It was a rather gray and rainy day as Aku and the usual six ponies sat in a quiet train car on it’s way to Canterlot. Twilight and her friends had been summoned on some royal business with the princesses. While Aku would have loved to just stay behind and enjoy some time alone, Twilight suggested that he should come along to explore the new area for himself while two out of the six of them urged her to bring him along so that they could keep an eye on him. Those very two being Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Twilight and Fluttershy sat across from Aku who sat there with his hood over his head and shroud covering half his face. As if he didn’t look shady enough already. Aku sighed lightly and finally spoke up to break the silence. “So while all of you go about your royal equine business, you know you can’t keep an eye on me since your ruler demands all of you to be there.” he said while eyeing Applejack and Dash who seem to have a constant glare towards the human.

Twilight gives a nervous smile to Aku before scratching the back of her head. “Well...the thing is...you are actually part of the reason they had called us to Canterlot. So you will most definitely be coming with us to the castle. But I did promise I’d show you around the city after we finish. Just...please keep your face hidden when in public. I don’t think the ponies in Canterlot are ready to see somepon-...someone like you yet.”. Aku blinked a few times but only scoffed at her remark. “You know, I can show my face anyway. How many times do I have to remind you that if this shroud comes off, some poor pony’s magic is going to be my next snack. And that is something I can’t control.”.

Suddenly, the seat that Aku sat on bounced slightly when Pinkie decided to sit next to him. She leans in close to his face with a big smile, seemingly unphased by his rather grim disposition at the moment. “So! What did Applejack’s magic taste like?! Was it apple flavored?!” she asked while lightly pushing on his shoulder as if doing that would help her pry the answer from him. Aku arched a brow before looking between the three mares who seemed to be interested in his discovery all the sudden. “No, it wasn’t apple flavored. It actually tasted like fresh buttery pancakes with maple syrup and fresh apple juice. Something that I dreadfully miss from where I am from. Though, judging by your scent and color, I imagine your magic must taste like cotton candy or bubble gum.”. Pinkie gasps and suddenly jumps off her seat and bounces on her hooves. “Oooh oh oh oh! Wanna try it? I bet it does taste like those!”. “PINKIE!” shouted both Applejack and Dash. “Are you completely insane? Offering your magic to this...this…”. Aku looked toward Dash with a tilted head, waiting for her to hurl the next insult She could think of. “This what? Hm? Go ahead, Skittles. Gimme your best shot.”. That nickname again. Dash didn’t know why, but that name pissed her off to no end, She stood up and approached him from her seat before he stood up and met her half way in the middle of the row.

“What are you gonna do? One wrong move on your part and my shroud just might slip. And you are right at point blank range.”. Twilight stands up and tries to quickly make her way between them, but Dash comes up with a slap towards Aku’s face which he promptly grabs her wrist and thrusts his open palm into her midsection with one swift motion. Not causing the mare any pain, but the force of it sending her right back to her seat nearly knocking Applejack over. The sheer force and movement of the counterattack sending a small wave of wind in the immediate area. “What the hay was that?!” shouted Dash as she scrambled back up to her hooves. Aku remains in his fighting stance before slowly lifting his hands up as he inhales, then pushes his palms downwards as he exhales.

“That was a little negative reinforcement to remind you not to step up on me. I made that perfectly clear the last time you thought about doing that. You might be the fastest flyer. But I am the superior martial artist. At least that I am aware of in this world. Perhaps the farm girl here wants to see if she can take me. I know she has just been itching to get back at me for something that I COULDN’T control. She even chased me down to the point where I had to hide in one of the shops just to avoid her.” Twilight’s gaze switched over to Applejack whenever Aku said that. “You did what?!” Twilight exclaimed as she threw her arms in the air at the orange mare who suddenly started shifting her gaze around to avoid Twilight’s before she finally spoke up. “That’s right, I changed him down! I just wanted to talk to him about what happened. And then he just takes off like a damn jack rabbit. And then when I finally have him cornered, he leaps over a wal three times bigger than himself!”

“Oooh, that must have been why he looked so exhausted when he came into my boutique the other day. I will admit, I react rather..poorly to that. Thankfully he and I already reconciled that little exchange. He really isn’t such a bad stallion. You must have scared the poor dear to death! You aren’t exactly easy to talk to when you are in such an aggravated state, Applejack.” said Rarity as she made her way over from her seat which was a couple rows away. Apparently she had been listening in while reading one of her fashion magazines. “By the way, that new shroud really suits you. It is just a shame that you will have to hide your face for the majority of our trip. You have quite the lovely pair of blue eyes~.”. Dash jumped up to her hooves and pointed at him with a look of both anger and confusion for why Rarity hasn’t slapped the human herself. “Um..hello?! Did you not see what he did to me just now?! He flung me across the train like a damn ragdoll!”

“Oh hush, Skittles. If I really wanted to hurt you, you’d be struggling to get to your hooves right now. Besides, you were the clear cut aggressor, I simply defended myself from your attack. It doesn’t matter who or what you are where I come from, you initiate a fight, the other person has a right to self defense. Besides, you look like you are well built to handle a little shove.”. There was that name again. Just as she was about to charge at him, Twilight steps in the way this time. “That’s enough! No more fighting about this! Now sits your asses down this instant until we get to the station!”. Shouted Twilight as she started breathing heavily before realizing her outburst. A huge blush formed across her cheeks before she returned to her own seat and covered her face with one of her books.Aku couldn’t help but chuckle at this as he returned to his own seat across from her. For the rest of the train ride, there wasn’t a single word uttered between the whole group.

Once they had finally gotten to Canterlot, the rain was still coming down rather hard and it showed no signs of letting up. Everyone had their umbrellas at the ready and began making their way to the castle in one group. Before they departed from the station entrance however, Aku took notice that Fluttershy was still standing there with her umbrella clenched tightly in her hands. Aku returned to her to make sure that she was alright, placing his umbrella over her. “Afraid of the thunder? I noticed you were quite uncomfortable on the ride up here each time the thunder clapped.” She shook her head, not even speaking to him before another loud clap of thunder rang through her ears, causing her to let out a loud “Eep!” before she clung to his arm for dear life. Aku gently reached up and patted her between the ears. “It’s perfectly alright, I had a friend who I would walk home with from school on days like this. She was afraid of thunder as well. No need to be ashamed about it. You can stick to me as close as you like.” He said before they started walking back to the rest of the group. Twilight took notice of this gesture between the two and couldn’t help but smile a goofy smile at how cute and wholesome that little exchange was though, she’d be lying if she didn’t think she was a little jealous. Sharing an umbrella with a stallion would be fun for most mares. Rarity and Pinkie were certainly thinking the same thought.

After a long walk in the rain, the group finally reaches the castle entrance where guards and Shining Armor were awaiting their arrival. The stallion arched a brow when he saw one of his sister’s friends wrapped tightly around the human’s arm which made him think that they were actually a couple. “Uuuuh...hey there, Twi! Good to see you as always, baby sister.”. Twilight ran up to her brother and gave him the tightest hug that she could give him, always happy to see him no matter the occasion. He leans in to whisper to his sister to make sure that things were..okay. “Um..Twi? Are those two a couple..? They seem awfully close sharing that umbrella.” Twilight giggled softly before shaking her head. “No, She is just afraid of thunder, and he offered to share his umbrella so she could feel a bit more secure while clinging to him. It was a pleasant surprise since he is normally so serious and grumpy. I think...he is finally starting to loosen up a bit though. The poor guy has been on guard for every little thing ever since you sent him down to Ponyville.” Shining nodded as her sister spoke. “Well, they threw things at him and jeered at him when he first came there. So I am quite impressed that he hasn’t gone and sucked up every pony’s magic that he had come across. He certainly has quite the willpower.. Anyway, the princesses will see you and your friends now, Twi. And of course he will need to come along as well.”.

Once they were finally in the castle, they sat their umbrellas to the side of the main entrance on hooks that stuck out from the wall. Poor Flutter shy was still clinging onto Aku even though they were safely away from the big bad storm. Aku gently nudged at the yellow pegasus.”Hey, we are inside now. You can let go.” Fluttershy reluctantly released his arms and whispered a soft “Th-thank you…” Before she ran up to join her group of friends while he walked behind them a couple feet. Aku simply nodded to her before she ran off. Once they were in the throne room, the main doors closed behind them with a loud thud. Aku now stood before the two princesses of this realm. One who stood at about eight feet in height, and had some serious curves going on. And another who looked to be in a more fit state and stood about seven feet tall. “Ah, I am happy to see that you have all made it here relatively safe and dry.” Celestia said as she smiled down at Twilight and her friends. Though, she gave a rather neutral but not unpleasant expression to Aku.

“WHat is it you need to discuss with us, princess? Is everything okay?” asked Twilight as she rose to her hooves after having knelt down to show her mentor and ruler respect. Celestia couldn’t take her eyes off Aku, however. The way he stood before her. So defiant and yet, she could see in his eyes that he wasn’t a disrespectful person. “I simply wanted to see how your charge was doing back down in Ponyville. I have heard rumors of all kinds. Though, the good outweigh the bad, thankfully. The most impressive of those rumors is that he went out and saved a group of foals that were being taken from their homes in the middle of the night. Quite a noble gesture on your part.” Celestia said as she stood up from her throne as her sister watched on from her own. She makes her way down as the group of mares stand to the side to allow her through. Aku lifts his head up to make eye contact with the alicorn and simply chuckles. “That’s one big equine to be sure.” he stated. Celestia stared at him for a moment before letting out a giggle. “I am sorry...I was told to expect a rather ruthless and vicious creature would be visiting us today. But I can see now that you are just someone who doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone.”

She looked down at his hands which he had bandaged up the night before. She knew full well why those were there, as the guards had informed her of the incident. “So what happened to your hands?” She asked, seeing how’d he answer her. Aku hid his hands quickly in his pockets. “I’d rather not discuss it here in front of the others if you don’t mind.” Celestia smiled again as she started to circle him. “So, you are the type that likes to keep even your good actions to yourself until someone else uncovers them. Even then, you’d rather not bring it up.” Aku simply nodded in return to her statement, “Well, it is bad manners to brag about your good deeds and exploits. At least that is what I was taught when growing up.”. Celestia nodded and smirked as she looked back at her student. “I see that he is quite the noble and kind spirit. Though a bit of a renegade.”. Twilight blinked a few times as she had no idea what was going on or being said. Apparently, she wasn’t being told of his action while she wasn’t looking!

“However, there is the matter of this..” she said as she reached out toward the shroud. Aku was quick to take hold of Celestia’s wrist which made the group of mares gasp and the guard grab their weapons and charge toward him, ready to cut him down at a moment’s notice. “I’d...rather you not touch the shroud let alone try to pull it down. Or else everyone within this little area will become my next snack. And I’d rather not do that again.” He said as he stepped back while removing his hand from her wrist. Celestia was a bit surprised by his sudden grasp, but understood why. “So it is true. You can devour one’s magic. And you can’t control it. That is why you cover half your face.’ She places a hand upon her chin in thought before speaking again. “You refuse to put anyone here in danger of losing their magic, but my guard had a report of a certain criminal who now has no trace of magic left in her body. I believe you know who I am referring to.”.

Aku tensed up for a moment. He had been found out and now Twilight knows of what he had done. “That was a matter of life or death! I did what had to be done to save myself and prevent that cruel bitch from ever doing what she was doing again! Separating children from their families and selling them off if they didn’t get their ransom money is something that should be punished! Your guards certainly weren’t doing their jobs until I was the one to take care of it! A fucking outsider! What would you have done in my situation-?”

Aku suddenly feels a sharp pain rush down in his left arm and burst into his left hand. The bandages that covered that hand burned away quickly. He lets out a scream of pain as he grabs his wrist and falls to his knees, his whole left arm shaking violently as it starts to spark and arch magic all over the place. A tear forming in his palm with a mixture of dark blue and silver magic. He continued to writhe in pain as Celestia and the others back up while the guards stood in place with their weapons at the ready. “W-what is this? What are you doing?! Celestia exclaimed as she formed a shield in front of herself and the other mares. “I-I don’t know what’s going on! It hurts so much! Gaaah!” he cried out. He was suddenly lifted into the air and flung around like his hand was tied to a string, a low ‘wub’ sound slowly started before picking up speed. “G-get back! All of you get away from me!” The guards quickly moved away as they realized what was going on. However, it was too late for them to get out of the blast as it had a radius of fifteen feet, creating a rather powerful shockwave as well. Which sent them and Aku flying across the room. And being in the center of it, Aku got the worst of it. Once the dust had settled, there was a shallow crater in the middle of the throne room and guards were tossed about the room like they were paper. They had minor to moderate injuries but, Aku laid there absolutely motionless, his hand still sparking with residual magic before it finally stopped.

Shining Armor and more guards charging into the room with their weapons drawn while assessing the situation. They saw the other guard writhing in pain while they looked for Aku who now had Twilight kneeling next to him with her head on his chest. There was no breathing, no heartbeat. “What happened here?! Are you alright, princess?!” he asked as he rushed over to her to make sure she was alright. “We are alright, Captain. But...something happened with him. He and I were speaking and he just fell to the ground in pain. This magic started sparking in his hand and an unseen force just lifted him into the air then an explosion! It was as if he was under its control rather than control it!”

Twilight shook AKu firmly, trying to get him to open his eyes. Using her magic to try and restart his heart as it had stopped completely. “Come on, wake up! Wake up!” she cried out as she pushed up and down on his chest while sending low volts to his heart. Had the blast killed him? Or would Twilight be able to bring him back? After all, the human body isn’t meant to store this land’s magic for so long.

Author's Note

NO, he's not dead dead. Would be rather stupid to kill off the main character. :p

May the darkness grant you peace.