Fallout: Equestria - The Paths we Carve
Zaya the Witch
Previous ChapterNext ChapterGentler had stayed behind in Panthera while Fear, Acrid, and Faith headed to the temporary zebra command post about six miles from the city limits. All he had with him was his sword, Faith's Alicannon, and Acrid's magic. They couldn't have the zebras knowing the Abyssinians were behind Fear's actions after all. The young stallion held himself tall, with his two comrades following behind him in a tightly knit triangle, with Acrid on his right and Faith on his left. It wasn't long before they came on the encampment, as they could see the burning fire in the distance, the blackened smoke trailing high into the air.
The encampment was, in some ways, more modern than it should be. The fire pit for instance wasn't traditional. It was a pit filled to the brim with glowing orange stones that were transparent on the surface like gleaming glass but translucent and frizzy deeper into the core. They throbbed similarly to balefire bombs, but they were clearly made using a type of soul power. Not only that, but the heat they exuded was less heat, and more a sustained temperature that was consistent for yards around it, feeling like a Savannah. The orbs emitted living sparks that took the shapes of various animals and beasts when directed by one of the few zebras sitting around it, and the whole thing gave off charcoal black smoke. Fear made the logical deduction quickly that the smog was not due to exhaust, but acting as a locator signal for their tribe's presence. It was a polyfold zebra spell brought about by ritual.
The area around the fire pit, if it could be called that, was stylish and intense. Cabin tents of varying sizes were scattered in the perimeter, but the nylon and polyester fabrics had camo colors stained into them so they were difficult to see without a careful gaze. Set up around the perimeter was a wall made up of what appeared to be concrete and barbed wire, but Fear knew it wasn't nearly that simple. They would not set up such a permanent looking base, with lingering materials, for temporary use. The sole reason Fear knew it was temporary was because of how distant the encampment was, more or less impeccably matching the blast radius of a balefire bomb. The doors were wide open and welcoming, not expecting enemies, which was awkward and concerning because it meant they might not have any ill will.
Still, Fear knew what he'd seen in the Seer's Eye.
The three approached the opening and trudged on through, drawing closer to the center. Zebras, most with mohawks, were everywhere. Fear counted at least thirty souls in his vicinity, and they all had widely varying intentions. Some were preparing food for that night, some were intending to go out hunting, and many other actions from maintaining their water source, all the way to telling stories by the ritual fire as Fear called it in his mind.
Ripples of their presence rocked through the command post when finally noticed contained both surprise and horror. They were not attacked, but the foreign language surrounding them reached a crescendo. Fear didn't understand any of it, but he understood emotions and that was all he needed. His two companions, both a little xenophobic toward zebras for good reason, cringed and inched closer to Fear, sticking with him while he kept as calm as a cucumber, his eyes heavy set and suspicious.
About the time they reached the magical stones, which Fear could now hear crackling like real fire – probably a method to maintain comfort – the three zebras who'd been surrounding it had jolted off in a hurry. Meeting them was a gorgeous zebra mare coming out of her small tent. She was covered in golden jewelry, from limb rings to piercings, gems imprisoned in some of them. Her stripes were in the pattern of jagged, uneven lightning bolts, with dark marks around her eyes and her mane and tail were dreadlocks braided into a ponytail using crystalline baubles that Fear immediately guessed magnified her power. Seeing as they were different in appearance from the rest of what she had on. He wasn't sure if he was correct or not, but he wanted to overestimate rather than underestimate. Behind the mare was a second one, though her mane hung over her eyes giving her an air of invisibility and insignificance.
The two groups aligned with each other, with Fear puffing out his chest, and the mare ahead growling slightly.
“Nini Fearei Shatter kufanya hapa?”
Fear was certain he'd just heard his name spoken by this mare. But at the same time, he measured expectancy in neither tone nor emotional wavelength. So they knew who he was but didn't understand why he was here most likely? Seer? No. She'd have seen me coming otherwise I wouldn't be on her radar and she'd know nothing about me. I'm not that important. Fear's eyes widened imperceptibly as he fell back on his haunches and spread his forelegs out magnanimously, glancing from side to side. Acrid and Faith were sitting so close to them they were nearly touching Fear, who could feel every zebra in the encampment boxing them in with a zigzag pattern to close off openings. Hmm... Fear's thoughts continued. Not a Seer. But the only explanation is an umbran? It was merely a span of seconds but the deduction had come as if on the wind. The umbrans are the only ones I've seen who know my name, and they can portend destruction. Are the zebra and umbrans in it together? Why would they be working with one another? Some kind of deal perhaps? Fear spoke with a loud, booming voice, manipulating his vocal cords to make it spread. “I'm here in peace! Can anyone here translate basic Equestrian?”
The air grew humid and thick. Miasmic. It felt less like moisture and more like a vibrational tuning. But it was surrounding them.
Fear realized who was causing it immediately. His pals looked uncomfortable and were shifting and squirming, even Faith who knew what zebras were like in combat. He could feel the intention radiating off of the insignificant zebra, she was focusing on the air around them to translate words. Nyx had mentioned zebras capable of it. They focused on the meaning behind the words, rather than the words themselves, in order to touch the souls of others with the closest approximation to what was being said. “I said I'm here in peace. Thank you for bringing a translator.”
The mare ahead of him widened her eyes, they were violet in color Fear noticed. She appeared shocked Fear had so easily deduced he could speak clearly. But she did not reveal her hoof, even as her subordinates closed in, shutting off every single avenue of escape. She sat back on her haunches as well, placing a hoof against her chest.
Fear shifted uncomfortably for a second, his lips pulling back into an uncertain snarl. She was intentionally playing dumb.
The mare crossed her forelegs in an authoritarian manner. she gestured to the mare next to her,
A small murmuring laugh ran through the crowd of zebras. They'd found that funny.
Fear shrugged his shoulders, holding his forelegs out again.
Zaya grimaced tightly, pulling her head back as if about to spit. The other zebras looked between themselves in worried confusion.
Fear breathed in deep, and let out a torrential sigh. It echoed in the space the trio inhabited. He had to get ready to do something he'd never practiced before. Something he'd only theorized was possible. It had the potential for extreme repercussions. But if he could do it it'd keep them safe. Not explicitly a lie, and it didn't give away that Fear was self-assured his guess was right.
Zaya said simply, with a nod.
Fear considered his words, his eyes flicking to the side, blinking once, jaw hanging open. If only they knew what I knew. No point in revealing my hoof.
Acrid steeled himself, getting low to the ground.
Faith put a hoof through her Alicannon's grip.
Zaya snorted. Zaya stomped a hoof on the ground.
The zebras surged forth like a wave.
Acrid froze up. He'd intended to make a dome of earth but now that it was actually happening...!
Faith brought her Alicannon off her back and intended to spin it around.
Fear glanced back at them.
Thirty zebras, about that. All trained in Fallen Caesar martial arts. Fear feinted, slipping into the shadows as two zebras came up to him, intending to buck his barrel in. He slid back slightly, and jumped out of the shadows. No time for hesitation or to check on the others. These are dangerous foes.
They collapsed without any effort, their eyes going dull and lifeless, lolling about.
Fear used a pulse of telekinesis to shove his body up into the air, then another pulse to send him spinning vertically as a zebra passed under him, bringing the sword around in an arc and sweeping it through the air, the tip lightly grazing the quick thinking zebra's scalp just as he tried to grab onto Fear.
The painted warrior went sliding forward into the ground, conking into the two others.
Fear hit the ground on all fours and flourished, getting low to the ground.
Another warrior approached, leaping at Fear off his hindlegs, twisting in the air, and bringing his back hooves up, kicking them forward.
Meanwhile another warrior lunged at Fear, gliding across the ground, pivoting a forehoof, and spinning, bringing a tailblade around to slice Fear's hindlegs off.
Fear hyuped onto his forelegs, doing what amounted to a handstand, and leaned forward, bringing the sword around to catch the zebra's hooves.
The zebra who landed on the sword with his kicking hooves vaulted off vertically, soaring into the air, and came down on where Fear was.
Fear repeated the incantation as the zebra sweeping the tailblade for his hindlegs did a somersault as his head faced him, and vaulted in order to kick Fear in his exposed stomach. Fear fell forward and caught himself on a slope of telekinesis, twisting around and bringing the sword with him, nicking the groundbound zebra's hoof, then sweeping it up and catching the hoof of the one coming down from above.
Five down.
Fear spun as he got onto all fours and brought the sword back around, intending to slam it into the side of an approaching zebra's skull. The next warrior pulled back at the last second, then reached out to grab Fear's face in his forelegs.
The warrior's hooves met air as Fear dove into the shadows, attaching to his stomach, and twirling about to his back, popping out hindlegs first, wrapped his forelegs around the zebra's stomach, and used a pulse of telekinesis to send him tumbling forward, bringing the zebra up, around, then down skull first into the ground giving him a concussion.
Another pulse of telekinesis sent Fear spinning around the zebra's body like it was a pole, flinging himself around and letting go, flying hind hooves first toward another zebra's face.
That zebra brought his forelegs up to guard.
It was a feint.
Fear pushed himself to the ground onto his forelegs and surged up with his hindlegs, jabbing the warrior in the stomach, crushing ribs hard enough to make them crack. Fear fell into the shadows as two more zebras lunged at him from the sides. He came up from behind the zebra he'd just incapacitated the lungs of and wound his sword around, repeating the incantation, and swiping it across the scalps of the two who'd tried to grab him.
Eight down.
Fear leaped back as a zebra came at him from ahead, Zaya and Erza having moved to give them space, not daring use her powers for fear of harming her comrades, Fear could tell.
The warrior coming at Fear from ahead flew into a series of close combat swings and punches.
Fear ducked, weaved, and danced as he skittered over downed striped bodies.
The warrior pretended to jump in order to throw a knee in Fear's face.
Fear didn't fall for the bait and duck to the side, but instead brought a forehoof up with a raucous scream and slammed it into the zebra's throat, temporarily collapsing his larynx and sending him to the ground barely able to breathe. Fear slipped into the shadows again and rushed away from the scene, forcing the others to follow the primary threat.
Nine down.
Fear couldn't spend time breathing as he leaped out, sword coming to his defense as he pumped positive emotions into it, parrying a duo of zebra hooves. Another zebra tried to grab him from behind. Fear responded by leaning on his forelegs and kicking his hindlegs out, his small size aiding him and allowing him to get his tiny hindlegs through the space and slamming hard into striped chest, sending spittle flying and bones pressing into lungs.
One warrior coming at him tried to duck under his blade and get in close and personal while the other spent time harrying the emotional sword and provoking its attention.
Fear reacted easily, sliding to the side with a burst of telekinesis, and then using a second burst to shove the zebra coming at him into the ground, flattening him like a pancake.
In between moves Fear spoke the incantation in a rush, and brought the sword away from the provoker down to the zebra who'd just attacked him, and followed up by jabbing the butt of the handle into the second warrior's snout, skewing it. Fear felt another zebra come at him and twisted around, doing a backwards somersault and planting his hindlegs into his attacker's chest and sending the runner gliding over him and skidding across the dirt just as his blade finally touched the previous, then whipped around and pricked the point of it into the zebra he'd just countered.
Twelve down. About eighteen left.
Three zebra came at him at once, two from the sides and one from above. One tried to buck him, another tried to slice through his knees, and the other was bringing a hoof down onto where his skull was. Fear was panting hard, unable to quite go into the shadows very easily. He countered by punching himself into the air to the side with telekinesis, over the one trying to sweep him, tumbling as he did so, falling on top of the zebra with an 'oof,' and bringing the sword up to cascade the tip against incoming hoof, sending the unconscious body plummeting into earth and spinning it around to come down on the zebra to his right's head.
Fear rolled off the zebra who was flailing under him, spinning across the ground and pushing himself up with all four legs. The warrior tried to lunge at Fear. The young stallion feinted by pretending to meet him hoof for hoof, but flattened himself down with telekinesis at the last second, letting the zebra stumble over his prone body. He brought the sword to greet the warrior and send him into knock out land.
Fifteen taken care of. Fifteen left. It was easy to sense the souls still around now.
Fear was ready to take on more, huffing, puffing, and panting, his chest heaving. Yet no others were coming at him. The dirt was littered with passed out striped forms like logs caught in various positions. One was grasping at his throat trying to breathe, crawling across the ground. Two others were clutching their destroyed rib cages. The remaining fifteen were keeping their distance, trying to judge how to approach this menace. Fear knew what they were thinking.
We need to stop attacking first.
Something like that anyway. It was the agreed upon emotional intent within all of them. Fear merely spun his blade in circles, passing it from either side of him, before bringing it down next to his face and holding out a hoof.
The taunt seemed to get them moving. All fifteen of them were spiraling around Fear, slowly drawing closer like a kaleidoscope of striped enemies.
Radiation was evolution, change, unregulated growth. It was poison of the highest order, and he was growing accustomed to the feeling he needed to summon to his sword by constantly spouting the words that brought the power out of his blade. Growing used to touching minds with poison.
Fear taunted one more time as he watched all fifteen in his mind's eye.
One zebra had enough, diverging from the group and launching at Fear.
Fear danced to the side and brought his sword tip around, slightly grazing the zebra and sending him to the ground in a crumpled heap of limbs.
The striped enemy knew better than to approach Fear without a plan. Fear's eyes were still closed, but it made him even more dangerous. Now he could sense the location of souls, the ramification of intent, on a congenital level.
Four zebras approached in a cardinal fashion. Four more zebras approached from compass directions. They were slow, tentative. They were waiting for their opponent to make the first move.
Fear felt the first zebra lunge at him as his sword was on the opposite side. The warriors had pulled away to keep from being nicked but that didn't matter. The young stallion rolled under the one who had lunged at him, tripping him up unexpectedly and sending him face first into the ground. He brought his sword tip down onto the zebra's flanks, knocking him unconscious.
Eyes still closed.
Fourteen left.
Another zebra tried to jump on top of him while his sword was busy. Another slid forward to kick him while he was down.
Fear plunged into the shadows and let the two zebras collide with each other, then popped out a few inches away.
Two other zebras had expected it and attempted to attack him when he came up out of the shadows for air. Fear just sent himself into the air and brought his sword up above his body.
The striped foe coming down on top of him flailed, seeing himself about to be impaled.
Feint.
The young stallion shoved himself to the side and brought his sword with him, letting the tip barely slice the flesh of his attacker's barrel. Fear hit the ground on all fours, and brought the sword up in an arc and then down on the zebras who'd finally untangled themselves, knocking them out with one cut, then arching it around horizontally and touching the one who was caught under the fallen body.
Ten left.
Fear jumped forward, bringing a hoof around and lightly bapping the one who'd snuck up behind him in the face.
The zebra tried to grab it.
Fear grinned as hooves connected, and brought his other forehoof up, lunging forward, and slamming it into the crook of his 'legpit' then spun around until his back was against the warrior's stomach, and heaved, bringing the striped one up and then down into the ground on his back, a crack sounding out from the force of his spine hitting the ground. He brought the sword down on him, lightly touching the stomach.
Twenty-one out for the count.
The zebras attacking Fear were all growing incredibly wary. They didn't know how to fight this little one. They barely even knew his name. One was getting wet between the legs and ran off with his tail tucked away.
Eight remained.
Eyes kept closed.
Fear's speech was having its desired impact. Another zebra wandered away, giving up silently.
Seven left.
Another's shaking legs finally got the best of him and he prostrated against the ground.
It might not be an excuse but most of these zebras haven't grown up like I did. They've been brainwashed by their culture, by their nationality. Fear twirled his sword again.
The one who'd prostrated himself ran off without another word, taking Fear's mercy.
Six more.
Fear balked. <That's why you're going for them!? For revenge!? I'm giving you all one last chance. Give up or I'm taking the gloves off and you're dying!> It was a bluff.
Zaya approached.
Zaya nodded once.
Fear glanced as he felt a pair of presences enter his range. Acrid and Faith. His head bolted to look toward them. Their eyes were wide. Dull.
Intent blasted across Fear's brain as he realized what had happened. He could feel the poison in their souls. Zaya had tainted them similarly to when Breiker had tainted his family.
Fear wove to the side as earth surged up to try and grab his hooves and pin him. He somersaulted as he felt something lash out from Zaya. Then he threw himself into the air as Faith's cannon fired at him. Fear twirled himself around in circles with telekinesis, fusing his sword to his body with shadows, then launched his body at his family as fast as he could.
Faith brought her cannon up like a pike to stab Fear as he came at them.
Fear shoved himself up.
Acrid sent a burst of rock to pierce Fear's belly.
Fear pushed himself higher.
Acrid and Faith, as they turned around, jerked in place, their jaws clenching up. Both froze, then a shuddering convulsion ran through them and they collapsed to the ground as the poison was slowly burned away from their souls.
Fear jumped forward, feeling Zaya trying to do something to his family, and pushed himself in the way of it.
He realized too late what it was.
Fear shoved himself to his left as something cold and burning opened its maw up wide to consume him. Something spiritual and grotesque, a presence of power more than a creature. The jaw clamped down on Fear's hindlegs.
There was a scream.
Zaya laughed maniacally.
Fear felt a poison inject into his body. He repeated the fire incantation and pressed it to his back as he hit the ground on his belly.
Fear felt the next poison flood into him within seconds. Starting at his right hind hoof. It gradually spread upward. He slammed his sword down into his leg, sending blossoming warmth funneling through it.
The searing cold and the chilling warmth met together in the hindleg like a curse and a cure colliding. The nerves were dying, everything inside and out, leaving the leg numb and dangling limply. But it ended just above the knee, near the hip.
Fear realized he had to end this quickly, and slipped into the shadows. All he needed was the right intent. Fear masked his soul with a silent illusion. A skilled feint. Not even thinking about it, just flowing into it like it was second nature, a tip from Drax. Zaya was none the wiser. He was going to get close to her and use the Solar Flare spell.
It was a dumb illusion, but Fear had nothing better in mind.
That would work well enough though. Zaya lashed out with her soul to try and grab Fear and yank him out of the shadows.
The two read each other like it was a game of Poker and both of them were obvious.
Fear's body slithered up next to Zaya and leaped out of the shadows. He brought his forelegs up, as if to successfully call on the power of the sun.
The shadow attached to Fear's body lunged out. Shade morphed into blade, and stabbed brutally into Zaya's shoulder. Blood blossomed.
Fear's eyes contracted.
The young stallion collapsed onto the ground on one side, catching his weight with three legs, the lame leg crumpling under him. He let out a long whistle of a breath as Zaya's own body fell like a lead weight, her soul magic, her physical capabilities, her ritualistic spells, everything sealed away temporarily.
Fear dared not collapse onto his side, his... permanently dead leg dangling under him. He recalled how the zebras in the alternate timeline had tried to assassinate him. He glared down at Zaya, tempted to kick her in the gut, stomp on her ribs and shatter them. She had taken something away from him for good! She took my leg! I can't move it! It's impossible! It's completely numb!! Fear's inner voice was panicked, but his face was set into a calm scowl. However... Fear knew.
There wasn't time to focus on that right now. There was an umbran here somewhere.
Fear walked on three legs, casting his vision about, staying close to Zaya.
Why can't I sense him? There is guaranteed an umbran around here somewhere. Unless it's off somewhere else? Where would an umbran go...? Hmm... umbrans are neither living nor dead, just an equine shaped mass of necromantic magical potential that feeds on despair. So... Fear's eyes widened and whipped around looking at nothing. It's probably masking its soul signature with the scent of death? The feeling of unfeeling? It'd make sense. After I killed two of them they wouldn't want to play around anymore. It's becoming a pattern. Fear glared at Zaya.
Umbrans, Fear thought. Aren't all dangers. But this one is. It's clearly manipulating things.
Zaya groaned out.
Fear grimaced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p7TUZcLlQQ
Exa, the umbran, wandered out of one of the tents, presence still stifled, and spoke.
Fear snarled, his sword coming back into his body.
Zaya looked at Fear with horror in her eyes, unable to lift her head. Truly afraid of the small colt now, not knowing what to expect, or what he was capable of. He seemed like a demigod in that one moment, unable to grasp the truth. Was Fear a demigod who could use interstellar spells like Exa had spoken of the Starlight Shredder, or was he merely a changeling? Was he both? None? Her shock was rampant on her face as she drooled on the ground from her paralysis.
It would've been funny if Fear had time for that.
The umbran was surprised by Fear's gall, the first hint of emotion other than sadism showing on that glowing turquoise face that looked like a flayed skull.
Only one chance for this. Fear let his eyes fall shut and called out. Omega Storm! I need you! Fear felt the presence in his mind filter from him, and shoot forward faster than light, as if it was moving space around her with its thought, rather than moving through it.
Fear's eyes glimmered. He leaned forward.
Exa looked curious, about to drop it.
Exa rose up onto his hindlegs in surprise, whinnying as he dropped the volatile, activated balefire bomb.
The shadow attached to Fear's body slid out.
It was unsure what had happened first, the bomb had activated or Fear had defused it. Either way, the young stallion didn't stop there. He let out a war cry.
Exa lunged at Fear in frustration, intending to kill him with one touch.
Fear's image phased away from the umbran, back to where he was before, his tulpa taking his place, her body made of pure thought sliding right through the necromantic energy.
Exa stomped on the ground like a petulant foal.
Fear held his blade in the air vertically.
Exa looked up at Fear with morbid curiosity.
Zaya's gaze lingered on Fear with awe.
Exa snorted.
The young stallion screamed as he felt the flood of love enter his body, and he filtered it into the sword.
Exa couldn't keep up the bluff. He took a couple steps back.
Fear grimaced, holding the blade next to his face as the pinkest pink, bubbling, fizzing gaseous liquid poured from his mind into his sword, latching onto it.
Exa's voice stumbled.
The umbran lashed out with his sickly power to try and catch one of the nearby zebras and kill them. Surely Fear cared too much about this life to let it be extinguished? Hostages were important for despair!
Fear's sword melted against him, into his shadow, and his form phased from where it was, appearing in front of the sickly aura.
Never before had the young stallion been so scared something wouldn't work, but even as his heart hammered in his chest he knew he had to try. Love is life! He pulled his sword free from his body and swirled it in the air, catching the necromantic energy...
And tainting it. Fear had thought for sure it would merely cut through. But he didn't let up. As his sword swung through the miasma he grit his teeth and anchored his hooves. His sword radiated an effervescent smoke of pink, constantly shifting, with a liquid shell surrounding the blade itself. It mixed with the necromantic energy, life and death swirling together. Fear leaped forward off of three hooves at Exa.
Exa was connected to the aura, lassoed by it. There was a loud scream. It wasn't Fear's as the umbran cowered away, seeing its death coming to it. Mortal just like all the others.
Fear switched places with his tulpa, arriving on the whole other side, still holding onto his blade with telekinesis, funneling the spell into Exa.
There was a loud, agonizing screech like metal on metal, then a sound like fungus exploding and melting away into mold slime. All as Exa's body ruptured, completely rent apart by the love coursing through its body. All that was left was a sketchy looking orb of black and white light that flitted through the air before diving into Fear's blade, making it glow and creating a new rune.
Fear took a few moments to catch his breath as the battle... seemed to be over? He stumbled. He'd been using his tulpa a lot and it was leaving his mind a little fragmented like he hadn't experienced in a while. Not only that but his right hindleg was completely destroyed. Nerve-wise, it couldn't move. Just another scar. I'll take care of it later. There are more important things right now. Fear carefully limped over to Zaya.
Fear paused.
Fear shunked his blade into the ground next to him and leaned on it.
Erza stood in the background, looking at everything with an empty sense of wonder.
Zaya's voice came out low.
Fear knew it wasn't just that which was influencing her decision.
Fear huffed and spun a hoof. He sat on his haunches, though his lame leg was a little twisted up and splayed out to the side from his body without him noticing. It was a little... ugly.
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Acrid and Faith were the first to wake up, about the same time. It'd started with groaning and proceeded to rubbing the back of their necks in pain from the slight cut in the skin. Hopefully it wouldn't scar, Fear thought. He was busy sitting in one of the tents with the other two. The place was moderately furnished, with things like sleeping bags, etc. It wasn't exactly thorough, given it was a temporary station, but there were some trinkets lying about from zebras who'd taken things from home. To remind them of their lives, of their families.
These zebras all have lives. They're just trying to survive. Fear's thoughts continued. The young stallion blew on a wooden mug of juicy apple and mint tea. He held it in his telekinesis. “It's good to see you two awake.”
Faith grumbled, “I feel like I took a caravan to the back of the head.”
Acrid quipped. “Same but...” it started as a quip but then it dragged off. “Actually I got nothing. Fear what happened?”
Fear took a little sip, closing his eyes. “I fought some zebras, lost a leg. Battled an umbran. Standard operating procedure with us. You know how it is.”
Faith snorted. “Nothing about this is natural... how'd you win?”
“I don't want to talk about it right now.” Fear sighed. “It's bad enough I've lost a leg.” It was as if it hadn't sunk in for the others yet. “I wanted to apologize for not trusting you two more. I should've kept you with me when we fought all those zebras. I just...”
Acrid waved a hoof. “You didn't want us getting in the way, right? It was a good idea. Faith and I couldn't take them on. We don't have the right skill sets for it.” It was an excuse, a way to cope and brush it off, a sort of sour tone, but it came out genuine.
Harrumph, Faith sounded out. “You don't know that for sure, Acrid!”
Fear set down his mug. “Either way. They were really skilled and once they determined me a threat they finally started acting serious. But even that wasn't enough.” The young stallion shrugged. “I'm... numb right now you guys. All I can do is apologize.”
Faith... finally nodded. “Don't worry about it Fear. A mare approached us soon after you shot us away from the main combat and fought with us. She didn't take any damage. She had all this electromagnetism surrounding her and she took a full brunt alicannon shot.” She slumped.
Fear could tell they were both dejected, mournful. He didn't know what to say, or how to help. How do you tell someone it's okay to be weak sometimes? Especially when we depend on each other as much as we do? “On the bright side your guys' love helped me defeat the umbran.”
“Ugh,” Acrid sighed. “That's not really that impressive.”
Fear shrugged and mumbled, bringing the mug back to his lips and drinking a little more despite how it burned his mouth like a fire. The mint was refreshing, and the apple juice gave it a sugary fruitiness. “I could always try to teach you the things I intend to teach Gentler.”
Faith considered it. “I'd like that, but... I don't think I want to move outside of my comfort zone, using my physical body for everything. Thank you though.”
Acrid wasn't certain either. “That's a lot of work. I don't think it'd even help. I'm not an up close fighter like you. I'm an area of effect and ranged attacker and defender.” He rolled his shoulders. “Still, you should do it Faith. At least learn shadow walking. It might help.”
“I will if you do, Acrid.” Faith responded.
“Fffffiiiiine,” the older stallion mumbled. “I guess I can try to learn it. It's one thing out of how many things in Fear's repertoire by this point? Might as well.”
And like that, the emotions had more or less returned to normal due to a simple suggestion. Maybe I was overthinking it. I suppose stabilizing emotions are as simple as offering to help sometimes. “I'll teach all three of you shadow walking if I can. I've also been considering how to teach an earth pony telekinesis. It seems like it'd be an extension of stickyhooves. I'm still thinking on it.”
Acrid and Faith looked between them. “Sheesh Fear,” Acrid stated. “You're really going all out on this teaching thing huh? What happened to taking it easy?”
“Haha!” Fear laughed. “I don't know. I just... wanna make sure you guys don't feel bad. You guys tell me often that weakness isn't a bad thing, but I just know how it feels so I don't want to put you through that if you guys don't have to be.”
Faith bat a hoof. “Fear it's fine. If we can't learn everything we're not going to be too bothered. We have our skills too after all. We're just sort of sulking, but we'll get over it. It's inevitable.”
Fear gave a tentative smile. “Are you two sure?”
“Positive,” Acrid responded. “You worry about you for now.”
Fear's anxiety always seemed to make the others feel better, one way or another. Oh well. If they stick to it I'm sure I can teach them with time and effort on both our parts. I wanna turn everyone around me into winners. I don't want there to ever be losers ever again, especially not my loved ones. I want us all to prosper together, and maybe teaching everyone magic is how to do it. I don't know. I'm not going to get too ahead of myself.
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Maybe I'm being a little overdramatic? Fear had a distinct desire to hold a funeral for his dead leg. Sure it was just... numb. And he couldn't move it no matter how hard it tried. But it was difficult walking with only three hooves all the time. Such a languid, annoying experience having one trailing behind him constantly, sometimes clopping about as the hoof jostled against the ground like an ugly vestigial limb. That was the worst part, it was incredibly unattractive now. The others didn't seem to care and he didn't understand why. Upon asking them they'd said it was just another scar on his journey.
But it's a lost limb! Doesn't that mean anything? I'm technically disabled now! They told him that they felt for him, but they knew he'd get over it. He was clever enough to do anything. Why was he worrying so much? He'd gone through worse things.
It was mind blowing how uncaring they seemed about it. He knew they cared but... they just trusted him blindly! Expected him to get over it eventually, like it was no big deal. Would they feel the same if it happened to them? Likely not.
Ugh. This was just another thing the wasteland did, took away the ability to do things.
Zaya came into the tent, requesting Fear's attention. Erza was behind her.
Fear pushed his thoughts away for now. It was incredibly distracting but there was no time.
Zaya breathed in deep.
Zaya sounded genuinely solemn about it.
Fear shuddered.
Zaya shrugged a shoulder.
Fear chose to omit that he'd destroyed a soul before. And realized that Zaya was having doubts about Exa from the start.
Zaya nodded once.
As in all timelines? How's that work? Does every timeline self of that pony just merely... fall dead? Well at least this means Breiker is in some way, shape, or form alive.
Zaya shook her head from side to side.
Zaya grinned, waiting for Fear to follow her to the entrance to the tent where his friends were waiting.
Fear 'huh'ed. Well that was interesting. As Fear got his splint in place, fusing his leg erect temporarily, he asked Zaya to elaborate more on the threat that was this... Seele.
Fear realized that there were multiple reasons Zaya had finally given in. Part of it was trust.
Zaya grinned from ear to ear, lidding her eyes in an almost seductive manner, which for her, seeing as Fear wasn't used to zebras, was exotic.
I can't hide Luna's presence from everyone.
Zaya glanced to Fear and murmured.
Zaya nodded.
Fear was left in silence for awhile, just mulling that around.
More ideas to muse on. Fear decided it wasn't worth dwelling over.
Zaya smiled. But you chose to do things the hard way, Fear, she thought.
Zaya didn't believe that for a second. It had just happened to work out. Fear was just being modest. Faith and Acrid just looked at Fear with a simper and a grin respectively. They weren't going to interrupt, though Acrid did consider making their movement faster with earth manipulation like he'd learned from those wrestlers. Fear had an awkward gait to his walk, given one leg shuffled along behind him and his body sagged like he had a limp. Along the way to Panthera, Fear asked, and was given, more of what Zaya was capable of. Calling upon the soul of the world through ritual in order to cast elemental abilities, like fire, heat, cold, water, wind, poison, cleansing. And other things. A lot similar to what Fear could do, but differently.
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Lisa's lower lip trembled. Her brow furrowed. Leo slumped over, his elbows on his knees. Face in his hands. The tomcat was shaking, not in rage, but in relief and terror.
They had come days away from their unexpected end, just like the wasteland.
Zaya crossed her forelegs over each other and bowed her head.
Fear spoke up before the king and queen could, his face set in a perpetual scowl, standing behind and to the side of Zaya, with Erza behind him to his other side.
There was silence for moments on end. King Leo's knees leaned inward toward each other, his body wobbling. The two were not used to such close calls. He'd dropped his scepter long ago upon learning what Fear had accomplished, all on his own. And the fact that they had pushed him to what could have certainly been his death. King Leo's voice cracked.
King Leo flinched visibly as if struck. Lisa's gaze skewed to the side.
Leo's lip trembled.
King Leo couldn't help but smile forlornly. Queen Lisa merely closed her eyes, lower lip still quaking.
Fear squeezed his eyes shut and looked down at the ground.
Queen Lisa spoke, finally.
Zaya didn't hesitate, turning around and proceeding out the door, followed by Erza, her face clouded by mane.
Fear watched them go, then put a hoof against his chest as if asking if they were sure, his face creased in concern, before walking up to the two thrones.
Standing between the two Abyssinians, standing tall under their glare even as his dead leg sagged behind him, Fear was surprised when Lisa stood up and sauntered over to him. “Hm??” His voice was confused on a whole other level.
Lisa knelt down, putting her paws on Fear's shoulders, and rubbed the cheek of her muzzle against the side of Fear's face like a la bise, but instead it was a double tap grind. The queen then pulled away, standing up. Fear just blinked numbly, not quite understanding what just happened, his jaw hanging open.
Leo stood up, made his way over to Fear, while Lisa sat back down. “You know enough about our customs, I do believe you understand what this is.”
Fear nodded dumbly as Leo bent over and rubbed cheeks with Fear, this time the untouched side. Their lips ground together similar to a side kiss, but Fear could tell chemicals were being left behind.
“Consider this our demonstration that we consider you one of us, Fearei Shatter,” King Leo spoke, before standing up and making his way back to his throne. “Do not let us down. And please, do come back eventually. Tell us how it went. Maybe give us a story. We've heard only good things about you and your party's presence in our city. Now... begone.”
Fear sat there, dazed. Before eventually nodding, doing everything in his power to not rub his cheeks clean with his hooves, and lethargically wandered out, hindleg dragging behind him, his hips occasionally waddling in order to get the hoof to plant against the ground like a lifeless cane.
How about that? Fear thought.
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Dinner that night at the Stoic household had been even better than the times before it. Not so much because it was tastier, though in some ways it was! It was more because Fear had... not so much proven himself with a giant feat, it barely felt like he'd done anything at all, but because he'd come out of a fight with thirty plus zebras with barely any injuries.
Aside from his leg.
Fear devoured the sticky, clumpy, steamy moist rice, saturated in syrupy, tangy orange sauce that had a salty bite to it and bits of parsley for a bitter balance. It stuck to his teeth and gums, painting his tongue, the chicken stock mixed in with it giving it a meaty, broth-y flavor. He chomped, chewed, and swallowed chunks of chicken breast right alongside it, slathered in thick, fruity, sour and sweet lemon zesty sauce that had heady undertones, spiced with garlic. It had all been a meal of victory, or at least that was how he chose to see it.
Gentler listened to Fear tell the story of what'd happened during the mission while they waited for dessert to be brought out, Fear piping up that he'd help clean up the kitchen and do the dishes tonight. It surprised everyone, some tried to talk him out of it, but Fear was stubborn and determined. He swore an oath that he'd help with the after-dinner mess like usual.
Clairity literally pushed him down in his seat, and placed a plate of dessert in front of him, bopped him on the snout, and tutted in his face. “Just enjoy the meal Fear, you've done enough. Otherwise I'm going to dump this in your lap.” And with that the queen headed back to the kitchen to get everyone else's plates.
Fear finally relented, and dug in, too distracted to really fight, getting a little huffy but smiling all the while. They really wanted him to relax huh? The dessert was apparently called pumpkin cheesecake lasagna. It was sugary, melty, a little chewy. Filled with tangy cream cheese, milky cream, vanilla pudding, pumpkin puree and spices, with a soft graham cracker base, mixed with clingy caramel and crunchy pecans that snapped under teeth.
Gentler put a paw on Fear's shoulder. “Fear I'm proud of you. You've become the hero I always wanted to be, and I see only good things in your future. I believe in you. You've saved my hometown.”
Fear stared at Gentler for a moment, his fork dropping out of his telekinesis and clattering on his plate. Before after a few moments he picked it up and continued stuffing his face, throwing all sense of manner out to the wind.
Most Abyssinians would eventually know what Fear had done, and like usual Fear would proclaim that anyone who worked hard enough could do it. With all the sincerity of a pony who believed in the goodness inherent within all hearts.
That night, Luna couldn't help but compare Fear to Twilight one more time, complimenting him on being just as smart as her. Fear, as usual, didn't feel comfortable with it, but accepted it anyway. His stubborn will was finally giving in.
If everyone wants to see me in all this positive light, who am I to tell them otherwise? Whether they're wrong or not doesn't matter. And maybe... they're not wrong. I've been working really hard.
Saway was a mess of laughter, and Nyx congratulated Fear on convincing the Abyssinians to spare their enemy.
Fear wanted to think of himself as special, but he knew down that road laid ruin. Sure he'd attained something not many others could, and that made him great. But anyone could attain it too. He was sure of that. It wasn't something he was born with. He had just been lucky, and his hard work had given birth the opportunity to prove himself in successive ways. The zebras might not’ve been at their strongest from not fighting magic users for decades, but that was okay.
What experiences would his next journey, fighting the satyrs, provide him with?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl-2dKTJNDU
Author's Note
I intended for Fallen Caesar style to be a combination of krav maga, monkey style, and judo. But that ended up not working out because no matter what happened... Fear never gave an opening for me to exploit to show off what the zebras could do. Fear made the first move once so the krav maga aspects couldn't exactly be used against him, instead he was constantly reacting to their movements and letting them lead the dance until his final move. He was also too flexible and had shadow walking, so no matter how many limbs the zebras used, they were incapable of keeping up. And Fear ended up not only hitting pressure points in order to make his moves easier, but also used judo himself.
Gayvid asks Vivid Daylight: How do others see you?
Vivid Daylight: I'm seen as a stranger most often. It's irregular to be an equine in Abyssinia, but there are some of us around! You can always tell which ones aren't from here because... well. They have that air about them. My family more or less loves me. We sometimes get into arguments because I can't stick with a talent even though I do have a day job, but they accept me in the end. It just gets a little unnerving for them because they want what's best for me. As for siblings, I don't have any. I have a coltfriend, though he's an Abyssinian. I'll probably adopt if I have any children in the future. It'd be nice to see what's outside of Panthera. Maybe my real talent lies in traveling? I don't know. My boss sees me as a hard worker and while he doesn't pity me, he does sympathize with my efforts.
BR asks the squad: What tattoos would you get and why, if you could?
Fear: A snake and holly tattoo based on the cover of my old Tormented novel. In dark blue and pale blue ink, all of it winding around each other in an oriental design. There is a me out there who has gotten this tattoo while staying a few days in Friendship City. From what I understand the mare who does the art is very kind and likes to talk a lot while she works. Maybe I'll copy the me who got one and get it on my right foreleg when I go there in the future?
Faith: I do have a tattoo. It's on the inside of my right hind thigh. It's a little rose. I didn't put much thought into it, but the girls and I dared each other to all get something to remember the city by for whenever we left, and that was mine. I like nature, and I like a rose's thorns. It's a reminder to creatures who go down there not to mess with me, because if they patronize me they'll get bucked in the face.
Gentler: I've never been a big fan of tattoos. But if I had to get one? Hmm... I'd choose a school of fish all clumped together forming one giant fish. Stereotypical I know, but I feel like it represents the whole of Equus coming together and making one larger individual. Who said I couldn't be sappy?
Acrid: Uhh... I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I did almost get one years ago. A few friends and I were joking about showing our loyalty to Equestria by getting anti-zebra wartime tats. I ultimately chickened out. However... after seeing Fear, and hearing his response during our chats out in the wastes. I think I'd like to get a tattoo of a planet with a metal chain around it to represent unification. I'd probably get it on the side of my neck or the back. It'd represent my nature, my past, and it'd represent my future.
Amelio: A tattoo hmm...? I do not know. I did not think I would ever taint my body in such a way, I felt like my cutiemark was all the tattoo I ever needed. However, I would get one to mimic Fear's if I had to. One on my left foreleg of an eagle surrounded by white poppies. maybe carrying them. Success and peace equally, because for me: peace leads to success. And the poppies would lead to the eagle's flight.
Sim: I'd get a tattoo representing every single play I've done, but I don't actually need a permanent one. I can just transform my body to carry them. Though... in reality I'd never get a permanent one, not even a hidden one. I can't risk marring my body for when I'm on stage. My body is meant to convey a character, not myself. So I need to be clean whenever I'm up there in front of an audience.
Storm: Hmm... I'm not sure? Probably one of my son's face. Yes, that sound appropriate. I'd get his glowing eyes tattooed on me somewhere, maybe on my right shoulder, because he's my right hoof son. I'd probably also get one of Amelio's elliptical eyes on my left shoulder, because she's my closest daughter. I've seen my alternate son with Typhoon Tune and alternate daughter Linebreiker, both in the wasteland and in wartime Equestria. I'd probably get one of them too, for those of me who cared for him. But tattoos are very timeline specific things for me.
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