//------------------------------// // S2, Chapter 7, Team Work // Story: Friendship is Life // by alejin //------------------------------// Twilight and Alex started running towards Tirek at full speed, even though they had no clear idea about what to do next. “So Twilight, what is exactly the plan?” “I. . . I don’t know, maybe we could talk with him and make him stop - she turned her face and looked at Alex’s expression - Ok, ok. He doesn’t look like he would want to talk this through. Do you have any ideas Alex?” “It’s simple. we have to kick his ass!” “Simple?! You do remember what I told you, don’t you? He stole almost all of Equestria’s magic! He must be unbelievable strong now. Do you really think we have a chance against him?” “Well, considering you are like a Super Saiyan 3 Alicorn right now, I believe our chances are not that bad!” “Super 3 what?” - Twilight asked. “Forget it! You are a very powerful Alicorn now! - Alex answered - anyway, it is obvious he would wipe the floor with me if I fight him alone. But with your help, I believe we can do this!” Twilight wasn't really that sure about this but knowing they had no other choice but to fight in order to save Ponyville; Alex’s plan was the best thing they could try. Twilight nodded at Alex. Even though she was a little scared, seeing how determined her friend was, made her feel a little confident. Alex’s horn started to glow, catching Twilight’s attention. Immediately, his battle gear materialized out of nowhere and was assembling around him magically. “Alex, I didn’t know you could teleport your gear like this!” “Yeah, it took me weeks to master this, but it is totally worth it. This is a lot more practical than to carry my stuff around in a saddle bag!” “You impress me - Twilight replied - I hope you teach me that spell when all this is over, do you realize how cool. . . ”. She was about to finish her sentence but Alex interrupted her: “Twilight, I honestly believe we have more important things to worry about, don’t you think?” Twilight blushed - you are right! - she said as they ran faster towards their target. ---------- Tirek was running out of patience. Not even two minutes had passed since he threatened to destroy the town; regardless, he decided to start having some twisted fun. Charging a big blast of magic, he aimed for one specific target. Twilight and Alex were so close now. They saw him charging his magic blast and almost yelled after they realized his target was the Library! “I always hated books!” Tirek said before launching a powerful magical blast at it. Twilight, knowing who could be inside, teleported as fast as she could into her home. “Why did you do that?” Alex shouted. Were those books that important? The answer was revealed just a second before the beam impacted the library. Twilight managed to escape the explosion with her owl friend in her hooves. “So, that’s why she risked her life. She did it to save him!” Alex said to himself. He felt really happy for her. But his happiness didn’t last long, for the next thing he noticed was the hole where the Library used to be. The Oak Tree was almost burned down, hundreds of book pages were spread around it. It was a horrible view. Just by looking at the sadness in Twilight’s face after watching her home being destroyed was enough to make him mad. He started running again towards his target. “Maldito!” he shouted, as he summoned 2 spectral katanas to this side. -------- Tirek looked at his “work” with pleasure. He saw the Alicorn teleporting away from the Library right before it was blown to pieces. Noticing the sadness in her face made this moment even more delightful for him. He was about to scream at her when suddenly... “TIREK!” He heard somepony screaming at him. He turned around and saw to sword like weapons coming towards him, ready cut his face. He barely had time to dodge the attack but it wasn’t enough, one of his horns was cut in half. He screamed in pain as he looked at the culprit. It was a unicorn, weird dressed and armored to the teeth. Using his magic he made his horn grow again. “It seems cutting off his horns will do nothing. Or does he just heal really fast?” Alex asked himself. “HOW DARE YOU!? DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH YOU FILTHY UNICORN?” Tirek shouted. “I couldn’t care less you asshole!” Alex replied. “How will I enjoy draining all of your magic but I believe a good beating is necessary before I do that!” “Do your best, dumbass!” Alex smirked as he pointed his spectral katanas at him. Tirek started running towards the unicorn at a very high speed. He clenched his fist, ready to strike the unicorn. It was a little surprising that this unicorn didn’t seem to back off “I guess I’ll just finish him off then” Tirek said. Right before he could hit the unicorn with all of his strength, a powerful magenta colored beam hit him on his side, sending him flying meters away. He regained his balance and turned around “You will pay for what you have done!” he shouted as he saw Twilight charging her horn and flying towards him. Tirek quickly regained his balance and shot a powerful magic blast at Twilight who casted a shield. However, Tirek’s magic was so powerful, it still sent her flying away. The centaur laughed but immediately noticed some arrows coming his way. He also casted a shield but the arrows pierced through it, burying themselves deep in his arm. He hissed in pain but immediately took them out, then he looked up and saw the unicorn approaching. “Don’t forget you are also facing me asshole!” Alex said while shooting another arrow using his magic. Tirek casted another shield but it was pierced too. However, he had time to dodge the projectile this time. “What? Those points are definitely made of Darkness Stone but how? He is using his magic with no problem. . . How is that possible?” He didn’t have much time to think, as Alex summoned his katanas again and swung at him; Tirek started to dodge all of his attacks while trying to bind the unicorn with his magic. But he had no success. The unicorn always freed himself pretty quickly. “Why? Why can’t I bind him for long? It’s like his armor was made of that cursed Darkness Stone too! Damn it! It makes no sense!” Tirek said to himself. Alex noticed his confusion and smiled. It was good to know he still had a trump card up in his sleeve. Even Alex was surprised after he found his immunity to Darkness Stone. Knowing nothing was working and that he could not dodge the unicorn attacks forever, Tirek shot a magic blast at Alex. The unicorn jumped away but the explosion caused by the impact of the beam sent him flying away. Tirek took this opportunity to hit him with his fist. Alex barely managed to block the attack with his hooves and a small magical shield he casted around them. But it wasn’t enough, Tirek broke the shield and hit Alex with so much force, it made a small crater on the ground. Alex coughed and some of his blood poured on the ground “Damn! If I hadn’t cast this spell to protect me, I would be dead just by the sheer strength of this monster!” Immediately, Tirek charged his magic again “This will teach you some respect, insect!” Tirek was about to shoot a powerful magical beam at Alex but once again he was interrupted by a magic blast that hit him hard on the chest. He backed off some meters away and saw Princess Twilight shooting more magical blasts at him. “Nice job Alex, now let me handle this fight!” she shouted. Alex stood up and nodded. Moving away from the magical attacks. “Ok… just give me a few seconds.” He said. Twilight and Tirek began to exchange magical attacks. The powerful spells casted by both adversaries sent shivers down Alex’s spine. Tirek and Twilight kept shooting at each other; it seemed they were equal in power but Tirek was faster, he managed to grab Twilight using his magic and started draining hers, but suddenly he heard the unicorn shouting: “Proud Hamer Avalanche!” Tirek saw a huge green hammer coming down on him. There was too late to escape the impact so he just closed his eyes. The hammer hit him so hard, it sent him flying away. “How do you like that Asshole?” Alex screamed. Twilight stood up. She was amazed at the amount of magic and the powerful attacks Alex was able to cast. The unicorn wasn’t done, he shouted as his horn started to glow again brighter than before. Tirek was barely standing up when he saw a giant green fist coming his way. All he could do was look at the unicorn who casted this spell. The unicorn looked so angry. The giant green fist impacted him with full force. The centaur didn’t have time to think, a powerful magenta beam hit him on his side, and then another giant green fist hit him on the other. Twilight and Alex were fighting like one. Their attacks were doing what they needed to do: Keep him down. Even though most of the real damage was being done by Twilight. “We are so kicking his ass Twilight!” Alex said. “Yes we are my friend! Now, let’s finish this!” She agreed. However, a red bubble surrounded their enemy. “WAIT!” Trek shouted; Twilight and Alex stopped attacking, it seemed Tirek was giving up. “You. . .You can’t beat me!” “I’m sorry to differ with you but, yes we can and we will! You can’t keep that barrier forever and when it is gone, you will fall down!” Alex shouted. Tirek knew they were right. If he was fighting the alicorn alone, it would not be much of a problem; but this unicorn was turning the tables against him. Not that he was very powerful compared to other unicorns but he was strong enough to give the alicorn a good advantage. Gladly for him, he had a trick up his sleeve. Tirek dissipated the red force field but before Alex and Twilight could continue their assault, he summoned seven bubbles above him. The duo stopped their attacks after noticing who were inside the bubbles: the Mane 6, Spike and Discord. “What? But... but how? I rescued them!” Alex said. “Hahahaha! I don’t know what you think you did but let me tell you this, I knew these ponies and dragon were important to the Princess. For this reason, when I stole their magic I made sure I could summon them whenever I wanted to. Just in case, I did the same with Discord even though he doesn’t seem as important to you as the others. What do you say, do you want to make a deal?” Twilight was so angry. Alex stepped forward and said: “What kind of deal?” “Your friends in exchange of all Equestrian Alicorn magic!” Their friends started to yell from inside the bubbles, telling Alex and Twilight not to agree to this nonsense. “Please Twilight, don’t do it. It’s not worth it!” They all said. Fluttershy was screaming too, she wasn’t worried about her own safety. She was worried about Alex, she was thinking about what Tirek would do to Alex if he managed to get all of their magic. Much to her surprise, Discord spoke to her: “You are worth of this deal Fluttershy. You were the one who taught me that Friendship is magic! I had this friendship and magic… now I have nothing.” He turned his face away covering it with his claws. “Answer me now!” Tirek demanded. Alex made up his mind. It was now or never. “We have made up our mind Tirek… ...DIE!” Alex summoned his spectral katanas and in a burst of rage and magic he threw them straight to Tirek’s face. “Alex no!” A feminine voice screamed, making Alex’s katanas stop at a few inches from Tirek. But the centaur wasn’t done, as soon as the katanas stopped, he hit them with his fist, shattering them to pieces. Alex looked up, he immediately recognized the voice. “Fluttershy... why? I was so close, why did you stop me?” “I am sorry Alex but please, don’t kill him. I know you are better than that!” she said while sharing some tears. Alex looked at her and then at his friends, all of them were really shocked after realizing what he was about to do. Alex would have stabbed Tirek right on his face if it wasn’t for Fluttershy. It was very clear now, he was about to take someone else’s life… again. He felt ashamed of himself. “I’m sorry guys. Thank you for stopping me Fluttershy. I am not a monster...” Tirek started laughing, this whole thing seemed ridiculous to him. Even though he was having some “fun” while looking at these creatures, he was getting impatient: “Enough of this bullshit! The magic… NOW!” Even though their friends kept asking them not to do it, it was all decided now. A warm feeling invaded all of Twilight’s heart: “Ok... I will give you the all of the alicorn magic in exchange for all of my friends!” Tirek released them but kept Discord imprisoned. Twilight noticed it and demanded him to release Discord too. “Thanks Twilight - Discord said - I am sorry for this Fluttershy…” “I know.” She replied. Alex started to believe Discord may have regretted his actions, he didn’t have much time to say anything to him for a second later, Tirek started to steal all of Twilight’s magic. When he was done, Twilight’s cutie mark disappeared and her eyes lost all shine, just like the rest of her friends. Tirek on the other hand, grew stronger than before. “What the hell are we going to do now?” Alex wondered. “FINALLY! I FINALLY DID IT! ALL OF EQUESTRIA MAGIC IS MINE!” Tirek looked at Alex “Well... almost all of it. But soon it will!” “Hey! You promised you would leave my friend alone in exchange for the alicorn magic!” Twilight shouted. Tirek started walking towards Alex “This unicorn was no part of the deal princess…”. Twilight and the rest were horrified as they saw Tirek charging his magic, ready to shoot at him. This was it, what could they do to help their friend? Right before the impact, everypony started feeling weird. Suddenly, they were in the Everfree Forest. “How did this happen?” Spike asked but only Twilight knew exactly what had happened: she turned to Alex who was lying on the ground. He seemed to be in pain, they noticed sparks coming out of his horn. Fluttershy ran towards him and picked him up. Alex opened his eyes “I... I never thought teleporting a whole group would hurt this bad” he said. “Alex you teleported all of us? - Fluttershy asked - are you ok?” “No I am not…” “Is he going to be ok Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes never stopped looking at her coltfriend. “Yes he will be fine but he must be really exhausted. Even I would be feeling very tired after teleporting all of us here. Alex, I must say you never cease to impress me!” “Arrrghhh… Thanks Twilight, I felt like I was hit by a truc… a centaur…” Twilight smiled and nodded, it was good to see her friend safe. however, she didn’t have any magic left; what were they going to do? What was that thing she felt in her heart before rescuing her friends? She was distracted when Discord spoke to her. “Thanks for saving me too Twilight! I know I don’t deserve it; I can’t believe I was fool enough to think there was something more important than friendship, but there is no such thing. Nothing is more important! Tirek gave me this medallion as a proof of friendship but he was lying. Now I want to give it to you as a symbol of our friendship. I want you to be sure that this time, the friendship I am giving you is no lie.” Discord put the medallion on Twilight’s neck. Alex noticed how Twilight’s eyes were shining like a rainbow, he thought he was hallucinating out of exhaustion. “Do you think this is the last one we need?” Applejack said. Alex didn’t know what she meant by that. “There is only one way to find out, girls! Let’s go to the Tree” Fluttershy picked Alex up and put him on her barrel “Come my love, I will carry you. Now is my turn to protect you…” Fluttershy started to walk but it was obvious she was having troubles carrying Alex. She was very exhausted after losing all of her pegasus magic. Surprisingly, Discord picked up Alex and put him on his back “This is the least I can do - He said - I’m really sorry for everything I did.” Everypony started their way to the Tree of Harmony. “Thank… you…” Alex whispered. Discord heard him and stopped for a moment “Uh? Are you talking to me?” He asked. “Please… don’t… make me repeat it!” “I won’t - Discord replied - I know you still don’t believe me but I’m really sorry!” Alex didn’t say anything, Discord didn’t want to bother him so he reassumed his way. “I believe you… but don’t misunderstand me, I’m still mad at you!” Discord smiled. ----- Still hiding from a monstrous centaur, who was destroying everything just for his own pleasure, the group managed to get to their destination. Alex was marveled when he saw the Tree and all the elements in it; he also noticed a little crystal box with six keyholes. Five of them had a key inside, but the sixth one was nowhere to be found. However, Twilight got near the chest, and after touching it with the medallion she got from Discord, it transformed into the sixth key. The mane six turned their keys at the same time and the box opened; a rainbow light came out and surrounded them. Alex, Spike and Discord saw how their friends were all transforming; all of them looked amazing! Their manes and tails grew larger and had different colored stripes that matched their natural color, their hooves were now showing their cutie marks as if they were imprinted. Rainbow and Fluttershy had their wings glowing with rainbow colors too. They had to admit it, all of the Mane 6 looked amazing and powerful, Alex couldn’t help his heart from beating so fast after at looking at Fluttershy in her new form; she had done the impossible, becoming even more beautiful! Somehow, he knew everything was going to be alright now. The six ponies flew out of the cave in order to face Tirek. The centaur saw them approaching and tried to fight back without any success. The Mane 6 shot Tirek with six colored beams , draining all of his magic. Tirek started to shrink until he was nothing more than a weak and skeletal centaur, any old pony would look stronger than him now. Finally, they opened a portal to some kind of prison and sent him there forever. It was all over! Alex, Discord and Spike witnessed everything from a distance, cheering at their heroes. Tirek was defeated!