Chapter 5

Prey woke up early the next day, he put on a fresh pair of robes and put his sword to his side. He checked his clock to find that it was 6 a.m., a little early he thought to himself. He left his room and eventually the samurai caverns and started walking towards his master’s quarters. Upon reaching he found a lone drone guard standing there who greeted him formally. “Sir.”

“Ohaiyou, Is the master awake?”

“You mean King Thorax? He’s still asleep. He shouldn’t wake up for another 2 hours, I’m sorry.”

“Iie, Ikemasu. I shall go meditate and make eat breakfast in the meantime.” He left the guard to his work and started walking towards the castle’s kitchen. Finding it empty of staff, he took an onigiri and made himself tea. In half an hour he finished the tea and onigiri, but he still had to wait until his master woke up.

He left the kitchen, walked through the hallways of the castle and eventually left the castle. He spread his wings as he fluttered his way upwards towards one of the various balconies of the castle. He landed on the balcony and looking through the glass door, he found that it was completely dark. He guessed no one was inside since the room was dark and empty, so he took this opportunity.

He took off his sword from his side and placed it gently on the ground. He then sat down, crossing his legs and gently placed his both his hands on each knee. He took a deep breath, and slowly began to empty his mind. He started to think of the world beyond the world of the living, constantly putting himself mentally in an infinite world of harmony. Without feeling or realizing it, the room behind him was actually inhabited by a certain orange mare.

Applejack woke up naturally due to her early rising work schedule. She rubbed her eyes and saw that it was six thirty in the morning. She rose from her bed and stretched her body, after a few more stretches she took a shower. After a nice hot shower and a new change of clothes, she wanted to see Celestia’s sun rise like she would everyday back at home. She turned to her balcony and noticed that behind the curtains of the balcony door, there stood a shadow made figure.

She peeked behind the curtains to find Prey sitting there, almost motionless. She gently and quietly opened the door, she was confused as to why Prey as here. She tapped him from behind on his shoulder, but he made to response, he still sat there motionless. “Um… Prey?” She called, still no respond. “Umm….Equestria to Prey, are ya there?”

She noticed his soft breathing and put a few pieces together making a small theory. “Is he asleep? And why near mah room?” She questioned as looked over at the horizon, she found Celestia’s sun slowly peeking over the horizon. She sat down next to him, feeling the small blanket of warmth from the sun’s light. She was still confused as to why Prey was here. Now bored, she placed her elbow on her thigh and rested cheek against her palm. Now sitting there, there was nothing to do other than watching the sun slowly rise and Prey sleeping.

Prey found himself (in his mind at least) surrounded by a large landscape of green. He didn’t know what is was though. He sat down criss cross style on the green patch and started to feel it, it felt new to him. It was soft and fuzzy, almost like a carpet or rug and it smelled somewhat sweet to him. Not like sugar, but more of a softer sweetness. He plucked a single strand of the green surface, almost like a strand of hair and tasted it, although it tasted a bit bitter to him so he didn’t like it.

He look down to his legs to noticed an orange and yellow orb on his legs. He placed his hand on the orb and felt it’s silky smooth texture. He stroke the orb to find it soothing and tranquil, he continued it for a while. Suddenly the world around him started to fade away and vanish to white. He closed his eyes, accepting the white void as he slowly returned his vision back to reality. The first thing he saw was strange, he found Applejack’s head on his lap, she was sleeping.

Finding it extremely odd, Prey felt a small burning sensation on his face. He’s never felt this feeling before either, could he be sick? He also realized that his hand was actually on Applejack’s hair, he now realized the orange and yellow org he was stroking was actually him petting her hair. He began to question why she was here and more specifically, why was she sleeping on his lap. He started to tap her cheek to wake her up.

Stirring awake, Applejack slowly opened her eyes which were met with Prey’s as his eyes were mere inches away from her. Blushing deeply, she quickly pushed him away and sat straight up. “Wahh! Ah-Ah’m sorry Prey, I didn’t mean to sleep on top of you like that Ah-” She was interrupted as Prey raised a hoof, silencing her.

“It is alright Applejack. I am a little surprised to find you here, what are you doing here?”

“Ah could ask you the same thing, you’re on the balcony of mah room.” She said causing Prey to look at her in shock. He bowed his head in formal sincerity.

“I apologize Applejack, I did not realize this was your room. I hope you can forgive me.”

“It’s fine, Ah could forgive you if you could tell me why you were asleep on my balcony.”

“Ah, I was not asleep, I was simply meditating.”

“Meditating?”

“It is an old practice, putting one’s mind into a whole world while cancling out most of the body’s functions. It is almost like dreaming, but you’re in most of the control.”

“Ah see.”

“May I ask a question Applejack?” She nodded. “Why were you sleeping on top of my lap?”

She then blushed a deep rose red and gulped. “Uhhhh Ah uh….was looking between you and the sun. And I was kinda feeling sleepy and you were the closest thing to lie on, ah don’t know. Ah kinda just lost control of my body ah guess. Ah mighty apologize Prey.” she said with her head drooping down in shame.

He simply shook his head and gave her a smile. “It is alright Applejack, it was a simple mistake.” His reassurance made Applejack sigh in great relief as more questions began to rise, such as,

“Why are you up so early?”

“I am suppose to meet my master in the morning. But right now he is still asleep and I am patiently waiting until he wakes up.” He stood up and looked at the sun. “Do you know what time it is Applejack?” Applejack reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, she turned it on to see that the time was seven thirty. “It’s half past seven sugarcube.” She answered as Prey nodded.

“Arigatoo Applejack, I must go speak with Master Thorax now. He said as he spread his wings. He was about to take flight back to the base floor of the castle, only to be interrupted by a hand on his shoulder.

“Hold on there sugarcube. Mind if Ah come with ya?” Prey started to scratch his chin.

“I suppose it is okay.” He started fluttering his wings and hovered behind Applejack. “Arms up.” He instructed as he then held both of Applejacks hands. With extra flapping strength he carried Applejack upwards. He carried her up to a separate balcony (not connected to any bedroom) as he dropped her off first then landed himself. “We should be on the same floor as Master Thorax’s room. “ He opened a door leading inside the hallways of the castle as the two of them walked through the castle halls.

They reached Thorax’s room as he approached the same guard as before. The guard saluted at Prey as he bowed back at the guard. “Hello again, is he awake yet?”

“He should be ready any minute now. Let me check.” The guard then knocked on the door. “King Thorax? Prey Striker is here to see you.”

“I will be out shortly.” Thorax said with his voice muffling through the door. Prey nodded at the guard as he and Applejack waiting patiently. The door then opened as Thorax approached from the door. “Ah good you’re here, oh and Applejack too, good. Follow me you two.” He turned to his guard. “Corporal please inform Princess Twilight and the rest of her friends to meet me in the throne room. The guard saluted and left the trio.

The three started walking down the hall as Prey eyed what Thorax was holding. It was a wrapped up parchment of silk, inside Prey was asking himself what it was. They soon reached the throne room, finding everyone else already inside Thorax turned to Prey. “Mantis, please stand here.” Thorax commanded as Prey stood in the middle of the throne room. Everyone lined up in front of Prey as Thorax unrolled the scroll in his hand.

“Prey ‘Mantis’ Striker, please kneel.” Prey did so as he got down on both his knees. “As a samurai you are bound by the code to have and serve a master. As of late I no longer need you in my services.” Prey looked at Thorax in pure shock. “However as I am still technically your master, I have one final command to give you.” He then laid out the scroll in front of Prey which had multiple japoneighs characters he recognized and six separate fingerprints all with which had names under each one.

“This is your final command, I want you to implant your fingerprint here to swear your allegiance and loyalty to these six ponies standing in front of you.” He commanded pointing at all the ponies next to him. “After you sign your print, you are no longer to call me master or swear your allegiance onto me.”

Prey gave a heavy sigh as he took his index finger and placed it near his mouth. With his fangs, he bit deep through his chitin skin causing his finger to bleed. He then pressed his bleeding finger onto the parchment and giving his former master one final loyal bow. “As you command, Thorax.” He called him by his name, no formalities were shown in his speech, Thorax was no longer his master to serve. He turned to the ponies giving a formal bow towards them. “What are your commands masters?”

Twilight took a step forward. “Stand Prey.” He stood as commanded. “For the rest of the day, you are to pack up any belongings you wish to bring with you. Tomorrow you will leave the changeling kingdom with us towards Ponyville, to have you live a new life.”

Prey was still shocked, he was no longer a samurai of a honorable changeling, but instead has six masters at the same time, who are all ponies. He wasn’t at all feeling prejudice towards any of them, but he mostly confused as to why his former master assigned new masters to him. He bowed towards Twilight Sparkle, one of his new masters. “Hai Master, as you command. If I my ask, what is my limited carry?”

Thorax stepped in. “I shall prepare anything you need to transport whatever you need Prey. If you need any armor, weapons, equipment, clothing shipped, I shall do so in your favor.” He said as Prey gave him a nod.

“Thank you Thorax.” Prey said giving his former master a smile. Thorax couldn’t help but wide eyed at the samurai, he’d never see him smile before. At that moment, Thorax knew he made the right choice. “I shall leave to my quarters and prepare what I need for tomorrow.” He said giving all of them a bow and retreating towards the samurai caverns.

Thorax turned to his friends with tears of joy in his eyes. “Thank you.”

Author's Note

Ohaiyoo = Good morning (Casual form)

Welp here's another chapter for ya. Hope you enjoy
Funny how I upload/ publish this while in the middle of my japanese class. I'm such a good student