Chapter 11
It's Like A Game of Chess
"Where can I find this Magical Shining Mirror?" Vinyl asked with a smirk on her face.
The duchess smiled in return. "Well according to the stories I was told as a child, the Shining Mirror was one of Princess Luna's national treasures."
Vinyl nodded, taking a seat on the chair again and paying close attention to the duchess' purple eyes. Something in those eyes seemed to hold Vinyl's attention. She remembered watching Octavia on her ship talking to the young ones about the comet. Something about those eyes kept those she was talking to held in place to listen to every detail of her lecture. Those eyes of the duchess matched Octavia's so well that Vinyl could vividly remember Octavia enough to imagine the taste of her on her lips.
Vinyl stood up and immediately walked away.
"I need some air," She called over her shoulder opening the door and shut it behind her. She stopped, sweating hard thinking about where to go. It's too hot, just too hot! She walked off the porch and went around the house. Vinyl heard movement by the window beside her and looked up to see her mother watching Vinyl trot away to the back. Vinyl sighed with relief to see the old stumps and rotting log benches facing towards the old ship yards where all the ships were built or repaired or even upgraded.
Vinyl blinked to see herself as a foal sitting with her father as he pointed with a stick to the ships. Teaching her about what a ship is called or which ship is a merchant or a military vessel. Vinyl would stare with awe standing up, grabbing a stick, and swinging it in the air claiming to be a tough privateer of the stars.
The vision faded showing the empty lot and the empty old seats. Vinyl sighed walking over to the stump that was her seat as a child. She wiped off the dirt and bugs that had made the stump their home and sat down. She groaned as she realized that the stump was shorter than she remembered. She chuckled and crossed her ankles together and got comfortable feeling the breeze blow over her warm face causing her to calm down a touch. But the feeling she felt for Octavia continue to bubble up.
Every time she closed her eyes she could see her face glaring at her or even showing concern. Those eyes always sparkled whether she was angry at her guts or showing that rare smile she pointed at Vinyl. And even that one moment when Octavia placed her hand over Vinyl's chest that about made it difficult to not want her. Vinyl shook her head hard at the thoughts in her mind. She sighed shaking her head again.
"Well I fucked up my chance... I'm dying and I won't tell her I love her." She whispered to herself opening her eyes to see the empty yards.
"So it wasn't a joke?" Vinyl turned with a gasp to see the duchess standing behind her. She looked sad through her eyes as she made a kind smile to the unicorn.
Vinyl blushed deeply clearing her throat. "What's a joke?" She asked curious.
The duchess walked slowly over not even bothered that her skirts touched the dirt and grass. "May I?" She asked indicated the log bench. Vinyl nodded letting her know it was fine. The duchess nodded in return and sits down fixing her skirts so she wouldn't ruin them as she sat.
"My, what a nice breeze. I was used to having no breeze in my mane while growing up in those streets." She shrugged staring at the city in the distance. "I always lived out in the alleys where no wind could be felt, only in a rainy day when nopony was out selling wares." Vinyl felt her ears droop as she turned back towards the city.
The two hybrids sat there for a long moment until the duchess sighed breaking the silence. "I can feel it in your magic, Vinyl," Vinyl blinked turning to her with a blush. Vinyl had forgotten that unicorns can sense another ponies magic. Depending on the feeling radiated by the unicorn other unicorns can tell what their feelings are.
"You are in love."
Vinyl blushed deeper turning away starting to sweat again.
The duchess smiled with a playful smirk. "The way you looked into my eyes, I could feel that you have feelings for my daughter, hmm?"
Vinyl turned away ducking her head with a worried frown. "Uh... well I um..."
The duchess started laughing shaking her head. "Vinyl, there is no need to be embarrassed."
"Pardon me your grace, uh-"
"Please dear, just Melody will do."
"M-melody, um I..." She paused to see the duchess giving her a look that says no more hiding. Vinyl sighed in defeat. "Okay yes... I have feelings for your daughter ... but,"
"But?"
"But I can't... I'm not allowed to. I mean just look at me, I'm a peasant, well more like public enemy number one now, I have no titles or lands, and on top of it all, I'm a hybrid the dirtiest scum in this galaxy. Why would she like somepony like me?" Vinyl said with a sigh.
Melody smiled. "You don’t give yourself much credit do you?” Vinyl blushed turning to her hearing déjà vu from Octavia. The older mare sighed. “Maybe because Octavia does have feelings for you?" Vinyl cleared her throat scratching her head.
"Well... I might have uh... Look the point of the matter is I can't be with her not forever.” Vinyl whispered sadly crossing her arms across her chest looking up at the sky. “I mean I do... have feelings for her. I've never had these feelings with another pony before, mare or stallion," Vinyl shivered after saying the word stallion rubbing her arms. "I never wanted to be in love if it involved being beaten to death or raped all the time."
Melody smiled sadly. "Yes, you grew up in the same hell as I was. Except I hate to say that I was one of the lucky few that got away." Vinyl shivered turning away. "But for what it's worth I was fortunate to help stop those that hurt ponies like you. If it weren't for me meeting with Tick Tock, you would have been killed in that place."
Vinyl looked up slightly and turned to the duchess. "You knew about the arena?"
Melody nodded with a sigh. "I've seen it from the sidelines. Horrible, horrible torture. What made it sick was the fact that actual guards would jump in and fight along. Those screams never left me even as a duchess where I was safe, I still had nightmares of being in that arena myself."
Vinyl nodded with a sniff. "It was torture. Never again will I stoop to that level." Vinyl looked down at her calloused hands then clenched them hard into fists. "I turned into a monster. Killing all just to survive. When I hear them cheer that means I will live again. If I hear them boo or jeer that means I might die a moment later. Even as punishment for killing a pony that was supposed to win I would get fucked by other slaves or even those bastards that were supposed to protect us!" Melody reached over and placed her arm around Vinyl hugging her close as Vinyl started to cry.
"I wanted to kill them all," She sobbed. "All of them. Every single fucked up royal ass I could get my hands on for putting me in that hell!"
Melody just held Vinyl in her embrace stroking her head.
When the sun was setting Vinyl removed herself from the duchess’ arms and sighed staring at the darkening sky. "I'm sorry you had to-"
"No," Melody whispered rubbing Vinyl's back. "Let it all out dear while you can." She paused turning towards the small house. "Let out all the hurt and suffering you’ve been through and be happy."
Vinyl smirked with a chuckle. "Sorry, but that hatred will remain in my heart for a long time." Melody nodded with a pained expression turning away. The two sat silently staring into the darkened yard.
"At least I know the reason for why my father never came back. He was arrested and probably went through hell like me." Vinyl chuckled again. "Like father, like daughter he would always say." She sniffed wiping her nose. Melody thought for a moment.
"Perhaps you might find the answers you seek with the mirror."
"Answers? What kind of answers?"
Melody shrugged with a smile. "You just have this look about you that you are searching for the answer of a long planned question."
"I don't know about that."
"Just hear me out for a second. Many times I heard of the mirror are these, one popular belief is that only unicorns can use the mirror and another one was that the mirror will show you your heart's desires."
"Yeah?" Vinyl said sitting up a touch.
"And the third belief was that you can ask the mirror what you desire. Of course it takes a very controlled unicorn to use his or her magic to get an answer." The duchess cut her eyes to Vinyl to see her thinking. Melody could see Vinyl clenching and unclenching her fists again.
"Perhaps there is a question you had for ages and suddenly it's gone but that imprint in your mind still controls your thoughts and soul." Melody added.
"And you think this mirror can help me find the answer I need to my question?"
Melody nodded.
"Tell me about the mirror, again." Vinyl said thinking.
Melody scooted closer. "In history it was said that the Shining Mirror was one of Princess Luna's greatest treasures she kept in her secret chamber in Canterlot Castle. It was said to have been made by powerful unicorns that were living on a warring planet. Luna went to this planet and had it destroyed. Of course those details are sort of iffy if you know what I mean?"
Vinyl nodded a little shocked at the idea that the princess she helped rescue could destroy a planet. Melody continued her story.
"But after this, let’s say domination, Luna was given gifts of surrender and one of these gifts were a magical mirror, not even marked with age or war. Luna was told that the mirror will show what she desires or answer her age old questions. The princess tried out the mirror and was impressed. But not even the books told of what she desired. After testing the mirror she ordered the mirror to be sent back to Canterlot.
"But that was when war erupted and Luna had to hide her special treasures in the castle believing the mirror was too powerful in the hands of others that didn’t understand the power behind the mirror. I'm afraid that after Luna disappeared and never returned, Celestia opened the secret chamber and found all of the treasures she and her sister had gathered in times of war and decided to hand the treasures to those that she claimed worthy or rewarded for fighting alongside her."
"And one of them was the mirror." Vinyl said completing the story. "But who took the mirror?"
Melody sighed and made a pained expression. "Well Tick Tock’s family took rights to the mirror hundreds of years ago." Vinyl gasped turning to her in shock.
"Wait, you mean you had it?!"
Melody shook her head. "No not me, but my husband’s family was well known for their bravery in the wars. But one generation there were seven princes and they were each given one of the treasures and one of them took the mirror and his family took it for themselves. And that prince was Tick Tock's great grandfather. And since Tick Tock was cast out of the family..."
Vinyl sat there slack jawed. "Blueblood has the mirror!" Melody nodded.
"Precisely. Since Tick Tock was cast out of the family everything that was his, is now Blueblood's. Even the right to make laws for Manehattan and kill all who he wishes."
Vinyl scratched her head in shock. "So you're telling me the slimy bastard that made me a criminal, has my father as a slave, and promises death to your daughter has the fucking mirror?!"
Melody nodded not even phased by Vinyl's language. "I'm afraid so."
Vinyl groaned rubbing her head. "Great, that's just great." She sighed again looking at the mare. "Where does Blueblood keep his treasures?" Vinyl asked seriously.
Melody bit her lip. "Not in Manehattan if you were wondering. He kept his treasures in a secret place where no pony, slave or royal, can ever find his trove. I've heard rumors that he sends his treasure off world."
Vinyl groaned staring at the sky. "What else can go wrong?"
"Hello ladies," The two turn to see Tick Tock walking over with a small smile on his face. "You two were out here for a couple hours so I thought I should check on you."
Melody sighed and stood up fixing her skirts. "How civil, I'm so happy to have a husband that cares so much."
Tick Tock smirked and bowed as his wife giggled walking up next to him and leaned in. "You have some talking to do," Melody said patting him on the shoulder before leaving to the cottage. Tick Tock sighed closing his eyes then started to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Vinyl asked as the prince let out another sigh looking up at the stars.
"That was our code from years ago." Tick Tock paused again giving Vinyl a side long glance. "Of course it's no secret to me," Vinyl blushed seeing his cheeky grin. He walked over to take a seat on the log bench.
The two sat in silence for a long time until finally the prince clapped his hands together surprising Vinyl. "Alright let’s get this over with.” Vinyl sat there confused as the prince turned to her with a small smile. “I remember seeing the fire in your eyes when it came to rescuing my daughter." Vinyl blushed again looking down at her lap. He smiled. "From what I have learned from your shipmates in that despicable dungeon, you two seem quite close."
Vinyl chuckled remembering the first few weeks with Octavia. From her yelling, glaring, sharp remarks, and her balled up fists ready to pounce. "Well not as close as we do now." Vinyl said shaking her head.
"How so?" Tick Tock asked smirking.
Vinyl sighed. "Well I treated her like I would treat a cabin filly, not a princess." She chuckled thinking. "I’m quite surprised that she even did as I said. I swear she would have beaten me up." Vinyl laughed out loud shaking her head. "Those eyes," She said with a sniff wiping her nose. "Damn those eyes."
Tick Tock chuckled nodding. "Ah yes. She took her mother’s eyes. And for some odd reason, those eyes show every single emotion she processes. And they are a sight aren't they?"
Vinyl smiled as he chuckled. "Forgive me your grace, but I don't think it's wise for me to talk about your daughter."
Tick Tock laughed hard at that nodding his head. "Smart girl!" He said wiping his eyes. He sighed pointing his finger at her. "Even though I knew Scratch for a short time, I can see that you and Scratch are very similar." Vinyl blinked with a frown, turning to him.
"How so?" Vinyl asked curiously.
He shrugged. "Well you have this air about you like you have seen it all like him. Maybe a sort of wisdom?"
Vinyl snorted. "Wisdom? I don't have a wise bone in my body."
Tick Tock shrugged. "Well let’s look at it this way then. You've had an interesting, challenging life. You fought many enemies, you're a spacer, and not to mention you saved the most dangerous and most important pawn in a set of chess pieces in this giant board we call the galaxy."
Vinyl blinked watching him. Tick Tock continued unfazed as he waved his hands around using his magic to create a magical chess board in front of Vinyl and himself. He placed his hand on Vinyl's shoulder and borrowing her magical aura he start making chess pieces.
Vinyl gasped seeing small figures of all the ponies she knew, friends, family, and allies standing on one side of the board all in the color blue. While the other side is filled with dark cloaked figures all black. Six of the dark pieces were uncovered revealing figures like Blueblood, or the Queen herself.
Vinyl blinked watching in awe seeing the magic creating a close version to a hologram that magic can get. She watched as suddenly the figures on both sides started to move, attacking each other in a battlefield.
"You see,” Tick Tock said as Vinyl nodded slowly. “I like to call this conflict a giant chess board. Ever since my eyes were opened by Rainbow Dash during the rebellion I started to see things that I never seen before."
Vinyl watched as the battle continued. She watched as kings and queens and royals on the blue side being murdered. Vinyl even saw a pawn that looked like Twilight Sparkle. It looked like she using her magic to fight against a second unicorn dressed in black like the other ponies on the black side of the board. This unicorn was a sunny color with a fiery red and yellow mane. The yellow war unicorn threw her green magic in discs as Twilight dodged left and right, running out of breath. Twilight looked exhausted and hurt as the yellow unicorn used this advantage to try and take her out.
Vinyl turned to notice Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were separated from Twilight and fighting the black pawns that looked like insects. Vinyl shuddered getting a good look at one of them. They were extremely creepy. Vinyl didn’t ask what they were as she watched Rainbow Dash kick an insect away from an injured Fluttershy. Applejack looked hurt as Rarity stood over her with a staff in her hand. Pinkie Pie … she was doing some strange thing with five of them running around them in high speeds making them dizzy.
Vinyl blinked watching the insects running away from the five mares. The five other mares ran straight for Twilight standing around her holding their hands producing this magical light. The yellow unicorn and the insects were backing away from the brightness. Vinyl was amazed seeing such powerful magic turn into a beam of rainbow and blinded her. Vinyl covered her eyes from the bright glare then opened them to see the chess board was clean. The six young mares were the only ones left on the board. They looked at one another then started cheering and hugging each other.
Tick Tock sighed with a hard frown on his face seeing the scene change before them. Vinyl blinked noticing that on the black side there were soldiers dressed in black and red uniforms of the new royal guard. Vinyl gulped watching them running for the six mares. The six friends were in shock and dismay as the soldiers ran towards them.
Applejack blinked and glared turning to Rarity standing beside her. Applejack shoved Rarity away as the guards grabbed her. Applejack was fighting as Rarity looked shocked. Vinyl could tell the Applejack pawn was screaming for the others to run as the soldiers ran for them. Applejack was able to punch one guard away before Pinkie Pie flew out of nowhere to kick another guard in the stomach to get him away from Applejack. Now the rest of them were being mobbed by the royal guards.
Pinkie Pie grabbed Applejack’s arm and tried to get her to run, but they were overcome by royal guards and were tackled onto the board. Pinkie Pie sat up and looked down to notice that she was sinking into the board reaching for Applejack for help. Applejack was fighting off the guards and gasped seeing Pinkie Pie disappear into the board. Applejack was knocked to the ground with the soldiers all around her to keep the earth pony from escaping as she too sank into the board, captured with Pinkie.
Vinyl bit her lip turning to look at Tick Tock to see him looking angered.
"I guess it started with the Elements of Harmony." He said pointing back at the scene. Vinyl noticed he was pointing at Rainbow Dash's pawn.
Rainbow was able to escape the royal guards and ran to the spot where Applejack disappeared to find her gone. Rainbow was frightened seeing nothing left of Applejack. She even looked guilty as she looked like she was about to cry. Suddenly a group of pegasi swarmed her. Rainbow Dash noticed them too late and fell with one guard on top of her trying to pin her to the ground. Rainbow kicked him away and tried to fly away. Three pegasi rushed after her and caught her and began to pull her back to the board. Rainbow looked down and gasped seeing that the guards were sinking into the board trying to pull her with them. Rainbow struggled, screaming for help as she reached up to the stars as she was finally pulled through.
Vinyl shuddered feeling horrible turning back to Tick Tock.
"When part of their group is lost, then the others crumbled after them." Tick Tock softly whispered.
Vinyl turned back to the board to the left to see a battle between magic and staff. Rarity was fighting against a group of unicorns. Rarity looked livid, scarily so that it made her magic even stronger as she fought back. She swung her staff left and right slapping one unicorn in the face and another had a hard poke in the gut. One unicorn pulled himself out of the board as Rarity panted from exhaustion from her fighting. The guard stood up, running towards her. Rarity turned and gasped as the guard swung out his leg and kicked Rarity hard in the stomach causing her to double over dropping her staff. She looked up again with fear as the guard kicked her again in the chest to knock her into the air. Rarity let out a silent scream as she flew over the edge of the chess board and fell to the grass, disappearing completely.
Vinyl turned to another part of the board to see Fluttershy surrounded by royal guards. She was terrified as they closed in on her as she shrank to the ground covering her head with her arms as they swarmed her. Vinyl blinked watching the guards go on top of her. Suddenly she noticed movement in the pile and three of the guards were shoved away and Fluttershy was flapping her wings trying to get away, trying to fly away. Vinyl was in awe seeing this meek pegasus using strength she probably never used before. Finally Fluttershy kicked and punched the pegasi off of her and was able to fly away into the air and disappeared into the stars. Fluttershy got away.
Vinyl saw flashes of purple light and turned to see Twilight trying to fight off the unicorns, trying to keep them away from her. Until she noticed that she was the last one. Her friends were gone and she was the only one left. Twilight looked broken and defeated as she held up her hands and went down on her knees in surrender. The guards grabbed hold of her and forced her up on her feet as they escorted to the black side of the board. Vinyl noticed Twilight turning back toward her as she slowly disappeared. The chess board is now empty.
"So... then what happened?" Vinyl asked trying to sound interested yet she was sad at what just happened.
Tick Tock sighed. "After the ideal threat was finished off, the black side here, The Order started attacking all those that stood in their way." As he said this the board was filled again but with different pieces. The black side held more of this new royal guards in black and red uniforms. The blue side had soldiers of the old army. Both sides are in the middle of a war, stabbing, kicking, and punching some with bare fists or with clubs. This must be the rebellion.
On the blue side standing was a group of pegasi dressed in a uniform that Vinyl didn’t recognize but it was definitely pegasi military. The pegasi ran to the battle with war cries for freedom. But one by one they were shot down, falling to the board. All that were left were three, a yellow mare with a fiery orange mane, a light blue stallion with a dark blue mane, and a light blue mare with a crystal white mane.
The blue mare leapt into the air and made a dive at a unicorn. The unicorn smirked and held out her hand grabbing the pegasus mare and with a powerful jolt of magic, electrocuted her. Once finished, the unicorn let her drop to the board, dead. The yellow pegasus noticed this with a horrifying look of rage on her face. She ran to attack the unicorn. The blue pegasus looked shocked as the yellow pegasus ran on the attack. The blue stallion and Vinyl noticed the pegasus with a sword running to intercept her.
Vinyl looked back down to see the yellow pegasus pull away from the sword holding her bleeding side falling to her knees. She was swarmed by guards. The blue stallion looked frightened as he too was surrounded by guards with swords. The blue stallion flapped his large wings and went into the air. He looked down to see the yellow mare dead on the board. He flew away into the stars. The pegasus stallion escaped.
Before her eyes Vinyl watched as the rebels of the old army were being captured or killed. Vinyl watched as one by one as new ponies appeared on the spaces and ran for battle. More and more of them appeared and fought but over time the spawning began to lessen and slow down. Vinyl gasped seeing on a rook space appeared a unicorn mare that looked similar to Vinyl.
Vinyl watched as her little pawn ran to the side instead of forward to battle as the black pawns ran towards the blue. Vinyl watched herself run to the Queen and King spaces. Vinyl blinked noticing that standing on the queen space was Octavia dressed as she was the last time Vinyl saw her, dressed in old trousers, a puffy shirt, vest, and boots. Sitting on the king space and leaning against Octavia’s legs was the comatose Princess Luna. Octavia was struggling to try and keep Luna from slipping off the edge. Vinyl watched her pawn run in front of the princesses to defend them from the attacking forces.
As Vinyl was attacking one guard she realized she was surrounded. Vinyl turned to see them running for Octavia and Luna. Vinyl tried to get away but didn’t see the knife behind her. Vinyl gasped seeing her pawn stabbed in the back and fell to the ground dead as the guards ran to Octavia and Luna to finish them off.
"I don't like where the game is going Vinyl." Tick Tock said interrupting Vinyl’s train of thought. Vinyl turned back to see the guards grabbing Octavia as she tried to fight back but couldn’t. Vinyl stood up shaking her head and walking away as the chess board vanishes. Tick Tock turned to see Vinyl standing with her arms across her chest.
"So you're saying we’ll lose?" Vinyl said sourly.
"I didn't say that." Tick Tock said quietly. He stood up to stand next to her, looking out into the night. He looked over at her to see Vinyl looking hopeless as she shook her head. Tick Tock placed his hand on her shoulder. Vinyl turned to him.
“But what that shows … There’s nothing we can do to stop them! Octavia … Luna, is that our future? Are we going to be hunted like dogs and die?”
Tick Tock shook his head as he wrapped his arm around Vinyl and turned her back to the chess board. “This is just a worst case scenario. I’m just saying that if you don't play with the right strategy, Vinyl Scratch, they will win." Vinyl blinked confused looking at the chess board with the scene frozen. Vinyl blinked feeling her heart break seeing Octavia frozen in motion of hugging Luna to protect her from the upcoming blow.
"But how can I... How can I help win this game?" Vinyl asked. Tick Tock patted her on the back. Vinyl watched his hand glow in a blue light to cause the frozen scene to return to motion. With the flutter of his fingers the board shook wildly causing the guards to fall over. Octavia held on tight to Luna as the board continued to shake. Tick Tock snapped his fingers and the board began to flip over. Vinyl was in shock seeing Octavia slide off the other side. Without thinking Vinyl quickly held out her hands and caught the mini princesses into her hand. Tick Tock smiled warmly seeing Octavia look up at Vinyl smiling. Vinyl smiled in return then looked back at the prince.
"If you feel at a loss,” He started as he flipped the chess board back in place. He knelt down into the grass. Vinyl watched curiously as Tick Tock picked something up out of the grass. Vinyl gasped seeing the miniature Rarity unconscious and weak. Tick Tock carefully set Rarity on her knees on the chess board. Vinyl watched as Rarity opened her eyes and shook her head as she slowly stood up. She stumbled a few times trying to keep from falling over as she rubbed her head.
Tick Tock smiled. “Sure you might lose a couple of tries." He said reaching into the air. Vinyl watched him pluck Fluttershy out of thin air, she looked tired and frightened. Tick Tock placed Fluttershy on the board beside Rarity. Fluttershy sat up immediately then turned to see Rarity. Rarity and Fluttershy smiled with joy and hugged each other crying. Vinyl turned to see Tick Tock holding out his hand as he snapped his fingers. With that pop of magic the board made a water ripple as three shapes were pulled out of the board as the rippling effect disappear. Applejack and Pinkie Pie rubbed their heads trying to wake up. Rarity noticed them and ran over to Applejack and hugged her tight. Applejack just blinked as she tried to figure out what was going on. Fluttershy helped Pinkie Pie to her feet and hugged her, Pinkie Pie looking as confused as Applejack. The four friends turned to see Rainbow Dash laying still on the board.
Rainbow Dash slowly sat up from her dizziness. She looked up and blinked in surprise in seeing a pink hand reach down to her. Rainbow looked at the hand then up at Pinkie Pie to see her smile. Rainbow smiled taking her hand and was pulled back up onto her feet. Rainbow smiled even wider seeing Fluttershy hug her first as Rarity and Applejack then Pinkie hugged her in a group hug.
Vinyl grinned seeing the last member of their team, Twilight Sparkle rematerialize on the enemy side. The unicorn stumbled as she began sprinting to the others. The friends turn and smile with happiness as Pinkie was cheering. Twilight ran to her friends getting into the hug. They were back together again.
Tick Tock patted Vinyl’s shoulder pointing at the black side of the board as the enemy rematerialized. "But in the end you have to start over," He whispered. Suddenly the six mares turn to the enemy side seeing the enemy ready for another attack.
"With a new strategy," Tick Tock continued in a whisper as he flittered his fingers. Six small sparkles flew from his fingertips to the board in front of the six mares. The mares looked shocked seeing the six lights floating before them until they changed color. The mares grabbed their weapons, the Elements of Harmony and placed the chains around their necks and suddenly all six of them began to glow in six different colors.
Twilight's clothes turned to magenta color like the Element of Magic. Her hands were covered in an overflow of magic. Twilight was dressed in a uniform that was meant for magical users, a war unicorn. Twilight looked powerful with her magic causing her clothing to flap from the vortex of power.
Rarity clothes turned into a deep purple color like her Element of Generosity. In her hands thin rapiers appeared. Her clothing changed to that of a uniform from the unicorn Calvary. She looked ready to attack as she held her swords out.
Pinkie Pie’s clothes turned sky blue color clothes like her Element, Laughter. Pinkie was dressed strangely as a buccaneer, an odd choice of style to Vinyl watching her transform. Pinkie reached into her large coat to pull out a strange giant pistol that looked like a mini-cannon. Pinkie reached into her pocket and stuffed something into the barrel of the mini cannon shaped pistol with a smirk on her face.
Applejack’s attire turned into a deep orange color. Her clothes changed into that of a soldier of the old army. Her Stetson was replaced with a dark helmet. Applejack popped her knuckles as she reached into side bag and pulled out a pair of brass knuckle busters and placed them over her knuckles. She snarled audibly clenching and unclenching her fists ready for the fight.
Fluttershy's clothing were brightened in a blush pink color like her own element. But instead of a soldier like the others she was dressed as a tribal with a walking staff with a small blade at the top. Across her shoulder is a satchel filled with medical supplies and herbs. Fluttershy stood firm with the staff between her hands. She noticed the blade and quickly pulled it off and stuff it into the satchel with a light blush on her face.
Last was Rainbow Dash. Her old uniform changed color and shape like the others. Her clothes were blood red in color, like her element. She was now dressed in a costume that Vinyl didn't recognize. It's military of course, almost looked like the same design as the pegasi that battled the Order. On Rainbow’s head is a beret with a pin that was designed with wings and a lightning bolt. Rainbow’s clothes were that of an aviators coat, tight trousers, boots, and a strange belt with a strange sword scabbard. Rainbow popped her own knuckles then reached for this scabbard grabbing the pommel of a sword and pulled it out. Vinyl vaguely remembered seeing this kind of sword from some old books she had read. It looked very much like one of the katana that pegasi used to use a very long time ago.
Tick Tock smiled as Vinyl turned to him. Tick Tock indicated Octavia and Luna still in Vinyl’s hand. Vinyl blinked seeing Octavia waving up at her.
Vinyl nodded and set her hands near the board to allow the miniature Octavia drag Luna over to the board. Once on the board Vinyl stood back up standing with Tick Tock. Vinyl blinked noticing the lights forming on the blue side where Octavia and Luna now stood.
"You just need a new set of pieces," Tick Tock whispered.
The six mares turned around behind them seeing the blue side fill with new pieces. Vinyl gasped to see herself ready for a fight alongside her shipmates Derpy, Spike, and Scootaloo. They were dressed in protective thick clothes of cadets. Daring stood with them in a uniform like a corporal. Behind them stood Blossomforth and Raindrops dressed like the old royal guards. Behind Blossom and Raindrops were a bunch of soldiers. They were unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies that are all dressed for battle. Vinyl turned to see Octavia and Luna glow in light.
As the light dissipated Luna appeared. She wore dark blue armor with the moon emblazoned on the chest plate. The helmet held sapphires on the sides and plume of midnight blue feathers. In her hand was a metallic blue khopesh with a sapphire in the hilt. Next to her stood Octavia in a similar suit of armor and a short sword in her hand, ready to fight alongside Luna and the army. To Vinyl, Octavia looked amazingly beautiful.
Tick Tock snapped his fingers and the black side began materializing their army. "And most importantly, when you have all of these as your score, don't forget to win." Vinyl looked down to see Luna raise her sword in the air.
"CHARGE!" Luna screamed out in her royal Canterlot voice. The Elements of Harmony held out their weapons and lead the charge to the enemy. Vinyl watched as the whole blue side ran after the six mares as they met the black side in the center. The chess board vanished before Vinyl's eyes causing her to blink and rub her eyes with her hands. In her ears she can still hear the cries of war and the clashing of metal of swords. Vinyl sat down on the stump dumbfounded at what she saw.
Tick Tock chuckled. "You might have lost one game Vinyl, but I know for sure that you all will win this war. With the right amount of training, patience, and of course with the Elements of Harmony on your side, you will win."
Vinyl sighed then nodded slowly. "Yeah..." She whispered. With a thought she stood up suddenly looking around in the sky. "How can I get back? To the living I mean?" She asked turning to the prince. Tick Tock smiled.
"Do you believe you can make it?"
Vinyl opened her mouth to speak but then paused looking at her old house then back at him. She nodded firmly. "Yes, I know I can make it."
Tick Tock smiled patting her on the shoulder. "I'm happy for you. Perhaps you should tell your family that you are leaving?"
Vinyl stayed still for a moment staring at him. "Wait you mean I could have left whenever I wanted?" She asked with shock.
Tick Tock sighed with a smile. "You are still alive on the other side right?"
"Well yeah," Vinyl answered.
"Then you can."
Vinyl smiled at him then looked up at the stars. "I better say my good byes then," Vinyl whispered sadly.
"Is it time for you to leave?" Raspberry's voice spoke, surprising Vinyl causing her to jump and turn to see her mother and sister standing with Melody. Raspberry walked over to hug Vinyl tightly. Vinyl hugged back equally tight.
"I can't ask you to stay when you have loved ones to watch out for and protect." Raspberry whispered as she kissed Vinyl on the cheek. Vinyl blushed but was sad all the same.
"I wish I could stay," Vinyl whispered feeling tears in her eyes. "I missed you so much Mama, you don't know how much."
Raspberry sniffed as she started to cry. "I know I missed you too." She stood back to stroke Vinyl's cheek. "And I will always miss you until you come back again and I hope... not too soon." Vinyl smiled nodding.
"Yeah," She sniffed as her mother stepped back to smile down at Blueberry Twinkle to see her with tears in her eyes. Vinyl smiled kneeling down. Blueberry ran into Vinyl's arms hugging her tight crying into her shoulder.
"Do you really have to go?" Blueberry asked.
Vinyl kissed her on the head hugging her tight. "I have to, I have a sister back in the living that needs me." Blueberry sniffed looking at her.
"A sister?"
Vinyl smiled stroking her sister's hair away from her face behind her ear. "I never looked to her as a sister until now, but she's young and full of spirit and she always hung around me like my shadow." Vinyl sniffed with a small chuckle. She frowned again remembering that last moment feeling Scootaloo hugging her from behind her back in the dungeon on the crystal moon.
"Who is she?" Blueberry asked wiping her eyes.
"Her name is Scootaloo," Vinyl whispered. "And she's a couple of years older than you and she's a pegasus." Vinyl poked Blueberry on her nose causing the filly to giggle. "Maybe someday you'll meet her." Vinyl whispered. Blueberry sniffed, hugging Vinyl again.
"I love you, Grace."
Vinyl smiled looking up at her mother to take her hand squeezing both her mother's hand and her little sister. "I love you too, both of you. I promise that we will see each other again, hopefully as a family... in the afterlife." Vinyl whispered closing her eyes again.
Tick Tock stood back wrapping his arm around Melody watching the family say their good-byes. Vinyl sniffed releasing her sister from her hold and stood up walking to her mother for one last hug. She pulled away and turned to Tick Tock feeling lighter than before. Raspberry wrapped her arm around Blueberry to keep her from interfering as Vinyl started to glow in her magical aura.
Vinyl stood in front of the couple and sighed holding out her hand. Tick Tock smiled and took her hand and the two shook hands.
"Thank you for the advice." Vinyl said smiling. Tick Tock smiled in return.
"I should be thanking you, Captain Scratch, for protecting my daughter."
Vinyl turned to Melody to shake her hand but instead was wrapped in her arms in a hug. Vinyl blushed turning to the prince to see him smiling. Vinyl lightly returned the hug. Melody stepped back smiling at her.
"Be careful, I doubt your body can take another attack like that.” Melody said with warning. “We would hate to see you so soon." She said with a quirked brow. Vinyl blushed and chuckled uneasily.
"I'll do my best.” She said bowing to the royals. “And thanks for everything you told me. I bet that mirror is the thing we need to win this war.” Melody sighed with a smile.
"I hope so... please take care of my baby, will you?"
Vinyl nodded saluting. "You can count on me, your grace." Vinyl looked down to see herself glowing even brighter. Her magic was ready to take her spirit back home.
"Oh and Vinyl," Tick Tock called out. She turned to look at him just as the magic started covering her. "You have my permission." He called out just as Vinyl's world went white and all Vinyl could do was smile.
