"Right, let's get outa here," Applejack affirmed with Marcus as she watched the guards chase after Spike. The young dragon had stolen the keys from the guards, and gave it to the pair when the guards weren't watching. After which he lead them away in a hearty chase.
“I got something in mind for that,” Marcus said with a grin. “We'll swing this back to the landing, then we can open the gate.”
Applejack agreed with this plan, and the two began to swing the cage with their weight. Rocking back and forth, slowly but surely, they got the cage swinging. Unfortunately, it was taking a little too long for Applejack. As the caged reached the bottom of its swing, Applejack told Marcus to hold on as she applebucked the cage.
The impact sent the cage moving with great speed, immediately slamming into the pony as it swung with startling force right into the wall of the prison, violently lodging itself there. The frame was bent beyond use, the door hanging open from the destruction.
“Uh, sorry,” she said. She lay sprawled on top of Marcus, and got off him. They both got out of the ruined cage as the mare commented, “I guess we didn't need the key, now, to save the princess!” She said as she walked up to a decorative suit of armor and took the blade it had. Eyeing the blade, it didn't look like it could even cut butter, but she didn't have any better options.
“Good luck with that," Marcus replied, "you and Spike can manage, I got somewhere I need to be.” His words caught the mare off guard.
“What? Where!?” She angrily asked, annoyed that he was abandoning the princess.
“I gotta get this Supersoft to Blank,” he replied, surprising Applejack.
“Yer here to help Blank!?” She stated, her anger switching to unexpected happiness. “Fair enough. Best of luck to ya, and tell Blank sorry for me.” Marcus cave her a confused look, but nodded and offered his hand, and they shook, before parting to save their friends.
Leaving the prison, Applejack reached a flight of stairs, and upon reaching the top, wondered where she was, and how she was gonna find the princess. Where's Spike? I could use his help right now!
She was surprised when three red and blue orbs of magic landed right behind her, revealing Zidane, Freya, and Pinkie. What in tarnation?! The four of them stared at each other for a moment, completely caught off guard. Pinkie was the first to break the spell of surprise, by surprising Applejack with a tackling hug.
“Applejack!” She said sweetly, nuzzling her lovingly. “I'm so~ glad you're okay! Not that I was worried. I wasn't worried at all!” She assured with a smile, separating from her and looking composed as she did so, but gave Applejack a wink that only she could see. Applejack appraised the unexpected appearance of her friends, and gave them her honest impression of the situation.
“Oh boy!” Applejack stated with a grin, “Am I glad to see ya'll.” Things are really lookin' up now!
“You're not being a very convincing prisoner right now, you know,” Zidane said sarcastically as he crossed his arms.
“Here we were hoping to save you,” Freya said, “Guess we'll just have to settle for the princess,” she finished with a light smile.
“What are ya'll doin' here? What happened after Burmecia?” Applejack asked, and they filled her in. As they did Pinkie gave her back her armor and hat, and Zidane gave her a blade he had for her for this occasion.
"I'm sorry 'bout Cleyra, Freya. Wish I coulda helped." She said as she put her hat on, Freya gave her a small nod as Applejack then let out a long sigh. “Thanks Pinkie, that's so much better. Not havin' my hat makes me nervous.”
“Okay, that's enough of that!” Zidane said, breaking up the reunion with his urgent tone. “Dagger is in danger! The queen is going to execute her when she arrives, we need to find her, fast!”
“What! Execute her?” Applejack said in alarm, “Spike's in the castle somewhere,” she informed them, “if we find him, he can lead us to Garnet!” Then a thought came to mind. “Oh, Zidane, Marcus was just with me, he's headin' to the Evil Forest to cure Blank.”
“What?” He replied in surprise, “That's the best new's I've heard all day!” He smiled, then it turned into a frown as she shook his head. “Now, let's move!”
With that, they moved, wandering through the castle. They tackled soldiers blocking their way, but at the ponies insistence, they were not dealt fatal wounds. The soldiers worked in pairs, and constantly lost to the group of four, and Applejack couldn't help but find their bravery admirable. Fighting through the castle was making quite the ruckus, the commotion they were making eventually directed Spike to them.
“Whoa, you guys are here too?” He said, happy to see the other three, “Awesome!" He didn't seem to care for the how of it. "Now follow me, Dagger's past a hidden part of the castle in the queen's bedroom!” He informed the group as he led them there. Reaching the room, Spike immediately went over to a candelabra and pulled it, activating a lever that revealed a hidden door in the fireplace.
A hidden passage? What is this? The castle of the- Applejack shook her head, now wasn't the time for such silly thoughts.
“Good thing ya were with the princess,” she said to the dragon, “or we woulda never found that.” Her praise made the dragon radiate with happiness. They went down, deep into another underground hallowed chamber, Is this one of the grand towers? She wondered as they descended, following the dragon to the princess. Reaching the very bottom, they went through a double door. Inside the room, at the far end was Garnet laying on a magic crest on the floor. Zorn and Thorn were standing over her, and looked at the intruders with annoyance.
“What are you doing here!” Zorn asked as they approached the party.
“So meddlesome, you are! Mercy, no more!” Thorn declared as they attacked.
There have been many grueling fights Applejack has been through. When they attacked, she remembered the fight with the Black Waltz No.3, the fight with Gizamaluke, and the defeat at Beatrix's blade. What proceeded, was, by far, the easiest battle she ever partook in. They never got a single spell off, never tried attacking back. It was a one-sided beat-down. The jesters that created the Black Waltz's, and made Gizamaluke go mad, were weaker than a parasprite. They were quick to flee, what sense of dignity they had shattered.
“Damn you! We will get you for this!” Zorn promised.
“Matters not to us. Finished with Garnet, we are!” Thorn admitted.
“You are too late!” They declared in unison as they fled.
“Those pests are very well trained at fleeing,” Freya declared, glaring at them as they did so. Free of distractions, the party ran up to Garnet, seeing she was asleep on the circle.
“Dagger? Dagger!” Zidane said, trying to wake her, and having no success. “It's just like Pinkie was back at Burmecia!”
“What what about me?” Pinkie asked, confused.
“When we came too after Beatrix thromped us, we were unable to wake you,” Zidane explained.
“So then we just have to wait for Garnet to pop awake!” Pinkie declared.
“In that case, let's carry her outa here, the queen's still on her way, after all,” Applejack suggested. They followed through with that plan, Zidane picked Garnet up, while Spike gathered her possessions, that were stored nearby, and they moved. Going back the way they came, they intended to flee into the city. Reaching back to the queens chambers, they stopped at Zidane's request.
“I'd like to give Dagger a moment to rest,” he asked, carrying her up those stairs couldn't have been easy on the sleeping princess. No one refused, and Zidane placed her on the bed, Spike looked to her with worry.
“How long till she wakes up?” He asked.
“I'm not sure,” Zidane replied with a shake of his head, “If only I had gotten here sooner." He kneeled down next to Garnet, regret written on his face. "I'm sorry,” he finished, apologizing to her.
“Now look here Zidane,” Applejack began, “this wasn't yer fault. She ran off without countin' on us. Yer not to blame.”
“I'm the one that was suppose to protect her,” Spike admitted with regret, “it's my fault she's like this.”
“Hey now! It's not any of our faults!~” Pinkie declared, looking as though she was listening to someone who wasn't there. “You silly ponies. It was the queen and that white haired guy and the soldiers and Beatrix. Don't blame yourselves for what somepony else did!” Her outburst surprised Applejack.
That, wasn't a joke, or silly, or random. Oh, Pinkie... Applejack thought sadly, feeling regret over letting Pinkie come to Burmecia with her.
“Pinkie's right,” Freya said, making Pinkie's smile widen. “I wanted to blame myself for Burmecia, and Cleyra. But it wasn't my wickedness that brought destruction to my nation. I was late to it's aid, but gave everything I could to protect it, the enemy was just stronger. The princess is like this because the Queen and Kuja did this.” She finished with a hard frown.
“Your right, both of you,” Zidane admitted after thinking on their words, “but it doesn't make me feel any better.” He stated as he looked at Garnet with concern.
“There they are!” Zorn and Thorn said in unison, surprising everyone. “There is no escape!” Beatrix was at their side, looking at them with surprised respect.
“I have to hand it to you all,” Beatrix said to her enemies, “You've got to be the most persistent thorn in my side I've ever had to pull out.” Beatrix was smiling, a genuine smile, free of malice.
Is she complimentin' us?
"Looks like I'll be putting you down, again."
“Where do you get off!” Zidane shouted, “Being so high and mighty when all you and your queen are doing is cause mass murder!”
“Beatrix," Applejack chimed in, “yer doing what ya do because the queen told ya, did the queen tell ya to kill the princess, too?” she asked, demanding to know.
“Does the general of Alexandria also intend to kill its heir!” Freya asked, their demands putting Beatrix on the spot.
“As the general of Alexandria, what is your sworn duty!?” Zidane asked, “Isn't it to protect Dagger- Princess Garnet?” He said, indicating Garnet. Beatrix saw the princess asleep on the bed, and genuine concern lightened her features.
“So, it was true,” she said, looking as though a great weight was taken from her, “The queen really did mean to kill her.” She added with sad disappointment.
“Yer servin' a villain that wants to do away with her own daughter! Don't ya think there's somethin' wrong with that?” Applejack asked, and Beatrix nodded.
“There is something wrong with that. All this time, I've been mistaken. The queen, why?” She asked in confusion. She looked to Freya with a regretful expression. “And now I've done what can never be lived down." She looked up, hoping her words could be heard by the dead, "Citizens of Burmecia, please forgive me.”
“It's too late to seek forgiveness!” Freya angrily declared, it was her right to, no one stopped her as she approached Beatrix. “Many of my people are dead, thanks to you and your queen!” Freya looked like she was about to attack Beatrix, but she didn't draw her spear. “Still, you can save the princess.”
“Freya...” Zidane and Pinkie said sadly in unison, Pinkie gave her a light nuzzle, which Freya reciprocated with a small smile as she continued.
“You can let us go,” she continued, “send away the queen's hounds! As long as the queen rules, her daughter isn't safe in Alexandria. You are strong, we know that better than anyone, so lend the princess your strength! Help your princess!” Beatrix considered her words briefly, then nodded.
“I don't know if I can, but I will try.” She said as she overlooked Garnet. She then bent down and tried to dispel the sleep the princess was lost in.
“Won't she wake up on her own like I did?” Pinkie asked in confusion.
“No,” Beatrix replied, “I've seen Kuja's magic before, what he used on you was weak compared to this, she is set to never wake, but I may be able to remove it.” And to affirm that, she gathered the healing arts she possessed as a knight of the royal family, and attempted to dissuade the spell over Garnet.
“Irrevocable is the spell he cast!” Thorn declared, as Beatrix's first attempt failed.
“It is useless,” Zorn added as she tried a second time, failing a second time. She gathered her magic, and tried again, her brow sweating from the effort, and this time, she succeeded, to the jesters complete shock. As the magic began to dissipate, Garnet stirred. She sat up, grabbing her head as she took in her surroundings.
“Princess, are you alright?” Beatrix asked of her, kneeling before her.
“I'm a little dizzy, what happened?” The princess asked.
“Dagger!” Zidane exclaimed, happy she was awake.
“Alright! She's awake again!” Spike cheered with excitement.
“You're all here,” Garnet observed, slightly confused.
“What is all this ruckus!?” The voice of Brahne asked as she entered her bedroom, currently occupied with all sorts of characters. Zorn and Thorn were quick on the uptake.
“The Princess has awakened, your Majesty!” Zorn said
“Kidnapping the princess, they are, your Majesty!” Thorn added. Brahne took it all in as she stared at the intruders.
“Have you extracted all the eidolons from her?” She asked.
“We have, your Majesty,” they replied in unison.
“Then what are you waiting for? Take Garnet and throw her in the prison!” She coldly ordered.
“Yes, your Majesty!” They replied
“I won't allow that!” Beatrix said, blocking Zorn and Thorn. The queen turn around, bemused by her general's actions.
“Oh? Are you defying me as well?” Brahne asked.
“Your Majesty, it is my duty to protect the princess. I beg you, reconsider. Please do not harm the princess anymore.” Beatrix then quickly turned to the others, “All of you, leave here at once!"
“I'm staying!” Freya said as she joined her former enemies side. “Everyone, go. Now!”
“You two are joining forces?” The queen asked, “How amusing,” she turned to the jesters, “Get rid of them,” and as the queen started to leave, Garnet got her attention.
“Mother!” She cried out in desperation, hoping something of the woman who use to care for her remained. The queen hesitated a moment, briefly looking over her shoulder, then continued leaving, saying nothing else. The two jesters moved to block them from following the queen, and they summoned two Bandersnatches to their side.
“Freya! Please be careful!” Pinkie asked of her.
“Don't you worry. Let's meet again in Lindblum!” Freya declared.
Zidane moved to the candelabra and opened the secret door, urging the rest of his friends to flee. Applejack stared as the two knights began to fight the large dogs. They were staying behind to let the others flee. Blank being petrified in the forest flashed in her mind. She was torn between staying with them, or following the others. Her conversation with Twilight not that long ago directed her decision. Pinkie and Spike don't know, we need to stick together!
“Beatrix!” Applejack shouted, getting the knights attention, “Ya regret Burmecia? Make sure she returns to Lindblum, and apologize to all the refugees!” Beatrix nodded, Freya gave Applejack an easy smile as another pair of large dogs joined the fray. With the promise reassuring her, Applejack followed after Zidane, Spike and Garnet at her side. I helped Freya and Blank, and Garnet. Now I need to help Pinkie and Spike. We're all in this together, I will not be the pony that splits us apart, not this time!
“Freya,” Pinkie said, giving her a hard look, but honest smile. “You have a date to keep, so don't let my efforts go to waste, he's gotta be alive, 'kay~?” Making eye contact with the dragon knight was all Pinkie needed from Freya, and she chased after the others. The five of them descended into the castle, back down towards where they had found Garnet.
“Isn't this a dead end?” Applejack asked with worry.
“The passage to Treno is down here,” Spike informed them, Garnet agreeing with him, “though the gates may still be up. I'll see if there's anything I can do to lower them!” They moved with great haste, the entire castle buzzing with activity as they avoided a group of Black Mages. Reaching the bottom, they found that the gates to Gargan Roo were open. Everyone stopped when they noticed Garnet hesitate.
“Is it alright,” she asked of them, “leaving them like this? Letting them fight to protect me?”
“No offense princess,” Applejack said, masking her annoyance, “but it's not just you they're protectin'.”
“They're making sure we get away.” Zidane explained, “We stop now and get caught, and it'll be for naught. Beatrix and Freya want this country to be better, for their own reasons. You can make it better, but only if you're alive. Come, let's move forward.”
“They'll be fine princess,” Pinkie said, “Beatrix is super strong, and Freya is really fast, they'll be just fine. Have faith in them!” Garnet nodded at her companions words. And she moved forward. As they all passed the first gate, the second gate rose up suddenly.
“What the heck!” Zidane proclaimed.
“We need to move before-!” Garnet began as the gate behind them rose up, trapping them.
“They fell for it again!” Zorn declared with a grin. He and Thorn were standing over the trap, just like the last time.
“Really stupid, they are!” Thorn added.
“You bastards!” Zidane shouted.
“Bastards, we may be, but clever are we.” Thorn said with a smile, laughing in time with Zorn.
What, they think this rusty gate is gonna stop me? Applejack thought as she appraised the gate.
“Stand back everypony!” Applejack said as she applebucked the gate, sending a number of the rusty bars flying, making a sizable hole in it. “Now let's move!”
“Cheating, that is!” Thorn cried
“They're getting away!” Zorn stated as the group moved deeper into the old traveling system of Gargan Roo.
“Well, this place sure is spooky!” Pinkie claimed.
“So, this is Gargan Roo?" Zidane observed, "I've heard of it, first time seeing it.” He then noticed Dagger lost in thought, worry on her face. “You okay?” After a couple moments of silence he shook his head, “Forget I asked, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind.”
“Gee, ya think?” Applejack commented sarcastically.
“Here comes the gargant!” Spike said as the large insect came around, with the trolley in tow.
“That thing is huge!” Zidane said in surprise.
“It's bigger than an apple tree!” Applejack said, wide eyed.
“It's~ ginormous~!” Pinkie added.
“It's alright I guess,” Spike finished, unimpressed.
“Let's get going, we haven't the time to waste,” Zidane declared. Garnet was still lost in thought, “Dagger!” he shouted, prompting her to turn around.
“I, I don't know what to do anymore,” She admitted weakly.
“Oh come on!” Zidane exclaimed, “Why do you think the others stayed behind!? They didn't just stay to let us escape, they also stayed because they have to fight! Sometimes, you can't think everything out. You just have to listen to your heart.”
His words hit Applejack, she's been doing a little too much thinking as of late. Just listen to yer heart huh? I suppose I should have been doin' that from the get-go. Still, I'm here now, I ain't turnin' back! His words also reached the princess, and after considering them, she nodded and got in the carriage with the rest of them. Shortly after she got on, the gargant started moving through the cave.
“So this leads where again?” Applejack asked.
“To Treno, it's a city near the South Gate,” Garnet answered. With that said they sat in silence for a little bit. Applejack took this moment to inform the others about her conversation with Twilight.
“So we have to look for the way home. Well, at least Ponyville is alright.” Spike commented, the news making him smile.
“Nuh uh~! They need me back to liven up the place!” Pinkie proclaimed.
“Kinda wonder why Sunset Shimmer came back, not that I'm complaining!” Spike added. As they conversed, the gargant started to pick up speed. Before long it was going fast enough to make the others worry.
“Why's it goin' so fast?” Applejack asked.
“Uh, that's probably why!” Spike declared in surprise as he pointed out behind the gargant. A large snake creature was a little ways behind them, its colors allowed it to blend with the darkness, making it easy to miss, and it was chasing them.
“We're going too fast!” Garnet claimed, and suddenly the carriage swung violently as the tunnel turned. They zipped past a stopping station, too quickly to get off. “We just missed Treno!”
“Where does this end!?” Applejack asked, the cave started to turn more and more violently as they moved, rocking the carriage back and forth. “Hold on tight everypony!”
They made a sudden left turn, Pinkie and Zidane were almost knocked off, Pinkie grabbed Zidane, and Applejack tied Pinkie to the carriage with her rope. No one was able to save Spike, as he plummeted off with a cry. He teleported back into the carriage, but the momentum of falling made him crash into it, knocking his head hard as he slipped away, disappearing into the darkness behind them. The monster chasing the gargant paid the dragon no mind.
“Spike!!” The entire carriage shouted in unison. But he was gone, and with the speed they were going, jumping off to save him would inflict great harm.
“Stop! Ya darn bug!” Applejack ordered, but it didn't listen. “I said stop-” she moved to buck it, but a sudden lurch of the carriage knocked her off her hooves.
“There's light up ahead!” Pinkie informed them as the gargant raced forward. It quickly climbed up to the light, crashing the carriage against the rocks and sending everyone flying. The last thing Applejack saw as she hit the ground was the sky colored red from the sunset.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Moogle Notes:
~~~~~~~~~~~
'Howdy Equestrian, Mois the moogle here with more tid-bits about Gaia!'
'Zorn and Thorn actually have strong magic, but they need to cast it together to make it work, and being attacked repeatedly makes that very hard for them to pull off.'
'The double gate's that trapped the princess and the others were a defense made long ago to hamper intruders trying to get into the castle.'
'I went after Spike shortly after he fell, I could fly so I wasn't at risk of getting hurt going after him. Kupo!'
~~~~~~~~
Applejack
~~~~~~~~
Items Equipped: *New Item Acquired*
*Mythril Sword: Armor Break
Applejack's Hat: Applebuck(mastered)
Iron Scabbard: Bird Killer(mastered)
Elem-Def: Thunder damage reduced by 50%
Basic Barding: Hog Tie(mastered)
Leather Saddlebag: Hog Tie(mastered), Antibody(mastered)
Elem-Def: Earth damage reduced by 50%
Lvl-16 HP 34/820 MP 30/54
AP 9/26
*Bird Killer (3) - Deals lethal damage to flying enemies.
*Beast Killer (4) - Deals lethal damage to beasts.
*Antibody (4) - Prevents Poison and Venom.
*Cover(6) - You take damage in place of an ally
Abilities:
Apple Arts:
Applebuck 12 MP - High chance of removing an enemy from battle.
Apple Toss 8 MP - Restores HP of single target, Cures Doom and Trouble.
Hog Tie 8 Mp - Traps single target, causes Applebuck to do high damage.
Sword Arts:
Minus Strike 8 MP - Damages with the difference between your max HP and current HP.
Armor Break 4 MP - Reduces the enemy's Defense.