The Smiling Warrior

The music sessions had gone perfectly. Sweetie was a natural when it came to singing and Button sure wasn't lacking either. Both kept saying it was thanks to Jack who did his best to stay humble from all the praise. It didn't help though when Vinyl and Octavia heard him sing as well, leaving him with a small following that quickly grew when word got out about the pipes on the smiling warrior. Soon almost the entire town was begging him to preform at the show to see what the man could do. "Listen guys it's great and all that you want to hear me sing but I'm supposed to be one of the judges for deciding who's the best performance." He said to another group of citizens after they interrupted his lunch at the bakery.

"Well then how about we fix that." Came the voice of one Mrs. Cake, who walked up to Jack with a to-go box in hand. "Mayor Mare and Twilight are already the judges but since you are being asked so much I could just take up your spot as the judge." She said placing the box down in front of Jack and looking at his seated form.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to ruin anyone's chances at the reward or seem like I cheated by being in the show." Jack asked back at the plump mare.

"Oh hun I'm a baker and a good one at that. Rarity may have an eye for details but people will agree with me when I say you don't get sweets to look this good without some skill for seeing quality work." Cake said proudly tapping just under her eye. "Besides we can just make your little show as a side piece that can't win the reward. That way no one can say it's rigged." She added confidently.

Jack thought for a moment before looking at the small crowd around him that had been bugging him for a show. Giving a sigh he nodded before looking back at the mare with a smile. "Alright you convinced me. You'll be the third judge for the contest and I'll provide a song for everyone." This statement earned a cheer from the surrounding crowd who quickly dispersed to spread the news.

Mrs. Cake sat down across from the young man with a questioning look. "By the way what even is the reward?" She asked leaning closer to him, her bust resting on the table top.

Jack looked up confused before registering what she said. "Oh, that's right I never told anyone. Well since I won't be a judge there's no reason for me to keep it a secret. The reward is a thousand bits and a favor from me. Under good reason of course." He said adding the last part with a chuckle.

The owner of the bakery couldn't help but giggle with him. "Well I can see why you wanted it as a secret. Well I better leave you to start preparing for your piece. See you at the show." She said getting up and patting his cheek, making the human blush as a memory fluttered through his mind for a moment.

Word got around just as fast as when people learned he could sing. Soon people were asking him to help with their parts or to see what other skills he had. Wanting to get away from the crowds Jack searched for Scootaloo hoping maybe he could help with her bit and get some breathing room. After an hour of searching he found her with Rainbow Dash working at a makeshift stunt coarse.

"Hey big man!" Shouted Rainbow waving at the approaching human. "Coming to see the awesome work we've come up with?" She asked once he got close enough.

Jack smiled and nodded "That and also to get away from the town for a little. I never thought people would be so interested to see what I could do." He said standing next to the techno color haired mare. "Which makes me wonder, where the heck is Scootaloo?"

As if summoned a yell was heard connected to an orange blur passing them, following the coarse up a ramp and into the sky revealing the filly in question pulling ariel tricks on her scooter. "The she is." Rainbow casually said watching the stunt as if nothing could go wrong.

Jack was about to jump into action to save Scoots but noticed Rainbows stance. Knees slightly bent, wings partially stretched out, and her eyes trained on the little girl. She knows this is dangerous and is ready to take action. He thought to himself as he scanned the situation. Knowing Rainbow was faster then him too made Jack ease up and watch the scene unfold as Scootaloo finished her move set and landed on the ramp, sliding down to a stop just in front of the pair.

Breathing heavily Scootaloo removed her helmet and practically jumped at them. "Did you see that, did ya, did ya?" She asked excitedly, a massive grin stretched across her face while her small wings buzzed with the same energy.

"You were totally awesome twerp!" Rainbow encouraged, high-fiving the little girl. "You are going to kill it at the talent show, I just know it." She added with a playful ruffle of the small girls already messy hair.

"What about you Jack? What did you think about the stunt?" Scootaloo asked buzzing around the man.

He did his best to turn and look at the filly as she went around him laughing out loud. "It looked amazing and if everything goes according to plan you and the others should have your cutie marks in no time." He replied confidently, catching the filly and throwing her into the air gently while she giggled away.

Rainbow couldn't help feel a small smile on her face watching the display of the two's affection feeling her heart beat a little faster. "You want something like that with him don't you?" a part of her mind asked. She blushed shooting back "What? no I don't need to be tied down to anyone or else I won't achieve my dreams." The other part of her laughed on it's side. "Face it, you know he wouldn't hold you back. If anything he'll be pushing you further, but what do I know I'm only part of you." The voice said fading to the back of her mind as the two in front of her stopped their little game.

"Hey Rainbow you okay?" Jack asked looking to the blushing mare, tilting his head to the side.

"Yeah, you're all red faced and stuff. Are you sick?" Scootaloo added walking up to her idol with a worried look on her face.

Rainbow quickly turned away from the two. "I...It's nothing... just uuhhh your stunt was so great I'm all pumped up to do my own. Yeah that's it! I'll go do that right now bye!" She said taking off in a cloud of dust and blasting through a nearby cloud, leaving a sizable hole.

"Huh, well that was new." Jack said then turning to the little filly. "Hey Scoots want to go get ice cream to celebrate your successful talent routine?" He asked immediately getting the fillies attention.

"EEEEHHHH, really?!" The orange girl screamed pulling on the man's hand. "Come on, I know just the place to go get some." She said tugging with all her might to move Jack but he would't budge.

He looked down at her excitement, his eye's glazing over for a second as he saw his little sister in Scootaloo's place. "Yeah, let's go." He said softly as the image faded away, letting the filly guide him.

The trek back into town was a pleasant one filled with the laughter of the pair as they swapped jokes back and forth or told stories. "And then me and the others crashed into the top of the tree, falling all the way down it till we hit the ground covered in sap and leaves. We learned that day that we weren't getting our marks in catapult riding. I don't think I ever got rid of all the sap still." She finished giggling while running a hand through her short mane. "Oh we're here." She stated stopping in front of the shop.

Jack looked up at the sign. "The Ice Box. Well not a bad name I guess. Come on let's get you that treat." He said walking towards the door only to have it pushed out and into his face. "Ah my nose." He whined clutching it.

"Watch where you're going!" A demanding voice said in front of him. When he looked up he saw two fillies that seemed close to the crusader's age. One was a grey pony with glasses and while the other was a pinkish pony with a tiara who did not look happy.

"Hey, you should be the one more careful. You could seriously hurt someone." Shot back Scootaloo walking closer to Jack.

"Can it blank flank." The one with the tiara spat with venom in her voice while glaring at Scootaloo.

"Ok hold it. Just who the hell are you." Jack questioned after seeing the crusader flinch at the title. "It's not nice to insult people. Especially one's as nice as Scootaloo here." He said standing to his full height.

"And who exactly do you think you are you hairless ape." The bratty filly asked. "But fine, I'll humor you. I'm Diamond Tiara and this is Silver Spoon."

Jack rolled his eyes. "I can feel the rich bitch attitude rolling off this one." He thought before looking back to the little girls. "Well the name's Jack. You know, the human who saved Dinky from the manticore and fought off the Diamond Dogs." He said folding his arms as he looked down at the two. "Now I believe you owe us an apology." He finished leaning down over them.

To Tiara's credit she didn't fully flinch away like Silver did. "I don't have to do anything. You were the one getting in my way." She tried getting out confidently but stuttered a little on learning who she was talking too.

"Yeah, she almost spilled her ice cream when she opened the door because of you." Silver Spoon finally spoke up but quickly deflated when Jack's gaze shifted to her. "Um, that is... maybe you should ughhhh." She tried adding but failing.

"You are the one's who ran a door into my face and then insulted my friend but whatever you two aren't worth it. Life will catch up to you if you keep that attitude up. Come on Scootaloo let's get you something nice." Jack said turning to his partner and smiling which helped to lift her mood as the two past the stunned fillies. Once inside the pair found the shop mostly empty save for a familiar group.

"Hey there Dinky." Said Scootaloo who rushed over to her friend. "I hope Diamond and Silver weren't mean to you." She added hugging the other girl.

"No, they were mean but they wouldn't try with mom and her herd here." Dinky replied turning to point at her mom Derpy sitting with Cheerilee and Big Mac. "So what are you doing here?" She asked looking back to the orange filly but then noticing who was right behind her. "Mr.Teller!" She shouted excitedly, running up to him and hugging his waist.

Jack chuckled before kneeling down to properly hug Dinky. "Hello little one, I thought I told you to just call me Jack." He said noticing the others coming closer. "Hello everyone nice to see you all again."

"Same to you wonder boy." Said Derpy walking up and kissing his cheek. "What brings you here?" She asked, her eyes focusing for a second on him before crossing again.

"He wanted to get me ice cream for doing my stunt right." Scootaloo answered for him before turning to him. "Isn't that right?" She asked looking to him as if to make sure it wasn't a trick.

He laughed at the look before nodding his head. "Yes, you can get whatever you'd like so long as you don't eat to much and get a tummy ache." He confirmed.

Scootaloo gave a cheer, rushing to the counter to place her order. The adults laughed at the young girls reaction and chatted as they waited for her to return. "Hey Jack I got's a favor to ask ya." Big Mac said after a while.

Jack turned to him and smiled "Sure big guy what do you need?" He asked placing the necessary bits down to pay for the large sundae the filly he was taking care of got.

"Me an' the band are in a bit of a pickle. See our singer is out of town back to Cloudsdale on family emergency so we need help. I heard you're a pretty good singer if word aroun' town is anything tah go by." Mac said scratching his head and looking around sheepishly.

Jack paused for a moment and thought on it. "Well I was going to join the show but I will warn you that if I do help you guys will be removed from the chance to win the reward since it's coming from me." He finally said, looking at the large stallion.

"Mac and the others aren't actually interested in the reward. They just like playing for others so no real loss for them." Cheerilee answered back, staring back at Jack.

When he looked to Big Mac he saw him nodding agreeing with the statement. "Well alright then I'll do it. When do you need to meet?" Jack inquired, brushing off some ice cream that landed on him from the messy fillies attack on her pile. "The shows in about two weeks now so not a lot of time to work on a song from scratch unless you guys already have something." He added.

Mac looked him in the eyes and smiled. "Eyup, already got something for ya. Stop by the barn tomorrow and we can practice." He simply said.

With the plan in place the group chatted a little longer before heading their separate ways as it was getting late. "Thank you for the ice cream Jack." Scootaloo said hugging the man.

"Think nothing of it little one." Jack replied quietly as they pulled away and he started to walk back to the castle. He stopped when a hand grabbed his own, turning showed Scootaloo looking at the ground blushing lightly. "Is something the matter?" He asked with a raised eye brow.

"Um, can I ask you something?" She replied softly.

"That's definitely different." Jack thought to himself seeing the normally loud and energetic girl be so quiet. "Of course Scootaloo. You can ask me anything." He replied stepping down to be eye level with the little filly.

"Could I umm... maybe just every now and then... call. You. Big brother?" She finally asked looking away and flinching slightly when his grip on her hand tightened. Her mind failed for a moment when she was pulled into a hug by Jack who seemed to be shaking slightly with a ragged breath.

"Of course you can... sis." He said after calming himself down. This earned a surprisingly strong hug from the small filly who thanked him repeatedly before stepping back and waving as she headed home. Jack was almost so busy watching her leave he barely registered that Brave was standing next to him, leaning on the wall.

"You best be careful." Was all he said when their eye's locked, The warning clear as day.

Jack's hands balled into fists. "I know, I know, a hero's life is dangerous. Don't get attached or else you'll have more targets to protect I've heard the cliches before." Jack said turning towards the castle and walking.

A shadowy figured floated through the tree line in the Everfree as if searching for something. When it came upon the abandoned castle a deep rumble of laughter escaped the cloaked form. "Soon I'll show these ponies what a real monster is like. They'll regret what they did to me, what they did to us... They'll pay, they'll all pay!" The figured exclaimed into the empty forest.

Two weeks later-

The stage was set and all equipment needed was in place. Jack took a few steps back to admire the work as Applebloom put in the final nail. "It's finally finished." She said wiping her forehead. Jumping off and standing next to it the two stayed like that for a moment. Applebloom reached a hand out her palm upward that Jack happily slapped it. "What do we do now?" She asked looking to the man.

"Well for starters we get cleaned up, then get ready for the show since it's tomorrow." Jack replied brushing off his pants slightly before walking back to the castle. "Make sure to be there Applebloom!" He shouted over his shoulder to the waving filly. On the walk back Jack ran into Sweetie who was with Button Mash. "Hey you two! All ready for the show?" He asked when they got close enough.

"Yep, all thanks to your help. I just hope I don't freeze..." Sweetie replied with a worried look on her face. "I've never really performed for a crowd before." She said.

Jack chuckled under his breath. "Oh I'm sure you'll do just fine besides you have a cute boy willing to help you." He teased nudging Button closer to her making the pair blush. "As long as you two focus nothing can go wrong for your performance." He stated, laughing as he walked past them back into his home to prepare for the show.