Chapters Prologue: The Prayer
Life is but a fickle thing... It turns, it bleeds, it sparks in the forgotten embers of the flame. Yet it is one of the many gifts the gods gave the mortal men. And dare I say, even the wretched monsters and demons, ghouls of the far west of Edo, the oni of Kyoto, and the lowly kappas of the marshes, all have the same gift of life. And yet, they perish and fall to the flames of war. Villages pillaged and destroyed, bloodlines tarnished, all lead to death and despair. It is for that very reason that death included me as a part of his prize, a mere mortal man born from the once proud, now decimated, Akamine clan. This is my story...
My name was Ryoto of the Akamine clan, proud samurai of the current daimyō , Date Orochi. I live to serve my lord and fight for his honor. My comrades are my greatest strength, for they stand proudly by my side. My family is but my heart, specifically my mother and my siblings, for without them, I wouldn't be the man I would be today. My father is my rock, the one who trained me and guided me to the path I lead on today. Without them, there wouldn't be balance in my life. They are my anchor and my sails for a ship I call my own. They are my wings as I glide into battle with my uchigatana , my claws as I pierce the enemy with my yari , and my shell as I return home from battle. It was... peaceful in a way. I acknowledge that there is strife, but going back to a home with food on my bowl and youthful smiles around me made me realize that life is good. Too good.
Like the tree that has withstood a thousand storms, it is still but a tree, and alas, could be cut down by the force of a blade. Once my pride, my dignity, my relief after a long skirmish, now lay in front of me as mere corpses akin to a puppet. The soulless eyes that stare back at me, the house that burns behind them. The screams that echo, the lands that shake, it was all too much. I have failed. I have failed my family, my friends, my people. I have failed my lord. And all that remains are a few of my men, once called my comrades. I live not as a proud samurai who fell in battle, for I have been denied an honorable death. No, I live as a mercenary, a rōnin forced to roam across the land, surviving in the wild once I emptied my pouch of ryō . A tough life is ahead of me, a tough life of regret.
It was then that I encountered other mercenaries, no, bandits. Upon my travels, I was known to slash away my foes, and those that I encounter the most were bandits. Tough times indeed, yet they didn't need to steal from the pregnant, the poor, the ill, and or the weak. It infuriated me. Maybe it was for the glory or the fame, maybe it wasn't, but I did so without mercy, hacking and slashing away my enemies. It was because of such actions that branded me with such bad luck. People both feared and praised me. They mostly hated me, but some wanted me for protection upon learning my deeds in battle. And it is with those deeds that I became a target to certain bandit clans and other mercenaries. Few ever dared, a logical approach.
Yet I, too, found myself in an illogical situation. It was upon my travels that I met her, the love of my life, the pearl amongst the rubble of burning wood. Akane, as she went by, her surname no longer chained to her. She was an outcast, much like myself in a way. She had beautiful red eyes, gleaming in the moonlight, long black hair that reaches her waist with a butterfly pin being the only thing that holds it. Long have I desired a family of my own, and my wish has been granted by the grace of the gods. Yet, I found it illogical in a way, for I had no home to go back to. It was when she offered her own house as sanctuary that I truly fell for her. As time went on, I managed to earn enough ryō to sustain us both. We lived merrily and enjoyed each other's company. It was great news to learn that she was of child and, as decided, we both placed our pasts behind us for the future of our child. Yet all fell into ruin one hazy autumn day.
It was when I left to gather firewood that tragedy had struck. Not long after I left, I heard her screams, the bloodcurdling screams that was accompanied by silence soon after. I heard it once more, the all-too-familiar screams of one who has been struck by a blade. I rushed back home, dropping every log I had to lessen the weight, hoping, praying that she was alright. It was merely a hopeful wish, completely illogical. When I returned, I saw five men in total. Four men holding torches as they burned our house down to the ground, and the fifth man crouching, his hand squeezing the neck of my wife. His blade, deep in her chest as blood oozed out of her limp body. It was just like before. I have failed once more. In my rage, I attacked like a vicious animal, a feral beast that had no humanity. I slashed and sliced, blood dripping from my enemies. I sustained injuries, but I did not care. I was tired, the light was giving out, yet I fought hard. It was only when the last man charged behind my back that I succumb to my injuries. An arrow pierced at my sides, a deep wound on my abdomen, and a few scratches to my body. My blade lay on my side, broken.
The man left, clutching at his amputated arm. I lived to see him flop and stumble to the ground, and with some sort of miracle, bury his body to my axe. Another kill to my name, if my name would even be remembered. With the last of my energy, I crawled unto the body of my wife, staring at those lifeless eyes. I couldn't even hold her, even if I wanted to. I didn't even realize that I had tears in my eyes. Whether it was for my wife and our unborn child or from the pain I was enduring, I had no idea. I did not care. I pushed myself off my crawling state and laid down on my back as I stared at the peaceful clouds, simply floating by without a care in the world.
"Finally, oh death, come to me," I said as it was getting darker. But I couldn't accept it, so I cried once more. "Please... gods..." I murmur under my tears, too weak to even scream out my lungs. It was a pathetic sight to behold. "Give me... another chance..."
The distant sounds of thunder kept me intrigued, only for a second as I closed my eyes, maybe for the last time. Then I felt as if I was floating. The pain was disappearing, but it was still there. Perhaps this is how death feels like.
Clip clop, clip clop, the sounds of hooves I hear from my right. Clip clop, clip clop, it was getting louder. I opened my eyes and saw an orange horse, and I smiled. "I never imagined... death's steed to... be so... colorful," I said as I finally passed out. Whatever happened next, I do not know. But I knew I wasn't dead, for I was still breathing, I could sense it. I could sense myself being carried, I could sense myself being brought to a comfortable place, and I felt myself being pricked by a needle. I was alive... Once more, it seems...
It was only after a few hours, or so I assume it to be, that I woke up. This time, I found myself in a room, a window to my side and a few... iron things that made high pitched chirp-like noises. I noticed that my uchigatana was simply leaning on the wall, its sheathe closed. Surprisingly, it wasn't dripping with blood, nor was it broken. It was as if it was in pristine condition. Still, that wasn't what bothered me the most. What bothered me were the horses in front of me, all 6 of them, each with varying colors. Perhaps the yellow one was poisonous.
Still, being alive... It wasn't what I would call a blessing, nor would I call it a curse. What intrigued me the most were the horses. Where exactly am I? I tried to speak, but found not a word to say. I heaved and coughed, slowly and painfully, it took away every bit of energy I had left. And it seemed that the same orange horse was there as well. Perhaps it was a mare. Looking carefully at the horses, they all seemed rather... off, yet the light of humanity was evermore present in their eyes. They were worried. She placed her hoof onto my back as she gently caressed it. And then it spoke. "Are ya alright, sugarcube?" The horse asked, the worry present in her voice.
The horse was definitely a mare, yet what confuses me is that I somehow understood it. Tired of it all, I didn't pay it any mind and simply nodded as I lay back down unto the comfortable bed and drifted once more unto the world of dreams. Perhaps this was the afterlife, and that my mind was wandering into unknown places I have never even dreamed of.
Author's Note
Shroomkin's Glossary:
Daimyō - Feudal Lords of Japan
Chapter 1: The Encounter
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius
It was a beautiful autumn afternoon in the land of Equestria, and for the Apple Family, a beautiful afternoon after a hard day's work. With a well-earned rest, and a bushel of apples to their name, the orange mare yawned as she stretched her hooves, popping her joints as she made a content sigh. Seeing that most of the apples have been harvested made her smile, pride ever present in the mare's green eyes. After all, what is the life of a farmer if not for her crops? Applejack thought so, and so does her family, her grandmother especially.
She glanced around the orchard as she walked past the beautiful autumn leaves that scattered amongst the ground, in search of a placed to simply relax. Not long after she found her resting spot, she saw her brother Big Mac, a red-coated stallion pulling a cart filled to the brim. Staring on, she watched him unhitch the cart from his harness as he went inside the house. It was the end of their work after all. She chuckled and sighed, smiling as she leaned in the tree, content enough to let her hat fall unto her face.
Yet peaceful times often turn into chaos. As she closed her eyes and embraced the need for slumber, an audible noise can be heard. It whirred loudly, ringing in her delicate ears. She opened her eyes and all of a sudden, a bright blinding light can be seen in the distance of her own home. Startled, she stood fast and glanced back at her house. Nobody seemed to notice, since nobody went outside to check what was happening. Seeing that her family wasn't in any danger, she mustered up all her courage and decided to track down this mysterious light.
The sun was setting at the distant horizon, yet she walked towards where the light was last seen. She walked and walked and walked, the ringing still present in her ear. All of a sudden, the ringing was replaced by the sound of a voice. "Please," it muttered. A part of her wanted to go back, especially since she knows what happens in horror movies, yet at the same time, she couldn't. She couldn't just leave somebody in danger. She heard the voice, she heard it plead, begging for something, and if that voice needed her help, then she must heed that call. And so she made haste.
Clip clop, clip clop, something was off. All she could hear were the clopping of her hooves and the sounds of breaking twigs and crunching leaves. She could no longer hear the loud whirring noise. No chirping of birds nor squeaking of rodents, not even the usual buzzing of the insects. There was mere silence. A horrid and dreadful silence, to the point where she wanted the whirring noise to be back.
Clip clop... clip clop... Her heart was pounding out of her chest as she saw what was in front of her, no, what laid in front of her. Clip clop... clip clop... Blood was splattered along the grass. Clip clop... clip clop... There, lying on the ground was a colt. A colt in his teens with a coat as auburn as the autumn leaves and a long deep black mane tied into a ponytail. He was wearing some sort of clothing as white as snow mixed with the gray hue of rock, their sleeves were long and covered their hooves. He had, in Applejack's eyes, a sword of unknown origin clutched tightly as if it was more important than his life. What shocked her the most were the broken arrows on the colt's sides, deep crimson blood flowing from the gaping wound on his chest. Petrified, she tried to shake that fear away to get close to the injured colt. By some miracle, the colt opened their eyes and looked at her. For a moment, they stared.
She was trapped in his deep gaze. Such light brown eyes, yet why does it speak of such desolation and sorrow? She tried once more to get close, yet he spoke, one that shook her to her own core. "I never imagined... death's steed to... be so... colorful," the colt spoke with such tiredness, yet, he smiled. She couldn't take it anymore, especially when he closed his eyes once more.
"H-hold on! A-A-Ah'll get you to safety!" Applejack said as she ran towards the injured colt, pure terror in her voice. She checked for more injuries, to which she noticed deep scratches on his forearms and body. Not having anything to stop the bleeding, she proceeded to check on the arrows buried on the poor colt's body. She wanted to pull them out, but she knows that pulling them out would only lead to more blood loss. Distraught at what to do, she slapped herself. "No m-more wastin' precious time!"
Determination quickly replaced fear, and she quickly and carefully placed the teen on her back as she ran. It made it harder for her to carry the colt as he was clutching the sword with all his strength. Nevertheless, she braved the frontier. There was a life on the line, and she had no time for distractions, even if the said distractions were her big brother and her little sister, who were walking around the orchard calling her name.
Big Mac saw her running across the field and began to trot towards her, disappointed at her sister for worrying them like that. However, as soon as she came close, he noticed that she was carrying a colt on her back, blood dripping as she ran. He wanted to stop her, but seeing her terror-filled yet determined gaze, he stopped himself from asking questions. "Apple Bloom," he said in a calm voice as not to alarm his little sister, "go back inside and tell Granny that we ain't comin' back in a while." The filly beside him looked up, a confused expression ever present in the filly's eyes. "It's an emergency," he continued. The filly nodded and rushed back to their house, not even bothering to ask what was wrong as Big Mac ran to catch up with his sister.
"B-Big Mac!" Applejack simply shouted as she continued to run. Big Mac simply gazed at the injured foal and nodded, concern still present at his eyes. It was a silent trek towards the hospital, questions and answers later. Their run, however, garnered the attention of the others as they gazed at the duo running, only for them to gasp in shock as they saw the condition of the colt carried by their local apple farmer. She didn't even notice them as her attention was simply placed on the trouble at hand.
Suddenly, the colt spoke, startling the two. "I don't... want to... go..." he said. With such words, the two rushed to the hospital with renewed vigor. They had to. They have managed to reach the hospital in the early evening, the twilight skies ever looming as the graceful moon slowly rose in the horizon. Tired and scared, she shouted at the nurse, urgency in her voice. The nurse saw why and immediately instructed them to bring the colt to the ICU.
Finally, as if the world had caught up with her, she stumbled and fell. Her hooves were shaking, her stomach twisting and churning, daring her to expel her previous lunch. She panted, gasping for air that she desperately needed. Was she really that tired, or was she merely longing for breath? Whatever happens now, it would be because of her. Suddenly, a hoof gently pressed itself on her withers. It was her brother. "Wanna talk 'bout it?" he asked in a calm tone, looking at his agitated sister. She sighed, longing for the relaxed state she had a while ago. "Yeah..."
As time went on, she became a bit more agitated. What if the colt dies? What if she didn't hesitate? Was she even fast enough? All of these things lingered in her mind as time continued on normally, even if she wasn't exactly there. All she could do was hope. Hope and pray, and calm down. It was after a few breaths that she finally noticed her friends right in front of her. Looking at them, she could no longer hold it in. Once the tough mare that held her tears, now lay before them a crying mess. "It's mah fault! Ah-Ah couldn't-" she said as guilt overcame her. Her thoughts lingered on the memory. She couldn't even continue as she was hugged by her friends. Silence followed as she hugged them back. A deafening, dreadful, and unsure sort of silence.
It was merely a while ago when the doctor came out to give them an update on the colt. He said that the colt would live, surprisingly, despite such injuries. The surgery was a success! The arrows were removed, the wounds have been patched up, and the giant gash has been stitched. Applejack, who was sleeping at the time due to the behest of her friends, didn't have the energy to move nor listen. "Miss Twilight, am I correct to assume that Miss Applejack was the one who brought him here?" The doctor asked the lavender unicorn, who simply glanced at her sleeping friend. "Yes, but, can you please not wake her up at the moment? She needs some rest after... well... what happened."
The doctor sighed as he shook his head. "No can do, I need the details to file a report." The doctor then trotted to the sleeping apple farmer as he gently nudged her awake. "Huh, what?" Applejack muttered as she slowly woke up to the blinding lights of the hospital. She got up and rubbed her tired and puffy eyes as she focused on the doctor in front of her. Suddenly, the dread that she hid at the back of her mind crept ever so quickly as the doctor stood in front of her, a stoic expression with a dash of weariness upon his face. She, of course, told him everything, on how she found him laying on the ground, of what the colt said, of why the colt had a sword (of which the lavender unicorn and the cyan pegasus were most curious of), and how the colt got there. Needless to say, she can't say everything is for certain. All she hopes now is the safety of the colt. She also had to thank Big Mac for bringing her friends here at such an hour.
The doctor sighed and told them to go back to their homes and visit tomorrow. After such a hectic day, Applejack agreed, though she hesitated for a bit. "What about him? Will he be okay here, doc?" She asked, trying to find the right words to say in the hopes of staying by the injured colt's side. "Right, you didn't hear," the doctor said as he began to explain that the colt is okay and that she should rest. Defeated by her muddled wits and the doctor's sound logic, she decided that it would be best to go home.
Dawn came and she decided to visit the injured colt. She did not have the heart to explain what happened to a curious Apple Bloom who woke up to see her eating breakfast. When she got to the hospital, she didn't realize that her friends followed. They were equally anxious about what would happen. The nurse showed them the room where he lay, resting in the comfortable pillow as if nothing ever happened. "The poor dear, I hope he's alright," the white unicorn said as she glanced worriedly at the colt lying down on the bed, peacefully sleeping. Applejack simply sighed in relief, he was okay. He was alive. The peace and calm did not last, though, as Rainbow decided to "investigate" the sword that came with the colt.
"Hey, check this out!" she said ecstatically as she motioned sword thrusts and slashes. "Hiya! Hiya! Woooyah!" the pink mare laughed at this as she excitedly grabbed the sword from her. "This sword sure is curvy AND long!"
The rest simply groaned at their antics but decided not to scold the two. However, when Twilight tried to check what the blade looks like, she noticed that the sword would not leave the sheath, no matter how much she pulled with her magic. "What the?" she muttered. "Bwahaha! Seriously, Twi? You can't even pull it out?" said the cyan pegasus as she smirked and rolled her eyes. She grabbed it herself, only to find that she, too, could not remove the blade from the sheath. "Hey, what gives?" She bit and tugged, yet nothing happened.
The pink one, too, tried, only to fail horribly as she bounced up and down towards the ceiling. "It doesn't even have magic, so how?" Twilight said as she tried once more. "Well, I for one would not want to ruin my hooves in trying to pry that thing open," the white unicorn said, repulsed by the idea of exerting energy to open such a barbaric thing. "Still, the golden part looks absolutely divine!"
Twilight rolled her eyes on the antics of her friends. "I may not understand much, but I think it's somehow important to the colt, so we should put it down for the time being," she said as she looked at the two ponies trying to pull the sword out of its sheathe. "Rainbow Dash! Pinkie Pie! Put that thing down! You might hurt yourself," the white unicorn scolded, startling the yellow pegasus. "Aww, oki Rarity," Pinkie Pie said as she let go of the sword, causing Rainbow Dash to fly backwards. The loud noise of the crash made everyone cringe in the room. "Augh, my head," she muttered. "Oh, I just can't imagine what did this," the timid yellow pegasus squeaked. "Relax Fluttershy! Whoever or whatever did this, they won't escape from me!" Rainbow said as she landed on the ground, her wings sore after the crash. She then left the sword to lean on the wall.
As she walked back to the group, she noticed something peculiar. It was the colt. He was simply staring at them. "Uhh, guys?" she said as she pointed at the colt. Everyone stared back as silence filled the room. The colt tried to speak, only for him to cough. He coughed and coughed, a bit of blood coming out from his mouth. His bandages were present for everyone to see. Blood was still present at his patched chest. Applejack rushed towards the colt's side, mustering her strength as she came closer to the colt. His eyes speak of such sadness, one that everyone noticed. They also noticed that he wasn't even crying. The pain must have been terrible, yet the colt simply looked on like it was normal. He flinched at his own coughs, but that's all the emotion that he was showing. They were all worried. Applejack, after mustering her courage, gently caressed the back of the coughing colt and asked in a gentle tone, "Are ya alright, sugarcube?"
The colt simply nodded and, surprisingly, decided to lay back down. "Oh my," muttered Fluttershy. And once again, silence overtook the brightly lit room. Questions upon their minds, with not a single answer to follow.
Chapter 2: The Acknowledgment
There were... some nights where I stay awake, longer than I should have, just to watch the moon underneath my favorite maple tree. Some nights were spent simply walking idly around my village. Some nights were spent drinking saké either alone or with my comrades, from our samurai to our shinobi. I do not know why, but the dusk resonates more with me than the dawn. Perhaps it is the quiet nature of the night or the peaceful atmosphere it brings. I longed for it. I yearned that peace to a fault. But then, I had this dream. A dream where I found a talking mare, rather, she found me. By the worry she gave me, I can assume that she found me in such a dreadful state.
It turns out, it wasn't a dream as I lay awake in such a weird room. The same room I saw the mares. The ever chirping or buzzing noise of whatever animal trapped inside the white and black box is still awake to irritate me. This time, I also noticed some clear rope attached to my... hooves. It was dripping water, much like how water drips from caves. I shuddered at the thought as I remembered living in a cave for quite some time. Regardless, it was limiting my movement. As I moved my arm, I noticed that my blood quickly went up this clear rope. Not knowing what it does, I yanked it out of my body. Were they here to gather my blood? The looks of worry that they gave me, that those horses gave me, contradicted that thought. In life, I was always a scholar, known for having a cool head in battle. Assuming such thoughts would be the death of me, if I wasn't truly dead in the first place. Water poured from the clear rope as I successfully removed it from my arm.
I looked around the room to see, well, a room filled to the brim with whatever Western furniture decorating it. Probably from the Dutch. A large wooden cabinet with delicate and ornate shapes. A lamp by my side along with a small cabinet, the roof seemed to be made of stone. The floor was shining as the moon's light shone through the glass windows. I miss the tatami mats that Akane and I bought together for our humble house. Deciding to observe more, I hopped off the bed, stumbling ever so casually as I forgot the nature of what I am. A quadruped, a horse meant for mounting and transportation. As I hopped off, though, the strange chirping from the box turned into a noise that most rodents make, a flat noise piercing my ears. It continued on and on and on until there was silence. I decided to pay it no mind as I began to learn how to walk. Front hoof in, back hoof out. A slow process but a definitely fun one. As I did this, however, I began to remember the training that I had done with my father years ago. The footwork I had to go through to learn the basics of kenjutsu helped me somewhat understand the way of walking.
A few more tries and walking became somewhat second nature to me. I still had to manually raise and lower my hooves in order to walk, which was uncomfortable and lanky at times. Living my life tending to my family's horses also helped me understand how to walk. With this achievement, I decided to roam around the room. It hurts a bit but I managed.
The room was... surprisingly small. I found my old yukata neatly folded in the table. It, too, surprised me as it was as if it has never gone into battle. No tears, no rips, not even holes where the arrows pierced. It was, to say the least, brand new. I wore it as I remembered my current condition. Being stark naked may be normal for the horses, but not for me. I find my old yukata... surprisingly comfortable in this form. Having a grip was by far the most unnatural thing I noticed. I had hooves, yet I can feel my fingers. It was still a weak grip though, but I guess it is simply because of me being tired. Well, at least it made it easier to put on my yukata. I find it terrible that my kiseru was missing though, but it wasn't much of a loss.
Lastly, my uchigatana, leaning on the wall. From what I can recall, it broke and shattered after the grueling fight I had been. The saya had been flung away, never to be seen again. And yet, here it was. I sat in front of it as I pondered. "Was this an act of the gods, or is this the trickery of yokai?" Suddenly, the door opened, revealing a white horse with a pink mane donned in a bun. She had some sort of hat with a red cross, hearts ever present on the edges.
"Okay sweetie, it's time to... eat?" She said as she walked inside with some sort of tray. Her misty blue eyes gazed upon me as I sat there, dumbfounded by it all. "W-w-what are you doing?! You're supposed to be in bed!" She said as she rushed to my side, gently placing her hoof on my side in order to get me up. I again, made some... horse worry about my well-being. And so, I did what any man would do in this situation. I bowed and apologized as I did the dogeza .
Nurse Redheart is a busy mare. So busy, in fact, that she was simply sitting in the receptionist's desk. Perhaps she wasn't busy at the moment, but nevertheless, her job requires a great attention to details. She sighed and leaned back on her chair. Ponyville really wasn't a place where a lot of injuries happen, especially not like what the poor colt that Applejack brought has gone through. Sure, there were pegasi that would break their wings or earth ponies breaking a few bones, but they weren't as serious as an arrow deep within the body or a gaping wound through the chest. Being worried for the dear was an understatement.
It didn't help one bit that Applejack does not know what really happened, so it would be up to the foal services and the staff of the hospital to properly deduce what or who it was that did this. "Oh, I just hope he wakes up," she said as she glanced at the clock. It was 7:47 p.m. It had been over 11 hours since the colt woke up, only for him to go back to bed, much to her chagrin. She sighed as she shook her head. She was about to leave the desk when a buzzing can be heard. It was a buzz from a button to summon nurses to the patient's room. She checked which room requires assistance, only to be shocked at what she saw. Room 207, the room where the injured colt lay. He's awake, it seems. Probably scared or hungry! She quickly dashed towards the kitchen, managing to get the standard hospital meal ready with the help of the chefs. The colt needed her, and quickly she realized that maybe going for his dinner first wasn't the right choice.
She could only hope that the colt wouldn't be too mad at her, or wouldn't be too upset.
Steeling her nerves at the door of her patient, she quickly inhaled and opened the door. "Okay sweetie, it's time to... eat?" She said as she walked inside with the standard hospital meal, only to find the colt staring at her. He wasn't supposed to be out of bed with those injuries! "W-w-what are you doing?! You're supposed to be in bed!" She said as she rushed to his side, no longer bothering to grab the trolley. She was scared and worried about the colt as he shuddered and gritted his teeth to the pain. Looking around, she now noticed that the IV drip bag was empty and the floor underneath it was wet. She also noticed that the heart monitor was turned off due to being in a power saving mode (as there was no colt for it to be attached to).
She sighed and shook her head as she looked at the wet floor. She'll have to call a janitor for that. She was about to when she noticed that the colt was... kneeling? No, his hind legs were tucked in on his flank. Were his hind legs broken? She was about to pick up the colt from that position, only for the colt to speak. "I apologize for such actions, but I would like to know where I am, if you wouldn't mind?" The colt said as he bowed his head down while kneeling. "Uh, no problem but... aren't you a bit, you know, uncomfortable in that position sweetie?" The colt, much to her confusion, simply shook his head. "Where I have come from, this is of utmost proper etiquette. I have needlessly worried you so I humbly ask for your forgiveness, madame."
Not knowing how to respond, she simply nodded. "Oh, uh, very well! You are forgiven, but can you... stop bowing and, well, stop doing that?" The colt immediately rose his head as he stared at her once more. She was... intrigued, to say the least. At least he has some manners. Such beautiful light brown eyes, yet, it speaks of so much pain. Those eyes do not belong to a colt! "Ehem, uh, do you mind telling me your name?"
The colt nodded as he looked at her. "I am Akamine Ryoto, of the once proud Akamine clan. I thank thee for healing my wounds." She stopped and pondered on what she had just heard. "What the heck kind of name was Acka Meene Rioto?" She turned to look at the colt as she dismissed those thoughts. "My name is Redheart, a nurse in the Ponyville Hospital... That's where you are staying currently, sweetie."
He hummed to himself as he slowly got up. "Very well, thank you once more for your kindness Lady Redheart of the Ponyville Hospital." As he did so, he walked towards the door. Was he really serious? "Wait, you can't leave yet!" The colt then turned to the now frantic nurse. "And why not? I have no money to pay for such services, and as such, I would only hinder you and your comrades." He really was serious. "W-well, we haven't really got your diagnostics. Can you please stay here until further notice?" The colt was smart, surprisingly well-mannered, and had shown no emotion to what has happened. Did he forget how he was injured?
The colt then smiled at her as he bowed once more. "Of course, Lady Redheart. I am in your debt." He then walked towards the window as he simply stared at the moon. "Though, I do wish to meet with the orange mare, if that is alright?" She sighed as she looked at the colt, who was now sitting at the edges of the window. "I'll ask the doctor if she can visit. They were really worried, you know?" The colt then frowned. "It is because of me that they became frantic, and for that, I wish to apologize." Nurse Redheart couldn't really understand but she had a desire to hug the self-deprecating colt. She did so as she hugged the colt for a few seconds. "It isn't your fault, sweetie. Come, you must feel hungry."
The colt nodded as he followed the nurse. She asked him to sit at the bed as she turned on the lights. Looking back, she now noticed that the colt was wearing clothes. Was that the reason why he got up? The nerve! Making her panic like that. She'll also have to ask for the janitor to clean up the water from the IV drip. As she gave him his meal, he began to put his hooves together as he mumbled something. He looked at the plate, a salad in front of him and some juice, and then back to her. "I've been meaning to ask about the white and black box upon my bedside, for I believe I have harmed the creature inside."
"What?" It was all that Nurse Redheart could say.
"The box with the chirping. Perhaps I have scared the creature, and for that I apologize." The colt said as he pointed at what was beside him. Nurse Redheart then looked at where he was pointing at. "The heart monitor? You didn't do anything wrong, sweetie. It just... turned off automatically due to you, well, not being connected to it." The colt nodded, fascination in his eyes. She giggled a bit at his curiosity. Her giggling stopped when he wasn't eating. "What's wrong? Are you ok?" The colt simply shook his head. "I am alright, but I fear my grip isn't strong enough for me to hold such a heavy object." Knowing what this meant, she picked up the fork as she stabbed the lettuce with it. She gently fed the colt until the plate was empty. "Thank you, Lady Redheart." She blushed a bit. The colt was too well-mannered. "No need to call me lady, sweetie. Just Nurse Redheart would do." He nodded as he glanced at the window once more.
"I'll come back in a while, I need to contact the doctor and the janitor. Stay here, okay?" The colt, once again nodded as he tried to pick up the glass. Not being able to pick it up, he simply waited for Nurse Redheart to return. He sighed, plopping back into the floor as he sat at the edge of the window once again. It was more comfortable, for him, at least. With nothing much to do, he paced back and forth in the room. He would have continued had he not noticed a book within his bedside lantern. It had a strange picture, a tan colored winged horse surrounded by lava, with a hooded figure holding a scepter. Piqued, he decided to read it, only, he can't read it. He can understand them, yet he couldn't read their language. He pondered as he sat at the bed, only for the door to open once more, this time with an old stallion holding a stick with white bristles. He then glanced at Nurse Redheart with a frown.
Worried by this, Nurse Redheart quickly went to his side. "Are you okay?" He shook his head. "If possible, Nurse Redheart, I also require a scholar to teach me how to read." Baffled by this, she simply stared at the young colt in front of her. "What?"
He really was a long way from home.
Author's Note
Shroomkin's Glossary:
Sake: Fermented Rice Alcohol
Chapter 4: The Thoughts that Linger
Bright was the light that shone through the window; the warm heat of the sun that surrounds the room fills me with determination. Yet another day of randomness, I presume, though I can't help but remember what happened yesterday. Mistress Applejack, who at this point was considered my "number 1 visitor", came by once again to tell me that I get to live with her. Astounded and shocked by the decision, I asked why. Apparently, the "foal services" deemed it necessary for me to find a new home. I obliged with that decision, after all, I've been stuck here for quite a while now. But to think that I get to live with her, fate must have been watching me struggle.
I asked what the "foal services" were, to which Nurse Redheart answered. Apparently, they are an organization that takes care of young fillies and colts. I was... astounded. Were they the ones to take care of the orphans? I asked why I was included, to which she giggled. Nurse Redheart, for what it's worth, told me that I am a young colt, at the verge of adolescence. Since I never gave them my age, they assumed it to be 14, given by my stature. I always wondered why they were taller, it never occurred to me that I was younger. It's one of the reasons I never gave them my age. Hearing this, I simply nodded, though she was still smiling at me. Arching an eyebrow, I asked what was wrong, only for her to hug me and say that I can finally leave.
I was... confused. Why was she happy that I was leaving? Shouldn't it be a sad farewell? I frowned a bit. I know well enough that I have overstayed my welcome, but I didn't expect them to be so happy for me to leave. I gently pushed her away from me, confusing her in the process. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"
I slowly looked at her with disdain. "If I had been a thorn to your side, then why not allow me to leave before?" I said as I tilted my head. She looked at me with surprise as she began to stutter, her thoughts within a constant tangle due to my words. "N-No! Sweetie, that's not why I'm smiling!" She placed a gentle hoof upon my withers as she looked at me with care, a look only a mother can understand. "I'm smiling because you are well! I've seen how you look outside, and now, you can walk outside and do whatever you want. Sweetie, never call yourself a thorn. You aren't, okay?"
I felt bad for assuming the worst. But alas, she was right. I was longing for air, for an adventure, for a chance to finally walk outside and see this dream world to its fullest. And that day was today. Despite some protests, I took my uchigatana, stating that it was an heirloom from my kin. I didn't want to leave without it, who knows what would happen. And now, I'm free...
But now what? Now that I can go outside, escorted by Mistress Applejack of all ponies, what can I do? When Mistress Applejack explained that they weren't at war, or rather, there were no wars, not since a thousand years ago, so it seemed, I lost a part of the things I planned. I couldn't lead their armies (there was no army to lead), I couldn't train their armies to fight, I couldn't do anything. With a third of my plans gone in an instant, perhaps finding jobs that I had experience on can benefit them all.
She did say that I shouldn't work as much due to my injuries, but I know that I am fine. Perhaps being a farmer would benefit them, but I have no experience in the ways of growing crops. I don't even know what type of crops they tend to. All I ever learned was that they were the lead in producing Apples, so perhaps I could be an apple farmer. I have a decent skill in painting, but would they appreciate that kind of art? They, for the most part, were a lot more colorful than the paintings I've seen, so full of color and life in comparison to the dulled colors of a still scene of ink. I have mentioned about hunting, to which she simply glared at me. I forgot, they were ponies. The last time I checked, they don't eat meat, aside from fish, that is. This world truly is a confusing one.
I asked about the mysterious Everfree forest, of which she disciplined Young Mistress Apple Bloom when they visited. A forest filled with monsters, ones made of wood and stone, of bears as big as a mountain... I would, at least, try and be their guardian, but in the end that plan, too, was destroyed. There really wasn't anything for me to do. Forging, maybe, but it takes way too long to make one blade.
"Are ya alright?" Mistress Applejack asked me. I was simply following her, crestfallen at my own thoughts. "I... feel like I am much more of a burden..." I admitted.
"Why's that?" she asked as we got outside of the hospital. It really was a beautiful and peaceful sight. "Half of my plans are ruined. None of which can help me pay my debt to you-" I said as I was shushed by her hoof gently placed upon my muzzle. "What'd Ah say? None of that whole 'in your debt' thing," she sighed as she sat in front of me. "Ya ain't got nothin' to prove to me, ya hear? All ya need to do is live yer life to the fullest."
Live my life? I had died and now I am in this dream, possibly for eternity, possibly after my trials. How can I possible explain it to them that I had died. If this truly is a dream world, why does my heart feel heavy? No, what if this was reality? I have been here for a few days now. I have talked to the ponies living here, from the sweet nurses who took care of me, the strict doctors who reprimand me, to Mistress Applejack and her friends, even some of the patients... None of those feel like a dream. They were all too real. They had their own troubles, their own woes, their own stories, none of which I could come up with alone... What if this truly was a second chance in living? If it was, then where is Akane? My family? My old friends? Where were they? If this was truly a village, then news of a colt being injured would have spread amongst its villagers. So why weren't they here? Why didn't they visit me? They died before me, so why weren't they here? Akane, especially, as she died moments before I did. Why weren't they here?
The chain of thoughts stopped as I felt her shake me gently. I must have worried Mistress Applejack as she suddenly hugged me. Why? "There there, sugarcube, ya've endured enough. There ain't no shame in cryin', so don't hold back none of it." I was... crying? I didn't even realize as I placed my hoof upon my cheeks. I was crying. For the first time in how long, I was truly crying. Not of pain, not of my misfortune, but of my sorrow.
We sat there for quite some time until I finally had my bearings. Mistress Applejack paid close attention to me as I looked around like a curious kid, or rather, I was a kid in their eyes. An adolescent, a "teenager", but nevertheless, a child in their eyes. We walked and walked, and surprisingly, my head was clear and my heart was calm. This truly is a village worth fighting for. Peaceful in nature, ponies around me waving and smiling, talking about things like trading and what they ate last night. Such peace I wish I had. However, that peace soon turned into dread when there were no... ponies... in sight within the village. It was as if it had been raided.
We walked and walked, seeing new things such as a tree in the middle of the village, a luxurious tower filled with mannequins, and a strange structure made of the same bread that Miss Pinkie gave me. We continued on our trek until eventually we stopped at a white gate. A brown sign hangs upon the gate, surrounded by such lush green leaves. Just within the view lies a massive house painted red. Clearly, the daimyō's house. If this was the farmland, where were the workers? The farmers? Something wasn't right. As such, as if by instinct, I stood with my hind legs and clutched upon my uchigatana. Applejack noticed this and asked what was wrong, though I did not answer. I felt... I felt like being watched.
Threatened... Afraid... A sense of dread I haven't sensed in a long while. Left to right, right to left, I gazed upon my surroundings, looking for any movement. Once more by instinct, I placed myself in front of Mistress Applejack. No longer did I pay attention to what she was saying as I tried to tune out any noise made. "What in tarnation?! Rioto! Stop!"
I looked behind her to see if she was being attacked. She wasn't. And then there was silence. And with that silence, and with my new keen sense of hearing, I heard movement coming from the large house. "No," I muttered to myself. They were inside, and this was her house; a trap not yet sprung. The last time this happened, I almost died in the hands of bandits. Never again.
I slowly placed my hoof upon the kashira of my uchigatana, readying myself incase someone dashes upon my right. Mistress Applejack was worried, for obvious reasons, yet I feel like she is much more worried about something else as I noticed her eyes glancing back and forth upon me and the house. Perhaps she is worried about her family. Taking this as a hint, I steadily drew closer upon the house. Right hind hoof forward, left hind hoof backward, quickly, as fast as an arrow, I drew my blade and held it in front of me; the shining metal ever gleaming in the sunlight as I stepped towards the doors. Mistress Applejack was panicking. I've heard that none of her friends were able to draw my blade from my saya, not even her, so she must be surprised that I drew it so easily.
"R-Rioto... W-w-wait!" Yet I did not pay attention. Never again. I've already suffered enough, I would not lose another. With the limited time I've spent with Young Mistress Apple Bloom, I learned that she was merely trying to find out who she was, and I promised myself that I would not allow anything to bring harm upon her and her family. That purity, their smiles, I won't allow anything to tarnish it. But now that I find myself in the heat of battle once more, I find that my heart was beating faster and faster. Would I die here?
I steeled my nerves and remembered my clan's bushidō , "In the light of fear, one must remember what they fight for." With a long inhale and quick exhale, I grasp open the door and dashed forward. It was dark, yet I noticed a canon pointing towards me only after a sudden pink blob leapt forward. Thinking this was indeed an attack, I brought forward my blade to guard, but immediately slashed in an upward movement, a feint to try and lower their guard. I hit the pink blob, though not as much. I grazed it.
And then there was light and a collective gasp. Bright and blinding was the light that suddenly appeared, and haunting were the faces of the crowds in front of me. They weren't enemies. They were... And in front of me was...
I shook, my hooves wavering at the sight in front of me. I had slashed Miss Pinkie, though the slash wasn't deep. She looked at me, the same fear I see from everyone else. The silence I once loved was damning. Some had their hooves upon their muzzles, some had their mouths open. I looked back at Miss Pinkie, her slash was upon her face. It wasn't deep, nor was it a long slash. It was merely a graze, but the blood was still pouring. And she was fearful. She had her hoof placed upon the wound, her breathing heavy and her mane falling flat. Before I could speak, however, the others ran away, screaming. Terror filled the house as some tried to go through the windows. The only ones that stayed were the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the friends of Mistress Applejack, and who I assume to be her family...
The damning silence was back, replaced only by hooves as Miss Twilight stepped forward. She had a scowl, no... a glare... no, everyone had it as they glared at me. Even the once timid Miss Fluttershy had it. And the pony in front of me had the face of one who lost their light. I felt ill. "W-what have I done?" I said as I dropped to my knees, and in the process, dropping my sword.
"What have you done?! Is that all that you're going to say?!" Miss Rainbow stepped forward, her hate filled expression brought upon dread in my heart. "I-I... I thought-"
"YOU THOUGHT WHAT EXACTLY?!" bellowed the cyan pegasus. "How could you?!" Lady Rarity spoke, venom upon her voice. Everyone glared, disdain upon their eyes as one of them helped the pink mare up. "I..." And yet I couldn't speak. They've shown me kindness, and yet I repay them with violence. Miss Twilight simply walked towards me as the others tended to their injured friend. Her horn was glowing, perhaps to attack me. Instead, it encased me in a bubble, a bubble that I cannot break with my hooves. "You WILL stay there. Any attempts to escape would only bring you more problems. Are we clear?" Miss Twilight said with a harsh tone.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
They talked for a bit, their voices muffled as this bubble surrounded me. It was then that Miss Twilight took my uchigatana away, placing it back upon my saya, only to find that, again, she could not remove it. With all of this happening, I thought back through my past. Was this what they felt when they were waiting upon their deaths? Finally, as if to stop me from thinking, Miss Fluttershy came close to the bubble, despite the protests of Miss Rainbow.
"Why did you do it?" She asked, though for some reason, it was in a stern yet motherly tone. I found comfort upon her eyes as I began to talk. "I... I thought it was... an ambush..."
She gasped, no, they all gasped. As if telling me to continue, she nodded her head once and everyone went silent. "The last time... something like this happened... I lost three of my comrades in battle. They were not of my clan, yet I consider them my comrades... They..." I paused as I gasped, desperate for air. Miss Twilight lowered her bubble, but the need for air was still present. "They... they died in my arms. MY foolishness almost costed me my life... They died, they died. We didn't even protect them. I had been injured, yet I lived... but they all died. It was my fault. I promised to never repeat that same mistake... I tried, I really did. When that dread came back, when... when I saw that Mistress Applejack was frightened about something, I... I assumed..."
Finally, I stopped. I could feel the tears in my eyes. Was it because I was young again? Or was it because of that dreadful memory? "I assumed the worst and drew my blade... What have I done?" I looked back upon them. Yes, they were still mad, but their eyes speak of sorrow too. "I had survived for so long, knowing the art of war. Long have I survived with a blade upon my side, but never did I even succeed in protecting those I cared about! If I had, she wouldn't... she wouldn't be..." And that's where I broke down.
"WHAT HAVE I DONE?! I HAVE DONE NOTHING! NOT A DAMN THING! AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE GONE!" It wasn't even connected to her question, her simple question, and yet, why does it feel so natural to tell them? "My whole family is gone. My siblings, my mother, my father... My dearly beloved... They are all gone! All I wanted was to protect them... and now I failed here as well..." I began to chuckle, for I lost it all. "I really am a failure, huh?" I said as I glanced at them. They're looks of hatred was no longer present. I was shocked to see it, those same merciful eyes...
"Maybe I should've died that day... perhaps I could've been with them... I wasn't meant to survive." I said as I lowered my head. As I did so, however, a smack to the face greeted me. It was Miss Rarity, her snow white hoof hitting the side of my muzzle, an equivalent to a slap I suppose.
"How dare you," she muttered. "How dare you say that you should've died that day!" With a glare once more, she pulled me closer with her magic as she yelled to reprimand me. "You were meant to survive, you're here aren't you? And how dare you waste that good fortune by thinking of such things! For shame! Shame on you!" She gently lowered me back but she continued to speak. "How dare you waste your second chance in life by simply giving up! What would your family think? What would your beloved think? What would those you did protect think?!"
"You said that you were a warrior once when we visited again, and I believed it. And if you truly are a warrior as you claim to be, then you should value the life that you were given along with the pride your family once had!" She sighed as she got closer to me. "You've hurt Pinkie, and yes we are mad about it, but you did it out of a habit and duty, did you not?" Miss Rarity asked as she sat down in front of me. I nodded. "I- I thought it was-" I tried to speak, only for her to cut me off with a hush and a hoof on my muzzle. "Then you've done it not out of malice. Yes, you've hurt her, but you didn't intent to do so. Had you known that it was a party meant for you, then you wouldn't have done it. And for that, we too, apologize." Miss Rarity said, to which a confused cyan pegasus simply looked at us in shock. "Are... What?! Are we seriously just forgiving him like that?"
"Yes, we are," Miss Rarity said.
"But he hurt Pinkie! Nopony gets away with that!" Miss Rainbow said as she glared back at me. Not once was I threatened by a pony before, yet here I am.
"And you've heard him, he didn't mean to!" Miss Fluttershy said as she gently flapped towards her fuming friend.
"And you girls believe him?! What if he was lying-" she said before she was cut off by Mistress Applejack. "There was no lie in his voice, RD! And if there was no lie, then... then..."
"Then what he said about his family and friends being gone was true..." Miss Twilight spoke. All of them glanced at me, but I was far too weak to even stand. "Oh dear..." Miss Rarity muttered. "Was this the reason why you never told any of the foal services what happened to you?" I nodded once.
Then, out of nowhere, Miss Pinkie sat in front of me. What shocked me the most was her smile. She was smiling, not a forced one but genuine one. A smile that came from the end of my blade. Her mane was back to its poofy state. "If you didn't mean it, then you aren't a meanie for hitting me," she said as she placed a slice of triangular bread in front of me. "I don't... I don't understand. I've hurt you, I- I almost killed you! How could you still smile?!"
And then she hugged me. "You've gone through so much, haven't you?" Miss Pinkie said as she gently stroked my back. I cried. I cried for my family, for my friends, for her... I buried my face upon her chest as I cried. I screamed and shouted and cried. I cried even more when I felt the others hug me back.
Gone was the light of the sun, now replaced by the evening glow of the moon. I really am alive. This wasn't a dream world, nor was it a trial. This is real. I must've passed out after crying too much as I awoke in a comfortable bed. I stared at the ceiling, thinking back to what I've done. I hope Miss Pinkie is alright.
How could they accept me? A murderer, a monster, a feral beast with a blade? I've hurt their friend, and yet... and yet they chose to forgive me. Had this been my home world, I would've been executed for harming my host. I had to thank the gods for that. I have to work hard if I want to repay that kindness. That kindness, I will never forget it.
That kindness... I wonder if that kindness exist in my world? And if so, would I have died on that faithful day? Would I have lived long enough to see my son grow into a man? Would my daughter grow into a majestic flower? Would I have met Akane if my clan never fell? For now, I have to think of ways to repay them. I've mourned the past, now it is time for me to focus on my future... Yet why does it hurt like so?
Author's Note
Fun Fact!
The reason Applejack says "in your debt" rather than the usual "yer" is due to her mimicking how Ryoto speaks.
Shroomkin's Glossary:
Kashira - The Pommel of the blade
Chapter 5: The Morning Thereafter
The soothing winds that whistle drew my attention. No longer was I inside a house that creaks, but rather in an open field of rice. Where the green pastures were ever more present, as the cattle freely grazed at the lush green grass without a care in the world. This was no longer Ponyville, this was my home. A land so rich and pure, yet tainted by war and grief and of sorrow. Such is the way of my homeland. I knew these streets, I knew these houses. I knew these people. yet why are their faces so hollow? Why must they frown as such?
For the first time in so long, I was human once again. I felt my face, my hands, and my long and unkempt hair. No longer was it tied as it flowed freely in the wind. It was calming, breathtaking even. I was back home! But, it felt off. I saw it burn with my own two eyes. Was that a dream? Was I, all this time, thinking of a drastic and brutal dream? A work of a demon? Then why must I feel like so? Why do I feel guilty upon cutting a mare so kind to me? She does not exist, does she? Was my whole life but a fragment of my imagination?
I got my answers when I stepped forth upon the yard of my old home. And there I saw, standing in the doorway, my family. My father, one who I saw die at the hands of my enemy, was standing ever so stiffly at the doorway. My mother, who drowned as she fell in the river amidst the chaos, was right by his side. My siblings, who ran and cried and burned to death, were all standing in front of them. They were all looking at me. I wept at the sight. They were alive.
I was about to run to them, but the sound of my father's voice stopped me at my tracks. "You," he shouted. "You are not worthy to be in our presence, boy." I was shocked, fuming even. His words were harsh, yet knowing him, perhaps there was something that I did wrong. It hurts, but after a while, all will settle, like a ripple amongst a lake. What shook me to my core was the stern voice of my mother. "You left us alone," she said as she stepped forth. I didn't leave them, did I? "You left us alone, you ungrateful child!" My mother, the once kind woman, shouted with such despair and sorrow and anger. It brought me to my knees. What was happening? "Traitor! Bastard!" My siblings said afterwards. "Why did you leave us, brother?" My younger sister asked, yet I have no voice to answer. What were they talking about? Then, the sound of screaming distracted me as I gazed around me. No longer was it the quiet and peaceful village, but the dreaded war-torn village.
I then found myself surrounded by flames. The sickening hues of orange and red, the shadows it casted over my family as I watched them burn in front of me. "Why did you leave us?" They said. "You were supposed to protect us!" The roars of the flame echoed in my ears as I stumbled backwards. The villagers, they were rotten and burned; their skin melted and their bones were visible. "You are a disgrace!" One of them called out as they lunged their uchigatana at me.
"Traitor!"
"You left us to die here!"
"Failure!"
"You should've died here!"
"You have tarnished the name of the Akamine clan!"
They rallied and attacked me, throwing stones at me, stabbing me with their blades as my blood flowed constantly in the road. I screamed and begged for mercy, but they never gave me their mercy. They continued on and on and on. But the worst pain of them all was when I saw my mother. My kind and gentle mother, who would hug me and comfort me when I had a troubling day, drew forth her own blade and stabbed me in the heart as she knelt down and faced me. Her hair was wet, she coughed out black water every time she spoke, her eyes were dull and leaking the same black water. "You have no family here," she said as she continuously stabbed me. I screamed louder and louder, "No more!" I begged. But the pain wouldn't stop. I saw my siblings, now burnt corpses missing limbs, throwing daggers at me. My own father chopped off my arm as I cried. And then it stopped.
And all I saw in front of me was a woman holding a baby in her arms. "No," I muttered. It was her. It was Akane. But something was terribly wrong. A sword was buried deep within her chest, a hole next to it. Her beautiful eyes were black, and her mouth was overflowing with blood. "No more! Please!" I begged and cried. I heard laughter and crying as I looked around. I saw the bandits that killed her, the baby was skinned alive.
And I saw my villagers once more. "No one can save you," they all chanted. The whispers grew louder, the sounds of crying and screaming grew louder. It was all too much to bear. "Someone, anyone, please! Please end this nightmare!!" I said to myself as I clutched my ears, weeping and begging for it all to stop.
And then, the unthinkable happened. A bright and soothing light emerged from the heavens, and all I could hear was the loud and commanding voice of a woman. "BEGONE!" the voice commanded, and all turned to white, and in the process, slowly dimming unto darkness.
I awoke from such a nightmare sweating and crying, screaming as I clutched my ears. I panted heavily, my voice was raspy. I was shaking, and in the midst of chaos, I stumbled. The sudden pain upon my head made me regain a bit of consciousness as I stopped my screaming. And it was then that I saw three colorful blobs in front of me. But they were not blobs.
If I recall correctly, they called themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders. A weird name for a growing clan, but a fitting name nevertheless. There they stood, visibly shaking, the unicorn was even crying. I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. The ringing stopped soon after, and in my alert state, I saw that there was a bowl on the floor, its contents spilled. Some of it was stuck in a wall. I turned to see them as they tried in their panic state to open the door. It was then that the door opened, revealing none other than Lady- no, Applejack (as she wanted to be called). "What in tarnation- What the hay happened here?!"
The three fillies then spoke all at the same time. Luckily the red stallion, Big Mac, came by and took the young fillies away. I couldn't see his expression, but I am pretty sure he was angry at me. I do not know. I have hurt their friend in front of me, so I do know of their ire.
"Rioto, what the hay happened?" Applejack said as she came closer to me. She was furious, or so I believe. I've scared her sister, of course she would be.
All these thoughts lingering in my mind as I failed to notice that she was talking to me. What is happening, what happened to that... that nightmare?! "RIOTO!" She finally screamed as she clutched at my shoulders, or rather, my withers. She was speaking, shouting my name for quite some time. I snapped back to reality as I looked at her. It was not anger that I saw in those green eyes, but worry. I placed my hooves upon my face as I rubbed my eyes. "I- I just... I had... a nightmare..." I said, weakly.
"Rioto... would ya mind tellin' me, sugarcube?" She said gently as she sat beside me. I scoffed, trying to act brave, but I couldn't do it. I looked at the ground, the silence ever so damning. "It's... I had a nightmare about my family..."
"What happened?" She asked cautiously while rubbing my back. "It was... they were... they said horrid and terrible things..."
"Oh... Ah'm sure that they wouldn't mean it-" she said as I interrupted. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!! I... They..." I sighed.
"Have you experienced loss?" I asked. The silence was, in what they call, awkward. "Yes," she silently said. "Did ya dream about losing them?"
"No... I," I said as I rubbed my arm. "I lost them... I lost them all."
The silence lingered for quite some time as she finally spoke.
"Do ya wanna talk about it?"
"Yes..." And so I did talk about them. I mustered my courage to talk about them. I talked about how great my family was, of how my mother was kind and caring. Of how she took care of me, of how she told stories every night whenever I could not sleep. Of how she sang songs to my siblings. I talked about my father, of how he was brave and honest, the strongest of our kin. Of how our training started, of how proud he was of me. I told her about my siblings, of how we would play after my father's training. Of how we would wander through the village with no care in the world.
And then I told her of what happened. I saw how my father was killed in combat, of how my enemies burned each and every house they could see. I told her of how my mother drowned, of how my siblings burned to death. I told her of the war that happened, that claimed the lives of my friends and their families. I told her of my losses.
And the silence was damning.
And I told her of what happened in the nightmare, of how I was berated and torn apart continuously. Of the things my own family said.
And I told her about Akane... Of how I loved her dearly... and how she perished, leading me in this place. And in my ramblings, I didn't hear a new set of hooves approaching at the door. I was weak, and frankly, I wasn't paying attention.
And the silence that followed was brutal.
"Why didn't I die?" I asked through the tears. She was shocked, and she, too, was in tears. She hugged me, now knowing more about me. She didn't have words to comfort me. All she ever did was to hug me and bring me close to her. How could she, after hearing something like that? After hearing what I have been through? "Ah'm... Ah'm sorry, sugarcube..." It was all she said.
"Ah really am sorry, sugarcube..."
And then I wept upon her chest. I never really noticed the stallion and the elder mare outside the doorway, but I think they've heard. All I ever heard were their hooves as they got farther and farther away from the door. A burden I had kept for so long, now flowing as free as the wind, and with it came tears of the man who tried to hide it.
The Honesty Upon a Clear Glass World
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The Serene State of Mind in the Midst of a Meeting
Chapter 3: The Serene State of Mind in the Midst of a Meeting
Gone are the days that made me hate. The days that made me fear, the cruelty and anguish my clan endured. Gone are those days wherein I sharpen my blade alongside my comrades to prepare for war. Gone are the days where I spend my nights with my wife. Now I dream in eternal slumber as I await my journey to the Takamagahara through the sacred bridge of Ame-no-ukihashi . This dream world, however, must be influenced by the last thing I saw, the orange mare who galloped gracefully towards my dying body. I loathe the man who let such a mare go uncared for in that dreadful place. For it to roam in a battlefield of rusted metal and blood-soaked cloth, I loathe to think of such.
This dream world is surprising, though. For it to feel so... real, there could be a time where I might fear my own creation should I ever dream of such nightmares. The feel of this paper underneath my hooves, the soft yet firm feeling from the zabuton behind my back; the warmth of the light from the sun as it shone through the window, the cold and brisk air surrounding the room, the very breath I make, it's far too realistic. Yet I have seen and talked with the horses, or well, ponies, as what Nurse Redheart has told me, thus concluding that this world truly is but a dream. There were claims from people talking with animals, yet I have never encountered them doing so. Surely, this is but a long dream. Perhaps the gods are testing me to see if I am truly worthy of the solace of rest that I yearn for.
Still, I am glad that my grip is coming back to me. It had been two days since I've been in this "hospital". For two days I have been tested. For what reason, I do not know. In that time, I have learned from Nurse Redheart that once I start to get better, I can venture forward into their village. This "Ponyville" they speak of, according to her anyways, is a bright and peaceful village, home to many tribes of these ponies. I am inclined not to believe it had I not seen a winged pony and a horned pony. Apparently they are called Pegasi and Unicorns. I asked if the unicorns are related to the Kirin, only to find that they are two different tribes.
While they were at it, she told me that I have to pass certain tests, though I do not know what they mean. I simply stood there in front of their "Eks-rae", I endured the pricking of needles upon my skin, and I answered their questions of how I feel to the best of my abilities.
Still, I have to thank Nurse Redheart for allowing someone such as myself to gain new knowledge on this dream world. While not as skilled as a teacher, she managed to give me lectures on the basics of their katakana , or rather, their alphabet. I find it amusing, though still burdened by the book in front of me, for I can not read it, even if the "cover" is enticing. I do not wish to burden Nurse Redheart even more just for her to read the book for me. It would be shameful. I have to study if I wish to understand this book in front of me, to get back to writing poetry for the sake of my own peace. Staring once more at the window, I mutter to myself.
"The misty mountain, Sits upon the lake of tears. Such sadness, it bears..."
"Wow, that's a really nice poem!" Said the lavender unicorn as she stepped inside the room. Along with her were the familiar faces of the horses, no, ponies that I saw when I first woke up. The orange mare I first saw as I lay on the ground was there, this time with a brown hat of some sorts. Not wanting to be rude, I slowly bowed in their direction. "Forgive me, nurse, but I believe I am done with the 'tests' for the current day." Looking at them, they had this confused look upon their muzzles, and I would be daft if I didn't think of this as cute. "I only wish to rest for the moment," I replied as I gazed at the window once more.
"Oh sweetie, they aren't nurses! They're here to check on you!" Nurse Redheart said as she stepped forward from the group. Looking back at them, I swiftly bowed. "My apologies, I assumed too much."
She giggled as she checked on my "Ai Vee" Drip. Once she was done, she waved us all goodbye as she stepped outside the room, leaving me in silence with the rest of the ponies. "Hehe, soo..." The lavender mare started, "I heard that you needed a teacher? Well, I always wanted to be one, though, it's more for the subject of theoretical and applicational approach to magic. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and well, I'd be happy to teach somepony like you, eager and hungry for knowledge! I hope to learn from you too, it would be a pleasure!" She said ecstatically as she smiled. Frantically, however, she decided to bow, much to my amusement.
"I heard from Nurse Redheart that you react much more positively if we bow back, soo," she said as she nudged her friend, the cyan pegasus, who was snickering from the looks of it. "Relax, Twi, you're probably freaking him out," she said as she landed. "Well anyways, I'm Rainbow Dash! Fastest flyer of ALL of Equestria! Remember that, okay squirt?" She didn't bow, much to the chagrin of Twilight. The white unicorn simply rolled her eyes as she stepped forward, bowing as gracefully as a noblewoman. Perhaps she is one?
"It is a pleasure to meet you, though, I do not know your name, darling. I refuse to believe what Nurse Redheart said regarding your name. Perhaps you were joking at the time, so I wish to know yours properly. You may address me simply as Rarity, darling. And I must say, your clothes are absolutely divine!" Rainbow rolled her eyes, annoyed at the nobility in front of her. The disrespect of this mare... Suddenly, the pink mare bounced in front of Rarity.
"Hiya! My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, or Pinkie Pie! You're new to Ponyville but you are stuck here in this insy-bitsy room so it must be boring! But don't worry, once you become a-okay, you will have the biggest, most amazingest, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, 'WELCOME TO PONYVILLE AND GET WELL SOON' party ever! Ooohh, I can't wait, can you wait? I bet you can't wait more than me! I'm the world champ, you see!" The pink mare, Pinkie Pie it seems, spoke as she bowed her head. She also gave me a piece of bread with pink snow, a touch of tiny blue and red rocks. The orange mare simply placed a hoof on her face as she, along with the yellow pegasus walked towards me.
"Mighty sorry 'bout that sugarcube. They're just a tad bit excited to meet ya. They're nice folks once ya get to know 'em. Name's Applejack, proud apple farmer of Sweet Apple Acres, and Ah heard ya were askin' where Ah am?" Following Twilight's example, she bowed soon after she's done her greetings. "Ah, so the mare who brought me here is known as Applejack," I silently thought to myself as I gazed on the yellow pegasus who quietly started to walk towards me. "Oh... I hope we didn't disturb you. We're really sorry. Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Timid was her nature as she gently grabbed my hoof, inspecting it like how a mother would do to a son who scraped their arm. This continued for a few seconds before Applejack coughed. Almost everypony cringed when they remembered... something as they looked at me with worry once more.
"Oh, uhm, right. I'm... Fluttershy. It's nice to meet you." Fluttershy then bowed.
With the introductions done, I decided to properly sit up and kneel, not realizing how painful my position might look to the others. I slowly bowed my head as I introduced myself, only to stop when I heard them. Hearing their gasps, I accurately guessed that they were worried about my hind legs. Fluttershy tried to get close, only for her to stop when I spoke. "From where I come from, this is how we show sincerity," I said before bowing my head. "I am Ryoto of the once proud Akamine clan. You may call me Akamine Ryoto."
"That's pretty cool!" I heard a tiny squeak as I looked at the door. Standing there were three foals, each with a distinguishable feature. The normal pony had a pink bow, the pegasus had tiny wings, and the unicorn, who was a bit scared of me I presume, had a curly mane. "Apple Bloom! What'd Ah tell ya 'bout barging in like that?" Applejack scolded. The young pegasus then stared at something in the wall as she squeaked even more. "Really cool sword!" She was about to touch it, only for a lavender aura to pick it up. "No can do, this is dangerous and probably important to mister... uhh... Rioto Acka Meene." The pegasus pouted, only for her to be picked up by Rainbow Dash. "It's okay, Scoots, we'll get you a bigger one!"
Twilight was apparently appalled by the idea as she scolded the cyan pegasus. It was when I noticed the white unicorn foal upon my side as she cautiously looked at my posture. "Doesn't that hurt?" Rarity, shocked at this, immediately plucked her sister off the bed. "Sweetie Belle! You do NOT just climb another pony's bed without asking for their permission! That is simply rude and uncouth!" She then turned her attention back to me as she apologized. "Although, I really am curious. Are you not hurt by your, position whatsoever?"
I simply shook my head. "It is of proper etiquette, lady Rarity. I have been trained to do so in my early years." She gasped, though, I do not know why. "Well, uhh, regardless, you three, introduce yourselves to our guest!" The three pouted, only to smile once more. Sweetie Belle, apparently, became snarky as she replied back. "But Rarity! He isn't even in our house!" Before Rarity could retort, however, the three spoke up.
"I'm Apple Bloom!"
And then they huddled together. "And together, we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" They then bounced in place as a burst of questions came from their tiny snouts. The only ones I caught were about what I did, where I came from, and what my favorite dish is. Stunned by it all, I simply stared back at the lavender unicorn mare and the orange mare. "I would be in your care, Professor Twilight. I agree to teach you as you have to teach me." Twilight giggled as she... danced in place? I really do not know how to explain her actions. I then turned to the orange mare, "And I am in your debt, Mistress Applejack. I have been told of how large your land is, and as such, I am yours to command." The others went silent as they looked at each other. "Beggin' yer pardon there, sugarcube, but what're ya talkin' about?"
"You hold the largest land, therefore, you must be the ruler of this place. I humbly bow unto your presence, Mistress Applejack. I believe Lady Rarity simply came with you in this visit as both of you are of powerful nobility." I bowed once more, prostrating myself to the mares in front of me. "I am at your beck and call as you have saved me from a painful nightmare."
The others were simply stunned. "Uhh, did you hit your head or somethin-" Rainbow said only to cringe at herself. "Yeah, no, ignore that." As she wished, I simply chose to ignore... whatever it was that she wanted to say. Confused by it all, I simply looked back at them. "Are you not the heiress of your Daimyō, mistress Applejack?" I could see it in her eyes that she doesn't understand. "Very well, though I am still in your debt. Should you need me, I will heed the call."
"Now, don't go assumin' that I'd let ya help out ALL the time there, partner. Ya need to rest and regain yer energy, none of this 'in your debt' thing. Ya understand?" Her dialect really is heavy. "I understand. I do wish to start learning soon. After all, Nurse Redheart told me that I may leave after a few days." Twilight, giggling sheepishly, simply replied. "Yeah, haha, I can't wait!"
As the sun sets down on the horizon, I felt surprisingly calm. It wasn't the usual calm I had. It was... serenity. Perhaps I have passed one of the tests from the hundreds the gods might give. The visitors were gone, yet I still feel their presence, as if they never left. I pray I do not plague such lands with my nightmares. Ecstatic, however, at the news of learning, I silently muttered words as I gazed at the setting sun.
"The cherry blossom Blooms forth in lush majesty. Such stillness in grace."
Author's Note
Shroomkin's Glossary:
Takamagahara: A Shinto version of heaven, also known as "High Plane of Heaven"
