Twilight, Rainbow, and Pinkie stood, tense and wary, between Trixie, who blocked their way into the dance studio, and the Changeling princess, Pupa, who blocked their way back to the street.
Pupa crossed her arms and regarded the group of girls coldly. "Transform," she said. "And summon your other companion. I was told there is a young male human that aids you in battle."
"We don't need Spike's help to fight you!" Rainbow insisted.
"My orders were to eliminate all of you," Pupa said. "That includes your male companion. There will be no battle until all of you are present."
"That's not your decision to make!" Twilight said.
"Oh, but it is," Pupa replied.
Rainbow growled. "If she wants to get her ass kicked by all of us, I say fine. Call Spike."
Twilight grimaced. "Alright, fine," she said, pulling out her phone and sending a text.
Trixie frowned. "There's one more missing."
"No there isn't!" Pinkie said. "There's me, Twilight-chan, and Rainbow-chan. We're the only three mahoushoujo."
"There were more of you when Trixie fought you in the parking garage. A fourth girl," Trixie recalled. "The over-primped vamp in the black gi."
Pupa frowned. "Then summon her as well."
"She's not one of us!" Twilight cried. "She's a friend of ours, but she isn't involved in—"
"She seemed pretty involved to Trixie," Trixie said.
"I will fight all of you, and I will fight all of you at the same time," Pupa insisted.
"And I'm telling you, there's just the three of us and Spike!" Twilight shouted, waving her arms emphatically.
The front door to the dance studio opened, and Cheese Sandwich poked his head out. "Hey Pinkie-chan, that friend of yours who's making your costumes is here, she WHOA! What the heck's going on out here?"
The girls turned, horrified, as Rarity stuck her head out next to Cheese. She blinked repeatedly. "Oh dear. You seem to be rather occupied...have I come at a bad time?"
"THAT'S HER!" Trixie cried, jumping up and down and pointing. "That's the fourth member of their little group!"
Pupa smiled coldly. "Excellent. Then we can begin." And with that, she disappeared, reappeared behind Trixie, and buried her knee in the kunoichi's back with a sickening crack, then clubbed her over the head with her fists. Trixie's eyes rolled back in her head, and she slumped to the ground.
Magic 9: ジェネロシティ
"What the—?!" Twilight cried. "Why did you attack her?!"
"Orders," Pupa said simply, hauling the unconscious Trixie up by the hair like a rag doll.
"Uhh...what's...what's going on here?" Cheese asked, blinking.
A purple-and-green blur dropped down from the roof. "I'm here," Spike panted. "What's...holy crap."
"Anou...Pinkie-chan..." Cheese said hesitantly. "If you're filming a surprise stunt show out here...I mean, that's cool and all, even if you totally should've told me, but...you do have stunt doubles...right?"
"Silence this imbecile or I'll kill him," Pupa said as she threw Trixie's limp body against the front wall of the studio.
"Ahem...Sandwich-san...this would be an excellent time to...lock ourselves inside the building and pray..." Rarity said nervously, gently but firmly pushing Cheese back inside.
"YOU will not be going anywhere," Pupa said. She disappeared again, then reappeared by the door. She grabbed Rarity by the arm and threw her bodily at the group of girls.
"RARITY-SAMA!" Spike cried. He leapt into the air, catching Rarity and landing in a crouch, cradling her.
"How many times do I have to tell you? She's NOT INVOLVED!" Twilight shouted.
"Oh, I think she is," Pupa said. "Now, are you going to transform so we can get on with this?"
"Not until you let Rarity leave!"
"Tch...this grows tiresome." Pupa extended a hand, which glowed black; a half dozen creatures that looked like crosses between insects and miniature horses appeared, hissing and snarling, thick strands of gore dripping from their fangs. "The price I pay for offering you a fair fight instead of simply executing you."
Twilight summoned her Element and gripped her locket. "Looks like we've got no choice...Element of Harmony...MAGIC!"
"Element of Harmony...LOYALTY!"
"Element of Harmony...LAUGHTER!"
Cheese, who had just poked his head back outside, yelped, "Wh-WHAAAA?!"
"Cheese," Pinkie said in a firm, hard tone, "get back inside and lock that door. It isn't safe to be here right now."
"Pinkie-chan, what's going on here?" Cheese asked, eyes wide.
Pinkie blew on her curly forelock in irritation. "My friends and I are mahoushoujo, these icky bugpony things are evil monsters that want to kill us, and that big bug lady is an assassin. And so is that ninja girl. Basically everyone wants to kill us. Now will you PLEASE go back inside and let us worry about not dying?"
Cheese paled. "Should I...call the police?"
"The police will only get in our way," Twilight said, spinning her baton. "We can handle this."
"Well...a-alright..." Cheese retreated into the studio.
"Hey, what about Rarity-sama?" Spike asked.
"Get her to safety," Twilight said. "And watch where you put your hands."
"I wasn't gonna—" Spike grumbled.
"Neither of you will be leaving," Pupa said. "If you try, I will kill the girl."
"Set her down, Spike," Twilight said. As Spike did so, she aimed her baton at Rarity. "Protect." A magenta forcefield popped into existence around Rarity. Twilight turned her attention to Pupa and the six summoned Changelings, pointing her baton dramatically. "Bearing the Element of Magic, I will destroy you in the name of the Sun!"
Rainbow twirled her lance. "Bearing the Element of Loyalty, I've got a storm with your name on it!"
Pinkie balanced her bazooka on her shoulder. "Bearing the Element of Laughter, I'm Magical Idol Smile-chan! I came here to chew bubblegum and kick evil butt! I've got lots of bubblegum, and you've got lots of evil butt!"
Spike summoned his dagger, which burned with emerald flames. "Representing the Emerald Flame Dragons, I'll burn you to the ground with the fires of passion!"
Pinkie blinked. "Wait. Why's Spike doing a speech?"
"What, just because I'm not a mahoushoujo, I can't get in on some speech action?" Spike protested.
Pupa narrowed her eyes. "You humans are ridiculous."
"Your FACE is ridiculous!" Rainbow retorted, taking wing and spinning her lance. A glowing funnel of wind formed around the weapon. "TORNADO!" Rainbow thrust her lance out, sending the roaring column of wind ripping through the Changelings. The six lesser creatures were tossed around; Pupa held firm, arms crossed, refusing to even flinch.
Spike leapt into the rush of wind, dagger and feet lashing out, striking each Changeling. They rocketed to the ground, colliding with loud, satisfying cracks.
Twilight raised her baton above her head. "PULSE!" Six magenta beams lanced out from the head of the baton, striking each of the weaker Changelings directly in the face. The monsters evaporated into oily black and green mist.
"Tch," Pupa grunted. "Your powers are impressive. Perhaps this will be an enjoyable battle."
She suddenly blurred into motion. Spike felt a kick to his back which knocked him flat on his face. Twilight felt a rock-hard fist slam into her abdomen; she cried out in pain as she landed painfully on her rear, clutching her stomach. A kick to Rainbow's side sent her spinning wildly in midair; a blow to the back of Pinkie's head staggered her, sending black spots and stars dancing across her vision.
Pupa returned to her original position, crossing her arms. "Do you now understand?" she asked calmly. "You are going to die here."
"Not...gonna...give...UP!" Rainbow grunted. She recovered from her spin and went into a dive, slashing at Pupa with her lance. As her strike was casually blocked with a forearm, she grinned. "ZAP!"
Lightning danced over Pupa's body. She grimaced and took an involuntary step back. Rainbow smirked and drove the blunt head of her lance into Pupa's stomach. "TORNADO!"
The point-blank, full-force tornado lifted Pupa off her feet and slammed her into the front of the building across the street. As Dash recovered, leaning against her lance, Pinkie darted forward and crouched low, bazooka trained on Pupa. "You look like you need a bath!" she taunted. "SMILE GUSHING VAGINA!"
A torrent of water exploded out of the bazooka, slamming into Pupa and pinning her to the wall.
A nauseated expression crossed Rainbow's face. "That's your worst one yet," she grumbled. Sighing, she leaned forward and placed the head of her lance into the torrent. "Zap," she muttered halfheartedly. Electricity crackled wildly along the stream of water, exploding in snapping arcs as it struck Pupa. The Changeling princess screamed and twitched, fighting to protect herself from the onslaught.
As Pinkie's attack dwindled to a trickle, Twilight stepped forward. Her baton transfigured into a golden rapier, which she pointed at the Changeling. "Specimen pin!" Dozens of golden needles streamed forth from Twilight's rapier, penetrating Pupa's limbs and torso.
Pupa smirked and disappeared.
"What—?!"
With one kick, Pupa laid all three girls flat.
"I'm impressed," Pupa said as she kicked their weapons away. "You actually managed to injure me. Slightly." She stared coldly down at the three mahoushoujo. "But I'm afraid you won't live to attack again." She extended a hand, palm open, and pointed it at the girls. Sickly dark green energy coalesced into a swirling, pulsing ball.
"RYUUTATE NO JUTSU!"
A bubble of green magic snapped into place over the fallen girls. Several shuriken buried themselves into Pupa's open palm. Spike appeared directly in front of Pupa in a flash of green flame, slashing her face with his flaming dagger.
"ARGH!" Pupa roared, staggering. Her attack dispelled as she clutched her face, from which greenish-black blood flowed.
Spike dropped his shield and popped small tablets into each girl's mouth. They groaned and sat up. Twilight's hand glowed, and their weapons returned to them. "Thanks, Spike," she said.
"Yeah little dude, you rock!" Pinkie said.
Rainbow rubbed her stomach and rolled her neck. "What was that pill?" she asked. "You didn't just slip us roofies, did you?"
Spike rolled his eyes. "It's a recovery pill," he said. "Concentrated healing magic. I wouldn't screw around like that in the middle of a fight."
A flurry of green-black fireballs pelted toward them; Twilight reverted her rapier to a baton. "BARRIER!" she cried. A glowing magenta barrier spun into place in front of them, absorbing the fireballs. She dropped the barrier in time to see Pupa's foot flying at her face; she ducked. Rainbow, at her side, grabbed Pupa's ankle and twisted; as Pupa spun wide, Pinkie jammed the business end of her bazooka into the small of the Changeling's back.
"SMILE JUST DIE ALREADY VAGINA!"
A column of pure pink force lanced through the Changeling, driving her into the air. Rainbow took wing, soaring up and above the airborne Changeling. She drove her lance into the gaping hole in Pupa's torso and wrenched the spikes around inside her, then began spinning in midair. With a ferocious battle cry, she hurled Pupa toward the ground; trails of black ichor clung to her lance.
"REPEL!" A magenta blast knocked Pupa back into the air before she could land, sending her once more into the wall of the opposing building. She crashed into the wall hard enough to leave a dent, and slid to the ground with a meaty thump. Spike produced a massive glob of green slime out of nowhere and lobbed it at Pupa, pinning her to the pavement.
Rainbow landed next to Pinkie, panting slightly. "Nice shot!" she said. She tilted her head. "I gotta ask...what's up with all the random attack names?" She frowned. "For that matter, how do you keep changing what comes outta that thing?"
Pinkie shrugged. "I dunno. I just think of what I want it to do, and it does it."
"Empathic weapon," Twilight said. "And I have to admit, I'm impressed by how versatile Pinkie's abilities are." She frowned. "Even though that whole 'Vagina' thing is...wrong on so many levels..."
"Uhh...guys? Should we really be ignoring the really powerful Changeling right now?" Spike asked.
"Relax, Spike! She's toast," Rainbow said.
"Nooooot so much," Spike said, pointing. The girls looked at Pupa and gasped.
Pupa erupted from Spike's goo trap and stood, arms folded across her chest, glaring at them. The hole in her abdomen was slowly knitting closed, and the gash Spike had carved into her face was no more than a faint scar.
"What the HELL?!" Rainbow cried.
Pupa smirked. "I was summoned using the blood of an immortal," she said. "Do you understand now? You cannot win. No matter how many times you strike, I will not fall, and you will tire, and you will falter, and I will strike you down."
"Un...smile," Pinkie whimpered.
Twilight frowned. "If Sunset Shimmer's blood was used to summon you..." Without warning, her baton transformed into a rapier again, which she whipped sharply at Pupa. "ERASE MAGIC!"
Pupa made no move to dodge; the wave of dazzling golden light studded with violet sparkles that poured from Twilight's blade enveloped her.
Her healing slowly ground to a halt.
"Tch," Pupa grunted, clutching a hand to her still-damaged, bleeding abdomen. "I didn't expect you to be able to suspend my regeneration."
"Sunset Shimmer is weakened," Twilight said. "My strongest magic is dangerous to her...and anything drawing power from her blood."
"So it would seem," Pupa said. "Still...even without the ability to regenerate, the fact remains..."
Pupa disappeared and reappeared in Twilight's face, which she seized in one hand. "You are no match for me." She lifted Twilight by the face, then powerbombed her into the pavement.
"TWILIGHT!" Pinkie, Rainbow, and Spike cried.
Spike rushed Pupa, slashing with his dagger even as a kunai appeared in his free hand. Rainbow flew up and around Pupa, swinging her lance at the back of the Changeling's head. Pinkie retreated from the melee, bracing her bazooka and waiting for a clear shot.
With a straightarm thrust, Pupa knocked the wind out of Spike. She grabbed him by his vest and threw him at the force bubble protecting Rarity. She tilted her head to the side, allowing Rainbow's strike to sail harmlessly past. She performed an impossible standing backflip axe kick, catching Rainbow in the abdomen, then disappeared, reappeared behind Rainbow, and sent her crashing to the ground with a spinning kick. Disappearing again, she appeared behind Pinkie, grabbing her by her hair and lifting her off the ground. A punch to the chest that nearly fractured Pinkie's sternum, and Pinkie's barely-conscious, limp form was flung mercilessly atop Rainbow.
"It's time to end this," Pupa said as she stood at the center of the fallen, wounded warriors.
Twilight gingerly levered herself up into a crouch. She had one eye closed tightly as she glared hatefully at Pupa. "We're...we're not...finished..."
Pupa smirked coldly. "Yes...you are," she said. "Your magic is impressive, but even your young friend is no match for my physical prowess. This is a fight you cannot win. Give in to death...I'll be merciful..."
"NEVER!" Rainbow cried defiantly.
"Hn. As you wish..."
"Sparkle-san."
All eyes turned to Rarity.
"Senpai..." Twilight sighed. "I...I'm sorry you—"
"Let me out of this thing," Rarity said. "I'm going to fight."
Twilight groaned. "Senpai...I know you're strong...but this...this is..."
"I simply cannot stand idly by and watch this beastly creature murder you all," Rarity said.
"We're not gonna die!" Rainbow snarled.
"ENOUGH!" Rarity roared, stamping a foot. "Release me at once!" She took a deep breath. "You've protected me long enough. Let me protect you now."
"Senpai, you can't—"
Spike's onyx pendant suddenly began to glow a blinding white. His eyes widened.
Pupa raised an eyebrow. "What's this?" she asked.
"Neechan?" Spike said softly. "Drop the shield."
Twilight looked from Spike to Rarity, uncertainty on her face. Then, with a sigh, she released her protection spell.
Spike pulled a silver locket out of thin air, tossing it to Rarity. She caught it easily. He then pulled out the gilded chest containing the remaining Elements of Harmony. A deep amethyst gem floated out, flashing brilliantly. It floated toward Rarity, who plucked it from midair, eyes full of wonder.
The gem changed shape, becoming a diamond.
The cover of the locket glowed a soft, soothing white, and three diamonds engraved themselves on the front.
Twilight's eyes widened.
Rarity looked at the gem, then the locket, a faintly puzzled frown on her face. Then, with a nod of sudden understanding, she opened the locket. "Element of Harmony..."
She inserted the gem into the locket.
"GENEROSITY!"
Rarity's clothes exploded away from her body, which began to glow white. The white glow concentrated itself on her torso, coalescing into a striking white qipao with a high collar, no sleeves, amethyst trim, and an almost indecent hemline, with splits along the sides that went all the way to her hips. White pearl spike-heeled slippers graced her feet, and dark purple bracers that matched her hair formed on her forearms. A pattern of three shining diamonds appeared on her dress near her left hip. Matching earrings dangled from her ears. A white lotus blossom formed in her hair, trailing white silk ribbons that intertwined with her styled curls. She extended her right arm straight to the side, and a white silk fan with gold lacquered ribbing appeared in her hand.
She looked down at herself.
"A qipao?" she asked flatly. "Really? I do judo, not kung fu." She sighed dramatically. "Oh well, fashion before function, I suppose."
"You look amazing," Spike breathed.
"Thank you, Spike-kun," Rarity said primly. She focused her attention on Pupa. "Now, shall we?"
"Interesting," Pupa said. She blurred into motion and reappeared in front of Rarity, driving a fist into her solar plexus...
A fist that never connected, as Rarity sidestepped, seized Pupa's wrist, and pulled, slamming the Changeling into the front wall of the dance studio. Rarity dance-jogged three steps back, stance firm, and folded her fan, which began to glow a faint blue. "Fashion Wave!" She thrust the fan forward and snapped it sharply open; a broad blue arc of power erupted from the fan, striking Pupa in the back.
Pupa turned slowly, staggering slightly. Her eyes were wide, almost fearful. "You..." With a snarl, she charged, lashing out with a roundhouse kick. Rarity caught her leg, wrenched it out of its socket, then with a pivot of her hips, threw Pupa to the ground.
"Sugoi..." Rainbow breathed.
"I will NOT be bested by the likes of you!" Pupa roared, extending a hand which pulsed with green-black power. She unleashed a blast of force.
"Senpai! Look out!" Twilight cried.
Rarity raised an eyebrow and unfolded her fan. "Elegant Reflection!" Her fan began to glow; Rarity swatted the force blast with it. The blast careened back at Pupa, whose eyes widened. It slammed into her still-damaged midsection; she screamed as she collapsed to the ground.
Rarity smirked and flipped her hair haughtily as she stalked toward the Changeling and, with a vicious grin, stabbed Pupa through the back of her left hand with the heel of her shoe. "I'm afraid you've overstayed your welcome, darling," she said lightly. "Sparkle-san? I believe you have some sort of finishing attack?"
Twilight, Rainbow, and Pinkie stood stock-still, staring at Rarity with stunned, slack-jawed expressions.
Pupa struggled on the ground. "You...insolent...human...witch!"
Rarity grimaced. "Ahem. Now would be lovely, Sparkle-san."
"Huh? Ah...hai!" Shaking herself, Twilight raised her rapier above her head. "ERASE MAGIC!" She brought her rapier down in a quick, whipping motion, pointing it at Pupa. A wave of dazzling golden light studded with violet sparkles poured forth from the blade, enveloping her. Rarity pulled her heel out of Pupa's hand and leapt away as the attack struck.
Pupa writhed on the ground, screaming in agony. "This...is not...possible!" she screeched. Her armor began to chip away, dissolving into oily green-blask wisps of smoke.
When the light from Twilight's attack subsided, Pupa remained on the ground, smoke curling from her body. She had a melted, warped appearance, and many parts of her body were oozing...
...but she was still very much alive. She staggered to her feet, thick strands of black gore dripping from her flesh. Her human features were gone, replaced by angular black chitin. Huge, distorted holes had appeared in her limbs. Her elegant human hands had become malformed, serrated claws. Her wings fell off. Her helmet split open, falling away to reveal jagged black spikes of chitin. Her eyes were now iridescent green orbs with slit pupils.
"That...really hurt," Pupa seethed.
Twilight stared in horrified shock. "It's...not possible..."
"Oh man," Rainbow groaned. "You gotta be kiddin' me!"
Pinkie's hair collapsed, becoming a limp, stringy mess. "This sucks so hard," she whimpered.
"You said it," Spike agreed, shifting into a defensive stance.
Pupa issued a wet, rasping chuckle. "I...am going to peel the flesh from your bones...slowly..." She advanced a step toward the girls. "I...am going to make you watch...as I eat you alive..."
A short sword slashed through her neck, sending her head tumbling across the pavement.
Trixie crouched in a follow-through motion halfway between Pupa and the rolling head. Her chest heaved as she gasped for breath. She glared up at Twilight. "Quickly," she grunted. "Finish her."
"Trixie?!" Twilight gasped. "But...why?"
"FINISH HER NOW!" Trixie snarled.
"ERASE MAGIC!" Twilight once again brought her rapier down in a quick, whipping motion, pointing it at Pupa. A wave of dazzling golden light studded with violet sparkles poured forth from the blade, enveloping both the still-standing body and the severed head. Within seconds, there was nothing left of Pupa but ash drifting on the breeze.
Twilight dropped her rapier and gasped for air, clutching at her chest with one hand while bracing the other against her knees. She looked up at Trixie. "Why...why did you help us?"
"Trixie did not help you," Trixie said as she stood tall, tossing her hair and turning up her nose. "Trixie helped herself. If Trixie allowed that monster to destroy you, then Trixie would not be paid for her services." Trixie paused, then looked slightly away. "Besides...Trixie's pride will not allow anyone but Trixie to defeat you."
Rainbow scowled. "Well that's great an' all, but if you think we're just gonna stand around and let you kill us all after what we just went through..."
Trixie snorted. "Trixie...is not in the mood to end this today. Rest assured...you will see Trixie again." She threw a smoke bomb at the ground, which erupted in a billowing, glittery blue cloud. When it dispersed, she was gone.
Twilight sighed. "Come on, girls," she said wearily. "Let's get inside. I'm too tired to go anywhere else right now."
"Me too," Pinkie said. "This is the most unsmile day I've ever had." She looked at Rarity. "Well...it had its good points."
"Boy, I'll say," Rainbow said with a grin.
With a lavender glow, Twilight returned to normal. She limped over to Rarity. "Senpai..." she said tiredly.
Rarity tilted her head. "Sparkle-san?"
Rolling her eyes, Twilight grabbed Rarity and pulled her into a hug. "Arigatou," she whispered. "And...I'm happy to call you my friend."
Rarity smiled, tears misting in her eyes as she returned Twilight's embrace.
Rainbow and Pinkie reversed their transformations. Spike's battle attire was replaced by his street clothes in a flash of green. After Twilight released Rarity, the older girl's body flashed white, reversing her transformation.
As the four girls and Spike headed into the studio, Spike mused, "I wonder if we can get pizza delivery here." The girls giggled. "What?" Spike asked. "I'm starving after all that!"
Twilight laughed. "Sure, we'll order something," she said.
"I wonder..." Rarity said. "Is there any way to alter our...costumes?"
"I don't think so," Twilight said. "You'd have to ask Celestia-sama about that."
"I believe I shall," Rarity said.
"What, you don't like wearing a qipao?" Pinkie asked. "It really does look good on you."
"Oh, I'm perfectly fine with my outfit," Rarity said. "I just want to know if we can do something about Sparkle-san's..."
"Not THIS again!" Twilight cried. "Mou..."
* * * * *
Fluttershy sat on the edge of her hospital bed. A nurse checked her vitals.
"Well, you're going home today," the nurse said. "Aren't you excited?"
"Oh, yes," Fluttershy said as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I haven't seen my poor sweet Angel Bunny in days. He must be so sad and lonely..."
"I bet you're looking forward to seeing your friends again too," the nurse said.
"Friends?" Fluttershy asked. "I...I don't have any friends..."
The nurse frowned. "Really? Because three girls came to check up on you a couple days after you were admitted." She tapped a finger on her cheek. "Though it's kind of strange...they haven't been back since..."
Fluttershy shook her head. "I..."
"Well, they were all wearing the same school uniform," the nurse said. "Maybe a teacher sent them to check on you." She smiled. "They did seem awfully worried about you, though."
"Oh," Fluttershy said softly. "That's...nice."