy pink earth pony with a smile that could light up a dark path.

“Sodidyoylikemysurprisedidyoudidyouhuhuhuhuhuhuh?!”

“Well...let’s just say that is all I am glad it was.”

“You are reeeaaaaallllyyyyy tall you know.you are like...a walking jungle gym!”

“And what is your name?”

“I am Pinkie Pie. I am the one who put this little get-together for you. I really really hope you like it.”

Kenji couldn’t help but reach down and pet her her gently, she didn’t even know him and yet she threw a party just for him.

“Thank you Pinkie. You didn’t have to, but thank you.”

“You are absolutely welcome!”

“Oh my...your outfit is simply divine, darling, such beautiful black silk, and golden accents...and though your physique is very brutish, it looks rather handsome on you…”

“Rarity!”

Twilight said with a glare.

“Oh don’t worry Twi, I take that as a compliment actually.”

“Oh I didn’t mean it as an insult dear. You really do look handsome, and your body must get all the attention you could ever want.”

She said as she ran her hands over his clothing, feeling around his muscles whenever she could as well.

“So strong...so fierce…”

“And what do they call this posh and lovely mare before me?”

“I am Rarity, and I own the little boutique just a little ways down the street. I am a fashionista.”

“Ah, a fancier word for seamstress.”

“I really do love you clothing though, outlandish, but beautiful at the same time. I’d love it if you came by my place of business so that I could look at it and get to know you on a more...personal level.”

She said as she fluttered her eyes at him.

Rarity and those damn eyes of hers…

“Hey big guy! I am Rainbow Dash, nice to meetcha!”

Said a cyan blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, her physique was slim and streamline, she must have been a very athlete mare. He nods and takes her hand into his and shakes it gently.

“A pleasure to meet you Rainbow Dash. Your name suits you quite nicely”

“You bet it does, I am the fastest flyer ever, in all of equestria even!”

“Overconfidence is the greatest enemy. Be careful.”

“Thanks for your concern, but I got this!”

“Well looky here. Ah remember seein’ ya the other day, but I don’t remember seein’ ya bein’ this big! Nearly as tall as my biggest apple tree!”

Said an orange pony with a blonde mane that came up beside him. Now this one must have been a worker. Her physique clearly outranked Dash’s by a longshot. But she still maintained a high level of beauty herself, and her accent did kind of turn Kenji on a bit.

“Name’s Applejack, but you can call me AJ. All my friends do. Nice to meetcha, sugarcube.”

“You as well AJ.”

And last but not least, was a curvy well endowed yellow mare with a pink mane and tail who was hiding behind Twilight, looking over her shoulder as she eyes Kenji nervously. Kenji could feel his heart melting away at how adorable she looked, and those lovely cyan eyes of hers only made her even more so. He walks over to her and crouches down in front of her. Though he was still taller, he’d hoped it would make him less intimidating.

“And what are you called then?”

“I-I….I am…”

“It’s alright, I promise that I am gentle, please do not be afraid of me.”

He said asi he offered a large hand to her. She was hesitant for a few moment, then slowly reached out and placed a hand into his, in which he slowly closed his over it. Bringing his other one over her mane and lightly caresses it, then just under her jaw then back up again. She seems a little sad after he pulled his hand away though.

“I..am Fluttershy, pleased to meet you...very pleased…”

He chuckled lightly and stood up.

“I am sure you all know who I am, but I will reintroduce myself anyways. I am Kenji Akabane. It is truly a pleasure to meet all of you. And thank you for coming to this gathering in honor of...well, I am not sure…”

“It’s a party in honor of you, silly!”

Shouted Pinkie as she jumped onto his shoulders and leaned down to look him in the eyes. Flexible girl, this one is. The party went on and on for what felt like hours. Probably because it was going on for hours. Eventually Kenji made it to the sidelines, going into deep thought as he watched Twilight mainly, the memories of Shining Armor’s last moments running to him quickly.

--Canterlot Castle, South Garden--

“Get him a medic, at this rate he will bleed out shortly, now!”

Shouted Kenji at he had just disposed of an assassin who had hit their mark. If only he had been there a few second sooner…

“Hang in there shining… you are going to be fine. They will patch you up and you will be up and about...you will see.”

Kenji said as he tried to remain optimistic for the situation at hand. The assassin had plunged a dagger directly into the heart of the stallion.

“Kenji..I know I'm not going to make it...I...I want to ask you a big favor before I leave this world…”

“Come on Shining...there has to be a way for you to recover from this...this is a world of great magic after all!”

Shining brings his hand up, Kenji grabbing it and gripping it gently.

“Please...look after Twily...I know she will not approve at first...but without me around, she will become lost in a few ways. I ask that you take my place as her brother...I know you aren’t part of our family, but I can...see no one better suited than you…”

He coughs up blood all over his armor before slowly drifting away.

“Please...protect her...with your life. As you protect Cadence…”

He hand goes limp as the rest of his body does, He lowers his hand onto his chest and closes his eyes for a moment.

“I will honor this final request of your...my fellow warrior. May you rest in peace.”

“Where’s my brother?! Where is he?!”

Shouted Twilight as she ran toward Kenji. When she gets closer, her eyes widen and begin to fill up with tears. Kenji stands up and lowers his head.

“I am sorry Twilight,I-”

“Why didn’t you save him?! He counted on you to help him and this is the result?! This is all your fault!!”

She shouted as tears fall from her face now. Shre runs to him and start hitting him as hard as she can against his leg, the sobbing unicorn continuing to shout.

“It’s your fault, it’s your fault!!!”

She then fell to her knees as she started crying even harder. Kenji didn’t know what to do. By this time, Princess Celestia had already made her way to the scene, Kenji turned his head in her direction.

“Twilight Sparkle, this isn’t Kenji’s fault, the only one who is at fault here is the assassin that took his life. Kenji did what he could. He just couldn’t make it in time. Don’t blame him-”

Kenji puts his hand up.

“It’s alright princess.”

Kenji kneels down in front of the crying unicorn.

“Twilight...look at me,please.”

She slowly lifts her head up, tears still flowing.

“If you want to blame me for your brother’s death to help with the grief then by all means. But before he died, he made a request i plan to honor, whether you like it or not. He asked a be a brother to you, look out for you and make sure you are alright. You can hate me for all eternity, and I will not step down from this.”

Twilight wanted to be mad at him, even hate him, someone anyone. But his words were so genuine, that all she could do was just jump up and wrap her arms around him and sob into his chest. He slowly wrapped his arms around her, giving her the comfort she needed.

“I am sorry Twilight...I really really am. I know I am not your brother, nor will I ever be. But I will honor his request, even if it should kill me. I will keep you safe…”

Kenji….Kenji?

--End Of Flashback--

He lifts his head and opens his eyes as Twilight stands in front of him with a concerned gaze.

“Ken...are you alright?”

“Y-yeah...just bad memories is all…”

“Does it still haunt you…?”

She asked with a frown.

“Yeah...even with how long it has been, it still remains engraved in my mind.”

Twilight walks up to Kenji and hugs him tightly, nuzzling into him.

“I know it wasn’t your fault Kenji...and i don’t blame you. But, what I do know, is that I see you as my big brother, and you have done very well to look after me. I know..wherever my brother is, he is smiling knowing he left me in strong and capable hands. I want to thank you, Kenji.”

She motioned him to lower down to a crouch,when he does, she leans up to give him a kiss on the cheek, luckily no one saw.

“Please keep watching over me and Cadence. I know we would both be lost without you…”

“Always Twi, always.”

Author's Note

There ya go, they are all friends now, and you got the story behind Shining's death. Good stuff!

Like and share.

May the darkness grant you peace.