Chapter 15

Author's Note: I'm back, everyone. Back for another chapter of Visitors of Equestria! Now, I'm really sorry to have not posted a new chapter for a while. My reason for not posting was to simply have some time to relax without having to write 24/7. I do feel bad about having to take a small break without letting you all know, so I'll start mentioning when I'll take a break from this story. I'm not finished with this story, but I do need to take some time off to prevent myself from going insane. Plus, it helps me plan out how I should continue this tale!

Anyway, to the chapter itself, it's gonna reveal a sad fact about Pika, but it'll also provide hope for our little mon. You'll see it at the end, but it's gonna be more of a hurt/comfort chapter for him. I hope you enjoy today's chapter, and I hope you all have a good time.

The Cold, Harsh Truth

Sometimes, having some time to yourself allows a chance to collect and paint your thoughts out. The feeling of isolation helps me search within myself for all my troubles, which is necessary for my telekinetic powers to not destroy everything. That process is what I'm doing as I sit on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a building with white fences and trees circling a open space. Just looking around this area creates a sense of tranquility with me sitting, arms wrapped around my legs and ears flattened. Right now, my mind is filled with thoughts of remorse over what had happened today. From Fendra to my brutal fighting to his plan of making a second Ataraxia.

'Why would he try to make Ponyville a second catastrophe? Having my home destroyed was one thing, but trying to destroy another town? I just... I should've beated him up a bit more. No, I shouldn't have done that, or else he really could have died. If I did kill him, then someone worse would have arrived here and I can't protect everypony then. Not without my brothers, for whom I still haven't encountered yet.'

As I was thinking, I heard footsteps from behind me, and as much as I wanted to, I couldn't look back to see who it was. However, the figure's voice alone identified who they were.

"Um, I checked on everypony, and they were ok. They're gonna make a celebration party for protecting Ponyville, and they want you to be there for both the party and a special announcement. I don't know what it's about, but I'm guessing it's how amazing you were, Pika." Hearing Spike's voice helps me relax a bit, but it doesn't help the sadness within me.

Not speaking, I simply nod my head, to which Spike looks at with worry. He asks, "Are you ok, Pika? You feeling alright?" When I don't answer him back, he simply tells me, "Just let me know if you need anything, ok? You know I'm here for you as your friend, right?"

With that said, he starts to walk away, but before he could fully leave me behind, I tell him, "...I'm sorry, Spike."

Glancing over at me, he questions, "What are you talking about, Pika? Why are you apologizing at me?"

Finally looking over towards him, I say to him, "I'm sorry you had to see me in that state when we were fighting against Fendra. I really am scary when I'm mad, right? In that case, then I'm apologize because you had to witness the state I was going through."

Waving it off, Spike says, "I can't blame you for what happened, Pika. I may not know what the hay all that was about, but I'm not scared of you one bit."

Smiling a bit, I tell him in gratitude, "Thanks, Spike. I really appreciate your thoughts." Then, I sighed and told him, "However, I'm really not like this, you know?"

Sitting down beside me, he asks, "Does it have to do with what that jerk said? About you failing to save... Ataraxia?"

Nodding my head, I explain to him, "Ataraxia... was my hometown. The area where I was first born. The area where I lived with my friends and family. The area where I discovered what my destiny had in store for me. All of that was what named this the Town of Freedom."

Getting intrigued, Spike asks, "Town of Freedom? Was that a nickname for your home?"

Smiling sadly, I nod and answer, "The citizens there were all free from the horrors that the outside had to offer. Whenever you head inside Ataraxia, you'd gained this sense of tranquility, an area of peace within yourself. It had this gorgeous cliffside I'd visit everyday, and the view never changes, leaving you to get lost in its beauty for a few hours to be exact."

Smiling at the sight, Spike tells me, "Wow. That must have been one interesting town to spend your life in, right?"

Nodding my head, I then reveal, "Yes, and it will also be the home I'll always cherish in my heart. Not only for its beauty and grace, but also for when I set my life down a special path."

Seeing his interested face, I smile and explain, "If you haven't guessed by my battles, then you know that I'm no ordinary Pokémon. I'm a soldier, to be exact, but not a common soldier 'mons see everyday. I'm an Ultier, appointed to tackle the most elite missions and training to save countless lives from danger. That fight with Fendra was an example of what I did in my world everyday."

Seeing stars in his eyes, Spike exclaims, "Wow! That's so cool, Pika! Saving countless lives from big, bad danger, like you did with our home! You're just one cool creature to hang around with!"

Looking towards the horizon, I tell him, "Well, that's what happens when you're being trained to become the most elite soldier ever known. Not only that, but also improving battle moves and strategies with a Child of Light mentor since birth."

He laughs once more, before stopping as he heard what I just said. Looking at me with widened eyes, Spike questions, "Wait... since birth? What are you implying, Pika?"

Smiling sadly while feeling tears threaten to fall out, I explain, "You see, I didn't have to become a soldier. I could have become practically anything, from a scholar to a organization owner. But, my path was all set one day when I helped out a Pokémon on my first year being born unto my world. Let me tell you something, Spike. No amount of joy I felt upon that day could be fathomed from helping out that small creature. Once I experienced that joy from both myself and that mon, I decided on the path I would follow and told my father about it."

Realizing what path I chose, he finishes, "The path of a hero."

Nodding my head, I chuckle and say, "At first, my father looked at me as if I was crazy, and tried several times to make me choose otherwise. But, I was determined to make him train me and eventually, I succeeded. Soon after, I spent most of my time with him, training my powers and learning what it means to be a Child of Light. Some days, training left me accomplished, and on others, it left me in piles of cuts and bruises. However, each time my father taught me, I've always felt stronger and more determined to be a hero for every mon. That alone served as my strength to continue my training and become the star that every mon needed in their lives."

Spike just looks on in wonder as he wraps an arm around me and says, "Wow. That must have been crucial towards your heroic personality, huh?"

Agreeing with him, I explain further, "I may have been training with my father everyday, but I still had time to go to school and spend time with my friends. Somedays, we headed towards unique adventures, while on other days, we simply laid back and basked in the shadows of the sun. It was truly a time I could never forget with them. Everyday was filled with one exciting event after another, and I was happy for participating in every last one of them."

Smiling at what I told him, Spike inquires, "Man, it would have been sweet to meet one of your friends, you know, Pika?"

I nod and smile, only to frown and look away. Seeing his confused face, I told him, "However... it all changed one day. I was enjoying my time with everyone, ready to travel towards a journey outside of Ataraxia tomorrow. But, when night shadowed all over my home, They came. The Nebulous Spectres." Seeing Spike's scared face, I unfortunately confirm his fears. "They burned down many buildings, destroyed many products for food, and injured many mons. Luckily, none of them suffered the fate of death. Me and my father, along with several others, fought off and repelled the Nebulous Spectres from Ataraxia, but the damage was already done. Our home, our sanctuary... was erased in the span of one night."

Holding me a bit tighter, Spike tells me, "Oh, Pika... you didn't deserve to lose your home like that."

Tears now falling from my eyes, I shakily told him, "I-it's even worse, Spike. After the attack, w-we all decided t-that we w-weren't safe to remain here, so every mon decided that t-they should inhabit another land f-far away from Ataraxia. The bad part is that I-I can't learn where they're heading off to! If I ever l-learn of where their new location is, t-then if I ever get c-caught by them, then n-no mon w-would be safe. S-so, I had to s-start my j-journey without knowing if I w-will ever see them again! When I woke up, t-they were all gone and all I could do... was move forward."

Spike lets go of his side hug, which makes me turn towards him, only to feel his arms wrap around my small body frame, pulling me in for a embrace. Placing my head on his shoulder, Spike reassures, "There, there, Pika. Everything will be alright."

Sobbing into his shoulder, I mumbled, "I k-know that what I'm d-doing will set e-e-every mon safe from harm, b-but it doesn't soothe the pain it brings towards me! I can never go home, Spike..."

Rubbing my back, he calmly states, "I may not have been there with you when Ataraxia was attacked, but I can tell it must have been a traumatizing experience, right?" Nodding my head while sniffling, Spike pulls away from his hug to look at me. with caring eyes. Stroking the tufts of fur on my head, he explains, "It may not seem like it at first, Pika, but I would love to make my home your home as well. You didn't deserve to lose your home at a young age, and I know that Twilight and our friends will agree with me. I'll make sure, as your best friend, that you're taken care of and loved everyday here in Equestria, you got that?"

Wiping the tears from my face, I ask him, "Is it ok for me to be with you all everyday?"

All Spike did was nod his head with a smile and say, "Absolutely."

Feeling relieved of gaining a new home, I hug Spike once more, smiling while crying tears of joy. Nuzzling his neck, all I could say was, "Thank you..."

I heard him giggle for a bit until he tightens the hug around me, resting his head on my shoulder. He then stated, "Anytime, Pika. Anytime."

We stay hugging for a bit until we reluctantly let go. After that, Spike asks me, "Why don't I take you to the Town Hall? I heard some sort of surprise was going to happen." Seeing my smile, he says, "In that case, let me guide you there!"

Holding his hand, I follow him from our location at that cliff towards the Town Hall in Ponyville. As we walk there, I thought out on what sort of surprise was gonna happen. Perhaps a party was gonna start with pies launched everywhere by Pinkie? Or it was going to be a long, motivational speech on how powerful ponies truly are? Regardless, it left me wondering on what will happen in the near future.

After a while, we made it towards the Town Hall as I saw a big crowd of ponies standing in front of the building. Looking at the front, I saw Mayor Mare along with the Elements of Harmony and Twilight. Noticing us, she spreads her wings and flies over to us, relief written on her face. Now standing in front of us, she says, "Spike! Pika! There you guys are! We were about to go search for you two!"

Rubbing my arm, I told her, "Sorry for the wait, Twi. I hope we didn't make you worry a lot."

Placing her wings on our shoulders, she tells us, "That's alright, sweetie. Mayor Mare was actually looking for you, to be honest. I was scared that you were gonna bail out on us after saving Ponyville!"

Getting shocked over what Twilight told me, I say, "Oh! Well, if she needs me, then I'll help out with whatever she needs me for."

Smiling at my cooperation, she places me on her back as she and Spike both flew towards the platform. Seeing us, the Elements wave at me as the mayor gestures Twilight to head towards her. Once she lands, she calls out, "Why, hello there, savior of Ponyville! Can you stand beside me for the moment? I have something major to say towards everypony, and you're part of that major announcement."

Looking at the rest, who smile and nod, I look towards the mayor and nod, walking towards her and standing by her side. Smiling, she looks towards the crowd of ponies and announces, "Greetings, everypony! I, Mayor Mare, have an important announcement to declare for the state of Ponyville."

Taking a deep breath, she explains, "Now, I know you all have experienced the horrors of today with the dark army and their commander. We were in a bad state and if it wasn't for the Elements of Harmony by our side, as well as our little friend here, then we would have lost Ponyville forever."

I saw everypony shiver towards the fact that their home could have been lost to Fendra. However, Mayor Mare lets out a light-hearted tone as she continues, "However, we shouldn't be fretting over what could have happened. Instead, we should be celebrating our victory towards defending our hometown from those invaders! And I know the perfect way to solidify our triumph!"

Looking towards me, she smiles and says, "We may not have met, small one, yet you're one brave creature, willing to risk your life for the greater good. That why I want to nominate you as the Hero of Ponyville!" I could hear waves of cheers emit towards the crowd upon hearing my nomination as a hero. She explains to me, "As the Hero of Ponyville, we'll give you anything you ever need, so long as you continue to protect this small town of ours."

Getting a bit nervous over that privilege, I was about to counter her speech, but she cuts me off. "In addition, we'll allow you to tackle missions that we may need your help on, such as rescues, deliveries, and so on! You'll be paid with bits for your efforts, and we ponies will treat you with the respect we give towards the Elements of Harmony. I probably know you're gonna try to humbly decline, but I'm afraid that we must insist on giving you this role!"

Letting out a huge sigh, I look over at the crowd and ask, "I guess you all must want me to accept the title of the Hero of Ponyville, huh?"

Their response towards my question was a loudly synced "Yes!"

Seeing their determination at making me choose this role, I smile towards that trait and look back at Mayor Mare. With glints of bravery in my eyes, I say to her, "Well, in that case... I accept your offer. I'll become the living example of the Hero of Ponyville!"

Author's Note: And that's the end for this chapter! I apologize for it being so short and very late in the making. I promise to do better next time I publish this story. With that said, I would like to mention that I'll be heading back to my regular schedule, which was publishing one chapter per week. So, expect the next chapter to be finished for next week. On the other hand, I've been thinking about making stories involving the three brothers for more backstory. It'll just be all about them in their world, so let me know if you all are feeling up for that. Who knows, maybe I'll post those stories in without warning? ;)

Anyways, like I said, it's just a suggestion, so I'll wait for feedback on whether or not I should post those stories for them. Until then, I hope you all enjoyed today's chapter, and have a great day!