The Fallen Soldier
Chapter 20
Green Really Isn't Your Color 2 / 2
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After finishing my session with Rarity, I left her shop with some extra bits and a rather stylish winter outfit. It consisted of a nice pair of jeans, a blue collared shirt (tie included), and a dark grey trench coat made from thick wool. I was never one to dress super nice, but when I did do it, damn did I work it.
Rarity was insistent I not wear any of it till tomorrow, for she feared I'd get it dirty. I laughed her off, but kept my word and left the outfit in the bag she loaned me until the following day. I woke up early, got in a nice 8 mile run, came back and did a short full-body workout, showered the sweat away, and finally cooked breakfast for Twilight and Spike. Once the time came, I dressed in Rarity's outfit and left for the park.
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The moment I laid eyes on Fluttershy, I turned to Rarity, who was busy making sure all the extra outfits she brought were fine.
"What in God's name do you have this poor woman wearing?" I asked her, pointing at Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was dressed in a form-fitting suit that was completely white and practically littered with light-blue diamonds. It had a pointy collar that stretched out and covered most of her neck, almost covering some of her chin, its jagged edges looked incredibly uncomfortable.
Rarity, still checking her outfits, replied, "It was my first winter design for formal occasions, I thought I'd start with it."
Humming at her response, I turned to Fluttershy, who stood awkwardly off to the side. She was looking up at a snow-covered tree before her. My gaze lazily followed the outline of her body in her new attire, for as good as she looked in it, I had the idea she wasn't entirely comfortable. It just didn't seem like something she'd wear, not that I really knew her well enough to make such a claim.
Mumbling to myself, I made my way towards Fluttershy, stopping a few steps away from her. "Hey, Fluttershy."
The woman slowly faced me, her long hair naturally falling into its usual place of blocking her face. One of her delicate hands came up and brushed it aside, allowing both of her cyan-colored eyes to gaze upon me. It came to my attention that she replied to my greeting, but I was too busy staring to notice.
"Sorry, Fluttershy." I replied, feeling a smidge of embarrassment. Then a period of awkward silence would follow, filling the air as we stood there. I feigned a cough and decided to compliment her, "You look good in that."
She turned a dark red, her focus suddenly now on the snow beneath her. "T-thank you, Anderson."
I smiled, replying, "Anytime, Fluttershy." Though more silence would follow, not for as long however, as I decided to talk some more. "You nervous about the photoshoot?"
Not a great starter, but it was something.
She nodded, looking up at me, a faint blush still present on her face. "I'm doing it for Rarity, though."
I smiled, "Very commendable. Sacrificing your comfort for a friend, universe needs more people like that."
She smiled back, "Yes. I would agree."
Before I could introduce another topic into our conversation, Photo Finish decided to show up.
"She's here!" Rarity squealed, stumbling away from her portable rack. She nearly ate shit when her foot made contact with a layer of snow that hid ice beneath it. Though she caught herself with magic and set herself right.
As Photo Finish came onto the scene, her assistant not far behind, she would shout, "Yes! It is I! Photo Finish!"
Rarity rushed to meet her, apparently forgetting what happened last time she did this. Photo Finish walked past the poor woman and stopped before Fluttershy, pausing to examine the woman head-to-toe. Fluttershy seemed to shrink under her scrutinizing gaze.
She turned to me, "What is this?!"
I shrugged.
Satisfied with that answer, she turned back to Fluttershy and began to circle around her. "This… this is AWFUL!"
Somewhere in the background, Rarity would agree, "Oh… Oh! Yes, I agree! Let me see if I have something else!" She rushed back to her portable rack and started shifting through it.
Photo Finish 'tsked' and set her gaze upon me, "What is this!? You there!"
I looked behind me, seeing no one in particular.
"Yes! You!"
I looked at her, then pointed at myself.
She nodded.
"What?" I asked.
I could see her eyebrows raised above the glasses she wore, and for a moment, she was completely still. Then, slowly, she approached me, holding her arms out as if she was coming in for a friendly hug. However, she stopped once she was an arms distance away and began to circle me.
"You… you're perfect." She would state.
"Uh, thanks." Was all I said in response.
"Such… power!" She stated, standing on the ball of her feet to reach my shoulders. "The shoulders!" She shifted behind me and began rubbing her hand along my spine, "The posture!" Now in front of me again, she cupped my chin in her hand, forcing me to look her in the eyes. "The chiseled jaw! Those sharp eyes! Such ferocity! By Celestia I can FEEL the savagery!"
She took a few steps back, eyeing me up and down.
"We can work with the hair a little." She brought a hand up to her chin as she thought, "perhaps a well-trimmed goatee paired with a short ponytail would suffice?"
Frankly, I was in shock.
I mean a ponytail? Really? I'd look better if I just grew my hair out a little more and combed it one way or another.
Crossing my arms, I said, "My hair can grow long enough, but I'd never do it."
Photo Finish was in shock, "you think you know better than I?! Photo Finish?"
I uncrossed my arms and put my hands in my pockets, "Nah. I'd probably look good with a ponytail, but then I wouldn't be able to wear my armor. Same thing goes for the goatee, not gonna happen."
Photo Finish stared at me far longer than I was comfortable after I finished talking. She suddenly jumped to life, throwing her arms out and stating, "Bah! You've convinced me! I shall accept these arrangements! We are to begin immediately!"
Never one ask questions when I probably shouldn't, I decided now was a good time to ask. "And my friends?" While lazily pointing at Rarity and Fluttershy, who both stood silently in the background. They seemed more confused by the sudden change of events than I did.
Finish spared them nothing, "They are not needed. You are the star here!"
"Well 'this Star' is only here for the outfit and some quick bits."
She waved a hand, "the fashion industry will have everything you need."
I stood my ground, "Not unless it has a little something for my friends as well."
Once again, she stared at me longer than I liked. When she finally moved, it was to nod at her assistant, who threw the suitcase from before onto the ground.
Photo Finish turned the suitcase into a camera and stood behind it, "I can accept these arrangements."
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Stepping into the library, I shrugged my coat off and hung it next to Twilight's. Next, I tapped the snow off my boots using a rug Twilight laid out for this exact thing. Then knelt over to remove the boots, revealing my cybernetic feet for all to see.
Standing up, I shouted, "I'm home!"
There was a brief silence before Twilight yelled back, "We're in the kitchen!"
And so I made my way to the kitchen, expecting to see Twilight slaving over some paperwork and Spike reading a book. This was all true, except someone else was also present.
"Rainbow Dash?" I asked.
Rainbow Dash was, in fact, in the kitchen as well. She sat beside Spike, who was reading, and had her head propped up on her arms. She looked bored. Very bored.
Looking my way, she greeted me. "Heya Anderson."
"Hey." I replied.
Realizing I was just standing there, I stepped into the kitchen and made my way to the fridge. As I opened it to fetch the orange juice, Twilight asked me about the photoshoot.
"Where to begin?" I started, now going through the cabinets to look for the cup I've claimed.
"You watched a photoshoot?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Not seeing my cup, I grabbed a smaller one and placed it on the table. As I poured my drink, I started talking again, "No. I was in a photoshoot."
"Wait wait." Rainbow paused, stretching her arms over the table. "You were IN a photoshoot?!"
My cup now full, I closed the orange juice. "Yes. Rarity asked me to show off some of her male products." As I went to put the juice away, I stopped and asked Twilight if she wanted anything.
"Water please." She replied, not looking up from her papers. "I already have a cup, it's by the sink."
"Tap?" I asked, receiving only a nod.
There was silence as I put the juice down and filled her cup, placing it by her paperwork. She thanked me and kept working. I turned to Spike, "Drink?"
He shook his head, "No thank you."
I looked at Rainbow Dash, who seemed perplexed, "Drink?" Was all I said.
"Uh, water please."
I nodded and grabbed a cup from the cabinet, "Is tap fine?"
"Yeah…"
I filled a cup with water and handed it to her over the table, she mumbled a thanks.
"Of course." I replied, finally putting the juice away and sitting down by Twilight. I looked over her work as I sipped my drink, the silence kept on for a few seconds. Soon it was broken by Rainbow throwing her arms up and asking, "What, in Celestia's name, was that!?"
I looked her way, "What?"
"This! The drinks!"
I sipped my juice, "It's called being nice?"
"He cooks too!" Spike jumped in, though quickly going back to his book.
"Yes. He's quite talented in the kitchen." Twilight added.
Spike looked up from his book again, "Can you cook dinner tonight again, Anderson? I want… what did you call it? Fr-frijol con puerno?"
"Frijol con puerco." I corrected him, "Beans with pork." I translated for the others. "And yes, I don't mind cooking again tonight. Though I don't think we have everything I need."
"Oh, you wanna go to the market then?" He asked, excited to leave.
"Of course. But I'd like to sit for a bit. Enjoy some fine company." I winked at Twilight, who blushed and looked back down at her papers.
"I feel like I'm witnessing something I shouldn't." Rainbow stated.
I hid my smirk with my cup, "Whatever do you mean Rainbow Dash?"
"You guys are like… some weird family now."
I laughed, glancing at the Mage beside me, "I don't think Twilight would make a good wife."
Rainbow agreed, "Yeah. You're right, no sane man would ever marry her."
Noticing the objection on said woman's face, I decided to defend her, "You're one to talk Rainbow. Twilight is a wonderful person who has many redeeming qualities. She's incredibly smart, funny in her own little nerdish way, and so awkward in social situations it's almost ador-"
"YEP! Alright, that's enough, Anderson. Thank you!" She interrupted, her embarrassment clearly past its comfortable levels. "Can we get back to the thing with Rarity?! The photoshoot?"
Smiling, I decided to drop the teasing. "Of course. Long story short? The photoshoot went great! Rarity has much wider connections into the national fashion industry, Fluttershy is gonna get a hefty paycheck pretty soon, and I've decided to become a on-again-off-again model for Photo Finish. On the grounds that I model what Rarity puts out."
"Fluttershy is a model too?" Rainbow asked.
"No. She didn't want to make a career out of it, so she's taking her paycheck and calling it good."
"And you're staying in?" Twilight questioned, apparently surprised.
"Yes. My first paycheck is to be determined, but I was told I could expect over a thousand bits. How's that? To go from being a nobody here in Equestria, to a model for one of the most popular fashion photographers in Equestria?"
"A jump, for sure." Twilight replied.
Humming an agreement, I finished my orange juice. "And I've been thinking. I wanna see how far I can take this mercenary thing."
Silence.
Twilight's response was quick and almost mocking, "You wanna be a mercenary."
"Nothing too major. I think I'd like to just put myself out there. I don't expect any of you to understand, but when I saved Rarity a few days ago, I realized something. And that something is that I can't escape who I am, and what I've done throughout my life"
Rubbing her temple, Twilight propped her head upon one of her hands as she said, "So you slaughtering a congregation of deranged dogs gave you this idea?"
"More or less."
"I know I wanted you to find work and hobbies, Anderson. But I was expecting something… something far different."
"I apologise for disappointing, but it's something I need to try. All I'm gonna do I post a flyer on the public notice board in the market, I'll market myself as a 'want-it-done-get-it-done' kinda guy."
Twilight still seemed perplexed, "Ponyville is the last place you'll find that kind of work."
"Yeah," Rainbow jumped in, "You're better off going to the more remote settlements. The ones that still suffer monster problems."
Sighing, Twilight looked to her friend, "Don't encourage him, Rainbow."
But it was already done, " A fine idea, Colors. A fine idea."
"Colors?" Rainbow repeated.
"My new nickname for you."
"Yeah. No."
"Yeah… Yeah."
Leaning back in her chair, Rainbow crossed her arms, "I won't answer to it."
"Answer to what, Colors?"
"That! The nickna-"
She stopped herself.
But it was already done.
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Later that night, after Rainbow Dash left, I took Spike to the market and bought some groceries. We returned rather quickly due to his knowledge of where to find what we needed, and my ability to haggle rather quickly. He returned to his book, and I started cooking dinner.
Dinner was mainly for me and Spike, as Twilight's strange vegetarian habits prevented her from ever really tasting my great cooking. For her sake, I fixed some sandwiches while the main meal cooked.
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I placed the plate with Twilight's vegetarian-safe sandwiches before her as she finished her final paper and added it to a small pile that contained everything else for her project. She let out a tired sigh and grabbed a sandwich. I watched her as she ate it, but said nothing, as I was keen on enjoying the silent and peaceful atmosphere of the kitchen.
She broke the calm with a, "You don't have to do any of this, you know that?"
"I know."
"Then why do you?"
"I hate sitting around. It's in my nature to always be on the move."
She didn't say anything in return and just silently ate her food.
The calm returned, though not for long.
"What's it like?" She suddenly asked, quickly adding, "To take a life, I mean? I read the report made by the Royal Guard. The mess you left…"
Ah. Gonna be one of those nights?
"I hardly see this as an appropriate discussion for the dinner table."
"It's not." Was all she said.
"Fair enough," I mumbled, looking at the oven. "Twilight Sparkle. You're looking at a 4th generation AMOS agent. An Augmented Military Operative Specialist. I haven't been one for long, mind you. I've only seen a few missions in my armor. Before I had the suit, I was a Marine for over 12 years. I served in many deployments, often refusing leave just to go on another. What I did wasn't healthy, but there was always work for me to do, so I kept on." I paused to think where I was going with this.
Twilight finished her last sandwich, and I got up to check on dinner.
While checking on the frijoles, I kept going, "I always had a knack for… killing. Took to it rather quickly, some might say. I remember feeling horrible for a month after killing another human, my first human. I never felt bad for killing alien species, it just never clicked with me. Sentient they may have been, they just weren't human. So I kept at for a while until my government noticed my record. As luck would have it, I got hurt in one of the largest battles known to mankind. A few weeks later I wake up to find out the war was over. We won."
Twilight was silent.
I kept on, "Big guy in a black suit shows up, offers me a second chance to get back in the fight. At first, I was done. I had lost my left arm, figured it was a sign that my luck finally ran out. Or maybe karma was coming for me? My bodycount was high enough to populate a small village, afterall. A few days go by, I considered my options. Go home to my mom: I had given the Marine Corps 12 years of loyal service and my left arm. Or sign the line: Become something far greater than I ever could as flesh and bone."
I turned around and leaned against the counter, bringing my left arm up to show it off. I could hear the tiny motors whirring as I moved each individual finger.
"You can guess what I picked."
Twilight remained silent.
"I'm sure you wanted some elaborate reason, not a short story about my life. Look, Twilight. Long story short, I've been killing things for damn near half my life, it's all I've ever known."
"People can change!" She suddenly yelled.
"I don't doubt it. Thing is… I don't wanna change."
That threw her for a loop, as Twilight looked surprised as she spoke, "W-what?"
"I'm fine with how I am. Wouldn't change it for anything. Well, wait, I take that back. I'd like to change some things, but otherwise I regret nothing. My life was pretty kick-ass." I smiled. "I've met and served along a lot of really awesome people."
"What would you have done if you never came here?"
"Finish the mission I was on prior to arriving here. Then keep at it till something finally takes me down."
"That's horrible!"
"I suppose. But that isn't what's gonna happen. Now I'm gonna grow old here and probably get killed by a dragon or something."
"Anderson!"
"What? You think I wanna die by old age? Fuck that. I want to be killed by a dragon. Chances are I'll die in like 15 or so years anyway. May as well let something cool kill me, not the rapid failure of all my mechanical parts, which includes my heart."
Turning around, I ignored Twilight's interest in my guaranteed demise.
Dinner was done.
And I'm hungry.
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END
Authors Note - Hey everyone! Sorry I took so long with this one. I just haven't felt like writing. But I've been reading a bunch of fanfiction lately, and was inspired to keep writing.
So a lot of things happen this chapter. For one, Fluttershy doesn't get popular in the fashion industry. In the actual episode, her fame comes over time. And I'm working with a set schedule here. If y'all recall, this chapter and all the coming ones all take place within a week or so. Our big finale is gonna be Anderson attending the Grand Galloping Gala. And it's gonna be a big chapter. I wanna aim for around 10k words. I plan on some major character development between Anderson and the Main 6. So it'll be a lot of dialogue. We'll see about that though. Unlike Fluttershy, Anderson does become popular, but I wanna show it happening over the course of the next couple chapters.
I also introduced something! Anderson has finally decided to follow through on the merc thing. People kept asking if he was one and now we can finally say he is! For now I don't have much planned for it, but I wanna take it to some Witcher-like levels. I only had the idea cuz I watched The Witcher on Netflix. Anderson is supposed to be a badass, though I didn't want to focus on this very much. But I wanna work on my action scenes. So why not have him kill some mythical creatures and get fucked up while he's at it?
Finally, we have some interaction with Twilight, Rainbow, and Spike. Then a big finale with Twilight and Anderson having the 'talk'.
Also for those who care enough. Here's a quick recap of Anderson's life. Gathered from what we've learned so far in the chapters.
Born on Earth. Raised on a space station. His dad was a Colonel in the Marine Corps, and his mom was the head engineer on the space station. (I was tired of OC's have shitty childhoods. It's an exhausted trope.) Having finally grown up, he left for the Marine Corps at the age of 16. Somewhere along the line he meets the love of his life, and for reasons still unknown they split. (She isn't dead.) He bounces around for 12 years until a large-scale war between multiple alien species breaks out. He's badly wounded near the end of the war, and wakes up once it's over. He's offered a position in the AMOS program, and joins after thinking it over. Anderson undergos intense augmentation and leave the operating table a superhuman. (What he's truly capable of is still unknown.) Anderson tests out his new body in AMOS boot camp, passes with flying colors, and earns his suit. He proceeds to go on a few missions before finally being ordered to investigate a research station that had gone silent. Anderson and a fireteam of Space Marines are caught in a strange vortex in space while en route to the station. He later wakes up as the only survivor of the crash in Ponyville. He escapes with plans of finding Twilight Sparkle, the woman who pulled him from the flames.
I've debated having chapters solely devoted to fleshing out his background. But have often decided against it, as I feel like not many really care enough about his character.
REVIEWS Theawsomest5 - "This is some good shit my friend."
Thanks! I'm glad you think so! My biggest worry is that people will lose interest. But the story currently has over 12k views! So I'm doing something right?
Paperworld - "I really like this. You make the characters act and feel realistic. I look forward to see where this goes.
I'm glad you think I do! I've never considered myself a very good writer. I'm sure I write like shit, but at least it's the kinda shit you can sorta read. Right?
Thanks for the reviews! And please continue to do so! It always makes my day when I get an email saying someone commented. Constructive criticism is welcome!
NEXT CHAPTER - THE STARE MASTER
Synopsis - Anderson wants a hunting companion for his coming mercenary work. While visiting Fluttershy, he meets the Cutie Mark Crusaders. He assists them in their goals, and later saves them from their goals.
Probably won't be a long chapter. We'll be skipping a good bit of the introduction.