//------------------------------// // Part 8 The Elements of Harmony // Story: Metal Gear Rising: Equestria // by VincentKintobor //------------------------------// Part 8 The Elements of Harmony As soon as Spitfire was through the door, she looked to the left, and saw a large boulder. She ran behind it and used all her strength to push it in front of the door, barricading it. She turned her attention to Raiden. His hands and ankles were bound, and he was suspended from the ceiling, hanging upside-down by Changeling Mucus. “Raiden?” Spitfire called out to him, but he was still unconscious. Spitfire flew up to Raiden’s ankles, and cut the mucus he was hanging from.Raiden fell to the ground, and landed on his side, still unconscious. Spitfire ran over to him and place her hoof on his shoulder. “Raiden, wake up.We need you.” She said while shaking him. Raiden’s eye flew open and gave off a red light. He groaned in pain while he tried to sit up. Spitfire leaned him up against a stalagmite. “Thank goodness you’re all right.” Spitfire said. “Spitfire? What happened?” Raiden said, while the Wonderbolt cut his wrist bindings. “Lavan got the better of you.” Raiden growled in anger, as the memory of Lavan came back to him.He calmed down as it became apparent that he lacked the strength to stand. He reached over to his left forearm and tapped a button. A holographic display appeared. “Sunny…run diagnostic.” “Sunny?” Spitfire said confused. “It’s what I call my internal computer. It monitors all my systems.It’s a long story.” After a few seconds, the computer gave its results. “Life support…98% Electrolyte count…10% Arms…50% Legs…Offline Pain Inhibitors…Offline Overall Damage…Critical Codec Communication…Online Electrolyte Canister required for further function.” Raiden dropped his arms to his side. “Damnit.” He said. “What’s wrong?” “I’m too badly damaged to move. I need a canister of electrolytes.” “Electrolytes?”Spitfire said, confused. “In case you haven’t noticed, my body is not organic.It’s artificial. To keep it running, I need a steady supply of electrolytes. Normally, I just take them from other cyborgs, but ever since coming to this world, I haven’t had that luxury. Absorbing the magic from the horns of Changelings helps, but it can’t replace the real thing.” “Then what can we do?” Spitfire said, “Where in Equestria, am I supposed to find something like that?” Raiden pointed at a nearby door on the other side of the room. “Through there.” Raiden said. “When they captured me, they took all of my stuff. I don’t know where exactly, but I know they took it through that door. Among my gear, is a canister of Electrolytes I’d been saving for an emergency. If you bring me my things, I’ll be back to full strength.” “Okay.” Spitfire said. “I’ll be right back.” Spitfire took off running through the door, as Raiden activated his Codec. “Raiden here.” He’s said, weakened. “Oh my gosh.” Twilight said. “Raiden, I’m so glad you’re alright. Are you okay?” “Just a little weak from my injuries.I’ll be fine, once Spitfire finds what I need.” “I’m glad to hear you’re ok.” Shining Armor said. “Thanks.Sorry for laying down on the job.” “Don’t worry about it. Rest if you need it, just don’t forget you have a mission.” “Of course.” “Raiden?” Luna said. “Princess Luna.” There was a brief pause before Raiden spoke again. “I saw you, while I was unconscious.” “I told you before. I can enter the dreams and nightmares of others.Including yours. What you saw in your nightmare, was your guilt over your past self. You felt excitement over the things you did, and you hate yourself for it. But what you must realize, is that none of that was your fault. Your parents were killed, and you were forced into servitude by an evil man. You had to fight for your own survival, and no one can fault you for that. In your dream, your younger self climbed onto my back, and I flew you into the light. Tell me, what did you see?” Raiden thought about it before speaking and said. “I think I saw, the people who came after that. After I escaped that hell, there were people I met in my life, who helped me come to terms with my past. Including my wife.” Luna smiled and said. “I think it’s those memories you need to hang on to the most.” Raiden cracked a smile and said, “Who knew you were so into psychology.” “It comes with the territory. Plus…I have some experience having trouble letting go of the past.” “Then I guess I should return the favor.” Luna smiled and said. “Thank you, but I got over it a long time ago, but if you want to hear that story, I’ll let Twilight tell it.” Raiden chuckled and said, “Sure.Maybe a story will keep my mind off the pain.” Luna nodded, and said. “Okay then, Twilight…” “Thank you, Princess.” Twilight said.“Okay Raiden, this is the story of the Elements of Harmony.Ready?” “Go for it.” Raiden said “Okay. Thousands of years ago, a sapling, made of pure, protective, Magic was planted. We are not sure, yet, who planted it, but it grew into a mighty Tree of Harmony.Five gems became the fruit of the tree, each a manifestation of the bonds that links us together. Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Kindness, and Laughter. And the sap that links them all together, was the sixth. Magic. These gems, became known as the Elements of Harmony. “Years later, the spirit of Chaos himself, Discord, appeared in Equestria. He turned the peace and harmony of the land, into absolute madness. Without any other options, the Royal Princesses, found the Tree of Harmony, and picked the Elements off the branches. They used the Elements on Discord, turning him to stone. The elements were sealed beneath the castle, and the Princesses took their rightful place as Rulers of Equestria. “The two regal sisters, maintained piece in the land. The eldest sister used her magic to raise the sun at dawn, and her younger sister would raise the moon to begin the night. After a while, the younger sister grew jealous and resentful.The ponies would enjoy and relish the day but would simply sleep through her beautiful night. Her negative emotions transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness, Nightmare Moon. She refused to lower the moon and attempted to destroy her sister.The elder sister was forced to use the Elements of Harmony and banished her to the moon. “One thousand years later, I became a student of the Princess of Equestria, Celestia. She sent me to Ponyville, where I met five ponies, who would become my best friends. That was her intention.At the time, all I cared about were my studies, and she wanted me to make friends. “It was then, that Nightmare Moon returned. “She captured Celestia and sent the world into an eternal night. My friends and I learned of the Elements of Harmony, and journeyed to the Castle of the Two Sisters, where Celestia and Luna use to live. Along the way, each of my friends displayed attributes that represented each of the elements. When we finally confronted Nightmare Moon, the elements bonded themselves to us, and we used them to transform Nightmare Moon, back into her true form. Princess Luna. “After that, the elements became a key tool in defending Equestria from threats. But eventually we had to give them up. The Tree of Harmony began to weaken, and the enchanted forest, where it was rooted, began to overtake the land. The only way to stop it, was to give the Elements back. They now wait for the day that we may need them again.” “They sound powerful.” Raiden said. “But why aren’t you using them now? If they are such a powerful weapon against threats, then shouldn’t you be using them here?” Twilight sulked her head and said. “That was plan. But when Celestia was captured, we were threatened that if we went within a hundred yards of the tree, they would kill Celestia.” “So, they waited until Equestria’s greatest defense was unreachable, then they made their move.” Raiden said, “Typical.” “I don’t know how they would even know that.”Twilight said. “These are Changelings we are talking about.” Raiden said, “Chrysalis probably has spies all over the kingdom.” “That sounds quite plausible, actually.” Shining Armor said. “Just like that spy that was in our camp.” Raiden’s transmission was then cut off by another call. “Spitfire here.I think I found it. They have all your items and weapons, conveniently in a bag. I’ll have to carry your sword on my back.” “Good,” Raiden said.“Be careful not to touch the blade. Hurry back here. Raiden out.” Raiden closed his eyes, and rested while he waited for Spitfire, but it was short lived. The barricaded door started to shake. Bruno was awake, he was mad, and he was trying to get through the door. He started banging against the door as hard as he could. “You better hurry Spitfire.” Raiden said to himself. As the banging grew more intense, Raiden attempted to stand up.He griped the wall he was leaning against, and slowly pushed up. He felt extremely weak, but he knew that if he didn’t move, he was as good as dead. He managed to get a leg under him. He pushed up, but it took a lot of effort. Raiden noticed that the bolder began to move. Bruno was almost through the door. “Raiden!” A voice called out.It was Spitfire. She had Raiden’s sword on her back, and hanging off her foreleg, was a string of Electrolyte Canisters. “Throw it!” Raiden called out. Spitfire obeyed and threw the canisters with her hoof. Raiden caught it in his right hand, and his body immediately began to absorb the electrolytes. Raiden gained the strength to stand up completely.With his right arm, he prepared to throw a punch. Bruno burst through the door, throwing the boulder toward Spitfire, who managed to dodge it in time. In the moment after Bruno showed himself, Raiden slammed his fist into Bruno’s forehead, crushing the canisters at the same time. Bruno fell to the floor, limp. Spitfire walked over to Raiden and looked at the large Changeling on the floor. “Is he dead?” She asked, before gripping Raiden’s sword in her mouth, by the hilt. “No” Raiden said as he took it from her. “He’s just out cold. Come on, we need to move.” “Right.” Spitfire said. Meanwhile, the two Changelings guarding the door to Bruno’s room, saw the other two return. “Did you find him?” One of them asked. “No.” The leader said, disgruntled. “Resume your patrols, and if he comes back, send him to…” The Changeling was interrupted by the sound of the door, to Bruno’s room, opening. Raiden kicked the door open and dashed into the room.The patrol leader didn’t have any time to react before Raiden cut down the two Changelings near the door, with two swings of his sword. Raiden dashed forward and sliced the leader clean in half, leaving only one Changeling left. The poor Changeling was cowering in the far corner. Raiden walked over to him and grabbed him by the back of neck. The cyborg brought the Changeling to eye level and asked him a question. “What’s your name?” Raiden asked, threating the Changeling. “Th…Thorax!” He said. “Where is Princess Celestia?” “S…She’s at the bottom of the mountain core! Please don’t hurt me!” Raiden stared into the poor Changeling’s eyes and said. “If you want to live, you’ll get out of here.” Raiden threw the Changeling to the ground. “Yes sir!” He said as he dashed out the door leading to the core Spitfire walked into the room, and said, “Why did you let him go?” “I saw something in his eyes. Call it a hunch, but I felt it was important to let him go. I don’t know why.”Raiden said. “Uh huh.” The Wonderbolt said, as the two of them stepped out onto the platform overlooking the core. Raiden looked down and prepared himself to jump. “So, what’s the plan?” Spitfire asked. Raiden looked up, and said, “Those prisoners need to escape.I’ll leave that to you. Get them to safety. You should be able to use the train that brought them here.” “Got it. What are you going to do?” She asked. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m going back down there, so I can rescue your Princess.” He said. “Right. Good luck Raiden.” Spitfire said, as she flew off. “You too.” Raiden said as he dove into the depths of the core. As Raiden continued to free fall, he said. “I feel like I just did this.” “You did” Twilight said over the Codec. “Just be careful you don’t run into Lavan again.” “He caught me off guard. I’ll be ready for him next time. Any luck finding out who he is?” “Nothing. I’ve searched my whole library, and there is no mention of who or what he is” “Same with me.” Luna chimed in. “I can’t find anything in the Canterlot Castle Library. I’m going to try the restricted section. Maybe there’s something there.” “I’ll send a message to my wife.” Shining Armor said. “Maybe there is something in the Crystal Empire Library.” “Okay.I remember him mentioning something about being a Lava Demon, maybe try that. Keep me posted.” Raiden said. “Maybe Princess Celestia will know something.” Twilight said.“You’re almost to the bottom.” “Right.” Raiden pulled out his sword, and stabbed it into the wall, slowing his descent. He landed softly on the ground, careful not to aggravate the magma underneath. He did a quick scan of the room and saw no sign of Lavan. He approached the metal door on the other side of the large room.The heat caused the door to glow a dark red. Raiden approached the door, and with a swift kick, knocked the door off its hinges.He walked into the pitch-dark room and activated his Augmented Reality visor.He couldn’t see Celestia anywhere, but he could hear a faint creaking noise.Raiden looked up, and saw a stone cage, hanging from the ceiling. “That’s got to be her.” he said. The cyborg ran to the other side of the room as fast as he could and dug his clawed feet into the side of the wall.He ran up the wall and kicked off it. Raiden then reached under his arm and threw a small knife at the chain holding the cage. Raiden landed back on the ground and caught the heavy cage before it hit the ground. He placed the cage down, and ripped open the door, breaking the lock in the process. Laying on the floor of the cage, was a large, unconscious, white Alicorn, with a mane and tail that shown with all the colors of the day sky, and a cutie mark of the sun. “No doubt about it, I found you.” Raiden said, but the Princess did not respond. Raiden stepped into the cage and said. “Hey, are you alive?” He then lightly padded her on the cheek, and Celestia grimaced in pain.He could also see her abdomen moving up and down, indicating that she was breathing. Raiden, sat down on the floor, and called Twilight. “Twilight, I found her. And she’s alive.”