Fate Of The Spirited

                                                                             Chapter 4

                                                         "My sword, My shield, My redemption"

                                                                        By Spunkyspunks95

(If the dialog has # either side, it means the protagonist is talking through the device in his helm that projects his voice.)

Ryder awoke in the soft warm bed of Applejack's place that he'd been given. As always Celestia's sun would beam through the window, hitting the lids of his eyes and causing him to groan. Ryder then remembered as he opened his eyes slightly, about the strange but also wonderful night before. Glancing over at his side, his eyes fell on the armor, the helm and the blade that didn't move from the corner of the room, that he propped them up in before he slept. Good, it's still there, Ryder thought to himself, as he pulled his tired weight from the mattress.

He gathered up his equipment, placing it in a bag. After a minute or so of gazing into the mirror and messing with his spiky jet black hair, he slung the bag over his shoulder and headed down for Breakfast. Applejack had already been cooking up a storm in the kitchen for her guest and had the table laid out with a feast of delicious treats.

"Morning AJ!" Chirped Ryder, dropping the bag to the ground and pulling up a seat at the table.

"Mornin Sugercube! Yah get sum good rest?"

"Yeah I did thank's. It's nice to be able to wake up after a party, without a hangover for once." The orange Earth pony raised an eye brow of confusion. "Hangover? What's that?" The human just shook his head at her question, causing her to shrug and turn the tide of the conversation towards the delicious food before him.

"So what do yah think of the breakfast?"

Ryder promptly took hold of a knife and fork, and began to load a plate up of apple fritters and apple tarts.

"The food looks amazing AJ. Why all this effort?" Said Ryder biting into the tart, "It even tastes lush!"

Applejack just giggled to herself a little bit "Well You're a guest Ryder! Nothin' better than cookin' up some of the families best recipes." After a good 5 minutes of silence, with nothing but the sound of the human scoffing down the food. A filly entered the room wearing a big bow in her mane. She was rubbing her eyes with her forehoof, before she headed into the kitchen and took a seat. Ryder's eyes finally arose from his plate, that was now just bearing crumbs. Applejack pointed a foreleg at the filly, "This here is ma little sister Applebloom. Ah don't think ya met her yet." Applebloom looked at the human with a sort of puzzled curiosity on her muzzle. "Well nice to meet you darlin!" Ryder held out his hand, trying to be as friendly and non-intimidating as possible. To his fortune she suddenly beamed a smile at him and met his open hand with her little yellow hoof. "Nice tah meet yah! What are yah exactly?" She released his shake, going back into her puzzled look. Ryder still wasn't use to having to explain what he was exactly, but it just came hand in hand with being in a whole new universe. Ryder sat forwards in his chair, flashing a calm smirk at the young filly. "I'm a Human, but you can call me Ryder. Oh! and don't worry I really don't mean you any harm." The filly smiled back at him, sensing truth in his words. Ryder then took a quick look at the time, launching to his feet and slinging the bag back over his shoulder.

"Where yah goin' in such a hurry?" Said Applejack.

"I'm sorry to leave you two, but i'v got a long day a head of me as always. Thanks for the food AJ, it really was as good as it looked!"

He flashed her a smile, which left the earth pony blushing slightly and patted the younger sister on the head. "Well ah suppose i'll need to get Applebloom to school soon. Even after that there's an apple tree or two that needs buckin'." With that said, Ryder said his farewells and set off clutching the bag over his shoulder. He didn't really have anything to do that day, so what a better time to take a look at the equipment he found last night. He headed off in the direction of the Everfree forest, thinking about how secluded is was, perfect for what he was eager to do. At the same time he could always pop in to Fluttershy's and say hello to the shy mare for a bit. It would be rude not to since he was in the neighborhood and all.

The journey to the forest was relaxing. The gentle breeze caressed Ryder's skin as he gazed up at the blue sky, that blanketed above him. He noticed the odd cloud or two that was being taken care of by the local Pegasi. So other than that it was clear that it was going to be nice out for the rest of the day. Ryder soon found himself in a nice private area of the woods. No one seemed to be around, leaving him alone with his equipment and only the company of the creatures around him. This.. This doesn't seem possible.. The old man keeps on saying i'm important or something. But.. But why am I.

As Ryder's thoughts raced through his head, he undid the bag which revealed the armor. He placed it on and as it did the last time, it fitted perfectly. Gripping the blade which seemed to glow with a blue aura, he started to practice his movements. Both in the slashing of the sword and how well he could move in general in the armor. He spent the next few hours climbing different tree's, jumping from trunk to trunk before diving to the earth, flailing his blade in increasingly swift movements. This was his intention to try and build up his agility and stamina.

There was something he couldn't quite put his finger on though. Ever since he found the armor and the blade, he'd been feeling an overwhelming feeling. Like something had been awoken inside of him, his blood flowed through him, pulsing with each heartbeat, and each heartbeat had become an odd sensation. Everything just seemed like it was bettering itself, after he had heard those whispering words, that poem in the tomb. Ryder soon thought to himself after landing to his feet,

I need to go back there! I must look into what did this. He began to head in the direction of the tombs last known whereabouts, but as he finally stepped through into the opening, he saw nothing. The place had completely vanished, leaving nothing but a grass less patch on the ground, as if nothing had grown there for years. He sat down on a near by log, placing his head in his hands in hope to recollect himself. But after a matter of minutes a familiar friend had crept up on him.

"H-Hello there mr. Ryder..."

"Gah! Fuck!"

Ryder had jumped up off of the log, placing his hand on his chest and breathing heavily.

"Oh.. Haha! It's only you Fluttershy.. You scared me a little."

The Pegasus herself had yelped at his sudden jolt of fear, leaving her now hiding behind a tree. Ryder beckoned for her to come out, kneeling down on one leg and smiling at her warmly. Fluttershy soon after coming out to face him, opened her mouth hesitantly. "I was wondering what you was doing out here all by yourself.. The forest can be awfully dangerous.. If you don't mind me saying." She bowed her head down slightly at that last statement.

"I could never imagine Equestria to be the slightest bit dangerous, in all the time I have been here Fluttershy. It seems to be just rainbows and happiness here." As Ryder finished, curling his mouth into a smug careless smile, he then noticed a chill in the air. "Umm Fluttershy.. Are you okay?" The Pegasus was frozen, looking directly at him. Until Ryder soon found she wasn't looking at him.

Ryder's heart began to thump as hard as possible in his chest, creating the feeling it was about to bust on out of him. He slowly but surely turned his gaze behind him, to notice something that would make a grown man urinate himself. Standing a good few feet above him was a monster he had only read about... until now. He stared at it for a brief moment before it opened it's mouth and let out an ungodly roar.

"M-m-MANTICORE!!!" Cried Fluttershy racing back behind the tree.

"Shhi-"

Before Ryder could even curse he was swatted like a bug across the area, colliding into a tree. He lifted his head and clambered to his feet, slipping the helmet that hung at his side, back over his head.The creature seemed focused on Fluttershy, who was already hiding up at the top of the tree. She wailed cries of help as the creature slammed on the bark of the tree. Shit, shit shit! What do I do? Ryder thought in his panic. "#Oh right! The sword!#" He lowered his hand to his side, slowly unsheathing the blade. The blade began it's steady saber like hum, as it came into contact with the air. Gripping it in his hands, in the best stance he knew so far of practicing, he took a deep breath and mumbled to himself, "#Here goes nothing.#"

He charged the beast with pure focus and aggression, bringing his blade down, cutting through the air and slashing through the skin of the Manticore's side. It let out a high pitched roar of agony, smoke like blood lingered out of it's open wound. Turning to swipe again at Ryder, who had already evaded it's attack. He brought down the blade once again. He swished through it's joints, completely removing the creatures back legs. It collapsed to the floor, it's stinger flailing, attempting to hit Ryder, who was diving out of it's reach. The blade had almost burned the creatures wounds shut as it cut, leaving smoke lingering from it's stumps. He took a steady step back, angling the blade to completely remove the stinger, which stabbed close to Ryder's feet.

*SWOOSH*

It's stinger laid a good few meters away from it's body, still flailing though it had no control anymore. The creature let out a single whine, before it was silenced. Ryder bought down the pummel directly on the back of it's neck, creating a loud crack before a strong silence. The creature was dead and it's body now laid lifeless on the floor of the Everfree. He breathed heavily, staring down at the corpse. His blade sheathed back to his side and he slowly lifted the helm from his head. He finally turned his glance to the whimpering mare in the tree.

"It's safe to come down now Flutters.. Honestly."

She slowly but surely made her way down from the tree top, sitting at his side before the beasts smoking corpse. He began to rub his eyes in an almost frustrated manner, before turning his head to the mare at his side.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded still shocked at what had just happened, but more importantly at what the human was capable of. He ran his gloved hand down her back, reassuring her that it was all okay. The mare stuttered a little bit before finally speaking up,

"You.. You saved me.. I didn't want to see any creature get hurt like this. But you saved me."

"It's no problem, the beast had to be slain. I'm not about to let my friend get ripped to pieces by that thing." Ryder gritted his teeth, calming himself to a large sigh. They could already hear the tranquility of the forest return, the singing of the birds around them and the gentle swaying of the leafs. "Look.. Let's head back to yours alright? I'll make you a cup of tea the way it's made where i'm from." He flashed a smile at her, which she took in well and nodded.

"Well you go on ahead, i'll catch up in a second."

The Pegasus began to hover slightly, heading off toward the direction of her cottage. He gazed at the beasts fallen form and at the wounds he had created. Moment's passed, and Ryder broke his stare from the corpse. Walking off in the direction Fluttershy went.

The two were now sitting down in Fluttershy's living room. Ryder had already brewed up two cups of tea the way an Englishman makes it and by the sounds of it, Fluttershy was enjoying it. The two sat and talked, time passed idly as topics ranging from what animals there were back on Earth to what the gear he had was.

Ryder took a few more rather loud slurps of his tea, setting the mug on the table. He looked back to Fluttershy, realizing how much time had passed since they got back to hers. "Sorry Fluttershy, I really should head off. I'v been here so long I lost track of time. It's already 5 pm."

The Pegasus bowed her head slightly in disappointment before looking back up with a thankful smile on her face. "I-It's fine.. I should really feed angel bunny before he get's a bit grouchy."

Looking down, Ryder noticed a white rabbit that looked a little pissed off. It gave him a glaring look, causing Ryder to frown at it. "Yeah, good luck with that one!" Ryder smiled to her, climbed to his feet and slowly walked to the door.

"R-Ryder?" The quite voice caused him to halt in his tracks, holding the door half open. "Thank you again for saving me..." Ryder glanced back giving a little wink, then proceeded to be on his way.

He finally got home that night. Back at Twilight's tree house. She had laid out a spectacular dinner for him of something she knew he could eat and would like in Equestria. FISH! They spent the night laughing and stuffing themselves with the feast. So far that had been the best night Ryder had with her. He had to be honest in the end though, he told her all about what happened that day. Even about the armor and what he could tell her of the night before.

Twilight look completely baffled by what he had told her. But there was just something about what he was telling her that just made her hold on to every word he said. She couldn't disbelieve him, though this was something she would of never expected to happen. "So you're telling me that you saved Fluttershy? That you KILLED a Manticore?" Twilight raised an eye brow on her words.

Ryder set down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth. "Yes, I wouldn't lie to you. You've done nothing but show me kindness since I got here. I consider you a friend as much as you probably consider me one." Twilight smiled at him, lowering her head with a smile on her face. "I couldn't let anything happen to you girls, that's why I did what I did. If I didn't act, Fluttershy would of been hurt."

Twilight let out a sigh, raising her head back for her sight to meet Ryder. "I'm just glad that you're both okay, it's just hard to take in is all." Ryder turned his head, remembering that Spike was also sitting there. He looked so fascinated by what Ryder had been saying. It was like a child listening to mighty stories of Knight's slaying beasts. All he could do was smile at the small purple dragon, letting out a huge yawn before wiping his eyes.

"Well someone's tired! I think you should head up to bed.. Hero." Twilight gave a wink.

"You all head up first, i'm going to wash up. It's the least I can do since you managed to find me some meat here." Ryder began to wash up, before heading up stairs and snuggling up in his new bed that Twilight had spike put together. It really was comfortable. Much more comforting than the sofa anyways. Ryder bought the cover even further up his body, engulfing him in a soft cotton ball of pure relaxation.

Twilight and Spike eventually came up. Spiked climbed into his little bed and Twilight got in hers. Ryder could almost feel her stare on him from her side of the room. To which he mumbles from beneath the blanket "Good night Twilight, I owe you a great deal.. I honestly do." Ryder suddenly heard a little thud and before he knew it, Twilight had climbed into his bed and was about this time now, embracing him with her small purple hooves. No words were even uttered. They just sat there in the blissful silence of the room at night. The bliss of the tree houses heat, and the bliss of just feeling loved and accepted for once.