book stringlengths 2 250 | chapter stringlengths 1 255 | text stringlengths 1 4.64M |
|---|---|---|
Defenders of Harmony | Loss | If I learned one thing from my time with the Six, it's that we are horribly bad at managing time. In the blink of an eye, it was February 13th.
"How did this happen? It felt like just yesterday we figured out when we needed to be ready and now, poof! It's tomorrow!" I said that night.
"Yeah, it's almost like the author is having some problems with keeping the continuity up." said Pinkie. "He doesn't seem to be able to keep a handle on how time progresses in the story, so he just skipped around the days that didn't have any relevance to the plot!"
"What are you talking about?" I asked in confusion.
"She's been saying it all day, just roll with it!" called Robert from downstairs. He had been lifting weights for two hours, while me, Fluttershy, Isaiah, and the Mane Six sat down and planned.
"What are we gonna do?" asked Twilight. "We have a couple of hours before Heart's and Hooves Day. What's the course of action?"
"Here's what I say:" said Fluttershy. "We leave at the crack of dawn and go straight to Canterlot, get the Princesses out, and wait there for Chrysalis. What say you, Silver?"
"I think that's a great idea. Gives us enough time to get our gear in order and get some sleep. Did Robert get new weapons yet?" Apparently, when we escorted Robert from the changeling bunker, the smoke we saw was from his shotgun exploding. As for his hammer, we have no clue. He was pissed and has been looking for some replacements ever since.
"War! Did you get new weapons yet?!" called Pinkie.
"Hold on! I just need to... Here ya go!" yelled Robert. He ran upstairs, brandishing a giant hammer, a yard long shaft and a 2-foot wide square head. "Say hello to Mjolnir!"
"Got a gun yet?" I asked. He whipped a shotgun off of his back. It was jet-black and about half the length of his arm. He cocked it back and said, "When do I get to break these bad bitches in?"
"Patience, Robert. We have to wait a until morning." I said.
"It is morning." said Pinkie.
"What are you talking about? It's 10 pm." I said.
"No it's not! It's 6:30 in the morning! The girls and Isaiah are downstairs already, waiting for you!"
"How is that possible?! We've been talking for two minutes!"
"Told you: he skips over the non-relevant parts of the story. He's probably gonna get some grief in the reviews, but I doubt he cares. Besides, the author is really excited to get into the next part. Come on, Silver! We have to go!" said Pinkie, running downstairs.
"Did you notice any time passing?" I asked.
"Nope. It doesn't matter too much though. We should leave. They're waiting for us." replied Robert. He transformed into War and ran downstairs. I switched to Silver and followed him, still confused as to what just happened. I entered the briefing room to get down to business. With the mares in front of me and my Earth friends (both in pony form) by my sides, I felt ready to get started.
"Alright. We're going to leave, now. Is everypony ready?" They all nodded. "Are you sure? Once we leave, we're not coming back until the Princesses are safe. That means no visits to Ponyville until we're done. Got it? No visits to Sweetie Belle or Applebloom or Scootaloo or Angel or Sugar Cube Corner or your library! We have to do this without goofing around or somepony is gonna end up dead!" I shouted.
"The only pony I'm worried about dying is you, Silver." said Fluttershy. "We understand, alright? Just open the goddamn Rift!"
"Fine, fine. Just nervous." I said, extending my hands. I gripped the air and ripped it apart, leaving silver energy hanging in front of me. I stepped through slowly, tripping through to the otherside.
"Ahahaha!" I yelped, stumbling slightly. Suddenly, I felt a sharp blade tip touch my throat. The pony holding it was an orange pegasus mare with blackened steel armor, her face obscured by her helmet.
"Who goes there?" she asked, in a familiar cracking, high-pitched voice. I heard the others step out from behind.
"Don't move." I said. "I'm thinking."
"Rainbow Dash!!" shouted my captor. "I thought you were dead!!" She whipped off her helmet, revealing an unmistakable, purple, wind-swept mane.
"Scootaloo?!" said RD, running past me. She swept up that not-so-little filly up in a back breaking hug.
"Drop her!" I shouted. Why didn't I bring my detector book?! "It might be a changeling!"
"I'm not!" yelled Scootaloo. "Why would the changelings impersonate me?"
"Then what are you doing here?!"
"My job. I'm Princess Luna's head swords-pony! I even got my Cutie Mark!" she shouted in excitement. She turned around and showed us her Cutie Mark, two crossed swords behind a shield with a crescent moon on top. "After you guys left, I started taking up fencing. I got really good, and entered a few tournaments. I won and got the honor of performing for the Princesses. Princess Luna saw my skill and offered to take me up as her student. I've been head of her sword department ever since."
"And she's been doing a marvelous job, I might add." came Luna's voice, stepping out of the shadows. "It is good to see you all again." I dropped to my knees and bowed, the others following behind me.
"Princess Luna." said Robert. "You and your sister are in terrible danger!"
"Oh, but you must be Robert. And the other must be Isaiah. Lovely meeting you. I take it that you have eliminated the threat?" replied the princess of the moon.
"Not exactly. Perhaps Fluttershy should explain. I was out of comission for a while." I said.
"Princess, we have killed Sunset Shimmer and Discord is M.I.A. I took his arm and tail, so I don't think he'll be coming back." reported Fluttershy. "Sombra and Chrysalis are still on the loose, which is why we're here. We have reason to believe that-"
"Why did you kill Sunset Shimmer? Me and my sister made it very clear that they should be captured. I was not aware that 'capture' meant 'murder' on Earth." said Luna disapprovingly.
"I did what I could, princess. After Silver was... unfit to lead, I took over the operation. I apologize for not following orders, but when shit hits the fan..."
"We don't have time for this!" shouted Twilight, getting to her hooves. "Princess Luna, you and Celestia have to leave. Now! Chrysalis is coming to kill you, today. We need to get you out."
"I see. We must warn my sister immediately." said Luna, turning tail. She walked into the shadows she entered and began to ascend. I followed her up the staircase, listening to the conversation behind me.
"Scootaloo, my dear, have you spoken to Sweetie Belle lately? I'm worried about how she's been keeping up without me." said Rarity.
"Oh, don't worry about her. She's here too! Head of firearms department. Dead-eye aim. Applebloom is here as well." added Scootaloo. "She's actually the leader of Princess Luna's Royal Guard. We're still friends and all, we're just busy."
"Ah knew Applebloom would find her talent. Just never thought she'd be a soldier. Ah always thought she'd pick up on the apple farm. Oh well, as long as she's happy." said Aj. "On a completely unrelated note, how much of the moo-lah is she bringin' in?"
"Don't worry about that!" laughed Luna. "If Applebloom plays her cards right, she'll never work a day past forty. Unless she wishes to stay on the Guard. She seems to enjoy it."
"And don't worry, Rarity, I made sure to let Sweetie Belle know not to start making dresses. After that whole fiasco at the talent show, she felt it was the best course. You'll be able to see them soon." said Scootaloo as we approached the throne room doors. I threw them open and was shocked to see Luna and Celestia sitting on thrones, side-by-side, with Scootaloo standing next to them.
"Imposter!" called the Scootaloo that came with us and the Luna on the throne, in unison.
"Look who's talking!" shouted our Luna and their Scootaloo. If this wasn't such a dire situation, I would have died in laughter.
"Whoah! That's unusual!" I said, walking to the center of the room. My friends followed behind me, pulling their guns out and pointing them at both pairs of Luna and Scootaloo.
"Put down the guns." said our Scoots.
"No way." I said, walking up to her. "Not until we find out who's real."
"The ones who came with us are real." said Twilight.
"How do you know?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of them.
"Because the real Scootaloo would never hold Celestia at gunpoint." answered Fluttershy solemnly. I turned around to see my friends dropping their weapons while the Princess dropped to her knees and put her hands up. Pressed against the back of her head was an emerald-green pistol held by Scootaloo.
"Not quite according to plan, but this will do." said Fake Scootaloo in a sensual, insectoid voice. "No point in hiding anymore, Sombra." Fake Luna and Fake Scootaloo burst into bright green flames. Laughing manically, a tall, slender figure stepped out of the flames. Her mane fell on her shoulders, teal and riddled with craters. Her tall, black body looked as hard as stone and her green eyes pierced through my soul. Stretching out her tattered wings, she pushed the gun harder against Celestia's skull.
"Hurry up and kill them." growled Sombra, stepping out of the other plume of fire. "We don't have all day, Chrysalis! Unless you want your people to starve. Is that what you want, Chrysalis?"
"Shut up, Sombra. I'm looking for the other one." she answered in her echoing voice. "There is supposed to be ten."
"What are you talking about? There's only nine, and they're all right here."
"No, no, no! After Silver Rift died, they replaced him with another. Speaking of which, why is he here? I thought you killed him. Looks like you screwed up. We'll discuss this later. Go look for the tenth!"
"I assure you, there is only nine! Kill them now, so we can take Equestria for our own!" shouted Sombra angrily. Then, something odd happened. Chrysalis looked me in the eyes and mouthed a single word.
"Help."
Then, something even odder happened. I listened.
"You'll never find Kyle!" I shouted. "You idiots left your entire base undefended, huh? Sunset's dead and Discord is in Fum-Buck Egypt! Who's defending your troops? Nopony, that's who. Kyle can take out 100 changelings a minute. Say you have 200,00 changelings on base. You do the math." Sombra stepped over to me and placed his index finger on my forehead, reading through my mind.
"Seems I was mistaken." he growled. He turned to smoke and flew out the window. "Kill them before I return." The room was silent for a minute after he left, until Chrysalis broke it.
"Come clean. Who's Kyle?" inquired Chrysalis.
"An old friend of ours. He died five years ago, in a car accident. Sombra wasn't too bright and only looked to see if he was real. Didn't check to see if he was alive. Now you. Why did you want Sombra to leave?" I asked.
"I needed him gone so we could negotiate." she replied.
"What makes you think we would negotiate with you?!" yelled Scootaloo.
"Really? You're kidding, right?" answered Chrysalis, pressing the gun against Celestia's head once more. "Here's what's gonna happen. I give you Celestia, you give me the Elements of Harmony and I walk away."
"What do you want the Elements for?" I asked curiously.
"My people will feed off of it's love magic." said Chrysalis plainly.
"Are you stupid?" asked Fluttershy. "They're called the Elements of Harmony. Harmony. Not love. Harmony."
"Fine! You'll use them to create some love for my people to feast on. How about that, huh?" yelled the queen.
"You need to go back to Magic Kindergarten, Chrysalis." said Twilight, matter-of-factly. "Let me refresh your memory. The father of modern magic, Starswirl the Bearded, set three fundamental laws of magic. No matter how powerful the unicorn, nopony can manipulate time, nopony can revive the dead, and nopony can create love."
"And if you want to learn more about Starswirl the Bearded, you can read the author's previous story, Starswirl's Story. You can do that by clicking here." said Pinkie inexplicably. We chose to ignore her.
"Chrysalis, you know there is no alternative." said Celestia. "You have to-"
"Silence! Hold your tongue, princess of the sun!" shouted Chrysalis.
"Don't talk to the princess that way!" replied Twilight.
"Keep your mouth shut or I'll put a bullet in between your eyes!"
"I have been patient with you Chrysalis, but I will not tolerate you threatening my student." said Celestia, rising to her hooves. "Chrysalis you have wasted enough of our time, so why don't you just do what I suggested earlier?"
"Don't play with me, Celestia. Just get me some love for my people and I'll leave you alone. I'm sure you can handle Sombra on your own."
"Did you notice it as well, Twilight?" said Conjure softly.
"Yes, but it doesn't make any sense. Why would she do that?" asked Twilight.
"What are you talking about?" asked War.
"You guys haven't noticed? Suppose you wouldn't. Something only we geniuses would catch." he said smugly.
"Can you say that again? All I heard was 'Please Robert. Please bash my head in!"" replied War.
"A lot of hostility! Fine, I'll tell you. I think Chrysalis wants to die."
"Conjure, don't be an idiot. Why would she want that?" asked Fluttershy.
"I haven't a clue, but you know I wouldn't say such a thing without amble proof. First off, she allowed us to keep our melee weapons, and she didn't tell Chris to drop his gun at all. You could say that she wasn't worried about us, considering she could probably kill Celestia before we got to her. But then you think about the fact that she had Celestia on the floor instead of using her as a shield, but you could argue that she didn't want to get too close to Celestia, which would make sense until you consider the fact that she allowed Scootaloo and Luna to get so close to her." I looked to the sides and, sure enough, he was right. Luna was to Celestia's right, while Scootaloo was to the left of Chrysalis.
"But then one could argue that Scootaloo is the only one with a weapon and she could probably overpower her. But then you consider the one fact that proves that she is trying to get killed: we can still use our magic."
"You can use your magic?" I asked.
"Yes. I've been using it to scan the area for enemies this entire time." he replied. "I haven't taken her down yet because I'm curious. So I ask, why, why does Queen Chrysalis want to die? The answer, you ask? Oh, well, I'll tell you. She is acting as a martyr."
"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Chrysalis. "You think I would die just to fire up my people? When I could just inspire them by being here? My changelings all would happily die for me, and my dying won't change that."
"Then why do you want to die? You are basically begging for us to end you." said Twilight.
"You are wrong." said Chrysalis. "You couldn't be more wrong if you tried."
"Your people are dying, Chrysalis, and I'm sorry for that, but it's time we face facts." said Celestia calmly.
"Back on your knees, princess, or you die!"
"Ha! You think that scares me, Chrysalis?" laughed Celestia. "You are older than me, by at least a thousand years, so you know even better than me that death is not something to fear. Death to me would be like visiting an old friend whom I've been arguing with for a while, us finally apologizing to one another. Long story short, you have nothing to threaten me with."
"Shut up, Celestia! Back on your knees!"
"I'm sorry, Chrysalis. Your people are starving, and I know you think this is the only way, but I have to do this." said Celestia, horn glowing. "It has to end this way."
BOOM!
Have you ever read a book, or saw a movie or T.V. show, where something so unbelievably bad happens, like a character dies, and time begins to slow down? Believe it or not, that does happen. It's just that nothing you've ever seen could do the real thing justice. Time doesn't slow down. It stops completely. As the bullet entered Celestia's head, she paused in mid-air. There she hung as we all watched in horror. Even Chrysalis couldn't believe it. Slowly, time began to return to normal. She drifted to the ground, falling awkwardly on her face. A large hole was in the back of her head, gushing blood down her neck.
"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!! YOUR BLOOD WILL PAINT THESE FLOORS!!!" shouted Luna in her Canterlot Voice, rushing towards Chrysalis.
BOOM!
Luna fell to the ground slightly faster. She hit the ground next to her sister, large wound in her chest. Blood gushed, pooling around them both. I dropped to my knees in disbelief. The Regal Sisters were dead.
"They... dead." whispered Chrysalis quietly.
"What did you say?" said Twilight. I looked and saw her trembling. Not that I can blame her. I reached out and grabbed her arm.
TSSSS!
"OW!" I shouted, retracting my hand. I looked down at it, which was burned red and raw. Oh no. Her coat began to glow an orange-ish white. Her eyes slowly reddened and her mane and tail grew orange.
"What did you just say?!" she repeated. "You just killed Luna and Celestia, and you have the nerve not only to say that you did it, not only to stay here in my presence, but the nerve to use... incorrect grammar?!?!" With that, she exploded. Her mane burst into bright orange flames and she exerted heat like an open flame. "You killed my mentors and don't even have the courtesy to use full sentences?!?! That's a fragment!!!" She rushed at Chrysalis, rearing back her fist. She swung, hitting the Queen in the face and knocking her to the ground.
"That's for Princess Luna!!" she said. Dropping to her knees, she punched Chrysalis in the ribs. She swung at her face with a ferocity I didn't know Twilight possesed. She jumped to her feet and pulled out her sword.
"And this is for my mother!!" she screamed, jumping in the air, sword pointed downwards onto Chrysalis. I ran forward when...
SNAP!
I froze in a blob of gelatin. Yeah, you read that right. If you want to go back and check again, that's fine. I'll wait. I ran forward to stop Twilight when I was stopped in a cube of grape gelatin. Twilight was halted as well, her rapier's tip a mere few inches from Chrysalis' throat.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!!" laughed a maniacal voice. "Little Twilight Sparkle is ready to kill mean ol' Queen Chrysalis! Didn't Celestia teach you better than to resort to violence?"
SNAP!
A long, lanky figure appeared in front of Chrysalis. He had the head of a pony, but a serpentine body, an eagle claw, a lion paw, a hoof and a lizard claw. He stroked his short white beard, laughing maniacally.
"What was that last part, Twilight Sparkle? Did you call Celestia your mother? I wasn't aware Celestia had any children." chuckled Discord.
"I didn't mean it literally!" blushed Twilight. "She was the closest thing to a mother I've ever had."
"Oh, whatever you say, Twilight Sparkle. As to you, Chrysalis, I am disappointed. I didn't think you were dumb enough to mock Celestia in front of her favorite student."
"She didn't just mock her. She murdered them both!" shouted Twilight.
"Don't you think I know that?! Why do you think I came here in the first place?!" shouted Discord angrily. "It surely wasn't to visit my dear friend Shutterfly!"
"Discord, call me Shutterfly one more time. I dare you. Didn't you learn from the last time?" said Fluttershy.
"Yes. If I do recall, you violently removed my arm and tail. What good friends we are!"
"Speaking of which, how do you have them back? Can draconequus regrow limbs?"
"I can do whatever I want. I'm the spirit of chaos, so the rules don't exactly apply to me."
"Hate to interrupt this heart-warming reunion between friends, but can you release me from this?" said Twilight, tail and mane extinguished. "I'm in the middle of something."
"Sorry, Ms. Sparkle, but you won't be exacting your revenge today." said Discord smugly. "Chrysalis should have left already, but maybe she missed the memo, so I'll tell her myself: leave now, Chrysalis. Before things get too heated."
"I'm not going anywhere, Discord. I'm staying to finish the job." replied the queen.
"Chrysalis, my two oldest friends are now dead, but I am not upset about that. What upsets me is the fact that you keep pretending like it was you who killed them. If there's one thing I hate, it's a phony-pony. Drop the illusion that you murdered Celestia."
"What are you talking about, Discord? We sat there and watched her kill both of the princesses." said Twilight angrily.
"Hohohohoho! I see what's happening! Celestia didn't tell you!" giggled Discord. "Well, if she didn't tell, I won't either. What I will do is give you a hint. Think about this: Princess Celestia has been in power for over a thousand years. Don't you think she's been an assassination target before today? Well, I'll tell you, she has. Many times I was the would-be assassin. Don't you think she would have developed some way to prevent herself from getting shot?"
"Why are you spreading these lies, Discord?" said Chrysalis. "Celestia had nothing to do with this. I killed her, plain and simple."
"Just because I stopped Twilight from killing you once doesn't mean I'll do it twice." said Discord. "I suggest that you shut up and walk away, before your people die." She looked at him, then at Twilight, then back to Discord. Exhaling loudly, she stood up and
POP!
She was gone.
SNAP!
THUD!
I fell forward on my stomach, completely free from my JELLO prison. Twilight hit the ground next to her sword with a THUD!
"It's been fun talking with you, but I really must go." said Discord, walking towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" said Twilight. "You're not leaving until you explain what you mean!"
"Explain what?" asked Discord. "There's nothing to explain."
"Why did you say Chrysalis didn't murder Celestia?"
"To say 'murder' would imply that she didn't have permission." he replied simply.
"Permission? What are you talking about?!"
"I don't want to spoil anything for you, so I'll just say this: I'm not going to mourn Celestia; you shouldn't either. Remember, Celestia always has a plan. Don't doubt her." he said, grabbing the door handle. "If you want more information, maybe you should go see Cadenza. No doubt she needs you, what with so many tragedies happening at once."
"Tragedies? Besides this? What do you mean? You're making even less sense than usual!"
"Well, that's all a matter of perception. Princess Cadence will make sense of it all. Well, I will bid you farewell! Goodbye, my friends. Conjure, War, Silver, good luck with Sombra." he pushed open the door and fell through the floor, nowhere to be seen.
"Twilight?" said Conjure softly. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, I'm fine. I'll be even better when we go see Cadence and Shining Armor to find out how we're going to kill Chrysalis! Come on, everypony, let's go!" replied Twilight, reaching her hands out. "I have the strength to take us all this time." Slowly we all linked hands with her. She closed her eyes and...
POP!
Ice-cold air whipped me in the face. I released Twilight and looked around. A giant diamond structure was before us, two large, intricate doors flung wide open. Something was wrong. We ran in, Twilight at the lead. We made our way into the castle where we approached two doors at the end of the hall. Twilight kicked in the door and rushed in. Twilight fell to her knees in horror, shocked by the noose-hung body of a pink alicorn with a purple and pale gold mane. Taped to her stomach was a folded piece of paper. I ran forward and grabbed it off of her.
Unfolding it, I read the note aloud.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle,
If you are reading this, I am (obviously) dead. I'm sorry for the grief I may have caused, but I just couldn't take it anymore. When Celestia told me her plan, I told her it was crazy but she insisted. She was sure that this had to end with her death. Luna wasn't in on it, but I think we both suspected that she would get caught in the cross-fire. I was supposed to rule in her absence, but everything changed. Shining Armor is gone. He went out to attack a changeling base and he hasn't reported back. Yesterday, that base was bombed. We found no remains. I'm so sorry. Without the help of Shining Armor, I don't think I can do it. I can't lead alone, and there is nopony to help me. I wish there was another way, but it is too much pressure. So, I'm leaving it up to you. You are a much better candidate for princess than me. You have to do this, Twilight. I have faith in you. Once you have cleaned up this mess, you must be leader of Equestria and the Crystal Empire. A tall order, I know, but you have the ability. You have the power of friendship. You aren't alone, like I was. I will never forget you
Signed,
Princess Cadence"
"T-twilight?" I asked carefully. She had curled herself up in a ball, tears streaming down her face. "We will fix this. Sombra and Chrysalis will pay for what they've done."
"You don't get it, do you?" said Twilight shakily. "They haven't done anything. This was all part of Celestia's plan. There's nothing we can do about it."
"That's not true." I said, not very confidently. "We can bring Sombra and Chrysalis to justice. Avenge the princesses."
"We'll never stop them. Every attempt we've ever made to take out an enemy has failed. Even when Fluttershy killed Sunset Shimmer, Sunset gave herself up, expecting some compassion. I wish we could ask the princesses for advice."
"We can!" shouted Isaiah. We all looked at him in confusion. "Or rather, we might. If Celestia played her cards right. She planned for her death, so maybe she planned for this."
"Wanna tell us what 'this' is?" asked RD unimpressed.
"Princess Luna could enter the dreams of others. If Celestia knew they were going to die, she may have boosted that power to the point where they can do it without being awake... or alive. Tonight, concentrate hard on the princesses while you are going to sleep." he walked up to Twilight and touched her shoulder. "Qui regnum sib in somnis." he muttered, horn glowing green.
"What did you do?" asked Twilight.
"Basically said 'sweet dreams'. You may not see them tonight, but you will, eventually. I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do. Remember? 3 fundamental laws of magic?" he said. Twilight stared at him for a second, then grabbed him by the collar, pulled his face to her's and kissed him furiously.
"Really?" I asked in disbelief. "Not to be a buzzkill, but is this really the best place for that?"
"You're just mad that you're not getting any, aren't you Silver?" mocked Rainbow.
"I wouldn't say that. Can you two break for a second? We have to leave." I replied. This entire day was too horribly absurd to be true. "I'll open the Rift." I reached forward and opened up a Rift.
"Wait." said Twilight. "We can't leave her here."
"What do you want to do?" I asked.
"Come with me, Conjure. I need your help. You guys can meet us outside the castle." she said, grasping Isaiah's hands. She closed her eyes and...
POP!
She and Isaiah were gone. |
Defenders of Harmony | Home, Sweet Home | Twilight and Isaiah returned a few minutes later with two large caskets, one blue and one yellow. They placed down the boxes carefully and walked over to Cadence's lifeless body. Twilight pulled her gun off of her back, aimed at the rope, and shot Cadence down. Her body fell right into Isaiah's arms. He lowered her gently to the ground and walked over to the center of the room. When he got there, he spread his arms and closed his eyes, his horn glowing green. He thrust his palms downwards, bathing the room in a bright light. A casket the same size as the other two appeared beneath his hands, only this one was light pink. He pried it open and lifted Cadence into it. Twilight pointed her index finger at the ground in front of her and blew it open.
CRACK!
The ground cracked apart revealing a large body of water. The hole was about 10 feet wide and twice as long. Together, they lifted the three caskets into the water, closing Cadence's slowly.
"I think we should say a few words, in honor of the princesses." said Rarity quietly.
"Ooh, I'll go!" exclaimed Pinkie. "While the princesses may have passed on, they will never pass from memory. They may be gone from this world physically, but they will never truly be gone, as long as we remember and love and cherish their existence. We must say not in sorrow that they are no more, but live in thankfulness that they once were."
"Wow. That was actually really good, Pinkie. Deep and heartfelt. I'm proud." said Twilight. "Where'd you get that from?"
"That was the speech I gave at my sister's funeral. Me and Inky came up with it together. I haven't spoken to Inky in ages. I have to get in touch with her..."
"Pinkie. Focus." I said.
"What a marvelous speech, Pinkie Pie! You always were my favorite of the group." said Discord, melting out from the ground.
"What are you doing here, Discord?" asked Twilight, more annoyed than angry.
"Paying my respects to the princesses, of course! You think I would miss the funeral of my best friends? What type of pony do you take me for?"
"Funny. All jokes aside, why are you here?" I asked, eager to move on.
"So linear, Silver. Linear and boring! But I know you can be spontaneous if you want. You can be interesting. Fun. Anywho, I'm just here because I thought you might want to know that King Sombra is attacking Earth in... I'd say, twenty minutes. Better get moving."
"Before you leave, can you give us anymore information? We'll need all we can get." said Robert.
"Good question! Let's see, Sombra knows all about you, so he's probably going to attack family and loved ones. Might want to address that. Also, I do not want you to kill anypony unnecessarily. I've had enough death in my life."
"Then why did you help them in the first place!?" asked Rainbow angrily.
"Sombra never said we would kill Celestia! How was I supposed to know it would end up like this?" shouted Discord angrily. He shook himself, regaining his composure, and continued. "My point is this: Everypony deserves another chance. So don't kill Sombra and especially don't kill Chrysalis. Celestia would never forgive you for that."
"You keep talking about Celestia as if you two were close, but I know her better than you!" shouted Twilight.
"Is that so? Did you know her favorite color is lavender? Or that she is allergic to chestnuts? Or how about the fact that she loves bananas? See, me and Celestia have been old friends since before you were even a thought. Over a thousand years of rivalry and fighting later, I'm sure that I can safely say what Celestia would like to happen and what she would dislike to happen. Trust me when I say this, If you kill Chrysalis, you'll be ending millions of lives and breaking Starswirl's Shadow Proclamation, which outlawed inorganic weapons of mass destruction, unfair or unnecessary condemnation to a cruel fate and genocide. By killing Sombra, you wouldn't be doing any of that, but I still think that Celestia would want you to find another way."
"I'll think about it. Will you come help us?" asked Twilight. "Unless you're still working with them."
"I'm not, but I won't help you either. From henceforth, I will not directly interfere with Equestrian matters. I will watch from the comfort of my own realm. It's for the best. Keeps things fair. But what are you still doing talking to me? Your friends and family have fifteen minutes before Sombra gets to them!"
"He's right, girls." I said opening the Rift again. "It's time to go." I pushed them through, one-by-one, walking through last. We stumbled out the other side into the middle of town. No time to stop back at base. I don't think Discord was lying.
"I'm going to get my mom out." said Isaiah. "Who has the cash?"
"I have it, darling." said Rarity, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a large stack of bills and handed some to me, Isaiah, and Robert.
"Thanks. We'll meet you at Jackson's" said Robert turning away. They transformed into human in mid sprint and booked it to their parents, Pinkie and Twilight following close behind. Who did I have to warn? The Jacksons. I transformed to human and ran down the street until I approached the restaurant. I opened the door and stepped inside. It was packed, full-house. Of course it was. The one day I need it to be empty is the one day when it's jam-packed. I had to get these people out. I looked at my friends for help.
"What are their names?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Harrold, Veronica and Sarah Jackson." I answered. She pulled out her pistols and aimed at the sky.
BOOM! BOOM!
"Unless you're Veronica, Harrold or Sarah Jackson, get the hell out of here!" shouted Rainbow. "If you three move, I kill of a family business!" People scrambled out, screaming for help. Everyone left except for an older couple and a teenage girl.
"That was not cool, Rainbow Dash! How would you even know it was them?!" I shouted.
"Chris?" asked the teenager. "Is that you?" She walked over to me, twirling her bright red hair.
"Sarah? If you're upset about all of the texts I must've missed, let me explain." I said sheepishly. "To get to the point, you guys are about to be attacked by creatures with swords and guns and magic unless you get out right now. I know it doesn't make any sense, but these guys are no joke. They killed me for three years. Hence why I haven't seen you."
"Chris. Start from the beginning, and say it in terms I can understand." said Mr. J. "I can't seem to comprehend your lingo."
"Ok, let's try something else. You three are going on a vacation. Here take a couple thousand dollars." I said, tossing them the stack. "Leave now!"
"Why?" asked Mrs. Jackson. "Whatever you're going through, we can help."
"Mrs. J, I love you, but you're wrong. It's far too dangerous." I said, checking the clock. 10 minutes, if Discord was accurate.
"How dangerous can it be?" Just then, Twilight, Pinkie, Robert, and Isaiah entered the restaurant.
"Did you warn my mom?" I asked.
"Of course." said Robert. I looked him in the eyes, yanked Lunar from it's hidden holster and shot him in the chest. I whipped my pistol to Twilight and shot her in the throat. Green blood covered the floor. I ran forward and pulled out Celestial, slicing Isaiah's arm off. I kicked him to the ground and stabbed Pinkie through the heart.
"How dangerous could it be?" I asked. "So dangerous that that was the safest thing I'm gonna be doing all week."
"Christian!" yelled Mrs. J in terror. Oops. Probably should've explained first.
"O-kay." I said slowly. "I can see how that might look bad. They weren't real. Well, they were real, but they weren't Robert and Isaiah. They were... er... how do I... Isaiah!" I shouted as the real Isaiah, Robert, Pinkie and Twilight ran through. Hopefully they were the real ones.
"What's up?" said Robert. "How are you, Sarah?"
"Did you get my mother?" I asked.
"No. Why would we?" said Isaiah.
"Ok. You're good. We had a run in with the changelings."
"Changelings? As in, from MLP?" asked Sarah.
"Yes. It's a bit complex. I'll simplify a little: We are fighting Sombra and Chrysalis, I was gone for three years, we just watched the princesses die, Sombra attacks in about 3 minutes, and he is coming for you. You have to leave. Take this money and go to... Puerto Rico, I guess. Just take a vacation. If we survive, well, I'll let you know what to do if we get to that point." I said, out of breath. She stepped over to me and grabbed me by shirt.
"Come on, Sarah, I'm tired of getting beaten up for things that aren't my fault." I said grumpily. "It's becoming a habit." Sarah pulled me in and kissed me angrily.
"Hey!" shouted Fluttershy. "Enough of that, Red! We don't have time for this, so Chris, please stop swallowing her face. Unless you want her and her parents to die."
"Sorry." said Sarah. "I didn't know you had a girlfriend. Fluttershy, right? Not surprising. Mom? Dad? Let's go."
"Um... Alright." said Mr. Jackson unsure. "Uh... Don't touch my daughter?"
"I'm sorry. I swear I didn't mean to. We'll work this out later." I said, leading everyone out. I ushered everyone outside, except for Twilight. She held me back for a word.
"Silver. We have to talk." she said sullenly. "I know you said that you don't want to kill Sombra or Chrysalis, but we have to. There's no way for us to do this without killing at least one of them."
"I don't care what you say Twi, we aren't killing them. I know you want your revenge on Chrysalis, and I promise you she will pay for it, but she will not die today." I replied.
"I never said kill Chrysalis. I was just saying that maybe it would be a bit easier on all of us if she were to disappear." she said evilly.
"Twilight, I will say it one more time: We are not killing Chrysalis. She lives and goes to a fair trial, and eventually go to prison."
"Maybe I don't listen to you anymore." she said angrily.
"Ya know what? Kill her." I said. "Kill her. Go ahead and kill her."
"Really?" she said happily. "Are you sure?"
"Oh yeah, go on." I said, stepping towards Twilight. "Just know that when you eliminate that enemy, you'll be gaining another. There's an old Earth proverb, don't know if you have it in Equestria, but it's this: For those who seek revenge, remember to dig two graves. If Chrysalis dies by your hand, you will die by mine."
"Don't threaten me, Chris. I know you don't have it in you to kill a friend."
"The moment you kill Chrysalis, you cease being my friend. I'll repeat: You can kill her, you really can. But when you do, I will not stop until you are buried right next to Celestia!" I said angrily.
Thud!
A woman ran past us, knocking a table over. She turned and looked me in the eyes, her bright green eyes piercing my soul. Was that...?
"We have a minute before Sombra attacks. I suggest we get moving." I said.
"Fine." she said bitterly. We left the restaurant and joined the others. Conjure stepped forward, placed his palm on the door, and closed his eyes. His horn glowed green and the entire building was enveloped in the same aura.
POP!
Jackson's melted into the ground, disappearing. I looked at my adoptive family whose faces were lit up with terror.
"What the hell?!" shouted Mr. Jackson. "Isaiah, I am going to kill you!"
"Don't worry, you can get it back after we win. Or die. Whichever comes first." said Isaiah, with a smirk.
BOOM!
An explosion from a far reverberated throughout town. I turned, looking for the source of the noise. Slowly but surely, the Heavens Impaler collapsed to the ground. I watched in horror as hundreds of lives were extinguished, killed by the initial explosion or crushed by falling debris.
"We're too late." I said. "It's starting. Listen, forget about Puerto Rico. I need you to go here." I reached forward and opened a Rift. "Go through, find Scootaloo, and tell her that Silver sent you. She'll take care of you." I pushed them through, giving Sarah a smile. When they were in, I closed it and turned to my friends.
"Well." I said. "Let's do this." |
Defenders of Harmony | The End | "You guys go ahead." I said to the group. "I have to go to base for a second. Don't wait up." They turned slowly and broke into a run. I waited until they vanished from view and made my way towards our base. Halfway there, I heard a voice call out to me.
"Silver! Wait up!" shouted Fluttershy. She ran up and nudged me on the shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to tie up loose ends, Chrysalis." I said. "What do you want?" She burst into green flames and transformed into the queen of changelings.
"Hands in the air." said Chrysalis half-heartedly. "On your knees."
"Don't waste my time." I said, slowing down slightly. "If you wanted to kill me, you would've done it in the restaurant. So, what do you want?"
"I want to see what you're doing. Know your enemy, right?" said Chrysalis.
"Ah, but are we enemies? I stuck my neck out for you and you've done the same. We're basically family. Oh, would ya look at that? We're here." I said, opening the front door. I walked to the stairs and slid down to the basement. I ran to the middle of the room and looked around.
"Discord!" I shouted. "Get out here! We need to talk!"
"How did you know I'd be here?" asked Discord, materializing out of thin air.
"It's something that I would never ordinarily do, so I knew it's something you expected me to never not do. Did that make sense?" I asked confusedly. "Doesn't matter. I need your help."
"I told you that I'm not helping either side." said Discord. "So it seems you've wasted your time."
"Just tell me how I'm supposed to beat Sombra without killing him. I can't figure it out." I said.
"Why do you want to take him alive?" asked Chrysalis. "Wouldn't it be easier to kill him?"
"Easy is not always best." said Discord. "I see you took my words to heart. If you want Sombra taken alive, perhaps a spell will help you thrive."
"Not your best rhyme, Discord, but I appreciate the advice. Do you think I can do it or is this a unicorn job?" I asked.
"I'm sure you have the power. Just concentrate on positive things and funnel it through your hands. It should cleanse him of his evil."
"Thanks for the tip." I said. Directing my attention to Chrysalis, I said, "You need to get out. I told Twi not to kill you, but if she sees you... I don't know how much authority I'll have."
"Silver Rift, as Queen of changelings, I have to say that I do not need your help nor your pity." she said smugly.
"But off the clock?"
"Thanks. I will bid you adieu." said Chrysalis. She burst into flames and disappeared.
"Well. I guess we just have to worry about Sombra." I said. "Can you give me a ride?"
"Of course." he said, stepping up to me. He reached forward with his eagle hand and flicked me in the forehead. My vision blurred for a second and when I could see again, there was a changeling standing in front of me. I smacked him in the neck with my sheath, knocking him out.
"Way to join us." said Fluttershy. "We thought you'd gotten yourself killed again."
"Where is everypony?" I asked.
"They're out fighting. Did you figure out how to beat Sombra without killing him?"
"Yeah. Let's get him." I said. Without warning, I felt a hand clasp my shoulder. I turned to face Fluttershy, who threw me against the ground. She dropped to her knees and punched me in the face. Raising her sword, she stabbed it down at my face. I leaned to the side and shoved her off. She jumped up and stared me in the face with her deep, red eyes.
"Shit." I said as she jumped back onto me. She hit me in the throat, causing me to cough. With a swing of the leg, I kicked her in the back knocking her off me again. I decided to take advantage this time and jumped to my feet. I transformed into Silver Rift and extended my palm. I concentrated on happy things, my friends and family, Equestria and Fluttershy. I mentally shoved forward, blasting her with the positive energy I'd been storing. She fell over and closed her eyes tiredly.
"I was hoping she'd at least wound you before you fixed her. Oh well." said Sombra, appearing out of nowhere. "My mother used to say to me 'If you want something done right, murder the guy yourself'. I'm paraphrasing, of course."
"What have you done to her?" I asked angrily.
"Don't you pull that righteous anger thing on me. What's next? You're gonna start screaming for Rachel?"
"Sombra, you've killed me, hurt my friends and my city, and pretty much ruined my life, but the one thing you don't do is mess with Fluttershy!" I screamed, rushing at him. I jumped and punched at his face. He blocked it and threw me down. I swung my leg and tripped him to the ground. I lunged on him and punched him in the chest. I scrambled to my hooves and brung my hoof down on Sombra's head. He turned into a wisp of black smoke and passed right through me. I twirled around and punched him in the stomach. I was shocked to see that I hit Twilight.
"Twi!" I screamed. "Are you ok?"
"How could you?" she asked, dropping to her knees. Buried in her midsection was the hilt of a sword, dripping blood. She hit the ground and burst into black smoke.
"What the hell?" I asked. "How did that happen?"
"Stupid, simple, Silver Rift. I thought you would be able to see through my tricks. Don't you know that I can make you see whatever I want? Like your deepest fears." he growled. Black smoke enveloped me, blinding me. After a second the smoke disappeared, revealing the dark basement that I was suddenly in. Basement was a very flattering term, considering the fact that I could barely move my arms. Oh no. Nononononono! I never did well in tight spaces. I began to breathe raggedly, fear filling my body.
"No!" I shouted. "Somepony, anypony, please! I need help! Get me out of here!" Slowly, out of the wall melted snakes, 10 feet long and thicker than my arms. The one thing I feared more than tight places is... snakes.
"PLEASE!" I called, tears streaming down my face. "I NEED HELP!"
"Ssssilver Rift." hissed one of the snakes. It reared it's ugly head, revealing dark red eyes. "Sssso afraid. Claustrophobia and Ophidiophobia? Ssssso sssscared. What elssse do you fear?" Suddenly, I was on a platform, a thousand feet up, surrounded by all of my friends.
"Oh, thank GOD!" I said. "That was terrible! Where are we?"
"Getting away from you, faggot." said Robert angrily. "What are we even doing here?"
"No clue." said Isaiah. "Let's bounce. His faggotness is starting to rub off." They walked off the platform, disappearing from my vision.
"What was that?" I asked. "What happened?"
"They probably didn't want to get blood on their clothes." said Pinkie evilly. I noticed that her hair was straight and covered in blood.
"Do be careful with him, Miss Pinkamena. I would like to use his skin for a new dress." said Rarity.
"These cupcakes of your's better be good, Pinkamena." said Applejack. "Ah'm starvin."
"And try not to eat any before the batch is finished." chimed Twilight. "Last time you baked, you ate half of it raw. And don't forget that I get to inspect his skeleton."
"Just hurry up." said Rainbow Dash. "I have better things to do."
"Don't rush me." said Pinkamena, stepping towards me. She pulled out a short, rusty scalpel and stuck it in my chest. "But maybe you guys are right. I should pick up the pace."
"What are you doing?!" I shouted, dropping to my knees.
"I'm making snacks. My friends are getting restless, so perhaps I should cut to the chase!" she giggled, stabbing me with each syllable. I got to my hooves and ran to the edge of the platform. I looked down and saw a straight drop into nothing, I turned back around and was face-to-face with Fluttershy.
"Aww, look at how hopeful you look." she said, in mock-adoration. "You think that I'm going to save you." She turned and swung her tail seductively, hitting me in the nose. She looked completely normal except a thousand times more beautiful in everyway. I don't understand how it was possible, but it was.
"Please. Help me, Fluttershy!" I cried. "Save me!"
"Why would I do that?" she asked, turning back to face me.
"Because I love you?" I tried.
"Ha! I hope you're not deluded with the idea that I feel the same." she laughed, pushing against me.
"I thought we were getting close." I said, filled with terror. "Was I wrong?"
"Yes, yes you were. Did you really think that I could ever love somepony as worthless as you? Don't make me laugh."
"You... don't love me?" I asked quietly.
"What did I just now say about making me laugh? Wanna save us all the time and off yourself?" she said. She shoved forward, knocking me off the platform. I fell through the air, screaming all the way.
"Hello." said Sombra, falling through the air next to me. "Listen, there's not much time. You will hit the ground in fifteen seconds. There is no way for you to survive, and if you hit the ground you will be in pain until you die. You can also put a bullet in your skull, much quicker, less painful. Go ahead. Make a choice."
"Again with the ultimatums! Why can't shit be straightforward with you?! I can't make decisions! I need my... friends." I said. "Friends. Friends! Those were my friends! They would never do that! You told me that you could show me my worst fears. That's what this is! You're messing with my head. If I concentrate I can break this!"
"No! You are not surviving twice!" shouted Sombra.
"Yes I am! I just have to think for a second. If I can just focus, maybe I can see through the bullshit!" I blinked hard and was back next to Fluttershy with my gun against my head. My friends huddled around me with looks of worry on their faces.
"What happened?!" shouted Robert. "Put down the gun! We can talk through this! Suicide is not the answer."
"What? I'm not trying to kill myself. It was a trick. Sombra almost got me, too." I said, wiping my face. Wait a second... "Get back! Get away from me!"
"What is it?!" asked Isaiah. "Are you alright?"
"Nothing is real! Everything is a lie!" I screamed, backing away. "All of this is a Sombra mind trick! None of you are real! Come out and fight me like a stallion, Sombra! What are you? A pussy?!"
"Angry, are we?" said Sombra, stepping out of the ground. "I'm the only pony here who deserves to be angry. I killed you... twice!"
"Come here, Sombra!" shouted Robert angrily.
"None of that! Shield up!" shouted Sombra, throwing his hooves up. A dome of dark purple energy surrounded me, Sombra, and Fluttershy's unconscious body.
"Aaaaaaagh!" shouted Robert, running into the dome.
PCHEWM!
He flung backwards onto his back, moaning in pain. Lowering his arms, Sombra ripped out his sword and pointed it towards me.
"You wanted to fight me? Well, have at thee!" he said, lunging at me. I jumped back, just barely avoiding the tip of his black sword. I fumbled for my sword, getting it out just in time to block another jab. I deflected his next jab and sliced at his ribs. My sword passed right through his midsection, leaving my sword faintly smoking. Of course it did. Just what I needed: an enemy that I couldn't touch.
"Shit!" I said, slicing at his knee. Still nothing. "Fight fair, Sombra! You prick!"
"You wanted to fight, so I gave you a fight. You should have learned the choreography before you came to tango!" laughed Sombra, slashing me in the shoulder, cutting me shallowly. I slashed at his ribs, once again to no avail. What would it take to hurt this guy?
"Silver." moaned Fluttershy from the floor. "Don't give up. You can do this. I have faith in you."
"Shut up!" shouted Sombra. He aimed his hand at Fluttershy and launched a wave of purple energy at her, throwing her against the wall of the dome. She crashed to the ground with a groan.
"Sombra!" I shouted, aiming my hand at him. I concentrated hard on everything I loved. I thought of all my friends, especially Fluttershy, and willed it forward. This wave was different from the other. While the first one was invisible, this time I watched a tendril of grey energy fly and connect with Sombra's chest.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" he screamed, his body glowing blinding white. He rose in the air, his body changing from a dark gray to pure white. His mane shifted from black to white, and his eyes became a gentle hazel. His fanged teeth retracted and he fell to the ground. I had done it!
"Sombra!" I shouted warily, running towards him. I reached down and helped him up. "Get up, ya big lug."
"I feel... good." he said, rising to his hooves. He pulled out his sword and pointed it towards me. "On your knees. I would like to knight you." I dropped to my knees and bowed my head, remembering that he is, technically, a king. He reached to the sides and lowered the shield, then gestured for my friends to join us. I can't believe it. It worked! All of my friends, even Fluttershy, bowed on one knee to be knighted. He placed the blade gently on my shoulder. He raised it high above his head and brought it down, burying it in my shoulder. Lightning fast, he swung his arms around, blasting my friends with magic. I fell to the ground, shocked and in pain.
"Did you really think that would work?" laughed Sombra. "Such a weak spell could never touch me!"
"How?... It didn't work?" I asked stupidly.
"Of course not! Luna couldn't beat me, Celestia didn't beat me, not even Chrysalis could beat me! I am invincible! I'm a god! I'm a-" he said, getting cut off by Chrysalis, who had kicked him in the face with all her might. He dropped to the ground, shocked at the turn of events. Chrysalis pulled out a set of handcuffs and confined Sombra, kicking him in the face for good measure.
"You're a self-indulgent piece of shit, that's what you are!" she screamed. "Go ahead, just try to phase out! Soul-binding handcuffs, bitch!"
"Chrysalis." I groaned. "Why?"
"Just trying to be a true, true friend." she said, turning around. "It's not going to happen again."
"Thanks." I moaned. "I thought I was a goner there."
"Farewell, Silver Rift. If you don't mind, I have to go find food for my people." she said bitterly.
"Wait!" I said, gears in my head turning. "I think I have a solution!" I got to my hooves and pulled out Lunar. I trotted over to Sombra's fallen body and put the barrel against his head.
"How?!" shouted Sombra angrily. "How did you win?!"
"Friendship." I said simply.
"Enough with this 'friendship' bullshit! What does that even mean?! What is friendship in relation to this?!"
"Don't you know? Friendship is Magic, bitch!" I said, pulling the trigger. I laughed as my bullet past over his head, him crying out in fear. "Oh, shut up, Sombra. You really think I would waste all that time trying to take you alive, just so I could kill you?"
"What is this solution of your's, Silver?" asked Chrysalis impatiently.
"Help me fly up above the buildings." I said. Turning my attention to the rest of my friends, I continued. "You guys will need to get up too."
"Here. I got this." said Conjure. He threw his hands down towards the ground, raising a chunk of earth high above the rooftops. He pointed his index finger at me and said, "Megaphone?"
"Thanks." I said, my voice magically magnified 1000x it's normal volume. I ripped the sword out of my shoulder, thinking it would hurt less than leaving it in. I was wrong.
"People of Earth!" I said to the ground. "You have no need to worry. I am aware that you are probably scared of what happened, so I am here to explain to you. I am Christian Michael Brookes. These are my friends Isaiah Simmons and Robert Thompson. The girls behind me are the Mane Six and Queen Chrysalis, from My Little Pony. Now, I know some of you are saying to yourselves 'What is this nutcase talking about?'. To these people, I say 'Shut up, I'm not done.' Yes, they are fictional characters in this world, but they have their own world where, until recently, they have been living happily. Until King Sombra, Sunset Shimmer, Discord and the woman behind me got together to fight against Princess Celestia. Sunset Shimmer was killed a long time ago and Discord has decided to drop out of the battle. Why? Because he did not appreciate the way Sombra pressured Chrysalis to kill Celestia. Through a long series of events, Twilight Sparkle is in charge of all of Equestria and the Crystal Empire." I looked at Twilight, who blushed in pride and, to tell you the truth, looked about ready to vomit. Turning back to the ground, I noticed that I had a group of people congregating around the ground we were above.
"Not more than an hour earlier, King Sombra began terrorizing the town, with the help of Chrysalis." I continued. "A minute ago, we defeated Sombra. He will no longer be hurting anyone. Now there's just Chrysalis, the woman standing directly behind me. Why isn't she cuffed or dead, you ask? Simply because she didn't ask for this. Queen Chrysalis is the queen of the changelings, a shape-shifting race that feeds on love. Lately, her people have been starving. So she did what any good leader would do: fight to her dying breath, trying to provide for her subjects. Now, I won't lie. She has done some things that are morally questionable at best, but simply because she had no other option. Princess Celestia understood this, I understand this, and I expect you to understand. If it wasn't for Chrysalis, I'd be dead on the ground and Sombra would be wiping out humanity. She is not a bad person. Now, why am I telling you all this? So I can teach you how to prevent this from happening again."
"What are you talking about?" asked Chrysalis.
"Changelings feed on love, so I'm going to create enough excess love so that they can eat and live happily. I can open passageways from Earth to their world of Equestria. I am going to open one and allow ponies from Equestria to go to Earth, and humans on Earth to go to Equestria. You will be able to travel to a whole new world for the price of bus fare, but only on one condition: You will not hate each other. Everyone will feel love for one-another or else this will happen again. Only next time, I won't be so quick to help. So, I beg you, go find your enemies and give them a hug. Love them simply for being a human being. Forgive them for how they've wronged you and beg that they do the same. Love and Harmony will reign over Earth. Tell your friends, spread the message. We will be a loving species, because everyone here will heed my words. No one is innocent. I have two people I need to forgive myself. So, I will say it once more, then I'm going to get down and seek medical attention before I bleed out. Harmony and forgiveness will be your savior. Just love and tolerate everyone you meet." I finished, stumbling woozily. I put my finger against my throat and looked at Conjure hopefully. He pointed at me once more, lowering my voice to normal volume.
"Nice work Silver." said Twilight. "I think you sent a message that will be remembered forever."
"Thanks." I said, pressing my hand against my wound, to slow the bleeding. "How did you guys do? During the fight?"
"We came, we saw..." began Robert.
"We kicked some ass!" finished Pinkie Pie. They laughed, then kissed ferociously. Isaiah grabbed Twilight and followed Robert's example.
"Have you no shame?" said Rainbow Dash, grabbing Applejack. She leaned forward and kissed her lovingly. Huge shocker. I stumbled towards Fluttershy, hoping to get some first-aid. What I received was her lips pressed against mine.
"All of you are so lucky! You have your true loves right here, while I have to go all the way to Ponyville for mine!" said Rarity, slightly grumpily. "I have to go let Spike know how I feel."
"Not that I didn't enjoy that," I said, breaking away from Fluttershy. "But I'm seriously about to pass out from blood loss."
"You can have bandages or another kiss." joked Fluttershy.
"Bleeding out isn't such a bad way to go." I said with a smile. |
Defenders of Harmony | Epilogue | "Do I have to?" I asked terrified.
"Of course you have to! You can't just keep this to yourself! She has to know!" shouted Twilight.
"But what if she doesn't accept it? Or what if she's mad at me for staying dead for all those years?" I asked worriedly.
"Don't worry about it. We'll be with you every step of the way." said Robert. "We're your friends. We're all here supporting you."
"If you're all supporting, then where's Rarity?" I asked, turning to walk away.
"That's different, and you know it! She's just went into labor." said Fluttershy.
"What are they naming her?" I asked, eager to change the subject.
"I think she and Spike agreed on 'Alexandria' But their daughter doesn't matter right now." said Isaiah.
"What about your daughters? You and Twilight call yourself parents, and you left your kids alone? For shame! We have to go check on them! Let's go!" I replied, turning to get away again, only to be stopped by Rainbow Dash.
"Hell-o? Scootaloo is watching Celestia and Luna. And if my daughter-"
"Ahem." coughed Applejack.
"Sorry. If our daughter can't handle it alone, she still has Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to help her out. So quit your stalling and go in!" said RD impatiently. I looked at my last glimmer of hope, Fluttershy. I knew it was no good as soon as she opened her mouth.
"You know I wouldn't make you do this if you didn't have to." she said kindly. "But we have to tell her." She rubbed her stomach slowly. She's right.
"Fine. Let's go." I said, opening the door to the old house. I walked in with my friends right behind me, more terrified than I've ever been in my life.
"It'll be fine." said Fluttershy, still rubbing her growing stomach. "Really, what is she gonna do? You think she's gonna say 'no' to the person who saved the town and possibly the world?"
"You know I had some help. I'd be dead if it wasn't for Chrysalis. But I guess you're right. Can you really believe it's been five years since all of that?" I said, stopping in the living room.
"And it's been five more since we walked in the door!" shouted Rainbow. "On with it man!"
"Alright! I just don't see why we don't have to visit Robert's parents!"
"Because my parents are mentally unstable! Even more so than me." replied Robert. "Listen, are you gonna talk to her or what?"
"Fine." I said. "Mom! We need to talk!"
"I've been on the steps since you walked in, stupid!" shouted my mother. "What do you want? I thought you disowned me."
"Uh... Er, the thing is... I wanted to tell you the g-g-g-good n-n-n-" I tried panickedly.
"The good news!" exclaimed Fluttershy. "We have to tell you something."
"And who the hell are you?" asked Mom rudely. "One of your freakshow friends? Yeah, looks like a brony alright. Pink hair, huge, and looks like a horse. What good news could you nutcases have?"
"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Brookes." said Robert.
"Shut up, Robert. I didn't ask for your sarcasm."
"Mom! You can talk to me whichever way you want, but you are not being mean to my friends!" I said, finding my voice.
"So you finally got yourself some friends? No girlfriends yet, I bet. Even these hideous girls don't want you. I can tell at least two of them are lesbians." said Mom confidently.
"That would be me and Aj, here." said Rainbow Dash, with a tone of respect that was clearly fake. "We've been together for five years and we've adopted a lovely little orphan named Scootaloo. Do you have a problem with that?"
"And what if I do?"
"Mom! Shut up!" I said angrily. "Listen for a second, huh? I actually do have a girlfriend, that would be Fluttershy over here. And the only reason we're here is to tell you that she's pregnant."
"Who's the daddy? It can't be you. I'd be surprised if your gay ass even still has a-"
"I can assure you he does." said Fluttershy. "Hence me being pregnant."
"So you're his baby momma? Some weak woman who only said 'yes' because you didn't want to hurt his feelings?" spat my mom.
"Nope. I said 'yes' because I fell in love with him. I thought that we should let you know that you're about to be a grandmother." said Fluttershy, surprisingly calm.
"You think I give a shit? All of you can disappear of the face of the earth for all I care. So, get out! I want nothing to do with you!" shouted Mom. I looked from her to Fluttershy and back, shocked at what had transpired.
"Let me rephrase that." said Fluttershy, whipping out her sword. She pointed it at my mother. "I'm pregnant. He's the father. You're the grandmother. We're getting married soon. You have two choices: Accept it and wish us good luck or get your ass kicked by a pregnant mare. What's your choice?" My mom paused for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.
"You've earned my respect. I don't like you, but I hope you all live happily. Away from me." said Mom bitterly.
"Thank you." said Fluttershy, sheathing her sword. "We haven't worked out all the details of the wedding, just know that it is probably going to be in Equestria, should you wish to come. Silver will deliver information to you as we receive it. Now he's going to take us home because I feel we are unwanted."
"Uh... okay." I said, opening a Rift. Everypony stepped in, leaving me alone with Mom.
"You sure know how to pick em'" she said smugly.
"So did Dad, apparently." I shot back. "Are we cool, Mom? Will you accept me for who I am?"
"I don't like her. She was about to kill me!"
"But she didn't."
"No thanks to you! Here, I'll make you a deal. Keep her crazy ass on a leash and I'll stop bad-mouthing your friends."
"Deal." I said with a smile. I stepped towards the Rift and stuck my foot in. "Anything else?"
"Yes! We have to talk about how you disappeared to play hero for 3 years!" she shouted angrily. "You can't pull some bullshit like that and not expect a discussion. I thought you were dead, and I cried about it!"
"I love you, too." I said, leaving Earth. I fell out into Fluttershy's cottage... Me and Fluttershy's cottage, where my seven friends and fiance were waiting for me.
"How do you think it went?" asked Fluttershy.
"Oh, she loved you. Her favorite part was when you shoved a sword against her esophagus!" I said sarcastically. "It'll be fine. We're on good terms."
"So what now?" asked Rainbow.
"We live." I answered. "Live and hope that we can die in peace." |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | pre | "Frosty! Slip!" She laughed, "Oh I'm so glad all my friends are alright! I need you all!"
"And we do too." Rubinstein smiled before gesturing to the open fields before them, "I didn't want to leave until you were here with us... but I must warn you. The moment we all are out on that field King Sombra might see us. All of us. It would be best if we headed out the moment Luna raises the moon tonight. We might have a better chance then."
Cozy gently pushed both Frosty and Slipper off of her as she seriously considered the open fields before them, "I think it'll work."
"It has to!" Slipper hopped up in front of Cozy, "We have to warn the princesses. They'll know how to fix this!"
"All princesses aside though..." Frosty beamed, "Cozy! You got your cutiemark!"
The pink pegasus smiled back, "I know right?? Isn't it amazing?" She showed it off to the others, "It's a rook! It looks similar to your cutiemark, Uncle Rubin! And... And my father's too!"
Rubinstein let out a proud chuckle, "That's interesting Cozy. It seems you did manage to find your true talents in the empire. Just like you wished."
"Gee, wish it was under different circumstances." The filly sighed as she looked back up at the dark empire, "When everything is back to normal I'd like to see you all again... but I don't think mother would ever let me come back if she knew what we all went through."
"I wouldn't blame her for it." The lavender colt sighed, "She could've lost her daughter today. I know that feeling well. If this weren't my home I wouldn't want Slipper anywhere near this place either until I was certain it was completely safe again."
"It will be though, right dad?" Slipper walked up to her father, "You're going to help fix everything aren't you?"
"Of course... but after this I'm definitely retiring." He chuckled before turning his attention to the sky, "It's starting to get dark. We should get ready to-"
"RAAAAAAAGH!!!"
A rumble suddenly shook the earth beneath them. Ponies of the rebellion would look up in shock as the entire empire shuddered with a wave of seething anger and rage. The source of this fury came from none other than the tyrant himself.
Cozy Glow's attention snapped over to the castle as a loud booming voice made its presence known throughout the land.
"REBELLIOUS SCUM! YOUR DISOBEDIENCE WILL HAVE ITS CONSEQUENCES!"
Panic ensued as every desperate crystal pony within the pack began to rush towards the dying fields. Rubinstein attempted to stop them but he was easily overwhelmed by the amount that charged through. They ran past the stallion and straight out into the open. The eyes of the dark king easily spotted them from his perch high above.
"IT IS USELESS TO RUN MY CRYSTAL SLAVES! SOON YOU WILL ALL BE MINE!"
A large monstrosity began to form at the balcony of the castle. The shadows had all collected together to create this beast of what was once the unicorn tyrant. It licked its pointed teeth and let out an ear-piercing shrill for all to hear. With one glare it lunged for the streets down below.
"We need to leave!" Rubinstein urged as more ponies began to rush by.
"But-"
"Now, Cozy!" He plucked up Slipper by the scruff and ran with Frosty closely trailing after him.
Cozy had hesitated but after giving one glance to the dark abomination now giving chase the pink pegasus soon followed behind. With a flap of her wings she was airborne and was able to easily follow after Rubinstein and the rest.
It was now everypony for themselves. Out of hesitation or fear some stood still and some were just not fast enough. Several were left behind as the darkness consumed them. It swallowed them up, silenced their screams, and proceeded its hunt for the rest. The king was set on his goal and for this he will not fail it. He'll grab every single mare or colt who ever defied him and make them pay! It seems however that as this chase continued it was nothing more but a nuisance.
How about he just end it already?
The monstrous creature crashed through the ground just at the edge of the city. From it formed King Sombra himself. His red horn ignited with dark magic as he smirked towards the escapees with fanged teeth, "End of the line." He growled before stomping his hoof down against the field's grass. Many crystal ponies were shocked to find a stream of shadows swiftly pass by them. From this trail formed several small pillars of black crystal that either became a tiny bother or an entire obstacle to avoid. The shadowy path would race under their hooves and make its way to the snow where several horse-shoe tracks had been made only to be left behind. The few crystal ponies that had run up ahead long ago attempted to pick up the pace as the shadows formed before them.
Then without warning, once it finally caught up to the crystal ponies far ahead, a giant wall sprouted from the ground and halted their attempts. One poor stallion slammed face first into it. Others began to frantically bash their hooves against the shiny surface in an attempt to shatter it. No such luck.
Loud booms resonated throughout the empire as the world once again shook around them. Crystal walls would soon form at either side of one another as a large barrier began to trickle its way along the landscape and circle the empire in its entirety. Everypony could only watch in horror as the large barricades surrounded their poor corrupted city; ensuring that nopony could get in or out.
Yes while the sky stayed open a majority of the crystal ponies were all earth. They couldn't fly or teleport. Instead they were all stuck. Stuck to slam their hooves against the indestructible barricade in a vain attempt to escape the now angered unicorn. He began to stalk his way forward as the shadows collected around him. They were all his prey... they had nowhere else to go!
All of them were stuck in his grasp... except for one filly.
"Cozy Glow! You need to fly!" Frosty urged as he pointed a hoof to the walls before them.
"What?? Frosty I can't just leave you or the others like this!"
"You're going to have to." Rubinstein stepped up to his niece, "I'm sorry but there isn't any other way. You need to fly. You need to escape. Warn the princesses. Warn Equestria! Only you can do that now."
"But..." Cozy looked back and forth between them, "But what about you..?"
"It'll be okay Cozy..." Glass Slipper assured as she placed a hoof on her cousin's shoulder, "Just run. The sooner you get to Canterlot the sooner we'll be saved. Now go!"
"Fly you foal!" Rubinstein hurriedly urged once again as King Sombra began to form tendrils of shadows to snatch up each unfortunate crystal pony he passed.
"We'll meet again. I promise!" Frosty assured.
Cozy Glow breathed in... and out... With a defiant glare she stared up at the crystal walls before her. The screams of panic was all she could hear as her friends and family watched with baited breath. She had to do it. She had to fly.
So, she raised her wings... and took off.
The little pegasus was but a dot against the black crystal walls but she was determined. The climb would be difficult and she was certain she'd struggle but if she just got up high enough she'd be home free. She could escape the empire and warn the princesses! She could free everypony! If only her wings were larger. If only she were faster...
It didn't take long before the evil tyrant spotted her small body taking off into the air, "And where are you going little one?"
He dived into the ground once again and disappeared within the dark path he had summoned previously. His dark shadows would hurriedly course down the trail as he raced for the very edge of the wall. Soon his large monstrous form peeked right out of the grass floor with his attention fully on the young Cozy Glow high above.
"No! Leave her alone!" Frosty yelled out but was left ignored.
The large mass of darkness began to rear up and trail after the fluttery pink filly. Cozy could hear the rumbling growl of King Sombra just behind her. The more she desperately flapped the higher she went. The higher she went the closer the shadows got.
Cozy pushed herself to keep going but even then she felt the gravity of the situation sink in. The walls were too big, her little wings could only take her so high, and the unicorn was gaining ground. As King Sombra was able to gather more distance through his shadows alone the filly finally felt her exhaustion settle in.
The filly wanted nothing more but to escape. She fiercely flapped her wings and forced each burning feather in her body to keep going. Even then that was not enough... The shadows would surround her, the darkness threatened to consume her, and the skies above disappeared with only the scorching red eyes of hatred replacing the clouds.
From there the little pegasus could do no more. She was face to face with King Sombra when she finally gave up... and fell. Her meager wings were nothing compared to the powers this unicorn held. Cozy couldn't even register what was happening as the dark surrounded her and pulled her deeper into the abyss below.
The moment she closed her eyes was the moment she was certain she'd never wake up again.
"Cozy!!" |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | Chapter 3: They Prepared For The Worst | [Fair warning, this chapter gets dark.]
The night was like any other. There were public appearances to be made, meetings to attend, and disputes to hurriedly settle. Princess Celestia was a busy mare as always.
Despite towering over everypony else she felt to rule and take responsibility for her realm she must bow down to the masses and tend to their needs with care. For this she found herself on her throne late at night instead of dozing off within her comfortable bed in the castle of the two sisters. A pleasantly quiet home but filled to the brim with letters and parchments to keep her stuck in her seat for days. She hurriedly went through each scroll to sign an appeal, write down orders, regulate terms, and etc. Besides her during her work, though awfully silent, was her young sister Princess Luna.
After a while Celestia bit her lip, glanced over at the smaller alicorn, and guided a parchment over to her sister with her shimmering yellow magic. Using a quill she pointed at a sentence on the lengthy document.
Luna didn't have much to do as Celestia did but she still offered help whenever help was needed, "Thou silly for using big words as this." She grumbled as she shared her older sister's frustration, "Looks to be, in short, they're asking for your approval or disapproval on their rather questionable methods for their community farm."
"What's so questionable about their request?" Celestia asked with a small smile as she pulled the scroll back.
"Well for one, pony-made fires to purposely burn through forests shouldn't be anywhere near a farm in the first place. What in the cosmos are these foals thinking?" Luna huffed.
"Are thou a farm pony?"
"No, but we don't set our resources or food ablaze!" The younger sister's voice boomed throughout the throne room.
"Ah- inside voice dear sister." Celestia rubbed her ears, "You do not need to use the royal voice while you're here with just me... and two guards."
The guards nearby perked up at attention when addressed.
With a sigh, Luna lowered her voice, "Of course. Apologies, sister."
As the two began to settle in comfortable silence once again, the large double doors at the end of the throne room were sternly pushed open by two other armored stallions standing just outside. Beyond these doors revealed a small group of soldiers and one grim looking crystal unicorn the princesses recognized. Celestia noted how dull the familiar pony looked. This must be a very serious case.
"Your majesties," A guard by the door gruffly spoke, "The squadron stationed at the eastern side of the Crystal Empire have arrived with dire news."
The taller alicorn lowered her scrolls and sat up, "The Canterlot Bravo team? What happened?"
"The empire is under attack," A pegasus stepped forward and lifted his helmet to reveal eyes similar to a crystal pony's. How odd, Luna thought, the stallion's pelt looked nothing like the crystal mare besides him. Whether he was dim with upsetting emotions or bright with joyful glee the younger alicorn couldn't even tell for this leading soldier looked like nothing more but an average pegasus.
Celestia herself was more used to the soldier's appearance and gave an understanding glance towards her confused sister.
"A unicorn by the name Sombra has taken out Princess Amore and now threatens to conquer the empire itself as king. He has power we've never even heard of before-"
"And he's my friend!" The crystal unicorn interrupted as she hurriedly passed the guard and made her way before the two princesses, "I don't know what happened but- Sombra isn't usually like this. He's nice and kind. He's willing to understand others! Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, please. Save the empire but please help him as well! He can be helped. I know he can. Sombra isn't evil."
Celestia stared down at the mare in consideration. Her body didn't move except for the flow of her mane. It seems, that for one moment, the Princess had just frozen even after the room went silent.
"Sister?" Luna looked up with concern.
Finally she stirred, "What is your name, dear?" The older alicorn gently asked.
"Hope. Radiant Hope."
"Hope. You were accepted just recently to work under me and Luna.... I must apologize, this is a lot to take in at once. Princess Amore... is she really..?"
The crystal unicorn gave a solemn nod, "Yes. Sombra has turned her to stone, shattered her, and scattered the pieces. She's... dead. I'm so sorry Princess..."
"No need to apologize. This was not your doing. Now we need to act urgently. The empire is currently under attack, correct?"
The pegasus responded, "Yes your majesty."
"Then get your soldiers ready and trained for battle. We must depart as soon as we're able."
"We're going to need information, first." Luna interjected, "We cannot go into battle without knowing who we are dealing with. What if the elements are required?"
"Of course sister. This'll take some time but the sooner we are all ready... the better. First, I want scouts around the Empire. Is the Alpha Team still out there?"
"We haven't heard from them but it is assumed they should be, yes." The leading soldier walked up besides Hope.
"Then thy shall be our lookouts." Celestia snatched up an empty parchment with her magic to write down more requests and notices.
Luna was next to speak in her booming royal voice, "Good! Thou shall stay back and train! We must prepare for whatever spells this unicorn could inflict upon us and all of Equestria!"
The soldiers all had to restrain themselves from flinching. Celestia meanwhile was too busy to care. A lot was now on her mind and her dear friend, Princess Amore, was now gone... What was she to do first in a situation like this? Make a funeral? Make an army? Did she have to grab the elements? This unicorn... This Sombra... He ended royalty.
She was just scribbling away a lengthy note when the pegasus caught her attention once again.
"Your majesty? A word?"
Celestia looked up to see the rest of his squadron already departing. Luna had moved and was now by the entrance speaking with the crystal unicorn, Radiant Hope. Oh dear... it seems she might've been a tad bit distracted with her work once again.
"Ah... Yes. Is something the matter?"
"Well you see, if it's not too much trouble... I'd like to join the Alpha Team on their scouting mission along the Empire's borders. Please understand, I have family there. I want to make sure that my brothers are safe."
"But what of your team? They may need a leader and you're one of the best they have."
"I understand that, but I can assure you princess I already have a second-in-command who is just as much of a leader as I. He can take care of the Bravo team for me. Besides, somepony has to check on the Alpha team. If you are to send a messenger out, that messenger is going to need protection. I can protect them." He tapped a hoof on his chest to assure the princess of his strength.
Celestia considered the partly-crystal soldier in front of her, "... Thou makes a compelling argument. I understand your concern and I am pleased to see how thou cares for thy family. Very well. We will allow thou to make haste for the Empire along with our messenger. We will tell you shortly when you both shall be departing. Dismissed."
The pegasus bowed his head, "Thank you, princess." Then he turned and made his way out through the doors, passing Luna and Hope as he did so.
"-Sombra was once just a lost foal found in the snow." The crystal unicorn sighed as she retold King Sombra's history to Luna, "He couldn't say much, just his name. I met him in the orphanage we both lived in and we became great friends... He accepted me and played games with me."
"What changed?" Luna asked, "What turned him into how he is today?"
"Well... Every crystal fair he got really sick. One day, it got worst. He almost disappeared entirely! It was horrifying. His body just started falling apart. I managed to save him and heal his body before he vanished completely. Ever since then however, he became more distant. When I tried to tell him about your letter a couple days ago he ran off... The next time I saw him he... became what he is now. I'm sorry, I wish I knew more."
"Don't be." Celestia walked up to the two, "What you have told us now gives us some idea as to what has happened. Thank you Radiant Hope for coming here and sharing this information..."
"If it helps the empire and my friend then... of course." Hope bowed her head, "Please. Do what you can."
"We will try. For now, you are welcome to stay as our guest until all of this is over. Make yourself at home and get some rest. You look like you need it after all this." One of Celestia's wings opened up to gesture towards one of her servants waiting by the door. The mare, once acknowledged, nodded towards Hope and lead the way out into the expansive maze-like halls of the castle.
Hope gave the princesses one last glance before trailing after her guide.
Once the princesses finally found themselves alone once again they gave each other a look.
Luna turned to her sister, "Does thou not find it odd a foal was found in the middle of nowhere among the snow?"
"Yes it is strange... and each crystal fair made him sick. Does thou know what this could mean, sister?" Celestia sighed, "The umbrum. Could this be their doing?"
"How would it? The crystal heart had sealed them all away."
"Either way... if it is, we might be dealing with more than we originally thought. Let us prepare a meeting. The sooner we get everything done... the sooner we can defeat Sombra."
Everything was... dark. There was no light. No sound. Just herself. Just nothing.
She sat in this abyss and quietly stirred. Every part of her body hurt. Her wings, her legs, and even her back. It felt like something was weighing her down to drag her back to the floor she tried to wake from. Nothing felt right. This all felt wrong...
With one eye, the filly glanced around. Nothing.
With on leg, she pushed herself up. Still nothing.
There was not a single soul in this endless blank void.
The young pegasus curiously tapped at the "floor" to find she was in fact standing on... something. What was this?
"Hello?" Cozy's voice echoed throughout this vast nothingness, "Anypony there?"
Then finally... something happened. The void began to shift and change around her. Colors and sound relentlessly attacked her senses as she tried to gather her bearings once again. She found herself stumbling forward and into a large hall of some sort. There was a soft red carpet lining the center, sunlight was pouring in through the gallery of enormous windows, and columns of intricate design helped shape a sort of regal atmosphere this place held. At the very end of this long hall was a tall throne.
The young filly's eyes glued onto that very throne as she made her way towards it. The reason for her awe-struck reaction was the fact that the top was shaped just like her cutiemark... A rook.
She stopped before the throne, smiled, and went to sit down. As she did, a crown appeared in her hooves. Though confused as to where it came from the filly did not resist to place it over her curled blue mane, "Is this real..?" Cozy questioned to no pony in particular. Not like she expected a response...
However to her surprise somepony did in fact respond. That somepony was a young familiar colt that was now by her side, "As real as it usually is, Empress Cozy."
She perked up and turned to see a white crystal colt with a swirly blue mane that spiked right through the top of his helmet. He wore silver armor and even had a blade strapped to his side. The glimmering armor could be the reason why she at first didn't notice the foal's clear lack of color, "Frosty? Did- Did you just call me Empress Cozy??"
"Of course." Frosty responded though in a more monotone voice than usual, "You became Empress of Equestria."
"That's- Wow! That's amazing!! Empress Cozy. Hah! I made it! My destiny! And you- you're a guard! Just like in our visions! I told you you'd be part of it! You're my guard, aren't you?" Cozy leaned against the side of her throne and smiled down at the other.
"Of course I am..." He sighed with a frown, "It was my destiny."
The pegasus blinked at this, "Hey... Why aren't you smiling? Aren't you happy? We're... We're living out our destinies! Our futures! Isn't that what you wanted..?"
Frosty gave the young empress a hesitant glance before giving off a weak smile, "No no. It's fine. Everything's... fine." His smile fell once again.
"... Frosty. You have to be happy about this! It's the greatest thing ever! Especially after everything we've gone through! Come on, you're my friend. Tell me what's wrong..."
The colt stared up at the large doors at the other end of the throne room "Well it's just... after today, I feel like we'll live up to our destinies. I feel like this is it for us."
"What..?" The filly sat up at this, "Frosty what're you-"
BOOM! An explosion rang out throughout the throne room. The windows fell apart and shattered into millions of pieces. Those shards fell along the blood red carpet and threatened to cut through any silly foal that dared tread upon them. A loud commotion could be heard through the now smashed panes. They screamed and they shouted at the top of their lungs,
"NO MORE COZY! NO MORE COZY! NO MORE COZY!"
The young empress hopped off of her throne and wildly flapped her wings, "What's going on??? What's happening?"
"It's a rebellion, empress." Frosty muttered as he took off his helment.
"But- But I'm the empress of Equestria!" Cozy turned to her friend, "Everypony is supposed to love me! We're supposed friends!"
"I'm afraid right now it doesn't seem that way." The colt growled as he tossed his guard helmet to the floor, "Because if I'm not your friend... then why would anypony else be?"
"Excuse me, sir? A letter from your wife." A sandy-colored messenger pegasus who had made her way into the soldier's barracks was now handing the former leader of the Bravo Team a sealed envelope.
He looked up from the saddlebags he had been prepping and gently grasped the note in his hooves, "Thank you... Are you the messenger pony Celestia will be sending later to the Empire?"
"Oh- yes sir. I am."
"Good. With our wings we could get to the Alpha squadron faster than if we were grounded." The stallion hummed as he used his teeth to tear open the given envelope.
"Oh, so you must be the soldier accompanying me. I really don't need the extra protection but- well it is nice to have somepony else out there with me I suppose. Especially on the brink of war." The messenger sighed as she sat herself down.
"If King Sombra were to find you during your travel to the Alpha Squadron he'd want information. We can't risk that." The soldier pointedly added before his eyes scanned through the the letter his wife had sent. "Now if we went above the clouds we could... gather.... What?" His once stoic expression melted into shock.
"What is it, sir?"
"My daughter... my daughter Cozy! She ran away!"
"Frosty..?" Cozy took several steps back as the young colt started to get closer, "Frosty what do you mean? We're friends aren't we? I'm your friend!"
"You're no friend of mine!" Frosty firmly announced, "You never were my friend and you never will be!"
Tears pricked at the edges of the filly's eyes, "Why're you saying all this? What did I do??"
"We hate you!" Frosty continued, "We all hate you! You're a terrible empress! A terrible friend! You're nothing! You should've stayed in Canterlot and you should've never put on that crown!"
"What did I do??" Cozy raised her voice in hopes for an answer.
"Nothing." Frosty growled, "Absolutely nothing... You failed us, and we're sick of failure. We don't need you."
Cozy's eyes teared up as she took another shaky step back. A crack could be heard underhoof. The field of shards now sat just behind her. She went to fly but for some reason her wings would not raise. She couldn't move a single feather.
"You want to know something Cozy? I pretended to be your friend." Frosty huffed, "I pretended to be nice and caring because that's what you have to do in Equestria. You say hello, you be kind, and you get friends. The more friends the better... It doesn't matter if you care about them or not, just as long as they care about you. And from the looks of it I won. I have power over you. Power you don't have. You can't hurt me Cozy, admit it! You care about me don't you? But guess what?"
He made his way closer to the cowering filly until their noses both touched, "I don't care about you." With a rough shove the pinky filly flew straight into the glass floor behind her.
SMASH!
Cozy let out a loud scream as burning pain pierced through her legs and traveled along her body. Something stabbed through her wings and skewered up her face. However the moment she hit the ground... everything shattered. The floor disappeared underneath her and the room vanished high above her. As she tried to catch onto something she found herself falling back into the dark abyss below as streaks of red trailed behind her.
From above, Frosty's laugh still echoed throughout the vast nothing that surrounded the lost pegasus.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
The messenger didn't expect to make a stop to Canterlot but she wasn't complaining too much. Though they were on a time crunch any excuse to stay away from the empire was an excuse she'd take. From what Celestia had told her she could only imagine the disaster going on out in that shining city. Best if she could at least delay that experience herself for a while if she could. Not that this excuse was something to be happy about, however...
The soldier who was to protect her was suddenly told his daughter had ran away. He wanted nothing more but to help search for her but his wife, the spa pony, was now trying to persuade him to continue on with his job. She even dragged him all the way back to the train station in hopes to convince him.
"We have family all over," The wife consoled, "She probably ran to a town with one of them in it. If anypony were to find her they'll give us a letter, I'm certain. The only one we won't be sure of for a while, from the sounds of it, is The Crystal Empire. It's a terrible thought but... what if she-" Her voice staggered as she worriedly glanced away.
"What if she ran to the empire?" The stallion finished with a sigh, "I understand that logic. But why would she go there? Why would she run away in the first place?"
"..." The wife shook her head. She was unable to respond, at first.
The messenger pony nearby was swinging her hind legs off the side of the bench she sat on. Should she say something?
"We had an argument." The spa pony admitted, "She wanted to be a lot like you... I denied her that. So she must've ran to the empire to find you. To- To be like you. Cozy Glow could've been hoping to find you again. It's all my fault, dear. So please do this for me. For her. Please bring her home again."
"Oh..." The soldier looked away, "Alright. As absurd as it sounds, we shall take the next train to the Crystal Empire. If I see her... I'll let you know as soon as possible."
"Thank you... Please, stay safe. Both of you." She noted to the other pegasus nearby.
"Will do, ma'am. Thank you." The messenger saluted with a concerned smile.
The more fancier pony gave her husband a quick kiss before hurrying off back into the busy city of Canterlot. She vanished among the crowds after giving one more worried glance towards the train tracks beyond. Would her daughter really be all the way out at the Empire? Hopefully, if she is, she'll be found soon...
The stallion tiredly let out a sigh and joined the messenger mare at the bench, "It's going to be a long journey from here. Do you have everything you need?"
"Yes sir... I'm sorry about your little foal."
"It's fine. If she did go to the Crystal Empire then... perhaps we'll run into her soon. For now, lets just focus on regrouping."
Three guards possessing black helmets and sharp armor stormed into what was once a cozy cerulean blue home. Their hooves echoed throughout the grey walls and their search went from the kitchen to the top floor. Nopony was around, though there was some hint that perhaps there was activity recently.
As one soldier entered the master bedroom his ear perked at a sound just besides him. He turned and saw... nothing. Nothing but a large crack in the wall near the ceiling. A piece of stone fell right off and clattered onto the flooring underhoof. The guard let out a huff and resumed his search. Still there was nothing.
It wasn't long however before one of the guards found a certain room. Its door was left unlocked and open. They continued their search and found maps, parchments, and information of various kind. Once alerted of the newfound documents one soldier was assigned the task to bring everything to the castle.
There, King Sombra awaited and soon found himself immersed in the late strategist's writings. Well then...
Looks like there were a few ponies he had to deal with.
The messenger wasn't sure if she should be grateful or not that they both finally made it. The train ride was so long that she was itching to just jump right off it. She wasn't a fast enough flyer to match the speeding locomotive but she'd rather prefer stretching out her wings and taking the chance to dash across all of Equestria if it meant getting off her seat. However, the moment her and the soldier accompanying her had stepped into the frigid ice-cold snow she immediately wanted to turn and high-tail it out of there. She was grateful that the princesses entrusted her with delivering this important message to the upcoming scouting party but- did it HAVE to be in a BLIZZARD?
The soldier with her noticed her discomfort, "With our wings we can get above the cloud-line. From there we should be able to fly by this entire storm with no issue."
"I know... but then I'd have to put my hooves down on the snow again later..!" The messenger huffed as she flicked some of the ice off her hoof, "Plus it'll still probably be cold up there as well."
"Better then getting caught in this," The partly-crystal pony gestured to the raging winter wonderland that surrounded them both.
The messenger pony raised her wings in preparation, "Alright I'll stop my bellyaching. Let's just get this over with. The sooner I deliver you and this message to the Alpha team the sooner I can get home."
"Just a moment." The soldier raised a hoof and approached the messenger, "There's something we need to discuss."
"And what's that?"
"A unicorn this powerful could be a dangerous enemy. He can not get his hooves on a note like this. So, I want you to memorize the princess's letter. If King Sombra is out there and he finds us... we need to destroy it." The stallion sternly looked down at the mare, "We can not let him know the two sisters are after him. Is that clear?"
The messenger stared back with a serious gaze, "... Crystal."
The soldier blinked at this, "..."
... Snrk.
"Okay look-" The mare quickly tried to hide a smile, "Sir, I-I'm sorry-"
"I can't believe this. This is a very serious mission-" The stallion huffed as he turned away and raised his wings.
"Hah, wait-"
Too late. He already sprang up into the air and made ground towards the clouds high above, "-and you're giggling like a school filly!"
"Sir!" The messenger laughed before following after, "It won't happen again! I promise!"
The two raced into the storm together. The colors of their pelts splashed against the raging white blizzard around them as they soured higher into the sky. It wasn't long before the messenger pony's smile fell as she struggled against the bitter ice cold that now nipped at her nose and sank through her wings. A gasp escaped her as she nearly lost her balance midair.
The soldier ahead glanced back, "Come on messenger! We're nearly there!"
"I'm flapping as fast as I can, sir!" She shouted with a tired breath.
"Don't flap! Push! Use your wings to push the winds beneath your feathers! Each flap should propel you higher! Trying to be fast won't get you to the top!" He urged as he continued on against the storm, "We're almost there!"
She listened to the other's advice and slowed her frantic flapping. Each beat of her wings was now purposeful and strong. Despite feeling like the storm was now pushing against her... she was also getting relatively higher as well. In fact, she soon found herself flying side-by side with the guard. The messenger would celebrate if she could but it wasn't over yet! The clouds were coming closer and the cold attempted to thrust them away back into the tundra below. The two pegasi gave each other a glance, nodded, and charged right through the clouds with their eyes closed.
Not wanting their position to be possibly known from afar, the two had to hold back their strength from bursting the clouds away with one hit. Instead, they focused their hooves in one spot and tunneled their way right through. A difficult feat for regular pegasi, but these two were trained and knew that when it came to clouds it was all in the hooves and how gentle or rough they treated its surface. For this they had to be like a needle. They had to pierce through with the heavy weight of their forelegs and the light agility of their body. From there all they had to do was wait until finally- they popped up on the other side. Over the clouds and above the blizzard the two found themselves under the night sky with the stars shining overhead alongside the moon.
The messenger allowed herself to sigh as she hovered above it all, "Wow..."
"Focus." The soldier turned to the other, "We still have a long way to go."
The messenger nodded before turning her attention to the stars, "If we follow the bison and head northwest, we'll find The Shimmering Peak Mountain. The scouting party should be just at the base of it."
"Then let us make haste." The partly-crystal soldier urged before dashing through the beautifully daunting night sky.
The messenger seemed hesitant at first. In the distance there were rolling dark clouds making their way through the storm. After considering the wind and trajectory however she assumed that their path would be clear of the possible thunderstorm that lay in the horizon. After giving the clouds one last glance she flapped her wings and trailed after the soldier now far ahead of her.
Surely it was nothing... right?
"Hmm... Where could she be?"
A muffled giggle rang out in the living room.
"Not a very good hider, are ya?" The stallion chuckled as he made his way over to the closet, "Is she hiding... here?"
The pegasus tugged the doors open to reveal no filly. Only old equipment and jackets.
"Hm. Guess not."
Another giggle. The father smirked as he playfully made his way over to the table, "How about... under here??" Nothing, of course, "Darn! Maybe you are pretty good at this!"
"I'm right here..! I'm not even trying!" The filly laughed out making the pegasus turn to the couch where an obvious pile of cushions and blankets sat.
The stallion went over and plucked one of the pillows up to reveal his daughter, Cozy Glow, buried underneath her fortress of comfort. With an amused smile he chuckled, "Hah! What're you doing in there?"
"I'm being Cozy!" She chirped before burying her face against the plush cushions.
"Little filly has a sense of humor now does she?" Her father placed the cushion back over her face, "Now I'm going to hide! Count to twenty and remember... No peeking this time. Got it?"
"Hehehe..." She removed the cushion off her face and smiled up at the older pegasus, "Crystal!"
"Sir?"
The stallion blinked and shook his head. He snapped his crystal-like gaze back towards the messenger pony beside him, "Yes? What is it?"
"You were blanking for a while there... Are you alright?"
"Fine." He grunted before turning his attention forwards once again, "We're almost there."
The mountains had come into view a long while ago. The two had been flying for what felt like forever. Luckily for them they mostly relied on gliding to get to their destination... doesn't mean they were starting to get exhausted, however. At least they didn't have to travel all the way here on hoof.
"..." The messenger slowly made her way closer to the soldier, "It's really nice how much you care for your family."
"What?" The other perked up.
"Well it's just- It's nice. Not a lot of ponies have that. Not a lot of ponies have somepony like you. And... I wish could help you but- I'm just a messenger. I don't know how to fight, only to fly and get to where I need to be. If I could I would help you find your daughter and save your brothers but... I'm sorry I can't be of any more assistance than a letter bearer."
"At a time like this a letter bearer might just be what we need." The stallion assured, "You can pass messages to the far reaches of Equestria and keep us all informed. It's the best you can do now and... it does help. If my wife ever gives you a message about Cozy Glow you come flying as fast as your wings can take you... and if I find Cozy Glow and get her safe? You can fly all the way back to Canterlot and deliver the good news. A messenger is important... whether you believe me or not."
"Really? You're really sure of that?"
The soldier stared at the mare and smiled, "Crystal."
The messenger looked over in surprise and happily grinned back. The moment however was soon short-lived. The dark clouds from before had caught her attention once again, "What?"
The other spotted it too, "That's odd..."
"Those storm clouds should've been on the eastern side of the empire by now! What're they doing so close to the Shimmering Peak Mountains?"
The stallion narrowed his eyes, "Those aren't storm clouds..."
"They aren't?!"
The soldier abruptly made a dive towards the clouds below. With a yelp, the messenger soon followed suit. They both plunged into the blizzard once again and found themselves falling among the ice cold bitter snow that welcomed their return. With a shout the soldier was able to warn the mare behind him before abruptly slowing down his descent with raised wings. During their flight the messenger stayed close by as the jagged mountains came into view. The stallion wasted no time and charged for the dangerous peaks. With his tail and his hooves he would direct his companion through the treacherous landscape. Side-by-side they avoided each obstacle and obstruction that attempted to block their way.
It wasn't long before the sounds of fighting and shouting soon emerged.
The two reduced their speeds and gently glided to the rocky ground below. The messenger gently placed her hooves down onto a jagged path and quickly joined the soldier's side, "What's going on? What're they fighting?"
The stallion slowly made his way towards the noise. They were high above on a cliff-side of some sort where the two of them could both look out at a hollow that rested underneath them. There the Alpha Squadron's camp was to be. The once possibly organized set up was now a disastrous battle field. The clearing was full of soldiers and guards struggling to fight each other back. One group had the silver or golden armor bestowed upon them by Canterlot. Another had armor as dark as night with pointy fangs hanging from their sides and their neck. With this dangerous addition they were able to easily slice through any opponent that managed to get too close to their once sparkling and glimmering hides...
"They're fighting crystal ponies..." The soldier gasped in realization.
Shouts rang out as ponies began to fall unconscious. Crimson red colors streaked along the stone cold ground as a unicorn stepped out from the shadows. King Sombra.
"We need to leave." The messenger urged as she grasped her companion's hoof, "Now!"
"Destroy that note and run back to Canterlot." He growled with his eyes glued on the dark tyrant below, "I have a battle to fight."
Before she could protest the soldier had already threw himself down into the frenzied clearing.
Though he didn't want to hurt the crystal ponies he had no choice but to kick them off their feet. He wouldn't kill them, but he was going to have to try to knock them out. The less threat in the area the better. However, his attention was mostly on the unicorn king nearby.
The king easily threw several guards away from him. They flew back and roughly landed against the stone around them. He brandished a steel sword with a blade that shined brighter than the white snow around him. Even with it however, he didn't seem to want to use it. As his dark magic gripped the obsidian handle the most he'd do with it was block upcoming attacks or keep the guards from getting any closer to him. He didn't want to kill them all, after all. He could use some more soldiers...
The pegasus raced through the battle and hopped up into the air just as two corrupt crystal ponies charged for him. They slammed right into each other as he glided above and dashed for a fallen shield close by. With it he was able to push another crystal pony back before rolling over to a downed soldier nearby. He checked to see if the other was alive before taking their spear and smacking it across another incoming enemy with the blunt end of the long stick. Once they were tossed to the side he protected the fallen guard until a medic pony of some sort quickly rushed over and hurriedly carried him away with their magic.
Once he was certain the others were safe he'd turn his attention back to King Sombra. The stallion dropped his shield, readied his weapon, and charged. His hooves pounded against the stone before he hopped up, raised his spear, and lunged for the dark king below him.
King Sombra had been looking up at something when the partly-crystal soldier attacked. He simply gave the other a glance right before he was supposedly stabbed. The unicorn's body dispersed into a black cloud of shadows that snaked their way in between the soldier's legs and out across the battlefield.
"Coward!" The soldier yelled as he searched for the king amidst all the fighting, "Come back out and fight!"
The messenger was hesitant to leave. She should have when her companion told her to but... she was concerned. The mare didn't want to leave without being certain everything would be okay. However as she watched her friend throughout the battle she suddenly felt an unwelcome gaze burning into her. The messenger turned her head to spot red and green eyes glaring up at her. King Sombra was looking right at her. She stiffened and found herself unable to move. Fear pierced her heart and made her freeze as the two stared at one another. Oh sweet Celestia...
Just as she was regaining the confidence to turn and run her friend attempted to take down the king. The tyrant vanished and the shadows disappeared among the darkness around them.
With a gulp the messenger raised her wings and attempted to dash into the sky- but was suddenly nabbed right out of it. Something wrapped around her hind-leg and firmly dragged her back down. She squeaked in surprise as she was tossed back onto the jagged floor below. All the parchments she carried from her small (hand)bag flew out and scattered among the stone ground. There weren't many... but hopefully it would be enough to distract the king!
She pushed herself up and tried to raise her wings once again, "Ow!" The messenger flinched as pain erupted from her right wing. The mare looked over and pawed at the injury hidden beneath her ruffled feathers. Oh no.
"What's wrong, little pony?" The king chuckled as he took a threatening step forward, "Did I hurt your wing~?"
The pegasus looked back up at the king and then down at the letters in between them. Without hesitation, the mare lunged for the parchments and attempted to scoop up as many as she could.
The king reacted by sending a beam of dark magic her way making the pegasus cry out for the soldier that promised to protect her.
The stallion perked up in surprise as he heard his companion amidst the chaos. He glanced up at the rocks above and spotted the dark king disappearing behind them.
After passing by an incoming crystal soldier he hurriedly jumped back up into the air and made his way to the messenger.
With another cry she found herself thrown across the rough stone and into another pile of rocks. In her hooves she clutched several unknown parchments.
King Sombra meanwhile plucked up two others and curiously glanced down at them.
"Get away from her!" The king quickly ducked out of the way as a pegasus soldier dived for his head with a spear in his hold.
The messenger quickly took this chance to tear apart the parchments she currently held in her possession. She memorized each and every important note she had so she was not concerned with destroying every single message in order to keep this tyrant oblivious. The last two messages however were still grasped in his magical hold.
He raised his dark sword and swung it for the soldier's wing. The partly-crystal pegasus easily evaded and attempted to kick at the other's legs.
Again, all King Sombra had to do was vanish into a cloud of dark smoke. However as he did so the pegasus soldier hopped up and made a lunge for the letter above his head. He caught it with his hooves and swiftly rolled away towards the downed messenger nearby, "Are you alright?"
"He still has one more." The mare grunted as she tried to push herself up, "Which one did you get..?"
The soldier glanced down at the parchment and swiftly read over it, "It's a letter to the... agricultural society of earth ponies."
The two looked up at one another in shock before turning their attention back to where the dark unicorn was once before. King Sombra had vanished and disappeared somewhere within the shadows.
"Where is he??" The messenger questioned as she limped over to the small cliff-side above the unfortunate campsite below.
The soldier quickly joined her and held up a hoof to quietly support her as well, "I don't know. I don't- there!" His free hoof pointed down at the center of the battle.
There King Sombra stood. His wide eyes stared down at the parchment before him. From the looks of it he had clearly read through it all... and he was not taking it well.
"Oh no..." The mare took a step back as the tyrant's red eyes vanished under a green glow.
The soldier by her side suddenly pulled her close to him, "EVERYPONY RUN!" He yelled to the soldiers down below but by then it was too late.
"RAAAAAGH!!" The ground shook underneath them. Everypony, including the crystal guards, all came to a sudden halt as the tyrant shouted into the sky. Anger and rage filled his heart and he allowed it to consume him. No one could even react before suddenly each and every pony among the battlefield found themselves surrounded by sharp dark crystals that completed encompassed the camp. Their cries and screams went silent in that abrupt moment as their bodies all disappeared underneath the painful shards that pierced them.
The pegasus soldier had quickly shoved the messenger out of harm's way as several jagged black crystals spiked up where the two once were moments ago. The both ended up crashing into a stone wall nearby. The mare felt another burst of pain in her wing but bit her hoof in an attempt to muffle the noise.
From there, everything went silent... The once thunderous battle had become nothing more but a whimpering whisper and the world became too still for the soldier and messenger's liking. They both sat against the rocky surface behind them and stared at the dark crystals King Sombra had made. They were both alive but... what of the others? Did he take down the entire Alpha squadron along with his own crystal ponies?
The two waited a bit longer before the soldier slowly got up. He gestured for the messenger to follow and they attempted to try and sneakily hurry away as silently as their hooves could take them. However that was the problem with hooves... They weren't entirely too quiet.
The messenger let out a shout as she was suddenly pulled away from her companion and back onto the snowy ledge they tried to escape from.
King Sombra stared down at her as his horn bubbled up with black and purple dark magic.
"Don't hurt her!" The soldier yelled as he raised his spear, "You already killed so many you monster! Leave her alone!"
"... Who told the princesses?" The king growled as his magic wrapped around the poor messenger.
The soldier glanced down at the mare with concern.
"WHO TOLD THE PRINCESSES?"
"Why does it matter? Why shall I tell a brute like you? You got the letter, you know what to expect now, just let the mare go!"
"... If you don't tell me," King Sombra growled as his magic suddenly gripped around one of the messenger's wings, "I'll pluck both of her wings right off. I'll rip them both right out of their sockets... and if that doesn't convince you I can give her a fate worst then death. I could make her my slave and have her work... work until she's nothing more but a poor excuse of what she once was." He chuckled as she raised the mare's chin with a hoof.
The soldier lowered his spear and glanced between the two.
"I-It's okay!" The mare tried to assure with a shaky break, "I'll be okay! Don't tell him anything!"
"Silence!" The tyrant shouted as he tugged at her wings, "Before I decide I had enough games! Well? What's it going to be?"
The soldier stared down at the messenger, sighed, and spoke... "Radiant Hope. The unicorn who informed us of your power and your attack was named Radiant Hope."
"..." The dark unicorn peered back at the partly-crystal soldier with a blank expression, "... Hope."
A few silent moments seemed to pass by. The soldier was starting to get worried that maybe this tyrant wouldn't let go of his companion.
Then, King Sombra suddenly tossed the mare back towards the soldier. He let go of the messenger and turned towards the field of crystals he created. Underneath all of it were hidden guards and civilians now lost among the shards.
The soldier quickly helped his companion back up off the ground, "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay... But- you-"
"When you return to the princesses," King Sombra interrupted, "I want you to deliver a message to them. If they decide to attack and try and reclaim the Crystal Empire... then I shall take it down with me. As for Hope? Let her know that if I ever see her again she will not be spared from my wrath. I will not tolerate betrayal."
Then just like that... he disappeared. The very pony who had ended a battle in one swoop at the cost of his own soldiers had spared the messenger and the soldier with only minor injuries, bruises, and cuts.
They both sat there in muted shock. Everything slowly seemed to hit them at once. The fighting. The battle. The deaths... All of it left this tensity that hung relentlessly in the air around them. Even then the the messenger quietly spoke, "Why did you that..? He's going to target Radiant Hope..."
"She's safe in a castle far away." The soldier looked down at the injured pegasus, "But you? You were right in his grasp. I couldn't allow him to tear you apart while I stood idly by. I had to do something."
"... W-We should have never come here. All those ponies are dead because of me. The king now knows our plans..."
A rip could be heard as the partly-crystal pony ripped through the soft material that made her small delivery pouch. "Don't blame yourself. Lets just get you back to Princess Celestia, okay? This isn't your fault." He assured as he came up to her with strips of cloth.
"But-" She protested as he began to wrap makeshift bandages around her injured wing.
Her companion sighed and rested a hoof on her shoulder, "Listen. We came out of this alive... We need to make the most of it now." Then, the stallion hopped up and hovered over to the messenger. With gentle hooves he picked her up and started to carry her towards the sky above.
She quietly held onto him and stared down at the former campsite below. All she could think of as the crystallized battle became smaller and smaller were her mistakes. How different could this have gone if she had torn every parchment from the start?
The two continued on in silence. Both carried troubling thoughts of tonight's events. The mare blamed herself for the letters and the stallion blamed himself for the injury she now had. He was supposed to protect her, after all... and he failed.
He failed everypony.
Her fears took hold of her.
"Help!"
No one responded.
"Somepony help me!"
All that greeted her was the sounds of hooves thumping against the stone around her.
"I'm not a failure! I-I'm a friend! I'm lovable! I'm cute! I'm-"
Shouts full of rage and hatred began to bombard her.
"I'm someone you can trust! Just trust me! You can trust me!"
BAM! BAM! The rebels kicked at the locked wooden door. It creaked and it splintered.
"Just trust your Empress Cozy!!"
CRASH!
And then everything fell apart...
Then suddenly, everything returned.
The young pegasus found herself being tossed to the floor. She let out a pained yelp as she tried to regain her senses. Her hooves pawed at the ground and her eyes slowly blinked open. Her stomach ached with pain and her mouth was very dry. She licked her lips and grudgingly opened her crusty eyes. A few whimpers of pain escaped her as fatigue and hunger settled in. How long has it been..? How long have her nightmares gone on? Was this real? Or was this another fear waiting to take hold?
"Are you done?" A familiar but unwelcome voice rang out.
Cozy Glow perked up and raised her head. Before her was the very tyrant himself. The king of shadows and darkness that cursed the empire from the very start of her visit. The absolute bane of her existence.
King Sombra. |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | Chapter 4: You Found Yourself Lost | "Consider yourself lucky." King Sombra's deep voice boomed into Cozy's now sensitive ears as he walked by. The first thing she noticed as he passed was how huge the stallion was. He easily towered over her and definitely looked to be much taller and stronger then her uncle Rubinstein could ever dream to be. His curled horn glistened with a shade of red that transformed his grey colors into a more burning steel-like meld. It was like he cooked it over some coals, adjusted it, and refused to dump it into the cold waters to cool the fiery crimson colors as he should. He only gave her a tired glance in response to her stare before making his way over to a large intricate desk with an item in his magical hold... What was that? It looked blue... and it was shaped like a cone...
Cozy Glow couldn't make it out. She was too exhausted and sore to even care. Still, even then, she tried to stand. With one look around the room she found herself in a study of some sort. The once possibly shining walls were now a dull black with jagged crystals peeking from the corners. There was a large wooden desk made of dark oak and ivory stone that the king preoccupied himself at with books, parchments, and ink. Shoved against the walls sat looming bookshelves surrounding them with promise of knowledge and secrets. Strangely some had locks over certain novels and some had images sprawled onto them that warned of dire consequences and unnatural sorcery. This was no normal study...
"A majority of the crystal ponies of the empire are earth." The king continued as he examined the blue thing that hovered beside him, "However a rare few are born pegasi or unicorn. Crystal unicorns are known to be powerful and especially strong with the crystal heart's help... Pegasi meanwhile? They're just a nuisance. Neither will do as slaves."
He turned to the little pegasus, "They will escape if they had the chance. Or at least try to. I can not allow this. So I'm afraid to say... This problem needed to be dealt with."
The young filly glimpsed up and narrowed her eyes. It was then that she realized what the tyrant was holding. Floating just besides him in his dark magical grasp was a once sparkling blue unicorn horn that looked to have been snapped right off of its owner's head. Cozy Glow let out a yelp and stumbled back in shock. Is this why he brought her here? Because she was a pegasus? Was he going to clip her wings???
"Oh don't worry little one. I do not plan to do to you what I've done to them. After all... young ones like yourself can still be influenced." He placed the horn onto a desk nearby, "you call yourself Cozy Glow, correct?"
"I-" The young filly hoarsely coughed into her hooves before giving a small fearful nod.
"Can't talk? No surprise. You have been in the dark with your fears for around two or three days," He simply shrugged nonchalantly, "Anypony would lose their strength after an experience such as that. Though after seeing what you were about to do, it was deserved."
Cozy stiffened as she stared wide-eyed at the dark king. Days??? She's been in that nightmare for days?! The filly couldn't even properly process the idea. She felt her heart race as her panic settled in. She could be home reading a book but instead she was here... as a prisoner. The filly was about to fall into hysteria when the sound of shuffling paper caught her attention and snapped out of her stunned state. Sombra was flipping through a book of magical spells and curses with a calculative gaze on each page.
"Hm. I need you to do something for me." He produced a familiar silver key from seemingly out of nowhere. Cozy easily recognized it as the one she used to unlock the chains the crystal prisoners were in. She tilted her head towards the king with a concerned look before his horn bubbled up with black and purple dark magic. The king placed a curse on the key and Cozy watched in surprise as the once gleaming item became a darker shade of what it once was. Once he was done he carelessly tossed it to the filly's feet.
"Take it." He demanded before walking by the young pegasus, "And bring the prisoner in!"
Cozy quietly picked up the key in her hooves and looked up in shock as the study doors opened to reveal two corrupted crystal guards and one chained prisoner. The familiar stallion gasped in surprise, "You- I know you..."
The pink filly perked up in realization and recognized the guard she previously saved alongside with the green foal, she went to say something but instead croaked out another cough. Cozy wasn't sure if she should be relieved or frightened. At least she knew he was on her side... but why did Sombra bring him here?
Off to the side without a care the dark king resumed his search through the many unknown articles for information. Yet he still sneered, "Unlock his chains, filly."
Cozy Glow and the imprisoned guard blinked at this, "What?" They both gawked though the poor filly's voice was more quieter and strained.
King Sombra lowered his book, "Are you deaf? Unlock his chains." He angrily growled as he threateningly flared his dark magic towards the young foal.
The pegasus yelped and quickly went to unlock the guards chains. The moment she inserted the key into the lock however she immediately felt this dread that wasn't there before. She went to turn but soon found the mechanisms locked in place. An alarm blared out from the dark metal wrapped around the guard's neck as it began to flash with black and white lights. This made King Sombra perk and ignite his curled horn.
Cozy tried to pull away but instead felt something sharp dig into her hooves. Luckily it wasn't enough to break the skin but enough to scare her into staying absolutely still in fear that the crystals now forming along her foreleg would cut right through her. She anxiously watched as tendrils of black stone wrapped around her poor hoof.
The guard was not happy, "What are you doing to her, scum??"
The king didn't even seem to notice the stallion, "This spell I've formulated not only alerts me of rebels like yourself but I could also trap just about anypony from any distance. I can hear and sense whenever something of importance is being tampered with by some pony other than myself." He went over and used his magic on the key in Cozy's hooves. The tendrils finally receded to allow the frightened filly to stumble away.
King Sombra then casually took the key and unlocked the guard's chains himself. No alarm rang out and the guard was now free with no issue.
The moment the soldier was let out his first instinct was to get in between King Sombra and Cozy Glow. He huffed and chuffed his hoof against the ground beneath him, "You foul monster! How dare you not only imprison stallions and mares of the Crystal Empire but young foals as well?? Whatever punishment you deserve will be beyond the gates of Tartarus itself!"
"Oh such strong words for a pony whose life could end in this very room if I wished. The filly has done more damage by herself than you did with an army. Do you think your words hold any value to me at all?" The King took several steps towards the guard.
"Stay back you fiend!" The soldier protectively held a hoof over the pegasus, "You won't get away with this if I can help it!"
"Oh but I already have~" Dark magic abruptly wrapped around the guard's neck and pulled him close. Cozy could only watch in stunned shock as King Sombra firmly placed one of his helmets over the crystal stallion's head.
Underneath the helmet the guard began to experience his worst fears. He tried to struggle but it wasn't long before he was succumbed to the darkness that took over. The evil magic hidden underneath wrapped around his despair and eagerly took hold. He went from a contesting foe to the king's loyal servant in mere moments. Even then Sombra could care less as he nonchalantly dumped the crystal guard in front of Cozy.
The tyrant huffed and turned away once again, "Try to take off the helmet." He ordered as he skimmed through another journal of some sort.
Cozy gulped and quietly flapped her tired wings behind her. Her ruffled and messy feathers tried to adjust after days of not being used to fly. She slowly and carefully hovered up to the corrupted soldier's side while trying to catch herself each time she nearly fell. With a wince she reached over to try and pull the helmet right off. She huffed and puffed but no matter what she did she couldn't even get the darn thing to budge! Not even a bit! Maybe she was just really hungry and tired...
The filly gave up and allowed herself to fall back onto the floor with a tired breath. She couldn't focus, not with her stomach aching or her head spinning. It was too much at once.
"Hm." The king grunted and decided to just bring another guard to try and take off the prisoner's helmet. The corrupted soldier, stronger than Cozy, tried to pull it off like ordered. In the end however it stayed stuck in place. King Sombra meanwhile just had to go up to the soldier and pluck it up with his familiar dark magic.
The controlled guard blinked in surprise when the helmet was taken off. He shook his head and was just about to say something when the dark tyrant roughly placed it back down.
"Good. It works."
Without another word, he easily sent the guard away with a simple gesture of his hoof.
"What... What did you do..?" Cozy managed to ask as she pulled herself back up.
"Made sure that another rebellion like that wouldn't happen again." He then turned his head towards the filly, "Now as for you..."
Cozy didn't even get a chance to react before a blast of dark magic filled her vision. She let out a loud yelp and instantly assumed the worst. He was going to kill her! He was going to turn her to crystal! He was going to mind control her! Or maybe he was going to make her go through every one of her worst fears all over again!
Instead, she was surprised to find something clasp around her hooves. Confused, the filly looked down to see black bonds made of dark obsidian wrapped around her forelegs. A crimson jewel crackling with dark magic was studded on each shackle. She raised a hoof and was surprised to find just how light they were compared to the ones the prisoners must've carried around their necks. They weren't exactly connected to each leg either as chains, they were just like bracelets except made entirely of black metal that was impossible to take off.
She gave the king a questionable glance.
"You are to remain in the castle. If you leave I will be alerted the moment you try. Servants!" King Sombra called towards the door, "Take this one to the servant quarters and provide her what she needs for her duties as an empire slave!"
Three new crystal ponies appeared from the study's doorway. One was an arctic blue mare with a dull mulberry colored mane. Another was more peach-colored but just as deflated as the other. The last was a red stallion with orange locks. Cozy Glow was surprised to find the same ebony-colored hooflets wrapped around the other's legs as well. It was only then did King Sombra's words seem to sink in.
"S-Servant?? Slave??"
The tyrant glared down at the pink pegasus, "Join the others and leave me to my studies. If you do not oblige then I have many punishments in mind for a troublemaking foal like yourself." He huffed before turning back to his desk.
The three ponies were just about to lead her away when the king spoke again, "Hold on. I need at least one servant. You." He pointed a hoof towards the stallion, "Stay."
The red stallion stiffened at this but gave a brisk nod. The other two meanwhile were hesitant to leave their friend behind.
Cozy would stare at the unfortunate servant with uncertainty before one of the mares gently wrapped a hoof around her, "Come with me little one." The peach-colored mare hurriedly whispered. The small filly would give Sombra and the maroon-colored colt one last glance before she followed after the two crystal servants that guided her out of the study and into the winding corridors of the crystal spire. Cozy was very confused by this turn of events. She had been in the dungeon for days in a fake realm where she was being purged for wanting to become Empress of Equestria. Now she found herself here helping the tyrant with some strange experiment and trailing after two ponies she barely knew leading her through what looked to be the crystal castle itself. She couldn't help but glance out the nearest window where she found the city itself now filled to the brim with bleak and ominous jagged rocks. Once sparkling, beautiful homes were now torn through into ashen rubble, the shimmering pathways were now a dull comparison to how Cozy first saw them, and lining the streets all linked together were crystal prisoners wrapped in metal chain. With Sombra's mind-controlled guard they were all escorted throughout the empire to do the self-proclaimed king's bidding.
The gaping filly would've sat there longer if it weren't for the two crystal mares catching her attention and a guard glaring at her with his forever narrowed luminous green eye-slots of his helmet. She stepped away from the window but paused to get a better look at this guard's pelt. A familiar dull violet was visible under all that armor. Blue-ish, in a way, especially now that he was all grey and worn. No... It couldn't be him, right?
"Uncle Rubin?" Cozy quietly murmured in hopes to get some sort of reaction.
She didn't. The guard continued to stare.
"Come with us." The blue mare insisted, "It's not smart to stay in one place for too long. Especially not in these halls."
Cozy hesitated before joining the servants once again. Their hooves echoed throughout the pristine building as they passed guard after guard. The pink filly attempted to try and see if she could recognize any of them under all that armor. She couldn't, really. It was hard to tell who they once were. Their dull colored pelts were all looking like a similar shade of grey, their faces were completely covered by the awkward-looking helmets, and their manes were replaced by a fraudulent version of black fiber with purple streaks. The only visible difference were their size and shape. She could tell who was a mare and who was a stallion but for the life of her she could not recognize the once joyous citizens of the empire she first saw on her tour with Frosty Quartz. They had all been reduced to soldiers. They no longer had a face or name, just forced loyalty under the word of their new king. Cozy shivered at this but couldn't help but feel intrigued. How was Sombra able to manage such a feet? Where in Equestria did he produce such armor and helm for his new army of crystal ponies? Did he make them all himself? If then... how did he get the power to do so?
"We're nearly there." The peach-colored mare assured as she interrupted Cozy's train of thought, "Don't worry. You'll be able to rest soon."
The pink pegasus didn't realize how exhausted she was until mentioned. Her stomach ached in response and her hooves were beginning to wear her down. She felt this heaviness in her eyes, a scratchiness in her throat, and a weight across her back. Getting to a place of rest would be nice but a part of her didn't want to fall asleep just yet. She had missed several days of her life, she couldn't waste another second! Cozy wanted to do something about all this. Sitting idly by did not feel like an option as this king ruled over her family with an iron hoof. Anger bubbled up inside at the mere thought of what the tyrant had done but despite all this rebellious resentment she felt her hooves still followed after the wary servants. The guards nearby were carefully scrutinizing them and in all honesty Cozy didn't really trust her already spent energy on trying to figure out a way out now. She needed to see everything but first, admittedly, the filly needed rest. Perhaps she'll play this game for a bit longer. Perhaps she'll follow King Sombra's demands and play along all sweet and obedient until it was her time. Several days have already passed, what's a few more?
Still, even with that all in mind she just couldn't wait to bear witness to his eventual defeat.
After some time through winding hallways and climbing staircases the tired filly was relieved to find that they finally made it to the servants quarters of the castle. The door, though guarded by two ponies, was small and insignificant. There was nothing very special of it except for a small plaque labeling the quarters as such. She gave the label a small glare before one of the mares gently nudged her into the small room behind it.
There was actually two sections of this place that Cozy came to realize. The first section was a kitchen-like area full of shelves and tables that all lacked chairs. Most of the shelves looked bare and the kitchen seemed rather bland but it was a clear place for them to cook and eat their own meals with ingredients the king would often provide. Those ingredients being plain roots, berries, wheat, and whatever else anypony could scrape up around here. She saw two other servants sitting at a table with hooflets just like hers on their front hooves. They both looked up in surprise and stared wide-eyed at the filly by the entrance.
One servant was a plum-colored mare with tired blue eyes and messy striped hair.
The other however..? He was a sad looking periwinkle stallion with a tan, dirty-blonde mane. His cutiemark represented a recognizable cerulean tower. Even without his shimmering gleam Cozy was still able to recognize the familiar colt.
"Uncle Check??" She gasped with a croaked voice.
"Cozy Glow?" His yellow eyes repeatedly blinked towards the little pink pegasus, "What... What're you doing here?"
"Visiting..." The filly murmured.
"You recognize her, Check Mate?" The pink mare at his table asked.
Uncle Check nodded, "Yes, she's my niece. Half-niece, actually... but still my niece. Are you alright Cozy? How long have you been here?"
"She's exhausted." The blue mare explained, "We should get her to a bed."
The pegasus quickly shook her head, "Thirsty..." Cozy Glow coughed, "Hungry..." She wanted nothing more but to eat and drink first before being sent off to rest at least. In fact if she didn't eat something soon she feared she might not even be able to get up afterwards. The filly didn't want to risk sleep while still in this staggering state.
"Ah Celestia and Luna she's pale as ice..! Amethyst, get her some soup." Check Mate urged the mare besides him before going over to his niece to carefully pluck her up off the ground, "Don't worry Cozy. We'll get you fed."
Cozy Glow was more than relieved to find herself at one of the tables with a mug of water and a bowl of soup in her hooves. She didn't care what it was made of, the filly eagerly dug in. It wasn't the best. In fact it was rather bland, but anything was better than nothing. She slurped it all right up in one sitting.
"I guess we should get introductions out of the way real quick." The peach-colored mare tiredly hummed as she took a seat across from Check Mate and Cozy, "I'm Amberlocks."
"Saphire Gem." The blue mare sighed as she sat besides the newly introduced.
"And Amethyst Shard. King Sombra wanted servants to cook for him and keep everything clean and tidy so... we live in the castle with him." The plum mare explained, "Not like we have a choice..."
"It's better than the mines." Check Mate added in, "Or being forced to be a soldier. Though that's not the main reason why I'm here. After all, King Sombra mostly uses us for his magical experiments and doesn't even provide us with what we need. It's not easy being a servant... but I still went through a lot of hoops to convince that tyrant to make me one."
Cozy lowered her bowl back onto the table, "Why a servant?"
"Well one, we have a bit more mobility than most." Check Mate pressed a hoof against his bare neck, "And two, we at least have some privacy. There are no guards in the servant quarters themselves but we must be cautious. If King Sombra suspects anything of us he might just send guards in here anyways to eavesdrop. This is the only place we can talk for now about him and the castle with no repercussions."
The pink pegasus raised a brow, "The castle..?" King Sombra she could understand but the castle itself? What's wrong with talking about that?
"He wants to figure out where King Sombra hid the crystal heart. He thinks it might be in the castle somewhere." Saphire piped in, "But instead Check Mate's quick thinking got us these!" She held up a hoof to show off the black hooflet still clamped around her foreleg.
"Seeing some servants and prisoners unhappy, Check Mate attempted to steal away some crystal ponies to get them out of the castle," Amethyst told the young filly, "But King Sombra caught him and made a new security measure to make sure servants can't leave."
"And ever since I've had to work harder to get on his good side again... but I'm starting to think this is a lost cause." Check Mate bowed his head in defeat, "The location of the crystal heart is impossible to find. I've looked everywhere. I haven't gotten any closer to where the king could've hidden it."
"What if he hid it outside of the empire?" Cozy Glow inquired before she took a long sip from her watermug.
"No, it's definitely here." Check Mate assured, "He needs the heart to keep the storms back. If it weren't here the empire would be completely covered in a snowy blizzard right about now. It might be a threat to him but he can't risk getting rid of it if he wants this kingdom for himself. At least not yet."
"Should we really be telling a little filly all this..?" Amberlocks questioned with concern, "What if she blabbers on to the king?"
"She won't." Check Mate huffed, "She's family."
"I'm a bit surprised though," Amethyst looked down at Cozy with wide eyes, "We haven't gotten a young filly servant until now. And she's a pegasus too! I thought King Sombra didn't-"
Cozy's uncle was quick to place a hoof over Amethyst's mouth, "Um. Maybe we shouldn't tell her that."
The filly's somber voice interrupted, "It's okay Uncle Check, I already know..." Cozy's ears lowered, "I saw a unicorn's horn at his desk. I know what he does to the pegasi and unicorn of the empire..."
The room went silent after that. The crystal mares were now looking at one another with disturbed glances. Check Mate meanwhile had stiffened and now looked down at his niece with stunned worry. She was too young to be going through something like this... None of the crystal foals should be going through something like this. It made him feel even more distraught than he was previously at even the thought of all those children in chains or worst. His dismay weighed down on him and for this his pelt went noticeably grayer. Too much death and loss for just one week. It shocked him that the tyrant would so blatantly show it off, especially to a pink filly like Cozy.
Check Mate let out a breath and got up on his hooves, "I'll make us some dinner."
The tension in the room still hung in the air even as the group ate what little food they had. Cozy was given more soup, some bread, berries, and a couple biscuits with hay stashed in between them. They all knew she needed as much as possible, especially after she told the others with a hoarse voice that she had been kept in the dungeon for days. Even with all this food however she felt nowhere near full. This wouldn't be much of a problem really if only the sudden "meal" hadn't caused a new pain in her body which she desperately tried to adjust to. Her saving grace really was the water she was given. Every sip she took was like heaven as the cold water seeped through her dry throat and soothed the unpleasant sore pang in her stomach. She eagerly gulped down as much as she could only to find her mug empty the moment she tilted the contents into her mouth. It wasn't smart to drink or eat fast but Cozy Glow couldn't help it. She needed it!
In the end, Check Mate finally broke the quiet that had resounded around the room, "How're you feeling?"
"Better..." Cozy sighed as she lowered her empty mug.
"You still seem very tired." Amberlocks noted, "You should get some rest. When you wake I can help comb through your mane and get you all cleaned up."
The pink pegasus seemed to perk at this, "W-Why? What do I look like?" Cozy was more focused on food and water that she hadn't even thought to check her appearance.
"Like a mess." Saphire bluntly declared, "Being in the dungeon didn't do you any good, kid."
Amethyst glared at the other crystal mare, "Saphire!"
"Saying it like how it is."
Cozy abruptly got up from the table and went over to a large plate sitting on a drying rack nearby, "Oh gee..."
Her reflection was nothing but monstrous. Her mane was a tangled mess, her feathers were all dirtied and ruffled, and her pelt had splotches of black from all the dust and grime that collected during her time in that disgusting cell. Her ribbons stayed somewhat intact but they were a bit disheveled and torn. She'd have to get new ones at some point... If she ever could.
"W-Where's the nearest bath??" The filly quickly turned back to the other servants.
Checkmate gestured to a door across from the entrance, "There's a washroom over there to the side but Cozy you should really get some sleep first before-"
Cozy was already gone. The crystal ponies would all gawk in surprise as they watched her take flight and disappear into the other section of the servant quarters. Despite her exhaustion she refused to look like how she did any longer. She stumbled through the doorway to find a small hallway of some sort. There she found an open archway that lead to a narrow, cramped room fulls of beds and bunks while to the left of her was a door labeled WC on its plaque. She didn't hesitate to dash on in and slam the door shut behind her.
The four crystal ponies at the table all looked to one another with concern before Check Mate excused himself, "I'll go check on her." He then made his way into the hallway that separated the kitchen and the living quarters before gently tapping at the washroom door, "Cozy..? Are you okay in there?"
A small whimper could be heard on the other side as the filly splashed some water on herself, "No. I'm not okay..!"
Check Mate sighed, "If it's your appearance, don't worry. Amberlocks has a comb lying around, the others haves brushes, and I'm sure Amethyst knows a thing or two about fur care."
"It's not just my fur... It's everything. I ran away, Uncle Check. I ran away from my mother because I thought I could find a better place for myself. Instead I found all this. I found friends and family only for them to be taken away from me. I found something amazing... but it hurts. It hurts so much that I found this. I found Frosty, Uncle Rubin, and Slipper. Now they're all gone, when will you be gone too?" A loud sniffle could be heard on the other side as Cozy cried. Everything hurt. It hurt so much. The things her nightmares have said? They all hurt. She didn't like it... She didn't like this feeling she felt. Why couldn't she stop it? Why couldn't she help them?
Her uncle silently sat on the other side of the door for a few moments before letting out a sigh, "Cozy... I know what you're feeling right now. Whatever I say might not help... but I can promise you it won't be like this forever. Things can change. Everything here can change. We'll see everypony again, I'm certain. We're working hard to find our friends and family again. If we do this right... we'll see them, okay? And things will get better. Just breath. Take a moment if you need to. I'll get your bed ready."
He sat there for a few seconds but got no response from the filly. All he heard was another splash of water as the filly attempted to clean herself up. So, he stepped away and entered the living quarters.
Again, the room was narrow and cramped. Beds were shoved up against the walls and stacked upon one another. Some were bare of quilts or cushions while few others had what they needed. There were seven occupied beds with Cozy's now being the eighth. Dug into one wall was a closet full of cloth and towels which the stallion rummaged through with his tired and worn blue-ish hooves. The sad excuses of sheets were crummy blankets at best. Some were riddled with holes and others were starting to fall apart. Check Mate made sure however to get the most comfortable sheet and the most softest pillow he could find to place on an empty bed now for Cozy Glow.
As he was smoothing out the quilt he didn't realize Cozy discreetly sneaking out from the washcloset with a towel wrapped around her mane. She felt much cleaner now but there was still something she needed to do... Her scarlet eyes stared at Check Mate in consideration before she gingerly made her way back into the kitchen area where she met the other three mares who were hushedly whispering to one another. Even without King Sombra there was still a sense of fear coursing throughout the room.
"Um... Amberlocks?" Cozy slowly made her way to the peach-colored crystal pony, "Do you have a comb..?"
When Check Mate was done he trotted back out into the hallway. There he saw the washcloset door now open. He raised a brow and peeked inside. No pony was in there. Not even the little pegasus from before. He looked around in a state of worried confusion before a voice caught his attention. The stallion made his way into the kitchen where he surprisingly heard a giggle from one of the crystal mares.
"I don't think curls like that really fit you, Saphire." Amethyst smiled.
"Now you tell me..."
Check Mate entered the kitchen only to pause. He saw a relaxed Cozy Glow sitting with her back turned towards Amberlocks who happily combed through the filly's tangles. Behind Amberlocks was a grouchy Saphire who was currently attempting to braid the other's mane. Then there was Amethyst who was now turning Saphire's once straight hairstyle into a lustrous curly version that looked very similar to Cozy's. They were chattering and for once, enjoying themselves. In fact, a familiar glow was starting to glimmer along their pelts.
"I don't think it looks that bad." Amberlocks chuckled.
"Maybe you could make it curl more at the bottom?" Cozy suggested with a small smile.
"And maybe we should make it not as puffy..." Saphire grumbled as she quickly brushed through her mane with her hooves, making it all straight once again, "Only a filly like you could make it look so cute."
"Aww golly..! Thank you Saphire!" The pegasus tee-heed into her pink hooves.
Check Mate grinned a little as he made his way over to the three, "Glad to see you're making friends at least."
"Want to join us~?" Amethyst smirked.
"Uh-"
"Come on Check Mate! You look like you could use some mane care too!" Amberlocks chirped.
"I don't think-" Check Mate began before Saphire and Amethyst abruptly pulled the periwinkle stallion into their little gathering. It looked like he was struggling but there was a clear smile on his face and a lack of fighting back. They took out a brush and joyfully combed through his mane and tail as he let out a surprised laugh.
"Nooo..! Hah. What're you two doing?"
"Maybe we should give him curls." Amethyst suggested.
Saphire tapped her chin in thought, "Hmm... Is his mane long enough for a braid?"
"I can spare a ribbon if you need one!" Cozy called.
"Girls!" Check Mate again tried to get away in vain, "At least ask me what I want!"
The group would laugh and quip as they tended to one another's manes. Cozy was glad to have helped settle the tension they all had previously felt and was now able to relax against Amberlocks as she finished up the final touches for the filly's once frazzled mane. There was this new joyous calm within the kitchen and the sunlight filtering through the window nearby only made the room feel more welcoming. This place could almost make them forget. It could make them forget everything that was happening on the outside... and it almost did.
They were all just chatting in this tranquil rest when suddenly the door to the corridors of the castle opened.
Cozy was curled up against the peach-colored mare at this time. She had started to drift away into sleep, something she desperately needed, when a loud thud had caught her attention. The pegasus regarded the new arrival with one of her red-ish eyes peeked open to stare at the guard now at their kitchen's doorway. The room went silent and their sparkly pelts began to dull once again.
A familiar servant, clearly injured, had quietly limped into the kitchen. The moment he entered the room fully... he collapsed.
A gasp rippled throughout the group.
"Varado!" Amethyst dropped her brush and hurriedly made her way to the red stallion on the floor.
"You." The guard suddenly pointed towards the plum-colored mare as she approached the fallen servant, "Come with me."
The mare hesitated, "B-But..."
"It's okay Amethyst, we'll help him." Check Mate assured as he got up and made his way over to the exhausted stallion, "Just go."
Amethyst stared with wide blue eyes...
"Slave!" The guard angrily slammed a hoof against the crystal floor.
"Eep!" The pink mare yelped and hurriedly nodded. She joined the corrupted guard's side but gave one last glance towards Varado. Worry crossed her expression before she quickly trailed after the now leaving soldier.
After the doors closed behind her Check Mate let out an exhausted grunt, "Ah what did he ask of you..?" He muttered towards the unconscious stallion.
Cozy recognized the stallion. It was the same one she saw at King Sombra's study before the door closed behind her and the other two mares. She quietly looked over and thought she could spot something along Varado's hoofs, just around his hooflets. Were those... bruises?
Amberlocks pulled herself up and took Cozy into one of her hooves, "Come Cozy, let's get you to bed..."
"But... Mmh..." Cozy was too tired to respond. Instead she just wrapped her hooves around the mare's neck.
Using her other three legs, Amberlocks quietly took the filly into the living quarters while Saphire and Check Mate tried to figure out what to do with Varado. She spotted the newly made bed and went to tuck the pink pegasus underneath the cushy-looking sheets.
"There..." She sighed, "Get some rest. You really need it. I'm surprised, actually, that you were able to stand, fly, and talk for as long as you did. Heh. There's some real strength in you kid, you know that? Don't lose it."
Cozy replied with a sad smile, "I'll try not to... thanks..."
She wanted to say more. There was a lot on her mind and a lot she wanted to discuss. There were concerns and worries that she had to voice but instead she found herself drifting off into the welcoming darkness and coziness of sleep. Despite being in bed about to pass out, Cozy still didn't want to rest. A fear burned through her that if she slept she'll revisit everything again where her nightmares would take over and her new friends will learn to hate her. That wasn't the only thing to be scared of though. There was also this anxious thought in the back of her head that crept up on her as well. She feared that even without the nightmares she might wake up tomorrow and suddenly find nopony there. She might find everypony from the servants quarters gone and might never be able to see them again. Whatever happened to Varado could very likely happen to the others... It was too much to think about that she knew she had to try her best to push it all away. She didn't want to feel this. She didn't want to go through it.
Maybe that Frosty from her nightmares had the right idea. He could do anything without care and concern in the way. If only maybe, just maybe, she could do something like that too...
Her mind wanted to elaborate on such a thought but by then Cozy was already beginning to fall asleep. The last thing she remembered was Amberlocks humming a calming tune and the blurry images of Check Mate just behind her helping Saphire carry Varado to one of the beds.
Cozy so desperately wanted to do or learn more but for now she allowed herself to rest.
Hopefully when she wakes she'll have better luck than she did today at figuring out what comes next and how to free herself from this unjust enslavement. |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | Chapter 5: We Need To Take Action | A sigh escaped the soldier as he made his way through the castle's stone-like hallways. The gentle orange flames danced atop their torch to create a flickering shadow that would accompany the stallion during his walk. He went through one section of the castle that was filled to the brim with doors leading to unknown rooms. Sitting between each door were proud statues of celestial pony soldiers and bat-winged night guards. The lone pegasus would silently stare at each frozen member that lined the halls as he passed. This place was like a maze. He was grateful he wouldn't be staying long once he succeeded his mission to take back the Crystal Empire. He'd love to be back in Canterlot again with his wife and late daughter.
For now however, it seems he was making temporary residence in the Castle of the Two Sisters. The barracks were a pain to sleep in and he swore the halls would shift and change when no pony was looking. Too many times has he accidentally stepped into one of the castle's secret areas and too many times has he waited ages for some pony to dig him out. When a group of three guards approached him for being such a klutz he then, in response, kicked them all into a secret pit hidden underneath their hooves. As the days passed the soldier would continuously prove why he was the one in charge. Though as he waited his wings itched to fly and his hooves ached for action. To him, staying in this castle was such a waste. He could've been in the frozen north scouting the empire by now. Instead he found himself grounded all the way back near the Everfree Forest. It was enough to drive a pony like him mad. This nagging feeling continued to tug and pull at him the longer he stayed. He had to do something. He had to act! Not only were his brothers in danger but there was still the possibility that his daughter could be as well. So far no other family member has had any luck finding the pink freckled filly. The chance that she was in the Crystal Empire just seemed to grow every day. It sickened him to think it but he was glad he couldn't be entirely sure. However if he did want to be completely certain then his only choice was to be rid of that tyrant King Sombra. To do that he had to learn more about the dark unicorn himself.
It was then that the soldier found who he was looking for. Sitting on a balcony and overlooking the shimmering castle gardens were two mares. One was a sandy-colored pegasus with a short brown mane, sunset-colored eyes, and an envelope cutiemark. The other was a crystal unicorn with a lavender pelt, a light blue mane, matching blue eyes, and an intricate cutiemark that represented medicine and health. As they casually spoke the pegasus messenger would softly smile towards the concerned purple mare, "-it's okay now though. My wing doesn't hurt as much anymore. Especially with your help!"
Seeing the messenger's now healthy wing seemed to make the tense soldier relax. After their encounter with King Sombra he would've carried her all the way through Equestria on his back if it meant ensuring the mare's health and safety. He almost did but she had convinced him that she could walk on her own. The stallion at first wanted to drop her off at the Canterlot's hospital but the mare had refused. Despite it being closer, the messenger wanted to stay with him and go all the way back to the castle near the Everfree. So reluctantly, the soldier took her there. Luckily for them they got the help they needed from a powerful unicorn named Radiant Hope, the very same one sitting across from the sandy mare now.
"Your magic is really powerful, ma'am." The messenger beamed with a flap of her wings.
"Thank you..." Radiant Hope breathed out, "I'm just doing what I can. Though I wish I could've done the same for the others lost..."
"Hey, we went over this." The messenger insisted, "It's not your fault, Hope. It was Sombra's. You can't be the one to control his actions, only he can."
The unicorn solemnly nodded, "I... I understand. He's changed. A lot. I just hope the princesses can convince him to stop."
"It's not going to be that easy." The armored stallion huffed as he joined the two on the balcony, "Even if he does stop, he still committed several offenses. Whatever his punishment may be afterwards will have to be determined at his defeat."
Hope seemed to stiffen at what the soldier had said, "... Maybe I shouldn't have left." The mare murmured, "Maybe I could've convinced him to stop."
"Or maybe you couldn't have and you would've just been another prisoner among the other civilians he's taken." The other argued, "It's a good thing that you came out and warned the rest of Equestria, miss. We are in your debt."
"As am I." The messenger chirped, "I'm still sorry that we had to tell King Sombra about you, but your name did save my life... and your magic healed me up as good as new! I owe you, Hope. Whatever you need, no matter how ludicrous, I will provide it to you. I swear."
"As will I." The soldier assured, "As an apology for possibly putting you in danger."
"..." Hope narrowed her eyes in thought, "Anything, you say?"
The stallion nodded, "Of course."
"Whatever you need!" His chipper friend grinned.
"Then I want to join you the next time either plan to head back to the empire or its territory."
"What??" The messenger yelped, "But- But King Sombra..."
"He won't kill me!" Hope stubbornly maintained, "I know he wouldn't. I don't know what happened or why he's like this, but I'm still his friend. At some point, I'm going to have to come back for him."
The messenger looked just about ready to argue before her friend, the soldier, swiftly agreed, "Alright. If I get sent to the Empire, you can come."
The messenger whirled towards the other pegasus, "What?? Weren't you just going on about how you were sorry for putting her in danger?"
"Listen, messenger. She has powerful magic that we could use out there. If our squadron gets injured we're going to need somepony like her to treat our wounds."
"I'm willing to help in anyway I can." Hope assured, "And I promise, I won't be in the way. I'll stay out of trouble... but I need to do something. I need to go back for not only Sombra but my home as well."
The armored stallion nodded in understanding. He too had similar feelings, "Then we shall discuss with the princesses of this arrangement."
The messenger sat there with her mouth hung agape.
"Thank you." Radiant Hope beamed, "I can't sit idly by while this is all happening. I'm grateful you are at least giving me a chance to act." She bowed her head in gratitude before turning to the messenger nearby.
"Well, if everything is as right as rain I think I'll be off now. Look for me if you need anything more, okay dear?"
Her patient shut her mouth and nodded.
"I'll be in my quarters." Hope smiled before trotting away.
The soldier watched her leave before going to join the messenger's side, "Don't worry. When we get to the Crystal Empire I'll look out for her okay? Just like I looked out for you."
"... You're really going back to fight King Sombra?"
"Of course..." He bowed his head and gave her an exhausted gaze, "My family is in danger."
The messenger furrowed her brows in determination, "Then I want to come too, sir."
"What??" The soldier questioned, "Messenger no. You almost died last time."
"But like you said before, you need letters! You need somepony to send messages and keep everypony else informed!" The messenger tapped her hoof against the other's chest, "I can do that. I can keep you and your squadron as informed as ever! Besides... I don't want another messenger to go through what I have. No pony else should have to go through something as horrible, and if I can help it, I will make sure no more lives are taken for a job I should've handled."
The soldier stared down at the sandy colored pegasus as she looked up at him with guilt-ridden orange eyes. A sadness washed through him as he realized she was about to cry. Then, after some hesitance from the stallion, he reached over and pulled his messenger into a hug. The mare jumped in surprise but soon relaxed and hugged him back as buried her tearful face against the other's neck.
"If this is what you want..."
"It is. Definitely." The messenger choked out.
"Then... we will have to talk to the princesses about you too." He considered, "Alright. You can come with me if they agree."
"Really??" The messenger pulled back.
"Really. Except..." The soldier raised a feather, "There is one thing I want you to do before we leave."
"What's that? Anything!"
"You need to learn how to fight."
"What do you mean he sent her to the mines?!"
Cozy Glow stirred awake at the sound of muffled yelling just down the hall. Her exhausted auburn eyes stared up at the underside of the mattress above her. She laid at the bottom bunk of a cot-like bed with a somewhat soft blanket and a cushioned pillow. Not as comfortable as the ones at home but bearable at the very least.
She's been here in the castle for a few days now. From time to time she would be taken in and out of the servant quarters to do odd jobs like sweep up certain rooms or polish the walls. As a pegasus learning to fly she was even sent to reach places crystal earth ponies wouldn't have been able to. She hasn't seen King Sombra often except during passing moments but she personally didn't mind seeing that tyrant's face for as long as possible. Especially since she was deathly afraid that he would whisk her away for a possible experiment he could inflict on her. He hasn't yet, thankfully, but several servants around her including her uncle Check Mate have been subjected to these torments. Some would come back lightheaded, bruised, or unconscious. However it seems that despite these cruel tortures he didn't want to injure anypony to the point they wouldn't be able to work the next day. Like Varado for example. Even with bruised forelegs he was still able to get up at morning's light to make the king his breakfast. The rest of the group tried to ask him what happened in that study but he refused to tell. The most anypony could piece together from his mumbling was something to do with dark magic and sorcery. As if they didn't know that already.
Afterwards, from what Check Mate had told her, Amethyst had later returned but was more quieter than Varado. In fact she couldn't say a word for the next two days. She wasn't physically injured but her mind seemed to constantly drift elsewhere. Check Mate and Cozy did all that they could to cheer her up during that period of time but for a long while nothing seemed to work. That is until Golden Vas, the royal polisher, shrieked and fell prone to the floor after one of their plates had loudly shattered behind him. They lost a platter that day but it was all worth it to see Amethyst finally smile again. Still, she refused to explain what had happened but would occasionally place a hoof near her eyes from time to time and rub her aching forehead.
The more time passed the more others began to notice her erratic mumbling. The mare seemed to be more on edge. Her pelt remained grey even when she managed a grin or a soft giggle and her eyes seemed to constantly have this far away look that not even her close friend Check Mate could catch the attention of. However when Cozy Glow told the other servants about how she had saved her uncle Rubinstein by breaking the crystal visor through the narrow eye slits of his helm, Amethyst's eyes seemed to notably light up. That night, Cozy could've sworn she saw this newfound hope in the depressed crystal mare. She began to walk with more confidence, talk a bit more often than usual, and even gave words of encouragement that maybe tomorrow may be a better day than today. A little something that even got Cozy herself in high spirits.
Now it was the morning just after that night. Cozy Glow had been awoken by the sound of arguing just on the other side of the lone stone door. With a tiresome sigh she slowly forced herself up and sat just on the edge of her bed. A lazy pink hoof reached over and plucked up a comb nearby. Though as the filly was just about to tend to her frazzled mane her uncle had suddenly stormed into the cramped living quarters and swiftly made his way on over to a certain cot.
"No! No no no! This wasn't supposed to happen!" He fumed as he tore one of Amethyst's old blankets off her now vacant bed.
"Uncle Check..?" Cozy yawned, "What happened?"
"Amethyst attacked King Sombra and his guard." Sapphire explained, to Cozy's surprise, as she stepped into the room, "She tried to smash their helmets and was instead reprimanded and taken to the mines..."
"And she took it! She took the one thing I told her to keep safe!" Uncle Check abruptly exclaimed, "And now King Sombra has it in his filthy, tyrannical grasp! Our emergency plan is now entirely useless! Her sudden rebellion is going to get the lot of us all in trouble once he figures it out- If it's not here we need to act. Now!" He frantically searched the sheets and mattress for something that was no longer there.
"Wait wait wait- what did she take??" Cozy Glow questioned as she fluttered off her bed and hovered by her uncle's head.
The anxious stallion flipped Amethyst's old cushions and frantically searched through the pale cotton within them, "It was the only bit of magic we had with us. Dark magic, yes, but it could've been useful. However it was something we were supposed to use for emergencies only! I had trusted Amethyst with it a while ago. Now she took it and got herself caught! What was she thinking?? What was I thinking???" He burrowed his head into the stuffing of the torn pillow and sat there in defeat.
Cozy Glow gave him a concerned stare and slowly patted his shoulder in hesitant comfort, "Dark magic? Golly how did you find something like that?" She asked once she had pulled away.
"It was a crystal." Sapphire decided to explain, "While most crystals King Sombra would make had supposedly drained themselves of magic, this one we found still contained a bit of his, presumably, leftover dark magic. Without a unicorn however we couldn't use any of it so we kept it in hopes to figure out how to draw it out. Now that our king has it-"
"Oh stop calling him our king. He's not our king. He's a tyrant that murdered Princess Amore and took her place." Check Mate grumbled as he pulled himself up with a sigh, "He's probably already taken all the magic that was contained in that crystal. Our plan has fallen apart and more of us are getting sent away. It won't be long before he punishes us again for her insubordination."
"So what's the plan?" Cozy asked with a determined grin.
"There is none..." Sapphire grunted, "Check Mate hasn't even figured out where the heart currently could be or is!" She exclaimed with a stomp of her hoof.
"Well neither have you!" He shouted back, "Listen Sapphire, I'm trying. I really am! But you getting on my back for one mistake is, frankly, exhausting! Ugh. At least I'm not the one being brainwashed by Sombra and constantly calling him our king. Our majesty. Our-"
"One mistake-??? I would get punished and so would you if we don't address him as a king!" She insisted, "I'm only doing what I can to stay in the castle Check Mate. You out of all foals know that!"
"Doesn't mean you have to call him that whenever we're out of ear shot you daft-"
"Stop it! We're getting nowhere by arguing!" Cozy Glow hopped up in between the two with a flap of her wings.
"Can I not get interrupted for one moment, please?" Check grumbled.
"Not when you're insulting other ponies!" Cozy huffed, "You two need to get along! We don't have time for this! We need to think up something together if we're going to save the Empire."
"I'd rather plan with a piglet than with this blubbering oaf." Sapphire growled in annoyance.
"Sapphire!"
"He said I was brainwashed, Cozy! I'm not! I'm working to earn that tyrant's trust-"
"You're working so hard you come off as it."
"Okay okay okay." The small pegasus raised her hooves to hopefully settle them down long enough for her to talk, "Uncle Check, if we're going to save everpony you're going to have to apologize first."
"Excuse me?" Check Mate reeled his head back.
Cozy responded with a surprisingly harsh and stern glare that reminded him of her mother. It was strong, powerful, and conveyed the message well. He never before thought that a small foal could look so menacing than in that one moment.
The stallion stared, sighed, and considered the dull mare in front of him. He shook his head but decidedly apologized knowing the stakes were much higher than some petty argument between a friend, "Fine. I'm sorry Sapphire. I shouldn't have said that."
"Now say something nice about her." Cozy urged.
"What? Why?"
"You called her something mean earlier. I think a compliment is needed in order to negate the previous insult!" The pink filly chirped as she fluttered onto Amethyst's old bed, "Go on! Say something nice!"
Check Mate blinked at Cozy before turning his attention back to Sapphire. Then, understanding where Cozy was coming from, he decided it would benefit everypony if he got Sapphire on his good side once again. So, he decided to compliment her, "Well. I shouldn't have said what I've said. You're not brainwashed. In fact you're headstrong and fearless. Smart, too. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be in the mines by now along with Amethyst and Jumble. So... thank you, and I'm sorry."
Sapphire stared at the other for a good solid moment before smiling as her glare relaxed, "Alright. I appreciate the apology."
"Now Sapphire, you say something nice about Check Mate!" Cozy beamed.
With a light chuckle the mare easily gave in and swiftly quipped, "You're not as annoying as I originally thought."
"Wha- Excuse you!" Check Mate laughed out at the 'compliment.' Despite it, it felt like something he'd entirely expect from a mare like her.
Cozy joyously giggled in victory, "Good!" The filly clapped her hooves together, "I'm so glad that worked!"
"Thank Amore we have you as our mediator." Check Mate chuckled as he patted his niece's still tangled mane, "We still need to do something, though. We need a plan."
"Let the plan wait." Sapphire waved her hoof absentmindedly, "You two haven't even eaten yet. I'll make us some food. We can talk while we have breakfast."
Cozy gratefully smiled as Sapphire turned to leave. However she later frowned at a thought that came to her, "Wait... Uncle Check? What about Amethyst? Will she be alright?"
Check Mate seemed to hesitate on how to answer, "... I think so. The good thing about all this is that King Sombra didn't give her the worst of punishments at the very least. However, I worry for her mind. She wasn't right in the head after his experiments. I hope the change in scenery doesn't further affect that. Sadly, we can't do anything. We're stuck in the castle unless something changes," He sighed, "But let's not dwell on that too long. Come. Let's just get something to eat for now, alright? Then we can figure out what to do."
Agreeing, Cozy Glow soon found herself at one of the tables in the next area. On her plate was a slice of bland bread, some almost shriveled berries, and a generous block of yellow cheese. The filly gave the cheese a cautious sniff before shrugging and using the dulled butter knife to haphazardly cut a slice off the block. When she was done she handed the knife to Check Mate who had a bowl instead of a plate to hold his food; seeing as they had broken one of the few they had recently.
A silence seemed to trickle between the three. The only noise came from the other two servants in the far corner of the room, Amberlocks and Golden Vas. They spoke in quiet murmurs but didn't really have much to hide from the others nearby. Cozy had learned of the orange stallion soon after she had woken up the first night. He was a master of the arts when it came to clay and pottery. His skills later helped him work up to his very own shop where he kept things perfectly brilliant, clean, and shiny. He was a good servant when it came to polishing the rooms, walls, and silvery items of the castle. However he was saddened to be here. His wife and his children were currently held up in the mines, a place he was unable to reach. If it weren't for his friend Check Mate convincing him that by staying he might just find a way to save the Empire and his family, Vas would've long tried to send himself to the mines in order to see his daughters once again.
From the bits and pieces Cozy had managed to catch from their conversation however, it seems that they held a concern for the possibility that Check Mate might just send himself to the mines sooner or later. Amethyst and him were very close but now..? Now she was gone. Before her descent into madness she had been the anchor that helped him focus on his main objective. Finding the Crystal Heart. Without her the others weren't entirely sure what Check was going to do now. Perhaps his niece might help him stay level-headed but that was a lot to ask of a little filly. Wasn't it?
As Cozy ate her stale bread and cheese she couldn't help but silently huff. Nothing was too much for her! She'd make sure of that. She gained her cutiemark, presumably, by leading the crystal ponies to safety! Granted they later got recaptured but still, it was a plan she made on the spot that just worked. If that was where her skills truly lie then she could do it all over again if she had to. She could save everypony, restore the Empire, see her family again, and become the new Princess Amore. Empress Cozy of the Crystal Empire. Or Empress Glow!
Oh if only. She could dream though, couldn't she? To be a princess- an empress- and to rule with a kind hoof. How amazing would that be?
While the filly was reminiscing on such thoughts, Check Mate was starting to speak, "Concerning the missing crystal there might be a chance we could-" He began before the abrupt slam of an opening door had interrupted the crystal stallion.
There standing at the doorway was a corrupted crystal guard whom stared blankly at the servants with two green slits of a gaze. They turned their head towards the table where Check Mate, Sapphire, and Cozy currently sat, "The pegasus. You are needed." The guard announced in a monotone voice as it waited by the entrance.
Cozy Glow perked at this and glanced between the other two besides her. She then sheepishly smiled at them, "I-I'll be back soon." The small pegasus assured before hopping off her chair. She made her way towards the door and out into the hallway where she gave the servants inside one final glimpse before the door closed behind her.
"I'll take her from here..." A cold but soft voice presented itself next to Cozy's ear.
The pink filly looked up with wide auburn eyes at the pony now accompanying her. What she saw was a sad, sorrowful sight. The mare was a crystal pony with a flat mane that was presumably once a sparkling silver and a bland cerulean pelt that had become a dull grey similar to the many other crystal slaves Cozy had seen. Across her flank was a curious cutiemark of blue waves spiraling into a perfect circle. Her silvery eyes drooped with exhaustion and her head seemed to be stuck in a permanent bow. Around her neck was a black collar similar to the hooflets wrapped around the servants and their forelegs. The only difference was that it held a purple gem instead of a red one. However that wasn't what caught Cozy's attention the most. No, what really did was what sat on the mare's forehead. There in clear view for everypony to see was the shattered remains of a horn that had been clearly snapped off.
She was a crystal unicorn...
"I thought there weren't any crystal unicorns left." Cozy Glow found herself saying as she fell into step besides the mare who was now starting to make her way down the long corridors. As usual, the guards lining the halls would scrutinize the two while they made their way through the castle.
"That's right..." The older pony muttered in response, "The few I knew are dead. My horn was taken. My magic gone. You could hardly call me a unicorn anymore."
"..." Cozy's ears fell back against her head, "Why did... Why did King Sombra let you live?"
"Why did he let you live?" She'd ask while staring down at the filly with a blank expression.
The young pegasus had no response.
"I was Princess Amore's royal head magician before King Sombra took over." The mare explained, "After she was killed I swore my loyalty to our new king. He spared me and made me his assistant for his little trivial tasks but..." The broken unicorn's voice trailed off. Her eyes would glaze over as she allowed her hooves to move on their own. She didn't seem to be all there.
The pink filly looked down at the floor in front of her in contemplation. Then, she slowly found her voice, "What... What is your name? Mine is Cozy Glow."
The blue mare shook her head and snapped out of her tormented mind, "Tidal Swirl." She answered with a croaked voice that sounded as if she were about to cry, "You may call me Tidal Swirl."
Cozy smiled, "Well gee it's nice to meet you Tidal Swirl! Let me guess, named after Star Swirl?"
The broken unicorn paused at this and gave off a small, solemn smile, "Heh. Yeah, actually..."
"My mother named me Cozy Glow to keep me as a spa pony. A masseuse or something." Cozy Glow went on, "Instead I seem to have a talent in leadership!" She bragged as she fluttered up besides Tidal Swirl and showed off the rook now resting on her thigh.
"Hm." The mare nodded, "Interesting."
"Yeppity yep! Guess it goes to show that not every name determines a pony's destiny, huh?" The small filly beamed, "So, where are we going Tidal Swirl? What do you need me for? To reach something? I can go as high as you need me to!"
Tidal Swirl's smile slowly fell, "You'll... You'll see when we get there, filly."
Cozy blinked at this and carefully lowered herself back down onto the floor. Once she landed she'd continue to follow besides the mare on hoof. Her red-ish gaze looked up at the other with concern, "What do you mean by that..?"
The crystal unicorn did not answer the filly's question.
Dread filled Cozy's senses as they continued walking down the dark castle. The more they traveled the more familiar the path was. It was the very same route she walked when she was being lead to the servants quarters on her first day here in the castle... just reversed. That's when she figured it out. Realization hit her like a freight train as they walked down several flights of stairs and into the halls down below that would lead them both straight to the one place each and every servant of the castle feared. King Sombra's personal study.
As they stepped closer to the one door nopony in their right mind would want to approach, Cozy began to notice some new changes. The corridors were already dark enough but this time around a strange blend of black was beginning to emerge. Flat roots grew along the flooring and the walls to reach out against the once shining halls with limbs threatening to grab or pull at the crystal slaves that wandered too close. The moment Cozy had spotted a tendril of shadows menacingly protruding towards her she had came to a complete stop. The filly was too afraid to continue. Not just because the ominous rivers of ebony told her of what was to come but also because she did not want to face him again. Last time she did she was starving and exhausted. He could've killed her if he so wished. It was a miracle, really, that she was still even alive today. However, whose to say luck would be on her side this time around if she stepped hoof into his study once more?
Tidal Swirl, already standing on the black roots, looked back to the small filly and let out a small sigh, "... He isn't going to wait forever you know." Her grey tail flicked, "You have to face him. Don't worry, I was called here too."
Cozy looked up at Tidal Swirl and gave a firm nod before cautiously taking a step forward. After she advanced a few hoofsteps more atop the darkened ground the young pegasus would slowly regain her confidence and find herself by the crystal unicorn's side once again. There the two continued forth towards an eerie door that creepily welcomed them both. The source of all the dark magic in the empire clearly came from this one room and managed to seep throughout the castle's hallways and corridors, tainting whatever it touched.
As Cozy approached she began to take notice that there was something different and intricate about this door. Not only had the crystal-like material that made it had its colors turn from a dreary grey to an obsidian black, but the sides and rims had begun to curl and sharpen into harsh twists and patterns. The knob had its own unique design of a unicorn head with glaring red eyes that could scrunch up its face in a permanent scowl and sitting atop the crowning perch of this looming entryway was a dark grey diamond-shaped gem that Cozy didn't recognize.
On either side of the entrance was a soldier. Their dark armor easily blended in with the daunting environment around them and their bodies both stood perfectly still at constant attention even as the other two servants had gone near. If Cozy didn't know better she would've assumed the guards were statues at first glance.
Tidal Swirl approached the knocker, an ivory heart made of weaving stone brambles, and allowed it to fall several times against the crystal surface. She barely even acknowledged the crystal soldiers besides her as she awaited for a response to the considerate thuds.
"Come in." A grumbling voice had projected itself into the hallway as clear as a pristine crystal. Cozy had to process what she had heard because she could've sworn, for one moment, that the tyrant had spoke like as if he were physically right by her side. She anxiously shivered in discomfort and quickly pressed herself against Tidal Swirl's drab pelt.
The broken unicorn looked down in surprise but didn't object. She just made her way to the door and softly pushed it aside with a hoof. The silver hinges creaked as it began to open while a corner of the door scraped against the ground in an oddly lopsided fashion. Just on the other side laid something Cozy Glow didn't entirely expect to see before she entered.
Last time she was here, the room was all orderly and organized. Books lined the shelves in the small corner library and furniture were perfectly placed against the walls. Now however everything had been thrown to the side and onto the floors. Besides the chained books which were all contained in nailed-down shelves, the desk had been toppled over and flipped, stone busts were smashed into little bits, portraits were either torn or face down on the ground, and books were scattered all over with open pages facing the skies. In the center of it all was King Sombra himself. He sat there in all his usual glory with his intricate crown resting atop his coal-black mane and half of his body covered by the crimson red cape that flowed over his silver armor. His black magic sparked like spouts of lightning around an object held in his powerful grasp. Cozy looked to see he had one of the helmets used to control his guards and soldiers. Its fake mane of black and purple fiber was pushed back, the metal was clearly chaffed, and the muzzle had specks of dark green crystal shards all scattered along its face. It was safe for Cozy to assume that the slits of the eye holes had somehow been punctured straight through.
The king looked over at the two with a blank glare, "Everyday these rebels continue to surprise me." He grumbled before pointing a hoof at Tidal Swirl, "You, fix the furniture. I will allow you to use a small portion of your magic."
His horn bubbled up with twisting, writhing sorcery that soon blasted the purple gem upon Tidal Swirl's collar. The gem began to spark and pulse with a crackling noise that gradually collected in on itself. A soft silver glow slowly protruded from the crystal unicorn's broken horn as a replacement for where the shards now sat. Tidal would let out a sigh and relax her tense muscles once it appeared, "Thank you, my king..."
Cozy was surprised to find that the other's magic now temporarily worked as it should. The broken unicorn was able to pluck up some quills off of the floor and effectively get to work on the toppled over desk. For a moment all Cozy Glow could do was stop and stare in utter confusion. Why did King Sombra allow her to use magic..?
The dark stallion turned away to pluck up one of the books off the study floor, "Filly." He harshly hissed before passing the fallen book to Cozy, "Organize these books. I don't care how. Just do it."
Cozy blinked as she took the ancient book in her pink hooves. That wasn't at all what she was expecting. She thought she was going to be thrown into some experiment or spell that would drive her as mad as Amethyst. Maybe she'd even have to endure some type of torture or agony that Sombra saw fit. Instead however, she found herself glancing down at the strange books in hoof. They were the kind that a filly like her should never hold. Not that Cozy was complaining. By law of Equestria, many of these were forbidden for public viewings in several regions. There were titles that promised power, dark magic, enhancements, enchantments, illegal brews, and many other dangerous elements. The pegasus saw a book on necromancy, on alchemy, and on dimensions that shall not be named. As she began to get to work on stacking them all in alphabetical order she would, from time to time, glance at the few available pages she came across.
Reading the forbidden pages she would find ancient worlds and spells. There was a whole other universe she had skimmed over called the Ether where all dead dark magic would later end up. There was also a potion that made ponies tell the truth and only the truth for a selected period of time, creatures of unknown origin with dangerous intentions, and finally instructions for unicorns and how to cast certain spells that were otherwise illegal in the many small towns of Equestria. Cozy would've been stuck on these pages forever if the sound Tidal Swirl had made hadn't caught her attention.
It sounded like a shrill yelp. Concerned, the small pegasus looked through the bookshelf she was restocking and spotted Tidal Swirl by the straightened out desk. Her head was bowed as silvery sparks of magic began flying off her broken horn. She pressed her forehead against the ground as she grunted and whimpered from the pain that erupted in her head.
King Sombra stood nearby and examined the struggling mare, "It seems the more time that passes, the more difficult it will be for us to conjour your magic. Even with my help the magic you were born with will falter and drain. Soon, you will not have anything left." He stared, "It looks like the spell is working as intended."
Tidal Swirl stared down at the ground with wide eyes. She seemed crestfallen at the news and even looked just about ready to cry. Her magic... the magic she's built up for years... the magic she grew up with since fillyhood... Soon it'll be all gone. No amount of strain or fight for her power will fix that. She was stuck like this. She wasn't a crystal unicorn anymore...
The mare allowed herself to relax. Her magic soon ceased and nearly disappeared. Instead of a full replacement of a horn, only a small nub of silver light was left behind. She let out a sigh and raised her head to meet King Sombra's gaze, "I'm fine now, your majesty." Tidal Swirl assured before plucking up a fallen portrait with faint, grey magic.
Cozy slowly backed away and looked down at the book she was sorting. This feeling of puzzlement soon washed over her. Spell? What spell? What kind did King Sombra cast? Did it somehow relate to Tidal Swirl's increasing loss of magic? The pink pegasus shivered at the thought and went to place the book among the others. She was going to have to keep an eye for that. Maybe it was contained in one of these locked away journals? As terrifying as the spell sounded maybe she could find some use for it? If she found a way to cast spells though, of course. Maybe she could even use it against King Sombra? Then he wouldn't be a threat anymore! Or a king for that matter! He'll just be a pony with no magic and no power. What a thought that definitely was.
However as Cozy was reaching for another book in the corner, something had caught her eye. Something that could possibly prove more useful to her instead. It glinted in the darkness and hid under the large cover of a book that laid face down with its pages slipping across the clear-cut floor. The young filly carefully plucked it up and looked underneath to see a sharp grey crystal shard sitting at her hooves. It glimmered with infused sorcery that had collected in on itself in a small ball of shifting purple colors and energy. The gem piece, she realized, was full of leftover dark magic...
Cozy stared wide-eyed down at what she had found. Then, she cautiously went to pick it up.
The moment her pink hoof touched the surface of the gem a wave of images and colors would abruptly fill her senses. They had all swiftly passed her by in rapid succession that she wondered if they even existed at all. The first visual was of Amethyst clutching the shard close to her chest as a sound nearby had caught her attention. Another showed the same mare hiding it under the book in the corner of the room before diving out of sight. Then came a different image where the shard was more whole but had been haphazardly jabbed into the slits of a guard's helmet by none other than Amethyst herself. As she fought the mind-controlled soldier, specks of the corrupted gem in her hoof would begin to fall apart before shattering into several pieces. One of those pieces became the very shard Cozy now had found. Then it went back further. Amethyst was seen plucking up the whole gem from under her pillow in a hushed rush. Then there was Check Mate talking with her while the crystal sat in his hoof. A sudden loud exclamation of the hooflets sounded out as if they were new. Then, the same periwinkle stallion found himself standing in the center of a group of crystal slaves wrapped in chains with pickaxes tightly gripped in their teeth. The image didn't stay for long before the next appeared, showing Check Mate falling alongside the gem and into the caverns below. As the sequence continued, more and more images passed Cozy by until the moving colors and visuals revealed the crystal when it was first created during King Sombra's attack. Then everything went black...
The final memory soon surfaced. What Cozy saw was a much younger and simpler Sombra standing in a field of raging snowfall. Besides him was a looming crimson crystal that contently stared back. Whispers gently hung in the air before the crystal began to shimmer with a familiar dark crackle. Then, a flash of power surged through the stallion and altered his appearance. He grew in size and toothily smiled as all this energy and magic coursed through his ever-changing body. His eyes opened and his grin widened as the white of his gaze was soon replaced with an eerie green while a purple stream trailed after the corners of his leer. He was all powerful... and he will become king of the monsters.
Cozy Glow snapped out of the vision and found herself sitting there, clutching the shard against her chest. She felt this warmth bubble up against her fur as the magic coursing within the broken crystal welcomed her and promised her great things. It promised magic and powers beyond her wildest dreams. It promised to make her an empress...
However she couldn't consider this gem for long. The filly soon realized that there was a silent presence hovering besides her. Cozy cautiously looked up to spot Tidal Swirl's silver crystal eyes staring down at her with a blank gaze. Then, the crystal mare chanced a glimpse over to King Sombra. The tyrant was at his desk busily scanning through his notes and a few chosen journals. He seemed too preoccupied in his thoughts to care for the two servants nearby.
Tidal Swirl bit her lip and lit the bud of her horn. She used her magic to untie one of Cozy's yellow ribbons and softly gestured a hoof to the filly's curly blue mane. Cozy quietly nodded before placing the shard underneath her strands of hair. Tidal then helped her tie a loop of hair around the shard, hide it against her head, and finish it all off with a torn yellow ribbon wrapped in a tight bow, "There." She whispered before pulling away, "Now you look adorable."
Cozy giggled into her hoof at this, "Gee thanks Tidal Swirl."
King Sombra glanced up with narrowed eyes before returning to his work.
"You're welcome." Tidal Swirl's winked with a grin, "Let's finish up, okay?"
Cozy nodded eagerly before turning back to the bookshelf she had been stocking. As she placed each book in order her thoughts constantly went back to the crystal shard tied to her mane. It was there just against the back of her head. She felt it pulse and breath with gentle warmth as it contently watched her from its hiding spot. She inwardly smiled and had to hold back from celebrating. Finally a chance. A chance to defeat King Sombra. A chance to save the Empire...
A chance for her to finally become the powerful empress she was destined to be.
"Come on messenger! Swing!" The soldier urged.
"Eh!" The sandy-colored pegasus swung her sword only to miss her target completely. The mare could only stare as her opponent blankly sat there with a less than impressed expression.
The soldier let out a frustrated sigh, "Messenger... why won't you hit the dummy?"
"It... It just looks so life-like..." She shakily muttered in response.
The sandbag dummy limply toppled over in response.
The soldier facehoofed, "Messenger, if you want to come with us you're going to have to hit the dummy."
"But I don't want to hurt anypony..." the messenger admitted as she set her wooden weapon down.
"Not even King Sombra?" The soldier questioned.
The messenger's expression hardened at the mention of King Sombra but her voice would later betray her. She let out a hesitant exhale before she spoke, "I would do anything to take him down for what he's done. Even sacrifice myself if I have to, but in all honesty sir, I'm more on the defense than offense."
"I suppose defense is better than nothing. As a messenger, even." The soldier considered, "But you promised you would learn how to fight!"
"I knooooww... but I don't like carrying swords with my mouth!"
"You can carry it with your hooves."
"That feels just as odd!" The messenger complained before sitting on her rump and crossing her forelegs, "I could do with a shield."
"Well so can I but you don't see me not giving the spear a shot," The soldier grabbed a spear from the rack and tossed it over to the messenger to catch.
She suddenly hopped away from it to let it clatter onto the training room floor, "Listen, you know I'm fast. I'll avoid the next encounter, I swear. I won't be anywhere near the battle."
The soldier shook his head, "Messenger..."
"Besides, we already talked to the princesses-"
"Yeah but that doesn't mean we have to be unprepared-!"
"Is now a bad time?" A new, more royal voice suddenly appeared in the midst of their back and forth.
The pegasi both looked up to spot none other than Princess Luna herself standing at the doorway along with Radiant Hope by her side. She was a luminous figure of the night sky. A dark feathered alicorn with a glowing mane full of twinkling stars and a cutie mark that held the white crescent moon. Her gentle blue gaze would questioningly scan the two before her. How noble and illustrious but also terrifyingly mysterious.
"Ah- Princess Luna." The soldier bowed his head towards the dark alicorn, "No, it's not a bad time at all. We were just training."
"Training our vocal chords I suppose." The messenger shrugged.
The princess would give off a small chuckle before making her way over to the others, "We have come to announce that thou has been assigned as the new Alpha Squadron commander. The team shall accompany us to the Empire as we scout ahead of our sister Celestia."
The stallion looked up with a serious crystal gaze, "Of course your majesty. My team will assure safe travels through the storms, I promise you."
Princess Luna gave a grateful nod, "We thank thou. Now," She turned her head towards the messenger, "We have thoroughly discussed this and shared our concerns, but both messenger and healer are permitted to also join us. We will require your services during the war and will be grateful to have you both."
The messenger nodded, "Thank you Princess Luna!" She beamed.
The soldier, now a commander, gave the messenger a nervous side-glance before turning his attention back to Luna, "We will do our best to serve Equestria."
The alicorn smiled, "We appreciate your loyalty commander. Our forces will have to move quietly and cautiously. We can not allow ourselves to get caught so early on. We will hide in the eastern passes and make our way up from there. We are to see the state of the Crystal Empire and report our findings back to Celestia as soon as possible. This mission could determine our next move so we want no slack and no horseplay. Got it?"
The messenger and newly made commander firmly nodded.
"When will be heading out, Princess Luna?" Radiant Hope asked as she stepped up besides Luna's side.
The princess looked between the three and confidently raised her head towards the skies.
"Tonight." |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | Chapter 6: It Is Looking Grim | "Tidal Swirl!!"
"What are you doing with that Curly?? Drop it! As a crystal unicorn, that could harm you!"
"No no no- you don't understand! I found it! I found the Crystal Hea-"
Before the mare could finish, a blast of dark magic filled her vision. Her own spell was snuffed out and with it a crystal of some sort had fallen to the floor out of her grasp. It bubbled with dark colors. All Curly could do was stare at her friend as the crystal she was encased in began to crack and fracture.
Then, she fell apart.
Cozy was hoping to be relieved of duty after she had replaced all the books in a neat and orderly fashion. After all, she wanted to get back to the others as soon as possible to tell them the good news. However it seems King Sombra had different plans for his two favorite servants.
When they were done, the self-proclaimed king had then plucked up several scrolls in his magical grasp and turned his attention towards Tidal Swirl and Cozy Glow, "Both of you. Come with me." Sombra growled before making his way into the vast halls of the Empire. Two guards soon joined his side.
Cozy wondered why he needed guards. He was powerful and intimidating enough alone. Did he fear a broken unicorn and a small pegasus filly would attempt to take him down right then and there? No, that would be silly... but maybe he was just being cautious? Cozy felt she would be too if she wanted to take a whole kingdom for herself, but she would ensure that she got others to like her instead of force them all to accept her as Empress with dark magical shortcuts. That way she could avoid a rebellion if need be.
Wait, what was she thinking? Manipulating everypony like that? No- they would already be her friends. Like the princesses! She would have no need to manipulate anypony like that. Still, a part of her kept that thought stored away in the back of her mind. Perhaps if she needed some other plan to make herself an empress... she could consider it. The black crystal hidden within her mane seemed to pleasantly warm up to the idea.
The three, plus the guards, continued throughout the expansive corridors of the castle. Dark stone surrounded them and even more would begin to appear if Sombra felt the area was too bright for his liking.
Cozy narrowed her eyes. What a pretentiously obvious evil dictator with a poor sense of style. She wished there was a word for what she wanted to call him. He was like some uppity lord that was always on-edge. Somepony who clearly had a tragic backstory and an abundance of powers. Ah well, hopefully somepony in the next century will be able to come up with the perfect name to call this black and red dunce. Wonder what they'll be calling her if she managed to help the empire..? A hero, of course! A shining, adorable hero...
"Filly, you're falling behind. Quit daydreaming." Tidal Swirl snapped Cozy out of her thoughts.
"Right! Sorry!" She sheepishly smiled before hurriedly joining the other's side, "Where are we going?"
"I want a different room to settle in." King Sombra gruffly explained, "The old one reminds me too much of the previous ruler. So, while I go freshen up you two servants will get my new room ready and clean. I will have guards around to help you. If you need it." He rolled his eyes and made his way through several jagged crystal arches.
"... Why not just get some of the other servants to do this?" Cozy questioned.
Tidal Swirl stiffened as King Sombra glared at the pink nuisance, "Are you trying to get out of work?"
"Uhhh.. no no! I just think that- well... anypony could do this. We're probably your only non-earth pony staff on your team. There must be more important jobs to give us. So- why assign us this?"
King Sombra huffed and turned away, "Well it's simple, really. After everything that's been happening I can't exactly trust the other servants right now. Especially not within my soon-to-be quarters. For all I know they could try and lace my pillow with poison or hide small sharps stones to try and get a jab at me. It's why I assigned that one servant to be my taste tester. Not only does he need some sort of punishment for trying to free my slaves but I also need to make sure nopony has touched my food. I trust Tidal Swirl not to do anything ridiculous and I don't think you could do anything to my room without me noticing. However if the filly does try and do anything," He added to Tidal Swirl, "You better report it to me, got it?"
She gave a brisk nod in return, "Of course your highness."
"Good."
It was then they approached the king's new quarters.
Two guards went up and pulled the eloquent double doors open for King Sombra and the two servants. They headed in to find an expansive room; as large as many others within the castle with two windows, a small corner-like balcony, and two doors. One door lead to a washroom from the looks of it. It contained a jacuzzi-like tub resting on shining crystallized marble flooring. Another was a clear walk in closet that could hold a variety of clothing and accessories.
King Sombra began placing several scrolls and books within a shelf nearby while Cozy curiously explored the open room. As she did she felt this shiver down her spine. Someone was staring right at her. She turned, expecting it to be Sombra, but instead found Tidal Swirl who was glaring so hard. The unicorn averted her gaze when spotted, but Cozy Glow couldn't help sense this uneasy tension between them. What? Was it something she did? Something she said? She wasn't entirely sure why Tidal Swirl would be upset with her, but she found herself sitting on the floor looking shy. Maybe she should wait until they were alone.
"I have more work to do." King Sombra made to leave, "A new spell I need to get finished. You two just do your job, I'll be back."
The two watched as Sombra left, his two guards getting situated in the hall before they finally slammed the doors shut. This left Cozy Glow and Tidal Swirl sitting alone in a moment of silence.
Cozy sighed and turned to Tidal Swirl who was now right in front of her face, "Wha-!"
"Give me the crystal." Tidal Swirl demanded and held out a hoof.
"What?"
"I said give me the crystal, filly."
"Geez, you don't have to be rude about it." Cozy slightly nudged Tidal Swirl's hoof out of the way, the whispers in her head seemed to grow, "I'm sorry but I'm keeping it. I have to take it back to the others-"
"Oh really? Is that what you plan to do with it? Listen filly, I know that's not what you really want to do with it." Tidal Swirl took a step closer, "You're a pegasus, the other servants are earth ponies. I'm a unicorn. I'm the only one here who can use it besides King Sombra. So let me have it. I can free you and the others and maybe even find the Crystal Heart."
"You know where it is then?" Cozy Glow questioned.
"Not exactly but-"
"Then maybe you shouldn't have it. I could try to find it instead."
"Filly I have magic." Tidal Swirl sternly said, "I'll be able to find it easier than you will."
"It's mine!" Cozy stomped her hoof, "And stop calling me filly! I'm Cozy Glow!"
"Shh, settle down..!" Tidal Swirl sighed, "... Alright look. This was all planned. Sombra wanted you to have that crystal."
"... What?" Cozy Glow blinked.
"It's part of one of his experiments. This whole thing with the crystal is an experiment. He already knows you have it. He wants to see how others would react to it. To dark magic. So far, it has several side effects. Terrible side effects. I will not allow this to continue, especially with a pony so young."
"How do you know all this?" Cozy backed off but hesitantly rested a hoof against the crystal's hiding spot. It radiated a gentle warmth as it attempted to soothe her nerves.
"I am his obedient servant. Out of all the ponies here he believed I would be faithful and keep my mouth shut about it. I did, until he crossed a line and made you involved. I've had enough. You shouldn't be part of this. Give it to me Cozy. Let me free you from this dark grasp." She offered her hoof out and waited.
Cozy still hesitated and wasn't sure what to think. The crystal promised her power and magic. A chance to actually win against King Sombra. However the more she thought about it, the more it would make sense to give it to Tidal Swirl. Cozy had no way of using the magic in the crystal. None of the other servants did either! The only one who could was the broken unicorn in front of her... while they still had the chance. Tidal Swirl's magic was draining in front of them. If she didn't give it up now they might never be able to use it at all.
Reluctantly Cozy began to untie the ribbons in her mane and slowly pull the crystal out into the open, "You... You'll use it for us, right? For me and the other crystal ponies?"
"Yes. I can help you with the little bit of magic I have now. I could probably get those bracelets on your hooves off right away. It needs dark magic after all, right? And to do that I'm going to need some of the magic from that crystal. I'll do what I can for the empire, Cozy."
"... You will?"
Tidal Swirl nodded and gently reached for the shard.
Cozy looked down at the crystal and suddenly felt this wave of possessiveness hit her. She had to keep it. The only way she'll ever become Empress is if she was the one to fix everything. She needed this to fix everything, "No- I need it!" She fluttered away from Tidal Swirl's reach, "I have to use it, I need to save everypony. I need it."
Tidal Swirl stared and then let out a sigh, "Cozy please listen to reason."
"I am listening to reason! I need this, it's really important for me! For the Empire! Amore... Amore is gone. I need to- I have to..."
"Cozy. If it'll make you feel better, I won't take all of it."
"What?"
"I won't take all the dark magic in that crystal. I'll leave some for you, and... I'll even return it."
Cozy slowly lowered herself down but still clutched the shard close to her chest, "Return it?"
"Yes. As a unicorn I could siphon it out then transfer it back in for whatever you plan to do with it. Just let me use some of it now to locate the Heart and free you before I lose all of my magic now. Besides, I can't just take it all. If I do, that could get me killed."
"How?" Cozy questioned.
"Well, crystal unicorns work differently than normal unicorns." Tidal Swirl sat down and pressed a hoof on her collar, "We are more powerful when we are happy and full of love. Our spells are as strong as we are bright and content. We work on light magic, essentially. However dark magic is the complete opposite. We could get sick off of it. We could deteriorate because of it. To us, dark magic is a poison. It doesn't empower us, it doesn't make us stronger, it will slowly kill us. But, some dark magic is better than no magic at all. So even though this could end my life, I would rather use the last bit of myself to free you and the other crystal ponies than to rot away like this. Please Cozy, let me do this one last thing for you."
"..." Cozy Glow held out the black crystal and watched as the magic within swirled and writhed, "You'll give it back, right?"
"I will, but let me ask you something. Why do you want it back so much?" Tidal Swirl carefully took the crystal out of Cozy's hooves.
"... It will... It will help, somehow."
"Sometimes dark magic likes to make empty promises. But in the way I'll use it, it will help. Stay back, will you? I'm not sure how this will go exactly. After this, be ready to run as fast and as far as you can."
Cozy Glow gave a small nod and backed away while Tidal Swirl activated her magic and clutched the stone in her hold. She breathed in and closed her eyes. Then, she called forth the magic in the crystal. It began spilling out and collecting in a small stream of black and purple. It lunged for her broken horn and began to circle around her forehead, making her grunt in pain. The dark magic within the crystal slowly began to drain and instead entered her body. Soon a magical pulse began to form around her as the figure of a dark, curved horn appeared to replace the old one. Cozy firmly kept her hooves steady as a harsh breeze began to pick up around them and the taste of saltwater hit her mouth.
With a sad smile, Tidal Swirl gently spoke, "And here ends the crystal unicorns. I'm sorry Cozy, you're not getting it back... I lied."
"What? Wait- Tidal Swirl!"
The whirling winds suddenly collided inwards towards Tidal Swirl before it abruptly sparked and exploded with noise and black clouds. Cozy Glow was swept underneath the shadows; her screams muffled in the darkness.
Then she heard a click. She was on the floor, having stumbled down to her side, and found that her forelegs were now free from the hooflets that had been wrapped around her. She slowly pushed herself up as the black mist around her began to fade away. Nearby there was the sound of groaning. Cozy looked over at the open doorway and spotted two guards without their helmets on. They were on the floor, dizzy and confused. In between them was a familiar collar left behind.
Tidal Swirl was nowhere to be seen.
Cozy raced out into the hallway and looked around. Several other guards also had their helmets knocked right off. That's not what Cozy was too concerned about however. She saw a trail. An entire trail of black crystals etched into the ground. She quickly followed after it. Without the harsh stone buzzing so close to her ear, her mind felt more clear now. She didn't care about that silly dark magic anymore. She just had to make sure Tidal Swirl was okay! Along with the Crystal Heart. If she could locate the Heart then maybe Cozy could somehow retrieve it before... Well, Cozy didn't want to think about that now.
She raced along the path Tidal Swirl took when she heard a familiar voice.
"Cozy Glow?"
She came to a screeching halt and spotted Uncle Rubin nearby. His helmet was off and he looked very exhausted. Saved again from King Sombra's dark control. Cozy couldn't help but smile, "Follow me." Was all she said before she flew off.
Rubinstein called for her but she was already flying down the halls after the traces of black magic.
Tidal Swirl let out a heavy breath. Her body was riddled with pain and sickness. She felt worst than ever before, but she felt hopeful. She knew where it was. It was the brightest in this whole empire and it was right there above her. Above everypony. She could possibly use the dark magic inside her to easily transport herself to the top... but she knew she wasn't going to last long like this. To travel any distance in that dark form could be potentially risky. She could deteriorate instantly with her body splitting apart into a dark mist. Not the way she wanted to go, essentially.
So, she had to find another way... and another way she did. The throne room. It contained and held a plethora of secrets. She knew what was hidden just underneath... and she knew that there was somepony there, waiting for her.
She stepped out of the darkness and faced her rival. King Sombra. He sat at his throne and dully examined her. Disappointed and displeased.
"So. Another rebellion, is it?" He growled, "I should have known better than to keep you alive. No matter. Umbrum magic is like a poison for a crystal unicorn. You will die in moments. A fate you've secured for yourself the moment you took that crystal. There is no point in punishing you when you've already done that for me."
"I'm still standing." Tidal Swirl huffed as she took several steps forward, "And I'm still alive. For every second I breath I can match you. I can fight you. So get off that throne you pathetic whelp. I will end this once and for all."
"..." Sombra stood and dispersed into a black cloud to appear again before Tidal Swirl. She was small compared to him, and more scrawnier. To an outsider's view it didn't look evenly matched at all. There in front of her was a king with silver armor and knowledgeable strengths. The weak mare in front of him meanwhile had her rib cage showing and her body clearly falling apart. Her horn was missing and broken; replaced with the essence she managed to forage from the dark crystal. She stood on shaky legs and she looked about ready to collapse... but her eyes. Her eyes spoke a different story. They had a spark of anger and hope. They were lively but also dead. She was done with King Sombra... and he was done with her.
"Brave. But foolish." He stated and ignited his horn, ready to strike her down.
Before he could even cast his spell however; he suddenly felt something sharp and jagged slam into the side of his body. Pillars of dark, jagged crystals had appeared and launched King Sombra out the nearest window. A loud crash could be heard as he disappeared somewhere within the empire's streets.
Tidal Swirl's own horn buzzed with noise and power as she walked up to the pillars, stomped her hoof, and watched as they all cracked and fell apart into little shards. She headed over towards the broken window and considered her next move when the sound of flapping wings and heavy hoofsteps hit her ears. She turned to spot Cozy Glow and a once mind controlled soldier enter the room.
"I'll keep Sombra distracted." Tidal Swirl announced before pointing her broken horn towards the throne. With a grunt she unleashed a tirade of dark magic onto the crystal just above it. Shadows began to spew out and form a rectangular entrance into a hidden staircase. With a huff, Tidal Swirl felt this dizziness come over her as she stepped away, "You two grab the Heart as fast as you can. It's at the highest point of the Empire. Just go through here first, it should lead you to it."
"But Tidal Swirl, what about you?" Cozy questioned, "Didn't you say this magic could... could-"
"Filly. Don't concern yourself with me." Tidal Swirl assured, "Just save the Empire." Then, she turned back to the window and formed several steps of crystal at her hooves to throw herself upwards. Without hesitation she jumped through the broken panes and was met face-to-face with an angered monster waiting just outside.
Cozy turned to Rubinstein who was now scanning the staircase. It looked bottomless.
She hesitated going down it but the sound of the battling unicorns just outside quickly changed her mind. She flinched and raced downwards with Uncle Rubin hurriedly following behind. The stairs endlessly winded downwards and neither of them were certain if it would ever end. As they traveled they at least found time to talk.
"I hope she gets out okay..." Cozy mumbled.
"Tidal Swirl?"
"You know her, Uncle Rubin?"
"Of course. She was the head of the Crystal Empire Magical Council. She was always at Princess Amore's side and assisted the empire with anything. She was probably one of the strongest crystal unicorns here." Rubinstein sighed, looking troubled, "She was so happy before. Seeing her like that now? It breaks my heart."
"..." Cozy continued hovering down and trailing after Rubinstein, "What was she like before?"
"Well, she was kind. Smart. A natural leader... A mentor." He seemed to pause, "What are you doing in the castle, anyways? Weren't you supposed to be thrown into the mines or the dungeons?"
"His majesty," Cozy hissed, "Decided to turn me into one of his personal servants. I was given some hoof bracelets that kept me locked in the castle and was made to do little tasks here and there. He was also going to put me in one of his experiments I think?? That is until Tidal Swirl came in and helped me out."
"How did you escape?"
"Tidal Swirl. She used his own dark magic to release me and everypony else! Like you!"
"She is a hero today. If we get out of this I will make sure her name is remembered. Nopony will forget what she did for us."
"Mhm!" Cozy agreed, "I just... I hope she can survive this mess, at least."
"You and me both, Cozy."
The storm just outside the Crystal Empire castle was harsh and relentless. It swirled and spiraled into a hurricane of pent up destruction. Stinging saltwater hit the air and the sound of the ocean somehow reached everyponys ears. This was not the power of Sombra, but a different unicorn.
Tidal Swirl.
Her hurricanes and storms would angrily tear through the streets. They challenged the dark king and they warned others to stay away. This was a battle that needed space. A battle that could lose control at any moment.
She stood in the center of it all. The eye of the storm. It was calm and peaceful here, but she knew that wouldn't last long. She waited for him... and he definitely arrived. Attempting to once more strike her down he crashed forward in a ball of black and green flames within the center of the storm. Using a crystal pillar with a more flatter top, Tidal Swirl was able to easily launch herself out of the way just before he landed. As she got swept up in the storm she ignited her horn and swiftly conjured up waves of water made from the rain and raging clouds besides her. The wave lunged onto the flames and doused them out while Sombra disappeared within the shadows again.
As Tidal Swirl searched for him she suddenly felt something slam into her back. It threw her back into the center where she harshly landed and stumbled back onto her hooves. She looked up to spot a large dark cloud glaring down at her before slamming down in front of her. It transformed back into the dark king she loathed.
They stared at one another. The crystal streets at their hooves was slick with saltwater and the wind roughly blew through their manes and coats. It was cold and wet, but perfect. The perfect place to battle. So, battle they did.
Together they unleashed various spells on one another. Several aiming to kill. Tidal Swirl was less mobile than King Sombra and would often use crystal barriers in an attempt to block his incoming attacks while he easily dodged and invaded in a more misty-like form.
It was only when two spells they unleashed at the same time finally collided. Tidal Swirl thought it would be best to take the high ground and formed a pillar just underneath her. She raised herself high only to react when Sombra tried to shoot her down. When their spells hit they found themselves stuck in a powerful stalemate.
To Sombra it was a nuisance, but to Tidal Swirl it was agony. She grunted in pain as she struggled against Sombra's own magic. She tried bracing herself against the pillar but her head continued to thump and her body was screaming in pain. She was at her limit and couldn't fend him off for long.
The two spells fought against one another for what seemed like eternity until finally, Tidal Swirl's own magic began to deplete. Sombra easily pushed forward and before she knew it, the pain erupted against her forehead as his spell finally hit her.
She was thrown off the pillar and into the storm. A storm she no longer could control now that she was nearly knocked unconscious. Her hooves blindly flailed in the air as she tried to regain control but it was too late. She was exhausted. There was nothing Tidal Swirl could do anymore. She allowed the winds to carry her and decide her fate. The last of the crystal unicorns... how tragic that it had to end with her.
She couldn't even process what happened next when King Sombra appeared and casted one last spell on her.
All she saw last was a bright flash of green and purple before her vision went entirely dark.
"Huh... The stairs aren't finished?" Cozy questioned as she noticed the stairway was no longer looking like a stairway but something more rocky and jagged. They weren't smooth or built correctly.
"It looks like they're still being carved." Uncle Rubin hummed, "I think I can still get down from here though."
"I'll fly down just to see what else is around."
"Good idea. I'd like to at least know what's at the bottom of this pit before I end up falling into it."
Cozy nodded before hovering down to the bottom of the unfinished staircase. Nothing really caught her interest at first until she spotted an odd opening. It was like an entrance into a cavern except it was somehow cut short. There were crystals covering the area but there was some rectangular-like portal that sat in between those very dark stones. Surprisingly the portal wasn't as dark or ominous as everything else. It emitted a bright light with a soft blue hue, similar to the colors of the Empire before the attack. Cozy cautiously fluttered up to it and pressed a hoof against the portal's surface. It rippled like a pool of water.
"Uncle Rubin? I found something!"
"What is- ugh- what is it?" Rubinstein was carefully descending down, climbing from rock to rock in order to get to the bottom.
"It looks like a doorway? Leading to somewhere bright. I think it's another unicorn thing."
"Let me see." Rubinstein landed next to Cozy and made his way over to the rectangular entrance, "It's a portal... It's supposed to transport you from one place to another. It looks like some part of the Empire is on the other side." He tapped his chin and then cautiously approached it. He reached out to touch it- and then Cozy just pokes her head right on through.
"Cozy!"
"What?" She pulls her head back out, "It's just a bunch of crystals!"
"Still, we didn't know what could've been on the other side. You could've gotten hurt!"
"We're in a hurry! Come on, let's find the Crystal Heart already!" Without hesitation Cozy barged through the portal and found herself at the bottom of a large crystalline pillar that had several jagged crystals poking out of its sides. It had a staircase wrapping all around it, but Cozy spotted something along those steps. More crystals... but they were as black as obsidian. They were small and spaced out, but they grew roots that dug themselves into the more shining pillar. King Sombra was definitely here, alright. She couldn't tell what the crystals were for however...
Uncle Rubin soon followed after, "More stairs." He groaned.
"This could be it though! It goes all the way to the top! She said it was at the top, right?"
"That's nice and all but... Hm." His eyes narrowed as he examined the closest dark crystal.
"Yeah... That's suspicious." Cozy pointed at it, "Sombra must have put it there. Do you know what it does?"
"I don't know everything about dark unicorn magic but I can safely assume it might be a trap."
The two stared at it for a moment longer.
"Well... No better way to find out what it does than walking the steps!" Cozy Glow cheerfully announced.
"Cozy!"
She landed on the first step, "What?"
"Let me go first. I'm not letting you risk your life." Rubinstein insisted as he gently nudged her off the stairs.
"But Uncle Rubiiiin!"
"No Cozy. No more risking your life today. You've already done that several times." He began heading up the steps.
"But I have wings! If anypony can avoid something like this, it's me." Cozy insisted as she fluttered up by Rubinstein's side.
"Just because you have wings doesn't make you invincible."
"But how would you get out of it if it is a trap?" She crossed her hooves in annoyance.
"... I'll run." He grumbled.
"You'll run??"
"Yes."
"I thought you were good at strategy."
"I am and this is my plan."
"Well no offense but your plan is-"
Click.
Rubinstein and Cozy Glow paused. Their attention turned to a dark crystal that sat in front of them. It was embedded right smack center in the steps and it, unlike the others, began to glow. It gave off a noise... and that noise started to get faster.
Click Click Click Click.
"OKAY RUN!" Cozy Glow shouted as she flew away from it while Rubinstein high-tailed it back down. Just as he managed to clamber down several steps, the crystal went off. An explosion of dark clouds and ominous lights went off behind him. He tumbled forward but managed to keep himself steady on the stairway.
Both of them turned to see the stairs Rubinstein was about to climb was now completely gone. It had fallen apart and soon crash landed at the bottom where they once were. It wasn't even that far away, actually, they hadn't gone up too far.
"Great." Rubinstein sighed as he made his way back up only to stop short where the explosion had gone off, "Now how am I going to get up there?"
"Geez. What kind of trap was that?! Why didn't the others go off yet?"
"Maybe to put a pony into a false sense of security? After all, if you see the same thing for a while you might not suspect it will do anything at all."
"Well, it was really obvious though."
"Agreed." Rubinstein narrowed his eyes in thought, "... I can't jump this."
"And there could be more of these up ahead." Cozy sighed, "So even if you did make it, you could risk running into more."
The two stared at each other, "... I can't ask you to go up there by yourself." Rubinstein muttered, "I have to keep you safe so I can return you to your family."
"Sombra is busy fighting Tidal Swirl. It might leave me enough time to get up there with no consequences!"
"That's not enough time. Tidal Swirl is strong but dark magic is still very damaging to a crystal unicorn. That battle will end very soon now."
"Then..." Cozy tapped her chin in thought, "You could create another distraction?"
"I could?"
She nodded, "The mines. The dungeons. Frosty and Slipper could be there. The other guards are free now, you need to gather them and free the others along with Uncle Check and everypony else! Not only could this cause a distraction but... if we could get them all out into the streets, we could-"
"Activate the Heart..." Rubinstein stared and then lowered his head in defeat, "That... That is a good plan. And right now, you're the only pony we have that could keep going and could get up there to the Heart. Cozy. I wish it didn't have to be you, but I believe you can do this." He rested a hoof on her shoulder.
"I know I can do this."
Her uncle smiled, "That's the spirit. I'll go distract Sombra. I'm leaving the Heart to you now. Go save the Empire."
Cozy's eyes widened. Then, with a determined grin she nodded and dashed upwards across the broken staircase. She easily began making her way up the spiral staircase using her wings to fly over traps and using her legs to rest her feathers. The next time she looked down Rubinstein was already gone and their plan was kicking into action.
Princess Luna made her way along the frozen tundra. In the distance there was a raging, howling storm swirling in the skies. Her hooves sank into the cold snow at each step but she was determined to finish this patrol. She was accompanied by The Scout and The Messenger who had insisted on coming with. Luna only agreed because she had patrolled this area a few times now. Each time has come up with nothing. She felt this area was the safest out of the others which is why she was certain the happy-go-lucky pegasus wouldn't be harmed during their walk. She knew The Messenger was just itching to do something, after all.
In all honesty though It pained Luna that she was not taking part in the patrol more closer to the Empire. After all, there was a recent report of strange weather patterns and activity. One she could even see and feel now from this far away. It was located at the Empire. Who knew what Sombra was doing there now? Oh well. The Commander's patrol will fill her in on anymore details later. For now, she was focused on the sandy mare nearby.
She's been cooped up in camp for a while now. Nothing eventful besides the weather has yet happened so no messages were needed to be delivered to other sectors or to Canterlot. So, Luna thought it would be best to let The Messenger stretch her legs and wings for a while. Sometimes it was invigorating to just go out and have a walk. Even at stressful times like these.
However that wasn't the only reason The Messenger was out with her today. After all, Luna had some questions, "Scout. Go up ahead please. More to the West if you will. Messenger and I will scan the Northern area."
The Scout, a gentle grey and speckled earth pony, gave a firm nod and dashed up ahead. He was gone in moments leaving only Princess Luna and The Messenger alone.
"Have you ever seen the Crystal Empire before, Messenger?"
The sandy pegasus blinked, "No, never. Though out of all places, I would not mind delivering mail there one day. I've always heard how grand it was. Would be nice to see it myself."
"Yes. It was a luminous and beautiful place. Hopefully, after this war, you will one day get to see it in its full glory. Just as it's supposed to be..." Princess Luna then sighed, "We've heard what you and the Commander had to witness. We're sorry that you had to be part of something like that."
The Messenger flinched, "I... I should have just destroyed that letter when I had the chance. None of that would have happened if I hadn't been so careless."
Princess Luna halted and raised her wings, "Messenger. Do not blame yourself for the actions of that tyrant. Or the actions of us and our sister."
"What?"
Luna wrapped a wing around the pegasus in a comforting gesture, "We were the ones who sent you out to deliver that letter in the first place. We put you and the Commander at risk."
"You didn't know he was going to attack that squadron, though!"
"Even so, Celestia and I have a responsibility over our subjects. The squadron and the two of you were our responsibility... and we failed you. Don't blame yourself however. What you went through was entirely out of your control."
The Messenger gently brushed Luna's wing away, "I will not stop blaming myself if you keep blaming yourself, Princess."
"Excuse me?"
"If it's not my fault, then it's not your fault either. You might've given the order but you didn't know what he was going to do. You didn't know he was going to attack! We might be your responsibility, but you didn't put us at risk. It was out of your control too." The Messenger firmly stated.
Princess Luna stopped and stared... then she smiled, "I don't think I've gotten your name yet, Messenger."
The pegasus returned the smile, "Love Letter. My name is Love Letter."
"Love Letter. What a precious name." Luna giggled as she began to trek along through the brewing winds, "Hm, I hope you don't mind if I ask a different kind of question." She hummed as a speck of black appeared in the distance. Her focus was on The Messenger so she didn't yet notice that speck was soon getting bigger.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Well when you and the Commander-" BOOM!
Snow went flying into the air and nearly buried the two where they were. Princess Luna easily used her magic to shield both of them from the white flurries of cold ice. Something had crashed nearby, just over the hill it had created.
Luna sensed it before she could see it. That dark, raw energy it produced. It was maddening. It was strong. She raised her wing protectively in front of The Messenger and readied her horn.
"WHO GOES THERE?" Luna's voice boomed as she prepared for the worst. It must be Sombra, wasn't it? He had somehow found them and was now ready to attack. Well she was prepared too. Her own magic could fight him off, if need be. Couldn't it?
The two stood there and waited. They expected him to come marching up from the pile of snow. They expected him to announce his presence and attack. Or worst, try to hide in their shadows and strike from behind.
None of that happened however. Nopony approached. Nothing was said. There was an eerie silence and nothing more.
Finally, Luna braved it and turned to The Messenger, "Stay here Love Letter." She hissed before making her way up to the crater this thing had created. She clambered on up and glared down, expecting to find Sombra with how much dark magic she felt... but instead she was surprised to find a crystal unicorn.
A blue crystal unicorn with a curly mane and a cutiemark representing swirling waves. She looked disgustingly ill and on the verge of death. Dark magic sparked from her broken horn and her body would twitch in response. Princess Luna, at first, could only stare.
"Princess!" The Scout called out as he raced up the hill, "Are you alright?! I saw something crash in your sector!"
"We are fine." Princess Luna announced, "Messenger. Get back to camp and call for The Healer's aid! Tell them this is the work of Sombra. Scout, keep an eye for any danger. We might not be alone." She then headed down to the broken unicorn's side.
"Right!" The Messenger saluted before flying off.
The Scout meanwhile took up sentry around the crater. He kept his eyes on the distance, expecting anypony to appear at any second.
Princess Luna paused in front of the collapsed unicorn and hesitantly crouched before her. She gently reached over and placed a hoof on the mare's shoulder. No reaction, "If you can hear me, it is I. Princess Luna. Let my voice guide you. Please, are you still there? Are you still conscious?"
The unicorn's body twitched once more. Besides that, no response. Luna let out a sigh.
"Then let me find you another way." She then lit her horn. A brilliant white glow began to curl around it. What she was about to do next was potentially risky... but she had to learn what had happened. She had to know what was going on in The Crystal Empire, and how to fix this.
So from her horn came a white line of light that snaked its way to the unicorn's head. The dreamwalker spell. A spell that allowed Luna to explore the dreams of a certain pony. This being the one before her now.
She closed her own eyes and focused... and then, she was somewhere else.
When she opened her eyes the princess found herself in a void made of starlight. She carefully scanned the area and then heard a noise below her. Looking down she saw nothing but desolate darkness beneath her. However she felt the unicorn's presence. A small, flickering light that laid dormant just below. With a sigh, Luna breathed in and allowed herself to fall.
She fell towards the darkness below... and then crash landed into the surface of an ocean. She fell through the water only to find herself in another area entirely as she dropped out from the other side and into the muted halls of the Crystal Empire.
It was rather shiny. Just like it was supposed to be. Calm, peaceful, and serene. Luna made her way down the brilliant hallways and continued trailing after the flickering glimmer that she sensed. She came upon a fork in the road when she heard it. Voices. Turning towards them she spotted a door that was open slightly ajar. In it was a light that seemed brighter than the rest of the world. Intrigued, Luna made her way over to it.
She peeked through and spotted the broken unicorn she saw before... except she wasn't broken. She was shining and happy. Her perfect horn was ignited with magic as she casted her spell.
The growing flower in front of her then bloomed with beautiful petals of red, pink, and blue.
"And that's how you perform a growth spell." She explained as she gently let go of the crystal flower.
"Wow..! I want to try!" The eager voice of a young colt hit Luna's ears.
"Go ahead. I'm not stopping you."
Luna watched as a young silver crystal unicorn stepped into view. He lit his horn with white magic and aimed it at the flower. Once he did, it grew twice as big... and kept growing bigger and bigger until it hit the ceiling.
The two looked on in awe before the colt happily beamed, "Haha! Guess I'm more powerful than we thought, huh?"
"Oh please. I was only helping you when you weren't looking." The blue mare chuckled.
"Don't lie Tidal Swirl! Admit it, I've gotten way stronger lately! I say I'm about ready to move up, don't you?"
Suddenly, even though it was just a moment, the room turned a lot darker. The mare stared at him, as if remembering something... "... Right. Well- you have to wait a little longer before that, Clear Cut."
"How much longer though? I've been getting a lot older lately! More older than you were when you became part of the council as a magician! I'd say at this point I'm running out of time, don't you think?" He innocently asked.
The darkness only seemed to grow as Tidal Swirl stood and backed away, "R-... Right... I just- I'm sorry. I need to-"
"What's wrong Tidal Swirl?" Clear Cut questioned, "I'm your star pupil right? Haven't I proven myself? I've been at your side for a very long time now. Won't you let me go?"
The room began to crack. The darkness began to spread.
"Stop. Stop please. Don't say that." Tidal Swirl urged as she felt her eyes sting, "Don't say that."
"But Tidal Swirl... I'm strong enough. Don't you believe me?"
"I said STOP!" CRACK! The room was now starting to shatter. The bright light was now beginning to fill up with black and grey colors. Clear Cut was smiling but slowly falling apart. Panic began to grow as voices and whispers began to surround Tidal Swirl's whimpering figure.
Princess Luna quickly reacted and jumped into the middle of the room, "ENOUGH!"
With a stomp of her hooves, the room fell apart entirely into a dark void. Tidal Swirl kicked out in fear but slowly relaxed when she realized how silent it all was. How peaceful. She stared up at Luna in shock. Then, she watched as Luna raised her horn and conjourned up the moon behind her. Along with the moon came the night sky... and then the ground. A sandy ground.
Then water. Ocean water. The sound of the waves hit Tidal Swirl's ears along with the squawks of pelicans and the gentle whistle of the breeze. She stood there, taking it all in. The horizon. The feeling of the wind brushing through her coat...
Her safe place. The very place she always imagined whenever she was stressed or anxious. This helped calm her down...
She breathed out and then turned to see Princess Luna sitting besides her, watching the moon slowly rise in the distance.
"... Princess Luna?"
Luna turned towards Tidal Swirl and smiled, "Tidal Swirl, correct? I've heard of you. Personal assistant to Princess Amore."
"That is correct... Where are we?"
"In a dream, though a more broken dream. You are unconscious but still fighting to be conscious. As you are, you are also losing yourself. If I hadn't come while I did, you might've just lost that last part of your mind to the darkness that was invading."
"You shouldn't have come here." Tidal Swirl turned back to the horizon, "I'm going to die anyways. The dark magic I've transferred to myself will consume me. There is no saving me."
"... Then let me know what has happened in the Empire while you were contained in it. What does that tyrant plan?"
Tidal Swirl's ears fell back, "There is too much to explain and not enough time for it. I have a suggestion. Take my memories. The last bit of memories you can collect before the darkness eats away at it. Maybe then you will have a better idea at what is happening."
"Take your memories?" Luna shook her head, "But if your body ends up surviving this, your body would become a husk with no memories within it if I took them now."
"I don't care if my body somehow survives. It is broken. It is beyond repair." She turned to Luna and bowed her head, "Take my memories. I failed the Empire. I failed Princess Amore. I failed my fellow magicians. And I failed my student... I can not live with this guilt anymore. At least by giving away the last part of myself I can ensure that something can be done. That my mind can finally be put to better use. Please. Before the dark magic takes ahold of me entirely. Before it finally kills me."
"..." Luna sighed and stood, "... Then tell me this before I decide. What has become of the rest of the crystal unicorns in the council?"
Tears began to appear in the corner of her eyes. Tidal Swirl couldn't look up as she spoke, "They died to the hooves of Sombra along with all the crystal pegasi. I am the last crystal unicorn... the last that I know of. I'm sorry. I couldn't save them. The crystal unicorns ends here with me..."
A silence trickled between the two. Luna stared at Tidal Swirl and then carefully lit her horn once more, "... You are not the last."
Tidal Swirl perked up and looked to see two figures appear in front of her. Her eyes widened as she gawked at the both of them. One was a pegasus soldier with crystal-like eyes. Another... was a purplish crystal unicorn with a blue mane, "Radiant Hope." She murmured. Her hopeful gaze flicked between them both.
"I apologize if this does not put you at ease. You've lost many, after all." Luna sighed, "But you are not alone."
"Please." She turned towards Luna, "Please keep them alive. That's all I ask."
"Of course." Luna allowed the two figures to walk away before she approached Tidal Swirl, "Are you certain you want me to do this?"
"Yes. I will not survive this. That I am certain. Take all the information you need to defeat Sombra. You have my permission."
"... Very well." She closed her eyes and focused. This was a spell she never wished to do, but she knew she had no choice. It was either now or never.
She pressed the tip of her horn against TIdal Swirl's forehead... and found herself surrounded with the memories of a young foal growing into an intelligent adult. Luna relaxed into the spell and allowed the memories to flow into her, taking them all as carefully as she could in order to avoid getting overwhelmed.
As she did this however, she didn't notice the darkness that was now snaking their way up to the two. It first tried to latch onto Tidal Swirl who barely moved or reacted as it clambered over her legs, her heart, and across her neck. It clearly felt something wrong however. Her presence... it was getting weaker. Her consciousness within the dream was fading and disappearing.
Luna took in more memories of the attack from the Crystal Empire. There she found the Magic Council facing off against Sombra. In the end, many perished yet Tidal Swirl survived... and surrendered. She hoped in doing so, he would spare her student and her friend.
They all fell before her.
The memories continued from servitude to experiments and punishments. Luna grunted in pain but continued to push on as she tried to learn more. He'd write and ramble. He began putting some trust in Tidal Swirl. She learned as much as she could and continued to be obedient for as long as possible. That is until a young pony named Cozy Glow came along.
The darkness realized where the broken unicorn was going. It hissed and began to trail after the memories that were being stolen away.
Luna felt she was nearing a close when she reached Tidal Swirl facing off with King Sombra until suddenly, she felt this pain erupt in her forehead.
She yelled out and tried to pull away only for some unseen force to hold on and drag her back. She tried to fight against it but it was too late. It saw its opportunity to dive in while she was taking Tidal Swirl's memories and attached itself to the alicorn. Luna struggled and fought until she found herself snapping out of the shattered dream and back into reality.
There she saw a black mist now latching onto her horn, connected from Tidal Swirl's now limp body. Luna let out a shout and tried to pull away. The Scout raced over and cried out. Too much was happening at once.
Information. Dark magic. Voices! So many voices.
Then she saw it. A series of events played out in her head. She watched as Tidal Swirl convinced Cozy Glow to give her the dark crystal. She watched as Cozy found it hidden underneath a book. She watched as a crystal mare named Amethyst attacked others with it... and so on and so on... until she saw the last vision where a younger Sombra stood out in the snow with a dark red crystal. Then he turned towards her.
He stared at her.
The two were in a snowy field waiting and watching. The only sound Luna could hear was the wind brushing against her ear... and soon, his body transformed. It became a monstrous being that screeched and writhed. It twisted in the air before glaring down at her with glowing green eyes. Then with a growling hiss... it pounced. Luna clutched her chest as she felt the dark magic surge within her. It spoke to her and promised her everything. The night. The shadows. They would all be on her side. With power and strength she could become the one to rule all. She could finally reach... understanding.
"Luna!" Radiant Hope shouted as she raced down the crater with The Commander and The Messenger at her side.
The Commander skidded to a stop, "What's happening here??"
"I don't know!" The Scout anxiously pulled at his mane, "I'm not a unicorn, you think I understand this?!"
"She's surrounded by that strange black mist, the same thing this unicorn was surrounded with a moment ago!" The Messenger explained.
"Dark magic. It must have transferred itself to Princess Luna!" Hope gasped, "I can save her, I have to!"
The Messenger whirled towards Hope, "How? What if you get some of that on you too?"
"I won't. Trust me, I can save her."
"Fine, we trust you. Do what you can." The Commander insisted.
"Yeah I don't want to lose a Princess out here!" The Scout shouted.
Hope quickly lit her horn and surrounded Princess Luna in a pleasant, warm light. She breathed in and focused her energy on the writhing alicorn in front of her. She focused on the dark energy that surrounded her and gently coaxed it into a more passive state. She couldn't fully get rid of it... but maybe she could settle it down. Maybe she could allow Princess Luna to fight it if she just weakened to black magic that surrounded her.
Princess Luna whimpered as her body shook. Slowly but surely, she began to calm down... The mist around her gradually vanished and dispersed around her. She groaned in pain and quietly lay there in the snow.
"Is... Is she okay?" The Messenger fearfully asked.
Hope looked her over and sighed in relief, "She's fine. Just exhausted."
"Who's this one?" The Commander went up to Tidal Swirl's body, "Is... Is she..?"
Hope rushed over and lit her horn, attempting to find any signs of life within the broken mare. She searched... and searched... and finally with a shaky breath she spoke, "She's... gone..."
"Do you recognize her?" The Scout asked.
"I've never met her personally, but I know of her. Tidal Swirl I believe. She ran the Empire's Magical Council." Hope lowered her head, "I wish I had gotten here sooner..."
The Messenger placed a hoof on Hope's shoulder, "Don't blame yourself. This isn't your fault."
"But it could be..." Hope muttered out as she stood and turned away from the body, tears stinging her eyes, "..."
The Commander sighed, "We need to move. The storms have been unpredictable. Let's bury the body and take Princess Luna back to camp. Tidal Swirl, I may not have known you well, I may not know what you've gone through, but I hope you know that there are others wanting to save the Empire. I hope you knew before you passed away that there is a chance. A chance to save everypony. We hope you passed with that thought, at least. I'm sorry we couldn't do more for you..." He bowed his head and several others followed suit, save for The Scout who quickly covered up Princess Luna with an emergency blanket.
After mourning the loss of the mare, they then got to work. The Commander and The Scout buried Tidal Swirl while Hope and Love Letter carefully moved Luna back to camp. The group was silent the entire time.
"Princess Luna? You called for me?" The Commander entered the medical tent that Luna had been situated in. It's been a while since the incident and she had been swiftly recovering. As she did, she would often talk strategy and write down information that nopony else was able to gather. They all later reasoned that she was the Princess of the Night. She could have possibly walked through several dreams to gather intel where she pleased.
However there were often times she would just sit and stare into space for a long time. Once, even, The Scout claimed he thought he spotted her talking to herself for a second. Hope personally banished The Scout from the medical tent for saying such things like that. Unless he needed to be treated, of course.
Things have settled down since the incident, though it definitely still clawed at the Commander and Hope. They knew how Tidal Swirl had died, after all. Dark magic...
Now was not the time however. The Commander had more tasks to do, more plans to work on, and a Princess now called for his attention. He obliged her and waited to see what she needed. Possibly to talk about their next scouting mission of course?
"Commander..." Luna laid on a cot, covered in a warm blanket. She had this faraway but considerate look in her eyes as she turned to face him. Her attention previously was on a journal full of notes... "We have a personal question, if you don't mind us asking."
The Commander curiously blinked, "I don't mind. What is it?" He walked up to her and sat besides her cot.
"... What was your missing daughter's name, again?"
The Commander flinched, "... Cozy Glow."
Luna's eyes widened, "Cozy Glow..." She then looked over and plucked up her journal with her magic. With a sigh she nudged it over to the Commander who carefully took it in his hooves. Right there in the pages was a sketch. A small but detailed drawing of a young pegasus hesitantly giving away a crystal with swirling dark magic... His daughter.
"What..."
"She's there." Princess Luna blankly gazed at the journal's pages, "She's at The Crystal Empire." |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | Chapter 7: Our Own Demise | Cozy Glow panted as she clambered up several more steps, giving her wings time to rest. She's been running up this thing for Celestia or Luna knows how long and it's driving her insane! She can fly over the traps easily but she couldn't just keep going like this. She had to find something soon before she ran out of time. Tidal Swirl could probably hold her own for a good bit but Cozy tried not to rely on it. In fact she was mostly relying on Rubinstein being able to gather what he needed to create an even bigger distraction.
When her thoughts went back to Tidal Swirl her steps began to slow. She'd be okay, right? She'd make it out of it somehow, wouldn't she? There was always a possibility. Even a small one... ...
Doubt clouded her mind as she continued her climb. What was she thinking? Tidal Swirl wasn't going to be alive after a fight like that. Even if she did somehow survive, her body would be broken and mangled. Cozy saw how damaged she had appeared taking in all of that dark magic.
The mental image itself made Cozy sick to her stomach. It just didn't feel fair. Somepony like Sombra was able to use dark magic easily and what does he do with it? He takes over an Empire and enslaves the subjects! Meanwhile Tidal Swirl clearly struggled and she intended to use it to get rid of that annoying pesk of a tryant! Why did magic have to work that way?? She hated that. She hated the unfair advantages and disadvantages of magic. If it weren't for that ridiculous amount of power, everypony would've stood a chance against him but no! He just had to become a one pony army powerhouse!
She swallowed the burning bile rising in her throat and spread her wings. With a few more hops over the laid out traps she continued on in angered frustration.
"Why does he get magic like that and I don't?" She growled, "Why did I have to be born with WINGS? Small ones?! If I was a unicorn... I would be out there, not Tidal Swirl. Instead I'm climbing a POSSIBLY INFINITE STAIRCASE to WHO KNOWS WHERE?! UGH!"
She came to a stop and faceplanted into the next step, "It can't be that far now. It just can't. If I had bigger wings I'd probably be able to just fly all the way to the top... Even then I'd get so TIRED!" She pulled herself up and yelled at nothing, "CURSE THEE SOMBRA! CURSE YOU AND YOUR DARK MAGIC AND YOUR STUPID UGLY FACE! YOU DESERVE TO BE LOCKED AWAY IN THE FARTHEST REACHEST OF TARTARUS! WHEN I BECOME EMPRESS YOU'LL BE MY SERVANT! THEN YOU'LL KNOW HOW IT FELT BEING SO LOW!"
Her voice echoed throughout the crystal empire but she didn't care. She just angrily stomped her hoof down and let out a shaky breath. Her bubbling irritation from earlier had gradually melted away after she had screamed into the heavens as she did. The next thing that came after was exhaustion. With a sigh, Cozy sat down and allowed herself to breath. The fate of the Empire was now in her hooves and yet... she was tired. Riddle with fatigue, Cozy wanted nothing more but to just stop and rest. She wanted to sleep and never wake up.
The filly let out a choked noise and covered her face with her hooves. She just had to climb a bunch of steps. That was it. Then she would get the Heart and she would become a hero! That's what she wanted, right? It was a straightforward plan, wasn't it?
Except it wasn't.
This plan wasn't perfect. This plan could be catastrophic. She could be caught at any time. Even more so with how much noise she had just made. She could be found at the Heart. She could be face to face with King Sombra at any moment.
Then what?
What would she do then? ...
She was just a pegasus. A cute little filly. Could she ever dream of holding her own against a being so powerful? A tyrant that could kill her if he so pleased?
She sat back against the pillar behind her and let out another sigh. For a moment, just for one minute, she allowed her mind to process everything. Everypony she has met. Everything she has seen. Every place she has been. Why? All for a cutiemark? All for destiny? All for fate..?
All to just prove a point?
Cozy believed she could be something more. An Empress was something more. That was her destiny, wasn't it? Her true future? The one the Crystal Heart decided? ...
Cozy grunted and pulled herself back on her hooves. Whatever her future, the only way to find out was to keep going. So she did. She continued her trek to the top of the staircase. There, as she was told, she would find The Crystal Heart.
The laughter of fillies and colts hit Luna's ears as she watched from under a crystal tree. She smiled as memory played out before her of a schoolyard playground within The Crystal Empire. The time for this memory was supposed to be day, but both her and the one who owned this memory found it fitting to make it night. The lilac sky sat just above with sparkling stars looking down at the young students below. It just felt more welcoming to the both of them and so they agreed upon it.
Theses memories, of course, belong to none other than Tidal Swirl. A crystal unicorn from the Empire that has physically passed. Luna had never taken in memories and harbored them in her own mindscape before, so it was a new experience entirely, for both of them. It was like Tidal Swirl was now a part of Luna, but still separate. So the two decided to go through memories together. To try and see if they could better form some type of link that could help with this confusing and disorienting dilemma. The goal wasn't exactly to become one entity however, it was to better feel like what they were now. We. They were a... we. At least that's all they could call themselves now.
Tidal Swirl, at the time, found it hilarious that the way the royals usually addressed themselves as "We" became a way for Luna and her to figure out their own new identity. It was fitting, and appropriate.
"That's Curly." Tidal Swirl, the mare besides her, pointed at a small white crystal unicorn running by, "She was my best friend. Heh, she always loved playing Princess back then. We grew up together and even joined the Council at the same time before I became head of it."
"What magic did she specialize in?"
"Mostly mobility and transportation. Teleportation and all that." Tidal Swirl hummed before turning to a younger purple colt, "I think that one is... Rubinstein. Former head strategist in the Empire army. Think he retired, or liked to, buuuut he still takes the time to assist whenever need be."
"Oh! Wasn't that the same stallion from your more recent memory?"
"... Was it?" Tidal Swirl muttered before the memory suddenly shifted. The playground gradually transformed before the two. Dark crystals formed in the area, unbeknownst to the foals still cantering about, and the sky became a muddled greyish yellow. The two viewing the memories stood and were transported within the castle throne room, where Tidal Swirl looked on at a stallion and a young pegasus filly while in her sickly state. The memory then paused, making all figures in the room freeze where they were. Silence filled what would've been a more chaotic scene.
The two observers went up to the stallion and curiously examined his dull face. Tidal Swirl's memory of the stallion was a bit muted and deformed, since the interaction was quick, but she did remember the colors at least.
"He appears to be similar." Luna speculated.
"Right..." Tidal Swirl sat on her haunches and looked between Cozy Glow and Rubinstein. The last two she saw, sending them both on their way to the Crystal Heart before the final battle. Her eyes narrowed, and Luna knew why. They both shared the same thoughts after all.
"Do you think they were able to retrieve the Heart?" Luna asked as she joined the mare's side.
"They should have... The dark magic guided me to where it was. I saw the secrets within the Empire the moment I absorbed all of it... Shouldn't they have gotten it by now?"
"Possibly."
The two went silent as the memory itself.
Tidal Swirl sighed in concern, "Then why are we still out here in our sector by the Empire territory? Wouldn't we have noticed a change? Wouldn't the sky become clear, and the storms settle? Wouldn't all of Equestria see our victory?"
Luna's eyes widened, "That is... a concerning thought."
"It is our concerning thought."
The princess sighed, "... How long have we been unconscious for?"
Cozy Glow tiredly pushed herself up the last set of steps. She heaved and wheezed out a heavy breath as she finally looked down at something that wasn't a STAIR. Instead it was a floor. A floor to some platform at the very tippy top of this tower she was in.
"Oh look, it's not infinite. Good to know." Cozy let out a shaky laugh before pressing her forehead against the cold, welcomed surface. She then tilted her head and looked over at the soft blue glow that had caught her attention. The reflection of something... something of importance.
Begrudgingly, Cozy raised her head and found herself face-to-face with an old friend.
The Crystal Heart.
She gasped and scrambled onto her hooves. The entire time, her eyes were glued to it. She found it! She couldn't believe she actually found it! The one thing that could save everypony. Save the Empire! It was floating right there, protecting all of them from the cold harsh storms of the north. Checkmate and the other servants were correct. Sombra needed this here.
Cozy carefully approached the heart. The love and joy that radiated from it made her heart soar with hope. Her slow steps became faster and her smile grew as she saw her own reflection.
Then, she stepped too close. An alarm was triggered and she looked down to spot the floor beneath her flickering between black and light blue colors. The area around the heart had been set up to alert King Sombra. At the noise she was quickly reminded of the crystals that had trapped her hooves in a vice-like grip, so she quickly dived away and watched as black jagged crystals suddenly sprang up and surrounded the heart like protective claws.
"NO!" Cozy cried out from the floor and hurriedly flew over. She hovered around the walls and actually managed to squeeze through some openings in order to get to the Heart. However getting it out was a different story. She grabbed onto it and pushed and pulled in an attempt to tug it out of the dark trap. It was too big. It couldn't fit! Cozy struggled with it before finally letting go. She hovered just outside of the trap and watched as more black crystals began to stow away the Heart.
There was no way to get it out of there. She could stay with it, but she could risk getting stuck as well. The crystals continued to grow and patch away the small openings that Cozy was able to squeeze through earlier. There was no saving the Heart now. There was no saving the Empire...
She failed.
"So." A new voice appeared behind her, "This was her plan?"
Cozy gasped and whirled around to find Sombra forming onto the platform. The filly did not hesitate. She turned and flew out of the tower, attempting to get away.
"And where do you think you're going?"
The chase was on. Cozy tried to escape but crystal pillars would suddenly start appearing and clawing out towards her from the tower itself. She frantically flapped her wings and evaded each crystal limb while Sombra appeared and disappeared around her. She soon found herself freezing in place entirely as another appeared in front of her before she turned to see Sombra standing on several rocky crystals.
"Must we do this again?" He asked in a bored manner.
Cozy stared at him... and dropped.
She managed to narrowly plummet past all the crystals that were made reaching out to her and found herself falling down towards the streets below. There she spotted many servants and slaves who had been set free, gasping and watching as she descended.
"It seems they all now know of its hiding spot." Sombra hummed as he made his way to the edge of his crystal pillar, "Very well. It's time to use a new spell I've put together for this very occasion. By tomorrow, nopony here will remember the Heart, or YOU!"
His voice echoed in Cozy's ears as she continue to plunge down. She gulped and prepared to catch herself with her wings. At the same moment, Sombra had jumped down too.
Cozy opened her wings and slowed her descent. With rushed flaps she managed to stop falling entirely just above the heads of several crystal ponies. She let out a sigh of relief before movement in the sky caught her attention. Above her she spotted a falling figure that soon exploded into a large black cloud.
The filly yelled out as she tried to fly off to the side only to get pulled into the mass as it crash landed onto the crystal streets. Many ponies scrambled to get away. She screamed for help while Sombra formed before her within the darkness that still surrounded them, "Hush. You will be my first subject this spell will be used on. I must get this right." He growled as he lowered his head and prepared his spell.
"No! Let me go!" Cozy fearfully flapped her wings but was held still by Sombra's own dark magic. She struggled and fought but she couldn't stop what happened next.
The next thing she saw was an abrupt blast of dark magic.
Rubinstein angrily stuck a spear through the dark mass, "Release my niece at once you tyrant!" He yelled as he tugged it out and attempted to stab at it again.
Several ponies watched from a distance, fearing what would happen if they got too close.
After the stallion failed to cut through the dark mass a fourth time, a small pink body suddenly went flying out of it. He dropped his spear and instantly lunged for the filly, his front hooves grasping at her before he hugged Cozy close to his chest and crashed onto the hard floor.
"Cozy Glow!" He sat up and looked her over. She didn't look injured, but some dark magic twisted and twirled around her head. Something had to have happened to her... Cozy then let out a pained groan and rubbed her eyes.
"Are you alright, Cozy?" Rubinstein asked as he pulled away.
"U-Um..." Cozy carefully pushed herself up, "Uh... who... who are you? Where am I?" She fearfully scanned the streets and clutched her front hooves to her chest.
Her uncle blinked, "What?"
"Where am I?? What's going on?! Who are you?" She questioned, but her eyes landed on something else. Somepony else besides Rubinstein. She was looking... behind him.
"I am your king." Sombra chuckled as he reformed before Rubinstein and Cozy, "And soon, you all will relearn that. Each member of the Crystal Empire is connected to the Heart, aren't they?"
He then formed a pillar underneath him and began ascending upwards, heading towards the tower.
Rubinstein got on his hooves and shouted, "Quick! We need to stop him before he gets back up there!"
"How??" Checkmate came running over with several of the other servants besides him, "None of us here are pegasi or unicorns! We can't get up there fast enough, and we're not sending a foal to try and chase after him either!"
"We can't anyways, I don't think she even remembers how to fly." Rubinstein pointed out as Cozy looked over her wings in a confused manner.
"Wait, what do you mean she can't remember how to fly?"
"He put a memory spell on her! She can't remember where she is or who I am. I don't even think she knows she's Cozy either! If he has a spell like that, he could use the Heart to..." He froze, "To put it on all of us in its radius..."
Checkmate stared at his brother before whipping away to shout, "We need to start climbing, now! We have no choice, just go!"
"Those who can't climb out here get to the throne room!" Rubinstein yelled, "There's a passage that could lead us to the top of the Empire! Hurry, we have to get to the Heart!" He began directing everypony available towards the castle and many began stampeding towards the spires. Meanwhile Checkmate and several others have started to clamber up along several crystal pillars in hopes to get to the top fast enough. Though it was such a long way away. Looking up, Rubinstein understood. They weren't going to make it. Not in this lifetime.
Their one chance to get the Heart... and it was all ruined.
"Father?" Glass Slipper carefully walked up to Rubinstein who hadn't moved at all after giving out the command, "What's happening?"
Frosty Quartz rushed over to Cozy's side and carefully helped her back up on her hooves.
Rubinstein sighed, "Slip. I hope even after this you remember something very important..."
"What's... what's that?"
He sat down and pulled his daughter into a hug, "That I love you."
Slipper felt the sting of tears in the corner of her eyes as she nuzzled against Rubinstein, "I love you too..."
"What's happening?" Cozy stood.
"I don't know... but it's not good." Frosty looked up to see several ponies scrambling up the pillars, "Rubinstein said the Heart was at the top. I guess that's what they're all trying to get now."
"The Heart..? Who? What?"
The colt's ears fell back in concern, "Sombra did something, didn't he?"
"I... I don't know who you're talking about. Or what you're talking about. Have we met before? Who are you?"
"..." Frosty tiredly sighed and sat next to Cozy, his eyes now on the large castle in front of them, "You know... The first time we met, I wondered why your coat wasn't sparkly even though you were part crystal pony. I assumed you were sad, and wanted to make you happy." He chuckled, "Can't do that now. I'm not even happy..."
Cozy sat down and stared at him. She was a mix of emotions right now. Confused, sad, and lost. She couldn't remember anything... anyone... not even herself. Who was she? Where was she? At least it sounded like this colt knew who she was... but his face. It made her concerned.
Her ears fell back at what he had said, "Why aren't you happy?"
"I lost my home. My family is split apart. I don't know where my mom or dad is. They're all probably trying to get the Heart, but I don't think they can reach it in time."
Cozy stared at the empire, "In time for what?"
"... in time to stop something really bad from happening." Frosty bowed his head, "Well, whatever happens next, I'm glad I got to at least be your friend before this all started."
Cozy looked over in surprise, "We're friends?"
"I see you as one."
"Well..." She hesitated before spotting Slipper and Rubinstein nearby, holding eachother close, "As... your friend... Would you like a hug?"
Frosty raised his head, "Yeah, I would like that."
Cozy gave a small smile before wrapping her forehooves around him. He returned the embrace just before chaos ensued and the catastrophe was upon them.
Sombra had retrieved the heart. The moment his dark magic had touched the artifact, he unleashed the mind spell all across the Empire.
Rubinstein held Slipper close to him as he glared at the skies while a light show of purple, black, and green appeared at the very top of the tower. Stones and crystal pillars began to crack and shatter, making several ponies who had attempted the climb to tumble back down onto the streets below. A loud explosion of noise erupted throughout the Empire and darkness washed over everypony.
Then, it went eerily silent...
"Send this letter to Princess Celestia back near the Everfree Forest." Princess Luna commanded as she set a sealed letter in The Messenger's hooves, "We will need our sister here if we are to defeat this tyrant."
Love Letter saluted, "I won't let you down, Princess!"
Luna smiled, "We know you won't. Now go."
The Messenger stashed the letter away in her saddlebags along with another letter meant for a concerned mother in Canterlot. She strapped the bags on her back and was off in an instant. Luna watched from the campsite while The Commander approached her, "Are you certain you want her to go alone? I could send another pegasus to accompany her."
Luna giggled, "She's only heading back to the train station. From there she will be safely in Equestrian territory. You don't need to be too concerned for her... but we guess sometimes you can't help yourself, hmm?" She playfully asked.
The Commander perked, "Um- Well, I just wanted to be sure she'd be safe. That's all." He sheepishly turned away, "Last time she went on a delivery route it didn't go well. I wanted to be sure she was protected this time around."
The Princess comforted the stallion, "She'll be fine. We're certain."
"... If you and your sister are going to attack the Empire, I want to be there." The Commander insisted, "I... I have to be there."
"We understand. This would be like if somepony were to attack my sister Celestia. I'd have to be there for her." It felt weird to say "I" when she now spoke of herself, but it felt appropriate seeing as she mentioned her own family, "It might not be safe for pegasi, however."
"What do you mean?"
"From the memories we've seen, Sombra's defense works in a way where he can set off dark magic in the sky, leaving pegasi useless. Thou can not defend against bolts of magic, unless with magic to counter. The only way to get through safely enough is as an alicorn."
The stallion's crystal pupil bore into Luna's, "Then maybe one pegasus can get through. When you two are here, I could fly behind you. You two can block Sombra's dark magic and, hopefully, I will be able to reach through that way."
Luna stared back, "... That could work. But there's something we must warn you, Commander. A lot has happened in the Empire. This tyrant has done irreversible damage to many, and he has shrouded the land in fear and darkness. He experiments with his magic on others and he's not afraid to hurt anypony. Not even foals."
The Commander felt this bile raising in his throat.
"... And Cozy was the one I sent to the Heart." Luna spoke, but in a different tone. It was a new voice that was a little higher, and more tired, "It has been days now, and she has failed to retrieve it. She has probably been caught and recaptured. I don't know what he could've done to her, if that were the case."
The stallion's eyes widened, "Luna... What could happen to her?"
The princess lowered her head, "I'm not completely certain, but if anything horrendous does happen to her, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Tears began to collect and fall off of Luna's cheeks. The memories of Tidal Swirl rapidly flicked through her mind. In fact, right now, she even felt like Tidal Swirl...
The Commander wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure what to do. He just took a few steps back and turned, "I... I need to look over the information you've gathered from those memories. I will be in the strategy tent if you need me." He had to be alone.
Luna nodded in understanding while The Commander walked away, processing what she had said. He couldn't lose his daughter. He just couldn't. Out of all the places she had run off to, why the Empire? Why did it have to be the Empire? As he entered the tent his eyes landed on the large map before him. He considered it with a harsh glare.
His family. His daughter. His mission. He had a goal and that was to save everypony. To save his little Cozy. He just had to figure out what to do once he got over those crystal walls with the princesses.
He sighed and dug through a chest nearby to fish out Luna's journal. She liked to write and draw in this whenever she had the chance after she had gained Tidal Swirl's memories. It helped her to more properly go through them, and what they needed for their current plan.
He flipped through the pages and stopped at one with a doodle of his daughter. Of little Cozy Glow.
"Please. Please be alright." He muttered as he clutched the journal close to his chest.
The Scout found himself out in the fields of icy snow, under a blizzard with nothing but a jacket and scarf to protect him from the harsh winds. Not like he really minded. He was used to various weather changes and temperatures on his missions so this wasn't anything too unusual. It was still a lot however. Not nippy, more like freezing.
He was alone... and the reason for that was because this was his personal secret mission. He was heading straight for the Empire. He wasn't supposed to get this close, of course, but he just couldn't help himself. His duty was to scout and gain information! Now he couldn't really do that from a distance. His patrols continued to run him dry. All that there was to report was the weather and the state of the Empire. Which remained the same besides that one encounter. There was no news or information to be had or shared. It was time The Scout took this in his own hooves.
Now he was no pegasus or unicorn, but he was fast and he was determined. He can figure it out! Besides, he hasn't even gotten a good look at the crystal wall just yet! Who knows what secrets it holds? He could also test dummy it and see how it works! If he gets electrocuted well then that's just one thing to report to the Princess!
Bit extreme, but it's the work of The Scout.
Luckily for him the Empire wasn't too hard to spot. Even in this storm he could easily find the tower figure of the crystal walls and the castle itself just peeking above them. As he continued it only got bigger and bigger until finally...
He was at the wall.
He let out a victorious noise underneath his scarf and pulled it down, "Ah! Finally. Now... Maybe if I just walk around the perimeter, which could take days in full, I could possibly find-"
"What are you doing all the way over here?"
"AH!" The Scout jumped and whirled around to be face-to-face with blue crystal eyes. Radiant Hope. The Healer, "I can very well ask the same thing! How long have you been following me?"
"Ever since you left camp after breakfast." Hope responded as she walked over to the walls. She had saddlebags on her back, her own coat, and a cap that covered her ears, "I found a note you had written, attempting to estimate how long it would take for you to scout the entire perimeter of the Empire. You estimated two or three days."
"Yes, it'd be a long while..."
The mare carefully set a hoof on the wall, her reflection stared back at her, "Hm. Especially like this. You shouldn't have come out here all alone."
"Right- look I understand if you think this was silly and we can go back if ya want. I'm sorry to make you walk all the way here, if I had turned around and saw you-"
"No no. I want to help." Hope insisted as she pulled out a potion of some sort, "Here."
She gave The Scout a potion and he took it in his hooves, "What's this..?"
Hope smiled, "A speed potion. The Messenger and myself were each given one for emergencies. To make quick escapes in case Sombra appeared."
"A speed potion?! The princesses gave you two one each? AND NOT ONE FOR ME?" The Scout pouted, "Well that's just unfair."
Hope giggled, "Maybe because you're already very fast! But now you can use it to get through this mission even faster."
"I suppose I can. Alright. Thank you Miss Radiant Hope!"
"Just Hope is fine."
"Aye! But are you certain you want me to use this? Isn't it just your one?"
"I'll be fine. But, if you do find anything... Let me know." She insisted.
"Sounds fair to me! I definitely owe you more than that though. Let's chug this down now already, eh?" Scout smirked before he popped up the top with his teeth, spat it out, and then gulped the contents down his throat. Instantly he felt this rush of adrenaline. He lowered the potion and his eye twitched. The moment he dropped the empty vial he hopped up into the air and beamed, "RIGHT! Off I go then!" In a blink of an eye, he was gone in an instant.
Hope let out a content sigh and decided to get herself comfortable. She began clearing the snow around her and started to set up a small temporary camp underneath one of the jagged crystal overhangs jutting out of the wall. She didn't know exactly how fast the potion would make Scout, but hopefully it won't take too long...
After she lit a fire and sat down with a book in her magical hold, Scout had suddenly reappeared, "OH HOW MAGNIFICENT! You made a fire? Brilliant camp you got here! Anyways, I found something." He rapidly spoke.
"Great Amore that is one speed potion." Hope blinked, "Did you manage to do the entire perimeter?"
"Nononononono- I was at a third, I think, but I FOUND SOMETHING! An opening!" He hopped back and forth on the heels of his hooves as if he was just waiting to get back to running again.
Hope quickly stood, "An opening?? Where?"
"Just North of here! Down that way along the wall!" Scout gestured to his right.
The mare quickly began to repack everything and stomp out the fire, "Well what are we waiting for then?" She hurriedly threw in her book last, "Let's go!"
"Allow me, ma'am!" Scout saluted before suddenly dashing underneath Hope, pushing her onto his back. She let out a yelp and suddenly felt the world speed by her as he ran towards the wall's opening he had found before.
"Ohhhh this is tooooo fast!" Hope breathed out as she clutched onto Scout's neck in fear of falling off.
The journey might've only taken a minute or two, Hope wasn't really paying attention, but the moment Scout found what he was looking for he went screeching to a halt. Hope nearly flew right off his back but he quickly caught her and carefully sat her back down on the snowy floor.
"Ahah, apologies Hope."
"Y-You're... You're fine." Hope shook her head and regained herself, "Whew. Okay. Opening. Right. Where-"
She paused as easily spotted the fissure before them. It wasn't a big opening but it was big enough for a small alicorn like Princess Luna to squeeze through. Several crystals had fallen apart at this entrance, and the way it was formed it looked like as if the walls had collided with eachother during their formation. Possibly this was a point where the walls connected and something went wrong. Still, it was big enough for one pony to slip through at a time.
Scout seemed ecstatic at this discovery, "This is just brilliant! We could report this to the Princess. An entirely new way to enter the Empire!"
Hope raised a hoof as Scout looked just about ready to leave, "Hold on. I want to see what's within these walls."
"What? But that would be entering very dangerous and unknown territory. That's more of a Scout's job than a Healer's. I can't allow you to get caught." His rapid voice gradually began to slow down. It seems the speed potion was about to wear off.
Hope looked him up and down, "How are you feeling?"
"A tad bit sluggish now I suppose."
"... Sorry then Scout, but I don't think you'll be able to stop me from entering the Empire."
"What? What do you mean?"
"There is a side effect when it comes to this type of speed potion. After the effects wear off, you will crash. Meaning you will become very exhausted and won't be able to pick yourself up for a while."
"So if I'm down and can't run..." The Scout perked up in alarm, "Hope you can't go in there. If Sombra found you-"
"Then I can handle him." She insisted as she turned towards the opening.
"Hope n-no!" Scout hurriedly grasped her shoulder only to feel his body become heavy. His legs began to shake and his eyes were starting to droop, "Please, don't go in there. Let's just go back and report to the rest."
"You can when you're ready to." Hope ignited her magic and pulled her saddlebags off her back, "Here. I'll leave you a tent, a sleeping bag, and everything else. I don't need this anymore."
She walked away from Scout who had then abruptly fell to the snowy ground. He groaned as he tried to wipe the exhaustion out of his eyes, "Was... Was that potion really from the princesses?" He managed to ask.
"No." Hope admitted, "I'm sorry I lied to you. Don't worry, the crash should end soon. Just stay warm out here, alright?"
The Scout could only grunt while Hope cleared the snow in the area and set up a small camp. She helped him back onto his hooves only to leave him inside the tent she had made for him. Then, when she finally turned to leave, he softly spoke.
"Please just stay safe in there... Don't get yourself killed miss."
Hope hesitated, "I'll try." and she made her way through the broken opening.
Into the Crystal Empire.
🎵 "Hush little filly, don't wake the ewe. Papa's gonna buy you a crystal shoe~" 🎵 The gentle voice of a young filly filled the quiet room as she dusted off a book with her wing, 🎵 "And if that crystal shoe gets cracked. Papa's going to buy you a crown you lack." 🎵
Sombra's ear twitched in her direction.
The filly carefully placed the book in it's right spot before she continued sorting through the shelf, 🎵 "And if that crown is not enough. Papa's going to buy you the crystal's love." 🎵
"Hm..." The dark king nearby raised his head towards her, "Where did you learn that song, little one?"
"I'm not sure." She truthfully answered as she fluttered up to place another book in its right spot, "I think I had a dream of it?"
"Ah. Dreams." Sombra muttered, "Those can show a lot more than I originally thought, can't they?"
"Sir?"
"Yes, assistant?"
"Did that song bother you?"
"... Truthfully, not at all." Sombra shut one of his spell books and gave it to his small pink assistant, "It was too quiet in here."
The filly took the book in her hooves, "Glad to be of some service then!" She smiled and went to place it on the shelf. She then looked over and spotted the balcony nearby. With one glance at the king behind her she found herself fluttering over to it and scanning the streets of the Empire. It wasn't long before she spotted the ponies below. They were all shackled and shuffling among the streets. Their heads bowed in defeat.
She stared down at them and sighed, "King Sombra?"
"Yes?"
"Why am I your assistant, free to fly where I want, but everypony else is shackled and bounded by your guards?"
Sombra paused at this. He was used to getting questions by now. Questions from every servant, slave, and even his own assistant. When he wanted he would answer them, if to make sure they knew their place, and what they were meant to be or do. This question however almost left him silent... He probably wasn't certain himself why, but he came up with an answer soon enough, "Everypony else is shackled for a crime they don't remember committing. It might be unfair, but it's just. And through this process, they will learn to better obey."
"You are a special case. Like me, you are the only one of your kind in this Empire so far. A little pegasus. I have plans for you, but first you must be devoted. You must prove your loyalty to me. Until then, you are just my assistant. It's a shame, however, that you weren't another unicorn." He grunted and turned away.
Something about that last statement made the filly feel... off. There was this bitterness in her chest and she bit the inside of her cheek when she felt it. Sombra was her king. She shouldn't feel resentment towards him, should she? There was a reason for what he was doing. So she better listen, like she was told.
"King Sombra?" The filly turned towards him and fluttered up onto his desk, "... What is my name?"
Sombra shook his head, "Do not worry about that. You are my Assistant. Assistant is all you will be called until further notice. Do I make myself clear?"
The filly nodded, "Crystal."
Sombra stared at her, "... Hilarious. Now get back to work."
His Assistant bowed her head and then hopped off of his desk to continue dusting the rest of the study. All the while a small crystal hanging from her neck would bounce off her chest as she fluttered about.
She made her way up to a mirror and paused when her eyes landed on her own reflection. A pink pegasus with white freckles, auburn eyes, a rook cutiemark, and blue hair that was more done-up and regal. It curled along her head but was made to not get in the way of her work. She looked clean. Relatively cleaner then most servants and slaves. Even felt nice too. Staring at herself, something bubbled within her. This felt unfair. Why was she being treated so differently over a few small tasks?
Should she be grateful? Relieved?
This was something she wanted, right?
The Assistant wasn't sure. For now, she turned away and tried to keep her focus on her work. She had to get finished and do what she was told.
After all, she didn't know anything else.
King Sombra and the Empire walls were all that she remembered.
Hopefully she'll learn more in due time. |
A Filly Lost For One Thousand Years | Chapter 8: I Saw Through It All | "... Why did he keep you alive?" Luna questioned.
"Why did he?" Tidal Swirl hummed as she made her way through their mindscape, "Well isn't that a question."
The two would then fall, but they barely even reacted to it. One moment they were walking along a road made of stars, the next they had fallen through a black splot of ink that transformed itself into a memory, all while standing in the same position.
The memory had been frozen. Paused in time. The two would find themselves standing in a cell within the dark dungeons of the Empire. The faint light of a torch provided them little vision and the hard cobble ensured the prisoner within would not escape.
In the middle of it all was Tidal Swirl. Broken and chained. Her wounds were fresh and her horn was snapped clean off. She had just battled King Sombra recently, and she along with many others suffered a terrible loss. Yet somehow, she survived while others didn't. Maybe that's why he decided to approach her.
With permission, Luna closed her eyes and allowed the memory to play out. The still flames suddenly danced where they were, and the soft sobs of the lone prisoner echoed through their ears.
The cell door opened with an ominous creak, revealing Sombra himself. He stepped through and stared down at the defeated mare.
"... Consider yourself lucky."
"Lucky..? Lucky?!" Tidal Swirl had stood to face the self-proclaimed king, "I was meant to lead them. To save them... and now they're gone. And it's my fault. I surrendered, but you didn't stop. I should have just kept fighting when I had the chance. Like my own student did."
"Your student was foolish."
"And you insult him before his body is even cold!" She hissed, "You're more than a tyrant, you're a demon! A monster!"
Sombra approached her, even as she stood her ground, "Exactly. I am a monster. A king of all monsters. And you agreed to surrender to me."
"I only agreed to surrender for them and now they are gone."
"Such a shame then." He grunted, "I suppose you don't want your magic back?"
"... My what?"
"Your magic." He eyed her broken horn, "Even though it is broken, I could experiment and allow you a morsel of your abilities back. It won't be perfect, but it would be something new to work on."
"..." Tidal Swirl stared in disbelief, "Why? Why would you want to do that?"
"In truth, I want to keep myself busy." He nonchalantly shrugged, "There is... a lot on my mind. A project wouldn't hurt to work on while I decide where I want to go from here. What do I want to do with this Empire... with Equestria?" He turned away and began to pace nearby, "Of course there is much more to it than that. I would also like an assistant."
"An assistant-?"
"And..." He paused, "I need to... understand crystal unicorns."
"Understand them?? You killed them all!"
"To prevent magical rebellions, escapes, and unpredictable nuisances. Oh don't look at me like that."
Tidal Swirl glared, "Why me?"
"Because you survived. You're the strongest I could find that I managed to contain but also, you have nothing left. You have nowhere to go from here. Either you stay with me and become powerful again, or you die. Escaping is an option, of course, but let's be honest little one.
What will happen to you once you escape?
You'll become a husk, a shell of what you once were. You're broken. You're no longer that shining councilmare by Amore's side. No. You're a failure. And you would have to live with that for the rest of your life in Equestria. That broken horn will only be a constant reminder.
It will be a scar that you will never be able to heal.
Do you understand?
You're stuck here."
Tidal Swirl took a shaky step back.
"So? What do you say?"
[ Two hours after the memory wipe ]
"Why am I your assistant?"
King Sombra carefully plucked up a crystal shard out from its case as a small pink pegasus idly sat nearby. With a quirked brow her faraway gaze would often scan her new surroundings. It almost reminded him of a lost puppy. Wide-eyed, excited, but also scared and uncertain. He tried to ignore it and focused only on answering her questions.
"Because I lost one and need a new one. And I need to keep an eye on you."
"Why..?"
"Well I can't do everything here by myself-"
"No, I mean why do you need to keep an eye on me?"
Sombra hesitated to answer, "... Because you're young and young ponies have done reckless things before." He quietly brought out a silver chain to wrap around the dark shard.
"What kind of reckless things?" She asked just before he placed the necklace over her head so it would slip down onto her neck.
"Keep that on you at all times."
"Why?"
"Is that all you ever say?" Sombra slightly lifted the shard in his hoof and glared down at it.
"Sorry King Sombra!"
"It's alright to ask questions, but I'm doing something right now. I need to concentrate."
His new assistant hurriedly nodded as his horn bubbled with dark magic. He then unleashed a torrent of colors into the small crystal and both watched as it began to gleam with purple and green colors.
Sombra pulled away and huffed, "There."
"What is it..?"
"Dark magic. You're not a crystal pony, are you?"
"Um." The filly narrowed her eyes, "I don't know..?"
"Hm. You don't look like one. Good, then you should be able to use it without any issue. I suppose that makes one thing easier."
"I can use it?" The filly held up the crystal in her hooves.
"Yes. With practice you will be able to use abilities similar to mine."
"Oh. Okay... but why? Why do you want me to have your abilities, my king?"
"Hm... To protect yourself. I need your help with something dangerous in due time. For now, let me tell you about a few of our future targets, Assistant.
Let me tell you about Celestia, Luna, and Hope..."
Hope gazed at the Empire she once knew and loved. The sky was a murky yellow, the streets a dull grey, and the buildings had fissures all snaking through their walls thanks to pillars and towers that had formed under King Sombra's rule. It was a disaster, but the state of her home wasn't as devastating as the sight of the crystal ponies. They were chained to one another and forced to march in straight lines. Their heads were hung low in defeat and their eyes were void of life. Guards stood at the ready with sharp spears and shields in preparation for any escapee and to Hope it was such a dark contrast from the once sparkling city she had lived in.
What had Sombra done?
A part of her didn't care to be seen, but she hid anyways. She kept her coat dull and her eyes sharp on the corrupted soldiers nearby. She found her first hiding spot in a crumbling home, broken and falling apart. Her thoughts raced as she carefully picked her hooves over a fallen vase; what should she do? How could she stop this? If there was even a chance to... Was she getting herself killed, coming this far? Would Sombra strike her down? Spare her? Hope wasn't sure what he'd do now.
Guess the best option for that answer was to find him herself.
She carefully made her way from house to house and fearfully crossed each street; inching ever closer to the Empire itself. She was just about to race to another broken home when a group of guards came into view. Hope swiftly dived back in her hiding spot and waited for them to leave... only to hear a voice. A young, stern voice of a filly.
"Let me say this again. North sector. North! It's not that hard." Hope peeked over to spot a small pink pegasus hovering in front of a large guard. She took out a shining silver trinket from her saddlebags and roughly placed it in their hoof, "Here. Take this compass. Even then you don't need it. Geez, you'd think a guard would know this Empire like the back of his hoof. I already do! And I'm a kid! Now go patrol, you better hope nothing went through that area or so help me. Get going!" She pointed a hoof down the street and the guards obediently followed her command.
Hope curiously looked the filly over. She had pink fur and a blue mane which curled over her head in a neat fashion. She had a rook cutiemark, a jeweled saddlebag, and a dark crystal loosely hanging around her neck. The crystal caught Hope's attention because it was clear it was no normal crystal. It was as black as obsidian and had this purplish tint that not only glowed but writhed around within the sharp stone.
The filly let out a sigh and landed back down on the ground, "Now... What's next?" She muttered to herself as she searched her bags for her list.
As she just about grasped it, she suddenly felt something grip around her. Looking down, she saw this blue glow surround her body, "Wha-"
Hope swiftly dragged the filly over to her hiding spot and covered their mouth before she could scream, "Shhh shh! Calm down, don't panic. Please."
The filly pushed Hope's hoof away, "Peh-! Who are you??"
"Hope. Radiant Hope. Who are you?"
"Hope..?"
"Radiant Hope is a powerful unicorn, but her skills lie heavily in healing. She will not be too much trouble. Especially if you use that dark magic to your advantage." Sombra mused.
"If she is not too much trouble then what could she have done to betray the Empire?" His new Assistant asked.
They were both in a large, expansive library with shelves stacked to the brim with books. It was lonely and dark with only a peculiar candlelight granting them vision. The Assistant hovered nearby. Constantly training herself after her first flying lessons.
"Many things. One was joining Celestia and Luna's side when she could've joined mine." He scanned the shelves and began digging through them.
"What are you looking for, my king?"
Rip! Sombra tore a page right off of one of the books he was searching through, "One of these." He grumbled before burning it into a fine black dust.
"What was that?"
"Something that could bring more harm than good." He sighed before storing it away, "Assistant. Feel free to dust and organize. If you find any books about artifacts or about the Empire, give them to me."
"Oh, alright sir! You can count on me!"
"I hope I can." He muttered out as he pulled out another article to peruse, "If we are to punish the traitor, I'm going to need all the assistance I can get."
The Assistant fluttered away to another shelf that looked a bit more messier than it should. She eagerly got to work... but paused when she came upon a certain book. On the cover it revealed two tall mares with horns and wings. One had a flowing rainbow as a mane and the mark of a brilliant sun. The other's was a sparkling night sky with the moon as her symbol. The filly blinked and glanced over at Sombra. Hesitantly, she flew away to a secluded corner and curiously read through its pages.
Equestria.
A world unlike the Empire, ruled by none other than Celestia and Luna. The symbols of the sun and moon which they moved across the skies.
The ponies under their rule laughed and played. The smiled and lived their lives under clear skies or glistening stars. There were no chains or marching. No war to prepare for. There were unicorns and pegasi along with earth ponies, and they were all safe. Safe and happy.
Everypony looked so happy.
Why? Why was this in the Empire's library? Was it a lie? A trick?
Or was there more to this than she thought?
She lowered her book and hurriedly moved on to another one. She must learn more.
What is the Crystal Empire to the world? What was it to itself?
And why was Sombra against Equestria..?
The little one blinked, "Uh. Assistant. I'm the Assistant."
"Assistant??" Hope narrowed her eyes, "What's your real name?"
"... Real name?"
"Oh sweet Amore. Alright, listen, were you just ordering those guards around just now?"
The Assistant nodded.
"And.. Who are you exactly? I don't remember you from anywhere and Sombra never knew a filly before all this."
Now it was The Assistant's turn to scrutinize the other, "Ma'am, ever since I can remember, I have been King Sombra's Assistant. I don't know what in the great empire you're talking about."
"That's... strange, why would he need an Assistant if he's just chaining up and enslaving everypony else? Couldn't he have just gotten a servant?" Hope pondered.
"I have been wondering that myself." The Assistant admitted.
The two paused and looked each other up and down.
Hope rested her hoof on the other's shoulder, "... Does he make you do this?"
"Do what?"
"Work for him."
The Assistant hesitated to answer, "It is all I know to do."
"And are you happy doing it?"
"..." She wasn't able to answer.
"Hey," Hope caught the little one's attention again, "Help me save the Empire."
"Save the Empire..? From what?"
"From... something I caused. I need to get to Sombra, but all these guards are in the way. Please, he's a friend. I have to speak with him again."
"Well-" The Assistant turned her attention to the castle. Then, she shook her head, "No. I shouldn't"
"What?"
"You can't go in there. It's a trap. I know I can get you there, and I know you could trust me and I can trust you but you can't. You can't go and you can't trust me. He wants you there, and he's going to do bad things to you."
"Assistant what do you mean-"
"Listen to me Hope, please." The filly begged, "I know something is wrong. I don't know why but I know it just is. He wants me to prove my loyalty and this is one way to, by tricking Radiant Hope, but my loyalty is not worth it for the life of another. Please, turn back. Go out the way you came. Return to Equestria."
A silence fluttered between the two.
"... I will if you come with me." Hope insisted, "Leave the Empire with me and we'll both get out of here safely, okay?"
"But... but I have work to do here-"
"No. No you don't. You're just a kid. If you truly believe he is going to hurt me when I meet him and you want me to leave that badly, then you better come with me. I'm not taking no for an answer."
The Assistant sat there, considered her options, and agreed with a heavy sigh, "Fine. I'll keep the guards back. Just go back the way you came from, I'll follow."
Hope smiled and the two made their way back through the streets. Rubble and broken structures became their hideaways as the Assistant managed to guide several guards in different directions, claiming that there was suspicious activity up west or south. They carefully trekked along back the way Hope had come from and, soon, they finally found the last stretch of land before the fissure in the great crystal walls.
The Assistant hovered next to Hope as she stared at the opening just a field in front of them, "How did we miss that..?"
"That's our way out." Hope assured, "From there we can walk along the wall and head back in the direction of-"
"Well. Isn't this a surprise?"
The two whirled around at the voice. The first thing that had caught their eyes was the giant crystal pillar slowly forming before them, then the second thing they noticed was the dark figure atop it. King Sombra. He raised his head and glared daggers at the two.
"... To think I would get betrayed by not only my friend but my Assistant as well. A second time. You two wound me." He growled, "Assistant! You had one job. Lead her or anyone else to the Empire... And you failed that simple task."
The Assistant flinched, "I-I.."
"Don't you DARE speak to her like that!" Hope furiously shouted, "If you're going to get upset at anypony, be upset with me! I was the one who convinced her to leave, and I'm the one that's going to tell you this... You're out of control, Sombra! I can't believe what I'm seeing!"
"Believe it, because it is real. I am no long the young colt you once thought I was. I am a King. King of Monsters... and you will learn to respect that."
"RESPECT THAT?! Sombra, what happened to you? A while ago I had gotten my cutiemark and you were so happy. We were so happy! We lived in a beautiful empire and we were weird, sure, but we had each other, didn't we? Why did you run off..? And why did you come back like this? I miss my old friend Sombra. I miss you..."
Sombra stomped his hoof down, "I AM A KING NOW. AN UMBRUM. I have learned my true nature and for that-"
"OH shut the BUCK up Sombra!" Hope cried out, "I'm done! After what I've seen and heard and know- so many ponies have gotten hurt because of me... because of what I've done and said! Ponies are dead Sombra, and it's my fault!"
King Sombra seemed to... pause, "What..?"
"It's my fault... I'm sorry. I didn't want this to happen. I didn't want to hurt you or everypony else that got involved. I just wanted you... back..." She lowered her head in defeat.
The Assistant looked over and noticed tears starting to fall from her cheeks.
Sombra's gaze became a conflicted glare. He wasn't sure what to say, "You're... blaming yourself?"
"Yes! I am! I should have been a better friend to you!"
His expression softened, "Hope what are you talking about?" Sombra's voice changed to something more familiar, something that was once more innocent and true to himself, "A better friend? You were the best friend I could ever have."
"Then why did you run away from me? What did I do wrong..?"
"I-..." The king went silent.
Nobody moved, or wanted to. They were as still as statues with only the breeze dancing through their manes. The tension grew each passing second.
With a heavy heart, Hope finally spoke, "Assistant. Run."
"Wh-What?"
"Run." She then lit her horn and glared up at Sombra, "I'll keep him back."
Sombra perked up in surprise before he felt Hope's magic surround him. He was plucked up into the air and tossed to the side where he crash landed into the nearest snow pile besides them.
"Go filly!" Hope insisted.
"Not without you I won't! We both need to leave." The Assistant placed a hoof on the crystal hanging from her chest and suddenly unleashed a torrent of dark magic from the stone. It transformed itself into black tendrils which protectively hovered around the filly.
"I can protect myself. Just head to the opening."
Hope blinked in surprise but spotted a glimpse of Sombra pulling himself up, "Fine, just stick by me!"
As Hope rushed towards the exit with The Assistant following close besides her, King Sombra let out an angered roar before he threw himself into the ground. There he dispersed into the shadows that would lunged for the two of them only to sprout upwards once more as crystalline walls and barriers to block their way.
Hope lit her horn once more and focused most of her energy in teleporting The Assistant and herself just on the other side. Sombra whirled his head around and ignited his horn, his aim landed on the Assistant as he shot a bolt of magic towards her.
"AH!" The Assistant nearly avoided the beam of dark magic, "Missed me!"
"Did I?"
The beam had created a dark splotch on the ground which, once it had solidified against the snow, transformed into a pillar of crystal which came shooting out to sharply jab at the filly just above it.
The Assistant let out a shout as she was suddenly flying into another a crystal tower. She slammed into its walls and lay limp against one of its jutting overhangs, "Ugh..."
Hope went skidding to a halt, "No!" She then abruptly teleported herself over to where The Assistant was only to feel an immense amount of dark magic surround her. Caught in Sombra's magical hold, she could only scream as she was tossed across the field and into another pile of snow.
She grunted and swiped the snow off her face.
"End of the line, Hope." Sombra growled as his horn sparked with green and purple colors.
Just as he was about to strike, something had lashed out against his side and sent him tumbling into another crystal pillar. He went crashing against it and let out a choked gasp.
The Assistant stepped up onto the tallest pillar and raised her wings. Besides her were several shadow limbs, controlled by her and the crystal on her neck, "Leave her alone King Sombra!" She called, though clearly wobbled where she was. Her firm gaze would droop and her breath became heavy.
Even then, she still stood tall above the field.
"Hmph... I teach you and train you and this is the thanks I get?" Sombra growled as his horn bubbled and sparked, "I've had enough. You are relieved of duty, Assistant."
Hope stood, "Sombra wait!"
A beam of dark magic went shooting for the filly. She swiftly dodged out of the way as stones and debris went flying behind her. With hurried flaps she made for the air, only to hear a familiar alarm blare out in her ears. Before she could figure out where it was coming from, crystals had already began sprouting around her neck and along her wings. She looked down to see the crystal on her neck was giving off a glow as her body became stiff from the jagged stones. The Assistant cried out as she dropped out of the sky and down into the crystals below where her body slammed against the harsh ground.
She went tumbling down into some snow and melted into a heap of cold pain. All she could do was groan as the crystals continued to grow around her.
"Kid!"
Sombra turned towards Hope and shot another beam of dark magic towards her.
She hurriedly blocked his attack and stumbled away, dashing behind a formed pillar of crystal, "Listen Sombra! It doesn't have to be like this!"
"But it does. It's more complicated than a simple broken friendship. You have betrayed me and so has this one, too."
"That one is just a filly thrown into this mess! And I didn't betray you, I asked for help!"
"That HELP wants to destroy me!"
"Then don't give them a reason to destroy you!" Hope carefully emerged from her hiding spot and offered her hoof, "Please Sombra, come with me. Let go of the Empire. You don't have to keep doing this..."
"..." King Sombra stared down at Hope, "It's not that easy. Especially not now. We can't just go back to how things were. Ponies are dead, Hope. No one is going to forget that."
"But-"
"ENOUGH!" Another beam shot towards her, except this one hit. A scream rang out as it hit Hope's chest and sent her barreling into another pillar.
Sombra looked on in shock, but glowered when she moved her head and lit her horn. Their eyes met before she quickly teleported away into another hiding spot where she could swiftly heal her new injuries.
"Ugh... Where is The Assistant..?" Hope muttered to herself as she scanned the area to try and find the little pink bundle of feathers hidden under the crystal field.
Sombra snapped his head towards Hope's direction and began stalking his way up to her. He was just a couple of steps closer to her very hiding spot when suddenly- SPLAT! He was hit dead on by a flying cold snowball. Surprised, Sombra reeled back and wiped the snow off his face, "What..?"
"Ello tall dark and handsome!" Said a voice before a grey and white stallion suddenly bounded forward and sent a swinging hindleg kick into the King's face. Sombra stumbled back in surprise and whipped his head over to the newcomer.
Hope perked up, "Scout!"
"Mind keepin ya hooves off the missus? It's rather inappropriate." The Scout snickered.
Sombra looked rather unamused.
"Scout you need to leave!" Hope urged.
"Not without you I ain't! Yeesh you're terrible at sneakin' round if you get caught by the BIG BAD himself! Now you right ol' bloke, let's see what you got!"
"An earth pony against a unicorn with powerful dark magic..? Hilarious." Sombra ignited his horn and unleashed several shadows along the ground floor. Those shadows began racing forward to form pillars and pillars of jagged crystal as they lunged straight for The Scout.
"Oh I'm not just A earth pony. I'm a FAST earth pony." The Scout abruptly jumped up onto a pillar that formed underneath his hooves and leaped off of it into another one. He clambered all the way to the top where he hopped off to land across another overhang of crystal. The shadows made their way up to The Scout as he continued climbing from one pillar to the next in a rapid succession. The only time he slowed down was when he was right in front of Sombra himself.
With a salute, the pony then fell back just as another jab of sharp crystal sprung up across their vision.
Sombra felt rough stone slam into his chest and he reacted by dispersing himself into the shadows. His new form flew up into the sky as he scanned the area for the two.
The Scout went bounding down against a pillar and came to a skidding to a halt besides Hope. He smiled down at her, "Nice seein' ya again."
"You shouldn't be here."
"Neither should you. We need to leave."
"Wait, before we go we have to get-" Hope wasn't able to finish when the pillar besides them suddenly exploded into shards and debris. The two covered their faces with their hooves, but Hope would find herself suddenly plucked up and taken into the air by a dark force. She let out a shout as she struggled against the black cloud. Her horn came alight as she prepared a spell.
Before she could fully cast it, Sombra then dropped her back down into the field of crystals below. She twisted her body so she was now facing him. With her back towards the ground she shot a beam of pure white light in his direction.
The monstrosity above let out a screech as it writhed around the bright colors before it slowly transformed back into the more physical body of Sombra himself. He clutched his chest as he felt this overwhelming amount of light, harmony, and love pump through his body. It was only a passing moment, but it easily caught him off guard. So much so that he hadn't even noticed he was falling until he heard Hope's piercing yell.
"Hope?!" He swiftly dispersed into shadows once more before he crash landed into the same jagged stones she did. He hurriedly regained his bearings and formed atop another tall pillar where he could view from above. There, he spotted Hope on her side, laying limp on the ground.
Sombra flinched as a pang of guilt and fear rushed through him. He hadn't killed her, had he?
"Hope!" The Scout rushed over to the mare's side, "Hope hey, it's alright. I'll get ya out of here..!"
Sombra placed a hoof over his chest and glared down at himself. What kind of spell did she cast on him..? It didn't feel right in this body but... it felt familiar.
As he tried to figure out what was happening to him, Scout had already pulled Hope onto his back and booked it across the the crystallized field. The King perked up in surprise before giving chase, transforming himself back into the shadows so he could make ground against the fast stallion.
The Scout managed to get by all the crystals before Sombra even hit the floor. He pushed himself across the last stretch of land to ensure that Hope could possibly get out of here safely. Even by just a small slim of a chance. He was not going to have somepony die on his watch!
Sombra was now at his heels but he didn't care to notice or look. He just ran. He ran across the field and kicked up the snow behind him. His hooves pounded harshly against the ground and his vision was entirely zoned in on his target. The exit. With each stride it got closer... and closer... until finally.
BOOM!
The Scout went flying right through just as Sombra was upon them. Walls of sharp, jagged crystal hurriedly formed within the opening and loomed over the two as they collapsed and crumbled just on the outside of the unbreakable wall. A dark mist began to appear and surround what was once their passage into the Empire.
The Scout let out a pained groan and slowly raised his head, "Hope..?"
She laid on the cold ground, unresponsive. The stallion hurriedly crawled to her side and placed a hoof over her neck. After a heavy pause, he let out a relieved sigh. A pulse. She wasn't dead.
He couldn't celebrate for long however. From the dark mist, a figure began to approach. The Scout whipped his head around and swiftly scrambled back on his hooves. As Sombra appeared, the other would move between him and Hope. He protectively stood in front of the unconscious mare and held his ground.
"You might just be one of the most bravest or the most dumbest earth pony I have ever met." Sombra growled.
The Scout smirked, "Don't underestimate us. We have our own strengths as well."
"Hm." Sombra glanced over at Hope who still lay limp in the snow. The Scout stepped in the way.
"Staring ain't very polite either. You best leave her alone or we're gonna have a good ol' brawl on our hooves."
"Is she alive?"
"What's it to you? Mind your business!"
Sombra chuckled, "You are very foolish... but admirable. Go then."
"What?"
"Leave. I don't think I care anymore." Sombra turned away, "She is one of the last crystal unicorns. Is it really worth the trouble to kill her when I've already rid of many others? I've already seen what she's capable of today and it was very underwhelming. Perhaps I have put too much thought into it. The crystal unicorns have no chance against me. Just like you have no chance as well. I could end both of your lives... but what's the point in it now?"
As he blasted several more crystals along the fissure to reinforce the breach, The Scout stared on.
"What are you on about, Sombra?"
"If you want a chance to live, I suggest you take Hope and your cruddy supplies and leave." Sombra growled, "I must prepare for a more serious battle than this pitiful display. I know your dear princesses are coming and I shall not waste any more of time with an earth pony. So again, if you know what's good for you. Run."
The king then disappeared back into the mist. The shadows surrounded his form and hid him away, taking him back into the Empire itself. What he left behind in his wake was a new barrier of dangerous crystal that clawed out at the sky and threatened to jab at the nearest intruder.
The Scout slowly backed away before tumbling over to Hope.
He gathered her things and secured her on his back. Once settled, the stallion began to make his way back towards camp with the help of a compass.
"The... kid..." Hope's voice whispered in his ear.
Scout came to a pause, "What?"
"Where... is she..?"
He looked up at the walls behind them. A kid? He never saw a kid while he was out in the field.
The Scout didn't leave someone behind... did he?
"Explain."
They were in the throne room. Sombra was pacing the floor with The Assistant confined in place thanks to the jagged crystals that surrounded her. Like a little birdcage, it was cramped and temporary prison to hold her in place.
The Assistant breathed in, "You were going to hurt her."
King Sombra shook his head as he passed her, "She betrayed the Empire, Assistant. Of course I was going to hurt her. She must be punished for what she has done."
"She didn't betray the Empire, she betrayed you." The filly bravely raised her head, "My King, why are your subjects chained? Why are they called slaves? And why do you experiment on them? You do not sound like a king to me."
He lowered his head to her eye level, "Even after all that's happened you're still very rebellious aren't you? I don't remember ever teaching you morals."
"You have a lot of books in your library. It's only fair I read them too."
"Ugh. That library." Sombra raised his head, "I should just burn all those old books and start over again."
"Burning books too? You read through so much of them isn't it only right to keep it?"
"That library is not mine." Sombra grumbled, "It belonged to another more virtuous than me. Princess Amore. And now she's been scattered to pieces among the corners of Equestria. But why do I bother telling you this? I will just adjust your mind once more. You especially are too smart for your own good."
"I knew something was wrong."
"You won't anymore." Sombra's horn bubbled in preparation, "You have gone against me several times and failed in each rebellious attempt. Each revolt went down thanks to my prowess and abilities. It's tiring that you continue to go against me... but maybe if I broke down your hope, you will finally see that the smartest move is to give in to me."
"What... What do you mean?" The Assistant pressed back in her makeshift cage.
"You want to remember? I will let you remember. I will let you remember each and every time you've failed. Each and every time you were defeated by me, and I will make sure that feeling does not go away. Anytime you even THINK of rebelling against me, those thoughts will resurface... and next time, you will think twice."
He raised his head and readied his spell.
"And you will help me destroy the princesses. Once and for all."
The carriage rattled and shook against the harsh winds. The world outside her window was practically blanketed with snow in an unwelcoming show of dominance against the more peaceful weathers of Equestria. It was freezing and it was cold, but it was not unexpected.
Celestia had not prepared much for warmth but instead for battle as adorned on her body were the forged golden plating of her armor and the shining shield of the sun across her side. Sitting in front of her sat a young but excitable pegasus mare. The Messenger. She would occasionally shift in her seat and stretch her wings throughout their travel. Celestia could very much tell they were just itching to fly once more. However, she insisted The Messenger allow her wings to rest and convinced her to ride along.
After all, a storm was coming. Everypony available was going to need all the energy they could get.
When the carriage finally came to a stop at the squadron's camp, The Messenger was the first to exit. She happily greeted The Commander who seemed... very troubled, before they turned to watch the Princess of the Sun step out into the freezing snow.
Her younger sister, Luna, approached.
"Sister. We're glad to see you've safely arrived."
"And I am grateful to see you are still in one piece, Luna."
The two sisters smiled and pulled each other into an embrace with their wings.
"Now," Celestia stepped back, "On to more serious matters. Is there anything new to report-?"
"Actually, there is." The Commander announced, "The Healer and Scout. They've gone missing."
Luna perked up in alarm, "Where did you see them last? Where is Hope?"
"Last we saw them both was this morning at breakfast. Then they seemed to have vanished. The Scout tends to go out on patrol by himself from time to time, but the Healer had vanished along with him. We're not sure if-"
"Healer down!" A voice cried out in the distance.
Everypony whipped their head in the voice's direction to find The Scout carrying The Healer on his back. He let out an exhausted breath and continued forward through the last stretch to camp, "Healer down!" He called again.
Princess Luna and The Commander were the first to react. They hurriedly flapped their wings and made their way over to the two just before The Scout collapsed from exhaustion. Several more began to join them, but by then The Commander was helping Scout back onto his hooves and Luna had already plucked up Hope in her grasp. She anxiously looked over the mare and noticed small bits of dark crystal along her horn and legs. Hope was unconscious, but from one quick check of her pulse, still alive.
Even then Luna couldn't relax. As they took the two into the medical tent, Luna was quick to join the mare's side.
Celestia stepped in after her to see her younger sister casting a healing spell along the unicorn's wounds.
"Sister..."
Luna perked, "We need our healer up and ready. We will stay by her side until she is... awake or properly healed. She is very important for this mission."
"What happened out there, Scout?" The Commander asked as he offered the stallion a water pouch.
Scout eagerly drank from it, "Ugh... You're not going to like this, but we might have found an opening in the wall... and gone through it."
"Why?" The crystal pegasus growled, "You should have just come back and reported the opening itself."
"I wanted to. But Hope had other plans. She entered on her own, and we faced King Sombra. I managed to kick the bloke in the face and get out of there with 'er! It was amazing, you should have seen how he-"
"That was very brash of you two! If I had lost any of you-!"
"That's enough." Celestia firmly approached, "Scout. Is the opening still there?"
The stallion sighed, "No, your highness. I'm sorry, but he found it and patched it right back up."
"Then we'll have to continue with our original plan. Rest well, hopefully by tomorrow this will all be over soon. Sister, are you able to join us?" She turned to Luna expectantly.
The younger princess hesitated, "Allow us some time, we still need to make sure our healer didn't suffer any irreversible damage."
Celestia nodded, "I understand. We will be discussing strategy with The Commander if you need us."
"Very well. We will accompany you soon."
Celestia made to leave with The Commander following behind her. Of course not before giving Scout a sharp but concerned glance on the way out.
When the two entered the tent, a few other high-ranked soldiers were already there waiting expectantly for the princess.
With a heavy sigh, she spoke, "Thank you for all coming. I'm afraid, however, that not many of you will be able to join us in the final battle. From the notes I have gathered, the walls are impenetrable. Earth ponies are not able to break through. The tyrant also has a spell to cut off unicorn magic, making them useless in battle as well. There is a possibility for pegasi to fly over the walls, but even then they could get shot down if unprotected with magical help."
"The best course of action for this is for me and my sister to ride into battle together. However, we may be able to allow one to accompany us." She glanced over at The Commander by her side.
The pegasus nodded, "I could fly behind you two as we enter the Empire. While you fight Sombra, I will be there to keep back any corrupted crystal ponies that he decides to send out."
"Why only him?" One soldier spoke up, "I am a pegasus too, and I'm very skilled with the shield and spear. Surely I could have been a good pick as well? Any of us who could fly, really, could have been a good pick."
Celestia turned to them, "The Commander is very skilled as well, but that is not all."
The Commander raised his head, "The Crystal Empire is home to my family. My brothers, nieces, and nephews. However, there has also been report of my daughter, who had run away recently, also being contained within those walls. I must go into battle with the princesses. Not only for the Empire, but for my family as well."
"Perhaps having a personal attachment to the Empire isn't a good idea when going into battle?" A unicorn mare spoke.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well the more attached you are to a mission or a war the more likely you are to do what you can for it, of course." She continued, "I know you will do anything to save that Empire... But what if that's used against you? And... what if you fail?"
Luna had entered the tent, satisfied after ensuring Hope would be alright.
"Fail?" The Commander glared down at the map in front of them.
The third soldier spoke up, "It would hit you the hardest, seeing as this means everything to you. Commander, I apologize, but what if after today you don't win..."
"And the Empire falls?"
The Commander tried to focus on the Empire up ahead as he trailed after Celestia and Luna. The younger princess had been hesitant to let him come along, but agreed after conflicting herself several times. It was odd to see, but he chose not to question it.
As they traveled to the walls with a squad ready behind them, The Commander found his thoughts going back to the meeting in the strategy tent. One soldier had argued they were just as capable and someone with personal attachment to the empire as himself should not get involved. After some argument, insistence, and finally the command of the Princesses themselves, The Commander was chosen to accompany them and that was that.
When they finally made it to the walls it was hardly very ceremonious. They had thought it would be worth the attempt to bring a group of specialized rock farmers along to try and examine the wall one last time to find some flaw in the crystal, but their findings had come up dry. This was it then. The moment the princesses and himself would be against the dark tyrant.
Luna turned to The Commander, "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be. My daughter is in there. I must make sure she is home safe after all is said and done."
Celestia nodded, "We will do all we can to make sure the Empire and your family is safe. Prepare, for we are about to take flight above the wall."
"Your wings are strong enough," A nearby soldier spoke, "It'll be a climb, but you three should all be able to make it."
Luna raised her wings, "Stay behind us Commander. In the sky, we'll protect you."
The Commander readied his own and got into position. The two sisters assessed the wall and glanced to one another.
"Shall we, sister?" Celestia crouched.
"We shall."
Then, in silent agreement, the three took off into the air. The Commander, set on his goal, carefully focused on each flap of his wing. He pushed against the air, against the snow, and against the climb. No matter how much gravity tried to tug him to the ground he did not back down. He kept his pace and he kept it firm. Firm enough that he was able to match the speed of the alicorns above him. No matter how tired he felt or how his wings burned from the dropping temperatures,
he would not give up on his daughter.
A small crystal shard gave off a gentle glow from where it hung on the filly's neck.
A young pink pegasus in a brown cloak carefully stepped out onto the balcony where her king awaited. Her dull crimson eyes would expectantly stare at him while his own vibrant ones scanned the walls around the Empire.
"Assistant."
"Yes, my king?" She droned out.
"There have been reports of activity in the eastern section. You know what that means." King Sombra turned towards the small filly nearby, "Prove your loyalty. Prove your worth. Let us take over Equestria."
"Then maybe one day, you'll earn what you desire. You will become Empress of the Empire."
The filly's neutral expression was interrupted by her small "Heh." She shook her head and smirked, "Of course."
"Let them fail again." |
A Guardsman in Equestria | pre | An hour later, Alexander stood in the main square. He had spent about half of his bits purchasing furnishings that fit humans. Unfortunately, much of it had to be custom made, especially the toilets, so it would be another week until his new home was fully furnished. Not knowing what to do, he began to wander Ponyville until he recalled the distant ruins he had seen while in the Everfree Forest. He didn't know why, but something seemed to be compelling him to go there. He made his way west through town.
As he passed by Sugarcube Corner, Alexander ran into Twilight and Spike. "Twilight. Spike."
"Oh," Twilight looked up from a checklist she held in her magic, Spike waving hello. "Hello Alexander, how's your new house?"
Alexander shook his head. "It's great, but it'll be a week until any furniture arrives."
"Well, you're still welcome to stay with me until then." Twilight started to go inside before a thought occurred to her. "Um, Alexander?"
"Hm?"
"The girls and I are having a picnic later today." Twilight hesitated. "Would you like to come?"
Alexander smiled, but shook his head. "That sounds great, but I have some business to take care of."
"Oh, well, see you later then." Twilight went into Sugarcube corner, Spike waving goodbye. He seemed...uncharacteristically quiet to Alexander, but then he hadn't known him for very long.
Alexander continued to make his way west until he came across Fluttershy's cabin. Intending to pass it by, he was caught unawares as a chitinous mass dropped down from a tree and latched onto his face. Alexander gave a muffled scream and began trying to pull the miniature carnifex off his face.
"Chompers! No! Bad girl!" Alexander heard Fluttershy admonishing the tyranid before it was plucked off his face. Fluttershy began trying to apologize to Alexander as the carnifex curled up on her back and fell asleep. "I'm so terribly sorry, Alexander. I don't know what came over her."
Alexander sighed, waving her off. "It's fine," Alexander forced. "Just try to keep it on a leash or something."
"Oh, I couldn't do that to her," replied the timid pegasus. "I could never confine such a free spirit."
Alexander sighed in exasperation, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Fine! Just try to keep it off my face." Alexander started to storm off before a question rose in his mind. "Fluttershy, do ponies eat meat?"
Fluttershy considered his question. "Well, while most ponies are usually vegetarian, we do eat eggs and fish from time to time." She tried to hide behind her mane, wondering how the human would react. "Though on occasion we will eat chicken or turkey if it's available."
Alexander stared off into the distance. "Thanks Fluttershy. That answers a few questions." Guess I won't have to go hunting around here as often as I thought. The last he saw of Fluttershy before he entered the forest was the yellow pegasus talking to a rather large bear that seemed to be in some pain. Muttering to himself about how crazy ponies were going to make him go insane, Alexander stepped beyond the forest boundary.
Immediately, Alexander was plunged into an unnatural darkness by the forest canopy. Cursing, Alexander turned on his head lamp, flooding the woods in front of him with a harsh, white light. He pulled out his compass and made a hard estimation of where he wanted to go before heading in that direction. Several times, he had to use his power sword to clear away thick vegetation before he could proceed.
He had been travelling for about five minutes when he came across a small hut in the middle of a small clearing. He was about to leave when he saw a strange black and white striped pony with a mohawk that was wearing unusual gold jewelry. The pony's eyes opened in surprise, before she spoke with a strange, melodious accent. "Unless my eyes do me deceive, a human before me I do perceive."
Alexander stared at the strange, almost exotic pony. "You've heard of human's before?"
She nodded. "Creatures of myth and legend humans are here. But they are obscure and faded, many ponies never hearing of humans before this year."
Alexander regarded the strange pony. "Well, it was nice to meet you, but I've got to be going."
The striped pony smiled. "If ever you should need aid, just remember, I am not too far away."
"Thanks." I think. Checking his compass, Alexander moved off deeper into the woods. After about an hour, he came across a shallow river. Carefully, Alexander crossed it before moving on. Half an hour later, Alexander found himself surrounded by a thick fog, his floodlamp barely able to cut through the mists. Advancing cautiously, Alexander came to a halt as he came to a narrow gorge spanned by a rickety rope bridge. Across the gorge were the ruins he had seen once before from a distance. They were quite impressive, if a bit rundown.
Licking his dry lips, Alexander began his crossing. He didn't trust the bridge, but he could not see any other way across short of flying, and he was no pegasus. Carefully testing each plank of wood before putting his full weight on it, Alexander slowly but surely made it across the old bridge. Eventually, Alexander made it across safely, and he could breath a sigh in relief. He entered the castle.
After exploring the castle for a time, Alexander came across a large room that was reminiscent of the throne room in Canterlot. However, where the throne would have been there was instead a raised stone pedestal with five stone plinths. Alexander stepped closer to examine them. They looked extremely old, decades, if not centuries so. Alexander felt...drawn to the empty pedestal. A deep, glacial groan stopped Alexander dead in his tracks. He slowly looked down at the cracks forming in the floor. He swallowed. Gingerly lifting his foot, Alexander tried to get to safer ground.
With a mighty CRACK, the floor gave out, dropping Alexander into the nothingness below.
Alexander slowly came to in pitch blackness. Groaning, he flipped on his headlamp. Somehow, the fall had turned it off. Slowly raising himself to his feet, Alexander played the circle of light across the immense cavern he found himself in. What he found was almost to much to bear.
"Holy God-Emperor..."
Before Alexander rested an Imperial Navy frigate. Well, half of one. Where the front half of the ship would be was a cavern wall. It was as if the ship had materialized into the rock itself.
Alexander approached the ship. It wasn't the Dawn, but Alexander had been on a frigate before, so the emergency airlock should be right around...there. Alexander pressed a switch, and the emergency airlock opened. Still has power. Should make things a little easier. Alexander slipped on his respirator, and stepped into the ship.
Inside, the ship was eerily quiet. Alexander tried to figure out what it was, until he realized the engines were offline. Even when a ship was running silent, there would be the groaning of bulkheads and the hum of the reactors. That these sounds were absent told the human that this ship was truly dead. However, the fact that the frigate still had power meant that the reactors were still ticking over on minimum power output. That meant the life support should still be online.
Deciding to risk it, Alexander removed his respirator. He took a tentative breath, but the air was clean and without poisonous gases. Breathing a sigh of relief, he began searching for the ship's armory.
After some time, Alexander found the armory. He tried the door, but the bulkhead was locked, a keycode needed to unlock it. Alexander drew his power sword and stabbed it into the electronic lock, praying it would work. Miraculously it did. Alexander entered the armory.
The first thing that struck Alexander as odd was that this armory was still fully stocked, not a weapon or tool out of place. The second thing that stood out to the guardsman was the row of gunmetal grey space marine power armor. Alexander examined one of the suits of power armor. The suit was of a pattern Alexander had never seen before. It was for the most part unpainted, with the exception of the shoulder pads, which were covered in flowing words and glyphs picked out in gold that Alexander didn't understand, though some seemed to be written in high gothic. The cyan-lensed helmet reminded Alexander of that of a primitive suit of plate armor, a strange adamantium cowl raised above it. Embossed on the chest, where the Imperial Aquila would normally be, was a familiar barbed capital I, the symbol of the Imperial Inquisition. Looking at the other suits of power armor, Alexander saw that every suit had the Inquisitorial Rosette engraved somewhere at least once. He had heard rumors that the Inquisition had its own pet chapter, but he had never believed that. Until now.
Alexander moved on from the rows of power armor to the weapons lockers. Row upon row of Astartes bolters greeted him. Alexander gazed at the boltguns longingly. He would have loved to be able to fire those inch-thick, mass-reactive bolt shells in battle. Unfortunately, if he ever tried firing one of those fully automatic rocket launchers, the recoil would more likely than not tear his arm right out of his socket. Not to mention the fact that using, much less touching an Adeptus Astartes boltgun would likely result in a ten-ninety. Sighing, he moved on to the next cages.
These weapons cages actually had weapons Alexander could use. Grinning like an idiot, he sliced the gate open and picked up a hellgun, a special forces version of a lasgun that traded longevity and ammo for greater penetration and stopping power. Alexander put it back as another lasgun variant caught his eye. He lifted a longlas off its hooks, cradling it in his arms. A sniper's weapon, he had always wanted to use one, but his requests had always been turned down. Now however, it would be a great boon if he ever went hunting. Slinging it over his shoulder, Alexander stuffed his pockets with as many lasgun and laspistol powerpacks as he could before moving on.
In the next cage were various support weapons. Grenade launchers with drum mags, flamers, the tempermental plasmagun, the tank killing meltagun, heavy bolters that spat fist-sized bolts, autocannons that could tear heavy infantry and light vehicles to pieces, lascannons that could turn the heaviest armor to slag. Alexander practically drooled over the amount of firepower present in the room. Sadly, he had neglected to bring his backpack with him when he set out, and he had no way to lug the heavy, crew-manned weapons on the wall. Nor could he find any promethium for the flamer he had left in Ponyville. It had all gone bad, and Alexander didn't know how to rejuvenate it. Sighing, he left the armory, knowing that he could come back with a wagon or something to carry the weapons and equipment in.
Alexander stopped outside the armory as a thought occurred to him. Where are the bodies? He realized that he had not seen so much as a finger bone the entire time he had been on the ship. He needed answers. He looked aft. He wouldn't be able to reach the bridge, not through solid stone. That only left the enginarium and the communications hub. Knowing from experience how easy it was to get lost in the vast enginarium, Alexander decided to try the communications hub.
Alexander crept through the halls, laspistol drawn. He hoped whatever had disappeared the crew was long gone, but with his luck, it wouldn't be. Eventually, he came to the comms hub. He opened the door, clearing the room with his laspistol out. It was empty. Holstering his pistol, Alexander moved to a cogitator and sat down. He reached out, turning it on with a flick of a switch. To his relief, the screen glowed green as the machine came to life. Cracking his knuckles, Alexander tried to pull up the ship's log. He jumped as a loud squawk sounded from the machine, an error message coming up on the screen.
--ERROR--
--DATABASE CORRUPTED--
--OPEN LAST RECORDED COMMUNICATION?--
--Y/N?--
Alexander frowned. He pressed the 'y' key. The cogitator's screen flickered, displaying a new message.
--PROCCESSING--
--WARNING!--
--DATA CORRUPTED--
--CONTINUE?--
--Y/N?--
Alexander hit the 'y' key again. This time, it took several minutes for the cogitator's screen to pull up the last message received by the frigate's crew.
--INCOMING TRANSMISSION--
--CLEARANCE LEVEL: MAGENTA--
--ERROR--ENCRYPTION ERROR--
--DISPLAYING DATA--
--INQUISITOR--
--IT CT A-P1592 "ALEXANDER" SURVIV PURGE OF PROJERL ON PERSEUS OMNICRON VIII. SUBJECT CONFIRMED HARLECH 501EGIMENT. RENTLY ASSIGNED ABOARD RWARD UNTO DAWN. THE TERMINATE, AND WITH O BE PASSIFIED. NY MEANS NECES. BY THE EMPEROR'S GRACE--
-AVE IMPERATOR REX HUMANITUS--
--END TRANSMISSION--
Alexander slumped in his seat, face pale. No, it's gotta be some kinda mistake. Alexander had been betrayed. His regiment had been betrayed, by the very Imperium that they had given their lives to defend. He didn't know why, but the Inquisition had wanted him dead, and had sacrificed an irreplacable ship and every soul aboard just to kill him. He stumbled out of the communications center, emotions a storm of uncertainty and pain. He left the ship, staggering down a rocky passage. He blundered out of the cavern into the Everfree Forest, ominous black clouds brewing overhead. Tripping on a root, Alexander fell. He pulled himself to his knees, screaming into the gathering storm above.
It was a primal thing, full of hurt and loss, pain and betrayal. He screamed until his throat was raw, until he could scream no more. He slumped down as the heavens opened up. Torrents of rain and blown branches battered Alexander, but he felt none of it, his mind and emotions in turmoil.
A low, eerie howl brought Alexander to his senses. He raised his head to find that he was surrounded, red glowing eyes materializing out of the darkness around him. A large wooden wolf as big as Big Macintosh stalked out of the foliage, snarling at the human as it pounced. Rage filled Alexander as he drew his sword and knife. Snarling in return he charged at the timberwolf, his eyes ablaze. As the two beings tore at each other, the storm opened up in earnest, thunder and lightning flashing above the combatants.
In Ponyville, everypony cowered in their cellars as the storm of the century raged outside their homes as the weather pegasi gave up trying to tame the storm. In Canterlot, Princess Luna stopped talking to her sister in alarm as they threw up a powerful magical shield, protecting the city from the unnatural weather. The storm would continue raging for several hours, until a bloodied figure covered in mud stumbled into the Golden Oaks Library in Ponyville early the next morning. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Nightmares | Twilight sat at her kitchen table, wisps of steam curling up past her baggy eyes from the mug of coffee in front of her. Spike walked into the room, yawning as he rubbed sleep from his eyes.
"Mornin' Twi." The baby dragon looked around blearily. "Alexander still not coming out?"
Twilight sighed. "I don't know what to do. He's been locked up in the guest room for a week now, and he won't come out."
"I know." Spike shrugged. "Maybe he just needs some time alone. He was pretty banged up when he got back, remember?"
Twilight stared into her coffee. "I just wish I knew what to do, Spike. I-"
A heavy creaking came from the guestroom stairway, interrupting Twilight. She looked up to see a bedraggled Alexander leaning against the doorframe, a week-old beard covering his haggard face, his clothes rumpled and covered in sweat stains. The unicorn wrinkled her nose at the smelly human. Spike gagged as his cheeks puffed out. Alexander sat down at the table, eyes boring into the wood. Twilight gazed at the human with concern. "Are you okay?"
Alexander gave a long sigh, shaking his head. "No."
"Do...do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
Spike tugged at Twilight's tail. "Aw, leave 'im alone Twi'. You should know guys don't like to talk about our feelings like you girls do." Somehow, that got Alexander to smile for the ghost of a second.
Twilight grumbled for a moment before sighing. "Alexander, I-" She stumbled over her words. "I'm just glad you aren't hurt."
"Thanks."
"Will you be joining the festivities today?"
"Festivities?"
Twilight nodded. "Tonight is Nightmare Night."
"What's Nightmare Night?"
"Pssh. It's only the most awesome night ever!"
Twilight gave a stern look to the baby dragon before turning to Alexander. "Every year, all the ponies in Ponyville dress up in costume and go door to door to get candy." She grinned. "We also get together in the town square for fun and games."
Spike jumped up and down in excitement. "We also get to scare the stuffings out of everypony!"
"Spike!"
Spike scuffed at the floor with a foot. "Well, we do."
Alexander gazed into the distance. Emperor knew it had been awhile since he had had any reason to laugh, or even smile. He just didn't feel like celebrating however. "No, I'm...just not in the mood." He made to head to his room.
Twilight called after him. "Make sure you shower!"
"Yeah, you smell worse than the Cutie Mark Crusaders after they tried pig farming!' Twilight glared at the baby dragon. He shrugged. "What?"
Alexander lay on the bed, staring blankly at the wall. He had been lying listlessly there ever since he had returned that morning, only getting up to address bodily needs. For his whole life, he had had purpose, defending the Imperium from all threats without and within. But now, in the face of his betrayal at the hands of those he had given his life in service to, he was purposeless. He was a rudderless ship set adrift on a vast, stormy sea. He had always known what to do in any given situation, confident his allies would be there with him. But now...he just didn't know. For the longest time, Alexander simply laid there moping as day bled into night.
Screams of terror snapped Alexander out of his funk. Instincts screaming an attack was under way, Alexander leapt to his feet, snagging his helmet and laspistol on his way out the door. Taking the stairs two at a time, he leapt down the last ten, landing in a crouch. Reaching the front door, he kicked it open, laspistol at the ready. Not seeing any ponies in sight, he followed the screaming to the center of town.
He came to a halt as he beheld the colorful ponies, all wearing varieties of just as colorful costumes, bowing before a cloaked and hooded figure. Alexander watched in amazement as the hood was swept back to reveal a striking midnight blue alicorn with a flowing blue mane filled with flickering stars. Alexander heard a pony wearing a fake beard whisper the pony's name. "Princess Luna!" Wait, is that Twilight? Why's she dressed as an ecclesiarch?
"Citizens of Ponyville! We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real princess of the night! A creature of nightmare is no longer, but instead a pony who desires your love and admiration! Together we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!" There was a dramatic flash of lightning.
Holy Emperor on Terra, that's loud! Despite the fact that the helmets worn in the Imperial Guard were designed to suppress sounds above certain decibels, Alexander could still feel his ears ringing. What kind of lungs did that pony have? He missed what exactly was said next as he shook the ringing out of his ears, but whatever had happened, most of the ponies had vacated the square in terror, and the midnight blue alicorn was trotting off in a huff.
Alexander walked up to Twilight. "Twilight, what just happened?"
Twilight turned, delight on her face. "Alexander! You came!"
Alexander nodded. "I heard screaming."
"Man, but do you stink!" Twilight glared at the baby dragon. Spike threw his arms wide. "What?"
Alexander looked at the baby dragon with a frown. He was wearing a...dragon costume. Did he really go as himself? Alexander turned back to Twilight. "So, what happened?"
Twilight seemed unsure. "Well, Princess Luna came to visit, but everypony is terrified of her."
Alexander scoffed. "Seriously? She scared them? Pfft." Alexander lifted an eyebrow. "I don't see it. What's so scary about her?"
"Because she's Nightmare Moon!"
"Spike!" Twilight glared at the purple dragon. "She is not Nightmare Moon anymore! I saw the Elements of Harmony change her back to good! But it seems like she's having some trouble adjusting after being gone for a thousand years."
Alexander blinked. "Wait. What?" He stared at Twilight in confusion. "Change her back to good? What does that even mean?" Twilight quickly gave Alexander a quick rundown on the Mare in the Moon legend and the events of the previous year's Summer Sun Celebration. Alexander was deeply disturbed. "That sounds very much like a demonic possession." He gazed off to where the princess of the night had disappeared. "But, if you say the taint has been purged, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Trust, however, is something that'll have to be earned." Alexander sighed. "I trust you'll keep her out of trouble?" Twilight nodded. "Good."
"I'll see you later. Come on Spike!" Twilight galloped off after the princess, spike in tow. Alexander shook his head. "I hope she's right. Demons are not to be trifled with." Alexander pulled a worn photo from his thigh pocket, gazing at it with sad nostalgia. "We learned that the hard way, didn't we Mikael?" |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Pleasant Dreams | Alexander put the photo away with a sigh. A voice sounded from over his shoulder. "Who's that?" Alexander looked over his shoulder, but no one was there. "Up here." Alexander looked up.
"The hell?" Floating above him on a black storm cloud was a rainbow maned pegasus wearing a dark purple bodysuit with yellow highlights.
"You-what-how? That's not pos--You're on a cloud!" Alexander's brain was threatening to short out.
"Well, yeah. I am a pegasus, duh!"
"That doesn't even make sense!"
"It does if yer a pegasus."
Alexander made a strangling sound, left eye twitching. Moving to a nearby wall, Alexander began bashing his head against the building. "What." thunk! "Did." thunk! "I." thunk! "Do." thunk! "To get sent here?" thunk! He removed his head from the dented wall. "What do you want?"
Rainbow tilted her head. "Who was that in the picture with you?"
"A friend."
After Alexander didn't elaborate, Dash shrugged. "Whatever. Nice zombie costume, by the way." She waved a hoof in front of her face. "You even smell the part. Ooh, ooh! There's an easy group over there!" Rainbow dashed off, pushing the storm cloud ahead of her. Alexander heard startled screams following a crack of thunder. Frowning, Alexander cautiously gave his pit a sniff. Recoiling in disgust, Alexander realized he hadn't bathed in over a week. Gagging, Alexander returned to the library for a shower.
Alexander stepped out onto the balcony at the top of the Golden Oaks LIbrary. Having washed off all the mud and wolf's blood, he felt much better, if not still lost and purposeless. He leaned on the railing, staring out over Ponyville. A booming voice carried to Alexander from Ponyville. Frowning, Alexander pulled the nearby telescope off its mount and peered through it, trying to find the source of the yelling.
Alexander found what he was looking for in the main square. It appeared that Princess Luna was angrily screaming at the villagers for whatever reason. And there's the dramatic thunder and lightning. How does she do that? ...Oh, right. Magic. Rolling his eyes, Alexander examined the princess. Well, no signs of corruption. Yet. Her eyes were glowing white as she yelled at Twilight Sparkle. Alexander tensed up, wishing he had brought his longlas sniper to the balcony with him. While glowing white eyes weren't a sign of demonic corruption, it was something Alexander had learned to equate with a psyker using his powers, and therefor something to be wary of. Dark, ominous clouds began swirling above Ponyville as Luna rose into the air. Alexander was really missing his longlas at that moment.
It was therefor some relief when Luna stalked off towards the park, Alexander letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Alexander watched as the princess of the night's anger gave way to sadness, leading him to wonder if he hadn't misjudged the princess. Still, Alexander wasn't completely convinced of the absense of demonic influence. He had made that mistake once before, and he wasn't going to make it again. He replaced the telescope and climbed down the stairs leading inside.
Alexander retrieved his longlas and began to look it over. Taking a targeting laser out, he placed it in the end of the barrel. Using the red dot hovering on the wall, he calibrated the rifle's scope to zero in on five hundred yards. It took him about fifteen minutes until he was satisfied with the sights. Slinging the rifle over one shoulder, Alexander picked up a high-power hotshot clip and returned to the balcony. Loading the sniper rifle, Alexander leaned it against the railing, picking up the telescope. To his disconcertion, he couldn't find Luna anywhere. Cursing, he searched Ponyville until his gaze settled on a group of foals approaching a rather menacing statue of a fanged alicorn. Why are they giving candy to a statue?
Alexander gave a startled shriek as the statue came to life. Scrambling up off the balcony floor, Alexander grabbed his longlas and sighted in on the demonic statue. He blinked as the demonic alicorn shrunk down into a familiar form. The guardsman groaned as Twilight walked up to the alicorn, Luna giggling as she spit out a set of plastic fangs. It was a joke? To say Alexander was relieved that he hadn't pulled the trigger was an understatement. That would have been hard to explain to her sister. A chill went down Alexander's back as he tried to imagine Celestia's wrath. He was also extremely glad no one saw his little...panic attack. He somehow doubted that Rainbow Dash would let him live that down.
Alexander continued to watch Luna for the remainder of the night's festivities until she returned to Canterlot. Returning to the library downstairs, Alexander chuckled as he recalled how Luna had pranked Rainbow Dash with her own thundering stormcloud gag. Entering his room, Alexander sat on the bed and began to clean and service his weapons. It took longer than normal, but then again, he hadn't cleaned his gear for over a week. Finishing, Alexander put away his weapons and undressed, getting into his bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Fire. Death. Despair. Demons cavorted in the streets as ponies ran screaming or died. Animals' heads impaled on pikes by a burning forest-side cottage. An apple orchard decayed into ruin, any pony that tried to eat its apples turning painfully to trees. A home in a tree burned. Buildings collapsed. A city in the clouds died, its rainbows weeping blood. A mountain-side city collapsed, crashing into the ground below. A vast forest was consumed by a wave of darkness, the animals within dissolving as they writhed. A town in the desert was swallowed by sand, apple trees turning to dust. A monstrous army of crystal and shadow marched from the frozen northern wastes, a demon of darkness at the head. Strange insectoid ponies died in the scores as they were possessed by eldritch abominations, their black carapaces twisting and deforming. Ethereal beings an icy blue latched onto ponies, draining them into husks. The dead streamed from the ground to devour the living. Equestria burned.
Alexander tossed and turned as images of disaster and doom assailed his mind, sweating as he murmured. +You seem troubled, my friend.+ An insubstantial apparition manifested itself above Alexander. +You are afraid that you won't be able to protect them, aren't you?+ The apparition lightly caressed the assembled weapons in the room. +You fear failing your new comrades, as you believe you failed your old.+ The presence floated to the window. +Their deaths were of no fault of yours, friend. The guilt you feel is that of a survivor.+ The ghostly figure returned to Alexander. +One that should not be your burden to carry.+ The phantasm touched Alexander's fevered brow. His tortured face relaxed, his nightmares dissolving into dreams of a happier time. +Sleep peacefully old friend. You will save this world as you once saved me. Pleasant dreams, Alexander.+ The apparition faded away. Twilight poked her head into Alexander's room. She thought she had felt..something that was there, but at the same time, wasn't. All she saw was Alexander sleeping peacefully for the first time in years, a small smile on his face. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Settling In | Alexander opened his eyes, feeling more refreshed than he had in years. The sun was just peeking out over the horizon, bands of orange creeping through the sky. Alexander was about to delve into his morning routine when he realized that, he didn't have a morning routine anymore. Oh, man, Gunny would be shitting earthshaker rounds if he was here. Alexander sighed. He really hated PT. Still, he needed to keep in shape if he were to protect the innocence that existed here. Did I really just...? There was a brief moment of clarity as Alexander realized he had a purpose again. Somehow, he had come to the conclusion that these ponies were worth...protecting.
It was a heretical thought, protecting xenos, even ones as human as these. It was something the Imperium did not tolerate. Then again, he wasn't really a part of the Imperium anymore, was he? He had to make his own way now...make his own decisions as to what was heresy and what was moral. He couldn't rely on the teachings he had been raised on, the very teachings that had led to his current...situation. It was sobering, to say the least.
Alexander shook his head. He had spent enough time moping to last a lifetime. Now, it was time to exercise. A five mile run seemed right. Dressing, Alexander packed everything he had into his backpack. The furnishings for his bunker-like home were to be delivered today, so he might as well move in. Alexander put on his armor and full kit before leaving the guest room for the last time. Much to his surprise, Alexander found Twilight sitting in the main library.
"What are you doing up?"
Twilight looked up from her book. "Oh, hello Alexander. I always get up this early." She tilted her head, frowning. "Where are you going?"
Alexander shrugged. "I'm moving into my place. The furniture should be delivered today before too long."
Twilight shook her head. "That's great, but I wanted to know why you are leaving this early. The sun's barely up."
"Physical Training."
"Aren't you going to have breakfast?"
Alexander shook his head. "I never eat before a run. That's just asking for trouble." He walked to the door. "Besides, bit early for that, don'cha think?"
Twilight rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, okay, yeah." She perked up. "How about we meet for breakfast? There's a cafe down the street from Sugarcube Corner."
Alexander shrugged. "Sure. See you at eight."
Twilight watched Alexander leave before pulling out a scroll and a quill. "Talk to Alexander? Check! Make breakfast plans? Check! Spike still asleep?" A soft snore from upstairs answered. "Check!"
Alexander was jogging at a fair pace towards what he had been told were the Whitetail Woods during his tour of Ponyville. As he began to run down the clearly marked path through the woods, a tune began to sound unbidden in his head. Rumor had it that the song had been found on a data crystal dating back to the 3rd millenium on Terra. But Alexander didn't care. It was a song that his regiment had adopted to use when marching or running. He smiled as the music played in his head. His head bobbing in time with the beat, he began to sing.
I've got the reach and the teeth of a killin' machine,
with a need to bleed you when the light goes green,
best believe, I'm in a zone to be,
from my Yin to my Yang to my Yang Tze.
Put a grin on my chin, when ya come to me, 'cuz I'll win,
I'm one-of-a-kind and I'll bring death
to the place you're about to be:
another river of blood runnin' under my feet.
Forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me,
you'll never stand alone.
I'm last to leave, but the first to go,
Lord, make me dead before you make me old.
I feed on the fear of the devil inside of the
enemy faces in my sights:
aim with the hand, shoot with the mind,
kill with a heart like arctic ice
I am a Soldier and I'm marching on,
I am a warrior and this is my song
I bask in the glow of the rising war,
lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore,
wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if
another one stands I'll kill some more.
Bullet in the breech and a fire in me,
like a cigarette thrown to gasoline, if
death don't bring you fear I swear
you'll fear these marching feet.
Come to the nightmare, come to me,
deep down in the dark where the devil be,
in the maw with the jaws and the razor teeth,
where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps.
Call to the gods if I cross your path and
my silhouette hangs like a body bag;
hope is a moment now long past,
the shadow of death is the one I cast.
I am a Soldier and I'm marching on,
I am a warrior and this is my song
my eyes are steel and my gaze is long,
I am a warrior and this is my song
Now I live lean and I mean to inflict the grief,
and the least of me's still out of your reach.
The killing machine's gonna do the deed,
until the river runs dry and my last breath leaves.
Chin in the air with a head held high,
I'll stand in the path of the enemy line.
Feel no fear, know my pride:
for God and Country I'll end your life.
I am a Soldier and I'm marching on,
I am a warrior and this is my song
my eyes are steel and my gaze is long,
I am a warrior and this is my song!
Alexander repeated the song twice more before he finished his run. He still had an hour before he was due to meet Twilight at that cafe. Plenty of time to head over to his new home and take a quick shower. He had nearly made it when he thought he heard a squeal.
"HANDS!"
Wait, what? Alexander found himself bowled over by a squeeing aquamarine unicorn. It was bouncing as it sat on his chest. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! A human! A real human! I finally found one! And they said I was crazy!" The pony gasped. "I have to tell Bon Bon!" Alexander sat up as the aquamarine unicorn disappeared in a cloud of dust. What in the warp was that all about? Alexander dusted himself off as he stood up. I'm starting to get really tired of ponies running me over. Grumbling, he went inside to shower.
It was almost eight. Alexander was headed for the cafe Twilight had mentioned, but he was having trouble finding it. Was it that way, or...? He saw a sign down the street depicting a steaming cup. That way. He walked to the cafe.
Alexander found Twilight sitting at an outdoor table, speaking to a pair of ponies. One of them, a unicorn stallion, was the same olive green of Alexander's fatigues with a jet-black short cropped mane and tail. His cutie mark was a half-filled hypodermic needle. Interestingly, the stallion appeared to wearing ponified flak armor. The other pony was an enigma though. It may have been an earth pony, but it was wearing a red cloak that completely covered its body, as well as a large, squarish mass situated on its upper back.
Twilight noticed Alexander approaching. "Alexander!" She waved him over. "These two ponies said they were looking for you."
The two mystery ponies turned towards Alexander. The olive unicorn blinked. "Holy crap on a crepe! It's Alexander!"
Alexander frowned. "Do I know you?"
<Interesting. It appears he has not been subjected to the same transforming forces that we were exposed to. This warrants further study.> The cloaked pony spoke with a strange buzzing voice. <Perhaps the warp exposure had a different effect on him than it did on us, Syrette.>
"Pff. There you go again, Iron," retorted the unicorn. "You keep trying to test everything. Lighten up, relax a bit."
"Wait a minute." Alexander scrutinized the pair intensely. "You two do seem familiar."
The green unicorn rolled his violet eyes. "Well, duh. We've only served together, what? Five years?"
<Five years, two months, and twenty-two days before the incident. I would be more precise, but that would be a waste of vocal processes.>
Alexander's eyes opened wide in astonished recognition. "Cyrus? Aaron? Wha...? Why the warp are you two ponies?" He stared at the ponified medic and techpriest in bewilderment.
The unicorn chuckled. "Good to see you too, buddy. And the name's Syrette now. As for Aaron, here," he waved a hoof at the cloaked pony. "He chose Iron Cog. As for why we're ponies," Syrette shrugged. "No idea, although, I am surprised you just got here. We've been here for almost two years now."
<Approximately one year, eleven months-->
"TMI, dude, TMI."
<Proper time keeping is integral to ->
The argument between the two was interrupted by Pinkie Pie popping out from under the table. "Twilight!"
"Gah"
"What th-!"
<Interesting.>
"What is it Pinkie?"
"Twitchy tail, Twilight! Twitchy. Tail." Pinkie's tail was indeed twitching. "And my knee's pinchy! Something really bad is about to happen!" Twilight paled and dived under the table. Iron Cog and Syrette regarded her with curiosity.
"Um, why are you hiding under the table?"
Twilight poked her head out. "Pinkie Pie has something of a sixth sense that warns her about things."
Pinkie Pie popped out of a planter, plant and clump of dirt on her head. "When my tail's a twitchin', it means stuff's about to start falling from the sky. But my tail's never twitched this much before! And achey knee means that something scary is gonna happen!" Pinkie popped back down into the planter.
Cog gave an unimpressed snort. <The correlation between one's tail twitching and objects falling from the sky is highly improbable. To assume such a thing is illogical without hard data to support one's prognosis.>
Twilight shook her head. "Mr. Cog, I used to think the same thing before I tried to figure it out scientifically."
<Irrelevant. I can-> The techpony froze, a pair of orange lights glowing under his hood where his eyes would be. <Warning. There are multiple contacts of unknown origin falling towards location: Ponyville from low orbit. It appears subject Pie's prediction has come to be.>
Alexander's face tightened. "How much time do we have?"
A ball of fire impacted down the street on a pillar of smoke, cratering the road. Screams of panicked ponies filled the air as dozens of fireballs fell towards Ponyville. The plummeting debris smashed into the ground and buildings around Ponyville, thick, dark smoke shrouding the crash sites. Shapes could be seen moving through the haze.
<None.> |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Nothing can stop it... | As soon as the first object impacted with the street, the three former imperials sprung into action. Alexander drew his laspistol, setting the output to maximum. Syrette's horn glowed violet, a well-maintained autopistol floating out of its holster in its own purple aura. Iron Cog held an axe with a gear-shaped blade in his teeth as the cloak on his back bulged and tore, the servo-arm on his back unfolding into attack position. Twilight paled even further as the servo-arm's massive claw flexed and snatched at the air, a small tongue of flame spitting from a nozzle on one clamp.
An amorphous black tendril shot from the hazy smoke, eliciting a shriek from Twilight. Alexander twisted to the side, slashing the tendril in two. There was an unearthly scream, half of the tendril retracting into the smog, the other half splattering on the cobbled street. A jet of flame spewed from the claw on Cog's back, throwing up a multichromatic wall of fire between the impact site and the cafe. An angry screech emitted from a black mass on the other side of the firewall, a pair of glowing yellow eyes glaring at the beings that dare defy it. It blared a freight train of a bellow, disappearing into the haze.
"Cog, what kind of fuel are you using?" Alexander stared at the rainbow flames.
<A specially distilled form of liquid rainbow that turned out to be highly flammable, even more so than promethium.>
"What the hell was...that!?" Syrette had finally found his voice. Alexander turned to Twilight. "I'd like to know that as well."
Twilight swallowed. "I-I don't know. I've never seen anything like it in any of my books."
<Interesting.> Iron was examining the severed tendril lying on the ground. <Even separated from the main body, the individual portions continue to be motive.> A mechadendrite snaked out from under the red cloak clutching a test tube. The mechanical tentacle scooped up the quivering black mass, storing the tube somewhere under the cloak.
Screams of terror could be heard all over Ponyville, intermingling with the bellows of the attackers. Alexander reached into the nearby planter, pulling Pinkie Pie out by her mane. "I need you to get everybody off the streets to safety."
Pinkie saluted. "Okie dokie lokie!" She popped back into the planter. Alexander plunged his hand into the dirt after her, but the pink pony was gone. "Seriously, how does she do that?" Alexander turned to Syrette and Cog. "You two, damage control. We need to keep casualties down and civilians safe. I don't care how you do it, just kill these things. You still have your comlinks?" The two nodded. "Good. Use the old squad frequency. Go!" Syrette saluted, dashing off through the smoky air. Cog strode away in the opposite direction, servo-arm flexing menacingly. Alexander turned to Twilight. "Twilight, we need to-." Twilight was running down the street. "TWILIGHT!" Alexander charged after her.
Alexander chased Twilight down the street as the purple unicorn ran, heedless of the dangers. The haze was growing thicker, the smoke turning day into dusk. Twilight screamed as a dark tentacle lashed out of the shadows, lifting her bodily in the air. Alexander screeched to a halt as an amorphous blob slithered into view. Shadows seeped from it's gooey body, a cold darkness radiating from its dark, colorless mass. Twilight screamed as the tentacle squeezed her middle, passing out from the pain. Alexander shot the beast, the cracking beams of coherent light vaporizing melon sized holes in the oozing body. The thing turned towards the guardsman, yellow eyes burning. A depression yawned open on its 'face,' a bass roar shaking the air and ground. It threw Twilight at the offending human, knocking him down. The behemoth advanced upon the downed human.
Syrette was having a decidedly bad day. He had six pony-sized and one house-sized goo monsters chasing him, and his auto pistol was almost useless. The hollow-point slugs tore huge rends in the bodies, but the wounds merely oozed shut. It was as if there were no vitals for the bullets to hit. The cavitation caused by the bullets however were more than enough to sever the gooey tentacles that snatched at him. Unfortunately, every time he blew a tentacle apart, the bits and pieces flowed together to form a new monster, which is why the medic was having such a warp-sucking shitfraking bad day.
"Where the warp is that Cadian with a hidden tank when you need him? Shit!" Syrette found himself sailing through the air as a tentacle smashed into the ground behind him, sending broken cobblestones flying as the rest of the larger slime monster slithered down the tentacle towards him. Syrette pulled out a frag grenade, his last one. He threw it into the thing's 'mouth' and dived behind a brick wall. The beast swelled, splattering across the street along with its smaller brethren. Syrette sighed, slumping with his back to the wall.
Syrette groaned as the globs all opened yellow eyes. "Oh come on!" Syrette ran again, this time chased by a wave of chortling shadowy gunk and yellow orbs.
Another jello monster was bathed in a torrent of rainbow flame. A subsonic scream, more felt than heard, rattled windows as the chromatic fire boiled it down to ash and a dark, greasy smear on the cobbles. Iron Cog stepped over the blackened stain, servo-arm poised to burn down any threat. His head swiveling from side-to-side, the techpony scanned the deepening smog, artificial senses cutting through the haze. A filly's scream drew his attention.
"Stay back, you big meanie!" Ditzy Doo held her daughter Dinky under her wing, a sharp kitchen knife held in her teeth as the grey unicorn filly yelled at the slime monster that had them cornered in the alley. Ditzy was glaring at the beast menacingly, but the effect was somewhat ruined by the fact that one of her eyes couldn't make up its mind where to look. An arm bulged from the dripping mass, shadows reaching for the two mares. Ditzy braced herself for the end, a deep chuckle shaking from the yellow eyed monstrosity.
A tongue of fire blazed into the side of the shadowy goo. The dark arm retracted, the viscous colossus thundering in pain. Another vibrant conflagration cut into the sludge, driving it away into the shadows. Ditzy's knife clattered to the street as she stared slack-jawed at the pony that strode from the smog, wondering at the massive claw that snapped and writhed with a life of its own. Dinky scuttled out from under her mother's wing, dashing over to the mysterious pony. "Thank you mister!"
The red-cloaked pony gazed down at Dinky with glowing orange eyes. <Your thanks are not neccessary, but they are appreciated.> The glowing eyes seemed to twinkle. <You are welcome.> Ditzy clopped over to Dinky, holding her close. She could hear buzzing and whirring coming from under his hooded cloak as he stood silent and still, a series of clicks sounding from his head. He turned to the grey pegasus. <Town hall is currently serving as a fallout shelter. A small contingent of royal guards have arrived and are currently holding off the creatures. You will be safe there.>
Ditzy nodded. "Thank you. Come on, Dinky. Let's go."
The small unicorn filly waved. "Bye mister!"
Iron Cog watched the pair disappear into the mist. More screaming drew his attention. Claw snapping shut with a pneumatic hiss, the techpony trotted into the dark miasma. Unnoticed, a dark greasy stain on the cobbles began to writhe and bubble. A baleful yellow eye snapped open with a growl.
Alexander ran for town hall with Twilight in his arms, Spike close on his heels. A colossal slime monster was hot on their trail, flowing from spot to spot like some aquatic mammal jumping through the waves. Alexander glanced at the baby dragon running beside him.
"Are you sure the message got through?"
"Yes...gasp...I'm sure. I sent it straight...gasp...to Princess...gasp...Celestia."
A grasping coil snagged Alexander's ankle, dropping him to the ground as Twilight flew from his arms. "I got her!" Spike caught Twilight, collapsing under her weight. "Alexander!"
"For the love of the Emperor, go! Run!" The tentacle snaked around the guardsman's torso pinning his arms to his sides.
"B-but-"
"GO!"
Spike staggered towards town hall under Twilight's weight, the building designated as a safe house by Alexander and his allies over the comms. The shadowy tendril dragged Alexander closer to its owner. The yellow eyes glowed in victory as it drug the struggling human closer, the tentacle contracting into its body. As the monstrosity began sucking Alexander into its body, he managed to free an arm. Blinded by the dark grime smeared on his visor, he blindly pulled a grenade from his webbing. He primed the grenade, awkwardly pulling the pin out with his thumb. "FOR THE EMPER-" Alexander disappeared into the shadowy body of the sludge. The beastly abomination boomed with victorious laughter as it moved after the baby dragon struggling under his load.
Spike collapsed with a sob, unable to go any further as the oozing behemoth towered over him. He hugged Twilight's unconscious body tightly as tears flowed down his face. Spike shut his eyes tightly as the creature loomed over him. A bright flash brought colorful spots to Spike's vision, even with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes to behold the shadowy blob thrashing in pain, its body dissolving as it screeched in agony. It burned up into nothing, its final cry hanging in the air.
Alexander came to his feet, pulling off his respirator as he coughed up black,oozy phlegm. He put his respirator back on, striding to the collapse dragon and pony. "I thought I told you to run." Too exhausted to answer, Spike allowed himself to be picked up in one arm, Alexander hoisting the still unconscious unicorn over his other shoulder. He ran through the haze, not stopping until he reached the relative safety of town hall.
The siege of Ponyville lasted into the late afternoon. Alexander, Syrette, and Iron Cog had met up with the royal guard contingent and were hunkered down around town hall, a massive shield bubble spell keeping the grungy creatures out. Town hall was filled with ponies, Syrette and the doctors and nurses from Ponyville General doing what they could for the wounded. Alexander approached Iron Cog, the techpony examining the sample of slime he had procured that morning.
<Ah, Alexander, excellent timing. Query: How are the wounded?>
"According to Nurse Redheart and Syrette, aside from a few bruises and broken bones, they're all fine, physically. However, they said that every pony that came into direct contact with the stuff was drained of at least some if not most of their magic."
<Interesting.>
"What do you got?"
<Initial testing shows that the sample reacts negatively to bright lights and heat.>
Alexander nodded. "Yeah, makes sense. I set off a flash-bang inside of one of the things, made it melt into nothing. Not even a stain was left."
Iron tilted his head. <Not even a smear left on your armor. It appears that these beings thrive on darkness, the light acting as a toxin to them.>
Alexander frowned. "If that's the case, why'd they attack during early morning? And why didn't they burn up when they fell from orbit?"
<Not an issue for them. I would presume that the creatures may have occupied a capsule with ablative properties that protected them from the aerodynamic heating effect, although, I would have to examine one of the landing sites before I submit such a hypothesis. As for the sun, the collection of airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases caused by the impact of their landings in addition to the umbra they seem to produce are causing the levels of illumination to be more akin to those found at dusk. The electromagntic energy from the sun should be enough to fully vanquish these creatures. Once night falls however, victory is highly unlikely.>
"Can I get that in gothic?"
<They were protected from the heat of reentry by something. The creatures produce shadow, and the smoke is preventing direct light from harming them. The sun's light should be enough to completely destroy these creatures. If we cannot remove the smoke cover before nightfall, we may be unable to stop them>
"There, was that so hard?" Despite his snark, Alexander was worried. "Okay, so how do we clear the smoke?"
<Although I do not yet fully understand it, the phenomenon locally known as the 'Sonic Rainboom' may prove to be the solution.>
Rainbow Dash hovered high above the smoke and shadow covering Ponyville. High above the obscuring haze, cyan pegasus could see a large cordon of royal guards surrounding the town, unable to make any headway against the monsters into the smog. She still couldn't believe that Alexander wanted her to dive into the smog. If she dove blindly into that stuff, she took the risk of hitting a building. She wasn't scared of anything, but she wasn't stupid. She had refused to dive into the smoke until Alexander had told her he'd send up a flare to mark her target.
The flare shot up into the open. Flipping her goggles over her eyes, Rainbow briefly folded her wings and dove for the ground. Pumping her wings for all she was worth, she felt the air begin to push against her as the mach cone formed around her. With one last push, the cyan mare broke the barrier. A shockwave of color blew the smoke away, a rainbow arcing away into the sky. The royal guard moved into the ruined town as the afternoon sun burned the creatures of shadow and ooze to cinders. Rainbow Dash cheered, her rainbow trail marking the end of the siege on Ponyville. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | New Assignments | The reconstruction of Ponyville was proceeding quicker than had been expected. When Ponyville had been eaten by Parasprites last year, it had taken weeks for the damages to be fully repaired. This time around, the repairs were under the supervision of Iron Cog. Thanks to the mechanicus engineering know-how of the techpony, the repairs would be completed in a matter of days. In addition, Alexander and Syrette had spent several hours each day looting the armories aboard the derelict frigate hidden in the Everfree. Upon laying optics upon the wreck, Cog had...well, Alexander had never seen any member of the cult mechanicus emote so much as minor glee, but Cog...wow. There was no way to describe the paroxysms of pure and utter joy the techpony had expressed. He had immediately begun to design defenses for the town of Ponyville.
Alexander was taking a well deserved break from building structures and defenses. He was lying on the ground at a makeshift firing range behind his home, staring down the sights of his longlas. His armor lay in a heap by the wall, his shirt bunched up on top, leaving Alexander in his sleeveless undershirt. He squeezed off a shot downrange, cursing silently as the coherent light barely scorched the side of the can sitting on the post. He twisted a small knob on the sniper scope. As Alexander grumbled a small voice asked "Are you Alexander?"
Alexander dropped the dead clip, fishing a fresh one from his webbing. "Mmhm." He slotted the new clip into the weapon. He racked the slide, charging the longlas. "Who's askin'." He turned to find three fillies wearing burgundy capes.
The orange pegasus piped up. "I'm Scootaloo."
"I'm Sweetie Bell," bounced the white unicorn.
"An' Ahm Applebloom," declared the yellow pony.
"And we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"
Alexander fired another blazing spear down-range. Miss. calibrate. "Alright, so what did you want?"
The yellow pony, Applebloom, spoke up. "We wanted ta thank you fer savin' us from the Manticore."
"We also wanted to ask you how you got your cutie mark," added Sweetie Bell.
Scootaloo nodded. "And why's it on yer shoulder?"
"An what's it mean?"
"My cu-?" Alexander burst out laughing, clutching his sides as he howled with mirth. The CMC frowned at each other. Scootaloo poked Alexander in the leg. "What's so funny?" Alexander wiped a tear from his eye. "This," he gestured at the double headed eagle clutching two lightning bolts on his shoulder. "Is a tattoo."
"Whats a Tat-too?"
Alexander held in his chuckles. "It's a, um...artificial cutie mark." *Snrk!* The three fillies frowned. "Humans don't get cutie marks, so sometimes people get tattoos that mean something important to them."
Applebloom wrinkled her muzzle. "Well, what's yers mean?"
Alexander stared off, his expression distant. "It serves to remind me of those who have been lost." Scootaloo snorted. "What does that even mean?" Alexander smiled sadly. "You'll understand someday." He ruffled the tomboyish pegasus' short mane. Sweetie Bell opened her mouth to speak. "No, you can't get one."
"Awww."
"Now, go on. Go play somewhere." A sly smile crossed Alexander's face. "Why don't you go ask Iron Cog if he'll teach you how to make things." Alexander watched with a grin as the three scampered off with a cry of "Cutie Mark Crusaders techponies, away!" Such exuberance. Such innocence. He hoped it would never end for them, but knew deep inside that there was no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt. He sighed. He glared at the longlas in his hands, and took a shot down-range. Another miss reminded him of why exactly he had never been assigned a sniper rifle. Sure, he was a good shot with a regular lasgun, but the ability to properly calibrate the complex telescopic sights on a longlas had always eluded him. Once the sights were off, he never could hit anything.
With a sigh, Alexander stood up and dusted himself off. He drifted over to the pile of armor, clearing the longlas of its charge as he went. Leaning the gun against his home, Alexander began to put on his shirt and armor. "Alexander the human?"
Alexander pulled his chest piece down over his head to find a beefy white pegasus in golden armor. "Yeah?"
"Their royal Highnesses Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would have a word with you."
Alexander entered the throne room of the royal palace, snapping a crisp salute to the alicorns sitting on their thrones. He shifted to parade rest, his feet shoulder width apart and hands clasped at the small of his back. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna." Alexander nodded to each. "I understand you wished to speak with me."
Princess Celestia nodded. "Yes Alexander. We wish to know what happened on the tenth."
"YES. WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THOU HAST TO SAY!"
"Luna, we've talked about this."
"Sorry Tia, we forgot."
Alexander nodded. "Certainly."
"At 08:00 hours, I met with Twilight Sparkle at a cafe close to Sugarcube Corner. You've heard of how I arrived here, yes? Well, somehow two of my comrades survived and arrived in Equestria as ponies. Yeah, I don't know what that's all about either. Anyways, my comrades had heard of a human soldier in Equestria, and went looking for him. They found Ms. Sparkle, who led them to me. We were all having breakfast when the meteors fell from the sky. The impacts from their landings threw up a thick smoke that blocked out your sun. That was when we saw the first one emerge.
"I have never seen anything like it before, and I've seen some crazy shit in my time. It was shaped like, well, actually it didn't really have a shape. It was, oh what's that word? Amorphous, that's it. They were very resistant to attacks, and any magic I saw thrown at them was only absorbed. I'm surprised your guard's shield spells held at all. The creatures seemed to create shadow from their bodies, a fact later confirmed by Iron Cog, one of my compatriots. They are very sensitive to light, enough so that just bright light will hurt them. We discovered this when I was eaten by one, and set off a flashbang (a device that creates a bright light and loud sounds to disorient) inside it. It was completely destroyed.
"We managed to collect many of the citizens in the town hall, and what royal guards that had been able to make it into town held the things back. We only managed to defeat them when Rainbow Dash blew away the smokescreen with a sonic rainboom, allowing the sun to vaporize the creatures.
"Damage to Ponyville was oddly centralized. It was as if the creatures were trying to hunt the ponies down, leading them to go after the numbers taking refuge in the town hall. It spared many of the outlying buildings and farms. Ms. Fluttershy's cottage and the school house were completely ignored by the beasts until the guard arrived, so many small animals and foals were in little danger during the ordeal. However, the creatures seemed to be obsessed with invading Sweet Apple Acres. The Apple family only managed to keep the things at bay until the rainboom by setting the fences and outlying trees on fire. I am told that they had to burn something like five percent of their orchards to feed the flames.
"As for casualties, there were no fatalities during or after the siege. The worst physical injury that occurred were a few broken ribs and a broken leg. However, a few dozen ponies were drained of their magic by the creatures, and several were drained to the point of near death and had to be hospitalized for magical transfusions. It's lucky that no one was killed.
"I just wish I knew what it was I had been fighting."
As Alexander finished up his report, he saw a look flash between the two alicorns. Scowling, Alexander glared at the two princesses. "Alright, you know something. Spill it."
A unicorn guard stepped up to Alexander, horn lit up threateningly. "You will show respect when you speak to the princesses!"
"It is alright, Falchion." Falchion grumbled, but returned to his position by the twin thrones. Princess Celestia nodded to Alexander. "It is true. We do indeed know something." Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Collectively, they are known as...The Smooze."
"The Smooze...seriously?"
Celestia rolled her eyes. "Yes. Thousands of years ago, before even my sister's and my time, the Smooze was unleashed upon Equiis by a dark force. The Smooze was relentless. Nothing could stop it, and it covered Equestria in darkness. Not even the Rainbow Lights, the predecessor to the Elements of Harmony, could stop it. It wasn't until the sea ponies and flutter ponies lent their aid that the Smooze was destroyed."
Alexander snorted. "Sea ponies? Flutter ponies? Really?" He started to snicker, then frowned as a thought occured to him. "I've seen earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, and even a dragon, but I have yet to see either a sea pony or a flutter pony. Why?"
Celestia sighed sadly, her mane drooping and seeming to lose color. Luna answered for her sister. "After the defeat of the Smooze, the dark forces that created the abominations declared war on all of Equus. The sea ponies and the flutter ponies were the first to fall."
The two guards on either side of the thrones scrunched up their faces as they tried to figure out what Luna meant. But for Alexander, who had watched the death of planets, the meaning was all too clear. "Exterminatus. No survivors." The two guards swallowed as Luna and Celestia nodded.
Celestia raised her head. "While initially the dark forces were victorious, the combined might of Equus' peoples eventually drove the dark forces to the edge of defeat. It was in casting down the darkness that my sister and I achieved our ascension to godhood. However, as the leader of the darkness was cast down to Tartarus, he unleashed a spell that destroyed the natural balance of the planet. Taking responsibility for our failure to prevent the destruction of the natural energy of Equus, we began our duties of raising the moon and the sun."
Alexander glanced askew at the two alicorns. "So, why did you call me here? You obviously already knew what had happened, didn't need me to tell you."
Celestia closed her eyes. "For the past several months, there have been many strange disappearances around Equestria. Most of those who have vanished were foals." Alexander frowned, recalling similar circumstances on a world whose skies had rained blood. "Two days ago, we sent a detachment of royal guards to investigate a suspicious facility high in the Foal Mountains. We have not heard from them since."
Alexander began to pace, pinching the bridge of his nose as he thought. "So you want me to find them? Or complete their mission? What makes you think I can succeed where an entire detachment of your guards failed? I'm no space marine." He faced the princesses, arms crossed over his chest.
Luna held herself up. "THOU-ahem-thou hast destroyed Smooze singlehoofedly. Such a feat hast never been done before. Thou art more powerful than thou dost realize."
Celestia nodded. "You also have more experience in battle than most, if not all of the royal guard combined. Our last war was hundreds of years ago, and aside from a few minor border disputes, Equestria has been at peace for longer than most can imagine." Celestia regarded Alexander carefully. "There is a position in the Royal Guard, one that has not been used for some time. The one who holds this position is known as a Sentinel. A Sentinel holds unparalleled powers in Equestria. They can command any royal guard, and can requisition any thing they require. As such, there have been only a few Sentinels in Equestrian history, as the position and power that comes with it is easily abused." Celestia spread her wings dramatically. "ALEXANDER THE HUMAN, WILL YOU ACCEPT THE HONOR OF BECOMING A SENTINEL?"
Alexander stepped back. "Me?" Even the stoic, emotionless guards seemed surprised. "Why me?"
Celestia folded her wings. "We have seen into your soul, Alexander. You have a good heart, one that is troubled by the events of your past. Luna and I know you would not abuse the privileges of being a Sentinel." Luna nodded in agreement.
Alexander bit a lip. It was tempting. "What would my duties as a Sentinel be?"
Luna cleared her throat. "Thou wouldst go on missions given to thou from myself and Celestia, and defend Equestria and its ponies from dangers from within and without."
Alexander stared at his hands, thoughts flashing through his mind, weighing his options. A thought rose to the surface. Innocence needs protection. He would not let the skies bleed again, not if he could help it. The horrors of those three warp-tainted days haunted him still. He looked up. "In the name of the Emperor, and all I hold dear, I accept." Alexander drew his sword, holding it vertically before him. Why he did so, he did not know, but it felt...right. "I pledge my sword to protect the innocence and life of Equestria."
The Aquila's on Alexander's breast plate and helmet flashed. Where once had been a silver two-headed eagle was now an emblem of two alicorns back to back with wings unfurled, one as black as the starry night sky, the other as white as the purest sunlight.
Celestia and Luna looked to each other, Celestia shrugging while Luna shook her head. They looked at Alexander. Luna was the first to speak, and it was decidedly out of character for her. "Well, that's a new one." Alexander held his helmet in his hands, staring at his reflection in the new Aquila. That flash, he had never experienced it before, but it was somehow familiar. Like the hand of an approving father on His son's shoulder. Alexander realized he had felt that presence before, standing before an alter dedicated to the Emperor. Smiling, he put on his helmet, sealing it with the respirator. "Let get started then, shall we?" |
A Guardsman in Equestria | An Icy Grave | Alexander came to, opening his eye to white nothingness. Caked and frozen blood sealed his left eye shut, icy cold seeping through the cracked visor. Alexander hauled himself upright stiffly, snow falling off of him in sheets. Groaning, he staggered to his feet, gathering his camo-cloak tightly around him. The wound in his right side had stopped bleeding, more from freezing over than scabbing. Grimacing, Alexander began trudging down the mountain away from the burning ruins behind him, arms wrapped tightly around a small bundle. The howling night winds and driving snows soon covered up any sign he had been there.
TEN HOURS EARLIER...
Alexander wallowed through the waist high snow, practically swimming through the larger snowdrifts as he ascended Foal Mountain at a glacial pace. He was wearing thick insulated winter survival clothes, a gift from Rarity when she had heard where he was going. A camo-cloak streamed behind him, snapping in the icy gale. Heavy snow this low on the mountain was highly unusual, considering it was early autumn. Even stranger was that the clouds seemed to resist the best efforts of pegasus weather teams to clear them away. Combine that with the fact that the disappearances of several foals had been occurring in the surrounding areas and Alexander could definitely see why the mountain was worth investigating. A detachment of royal guards vanishing as well was enough for the princesses to send in their new Sentinel.
Alexander shielded his face from the howling wind as he crested a short ridge, squinting into the unnatural darkness caused by the massive blizzard pounding the slopes. He grimaced as he took in the grisly scene before him. The valley below was a charnel house. Broken spears rose forlornly from the stained snow, shredded tents flapping weakly in the wind. The snow was shallower here, the valley protected from the raging storm by the mountain, the winds merely an unpleasant breeze as apposed to a thundering gale.
Alexander carefully made his way to the mass grave. He pulled a shattered lance from the snow, a cold, stiff body rising with it momentarily until the weapon's haft slid free of the frozen hoof. Alexander examined the spear head. The steel barb was corroded and pitted, as if it had been dipped in acid. The Sentinel tossed aside the spear, crouching to examine the exhumed corpse. He lifted the exposed leg, only to find that the leg was merely attached to a chunk of meat trailing a length of spinal cord. A quick search revealed that the limb was in fact the largest intact portion of the body. The rest was just so much blood and bits of bone. The body had not been dismembered so much as it had been obliderated.
Alexander moved on to the next body. This one was more or less intact, frozen in a block of ice, horror forever written on his face. Another body, everything between the shoulder blades dust, a cavity in the ice showing that the corpse had once been a unicorn. The next corpse was just as disturbing. It had been completely desiccated, every ounce of liquid frozen or drained away. Alexander turned away from it with a shiver unrelated to the biting cold.
Alexander prodded another frozen corpse, this one intact save for a massive hole where the face should have been, deep in thought as he tried to discern what could have done this. It was not the work of anything Alexander had seen before. What cuts were there were too clean for orks, but the corpses were too messy to be the work of ponies, humans or even astartes. It wasn't tyranids, or even anything that consumed biomass, for bodies had been left where they fell. And though smooze could have produced some of the acidic effects he had witnessed, Iron Cog's experiments on the remaining glob of smooze had shown that the slimy things froze solid at zero degrees celsius. No way any of them had done this, not in this weather.
An orange glow drew Alexander's attention, flickering in the depths of a nearby rock formation. Awkwardly drawing his laspistol in his mittened hand, the Sentinel crept through the snow towards the rocks. A terrified voice shouted out a challenge as he drew near. "H-halt! W-w-who's there?" Alexander looked up to see a unicorn pointing a spear at him, battered armor glinting in the light of the torch held in his magic. "Don't come any closer!"
Holstering his laspistol, Alexander held up his hands, palms out. "Easy, soldier. I'm not here to hurt you."
"What's going on out there?" A charcoal grey pegasus with a black mane came out of the rocks behind the nervous unicorn. Seeing Alexander in his olive armor, hands held palm out, he turned to the unicorn. "Care to explain what a hornless minotaur is doing out here, Sure Shot?"
Sure Shot swallowed. "I don't know Sarge. He-he said he wasn't here to hurt us."
"Did he now?" The pegasus sergeant studied Alexander cooley. His head snapped up at a distant, unearthly howling. "Ponyfeathers, they're back! Hey you!" The grey pegasus gestured quickly to Alexander. "Get in here if you want to live."
Alexander struggled through the deepening snow as the eerie howling crescendoed. He dived into a cleft in the rocks, turning in time to catch a glimpse of an icy blue apparition. Alexander backed away from the opening as ice began to creep across the ground and rock. The unicorn known as Sure Shot cautiously approached Alexander. "F-follow me."
Sure Shot led Alexander into a hollow in the center of the rock formation, several ponies sitting wearily by a roaring fire. The black maned pegasus from before dismissed the sentry before turning to the Sentinel. Looking Alexander up and down, he snorted. "Well, you ain't no minotaur, so what are you?"
"I'm a human. Not that far off from a minotaur, I suppose, as where I come from minotaurs are supposedly part bull, part human."
Steel Rain eyed Alexander quizzically. "I'd tell you that humans are just a myth, but you don't look like no myth." He tilted his head as he examined Alexander's armor. "So, what in Celestia's name possessed you to come here? For that matter, how'd you get through the quarantine set up around the mountain?"
Alexander crossed his arms. "As the new Sentinel, it's my job to do what the guard can't."
One of the ponies by the fire, a dark blue unicorn mare with a fiery mane nickered in amusement. "Yeah, and I'm Princess Luna, nice ta meetcha!" A sharp glare from Steel Rain made her blush with embarrassment as she turned back to the fire.
Steel rain turned back to Alexander. "Not that I don't agree with Flame Dancer, but I find it hard to believe that the first Sentinel in over five hundred years is not a pony. What makes you think you've got what it takes to be a Sentinel?"
A bone-chilling moan reverberated through the rocky hollow, causing the human and ponies present to cry out in pain, the fire guttering before dying under the assault from the subsonic pulse. Clutching his ears, Alexander straightened up, fishing his laspistol from its holster. The ringing in his ears subsided just in time to catch the terrified scream of one of the ponies by the dead fire. "They're coming!"
Alexander looked up the open-topped hollow to behold several ethereal blue equines spiraling down the rocky shaft, ice trailing down the walls in their wake. "Daemons!" Alexander ran to take cover in one of the tunnels leading out, only to find the exit blocked by a rapidly forming wall of ice. He spun around, quickly assessing the situation with practised ease as ice began encasing the royal guards trying to fend off the otherworldly beings. Alexander dropped to one knee, aiming the laspistol with both hands as the spectral daemons began wheeling around the top of the now frozen cave. Biting cold caused Alexander to gasp in pain. He looked down to find ice crawling up his legs. Alexander snarled at the icy apparitions. "Oh, no you don't!" He snapped off a shot from his laspistol as one of the spectral figures became solid. With a soul rending screech, the daemon dissipated into a blackish-blue fog that quickly vanished. Another daemon met its end when it tried to attack Alexander directly. Wailing in anger and surprise, the remaining daemons fled into the blizzard raging overhead.
Flame Dancer unleashed a quick burst of heat, quickly melting the ice that had partially entombed those present. Steel Rain approached Alexander. "Alright, Sentinel, you got me convinced. Wadda ya need?"
Alexander raised a brow. "Oh, so now you believe me."
Rain shrugged. "Considering you just took on Wendigos and sent 'em packing, yes."
"Wendigos?"
"Winter spirits that feed on negative energies and emotions."
"I just call 'em Daemons." Alexander frowned. "What negative emotions would they have to..." Alexander trailed off as he looked at the survivors of the massacred guard detachment. Most of the ponies had huddled around the rekindled fire, the signs of depression and loss visible on their faces. A light blue pegasus with a black mane was curled up in a corner, quietly rocking back and forth as he sucked on his hoof. Of the dozen survivors, only the fiery unicorn Flame Dancer, the nervous Sure Shot, and the hard-as-nails sergeant were the only one's not ready to fly apart at a moment's notice. "Oh."
Steel Rain gave a humorless chuckle. "So you see, plenty of negative emotions to go around." The grey pegasus sighed. "This isn't easy for me to say, but...thank you."
"What for?"
"If you hadn't come when you did...shit. I'm getting too old for this crap." The aging pegasus walked away, wings drooping. Alexander made to follow him, but recognized the signs that he needed to come to grips with what had happened. Instead, he climbed up the rocks to join Sure Shot, sitting next to the jumpy sentry. They sat there for a few minutes before Alexander cleared his throat to end the awkward silence. "So, why they call you Sure Shot?"
The green unicorn scratched at his cropped yellow mane. "It's, well, I never miss what I'm aiming at. Doesn't matter what I use, I-I never miss."
"Really?" Shot nodded nervously. Alexander eyed him for a moment, noting the red crosshairs of his cutie mark. Well, that would certainly suit him. I wonder... He pulled his longlas from its sling on his back. For a moment, Alexander considered the technical heresy of providing weapons to xenos he was about to commit, before he recalled that two of his comrades were now technically xenos. Still don't know why I brought this. "Here." He passed it to the green unicorn, Sure Shot gingerly taking the weapon from the human.
"W-what is it?"
"That is a Kestrel pattern MKII Long-barreled Lasrifle, or Longlas for short." Alexander explained to the baffled guardspony about the workings and properties of a Lasgun, the unicorn's already large eyes getting bigger and bigger with each passing sentence. When Alexander finished, Sure Shot's eyes were glazed over before he shook his head clear.
"Can-can I try it?"
"Sure, why not? Just a moment." Alexander leaned over the edge of the overhang. "Taking target practice, stay cool." He nodded to Shot, then pointed at a small rock across the pseudo-cave. "There. Hit that."
A blaze of red jumped across the chasm, shattering the rock. Alexander whistled. "Not bad, not bad." He took the longlas from the gapejawed unicorn. Slinging his rifle over his shoulder, Alexander looked over his shoulder into the white nothing of the raging blizzard. "So, what happened out there?"
Sure Shot shuddered. "I-it was horrible. We were making o-our way up the mountain. We had just made camp wh-when some...thing began attacking us. It-it killed a bunch of us, then just...left." He swallowed. "That's when th-the Wendigos came. We tried fighting them off, but they just froze a bunch of us and..." Shot's voice hitched for a moment. "Twenty of us managed to get to the rocks. We tried to make a break for it once i-it was morning, but th-they were waiting for us. We didn't stand a chance."
Alexander hesitantly patted the despondent unicorn on the shoulder. Getting to his feet, he scrabbled down from the overlook. Pausing, Alexander looked up at the green pony. You know what, screw the Imperium and their rules. They tried to kill me anyways. "Hey Sure Shot!" Alexander pulled the longlas from his back. "Catch!" A red aura caught the sniper rifle. "Take care of this fer me. I want it back when this is done." Alexander turned from the awed Sure Shot, walking towards the fire. 'Sides, it's just a loaner. I'll have to talk to Cog and Syrette about this later. For now, though... Alexander approached sergeant Rain. I need intel. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Cold Comfort | Alexander looked up as the moaning wails of Wendigos assaulted his senses, stopping him dead in his tracks. Tucking his cargo under one arm, he fished out several magnesium flares. Flicking the lighters off the flares, he tossed the lit sticks into a rough circle around him, the snow melting and hissing as it tried in vain to put out the brilliantly white flames. Those flares would hold back the Wendigos a little bit, weaken them slightly, but not enough to stop them from attacking. As he readied his laspistol, Alexander looked at the tiny bundle in his arms. Preparing himself for the otherworldly onslaught to come, Alexander thought back on why he was buying time...
EIGHT HOURS EARLIER...
Alexander was going over the plan with Steel Rain one last time before he set off up the mountain. "Now, make sure that Sure Shot is in the center of the formation. He has the only las weapon in your group, so keep him safe. Once you see the flare, get up there as quickly as you can. Right?" The pegasus sergeant nodded, giving the Sentinel a sharp salute that would have made a commissar jealous. Alexander returned the salute. "Good, I'll see you shortly. The Emperor protects."
Steel dropped his salute, responding with his own species' mantra. "The Princesses defend. Remember, the Wendigos don't like fire, but it won't stop them completely." Alexander nodded before setting off into the worsening storm, leaving the surviving guardsponies to prepare for their own trek up the mountain. Soon the rocky outcropping could no longer be seen, the whiteout conditions of the storm hiding everything.
After what seemed to be eons of wallowing through deepening snow, Alexander crested a rocky ridge above a snow filled caldera. Dropping to the ground, the Sentinel pulled out a set of magnoculars, his camo-cloak shifting to blend with the snow, making him almost invisible to the naked eye. Focusing the magnoculars on the small crater of the long-dead volcano, Alexander set the magnoculars to thermal imaging. Through the lenses and filters of the device could be seen a large yellow trace in the center of the valley. Bright orange spots that were ponies' heads stuck out on the frozen black of the snow and sky like an ogryn at an eldar family reunion, their body heat leaking out from under thick winter cloaks. Zooming in Alexander noted with interest and some trepidation that only about half of the twenty or so contacts seemed to be ponies. Of the rest, roughly three quarters of them seemed to be bipedal, but they weren't human. More xenos, great. Grunting, Alexander put away the magnoculars and began to stealthily make his way down the crater side.
Alexander snuck to the side of the structure, only having to dispatch two sentries, the driving snow covering up the blood and bodies. He ran a mittened hand across the rough surface of the wall. It seemed to be made of stone fused with wood...somehow. Emperor-damned magic's gonna break my brain. Alexander looked up at the tall building, estimating that it had to be at least as high as one of those damned Tau Riptide suits. Good thing it was on their side at the time. Alexander shook his head clear of reminiscing about fighting chaotic forces to focus on the job at hand. Slowly, Alexander began to inspect the wall for a good place to make a door. It had to be out of the way, but-Perfect. Alexander pulled aside a sheet of corrugated metal (The frak are ponies doing with corrugated metal?) and pulled out his power sword. Activating it, the human made a door, the graviton field around the sword blade cutting through the strange stone-wood walls like a hot knife through butter. Much to his shock, instead of sliding out inwards or outwards, the plug of stone-wood merely disintegrated. Magic... Turning off the power field but keeping the sword at the ready, Alexander stepped into the hole, pulling the sheet of metal across the opening behind him.
Alexander cursed as the warm air inside caused his icey visor to fog up, flipping the visor up so that he could see. Turning on his head lamp, Alexander took in the room he was in. Quickly turning off his light, the Sentinel moved to the bars of the prison cell he had entered. Slicing the lock open, he looked up and down the hall he found himself in. The floor was covered in dust, proving that the prison cells had not been in use for some time, if ever. Alexander sheathed his sword. Drawing his serrated knife, the Sentinel went hunting.
After five minutes of travel without coming across any sign of life, a whispered conversation caught Alexander's ear. Carefully, the human followed the voice to a wooden door. He reached out to the tarnished brass handle, slowly turning it. Achingly, Alexander opened the door at a glacial pace, hoping desperately that the hinges would not squeak. Sighing in relief once the door was opened, he went through, closing the door just as carefully again. The voice that had drawn Alexander there drew his attention once more as the door shut with a muffled thump.
Alexander found himself on a balcony overlooking an underground vault. Lying down, he shimmied stealthily over to the wrought-iron railing and peeked over. Several guards were present, each doorway guarded by two on either side of the portals. However, what caught Alexander's attention was the white canvas tent occupying the center of the chamber. The voice that had drawn Alexander there wafted up from inside.
"Now, now, zis von't hurt a bit."
Inside the tent could be seen the silhouette of a unicorn and a shadow that may have been a table. Alexander drew in a quiet curse when the shadow squirmed. Shitfire! What are they doing in there?
"Please. I wanna go home." Alexander's heart just about broke as he heard the voice of a young filly coming from the tent.
"Now now, I haff already said zat zis von't hurt a bit." The shadow jabbed something into the filly, eliciting a cry of pain from the captive. "It vill be excrutiating." The filly began to scream as her writhing silhouette bulged and swelled with nauseating snaps and crackles. The screaming was abruptly replaced by a sickening pop, and the view of the inside of the tent was blocked by a spray of blood. Alexander covered his mouth in horror at what he had seen, praying to the Emperor that he wouldn't vomit. The gore soaked tent flap opened, revealing a tall skinny bald yellow unicorn wearing a pristine white lab coat. A cutie mark of a bloody scalpel was emblazoned on the flank.
The piss colored unicorn pointed a hoof at a hulking brown minotaur. "You! Bring mir anuzzer specimen vile I report zis latest failure to our masters!"
The minotaur bowed. "At once Doctor." The minotaur exited through a door below the balcony. Alexander shimmied over to a set of stair he hadn't noticed earlier and watched the bullish guard pass by the bottom. Quietly, Alexander followed the beast, swearing upon the Emperor's name that he would snap the neck of that foul piss-coloured xenos if it was the last thing he'd do. Alexander froze as the minotaur looked around. Shit! Alexander plastered himself to the wall, the last corner they'd taken too far away to make in time. Iam the darkness that surrounds me, I am the air that surrounds me, I am the land that hides me, I wait to strike, From the darkness, I wait to kill, From out of thin air, I am invisible, And I am silent death. To Alexander's shock and delight, the minotaur shrugged, after looking directly at him, and continued down the hall. Maybe he's shortsighted?
Alexander peaked around the corner the minotaur had just turned, and watched as the guard opened a large, heavy looking wooden door. A cacophony of wretched wails and the cries of small children hardened the Sentinel's heart. Alexander drew his sword, following the clueless minotaur into the prison. A hush fell on the dungeon as the human shut the door calmly. The minotaur spun around at the end of the long, wide hall. He pointed a meaty finger at the human.
"What are you doing, pup?"
Alexander chuckled, a spine tingling thing that held no mirth. "I'm going to kill you, xenos scum."
The minotaur pawed at the ground with a hoof. "Brave words, little calf. But foolish."
With a bellow that shook the prison bars around them, the minotaur charged at Alexander. Simply smiling, Alexander strode to the center of the room, neatly sidestepping the charging bovine at the last moment like he had once seen while on leave on an agriworld. "Ole!" Alexander swatted the minotaur across the rump with the flat of his rapier as the xenos passed. Yes, he would kill this thing, this beast, but he would do it slowly. The minotaur screeched to a halt with a surreal squeal of rubber, before scrabbling around on all fours to face the human. Red crept into its eyes as it pawed at the ground. Bellowing once more, the xenos thundered down on Alexander with the speed of a raging freight train, but once again, Alexander nimbly avoided the charge, swiping his sword at the minotaur with another "Ole!"
The minotaur ground to a halt, spinning to face the human again. With a casual slowness, a good portion of his left horn separated from his head, clattering on the ground. Alexander put a hand over his respirator where his mouth would be. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I do that?" The minotaur bull's red-tinged vision turned crimson. With an all mighty bellow, he charged the mocking human. Alexander sidestepped him once more, but this time the minotaur lashed out with a meaty fist, clipping the left side of the Sentinel's head. Had Alexander not been wearing a helmet, his skull would have been pulped like an overripe melon. As it was, the powerful punch had cracked the visor over his left eye and dented the helmet.
Alexander cracked his neck slowly, snarling at the stars plaguing his vision. He glared at the minotaur pawing at the ground across the hall. The minotaur charged. Alexander planted his feet, leaning forward as he crouched slowly. The minotaur bore down on him. "AVE IMPERATOR!" With a mighty cry, Alexander lunged forward with the speed of a striking cobra. The two combatants passed each other and ground to a halt. For a long moment, neither party moved, the kidnapped prisoners watching in silent anticipation, forgetting to breath.
An exaggerated geyser of hot blood spewed from the minotaur's torso as he fell to the stone floor like wet laundry. Alexander stood and shook the blood from his power sword before sheathing it. He clutched his side, grimacing at the blood on his hand. During their last pass, the minotaur's remaining horn had broken off in Alexander's side. Fortunately, it appeared to have missed anything vital.
Alexander looked at the nearest cell to find a blood red pegasus stallion with a white mane staring at him with piercing green eyes. "You okay?"
Alexander nodded. Slicing open the lock, he pointed to the corpse of the minotaur laying in a ridiculously large pool of steaming blood. "Keys. Get these cells open." The pegasus nodded and left his cell. Alexander sat against the wall as he pulled out his med kit. Pulling up his shirt and clenching his jaw, he quickly yanked out the broken horn with a pained gasp. Quickly, the Sentinel injected a measure of disinfecting coagulant foam, hissing as millions of biting ants filled the cavity. Slapping a length of synthskin over the wound, Alexander lowered his shirt.
He turned to the find the red pegasus comforting several crying foals. The pegasus looked at the bloody human in concern. "Who are you?"
"A friend. Comeon, we need to move." Alexander slowly opened the door to the prison, quickly glancing up and down the corridor. Holding a finger to his face in a shushing manner, he motioned the stallion and foals to follow him. They made it safely to the balcony without incident. Herding the colts and fillies through the door, he pulled aside the red stallion. "Here. This is a flare." He handed the stallion a red cylinder. "When you hit this end against the ground, it shoots a fireball into the sky. Follow my tracks in the dust until you find the hole. Wait until you hear explosions, then get outside. Shoot off the flare and get over the ridge dead ahead. There will be a squad of royal guards waiting for you." Alexander turned away.
"Wait." The red pegasus grabbed the hem of Alexander's tunic. "They took a filly, with a fuschia mane before you came." Alexander looked at the gorey tent below. He shook his head. The stallion closed his eyes, punching the wall in despair. He looked up at Alexander. "Make them pay." He followed the softly crying foals into the dark hallways.
Alexander entered the gallery below the balcony. The guards had all left, leaving Alexander alone with the morbid tent. Slowly, he entered the shelter. He took in the blood splattered everywhere but for a perfect circle on the floor and one wall. Bastard must've used a shield spell. Alexander turned to the corpse chained to the table. It was a disturbing sight. No child, of any species or race deserved her fate. The poor filly had been tortured before she was slaughtered. Her hooves had been mutilated and destroyed. Her coat was marred and melted, large patches of fur burnt away by chemicals. But the worst part was the gaping, empty cavity that had been her torso. Sadly, Alexander gently closed her terrified, unseeing eyes. Now she look like she was sleeping peacefully.
Alexander opened the satchel at his hip. Pulling out a phosphorous grenade, he set the timer and carefully hid the explosive under the table. Stroking the poor filly's mane, he began to pray to the Emperor on his knees. Mighty Emperor, spread Your divine light to protect this child from the darkness. Making the sign of the Aquila, he stood.
Leaving the tent behind, Alexander went to the door that the so-called 'doctor' had passed through. Two quick slashes with his sword had the door lying on the floor in four smoking pieces. Alexander stalked into the hall beyond as the grisly tent combusted with a FWOOMPH! A pair of griffins wielding spears came charging at Alexander.
"I will destroy all who seek to destroy me."
The griffins fell to the ground, smoking craters gaping in their chests. A minotaur the red of dried blood came barreling at Alexander from a dark doorway.
"I fear no evil, I fear no death, for the Emperor comes for me.
The minotaur fell to the ground behind Alexander, his head staring at the bottom of his hooves. A unicorn dashed out of the shadows, magic glancing off Alexander's armor.
"I have become death, destroyer of foes."
The unicorn's blue shield collapsed, followed closely by the unicorn as a las bolt removed his head. Alexander stepped into a large vault. Several large canines lunged at the Sentinel from all angles.
"Smite the foe! Smash the enemy! For the Emperor I bring death!"
The last diamond dog fell as Alexander pulled the shimmering sword from his head. Alexander looked around at the vault. He snarled as he realized he had found the location where the unicorn 'doctor' had made his concoctions and foul mixes. Opening his satchel, he began placing demolition charges around the laboratory. A glimmer of light drew his notice as he placed the last one. His gaze fell on a strange egg with a fire pattern on it. He carefully placed the egg in his empty satchel. Maybe this will get me some answers as to what these bastards are doing here. Walking over to the last set charge, he twisted the timer. Leaving it set to fifteen minutes, Alexander left the room for the main entrance.
Alexander entered the main hall to find a veritable army waiting for him. A beaker filled with a sickly green liquid smashed open at his feet, spilling its hissing contents across the stone-wood floor. The piss-yellow bald unicorn stood at the rear of the army, shaking with rage. "You IDIOT! You haff ruined eferyzing! Zey haff cut me loose! I am a ded pony! And all becauze of you!" Biting the stopper off a beaker, he messily drank the bubbling red juice.
The beaker smashed on the floor as the 'doctor' began to laugh hysterically. His body began to bulge and swell as a dark, red streaked miasma rose from the cracks in the ground, enveloping the thrashing unicorn. The miasma grew to tower above the army as it backed away from the shadowy terror.
FLESH!
Tentacles of black and red sinues stabbed out from the shadowy colossus, impaling the army of mercenaries around it. They didn't even have time to scream as they exploded like so many gore-filled balloons. The red mists were sucked into the vortex of darkness as the tendrils of black and crimson withered into dust. The shadows dispersed, revealing a towering black and red behemoth. Dark talons clutched at the air. Black, draconic wings unfurled from its scaly back. Blood-red horns and spikes adorned the corrupted body. The empty, soulless eyes bore into Alexander.
DIE!
Massive tentacles shot out from the body of the daemonic beast, stabbing down at Alexander. He dove to the side, scrambling to keep his feet as he ran alongside the wall, tendrils sending showers of brick and mortar and wooden splinters blowing out as they smashed through the walls. A tendril slammed into the wall in front of Alexander, sending him to his knees in agony as a pencil sized splinter drove its way through a crack in his visor. Screaming in rage and pain as he yanked out the bloody sliver of wood, Alexander began shooting wildly at the colossal demon as it retracted its tentacles. It moved to step on the human.
A dull thump shook the building, causing the monstrosity to pause. Recognizing it as the detonation of a democharge, Alexander quickly ran for the exit. The abomination that was once a pony shot out its tentacles once more to stop him. Desperate to escape before the other charges went off, Alexander somehow managed to avoid the tendrils of blood and shadow, jumping, dodging, rolling, cutting his way to freedom.
Deep below the main antechamber, a timer clicked as it counted down in an empty laboratory. It reached zero.
The floor erupted in fire as the majority of the remaining demo charges detonated. The monster of gore and darkness screamed in rage as it was consumed by the fires, disappearing forever from view as the floor beneath it crumbled away. Almost out into the freezing blizzard, Alexander found himself tossed about through the air by the pressure wave of the enormous explosion. He lay there unconscious on his back as the structure burned and collapsed, explosions sending debris into the stratosphere as another democharge or volatile chemicals cooked off.
PRESENT TIME...
Alexander fought for his life. Wendigos circled around him, making that Emperor-awful wailing. He had managed to take out at least a dozen of the icy daemons, but for every one he felled, two more came wailing out of the blizzard. A wendigo charged Alexander from the left, taking advantage of the blind spot created by his wounded eye. His left arm went numb as the inmaterial daemon passed through his left shoulder, dropping the satchel carrying the strange egg he had found. Emboldened, the wendigos began to dive bomb Alexander, encasing him in more and more ice with every frozen breath. As the ice began to close on his good eye, Alexander saw the satchel roll onto one of the remaining magnesium flares. Alexander's world faded to black as the bag caught fire, burning away to reveal the fiery egg.
A burst of light and heat exploded from the egg, turning snow and ice to steam and banishing the wendigos. Alexander collapsed to his knees, his left arm hanging uselessly at his side. Opening his good eye, Alexander found that he was kneeling in a scorched patch of bare dirt as snow drifted lazily from the clouds above. At the center of the burnt circle sat a small bird. It ruffled its fiery feathers as it hopped up to Alexander. Chirping, it nuzzled its beak against his knee. Alexander stared at the chick, before holding out his right arm. The baby bird hopped onto his finger, nuzzling it fondly. Alexander held the bird up to his face.
"I guess...I owe you my life, don't I?"
The chick chirruped happily, hopping up the human's arm to nestle in the folds of the camo cloak on his shoulder. Standing, Alexander smiled as he thought he heard the baby bird snore. Picking up his laspistol, he holstered it, turning to face the valley before him. He carefully made his way down the slope until he saw a formation of pegasi clearing the clouds ahead. Digging in his webbing, Alexander popped a flare for extraction and a ride back to Canterlot. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | May the Best Win | Alexander stood at parade rest before the princesses, having just finished his report on what was becoming known as "The Massacre of Foal Mountain." Celestia closed her eyes in quiet pain for the lives lost, while Luna seemed ready to fly into an uncontrollable rage at the slaughter of foals. Not even as Nightmare Moon had she threatened the lives of children. Celestia opened her eyes, meeting the one eye visible through the gauze swaddled on Alexander's face.
"You are certain that this doctor was not working alone?"
Alexander nodded. "Yes. Before he...perished, the good 'doctor' claimed that 'they' had thrown him to the wolves, so to speak. Also, for such an operation to remain hidden for so long, and for so many to go missing before it was discovered speaks of outside help."
One of the guard captains, a large white unicorn with a blue mane and tail spoke up. "You don't know that for certain." He flushed, bowing to Celestia and Luna. "I do beg your pardon."
Alexander turned his attention to the captain. "Captain, we in the Imperial Guard had a saying. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
Celestia nodded, a thoughtful expression painted on her face, while Luna continued to struggle to keep her rage in check. "Sage words indeed. Unfortunately, we are now without a champion."
Alexander raised a brow. "What am I, chopped liver? I'm still good to go!"
Celestia derped for a moment, just long enough for Alexander to see it, before she composed herself once more, Luna finally forgetting her rage in bemusement. "My dearest Sentinel, while your...enthusiasm is commendable, the reality of the situation is that you are missing an eye."
Alexander shrugged. "What, this? It's just a scratch."
Celestia gestured to Alexander's left. "Not to mention that your left arm had to be amputated."
Alexander referred to the pinned sleeve where his arm had been. "A flesh wound. Give me a few weeks, I'll be right as rain."
Luna went buggy-eyed at this declaration. "But-but not even magic can regrow lost limbs!"
The cycloptic Sentinel gave a knowing grin, one that smugly said 'I know something you don't know.' "Hey, you have your magic, I have mine." Alexander turned his head to look at the Phoenix chick, the one he had rescued and been rescued by in turn, playing with Celestia's phoenix Philomena. "By the way, what reasons would one have to experiment on a phoenix egg?"
Celestia regarded the frolicking firebirds. "Phoenixes possess potent magics, ones that allow them to be reborn from their ashes, amongst other things. Phoenix feathers can be used in a variety of protection and healing potions, while the ashes left over from a rebirth are rumored to have restorative powers. Perhaps this madstallion intended to mine this phoenix for ingredients." Celestia turned back to the one-armed man. "Have you named him?"
Alexander nodded. "I have named him Cinis, High gothic for embers and ash." Hearing his name, the newborn chick left his perch with Philomena to flutter over to Alexander, occasionally flipping over to fly upside down. With a relieved sigh, Cinis perched on Alexander's shoulder, fluffing up as the exhausted chick dozed off.
Celestia chuckled at the small bird's exuberance as Philomena left her perch to sit on the back of the Solar Diarch's throne. "A very apt name for a phoenix." She turned and whispered something to Luna, her sister whispering something back in return. The two princesses finished their counsel and returned their attention to Alexander. "We have decided to allow you your four weeks vacation. Perhaps you too will rise from the ashes as you claim." With a bow, Alexander took his leave.
Alexander opened his bleary eye as he regained consciousness. Sitting up, he groggily looked around the brightly lit medbay of his derelict frigate. He turned to Cog and Syrette. "So, how'd it go?"
Syrette chuckled. "Why don't you see for yourself?" Alexander looked at the stump of his left arm to find a shiney new augmetic interface socket, ready for a new arm to be put in.
Alexander wiggled what was left of his upper arm. "Great. So how long until I get an arm to go with it?"
Cog lifted a bundle in his mechadendrites. <I have one for you now.>
"Really?" Alexander stared incredulously at the burnished onyx finish of the artificial limb. "That was fast."
Syrette shrugged as Alexander took the arm in his organic one, placing the bionic in the socket. "Yeah, we found it in the mechanicus shrine, already mostly built. We just had to readjust some bits and added a few extras."
Alexander ceased flexing the new limb. "What kind of extras?" He stared suspiciously at Syrette and Cog. The medic coughed nervously as the techpony stood there like a statue. Syrette was the first to break the long, awkward silence. "Well, ah...I got nothing. Cog?"
There was a burst of binary, the closest any self-respecting techpriest would allow themselves to get to a sigh. <Every living being on Equus has some amount of magical energy within them. Even the non-pony races have some form of magic users.>
"Alright, so everything here has magic, so what?"
<While you were unconscious from the anesthetic, we discovered that your body has been absorbing the natural magics present in the air. However, since you lack the magical organ necessary to manipulate mana->
"Mana?"
"Mana is essentially the raw form of magic that permeates everything. Completely unconnected to the warp in any way."
<Yes, well said Syrette. Now as I was saying, because you lack the necessary organ needed to manipulate mana, namely a horn, you would be unable to project your mana outside of your body. At best, you would find yourself getting stronger and faster, and I hypothesize that your body's ability to heal would also increase, much like an earth pony. However, I put inlays of psycho reactive metals into your augmetic, so in theory, it should allow you to cast spells as well as any unicorn.>
Alexander flexed the metal limb. "You're saying I'll be able to use magic, without needing to worry about a demon eating my brain?"
<In theory.>
"Hmm..." Alexander thought quietly for a moment, metal fist clenching and unclenching slowly. It's not warpcraft. So, I guess there's nothing to be concerned about. If a pony can do it, then I'll do it better. Besides, Syrette seems comfortable enough with it. Can't be all bad. I hope. He looked around the medbay. The Sentinel lifted his augmetic hand towards a scalpel on a tray. Best to start small. The Sentinel concentrated on the razor utensil. Lift. A golden glow surrounded the hand, an identical aura surrounding the knife. It shook slightly. Come on, LIFT! The scalpel jumped off the tray, imbedding itself in the bulkhead above. "Um...Oops."
Syrette shook his head. "Yeah, should'a' seen my first attempt at magic. Nearly set Cog on fire."
<You did immolate me. As well as a good portion of the town.>
"Yeah, so like I was saying, not the worst first try I've seen."
Alexander shook his head. "So, how long until I get a new eye?"
<It will be a few months before I can finish it.
"A few months? Why so long?"
<I somehow feel that the normal augmetic lens won't suffice here. I intend to fabricate, nay, craft one that will fit in your socket as well as your natural eye does. There are also some things I must attend to, supplies to procure before I can begin. For instance, your armor is a disaster, and I am sure you would like it to be ready before your next mission.>
Alexander sighed. "Yeah." Rolling down his sleeve, he looked at the chronometer on the wall. The Sentinel stood up from the operating table. "Well, time to go meet Fluttershy in the park. Gotta go pick up Cinis."
Syrette looked at the door Alexander had left through. "Who's Cinis?"
Alexander entered the park to find the Elements of Harmony frolicking with their pets. Applejack was playing fetch with her collie, Winona, the farm dog gleefully barking every time she chased after a stick. Twilight was talking with Pinkie Pie, the lavender unicorn's owl, Owliscious dozing on her head as Gummy, Pinkie's toothless baby alligator gnawed on his mistress's bubblegum tail. Over by a few bushes, Rarity was magically batting a ball of yarn towards her persian cat Opalescence, a ball that the prissy cat was trying very hard to aloofly ignore. Under a tree, Angel Bunny and Chomper the minifex were deep in a staring contest, both visibly sweating as they struggled not to blink. Nearby, Fluttershy was whispering encouragement to Cinis as the small chick bobbed unsteadily through the air. Seeing the little Phoenix fluttering around Fluttershy's head, Alexander called to him with a sharp whistle. Delighted, the baby Phoenix flitted over to the human and nested in his hair. Alexander heard soft snores as the fiery feathered chick took a nap on his head.
"Oh, Alexander, it's nice to see you. How's your-oh, your arm! It's back! That's wonderful."
Alexander shushed the butter-yellow pegasus. "Shhh. Thanks for looking after Cinis for me. And, thank you for not telling the others about the extent of my injuries. I'd rather not have to explain things too much too soon." When Alexander had dropped Cinis off at Fluttershy's cottage, the poor mare had fainted upon seeing the pinned shirt-sleeve where his arm had been. Once she had recovered, Alexander had explained that he needed her to watch his pet while he got an augmetic arm, as well as what an augmetic was. When the pegasus had wanted to know more about replacement limbs, Alexander had made her promise not to tell anyone about augmetics until Cog could develop a reliable working prototype of an augmetic pony limb, a task that was proving surprisingly harder than had been originally thought.
Fluttershy blushed, hiding behind her mane. "Oh, it was no problem. He's such a sweetie. And I did make a Pinkie Pie promise, remember?" Alexander remembered. He personally thought that it was a bit strange, and when he asked how he knew she wouldn't break the promise, he could have sworn he heard someone screaming 'FOREVER!' out in the distance when Fluttershy explained that was how to lose friends.
"I remember." Alexander looked around. "Hey, where's Rainbow Dash?"
No sooner had the words left Alexander's lips when a yelp came from the tree Opal had climbed to escape from the attentions of the other pets. The other Elements quickly went to collect their pets.
Rarity scooped up Opal. "Sincerest apologies, Rainbow, if our pets were bothering you. Say you're sorry, Opal." The pampered persian turned away and hissed. Rarity blushed sheepishly. "She's... sorry."
Rainbow Dash lifted a hoof. "What are you all doing out here?"
Applejack tossed a stick with her tail, Winona chasing it gleefully. "Why, we always round up our critters for a regular ol' Pony Pet Playdate in this park."
Dash blinked. "Uh, you do?"
"Same time every week."
Fluttershy pawed at the ground with her hoof. "I thought you knew. You didn't know? She didn't know?" The poor pegasus looked ready to cry.
Twilight began to explain. "Well, we had initially planned on inviting Rainbow, of course, except-"
Pinkie took the opportunity to jump in, gummy clamped onto her head like a leech. "We were totally gonna invite you, Rainbow, then Twilight remembered that you don't even have a pet, and Rarity remembered that you really like to take naps in the afternoon, so Applejack figured you wouldn't be missing out on anything anyway, and Fluttershy and I nodded our heads in agreement like this." The pink party pony grabbed Fluttershy's head and made her nod.
Fluttershy seemed unable to stop nodding as she apologized. "Oh, please don't be mad at us."
Rainbow Dash waved a hoof dismissively. "Oh, I'm not mad. You all are right. Not much point of a Pony Pet Playdate for me if I'm a pony without a pet, right?" She turned to Alexander. "Besides, I'm not the only one here without a pet, right Alex?"
"Um..."
Rainbow noticed the dozing ball of reddish down on the human's head. "Oh, c'mon, when did you get a pet?"
"Quite recently."
"Right. C'mon Flutters, we're getting me a pet!"
"O-okay."
Alexander shook his head at the sight of Fluttershy being dragged away by Rainbow Dash, receiving an alarmed squawk from the baby bird on top. "Sorry." He turned to leave the park. "C'mon, let's go make sure the town didn't explode while I was gone."
Alexander climbed the stairs to his room, utterly exhausted. What had started out as a simple day had quickly escalated into something else. First, he barely came away with his life when several large and heavy objects fell out of a moving wagon pulled by some pegasi. Ditzy Doo had apologized profusely, promising she'd give him some muffins in the mail tomorrow. Then, that crazy aqua unicorn from the other day, Lyra something or other, had assaulted him again, showing off his hands to a cream-colored earth mare with a two-tone purple mane who had quickly pointed out that Alexander had been in Ponyville for several weeks. Lyra had promptly turned a violent crimson, too embarrassed to apologize as she shuffled off with Bonbon. After that, he'd been run over by the Cutie Mark Crusaders, more specifically, Scootaloo. And to top it all off, that damned little carnifex had eaten a frag grenade, merely puffed up like a balloon when it detonated and coughed up a cloud of smoke. Alexander was beginning to doubt that the abomination could even be hurt, much less killed.
Sighing, Alexander entered his room and knelt before the small shrine he had made to the Emperor. Striking a match, he lit two of three votive candles, the third absolutely refusing to catch. Sighing in frustration as the match went out, Alexander put aside the unlit candle. He began to pray to the Emperor.
"Oh, divine Emperor, protector of mankind, I find myself in the employ of xenos, my comrades no longer human, and myself and my regiment betrayed by those we once served. These xenos, these ponies, they should sicken me with their presence, but, I-I feel comfortable around them. I've been tackled by them on several occasions, but never once did I consider harming them, until I became their Sentinel and went to Foal Mountain. I let a mutant carnifex live, because one of them argued to do so. This place, I feel more at home here than I ever did anywhere in the Imperium. I know you approved of my decision to aid their rulers as I could, but I-I still don't know if I am doing the right thing. And now, I'm basically a Psyker. I just don't know what to do."
As Alexander knelt with head bowed, he heard a small *fwumph*. Looking up, he found that the third candle was burning, as if to tell him that 'everything will be alright.' Smiling gratefully Alexander moved to pinch out the candles with his augmetic. "Thank you." The candles out, Alexander stood and went to go to bed.
Alexander fired his bolt pistol into the mass of screaming cultists, the mass-reactive rounds adding fountains of blood and gore to the bleeding skies. He swung his chainsword down in a sweeping chop, decapitating the last one. Turning to his squad, the sergeant gestured to his men. "C'mon, we need to get into those ruins!" Alexander began to charge toward a crumbling apartment complex, his squad following him. Alexander looked over his shoulder to make sure the hooded and cloaked eleventh member of the squad was keeping up.
"Alexander?" A feminine voice brought Alexander to a halt, a ghostly after image continuing on to lead the advance. He turned to find a midnight blue alicorn standing beside him. It's...just a dream.
"Luna, why are you in my head?"
"As the Princess of the night, it is our-my duty to ensure that our subjects' dreams are peaceful and protected."
"Protected?" Alexander did not like the sound of that. "Why would dreams need to be protected? And you still haven't answered why you're in my head."
If Luna was perturbed by Alexander's demanding questions, she didn't show it. "I am not the only pony who can access dreams. As for why we chose your dream, we find you...interesting." The royal unicorn looked at her bloody surroundings. "Where are we?"
"Heh." Alexander flung his arms out dramatically, taking in the hellish landscape. "Welcome to the fall of Eridanus VI!"
"What happened?"
"Chaos."
That one word, somehow filled with the unbound malice and hatred of an entire species, was enough of an answer for Luna to guess what had happened. She looked to where Alexander's memory-self had progressed, and found him talking to the cloaked figure. The figure was tall and gaunt, but not undernourished. His frail-looking hand grasped an ebony hafted staff topped with a golden Aquila like a drowning man clings to a floating board. He looked to be swimming in the too-large olive cloak he wore. The sharp clarity of the memory of him was a stark contrast to the blurry figures that made up the rest of the squad.
"Who is he?" She pointed a hoof towards the figure.
Alexander followed her hoof. "My brother."
Luna felt the profound sadness held in those two words that spoke of tragedy and loss. "What happened?"
Alexander stared at the hooded figure with the staff. "I killed him." |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Ne'er Do Well | "I killed him."
Luna stared at Alexander in horror. If she hadn't heard the words from his mouth, she would have thought he was speaking about the weather.
"Y-you killed him?" Oh, Mother, what kind of monster did my sister and I put our trust in? Alexander saw the horror on Luna's face, heard it in her voice. He sighed.
"It wasn't like that." Alexander looked away. "If anything, it was a mercy." He watched the memory before him progress. "You and Celestia weren't the only siblings to fight to the death. Unlike your sister, I didn't have the luxury of sending my sibling to the moon."
Several shadowy figures spawned out of the very air, no definition or form to them, as if the very memory of them had been...corrupted. Shouting in surprise and terror, the squad of guardsmen opened fire on the shadows. The volume of lasers thrown at the legion of corrupted memory was staggering, but scarcely a handful vanished as they 'died.'
"What are those...things? And why are they so...blotchy?"
Alexander shuddered as he looked at the 'blotchy' figures. "Those are daemons, denizens of the Immaterium. The reason they're so undefined is because to look upon them is to invite insanity." Sure enough, one of the guardsmen dropped his weapon and curled up into a fetal ball, babbling as he clutched his head before taking his own life. "I suppose the cloudiness is my mind's way of protecting itself."
The eyes of the gaunt hooded figure of Alexander's brother glowed with an unearthly power. Raising his staff, the brother slammed the butt down on the ground. A torrent of otherworldly flame and lightning flowed out over the legion of shadows, snuffing them out as one would blow out candles on a cake. Luna sighed in relief. "At least it's over."
"Yeah, that's what we thought too. But we'd been pushing him too hard. We should have let him rest when he started hearing things, but we...didn't."
Ahead, the gaunt form of Alexander's brother began to writhe and scream, clutching at his head as his eyes bled. His form began to bulge and twist as something inside began to mold his body like wet clay. The memory-Alexander held up his bolt pistol, but was batted aside like a wet leaf in a storm. The memory faded to black among screams and terrifying roars, the only thing visible hot fountains of blood as unseen bodies were rent apart. A single gunshot ended the nightmare.
Alexander turned to Luna, who was almost as pale as her diurnal sister. "I lost my entire squad to that thing that took my brother from me. Not five minutes later, the evacuation order came through." Alexander turned away. "I lost my rank at the court martial a week later. That was about two years ago." He sat down, back to the princess of the night. "Please leave now. I'd like to be left alone with my thoughts." Luna bowed, tears in her eyes as she left the dreamscape.
At first, the days passed uneventfully, Alexander spending his time practising his swordplay and reading books on magic from the library. His understanding of the flow of mana to achieve one's goals was progressing, but he was still having problems grasping the connection between will and imagination. Yes he could imagine doing something, and he could apply his will to doing that, but somehow it never seemed to work as smoothly as he thought it should. It was frustrating to say the least.
Alexander wiped the applesauce off his face as the remains of the apple he had tried levitating finished raining down in the yard of the bunker. Sighing in frustration, he looked around at the applesauce strewn yard. "I just don't know what went wrong." He reached for the next apple in the bushel, but the basket was empty. Grumbling, Alexander started for the door inside, wiping apple pulp off his newly repaired armor. "What else can go wrong?"
A piercing scream caught Alexander's attention. "I had to ask." Vaulting the fence around the yard, Alexander ran in the direction of the terrified screaming.
"My baby! Somepony save my baby!"
Shit. A baby carriage went barreling past Alexander down a steep hill towards a rocky cliff. Shit! Alexander started running down the incline after the buggy. C'monc'monc'mon... He was rapidly falling behind, but giving up was the farthest thing from Alexander's mind. The buggy was about to fly off the cliff. NO! A chromatic blur zipped past Alexander, catching the buggy moments before it left the ground. Coming to a halt next to the cyan pegasus that had literally flown out of the blue, Alexander doubled over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. "Nice...catch."
Rainbow Dash smirked and waved at the cheering crowd below, before she gasped in horror. "Oh no, there's something wrong with the baby!" Everyone gasped in horror. "She's not cheering for everypony's favorite hero, Rainbow Dash!" Alexander facepalmed at the pegasus' theatrics as she took the foal back to her mother.
Shaking his head, Alexander spoke to Dash as she flew into the sky. "Hey kid, don't let it go to your head, alright?" Rubbing his face, Alexander decided to go get something to eat.
Alexander sat down at his preferred table on the veranda at Starbuck's cafe. "Hey Starbuck, I'll have my usual."
Starbuck, a coffee-brown stallion with a steaming mug of coffee on his flank looked up and smiled at the brooding Sentinel. "You got it. One Sentinel Special coming up."
"I really wish you wouldn't call it that." Starbuck didn't respond, not having heard the grumbled reply. A steaming mug of coffee was placed before Alexander by Starbuck's daughter Cocoa Bean. "Thanks." He took a pull from the mug, giving a content sigh. Black with just a hint of honey, something he'd come to appreciate on that one agri world they'd barely managed to save from the 'nids. Bliss. Alexander opened his eye to see Twilight trotting by in a blue funk. "Twilight? Somethin' wrong?"
"Wha-? Oh, Alexander, it's you. I - There - I'm worried about Rainbow Dash."
"Oh?"
"The girls and I, we're worried that she's letting this hero thing go to her head."
"I see."
"I just wish I knew what to do."
Alexander considered Twilight's words. So, Rainbow Dash is letting it go to her head. Boy, I never saw that coming. Well, Alexander knew just how to get her down off of her high horse. "Twilight, I know exactly how to bring Dash back down to earth." Twilight sat down across the table from Alexander as he sipped from his mug. "During basic training in the Guard, you'd occasionally get guys who'd think they were the Emperor's gift to the universe. You know, the type that knows everything, but doesn't really?" Twilight nodded. "Well, the DIs had a way of dealing with those guys. Say, oh, really big guy, thinks he doesn't need to learn hand to hand because he's stronger than anyone there and can beat up anybody there. Well, the Drill Sergeants would invite this guy to hit them. And as soon as he'd throw a punch at the sergeant, he'd find himself on the ground with the sergeant's boot on his throat. The lesson learned is that there's always someone better than you. Sometimes, though, this guy really would be able to take on the sarge, and would find himself at the bottom of a very large dogpile of assistant DIs. Thus, you may be the best, but you can't win alone against a group working together." He took another sip of coffee. "Any of that help?"
Twilight sat tapping her chin. "Hmm, so, if we beat Dash at the hero game, maybe it'll show her that she's overdoing it?"
"Eh, something like that I guess."
"Thanks Alexander. I've got to go talk with Rarity. Bye."
"Bye." Starbuck returned with Alexander's grilled cheese sandwich as Twilight cantered off in search of the unicorn fashionista. Picking up half of the sandwich, Alexander began to eat as he wondered about what Twilight was planning.
"That's right, Ponyville has a new hero..." Alexander tuned out the voices of the mayor and the crowd as he examined the downed balloon. He ran a hand, his organic one, over the ragged edge of the hole in the hot air envelope. Lifting a scrap of cloth, Alexander pulled away a blackened shred. Rubbing it between his fingers, the cloth disintegrated into ash. Standing, Alexander regarded the distant figure atop a nearby hill, then looked at the departing Twilight Sparkle. I wonder...
"Mare Do Well, huh? Well that mare would do well to stay outta my way! Ponyville's only got room for one hero, and that hero is me!"
Alexander glanced at Rainbow Dash. "Gee, Dash, jealous much?"
"Just you wait, I'll show everypony who the real hero is - WHOA!" Rainbow landed flat on her face as she tripped on a rope. Alexander shook his head and tucked the burnt scrap into a pocket. He'd have to show this to Cog.
"Alright, so what do we know?" Alexander looked expectantly at Cog and Syrette.
Syrette dropped a chunk of decomposing wood onto the kitchen table. "I went back to that balcony that collapsed at the old pony's home. The wood was rotted through. Funny thing though, when I asked about it, the manager told me that they had just put it in last year."
Alexander steepled his fingers. "Does wood rot that quickly?"
<It can. However, this wood, like all the wood used in construction here, has been treated with magic to resist aging. The balcony should not have collapsed.>
"So what about the hot-air balloon?"
<I examined the scrap you provided me and I found evidence of magical residue of an entropic nature.>
Alexander rubbed his face. "The bus' limbers had been cut halfway through with glue and sawdust mixed into the gap to hide the damage. And the crane at the construction site showed signs of tampering. Several of the control wires were cut and I found several broken locks. I wasn't able to find anything at the dam, but the way Mare-Do-Well put it back together, I'm not totally surprised."
Syrette scratched his chin. "Sounds like we've got a saboteur."
<Indeed. Statistics suggest that the saboteur is becoming desperate, or very frustrated at the least. This trend of increasingly large-scale damage and potential for loss of life suggests that the next prime target of opportunity would be the parade the Mayor is holding to honor this 'Mare-Do-Well' in two days time.>
Syrette shook his head. "How do we know that it isn't this 'Mare-Do-Well' that's causing these 'accidents?' Awfully convenient how she manages to stop these things before anyone gets hurt."
"I don't think it is MDW."
"Oh? And what makes you think that?"
Alexander thought back to his conversation with Twilight four days ago. "Call it a hunch." Syrette threw his hooves in the air.
"Fine, you have a hunch. Whoop-de-do!" Syrette rubbed his face with both hooves. "So, what do we do, tell the authorities?"
"What authorities?" Alexander snorted as he leaned back in his chair. "Until recently, Ponyville hasn't had any serious crimes for several decades. Their arbites, sorry, their police here consists of two old guys who'd probably be outrun by a snail with a broken toe and some filly who's barely out of training pants. Do you seriously think they'd be able to handle somebody who's blown up a dam?" Syrette shook his head. "Yeah didn't think so. No, we're going to have to handle this ourselves."
Cog's lenses flashed under his crimson hood. <While I do not doubt your skills, the simple fact of the matter is that three sets of optical organs will not suffice to properly survey the area that will be occupied during the parade and other festivities. We will require reinforcement.>
Alexander scratched the stubble forming on his chin. "Good point." His eyes brightened. "I know just who to call." Alexander climbed the stairs to his quarters, closing the door behind him.
Sitting at his desk, Alexander scratched Cinis' head as the little phoenix cheeped happily on his perch. Pulling out a scroll and ink and quill, Alexander began to write.
Princess Celestia,
I have no doubt that you've heard about the rash of incidents that have been occurring this past week in Ponyville. My colleagues and I have determined that these 'accidents' were in fact acts of sabotage and destruction that were only stopped by the actions of a private citizen acting as a masked vigilante. We believe that this saboteur's next target will be the parade and rally being held in two days time by the Mayor to honor this vigilante. In order to provide proper security for this event, I am requesting that you send a detachment of guards to Ponyville.
Alexander Yaeger
Sentinel
Alexander reread the letter and rolled it up. "Now to find Spike and send this to-" A fiery sneeze sent Alexander tumbling out of his seat as the letter turned to ash. Sitting up, Alexander glared at the snuffling phoenix on the desk. "And now I have to start over. Thank you." Cinis ruffled his feathers sheepishly, chirping an apology. Sighing, Alexander pulled out another piece of parchment and began to dip the quill into the inkwell. A sniffle from Cinis sent Alexander diving for cover moments before another burning sneeze scorched the desk. Peeking over the edge of the desk, Alexander saw a neatly rolled up scroll sitting in the middle of a burn on the desktop next to a sniffling baby phoenix. Cautiously, he snaked a hand over the scroll and snatched it back before anything else happened. Glancing suspiciously at the huffing bird, Alexander opened the scroll.
Dearest Alexander,
The news that somepony has been deliberately attempting to bring harm to my subjects disturbs me greatly. I am dispatching a squad of royal guards to Ponyville. Due to extenuating circumstances, I cannot send more, but rest assured, the squad I am sending you is more than familiar with your style of command. Should all go smoothly, they will arrive on the 8:00 train in the morning.
I wish you the best of luck.
Princess Celestia
P.S. I see you've discovered that dragons aren't the only species that can send mail by magic.
Alexander read the scroll again, making sure he had read it properly. Familiar with my style of command? What? He scratched his head in bemusement. I don't get it. Alexander looked at the clock on the wall. Urg, I'll find out in the morning. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Damage Control | Alexander stood on the train platform, waiting for the eight O'clock train to arrive as he worked his augmetic hand. He had been told to expect phantom pains, but the icy numbness that seemed to radiate from his shoulder was maddening. The shrill whistle of a train coming into the station drew Alexander away from his arm. The train slid into the station with a sedate hiss, filling the air with steam from the brakes. As the mist cleared, Alexander beheld three familiar ponies disembarking from a passenger car.
"So, that's what Celestia meant when she said 'familiar with my brand of command.' Well, I must say, it is good to see you Sergeant Rain. You too, Sure Shot and Flame Dancer."
Steel Rain took the offered hand in his hoof. "Pleasure's all ours, sir."
"So, where's everyone else?" Alexander looked around with his one good eye, the left covered by an eyepatch he had found mysteriously taped to the underside of his desk. Steel Rain grimaced.
"Windigoes and that thing from the mountain devastated our Platoon. Most of the others took honorable discharges when offered, but we three stayed." He shook his head. "They were going to fold us into another unit, but when you sent for soldiers, Captain Armor decided to assign us to you as a supporting group. We even got a new recruit out of it."
"Oh?"
An absolute behemoth of an earth pony squeezed out of the train car behind them, several black duffels lying on his back. The bald, dark-chestnut earth pony spoke, a deep mellifluous baritone that one could not help but to listen to when he spoke. "Sir, I have our bags."
Rain presented the titanic pony with a flourish of his hoof. "This is private Nickel Lionheart, strongest damn pony in the Guard."
Nickel saluted crisply as he came to an impressively impeccable attention. "Sir, it is an honor to serve with you." He smiled broadly, perfectly white teeth standing out from his almost black fur. "I hope you don't make things too boring around here."
Alexander couldn't help but smile. "It's a pleasure." Sweet Emperor's golden ass, he's as big as a horse. Indeed, Lionheart was the biggest pony Alexander had ever seen, bigger even than Applejack's brother Big Mac. In fact, Alexander had to look up slightly to make eye contact. What in the warp are they feeding this guy? Alexander cleared his head with a shake. "Alright, fall in. Time to get you situated and get to work." Alexander lead the way off the platform as the train chugged away.
"Um, Sir? May-may I ask you a question?"
Alexander dropped back to march next to Sure Shot. "Still stuttering I see. Go ahead, ask away."
"Where are you from?"
Alexander stared pensively into space for a moment. "Well, to be honest, while I don't know where I was born, I was raised on a planet called Harlech. Come to think of it, Equestria does remind me of Harlech somewhat."
"Wh-what's i-it like there?"
"It is one of the most beautiful planets I have ever been on."
"Really? How so?"
Alexander stared off into space for a moment as music began to play in the background. Standing tall, he began to sing somewhat softly.
Let old Tanith boast of her wild wandrin' forests
Valhalla of ice planes and Catachan of strength
Forge worlds toiling to make almighty war machines
Where freedom expires amid hammer and flame
Alexander drew up as he began to sing fortissimo, the ponies following him beginning to prance in time to the song.
Harlech's black mountains wild where ho-ary cliffs are piled
Tow'ring in grandeur are dearer tae me
Land of the misty cloud land of the tempest loud
Land of the brave and proud land of the free
Enthroned on the peak of his own highland mountains
The gov'ner of Harlech reigns fearless and free
His green standard waving o'er blue rock and fountain
And proudly he claims looking over the sea
Alexander drew his sword and began to twirl it dramatically, a grin forming unbidden.
Here 'mong my mountains wild I have serenely smiled
When Chaos and xenos against me were hurled
Firm as my native rock I have withstood the shock
Of traitor, of Eldar, or Ork and the Tau
But see how proudly His war tanks are dashing
Deep groves of steel crushed down in their path
The eyes of His sons like their lasguns are flashing
Triumphantly marching through ruin and death
Alexander began to twirl the blade over his head as he belted out the last verse, the group of ponies following him cheering as he did so.
Bold hearts and nodding plumes stand o'er their bloody tombs
Deepeyed in gore is the green standard's wave
Shivering are the ranks of steel dire is the lasgun's yield
Victorious in battlefield Harlech the brave
Bold hearts and nodding plumes stand o'er their bloody tombs
Deepeyed in gore is the green standard's wave
Shivering are the ranks of steel dire is the lasgun's yield
Victorious in battlefield Harlech the brave
Victorious in battlefield Harlech the brave
Alexander found himself stabbing at the sky with his sword while his foot perched majestically on a large rock as the music faded. Dropping his arm, Alexander looked around in confusion as the parade that had followed him dispersed, leaving him alone with the guardponies. "Um...what the hell just happened?"
Steel Rain shrugged. "You started singing."
"Why? I can't even sing well. For that matter, where was that music coming from?"
Nickel spoke up, saving his sergeant from explaining it. "Every now and then, a pony is filled with a particularly strong emotion, pride in your case I would assume, and will get the urge to sing, usually before they know what's happening. Sometimes, the magic in the song can cause others to feel the same way and join in. I hear it happens quite a lot here." Nickel waved a hoof around Ponyville. Alexander sheathed his sword with a groan.
"Great. Let's just get back to base and work out a plan before anything else happens."
Alexander stood by the stage as he scanned the gathering crowd. Tapping his earbud, Alexander activated his comm. "All units report in."
<Deep Strike reporting in. Nothing yet.>
<Doc here. All clear on my end.>
<Pyro reporting in. Nothing to burn yet.>
<Um, ah, H-hawkeye REporting in. Um, ah, n-negative on, I mean, nothing!>
<This is Titan. Thought I had something, turned out just to be a Mare-Do-Well fan trying to sneak an autograph.>
"Alright, keep radio silence from here on out unless you get something suspicious." A chorus of rogers answered, Alexander turning back to the crowd before him. All he could do now was wait.
He didn't have to wait long. As soon as Mare-Do-Well appeared on stage, Rainbow Dash blitzed in from wherever she had been waiting and began accusing MDW of being a phony. When MDW ran off to avoid being unmasked, Rainbow Dash chased after her. Alexander began to run after them with a curse.
"All teams, concentrate on the town, I have Vigilante and Loyalty covered!" Another chorus of affirmatives answered as Alexander chased after the racing superhero and jealous weather mare.
He finally caught up to the pair at Sweet Apple Acres to find Rainbow Dash confronting several mares in Mare-Do-Well costumes. Leaning against a tree, Alexander smirked at Dash's befuddlement. "So, it was all five of you, huh? I must admit Twilight, I did not see that one coming."
Rainbow glared at Alexander, turning on him in a huffy fury. "You knew? Why didn't you tell me?"
Alexander chuckled at the mare's rage. "I didn't know for sure. I just know that I gave Twilight some advice on bringing your ego in check, and then a strange mare started showing you up, while Twilight was watching. So I figured she got somepony" Shit, did I really just say that? "To do it for her."
Dash looked at her friends for a moment before dropping her head in shame. "I...suppose I have been a bit pig headed lately. Girls, I'm s-"
BOOM
Alexander spun to look at the mushroom cloud forming over Ponyville as his combead crackled to life. <Sir, Deep Strike here! A bomb just went off at Sugarcube Corner! We have a suspect fleeing in your direction!>
"Roger. No kill shots, I want answers." Alexander turned to the mane six. Pinkie was frozen, her mane gone grey and flat in her horror, with Rarity and Fluttershy trying to keep her calm. "The lot of you, stay here. I don't care why you are coming," Alexander didn't let the open mouthed Applejack, Twilight and Rainbow get a word in edgewise. "You aren't coming." He drew his laspistol for emphasis. "You really don't want to see what comes next." The cold look in his eyes made even Rainbow Dash unsure for a moment, but a moment was all Alexander needed to take his leave.
Alexander had just entered Ponyville proper when his combead crackled again. <Sir, Titan here, we've apprehended the suspect. What should we do with him?>
"Hold onto him, I'm on my way. What's your position?"
<H-hawkeye here, Sir! N-nic..erm...T-titan's in an alley three streets north and two west of your position.>
"Roger! On my way! Hold tight Titan."
Alexander came around the corner into the alley to find Nickel sitting on a struggling mottled lime-green/fuschia furred unicorn with an aquamarine mane and purple tail. His broken horn lay next to him. Alexander crouched, bringing his face to the captive pony's eye level. "I'm only going to ask nice once. Who do you work for and what does he want?"
To Alexander's disconcertion, the unicorn began to laugh maniacally. "You can't stop it!"
Alexander quirked an his eyebrow, but the effect was somewhat lost considering it was under an eyepatch. "Oh, really? We seemed to stop you just fine. Now," Alexander pulled out his combat knife. "Who do you work for?"
The pony's maniacal cackling merely increased. "I may have failed, but the war has just begun. THE FOUR HORSES SHALL RIDE AGAIN!" The broken stub of his horn glowed cyan before his cackling gave way to a horrid gurgle as his lungs liquified. Nickel jumped off before the juiced organ spilled out of the twitching corpse's mouth. Looking at the body in disgust he shrugged an apology to Alexander. Alexander didn't notice. He was too busy staring at the corpse's flank. A familiar symbol had been carved into the flesh, the scar tissue destroying the cutie mark. A very, very familiar symbol.
"Oh, frak." |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Excess | Alexander stared out the window overlooking most of Ponyville, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood in thought That symbol, it was familiar to one he loathed with his entire being. It brought the same feeling of nausea to anyone who looked too closely, but it wasn't the same symbol. It was an eight-spoked wheel, but where that symbol had arrows, this symbol had alternating wiggling lines and outward facing crescent moons. Different, yet the same. Sighing, Alexander broke his mind from the disquieting thoughts about the previous week buzzing through his head. As he turned in for the night, he briefly hoped his suspicions were unfounded.
In a hollowed out tree, a blackish-green wisp snaked in through the keyhole. A deep, barely audible chuckle chilled the air as the wisp found its target. With a dark, evil hiss, it soaked into its prey. The sleeping form briefly opened its eyes, slit pupils flashing green before drifting back into dreams.
Alexander woke with the sun shining in his eye. Blinking groggily, he put on the eyepatch that had just mysteriously shown up. Seriously, where the hell did this come from? Stretching, Alexander began to do his morning PT, hanging from the doorframe as he did pull-ups. When he was finished with his strength training, Alexander dressed in his fatigues and went out the door. Taking in a deep breath, he began to jog his usual route through Ponyville, greeting each pony politely as he passed. After it had come to light that the deceased saboteur had not been a local, Alexander had come to the conclusion that he needed to know the names, faces, and occupations of each and every pony residing in Ponyville in order to ensure an outsider like that would not go undetected or unsupervised again. Getting on their good sides wouldn't hurt either.
"Roseluck, how're the flowers?"
"Oh, Alexander, they're doing well. Thank you."
"Carrot Top, how're things?"
"Those pesky rabbits are eating my crops again."
"I'll have a chat with Fluttershy, see if she can do anything about it. Hey Davenport, how's the sofa and quill business doin'?"
"Well, sofa sales are down this month, but quill sales are as strong as ever, thanks to Ms. Sparkle. Oh, and you, of course."
Alexander jogged past the already repaired Sugarcube Corner. Fortunately, the Cakes had been at the Mare-Do-Well Rally, so no one had been hurt. He decided to give getting a cupcake a pass, as he needed to borrow several more books on combat magics from Twilight. Yes, he was on vacation, but the notion of just relaxing for so long was foreign to him, so he trained, and trained hard. He turned a corner and was bowled over by a frantic lavender unicorn.
"Twilight, you better have a good reason for running me over."
Applejack helped Twilight and Alexander untangle their limbs from each other. "Spike's gone plum loco."
Alexander looked at Applejack. "Pardon?"
Twilight shook herself off. "Spike is experiencing an early onset of metamorphosis known among dragons as "greed growth," and has begun pilfering belongings and expanding exponentially."
"Wut?"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Spike's goin' through early puberty and it's makin' him greedy and bigger."
"Oh." Alexander looked askew at Twilight. "Why didn't you say so? So how big is he now? Four feet, five feet?"
"Ahm...well..." A scream tore from Sugarcube Corner, interrupting Twilight and Applejack's response. Alexander blinked. He could have sworn that the bakery bounced several feet into the air with the force of the scream. Alexander barreled through the door, the girls right behind, only to bounce painfully off a mass of purple and green and crack his head on the floor. Sitting up groggily, Alexander blinked at the scaly beast before him being assaulted by thrown cakes and flung pastries. "Barney?" Thud!
Alexander sat up as he regained consciousness. "Ow." He looked up to find a pair of blue eyes not an inch from his. "GYAH!" Alexander recoiled from the pink pony invading his personal space. Pinkie Pie jumped up onto the human's chest, pressing her muzzle to his nose. "Who's Barney?"
"What? A child's vid character. Been around forever." He looked around at the flour and icing encrusted wall of the bakery. "Did Spike do this?"
Applejack helped Alexander to his feet. "Ah, no, that was Pinkie throwin' all those cakes an' things at 'im."
Alexander turned to Twilight. "How long was I out?"
"About fifteen minutes."
"Ergh. So...you weren't kidding about the growth, were you?" Twilight shook her head. Alexander rubbed his face. "So, um, just how big to dragons get?"
"Well," Twilight began. "The last dragon we faced was about fifty feet high, and he was on the small side."
"The small side?" Great. "Please tell me this isn't permanent?"
Twilight shook her head. "According to Zecora, if we can keep him from taking things for a while, he should revert to normal."
Alexander sighed with relief. "Oh good." He really didn't want to have to deal with a rampaging creature on its way to growing to bio-titan size. It was hard enough to take down one of those things with an army, but with just a small squad? Hells no. "Well, let's go find him and tie him up or something before he gets any bigger." A loud roar shook the building as Alexander opened the door.
"Shit."
Alexander looked away from the dragon towering over Ponyville. "I suppose shooting him with a missile is out of the question?" Alexander quickly waved his hands at Twilight's stricken expression. "Sorry, I had to ask." He ran out into the street. Taking off his helmet, he began to wave it above his head at the behemoth dumping things into an emptied water tower. "Hey, Big Guy. OH SPIKE! Got something nice and shiny for you!"
Spike turned and spotted the jumping human below. "MINE!" He reached out for Alexander.
Twilight yelled to Alexander as he ran by. "So, what's your plan?"
"I don't know, I didn't think that far ahead!" Alexander ran for his life through Ponyville as he tried not to become a giant dragon's next toy. Steel Rain flew up next to the sprinting sentinel, easily keeping pace. "Sir, what's the situation?" Alexander explained as briefly as he could. "Spike big, need to keep from taking things!" "Very good sir. I'll inform the rest." Rain peeled off, disappearing from Alexander's view. Dodging another grasping claw, Alexander found himself outside Carousel Boutique. Spike stopped chasing after Alexander and reached for the roof of the store. "Rarity."
A shrill scream could be heard as Rarity was lifted out of her home. "Put me down!" The dragon stomped off into town with the screaming unicorn clutched in his tail. An air raid siren wailed briefly before it was torn out of the ground. Alexander sprinted after him as his squad arrived with rope and grappling-hook launchers. "Get those launchers set up, we need to stop him from destroying the town."
Twilight galloped after him. "Spike wouldn't do that."
"Not on purpose, but have you ever seen what something that size can do if it doesn't watch where it steps? I have! It ain't pretty!" Alexander ground to a halt as Nickel finished setting up the last grappling-hook launcher. "Fire!" Nickel flipped a switch with his hoof, blasting the hook and rope into the air.
K-PANNNG
K-PANNNG
K-PANNNG
The three grappling hooks wrapped their ropes around the rampaging Spike's arms and tail. "Pull!" At Alexander's command, every pony in the squad hauled on their ropes. Spike roared and pulled at the ropes, sending Alexander and his squad flying in every direction as the ropes came loose. Alexander came crashing down through the roof of a nearby home.
Alexander sat up and threw debris off himself as the mare in the bath screamed, covering herself with the shower curtain. Alexander gave her a cool, measured look. "You go around bare naked in public. Quit screaming. It's nothing you haven't shown everyone before. The red-faced mare sunk into the bubble bath in embarrassment as Alexander left the room. Fluttershy met Alexander outside as he left the front door.
"Ohmygosh, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, I jus--What is that doing here?" Alexander pointed to the chitinous mass sitting on the butter-yellow pegasus' rump. Chomper sat up and chirruped at Alexander happily as Fluttershy giggled. "Oh, the little dear wanted to help me with my shopping. She's such a sweetie." She leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially. "I think Angel Bunny has a crush on her." She giggled again as Alexander rolled his eyes.
"That's great. Listen, do you think you can get Spike up there to put Rarity down?"
Fluttershy turned around and squeaked. "T-that's Spike!?"
"Yes, think you can get him to calm down while I look for my squad?"
"Um, yes." Fluttershy gently picked up Chomper with her wings and placed the tyranid on the ground. "Now stay here, Chompy, mommy needs to go talk to the dragon, okay?" Chomper chirped as Fluttershy flew up to Spike's head. Halfway there, Rainbow Dash joined her before flying to the opposite side of the dragon's head from Fluttershy. Alexander watched as the two pegasi spoke to Spike. Well, whispered and threatened anyways. With a snort, Spike flicked his tail at the airborne pair, catching them in the Rarity's cape and sending the two down into the Ponyville Park lake as the cape tore. Alexander sighed in relief as Dash and Fluttershy emerged coughing from the water. A triple trail of smoke and lightning flying from Canterlot caught Alexander's attention. Pulling out a flare, Alexander sent it skyward, bringing the three pegasi in blue jumpsuits in for a landing.
The lead pegasus, a flame yellow mare with a matching fiery red mane saluted. "Spitfire of the Wonderbolts at your service. You must be the Sentinel everypony's talking about."
"Alexander Yeager. I am. So, what exactly were you planning to do to stop that dragon?"
Spitfire looked at her subordinates. "We were hoping to drive him back out of Ponyville. Failing that, well..." She left the unpleasant truth unspoken. She looked down at Alexander's feet. "Uh, is that thing okay?"
"What?" Alexander looked down to find Chomper snarling and foaming at the rampaging Spike.
As Alexander looked on, a thick, purplish-blackish miasma spewed forth from the hollow spines on the tyranid's back. Chomper's eyes began to glow as the fog swelled in size, soon covering half the block. A deep. ominous rumbling could be heard from within the haze. Soon, the smoke cleared to reveal a full-sized thirty-foot tall carnifex. The alien monstrous creature stepped forward with a reverberating thud, roaring a challenge at the purple dragon before it. Seeing a rival for 'his' belongings, Spike roared back before charging at the chitinous horror that dared to challenge him for his hoard. With a titanic crash, the two behemoths began duking it out in the middle of Ponyville.
Alexander ran for his life to escape the battlezone as the Wonderbolts flew out of harm's way. "Get everybody within five blocks away from here!" Hearing Alexander's shout, the three pegasi split up to evacuate the panicking civilians. Alexander didn't stop until he arrived at the roofless building that had been Sugarcube Corner. There, sitting in the demolished doorway, sat Pinkie Pie, eating popcorn like she was watching a movie. "Hey Alex, how ya doin'?" She squealed as Chomper tackled Spike. "Ooh, they'd love this in Neighpan!" Not knowing what else to do, Alexander sat next to Pinkie and accepted the second popcorn bucket she offered him.
Getting up from being body slammed by a giant insect, Spike exhaled, blowing a emerald fireball at the carnifex. At the same time, Chomper brought her scything talons together in front of her maw, eldritch energies crackling down. A shrill shrieking filled the air until a sickly green ball of bio-plasma rocketed out of her jaws. Fireball met plasma, and the two reacted as violently as vinegar and baking soda, the resulting explosion knocking the two combatants back several yards. Chomper recovered first, slashing at Spike with her scything talons, but Spike was able to catch them in his claws, razor talons unable to cut through his diamond hard scales. As Spike began to overpower the smaller monster, Chomper swung her crushing claws, knocking Spike into the remains of the water tower he had pilfered earlier. With Rarity still screaming bloody murder in his tail's grip, Spike sidestepped, grabbing the charging carnifex by the horn on her head and spines on her back. Heaving, Spike threw the carnifex into the lake, Chomper landing on her back in the mud, the splash coating Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy in brown ooze. Shrinking back down in a puff of black smoke, the mini-fex whimpered pitifully as Fluttershy comforted her.
However, Spike seemed to calm down as Rarity began to talk to him. Alexander could not hear what was being said, but whatever it was, it must have worked, because with a bright flash of light, Spike shrank back down to baby size and releasing Rarity from his grip...about fifty feet up. Alexander blew a sigh of relief when Rainbow and Fluttershy caught the pair in a hammock fashioned from the remains of the cape that had grounded them in the first place. Alexander couldn't help but laugh when Chomper jumped onto Fluttershy's head and flicked Spike on the snout with her crushing claw. Pinkie chose that moment to cheer at the happy ending to the ordeal, the squeal of joy causing Alexander to topple over away from her half deafened. Rubbing his ears as he stood, Alexander went to go find the Wonderbolts and his squad. Nobody noticed the blackish-green wisp floating away from where Spike had returned to normal.
Spike sat sniffing on a bridge as he wallowed in self pity. He hiccupped in surprise as the only other biped in Ponyville sat next to him. "Why are you crying?" Spike looked at Alexander in shock. Why was he crying? He had just rampaged through Ponyville, doing Celestia knows how much damage to the town. He told Alexander as much. Alexander leaned back on his arms, staring thoughtfully into the starry night sky. "It wasn't your fault."
*Sniff* "What?"
"Nope, from what Twilight told me, what happened to you is a perfectly natural thing to happen to young dragons." He frowned. "At least, I think that's what she was saying. I had some trouble understanding some of the bigger words. Anyways, what you did, did you do any more damage than the town usually seems to incur during these sort of things?"
"No."
"Was anybody seriously hurt?"
"No."
"Well there you go. And you managed to snap yourself out of it yourself, so I hear. That takes a lot of personal strength of character to be able to do something like that." Alexander's face darkened, but in the dark, Spike didn't notice. "I know that for sure."
Sighing, Alexander stood. "Listen, kid, I'm not very good at this, but, happy birthday." Alexander placed a helmet on Spike's head. "Take care." Alexander walked away, leaving a marshmallow unicorn to approach the newly helmeted baby dragon. Sighing, Alexander shook his head. "I need a vacation from this vacation."
Far above, in the darkness of the night, a powerful being raged at the thwarting of his plans for mayhem. Swearing to its dark gods, it silently promised a reckoning to the human below. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Candlemas | Winter set in quickly in Equestria. One day, they were having the 'Running of the Leaves,' the next, a thick blanket of snow covered the land. Alexander wondered quietly as he stared into the snowy sky. Taking in a deep breath, he savored the crisp, cleanness of the winter air. He still couldn't believe that the pegasi had to change the seasons manually. Perhaps it had something to do with the damage caused by the mysterious dark forces? Upon thinking that, Alexander's thoughts drifted to the so-called 'four horses.' Who were they? What were they? So far, neither Cog nor Twilight had been able to find any reference to these mysterious beings. Looking down from staring up at the grey sky, Alexander spotted Twilight coming towards him.
"Twilight."
"Hello Alexander."
Twilight stood there for a moment before Alexander breached the silence. "So, was there something you wanted?"
"Oh, yes." Twilight produced a colorful flyer from her saddlebags. "I wanted to invite you and your friends to the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant in Canterlot. The girls and I are the protagonists this year."
Alexander accepted the flyer. "Hearth's Warming Eve?"
"Yep." Twilight nodded. "It's a celebration of the unification of the three tribes over a thousand years ago. Every year, ponies get together to celebrate friendship and exchange gifts."
"Kinda sounds like Candlemas."
"Candlemas?"
"Mmhmm. Every Terran year, on the day of the Terran Winter Solstice, people gather in the cathedrals to pray to the Emperor for safety and prosperity in the oncoming year, leaving offerings to Him on Terra. Afterwards, they gather with their friends and family and exchange gifts themselves. Although," Alexander scratched his chin through his scarf. "Recently there have been rumors that Candlemas was taken from an ancient religion that preceded the Emperor's rise to power on Terra. But to tell the truth, I never really cared about that one way or another." He considered the flyer in his hand, ignoring Twilight furiously scribbling notes down on a piece of parchment. "This sounds interesting. Think I'll come. Can't speak for the others, though."
Twilight looked up from her notes. "Oh, thank you. See you then."
"Sure. Later."
Alexander sat in the back row of the throne room, where a large stage had been set up where the princesses normally sat. He sat alone. When he had asked his comrades if they wanted to come, Steel had declined for his fellow guardsponies, claiming that "you've seen one Hearth's Warming pageant, you've seen 'em all." Cog had also declined, stating that he had something he needed to finish. Syrette had said that he wanted to come, but that he had a prior commitment. So, Alexander sat alone in the back row of the throne room turned theater. Alexander turned his attention to the stage as the lights darkened. A smartly dressed Spike stepped forth from behind the curtains.
"Ladies and Gentlecolts...oh and Alex." Alexander resisted the urge to facepalm, giving a short wave/salute instead. "Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony. It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart... by hatred!" The audience gasped, unable to imagine such a time. For Alexander, however, it was all to easy to remember such a time and place.
The play opened to a stylized backdrop of a large wooden hall. Alexander watched as the three 'leaders' of the different tribes argued over who was to blame for an eternal winter. Interested, he sat back in his chair. Eventually, the leaders and their advisors set off to find a new land, one to replace their frozen wasteland. When they found it, Alexander watched with interest as the luscious and green backdrop of this new land was slowly changed to snowy wastes by unicorn's magic as the three 'leaders' argued. When the six hid in a 'cave,' the cold and ice followed. Alexander had to hold back a guffaw when he saw who was playing the part of one of the Windigoes. Syrette, wearing a trailing, ice-blue cloak and bodysuit, swung in circles above the actors from an almost invisible line. So, that's his 'prior commitment.'
When the 'windigoes' were defeated by the magic of friendship, Alexander clapped with the audience's stomping applause. The play had left him something to think about. This place was full of happiness and trust, almost a paradise in comparison. On the other hand, the Imperium was filled with suspicion and hatred, and was plagued by chaos, daemons and xenos on a regular basis. Perhaps...perhaps the Imperium's problems stemmed from the negative feelings that filled the population? He had heard his brother once mention that the warp was a mirror of the materium, the negative emotions of the materium's inhabitants reflected in the turmoil in the warp. Maybe he was onto something. Alexander dropped his line of thought with a sigh. It wasn't like he'd be able to do anything about it. There were too many years, centuries of ingrained hate and mistrust in the Imperium, too much to clear away in one lifetime. The only one who could conceivably end the hate and suspicion would be the Emperor Himself. Shaking his head, Alexander went to join Twilight, Syrette and the others for the trip back to Ponyville.
Alexander sat in the main room of the bunker with his baby phoenix on his shoulder as he considered the package in his hand. He looked up at Cog. "What is it?"
<You'll have to open it to find out.>
Alexander opened the box to find an eye. He lifted it out. "Is this...?"
<Yes. I finished early. You can put it in now, I put in the optical relays when I grafted on your arm socket.>
Of all the gifts he had received that night, the return of his full vision had to be the best, bar none, save maybe for the package of cupcakes from Pinkie Pie. Alexander carefully pushed the augmetic into his empty eye socket, wincing at the electrical shock as the connections were made. He blinked away a tear as static replaced the nothing to the left of his vision. Swiftly dissipating, the static was soon replaced with a view of the room. Syrette was sitting in the corner reading, uninterested in a process he had seen dozens of times. Steel, Nickel, Flame, and Sureshot just stared in amazement. Sureshot was the first to speak up. "So, h-he can make working p-pr-pre...fake limbs?" Alexander nodded. "Th-that's awesome."
Cog held a scavenged dataslate in a mechadendrite. <Now, your new eye has a few features you should be mad aware of. First of all, you now have a Heads-Up-Display that will allow you to monitor the battlefield more efficiently. In addition, your eye has thermal and night vision capabilities.>
"How do I use that?"
<Just think it.>
Half of the world dissolved into blues and oranges as Alexander concentrated. "Whoa." He swiftly returned his vision to normal as the room tried to spin. "That's gonna take some getting use to."
On Alexander's shoulder, Cinis sneezed, depositing a scroll on his lap. Picking up the scroll, Alexander read it over. "Gentlemen, looks like we have a mission."
Deep underground, below the frozen ruins of a mountain laboratory, a black wisp soaked into a broken corpse. A pair of black eyes snapped open.
I. Live. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Daring | Alexander stared out the window of the Intercontinental Airship Aurora at the azure seas below. Opening the manila folder in his lap, he shuffled through the papers there until he found the files he was looking for. Looking at the photo on the first, he considered the pegasus mare smirking cockily at the photographer. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought that he was looking at a black and white pic of the Element of Loyalty. Hell, even the eyes were the same. Alexander looked at the header of the file. Daring Do. Archaeologist and a professor at Canterlot University, discoverer of the Sapphire Statue and the Griffin's Goblet, amongst other things. Alexander held a quiet respect for explorators like this Daring Do. They had the unenviable position of exploring the unknown beyond the safety of the known. However, Daring Do may have remained just a name to Alexander had it not been for her latest discovery deep in the jungles of South Amareica.
Alexander flipped to the next file. A blurry photo of a newly familiar wheel carved into an ancient stone wall. When he had shown the pictogram to the princesses several weeks back, both Celestia and Luna recognized the symbol, but could not remember where or when in their millennia spanning lifetimes they had seen it. Nor had they been able to find or recall any references to 'four horses.' Their investigation into those behind the Ponyville Bombings had ground to a halt. Until this symbol had shown up in a report from Dr. Do for the princesses. Maybe the ruins that contained it would have the answers they were looking for. An announcement that the airship would soon be docking drew Alexander from his thoughts.
Hot, muggy air hit Alexander like a brick wall as the external bulkhead swung open. Alexander walked down the gangplank to meet the mustard yellow Pegasus mare with the compass cutie mark. "Dr. Do, I presume?"
"Please, call me Daring. I only go by Doctor at the University." She looked at the empty gangplank behind the human. "You come alone?"
Alexander nodded. Rain and the other guardsponies had been unable to travel with him due to political...issues between Equestria and the nations of South Amareica. Cog had been knee-deep in his research, and Syrette had said he had something he needed to do on some holiday known as 'Hearts and...something day.' So, Alexander had come alone. Daring tilted her head as she pursed her lips. "Well, I hope you're as good as the rumors say you are."
"So," Alexander walked alongside the adventurer, remembering the briefing files he had perused. "Why didn't you go into the temple ruins?"
"Well, I was going to, but..." Daring trailed off with a shiver. "Then I saw that pictogram, and it gave me the heebie-jeebies. That, and all my porters galloped off, screaming about golems and evil spirits."
Alexander nodded, having had some experience with a race of undead golems of metal himself. "I don't blame them." He had barely survived that experience, only because the Harlech 501st had been on the first evac transport off that accursed ball of ice. He heard that some crazy commissar had blown up the promethium plant and mines there to cover the escape. He dragged himself back to the present as Daring continued talking.
"We'll be taking a boat up the river till we get to the point closest to the ruins. Ah, here we go." Daring came to a stop before a dilapidated old vessel that looked like it would fall apart on land, much less float.
"This thing? It's a piece of junk!"
"Hey, I'll have you know that the Neighvarra has gone farther than any other vessel afloat today." A large, slightly portly bearded yellow earth pony wearing a fez emerged from the cabin. Daring trotted onto the boat and was glomped by the older stallion. "Salad, how are you?" Daring was barely able to squeak out a greeting.
"I am well, Daring. So," Salad examined the human carefully, releasing Do from the bear hug. "Is this our passenger?" He glanced at Daring. "He's quite heavily armed. Are we expecting trouble? A certain...ape maybe?"
Daring shivered as she looked at the unfamiliar, yet deadly looking weapons on Alexander's back as he looked through some crates of supplies. "It's...possible. The only reason I didn't go into those ruins is because of that symbol I showed you. I haven't been so scared since that encounter with the False Alicorn."
"Hmm. I see. For something to have scared you, of all ponies. Well, no sense in delaying the inevitable, shall we be shoving off?"
"Let's."
A shrill shriek filled the air as the Neighvarra pulled away from the docks.
Alexander slashed away another particularly stubborn clump of vines, the graviton field around his blade causing the severed ends of the vines to sizzle. Only four hours ago had the sentinel and the archaeologist left the river, and they had barely made any progress into the thick underbrush.
"How is it you haven't taken a single break since we got started, and you're still going like a freight train?" Alexander looked over his shoulder at the befuddled mare and smirked. "I eat my spinach."
"Uh-huh." Shrugging, Daring watched as the sentinel swung his left arm at some more obstinate brush. She had to admit, it was taking only half as long as it had taken her to get this far as it had the last time she went to the temple ruins.
Several hours later, They stopped to set up camp. Daring looked like she was ready to burst with excitement. "I can't believe we made it this far into the jungle in one day! At this rate, we should get there in only three hours tomorrow." Alexander grunted as he set up his tent. Daring tilted her head at him. "I'm kind of surprised that you haven't asked why we're stopping when we're so close."
Alexander looked up from the last peg stomped into the dirt. "Hey, not my first time in a jungle. I almost learned the hard way that it isn't safe to move at night in places like this. Although, it's not even half as bad as that overgrown hellhole."
"Almost learned the hard way?"
"Yeah. Somebody beat me to the punch."
"What happened?"
"New Lieutenant, wanted to keep going after dark. Got eaten by a red plant flower with white-spots and teeth."
"Oohh..."
Alexander gave a wry smile. "Yup. Then it retracted into the ground, LT in, er, mouth. Heard the poor bastard screaming all night." Daring looked like she wanted to forget she heard that. "So, I've told you one of my stories. Now you tell me one of yours."
Daring frowned at him. "You haven't read my books?"
"Your what?"
"My books. Every time I find a new artifact, I write a slightly fictionalized account and send it off to a publisher to distribute it. Almost all of my adventures are in book form." Daring looked down at her hooves with a sigh. "All except for my adventures with my sister."
"You have a sister?"
"Yeah, look nothing alike though."
"Why isn't she with you now?"
"It was our last adventure together." Daring picked up a stick in her hoof and began to draw in the dirt of the clearing. "We were exploring a temple complex to the north of Marexico City. It had taken us forever to find it. The clues leading to the lost city of Alpaca-poco were very vague. Well, to me anyways. Ditzy always was better at the whole puzzle thing than I was. Anyways, we were searching the lost city for an obsidian dagger rumored to have dark properties. After searching for days and bypassing countless booby-traps, we finally came to the inner sanctum of the Temple of the Moon. The obsidian dagger was almost in our grasp. But then he showed up.
"Ahuizotl. The bane of my existence. That bastard followed us into the temple and let us spring all of the traps and lead him straight to the dagger. Just before I could lay a hoof on the dagger, one of his thugs bashed Ditzy on the head with a rock. That monster just started laughing and took the dagger when I went to help my sis. He said that I could follow him and try to get the dagger, or I could save my sister. I chose Ditzy.
"Ditz was never quite the same after that. The blow to her head messed up her eyes. But that wasn't the worst. Ditzy had never been very good with directions, but that rock just completely screwed up her internal compass. Her eyes didn't help any. She was in a coma for a month before she woke up. Fortunately, she was still the same Ditzy as before. Ahuizotl couldn't take that from her. Ditzy retired from exploration after that. Last I heard, she met a nice earth pony stallion, had a kid, and moved to a nice little town where she got a job as mailmare."
"That town wouldn't happen to be Ponyville, would it?"
"Umm...yeah, I think it was."
"I think I know your sister. She keeps bringing me muffins after she ran me over my first day there."
Daring giggled. "Yeah, that's her, she never was good at landings. Still, Ditzy's the reason I started writing. I felt responsible for getting her hurt, so, I've been sending her half of the proceeds from the book sales. But it just doesn't feel enough."
"I...know what you mean."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." Alexander looked up at the stars barely visible through the canopy above. "Let's just say...I had to save my brother from himself." Alexander stood with a grunt and went to his tent. "I'll take the second and third shifts. Never did need much sleep. 'Night."
"'Night."
Neither human nor pony noticed the pair of yellow eyes watching from the brush.
Alexander slashed the last vines out of the way to behold the ancient ruins that had brought him to this bug-infested jungle. Daring squeezed by the human. "Yup. we're here."
Alexander examined the large stone with that accursed symbol standing before the entrance. "It's almost like it's a...warning not to enter." Daring swallowed as she stared deep into the dark depths of the temple.
"Legend has it that a golem guards this temple. But, I've never heard of a golem lasting that long."
"Golem?" Alexander cycled between thermals and night vision in an attempt to pierce the darkness, but to no avail.
"A golem is a magical construct that was once used to conduct heavy duty or dangerous tasks. Unfortunately, the art of making golems has been lost to the point that only a very few artisans know how to properly make one that lasts."
"I see." That sounded a lot like a servitor in nature. Interesting. Alexander pondered the darkness briefly, before striding purposefully into the darkness.
Daring, not wanting to be outdone, raced after him. "Hey, wait up!"
Daring Do caught up with Alexander as he came to a halt in a very large room. She looked up at what Alexander was staring at. "That's...a very big golem."
"That isn't a golem...that's a dreadnought." Indeed, standing majestically on a stone dais before the pair was a hulking dreadnought, one of the walking tombs of a fallen Space Marine. However, this dreadnought was different from every other dreadnought Alexander had seen before. Instead of the boxy walking bunker the sentinel was accustomed to, this dreadnought was more humanoid in form and appearance, like it was a massive suit of armor for a fallen warrior. A millennium's worth of grime and dirt prevented Alexander from identifying any chapter markings.
Daring Do looked back and forth between human and dreadnought, confusion written on her features. "A what?"
A slow clapping stopped Alexander from answering. He spun around, sword drawn. Standing before the pair was a dark-blue furred thing that looked to be the bastard son of a monkey and a dog. Daring stepped forward with a snarl. "Ahuizotl."
The dog-monkey acknowledged the irate black-maned pegasus. "Once again, what was yours is now mine." Several large cats and pony mercenaries sidled up behind the mutant, armed with clubs and crossbows. "I should be able to get quite the price for a golem of this size, even if it no longer is functional."
Alexander held his sword before him. "I'm afraid that this belongs to me. You want it, you'll have to go through me."
Ahuizotl smiled cruelly. "Very well. Mauler, if you don't mind." A large tiger the size of a minotaur stepped forth with a cackle. "With pleasure, boss."
With a roar, the big cat charged on two legs at the human. Planting his feet, Alexander tensed his legs, coiling like a spring. The tiger bore down at him. At the last second, Alexander leapt into the air, flipping over the swiping claws and landing on the tiger's back. Stiffening his bionic fingers into a flat spade shape, Alexander stabbed into the beast's back and pulled. The tiger yowled in unholy pain before collapsing bonelessly underneath the human. Tossing aside the gory length of spine, Alexander faced the dumbstruck dog-monkey and his remaining minions. "Alright. Who's next?"
Ahuizotl shook with rage. "Kill them both!" At the mutant's command, the remaining cats and mercenaries opened up with a volley of crossbow bolts and magic. Alexander intercepted a charging lion with his sword, dropping the lifeless feline to the ground minus a head before ducking behind a fallen column. Sheathing his sword, Alexander reached over his shoulder and pulled out a hellgun. Bracing the souped-up lasgun on the column, Alexander sent a spray of laser-fire into the attackers. Alarmed at the sudden and spectacular display of unfamiliar gunfire, the mercenaries scattered, taking cover themselves, but not before several more fell to Alexander's accurate gunfire.
However well armed Alexander was though, Ahuizotl's forces held the numerical advantage. Alexander snarled in pain as a well aimed bolt sank into his right shoulder through a gap in his armor. The shooter didn't have time to celebrate though, as a well-aimed rock bucked by Daring splattered his brains across the mossy floor. Turning to thank Daring, the human saw a unicorn that had outflanked them. Time seemed to slow and speed up simultaneously as Alexander saw the unicorn aiming a spell into the back of Daring's head. Unthinking, Alexander shoved the pegasus aside, the bolt of destructive magics slamming into Alexander's helmet instead and ricocheting off to impact on the dormant dreadnought. Through the agonizing pain and ringing ears, Alexander vaguely heard Ahuizotl screaming at his goons not to damage the golem. He tried to stand and fire at the unicorn that had shot him through the nauseating dizziness, but a crossbow bolt thunked into the flesh of his thigh, sending him back to the ground. As the room spun drunkenly around him, Alexander heard Daring gasp in pain. Trying still to stand, Alexander managed to get to his hands and knees before a loud hum began to shake him to his core. He looked up.
The dreadnought's once dark eyes came to life with a crackle of energy, glowing red in the gloom of the temple. Ancient servomotors and hydraulics hissed to life as a booming artificial voice filled the cavernous room. <Threat detected. Emergency system restart complete. All system's online and in the green. Multiple targets detected. Presence of magic wielders noted. Threat level: moderate.> Ahuizotl and his thugs gaped in horror as the dreadnought stepped off its pedestal with a resounding thud. <Imperial presence detected. Finally, another human to talk to. By the Allfather, this is going to be the most fun I've had in years.> The dreadnought lifted its left arm, twin six-barreled assault cannons cycling up. The dreadnought played its arm across the room.
BZRRRRRRRRRRRRRT
A wall of lead obliterated half of the remaining mercenaries as Alexander checked on the unconscious Daring Do. A crossbow bolt was lodged just below her cutie mark, blood oozing from the wound. A burn on her pith helmet showed that a spell similar to the one that had hit him had knocked her out. Satisfied that she wasn't going to die, Alexander yanked out the bolt and dressed her wound before attending to himself. Grimacing in pain, Alexander pulled out the bolts stuck in his leg and shoulder, the heads red with blood. Filling the wounds with medical foam, Alexander retrieved his hellgun and opened fire on the remaining mercenaries. Between the buzzing assault cannons and blitzing lasers, the mercenaries that didn't have the sense to flee lay dead on the ground within minutes. Daring Do began to regain consciousness as the hulking dreadnought lumbered over to stand before the human and pegasus. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Storytime | The massive dreadnought stood before Alexander and Daring Do as the pair stared back up at it. For the longest time nobody spoke. <Your armor is clearly Imperial in make, but the crests on your armor are clearly not. And yet, you lack the stench of chaos. Who are you?>
Alexander saluted the mechanical ancient. "Alexander Yeager, formally of His Imperial Majesty's Harlech 501st "Thunderbolts" grenadiers, now in the employ of Celestia and Luna of Equestria."
A deep rumbling shook the cavernous temple. Instinctively reaching for his gun, Alexander relaxed as he realized that the dreadnought's pilot was laughing. <So, Celestia's still alive and kicking. And Luna got back from her little vacation on the moon, has she? Excellent. I'll finally have someone to talk to about the good old days, instead of yammering on to that blasted parrot who keeps repeating everything I say.> The giant paused, the mechanical hand of his right arm tapping the spot where a human's chin would be in contemplation. <Wait, how long ago was that? That was...three hundred years ago? Yes, yes that sounds right.> The dreadnought stomped away towards the exit. <Well, no time to waste, let's get going shall we? I've been itching to see Equestria again. I wonder if they ever solved their Windigo problem? Perhaps I could persuade Cele-GAK!> The rambling Space Marine squawked in surprise as he ran smack into a previously unseen black magical barrier. <Blast! Those bloody wards are still up. You there, Yaeger, do me a favor and break that rock you see out there.> The machine gestured rudely at the stone holding the chaotic rune.
Alexander crossed his arms and glowered at the dreadnought. "Not until you tell who you are, how you got here, or why there's a chaos rune outside this temple."
The dreadnought chuckled, shaking the room once more. <My, but you're a bold one. I am Lurgen Wulfenson, ancient of the Space Wolves' thirteenth company.>
Noticing his gob smacked expression, Daring poked Alexander in the shoulder. "Hey, Alex? What exactly does that mean?"
Swallowing, Alexander surreptitiously began to inch away from the amused Lurgen. "The Space Wolves' thirteenth company disappeared into the warp centuries ago. Among the rumors told are that they've either all fallen to chaos or to a curse in their gene-seed that causes a Space Wolf to become a feral beast."
If he was offended by Alexander's words, Lurgen didn't show it. <Is THAT what they're saying? Hah, no, though there was a much higher number of the wolfen amongst my company's brothers, we entered the warp for a much different purpose.>
Daring spoke up before Alexander could, much to his annoyance. "What was that purpose?"
Lurgen's mechanical 'head' turned to regard the mustard yellow explorer. <I don't remember.>
Alexander picked his jaw up off the floor. "How can you not remember something that important?"
<I am over five thousand years old! I'd like to see you remember something from over a millennium ago when you're my age!> The dreadnought returned to indignantly poking the shimmering black forcefield. <As for how I arrived here, I cannot remember that either.>
Alexander hiked a thumb out the door. "You still haven't told us why there's a chaos rune on a rock out there."
<Ah, yes, that. Has Celestia told you of the war that destroyed the natural order of things in this realm?> Alexander nodded, and to his surprise, so did Daring Do. Then again, he probably shouldn't have been, considering she was a professor of history at Canterlot University. Lurgen nodded. <Good. For a lack of anything better to do, I ended up fighting alongside her forces through the War of Darkness, the Discordian perils, and the War of Eternal Night. All of these events were caused by the forces of Tirek. Fortunately, Tirek and his ilk were banished to Tartarus at the end of the War of Darkness. However, like roaches, his followers scattered, hiding across the globe. It was during the pursuing of one of these groups that I came here. Unable to defeat me, the heathen cowards lured me in here and trapped me here with that blasted stone.>
Daring gasped. "You mean, you're the Great Titan of legend?" The excited mare zipped exuberantly around the temple chamber, loop-de-looping and barrel-rolling in her joy. Coming to a halt with a surreal screech of rubber, she landed on Lurgen's head. "Pleaseohpleaseohplease tell me everything!"
Lurgen chuckled. <It would be my pleasure, young mare, if our friend were to let me out.>
Daring giggled as Alexander threw up his hands in defeat and left the temple to destroy the rune. "Oh, those stuffy neighsayers at the University are going to freak! They didn't believe you existed, much less weren't a pony."
The forcefield died as Alexander cut the stone neatly in two with his powersword. Lurgen strode out of the temple, pegasus perched on his head like a hat. <Finally I can stretch my legs. AHH, it feels good to be out of that stuffy hole. Excuse me for a moment.> Lurgen strode over to the entrance way. Swinging out his hand, he smashed the column to pieces. With a crashing roar, the temple collapsed in a heap of rubble. <There, now that that is out of the way, shall we be going?>
Alexander marched behind Lurgen, the ancient dreadnought walking through the brush and trees like they weren't even there. Daring sat on his head, listening to the Space Wolf's stories of a time that most had forgotten. <And that's when Discord tried to turn me into a puppy. It didn't quite work out the way he wanted.>
"Really? What happened?"
<I turned into a giant metal timberwolf. Screamed like a little girl when I pounced on him.> Alexander chuckled at that. Lurgen paused in his storytelling, turning to the Sentinel as he stomped through the jungle. <So, pup, tell us a tale of your exploits.>
"Pardon?"
Daring nodded on Lurgen's head. "Yeah, we've shared our stories, now it's your turn."
<Quite. Come now child, tell us of your adventures here on Equus.>
Alexander shook his head in defeat. "Fine. Let's see, where to start."
<The beginning would be best.>
"Ha ha, funny."
"I certainly thought so."
"Well, it started when I came flying out of a warp portal into a tree..." Alexander began to tell of his arrival. Daring whistled in admiration at the fight against the manticore. Lurgen boomed with laughter at Alexander's chase through Canterlot with a Carnifex at his heels, but quickly sobered at the fate of the human's comrade's souls.
<To be denied entrance into the Allfather's great halls is a terrible fate.>
"Yeah, but it turned out that not all of them died." He told of how two of his comrades had arrived on Equus two years before him as ponies, and of the besieging of Ponyville by smog and Smooze. Daring shuddered at the mention of the dark goo, while the ancient dreadnought seemed contemplative. When Alexander spoke of his mission to Foal Mountain, Daring was livid when the human spoke of the piss-yellow 'doktor' behind the atrocities.
"That bastard! I always knew he was bad news, but I never believed he would go that far!"
Alexander looked at Daring in suspicion. "You knew that piss-yellow bastard?"
Daring shook her head vehemently. "No. But I know of him. His name was Edward Richthoofen. Specialized in studying the equine body and the effects of outside influences. Creepy guy. Got kicked out of Canterlot University for unethical experimentation on ponies. I only met him once, but the way he leered at me, felt like he wanted to dissect me to see what made me tick. Turns out," Daring mused darkly. "I guess he did."
Alexander lopped off a gnarly tree limb blocking his path with his sword. "Well, he's dead now. I doubt he could have survived a building dropping on him and sub-zero temperatures without adequate protection. He'll only be hurting people in their nightmares now." Alexander stared into the thick foliage of the jungle. "Oh look, I think we made it to the river." Alexander pushed aside a frond, revealing the Neighvarra floating at anchor on the bank. He looked at the boat, at Lurgen's massive form, then back at the boat. Shit. Would the old tub be able to float with Lurgen aboard? "Um...I think we have a problem."
As it turned out, the Neighvarra was of tougher stuff than Alexander thought. Although the oaken deck groaned dangerously when it took the dreadnought's considerable weight, the boat was soon on its way down the river. A long silence was broken by Lurgen. <You have more to tell, do you not?>
Alexander looked up. "How'd you know?" Alexander could have sworn he saw the optics of the dreadnought twinkle.
<I know when someone has a battle tale to tell. So, what else have you been up to here?>
"Why do you care?"
<Fate has a funny way of bringing people together. Why, I do not know. But the skeins of fate are woven thick around you, child. Even one such as I without the second sight can see that. Therefore, I wish to learn more about you. So, what other adventures have you not told me about?>
Alexander stared at the reclining dreadnought before sighing. "Just one. Last fall, accidents just started happening around Ponyville, for no apparent reason. Limbers cut on transit wagons, sabotaged construction cranes, collapsing balconies, all these things started happening out of the blue. My comrades and I found evidence of sabotage. I sent word to Celestia and she sent me a squad of royal guards. Ponyville was having a rally to celebrate a local vigilante and we decided to use the event to flush out the saboteur. It worked. The saboteur blew up a local bakery and we caught him. Right before he killed himself, though, he said something...disturbing." Alexander rubbed his temples under his loosely worn helmet. "'The four horses shall ride again.' After two months of searching, we still haven't been able to find any references to these 'four horses.'"
Lurgen was still. Alexander thought that maybe the dreadnought had fallen asleep. He had begun to debate internally whether or not space marines even needed sleep when the dreadnought spoke. <The Four Horses of the Apocalypse are the doom of this realm. They are the counterparts to our own realm's chaos gods.>
"Wait. This realm? Our realm? What are you talking about?" Alexander stared at the Space Marine in confusion.
<Many, many years ago, my company visited Terra, ancient Earth. I was but a pup then, barely come into my own as a Wolf. From orbit, the stars above the throne of the Allfather were beautiful. I have never forgotten them. Then, I came here. The first night, I looked to the stars, and they were the same. Equus is Terra, but not His Terra.>
Alexander's head spun. "How is that possible?"
<I do not know. But a Wolf Shaman once described the warp to me as a vast sea, with each and every realm an island. If one can find a way to travel the waters, one can get to the other side of the island faster. However, traveling from one island to another purposefully is next to impossible. And each and every island is surrounded by their own species of predator. Thus was the nature of the warp described to me.>
"But...How...?" Alexander tried to wrap his brain around what the ancient was telling him. If that was true, he'd never need fear being discovered by the Imperium, something that had haunted his dreams for months, but the implications that he'd never be able to see home again either was staggering. He opened his mouth to speak, but a metal finger wagging in his face interrupted him.
<Come now, let us not speak of things that we cannot change or fight. Let us speak instead of our foe. As I said, the Four Horses are this realm's counterparts to the gods of chaos. As the name implies, their numbers are four.> Lurgen held up a metal digit. <First is War. A daemon in pegasus form that wishes to see the world drown in blood.> Another finger rises. <Second is Famine. Where an earth pony can cultivate even the most dead ground, Famine's passing causes crops to whither and die and for livestock to go barren. Pestilence is next, where this Unicorn treads, disease and plague soon follow.> Lurgen's fingers closed into a fist, crushing a crate in his grip. <But the worst of all is the avatar of Death. The fell dragon Tirek. Tirek is the worst of the Four Horses. For him, simple death is not enough. No. Before he or his followers kill, they must first bring their victim to despair. For to them, despair represents the death of hope, a most sweet thing for the dragon. The death of love, of happiness, of contentment, of trust, of friendship. These are all things that strengthen him. It was he who cast the spell that destroyed nature's balance before being cast down into Tartarus. Should he and the rest of the Four Horses be freed, I doubt Equus would survive so intact again.>
Alexander turned to look at the sea as the Neighvarra reached the ocean. Such power. How could one man, even one with such powerful allies as his, stand against such evil? The writings of a famous Inquisitor came to his mind. One may resist the touch of chaos, if one girds them self with the Armour of Contempt. Alexander swore that he would not rest until the last of the Horses' bloody minions had been found. But first, he needed to find a cargo ship back to Equestria, one that could take Lurgen's weight and mass. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Cupcakes and Daemons | Alexander finished writing his report to Celestia and tossed it to Cinis. With a colorful sneeze, the baby phoenix sent the scroll to the alicorn princess. Scratching the fiery bird's head, Alexander reclined in his chair, happy to be home. Home. After two months of sailing on a massive freighter, Alexander had finally gotten Lurgen back to Equestria. And not a moment too soon, either. Alexander thought he was going to go crazy being cooped up for so long. The first thing he had done upon arriving in Ponyville was pick up Cinis from Fluttershy. The second thing was to send Celestia his report. The third thing, actually, as he had gone to Sugarcube Corner first for a cupcake, but strangely, the bakery had been closed. At the time, he had shrugged it off as maybe Pinkie was sick while the Cakes were out of town visiting relatives, but now that he thought about it, he couldn't ever remember the bakery being closed, save for the reconstruction period following the Mare-Do-Well incident. Maybe he should go check up on Pinkie, make sure everything was okay while he waited for a reply from Celestia.
Alexander breathed in the spring air as he walked, winter having been 'wrapped up' while he was overseas. He passed Lurgen in the town square, the contemptor dreadnought deep in conversation with Mayor Mare and Twilight. A whirring buzz from behind gave Alexander ample warning to dodge a certain orange filly on a scooter pulling a wagon filled with caped foals.
"Hi Alex!"
"How'ya doin'?"
"Hi!"
Alexander chuckled as he watched the Cutie Mark Crusaders disappear over the hill in a cloud of dust. Smiling, he made his way to Sugarcube Corner. Looking into the darkened bakery, Alexander rapped on the door with his knuckles. When no one answered, Alexander shrugged and turned to return home. He froze as he heard a voice begging for help.
Help. Please.
Drawing his sword, Alexander spun and smashed the door to splinters with his bionic arm.
Five minutes earlier...
Rainbow Dash blinked at the harsh light piercing her throbbing headache. Groaning in agony, she looked up at the bare bulb hanging by a wire from the ceiling. She went to hold her aching skull, but her legs wouldn't move. Looking down, Rainbow saw that she was strapped to a vertical table. Panicking, Dash tried to buzz her wings, but found that they were stretched out to their fullest through slots in the table. Breathing deeply to calm herself, Dash tried to remember how she had got there.
She had met Pinkie in Sugarcube Corner on her day off from weather work to help the pink party pony get ahead with her baking while the Cakes took their newborn twins to meet their grandparents. Rainbow had just put eggs in a bowl when an overwhelming pain sent her crashing to the ground. Pinkie! Dash looked up, spotting the pink earth pony strapped to another table across the room, hanging limply in her restraints. "Pinkie!"
"Ah, gut, you are avake."
A unicorn the color of stale urine and wearing a stained and tattered labcoat trotted up next to Dash from the right. Rainbow recoiled in horror at the horrible scarring covering the left side of his face, half his mouth stretched permanently in a rictus grin. Gulping, Rainbow glared at the unicorn in what she hoped was a threatening way.
"I don't know who you are, but you better let us go now if you know what's good for you!"
The unicorn chuckled, the evil sound causing Rainbow's hackles to rise. "Oh, how rude off me. I am Doktor Edvard Von Richthoofen. And I am afraid I cannot let you go, fraulein." He trotted over to Pinkie and caressed her chin. "Pinkamena Diane Pie, zhe Element of Laughter. Possesses zhe unique ability to predict events before zhey occur and zhe apparent capabilities to bend zhe laws off phyzics." Richthoofen allowed Pinkie's unconscious head to loll against her barrel. He turned to the chromatic pegasus. "Und zen ve haff you, fraulein. Rainbow Dash, zhe only pony in living memory to successfully cause a sonic rainboom, und survive!" A mad light filled the unicorn's eye as he began to peruse a pile of instruments on a small table. Rainbow pulled against her restraints as she tried to get free.
"What do you want, you freak?"
The lack of emotion in Richthoofen's eyes froze Rainbow to the core. She had never seen such dead, flat eyes in her life. "I am going to see vhat makes you tick." The 'doktor' selected a scalpel and began to advance on the still unconscious Pinkie. Rainbow thrashed harder, straining at the restrains, spittle flying from her mouth as she yelled at the piss-colored unicorn. "LEAVE HER ALONE, YOU BASTARD!"
Richthoofen chuckled evilly. "Ah, yes, zhat loyalty zhat marks you as zhe Element of Loyalty. Vary vell zhen," Richthoofen set down the scalpel and selected a rusty hacksaw with his black aura. "I vill start vith you. Let's start vith your vings, shall ve?"
Rainbow's pupils dilated until they very barely visable pinpricks standing out in a sea of terrified white. "HELP! SOMEPONY! HELP!"
Richthoofen moved behind Rainbow, tsking at the screaming pegasus. "You can scream all you vant. Nopony vill hear you. I haff soundproofed zhis basement myself. Now, let us begin."
Hot spears of agony stabbed into Rainbow's back as the unicorn began his grisly work. Screaming as the pain increased, Rainbow gasped in pain as the agony dropped off to a dull throbbing. "Oh, Celestia." Tears sprung to Rainbow's eyes as she realized why the pain had stopped. Sobbing, Rainbow looked up at the glee-filled unicorn replacing the bloody hacksaw on the table. "Why?"
"Vhy not?"
As the 'doktor' selected a scalpel, Rainbow cried as she tried to keep hold of her wits and consciousness. She couldn't pass out, she wouldn't pass out. Every second she held out meant another moment Pinkie would be safe. She had to protect her friend the best she could. But, she didn't know if she could. Sobbing, she began to pray for help. Somepony, help. Please. A tear fell down Rainbow's cheek as Richthoofen held her head still in his black aura, the scalpel descending on her right eye.
With a crash, the basement door exploded into splinters as a cylinder bounced off the floor. A bright flash drowned out the world, a loud bang smashing through Rainbow's chest, pain exploding in her brain sending her to blissful unconsciousness.
Alexander entered Sugarcube Corner, rapier at the ready. Sheathing his sword, he drew his laspistol and cleared the ground floor. A sobbing drew him to the basement door. Punching the door to pieces, Alexander chucked a flashbang down into the basement, charging down the stairs on the heels of the concussive blast. Coming to a crouch at the bottom of the stairs, Alexander took in the ponies strapped to tables and sighted his gun on a familiar unicorn. The unicorn's eyes grew wide in recognition and hate.
"YOU!"
CRACK-hiss
A lasbolt blew Richthoofen's head to bloody bits as Alexander pulled the trigger. The headless body staggered back several steps before collapsing. Holstering his laspistol, Alexander drew his knife and cut the straps holding Pinkie Pie. Pinkie came to with a start, squeezing Alexander in a hug. "I was so scared."
"What happened?"
Pinkie sniffled. "I was waiting for Dashie. We were going to make cupcakes, and-and he came in. He tied me down here and did something to me. I got so sleepy. He turned into me...and-and went to meet Rainbow-" Pinkie gasped as she looked over Alexander's shoulder, her hair going flat and straight. "Dashie!"
Alexander turned around and gasped as he saw the mess that was Rainbow Dash, a scalpel hanging from her right eye and blood pooling on the ground behind her. Cutting her down, Alexander cursed when he saw the bleeding stumps that were her wings. Drawing his sword, he pressed the flat of the blade against the truncated limbs, the power field cauterizing the weeping wounds. Dash screamed in agony before passing out again. Cradling the maimed pegasus in his arms, Alexander looked up at Pinkie.
"Pinkie." Pinkie stared in horror at Dash's wounds, numb to everything else. "PINKIE!" Pinkie jumped in suprise, coming back to reality with a start. She tore her gaze away from Rainbow to stare at Alexander. "Pinkie, I need you to go get help. I'm going to do what I can to stabilize her, but she needs a doctor." Pinkie nodded, bolting up the stairs with a determined look.
Pulling out his medkit, Alexander began to dress Dash's wounds when an unnatural warping sounded behind him. Turning, he watched as black and red tendrils sprouted from the stump of Richthoofen's neck. Snarling as the tendrils began to weave themselves into a new head, Alexander drew his laspistol and sent several crimson beams screaming into the writhing body.
CRACK-hiss
CRACK-hiss
CRACK-hiss
Alexander cursed as the tendrils continued writhing despite the gaping holes in the staggering corpse. A massive group of tendrils erupted from the front leg, forming a grasping claw. Cursing as the claw tore at the ground as another mass sprouted from the other hoof, Alexander gently scooped up the unconscious Rainbow. "C'mon kid, I gotta get you outta here." Alexander climbed the stairs as the basement collapsed under the writhing mass of growing tentacles.
Alexander ran out the bakery with Dash bundled in his arms. Pinkie galloped up to him, dragging a stammering Twilight behind her. "I brought Twilight." Twilight gasped in horror at the state of her friend. Alexander kneeled before her before she could freeze up.
"Twilight, I need you to get Dash to the hospital immediately. Pinkie, go get Lurgen."
Pinkie's mane poofed up again despite herself. "There's a new pony in town?"
"Focus, Pinkie. Go get him. He's the big robot in town square." Pinkie saluted with a worried look at Rainbow before dashing off. Alexander drew his laspistol as Dash was taken by a magenta aura.
"What happened to her?"
"I'll explain later, but if you don't go now, I can't guarantee the same won't happen to you."
A smashing crack filled the air as a daemon of blood and shadow erupted from the roof of Sugarcube Corner, the bakery collapsing in a cloud of dust. An ear-splitting roar filled the air.
Behold zhe blessings of zhe God of Death.
Alexander drew his sword. "Go." As Twilight carried the comatose Rainbow to safety, Alexander gulped. Oh, sweet Emperor, he's bigger than last time. The towering draconic daemon looked down, a leering smirk cracking the unholy face. Oh frak. The daemon raised a clawed arm.
Zhis time, you die. Alexander jumped back, stumbling back as the claw crashed into the ground with a shaking thud. Before he could move, the claw snatched him up in a crushing grip. Alexander struggled to free himself, but with his arms pinned to his sides, all he could do was kick and squirm. The crushing grip tightened around Alexander. Groaning in pain, Alexander gritted his teeth as the daemon slowly began to crush him to death.
Beg. Beg for your life.
Alexander spit in the daemon's eye. "Go to hell."
After you. The crushing grip tightened. Alexander groaned as he felt his armor creak under the strain. Darkness began to creep into his vision, both synthetic and natural as the life was slowly squeezed out of him.
THWAM!
Alexander dropped to the ground, gasping for breath as Lurgen cold cocked the daemon. His assault cannon spun up to speed, unleashing a fusillade of slugs into the daemon. All too soon, however, the dreadnought ran out of ammo, his hoppers dry of millenia old ammunition. With an unintelligible scream, Lurgen charged into close quarters, his powerfist pummeling the staggering daemon. Retaliating, the daemon that was once Richthoofen slashed a clawed hand across the dreadnought's face.
Alexander scrambled to get away from the dueling titans. A shadow engulfed him, and he looked up. "OH SHIT!" Alexander barely managed to dodge the falling dreadnought as Lurgen crashed into the building behind him. <By the Allfather, I'm getting too old for this.> Lurgen lurched to his feet, and again the ground shook as the titans clashed once more. Alexander got to his feet, only to be knocked down and trampled by a stampede of panicking ponies.
"Ow." Alexander stood with a groan. He looked up and saw Twilight approaching with Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. As they approached, Alexander saw that they wore their respective Elements of Harmony, with the exception of Twilight, who was wearing the Element of Loyalty around her neck in addition to the Element of Magic on her head. Alexander eyed the lavender mare sceptically. "Why do you have Dash's Element? And how do you have the Elements? Last I checked, the Elements were in a vault in Canterlot."
Twilight gasped to catch her breath. "Princess Celestia taught me a spell that lets me summon the Elements in an emergency. And if an Element's holder is unable to wield their Element, it reverts to the Element of Magic until the holder is able to wield it again."
Alexander and the Element wielders ducked as a chunk of masonry went flying by. "What do you plan to do?"
Twilight turned to Alexander, pain evident on her face. "For what he did to Rainbow? Turning him to stone is too good for him."
Alexander nodded. "Sounds good. I'm going to run interference. Blast him once you get an opening." Not waiting for a response, Alexander charged the daemon as it grappled with Lurgen, once again sending the dreadnought crashing to the ground. This time, Lurgen was unable to get up, his motive systems sparking from crippling damage. Lasbolts boiling into his back stopped the daemon in his tracks, distracting him from the destruction of the cursing Space Wolf dreadnought. Alexander ran, firing wildly over his shoulder as he lured the daemon into position. As Richthoofen stepped into view around a building, the Elements of Harmony glowed.
A powerful rainbow of energy slammed into the daemon. Alexander shut his eyes as the light overwhelmed his senses. Opening his eyes, he tried to blink away the spots that remained on his vision. The sentinel looked at the spot the daemon had been, trying to see through the rainbow smoke billowing away.
A tentacle of black and red whipped out of the smoke, slamming into the five ponies with bone-crushing force. A red haze started to fill Alexander's vision as he watched the daemon advance on the helpless ponies. He clenched his fists as he shook with rage. "No more." The Elements of Harmony began to pulse in sympathy with his anger. "No more!" The Elements flew away from their wielders to spin around Alexander. "NO MORE!" There was a bright flash of white.
The daemon that was Richthoofen lowered his arm in time to receive a fist to the face. Tumbling across the ground, the daemon crashed into the remains of Sugarcube Corner. He looked up to see what had hit him.
Before him stood a radiant being in armor of the purest white. Twice as tall as a normal human, the armored being carried a broadsword the size of a sapling. A double-headed eagle was embossed in gold on a shield bigger than a kitchen table on his left arm. On the two massive shoulder plates were set the Elements of Generosity and Kindness. On the knees of the armor were set the Elements of Honesty and Laughter. On the helmet was set the Element of Magic. On the chest, on wings of gold, was set the red lightning bolt of Loyalty. The eye pieces of the helmet glowed icy blue.
The daemon stood, crushing an oven beneath his clawed foot. You think a costume change vill scare me? Not even zhe Elements off Harmony could stop me. Die!
The white knight lazily swung the broadsword in an arc, settling into a crouch behind the solid defense of the massive shield. At the last moment, he burst forward, slamming the shield into the daemon's midrift. Stunned, Richthoofen staggered back. The white knight swung the broadsword in an upward slash, lopping off the daemon's arm. Shrieking in agony and rage, the daemon jumped back and waited for the arm to regrow. When nothing happened, he looked at the arm to find a smoking, melted stump. Hunched over, the daemon looked up in time to catch a backhanded shield to the face, spinning him around. The sword flicked out, cutting off a leg. The daemon shrieked as it tried to crawl away. The knight followed languidly behind.
"Not so fun being on the receiving end, is it daemon?"
The daemon crawled back, groveling as it tried to escape. Please, haff mercy.
The blue-eyed knight swung the sword back. "Suffer not the daemon to live." The sword stabbed into Richthoofen's malformed skull. Mouth twisted in a silent scream, the daemon began dissolving. Alexander collapsed to one knee as the Element's magics dissipated, the gems returning to their original forms. Alexander shook his head as he leaned on the hilt of his rapier. "Whoa. What a rush. Agh." Alexander looked at the blood on his hand. He looked down at the dissolving claw lodged in his stomach. "Oh..." He collapsed as the world went black. |
A Guardsman in Equestria | A Wing and a Prayer | Pain. The entire world was pain.
"Give me 50cc's of morphine..."
...beep...beep...beep...beep...
<Blood pressure dropping...>
...beep...beep...beep..beep...
"Oh horseapples, he's regaining consciousness"
...beep..beepbeepbeep...
"Heart rate spiking, he's bleeding out!"
...beepbeepbeepbeep...
"We're losing him! We need to get him back under!"
...beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeebee...
"Recast that anesthetic spell!"
...beebeebeebeebeebeebeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
"I've got no pulse! Get a a crash cart..."
...beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...
The pain bled away to black nothingness
+It is not yet your time, brother. Sleep. Dream. Let your body heal as your mind sleeps. Be mindful of the past, but look to the future. When the time comes, do not shun the black armored one with wings of red. Listen to him, and your way shall be clear.+
...your way shall be clear+
Alexander opened his eyes, the memory of the strange voice in his sleep already faded beyond the tenuous grasp of his mind. He looked around the blindingly white sanitary room he found himself in. He looked to his right, finding the source of a constant beeping filling the room. He lifted his right arm to his face, noting the IV line trailing from his bare arm to a drip bag on a metal stand.
Wait, bare?
Alexander shot upright, collapsing back as his stomach exploded into fiery agony. Grimacing, he looked down at the white bandages covering his abdomen, the blanket covering him up to his chest having fallen into his lap with his inadvisable upright movement. Using his bionic, Alexander pulled up the edge of the bandages. He looked at the horrifying scar puckering his skin, grimacing again as he replaced the bandage. He looked at his left arm, the one he usually concealed with a leather glove and long-sleeved fatigues. Well, Iron Cog certainly would have taken care of that explanation for him, now that that proverbial Gyrinx was out of the bag.
The door to the room opened, admitting Nurse Redheart as she entered the room. The white earth pony smiled as she trotted to stand at the base of Alexander's bed. "You gave us quite the scare the other day. I'm glad to see you're doing better."
"How long was I out?" Alexander had tried checking the chronometer present in his left eye's HUD, but unfortunately, the clock had froze the moment he had been enveloped by the light of the Elements of Harmony.
"About a week." Nurse Redheart checked Alexander's chart. "You were very lucky, among all of the casualties brought in from the attack, you and Ms. Dash were the worst off."
Rainbow. "How is she."
The way Redheart looked away spoke volumes. "We stabilized her in a magically induced coma, but...she'll never fly again."
Alexander closed his eyes and leaned back.
"I want to see her."
Alexander looked through the glass at the crying pegasus lying on the bed. He turned to Redheart. "I thought you said she was in a coma?"
"She was. She woke up." The pink-maned nurse looked at Alexander with concern. "You really shouldn't be up and about yet. You suffered from several broken ribs, multiple lacerations and contusions, and a concussion, not to mention the fact that you suffered a punctured liver, a lacerated spleen, shredded bowels and a torn stomach wall, as well as the loss of a significant amount of blood and a near-death experience." Alexander ignored her, pulling the wheeled IV stand behind him to the door. "Where are you going now?"
"I'm going to talk to her."
"B-b-but...you can't just-" The door closed behind Alexander, cutting off the nurse's stammered protests. He quietly sat to the left of the hospital bed, his right side presented to Rainbow's back. Rainbow lay there, sobbing quietly.
"Go away."
Alexander reclined in his chair, wincing as the movement stretched the stitches in his stomach. "No." Rainbow didn't respond, the bandaged stumps on her back shaking in sympathy with her tears. "You're lucky to be alive."
Rainbow sat upright, a hoof snapping out to slap Alexander across the face. Her good eye, the other covered with gauze, was wet with tears. "How can you say that? I lost my wings! My eye! I'll never fly again! I'm going to lose my job, my home! My dreams, gone! I'll never be a Wonderbolt, not now! You don't know what I'm going through! No one does!"
Alexander fiddled with his left arm for a moment, the limb hidden from Rainbow's view. "Well now, I wouldn't say that." There was a pneumatic hiss. Rainbow's eye grew as wide as a dinner plate when the human placed his left arm next to her, his left eye expelling a hair-thin beam of light as he turned to face her. She stared at the metal-covered stump hanging from Alexander's shoulder.
"H-how-?"
"The miracle of technology." Alexander picked up his arm and shoved it back into place, face scrunching up at the sharp jolt of artificial and natural nerves connecting. "Bionics allow one to replace lost limbs and organs. Marvelous, isn't it?"
The look of hope on Rainbow's face died as suddenly as it had appeared. She closed her eye and slumped forward, head down. "It won't work. A pegasus' wing is the way our magic flows to let us fly. Without magic, our wings aren't big enough for us to create enough lift to fly." She saw Alexander's incredulous look.
"I must say, I didn't take you to be the scientific type."
"I'm not an egghead." Rainbow shook her head. "Twilight explained that to me once. But even if those bionics could let me fly, without being able to feel the air on my feathers, I wouldn't be able to react to changes in the air. It would be like trying to dodge invisible rocks that you didn't know were coming while blindfolded. I'd never be able to do more than use them to jump."
Alexander held his left hand before Rainbow and himself. After a moment's concentration, his hand glowed with a golden aura, Rainbow almost jumping out of her skin at the display. "H-how-?"
"Cog laced the endoskeleton with a...a...erm...what was that word he used? Bah, a magic conducting metal that would let me manipulate the mana around me. Right now, best I can do is turn an apple into applesauce. But, that would let you use your magic to fly, I should think."
Despite the wonder in her eye, Rainbow was still downcast. "It won't matter if I can't feel the wind."
Alexander bit his lip as he stole a glance at the door. "I-erm-I haven't told anyone this, but...erm...gah, I don't know how to say this." He closed his eyes. "Touch a finger."
Rainbow eyed Alexander incredulously. "What?"
"Just do it."
The cyan pegasus poked a finger. "Middle finger." She looked up, to find he was looking at the door behind him. She tried again. "Thumb." Her jaw hit the floor.
"How did you-?"
"Shortly after I first started using magic, my arm started to feel...cold. At first, I dismissed it as a phantom pain. Then I could swear that I could feel the textures of things this hand held. And then, it happened. While returning from my last mission, a wave rocked the ship as I was making a pot of recaff-er-coffee and my hand touched the pot. I pulled back from the pain, and then it hit me. It hurt. My left hand hurt. Because I had touched something hot. I had feeling in my hand again."
Awe and understanding filled Rainbow's eye as she considered what Alexander had said. Say what you wanted about the weather mare, despite the fact that she had little patience for things she considered boring or for 'eggheads,' a sharp,quick mind resided between her ears. When she stopped to think, she could be quite brilliant. Rainbow stopping to think, however, was an occurrence rarer than an ork taking a bath. Thus, her jumping to conclusions led many to believe that Rainbow Dash was not the swiftest of ponies, ironically enough. This was one of those rare times Dash stopped to think, not really able to do much anything else. As such, with nothing to distract her, Rainbow quickly came to a conclusion.
"I-I'll be able to fly again."
Alexander tapped his nose with a metal finger and a small smile. Rainbow beamed with giddy happiness, before a frown furrowed her brows. "Aw man, what am I supposed to do now?"
Alexander noticed the book on the bedstand. He gave a small chuckle when he saw who was on the cover. Well, Doctor, think you can help my friend out? Alexander gestured to the book. "Well, you could always try reading." The pain in his ribs from laughing at the look on Rainbow's face nearly sent Alexander to the floor as he beat a retreat to his room.
Alexander entered Rainbow's room, raising an eyebrow at the sudden panicked thrashing the pegasus was doing. "Are you okay?"
"Fine, fine, just fine."
"Okay." Alexander's gaze caught the corner of a book peeking out from under her pillow. The absence of a book on the nightstand told him just which book was hidden there. So, Dr. Do's books have ensnared another fan. To tell the truth, Alexander couldn't blame her. His copy, an autographed gift from the author herself, had enraptured him like no book before. He had stayed up all night reading it, and he hadn't even realized it, so engrossed with the story that all track of time was lost. The only times he had put down the book was to eat, use the toilet, and say hello to Cog, Syrette and the girls when they came to visit him. He had been very glad to see that the worst injury they had received were a few broken bones and a couple of black eyes. Twilight had promised to find out what she could about what the Elements of Harmony did before she left, too.
Alexander nodded at the pegasus' back. "I see the implants took." Rainbow nodded, flaring her new bionics, right eye flashing briefly. Alexander ran an eye over the blue plasteel limbs with their flexible carbon-fiber feathers. "How is it?"
Rainbow furled and unfurled her wings several times before responding. "It's...strange. I can feel something, but at the same time, I can't. If you hadn't told me about your hand, I don't think I would have noticed." A scared look flashed across her face, but of course, had Alexander chosen to say something, she would deny it. "I may never have flown again."
Alexander gave a smile. "Yeah, well, it's time to learn to fly again." Dash gave him a questioning look. "You've been discharged from the hospital." Rainbow began to sputter and stammer.
"But-but shouldn't I stay here for a while longer? You know, to make sure the implants aren't, um...rejected?"
Alexander leveled a stern look at the cyan cyberpony. "If your body was going to reject the implants, it would have done so already. Now c'mon, do you want to fly again for the first time in weeks or not?" Rainbow nodded and followed Alexander out of the room. Alexander grinned behind her as he noticed the pegasus stealing glances at the book under the pillow. Gotcha.
Some time later, Alexander stood before Dash in the field behind the Golden Oaks Library. "So, why are you teaching me to fly, again?"
Alexander looked up at the pegasus. "Because Cog is out of town, and Syrette's on a date. And technically, I'm not teaching you how to fly. I'm teaching you how to use your bionics. Now, ignore your bionics, and glide down here."
"How am I supposed to glide if I ignore my wings?"
"Before that asshole chopped 'em off, did you ever think about your wings while you were flying?"
"Well...no."
"So, jump down off Tom and don't think about your wings."
Complying, Rainbow jumped off the boulder and glided down to Alexander. When she was half-way down, Alexander barked out a command. "Now fly!" Startled, Rainbow started pumping her wings, but she started thinking about pumping her wings, and ended up faceplanting at Alexander's feet. "Do it again."
By the end of the day, Rainbow's frustration was at a bursting point. Despite hours of leaping off of Tom, the best she could manage was a glide. For someone as obsessed with speed and flying, it was galling. She just wanted to get this over with so that she could sneak into Ponyville General and ah...borrow 'Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone.' She just had to find out if Daring Do was going to escape the death trap. Sure, she could ask for the book, but she didn't dare risk being seen as an egghead. Especially not around Alexander. The guy had saved her life, for crying out loud. She didn't want him to think she was soft. Alexander interrupted her train of thought.
"Alright, time to call it a day."
"Ugh, finally." Rainbow stretched stiffly, then started trotting off to Emperor or Celestia knew where. Alexander caught her attention with a sharp whistle.
"So, how exactly are you going to get into your house without flying?"
"Well, the CMC does have a catapult. I figured I could just borrow it for a while."
"That all you're gonna borrow?"
Rainbow froze. He knew. How did he know? No, he couldn't know, she was being so careful, too. She tried bluffing. "Y-yeah."
Alexander shrugged, outwardly neutral, but grinning ear to ear on the inside. Gotcha. "Okay." Alexander watched the cyberpony trot away. He shook his head with a grin as he walked home himself. Arriving at his bunker-like home, he had just climbed into the observation tower when he heard a distant 'twangyeeeeaaaahwoohoo!' Looking out over Ponyville, Alexander saw a cyan blur arcing towards a house made of clouds. Pulling out a pair of magnoculars with a chuckle, Alexander sat and waited for sunset. And now, we wait.
Alexander didn't have to wait long after sunset for a black-clad shape to glide down from the cloud house. Grinning like an idiot, Alexander gripped one of the wires strung between the tower and the ground in his left hand and used it as a makeshift zipline. Rolling to a halt as he landed, Alexander walked calmly to the hospital. Hiding himself in the shadows by the entrance, he didn't have to wait long. He watched with his night vision as a certain black-clad cyberpony snuck up to the doors and started to pick the lock. "You know, there are easier ways to get a book." Rainbow jumped straight into the air in surprise, turning to face n amused Alexander.
"Book, what book, Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout!"
Alexander pulled out his copy of 'Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone.' "Oh, so you don't want to find out how this ends then? You should, it's quite good."
Rainbow's jaw hit the floor as she tried to comprehend what Alexander had just said. "Y-you read? But you're so cool! And reading is such an egghead sort of thing."
Alexander chuckled. "Rainbow, there is nothing wrong with being an 'egghead.' And yes, I read, quite avidly too. It was always a welcome distraction from the horrors of war. Your friends won't think any less of you for reading. Mine didn't. Here." Alexander tossed the book to Dash, who caught it in her hooves. "It's my personal copy. I'd like it back when you're done." Alexander turned and started to walk away. "And by the way, nice job flying." Rainbow looked down to find that when she had jumped in surprise, she hadn't come back down. The squee of happiness and excitement was enough to cause several sleepy ponies to wonder why the train was whistling so far away from any tracks. Alexander chuckled as he walked home. Walking by the library, however, he stopped as he saw a shape leave the tree. Looking closer, he saw just who the pony was. Looking at the pony, at the library door, then back at the pony, Alexander grinned cheekily as he realized the implications. "No way. Oh, this is gonna be good." |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Poison Love | Alexander knocked at the door to the library, hoping Twilight had found something to explain the strange behavior of the Elements of Harmony on that day. As he waited for the lavender librarian to answer the door, Alexander turned to puzzle at the pink and white decorations covering the town. He could have sworn those weren't there the night before. Was there something going on, or...? The door opened behind him.
"Oh, hello Alexander, how are you today?"
Alexander answered as he began turning around. "Oh, fine, just came by to see...is that...make-up?"
Twilight's face was indeed covered in makeup, though only with some blush and mascara. In addition, Twilight was wearing a plane yet elegant dress that somehow made even the equine form somewhat attractive. Somewhat. Alexander may have accepted the ponies with few...qualms, but he didn't like ponies that way, much to Cloud Kicker's chagrin and disappointment. Still, for Twilight of all ponies to be wearing makeup... Twilight's face turned bright crimson through her blush. "Um, ah, yes, I have a date today. It's too much isn't it? Oh dear, he's not going to like it, is he? What if he hates it? He's gonna hate it! Agh!"
Alexander recoiled a bit from the crazed look beginning to creep into the unicorn's eyes, scrambling to put a stop to that crazy train. "Twilight, I'm sure whoever you have a date with won't care how you look. And if he does, well, then he ain't good enough for you. By the way, what's with all of the pink hearts all over the place?"
Twilight, though a bit frazzled, thankfully snapped out of her impending nervous breakdown. "Oh, today is Hearts and Hooves day. It is a day to be with your special somepony."
Alexander nodded. "Okay. Y'know, that kinda sounds like St. Valentina's day." Seriously, what's with all of the similar holidays here? And would it be too much to ask for a locale not named with a pony pun involved? Seriously, Alexander had a feeling that if Catacha had been populated by the ponies, it would have been called "Cantercha." A trio of colorful blurs bolted out of the library door and between Alexander's legs.
"Thanks for the book Twilight!"
"Wait, girls, are you sure you don't want a different-" The CMC jumped in their wagon and disappeared in a cloud of dust. "-book?" Twilight sighed and shook her head. "I really don't know why those girls wanted that book about Pre-Equestrian history."
Alexander shrugged. "Eh, I've never really understood girls, of any species."
Twilight gave Alexander a funny look, the same one one might get when told that necrons are in fact excellent conversationalists. "What do you mean, 'of any species?'"
"It's a long story."
"Well, I've got time before my date." Twilight opened the door and beckoned Alexander in. She sat and bade Alexander to sit. "So, tell me."
"Alright, it all started when the Harlech 501st was in a campaign against the Eldar..."
"...and that is why I am no longer allowed in the same room as an Adeptus Sororitas when there are noodles present." Twilight couldn't help but stare at Alexander in amazement and bafflement. Alexander chuckled at the gormless look on the unicorn's face. He was about to ask about the origins of Hearts and Hooves Day when someone knocked on the front door. Before Twilight could move, Alexander had bound out of his seat and thrown the door open. He grinned evilly down at the olive-green pony before him.
"Hello Syrette. Consorting with xenos are we?" Syrette's pupils dilated as he tried to stammer out a response. The cold, unforgiving expression on Alexander's face cracked into a cheeky grin. "Gotcha." Stepping around the bemused human-turned-pony, Alexander stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Now remember you two. Don't do anything unless you've got protection." Grinning uncontrollably at the sudden embarrassed blush on Syrettes face, Alexander nearly burst with laughter when he heard Twilight ask, "protection from what?"
Alexander continued to giggle throughout his patrol around the border of Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. He had just passed into the southwest orchards of Sweet Apple Acres when he thought he heard voices coming from deeper within the orchard. Drawing his laspistol, Alexander went to investigate. Following the voices, Alexander came across an absolutely adorable treehouse. Recognizing the three voices, Alexander holstered his laspistol with a wry smile. His smile turned to a frown as he overheard what they were saying.
"What have we done?! My brother's actin' like a grade-A goofball!"
"Maybe we added too much rainbow."
"Or maybe not enough cloud."
"Or maybe... uh-oh."
"Whaddaya mean, 'uh-oh?!'"
Alexander poked his head through a window. "Yes, what's gone wrong this time?" The three fillies that made up the Cutie Mark Crusaders shrieked in surprise. Once again, Alexander was grateful for the decibel-cutting insulation of his helmet.
"ALEX! Don't do that!"
"You dern near scared the lahf outta me."
"I-uh wasn't scared. And whadda ya mean, 'this time?'"
Alexander shook the ringing out of his ears and gave the trio an exasperated look. "Let's see. The first time I saw you, I had to save you three from a manticore, you've nearly burnt down the library, nearly been turned to stone, almost blew yourselves up when you wanted to play with my guns, one of you contracted a wiped-out disease because you ate the thing that caused it, and to top it all off, your attempt at making superglue exploded and covered Ponyville. I was stuck standing there for four hours. Everyone who went outside got glued in place. Heck, even Lurgen couldn't move, and he's a several ton war walker that could probably lift a train. If Twilight didn't know that unsticking spell, I'd still be stuck standing outside, having to pee." Alexander nodded at the sheepish crusaders' expressions. "Now, what's gone wrong this time?"
Scootaloo and Applebloom looked at each other, then at Sweetie Belle. The marshmallow colored unicorn hemmed and hawed before answering. "Um...we wanted to get BigMac and Miss Cheerilee together for Hearts and Hooves Day, 'cause neither had a special somepony, so we gave them a love potion, but it turns out it's more of a love...um...poison."
Alexander, Applebloom and Scootaloo responded the only way they could. "What?!"
Sweetie nodded before continuing. "Apparently, some prince a long time ago whipped up this recipe and gave it to this princess he liked. He meant it to be a love potion, but things didn't turn out so well."
Applebloom eyes were wide with concern for her beloved brother and teacher. "How 'not so well' did things turn out?"
Sweetie Belle cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Well, there's something here about a dragon, the kingdom falling, chaos reigning... Okay, apparently it was all because the prince and princess were so lost in each other's eyes that they couldn't perform their royal duties."
Alexander made a soft facepalm as he rubbed the brow of his nose. "Sweet Emperor, it's that stupid Slaneeshi cult on Mindoir all over again." He looked up as Applebloom began panicking. Time to nip that gretchin in the fungal pod. "Is there an antidote?"
Sweetie looked back into the book and began to flip pages for a few seconds. "Um, it says here that if we can keep them from looking in each other's eyes for an hour, the love curse will be broken."
Alexander rubbed his chin. "One hour? Shouldn't be too hard."
"Why in Vandire's cursed name did I think this would be easy?" Alexander pondered aloud as he lay spread-eagle on the ground. Scootaloo lifted her head up, herself and her friends likewise collapsed in exhaustion on the grass of the park.
"I dunno, but we gotta do something quick, 'cause if I hear one more sappy namby-pamby cutsie-talky name, I'm gonna scream."
As fate would have it, BigMac and Cheerilee trotted by lost in each other's eyes, the love curse still very much in effect. "I love you more, sugarbear."
"No, I love you more, pookie-wookie."
Alexander clasped his hands over his ears, Scootaloo's scream cracking windows halfway to Canterlot. He pulled off his helmet and wiggled his pinkie in one ear in a vain attempt to return the hearing to it.
"Maybe we're going about this all wrong."
Alexander looked at Sweetie Belle. "What would you suggest? We can't even get them to break eye contact. Nothing is working."
"Well BigMac and Miss Cheerilee are madly in love, right?"
"Yeah."
"And what do ponies who are madly in love do?"
Alexander looked blankly at the little unicorn. "Kid, I've been a soldier for most of my life. I have no idea what human civilians do, much less pony ones."
Sweetie looked to Applebloom and Scootaloo expectantly. The earth and pegasus ponies looked back blankly. "We don't know either."
Sweetie gave a sigh. "They get married."
Applebloom gave a shriek of dismay. "NOOOO! Mah brother can't get married! He's under a curse! That we put him under!"
Sweetie shook her head. "No, they're not really going to get married."
"They're not?"
"Not if they don't want to after we fix this. Okay, now here's the plan..."
Passing a goofy-grinned Syrette, Alexander slowly made his way up the stairs to his quarters. Standing at the foot of his bed, he collapsed face-first onto his sheets like a felled tree, not even bothering to get out of his freshly dented and dirtied armor and fatigues. Groaning into his pillow, Alexander felt every ache and pain that had come from the day.
How was it that BigMac had been able to drag an ox-cart, several trees, a building and Lurgen halfway across Ponyville? That pony's a monster! How in the warp was he able to out muscle a dreadnought? Thank the Emperor that it worked. I don't know if I could've done that any longer. Rolling over, Alexander groaned, his ribs bruised by being run over by BigMac followed shortly by being trampled by a gaggle of bouncing ponies being led by Pinkie Pie in a song about smiling. Not for the first time, Alexander wished that this place wasn't so...weird. This place...is going to be the death of me... Grumbling about crazy magic and crazier ponies, Alexander tossed his helmet across the room and promptly passed out.
On the hill road overlooking Ponyville, a massive figure atop two goats puffed out a chest. "This town needs to be toughened up! Perfect for Iron Will to make plenty of bits-erm, help these weaklings! Forward! We begin by week's end!" |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Announcment | Guardsman Sparky here! I would like to apologize for the long unannounced hiatus, but school was harder than I thought it would be, followed by all sorts of shit that left me unable to actually get onto my account here until recently due to the fact that I no longer have the email account my account here is linked to, and I got a new computer that didn't have the password recorded. Also, I may have lost my notes on my planned story...so yeah. At any rate, expect updates to begin again come May/June. Guardsman Sparky, out! |
A Guardsman in Equestria | Announcement - Still Alive | Hello my little bronies! Yes, I am still alive (insert Portal song here). I do sincerely apologize for disappearing, but, life, you know? Also...college has been taking a bit longer than anticipated. That said, I do hope to continue this story at some point, but any updates are unlikely to come before graduation (It took seven years, but by Celestia I am finally graduating.)
Love you all, and thanks for your patience. |
Quest For Equestria | pre | McGrath didn't know what they were talking about, all he know was that the pillow he was currently hugging was very soft. It also smelled like perfume...
"Wait perfume?" McGrath thought to himself, as he opend one of his eyes. All he could see was indigo. "Oh, crap..."
Meanwhile, at the training grounds of Canterlot Castle. For the last two hours, Celestia is trying to teach Skywalker to manipulate the sun light in his cells more efficiently.
"Picture it. Reach out with your power and lift that rock" Celestia instructed, as Skywalker started to concentrate. He reaches out, the rock it self vibrates, but that is all it does.
"Come on, you can do it." Celestia said kindly, but Skywalker in his frustration, blasted the rock to dust with a stream of lightning. Celestia watched as he let out all his frustrations, the blast exhausted him, dropping him to his knees.
"Are calm now?" Celestia asked as he walked up to him. Skywalker didn't answer but simply nodded. "I don't get it. We have been practicing for a month now and still no result. It's almost like..." Celestia said as she realized something, "Skywalker, would you mind if I take a look inside your mind?" she ask, Skywalker giving her a suspicious look.
"Why?" he said as he stood back up. "I think I know why your not making any progress. All I want is a quick look to verify if my theory is right, I won't look at your memories, I promise." Celestia explained. Skywalker thought about it before slowly replying "Alright...", Celestia gave him a warm smile "Alright, stay calm and open your mind." touched the tip of her horn on his forehead.
Celestia felt as if she took a dive in a cold lake, indicating that she successfully entered his mind. She sank down, as if she was surrounded by water, before landing on a glass pillar. She took a quick scan of her surroundings, noticing a large stone door. She takes a walk towards it, but noticing small arch's of black lightning sealing the door shut. "It is as I thought." Celestia said to herself before she pulled back herself back.
"And? What did you find?" Skywalker asked, as Celestia massaged her temples, "It is as I thought." Celestia started, "Your brain has placed a mental block on your power." she motioned him to the stairs.
They both took a seat as Skywalker asked "Mental block? What is that? How did it get there?". Celestia carefully chose her words before answering "You know about how humans, earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi only use ten percent of their muscles?" Celestia asked, Skywalker gave her a nod before continuing "Unicorn's have something like that for their magic, to make sure they're magic core doesn't overload. When something very traumatic happens to an unicorn, their magic core loses its limiter, so as a fail safe, the brain puts up a mental block to keep the magic core from overclocking." she concluded as Skywalker thought about her words.
"But... I'm not a unicorn, so what makes you think I have a mental block?" Skywalker asked, tilting his head a little. "I know your not an unicorn, but somehow it made sense. And what I saw in you Aria Of The Soul was exactly how the books describe the mental blocks." Celestia explained, as he gave her a questioning look. "Aria Of The Soul?" he asked her. "That's how we call the center of the mind in Equestria." she explained again, before Skywalker asked "How do we get rid of it?" Celestia gave him a sorrowful look "I... I have no idea. But I can look into it for you." she suggested.
Skywalker gave her a nod "Give me a book list, I'll ask Twilight on the subject too. If anybody should know about this its her." he said as Celestia gave him a mischievous smile.
"What?" Skywalker said as Celestia scooted closer to him, "Yes, Twilight should be able to help. I noticed you have become very close with her, so are you and her?" Celestia asked, chuckling at Skywalker's embarrassment, "W-What? No! She's great and all that, but were just friends!" he said, shaking his hands.
A half hour later, Skywalker stood back on Ponyville Train Station. For the first time, Rainbow was not there to greet him. After asking Twilight for help on his mental block, he headed home and decided took sit on the roof for some contemplating.
"What could possibly have put those mental block in my head?" Skywalker thought, "AH! Stupid power limiting brain!", felt back on his back.
After calming down, he started to enjoy the serenity of quiet.
"It's times like this that I just like to lay here and enjoy the peaceful serenity of a beautiful..." Skywalker couldn't finish before a voice shouted,
"SKYWALKER!!!", looking up, he notice Pinkie looking over him.
"What?..." Skywalker asked deadpan.
It took Pinkie ten minutes to explain what is bothering her, apparently a childhood friend from Rainbow came to visit. And in Pinkie's word, pardon my language, a bitch.
"So Pinkie," Skywalker said after hearing her story, "Are you sure that this friend of Rainbow Dash is really so mean?"
Pinkie nodded her head "Um, yeah, she keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she pops my balloons, and she told me to buzz off. She's a grump, and a thief, and a bully. The meanest kind of mean meanie-pants there is!" she said as she waved her front hooves wildly, "I've never met a griffon this mean. Well, actually, I've never met a griffon at all..." she was interrupted by Griffifth's voice. "Hey!"
"GriffON! Not GriffITH!" Skywalker shouted back. "Oh, okay! Sorry!" Griffifth shouted an apologize before Pinkie continued talking.
"But I bet if I had, she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda." she concluded, as Skywalker rolled his eyes. "Fine, I will look into it."
Pinkie smiled and gave him a big hug "Thank you for believing me Sky! I so owe you a Chocolate Cupcake!"
Skywalker sits on the roof of Sugarcube Cornor, spying on Rainbow Dash and Gilda.
"That was sweet." Gilda laughed, as she and Rainbow talked.
Rainbow looked up realizing something "Ugh, I gotta take care of a few weather jobs around here. Shouldn't take long. Just, uh, hang out in town and I'll come find you." she said as she flew off.
"That's cool, I guess." Gilda said indifferently, "I'm gonna go chow down." started to walk to one of the food stalls.
"Okay, Gilda. Let's see what your up to." Skywalker said not letting Gilda out of his sight.
Down below, Fluttershy is guiding a family of ducks cross the road. "Alright little ones, this way, this way." She said as she made a double check, "Mama duck, you're free and clear." walks backwards, and accidentally bumps into Gilda.
"Hey!" Gilda said offended, startling Fluttershy. "Please excuse me." Fluttershy apologized but Gilda cut her off. "I'm walkin' here." she shouted, making Fluttershy shrink in shock "Oh, um, I'm sorry. A-a-I was just trying to..." she stutterd but Gilda interrupted her again.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Gilda mocked her, "Why don't you just watch where you're going, doofus?" glared down at Fluttershy.
"B-b-b-but I... I..." she tried to explain, but Gilda roared at her. Fluttershy broke down and ran away sobbing.
"Ugh, please, all these lame ponies and hairless monkey's are driving me buggy. I gotta bail." Gilda complained as she flew away.
Back on the roof, Skywalker watched the whole thing, his rage growing by the minute. "No one treats Fluttershy like that." he said to himself, "No. One. ...Look out Gilda... Nothing will protect you from me." he jumped off the roof and dashed towards his house.
Gilda is sitting in the park, enjoying the sun, but suddenly her sun is blocked. Opening one eye she sees Skywalker standing over her with a very creepy smile.
Gilda stood up giving him a dirty look "Hedgehog! What the hell do you want?" she asked as Skywalker kept his creepy smile.
"Gilda, baby!" Skywalker exclaimed in an overly happy tone, "How's it hanging? Get it? 'Cause you gonna die!" he broke down in laughter as Gilda gave him a questioning look.
He stopped laughing, giving her his creepy grin again, "I guess you had to be there..." he said calmly annoying Gilda to no end.
"What do you want, hedgehog?" she asked as Skywalker kept smiling at her "You made Fluttershy cry." he started, "So I took your parents kidneys." he said this as if they were discussing the weather.
Gilda was about to lung at him but Skywalker waged his finger at her "Now, how about we play a little game?"
"What sort of game?" Gilda asked, getting a little scared by his constant smile and politeness.
"First one to die loses!" Skywalker exclaimed in an excited voice as Gilda was getting really scared now "W-what?" she asked.
In but an instant, Skywalker's smile disappeared from his face to be replaced by an expression of pure rage "You lose. Tear here apart!" The other guys jumped down from the tree they were standing under.
Skywalker's expression became his pleasant face "Now, let that be a lesson to you, young lady." Skywalker said in his sweetest voice, "Bullying is not very nice. So I don't want to catch you doing it ever again. Got that?", a loud crack is heard indicating that Griffifth was done... feeding.
Late that afternoon, the guys are hanging out in the back yard, laughing about absolutely nothing.
"For someone who was such a bitch and stuff, she tasted great." Griffifth exclaimed, making the other guys laugh. Rainbow landed, getting greets from the guys, "Hey guys, have you seen Gilda?" she asked.
"She left..." Skywalker said as the guys burst out in another round of laughter.
"I don't get it." Rainbow said. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 15: Evil Zebra Reaction Squad Part 1 | Skywalker took a walk towards Twilight, he wanted to ask if she has found something about the mental block. On his way he run into Fluttershy, who was feeding a duck family.
"Good morning, Fluttershy!" Skywalker said as he walked up next to her. Turning her head, she notice who called out to her, she started to blush furiously. "Oh, morning Skywalker. Where are you going this early in the morning?" she asked, as Skywalker returned the smile, "I'm off to see Twilight." Skywalker answered, Fluttershy turned from him, looking at the ground "Of course. Your always with Twilight or Rainbow..." she muttered, not loud enough for Skywalker to hear. "Um, W-Why do you hang out with Twilight so much, Skywalker? Um, I-If you don't mind me asking." she asked in her normal shy tone, still not facing him. "I apparently have this mental block in my head, she's helping my find a way to get rid of it." he answered, Fluttershy seemed somehow relieved at his answer.
"Oh, he Fluttershy. About Gilda." Skywalker started, gaining a worried look from her "Don't worry your pretty little head about mean old Gilda, alright? Your big brother Skywalker took care of it. See ya!" he gave her a pat on the head before running off.
"...I'm a year older than you." Fluttershy muttered, then she realized something he said "He did say I have a pretty head..." she smiled.
"Sky? Skywalker?" a voice called to him, Skywalker lifted his head, "What?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes. For the last two hours, he and Twilight have been researching all the books in the library about mental blocks. "You fell asleep." Twilight said sitting across from him. "Are you alright?" she as, Skywalker quickly nodded. "Everything is fine. I just didn't get any sleep last night." he said as he picked up the next book. "I could use a spa day. Unfortunate there isn't one in Ponyville."
Twilight looked up from her book "There is." she said, gaining a questing look from Skywalker, "Right on the Main Square."
"How come I haven't noticed it before?" Skywalker asked as Twilight resumed her reading ""It's right next to the book store." she said as Skywalker said "Oh that would explain it." he picked up the next book and started to skim through it. A few pages in he notice a illustration depicting a earth pony, a pegasi, a unicorn, a alicorn and something that could be best described a pony as a male alicorn, but instead of a single horn on the center of the head, it had two horns similar like those on a bull on either side of its head. The inscription said 'Bicorn', thinking nothing on it he closed the book and stood up.
"Ugh! Enough reading for today!" he said stretching his back and looking outside, "Come on, it's a gorgeous day!", Twilight gave it some thought, before nodding "Yeah, maybe some fresh air will help us come up with some idea's. I bet all of Ponyville is going to be out enjoying the sunshine." she said standing up to join him "And beside, Spike could use some fresh air.
And so Skywalker, Twilight and Spike took a stroll through Ponyville, enjoying the sunlight on their skin.
"Rainbow Dash must have gotten up early for once and cleared all the clouds away." Spike said as he sat on Twilight's back.
"That's as likely as McGrath giving a genuine smile." Skywalker said as he took a look around, just now noticing that they haven't run into anybody yet. "Where is everybody?" he said looking around. Twilight and Spike looked around them self but they couldn't find anyone either.
"Is it..." Spike started "Zombies?!" gaining a groan from Twilight and Skywalker. "Uh... not very likely." Twilight said, gaining a worried look from Spike. "Not likely... but possible?" he asked, Skywalker just shrug his shoulders "I'm not scared of zombies." he stated gaining a chuckle from Twilight. "There isn't much that scare's you, isn't there?" she said as they heard someone whisper to them "Psst! Skywalker! Twilight! Spike!" they turn their head to the source and see Pinkie in the door opening of Sugarcube Cornor waving them over, "Come here! Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!" she whispered as Skywalker, Twilight and Spike walked inside.
As they enterd the shop, Pinkie closed the door behind them, snuffing out the last light.
"Pinkie, what are you doing here alone in the dark?" Skywalker asked as his eyes got use to the dark.
"I'm not alone in the dark." Pinkie said as she walked to the rest of the Harmonic Heroes plus Applejacks little sister, who were sitting at their usual spot.
"Okay then, what are you all doing here in the dark?" Skywalker corrected himself as he raised an eyebrow. "We're hiding from her!" Applejack said, pointing at a window covered by a curtain. Pulling it aside, Skywalker took a peek outside, noticing a pony looking around dressed in a cloak. Putting the curtain back, he turned to address the group, he felt someone pull at his jeans. "Did you see her Skyguy?" Applebloom asked him, "Did you see Zecora?" she finished as he got pulled away by Applejack who looked her straight in the eye.
"Applebloom!" Applejack said, "I told you to never say that name!" as she said that Phoenix scoffed earning him an death glare from her.
"What will happend then?" Phoenix said as he relaxed in his chair, "We all die? She knows where we are?" he gave a chuckled as Skywalker continued. "Well, I saw her glance this way and then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason." Skywalker said gaining a death glare from Applejack. "No good reason!?" She said, pulling Applebloom into a big hug "You call protecting your kin no good reason? Why as soon as my sister saw Zecora riding into town, she started shaking in her little horseshoes!".
Applebloom groaned as she pulled herself from her sister's hug. "AJ, I'm not a baby! I can take care of myself!" she said, annoyed by her sisters over-protectiveness. "Not from that creepy Zecora." Applejack responded.
"I think she's a zebra." Skywalker said looking out of the window.
"I've never seen a pony like that in these parts." Applejack said, "Except... her!".
"Well, she's probably not from here." Twilight explained, "And she's not a pony. My book says that zebras come from a far away land." she finished as Griffifth responded "...Africa?" he suggested gaining a questing look from the girls.
"But I've never seen her in Ponyville. Where does she live?" Twilight asked. "That's just it, she lives in..." Applejack stoped, for a dramatic pauze. "The Everfree Forest!" she said but she didn't got the shock from the group she was expecting.
"That weird forest where we battled Nightmare moon?" Skywalker asked, gaining a energetic nod from Pinkie.
"And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... stuff!" Pinkie said.
"This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors." Twilight said, "Now tell me; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?" she asked as the girls started to think. "Well..." Rainbow began, "Once a month, she comes into Ponyville. Then, she lurks by the stores. And then, she digs at the ground."
"Good gracious!" Twilight said dramatically before continuing in her normal tone, "Okay, I'm sorry. But how is any of this bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit." she said, gaining an approving nod from Skywalker. "Yeah! Maybe she's just tryin' to be neighborly." Applebloom chipped in.
"And maybe she's not lurking by the stores, maybe she's going to them, lurk free, to do some shopping?" Skywalker suggested.
"You know what I think?" Applebloom said, but Applejack interrupted her "Applebloom! Hush and let the big ponies talk." she said gaining an angry look from her little sister, "I am a big pony!" she said but the 'adults' continued talking.
"I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does." Twilight said after much discussing, "And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her, she would find out the truth." she finished. "Well I'm brave enough; I'm gonna find out myself." Applebloom said, exiting the store, none of the 'adults' notice it except Skywalker who goes after her.
"You ponies are being ridiculous!" Phoenix said, annoyed by all the ridicules reasons the girls are scared of Zecora.
"Well, I heard that Zecora eats hay." Pinkie gave as an counter argument.
"You eat hay!" Phoenix stated, making Pinkie thing about her response. "Yeah..." she said slowly before saying "But she its it the evil way!"
Sutakira gave a deep sigh, before noticing that they were missing someone.
"Where's Applebloom?" he asked, "And Skywalker?"
Snapping everyone out of the discussion, they look around and noticed the open door.
"They must be outside!" Rarity said, before her voice betrayed a hint of panick "And Zecora's still out there!"
They all rushed outside, but before she exited Twilight turned to Spike "Spike, you stay here in case Apple Bloom and or Skywalker comes back." she said as Spike nodded.
Rushing through the Everfree Forest, further up the path, in the distance they saw Applebloom and Skywalker.
"Apple Bloom?" Applejack shouted, making the younger apple sister turn in surprise, "You get back here right now!".
They group caught up to them as McGrath started to shout at them and waging his finger, "Why did you run away!? You know how worried I was about you!" he suddenly realized how worried he sounded, quickly his expression returned to his usual emotionless one.
"Beware!" A voice spoke to them. Turning around, they saw Zecora standing at the other side of the flower bed they were currently in. "Beware, you pony and human folk! Those leaves of blue are not a joke!" she said as she continued her walk.
"Y-you keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?" Applejack said, trying to sound though.
"Yeah, back at ya, Zecora!" Rainbow said brashly, "You and your... lame curse are the ones who better beware!" smiling as Zecora seemingly retreating.
"And you!" Applejack said, turning to her sister, "Why couldn't you just listen to yer big sister?"
Applebloom tried to explain but he sister cut her off. "Who knows what kind of nasty curse Zecora could have just put on you?" she said as she check Applebloom for anything that could be wrong with her.
"There's no such thing as curses." Skywalker said rolling his eyes, gaining a chuckle from Rainbow "Well, that's interesting to hear coming from Mr Sunlight himself."
"My power, real power, comes from within." Skywalker stated as he placed his hand on his left chest, "It's a skill I'm born with. And a genetic mutation with in my genes."
Twilight nodded "Curses are artificial, fake magic." she added, "It's conjured with potions and incantations; all smoke and mirrors meant to scare. But curses have no real power." she finished as they started to head back to Ponyville.
"Just you wait." Applejack said to Skywalker and Twilight, "You're gonna learn that some pony tales really are true."
Skywalker gave her a cocky smile, "Like Nightmare Moon?"
After saying goodbye to everyone, Skywalker headed to Sugarcube Cornor.
"Hmmm, maybe chocolate?..." he discussed with himself what kind of cupcake to buy, "No, I already had on this morning. A strawberry one then?" his thought was disturbed by a loud gasp.
"No! WAY!" A voice shouted from behind.
"Huh?" Skywalker said as he turned around and see's a mint green unicorn with a light blue and white mane, looking at him with the expression of a fangirl meeting her favorite idol.
"Hello." Skywalker started, a little uncomfortable, before he could say anything else the mint colored unicorn shouted "OMIGOSH a real live talking HUMAN!" she said excited as kept staring at Skywalker with that same unnerving expression of adoration.
"Right... Do you have a name to go by?" Skywalker asked, gaining a big smile from the mint green pony. "My names Lyra." she answered.
"Hi Lyra... Can I help you?..." Skywalker started again, "I just wanted to talk to you!" Lyra interrupted him again, "I've always dreamed of meeting a human! Ever since I first saw MLH: FIS on TV." she told him excited.
"MLH... FIS?" Skywalker asked her slowly.
"Yeah, you know." Lyra started, "My Little Human: Friendship is Science! It's an awesome show about Five humans living in a town called Humanville." she explained in a matter of fact tone, Skywalker. "I've been a broman since the very first episode! Bon Bon says it's just for foals but I don't know WHAT'S wrong with her, It's the best show EVER!" she said as Skywalker replied slowly "No... The best show ever is Heroes."
"You kinda look like Air Runner." Lyra noted, gaining a confused look form Skywalker, "The coolest of coolest human in the entire show. Are you from Humanville?" she asked.
Skywalker shook his head before answering "Uh, well I don't think there's a place called 'Humanville' and I've never even heard of the show."
Lyra gave a loud gasp, as if she made some big mistake, "Oh no! So you didn't even know that your whole world is a work of fiction? Oh stupid, stupid Lyra! Why did I have to open my big mouth!" she said sorrowfully.
"Princess Celestia knew about Earth." Skywalker said as he took all she said in, "Which probably means that humans have been here before. The ponies who made the show probably just heard about humans from some ancient history books or something and decided to make a show about it." he explained, calming Lyra down.
"But how did you get to Equestria? OOH! Are there more of you?" she asked him excited. "With me there are five." Skywalker answered.
"Oh, I love to talk more to you, but I have to go now." Lyra said, "See you later, Walker!" gives him a hug before running off.
"Hmmm... A show called My Little Human?" Skywalker said to himself, "Sutakira load up the trailer!..." he said, but he forgot that everybody already went home. "Just becaush your not here doesn't mean you can't listen!" Skywalker said, continuing his way to Sugarcube Cornor. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 16: Evil Zebra Reaction Squad Part 2 | She's an evil enchantress, she does evil dances!
Beware! Beware!
If you look deep in her eyes, she will put you in trances!
Yeah, was that supposed to scare us!?
Wicked, wicked zebra!
...a curse.
Then what will she do?
Just you wait; some pony tales really are true.
Then she'll gobble you up in a big tasty stew! Soooo watch out!
Skywalker woke up, sitting straight up "Ugh... what a dream..." he said to himself as he dropped out of his bed. "Curses, schmurses. Whoa!" he shouted as his face hit the ground, "Why is everything larger?" he said looking around, he saw a blue pegasi, with two horns on the side of his head similar to those of a bull. Funny enough, he had the same black spiky hair and amber colored eyes.
"Oh, hallo. What are you doing in my room?" he started held out his hoof as a form of greeting. Wait hoof?
"Why do I have hoves?..." Skywalker said as he realized that he was looking into the mirror in his open closet, "OMY!!!!"
After finally opening the door, which isn't easy seeing as he doesn't have any fingers anymore, he knocked on the other guys door and shouting "Wake up you guys! Wake up!".
The door to McGrath's room opened as he peeked outside. "What's wrong little pony?" he said with a very high pitched voice as he his open in shock.
"Its me Skywalker!" he shouted, "And what did you do to your voice?" rubbing his hooves into his hair.
McGrath clears his throat multiple times before saying "No idea. I just woke up and I was like oh nooo." he explained as Griffifth's door opened his door. "Whats going on here?" Griffith said with a low and calm voice that will make all the girls swoon. "What just happend?" he asked as Sutakira comes out of his room.
"What happend to you?" McGrath asked, but Sutakira just shrug his shoulders.
"Phoenix! Wake up!" Skywalker shouted as he kept knocking on the door.
"Uhm..." a very feminine voice came out of the outside of the door, "Phoenix is not here... He is in another universe!...".
Skywalker turned around and kicked the door open with his hid legs. Inside they saw Phoenix hiding under his blanket, McGrath walked up to him and pulled it off. Laying there was a young lady of seventeen, her hair came to her shoulder, she used her arms to hid her c-cup breast. Phoenix has transformed into a female version of himself.
"Hallo, Kylie Phoenix." Griffifth said, as Phoenix swooned. "See?" he said looking at Skywalker.
"Let's go to Twilight!" Skywalker said as he headed down the stairs, though not too fast as he needed to get use to his four legs. "she will know what to do."
They rushed to the Golden Oak Library, as they entered the girls where already gathered.
Twilight turned around as he horn wubbled, "McGrath, Griffith, Phoenix, Sutakira and... Who is this pony?" she asked giving him a flirtatious look.
"Its me Skywalker!" Skywalker said as he heard a very high pitched voice shout "I hate to say I told ya so, Skywalker, but I told ya so!" a very minuscule Applejack shouted at him. "It's a curse, I tells ya!", The guys had to turn around to not burts out in laughter.
"What do we do now?" Skywalker said fighting back his laughter.
"I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place!" Rainbow said as Applejack nodded, "I agree with Dash! We'll go to Zecora's and force her to remove this hex!" she chipped in as Skywalker placed his front hoof on his face "I don't this its a curse or a hex!" Skywalker said starting another argument among the group
"This is all my fault." Applebloom said looking on, "If I hadn't followed Zecora in the first place, none of this would have happened. I just gotta fix this." exits the Library and heads towards the Everfree forest.
A little while later, Applebloom made her way towards Zecora's hut, the only light seem to fall on the path. The surrounding is devoid of any sound aside from her on hoof steps. She suddenly hear twiks snap, looking at the direction of the sound, she saw two glowing blue orbs floating in the darkness.
"H-Hallo?" she called out, as a muscular humanoid creature with pitch black skin and spherical, glowing blue eyes stepped out of the shadows. Startled by the creature's appearance, she quickly abandoned the path as she dashed into the wild.
"Matte!" the black creature shouted after her, its voice sounding like oil like, even though it didn't have a mouth. "Eius kiken'na illic!". Not heeding the creature.
What she didn't know was that instead of blue eyes, yellow eyes were following her now. A growl was heard as she felt something cut in her back leg, she gave it a powerful kick to the jaw with her free leg, freeing her. Giving it a quick look, she saw blood dripping out the tooth marks on her leg. She looked back up and saw that she was surrounded by a pack of Timberwolfs.
The pack circled around their pray, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. One of the Timberwolfs in the front longed at her, Applebloom closed her eyes, waiting for the attack to come. A loud yelp was heard, a loud crack and something hitting a tree.
Opening her eyes in shock, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. The Timberwolf who lounged at her was now laying dead against a tree, its neck snapped as its head was laying in a angle it isn't supposed to. Looking up, she saw a storm of black cloud swirled around her before it gathered in front of her, taking the form of a cloaked human. The hood obscured his face, the only thing noticeable under that dark hood were two faint glowing orbs were his eyes would be. Even though she only have known 5 humans, Applebloom knew that this human must be very tall even by human standards. He could easily cast his shadow over Celestia herself.
The Timberwolf were momentarily startled by the arrival of the new comer who just crushed their pack mate.
A Timberwolf lounged at him, making its last mistake. The cloaked man reached out and grabbed the attacking Timberwolf by the throat, making it yelp in pain as the cloaked man started to crush its throat. Two Timberwolf's lounged at him, as a third tried to strike him from behind. The stranger snapped the Timberwolf's neck with a sickening crush, throwing the remains into a tree. In that same motion, he grabbed the two wolfs attacking him from the front as two dark blue lighting bolts came out from under his hood, turning around him and disintegrating the back Timberwolf in matter of seconds.
The caught Timberwolfs yelped in desperation trying to free themselves from his iron grip. Two other sickening snaps were heard as those two also dropped dead.
All Applebloom could do was watch in frozen terror as the cloaked man walked over to her.
She closed her eyes, waiting for him to finish her. The cloaked man stopped in front of her. "Are you alright?" the man asked in a deep and calm voice.
Applebloom was too scared to answer him, she couldn't stop him as she kneel down and took a look at her wounded leg. His gloved hand emitted a blue aura, as he waved his hand over it. Applebloom could fell her wounds close, the cloaked man stood up and studied his handiwork.
"That should do the trick." he said as Applebloom wiped off the left over wet blood. "What are you doing here. Don't you know it is dangerous off the path." the cloaked man asked, though it was less of a question and more of a command.
"I-I was on my way to Zecora. Y-You see my friends are cursed and so I went to ask her for a cure. Then this black creature appeared, I-I was scared so I ran." She explained as the cloaked man listen to her explanation.
"I see, braving a dark forest to find a way to help your friends." the cloaked man started, Applebloom braced herself for another lecture. "That's commendable." he gave her a approving nod. "Now come." he said as he started to walk gaining a questioning look from Applebloom. "I will walk you to Zecora's hut. There might be more Timberwolfs out." he said as Applebloom stood up and followed him. As he strode through the forest, Applebloom had to nearly run to keep up with him.
As they made there way through the dark forest, it was some time before either of them spoke up.
"So, what do you call yourself." the cloaked man asked first, though again it was more of a command than a question.
"M-My name is Applebloom, sir." she said, she could have sworn she heard a small chuckle from the cloaked man. "W-What's your name?" she asked.
The cloaked man gave her a studying look before answering "You may call me Morgenstern. Though I do not know if that's my true name, I prefer it." he answered cryptically. Applebloom looked around and she saw those glowing blue eyes in the darkness staring at them.
She quickly hided by his leg, making him turn towards her. He followed her look and saw the same glowing eyes in the distance.
"Don't worry, Applebloom." he said, trying to reassure her, "The Corrupted won't do you any harm unless I command it.".
She gave him a questioning look, but before she could ask anything else a cloud of dark red mist appeared in front of them and took the form of another cloaked human, this one was obviously female.
The new comer took a knee, before addressing Morgenstern. "My lord, we found some clue's to what..." She started before noticing Applebloom. "Oh, who is this little filly?" she asked with a friendly voice.
"This is my new friend, Applebloom." he said motioning for her to rise up. "H-Hallo, miss." Applebloom said shyly, gaining a chuckle from the lady.
"No need to be so formal, Applebloom." she said friendly, before she turned back to her lord. "My lord, we found more information about the thing we're searching for." gaining a nod from Morgernstern.
"Summon the others, I will be with you shortly." he ordered as he woman bowed, disappearing into dark red smoke. Morgenstern continued to walked as Applebloom followed him, "What are you looking for?" she asked him. "None of your concern, why do you ask." he said, Applebloom gave him a big smile, "You saved my life, so I owe ya one. And we're friends, friends help each other." she said and this time definitely gaining a small chuckle from Morgenstern, though it was devoid of any joy.
"What I'm looking for is very dangerous. I wouldn't want to risk a friend trying to find it." Morgenstern said shaking his head before continuing. "Allow me another question. Why is your flank blank?" he said as they'r about to enter a clearing.
Applebloom explained to him about Cutiemarks and the reason she doesn't have her's yet.
"And that's why... Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon always make fun of him..." she said with a sad look in her eyes. "Applebloom." the voice of Morgenstern said making her look up.
"Don't listen to them, don't let them every tell you you don't belong. Your blank flank is like the number zero." Morgenstern said, his voice hiding some genuine kindness, "It's empty, yet it hold infinite possibilities." he finished as they arrived at Zecora's hut.
"Here we are. When you go home, stick to the path." he said turning around. Applebloom smiled at him and hugged his leg. "Thank you Morgenstern, I will." she said as he looked down at her, "One last thing." he said looking her in the eye, "Don't trust stranger's so easily. Not everyone is such a nice guy like me." he finished as he disappeared into dark blue smoke.
A little back in the forest, the Harmonic Heroes are making their way towards Zecora's hut.
"C'mon. We've got to get to Zecora's. Hurry!" Twilight encouraged the group.
"Easier said than done." Rarity said as she tripped over her over grown hair.
After some struggle they arrived at Zecora's hut.
"Plis place plooks horrible!" Pinkie exclaimed with a lot of spit. "Nice decorations." McGrath said looking through a window, "If you like creepy!"
They all looked through the window as they saw Zecora talking in her native language, throwing ingredients into a large pot.
"Sthe sthtole my sthong! Shthe shtole mm mm!" Pinkie stuttered, but none of the group understood what she said.
"You saw those terrible things." Rarity said, looking in some random direction, "Now you believe us Skywalker?" she was standing with her back to him. "What if Zecora is just making soup?" Skywalker stated, as they heard Zecora's voice. "The perfect temperature for ponies and humans, I presume. Now, where is that little Applebloom?"
"Or she's making Applebloom soup." Phoenix said dryly, making the girls storming the hut.
A few loud crashes are heard, some shouting in African and a cauldron being kicked over with as its content is spilled on the floor.
"Ponies! What is this you..." Zecora shouted, noticing her kicked over cauldron, "No! You know not what you've do! You've gone and spilled my precious brew!" she shouted as Twilight stood ready to battle her "We're onto you Zecora." She said giving her an angry look, :"I didn't want to believe that you cursed us, but the evidence is overwhelming!" gesturing at her destroyed decoration.
"...Hi. Sorry for barging in like that." Skywalker apologized as the rest started to throw around their accusations. "You made us look ridiculous!", "You made us sound ridiculous!", "You made us speak ridiculous!".
Sutakira shrugs his shoulders.
"How dare you!" Zecora looked offended, "You destroy my home, destroy my work. Then rudely accuse me of being a jerk?" she said slamming her hoof on the floor. "It is unwise to venture down this road. Your actions will make my anger explode!".
Skywalker looked around, turning his head back to Zecora, "Just a quick question, where's AB!?",
Right on cue, Applebloom entered with two saddle bags.
"Zecora! I think I found all the things ya asked for." she said before noticing the damage to the room, "What in Ponyville is goin' on here?"
Applejack jumped up and down exclaiming, "Apple Bloom! You're okay!" jumped on the muzzle of her younger sister.
Applebloom gave her a questioning look "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, herself gaining a puzzling look from Twilight. "Because Zecora is an evil enchantress who cursed us and was gonna cook you up into soup!"
Zecora and Apple Bloom broke out in laughter. Regaining their breath, Applebloom was the first to speak up, "Oh Twilight. Did those silly fillies finally get in yer head? You know there's no such thing as a curse." she said as Zecora explained. "If you will remember back, the words I spoke were quite exact."
"It was a warning." Skywalker realized. "About that blue plant..."
Zecora gave him a nod, "It's called Poison Joke. That plant is much like poison oak, but its results are like a joke." she explained.
"I see..." Skywalker said "I think what she's saying is that when we ran in to save Applebloom, we ran into the poison joke. All our problems are just little jokes that played on us." he explained as Applejack scoffed. "LITTLE JOKES?! Very funny!" she said, as Skywalker caught on to it.
"The pun wasen't intended." he said trying to scratch the back of his head.
After apologizing to Zecora, she agreed to give them the cure to the poison joke. In return, the Harmonic Heroes offered to explain to the town that Zecora wasn't an evil enchantress. They were in need of a big enough cauldron for them all to fit in, and the closes thing they could think of was the bubble bath at the local spa.
As they entered, Skywalker caught the eye of the females in their. "Lotus, we need to talk." he said as she gave him a seductive look, "Oh my, who is this handsome stallion?" she asked gaining a chuckle from the group.
Dear Princess Celestia,
My friends learned an important lesson this week: Never judge a video game by its cover. Someone may look unusual, or funny, or scary and or stuff. But you have to look past that and learn who they are inside. Real friends don't care what your 'cover' is; It's the contents of a pony and or human that count. And a good friend, like a good video game, is something that will last forever. Oh and say hi to Princess Luna for me. You know, the other pony with a unicorn horn and wings. Stupid Hasbro commercial!
J.S. Skywalker |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 17: Nightmare Night | Another month past, still no word from the Princess for a way back. The training has also been slow, as neither Skywalker, Twilight or Celestia could find a way to remove the mental block.
"Sky? Skywalker?" a voice called to him, Skywalker lifted his head, while rubbing his eyes. Twilight was looking at him with her purple eyes, "You fell asleep." Twilight said, closing the book she was reading "Having trouble sleeping again?", Skywalker nodded.
Twilight gave him a curious look, "You always look so tired, when was the last time you slept well?" she asked as Skywalker started to think, "This Thursday, two months ago..." he said gaining a worried expression from Twilight. "Y-You have trouble sleeping ever since you got here?" she said surprised. "Everything is fine..." he tried to reassure her but she cut him off "No, it's not fine! What if something happens and your too tired to protect us? What if you get hurt!? What if..." she rattled on before Skywalker places his hand on her head, which calmed her down.
"Twilight, I will never be too tired to protect you and the rest." he said with a smile but she wasn't entirely convinced.
"So, that Nightmare Night is gonna be this weekend huh?" Skywalker said, trying to change the subject, Twilight's expression sadden by his question. "I-I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" he asked. Twilight shook her head at his question, "Nothing, it's just... That weekend is the only weekend my big brother can have a free weekend, no trains go to Chanterlot and back during Nightmare Night. I promised Spike to go candy hunting with him, but if I take him to my family... We won't be able to go candy hunting. " she looked down, as Skywalker took in her dilemma. "Do you..." he started slowly, "Want me to look after Spike? He can stay over at my place and I'll take him trick or... I mean candy hunting." Skywalker proposed as Twilight face brighten up. "Y-You would do that?" she said as Skywalker nodded, "Of course... WHoa!".
Twilight had tackled him to the ground and gave him the biggest hug she had ever give anyone "Thank you! Thank you!" she said, she lifted her head a little and started to blush, the only thing between her muzzle and his mouth was a small layer of air.
"Well... This is awkward..." she said blushing, gaining a puzzling look from Skywalker, "Why?" he asked, totally oblivious to their situation. Before Twilight could answer, Spike's voice came from another room "Hey Twilight, have..." he said entering the room, but he fell silent as he saw Twilight on top of Skywalker. She got quickly off him, but Spike couldn't help but smirk at her embarrassment.
"So... You two are studying hard." he said as Twilight shot him an angry glare. "Spike! Guess were you'll be staying this weekend?" she asked as he shrug his shoulders "At the guys house. Yeah, I was listening. I guess I'll go pack my stuff." he said heading upstairs. Twilight shook her head as Skywalker chuckled.
Meanwhile, back at the guy's house.
McGrath was sitting on the sofa reading a book, he was only a few chapters in as a voice behind him said "Soooo.". Turning around he saw Phoenix leaning against the sofa, giving him a cocky smirk.
McGrath rolled his eyes before saying "What do you want now?", deciding against his better judgment to hear him out. Phoenix jumped over the sofa and took a seat next to him, "So, talked to Diva yet?" he asked, gaining him a glare from McGrath. "Now don't give me that look. Don't tell me that you haven't talked to her after the sleep over. Especially after you two..." he said as McGrath cut him off, "We all agreed to never talk about what happened!". he said.
Phoenix just gave him a smirk, as he relaxed back into the sofa, "Come on, don't tell me you don't have feelings for her." he winked as McGrath returned to his book, "This discussion is over." he said, hiding his face into the book.
Phoenix could have sworn he saw a blush on McGrath's pale cheeks. A big smile crept on his face, "You do! You totally do!" he said standing up, "Moody likes Diva! Moody likes Diva!" he said in a sing song voice as McGrath let out a annoyed groan.
And so, Saturday came. The daytime part of the day was spend decorating the house and setting stuff up for a Nightmare Night Party, after preparations were in order, Skywalker retreated into his room to put on his costume.
Coming down in a Darth Vader suite, he saw Spike, who ironically, was dressed as a dragon waiting for him.
"So?" Skywalker said activating the voice changer, mimicking the voice of Darth Vader. "What do you think? I made it myself." at the bottom of the stairs, he spin around to show off the costume.
"Are you that one guy with a breathing problem from Star Wars?" Spike said, gaining a face palm from Skywalker. "Guy with a breathing problem?... I'm Darth freaking Vader! The greatest enemy of the Jedi!" he ranted as he and Spike exited the house to hunt for candy.
Apparently, no one recognized who Skywalker was supposed to be. Humans? Not weird at all, Darth freaking Vader? Who is that robot?
Anyways, the hunting was a great success as they both had two big bags filled with all sorts of sweets. Before heading home, they decide to the festival on the Main Square.
A lot of ponies had gathered, all wearing costumes from a typical princess to zombies, Skywalker though he even saw a filly dressed as McGrath.
"Thank you, everybody." Mayor Mare, her self dressed as a clown with rainbow wig, big red nose and all that clown stuff, said as she addressed the crowd from the stage, and welcome to the Nightmare Night festival! Now all the little ponies who have been out collecting sweets should follow our friend Zecora to hear the legend of Nightmare Moon!" she said, trying to sound scary, but at best she sounded cheesy.
"Spooky voice might work better is she wasn't dressed like that." Spike whispered to Skywalker, making him chuckle as Zecora enter the stage, dressed as... A voodoo witch I guess?
"Follow me and very soon you'll hear the tale of Nightmare Moon." Zecora said, her spooky voice sounded much scarier, "Listen close my little dears, and I'll tell you where you got your fears of Nightmare Night, so dark and scary. Of Nightmare Moon, who makes you wary. Every year, we put on a disguise, to save ourselves, from her searching eyes. But Nightmare Moon wants just one thing. To gobble up ponies in one quick swing. Hungrily, she soars the sky. If she sees nobody, she passes by. So if she comes and all is clear, Equestria is safe another year!".
"Uh, Miss Zecora, if we wear costumes to hide from Nightmare Moon, so she won't gobble us up, how come we still need to give her some of our candy?" A little filly, named Pipsqueak if Skywalker recalled correctly, asked, making Zecora turn to him.
"A perfect question, my little friend. For Nightmare Moon you must not offend. Fill up her belly with a treat or two, so she won't return to come eat you!" she said, making some children scream in fright.
"Everybody!" Pinkie shouted, she was dressed as a chicken, "Just dump some candy and get out of here!" she said dropping some candy in front of the statue.
Just as the little fillies wanted to offer some candy, the sky darkened as thunder roars in the background. A chariot, being pulled by two pegasi guards, instead of the normal gold armor, these guard were wearing black armor and their wings were those of a bat, instead of the normal feathered ones.
Skywalker gave a deep sigh, "What is it now?" he asked as the chariot landed. Someone wearing a dark cloak exited, as she approached the center of the group, the cloak disappeared into bats, revealing that the new comer was in fact the Princess of the night herself.
Though she looked different from the last time they saw her. For instance, she was taller, her body more slim, her mane filled with stars and floating as if held by wind.
The princess looked around, giving the group a good look before, "Citizens of Ponyville!" she shouted, with a lot of volume, "We have graced your tiny village with our presence, so that you might behold the real princess of the night! A creature of nightmare is no longer, but instead a pony who desires your love and admiration! Together we shall change this dreadful celebration into a bright and glorious feast!" she declared, thunder roaring in the background, startling ever one. "Did you hear that, everybody!?" Pinkie shouted, "Nightmare Moon says she's gonna feast on us all!", scaring the kids as they all fled.
"What?" Princess Luna said surprised, this time with a normal voice, "No children, no! You no longer have reason to fear us! Screams of delight is what your princess desires, not screams of terror!", her please went unheard as nearly everybody fled in terror.
"What is the matter with you?" the princess shouted in frustration, "Very well then. Be that way! We won't even bother with the traditional royal farewell." she said as she made her exit, towards the Everfree Forest.
"Spike, you go home now." Skywalker started, handing him his candy bag, "I gonna go talk to her." standing back up and turns to the way Luna left.
"You can't talk to her!" Spike said, almost falling over from the weight of four big bags filled with candy, "She's Nightmare Moon!" he said worriedly, making Skywalker glare at him from under his helmet, "No, she's not." Skywalker said, with a stern tone to his voice, "I saw the Elements of Harmony change her back to good! But it seems like she's having some trouble adjusting after being gone for a thousand years." Skywalker said as he dashed toward the Everfree Forest.
He didn't have to look long for the princess, who was sitting in front of a statue of Nightmare Moon. Hearing him approach, she turned her head to look at him, giving him a distrustful look.
"Princess Luna? Hi, my name is..." Skywalker started with a friendly tone, as his hands moved up to remove the helmet. But before he could do that, Luna interrupted him. "Darth Vader!" she said, surprising Skywalker, "Commendable costume! Thou even got the voice and breathing right." she complimented him, making Skywalker grin under the helmet.
"Thank you." he said, fiddling with the helmet, "I just came to welcome you to our celebration! My actual name is..." he found the button at the side of his helmet, removing the hooks at kept it in check. Removing the helmet, Skywalker shook his head to get his hair back into its usual model.
"Jason Skywalker!" she said, before her voice returned her loud volume, "It was thou who unleashed the powers of harmony upon us and took away our dark powers!", she shouted as thunder roared in the background.
"Wow, Wow!" Skywalker said, raising his hands "Easy there. That was a good thing... right?" he asked nervously as Luna gave him a puzzling look. "But of course." she responded in her normal tone. "We could not be happier. Is that not clear?" she asked him confused.
"Well..." Skywalker started slowly, trying not to offend the princess in front of him, "You kinda sound like you're yelling at me.".
Luna shook her head as she took in what he said, "But this is the traditional royal Canterlot voice! It is tradition to speak, using the royal 'we', and..." she pauzed, returning to her Royal Canterlot Voice, "TO USE AS MUCH VOLUME WHEN ADDRESSING OUR SUBJECTS!".
Skywalker looked awkwardly to his left and right, thinking to himself "So... Royalty spoke in caps lock in the past...", gaining a questioning look from the Princess. "That might explain why your appearance was met with... mixed results. I think if you just changed your approach a bit, you might be met with a warmer reception." he suggested as Luna shouted at him "Change our approach!?".
Skywalker cover his hears, "Lower the volume?" he said gaining a sorrowful look from the princess.
"Ohhh." she looked down to the ground, "We have been locked away for a thousand years. We are... not sure we can."
It took some time, but with some pointers and some practice, Luna got her volume under control. Skywalker suggested to get to know some ponies.
This was less successful as nearly everybody was still scared of her, every attempted resulted ended with someone running away while screaming.
"What's wrong with you!" Skywalker shouted, as Pinkie ran away for the third time. Luna dropped her head in disappointment, "It is of no use, Jason." she said, giving a deep sigh, "They have never liked us and they never shall."
"I like you." Skywalker said, he could have sworn that he saw a little smile on the princess muzzle for a brief moment after saying that. "Maybe their just... Intimidate. You are a princess after all." nodding, thinking that must be it, "There is a party at my house, there will be music, snacks and drinks. It will be a perfect way to show that you are just a pony! Just like everybody else!" he explained excited, though Luna had her doubts.
"We... We don't know. How big will this party be?" she asked nervous. Skywalker gave her a warm smile, "Its just a small party, fifty people and or ponies max." he said, as Luna looked worried to the ground.
"We... We guess. Will you be staying at our side the entire time?" she asked, he gave her an encouraging nod "Of course!".
As they approach the house, they could see that the party was already in full swing. Ponies were laughing, dancing and socializing with one another.
Luna seemed nervous as she walked close the Skywalker. He gave her a encouraging smile, "Don't worry, this will be fun! All you have to do is loosen up a bit, be positive, and have some fun.", he said as they entered the house.
"Fun?" Luna asked him, "What is this 'fun' thou speak of? Pray tell, what purpose does it serve?", making Skywalker think for a minute.
"Well..." he started slowly, "F is for friends that do stuff together, U is for you and me, and... N is for anywhere at any time at all. If I remember correctly."
This time, they had much more success to get the ponies to accept Luna, a little bit of alcohol can do wonders. It took some time but eventually Luna loosened up, dragging Skywalker to the dance floor and pretty much forced him to dance. Which is especially funny, as Skywalker is a terrible dancer, though Luna didn't care, she had the time of her life.
Eventually, they ended in the backyard were some games were set up. Luna waited outside, returning greetings she got from the party goers as Skywalker returned with two cans.
"Well you seem to be having a good time, Princess." he said handing her one of the cans, which she levitate with her magic. She opened it, she took a sip as a bitter taste filled her mouth. With some trouble she swallowed it, looking over at Skywalker who had already finished his.
"This is some... Intresting cider." she said, "What kind of cider is this, Jason?" she asked as he looked up to the roof. "That's my princess, is called a beer." he said as he kept looking at the roof. A crowd started to form around them, all looking at the roof. Luna herself looked up and saw one of Skywalker's friends standing on the roof.
"I'm gonna jump! Into the pool!" said a drunken Phoenix, as the crowd started to chant "Jump!" over and over.
Luna gave Skywalker a worried look, "Don't worry, he does this every Saturday.", his words had barley left his mouth as Phoenix jumped.
Landing in the pool, a large splash headed to the crowd. Luna closed her eyes, waiting for the water to hit her, which never happened. Opening her eyes, she saw Skywalker standing in front of her.
"I can't have a lady become dirty, now can I princess?" he said giving her a smile.
"I ask that thou call us..." she slowly said, shaking her head as she continued, "Me... Luna, fair Jason. Hear me, villagers!" she shouted those last words, gaining the attention of everyone, "All of you! Call me Luna!" as she said that, the crowd cheered.
As the night continued, they ran into Pinkie again, who screamed as she saw him with Princess Luna, before Luna could react Skywalker jumped to her defense, "What's wrong with you Pinkie! You used to be scared of nothing! Why are you suddenly scared of Luna!? She's changed! She's not evil or scary anymore! And she definitely doesn't want to gobble you up!" he shouted, unbeknownst to him this made Luna blush.
"...Well, duh." Pinkie said, rolling her eyes. "I know that. Sheesh, Skywalker, I'm almost as big as her. How's she gonna gobble me up?".
He was slightly taken a back by her answer. "Sometimes it's just really fun to be scared." Pinkie said before he could say anything.
At five in the morning, Griffifth shouted, "The party is over! You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!" he said as the guests started to leave. Everybody went home with a smile, everyone but Luna who seemed disappointed.
Skywalker watched her leave, he rushed out the door and catch up with the princess who seemed to be walking home even though she lived in a different city.
"You mind if I walk with you for a while?" he asked, she turned around looking at him, "Jason? Shouldn't you get to bed?" she asked as he shook his head, "I'm not tired." he said, before she could ask he answered "You seemed disappointed at the end of the night, did I do something wrong?" he asked her as they walked through Ponyville, which is empty at this time of day.
"Not at all. I... Thank you, for everything tonight." She said giving him a grateful smile, "I don't usually hang out with friends." she told him, gaining a questing look from him.
Noticing his look she continued, "I'm usually the only one awake during the night." looking down at her reflection in a puddle. "I don't really have many friends, just my sister."
Skywalker's figure soon enters the reflection on the puddle. "I could be your friend." he said making her look up at him, as he smiled.
"So why do you sleep during the day?" he asked, as they crossed a bridge. "I don't have to, I always used to argue that I could just raise the moon every night before I sleep. But that was when I was young and mother didn't allow it." she answered.
Skywalker put his arms behind the back of his head, "I don't see a problem with that. It's not like the moon is going anywhere." he said making her chuckle. "I think you should tell Celestia about that." he said making Luna nod. "Yes, she is more reasonable than mother is... or should I say was." she added that last part sadly.
He realized what she meant, "Oh... I'm sorry." he said. Luna shrugged of his apology "No, it's okay." she said as they arrived at the edge of Ponyville. "I'll talk to Tia and maybe we can walk together again some other day." she asked hopefully.
Skywalker nodded again "That would be nice. Come by anytime, your always welcome." he said as she spreads her wings. Before taking off, she turned around and gives him a quick peck on the cheek, then flies off into the night. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 18: My Greatest Failure | "No way!" Phoenix exclaimed with a mischievous smile, leaning over the sofa as Pinkie nodded energetically, "Yes way! I saw it myself!" she said grinning ear to ear.
"I can't believe this! So who do you think..." Phoenix asked before being interrupted, "What are you two talking about?".
Turning around they saw that Griffifth was leaning in the door opening.
"I just saw Skywalker buy a whole bunch of ingredients!" Pinkie said as if that explained everything. Griffifth gave them a puzzling look before continuing "Sooo... Why is that so strange?", as he asked that Phoenix and Pinkie dropped their heads.
"Duh!" Phoenix was the first to speak up, "It's obvious he's going to cook for a girl! A certain blue pegasi if I'm guessing correctly." he stated. Pinkie shook her head in confusion, "What? Him and Rainbow? No way! He's obviously going to cook for Twilight!" she said. The two of them got in a heated discussion as to who was the lucky mare, Skywalker was going to cook for.
Griffifth pinched the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes, "You two are idiots." he said as he left the room.
Meanwhile at Fluttershy's Cottage, a knock was heard on the front door. Placing a bandage around a injured bird, "Who's there?" she asked as she approached the door.
"It's a me, Jason Skywalker!" Skywalker's voice came from the other side of the door, "Could you please open the door? I have something for you." he said as Fluttershy gained a blush, "He has something for me? A present? Something romantic? Oh no don't be silly Fluttershy, he probably has some missed placed mail for you." she thought to herself as she opened the door, and there stood Skywalker, holding a gray carton box.
"Uhm... Hi." she said with a small voice, gaining a huge blush. "Oh great! Now he will think I don't want to talk to him!" she thought to herself as he opened the box. Inside she could see that it was filled with cookie's, shaped like a butterfly. She looked up at him, giving him a questioning look as to why he would show this to her.
"These are for you, I baked them myself. " he said proudly as he placed the box on a nearby table. He looked at her before his expression became serious, "I know you don't like me very much." he said to the shock of Fluttershy.
"W-What makes you think that?" she asked, the color draining from her face. "Well..." he started crossing his arms, "I noticed that you hardly talk when I'm around, when I enter the room you just stop speaking and if I say something to you, even if it's a compliment, your face turns red from anger." he explained as he headed to the door, "See it as a peace offering. Anyway I got to go, see you around." he waved at her before running off.
"He..." Fluttershy said slowly to herself, "He thinks I hate him?". Walking over to the box, she picked out one of the cookies and took a bite, her eyes winded at how good they were.
Over at Sugarcube Corner, McGrath was sitting at a table trying to read a book.
"Here's you coffee, black no sugar." Mrs Cake said, placing the cup on his table as he closed his book. "Thank you Mrs Cake." he said as he took a sip, savoring the taste. "Hmm, this is some great coffee, thank you Mrs Cake." he said, as Mrs Cake told him that it was no problem.
"I have what he is having." an elegant voice said, as the owner took a seat across from him. "Certainly Rarity." Mrs Cake said as she headed back to the kitchen.
"What do you want?" McGrath said, placing his cup down, giving her an annoyed look. "I wanted to talk to you..." she started.
"Your doing it now." he interrupted, taking another sip from his cup. Rarity looked at him, waiting for him to say more. "You are very quiet." she finally said as Mrs Cake placed Rarity's order on the table. "Only compared to some." McGrath responded, placing his now empty cup back on the table.
"I... I wanted to talk to you... about that night..." Rarity said, and for the first time since she sat down, McGrath's expression changed from expressionless to shocked.
"I'm not going to discuss that night, all five of us agreed that that night never happened." he said standing up, placing some bits on the table to cover their coffee. He was about to walk away, but Rarity next words stopped him dead in his tracks, "It was my first time!".
He turned around to face her, Rarity was close to crying. He walked back to her, whipping the single tear that had escaped her beautiful sapphire blue eyes. "Listen uhm..." he said slowly, struggling to find the right words, "I... I'm sorry, I mean it. But you shouldn't get involved with a guy like me." he turned his eyes away from her, Rarity noticed for a fleeting moment that there was sorrow in McGrath's emerald green eyes, she also noticed that nearly all the harshness had disappeared from his voice. "A girl like you can do so much better than me and..." he said standing up and heading towards a door "I could never deserve someone like you." he ran out of the door before she could respond.
Over at Canterlot, Skywalker headed out of the train station looking for Shining Armor, as he has done for the past two month's.
Unfortunately he didn't saw the captain anywhere in the crowd, which is strange as he was always one time. Skywalker took a seat on the stairs. After another ten minutes, a orange pegasi guard with blue mane. What Skywalker could make of the guards was that he was young, probably his age.
"Jason Skywalker?" he asked, yep he was Skywalker's age. "Yes, that's me." he said standing up, "Who's asking?".
The young guard made a bow before answering, "Flash Sentry is the name, newest recruit of the guards stationed here in Canterlot." he said standing back up. "Ah." Skywalker said, "I was wondering what Shining Armor had done to his coat. Speaking of which where is he?" he looked around but the captain was nowhere in sight.
"He requested to meet you at the Canterlot Cafe. Something about your training being delayed of something." Flash answered as Skywalked nodded, "Alright, lead the way.".
Flash Sentry gave him an excited nod, leading him towards the shopping district. Flash kept glancing over Skywalker, as if wanting to ask something. "Yes?" Skywalker asked, trying to break the silence. "Uhm..." Flash started, "You don't always wear clothes, do you?" he asked. "Not when I'm naked I don't." Skywalker replied dryly, making Flash chuckle.
"He's alright." Skywalker thought to himself, "Can I ask you something else?" Flash said, Skywalker nodded him to continue.
"About sixteen years ago, a major battle was fought near Canterlot." Flash started, "A bunch of ape like creatures appeared and fought using laser swords and swords shaped like key's. My mother, who was pregnant with me at the time, was saved by a female human." Flash said, Skywalker didn't respond, not knowing where he was going with this, "She had the same eye color as you, so I thought... Maybe, you wouldn't know her by any chance?" he finally asked as Skywalker crossed his arms.
"Hey, one time I ran across this pegasi. Brightly colored, fast. You think you may know her?" Skywalker asked him, as Flash quickly said, "I didn't mean to offend you! I was just curios if you may knew her, she save my mother's and by extension my live so..." he quickly said as Skywalker started to laugh, "At ease soldier, I was just messing with you.", Flash gained a blush of embarrassment. "And as for your question... No, I never met anyone, well not a human that is, with my eye color." Skywalker answered as they stop in front of Canterlot Cafe. Looking through the window, he could see Shining Armor sitting at a table talking to a pink unicorn, with purple and golden manes, he also noticed the look they were giving each other, so he planed some mischief as he entered the cafe.
"SHINING ARMOR!" Skywalker shouted as soon as he entered, making Flash flinch by his sudden outburst. Shining Armor turned around so fast, his head almost popped off his neck, "So you stood me up for her? What does she have that I don't?" Skywalker said with mock anger.
Shining Armor gave a relieved sigh as Skywalker, Flash and the pony laughed at his expense.
"You must be the illustrious Skywalker." she started, extending her hoof as a form of greeting, "I'm princess Mi Amore Cadenza, Cadance for sort." she said friendly as Skywalker shook her hoof. "Wait, princess?" he thought to himself looked to her side and indeed, there were a pair of wings on her side. "Hey!" the voice of Cadance said, snapping Skywalker out of his thought, "My eyes are up here." Cadance said with a similar mock anger he himself used a few moments earlier.
"I'm sorry. Anyway, why did you want to meet me here, Shining?" Skywalker asked as he took a seat. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that Flash Sentry was standing next to him, his eyes studying the crowd for potential threats.
"The princess asked me to give you a message." Shining Armor whispered, giving Cadance a quick look, "She found a way to remove your... uhm, problem.". Skywalker quickly realized what he meant and asked, "She has?".
Shining Armor gave him a quick nod, "It's going to be difficult and I don't know all the details..." he said before Cadance interrupted him.
"Were going use magic to send someone in your Aria Of The Soul, and have them break that door open." she explained. "Inside the memory there will be... something. Once that is gone the mental block should be gone too.". Skywalker thought for a moment before asking, "Who are we gonna send in?" Skywalker asked, but before Shining Armor could answer, Cadance spoke up, "It can be just about anyone. Well, I can't do it since I will be conducting the spell. It's tricky Alicorn magic, but Celestia herself has offered to be enter herself." she said, noticing Skywalker thinking.
"Actually, I have someone else in mind." Skywalker said, as he stood up, "When is the next train coming from Ponyville?"
"I got your message." Phoenix said, "You sure you want me to do that?" he asked, giving a questing look.
"Ya, I want you to help Big Macintosh with some shopping." Applejack said, as she gave another kick to a apple tree, making it drop apples in the basket.
"Well, okay then." Phoenix said shrugging his shoulder, "Thank's Sugarcube, I think he could use some guy friends." she gave him a grateful smile.
Soon after Phoenix and Big Macintosh made there way towards the market place, he tried to strike up a conversation but Big Macintosh did not say much other than "Eeyup" and "Eynope.".
"Your not much of a talker are you?" Phoenix noted, which got replied with the standerd, "Eeyup.".
Phoenix rolled his eyes as he placed his arms behind the back of his head, "That's okay I guess. That means I can talk for both of us." he said grinning at his large companion... No response.
"You know..." Phoenix said, trying to get a reaction out of Big Mac, "Your sister has a nice flank. It looks like a big round apple, I totally wanna have a bite out of her fruit... Woah!" Phoenix was suddenly throw to the floor, he quickly rolled on his back to see a angry Big Macintosh standing over him.
"You stay away from my sister!" he said, the tone of his voice, the way angry look he was giving him, all that made Phoenix burst out in laughter. Big Macintosh quickly took a few steps back, thinking Phoenix might have gone insane. Phoenix stood up, laughing all the while, "Your just the kind of guy I thought you were." he said as he dusted himself off, "You don't let anyone say shit about your family, I can respect that." patting Big Macintosh on the back.
Phoenix resumed walking, but Big Mac was dumbfound by that this guy could so easily push his buttons.
Meanwhile back at Canterlot castle, Skywalker, Celestia and Cadance were sitting in the garden waiting for Skywalker's chosen to arrive.
"Are you really sure? I would gladly..." Celestia started but was cut short by the arrival of Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow looked over at the group, "So... Why did you need my assistance?" she asked as Celestia explained the situation to her.
"I see..." Rainbow said giving a confidante smile, "I'll do anything for my buddy Jason. So how are we gonna enter his... Saria Of The Oul?" he asked.
"It's Aria Of The Soul and I will use my Alicorn magic to link your mind to his." Cadance answered, "You may be wondering why I specifically have to do this, well. Mental blocks are caused by extreme traumatizing emotions. As I am the princess of love, I am the most qualified to preform the spell. A high level unicorn or even any other Alicorn can also enter someones mind, but they need to ask permission first." she explained as Skywalker chuckled.
"So we're going by vampire rules now?" he said gaining an angry look from Cadance, "Just trying to light the mood." he said. "I will take the role as navigator, I will try yo guide you as much as possible, Rainbow Dash." Celestia said as Cadance instructed them to sit across from each other. "But it must be you who will break the seal." Celestia added as Cadance horn starts to glow.
"Thank you for doing this for me, Dashie." Skywalker said, gaining a nod from Rainbow, "Of course, I will never let any of my friends down."
They both gave each other one last look in the eyes, Skywalker's amber colored in her cerise once's, as a bright flash of pink enveloped them.
Rainbow felt as if she took a dive in a cold lake. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was floating towards a a glass pillar, on the glass floor she could she a sleeping Skywalker. As she landed she quickly went to the large stone door. "Hey listen! Hey listen!" Rainbow turned to the source of the sound. A small purple glowing orb with butterfly wings flowed towards her, "It seems you have arrived. Good." the voice of Celestia came from the fairy.
"Princess is that you?" Rainbow asked as the fairy flew over to her. "Yes, this is the form I will take as your guide. Now on to the task at hand." Fairy Celestia said, floating towards the door. "When your ready, place your hoof on the door and we shall begin.". Rainbow nodded as she step to the door. "Once the memory starts to play, look for something like a glowing orb." fairy Celestia instructed as Rainbow touched the door, black bolts of lightning disappeared from the door, a bright light appeared from the creeks of the door, blinding them.
As the light slows down, Rainbow felt herself being pulled along with a black blur. Making her way through a large city along with the blur, on closer inspection it appeared to be Skywalker, running at Mach-1 speed.
"Damn it, damn it! Run faster!" the memory Skywalker shouted to himself as a voice spoke to him, "Hurry up, little hero. If you don't they all die!" the voice threated him, as Skywalker groaned in annoyed, "You don't have to remind me..." as he jumped up to the a building and run up its length.
One think Rainbow noticed was that Skywalker's eyes seem to glow faintly, something they didn't do anymore. Arriving at the top of the thirteen store building, Rainbow could see six people hanging from ropes. Skywalker quickly got them down before jumping off the building, he landed with a shoulder roll and continued his mad run.
"Why would he still be running? They are all saved..." Rainbow muttered to herself, but soon she could see the reason. On top of a larger building, another person was dangling over the edge by a rope. Skywalker increased his speed but a loud bang was heard and the person plummet to the ground. "CLAIRE NO!" Skywalker shouted as he rushed to the place she should have landed. "Even with all this power... I'm still powerless..." Skywalker thought echoed through the memory. Skywalker's hands glowed with some blue energy as he cradled the body.
Rainbow notice that the girl he was holding had long golden blond hair, she opened her green eyes just for another moment.
"Ja-Jason..." the girl named Claire said with a weak voice, giving him a faint smile. "Don't talk." Skywalker said, he tried to remain calm but his voice was betraying his panic. "I'll get you to a hospital." he started but Claire shushed him, "No... Its too late..." she said, trying to reassure him. "Please... Don't leave me..." Skywalker begged, his voice started to break. Even Rainbow shed a tear, she had never seen Skywalker so desperate. "I'm proud of you..." Claire said weakly, placing her hand on his face, "You use your powers to help people. I'll love you, Jason Skywalker. Until the end of time..." with that, she closed her eyes, never to open them again. Skywalker cradles his girlfriends body and cries softly. Suddenly, Skywalker's eyes led up, his pupils and iris gone, replaced by a all glowing light, a blue aura surrounding his body, he let out a cry of rage, his power so great the windows in the nearby building shattered to pieces, lantern poles bending over as if a invisible hand was snapping them.
And so the memory melted away, leaving Rainbow standing in a white void. In the middle a small black orb floated, black lightning sparks sprang from it at regular intervals.
"That's it Rainbow, destroy that orb." the voice of Celestia said. Whipping the tear from her face, Rainbow nodded. She placed her hoof on it and as hard as she could, slammed it into the white ground, shattering it into a thousand little pieces. The moment the orb shattered, she felt herself being pulled back.
Rainbow felt herself falling back into her body, as if falling into a chair. "A-And? Did it work?" Rainbow asked, feeling herself a bit sick.
"I believe it did." Cadance said looking towards Skywalker. His eyes were a all compassing blue for a moment before it returned back to their normal amber ones. Stream of tears fell from his as, as he himself fell forward. Celestia reacted first, ignoring her own tears as she placed her wings around him. Skywalker had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 19: Plan C | "So, what are you having?" Phoenix asked Big Macintosh, looking into the fridge. After buying everything they needed for Applejack, Big Mac and Phoenix, well Phoenix actually, decided to take a short break at the guys house. "I'll just have some water." Big Mac answered, gaining a disappointed pout from Phoenix, as he walked over to the tap.
"Ya've a nickname for everyone." Big Mac said as Phoenix walked back to him with their drinks. "That's true. Big Red." Phoenix answered as he open his own can of apple cider. "But everyone just calls ya Phoenix." Big Mac continued as he took a sip from his water, "That's hardly fair."
Phoenix took a moment to think about a response, after taking a few more sips he said, "Well, I'm telling the story." he gave a shoulder shrug. This gained a puzzling look from Big Mac, "What?".
Phoenix eye grow big for a few seconds, "Nothing." he said quickly as they hear the front door opening.
Turning they saw a angry looking McGrath, like that's anything new, heading upstairs.
"McGrath!" Phoenix said cheerful, but before he could say anything else McGrath interrupted him, "Not now." he said before continuing to head upstairs.
"But..." said Phoenix, gave him a questioning. "NOT NOW!" McGrath shouted as he slammed the door to his room shut.
McGrath started to walk around his room, trying to calm his sorrow. He stopped in front of a the mirror hanging from the wall, his own emerald eyes looking back at him, "You're a fool, McGrath." his reflection said with a mocking tone, "Who could ever love a weapon like you?".
"That's not true..." McGrath said weakly before his reflection burst out in laughter, as if it had reminded itself of a funny joke.
"You're the one who's lying to yourself! You don't wanna accept the truth!" the reflection laughed as McGrath slowly walked up to the mirror. as it continued to mock him. "Deep down, you know once your special someone is gone, your life will have to go back to the way it was before. Life is like that. Whenever you reach too high, life smacks you down!" it laughed at McGrath pained expression, before he raised his fist and shatterd the glass.
"You'll never learn. Such a pity." the reflection said, as McGrath dropped on his bed. Looking down at his left fist, he saw pieces of glass sticking out of it, dark red blood dripping on the floor as he didn't feel anything.
"I hate you... and..." McGrath muttered to himself, a tear dripping from his left eye, "And I hate myself the most... for not having the strength to stand up to you!".
Meanwhile, Phoenix and Big Mac were making their way back to Sweet Apple Acres with the supplies they've bought.
"So what do you do, Big Red?" Phoenix asked, gaining another puzzling look from Big Mac, "Ya know I'm a farmer," he answered before asking a question of his own, "Why are you asking?".
Phoenix turned to him, explaining his question, "I mean in your off-work hours. For fun?" he said before quickly adding, "You've heard of it, I hope?".
Big Mac's expression returned to his normal calm self, "These are my off-work hours." he answered making Phoenix's mouth drop in shock.
"And the trend of you scaring the piss out of me continues." Phoenix said as Big Macintosh chuckled.
Over at Canterlot Castle, Cadance had taken her leave, as she had other business to attend to. Celestia meanwhile was giving Skywalker a check up, seeing if the mental block removal had any negative side effects.
"Hmm..." Celestia said, writing down her results, Skywalker was a little nervous about the results, fearing that it might not have worked. His nerves were calmed a little by the arrival of another princesses.
"Sister are done yet?..." Luna started before realizing who was with her sister, "Oh, Jason! What happened?" she asked worryingly, as she walked to his side and started to check him for any damage.
"Easy there Luna." Skywalker said weakly, removing once mental block was quite tiring it seemed, "I just had a mental block removed, nothing to..." he explained but Luna looked shocked, "THOU DID WHAT!?" she shouted in her royal Canterlot, startling both Skywalker and Celestia.
"Do thou not know how dangerous that can be? Thou could have seriously brought harm to your gray noggin!" Luna said worriedly. "Not much to damage up there." Skywalker said deadpan, tapping the side of his head with his index finger. This made both princess chuckle but Luna still gave him a worried look.
Skywalker got up from his seat, but immediately his legs gave in and he dropped to the floor. Before he could hit it though, Luna quickly caught him.
Hearing the commotion, Rainbow entered from a waiting room, taking a quick look around the room before her eye fell on Skywalker, "Jason, you don't look so good." she noted but there was no response.
Celestia placed her front hoof on his forehead, gaining a worried expression, "We best get him to his bed." she said as her horn glowed. And in a blink of an eye, they were teleported to Skywalker's room. Using her magic, Celestia removed his shoes, and upper body clothing before laying him down in his bed and pulling his blue blanket up to his chin.
Luna and Rainbow gave her a questioningly look, both not knowing what's going on. "Removing his mental block has let out his pent up energy. Currently his body is trying to accommodate his new increase in power.", she explained as Rainbow and Luna looked worriedly at Skywalker. "How long will this take, sister?" Luna asked as Celestia shook her head, "That I do not know, it can be a few hours to even days. For now its best to let him rest." she said, giving Skywalker's sleeping form one last look as she headed to the door. "Princess Celestia? Can I ask you something?" the voice of Rainbow said, making Celestia turn her head.
"I've been wondering. If I had to be send in, then why were you also there?" Rainbow asked, Celestia gave her a kind smile as she answered, "I went as your guide. Had I have gone in your role, I wouldn't have need a guide, for I would have know what to do to remove the mental block. " she explained before her expression looked seriously, "I have another quest for you, Rainbow Dash.".
Rainbow gave her a curious look before as she continued, "I need you to keep an eye on Skywalker in the meantime. He should not be in any life danger, but it wouldn't hurt to have someone look over him.", Rainbow nodded accepting her quest as Celestia smiled, her horn glowed brightly as another bright flash teleported her and her sister back to the castle.
"Don't worry Jason, I will be back." Rainbow said as she gave her friend one last look before exiting the door herself.
Meanwhile, in a dark throne room, a cloaked figure was sitting, studying, books, maps, scrolls and other things floating in front of him. Another cloaked figure appeared from red smoke, bowing down before him.
"I was beginning to worry that you had lost your way." the figure on the throne said, the books, scrolls and maps disappearing in dark blue light, turning his attention to the new comer, "Rise, you bring news I trust?" he said as the newcomer rose back to her feet.
"We have sources that what we're looking might be in the Canterlot Throne room. My Lord, I'd like to volunteer for this task..." she said but her master raised his hand, "As inspiring as I find your bloodlust, I will take care of this matter personally." he said, disappearing into dark blue smoke.
It was now night time, and after coming back, Rainbow had not let Skywalker's side.
Skywalker groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, taking in that he was now back in his room, "Good evening, sleepyhead." Rainbow said giving him a smile.
He tried to say something but all that came out of his throat was too dry too speak. Rainbow gave a chuckle handing him a bottle of water, Skywalker gratefully accepted as he drank all of the contend in one go. "Thank's Dashie." he said placing the now empty bottle on the night stand.
"Wow, you were thirsty." she said as she took a seat next to him on the bed, "Actually, I have something else for you.".
She showed him a small box, she looked at his questioning look before answering, "I was originally going to give you this for Hearts and..." she gained a small blush before continuing, "Uhm... for a special holiday. But seeing as you were such a big boy during your mental block removal, your getting it early." she finished placing the small box in his lap.
Picking it up, Skywalker open it under the hopeful gaze of Rainbow, inside the box there was a necklace, as the end there was a lightning bolt charm in his favorite color, blue.
Skywalker smiled at his present "Thanks, Dashie." his voice still a little raspy from the dryness, "I really like this.", to Rainbow's embarrassment, he pulled her into a hug as a thank you. "Okay, relax." Rainbow said patting him on the back, "It's not like I like you or anything.", she was secretly blushing, taking in the scent of his hair, it smelled just like cotton candy.
At the same time, a cloaked man entered Canterlot Garden, he could feel that some very powerful magic was preformed here recently.
"Who's there?" a guard said his horn glowing, ready for battle. The cloaked man walked past him, heading towards the statue garden. The guard tried to stop him, but the cloaked man gave a simple wave with his hand as the guard starts to twitch. "The moon..." the guard muttered, looking up at the sky, "Yes, yes, the moon! I have to catch the moon! I must hold her, I must hold her in my arms... I must tell her how much I adore her glow, her glow! The moon!" he shouted as he run away, trying to catch the moon.
The figured entered the statue garden, all of the statues were Ponies stuck in various expressions of terror. Worse, there was laughter coming from one of the statues.
The cloaked figure stride in the direction of the laughter, until he found himself in front of a huge statue. The statue depicted a serpent like creature. It's expression was not of terror, but of joy surprisingly enough.
"Oh my, a visitor!" the statue said, rather happily, "And a human to boot! It's been a thousand years since I last saw one!", the visitor was annoyed at being compared to a human, though he did not show it "Discord, spirit of disharmony and chaos, am I correct?" the visitor said, studying the the statue.
"That's the name! Do not wear it out." the statue said, "And what do you call your self, tall, dark and handsome?" if he could he would have giving the visitor a curious look.
"You may call me Morgenstern." the visitor said, before continuing, "And I came with a proposition for you.", this got Discord's attention, what could this human possibly offer him.
"It must be dreadful being a statue and all that. So how about I set you free?" Morgenstern said, now he really had Discord's attention. "And what oh dark messiah, would you want in return in exchange for setting me free?" the statue questioned as Morgenstern's left hand glowed and with a blast of dark energy, the stone keeping Discord in place was blasted off him, freeing the him.
"All I want is for you to do what you do best." Morgenstern said walking up to Discord, "I want you to turn their little world upside down.", under his hood, his blue eyes flared up. Discord gave a mischievous grin as he gave a salute, "Yes, my dark king!" his voice dripping with utter glee. Morgenstern turned his back to him, "Just relax with the dark king, okay?" he said before disappearing into smoke. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 20: Discord Strikes Back | "Haha and then what?" Rainbow asked, still sitting on Skywalker's bed, she had spend the entire night with him, just talking. "Then I accidentally throw Phoenix into a wall. We all thought he had a few broken bones but he just got up and said 'That was amazing!'." they both burst out in laughter as a weird sound came from Skywalker's pocket.
Rainbow looked at him curiously as Skywalker took his phone out of his pocket, "What is that?" Rainbow asked, as Skywalker raised his eyebrow. "This is my phone, you must have see me use it a few times." Skywalker answered, Rainbow shook her head and started to explain, "I have seen it a few times, but what does it do?".
"You can do a lot of things on a phone." Skywalker explained as he showed each application off, "Gaming, watching video, surf on the internet, listen to music. ". Rainbow chuckled at that last thing, "You seriously want me to believe that that little plastic thing can make music?" she said obviously not believing him.
"Listen for yourself." Skywalker said as he put his ear plugs in Rainbow's ears.
He hit play and to Rainbow's shock, a guitar started to play, just as she was starting to get into the music the lyric's kicked in.
You see me soaring through the sky, I see you below as you walk on by, I could clear the sky in 10 second flat, How about that?
A male voice sang, as the song finished, Rainbow pulled out the earplugs and smiled, "Alright, I believe you now.", she said gaining a smirk from Skywalker. "You like?" he asked as she nodded her head, "I love it! Were can I buy something like that?" she asked excited.
He shrug his shoulders before saying, "I don't think you'll find one in Equestria anytime soon... Wait! You can have mine!" he said, handing her his phone.
"W-What? Why are you giving it to me?" she said, blushing because a boy had given her a gift. "Well you gave me that awesome necklace, so I'm giving you this in return." he said, as Rainbow studied the phone in her hooves, "To recharge it, just give it a little lightning bolt." he added pinching his thumb and index finger.
"Thanks Jason." Rainbow said, looking away from him trying to hide her blush. "Now, you get some sleep. You're still not recovering..." she couldn't finish the sentence as a commotion was heard down stairs.
"Guys! Something is wrong with the water!" Phoenix said, as he had a glass full of brown water. "I hope it's chocolate milk..." Griffifth said as Phoenix took a sip. "Holy crap, it is chocolate milk!" he said, gaining a look of disgust from his friends.
"Uhm, guys..." Sutakira said, looking out the window. All sort of strange things are happening, clouds made of cotton candy, bunnies with stretched legs hopping past, and McGrath is having an indifferent expression on his face!... No, wait stretch that, that's normal.
"Is the world ending or something?" Sutakira said as a bright light filled the room.
As the light shimmered down, four of the five guys and the six girls were standing in a bright hall, the glass was nicely decorated, as if it was telling a story.
"Will someone please explain what is going on!" Sutakira shouted. Moments after those words left his mouth, Celestia appeared, a concern look on her face.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight was the first to speak up, "Is this about the weather? And the animals' weird behavior? And?..." she started.
"What's happening out there?" Griffifth asked bluntly.
"I've called you here for a matter of great importance." Celestia started, making Griffifth roll his eyes, as it is obvious there is something important, "It seems an old foe of mine, someone I thought defeated long ago, has returned. His name... is Discord." she explained, the gang gaining a worried look them self.
"Discord is the mischievous spirit of disharmony." the princess continued, but Griffifth interrupted her, "So he's a dick?" he said dryly.
Celestia shook her head, trying to compose herself before pointing to one of the windows. On said window, a battle was depicted between a strange creature, which the gang assumed to be Discord, and a pegasi, a earth pony, a unicorn, two alicorn's, which they assumed were the younger versions of Celestia and Luna, a winged pony with two horns and weirdest of all, a human in heavy looking armor and a cape.
"Before we had the kingdom of Equestria, the lands were ruled by separate republic's, the leaders of said republic's formed the Council, to rule fairly over the land. Humans, ponies, dragons, everybody lived side by side in peace, until he came. Discord and his army of ever growing corrupted waged war on the Council, intend to conquer the land and rule it in an eternal state of unrest and unhappiness. After discovering the Elements of Harmony, we combined our powers and rose up against him, after a long and bloody battle, were we lost many friends and... loved ones, we turning him to stone." she told them as they looked on in awe. "I thought the spell we cast would keep him contained forever, but since Luna and I are no longer connected to the Elements, the spell has been broken. I need you to wield the Elements of Harmony once again and stop Discord before he thrusts all of Equestria into eternal chaos." she finished as a held out a box.
"I have total confidence that you will be able to defeat Discord with these!" Celestia said as she opened the box, everybody was stunned as were the elements were supposed to be, there was nothing! Nothing at all!
"The Elements! They're gone!" Twilight exclaimed as Griffifth rolled his eyes again, "Yeah, no shit smart guy. This doesn't make sense!" he said.
Suddenly, a loud laughter is heard form the walls, it became louder and louder before it spoke up, "Make sense? Oh, what fun is there in making sense?" the voice said as Celestia quickly realized who it was, "Discord... Show yourself!" she commanded.
A bright flash came from one of the window's and the Discord depicted on it started to move, as if alive.
"Did you miss me, Tia? I missed you." Discord said with a menacing grin, "It's quite lonely being encased in stone, but you wouldn't know that, would you, because I don't turn ponies into stone. So how are you and your sib... Oh wait, now I remember, a better question would be how are Tafeile, Rire, Arlighet and Cae..." he started but Celestia cut him off before he could say the last name, "Don't you dare to speak their names!" she said, the anger in her voice apparent, even Twilight had never heard her mentor speak in that tone, "What have you done with the Elements of Harmony!?" she commanded as Discord laughed her off, "Oh, I just borrowed them for a teensy little while." he said, for the first time overlooking the group gathered before him, "Oh my dark messiah! Humans! I haven't seen your kind around since... well yesterday actually... So you ten are the new W.O.H.? Man, did they pick a bunch of rag tag misfits this time. None of you look like you're half the hero the others were!" Discord complained, obviously he was not impressed by the heroes. We'll fix that soon.
"Stop stalling, Discord! What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?" Celestia commanded, gaining a yawn from Discord, "Oh, so boring, Celestia. Really? Fine, I'll tell you, but I'll only tell you my way. To retrieve your missing Elements, just make sense of this change of events. Twists and turns are my master plan. Then find the Elements back where you began." he told them as he disappeared in a bright flash, laughing all the while.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Phoenix asked confused, as the others started to think.
Twilight muttered to herself, "Twists and turns... twists and turns... twists and turns! That's it! I bet Discord hid the Elements in the palace labyrinth!" she declared, but Sutakira shook his head.
"When have we been to the palace labyrinth." Sutakira explained, "We began at your library Twilight. That is were the Elements must be."
Twilight thought about it for a moment, "Yeah, that makes way more sense." she said as she galloped out of the room.
"No, it doesn't." Phoenix said as the group rushed after her.
"Good luck, my little heroes." Celestia said, "The fate of Equestria is in your hooves." turning her gaze to the stained window.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away.
Skywalker woke up, he found himself laying down on a glass stained floor, his surroundings covered by complete, darkness.
"Were am I now?" the moment he said those words his surrounding shattered like a mirror, suddenly he found himself standing in an open field. A loud screams were heard all around him, on closer inspection he saw a humans and ponies alike being attack by strange black creatures. They seemed similar to the creatures he had seen just before arriving in Equestria.
A young woman carrying a young child as she tried to flee from the creatures, but she tripped, making her an easy prey for the monster. It lounged at her, Skywalker tried to jump in front of her but before he could react a blur of white slashed the creature in half, making both sides disappear in black goo.
The woman looked up at her savior, who was a knight in bright white armor, a black cape spread from his back. He held up a zwëihander as his head, covered in a helmet turned towards her.
"It's not save here, get to the castle quick!" he commanded, Skywalker noted that his armor kinda made him look like a medieval Darth Vader. The woman bowed her head in gratitude before picking up the child and ran off in the forest.
"Saving another damsel, art thou not?" A white alicorn with pink manes said, as she landed next to him. A chuckle was heard from under his helmet, "What art thou doing here, beloved? I thought thou would stay with the refugees." the knight said, taking off his helmet. From his point of view, Skywalker could not see his face. He tried to move but his legs seem to be melted to the floor.
"We just couldn't let thou go, my love." the alicorn said, turning her gaze to the ground, "We've already lost so much, we couldn't bare to lose thou too.", the knight placed his gloved hand on her face, lifting it up before placing his lips on her muzzle.
"Be strong for me my love, I will be with you soon." the knight said placing his helmet back his head. The alicorn gave it one last thought, before listening to the knight's whishes.
Before more could be said, a loud laughter could be heard, "Go! I will try to hold him off." he begged her, "I beg of you, Tia."
The alicorn nodded before teleporting away in a bright flash. Not a moment later, Discord appeared before the knight, accompanied by an army of those strange black creatures.
"Oh, my stomach!" Discord laughed, before gesturing at the creatures, "Caelum, you've got to see what I just did.", the knight didn't lose composure, but his stance seem to prepare himself for battle.
"It's priceless!" Discord said as he made one of the black creatures dance, "Come now,Caelumaruku. You've got to get into the spirit of things! After all, you lost." he said as the knight raised his sword.
"Thou hasn't won yet, Discord." he said, pointing his sword to were the creatures heart would be. "Please." Discord said in disbelieve, "All your friends are dead... or worse. So...", the knight shook his head, "Listen thou freak of nature. The first mistake thou made is messing with my comrades! Their physical form might be gone, but they are still right here." the knight place a hand on his left chest, "So listen real good Discord. Tia might wanted to seal you in stone, but I'm not as forgiving. Mark my words, I will kill thou!" he declared as he takes his battle pose.
"Sounds like a empty threat." Discord responded, sounding bored.
"No, it's not." the knight said, "It's a promise." the knight charged at Discord as the black creatures jumped to defend their master.
"I'm sorry, Celestia... I might not make it back as soon as I promised." the knight thought as the memory dissolved.
"What was that all about?" Skywalker thought to himself. His thoughts were answered by the appearance of a white pony with light blue manes. He also had a pair of horns on his head along with two large wings on his body.
"Hallo," Skywalker said, "Who are you?"
The bicorn didn't respond, it kept staring until it had a good look of Skywalker, "Thou art the one.", it said gaining a puzzling look from Skywalker.
The bicorn continued, "Thou will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind thou, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join thou in the sun, Jason Skywalker. In time, thou will help them accomplish wonders." he said as his horns glowed in a brilliant blue light, and with a bright flash, Skywalker was back in his bed.
Sitting straight up, he noticed a golden bracelet, with a strange heart shaped symbol on it. Looking closer it looked like one of the Elements Of Harmony the guys wielded.
A sudden burst of pain erupted in his chest, closing his eyes he saw his friends defeated in front of the same creature he just saw in that strange dream.
"Never... Again." Skywalker said, standing up, pulling his shirt over his head, he made his way towards the cliff overlooking Ponyville. Taking a few deep breaths, he closes his eyes while crouching down. He places his fist on the ground, as the old conversation replays in his head.
Thanks to the yellow sun, your cells have drunk in its radiation, strengthening your muscles, your skin, your senses. You've grown stronger here than I ever could've imagined. The only way to know how strong is to keep testing your limits.
Thanks to the building up energy, small rocks and some dirt starts to float off the ground. Opening his eyes, Skywalker blasts off into the air, a trail of dust raising from the ground. He kept gaining altitude, this time he knew he wouldn't crash, as he made his way towards the center of Ponyville. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 21: Versus Chaos | Meanwhile, at the Canterlot throne room. Morgenstern is studying the the stained window behind the throne room.
"I see..." he said to himself, "The answer can be found at the Crystal Empire." his train of thought interrupted as the door opened and a voice shouted, "What are you doing here?", turning around he saw Celestia standing there.
"This is really beneath me," Morgenstern said before he attacked with a stream of red lightning, which Celestia barley counters with a cord of yellow magic. Both powers collide in midair producing a heating dripping magma effect. Both fighters attempts several times to over power the other, but Morgenstern slashes his hand to break the connection and with his right hand, quickly attacks with a continuous torrent of black fire towards Celestia, but she holds it back with an exceedingly powerful shield spell. In a second attack, Morgenstern gathers the black flames into a ball of incandescent light, sending the energy in all directions; this explosion of dark energy knocks over Celestia and causes all the windows to shatter. Before Celestia could recover from the blast, Morgenstern disappeared in black smoke.
Back at Ponyville, Discord has been kicking the ass of the heroes. Expecting that they wouldn't fall for his Labyrinth trick, he placed a magic barrier around the Golden Oak Library, the heroes fought bravely, but without the Elements, they could hardly scratch the spirit of disharmony.
"Without your precious Element's, I am victorious!" Discord laughed as the heroes looked down, for them all hope is lost.
Twilight shook her head, trying to think of a way, "Is it really hopeless?" she asked herself. "Never give up, Twilight!" a voice from above answered, making everybody look up. With a loud thud, Skywalker landed between his friends and Discord, who he gave a threatening glare.
"Who the devil are you?" Discord started, his eye widen as he studied the new comer, "Caelum?... No, that's not possible. Then it must be... oh Tia! You skank!" he exclaimed rolling around in laughter. Did he just call Celestia a skank?
"Yes, Yes I did!" Discord exclaimed to the air, in between his laughter. Y-You can hear me?
Discord stop laughed, rolling his eyes, "Of course I can... Narrator." he said mockingly, confusing the heroes.
I... uhm... I'll be right back!
Discord chuckled as Skywalker whispered to his friends, "Is this guy for real?", this made Discord turn his gaze to him.
"Ah so you must be the so called, 'chosen one'." Discord said, rolling his eyes, "It seems Celestia has got herself a Keanu Reeves!" blast Skywalker with a sudden magic blast, sending him flying across the battle field and slamming into a wall.
"That was just to soften you up. Now it's time to meet your doom!" Discord mocked, as he prepared another attack, "Chaos is a wonderful, wonderful thing." as Skywalker recovered quickly he said "Not as wonderful as friendship." , gaining a mocking laugh from Discord.
Discord rolled his eyes again, "Oh, this again? It's always about your friends isn't it?" he chuckled.
"At least I have some!" Skywalker shouted as he retaliated with a powerful telekinetic push that sends Discord crashing into a wall. He recovered just as quickly as he saw Skywalker advance on him, "You couldn't break apart our friendship for long.", Discord try to attack with another blast of magic, but Skywalker deflected the attack with his bare hands, sending it into a nearby building, "I'll tell you what I've learned since I got here. I've learned that friendship isn't always easy... But there's no doubt it's worth fighting for!"
Both Skywalker ignited his sword as Discord summoned a Magic Sword of his own, and the two engaged in intense sword combat.
Their battle raged through Ponyville, with neither opponent able to gain an advantage. Soon, the fight moved into the air, by the minute, it increased in speed and ferocity, but Discord became more and more hard-pressed, as he was hampered in his movements by, ironically, his serpent like body, while Skywalker could easily fly around him. Facing serious danger, Discord decided to change tactics. Laughing, he takes the higher air, picking up some of the debris caused by the battle, Discord attempted to overpower Skywalker with an avalanche by levitating various debris but Skywalker was able to avoid being crushed by the improvised projectiles, using his own flight and enchanted reflexes to dodge, while being unable to close in.
Skywalker focused himself on an oncoming piece of wall and stopped it in the air before him. Discord's laughter died and was replaced by a frown of annoyance as he realized that he had stretched his telekinetic powers too far. Skywalker had taken control of the projectile and was hurling it right back at him, forcing Discord to fly out of the way. With this, Skywalker saw a chance to re-engage as he flew behind Discord, surrounding himself with electricity, he charged at Discord, before he could strike, Skywalker rammed Discord into the ground, shattering it as they land. In a last ditch afford to save himself, Discord lunged himself at Skywalker placing his finger tip on the center of his forhead, trying to mind control him.
For a moment it seem to work, but a cocky grin came upon Skywalker face, his eyes glowing red as he said but one word, "BURN!", all Discord could do was scream in pain as two red energy beams hit him straight in the chest and drove him into the ground.
As the two titans fought in the skies above, the rest of the gang broke the barrier around the library and successfully retrieved the Elements Of Harmony.
They slowly walked towards the crater, floating upwards they saw a grinning Skywalker as in the middle of the crater Discord lay defeated, to everybody's awe. Seriously, how powerful is he without his mental block?
"Great... He's back." Discord complained as a dark shadow shadow loomed over him. A cloud of dark red smoke gathered around Discord before taking the form of a women in a black cloak who was making the clapping sound. "My my, what a show!" she said, her hands placing her hands on her hoods removing it. Long dark red hair flowed over her shoulder, her dark purple eyes glared at Discord before turning to the group, she had a smile on her face that just screamed 'I'm better than you'.
"Hey, aren't you the one lady who had that orb that exploded and teleported us here?" Phoenix asked as she giggle. "Too clever, I'm Mizuki Yougan." she said, grinning at them, "So are you guys enjoying your stay, at Equestria?". Placing her hands on her hips, she looked over at Discord.
"Ah you poor thing." She cooed, "Did the big bag Draconequus got his little behind kicked?" she taunted him, obviously not feeling sorry for him. "But do now worry! Mizuki is going to make it all better!" she took something out of her pocket and showed it proudly.
The guys seem to recognized what is was, Mizuki noticed their look, giving them a grin "Yes, this is a similar orb that brought you here." she said placing the orb on Discord's chest, "Its amazing what you can do with hard starlight. Things, like, this!" she finished as she phased the orb into Discords chest. Discord's eyes turned back into his head as his body started to twist sickeningly. A bright light surrounded his body becoming bigger and bigger.
"Now as Dis is taking his monster form, let me explain the rules!" Mizuki said happily, "That orb is your only way home. If you defeat Discord, you can go home but you'll probably never see each other again! But on the other hand, you can also allow him to rampage. This would allow you all to stay here, we'll before Dis destroy's all of Equestria... Now, be good kids, ta-ta!" she waved as she disappeared in dark red smoke.
The bright light around Discord's body faded, he was now towering over the buildings in Ponyville, his normal yellow eyes were now all blue, no pupils as to speak off.
"Did Discord just turned into a Kaiju!?" Phoenix shouted in disbelieve, as the giant monster started to fire laser beams from it mouth.
"I am your god now! Kneel before your master!" Kaiju Discord shouted, his voice boomed from Ponyville all the way to Canterlot.
Twilight dropped to the floor, "How are we supposed to defeat him now?", she looked down to the ground, "It's useless. We can't defeat him."
Skywalker petted her on the head, making her look up at him, "Snap out of it! You girls helped us out, now its our turn!" he said to her, the determination in his eyes somehow encouraging her. "We will find a way." as he said those words, his new bracelet started to shine.
"Oooh, what is that shiny thing." Rarity asked, as Skywalker rolled up his sleeve. The light shine more brightly as a voice spoke to them,
"Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, Magic... Together they form Unity." the voice said coming from the bracelet, as the color of Skywalker's clothes shattered, replacing it with silver and black, heart like symbols appeared on his jeans, similar to the symbol on his bracelet. Skywalker's hair and clothes slowly flow as if he is being held by the wind.
"Will thou take on this quest?" the voice asked, "I must warn thou. Even with the power of Unity, thine chances for victory are slim. It would take a miracle."
Skywalker looked between his friends and the Kaiju Discord, who was creating havoc as they spoke. "Weird bracelet thing." Skywalker started "Miracles are my specialty." he said extending his new found power to lift up his friend and creating shields around them. "Let's get ready to do this!" he said as the others agreed, "We'll show that creep the real power of team work!" they all shouted as the flew up, each having a different color of the rainbow.
Kaiju Discord looked up as he saw the Harmonic Heroes flying up to him, not hesitating he blasted an energy beam at them, forcing them to separate.
"A quick question." the voice of Applejack said, apparently the Unity bracelet allowed them to communicate as if they were right next to each other, "How are we going to bring that thing down?" she asked. Sutakira made a fist of hard light, it was tree times bigger than usual, apparently the power of Unity amplified their already amazing abilities.
"I was thinking about, punching him real hard?" Skywalker said as he dodged another, he retaliated with another blast from his heat vision.
Studying Kaiju Discord, he noticed a small pulsing spot on Discord's chest,
"Just give up! This world is mine!" it shouted as it fired of another energy blast, all of them dodge instead hitting a mountain, whipping it from the face of Equestria.
"Holy crap he just blew up a mountain!" Phoenix shouted as he fired a torrent of fire at the Kaiju. "Gang! At my command, aim for that pulsing spot on his chest with everything you got!" Skywalker commanded as they all charged up, as Discord took aim at them, but he was already too late, the Harmonic Heroes blasted at him with a combined energy wave, blasting the hard starlight right out of him, shattering it to pieces. As for Discord himself, he shrink down to his original size, before turning back into a stone statue.
All of Equestria cheered at the victory, but the victory was short lift as the shattered starlight pieces exploded opening a similar portal that got the guys there in the first place. The McGrath, Grffifth, Phoenix and Sutakira were immediately sucked in, the vacuum to great for even two of their fliers to handle, even with the power up they received.
Unfortunately, Twilight was sucked as well,
"Twilight!" the remaining friends shouted, without even thinking, Skywalker flew after her, disappearing into the worm hole along side her.
Inside the the worm hole, all the colors of the rainbow swirled, Skywalker quickly caught up to her, pulling her body close to him as he tried to fly her to the exit. Flying as fast as he could, the pull from the other side was to great, either one of them made it back to Equestria or neither. It was then that Skywalker made his chose.
"Skywalker!" Twilight shouted, "Let me go, save yourself!" she said as Skywalker indeed did let his grip loosen. Without saying anything further, he transferred his Unity energy to Twilight, returning his clothes to their normal color in the process. She herself gained a silver aura which begins pulling her to the exit. With a flash, Twilight exited the worm hole, making him known she was save.
"We may never meet again." Skywalker said to himself as he was sucked further, "But we will never forget each other." he closed his eyes as the worm hole exploded closing the portal between his earth and Equestria. Opening them, all he saw was white.
A new day brings new adventure.
But for now... Rest easy heroes.
A storm is coming, and there is no escape.
Prologue: Completed... |
Quest For Equestria | Arc I: Chapter 22: Knight Of The Wind | Skywalker just lay there in the white void, it could have been minutes or hours, it was hard to tell. The silence was broken by an unexpected voice, "Oh my, what are you doing here?", turning his head in the direction of the sound, he saw a alicorn, her sun golden coat shined as bright as the sun, her purple manes ended in stars. "Hi..." Skywalker said, floating towards her, "Your stuck in limbo too huh?", this gained a giggle from her for some reason. She studied him intensely with those amber colored eyes of her, "My you do take after him." she said with a smile, as if she was looking at her favorite grandchild.
"Uhm... My name is Skywalker, Jason Skywalker, " he introduced himself, becoming quite unnerved by the staring of the lady. "Do you have a name?".
She gave him a soft smile, "My name is Aether, I am delighted to make your acquaintance." She answered, "Now, it's time for some exposition for you." she said gesturing for him to follow him. Floating after her, she spoke, "It seems you have an intriguing destiny, you are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so.", Skywalker gave her a curious look, knowing she would want something in return for her help.
As if she was reading his thought, she answered, "I only ask one thing in return... that you assume responsibility for the choices you make.", as strange as he condition was, Skywalker nodded.
She gave him a grandmotherly smile, "Good. When you use your ability, you channel your inner strength. Your ability evolves as you develop your emotional ties with others." she explained, and Skywalker could sworn that this sounded very similar to something he heard in a video game.
"The stronger your bonds, the more powerful your Abilities." she said as a small portal opend, "Please remember that. Now, then... Time marches on in your world. When you return to Equestria, two years have passed. Equestria is currently under control of someone from your past who has done you great harm. It is your task to liberate Equestria and assume your destiny." she said as her horn glowed, a bright light enveloped Skywalker. His damaged clothes, who somehow were too small for him now, were replaced by black jeans, two belts hang around it, one holding up the jeans and one hanging loosely over his hip, giving it a punk look. On his upper body, his damaged hoodie was replaced by a black jacked, the tail coats flaring out from behind him as if the wind blew at him from the front, under it was a blue shirt and on his chest, he could feel Rainbow's necklace on his chest.
"Destiny or not, I would never let Equestria be in danger." he stated, studying his new clothes, Aether smiled as her horn glowed once more, a sweet ass motorcycle, it reminded him of the X-wings from Star Wars, if it was a motorcycle that is.
"One last gift." she said, giving him a motherly smile as he mounted the bike, "For all the birthdays we misted. If you ever need to travel between worlds, this is the way to do it. Just hit the big red button on the dash board." she explained as Skywalker nodded. HE suddenly thought of something, "Wait! What happened to my friends?" he asked worriedly.
Aether gave him a kind smile before she answered, "They are safe, after you liberate Equestria, they will join you again. But I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Until we meet again farewell." she said as a bright light blinded Skywalker, he could feel himself fall out of the sky.
Arc I: Next Chance To Move On
As the light died down, Skywalker found himself in at Ponyville's Main Square,
"Ponyville." he said getting of his motorcycle, "Nothing has changed at all..." he said with a tone of nostalgia before spotting a certain familiar pink pony.
"This should be fun." he said as she sneaked up on her, getting as close as possible he shouted from the top of his lounges, "HI PINKIE!".
Pinkie Pie turned around and her eyes winded in shock as she quickly ran away. Looking around he saw all the terrified citizens running away from him as fast as possible.
"Something fishy is going on..." he said to himself, as out of the corner of his eyes he could see something fly at him, quickly jumping out of the way, he saw another familiar pony as he landed on the roof.
"Who are you! What's your name!?" Rainbow Dash commanded, obviously not remembering him.
Skywalker looked shocked, how could one of his best friends not remember him? "My name? I'm Skywalker, Jason Skywalker!" he declared. Jumping off the roof he grinded down a cable while Rainbow flew towards him, they both jump in the air at the same time and cross each other before the sun.
Landing on the ground, Rainbow took the initiative, she attack with some swift kicks from her hind leg but none connected as Skywalker used his enchanted reflexes to side step them.
Getting frustrated Rainbow charged at him again, but he used his super breath to knock her to the ground. "Stay down." Skywalker warned as he turned to leave, but suddenly he found himself unable to move, looking around he saw that he was held in place by some dark purple aura. He tried to break free but a voice ring in his head.
"Wait, more fighting won't solve your problem." it said, as Skywalker gave a annoyed grunt as he thought, "Great another voice inside my head, who is this!?" he demanded from the voice.
"Please, Jason. Trust me. Like I trusted you at Nightmare Night?... Wait for me, I will come save you." the voice spoke as he started to black out.
Skywalker woke up a few hours later, he could feel his hands being chained to the desk, two guards were watching him.
"You are lucky, scum." One of the guards said as he took a seat across from him, "Princess Celestia will only have you to the torture chamber when the Supreme Chancellor commands it." he continued as Skywalker rolled his eyes.
"You can send me here, there, this, that, it doesn't matter." Skywalker said, relaxing back into his chair, had he wanted he could easily break free and tear those guards a new one, but he took his time, the owner of the voice would come any minute now, right?
"Got something more to say, smart mouth?" the other guard said, gaining a cocky grin from Skywalker. "Yeah, Why don't you try sticking your head up your ass? See if it fits?", the first guard had to hold the other one back from harming Skywalker. Making sure his comrade had calmed down, the guard continued, "Okay, so what do you call yourself?" he asked, trying to sound polite. Apparently they were going for some good cop, bad cop action.
"Skywalker, Jason Skywalker." he said, giving the guard a questioning look, "And you, what do you call yourself?" he asked, but both guards ignored the question.
"Where did you you learn to speak Equestrian, Skywalker?" the guard asked, as Skywalker rolled his eyes again, "I used to go to a lot of movies." he answered.
The next one question came from the other guard, "What about homosexuality, Skywalker? You like men, huh? You like to dress up like a woman?", this seriously creeped Skywalker out, "What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Is he kidding, or what?" he said but the first guard just commanded him, "Answer the questions, Skywalker."
Then there is a knock on the door, followed by the door opening, as a hooded figure entered.
"Leave both of you." the stranger commanded, both guards taking a deep bow before her. "Princess... But we have strict..." one of the guards started but they were cut off as the stranger shouted "Now!", the guards quickly made it to the door, closing it behind them.
A click was heard, as Skywalker's handcuffs sprang open, the stranger quickly ran up to him, "Are you alright?" she asked in a worried voice.
"I had gentler invitations." Skywalker admitted, as he stood up, giving the stranger a curios look, "But... Who are you?" he tilted his head. "Somebody who loves you." the stranger removes her hood and is revealed to be the princess of the night herself. "Princess..." Skywalker said, bowing before her.
Luna chuckled as she gestured him to rise, "You don't have to be so formal, all the time. I have a name you know." she said, gaining a sheepish grin from Skywalker, "Sorry, force of habit." he said as Luna pulled him in a hug.
"Thank goodness your here." she said as she let him go, a blush clearly visible on her cheeks, "We have a major problem and I believe your our only hope. Some strange human showed up six months ago, and she used this weird artifact to put all of Equastria under her mind control power." she explained as Skywalker nodded.
"Then I need to find it and smash it into thousand little pieces." Skywalker declared, ready to liberate his home. "Thanks you." Luna said as she headed towards the door, "They are currently in the throne room."
Skywalker nodded, allowing her to lead him the way, but she stopped him by raising her hoof, "You're gonna fight? Without your sword?" she asked as Skywalker clenched his fist, "I only need my fist to protect this World. And you." he said, making the princess of the night blush at his last remark.
"That's... Sweet." she said, before her horn glowed again, revealing the hilt of his weapon. "But I believe this belongs to you."
Skywalker laughed as he accepted it, "Damn Luna. You are really the coolest princess ever." and with that, they made their way out of the dungeon and towards the throne room.
Using a labyrinth of secret passages, they entered the throne room undetected. Giving the room a quick scan, Skywalker noticed Princess Celestia, the six other element wielders and a strange cloaked man conversing.
"I plead you, your highness." the man said, his voice sounding eerily familiar to Skywalker, "This Superi is a danger to all of Equastria. If one comes, a entire legion could be standing on our doorsteps." he warned, suddenly Skywalker remembered where he heard that voice before, that was the voice of the man that killed Claire.
"What would you have us do, Supreme Chancellor Marieke?" Celestia asked, but before Marieke could answer Skywalker revealed himself.
"Now I remember you!" he shouted, as he walked towards the center of the room, his rage building up inside him.
Marieke turned around, surprised by the sudden interruption, "Ah, Skywalker, and Princess Luna too?" this got a shock from the brainwashed group, "Luna? How could you betray me?..." Celestia said heart broken, this must be like the Nightmare Moon incident to her.
Skywalker quickly got to her defense, "Luna didn't betray you, your highness! Marieke is manipulating you! All of you." he said, pointing at the strange skull amulet he wore around his neck.
"Don't listen to him, your highness." Marieke said, the amulet glowed, allowing him to control even a goddess like Celestia, "That's just how Superi work. They plant seeds of doubt." he said, gaining a annoyed groan from Skywalker. "Please your highness, allow me to put this scum in his place."
Celestia nodded as Skywalker, drew his weapon, "Luna, I want to face him on my own." he said, the tone in his voice hinted that he was after blood.
Marieke ignites his own weapon and jumps to Skywalker but he blocks her attack with his own sword.
Skywalker and Marieke exchanged some more quick flurries of swordplay, before Skywalker pulls him into a blade lock. "Whats this Marieke? No lightning? Afraid I deflect it right back at you?" he taunted, forcing Marieke to break it off "You want lightning?" he said threateningly gave a quick look between at Rainbow Dash and back to Skywalker, "You can have lightning!" shoots a stream of lightning at Rainbow Dash but before it could hit her, Skywalker was just quick enough to jump in front of it, taking the blow for her.
Rainbow looked shocked, no pun intended, why would an enemy try to save her? "Dashie..." Skywalker said, twitching on the floor, "Remember..."
Rainbow felt a sharp pain in her head as her true memories started to flood back. "Jason..." she said slowly as Marieke raised his sword, preparing to finish the duel, but before he could strike Rainbow kicked her in the jaw sending her flying. He recovered quickly as he shouted angrily, "Traitor! You will die along side him!" sends another stream of lightning at her, but a human hand direct it into a wall.
"I don't think so." Skywalker said rising back on his feet. "You think a little bit of lightning can harm me?" he declared as he gave a quick look to Rainbow, smiling that his best friend his back, before reengaging Marieke in a sword duel.
"Your crazy." Skywalker said, as he pulled Marieke into another blade lock, "Your crazy to think someone like you could break the bonds we have, to think you could break me." he said pressing his sword closer to Marieke.
"Au contraire." Marieke retorted, "I'm the only sane inmate of Asylum Earth. I'm not eager to hand tomorrow over to an interplanetary extremist with lightning hands. There's only room on this World for one leader, Skywalker. When I'm finished with you, every last gibbon out there will know you for the menace you are. And they'll realize that Marieke is their Savior!" suddenly disengage the black lock, and he launched a quick blast of lightning at him but Skywalker easily deflects it into a wall, Marieke tries it again but it end with the same result.
Marieke called upon his rage, and blast Skywalker with a continues stream of energy, the impact so great that it left smoke screen, obscuring the damage he has done. Thinking he had won, Marieke starts to laugh evilly, till he sees shining blue eyes pierce the smoke and Skywalker comes out of it.
"The time has come." Skywalker said, his voice had gained a similar effect to the Canterlot Royal voice, "Let us make the future, so do not be afraid and do not worry. I am the one, who will lead this world to salvation."
Marieke rips a statue from its footing and throws it at Skywalker only to have him catch it and trow it back. Marieke throws it to the side only to find Skywalker already closed the gap and forces her on her back with a powerful telekinetic blast. Raising his hand Skywalker reached ot to the ceiling, ripping it apart, and lets the debris collaps on his opponent. Marieke throws it off him but he is already unable to keep on fighting. Skywalker engage him in close combat before skillfully cutting his opponents the Achilles heel, forcing Marieke to falls on his knee and as Skywalker continues his brutal assault till he knocks his weapon out of his hand and reaching out again, Skywalker lifts him in the air, before slamming him into the ground, lifting him up once more, he throws him trough a wall, sending her into a statue.
Marieke mortally wounded and just inches away from death. "Do it... Finish me." he said as Skywalker reached down, grabbing the amulet and ripping it off his neck.
"No." Skywalker said, satisfied that he humiliated his enemy, he crushed the amulet with his bare hand, freeing everyone from the mind control.
He gave one last look at he fallen opponent before turning his back to him.
"Get back here and fight, Skywalker!" Marieke shouted, "I am not through with you yet!" he said but he couldn't even stand.
Skywalker didn't look back, he just kept walking as he responded, "But I am through with you. You're not worth it. You never were." and with those words, Marieke's body fell to the floor, lifeless.
Turning to his friends, Skywalker noticed how much of a mess his duel has made of the throne room.
"Sorry about the mess..." he said, scratching the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
"You have proven that your a legendary warrior, Skywalker." Celestia said, making Skywalker's smile even bigger, "Me? Legendary? You've gotta be kidding! You're gonna make me blush!", turning his gaze towards the ground to make sure they didn't saw him blush.
"We are in debt once again." Celestia said as she approached him, "We may never be able to repay it but I like to start somewhere. I declare you Champion of Equastria. From this day forward, you will be knows as Ser Skywalker, Knight Of The Wind. You two will always be welcome to these lands. And shall be treated as a hero." she declared as the others gasped.
"What does, Knight of The Wind means?" he asked, unsure what to think of it.
"Champion: an honor unique to Equestria." Luna explained, "Other terms of reverence suffer the stains of their holders, the lingering baggage of office and entitlement. But champion is not an appointment that can be sought. It cannot be owned or willed, and the process by which it is bestowed is not argued through policy or guile. It is earned with blood and sweat and leadership in times of great turmoil. Always worthy, as their deeds are of true importance, a champion is greeted not by debate, but by nods of reverence." as she spoke those words, Celestia spoke up, "There is the contradiction of the honor. Champion is not itself a sign of approval. He or she can be respected or feared, their coming dreaded as much as desired. All that is common is that they have an effect and lives are changed.", then both princesses spoke at the same time, "Equestria now adds to the history of the title. Nightmare Moon defeated, Discord slayed, Marieke repelled, and it remains to be seen what follows for Skywalker, the Knight Of The Wind." they both finished at the same time, gaining a shrug from Skywalker.
"Well, it sounds cool at least." he said as Luna gave him a worrying look. "Ser Skywalker, your left hand, its bleeding.".
Skywalker looks at his hand and sees a small wound that drips with blood, "Just a scratch. It will heal soon." he said, as indeed he could feel it nit back together as they spoke.
"But you mustn't get it let infected." the princess of the night said as she took Skywalker's hand and put her handkerchief around the wound.
"Thanks, Luna." Skywalker said with a smile, but Luna kept holding his hand, "Can I have my hand back now?" he asked, snapping Luna out of whatever she was thinking.
"Oh, of course." she said, turning her gaze down to the ground. "Now, let's get this party started!" Skywalker declared as his friends cheered.
He didn't know what lies ahead, but whatever it is, life is going to be sweet. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 23: Love Is In Bloom | It's been two weeks since Skywalker returned to Equestria, and became the Knight Of The Wind. Ponyville had truly not changed a bit, even the guys house was left like it was two years ago!
One thing Skywalker noted was that he got a lot more stares from the female citizens, though it puzzled him why seeing as they are used to humans by now. But that mystery will have to wait, for now Skywalker is organizing a movie night for all his friends. Lucky for him, Aether did not lie when she said he could travel to his world and back with the motorcycle. Now if his other friends returned, they could have the best of both worlds. As he was plugging in the gaming consoles, a knock was heard on the door, "Come in, it's open!" he shouted as he placed the speaker on the walls.
Turning around to see who it was, he saw Luna standing there, giving him a nervous smile. "Good afternoon, Luna!" he said giving her a small bow, "Same to you Ser Knight." she said, Skywalker offered her something to drink, but she politely declined.
"Now, Luna. What brings you to my humble home?" he asked, as he opened a soda can, true he told her she could drop by any time she wanted, but you don't just get a visit from a princess.
"Uhm... I was wondering..." Luna started, she sounded nervous, as if she was trying to ask someone out on a date. "I was wondering if you would go for a walk with me? Just... hang and chill." she said trying to sound modern.
Skywalker gained a regretful look on his face, "I'm sorry, Luna. I already have prior engagement tonight." he explained, trying not to hurt the young princess. "I'm having a movie night with my friends, if you had asked any other night I would have gladly gone on a walk with you.".
As he said those words, Luna's gaze turned to the ground as she said with a soft voice, "I... I see... I shall not keep you." she turned around to leave but Skywalker asked her to stop. She turned around as he was giving her a big smile, "Your one of my friends too right? And your here already, so why not join us?" he offered, and after some thinking, Luna decided to stay and watch some movies with him and his friends.
"Oh, Jason. If only you knew..." Luna thought to herself as the movie played. She had taken a seat next to Skywalker on the sofa, "When I first met him two years ago. There was something about him that I found... charming. I found it hard to contain my excitement when I found out he had returned to Equestria. He has definitely grown a lot since then. Only... I find it so hard to express myself under normal circumstances, let alone someone that I have a crush on.". As she thought those words, Skywalker leaned over to her and placed a kiss on her muzzle.
A few seconds later, Luna jolted up in her bed, panting heavily.
"My dear sister what is wrong? I heard you tossing in your sleep." Celestia said, as she entered the room. Luna was to nervous to face her sister so she hides her face deep in the pillow, it took another minute before she spoke up "Well... you see... I'm... I'm in love.", blushing furiously in her pillow.
This answer surprised Celestia, he younger sister had never shown interest in stallions, "Oh, well who is the lucky stallion?" she asked, quite curious as to who could have taker her sisters heart. "Well it's not, a stallion..." Luna muttered, putting the pillow over her face fearing what her sister will say.
"...So..." Celestia said slowly, this could explain why her sister never showed interest in stallions, "It's a mare?... Like your self?" she begins to stock her sisters mane, trying to comfort her.
"No, it's..." Luna said, suddenly pulling her face out of the pillow before blurring out, "It's Jason!", she was sure her sister would be furious, but all she got was a warm smile.
"Well, I know no amount of magic can help that." Celestia said, pulling her little sister in a hug, "Skywalker is quite a catch. Your still my little sister and I still love you all the same."
After some encouraging from her sister, Luna worked up the courage to ask Skywalker out, she was about to knock on the door as it opened, revealing Skywalker standing there. He looked surprised for a minute before his mouth transformed in a smile, "Oh hi Luna!" he said enthusiastically, happy to see his friend again.
Luna tried to think of something to say, but Skywalker interrupted her train of thought, "Oh, do you wanna go for that stroll? We could walk around Ponyville. There's bound to be something interesting that we can do." he suggested as the princess nodded, "Good idea." she replied as she followed him.
As they made their way to Ponyville, Luna tried to start up a conversation, with the goal to ask him out on a date.
"So, Jason. How are things going for you?", she asked tilting her head a little to look up at him.
"Eh, fine I guess." he answered as he placed his hands in his pocket, "I actually have no complaints. Well maybe the paparazzi turning up at my house, but that's no trouble.", they entered Ponyville Main Square, were other ponies were doing some shopping.
"Ah, well, that's great to hear." Luna said, as they looked around some stall, looking over the products the shopkeepers were trying to sell. "Uh, err, Jason? May I ask you something?" Luna asked as he bought some apple's from Applejack. "Anything, my princess." he asked buying some vegetables, placing it in a bag.
She ran so many ways of how to confess through her mind, but everything seemed futile especially because she's royalty. Her being deep in thought did not go noticed. "Something wrong, Luna?" Skywalker asked, tilting his head a little giving her a curios look. "Um, n-never mind." She said quickly, a blush creeped on her face, "Just a silly question to which I just remembered the answer to." tries to hide it with a slightly awkward, yet somehow adorable smile.
The two of them wander aimlessly around the city, keeping each other company and having idle chatter with each other. Even though Luna didn't confess her feelings for him, she did get a chance to get to know him better, and vice versa. Eventually they pass by a flower shop, and Skywalker sees the intrigued look on princess's face, so he suggest going there, which she agreed to.
Inside the flower shop, Luna has her back turned, studying the flowers, Skywalker saw a bouquet of violets that he thought would go well with the princess of the night. Without anybody noticing, Skywalker pick one of the flowers, sneak up on Princess Luna, and stick the flower in her mane.
Luna turns around in surprise, "Huh? What did you put in my hair?" she asked. Luckily, the flower shop had a window, he took her to it and she gasp at his following comment, "The flower accents your mane perfectly, and that one little detail makes you all the more beautiful." he said causing a major blush on her face.
"Jason." the princess said with renewed confidence, "If it does not inconvenience you... I'd like to go to somewhere more privet." she spoke with new determination to confess her feelings to him.
"Sure, Luna." Skywalker said, gaining a idea, "I know this place that has the best view of Ponyville. Let's go." he said as she followed him to the hills.
Skywalker took the princess to the same hill he has jumped off so many times, as it had indeed the best view of Ponyville. The princess gained a awed smile, she could see all of Ponyville, the Main Square, City Hall, Sugarcube Corner, the Apple Family Farm, all of it.
"I've never noticed how amazing this view is." Luna said as they both took a seat on one of the wooden benches. "It's even better at night." Skywalker said, giving her a wink.
Luna looks back at him, "Jason, There is something that I must tell you..." she took one last deep breath before shouting, "I've never felt this way about anyone before... I...I love you, Jason Sephiroth Skywalker!", as the words left her mouth, his breath catches in his chest. She smiled lightly, blushing heavily and fidgeting where she stat.
After a moment Skywalker come to his own senses, "I guess I wasn't the only one who had a hidden crush." he said chuckling to himself, placing his mouth on her muzzle, she leaned over as making him lay down, his hands traveling down to her flank. He gave them a small squeeze, making her yelp as she broke the kiss.
The princess laid there on top of him, her own cyan eyes locked with his amber ones. "You won't believe how relieved I was when you said that you love me, too." she said, gaining a blush from him, she continued "And I was rather flattered when you grabbed my flank like that. It almost made me want to..." she turns her head away as she blushes.
"Wait, do you..." Skywalker started, at first not knowing what she meant before it hit him, "You don't mean... you wanted to... with me?".
The princess nodded her head, "I wouldn't do it here, though. I would rather lose my virginity somewhere more intimate.", he eyes winded in shock as she realizes what she just said to him.
"You're a virgin?" he asked raising a eyebrow in disbelief.
Luna blushed even more as she explained, "I'm... rather inexperienced when it comes to interacting with stallions. There was a time where Tia was convinced that I was a lesbian, but of course you know that isn't true.", he chuckled as he gave her a nod, "Why don't we get something to eat?" he suggested as she got off him.
She smiled giving him a nod, "Sounds good to me." she smiled. She was looking forward to spending some time with her new boyfriend. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 24: Our First Date | "And then Jason tore the door clean off its hinges, walked into the room and..." Rainbow told a gathered crowd at Sugarcube Corner, but before she could continue the story, she saw Skywalker walking towards her, "Uhm, I'll continue the story another time." she said as the crowed bowed before Skywalker as they took there leave.
"Got a minute, Dashie?" Skywalker asked as he took a seat across form her. She gave him a grin, "For you I have all the time in the world!", she said as Mrs. Cake took his order. "Though I'm surprised your still coming to Sugarcube Corner, shouldn't you be hanging out with all the fancy smanchy nobles up in Canterlot?" Rainbow said, teasing Skywalker a bit. She new for a fact that he hated socializing with the aristocracy.
"You know I only attend those formal banquets held in my honor because I have to." Skywalker said as Mrs. Cake came back with his order, "And besides, the waitresses are way cuter here." he added with a chuckle, making Mrs. Cake flinch at the compliment.
"Now that were talking about you, there is this rumor going around for the past two weeks." Rainbow started, gaining an uneasy smile from her friend, "It seems that you and Princess Luna have become a couple. So what's going on, Jason?" she asked, giving him a curious look.
Skywalker took a few sips from his drink before answering, "Jealous? I never took you for the type, Dashie." he responded, making her blush. Leaning closer he whisped, "I'm flattered.", he couldn't help but burst out in laughter at his best friend's face, it was almost as red as the red from her mane.
"It's the manes isn't it? Guys can never resist it." she chuckled, stroking her mane as the red flushing out her face a little. "Listen, as your friend, I feel like I'm doing you a disservice if I didn't say something. The princess has been locked away on the moon for a thousand of years, she may have some... issues." she said with a worried tone.
Skywalker gave her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, Dashie. I know what I'm doing.", Rainbow nodded, though not entirely convinced.
They both munched on some of the cupcakes, screw the waitresses, this is the reason he keeps going to Sugarcube Corner! Saying goodbye, Skywalker headed home.
As he walked into the living room he noticed a certain Alicorn sitting on the sofa, playing on the gaming console.
"Stand! On! The freaking! Point!" Luna commanded, "Do you even know how to play this game!?" shouting through the headset to her team mates. "Wait, we have a girl in this lobby!?" a surprised voice shouted from the screen. Obviously they hadn't noticed that Luna was playing with them.
"Ayup! And guess who has the bigger dick!?" Luna shouted as the game ended in her team losing.
Skywalker had to fight back to not break out in laughter, as Luna noticed him standing there. "So your having fun." he said taking a seat next to her as she removed the headset and powered down the console.
Placing a soft kiss on her muzzle, Luna giggled as she said, "Anyways, there's a restaurant in Canterlot that is having it's grand opening tonight, and we've been invited as a VIP." she said showing him a similar invitation he had received a few days ago.
"Won't there be a lot of important people there?" Skywalker asked unsure, even though it has been a Knight of a month now, he still wasn't used by all the attention he got when he left Ponyville.
Sure, he still got the awed look now and again, but the citizens of Ponyville knew that behind all the rumors and legend making he was still a normal guy. Well, a normal guy who can fly and shoot laser beams from his eyes but still.
Luna gave him a teasing grin, "You're not intimidated, are you?", he knew her boyfriend would never back down from a challenge.
"Of course not." Skywalker said giving her a reassuring grin, "But, there's bound to be paparazzi there." he started but Luna placed a wing around him.
It was moments like these that she knew that her Jason, despise of his power, he is still one of the most human of them all.
"I'll make sure that we don't get harassed at the restaurant tonight, and if we do, then I'll simply tell the paparazzi that we're just friends." Luna said, placing her head on his shoulder, "And if they don't I'll just sent my boyfriend after them.". Skywalker leaned his head on hers as he gave a soft chuckle at her last remark.
That evening, Skywalker and Luna both rode Luna's royal carriage to the restaurant. Skywalker was dressed in a white evening coat, over a red dress shirt and a black tie. His dress pants were the same tint of black as his tie. Princess Luna herself is wearing one of her dark blue form fitting gowns. "So... who's gonna be there?" Skywalker said trying to make some small talk.
"Hmmm... Some pretty important people, I guess." Luna said, trying to think up who could be showing up, "Hoity Toity, Photo Finish, Sapphire Shores, Fancy Pants, who knows who'll be there? Though hopefully Prince Blueblood won't be.", she said that last name with a hint of irritation.
All Skywalker knew about Blueblood was that he was Celestia and therefor Luna's nephew, though not much else. "How so?" he decided to ask, if even Luna didn't like him there must be a good reason. What was the worst he could have done? Releasing this worlds version of Loki? And after he was defeated using some black magic to transform him into a Kaiju?
"I don't like his douchebag attitude." Luna said, surprising Skywalker at the use of her language, "Did I mentioned that Tia told him to his face she like's you more then him." she added that last part with a grin.
Skywalker scratched the back of his head, "You two make me look like I'm a Mary Sue or something..." he muttered more to himself than her but before Luna could as what a Mary Sue was the guards pulling the carriage announced there arrival.
After Skywalker and Princess Luna makes their way inside, they greeted by many famous ponies as well as the restaurant's owner, a lot of them want to shake hands, ask for an autograph, give him their endorsement of his ascension to Knighthood or worse giving invites to other parties the nobles were throwing later in the week, with Equestria's newest knight.
After fending off the worst of the bunch, Skywalker walked over to the dinning area were his date was waiting for him.
"Nice to see you mingling with the other VIPs." Luna said with a chuckle, amused at her boyfriends flabbergasted at all the attention he was getting. "I'll be honest... I'm... Not use to this. People coming up to me, asking my autograph and stuff." he said a little embarrassed, taking a seat across from her.
"You need to get used to that." Luna said trying to sound supportive, "Your the Knight Of The Wind, the greatest champion of Equestria and all that.",
"Yeah, Yeah. With great power comes great headaches." Skywalker said shaking his head, making Luna chuckle at his little joke, "Now that that's out of the way, we can focus on us." he said hopefully, gaining an approving smile from his girlfriend.
"I like the sound of that." she said looking into his eyes, "This may be a party, but I still want to sit and eat."
They both chat for awhile, waiting for there foods, when all of a sudden, a white unicorn with brownish mane with a fedora, a camera, and a notepad approaches the table.
"Princess Luna? Ser Skywalker?" the unicorn said, both Skywalker and Luna looked up before he continued, "I'm Wolthuis, reporter for the Canterlot Times. Would you mind telling me about... Why the Knight Of The Wind is with you this evening?" he asked, hopeful for some juicy gossip.
"Yes, I do mind." Luna responded unenthusiastic, she really wasn't in the mood for dealing with the paparazzi. But the reporter wouldn't be so dismissed that easily, "Come on. I'm sure our readers would love to know about your romantic life."
Luna gave a annoyed groan, "I'm sure they would, but that's privet." gaining a approving nod from Skywalker.
The reporter kept bugging them so Skywalker decided to get rid of him his way.
"Is that Prince Blueblood flirting with Photo Finish?" Skywalker lied as he pointed off in a random direction.
Wolthuis gave in a questioningly look, obviously doubting him, "You don't have to believe me. I'm only the Knight Of the Wind.", as the words leave his mouth, the reporter left in an instant, going off in the direction that Skywalker were pointing at.
"Good job getting him away from here." Luna said, looking around before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, "He was becoming quite bothersome." she said, as Skywalker smiled, "I know. I didn't want him to ruin our dinner.". This in turn made her smile as she whispered, "Thank you, beloved.", Skywalker looked surprised, as he himself gained a small blush, "Beloved?", giving her a questing look. For the two weeks they have been dating, she had never called him that.
"Yes, that will be my 'pet name' for you. That's the term that is used nowadays, right?" she questing before she realized what he might be thinking, "Do you not like it?" she asked worriedly.
Skywalker quickly shook his head, giving her a warm smile, "Oh, I like it. I'm just really flattered that you feel that way about me."
They both smile at each other, and continue there dinner.
"Skywalker, I have to ask..." Luna said as they rode her carriage back to the castle, "Why me out of everybody?"
Skywalker gave her a puzzling look, "What do you mean?" he asked not getting what Luna was asking him.
"What I mean is..." she paused, trying to find the right words, "You are a super powerful hero, on top of that The Knight Of The Wind, Equestria's greatest hero, who can get anything he wants and out of all the girls you could've been attracted to, like Rarity, or Fluttershy... why me? I don't understand...", she looked him in the eyes, wanting an honest answer.
"What's there to not understand? I think you're prettier than the others. You don't give yourself enough credit, Luna. There's a lot of beautiful things about you." he answered honestly, but she was not convinced so he continued, "Well, there's your mane, for one. It's really nice and neat, and I've caught a couple whiffs of it, and it has a nice scent, plus it helps that blue is my favorite color.", this mad the princess of the night blush.
"Then there's your eyes. Like I said, blue is my favorite color, and your eyes are a beautiful shade of blue. Your personality is attractive, too." he continued, as Luna gave him his undivided attention, "Sure you can lose your temper over things, but the way you do it is pretty adorable.", and if that was not convincing enough, placed a kiss on her muzzle before saying, "I love you Luna....", this made Luna blush even deeper as he strokes her mane. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 25: Can The Rumors Be True? | Loud knocks on the front door woke Skywalker up from his sleep. After leaving the restaurant with Luna, they spend the rest of the night together doing... Well they wouldn't tell Celestia about it that's for sure.
Stretching himself, he got up from his bed and quickly put on some pants, he drowsy opened the door and the first thing that happened was a newspaper in his his face.
"What the hell is this!" the voice of Twilight shouted angrily. Ugh how can she be so worked up about anything this early in the... afternoon. "A loud unicorn shoving a newspaper in my face?" Skywalker answered sarcastically, removing the newspaper from his face and gave Twilight a strange look, "What's the big deal anyway?".
Twilight gave him a quick angry look before gesturing to the newspaper "The big deal is that you went on a date with Princess Luna, and ended in the newspaper!"
Skywalker rubbed his eye, not believe he could gather that much interest,
'Does Ser Skywalker Have a Secret Lover?' the cover of the newspaper stated. "Wait What!?" Skywalker shouted as he started to read the news paper today's headline of what happened last night at dinner.
There may be some of you people wondering to why Ser Skywalker was attending with Princess Luna at the new restaurant yesterday. Questions were denied as the Princess insisted that she and Ser Skywalker were just friends. Further more questions were avoided due to the sight of Prince Blueblood, how they say, flirting with Photo Finish, which basically brought the whole press together.
There may or may not be some secret to this, but rest assured that there is some sort of attraction as by seen by the gestures the Princess occasionally makes during their meal. The question just might be answered soon enough. True that no information is completely accurate, but this can somewhat prove that our young hero has a secret admirer that he may not know about."
Next to the article was a picture of Luna gazing at Skywalker with loving eyes and a slight smile, impossible to see any blush since this is newspaper ink.
"Wow." was all Skywalker could say, "My little lie actually turned out to be true. I don't know who to feel bad for, the press or Photo Finish!" he said obviously missing the point.
Twilight shook her head, annoyed that her friend didn't get the point, "What if Princess Celestia finds out!?", she shouted, confusing him even more. "Who cares if Celestia finds out. You think she'll get mad because I went out to dinner with her sister?" Skywalker asked confused, as Twilight shook her head again, "That's not what I mean! Do you ever think things through! That party was a late-night party that ended at two in the morning! You know Princess Celestia doesn't like you going out after hours! She'll throw the book at you if she finds out you broke curfew!" she said as Skywalker became even more confused, "I have a curfew now!?" he shouted in complete shock.
That afternoon, Skywalker agreed to meet Luna in the castle, it only took a few minutes of flight to the castle. As he made his way up the stairs, he ran into Celestia.
"Good morning, Skywalker." she said giving him a motherly smile, "Could you follow me to my throne room for a minute?" she requested him as Skywalker shrug his shoulder, "Sure." he answered, not worried in the slightest.
When they both reach the throne room, however, he sees Luna standing there waiting for him with a guilty look on her face. "This can't be good." Skywalker thought to himself as he walked to Luna's side, and Princess Celestia walks past the both of them and sits at her throne.
"I'd like to ask you something, Skywalker." she said as Skywalker gave a inner sigh of relief. "A old enemy I thought defeat long ago has broken free from his prison.".
Without need for anymore more words Skywalker knew what she needed him to do. A flash of gold light appeared, as a scroll floated before his face, opening it, it held the location of the prison this enemy was trapped, something called 'Draco Mountain'.
Skywalker descended in front of a cafe, drawing his weapon he entered the cave. Inside the cave was only pitch black darkness, the only light coming from his sword.
"A there you are." a voice from the darkness came, "I assume you must be Jason Skywalker. Celestia's new pet Champion." suddenly, light filled the cave banishing the darkness, and facing down Skywalker was a gigantic dragon. It's black scales reflecting the in the light, it's shiny green eyes glared at him, "Hmmm, I was expecting someone with your reputation to be a bit... older." he said chuckling, thinking this would be an easy victory.
"You're shorter than I expected." Skywalker quipped back, the dragon led out a gigantic roar, shaking the earth below them.
Without hesitation the dragons forked and spear-like tail come up from behind him and lunges at Skywalker. He duck and dodge out of the way and his tail sticks into the ground. The dragon gets up and strikes again with his tail, Skywalker dodging once again, and the dragon lets out another roar and a torrent of flames follow. Skywalker decide to take the offensive and his arms starts to glow with lightning. Skywalker fire several lighting like spears into the dragons back. The Dragon lets out a fierce cry and spins his head covering the area behind him in a wave of flames, Skywalker barely manage to dodge. Creating a few more lightning spears, using them to pierce the Force Dragon in place, Skywalker charges all his power in a huge stream of electricity. The dragon flails around, trying to get away but doesn't make it to far and fall to the ground with a thud.
"That training... really helped." another voice said, Skywalker turned around and noticed Luna entering the cave. "Congratulations you killed a dragon, not many ponies can say that." she said giving him a hug, showing him that she was obviously worried.
Both of them walked further into the cave where the dragon was sealed and gaze upon the great mountain of treasure that it was collecting. It was huge and was easily enough to buy all of Equestria with and then some!
"You can always tell a dragons age by their mound of treasure." Luna explained as she studied the treasure, "By the sheer size, the dragon must have been ancient.", she turned her gaze towards her boyfriends.
"What do we do with it." Skywalker asked, not sure what to do with the treasure. "Well, legally it doesn't belong to anybody. So it's yours." Luna said as his mouth dropped open. "Wait what?... This... is mine now? All of it?..." he asked, he couldn't believe his this.
"Ayup, all of it. Your the one who killed the dragon so that makes the treasure yours to claim." she said as Skywalker face turned into a big smile. "Wow... I finally have enough money to do as I please!..." he said excitedly before his gaze turned to the ground, "Oh wait, I do that anyways." he added that last part saying it more to himself than Luna. As he studied the treasure, he spotted one of the the most beautiful diamond and sapphire necklace. The diamond heart piece was a solid diamond about the size of his hand. The gold chain was riddled with multiple sapphire heart shapes. Skywalker picked it up and undo the latch behind it, he sneaked over to Luna and wrap his hands behind her neck and fastening the hooks and step back to admire her. "I was right." he said nodding to himself, "It looks beautiful on you.", Luna looks down at it and blushes the deepest color of red.
The next morning, a knock on the front door woke Skywalker up from his sleep. He tried to get up but something was keeping him down, looking to his side, he saw the sleeping form of his girlfriend laying her head on top of him. Then he remembered, after making sure his treasure was safe, the help of a magically enchanted backpack with no storage limit, they spend the night together, doing it... Yeah, you know what they did. Adult stuff.
He carefully removed the sleeping beauty from him as he got up, noticing his naked form he quickly grabbed some pants before heading down again.
Opening the front door, his favorite lavender colored unicorn was standing in front of him, she had an odd worried look on her face.
"Hey, Twilight. Come in." Skywalker stepping aside to let her in.
After letting her in, Twilight took a seat on the sofa as Skywalker brought her some thee.
"So you sealed that dragon again, I assume." she asked, thanking him for her cup of jasmine thee. Skywalker couldn't be bothered to ask her how she knew he had to fight a dragon, he just assumed Celestia might have told her.
"I had to kill it." Skywalker said as he munched on a sandwich, the worry on Twilight face was replaced by an expression that made her look impressed, "Congratulations, that must have been quite some battle if it lasted all night into the morning." Twilight said, as he took another sip from her cup, "Either that or you got lost.", she wouldn't rule out that her friend could be a bit... odd at times.
"Uh, yeah lost." Skywalker said, scratching the back of his head. As if on cue, Luna entered the living room, herself not noticing Twilight sitting there. She walked placed a kiss on his cheek, "Jason, I..." before she could say anything else, she noticed Twilight sitting there. "I... need to... go to the toilet." she said quickly as she ran out of the room. "Please tell me you didn't do what I think you did." Twilight said, she couldn't believe the rumors were true, was Skywalker really dating the princess of the night? No, it couldn't could it?
"Uhh, that depends..." he answered as he scratched the back of his head again.
Meanwhile on a different Earth, four guys were walking over the street.
"Guys?" the one called Sutakira asked, pointing at the sky making the others look in that direction. "Is that Rainbow Wormhole coming at us?"
Indeed, a rip in the sky had opened at a rainbow colored tornado was heading there way.
"Oh mother of..." was all McGrath could say before they were sucked in. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 26: Homecoming | It was a beautiful afternoon, Skywalker was currently rolling freshly cooked rice in some seaweed. As he started to cut the roll into tiny circle's, a voice broke him out of his concentration, "Well you have had a great month!" it said, looking behind him he saw Aether standing behind him in all her... glowing glory.
Skywalker could only look in surprise as she looked over what he was making, "I see... Not only are you a great fighter, you can also cook! Good for you!" she said giving him a playful wink.
"How long have you been living in my head?" Skywalker started, surprised that Aether was apparently real. "Long enough to know that Luna shouts very loudly during intercourse." she stated nonchalantly as if was no big deal about spying on people having, adult play time.
Aether gave a faint smile as she the look in her eye turned nostalgic, "She has become a lovely lady. Be good to her." she said, making him rise a eye brow. "Do you know her or something?" he asked but Aether shook her head, "It does not matter now." she answered, Skywalker could have sworn he saw a faint hint of regret before she continued speaking, "Besides, I think you should take a walk, some friends of yours are waiting.", and with a mischievous smile she disappeared as quickly as she came.
With no reason to not follow the orders of the Alicorn who was living inside his head, Skywalker placed the finished sushi rolls in the fridge for later.
Meanwhile down the dirt road leading into Ponyville, four young man followed it, not sure were it would lead.
"Were are we!?" Phoenix complained, gaining an annoyed groan from McGrath, "We didn't knew it two minutes ago, what makes you think we do now!?" he shouted.
But before any of them could say anything else, their eyes winded in shock as if they have seen a ghost.
"Hey guys!" Skywalker said, waving at them, "Good to see you again." all of them were speechless at seeing there supposed dead friend standing there, waving at them.
McGrath was the first to spoke up, "Great, we're dead.", he said turning his gaze towards the ground before quickly looking back up, "Hey wait, if I'm dead then why are all you guys with me in hell!?", they all gave each other a puzzling look before bursting out in laughter.
Despise not seeing each other for two years, they still had that bond between them.
Skywalker walked them to the house, he explained all what happened to him over the past month.
"How did you know we would arrive today?" Sutakira asked curiously as he stroke his light blue hair, strangely enough it was not dyed or anything, we was born with that hair.
"The Alicorn living in my head told me." Skywalker answered honestly, gaining weird look from his guy friends indicating that they did not believe him.
As tonight was movie night, the guys decided to wait till tonight to reveal that they were back. And what a surprise it was! The girls couldn't be happier to see the guys again. Everybody was running out of snacks and drinks, Luna volunteered to help Skywalker in the kitchen.
"Is there a reason Luna is here?" Griffifth asked as the two entered the kitchen, he remained friendly towards Luna because he actually liked her, thought that could not be said about other people in power.
"Oh Luna and him are dating." Pinkie said as she munched a bunch of Skywalker's home baked cookies, hmm, chocolate, these were totally in her top five!
The guys all had similar expression on their face as all four shouted at the same time "Say what!".
Skywalker gave a relief sigh, gaining a questing look from his girlfriend as she gathered a bottle of soda from the fridge.
"Why the sigh, beloved?" she asked, a warm smile graced his face. This made her blush, as it was one of the reasons she found herself attracted him. "I'm just grateful for everything I have in my life, you know?" he said pulling her into a hug.
Luna placed her wings over him, "I understand." she said placing her head on his shoulder, taking in his scent she had became addicted to, "I used to be that way as well. Now I have a really good reason to be doing so."
Both placed their mouths on each other, Skywalker could feel her tongue poking at his teeth, asking for entrance. He parted his teeth to let it in. Unfortunately, all the other guys have taken advantage of this and started taking pictures with their phones. Skywalker didn't see the flashes, neither did Luna.
That night no movie was watched, and so, the days returned to normal,
The next day, Skywalker, Twilight and Phoenix helped Applejack harvest some Golden Delicious. Apparently she had a bet with Big Mac, if she could get all the Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. He was gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny Smith's girdles... I'd paid to see that.
"I'm glad the goal was lunchtime." Skywalker said stretching himself, "All that hard work made me hungry.".
They were currently sitting in Applejack's living room, enjoying some freshly made Apple Cider.
"I know, right?" Phoenix said as he, Spike and Applebloom were sitting in front of the TV, watching some cartoon.
He gained an groan from the others as Twilight stated, "You've been watching TV all morning while we worked!". This statement made Phoenix shake his head as he pointed out that he was watching Applebloom, and if that involved watching cartoons with her all morning he would gladly make that sacrifice.
Before anyone could say anything, Spike let out a burp of green flames indicating that Celestia had send a letter.
"It's a letter from Princess Celestia." Twilight said excited as she catches the letter with her magic. "Who else sends you letters?" Phoenix said as he floated over her, curios just as everybody else why the princess would send her a letter.
Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce The Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest.
Yeah, I'm not gonna retell everything in that letter, all you need to know is that we're going to the Grand Galloping Gala.
"The Grand Galloping Gala!" both Twilight and Applejack shouted excited, as the two guys gave each other a look that said, 'girls sometimes!'.
"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Skywalker?" Twilight asked him as Skywalker shook his head, he never had.
Applejack went on a rant at how much advertisement she could get for Sweet Apple Acres. Just as Twilight was about to invite Applejack along, Skywalker stopped her, "What?" Twilight asked as Skywalker opened the door and took a stance as if he was about to catch something.
And indeed not three seconds later, Rainbow crashed landed into Skywalker's arms, giving her a small blush as he placed her back on her hoofs.
Phoenix was enthusiastically clapping his hands, "Rainbow Dash, everybody!" he shouted as he noticed his own clapping hands, "Why am I clapping?".
Apparently Rainbow had overheard the conversation, somehow, "Whoa! Are we talking about The Grand Galloping Gala?" she said but Applejack interrupted her, "Rainbow Dash, you told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing, spyin'?"
"No, I was busy napping." she answered dryly as she too started to rant about what she could do at the Grand Galloping Gala.
So this Grand Galloping Gala was kind of a big deal for Equestria, because as soon as the other friends, the girls more specifically, heard about it they all gave some very good reason as to why they should go with Twilight. Why nobody asked if they could go with Skywalker... I don't know, I'm just the narrator, my super power is narrating!
But seeing as Twilight couldn't decide on a empty stomach she, Skywalker, Phoenix and Spike went to the local restaurant for some lunch.
At the food place.
"What am I gonna do?" Twilight said as the guys and Spike studied the menu, "All five out of eleven of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala. AJ, or Rainbow? Pinkie or Fluttershy, Rarity... What do you guys think?", she gave a groan as her stomach rumbled.
"I think we have to try another restaurant." Skywalker said, all the dishes on the menu sounded like they were for humans. "Yeah, I don't really like grass." Phoenix added, gaining a approving nod from Spike, "Yeah, would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?" he complained placing his menu on the table.
They decided that they would get something to eat at the guys house, though Phoenix bought a sandwich from the restaurant, as they followed the dirt path to the house Phoenix took a bite.
And not a moment after that, he spit it back out, "Gross! This burger taste like a burger made of grass! Or something!", he said burning the remains in a ball of his own fire.
"Probably because it was..." Spike stated as they entered the living room. In the middle of the room was a shirtless McGrath doing push ups. And they had to admit, he looked good without a shirt, he wasn't as buff Skywalker but he had still a body a male model would be jealous of.
McGrath notice them and he stops for a second, "I would stop, but I wouldn't want to take this sight from you." he said as he continued his workout.
Suddenly the female friends burst and all of them start to ramble about why they should be allowed to go with Twilight to the G3, that means Grand Galloping Gala, you know three G's.
Twilight tried to say something but couldn't get over them, getting annoyed by the loud noises, McGrath shouted from the top of his lounges, "Shut up!" as they all became silent, "Shut the neuk up and listen to Twilight!" he said, making them turn their attention towards Twilight.
"Thanks McGrath... You have been out of character helpful today." Twilight said gratefully to him, she cleared her throat before addressing her friends, "I just can't decide. It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't!"
The girls expression turned to disappointment as Skywalker entered the room giving a cocky grin, "Guess what I got!" he held up nine tickets, on closer inspection they were all tickets for G3, the girls took a gasp and they erupted into cheerful giggles.
"We're did you get those!?" Twilight said, unsure how even Skywalker could have get those nine tickets. "I asked Celestia for extra tickets. She just gave them to me if I promised to show up."
They're cheering was cut short loud rumbles, which source could be traced to Twilight's stomach.
"Allow us to treat you to dinner." Rarity said, as they all agreed to go, "And make McGrath pay for everything!" Phoenix added as he quickly dashed out of the house.
"What!?" shouted McGrath as he ran after him, "Get back here! So I can kick your ass!"
They all let out a cheerful laugh as they followed the two out of the house, life certainly was back to normal. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 27: Dresses | It was a rainy night in the city of Canterlot, the streets were deserted save for a lone hooded unicorn who took shelter under a bridge,
"May I help you, traveler?" a voiced asked from the darkness, startling the hooded pony as turns around to see two glowing purple orbs staring at her from the shadows.
"Hmm, something drives you... Something powerful." the figure said as she stepped out of the shadow, "Is it Revenge? Than take this." she extends her hand as a blue flame conjures up a black amulet in the shape of a alicorn.
The hooded unicorn could only stare as she held the amulet in front of her, "This is one of the most powerful of all the known magical charms. It will and can lead you to your revenge.", the pony accepted the dark gift as Mizuki smirked under his hood.
Earlier that day, the girls were preparing for G3, which is something only girls would do seeing as it was not until next week. Anyhow Twilight's dress had a loose button so they decided to visit the only pony in Ponyville who could possible sew it back on, Rarity! So she, Skywalker, Griffifth and AJ decided to pay her a visit.
As they entered Rarity's workshop at Carousel Boutique they saw Rarity doing what she does best, making dresses and talking to herself. "Who the hell are you talking to?" Griffifth interrupted her rudely making her flinch. She putted up a smile as she greeted her friends, "Good morning, darlings! Is there something I can help you with?" she asked as Twilight nodded her head.
"Oh, so very sorry to trouble you." Twilight started as she placed the dress on a table, "I need a quick favor. Could you please fix the button for me? It's my dress for the G3.", Rarity gave a surprised look at the mention of G3.
"She means the Grand Galloping Gala." Skywalker explained, "Saying Grand Galloping Gala every time is kind of a mouthful, so we came up with G3, because they're are three G's?", Rarity got what he meant by that as she nodded, she took a look over Twilight dress before letting out a distressful cry
"Oh, no, no, no! You can't wear this... old thing. You need a glamorous new outfit for the Gala and I'll make it for you. No problem at all. It will be my pleasure!" Rarity stated dramatically, she couldn't believe that her friend would were this... cloth... to G3!
"Oh, that's really sweet of you to offer, Rarity. But I can't let you do that. It would be so much work." Twilight started but Skywalker leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Dude, it's Rarity. She won't take no for an answer.".
"I'm a girl..." Twilight said as she returned her attention to Rarity, "Well, in that case... Thank you for your generosity, Rarity. Knowing your handiwork, I'm sure it will be absolutely beautiful."
And after some talk with Applejack, Rarity decided to make a new dress for her, and for all the other girls, and the guys... Yes, she's making a dress for the guys!
Meanwhile over at the guys house, Phoenix and Applebloom are watching some cartoons while having a heated discussion.
"Phoenix, did ya knew that the front of ya'r hair looks like a weed plant?" Applebloom asked as she studied Phoenix hair.
Phoenix gave her a questioning look before saying defensively, "What? It does not!".
"Oh, yes it does." she responded in a sing song voice. "It does not!" he denied again, before a more imported question came to mind, "How do you know what pot is? Did Pomme told you what we did on Archmage sleep over? You'r like ten years old! When I was your age I played with action figures! Go get a Barbie or something!".
All the while, McGrath was observing the entire conversation, "Why is she here again?" he asked as he made himself a cup of coffee.
"Big Mac is working at the barn and he wanted somebody to watch AB." Phoenix said as McGrath gave a indifferent shrug as he took the now filled cup up to his room.
Applebloom gave him a sweet smile as she looked up to him. "Hey McGrath. What are ya doing?", McGrath looked down at her, "That's nothing of your damn business." he said trying to continue his walk to the stairs, but Applebloom held him by his leg.
"Why do you always so those hateful words, McGrath?" Applebloom asked honestly, huh it seems nobody has ever asked McGrath that as he gave her a puzzling look.
"I don't know!" he said angrily, "Why do you have to be so neuking adorable!?", he finally shook her off his leg as he quickly made his way back to his room.
Applebloom took her seat back as she took a sip from her soda. After watching some more cartoons, one involving five guys living in a village called Humanville and they went to Canterlot High or something... Boy, I hope we never have to go there.
"Phoenix?" Applebloom asked as Phoenix nodded, "How did ya found out about your powers?" she asked curiously. Phoenix had to chuckle at her question, nobody had ever asked him how he first found out about his powers.
"I got shot when I was six." Phoenix said cheerfully. Applebloom asked him a few more questions, he answered all of them with similar cheerfulness, but the final question struck a nerve. "Do ya have siblings?".
For the first time since he had come to Ponyville, the mischievous spark in his purple eyes disappeared as he turned his look to the ground, "I... I had an older sister." he said slowly, this was obviously a painful subject to him, "I lost her the same day I discovered my powers..." .
Applebloom quickly changed the subject, "Phoenix, McGrath? Where do little fillies come from?", this question made Phoenix eyes open in shock as turned his gaze back towards her.
The very next day, Twilight requested the guys help. Rarity had locked herself in her room after making some godawful dresses at the other girls request, and some big name in the fashion industry saw them and now Rarity wouldn't be able to find work or something.
The gang had gathered outside Rarity's bedroom door, McGrath took the initiative and banged on the door, "Rarity! Get your fat ass out here!" he shouted but all they could hear was her cries before she responded through the door, "I'm never coming out! I use to be somebody... I used to be respected... I made dresses... beautiful, beautiful dresses... But now! Everybody is laughing at me! I'm noting but a laughingstock!"
"Your not a laughing stock Rarity." Twilight tried to reassure her but that attempt was show down by Rainbow, "She kinda is..." she said as Griffifth whispered, "Smooth move smart guy!"
McGrath gave a deep sigh before he started his speech, "Rarity, please listen to me.", what surprised everybody the most was that nearly all the harshness and sarcasm in his voice had disappeared, "Those first dressed you designed were perfect. But when you started to make the dresses exactly the way they wanted them. That's were you went wrong! If you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody, especially yourself. You can't let this little set back destroy your dream, you have talent! Anyone who can't see that is a fool!".
The sincerity in his voice made Rarity open her door, she gave him an odd look, as if to ask if he really meant it.
"Wow, this is the second time McGrath was out of charachter..." Twilight started as McGrath angrily turned around quickly saying, "I didn't say it because I like you!". What a Tsundere... |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 28: I Like You | A loud knock on the front door woke Skywalker up, he listened if one of the other guys would get the door. And as he didn't hear anyone, it had to be him to answer the front door.
Getting up, he stretched himself, "...The morning is evil..." he said to himself as he floated down the stairs half asleep.
Opening the door, he saw his favorite pink earth pony standing, as excited as ever. How she does that in the morning, that will for every be a mystery.
"Oh! Morning, Pinkie..." he said, rubbing the sleep from his eye as Pinkie shouted in her usual excited voice, "It's soon!".
Skywalker had to think about what she was talking about, but his mind was to foggy to come up with what she meant by that. Seeing as she wasn't getting a response from him, "You said we should have another party soon, and... it's soon!" Pinkie said giving him a big smile.
"...Did I really said that?" Skywalker thought to himself as Pinkie handed him out a invitation, opening it on the spot it read,
You're invited to Gummy's 'after-birthday' party. This afternoon at 3 o'clock.
"All our bestest friends are invited, and there's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!" Pinkie said excitedly, as Skywalker remembered something, "This afternoon? As in, 'this afternoon' this afternoon?" he asked, gaining a big smile from Pinkie.
"Yes, indeedy!" she responded, as Skywalker scratched the back of his head, "Sorry, can't come. I'm finding out something." he said with a sorry tone. "What?" Pinkie asked, curios why he wouldn't be able to come to Gummy's after-birthday party.
"I'm finding out why I am so good looking." Skywalker replied with a completely straight face.
Pinkie's expression went to disappointment but quickly went back to her usual happy one, "I understand. Your vanity comes first." she said, gaining a chuckle from him, "But don't worry, we'll be sure to save you some cake." she said turning around to bring invites to her other friends.
Later that morning, McGrath was enjoying his morning coffee at Sugarcube Corner as Spike took a seat next to him.
"There is an entire empty table behind me Spike." McGrath said annoyed, as Spike turned his gaze towards him, "For ten bits I'll leave."he said, gaining a big grin as McGrath throws ten bites on his plate.
"Pleasure of doing business with you." Spike said as he got up and left with his muffin, McGrath gave a sigh of relief, taking a sip from his cup, Pinkie sat down across from him.
"Your not busy are you?" McGrath thought as he looked up.
Before he could give a response Pinkie started to rant about the problem she was having, "Something strange is definitely going on around here, McGrath. Sure, Griffifth, Rainbow Dash, Sutakira and Fluttershy had to house-sit for that vacationing bear, but what are the chances all my other friends would have plans this afternoon too? Skywalker has to find out why he looks so good? Rarity has to wash her hair? Applejack has to pick apples? Twilight is behind on her studies and has to hit the books? Phoenix is sick because he has something called 'Bieber Fever', even though he shouted directly 'God I hate Justin Bieber!' The more I think about it, the more those are starting to sound like... excuses!".
As she finished her rant, she noticed that McGrath had left.
At the guys house, living room, McGrath was sitting in one of the lazy chairs and reading a book, trying to enjoy some quite and his coffee.
"McGrath?" A voice said in his left ear. Turning around he saw Pinkie looming over him, giving him a big smile.
"Are you stalking me now?" McGrath asked as he closed his book and finishing his coffee, preparing himself to make a run for it.
Pinkie gave him a puzzling look, "Not like, in a threatening way..." she said before regaining her smile, "Knock, knock!".
McGrath gave an annoyed sigh, but he decided to play along with her stupid knock knock joke, "Who's there?" he asked as Pinkie replied, "Doctor!".
"Doctor Who?" McGrath replied as he rolled his eyes, but Pinkie gave him a even bigger smile and poking his nose, "Got ya!".
McGrath looked surprised, "Wait a minute, you know Doctor Who?" he asked gaining a cheeky grin from Pinkie, "Of course I do, silly! Everybody knows Doctor Hooves!".
McGrath gave another sigh as he thought, "Well at least she can't bother me in here...". His eyes widened in shock as Pinkie's voice rang in his head, "Yeah, you got that right. Wait, who is she?".
He quickly rushed out the door trying to get away from Pinkie as far as possible, this gained a puzzling look from Pinkie. "Wow, my thinking voice sounds funny." she thought as she bounced after McGrath.
Down the dirty path to their house, McGrath could Pinkie hear her shout his name again. Against his better judgement, he turned around and saw Pinkie aiming a cannon at his face. Not a second later, he is hit by cake, covering him in the sweet deliciousness.
"Oh, silly me!" she said, placing her hoof on his dirty clothes, "I must have put the confetti in the oven and the cake in the confetti cannons! Again!", McGrath let out a angry growl as Pinkie tasted some of the cake gaining another big smile, "Still delicious though! Try some, McGrath!"
A green light flashed in front of her eyes as the cake that was first on McGrath splattered on the ground, turning around she saw a now cleaned up McGrath walking away from her. Quickly whipping the left over cake from herself, she followed him, "Wait, McGrath! Please, let me make it up to you..." she said but he shouted back a big no.
"Please! Oh, please please please!" Pinkie begged but he shouted back to her, "Neuk off!". This didn't have the desired effect as she continued to beg him with, "Please! Oh, please please please!".
"You don't know what 'neuk off' means, do you?", he asked and his question was answered with a "Nope! Please! Oh, please please please..." from Pinkie.
After losing Pinkie, which isn't as easy as it sounds, McGrath retreated back into his room. He was currently laying down on his bed listening to some classical music on his phone.
"Hi, McGrath!" Pinkie shouted, startling him as he hadn't even hear the door open when she entered, "I have a gift for you!", she held out a big box, but McGrath gave it a suspicious look, like he was afraid it would bite him or something.
"It's not going to explode or anything." Pinkie said with a big smile, "Promise. Just open it!". After some hesitation, he removed the ribbon from the present and removing the top, revealing a t-shirt with him and Pinkie on it.
The Pinkie on the shirt gave one of her biggest smiles yet, thought the McGrath on the shirt looked kinda...
"W-Why do I look dead on this picture?" McGrath asked turning his gaze towards her, "Are you going to kill me?", he asked but all that did was make her giggle. "No! I took it when you were sleeping.", somehow he wasn't bother by that answer.
"Look Pinkie..." he started slowly, turning his gaze back to her, his own emerald eyes locking into her soft blue's, "I appreciate what you are trying to do. The reason I always act this was is because... I don't think anyone likes me.", he turned his gaze down, this was very difficult for him to talk about Pinkie could she.
She placed her hoof on his shoulder, making him look back up. "I like you, McGrath." she said and for the first time since she knew him, she could see a faint smile forming on his face. Suddenly, Pinkie felt her stomach make a back flip, as if she had eaten too much cupcakes.
A little later, McGrath was lead Pinkie into the barn of Sweet Apple Acres, the moment Pinkie get in the voice of the rest of the gang shouted "Surprise!", Pinkie gave a puzzling look, wondering why they would throw her a surprise party.
Suddenly her eyes widen in shock as she beamed, "Because it's my birthday! How could I have forgotten my own birthday?" she smiled as she gave each and everyone of the gang a hug, "And you like me so much you decided to throw me a surprise party! You boys and girls are the best friends ever!", and indeed Pinkie couldn't have wished for better friends.
"All right, boys and girls! Enough of this gab. Let's party!" Griffifth shouted as music started to play.
As Pinkie danced, she gave one last look at McGrath and that same feeling came back to her. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 29: Flight or Fight | Ever since her birthday, Pinkie Pie was having this weird feeling in her stomach, she couldn't sleep, she didn't have any appetite. She had been to the doctor, but he claimed she was as healthy as a... Horse... Seriously who wrote this? If the doctors couldn't find anything, maybe Twilight or Sutakira would know. After all if they wouldn't know something, then who would?
Seeing as Twilight's house was closer she decided to go there first, upon entering the Golden Oak Library she saw the unicorn she was looking for.
"Last one." Twilight said using her magic to place a book back on its shelf. Giving a heavy sigh she turned to her friends, "Thank you so much for helping me clean up all these books guys. It was a crazy week of studying." she said to the gathered McGrath, Rarity, Griffifth, Pinkie Pie, Phoenix, Applejack and Sutakira.
"Why did I help, again?" McGrath asked, as this was certainly out of character for him. He flashed Sutakira a glare as he smugly said, "Because I kicked your ass at Vanguard.". Before McGrath could respond he noticed Pinkie standing in the door opening, his expression softening slightly as he gave her a soft smile.
Then she felt it again, that weird feeling in her stomach, was McGrath the reason she was feeling sick? Was she allergic to his emerald green eyes, was she... Her thoughts were interrupted as a distend scream was heard, first it was very soft but it became louder and louder by the second.
"Are you guys hearing that?" Phoenix asked as a loud bang and a hard crash was heard. As the dust settled they saw that it was Rainbow who had crashed through one of the windows and smashed up the library with her landing.
"Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash, you alright?" Griffifth asked as he snapped his finger in front of her, "Of course she is, she rocks! Woohoo!" the voice of Fluttershy said. Turning around they saw Skywalker and Fluttershy enter through the same window Rainbow just crashed through.
Fluttershy looked around and noticed the mess, "Did my cheering do that?", she wondered as McGrath dropped on his knees and let out a scream of frustration, "Why!? Why are you and Skywalker so hell bent on causing me pain!" he asked Rainbow, because now they have to start all over again.
Fortunately, Rainbow was okay as she gave the cleaning crew a sheepish smile, "Hehe. Sorry about that guys. THAT was a truly feeble performance." she apologized to her friends as they all gave a accepting groan.
"Actually, it wasn't all bad." Skywalker said, trying to reassure his friend. Fluttershy nodded in agreement as she added, "I particularly liked it when you made the clouds spin.".
"Oh, I liked that part too." Skywalker agreed but he was interrupted by a annoyed groan from Rainbow, "Ugh. I'm not talking about my performance, I'm talking about yours!" she said as Skywalker gave her a confused look.
"But I didn't do anything!" he said offended making his best friend hoof palm, "Not you. Fluttershy! And I meant her feeble cheering! I wish you guys could come to Cloudsdale to see me compete in the Best Young Flyer Competition." she said looking over her other friends.
All she got was a puzzling look from her friends, none of them apparently knew what the Best Young Flyer Competition was. "You guys have no idea what I'm talking about right?" Rainbow said, as the others gave each other some quick looks, seeing if anyone of them knew at least something.
"Well I do but if anybody wants to explain it, that would be great." Sutakira said as he gave a sheepish smile. Rainbow gave a sigh as she started to explain, "The Best Young Flyer Competition is where all the greatest pegasus flyers get together and show off their different flying styles! Some are fast! And some are graceful!", the gang let out a collective, "Oh", as well as agreeing that it would be great to see. "I wish you guys could be there. Fluttershy's a great support, but her cheering isn't exactly inspirational." Rainbow continued as she looked over friends. Her own eyes locked with those of Skywalker, she could see that he was disappointed.
"Dashie, why didn't you tell me about this?" he asked, sounding slightly hurt, why would his best friend not tell him about this?
"With your skill you would Curb Stomp everybody who thinks they are a match for you." Rainbow explained, her own face showing some sadness as Skywalker turned from her crossing his arms, "You do know I'm not allowed to enter right? Being the Knight Of The Wind, I'm not allowed to enter the junior divisions, so yeah." he said, his voice having a tone of sadness in it. "Sky... You still want to come cheer me on?" Rainbow asked, trying to make up to him for...
"Well duh!" Skywalker said quickly turned around and gave her a wink as he had been faking being hurt just to mess with her.
The next morning, Skywalker, Rainbow and Fluttershy flew they're way towards Cloudsdale. During the flight Skywalker was trying to give Fluttershy some last minute cheering tips, "You've got to learn to be assertive, Fluttershy. Don't be afraid to speak up." he said gaining a nod from Fluttershy.
"Jason?" Rainbow asked making him turn his attention towards her, "Do you want to come over to my parents house?" she asked him with a faint blush. "...Why?" Skywalker asked slowly as Rainbow got a sheepish smile on her face, "I want you to try my mom's cooking." Rainbow explained, but Skywalker wasn't buying it. "And the real reason?" he asked.
Rainbow sighed, "The thing is, I haven't been home yet since I've moved to Ponyville. I hadn't been able to make up my mind about it, but I decided that I should show my face... But going home alone is a bit uncomfortable, so I was hoping you could join me." she explained, this made him a bit jealous, at least she has a home to return to.
"Of course Dashie." Skywalker said, giving her a nod, "After you've won the BYFC. By the way, what is the prize your gonna win?".
Rainbow got a large smile, "The grand prize is an entire day with the Wonderbolts. A whole day of flying with my life-long heroes... It'll be a dream come true!" she said giggling at the thought.
"Seriously..." Skywalker said rolling his eyes, "You should come with me to Canterlot once in a while. I had brunch with Spitfire, just last week." he said as Rainbow looked at him with awed eyes, "...I hate you so much right now." she said teasingly.
Soon they landed in Cloudsdale, Skywalker couldn't believe his eyes, all the buildings were made out of clouds! And there were rainbows everywhere! They were all so beautiful, well of course the most beautiful rainbow was standing right next to him but still... oh look a double rainbow!
"Skywalker?" the voice of Fluttershy broke him out of his thought as he turned his attention to her, "How come you can walk on clouds..." she asked. Indeed, even though Phoenix and Sutakira can fly neither could stand on the clouds.
"I... Have no idea..." Skywalker said scratching the back of his head.
They made their way to the stadium, a question Skywalker had been meaning to ask Rainbow but never got around popped in his head.
"Oh, Dashie? Can I ask you a random question?" he asked gaining a nod from her, "Have you ever heard of Skittles? They're a candy on my world, and their line is, get this... 'taste the rainbow'.", both Rainbow and Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at this. "Your joking again are you?" Rainbow asked, not believing that there was a candy with that slogan.
"No, I'm not." Skywalker said dead seriously, "Not this time.".
Rainbow fall on the cloud, rolling in laughter at the slogan of the candy.
"Well well well. What do we have here?" a voice said above them, making the three friends look up. Three male pegasi were flying above them before they started to float in front of them. "It's our old friend Rainbow Crash!" the leaded, Dumb-Bell said, "Get kicked outta any flight schools lately?" he asked mockingly. Skywalker remembered Rainbow telling him about how Dumb-Bell and his friends Hoops and... What's his face, were a gang of bullies during her time at Flight school.
"I didn't get kicked out." Rainbow said as she got back up, trying to sound indifferent to them. But soon they turned to trash talking Rainbow, her skills and her mane... Wait a minute nobody insults the hair!
Skywalker was about to speak up but Fluttershy had beaten him to it. "Now wait just a minute!" she said, this got everyone's attention making her blush a little, "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm trying to be more assertive. Anyhow... She is going to do a sonic rainboom! Show up at the Cloudeseum and see for yourself! ...If you're free." she added that last part with a soft voice.
The idiots laughed out loud as they agreed to come before they left.
"Those guys are right." Rainbow sighed to herself, "I'll never be able to do it.", she looked down as Skywalker patted her head.
"But, Dashie." Skywalker said making her look back up to him, "Just because you've failed the sonic rainboom a hundred thousand times in practice doesn't mean you won't be able to do it in front of an entire stadium, full of impatient, super-critical sports fan ponies... I just made it a lot worse..." he said to himself as Rainbow had a mental breakdown.
"Aaaaaah! What do I do!? Everybody's gonna see me fail! The Wonderbolts will never let a loser like me join. Princess Celestia will probably banish me to the Everfree Forest! My life is ruined!" she ranted as that last line got him to raise an eyebrow.
"Why would Celestia do that?" Skywalker asked, this had been bothering him for some time, "Why does everybody think Princess Celestia would banish them if they screw something up!?". Seriously, something along the lines of 'Celestia will banish me if I fail X' up pops up a lot.
"Is that Rarity? With butterfly wings?" Skywalker said pointing behind them and indeed Rarity was floating above them with her own butterfly wings.
"Aren't my wings smashing!?" Rarity said as she floated down towards them, "Twilight made them for me. I just adore them! Why so shocked? We couldn't leave our favorite flyer without a big cheering section!"
An next to them a balloon landed, and in the basket there was the rest of the gang, this put a smile on Rainbow's face, "This is so cool! You guys made it!" she said happily as Pinkie jumped out of the basket and landed on the cloud without falling through them... Wait what?
"How'd you do that? Only Pegasus ponies and Jason can walk on clouds!" Rainbow exclaimed in surprise. It's Pinkie, nobody can explain Pinkie.
So Twilight with her amazing magic found a way too give Rarity wings, though it was too difficult to do it a few more times, she decided to find a spell that allowed them to walk on the clouds. Smart girl.
As they had some time before the competition Rainbow and Fluttershy decided to give them a tour through the greatest city in the sky... Seeing as it is the only city in the sky they don't really have any competition.
In the weather factory, they were showed how all the weather was made for all of Equestria.
"And here's where they make the rainbows!" Rainbow said pointing to a pool with all the colors of the rainbow in it, Pinkie, being the crazy one like she is, took a sip from the rainbow pool, "Spicyyyyyy!..." she shouted as the rest of the gang chuckled.
"Yeah, rainbows aren't really known for their flavor." Rainbow said as Skywalker walked over to the pool, Pinkie tried to stop him but he was already drinking out of the pool and it confirmed his theory. "Hey Pinkie, you know what's ironic?" he asked getting a questing look from her, "What, what, what, what, what?... Does ironic mean?" Pinkie said as Sutakira cleared his throat. "Ironic is the opposite result of what was intended." he explained but Pinkie still didn't get it.
"This rainbow tastes like Skittles, which is a candy on our world." Skywalker explained, getting Pinkie's attention, "And you, the candy lover, didn't like it.".
Pinkie mouth dropped open in a comical way, "Humans eat that stuff as candy? Are you crazy?" she asked as the guys shrugged. "You don't have to be crazy to live on earth... but it helps." Phoenix said as further down they could hear people admire Rarity's wings.
"Oh, where'd you get those amazing wings? I want a pair!" the voice of Dumb-Bell could be heard. "Ha! Gay!" McGrath shouted.
"Rarity! What're you doing talking to these guys?" Rainbow asked, feeling betrayed that Rarity would talk to those bullies!
"Oh, hey look, it's Rainbow Crash again!" Dumb-Bell said mockingly, "You should forget the sonic rainboom and just get yourself some wings like these!".
Before Rainbow could answer him, Skywalker jumped to his friends defense, "Sorry, but Dashie is not girlish like that!" he said, somehow this made Dumb-Bell and his cronies laugh.
"Ah, Rainbow Crash! You need The Knight to fight your battle's for you?" Dumb-Bell manege to say as they burst out in laughter.
Skywalker shoot them a death glare that meant 'insult Rainbow one more time in my presence and you'll pay' and for good measure he let his eye glow red, "I find your lack of respect disturbing.", this made the three dumbasses freeze in fear. "You better watch what you say against me.", he threatened them as all three mumbled, "Y-Yes, Ser Knight."
Somehow Rarity entered the competition, making Rainbow even more nervous. But as the competition was soon, there was no way to remove Rarity from it without seriously injuring her.
And so the gang save Rarity and Rainbow took a seat in the stadium, just as they took their seat the crow let out a loud cheer as the announcer's voice could be heard throughout the stadium.
"Fillies and gentlecolts!" her voice boomed, "Please rise and join me in welcoming our beloved ruler, Princess Celestia!" she said as the princess of the sun landed on her special stage, under the loud cheers from her loyal subjects.
"Boo!" Griffifth shouted and somehow this one 'boo' was heard by Celestia. "Who said that? Who the buck said that!?" Celestia shouted making everybody turn silent, "Somebody better fess up or I'm not going to start this damn tournament!" turning her gaze over the stadium.
"Competition, your highness." the announcer corrected her. "Yeah whatever!" Celestia responded. "It was me, sorry!" Griffifth said, though he didn't sound sorry at all. "Get the buck out of Cloudsdale!" Celestia commanded as he shrugged his shoulders and left.
An hour passed as and a lot of good flyers came by but then it was time for the final competitor of the day, contestant number fifteen! Uhh... And apparently contestant number four.
Rarity preformed some ballet like moves, but thanks that that and her own nerves Rainbow messed up her entire routine! Now all what she could fall back to was phase Three, the sonic rainboom.
"Wings, by Skywalker's Lightning, don't fail me now!" Rainbow prayed as she starts to fly up.
Rarity did something similar, intending to shine the light from her wings all over Equestria, "Look upon me, Equestria, for I... am... Rarity!" as she shouted that, her wings, made of mountain dew or something, burned off. And as gravity was still a thing in Equestria, Rarity started to plummet to the ground.
Rarity let out screams of fright as she falls trough the clouds as the Wonderbolts directly dove after her, quickly catching up to her, but in her panic Rarity knocked all three out... I thought unicorn's were physically weak? Weird.
"Hold on, Rarity! I'm coming!" Rainbow shouted as she took a nose dive after her and the Wonderbolts. The rest of the gang were frozen in terror. "Shouldn't ya dive after them?" Applejack asked Skywalker, as he simply raised his hand, "Wait for it." he said.
A loud boom was heard as the sound barrier broke in all the colors of the rainbow, she did it, Rainbow preformed the sonic rainboom!
"A sonic rainboom! She did it! She did it! WOOO!" Fluttershy cheered as everybody else in the stadium looked on impressed. With the boos from the sonic rainboom, Rainbow could catch Rarity and the Wonderbolts just before they hit the ground.
"Yeah! That's my girl!" Skywalker shouted as as the stadium burst out in a loud round of applause.
A little while later, the gang was gathered around the balloon as Rarity sat in the basket.
"I can't help the feeling that Rarity with wings was one big marketing thing to sell more toys." Griffifth said before taking a sip from his rainbow drink, taste the rainbow indeed.
"I want to apologize to all of you for getting so carried away with my... beautiful wings." Rarity said, trying to apologize to her friends, "I guess I just lost my head. And I'm especially sorry that I was so thoughtless as to jump into the contest at the last minute after you had worked so hard to win it. Can you ever ever forgive me?". They all pretty much agreed to forgive her, after all their friends right?
"Aw, it's okay." Rainbow said, "Everything turned out alright, right? I just wish I could have met the Wonderbolts when they were awake." she added that last part with some regret.
"Hey, Dashie! Look who I found!" the voice of Skywalker came from above as he landed in front of her with the three Wonderbolts behind him.
Rainbow looked on in shock as all she could get out was, "OhmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohMYGOSH!". The leader of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire, was the first to speak up, "So you're the little pony who saved our lives. We really wanted to meet you, and say thanks." she said as Rainbow was now unable to make any sensible words.
"I think Rainbro is now brain dead." Phoenix said as he waved his hand in front of her face not getting any response.
That evening, Skywalker had to do just one more thing before they could go home that night.
"My dad is gonna like you." Rainbow said as they walked towards her parents house, "You think so?" he asked gaining a cocky grin from his best friend. "Warrior of Justice? He probably cook you something on the grill and talk your ears off." she said as Skywalker slowly said "Sounds... Wonderful.".
They arrived at the house as Rainbow knocked on the door. Not much later, the door was opened by a white pegasi with manes with all the colors of the rainbow.
"Dashie!" she shouted as she pulled Rainbow into a motherly hug. "Hi, mom." said with a blush as he mother let go of her, she noticed Skywalker standing behind Rainbow. "Oh, and you must be..." she said realizing who he is, "Ser Skywalker! I-Its an honor." she said with a small bow.
"You must be Firefly, Dashie's sister!" Skywalker said gaining a smile from Rainbow's mother.
As soon they were in the living room, Firefly placed Skywalker on the couch as she and Rainbow went to get something refreshments.
"So... You and him." Firefly said as soon as they entered the kitchen, knowing what her mother meant, Rainbow blushed furiously, "What!? N-No!!" she denied as her mother let out a small chuckle, "Please, your father and I gave each other the same eyes when we where that age." she said as Rainbow let out a annoyed groan. She had missed her mom. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 30: G3 | It was the night of G3, nobles from Equestria arrived at Canterlot Castle for the grand celebration and Luna was nervous, very very nervous. Noticing the distress in his girlfriends face, Skywalker decided to ask her about it, "Luna?" he said as she turned her attention from to crowd to him, "Is something wrong?", he asked in a concerned tone, this was a special night and he was hell bent on making sure his girl had the best time of her very long life.
"I..." the princess of the night started slowly, trying to find the right words, "I don't feel very comfortable at social gatherings, even that restaurant opening took me a lot of courage." she explained as he gave her a thoughtful nod.
"I was wondering... if you would stay by my side during this event. It would make me feel more at ease if you were with me." Luna asked shyly as he gave her an encouraging grin, "I was planning on doing that anyway." he said gaining a relieved smile from his, "And if you really don't want to be here, we can always watch some movies in your room." he added, making her smile even bigger, she wasn't thinking about the same thing he was thinking.
As Skywalker and Luna made their round to meet some nobles, gotta keep the aristocrat's happy, Rarity spotted the subject of her affection prince blueblood.
"He's everything I imagined! Even better than I imagined." she said to herself as she followed him hoping she would get his attention.
In the garden Rarity finally got the chance to talk to him, "Well, hello. I am Prince Blueblood." he introduced himself, giving a small bow.
"I am... Rarity." she introduced herself, with a faint blush on her cheeks, she then noticed a rose in one of the hedges, "Oh my, what a lovely rose." she noted as Blueblood looked at said rose she was speaking of. "You mean... this rose?" he said as he picked it and placing it on his own blazer, "Thank you. It goes with my eyes.", he walked away, knowing she would follow him. He knew her type, she had completely fallen for him. Which was good for him, now he wouldn't have to look for who he would buck tonight.
Meanwhile in the upper levels of the castle, near the Celestia's bedroom a lone guard, Flash Sentry, was patrolling the hall. Fortunate for him, he didn't look to one of the upper gargoyles for he would have saw two red eyes observing him. As nothing seemed out of place, Flash continued his patrol along the hall.
"It will be so easy. One strike and this guard won't ever see the sun rise again. One strike and all his skill, his powers even his memories would belong to me. No, I need to stay focused, if he doesn't intervene he should make it through he night." Griffifth thought to himself as he leaped down, he quickly he entered Celestia's bedroom.
Not wasting anytime, Griffifth allowed his sense's to highten as he made a mental note to make sure he could place everythin back the way it was. It didn't took him long to find Celestia's journal, she had hid it under one of the most cliche place of them all, under her pillow.
"I don't trust that princess." he thought to himself as he flipped through her journal, "Nobody, especially someone in charge is that nice, giving us all those things but not ask anything in return? Yeah right. Maybe she just wants Skywalker, probably wants to turn him into her own personal weapon. He would probably be too kind to see through her. I won't allow that you to do that to my friends, you old fossil. Not on my watch."
Back at the ball room, Skywalker and Luna had decided to get something to drink as socializing with nobility and other famous people was making them both thirsty, at the table that served the drinks, Skywalker was disappointed that they didn't serve any kind of beer, so he had to settle for some mead. As he got his glass he noticed that Luna got a glass of red wine.
"Your having wine?" Skywalker asked, he knew that Luna didn't drink anything alcoholic usually, even at that restaurant the only drink she had was water. "I don't normally partake in alcohol, I don't handle it very well." she explained as he listen to her attentively, "So I avoid anything heavier than wine." Both of them just took a moment to watch each other, both losing themselves in each others eyes. Just then, Skywalker could hear a yell.
"Hey!" the voice of said, as Skywalker turns his head into the direction of the voice. "Was that... Rarity?" he asked slowly as he saw what was going on. Apparently, prince Blueblood couldn't keep his hoofs to himself. Skywalker wanted to walk over, ready to defend one of his friends but McGrath had beaten him to the punch as he stood in front of Rarity, blocking Blueblood from touching her again.
"What do you think you're doing!?" he asks, as McGrath shot him a death glare with Rarity behind him sighting in relieve. "I could ask you the same thing." McGrath said, his voice dripping with venom, "You think you can get away with feeling up on one of my friends? You're lucky that I won't beat you down right now!" At this point, everybody's eyes were on the three of them.
"This isn't any of your business, monkey, so sod off." Blueblood commanded, feeling cocky as he thought the guards were ready to defend him if this commoner would dare to try anything he decided to challenge him further, "I dare you to try and hit me." he said smirking.
In a swift motion, McGrath spin to the left, with his left hand clenched, and deck Blueblood right in the face, making him fall backwards, with a black eye.
"You, sir, are the most uncharming being I have ever seen!" McGrath shouted as Blueblood cowered in fear, he couldn't understand why no guards were trying to take this ape in!, "My neuking brother is more charming than you and he has no charm what so ever! Seems like the only thing royal about you is that you are a royal pain in the ass! A guy like you doesn't deserve a lady like Rarity! She only likes men with self-respect. Perhaps you might acquire some?" with that being said, McGrath guided Rarity out of the ball room.
None of the friends wanted to stay at the party any longer, so they took the carriage back home. It wasn't much later that the gang arrived back in Ponyville, each headed to their own home but McGrath wanted to walk Rarity to her house, as a proper gentlemen would do.
For the entire walk, Rarity had been been pretty quiet for the past few minutes. It wasn't that far so McGrath left her on the doorstep, bidding her goodnight.
As he turned to leave, Rarity finally got out what she wanted to say to him, "I love you." this made McGrath stop right in his track. "D-Don't tease me like that!" he said but he didn't face her, he knew someone like him could never have someone like her. "You don't believe me?" Rarity asked as he walked around him, now standing in front of him, "That's... not it, but... I... I ain't a nice guy. Look, you need to watch yourself. Don't bother with someone like me." he said trying to convince her to not get involved with him. "I still love you! I loved you ever since the Nightmare Moon incident. I tried to ask you on a make shift date, but I brought it in the wrong way and..." her speech was cut short as McGrath suddenly embraces her tightly.
"This is your fault, you know. I'm all confused." he accused her, Rarity could hear that his normal harsh and dripping with sarcasm voice was breaking, "You're all I can think about, day and night. I'm gonna make myself clear... If you accept me, I ain't holding back any more." he said and with this McGrath place his lips on her muzzle, as Rarity savored the moment. She opened the door using her magic as they both fell in. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 31: Dark Side Of The Horse | Rarity woke up from her peaceful slumber as the sunlight hits her face. She open her eyes for the briefest of moments but to her disappointment McGrath was no where to be found. On her nightstand there was a tray with a plate full of pancakes and a note with her name written on it. As she eat her pancakes, which tasted delicious by the way, she opened the note.
Rarity,
I'm sorry that I couldn't be there when you woke up, I had business to attend to.
See you for lunch at the Sugarcube Corner at 13:00?
McGrath.
She couldn't help but smile, it seems she did found her dream prince after all.
Meanwhile at the guys house, some of the gang were discussing how much G3 sucked.
"So let met get this straight." Phoenix said as he took a sip from his drink, "...You tried to catch the cutest thing in the Canterlot garden in a net?", his question made Fluttershy turn her gaze down.
"Yes... But I got caught in it myself." she said blushing at her failure, her blush got even bigger by what Phoenix said next, "Then I say mission accomplished then. I don't think there was something cuter in that garden than you.".
As Fluttershy's blush became a even darker shade of red, Pinkie entered asking where Sutakira was. Phoenix told her he was probably in the shower and like that she headed upstairs.
Sutakira was currently enjoying a hot shower, his blueish hair covered in soap. Suddenly Pinkie burst in shouting his name, in a reflex he covered his junk, though now Pinkie knew that the curtains matched the drapes.
"Sutakira, I'm sick! I already have been to the doctor but he said I was fine! But I still feel like I have butterflies in my stomach and I still don't have my usual appetite! What if it's contagious and..." she ranted while Sutakira quickly grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his lower waist. Before she could continue he told her the reason he thought she was acting this way, "It seems you are in love." he said but this confused Pinkie, she loved all her friends, but none made her feel like this. Could this be a different kind of love? Like how Mr. and Mrs. Cake love each other? She wanted to ask more but a small explosion that shook the house interrupted their thoughts, "Skywalker! Come out and fight me!" a voice shouted as another loud explosion shook the house.
Outside, they founded Trixie, who had traded her cute hat and cape in for a dark cloak as she wore a weird black amulet around her neck. Her magical aura which was usually purple was now blood red.
"Why are you doing this Trixie?" Twilight demanded to know. Trixie herself broke down in an evil cackle, as she spoke up, "Why? Because he humiliated me! After he showed me up, I became a laughingstock! Everywhere I went I was laughed at and ostracized. I even had to take a job on a rock farm just to earn a living! A rock farm!" she shouted as she gave them a reason why she was attacking.
"Hey!" Pinkie shouted as she and Sutakira arrived outside, "You're lucky a farm that rocks would take the likes of you!" she said before Trixie zapped her, deleting her mouth.
"Oh yeah. You are from a farm that rocks." Sutakira noted as all Pinkie could make was groaning sounds. "Now I want revenge!" Trixie demanded as she charged up her horn, "And I'll just keep casting spells 'til you call him. Well? What do you say?" she said launching another magic blast directly at Twilight, who quickly conjured a shield but Trixie's spell was too strong and a loud gong like sound shattered the shield.
Before Trixie could launch another attack, Skywalker landed in between her and Twilight, making sure she would never touch her again.
"Trixie..." He said shooting her a death glare, "I could have forgive you for being a complete fraud, I could forgive you for insulting a farm that rocks, but I cannot and will not forgive you for harming my friends!" he said as Trixie gave him a arrogant chuckle.
"Tell that to the cleaning lady on Monday!" Trixie taunted, but at that remark Skywalker simply rolled his eyes. "Trixie, make up your own jokes." he said as he took a fighting stance, "I may not be green, but you won't like me when I'm angry.", without further notice, Trixie shot a magic bolt at him, but using his advanced reflex he quickly side-stepped the attack, as it exploded in a tree.
"Wait, Trixie now wears black and has red magic?" Skywalker said as he quickly dodged more of Trixie's barrage of spells, "You know what that means?" he asked as he deflected her latest attack into the air.
"Here he comes with the Star Wars reference." Sutakira said rubbing his temples. Skywalker gave a cocky smirk himself as he said, "Trixie went to the Dark Side... Of the horse.".
Suddenly, his friends burst out in laughter as Skywalker shook his head in embarrassment, "It's shameful I took that long to come up with that one!" he said as he turned his attention back to Trixie, "Anyway. Hey, Trixie, give me a heads up when your done warming up and ready to start." he said in a friendly tone but this statement only made her angry.
"We already started!" she said, her face become red from anger, why won't this little monkey just lay down and die already!?
"Hey, Trixie. Random question, ever seen one pony play ten instruments?" Skywalker said as he snaps his fingers and Pinkie appears playing ten different instruments. She couldn't believe this, but seeing as he was distracted she blasted him with another barrage of magic as he was thrown to the ground. "Stop it! Tha-that tickles!" he said laughing as he rolled on the ground.
"Tickles!? That was supposed to make you writhe in agony!" Trixie said as she loomed over him, giving him a dirty look, why couldn't she beat this little ape!? This was the change he was looking for, he quickly reached behind her undoing the hook of the Alicorn Amulet dropping it from her neck as Trixie herself fainted from the sudden power influx.
Skywalker rolled on his back as he said, "I could use a vacation.", which made Twilight scoff, "From what? Waking up at eleven?" she teased as he gave her a sheepish grin.
Meanwhile in a cave overlooking the mountain were Canterlot City was based, two beings were studying the magnificent city.
"Has your hive accomplished their goal?" Morgenstern asked, as an insect like pony next to him nodded, "My Changelings are implanted about 51%, my lord. Virtually every existing guard in Canterlot would be replaced in..." the queen told him proudly but she was rudely interrupted by him.
"Not good enough." Morgenstern he said, "You will go yourself." he demanded as the queen got a shocked expression, "You... Want me to go invade Canterlot personally? Sir, the risk of exposure is..." she tried to state the reason why this would be a bad idea, but he interrupted her once again. "The risk if you don't go are far greater." he said, his voice never losing his cool, "And besides, wouldn't you like to go to a wedding?". If she would succeed, Equestria's army will be crushed as he could free the Crystal Empire and all it's secrets will be his, if she would fail... The same would happen except that instead of being crushed, Equestria's army will be crippled which would also be fine. He could work with either. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 32: Camp | Early in the morning Skywalker was placing camping backs in the back of McGrath's van. It wasn't that difficult to get it to Equestria, just have his bike tow it as it drives to the rainbow wormhole. Live has certainly became easier for the guys now that they also had access to the human world at any time.
"Ya know." Skywalker started as he threw another bag in the van, "It will go faster if you guys came out of your beds and helped me!" he shouted towards one of the open windows. "Sorry can't hear you over my snoring!" the voice of Phoenix said coming from his bedroom window.
As he reached for the next bag, a purple aura enveloped the bags and neatly placed them in the van. Looking up, he saw Trixie standing behind him flashing him a sheepish grin. One of the things he noticed was that she had changed back to her stylish purple wizard head and matching cape.
"Trixie, you seem better." Skywalker said, leaning back against the van. After their skirmish, they had brought Trixie to the hospital to see if she had sustained any damage. What he didn't know is that she would be fired from it the next day.
"It's the least I could do. I treated you and your friends so horribly when I was wearing that Alicorn Amulet..." She started as she turned her eyes away from him, "I just couldn't control myself. You can forgive me, can't you, Ser Skywalker?" she added that last part, knowing he probably wouldn't.
"Sure, we're cool." Skywalker said as he gave a small nod.
Trixie's face brightened as she proudly declared, "Good. Don't you think the Great and Apologetic Trixie is the most magnificent humble pony you've ever seen?" at this Skywalker had to chuckle, "But I have to ask... What about the pony with the ten instruments?" she asked as Skywalker gave another chuckle, "That's not magic or superpowers, that's just Pinkie." he explained as Trixie gave a even more puzzling look as he quickly explained, "Look, it's Pinkie, alright? Nobody can explain Pinkie.".
Later that morning, the gang has all taken a seat in McGrath's van, he himself driving, as they drove their way towards the camping site they we're going to stay. Currently some J-pop was boobing out of the speakers, "Say McGrath, can we change the cd? I don't really like..." Spike said as he reached out to change the cd but he quickly retreated his claw as McGrath gave it a slap.
"No! I'm driving so I pick the music." McGrath said.
"Do you really think it's okay to just go on a vacation?" Twilight asked worriedly, as Skywalker shrug his shoulders, placing his hands behind his head, "If something happens people either go to you, me or Zecora. They'll be okay.".
"How have you guys actually met?" Rainbow asked, as Phoenix flashed her a cheeky grin, "That's a long and awesome story. And seeing as it will be a while before we get their...".
We'll the moment all five of us met wasn't a very good one, I met McGrath first, he was investigating the rumors of some strange black creatures, running around town. In his opinion, this so called 'Skywalker' was the reason behind it.
After taking care of some these black creatures ourselves, McGrath made his was a cross the street as I followed. I could say about him what I wanted, but he sure could fight.
"Remind me to never get on your bad side." Phoenix said cheerfully as the eerily pale brunet groaned in irritation, "Believe me, you already are.".
Phoenix studied his companion for a few more moments, trying to figure him out before he spoke up, "So how are you gonna find this..." he started but McGrath rudely cut him off, "I have been tracking him for a few months now. His power..."
Our conversation was cut short as we saw Skywalker slamming one of those black creatures through a abandon warehouse.
"He's dangerous." McGrath noted as his brain started a work on a battle plan, but Phoenix gave him a cocky grin, "Stay back. I'm gonna kick his ass!" I said as I flew into the building.
McGrath shook his head as some bright flashes of blue light flashed in the ware house and not long after that, Phoenix is thrown out of the ware house and into another building.
McGrath slowly walked over to him as he shook his head, "Are you okay?", he asked though he didn't sounds very sincere.
"Its a good thing I'm Phoenix!... Or that might have hurt me..." Phoenix answered with his face in the ground before he lose conscious.
"Oh, weed plant has a friend." a Voice behind them said, McGrath turned around to see Skywalker walking towards him, "So, what can you do?" he said smugly, as he jumps to McGrath and starts a sudden flurry of punches driving McGrath back as he can only block. McGrath stands with his back against the wall but in a flash of green light, he quickl teleports behind his opponent. He tried to attack Skywalker from behind but Skywalker does a spin kick into McGrath's stomach sending him in the air, he is able to recover and land on his feet.
The duo runs over a roof, McGrath tried to take advantage of an opening in Skywalker's Combo, he grabs the left wrist and pulls him into an arm lock. McGrath tries to punch Skywalker at the back of the neck, but he used a swift reversal, breaking from from the arm lock as Skywalker renewed his attack, which McGrath must blocks again as he started to pants heavy.
"Slowing down already?" Skywalker taunted him, as he gained an angry look from his opponent, "T-This can't be... Y-you can't be my better! I am the Ultimate Life Form!" McGrath shouted confused as Skywalker gave a loud chuckle. "Aren't you a little short to be the Ultimate Life Form?".
Skywalker and McGrath races at each other while jumping in the air but before they could hit each other, both of them get separated by a gigantic blue wall of hard light. Both landed back on their feet looks up to see two other young mans standing on a roof.
"Both of you! Stop fighting!" Sutakira commanded as he floated down from the roof and landed in front of them.
"And that was the first time we met." Phoenix said as he wrapped up his story just in time as they arrived at the camping site.
A half hour later, the gang most of them had successfully set up the tents, though some needed some help, like Rarity and McGrath.
"Say AJ." Skywalker started as he and Applejack were helping set up the tent, "Can you do the same thing like me, only with your name?" he asked as he putt one of the pins in the ground.
Applejack tilted her head as she placed the final pin in the ground "What?" she asked, as Skywalker stood back up and started to explain, "Like this, 'My name is Skywalker! And I walk off to save the day!' Now you.".
She saw no reason to not try it, "Well... Okay! 'My name is Applejack and now I jack off'!" and as she said that Skywalker burst out into laughter, "Dashie! She said it!" he shouted as he walked away, gaining an angry groan from Applejack.
And so the day flew by as it turned to night they, the gang made a camp fire roasting marshmallows.
"Remember when we played footbal with Opal?" McGrath said taking a bite out of his marshmallow as Griffifth nodded, "Good times." he said with a smile.
"Moody, if you want I can trade sleeping places with you." Phoenix offered, they didn't have enough tents so everybody got a tent mate. After picking straws, Skywalker was sharing a tent with Rainbow and Fluttershy, Griffifth with Applejack, Twilight and Sutakira, Phoenix with Pinkie and McGrath with Rarity.
"No need. Thanks for offering anyway." McGrath said with a faint smile, somehow the idea of him sleeping with Rarity made Pinkie's stomach act up.
"... Well. I think it's perfectly clear who has the more attra..." Rarity said as she and Applejack came back from getting more marshmallows, before she could say more, Applejack interrupted her, "Oh yeah? How about you try putting some meat on that bony butt of yours." Applejack retorted, making the rest of the gang burst out in laughter. This was a fun day. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 33: Sixth Ranger | "AJ! You home?" Phoenix said as he entered the Sweet Apple Acres living room. "I'm here!" Applejack answered as she was placing some sleeping bags on the floor and snacks on the table. "Are we having another sleep over?" Phoenix asked excitedly as if it was his birthday, "I'll get the stash!" he turned around to bolt out of the door but what Applejack said next made him fall over, "It's gals only.".
Phoenix floated in front of her face giving her a pout, "That's too bad... So were's Big Mac staying when you have all the..." his his suddenly widen, "You guys aren't gonna have an orgy without me right!?".
Applejack was flustered at his suggestion, "Oh hay no! It's just us gals, doing... gal stuff. Big Mac is gonna sleep in the barn." she explained as Phoenix got a shocked look on his face, "What? No no no!... I know! Big Mac can stay at our place!" he proposed excitedly. Applejack gave it some thought before she agreed.
And so a few minutes later, Phoenix and Big Macintosh were walking towards the guys house. Phoenix had hoped Big Mac would have a smile on his face, or at least his stoic expression but he looked annoyed. "Something wrong, Big Red?" Phoenix asked giving him a worried look, "If your worried about Pomme, don't she's..." he started, thinking the big guy was worried about his sister. These thoughts were wrong as Big Mac shot him a glare. "I don't like ya." Big Mac said, making Phoenix stop in his tracks, the grin on his face dropping as he looked to the side.
"That's unfortunate." Phoenix said, looking up at the gentle giant, "Hating someone because they have super powers is a shameful thing.",
Big Mac rolled his eyes as he continued walking, "I don't hate ya because ya have super powers." he explained, gaining a hopeful look from Phoenix, "I hate ya because you won't shut up.".
Later that afternoon, the guys and after some persuading, Big Mac joined them for a game of poker.
"I'll raise..." Skywalker said before looking up, "So which of the girls would you date?" he questioned the rest as they all checked their cards.
Griffifth shook his head as he threw his cards on the table, "I'll pass. And as for you question...", before he could answer, Phoenix interrupted him, "I bet Celestia!".
"I think I rather stick my dick in an ant hill." Grififth responded dryly taking a sip from his beer as the guys burst out in laughter.
"I'm going all in and... I bet my 100% genuine Italian lamb leather jacket." McGrath said taking it off and placing it at the table, making nearly all the guys save Skywalker and Big Mac fold, "And the answer is Rarity." At this everybody let out a loud groan gaining a puzzling look from the brunette. "Everybody and their mom knows your dating Rarity, Moody." Phoenix said as McGrath looked shocked, "You guys do?", gaining an acknowledging nod from the rest.
"Well you got spotted while we were walking around town and the other day at Sugarcube Corner..." Sutakira recounted as Big Macintosh nodded, "Sorry, I happened to catch a glimpse." he admitted before Griffifth gave another question, "We're you and Rarity in heat at her home too?".
"So Big Mac, which girl strikes your fancy?" McGrath said, trying to change the subject. A faint blush appeared on Big Mac's cheeks before he muttered, "Fluttershy." The other guys tilted their heads, "I'm sorry, what was that?" Skywalker asked as Big Mac became even more nervous and said with a quieter mumble. "Uh... Fluttershy.".
"Really? I can try to hook you two up." Phoenix said as Big Mac raised an eye brow "You can't do that! Could you? You couldn't do that..." he muttered as Phoenix shook his head. I don't think your her type." Phoenix admitted, "She's more into the anime hair, warrior of justice, shooting fire from his eyes guy." he said giving a look over to Skywalker who gave him a puzzling look.
Anyways, the remaining three guys showed their hands, "Flush." Skywalker said as McGrath smirked as showing he had a full house.
"I guess I win." he wants to take the pot but Big Mac stops him. "Eeynope." the big guy said as he showed his hand, a straight flush. McGrath's expression turned to utter shock, Big Mac smirked as the other guys roared it out in amazement, damn what have they been drinking?
"Big Macintosh!" McGrath said standing up, "You are now our sixth member!" he stated as the rest of the guys cheered. "Like the Power Rangers?" Sutakira said excitedly as McGrath glared at him, "Exactly like that! Big Mac, do you smoke weed?". He gave him a raised eyebrow and a scoff, "Of course! Why do ya think I'm always so calm?"
Later, at the girls sleep over,
"Alright, Which of our guy friends would you date?" Rainbow asked, "I myself would go for Jason." she said gaining a groan from the other girls. "Sure, take the perfect guy!" Twilight complained, obviously he was also her guy of chose.
"Phoenix I guess." Applejack said, as she got a laugh from the other girls. "Silly!" Pinkie laughed, "That's like dating a male version of me!".
"So? What's ya point?" Applejack retorted as Pinkie gave her a puzzling look, "Who would ya do, Pinkie?". The pink party pony thought for a minute, she did this for dramatic effect as it was pretty obvious to her who she would chose, "McGrath." she said, before the girls could response a knock was heard on the door.
Applejack opened to see who it was, and on the front porch stood Phoenix, with his usual smile on his face. "Hey, Pomme!" he said cheerfully, "Can you step out for a second, there is something I wanna discuss." he added that last part rather seriously, so she excused herself to the other girls and stepped outside.
"What do ya wanna talk about sugarcube?" she asked as Phoenix looked deep in her eyes, his amethyst eyes locking into her own green ones.
"Pomme?" he started slowly, "Has anyone told you what marvelous eyes you possess?" he asked as Applejack gave him a puzzled look, "You know, where I'm from, women are accustomed to being showered with the praise they deserve. Men should worship you at your feet... or hooves in your case, as you pass.".
Applejack tilted her head, "They don't find that incredibly annoying?" she asked as Phoenix shook his head, "They are goddesses receiving their subjects, just as you should be. Whatever would be annoying about that?".
She rolled her eyes before answering "I've no wish to be placed upon a pedestal.", this made Phoenix's eyes winded.
"But you deserve no less!" he exclaimed with a honest tone, and as he stomped on the wooden floor with his feet, "You should be admired by painters, copied by sculptors, exalted by poets! Surely you know that yours is a beauty so exotic it...." he paused for a second trying to find the right words, "It would turn the eye of the gods themselves!" he exclaimed as Applejack blush became as red as the apple's she grew on her farm.
"Well, I suppose I..." Applejack stuttered as she leaned forward, completely hypnotized by his eyes, but she was startled by loud cheering coming from behind the bushes. Looking away from his eyes, she saw the guys and her big brother cheering loudly. She gave Phoenix an odd look as he raised his fist in the air as if he had won something.
"By Celestia!" Sutakira exclaimed, "You were right. You win.", this made Phoenix smirk and Applejack confused. "You are a master indeed. You win the bet fair and square." Skywalker said as Applejack started to catch on to what they were saying.
"Hmph. Fine." Big Mac said, while angry still impressed that his sister fell for it so easily,"So I owe you a flagon. Bastard."
"Much obliged." Phoenix said as he walked towards his guy friends, "And I think the rest of you owe me five bits." he made a small bow as Applejack said with an angry voice, "I hate ya all...". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 34: Wedding Wars Episode I - Return Of Shinning Armor | "So Big Mac, I have a question for you." McGrath said, gaining the attention from the big red stallion. Currently the the gang was hanging around the guys pool. Phoenix was sitting all the way on the other side, trying his best to avoid Applejack. Apparently she didn't like the stunt he pulled the other night.
"You wanted a adult person to watch your sister? Then why out of everybody did you chose Phoenix!?" McGrath asked, but Big Mac had no response. Suddenly, Spike let out a belch as a letter appears out of the fire... How does that work exactly?
Twilight caught the letter as she reads its contents out loud, "Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am about the upcoming wedding in Canterlot.".
The mention of a wedding confused everybody, some gave a few quick glances at Skywalker but even he didn't have a clue.
"Wait, wedding in Canterlot?..." Phoenix started slowly before giving Skywalker a shocked look, "Jason Sephiroth Skywalker! Don't tell me you got Luna pregnant!". The others couldn't help but laugh at Skywalker embarrassment, "No! Of course not!" he said blushing furiously.
Twilight continues to read, "I will be presiding over the ceremony, but would very much like you and your friends to help with the preparations for this wonderful occasion. Fluttershy and Sutakira, I would like you and your songbird choir to provide the music. Phoenix and Pinkie Pie, I can think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception. Applejack and McGrath, you will be in charge of the catering for the reception.".
McGrath's got a surprised look on his face, "Why would they put me in the catering department? I can barely bake pancakes!" he shouted, making the unicorn next to him giggle. "But you make excellent pancakes, darling. If I may say so myself." Rarity said, she had to giggle more as for a second, the side of her boyfriends mouth curled up in a smile.
"Rainbow Dash, I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a sonic rainboom as the bride and groom complete their I do's." Twilight reads, gaining a big yes from Rainbow, "Rarity you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids."
They would never know what Rarity wanted to say about this, as she broke down in complete gibberish. "And Twilight and Griffith, you two will be playing the most important role of all: Making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia."
"I'm not asked for a job!?" Skywalker said as he read over the letter again, and his name wasn't even mentioned.
"Yeah... I'm not going to to any of that." Griffifth said laying down on the grass, looking up to the skies, "But... I don't understand. Who's getting married?" he wondered. Spike burped out another letter, "I was probably supposed to give you this one first.", he said scratching the back of his head.
Twilight shook her head in annoyed as she cleared her throat, "Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and... my brother!?" she exclaimed, gaining a shock look from everybody save Skywalker.
"You have a brother!? Great scott!" Sutakira shouted as Twilight nodded, "I know this is heavy." Big Mac agreed as the girl congratulated Twilight with the big new. "What a great news!" Twilight shouted as she stood up, "That I just got from a wedding invitation! Not from my brother, but from a piece of paper! Thanks a lot, Shining Armor!"
"Wait a minute." Skywalker said interrupting her, "Your brother is Shining Armor?".
"Yes... Why?"
"I met him a few years ago, nice guy." Skywalker said as Twilight got a sad frown on her face, "Sure, nice guy... I mean, really, he couldn't tell me personally? Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? Who the neuk is that!?" she exclaimed, but she was startled by a shout from McGrath.
"You can't say that word!" he exclaimed, "Only I can say that word!"
At the mention of Mi Amore Cadenza, something popped up in Skywalker's mind, "Shining Armor is gonna marry Cadance? How did he manage to score a hot babe like her!?"
Twilight started to think where she had heard this name before, "Cadance? As in the Cadance? As in the greatest foalsitter in all the history of foalsitters!?" she exclaimed happily. "You tell me, she was your baby... foalsitter." Skywalker said as the others gave them an odd look, "Uhm... Who is Candance?" Sutakira asked, the moment the words left his mouth, Twilight got so close to his face that their noses pressed against each other, "Who is Cadance? Cadance is only the most amazing pony ever! She's beautiful, she's caring, she's kind..." Twilight started to preach but soon the happiness disappeared from her face, only to be replaced by sadness. "Um, Twilight? Are you okay?" Sutakira asked as she shook her head.
"Sorry, it's just that Shining Armor and I have always been so close." She started to explain, "He's my B.B.B.F.F!", this got a puzzled look from the rest of the gang. "B.B.B.F.F.?" Skywalker started, "Is that a droid?", this made her roll her eyes as she explained that B.B.B.F.F. meant 'Big Brother Best Friend Forever?'.
"You mean a B3F2!" Sutakira nodded as Applejack placed a hoof on Twilight, "As one of your PFFs...", this gained another puzzling look from the gang, "Pony Friends Forever..." she explained gaining a "Ohhh" from the rest.
"Were not ponies..." Griffifth said dryly as Applejack continued, "...I wanna tell you that I think your brother sounds like a real good guy."
"He is pretty special. I mean, they don't let just anypony be Captain of the Royal Guard." Twilight explain.
And so later that day, the gang boarded the train towards Canterlot City, as the landscape passes by. "So you all get to help with the big fancy wedding, but I'm the one who gets to host the bachelor party!" Spike said excited but that got him a worried expression from the guys, "I have just one question. What's a bachelor party?".
As McGrath started to explain it to him, Skywalker leaned over to talk to Phoenix.
"Yes, Skywalker?" he asked with a smile, his expression turned to worry as he saw his friends pained expression, "I notice you don't have a nickname for me." Skywalker said, as Phoenix felt at ease, "I call you Skywalker. You've probably heard it once or twice." he stated.
"But that's my family name." he explained, "It's not like Moody or Sunshine.". Phoenix crossed his legs as he gave him a cheeky smile, "Sure, Messiah. You want a nickname, I'll be happy to fix you up.".
Skywalker thought about, before giving a approving nod, "Messiah? That works.".
After a half hour, the train arrived at Canterlot Station and the first thing the gang noted was the increase in guards stationed through the city.
"I'm sure they're just taking the necessary precautions." McGrath noted Royal weddings do bring out the strangest people."
"I apologize guys, I have a big brother to congratulate. And then give him a piece of my mind." Twilight apologized as she walked away.
Skywalker was about to go after her but Griffifth stopped him, asking if he could take to him for a minute. Skywalker nodded as the rest went on ahead to work on their wedding task.
"Skywalker, I know this might not be my place to question but..." Griffifth started, it was so unlike him to voice his opinion on anything really... "What has Celestia done to earn your complete trust?" he asked.
Skywalker thought about it for a second, "I don't know. She was kind enough to help me with my mental block." he explained but somehow this got Griffifth irritated.
"Can't you see she's turning you into her dragon?" he said, trying get through to his friend, "Do you feel like you owe her? Because of the house, which she gave out of the kindness of her heart? Because she trained you, because you had potential of some crap?".
Skywalker interrupted his rant, shouting "That's enough Adam!" being called by his first name shut Griffifth up, "I know you have trouble trusting people, but unlike you I try to see the best in everybody.".
Griffifth looked to the ground, "Why doesn't he see it? Why does he have to be so naive? Nobody is that kind!", he thought to himself as he looked back up, feeling Skywalker place a hand on his shoulder.
"Look I know what your trying to say. I'll be careful." he said giving him a encouraging smile, Griffifth could only nod as his friend left to find Twilight.
Skywalker walked arrived in the courtyard where he saw Twilight talking to Shining Armor and Cadance. Noticing him walking towards them, Shining Armor got a big smile, "Ser Skywalker!" he extended his hoof which Skywalker shook, "Long time no see!"
Skywalker nodded and smiled, "Indeed, Shining Armor, Cadance." for a moment, Skywalker could have sworn he saw Cadance look at him with a mix of hatred and fear before turning to indifferent, "...Lord Skywalker. Tis a honor indeed." she said formally, making Skywalker wonder why she was so formal with him all of a sudden.
"Anyways, what's with all the extra guards?" Skywalker questioned as Shining Armor's expression turned grave, "Is it that bad?"
Shining Armor explained that someone made a threat to Canterlot, which both agree would be stupid if your trying to take it over. Because letting your enemies know your gonna attack is smart.
"I wonder who..." Skywalker said as he started to think up possible threats, "Discord? Nightmare Moon? Marieke? A bug queen? That Mizuki chick.".
Shining Armor shook his head at all those suggestions, "We don't know who's responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection. Anyways, I've gotta get back to my station, but Cadance will be checking in with all of you to see how things are going. I think I speak for both of us when I say we couldn't be more excited to have you here. Right, dear?" he said, adding that last part with a smile to his future wife. "Absolutely." Cadance said, less than interested.
"Welp if you guys need me, just give me a call." Skywalker said as e flew off. "I often wonder how he can fly without wings..." Shining Armor said, gaining a nod from his sister, "You're not the only one." she said. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 35: Wedding Wars Episode II - Phantom Princess | Skywalker was walking up the stairs towards Luna's. Two guards stood at attention, though they managed to find time to shoot him a knowing grins as he approached. "Well well, look who it is." one of the guards said as Skywalker waved at them as a sign of greeting. "We're almost off shift, so try to keep the royal Canterlot voice to a minimum tonight, Ser Skywalker? We could use all the sleep we can get." the other guard begged him jokingly. "Don't worry." Skywalker said reassuring, "I'll be sure to get her as close to your barracks tonight as possible.", the way he said it, the guards couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
As he made his way towards his girlfriends office, he heard a faint chiming, making him stop in his tracks. He founded that the chiming came from the other side of a door, he didn't know why, but he felt compelled to enter. Opening the door, the room was completely empty, save for a large amount of dust, also there was a very large mirror in the back. Approaching it, he didn't saw his reflection, instead all he could see was a high school or something.
Thinking nothing of it, he turned around to continue his way towards his girlfriends room. As he left the room, he didn't saw the reflection of a teenage girl with red and yellow hair and light blue eyes glaring at him.
Meanwhile in the Canterlot Kitchens, Applejack, Twilight and after much persuading from Griffifth tacked along. For some reason, McGrath wasn't anywhere to be found. They were currently checking if everything had arrived for the big day tomorrow, which Griffifth couldn't help but point out was a very very short time to just now start to check up on everything. They heard the door open, turning their gaze towards it, they saw Candance entered. She had a short talk with Applejack about the catering before turning to leave, Applejack insisted that she took a few of the snack with her. As she left, she sneakingly dropped the bag of snacks in the trash can.
Griffifth and Twilight were currently heading towards where Rarity, who was working on the dress.
"You saw that?" Twilight asked, as Griffifth nodded. "Was she always like that?" he asked as he opened the door, Twilight shook her head at his question.
As they were about to enter, they could hear Cadance complain about her dress.
"I was hoping for something with more beading and a longer train." Cadance said, as Rarity nodded, she pointed at the bridesmaid dresses, "And those should be a different color."
"Gee, maybe her name should be 'Princess Demandy-pants'." Griffifth whispered as Twilight shook her head in confusion, "I don't know when she changed, but she changed!" she said.
At the main hall.
Pinkie Pie: "Okay, let me see. We've been over the games... I think this reception is gonna be perfect! Don't you?"
Princess Cadance: "Perfect! ...if we were celebrating a six-year-old's birthday party."
Pinkie Pie: "*gasps* Thank you!"
That afternoon, the gang had gathered at a ice cream saloon Twilight often visited when she still lift in Canterlot City. "Bet I can guess what you're all thinking! Cadance is the absolute worst bride-to-be ever." Twilight said as she took a bite from her banana split.
"Twilight, whatever are you talking about?" Rarity asked, gaining her attention, "Cadance is an absolute gem!". That statement got a confused expression on both Twilight and Griffifth's face.
"Rarity, she was... A bitch as they say." Griffifth said, turning his attention to his farmer friend... well the female one, "AJ, did you know that after she told you how much she just 'love-love-loved' your hors d'eouvres but she threw them in the trash?". Applejack had to laugh at this, "Aw, she was probably just trying to spare my feelin's." she explained, making Griffifth face palm, "Yeah... right. she was just being fake, and totally insincere!" he declared, why did his friends be so naive!?
"She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal." Fluttershy said with a soft voice, gaining the attention from the guys.
Phoenix leaned over to McGrath, whispering to him. "Do we have to beat her to death and then have Waffles eat her like we did with Gilda, now?".
"But... he was singing really off-key." Fluttershy finished explaining, gaining a groan from Griffifth, "Pinkie, you had to have noticed how Cadance treated..." he started but stopped as he saw that she and Phoenix where playing with action figures who looked like Shining Armor and Princess Candance. "Nevermind." he said dryly.
"The princess is about to get married." Rarity started, trying to calm Griffifth and Twilight, "I'm sure any negative behavior she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves.".
Twilight rolled her eyes, before replying, "And I'm sure it's the result of being an awful pony who doesn't deserve to even know Shining Armor let alone marry him!" she exclaimed, this made even Griffifth a little worried, "That's a little extreme... The knowing part.".
"Think maybe you're being just a tiny bit possessive of your brother, Archmage?" Phoenix asked, but this blew up his face as Twilight snapped at him, ""I am NOT being possessive, and I am not taking it out on Cadance!" she shouted, "You're all just too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn't even be a wedding!" she accused her friends as left the table, making Griffifth follow her.
Phoenix pointed at Twilight's half eaten ice cream, "Anyone gonna finish that?" he asked, gaining a groan from his friends.
Late that night, Twilight was rushing through the castle, she had to warn the others of what she had seen. She didn't got far as she bumped into Griffifth, who looked pretty distraught himself.
"Griffifth! Shining Armor's in real trouble!" she exclaimed at the same time Griffifth said, "Cadance has asked the girls to be her new bridesmaids!". Twilight looked confused at this, "'New' bridesmaids? What happened to her 'old' bridesmaids?" she asked as Griffifth shrug his shoulders, "She didn't say. But she did tell that she would love love love it if they'd fill in for them. Because they worked so hard or some shit." he explained.
Twilight shook her head, this made everything even more difficult, "Looks like it's just the two of us." she said, gaining a nod from him, "Ayup, and Skywalker... Where ever he is...", Griffifth said scratching as he played with his blond hair.
Meanwhile... in the princess of the night's room.
Skywalker and Luna were currently cuddling in her bed, both soaked in sweat laying under her silk covers. "That was a challenge indeed, my princess." he said as he placed a kiss on her horn, "Indeed, Ser Skywalker." she giggled as she placed a kiss on his neck, "You won't be finding another of it's like soon... At least not for the next 15 minutes." she added, burring her head into his chest. "I hold you to that." he chuckled.
The next day, during the wedding repetition, Celestia herself was currently giving them instructions on how the wedding will be going.
"Damn I look good in a suit..." McGrath said as he admired him self in a mirror, Rarity and Pinkie couldn't help but agree with him.
"Hey... has anybody seen Twily?" Shining Armor said, but before anybody could answer, the unicorn herself entered, "I'm here! I'm not gonna stand next to her. And neither should you!" she said, gaining a confused look from her brother, "
Shining Armor: "I'm sorry, I don't, I don't know why she's acting like this."You have to listen to me! I've got something to say! She's evil! She's been horrible to my friends, she's obviously done something to her bridesmaids, and if that wasn't enough, I saw her put a spell on my brother that made his eyes go all weird!" Twilight said accusingly, but at those accusations made Cadance breakdown, tears forming in her eyes. "Why are you doing this to me!?" Cadance asked as Twilight shouted, "Because you're evil! Evil! And if I don't stop you you're gonna ruin my brother's life!"
"Doesn't mean she's evil. That's just what marriage does to you." Phoenix said, making the guys standing next to him, fighting back a laugh. Shining shook his head as he stood between his fiancee and his little sister, "You want to know why my eyes went all weird? Because ever since I started having to perform my protection spell, I've been getting terrible migraines. Cadance hasn't been casting spells on me, she's been using her magic to heal me! And she decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so that they could meet Canterlot royalty! And if she hasn't been on her best behavior with your friends, it's because with me being so busy, she's had to make all the decisions about the wedding!".
"I was just trying to..." Twilight stuttered but her brother interrupted her, "She's been completely stressed out because it's really important to her that her big day be perfect! Something that obviously wasn't important to you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and comfort my bride. And you can forget about being my best mare. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't show up to the wedding at all."
Outside in one of the many halls, Griffifth was walking down towards the kitchen, watching that Breaking Bad marathon wasn't the best idea he ever had. He came across the group, save Twilight. Noticing their sad expressions, he asked what was wrong. After hearing their explanation, he was pretty worried about Twilight.
"I'm going to back to check on Twilight..." he said, trying to walk away but Celestia stood in his way, "Let her alone Grif..." the sun princess said, but he scoffed at her.
"With all due respect, Celestia..." he started as he walked past her, "and I really mean kiss my ass.", this startled Celestia a bit, nobody had ever talked to her like that. "Griffifth, I told you." Celestia started but this made him stop in place and flashing her a angry glare.
"You don't tell me anything, fossil." he spitted at her, his voice filled with, "I'm not really sorry, but I won't treat you like a perfect goddess, like all your little subjects do.", he turned around leaving behind a stunned Celestia who's cheeks had a red glow to them.
"I don't know if that was very brave... or very foolish..." Sutakira whispered to his friends.
Griffifth look through door which was already partly opened, inside he could hear Cadance and Twilight talk, he decided to wait outside to see how this would go. "I'm sorry." Twilight said, as Cadance gave her a pet on the head, "You will be." Cadance said menacingly as in a green flash of light, Twilight disappeared.
"...Oh, balls..." Griffifth said to himself. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 36: Wedding Wars Episode III - Skywalker Strikes Back | Griffifth was running like a mad man through some caves deep underneath Canterlot, using his advanced tracking skill he was currently following Twilight's scent there. He had to find her as fast as possible or the evil Cadance will have her way to do... something! Taking a few sniffs he could sense her behind a wall.
Meanwhile On the other side of the wall. Twilight and the real Cadance were currently trying to find a way out of the cave, but none had found one. "Oh, we're never going to save him..." Cadance said dishearten, she was too weak to preform any magic and it was too far to the outside for Twilight to teleport.
"We will." the unicorn tried to encourage her, "We just have to find... Do you hear something crumbling?...", just as she had said those words, the wall was kicked down by Griffifth preforming a karate kick, "I'm the Hero! Deal with it!" he shouted as he landed in a three-point landing.
"Griffith!" Twilight she said relieved, pulling her friend in a tight hug. After she let him go, he turned his attention to Cadance, "You're the real Princess Cadance, right?" he asked, gaining a nod from her.
"How do you know?" Twilight asked, she her self already knew that this worn out Cadance was the real one, but for Griffifth to trust so easily, it was strange.
"She smells different from the other Cadance." he explained as he gestured for them to follow him, "And she is not looking so well..." he added, as they followed him out of the caves.
"Well sorry, that I smell. I haven't had a bath in..." Cadance apologized sarcastically, but Griffifth shook his head as he interrupted her, "Don't need to know that. And with smell, I meant your natural scent.".
The wedding meanwhile was in full swing, just before Celestia could pronounce Shining Armor and fake Cadance husbandu and waifu, Twilight and Griffifth burst into the hall, "Stop!" They both shouted at the same time. "Why does she have to be so possessive of her brother?" fake Cadance lamented before breaking down in a sob, "Why do they have to ruin my special day?" she complained but before she could anything else, the real Cadance appeared, "Because it's not your special day. It's mine!" she declared gaining a confused look from guests.
"Super Special Awesome plot twist!" Phoenix said as the rest fake Cadance grit her teeth, "What? But how did you escape my bridesmaids?" he demanded to know.
Twilight looked at her companion before answering, "Griffith... Ate them...".
"It's called consuming." he corrected her but she responded with a quick, "That's what I said, ate them.".
"Clever." Fake Cadance complimented, "But you're still too late!" he declared, everybody was confused how there could be two Cadance... because apparently twins have never been heard of in Equestria. That would just be silly.
"She's a Changeling." the true Cadance explained, "She takes the form of somebody you love and gains power by feeding off your love for them."
At this, the fake Cadance shed her disguise, transform into her real self, the leader of the Changelings, Queen Chrysalis.
"It is up to me to find food for my subjects." Chrysalis explained, trying to justify her reason for attacking, "Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of! Ever since I took your place, I've been feeding off Shining Armor's love for you. Every moment he grows weaker and so does his spell. Even now my minions are chipping away at it. He may not be my husband, but he is under my total control now. And I'm sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as captain of the royal guard.".
"Ugh, I just love it when the villains do there monologue while we just stand there." Griffifth thought to himself as he rolled his eyes, but his train of thought was interrupted by the voice of Celestia.
"No. You won't. You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects from you!" the sun princess declared as both she and Chrysalis blast each other with a stream of gold and green magic, respectively. As both beams clashed in mid air, McGrath couldn't help but shout, "Bitch fight!".
Despise all her power, Celestia was overwhelmed by Chrysalis spell, flinging her across the room. Reacting quickly, Griffifth jumped at her catching her mid air. "Ah!" Chrysalis said surprised but she quickly regained her confidence, "Shining Armor's love for you is even stronger than I thought! Consuming him has made me even more powerful than Celestia!" she declared, breaking down in laughter.
Griffifth held the defeated princess in his arms, his own ruby red eyes locking with her magenta once, "Your alright, Celestia?" he asked worriedly.
"The Elements." Celestia responded weakly, "You must get to them, and use their power to defeat the queen.", with a thud Griffifth dropped her as he and the gang run out of the hall.
"You can run, but you can't hide!" Chrysalis laughed.
Outside the Castle, the Changeling were ravaging the city, as the guards were scattered all over the city with no commander.
Before the Harmonic Heroes could set another step, a army of Changelings appeared in front of them, taking their form.
"Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way." Rainbow said, flexing her legs, ready for battle. "You mean the fun way!" Phoenix corrected her as he conjured a large flame in his hands.
"... My hair doesn't really look like that, does it?" McGrath asked as he took his own personal fighting stance. "Don't let them distract you." Griffifth instructed the rest of the gang as his claws came from his hands, "We have to get to the Elements of Harmony. They're our only hope."
And with that said the gang let out a loud yell as the charged head first into the sea of Changelings, ready to fight there way through.
Meanwhile, back in the throne room, where Chrysalis all but celebrating her victory, "You won't get away with this!" Cadance said as she was placed inside a green cocoon, just like her aunt, "Twilight and her friends will..." before she could finish her sentence, the Harmonic Heroes were brought back by her army of Changelings. Despise giving it them all, they were out numbered ten to one.
"Wait a minute. How did this happen?" Rainbow asked, "We're smarter than this."
Sutakira shrug his shoulders, "Apparently not."
"It's funny, really." The queens said as she slouched in Celestia's throne, "Twilight and Griffith here where suspicious of my behavior all along. Too bad the rest of you were too caught up in your wedding planning to realize those suspicions were correct. And now I have all Harmony users. Nobody can stop me!" she broke down in a victory laugh as Phoenix quickly did a head count, "We are missing one." he said, making Chrysalis stop. "We are with eleven, and only Archmage, Rainbro, Moody, Diva, Waffles, Chuckles, Pomme, Star, Sunshine and me are here. Messiah isn't." he stated but Chrysalis scoffed at this.
"Hah! It's useless anyway." she scoffed, the idea that someone could pose a threat to her, it was laughable, "Let him come, he's but one man, I have a army!" she declared, "We have a Skywalker!" Twilight retorted at the same time, a thunder claps could be heard outside, making everybody save, the queen look up. "What's wrong? Scared of a little lightning?" Chrysalis mocked, but Griffifth responded, "More afraid of what comes after it.".
The glass dome above them breaks and Skywalker uses one of the Changeling to body surf and lands in a three-point landing. As he stared down Chrysalis, a shock of fear went through her spine, "Those eyes... That glare... Those hellish amber eyes!!" she thought to herself.
"What in Oblivion's name are you!?" Skywalker shouted, pretending he was shocked. "I'm Chrysalis, queen of the Changelings." he answered.
Skywalker scratched the back of his head, "I feel sorry for the king..." he muttered loud enough for Chrysalis to hear, "I have no husband! You little brat!" she shouted, offended by his lack of manners.
"Why am I not surprised?" Skywalker said dryly, as he rolled his eyes. "You dirty little monkey!" Chrysalis said, slamming her hoof on the floor.
"I rather be a monkey than what ever the hell you are." he said crossing his arms as he gave her a cocky smirk, his plan was working. "Do you even know why I am here?" the queen asked, Skywalker thought about it for a second before speaking up, "Obviously not to find a husband. So your majesty, do your legs whistle when you fly?" he asked as everybody, even her own Changelings save Chrysalis broke out in laughter.
"Okay go on. Do your evil monologue. I'll be quite now." Skywalker said, trying to fight back his laughter.
"That bravado!" Chrysalis spitted, "It's the same as that witch, that almost caused the genocide of my race! I am a threat unlike any other! I easily defeated Celestia! Think what I can do to you, filthy ape! Changelings too me!".
As she commanded, nearly all her Changelings filled the throne room, all of them hissing at him and ready to strike.
Skywalker uncrossed his arms as he shot her another cocky grin, "I like this game! Its like eight thousand of you against only one of me... and it's still a unfair fight!", the Changeling charged at him, trying to swarm and overwhelm him with their sheer numbers.
Skywalker gave one last smirk before grabbing two hilts from his belt and with a click, two red energy blades came from them. Standing his ground, one by one Skywalker slew one Changeling after another.
"He's like a machine!" Rainbow said, awed at how far her friend had come, "Two Lightsabers at the same time!?", the rest of the gang was just as awed, "Good thing he's on our team." Griffifth said dryly.
Seeing as their plan of attack was failing against the Knight, the Changelings swarmed him as they tried to bury him.
"So much for your Champion." Chrysalis said with a smirk, but her victory was short lived as Skywalker let out a loud roar as he unleashed a powerful telekinetic repulse, sending the Changelings into a wall, those unlucky enough to be to close to him were disintegrated.
I... I am the ruler of the changelings, you must fall simple cretin!" Chrysalis shouted as she try to blast him with the same spell she used to defeat Celestia. His friends tried to tell him to get out of the way, but Skywalker smirked unleashing his heat vision to counter the oncoming attack, forcing it into a beam war.
"Sorry, I never do what I'm told to do." Skywalker said, as Chrysalis struggled to overpower him, "Awww, isn't that cute? She thinks she can beat me!" he laughed, this last insult made Chrysalis lose her temper as she directed all her magic into her struggle, forcing her to release Shining Armor from her control.
"Wha... whe... huh? Is...is the wedding over?" He asked, still dizzy from the spell. "Your spell! Perform your spell!" Skywalker commanded, he hadn't planed that Chrysalis would put this much power into her spell.
"What good would that do?" Chrysalis taunted, trying to give him a taste of his own medicine, "My changelings already roam free!", her laughter became louder as Shining Armor failed to use his repel spell, his strength drained.
"Just use the Power Of Love, or something!" Skywalker said as he was forced to one knee, losing the beam war. "Ser Skywalker is right!" Cadance said as she walked towards Shining Armor, placin her head on his shoulder, "My love will give you strength."
McGrath chocked a little, "Sorry, throw up a little in my mouth..." he said.
As Cadance and Shining touched horns, a loud thunder clap was heard as one giant repulse send Chrysalis and her army flying out of Equestria. Skywalker closed his eyes as he dropped to his knees, panting heavily as this battle drained him of most of his solar energy.
"This isn't coming back to bite us in the ass right?" Rainbow asked as she helped her best friend back to his feet, providing him support. "I mean we sent them all over Equestria...". Griffifth cut her off as he said dryly, "Whatever nobody cares.".
"Yeah but..." Rainbow try to say but everybody shouted at the same time, "Nobody cares, Rainbow Dash!"
Griffifth checked if the princess of the sun was alright, she tried to thank him but he told her he didn't do it for her. She then turned her attention to her star Champion, thanking him but he scoffed and turned away.
"What's wrong?" Celestia asked, this behavior was strange for him, "Why did the others got a extra job and I didn't?" Skywalker asked, so that's what's this was about, "I though I was the greatest champion Equestria had ever seen?".
Celestia chuckled before reassuring him, "Well as Knight Of The Wind, I thought you would like to relax for a change.".
"Oh... Okay then..." Skywalker said, "Well we have a real wedding to put together."
As so the true wedding came, the gang was currently waiting for Cadance to enter and be married to the captain of the royal guard.
"Question, Shining." Skywalker asked, after all he, Twilight and Griffifth had done Shining Armor would allow him to ask him anything. "I get why the queen of the Changelings wanted to be with you, but how did you get someone as amazing as Cadance to marry you?", thinking he asked him as sort of advice, Shining told him "I told her she wouldn't just be gaining a husband, she'd be getting a pretty great sister, too.", this made said sister smile.
"You have a sister other than Twily?" McGrath asked, gaining a irritated groan from Twilight.
Skywalker thought about it, before smiling at him, "Good one. I thought because you have blue mane.", that last thing made Shining give him a questioning look, "Blue hair is a chick magnet! But I guess getting Tia as a mother in law sounds like a pretty good deal.".
"Celestia is not our mother." Twilight explained, but all she got was a confused look from her guy friends, she pointed to her mother in the front row, Skywalker let out a low whistle, "That's a milf.", the other guys had to agree with him.
After a successful wedding, both Shining Armor and Cadance said the yes word to each other and they were now Mr and Mrs... Wait how do last names work in Equestria? Anyways, they had a great celebration after that, Unfortunately, some took a few drinks and weren't thinking right. And so...
"Sky... Sky... Skywalker!" A drunken Shining Armor said as he took a place at the same table Skywalker was sitting. "I just want to go on record by saying that th... this is the greatest day o... of my life...", he shouted placing one of his front legs around Skywalker's shoulder.
"Um, Shining Armor, I think you should calm down and ease up on the booze..." Skywalker said slowly, smelling the alcohol on his breath. "No, I-I-I'm fine, little bro." the newly wedded man said, this was the first time he would refer to Skywalker as his little brother, "Don't worry 'bout me; I'm... just dandy... A-And I wanna thank ya, Skywalker, for being the savior of our wedding. None of this would've been possible without you. I really appreciate it, little bro."
Skywalker took a sip from his beer before responding dryly, "No problem, man.", his drunken companion suddenly got serious, as serious as a drunken pony can be, "Hey, Skywalker, I'm gonna make you a promise... Look, I promise, n-no matter what happens, in return for today, I-I-I-I'll be your Best Man at your wedding..." he declared, tightening the hug he was giving Skywalker.
"What?" Skywalker said confused, "Nah, man. It's alright. Uh, you don't really need to do that..." he said shyly, he had never thought about his own wedding, hell he hardly thought about what he would be eating for dinner.
"It's fine, Skywalker." Shining Armor declared, raising his glass, "I make this promise in the name of Celestia. You won't be disappointed..." and after saying that, he fainted for drinking more than what he can handle.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in a far away land.
Chrysalis woke up, she had lost consciousness after being hit by the love repulse, her commander quickly walked up to her and made a bow, "My queen, we're much too weak to launch another attack on Canterlot right away." the commander reported, "What do we do? We need to regain our strength! Regroup! Form another plan..." he advised her but they noticed that they had landed in a country filled with fluffy creatures filled with love, "These creatures are very loving..." The queen said as she picked one up, "And we do feed on love... I guess we could eat." she said with an evil smirk.
It didn't took the army of Changelings long to conquer this land as the creatures had no means of defending themselves.
"We'll have the rest of this place converted over to our needs within the month." The commander said, gaining a approving nod from his queen, "It may still be a while before we can attack Celestia again. She'll be expecting us." he told her but Chrysalis turned around, "Feh to Celestia. She isn't my target anymore.".
The Changeling Commander was confused by this, they had strict orders to take out Celestia, "Wha... What? My queen, but what about his plan?" he commander asked, "Feh to his plans! I want that Skywalker guy! Perfect little Skywalker. Clever little Skywalker. Brilliant little Skywalker. It's his fault that we aren't rebuilding Canterlot into our newest conquest!" Chrysalis shouted, she could not believe that one of them could have defeated her, especially someone with the same hellish eyes.
"But my queen..." The commander pleaded, he was forced to obey his liege orders but he wouldn't want to see her hurt, "Isn't he more powerful than even you when empowered by Shining Armors love."
Chrysalis thought about this for a moment, before she came up with a plan, "Well, I'll get him... and his little human and pony friends too." she said looking up towards the darkened skies, "I'm going to lure that spiked menace here... Put him and his friends through trials that will band them together. Then, when their emotions are peaked, I'm going to drain Skywalker. I'm not going to drain his love... I'm going to drain his powers. And I know exactly when I'm going to do it." she said that last part more to herself than her commander. He hoped that his queen knew what she was doing. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 37: Mushroom | Morgenstern sits on his throne lost in thought, he was brought out of it as Mizuki entered and kneels before him. Morgenstern was annoyed by this, though his face didn't show any emotions, he had told her many times she wouldn't need to kneel before him anymore, but he guessed old habits die hard. He gestured for her to stand up, which she did, "My master... Chrysalis has failed. Shall I command the soldiers to abandon...", she told but felt silent as her master raised his hand. "Tell him to bring down the seals who hides the Chrystal Empire from the Worlds. Celestia will think that idiot Sombra has returned all on his own." he commanded slouching back in his throne, Mizuki giving a nod showing she understood.
Back over at Equestria, specificly the guys house, Skywalker was currently reading a book while Phoenix was observing himself in a mirror.
"I don't know..." the pyromancer said to himself as he placed his hands on his stomach. Skywalker looked up from his book, noticing his friends odd behavior, "What are you doing?" he asked but Phoenix told him it was nothing. "Alright then." he resumes his reading, but not for long as Phoenix shouted dramatically, "I'm fat, okay? I'm a fatty! This isn't normal anymore!" he gestured over his body, sure he wasn't ripped but he did had some nice tones to it.
"Sorry, I asked." Skywalker said, wondering why his friend was being so dramatic, "But your not fat." he added, trying to cheer him up.
"Do you think I'm attractive?" a pouting Phoenix asked, crossing his arms. Skywalker quickly looked through the room, to see if maybe he was being recorded, "Uhm... no." he said slowly. This statement made Phoenix shout, "Precisely! I'm fat!", he shouted this with such drama that even Rarity would be impressed.
"No, that's not it." Skywalker explained, placing his book on the table, having the feeling he isn't going to read much more of it today, "I'm straight so it would be weird to say I find you attractive. What's wrong with you?", he asked gaining a shrug from Phoenix, "I don't know. I'm straight too." he said.
At that moment, Rainbow entered having heard the last part of their conversation, "Who is straight?" she asked with a smirk on her face.
Skywalker pointed at the red head as his best friend took a seat on the sofa, "Phoenix is straight according to himself.", his answer made the blue pegasi laugh. "Okay." she said under her chuckling, gaining a offended look from Phoenix, "What do you mean? 'okay'?" he said offended, "Don't you believe I'm straight? Do I have to prove it, Rainbro?"
"Straight guys don't have to prove anything if they are straight." Skywalker said bored, placing his hand under his chin. "How did we got to this topic? I'm insecure about my weight, not my sexual orientation." Phoenix said with a raised eyebrow as Rainbow gave him a puzzling look, "Why are you guys doing so weird? There is nothing wrong with people with a different sexual preference." she said as Phoenix agreed.
About a half hour later, Skywalker came out of the toilet room, noticing his best friend wasn't there anymore, "I just saw a gigantic spider." Skywalker said, taking a seat back in his chair.
"I hate spiders." Phoenix said while laying down on the sofa, "I have nothing against ants, although they look like spiders. Anyways you saw a gigantic spider?".
"Yeah. I killed it." Skywalker said causally, the reaction he got wasn't what he was expecting, "What!?" Phoenix shouted, sitting straight up and looking at him in complete shock. "Did you just killed it in cold blood? Your an murderer!" he shouted.
Skywalker had to take a second look around the room to be sure he was truly not sure if he was being filmed, "I'm a murderer because I killed a little spider?" he asked slowly.
"Oh you just said it was a gigantic spider!" Phoenix shouted, making the other face palm at the complete idiocy of the situation, "What's the big deal!?" Skywalker shouted, "It's not the end of the world!". Just as he said that Rainbow re entered the room with Fluttershy flying right behind them. "There he is Fluttershy!" she declared, pointing at Skywalker.
"The hell? All this for just a spider?" Skywalker thought to himself as Fluttershy teared him a new one, "You just took a live of a innocent spider! Who the hell do you think you are!?" she shouted, which startled Skywalker a bit, Fluttershy never raised her voice against him, matter of fact she rarely talked at all if he was around.
"It was only a little spider!" Skywalker said with a small voice but Fluttershy interrupted him, "Oh a little while ago it was a gigantic spider! Who are you to decided who lives and who dies!? This is not how it works!" she shouted.
"Dashie, why did you call Fluttershy for something this small?" Skywalker asked as Rainbow gave him a worried look, "I'm sorry, but I heard your conversation and I had too! You need to change! Look at yourself! You've become a monster! You'r tottaly out of control! There is foam on your mouth!"
Skywalker for the moment had no response, slowly placing his tumb to the corner of his mouth to check for foam, just in case. Seeing as there was none he only had one solution as to why they were acting this way, "...Are you guys on drugs or what?"
Rainbow and Phoenix look to the side, confirming his theory as Fluttershy said, "...I ask the questions!".
Earlier that day, at Fluttershy's cottage, Phoenix, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash are sitting in a circle in the living room.
"Alright, we all eat one portions of Magic Mushroom, alright?" Phoenix said, with the others agreeing. "I find this kinda scary." the yellow pegasi admitted, gaining a blush on her cheeks, "I never done this." she admitted.
"Me neither." Rainbow said, as McGrath chuckled, "Don't worry about it. I sometimes ate them while I was working." he declared as he took one.
"Twilight, you home?" Skywalker asked as he entered the Golden Oak library. After ditching his drug crazed friends, boy where they being weird, he rushed to the last place they would look for him. Upon entrance, he saw Spike sorting out the shelves.
"You need help with that?" Skywalker asked, but Spike declined, "She's in her room." the dragon said, as he placed a book in the right row.
Skywalker thanked him before walking up to Twilight's room and knock on her door. "Twilight." Skywalker said in a sing song voice, "It's me, your favorite Skywalker. Can I come in?"
No, answer came. Instead, she opens the door using her magic. He saw Twilight sitting on her bed, staring out the window. "Something wrong?" he asked worriedly, she surprised him when she suddenly quickly looked at him. "Skywalker, I have a favor to ask of you." Twilight said determent, "I want you to teach me how to fight! After the wedding, I noticed how I was great with the theory of magic but not in it's practical use. So teach me how to fight!".
This request was sudden but Skywalker nodded, "Alright, but just so you know. I am a harsh teacher." |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 38: Every Bad Zombie Movie | "That was pathetic!" Skywalker said as he crossed his arms, Twilight dropped to her rear panting heavily, "Had I used 20% of my power, you would be a pile of ash!". It had been a month since Skywalker and Twilight started to train, she had thus far learned quickly. The only thing she had trouble the first two weeks was he reaction time, but even that she picked up quickly. Conjuring a shield was easy for her, heck it was one of the first spells she learned, but for one reason or another, Twilight had difficulties keeping her shield up.
After another four hours of training, the duo decided to call it a day, Skywalker noted that his friend had come a long way, he could see it by just looking at her. When she used a spell, the area around her started to crackle with magic, if she kept it up at this rate she could be some real competition.
"Look, Twilight. I'm not your enemy." Skywalker explained, as they walked over the Main Square, "Fear is your enemy. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
Twilight nodded her head, "I know. I'm just having difficulties keeping it up. You make it look so easy. I mean your telekinetic control is really amazing.", she said complimenting him.
"Oh? Is that not normal?" Skywalker asked in his usual calm voice, which made it very difficult to know if he was joking or serious. "Like it ever would be!" Twilight said half laughing. "Ponies are acting strange." the voice of Rainbow said behind them, turning around they saw her approach them. "So you notice too, huh?" Big Macintosh asked as he, Phoenix and McGrath walked up from the other side. Looking around they did noticed that everybody around town was acting... weird. Most seem to be looking off into space, or not noticing their surroundings.
"Everypony is acting so strange today." Twilight noted, suddenly Griffifth dropped out of a nearby tree startling the unicorn. "Why do you keep saying, everPONY?" he asked Twilight, gaining a puzzling look from her, "We would know what you have meant if you said anyBODY. You see that's the thing everybody is doing just because everybody else is doing it." he said leaning against a tree, she didn't really has an answer for that. "As I was saying... I've been trying to plan a viewing celebration for the secretariat comet this week and I can't get anyone to listen to me at all!" Twilight explained but before anybody could responded, "Skywalker!" Applejack shouted as she came rushing to the group, "My sister and her crew are being as peculiar as everybody else. Something ain't right." she explained, this was food for thought, but soon the rest of the gang arrived, and they had also noted that everybody in the village acted strange.
"Guys!" Sutakira broke them out of their train of thought, they saw what got him so scared the citizens are currently approaching them not unlike typical zombie. "Uh... I think we should move this conversation to somewhere more... Private?" Fluttershy suggested as everybody agreed and made a mad dash for the Golden Oak library.
As soon as everybody got inside, Griffifth and Big Macintosh quickly barricaded the door.
"What is wrong with everybody!?" Big Macintosh shouted, surprising the rest, this must be the first time that he raised his voice.
"Wait..." Twilight said, "This is too familiar. This reminds me of every bad zombie movie I have ever seen." she said, it also reminded her of something else, but at the moment she couldn't say what.
"Well, it was nice knowing you McGrath." Phoenix said sadly, making everybody look at him, "If this is a horror movie the pretty boy dies first... Unless there is a black guy, then they die first.", his friend gave a heavy sigh as Rarity did a heavy intake.
"Of course!" the white unicorn said, "The royal wedding! The one were Princess Cadance was replaced by a Changeling!". Big Mac raised an eyebrow, he didn't quite get what they were talking about. Skywalker showed him a picture of a Changeling on his phone. looks it up on his phone, "See this is a Changeling.".
"Spike!" Twilight commanded, getting the attention from the small purple dragon, "Take a letter!"
Dear, Princess Celestia.
Changelings are invading Ponyville. Please send help!
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
As fast as she had send it, they got a letter back, "Wow, that was fast." Sutakira said as Twilight reads the content out loud,
Dear correspondent: I am unavailable due to a royal emergency. Please try sending your letter again at a later time.
"Looks like we're on our own... again!" Skywalker said, rubbing the side of his head, "Oh come on Jason, it's fun time!" his blue pegasi friend said, but the yellow one wasn't has ready to fight their way out, "Uhm... I would be okay with waiting until the princess is available." she said with her soft voice, but Applejack interrupted her, "My sister is missin and if those things are responsible, we need to find out what is going on!" she said, gaining a nod from the guys. "We can't just go out there! We need a plan." Twilight said, this was true. Before anyone could give a suggestion, "Okay boys and girls! And Dragon..." Pinkie started, gaining the attention of everybody in the room, "We are going to blend in!", she said. "That's..." McGrath said slowly, making the pink one think she had said something stupid, "Ingenious! Sneak in behind the enemy lines!".
And so the gang strolled through the now brainwashed Ponyville, all of them had blank looks on their face.
"I would love to be McGrath right now." Rainbow said, making him look at her, as if demanding an explanation, "Because you always stand around with a blank look on your face and you never smile." she explained, Pinkie couldn't help put involve herself in this conversation, "I know why McGrath never smiles.", this made him turn his attention to her, "Because he doesn't know how to!".
"That's stupid Pinkie, even for you..." he said with his sarcastic tone.
Turning around, they saw two Changelings place a gray pegasi inside some kind of pod, before one takes on one of her appearance.
"Have you seen The Skywalker yet?" the shape shifted one asked his fellow soldier, we would never know the answer as he was suddenly slammed into the ground by a big blue fist. "That was fast!" was all he could shout before he too was slammed into the ground by something very large and red. "Listen you two. I destroy armies by the dozen, what hope do you two have?" Skywalker said crossing his arms, he and his friend had the two completely at their mercy, "Since I feel nice today, I'll give you two options, you tell us where everybody is and we'll let you go. Option 2, my friend Griffifth will skull fuck you and drain the same information out of the hole. Your chose.".
For the Changelings, the chose was easy, "They'r in city Hall!" both shouted at the same time, Skywalker gave them a smirk before saying, "Good, thank you for your co-operation.", he made a small bow, but the Changelings just stood there, "...This is the part you two flee for your lives." he explained as they both quickly fled.
Moments later at the door to City Hall got kicked in as the Harmonic Heroes entered with their powers activated, ready for battle, "Bring it on!" Skywalker shouted his favorite battle cry.
"Give me back my sister, you ruffians!" Rarity demanded, and nearly eight thousand Changeling where staring them down, hissing and baring their fangs.
"Okay gang, we've fought them before!" Twilight said, encouraging the rest, but this made McGrath scoff, "I don't remember fighting them. I remember getting our ass kicked and Skywalker saving the day." he said, charging a golden energy spear in his palm.
"We can handle this!" Twilight shouted as she left out a stream of magic at the Changelings, blasting them across the room as the other joined in.
One Changeling launched right at Big Mac, but he quickly side stepped and slamming him into the ground. As they continue the fight more Changeling appear and launch green energy cubes at the gang. Twilight redirect them using her magic, while Phoenix uses a stream of fire to subdue the energy users. "Careful! Don't hit the pods. They may hurt whoever is inside!" Skywalker said, as he slammed two Changelings against each other. "I'll try. Can't guarantee." Phoenix said as he launched three quick fire balls at a horde of Changelings.
More Changelings come and McGrath uses his golden energy spears to nail them to the wall, which traps the guards.
Skywalker keeps punching a Changeling, as with each punch he said, "Does this bug you? Does this bug you? Does this bug you?", he said it a third time before punching said Changeling with enough force to send him crashing trough a wall. "Uh, I guess it does bug you."
"Skywalker! Be nice!" Fluttershy said to him, making his eyes roll, "Fluttershy. When are you going to learn that you're nice until it's time not to be nice?" he asked her while punch another Changeling into the walls. "Okay... I get it." she said, making Skywalker smile, "Good, cause I didn't understand a word I just said.", looking behind her, he saw a a Changeling trying to sneak up on Fluttershy, thinking fast, he pushed her out of the way, taking the blow for her.
The Changeling winched as it had broken it front hoof, but what made it nearly piss itself was a now angry yellow pegasi looming over it.
"HOW DARE YOU HIT MY FRIEND YOU... YOU... MEANIE!" She shouted, making everybody stop fighting for a moment, "YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS SHOULD GO HOME RIGHT NOW!".
With the combined strength of Equestria's twelve mightiest heroes, it didn't took too long as the Changelings either fled, or were capture, "Well... That escalated quickly..." Rarity said as she observed the damage, "Then ended abruptly.". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 39: Through The Mountain | An hour after liberating Ponyville and freeing the citizens, but there wasn't a sign of Applebloom or her friends.
"Where... Where could they possibly be? Why aren't they here?" a panicking Applejack asked, this could only mean one thing, who ever had ordered the invasion also had taken the CMC.
All of a sudden, Spike let out a huge flame as apparently someone had send them a glass orb the size of basketball.
"Well, that's never happened before." Twilight said curiously as Skywalker added, "Yeah, that's a new one. Maybe it's from Tia?" he suggested. Suddenly a green flame rose up inside the orb as it spoke up, "A princess? No, but a queen? Yesssss.", The voice sounded familiar, though they couldn't really place it. As the green flames died down a image of Chrysalis appeared laughing like a maniac.
"Oh, look a random loser who's ass I kicked." Skywalker said, "Hey loser how is it going?" he asked noticing the irritated twitch in her eye, boy did she hate not being taken seriously. "My, my... You didn't have any trouble seeing trough my minions at all, did you, Ser Skywalker?" The image of the Changeling queen said, mockingly complimenting him, "Clever boy. I'm sure you're clever enough to see who's missing from your little... village."
"Where's my sister you... Ill groomed... Swiss cheese... Mule!" Rarity and Applejack demanded to know at the same time, "Temper, Temper, ladies! Tsk, Tsk." the orb told them as the image switch from Chrysalis to the CMC being held hostage inside a pod. "I believe this is what you're looking for?" Chrysalis asked sweetly, but the gang wasn't buying it just yet, "How do we know these are the real ones were looking for?" Big Mac asked. The moment he asked that the CMC started to discuss how they could get there Cutiemarks from being 'fillynapped'.
"That's them..." Big Mac said as the others nodded in agreement. "I have them here... In my kingdom. You may want to come collect them quickly..." Chrysalis told him, making them wonder why. "How about three days? Otherwise something bad might happen to your little friends, Ser Skywalker.", she tried to play to his need of being a hero, good people are so easy to manipulate. "I don't know what you want, Chrysalis." Skywalker started, his normal calm voice dropped a few tones, showing he was serious, "If you are looking for love, I can tell you I don't have any to spare. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for things like you. If you let the Cutie Mark Crusaders go and never threaten Equestria again, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." he told her as the image of Chrysalis faded and the orb now shows a map to where the Cutie Mark Crusaders are being held.
"This is obviously a trap." Skywalker said studying the map, the others couldn't help but agree.
"Why three days?..." Sutakira wondered, suddenly the answer struck Twilight like a meteor, "I know!" she said, gaining the attention of the rest of the gang, "The secretariat Comet! In three days the Secretariat Comet is oassing through the Horse Head Nebula and it's all passing over Equestria. It's the single biggest conjunction in celestial events in over 3,000 years!", she explained. "Huh? You got what in your what now?" Pinkie asked, making Twilight hoofpalm.
"Anyways, anyone up for a trip to the Changeling Kingdom?" Skywalker asked, gaining a approving nod from most of his friend, "An adventure with you Sky? How can I say no?" Rainbow said, ready to back up her best friend. Of course Rarity, Applejack and Big Mac agreed as well.
"I don't know... I've got a lot of animals to feed." Fluttershy said unsure, "Things to do... A bonsai to water...".
"Of course I'm coming..." Pinkie said before turning to the yellow pegasi, "And don't worry, Fluttershy, we can leave gummy in charge of your plant. Or else McGrath can buy you a new one!", McGRath looked offended at this but Fluttershy finely agreed to go with them.
"But we should wait..." Twilight said, trying to be the voice of reason, "We need to do some investigation into what the queen is up to! How is she going to use that magical surge? Why do we need to be there!? We should try and write to the Princess again." she said gaining a groans from the rest of the gang.
"Twily, there are kids kidnapped by what is essentially a succubus! We don't time to ask Celestia what to do!" Skywalker said, trying to make her see thing their way, "We can't just go off without a plan!" Twilight said back as the both started to debate what to do.
"Jason, Twilight?" Fluttershy said, trying to break up their arguing, but Skywalker and Twilight both turned their head towards her and shouted at the same time, "Shut up! Mommy and daddy are talking!".
After a while it was decided that they would be leaving now, trap or no. But it was agreed upon that Spike would stay back to try and get a hold of the princess and tell her where they were.
And so we found our heroes at the edge of the town, looking determent to get those filly's back. "Alright, everybody." Skywalker said, studying the orb which still displayed the map, "This magic orb thing isn't a GPS but it should do the trick. It will take almost three days to get there so we need to get moving.", looking over it one more time, he puts the map in his pocked... Wait how does he do that!?
"Ah yeah! We're off on a quest!" Rainbow did an arm thrust as she said excitedly. "We're always on a quest." McGrath said rolling his eyes and uncrossing his arms. "Yeah, we're the Harmonic Heroes on a quest for Equestria!" Phoenix shouted with a smirk... Roll credits... oh wait.
"Raise your hooves and or hands if you're ready for three exciting days of peril!" Pinkie shouted gaining a puzzling look from ten of her friends, while Skywalker slowly raised his hand. "Maybe if we're lucky we'll see a ninja... or some monkeys... or monkey ninjas." Pinkie continued but she got a groan from her friends, this time all of them.
McGrath rolled his eyes before explaining, "No, Pinkie. If that monkey ninja was worth his bananas, we wouldn't see him!". She nodded at this in agreement, "Oh right. Your so smart McGrath."
And so the gang made their way through the forest, a few hours later they found themselves in an area that according to the orb was called, 'the Macintosh hills'. I'm not even joking about that one.
"Big Mac, so cool he has hills named after him." Griffifth declared as Skywalker was studying the map. "Why is it called the Macintosh hills?" Skywalker asked as his other friends shrug, "No idea. Maybe something with the wind?" Twilight suggested.
"Anyways, we need to go south trough the Appaloosan Mountain range and then on trough the forest of Leota and that should bring up to the gates of the Changeling Kingdom." Skywalker said as trailing the path with his finger, "There's a path carved into the mountains, some old mine system. We'll go in there and we'll be through the mountains in no time!" Twilight added, gaining a approving nod from Skywalker.
"That sounds... dark." Fluttershy complained as Pinkie added, "...And spooky."
Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Through the mountain? Let's just go over it.", she suggested, but Skywalker debunked it, "We can't all fly, Dashie. The fastest way is through the mountain and we've only got three days. So I say we take the fastest route.".
After that, McGrath and Sutakira came out of the bushes, both done taking care of their bladders.
"You guys aren't done yet?" Griffifth shouted to Phoenix and Big Mac, who both were still taking a leak. "Shut up! I can't pee if everybody is watching!" the voice of Phoenix shouted from a distance, "Also I found out why they call him BIG Macintosh."
After a while they found themselves at the mine entrance, "Alright, let's get this party started!" Pinkie said excitedly as they entered the mine,
"This isn't a party, it's a rescue mission." Griffifth said dryly. Pinkie flashed him a smile as she said, "You know what I mean."
As they made their way further and further down, the gang couldn't help but feel like they were being watched, "I have a bad feeling about this." Big Mac said, and the others couldn't help but agree. "I wonder how long it's been since anyone mined these caves?" Sutakira wondered, Rarity's horn lighted up in a bright blue light before dying down. "The gems look to be long gone... Disappointing, really." she informed them with a sad tone to her voice.
"Well, hopefully that means no one is here and we can just walk on through with no issues." Twilight said, making Phoenix groan, "Saying things like that is just begging for something to happen!".
Suddenly the cave shook by a loud voice shouting, "PO-NAYS!". The gang looked around for the source of the sound, but they didn't notice that the creature was sneaking up behind them. "What in the name of Crush 40 is that thing!?" McGrath shouted as a giant gray ogre like creature loomed over them. "A cave troll! How exciting!" Twilight said gaining yet another groan from the guys, "Exciting?" Sutakira said with a twitching eye, "A rollercoaster ride is exciting, being named a Knight is exciting, trolls are not exciting. Nanda ittai ga anata to machigatte iru, Twilight!?", he snapped, shouting his last line in Japanese while the Cave Troll reached out and grabbed Fluttershy, "PWETAH PONAY!" it shouted as his started to brush Fluttershy's beautiful pink manes, "PWETAH HAR ON DAH PWETAH PONAY!".
"What the neuk is he doing!?" McGrath shouted, "Oh god, its not just a troll... It's a Brony!" Griffifth shouted.
"Hey! Put her down ya'big lug!" Applejack demanded, "Or Skywalker will kicks ya ass!". Skywalker gave her an awed look, "Why do I always have to kick the persons ass?" he asked as the troll noticed him, "YAY! SUPAHMAN!" before he could react, the troll grabbed him and placing both him and Fluttershy at a stone diner table. "YAY! SUPAHMAN AND PWETAH PONAY AWE ON AW DWATE." the troll said happily, even though they were used as toy in this scenario, Fluttershy couldn't help but blush at the 'date' part.
"Well I don't mind this but..." Skywalker said slowly, "I'm not Clark Kent."
"AWIGHT SHORA." The troll said gaining a loud 'fuck you' from Skywalker. "I got an idea, Rarity, Pinkie follow me!" McGrath said as he dashed to the side.
Meanwhile at Chrysalis Evil Castle of Doom, the queen was observing the heroes through another orb that was linked to the one with the heroes. Using some rocks and robes, McGath, Rarity and Pinkie made some make shift action figures, distracting the troll long enough for then to escape. She had to admit it, they came up with some creative idea's to solve problems.
"Well, that wasn't very exciting, was it Ser Skywalker?" Chrysalis thought to herself, contemplating, "Trolls really are the most idiotic creatures...". I have to agree with that.
"Have we ever tried to get out cutie marks in toy making?" Applebloom asked but Scootaloo scoffed, "That's what you'r getting from that!? We could get our Cutie Marks in troll hunting!", the young pegasi declared, making Chrysalis sigh.
"...Or maybe the second most idiotic creatures..." she thought, before turning her attention back to her orb, "It's time to have fun with you and your friends, little Skywalker. I may just send a few of my minions to join you for a little party."
Back at the heroes, who have made great progress through the caves.
"Moonlight, moonlight, fireflies awake! Make a wish and do a little shake!" Skywalker and Pinkie sang, trying to keep up everybody spirits.
"He wasn't really a bad lumbering beast, was he?" Big Mac said in his kind voice, Fluttershy and Skywalker had to agree with him but Rarity scoffed at this, "He did get bits of stick stuck in your mane and hair. That's beastly thing, if you ask me." she noted, gaining a chuckle from her friends. "I can't wait to add that cave trolls love toys to my reference books. A personal encounter story always adds to the excitement of a research paper." Twilight said excitedly.
Rainbow shook her head at this, "Did she just use the words 'excitement' and 'research' in the same sentence?".
Suddenly, the cave gave another shake, at first it wasn't anything noticeable but it became worse by the second.
"Oh no! Do you think there's another troll?" Fluttershy wonders, quickly looking around for one. "I don't think it's a troll..." Skywalker shouted, indeed, it was a cave in. Before they could react the ceiling above them collapsed, sending large boulders into the ground as a large dust cloud filled the gave, obscuring their view, so no one knew if the others were okay.
> Chapter 40: Fellowship In Ruin
The cave calmed down and the dust settled, Fluttershy had closed her eyes, frozen in fear. She had expected for a boulder to crush her but that never came, though she felt like something or someone had held her in a tight embrace. She opened her eyes for a brief moment, to see that it was Skywalker holding her, using his own body as a shield to protect her.
"You alright?" he asked her, giving her a quick check up, as side from some lost feathers she seemed fine. After giving him a nod, Skywalker turned around as his eyes gave of a pale blue light. This indicated that he used his X-ray vision to look for his other friends, noticing that none were crushed under a boulder.
"Fluttershy and I are okay." he shouted, loud enough for them to hear but just quite enough to not cause another cave in. "Is everybody alright?". The voice of Twilight spoke up from behind one of the caved in tunnels, "Sutakira and I are here!".
"Pomme, Moody, Diva and me are fine." Phoenix voice came from another wall, followed by Griffifth's, "I'm here with Big Mac, the Pink Weirdo and the Rainbow Jerk!".
Before any of them could respond to his response, Pinkie shouted, "How dare you call Rainbow Dash a Pink Weirdo!", the gang let out a collective sigh. "Anyway..." Skywalker said looking at the orb, "Move deeper into the caves! It looks like there's an opening near the exit where all the tunnels meet. We'll meet there and get out of here. Be careful, I have a bad feeling about it!", he shouted placing the orb back into his pocket... Still don't know how he does it.
What none of them knew was that the true cause of the cave in was observing them. "Yes, now its time to have some fun." The Changeling chuckled, as each took the form of one of the heroes.
Making there way to the meet up point, Skywalker and Fluttershy could hear the voices of Sutakira and Twilight from the other side of the wall. "Man, I can't stand that Skywalker. He's so full of himself!" the voice of Twilight said, making his face freeze in shock. "And what about Fluttershy?" Sutakira asked mockingly, making Fluttershy freeze in her place, "She's scared of her own shadow! She was useless to bring along.". Skywalker was baffled by this, "W-why would they say things like that?", he turned to his companion, but he could feel his heart shattered as he saw the tears forming in the yellow pegasi's eyes.
"...They are so dead..." Skywalker whispered in anger, as his eyes flashed red for a brief moment.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the caves, Twilight and Sutakira could hear the voices of Skywalker and Fluttershy just a little up a head.
"I can't stand Sutakira. He's such a know-it-all egghead!" Fluttershy taunted cruely, making Skywalker chuckles in amusement, "What about Twilight?" Skywalker asked, making the other companions stop in their track, "She's acting like she's in charge of this whole thing? Ha! Like she has the power to defeat anything. She's kidding herself!".
A few minutes and a whole lot of taunts later, everybody made it to the meeting point, each and everyone giving each other death glares.
"Finally! The exit!" Skywalker shouted happily. Twilight scoffed, making him turn his attention to her, "Oh look! We all found the exit without your 'power'!", she said tauntingly, but he could only smirk at her, "Have you come back from the dead?... Didn't think so!".
"Maybe you're really are full of yourself!" Rainbow shouted, before he could retort Sutakira interrupted them, "Stay out of this, Rainbow Dash! Oh, I'm sorry! Am I too much of an egghead for you? Should I use smaller words?" he asked sarcastically, making Rainbow shoot another death glare at him. "Well I'm just going to keep my mouth shut..." Pinkie said, flashing a glare of her own at Rarity, "I wouldn't want to annoy anyone.".
"And another thing." Rarity said, making everybody roll there eyes, "I am NOT afraid to get my hooves dirty... I just don't like it.", she informed them, making Big Mac scoff. "Well, I'm glad to hear that... Because they're dirty now." he said pointing to the floor and indeed Rarity was standing in a pool of goo.
"Uh... Guys?..." Twilight asked, as she looked up at the ceiling, "What has 8 legs, weaves web and is looming over us right now?".
The gang thought about it for a minute but Phoenix was the first to response, "Man-Spider?" he asked. Close enough... As the gang look up they saw five gigantic spiders looking over them!
"Actually, they'r giant tarantula's! I've heard about they're very even tempered for being a monstrous arachnid..." Fluttershy explained to the rest of the gang, as the gang of spiders climbed down from their web. Are you the egghead now?
"He's probably a big sweetie, just like the troll!" Fluttershy told them, but as she tried to pat them, the spiders let out an angry hiss and they leaped forward trying to bite her but Skywalker could pull her out of the way just in time. "Yep... Totally a big sweetie..." Skywalker said sarcastically, making the yellow pegasi blush in his arms, "...Or maybe not." she said weakly as the rest of the gang got ready in a fighting stance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Pinkie run back into the cave, but he had no time to follow her as his other friends were in danger.
The leader spider turn his attention towards him, "You wanna get crazy!?" Skywalker asked, standing in between the leader and Fluttershy, "Lets get crazy!" he shouted blast the spider leader with a blast from his heat vision, sending it into a wall but it quickly got back on its feet.
Skywalker was ready to charge at the spider before the cave shook again, "PO-NAYS!" a voice shouted. Turning around they saw Pinkie riding back on the Troll from earlier. "PINKIE PONAY SAY FUZZY TEDDY BER IN 'ER!" it shouted, as it saw the spider leader, "FUZZY! I WIW' NAME HIM F'WUFFY!" it shouted as it dragged the spider leader back to his part of the cave.
"Bye, Jim! Thank you!" Pinkie thanked it, but that first part made McGrath raise his eyebrow, "You... Named the troll... Jim?". Pinkie had to giggle at his question before telling him that Jim was his name. Wondering how she knew that, she explained that she just asked.
And so the heroes found themselves back at the outside, all of them took a breath of fresh air.
"Wow, Chuckles." Phoenix said taking deep breathes, "that was some quick thinking!" he complimented her, but his face turn sour as he turned to a scoffing Rainbow, "Of course, we'd never had to go through any of this if we'd gone over the mountain...", she said rolling her eyes.
"I told you, over the mountain would have taken too long for most." Skywalker told her but his was interrupted by the scoff of Applejack, "I think you've just proven we can't trust you to make the decisions around here!", she said, gaining the young knight's attention.
"What did you say, AJ?" he said, turning his gaze towards her. "Well, mister 'let's go through the mountain,' I think someone else should be in charge of the map for a while. I vote me." she said, but this made Skywalker scoff, "I'm the one with the pockets to... somehow... store it. What are you going to do? Carry it around by your teeth?" he asked mockingly, as he stared her down.
"It's gotta be better than following YOUR directions." she said not standing down, staring right back at him. "You wanna have it? Come and TRY to take it!" Skywalker said challenging her,.
"Everybody just needs to take a deep breath and calm down... "I'm sure we can work this out...", Fluttershy spoke up, trying to dissolve the tense situation. "Work it out? Why? When some of you seem to think we wouldn't even get our hooves dirty to save our own sister? Hmpf!", Rarity said offended. "Listen all of you, I know how you must be feeling, Rarity, AJ and Big Mac." Skywalker spoke to the rest as Fluttershy stood behind him. Applejack responded angrily, having enough of it, "No, you don't know how this feels!", she corrected him, gaining a surprised look from her friends, "Your parents are dead! You have no family!".
Skywalker clenched his fist, his eyes flashing red showing how much that last comment had hurt him, "I'm going." he said turning around, "Let's go Fluttershy.". She gave one last look at her friends before turning around and quickly following the young knight. "Go and leave then!" Applejack shouted after them, "Rarity, McGrath, Phoenix and I can do this without you guys. Go home. We can save our sisters without your help OR your super powers.", she said as those she named followed her in the other direction. "Well, I have news for you! Sutakira and I don't need you!" Twilight said before teleporting both her and Sutakira away.
"Well, I guess it's just Dashie, Big Mac, Griff Griff and me!" Pinkie said with her normal smile, "Three ponies and a guy on an adventure!".
Griffifth looked at the place were Skywalker and Fluttershy had disappeared in, "Skywalker just left us with no map..." he said in disbelieve but Pinkie scoffed at this, "Pfft. Where we're going we don't need no stinking map!" she said bouncing along as they walked.
"We do need a map." Big Mac said in a serious tone. "We have no idea where we are.". This got another scoff from Pinkie, what is it with everybody scoffing today? "I know where we are." she said, gaining a puzzling look from her companions, "We're in the woods, silly." she exclaimed with a big smile. "I hate Mondays." Griffifth said as they continued their journey. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 41: Maybe I Feel A Little Sorry | "Ah... Little Skywalker.", the queen of Changelings thought to herself as she observed the young knight through her orb as she slouched on her sofa, "You're almost all alone... The fellowship is broken. The suspense is terrible... I hope it lasts.".
She took a sip from her wine before regrettable saying, "A pity I can't see the pink weirdo anymore, she was amusing.".
"That's Pinkie Pie!" the youngest Apple sister said gaining the attention from the queen, "Aww... We'll miss if she bursts into song!" Sweetie Belle complained. Chrysalis rolled her eyes, the fillies working on her nerves, "But, for now, I can see you... Little Skywalker." she said turning her attention back to the orb.
The night had fallen, knowing that they wouldn't make much progress today, Skywalker and Fluttershy made a camp fire eating some of the snacks the gang had packed. All this time, Skywalker hadn't said a word, he kept staring at the fire. His face didn't show it but Fluttershy knew what Applejack said to him had touched a nerve. This was one of the problems he had, he will hide it when he is hurt as best as he is able, making it harder for his friends to notice or help him. "So..." Fluttershy said, breaking the silence, "No parents huh?". She didn't got an answer, but she knew he was listening. "I think you may have been too harsh.".
This got his attention, he ripped his gaze from the fire, "What do you mean?", he asked sending her a glare. "Think about it." Fluttershy said, standing up and sitting down next to him, "Rainbow, McGrath, Pinkie, Griffifth, Rarity, Sutakira, Applejack, Phoenix, Twilight and Big Mac are out there all alone... With no map! They could be lost!", she explained and much to her surprised, she saw his calm mask break, she saw some regret in those amber orbs. "Well... Maybe... I feel a little sorry... " he said slowly, turning his gaze back to he fire, "For Dashie and Griffifth... and Pinkie!" he added quickly.
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Fluttershy told him, "Even if the few were being big jerks?" he asked her not turning his gaze away from the fire. "Even then. We need to look past this and work together to save those fillies!" she said, as Skywalker let out a deep sigh. "I guess your right. I can't believe we all got so angry..." Skywalker said closing his eyes, suddenly he smelled fresh flowers and something hairy rubbing his face. Opening his eyes he saw that it was his yellow friend, nuzzling her head against him, he thought it was weird but not unpleasant. "Me neither..." she said, not noticing the blush that had appeared on his cheeks, "Well except for McGrath, he's always angry. You ever wonder why?", she asked, she was surprised by his chuckle. "Well, he himself doesn't even know. But he once thought of being happy." Skywalker told her, gaining a puzzling look from her, "What happend?", she asked tilting her head curiously. "It made him angry..." Skywalker said, both of them broke out in laughter. She hoped that moments like this would prove to him that even though he had to look like a god to Equestria, he could still be himself when he is with friends.
After their laughing died down, he pulled the glass orb out of his pocket and studied the map for any possible meeting points.
"Were are you keeping that orb?" Fluttershy asked curiously while looking over his shoulder at the map. "Hammer space, or in other words, my ass." Skywalker said, his tone back to his usual calm tone, making it difficult for her to determine if he was serious or not. "It looks like there are only a few path trough the forest. If none of them turn around to go home, we should meet them in the valley just outside the gates of the Changeling Kingdom." Skywalker informed her, before placing the orb back into his pocket and stretching his back, "Anyways, lets get some z's.", his companion agreed as they lay down on the floor. "I bet everyone is just so upset about being separated. I bet right now, they're all wondering how we'll get back together and be friends again. You'll see." Fluttershy said to him before trying to fall to sleep. But she found this difficult, it wasn't really cold, but it wasn't warm either.
Fluttershy started to shutter because of the cold, suddenly she heard someone walking towards her. Next thing she knew, she felt like a blanket was placed over her. Turning around she saw that Skywalker had taken off his jacket and placed it over her. She looked over at him trying to thank him but found that he was fast asleep. "He's cute when he sleeps." she noted but let out a small squeak at what he said next in his sleep, "Your... Cute when... You do... anything...". Her face became as red as a tomato, she took one big whiff, his scent filling her nose before falling asleep.
Meanwhile at camp McGrath, Rarity, Phoenix and Applejack. The guys were returning from finding some fire wood for the camp fire.
"And then I said... wow." Phoenix didn't finish his story, the girls would find a place to sleep tonight, they meant a cave or something but instead they found themselves at a medium size tent. "So what do ya guys think." A smirking Applejack asked as she peeked out of the tent.
Entering the tent, they found three beds, a sofa, a kitchen table and a small hot tube.
"This is kinda cool." McGrath admitted as he place the firewood next to the stove, before walking over to the hot tube, touching the surface with his finger tips he found its temperature quite pleasant. "McGrath, Phoenix, be a dear and wipe your feet before you enter the tent." Rarity said as she levitated their dinner to the table, "We wouldn't want dirt all over our nice clean floor.", she said as surprising to Phoenix and Applejack, McGrath took his sneakers off.
Phoenix rolled his eyes sitting down at the table, "Diva, We're outside. In the forest. The floor is dirt." he told her pointing at the floor.
Rarity scoffed taking a seat of her own, and turning her gaze away from him, "Just because we're 'roughing it' doesn't me we need to live like a bunch of ruffians!" she said before turning her gaze back to the group, "Now wash your hooves or hands and come! We dress for dinner around here.".
Applejack leaned over, "How do ya survive her, McGrath?" she whispered to him, quickly looking between him and Rarity. "A lot of aspirin, AJ." he answered in a whisper.
Meanwhile at camp Griffifth, Big Macintosh, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Griffifth use his claws to chop down trees as Big Mac load them on his back to carry back to camp.
"That should be enough." Griffifth said shifting his biomass back into his normal hands. Big Mac nods as they make their way back to the camp. "Does it hurt?" Big Mac said, gaining his companions attention, "When those claws come out, does it hurt?". Griffifth placed his hands in his pockets, "Not really. You see these claws don't come out of my hands like a cat. I simply reshape my biomass into claws, completely painless." Griffifth explained, gaining a nod from his big red companion. "Is that normal in your family? I mean almost everybody in my family has something with apples." Big Mac asked, gaining a puzzling look from Griffifth. "Everybody?".
"Well almost everybody. I believe I have a distance uncle who works on a rock farm but we don't really talk about him." Big Mac told him, gaining a nod from Griffifth. "I see. As for your question, no." he explained.
"Don't you have sibling with your abilities?" Big Mac continued, making Griffifth look to the stars before turning his gaze back, "I have a little brother. We don't talk much."
They arrived back at camp and to their annoyance they saw that the girls were still trying to start a fire with some tweaks. "How are you supposed to even hold on to the sticks to make the fire when you don't have... Um... Those things the guys have?" Rainbow asked her pink friend. "Fingers?" Griffifth said taking the fire wood from Big Mac's back and placing it in the burning pit.
"No... That doesn't sound right." Rainbow told him, making Griffifth pinch the bridge of his nose, "I bet Jason, started fires with his Heat Vision." she said as Big Mac took over trying to make fire. Not a few second later, a small fire sprang up thanks to Big Mac, stallion wonder.
"Yay! We have fire! Want me to sing a song about fire? I can!" Pinkie told them before taking a deep breath but Rainbow quickly placed her hoof on her mouth. "No! No more songs! You've already sung three today!" the blue pegasi begged.
After Pinkie calmed down, the group sat around the fire eating their dinner. "You know what bugs me?" Griffifth said as he took a bite from his protein bar, "The more I think about it, I think those Changelings are behind our fights with each other." he said gaining a contemplating look from his companions. "Yeah!" Rainbow said after a while, "None of them would ever say anything bad about ME!", this resulted in another bridge pinch from Griffifth. "Those Changelings really are going to get harder to beat as we get closer." Pinkie noted before getting an idea. "So here's the plan." she explained, gaining the attention from the group, "Next time we face the Changelings we all wear costumes of ourselves! See?" and out of nowhere she pulled a mascot size costume of herself out of nowhere! He, it's Pinkie, nobody can explain Pinkie.
"Where did you even get that!?" Rainbow asked as her mouth dropped open out of amazement. The group was even more surprised by her answer, she had it with her the whole time. "What about physics!?" Griffifth said in confusion. Pinkie smirked at him, petting his head, "Physics? Bitch, I'm a pony.". This made him roll his eyes, "It's going to be a very long night."
Meanwhile at Chrysalis evil doom lair of doom, her spies are reporting what they saw the heroes do.
"Ah, the Fussy, the Grump, the Country and the Verbal Tic make the oddest pairing. Ha!" Chrysalis said in a chuckle. "If I hadn't been watching the pink weirdo for hours, I would think you were making that all up..." she admitted to her guard who could only shrug, "Yep... Me too." he admitted. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 42: Next Chance To Move On | "So, you and McGrath." Applejack asked. It was now the early morning as all groups made their way towards the Changeling Kingdom to save the CMC. Applejack and Rarity were walking a little behind McGrath and Phoenix, just out of ear shot. "Yes?" Rarity asked her southern friend, "You and McGrath. Together, looking contented." she continued, making her wonder were she as going with this, "You have a... Glow about ya. So shameless."
This made Rarity sputter at her remark, "I'm not glowing!" the unicorn protested, making the cowpony chuckle. "Of course ya aren't! AJ's just seeing stuff again, ain't she? So, how is he?".
Rarity gave him a quick look over before returning her gaze to Applejack, "He looks fine to me." she answered but this made Applejack shake her head. "Ya know what I mean." the orange earth pony started, "McGrath and ya. Those long night. He must be quite good... you wouldn't be so happy otherwise... I think. He's athletic, that's always nice.". Rarity finally caught on to what her friend was talking about. "I'm very happy with his performance." she replied a blush gracing her white cheeks. "Ah, interesting." the cowpony said with a chuckle, "It seems that he does play well with others.". They both giggled, gaining the attention from the guys. "What are you two giggling about?" McGrath asked, making Rarity blush even more but their giggling increased. "We're just talking about your performance.", she replied making her boyfriend confused.
"My performance? What performance? And why does it warrant giggling?" McGrath wondered, making his red headed friend sigh. "They are talking about how you treat Rarity in bed." Phoenix told him, had McGrath been drinking something, he would have taken a spit take. "Nothing you should concern yourself with." Applejack added cheerful, making him stutter and blush. "How I... What is wrong with you mares!?" he shouted.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rarity could see something move. Turning her gaze towards it she notice that the flowers themselves started to move, yet none of her companions had noticed. "The flowers!" Rarity tried to warn them but her friends did not listen. "Rarity stop looking at pretty things and start looking at this pretty thing." McGrath said not turning around to see what his girl was looking at, "And with that I mean my face." he added, "But the flowers!" she replied.
McGrath gave a deep sigh, "If you want them so bad I'll buy you some flowers when we get home!". As he said that a vine wrapped his ankle lifting him in the air. In a reflex, McGrath cut the vine with a energy spear, landing softly back on his feet. Looking up, is was as if the flower bed had just come to life, taking the form of a gigantic worm.
"Run." he said as his three companions and him rushed down the path, trying to out run the flower monster.
Out of the corner of his eye, McGrath could she Rarity falling behind. Reacting on instinct, he leaped backwards throwing some energy spears at the monster causing some small explosions distracting it long enough to pull his girlfriend on his back and make a run for it. Gathering the energy in his feet, he started to skate along the ground, making him reach his top speed at a much faster rate.
But despise the best of their efforts, they are unable to outrun the creature and soon they found themselves at a cross road, bumping into the rest of the gang.
"Everypony there you are!" Twilight shouted happy but she was cut short by the growl of multiple monsters as each group was chased by another one. Knowing that must likely they would be unable to out run any of them, they each gave each other a look before nodding.
"We'll make our stand here." Skywalker said taking his fighting stance as the rest followed. "Like hell I'm gonna die before I meet Idina Menzel!" Phoenix shouted as he channeled flames in the palms of his hands, ready to blast away.
"Who?" Applejack asked, but it was McGrath who answered, "His celeb crush." and much to his surprise Phoenix pulled out a photo of her out of his pocket, "This is her!".
"H-Have you been caring that with you all this time!?" his friends shouted in disbelieve, "Yeah, you never know when it would come up in a conversation! Then who is prepared!" he responded with a big smile, which he soon dropped as the roar of the monsters got their attention. Turning to face the creatures, they had lost their attention to them and had started to fight among themselves.
"Oh, the vampiric Jackalope, the Flos Monstrum and the Chupacabra are natural enemies. They'll fight for dominance over the rights to eat us." Fluttershy explained to her friends but none of them were paying attention as they were horrified by the fight... oh god, its gory... I'm not gonna describe what is going on, I don't wanna lose our T rating...
"Nature is so fascinating." Flutershy said to herself as the Harmonic Heroes quickly made their escape.
As soon as they were a safe distance from the monsters, the gang caught their breath before having a stare off at each other.
Skywalker was the first to speak up, "Guys and gals... I'm sorry. I should never have gotten so angry at you and leave you all without a map to find your way. That was a huge jerk move on my part."
He got a nod from his friends "I think we all said some things we didn't mean. I'm sorry too." Applejack said, more to him than to the others.
As everyone made their apologize, Skywalker couldn't help but smile. Sure he may not have any biological family left, but family isn't something your just by blood. His family was standing right in front of him.
"Alright, let go and kick Chrysalis ass." he spoke up, determination in his companions eyes.
A half hour later, the Harmonic Heroes found themselves at the gates of the Changeling Kingdom, as the night started to fall. Up a hill a castle was standing, overlooking a small village which seemed to be made out of similar green goo the Changeling pods were made off. "Well we're here. This just screams bad guy lair." Skywalker noted, as Twilight looked up at the sky, "We need to hurry. The secretariat comet will be flying overhead soon... And then the magic surge happens and Chrysalis becomes to powerful to stop." she said as they made their way through the abandoned village.
"We need to stop a bad guy before a comet comes... Where have I heard that before?" Phoenix said scratching the back of his head, trying to remember. He got a questing look from his friends but he just couldn't think of it, "It just seems familiar. I think a bald kid who could bend the four elements was involved ."
"Anyways, what's the plan?" McGrath asked Skywalker and Twilight. "Here's the plan." Rainbow said flying in front of the group, "We go in, storm the castle, grab Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, then we win the day and go home." she said with Pinkie agreeing that sounded easy. "So what if they fight back at us?" Sutakira objected but Rainbow interrupted him, "Stop bringing logic into this conversation! Just throw Jason at them!".
"Rainbow Dash! This isn't going to be that easy..." Twilight said, gaining a nod from Skywalker, "She's right, I only make it look easy." he agreed with a cheeky grin, "But I think we need to be prepared for anything." he added seriously.
"But we have you, Skywalker. With your powers we can get trough anything." Fluttershy said, gaining his attention as she blushed. "Come on, Fluttershy. You'll make me blush." he said rubbing the back of his neck. "Your cute when you blush." she said with a soft voice, making his cheeks turn pink. "Your cute when you do anything." he said making her blush even harder.
"Jeez, get a room you too!" Griffifth shouted.
The gang was not standing infront of the large oaken doors that led to Chrysalis evil castle of doom. Rarity gave a worried sigh, making her boyfriend turn his gaze on her, "I really do hope those little fillies are all right... I'm so worried. Sweetie Belle is such a fragile little thing." she said worriedly but she looked up as she saw McGrath smiling at her, "Don't worry. Sweetie Belle is thougher than you'd think. She takes after her big sister after all.", this made her blush a deep shade of pink as the both of them stared deep in the others eyes. "...She has a sister other than Rarity?" Big Mac asked gaining a angry groan from the two lovers, "He meant me." Rarity noted.
Meanwhile in the upper floors of the castle, Chrysalis was still observing the heroes trough her glass orb.
"Woo! Skywalker is here! Your going down!" Applebloom shouted, Scootaloo was about to say something but Sweetie Belle interrupted her "Yeah! Skywalker and his bitches are here.".
"I may just banish you three to the ends of Equestria instead of feeding you to my minions. The thought of any part of your essence still around me after today is... terrifying." Chrysalis groaned turning her attention back to the glass orb. "Little Skywalker... You're almost here. Your friends emotions will make a fine feast for my subjects... But you, you're for me."
Back at the entrance hall, the heroes break open the door with a mighty telekinetic strike and to their surprise, no Changelings were waiting for them. Instead they found a hall filled with stairs that lead to all different directions.
"Open the doors, little heroes. Behind one you will find me! The others all have a vast array of surprises for you!" a voice boomed out of the walls, Skywalker turned around to address his companions, "Split up and start opening doors! If you find the right one, call out and we'll meet you there! Let's go!" he said as each went a separate way.
After fifteen minutes of searching Skywalker came across Rainbow who quickly closed a door that was roaring at her, "Found the door yet?" he asked but she shook her head before asking if he did, "Wouldn't I have told you guys?" he noted. Suddenly Griffifth voice was heared in the distance, "SON OF A BIEBER!" and not two seconds later, the blond came walking around the corner looking pissed off. Why he was so angry became clear as he saw the two standing there, "That damned door Rick Roll'ed me!" he explained, gaining an understanding nod from his friends.
After another few minutes of searching the gang had gathered as Skywalker opened a door which leads only to darkness. "You found me, little Skywalker." the booming voice from the walls spoke up, "I will unlock for you if you answer me this riddle... How is a pegasus like a writing desk... Can you answer this riddle? Do you know the answer?".
"Uhm... How is a pegasus like a writing desk? They can both... er..." Skywalker contemplated as his friends also tried to think of an answer. "We're both awesome? Are writing desks awesome?" Rainbow suggested. Big Mac took a step forward gaining the attention from the group, clearing his throat before speaking up. "Eeynope! I cannot answer it!" he said, this made the darkness fade allowing the gang save passage.
The gang charged through the door, ready for battle with Skywalker and Twilight leading the charge. But the moment they stepped through, a green wall of energy erected in the door way blocking access from the others.
"What the..." Skywalker said looking around, this was not what he was expecting. He was standing in a pink mist filled room, wearing nothing but his birthday suit. "What the hell happened to my clothes?" he asked, looking around for any sight of the Changeling Queen.
"Jason... Skywalker..." turning around to the speaker he saw a humanized version of Princess Luna walking in front of him completely nude.
"Luna? Why the hell am I... Wait, We're is Chrysalis!?" he spoke as the princess of the night stood in front of him, placing a slender finger on his lips. "It's okay. It doesn't matter. I'll make you feel more comfortable." she said pushing on a bed that popped out from under Skywalker as the princess crawled on top of him. "This... This is not right." Skywalker said weakly but Luna placed her lips on his. Parting for a moment she told him, "You're wrong. Because... It's beating so fast." she took his hand and placed it on her breast, making him feel her fast beating heart.
Claire: "Since you seemed so troubled, we... decided together."
"I've had enough..." Skywalker said, starting to resist, "You're not... You're not Luna!" shouted gaining a shocked look from the princess on top of him, "Now get out of my head!!".
"Skywalker!" Twilight shouted as she rushed to his side. He was rubbing the side of his head, noticing he was laying shirtless on a bed. He nodded to his friend, showing he was okay as he stood up.
"Skywalker." the voice of Chrysalis said, gaining their attention, "You'r raw power, you're quite smart, young, and your will is much stronger than Shining Armor's." she said half complimenting him,.
"I already know that, so save it!" Skywalker shouted, not appreciative of the compliment she was giving him. "Hmph, such a lack of manners. That explains why you had the nerve to push me off the bed." she said turning her gaze towards the window, "You should have just made love to me. It would have been a great experience for the both of us.", she said giving him a alluring smirk.
"I'm. Gonna. Throw. Up.", Ironically both Skywalker and Twilight were thinking at the same time as Chrysalis continued, "Then again, it's not too late. You are quite handsome after all, and I'm MUCH better in bed when I'm not casting illusions. So, would you like to become my king?".
Skywalker shudders in disgust before shouting, "No god! No god please no! No, no, noooooooooo!", this made Chrysalis very angry, "You've insulted me for the last time!"
Chrysalis conjuring a magic sword of her own, which had a sickeningly dark green glow, immediately engaged Skywalker and Twilight in battle, who both just could draw their weapon of there own. Thanks to her training with Skywalker, Twilight is able to defended herself well due to her mastery of a more defensive style. Driving her against the wall, Chrysalis pulled them into a bladelock. A sudden burst of magic from Chrysalis fling both her opponents back into a wall.
"Twilight stand back." Skywalker said, recovering first, "I don't want you to get hurt.", at his question, Twilight shook her head, "No! You don't have to do everything on your own. I'm with you till the end!" she declared, gaining a warm smile from Skywalker as both of them charge Chrysalis again, she rebutted their charge by casting multiple spells, skilfully controlling his energy spheres and directs them at the heroes, forcing them to the side. Twilight was almost hit by a barrage of them from behind but Skywalker pushed her out of the way, making it apear as if he had taken a full blow and in the smoke he is nowhere to be seen.
Chrysalis smirked but dropped it as suddenly Skywalker breaks himself free from her magic. A magic spell comes out Twilight's horn and blast Chrysalis who is being lifted into the air by the cyclone of magic. In the air it forms a barrier around her, then explodes as Skywalker watches.
Seeing an opening he flies flies toward Chrysalis and grabs her. He took a moment to see the terror in her face, before he gave her an uppercuts, punching her through the roof and his adversary high into the sky, flying after her, he sends her back down to earth with a hammer punch. Unfortunately his fist struck her horn, forcing Chrysalis worst memory into his mind.
"So... do we have a deal?" Chrysalis mother, Queen Caladrius asked a human woman. She was clad in a light gray long sleeved hooded shirt with a sleeveless dark brown leather wrapping, trousers, leather calf braces, leather wrap arm bracers, a white sleeveless surcoat, and leather foot wear. Her long very dark almost black reddish hair fell over her shoulders, and what struck Skywalker the most was her faintly glowing amber eyes, they looked similar to his own, "Even you must admit it's much better than resorting to barbarism, yes?" the queen purposed.
"I have a counter-offer." the woman said, gaining the queens attention, she mad her flinch as with a click a purple energy blade came from her hilt. "My offer is this: I kill you and all your people.".
A bright flash appeared and the throne room was now surrounded by dead Changelings, the former proud queen kneeling before the unknown assailant. "Please don't kill me. I'll give you everything. Anything you want." the queen begged but the eyes of her assailant showed no signs of mercy. "I want my mom back." she demanded, "Can you do that!?" she shouted as small sparks of lightning came from her hands.
"N-No. But killing me won't bring her back." the queen explained, this seemed to calm her opponent down. "No, it won't..." she admitted, the queen sighting in relieve, she maybe would survive this attack after all, "But it will make me feel better." , the queen looked in shock as the assailing coldly slashes Queen Caladrius head off with one swift strike.
Back on the ground Skywalker and Chrysalis were panting heavily, the Changeling queen laying defeated in a crater at Skywalker and Twilight's feet and hooves. That memory stirred something inside of Skywalker, who was this woman who killed Chrysalis mother and why did she look so familiar?
Before he could ask her those things, Chrysalis gathered her remaining magical energy and with the boost from the comet, she unleashed her most powerful spell, 'World Render'. She had no idea what it did, but it was the last spell her mother teaches her before she was taken from her. Skywalker was too slow to dodge, Phoenix tried to push him down but both were hit by the spell, sending both to other worlds.
Skywalker could feel himself slamming down into the snow
Skywalker had trouble standing, his battle with Chrysalis had drained his solar reserves and snow storm wasn't making it any easier for him to recharge his reserves. With no signs of civilization in sight, it all seems hopeless and to make matters worse, his legs gave out, tumbling down in the thick snow. "Someone better not make a Star Wars joke." he thought to himself, trying his best not to fall to sleep.
"Jason," a familiar voice said, gathering his strength Skywalker looked up seeing the spirit of Aether standing before him, "You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda...".
Skywalker gathered the last of his strength raising back to his feet, "Piss off Aether!", after shouting at her in frustration he dropped back in the snow, losing his conscious. He suddenly felt something soft and warm lick his face, looking up he saw that the tong belonged to a... Something that could best be described as something of a polar bear dog. "Are you alright?" a tanned girl with dark brown hair and deep sky blue eyes asked him as she dismounted the polar bear dog. "Did I die and has a angel came for me?", was the last he could ask before passing out.
Somewhere else, Phoenix flies trough the air, before crash landing into a pile of snow. "It's a good thing I'm Kyle Phoenix!..." he said still with his face in the snow, "Or that might have hurt me.". Pulling himself out, he looked for signs of his friend but he couldn't find any. What he did saw was that he was on the top of a mountain, overlooking a large lake that flowed into the ocean. Lucky for him, his internal fire kept him warm so the cold never bothered him.
Looking around of life, to his surprise he saw a young tall, slender woman, with long, platinum-blonde hair woven in a French braided crown twist bun, blue eyes, a very pale skin with a light dusting of freckles. She was wearing a teal dress with a sweetheart bodice with bronze trim, black long-sleeved turtleneck blouse with red and teal crystals, magenta cape, dark brown flats with gold outlines and teal stockings underneath.
"Hallo! Lady? Can you help me!?" Phoenix shouted startling the young woman, who started to back away from him, "Who are you? Please, just stay away from me!", she shouted, not noticing that she was backing towards the edge of a cliff, her eyes winded as she fell backwards, she closed her eyes but she felt something grabbing her bare hand. Opening her eyes, she could see two kind purple orb looking at her, "No worries. I got you."
Meanwhile back at Equestria
Mizuki hated these kind of missions, she was never like cold places. But she couldn't show weakness, not in front of her master. Morgenstern turned to her, noticing her shivering from the cold. "I'm sorry for bringing you here." he said sounding sincere, "As a reward, I'll warm you up personally later.", this made her smile, she knew what he meant by that. "How long will it take for the walls to be taken down?" Morgenstern asked his commanding mage when they arrived at where the Chrystal Empire would be. He could feel the air crackling with powerful magic.
"About a month, my lord." the mage told him nervous, if there was one thing evil overlords hated was having to wait, but if they would tear down the walls now, there was no way for them to know what would happen.
"Then I suggest you get on it then." Morgenstern commanded as he turned around gesturing, Mizuki to follow him.
We can see your strength inside
And if you fall, if you may falter
We'll be with you, that will not alter
They say there are many Worlds out there
But they share one sky, one destiny
Arc I: Next Chance To Move On: Completed... |
Quest For Equestria | Arc II: Chapter 43: Big Bro | "What do you know about me? You know nothing..." the girl said but she was cut off as Phoenix conjured a ball of fire in his hand. "I understand. Because I am you." Phoenix said softly making the girl's eyes widen in shock.
"Hey, room for one more?" Skywalker asked as he sat down next to the girl who saved him. "What do you want?" she asked, not looking at him, but staring in the distance. "Well, I'm leaving tonight." Skywalker said, finally getting the girl to look at him, "I'm leaving for Republic City tonight. You're welcome to come along." he added with a smile.
"But they said..." she tried to protest but he stood up. "You need to find your own way." Skywalker explained as he turned around, "I never do what I'm told to do. The offer stands, but you have till tonight." and with that he starts to walk away. The girl gave one last looks toward the horizon, her expression suddenly becomes serious and determined.
"Alright. I'm going to the city." Phoenix said preparing himself to head off. The girl gave him a questioning look, which he responded with a warm smile, "I'm gonna see if my friend is there. If he is, great! If not... Well though luck." Phoenix said before gaining an idea, "After I'm done looking, why don't you come with me? You will be surrounded by people like us!". The girl was startled by the idea, "That... Sounds appealing. Let me think about it." she said gaining a nod from him.
"So, 'Knight Of The Wind', fancy title." the girl said sitting next to Skywalker against the large sleeping polar dog. "The 'Only One in Canterlot Not Completely Insane' was considered..." Skywalker remarked dryly, gaining a chuckle from her, "Your lucky you know." he added, gaining a puzzling look from the girl as she place a sushi roll in her mouth.
"You're lucky with your loving parents. I had no such luck.", he said sadly. "What happened to them?" the girl asked him, giving him a compassionate look, "Well, my parents are... dead. I grow up alone." he said his voice cracking a little."I'm sorry, That must have been hard for you." the girl said sadly but Skywalker shook his head, "That's nice of you to say, but I had my friends. So it wasn't so bad.".
"Are you alright?" Phoenix asked an elderly man, after fighting off some Corrupted with a blast of fire. "He's a witch too!" the man said crawling away from him. "... Your welcome." Phoenix responded dryly.
"I'll help you on your quest to find your sister." Phoenix offered a girl with turquoise blue eyes, long strawberry-blonde hair tied into two braided pigtails, bangs down her forehead and a dusting of freckles. "Thank you.", the strawberry-blond girl said gratefully. "But I have to warn you, reuniting siblings is more Messiah's shtick." Phoenix warned, gaining a chuckle from the girl.
The girl woke up, glances around, and rubs her eyes. "Skywalker! Naga, we're here!" she said excitedly trying to wake Skywalker up from his sleep. Skywalker turned to his other said while saying, "No Luna, I don't want to go to school. The teachers are stupid!".
"Where could we possible look?" she pondered, as Phoenix looked up, "Maybe that nice girl who lives up in the mountain in that created that ice castle has seen your sister.", he suggested.
Arc II: Maze Of Life
It had been two days since the second battle against Chrysalis, and aside from losing two of their members to an unknown spell everyone returned to their normal lives. Currently, we're in Rarity's room, her head resting peacefully on McGrath's chest, his face nuzzled in her purple manes. Suddenly the smell of pancakes filled the room, making the couple stir in their sleep.
"Oh... Are those sweet... pancakes I smell? Mmm, how divine, num num num num. The aroma... spiced warm apple cider." Rarity muttered in her sleep, digging her head deeper into her boyfriends chest.
"Smell more like smoke..." McGrath muttered before his eyes open in shock, throwing Rarity of him, quickly charging down the stairs not bothering to put on any pants, grabbing a fire extinguisher along the way.
McGrath charges into the kitchen noticing that the smoke came from the stove, quickly he blasted it with the fire extinguisher. "McGrath!" a voice came from below him. Looking down he could see a angry Sweetie Belle looking at him, "You ruined the surprise! I was gonna serve you and Rarity breakfast in bed!", she said offended, turning a sad gaze over her even more ruined breakfast. "Sweetie Belle. If you decide to burn down the house, please do it when we're not in it." McGrath told her placing down the fire extinguisher on the ground before realizing something, "Wait a minute... How did you get in?", he asked turning his gaze back to the little filly.
"Who might you be?" a female voice spoke up from the diner table, turning his head he saw two unicorns sitting there, both gave him a studying look before he noticed that the female's gaze was trailing down to his junk. "Rarity! Your little sister, your older sister and her boyfriend are here!", McGrath shouted moments before his girlfriend entered the kitchen. "Oh, who ever he is I like him." the female unicorn said with a grin. "Well! G'mornin', Rarity!" the male one said with a happy grin to Rarity, who turned her gaze towards her boyfriend.
"Darling, she is not my sister and her boyfriend." Rarity corrected him, "They are my mother, Pearl and my father, Magnum." she introduced them them before her cheeks turned red, "Mother, father this is McGrath. My... coltfriend.", she said blushing, but it's true, he is her boyfriend.
"Nice to meet you, McGrath." Magnum said with a big grin, shaking the hand of McGrath with his hoof. "Like wise." McGrath responded, giving the kitchen a good look over, "What happened exactly?"
"Sweetie Belle here cooked this yummy lookin' breakfast all on her own." Magnum explain, giving a proud smile at his youngest daughter accomplishment and for the record everything looks and is burned. "I... figured." Rarity said in dry tone which wouldn't seem out of place coming from her boyfriend. "...I didn't know you could burn juice." McGrath added with a similar dry tone.
"I've been giving her lessons." Pearl explained proudly, giving a pet on her youngest daughters head, "I wouldn't be surprised if she's got a Cutiemark in fancy cooking by the time we get back from our vacation.".
McGrath was pouring himself a coup of coffee, he had no idea how other people managed to be so energetic in the morning without it. "Wouldn't count on it.", he noted, taking a sip from it. Aaah, Moca.
Rarity raised her head up at what her mother said last, "Vacation? Is that this week? As in 'starting this very instant' this week!?", she asked in a slight panicked voice while Sweetie Belle places an bowl on the table.
"Apple sauce?" McGrath asked but Sweetie Belle shook her head, "Nope. Toast!", she then turned her sister pulling her into a big hug, "We're gonna have the bestest time two sisters could ever have! I'm gonna go grab my stuff from Dad's wagon." and with that said, she left the kitchen to get her stuff.
"Well. I'm going to be sleeping at my place for the next week." McGrath said, finishing his drink and standing up to get dressed.
A few hours later at the guys house, McGrath was getting some shut eye while laying on the sofa. He could hear the front door open, figuring it was Sutakira or Grffifth he didn't bother to open his eyes.
To his surprise he heard a feminine giggle followed by a beautiful singing voice, "Hush Now, quit now!! It's time to lay your sleepy head!".
This made him open his eyes and he saw Sweetie Belle looking at him. "SB for Celestia's sake I was half-asleep!" McGrath shouted sitting straight up, "Your seriously cutting into my nap time. So how's the sleepover at Rarity's going?" he asked, rubbing his eye.
"Why, it's smashing!" Sweetie Belle said with a bad imitation of her sisters voice before returning to normal, "I just wish we could do something special together that didn't include me goofing anything up." she explained, gaining an uninterested look from him
"Wanna grab some grub?" McGrath asked, looking on his phone for the time. Sweetie Belle look at him in surprise, "Really?... Your not afraid that I would goof it up?" she asked as she followed him outside. "How would you goof up eating?" he asked.
At the local diner, he could see that Rainbow, Spike and to his great surprise Phoenix was sitting at the table.
"Finally! What took you so long!?" Phoenix shouted not noticing the surprised look on his friends face. "P-Phoenix!? What are you doing here!? Weren't you dead!?" McGrath shouted, gaining a chuckle form his red headed friend.
"No, you see. Messiah and I were transported to another world. I just got back an hour ago." Phoenix explained, before he could be asked how he got back he continued, "How I got back? Well apparently the EoH, that's Elements Of Harmony for short, have the power to make small rips in the walls that keep the Worlds apart from each other.".
McGrath nodded, this could be useful in the future he thought, "Does that mean, Skywalker is back to?", at this the pyromancer dropped his head, "I couldn't find him. I think he must be in another World.", Phoenix explained, gaining a nod from his emerald eyed friend, before noticing Sweetie Belle standing there.
"Yes. We have another guest." McGrath said, as he took a seat and studied the menu. "Hi, Sweetie Belle." Spike said waving at her, "You brought Rarity's little sister?", he asked McGrath gaining a nod from the brunette.
"That's nice of you, Big Bro!" Rainbow teased him, making him flinch at those words, turning to his side, he could see Sweetie Belle looking up at him with big eyes, "Big... Bro?", she said slowly, liking the sound of those two words.
"Don't call me that." he told her as the waiter took his order, "Anyways, you looked for something to do with Rarity?" he continued while placing a pamphlet on the table, advertising the Siblinghooves Social.
"You and Rarity can compete against other sibling teams in all these events." Spike explained, as Sweetie Belle got a bright smile at the thought, "That sounds like the perfect way for us to hang out! Rarity will think it's an excellent idea." she said.
An hour later found McGrath sitting in the garden with Sweetie Belle, according to her, the excellent idea was not so excellent.
Sweetie Belle explained what happened after she left for Rarity's and how she found the contest 'uncouth' and how they aren't sister anymore while McGrath was smoking... something.
"'Uncouth'? She said the Siblinghooves Social was 'uncouth'?" McGrath asked after she was done explaining. "Yeah! Uncouth?... Wait. What's uncouth?" Sweetie Belle asked but the answer came from the swimming pool.
Sutakira who was laying on an air bed, "Awkward, clumsy, or unmannerly. An uncouth relative who embarrasses the family." explained as he didn't look up from his book.
"It's not just the Social. She thinks I'm uncouth." Sweetie Belle continued but she flashed McGrath a glare as he scoffed, "Rarity thinks everything's uncouth." he said dryly standing up, "Now come on, let's stop this depressing discussion and have some fun."
"You sure? I just mess everything up." the filly said sadly before she felt herself being picked up in McGrath strong arms.
And so McGrath and Sweetie Belle found themselves in front of the TV, playing some video games and filling themselves with junk food. McGrath was currently on his third bowl of ice cream. "Your a big eater." Sweetie Belle told him, looking in his emerald eyes with her own, she noticed that his eye white had become a slight shade of red. "Sure, lets keep it at that... SB left flank!" he shouted suddenly as Sweetie Belle quickly pushed a few buttons and thanks to her quick assist, they won the match.
McGrath stood up from the couch, throwing his controller down in excitement, "Neuk yeah! High five!" raises his hand, which Sweetie Belle accepted with a big grin. "Rarity never high-hoofs me." she said as they both sat down back on the sofa. "I don't understand why. Your an amazing Smash player." McGrath told her and to her big shock, she could see his the sides of his mouth rise a little in a half smile.
"I don't get why Rarity would date someone like you." She noted, "Your pretty uncouth by her standards."
McGrath took a sip from his beer before responding dryly, "Like I said; Rarity things everything is uncouth. But I'm charming.", he added with a chuckle, which somehow, she didn't found scary.
They heard the front door open, both turning around to see Rarity walking into the living room. Before she could say anything, her sister cut her off. "Oh hello, un-sister. What are you doing here? Better be careful, you might get some dust on you." Sweetie Belle said, turning her head back to the screen. Just so you know its not that dusty in there... It should be more messy seeing as five guys are living there.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle, I want to apologize. I am not better off without a sister." Rarity said, standing in front of her. "I'm not better off without a sibling either. Spending the day with McGrath made me realize that.", Sweetie Belle admitted before pulling McGrath in a hug, "And that's why I'm adopting McGrath as my big brother!".
McGrath's eyes got big looking uncomfortable, "Its touching me!", he thought to himself as Rarity couldn't believe what she just heard.
"A sibling is someone who loves and takes care of another sibling. McGrath's a real brother." Sweetie Belle said letting go of him and looking her un-sister in the eyes. "Or maybe he should be your brother, so he could teach you what a good sibling is supposed to be!", and with that the filly runs upstairs and locks herself in McGrath's room.
"Well, that apology went swimmingly." McGrath noted dryly as his girlfriend took a seat next to him. "Darling, why do you have to be so good and make me look so bad?" she asked placing her head on his shoulder. Her coltfriend gave a deep sigh, he found it really depressing that he of all people was asked advice about sibling related problems.
The next day at that Siblinghoove social thing. McGrath, Applejack, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle are walking around, looking at all the different games that could be played. "Well, I guess it's a good thing Rarity isn't here. Do I see 'uncouth' written all over this contest?" Sweetie Belle noted sadly looking back up as Applejack said, "It's almost time!" said as she and her sister headed to the starting line.
"Well, you two have fun." Sweetie Belle wished them, before turning her gaze back to the ground, "Sure wish I had a sibling to run the race with." she muttered to herself but she was surprised when she felt a sash being put around her. Looking back at is she saw that it was a participant sash and a similar sash was tied around McGrath bicep. "No way!" the filly said excitedly, looking up at McGrath, "Yes way. Now lets go win this thing." McGrath said heading for the staring line with her.
As soon as the race started McGrath and Sweetie Belle got a good head starts thanks to his powerful legs and energy skating. The first mud pool came up, which Sweetie Belle vaulted with some difficulty but he wasn't so lucky, tripping and being fully covered. "You okay, McGrath?" Sweetie Belle asked, but McGrath was already back to his feet, covered completely in mud but that didn't stop him from continuing the race.
With no problem at all and helping on another over the difficult courses they rushed over the finishing line, ending in first place.
"We did it! Thank you, McGrath! You were amazing! This was so much fun!" Sweetie Belle thanked him excitedly pulling him into another hug. But something felt odd, normally his chest region was flat and hard but now it was round a soft. Seeing at Sweetie Belle knows something is up, 'McGrath' removes the wig and uses a cleaning spell to remove the mud, revealing another human, this one had purple hair and sapphire blue eyes. In a flash of sky blue light, the human transforms back into Rarity.
"Rarity!?" the filly exclaimed but then she looked around, "Wait, where's McGrath?" looking at the first mud pool, she could see two emerald eyes looking at her. "We switched places over at the very first mud pool." McGrath explained as he stood up and walked over to them.
"You did this for me?" Sweetie Belle asked but Rarity shook her head, "Us. I did it for us." Rarity corrected her, gaining a smile from her sister as she was pulled in a hug. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 44: The Dark Knight | Night time, light, happy music plays from the radio as the girl practices stances while Skywalker lays down in a patch of grass. The music becomes static and soon after, a voice is heard. "Good evening, my fellow Equalists.", the girl stops her practicing and sharply looks at the radio as Skywalker sits up right.
"This is your leader, Amon. As you have heard, the Republic Council has voted to make me public enemy number one, proving once again that the bending oppressors of this city will stop at nothing to quash our revolution. But we cannot be stopped. Our numbers grow stronger by the day. You no longer have to live in fear. The time has come for benders to experience fear." after saying that, the radio returns to static.
The girl looks at the radio with an fearful expression on her face, Skywalker looks worried as he places a hand on her shoulder. "W-What?" she asked him as she turned to look at him. "Don't be afraid, Korra... I won't ever let him harm you." Skywalker told her, looking her straight in the eyes. He could see that she was reassured by this, if even a little. "Jason..." She started slowly, "You can be such a girl sometimes.", she told him with a little chuckle before giving him a playful punch to the shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean!?" he asked her as both broke down in laughter.
Meanwhile back at Equestria, the gang are in a train. "Thank you all for helping me get the cake safely on the dessert car." Pinkie thanked her friends. "Thank you for inviting us all to go with you to Canterlot for the National Dessert Competition." Twilight said, as they all agreed.
"Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness." Pinkie said as she looked up at the MMMM, "All that rich creamy goodness of the marzipan, combined with the tart tanginess of the mascarpone, blended perfectly with the smooth, silky sweetness of the meringue. That's why I call the Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness the 'MMMM'. It's sure to win first prize."
Soon they were joined by four other competitors, A griffon named Gustave le Grand with Exquisite Éclairs, Donut Joe with his Donutopia and Mulia Mild with her Chocolate Mousse Moose.
"Well, it sure looks like we're in for a delicious competition tomorrow." Phoenix noted as the other competitors retired to their rooms. "Maybe we should all settle in for a good night's sleep." Twilight suggested, as most of the girls agreed. "I gotta admit I'm pretty beat." Rainbow said gaining a confused look from Sutakira, "It's two in the afternoon!" he shouted as they made their way they made their way to the sleeping cabin.
"Yeah, I'm gonna hit the hay myself than I'm going to bed." Applejack said as she went into her room. "Wait! Didn't you hear those chefs? We have to protect 'MMMM'. I know for super sure that 'MMMM' is the best dessert in all of Equestria, and I know that they know it too. So one of them is going to sabotage the Cakes' cake tonight! You have to help me stand guard!" Pinkie explained but her friends wouldn't listen as they all went to their cabin.
"I'll show them. I'll stay up all night and protect you. Nothing and nobody will stop me from keeping you safe." Pinkie said as she kept staring at the MMMM without blinking.
"Say, Twilight. I have a question." Sutakira asked gaining Twilight's attention, "I have this theory, but I want your opinion on it. You seem those letters you send through Spike's fire can reach anyone anywhere right?" he explained, gaining a nod from the unicorn, "So I was thinking. Maybe we could send Skywalker a letter to tell him how to get back home." he said, gaining another nod from her.
Back at the desert wagon where Pinkie was still looking at the cake with out blinking. "Hey Pinkie." McGrath said as he entered the wagon. "How is everything going?".
"One of those bakers is mixing up something bad." Pinkie said, not turning her gaze from the MMMM, "I'm not leaving it no matter what.", as she said that the blinds shut, covering the wagon in darkness.
"Huh? Who turned out the moon?" Pinkie asked, looking around, "Don't go near that cake, thief!" McGrath shouted as he charged an energy spear in his hand. The light of the energy illuminated the room, but there was nobody in the wagon except for McGrath and Pinkie.
"Overreacting, my ass!" Pinkie scoffed, gaining a surprised look from her friend, "Did you said, 'my ass'?" he asked, making her nod, "I like it." he said with a half smile.
"I know. I knew I was going to have to keep a close eye on you, and that's just what I'm gonna do." she said moments before she fell asleep.
McGrath gave a deep sigh, "Dumb ass.".
"Archmage! Are you awake?" Phoenix asked as he entered Twilight, cabin. Twilight gave a soft grunt, as she poke her head from under her pillow, "I was." she says slightly irritated as the red head took a seat at the edge of her bed.
"Okay good. I have this problem." he started to explain his problem, totally ignoring the irritated look Twilight was giving him. "You see now when I have sex with random mares it just doesn't feel the same anymore. It feels empty". Twilight couldn't help but roll her eyes at his statement, "Jeez, who thought that meaningless sex with random mares could feel so empty?", she remarked.
"All I can think about when I have sex is... blond hair." he said gaining a chuckle from the unicorn. "So you have a crush on AJ? You two would never work." She said gaining a questioning from her friend, "Well she is an honest hard working mare and you..." she started to explain but she was interrupted by her cabin door open, revealings Griffifth, "Your an annoying man child.", he said gaining a chuckle from the unicorn and a angry glare from his red headed friend. "That question wasn't directed to you!", Phoenix shouted but his friend merely shrug his shoulders. "Was it a question?" he said as he closed the door.
The next morning, Pinkie was the first to wake up, but she noticed something heavy leaning against her. Looking up she was the sleeping form of McGrath leaning against her. This got a blush on her face, her crush had stayed with her all night. "So cute... I guess it wouldn't hurt." she said to herself as she leaned in. But before she could plant her muzzle on his lips, the pale brunette woke up. "What are you doing?" he asked gaining a nervous chuckle from his pink friend.
"N-Nothing!" she said still with a blush on her face, "I think some congratulations are in order for a job well done.", she told him rubbing the back of her head. McGrath studied the MMMM before his his widened, "Um, you better hold off on giving yourself an award just yet, Pinkie. Look.", he told her as he pointed to the other side of the MMMM seems eaten.
"It's the Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness, it's been mutilated!" Pinkie shouted before calming down, "Now we just need to find out who done it.".
"You mean, who did it." he corrected her gaining a nod from her, "Exactly. Who did-done-do it. But how..." she wondered. "Well, having read many Batman comic's, I know that the only way to discover the culprit is to investigate."
Pinkie Pie nodded as she put on a sherlock homes hat, "Exactly. And as chief detective, that's exactly what I'm gonna do, and you McGrath shall be my lowly assistant who asks silly questions with obvious answers." puts an bowl hat on McGrath's head.
Unfortunately, Pinkie couldn't find any clues to the mystery, even after the rest of the gang woke up and helped them out. "I still have no idea who do-doned it!" Pinkie exclaimed as Sutakira nodded, "This mystery gets more mysterious every minute." he said as McGrath cleared his throat gaining the attention from the rest. "Well, you have to stop the wild accusations and get to the truth... Its time." he said as he got a devilish smile on his face. "That can't be good." Sutakira remarked about the smile.
"Wait who is he, McGrath?" Pinkie said but to everyone's surprise, McGrath had disappeared from the same spot he just stood without a trace.
"You called?" a deep raspy voice came from the window, turning their gaze to see a man in a black spandex suit, with a bat shaped mask and a cape. "Batman?" the guys asked as Batman dropped from the window and started to study the deserts.
"Everybody go back to your cars while Pinkie Pie and I do a little investigating." Batman told them as everybody left for him to investigate the crime scene. "Now you were here at the scene of the crime all night." Batman asked her as he studied the crime scene.
Pinkie looked at him in shock, "Huh! You're not accusing me, are you?" she asked him, but he shook his head before continuing. "No. But maybe you saw something that will help us. Let's retrace your steps."
It didn't took long for Batman to find all sort of clues but Pinkie couldn't see what he was finding was he put all the evidence in his utility belt, and after retracing all the steps, Batman had enough to catch the cake culprit.
"Am I the only one who thinks its weird that Batman is suddenly here?" Big Macintosh said gaining a deep sight from Sutakira, "Weird? Okay, you are a talking pony, okay? We live in a world with physical god and goddesses! We are in no position to sit in judgement about what's weird!" Sutakira remarked dryly.
Batman cleared his throat gaining the attention from everyone in the room, "I bet you're wondering why you're all here again.", he said gaining a nod from the other competitors
"He's good." Donut Joe whisperer as Batman continued "We have discovered the true culprit. You see, when committing a crime, it's crucial that one never leaves behind clues, especially an obvious clue like... this.", he declared as he pulled out a blue feather from his utility belt.
"A-ha! A blue feather! I knew it was you, Gustave le Grand!" Pinkie said accusingly but Batman held her back, "Pinkie, Gustave doesn't have blue feathers." he corrected her but she shook her head, "No, 'cause he's been dyeing them!" she said but Batman shook his head.
"No, Pinkie. Remember how when you chased the suspect to the caboose, they suddenly disappeared? That's because they flew away. But the thief did leave a little something behind, didn't you, Rainbow Dash?" he pointed a gloved finger at the blue pegasi making the rest gasp in shock.
"I-I don't even like cake!" Rainbow said trying to defend herself but this made her friends laugh, the only one who was a bigger sweet tooth than her was McGrath, if you don't count Pinkie that is.
"So Rainbow Dash did it! Case solved!" Pinkie said proudly but Batman cleared his throat again, making everyone turn their attention back to him. Case not solved, because when we went to the engine, I saw the conductor's hat. And inside the hat was... this." he showed them a strain of pink hair, making everyone gasp yet again, "You chased a pony to the engine, where you thought you saw the conductor shoveling coal, but that wasn't the conductor at all. It was... Fluttershy!" he said again, pointing his gloved finger at the yellow pegasi, who let out gasp.
"So the cake thieves are two pegasi... How unsurprising." Big Macintosh said gaining a surprised look from his guy friends, "Dude, that sounded kind of racist.", Phoenix remarked but they soon turned their attention to the investigation by what Pinkie shouted.
"You're goin' down, Fluttershy!", she prepared herself to leap at her but she was stopped by the guys quickly standing between them, "You really want Skywalker going after you?", he asked and at this she backed off.
"But another clue confounded my suspicions." Batman continued as he let his gaze over the assembled group, "Pinkie and McGrath were guarding the cake when the curtains mysteriously closed. But that's no mystery, that's super powers. But when the thief tried to make their great escape, they left a little addition to the portrait. Like strains of blue hair." he said showing them a whitish blue hair, making the group turn their attention to Sutakira.
"Fine! I took a bite of the cake.", he admitted looking at the ground, "Why is Batman so good at finding clues." he muttered as the two pegasi apologized themselves.
"That's okay. At least this mystery is finally solved." Pinkie remarked with a big smile, she couldn't stay mad at anyone, especially not her best's of best friends.
With still a half hour to arrive, the gang worked quickly to fill the holes left the prove tasting from Sutakira, Rainbow and Fluttershy. It all ended well as Pinkie relayed what had happened and what she had learned to Celestia, "I learned that it is not good to jump to conclusions. You have to find out all the facts before saying somebody did something. If you don't, you could end up blaming somebody for something they never did. This could hurt their feelings, and it can make you look really foolish. So from now on, I will always make sure to get all the facts." Pinkie explained gaining a approving nod from the solar princess, "So, yeah it was a pretty average Thursday.".
The princess gave another nod before tasting the cake, "Indeed. Now where is this Batman who solved this mystery? I would like to meet him." she asked but nobody had seen him after they arrived at Canterlot.
Meanwhile on one of the taller buildings of Canterlot City, Batman was kneeling down on a gargoyle looking over the city. "This city needs a protector. She calls out for a help, and I will answer her call." he declared as he jumped of the building using his cape to glide off into the day.
At a race track and two cars were racing as Skywalker, Korra, two young mans named Mako and Bolin and another girl named Asami were spectating from the stands. "Pretty cool, huh?" Asami asked as Korra nodded in agreement, "Way cooler than a makeover!" she said, turning her gaze to her alien friend who was looking disinterested and with his head in his hand, "You apparently never had a Rarity makeover..." he said making his friends wonder what a Rarity was.
"Ever been behind the wheel?" Asami asked him but Skywalker responded that he was more of a motorcycle guy.
Suddenly a purple flash appeared in his hand as a roll of parchment fell into his hand. "This is new" Skywalker remarked dryly before opening the scroll and started to read it contends with his friends looking over his shoulder. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 45: He Is Home | "NOATAK!" Skywalker shouted from the top of his lounges as he chased Amon over the roof, "NOTHING IS GOING TO PROTECT YOU FROM ME! NOT YOUR EQUELISTS! NOT BENDING! NOT CHI BLOCKING!".
Meanwhile back at Equestria, Shoveitupyourass Street 15, living room.
"So, with Twilight's blessing, I'm free to follow my code and serve you until... Well, until forever!" Spike explained to Applejack as she was sitting in the living room with Griffifth. For so far he understand, AJ saved Spike's life or something and now thanks to a code of his race Spike has to serve her for ever, or something. "Please, AJ, my dragon code is a part of me!" he bagged, though Applejack still wasn't keen on the idea of owning a slave. "I have to be true to myself! If you don't let me do this, I won't be a noble dragon anymore!" Spike explained gaining a surprised look from the male blonde. "Your a dragon?" Griffifth asked surprised gaining a glare from the cowpony.
And so the mare of apples agreed for Spike to be her slave, though she wasn't too keen on using that word. And after a few sarcastic remarks from her blonde human friend, Griffifth the Dickish, she asked Spike to bake a pie or something. And that went as well as you could guess, Spike might be good at a lot of things, but cooking isn't one of them.
"I helped bake it." Spike told them proudly as he placed a piece of the pie in front of McGrath and Rarity, it was supposed to be a, what else, a apple pie but he made the oven too hot, then he placed it in too long, it is a black mess. Though not as bad as Sweetie Belle's cooking.
Against her better judgement, Rarity decided to be brave and took a small bite of the over baked pie, her expression turned sour as she chewed slowly. "This is disgusting." she thought to herself as Spike looked at her lovingly. "You even look good when you're chewing..." Spike said dreamily, gaining a death glare from the eerily paled brunette.
"Who looks good when they're chewing?" Phoenix asked as he entered the living room, gaining the attention from the purple dragon who offered him some of his "Fresh" Baked place. "How can I say no to free pie?" he said but he felt two sapphire eyes looking in his direction, "Don't do it! Its awful!" Rarity tried to warn him in a whisper, but Phoenix just shrug his shoulders before taking a bit. After a few moments of chewing the black substance he came to a verdict, "Wow!... It IS awful!", Phoenix exclaimed in a cheerful tone.
Applejack loud out a nervous chuckle before telling Spike to go wash the dishes. "What was that all about?" Rarity asked as the purple dragon went to the kitchen, gaining a curios nod from her coltfriend. "...I saved Spike from some timberwolves in the Everfree Forest, and now he thinks he has to serve me forever." Applejack explained gaining a understanding smile from her friend.
"Oh, what I wouldn't give to have somebody forever in my debt! I'd get them to organize my closets, and give me pedicures, and help me with my sewing." Rarity started to ramble before being interrupted by her coltfriend, "Okay, we get it, having a slave would be a dream come true for you.".
As Spike is cleaning the kitchen.
"AJ, Rarity, McGrath what's happening?" Rainbow said as she flew into the living room while the rest observed the cleaning dragon. "AJ saved Spike's life and now he's her bitch forever." McGrath explained not taking his eyes from the dragon.
"Sweet!" Rainbow exclaimed before turning her gaze towards Applejack, "What are you having him do? Wash your laundry? Clean your room? Help you with your unfinished novel?", she asked her orange friend but that last one gained a questioning look from the others. "A novel? Your writing a novel too? What's it about?", McGrath asked curiously, he hadn't sought a writer behind his athletic friend.
"Mine's about this awesome Pegasus who's the best flyer ever and becomes the captain of the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow explained as McGrath rolled his eyes at her story. "Whats yours about?", she was taken a back a little when she saw the eerily pale brunette's expression darken as he spoke up, "My novel is about a guy who gains super powers, goes crazy, loses his memories, goes even crazier, regains his memories... and then kill his bastard of a father in one of the most painful ways possible!", as he shouted that the air around him crackled and his hair seemed to flow upwards before he calmed down. "...That's disturbing." Rainbow noted and McGrath couldn't help but agree.
"Thing is, I don't really want him to serve me forever, but I don't know how to get him to stop." Applejack complained but McGrath claimed it would be easy to get Spike to stop helping her. "I don't want him to get hurt... or worse!" the cowpony warned him gaining a irritated groan from him. "Spoil sport..." he complained before explaining his idea, "Just tell him! Cause I don't see him saving your life anytime soon!".
"And you want us to shoot AJ out of a cannon towards a hornet's nest and give Spike a butterfly net so he can catch her mere seconds before AJ hit the nest and are stung by a thousand angry hornets! I'll wear this mustache." Pinkie came out of nowhere and started to tell them her idea how Spike could save AJ startling everyone. "Well my idea was her being attack by Timberwolfs but let's go with your idea." McGrath said nodding, gaining a smile from his pink friend.
"No!" Applejack exclaimed, gaining the attention from her friends, "I am gonna be attacked by a Timberwolfs!", she told them, gaining another groan from her friend who agreed.
"Can I still wear the mustache?", Pinkie asked gaining an annoyed groan from her orange friend.
A little while later, at the edges of the Everfree Forest, Spike was searching for Applejack until he could hear her call him over.
"You said you had something else you needed me to do?", he said as he run up to her, gaining a nod from the earth pony. "Oh, yes, I, I was just hoping ya could maybe, uh, sweep up all those leaves for a compost pile, and...", she started to explain but was interrupted by a loud roar as McGrath, Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow came running out of the woods. "Hydra! We are doomed!" Rarity exclaimed as indeed the beast broke through the forest letting out another roar. "Why does this shit keep happening!?" McGrath exclaimed as he looked around, he could see that his female friends were running just along side him, unfortunately Spike was frozen in fear. Turning around to go grab the little guy, they were blinded as a sudden flash of white light obstructed their vision.
"At ease, Spike.", a voice came from behind him, and as she light died down, he could see Skywalker standing in front of him, "Consider yourself reinforced.", Skywalker said as he made the first strike. Punching the ground sending rocks flying towards the great beast, piercing its body. The Hydra roars in pain and anger, trying to swipe a claw at Skywalker, which he manage to dodge. Skywalker kept charging towards the beast standing up and bring his fist into the air, letting out a wave of telekinetic energy at the gigantic beast. It let out a painful howl before being blown away, back into the Everfree Forest, where I'm sure it will never bother us again. Skywalker looked over his purple friend and couldn't help but crack a smile, the young dragon was startled but unharmed. His smile got bigger as a small portion of his friends rushed towards him, Rainbow arriving first of course. He could never forget the friends he made this past month in the other world, but for now... He was home.
"So are those walls down yet?" Morgenstern asked his mages, they shook their heads, even thought the protective seals were broken, they explained that they would need a massive power blast to break the final wall down. Morgenstern nodded before turning his gaze towards the horizon, "It's a good thing that manipulating power is one of my specialties...", he told them as he stepped forward and in a flash of light, he called his weapon of choice, his keyblade to his left hand. The weapons handle bears two white angel wings, the teeth are fashioned in the shape of a "M", colored in the same blue as the blade. Its Keychain token is a silver heart shaped symbol.
Pointing the weapon where the Crystal Empire once was, he send out a wave of blueish white energy sending it clashing with the invisible shield. For a moment the beam of energy struggled but then is broke through the shield shattering it like a mirror.
The mages and Mizuki were looking on to their master in awe, but a loud roar send chills down their spines. Turning around a cloud of dark mist and glowing red eyes headed towards them, King Sombra had been released. Mizuki looked at her master for guidance but he simply raised his unarmed hand up, stopping the Smoke form of Sombra right infront of him. "Quod imo majikku kuro est hoc?" the shadow roared in a language Mizuki knew was Ancient Sithis, only those emerged into the dark side could speak the words and command the Corrupted. She could understand what the words meant but she could not speak it. Sure, but one could just say the words but it would not be the same as speaking it. She was surprised that there was another who spoke the ancient tongue, the only other she knew was her...
"Odayakana Sombra.", the voice of her master commanded, surprising the monster in front of them. "You speak the language?", she heard Sombra asked her master who nodded, "Yes, and as you can see I am far more powerful than you.", and as if to prove a point, he twisted his wrist to force what seemed to be Sombra's head to the ground, as making him kneel before him.
"Now, Mizu. I have a special mission for you." Morgenstern said, turning towards his apprentice, "I want you to go and find me Libernomundi and when you do...". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 46: Off On Another Quest. | He could feel it burn, all the anger and hate coursing through his veins. His rage flared at the mere thought of the one thing he hated the most... humans, normal's, muggles whatever you wanted to call them, those unworthy to be blessed with special powers. "Human's are worthless. Worse than worthless... Humans are vermin. How could I have associated with them? How could I have tried to be one of them? It only angers me further that the realization took this long.", Skywalker could hear the thoughts who were not his own.
He could feel the body move without thought, as if he was a passenger and not the driver in a car. As it walked through a darkened hall way, the voice thought again, "Ever since my childhood I could feel it. I was different than other people. I always thought I had some kind of special purpose. But, I didn't think it would be something like this. The age of humans has passed. And the task of ushering in a new world... A better world... falls to me.", the voice thought in an emotionless baritone finally arriving at its destination.
Before him was a alter made of white marble, the top formed into a hand and in the palm of the marble hand was the object of his desire, that which had been stolen from him, a small blue orb of light.
As he reached out for the orb, foot steps could be heard behind him, as he turns around he sees his old his old suit of armor walking towards him. The helmet is mostly white, except for the visor, which is black, it sports two blue horns, one on either side of the helmet, that curve up. The arms, legs, and ribs of the armor are the same shade of white and have blue patterns decorating them. Its knee guards, gauntlets, breast plate, and armored boots are blue, it also wears a white cape.
He felt puzzled by the sudden appearance of his old armor, wondering how it got here or better yet how was it moving without someone in it. As he studied the mysterious animated armor, it reached for the helmet and with a few click, it was removed and throw to the side. Skywalker He was at a lost of words, looking at him was his own fair-skinned with soft features face, though there were some difference. For one, the black flowing hair was falling in bangs to the side of his face, his eyebrows were thicker and most of all, instead of his shiny amber eyes the reflection had shiny blue eyes.
"Your eyes do not deceive you.", the reflection explained with a similar emotionless baritone voice but the other one he spoke to merely scoff at the reflection. "You are a fool." he spoke up in his usual emotionless baritone voice, unfazed by the sudden appearance of this apparent twin. "Your trickery is no match for my power." he said arrogantly gaining a sorrowful look from the reflection.
"That is irrelevant in this moment." the reflection noted as he gazed into the others eye, "Your Aseity Eyes are even more powerful than you. To regain this power is to destroy any good left inside of you. Can you do that? Marci?", it said as both the reflection and the invader summoned their keyblade's and took their fighting stance, mirroring each other.
"What's Jason doing?" Rainbow asked Big Macintosh who was sitting across from Skywalker. The young knight himself was sitting crossed legs with his hands bald into fists as he placed his knuckles against the other and with his eyes closed, he had taken this position ever since they boarded the train heading towards the North Pole.
"He's meditating. He told me he's letting his mind relax and his spirit free, so he can see into the memories of an ancestor." Big Mac explained gaining a puzzling look from the blue pegasi. "That's what he told me any way." the big red one quickly added, before continuing to observe his human friend.
Rainbow watched him for a few moments before saying, "Actually, I think he's asleep.". This surprised the apple farmer who took a closer look, "Well, at least he has the relaxing part down." he noted.
Behind them Pinkie was assaulting McGrath verbally by repeating, "Are we there yet?" over and over again, but the answer was always no. "No, Pinkie! We're not!", he shouted finally snapping but this made Pinkie wonder, "How do you know?".
"The train has left the station fifteen minutes ago!" he shouted before falling back in his seat.
"So were going to the place that is bucked, and hope to unbuck it? Is that what where doing?" Big Mac asked gaining a nod from his friends "If that's the case, why would she need me and Spike? We don't have Elements of Harmony like you guys.", the big red one asked worriedly
Skywalker took a deep breath not breaking his meditation, "True, but that doesn't make you two useless," he suddenly said without opening his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to earlier that day.
It had been a few hours since he had returned and... that went as well as expected. Pinkie true to herself insisted that they throw a party, which the guys being the guys, totally agreed to. And this being a Pinkie Pie Party it all went great until our favorite purple dragon burbs out a letter.
Twilight quickly caught it with magic, "A letter from the Princess!" exclaiming excitedly with a big smile as she unfolded the letter. "Oh! I can't wait to hear what it says." Griffifth said in a mocking excited tone imitating his purple friends earlier excitement.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle,
Please give this letter to Ser Skywalker."
After reading those words out loud she dropped her head before handing the letter Skywalker, who gave out a small chuckle before continuing reading the rest of the letter.
"Skywalker. I need you to come to Canterlot at once. Also bring your bitches with you.
- Princess Celestia."
"Wait... Who are your..." Phoenix asked him curiously but before he could get an answer, Skywalker interrupted him by quickly saying, "Come on guys and girls! We need to go!" he told them before quickly taking to the air and flying towards Canterlot Castle.
"I have a good idea who his bitches are..." Rainbow noted as she and the rest of the gang followed them.
A few minutes later, Canterlot Castle, more specificly in the Hall Of Stories, the two royal sisters have gathered while looking on the stained mirror telling of the defeat of Discord by the Harmonic Heroes.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go as well?" the princess of the night asked her older sister worriedly, she had not yet seen her coltfriend after he had returned and he was already being send off on another quest.
The solar princess nodded, "Yes. Cadance and Shining Armor are already there. The others will be joining them soon. The empire's magic is powerful. It cannot fall again, my sister. They will succeed. They must. And when they do, we'll know that their much closer to being ready." Celestia explained but she was interrupted by a small cough.
Turning around they saw the Knight of The Wind and his purple unicorn companion, "You wanted to see me?" was all he could say before he was tackled to the ground by a blur of dark blue.
"H-Hey Lulu." Skywalker said as a red blush creeps on his cheeks, "Not in front of the kids." he said as he rubbed the back of his girlfriends gaining a blush from her as she stood up, using her magic to place him back on his feet.
Celestia flashed her sister a small smile as she took her place back next to her, before turning back towards the two heroes standing before them. "The Crystal Empire has returned." she explained, but neither Skywalker nor Twilight had ever heard of it, greatly surprising the human that there was something his purple friend had never heard of.
"Few remember it ever existed. Even our knowledge of the empire is limited. But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire. He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow and banished to the ice of the arctic north." the princess of the night explained, gaining a nod from the heroes, showing they understood.
"But not before he was able to put a curse upon the empire?", Skywalker guested, gaining a nod from the two princesses. "Indeed. If the empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria. If hatred and fear take hold... Well, you don't want to know." Celestia explained gaining another nod from her student and her most powerful champion. "Which is why we have a quest for each of you. Twilight, your task is to help finding a way to protect it. And Skywalker, I need you to retrieve a very old and powerful tome, the Libernomundi.".
Both of the heroes nodded, before Twilight spoke up, "How do we begin?" she asked, gaining a nod from her human friend, she knew if they worked together not even the a super buffed up Changeling queen could stand up to them. Celestia explained to them that they along with their friends, will be joining Cadance and Shining Armor at the Chrystal Empire. The prospect of seeing her older brother again after one and a half month got her excited.
"So will you and Celestia join us there?" Skywalker asked his girlfriend who turned her gaze towards the ground before sorrowfully responding "Not exactly. Celestia and I think it's time to see how you will handle it.". This made her coltfriend confused, surely protecting the empire was important, so why wouldn't two of the most powerful beings on the planet help them?
Sensing his confusion, Luna placed a hoof on her coltfriend shoulder, making him look back up, meeting her blue gaze with his own amber. "I have every confidence you two will succeed." she said giving him a reassuring smile and before he could responded she cut him off, "You won't, Jason. Do you understand?", she asked him, gaining a determent nod from him, she knew he would succeed, her beloved would never fail her. "Do try to have fun... No pressure or anything.", she added before planting a soft kiss on his lips. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 47: Smoke Monster From Lost | "FINAL TURN!" McGrath declared as he drew the top card of his deck. He was currently in a heated cardfight with Sutakira, the goal of the game is to get your opponent to six or more cards in their Damage Zone. Sutakira had currently 5 cards in his Damage Zone, a full field with with his ace, "Star-vader, "Omega" Glendios", on the Vanguard circle. McGrath himself had currently 4 cards in his Damage Zone and just rode his avatar, "Dragonic Overlord "The Яe-birth'" on top of his "Dragonic Overlord". Because he has 4 and he rode a unit of the same clan as "Dragonic Overlord", it granted his new Vanguard a additional 10000 power.
"The conditions have been met! Limit Break! Eternal Flame!" McGrath hammed it up, locking his own rearguard, allowing him three attacks with his Vanguard. McGrath first attack the rear-guard, his twin drive revealing two Critical Triggers, thus if his next attack hits his opponent Vanguard he would inflict 3 Damage. McGrath attacked again but Sutakira guarded with a Perfect Shield, thus nullifying the attack but McGrath was still allowed to twin-drive, revealing another Critical Trigger. McGrath went for his third and final attack but unfortunately for him Sutakira planed this and used a second Perfect Shield to nullify the attack. As McGrath can't do anything else, he ended his turn but thanks to Sutakira's "Star-vader, "Omega" Glendios" Skill, his units wouldn't be unlocked until the next end of turn and thanks to its Ultimate Break, as McGrath has 5 Locked Units at the start of Sutakira's turn, wins the game by default.
"Good game, McGrath." Sutakira complimented as McGrath dropped his head on the table in disappointment. "Why can't I ever beat you!" McGrath asked as he looked his friend straight in the eye. "Just bad luck I think. If I didn't had those two Perfect Shields you would have ended me then and there." Sutakira explained but their attention was soon draw to Rainbow who informed them that the train had currently entered the North Pole.
"Are we there yet?" a bored Pinkie asked McGrath, she was only bored because she had to sit this game out, she loved to play Vanguard with her friend, with emphasis on PLAY, not watch. Though she had to admit it was a good match between them. "Almost." McGrath said as he placed his deck in his deck box. "You know, it's pretty weird to think we're riding on a ice cap right now." Sutakira noted as he looked out the window. "What?" Pinkie asked, turning her head towards him, as the steel blueish haired guy continued, "Yeah, there is no more land below us. It's all just ice. Technically we're riding on the ocean.", he said but he was surprised by what happened next.
"Oh Skywalker's Lightning..." Pinkie shouted as she quickly opened one of the windows, letting some snowflakes in with a cold gust of wind as she was evidently throwing up. When she came back in, she noticed the surprised look from her friends and as she closed the window she answered "You know I get sea sick!"
"Oh yes he does!" the voice of Phoenix interrupted them turning their attention towards the discussion he was having with Twilight, from what they could make up from it they were having a discussion on who would win in a fight, though they couldn't make out who was fighting who.
"Sutakira, your smart right?" Twilight asked, turning her gaze towards him. "I do not like to brag but I am the smartest of our group." he said confidently, but Twilight scoffed at this, "I'm sorry, but I believe I am the smartest of our group." she responded.
Sutakira let out a soft chuckle before responding, "Anything you can do, I can do better!", this made Twilight return a chuckle before responding, "I can do anything better than you!".
He shook his head while saying, "No, you can't." gaining another scoff from the purple unicorn, "Yes, I can!" she responded.
Sutakira opened his mouth to respond but McGrath cut him off, "Please, can we have one adventure without someone bursting out into song!?" he shouted snapping the two back to the original topic.
"Anyway, who would win in a one-V-one fight?" Phoenix started gaining a shocked look from McGrath, it wouldn't matter who Phoenix will name for the fight, he knew a flame war was imminent. "Messiah or Celestia?", everybody turned their attention to the blueish haired guy, no matter what he will say, shit would hit the fan. So McGrath braced himself.
"Well, even though Celestia has way more experience than Skywalker, he has done similar feats as her or surpassed her." he started, oh crap, "Celestia fought Nightmare Moon to a stand still, like Skywalker did. Celestia on her own couldn't defeat Discord without the help from Luna and the EoH, while Skywalker not only fought toe-to-toe with the Spirit of Chaos, he did defeated him in the end. Same with a Love Buffed Chrysalis. Celestia lost in a single beam-o-war, while Skywalker not only defeated her and her army of Changelings, he was openly mocking her. So I have to say, if he is smart about it, Skywalker COULD win. Then again... he is not always smart.", he finished and as McGrath predicted the train cabin was filled with shouting. Speaking of Skywalker, where is he?
Meanwhile over at the food wagon, Skywalker was enjoying a coup of his favorite ice cream, strawberry cheese cake, while contemplating what the visions were telling him. Soon he heard hoof steps walking up to his table, looking up he saw Fluttershy up to him.
"Uhm... Hi, Jason." she said in her soft voice not sure if she should take a seat across from him or not. Noticing the puzzling look from his yellow friend, he reached out with his mind, moving the chair across from back and gesturing for her to sit down.
This made the yellow mare smile as she sat down she notice a book next to the nearly empty coup.
"What were you reading?" she asked him curiously as he wiped his mouth with a napkin before answering, "Great Expectations.".
Fluttershy looked at the back cover before turning her light blue eyes back to him, "Is it any good?" she asked him.
Skywalker placed his spoon in his coup, "It's not what I'd hoped for.", he said gaining a soft giggle from the mare across from him, "Anyways, is there something you wanted to talk about?".
Fluttershy gained a small blush on her cheeks as she shook her head, "Not really, they're having a big argument about who would win in a fight.", she explained gaining a soft chuckle from him. "Sounds like our friends. Anyways who's fighting who?". His question made her look to the ground.
"Uhm... Celestia vs... you. Their opinion is split down in the middle." she told him, she was startled by by the sudden burst of laughter from her friend. At that time, she couldn't understand what's so funny about what she told him. After calming down, he turning his amber eyes back to her, "And? Who do you think would win?" he asked her, what surprised him was her sudden outburst, "I THINK YOU WOULD WIN!" she said so fast that it was a wonder that he could understand it, even with his super-hearing.
"Well, I'm glad at least you believe me in." he said with a soft smile. Skywalker was happy, at first Fluttershy hardly talked to him, at first he thought she might have been mute but he had heard he speak before he entered rooms, but she went silent the moment she saw him. He had no idea what he had done to her, but he was happy they could talk like friends now.
Taking his gaze off the yellow mare, he checked the time on his phone, they should be arriving with in a minute or five. "We should be there soon. I better go change." he told Fluttershy as he stood up heading to his cabin, gaining a nod from her. With his back turned to her, he couldn't see the blush on Fluttershy's face, at this moment she was glad that telepathy wasn't one of his super powers.
And as predicted, five minutes later the train arrived at their destination. A cold gush of wind swept over the party, but being smart the guys had changed from their relative light clothes to some more fitting for this kind of weather.
Skywalker had exchanged his usual open black jacked for a white winter coat, as a light blue scarf was tied around his neck, giving him a mature look. McGrath was wearing a similar coat, though his was very dark gray and its coat tails were a bit longer, around his neck was a gray scarf tucked in, unlike Skywalker's who's scarf and was blowing freely, he also added a pair of leather gloves. Griffifth was wearing a winter version of his usual black leather jacked, his hood was outlined with fur and on his head was a red beanie. Sutakira, being the most logical was dressed in a cyan winter survival suit, which made him look like a certain Pegasi they know. And Phoenix... was dressed in his usual clothes as how he usual explained and I quote "The cold never bothers me anyway.".
"Jeez, its cold!" Big Mac exclaimed, gaining a nod from the mare's who, unlike the other guys did not thought of packing some winter clothes. Griffifth was rubbing his hands, even though he could survive pretty much everything, cold was one of his only weaknesses. As the cold prevents his biomass from replicating, "Who are we waiting for?" he asked blowing his hands. As if on cue, Shining Armor came trotting towards them in a similar coat as Sutakira, though his was a nice shade of dark gray. "Skywalker! And friends!" he shouted as his little sister ran towards them pulling him in a hug.
"Twily! I'm so glad your here." her older brother said, giving her a smile before turning serious, "We better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark." he told them as he turned around, leading them towards the Chrystal Empire.
"What kind of things?" Fluttershy asked nervously, but she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Skywalker smiling at her, this assured her, if Skywalker wasn't scared there was no reason too.
"Let's just say the empire... isn't the only thing that's returned. Something keeps trying to get in! We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place.", Shining explained to them, gaining a deep sigh from the gang.
Skywalker rolled his "And here I though thinks would be easy...", he thought to himself.
His thoughts were soon interrupted as a blood curling roar was heard behind them. The party stood still for a moment, turning around to see what made that noise. Sutakira was the first to speak up, "That doesn't sound good." he noted. Yeah, no shit.
"Th-That's one of the things, isn't it?", Fluttershy said, taking a step closer to Skywalker. "We have to get to the Crystal Empire. Now!" Shining Armor shouted, the panic in his voice clear to them, making them know that something was very, very wrong.
But before they could turn around a giant cloud of black smoke rose in front of them, two dark red eyes glaring at them as it flashed it razor sharp teeth.
Not wasting a moment, the party turned around and made a mad dash for the shield that was right in front of them. "What the neuk is the Smoke Monster from Lost doing here!?" McGrath shouted, as King Sombra gained ground on them, not a moment too soon they crossed the shield. A second later and Sombra would have devoured them.
The gang was panting on a lush green grass, some of them were hunched over, others where laying down, Pinkie was one of them "Save!", she shouted as if this was a game.
Twilight looked over her friends, none of them seemed to have been injured, "Everypony okay?", but she asked just in case.
"I'm ran so hard I could poop blood...", Griffifth responded as he regained his breath, the others in general agreed that they were okay, as they regained their breath. "Where is Shining Armor?" Skywalker noted that the white stallion wasn't there, and if on cue a wounded form of the Royal Captain being throw through the shield.
Skywalker and Twilight were the first at his side, from what they could see, he was physically drained, which could be from the running or worse... but on his horn were some small dark rocks, emitting a occasionally dark purple sparks .
Shining Armor tried to get back up to his hooves but he was too drained, his attempted to use magic was met with similar success as the stones somehow prevented the magic from being released from his horn.
Skywalker lifted Shining Armor on his back, placing his hands on his cutiemarks, making sure he had enough grip, "Come on we can fix you back at the Crystal Empire. No where is it?" Skywalker asked as he turned around, noticing the large Chrystal castle.
"I thought we were going to the Chrystal Empire." Phoenix complained before suddenly turning happy, "But I don't mind if were going to Disney Land instead.". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 48: The Crystal Faire | And so the heroes made there way towards the Crystal Capital, most of them were still in shock by the attack from Sombra, which had left Shining Armor unable to preform magic. Kinda like what happened to Twilight during Evil Zebra Reaction Squad, only not nearly as funny.
"Messiah, There is something I wanted to tell you." Phoenix said, gaining the attention from Skywalker, who was still carrying Shining Armor on his back. "Ever since I met you I wanted to say... You kinda look like Vanitas from Kingdom Hearts.", this came completely out of nowhere. It was sometimes difficult to understand Phoenix thought progress, sometimes he's a evil genius equal to the likes of Sutakira or Twilight and sometimes he's even more childish than Pinkie Pie.
So anyway, the heroes arrived at the Crystal Castle, which as the name suggested was made out of crystal, they I still stand by my opinion that it looks like the castle from Cinderella... the cartoon version, I haven't seen the live-action version yet.
"It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! There are no words!" Rarity said, appreciating her surroundings. "Eh, I don't see what the big deal is. Just looks like another old castle to me. And it's not like we have seen those before.", McGrath said dismissively making his girlfriend speechless. Rarity started to sputter a counter argument but both McGrath and Rainbow started to snicker, as she was the but of a joke. "Very funny." she said as her snark knight whispered a soft, "I love you too.".
After a short walk up the stair, the gang and Shining Armor arrived in the throne room where the found the princess of love slouching on her throne, though she wasn't looking so hot.
"Hi, Cadance. Man, you look horrible!" Skywalker said bluntly, not noticing the unamused look the stallion on his back was giving him, as he placed him back on his hooves. "I know. One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." Cadance admitted with a weak smile which turned into a tired sigh, making Twilight worried.
Shining Armor walked over to his hot wife, giving her some support, "Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn't slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra.", he started to explain gaining different reactions from the gang. Most of the guys where impressed at Cadance constitution, not getting any sleep or nourishment while holding of the Smoke monster is impressive to say the least.
"It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine." she tried to reassure her significant other but nobody was buying it. "No, your not!" Shining said giving her a worried expression, "You can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade...", he didn't need to finish that sentence. They already had seen what is waiting for them if Cadance's magic fails.
"That's why we're here." Skywalker declared as his friends nodded, "Cadance keep putting all your strength into keeping your spell going, Shining try to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we'll find a way to protect the Empire without having to use Cadance's magic." he commanded as everybody nodded, following him back into the city.
The gang decided to split up and interrogate the Crystal ponies, trying to gather as much information within the hour before meeting back up to discuss the case. And that goes as well as you would expect...
"Hi, Skywalker." Twilight said as she walked up to her friend, she hoped he had more success than her but noticing his look, she figured he hadn't much luck either. "None of them can remember anything before Sombra came to power." Skywalker said as they observed the town folk. "King Sombra's spell must be why their coats aren't... crystally.", she added and Skywalker couldn't help but agree. "Maybe the others are having better luck.", she said trying to rise his spirit but Skywalker gave her a deep sigh, "Do you really think so yourself?".
Meanwhile, over at Pinkie's who was dressed in either a spy suit or her S&M suit... Its hard to tell which one. "It just feels like something is missing." she overheard a crystal pony say to another who agreed, "I know. It looks the same, but it doesn't feel the same.".
"Because it isn't!" Pinkie interrupted them startling the two, as they fled they shouted something about a spy. "A spy? How did they know? Ah! Must have noticed my night vision goggles." Pinkie noted to herself before noticing her favorite brunette human interrogating a crystal pony, okay she only knows one brunette human.
"Where are you from?" McGrath asked the crystal pony, he had no idea why he would ask him that so he replied with a "What?".
"That's not an country I ever heard of! Do they speak English in what?" McGrath said, suddenly becoming angry, startling the poor pony even more who replied with another what. "English motherneuker! Do you speak it!?" McGrath shouted as he slammed his fist on the table, making a large dent in it. "Yes, I speak English!" the crystal pony admitted, terrified of this with hairless ape with the crazy look in his eyes. "Tell me the history of the Crystal Empire!" McGrath demanded, gaining another startled "what" from the crystal pony.
McGrath lost his patience as he pulled out a hand gun pointing it to the Crystal Ponies head... wait what? "Say what one more time! I dare you motherneuker, I dubble dare you! Say what one more time!" McGrath shouted, but before he could do anything else, a upside down Pinkie got in his face, at this the crystal pony decided to make his escape.
"Hi, McGrath!" Pinkie said in her cheerful tone, though she always sounded more cheerful when she looked into those emerald eyes. "Oh, hi Pinkie. How's your investigation going?" McGrath asked completely calm, as if he didn't just put a freaking gun on another living beings head!
"Oh, pretty good." she admitted before she got a dreamy expression on her face, gaining a questioning look from McGrath. "You look cute from this angle." she admitted, forcing a blush on his cheeks, she liked doing this because no matter how much he would deny it, his pale complexion made it obvious when he was blushing.
So a hour past and the gang had gathered at the entrance of the Crystal Castle, and as Skywalker suspected none of them had much success.
"These crystal ponies seem to have some kinda collective amnesia or something." Phoenix said as he leaned against a wall. "Only thing I was able to get out of 'em was somethin' about a library." Applejack added. As she said that they heard a loud gasp from mom and dad. "A library? Well, why didn't you say so!?" Twilight said as Skywalker declared, "To the library!" as they charged, the others quickly following them.
"So... Sunshine." Phoenix said as he floated next to Fluttershy, gaining her attention. "This thing you and Skywalker have going?" he asked but this confused. "What? What kind of question is that?" she asked him, honestly confused by his sudden question. "Yeah, I'm THAT blind." Phoenix said sarcastically as he rolled his purple eyes, "I so totally did not see you ogling him." he replied with the same sarcasm.
"I... just mind your own business. How inappropriate!" Fluttershy said as Phoenix let out a small chuckle.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Crystal Library, does everything here needs to have 'crystal' in its name!? Sweet Celestia, I think the only Pokemon game you can get here is 'Pokemon Crystal'... Anyways, its seems its time for more Disney rip off as apparently Sombra was a fan of Beauty and The Beast's library.
"I just... I don't even know what to..." Twilight said trying to find the right words, but she was interrupted by the local librarian and to the disappointment of the guys, she wasn't a hot librarian... not like Twilight unfortunately. They explained to her that they were looking for a book... well technically two books but they doubted that Sombra would have hidden the Libernomundi in the public library... Though that would be the last place they would look for an ancient artifact.
"We have plenty of those." the librarian told them and Twilight couldn't help but agree. "I think she's cute when she is so adorkable." Skywalkr admitted snapping the lavender unicorn right out of her trance, "Wait, what?", she asked confused. "We're looking for a history book. Something that might tell us how the Empire might have protected itself from danger back in the day." Skywalker explained, the librarian nodded before shooting their hopes right into the ground, "I... I can't seem to remember. I'm not sure I actually work here." she said as she left. "We'll just take a look around. I'm sure we can find it on our own." Twilight said hopefully as the others prepared for some hard work.
A little while later, after searching through hundreds, hundreds and hundreds of books, they still hadn't a single clue as to how to protect the crystal empire.
"Uh, anyone else startin' to think this is a lost cause?" Big Mac asked as some of the rest of the gang groaned, "No, no, no, no, no..." Twilight said frantically before shouting in triumph, "Yes! 'History of the Crystal Empire'.", she held up a thick book as the rest of the gang rushed over to her. "Good job, Twily! I could kiss you!" Skywalker shouted making the lavender unicorn blush. "T-Thank you. Just doing my job. I just hope it has the answers we need." she admitted as she started to read out loud.
"The Crystal Faire. Was established by the first queen and became the most important tradition. The Faire is held every year to 'renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm'." she read, seeing as they had no other options they took the book to Cadance and Shining Armor and explained their idea.
And so the Crystal Faire was on its way, the Crystal ponies seem to be having fun. So it shouldn't be long now before there is enough power to protect the Crystal Empire from Sombra.
"We totally nailed it, right? Must be feeling a lot of love and unity about now!" Phoenix asked a crystal pony who nodded happily as another walked up to Rainbow. "The Crystal Heart! Do you think they really have it?" he asked as Rainbow nodded confidently. "Of course we have it! Can't have a Crystal Faire without the Crystal Heart, right?" Rainbow said, they didn't had the real thing of course, but Twilight made one from a large chunk of, you guessed it Crystal.
"Of course you can't. The whole purpose of the Crystal Faire is to lift the spirits of the Crystal Ponies, so the light within them can power the Crystal Heart, so that the Empire can be protected!" the librarian pony explained gaining a 'oh crap' face from Rainbow and Phoenix.
And so Skywalker and Twilight found them selves back in the throne room sharing this new bad news with Cadance and Shining Armor. "I didn't know it was an actual relic! The book didn't mention anything about the Crystal Ponies powering the Heart! There was a page missing... How did I not notice!?" Twilight explained but Cadance reassured her that it was alright. As Skywalker started to ponder what their next step should be, the stress finally got to Cadance as she lost conscious. Shining quickly caught her before she hit the ground as Twilight noted, "That isn't good..." and indeed a familiar roar was heard in the background as the barriers broke down and the form of Sombra started to advance. Skywalker took a deep breath before letting out a loud, "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 49: Light The Fire Up In The Night | "uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!" Skywalker shouted at the top of his longs as Shining Armor made the obvious statement that the Empire is under attack. Yeah, no shit Sherlock!
Skywalker flies out of one of the windows overlooking Sombra's gigantic shadow form, launching a few bolts of heat vision at the shadow to draw its attention. As Sombra turned his ugly head towards the source of the attack, all he could see before a hellish pain erupted from his horn. Looking down it had seem that Skywalker had headbutted him against the horn, breaking it in two as the tip disappeared into black smoke. "Ah! My bucking horn!", Sombra roared in pain as he moved back, and with another heat blast from Skywalker he was out of bounds, allowing Cadance to summon back the barrier, baring the evil king access from the empire.
Back in the throne room, none of them could believe Skywalker just headbutted King Sombra! He was either very brave or very foolish, maybe a bit of both. "I have to find the Crystal Heart!" Shining Armor declared, giving his wife a worried luck, he was about to turn around but Skywalker landed in front of him with a thud. "We're kinda running out of time it seems." Skywalker told them as he rubbed his forehead, "New orders! Shining Armor, you stay here with Cadance. Twily, you'll retrieve the Heart, and I'll go look for the Libernomundi. Maybe that stupid book has something that will help us.".
After receiving their new orders, Skywalker and Twilight charged down the stairs where Rainbow flew up to them. "Did you just headbutt, Frowning Smoke Monster Face!?" Rainbow asked her best friend, sure she saw him doing it but it still felt surreal. He gave her a nod as he kept waling, "Yes, I did and...", he stopped in his tracks, turning to face his blue friend, "Frowning Smoke Monster Face?", he asked confused. She then admitted that that's what Pinkie called him.
He gave a quick nod as he started to walk again, "Sounds like her. Anyways, there is something else you can do." he started to explain as Rainbow nodded, "You and the rest of our friends have to keep the Faire going.". She gave a quick nod, showing she understood as she flew off. At the bottom of the stairs Skywalker and Twilight decided to part ways as each of them had to search for something else, he wished her good look before turning around. "Skywalker, be careful." Twilight said with a small voice. Skywalker looked over his shoulder giving her a soft smile, "Am I not always?", after saying that he charged off as his lavender friend rolled her eyes.
A few minutes later, Skywalker was searching through Sombra's old study looking for clue's. Most of Sombra's note's didn't make much to him, all of them were written in some strange langues. As this wasn't getting him anywhere, Skywalker eyes glowed blue for a few seconds indicating he was using his X-ray vision and much to his surprise, he could see stairs under the floor. With one punch, he punched a hole in the floor ripping it from its hinges, revealing a spiraling stair case. Just as he's about to descend, he heard the door opening revealing Phoenix and Big Macintosh who quickly entered.
"Skywalker, wait! we're coming with ya!" Big Macintosh said, as Skywalker gave them a quick nod, "Alright let's go.".
As they walk down the stairs, the tree friends descended into the dark in silence until the red head broke it. "So, Spike's birthday is coming up. What are you guys gonna get him?" Phoenix asked. Big Mac hadn't bought him anything he admitted, but Skywalker told them he brought him a Nintendo 3DS with Pokemon Alpha Sapphire. "What did you got him?" Big Mac asked as Phoenix answered with a mischievous grin, "Fluffy pink handcuffs.".
Big Mac and Skywalker gave each other a 'Can you believe this' look, before the black haired spoke up, "That's what you get everybody for their birthday, and Christmas, and Hanukkah, and...", Phoenix interrupted him by shouting, "Shut up! It's thoughtful!".
"Okay, who wants to bet Sombra's cutiemark was stairs?" Big Mac asked when they finally got to the bottom, but none of them were willing to take that bet. Suddenly a loud explosion was heard in the distance followed by a quake.
"What just happened?" Phoenix asked but before the other two could answer, Twilight's voice echoed inside their hair. "Skywalker, they need you back upstairs! Cadance's magic has failed! Sombra has invaded the Empire and brought those weird black monsters with them."
Skywalker nodded turning to his two companions, "Alright. Phoenix, Big Mac... I hate to ask but could you guys get the Libernomundi?" he asked them, he gained a nod from them before they told him to hurry. And in a flash of light, Skywalker ran back up, leaving the two alone as they entered Sombra's underground library. Bookcase's almost as tall as the ceiling as far as the eye could see. The duo slowly walked forward, the one thing that was bothering them both was how easy it seemed to get here. No traps or anything, but their attention was draw towards a large book with a black leather cover on a pedestal.
The both of them quickly ran towards it, though Big Mac was a little faster. As soon as Big Mac had crossed a certain line, Phoenix could feel himself smack into a invisible wall, the force knocking him on his ass. Looking back up, he could see a book case to have barring him from reaching his friend. "That can't be good...", Phoenix said to himself as he looked for a way in.
Big Mac look back at the bookcase that had erupted behind him, seeing as he had no other way out, he left that to Phoenix as he turned around to grab the Libernomundi but he suddenly felt something or someone grab him by his throat as he felt himself being lifted from the ground. Looking down he could see two purple eyes glaring at him, his first thought was that Phoenix was attacking him, but a feminine voice dismissed that theory.
"So troublesome... I have orders to take out one of the Helements Of Armony wielders, and yet Celestia send you to retrieve the Libernomundi?" Mizuki asked him, she wasn't expecting a response as when someone is crushing your wind pipes doesn't allow for much speech. "Though I'm curious. For the guys, the black haired is obviously the leader, eerie pale brunette is the bad boy with a heart of gold, blond guy is the brooding loner, that red head is the comic relief and bluish hair is the smart one. So, who are you supposed to be?", but Big Mac couldn't answer as he was struggling to breath. Suddenly a hot blue fire ball was launched at them freeing Big Mac from her grip. As he catches his breath, he could see that Mizuki had taken the full hit, setting her cloak on fire, strangely it appeared he didn't received any damage from the fire. "He's the badass normal!" Phoenix shouted from above as he landed between Big Mac and Mizuki, showing her that he was her opponent. "Big Mac, take that stupid book and get out of here! I'll hold her off.", he said the exit opened. Not wanting to get in between them, Big Mac grabbed the Libernomundi between his teeth as he made a run for it. To Phoenix surprise Mizuki seemed unconcerned as she took a fighting stance herself. "Then I'll guess I'll kill you, Honesty. My name is Mizuki by the way, I think its only proper to tell my name to those who will die soon." she told him as she conjured two balls of fire in each hand, shocking Phoenix.
Skywalker woke up on a stone floor. He quickly stood up looking at his surroundings, as he recalled what happened. The remaining Harmonic Heroes were defending the crystal ponies against those black creatures as he himself was fighting Sombra himself. At one point Sombra had used his tendrils to grab him and throw him inside himself. He remembered shouting to Sutakira to contain him using his super powers. That was as far as his memory got him, but it didn't explain why he was at Avatar Aang Memorial Island. Unbeknownst to him, a bola is thrown at his feet and Skywalker is dragged into the base of the statue.
As soon as he reaches the center, he finds himself surrounded by a circle of twenty-one humans dressed in black. Skywalker quickly spins back to his feet taking his fighting stance. "You have arrived.", a calm voice told him, turning around he saw their leader, Amon standing there.
Without thinking, Skywalker tried to blast him with his heat vision but to his shock, nothing happened. Amon's minions attacked, as Skywalker is quickly overwhelmed as two whips entangle his hands from both sides, preventing him to move away, Skywalker tried to use his legs to land a telekinetic kick, but nothing happened, as he is ultimately hit in the back by several punches from multiple chi blockers. Two Equalists take him by the arms and force him to sit on his knees. Skywalker tried to break free as Amon reaches out his hand and grabs Skywalker by his chin and forces him to look at him.
"Skywalker... How does it feel to once again, let your friends down?" the masked man asked him menacingly, as he allowed Skywalker too look over his shoulder, showing him that he had captured his friends from Team Avatar. "This can't be! We defeated Amon! I have his mask as a trophy!" Skywalker though as Amon continued to monologue, "You seem to have quite a history of failing your friends and loved ones. Dear, sweet Claire, your deceased girlfriend who died so young. Your beloved mentor Celestia, who asked for so little of you and received exactly that. Korra, you claimed to be her friend, her confidant, and when she needed you most, you failed her as you do everyone else who gets close to you.". Skywalker had enough of this, he knew the man before him couldn't be Amon, he just couldn't. Sombra was somehow using his doubts and fears against him. Summoning all of his willpower Skywalker attacked using the only body part that wasn't restrained, his head as he smashed his forehead against Amon's mask. He felt himself break free as the illusions disappeared into fog and indeed Amon was truly the King himself. Now he could inflict some real damage to this royal bastard.
Mizuki was crouching with her arms outward, blue and orange flames swirling around her. Phoenix is flying toward her as he swerves to the right to dodge Mizuki's last blast. Phoenix shoots fire at her and circles her, a trail of blue fire coming from his feet. Mizuki quickly defends herself by creating a shield of fire. She tries to attack Phoenix, who is still circling her, but he is too fast. She stops firing at Phoenix, crouches, and begins spinning and kicking immense and powerful flames from her feet. Phoenix is flying forward; when he sees the attack, he tries to stop, but it is too late. Phoenix falls and rolls forward onto the ground. "She is good... but can I win this?" Phoenix thought to himself, doubt filling his thoughts for the first time in his life. "Will I ever see you again?", a female voice asked in his head. Suddenly the promise he made came back floating in his mind.
He found himself standing on a dock, overlooking the see, the girl he had helped two days ago was looking at him, her blue eyes piercing into his own purple ones. What was this feeling she was giving him?
Phoenix nodded, "Of course, we're friends right?" he asked and for a moment he could see some disappointment in her eyes, though he couldn't understand why. "I have one last request, if you don't mind." she asked as he nodded, "I do not. What is it?", he asked.
"Close your eyes."
That's right, he had a promise to keep, he had to meet her again. Raising back to his feet he received a mocking laugh from Mizuki, "You cannot win against me. I am the Dark Messiah's most loyal servant. I learned to wield my gifts from him, and I have such power that you, little chick, can never hope to compete!" she declares as she raises her arms, as she fires a massive fire blast that Phoenix quickly counters with a blast of equal power. As the bolts of fire explode on impact, Phoenix jumps forward and stomps the ground. Three pillar's of fire rose from the ground as he sends them to his opponent. But Mizuki quickly deflected the attacks. "I think you got the wrong impression. Why don't I remind you how tough the crowd you're dealing with really is?" he said as he glared at Mizuki, who for some reason flinched for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle, "He used to give me that same exact look.", she muttered nostalgic to herself before composing herself.
In retaliation, Mizuki sends a giant wave of fire over the bookcases and down toward Phoenix. Thinking quickly, Phoenix launched himself into the air using his pyrokenisis to create fire jets beneath his feet, gaining air much quicker. Mizuki sends another blast of fire at him, but he blocks the attacks with a giant wall of fire of his own and thrusts the wall forward, forcing her to seek higher ground.
"My it seems you do have some skill, little chick." Mizuki complimented him, she had mixed feelings about this boy. On one hand, she hated there was someone equal to her, on the other she was excited to finally have someone other than her master where she didn't have to hold back against. Phoenix was a little ticked off by the apparent nickname she had given him, "Your not bad yourself. Though I'm just getting warmed up." he admitted with a grin, before quickly adding, "No pun intended.".
"Yeah, you don't seem the type to make lame puns." Mizuki admitted before she spins and sends a sudden blast of fire toward Phoenix.
Both of them became unbalanced as another quake hit the cave, a black raven came flying in making Mizuki pout, "It seems that fool has been defeated." she said, sounding disappointed, "It seems my play time is up, so I'll let you live. Be a good boy and say 'thanks'. Ta-ta!" and with that she disappeared into red smoke, leaving a confused Phoenix behind among the burning library.
Back on the surface, with a combination of Skywalker weakening Sombra from within, Sutakira holding him of with the larges shield he had ever conjured and Spike, who had brought the true Crystal Heart to Cadance who used it as a focus point to banish Sombra back to where shadows belonged.
"I think we just killed that guy...", Pinkie said as McGrath replied dryly, "If anybody asks, Griffifth did it.". Not fully listening to their conversation Griffifth shouted, "Yeah!... Wait what?". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 50: Play Time | Mizuki was not having a good day, as she walked through the castle. Because that fool Sombra wasn't able to hold out long enough she wasn't able to complete her second mission. And now this red head was stuck on her mind, she could have sworn she knew him from somewhere but she couldn't quite place him. He wasn't a student, someone with his raw talent would have been made a inner circle member years ago!
Her train of thought was interrupted as she heard a soft chuckle coming from up ahead. "Well, well, did Mizu just failed a mission? Lord Marc is not going to be please.", the voice belonged to a young man with black spiky hair and dark purple eyes. He was dressed in white dress shirt under a moderately dark blue long coat. A black tie was neatly hanging from his neck, a similar black colored dress pants were hugging his lower body and on his feet were brown dress shoes.
"Hallo to you too, Byron.", Mizuki said with a hint of distaste in her voice, she did not like Byron at all. Not because she outranked him in the hierarchy, but for his sociopathic behavior, his disregard of any life but his own and because he was always trying to replace her as her masters most trusted inner circle member. She couldn't stand him, the only reason she hadn't burned him to ashes was because her master had need of him. "Why are you here? Don't you have your own mission? Or have you forgotten?".
Byron leaned back against a pillar crossing his arms before letting out a low scoff, "I'm doing my job. I'll have you know I have been working hard.", he replied smugly, even though he would love to destroy her he couldn't make that move as long as she was in the supreme master's good graces.
"Is that so?" Mizuki said, willing to end the conversation, the less she spoke to Byron, the better, "Well then, I will leave you to it. Good day.", she tells him as she waves him off and starts walking. "If your looking for our Lord, he is in his private study. He holds himself up in that room when he can, and he talks to someone. But who? For all I know, he's the only one in that room." Byron told her making his female colleague turn to face him.
"Our lord wouldn't like it that your eavesdropping on his privet conversations. And neither do I!" Mizuki warned him, she didn't took kindly to who ever insulted her master, the one she owed her life to. Unfortunately she couldn't kill him, master's orders, doesn't mean she couldn't punish him a little. "I'm not eavesdropping!" Byron told her mockingly, "I could hardly hear what they were saying anyway. Dying to find out what it was though. You wouldn't know anything about it, would you?", he tilted his head, he just couldn't understand why she of all people was his favorite. He was a master of the arcane, she was nothing but a glorified fire bender. Mizuki gave him one more look before turning around, before she left him standing there. Not even she knew what her master was doing in his study.
The princess of the night was excited, not only had her powerful and handsome knight accomplished his mission, but he also had helped her niece fend off Sombra, before the little dragon delivered the Crystal Heart to finally end him. She was currently waiting with her sister and all of Ponyville for the heroes to return. And she hoped she could finally spend some time with her 'beloved'."
Her thoughts were interrupted as the train rolled into the station, as the train came the a stop, the door to their wagon opened expecting the heroes to came out and receiving their welcome but none of them came. After another minute, Luna took charged and entered the cart, followed closely by her older sister.
Both were surprised at what they found, Celestia had to fight back to hold her laughter in. Inside the wagon, the Harmonic Heroes, all of them had fallen asleep, while they were watching a movie. Celestia shook her head, amused by the situation. As she looked over her sister, she saw her glaring with jealousy, following her sisters gaze, she could see why. Skywalker was sleeping with Fluttershy's head on his shoulder as he had his head on hers. Celestia thought it was harmless but before she could voice this, Luna quickly used her magic to separate the two before waking gently trying to wake him up. Celestia gave the others one more look before going to wake them up, someone catches her eyes. A certain blond human who for some reason was always rude to her, he looked so peaceful with his eyes closed, his mouth open with his head leaning against the window. She gave a small smile before charging her horn with magic, releasing a loud explosive sound.
"Why did she had to wake us up like that!?" Griffifth complained as the group was having a quick lunch at Sugarcube Corner. Sutakira let out a small chuckle, gaining a death glare from his blond friend. "You talk a awfully lot about the princess of the sun, Griffifth. It almost sounds like..." Sutakira explained but before he could finish his sentence, Griffifth smacked the back of his head. "Don't even joke about that!", the blond shouted, making the other friends burst out in laughter.
Phoenix turned to Twilight, having a question about the last wedding they went to. "There was this one hot mare at Cadance's and Shinings wedding. Do you know her? She was grayish with purple mane and I believe her name was something Velvet." he explained gaining a irritated look from Twilight. "Her name is Twilight Velvet and she is my mother.", Twilight explained, confusing the red head.
"I thought Celestia was your mother." Phoenix stated, making her hoofpalm.
Much to their surprise, the Libernomundi Skywalker had recovered was a fake, all it contained was a recipe for Potato Salad. Despise his failure to complete his test, Celestia passed him anyways, which Skywalker thought he didn't deserve. But Celestia gave him one final test, she told him to meet his final test at the highest mountain around Ponyville. She gave him a week to prepare himself before allowing him join his friends.
Two days later, Phoenix was asked by Mayor Mare to direct a play and he somehow got all his friends to play a part in it, know one know how he did it, though he can assume he used trickery, manipulation and blackmail.
"If anyone would play me in a movie it would be Michael Fassbender." McGrath said gaining a chuckle from his friends. "I thought you would want to be played by Ben Affleck." Phoenix teased him, his eyes winded as McGrath threw a golden energy spear at him, which barley missed his head, "Don't even joke about that!", McGrath shouted as he smacked Phoenix with the script. "I think that guy who played Superman in Man of Steel would play a good you, Jason." Fluttershy said, this made Skywalker look up from his scrip as he thought for a moment "Henry Cavil? He's not a bad looking guy." Skywalker admitted before Phoenix cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention.
"Alright boys and girls. This play is based on a fim fic I wrote." Phoenix said proudly but Sutakira corrected him, "You mean fan fic.". Phoenix looked confused before asking, "What did I say?".
"Fim fic." Sutakira told him.
That evening, the gang was all set to preform as all of Ponyville had gathered in City Hall. A few minutes later, the lights dimmed as the curtains rose.
A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away.
Pony Wars Episode XV: The Return Revenge Attack Of The Phantom Hope Strikes Back
It's a dark time for the entire Galaxy.
Darth Skykiller has started his plans for conquest to take over the galaxy.
Though he hadn't told his daughter about it...
On the Not So Death Star, Darth Skykiller was looking over the stars as his soldiers brought his daughter, Princess Charity to him.
"Daddy!" Princess Charity nagged to her father, making him sigh, "Why can't I go outside! All my friends are allowed to go outside! I find that rather silly daddy!". Her father gave another deep sigh, turning towards his daughter, "Ugh... honey, I as dark lord can't be bothered with things like that. I have to conquer the galaxy! And we're in a place were you can't exactly go outside."
But his little girl didn't take no to that as she started her counter argument, "But daddy! You have to understand that their are a lot of fun things out there, like fresh air!". Darth Skykiller finally snapped as he shouted, "Yea, but not in space! Take her to her room! NOW!" he commanded as his soldiers started to lead her away.
One of his officers walked up to him as his daughter is being led away, "With all due respect sir, but you started a mission to take over the Galaxy and you haven't even told your own daughter?" officer Pie asked him as her boss turned to him, "With all due respect... what's your name again?" Darth Skykiller asked but he didn't wait for an answer, "Doesn't matter, I haven't even told my own mother!" he said gleefully.
The officer remembered why she wanted to talk to her boss, "Oh right, your mother called, she asked when you will return with the coffee." the officer said, Darth Skykiller was wearing a mask so she couldn't see the 'O crap" face he was making.
"I couldn't think of a better excuse." Darth Skykiller explained before turning to face his officer again, "Tell her I'm taking over the galaxy. My name is Darth Skykiller and not Poopsikuns like she always used to call me.".
Deep inside the space ship, two droids, one small cyan one and one tall light blue one, have gathered before the escape pods. "Whats wrong?" the small blue one, D4sh asked. The tall light blue one, S-kir4, "D4 I think we shouldn't stay here any longer." S-kir4 answered.
"May I ask why?" D4sh asked annoyed and S-Kir4 explained that Darth Skykiller is kind of a douche. "Escape pods this way." D4sh said as she lead him to the it. "Thank you D4, how can I thank you?" he asked but D4sh told him she rather not.
A little while later on a farm on the desert planet called Titooine, a young farm mare named Applesack was woken up as her mother shouted her to come down. "What's wrong ma?" she asked as she got down, her mother explaining she had to milk the cows. "But I did that yesterday!" she complained but her mother insisted she should milk the cows.
"Pa, can't you milk the cows?" Applesack asked her dad who was busy buying a washing machine. "No, I can't milk the cows, ask your mother." he told her as he as he looked over the model they had in stock. "But she was the one who asked!" she nagged but her dad wasn't listening anymore, he instead was talking about the light blue model and if all that light blue model was needed. "But sir, I'm not a washing machine. I'm a personal service droid." S-kir4 tried to explain but he got interrupted as Applesacks dad claimed he had his wife for that. "I... I can milk a cow." S-kir4 quickly added.
A few hours later, Applesack had placed S-kir4 inside a cleaning tube as she was checking on D4sh. "Sir, D4 has a special message for you." S-kir4 told her as he emerged from the tube. D4sh displayed video image for Applesack who couldn't get her gaze of it.
"To whoever hears this. Please help me! My daddy doesn't allow me to go outside! My daddy is Darth Skykiller! Please come and save me! Your my only hope!", the hologram of princess Charity pleaded desperately as the video ended. "That's a pretty gal." Applesack said, as she kept her gaze on the place were the hologram just stood minutes ago. "The daughter of Darth Skykiller is locked up and you, Applesack Skypony have to save her! I hope your ready sir." S-kir4 explained but Applesack wasn't paying attention as she was trying to have D4sh replay the message. "We're screwed..." D4sh said dryly.
The next morning at the farm, Applesacks dad is looking for her, but unfortunately he couldn't find her, "Have you seen Applesack dear?" he asked his wife who told him she had run away to save the princess. "She's really gone huh?" he said before turning around, "Then I will see you in the bedroom soon.".
Meanwhile, after picking up her grandma, Applesack and her droid had found the Kantina they were looking for and found Grath Solo.
"Good day gentlemen, old guy." Grath greeted them before introducing himself, "My name is Grath Solo. How can me and my hairy brother, Macbacca help you?" he asked.
Sparklz was the first to speak up, "We're looking for a professional and not carpets." she explained gaining a puzzling look from the Solo brothers. "How did you came up with carpets? But anyhow, I can help you. I know your looking for a lady and I like ladies." Grath Solo said with a pervy smirk.
As they fly through space on the Many Aged Swan, they came under attack by imperial starfighters.
"Whats happening!?" Applesack shouted as she, her grandma and droids entered the cockpit. Grath Solo was doing his best to dodge all the lasers attack the enemy was throwing at them, "Hi everybody... What are you all doing in my cockpit!? Anyhow, its nice that your all here, because were under attack by the empire. That's not nice at all." he quickly said as grandma Sparklz gave him a skeptical look.
"Maybe you need to use the Hyper Drive." Sparklz suggested but both Solo brothers scoffed at this, "Dude! This doesn't even have a Hyper Drive!" Grath Solo said laughing.
Applesack pointed to a small blue button, "Why does that button say Hyper Drive?" he asked but Grath Solo quickly cut her off. "Don't question me, Applesack! I know how to fly this thing!" Grath Solo shouted as Macbacca pushed the blue button allowing them to jump to Hyper Space. "Huh so we do have a Hyper Drive." Grath Solo noted as they escaped at the speed of light.
As the Many Aged Swan got out of Hyper Space, they suddenly felt a pull of gravity as they were pulled towards a moon.
"Do we have a problem?", Sparklz asked as the Solo brothers tried to act causally, "No everything is going fine! The sun is shining, the flowers are whistling." Grath Solo said but Applesack cut him off.
"But flowers can't whistle." Applesack corrected him but Grath Solo scoffed that off, "Shut up Applesack! I have better thing to do than listen to you.", he told her.
A little later the Many Aged Swan has been captured and docked on the Not So Death Star but Darth Skykiller's lieutenants are regretful to inform him that nobody was on board. "I don't know much about that but a ship without people isn't possible.", he said.
"I don't want to interrupted lord Skykiller but maybe they're Ninja's and they are invisible!" one of his lieutenants Griff suggested, this was something to ponder. "That doesn't sound that strange at all." Darth Skykiller said before snapping, "No wait, that does sound strange! This isn't Naruto! Shut up!".
Meanwhile deep inside the Not So Death Star, the heroes are crawling through the air ducts. "Where is my grandma?" Applesack asked, the air ducts where too small to allow her too look back. "We have lost her in battle." Grath Solo said but a voice ahead of Macbecca shouted, "No I'm here!" Sparklz shouted.
"Oh, Sorry Grandma Sparklz. Please don't write me out of your will." Grath quickly said. "You really are a bastard, Solo." D4sh said making Grath Solo laugh as they arrived at their destination Cellblock 626.
Grath Solo quickly started to use his hacking skills he gained from watching old Star Trek episode's, so he's pretty much pushing random buttons. Over his shoulder he could see Applesack looking at a door. "What are you doing?" he asked as Applesack explained she was on the look out for the enemy. "Go save that pretty girl!" Grath Solo ordered as suddenly the com link opened and the guy on the other side asked, "Cell block 626, is something wrong?" he asked as Grath Solo had to think of something quickly. "Well you see, it all happened at my birth in 1960. I bought a ice cream from a baker... uhm ice cream shop! But then the ice melted in my hands! And there was a penguin who said 'Ueh!'. But were taking over your ship." Grath Solo told them as a silent static followed.
"That's a very stupid story, you know that?" the guy on the other side said but in a fit of anger Grath Solo shot the com panel with his blaster, "Nobody calls my stories stupid!".
Applesack entered prison 15 where she found princess Charity laying. She woke up to find Applesack drooling at her, "What are you looking at?" the princess asked as Applesack quickly got back to her senses. "I'm ex-farmer Applesack and I have come to rescue you! I got the message from D4sh, ya know that small robot?" she explained as Princess Charity nodded as they quickly fled back to the Many Aged Swan with the rest of the gang.
After a long and hard fought space battle, the Many Aged Swan managed to escape the imperial starfighters as they jumped to Hyper Space.
"Where is my grandma?" Applesack asked, grandma Sparklz couldn't been seen anywhere. "We lost her in battle... This time for real." Grath Solo said as he stepped over S-kir4 who was caught in some lose wiring. "Can somebody help me? I'm stuck, help me D4!" he begged but D4sh complained that she didn't have any arms.
Meanwhile back at the Not So Death Star control post, lieutenant Pinkie came him to inform Darth Skykiller of their escape. "They destroyed out starfighters and kidnapped your daughter." she explained as Darth Skykiller shouted in anger. "That's terrible! Those ships weren't cheap! Now it's war!" Darth Skykiller declared as he slammed his fist in a table. "What about your daughter?" lieutenant Pie asked, but she never got an answer.
Stage Play: Completed...
Meanwhile at an unknown location, the door in front of Morgenstern opens with a flash and he enters a white hallway. He enters a white room with black chains lining the walls and floor. The door closes behind him and he places his hand on the chair in the center of the room before sitting down. "Everything is going according to plan... dearly beloved.". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 51: Neville | Twas a beautiful morning at Sweet Apple Achers as McGrath entered the premise, his hands tucked in his pocked. He passed two unfamiliar unicorns who by appearance he assumed to be brothers and Mayor Mare as he saw a distressful Applejack staring in the distance.
"Something wrong, AJ?", he asked looking back over his shoulder at the trio before turning back to Applejack. The farm mare shook her head to try and clear it, "This is bad. Ah'm gonna go have another look fer the deed." she said heading back upstairs. The youngest apple sister wallked towards him as Big Mac and Granny Smith heading upstairs to help Applejack look. "AB, what's going on?" McGrath asked as Applebloom explained to him that those two brothers that their names are Flim and Flam and they are trying to buy up Sweet Apple Acres.
This confused the young human, according to Equestrian law a land couldn't be bought up unless it was unowned or the owner of the deed decided to sell. Applebloom sighed, as she continued to explain to him, "The deed is gone. If AJ can't find the deed before tomorrow morning, we're gonna lose the farm.". At this McGrath started to walk around the porch, deeply in discussion with himself.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to the youngest apple sister, "I have a feeling that she won't find the deed here. You don't think so either, do you?", she gave him a nod, McGrath tapped one finger against his chin, thinking about what they had said. "Hey AB, Do you mind helping me investigate those two?", McGrath asked gaining an excited nod from the young filly. "Of course! I'm gonna get Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to help out as well!" she said making the young man nod, together they should be able to come up with a plan that'll get the deed back.
"No way!" Skywalker said in disbelieve as he was laying down by the pool, his girlfriend coddling at his side. "Yes way! It seems some ponies have started a cult with you as their chief deity. I believe they call themselves 'Children Of The Skywalker'." his significant other informed him. He shook his head in disbelieve, he couldn't believe anyone would want to worship him, much to the amusement of Luna. She always found it cute when her super powerful knight felt embarrassed. "You know what, I have a sudden craving for some ice cream." he said gaining an excited nod from the princess. "Huzzah! We were hoping thou would say that, beloved!" Luna shouted before blushing furiously, she had just slipped back to royal Canterlot voice, usually she could keep it under control but why did she had to slip up in front of her beloved.
"So you still sometime slip back into your royal Canterlot voice?" he asked as he stood up, his girlfriend nodding embarrassed. "I think it sounds cute." he added as he opened the front door, seeing Mayor Mare standing there about to knock. She had headed straight for the Shoveitupyourass street 15 as soon as the unicorn brothers had taken their leave, desperate to find a way to prevent them from getting the farm and forcing the Apple family to leave Ponyville. "Miss Mare, what can I do for you?", Skywalker asked, it wasn't every day he talked to the mayor. She never complained about the damage he causes to Ponyville in his fights.
"The deed to Sweet Apple Acres has gone missing, and Flim and Flam are trying to buy out the land.", Mayor Mare explained gaining a shocked look from the couple. "The worst part is, if she can't present the deed by tomorrow morning then I have no choice but to sell it to them. Please Lord Skywalker, Knight Of The Wind, isn't there something you can do to help out?", the mayor bagged but to her despair, his own face mirroring the despair that the mayor felt. "As much as I might want to, there's nothing I can do." he explained as he looked towards the direction of the farm. "We just have to hope that AJ can find the deed in time.", Luna said sadly.
Meanwhile, McGrath and the CMC were sitting in a cafe opposite of the hotel were the two brothers were staying. "We won't be able to do anything about it until tonight, right Big Bro?", Sweetie Belle asked taking a quick sip from her soda. "Don't call me that." McGrath told her as he looked to the hotel through his sunglasses, "We should wait until nightfall, when nobody is around to watch. I'm gonna make a distraction to get them outta there so my friend can search the room.", he explained to the three young fillies. Scootaloo nodded energetically, placing both her front hooves onto the table they were sitting at, "Yeah, and then we can get back the deed they stole!".
Applebloom shushing her to try and keep their discussion private, "We can't let anybody know what we're doing Scoot!" the orange pegasus sitting back down and glancing nervously around. The last thing she wanted to do was spoil their plans and get them in trouble.
"AB is right, we can't get ahead of ourselves." McGrath said as he himself took a sip from his coffee, "I don't think they'll have it in their room, if they even kept it in tact at all. So when the distraction happens you search their machine, while my friend search their room." McGrath told them, but his self appointed sister figure proclaimed, "This was going to be... interesting.".
Late that night, a thunderous crashing woke Flam from his sleep, the unicorn groaning at the sudden racket coming from just outside the hotel. The sudden realization of just what was in that area cut through the foggy cloud still hanging around his mind, his bloodshot eyes going wide as he ran toward the window, his jaw dropping as he saw a dark shape messing around with their Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000.
"Wake up brother!" he shouted as he dashing over to his brother's bed and shaking the unicorn awake. "Somebody's messing around with our machine!", Flim woke up at his words, bolting out of bed nearly as quickly as Flam had. Both of them ran out of the room, heading down the stairs and outside as fast as their hooves could take them.
"Stop!" they both cried as they ran outside. The shade that had been burrowing around in their machine grabbing something from inside and running away through the roofs. A cursory glance told them that the stranger had taken something vital to the workings of the machine, they didn't spare a word, running after the retreating shadow as fast as possible. Once they were out of sight, three other shadows crept out from across the street towards the machine.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, go!" Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo whispered in union as each of them moving to a separate part of the machine and checking it over. A few minutes passed, with little luck finding what they were after, a loud was heard on the hood making them look up, showing Batman standing over them. "They burned it." Batman said with his raspy voice filled with sympathy. "What do we do now?" Applebloom wondered turning her gaze to the ground, nearly in tears over the lost of her home. She felt a gloved hand on her head, as she looked up she saw Batman look at her, "Don't worry, AB. Batman knew the change was big they burned it, but Batman always has a plan. And if Batman doesn't have a plan, his friend McGrath has. But he's more ruthless and that's coming from Batman!" he told her to reassure her before declaring that they needed to get out of their so they headed for the Batmobile. Yeah... Lesson kids don't get into a car with someone dressed as a bat. Best case scenario, he trains you to be Robin.
A half hour later, after taking the other two home, Batman climbed through Sweetie Belle's room window with the young filly on his back. Tucking her into her bed, he was about to leave through the window but Sweetie Belle asked him a question, "Big Bro, during stealth mission why are you always dressing up like a bat?" she asked, making Batman turn his gaze towards her. "It makes me feel pretty.", he declared before jumping out of the window, into the night.
The next morning, Applejack trudged slowly into City Hall, trying her hardest not to cry. She had torn the house and the barn apart in her search for the deed, only to come up empty hoofed. A strange spluttering noise coming from up ahead stirred the earth pony's curiosity, Applejack increasing her pace as she got closer. "Here's the deed for Sweet Apple Acres, Mister..." Mayor Mare asked questioningly to another human, but he was clearly not one of the Harmonic Heroes.
The young man was relatively well build, his brownish blond hair is swept back, with a strand hanging down his face, his sharp emerald green eyes would make even the most hardened mare blush. He was dresses in a black business suit with a matching tie, white dress shirt and brown leather shoes.
"Please call me Neville, Miss Mayor Mare." he said with a kind voice as he unfurled the roll of paper to examine the deed. Everything seemed to be in order as she rolled up the scroll before casting a smug grin at Flim and Flam. The two unicorn brothers were the ones who had been making the spluttering noises. Mayor Mare turned around to see Applejack,"AJ... I'm so sorry." she said, this got the attention of Neville. "AJ? Ah, I believe this is yours then." he said handing over the scroll the the astonishment of the of everybody else in the room. "It is yours right? It must have fallen out of your pocket or something." he told her as she accepted the deed, she couldn't believe someone would just buy the deed back and return it to her. "Mr. Neville, I can't accept this..."she tried to protest but he wasn't having any of that.
"Of course you can. This is proof that Sweet Apple Acres belongs to the Apple family, and any request for sale has to go through them. Now I have other important business to attend to. Good day to you Miss AJ, Miss Mayor Mare.", he gave a small bow with his head and sending a soft smile Applejack's way, making her blush before he took his leave, leaving everybody speechless. She had no idea who this Neville was or were he came from but she couldn't help this feeling that she knew him from somewhere. "He out bit us... How much money does this hairless ape have!?" the unicorn brothers wondered as they dripped of in bitter defeat.
Outside of City Hall, Neville quickly ran into a dark ally way, from there he could see the two unicorn brothers walk off and the young apple farmer leave in joy. "I assume everything went well?" A voice asked from behind him, Neville didn't need to turn around to know who it was. He was the one who asked to make this deal for him in the first place. "Yeah, the deed is back to were it belongs. I have to say, it seems these guys and ponies had a positive effect on you." He said teasingly, he didn't turn back in favor of observing the citizens. His companion didn't answer but he could hear a soft scoff. "When are coming home for a visit? Emma misses you as do I little brother.", Neville asked, this time he received an answer.
"I'll come home when you have found him." his little brother answered, his voice dripping with venom. "I see. We're still looking for him... So I heard this rumor that you have a girl. When are we gonna meet this elusive R..." before he could finish that sentence, he could feel himself being pushed through a white door, sending him back home. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 52: Sniffing Around | It was a a sunny day, the sun was shining brightly on Shoveitupyourass Street 15, Skywalker and Twilight were currently training their abilities, Skywalker for his up coming test and Twilight because he had promised to help her train. Twilight was currently trying to use her magic to lift a train wagon, though she wasn't having much success.
"Come on! Move that train wagon already." Skywalker told her as he was practicing his hand to hand combat stance. "Can't you see I'm trying!?" Twilight shouted back irritated as she released her magic, she had been on this for an hour now but she hadn't made any progress. Skywalker scoffed as he walked up to her, "Do or do not. There is no try!", he said and to prove a point he simply raised his hand and the train wagon started to float several feet from the ground.
"Your magic is like a muscle, Twily. The more you use it, the easier it will become." Skywalker explained before instructing her to start using her telekinesis in more mundane activities. "Maybe I'm not as powerful as I though I was." She said letting her head drop. She suddenly felt Skywalker's hand cup her face, making her look into his amber eyes. "Don't say that! Don't even think that!" he told her as he let go of her face, "Celestia told me about what happened during your entrance exam. Assuming E=mc^2, you making Spike grow to that size means you were unleashing power roughly equivalent to a 750 kt nuclear bomb.".
After a few more minutes of training, Skywalker and Twilight had to stop for both had other errands to run. Both of them walked to the front door as Skywalker was heading for the market place. As they walked past the living room they could hear the voices of McGrath and Rarity arguing about something.
"Is it so difficult for you to understand my grief? How would you react if your father died?" Rarity asked him, neither of them could see the two but they knew McGrath was rolling his eyes. "Before or after I stopped laughing?" he responded and much to the shock of everybody, they could hear a hint of amusement in his voice as if the thought of his father death was funny.
Suddenly, they could hear the voice of Phoenix shouting from his room, "Why does this crap keep happening!? Yesterday Sweet Apple Achers almost got stolen, today Skywalker is wasting his time with Fluttershy, tomorrow it's Messiah Vs Celestia!". Both Skywalker and Twilight decided that it was time to leave and come back when there was less weird shit going on.
As they entered the market place, the two friends said goodbye to one another before each went their separate way. Not fifteen step later, Skywalker ran into another of of his friends, his favorite blue Pegasus. The two friends decided to get something to drink at Sugarcube Corner, the both of them hadn't talked to each other in awhile.
"You're giving me that look again. If you've got something to say, just spit it out." Skywalker said as he downed another beer, making his best friend chuckle. "Are you sure you want to encourage me? I might be about to confess my undying love." Rainbow said tipsy, the points of her ears a little red. "It would never work between us, Dashie. Your to much maintenance for me." Skywalker said in jest as both friends chuckle.
"So, you and princess Luna... I need some details. Did you go down on one knee? Did she jump you? Did you swear eternal vows of love, or is this just a physical thing?" Rainbow teased making it his turn to blush.
"I-I don't see how that's any of your business." Skywalker stammered out making his slightly tipsy friend burst out in laughter. "Fine, but if you don't tell me, I'm just going to have to make it up.", she told him in between her laughing. Apparently it was true what Sutakira had theorized, Pegasi couldn't hold their alcohol.
After flying Rainbow back to her house, Skywalker decided to head back to the Market Place to do what he was intending to do, buying groceries. It didn't took him long to find everything he needed as he thought, "It'd be better if Griffifth ate out more. That guy isn't getting a balanced intake of nutrients... Come to think of it, all my guy friends ever eat are instant noodles and stuff like that. Except maybe Big Mac but he doesn't live with us.", his thought were interrupted as he saw his favorite yellow Pegasus walking to the Asparagus Stall but a lot of other ponies cut in line and I mean A LOT. Much to his anger, none of them showed any remorse as Fluttershy dripped off.
"Fluttershy, you mustn't let them treat you that way!" Skywalker said to her as she muttered about it not being a big deal, "It's bigger than big. You are a pony with a problem." to prove a point he cut in front of her. "Oh, go right ahead, Jason. You first.", she muttered shyly.
This made him shake his head in irritation, "Right there! That's the problem. You've got to stop being such a doormat, a pushover, a Sutakira. You've got to stand up for yourself. Please for me?" he asked her as he looked her in the eyes. Fluttershy nodded slowly as she gave a deep inner sigh, "I can never say no to those amber orbs.", she thought to herself as she got back into the Asparagus Stall but another earth pony, by the name of Gizmo if Skywalker remembered correctly, cut in front of her buying up the last asparagus. Skywalker couldn't understand why the ponies like them so much, it was one of the few foods he couldn't stand himself.
Fluttershy was about to walk off but Skywalker stopped her and told her to watch how to handle this. "Hold it right there, Mister!" Skywalker said making Gizmo stop in his tracks. Turning around he could see Skywalker standing over him with his arms crossed. "Uh, who, me?" he asked a little intimidated by the Knight Of The Wind standing over him. "Of course you! Do you think its cool to cut in line?" Skywalker asked gaining a confused look from Gizmo as Skywalked placed an arm around him. "You see cool guys like you and me can't do that. I know you wanna do the right thing because you're cool and strong, and cool and strong guys are always nice to everybody to set a example, am I right?" he told him making Gizmo somehow even more confused.
"You think I'm cool?" he asked in disbelief as Skywalker gave him a big nod. Gizmo had to admitted that none ever called him 'cool'. Now it was Skywalker's turn to look be confused, or so he showed, "You are cool! And just between cool guys, could you give my friend the last asparagus?" as he said that he puts a Bit in his saddlebag for the trouble. "Uhm... Alright then!" Gizmo said as he gave Skywalker the asparagus. Skywalker gave him a hoof bump as he thanked him.
Skywalker walked back, tossing her the asparagus which she barley caught, "See, that's not so hard, is it?". She nodded before Skywalker asked whats next on her list, which were tomatoes. "Alright! Lets get tomatoes.", he said as they walked towards the Tomatoes Stand.
Fluttershy grabbed the amount of tomatoes she needed, she place one bit on the counter but before she could leave the stallholder informed her that the tomatoes were two bits now.
"Oh, okay. I don't wanna argue about it." Fluttershy said as she dig through her saddlebag looking for her bag of coins but Skywalker walked up as he shouted angrily, "What do you think you're doing?", giving the stallholder a death glare. "Minding my own business, maybe you should try it.", she suggested rudely but Skywalker wasn't backing down, not when a friend of his was taking advantage of.
"Two bits for tomatoes is outrageous. One bit is the right price." Skywalker said before adding threateningly, "Or it will get ugly.", folding his arms as he leaned back.
Tomato stallholder looked a bit nervous before treating to call the guards, but all this did was made him laugh. "Really? You think the guards are gonna take down the Knight of The Wind?" he said as the Tomato stallholder's face paled as she realized who she was talking to.
"Knight of... Oh crap! Ser Skywalker!? "A-Alright, take it easy. Here's your tomato's, on the house.", she said trying to appease the knight who accepted before giving her a genuine, "Thank you.".
After helping Fluttershy with her grocery list, Skywalker was helping her carry everything back to his place. Skywalker was curious how Fluttershy earned her cutiemark, for her special talent would fit more with a Earth Pony. After she told him what happened at Flight Camp, Skywalker could only feel disguised. "You fell to the ground in full view of a large crowd and no one tried to save you? Does Cloudsdale have some kind of Sparta-like eugenics policy for Pegasi who are weak fliers!?", he shouted taking her aback. Fluttershy always saw him as a cool, calm, collected and handsome guy... if a bit odd at times. But she felt kinda happy that something that happened so long ago would make him worry about little old her.
Soon they arrived at Fluttershy's Little Cottage, after entering the house Skywalker placed the groceries in her kitchen when Fluttershy suddenly gave him an sorrowful look. "Hey, what's up?" he asked as she explained that because he had spend nearly his entire day with her, he lost an entire day to train for his upcoming test which was the next day, Skywalker tried to reassure her that it was nothing to worry about, seeing as it was most likely a combat orientated test. "But what if its not! What if its a Geography test!" she said making him chuckle in laughter.
"Geography? What do I care about geography? All the bad guys attack Canterlot or Ponyville anyway, it's not like I'm going anywhere." Skywalker said in a matter of fact tone before waving her goodbye.
"Jason, I don't know how to thank you." She told him, making him stop in his tracks. "That's a weird skill to be lacking." Skywalker noted, this was one of his odd quirks Fluttershy noted. "I mean... You do so much, but no one ever thanks you. The least you deserve is to be appreciated.", she told him as her gave her a soft smile. "Thanks, Fluttershy." he said before flying off and suddenly realizing that he hadn't got any groceries for himself!
Meanwhile, in another world. Mizuki was sitting on a sofa as she looked out the window, she couldn't find her master for the past week. She knew he took his reading seriously but this was kinda ridicules. She was brought out of her train of thought as she felt someone sit down next to her, "Hiya, Mizu!" a male voice said cheerfully. Turning to her side, she saw a handsome young man, he had lightly taned sking, his platinum blond hair was reaching the back of his neck, two hair spike gave the impression he had cat ears but she knew it was just his hair. His yellow cat eyes looked at her with mischief, seeing as he was dressed in some jeans and a simple orange t-shirt she assumed he wasn't on a mission. "Jayden are you slaking off again?", she told him sternly, she had at least a working relationship with her Inner Circle colleagues, aside from Byron of course, but Jayden or Jay as she usually called him, was one of the few she had a actual friendship with.
"Slacking off? My Mizu, you wound me!" he said as he gave her a cat like grin, "I have you know that I completed my mission with success! The Los Angeles citizens were left shocked today following a vicious gun battle between the LAPD...and me! They were all like, 'BANG! BANG! Ya filthy mutant!', and I was all like 'Oooh, you wascaly wabbit! You got me!'." he said standing up, as Mizuki couldn't help but chuckle. Sure, Jayden was not all there, but she couldn't deny he got results. Then again, she had to admit none of them were all there, but that was what made them so close.
Seeing as she had nothing better to do, they spend some time discussing various topics before they got about who would play their Inner Circle colleagues in a movie. "Alright, who would play Lord Morgenstern?" Jayden asked, but before she could response a deep voice spoke up from behind them. "Sorry to interrupt your discussion you are having, but could I borrow Mizuki for a few moments." the voice asked as they turned around to see Morgenstern standing behind them. Knowing him, he could have overheard everything they had said. Giving a quick nod, Mizuki stood up to follow her master as he walked away. Suddenly, he stopped walking, almost making her bump into him, "Oh and as for your question. Either Michael Fassbender or Sir Ian McKellen.", Morgenstern said, he couldn't help but give an inner chuckle at his follower's nervous reaction.
Both master and student walked through the dark halls, as he decided to speak up, "So you failed to take down one of the EoH users. This failure is going on your permanent record.", Morgenstern said not bothering to look at her, but Mizuki quickly shook her head, "But master, I have this feeling about this guy. He's like me, I though maybe we could convince him to join our cause or all of them." she said trying to defend he reason for not finishing that little Chick. He seemed to ponder this for a while, "Their powers could be a great asset. Do you believe they could be turned to see our way." he asked her. Mizuki felt a warm fire burn inside of her, she felt it every time her master asked her opinion. "We all stumble through the dark before we find the light, don't we? And shouldn't we help our kind, shouldn't we?" she said, gaining a amused chuckle from her master, she felt her heart skip a beat.
"Indeed. You have become wise, my young Mizu." he compliment her, making her blush, she was happy for the compliment but all she was doing was following his example. "You might be happy to know that I have been sniffing around a little and found the entrance to Tartarus." he informed her making her look at him in awe, "You found it by sniffing around?" she asked.
He gave a bemused chuckle before adding, "Actually, there were two high ranking guards who were positively delighted to tell me everything they knew... provided I stop dangling them headfirst over the side of the building.". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 53: Messiah Vs The Ruler Of The Sun | Big Macintosh rushed through the never ending darkness, trying to outrun a bird made entirely out of flames. Not looking were he was going, Big Mac suddenly felt himself being strangled and lifted into the air. Looking down he saw two purple eyes looking menacingly at him from under her red hair. "The black haired is the leader, eerie pale brunette is the bad boy with a heart of gold, blond guy is the brooding loner, that red head is the comic relief and bluish hair is the smart one. So, who are you supposed to be?", she taunted him.
He hated feeling like that, all his friends had those amazing abilities, but what did he have? He didn't even had an Element Of Harmony, all he was was dead weight to them.
"Big Mac! Big Mac! Big Mac!"
With a jerk, Big Mac woke up in his bed from the nightmare, relieved to not have those purple eyes taunting him, he found himself staring at another set of purple eyes. "How did ya get into my room?" Big Mac asked Phoenix who was jumping on his bed. "AB let me in. We always watch TV on Saturday morning. Say what you want about Equestrian TV, but you guys make some good TV shows." Phoenix explained not stopping his jumping on Big Mac's bed. "Why do I find it very creepy that ya hang out with my lil sister?", the stallion asked as he was about to prepare to kick his friend off his bed.
"Which one? I'm friends with both of them... WHOA!" was all he could say before Big Mac gave him a kick, sending him towards the floor.
"So anyway what's ya reason for waking me up this early?", Big Mac asked as he got up and walked over to his friend, he hoped Phoenix didn't hurt himself too much. "Don't you remember! It's the day of Messiah's test! We should go and support him with friendship... and stuff! I woke up early and was so excited that I couldn't sleep anymore! So I came here knowing either you or AB was awake. I have never been so excited! Well except that one time..." his dialogue was interrupted as the voice of Applebloom shouted that "It" was beginning. He quickly rushed downstairs leaving a confused Big Mac standing there. "He's like the annoying younger brother that I never wanted..." Big Mac said to himself while he headed towards the bathroom.
Downstairs, Phoenix and Applebloom were seated in front of the box that slowly devours their soul day by day, I mean the television, with a big bowl of cereal as McGrath was sitting at the diner table drinking coffee with Granny Smith. Applebloom and Phoenix were absorbed by their favorite TV show, Might Rangers Feathermane Victory. It all happened during one of the times Phoenix babysit her as a favor to AJ or Granny Smith, and then he watched one episode with her, which became ten. Now he is a fan of it, weird how those things work.
"Say, AB. Can I ask you something?" he asked, gaining a nod from his young friend, who gave him a nod, "Do you really like watching TV with me? I know I can sometimes overly edgy jokes and...". A loud scoff was heard from her before it turned into full blown laughter. "Edgy!? How are you overly edgy!? Your as edgy as a round table!"
McGrath had to do his very best not to laugh at Phoenix reaction, as Granny Smith asked if they wanted some Apple family pie. "What kind of question is that? There must be something very wrong with me if I say no to freshly baked Apple family apple pie!", McGrath said as Applebloom and Phoenix agreed. As they were munching on the delicious treat, a cleaned up Big Macintosh entered the living room. Looking around he was missing his other sister, "Were's AJ?" he asked as Phoenix explained that she was probably still asleep. "Wait, you wake me up but not AJ!?" the stallion said offended as he got a surprised look from his two human friends. "Dude, as though as she is, your sister is still a girl. You can't just go inside a girls room unless she invites you in first." Phoenix explained. Big Mac shook his head as he poured himself a cup of coffee, "So your going by vampire rules now?".
A few minutes later, the entire gang save Skywalker were walking to where Skywalker's test would take place. "I'm certain I have seen him somewhere before!" Applejack said to a listening Rarity and Sutakira, ever since this Neville had saved Sweet Apple Acres she couldn't get him out of her head. She had asked Phoenix about it, according to him it sounded like she had a crush on her mysterious savior. For some reason, Phoenix ended being hit in the back of his head by McGrath after he said that.
As they arrived on the mountain spire were the test would take place, they couldn't see anyone. No living soul around, though they did notice the damage the field had sustained and the magic was still fresh in the air. After waiting a half hour, they started to get worried as they headed back into town. They first arrived back at Shoveitupyourass Street 15, where they could hear chatter coming from the living room. Rushing in, they saw Skywalker and Luna cuddling on the sofa.
"Were have you guys been? Did you guys have an adventure without me!?" he said offended. Griffifth was the first to speak up, "Don't you have a test or something!?", the blond said as Skywalker gave them a puzzling look, "I already did and yes I passed." he said as he was bombarded with even more questions, like what he had to do, who did he had to fight, was he considered a princess now.
"A princess?" Skywalker asked, giving a puzzling look to his girlfriend who just shrugged. "Yeah, like how Luna is the princess of the moon, Cadance is the princess of love and the fossil is the princess of the sun." Griffifth explained for Phoenix who was the one who asked the question. Luna gave a half insulted, half amused look at Griffifth referring to her sister as a 'fossil'.
"He would probably be the princess of circle jerking." Phoenix said, gaining a confused look from the rest. "Circle jerking? What is this 'circle jerking' thou speakest of?" Luna asked. Sutakira was the first to speak up, "'Circle Jerk' is a pejorative slang term referring to a positive feedback loop which occurs when an idea, belief or meme that is already customary within an online community becomes re-iterated and rewarded in a perpetual cycle, giving rise to redundancy, cliches and karma whoring." Sutakira explained, gaining a puzzling look from the rest. "Did anyone understood that last part?" Griffifth asked and to nobodies surprise, Twilight did. Pinkie bounced up and down, "But were forgetting the most important part here! Skywalker has passed his test! You know what that means!" she exclaimed as everybody shouted at the same time, "A party!".
Later that night as everyone is dancing, Skywalker walked out to the backyard, somewhat glad to get away from the loud music. When he's happy, he liked to be alone every now and then and tend to enjoy a nice view. Apparently, the silence is short lived since Aether comes out with him a few minutes later.
"Strange." Aether said turning away from Skywalker, gaining a puzzling look from him, "Each one's power is limited... Yet, they all reach out to you... What you have in your hands is the power of the Universe... Nothing is outside the realm of possibility for you now." she said as she turned back to a confused looking Skywalker as she continued, "You must accept your destiny, Knight Of The Wind. For if you fail, we leave the fate of all Worlds to chance. You cannot lose, you must not fail.".
Skywalker had enough of this as he shouted, "Hey, I'm nineteen years old! How much pressure are you gonna put on me!?". Aether was taken aback by this as she muttered something about him being 'the chosen one'. "Yeah, so was Anakin Skywalker and look how well that turned out!".
Aether gave a soft sigh before giving him a warm smile, "There is nothing left for me to teach you. We will meet again someday, Ser Skywalker." she said as she stepped forward, he was a little sad about her leaving, he can't have some weird Alicorn live inside your head for a year and not build a bond with her, "Though, parting words aren't what I have for you... For us goddesses I'm sure this is a sin. Close your eyes, why you ask? So that you don't witness my sinfulness." she requested of him.
Against his better judgement, he complied, shutting his eyes. Moments later he could feel warm lips on his own. As he opened his eyes, Aether was staring at him, a blush gracing her golden skin. "Why did I steal a kiss? Is that what you were going to ask? But it's you who was the thief." she said teasingly, confusing the crap out of him.
Aether turned around, trying to hide her blush or sinfulness as she would call it from him, "After I leave, please tell Celestia and Luna that their parents are proud of them.", she said, gaining a nod from the young knight, "Now, go forth! The time has come. Let us make the future, so do not be afraid and do not worry. You are the one, who will lead the Worlds to salvation." and with these final words, Aether disappeared in shimmering stardust.
"What are you doing out here when everyone else is inside?" a female voice said. Turning around, he saw Celestia walk towards him. "I like to simmer down a bit and just be grateful for everything I have in my life, you know?" he told her as she stopped at his side. The princess of the sun nodded before saying, "I understand. I used to be that way as well." .
Skywalker remembered what he promised to Aether a few moments ago, he turned to his mentor, "Celestia, I have to tell you... Your parents are proud of you and Luna." he told her gaining a questioning look from the princess. "Well, who told you that?" she asked amused as Skywalker explained an Alicorn who used to live in head called Aether.
Celestia chuckled at this, "Jason, the only pony who had that name was my mother. And the only way you could have talked to her is if you were related to her somehow", she said as she turned her back to him as she headed back to the party, leaving a shocked Skywalker standing there. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 54: A Not So Hearts And Hooves Day | The early hours of the day, more specificly the early hours of Hearts And Hooves Day. From what Sutakira could find out, it was similar to Valentine's Day on their World. Sutakira was currently walking Applejack back to Sweet Apple Acres. Though she insisted she didn't need someone to look out for her, he did it because it was the right thing to do. "Well if ya insist on walking me home, can I ask ya something?" the cowpony asked gaining a nod. "Have you noticed anything different about Big Mac? He seems kinda quiet.".
Sutakira had to go over that statement again, "Big Mac and quiet? Like that is anything new!" he said jokingly, gaining a chuckle from his friend. She had to admit she could have phrased that better, "I mean, more quieter than usual. He seems... unsure of himself. Could ya and the other guys talk to him about it?", she asked him. He promised to talk with the others about it, gaining a grateful smile from his orange friend, "Thanks, partner! I think he's had more fun hanging out with you guys lately... The same is true for me.", she admitted with a small blush, though Sutakira didn't notice it.
"Your birthday is coming up soon, right?" Sutakira asked, gaining a nod from his friend. "I was just wondering if you had anything planned for that day.". Applejack thought about it for a minute before shaking her head, "Not really. I'm probably just gonna stay home with the family. I'm fine with keeping it low-key. I don't want a big old party just for become a year older." she said much to Sutakira's surprise.
"Better hope Pinkie doesn't have anything planned. But Knowing her, she probably already does." he said with a chuckle as his orange friend had to chuckle herself.
Meanwhile over at Canterlot Castle, Skywalker was standing on one of the towers, looking over the city while thinking about what he had found out a few weeks ago. It was true what Celestia had said about only being able to talk to someones ghost or spirit if your related to them. He was certain that Aether wasn't some fabric of his very messed up brain, but that only left one other option. He had to tell Luna about him possibly being related to Celestia, but he was scared to do so. He just felt so happy being with her, he wanted it to continue for as long as possible.
"Is something wrong, beloved?" the voice of his girlfriend brought him out of his train of thought, as he saw the blue eyes of his significant other looking worriedly at him as she landed next to him. "It's nothing Lulu. I have just been wondering... Did Celestia ever had a child or anything?", he asked her with a reassuring smile. Now she knew he was hiding something, though he had that annoying thought that he had to be some sort of Superman that doesn't have any weakness or flaws.
"You didn't heard this from me... but yes." Luna told him as she explained what happened. A thousand years ago, Celestia was... intimate with a knight named Caelumaruku. Even though Luna was still young at the time, she knew Celestia had given birth to his child but not what had happened to it. "I see... Lulu, there is something I must tell you." he said as he started to explain.
Celestia was sitting in her personal study as she looked out of the window. It had been a eventful few years, thanks to the Harmonic Heroes, she had her sister back, Discord got sealed back into stone, Chrysalis was now imprisoned in her castle along with her Changelings. They even had managed to defeat Sombra and free the Crystal Empire from his dark grasp. Though all those victories were because of their friendship, she couldn't help but think of the one behind it all, Jason Sephiroth Skywalker. As soon as he arrived in Equestria, he stood up to Nightmare Moon, became their leader, gathered people. Equestria has come to revere him as their greatest hero and a icon, someone they could look up to and be inspired to be like. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling she knew him, as her thought drifted back to twenty years ago.
Canterlot Castle, Throne Room, Twenty years ago.
It been an average day for the ruler of Equestria, some nobles asking her to solve their problems, trade discussion with foreign diplomats, the usual. But all that changed when a guard came rushing in, shouting something about two two-legged creatures asking for an audience. Excited that something different was happening, they're request was approved.
Much her surprise, two ape like creatures entered the throne room, a man and a woman. The man was tall with a muscular build. He wore a black long coat with a single white pauldron on his right shoulder, white armored boots and black trousers. The top of his coat is open to reveal his chest. His hair is spiky in the back, and he has chin-length bangs that parted down to frame both sides of his face.
His companion was obviously a woman, she was dressed in a light gray long sleeved hooded shirt with a sleeveless dark brown leather wrapping, trousers, leather calf braces, leather wrap arm bracers, a white sleeveless surcoat, and leather foot wear. Her long very dark almost black reddish hair fell over her shoulders. What struck Celestia the most was her faintly glowing amber eyes, they looked similar to her deceased coltfriend.
Both the figures have a small bow before her as a sign of respect. The male was the first to speak up unfazed by the unicorn guards who had him under aim, watching his every move. "Good afternoon your highness. My name is Marc Morgenstern, Keyblade Knight First Class and this is Superius Knight, Lily Skywalker.", Marc introduced both of them as the woman gave Celestia a respectful nod. "A pleasure to meet you. Though I assume that you did not request an audience with me just to say hallo." Celestia said, gaining a nod from the duo.
"Indeed, time is of the essence so I shall speak plainly. We came to you with a warning.", Marc explained to her, making the guards even more nervous than they already were. "We are at war with The Outsiders, rebels who have turned away from The Council and are waging war on all Worlds. The Superius Order and The Council have joined forces to protect the Worlds and put a stop to them. Our side is currently winning the war, The Outsiders are on the run and we have it on good Intel that they are planning to take their final stand right here in Equestria. We're not asking you to fight at our side, all we ask is that you do everything in your power to protect the lives of your subjects.".
Celestia was intrigued by this, not only had humans survived Discord's onslaught of them, but they survived the separation of the Worlds. She had no reason to trust the two in front of her, but she had sworn to protect the citizens of Equestria. For some reason, the sincerity in the voice of this Marc Morgenstern convinced her that helping them was the right thing to do. This also gave her an excuse to talk to this, Lily Skywalker. "Alright, Morgenstern, Skywalker. I will not only protect my citizens, but my army will fight along side yours. Together we will make sure the threat of The Outsiders ends here.", she declared as the two humans in front of her nodded respectfully.
Celestia was brought out of her reminiscing by a knock on the door, feeling a certain aura creeping through the door, she already knew who it was. "Come in Jason, the door is open." she said with a smile as the young man who she had come to see as the son she never had walked in to the room. Much to her surprise, his usual calm and relaxed expression was replaced by one of worry and nervouse. "Something wrong, Jason?" she asked as she gestured him to take a seat. "Yeah, there is something..." he said taking a seat in the chair on the other side of her desk.
A few hours later, Phoenix woke up in his bed. It was this day of the year again, the day it all changed for him. After taking a long shower and dressing himself in a simple dark blue jeans and a red t-shirt. Walking downstairs he could see Big Macintosh waiting for him, much to the others surprise. "Phoenix, I need your help. According to the other guys you have been with a lot of women.", the red stallion started, he wanted this day to confess his crush on Fluttershy, though he had no idea how to go about it. Sure Phoenix annoyed him sometimes, but their was no denying he knew his way with the ladies.
"...So your saying I'm a man whore?", Phoenix responded emotionless, this surprised Big Mac. The response he got was in character for him but what happened to his usual energetic and excited tone he used to say it, as if you were talking to a male Pinkie Pie. "I didn't mean it like that!" Big Mac quickly said but he was cut off by Phoenix. "Big Red, I would love to help you get rejected by Sunshine any day of the week. But not today.", Phoenix said as he headed out of the door, the way he said it, as if he was dead inside left Big Mac completely shocked. "What just happened?" Big Mac said to himself as Sutakira came down stairs, seeing the surprised look on his friends face.
"Ah, its that day again..." Sutakira said sadly after Big Mac explained what happened. Noticing the confused look on his friends face, Sutakira explained what was getting the normally genki-boy Phoenix down. "This is the day Phoenix lost both his sister and father.", he said gaining a a shocked gasp from Big Mac.
After his short conversation with Big Mac, Phoenix landed on one of the higher hills surrounding Ponyville. Taking a seat on one of the benches he stared down to the village he had come to love. The people and ponies he cared about the most lived here, except two girls, a guy, a moose and a snowman but they are a different story. Some of them he had come to see as family, though the scar this day had left would never truly heal. He couldn't help but think back at that faithful day.
Fourteen years ago, United Federations. A seven year old Phoenix was sitting outside his dad's office with his ten year old sister. Their father was some higher upper councilman or something he didn't understood yet. Their mother died seven years ago, when she gave birth to Phoenix. Sometimes he felt he killed her but both his sister and especially his dad assured him that was not true. But seeing as their dad had to work all the time, this left the two sibling to spend most of their time together.
Today was the start of their dad's vacation, he had asked what they wanted to do but all they wanted was spend time with him. After a few minutes later, Charles Phoenix came out his office. Appearance wise, he looked like Phoenix when he would be forty years old, the only difference was that his hair was brown as opposed to both his kids who had inherited their mother's red hair but he was happy that both his children had inherited his purple colored eyes. Taking both his kids hands, they prepared to leave when suddenly one of his colleagues came running up to him, he seemed panicked.
"Charles! We have a big problem! The UF Council have called for a vote for 'Plan Sentinel' and they placed ships around New Genesis.", the colleague, gaining a shocked look from Charles. Before either of his kids could ask anything, their dad rushed off to the conference room as they quickly followed him.
As they neared it they could hear a heated debate raging. "A attack with so much force on such a small country will only generate more hate from the Supremehumans and garner more support from their cause.", one congress woman said.
"Please, force is the only thing a man like Marc Morgenstern understands! Have we forgotten how he sacked Los Angeles?" another congress man asked as they entered the room. "We can't support a weapon that targets our own citizens. If these Supremehumans as you describe are living here, they are living here peacefully!" another one argued as a loud crack was heard above them.
Their debate was interrupted as the roof was ripped off the building, they could see that it was the Dark Messiah, Marc Morgenstern, himself levitating the roof with his mind as he slowly floated inside, softly landing on the ground.
With a wave of his hand, five mirrors with obsidian markings appeared above him, broadcasting what he is about to say across the entire planet and showing the UF Council that he knew about 'Plan Sentinel', weapons meant to hunt down those with special powers. He gave one last look at the plans before addressing the UF.
"You plan to built these weapons to destroy us. Why? Because you are afraid of our gifts? Because we are different? Humanity has always feared that which is different. Well, I'm here to tell you, to tell the world, you're right to fear us.", he told them, his voice was calm but behind it they could feel his rage, "This morning, in a small country city in the USA, a young Supremehuman was killed. He was but a child, he had done nothing to deserve that. And I have sworn that if any Supremehuman would be killed, I will be their avenging angel. Anyone who stands in our way will suffer the same fate. Today you wanted to display your power. Instead, I give you a glimpse of the devastation my race can unleash upon yours. Let this be a warning to the world." he declared before turning his attention to one of the mirrors, "And to my brothers and sisters out there, I say this: no more hiding. No more suffering. You have lived in the shadows in shame and fear for too long. Come out. Join me.", he declared turning his attention back to congress.
Much to his surprise Charles had walked up to him. After telling his kids to stay behind, Charles rushed down to the stage, while Charles himself wasn't a short man by any means, even he had Morgenstern tower over him. "Please, Lord Morgenstern, don't do this. You'd be giving Anti-SH supporters exactly what they want, a reason for humanity to fear and hate us..." he argued with the Dark Messiah, and much to his surprise, Charles wasn't blasted to bits the second he spoke up. "You think they need a reason? How long will it be before they turn on you, Charles Phoenix? Or forbid, they would go after your little Ashley or Kyle when they suspect they might be one of us?", Morgenstern argued back, gaining a shocked look from Charles, how did he knew his secret.
Unbeknownst to either man, snipers had slowly taking up shot, taking aim at the Dark Messiah but one of his rival congressmen had ordered a shot to be taken at Charles as well. Noticing a small red dot on Morgenstern chest, Charles didn't think as he pushed him quickly out of the way as shot were fired, Charles taking the full blunt of the attack. In a fit of rage, Morgenstern fired at the snipers with his Azure Beams, destroying the balcony. The room was throw into chaos as soldiers entered the room taking shots at the Dark Messiah and congress members trying to get to safety. Morgenstern didn't even bother to dodge their bullets as all of them simply bounced off him.
Ashley Phoenix was trying her very best to protect her little brother but a shot was fired and something warm leaked from his stomach. The last thing Phoenix remembered was the screams of his sister slowly fading away as a cold blackness swallowed him.
Back in the present, Phoenix was brought back from his reminiscing as he heard heavy hoofsteps walking towards them, turning around he saw a nervous looking Big Mac standing behind him. "Uhm... Hi. This seat taken?" he asked nervously. Phoenix gestured for him to sit down, which he did as a awkward silence followed. "I... Uhm... I heard about your dad and sister... And I'm sorry to hear what happened. If there is anything I could do to help you...", Big Mac said, not getting a reaction from his friend.
Phoenix took a deep sigh before turning his gaze towards his friend, "There isn't, but thanks anyway Big Red." he said with a sad smile before turning serious again, "Say, why are you so sad looking the past few weeks and don't say there is nothing, we all noticed it." he asked. Big Mac tried to deny it before caving in and explain that he feels like the load to the rest of the Harmonic Heroes.
And for the first time in years, Phoenix broke out in laughter on this day of the year. Big Mac gave him an offended look as Phoenix tried to speak, "I-I'm sorry! But you are not the load just because you don't have any super powers! First off, you are one of the most loyal guys I have ever met! Secondly, you are an Earth Pony! If you just realized it, you would know that out of all three races, Earth Pony's have incredible defense but aren't lacking in attack either. Pegasi have a incredible offense but weak defense, and Unicorn's most powerful attacks take time to charge up, and the rest of their spells merely weaken an opponent instead of killing them. Though the three races theoretically counter each other due to something similar like Rock-Paper-Scissors, Sutakira mathematically broke down the 7000+ ways a fight between the three races can play out. Earth Ponies wins 48% of the time, Pegasi 35%, and Unicorns 17%. Also with your strength, I believe you could take three out of five of the guys in a straight up fist fight." Phoenix explained, putting Big Mac's greatest fear at ease.
After few more minutes, Phoenix and Big Mac were walking back to Shoveitupyourass Street 15, both feeling lighter after their talk. "Oh and I promise, I will do everything in my power to help you win Sunshine over." Phoenix declared but Big Mac told him it was alright. "No, no. I will help you, besides I got McGrath and Rarity together didn't I? What? You thought me and him were outside when I knew it was gonna storm that night?", Phoenix said with a smirk, making his friend shake his head. If it was true what he said, then Big Mac needed to make a mental note to never piss Phoenix off.
"I'm curious, Phoenix. Do you have a special somepony?" Big Mac asked, at those words Phoenix closed his eyes as he saw before him a young tall, slender woman, with long, platinum-blonde hair woven in a French braided, blue eyes, a very pale skin with a light dusting of freckles. "I... Don't know. Don't think she likes me that way.", Phoenix admitted. He had seen beautiful woman in his live but for some reason, she stuck in his mind. Maybe he should visit her again, he was always welcome she had said. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 55: Never Turn Back | Mizuki woke up with a shock, yesterday was not a good day for her, the event that destroyed her whole world happened fourteen years ago. Though she had to admit while it had been the worse day of her entire life, if it hadn't happened she would never have met him.
Suddenly, she felt two muscular arms coil around her naked waist, as his soft voice whispered in her ear, "Are you alright, Mizu?". Turning around, she saw the two beautiful shining blue eyes. "Is there something you want to talk about? There is nothing outside this room just you and me.", Morgenstern said as he placed a kiss on the side of her neck. She giggled softly before planting a soft kiss on his lips, "It's nothing. Though I have been a naughty girl, master." she said as she rubbed her chest on his chest. "Your into some kinky things, my faithful apprentice.", Morgenstern told her as she climbed on top of him.
Meanwhile in Manehatten at the Southern branch of the National Bank of Equestria, a group of thieves were holding it up. Wow, and here I thought stuff like that didn't happen in Equestria, then again we only have seen Ponyville, Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. Anyways, back to the situation at hand.
"I got all the bits I could. There's still some in there though.", the earth ponies said to his colleague while they loaded the loot in a get-away carriage while the unicorn kept the guards occupied. "We ain't got time to go back in. Let's move out, boys.", the leader a pegasus said as they prepared to leave, but all of them froze in fear as the sound of a sonic boom was heard and moments later a black blur landed between them and the guards.
Standing up to his full length, Skywalker glared at them, he was not having a good day. Firstly, after a simple test, it appeared that Skywalker was indeed a descendant of Celestia. After hearing the uhm... news, they told Luna. She did not take it well... And now she wasn't even speaking to him. Secondly, because Skywalker is related to Celestia, somehow, that also meant he was related to Blueblood of all people!
"I give you one chance to surrender." Skywalker told them but apparently they were quite arrogant as they stood ready to fight him, "I was hoping for that.", he told them as he uncrossed his arms.
One of the unicorn suddenly sends a magic bullet at him, but the spell didn't have enough power to even cause a slight discomfort on Skywalker. Taking a deep breath, Skywalker exhaled a freezing air, encasing the attacking unicorn around his head. His balance lost, the unicorn stumbles forward towards Skywalker, who hits him against the head with a back spinning kick, due to which he slams head first against stairs, the ice around his head shatters as he stays down.
The Earth Pony enraged by what happened to his friend, charges Skywalker by jumping up. However, before he could land Skywalker sends out a telekinetic blast, catapulting the attacking him high into the air, falling on a wire suspended from one building to the other. From the wire, the Earth Pony is catapulted against a wooden advertising board, falls down on the pentice of a shop, is thrown off of there into a tapestry, which rips under his weight, before flopping on the ground where he lies still.
Seeing two of his allies defeated, the Pegasus turned towards Skywalker ready to attack but was surprised as Skywalker took the offence. He jumps forward, he reaches the Pegasus, he grabs him by the front hooves, turns him around one time to build up momentum, as Skywalker throws the Pegasus up while kicking him through the window of a shop at the opposite side of the street.
With the threat neutralized, Skywalker did a quick scan to see if anyone got hurt. Much to his discomfort, instead of cheering they were kneeling before him, as if he was some sort of god. Taking quickly to the air, Skywalker made his way back to Ponyville. "First Lulu doesn't talk to me anymore, I have this cult on my hands, an assassin who is after me and my friends and now the ponies are starting to worship me... This is really not a good day... Wow, my thinking voice sounds funny.", he thought to himself, Ponyville soon coming into few.
Meanwhile at Shoveitupyourass Street, McGrath was watching the news about the attempted bank robbery in Manehatten and he was not having a good day, normally Rarity's presence was enough to break him out of it, but today not even the presence of his girlfriend could cheer him up, on top of that he had this irritating itch right above his butt. "Watching the news again?", Rarity asked him, making her coltfriend rolled his eyes. "Well, it changes every day, you see." he snarked at her. Moments later a letter appeared in his hand in a bright flash. Recognized the handwriting, McGrath quickly opened it and took in the context, a determent look creeping into his eyes.
"So what was that assassin's name again?" Pinkie asked Phoenix as both walked around the Market place. "Mizuki or something. Why do you ask?" he answered. He suspected that Pinkie might have been worried about being attack by the red headed assassin, as she was ordered to take out one of the EoH wielders. But much to his surprised Pinkie casually stated, "Oh. Her. I see her at the Sugarcube Corner sometimes. Threatens to turn you into a toad and eat you if you beat her at cards.".
"You're... joking." Phoenix said slowly as his pink friend replied with a "Perhaps.".
Before she could say anything else, she saw McGrath hastily walking towards the Everfree Forest, leaving Phoenix behind she quickly followed him. "McGrath, were are you going!?" she asked as she walked up next to him.
"They found him. I'm going to finish it." McGrath said as he opened a portal to the human world. Before he could enter it, Pinkie got in his way, "McGrath, you can't do this alone. I'm coming with you whatever you like it or not." she said as she expected resistance but all she got was a, "Alright, lets go.", as he walked through the portal.
Earth, Twiy Town, Train station. McGrath landed softly on his feet, using the portals was similar to his teleportation ability, so it wasn't that difficult for him. Looking over his shoulder to see if Pinkie was okay, and much so his surprise she wasn't the mare he was used too. Before him sat a young lady, about his age with puff pink hair that was unmistakably that of his pink friend. Much to his embarrassed (and possibly delight if his little friend was to believed) she was completely naked.
"We made it, McGrath! Whoa, why is everything so wobbily?" she said as she tried to walk on two legs but not used to it, she fell over. Acting on instinct, McGrath reached forward, quickly grabbing her. His face became a soft shade of red as he realized her breast were rubbing against him. "Why am I one of you guys?", she asked as she tried to stand again.
McGrath took off his hoodie placing it on his naked friend as he spoke, "I assume its because the magic that exist between the Worlds. Maybe its so their would be no panic or something, shit I don't know." he said, his explanation being as good as any for now. Though it didn't explain why he and his friends didn't turn into ponies when they entered Equestria.
"I think we should get you some clothes before we head out..." McGrath noted as he took her hand, making her blush. As they made their way to the shopping district, Pinkie looked around. This place looked nothing like Ponyville, it looked more like Manehatten if everybody spoke with an accent similar to Rarity's. Come to think of it, McGrath himself spoke with a light hint of that same accent.
Soon, the two of them arrived at the store where they could find some clothes for Pinkie. Much to Pinkie's surprise all the clothes were really, really, really expensive. Informing McGrath of this, he ensured her that he would take care of it as he walked towards one of the sales woman, who after a few words from him made a slight bow before him.
"Thanks for waiting, Pinkie.", McGrath said to an awed Pinkie as he walked over to the clothing line, looking for fitting clothes for her. "At the very least, I need to be able to choose some clothes for her. Maybe I should go with pink.", McGrath thought to himself as Pinkie watched him and felt very touched.
After a few minutes, Pinkie had picked out a short sleeved shirt in a similar pink to her usual coat, a light blue hot pants, knee high socks and a pair of pink sneakers. "I think you'll look great in these clothes.", McGrath said as she nodded, giving him a serious look and pulled him inside the dressing room with her.
"What are you doing?" McGrath said in an angry whisper, as Pinkie got his back against the wall. "W-what are you doing Pinkie Pie?", he asked her again, his face turning a soft shade of red. "McGrath, I've never worn anything like this. I don't know how to put on these human clothes. Will you dress me?", she asked him, making him flinch. "I couldn't do something as embarrassing as that." he told her as he scratched the back of his brown hair. "I don't mind being seen by you." Pinkie told him as she trailed a finger over his muscular chest. "You should mind.".
Meanwhile over at Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow had dragged Skywalker out of his room to get some drinks with her, both were sitting at a table, though Skywalker wasn't that talkative. He had tried to talk to Luna again but she wasn't around according to Celestia. "Hey Jason buddy?", Rainbow said, as Skywalker looked up painfully at her, "How is it going? Did something happen this morning.", he had told her about him being Celestia's descendant, he was taking that just fine (save for being related to Blueblood), but Luna not talking to him was eating away at him. "I just drew the blinds, opened the liquor and crank the tunes...", he told her, making her ask if it was "Castello?" he was listening too, but Skywalker admitted that is was "Phil Collins...", stunning her. "...Wow...", she said slowly as Skywalker said, "Yeah...".
Back at Pinkie and McGrath, the two friends had were walking through Twiy town after getting Pinkie her clothes. The one thing she did noticed that some people gave her green eyed friend a look of awe. Not long after, they found themselves in front a large building, on top of it, Pinkie could see a see a big MC like logo with under it, 'MC Enterprises'. She turned back to McGrath, but she saw him simply walk towards the front door. She quickly followed him as the front door slipped open, they found themselves in the front lobby, the floor and walls were made of black marble, humans in business suits coming in and out of this weird door. Pinkie assumed they had to talk to the lady at the front desk, but again McGrath simply walked to one of the weird doors, which was something called an 'elevator'.
After a short elevator ride, the both of them got at the fifteen floor, nobody stopped them as they came to a stop at a large oak wooden door. "Shall we knock? No, let's surprised them.", McGrath said more to himself as he kicked the door in, before walking inside. The gathered people looked up as McGrath strode past, as if he owned the place as he came to a stop at the head of the table. Placing his hand on it, he took a seat before addressing those who gathered.
"Anyone not related to me, GTFO.", he commanded as all but two got up and quickly made to the door. After they closed the door, the young man and lady walked to them, both with soft smiles on their face. The male one was relatively well build, his brownish blond hair swept back, with a strand hanging down his face, his sharp emerald green eyes would make even the most hardened mare blush. He was dresses in a black business suit with a matching tie, white dress shirt and brown leather shoes.
The female one was also relatively well build, her body wouldn't be out of place for a model, her brown hair reached down to her lower back, the front of her hair cut in a typical hime cut, her sharp emerald green eyes would make even the most hardened guy blush. She was dresses in a white business suit with a black tie, white dress shirt and brown leather shoes.
"Hallo Neville." McGrath said with a hint of distaste in his voice towards the man called Neville. "Hallo, little brother.", he replied as Pinkie looked on in shock. Before more could be said, the girl got between them, "Easy there you two. I am sure my favorite little brother didn't got all the way back home just to bicker with you." she said calming the two down a little. "I am your only little brother, Emma!", McGrath said as he rolled his eyes, which made Pinkie gasp in surprise, drawing the attention from Neville and Emma.
Emma was the first to speak up, "Oh hallo, didn't see you there. My name is Emma McGrath and this is Neville McGrath.", she explained as the two girls shook hands, the girls accent and the way she carried herself made her remind Pinkie of Rarity. Getting a good look at the other young man, Pinkie gasped in shock, "Wait a minute, I know you! Your that guy who saved AJ's farm." Pinkie said to Neville who gave out a little chuckle.
"Actually it would be more accurate to say that my little brother over here saved Miss AJ's farm. After all the money came out of his personal bank account." Neville explained, all three chuckled as they could see McGrath giving them an annoying look.
"Anyways, who are you exactly? My darling little brother doesn't bring any friend home with her. Wait, are you perhaps this Rarity we have him talk so much about?".
At this a tomato red McGrath stood up, saying that he wants the information they had. "Of course." Neville said as he handed McGrath a file, which he quickly studied. Giving them a nod, McGrath turned around gesturing Pinkie to follow him, "Do you want me to get your limo?" Neville asked but McGrath kept walking, "We'll take the Murcielago.", McGrath told him as his siblings shook his head. "Much more subtle." Emma noted as Pinkie turned around, "My name is Pinkie Pie by the way."
Back over at Ponyville, Skywalker and Rainbow Dash were still at Sugarcube Corner as they drowned a few more beers. "W-Wait a minute... Does Sugarcube Corner have a permit to serve alcohol?" Skywalker thought to himself not noticing that Fluttershy was walking up behind them. With a devilish grin Rainbow asked, "So Jason. What's your type of girl?", she couldn't help but chuckle at Skywalker's surprised face and as Fluttershy's ears peak up.
Skywalker thought about it for a moment before speaking up, "I never stopped to think about it. I guess she doesn't need to have super powers. Sure, it would be great if she had, its a great way to reach a level of understanding that takes much longer otherwise. As long we support each other and be there for each other, to go through everything it's good enough for me. I'm a magnet for trouble, so she would be put through some very weird and dangerous situations.", he explained as his best friend nodded, while their yellow friend was listening intensely.
"I like girls who I can talk to and make me laugh, but I also like a girl who can appreciate the moment and be silent, just hanging out together. She doesn't needs to be smoking hot. I'm a realistic guy. But being cute helps." he continued as Rainbow chuckled, "I see.", she said as she gave him a mocking grin. "Come on! Don't look at me like that! I bet all you girls would like a cute guy too, right?... right? I am going to die single." Skywalker said depressed as he bumped his head on the table.
Back at McGrath and Pinkie, who were currently driving over a quite rode. Pinkie didn't knew much about these things humans called 'cars' other that it was also a movie, but she remembered Sutakira once telling her that 'Lamborghini's' were expensive cars. During the ride, McGrath explained to her where they were going and what they would be doing there. "Well, this is the big moment. I hope you will not be disappointed." Pinkie said to him. "Disappointment is not a option. That man destroyed everything that was good and innocent about me. This is all that is left of me. What am I good at, Pinkie?", McGrath replied, surprising her with the amount of bitterness in his voice.
"I will tell you what you are good at, McGrath.", she said trying to reassure him, "You are a good friend and no matter what you say there is still humanity in you. You still have the power to be good. It's important that you believe that.".
McGrath contemplated what she said before saying slowly, "Maybe I will start to believe that when father is dead. That might give me some perspective.". Not much later, McGrath parked the car in front of a small cottage deep inside the forest. Pinkie noted that the building looked abandoned and hadn't been lived in for ages.
McGrath was about to step out of the car but Pinkie stopped him by placing her hand on his, "Once this is done, then you must begin to forgive. Think about your future instead of the horrible things that have happened to you in the past." she said as her best friend turned his emerald green eyes to the cottage. "After this is done, then we can talk about forgiveness and redemption. Now is not the time for such conversation. This is where it all ends.", McGrath said as he stepped out of the car.
McGrath was at the front door within a few steps, he didn't bother to knock as with a swift kick he broke open the door, making it left hanging from its hinges as he stepped in side with Pinkie quickly following him. Despise being right behind him, McGrath had already disappeared from the hall way, thought she found him quickly as his voice came out of one of the rooms upstairs. "You remember me!?" the voice of McGrath shouted as Pinkie quickly made her way upstairs as another voice was heard, "Leave me alone. I don't know you. I don't know you." the voice replied weakly as it let out a heavy cough before a heavy slam was heard. "Yes, you do. Just tell me why.", the coldness in McGrath's voice shocking Pinkie. As she entered the study room, she saw what the slam was, McGrath was a man by the color of his dress shirt against a wall, shockingly to her the man McGrath was holding looked exactly like a older version of him.
"Tell me, what made it okay for you to experiment on your own son!", he asked him coldly, a look in his eyes that made even Pinkie scared of McGrath.
"Supremehumans, since the discovery of their existence they have been regarded with fear, suspicion, often hatred. Are they the next link in the evolutionary chain or simply a new species of humanity fighting for their share of the world? Never before, in all of human history, has there been a cause which could unite us as a species... but the most frustrating thing I've learned is that nobody really knows how many even exist." McGrath's father explained, as his son looked at him in anger, "We were trying to build weapons who could stand up to them, sentinels for humanity. It was your mothers idea to infect her with the M-Genes, passing her powers on to her unborn son, and we succeeded. Those test we put you through, they were harsh but you were the Ultimate Life Form. A fortunate side effect of your abilities was that your blood had became a cure. A cure for nearly all known disease, unfortunately your mother didn't allow me to drain you for...".
He was interrupted by a loud gasp from Pinkie, as both man turned their attention to her, "He is your son! How could you have...", Pinkie shouted completely shocked, she couldn't understand how someone could do something like that to their own flesh and blood. "My son is dead! Just like the rest of you.", McGrath's father shouted in anger but he looked shocked as McGrath let out a loud roar, throwing his father across the room sending him into another wall.
"So that makes it okay? You ruined me, you neuk!", McGrath shouted as he slowly walked towards the coughing form of his father, "Kill me, then! Trust me, you'll be doing me a favor." he shouted while getting to his knees as his son conjured a golden energy spear inside the palm of his hand."Pinkie... Go wait in the car...", McGrath ordered, the coldness of his voice scaring even Pinkie. Much to his surprise he could feel a small hand pulling at his sleeve.
"McGrath... come on, let's go. Let him suffer... he knows what he did. He doesn't look like he enjoys life too much. Come on.", Pinkie begged him, she didn't know why but she felt that if McGrath would do this things would only get worse for him.
McGrath launched the speak into the wall behind his father as he took a swing at his father with his left hand, his fist connecting with his father's jaw, sending him to the ground as he lost contentious, "That was for everyone. That was for me.", McGrath stated with heavy breathing as he turned around to leave. On the way out, he spotted a flipped over leather briefcase, its files spilling out, one file was named 'Project D. McGrath'.
On the drive back home, McGrath had placed the leather briefcase and its content in his drunk. After they left the house, neither Pinkie or McGrath himself had said a word. Pulling up a red light, Pinkie finally decided to speak up, "You did the right thing, McGrath. It is not often that someone can be sure of that but you definitely did the right thing. Be proud of yourself.", she told him trying to cheer her up, but all he could respond with was a cold laughter.
"Let's have a neuking party, break out the champagne. I let a diseased, asshole live after hunting him for over a decade. Bloody hell, someone hand me the keys to the neuking city!", McGrath shouted angrily as the light turn green.
Pinkie looked to the side before slowly saying, "There's no need to take that tone, McGrath.".
McGrath shook his head before saying, "I'm sorry if my tone offends you, Pinkie Pie." much to her surprise he sounded sincere, "But this has been a very difficult moment for me. It took every fiber of my being to not kill my father, to not get revenge for all he has done to me.", he said as he pulled up at parking garage of MC Enterprises.
"What made you spare him?", Pinkie asked curiously as he turned down the engine. It took him some minutes before finding the answer, "I don't know. I wanted it for so long. He would just be dead, but then, when I looked at him, I realized that nothing would change if I killed him, revenge would not somehow shut the book on what he had done to me.", McGrath said, his vision becoming fogging, he could his eyes become wet with tears. He felt a small hand wipe away the tear that had managed to escape his left eye before two arms enveloped him in a hug . "So, keep living and try to have a happy life. Try to move on, and me and the rest of our friend will be right behind you.", Pinkie told him as she stared into his emerald green eyes. McGrath gave a small nod before taking out his phone, dialing up his sister, to tell her what had happened.
A few hours later, Pinkie and McGrath arrived back at Ponyville. McGrath walked her back to Sugarcube Corner, neither of them talking much. Though Pinkie was happy to be back on for legs, she still wasn't happy that her best buddy was still having that sad scowl on his face.
"We're back home, do you want to come in and play with the twins?", Pinkie asked, she didn't like it when her friends were sad, especially McGrath, he was way cuter when he was happy.
"No, I need to be alone." McGrath told her and much to her surprise, he gave her that smile which she found so attractive, "Thank you for coming with me, Pinkie. If there is anything you need help with, anything at all, don't be afraid to ask me for help".
Pinkie nodded, "Do not mention it, McGrath.", much to her surprise his smile disappeared and he looked serious again.
"Stop that, I want you to stop calling me McGrath. I want you to call me by my first name.", he told her much to her surprise, even Rarity didn't call him by his first name. Then again nobody knows McGrath's first name. "I don't know your first name...", she informed him.
McGrath closed his eyes as he let out a soft chuckle, "My first name? My first name is...". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 56: Vacation Times | Early in the morning, Sweet Apple Acres. Big Mac woke up with his bed shaking, looking up he saw Phoenix dressed in a red t-shirt and beige jeans jumping on his bed, now he knew something important was happening today. "Wake up, Big Red! Today is the day we're going on that vacation Celestia paid for us as a thank you for saving Equestria a bunch of times!", Phoenix shouted excitedly before levitating mid air to dodge Big Mac's kick. "I know, just give me a minute...", Big Mac said as he got out of bed.
"Ya know, I have been thinking." Phoenix said through the bath room door while Big Mac was doing his morning routine. "Ah, I hope it didn't hurt to much." Big Mac replied sarcastically. "Haha, very funny. Anyways, So when we are on this vacation I thought we put plan 'HBRUWS' into action!" Phoenix informed him as Big Mac came out of the bath room with a odd look. "Hook Big Red Up With Sunshine, him not good at naming missions. But, I promised that I would help you out with that." Phoenix told him as he helped Big Mac carry his suitcase down the stairs.
"Really? I thought you were joking about that.", Big Mac admitted as he, Phoenix and Applejack made their way to the Train Station. Phoenix gave him a pout as if he felt insulted, "I promised didn't I? And a Phoenix always helps out his friends!", he said as Big Mac gave a nod. "I see. Ya know, you look adorable when you pout.", Big Mac noted making his sister and friend chuckle.
When they arrived at the train station, they could see that everybody, save Skywalker already had arrived. After greeting them, Phoenix noticed that both McGrath and Rarity were having a scowl on their faces, for one it was normal, for the other not so much.
"What's up with them?", Applejack asked. "Well you see AJ, when your significant other takes a long time in the bath room and the other says they don't know why the other bothers, they tend to get mad.", Sutakira explained making Applejack nod. She had thought McGrath would be more sensitive to his girlfriends feelings, especially her appearance.
"Do you even know how much time goes into my hair? It doesn't get this shiny, healthy looking and having this nice scent of coconut by itself!" McGrath shouted defensively, making the other friends broke down in laughter.
"Do you know how I do my hair in the morning? I wake up, remove my head from my pillow, done." Griffifth told them.
Meanwhile over at Canterlot Castle, Skywalker and Shining Armor had returned after a challenging mission, at the coast of Canterlot they was some trouble with three sirens or something, who used their voice to enslave ponies to do their bidding. But between Skywalker and Shining Armor, they warn't much trouble, unfortunately they had escaped through a portal to an unknown destination.
"Thanks for the help, Skywalker. Really appreciate it.", Shining Armor said as they walked through the hall. Skywalker told him it was no problem before his expression turned to sadness. Looking in his direction, he saw the princess of the night with a similar expression before walking the other way.
"So I take it..." Shining Armor started slowly but decided not to finish it as he saw his friends saddened expression, "If there is anything I can do for you...". Skywalker shook his head trying to reassure him he was gonna be alright. "You sure?", Shinning Armor asked giving him a worried look. The young knight gave him a nod, "Yeah, I think this vacation is just what I need.", he flashed him a reassuring smile before it turned into his 'Oh, crap' face. Quickly bidding goodbye to his friend, Skywalker flew off back to his house to pack his stuff.
Meanwhile on the train who had just left the train station, Celestia herself was accompanying them to the beach resort much to the chagrin of a certain blond. "We're going on a vacation to one of the best beaches in Equestria, I don't care what you guys say I'm getting wasted." McGrath said as he downed another beer. "But with the fossile around, it's like one of our parents is going to watch us during the vacation!", Griffifth complained to Rainbow who had to giggle. "Or Jason's great-great-great-great-grandma.", she pointed out before looking around, "Speaking off... Were is the guy?". Out of the corner of her eye, Rainbow could see Skywalker dressed in a blue polo shirt with a popped collar, black jeans, his usual sneakers and a duffelbag of his shoulder running along side them. "Someone open the window!", he shouted as AJ who was closed to his window opened it to let him in.
A little while later, after he explained why he was so late. "I see..." McGrath said before declaring Skywalker needed something to get over his heart break. "Guys, I don't need anything to get over it.", Skywalker said but McGrath, Rainbow and Pinkie pulled him into one of the compartment, saying they had a present for him. A few hours later, the cabin was now filled with smoke as everyone was in a good mood. Skywalker gave a soft chuckle, "You know... This present... I like.", he said slowly trying to suppress an all out giggle, "I especially liked how it was wrapped in white paper.".
Pinkie nodded as she patted McGrath on the head, "You really are a good friend, David.", she said, her other friends giving her a puzzling look. "What's a David?", Rainbow asked as McGrath replied that 'David' is his first name. "I thought your name was McGrath." Rainbow said dryly gaining a scoff from her brown haired friend, "I don't think even my parents would have been that cruel.".
As they came out of the compartment, "I don't mind being single, after all now I have more time to hang out with my best buddy", Skywalker said with a reassuring smile as he locked Rainbow in a head lock and messing up her rainbow mane.
Suddenly they heard a load bang as if someone was hit in the head, followed by a loud yell from Phoenix, "Where was that for!?" Phoenix shouted as he patted the back of his head. "Thanks to your shenanigans, I have to share a room with the fossil!", Griffifth shouted obviously not pleased as he grabbed Phoenix by the front of his shirt. "I have no idea what you mean." Phoenix lied badly, it was true he had change the sleeping arrangement for plan 'HBRUWS', if Griffifth had to share a room with a person he absolutely disliked so he can keep a promise to his other friend so be it. "You owe me big time for this, Kyle!", Griffifth said as the train arrived at the station.
After dumping their bags in their hotel rooms and after a short walk to the beach, they saw two changing rooms, one for males, one for females. "Alright, first part of my plan, stand right here and don't move.", Phoenix said when he and Big Mac were the only one on the guys side. "Now what are ya doing?", Big Mac asked as his red headed friend climbed up on his back. "Nothing, just taking a peek.", Phoenix replied with a pervy smile. Big Mac looked up and saw a grate in the wall separating the two changing room, "Dude!" Big Mac said in surprise making Phoenix look down at him. "What? This is an opportunity that will never pass me by again! I get to see a bunch of cute mares change!".
Before responding Big Mac galloped out of the dressing room before they were caught and had to endure the wrath of their female friends.
"You can't do that!" Big Mac said as Phoenix get off him. Phoenix rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms, "Because it's not the right thing to do?".
Big Mac shook his head as the two arrived on the beach, "No, because it's too risky! There were seven mares in there. Odds were, one of them was bound to notice you. Not to mention that one of those mares is Princess Celestia!".
Phoenix opened his mouth to respond but after giving it some thought, "Good point.", he had to admit.
Skywalker was dressing in his blue swimming short, laying down on a towel, close to dozing off when a shadow fell over him. Opening one eye he could see that it was Fluttershy standing over him, "Oh uhm... Hi Jason. Do you mind if I sit with you... uhm if its okay with you." she asked shyly rubbing her front hoof with the other. After letting out a small chuckle, gesturing for her to sit down. With a blush she placed her yellow towel next to him as Skywalker laid back down on his own towel. She knew Skywalker and Luna had broken up, sure she had a crush on him but she wasn't trying to replace Luna, she just wanted to be there for him. And if he was wearing nothing but his swimming short, allowing her to admire his toned body, that just a bonus for her.
Over at the water, Griffifth dressed in a black swimming shorts with a white sun pattern on it as Twilight swam up to him, "I just want to know, Griffifth. Who is your dream mare?", Twilight asked. Her blond friend gave her an annoyed groan, "I'm not gonna tell you, and it's gonna stay that way." he told her. Unbeknownst to either of them, Celestia was listening in on them from under the water as she had cast a invisibility. She gave an inward sigh, "If only I were Luna, then I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble to get the answer out of him. I could just go in his dreams and find the answer."
"Okay, how about if I guess this girl's name? If I guess right, will you tell me then?" Twilight asked making the princess of the suns ears peek up. Griffifth crossed his arms, "Maybe.".
"Alright... Pinkie Pie!", Twilight said, Griffifth responded almost directly with, "Give me a break!"
After several minutes of guessing, Twilight finally relents. Luckily, she didn't guess the mare Griffifth was crushing on.
"You sure it isn't Celestia? It's okay if it was. I'm sure she won't get mad or anything." Twilight suggested, she had to hold in her laughter with all her might at the face Griffifth was making, "Ugh! You wish!".
Back over at Skywalker and Fluttershy, both were in a conversation, "Say Flutters? Why aren't you swimming?", Skywalker asked, making his yellow friend blush, she really liked it when he called her Flutters. "Uhm... I don't want to disturb the cute fish.", she admitted as Phoenix, wearing his red swimming shorts with a white flower pattern, approach the two. "Say, Messiah and Sunshine, Big Mac and I need a two players for our two on two volleyball game. You up for it?" Phoenix asked the two, Skywalker didn't mind but Fluttershy had her doubts, she wasn't the most athletic mare in the world, but she didn't see the harm in a friendly volleyball game, especially if she could team with with Jason. "Sure, Phoenix," she said with a smile, much to the surprise of the young knight.
"Perfect.", the excited red heard said as he placed an arm around Skywalker. "You'll be on my team. Sunshine your on Big Red's. Let's go and give those two what for.", he told them as they made their way to the volleyball field. Before they know it, Skywalker was about to serve. "Me and Fluttershy can take ya and Phoenix!", Big Mac declared as Skywalker gave him a cocky grin, "Bring it on!", Skywalker retorted as he served.
Over at the side lines Sutakira wearing a purple swimming short and Applejack looked on but she noticed that the blueish haired guy wasn't paying attention to the game. "Are ya looking at my flank?", Applejack asked him, she was slightly annoyed by his staring, though she didn't mind it that much. To her big surprise he replied with a blunt, "Yes.". Applejack's freckles filled cheeks turned red as she shouted, "Stop looking at it!".
Sutakira nodded before responding, "Alright, I stop looking if you stop being so sexy.".
Back over at the game, it had basically come down to a stalemate. Sure, there were odds and ends, but Skywalker made a comeback as he started to do roundhouse kicks and wushu butterfly kicks that made it very difficult for the other side to counter.
Tired as hell, Big Mac gather up all his remaining strength to beat the tie, "Next point wins!", Big Mac shouted putting all his strength in this final smash. Unfortunately though, because Skywalker miscalculated his reaction time and distance to knock the ball back, it hit him square in the face, still somehow getting him the point since Phoenix had collapsed.
Everybody saw what happened, but Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were the most concerned. "Oh my Celestia!" They fly over to him and see Skywalker with a confused expression looking up at the sky. "Did someone got the licence plate of that truck?". Big Mac picks him up, brushing the sand off him, "Oh, sweet applesauce. Skywalker, I'm really sorry for doing that. I don't know what happened.", he tried to apologize but Skywalker brushed it off. "Hey, it's just a game right? No harm done.", he told him patting Big Mac on the back.
Big Mac let out a relieved laugh, but his expression turned to shock as suddenly Fluttershy gave him a death glare, "You should have been more careful, Big Macintosh!" she yelled, much to the surprise of everyone, "You could have hurt him! Why do you have to be so reckless!?". Big Mac turned his head down in shame, he was sure he had blew his chance of impressing Fluttershy.
Skywalker's voice brought him out of his train of thought as he told her, "He wasn't being reckless Flutters," Skywalker told her, somehow calming her down, "It's not like he spiked the ball down on me. He bumped it over the net, and I messed up trying to bump it back. In all honesty, it wasn't even his fault. If he meant for the ball to hit me, I'd be out cold right now.", he told her with a small chuckle at the end.
"Fine, I'll let it slide... this time." she then turns around and walks back to her towel. "What the hell was that all about?", McGrath whispered Pinkie's ear as the two came back from the food stall. "I have no idea, David." Pinkie answer as she took a bite from her ice cream. "What did Pinkie just call you darling?", Rarity asked as her coltfriend sat down next to her, heading her her refreshment. "
She called me by my first name.", he answered, Rarity was about to respond angrily, but he raised his hand. What had Pinkie done to deserve to call McGrath by his first name. "Rarity, I know your probably angry and a little jealous about Pinkie calling me David. But you should now, as my girlfriend your also allowed to call me that. As a matter of fact... Would you mind calling me... David? Come on, let me hear how it sounds." he added that last part with a blush on his pale face, making the white mares heart flutter. She knew McGrath had taken Pinkie to the human world and what ever happened it had been good for McGrath.
"Alright... David.", she whispered in his ear, the sides of his mouth turning into a smile. " Thanks... You're the only one I can act this way around. I'll be sure to make you happy.", he said as he moved closer to her as he place his head on her head. Pinkie looked on from the water, she felt sad yet happy at the same time. Sad that she would never be that close to him, but if he was happy for him. She'd rather that he was happy with another mare than unhappy with her.
Later, Skywalker was eating some strawberry cheesecake flavored ice cream as Phoenix approached him. "What do you think your doing?", he red headed friend asked. He stopped his liking for a moment, "Eating ice cream?".
"... Don't play dumb. I know all about your little fetish, Messiah.", Phoenix said accusingly, making Skywalker's eyes widen. "I don't have a thing for feet!", he shouted defensively as he stood up, taking Phoenix aback. After collecting himself, Phoenix asked slowly, "You have a thing for feet?".
He got a very awkward reply, "... Uhm... No... What fetish are we talking about?", Skywalker slowly said quickly looking to the side. "You have a thing for Sunshine.", Phoenix said accusingly. "Does that count as a fetish? Why are all my friend so weird? Though I can't really be one to judge...", Skywalker thought. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 57: Vacation Continues | A sunny afternoon at Canterlot Castle gardens, Celestia was happy, she was out in the garden, lying on the lush grass with a certain someone. That someone was cuddled against Celestia's side. Without warning the princess of the sun gave him a lick on his cheek. "Tia, stop it, that tickles.", he complained making the sun princess give him a devilish smirk. "Oh, does it?" she said as she continued to lick him across the face. Making the cute blond laugh as slowly the licks became less playful and more sensual, the laughs starts to slowly turn into moans. "Oh Tia," as the blond moaned as Celestia moved further down, her tongue slowly traveled further down his body.
Suddenly Celestia shot up in her bed, drenched in sweat, "It was this blasted dream again! A few weeks after the wedding. I started to have those disgusting dreams of ravaging him...", she thought to herself as she got up and walked towards the bathroom. "Why do I keep having these dreams? I can't possibly want to do that with...". Her train of thought was broken as the bathroom door opened to reveal Griffifth coming out. Both their hearts jumps up into their throat when the other saw the other. Griffifth immediately hid a plastic bag behind his back.
"What are you doing up, Griffifth?" she asks, the fact that he try to hide something behind his back didn't went unnoticed. Griffifth tried to calmed his breath, "Using the bathroom, sorry if I woke you up." he responded.
Celestia gave him an unbelieving look, "Nice try, What's with the plastic bag?" she asked unconvinced. She knew that he was laying when his eyes went wide for a moment.
"This bag has my dirty clothes in it," he said unconvincingly but after the unbelieving look the princess was giving he knew it was useless to continue lying. "Fine, you got me. These are the pants I was wearing earlier tonight.".
"Oh... You had a little wet dream?" Celestia asked with a smirk. Griffifth started to sweat, and look away from her, "You did, didn't you!" she said. "Who were you thinking about?"
"I'm not telling you that!", Griffifth said as he marched back to his bed, but he froze in his step by the princess next words, "You weren't thinking about me, were you?" she said, making him turn around, showing him her smirk. "Ugh! Not even!" Griffifth shouted as he placed the bag in his suitcase, "Why would you even ask that?", he said as he jumped back into his bed, pulling the covers over his head. "Because the face you make when you get uncomfortable is just adorable!".
That morning at the breakfast table, the gang was all there save for some late sleeper as the rest talked about the day excitedly. They were planning a trip into the city, just doing something that would interest them. Sutakira was enjoying his pancakes as Rarity with a big grin on her face took a seat next to him. "Morning, Rarity. What are you so happy about?", he asked as his white friend used her magic to pour herself a cup of coffee. "Oh no reason...", she said dreamily as she took a sip. Looking around, Sutakira couldn't see a certain brunette anywere. Which was unusual as he was an early riser and he shared a room with Rarity. "Where is McGrath?".
"After the night we had, properly still asleep.", Rarity admitted her cheeks turning red as she realized what she just had said, "Oh uhm... Sutakira can I ask you something?".
He gave her a nod so she continued, "Uhm... Is it normal for a human male to have a hole on his backside?".
"Guys have those too, Rarity." Sutakira replied dryly but before Rarity could ask anything else, McGrath himself teleported into the room in a flash of green light. Placing a kiss on her cheek he took a seat and started a discussion with Phoenix and Pinkie about what they should do in the city. "Hey David! I know a good joke!", Pinkie said, clearing her throat she continued, "Knock, knock." she said but McGrath interrupted her.
"No. I am the one who knocks!", he said. "...Okay..." Pinkie said slowly.
A hour later, the gang arrived in the city close to the Beach resort they were staying in. Much to the shock of McGrath and Pinkie the city's name was Twiy Town. "This place looks nothing like my Twiy Town.", McGrath complained as they entered a clothing store, his complaining was cut short as he spotted some very nice shoes. Rainbow was bored out of her mind, she didn't care for fashion. Her eyes fell on a small bracelet with a flower symbol on it.
"It's so cute! The flower! It's so teeny!", Rainbow squeed as she admired the bracelet. ""So you buying that?", a voice said close to her ear making the blue pegasus jump back in shock. The one who spoke was Skywalker who was standing behind her with his hands in his pockets.
Rainbow gave a quick look between her human friend and the bracelet, "Who!? Me? No way! Honest! There's no reason! Maybe if I was girlier then it'd make sense, but hell no!", she said with a awkward chuckle.
"You know, that wasn't what I was thinking.", Skywalker said with a shrug of his shoulders as he petted her head, messing up her rainbow colored manes a little. Rainbow couldn't help but blush and pout as Skywalker gave her a soft chuckle, "Dashie, you really are... too cute.".
Rainbow became red as a tomato, "You! You moron!" she shouted completely embarrassed. This made Skywalker chuckle again as he gave his best friend a warm smile, "Think nothing of it. Though I want you to know that I wasn't joking.", he said as he left the store and headed for a comic book shop across the street.
Rainbow watched him leave, her blush disappearing from her face, "Why does being close to you, feels so good?", she thought to herself as she followed Applejack, Phoenix and Sutakira who were going to visit some store more her style.
Meanwhile over at the Comic Shop, Skywalker was browsing its content with Griffifth. Unfortunately for him, none of the comic they had caught his interest, though he hadn't search the entire store. "You are too willing to involve yourself in the affairs of others, Skywalker. Each time you put yourself at risk. One day you will not be so lucky." Griffifth said to his friend as he browsed through some comics, the new issue of 'Mare Of Steel' or 'Batmane' hadn't been released yet.
"You have a better idea?", Skywalker asked as he studied a particular comic closely, it featured a six of pretty boys wielding what appeared to be key shaped swords, the comic's title appeared to be 'Quest For Equestria'. "Keep your head low." Griffifth suggest as Skywalker spotted some Vanguard booster packs which peeked his interest, "That sounds like a way to go through life without ever knowing anyone. How well has that worked for you, Griffifth?", he said as he studied which booster packs they were selling.
"All I'm saying is, guard what you have.", the blond told him as the both of them brought a large amount of booster packs. Skywalker couldn't help but chuckle as they left the store, "Like a dragon! Guarding my treasure hoard. Shall I eat passersby? Maybe I can demand virgin sacrifices.", he said as held his right arm over his chest while propping his left elbow up on it and placing a hand on his chin. Griffifth shook his head, "Even dragons are eventually slain, Skywalker. One day you may simply end up being rewarded with a blade in the back.".
Skywalker unfolded his arms turning to his friend, "Not your blade, however.", he said with a confident smile, showing his friend that he had his full trust. "Not my blade, no.", Griffifth said softly with a smile of his own. He could never do that to Skywalker, he was the first true friend he ever had.
"I have nowhere else...", Griffifth said turning his eyes to the ground. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up he saw Skywalker's amber eyes looking into his own ruby red ones. "Well, you can stay with me.", a soft smile graced Skywalker's lips as he said that, and Griffifth couldn't help but feel a faint blush creep on his cheeks.
Later that night, for dinner they had somehow persuaded Skywalker to cook knowing he would make something delicious. "Wow, that smells so good! It's making me all hungry...", Fluttershy admitted as she and Phoenix watched the young knight work his magic in the kitchen, she had to admit, he looked cute in that apron. "That's Messiah's cooking... Will there be any leftovers?", Phoenix asked with glee, he had become very fond of his friend cooking over the years. "Can't you tell?", Skywalker asked dryly as he chopped up some vegetables which nearly all of his friends forget to eat most of the time.
"...You're supposed to be a good friend and make larger servings!", the red head wined as he dropped his head on the table as Skywalker pointed his kitchen knife at him. "You're supposed to not be an idiot. Look, there's obviously more than twelve servings here.", the dark haired pretty boy said as he threw his freshly cut vegetables in pan.
After diner they had all gathered around a camp fire which wasn't difficult to start, seeing as we have for magic users, a guy who can shoot heat beams out of his eyes and a guy who has fire as his super power.
"I think I have a good game for us to play. AJ, you brought some of your 'hard brand' cider, right?" Celestia said suddenly as she turned to the apple sister who nodded, "Then how about we play 'Never Have I Ever'?".
The gang agreed thought Twilight had never heard of it, "I've never heard of that game.", she admitted.
"Oh, it's such a fun game, Twily.", Sutakira was the first to explain, "Everybody gets a small glass, and we all take turns saying something that we've never done. If somebody else here has done it, then they have to fill their glass with booze, cider in this case, and gulp it down!".
The sun princess nodded, glad to see that this game was pretty much the same in every world. "For example, never have I ever made out with somebody on a beach with other people watching me.", Skywalker gulp down his glass, remembering the time he and Luna did it.
"Okay, I think I get the gist of this game. Let me try... Never have I ever... kissed another person of the same gender on the lips.", Twilight said.
The group remains quiet for a second, then a few took a glass of cider: Pinkie Pie and Celestia. "Okay I remember that one time where Pinkie kissed another mare at a party a few months ago, but Celestia!?", Big Mac said as the princess noted the look on everyone's faces.
"Sure, I've had a few girlfriends, but I'm over two thousand years old, and when you been around as long as I have, you become open to experimenting.", she admitted as if it was no big deal.
"Let's see...", Rarity said as it was her turn, "Never have I ever... had more than one partner at the same time!". Both Phoenix and Celestia take another glassful of cider, then high-five each other once they finish their glasses. "I'm beginning to wonder just how much we don't know about the sun princess.", Griffifth thought to himself, his train of thought interrupted by the voice of Fluttershy. "Um... can I go next?", the shy mare said. "Go on Fluttershy!", Skywalker shouted, filling the shy mare with confidence. "Never have I ever... drank so much at a party that I fainted afterwards."
Of course, Skywalker, McGrath, Phoenix, Celestia, and to everybody's surprise, so did Rarity. Noticing the looks, Rarity blushes, "Pinkie Pie's last party was very... interesting..." she admitted.
Skywalker held his right arm over his chest while propping his left elbow up on it and placing a hand on his chin, "Hmm... Never have I ever... kept a crush hidden for a long time.", he said as he, Fluttershy, McGrath, Big Mac, Phoenix, Pinkie, Griffifth and Celestia took their drinks.
This went on for half an hour, some of those less used to the effects of alcohol started to become a little tipsy, except Phoenix who can't handle his alcohol at all, a simple beer would be enough to make him very tipsy.
"Uh... oh... Never have I ever had any dirty thoughts about somebody else.", Celestia said, nobody drink, that was until Celestia herself turned around and secretly drank.
"Fossil, I think you should take it easy now...", Griffifth said but the princess of the sun placed a hoof around him, "N-No, n, Griff... Griffifth I'll be... I'll be fine...", she said a little disoriented before passing out. "I told her to lighten up. Luckily, no one went overboard like fossil...", the young blond thought to himself as he looked over his other friends.
Pinkie and a very drunken Phoenix were dancing over the beach while singing, "Heineken das ist meine bier! Heineken dast ist viel plezier!", over and over and over.
Shaking his head, Griffifth lifted Celestia up and on his back, making his way back to their hotel room.
McGrath meanwhile was sitting at the shore, watching the stars. The last few days he had read everything his father had left in that suit case, while some thing about what he could do sounded promising, there was this name that kept popping up. "Who is this Marc Morgenstern?", he thought to himself, not noticing Pinkie taking a seat next to him. "So... How are you doing David?", she asked him, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"I'm getting better, but it might be some time before I can get out of my old mind set...", McGrath admitted as his pink friend nodded, "To tell you the truth, Pinkie... I'm jealous of you.", not facing his friend who gave him a surprised look. "I wish I could live life the way you do. Just following my heart.", he turned to face his friend who gave him a soft smile. "Yeah, well, I've got my share of problems, too. Like... wanting to be like you.", she said turning her gaze towards the sky.
McGrath scoffed, shaking his head as he tried his hardest to suppressed a grin, "Well, there is one advantage to being me... Something you could never imitate.", he said gaining a questioning look from his friend, "Having you for a friend.".
Pinkie beamed when she heard that, "Then I guess... I'm okay the way I am. I've got something you could never imitate too.". They look up at the star filled sky and close their eyes, feeling the breeze on their skin and hearing the sound of the waves.
"I owe you a debt Griffifth! And a Celestia always repays her debt!", Celestia declared as Griffifth carried her into their hotel room. Griffifth said, "Fossil, you aren't a Lanister." as he placed her in her bed. "I'm not!?", was the last Celestia shouted before falling into the sweet embrace of sleep. Griffifth gave her one lest look before pulling her covers up.
In a dark cell, deep beneath the earth a dark red figure was chained to the wall. He had been here ever since his defeat at the hands or rather... hooves of the princesses. It felt like aeons since he had last seen another living thing that wasn't one of those guardians. A sudden click was heard as the wall that functioned as the door to his prison cell slid open, revealing a tall figure in dark robes. "Lord Tirek, I presume?", Marc Morgenstern asked as his eyes flashed blue menacingly under his hood. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 58: Vacation Ends | Earlier at the entrance of Tartarus, Mizuki, Byron and Jay had gathered on the orders of their leader, they weren't allowed to enter and had to wait until he arrived. "Where is that guy? What is taking him so long!?", Byron complained gaining a death glare from Mizuki. "Show some respect, without him you would be here.", she scolded him. "Indeed, I would have been in my study doing something useful. I bet our Dark Lord is in his study, talking to... whatever it is he's talking too.", Byron said as he got in another argument with Mizuki. Jay couldn't help but sigh, why couldn't those two just get along? "Stop it both of you!", he shouted moving between them, "Just fuck each other already!".
Before either of them could respond, a dark blue cloud rushed from the sky, coming together on the ground before them as it took the form of their boss. "I see you three are being lively.", Marc said as the three stood straight. With a flick of his wrist two scrolls appeared, one floated to Byron and the other to Jay. "These are your mission for today. You might be wondering why I called you here. Well for one it's convenient for me. Unfortunately the weapon I'm looking for isn't in the bowls of Tartarus. But fortunately, the key to unlocking its location can be found at the bottom of this dungeon.", he explained gaining a nod from the members of his inner circle.
Mizuki smirked, know she knew why he didn't gave her a mission, he wanted her to go and, "That's why I will personally go and retrieve it. Mizu, I want you to accompany Jayden over here to Arendell. If our information is correct, Arendell is ruled by a very powerful Cyromancer.". Before Mizuki could protest, "You know your missions, now go.", he commanded as the three disappeared into dark smoke. Turning his attention to the unremarkable rock formation, with a burst of telekinesis, the rock split open, revealing a spiral staircase.
Meanwhile in a ally not far from Ponyville's Main Square, a white portal opens. Soon a young woman with a tanned skin, light blue eyes, a lithe muscular build. Her dark brown hair was tied in a high pony tail. "It seems I'm not in Republic City anymore...", she said as she walked out of the ally and into the Main Square. "That's new.", she noted to her self as she saw the ponies walking around. Scootaloo accidentally ran into her. "Oh, sorry. I should have been looking where I walked.", Scootaloo explained, surprising the human girl. "Aren't you afraid?", she asked, surprised that the young filly wasn't scared of a strange being. "Should I be?" she tilted her head, "A friend of Ser Skywalker can't be that bad.".
"Ser Skywalker? You know Jason?", she said gaining a nod from the filly. "Everybody knows Ser Skywalker! That's him.", the filly said pointing towards a large statue of Skywalker holding the planet in on hand high above his head. "Well, at least I have one friend in this strange new world.", the girl commented.
After traveling down the staircase, Marc found himself staring into six eyes, three sets of razor sharp teeth and three noses. "Cerberus? Perhaps I should make you Mizu's pet.", Marc said sarcastically as the beast charged at him. Conjuring his Keyblade to his hand, "Will this be challenging?", he question himself as Cerberus attacks with its teeth from the middle. While Marc easily deflects the attack making the guardian recoil, the force of the blow knocks Cerberus through a large rock in the area. As Cerberus recovers, Marc begins to unleash a fierce barrage against it, makes a particularly powerful swing and sends Cerberus reeling through the air. Marc opens a dark portal, sending Cerberus somewhere else.
"An empty victory," Marc said to himself, as he made his way through the gates. Marc had made his way into the central chamber of Tartarus, from here he could get anywhere into this hell prison. "This is what they call security? I presume they only care about prisoners leaving this hell hole.", he noted as he took another spiral stairs further down.
"How long has it been since we saved Equestria? To think we failed after we fought so hard. They should have looked up to us as heroes, be inspired to be like us. Instead they treated us like monster, a danger to the human race. Someone had to take a stand, someone had to protect us.", Marc said to himself as he found himself flashing back to those days.
At the war room, Marc, Celestia, Lily and Celestia's Royal Guard Captain were standing over a war table discussing which strategy would best work at defending against The Outsiders. "We will draw them into this valley here, and on your signal both our armies will charge and trapping them. This strategy will be our path to victory.", the Royal Guard Captain said. Celestia trusted her commanders judgement but to her surprise, the young Keyblade Knight had a objection, "The key to strategy... is not to choose a path to victory, but to choose so that all paths lead to a victory.", he said as he proposed multiple ways to ensure their victory with minimal lost of life for their side.
As he relayed the orders to the commanders, Marc noticed Lily talking with Celestia to the side. Using his advanced hearing, he picked up at what the two ladies were discussing.
"You think we have a chance of winning, Lady Skywalker?", the sun ruler asked as the young woman nodded. "Yes, your highness. With the combined strength of our armies and with Marc leading us, the outsiders are finished.", Lily said with the utmost confidence. Celestia gave her a warm smile as the two talking about earth. It seem princess of the sun had taken a liking to the young Superius. "Is something the matter?" the ruler of the sun asked her, seeing the worry in her eyes. "I'll be honest with you, your highness. I had another reason to come to Equestria. The Outsiders have made an alliance with these weird, bug things. They have taken my mother..." she explained but Celestia interrupted her.
"Then what are you doing here? Go safe her!", The sun princess commanded making the young woman in front of her confused. "Indeed, go find your mother. We'll make sure she has a victory party to come home to.", Marc told her as he approach the two. Lily gave the two a grateful smile before running off, following in the direction her Sense was pulling her to.
"She is special isn't she.", Celestia said as the young knight couldn't help but agree, there wasn't a woman he could possible love more. "I hope they will be okay.". Upon the puzzling look from her new ally she explained, "Don't you know? Lily is with child.".
Marc was brought out of trip down memory lane as he stood in front of a large stone door, four chains were held together by a lock, they had hopped that who ever was locked here would never be set free again. Stretching out his hand, in a flash of light his keyblade, the Morning Star, a small beam of light shot out of the tip into the lock. After a metal click, the lock disappeared, the chains dropping on the floor with a loud thud. Inside the vault like prison, he saw a very frail, with muted colors and roughly at the height of a normal pony, chained to the wall.
"Lord Tirek, I presume?", Marc asked as his eyes flashed blue menacingly under his hood.
The frail centaur turning his head as he let out a raspy chuckle, "Its been some time since I have seen another face around here.", Tirek said as he studied his visitor. "I have come to relieve you from your torment.", with another flash, and Tirek's chains disappeared setting the centaur free. "We do not have much time before the guardians arrive, now lets go.", Marc commanded, he didn't need to tell that the centaur twice as Tirek quickly followed him. The exit of his prison was unfortunately blocked by a small army of the Guardians, shadows given life. All those years in Tartarus had left Tirek weakened, forcing him to rely on this mysterious stranger to fight them for him. "Could this be challenging?", Marc muttered to himself, he kept asking this question though he knew there was only one who had ever fought him to a draw, and that was only because she had given birth moments before their final battle.
Meanwhile over back over at the Beach Resort, Celestia woke up with a pounding headache. "Ow... Damn, what did I do last night?", the princess asked herself suddenly remembering the 'Never Have I Ever' game they played. She tried to stand up to get a shower but gravity seemed to feel a hundred times stronger than normal, what didn't help was that her legs felt like jello as she crashed down to the ground with a loud thud. Suddenly, she could hear loud foot steps coming up. "Ah, sleeping beauty has woken up!", the sarcastic voice of Griffifth made his way into her ears as she felt two strong arms lifting her up easily. "Ease up, you over did it with the cider yesterday.", Griffifth told her as he gently sits her down on the edge of the bed.
Celestia nod weakly, rub her face, looking over her room mate, who himself seemed like he didn't have much sleep. "Griffifth... You look... Look a little pale...", she said as the blond rolled his eyes. "Well, that's what happens when you spend up all night holding back your room mates hair when she throws up.", he informed her with a annoyed tone to his voice. "Anyways, the rest as left to go to that amusement park. Didn't want to leave you alone so...". He quickly stood up, making his way to the bathroom. If Celestia didn't knew better, she could have sworn that Griffifth had a faint blush on his face.
The rest of the Harmonic Heroes meanwhile had arrived at the amusement park, where there were tons of rides and other attractions to keep them occupied for the rest of the day. This was their last day before they would head back to Ponyville, so they had vowed to have as much fun as possible. Phoenix suggested to split up in groups but none was having that. A certain yellow Pegasus was slightly disappointed at this, "Aw... I was hoping to be alone with Skywalker. We would go on the Ferris Wheel and get stuck on the top, or some other romantic thing that happens at an amusement parks.", she thought to herself not noticing that they were now standing in line for the biggest, fastest roller coaster in the entire park.
Snapping out of her thought, Fluttershy realized where they were standing, she was deathly afraid of roller coasters. "The Goliath?" she said nervously. "You're not scared, are you?", Skywalker asked, turning his head to the shy mare. He had no problem with going on the ride, but Fluttershy obviously did. Knowing it would do no good to lie to him, "Maybe a little...", she admitted.
"You don't have to go if...", he started but Fluttershy shook her head. "It's just a ride. But I would feel better if you sat next to me.", she added with a blush, making Skywalker nod. She was hoping there was a long waiting line, but she momentarily forgot about Skywalker status as Knight Of The Wind and everybody moved out of the way for his.
"So there are some perks of being friends with Skywalker.", McGrath said as the group walked to the front of the line, where the roller coaster was waiting for them. Skywalker guided Fluttershy to sit in the front car. At first, she was ready to object, but Skywalker told her that riding in the front car is actually a smoother ride than riding in the back.
"If it makes you feel any better," Skywalker said to her as the group all got strapped in, "you can hold my hand.".
Fluttershy's hoof delicately gripping his hand as the ride operator pulls the lever and lets the coaster go. Unlike most roller coasters, which go up a large hill, then make a steep fall, this one made a steep fall right off the bat, sending the gang rushing down at an incredibly high speed. It's at this point where Fluttershy's grip on his hand increases one hundredfold.
Back at Tartarus, Marc and Tirek were making their way back to the surface. Marc had indeed been right, even after the Guardians had summoned reinforcement, they still didn't stood a chance as one by one they fell to Morning Star.
"That's an... interesting sword your carrying." Tirek noted, looking at mysterious weapon his companion wielded against the guardians. Marc looked at him from under his hood, "Its a keyblade.", he informed him as the duo made their way towards the exit. "I see, so that's a keyblade... And I suppose he must be its chosen wielder. I wonder if it will change its mind, once I'm back at full power.", Tirek thought to himself as the duo stepped into the daylight, darkness soon took Tirek as he teleported himself and Tirek to his island. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 59: Nice To Meet You | "And then there is you. How do we even begin to account for the turns your life has taken since you first arrived at the Academy?" The Grand Keyblade Master, Nuelo Dolros said to Marc. True to Lily's word, The Outsiders could not stand against the might of their combined forces and where swiftly defeated. They were now standing in the Canterlot Throne room where they were celebrating their victory, and thanks to their services everyone involved in this final battle received the Mark Of Honor, the highest honor the Council could give to outsiders.
From what Celestia understood from the hierarchy of the Keyblade Council, Marc was one rank away from being a Keyblade Master, only those on the Council itself and within that the Grand Master ranked higher. One think Celestia did notice was that Lily had disappeared after they had claimed victory and hadn't been seen since.
"I sense your ambition growing. I can no longer ignore it. We wanted so much for you to become a Keyblade Master, but you are not ready.", the Grand Master concluded much to Celestia's surprise. "That's a lie, I've done more for the Worlds than the whole Keyblade Council combined.", Marc stated in his usual stoic voice. From what Celestia had heard from the few soldiers she had spoken to from Marc's Legion, they had been losing against the Outsiders till Marc had taken charge and made a alliance with the Superius Order and only then had they began winning.
"Please, do not make this any harder than it is. There will be other opportunities to prove your worth.", Nuelo ordered, from what Celestia had heard was they Nuelo Dolros and Marc Morgenstern didn't see eye to eye much. Before Marc could say anything, Celestia herself spoke up for him, "Master Dolros, Marc is one of the greatest heroes we've ever had. He deserves recognition for his victories and efforts.".
The Grand Master eyed the sun princess for a moment before reluctantly saying, "Fine. By the authority of the Council, I hereby grant you the honorary rank of Keyblade General.".
Celestia didn't know how high said rank was but much to her surprise Marc spoke up and for the first time some form of anger sipped through his stoic voice, "What a worthless title. No one salutes an 'honorary' officer.", he sounded offended even, even during fights his had shown nothing but calmed. "We will speak of this another time, Morgenstern. For now, let us mourn what we have lost and celebrate all we have gained. For this one moment, the Worlds are save.", Master Dolros said, but Marc had already stormed out of the room.
A few minutes later Celestia had ran into Lily, she had been looking for Marc but couldn't find him anywhere. Noticing the inner turmoil in the young Superius Lady. It didn't took long before Lily softly asked. "Why did she have to die? Why couldn't I save her? I know I could have!". Lily explained what had happened to her mother, she had died shortly after Lily had arrived, apparently they had drained her from all her life-force. "Sometimes there are things no one can fix.", Celestia said trying to comfort her young friend but she shook his head.
Lily's amber eyes started to water but she tried to keep them at bay, "Well, I should! Someday, I will be powerful enough to stop people from dying!".
Celestia saw that there was something more to her grief and rage than her mother dying, but before she could ask about it, Lily suddenly became enraged, the air around her started to crack with power, "I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead, every single one of them. And not just the men... but the women and the children, too. They took my last living relative from me and in return I slaughtered them like animals!", suddenly, the young woman dropped to her knees as she started to sob, while Celestia placed a wing around her. "I'm a Superius. I need to rule my emotions, not let my emotions rule me. I know I'm better than this."
Back in the present, the gang are riding the train back to Ponyville, currently Celestia had fallen asleep against a sleeping Griffifth. Before rolling her head against him, Celestia had sown to have a bad dream but after she had rolled against him, she had calmed down. She had even smiled for a while. "This is so going on my Wall.", Skywalker said as he took a picture with his phone. Suddenly Phoenix comes running in, "Look what I bought back at the Beach Resort!" show four bandanna mask in the colors blue, red, purple and orange. "Dude no way!", Skywalker, McGrath and Sutakira exclaimed as Phoenix handed the red one to McGrath. "Raphael? The hot head? Sounds like me.", McGrath said smugly. Phoenix nodded as he handed the blue one to Skywalker, "Leonardo for Skywalker, the trusty leader.".
Skywalker took the bandanna in his hand, "Ah thanks.", he gave Phoenix a smile while the other dropped the purple one in Sutakira's lap. "I'm obviously Michelangelo. The funny one.", he said tying the orange over his eyes before letting out a laugh. Seeing no reason not two, Skywalker and McGrath also tied their bandanna mask over their eyes.
"B-But why am I Donatello!?", Sutakira protested as he waved his bandanna mask in front of Phoenix. "Because your kinda the party pooper.", McGrath said as the other two agreed. "You four are dorks.". Rainbow said as the others let out another laugh.
Skywalker stopped laughing as his advanced hearing picked up panicked screams, coming from Ponyville. "Something wrong?", Twilight asked as Skywalker gave a dismissive nod as he removed his eye mask, "It's nothing. If I'm not back when the train arrive's, please take my bag with you.", he muttered as he climbed out of the window and started to run towards Ponyville, quickly leaving their line of sign.
A few seconds later, Skywalker arrived in Ponyville and the first thing he noticed was the collateral damage that wasn't his fault. The perpetrator wasn't difficult to find, a large black dog with three heads was rampaging about as a tanned young lady was trying to hold him back with a combination of the four elements, earth, fire, air and water. "What's a minute... I know her", Skywalker thought to himself as the girl failed to dodge a swing from Cerberus pawn, sending her flying through the air. Reacting quickly, Skywalker caught her bridal style mid-air as he landed back on the ground. "Man, you really are completely lost without me, Avatar Korra.", he said teasingly as the girl surprised expression turned into a smug grin.
Skywalker placed her back on his feet, as he raised his fist, "Now lets kick this dog back to Tarturus!", his friend gave a nod as the two charged Cerberus. The guardian dog attacked first, using it's three heads it tried to bite into its opponent's, but Skywalker used his natural agility to not only dodge the attack, but as a leaf in the wind flowed on top of Cerberus head. As he was about to drop out of his flow, Skywalker landed a powerful kick on Cerberus left most head as Korra with a swift kick sending a boulder against the right most head scored a hit. With two of the three heads in a dizzied state, Cerberus reared up and slammed the ground, sending a shock wave towards the heroes, which Skywalker dodge by taking to the air as Korra used the very earth to launch herself in the air. The middle head's mouth opened as it spewed black fire balls from its mouth. Quickly flying down, Skywalker grabbed Korra before taking to the air. "Let's do this!", Korra said as he nodded at this. Charging down, Korra started to bend the air around them in as Skywalker added his own lightning to it. Their combined abilities created some sort of typhoon, the dark fire was parted away as they landed square on the middle head, knocking the mighty guardian of Tartarus out.
Landing back on the ground with a thud, Skywalker gave one last look over the defeated guard dog before turning to look at his friend. The two stared at each other for a few seconds before they rushed at each other, Korra hopped into his arms wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips as he wrapped one of his arms around her her back and the other under her legs to steady her as he twirled around, happy to see his friend. "Oh yeah, the dream team is back together!", they both shouted, before gazing deeply in the others eye. Their moment was broken when a loud voice was heard, "Ya just couldn't wait to destroy some building, couldn't ya!". Turning around it was Skywalker's other friends who had arrived safe Griffifth and Celestia, and it was Big Mac who said that. "It wasn't my fault! It was already like this when I arrived!", Skywalker said defensively, forgetting he hadn't put Korra down yet. "Say who is that girl your holding, Jason?", Rainbow asked before breaking down into laughter at the blush on her best friends face. Quickly putting her down, Skywalker introduced his friends to Korra and vise versa.
"Anyways, how did you get here, Korra?" Skywalker asked as his friend explained what happened. After their battle against Vaatu and keeping the Spirit World open, she had been investigating the rumor's of a strange white door that had appeared and let strange creatures through. It didn't took long for the gang to figure out what kind of door that was. "Korra, can you show me where this door is? Its very important we close it before any spirits or more of our creatures make it to the other side.". His tanned friend gave a nod, before leading them the way.
A few seconds later they arrived at where the door should be and there it was. Twilight gave it a look over before confirming it was indeed similar to the doors she and the other EOH's could open and close. "Korra, if you want to go back now, I suggest you go now.", Skywalker said, but he was surprised at his friends chuckle, after confirming her question that they could create a portal back to her home at any time, she said she wanted to stick around and see how Skywalker's World worked.
Skywalker nodded, as with a wave of his hand, Sutakira closed the door. "Well, if your gonna stick around for a while. You can stay in my room, Korra.", Skywalker said, making the rest chuckle at what he suggested. A blush creeped on his face as he realized what he said, "Uhm I mean... You can sleep in my room Korra and I'll sleep on the sofa!", he quickly corrected himself as he scratched the back of his head.
And so their live's returned to normal, most of the time when Skywalker was off to save the day, Korra accompanied him. But their normal days soon ended when Celestia requested the Harmonic Heroes to gather in the Openfields, just outside of Ponyville.
"Why would she wants all of us? Why did she wanted all the Element Users in one place?", Sutakira said as sat down in the grass, they had agreed to meet her at 14:00 hour, but she hadn't arrived yet and it already was 14:15. "I'm surprised she's not here yet. It's not like her to be late.", Twilight noted. Skywalker took another look over his friends, noticing they weren't complete yet, apparently Fluttershy was still detained helping Applejack with a mishap at Sweet Apple Acres.
"But, I still don't get why the Princess would be so late.", Sutakira wondered as he turned his head towards Canterlot Castle.
"Maybe she's bringing an important visitor, maybe it's somebody so terribly important, she still had many more terribly important things to do before she got here." Rarity suggested as she laid her head in McGrath's lap while he stroked her manes. Sutakira took a loud gasp before raising to his feet, "Maybe the visitor has a deer antler, a goat leg, a bat wing, and a snake tail!", he shouted as everyone save him and Korroa burst out in laughter. "Funny story, Star! That's Discord!", Phoenix said whipping a tear from his eye.
From what Skywalker had told her about this Discord, Korra knew he was bad news. "Why in the wide-wide world of Equestria would Princess Celestia bring along someone like that?", Rarity asked as the princess herself landed along with two guards who guarded the stone statue of Discord.
"Maybe you should ask her." Sutakira suggested dryly as Skywalker leaned over towards his best friend. "Dashie, get AJ and Flutters... Dubble time...", he whispered as Rainbow flew off towards Sweet Apple Acres. Meanwhile, the young knight turned to his mentor as he shouted, "Tia!? Why in blue fuck would you bring Discord here!?". It was enough that he had to contend with the usual dangers that threatened Equestria, but he didn't want some god of chaos added to that list as well.
"I'm fully aware that the last time Discord was here, he created serious havoc.", Celestia tried to explain her story but she was interrupted by Sutakira.
"If by 'serious havoc' you mean turning Ponyville into the chaos capital of the Worlds and going Godzilla while destroying most of Ponyville!", Sutakira recounted. "And making yummy delicious chocolate milk rain all over the place without a single dollop of whipped cream to go with it anywhere in sight! Not a single dollop!", Pinkie added dramatically.
"Yeah, that's some 'serious havoc'.", Griffifth replied dryly as Pinkie nodded. "Yes, I understand. But I have use for Discord's...", Celestia started as Phoenix scoffed, "So you want him to clean your pipes? Roll your oats, Polishing the foot stones? Tapping the midnight still, if you will Forging the moaning statue? Bucking the forbidden horse? Donning the velvet hat?", Phoenix said as everybody gave him a puzzled look.
"Are you just making these up right now?", Korra asked as the red head shook his head. "Nope. Been saving them.", he answered as the sun princess continued.
"I have use for Discord's magic if it can be reformed to serve good instead of evil. This is why I've brought Discord here, because I believe that you are the ponies and humans who can help him do just that.", Celestia explained.
The gang thought if over for a while before Twilight answered, "...I suppose we can just use the Elements of Harmony against him again if it gets out of hand.".
"...Or we can just kill him?", Griffifth suggested but the others found that idea too complicated, "Too fun more like it.", he snarked as he placed his hands in his pockets. But this raised the question what to do if Discord got his hands on the EoH. Celestia had already thought about this, "I've cast a spell so Discord can't take them and hide them again. Now where is Fluttershy? I believe she may know best how to begin reforming Discord.".
"Fluttershy? Really?" , Big Mac said dryly, "Eeyup, Celestia is going senile."
A little later after Applejack and Fluttershy arrived back with Rainbow, Celestia explained her intention to her. Fluttershy was unsure about this, "I realize that this is a tall order, but I wouldn't ask if I weren't confident you could get him to use magic obediently of his own free will.", Celestia said encouragingly. "Now, I must return to Canterlot for Equestria's royal summit. You may release Discord when ready.", the sun princess said as she and her guards took to the skies.
"What do Dumbledore, Zordon and Celestia all have in common?", Phoenix asked, his pink friend was the first to shot an answer. "All three are wizards!", Pinkie said, Phoenix was about to say that wasn't true but in hindsight it kinda was.
"All three send a bunch of teenagers to fight their battles for them.", Skywalker said as he place his EoH around his wrist as he looked over at the statue. "I can't believe we're about to do this... Keep your element on at all times till further notice.", Skywalker ordered as his element started to glow and soon the others followed. A large rainbow energy beam shot at the Discord statue as the stone shattered revealing the god of chaos himself.
"Well, it's about time somebody got me out of that prison block. What a relief!", he said as he stretched his back, "When you're a creature of chaos, stone bodysuits aren't your typical go-to fashion choice."
"Shut up Discord, this is whats gonna happen.", Twilight ordered as he explained what was gonna happen.
"Well, I guess I could let you boys and girls try to reform me. I guess I shall be crashing at Buttershy then? Of course if your fearless leader allows it." Discord said as Skywalker shot him a death glare and for a moment and Discord actually felt fear. Skywalker wasn't sure if Discord wouldn't harm Fluttershy during his stay, he had sworn nothing bad would ever happened to his friends again, not after not Claire was taken away from him. "I'll go along with whatever you think is right, Fluttershy.", Skywalker said reluctantly before adding, "But I like to have a word with Discord, alone. If that's okay with you.". Giving a nod, the others left for Fluttershy's Cottage to prepare for the guest. When they were out of hearing distance, Skywalker turned to the god of chaos, glaring at him once again, "Let me tell you something, right now. You make one wrong move, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Fluttershy, and you won't have to worry about being locked up in stone anymore. Because I'll make sure to end you... right then and there.", Skywalker threatened him, and for a moment even the god of chaos was scared of the young knight, as he gestured him to follow him to Fluttershy's Cottage. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 60: Don't You Dare Harm My Friend! | It had been a day since they had set Discord free and suprising to them, Discord hadn't turned Ponyville into 4chan yet. At the moment, McGrath, Big Mac and Sutakira were sitting in the living room of the guys. The three were discussing different topic's but soon they got to the topic of Applejack's birthday.
"You know my sis birthday is next week, right?", Big Mac asked as he downed his beer. The other two nodded, "Yeah. When I asked her if she wanted to do anything, she said she didn't really have anything planned." Sutakira answered, "I'm sure there must be something she'd want to have for her special day.", the young man said as he leaned back into the sofa. "Oh, there is. But she probably doesn't want to be a bother to anybody.", McGrath replied as he downed his own beer, before opening another one.
McGrath and Big Mac were both startled by Sutakira's sudden outburst. "That's ridiculous. Your birthday is one of those days where you're entitled to be a bother!" Sutakira said as he stood up. "There must be something she wants!".
"Well..." Big Mac started gaining the attention from the blue haired one, "AJ's been wanting a motorbike for a while now, but money's been mighty tight lately and she couldn't put any bits aside."
"How many bits are we talking here?", Sutakira asked, as the red stallion informed him that a motorbike in Equestria cost around five hundred bits. "Damn, that is a lot," Sutakira laments as in his head he went over different scenario's to try to think of a way to help Applejack out. "Excuse me for a second. I have to go to the bathroom.", he said as he left the two.
On the way to the bathroom, Sutakira peeked into the kitchen to see a troubled Skywalker baking cookies. Suddenly Sutakira got an idea on how to solve the Applejack's bike issue. "Skywalker! Just the guy I was looking for!", Sutakira said walking into the kitchen as his friend looked up. "Oh hi, Sutakira.", the young knight as he cut out different shapes from the cookie dough.
"What's cooking, good looking?", Sutakira started gaining a suspicious look from his friend. "What do you want?", Skywalker said as Sutakira let out a nervous chuckle.
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor.", he started before taking a deep breath and give it to him straight, "I'm gonna need five hundred bits in a week.", Sutakira was not expecting the response he got.
"Oh no. I was hoping this wouldn't happen. I know you're worried, Toshiyuki, but have you and the mare considered putting the kid up for adoption? I know abortion seems like the only way out, but...", Skywalker started.
A blushing Sutakira interrupted him, "Skywalker, what are you talking about? I didn't get anybody pregnant! It's for AJ's birthday!". Skywalker let a sigh of relief, "Oh, thank Yoda! Toshiyuki Sutakira, you scared me half to death!", he said as he placed his cookies in the oven.
"Anyway, I want to get AJ a motorbike for her birthday.", Sutakira explained as Skywalker folds his right arm over his chest while propping his left elbow up on it and placing a hand on his chin. "Alright, I'll pay, but only half. You'll have to pay for the other half yourself.", Skywalker said as he uncross his arms. "I will pay the first 250 bits but you need to get the rest on your own deal?".
"Okay deal.", Sutakira said as he left to go for the bathroom.
Just as one of his friends left the kitchen, another one entered. Though she was easier on the eye than the other one, tomorrow would be the day Korra would be returning home. "Hey Korra.", he said as his friend greeted him before bending over and looking what Skywalker was cooking. "So Korra, tomorrow your leaving. So wanna go get something to drink?", he suggested as his friend got a blush for no reason. "You... and me? Alone? Like a date? I don't know...", she said as he blush got worse.
Skywalker gave her an odd look, "If it makes you feel better don't see it as a date. See it as... Two friends who are getting a drink together.".
Suddenly Pinkie Pie peeks her head through the door, giving a quick look around the room, "Have you guys seen Phoenix anywhere? We were supposed to play pranks.", the pink pony asked. "Hey, yeah where is that crazy red head? I haven't seen him all day.", Skywalker said.
Meanwhile over at Arendell, huge torrents of fire and ice were razing across the mountain. The fight had been raging for an hours now and just now the queen was feeling the strain on her muscles. Jayden charged an lightning blast towards her, Elsa using her ice could just narrowly dodge the lightning arcs. Mizuki sended another torrent of fire, which Elsa dodges with difficulty. They had been fighting for so long now and neither showed any sign of slowing down. Elsa jumps behind Mizuki to avoid an attack and counters by arching her back to throw a ice blast, knocking down Mizu. Elsa charges toward Mizuki, but is knocked off by a lightning blast. She cushions her fall with ice sloop , preparing for another attack, but was struck by Mizuki on her right and Jayden on his left. She dodges barrages of attacks by Mizu and Jayden, though she was knocked down. As the Marc's Followers surrounds her, she braces herself up, having difficulties to stand from all the damage she had caught and the exhaustion was finally catching up to her. She protects herself in an ice sphere, but is blasted against a wall by a fire blast from Mizuki. She props himself up, her dress badly tattered and his face bruised.
"Give up. It's over.", Mizuki mocked at the defeated queen. She had no idea why her master wanted control of this insignificant World, but if her master wanted it, she was damn sure he would get it.
"As long as I'm breathing, it's not over.", the queen stated as she strikes out with another ice blast, but misses. Mizuki charged up and send a large torrent of fire at the queen. Elsa thought about how when your about to die, you see your entire life flash before your eyes. She didn't see that. All she saw was her loved once, her sister and her boyfriend, Olaf. Last but not least, her crush, the red headed young man who helped her understand her powers and saved her Kingdom. She regretted that she hadn't got to know him better, never admitted her crush to him.
She closed her eyes waiting for the fires to swallow her, but they never did. Opening them, she saw the one who had saved her kingdom once before, bending the torrents around the two of them. As the fires died down, Phoenix gave her a ensuring wink before giving the duo a death glare. "Don't you dare harm my friend, Bellatrix!", Phoenix shouted as he conjured a flame in his palm, ready to fight. "Bellatrix?", Mizuki asked not knowing what he meant by that, turning her head to her companion who shrug his shoulders. "You know, Bellatrix Lestrange? From the Harry Potter novels? You make your master sound like he is Voldemort and your is most faithful follower.", Phoenix explained as his opponent still didn't get it. "She was played by Helena Bonham Carter in the movies!". Mizuki finally got it, "Oh her...", suddenly she became offended, "My teeth look nothing like that!".
"Oh my god, she is almost as big as an Cloudcuckoolander as I am!", Phoenix thought to himself before Mizuki snapped him out of his train of thoughts.
"How did you know your friend was in danger, Phoenix?", Jay asked as he charged yellow arcs of lighting around his arms. "Simple! I... Wait a minute how did I know?", Phoenix responded as he scratched the back of his head.
"It doesn't matter, Its good your here.", Mizuki said as she took a step forward, "Our master has taken notice of you Element Wielders, Little Chick. Join us and we can find a place for you and your friends.", Mizuki said smugly, she was utterly convinced that anyone would be glad to join them. So his reaction was a total surprise to her.
"I will never join you! And I will protect Arendell for as long as I draw breath! This I swear for as long as my name is Kyle Yveltal Phoenix!", Phoenix declared as he pointed towards Mizuki with his index finger. Mizuki's eyes widen for a moment, how did he knew that name? Her surprised expression turned to rage as she launched herself at Phoenix, tackling him to the ground. Unlike what he had expected, she didn't use her pyrokinisis, she balded her hands into fists and started to punch his face in. "Don't. You. Dare. Utter. That. Name!", she said with every word, she connected a punch. "How do you know that name! Is there a spy in our Order! What more do you know!", she demanded to know.
Mizuki was kicked of Phoenix as he gave a swift kick into her guts. Mizuki was about to send a fire blast at him, but she felt the air being knocked out of her as a ice bolt struck her right in the stomach. Looking up, Phoenix saw that Elsa had regained her composure. Suppressing his grin he stood up, ready to fight for her. "Don't worry, I've got your back.", the queen said, a slight hint of happiness in her voice.
Enraged for the attack of his friend, Jay used his advanced speed to close in on the two, and tried to strike them with his fist charged with lighting. The duo dodge the attacks by jumping in the air, as he landed back on the ground, Phoenix send his own torrent of fire against the lightning bruiser as Elsa joined in as send a torrent of ice. Quickly gathering electricity in his legs, Jay launched himself up in the air, just as the fire and ice clashed and caused a large explosion. A large torrent of fire was launched by a recovered Mizuki as Phoenix stood his ground redirecting the torrent back at its sender.
"You take that lightning guy, I'll take care of Bellatrix!", Phoenix said as his friend gave a quick nod before creating a wall of ice, just in time as Jay came crashing down with a lightning kick.
Regaining his footing, Jay shot another lighting blast at Elsa, who block it with another wall of ice. As the lightning impacted on the wall, a loud crack was heard before the ice wall shattered into a thousand pieces. With a quick hand gesture, the queen stopped the ice shards in mid air and with another gesture, sends them at towards Jay, who had to do his very best to dodge them.
Mizuki leaps forward, sending a large blast of fire towards Phoenix, holding out his hand, the fire spreads across the battlefield. It was then that Phoenix noted the difference in fighting style's between the two pyrokinatic's. Phoenix's style was much like himself, calm, cunning and go with the flow. While Mizuki was like a wild fire, trying to do as much damage as possible while overwhelming her opponent with brute force.
Mizuki was furious at her opponent, not only was he capable of keeping up with her but show how he knew about her greatest secret. Giving a quick look over her partner, who was more than a match for the young queen. If these two ever reached their level of experience, they could be worthy followers for her master. But Mizuki saw no point in fighting anymore, they had more pressing matters now, Like a spy in their organization.
Jay bombards the queen with quick lightning strikes, force her to guard each of his attacks. Elsa kicked the ground, sending a trail of ice spikes to Jay while he himself whips her with a lightning bolt. Elsa dodge his assault and creates a icy gust to her opponent. He dodges, and was about to reveal his true power, something only those in the inner circle of Marc knew, but before he could unleash it the voice of his partner rang in his ear. "Jay! We got to go!", Mizuki ordered, as Jay gave her a annoyed look, he was just having fun. She sends one last fire blast at Phoenix before both she and Jay disappeared into black smoke.
"And stay away!", Phoenix shouted before dropping to his knees exhausted. Panting heavily, he looked over his companion, giving her a warm smile before rising to his feet and walking over to her. "You have become strong, queen Elsa Targaryen.", he said as he held out his hand, which the queen accepted. "I think we're past the whole 'queen' and 'your majesty' thing.", the queen said as she looked him deep in his purple eyes. "I know. Let's get you back to the castle, I think your army is done fighting those black creatures."
Meanwhile back over at Equestria, more specificly Canterlot City. Skywalker and Korra had walked into a bar... Why does that sound like a stupid joke? Anyways, the two had been there since opening and it was now close to closing time.
"How... How did you resist Amon's Blood bending?...", a drunken Korra asked a even drunken Skywalker. Letting out a giggle, "Blood bending doesn't work, when your veins are filled with swag!", he declared proudly even standing up. Letting out a loud laughter, he plopped down back into his seat. "Okay, I'm interested.", his friend said, gaining a questioning look from the young knight. "In sex. With you. Perhaps I'm not being clear? There is a party. Your penis is invited. The party is in my vagina.", she explained.
Skywalker tumbled the thought in his head for a minuted, "You know that sounds really... But I'm going with no. Not that your not attractive or anything, your in my top five. But your drunk and I'm drunk. Also I'm 20 and your 17ish.", he told her but he was interrupted by Korra's deep stair. "Are you sulking?", Skywalker asked but Korra shook her head. "Jason Sephiroth Skywalker, I find you positively fascinating. You don't hang out with me out of pity or that I'm the Avatar. You'r not after me for sex. I think you are probably rocking a massive hero complex. Also you have beautiful amber colored eyes. That Fluttershy is a lucky gal.".
Skywalker thought about why all those points would make Fluttershy a lucky gal, "She's special to you, isn't she?" Korra added as Skywalker shot a confused look at his friend. "Of course! She's a irreplaceable friend....", Skywalker protested but Korra interrupted him. "You know what I mean.", Korra interrupted him.
A little while later, a drunken Skywalker and Korra arrive back at Shoveitupyourass Street 15. In front of Skywalker's bedroom door, the two stopped as Skywalker gave a short bow. "Well... Here we are princess!", he said as the two let out a chuckle. "Oh thank you, my almighty knight.", she responded. The two agreed that they needed to do this more often, as the two gave each other a hug. "You smell nice.", he noted as his friend took a big whiff from his air. "Your hair smells like cotton candy." she said before slowly bringing her lips to Skywalker's, kissing softly and passionately. They enjoy every second of the kiss, as Korra opens the door and they fall back into it and unto the bed. Skywalker uses his force to close it as Korra laughs like a maniac. "Are you the Joker now?" Skywalker's voice said from behind the door. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 61: AJ's Birthday | Skywalker runs through a burning Ponyville, all around him ponies where being attacked by those black creatures. Suddenly, Skywalker's feet came to a halt as he saw his closes friend broken and defeated at the feet of a tall humanoid dressed in a black cloak, two blue orbs shining from under his hood. "Don't you turn your back on me, Skywalker. I want you to look at me when I kill you. I want to see the light leave your eyes.".
A loud thud woke Skywalker up from his nightmare, a cool breeze from the open window stroke over his naked chest, only the blue sheets of his bed covering his naked lower half. Rubbing his eyes, he saw the naked form of Korra sitting on the side of his bed. "Could you keep it quite down there?", Skywalker asked as a baffled Korra looked up to him.
Standing up, Skywalker easily picks Korra up by her arm and makes her stand. Korra nearly falls over, but he wraps a arm around her torso to keep her up. "Ease up, you kind over did it with the beer yesterday..." he told her as he gently sits her down on the edge of the bed.
Korra bobs her head bit as she nod weakly, "I thought beer didn't have much alcohol....", rubbing her face, the headache feeling a lot worse.
Skywalker pats her back, "Eh, was this your first time?", but Korra apply her palms to her face. "Hey Jason, did we?...", the young avatar began, as Skywalker shook his head. "We made out but we just fell asleep.", he admitted scratching the back of his head.
Meanwhile in Ponyville Park, Sutakira was sitting on one of the benches deep in thought. "How am I going to make 250 bits before next week?", Sutakira muttered to himself.
"Maybe I can be of assistance(your name)" a sudden voice said making the young man jump in surprise. Turning around, he saw Lyra grinning at him. "Oh morning Lyra. You can help me?", Sutakira asked as he stood up. Lyra nodded excitedly, having overheard what Sutakira was pondering about. "250 bits, I can hook you up.".
Sutakira did a back flip out of sheer joy, "Really? Are you serious?.... Wait a minute. What's the catch? Your not going to give me 250 bits just like that.", he asked suspiciously as Lyra giggled.
"Smart as ever, Sutakira! All you have to do is help me study the human body.", she unicorn explained as the young man pondered he request. "I've always been interested in learning about humans, and while I've read a lot of books on human anatomy, I think it'd be great to do a hooves-on study.", she explained as Sutakira studied her body language. Her intentions seem genuine enough, but Sutakira can't help but ask, "What's the catch?".
"No catch at all. In fact I'm willing to make things as comfortable as possible for you. If you ever feel uncomfortable, just say the word.", Lyra assured him. After thinking it over a few more seconds, Sutakira agreed to do it. "Alright! We'll do it at my place. It's across the street from the Carousel Boutique. And don't worry, I'll pay you every bit once you show up. How does tomorrow at noon sound?", Lyra asked excitedly as Sutakira thought about it for a moment. "I don't have anything to do tomorrow, as far as I know. Sure, sounds good.".
Lyra's face brightens up. "Great! See you tomorrow, Sutakira.", she said as she waves at him.
A few hours later, after giving Korra a ride back to Republic City and after spending some time with his friends there, he received a letter from Cadance and Shining Armor, inviting him to the Crystal Empire to help train some new recruits. After saying goodbye, Skywalker was riding his motorcycle towards the Crystal Palace. As he arrived, the voice of Shining Armor called out to him, "Ser Skywalker! Come and join us!", his voice echoed throughout the crowded courtyard. Turning off the engine, and placing the helmet on the steering wheel, Skywalker walked up to them, "Good morning Shining, everyone.", he greeted them as he arrived. The recruits smiled, stared, and gazed in awe at Skywalker, making him feel a little uncomfortable.
Looking over the recruits, the one thing Skywalker noticed was that most of them where female, "Leave it to Shining Armor to pick a class made up mostly of novice girls... Who did I piss off in a past life?", Skywalker thought to himself as the recruits greeted him.
"Are there any questions for Ser Skywalker?", Shining Armor addressed his recruits, looking down the line. "Please call me Skywalker.", Skywalker said to the recruits with a warm smile. A caramel brown unicorn with blond manes raised his hoof, Shining Armor nodded allowing the recruit to ask his question. "Can I fight him?", the unicorn named Bright Shield asked.
Shining Armor looked over at Skywalker, who nodded. "I guess so. He is the Knight Of The Wind, so are you sure?", Shining Armor asked Bright Shield. The unicorn recruit nodded arrogantly, "He doesn't look like much. I'm sure all the tales of his prowess are the result of him putting his tongue to the Princess's hoof."
Before anyone could blink, Skywalker crossed the distance between him and Bright Shield in an instant and glared at him.
Shining Armor began to sweat as he felt his friends power grow. A quick look behind him saw the novices come close to falling to their flanks, some near fainting. Bright Shield quickly backed up a pace, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to put some distance between him and the Skywalker.
"Perhaps you can put my tales to rest. Come.", Skywalker told him and leaped into the ring and walks to the center. Bright Shield looked at Shining Armor, silently pleading for him to get him out of this, but his commander gestured with his head to the ring, a grin on his face. Bright Shield entered the ring and stood a distance away, nervously shifting from hoof to hoof.
Skywalker respectfully bowed his head, though Bright Shield clearly did not deserve it. Bright Shield charged, conjuring his yellow magic blade to preform an overhand slice. He smirked as he began the slice, his blade arcing towards Skywalker's unprotected head.
As the mares gasped, Shining Armor hurried forward, conjuring his own blue magic blade, intending to stop Bright Shield's blade. They all froze at the new sight in front of them. Skywalker hadn't even drawn his lightsaber, he side stepped the attack and threw a punch, knocking Bright Shield back several steps. Dazed from the blow, Bright Shield momentarily forgot about his attack, Skywalker not allowing Bright Shield a second to recover, used the same arm to snap an elbow strike into his opponent's jaw and then punched him with his left, leaving him to fall flat on his flank, knocked unconscious.
Shining Armor shook his head at his friend as Skywalker turned to address the rest of the recruits, "Your body, when used correctly, can be one of the most effective weapons. Any questions?".
Ten minutes later, the novices were practicing simple disarming techniques. Shining Armor was circulating, pointing out flaws, adjusting stances and movements, and giving guidance on proper technique. Skywalker had paired himself with on of the recruits, since Bright Shield was still unconscious and there were an odd number of newbies left.
"When I attack, step forward, throw a punch at the jaw, grab the wrist with your left hoof and use your right to break his elbow. From there, pull the weapon out of his hand.", Skywalker instructed while he demonstrated the action against an imaginary opponent. The young light blue with blue mane Pegasus, named Spear Strike nodded, "May I try? I think I understand it now.".
Skywalker nodded, "Let's see." taking his fighting stance. The novice dropped into a standard attack stance, waiting for Skywalker's next move.
Skywalker stepped forward, swinging a practice sword down and across, as if to slice the female novice shoulder to opposite hip. She stepped into the attack, throwing a punch to his jaw as she blocked the sword arm with her fore hoof. Her hoof stopped a millimeter from his face, close enough to feel the power behind the blow. Grabbing his wrist, she pulled her arm back and slammed into the underside of his arm. If Skywalker hadn't moved at the last second, she would have made his elbow exceed one hundred and eighty degrees. From there she pulled the sword out of his grasp and quickly stepped out of arms reach, returning to her attacking stance.
Skywalker clapped slowly, "Good. Very good.", he complimented making Spear Strike blush as she tossed the sword back. "Again?", She asked shyly making her remind him of a certain other Pegasus. Snatching the practice sword out of the air, Skywalker replied with a, "Sure.".
Two hours later, the drill was over. Despite the two hours of exercise, Skywalker and Shining Armor stood side by side at the center of the arena, as if they hadn't done anything. "What do you think, Skywalker?", Shining asked at the man who he had come to see as a younger brother of sorts. Skywalker shrug his shoulders as he said, "Adequate.".
"That's all? Adequate?", Shining asked as his friend turned away from him. "They've only trained for one year. I've trained my entire life.", Skywalker explained as the two walked towards the castle.
Meanwhile over at Sweet Apple Acres, the Apple siblings were doing their jobs around the farm as a voice called to them, "Hallo, everybody!", turning around they saw that it was Neville who greeted them. "Mister Neville! Good to see ya again!", Applejack shouted as she trotted towards the human who was leaning on the fence, happy to see the man who had saved the farm. "I hope everything is going well?", the young man asked, gaining a nod from Big Mac and Applejack. "Good, if there is any problem, anything at all, my contact information is on the deed I gave you.", he added with a smile, which send a warm blush over Applejack's face. "Would you like to come inside and have something to drink?", Big Mac offered, but Neville was forced to decline. "I'm sorry, but my boss, who happens to be my little brother, ordered me to check up on you and then report back to him at the office.", Neville explained as Big Mac understood.
"I'm sure your brother is a perfectly reasonable guy.", Applejack tried to convince him, but the young man shook his head. "Actually he is kind of a douche. A little moody douche.", Neville said a hint of amusement and obviously affection in his voice, "But only I'm allowed to call him that.", after saying his goodbyes to the Apple siblings, Neville took his leave but unbeknownst to him, Applejack was following him closely behind.
Not ten minutes later, Applejack had successfully followed Neville to the Main Square, where the young man walked into a recently build building. As fast she could without being detected, the young mare followed him into the building. Fortunately for her, the building wasn't in business yet as the lobby was abandon, behind the front desk, the words 'MC Enterprises', could be seen. She could see Neville walk up the stairs, slowly sneaking after him she saw him enter a large oak wooden door, written on it were the words 'Boss's Office'.
"Hallo, Neville.", a familiar voice said from the other side of the door. "What's the status at Sweet Apple Acres?", the voice asked with Neville replied that everything was fine, thought they were a bit tight on money. "I see... transfer some of my funds to the Apple family, AJ and Big Mac have enough to worry about. I...", the voice suddenly stopped, a annoyed groan was heard before the voice said, "You can come in, AJ." as the door opened revealing Neville standing in the door opening. Behind him, she saw McGrath sitting behind a large desk in a big leather chair and a pretty older girl laying down on a sofa.
After explaining what had happened, Applejacks confused look turned into a big smile as she rushed forward to grab McGrath in a big hug, "Oh McGrath, ya saved the farm! I'm just so thankful to ya!", she said as McGrath patted her back. After a minute Applejack let him go, the orange mare standing up and wiping away her joyful tears. "You're welcome, AJ.", McGrath said as Applejack leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek, making a blush appear on McGrath cheeks.
"If ya'll weren't dating Rarity I'd give ya more than just that little kiss.", she whispered into his ear, making his blush intensify at her words, one hand rubbing the back of his head, "I, uh, it's my pleasure-ah, I mean..." he trailed off. Neville, Emma and Applejack giggling at his sudden embarrassment.
Over the skies of Arendelle, Phoenix was soaring through the clouds with princess Anna on his back. After clearing out the Corrupted from the city, Phoenix had decided to stay a while and catch up with his friends there. "You know, I think Elsa wants to make a snow angel with you Phoenix!", the strawberry blond princess shouted as he took a sharp turn downwards. "What does that mean?", Phoenix asked her as the two of them landed back in the castle gardens. He had to surpass a chuckle at his friends messy her, which was a total mess.
"She wants to have your chicks.", she explained as she straighten out her hair. Phoenix thought about what she had said but he still didn't get it, "What does THAT mean!? Stop confusing me, Anna!".
Anna burst out in laughter at how clueless her tall red headed friend was, Anna hoped her brotherly figure to ask her sister out soon.
Elsa watched jealously as Anna laughed with Phoenix, she sighed and leaned against a pillar. Elsa fidgeted as she heard her sister laugh again. Her sister was always so lucky. "Elsa?" Phoenix voice asked, making the blond jump a little. "Do you mind if we talk for a moment?". She smiled shyly as she gave him a nod, "Alright, Elsa, pull yourself together. He's just another guy. A handsome... muscular... attractive... smart... man, with beautiful purple eyes that could melt my magic all on its own.".
A little while later, the two were seated at the coast overlooking the sea, just talking, well Elsa mostly talking and Phoenix listening.
"I envy you, Kyle. You'll always be free to do as you please.", the queen said. Phoenix let out a soft chuckle before laying down in the warm grass, "Freedom is overrated. I'd rather buy a nice house some were, retire with the woman of my dreams.", he informed her as it was the queens turn to laugh. "Dream woman, huh? Good thing you've got a vivid imagination. Its weird...".
Phoenix rolled his eyes, "Yes I know the front of my hair looks like a weed plant!", he said in a mock hurt tone, getting another laugh out of the queen. "I meant, I do all the talking, while you listen. So what's under that charming exterior?", she explained.
"Maybe I just didn't want to bore you with personal details. You want to know more about me, ask away.", Phoenix said as he placed his arms behind his head.
Three days later, it was Applejack's birthday and despise not wanting a party her friends sure did. So Skywalker, Twilight, McGrath, Rarity, Big Mac and Fluttershy where decorating the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, they had send the hard working mare on a few errands around Ponyville so they should have plenty of time to prepare.
"My room is not that messy.", Skywalker said to Twilight as the two were inflating some balloons. "It is for my tastes.", Twilight said as she used her magic to levitate some decoration on the ceiling. "That's because you have OCD.", McGrath told her as he was standing on Big Mac's back hanging up a large B. When they are done with that, it will spell out 'Happy Birthday AJ' in bright orange light.
At his responses Twilight gave a questioning look, "Obsessive Cleaning Disorder.", Skywalker, McGrath and Big Mac explained, then they burst out in laughter. "Wow. That was unexpected.", McGrath notted as Big Mac added, "Yeah, we didn't planed that at all.".
"They have a point, darling." Rarity said as she used her magic to lift the next letter into her coltfriends hand before turning to Skywalker, "I can totally relate to you, Skywalker. There's nothing wrong with a little organized chaos."
Suddenly a loud booming voice was heard, "Did somebody say 'chaos'?". A puff of smoke suddenly appears out of nowhere, and when it dissipates, they see a draconequus. "Discord!?" the friends shouted as the spirit of chaos greeted them."Hello, everybody! Fluttershy invited me over to AJ's birthday. I thought you might needed some help!".
"Oh yes, We're glad you're here, Discord.", Fluttershy said as she approached her friend, happy to see him again but the same couldn't be said for the others. "Speak for yourself, Fluttershy.", McGrath said as he returned haning up the letters. "Why do you still think I'm evil?", Discord asked as he floated in front of the pale brunette.
"I never thought you where evil, per se, I just think that you're a major troll.", McGrath explained as his girlfriend handed him the next letter, "Which, in my opinion, is way worse. Hopefully, you won't neuk up this party.".
Discord rolled his eyes at this, "Then I'll try my best to not neuk up this party.", he replied in a terrible impression of McGrath's voice.
A few hours later, Applejack had arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres after running her errands, she was currently pulling a cart with a huge cake towards the barn. She was surprised when she found McGrath and Rarity snugging with each other in front of the barn. Upon seeing her, the couple blushed as she got out of his arms.
"AJ! You got the cake for Phoenix's Bar Mitzvah?", McGrath said as Applejack went inside the barn while muttering, "Yeah... Yeah...".
Applejack arrived in barn and was startled by the sudden loud shouts of "Surprise!!!", from all her friend, plus Discord and some blond haired human she had never seen before. "WHa! I didn't do anything!", Applejack shouted as the gang broke down in laughter.
"No, this is your birthday party!", Twilight explained, making Applejack confused. "This isn't Phoenix's Bar Mitzvah?", Applejack asked as the gang let out another laugh. "No! Phoenix is not Jewish!", McGrath said.
"Let's get this party STARTED!", Pinkie chimes in as she turns on the music.
A hour later, the party was in full swing. Skywalker had been standing over at the wall, observing his friends dancing. Fluttershy walked up to him. "Hello Jason, would you like to...", Fluttershy said with a soft voice, but suddenly, Griffifth informed him that they were nearly out of beer so Skywalker went out to buy some more with Discord tagging along for no reason.
After a quick visit to the Night Store, the knight and the spirit of chaos were on their way back to the party, neither had said a word to the other. "Say Skywalker... Hummm...", Discord started gaining the attention from the young knight. "Is he hesitating? This isn't like Discord at all.". Skywalker thought to himself, "Yes?"
"Well. I wanted to say that I'm so-, sor-..." Discord tried to say but after taking a deep breath he finally got it out, "I'm sorry, Skywalker.".
This made Skywalker stop in his tracks, as he gave Discord a surprised look, "Are my ears playing tricks on me? Discord sincerly saying that he's sorry? I can't believe it.", the young knight thought to himself before asking Discord to repeat himself.
"I said I'm sorry. I know I have done things that I can never make up for... I understand if you need time or if you don't want to forgive me. I just wanted you to know that I was sorry and that maybe, one day we could be friends.", he explained as he lowered his head.
"Well that is new. Discord, I forgive you and I would like to be your friend.", Skywalker said with a warm smile making Discord look back up at him. "Really!? You would!? Why!?", he exclaimed in complete surprise, he would never imagine that a human would forgive him after all he has done to them.
"Because I'm impressed by your actions today. Everyone deserves a second chance and besides Flutters thinks your okay so you can't be that bad.", Skywalker explained with a chuckle and when he finished saying that, Discord burst out in cartoon like tears. "Thank you, Ser Skywalker. Thank you! You have no idea how those words made me happy!". Skywalker let out another chuckle as the two shook hands.
As the two continued their walk, Discord finally worked up to nerve to ask him another question, "Ser Skywalker... Did you know you were related to Luna when you and her...".
Skywalker let out a groan of frustration, "How was I supposed to know we were both related? Believe me, if I knew she was family we never would have dated! Should I've gone ahead and propose and get hitched and have kids with eleven toes and move to Alabama where that kind of thing is tolerated? Don't think so.".
After the party, Phoenix and Elsa was leading her back to her castle, moonlight showering down on their faces and glinting off the large body of water that surrounded the city. The romantic pressure was suffocating, "Kiss her... KISS HER ALREADY! DO IT DO IT DO IT", he shouted in his thought. Elsa was waving her hand in front of his face, trying to get his attention. "Phoenix? Are you okay- mmph!", maybe it was the alcohol or maybe he just finally got the nerve, but Phoenix slammed his mouth onto hers, surprising the both of them. Realizing she wasn't kissing back, he panicked and began to pull away. "S-sorry-", he muttered at her shocked expression which melted into a wide smile and she grabbed his collar, pulling him back so she could reconnect their lips. Their mouths moved in sync and taking advantage of this to explore the inside of her mouth, they found themselves french kissing in the moonlight. "How cliche is this?" Phoenix muttered softly, to which she broke away to laugh. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 62: Nightmares | "So how did you get the other 250 bits?", Skywalker asked as the guys minus Big Mac and Phoenix were walking home after Applejack's birthday party. "Oh, Lyra offered to pay me that exact amount if I helped her with some research.", the Sutakira explained as he started to flashback.
Sutakira had arrived at Lyra's house, after a single knock the door flew open and Lyra ushered him in. Taking a seat in one of the chairs, Lyra spoke up, "Well, I'd like to start by just asking you a few questions. Is that alright?".
Sutakira nodded, "By all means.", he said gesturing for her to go ahead. "The first thing I'd like to know is why humans don't have cutiemark and how you figure out what your special talent is without it?".
"I'm not sure why we humans don't have cutie marks.", Sutakira answered. "My best theory is that it's because we aren't magical creatures like ponies. In reference to your other question, it is really hard to figure out what your purpose in life is without something telling you what it is. Some humans pursue what their passionate about, while others pursue what will make them the most money, and while all ponies are talented at something, some humans just don't have a certain talent or niche to fill.", he explained to the best of his abilities. The unicorn nodded, "Wow, interesting. Well, the next question I want to ask is why are humans so fascinated with the advancement of technology?", she asked.
Sutakira thought about it for a moment, "Most humans are curious creatures by nature. Since the beginning, we always wanted to know two things: how the world works, and how we can make it better.", he added with a chuckle.
"I see... there's one more question I want to ask you before we move on..." Lyra saids, as he nodded. "Are human males good at sex?".
Sutakira wasn't quite sure how to answer this at all, "Um uh, I'm not quite sure. Why? Do you plan on doing a human someday?".
Lyra let out a giggle, "Well maybe. So are they?". He gave a shrug at this, "No idea. Why don't you just watch some human porn or something?". He jumped back startled at Lyra sudden outburst, "THERE'S PORN OF HUMANS MATING??!!".
"Y-Yes! In fact, the internet probably has more porn than anything else!", he added with a chuckle.
Sutakira was brought out of his flashback by Skywalker next line, "Well AJ seemed happy with her motorbike.", black haired young man said as he looked up at the sky, "I hope it will work out between you two.", he added with a smile gaining a confused look from the bluenette. "What's that suppose to mean?".
"Yeah, I'm that blind to love.", Skywalker snarked gaining a scoff from all the other guys. "What?".
Skywalker runs through a burning Ponyville, all around him ponies where being attacked by those black creatures. Suddenly, Skywalker's feet came to a halt as he saw his closes friend broken and defeated at the feet of a tall humanoid dressed in a black cloak, two blue orbs shining from under his hood. "Don't you turn your back on me, Skywalker. I want you to look at me when I kill you. I want to see the light leave your eyes.".
Skywalker woke up with a start, after coming home last night it had seem that he had fallen asleep on the couch. Needing to clear his head he decided to go for a walk. As he made his way across Main Square he started to think about what was happening. "There has to be some meaning to these nightmares, or could they just be dreams? I never have just dreams. If I dream, its always of things to come. Unless I get a PTSD, I don't see any other way...", he was brought out of his train of thought when a half asleep Big Mac crashed into him, sending the both of them to the ground. "Oh... Sorry, Skywalker...", the big stallion said as the two got back on their feet. "It's okay, Big Mac... I should've been paying attention.", he said scratching the back of his head. Big Mac nodded, "I'm a little off course today, too. I haven't been sleeping that great.", he admitted.
"Me neither...", Skywalker admitted as the both of them said at the same time, "All week, I've had nightmares!" , the two gave each other a surprised look. Before more could be said, McGrath, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy walked up to them, none of them seemed to be well rested. "Not to be a pest, but would ya mind keeping it down a bit, Phoenix, er, Griffifth, Rainbow Dash? I mean Skywalker.", Applejack asked as she closed her eyes. "Yes, some of us haven't had our beauty rest.", Rarity added.
"Have you had nightmares, too?", Skywalker asked.
"What gave it away!? Whenever I close my eyes, I'm struck with those ghastly images!". a even more irritated, if that was possible, McGrath shouted. "Though I had plenty of time to read my fathers research!", McGrath admitted.
"The baddest dreams ever!", Fluttershy shouted gaining the attention from the others. "Sorry! I didn't mean to be so negative! I think I'm a bit grounchy.", she admitted.
In an instance Skywalker was at her side, "Its okay Flutters, no harm done.", he told her petting her on the head. "How come we all have nightmares all week?", Skywalker pondered as he fold his right arm over his chest while propping his left elbow up on it and placing a hand on his chin.
Later that night, the gang had all gathered at Sugarcube Corner per invite of Pinkie, who had organized a sleep over to help them over their nightmares. "If anything can chase away those heebie-jeebie dreams it's a girly night of fun! Right, Skywalker?", Pinkie asked as the guest placed their sleeping bags on the ground. Skywalker was not paying attention as he was busy playing on his 3DS while floating in the air. HE was brought out of his concentration by a pillow thrown at him by Pinkie. "That's it. I declare war on you Pinkie Pie!", he declared with a smirk as he grabbed his own pillow and charged at the pink mare.
"Say are the Cakes okay with you having guys sleep over?", Sutakira asked while he and Twilight we're playing a game of Vanguard, with Twilight in the lead. "Of course not! But they are out of town to visit family and McGrath said its okay to rebel against your parents.", Pinkie explained before being hit in the face by one of Skywalker's pillows.
"Yeah... I don't think McGrath is the right person to ask advice about parents to.", the bluenette said as he placed his cards on the field before declaring an attack.
"So which movie are we watching?", Big Mac asked McGrath and Phoenix who were busy setting up the TV and connecting the later's laptop to the screen. "The first movie in a great franchise, 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone'.", Phoenix told him gaining an angry glare from McGrath, as if that is anything new.
"Excuse me? 'Sorcerers Stone'? You mean the 'Philosophers Stone'!", McGrath said as the red head rolled his eyes at his friends comment. "Please don't start with this discussion again! Just say 'Sorcerers Stone' like the rest of the world.", Phoenix said with a smirk as his green eyed friend let out a cold scoff. "Rest of the world? I don't remember America owning the entire world!", McGrath shouted as the two stood against each other.
"Fine! I declare a thumb war! Winner gets to decided if its 'Sorcerers Stone' or 'Philosophers Stone!", Phoenix declared. He and McGrath intertwined their hands as Phoenix said, "One, two, three, four! I declare a thumb war!" and as soon as the words left his mouth, Phoenix let out a painful groan as McGrath pinned down his thumb declaring, "One, two, three, four! You lose!".
And so after 159 minutes of movie, the need for sleep was catching up to them so the gang decided to hit the sack. "Let's get some good Z's.", Skywalker said as he felt Fluttershy laying close to him, the scent of flowers entering his nose trills. "Let's hope so. Good night.", Twilight said as the others each said something along the lines of "Sleep tight!", "Nighty Night." and "See you in the morning.".
"See you guys in the morning.", Phoenix said cheerfully before letting out a big yawn. "That's what I said.", Fluttershy said offended as the smell of cotton candy filler her nose, the smell of Skywalker's hair. "No, you said 'see you in the morning', I said 'see you GUYS in the morning'. That's a whole world of diffrence.", the red head explained but he was interrupted by an angry McGrath shouting, "All of you shut up and go to sleep!".
A few hours later, dark purple smoke peers trough the window, taking the form of a very tall and thin humanoid with unnaturally long, tentacle-like arms, like the rest of its body, its face is purple and featureless. Out of the palms of its hands, it let out a vapor similar colored of itself. Its attention was soon caught by Rarity, crawling over to her he looked inside her mind to see her nightmare.
"My... She'll make the perfect host.", the intruder said to itself.
Twilight stirred in her sleep, opening her eyes, "W-who's there? Skywalker?". The creature turned it's featureless face towards the lavender unicorn startling her, "No... I'm not Skywalker, Miss Sparkle.", using its vapor, it blasted a large hole in the wall behind it before grabbing Rarity in the same kind of vapor. But the large explosion had waken up the other heroes, who directly stood at alert. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you up? I must be more quite when I blow up walls... I'll be taking her now.", it said before turning into vapor and taking Rarity with it, escaping into the night. "No, Rarity!", McGrath shouted as Skywalker and Rainbow quickly flew after them.
High above the skies of Equestria, Rarity was trying her best to get out of the vapor, but somehow its grip was solid as stone as the vapor was dragging her towards the moon. "Let me go, you...", Rarity demanded to the creature as it's upper body appeared from the vapor. "I think not, we Nightmares need a queen.", it said but its attention was caught by the voice of Rainbow shouting, "Hang on Rarity! We're coming for you!". Turning its head around it saw Skywalker and Rainbow catching up quickly. "My... It seems we have a hero...", it hissed annoyed before sending a magic blast at the heroes, which they managed to dodge, if just barely.
"That was too close! Don't worry Rarity, we'll be right there!", Skywalker said, he wasn't ready to attack back at the creature for fear of hitting Rarity. "Jason! Don't wait up!", Rainbow said to her best friend as he gave her a quick nod before blasting off. Skywalker was gaining air by the minute, Rarity just out of his reach. The tips of his fingers were inches away from Rarity's hoof when in a puff of smoke, she and the creature had disappeared, shocking the two friends. "Where did they go?", Rainbow asked just as surprised as Skywalker. "I don't know, lets go back and talk this over with the others".
Back at Sugarcube Corner, the gang was debating over what happened, as Twilight was writing a letter to Celestia. "The princess must know what to do I hope...", she said. Surprisingly to them, McGrath hadn't said a word ever since Skywalker and Rainbow had come back.
"This is all my fault... She shouldn't have become involved with me... This is all my fault, I wasn't strong enough.".
"There must be a link between our nightmares and that Slenderman rip off. Who could help us with that?" Sutakira said as he paced around the room.
"Luna.", Skywalker said, gaining the attention from his friends, "She is the protector of dreams and she was taken over by Nightmare Moon. She could help us find Rarity.", the explained as the rest of the gang nodded. "She is our only hope! Anyone have a scroll!?", Twilight said but she was interrupted by a sudden voice. "You can ask her in person.", turning their heads towards the speaker, they saw Celestia and Luna standing there. "I believe a dark energy has been infiltrating your dreams. My sister may be able to help.", the sun princess explained.
"Celestia, Luna, good to see you. What's going on? And more importantly, how do we get Rarity back?", Skywalker asked, glad that his mother figure and his ex-girlfriend had arrived.
"I prefer if you would call me Princess Luna, Ser Skywalker.", the princess of the moon informed him coldly, not looking him in the eyes. Skywalker felt a sharp stab in his heart at the cold way his former girlfriend was speaking to him, turning his gaze towards the floor, the younger princess started to speak. "Honestly, I have no clear answer for you. Only that evil, dark forces have taken your friend to the Nightmare Dreamscape.", the princess of the night explained, as the others nodded.
"Let's blast our way up there and get Rarity back! We're wasting time!", Big Mac said but Luna interrupted him. "You can't do that, you don't know what they are planning.".
In turn she was interrupted by Skywalker, "Then you don't know anything about us. They have one of us, and we're not going to rest until we have her back. I'm not asking you to accompany us, just point us in the right direction and get the hell out of the way.", Skywalker said in an uncharacteristically cold voice, "Princess.", he added that last word with such coldness that the temperature of the room could have dropped a few degrees. "Alright, I'll help you get to the moon.", the princess said. "I hope your friend is brave, the Nightmare Dreamscape is not for the faint of heart.".
"Rarity is strong... Unlike someone else...", McGrath suddenly said, turning his gaze to the side. "We must move fast. We don't know how long Rarity's bravery will protect her. I must warn you, the Nightmare Dreamscape is filled with your worst fears. It's denizens will not hesitate to use them against you.", the night princess said. The gang merely shrugged at this, they were ready of another adventure and to save one of their own. They hadn't failed yet, and they were surely not going to fail now. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 63: This Is Who I Am | As the Harmonic Heroes made their way to the clearing, Sutakira voiced something he has been wondering for the past half hour, "So I have been wondering, why would the Nightmare Forces try and take one of us?".
Luna cleared her throat gaining the attention of the rest, "Together you possess the Elements Of Harmony, which have defeated the Nightmare Forces before. Now they will come after all of you, the heroes who can defeat them... and destroy your home...", the princess explained. Skywalker scoffed at this, "I would like to see them try.", the young knight said while thinking, "I finally have a home and people I care about... I will not let anyone take that away from me.".
"I sure hope Rarity is okay. I can't imagine anything scarier than being kidnapped and taken to a Nightmare Dreamscape.", Fluttershy voiced her worry. "Well... being locked in a Asylum, with the patients freely roaming the grounds and a supernatural entity who can attack at anytime.", Phoenix said causally gaining a fearful look from Fluttershy. In a flash of light a small rope appeared in front of their feet and hooves.
"Oh what are you gonna do with that? Tie down the moon so we can walk towards it?", Griffifth said sarcastically as Luna charged the rope with her magic before sending it towards the moon, and with a mighty pull from her magic she brought the moon closer to the planet
Griffifth's mouth dropped open. "The flightless will have to use sure footing... As we try to save Rarity, my sister will begin to prepare Ponyville.", the night princess informed them before turning to face the group again, "This is your last chance to change your minds...".
Skywalker started to levitate slightly above the ground before interrupting the princess, "Please princess. When we're together, the Harmonic Heroes can overcome anything.". The others nodded as those with the ability of flight took to the air as the others got on the rope.
"As long as we get Rarity back it'll all turn out just dandy!", Big Mac said before charging towards the moon.
"Well, that's one small step for ponies, one giant leap for ponykind!", Twilight said as the heroes made their way towards the moon. "In space no one can hear you scream!", Pinkie said as she danced over the rope. "That will come in handy when I'm chocking the life out of the Nightmare Forces.", McGrath thought to himself, trying to keep his cool.
"Say Rainbow, why did you thought Twily was a spy during the Nightmare Moons invasion?", Sutakira asked a he flew up next to the cyan Pegasus. "I don't know. She knew stuff.", Rainbow tried to excuse her behavior. "Yeah but, wouldn't you think that creatures who haven't been seen for a thousand years in Equestria, would possibly be more likely spies than Twily was?", the bluenette pointed out as Rainbow rubbed her manes, "You guys were cool..."
Not much later, the Harmonic Heroes plus Luna arrived on the moon. Turning around they saw a beautiful view of the planet below. "Hey guys, have you noticed this is the second time we're in space?", Griffifth said gaining a nod from the guys minus Big Mac. "I fly through it all the time.", Skywalker told them. "Wait a minute, how come we can breath on the moon!?", Sutakira shouted, realizing he could take in air. Before anyone could explain, Luna informed them that they must hurry because they will know they had arrived.
"Who is 'they' exactly?", Rainbow asked "When the Nightmare Energy came back to life it needed a form to take. Unfortunately, the peaceful inhabitants of the moon became its victims. Every being has some darkness in it, the Nightmare Energy exploited that natural darkness, twisting, turning it, growing. In the end, they became creatures of darkness like those from the Dark World, known as the Corrupted. They are now abominations, beyond the hope of salvation.", the princess added with a regretful look.
Meanwhile over at the Nightmare Castle, the Nightmare was observing the arrival of the Harmonic Heroes through a mirror. "It seems the Harmonic Heroes have arrived.", the Nightmare said before turning towards Morgenstern who was looking over the sleeping form of Rarity, "I see. Then I guess it's time to welcome our guests.", Morgenstern said as he conjured his Keyblade, the Morning Star, in his left hand, touching the tip against the unicorn's horn. Rarity's eyes opened in shock as Morgenstern send a blue flame like energy into her horn into the rest of her body. Rarity screamed from the top of her longs as her nerves felt like they were set on fire.
Turning around as the Nightmare entered Rarity's body, Morgenstern folded his right arm over his chest while propping his left elbow up on it and placing a hand on his chin. "It seems Charles son and Lily's little sprout have become friends and become part of a group who are the only ones who could stop me... Is it fate, or destiny? I can never decide...", he pondered before disappearing in a cloud of dark mist.
Back over at the heroes they made their way towards the Nightmare Castle, full intend on saving their friend. Suddenly, Luna raised her hoof making the others stand still. "Wait, there is something coming...", and as if on cue, a storm of black mist came rushing towards them, "Run! I have no power of this Nightmare Mist!", Luna said as they started to run away from the mist.
"Ugh, Nightmare Forces, Nightmare Dreamscape, Nightmare Energy and now Nightmare Mist! What is this Bloodborne!?", Griffifth shouted as the gang tried to get to safety. "I have a feeling we have done this before!", Big Mac shouted.
"Indeed." a cold voice came from the shadows as the Nightmare Mist swirled around them conjuring up a army of Corrupted. "You want some? We aren't afraid of you!", Rainbow boasted but was cut off by a cold laughter. One corrupted stepped forward as it shaped into a cloaked figure, even thought this couldn't be the real thing, the heroes could feel the power and authority the real thing would command. "Some of you are afraid. Isn't that true... Luna? Is that what you're going by now?", it added with a cold chuckle.
"That is my name, my past as Nightmare Moon is long gone.", Luna told him bravely but the cloaked figure let out another cold laughter, sending shivers down the heroes spines.
"But there is something you fear. Come back as Nightmare Moon and I will spare your friends and Equestria...", the cloaked figure was interrupted by Skywalker as he got between him and the princess. "You won't lay a finger on Princess Luna!", Skywalker declared as he activated his lightsaber. "You still stand up for her, even though she broke your heart?", the figure said with a slight chuckle.
"I don't care if she broke my heart or not! I will not let some wannabe Square Enix villain take another of my friends!", Skywalker said taking his fighting stance.
"Darn tooting!", Applejack added she and the rest of the gang took their fighting stance. "Despise how I treated him... he still stands up for me...", Luna thought to herself as the figure lets out another cold laughter. "I see. Then I hope this will be challenging.", the figure said before releasing his form.
"That voice... Why did that sound... familiar?", where the thoughts of both Skywalker and Phoenix. Both of them get ripped out of their pondering by a large magic eruption, blinding them for a second. As the light died down, a tall dark unicorn with flowing purple manes was standing before them. "And now the Harmonic Heroes will be destroyed by one of their own. By the new Nightmare Queen, Nightmarity.", the figures voice came at them from all directions as the creature called Nightmarity opened her eyes and flashed them a psychotic smirk.
A stunted silence followed before the Harmonic Heroes burst out in laughter, "We have to fight Diva?", Phoenix shouted over his laughter. "Yea, please. Don't give us a make over!", Big Mac added. All of the heroes laugh except one, McGrath had retreated into his head upon seeing what had happened to his girlfriend.
McGrath had founded himself in a black void, on his hands and knees. "Told ya, you destroy everything you touch. You had a taste of being happy for a little while, but that ended up with her paying the price. How selfish could you be?", a dark reflection of himself mocked him. "Its true... You are right... I'm hopeless... I'm just an experiment... gone horrible wrong. I should have never been created...", McGrath muttered to himself. The dark reflection grinning like a maniac, but his smirk turning into a nasty frown as a small light appeared before McGrath.
"That's not true, you idiot! You have come such a long way, you have gained friend who you care for and who care for you in return. True, there is a lot of anger and hatred in you, but there is so much good in you. A light that none have ever managed to step out. Now its time to tap into your anger, your hate and your love and unleash the true power within you. You can save me, my darling David.", Rarity said, making McGrath look up. "Your right...", he said as he stood up, "My name is David McGrath, I'm putting the past behind me... And save the one I love most. This is who I am!", McGrath said as he stood up, the dark reflection turning into stardust only to be absorbed by McGrath.
"It's true your powers defeated me before, little heroes, but what will you do now that I've taken one of you? Without all of you, your Elements of Harmony are powerless. Bit of a pickle isn't it?" Nightmarity gloated as the other heroes tried to get through to Rarity.
"Rarity? Can you hear us? You have to fight it!", Skywalker said trying to make his friend see reason. "You humans are dense aren't you? Remeber that Nightmare Force you all 'destroyed'with your little Elements of Harmony? Well You didn't do such a super job after all! Rarity is gone! Do I need to make a diagram or something with pictures so you can understand?", the nightmare queen spat to the heroes who all looked desperate.
Before anyone could respond, McGrath stepped forward, a fire burning behind those emerald eyes. "Leave this one to me.", he declared as he stood between his friends and Nightmarity. "Tell me, can Nightmare Forces feel fear?", at this Nightmarity burst out in laughter before blasting him with a spell. "No, we are fear incarnate!", Nightmarity chuckled thinking she has destroyed one of her enemies.
Much to everyone's surprise the smoke caused by the impact of the spell was blown away, taking ever emotion he had, McGrath pushed and broke the limits his infected genes could give him, transforming him. McGrath's normal brown hair had turned into gold, flowing as if it was a flame. He had gained a tail and his upper body is covered in green fur, his shirt and hoodie having disappeared. A powerful aura surrounded him with sparks of pure fire around him. "Nothing harms me, but I know pain. I know pain and sometimes I share it with people like you.", the transformed McGrath said before charging at Nightmarity and with a single energy charged punch to her jaw, separated Rarity and the Nightmare from each other. In a flash of green light, McGrath caught, Rarity bridle style, she slowly opened her eyes to see a smiling McGrath look at her. "I knew you would come...", Rarity gave him an tired smile. "I would never let anyone harm the mare I love.", McGrath said her placing a kiss on her horn.
"D-Did he just punch the Nightmare out of her?", Twilight said as the friend group rushed towards the couple. "Screw that! Did anyone of you knew McGrath is a Super Saiyan!?", Sutakira shouted.
Noticing that the Nightmare was recovering, McGrath handed Rarity to Skywalker, "You guys go on ahead and take Rarity to the Equestria, I have a score to settle.", McGrath said turning around to face the monster. "Alright, be careful.", Skywalker said as the gang made their way back to the rope. Luna was reluctant to leave one of her friends behind, be she knew this was something he had to do alone.
The Nightmare flew at McGrath and punches him in the face, McGrath made no effort to dodge or counter and just took the punch, the Nightmare quickly following up with a barrage of punched, ending in a headbutt. The Nightmare starts laughing like a maniac, thinking his enemy was in pain. After a bit of waiting McGrath launched a kick so hard into the Nightmare's stomach that a lump in the same shape as his feet foot appears on the other side of the Nightmare. "Oh look, it seems I am a size 9." McGrath said sarcastically before elbowing the Nightmare away, sending him across the surface of the moon, and in a flash of green light, appearing above him, delivering a kick in the chin sending the Nightmare to the ground, much to the other Nightmare Forces amazement. The Nightmare stood up and tried to retaliate with a headbutt, but McGrath simply countered with a swift kick to the head sending him back to the ground, with enough force to create a massive crater in the ground.
McGrath looked down into the hole to see if the Nightmare was still alive and to his surprise the Nightmare jumped up, grabbed both of McGrath arms. "Now all I have to do is suck you dry till you agree to be the new host for the Nightmare Forces!", the Nightmare declared as some of the familiar vapor started to circle around McGrath's arms. "Ayup... Seems I'm not going anywhere. Tell you what. Corrupt me as much as you want, in return I'll take your hands." he replied as he jumped up and smashed the Nightmare's face in the with his feet. McGrath kept on pushes his feet so hard that both of the Nightmare's hands come off, and the creature was send flying into a wall.
"So to rephrase the question, do you Nightmare Forces feel fear?", McGrath said crossing his arms. The Nightmare seemed so scared that it tried to scurry up the pit and starts running away. "All the answer I needed.", McGrath said with a smirk as he levitated himself up.
Locking his eyes on the target, McGrath charged energy into the palms of his hands before thrusting them forward. The Nightmare never stood a chance as he was obliterated in seconds, leaving another new crate on the surface of the moon. "This one is for Rarity..." McGrath declared as he landed back on the moon. The other Nightmare Force looked to him in complete and utter fear and with a single glare, they flew back to where their kind belonged, in the Dark World. "Now do you understand why so many people love me even though I'm the biggest dick in all of Equestria? It's because I'm David fucking McGrath. Accept no substitutes!", McGrath shouted from the top of his longs before disappearing in another flash of green light.
Back in Ponyville, Celestia was busy preparing her guards and the little town for the invasion of the Nightmare Forces.
"Cutiemark Crusaders reporting for duty!", Applebloom said as she and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle arrive. "How can I help my Big Bro rescue my sister?", Sweetie Belle asked sadly. "Even the smallest ponies can make the biggest difference. We must hurry before...", Celestia started but she was cut off as the Harmonic Heroes arrived back with an worn out Rarity on Skywalker's back.
"You manged to save, Rarity? What happened?", Celestia asked looking over the friends. "Wait, where is my Big Bro?", Sweetie Belle asked. Before anyone could respond a large explosion illuminated a spot on the moon. "Do you think, David is okay?", Rarity asked weakly lifting her head up. "I'm sure he's fine, Rarity! After all he is David McGrath.", Pinkie said trying to reassure her friend.
In a flesh of green light, McGrath still in his transformed form appeared, "It seems this form pushes my power beyond the limit. I can feel it surging through me...", he thought to himself as he walked towards his friends. "Big Bro? Is that you?", Sweetie Belle barley got out, as he turned his gaze towards her. She closed her eyes as he ruffled his head, "Indeed I am, Belle. Better than ever.", he said with a smile.
"But now you won't be my big brother anymore...", Sweetie Belle said sadly, making the others wonder why. "Do you mind explaining this, Sweetie Belle?", the princess of the sun asked, gaining the attention from the little filly. "Well you see, my sister is only into natural blonds.", Sweetie Belle explained as everyone burst out into laughter. "But what about the Nightmare Forces?", Luna asked, McGrath explained what happened after the friends left. Closing his eyes, as McGrath transformed back into his normal self, except that their was no a tail sticking out of the back of his jeans. "Huh, I guess that is staying...", McGrath muttered to himself. "I could think of a thing or two were it would come in handing.", Rarity added with a smile before closing her eyes, falling asleep, something the other heroes could use as well. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 64: We're A Family | Discord let out a loud laughter as Skywalker told him a story about one of the guys earlier adventures while hanging out in front of the guys house. "I can't believe you guys did that! I had totally pegged you for a teacher's pet!", Discord said trying to get his laughter under control.
"If you think that was bad, I should tell you about that one time we went to the Darkmarsh.", Skywalker said, gaining a chuckle from the spirit of chaos. "When you say things like that, Skywalker, it makes me glad I wasn't your friend sooner. Who goes to a place named Darkmarsh willingly!?", Discord said with a grin, "Now if they called it Beermarsh... no, still doesn't work.", he added with a shake of his head.
"You got a point there. The marsh part does cancel out anything else. Flowermarsh? Candymarsh? Nope, no good.", Skywalker said with a chuckle.
Meanwhile over at Carousel Boutique, in the backyard, McGrath placed some dummies to test out his new transformation and skills on. Feeling his power surging through him, one by one McGrath blasted the dummies with golden energy spears. "This is it! This power will allow me to finally surpass him!", McGrath shouted as he blasted the last dummy to bits while picturing the face of Skywalker on it. Powering down, McGrath clenched his fist letting his power rush shimmer down, "I did it, I'm a genius, I'm a huge brain in a ripped-up body, I am Jesus D. McGrath!", he let out a low chuckle not noticing that Rarity and Phoenix were standing right behind him, fighting back the urge to laugh.
Turning around, the eerily pale brunette's emerald green eyes went wide as he realized that his friend and girlfriend were listening in.
"Say Jesus D. McGrath, why are you so obsessed with becoming stronger?", Rarity asked, giving him a soft smile as she rubbed her nuzzle against his hand. She knew her coltfriend never talked about his feelings or what's troubling him, though she was always willing to listen. The words coming out of McGrath's mouth surprised her greatly, "During our first fight, I throw literally everything I had at Skywalker and it didn't do squat. And now... Skywalker has taking such leaps in power... I was designed to be perfect, and yet there is this 'normal' human who manages to do everything I can do and more, and often he achieves better results than I could.", McGrath explained.
"Did you know what you just did?", Rarity asked softly as she looked up into his green puzzling eyes, "You shared your feelings with me.", she said if a soft smile on her face, gaining another surprise as McGrath returned the smile, "Yeah... I guess I did.".
"Well even with your new super form, Messiah still outclasses you.", Phoenix said, gaining an angry glare from the couple, "Well sorry to be a buzz kill but at the end of the day, Messiah is simply stronger, faster, and tougher by many orders of magnitude. Even when your in your super form, Messiah is at least 4.125 X 10^13 times stronger, 3 times faster, and 288 times tougher than you, Moody.", the red head explained as the angry look on the couple grew. Before McGrath could say anything in response, Rarity asked him, "Shall we get him, my dark knight?".
McGrath grinned at the evil grin Rarity was giving him, "Yes, lets." and after saying that, the couple started to send energy blast's at the red head.
Late that afternoon Skywalker and Rainbow were flying towards the local restaurant after Skywalker took Rainbow on a surprise training day with the Wonderbolts. After recovering from the shock, Rainbow had a great training session with her personal heroes. At the end of the training Spitfire had asked Skywalker for some special one-on one training, though the way she had asked it bothered him.
"What did you think Spitfire meant with some one-on-one training?", Skywalker asked as the two friends landed a short distance away fro, the restaurant. "Duh! She was asking you on a date!", Rainbow told him as if it was that obvious, which it was. "Oh!", Skywalker said turning his gaze towards the ground, "I guess Phoenix is right. If a girl shows that kind of interest in me it goes way over my head.", he said rubbing the back of his head.
On their walk their, they came across a arguing Scootaloo and Applebloom. "I guess we won't know who would win a fight between Ser Skywalker and Rainbow Dash.", Applebloom said as her pegesus friend nodded in agreement. "Yeah, their friends. Why would they fight?".
"Those kids..." Rainbow nodded as the two continued their way. "Yeah. Say... Who do you think would win between the two of us?", he asked. But he never got a response as the two came across Big Mac who, like them, was heading to the local restaurant for some grub. The three of them were about to head inside when out of the corner of his eye, Skywalker saw a blur of blue hair and a cowboy head disappear behind the window.
Inside the restaurant, Sutakira and Applejack were kneeling down, just high enough to be able to peek out of the window. "Are ya sure?", Applejack asked as the bluenette nodded his head, "I swear! I saw Big Mac! And Skywalker and Rainbow were with him!", Sutakira told her nervously as the southern belle sigh. "Their gonna find out sooner or later, and are ya really that afraid of my big brother?", Applejack said looking into his pale blue eyes with her own green ones. "Well Our friend will tease us to no end, and one of those friend is Big Mac... Also he is a building on hooves...", the bluenette explained gaining a thoughtful nod from his girlfriend.
The two jumped in surprise when they suddenly heard, "Why are we hiding from?", looking behind them, they saw that Skywalker had silently sneaked up behind them, with Rainbow and Big Mac behind him.
Before more could have been said, darkness swept over Ponyville, looking outside, they could see that the moon had moved in front of the sun, causing a full solar eclipse. As the friends arrived outside, panicked screams filled the air. Turning their heads towards the screams, they saw thorns coming out of the Everfree Forest, destroying building in their wake. Lucky for them, the rest of the Harmonic Heroes arrived. Twilight explained that she tried to contact the princesses but neither of them had responded. "I know someone who possible has answers.", Skywalker said gaining a puzzling look from his friends as he quickly said 'Discord' three times.
And in a poof, the spirit of chaos appeared, wrapped in a towel and shower foam all over his serpent like body and head. "Now, Skywalker, you know I told you that you were to give me a heads up before you summoned me with that little trick I learned you. In case you haven't noticed, I was in the middle of a particularly invigorating shower.", Discord said in a playful manner before noticing the thorns coming from the Everfree Forest. "When did that happened?".
"Don't you play dumb with us, Discord! We know you're the one behind all of this!", Applejack shouted accusingly at the spirit of chaos, who looked slightly insulted. "I speak the truth, I have nothing to do with this. I'm reformed, don't you remember?", Discord pleaded, looking at Skywalker and Fluttershy for support. But before either could speak up, Rainbow spoke up first, "Yeah, right! This has got your cloven hand prints all over it!", she said accusingly. Discord let out a offended scoff, "I'll have you know that I have only one cloven hand! Such accusations. And here I thought we were friends. I'm innocent. Would I lie to you?"
"Enough.", Skywalker said as he stepped forward, "I'm willing to give Discord the benefit of the doubt.", he told them. Fluttershy nodded as she stepped next to him, "Jason is right, what if he really is telling the truth?", she told them.
"If you're not the one responsible, then help us figure out who is!", Twilight demanded. The spirit of chaos took a similar thinking pose to what Skywalker usually does before snapping his finger, "Idea! Why don't you ask your zebra friend if she knows anything?", he suggested. Skywalker nodded, "Good idea, Harmonic Heroes, let's find Zecora!", he ordered as he turned around, bumping into the zebra herself.
"Well that's convenient.", Griffifth said dryly. "Why do you always sound so sarcastic?", Big Mac asked gaining the attention from the blond. "Oh, my voice sound sarcastic by nature.".
"Zecora? What are you doing here?", Twilight asked, as the young knight helped the zebra back up. "Yeah, we haven't seen you like in... forever!", Griffifth added. "From my home, I have had to flee! The forest has grown too wild, even for me!", Zecora explained. After a quick explained what's happening to the zebra, Zecora gave a nod before explaining, "I'm afraid it is a mystery to me as well, but I may have something that, I do not dare to use it myself, the results would be tragic. Ser Skywalker, after a sip, you might see why the sky is day and night.", said told him as she reached into her bag, pulling out a bottle with a blue liquid. Removing the cork from the bottle, Skywalker took a quick sip, a bitter taste filling his mouth as he quickly swallowed. "Well, it's no Applejack Daniels. And it doesn't seem to be worki... I'm fainting now.", he said as his eyes turned milky white as he dropped to the side.
Skywalker could feel his mind transcendence time and space before appearing in the past, in front of him, he could see a younger version of Celestia and Luna standing in front of a crystal like tree, holding what seemed to be the Element of Unity.
"The Tree of Harmony? Are you sure?", younger Luna asked as Skywalker floated closer. The memory Celestia nodded before turning her gaze to the tree, "Caelum has managed to break Discord's power but at the cost of shattering the World. Our brother gave his life to create this key from the Tree itself, it will allow us to wield the Elements Of Harmony even without the others with us.", Celestia explained as she looked over the Element Of Unity. "Even without these Elements Of Harmony, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic. As long as that magic remains, it will continue to control and contain all that grows here."
Back in the present, Skywalker woke up with a yell, startling his friends. "I'm awake!", he shouted, surprised at the worried look he gained from his friends, "Why are you all looking at me like that?".
"You were mumbling to yourself...", Applejack explained with a faint blush on her face. "That and... You undressed yourself and started to run around naked...", Big Mac added. The young knight looks down and notice that indeed, he had lost his clothing, "... Oh great... My nipples are hard.", he muttered to himself as he started to recollect his clothes. Turning to his left, Phoenix saw a wide eyed, heavily blushing Fluttershy with a little drool on the side of her mouth, "Welp, I think Sunshine might be brain dead."
"Did you find out whose rump we need to kick and where we can find them?", Rainbow asked her friend as he started to get dressed. Pulling his shirt over his head Skywalker explained that he saw something from a long ass time ago, "I still don't know what's happened to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, but I think I know why the Everfree Forest is acting this way. Something's happened to the Tree of Harmony.", he finished explaining as he slipped on his underwear and his jeans. "The tree of what now?", Pinkie asked.
"It's where the original Harmony Wielders found the EoH, the tree were their brother created the Element of Unity.", Skywalker explained as he put on his jacked, "Anyways, I think it's in danger.", he finished as he popped up his collar. "Discord, try to find the princesses, we'll try to find a way to stop the thorns from destroying Ponyville.". Discord gave him a salute and with a poof he disappeared into smoke. "Well, all right then! Let's go save a... tree. Uh... where is it exactly?", Applejack asked as McGrath scoffed, "Where do you think?".
A few minutes later the gang is making their way towards the Castle of the Two Sisters, because... yeah why are they doing that.
"It seems logical that the Castle Of the Two Sisters would be close to the Tree Of Harmony as we did found them in said castle.", Sutakira explained to Phoenix, gaining a nod from the red head. "Seems like only yesterday we were heading into these woods to find the Elements of Harmony.", Rarity said nostalgic as the castle came into few. "Seems like only yesterday I was foolish enough to think I should go after them on my own.", Twilight added with a soft laugh. "I wasn't even there, the first time.", Big Mac said as they stood before the castle.
"I don't know what we're going to face in there. But whatever it is, I know we need to face it together.", Skywalker said as he led the charge inside the castle.
Meanwhile over New Genesis, Morgenstern had gathered members of his inner circle in the throne room, "Is the plan working?", Morgenstern asked his followers as he looked down on them from his throne. "Yes, my lord. The Harmonic Heroes have entered the castle as we speak.", Byron said, gaining an nod from his master. "Good, you know your missions, now go.", he commanded as each of his inner circle disappeared into smoke. After they left, he stood up and headed for his study. As he entered the room, Morgenstern pushed a few button on his keyboard on his desk, a book case slip open, revealing a spiral staircase. As he headed down, the book case closing behind him, something his old master told him resounded in his head, "Thanks to your cells, you have drunk in other peoples power, strengthening your muscles, your skin, your senses. You've grown stronger here than I ever could've imagined. The only way to know how strong is to keep testing your limits. So do not be afraid and do not worry. You are the one, who will lead the Worlds to salvation.".
Meanwhile in the castle the gang were searching through the castle. "Hey do you guys think we should split up?", Pinkie asked, gaining the attention from the rest of the Harmonic Heroes. For a moment everybody was silent before everyone shouted to Pinkie, "HELL NO!!!", startling Pinkie. "Damn it Pinkie! Haven't you ever watched a horror movie!?", McGrath scold her, making Pinkie's jaw drop. "We're in a horror movie!? Aw man, I'm screwed! Funny one always goes first!", she complained as she rubbed her hooves through her hair.
"Don't act so paranoid. As long as we stay together, we'll be...", Phoenix started, trying to reassure his pink friend before realizing something, "Hey wait a second I'm the funny one!".
As Phoenix and Pinkie exploded into a discussion, Big Mac leaned towards Skywalker and Fluttershy, "Guess that rules out you two from making out.", he whispered gaining a shocked blush from the two. "The hell does that mean?", Skywalker asked as Fluttershy added, "Big Macintosh! I-I-It's n-not l-like t-that!", turning her eyes towards the ground, trying to hide her blush. "Sure it isn't.", Big Mac said with a roll of his eyes. "So does that rule out us too, Toshiyuki?", Applejack whispered toward Sutakira, making the bluenette blush. "... Dumb Ass.".
Not much later, they found themselves in the throne room where they first found the Element Of Harmony, but out of nowhere they were surrounded by Corrupted as someone let out a slow clap.
"That was almost too easy.", a sophisticated voice said from the throne, gaining the attention from the heroes. Upon the throne sat, Byron looking down at them with a bored expression. "Can't see why Lord Morgenstern would bother trying to recruit you lot, then again its not my call to make.", he said more to himself than to them as he rose from the throne. "Who the hell are you!", Rainbow demanded to know. "Oh, where are my manners, my name is Byron, a pleasure to meet you." Byron said with a slight bow, "The Dark Messiah has taken notice of you all, Harmonic Heroes. He's giving you this one chance, join him in the New World and live like kings and queens, you will be gods among insects.", Byron said with a smile. The Harmonic Heroes each gave a look to one another before collectively shouting, "No!", as each took their fighting stance. Byron's smiled dropped, transforming into an angry grimace, "Then so be it.", and with a snap of his fingers, the Corrupted launched their attack.
Phoenix quickly threw a fire punch and fire kick, taking out three Corrupted at once. Whipping out his claws, Griffifth sliced an on coming Corrupted in two, before grabbing two others and slamming them into the ground. McGrath and Rarity send out two energy blast knocking down the Corrupted allowing Big Mac and Applejack to finished them off. Skywalker and Twilight were currently trading blows with Byron, who dodges Twilight's magic blast with acrobatic grace, but Skywalker follows with a stream of electricity which he tries to block, but it is too powerful, causing him to be blown against the wall, shattering it. As the dust settle's, the wall revealed the tree Skywalker had seen in the vision. Byron stands back up, raising his hands as suddenly, Skywalker and Twilight writhes in pain as Byron lifts them into the air. This sensation felt familiar to Skywalker, it felt the same as when Amon tried to bloodbend him, though this felt much more forceful. Skywalker started to break free from the control but Byron slams the both of them on the ground, sending cracks all over the ancient stone floor.
Twilight tries to resist Byron's magic, but is too weak to do it and instead, she manages to electrocute Byron with lightning spell strong enough to throw him away. Skywalker stands back up as he sends two telekinetic pulses at Byron. Being send to the ground again, Byron lashed out by sending a dark energy blast at them, which the duo jumped into the air, barely managed to dodge the on coming attack. As the two landed back on their feet and hoof, Byron grips them with his blood magic, causing the two to slide along the floor. He tosses the two around like a ragdoll, first into the walls and then the ceiling. "I'm impressed. No one has ever gotten the better of me like that.", Byron said as he dusted off his coat, "It is almost a shame to kill a fellow mage of such potential. Almost.", he added with a sadistic grin as he charged up a magic blast in his hand, to finish off Twilight. As he was about to launch the life ending spell, Skywalker felt his rage reach its peak as he broke free from Byron's grip and deflected the spell with his lightsaber.
"I-Impossible.", Byron said shocked before regaining in composure, for a moment Byron could have sworn he saw Morgenstern in Skywalker's place but he dismissed those thoughts as Skywalker attacked with a flurry of punches, despite his attempts to block, Skywalker's strength was too much for the fragile mage as he was slammed into the ground, Byron raised his hand, slowing Skywalker's progress. With a loud scream that shattered the windows, Skywalker was released from his grip and send Byron into another wall.
Byron tried to get back up, though it would seem he was no match for their combined effort. The last Twilight saw was Skywalker rushing to her side as she lost consciousnesses. Suddenly a cold voice was heard from inside his head that wasn't his own, "Assuming direct control.". Byron's eyes widened as he felt a pain unlike anything he had ever felt surged through his body. Skywalker and Twilight stood ready for what ever it was that was happening to Byron as the mad mage withered on the ground in pain. Suddenly, Byron stood back on his feet, his purple eyes now being replaced by all blue with several concentric circles and nine comma's surrounding them. "Lily's little sprout all grown up standing before me. I heard a lot about you Ser Jason Skywalker.", Byron said with an calm and cold voice. "You know me? And who's this Lily?", Skywalker asked as the being that possessed Byron chuckled. "I know a lot about you, I have been searching for you all my life. Now show me your strength.", the Byron said as he summoned a Keyblade, the Morning Star, before attacking.
Skywalker took the blow and riposted, speeding up his timing, forcing Byron to retreat. Byron twirled and blocked a slash, weaving a defensive pattern with his blade. Skywalker lunged, but Byron was ready, bringing them into a momentary bladelock. Byron shoved hard, breaking the lock and forced Skywalker to pull back. In backing away, Skywalker drew the duel into the open, Byron attacked once more and began to chivvy him into the wall. Just as Byron was about to deliver a finishing strike, Skywalker unleashed a sudden flurry of attacks that forced a surprised Byron to pull back.
Byron released a sudden bombardment of quick blade slashed, one that scratched Skywalker's cheek before sending him to the floor. Quickly regaining his footing, Skywalker could barely fend off Byron's onslaught. With a final hard strike, Skywalker lightsaber was knocked out of his hand. Byron twirled the keyblade in a angular position, ready to finish Skywalker off when the most unlikely thing happened. Fluttershy had taken Skywalker's lightsaber and sneaks behind Byron, stabbing him in the back. who is preparing to finish Skywalker off and stabs him in the back. Dropping his keyblade on the ground, which disappeared into shimmering light as Byron dropped to his knees, "I see. That is your strength... We will meet again and next time, you won't be so lucky.", the thing possessing Byron said as he started to fade into black smoke, "Releasing direct control." and with that, Byron and the corrupted had disappeared.
After checking up on injuries, the most the gang had were some bruises and some broken ribs, standing in front of the Tree of Harmony, they could feel something being pulled out of them, after another pull, twelve wisp like lights, even from Big Macintosh, were absorbed back into the tree. Unbeknownst to them yet, the Elements Of Harmony had withered turned gray, having lost their power. Suddenly the Tree branch revealed a small chest, resonating with the now powerless Unity. Upon further inspection of the box, the following inscription could be read on the side "I'll open when everyone is like they were, when the skies open wide and shadows invade.".
"So... Without the Elements you think were still friends?", Twilight said a little doubtful as the Harmonic Heroes made their track back to Ponyville. "No. We're not.", Skywalker said after a long silence, startling everybody, "We're not friends, we're family. Though there is nothing stopping us from sleeping with each other.", he added with his calm tone, making everyone chuckle.
Taking the box with them, the Harmonic left the castle, worried but with renewed hope, arriving back at Ponyville, they found a worried Celestia waiting for them. It appeared she never had received their calls, and after hearing their explanation what happened, Celestia turned her gaze to the ground, "A keyblade?... Could it be...", she thought to herself before looking back up at her Harmonic Heroes, "It appears the attacks we have endured the last few years were not random. Someone with a lot of power is trying to take Equestria and eliminate the Elements Of Harmony. Its time we build our own army, its time for an Alliance." Celestia said as the heroes agreed as Skywalker and Phoenix prepared to ask for aid form Republic City and Arendelle. If this unknown entity wanted to have Equestria, they wouldn't give it without a fight. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 65: Maze Of Life | It had been two days since the battle against Byron, with the last ounces of power left in Unity, Skywalker, McGrath and Phoenix had assured that ambassadors would meet them at the Crystal Empire. In spite of being needed back in Equestria, Phoenix decided to spend a few hours with the girl he loves. So Elsa and him founded themselves in the Royal Garden of Arendelle Castle, sitting under a three, with her on his lap.
"Kyle, can I talk with you about something?", the queens asked making the young man laugh. "You can tell me anything, Mon Cheri.", he said making her blush at her little nickname. "There are some interesting rumors out of the Western Shore. Turns out the aristocracy is unhappy with the king. Some nobles are secretly rebelling.", Elsa explained as her boyfriend listened intensely. "Taxes are the leading cause of rebellions. I bet that's the problem.", the redhead quipped gaining a soft chuckle from the queen. "You have such a wonderfully simple view of politics.", she said placing a kiss on his forehead, "It terrifies me how often you're right. Count Merritt Reginald has requested my presence at a discreet location, the Tower of Fire in Yveltal Bay, at a time of my choosing.", she finished.
"Yveltal Bay?... Why not the Western Shore?", Phoenix asked, giving her a worried look. "Yveltal Bay is neutral ground. Meeting at the Tower Of Fire? That's a gesture of respect. Count Reginald is one of the most popular nobles on the Western Shore. He's also secretly organizing the rebellion against the king. His invitation is addressed to 'Elsa Targaryen, Royal Queen to the Targaryen Dynasty'. He's taking me very seriously.", she finished, a little surprised at her boyfriends jealous look. "Your not thinking about replacing me right? He might be a count, and have lots of munny, but I'm... I'm me!", he said with a pout. The beautiful girl on his lap let out chuckle before placing a kiss on his lips, a warm sensation filling them both. "How can I argue with that logic?", she said as their lips parted, the young couple continuing to cuddle, enjoying the warm sun. Unbeknownst to either of them, up on the castle gargoyles, Mizuki was watching the young couple, "It seems it's true, there is another Phoenix.", she muttered to herself as she disappeared into smoke.
Meanwhile back over at Ponyville, more specifically Fluttershy's Cottage. The yellow mare was busy packing her suite case for the trip to the Crystal Empire, while also taking care of her pets. Just as she was about to feed Angel Bunny, a knock was heard on the front door. Quickly placing the food down, she opened the front door, showing Skywalker standing there holding a paperback. "Good afternoon, Flutters. I hope I'm not interrupting you.", Skywalker asked, taking a quick look inside. "Oh no, your never interrupting me. So why are you here? I thought you were going to Republic City to get help from Korra.", Fluttershy asked as she invited him in.
Skywalker nodded, explaining he had convinced the president of Republic City to send a ambassador to the meeting, though when pressed why he didn't come himself, Skywalker became very secretive. "Anyways, I wanted to give you this.", he said handing her the paper back, inside were a bunch of his own freshly baked cookies in the shapes of butterfly's. "I wanted to thank you for saving my life the other day. If it hadn't been for you, that Byron guy would have stabbed me with that key sword of his.", he said as Fluttershy munched on one of the delicious baked sweets. "Oh, its no problem! I-I mean you do stuff like that all the time and nobody gives you any cookies.", Fluttershy said with a blush on her cheeks.
Skywalker chuckled as he gave a light pat on Fluttershy's head. "You are so sweet, Flutters. Whoever your boyfriend is, he's very lucky.", he said making the shy mare blush even more. "Actually, I don't have one.", Fluttershy told him, gaining a disbelieving look from the young knight, "I haven't even had my first kiss yet.", her eyes widen when she realized what she just said. "Why would I tell Jason that I haven't had my first kiss yet? Was I hoping that he would kiss me in response?", she thought to herself.
"Would you like your first kiss right now?", Skywalker asked, breaking Fluttershy out of her thinking as her eyes widen even further. "Wait What!? Jason, how could... th... I mean, what!", the yellow mare managed to sputter out, he face almost completely red. "Exactly as I said, Flutters, my offer stands firm.", Skywalker said as he cupped the side of her face, sensing her nervousness. She forced herself to look into his shiny amber eyes as he said, "So again, would you like your first kiss right now?".
"O-Okay, I guess...", Fluttershy said, not believing something she has been dreaming about for so long was about to come true. "Alright then. Close your eyes, then slowly lean forward.", Fluttershy did as he's told, and shut her eyes, then she slowly leaned forward, and he does the same. There lips soon meet in the middle, and surprisingly, Skywalker pours so much passion into the kiss, obviously wants her to make this kiss something to remember. As his lips break away from hers, she slowly open her eyes to see him smiling warmly at him. "You're a great kisser, Flutters.", Skywalker said with a faint blush of his own. A strange feeling beating in his chest, something he had only had ever felt two times before.
Meanwhile over at Canterlot Castle, Celestia woke up from her afternoon nap, as she shot up in her bed, drenched in sweat. "It was that blasted dream again!", the sun princess shouted as she laid her back down and hit her head against the pillow. "A few weeks after the wedding. I started to have those disgusting dreams of ravaging him. Why do I keep having these dreams? I can't possibly want to do that with him!" she thought to herself as she started to drift back to sleep, but her door opened as Luna entered holding a turtle, "Hey sister look! I found this nasty creature in the garden and immediately I thought of you.", the moon princess said in a teasing manner, but to her surprise her older sister was holding her face under her pillow.
"I was just kidding. Sister what's wrong?", Luna asked as she sat down at the edge of her sister bed. After a few minutes of silence, Celestia finally cracked, she had to get this of her chest, one way or another, "Well... you see... Im... I'm in love.". Luna got a big smile on her face as she pulled her sister into a hug, "Marvelous! Who is the lucky stallion?", she asked excitedly. Much to her surprise, her sister pulled herself from the hug as she casts her face down, "Well, it's not, a stallion...", she said pulling her pillow over her face.
Connecting the dots in her mind, Luna asked slowly, "So... Its a mare? Like yourself?". Fearing her sister's reaction, Celestia kept her head under the pillow as she muttered, "No... It's... It's Griffifth.", the sun princess could feel the pillow being removed from her head as her sister started to stock her mane, "Well, you didn't laugh when I admitted that I was in love with Skywalker. And Griffifth has a nice ass, and I know someone who can help you.", the younger sister said, gaining a puzzling look from the younger sister.
A few minutes later inside Celestia's study, Celestia was waiting for the one who her sister said could help her. Someone who could according to Luna, could see, hear and smell everything, even Celestia was puzzled by the smell part. Another minute past before a knock was heard on the door as Skywalker came in. "You wished to see me, Tia? The preparations for the meeting are going smoothly.", Skywalker started but the sun princess interrupted him. "Jason, I need... a favor that I can only trust to you.".
"Oh, this should be good.", Skywalker said crossing his arms, giving a amused grin. "It should be a small matter, but I worry. I need you to give something to Griffith. No questions, and he is not to know it's from me.", Celestia ordered him as she levitated a small package into his hands. "Griffith? Why?", he wanted to ask but Celestia interrupted him again, "You're doing very badly at the 'no questions' part. This is... strangely difficult. Please, hurry back with his reaction. I appreciate this, Jason. I really do.", the princess said before Skywalker flew off towards Ponyville.
About five seconds later, Skywalker found Griffifth sitting in their shared living room watching some TV, with a bag of chips on his lap. After greeting each other Skywalker handed him the package. "I have it on good authority that you are going to like this.", he said as his blond friend opened the package, revealing a small copper statue of marigolds. "Well... How crafty. Is there a meaning to this that I should know?", Griffifth asked his friend. "Possibly 'here you throw this away'?", Skywalker suggested which Griffifth agreed to.
Again five seconds later, Skywalker arrived back at Celestia study who looked up stunned, "You're back? Of course you are. You're efficient. Get things done. Good or ill. So, how did Griffith react?", Celestia asked nervously. After a brief explanation which pretty much came down to that he found it garbage. The princess sighed deeply, "I thought it was clear. Metal is strong. Copper ages well. Flowers are soft.", she muttered to herself as Skywalker looked on confused, "I've clearly gone about this the wrong way. Don't talk to him again.", she ordered making him shake his head. "That's going to be difficult. As we are house mates.", he said as the princess started to pace around the room, lost in her own thought. "All right, I can fix this. I need... I need three goats and a sheaf of wheat. You'll take them to his mother.", she said, gaining another puzzling look from the knight. "It's a dowry tradition. Maybe it will smooth the process.", she explained.
"Hold a moment. You're having a crush on Adam Griffith!?", Skywalker exclaimed, finally figuring out what she was getting at. His suspicion was confirmed by a red faced Celestia muttering, "W-What? M-Me and G-Griffifth?". Skywalker walked over to her and as he placed his hand on her shoulder, "Celestia. You know you can talk to me.", he said with a kind smile. The princess let out a deep sigh as she sat down in a chair, "What am I to say? That a grown mare can't speak her mind? It's been so long since Caelum and I've been focused on being ruler for so long, that's all I know.", she said with a sad tone to her voice.
"So you've been by yourself since you became co-ruler of Equestria?", Skywalker asked gaining a nod from the princess, "I can't imagine you having trouble speaking your mind. This doesn't make sense.", he continued gaining a angry glare from the ruler of the sun.
"If it made sense, I wouldn't need you. I want Griffith know the way I feel...", she told him as he was thinking how to solve this little problem. Skywalker started to pace around the room in his thinking pose before suddenly snapping his finger, a idea popping in his head, "I got it! Your a princess and he is just a citizen, we can't get past that. So we go out. and get him drunk. Shame is a great equalizer!", Skywalker exclaimed, gaining a doubtful look from the princess, "What, just go out somewhere? Like it's that easy?", she asked gaining a nod from the grinning Skywalker. "Yes, it can be. Meet me at Sugarcube Corner at around seven.", Skywalker said as he took off, determent to hook up two of his best friends.
At seven in the evening, Skywalker and Griffifth were sitting at their favorite boot as they gulped down one beer after another. "There were supposed to be others coming, right?", Griffifth asked downing another beer, gaining a nod from Skywalker. "I hope so.", Skywalker thought to himself as he ordered another round. A few hours and 30 beers each later, Celestia still hadn't arrived. "No, Luna's a Pancake. Scrats and Twilight are eggs, Soaring and Derpy are muffins, and Octavia and Trixie are oranges.", Skywalker explained to Griffifth gaining a nod from the blond. "What is Celestia then?", the blond asked gaining a chuckle from the black haired. "Grapefruit.", he stated as the two burst out in laughter. "We are going to hell are we?", Griffifth asked while still laughing. Skywalker suddenly stopped laughing, making his friend stop as well. "Yes. Yes we are... To pony hell!", at that they both started to laugh again.
The next morning, Celestia woke up in her bed, she had been to afraid to meet Skywalker at Sugarcube Corner. And speaking of which, she saw two angry glowing amber orbs glaring at her. "Where the fuck where you?", Skywalker asked sternly, a tone only her parents had ever had taken when they addressed her. "I... I couldn't do it. I'm an idiot.", Celestia said as she looked down at her blankets. "I won't argue with that...", Skywalker thought to himself as Celestia started to state reasons why she couldn't date Griffifth in the first place. "I will not risk...", Celestia said, but she was cut off as Skywalker suddenly started to shout.
"That's the problem! Risk, or so help me, I will do Griffith myself. Arrange a diner party thing or what ever the hell you nobles do for fun. I'll keep the noble's at bay and you'll talk to Griffith.", Skywalker said as he turned around to leave. "This isn't your problem. And you're making my problems worse!", the princess told him, but all he did was scoff at this. "You made it my problem, now I'm fixing it.", Skywalker said as he opened a window and started to clime out of it. "Are you drunk?", the princess asked slowly. Skywalker quickly turned his head around, looking at her, "No! I'm super drunk!", he said before flying out of the room.
That afternoon, Celestia had send an invite to Griffifth for lunch at Canterlot Cafe. Much to hers and Skywalker surprise, he had accepted. So Celestia and Griffifth were now seated at a boot in the corner with Skywalker looking over them from a nearby table. "Thanks for the food.", Griffifth said as their lunch arrived. "No problem.", the princess said as an awkward silence followed. "So... this is pretty quiet.", Griffifth said after a while. "Yes, and it's... a real nice day for an afternoon.", Celestia said as the awkward silence continued. From his own table, he could see and hear everything that was happening, "Yoda, their bad at this.", he muttered as he munched on his sandwich.
As the lunch was about to come to a close, Skywalker had gone to take a quick trip to the restroom, after washing his hand he bumped into Griffifth. "Skywalker?", his friend asked surprised as Celestia's eyes widened. "Ser Skywalker? What a surprise. What are you doing here?", she pretended to be surprised, but Skywalker had enough of it. "Celestia.", Skywalker said sternly gaining a panicked look from the princess, "You'll thank me later. I think you'll come around once it's all out in the open.", he continued confusing the blond. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?", Griffifth asked, not getting what is happening. Skywalker shook his head in irritation as he exclaimed, "Your a couple of... Should I have Sutakira draw a picture of where she wants too touch you?". This made Griffifth realize what was happening, a faint pink blush appearing on his cheeks. "Uhm... I should go back home...", he said as he quickly dashed off, using his amazing speed and jumping abilities to making his escape. Celestia watched as, he heart skipping a beat, thinking her chance of happiness was gone. She turned around to look at Skywalker, "I thought we were friends.", she said, her voice filled with the feelings of anger and betrayal. "Friends sometimes push.", Skywalker said calmly as he dragged, her out of the restaurant.
16 minutes later, Skywalker and Celestia were waiting in Griffifth room at Shoveitupyourass Street 15. They were hoping to find him there, but they had no such luck as he wasn't there. "Where is he? I need to make a formal apology.", Celestia said in a panicked voice as Skywalker was looking over Griffifth's comic collection. "Try the marigolds again. In hindsight, they weren't the worst option.", Skywalker said absentmindedly. "It's not funny!", the princess said angrily. "I beg to differ.", he said back, turning around to face her. "You'll beg for more than that if you keep this up!", Celestia told him angrily as Griffifth entered his room. "How did you two get into my room?", the blond asked, as his friend raised his eyebrow. "It wasn't locked.", the young knight admitted, making the blond remember that he indeed, hadn't locked it. "Oh, right. Jason, I need a moment with the princess.", he said, gaining a surprised look from Celestia. Skywalker nodded as he left the room, "Have fun you two.", he thought to himself with a satisfied grin.
A few minutes later, McGrath was heading upstairs to his room. The meeting at the Crystal Empire was in a few days and between spending time with his girlfriend, his friends, setting up the MC Enterprises branch in Ponyville, teaching Sweetie Belle self-defense and training his new super form, he hadn't had a chance to pack at all. Though what surprised him was that he hadn't just hired an assistant to do that for him. As he arrived on the top of the stairs, a could hear Celestia's giggle coming out of Griffifth's room. "The neuk?", McGrath said in surprise.
Arc II: Maze Of Life: Completed...
Next time on, Quest For Equestria... In an effort to regain the stolen Unity, Skywalker steps through a magical mirror, into a completely new World where some things have changed, but true friendships remains! Did that rhyme?... Anyways enjoy your crappy trailer.
"Retrieve the Element of Unity. Without it, we won't be able to open the chest and Equestria is left defenseless.", Cadance said, gaining a surprised look from the gang. "How do YOU know that!?", Griffifth exclaimed.
Celestia looked over at Skywalker before saying, "You understand the importance of your task?". Skywalker rolled his eyes before saying, "Yeah, yeah, balance of the universe, yada, yada, yada. The usual junk.".
The scene changes showing Skywalker standing in front of a statue, "Where am I? But more importantly... Spike?", Skywalker said turning his attention to his dragon friend, "Why are you a dog?", and indeed Spike had changed from a dragon to a dog.
The scene changes again showing Skywalker and Spike on the school roof, looking over the town, "They do remind me of our Ponyville friends.", Spike said as Skywalker was deep in thought. "You're right, Spike. Looks like if I want Unity back, I'll have to become Ruler of the Fall Formal.", Skywalker said determent, as he clenched his fist. "How do you exactly plan on doing that?", Spike asked, gaining a shoulder shrug from the young man. "I have no idea. It will come... Sooner or later.", he answered, as he looked back to the town.
The power of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria. It's everywhere.
"I think I won't leave with my sanity intact...", Skywalker muttered.
Arc III: Soul Phrase |
Quest For Equestria | Arc III: Chapter 66: Alliance Between Worlds | At the Crystal Empire, present time. A cloaked unicorn is watching a crystal statue of the Harmonic Heroes battling the smoke form of King Sombra, more specificly at the crystal form of Skywalker preparing to strike Sombra with his lightsaber.
"Look at him. So sleek. So powerful. So... beautiful, like some great golden god made flesh. Of course, any sensible god would demand absolute obedience in return for his favor.", the unicorn thought to herself as he glared at the passing crystal ponies from under her hood. "But, no, the Knight Of The Wind protects us, with no strings attached. The people? Hmph. They practically worship him anyway. Enjoy your reign while you may, Ser Skywalker. For surely as night follows day, there comes a time when even gods must fall.".
Meanwhile on board the Equestria Express, heading towards the Crystal Empire. "No, she would look more like Emma Watson, and she would look more like Scarlett Johansson or Yvonne Strahovski....", Phoenix said to Sutakira as the two look at his laptop screen. "What are you two doing?", Twilight asked, standing behind them. Looking on the screen, she saw pictures of the girls along with a lot of different human's. "We're theorizing how you gals and Big Mac would look if you were human.", Sutakira said as he showed her the list. On the screen she saw the following list along with pictures:
Twilight Sparkle - Idina Menzel/Tara Strong/Emma Watson
Rainbow Dash - Natalie Portman/Kristen Bell
Fluttershy - Ariana Grande/Emilia Clarke/Hayden Panettiere
Applejack - Idina Menzel/Taylor Swift
Rarity - Yvonne Strahovski/Scarlett Johansson
Pinkie Pie - Idina Menzel/Katy Perry
Big Mac - Fabio/Michael Fassbender/Henry Cavill
"Yeah, I have a thing for Indina Menzel.", Phoenix muttered, before Twilight launched a bunch of questions, "Okay, why are some names crossed off?", Twilight asked. "Well those were options who didn't make the cut." Phoenix explained. "Who is Tara Strong?", Twilight asked, not noticing that McGrath and Pinkie standing behind them. "A very great voice actress... and a total milf. Huh, I really have a thing for older women...", Phoenix said, gaining a questioning look from Twilight, "A Mother I Like To F...", before Phoenix could finish, McGrath interrupted him. "Rarity as Scarlett Johansson or Yvonne Strahovski!... Sure, I could tap that.", he said with a shoulder shrug. "Yeah, you would make a funny couple with either of them.", Sutakira said, gaining a raised eyebrow from McGrath. "Oh come on, your very, very short! Your just a few cm away from being a hobbit!", Phoenix added, gaining a death glare from the brunette.
Meanwhile over at another cabin, Skywalker was sitting in a meditative state, trying to fall into the memories of another, he could feel himself slip out of his body and into a distant past. Opening his eyes, he found himself standing in a throne room standing before seven thrones each filled by mid to elderly man and women. To his left a young tall and slender woman, with blue eyes and medium-length blue hair, was standing. She was dressed in a black and navy blue, high-collared halter top, a black corset with two pairs of white laces and black shorts. She has two pink straps intersecting over her chest. On her arms are white bell-sleeves and tan, fingerless gloves. She also wears a small, segmented piece of armor on each of her upper arms. She wears black stockings reaching about halfway up her thighs, leaving a small area of bare skin.
To his right a tall young man with brown hair that reaches to the base of his neck in the back and is styled into rather messy, vertical spikes and bangs that frame his face, his eyes were also blue along with slightly tanned skin. He was dressed in a skintight, black, high-collared shirt, showing that he is rather muscular. His pants bear a distinct feudal Japanese style; his belt is tied like an obi-sash and he wears a dark grey hakama, with several loops for his belt and two buttons, both of which are undone. The rest of the pants are tan with a small, lighter stripe of tan on the bottom hem.
Skywalker turned his gaze towards the throne, noticing a elderly man sitting in the rightmost throne staring at him. He could feel his body straighten up as the man who was seated in the middle throne rising up. "Today you will be examined for the Mark of Knighthood. Not one but three of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates... but this is neither a competition nor a battle for supremacy... not a test of wills, but a test of heart. All of you may prevail, or none. But I am sure the council did not travel all this way to see our youngest prospects in years fall short of the Mark. I trust you are ready?", the master asked, as the three gave a 'yes'. With that response, the master lifts his Keyblade and summons a thousand orbs of light. The three Keyblade students conjured their Keyblade's as each took their fighting stance. Unbeknownst to anyone, the elderly master who was staring earlier, moved his hand, infecting the orbs with darkness. The master smiles as the three charged in to take care of them.
The orbs used its seismic burst, this would mean either being crushing or sending being send flying from the shockwave. Unlike his two fellow students, who were forced to jump to avoid the seismic burst, the one Skywalker was viewing, just get charging the orbs, slicing them in two with a single slash from his weapon. During the fight, releasing energy from his right hand, he obliterated the orbs with a blast so powerful it incapacitated orbs within a 50-meter radius. With the help of his friends, the orbs were defeated even with the added power, they never stood a chance.
After everything calmed down, the three students walked back to their starting position as the head master spoke up again. "That was unexpected... but one must keep a still heart even in the most trying of circumstances. It was an excellent test, one I chose to let unfold. Which brings us to your next trial.", as he gesture for Skywalker's viewer to stand at the other side of the area. "Now, Terra and Aqua, the two of you will face Marc in combat. Remember, there are no winners... only truths, for when equal powers clash, their nature is revealed. Begin!"
At the sound of that, Marc immediately engaged Terra and Aqua in battle. Terra goes after Marc with heavy hits, but he dodges every one, while Aqua attacks and nearly hits Marc, but it misses. Aqua defended herself well for a limited time due to her mastery of a more defensive style of combat, but left an opening which Marc exploited. Driving them to the air, where Marc pulled Terra and Aqua into a bladelock, before sending them back to the ground with a sudden burst of energy. Aqua quickly conjured up a shield around her self and Terra, softening the land. With Marc still in the air, Terra and Aqua started casting multiple spells, skilfully controlling their energy projectile's and directs them at Marc. It appears Marc has taken a full blow as in the smoke Marc is nowhere to be seen. Terra and Aqua had moments to react as suddenly Marc breaks himself free from their magic, and was on the attack and with many quick swings of his Keyblade, he forced the two to their knees.
Before anything else could happen, the master called them to a stop, declaring that this part of the test was over, and now they had to wait here while they would discuses the results. Marc turned his gaze towards his two friends, "Is that the best you guys can do?", he asked with a cocky smirk, making the other two shake their. "All hail Marc, hu?", the girl, Aqua said as she left out a soft chuckle.
Fifteen minutes later, the masters returned as the three friends stood at attention, "We have deliberated and reached a decision. Marc, Terra, Aqua, all three of you performed commendably. And it seems we have three new Knights in our Academy.", the head master said, making Marc smile a little. "Information on your new duties will be given within a week. That is all.", the head master said before their personal mentor added, "Now go celebrate.".
They waited for the council to leave the room before the other two exploded in cheers, Marc also showing a deep happiness. "We did it!", Aqua said, as she hugged Terra. "I told you, easy as pie!", he said as she let go. "No, baking a pie is more difficult.", Marc said as he gave Terra a brotherly hug. "Especially for you, mister Prodigy!", he said petting his black haired friend on the head.
"I can't help it, I'm just that good.", Marc said Aqua pulled him into a hug, though she took a little longer than she did with Terra. "You smell nice.", Marc muttered, a faint blush appearing on the young woman's face. "Thanks, you too.", she said softly, as Terra shook his head.
A few minutes later, Marc, Terra and Aqua were walking across the Main Hall, they wanted to go to the Overlook to take in the sun when they saw a young unfamiliar boy staring blandly in the distance. "That boy... is he okay?", Aqua asked her two friends, as Marc approached the boy.
"Greetings, I'm Marc Morgenstern. Call me Marc, what's your name?", he asked in a friendly manner. The boy responded slowly, revealing his name to be "Ventus". Seeing that the boy can talk, Marc called his two friends over, who introduced themselves. "Marc... Terra... Aqua...", the boy slowly said. Being curious as ever, Marc asked a bunch of question, "So, are you here to train? Where are you from? Your good with a Keyblade?", when suddenly, the boy fell to his knees holding his head and screaming. "Whoa, what's the matter?", Terra asked. Marc banded down to one knee trying to comfort Ventus when suddenly Nuelo Dolros and the elderly master from before walked up to them.
"What did you do?" Nuelo Dolros asked as he looked over the scene, Marc explained that he just asked some questions, "Ventus cannot tell you anything... because he cannot remember anything.".
Skywalker felt himself being pulled back into his body, seeing Twilight standing in front of him, informing that they had arrived at the Crystal Empire. A few minutes later, the gang arrived at the Crystal Castle Grand Hall. "The Harmonic Heroes have arrived!", a orange pegasus guard announced, he seemed familiar to Skywalker. "Huh, he looks unique compared to the other guards. He mustn't be important at all.", Sutakira noted as Celestia, Cadance, Luna, and Shining Armor where already there, they informed them that none of the other invited had arrived yet. Deciding to wait for them, Skywalker took up a conversation with the guard.
"Good afternoon, Ser Skywalker. I'm pretty sure you don't remember me, but we have met before.", he said as Skywalker folded his right arm over his chest while propping his left elbow up on it and placing a hand on his chin, his eyes slowly moving from the left to the right. "Your... Flash Sentry right?", he said uncrossing his arms, gaining a awed look from Flash. "Last we met you were just a recruit, right?", he thought it wasn't possible but Flash smile became even bigger. "Yes! It seems we both moved up in the world, huh?", Flash said as Skywalker nodded.
"Phoenix, your a guy right?", Fluttershy asked gaining a look of complete shock on the guys face, "I am!? Oh yeah, so what's your question?", he said with mock shock as a faint blush started to appear on Fluttershy's face. "So, what would you do if someone told you that they loved you?", she asked with her soft voice. Gaining a raised eye brow from the red head, "Is this someone I should know about?", he asked.
"No. I mean, pretend you're a man...", the yellow one said, her blush getting bigger. "I am a man, Sunshine. That shouldn't be too hard, but I'll give it a try.", he informed her with a cheeky grin, making the young mare stutter. "Ahhh, that's... not what I meant. Just... pretend you're another man. And someone told you that they loved you. How would you react?", she managed to get out as he started to ponder. "Well, that depends. Does this someone just blurt it out? Do I love them back? Come on, Sunshine! I need context!", he said, not noticing that Unity had opened a portal. "Perhaps you need to wait for the right moment? You could get him alone at his house, give Messiah a gift perhaps?", Phoenix advised. Fluttershy had to think again who had the nickname 'Messiah', the moment she realized who he meant her blush became bigger than ever. "Oh, I wasn't talking about me... just... forget I said anything.", she said shyly, making the red head chuckle.
Voice's could be heard from the portal, the voices themselves giving away who they were to Skywalker. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? It looks like we're there. Are we here yet? Are we here yet? Ooh, please tell me we're here!".
Skywalker had to laugh as Korra, the airbending master Tenzin, and his three children, and much to his surprise, Bolin, Mako and Asami arriving. "It's so good to see all of you.", Skywalker said as he approached his friends, he held his right arm in fron of his chest as a way of greeting. "H-Hey, Skywalker." Tenzin's oldest daughter, Jinora said with a faint blush. "Hey, Jinora. When are you gonna earn your airbending tattoos?", he asked but Tenzin's youngest daughter, Ikki, interrupted her sister. "I wanna get tattoos! But instead of arrows, I want lightning bolts!", she said excitedly. "Oh, I like her.", Pinkie said as Skywalker gave her a fist bump. "I knew you would understand Sky.", she said with a smirk, "You can't get lightning bolts. That doesn't make any sense.", Jinora said as she got in an argument with her sister.
"Tenzin, I heard president Raiko wouldn't be coming himself, but I had never expected they would send my favorite airbending master.", Skywalker said after introducing everybody. The bald airbending master nodded, "Its very nice to meet you all. And yes, after what you did to Raiko, he agreed to pretty much everything you asked if you didn't have to be in the same room with you.", Tenzin said, as Team Avatar let out a chuckle with Skywalker rubbing the back of his head embarrassed.
"What did you do?", Twilight asked with a stern look. Skywalker gave a uncomfortable smile, "President Raiko didn't want to send troops to help liberate the South Pole, so I threw his Sato Mobile upside down and inside out into his office. Okay?"
"Yes, it was awesome.", Korra said with a smirk, one she shared with Rainbow Dash, who couldn't believe her best friend had ever lost his cool. Skywalker looked down, a look of regret in his eyes. He looked up in surprise as Bolin put him in an head lock, rubbing his hair, "Not need to be so down, Skywalker! Its human to sometimes lose your cool.", the young earthbender said as his twin brother nodded. "Are you and Jason related?", Rainbow asked the firebending brother who shared the same hair and eye color with Skywalker, aside from the glow in the eyes. Mako gave her an odd look, "A blue horse, with rainbow mane and the ability to talk...", he said slowly.
"Actually I'm a pegasus .", she corrected him.
"You know from what I heard it wasn't the first time you lost your temper." Asami said, giving Skywalker a playful jab to his side. "This got to hear!", Rainbow said, staring at Skywalker. His other friend agreed, Asami telling him which incident she meant. Letting out a deep sigh, Skywalker started to spin his tale. He explained that Korra had been kidnapped by the Equelist, a organization who wanted to remove bending from their World.
Two Equelist soldiers are standing on the roof, looking over the city. "That was a pretty good imitations of a Polorbear dog, right?", one said as the other shook his head. "Do you wanna hear a really great imitation of a Polorbear dog?", the other asked as he prepared to do it, but suddenly Skywalker dropped on him from a higher building, knocking him out. The other Equelist charged his Lightning Glove, but before he could do anything else, Skywalker appeared right in front of him crushing the glove and the bones in his hand. Lifting the the Equelist up by the front of his uniform, removing the mask with his other hand, "Avatar Korra. Where are you keeping her?", he demanded to know as he held him over the ledge of the building. The Equelist looked down before he looked back at him, "Haha, do you think this will make me talk? Your one of those guys right? You don't kill...", he taunted but he gained a 'Oh, crap' face when Skywalker let him go. He let out a scream as he fell to the ground, just as he was about to became a spot on the ground, a blur of black grabbed him and he found himself back in the same position as a few seconds ago. "I can keep this up all day long. Now, I'll ask you one more time; Where. Is. She?", he asked, his eyes glowing red. "We don't have the Avatar, and the Equelist didn't attack City Hall. Tarrlok's lying.", the Equelist said weakly as Skywalker knocked him out with a heavy punch to the gut.
"Who is Tarrlok?", Pinkie asked, as she scarfed down popcorn. "A sleazy councilman who really had kidnapped Korra.", Skywalker said as another portal opened, revealing Queen Elsa Targaryen, her sister, Princess Anna Targaryen and a five soldiers to act as bodyguards.
"Hey you.", Phoenix said cutting off his conversation with Mako and walking over to the queen. "Hey, handsome.", his girlfriend replied placing a soft kiss on his lips, getting a adorable sequel from Rarity, Fluttershy and Anna. "I missed you, you know.", he said gaining a chuckle from the blond. "We have seen each other two days ago,", she informed him. "I know! It's been that long!", he said dramatically,as he started to introduce everyone.
And so the negotiations were underway, it didn't took long to come to an agreement to form an alliance. Much to the other Worlds surprise, they too had to deal with the Corrupted and humans dressed in similar black cloaks. "It seems we are to an agreement, when the time comes we will stand together against the coming darkness.", Celestia said as the others agreed, "Then from this day forward, let us know as the Alliance Between Worlds. That leave one more thing to consider, who shall lead us?", the ruler of the sun added. The queen of Arendelle looked over at her boyfriend who gave her a nod before speaking up, "Might I suggest Ser Skywalker.", she suggested, gaining a surprised look from the Skywalker himself. "I have it on good authority you are a leader as well as a great 'Jedi'.", she said as Phoenix let out a chuckle, not believing his girlfriend actually thought Skywalker was a Jedi.
"I... I don't know. Is everyone okay with his?", he asked and much to his shock, they all agreed. So Skywalker accepted, "I will accept, together we will bring the enemies of the Worlds to justice.", he declared.
Later that night, Skywalker was standing on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, he let out a deep sigh. "Something wrong Jason?", a voiced asked him. Looking behind him he saw Rainbow flying behind him. "I don't know, Dashie. I'm just... worried, I guess.", he admitted making the blue pegasus laugh. "You? The Skywalker? Worried!? About what?", she asked.
"I know I have agreed to lead this Alliance but I worry. Just because I'm good at fighting, but that doesn't mean I'm a good leader.", he said.
Rainbow shook her head as she petted his head, "Aw, your a good leader, scratch that. Your a great leader! Only now your decisions affect an entire Alliance.", she said gaining a chuckle from her friend.
"Not helping!", he said with a chuckle before messing up Rainbow's manes.
Meanwhile somewhere Phoenix and Elsa arrived back from their stroll through the gardens, arriving back at her room. "Well, here we are. Goodnight, Mon Cheri.", he said, placing a kiss on her lips before turning around. "Kyle wait!", she said, making the red haired prankster stopped in his tracks. "I... I'm not emotionally ready for... sex... But if you don't mind... Do you want to sleep with me tonight?", Elsa asked, a blush gracing her pale cheeks. He walked back towards his girlfriend, placing his hand on her cheek. "Elsa, I already told you. We'll go as fast as you are comfortable. I don't wanna rush you, even if we'll never get to that stage, I'm just happy to spend time with you.", he said, pressing another kiss on her lips before the two retreated to her chamber.
Unbeknownst to everyone, a cloaked unicorn sneaked into, Skywalker's room. As fast as she arrived, she replaced the Element Of Unity with a fake before trying to make her escape. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 67: Other World | Skywalker could not sleep that night, so he took a stroll through the castle. Much to his surprise he came across Big Mac playing with Sutakira.
Big Mac smirked as he used a card to intercept, Sutakira's attack, "Gloat all you like. I have this one.". Sutakira checked for a trigger but it wasn't there, "Are you sassing me? I didn't know you had it in you.", Sutakira asked as he checked for a Trigger, which wasn't there.
"Are you two playing nice?", Skywalker asked as he leaned against a pillar, crossing his arms.
"Skywalker, you know me! I always play nice.", Sutakira answered as he passed the turn to Big Mac, "Big Mac just need to come to terms with my inevitable victory. You'll feel much better.", he continued, feeling cocky he decided not to guard. That was a big mistake as Big Mac pulled a double Critical Trigger. "Really? Because I just won. And I feel fine.", Big Mac said with a satisfied smirk. "Please, don't get smug. There will be no living with you.", Sutakira said as he collected his cards, after saying goodnight to the two, he left to turn in for the night.
"I should turn in for the night as well...", Big Mac said as he collected his cards, "Unless you would care for a game?".
Skywalker uncrossed his arms, pulling a deck box from his pocket, "Bring it on." Shuffling their decks, the two friends looked at each others clan, Skywalker was surprised at which deck Big Mac was playing. His red friend was not. "I never figured you for a Royal Paladin player, Big Mac.", Skywalker said as he started his turn. "I know. Neo Nectar would fit me more, huh? I just like this playing style better. Is that the same reason you play them, Skywalker?", Big Mac asked, as he made his turn before passing it back to Skywalker. "Why yes. Though it seems the two of us play different variations of the same clan.". Big Mac gave a nod as he decided to guard the attack.
A few turns later, Skywalker and Big Mac were both equally matched, neither one gaining much advantage over the other. "You know, if the rumors about Sutakira and AJ are true...", Skywalker started as he called a unit to the Rear-Guard.
"They are true.", Big Mac said as he gave a bemused smile at his friend surprised expression. "... I really am blind to any kind of love...", the black haired guy muttered, "Anyway, that means you and me are the only two single guys in our friend group.", Skywalker said, passing the turn back to Big Mac. "What about Griffifth?", Big Mac asked bemused as his friend answered that Griffifth had just entered into a relationship with a certain someone.
After the two friends finished their game, they decided to call it a night. As they neared their sleeping quarters, the two saw someone slipping out of Skywalker's room. One thing they noted was that in the intruders saddlebag, the Element Of Unity was stored. "Hey you! Stop right there!", Big Mac said, making the thief flinch before she tried to make her escape. The two friends chased after her, dodging her magic blast she send after the two, or leaping over obstacles she moved in their ways. Unbeknownst to him, Griffifth came out a door which led to Celestia's room, before being knocked over by the thief. "The hell.", was all he could say before he saw Skywalker and Big Mac storm after the person who knocked him over. "What's going on, guys?", Griffifth asked as he joined the chase. "Griffifth! She's got the EoU!", Big Mac explained as he leaped over another obstacle. "How do you know the thief is a she?", Griffifth asked as he sliced an incoming cabinet in two with his claws. "I don't know!", Skywalker exclaimed as they chased the thief into a room.
As they cornered the thief, all that was behind her was a mirror, with out hesitation, she threw her saddle bag into mirror, which passed with a ripple effect. "What did you do!?", Skywalker demanded to know as the thief looked smugly at him. "Sorry it had to be this way! ... Ser Knight.", was all she said before entering the mirror herself, before anyone could stop her. Upon hearing the commotion the others arrived.
"Who was that?", Fluttershy asked as she looked bewildered at the mirror. Skywalker rolled his eyes before speaking up, "Thanks for the help guys! And yes who was that anyways?".
Not unexpected for any of them, it was Celestia who answered the question. "Sunset Shimmer. A former student of mine. She began her studies with me not long before Twilight. But when she did not get what she wanted as quickly as she liked, she turned cruel and dishonest.", the princess of the sun explained, surprising the others at the news that Celestia had an other apprentice. "So she is kinda like McGrath?", Spike said teasingly before being slapped on the back of his head by McGrath's tail.
"I tried to help her... But she eventually decided to abandon her studies and pursue her own path, one that has sadly led to her stealing the EoH.", Celestia continued.
"Alright, let's follow her and take Unity back.", Skywalker declared as the others nodded, as the portals to the other Worlds were still open he told his friends to get the ambassadors back to their World the next day.
"You'll soon know more about this place than even I do.", Celestia told him. "This is no ordinary mirror. It is a gateway to another World. A gateway that opens once every thirty moons." , Luna informed them, "It has always been kept in the throne room of Canterlot Castle. But when Princess Cadence took over the Crystal Empire, we sent it here for her to watch over.", the princess of the moon explained, gaining a puzzled look from Phoenix.
"Why would they do that!?", he shouted before Cadence spoke up. "Jason, you must use the mirror to go into this other World and retrieve your the EoU. Without it, we cannot open that chest and Equestria is left without one of its most important means of defense.". Phoenix shook his head before shouting, "How do YOU know that!?".
"Unity does not belong in the place Sunset Shimmer now calls home. And in her possession it will no doubt be used to bring harm to the inhabitants of this other realm. They will not have the power to defend themselves. You understand the importance of your task?", Celestia explained as Skywalker shrug his shoulders. "Yeah, Yeah, balance of the universe, yada, yada, yada. The usual junk.", Skywalker responded as he flexed his arms. "Lets go.", Skywalker said to his friends as they prepared to follow him. "I'm afraid I can't let you go.", Celestia said gaining a shocked look from the Harmonic Heroes. "Sending all of you could upset the balance of this alternate World. Creating havoc that would make it impossible for Skywalker to get Unity back from Sunset Shimmer. This is something Skywalker must do alone.", the ruler of the sun explained. The others were too busy protesting to notice Skywalker having an small break down at the thought of not having his friends with him.
"We're here and how much havoc did happened after that?", McGrath protested. Everybody had a few flashbacks of all the havoc that had happened ever since they had became friends. "... Never mind...", the brunette muttered as the others relented. "Time is of the essence. On the third month, when the moon reaches its peak in the night sky, the gateway will close, and once it does, it will be another thirty moons before you will be able to use it to return.", Luna explained, a hint of worry in her voice. "Don't worry. Sutakira, is the app ready?", Skywalker asked, his bluenette friend informing him it should. Before anyone could ask what he was talking about, Skywalker had whipped out his phone and pressed a button. A few seconds later, a portal opened and the Skybike came through it, stopping right in front of him. With one leap, Skywalker jumped on as he placed his helmet on his head. "Don't worry, I'll be back.", Skywalker said as he made his motorcycle let out a rev before riding towards the mirror, but unfortunately, Spike was admiring the bike, as one of his scales was now stuck on the seat, forcing Spike to go with him to the other World.
A few seconds later, the Skybike came to a halt. Taking off his helmet, Skywalker looked at the backseat but Spike wasn't there anymore. "Spike? You there buddy?", he asked as he stood up and saw a purple dog looking at him. "Spike?... Why are you a dog?". The former dragon, now dog looked himself over before answering, "No idea."
"Hm, maybe you made too much fun of Twily looking like that pet from LPS.", Skywalker suggested. The two wondered where they were, "Don't really know, but I don't think were in Kansas anymore, Toto... Where the fuck are we Toto?", Skywalker said as he approached the school like building, Spike following him. "My name is Spike! And what the buck is Kansas?", the purple dog said as the two entered the building.
Arriving in a large hall, Skywalker couldn't help but notice that it looked exactly like how a high school hall would look like, "This brings back memories...", Skywalker muttered when suddenly, a bell rings in the background. The hall was suddenly filled by what, Skywalker assumed to be students , but what surprised him most was that all of them had techni colored skins. "Whats wrong with there skin color?", Skywalker whispered to Spike, who gave him an odd look. "How it that different from yours?", the dog asked as Skywalker explained he had a peach color skin. "Why is it called peach?", the dog asked but Skywalker merely shrugged.
As the students made their way to the cafeteria, Skywalker started to explore the rest of the building, "I have a feeling I won't leave with my sanity intact...". Skywalker thought to himself, but a commotion brought him out of his pondering. A little further in the hallway, Skywalker saw two girl arguing, well the red headed one was shouting, while the pink haired one was barley talking back.
"...I'm really sorry. I just found it, and I thought I should give it to her. I didn't know you had dropped it.", the pink haired girl got out with difficulty but the red head just scoffed. "Well, I did! and I was about to get it before you swooped in and ruined everything! You shouldn't pick up things that don't belong to you.", the red head told her angrily. The pink haired muttered something enraging the red head even more.
"You really are pathetic. It's no wonder your best friends are all stray animals.", the red head talked down on the pink haired, nearly bringing her to tears.
"That's enough.", Skywalker declared angrily, he hated bullies with a passion. The two girls looked surprised as he stood between the two girls, looking down on the red head, he was a head taller than her. He had to admit, if the red head wasn't such a bitch, he might have found her attractive. "How dare you speak to her that way!", Skywalker demanded to know, the girl was surprised that someone dared to speak to her like that. "What did you say?", the red headed girl recovered quickly.
"I'm sorry, did I stutter or something? How dare you speak to her that way!", he repeated himself, making the red head scoff. "You must be new here, pretty boy. I can speak to anyone any way I want.", she replied with an evil smirk.
"I think you should leave before I lose my temper and you won't like me when I lose my temper.", Skywalker warned her as his eyes flashed red. The red headed girl let out a laugh, "Very scary those contact lenses. Also, the 80's called and even they don't want there stupid trend back.", she mockingly said as she walked away. Skywalker looked baffled before regaining his composure, "My popped collar is fabulous, don't make fun of it!", he shouted.
"I can't believe you did that!", a small voice said behind him, turning around he saw the pink haired girl looking up to him. Skywalker schooled his expression back into his usual calm as he gave her a warm smile. "I couldn't just stand there and do nothing, could I?".
The girl looked surprised, as a faint blush creeped on her cheeks, "Well, it's just that nobody ever stands up to Sunset Shimmer!", she told him. "So that was Sunset Shimmer?", Skywalker thought to himself. "I don't think I've seen you around before. Did you just transfer to Canterlot High from another school?", the girl asked. He thought about it for a minute, "You could say that. My name's Skywalker, Jason Skywalker.", he introduced himself, the girl gained a large blush as she muttered, "I'm... My name is... Fluttershy.", she muttered flinching at her name. "Sorry, your named Flutter...Shy?", Skywalker said slowly.
"That's right, Fluttershy... My parents are kinda weird.", she said, making him nod, thought he wouldn't know about parents being weird. "Oh my goodness! Who's this sweet little guy?", she said noticing, Spike. She reached down and started to scratch behind his ear. "That's Spike, my... dog.", he answered slowly. She handed him some dog snacks from her backpack. "Oh, wouldn't you just give anything to know what they're really thinking?", she asked him while Spike enjoyed his snacks. "He usually just tells me.", Skywalker muttered gaining a puzzling look from the girl, "Never mind. Sunset Shimmer said you picked something up. Something that belonged to her. It wasn't a bracelet, was it?", he asked as Fluttershy started to explain, "This morning, I was passing out flyers for the animal shelter like I do every Wednesday. Canterlot's animal shelter needs more volunteers, you see. Then this bracelet just bumped on my head, I had no idea how it go there. But I didn't want anything to happen to it, so I decided to give it to Principal Celestia.". Skywalker was taken aback for a moment, "Principal Celestia?... Where is she now?", he asked slowly. "Probably in her office.", she explained as he nodded.
"Thank you Fluttershy. Let's go Spike!", he said as the two were about to dash off. "Oh wait!", Fluttershy said, stopping in his tracks. "You're not really supposed to have pets on school grounds. Might wanna tuck him into your backpack. That's what I do!", she said showing a bunch of squirrels and rabbits in there, much to Skywalker's surprise. "They just get so lonely when I'm in school all day.", she said lovingly as he nodded. "Oh, okay! Thank you!", he said as he dashed off, wondering how he was going to get a backpack. Not noticing the stare this Worlds Fluttershy was giving him.
Skywalker was walking through the school, feeling pretty stupid not asking for directions to the principle's office. Just in time, he saw someone who looked very familiar, a familiar blond guy with ruby red eyes, except of his normal pale skin, he now had a red skin. "Excuse me.", he said gaining the attention from the blond. "I'm new here, so can you tell me were the principle's office is?", he asked the boy nodding. "Sure thing, Skywalker. Third door on your left, the same door I just came out off.", he explained. Skywalker thanked him before walking off.
A knock on the door, a voice on the other side told him to come in. As he walked in, there she was, a human version of his mentor/mother figure. "How may I help you?", the principle asked in a kind tone, snapping Skywalker out of his amazement. "My name's Skywalker, Jason Skywalker. I'm new here, and well, I understand that Fluttershy found a bracelet this morning and gave it to you.", he explained gaining a nod from the hot teacher. She explained that she had vice-principal Luna put it somewhere for safekeeping. "Were you interested in running for Ruler of the Fall Formal this year?", she asked.
"Uh, no. Not exactly. The truth is... Wait, Ruler of the Fall Formal?", Skywalker asked as the principal explained what the Fall Formal was, the Ruler of Fall Formal and the like. "You just need to let the head of the fall formal planning committee know you'd like to be on the ballot. Was there anything else?", she asked but he shrug his head. "Um, nope! That was it! Well, I start classes tomorrow so I best get home and start to unpack, have a nice day.", Skywalker said as he stood up. "Well, if you do need anything else, my door is always open.", she informed him, making him nod. "Thank you, principal. Your a lot nicer than my previous one, she was insane.", he said as he left the office. As the door closed all principal Celestia could think about the new kid was, "...Weird guy.". |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 68: My First School Day | After a few quick stops in town, Skywalker had brought a backpack, with Spike safely in the blue and black pack, they were making their way towards the cafeteria. "Did you smell that?", Skywalker whispered to Spike who responded with a muffled 'why?'. "There was this strange smell in principal Celestia's office... It smelled like sex.", Skywalker explained. Now it was Spike's turn to ask for a question. "Say, Jason. Why not just tell her the EoU is yours and ask for it back?", the dog asked muffled.
It didn't took long for Spike to understand that if Skywalker would explain what was really going on, Skywalker would be sitting in a white room in a straight jacked.
"So? Just use your superpowers! That's why you have them!", Spike protested, as they arrived in the Cafeteria. "Too easy.", Skywalker responded as he spotted the girl he was looking for. "Hey, Fluttershy!", he said walking over the the shy girl. With a faint blush, she greeted him. "I know we've just met, but I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something.", Skywalker requested, gaining a nod from her. "I've decided to run for Ruler of the Fall Formal.", he said excitedly. Much to his surprise, her expression turned into a mix of shock, fear and worry. "It's a really bad idea to run for Fall Formal Ruler.", Fluttershy explained, worried for the guy who so bravely stood up for her. He raised an eyebrow at what she said, requiring a further explanation. "Sunset Shimmer wants to be Fall Formal Ruler, and when she wants something, she gets it! She'll make life awful for anyone that stands in her way. Just ask the girl that ran against her for Ruler of the Spring Fling.".
Skywalker gave shrug declaring he was going to give it a show anyway. "Oh, I don't think you understand.", the shy girl muttered, gaining a questioning look from the black haired guy. "You'd have to convince everyone here to vote for you instead of her: the athletes, the fashionistas, the dramas, the eco kids, the techies, the rockers.", she explained. "Why is everybody separated this way?", Skywalker asked with a sad tone in his voice. "Maybe it was different at your old school, but at C.H.S., everybody sticks to their own kind. One thing that they do have in common, is that they know Sunset Shimmer is going to rule the school until we graduate.".
"Not if I can help it.", Skywalker thought to himself, before speaking up again, "So, where would I find the head of the party planning committee?".
After receiving the information needed, Skywalker made his way towards the school gym as Spike munched on the muffins he picked up in town. As he entered the gym, he was almost hit in the face by a inflating balloon. "Sorry about that!", a girl with pink hair and pink skin said as she walked up to him. "Pinkie Pie!?", Skywalker exclaimed surprised, gaining an equally surprised look from the girl. "Huh, are you psychic?", she asked with a tilted head, as Skywalker shook his head. "Fluttershy said this is where I'd find the head of the Fall Formal planning committee.". Even more to his surprise, Pinkie's expression darkened at hearing that name, "Fluttershy, huh? Don't let her Moe behavior fool you, she can be a real meanie.", the pink girl warned him, before giving him a quick look over as her expression turned back to cheerful, "Oh!, Your brand new here. I thought you didn't look familiar. Though, now that I'm really looking at you, do you have a twin brother who lives in the Cloudsdale city?", this statement made him shrug his shoulders, gaining a nod from her, "Thought so. Anywho, just need to fill this out and you are officially up for the coveted Ruler of the Fall Formal crown.", she handed him a clip board and a pen.
As Skywalker writes his name on the list, another familiar voice was heard, "Somebody order a dozen cases of fizzy apple cider?". Turning around he saw a blond girl with orange skin, a tall boy with blond hair and dark red skin and a blue haired boy with a light blue skin.
As Skywalker took in their appearance, all he could think was, "Okay, I'm scared now...". He was brought out of his shock by this Worlds Applejack claiming she knew him. "No, you don't.", Skywalker quickly as her boyfriend gave her an questioning look.
"He's the new guy who gave Sunset Shimmer the what for today.", she explained as broke open a bottle of cider and proceeded to drink it down in one gulp. "Skywalker here is going to run against Sunset Shimmer for the Ruler of the Fall Formal.", Pinkie exclaimed making Applejack do a spit take. Both her and this Worlds Sutakira tried to convince him why it would be a bad idea, what he noticed most was that the two finished each other sentence's. Skywalker knew only two sort of people did that, twins and couples. "Question? Are you two dating?", Skywalker asked, he didn't need an answer as their shared blush said enough. "A-Anyway. About the only person in this school you can trust less than Sunset Shimmer is Rainbow Dash.", Applejack said, making the young knight look up in surprise, "Blue girl, has rainbow hair, small chest. She's the captain of, like, every team at Canterlot High.".
Skywalker waved it off as he gave all of them a warm smile, "Thanks for the advice AJ and Phoenix, but this is something I really need to do.", he explained. He was about to walk away, but Applejack stopped him in his tracks, "How do you know everybody calls me AJ and my boyfriends name?", she asked. Skywalker quickly muttered something along the lines of 'you told me?'. "Yeah... Well, it sure was nice meeting you all. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around.", Skywalker excused himself as he made his way out of there. Pinkie tapped her chin, "That one's trying to hide a secret, but I am totally on to him. He's psychic!".
Before the other three could respond, Sunset Shimmer and her two henchman, Snips and Snails... Seriously?... Okay, then, Entered, and the alpha bitch started to order how she wanted the gym to be during the Fall Formal. "There should be more streamers near the stage and fewer balloons. This is gonna be MY coronation. I'm running unopposed.", she said smugly to herself. Pinkie unformed her that, that was not true as the new guy had signed up. If looks could kill, everybody in that room would have dropped dead as Sunset Shimmer let out a, "What." as she took the clipboard from the pink haired girl. She didn't listen to Pinkie's remarks about his hand writing as she was focused on the name itself.
"Jason Skywalker?... Where is this Skywalker?", she said as she putted up a fake smile, "I'm look forward to meeting the competition!".
Skywalker was making his way down the hallway, intending to go to the library before heading home, to kill some time, Skywalker and Spike took up a discussion. "No, no. The red Kryptonite makes Superman go crazy, the gold Kryptonite takes away his powers.", Skywalker explained as Spike wondered what he should be using, "I'm just trying to give you options.". Spike shook his head before saying, "I would stick with the green one. Seems easiest.".
Before he could response, a voice behind him took the two out of their discussion. "Can't believe I didn't recognize you earlier, pretty boy.", turning around they saw Sunset Shimmer leaning against a wall of lockers, she pushed herself off it as she turned to face him, "Should've known princess Celestia would send her prized champion here after me... and his little dog, too.", she added with a smug smile, her demeanor felt familiar to Skywalker. "He isn't my dog.", Skywalker protested, not taking a step away from his opponent, "He's just a friend!".
Spike was taken aback by his response, "... This is the happiest day of my life...", the dragon dog muttered, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Whatever.", Sunset said as she rolled her eyes, "This is just a minor setback for me. You don't know the first thing about this place and I already rule it.", she boasted.
Skywalker let out an inner chuckle at this, apparently Sunset didn't know he once went to a human high school. Taking his silence as ignorant, she turned around as she let out a laugh, "And you're supposed to be sun butts star champ? Then again, what were the chances she'd find somebody as good as me to take under her wing after I decided to leave Equestria. Bit embarrassing that you were the best she could do.", she turned back to him, "You want to be a king here? Please.", much to her shock, Skywalker was already walking away, Spike at his side. "Don't worry. I'll crush you like your made of... something soft...", he said not bothering to look back at the enraged girl as her two henchman walked up to their leader. "I want you to follow him. Bring me something I can use just like I did with that last girl who thought she could challenge me.", she ordered as the two tried to sneakingly follow him. "When the power of Unity is mine, Skywalker will be sorry he ever set foot into this World. Not that he would have been much safer if he stayed in Equestria.", she said to herself as she made her way towards her next class.
Skywalker arrived in the library, Spike quickly jumped into the backpack as he questioned why they were heading towards the library. "Research?", Skywalker muttered as he picked up his backpack. "Your going to read books!? Who are you, Twilight!?". Skywalker took a seat behind a school computer, one of the teacher's, which he recognized as this Worlds version of Cheerilee warned him to only use the computer for school work. "What else am I gonna do on a school computer? Watch My Little Human? Play Smite? Watch porn?", he said half jokingly, back in his old high school he had done two of those three.
"You would be surprised at what your fellow students look up.", Cheerilee replied before walking away. After starting up the internet browser Skywalker declared, "Deduction time!", and started to type away. As he searched up what had happened the past few years, Snips and Snails were watching him from behind the glass door, waiting for him to do something embarrassing. "Even without my powers I know their standing there.", Skywalker whispered to his friend. Spike gave a nod as he remarked, "Well, every villain need some dumb henchman.". Skywalker continued his research as he secretly hooked his phone on the PC, secretly adding him to the student list, giving him a history in this World. He was brought out of his research by a sudden loud music coming from the opposite side. Looking over he saw Cheerilee talking with much to his surprise this Worlds version of the CMC.
"The hell are they doing here? Aren't they like eleven years old?", Skywalker said, gaining the attention from Applebloom. "We're fourteen... handsome older year.", she added with a slight blush, making Skywalker raise his eyebrow.
A few hours later, Skywalker and Spike arrived at their new house, it had a garden, a small swimming pool, and three bad rooms upstairs. The movers had already furnished it with the basic furniture decorating the living room. "It's not much, but I think we can make it.", Skywalker said as he moved some of the boxes of the couch and sat down as he pulled out, two Bento boxes out of his backpack. "Were did you get this? Its delicious!", Spike said as he scarfed his food down. He was completely surprised by Skywalker's claim that he made this himself, "You can cook!? Man you really are good with your hands... Forget I said that...", Spike added that last part quickly, realizing how out of context that could have been taken.
During diner, Skywalker showed the results of his research, he showed him a book he took with him from the library, "This is a yearbook. Its something they use to keep a record of things that have happened at the school last year.", Skywalker explained as he flipped to a certain page, showing a picture of this Worlds version of his friends, "Look. That's Griffifth, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Phoenix, AJ, Sutakira, Fluttershy, McGrath, Rarity, Big Mac and I'm gonna bet the girl on the far right is Twily.", he said as Spike fawned over this Worlds Rarity, making the young knight chuckle. "It's interesting because they look like my friends. But it doesn't seem like they're friends now and I just can't help but get the feeling that Shimmer's had something to do with it.", Skywalker explained, making a silent promise to fix what his enemy had broken before he went back home.
The next day is Skywalker's first school day, so he was up bright and early, making his way towards the school. Luckily for him, his new house wasn't that far from the school, just close enough to walk towards. "I wonder what awaits me today.", Skywalker thought to himself as he walked towards school, noticing a trash can rolling around with two legs sticking out, a yellow bike was laying next to a wall. "Fine! Leave me in here like the trash I am!", from the voice coming out of the trash can. "Don't tell me what to do!", Skywalker declared as he grabbed him by the legs and with a single pull, freed the boy. "Thank you so much! I own you one.", the blue haired boy said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Don't mention it.", Skywalker said with a smile as he walked with the boy to his bicycle. "You don't get it, everybody else would have stood there and taken pictures with their phone's. Not you, you got straight in there and saved my ass!", the boy said cheerfully. "Oh, I'm Flash Sentry by the way and your... Wait your the new kid right? The infamous Skywalker?", Flash Sentry said as Skywalker nodded, "That's me. Don't know about the infamous part.", he admitted. Flash chuckled before speaking up, "Believe me, if you have the balls to stand up to Sunset Shimmer, you get a name around here fast... Until you turn up dead.", he said with a chuckle before adding, "Do you want a ride? It's a little damaged but I think it can handle us two.", he offered.
As the two arrived at Canterlot High, Skywalker bid his goodbye to Flash Sentry before making his way to the Faculty Office to receive his schedule. Knocking on the door, a familiar female voice called him in, walking in he saw what he only could be this Worlds version of Luna.
"Oh, are you the new student? Skywalker, correct?", Luna asked. Skywalker nodded, "Yes ma'm.", he answered with a smile. Luna took a file from a pile of papers, starting to mutters as she flipped through the pages, "Wow, you've lived in a lot of different places... Let's see... In 1999... That was what, eleven years ago? Your parents...", the vice principle took a loud gasp at what had happened to his parents. "I'm sorry... I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this beforehand.", the vice principle apologize, showing genuine his regret. Skywalker waved it off showing her it was okay, "It's alright ma'am.", he said with another charming smile, if he didn't know better, the woman in front of him had blushed at his smile.
"I'm Vice Principle Luna, I'm filling in for your English class. Welcome to our school.", the vice principle introduced herself, as she and Skywalker shook hands, "Nice to meet you, Ma'am!". Luna felt relieved at this new student didn't felt insulted, "Such enthusiasm! We could use more go-getters like you. Have you seen the classroom assignments? You're in 2-F; that's my class. The classes will be starting soon, so follow me.", she said smiling as he opened the door for her.
Meanwhile in Class Room 2-F, the students were talking loudly as their teacher had not arrived yet, "Talk about luck... the teacher for this class is vice-principal Luna, isn't it?", Sutakira asked as Big Mac nodded. "Ayup, it's the vice-principal alright. We get to enjoy her sermons every day for a whole year.", the dark red boy remarked. "Hey you guys, I heard the transfer student from the city is going to be in this class.", the two overheard another student talking to his friend.
"A transfer student from the city...", a green skinned boy with brown hair, this Worlds version of McGrath noted to himself, the cyan girl in front of him nodding, " Just like you, huh, Flash?", this Worlds version of Rainbow said to the boy next to McGrath, who nodded. "I already met him this morning. Guess what? Its the same guy who gave Sunset a what for.", Flash Sentry whispered. Their were cut off by the class room door opening as Luna and Skywalker walked in.
"Alright, class, I'm your homeroom and English teacher Miss Luna from today forward. First things first, just cause it's summer doesn't mean you can swoon over each other like love-struck doves. I'd better introduce this transfer student, Skywalker. Go ahead and introduce yourself.", Luna said with a kind voice, as the young man took a step forward. "Very well where shall I begin?", Skywalker started as he addressed class, "My name is Skywalker, Jason Skywalker. My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloe, with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring, we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent, I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds. Pretty standard really...", Skywalker stopped, taking in the face's of his classmates and his teacher, before bursting out in laughter. Seeing as he was joking, the rest of the class soon followed.
"Excuse me! Is it okay if Skywalker sits here?", Rainbow asked as she raised her hand. Luna nodded as she gestured for him to sit down. After sitting down, Luna started the lesson. Rainbow leaned close to him as she whispered, "Luck for you to get stuck in this class. I like you, new kid. I think you and I are gonna be great friends.". Skywalker nodded at this while thinking, "And so my new Life at school begins. Will I able to fit in? Challenge accepted!"
A few classes later, Skywalker had called this Worlds version of his friends to the school roof. They were surprised when their 'former' friends were also there. "You all must be surprised why I had invited you guys and girls here?", Skywalker started, he wanted to clear this up quickly, as he knew he was nothing without his friends.
"I know you guys used to be friends during Freshmen Year, remember?". The rest nodded still not getting what he was getting at. "Yeah... AJ was pretty ugly back then.", Sutakira said, earning a glare from his girlfriend. "What did ya say?", she asked threatening, making Sutakira quickly mutter, "...Nothing ma'am.".
"But something happened. I think that something was Sunset Shimmer.", Skywalker continued, they all looked doubtful at his accusations, "Look at it this way. She's a straight up Alpha Bitch. She humiliates anyone who stands in her way to become Fall Formal Ruler? Check. Segregates the entire school into smaller social groups to ensure they don't rise against her? Check. Destroys long-lasting friendships just for kicks? Check.", he said, giving them a moment to let it sink in before continuing. "Fluttershy, your silent auction for the animal shelter was ruined by Pinkie because she brought fireworks and noisemakers? And according to Pinkie, she got a text from you saying you didn't want a silent auction, you wanted a big party. Yet she claims, she never sent you a text, Pinkie.", Skywalker explained as he showed the blogs on his phone. As Skywalker pointed out more contradictions and flaws in the stories, they started to get around the idea, coming closer to the truth.
"And finally, did any of you ever asked the other why they did what they did?", he didn't need an answer to that as they all had guilt written all over their face.
Skywalker smiled as all of them started to apologize to each other, after they all made up with each other, Rainbow was the first to speak up, "So you're looking to dethrone Shimmer's and become Ruler of the Fall Formal, huh? Gotta say, I'd really love to see that happen.", all of them agreeing with her and with that this Worlds version of the Harmonic Heroes were born.
After the end of the day, his new old friends had other things to do, but they agreed to sit with him for lunch the next day to discuss their plan. As Skywalker was placing his books in his locker, Flash Sentry walked up to him. "Hey, Skywalker.", he greeted him, "You getting used to this place?", he asked as Skywalker nodded, "Wow, that was fast.", Flash replied impressed. "There isn't much to do here compared to the big city, but there is that certain something you can't get anywhere else. The air's clean, and I like the quite.", Skywalker said as he closed his locker. "Oh, you know about the local delicacy?", Flash asked, gaining Skywalker's attention, "It's grilled steak, man! Like that's anything special, huh? I know a place where you can get it cheap. Wanna come? You helped me out this morning, so it's on me.", Flash offered.
Skywalker thought about it. He had nothing to do for the rest of the day, except maybe homework, but needing only a hour of sleep, he had enough time to do that. "Sure, why not?", he replied, accepting Flash Sentry's offer. "Alright! I see you in five minutes at the entrance.", Flash Sentry replied before walking away.
Four minutes later, Skywalker found himself waiting patiently behind this World's version of Discord, who much to his amusement was the janitor at Canterlot High. Discord was trying to fix the front door, glaring over his shoulder to Skywalker. "I'm waiting for someone.", Skywalker explained as the janitor turned back to the door. "The door is broke. Maybe the fifth time or so. It don't open.", Discord muttered.
Skywalker trying to make small talk, "Maybe there's a penny stuck in there?", he suggested. Discord turned back at him, giving him a questioning glare. "Why a penny?", he asked, looking more suspiciously as Skywalker shrug his shoulders, "Did you stick a penny in there?", Discord accused. Seeing were this was going, Skywalker quickly said, "No. I was just making small talk.", but he was cut off when Discord placed the end of one of his tools against Skywalker's chest. "If I find a penny in there, I'm taking you down.", Discord warned him. Luckily for Skywalker, Flash arrived so he could finally leave and put an end to this awkward discussion. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 69: Cafeteria Fighter | Late in the evening, at Cloudsdale docks, A group of thugs are moving crates into vans, "I'm hungry, let's order a pizza.", one of them says as he puts one of the crates into a van. One of his buddies gave him puzzled look, "Order a pizza? ORDER A PIZZA? Where they gonna deliver it, numbnuts? Thirteen abandoned warehouse full of kill on sight hot heads way?", he shouted as two others arrived with the last of the crates.
"...You know what they say? They say it can't be killed. They say it drinks blood. They say...", the third one said, making the fourth one shake his head in disbelieve. "I say... you're full of shit, Knox. Oh, uh, you can quote me on that.", he responded.
Suddenly, something was shot from the shadows pulling one of the thugs in. A loud crash was heard and seconds later he was throw back at them, crashing into two of the others, his arm in a weird angle. This happened two more times, each from a different direction and soon only one was left standing. "WHERE ARE YOU!?", the last one screamed in fright. His heart stopped a beat as words were whispered into his ear right beside him, "Behind you.", turning around he saw himself staring into a faintly glowing silver helmet covered with dark glass, hiding his face from view. On the side of it stood wear two ear like spikes resembling a bat, looking down the vigilante was dressed in what seemed to be dark blue high tech battle armor, not unlike the heroes you see in the movies. A black cape was floating down from his shoulders, swishing around as he reacted out and grabbed the thug with his armored hand. "Don't kill me! Don't kill me, man!", the thug begged as the attacker lifted him into the air. "I'm not going to kill you.", the vigilante replied, his voice being distorted, making his voice sound down right demonic but unmistakable male. "I want you to do me a favor. When they put you in jail, tell them Batmane send you.". Before the thug could reply, Batmane smashed him into the ground, knocking him out cold.
The next morning, Skywalker was making his way towards school when he heard a voice behind him. "Skywalker, wait up!". Turning around he saw that it was Rarity who spoke up, to her side he saw Twilight walking up with her. "Good morning, ladies.", Skywalker replied as the three of them started to walk together. They spoke about various things, the subject at the moment was the reason why Skywalker was attending school here. After giving them his made up story, Rarity gave him a nod. "Ah... So that's why you came here. I thought it was something way more serious. There really is nothing here, huh? That is what makes it nice, but there's not much we can show to people from outside."
"That's okay, it's not that different from the big city and besides, I like the quite.", Skywalker said.
Suddenly, Rarity flashed him a mischievous smile, "So, tell me. You think Twilight's cute, huh?", this sudden remark gave Twilight a shocked expression but Skywalker only raised an eyebrow, before looking away. "Are you blushing? No, need to be embarrassed darling.", Rarity said while Twilight muttered something under her breath. "She's really popular at school, but she's never had a boyfriend. Kinda weird, huh?", Rarity continued. Twilight interrupted her, looking at Skywalker who was still looking towards something in the distance. "Y-You shouldn't believe that, okay?", Twilight said, a faint blush on her cheeks. "That your not popular or that you never had a boyfriend?", he asked, still not looking in their direction. "Wait! No! I meant to that I don't need a boyfriend!", Twilight corrected herself. Suddenly Skywalker pulled the two ladies to the side as Flash Sentry rushed by on his bike, losing control and landing in a trash can.
"Oh no, not again!", Flash shouted muffled as Skywalker moved in to help him once again. With little difficulty, Skywalker managed to get Flash of the the trash can, Flash thanking him once again. "Next time, I'm not helping you. Or else your not learning anything.", Skywalker said with a mock stern voice, knowing full well he couldn't help but help others out. "Is your bike okay?", Rarity asked, gaining a surprised look from Flash. "My bike? What about me!?", he asked slightly offended. "Are you alright?", Twilight asked, apparently the only one who was truly worried about Flash well being. "Oh, Twilight. Are you worried about me?", he asked with a faint blush.
"He's fine, let go to school.", Skywalker said as the group continued their walk.
"Hey have you guys heard the news?" Flash asked as they arrived at the school parking lot. "You know, about that vigilante, Batmane?".
Skywalker, Twilight and Rarity nodded. "Well, a guy who dresses up like that clearly has issues.", Skywalker said dismissive as Flash parked his bike in the bike storage. "I think Batmane deserves a medal.", Rarity said. Skywalker rolled his eyes, "And a straight-jacket to pin it on.", he responded with a dry tone to his voice as the four entered the school. Walking towards their lockers, he spotted Discord glaring at him, holding up a gold coin, his lips spelled the words, "I'm watching you.". Upon closer inspection, Skywalker saw that the coin was an Equestrian Bit. "Must have slipped out of my pocket or something. I better apologize when I have the chance.", he thought to himself as he waved goodbye to his friends as he went to his first class of the day, cooking. He didn't want to brag but with his cooking skill, this sounded like an easy A.
Upon entering the cooking class, Skywalker spotted a certain shy pink haired girl sitting by herself in the back of the class. Walking over to her, he greeted her and sat down. She gave him a worried look and tried to warn him about something but the rest of the class arrived and the class was just about to start. Apparently, who ever shared a table with you was your cooking partner for the rest of the year. Seeing as it was the first lesson of the year, the teacher, this Worlds version of Mrs cake, told them they could make whatever they wanted.
"Sorry that you got stuck with me in this class.", Fluttershy said as he gathered ingredients and preparing his tools. Skywalker gave her a questioning look, making her explain that cooking class was her worst class along with gym. She explained that she just wasn't that good at cooking and she always messed it up somehow. "Don't worry, Flutters. I think you and me will be just fine.", he responded as he started on his dish, not noticing the blush on her cheeks when he called her 'Flutters'.
While Skywalker worked on his own dish, he gave a periodic look over Fluttershy's work, whispering advice and pointers when ever she needed them. "What should I do? There's still more ingredients that I couldn't fit inside the lunch box...", Fluttershy muttered. She had tried to make a lunch box but to no avail, looking over the remnants of all the ingredients left that she hadn't prepared, Skywalker quickly helped her out, cooking them all together.
After all that was said and done, the two had produced two plates fine plates of spicy stew. "Wow... That's amazing! You made that without even looking at a recipe.", Fluttershy said, staring in amazement at the dish before her. "No, Fluttershy. You made that, I just cheered you on.", Skywalker corrected him as Mrs. Cake rated their dish. Much to Fluttershy's surprise and a little to Mrs. Cake herself, she gave Fluttershy's dish an A, while Skywalker received an A+, something that Mrs. Cake hadn't done since Pinkie had bake her famed cupcakes.
At around 12:30, Skywalker found himself sitting at a table in the cafeteria, chatting with his friends who where already there. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Flash entering the cafeteria alone. Skywalker was about to wave him over but Griffifth pulled him down. Skywalker shot him an surprised look, as Griffifth stated to explain, "Don't even think about it! You are already opposing, Sunset Shimmer! Who knows what she would do if you ended up becoming buddies with her ex-boyfriend too?", Griffifth scolded him, but his friend was more surprised by this sudden news. "Ex-boyfriend?", Skywalker asked, Big Mac was the first to speak up. "Flash Sentry broke up with her a few weeks ago. I can't believe she hasn't done something awful to him yet, that he is still alive is beyond me.".
"Maybe she's just waiting until she has the power to do something really awful." , Skywalker thought to himself, "Well, I already consider him a friend, we had steak together yesterday.", he informed them.
"I need something to drink. Anybody wants some?", Fluttershy asked and naturally everybody wanted some. Being the nice guy that he is, Skywalker offered to help. As the two walked to the vending machine, Skywalker suddenly got pushed by a random group of bullies, cause every high school has them. "Watch where you going new kid, I am not in a good mood.", Garble said glaring at the young knight. "Why don't you look where you going?", Skywalker responded, not afraid to stand his ground. Garble's eyes flashed between him and the shy girl next him before letting out a chuckle, "Oh, I see trying to play brave in front of your girlfriend! Well, lets how well you can take a beating.", he said as his two friends stood on stand-by ready to fight with Garble. "Bring it...", Skywalker shouted before stopping mid sentence, "Wait, who is my girlfriend?".
Garble was quite for a moment before answering, "The animal lover, jerk off.", he pointed out. As Skywalker was about to take his fighting stance, he felt someone pulling at the sleeve of his jacket. Turning his head to the side, he saw Fluttershy giving him a worried look, "Skywalker, please don't stoop to their level, it's not worth it.", she asked no, practically bagged him. She didn't want him to fight three of the strongest bullies in Canterlot High. "Better listen to her loser, before you regret it.", Garble spit, but Skywalker wasn't even paying attention to him anymore. "Your right. These guy are not worth my time, they are just lonely and desperate.", Skywalker said to Fluttershy, enraging the three bullies. One of them took a swing at him, Skywalker quickly pushed Fluttershy to the side while he dodge the fist, aiming at his jaw.
The attacking bully, this World version of Hoops, tried to hit Skywalker again and again, but Skywalker dodged him every time. Getting bored by the repetitive swings of the bully, he looked over to the side, and he saw Fluttershy whining in fear. Skywalker wanted to reassure her, but suddenly he felt his left jaw itching, apparently he had taken a hit from Hoops. Fluttershy began crying as she thought that he was hurt, although in truth, it was Hoops who was hurt, as he had broken his hand in 8 different places. Skywalker felt terrible seeing her like this, but he's still not taking any shit from this guy. "M-My hand!... What is that guy made of!?", Hoops winched in pain as he clenched his broken fist to his chest. "I'm going to tear you apart for that new kid!", Garble roared, charge at Skywalker, ready to avenge his friend.
Skywalker waited for the perfect moment and with one swift kick to the head, the charging Garble was smacked down on the floor. Everyone else just stared in amazement, besides poor little Fluttershy, who had her hands covering her face. Garble tried to get up, Skywalker stood ready to give him another kick when suddenly, the Garble fainted. He quickly looked around at where the other two bullies were, discovering they weren't there anymore. "Wait a minute... Where are the teachers!?", Skywalker thought to himself as he friends rushed over to him, shouting cheers and congratulations, "Holy shit, Skywalker! That was awesome!", McGrath said petting him on the back. "Where have you learned to fight like that!?", Rainbow asked, anything even remotely related to athletics's interested her. Skywalker thought about it for a moment, "Street Fighter, Tekken, Mortal Kombat, the Arkham series. I play a lot of fighting games.", he responded before Fluttershy, still in tears, ran over and hugged him tightly, "Oh Skywalker, thank goodness your alright!". Skywalker hugged her back, trying to calm her down "Come on, Flutters. It's alright.", he whispered to her while stroking her hair.
A few minutes later, found Skywalker and Fluttershy roaming the halls. "I'm sorry if I was overreacting earlier...", Fluttershy said with a faint blush on her cheeks. Skywalker told her it was no big deal, making the cute pink haired girl sigh in relieve. "It's just that, even though I have known you for a short time... But yet, I care for you so much... and when you got punched I... I think I'm starting too...", she said, having trouble getting out those last words, looking down towards the ground. Skywalker tilted his head, but she shook her head, "N-Nothing. Oh, your shirt is covered in blood.", she said spotting the dark red spots, left after Hoops broke his hand and dripped it on in. "Oh come on!", Skywalker complained as he looked down, "First they want to fight me and now they mess up my favorite shirt? They are so uninvited for my birthday party!", he muttered. "Let me help you with that!", Fluttershy said as she took his hand and lead him to the school girls restroom.
A few seconds later, they found themselves in said girls restroom, "Why am I here? I'm not allowed to be here!", he thought to himself as he took of his jacked, laying it on one of the wash tables, as Fluttershy helped him take off his shirt. As soon as Skywalker's shirt was off, Fluttershy blushed and stood nervously still. He looked at her, and couldn't help but see that she was sweating beads. "I... I didn't know... you were so well-built, Skywalker...", she said grasping his arm, making it Skywalker's turn to blush. "Well... I just like keeping in shape.", he muttered but gets interrupted as Fluttershy leans against him, letting her hands go around his chest, leaning closer and closer to him.
Suddenly a loud crack was heard before a voice spoke up from the intercom, "Jason Skywalker, please report to the vice-principle's office. I repeat, Jason Skywalker, please report to the vice-principle's office." and with another loud crack, the voice died down. "Well, I guess... I should go then! I'll see you later!", he said grabbing his jacked and quickly made his way out of the restroom, hoping she hadn't seen the blush on his face.
Another few seconds later, we find Skywalker with a closed jacket, entering the vice-principle's office after knocking. "Sit.", Luna commanded, making him sit down on a chair in front of her desk. "Sunset Shimmer told me what happened at the cafeteria.", Luna informed him, "I don't know what possessed you to get in a fight, but you should know that in this school, we don't condone that kind of behavior. So, what do you have to say for yourself?", the vice-principle asked.
Skywalker cleared his throat ready to tell his side of the story, "I was only defending myself, ma'am. Those guys came up to me first, and I tried to turn the other cheek, but then one of them tried to punched me. I wasn't fighting for no reason. I was standing up to a gang of bullies, I didn't even throw the first punch... Or any punch at all!", Skywalker explained, but the hot teacher in front of him gave him a disbelieving look.
"I find that hard to believe, as we have two students with broken hands.", she explained. Suddenly, the door shot open, revealing Rainbow and a panting Flash Sentry. "It's true, vice-principle!", the two said, Flash slightly out of breath. "Care to explain?", the vice-principle said, slightly annoyed that they didn't bother to knock. "He didn't want to get into it with those guys.", Rainbow said as the two of them started to explain what had truly happened, though even they were surprised by Hoops broken hand. The vice-principle ponders their story for a moment, "I see why you did what you did, Skywalker. You can go, but try and stay out of trouble.", Skywalker gave her a small bow, before leaving with his two friends.
"Thanks.", Skywalker said, grateful that the two had stood up for him, "What was I gonna do? Not prove your innocence? Wouldn't be much of a friend, now would I? We... are friends right?", Flash said as Skywalker nodded and shook his hand. Skywalker sense a faint stirring of friendship between him and Flash Sentry...
Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
It brings thee closer to the Unity...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the Magician Arcana...
"Are the voices in my head back?", Skywalker thought to himself as the three of them made their way to their next class. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 70: Training | Skywalker was strolling through the school when he heard quite gasp from some students in the hall looking in his direction. Before he could speak up they fled as if they had seen a ghost. "Why is everybody looking at me funny?", Skywalker wondered out loud as his friends from this World came running up to him. "There you are, Jason!", Applejack said as they came to a stop, "We've been looking all over for you!".
"Why were you all looking for me? What's going on?", Skywalker asked the the rest of the super friends gave each other a concerned look. "Oh, he hasn't seen it yet.", Fluttershy muttered as Twilight whipped out her phone. "Oh, it's really not that bad.", Sutakira muttered as a video started to play on Twilight's phone.
On the screen appeared Sunset Shimmer in front of a large background with a psychotic looking Skywalker, his eyes glowing red and shooting lighting from his finger tips. "Jason Skywalker wants to be your Fall Formal Ruler. He's a reckless young man riding a motorcycle, disturbing the peace of our quiet rural town. He eats puppies, steps on bunnies and kills baby seals with only the power of his mind. Also his middle name is the same as the villain from Final Fantasy VII. What does it say about our school if we give someone like that such an important honor?", Sunset Shimmer said sincere in the video before a voice quickly said "Vote Sunset Shimmer for Fall Formal Ruler." before cutting off.
"I take that back. It's pretty bad.", Sutakira stated dryly as Skywalker replayed the video a few times. "Has everyone in the school seen this? Is that why they were all looking at me that way?", Skywalker asked, his friends giving him a nod, "...This must be an important day for Sunset Shimmer.", he muttered completely calm. With a worried tone to his voice, Big Mac asked, "Why is that?". Skywalker suddenly became enraged as his eyes flashed red for a few seconds, "Because this will be her last day alive!", Skywalker was about to run off to find and kill Sunset but a certain pink haired girl stopped him. "Am I the only one who saw that?", Phoenix muttered to his friends, but none seem to have noticed Skywalker's eyes flashing red. Turning his head towards her, he saw two sympathetic blue eyes looking up at him, "Uhm Jason... Not that it'll make any difference, but I'll still vote for you. You were so nice to stand up for me when Sunset Shimmer was picking on me yesterday.", Fluttershy said, making the taller boy chuckle.
He patted her on the head, smiling as he said, "It's okay. I will still win the F2. If not, I just scare everyone with my psychic baby seals killing power."
And so the Friday came to a close, after saying goodbye to his friends, picking up some groceries, he was not enjoying dinner with his faithful dog companion, Spike, in the living room, as the TV showed the Weather Forecast, saying that after the rain tonight, a thick fog was expected to set in later that night. "Its Friday evening. I have no school tomorrow, what should I do?", Skywalker thought out loud. Spike suggested playing video games. Much to their shock, suddenly the Imperial March started to play, the music coming from Skywalker's pocket. Reaching in his pocket, he saw that it was his Bluecherry Volt, "Oh, yeah. I forgot you can make calls with this thing.", he muttered as he swiped his thumb over the screen. Before he could say anything, he heard Rainbow from this World was the one who called him, "Hey, Jason!".
"How did you get my number?", Skywalker asked, he was sure he hadn't give anyone his contact information yet. "From Flash Sentry.", Rainbow stated as a matter of fact. Though this raised even more questions, "How did HE get my number!?", Skywalker wondered as Spike started to laugh. "Never mind that. Wanna hang out tomorrow afternoon? Say 14:15?", Rainbow asked. Seeing as he hadn't anything planed, he agreed to meet her. "Great!", Rainbow respond, "I'll see you at SCC!", she said before hanging up.
The next morning, at 13:31, Skywalker woke up, a bowl of cereal on his desk as he started the MMO Spike had suggested on his laptop. The words "Lost Story: Online" appeared on the screen. Starting a new character, the game started to load while text filled his screen.
"Reality is just a series of events and players acting out what they believe is real. When we accept that fact, our world becomes 'reality.' Reality is but a reflection of our thoughts and expectations. ...But, what if we were merely reflections in another's mirror? Are you prepared to look through that mirror to discover the truth?".
A few seconds later, Skywalker's was done generating his player avatar. He spawned inside Lazulis City, the place seemed to be deserted. On Game Population displayed "There are 1 player(s) in the area.".
Skywalker's avatar started to walk around when suddenly another message appeared on the screen, "A -PRINCESS- approaches...".
A female avatar dressed in White walked up to him, waving at him as she opened a privet chat box. "Sup? oh wait, your a noob? are, huh?", the female avatar dressed in White tilted her head. Skywalker's avatar nodded, "Well you can say that...".
The avatar preformed a laughing animation, before a typing, "Oh wow. you haven't even finished generating your char yet... Any ways! Welcome to the game! Good thing I'm using my low level alt. I think its just you and me, this is kind of a dead MMO these days... Sorry. I got kinda ooc there. We'r supposed to be our 'alternate selves' right? uhhhh... sooo... what are you gonna call your char? We can meet up later.", those words appeared on the message box.
Skywalker contemplated it for a few moments, funny enough, they had an animation that looked exactly like his own thinking pose, "What name should I use?".
Girl in White scratched her head, "That's the difficult part right? Hey, I got a good name for you! ...How about Zael? kyahahaha! That's good.", a laughing animation started to play as Skywalker typed in 'Zael" as his character.
"I'll change mine to Calista, k?", and in a flash, the girls name changed to Calista. "Have a little deja vu?".
Skywalker initiated the thinking pose, he really needed to hot-key that one, before typing back, "Zael... Calista... Ha, that's clever.".
Calista shook her head, "Oh really? I'm impressed. I didn't think many people played that! Well, if you see any Arganan's, be sure to rescue me. Any way, I'm usually idling here on my days off... So if your bored, maybe we can level together. It sucks to be lonely.".
Skywalker's avatar nodded as a friend request popped up in his mail box. "Sorry, got to go. Remember, let's think positive!" was the last Calista typed before she signed off.
Looking on his phone, Skywalker saw that it was 14:00, he had fifteen minutes to go to SCC. Saying goodbye to Spike, Skywalker rushed out of the door. SCC wasn't that far from his home, just a small walk through the Shopping District. SCC was a small cafe that was popular with the local youth. As Skywalker entered the small establishment, he couldn't help but notice it looked similar to Sugarcube Corner at home, though it was a little more modern. He saw Rainbow sitting next to the window drinking a sports drink. She noticed him too as she said, "Hai, Jason! You made it!". As she said that he walked over to her and sat down. A waitress came over to get his order, after ordering a cup of coffee, he turned back to his friend. "So why me?", Skywalker asked. "Well... Fluttershy is at the animal shelter, McGrath is busy and AJ is no fun...", the rainbow haired girl started.
"And I'm just a bundle of joy!", Skywalker said sarcastically as the waitress came back with his coffee. As she walked away, Rainbow couldn't help but notice her and some of the other females in the establishment were checking Skywalker out. "Now, what is the real reason?", Skywalker asked as he took a sip from his drink, "After I saw how easily you stood up to those bullies, I realized that I need to better myself.", she started, making the young knight wonder were this was going. "So I want you to train me!", she finished and in response, Skywalker playfully tapped Rainbow on the head with his fist. "What was that for!?", Rainbow shouted, as Skywalker smiled while taking a sip. "Training.", said making the girl across from his lighten up. "Does that mean you'll do it!?", the blue girl shouted excitedly, hoping she finally had an exercise partner. "When I feel like it.", Skywalker said with a smile, it seemed this worlds wasn't so different from his own after all.
After a quick jog, Skywalker found himself at the Hero Riverbank, doing push-ups with Rainbow. The athletic girl was keeping up with him, though Skywalker was pushing himself up with only two fingers. "How do you do that? I thought that was something from the movies!", Rainbow said as she took a small break. "Lots of practice.", Skywalker said, before taking a break himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, Skywalker could see Scootaloo approach. "Good afternoon Scootaloo!", he greeted. The brownish girl greeted back before asking what the two were doing. Skywalker explained they were training. "Training? Who are you fighting with, Skywalker?", Scootaloo asked. Skywalker took his thinking pose before answering, "Hmmm... Myself I guess?".
"Wow, cool!", the younger girl said before pointing at Rainbow, "A grasshopper!". Much to his surprise, Rainbow become pale as she jolted on her feet. "Huh!? N-No way! Wh-Where!?", the blue skinned girl said, looking all around her. "It just landed on your back.", Skywalker informed her, but this made the young girl just panic, nearly begging for someone to get it off her. Scootaloo walked over and took the grasshopper off Rainbow's back. "...You don't like grasshoppers?", Scootaloo asked as she let the little green bug go.
Rainbow calmed down, scratching the back of her head, "I'm no good with anything with thin, jointed legs or anything creepy or squirmy.", she admitted. "But they're cute...", the younger girl responded, making the older girl shake her head. "...You're like Fluttershy.", Rainbow muttered to herself. "Because of her love for all animals?", Skywalker asked. The blue girl nodded, "Ayup, Fluttershy is fine around bugs. But me, I totally lose it... Kinda funny, huh?". Skywalker shook his head, giving her a kind look, "It's very feminine.".
For a moment he thought Rainbow had spotted another grasshopper on her, because she had a similar freak out, "Th-That's not true! It's not..." she shouted embarrassed, though she seemed happy, for some reason. "Now come on, training time. Scootaloo, wanna train too?", Skywalker said turning his attention to the younger girl. "Okay!", she replied, as the three started to do sit-ups.
"I'm gonna get over my fear of bugs. I don't wanna look like a sissy next to Jason or Scootaloo! All I have to do is think of them as Sunset Shimmer! Then I'll be able to grab a whole fistful!... I just gave myself goosebumps... G-Getting used to bugs might take a while, but I won't lose to Sunset Shimmer!", Rainbow thought as they resumed their training. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 71: School Days Continue | That Sunday afternoon, Skywalker was making his way through the shopping district, the sun shining down on him. "How did I went from superhero to high school student?",he wondered as he walked towards Mizu's Japanese dinner, where he had agreed to meet Flash Sentry. He arrived a little earlier, so he took seat and ordered some appetizer while he waited.
A crash was heard outside before the door slid open, revealing Flash Sentry. "Sorry for being late." Flash said as he took a seat across from Skywalker. "Did you take your bike?", Skywalker asked, making his blue haired friend chuckle in embarrassment. "Seriously, why do you always crash that thing?".
After ordering their drinks Flash spoke up, "I used to live in Cloudsdale before moving here six months ago. The roads are so wide and empty I keep speeding, and my car is at the shop so...", Flash explained. The two made small talk over the course of their lunch.
"Well, it is good... though it's tough. Dashie called this stuff 'tender and juicy'...", Skywalker said putting a piece of the meat in his mouth, not noticing the impressed look Flash was giving him for already having dinner with Rainbow Dash. "What kinda teeth does she have!?...", Flash joked, making the other chuckle. "Still, this sweet and sour pork is damn good, huh?", Skywalker said as he finished his, "I'm gonna have another. You want one too, right?".
And so Monday morning came. On his way to school, Skywalker came across Rainbow and Griffifth, so they decide to join him. As the three of them walked up the stairs to enter Canterlot High School, Rainbow started to lecture Griffifth about the sports team or something. "You better perform just as well when the soccer try outs are on.". Skywalker tries not to sigh in exasperation, sports never interested him much, except maybe fencing, but soccer was the second most boring sport of them all, the first one was tennis.
"Relax Dash, it's all good. You're not gonna be the only one on the team.", Griffifth snarked with a roll of his ruby red eyes. Rainbow snorted in response, grabbing Griffifth by his backpack and yanking him back."I am serious, don't get cocky.", she scolded while she let go as Skywalker separate them. "If you don't make the team this year you're gonna be sorry!".
Griffifth glared at her, giving her a smug smirk, "Is that so? What are you gonna do about it?". Rainbow growled, trying to grab at him again but Skywalker managed to keep her away by lifting her from the ground by the back of her shirt, while holding Griffifth off with his other arm. "Knock it off, both of you. You are friends. How can you even be so energetic in the morning?", Skywalker complained as a shadow fell over the group, all three looking up to see principal Celestia looking down at them disapprovingly. "I want to see all three of you in my office. Now."
The trio walked to her office in silence, Griffifth and Rainbow shooting each other dirty looks every so often.
A short while later, Skywalker explained the situation, allowing them to get off with a warning. "I'm glad to see that you're all over this little episode." ,principal Celestia clasped hand at the trio, "That should be all for today. Griffifth, may I speak to you for a minute?". The blond nodded as Skywalker and Rainbow Dash got up and left, the blue skinned girl shooting him a grimace.
After another short walk, the two arrived in their classroom, which they shared with Twilight. "Why did I have to go to? I didnt even do anything... This time.", Skywalker muttered as he took his seat, Rainbow taking the seat next to him. Before Rainbow could respond, Twilight entered and walked up to the two. "Morning.", she said as she took the vacant desk next to Skywalker. "Morning, did you sleep well?", Skywalker asked, getting a nod from the purple girl. "Yep. I was out cold until this morning.", Twilight said.
Skywalker nodded, before turning his attention back to Rainbow. "Jason, Um... Thanks for the help.", Rainbow said. He nodded telling her it was no problem. "Did something happen?", Twilight asked, trying to get into the conversation. Its strange... There's a funny air about you. I dunno, I guess that's what draws people to you, or something like that.", Rainbow said, ignoring Twilight's puzzled look. "Was that a compliment?", Skywalker asked with a chuckle. Rainbow let out a soft laugh before confirming it was a compliment. "Or maybe your falling for me?", he followed up, making the blue skinned girl's cheeks turn pink for a moment. "Whoa... Maybe you are my type.", she admitted, making Twilight even more confused. "There really is something different about you. I feel like you won't let me down...".
During lunch break, Skywalker was taking a nap in a tree overlooking the school grounds, when a soft voice woke him up. Opening one eye, he saw Fluttershy standing there waving at him. "I want you to try this for me. I hope you're hungry...", she said as she showed him a boxed lunch. Rolling over his shoulder, falling out of the tree and with a soft tud he landed on his feet. "I'm always hungry.", he informed her not noticing the impressed look on her face as he took the box. As the two sat down on a patch of grass, before he even open the box, he could smells an unsavory odor coming from the lunch. "I can smell it even without my super smell!", he thought to himself, while he mustered up his courage and opened it, the content looked pretty unappetizing.
"Please eat up!", Fluttershy said as she watched him expectantly. Skywalker let out an inner sigh as against his better judgement he took a bite. After a few chews, Skywalker had to do his best not to spew it all out, "I can't swallow it... I can't even chew it anymore!... The food tastes as bad as it looks...", he thought to himself.
"...H-How is it?", Fluttershy asked hopefully, slightly worried because the boy next to her was slowly starting to turn green. "...Not bad for a first attempt.", Skywalker said slowly. The shy pink haired girl looked surprised, "R-Really? But, please let me know if there's anything I can improve on.", she asked, gaining a nod from him, "Sorry that I asked you to try this all of a sudden. To tell you the truth... I'm going to keep trying my best, so would you mind stopping by and trying my new creations sometime?".
Skywalker thought about it for a moment, it seems she could use a guiding hand in her cooking. "Want me to teach you?", Skywalker offered, her face lightning up. "Really? That's great! Cookbooks don't make much sense to me, and cooking for you would inspire me to try harder. I-I mean if its not too much trouble...". Skywalker assured her that it was no trouble at all. "Thank you! Oh and uhm... Sorry about last time. What happened In the bath room... I mean...", she said. Skywalker thought back at what she was talking about, suddenly remembering how she had stroked his abs and almost kissed him. "It's okay, Fluttershy. My midrif does have that effect on girls... And some boys.", he responded, not taking offence at all, in fact he felt something in his chest, something that made him regret that the kiss didn't get through.
"Alright then.", Fluttershy said, a tone of relieve in her voice, "Oh, sorry. I went on and on without realizing... I-I guess I'm a little nervous.". He gave her a puzzled look. She explained how, aside from the other guys in the group, never chatted with a boy her own age like that before. "Rainbow, of course, has no problem getting along with guys because of her personality...", she told him, as he listened, "I think she's had more fun hanging out with you lately... The same is true for me.", she finished with a blush, he could sense her gratitude and affection.
The rest of the day went by normally without incident, on his way out of school, he asked what Twilight doing later that afternoon. She told him she was going to swing by the Used Books store in the Shopping District, she shyly asked if he wanted to come along. Seeing as the Shopping District was on his way home anyway, he decided to go along for the ride.
And so we found the two at the Used Books store, the two browsing through the used books, Skywalker looking around every where but Twilight only looked in the newly arrived books, having already read most of the books there. "Sorry to subject you to this...", Twilight said, as Skywalker was overlooking their collection of classic literature. "I'm having fun, so don't worry about it.", he said, but she wasn't fully convinced. "If you say so. But, um... thank you. I was so busy searching through the books... I'm sorry if I ignored you, Skywalker.".
Skywalker waved it off as he walked up to her, "Don't worry about it. This place has so many interesting books, huh?", he said, honestly. He was surprised by the large collection of books here, he even noticed some rare collectors books. "...Do you read much, Skywalker?", she asked as she picked out some books she wanted to buy. "I read a lot of comic's and a lot of the classic's.", Skywalker admitted making the purple girl turn her head in surprise. "Really!? I didn't think you would be into that. Most people don't find the classics very entertaining, but I can respect what the authors were trying to accomplish.", she said as she paid for her books.
"Yeah, I can see your point. Do you read any comic's?", he asked, deciding not to buy any books himself. As the two headed out of the store, Twilight shyly admitted that she had an entire bookshelf full of girls manga.
"Say what? I didn't picked you for a gal who liked manga.", Skywalker said surprised as he held open the door for her. Twilight nodded as the two made their way out of the Shopping District, "I love them. But I tend to get frustrated when the main character can't ask out the guy she likes, because I can relate to her.".
The two made some more small talk about what kind of reading material the other one liked. "Do you read any magazines? Like fashion?", Skywalker asked. Twilight shook her head, "I'm not really interesting in that type of stuff, I'm clueless when it comes to fashion. Not like you, Skywalker. You, um, look fine no matter what you wear.", she added that last part with a slight blush.
They soon found themselves in front of Skywalker's house, "You live here, Skywalker?", she asked, when he suddenly realized something. "Wait, isn't your house in the other direction... How rude of me not to ask.", he said as he scratched the back off his head. "D-Don't apologize! Please! It's my fault...", Twilight said quickly, not wanting to make him feel bad. "I-I knew we were going the wrong direction, but I didn't say anything... Thank you very very much for making time for me, Skywalker.".
As it was soon going to be dark outside, Skywalker insisted that he walked Twilight home. It didn't took long for the two to arrive in front of Twilight's house, which was located in the richer district of the town.
"Um... Skywalker? Is it boring to hang around with, um, a nerd like me?", she asked, much to her relieve he assured her that was not the case. "I-I'm glad to hear that. I've been worried about it for a while. Today, I was able to be myself with you, Skywalker... Thank you."
Skywalker nodded, turning around as he waved, "I'll see you in school. Goodbye.", he said as she waved at him, "Bye Bye.".
Arriving back home, Spike launched into multiple questions like "How was your day?", "Why were you gone for so long?" and "What's for dinner?". After preparing a quick meal and quickly finishing his homework, Skywalker booted up the Lost Story. His avatar arriving in some location called the "Haunted Mansion". He didn't saw any other players until he saw a girl in white signing on. She quickly walked up to him, opening a private chat box, "Welcome back, Zael! Good to see you again! You remember me right?".
"Of course I remember you Calista. You named me!", his avatar nodded.
Calista did a fist pump while spinning around, "You really DO remember!! This is exactly like when Calista and Zael met. Hmm... what kinda people are we, playing inside on such a beautiful day?".
Skywalker's avatar nodded, "It's okay to enjoy a game and sunshine is overrated anyways.", he informed her, making Calista do another fist pump. "Haha!! Damn straight! Its not like we're otaku or anything in real life any way. Games are cool, but like... God this sounds so pathetic... There isn't much else that interests me, ya know? We're supposed to be leveling, but we just keep on chatting.".
Skywalker shook his head, before tilting his head, "I don't mind, grinding gets old fast.", which was something he truly agreed with. "I know. Its fun talking to you, Zael.", Calista said before realizing something, "I'll be Offline for a while, so I'm logging off. Sorry! I forgot the big sale ends today." and with that Calista signed off. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 72: Teacher's Pet | Skywalker was making his way towards school, "I wonder if Sutakira as already wrote back...", he was brought out of his contemplating, when Rarity walked up to him. After some small talk, Rarity asked him, "Why don't we ditch class later. Have some fun?". This made Skywalker stop in his tracks, making the purple haired girl look at him nervously. "You had me at ditch class.", Skywalker said with a smirk, making Rarity look at him in surprise. "It's okay once in a while.", he said as the two continued their way to school. "You think so? I'm surprised you're so open-minded. I had you totally pegged for a teacher's pet.", Rarity said with a smile.
When they arrived at school, the two deciding to meet after lunch break to skip class. Skywalker waved her goodbye as she left to do something at the Fashion Club. Looking around, he saw his favorite yellow skinned, pink haired girl trying to hand out flyers. Sneaking up behind her as she said, "Canterlot's Animal Shelter needs more volunteers. Won't you help an animal that can't help itself?", but she said that at such a distance that no other student could hear her.
"Hey, Flutters. What are you doing?", Skywalker whispered in her ear, making the shy girl jump up. Blushing faintly because he stood so close to her, "Oh, hi Jason. I'm handing out flyers for the animal shelter.", she said shyly, showing him the stack of flyers. "Oh, the thing you do every Wednesday? Any luck yet?", Skywalker asked as he studied one of the flyers, as the shy pretty girl shook her head, "Where do I sing up?". he asked making her look even more surprised. "You need another volunteer, I want to help out.", he said with a genuine smile. "Oh, alright... Uhm. I meet you after school... If your serious.", she said with a blush on her cheeks, as the two made their way into school.
During lunch break, Applebloom, Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo were sitting at a table playing a game. "I attack you with double crit. Ending it.", Applebloom said with a satisfied smile on her face, as Scootaloo complained about losing again. "Nobody can beat me! I'm the best Vanguard fighter in the school.", the youngest apple sister said, unbeknownst to her, she dropped one of her cards on the ground. Skywalker was talking by as he saw what happened and somebody picks it up. "Is this yours?", he asked as he handed the card back. "Thank's Skywalker. Do you play too?", Applebloom asked as she accepted the card back.
"At my old school, my friends and I played all the time.", Skywalker told her, making the young country girl ask him to play a game with her. Seeing no reason not to, Skywalker whipped out his deck, "Prepare the board.", he said as he started to shuffle his deck.
After a few turns, with Applebloom mostly in the lead, Skywalker eventually managed to come out on top with one final attack with triple crit.
"That was so cool!", Applebloom said, making him promise to come play again with them some time. After agreeing to play again, Skywalker made his way outside to the school gates, were he saw Rarity waiting for him.
One bus trip later, Skywalker and Rarity found themselves walking around Canterlot City. "Mmmm! Feels so good. Just knowing everyone else is still stuck at school studying makes it feel great to be out here.", Rarity said stretching her arms, "It's not like I do this all the time. Well, enough small talk. Let's go.", she said as the two passed some stores. "Where are we going?", Skywalker asked. "We'll start with clothes, then we'll hit jewelry and shoes, and maybe some cell phone stuff if there's enough time.", Rarity answered as they walked into a clothing store.
A half hour later, Rarity still hadn't bought anything and they were still in the same store. "So when does the fun start?", Skywalker asked as he checked his phone, seeing they should have enough time to get back to school. "Silly, it started hours ago!", Rarity said, clearly enjoying herself. "Huh... Must have missed that train.", he said dryly, making his friend chuckle. "Your a funny guy, you know what, though? I had more fun today than usual. You're different from the others. Next time, let's go after school.", she said as he nodded.
"We'd better get going, though, or we won't make it back before class ends.", Skywalker informed her, making Rarity nod. "Say, Skywalker. How come the coattails of your coat always flare out from behind you, even when there is no wind?", she asked making him shrug his shoulders.
The two sneaked back into class unnoticed, making it to the end of the school day without any problem. Skywalker was walking around, until he saw Rainbow and Griffifth arguing about something. "Can't today, I've got detention.", the blond said, rubbing the back of his head, the rainbow haired girl glaring at him. "Yeah, well don't make a habit of it. If you spend too much time in detention you get barred from playing sports, and I don't wanna see one of the best players benched because he's having issues.", she said before turning around, she was about to storm off but accidentally bumped into Skywalker. After muttering a quick apologize, she asked, "Jason! Why don't you join one of the sports team?", she asked.
He thought about it for a few seconds, "Sounds like a lot of hard work... I don't like hard work.", he added making his friend tilt her head. "I'll buy you all the Meat Lovers Combo's at Mizu's you want.", she said hoping to bribe him with their favorite dish after training. Skywalker chuckled for a moment, "I don't think you'll ever have enough money for that.". After promising to think about it, Rainbow gave Griffifth one last glare before storming off. Turning to his friend, he saw a guilty look on his face. "You know what she's like. Dashie just wants the team to be at full strength.", he tried to console his friend, Griffifth nodded, his spikey blond hair shaking with the motion. "Hey Griff, why did you even get detention anyway? It's not like drawing some pictures hurt anybody.", Skywalker asked, he had told him why he had gotten detention. Apparently, Griffifth had drew something in class and that it had gotten him the detention, but he found that reason kinda fishy. "The principal says I need to work on my concentration. See ya later.", he said running off. Skywalker shrugged his shoulders as he left to find Fluttershy.
A few hours later found Skywalker sitting behind the front desk of the Animal Shelter, trying to finish up some of his homework. The owner of the Shelter came over to ask why the places were the animals took care of their needs smelled like burned... you know. "I used my heat vision to clean up.", Skywalker said honestly. "Haha, well if you can make them that clean, keep using it.", she said with a chuckle, thinking he made a joke as she walks away. After helping out even more, Fluttershy asked if they could go to his house to practice cooking.
And so the two found themselves at his house, preparing the ingredients for what they are about to make. "Shouldn't you go back home? Aren't your parents waiting?", he asked, as he showed her how to make sure you have the right measurements. "My parents are... working today.", she said looking down sadly to the ground. Trying to change the subject, she asked what they were going to make today. Skywalker opened one of the cook book, flipping through it until he was on a certain page, "Chocolate truffles! Don't they look good?", Skywalker asked, making the girl nod her head.
"Um, one teaspoon of liqueur... That doesn't seem like enough.", Fluttershy muttered to herself, "Dissolve 200 grams of milk chocolate in hot water... Am I supposed to put hot water in it, or it into the water?". Skywalker stopped his own work for a few moments to ask her if she needed any help. "Oh, no, it's okay. I should be able to do this... Thanks, though.", she added with a smile as the two continued.
A little while later, their truffles were done, Skywalker's own batch came out pretty well, those of Fluttershy... Well...
"This is much more fun when there's two people here. Thanks, Jason", Fluttershy said with smile. He told her to stop thanking him all the time, making her nod with a blush. "Alright... How does this look? It's a little odd-shaped...", Fluttershy said as she showed what she had made, on her plate there's an apple-sized dark substance. "This is big...", he muttered as he gave it a poke with a fork, "Why... Do I smell a sour wafts from the... Truffle?", he asked, looking puzzled at his friend. "I thought that a teaspoon of liqueur wasn't enough, so I used a cup of it. See?", she said proudly holding up a bottle labeled 'vinegar'. Because this recipe is so obviously inedible, Skywalker decide to point that out. "Huh? Oh, you are right. It says 'rice vinegar'... I didn't notice at all.", she said looking down to the ground. He placed a hand on her shoulder making her look up. "Mistakes happen, don't worry about it. You just need to practice more.", he said, gaining a hopeful look from her. "Alright. But I want to try harder so that I can get better at this. Plus, now that you're helping me out, I want to succeed even more... I'll try harder next time.", she said with renewed confidence. "That's the spirit.", he said.
After cleaning up, it was getting dark outside, so Skywalker insisted to walk Fluttershy home. After walking to her door, the two said goodbye, deciding to meet up at school tomorrow. On his way home, Skywalker was whistling down the street when he heard somebody saying, "Stop it! Please!". He then heard another voice as the first voice started to sound muffled. Quickly walking towards the source of the sound, Skywalker looked into an alley way, and saw five guys, who seemed to be of his age, surrounding a girl. With a moderate raspberry eyes, light arctic blue with moderate persian blue stripes hair and Arctic bluish white skin.
Her eyes started to swell up with tears as the five brutish men pushed her against a wall. "You are quite a sight. Maybe I could take you to our place and have some fun with you, bitch. What do you think, boys?", the apparent leader asked his friends who stood there grinning and nodding. The girl braced herself and closed her eyes, waiting for the pain. But it never came. Opening her eyes, she looked to see what had stopped the leader of the brutes from harming her. And she was surprised to find Skywalker, holding single handed the brute's fist.
"You know, it's not nice to take advantage of others. Especially a lady. So you better leave her alone, right now!", Skywalker. They were momentarily stunned before the leader started to laugh, his friends soon following. "Hmph! Lookie here boys. A Pewdiepie wants to teach us how to behave!", the leader started to mock him, but all Skywalker was thinking was, "Did he just call me a Pewdiepie?".
He was brought out of his train of thought as the leader continued, "Ha, ha, ha! Listen, kid. You better leave and go home to your mommy right now if you don't want to get hurt!".
Skywalker let out a chuckle of his own as he slowly started to begin crushing the leader's fist, "I believe I told you to leave her alone, didn't I?". The leader was slowly brought to his knees, "What the? Hey! Let go, you bastard!", he winched. "Not until you apologize and make amends for your misdeeds.", Skywalker ordered. "Apologize? You're not my boss! Make me!".
"With pleasure.", Skywalker whispered as he let go of his fist and gave him a hook right on his left cheek, causing him to fly against the wall, the spot where punched him bleeding a little. Needless to say that his strength shocked everybody. "What are you doing you idiots!? Get him!", the leader ordered his friends, who immediately charged at him at the same time. The girl had managed to wrestle her hands loose and removing her gag. "Look out!", She tried to warn her savior as he easily deflected their punches. "Don't worry, I can easily take care of four foolish fools.", he said as he catches one of the punches, "Was that your best punch? Now its my turn", he told him as he spin him around and threw him against two of the other three. Launching them them all against the wall, like their leader, who had gotten up and was charging at Skywalker along with his remaining friends. The leader tried to kick Skywalker from his left side and the other tried to hook punch his in the face. Skywalker merely jumped in the sky and dodged. Predictably, the leader's kick hit his friends stomach and his friends punch hit the leader's face, knocking both of them to the floor. The leader was to tired and harmed to do anything else than sitting straight and looking at Skywalker.
"If I ever find out you have been harassing girls again, I swear I will hunt you and your friends down.", Skywalker said before walking over to the girl. Extending his hand, she accepted with a faint blush as he helped her up. "Are you alright?", Skywalker asked as he led her back to her house, the girl told him that she was just a little shaken by what happened. The two soon found themselves at her house, he was about to leave until the girl made himstop, "Oh, by the way, my name is Sonata Dusk. May I know your name?". Skywalker gave her a warm smile as he introduced himself, "Skywalker, Jason Skywalker.", he said before taking his leave. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 73: The Dreaded Test Week | "This is going to be the toughest fight of our lives.", Flash Sentry said as he, Skywalker, Rainbow, McGrath and Griffifth were sitting at a table in SCC, notes and books were scattered all over said table. "We need to be in complete sync. McGrath I want you on attack. Rainbow, your on recovery, Skywalker, your in the lead, be ready to shout commands at a moments notice. And Griff...".
Griffifth cut him off as he gave him an annoyed look, "Screw you, it's only a test week.", he said taking a sip from his soda. "I know!", Flash said as he sat back down in his chair, looking over his notes. "Alright, the only class I really struggle with is math. What's your most difficult Skywalker?", Griffifth asked. His black haired friend muttered something as he was drawing something on a piece of paper. McGrath looked over his shoulder to see what Skywalker was drawing. "That is a drawing of Twilight. Naked, riding a polar bear... dog?", he said making Flash eyes widen. "What!? Let me see!", he said taking the drawing from Skywalker. "Hey!", Skywalker said slightly annoyed, as Flash started to study the drawing. Flash got startled as someone behind him shouted, "What the hell!". Turning around, they saw Twilight and Fluttershy standing behind them, and yes she had seen the drawing. "Ladies!...", Flash started awkwardly, "Now remember it's only awkward if we let it be...".
A few minutes, a few apologizes and some Flash brought soda's, Twilight and Fluttershy joined them in their study session.
"Say Flash, why did you invite us to your study session? I thought the only one you really hanged out with was Skywalker.", McGrath asked referring to himself, Rainbow and Griffifth. "Well I had invited Skywalker first... But I didn't want to make it look like we we're dating.", he muttered. At those words, Twilight 's purple eyes zoned out for a bit, the rest could easily guess what she was thinking about. The rest of the group decided not to comment on that last part. "It's more fun this way to study with everyone.", Fluttershy said as she looked to her side, seeing one of Rainbow answers is wrong, she tried to point it out, but Rainbow wasn't listening. "So X is that and... Gah, not like this.", Rainbow muttered, not noticing the others looking at her. "Hasn't she gone nuts yet?", Twilight asked, as Skywalker shook his head.
After saying goodbye to their friends, Skywalker and Rainbow were making their way home as the sun started to set. "Now I'm beat.", Rainbow said as she stretched her back. "Dashie, the things you protect are very important to you aren't they?", Skywalker asked as he looked up to the sky, gaining an odd look from his friend. "Yeah, Fluttershy means a lot to me. She's frail and yet, despite that gives everything her all. That makes me wonder if I really can protect her. Honestly though, she's better at studying than I am with training. I need to get stronger, but even then...". The two turned around a corner as Skywalker looked back at her, "But if you don't study, you'll fail and have to retake tests, which lessens training time. After that, you'll wind up being a worse girl.", he said, making his rainbow haired friend look at him offended. "You don't have to put it so blunt!", she shouted making him slightly chuckle. "Why is it you want to get strong so badly? Why is it that you've become so desperate about it?", he asked, making her ponder that question.
They arrived at Rainbow's house before she could answer, Skywalker was about to say goodbye when she spoke up. "For my friend's sake. Not just Fluttershy. There's Griffifth, he's nice enough I guess. Twilight, McGrath, Rarity, Pinkie, Phoenix, AJ, Sutakira and Big Mac. Everybody is really important and I want to protect them all.", she explained making him smile, it seems that this Rainbow was just like his Dashie at home.
"And you too you know.", he turned his head in surprise when she said, showing a rare sight, a Rainbow Dash with red cheeks. "But your strong. It'd be a real honor to protect you but... It's thanks to you all that I can be here. So it's because of that I want to protect everyone who's so dear to me. So that may be why I've gotten so desperate lately. Is it weird of me to say that?", she said as she looked him into his faintly glowing amber eyes, "No, It isn't.", he said slowly as turned around.
The next day found Skywalker studying in the Canterlot High School Library with Twilight, though he picked up the subjects pretty easily, there were some genuinely new things for him. Though that could be because he never finished his own high school because... well he was dead for two years. Anywho, having a one-on-one study session with Twilight was going just as he was used too... relaxing but you still learned something.
"So weird that I'm no good at math... Every other subject is so easy for me.", Twilight said with a slight chuckle. She had come a long way from being the insecure nerd. As Skywalker started to explain how to easily remember the formulas for the math test, they heard two students a table over from them talk about something. "...I'm bored." Lyra whined as she leaned over her study partner Bon Bon, "My hand hurts from holding the pencil... But if you give me a kiss, I'll be able to study another 30 minutes.", Lyra said with a cheeky grin. Bon Bon told her to not speak so loud as they were still in the library. "Come on, give me a kiss! Please!", Lyra mockingly begged, annoying the other two.
"Shut up, You're distracting us!", Skywalker said, slightly startling her, Bon Bon and Twilight, "If you're gonna flirt with each other, do it outside!", the other two muttered a quick apology before quickly leaving the library.
Skywalker sat down, trying to concentrate on his study questions, but his concentration was broken again by the whispers of his study partner, "...They're gonna kiss!?", finally understanding what Lyra wanted to get from Bon Bon. "This is supposed to be a place of learning... and they're still just kids! That kind of behavior shouldn't be tolerated at school!", Twilight said, gaining a surprised look from him.
"Let them, it no big whoop...", Skywalker started but before he could finish, Twilight looked at him shocked. "Wh-What are you trying to say!? Y-You don't think it's a big deal!?", she said surprised, she was sure he was against publicly kissing on school ground, with his sudden outburst and all. "That's what I implied with, no 'big whoop'. I just found them distracting and obnoxiously loud for the library.", Skywalker explained, gaining a nod from Twilight, "Anyways you don't like kissing?", he added.
Twilight's cheeks became a bright red color, "That's not what I meant! I'm just trying to say that there's a time and a place for everything!", she managed to get out, diverting her eyes from his gaze.
That evening, Skywalker had another study session with Flash, this time at his house. After two hours of studying, Flash asked if he could see his room. So the two man were in his room, Flash pretty much barged in. "It's pretty clean. So?... You keep the goods under your mattress?", Flash asked, a mischievous grin on his face. Skywalker gave him a confused look, not getting what he was talking about. "Come on... No need to play dumb. Don't worry. I'll still be your friend even if you're into the freaky stuff.", Flash said with a kind tone to his voice. Skywalker still didn't get what he was about. He suddenly felt Spike looking at him, gesturing him to kneel down. Pretending to kneel down and scratch Spike behind his ears, the dragon dog whispered to him, "He's asking you were you keep your porn.", luckily for them, Flash didn't hear him.
Standing back up, Skywalker gave him an awkward smile, "Oh, your talking about that. Of course.", suddenly Flash broke down in laughter, confusing him even further. "What, don't you?".
Flash stopped laughing, shaking his head, "Haha! Like I would hide mine in such an obvious spot! One time, my mom found it and read the title out loud to the whole family...", now it was Skywalker turn to laugh. "Sounds embarrassing!". Flash let out a soft chuckle. "Alright, I will check them out when you go take a piss or something. I'll expose your embarrassing tastes!!", Flash added that last part as a joke but Skywalker suddenly turned his gaze towards him, squinting his eyes as he did. "Do that and you will die.". The calm and serious tone he said it made it difficult for Flash to know if it was a joke or if he was deadly serious. "Just kidding bro!", he said shaking his hands, "So, on a different subject. You ever invited a girl in your room?".
Skywalker gave him a cocky grin, he had invited girls to his room back in Pallet Town and of course had had invited Luna to his room back in Equestria, Flash just never specificly asked if he had invited a girl into this room. "Seriously!?", Flash asked, not waiting for a response, "Who did you... I'll stop there. I think it's better I don't know.".
And so Monday, the start of the dreaded test week came. For the next five days, the students of Canterlot High were subjected to test which Skywalker found too easy. Maybe because he could pick information up faster than normal humans, he didn't know for sure. Though Skywalker thought he may have over study for this test. His friends had agreed to meet each other at SCC after finishing the tests, Skywalker and Twilight were the first to arrive. The two were sipping away at their drinks, while discussing the tests. Suddenly, Twilight looked around her, "...Is it just me, or is the air conditioning in here too strong?", she asked. Skywalker didn't feel anything, though that could be because he was a guy. "I'm not noticing anything. Are you okay?", he asked, giving her a concerned look. "Too be honest, I haven't been feeling well lately.", she said as he took his thinking pose. "I feel light-headed... I couldn't even finish my lunch today.".
Skywalker placed his hand back on the table, "Might be a cold... Maybe we should stop by the drug store later,", he suggested, but Sutakira and McGrath had just arrived. After ordering their drinks, they started to talk about the test. "What did answer did you guys pick on "What is the largest man-made structure on Earth'?", McGrath asked taking a sip from his coffee. "I seriously considered the Netherlands, but I didn't think that was the answer.". They were soon joined by Phoenix who apparently didn't put any effort in studying, he was just happy having the test week over with.
"Hey Phoenix, where do Dutch people come from?", Sutakira asked, making the other guy tilt his head. "Uh... Well, the Pennsylvania Dutch come from Pennsylvania...", he muttered slowly. "And the other Dutch? They come from somewhere near the Netherlands, right?" Twilight asked, gaining a smug look from Phoenix. "Nice try. See, the Netherlands is this make-believe place where Peter Pan and Tinkerbell come from.", he answered gaining a 'you serious' look from his friends.
Fifteen minutes later, the rest of the gang arrived and they were ready to celebrate their freedom... for a week before they would get the result, for better or worse. "Whoa! Test week is finally over!", Flash said a he raised his bottle, gulping it contents nearly down in one go.
"Oh, uh, I just remembered.", Applejack said, putting down her own drink, looking at her other friends, "There was a question on the exam that I didn't get. I think it was, 'The chemical formula HCHO, used for silver mirror reactions. Its 40% solution is known as formalin.' And the question was, 'What is HCHO'?".
Skywalker drawing something on a piece of paper, unsurprisingly Flash tried not to look at what, "...Formaldehyde.", he said absentmindedly, but out of the corner of his eyes he could see Applejack nod. "Oh, I see. I chose acetic acid... Duh, of course it couldn't have been vinegar.", she said. "AJ, why don't you ask Twilight to help you study?", Fluttershy suggested, gaining a thoughtful nod from the cowgirl.
"But wouldn't you rather ask someone of the opposite sex?", Rarity added her own though to it, before turning her gaze to Skywalker. "Jason... I'm not a nuisance to you, am I?". He had not paid attention to their conversation, "Huh? What?" he said before spotting two guys looking at a girl who was sitting by herself, he couldn't help but overhear what they where whispering about. "Do you think its her?", one whispered to the other, who shrugged. The girl, suddenly place money on her table and quickly walked away.
As she walks through the streets, she notice that someone was following her. She walked through at various speeds and crossing the streets a few times, but her stalker kept up. As she reach the bus, she quickly got in hoping the one bus would drive away, but he got on the bus just in time. She looked nervous as the young man held out his hand, inside was her Bluecherry Curve. "You forgot this.", Skywalker said, he had noticed the girl dropping her phone. "Why didn't you say so a whole lot sooner!", the girl said slightly offended as she grabbed her ice blue phone out of his hands. Realizing what it looked like what he was doing, he scratched the back of his head, "My bad, I'm sorry about that.", he said. "Well... You returned it instead of keeping it. So thank you.", the girl said with a faint smile. Skywalker waved it off before getting out at the next stop.
As promised, Skywalker took Twilight to the drug store to buy some medicine, she insisted that he should wait right outside as he shouldn't be long. He was waiting just across the street, when she came out and was approached by some creepy guy. "What's your hurry, girlie? Going to your boyfriend's?", he asked, making Twilight confused, "You just came out of the drug store, right? What'd ya buy? Hm? Hmm!?".
Before anything else could happen, Skywalker stepped in between them in a second, him glaring at the man. "You got about ten seconds to get out of here before I hand your ass to you. Ten.", he informed him.
"Wh-Who are you?", the man said, but he was cut off by Skywalker saying, "Nine." threateningly.
The guy looked slightly scared, "I-I was just... making sure she was okay...", he tried to explain but Skywalker was having none of it, as he said "Five.". This got him to quickly run away, as Skywalker shouted, "Yeah, run away!".
Turning his attention back to his friend, he saw that she was slightly shaking, "I-I thought you were going to hit him, Skywalker. I-I wouldn't want you to... to fight... because of me... but just now, you were...", he placed his hand on her shoulder, this somehow made her calm down. "Y-You're usually so kind, but... I guess you can be tough when you need to be. I-I don't mean that in a bad way.", she added with a faint blush, he was immediately thought her cold was coming back. He asked her if she was feeling okay, "I'm not scared anymore... b-but why am I still shaking?", she muttered to herself. Skywalker reached out and holds her hand. Twilight let out a slight gasp as he walked her home.
Luckily it was a short walk to her house, Skywalker walked her to the door, his lavender friend somehow had an even darker blush than before. "Why all of a sudden... do I feel short of breath? I really must be sick... I feel like my face is all flush.", she said as she looked for he keys in her bag. "Directly hit the shag after a hot shower, that should help you.", Skywalker advised her, a slight hint of worry about his friends health. "I guess...Um, b-by the way! Th-Thank you for saving me today!", she said before she quickly ran into her house blushing.
That evening as Skywalker and Spike were eating dinner while flipping through the channels. They came across the evening news, were Skywalker saw a face he had seen earlier that day. "Doesn't your grandmother run a ice cream shop in Ponyville?", the journalist asked on the television. The girl nodded, "Yes, she does.". Another journalist was allowed to ask a question, "And when do you think you'll return to work.", he asked but the girl informed her that she was not sure. After a few more questions, the interview was over.
"Ya think we'll run into Elsa in town?", Spike asked, knowing the famous pop-star was moving back to this town. "I think I already did.", Skywalker muttered, wanting to kick himself for not recognizing her, though to be fair, he had only seen his Phoenix's girlfriend one time. Spike looked at him in surprise as he shouted, "You saw Elsa!? Is she as pretty in real life as she is on TV?", he asked, making Skywalker think back to the angry face she showed him when he returned her phone. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 74: The Test Results | A sunny afternoon, at the local mall, groceries department. Flash was helping out, seeing as his dad is the manager of the entire mall. "Welcome, one and all!", Flash said with practice showmanship, "Choice salmon, two bucks a slice, just as advertised! And while you're at it, how about some cheese? Direct from Italy and just 13 bucks for today only...", he turned his head to the one who was helping him. "Restock this shelf, too!", he ordered, the young man raised to his feet, an irritated expression on his face. "Don't push your luck!", Skywalker said as he started to restock the shelf. "Okay, I'm sorry!", Flash said quickly with a sheepish smile.
After their shift ended, the two decided went to the food court to grab some grub. As the two were eating, the two started to talk about work.
"Phew, I'm dead tired...", Flash said as he stretched himself, "They decided on the sale at the last minute, and Dad was bugging me to find helpers. I told him I didn't have time for that, but he wasn't listening. But hey, I'm glad you were there! Thanks.", he said truly grateful to his friend. Skywalker waved it off as he took a sip from his soda, "No problem, just tell me next time.", Skywalker said with a faint chuckle. "Sorry about that. I thought if I told you, you wouldn't come... You really are a good guy.", he said with a sheepish smile while is scratching the back of his head. "Oh, Sentry.", a whiny voice said, gaining the attention of the two. "There goes the quite...", Flash muttered as two girls walked up to them and started to complain to Flash. "What's with the crowd today? It's way busy. If I'd known, I would a skipped out.".
Flash had told Skywalker that since he was the son of the manager, the employers always came to him to complain. Annoying, but what can you do about it?
After a few more complains the two girls stormed off, "What a pain...", Flash muttered annoyed, before looking back up at Skywalker, "Oh, uh, not you... I wonder what it is. I dunno...", he said rubbing the back of his head. "Say Flash, can I ask you something?", the black haired asked, gaining a smile from his friend, "How come such a nice guy like you ended up being the ex of someone like Shimmers?".
Flash thought about it for a moment before slowly looking up, "I don't know... I was just the new kid at the time, and when the most popular girl ask you on a date... I don't know.", he muttered. Skywalker shook his head, "I understand. Shimmers isn't bad looking if you ask me.", he added with a smile. "Yeah, you two would make a great couple! A guy and a girl who hate each other!", Flash said with a laugh. Skywalker joined in himself, "Think about all the crazy sex Shimmers and me would have!".
Skywalker woke up the next day, he decided to boot up the Lost Story: MMO, trying to see if Calista was online. His avatar arrived in Lazulis City, but unfortunately Calista was not signed on. Instead he got a PM from his gaming partner, "I'm running a little late! I'll be right there, k?"
And indeed a few minutes later, Calista entered the area. Skywalker made his avatar stand up as Calista walked over to him, "I have been waiting for you. What happend?", Zael said as Calista dropped her head. "I had a talk with my older sister. Whenever we talk, its always the same... Ugh, its like all she cares about is marrying me to some dude.", Calista said slightly offended.
The two avatars started to walk around Lazulis city, as Calista talked about her problems. "Well, to get married you need a boyfriend for that first.", he remarked but Calista started to angrily jump up and down. "I'm taking my time! There's no rush. Half the population is male, right? I'll be fine. I don't wanna get married, just yet. Eventually! Maybe! But not until I'm like 40. I mean, WTF! Everyone acts like a girl has to get married to be happy.". He nodded his head at what Calista had said, "It's sexist to think women can only be happy when they're tied down.". This made Calista jump again, but this time of joy. "I knew you would understand Zael!", she said, her avatar smiling.
"But if your looking for mate, why don't we get married?", Skywalker said as a joke, making the Calista avatar laugh. "Even with out meeting me in rl? Take me, Zael! And don't worry... I still have some spunk left at my age.", her avatar was smiling, giving Skywalker a warm feeling. "The weathers nice today huh? Let's go outside!", Calista said as she started to make her way towards an Area Exit. "You want to go outside?", Skywalker asked, making her reply with a "In game, duh!". He quickly ran after her as he replied, "Oh yeah. That makes way more sense."
The two found themselves in a area called the Mysterious Forest, the two soon engaged a horde of monsters, who they made quick work off by combining their efforts. "I'm so lazy in rl Zael...", Calista said as she struck down a monster with one of her abilities, "I haven't even gotten dressed or put on makeup.". Skywalker destroyed some demons with Heat Vision, an ability he picked up from he previous level up, before he could respond, Calista unleashed her Ult as she typed, "AAARGH!! I'm so pissed off right now! Mr. S is such a stupid eh so bee!!".
Skywalker totally forgot what she had said previously, so he asked about Mr.S. "... Zael, you know too much.", Calista started as the two began to loot the corpses of their fallen enemies, "I shouldn't have mentioned his name, huh? Don't get me busted, k?", she asked, making him nod.
"I won't. But don't you mean that this Mr. S is a S.O.B.?", he remarked, making her smile for another time. "See!? You understand! wooooo! Zael and Calista for the win! We must be soulmates! High five!", she said, making her put up her hand. Skywalker's avatar didn't respond, making this scene a little awkward, "...Which hotkey is that?", he asked as Calista quickly told him. The two give each other a high five, Calista is looking around, "You see, Mr. S is a teacher with seniority over me but... Oh no! You can't figure out what my job is can you?", she asked with a titled head.
"Are you a teacher?", he remarked sarcastically, making her nod smiling, "Yeah, your smart. I knew you'd figure it out! You get an A+ for reading comprehension today!", she complimented in before realizing something, "Hey! I just figured something out! When I complain to you, I feel better afterwards! From now on we HAVE to group together promise!".
Skywalker nodded, "I promise!", with that their game session ended.
A few hours later, found Skywalker and Rainbow after their training standing in front of a food stand called Daigusto. "Have you had the steak skewer? The meat is tender and delicious, and they hardly cost anything!", she asked as the two looked over what they wanted to buy. "I think I went here once or twice before.", Skywalker admitted, Rainbow asked what he thought of the meat, "To be honest, it might not even be cow meat.", he replied dryly, making his friend look shocked. "Just kidding... Whoa, thinking about it, that's kinda gross.", he admitted as he noticed a police man. "The police are here...", Rainbow muttered, "Then is this place really serving fake meat!?".
The police officer came over to them to asked them something, but before he could open his mouth, Rainbow shouted "We haven't eaten any of the meat today, I swear!". The police officer was quite for a moment before speaking up, "Lately, there's been several incidents with a group of teenagers bullying people around here.", he started, at the mentioning of bullying, Skywalker's eyes narrowed. "Extortion, if you will. Have you seen anyone suspicious?". Neither of them had seen anything, so the officer advised them to be careful before taking his leave.
"I'm glad it wasn't the meat...", Rainbow said before turning her gaze towards Skywalker, who had baled his hand into a fist. "Bullying... Bullying!? What cowards, ganging up on the weak like that!", Skywalker suddenly shouted, his friend taken slightly aback by his sudden outburst, "It's stupid! And cruel! And stupid! But I already said that!". She couldn't help but agree as she looked him in the eye, "We'll grab 'em and make them apologize! Right, Skywalker?". He nodded, gaining a grin from her. "Mowing down villains and saving the weak, to protect the peace. That's why I have this power.", he thought to himself, "Alright then... But first, let's eat!", he said, his tone back to his usual calm tone.
The next day on his way to school, Skywalker came across Flash Sentry who for a change was not rolling around in a trash can, the two walked towards the school together, discussing how they should receive test result today and how they post the results in the hall for everybody to see. "On a whole different subject... What do you think about Twilight?", he asked a slight blush on his face, gaining a questioning look from his friend, "I mean as girlfriend material?". Skywalker thought about said question for a few moments, "Alright, I guess. If your into girls who are smarter and prettier than you.", he answered as they entered the school.
It wasn't until their lunch break that the test result were posted. "The moment of truth.", Griffifth said as the gang left the cafeteria and walked to the message board. Looking over the top of the list of Class 2-15 read as followed,
Test Results of Class 2-15,
#1 - Jason Skywalker/Twilight Sparkle
#2 - Toshiyuki Sutakira/Pinkie Pie
#3 - Fluttershy Flowers/David McGrath
#4 - Sunset Shimmer/Macintosh Apple
#5 - Rarity Shine/Kyle Phoenix
#6 - Applejack Apple/Adam Griffifth
And somewhere near the middle was Rainbow with Flash. Everybody looked at Skywalker in awe, nobody in the history of Canterlot High had ever tied with Twilight for the top spot. Their lunch break soon ended and Rainbow and Skywalker had gym class for the next hour. "...But still, you've got brains. I mean your results were really amazing.", she complimented him. "Oh? Is that not normal?", he asked in his usual calm tone, making it hard for her to figure out if he was serious or not. "Like it ever would be! So why bother to study? Hell, when did you study? Your always helping us or other people out and that one time we studied together, all you did was drawing pictures of Twilight.", she responded. He gave a smile raising his index finger as he winked at her, "Well, you see...", he started, gaining a hopeful look from her, "It's a secret!". The two arrived at gym class but before each went to a different locker room, she said "Figures. You really are horrible...". For some reason Skywalker broke down in laughter before making his way into the boys locker room.
A few minutes later found the class running laps, Skywalker and Rainbow were leading the pack, neither having difficulty keeping up with the other, "Oh yeah, I think I've seen you laugh that way before.", she said, her condition good enough that they could have a casual conversation. "I wanna show that face of yours to everyone and be like 'His cover's blown! The cool city boy isn't who he says he is!'.", she added with a smirk. "You're going to tell them how I laugh all the time?", he said, making her shake her head. "Maybe not. It does sound a bit creepy.", she admitted. After gym class, Skywalker over heard some first years talk about how near the shopping district were a bunch of bullies stealing peoples money and that McGrath was one of them. Not willing to believe the rumors, he asked him to meet on the school roof.
And so we found the two there, "Why did you drag me out here? Oh, you here to tell me off or something?", the brunette asked, as he leaned against a wall. "I'm just here to talk.", Skywalker said but McGrath eyed him suspiciously, "How come you are sounding like a cop?".
Skywalker looked him in the eyes, "There have been a lot of bulling around here. And the rumor goes that your part of it.", McGrath looked shock at this, but in Skywalker's amber eyes there we nothing but sympathy, "I'm don't think you'll do it. That's why I asked you for the truth.".
McGrath stood up straight, "Skywalker, I didn't do it. I mean... Maybe it isn't that easy to trust me. But you gotta believe me.". Skywalker couldn't hear his heartbeat rise and in his green eyes there was no lying in them. Skywalker nodded, indicating he believed him, the brunette let out a relieved sigh, "It's my own fault rumors like that go around, huh? At this rate, I'll be causing trouble for you guys.", he said turning his head towards the horizon. Skywalker told him to not worry about it, "Hey, Skywalker. When ever you got time. Could you maybe hear what I have to say? I feel all cramped inside... And I'm too dumb to know what it's about.". Skywalker nodded at this, this McGrath was not as closed off as his McGrath, probably because this one hadn't been through as much as his McGrath. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 75: Come Shopping With Me | As Skywalker and Spike were watching TV that evening when suddenly, Skywalker's phone rang. On the screen was a picture of Flash Sentry eating a bowl of ramen, indicating that it was him calling. "Go for Skywalker.", he said as he picket up his phone. "Hey, Skywalker. I hope I'm not interrupting something important?", Flash voice came from the other side. Skywalker told him it was okay, so Flash continued, "This is kind of random, but I like to hear your opinion on something.", he said before taking a deep breath, "What do you think about Twilight and me? I mean... Do you think I have a chance with her?", he asked, his voice indicating that Skywalker was the only one he could talk about this.
"I don't know, man. She's kind of the Champion and you don't even have your first gym badge yet.", Skywalker started, hearing a confused sound coming from the other end. "But still, if you really like her go for it bro.",
"Okay, thanks for the support.", Flash responded before speaking up again, "This is kinda unrelated but it has been bugging me for a while... Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, or Fluttershy. Which one is your type?".
Skywalker had to think about this question for a moment, before a flash of pink mane flashed before his mind eye, "Don't tell anyone this but... Flutters.", Skywalker admitted, surprised at what he himself just said. "Yeah, I see where your coming from. Don't worry, your secret is save with me.", he assured him before saying goodbye and hanging up.
After school, we find Skywalker waiting at the entrance. He had somehow agreed to go shopping with Rarity, he couldn't not remember why he would agree to it but somehow he did. As he was waiting for her, he saw Discord the janitor walking past, remembering what had happened on his second school day, he decided to try and make amends.
"Mister Discord, sir?", he said walking up to him, gaining a glare, "About that coin that got stuck in the door. Yes, it was mine...", this admission made the janitor look up in surprise, "It must have rolled out of my pocket or something. It was my second day and I was nervous, and I am sorry.". Before he could say more he was interrupted by Discord. "Ya know. Its good for you to admit it, now I won't have to prank you.", he said with a smile before walking off.
Skywalker was left there unfazed, as McGrath and Griffifth, along with members of the basketball team walking right up to him. "What's up, Skywalker?", Griffifth said, as the two fist bummed. "Nothing much. Oh yeah, you guys are both on the basketball team, huh?", Skywalker said as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the locker, suddenly one of their team members, Thunderlane, spoke up. "Don't you three hang out with Rarity Shine?", all three of them raised their eyebrows, before nodding. "Seriously!? Damn, now I'm jealous!", Thunderlane said, gaining an odd look from the three. "Yeah, I heard she's pretty loose. And doesn't she look like she's got a sugar daddy or two?", another team member, named Noteworthy added. "Yeah, she's stacking the paper. I wonder how much she gets paid?", Noteworthy pondered, turning the look from the three friends from odd to angry by nearly everything they said. "You think it's a cheaper market out here?".
Thunderlane shook his head, "I don't know man, this is premium grade high school tail we're talking about and with a body like that. Seriously, just look at her hips...", as the two continued their discussion, it became more and more vulgar. "Don't talk about Rarity like that!", Skywalker ordered, their discussion stopped abruptly. From the three of them, McGrath looked most offended.
"Knock it off, guys. Maybe someone should spread some rumors about you, and we'll see how you like it.", McGrath said, aided by his death glare which send shivers down the spines of the two. The two quickly muttered something about being late for something before quickly running off. "Sounds like they've got the hots for our Rarity.", McGrath said, his glare following the direction the two fled to. "They were talking like that at practice too... But don't worry, I'll yell at them later, man.", Griffifth added, gaining a grateful nod from the brunette.
After saying goodbye to the two, Skywalker turned around, he saw a sad looking Rarity with her gaze to the ground. He didn't know how long she had been standing there, but from the look of it, she had heard everything. "...Did you hear them?", he asked placing a hand on her shoulder, giving her a worried look. Rarity didn't look up, "They were practically yelling. Not that... stuff like that really bothers me. They don't even know me. Why should I care what they think?... I expect it after last Spring Fling.", she said, trying to sound indifferent but her sad expression betrays her. She finally looked up at him, a tear trying to escape from her blue eyes, "I'm fine... But... thanks.", the two left the school and headed for bus.
Fifteen minutes later found the two walking through Canterlot City trying to find something to do. "I don't really feel like buying stuff today anymore.", Rarity muttered, her gaze to the ground. She suddenly felt his finger tap her nose, making her look up. "Come shopping with me.", he said with a grin. "What? You mean YOU want to go shopping?", she asked disbelievingly before having to smile at his grin, "Well, I guess that could be interesting once or twice...", she added with a chuckle before the two set off to shop for some clothes.
As they were browsing, Rarity picked out some clothes for him. Mainly blue and white polo-shirts, black pants and blue, white or black jackets. Skywalker tried each of them on, and with different combinations. "I like what you picked for me, but why all the blue, white and black colors?", Skywalker asked as Rarity, handed him more shirts. "Those colors look good on you. They just fit your calm and friendly nature.", she said as he stepped out of the dressing room, showing off his outfit. Rarity gave him a good look over before popping his collar, "There. Now Fluttershy will not be able to keep her hands off you.", she said, gaining a surprised look from him, "Come on, you like her don't you?".
Skywalker shook his head, before heading back into the dressing room. He hadn't notice the blush on his face, but Rarity sure had. "I saw that blush! You do like here, darling!", she said, adding a chuckle when she heard him groan. "You know, it's pretty funny... If I didn't show up when you called us all together the first time, you wouldn't be here with me now.", she said with a satisfied smirk, "Looking at it from your perspective, I'd say you got pretty lucky.".
"Not exactly...", Skywalker muttered as he came out of the dressing room, back in the outfit he had on when the two entered the store. "Are you still all butthurt that I made you skip class? You should be thanking me! You're a real rebel now...", she said with a mischievous smirk, knowing he was teasing her as the two went to the counter to pay for his new outfits.
Arriving back home, Skywalker put his new clothes away in his closet before booting his laptop on, to see if Calista was online. And indeed he saw her online, quickly login in, he arrived in Lazulis City and saw Calista walking nearby. "I hope Zael gets here soon. I'm not even complaining today or any thing... So rare. But I have to tell Zael cause he's my MMO partner! I'll be brave... I'm so lame! I'm blushing for real! Oh no... Now I'm starting to get sweaty.", she muttered to herself. Feeling mischievous, he slowly sneaked up to her before shouting, "Hurry up and tell me!". Calista jumped in surprise turning around shocked. He was giving her a smirk, "ZOMG! How long have you been there!?", she said with a blush as she turned her gaze to the ground. "So, what is this thing you wanted to tell me?", he said as the two sat down on the floor, she began to fidget with her hands. "I'm kinda... 'interested' in someone from school. He's kinda... a teenager though... OMG I said it!", she admitted with a blush, turning her gaze down.
Skywalker had to take a moment to take it in, "Wow... Are there no good looking male teacher at your school?", he asked. At his question she shook he head, "None. All the male teachers aren't even in my league, so I gave up looking for boyfriend material at work.", her avatar looked up at the sky, "I never thought I'd fall for a student! Going for younger guys is kinda new for me.", she added with a blush. Skywalker's avatar leaned back. "So... What's he like? Come on I want details!", he told with a cheerful expression on his face.
"Hmm... he's laid back, calm, but real mature, he's also very smart, intense looking and hot. I love watching his expressions in class. Is that bad?", she admitted her avatar blushing all the while. "I don't think so. Are you gonna ask him out?", he asked somehow her blush became even bigger. "Errmmm... I know there's an age diff, and he doesn't have a job or anything... but what if reality is a let down after all my fantasies? Maybe I shouldn't.", she started again and on his insistent, she continued to tell more about this mysterious student. "He's one of my students! He just transferred in this year after his parents died, I will comfort him! Maybe I can abuse my power and convince him I'm a guidance counselor.", she told him, her head a little tilted. "Now I'm starting to become jealous.", he added with his avatar making a chuckle. "You don't need to be jealous he's just someone I like, alright? Zael is the only game partner for Calista! No worries!", she shouted, their avatar breaking out in laughter. "I haven't made my attempts yet, but I'm going to go to a salon. Skywalker will fall in love with me before the weekend! Alrighty Zael, I got to go!", after waving goodbye, they both logged off.
The next day, Skywalker and Twilight had a free period before their next class. She surprised him by not dragging him to the library but just sitting on the school roof, eating some sweets, just having a good time together. Though from the look on her face, something was bothering her, Skywalker decided to ask her about it. "N-No, nothing's wrong... Why, does it seem like something's wrong?".
"You haven't said a word since we arrived on the roof. You warn't reading a book so... What's on your mind?", Skywalker asked, concerned for his friend. "Remember when you saved me from that creep, Skywalker?", she started making nod his head as she continued, "From that day on... my health hasn't been so great... The doctor said I'm fine, but... I guess I'll tell you, Skywalker, since you've been so nice to me. B-But, don't think I'm weird, okay!?", she nearly bagged him, a faint blush on her face.
Without a moment of hesitation he said, "I promise. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a cupcake in my eye.", he added that last part with a smile. Twilight took a few deep breathes before continuing, "L-Last night, um... I-I... You see, I had this...", she tried to get out but it was difficult, her blush became bigger with every word, "I-I-I have dreams about you every single night, Jason Skywalker!". This surprised the young black hair, "I think its just a coincidence.".
"I-I thought it was probably just a coincidence, too, but...", she said turning her head away from him, "I dream about you every night... This has never happened to me before.". Skywalker took his thinking pose, "I wonder what that means...", he muttered before looking back at her, seeing her purple eyes looking back at him. "I appreciate how nice you've been to me, Skywalker... But...one of these days, I... might want to be more than just your friend.", she said, turning her eyes towards the ground. He was slightly confused by this statement, "More than friends?... Like best friends?", he said slightly confused.
"Sorry! I've just been babbling like an idiot... I-I get so nervous when I'm around you, Skywalker... Especially when you look at me that way. Sorry...", she said looking up at him before quickly looking away again. She looked back up as she felt his hand ruffle her hair, "There is no need to apologize. Don't be hard on yourself, Twily.", he said with his warm smile. She returned the smile, though hers was slightly more shy, "I-I'm always talking about my problems... you're just too nice.", she thought to herself as it was time to head for their next class.
After lunch break, Phoenix and Skywalker were walking towards their next class as the two discussed different things. Phoenix let out a groan before saying, "Great, sex ad next hour. Wanna bet the teachers are gonna show us how to put on a condom with a banana?", the red head said with a smirk, making the black haired shake his head, "While were on the topic... Have you ever done... it?".
Skywalker felt a turmoil of emotions boil inside himself as he was reminded of the last time he and Luna did it, turning his gaze towards the ground. Thinking he had hit a nerve, Phoenix quickly tried to apologize, "Hey, no need to be embarrassed. Lot's of guys haven't done it yet...", he said quickly. Their attention was required elsewhere when the two saw two new girls standing there, they tried to ask the other students something, but they all ignored them. Making their way through the crowd, the two manage to break through the crowd, and reach them.
"Where are you two heading to?", Skywalker asked. He recognized the two girls standing in front of him, they were this Worlds version of Elsa and Anna. It seemed that the two were heading to the same class as they were. "Okay, follow us!", Phoenix said, giving the blond a small bow, before leading them their way.
"We haven't introduced ourselves.", Skywalker started, "My name is Jason Skywalker, but everybody calls me Skywalker.", he introduced himself. Phoenix gave them a welcoming smile, "My name is Kyle Phoenix, but like my spiky friend over here, everybody calls me Phoenix.", he said before the other two introduced themselves. "Elsa Targaryen.", the blond sister said, her eyes not leaving Phoenix, "But why do people address you by your last names?".
Phoenix let out a laugh at this, before giving her a 'are you serious' look, "If you had an badass last name like, Phoenix or Skywalker, would you like to be addressed by anything else?", he as they arrived at the class room.
As Mister Sombra, started the lesson, Anna leaned over to Skywalker. "Hey, Skywalker?", she whispered, making him nod, indicating that he was listening. "I want to go out more and see the sights. But Elsa tend to get recognized everywhere we go, so I'm a little nervous about going out on my own...", she explained. Seeing were this was going he whispered back, "Sure, I'll show you around.". This made her smile, "If you ever have some time to kill, think of me, okay?", she whispered before turning her attention back to the lesson. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 76: I Love You | Skywalker was enjoying a day off, just relaxing by the pool he didn't use. It had rained the night before and the thick fog was is lifting. "Small town? Lot's of rain, followed by mist..." Skywalker said to himself, "If people start turning up dead hanging from TV antenna's, I'm getting the fuck out of here. Unity or no.". Suddenly the door bell rings, walking carefully towards it, ready to defend himself, he opens it revealing Flash Sentry standing there.
Before Skywalker could even say so much as a 'hallo', Flash slapped his hands together and giving him a bow, "Please Skywalker, I have a favor to ask of you!", he begged. Skywalker asked what the favor was, and so Flash Sentry started to explain.
Late afternoon, the previous day at school. Flash saw his crush standing by her locker, all alone. Gathering up all his courage and following Skywalker's example, he walked up to her and started to talk to her. After greeting each other, "So, Twilight. Random question... Would you... ever consider going on a date with me? I mean just as friends.", he said rubbing his neck. Twilight, thinking he was just messing around told her in her driest voice, "Not in a million years. Why?".
Inside, Flash could hear his heart shatter, "Damn it! I have to fall back on plan B.", he thought before speaking up again, "H-Hey, Twilight. Skywalker wants to hang out with you. He's a little shy about it, so he wanted me to ask you for him.".
She looked surprised, Skywalker never showed her much interest beyond that of just friends, "That's so sweet. I never knew he could be so romantic...". Flash cut her off, wondering how his friend could be so good at attracting mates, "Yeah, he is a regular Casanova. Now do you wanna hang out with us or not?", he asked, Twilight agreeing with her. She told him she would bring Fluttershy with her, so it wouldn't look like they were dating or something.
Back in present, Skywalker and Flash were now sitting at the pool, drinking a soda as the blue haired boy finished his story. "I see. Griffifth has canceled our hang out, and I have nothing better to do so...", Skywalker started, gaining a hopeful smile of his friend, "Sure, I help you. But just so you know, your paying for my popcorn.", Skywalker said as Flash started to thank him profoundly.
An hour later, the two were standing in front of the theater waiting for their friends. "Skywalker, I can't thank you enough. You are a Saint.", Flash said again, making his friend tell him to stop thanking him. Moments before they were arrived, he could have sworn he saw Griffifth entering the theater with someone. "Do you think god is a woman?", Flash asked trying to change the subject of him owning his friend for the rest of his life. "No.", Skywalker said flatly, "God is not a woman. How do I know? Well...", he started having to think about Aether, though she had informed him that she was just an very ancient and powerful being, not a god. "I think if god was a woman, that Moses hadn't held out for 40 days on that mountain top. He would have come down after 3 days saying, 'if that woman opens her mouth ONE more time!'. Also I don't think he would have come back with only ten rules."
Fluttershy was completely nervous, she was going on a date with Skywalker. She knew Flash had a crush on Twilight, this was obvious to everyone save, Twilight herself. She just hoped that she wouldn't mess up. He had been so kind to her, when he didn't have to. The two girls arrived in Twilight's car, after parking it, they could see the two waiting for them. Greeting them, the four of them started to discuss to which movie they should be going. "Already seen that one, bad one, bad one, I will kill everyone if we go to that one.", Skywalker said as they looked through the movies they were currently showing, before they settle on an action-comedy.
After buying their snack, they headed for cinema, trying to get good seats. It was dark inside, though only a scarce few other people seemed to be watching the movie as well. Sliding down the row until they were in the last two seats in the corner, who were occupied by two familiar looking faces.
"Griffifth and... Principal Celestia?", Skywalker asked gaining the attention of the two. Griffifth managed to compose himself as the four of them sat down in the seats next to them, "What are you two doing here? I thought you said you were going to be doing yard work all day.", he continued to ask. "We managed to finish the work early.", Skywalker looked over to acknowledge Celestia, who had been the one to speak up. He raised an eyebrow at the principal's casual clothing. "I felt bad for making Griffifth miss out on meeting his friends that I offered to take him to a movie." Skywalker shrug his shoulders, sitting next to Griffifth while Fluttershy plopped herself down next Skywalker on one side and Twilight on the other.
Out of the corner of his eye, Skywalker saw Celestia placing a hand on Griffifth's shoulder, giving him a soft smile. "I guess, but you could have texted me anyway Grif." Skywalker said, his tone not particularly happy. "I didn't even know you were here until I saw you head into the theater." Griffifth quickly shot him an apologetic look, prevented from saying anything by the movie starting. Despise the darkened room, Skywalker could spot his blond friends hand sliding over to grasp Celestia's own.
Two hours later, the six left the theater, all in good spirits thanks to the movie. "That. Was. So. Awesome!" Flash said, his fists raised in excitement. "Yeah, it was super funny.", Fluttershy agreed, her smile only widening as Skywalker offered to walk her home. Flash was just about to offer Twilight the same thing, but before he could make the offer, she said, "Oh, my dad's here.", thanking her friends, and saying goodbye to them and principal Celestia, she walked off to join her dad, a little disappointed that Skywalker hadn't offered to walk her home.
After saying goodbye, Skywalker and Fluttershy left one way, while Flash headed of in the other direction. Disappointed that he couldn't walk his crush home. Just before the two could turn around a corner, he overheard Griffifth saying, "Let's see if we can still get some time alone on this date.".
Skywalker and Fluttershy walked through the park, enjoying the warm evening after their night out. "I come here every so often. It's nice and quiet...", she said shivering a little, though it was nice outside, the wind was a little cold. Suddenly, she felt a coat being placed on her shoulders. Looking to her side, she saw that Skywalker had taken off his coat and placed it on her shoulders. A deep blush cropped on her face, but she was suddenly snapped out of it as she heard a voice call out to her.
It was one of her neighbors living close to her house, after talking a little, Mrs. Cake told her she was taking a little break after a long day at the bakery. After that she turned to Skywalker, studying him before realizing who he possible was, "Oh! Is that the rumored boyfriend? I see... That hard work in the kitchen paid off, huh?", Mrs. Cake teased, making the pink haired girl blush deeply, sputtering that it was not like that.
"Wow, your face is burning red. Well, I'll let you two be alone!", Mrs. Cake said before walking off.
Fluttershy looked down to the ground, trying to mutter an apologize, saying that she had the wrong idea. He noticed that his friend had seemed to have broken out in a cold sweat. "It's alright.", Skywalker said before asking how they come to the idea about them dating. "She is teaching me tips on how to cook. I said I would try to learn on my own, but I kept messing up. I burnt myself a couple of times...".
After that, they made some more small talk before spotting a shooting star. "What are you gonna wish for?", she asked as Skywalker closed his eyes. "For everyone...", he started, not saying out loud the next part of his wish, or else it wouldn't come true. She looked happy, that was so like him. "Are you going to wish for something?", he asked after he was done doing his wish. She nodded closing her eyes, "I'm wishing for everyone's health. For Rainbow, for Skywalker, for the others, too. And...", she muttered, him trying not to listen in to her wish. "I'm wishing to become a woman worthy of Jason...", she said, the last words hitting him like a truck.
"Wait what?", he exclaimed, while she claimed it was nothing. They walked a little while longer, the two crossing a bridge, Fluttershy stopped in her tracks. "U-Umm, I wanted to ask you this before.", she said, turning her gaze to the ground before, waiting for him to answer. He gave her a nod, turning around to face her, "Wh-Why... Why are you always with me?".
A silence followed, looking back up, she saw that Skywalker was standing closer to her. "Why I am always with you? I just... really like you.", he said, a faint blush on his own cheeks. She was completely taken aback by this, "Y-You like?... M-Me?...", she managed to get out after a few minutes, her face becoming red, "Uh, ummm... I-I feel the same way... so...". He let out a sigh of relieve, "I thought my heart was going to stop.", he said as she pulled her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder, having to stand on the tips of her toes to do it. "Umm... Stay here with me... just a little longer.", she whispered in his ear.
The two of them spend a long while on that bridge together. Seeing that it was almost her curfew, Skywalker walked her to the front door of her house before heading home himself.
The next day, which was a Friday, they had the afternoon off. Fluttershy told Skywalker that her parents would be out of town that weekend and she asked if she could stay at his place. So after a quick trip to her house, gathering a with a bag of supplies and a change of clothes, they now found themselves at his house. After petting Spike, she asked shyly if she could see his room. Seeing no reason not to, she followed him upstairs. After entering, he noticed that she was looking around nervously, so he asked her what's wrong.
"Oh, s-sorry! I didn't mean to look around so much, it's just that this is the first time I've been in a boys room.", he ensured her it was alright. "Oh, you sleep on a bed, I see. I use a bed, too... Umm, sorry... I don't know what to talk about.", she said turning his eyes to the ground.
Again, Skywalker ensure her it was alright, before asking her if the bed was good for her. She looked at him stunned for a moment before realizing what she meant. "Oh, y-y-you mean where I would sleep tonight? Anywhere's fine... I'm... fine with anything... You don't need to worry about me.", she was happy he would allow her to have the bed.
A few hours later found the two sitting at his pool, Fluttershy gave him a package telling him that she had wanted to give it to him a while ago. Unwrapping it, he saw that is was a similar coat he usually wears, but instead of black, it was clean white.
"I asked Rarity's help to make this. It's to protect you.", she said as he tried it on. It was a perfect fit. "Thank you. But, you'll protect me.", he said, placing his hand on hers. "Yes but... You will be leaving at the end of the year. So that coat will protect you in my place... even if we're apart, we're together.", she explained, turning her gaze towards him. Tears of happiness filled in her eyes, "Um... I love you...", she whispered in a trembling tone. He was looking deeply in her eyes, his amber's into her light blues, using his thumb to wipe away one of the tears that had escaped her eyes. "Don't stare so much at me. Can I say it again?", she asked as he touched her forehead with his, whispering, "Yes."
"...I love you.", he wrapped his arms around her, holding her body against his own. "I love you too.", he whispered back, feeling a little guilty that he would soon be leaving. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 77: Reactions | The following Monday, Skywalker and Fluttershy were walking hand in hand to school, sad that the weekend had ended so soon. The two had decided to let their relationship known to their friend. As they walked into Canterlot High, they immediately attracted looks from the other students in the school. The looks on their faces ranged from either "I knew it," to "Them? Together? Who knew?". Though neither of them really cared what others were thinking about them. As the two walked down the hallway to their lockers, they noticed some very familiar people talking to each other not that far from Skywalker and Fluttershy.
"I wonder how they will take the news." Fluttershy wondered, more curiosity than nervousness, but before Skywalker could respond to his girl, he was interrupted by a loud familiar voice, loud enough to be heard from the other side of the school. "Hey, look guys! It's Skywalker and Fluttershy!". Of course it was Pinkie Pie. Almost as soon as she says it, the rest of the gang had walked over to say good morning, but were surprised to see Skywalker and Fluttershy were holding hands and that Fluttershy was practically nuzzling him, unusual that she showed so much open affection.
"Well what do we have here?" Rainbow asked with cheeky grin, looking at their locked hands, some of the guys also looked interested. "I am curious as to what is going on as well...", Twilight said, a slight tone of jealousy to her voice, as she crossed her arms. Phoenix and Rarity let out a excited squeal, "Skywalker! Fluttershy! Darlings! Which one of you finally did it!?", Rarity exclaimed excited, before Phoenix added, "Yeah! Give us details! Did you do it, Messiah? Did you went on one knee and asked her?".
The new couple looked at each other for a moment before turning back to their friends, "Did what exactly?", they asked.
"Well, confess of course!", Phoenix and Rarity said at the same time, this left the others speechless for a few moments. Skywalker and Fluttershy look at each other, smiling at how Rarity and Phoenix were taking the news. "I knew it!", Sutakira said giving a fist pump. "McGrath owes me money now!"
The young couple gave them a puzzling look, making the brunette started to explain, "Sutakira and I had this bet going." McGrath explains. "I bet that you guys would get together after the Fall Formal, and Sutakira bet that you get together before Fall Formal. Just a little more, and I would have won.", he said with a slight pout, crossing his arms. "Took you guys long enough, though. My wallet has been dehydrated for who knows how long.", Sutakira said as McGrath handed him a undisclosed amount of money.
"Frankly, it was pretty obvious that you two would end up together.", Applejack said, giving Fluttershy a pet on the back as everyone else let out a hearty laugh, while Skywalker and Fluttershy give each other embarrassed looks.
After their classes, Skywalker and Fluttershy were waiting outside the cafeteria, snuggling a little around the corner. Looking into her eyes, he could see that she was thinking about something. "What's wrong?", he asked.
"Nothing," she responded, "Just thinking about what the others said. I had no idea that it was so obvious that we liked each other.", she was taken off guard by a sudden kiss he placed on his forehead. "Well, it doesn't really matter now." He said, now it was his turn to be taken off guard by her next question. "So, you wanna try kiss again?".
Skywalker blushed at this, looking around, they didn't had much privacy here, "Uhm, sure. We can go somewhere more secluded where nobody can watch us.", he suggested, but Fluttershy got a devilish smirk on her face, "Let them watch. I don't care," she stated. The two wrapped their arms around each other, leaned in closer and finally touched each others' lips. Unbeknownst to them, the entire gang had heard them and for the next five minutes, they were all admiring and snickering to what was going on.
Once they let go, their foreheads were touching as they got lost into each others' eyes. "I kept playing that scene through my mind so many times," Fluttershy said with a blush on her cheeks, "but I never imagined that it would be this perfect.".
Skywalker and a passive looking Flash Sentry were on the school roof, overlooking the town, "...I hated this place when I first came to Ponyville. You can tell how small the town is from up here.", Flash started, looking at the distance, "But looking at it now... It's a nice town. I wonder what'd be going through my mind if I was more like you.". Skywalker didn't respond but he sure was thinking something, "You would be annoyed that everybody thinks your a psychiatrist.".
Flash then pulled something from his pocket, it depicted a smiling Twilight and Flash. "I took this with Twilight. When I first got here, she insisted on taking it, back then... somewhere inside me, I thought I was above this place. Nobody liked me because my dad owned the mega mall. But... when I met her, she told me, 'Parents are parents. You're you...'.".
He nodded, agreeing that does sound like something Twily would say. "It made me happy. Because of her, I started to think maybe this town wasn't all that bad. But then... I was living a boring life in the middle of nowhere. When you arrived and decided to dethrone Sunset Shimmer I got excited. I thought there was finally a point to me being in Ponyville. I thought I could forget and the fact that I was such a loser. I jumped at the chance to help you and never once thought about what I was doing. I... didn't even take the first step... I'm sorry... Jason.".
Skywalker patted him on the back, making his friend look up at him, "I understand, there is no reason to apologize.", but this only got Flash confused. "But... I got involved with you, and all I did was run away from myself. This morning, I went to tell Twilight something. 'That what's important... isn't where you are.' This town I hated so much? Now, I love it.". Skywalker was actually surprised at what Flash had said, "That's...
actually a good one.", he admitted earning a smile from him. "There's still nothing here, but I have family and friends... and you.", Flash said.
The amber eyed boy nodded, "The important things are never far off. They're all around you.", he said looking up at the sky.
"Yeah, I always wanted to be 'special'. I thought my life would finally have meaning if I was 'special' to someone. But I really didn't need it.", Flash continued as his friend listened, "It's not what you have or what you can do... Just being born, living your life. Before you know it, you're already special to someone.". Suddenly Flash became quite he started to rub his nose to hide his blush, "Yeah... Like you... You're special to me, you know?". He couldn't help but smile at the statement his friend just made about him, "Thanks."
During free period, Rarity asked we she could talk to him privately. Seeing no reason to decline, the two now stood in the dark janitor's closet. "H-Hey. Umm... Th-Thank you for that, last time...", Rarity said after a while. Remembering the event when Noteworthy and Thunderlane talked about her, he told her it was no big deal. "I was, you know, happy. I'm in a weird mood...", Rarity explained, "Every time I think about what happened, I can feel my heart beat faster, and I hardly sleep at night."
This made Skywalker remember what Twilight had told her, maybe there was a virus making its round that causes sleeplessness. "I think I'm... in love. D-Do you know if McGrath has a girlfriend?", she asked. He confirmed that he had not, making the girl in front of him perk up, "Really? Do you think maybe I'm his type? O-Or do you think he hates... people like me?".
"What? You think he hates beautiful people?", Skywalker said sarcastically, "Come on Rarity, have a little confidence.".
Rarity swallowed before nodding seriously, "I-I'm not used to things like this. You're the only one I can turn to...", she said, looking at him with pleading eyes. "Leave it to me.", he said giving her a smile, though she couldn't see it in the dark closet. "But we should get out of the closet now. Wouldn't want McGrath to think we're making out in here right?", he said giving a playful pat on the head.
"Or Fluttershy.", she added, giving him a playful tap on his arm him right back.
On their way home from school, McGrath decided to tag along with Skywalker and Fluttershy as they stopped for a snack. "Rainbow says the steak bowl here is great.", the green eyed teen noted. "And hey, she's the expert.", Fluttershy added.
Before they could enter,two police officers stopped them, "You're McGrath, right? I'd like to have a word with you.", the officer told him. McGrath gave him a suspicious look, informing him that he wouldn't. The officer tried to make McGrath come along with him, but Skywalker asked, "You got a warrant?", turning the attention from his friend to him. "Ah... You're one of the kids that McGrath has been hanging out with lately. I see. So you're in cahoots.", the officer said. His words annoyed Skywalker, what was so bad that he would hang out with McGrath?
"You know there's been a group of teenage bullies lurking around here, don't you?", the officer mentioned, Skywalker remembered the other day when another officer had mentioned it to him and Dashie. "We got a tip saying he's been threatening a young girl at the hill and the flood plain.", the other officer mentioned.
Upon hearing that, McGrath realized who they were talking about. "Hmph, so you admit it. Not a shred of remorse, either.", the first officer said. This made Skywalker snap a little, sure his friend was no saint, but they had no idea what he was doing with Sweetie Belle.
"What was that? You wanna say that again!? You wanna repeat that!? You wanna starts something? You fucking prick!", Skywalker shouted,
actually managing to scare the police officers. One of them tried to calm him down but Skywalker merely snapped at him, "Shut the fuck up! Two on two! Teenagers verses adults! No camp kills! I'll fuck you up!".
The two officers started to become genuinely frightened as one managed to get out, "Y-You two are going to have to come with us down to the station!". Skywalker took off his jacked, "We are all pumped! We're ready to go! Let's fucking go! Let's do this! Come at me bro!", he spread
his arms but McGrath quickly stood between him and the officers. "Now wait a sec! Jason has nothing to do with this!", McGrath told them and at that moment Sweetie Belle walks by.
"Oh, McGrath. What are you doing?", she said before noticing the Police Officers. "You know these boys, girl? Can you tell me how you know them? I don't think they're being straight with me. And I think one of them is on drugs.", one of the officers said, at that last part he eyed Skywalker. "McGrath isn't on drugs!", Skywalker shouted while Fluttershy tried to calm him down. "Did this boy ask you for anything? For instance, did he claim he lost his money?", the other officer asked.
Sweetie Belle looked shocked, turning to McGrath looking worried. "You lost your money, McGrath? You can have some of mine!", she offered. At this the officers came at the wrong conclusion. "Oh, but I came today to give you the cookies Mom baked as thanks. I was going to sneak in and leave them at your house, but here you are.", she said handing him a bag, confusing the officers even more.
Sweetie Belle explained that McGrath as been tutoring her with Math and other school work she had trouble with. "What a load of... There's no way you're getting me to believe that.", the first officer said. All Fluttershy's work to get Skywalker to calm down was for nothing as he started to shout again, "Believe it! Tell him, McGrath.".
McGrath looked at his two friends then at Sweetie Belle, "Jason... I get it now. What I need to do. Yeah, Skywalker. I got it!", McGrath said, pumping his fist. "Go for it. We got your back!", Fluttershy shouted suddenly, earning a chuckle from her boyfriend. "Alright, listen up, punks... There ain't any lying about it. I helped Sweetie Belle and her friend with their homework. I am a straight A student as well as one of the schools best athletes . So what, you want me to teach you?", the two officers looked stunned as McGrath continued. "Your about to say that ain't like me, right? Go ahead and laugh! Like I care. I'm used to being pointed at. And what's most important is, I ain't gonna make Sweetie Belle or Skywalker a liar!".
Then someone Skywalker had never seen, the woman McGrath addressed as 'mom', walked by. "Officer?... What are you doing with my David?". The officers started to explain about the several cases of bullying around the area but she cut him off. "David had nothing to do with
them.", she said taking everyone a back, "He would never do such a thing. He may be stupid and short-tempered, but he's a strong and gentle child.".
The two officers quickly apologize before walking off. McGrath turned to his mom, he couldn't believe that she would believe him over the police. She confirmed that she believed that he would never do such a thing, that a mother knows, before telling him not to go stuff himself because she was making dinner. After she said that, McGrath started to cry a little. "McGrath... Are you crying?", Fluttershy asked in shock, in all the years she had know him, she had never seen him cry. "N-N-No! I ain't crying! This is... snot! I got a cold!", McGrath said trying to wipe his tears away.
After waiting for McGrath to calm down, the two walked him to his house before the young couple walked to Fluttershy's house. "Sorry I lost my temper back there.", Skywalker muttered as he walked her up to the door. "Don't worry. It's fun watching you shout.", she assured him as she planted a kiss on his lips. "Hey, your coming right?", he asked, she smiled. "Well, my boyfriend is giving a party at his house. Of course I will come.", she placed one more kiss on his lips before entering her house. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 78: Party | Skywalker finally reach SCC, walking up a set of stairs to the apartment above. He knocks on the door, hoping Pinkie will be there. He waits for the door to open for at least a minute, tapping his foot on the floor.
After knocking again and the same results happen. Skywalker sigh in disappointment. "Pinkie must not be here then." he said out loud as he made turn around. Suddenly a playful voice from a familiar friend says aloud behind him, "I'm not here for what, you silly??"
Skywalker jump up and turn around to see Pinkie staring at him with her signature smile and big blue-eyes, she wears a simple yellow loose shirt with short sleeves. Her legs wear a big striped socks that reach up to her frilly skirt. "Hey Pinkie! I was hoping to talk to you.", he started, his friends face beams with happiness, she bounces up and down which make her skirt & shirt show off some of her skin "REALLY!?
GREATCAUSEWEHAVEN'TTALKEDINREALLYLONGTIMESINCEYOULIKEALWAYSHANGAROUND WITHOTHERPEOPLEUPGRADINGYOURSOCIALLINKSORRUNNINGAROUNDTOFIGHTCRIMEANDSTUFFAN..."
Skywalker quickly cover Pinkie's mouth with his hand, she blinks and tilts her head as she looks at him. He had forgotten how she can go on and on. "Sorry." he said as he moved his hand from her mouth. Started to explain that he was planing a party at his house and that he could use her help.
"Oh, that will be easy-peasy, and today's a perfect day since the shop's closed.", she said as Skywalker handed her his spare key of his house. "Thanks, I have a few things to take care off. When I am done picking up some stuff I will meet back at my place to help you set up." Pinkie gave him a salute, "Okey-dokey-lokey leader!".
Skywalker arrived at the Hero River Bank, at the same time as Flash, who had requested him to come here. Flash was giving him a solemn look. "Jason, There's something I wanted to tell you.", he started turning his gaze towards the ground. "Somewhere deep down... I didn't trust you. No, it is more that I am jealous of you.", the blue haired teen started, as Skywalker listened carefully to him, like he always does, "I thought you were like me... Coming from the city to the countryside, I thought you'd be bored out of your mind here. But as soon as you got here, you stood up to Sunset Shimmer... Became our leader, gathered people... You're a hero. I like you for that, and I'm proud of you... But I guess I was jealous at the same time.".
Skywalker rubbed the back of his head, admitting that it can't be helped and that it was human. "You get jealous of people, too? I can't picture it... When I called you 'special,' I thought some more about it. So... Hit me with everything you have!", Flash suddenly shouted, taking the other teen by surprise. "Give me a good one. Knock out all this crap inside of me. I want to be equal with you. I want us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder.", he spread his arms. Skywalker flexed his shoulders, "Then let's get equal!", he shouted as he takes a fighting stance.
Now it was Flash turn to be surprised, "Huh?... But I have no reason to... I get it now. If we're 'equal,' then... I guess you're right." takes a fighting stance. The two charged at each other, both aiming to punch the other in the face.
Meanwhile, in front of Mizu's Japanese dinner, Sutakira and Big Mac walk past it until the blue haired teen notice a sign, "The Meat Lover's Combo... Just like it says in the name, you really have to love meat to order it.", Sutakira said. "I wanna try it, but it's always sold out... Just when Skywalker leave with two bags.", Big Mac noted. Sutakira was taken a back by this, "Don't tell me, did Skywalker... D-Don't answer that. I'm not sure I want to know for sure that a friend of mine has the appetite of a starved wolf...", and the two continued to walk.
Back over at the Hero River banks, Skywalker has it brawled out with Flash Sentry and the two were laying down in the grass, there arms spread wide. "Ugh... Your punches are brutal... I was seeing stars there for a second...", Flash noted, as his friend merely nodded. "But thanks, man... I don't know how to say it, but... That sure beat words.", he hands his friend a Buddy's Bandage, telling him if he starts bleeding to put that on. "You know, we should fight more often."
Skywalker jumped back to his feet, ready for another round. "Not now!", Flash said alarmed, his friend having a pout on his face. He sits back down as the two looked up at the sky, "The sky is so high up. Jason, I'm going to live. Without lying to myself, without deceiving myself. Days like today, days like before when I did nothing. They're all important days. Let's keep at it, so we can live every day with a smile... Leader."
Central shopping district, in front of Mizu's Japanese dinner. Skywalker and Rainbow finished today's training and decided to stop. "Steak bowl or a combo plate...", Rainbow muttered, "The ultimate decision..." he added. "I-I don't have any more...", they heard a little kid say.
"It can't be.", Skywalker muttered as he run towards the voices, his friend following him. In a small ally way, they saw Garble, Dumb-Bell and Hoops surrounding a little kid. "Hey, someone's here.", Dumb-Bell said. Garble shouted that they would just take their money while they were at it.
"What are you up to!?", Skywalker shouted, seeing the scared child crying made his blood boil. Hoops seemed to recognized Skywalker, muttering afraid, "It's him!". Garble got a nasty smile on his face, letting out a chuckle. "You look like you have something planned!", Dumb-Bell said, gaining an equally nasty smile. Skywalker could feel his heart break a little as the kid looked at him pleadingly, begging him for help.
Skywalker quickly strode forward, and stood still between the kid and the three bullies. Rainbow stood by his side, ready to jump into action to help her friend. "Hear that, Jason Skywalker. He wants help.", Garble said, surprising Skywalker a little that he knew his full name.
"We had a friendly chat with Sunset Shimmer. She told us all kinds of stuff. Like where you live, and about that precious 'Fluttershy' of yours.", Skywalker clenched his fist seeing what Garble was trying to get at, the only reason he wasn't beaten to a bloody pulp was that Skywalker didn't want to give the child a trauma.
"So, we are just gonna have a little chat with this kid. Stay put, okay? Cause who knows what'll happen to 'Fluttershy' if you get in our way?", Garble said with a satisfied smirk, thinking he had Skywalker. Garble's two friends laughter filled Skywalker's ears, his eyes flashed red.
"Cowards! Ganging up on a kid! You should be ashamed!", Skywalker said as he approach Garble, "Kid, close your eyes. Rainbow keep the kid save.", Skywalker told her.
The kid covered his eyes with his small hands as Skywalker became a blur of motion. Delivering swift kicks and punches to the three bullies, who couldn't react in time. Skywalker gave Garble a sweep and started to punch his face in. Hoops, who had a broken nose and a black eye tried to attack Skywalker from behind, but was knocked to the ground by a fast half-moon kick.
Looking over his work, Skywalker stood up, whipped some blood from his fists. Grabbing Garble by his arm, Skywalker forced him to look at him, "If I EVER hear you have been bullying again OR when I hear you try to do ANYTHING to Fluttershy, I will come back to break the other one.", before Garble could ask "What other one?", Skywalker broke Garble's arm. Skywalker spotted Dumb-Bell and Hoops trying to get away, so Skywalker picked up a random brick and threw it at them, hitting Dumb-Bell square in the back of the head.
"Good arm.", Rainbow said as she and Skywalker guided the kid back to the main street. After making sure the kid was fine, he gave them a tearful 'thank you'. "Oh, no, don't worry about it.", Skywalker said as he guided the child back home, "You've been trough enough, go home."
A few minutes later we found the two sitting on a bench in the park, Skywalker's heart still pounding. "...Was that stupid of me?", he asked his Rainbow haired friend. "You protected that kid and it all turned out okay.", she reassured her friend that he did the right thing. "I'll keep watch on Fluttershy for awhile, so don't worry about that."
"I'll help too, she my girlfriend after all.", he said, making Rainbow nod, those guys would be crazy to try anything to Fluttershy is Skywalker was with her after that kind of trashing. "It might have been stupid, but I wanted to save them... That kid, Fluttershy. How I feel about this isn't fake. I really want to protect them.", Skywalker is smiling gently.
And so the evening arrived, after Skywalker arrive back at his house, he and Pinkie quickly finish setting up, the other guests soon arrive to the party. Once everyone was present, Pinkie shouted, "Let's get this party STARTED!" chimes as she turns on the music.
The party was great and about an hour into the party, McGrath was walking around enjoying a few beers, until he felt someone tap his shoulder. Turning around he saw Rarity, the beautiful violet haired girl looking at him with a smile and a hopeful look in her azure blue eyes as she grasps his hands gently. "Rarity? Hey." McGrath say as he turns to face her. Rarity blushes slightly and glances back at where Pinkie, Phoenix, Flash Sentry and Twilight are showing off their crazy dance moves. "Hello McGrath..." Rarity said in a soft voice, she let's go of his arm, he can tell by her body language, the fiddling of her fingers, the little tap of her feet kicking the floor, the little blush on her face. McGrath knows she wants to ask him something.
"Something wrong?" he asked her bluntly. Rarity opens her mouth to say something, but shuts it and pouts with her arms crossed. "I just wanted to ask... if you... do the honors of dancing with me." Rarity asked, her expression shows a fear of rejection. McGrath shrug his shoulders, before giving a little bow of respect to Rarity. "Of course Milady.". Rarity's eyes flutter, a big smile arouses from her lips. She returns his gesture with a little courtesy, the girl is dressed in a sexy looking red-velvet top with tight skinny jeans.
"T-thank you, McGrath." Rarity says with a little hitch in her tone. The song ends, the next song changes into something more slow. Suddenly, Skywalker's house gets a bit dark, a disco ball pops out from the ceiling where the fan was. The room illuminates with shinning little lights sparkling around the whole room as the disco ball spins, McGrath covers his face as it spins and hits some of the glare into his eyes.
Skywalker suddenly appears right behind the two. "Waaa!! Skywalker! What is the meaning of this!" Rarity asked, McGrath was about to ask the same thing but their friend simply said, "You can thank me later!" then pushes the two into the center of the dance floor.
As they both stumble back on their feet and try to understand what the heck has happened. McGrath quickly notice the pairs of eyes staring at him and Rarity.
Rarity's hand grips against to get his attention. McGrath looks at Rarity with a weak grin, "I wasn't, you know expecting this.", he tells her truthfully. Rarity smiles sadly, "You don't have to, darling if you...". He quickly silence her by taking her hand and kissing it, causing Rarity to blush with a look of astonishment. "May I have this dance?" he ask her. The girl looks up into his eyes, she nods her head fast and quickly, not evening saying any words.
Smiling at her reaction, McGrath pulls her closer, her body pressing against his. Holding her right arm up while his left hand rest against the beautiful girl's waist. Taking a deep breath, they both look into each others eyes and begin to slow dance along with the romantic melody.
It felt amazing to say the least, every step he took with Rarity, every breath he felt from her as they both mimicked each other movement, to when they both press their foreheads together as they both look into each others eyes. Its felt magical, felt like nobody was there, only the spotlight that shined on McGrath and Rarity. Just the two of them.
Then the music finally ends, McGrath and Rarity stop, their eyes looking deep into each other. The heat of the moment hasn't died out in him, his face leans in closer to Rarity's. The Fashion girl seems not to mind as she twist her head, readying to except your kiss. It is cut short by the sounds of clapping and the stamping of shoes. McGrath's eyes widen and he pulls back to look around the room to Rarity's disappointment.
Skywalker and Fluttershy slowly clapping their hands with a smile while both Phoenix and Rainbow Dash give a wolf whistle and stamps on their feet.
Twilight seem's to take everything she saw as a lesson, since she's writing something down in her portable notebook. Sutakira and Flash seemed to be taking mental notes. Applejack, Big Mac, and Griffifth were just clapping Pinkie's being Pinkie by hoping up and down while clapping like a giddy school filly.
Early in the morning, when the party shimmered down, most of his core friend had decided to sleep over and had fallen asleep on the couch.
The only ones still awake were Skywalker, Twilight, Rainbow, McGrath, Griffifth and Flash. The six of them started to play a mock group date, but there was one problem. "How are we going to do that? With four dudes and only two chicks?", McGrath asked, the guys were suddenly surprised to see Skywalker sit on the girls side. "Damn that was fast!", Flash muttered as Skywalker spoke in his most girly voice, "Take a seat please.", which sounds a lot like Twilight by the way. The other sat down as an awkward silent follows.
"So do you have hobbies?", McGrath said, trying to break the ice. Rainbow started to talk, naming sports. Then it was Twilight's turn, "I have a hobby. You see, this one time, at band camp...", before she could finish, Rainbow cut her off saying THAT was not a hobby.
"So Sky... la? What are your hobbies.", Flash asked the friend who sat across from him. "Fighting monsters, demons, and full grown dragons.", Skywalker responded, still speaking in his girl voice. "Those are not hobbies either!", Flash shouted.
It was then decided it was time for a new question, "What type of girls do you like.", Twilight asked. Flash smiled at this, "Straight to the point? I do like that. I'll tell you what I'm into...", but Rainbow cut him off telling him it was McGrath's turn. "I'm into the cute type. Who love fun, but also has some hidden depth.", he explained, everyone at the table knew who he was talking about.
When it was Griffifth's turn he simple said, "I'm out of here.", he stood up but Flash hung around his waist. "No please! Don't go! I don't want to imagine what it'll be like if this thing gets anymore awkward.", he bagged, making Griffifth sit back down. "Challenge Accepted!", Skywalker thought as the next question was, who of the guys the girls would chose as their boyfriend.
"W-What!? What kind of lame ass question is that!", Rainbow shouted, quickly glances at Skywalker for a few seconds. "That's a little personal." Twilight muttered as she too glances at Skywalker for a few seconds. Flash was about to ask Skywalker who but he found himself staring deeply into a pair of amber eyes, slowly moving forward.
"H-h-hell no!", Flash shouted as he quickly stood up. "Something wrong Flash?", Skywalker asked innocently, still in his girly voices.
"Something very wrong! I don't know what happened! I think I just went to a place I never want to go back to.", he said totally freaking out.
"Is it my voice?", Skywalker asked still with his girly voice, leaning over the table. "Knock it off!", Flash said as he headed into the back garden. Apparently Flash wasn't looking were he was going as a loud splash was heard, indicating he had fallen into the pool.
"I guess this game is a epic fail.", Skwalker said with a smirk. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 79: Soul Phrase | Skywalker was making his way towards the cafeteria, further down he saw vice-principal Luna and miss Cheerilee talking with each other.
"You have been different lately, Luna. You're looking more and more like a professional!", Cheerilee complimented her.
"Thank you. I have been I have been studying more than just making preparations. The thing is... I have decided top stop wasting my time, always living only in the present.", the vice-principal said with a smile. Miss Cheerilee was impressed, she wondered what brought this on.
"Well, when I was just goofing off one weekend... I met someone. So I took a close look at my life. Its all thanks to that person.", just as the two wanted to walk away, the vice-principal bumped into Skywalker.
"Oh, Skywalker. I-is everything okay?", she started as she dusted herself off. She noticed that he had dropped his phone, so she picked it up for him, it seemed vice-principal Luna noticed the save-screen on it.
It depicted Zael and Calista standing on a beach, with on the background, 'I love you'.
The vice-principal looked to be frozen in horror, "Th-This...", was all she could get out. miss Cheerilee looked over her shoulder, "What a charming confession of love! Did you make this Skywalker?", the younger teacher asked.
"It's from my online girlfriend.", Skywalker explained this seemed to snap the vice-principal out of her shock. "O-Online... girlfriend!?!", she shouted, her blue eyes still wide in shock. The other two looked at her, "Never mind that! Wh-What's going on!? Why would Skywalker have this screenshot!? D-Don't tell me you got it online!? But the only people who were on that server were...", she muttered, then it hit her, the most logical explanation. "N-No... No way... Is this a joke!?", the vice-principal broke down in a big no, while her face become red.
Skywalker and miss Cheerilee looked concerned while the younger teacher tried to calm her down. "Skywalker, please stay with her. I will get Nurse Redheart.", the younger teacher said, as the student nodded.
When miss Cheerilee was out of ear shot, Luna looked up to him, "Skywalker... Don't tell me, your Zael?", the vice-principal asked. "I... I said that all... to you?", she asked and he nodded, "Hello, Calista.", Skywalker said, confirming that he was Zael. "Oh. My. God. I wish I was dead! Just kill me now!", she started to break down, tears streaming down her face. Skywalker rubbing her shoulder. "Calm down.", he said trying to calm them down.
"I am... Calista. I am Calista, dammit! You got a problem with that!?", she suddenly shouted, her cheeks still red. "This is so embarassing! But... There was one thing I wanted to say, if we ever met face to face... It was thanks to you that I was able to turn my life around.", her expression turned to anger at the smile on Skywalker's face. "Wipe that smile off your face! Or I will wipe it off for you with my fists!!", the vice-principal shouted, she then tried to ask him something but she couldn't spit it out, "Oh to hell with this!", she then ran away, leaving Skywalker in an empty hallway.
A little while later, a shocked looking Twilight came running towards her friends on the parking lot. "The Fall Formal isn't happening tonight!", Twily shouted, gaining a "what" from the rest. "It had to be postponed because Sunset Shimmer had Snips and Snails ruin all of Pinkie Pie's decorations."
Skywalker became awfully quite. Rarity asked him if he was okay, but he assured them that he was fine. "If I don't get Unity back tonight, I won't be able to go back to Equestria for another thirty moons! That's like... two years and six month's? Wait that's not so bad... I am pretty much a superhero here... Well I'm also a superhero back home but...", he thought as suddenly Spike popped out of his backpack. "Let them know what's really at stake if you don't get the Element tonight. They'll help us figure something out. And beside, these guys and girls rallied around you because they saw what was in your heart! They aren't going to feel any differently about you when they find out you're a Supremehuman from a different World.", the purple dragon turned dog said to him.
Skywalker smiled at him, "I'm glad you followed me here, Spike.", he barked as Skywalker approached his friends. He was about to explain everything to them but Pinkie cut him off.
"You're from an alternate World and you're a Supremehuman knight there and the crown actually has a magical element embedded in it that helps power up other magical elements and without it they don't work anymore, and you need them all to help protect your World, and if you don't get the crown tonight, you'll be stuck in this world and you won't be able to get back for like a really, really long time!", she said quickly, earning a 'are you serious' look from her friends, save Skywalker.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that isn't the reason.", Rainbow muttered, turning to Skywalker who had a surprised expression on his face, "That's pretty much spot-on...", he admitted slowly. Big Mac leans towards Phoenix, "He, Phoenix! Let's find a Bane for Jason to beat up!", the tall teen said, his friend adding a "I know right!", as everybody started to laugh. Skywalker, slightly irritated, moved to one of the parked cars and lifted it above his head.
The laughter stopped dead. "How did you do that!?", Rainbow shouted, her friend replaying that he eats a lot of protein. "Yea but... How did you do THAT!?", they all looked surprised, Phoenix exclaiming that he really is Superman. Suddenly, Spike comes out of the backpack, and started to talk as well, "Nope, he's just an ordinary guy... Who can crush meteors with his bare hand, can fly so fast the speed of light is jealous... Shoots lasers out of his eyes...", now the teens were even more shocked.
"He can talk!? Why can he talk!?", Twilight shouted. Spike grinned before he continued to explain, "Yeah, and back where I come from, I'm not even a dog! I'm a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon!".
"Your a baby dragon who has really weird dreams about Rarity who is dating McGrath in our world.", Skywalker corrected him making this World version of McGrath and Rarity blush. "How did you know all that?", he asked his pink haired friend. "Just a hunch.", she said shrugging.
I guess Pinkie is the same in every reality.
"Wait a minute! Let me get this straight. You're a Supremehuman, from another World?", Applejack asked as he nodded. The others gave each other a look, before claiming "That... is... awesome!".
Spike gave him a 'See? Told you.' look, making the young knight snicker, "You guys take it very well. Even though it was pretty fast and ridicules what Pinkie said."
With the help of the super friends, they had managed to clean up the mess Snips and Snails made and the Fall Formal could still continue. We now find ourselves at the big night. Skywalker, dresses in his usual formal ware, was getting some drinks but the drink he had ordered wasn't available. "What do you mean, you don't have beer!?", Skywalker shouted, the guy behind the counter informed him that they weren't allowed to serve alcoholic drinks. "I find your lack of alcohol disturbing!", Skywalker shouted as he and Griffifth walked away.
"Anybody see Sunset Shimmer?", he black haired knight asked his friends, but none had seen her. "Maybe she was too embarrassed to show! She's gotta know you won by a landslide!", Rainbow complimented, as he and Fluttershy looked at each other. Both knew their short relationship will end after tonight. "So if you really have X-ray vision, what kind of underwear is principal Celestia wearing?", Griffifth asked with a smirk, Skywalker looked away, making his friend think he is blushing. "Oh, I'm embarrassing you... So do you have an alien name?", the blond asked. "Like what? Kal-El?", Skywalker asked still not facing his friend, but before Griffith could respond, he turned his gaze back and said, "Pink.". The blond looked confused, "principal Celestia's underwear is pink."
The music died down and under loud cheers, the principal walked up the stage, "First off, I wanna say how wonderful everything looks tonight. You all did a magnificent job pulling things together after the unfortunate events of earlier. And now, without further ado, I would like to announce the winner of this year's Fall Formal crown. The Ruler of this year's Fall Formal is... Jason Skywalker!", the gym exploded in cheers as the hero walked up the stage receiving the Element of Unity, which had transformed into a crown. The principal was about to congratulate him, but his super hearing picked something up. "Skywalker! Help!", Spike shouted, making him looked worried. "What's wrong?", Big Mac asked when the hero jumped off the stage, rushing towards the source of the sound. "They've got Spike!", he explained.
They arrived outside to see Snails holding Spike while, Shimmer was holding a large hammer above the statue that led back to Equestria.
"Hurt him and I'll hurt you!", Skywalker warned threateningly, loosing up his tie. Shimmer chuckled, ordering them to let Spike go. "I wouldn't dream of it... I'm not a monster, Ser Skywalker. You don't belong here.", she said while Spike hurried behind Skywalker.
"Neither do you.", Skywalker shot back dryly. Shimmer looked angrily, "Shut up! Give me the Element Of Unity, and you can go back to Equestria tonight. Or keep it, and never go home.", she said, ready to swing the hammer. "Uhm... Won't the hammer go through the portal like everything else?", Skywalker pointed out, making Shimmer looked surprised. "Doesn't matter! The portal will be closing on its own in less than an hour.".
"No.", he told her, taking everyone by surprise. "What!? Equestria. Your friends. Lost to you forever! Don't you see what I'm about to do to the portal?", she shouted in surprise, she couldn't believe someone could be this selfless, he must be playing at something. "Yes, but I have also seen what you have been able to do here without your magic. Equestria will find a way to survive without me and my Element.", Skywalker started, standing up tall.
"No, they won't.", Pinkie muttered before Skywalker placed his hand on his left chest, closing his eyes. "Dashie, Twily, McGrath, Rarity, Griff, Pinkie, Phoenix, AJ, Sutakira, Flutters, Big Mac, they can handle selves.", he opened his eyes, glaring at her, "This place might not, if I allow it to fall into your hands. So go ahead, destroy the portal. You are not getting this crown!", he shouted determent, taking his opponent a back.
"I can't believe you were going to do that for us!", Big Mac said, as his other friend approach him. "It's no wonder you are a real live knight!", Rarity added. "Oh, yes, he is so very special. Knight of The Wind...", Sunset Shimmer muttered darkly before ordering her minions to grab him. Snips and Snails charge at Skywalker but he countered with two fast punches to their chest, sending them into the ground. Struggling to breath, Snips knocked the crown out of his hand, and unfortunately, it landed close to Sunset Shimmer.
"I'll take that!", she said as she grabbed the crown, "At last, more power than I have ever imagined.", she chuckled as she puts on the crown and a black darkness starts to surrounded her. "Power! Unlimited power!!", Shimmer's voice came from the darkness as frightened screams from other students filled the air. When the darkness was finished being absorbed by her, Sunset Shimmer had transformed into demonic creature, let's just call her Sunset Satan, was left standing in the crater.
"Great. She's a succubus now.", McGrath muttered as he and his other friend took cover. "She is adorable.", Skywalker squealed, gaining a odd look from the rest. "I've had to jump through so many hoops tonight just to get my hands on this damned crown and it really should have been mine all along. But let's let bygones be bygones. I am your ruler now, and you will be loyal to me!", she shouted spreading her wings and took flight, before sending streams of magic to the fellow students, brainwashing them into obedience. More frightened screams as Sunset Satan clearly enjoyed her new powers.
"Well, that, Eco Kid looks fine.", Pinkie noted when she studied one of the brainwashed students. Sunset Satan ordered her two minions Snips and Snails to round all the students up and bring them to the portal. "Spoiler alert: I was bluffing when I said I was going to destroy the portal. I don't want to rule this pathetic little high school; I want Equestria! And with my own little teenage army behind me I am going to get it!", She cackled as she floated above the students, she scanned the crowd for the one who had been a pain in her ass, when she spotted him, standing determent to protect everyone.
"What exactly do you think you're going to do to stop me? I have the most powerful magic in all the Worlds, and you have nothing! You are nothing! You must be the most argent prick ever to think your still winning!", Sunset Satan taunted as she smirked at him, but the smirk disappeared when his friends from this World appeared behind him, declaring their support to him. "Gee, the band really is all back together again. Now step aside!", She demanded as she landed, charging a fire ball in her hand, "Skywalker has tried to interfere with my plans one too many times already and he needs to be dealt with.".
She was taken a back by his sudden laughter, surely he must have lost his mind. "Oh, you think Unity is your ally? But you merely adopted Unity; I was born with it, molded by it. Unity is made by the people you meet and how you feel about them, they're what ties us together even when we're apart! My friends are what make me strong!", he shouted, taken a few steps forward, ready to shield his friends.
"Duh, you're strong because of the ties you have with other people!", Sunset Satan shot back, he nodded at this. "The magic contained in my Element was able to unite with those that helped create it. Honesty. Kindness. Laughter. Generosity. Loyalty. Magic. Amplified by Unity they create a power beyond anything you could imagine and it is a power you don't have the ability to control. Unity betrays you, because it belong to me and my friends! My friends are my power!", with that statement, a strong wind picked up, Skywalker demonstrating that he still had all his powers all along, as he stepped forward, ready for battle.
"T-Those are just words.", Sunset Satan said, a little scared because of the intensity of his eyes, "You've lost. We all know how this battle is gonna end, with one more Superman who's never gonna walk again!", she shouted as the two aliens charged at each other. Their two fist connected, creating a shock wave that forced everybody else unto the ground.
Skywalker and Sunset Satan were forced back, both landing on their feet, but sliding into it. "You have become a monster, Shimmer's and I'm going to stop you.", Skywalker said as he started to float of the ground. She hissed as she flapped her wings, charging towards him at an amazing speed, just as he did.
The following clash of energy send the two into the parking lot, just as Skywalker stood back on his feet, Shimmer's grabbed a random car and smashed it on Skywalker, unfortunately, it was Flash Sentry's car. The teen screamed out in agony when Skywalker blasted the car off him, "Didn't she suffer enough!", he shouted as the steering wheel landed in his hands.
The two charged forward once again, but this time, their clash took them high into the skies above. Not reacting fast enough, Skywalker managed to deliver, one powerful uppercut on Sunset's jaw, sending her flying into the stratosphere. Sunset crashed through a satellite, managing to get a hold of it. Seeing that her opponent was following her, she gave it a swift kick, sending it towards Skywalker, who managed to destroy it with his Heat Vision.
Using this opportunity, Sunset Shimmer gave a hammer fist straight to the side of his head, sending him crashing back to earth. He felt a hand at his throat and a fist pounding into his face. Grabbing Sunset by her own throat, he started to beat her face in with equal force.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through Passion, I gain strength. Through strength, power. Through power, victory!", she shouted and with each word, she gave him a powerful punch. "Don't forget the rest. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.", at that last word, Skywalker had managed to flip her over, giving a powerful punch to her jaw, before the two crashed, through the school and into the earth.
The two moaned, but Skywalker was the first to recover, reacting quickly, he grabbed Sunset by her head, pulling her into a head-lock.
She tried to break free but his grip was too strong, thinking of a plan, she spotted his friends standing a few feet away. "If you love these people so much, you can mourn them!", Sunset declared as her eyes glowed a crimson red, before firing a stream of Heat Vision at her targets, but thanks to the head lock, she missed but the stream was creeping closer to them.
"No! Don't do this! Stop!", Skywalker shouted out in horror, nearly begging her to stop. She let out a sadistic cackle declaring that she would never stop. Quickly moving his hand, Skywalker poked her eyes, causing Sunset to close them and roar in pain.
"What the hell! Who does that!", She shouted, just able to recover before Skywalker delivers a powerful and quick barrage of punches in her stomach, sending her flying. He flies past his stunned opponent and turns around to knee her twice in the back of her head before back flip kicking her away.
Skywalker lands on the ground and raises his hand, gathering all the energies Sunset had set lose, to charge a rainbow energy sphere. He turns around and throws the energy sphere, which has a delayed effect, but finally disintegrates the dark energies from Sunset from the inside.
"Welcome to Equestria... Bitch!", Skywalker shouted as the Element Of Unity landed in his hand. When the smoke cleared, Sunset had turned back to her normal self, but was still very weak. She sat up to the Skywalker standing over her.
"You will never rule in Equestria. Any power you may have had in this World is gone. Tonight, you have shown everyone who you really are. You have shown them what is in your heart.", he declared, crossing his arms. Sunset lowered her head, small sobs started to be heard from her as tears fell on the ground. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know there was another way.", she sobbed.
"...Wow. Shimmer sets a new record for enemy to friend. Princess Luna a 1000 years, Discord less than a season, Sunset Shimmer mere seconds.", Skywalker thought as he walked up to her. "The magic of Friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria, it is everywhere. You can seek it out. Or you can be forever alone. The choice is yours.", he said sternly.
"But... but all I have ever done since being here is drive everyone apart. I don't know the first thing about friendship.", Sunset sobbed, she saw Skywalker raise his hand, she closed her eyes prepared to be hit but the punch never came.
Opening them, she saw that Skywalker was holding out his hand, giving her a friendly smile. "It's never too late to start over.", he said as she gingerly took his hand, helping her back to his feet. "That's my Skywalker! Woohoo!", Spike shouted, turning the attention of the student to the dog, surprising them. "Did that dog just talk? Woah. Weird.", one of them said, earning a raised eyebrow from both Skywalker and Spike.
"Seriously? You just witnessed a superman fight a demon, he destroyed her inner darkness with an rainbow orb, but the talking dog is the weird thing about all this?", Skywalker said with a smirk. Rarity told them that she found Spike adorable. "Like the Sparity shipping isn't weird enough.", Skywalker thought but his attention was turned to the principal, who started to speak.
"A true knight in any world leads, not by forcing others to bow before him, but by inspiring others to stand with him. We have all seen that you are capable of just that. I hope you see it, too, Ser Skywalker.", she said and he nodded.
"Now, let's make...", Skywalker started before Pinkie joined in, "Party!", the crowed cheered as they followed him into the gym.
When the party was going, Skywalker had slipped out with his friends, wanting to say goodbye before he had to go. "You'll look out for her, won't you?", he asked them as he leaned against his motorcycle.
They nodded, assuring him that they would. "Of course, we will. Although I do expect some sort of apology for last spring's debacle.", Griffifth said while his other friend admired the motorcycle. "I have a feeling she'll be handing out a lot of apologies.", Skywalker said as he looked to his motor screen, before looking back at them. "I know we have only been friends for a short time, but I am going to miss you all.", he muttered but they all pulled him into a group hug.
He then turned to Fluttershy, both knew that this was coming but neither thought it would be so soon. She pulled him into a hug, "Just take care of your Worlds Fluttershy.", she whispered into his ear, making him nod. Both wiped away a tear. "We will meet again. I promise.", he said before turning on the engine of his motorcycle.
"You guys want to take a step aside.", Skywalker said as he put on his helmet before raving the engine, they take a few steps back and the Skybike blast off before, using the World Engine to create a portal back to Equestria.
Looking on Sunset Shimmer couldn't help but smile, "What are you smiling about, Shimmer?", Rainbow asked, starteling the red and yellow haired girl. "I just realized... I think he's kinda hot.", she added with a blush. Every one was silent for a moment before McGrath shouted, "What kind of crazy voodoo did he do to be such a chick magnet!?".
Arriving back at Equestria, Skywalker had arrived just outside Ponyville and much to his horror, he saw destruction everywhere, some buildings were on fire, if not completely destroyed. "Oh, crap...", was all he could mutter before his super hearing picked something up.
Arc III: Soul Phrase: Completed...
When your eyes take hold,
Tarot cards are folded,
These doors stay locked, with the key we hold
When ships set sails, and your wings fail
You can find your balance, in Ponyville
You cannot hide from me, because we're a family
Just let the power inside, take over, don't you cry
If you stay close to me, you will be freed
When the Dark Messiah calls, Equestria will fall
Arc IV: Worlds Nemesis...
Epilogue
Over at the Other World, a white man dressed in a suit with blue hair stood on a roof, looking over Cloudsdale. This was that Worlds version of Shining Armor. "Well?", a voice spoke from the darkness. Turning around, he saw Batmane standing a few feet behind him. "You really started something. Bent cops running scared, hope on the streets...", he began before handing Batmane a file.
"After the incident at Canterlot High, they have ordered the T.A.M.H. initiative.", Shining Armor explained while Batmane flipped through the file. It had seemed that the battle between the mysterious alien and a student called Sunset Shimmer had released some energy that granted certain individuals superpowers. "Don't worry. I will protect your little sister.", Batmane said as he walks to edge of roof. "I never said thank you.", Shining Armor said, the costumed vigilante turns around to look at him, "And you'll never have to.", Batmane spreads his cape, leaps off roof. |
Quest For Equestria | Arc IV: Chapter 80: Heroes | 12 hours earlier, the Harmonic Heroes, save Skywalker who was still in the other World, were summoned to Canterlot Castle by Celestia herself, as she had a emergency. Arriving at the Castle, the princess started to explain immediately. She told them that she had a terrible vision, and that they haven't much time.
"A long time ago, Tirek and his brother Scorpan came here from a distant land, intent on stealing Equestrian magic. But Scorpan soon came to appreciate the ways of Equestria, even befriending a young unicorn.", The ruler of the sun explained, Griffifth correctly guessed that Star Swirl was said unicorn. "Scorpan urged his brother to abandon their plans. When Tirek refused, Scorpan alerted us to Tirek's intentions. Scorpan returned to his own land, and Tirek was sent to Tartarus for his crimes. But it appears he has found a way to escape."
Celestia theorized that when Cerberus left his post at the gates was the moment Tirek had escaped. "But that was a long time ago. Why is he just now starting to steal magic?", Twilight wondered but neither of the three princesses knew the answer. It could be that his time in Tartarus left him very weak, or that he was part of something far bigger and dangerous. "But with each passing moment, he grows stronger still. And I know just the person who can stop him.", Cadance said, her aunts nodded. "Discord.", the three said.
That everybody was shocked, was an understatement.
Back at Ponyville, the gang had gathered at the Guy's House to discussed the princesses plan. "Welp... Celestia has gone crazy.", McGrath muttered as he sipped his coffee, with Rarity resting her head on his lap. Griffifth looked slightly offended by that comment, but he had to agree on that.
"I don't think it's that big of a surprise. He can be very helpful.", Fluttershy said, the only one willing to defend the spirit of Chaos, "He can sense when there's a magical imbalance. The next time Tirek steals magic, Discord will be able to track him down!", she continued to explain, they had to admit that skill would be useful to track Tirek down.
"I still can't believe we had to give back the Elements.", Rainbow said, taking a sip from her own drink. "It was either that or let the Tree of Harmony die.", Sutakira commented, sitting a little too close to AJ for Big Mac's liking. "But Jason was right. Even without the Elements, our friendship is as strong as ever.", Fluttershy added.
McGrath just hoped another of their 'friend' never makes them sorry they had to give them up. "Oh, you're talking about me, I presume?", they heard the voice of Discord, making the brunette groan, as the owner of the voice appeared in a poof. "What are you even doing here, Discord?", Rainbow asked.
"Oh, just grabbing a little snack before I head off on my extremely important mission. I suppose you all know that I've been tasked to capture a certain escapee.", Discord said cheerfully, as he munched on some cookies. "Don't you have a creepy magic-stealin' villain to track down?", AJ asked annoyed, the spirit of chaos nodded before commenting that they hadn't managed to opened the little chest yet. "It got me thinking, what if what's locked inside is something that could help you guys recover your Elements? I only bring it up because...", but the spirit was cut off, none of them save Fluttershy wanted to hear his reasoning.
"... Well in any case, I suppose now is as good a time as any to make my exit.", Discord said disappointed, as he floated to the door, not bothering to teleport. Outside, he couldn't help but think back on his decision to reform. He really tried, but he hadn't gained the trust of
anyone.
He was suddenly brought out of his train of thought by Fluttershy calling his name. "Discord wait!", the shy mare said, as he held out a small box. "Jason wanted to give you to have this. He is going to make one for all of us, but your's was the first he finished.", she explained as the spirit opened the box.
Inside was a red and green star-shaped charm, Discord removed it from the box holding it in his claw. "Jason told me, somewhere out there,
there's this tree with star-shaped fruit and the fruit represents an unbreakable connection. So as long as you and your friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You'll always find your way back to each other.", Fluttershy explained, he didn't say it, but she knew Discord was happy with the present Skywalker had given him.
"We're still on for tea later, right, Fluttershy?", Discord asked, not taking his eyes of the charm. The shy mare told him she wouldn't miss it. "Well, I'll bring the cucumber sandwiches!...", he said with a smile before he disappears in a puff of smoke.
Back inside, the gang was discussing how 'reformed' Discord is more obnoxious than the 'before-he-was-reformed' Discord.
"But he could be right, couldn't he? What if there is something important in that chest?", Fluttershy said, entering the room as they drew there eyes back to the box.
Meanwhile a thousand miles away, Tirek was quite busy draining the population of a small town of their powers. But he was suddenly trapped
by chains, forcing him to the ground. "Tirek, I presume?", Discord asked, Tirek was shocked that Discord was free.
"Discord. You're free? I must commend you on your escape.", Tirek said smoothly, but Discord wasn't having any of it. "Oh, I should have known you would want to have Equestria all to yourself.", he muttered as the chains pulled him back up.
"Oh, I'm not doing this for me." Discord said, striking a pose similar as Skywalker usual does when he gives a speech, "I'm doing it for my friends. Though just between the two of us, it's mostly for Jason and Fluttershy.", he added with a wink.
Tirek was shocked, asking if he had become friends with ponies, which Discord gleefully confirmed. But suddenly red arcs of lighting struck Discord from behind, slamming him into the ground. The chains disappears from Tirek as the one who attacked slams his boot down on Discord's head. "I am disappointed in you, Discord.", a familiar man said from under his hood. Discord remembered the voice, it was Marc Morgenstern. "That someone with your intellect does not see this 'friendship' is but a new form of imprisonment. Clearly you've had to abandon your true nature to stay in their good graces.", the Dark Messiah said, but Discord denied this, "Oh, please, I've seen this before.", Morgenstern removed his boot from Discord's head.
"You are Discord, you are legend, you cannot fall into the same trap.", Morgenstern extended his hand, offering the spirit of chaos a hand to
get back on his feet. "Join me Discord, help Tirek to grow strong, and be rewarded with something far greater than friendship. Freedom. Once Tirek has stripped these... creatures of their power, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see their World turned upside down. Who
better to do so than the master of chaos himself? Join us, Discord, and reclaim your greatness."
Discord was tempted for a moment, before he noticed the charm in his hand. He shook his head, no matter what this Dark Lord offered him, Discord had something far greater than freedom. "No, thank you!", Discord declared, Tirek looked shocked while Morgenstern's expression was hidden under his hood, "No matter how much the others dislike me, Jason and Fluttershy are counting on me. They would give their life for me, and I will do the same for them!", he said.
"So be it.", Morgenstern simply said as he launched a stream of red lightning from his finger tips at the spirit, who absorbed the blast
momentarily, but was overwhelmed as pain surged through his body.
Late that night, at Ponyville, Twilight exits the train, she walks towards her house as she hears a voice, "You weren't gone very long."
Twilight turns around and sees Sutakira walking out of the direction of Sweet Apple Acres, "Does that mean everything's okay?", he asked, she confirming that everything was okay with a nervous chuckle. "You should be going to bed. Sun's not up yet.", the blue haired guys
said as he gave her a wave before walking away.
Later that day, Griffifth and Fluttershy were walking around. The shy mare said that she was worried about Skywalker, and the blond agreed. Suddenly Twilight crashes into Griffifth, knocking him down. "Sorry! I must have caught a particularly strong breeze... or something.", she muttered as Fluttershy helped the blond guy up.
Rainbow floated over to them, noting that it must have been a 'or something', because there wasn't any breeze up there. Twilight told them that she didn't know what happened, but she don't really have time to figure it out right now. "Tirek may still be a threat. We need to tell everypony to remain inside.", the lavender mare said.
After warning everyone to stay inside, the gang had meet up on the Main Square which was now completely deserted. "I'm sure Discord will catch Tirek soon.", Fluttershy said worriedly, but the others warn't worried at all, Rainbow notted that she bet he takes his sweet time.Suddenly a puff of smoke appeared, as a very wounded Discord fell to the ground, scorch marks adorned his entire body and some smoke still even came out of them.
A thunder crash strikes the ground and Tirek appeared, standing over Discord. Putting two and two together,they correctly guessed that this must be Tirek. "We will make you pay for this!", Fluttershy said as all eleven of them stood ready for battle. "Come and try.", Tirek said as he tried to take their powers but they managed to dodge. Knowing about his power absorption, the melee fighters stayed in the back as those with projectiles took the fight to Tirek.
Twilight, McGrath, Rarity, Phoenix and Sutakire each launched as many of their own energy based attacks, trying to keep a distance from him, Which make a massive explosion. They couldn't see it, but Tirek sneaks up and drains the power of a few of the melee fighters of the Harmonic Heroes.
Keeping their distance, they tried to drive him back, but the increased power allowed him to doge them easily. One by on he picked them of and just when he was about to strip McGrath but Rarity pushed him out of the way, becoming his next victim.
"How dare you...", McGrath said in complete shock as his girlfriend fall down to the floor, with only him and Twilight left standing, "That's my RARITY!!", he shouted as he transformed into his super form, launching a swift punch in Tirek's gut. Super McGrath upper fist Tirek into the air, teleporting above him, delivering a heavy hammer punch, sending Tirek into the ground.
Super McGrath continues his anger fuel beatdown on Tirek. Despite powering up and landing a solid punch to McGrath's face, Tirek is outclassed in every way. Super McGrath laughs as an enraged Tirek jumps at him in anger as he charged his attack, launching a concentrated beam of magic at McGrath who counters with an energy blast of his own.
The two beams clash in mid air, creating a large explosion, in the confusion Tirek charged at him, able to drain McGrath's power, forcing him to transform back into his base self. Now only Twilight was left standing, as the enemy walked over to her, he tried to take Twilight Sparkle's magic, but she managed to cast a teleporting spell in quick succession, dodging all his attempts to steal her magic. "Now I understand what your fellow princesses have done!"
Tirek attacks Twilight with a jet of green light, which she counters with a cord of red light. As both spells collide producing a heating dripping magma effect. Tirek attempts several times to direct his curse, with lightning-like tendrils popping off from the main beam.
Tirek slashes his hand to break the connection and with his right hand, quickly breathes fire. The fire transfigures into the form of a serpent immediately and realizes the presence of Twilight, rearing and striking down with exposed fangs and a completely opened jaw in an attempt to devour her. Twilight backs up and slashes at the creature with her hand in a flick like movement, dispelling the flames, she then gathers the flames for herself whirling them into a fiery ring like mass, and sends them hurtling towards Tirek.
Tirek likewise defends himself by pushing the fire passed and around him causing the flames to disappear. Taking this opportunity then casts a hydro-kinetic spell, where she draws the waters of the mountains so that it erupts and flows out surrounding and encasing Tirek inside an enchanted sphere of water in an attempt to drown him and finish the duel.
Twilight maintains the shape of the complex water sphere by continually sculpting and spinning it. With Tirek slashing through the water, breaking her concentration, allowing Tirek to escape from his watery prison. Tirek then casts a large, continuous torrent of darkness towards Twilight, but she holds it back with an exceedingly powerful shield spell.
In a second attack, Tirek gathers the black energy into a ball of incandescent light, which he releases with roar, sending the energy in all directions; this explosion of Dark energy knocks over Twilight and causes all the windows to shatter. The millions of tiny shards of glass start to rain down upon Tirek and with a flick of his wrist he magically diverts their path, causing them to home in on Twilight mid-way through their descent, to which she responds by transfiguring the shards into sand en route by means of a transparent, purple-white shield.
"It appears we are at an impasse. How about a trade, Twilight? Their lifes for all the Alicorn magic in Equestria.", Tirek offered, while all her friends told her not to do it. Twilight agreed, Tirek giving a victorious smirk as he absorbed the Alicorn magic as a shock wave is felt all cross the planet and a hole is ripped open in the sky. Thousands upon, thousand of those black creatures rained down from the skies, stage one was completed.
Tirek was about to finished them off, but they heard the roar of a engine as Skywalker appeared from the skies, using the Skybike to slam into Tirek, himself jumping off it with Spike. "GG, Tirek, GG.", Rainbow said weakly, as Tirek used the stolen power of Phoenix to recover the damage he had sustained, asking who the newcomer was. "My name is Skywalker, Jason Skywalker. The guy who's going to kick your ass. Now return the power you have stolen.", Skywalker declared as he took his fighting stance.
"Ah, so your the infamous Ser Skywalker? Your a lot smaller than I expected.", Tirek said but his opponent had no intention of standing down. "Do that and I will let you go. And hope we never meet again.", Skywalker warned.
Tirek burst out in laughter, "What's this? The great Ser Skywalker pleading for his life?", he laughed but with one move, the smirk was whipped off his face. "I am pleading for yours!", Skywalker shouted as with a blur, he appeared in front of Tirek, delivering a punch to the guts so hard it sends him flying into a mountain.
Suddenly he felt the Element of Unity transform from a crown to a key, they wondered if this could open the chest, but their attention was draw towards the mountain, where Tirek's roar was heard, in the distance they could see an army of Corrupted heading their way. "Go. I'll hold them off.", Skywalker said, handing Twilight the key as his friends got back on their feet. Fluttershy was about to protest, but she knew there was no other way. If anyone could buy them some time, it was Skywalker.
"Alright were counting on you, Jason!", Twilight said before the team rushed to the Guy's House, where the chest would still be.
Staring down the army of near endless horde, Skywalker charged up, his aura capable of taking a few out by itself. They charged at him, but he stood his ground, drawing out his lightsabers, delivering slash after slash, decapitating each of them who dared to come in close range to him.
Suddenly, Skywalker was grabbed by the throat by a gigantic red hand, before being slammed into the ground repeatedly, before he was throw into a wall. In mid air, he had lost his weapons, he quickly recovered as he saw Tirek approach him. "I hope you appreciate, Ser Skywalker, that everything that happens from this point is on your head. The skies will rain fire, the oceans will boil, the streets will run red with the blood of billions.", Tirek said as he slapped Skywalker back into the ground. "Only then, after your last pitiful friend is extinguished, will I end your life.", he said, standing over the young knight. He was about to deliver another punch but Skywalker caught it mid air.
"That friend won't quit so long as he or she can draw breath. None of them will.", Skywalker said as he got back on his feet, regaining ground as Tirek tried to free his fist, "Me? I've got a different problem.", he released Tirek's fist, before delivering a swift punch to the jaw, sending him once again through a mountain.
Skywalker flies after them him as he continued to talk, "I feel like I live in a World made of cardboard. Always taking care not to break something, to break someone. Never allowing myself to lose control, even for a moment, or someone could die.", he blocked another punch of Tirek, delivering a few swift once to his gust once again, "But you can take it, can't you, big man? What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose, and show you just how powerful I really am!", Skywalker said and with a single punch, sends Tirek across multiple mountains.
Tirek recovers delivering a massive punch, but Skywalker intercepts it, causing a huge shockwave. Skywalker delivers a heavy punch to Tirek's abdomen and follows up with a ferocious kick, one that sends him flying through Canterlot. Tirek stops himself mid-air, but before he can counter-attack, Skywalker attacks from behind, proceeding to kick Tirek off into a nearby forest, and then gives chase.
Tirek sends Skywalker soaring with a energy blast straight to the face. He gives chase once again and the two end up in a mountainous desert area, surrounded by large rock formations. Skywalker and Tirek charge at each other and their punches collide, sending out an Earth-shattering shock wave.
Over at the Guy's house, they had managed to outrun the Corrupted, throwing open the front door, Sutakira grabbed the box, Twilight jammed the key into it, but it would go down all the way. "I think we have to do this together!", she said, but they had no idea were Skywalker currently was.
At that time, Skywalker crashed landed into the earth, with a shoulder roll, he stared Tirek down, who was floating above them. He started to charge a green magic blast, looking back, Skywalker saw that he had only one option. He couldn't dodge this one, or his friends would be caught in this monsters attack. Channeling his power, Skywalker demonstrated his greatest display of Heat Vision yet, the two beams colliding in mid-air, struggling for dominance.
"How is this possible!? You have no magic! I have all the magic in Equestria!", Tirek shouted, unable to comprehend that this human could match all the power in Equestria. "You're wrong, Tirek! Thanks to my friends I carry within me the most powerful magic of all!", the young knight declared, as the key shattered into dust, before entering the chest. With a flash of blue light it burst open, all colors of the rainbow entered the Harmonic Heroes, restoring the powers they had lost and granting them a more powerful version of the Elements Of Harmony, they now possessed the Elements Of The Worlds. Big Mac was now the Wielder of Loyalty as Skywalker became the other Wielder of Magic.
All of them joined their power with Skywalker allowing him to over power Tirek, a large explosion destroyed the remaining Corrupted and healing the wound in the sky. Tirek was now laying defeated at their feet. Skywalker was panting heavy as he dropped to his knees, having expand nearly all of his stored Solar Power. The princesses teleported to their location, but the threat wasn't over yet.
A slow sarcastic clap was heard, looking up they saw seven figures standing on the roof. Four of them had their hoods on, obscuring their identity. The other three were, Jayden, Mizuki and Byron, who seemed to have recovered quite well. "A truly marvelous display.", the middle one said, who was apparently their leader. That voice seemed to ring something in Phoenix memories, but he couldn't quite place it. Though he wasn't the only one.
"Careful, that is the one they call Dark Messiah.", Discord warned, they nodded before they declared that they could settle this. "What a shame... and here I thought we could be friends.", the leader mocked as the other six burst out into laughter. "It seems you and your friends have defeated Tirek, son of Lily.", the leader said, looking over Skywalker, who was being held up by Rainbow. Tirek begged for help, but none of them made a move. "You were just another pawn, Tirek. I was using you from the beginning, like you were planning on doing with us. And now you are completely at their mercy. A fitting end of such a fool.", the leader declared.
Suddenly Celestia spoke up, "Wait, now I remember. That voice... Is that you, Marc Morgenstern?", the sun ruler asked, a hint of fear in her voice. "Who the hell is Marc Morgenstern?", Sutakira whispered to Pinkie, but she tilted her head. "I think that's the guy who floats menacing behind us on the cover picture.", the pink pony replied.
The leader removed his hood, revealing that indeed he was Marc Morgenstern, who according to Celestia's memory hadn't aged in all those years, nothing had changed about him, except for one thing. His normal blue eyes had gained four ripple-like pattern, with nine tomoe in the three circles closest to the pupil over the eyeballs, with a blue iris and sclera.
"Good to see you again, old friend.", Morgenstern greeted, giving a small smile to the princess, now Phoenix remembered, this was the same guy who was there when his father and sister died. Sutakira seemed to remember him too, though he couldn't place him. "Marc! Why are you doing this!? Had you not sworn to protect the Worlds? What happened to you?", Celestia asked desperately
"I have had my eyes opened, Celestia.", Morgenstern started as he looked up to the skies. "I have seen the cruelty humans inflict to others and their Worlds. I have come to the conclusion that human's are worthless. Worse than worthless, humans are vermin. How could I have associated with them? How could I have tried to be one of them? It only angered me further that the realization took this long. The age of humans has passed. And the task of ushering in a new World, a better World, falls to me.", he explained.
"Tell me... What happened to her?", Celestia asked, she couldn't believe it, another of her friends had fallen to the darkness. She could only hope that she hadn't. "You will have your answer soon. But for now, rest easy Harmonic Heroes. For there is a storm coming, and there is no escape."
Celestia was about to attack him, but the seven of them disappeared in smoke, leaving the heroes puzzled and shocked. They knew they had won the battle, but the war was just beginning. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 81: Are You Dating? | Two hours earlier, as the wound appeared in the sky, Morgenstern looked up, "The time is come.", he said to his inner circle, disappearing into
blue smoke, making his way towards it. And his theory had been proved true, having Tirek absorb all the magic in Equestria, this World couldn't keep together and showed him the way towards the place where the Worlds were split. Floating through darkness, he saw many smaller platform as he made his way towards the main one.
Taking his form, he found what he had been looking for, the weapon he had been searching for all those years. Kneeling with the weapon was an armored humanoid, dressed in bright white armor, a black cape sprout from his back. "It's been eons, since I have seen a face around here.", the armored humanoid, spoke, "Turn away, there is nothing for you here."
But Morgenstern summoned his Keyblade, taking his fighting stance, "I don't think so, now give me that sword.", Morgenstern said as the armored humanoid stood up, removing the sword from the ground, taking his own fighting stance.
In the presents, the Harmonic Heroes, the royal sisters, Cadance and Discord were sitting in the guys living room, recovering from the battle with Tirek. "Tia, I think you have some explaining to do.", Luna said, turning to her older sister, "Who is Marc Morgenstern and what is going on?".
"Marc Morgenstern is a Keyblade Knight First Class, he was my friend, a hero, he once fought together to save Equestria and ended a war. From his speech, he is after a weapon. A weapon so powerful that it can reshape the Worlds, a phenomenon that only happened once before.", Celestia continued to explain, both Luna and Discord knew where this story was going.
"At the height of my reign of terror, as I am empowered by Chaos in the World I am on, I was far more powerful than anyone else, I was nearly invincible.", Discord explained slowly. " I don't know how but Caelum, one of the original Harmonic Wielders, used the only weapon that could, Force Calibur, to break my power. But even that came with a cost, he shattered the World into many different ones, he himself and Force Calibur was lost.", the spirit of chaos explained, ashamed at what he had done in the past.
"Sorry, but what is this Force Calbur?", Sutakira asked, he still couldn't remember where he had seen or heard about Marc Morgenstern before, but he was sure he heard of him.
"For that answer we have to get back to the time before the World existed.", Celestia said as she began to explain the legend of how the World were created.
Before the Multiverse existed there was Anu, the unchanging World. Into this stasis came the Primordial's, formless spiritual beings to help populate The World. The first of the Primordial's to form an identity was Omniadeus. Its existence aided other Primordial's in forming their own identities, and soon there were fifteen separate, individual beings. After some indeterminate amount of time, Caelumrai approached his peers with a plan to create a new plane of existence, and to create and populate it with lesser beings of their own design.
Caelumrai's plan was executed, resulting in the creation of the World. During this process, it became clear to the Primordial's that their own
divine energy was being drained to help infuse life into the World. Some of the Primordial's managed to escape the World, a few Primordial's
continued to sacrifice most of their power to finish the creation of The Planet. The last of these was Caelumrai himself, his body becoming the
physical mass of The Planet, his heart became the Force Calibur, while his soul spliced into the concepts of Hope and Despair.
"It is said that the Force Calibur, is able to bring out a person's full potential, and in the hands of someone like Morgenstern... well he could able to reshape the Worlds in his image.", Celestia finished explaining. Now they weren't only fighting for Equestria, they were now fighting for all the Worlds.
As they all took it in, the ruler of the sun turned to the half asleep Skywalker. "Sunset Shimmer, is she alright?". Turning his head slightly towards her, he took a deep breath before he began to speak, "I think she's going to be fine. I left her in good hands. I want to tell you all everything, I do, but I'm just so exhausted from all the fighting.", Skywalker said with a tired smile before standing up, while their guest stood up to go home themselves.
As Skywalker was about to move up the stairs, he overheard Phoenix and Fluttershy talk. "So, you and Discord?", the red head asked, the shy mare looked surprised at him. "I notice that you two have been spending a lot of time together... so come on, you can tell your big bro Phoenix anything!", he said with a smile, Fluttershy muttering she was older than him.
"Leave her alone, Phoenix.", Skywalker said, standing between the two, the red head smirked, throwing his arms up in the air like he just don't care and walks up the stairs. Turning to the shy mare, Skywalker offered to walk her home. "You don't have to do that, Jason. You must be exhausted and should get to bed.", she started not wanting to further add to his burden. "I can sleep later, I am not letting you walk home alone."
And so the two made their way towards Fluttershy's Cottage, neither saying much. On the inside, she was happy that her long time crush was walking her home. He was always such a gentlecolt or gentleman, depending who you asked. "So... I have heard something you might find funny.", she began, him turning his attention to her, "You'll never guess who all the kids want to be when they grow up."
"Batman?", Skywalker answered but Fluttershy told they all wanted to become him. "I blame the parents.", he replied dryly, making her look confused. "Its not my fault they want to be orphans. Blame bad parenting.", he added with a straight face, making it hard for her to know if he was joking or not.
"No, not that. They know a hero when they see one. Too few characters out there, flying around like you, saving people. People need a hero. Courageous, self-sacrificing people. Setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. I believe you're the one who brings out the hero in all of us."
The two arrived at her Cottage, Fluttershy thanked him for walking her home as she walked up to the door. "Flutters, about what Phoenix said...", he began, getting her attention. "Look, if you don't want to tell me, then you don't have to. It's just...", he started.
"You can ask me, Jason.", she said, trying to assure him.
"Is it true that your going out with Discord... I don't think I would like that...", he muttered before quickly realizing what he said, quickly apologizing, "Sorry, Fluttershy. That was out of line...", Fluttershy looked up at him, surprised at what he had sad, "Don't get the wrong idea, Jason. Discord and I are just friends.", she added with a shy smile, noticing a slight blush on his cheeks.
"I-I see.", Skywalker said, rubbing the back of his head, "Anyway, I'm sorry. It's bad enough that I listened to a rumor, but then I confronted you about it... It was incredibly rude of me.", he said before taking his leave.
Meanwhile over a thousand of miles away, Morgenstern's inner circle had gathered in the throne room, each sitting on their own smaller throne, while waiting for their leader, who hadn't arrived yet.
"A child like that is too young to wield a power like Hope.", Byron said, as he was seated on the outer left most throne. "That's good for us. He'll just be a good boy in the long run.", Mizuki said as she was seated on the throne right throne, only one away from Morgenstern's bigger throne.
"If he doesn't, then he is of no use to us.", Byron shot back, but Jayden sitting on the throne across from his said back, "Then he may be worth the entertainment. Give me a good one!", he said with a smile.
"Well, aren't you the cocky one. So whatever happens, you'll handle it?", the female one, sitting on the throne right next to Morgenstern's throne. Her name was Lilium, and Mizuki did not like the old three, there as something off about them.
"Huh? Me?! You know heavy labor ain't my thing...", Jayden said as he relaxed in his throne, he was always easy going with his fellow inner circle members. The inner circle member on his left side was smaller than them, around the same height as a fifteen year old, and the other one next to him, none of them had ever seen him.
Before more could be said their leader appeared out of smoke, carrying the weapon he had been searching for for so long. Taking a seat on his throe while holding his sword on the ground. "My comrades... It's time. All pions are in there place. Let us show the Harmonic Heroes, the way to their destination. Now go.", he ordered as they all departed. |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 82: Mare Fight | A sunny afternoon, on a hill with a great view over Ponyville, Skywalker is laying on his back in the grass, relaxing in the shadow of a tree.
"It's times like this that I just like to lay here and enjoy the peaceful serenity of a beautiful...", he muttered to himself, before being interrupted by Rainbow Dash, who loudly shouts his name.
"What?...", he asked annoyed, opening one of his eyes.
"I need you to come with me!", Rainbow said as she grabbed him by the arm and lifted him up, dragging him to his feet. "What's going on?", Skywalker asked, thinking Morgenstern was attacking or something.
"No time to explain! Follow me!", she said taking off to the sky towards Ponyville, her friend quickly following. "...You know, there is no reason you can't fly and explain at the same time...", he muttered.
Meanwhile over at the Carousal Boutique, Fluttershy just entered, the two friend took a seat in her living room. "Rarity, can I get your advice on something?", Fluttershy asked after she entered Rarity's living room. "Of course! What's the problem?", the white unicorn asked as she served them tea. "Well... uhm...", Fluttershy started, a bright red color on her cheeks, "I want to confess my feelings for Jason, but I have no idea how, and with you being so romantic and all, I thought you could give me some advice?"
Rarity's eyes widen and a big smile appeared on her face, "You like, Jason!? How romantic!", she nearly squealed.
Over at the Sugercube Cornor, Skywalker and Rainbow entered the shop, though the young knight didn't think Morgenstern would attack Sugercube Cornor... or would he?
"So what's going on?", Skywalker asked. Rainbow looked nervous at him, rubbing the back of her head. "My mom has been bugging me about meeting you.", she started to explain. He raised his eyebrow and he spotted her mother, Firefly, sitting at a table, behind him.
Dragging him to her mother, Rainbow started to blush, "Here he is mom,
my boyfriend."
"What's with that introduction!?", Skywalker whispered to Rainbow, a frown on his face. "Oh yeah, can you pretend to be my boyfriend for a time? She kept asking me if you and I were together. And I said yes... accidentally!"
Skywalker was about to tell Rainbow off for this but Firefly spoke up first. "Nice to see you again, ser Skywalker.", he nodded his head at her, telling her the feeling was mutual, "Though just Skywalker would suffice...", Skywalker was about to explain the confusion, but Twilight cam out of nowhere and hugged him, "Jason, I've been looking for you!", she said, starting to drag him away.
"He's over here! Jason, this is my mom, Twilight Velvet.", Twilight began to introduce him to her mother. "Oh hi! I believe we met at Shining Armours and Cadance wedding.", he said and the older unicorn nodded.
"Its nice to meet you again. Back then I didn't know you would be Twily's fiance.", Velvet said with a smile. His face froze in a smile, his eyes widended, "Say what now?", he asked dryly, turning to his friend.
"Sorry, Jason! She kept asking me if you and I were together. And I said yes... accidentally!", Twilight whispered, before he could explode in anger, Twilight Velvet spoke up again. My daughter, has no experience. What I mean is, until now, she has never had any experience with colts, which is unacceptable.", she said, making Twily blush, shouting her mothers name, "Let's have dinner sometime huh? I can teach you how a colt and a mare make love to each other.", Skywalker eyes widened in shock, did Twilight's mother just offered to have dinner with him!? Wasn't she married.
The situation only got worse from there, Firefly and Twilight Velvet had gotten into a fight over which of their daughters was allowed to marry Skywalker. The young man in question was sitting at a nearby table with Twilight, Rainbow and Phoenix as the two mothers began to fight each other and trashing most of Ponyville. "So... Milf's are fighting over you now?", Phoenix said taking a sip from his soda, his friend shook his shoulders, "He's a god! A god I tell you!", the red head exclaimed loudly as he pointed his finger at his black haired friend.
"That's it, I'm going to put an end to this.", Skywalker said as he stood up, the two mothers began to charged towards each other, but before any of their attacks could connect Skywalker appeared in front of them in an instant, blocking Twilight Velvet's attack with his right arm and Firefly's attack with his left. "Calm down now!", he ordered and after a few heavy breaths they did.
"Look, I have no control over you decide to do, but you both need to quit fighting each other. Your daughters may have lied to you, but they were just trying to impress you.", behind him Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash looked at the ground in shame.
"Despite what you may or may not think, I am not some prize to be won. I am a freaking person! Your daughter's realize that, why cant you?"
The two mother reflected on this and agreed to stop the fight.
Over at the Carousal Boutique, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were in the living room, discussing an earlier incident where Rarity had tried to use McGrath as a mannequin to try and design some human clothes. With the portals to the others Worlds back open, she thought about selling human clothes. "Think she might actually be trying to turn him into a girl?", Scootaloo asked, the other two girls snickers.
"Could be. He's practically one already by the way he were screaming like a little filly back there; 'Wha-, Rarity! Aah! Aaah! Aaaah! What are you doing?! Stop it! Stop it!'.", Applebloom said and the three of them burst out in laughter. What they didn't know was that McGrath was standing right behind them, "I do not scream like a little filly!", McGrath said angrily, startling the three young mares, "I will have you know that I scream like a full grown mare!", crossing his arms and plaster a smug smile on his face.
Out of the kitchen suddenly came the voice of Rarity nearly begging, "Please, please, PLEEEASE!", Skywalker was having some tea with her before, "Alright then. I'll go to Fancypants party.", he said, knowing that if she could bring the Knight Of The Wind to the party, it would open a lot of doors for her, "But you owe me.", he added with a smile. "Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! You are the best friend a girl could ever have!" Rarity exclaimed as she hugs him.
That evening when they arrived at Fancypants mansion, they all get a warm welcome from him and his wife, Fleur de Lis. Fancypants walks up to Skywalker with a smile on his face. "Good to see you again, Ser Skywalker.", he said and the two shook hooves. "Well, the food and drinks are out back, everyone, I hope you all find the accommodations to your liking.", Fancypants said and after thanking him for the invitation, each went their own way.
Skywalker felt a little thirsty, so he heads out back to get something to drink, when he got outside, he looks for where the drinks are set up, and while he's looking, he feels somebody nudge his lower arm. Turning around, he saw that it was Fluttershy, "Hello, Jason. I was wondering... if you would stay by my side during this event. I don't feel very comfortable at social gatherings, and it would make me feel more at ease if you were with me.", she asked with a faint blush on her cheeks. He nodded, making the shy mare feel much better.
"You want something to drink? I was gonna get something, myself.", he asked and the two of them find where the drinks are, and Fluttershy gets a glass of red wine. "Am I seeing this right? Fluttershy is having wine?", he asked with a amused smile, taking a Malibu Coke for himself.
"I don't normally partake in alcohol, I don't handle it very well.", she added with a slight chuckle, "So I avoid anything heavier than wine."
"You're not letting Ser Skywalker have too much alcohol, are you, Fluttershy?" said a certain Alicorn behind them. Looking around they saw that it was the princess of the night, Luna herself who was speaking to them. With the look on her face, if looks could kill, Fluttershy would be ten feet under by now. "That's enough princess. Don't you need to go mingle or something?", Skywalker asked his ex-girlfriend as he stepped in between her and Fluttershy.
"Shouldn't you be doing some mingling, too? Ser Skywalker?", the princess asked back, before turning to speak to Fluttershy. "You don't plan on staying attached to Skywalker's hip all day, do you?".
"He doesn't seem to mind," Fluttershy said, barely audible and slightly embarrassed. "If that's what you want," Luna said, and with a huff she walks off to enjoy the party. When Luna had started to speak to her, Fluttershy had grabbed Skywalker's hand out of instinct. When she realized what she did, she quickly pulled away. "Sorry. I didn't mean to...", she slowly started, but he told her it was okay, "You're just nervous, is all." |
Quest For Equestria | Chapter 83: I Thought You Liked Me | Early in the morning in Ponyville, Twilight, McGrath, Griffifth, Phoenix, Applejack, and Sutakira were walking to Sugarcube Corner. "Has anybody heard from Pinkie since yesterday?", Applejack asked but none of them had, all they know was that Pinkie had said to meet her early in the morning. "I don't see what's so important we had to meet her here this early. The sun isn't even up yet!", McGrath complained as they arrived at Sugercube Corner.
After knocking on the door, they heard a muffled crash and Pinkie quickly opened it, pushing them inside, saying there was no time to lose. In the kitchen, the entire room was filled with diamonds of all colors. "What the hell is this about, Pinkie?", Griffifth said as he looked at his pink friend. "My sister Maud's gonna be here in a few days, and I need your help taste-testing my rock candy recipes!", Pinkie explained.
"No offence, Chuckles. But I'm not looking forward to seeing a second you.", Phoenix said, making the others wonder why, "Because there is only one real Chuckles! And the last time there were more of you... McGrath became victim of attempted rape."
The other thing they noted was that there was a whole lot of candy, even for someone like Pinkie, and even with all of them, they couldn't make a dent in the mountain of candy rocks. When Pinkie asked if they were ready for more, the others gave a collective groan. "I think we have had plenty. And shouldn't you be on your way to pick up Maud from the train station?", Sutakira said, rubbing his stomach.
Meanwhile over at the guys house, Skywalker was sitting alone in the living room watching some television and eating his cereal before Rainbow came flying in. "Hey Jason, have you seen anybody?", she asked but he showed her a note. Looking it over as she began to read the curved handwriting.
Dear Skywalker and/or Rainbow Dash, which of the two find this first.
We're all... Uhm... Doing stuff at that one place...
Shut up, Kyle! Of course they believe this! We all know Rainbow Dash is not all that smart and Skywalker is thick as... Well, this is brilliant!... Don't argue when I'm holding a gun to your head!
Oh, right. Anyways, we won't be back until late tonight... So have fun!
- McGrath.
PS: Condoms are in the top drawer.
"Guess we're alone for today...", Rainbow said, her friend agreeing with her, "So what do you want to do?". Skywalker suggested that they could watch a movie or some TV, she agreed and they decided to watch some Game Of Thrones.
When Skywalker gets up to go with Rainbow Dash to the kitchen to pop some popcorn, she hears a jingling sound. "Oh, it's just this.", he said showing her a charm necklace. Rainbow immediately recognized it, it was the charm she gave him so long ago. "Wait, you still have that charm I gave you?", she asked, he explained that he really liked it and Rainbow's mind goes back to when she gave him that necklace all those years ago.
Skywalker just had his mental block removed, Rainbow had stayed with him the entire time, watching over him. He tried to say something but all that came out of his mouth were some dried sounds, his throat to dry too speak. Rainbow gave a chuckle handing him a bottle of water, which he gratefully accepted, drinking all of its contend in one go. "Thank's Dashie.", he said placing the now empty bottle on the night stand.
"Wow, you were thirsty." she said as she took a seat next to him on the bed, "Actually, I have something else for you.". She showed him a small box, she looked at his questioning look before answering, "I was originally going to give you this for Hearts and...", she gained a small blush before continuing, "Uhm... for a special holiday. But seeing as you were such a big boy during your mental block removal, your getting it early." she finished placing the small box in his lap.
Picking it up, Skywalker open it under the hopeful gaze of Rainbow, inside the box there was a necklace, as the end there was a lightning bolt charm in his favorite color, blue. Skywalker smiled at his present, "Thanks, Dashie." his voice still a little raspy from the dryness, "I really like this.", to her embarrassment, he pulled her into a hug as a thank you. "Okay, relax." Rainbow said patting him on the back, "It's not like I like you or anything.", she was secretly blushing, taking in the scent of his hair, it smelled just like cotton candy.
Back in the present day, Rainbow didn't say anything, but she felt touched that he kept it after all that time. She expected him to lose it after a few weeks, but instead he held on to it. "Thanks...", she said quietly. "You okay, Dashie?", he asked snapping her out of her thoughts. Rainbow quickly said she was, wondering why she wouldn't be. "Well, no offense, but you seem a bit off.", Skywalker said as he tilts his head sideways, but Rainbow quickly dived into the kitchen to make some popcorn, leaving Skywalker confused.
"Dashie never acts this funny. Must be something bothering her.", Skywalker pondered, Rainbow was listening to him and was about to go back to say something, but only goes back inside the kitchen, press herself against the wall, and breathe heavily to the mistake that she nearly made. "You idiot! You nearly blew it! All because of some charm that Jason kept for so long, you nearly ruined your friendship!", she takes a peek at him and sees that Skywalker is looking through his television show collections for Game Of Thrones.
Rainbow Dash retired to the kitchen, where she was safely out of earshot. After setting the microwave to pop the popcorn, she waits for about two and a half minutes, then she takes the popped snack out of the microwave, pours it into a bowl, and returns to the living room to serve the snack. "Popcorn's ready!", she said holding up the bowl, "You know. I still have the phone you gave me...", He gave her a slight smirk, as if he was not believing her, but Rainbow showed it to him, apparently keeping it in her hammer-space.
Skywalker were surprised to see that it was in perfect condition, not even yellowed at all. It seems that she takes this special as much as he does with her charm. "Aw, it's nothing, really. Alright, let's go watch some Game Of Thrones. Besides, the popcorn must be getting cold."
A little while later, the two best buds were sitting on the couch watching Game Of Thrones, and much to his shock he saw something he wasn't expecting. "Wait, what? Is that the Night's King? He's real?", Skywalker said and Rainbow gave a low 'yes', "How does the TV version of Game of Thrones manage to spoil the books!?", at this his friend started to let out an evil laugh, which in his opinion sounded completely adorable. "You no longer have any power here, your foreknowledge can't protect you any more. Now you'll know what it's like to be powerless, to live in fear of the spoiler. I am the master now!", Rainbow exclaimed dramatically, but Skywalker didn't looked phased.
"... Tyrion dies in book five.", he replied giving his friend a light heart attack.
"Seriously though, do you think I have a shot with Fluttershy?", Skywalker asked, but his friend didn't took it seriously at all. She burst out into laughter before saying, "Fluttershy is so far out of your league, you would need eight gym badges just to challenge her to a Pokemon Battle.", he crossed his arms and pouted at this, which she had to admit look completely adorable. "Whatever. I like my women like I like my games: Chal...", he started but Rainbow interrupted him, "Priced at sixty dollars? Voiced by Troy Baker? Imported from Japan? Pre-owned? Sold in bundles?", after finally stopping with her laughter, she turned seriously, "Well, I don't know. I think you should just go for it, I just have faith in you. You always seem to pull through anything, no matter how hard it is. And besides, I think she has a crush on you since the beginning."
"What? And you didn't bother to inform me?", Skywalker exclaimed, she responded with with a smile, saying that everyone knew that Fluttershy had a crush on him since day one, well, everyone but him. "Thank's Dashie. Your the best friend a guy could ask for.", he replied sarcastically, though she is his best friend. "I know, I know. I am amazing.", she waved it off, but thanks to her waving, she nearly fell to the ground, but Skywalker caught her. His face only a few inches away from her.
Suddenly the door opened, showing a shocked looking Fluttershy standing there. She had finally called upon all her courage to confess her feelings to Skywalker, but she wasn't expecting the scene before her. Skywalker seeing Fluttershy's face, he realize that a tear was forming in her eyes.
"I thought you liked me...", Fluttershy said, barely audible, before the two could say anything, she spoke once again, "I thought you liked me...", she said more clearly this time. Skywalker and Rainbow realized how much this affected her, but before they could explain, Fluttershy rushed outside and started to fly away, leaving Skywalker and Rainbow dumbfounded. "we should look for her. I think she's taking this more personal than anybody would.", he said and his friend nodded, following him outside. |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.