Chapter 15

Prey was currently in his bed, asleep from the exhaustion caused by Oni’s mask. One that he hoped never to wear it again. After a few hours of slumber, he began to slowly wake up to the feeling of squeezing on his arm. His slowly cracked open his eyes to see Applejack with her face buried on his arm, unaware of his consciousness. “A-Applejack?”

Applejack slowly lifted her head. There were small bags under her eyes, indicating she had been here for some time which tired her out. She looked at Prey with her weary eyes now opening with shock. “P-Prey?” Her eyes then immediately turned cross as she slapped him across the face.

Prey felt inside that it hurt a lot more than intended. He began to question Applejack’s reaction until she hugged him, further confusing him. “Don’t you ever…..EVER put on that mask again.” Applejack demanded as Prey slowly returned the hug.

“I am okay Applejack. And please do not worry, I am not hurt, I was just resting.” Prey responded with a smile as the two’s embrace grew tighter. Applejack released her hug to look Prey in the eye. “Judging by the look on your face, I assume the others told you of what had happened.”

“Yea, they did.”

He placed a hand on her cheek, he could feel the slightly warm and fresh tears running on his hand. “I promise, I won’t put it on ever again.” Applejack smiled at him, knowing he always keeps his word...most of the time. She placed a hand on his cheek and leaned in for a passionate kiss. The two shared their kiss for some time and let go.

“*Ahem*”

Applejack’s face then turned pale as she turned around to find three living things she did not want to see at the doorway. Rainbow Dash with her hands over her mouth trying to suppress any laughter. As well as Thorax and Twilight Sparkle both blushing with their jaws dropped to the floor. Applejack then began to blush a deep color of red, with sweat rapidly forming and falling from her head. “U-Um….”

“Gee Applejack, didn’t know you had changeling fever!” Rainbow said in a fit of laughter, unable to control her immature side as she fell to the floor.

Applejack covered her face with her hat to try and hide her blush. Although it was useless, a pity act that couldn’t do much.

Prey on the other hand was smiling a bit, even chuckling which made Applejack a bit flustered. He climbed out of the bed and bowed towards his masters (and ex-master) at the doorway. “I guess you are the first ones to find out.” He said with a weak smile. He turned to the still embarrassed Applejack and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It is okay Applejack, they would find out eventually.”

“A-Ah know….Ah’m still kind of embarrassed.” She said turned away from the small crowd of her friends.

Prey could only smile at Applejack’s embarrassment, knowing it is somewhat funny to him. He turned back to the others. “Master Twilight, Ima Nanji desuka?” (What time is it now?)

Twilight pondered for a moment before responding. “Eeetoo…..Ima Gogo NanaJi Han desu.” (Ummm...right now it is 7:30 pm)

“Arigatoo gozaimasu. Do the others know we are meeting tonight?”

“Yes, actually it explains why Applejack is here right now. The others are waiting in the map room right now. Are you well enough to move.”

“Hai.” Prey stood up and was ready to leave his room, not before grabbing Applejack’s hat and placing it back on her head. “Come Applejack, it is time.”

Applejack grabbed Prey’s hand and gently rubbed a ringer on his chitin palm. “Are ya sure about this Prey? Are ya ready?”

“Yes...I’ve been wanting to release this inner anger and guilt I’ve built over the years.” He said gripping Applejack's hand even tighter. They all left the room and began walking down the hall towards the map room.

After some time walking, Prey along with the others all gathered in the map room of the castle. Inside the rest of his masters were there, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity. Along with them Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and a small a alicorn baby in Cadence’s arms. The alicorn foal caught Prey’s attention as he walked over to Princess Cadence. “Konbanwa Princess Cadence. If you don’t mind me asking, who is that?” Prey asked pointing at the little foal.

“Oh this is my daughter Flurry Heart. Flurry can you say hi to Mr. Prey?” Cadence asked with a very motherly like impression making Flurry look up at Prey. She looked at him with a blank face until she stuck her arms out at Prey, asking for some more attention from him. His slowly presented his hand in front of her, his hard chitin protected hand was in front of the child.

Flurry started to giggle as she wrapped her small hands around his hand and started nibbling on one his fingers like a dog’s toy. She kept biting and playing with his finger, to her she was having a blast. She kept chewing on his finger until she finally let go from Cadence yanking her grip off Prey’s hand. A bead of sweat fell from Cadence as she sheepishly smiled at Prey. “Ehehe….Sorry. She’s still teething.”

“No no….it's okay.” He said with a smile. “Demo... (But) Is it okay for her to hear my story? It is not a good one, I must warn you.” Cadence then put a hand on her chin, pondering at the thought. “Anoo….I have an idea. If I get to the more...darker parts, I can inform you and perhaps you can cover her ears.”

“Huh….” Cadenced deadpanned. “I keep forgetting the simple plans.”

“Okay….now if everypony could please sit down, we can start.” Everypony started to take a seat. As soon as the last pony took their seat at the table, Prey have a heavy sigh. He summoned his sword to his hand with the blade still sheathed in its scabbard. He pulled out it halfway to revisit the engravings on his blade. He felt the heavy emotional weight from each scratched engraving, ready to reveal the truth to his masters. “We shall start.”

“Long ago in our distant land, I was born in a very unnatural way, of course I am stalking about my samurai mutation. I’m sure that some of you know that my egg was frozen in time with a spell from long ago. If I were to express my exact age, I would be at least four hundred years old. And as all of you know, I was hatched under Chrysalis’ rule, and she was mine to serve.

“And so time went on, as did my training, and my loyalty to her. Every day I trained in the arts of the samurai. I did everything she wanted, I did everything.” He reiterated in a much more serious tone. “So, when I was eighteen years after hatching we had a break in. Normally I had solved the kingdom’s problems with intruders, foreign intruders. Princess Cadence,” Prey paused as he covered his ears with his hand looking at Cadence. She nodded as she placed her hands around Flurry’s ears.

“I would deal with foreign affairs. In this case, every foreign affair was dealt with execution.” This made the whole room dimmer with a grim sense. Prey pulled out his katana and pointed out the engravings towards everypony. “There are a total of seven marks on this sword. Each one representing an execution I took part in. The first was a changeling disobeying Chrysalis. Another was a gryphon stealing food from us, The third was a dragon trying to raid us. And last the four.....the last four were ponies.”

Everypony, look at Prey completely shocked. Executions even on ponies. “The last four did not make me….feel very good. It made me feel horrible. The ponies were simple traders, there were simply passing through the badlands in search of a town or others to trade with. But Chrysalis assumed them as spies from Equestria. The hardest thing I have done in my life was executing these ponies.

“Not only were they innocent, feeble, and weak. But the worst thing was that they were a family. A Stallion, a mare……..and two foals.” The whole room was silent, so silent you could hear the spiders walking on the ceiling. “Bound to my honor and code of fulfilling Chrysalis’ demands, I was forced to execute them all…..including the foals.” Prey then fell to his knees, like a broken husk in front of his masters. They all could see his eyes forming some tears.

“Believe me my dear masters, I did not want to. But I was bound by code and blood, exactly like our current contract. If I did not do it, I would have died of starvation. I still remember their faces, filled with tears, horror, and fear."

Prey then stopped talking, letting this sit in as he took a heavy sigh"And so that was my sin...a burden I’ve had to carry all this time. I still remember that moment, the first time I ever questioned Chrysalis as a ruler and a master.” Prey gave a heavy sigh, a small comfort after revealing a truth.

“I have never been proud of this position, but I have to. It's the only thing I know. It’s what keeps me alive, literally.” Prey then put his katana back in its sheath as he presented it towards everypony. “If you wish to punish me for this, I will gladly accept any punishment you place upon me. I am just glad that you are the masters I confessed to.” Prey was now at the mercy of his masters, on his knees completely vulnerable and accepting of any judgement he may receive.

The was still silent for a good few minutes. Nopony knew how to react or to make of Prey’s confession. Fluttershy was the first to stand on her feet with a stern look on her face. She walked towards Prey and took his sword. The first time all of Fluttershy’s friends have ever seen her hold a weapon.

Fluttershy held the sword tight in her hands as she gave a deep sigh. She dropped the sword, having it slam to the floor as she dropped to her knees giving a stern look toward Prey.

“Prey…” Fluttershy looked closely and saw that his eyes were slightly leaking tears. “Shhhh Its okay.” Fluttershy leaned over and embraced him with her arms and wings, giving a good blanket of comfort and forgiveness. “I don’t blame you for any of it. I forgive you.” She said tightening her embrace on Prey.

Prey felt light, almost weak. Not in pain, but for the emotional comfort Fluttershy was giving him. He then felt another embrace from behind. He looked to see that it was Rarity also hugging Prey. “I forgive you too Prey. I can tell you’re very sincere about your regrets.”

Prey then felt more hugs forming a group hug. Soon joined in Pinky, then Rainbow, then Spike, Twilight, Applejack, Cadence, Shining Armor, and even Thorax. To top it all off quite literally, Flurry Heart flew on top of Prey’s head and started squeezing the top of his head like a pillow. All of this combined made his breath and chest weak, but good.

Everypony soon let go and stood up, yet Prey was still on his knees. “Masters, I know that you have all forgiven me, but is there anything you wish for me to do, anything to atone for my sin.”

Twilight could only smile, she could understand his request to atone for his mistakes. She levitated Prey arms forwards and levitated his katana on his hands. “Prey it’s okay. I know you’ve made mistakes, in fact these are very serious things you have done. But we all know it’s not your fault. I don’t know if you know this but we’ve all made mistakes.”

Prey’s eyes opened wider as he looked around at his masters and his friends. Fluttershy raised her hand. “I um….I became a little too assertive and was mean to Pinkie and Rarity.” She admitted with a sheepish smile.

Then Rarity raised her hand. “Oh dear where can I start? I think the worst mistake I ever made was being mean to my little Sweetie Belle.” She said with a giggle, adding comedy with her past drama.

“The worst thing I did was torturing Spike and cloning myself!” Pinky said with a cheery tone. That cheery happy tone with the grim background had added chills to Prey’s spine. The fact that she had “tortured” Spike, had given a good thought to Prey, do not mess with Pinkie Pie.

“I kind of accidentally possessed the whole town to have problems so that I could solve one.” Twilight said with a blush, feeling embarrassed from the ‘Smart Pants Incident’.

“The worst Ah’v ever done was break a Pinkie Promise.” Applejack admitted, gulping from her past memories in Dodge Junction.

“And I’ve-” Rainbow paused, remembering all of the mistakes she has made in the past. Every. Single. Mistake. “-........I’ve done a lot.” She said plainly, putting her hands behind her back and blushing with a sheepish smile.

“So ya see Prey. We’ve all made mistakes. Maybe not as bad as yours, but yer not alone in the mistakes department. Everyone’s good fer forgiveness, and that involves you.” Applejack stated as she offered her hand at Prey. Prey took her hand as she pulled him upwards. She pulled him closer until they were face to face as she leaned in on Prey for a kiss on the cheek, shocking a few more ponies in the room.

Pinkie, Rarity, and Cadence kelp their cheeks up as they started squealing with excitement. Shining Armor simply winked at Prey, and Fluttershy just covered her mouth and blushed with her wings extended.

Applejack blushed a bit, but smiled proudly towards her friends. “Oh uh, Ah guess its good to mention now. Prey and Ah are uh…..dating.”

Rarity ran towards her friend and hugged her. “Oh Applejack and Prey, I’m so happy for you two!”

“YEA! We should throw a ‘Prey and Applejack got together party’ right now!” Pinkie screamed making everyone giggle at Pinkie’s party addiction.

Prey sighed and gave Pinkie a smile. “Ahhh yes that...sounds like a good idea Master Pinkie. Demo (but), there is one more thing I’d like to talk about. I-….is it okay if I talk to Thorax….alone.” Everypony looked at Prey slightly shocked.

Everypony complied with everypony soon leaving the room one by one. The last one to leave was Applejack, but before she left, she did one thing for Prey. She walked over to the door and closed it. She wanted to stay inside with Prey and Thorax. “Applejack, why did you-”

“Applejack walked over to Prey and stood beside Prey. “Ah’m not leaving this drama like this Prey. Yer mah friend, heck yer mah coltfriend. Yer problems are mine now.” She said planting a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Prey smiled back, feeling happy in his chest. “Only if you are sure Applejack. I shall trust your judgement, domo.” He sighed once more as he faced his old master with a look as flat as blank paper, plain. “Thorax, we need to talk about the kingdom.”

Thorax started to sweat a bit. The aura and presence Prey was giving off started to chill Thorax’s back. “W-What about it?”

Prey sighed and summoned his sword. His held it by the scabbard and presented it towards Thorax. “Do you know what this is?”

“Your sword right?”

“Hai, but not just any sword. But a sword of a samurai. So what is this!?” Prey then used his magic to summon the very same newspaper he read back at Appleloosa. The same image was still present of a changeling decorated with samurai armor standing next to Thorax. “This armor is meant for samurai changelings, not regular changelings.” He said with a serious tone as he started look at him dead in the eyes. “Now why are there multiple regular changelings walking around with the armor? The samurai were not police; they are ones who served their master, the ruler. They strictly served their master, but that title was only granted to the ones born as Samurai.”

“I- I mean, what's wrong with it?”

“Regular changelings cannot become and will not be samurai.” He said with low tone. “What you are doing is showing off samurai as if they are police, but samurai are not police. They are an elite group that should not be exposed easily to the public. Having them walk around in those suits of armor are not exactly your right.”

“But what gives you the right to wear the armor left behind?”

“I was given the right the day I was frozen. There is a reason I was frozen, not only to represent samurai in a present age, but to also preserve their history and culture. But this….is not right. You know what a samurai is correct?”

“Yes, “one that serves” right?”

“Hai, They serve their master and ONLY their their master. Samurai would protect the public, but only in dire situations much like my fight with the hydra and the tatzlwurms. I understand that you want the samurai to come back to its former glory, but those days are numbered. I am the last one of its kind, and the samurai will never come back. The only way is if more samurai changelings were born. But that, is very unlikely."

“Then what is it you want me to do then? You aren’t my samurai anymore do you remember?”

“No, I am not your samurai. But I still cannot let the changeling guards patrol in that armor. That armor is meant for me in combat, and they are sacred for samurai only. But I have an alternative.”

“What is it?”

“Make the armor.” Prey said bluntly.

Thorax paused for a moment, hearing those words. “What?”

“Make the samurai armor.” Thorax looked at him slightly shocked.

“Didn’t you just say that you don’t approve of our changeling guards wearing the samurai armor.”

“Let me speak please. Now it is true, I do not approve of your choice of having changelings wearing that armor because that armor was made for the samurai. But I never said you can’t make the samurai armor. Specifically speaking, leave those suits alone. Make new suits of armor for the modern guard.”

“Really? So, how can we make the armor?”

“You should really look back in the samurai caverns. There is a manual on how to make the armor. It is cheap to make, but takes more time to craft. Essentially it is a process of layering paper, chitin, cloth, leather, and lacquer.” Prey said with a smile making Thorax smile.

“I see. Well sorry for kind of mocking old samurai armor. I didn’t realize they were that sacred to you.” He said sheepishly scratching the back of his head.

Prey bowed his head to his friend and ex-master. “It is okay my friend. The armor that the kingdom will make will not look like the iconic sets we have back in the caverns. I recommend that you hold it in secret. The less the public knows about samurai the better, in my opinion.

“Thats a great idea Prey! I won't say a another thing . Is there anything else?”

“Do not call the “new samurai” samurai. Call them senshi, it means warrior. If any changeling were to be a samurai, leave that title placement to me.”

Although it will most likely not happen, considering that rank belongs to born samurai. Prey said to himself.

“Alright Prey, I trust you.”

“Yoshi, Arigato Thorax. Also a few questions, if you don’t mind.” Thorax nodded. “When may I visit the new kingdom you established?”

Thorax’s eyes lit up. “Oh you can visit any time you wish!” He exclaimed with a smile.

“Arigato, and one more question. Who is the Shogun?”

“Shogun?” Applejack asked with a crooked eyebrow.

“Allow me to explain. A Shogun can roughly translate to general, or military leader. The shogun would be equivalent to lets say….Princess Luna’s position. The shogun would control the militaristic power of our system, and Thorax would control our political power as Emperor.”

“Yea that’s basically it. And to answer your question Prey, it’s Pharynx.”

Prey’s yes grew larger at the answer as he gave a large and heavy sigh. “Hontou? Kusoo….” Prey said with a groan.

Applejack gently held Prey’s hand, concerned for her coltfriend. “You alright Prey? Those words don’t sound too happy.”

“I’ll answer this one AJ.” Thorax volunteered. “My brother and Prey don’t exactly get along. When Pharynx was converted, that was when we found Prey. Pharynx challenged Prey, thinking his ‘samurai’ title and race wasn’t real, well he proved him wrong.”

“So why doesn’t Prey like him?”

“It is….his personality that annoys me. Ughh…...baka. He even tried to prove himself that he could be a samurai. He even tried to use a katana, but was poor in skill and tarnish a good suit of armor.” Prey groaned again in annoyance. “And now he is the shogun, great.” Prey said sarcastically.

“Aw c’mon Prey. Him as the shogun shouldn’t be that bad.” Thorax said with Prey looking at him with a flat face, showing disapproval. “I mean….I trust him enough to take control of the kingdom partially.”

“Alright, I trust that you make the right decision.” Prey said, bowing his head towards Thorax. “Now I believe we have a party that Pinkie wants to throw.” Thorax said with a smile. They all stood up and started to leave the room.

Applejack grabbed Prey’s hand and leaned in over to kiss him on the cheek. “C’mon you, it’s time to introduce us.” She said as she pecked his cheek.

Prey smiled as a small chuckle came out. “Hai, lets go.”

Author's Note

Here you are lads, another chapter for ya. Hope you enjoy!