Chapter 11

The next day came slowly as Prey’s eyes open to the sound of his alarm. He didn’t feel like getting up because of what happened last night. He slowly rose up from his bed, got off, and groggily wobbled his way towards his bathroom. He turned on the shower and stood in his shower, leaning on the wall with his head stuck the the shower wall. He slumped down as the hot water continued showering his chitin skin. He held his head as a wave of pain was slowly pinching his nerves, almost numbing it. “Iteeeee…” He groaned, holding his head tighter.

After a few moments he managed to pick himself up and finish cleaning up. He put on his samurai jacket and checked his phone for the time, which said four in the morning. It was time for him to go to work. He left the castle and started making his way towards the farm. It was still dark out, but that was normal for his work schedule.

Upon reaching the farm he saw Applejack, same as usual with two mugs of coffee with her. One for her, and one for him, he really needed one. “Ohaiyou Gozaimasu Applejack.”

“Mornin Prey.” Applejack greeted with a smile. She noticed Prey’s tired face with wrinkles and bags showing under his eyes. “You okay there sugarcube? You look more tired than when Big Mac spent a whole day working without takin a break.”

“Eeetoo, I am okay.” He said with a groggy tone. “Just um, a little bit too much to drink the other night. But I should be okay.”

“Really now?” She gave Prey the mug of coffee who drank it with haste. “Who were you drinking with?”

“I was drinking with Shining Armor and Cadence. They were helping me…..explaining a few things.”

“Like what?”

“Eeetoo…” He started to blush a little bit. “Is it okay if I do not explain….another time would sound more comfortable for me.

“Well alright, if it makes ya feel comfortable. But anyways we got separate jobs today. I’m working in the field but you’re gonna be spending today and tomorrow with Granny Smith and Applebloom.”

“Alright, what am I going to do with them?”

“Well you three are gonna board a train for Appleloosa. It’s a town mostly consisted of western folk and the likes. Right now, Ah need ya to go home and pack a bag or two to spend the night there.”

Prey nodded. “Alright, what time will the train leave?”

“The train leaves around ten, so just be here by nine. That way you’ll have plenty of time to pack up.”

And with that he left Applejack and started walking back to the castle. With a couple of duffel bags, he started packing essentials such as clothing, toothbrush, and toothpaste. In a second separate bag, he pack a few unorthodox materials. He packed a few weapons and tools used by samurai. Nothing big like a sword, but mostly small tools no pony would recognize. He also packed a few novels and spell books for him to study upon if needed. With all of that he hadn’t realize that he finished packing so early, with it being seven in the morning, he still had a whole two hours until he had to go back to the farm.

His stomach started to grumble, yet he could only laugh at himself. “I guess I forgot to eat.” He sat down at his table, thinking what to eat, and where to eat. He could eat at home, yet he may not have enough time to cook, and also being self aware of his….poor cooking skills. A better option would be to go out for breakfast, but where to eat was a bigger question.

While thinking, a knock came to his door. He opened it to find Twilight with a smile on her face. “Ohaiyo Prey.”

“Ohaiyou Twilight, is there something you need?”

“Yes, I was wondering if you are busy right now.”

“Not at the moment. I was thinking where to go get breakfast before I board a train.”

“Oh well I was gonna go with a friend of mine to Sugar Cube Corner for breakfast. You wanna join us?”

“That sounds good, domo.” He followed Twilight to the front door of the castle. “So who is this friend you speak of?”

“Oh he’s a very special friend of mine. You know him very well actually.” This peaking Prey’s interest caused him to raise an eyebrow. Twilight opened the front door and stood was Twilight Sparkle, another Twilight Sparkle.

“N-Nanda?” Prey look back and forth between the two Twilights, until his head clicked. He had forgotten about his species’ natural ability (minus his). “Which changeling is this?”

“Well I’m surprised you have forgotten me.” The doppelganger Twilight said as its horn began to glow a turquoise blue. Suddenly, a bright lime green flash blinding Prey’s eyes. With his eyesight returning to him, he noticed a figure he could never forget. He smiled at King Thorax standing in front of him. He walked up to him and gave his former master a respectful bow. “Glad to see you haven’t changed.”

“And to you Thorax.” He extended his hand and shook his hand with a strong grip. “It has been a long time.”

“Yea it has, how have you been?”

“Very good. I have been learning a lot of things.” Twilight then stepped up closer to the two changelings, she had a notebook with japoneighs symbols on it.

“Yea, I’m teaching him magic and friendship lessons while he’s teaching me Japoneighs.”

“That’s pretty good to hear you two!” Thorax exclaimed with a cheerful tone as the three made their way towards Sugar Cube Corner. Along the way Prey had a few questions.

“Thorax, if you do not mind me asking, why are you here?”

“Well, I just came to visit. That’s all really.” His blunt answer only gave Prey more questions than answers.

“But….but what about the kingdom? Is it okay for you to simply leave our kingdom without a ruler.”

Thorax could only giggle. “Trust me, a lot of things has changed over the past months. Such as our government. Remember when I told you I wanted our old ways to return, well they finally did.”

“Na-Nani? Hontou!?”

“Yes, the feudal system is now back in place. Though I am still technically King of the Changelings, I am pretty much the face and figurehead of the kingdom. My General has volunteered to take general political charge of the kingdom, although we tend to make it a co-ruling.”

“So, how is the population’s view on this then? I’d like to visit this new system someday.” Twilight said with Thorax now laughing.

“It’s a lot more peaceful now, especially with more new systems and modern technology moving in. Now we can finally use phones, tractors, and other neat tech.”

All of the news made Prey smile, knowing his kind is well and healthy with its new society. But one thing pondered in his mind, the kingdom’s military. “But Thorax, what about your forces. How would your kind fight for itself?”

Thorax could only grin with a look that could challenge a manticore’s strength. “That, I want to show you that when you visit.”

The three reached Sugar Cube Corner and seated themselves at one of the booths. Soon Pinkie came in bouncing like her usual self and noticed all of her friends sitting at the booth. She gasped in excitement with a massive on her face as she zipped away and back dressed with a pink apron, a notepad, and pencil. “Hey guys! I’m so HAPPY you’re here!” She then looked over to Thorax who gave a wave to the sugar blooded pink pony. She gave a very long gasp and tightly hugged the changeling leader, while also probably crushing his skeleton in the process.

“Pinkie…..Can’t…….Breath!” He choked out, gasping for air.

Pinkie let go with an apologetic smile on her face. “Heh heh, sorry. Force of habit. So what can I get ya guys?” She said bringing up her notepad and pencil.

“I’ll have an egg and hay bacon, oh and a glass of orange juice please.” Twilight ordered.

“I’ll have some pancakes please, and some water.” Said Thorax.

“Just a biscuit and water please.” Prey said as Pinkie saluted and zoomed with great speed to the kitchen. Prey still has no knowledge as to how this pony has so much energy and has many odd abilities. He was told to simply accept these facts as, Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, he couldn’t object nor did he have any real problems about them.

“So Prey, how do you like it here?” Thorax asked as Prey could only smile.

“I like it here, at least I mostly like it here.” Both Thorax and Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I have no problems with anything here, it is just that I am not used to being so casual with masters. Nor and I used to being giving very blunt or simple orders. Of course I still follow them with no question, I am just not used to being given tasks of self leisure.” He said with a weak smile while scratching the back of his head.

“Well if there’s anything you need, don’t be afraid to tell us.” Thorax said made Prey nod. “By the way, you said you needed to board a train today, why’s that?”

“Ah, today I am assisting Applebloom and Granny Smith with a visit towards Appleloosa. I don’t know exactly what I will be doing, but anything to serve and gain the honor from a master would be suffice for me.” He answered with a small grin.

Pinkie soon return with everyone’s food balancing on her hair and arms, still did not know how she does it but she can. The three ate their meals in peace with Prey finishing first with his small meal. He faced the two as he took out a few bits. “Thank you for inviting me over Twilight.” Prey thanked with a nod. “How much would I have to pay?”

“Oh don’t worry about it Prey, I’ll take care of it.”

“Are….are you sure. I am more than able to pay-” He was cut off with a small magical zap to his neck, making it feel like a electric zap causing him to yelp in surprise.

“Like I said, I got it. Now you better get ready for your train ride.” Twilight said making a ‘shooing’ gesture with her hand.

Prey stood up and bowed towards Twilight and Thorax. “Thank you Twilight. Thorax, I shall be sure to visit the kingdom one day. Sayonara.” And with that he left the diner and started making his way back to the castle. He checked his phone along the way to find that it was already eight o’clock, he realized he needed to pick up his own pace.

He spread his wings and made way towards the castle with speed. Reaching the castle he quickly grabbed everything he needed. His bags, a few books, his phone, and his sword’s summoning stone. He took both duffel bags and started making his way back towards Sweet Apple Acres.

He arrived ten minutes before nine o’clock to find Applebloom standing at the front entrance to the farm. But Granny Smith was nowhere to be seen. “Ohaiyou Applebloom.” Prey said greeting the little filly.

“Howdy Prey, you all packed up?”

“Hai, I am. But where is Granny Smith?”

“She’s not commin.” The two look over towards the barn to find Applejack standing with a two bags in her hands. “She pulled somethin from her back and can’t come along, so Ah’ll be taking her place.”

“I see, will Granny Smith be okay?”

“Oh she’ll be fine. All she needs is rest and she’ll be ready like a tractor. Now c’mon you two, can’t be late for the train.” As the three started making their way to the train, Applebloom had a question.

“But what about the trees sis? Big Mac can’t do all of ‘em by himself.”

Applejack gave a wink to her little sister. “Don’t worry Applebloom. I asked Rainbow and Pinkie to help out for the time we’ll be gone. Now c’mon we got a train to catch.” The three made their way through the town and eventually reached the train station. They set their bags down in their resting room and sat down. The train eventually started to move as the three soon started making their way to Appleloosa.

A few hours had passed and nothing interesting happened. Applejack and Prey would be reading a few books to pass the time. Although Applejack wouldn’t talk to Prey, she was too nervous and embarrassed, fearing she might mess something up or not catch his attention. Though the two found ways to occupy themselves, Applebloom was drowning in boredom. She didn’t want to read and her portable game console had just run out of battery.

“Ah’m soo booooreed!” She groaned with a miserable tone. Prey couldn’t help but chuckle at the filly’s boredom, as bad as it was. Feeling a little guilty for the little filly, he closed his book and reached into his bag. He pulled out a scroll which was completely written in japoneighs symbols.

“Applebloom, since you’re bored, how about I tell you a story to pass the time?” The filly’s eyes were lit at this as she sat next to the changeling. “What about you Applejack?”

“Sure, why not?” Applejack closed her book and sat next to Prey, she blushed a little from her bold move sitting next to him.

“Okay, this is a scroll containing a story. A mythological tale told by samurai. Some believe it to be true, while other samurai at the time thought it was fake. This is the story, of Little Beetle.” Prey then unfolded the scroll, it was long, at least twenty feet of japoneighs symbols. “I shall translate the scroll for us.”

In the changeling kingdom, far from the capital lived a very old pair. A male and a female changeling. They were not a couple, they merely siblings, yet their lives were plain. They were but simple farmers of rice.

The male and female wanted more, not love since the king would provide it, but something to care for, like a family.

One day the male went to a local river to gather clean water to drink, until he spotted something very strange. He noticed a floating apple, bright and red like a glorious sunset. He quickly flew over and grabbed apple, thinking this could be a new start of life, growing apples as a new food source.

He took the apple home to show his sister and they were both happy. They imagined riches and fame for finding new fruit to their lands. They planned on taking apart the apple to replant it throughout the badlands. However as soon as the brother split open the apple, inside was something unnatural.

Inside the apple was a small tiny changeling baby. Not a grub, or a maggot, but a young changeling boy, tinier than a thumb. The siblings were simply confused at this, yet something in their hearts clicked. Perhaps this would be an answer to their plain life. With his tiny size like a beetle, they decided to name him Little Beetle, or Beetle for short.

The boy grew up, but not entirely. His size had still remained the same with only minor differences. He was a sweet boy, he tried to help his foster parents with whatever chores he could help with. He would occasionally help his father carry rice by bringing in one or two grains, or help his mother knit by finding her lost needle in tiny crevices.

One day he became bored of his home. Although he loved his foster parents and his home, he wanted to adventure out to try and be what he wanted, a samurai. His parents at first did not want him to go out there, being a tiny changeling in a world of giants. But he was stubborn.

He left his home taking only a few things with him. A needle for a sword, a leaf for a cape and blanket, and a beetle’s shell for a helmet. He started his journey by following the river in a tiny boat, which was actually a wooden bowl.

His boat continued flowing down the river for quite a long time. During that time, he imagined what it would be like if he was bigger. Normal like a regular changeling. His boat soon reached the side of the river which was where he would stop, he had no food so he needed to find some.

Beetle left his boat and started walking through wasteland until he heard a scream. He may have been small, but he was fast. He spread his wings and followed the source of the screaming. There he found a female changeling who was cornered by a diamond dog.

Beetle wanted to save the change, and he had the courage and the smarts to do it. Though he did not have mighty strength or size like a minotaur, he was still strong in his own way.

“I’ll save you!” He screamed with courage as he flew up to the diamond dog and started poking his skin with his needle sword. He was like a wasp to the diamond dog, flying around and stinging him repeatedly.

“I’ll squish you!” The diamond dog said trying to swing at Beetle, but he was too small and fast for him to crush.

Beetle figured out all things have a weak point, luckily he found several. He would fly into his ear and scream loud like a siren, damaging his hearing. He would crawl into its nose and rip out a few nose hairs. And finally he would fly onto his face and poke his eyes with his needle sword.

The diamond dog figured he could not win this fight. With this assumption he ran away in fear of the tiny changeling, wanting to not deal with that ever again.

The female changeling was very happy and grateful to Beetle for saving her life. She later introduced herself as Princess Maplhi, Princess of the Changelings, daughter of King Abdo, the king of that time. She wanted to thank him for his brave efforts with a great gift.

She noticed how small Beetle was compared to hers. She found out the best way to thank Beetle. She soon pulled out a small hollow wooden hammer from her satchel and started shaking it like an instrument in front of Beetle.

His body would feel funny as his body began to change in size. He soon found himself standing tall, at the same height as the changeling princess.

The princess took a liking to Beetle as she took him to the central city of the Kingdom, where her father stood as the center of power. She introduced Beetle to the king who praised and thank him by rewarding him.

He made him into a honorable Samurai, though he did not have the blood of a samurai, did not mean he would have the traits of one.

Beetle and Malphi would eventually fall in love and marry one another. Yet something bothered him, he wanted to see his family.

With his new found royal title and power, he ventured back to his home, where his foster parents were. He reached his home surprising his parents with his new size of a body, his title, and his beautiful wife.

He invited his parents to live with him in the city with a royal title. They humbly accepted to live with their child as they all lived in peace and harmony.

~Fin

Upon reaching the end of the scroll he found that it was already dark outside during their ride. Applejack and Applebloom clapped at the story as Applebloom gave a tiring yawn. “Wow Prey, that was a sweet story.” Applebloom commented with another yawn. “That definitely passed the time.”

“Yea Prey, that’s one interesting story ya got there. Didn’t think Changelings knew about love and all that back then.”

“Ah, well all of that was before Chrysalis took power.”

Applejack then yawned as well along with her sister. “Guess it’s time for bed, we should be in Appleloose by tomorrow mornin.”

Prey nodded as they all went to bed. Prey attempted to sleep, but he was not tired. He sat in the dark cabin as Applejack and Applebloom slept peacefully. He could not read because it was too dark in the room, and even if wasn’t, he did want to shine any light to disturb the sleep of his master. He then started to hear mumbling and grumbling coming from Applejack.

He silently walked over to Applejack to see what was wrong. She kept stirring in her sleep, making a face of discomfort and mumbling a few words in her slumber. “No….Don’t….Go…” She mumbled with more discomfort.

Prey gently placed a hand on Applejack’s cheek, slowly rubbing it making her ease up a bit. She smiled and started to snore softly, this only made Prey smile with relief. He wanted to release his hand, but he couldn’t. Applejack had now ensnared his hand by wrapping both of her arms around it and cuddle it like a small stuffed animal.

Does…..Does she like me? Prey thought to himself, thinking back to last night at Twilight’s Castle.

The Other Night.

“Love is well...love.” Cadence stated with a calm tone.

“N-nani? Please explain.”

“Its pretty much when two ponies are truly in love. When their feelings for each other are the same, when two become one.”

“When one respects the other and cares for one another.” Shining added.

Back to Present.

Prey’s hand was still wrapped in Applejack’s arms and he had no way to escape it. But instead he accepted it. He noticed that her bed was just big enough for two, so he went for it. With his free hand, he opened up her sheets and slowly climbed in bed with her.

He took caution to not wake her up and continued climbing under the sheets. Finally, he was in front of the mare, still holding his hand. Prey had to admit, even though Applejack is his master whom he has to serve and treat with the utmost respect, she was beautiful. He admired a lot of detail about her, such as her personality and looks.

He took his free hand and gently stroked Applejack’s hair, feeling the smooth silky texture of her hair made her feel more relaxed. “MMmm Prey…” She moaned in a calm tone making Prey blush slightly. “Ah….like you.” She moaned in her sleep which make Prey blush crimson at her statement. He looked at the mare in complete shock at his discovery.

So she….she does like me. Do I….Do I like her back? He shook these thoughts away as he took another good look at Applejack. Seeing his master relaxed like this was just enough to make him smile a bit. Resting his hand around her hip, he slowly felt the essence of sleep taking over as his eyes soon shut for slumber. “Oyasumi Applejack…”

The next day

Prey woke up early and found that he was still in bed with Applejack. He was very fortunate to find that she was still asleep and that his hands were free from Applejack’s grasp. Slowly and cautious he maneuvered his way out of Applejack’s bed without waking her up and stretched his body. He looked over to his side to find that Applebloom was also fast asleep, he hoped that she hadn’t seen him sleeping with her sister.

Prey opened the train cart door to the next cabin which was a small cafe cart. He sat down by the bar of the cafe and was greeted by a waitress. “Good morning, what can I get ya?”

“Just a coffee and egg please.” The waitress wrote down his order and went to the back room to prepare his food. Moments later she came back with his order along with a newspaper.

“Here you go sir, and I got you a newspaper in case you get bored. It came in a couple of days ago, enjoy.”

“Domo, thank you.” Prey reached into his pocket and pulled out a few bits to give to a waitress. He then spent the rest of the morning enjoying himself and the train ride. He started reading his newspaper only to be shocked at the front cover. On the front cover was a picture of his former master Thorax, standing proudly with another changeling standing next to him, the changeling was dressed in samurai armor. “Nani? “Changeling society Rebuilt.”” Prey read the title and was very confused.

He had a few questions run through his mind. Was Thorax trying to remake the samurai? He shook these questions away as he started to read the article.

Recently the new king of the Changeling Kingdom has just announced its introduction of its new government which was actually their old government. We asked King Thorax what his plans and intentions were about reintroducing the old Changeling government would prove, and we also asked why.

“I wanted to bring back the old government because that was the same government we used back before Chrysalis had taken power. We were more prosperous at the time and we achieved peace. We hope to re achieve our old ways in a golden outlook to achieve peace in Equestria. In a sense It is almost no different from Equestria’s primary royal government with lords and ladies. “

We also asked about the various “samurai” soldiers that patrolled around the town during his government opening, he commented by saying “If I want to bring back our government I must also reestablish our old force. Though they are not as strong as they were once before, we need a force in which to defend ourselves. I wanted to reintroduce the world of the title ‘Samurai’. These would be a Changeling integration of an Equestrian knight/Royal Guard, one that would only serve the kingdom in times of defense and peace.”

Prey put down the newspaper, he could not believe the article. Samurai were being re established, yet he was the last REAL samurai. He wanted to talk with Thorax as soon as he got back.

Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to find Applejack with a smile on her face. “Mornin.”

“Ohaiyou. How was your sleep?”

Applejack sat down next to him. “It was good, probably the best sleep Ah had in mah life. Ah even had this amazin dream. It was about y-” She paused herself and started to blush before she could continue. Prey, out of curiosity started to grin at Applejack.

“Were you going to say you were dreaming about me Applejack?” He asked making his master blush red as a beet.

“N-NO!” She said scrunching her face.

“Forgive me Applejack, but I believe you are lying. Twilight has told me about how you could not, and I quote “cannot lie to save her own skin”.” He said with a chuckle as Applejack put her hat over her face, hiding her embarrassment. Prey placed a hand on her shoulder and started to pat on it. “It is okay master, dreaming about me is no big deal.”

“No it is, because…” She paused to try and find the right words, but now was not the time.

“No, it is okay, believe me. If it makes you uncomfortable then you do not have to continue.” He said, making Applejack sigh in relief.

“Thank ya kindly Prey, Ah promise I’ll tell you why it is kinda a big deal. Just not now alright?” He nodded with a smile as Applejack then eyed the newspaper in front of Prey. She say Thorax and the samurai on the front page. “Hey, isn’t that samurai armor? And Thorax?”

“Hai...Thorax had announced the rebirth of the old changeling feudal government as well as the re-installation of samurai.” He said with a heavy sigh.

“What’s wrong then? You sound bothered.”

“It is... well, I do not know if I can agree with Thorax bringing back the samurai. Because there are no more samurai changelings left, I am the last one by blood.” He picked up the newspaper and pointed at the samurai on the cover. “This cannot be a samurai. Becoming a samurai takes an extreme process, the same process as I went through when Chrysalis had found me.”

“What kind were they.”

“Unpleasant...and ones that none will forgive. Yet I followed my code.”

“What did you do?”

“I went through numerous physical and mental trials that Chrysalis put me through. The physical ones would be of endurance, strength, and stamina. I took down an Ursa Major, walked on hot coals, swam through ice salted water, and performed….various sins.”

Prey paused for a moment and took another sip of his coffee. “Applejack, I am going to be truthful to you, these sins are ones that I never wanted to commit ever again. Yet I had to in order to survive, to gain honor from Chrysalis and keep me fed to stay alive. I hope you see that I never wanted to commit any sins.”

“What did you do?”

Prey pulled out his stone and summoned his sword. He slowly pulled out the blade and gently rested his sword on the counter. He then pointed at several engravings on the side of the sword near the handle, these were markers. There were a total of seven marks on his sword. “These marks indicate...” He hesitated and gulped to say the word. “Executions.”

“W-What?” Applejack looked at Prey in shock. He started to grip his fist feeling only anger towards himself and at towards the past.

“Under strict code, a samurai must follow his or her master, so that is what I did. I executed several beings that traversed through The Badlands. Keep in mind Applejack, I never wanted to, but I had to if I wanted to survive.” Applejack placed a hand on his back.

“Keep going.” She requested.

“I will. These innocence were of different species. The first one was a changeling for who disagreed with the queen. The second one was a dragon trying to steal from the kingdom. The third was gryphon who had already killed changelings. But the last four…” He held his fist to keep his composure, feeling the guilt and rage biting him. He started to shed a few tears . “The last four were ponies.”

“What?”

“Ponies, all four of them. And two of them were…”

“Prey stop.” Prey looked over to his master who brought him into a heart warming hug. He could feel the immense amount of love coming from his master, it didn’t satisfy him, but it was the thought that counts. “You don’t have to continue. Ah can see that these memories are painful right now. How about we talk about these things later, maybe over a drink when we get to Appleloosa.’

Sighing, Prey sipped the last bit of coffee he had. “I apologize if I have made you feel uncomfortable. But I-” He felt Applejack’s hug become tighter.

“It’s alright Prey. Ah promise that I’ll judge you kindly and fairly. And that’s a promise Ah intend to keep.”

“Thank you Applejack.” Prey said smiling with a tear rolling down his cheek. “And I promise I will tell you when we get back. If anything, I want to tell you and the other masters. I feel that it is right that I share more of this past of mine, it feels good.”

“Like a weight being lifted off ya shoulders?” He nodded. “Ah can relate to that. Don’t worry Prey, I know mah friends well enough to know that they’ll see see pass yer killings.”

“Arigato gozaimasu .”

After a few more hours into the train ride the train had finally arrived in Appleloosa as scheduled. Prey, Applebloom, and Applejack all retrieved their bags and walked outside onto the train platform. As the train left, Prey took in the sights of the surrounding town around him. A very simple town, dirt and dust everywhere, but behind the station was a massive orchard of apple trees, possibly more than Sweet Apple Acres.

He wanted to proceed to follow his master, yet she wasn’t moving, neither was Applebloom. In fact they looked like they were waiting for something. “A-Applejack? What are we-”

“Wait fer it.” Applejack said as she licked her finger and positioned it into the air, feeling for the air current. “Three...Two...One…”

“YEEEEEEEHAAAAWW! WELCOME BACK COUSINS!” Prey looked over to find a very energetic yellow stallion wearing leather clothing and a stetson like Applejack’s. The stallion then looked over to Prey and got up close to him, really close. “Well What in tarnation we got here?”

“Braeburn, this is mah friend Prey. He’s here to help with the problem.”

Braeburn made a massive smile across his face and started to rapidly shake Prey’s hand. “Well Howdy there Prey, mah name’s Braeburn and welcome to AAAAAAAAA-ppple-LOO-saaa!” He exclaimed at the top of his lungs.

Prey could only find this meeting very strange, one that is almost similar to Pinkie Pie, energetic and exclamatory. “E-etoo….Hajimemashite Braeburn.”

“Ha gee me moo whaa?” Braeburn asked in confusion at Prey’s language.

“He says nice to meet ya. It’s his language.” Applebloom explained.

“OOOOooohhh, well mighty fine for foreigners to come by. Thanks for comin to help ya’ll. Now come along, Ah’ll show ya home.”

The four arrived at Braeburn’s homestead as they were shown the tour. They settled their bags in his home and followed Braeburn out towards the sheriff’s office. There Applejack and Prey were on a central stage along with Braeburn and the town’s three sheriffs. “Alright Braeburn, so what’s the problem ya called us in fer? It sounded serious.” Applejack asked.

“It is cousin, we got a serious problem.” Braeburn pointed out towards the apple orchards in the distance. “See, we got ourselves a little drought.”

“Whad’ya mean?”

“Ah mean an ursa major just decided to mosey’s its business into our lake and took that as its home. Ah don’t mean to be rude but without clean water we can’t water our trees, and the town itself can’t go without water. We’d ask the buffalo fer help but they can’t because they aren’t strong enough.”

“So why’d ya call me? It’s an ursa major for landsakes!” Applejack screamed with frustration.

“Well Ah had a plan, and yer the only Apple ah know that could lasso any big animal.”

“Yea that may be true, but a ursa major is as big as Twilight’s Castle! Ah mean what the hay!?”

Prey who was standing in the sidelines wanted to help his master and her family’s matter. He walked up behind Applejack and tapped her on the shoulder, halting her frustration. “Um, Applejack may I make a suggestion?” She nodded. “Should I take it on?”

Braeburn’s eyes shrank at the idea. “You kiddin me! You must be jokin! Ya think you can really take on that thing by yerself!?!”

“Hai.” Prey answered boldly causing the room to go silent. “I have taken down an ursa before, and I can again if you would want me to Applejack.” He said eyeing towards Applejack.

“How are you gonna take it down?”

Prey sighed as he reached inside his pocket. “The only way I was trained to.” He said summoning his sword. “But that is with your permission, unless you want me to attempt to scare it off, that would be possible but risky.”

“What would you do to scare it.”

Prey took out his sword and stared at the ponies in front of him. “Here is my idea.”

A few hours later.

Prey was now following Braeburn and Applejack towards Appleloosa’s Lake. He was sporting his samurai jacket and was armed with a few weapons. On his chest was three knifes shaped like wider and longer arrowheads. On his waist was a small sickle attached with a long chain. On his back with a large bottle gourd strapped to his back. A few black egg shaped balls were also attached to his belt as well. “Are we almost there.”

“Y-Yes we should be just about there now.” Braeburn said as the group now had the lake in sites. They all could now see the mentioned ursa major, it was sleeping in the lake acting like it was some sort of bath.

“There it is.” Prey said as he then turned to Applejack. “Applejack, I promise under my code that I will follow your order to not ‘kill’ the ursa. I may injure it, but I will not kill it.” He said with a formal bow towards Applejack.

“Thank you Prey, now go get ‘em.”

With that command, he started to walk towards the ursa, alone.

Author's Note

Here you go guys, another chapter up. I feel as if you might have gotten used to a few Japanese words by now, either that or I'm too lazy to translate the simple words. Anyways, have a nice day and thanks for reading.