//------------------------------// // Chapter 34 "Fallout" // Story: Equestria Guardians // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Chapter 34 “Fallout” Or “Aftermath of Not So Friendly Games” In the cafeteria, the student body sat, shellshocked at what had happened. For the most part they believed that Spera had pulled out a gun and killed his stepfather in cold blood. Only a very few knew the truth of the matter. Most just quietly studied or ate their food. None of the usual buzz of chatter that went down...or musical numbers for that matter. Mostly everybody was whispering about the rumors of what happened. At the usual table sat the six friends who knew the truth about what happened, it didn’t exactly make their lives better knowing. Rainbow sighed as she looked at her phone which was currently on a news website. “Freakin great, they’re even quoting stuff from that Spera’s yearbook,” She said, rolling her eyes. “Like that will tell them anything about him.” “Ah heard a lot of students over at Crystal Prep are gettin’ harassed by reporters,” Aj said, shaking her head. “At some point news outlets stop being useful sources of information and just want somethin’ tah slap on the headlines.” “That awful Cinch isn’t doing anything to deter it either,” Rarity said, sighing. “Rumor has it she’s far more focused on the fact the games ended in a technical draw than on the fact one of her students was... unhinged.” “What kind of life did he have that made him do that…?” Fluttershy said, looking down at her feet. “I just can’t imagine doing anything so… horrible...” “Well we can’t exactly ask him,” Twilight said, trying and failing to focus on her book, studying just wasn’t coming as easy as before. “Spera’s out there, completely on his own.” “Any word from teach on what’s next? Celestia’s been pretty quiet lately.” Rainbow asked. Twilight shook her head, “No idea, every time I ask about Spera she just changes the subject. Luna and Voidera are just as bad.” Everyone sighed, except for Pinkie who was, for once, quietly picking at her food. She didn’t look up at anybody else. “Pinks? Ya okay?” Rainbow asked, patting Pinkie on the back. “I just, can’t help but thinking that he was right there,” Pinkie said quietly. “He was right there and I didn’t do more to help-” “Don’t start thinking like that darling,” Rarity said, coming over and giving Pinkie a quiet hug. “I doubt there was anything any of us could have done. Dwelling on it will not help matters…” “I’m sorry, but I just can’t help it!” Pinkie said, looking up at Rarity. “I feel like I could have done more, made him feel more welcome… SOMETHING…” “A lot of us are feeling that way,” Twilight said quietly. “Hindsight is a curse, and you can see where things went wrong, but couldn’t at the time. If there was a way for me to time travel and warn us about him, so this could be prevented… I probably wouldn’t, because of all the stories about time travel where things are made worse… I only know of one story where things get better for a time traveler’s interference, but he very nearly erased himself and his family from the timeline with his bumbling.” “Yeah thanks Twilight we totally asked for an egghead explanation,” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes. “All we can do now is keep living our lives until we find this Spera feller. Or at the very least until tha next world shattering crisis comes round,” Aj added. “Yes but how many world shattering crises can we take before we start to shatter ourselves?” Rarity pondered as the rest of the day continued as normal as it can get. _____________________________________________________ “Aj? Aj ya there? Hey sis are ya payin attention?” Applejack blinked back to reality, finding herself standing staring at one of the numerous apple trees dotting her orchard. She took great pride in how much the farm has grown despite everything that’s been going on. Now though, she had a lot on her mind. And Applebloom was starting to notice, the younger girl was pulling on Aj’s sleeve. Applejack shook her head and looked over at her redheaded sister. “What? Bloom? Didja need somethin?” Aj asked. “Well Ah was gonna tell ya that Tyran and Mac had finished gettin the bushels stacked up in storage but ya seem a might occupied,” Applebloom said, looking at her older sister with some concern. “Ah’ve just been, well…” Aj said, internally sighing to herself. Of ’ got a lot on mah mind is all… Those Friendship Games kinda…” “Yeah,” Applebloom said, sighing out loud. “Me, Scoots and Sweetie Belle were inside when it all went down, waitin ta lay out some obstacles for a challenge that never came...what kinda feller goes and does somethin like that?” “Someone a might disturbed Ah imagine,” Aj said, trying to not reveal too much. She internally kicked herself...some Element of Honesty she was being, lying about this...then again she had been lying throughout the whole year. Then again what was the alternative? Tell Granny and Mac about the Witching Hours and all that? She can’t imagine how they would- “There ya go again,” Bloom said, tugging on on Aj’s sleeve once more. “Sorry Bloom, Ah got mah work done today anyways,” Aj said, fiddling with her hair a bit. “Why don’t we go inside and get an early start on supper? Save Granny the trouble.” Applebloom giggled, “Ah’ll tell Granny ya think she’s gettin to old ta cook.” “Horseapples, Ah never think that. Granny will be cookin from the grave if she has anythin tah say about it,” AJ said with a laugh. “Ah’ll show ya some tricks ah picked up over the years. Maybe then you’ll get some Apple Quality Cookin soon enough.” “Ah burned the cupcakes once Aj!” Bloom said, giving her sister a playful shove before both parties took off towards the farmhouse...Aj was happy to have normal worries for once. ____________________________________________________ Slash! SLICE! DICE! ZOOOM! Rainbow came to a hard landing as she looked back, seeing what used to be a group of goblin like critters. Now they were diced to pieces thanks to her twin blades. Rainbow watched the monsters turned to dust before her eyes before coming to sit down on the sidewalk edge. Twilight tried to explain to her how Witching hours worked, apparently time stopped for everyone except for guardians. To the rest of the world though, it was like that particular area was on fast forward. So outside guardians could enter the witching hour no problem. Nobody had tried leaving the ‘radius’ of the hour...and she wasn’t about to. All this expositiawhatever was making her brain hurt, among other things. Since the games Rainbow tried not to think too hard about everything that went down. To think a few months ago all she had to worry about was a stupid perv taking her underwear. Now she had to deal with the fact that some psycho was out there with magic. As she was thinking though, she felt a beak press against her shoulder. She turned and saw her guardian beast looking down on her, it’s white glowing eyes and blue body shimmering in the night sky stopped by time. It tilted its head, giving a concerned expression. Rainbow sighed and got up, stroking her griffon’s head. “When did everything get complicated?” All the griffon could offer was a quiet song of comfort… It helped, a little anyway. ___________________________________________________ Sweetie Belle yawned as she came downstairs from her bedroom. Another day at the Belle home population two. She didn’t mind at all living with just Rarity what with her parents constantly flying to this or that adventure. It was always a fun time even if Rarity was feeling bossy. Right now though, Sweetie was a little worried as to what Rarity could be feeling...because she was now standing in Rarity’s workshop...and there were...oh boy… Sweetie would later count seventeen dresses, twenty scarves, three full tuxedos, ten ensembles, and ever single mannequin in the shop was covered in clothes..and Rarity was slumped over the table pushing yet another bit of fabric. “Rarity? Are you okay?” Sweetie asked. Rarity yelped, startled, turned quickly, and stared wide-eyed at her little sister. Her usually gorgeous looks were marred by dark circles with the beginnings of bags under her eyes, and her usually curled hair hanging loose and straight. She appeared to still be wearing the clothes she was wearing from last night. Never a good sign especially with someone as fashion conscious as Rarity. Rarity yawned widely, and said sleepily. “Oh, hello darling, have a bad dream?” Sweetie frowned and went over to some curtains. “Rarity…” She pulled on the curtains revealing the light of morning, Rarity shrank from the light as Sweetie crossed her arms. “It’s nine…” “My goodness, where did the time go?” Rarity said, before yawning again. “Oh dear… I seem to can’t stop yawning… I really need to get this done, before…” “Rarity you’ve completed all of the projects you have in mind for the next week. You have been working all night again.” Sweetie said, coming over to her sister. “You do this anytime you’re stressed and can’t sleep. So what’s going on?” Rarity sighed, and fixed her hair up a little. “Forgive me darling, I...I have a lot on my mind…” “Well don’t push yourself too hard…” Sweetie said, then took Rarity’s hand. “Darling...where are we…?” “You are getting a bubble bath and then a long healthy dose of ‘beauty sleep’. If I have to I’ll call Lotus and Aloe to get you fixed.” Rarity just smiled and went along with her...she needed this… She was lucky to have Sweetie Belle to push sometimes...when did she get so grown up? “And then you and I can practice cooking!” Sweetie said with a smile. Suddenly Rarity had a strong urge to get better to ensure the house didn’t catch fire… ___________________________________________________ “Thanks for helping me out Spike, I hope this hasn’t been too much trouble,” Fluttershy said as she stood in the doorway to the Animal Shelter, Spike walking out. “No worries, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d help out,” Spike said with a smile. “You really were a big help today, no wonder Twilight and Rarity have you help out so much,” Fluttershy said kindly. “You’d be surprised how many people think I’m a total clutz though…” Spike said with a sigh. “Anyways I gotta get back home, Twilight is mapping out a cluster of stars and she wants me to bring along paper for star maps.” “See you at school tomorrow,” She said, waving as Spike walked down the street. Spike walked along and took in the sounds of the city as he did. He didn’t tell Fluttershy that Twilight had been pouring herself into everything after the games. “I guess being at ground zero to the whole thing does things to you. I just hope she’s okay. Her and Sunset don’t really like to talk about it…” His thoughts were cut off when he heard commotion from a set of alleyways. Spike, in his curiosity inherent to any member of the Sparkle family, blood be damned, followed the noise. He moved through a small series of allies until he saw three teenagers, all of them clad in typical punk gear, bandannas, chains, ridiculous pants, all surrounding one smaller person in a sky blue hoodie...he couldn’t have been that much older than Spike. “Alright, we’re gonna ask you one more time punk, where’s the money?” One of them said. “I told you,” Blue Hoodie said, his voice rather gravely “I don’t have it, it’s not in town anymore. Besides you weren’t exactly going to donate it to charity!” “Some kinda do gooder huh?” Another punk said, “Well you and your gang has been causin trouble fer us, so we’re gonna make an example out of yous.” “Geez you guys are just sad.” Everyone turned to see Spike as he...in his not so infinite wisdom, spoke up. “I mean, really? Yous? Twilight would totally slap you if she heard grammar like that. And you guys are about as intimidating as Team Skull…” “What the hell is this shrimp?” The thrid punk said. “You with this tool?” One asked Blue Hoodie. “Nah, but he has more gonads than you, he at least saw that you three were too scared to fight me with backup.” Blue Hoodie snarked. “I’m gonna squash this punk boss!” Two said, coming at Spike. Spike tensed, compared to the monsters him and Rarity thought in the Witching hours...these guys may as well have been moving in slow mo. Spike turned and kicked over a garbage can into the guy’s path. Two tripped and fell on his face. While the other punks were distracted, Blue came and gave a swift kick to the nuts of Three as One leaped at her. Spike quickly picked up the trash can lid and slammed it against One’s head. One growled and turned, about to punch Spike’s light out, when Blue came from behind and grabbed One around the neck. Blue then turned One and slammed his head into the wall. He groaned as blood covered his face, Three and Two were looking less dazed than when Spike hit them… “Come on!” Blue said, taking Spikes hand and running...Spike couldn’t help but notice how...small Blue’s hands were...and thin. Spike didn’t think anything of it and booked it with his newfound acquaintance. The pair dove into a nearby McDonald’s and blended in with the crowd, hiding in a booth as the three punks took off down the road, screaming bloody murder. Spike and Blue sighed in relief once their pursuers had left the vicinity. “That was pretty cool,” Spike said with a chuckle. “And pretty stupid,” Blue said, his hood obscuring his face. “Hey I think a thank you is in order for saving your skin,” Spike said with a huff. “I could’ve handled them,” Blue said, a little smugly. “You didn’t have to interfere. “Yeah well, I did and I feel happy to help… So what was that they were saying about money?” Spike asked curiously. Blue got quiet for a little while, and then said, “I stole money from them, they were taking it from kids, using numbers to scare people into handing over their cash. My group wanted to stay back and see how things turned out, I didn’t. I wanted to get the money back and give it back to the people who it was stolen from.” Spike couldn’t put his finger on why or how, but he felt he could trust Blue, he seemed rather sincere. Which was odd since Blue still wore the hood. “So what now?” Spike asked. “I’m gonna lay low for a little bit until things calm down, I suggest you stay indoors for a little while too,” Blue said, nodding. “Might be a good idea,” Spike said, “you’d better take care of yourself too...I don’t think I ever got your name. I’m Spike,” Spike held out his hand to Blue. Blue hesitated, but then took Spike’s hand and shook it. “I’m Ember...nice to meet you Spike.” ____________________________________________________ Over at the Sparkle Residence, a dark cloud had fallen over the kitchen table. A war that had been going for the past seven hours was reaching it’s climax. On the plastic and styrofoam terrain stood dozens of soldiers, ships and vehicles facing down one another. On the right stood Sunset and her army of golden members of the Solar Empire. To the left, the free thinking Lunar Republic troops were led by Twilight Sparkle. It all came down to this...victory would be decided NOW! “I will send the Solar Guard to take down your army of scrapy Lunar Rebels, and take out your pathetic republic once and for all!” Sunset declared. “You will not defeat us you tyrant! For the Lunar Republic will bring freedom to all!” Twilight declared in turn. “And you shall be stopped this day!” “But how will you defeat my army of Solar Powered Mecha with naught but your tiny riflemen you scum?!” Sunset yelled. “If those riflemen are suddenly equipped with EMP blasters?!” Twilight yelled, pulling out a card. “Oh no!” Sunset yelled in shock. “Oh yes! This makes my riflemen do double damage to any mechanized forces, which turns out your army is mostly comprised of!” Twilight said smugly. “Taking advantage of the fact my mines could only make Magicite this turn! You magnificent bitch!” Sunset said. “Oh but there’s more! Because your robots are going to get blasted to oblivion by my riflemen, that means your cities are primed to be captured due to the special ability of my airship. No anti air to stop my burn the earth abilities now!” Sunset then grinned and pulled a card from her hand, “That is of course, if your airships aren’t destroyed as I call down my Ultimate Phoenix!” Twilight gasped, “But I thought it was never released!” “Well it is now!” Sunset said, smirking. “If I roll a seventeen or higher, my phoenix will torch your airships into crisp!” “Ah!” Twilight said, pointing. “But if you roll a sixteen or lower, that phoenix will set fire to your battlements and will be down for three turns!” “Sometimes you just have to take risks! Victory shall! BE MI-” “Who wants cookies?” Velvet said, coming into the kitchen. Suddenly an epic battle was once again what it was...the entire kitchen table was covered with terrain, miniatures and miniature structures. Dice laid every which way as well as cards. This was Celestial War, a game so complicated and convoluted the rule book was as thick as seven encyclopedias. Suffice to say, Twilight was very happy to find someone else who played it… “Mom? What the?” Sunset said, and her hand slipped, causing the die she was rolling to fall, bouncing a couple of times causing both girls to watch anxiously, before the twenty-sided die landed on a 12 “NOOOOOOO!!!!” Sunset groaned. Twilight made sound effects of exploding. “You should know the old adage about playing with fire Sunset.” “Betrayed by my symbol….” Sunset said, play crying. “And thus the Lunar Republic will get a foothold in the south continent,” Twilight said with a smile. “You girls have been playing for a long time…” Velvet said, sighing. She tried in vain to understand what the heck was going on...but sometimes it’s best to just make the cookies. “Yeah… We could use a break…” Sunset said stretching. “Good game, Twi.” “I’m just glad that I found somebody else who plays this,” Twilight said, stretching herself as Velvet left the cookies to head to another room. “I tried to get Shining Armor to play this with me when I was nine but, ya know…” “Much more interested in figuring out girls than the attack range of a Lunar Raven Blaster?” “Two inches unless in darkness,” Twilight said, smiling proudly. “Yeah, I’m surprised you know how to play this game.” “Well, I picked it up when I was in middle school. This game shop had it and I would play a few games every now and then, mostly to prove how superior I was,” Sunset said with a chuckle. “Old Sunset, what’re you gonna do?” “Change and meet an awesome sister,” Sunset said. Both girls laughed and then frowned. “Still thinking on everything huh?” Twilight asked. “Yeah,” Sunset replied. “All the coulda woulda shouldas, you know?” “I was right there with Private when it all happened...and it’s hard not to think about everything when you’re right…” Suddenly, their phones vibrated...and they both looked to see a text from Pinkie. Park, 8:30 “That’s...strange…” Twilight said. “This is Pinkie we’re talking about,” Sunset said with a chuckle. ______________________________________________________ The park at night could be positively eerie. The lamps that lined the walkways left shadows that anything could lurk in, and the trees and bushes were dark shapes in the evening gloom. The Guardians walked through the park on their way to the rendezvous that Pinkie had texted them about. “Where is Pinkie?” Twilight asked, as she looked around for the party girl “I don’t see anything, hope everything is okay,” Sunset observed as they walked to the picnic area. Rainbow and Aj came out of the bushes together, and saw Twilight and Sunset. “Pinkie called you guys too?” Rainbow asked. “Yeah, you have any idea what’s going on?” Sunset asked. “Not a clue,” Aj replied, shaking her head. “Ah thought it was some Guardian emergency or somethin.” “Well we thought so too darlings,” Rarity said, coming out of the brush with Fluttershy in tow. “Oh I hope everything is okay,” Fluttershy said nervously. “Hey guys sorry I’m late,” Spike said, running over. “Where’ve you been, Spike?” Twilight asked her brother. “You left after helping me with the shelter,” Fluttershy said. “Well I took a me day and met up with this pretty neat guy, Ember,” Spike said, smiling. “I helped him out of a jam, and we walked around the city for a little while.” “Gallant as always, my Spikey Wikey, this person was your age wasn’t he?” Rarity asked. “Yeah, pretty close to my age I think…” Spike said. He didn’t want to point out that Ember never showed his face to him… That would get everyone worried. “So you all are here!” Everyone turned and saw Pinkie hopping out of the woods, smiling wide. Private was next to her. “What’s going on Pinkie? Why’d you ask us here?” Rainbow asked. “It better not be for guitar strings…” Aj said, giving Rainbow a look. Rainbow chuckled nervously as Pinkie spoke up, “Well, Private and I were talking and we decided that everybody was being way too mopey.” “Well, yeah…” Fluttershy said, “After everything.” Everyone save Private and Pinkie drooped a little. Pinkie then smiled and procured a button from her hair, pressing it. Lights turned on and lit up a small clearing, revealing a small area filled with picnic tables. These tables were packed with food, party supplies and tasty treats. “What on earth is all this darling?” Rarity asked, looking at the spread. “Well, everybody was really sad about the whole Spera thing, so I figured we all spent a lot of time moping and mourning over the fact we couldn’t help him,” Pinkie said, looking serious for once. “So Pinkie and I made this spread, we all messed up, but that doesn’t mean our lives are put on hold. So let’s have a party as friends just for tonight. Let’s take a much deserved break from all that happened,” Private said, smiling. “I...are you sure…?” Aj said, “Ah gotta get back ta plantin’ tahmarrow…” “This is rather nice guys…” Twilight said, smiling. “We do kinda need to be together as friends for a night.” “I agree with Twilight,” Fluttershy said, “It would be nice for us to relax…” “Yeah, I guess we do need this…” Rainbow said, smirking. Sunset smiled, and stepped forward, “Sword of Courage…” She said, conjuring her blade in her hand. “Guys, I think I remember the Ultimate Element Hour Spell, we’ll relax and party without having to worry about time. Just for a little while.” “Then it’s settled!” Pinkie said, cheering. “Ultimate Party Hour is a go!” She then fired her party cannon into the sky… And the group partied the Element Hour together… For one brief moment, their troubles were put on hold...