Chapter 11: So Random

I was walking through Canterlot, down one of the main streets. I could see the rubble and ruin of destroyed buildings all around me. The wreckage burned and smoked all around me, all I could hear was the crackling and popping of burning debris. I could smell only smoke and dust in the air, not flowers, fresh green grass, nothing.

I continued walking down a road leading to a much larger one. I stopped at an intersection and looked on my right to see the castle was no longer there. In its place stood a large, jagged looking castle made with pale, rough, gray brick, instead of the polished marble that covered the old castle. I could hear an evil, echoing laughter in the distance, and the sound of a screaming group of terrified ponies.

I felt someone standing behind me, I quickly turned to see Princess Luna, staring at the new castle.

"This is what will become of Canterlot and all of Equestria, if Xendo has his way," Princess Luna said.

"What, happened here?" I asked her, slowly.

"Nothing, at least not yet," she spoke.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Dako, this is a dream, none of this is real, this is merely a view into the possible future. What can very easily happen," Princess Luna said looking me in the eye.

"Wait, you can come into dreams?" I asked.

"Of course," she said as if it were common knowledge.

"Wait, are you alright? Does Xendo have you somewhere?" I asked.

"I am fine Dako. While he captured my sister I was in another part of the castle and was able to escape. I am safe, but Equestria is not," she said.

"What do I do?" I asked.

"You are already on the right track with your training. You must beat Xendo again, and this time, you must kill him, but you will only be able to if you believe in yourself," Luna said.

"Damn Luna, your kinda cold and tough," I said halfway joking, "was that why Princess Celestia sent you to the moon?"

Luna didn't find it funny.

"Dako, this is no time for jokes. Remember, you must believe in yourself, and you must kill him," She said.

"But princess, how do I-."

I opened my eyes and woke up. I sat up looking around, remembering where I was. I remembered I was at Twilight's in her guest bed. I looked down and saw Fluttershy by my side. She stayed with me for the night.

Twilight wanted to watch me and make sure I was completely healthy after each training session. She had all kinds of machines hooked up to me that measured my pulse and blood pressure, my body temperature, my breathing, my brain functions, and other vital organ functions.

She estimated that for a saiyan and someone my age, size, and physical build, that I was only at sixty percent of my healthiest possible condition. She was sure that after the five days of training and her specialized diet that I would be at one hundred percent.

"Good morning Dako, ready for you're next training session?" Twilight asked, walking up the stairs.

"Oh, good morning Twilight, I think I'm ready, what was today's session again?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Today Pinkie Pie is supposed to be working with you," Twilight said.

"Uh, heh-heh, I don't really know how that's gonna work, what will she do again?" I asked.

"She's supposed to make sure you're ready for anything that comes your way when fighting Xendo," Twilight said.

"Oh, great, how well could that go?" I said to myself.

I heard Fluttershy make a whimpering sound. I looked down beside me and saw her roll over to face me, wrapping her forelegs around my waist and pulling herself towards me.

"Oh Fluttershy, time to get up, we gotta train me to fight again," I said to her softly, stroking her mane.

She opened her eyes and looked at me with a smile.

"Good morning Dako," she said.

"Good morning Fluttershy, you look beautiful as always," I said to her.

"Thank you," she said, "what time is it?"

"It's six o'clock, time for Dako to start getting ready," Twilight started, "do you need to borrow my shower?"

"Sure," I said getting up out of bed.

I followed Twilight as she led me to the bathroom.

"So," I said, "when are the others supposed to be here?"

"Soon, they're on their way," Twilight said.

We got to the bathroom. Twilight opened the door for me and handed me a towel.

"Here you go, there's soap in the shower and shampoo if you need," Twilight said, turning to leave.

"Wait, what do I do about clothes? I need clean clothes," I said.

"Don't worry, Rarity will be over soon with your new clothes," Twilight said.

"Oh, cool, well, thank you," I said.

"You're welcome," Twilight replied.

I shut the door and headed for the shower. I turned the water on and let it run for a while, waiting for the water to get hot. I started undressing when I heard someone knock at the door. I wrapped the towel around my waist and listened carefully.

"Dako? Can I come in?" Fluttershy asked from outside.

"Oh, sure, one second," I said, opening the door for her.

I let her in, shutting the door behind her.

"What's up? You need to shower too?" I asked.

"Yes, I haven't gone home to shower in almost two days," she said.

"Wait, who's watching the animals?" I asked.

"Mr. Greenhooves is taking care of them for me. He agreed to stay all week so I could stay with you all week," she said.

"Aw, thank you Fluttershy," I said.

"So, may I join you?" she asked.

"Sure, but I only have this one towel, we'll get another from Twilight later, come on," I said.

I tested the water and made some more adjustments. I pulled the shower curtains back and let Fluttershy into the shower first. I took my towel off and set it on the bathroom counter before getting in.

Fluttershy and I had showered before. We were fine with it. The first couple of times were a little awkward, and even a little uncomfortable I'll admit. But in no time we were both used to it. Usually I liked to shampoo Fluttershy's mane for her though, she liked it. And in return, she helped me wash my own hair, since it was long and sometimes hard to clean, and I usually had to use a lot of shampoo.

I took the shower head down from its holder and made sure I had washed all the shampoo out of Fluttershy's hair. She unfolded her wings so I could soap up and scrub them for her, she normally had a really hard time cleaning her wings on her own.

I heard someone knocking at the door.

"Hello? Who's there?" I asked.

"Dako, it's me Twilight, the others have arrived, are you done yet?" Twilight asked.

"Uh, almost, I'll be out in a minute," I called back.

I finished rinsing Fluttershy and myself off before turning the water off and stepping out of the shower. Fluttershy climbed out behind me. I grabbed the towel and began drying my hair, Fluttershy flapped her wings a few times to shake the water out of them, spraying water all over me.

"Hey, watch out," I laughed.

Fluttershy giggled, then she shook her head and flung water out of her mane.

"Sorry, did I get you wet," she said playfully.

"No, not really," I chuckled.

I covered myself with the towel.

"One minute Fluttershy, I'm gonna see if Twilight can get you a towel," I said, heading for the door.

I cracked open the door and stuck my head outside.

"Twilight," I called, "can I get another towel?"

Twilight shouted from the other room.

"Why, what happened to the one I gave you?" she asked.

"I used it, Fluttershy needs one!" I shouted back.

At that moment I knew the others were there, because I could hear them gasp and start mumbling.

"What do you mean Fluttershy needs one?" Twilight asked.

"I mean she's soaking wet and needs a towel, we just got out of the shower!" I replied.

I could hear them all gasp this time, and I could hear Rainbow Dash laughing. I heard hoof steps approaching quickly from around the corner. Twilight came to the door quickly with a towel and a stern look on her face. She barged into the bathroom and set the towel on the counter top.

"What are you two doing!?" she asked.

"What? We were just… Oh, you didn't know. Right, well, me and Fluttershy bathe together, it's not too weird, we're fine, I mean, we did everything together," I said.

"Fine, but, just hurry up, you need to train, now!" she said impatiently.

Fluttershy and I dried off. I put my towel back around my waist and walked out to meet the others. Rarity had my new clothes to show me and Twilight had a demonstration for their new features.

"Ah, there you two are," Rarity said, blushing lightly.

"So, how was your shower?" Rainbow Dash asked, holding back a laugh.

"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack said sternly.

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I said, "so, let's see my clothes."

Rarity opened a trunk and levitated out my clothes, but they looked like the same old outfit I wore when I fought Xendo last time. She laid them out on the table, the shirts, the pants, the boots, and the wristbands.

"This is one of my old outfits, right?" I asked, examining the clothing.

"Ah, looks can be deceiving. These are actually made completely from scratch," Rarity began.

"Huh, so, what's different?" I asked.

"Well, Twilight came up with and cast a spell that strengthens and tightens the fibers in the threads used to make this fabric. As a result the material is much, much stronger, temperature resistant, stain resistant, water repellent, and wrinkle resistant," Rarity said.

"Wow, all that?" I asked.

I leaned in closely looking at the fabric in the clothes. Suddenly a kitchen knife slammed down on one of the shirts right in front of my face. I jumped back in surprise.

"Ah! What the hell was that for?" I shouted.

I noticed the purple aura of magic surrounding the handle of the knife, and that the knife blade broke in half, and was bent slightly. It was Twilight who had the knife.

"See that?" Twilight asked, "It's very, very strong, it can resist punctures and stabs."

"Wow, okay, that's great, wanna warn me next time you do that?" I said, leaning back in.

"These garments are also incredibly light in weight, and very loose and flexible, giving you the most mobility and grace of any heroic warrior," Rarity said with pride.

"That's great and all, but I can still feel those punches he'll be throwing, and he has real body armor," I said.

"Not to worry, I also cast a spell that absorbs large amounts of shock from sudden impacts," Twilight said.

She levitated an egg from a carton sitting nearby and stuffed it inside the shirt. She lifted up a heavy book and dropped it on top of the shirt. The book never fell flat, but was clearly lying on top of something solid. She lifted the book up and pulled out the egg, completely intact.

"Wow, not bad, I want to put them on right now," I said, grabbing the shirt and pulling it over my head.

"Well whatever you do hurry, we've already wasted time, it's time to head out," Twilight said with urgency.

I quickly got dressed and followed the group outside, tightening my belt as I walked. I took a few steps outside and looked up to see that everyone was gone.

"Huh, guys, where'd you go?" I asked.

"Incoming!" I heard Pinkie Pie shout.

I was suddenly attacked by a green flash that slammed me into the wall of the library. I rubbed the back of my head and looked up to see an angry looking green creature with bright red eyes. I quickly stood up, backing into the wall.

"Is that a fucking Saibaman!?" I yelled.

Twilight stuck her head out from a bush.

"A what man? I don't know, your guess is as good as mine, Pinkie Pie found him," Twilight said.

I jumped into the air and floated high above it, trying to catch my breath.

"Pinkie Pie, where the hell did you find him!?" I yelled.

"We found the spot where Xendo's space ship crashed and there was a bunch of junk lying around, and I found these seed thingies there so I planted one and pop, this guy showed up, and he's been my bestest friend ever since," Pinkie Pie said.

"Pinkie Pie, that thing is a monster!" I yelled.

"What!? Bubbles would never hurt anypony!" Pinkie Pie yelled up.

"Bubbles" jumped straight up towards me and began to attack me, punching me like crazy. I tried to block every hit or move out of the way, but this guy was actually pretty tough, even for a Saibaman.

"Bad Bubbles, get down here right now!" Pinkie Pie yelled from below.

The Saibaman squeaked and croaked, looking down at Pinkie Pie. He gave me one last look and dropped back to the ground.

"Jeez, why the hell is that guy so tough?" I asked, dropping back the ground.

"It must've been the special super duper fertilizer I borrowed from Applejack when I planted his seed in the ground," Pinkie Pie said, giggling.

"Damn, well, let's start our training, hopefully it doesn't involve that guy," I said.

"Actually, Bubbles is gonna be a big part of your training, isn't that right Bubbles?" Pinkie Pie said, smiling.

"Oh crap, what are we gonna do?" I asked.

"Here, put this on," Pinkie Pie said, handing me a blindfold, "we're gonna teach you how to avoid getting beat up!"

"Okay, how?" I asked, putting on the blindfold.

I could hear Pinkie Pie whispering something, but I couldn't quite make it out. I heard Bubbles make a short croaking sound, and I was suddenly hit in the back of the head, knocked to the ground instantly.

"Step one, be aware of your surroundings," Pinkie Pie said cheerfully.

"Ah, surroundings!? He hit me!" I said, rubbing the back of my head, getting up to my knees.

I heard another croaking sound coming towards me from my right. I quickly hopped up and took to the air.

"That's a good start, but I'm pretty sure you heard him coming," Pinkie Pie said.

This time, without warning or making any noise whatsoever, Bubbles kicked me in the stomach, throwing me back a ways.

"There we go, not so easy when you can't see or hear," Pinkie Pie started.

"Yeah, what the hell, how do I find him?" I shouted, not knowing exactly where down below Pinkie Pie was.

"Silly Dako, you have to learn how to see without your eyes and hear without your ears!" Pinkie Pie said cheerfully.

For a second I started to remember how I learned to sense energy so that I could use the instant transmission. But I hadn't used any of those abilities for an entire year. It was taking a while to remember how to do that.

I was punched in the chest repeatedly, without warning, and it hurt like hell.

"Rarity, Twilight, I thought you said this thing could absorb punches!?" I yelled down.

"I said it could absorb energy from strong impacts," Twilight started, " I never said it could stop someone with powers like yours, it only weakens impacts! Give me a break, it's still a shirt, only fractions of an inch thin!"

I floated there, still trying to sense Bubbles, until he hit me over the head, sending me into the ground. I lied there with a sudden headache, and I was a little dizzy. I kept trying to sense him. Then I heard him shrieking, just before I could hear him take off towards me. Then I could feel it, like a heat lamp on my back, I felt a flash.

I quickly rolled to my side, feeling him strike the ground and hearing a loud thud. I felt another flash, and this time it stayed with me, like a static electric charge pulling against me from the direction he was in. I felt his presence strengthen as he flew towards me.

I waited until he was within striking distance, then I kicked him in the chest, sending him away from me.

"Good work Bubbles, you can stop now," Pinkie Pie said.

I heard him croaking angrily in my direction, but I felt him leave, walking away.

"Now, step two," Pinkie Pie said, "concentration when there's a lot going on around you!"

I started to hear loud dance music playing, almost like dubstep. Then I felt a bunch of wind and could hear some fans going. Finally, I was sensing energy all around me. Somehow I could feel the presence of almost two dozen energy signatures like Bubbles'.

"What the, how are you guys doing that?" I asked, quickly turning around, looking in every direction.

"I'm generating all the energy you feel," Twilight said, "its all part of your training."

Now the energies were moving all around me, kind of like light reflected off of a disco ball. Finally, I just felt someone throwing pebbles at me.

"Now, let's see if you stand the same chance against Bubbles now," Pinkie Pie said before whistling.

I couldn't mistake such a punch anywhere, Bubbles had hit me in the back, right in the kidney. I stumbled over to the side before balancing myself and getting into fighting stance. I was looking everywhere for him, trying to sense him. He punched me across the face, throwing me towards the ground. I put my hands out, stopping myself from falling, then jumping into the sky. As I flew upward, I felt him punch me right in the stomach.

I tried to clear everything out, ignore the music, forget the fans and the wind, and try to focus on the energy. He started punching me and kicking me everywhere I had no chance to block.

"Dako, watch out!" Fluttershy yelled from down below.

"Don't worry, I've got it under control," I groaned, taking every one of Bubbles' hits.

I was starting to fade everything out, slowly, I could feel the energy all around me. I could see it, I could feel it all around me. I could sense Twilight's energy projections all around me, every one of them identical, but Bubbles' energy stood out. I flew straight upward, escaping the assault coming from Bubbles, then stopped to let him catch up with me. I felt his energy coming straight for me, and as soon as he was in striking distance I brought my fist back and slammed him right in his face, sending him to the ground.

I dropped down to the ground, taking my blindfold off. I saw Bubbles lying on the ground, face down, Pinkie Pie by his side.

"You're okay Bubbles, mommy's here, you did great out there," Pinkie Pie said, "what's the big deal Dako, were trying to kill him!?"

"Uh, I, well he started it," I said, standing there, feeling awkward.

Bubbles rolled over and sat up, rubbing his head. He glared at me angrily.

"See, he's alright, he's tough," I said.

"Bubbles! Mommy was so worried," Pinkie Pie said, hugging him.

Bubbles quickly shoved Pinkie Pie off of him, starting to growl angrily, glaring at me.

"Uh-oh, I don't think Bubbles is too happy right now," I said.

Bubbles suddenly leapt straight for me. I spun around, kicking him away from me. He landed on the ground, catching his balance, then flew back for me. I shot up into the air to draw him away. He followed me quickly, trying to latch onto me. As soon as he reached out for me I grabbed him and through up above me. Knowing what I had to do, I extended my arm outward at him. He flew straight for me, screeching. I shouted, firing a bright yellow beam of energy at him. He was caught in the blast, and was killed almost instantly.

"No, Bubbles!" Pinkie Pie shouted.

I dropped down to the ground. I looked at Pinkie Pie who sat there in shock and disbelief.

"I'm sorry Pinkie Pie, but, he was a monster," I said to her.

"Dako's right Pinkie, that thing was dangerous, and he was trying kill Dako," Twilight said.

Pinkie Pie sniffled a little.

"Eh, you're right," She said, perking up instantly.

"Wait, you're not upset?" I asked.

"Not anymore, I know you did what you had to, that was step three. Congratulations, you finished the next part of your training," Pinkie Pie said cheerfully, hopping up and down.

The others cheered for me a little.

"Huh, well. Alright, that's two days down, three to go," I said to myself.

I could feel Xendo. Just faintly, I knew he was up to no good. But I would be ready to face him. In three more days, I would be able to take him on.