“The last samurai? What do you mean?” Twilight asked while staring at Prey. Thorax gave a small sigh as he faced Prey.

“Prey, I want you to rest for the rest of the day. I have an important task for you tomorrow.” Thorax commanded as Prey bowed to his faster.

“Hai Master.” Prey soon left their sighs as retreated back towards the hallways. Thorax looked to his pony friends who had wide open eyes.

“Now, I’m sure you have more questions to ask. But not right now, I need to tend to my subjects’ needs right now. Though you are free to explore these caverns. Should you have any questions as to how to exit besides the throne stair case, or where you would want to stay or sleep, please ask myself, my sergeant, or Prey himself.”

“Is he gonna listen to us? We ain’t exactly his masters.” Applejack stated with a questioning brow.

“Don’t worry, I’ve thought about this. Everyone please show me your hand.” All the ponies and Spike each showed a palm as Thorax glowed each one with his magic. Suddenly two symbols appeared on everyone’s hand. “Here, these symbols represent “friend”, so long as Prey sees these symbols, you are basically the same hierarchy as I am towards his order.”

“His Order? What was his order? You mean the samurai right?” Twilight asked with curiosity.

“All in due time Twilight. Right now is not the best. Perhaps you could find your answers in the Library. Remember those two books I showed you earlier?” They all nodded. “There’s two sides of the library. From the entrance, the left side is entirely comprised of Japoneighs while the right side is entirely comprised of english. In short, both sides are identical, just in different languages. I will send a small team of researchers down here soon should you have any questions. To this day we are still reading and researching the Samurai undergrounds.” And with a nod he soon left the ponies to the caverns alone for themselves.

“So, what do now?” Pinkie pie asked as she started to eat a piece of cake she pulled from her hair. The rest of the gang could only ponder at the thought.

“Well I don’t know about you but I’m going to walk around and maybe find some inspiration.” Rarity said eyeing the architecture of in the caverns. “I must say, maybe if I find some clothing of this ‘samurai’ then that could be a new hit for my fashion line!” She exclaimed with as her thoughts turned to the future of her line of work. She started to exit the room with her thoughts of fashion bouncing around her head.

“I’m personally going to the library and read all the books available.” Twilight said as she soon left the room with Spike behind her.

Pinkie’s stomach started to grumble, apparently the cake she had wasn’t enough. “I’m going to look for a fridge.” She said zipping away from the others in a blink of an eye, leaving only a pink dusty outline of herself.

“I’m uh...I’m going to just follow Pinkie, this place does kinda seem pretty.” Fluttershy said with timidness through her voice, clearly she was scared of these dark caverns. She soon left the room hastily leaving Applejack and Rainbow. The two still stood in the room with a bored look on their face.

“Wanna go find him? If Thorax says she’s fast and strong, I kinda wanna see that for myself, y’know being the fastest alive.” Rainbow said with pride while posing proudly.

“Ah guess, but I’d be careful Rainbow. We don’t know much about him and if Thorax says he’s a warrior, he’s gotta be pretty strong.”

“Pffff it’s all big talk. He doesn’t look that strong.” She soon spread and began flapping her wings levitating off the ground. “C’mon, I wanna go find him.” She said zipping out the room with Applejack following suit. The two slowed their pace as they traveled down a long torch lit hallway. Their walk was very quiet, to the point where they could hear their own heartbeat.

“Awful quiet around here. To think he’s the last one.” Applejack stated.

“Well I mean he’s still a changeling right? He could’ve made friends.” Rainbow said as Applejack started to scratch her chin and thought about Prey.

“Even if he did make friends, he would’ve shared loved and change like the rest right? But he didn’t, he looks the same as Chrysalis.” The two stopped as they found a door that was already open. They peeked inside to find Rarity who simply stood still, almost frozen. “Hey Rars, what’s uuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh…..” Applejack’s voice lost it’s tracks as she found why Rarity was so frozen. Around them stood many, many, MANY figures. More specifically empty racks of armor of different sizes, colors, fashions, and material. It was the masks and faces of each rack of armor that had a sense of fear lingering within them.

(An example)

Rainbow and Applejack walked inside slowly and stood next to Rarity. Each armor’s face had a very sinister expression on them, almost looking at the faces of demons. The fact that they were empty gave a very eerie sensation around the room. “What. The. Buck are these?” Dash asked while looking around the room and gazing upon the collection of armor racks.

“Armor.” The ponies looked back at the door to find Prey standing there with his sword by his side. He slowly walked inside the room and joined the ponies in gazing upon the armor. “More specifically samurai armor.” He placed a hand on one of the sets of armor, his expression was the same as before, flat and emotionless.

“Are all of these….sets yours d-darling?” Rarity asked with her voice being stuttery as she still felt slightly intimidated from all of the sets of armor. She felt like the sets were all staring at her, even though she knew they were empty.

“No and yes. Though I am the very last samurai, I was not the first samurai. All of these sets were owned by samurai before me. But now that I am the last samurai, there are no owners for these sets of armor and they require a master. So now I stand here as they wait to serve me.”

“So in short, everyone single one of these sets of armor were at one point had an original owner. And it was theirs and theirs only, right?” Applejack asked.

“Yes.” He flatly answered.

“So….” Rainbow chimed in. “Where’s yours?”

A moment of silence took over Prey, but he had to answer. “I do not have my own set of armor, not specifically for me at least. I tend to borrow from the previous samurai. Each armor is made differently for different situations.” He explained as eye stared at them with his blank expression.

“My word, though these do look…..intimidating, no offence,” Rarity said towards Prey who only nodded. “But I must say the carvings and engravings of each set is quite unique in it’s own way. The armor itself almost looks like it was made of scales.” Rarity said, admiring a very certain set of armor.

“These colors are quite vivid don’t you think?” She asked facing towards the others. “Prey darling, do you think I could borrow one of these suits of armor as inspiration for one of my works?” She asked as Prey faced her with the same blank expression. It was easy to tell, he was hard to read.

“I cannot say because these are not mine. They rest here and await their usage for battle. I recommend the books and documents in the library for illustrations about samurai.” He recommended as Rarity’s eyes lit up with sparkles.

“Thank you darling!” Rarity gave Prey a hug, who still had a blank a expression, as she exited the room. Rainbow and Applejack could only give a confusing look at his continuous blank face.

“Y’know, he kinda reminds me of somepony.” Rainbow Dash stated as her memories of Maud Pie returned to her. She soon shook off that thought and continued to look at the armor displayed everywhere. “So, since you said you borrow some of the armors here, can we see you try one on?” She asked making Prey place a hand to his chin, close his eyes, and think about her request.

“Ya don’t have to y’know? We ain’t exactly your so called “masters” like Thorax.”

“Forgive me miss but you are mistaken on that part.” Prey said pointing as he gently grabbed her hand and revealed the symbol Thorax gave her. “This symbol is a representation of your courtship over me temporarily.” He said as he stood straight and bowed towards the two. “As you requested, I shall equip myself with one of these armors. Is there any specific one you wish to choose from?”

“Meeehhh go ahead and choose whatever you want.” Rainbow suggested with a shrug as Prey walked around.

He walked to a red set of samurai armor and gave a nod towards it. He then faced back to the ponies. “Please be patient, it takes time to put on a full suit of armor.” Prey removed his sword from his side and placed it on the side. Before he started his process of equipping the set he placed his hands together and bowed towards the set of armor.

A Good reference on how Samurai armor as equiped
*About 10 minutes later*

After some time Prey put the final piece of his ensemble together, he slowly applied the helmet to his head and tied the two strands of rope hanging from it under his chin, making a tight knot. He picked up his sword and applied it to his belt, completing his look. “Here it is, a semi completed samurai.”

“What do you mean by “semi-completed”? Looks fine to me.” said Applejack.

“While the armor is complete, there are other factors of samurai armor that makes it ornate and complete. But this is just the armor. It’s light, strong, and this particular set was very easy to make.”

“What’s it made of? And how strong are we talking here?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

“This one in particular is made of layers of paper, glue, and old changeling cocoon leather and chitin. Then lacquered over for extra protection and dyed red in reference to the original owner’s taste. It is also very flexible.” Prey stated as he did a few basic squats and stretches showing no restrictions from the armor itself, he even performed a backflip.

“Can we see that thing in action? I’d love to see what it can withstand.”

“I do not see any ways on how to display this armor on the field. Unless you wish to strike me, you may.” Both ponies look at him in pure shock.

“You’re saying you want us try hit you with a sword? Like a slash or something?” Prey only nodded. “Well then what do I use? That sword of yours?” Prey shook his head.

“I apologize, but this sword is mine and is sacred. A samurai is born, lives, and dies with his swords. This one was specifically made for me.” He said gripping his sword. “However I may have a solution, please follow me.” The two followed Prey out of the room and down the hallways.

They reached the main library as they found Twilight, Rarity, and few other changelings. “Those must be the researchers Thorax mentioned.” Applejack pointed out. The three walked past Twilight and the other changelings and reached the very entrance the ponies came through. There still stood guard the same guard, Sergeant Razor who noticed the group and the samurai. Razor’s felt a small chill on his back as he quickly saluted towards the samurai.

“S-Sir it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Yes and to you as well. I wish for you to help me with something if you okay with it.”

“W-What is it sir?” Prey pointed at his sword.

“Take your sword as slash my chest.” The sergeant’s eyes were wide open in shock as his jaw dropped to the floor. Pickup up his jaw and himself, he started to sweat as he reached for his sword. Prey could read through him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Do not worry, I have faith in you and this armor. You will not hurt me and you will not be punished for this.” He reassured as he stood still with his hands behind his back. “Now do it.” He commanded as Razor pulled out his sword and brought it skyward.

Razor soon brought down his blade and slashed Prey’s chestplate, only for it to only have a scratch and no injuries towards Prey himself. “Are…..are you okay sir?”

“Hai, I am okay. Thank you.” He reassured as Razor breathed out a heavy sigh of relief and soon sheathed his sword. Prey then turned to the two ponies who also had jaws dropping to the floor. “This is the power of samurai armor, being just as strong as metal armor.”

“I gotta say, that’s kinda impressive.” Applejack complemented.

He bowed, “Arigatoo gozaimasu, I take small pride from the samurai before.” He said with a nod. Suddenly the whole room and underground started to rumble with spits of sand and dust falling from the ceiling. “Nani?” Question Prey as his thoughts immediately turned to his master. “Thorax!” He rushed passed Razor and up the spiral staircase towards the surface.

Confused and afraid, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were soon joined by everyone else including the changeling researchers. “What’s going on?” Asked Pinkie as Rainbow shrugged.

“I don’t know! One minute Prey is showing off his armor then next minute the whole cave started to shake. He took off upstairs towards Thorax.” Rainbow explained.

“Well what’r ya’ll waiting for? Let’s go see if they help!” Everyone soon rushed up the stairs and reached the surface. Once they reached the throne room, they found Thorax standing in front of armored samurai with a hand placed on his shoulder.

“Please be safe and don’t kill him. Drive him out in fear.” Thorax commanded as Prey bowed in compliance with his master. “I will teleport you outside to make things faster, and again please be safe.” And soon Thorax used his magic and teleported Prey out of the throne room. He looked behind to find his friends all standing their with concerned looks.

“What’s going on?” Asked Twilight as Thorax sighed.

“A hydra has come.”

Author's Note

And here you go, another chapter. Please enjoy