Hi everypony, I really appreciate the great feedback I have received on this and Walking the Path. It's you guys that make me want to write as much as I possibly can.
Now there will be quite a lot happening the next few chapters so please just stick with it, and once again thank you all for reading!
Hey, one last thing, i would really appreciate it if anyone would be willing to work on a cover for ZiE. fanart is always something im hoping to see, especially something i can show for others to see
Have an awesome day, on to the chapter.
Chapter 8
"Ugh, today is going to be rough." I climb out of bed feeling sore. Hopefully a nice, warm shower will loosen me up. I grab a light blue button up tee with some black cargo pants. Thanks again Rarity.
I go to wash up, and in my morning haze, fail to notice the water is running. I open the door to the sound of a screaming Fluttershy "P-please, get out of here!" I back away, covering my eyes.
Why does this happen to me?! I figure it's better to just wait in the hallway for her to come out, so I sit with my back against the door. After a several minutes of awkward silence I decide it's better to say something.
"Listen Fluttershy, I'm sorry. It's just your always downstairs by the time I get up; I guess I should have knocked. If I've upset you please know I didn't mean to…" It becomes quiet again, and now I'm getting uneasy.
"It's okay, I'm not angry Zach. I was just….surprised is all. *splash* You were embarrassed too, and I didn't know why. I thought I had done something wrong *splash*."
She sounded so innocent; she was shifting around a lot. She must be uncomfortable. "I was embarrassed because you're exposing yourself Fluttershy. I know ponies don't really wear clothes anyways, but when you're alone you don't cover yourself.
I overstepped my boundaries, I should have been more careful. I know what I saw when I walked in and it's wrong of me to have let that happen. I feel like I should do something to make this right.
"Fluttershy, as your friend, I should have been more careful. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you please let me know. I'll do whatever you want me to, I feel like I owe you this."
Suddenly the door opened and I nearly fell on my head. "If you want to do something for me, you can go to the spa today, okay?" I was quick to jump to my feet and pull Fluttershy into a hug.
"Yeah, I'll go, but why do you want me to…." She shushed me with a hoof to my mouth, her hair was still a little damp and she smelled like wild berries.
"Let's go have breakfast, then you can shower and go out, you have a lot to do today right?" she was right, I had to go to the spa and I was going to train with the guys today.
It was strange eating breakfast in my boxers, especially sitting across from a freshly showered Fluttershy. I noticed how her hair clung to her shoulders and the sides of her face, it framed her eyes so wonderfully I…Stop thinking this!
I shoveled down my food and rushed upstairs. It wasn't that I didn't like Flutter's cooking today; I just wanted to get out of the kitchen before my mind got too far into the gutter.
I wonder if she would feel like the nurse. Would she mind doing it in the kitchen? For celestia's sake man! Maybe I'll take a cold shower instead, that will calm me down at least.
Sometimes I hated being a teenager, you were either thinking about something pointless or sex. Well, most of the time anyway… I shower and clear my head. Getting dressed, I notice the clothes I picked earlier would look good at the spa as well.
I grab my sword and strap on my scabbard, I would need them for training. "I'll see you later Fluttershy!" I head out the door towards town, the Spa would be open right about now.
I make it through the front doors half an hour after opening time. "Hey Aloe, hey Lotus, sorry i couldn't come in yesterday. I was busy until pretty late and then Twilight had called a meeting."
The two share a secretive glance, then look back to me smiling "It's fine Zach, we know you had a full schedule yesterday. But now that your here how about you get ready for your first customer?"
Wait, what? just then i hear the door open behind me, and in walks somepony i would never expect to go to a spa "Zach?! what are y'all doin here?"
I would not peg Applejack as a pony that would go for some pampering treatment. "I was about to ask you the same thing AJ, i would never think to see you here."
"Oh buck it all, I've been sore for days, Fluttershy told me about gettin a massage, sayin that would help. I don't like all the creams and baths, it just don't seem natural."
I laugh a bit at her description of the spa's regular treatment, i will admit though, some of it seems pointless. "Still AJ, I'll do the best i can to help your soreness."
She nearly jumped at that "What do y'all mean?! You givin the massage here?" Oh, i see, Fluttershy must have "forgot" to mention that. i just smile and nod my head.
"If you still want some help with your aches, come back here when your finished setting up your appointment." I walk into the back room, I'm not sure how Applejack was going to handle this.
She was a very proud and..i mean no offense by this, stubborn mare. Would she just let the ache sit until it knotted up her muscles or would she let her friend help?
I understand it must be a little embarrassing for her, having a friend, especially a guy, give her a massage. Suddenly the door opens and Applejack walks in.
"All right AJ, if you would just get comfortable on this bed, i can begin. Where does the ache seem to be focused?" AJ hopped up onto the massaging bed, she had been quiet the entire time.
Shee didn't answer me, so i just started as i usually did. I was rubbing in small circles to ease tension in her jaw. after that i moved onto her temples and then her neck.
"Hey AJ, i haven't seen much of you lately, what's been up at the farm?" Her shoulders and back relax visibly as I mention her beloved orchards.
"Things are great Zach, in fact, we have so much fruit growing that me and Mac can't bring it all in ourselves." This sounded like a good working opportunity.
"I can tell, you seem to be overworking yourself. How about i come down there on a free day to help?" She turned her head to reject my offer but i instructed her to keep looking forward.
"Listen AJ, you need the help, and i could use the excercise, so why not? Besides, it's a chance for us to get to know each other better." She puts her head down at this. Did I just see an embarrassed Applejack?
I can't really tell, but for a second there i swear i saw a little blush on her face. Maybe it was just the massage causing it. i finish with her front legs, though she still looks like she's in pain.
I figured since she's always carrying those apples around she would be having back pains, but she was the same after i finished her back and shoulders.
*Whew* "The muscles on an Earth pony are way tougher than a Pegasus or Unicorn, my hands hurt." I shake my hands for added emphasis, Applejack just laughs and starts to get off the bed.
"Hold on AJ, i can tell your still aching. Where does it hurt? I need to know so I can take care of it."ii keep my voice stern but kind, I don't want to sound mean, I was concerned for her.
She hesitantly lays back down and shifts her back legs uncomfortably. i'll take that as a sign "So you pulled something in your flanks?" she seems ashamed of herself, but she nods while turning away from me.
At least now i know how to deal with it. I start off with her back legs and move my way up her haunches. the last time I touched a mare's flank...let's just say it was a little awkward.
"Okay AJ, now that your legs are relaxed i can loosen up those muscles that must be troubling you in your flanks. I'm guessing this was caused by your apple bucking."
I start pressing into AJ's hard flank when she curls her leg up, nearly kicking my head off. "Be careful AJ, it's me back here remember?" I noticed that, unlike other ponies, her flank was really toned and tight.
"Sorry Zach, it's just y'all took me by surprise is all. I didn't expect you to press that hard." Well, I have to with your layer of rock hard muscle covering everything.
"If I'm going to reach the knots in your muscle then i need to put some force into it." i continue pressing, slowly moving up in small circles. I finally find the problem.
"Here it is AJ, this is where your aches must be coming from." the only issue was the bunched up muscle was right under AJ's mark, this was going to get troublesome.
Again, why do these things always happen to me? "Now AJ, this may be really sensitive but please hold on for as long as you can, i can make this pain go away."
I place my hands over her mark, kneading hard, back and forth so i can relax and pull apart the knot. *haaaa* Well I guess that means it's working.
By the time i finish, Applejack looks glassy eyed and her legs are wobbly. "Hey AJ, you gonna be ok to get home by yourself?" she looks at me dazedly and smiles, then walks out the door.
She paid Aloe so i can head out now, "I'll see you girls later, i have a lot to do today." i wave goodbye to my two adorable bosses as i head for Sugarcube Corner.
I notice the guys are already waiting outside for me. Cake flies into my face with an attitude "Where have you been?! We've been waiting here for an hour!" i suppose he has every right to be angry.
"I had to go to work, i was giving a massage to an Earth pony so it took a bit longer." He seemed to calm down a little at that, he landed and started pacing back and forth.
"We were worried something had happened, *huff* anyway, where are we going?" I figured the best spot to train would be the forest, plenty of terrain to use for cover or obstacles, and I had an idea that would need the trees.
"Let's go to the forest guys, I figured I'll practice dodging Trent's magic and Cake can do surprise attacks from the surroundings. If i can get used to multiple enemies then i can definitely beat that snobby guard."
At least, that's my plan. We made it to the forest entrance just after noon. One thing was for sure, We were NOT staying after dark. "Guys, wait here,I need to go get my armor."
I run off in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage, it was only ten or fifteen minutes away. If i was going to practice then it should be just like the real fight.
I make it to Fluttershy's and put on my gear, but the trip back is torture. It's not fun running in nearly fifty pounds of metal. "Hey *wheeze* guys. I'm *cough* back, ready to start?"
We start walking into the woods, Cake in the lead with Trent behind him. "Hey Zach, you sure you're going to be okay in that?" I wasn't sure truthfully, but i would need it for that Blast guy.
We found a nice clearing and spread out, I stood in the middle, holding my sword, while Trent and Cake went to either side of me."Ready...Set...GO!"
Trent formed a ball of black energy, shooting it right at me. I hadn't been ready to dodge so i used the flat of my sword to block it. When it impacted the blade it dissipated almost immediately.
I didn't have time to marvel over my defending skills, just as fast as Trent had started his assault, Cake had taken to the air. Now he was diving in for a devastating tackle.
I couldn't block this with my sword, i would hurt Cake, (even though we were using a shielding spell to dull the blade) so instead I braced my legs and got ready to dodge him at the last second.
Right as he was going to collide with my chest i leapt to the side and he went screeching into the underbrush. Once Cake was out of the picture Trent picked up dozens of orange sized stones and began to levitate them.
Oh shit, it's Hellzone Grenade. I was suddenly bombarded on all sides by the rocks "Dammit man, that hurts!" I started running headfirst through the blizzard of stones until i got close to Trent.
I figured there was one surefire way to disrupt a Unicorn's concentration, so i punched him in the head. "OW! What was...Oh." All the stones fell down, i see Cake get back up out of the bushes, scraped and bruised.
Trent runs to the bushes "Tag out!" now Cake comes back in, he seems agitated over that last little failed attempt. Maybe i could use this to my advantage?
We continued this switch off routine until the sun was hanging low in the sky. We were all dripping sweat, bloodied and terribly sore, but some of Trent's healing powers took care of that.
"I may still smell like a tin can full of dirty gym clothes, but at least i don't feel like i was put into garbage compacter." Trent laughs while Cake just nods with an understanding wince.
The sun has just gone down as we make it back to the center of town, I'll see you guys...why are you here?!" I couldn't believe it, that guard MagicalBlast was back!
"You told me that if i wanted to settle this argument, then i should come find you next time I was in town, so i did!" this time he wasn't wearing his armor, i could actually see what he looked like.
He had a dark blue coat,it was like mixing the colors of a wild berry with black ink. his mane was solid black, and his eyes were yellow, like a wolf. His mark was like a skull and crossbones but with two horns instead.
"My father taught me the way of the sword, this was how he fought, and this was his last gift before he died. You dared to insult that, so now i will show you what a properly trained sword fighter can do!"
"That doesn't matter, I'm the strongest, i've proven it, and i know that magic is the one, true way to fight. Anything else is cowardly. If you want to prove otherwise then come on."
I'll show you cowardly! I drew my Claymore and started walking, if he thought i was a coward i would show him a coward. he charged his first, dark blue shot, then fired.
It came in a lot faster and hit harder than Trent's, if i hadn't trained to get used to the cumbersome weight of this armor, that would have hit me square in the face.
I swing up my sword and block the shot with the flat of my blade, it jolts the handle in my hands, but i keep my grip. i start walking faster now, i will show him the strength a fighter possessed.
"Blast, you won't stop me, you can hit me, you can cripple me, you can make me bleed. But i promise whatever happens to me i won't stop until the same is done to you."
My body was growing cold, i was starting to disconnect. I had done this once before and that didn't end very well for anybody, i wince as a burning sensation flares up in my back.
"Just shut up ,you can act tough all you want but that won't change the result of this fight." He shot a volley of spiked energy, this time i didn't even bother to block or dodge, i just ran through.
One hit me on the shoulder, then bounced off without doing much damage. Another hit my helmet and the third dented a piece of armor on my thigh.
Now i was full-out sprinting, i had lost all sense besides the steel biting into my skin from certain joints in the armor. my body was numbed to everything except the blade griped in my hands
When i was within ten steps of him i was struck with a wall of energy, sending me flying into a nearby wall. "Zach!" i heard Cake yell from somewhere nearby, but i didn't care.
I got up and picked my sword back up "Your just delaying me." then i began advancing again, I would MAKE him respect my sword.
The balls and spikes didn't hurt, they just chipped away at my momentum. when i was close enough to start swinging he threw a shield up with a smug grin.
"Too bad you don't know any magic huh?" I took several steps back and positioned myself behind a table. I started to get low, sprinting as hard as i could right at him!
As i reached the table i ran up it, using the top as a springboard. I was going to do a downward swing to break this damn shield of his!
I brought the Claymore as far behind me as i could, then as i reached the peak of my jump i swung forward, using all my downward motion to add force to the blade.
The edge of the Claymore struck the shield with a resounding crack, the shield had been broken! when the shield cracked i saw Blast recoil, obviously his magic being forcefully disrupted hurt him.
With his shield gone and his focus broken, i moved in to deal the winning blow. i had no plans to kill him, only to prove that i deserved respect.
When i brought my sword up to swing the flat end on his head, i felt something hot trickle down my leg. it was thick and was soaking my pants.Blood?
He had pierced my thigh where the dent was with a last second shard of magic. I could see it sticking out from my leg. "Son of a..." i swung, not caring about my injury anymore.
The side of my sword connected with his head and sent his much smaller body sprawling, only to get up haggard a few moment later. "Now what should I do about...heh..." my head was swimming.
The world started to spin and I was suddenly looking at a dimming sky. "ZACH!...Zach..." my vision faded as somepony stood over me, i could feel my body being moved for a while before i finally fell into unconsciousness.
Yeah, i pretty much had a draw. Blast didn't take it seriously and got smashed, but Zach bled and passed out.
Had quite a lot happen there. mostly stuff that will be leading up to future events.,Now i know it's a cliff hanger and those suck, but i need some surprises.
I do hope that i portrayed Magicalblast correctly. I probobly mentioned this before but this oc is owned by shootingstar212
I hope to see all of you next chapter, and thank all of you for your continued reading and awesome support. (passed 2000 views!) Brohoof /)