Chapter 10

ZAP!

“Ouch! Hey, watch those bolts, would you?”

“Whoops, sorry about that.”

Rainbow gave me a bit of a stink eye as she rubbed her arm where I accidentally zapped her. The electricity that I absorbed after saving that worker was still flowing through my body and sometimes small bolts of static crackled off my arms. I had accidentally bumped into Rainbow Dash when I passed her after coming back from the restroom and one of those bolts zapped her arm. As I sat back down next to Moon, I looked down at my hands and watched as the little bolts would sometimes dance around my fingers. I must’ve absorbed more energy than I thought and it’s starting to affect those around me. As a precaution, I deactivated my Electricity and replaced it with Smoke. The bolts seemed to have disappeared and small trials of smoke whisked around my hands.

“Is there something wrong with your powers?” Moon asked me.

“Hm? Nah, not really. Just a little surprised I was able to do something like that for the first time.” I shrugged.

“The first time?” Twilight inquired. “You mean you hadn’t done that before?”

“Nope, and to be completely honest that’s kind of the first time I’ve actually absorbed something. Normally I’d do it on my own but due to the circumstances, I had to act fast.” I explained.

“How intriguing.” Rarity commented. “Are you saying you are in need of replenishing your abilities from time to time?”

“Bingo, my powers aren’t limitless, per se. There’s still some things even I’m not entirely sure what I’m capable of.”

“How else do you absorb stuff?” Rainbow asked as she lounged on her chair.

“Well, as you’ve seen, Electricity requires a source of static electricity in order for me to recharge. Smoke is self explanatory, just point me to a fire and I can absorb them and the smoke to keep myself ablaze.” I explained as Twilight was writing something down on her paper again.

“Um…what about that pretty light power you used to make those cute little kitties on the wall?” Fluttershy whispered. “If you don’t mind me asking.

“And what about those sweet wings? That’s the first time I’ve seen a pair actually appear on someone.” Rainbow commented.

“Neon and Video? Well, they’re a bit more difficult to explain. First off, you guys have some kind of neon signs and light bulbs and stuff, right?” They all nodded. “Well think of it as me being able to absorb that light to fuel my Neon abilities.”

“Ya sayin’ ya can absorb light or somethin’?” Applejack asked.

“In a sense, yeah I can.” I nodded.

“Fascinating!” Twilight said as she scribbled all I said on her paper. “And what about Video?”

“Just to make sure, you guys have something called television, don’t you?” I asked and they all nodded again.

“I have a small TV screen at the library.” Twilight said. “I always like to watch documentaries.”

“As do I.” Rarity said as she flipped her hair. “I always watch Fleur de Lis’ fashion shows so that I can be inspired for my work.

“The baking channel is so much fun!” Pinkie chirped.

“So you all have TV’s.” I nodded again. “As for my Video power, I can absorb its digital code and make it my own. In turn, I’m able to project things that you’d see on a TV and bring them to life such as that Angel warrior you all saw back in the throne room.”

“Like your wings too?” Rainbow asked.

“That, and other things.” I said as I raised my hands above my lap.

I activated Video as my arms and hands became all digital and crackled statically. I’ve been meaning to test this theory of mine out ever since I played the games back home and wanted to see if it would work or not. I focused on an image in my head as video streams poured out of my hands. The streams swirled around in a circle on my lap like they did whenever I summoned an Angel warrior and an image formed. Suddenly, the image solidified and out plopped a little digital cat. The cat had little digital glitches around its body as its ear twitched and looked around for a moment and yawned. It meowed up at me, leaving everyone around me too surprised for words.

“Huh, I didn’t think that would work.” I said a little surprised myself as I reached up to pet it. It felt like a normal cat’s fur, despite the slight tingling feeling.

“OH MY GOODNESS!” Fluttershy squealed as she rose from her seat and squatted down right beside me and petted it as well, making it purr. “It’s so cute!”

“I’m completely baffled, Axel!” Twilight said as she scribbled more on her paper even faster than before. For a moment I thought she was gonna set it on fire, she seemed to be writing so fast. “There’s no spell on record that is able to do what you can!”

“It truly is a wondrous ability Ax.” Moon said happily as she scratched under the cat’s chin.

“Thanks, this power isn’t normally used like this but I thought I’d test a little theory of mine out. Guess it’s time I make this little guy disappear now.” I said as I was about to snap my fingers.

“Oh please wait!” Fluttershy pleaded as she grabbed the digital cat and hugged it close. “He doesn’t have to go now, does he?”

“Uh…no?” I shrugged. “I mean I suppose he can stay for the rest of the train ride.”

“Thank you!” Fluttershy said as she sat back down in her seat and continued to pet it.

Hmph, wasting your powers like that? You’re really pathetic… I heard Dante scoff in my head.

I scowled for a brief moment but took a small breath to calm myself down. “You all enjoy the cat, I’m gonna get some fresh air.” I said as I stood up again.

“Want me to come with you dude?” Rainbow offered.

“Thanks, but I sometimes like to think about stuff on my own from time to time.” I said as I picked up my pack and Amp. I gave her a mock wave over my shoulder and headed for the caboose.

Dante, you and I need to have a talk. I thought.

I guess we do.

A couple of train cars later, I made it to the caboose and stood just outside as the train chugged along. The sun was still high in the sky as the wind blew against my face. I took off my beanie and let my dirty blonde hair fly free but I wasn’t out here to enjoy the scenery. I closed my eyes and cleared my mind. I never really did that meditating shit before, but I guess now’s as good a time as any. Sure enough, I found myself lost in my thoughts and was within the void of my mind.

“Dante?” I called out

“You got balls reaching out to me.”

I turned around to see Dante standing there with his arms crossed. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the fact that he looks just like me, only thing different was his eyes and hair.

“We need to talk.” I said.

“Do we? Because so far you’ve been ignoring me and making choices on your own. So why the hell are you reaching out to me?” He dismissed as he checked his nails.

“I could just go back to ignoring you.” I said. “You’d be nothing but an annoying voice in my head, slowly fading away the more I ignore you.”

“Maybe, or maybe that’s what I want you to think. This world isn’t as kind as you thought, on account of what happened with Bluebitch and those bearded fuckers. Who knows when you’ll lose your cool again? Once that happens, I might use that to take over and show you how to really cut loose with these sweet powers.” Dante boasted with a toothy grin as he glanced up at me.

“I won’t lie, I did want to make those bearded ass heads suffer.” I admitted bitterly. “I even wanted to smack around Blueballs, but I wouldn’t go as far as killing anyone.”

“Why? You’ve done it before.”

“It was an accident.” I argued. “Self defence.”

“Sure it was.”

“This isn’t why I reached out to you!” I snapped.

“Then why the hell did you?!”

“Because!” I said as I clenched my fist but relaxed my hand soon after and sighed. “Because I just want us to reach some kind of understanding with one another.”

“Humph, and just what kind of understanding?” Dante wondered as he placed a hand on his hip.

“That little playback in my head, when I attacked those bearded guys, you were the reason why I imagined that, weren’t you?”

“Good guess, Sherlock, want some shit with that?” Dante mocked.

“My point is, are you the kind of guy who’d do something like that to anyone? Because you sounded pretty convincing that night, spouting all that shit about world domination and butchering people and stuff.” I questioned.

“Pfft, you really bought all that? I mean, sure, it’d be sweet to let loose and take over but even I have my lines.” Dante dismissed.

“So you said all that to trick me?” I accused, a little annoyed.

“Yes and no. Yes, because I wanted to see how you’d react if I said all that dark shit and no, because who doesn’t dream about taking whatever they want should they have the power to do so?” Dante fantasized.

“Sane people, that’s who.” I retort.

“Whatever, but I did mean what I said earlier, about you wasting your potential by doing all that pointless shit like drawing on the walls or making a fucking cat.” Dante scoffed.

“Since when do you care what I do with my powers?”

“Since it might cost you your life, should you continue to mess around.” Dante sneered. “You may think that this world is all sunshine and rainbows because of how colorful it is, but when in fact it’s got more than a few pieces of trash floating around. You know how to fight, but only a little, but I’m more than willing to do what you claim not to want to do: which is making the more fatal call.”

“I don’t wanna kill again.” I said bitterly.

“But there will be times when you might not have a fucking choice!” Dante hissed. “Call it what you will: an accident, a mistake, you being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It doesn’t matter! You’ve got blood on your hands and it’ll always stay there for as long as you live. That stupid kid from that night made his choice when he tried to mug you, even threatened your life, as did you when you took his gun. Who’s to say we won’t run into degenerates like those Viking looking motherfuckers again, or better yet more of them in the near future? I may run my mouth off by saying shit like I wanna go on a damn killing spree, but I don’t mean I wanna kill anyone who doesn’t deserve it.”

I didn’t want to admit it, but he was right in a way. This world did in fact have people like them, which was a little surprising but at the same time not really. I was too caught up in this foolish mindset that I’d be living the good life and away from any drama and fight only when I needed to. That wasn’t gonna be the case, but that doesn’t mean I had to like the idea.

“Fine, let’s just say that we agree to disagree.” I said, earning a scoff from Dante. “And…maybe you’re right, about what happened that night.”

“Am I now?”

“About the fact that I killed him, because I did, and I’m willing to admit that. What’s done is done and his blood will forever stain my hands. But that doesn’t mean I have to kill again.”

“God, again with this-”

“I said I don’t have to kill.” I said, interrupting him. “But…if you’re willing to do what I won’t, then maybe we can work out some kind of bargain?”

“A bargain?” Dante said, his interest peaked. “What exactly are you offering?”

“You have a point when you say that there will probably be more people like the ones we’ve met back in Canterlot. I’m even willing to guess that there even might be similar people in this town we’re headed to. So here’s my offer: if, and only IF, there comes a time when we come across someone who we agree is a threat to us and everyone’s life, I’ll let you deal with them.” I said.

“Are you saying…you’re giving me a pass to kill?” Dante asked, looking at me in slight disbelief.

“Only if there are no other options and we agree together…then yes.” I said reluctantly.

Dante stared at me for a moment, then smiled wickedly and began laughing out loud. “Hahahahaha! You’re serious?! You’re willing to let me take the wheel?!”

“Only when absolutely necessary.” I reminded him.

“Hah! I guess you’re not so much of a pussy as I thought you were.” Dante mocked, making me roll my eyes. “Fine, I’ll play along, but you have to keep your word on that.”

“I promise I-”

“And I have a condition before we shake hands.” He said, holding up a finger.

“What is it?” I wondered.

“From here on out, no more ignoring me.” He stated strictly. “Just because I’m stuck in the confines of your head doesn’t mean I have to be ignored. Whenever I wanna voice my opinion, you listen. Understand?”

“I can work with that, but I also have a condition.” I countered. “You leave Moon out of this, all of it.”

“Pfft, whatever, you do what you want with your new little girlfriend. I could care less.” Dante shrugged.

“So we have a deal?” I said, holding out my hand. Dante smirked as he reached out and gripped my own as we shook. Dante then looked off to the side, as if something caught his attention, and chuckled a little.

“I guess we’re gonna have to cut this short, Axel, we have company.” Dante said.

“What do you mean?” Before I could question any further, the whole world started to fade away, which meant I was beginning to come out of my trance.

“I look forward to the day I can reveal myself to the world, Axel, I’ll be sure to give them all a show they’ll never forget when they get a load of me.” Dante laughed maliciously as he completely faded away.

I opened my eyes and saw that I was still leaning on the railing and stood back up. I then put my beanie back on as a few shadows flew above me. Looking up, I saw a bunch of winged people flying towards the train, each armed with either swords, crossbows, and some had glowing hands which meant they could use magic. They were all wearing dark clothing and each one had bandanas covering their faces and I narrowed my eyes as they drew in closer.

“Shit, I don’t like the looks of those people.” I said to myself.

I glanced over to see a ladder leading to the roof of the car. I stepped over and climbed the ladder and stood up on the roof. The wind blew against me as my clothes flapped in the air. The group flying towards the train seemed to notice me as they flew down and right above the caboose car. As they hovered above me, I counted at least thirteen or so of them in total as the flyers dropped their passengers on the car.

“Well lookie here, boys. Seems like we got noticed before we had a chance to get the party started.” The leader said. She was a tall woman with a sort of muscular hourglass figure. She’s armed with two swords and has a black mohawk. Her ears and lips had piercings and she had dark red lipstick on. “You know something else?” She purred as she gazed at me flirtatiously. “He’s also quite the cutie~.”

“Thanks, I guess. Now who the hell are you lot?” I demanded.

“Ooh, feisty too.” The cooed. “I love it when the cute ones act tough. Well hot stuff, we’re what most would call a band of thieves, but I’d like to think of ourselves as entrepreneurs. We seek things that are of value to us, sometimes they belong to other people, but let’s not sweat the details.”

“Boss, let’s just get this over with!” One of her bandits pleaded. “This train will be at the next stop soon!”

“Shut it! I’m talking here!” The leader hissed, making the bandit cower away. “As I was saying, the name’s Opal Snatch, leader of the Opal Bandits. And we’re here to repossess some items that the passengers of this train have on them.”

“Hey Boss.” Another bandit said, nudging Opal. “Check out that thing on his back.”

Opal glanced at the handle of my Amp, making her eyes widen and she licked her lips. “That’s quite the shiny little object you got there, cutie pie. Shot in the dark, but that thing looks like it’s made of gold.”

“And what if it is?” I asked.

“Well, if it is, then how’s about a trade?” Opal offered, batting her eyelashes. “If you fork over that golden stick thing, we’ll be on our way, no questions asked.”

“But boss, what about the rest of the loot?” The bandit asked.

“One more word, and I’ll have your tongue!” Opal snarled over her shoulder. “I’ll even sweeten the deal, if you want.” Opal said with a smirk. “Since you look like you can handle yourself, why not join us?”

“Join you? A gang of bandits?” I said.

“Why not? It’s fun as hell, we do what we want, and the authorities haven’t caught us ever since we came together. Plus, I’ll even let you have a little one on one with me~.” Opal said with a husk in her voice. She was even bold enough to lean forward and pull her shirt a little to give me a view of her cleavage.

This chick already has it in for you, Ax. Dante teased in my head. And being a bandit does sound fun.

…

Not interested, Dante. I thought as I spread my legs a bit and unraveled my chain.

Eh, didn’t think so. So much for living life on the lamb. Dante shrugged.

“Sorry, but I’m more into keeping my good karma streak going.” I said as I twirled my chain around. “And as for this train and my Amp, none of you will be robbing anyone.”

Opal frowned and sighed as she twirled her sword. “That’s a shame, you really are cute. Take care of him, boys.”

One of the bandits charged at me with a large hammer and raised it up to smash on me. I activated Neon and poured my power in the chain, making it glow and from into a neon sword. Opal and her bandits looked shocked to see my power as the attacking grunt swung his hammer down; I countered by swiping my chain sword diagonally. I dodged the hammer and lunged forward with my chain as something heavy fell beside the bandit. I glanced over my shoulder to see the top end of his hammer cut off and a wide neon gash across his midsection. The bandit fell to his knee as he gripped the area where I slashed him, which gave me the perfect opportunity to subdue him. I then covered myself in Neon and sprinted in circles around him, enveloping him in binds of light as he fell down completely immobilized. When I stopped running, the neon faded from my body and I smirked at Opal’s shocked face.

“Next, hot stuff?” I mocked with a shit eating grin as I pulled out my smartphone and put in my earbuds.

“GET THAT LITTLE SHIT!” Opal shouted as her men in the air and on the roof charged at me. I quickly scroll through my playlist and hit play as I readied my neon sword.

As Opal’s bandits charged at me, I responded in kind by charging towards them as well. I jumped over one who swung his sword and front flipped as I landed behind him. Before he could turn around, I spun to the right and slashed his back leaving a neon gash. I then pointed my hand to his legs and fired a couple shots, making him fall to his knees as the neon lights bound his legs and body. I felt a couple presences behind me and I instinctively ducked just in time before a sword and a magic blast could hit my head. Two bandits armed with swords then attacked me from my left and right and I was barely able to dodge their attacks. I deflected the bandit on my right and countered him by punching him across his face and kicking him in the gut. The bandit on my left tried to kick me in my side but I sidestepped out of the way. A couple of flying bandits fired crossbow bolts at me and almost hit me, had I not jumped out of the way in time. My two opponents were on me again; I ducked just in time to dodge their attacks and shot neon beams at their chests. The both staggered back in a daze as I then shot at their legs which ended up binding them both in neon. I was about to fire at the flying bandits when I felt a strange draft on my head. When I reached up to feel my head, I felt my hair which made my eyes widen as I took off my beanie. To my anger, I saw that a part of my beanie had been cut off which made me glare at the bandits.

“You fuckers cut my beanie!” I hissed as I stuffed it in my back pocket. “Now you’re all gonna get it!”

I wrapped up my chain back around my wrist and clapped my hands together as my arms glowed bright with neon. I created a Stasis Bubble and hurled it at the flying bandits. A few were able to dodge but the others were caught in the blast as the bubble enveloped them in mid air as they were unable to move properly. I fired more neon blasts at their legs as the lights bound together their limbs and wings and they fell to the roof of the caboose with a thud. Some foot bandits charged at me again and a couple bandit’s hands pointed at me and were about to fire their spells; the others were following it up with their melee weapons. I backflipped after dodging more crossbow bolts and reached back to pull out my Amp. I extended the Amp and poured Neon into it as I reeled it back to swing with both my hands firmly grasping the handle. The neon made my Amp glow bright and turn into a large lightsaber sort of weapon. The magic bandits fired blasts of magic at me as the ones with swords came at me about ready to slash at me from all directions. Twisting my body, I swung my Amp sideways as hard as I could, causing a wave of neon light to shoot out and towards the attackers. The neon wave knocked the sword bandits backwards and flat on their backs and deflected the magic bandit’s spells and knocked them down as well. The wave shot towards the rest of the group and Opal was the only one who ducked in time as the others were caught in its wake. The downed bandits all had a large neon slash across their bodies and could no longer move, some were even knocked unconscious.

“Oh fuck this!” One of the remaining flying bandits yelped. “I didn’t know we were gonna fight some guy with freaky magic!”

“I’m with you, let’s get outta here!” Another said as he and the others flew off.

“The fuck do you think you’re going?!” Opal barked as she seethed at her retreating gang. “Get the fuck back here and fight!”

Not wanting to let them get away, I switched to Video and summoned forth an Angel warrior.

“My lord, what is your command?” The angel asked.

“Chase down the ones in the air trying to escape! Subdue them, and bring them back here!” I ordered it.

“By your command, my lord.” The angel nodded and flew after the fleeing bandits.

“Guess it’s just you and me, Opal.” I said, making her turn to me. “Most of your gang is down for the count and by the looks of it, we’re almost to town.” Opal glanced over her shoulder to see the town which was presumably Ponyville. “If you give up now, I’ll make it so the authorities treat you somewhat fairly.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, cutie.” Opal spat as she charged at me herself with her two swords. “I’m Opal Snatch! I never cower away from a fight! No matter what kind of crazy magic you have!”

“Suit yourself!” I said as I sheathed my Amp and unraveled my chain again.

I ran towards Opal and brought forth my digital sword and clashed blades with her. Opal and I traded blows and we seemed to be evenly matched, or it seemed so in the beginning. I didn’t really have any swordplay skills and Opal was able to land more small slashes on my arms and legs. I ducked down as she swung her sword for my head but I was met with her boot to my chest, which sent me flying and down on the roof. I skidded across until I managed to stop myself just at the edge before I fell off. I then heard a war cry from above to see Opal about to impale me so I spun to my left before her swords could skewer my head. I then scrambled to my feet but grunted in pain as my injuries started to catch up to me.

“You’re not bad, honey.” Opal said as she pointed her blades at me. “But not good enough, it’s time to end this!” Opal crossed her swords and charged at me once more. I shook my head and gripped my digital sword tight with both hands and charged at Opal as well. As Opal raised her swords up to go for a downwards slash, I raised mine out to the side and twisted my body with all my might for a powerful swing.

CLANG!

We both swiped at each other with all our might as we passed each other. There was a brief pause until I heard Opal cry out in pain and fall down to her knees as she dropped her swords and the song ended just in time.

“What?! Boss got hit?!” One of the subdued bandits said in disbelief.

I stood back up straight but grunted in pain as I looked down. There were a couple of gashes across my chest that bled through my shirt but I was thankful that they weren’t life threatening. I looked over to Opal and saw there was blood dripping from her midsection which meant I managed to cut her too. Before she could collect herself, I quickly walked over to her and raised my hands to the air. Blue digital swords appeared and came down on Opal and pinned her down on her stomach.

“What the tartarus?! What’s with these swords?!” Opal barked as she tried to move.

“Don’t bother.” I said as my self-healing started to kick in a little. “You’re all gonna stay put until we get to town. Once there, I’ll be sure to let the authorities take the proper measures to handle you lot.”

“Come on, honey, you don’t wanna do that!” Opal pleaded. “If you let us go…I’ll let you hook up with me!”

“Pfft, as if.” I scoffed as I rolled my chain back around my wrist. “Hate to break it to you, toots, but I already have a girlfriend. You’re just a bandit slut who’d be willing to offer her body for her freedom. Which, come to think of it, might explain why you’ve been able to not get arrested for so long. You just bang any one who means to turn you and your gang in.”

“Hey! It’s worked so far! I’m hot, admit it!” Opal snapped.

“I’m healthy enough to admit that you are attractive, but that still doesn’t mean I’m gonna accept your little offer.” I dismissed as I sat down next to her. I looked up to the sky to see my angel warrior flying back with the bandits subdued and being carried in his arms.

“My lord, I have captured the targets.” The angel said as he dropped the bandits.

“Good work, that’ll do for now.” I said. He nodded and disappeared.

“Wow, how were you able to do all that stuff?” Opal wondered in awe.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I retorted with a shit eating grin. “Now you be a good little bandit leader and keep quiet. I wanna be ready when we get there so I can see the look on everyone’s faces that I caught a group of bandits on my own.”

“Barely, you can’t swordfight for shit.” One of the bandits mocked, earning chuckles from all around. I furrowed my brows and switched to Electricity and zapped his but, making him yelp in pain. I reached around and pulled out my beanie and saw the damage that was done which made me frown a little. This beanie was the one my mother got for me when I was a kid, and the mere memory of her made me a little depressed.

“I wonder if they even miss me?” I wondered aloud as I stared up into the sky.

Author's Note

Axel manages to best the train bandits! Next chapter, entering Ponyville!

Side note, so sorry again for keeping you all waiting. Hopefully I won’t have any more writers blocks with this story.

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building...