“So…….this is... what is this?”

“......”

“I understand that. I believe I know where I am.”

“......”

“Who am I? That is funny, I should be asking you that.”

“....”

“A mother of a child who I knew? Who is it that you are a mother of?”

“.....”

“Nani?......Hountou desuka!?…….That…..is surprising. Hmm, if I may ask, why am I here?”

“.....”

“Really. If I have regrets as to what I’ve done down there? Many….I have many regrets.”

“.....”

“I see…..I am glad I am not alone.”

“...”

“A chance? What kind of chance?”

“....”

“Nanda? Why…..why me of all things? All my life I knew how to kill and fight.”

“.....”

“Sou…. You are not wrong. But my body is broken, and it would be impossible for me. Even if I agree, many will upset.”

“...”

“Another option? What would that be?”

“....”

“Souka..... Yoshu! Hajime!”

The sun was shining.

The wind was blowing softly against trees carrying apples and leaves, creating a lovely soft sound of nature.

It wasn’t too warm or too cool, the temperature was just right.

There were clouds in the sky, lightly garnished in the air giving the clear blue sky some balance.

A good day in the land of Equestria. A good day for a young farm pony in the Apple Family farm to be working. A pony with no wings or horns, but simple hooves. This pony, this filly, was an earth pony who had a pinkish orange coat and a bright pink hair and mane was working in the apple fields, kicking a tree to try and make an apple fall down.

“C’mon, just a little harder.” She groaned as she brought her foot up and kicked as hard as she could. The tree vibrated as the apple hanging above her gave in, and succumbed to gravity as it fell down.

The filly leapt up and caught the apple in her mouth. “Yshh!” She exclaimed happily as she started down a dirt path, eating the apple along the way.

“Fuuujiiiii!” A voice called out the filly’s name.

The young filly perked up, she knew who it was called her. She looked in the distance to see a tall butter yellow mare with a pinkish red mane. “Fuujiii! Over here!” the mare then began waving over to the filly, catching her attention.

“Auntie Applebloom!” The filly began sprinting towards her aunt. Reaching her, she gave her a big ol’ hug.

“Fuji Apple, where have you been? Your mom’s been looking all over for you.”

“Sorry Auntie, I was just getting an apple.”

“Getting an apple? Did you buck a tree for an apple?” She asked giving the filly a confused look.

“Yea! Pretty cool right?”

“That’s not just cool, that’s amazin. You got the natural talent of an Apple, just like me, yer uncle, and yer mother. Gosh yer’ growin up so fast.”

“Yay!” The filly exclaimed in joy, feeling proud of her accomplishment.

“Now c’mon Fuji. Your mom wants you home.”

“Okay!” She beamed with a smile.

The two ponies reached their home known, the farm Sweet Apple Acres. Applebloom opened the front door of their house, letting herself and Fuji Apple inside. “Were home!” She echoed through the house.

“Welcome back you two.” Big Mac said in the corner. He was still the same after all of these years.

“Hi Uncle Mac, is momma here?”

“Right here sugarcube.” Applejack said from the kitchen. She just pulled a baked pie from the oven. “Do you know what today is?”

“Is it dad’s birthday?”

“Well...not exactly his birthday sugarcube. Just more like, his anniversary. Years ago, I met your daddy for the very first time and your aunties and I never really knew his birthday. So we considered the very day we may him, a birthday like day.”

“You said “day” a lot mommy.” Applejack couldn’t help but giggle at her daughter’s observation.

“C’mon sugarcube, we gotta get going to visit your daddy.”

“Okay!” She beamed with a smile. “What about granny?”

“Granny Smith is already there as we speak c’mon sugarcube.”

The skies were beginning to fade, with the rich blue sky turning orange and yellow. The sun wasn’t its golden holy self, instead it was red, like burning hot fire. It looked powerful from a distance.

The family of Apples were walking down a pathway through their orchards. The little one, Fuji Apple spoke up. She had a question on her mind.

“Mommy?”

Applejack smiled down at her daughter. “Yes sugarcube?”

“What was daddy like?”

Applejack sighed and looked straight down the path the family was walking. “Your daddy…..your daddy was one of the best things in our lives. He was a changeling.”

“Oh Oh! I know what a changeling is! They’re bug like ponies like Mr. Razor right?”

“Yes, Mr. Razor is a changeling, just like your daddy.”

“Wow, daddy must have been really cool.”

“He was sweetie, he was.” Applejack sad with a small sad sigh. Her siblings couldn’t help but feel sad alongside her, with small frowns on their faces.

The family soon reached their destination. One that was familiar with the Apple family. Their destination was the apple and pear tree shrine that Bright Mac and Pear Butter planted many years ago. It was here that Prey had paid his respects to Applejack’s parents. It is also where his name would be remembered.

Standing by the tree were many ponies, Applejack’s best friends. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and Spike. Along with them were more of Applejacks friends such as Thorax, Pharnyx, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and another changedling. Lastly, there was Granny Smith who was sitting on a nearby stump, given her elderly state.

This last changedling was wearing a simple face mask, a black cloth that shrouded his lower face area. He was well equipped with samurai armor. He had a sky blue chitin, with topaz yellow eyes. His eyes looked calm and sad, but constantly darted around the area, making sure it was safe. Everypony knew who this was, it was Razor, Prey’s successor as a samurai.

He simply stood silent. Watching, waiting for anything that his masters would tell him to do. After all, he is their samurai.

“Hi everyone!” Fuji exclaimed cheerfully, making everyone smile at the little filly.

“Hey kiddo. What’s new?” Rainbow Dash asked as she took off what looked to be a Wonderbolt captain hat. She was dressed in her formal uniform for this one occasion.

“Not a whole lot Auntie Dash. But I did get an apple from a tree all by myself.” She said proudly, jabbing a thumb to her chest.

“Nice job kiddo.” Dash commented giving her a fist bump. “You’re just like your mom ya know that kid?”

Fuji couldn’t help but giggle at her own pride. Especially coming from her aunt who was a Captain of the Wonderbolts. She looked past the rainbow maned captain to see Razor, the samurai holding a green glass bottle.

She walked over to the samurai and greeted him with a big bright smile. “Hi mister Razor!” She said brightly, happy to see the samurai.

Although his mouth wasn’t present, being shrouded behind his mask, the motion of his eyes showed his inner joy to see the little filly. He knelt down to her level and opened his arms wide, asking for a hug from the little pony.

The filly ran over and gave the changedling a hug. “How are you Mr. Razor?”

Razor simply nodded his head and gave her a gentle thumbs up. He then released his hug on the filly and faced the twisted pear and apple tree.

Just in front of the tree, lied Prey’s katana. The katana was in its sheath with the whole sword dug into the ground tip first. The side with the blade was facing directly towards the direction of the Apple family’s house, symbolically showing his protection to the Apple family.

“Mommy….is that daddy’s sword?” Fuji asked, pointing at the katana.

“Yup….that’s your daddy’s sword.”

“Why is it here and not at home? And if it’s out here, won’t it get stolen?”

“Nope, it won’t get stolen because Aunt Twilight put a spell on it, making some sort of invisible barrier around it. Right Twi?” Applejack asked to confirm the spell’s function.

“Yes. There’s a spell on the sword where it can only be touched by people who Prey knew. I made sure of it.”

“And Razor here is guardin it as well. It’s his job here to make sure this place is safe from anything.” Applejack said with Razor nodding in agreement. “Now Fuji, we’re here to place things by daddy’s sword. This here if from me and you to your daddy.” Applejack took off her hat and reached inside of it. She pulled out a single apple with its stem containing a single bloomed flower. “Can ya do that?”

“Mmmhmm!” Fuji took the apple and placed it down next to her father’s sword. After her, everypony else began to leave things behind for the late samurai.

Applebloom left behind a tied bow.

Big Macintosh left behind a pair of leather gloves.

Granny smith left behind a homemade apple pie.

Pinkie Pie left behind a cupcake.

Fluttershy left behind a wreath of flowers.

Rarity left behind a purple scarf.

Rainbow Dash left behind her first badge from the wonderbolt academy.

Twilight left behind a written letter, saying thanks from her and everypony else. All written in Japoneighs.

Shining Armor saluted the late samurai, and placed a ornamental dagger in front of Prey’s sword.

Princess Cadence placed a bottle of wine made from crystal berries next to his shrine.

Thorax and Pharynx placed homemade onigiri near his shrine. His favorite food.

Spike planted a gem next to the sword. This gem was a round cut emerald that Spike had polished and cut himself. This was from his personal connection.

Applejack looked down to her daughter. She had her eyes stuck on the sword and her face looked full with thought. She knelt down on one knee next to her daughter. “Sweetie, did you want to say anything to your daddy?”

Fuji nodded and hummed. “Mmmhmm.” Fuji walked up to the sword and stared at the handle of the sword. The sword’s handle looked pretty, with its tight and crossed wrapping giving it a sense of formality. “Mommy? Is...Is it okay if I touch it?”

Applejack gave her a small disgruntled look, but she wanted to give her a chance. “Well…..just don’t take the actual sword.”

“Okay!” Fuji reached her hand out to the swords handle, and gently planted her palm on the sword’s pommel. “It’s so warm.”

The moment she ushered the sword’s temperature, Razor and Twilight both shot a look of surprise at the sword. They both know of the sword’s magical barrier defenses. But temperature was not a factor that was in the spell.

“It’s really pretty.” Fuji continued to admire the sword. Suddenly, she felt something prick her fingers. She yelped in surprise, because it didn’t hurt a whole lot. She felt some more pricks climbing on top of her hand to find a strange bug like creature on top of her hand. “*Gasp* Mommy look!”

Everyone had gathered around Fuji and the sword and saw that a green insect as long as a pen was on top of Fuji’s hand. “Woooow…” Fuji said, amazed instead of disgusted. “What is it?”

“That there is a praying mantis Fuji.” Answered Fluttershy. “Its completely harmless to us and only eats smaller bugs.”

“Wow, thats cool.” The praying mantis, with its grassy green chitin, shot a look towards fuji. It raised its claws upwards, almost looking like it wants a hug. Fuji moved her face closer to the mantis as it jumped on top of Fuji’s head, planting itself in Fuji’s hair. Fuji giggled at the mantis’ trick, she wasn’t bothered at all. Its movements were almost tickling for Fuji.

The sun was settling more, giving the night a turn at its place. The darkness of the sky was telling everyone that it was time to settle down for the night. One by one everyone began to leave. The only ones left were Applejack, Razor, Twilight, and Fuji.

It was already night by then, with the moon’s light glazing the dark blue sky with a white sheen. Fuji had been playing with the praying mantis the whole time, it looked like those two had a special bond.

The mantis was crawling all of Fuji, tickling her all over making her giggle some more. “Hahaha.”

The joyous giggle gave some comfort and warmth to Applejack’s heart. She enjoyed seeing her daughter happy, as much as her father would. However, all good things must come to an end, much like her daughter’s fun. “Alright Fuji, that’s enough. It’s late and almost your bedtime.”

The filly gave a big sad frown. “Awwwwww.” She moaned. “Can I play with the mantis a little bit more mommy? Please?” The filly then began to quiver her lips, water her eyes, and got really close to her mother’s face, giving off that iconic begging look.

Applejack sighed in defeat. “Oh alright, you can stay a little longer.” She faced Razor, her samurai. “Razor, can you make sure she gets home safe and before ten o’clock?”

Razor nodded and bowed towards his master. With that, Applejack had begun to leave the shrine site, leaving only her daughter Fuji, Twilight, and Razor.

Fuji continued to play with the praying mantis, she was having fun with it. Twilight and Razor however stood close to each other, they felt that something was off. There was something magical in the air, and it didn't’ feel right. It felt…..familiar.

“Razor…..do you feel that?”

“Nn….” (Mmhmm) Razor nodded, and slowly planted his hand on his katana, just in case.

Twilight started to use her magic, scanning anything that may have a magical presence nearby. She sensed nothing.

Fuji was too busy playing with the praying mantis to feel anything wrong. She had the bug standing on her hands, admiring its freaky but cool look. She leaned in closer to the mantis and whispered to it, “What should I name you?” The mantis simply stared at her, tilting his head.

But suddenly, she felt a small breeze in her ear. But then, she heard what sounded like a whisper, from a voice she had never heard before.

Otousan.

Fuji raised an eyebrow. Otouson? Is that what she heard? And who said that, and what does that even mean? She turned around to her aunt Twilight.

“Auntie, what does “Otousan” mean?” She asked, making both her and Razor shoot their eyes open. Fuji doesn’t speak Japoneighs, and has never learned any word of the language before.

Razor placed a hand at the tip of his mask, and slowly moved it down revealing his face. “Fuji….Otousan means….father.”

“Oh really? Thats cool.” She said, obvious to the fact that what she had asked was strange and surprising.

“Fuji….where did you hear that word?”

“Umm….I don’t know. I just heard it.” Fuji said as the Mantis jumped on top of her head.

A long silence fell between the three, until enough was enough, it was time to go. “Come Fuji-san….you should go home now.” Razor said making the filly groan.

“Awwww, okay Mr. Razor.” She slowly picked up the mantis from atop her head and placed it back onto her father’s sword. “Bye mister mantis, I would like to play with you another time.” She gave the mantis a smile and turned away ready to leave, but not without hearing another whisper.

Sayonara, watashi no musume

Fuji turned around one more time. She swear she heard someone say something, but she saw no one else. She shrugged it off, and began to leave the shrine with her aunt Twilight and Mr. Razor.

With everyone gone, the only thing at the shrine was the lone praying mantis that had played with Fuji, who stood still on the katana’s handle. The praying mantis simply stared down the beaten path, towards the Apple family farm, then gave a small nod.

The changeling samurai, the filly, and the alicorn princess were all walking down the beaten path towards the Apple family house. Twilight decided to separate from the group, flying home to her castle to think about what had just happened.

Now it was just Razor nad Fuji, who were close to the family house. But before Fuji could go home, she just had to ask.

“Mr. Razor?”

“Yes Fuji-san?”

“Can I ask you something.”

“Hai. Anything.”

“It’s about my daddy. Um….can you tell me what was daddy like? Mommy told me he was a good changeling, but she never told me what he was really like. Can you tell me?”

Razor sighed and partially pulled his katana out of its sheath, admiring the clean steel. “He was….your father was a hero.”

“Wow really!? What kind of hero? Like a superhero in the comic books or mommy?”

Razor chuckled. “No, your father was a warrior. A changeling warrior known as a ‘Samurai’.”

“A samurai? Whats a samurai?”

Razor chuckled once again, this all almost felt familiar to him. “How about I tell you tomorrow?”

“Okay! Bye Mr. Razor.” Fuji said running on home, leaving the samurai by himself.

Razor sighed, admiring the sight and safety of the Apple family, and his master’s daughter. He was proud to serve after his late master, and to be a samurai in his name. He put his sword back in its sheath and gave a sigh. He stared up into the sky, looking beyond the limits of the void, possible gazing into the unknown.

“Prey-sama….genki desuka? Anata wa watashi o hokori ni omoimasu ka?”

Nearby, somewhere in a random patch of grass, a praying man had caught a small cricket. It began to open its claws, ready to feast upon it, but had released it out of mercy.

...Hai..

Author's Note

And so ends this story. I'm happy I actually managed to finish a long term story, and I just found it it has been almost exactly one year since I started to write this story.

I'm pretty satisfied about it.

I'm hoping that you not only enjoyed the story, but also gained insight and an understanding of the Japanese Language and culture.

Also, I just wanna let you guys know, I actually have a suit of real samurai armor from Iron Mountain Armory. Check out my blogs to see it. But yea, story's over.

If there are any grammatical or spelling errors, I will come back to that eventually. But I just really wanted this conclusion to come.