Narrator: Previously, of "Magic's Fire", Encountering a dark mage named, Fumio, who had cast a spell upon Rainbow Dash, causing her choke, Twilight and Natsu confronted him before Twilight placed a spell on him, restricting his movements. However, now our heroes must now save Flash Sentury, before it's too late..........
Happy: Things are sure getting strange, huh, Natsu?
Natsu: Tell me about it! I can't believe that magical, sparkly, talking horses with wings actually exist! Who knew!?
Twilight: Ya know I'm right here, right? And shouldn't we be worrying on other issues? That dark wizard, Fumio, nearly killed Rainbow Dash! Not to mention we still need to turn him in and save Flash!
Natsu: Alright, geez. Are all unicorn's this bossy, or is it just you?
Twilight *Ignites magic around horn and glares dangerously*: You BETTER take that back, Natsu Dragneel!!!
Happy *cowers in fear* Oh great, now you've made her mad, Natsu!
Natsu *ignites flames in his hands* Oh, you wanna go? Your on! I'm all fired u-WOAH!!!!! *is thrown up to the sky by Twi's magic blast and disappeared out of sight*
Happy *shrugging* He had it coming to him......
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The group of wizards and ponies trecked through the thick forest back to the town of Hargeon, bringing back with them Fumio, who was still imprisoned in Twilight's spell, her temporary cage made of violet flames, restricting his movements. Natsu occasionally added a few handfuls of his flames to Twilight, who would then add them to the hovering cage of fire, thus strengthening the cage's hold on the dark Mage. No one spoke as they continued to walk, the only sounds being the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of the grass beneath their feet and hooves. Apple Bloom nervously walked along side her friends, her thoughts consuming her as she warily looked at her surroundings. The filly stopped in her tracks, catching Twilight's and Lucy's attention. The two girls shared a glance before walking back over to the fidgeting crusader.
"Hey, what's wrong Apple Bloom? Why did you stop?" Lucy asked, concerned.
"Yeah, you can tell us. We won't brush you off," Twilight added.
Again, Apple Bloom nervously stiffened, before looking up at the unicorn and celestial Mage with worrisome, red eyes, "I-It's just, w-what if once w-we get b-back t-to that t-town, those guards t-try to t-take us away.........?" She stuttered.
At those words, both Twilight and Lucy stiffened, realizing the pony's concern. Now that she thought about it, Twilight didn't really think of how everyone would react to seeing her, Rainbow Dash, and Apple Bloom again. Considering that they were accused of stealing the town's magic and fleeing the scene before they were captured DID kind of support the idea that they were the ones to blame. The Element of Magic could only pray that once they show Fumio and explain the situation to the authorities that she, Rainbow, Apple Bloom, and Flash Sentry could go free. The mare was snapped out of her thoughts by Lucy's encouraging words, "Don't worry, Apple Bloom. It's going to be fine; we've got the person to truly blame, so you girls and your guard friend should be fine,"
"She's right," came Natsu's voice. Turning to the dragon slayer, Twilight, Lucy, and Apple Bloom watched as Natsu and Happy made their way to the trio, the flame in crested cage hovering along side them. Natsu grinned confidently as he looked at the filly, "You guys are gonna be just fine now that you have us. And if they even try to take any of you, I'll beat them to a pulp! Right Happy?" Natsu asked, looking to the blue exceed.
"Aye, sir!" Happy cheered. Apple Bloom froze for a moment, taking in the boy's words, before she smiled and giggled, glad that she had new friends who had her back. Twilight too smiled, reminded by the promise he made to help save Flash.
"Hey, guys! I can see the town!" yelled Rainbow Dash as she stood at the entrance of the forest, overlooking Hargeon, "Well, what are we waiting for? Come on, let's go get Flash!" with that, Rainbow Dash flew off, determination etched in her voice. Natsu smirked and grabbed Lucy's hand, causing the blond to blush profusely before she was yanked forwards and running alongside Natsu, Happy flying right above them.
Turning her head towards Apple Bloom, Twilight grinned and scooped up the bow-wearing filly and said cheerfully, "ya ready?" Apple Bloom smiled and nodded eagerly as she clutched her small front hooves around Twilight. Seeing as the filly on her back was ready, Twilight reared up and galloped after the rest of their group, Fumio's fire cage trailing behind them. However, unbeknownst to the group of ponies and wizards, Fumio smirked, for he knew that even though he may have been defeated this time, there was still blood that had to be shed......and soon.
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Flash Sentry sat in one of the dark, musky cells of Hargeon's local jail. there were thick and rusted chains around his legs and his neck, his armor no longer adorning his body protectively, a feeling the stallion had grown quite accustomed to. Flash remembered after Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Apple Bloom fled to the forest earlier that day. Once they were out of sight, he had turned to face the guards who were charging towards him, positioning himself in a fighting stance before he had lunged himself, his spear as his weapon pointed threateningly at the guard he had charged at, ready to strike a blow.
Unfortunately, luck was not on Flash Sentry's side today, because he had been surrounded by an entire fleet of guards, all of whom were just as skilled, if not more so, as himself and the guards back in Canterlot. Nonetheless, the pegasus fought the entire fleet, his furiosity and determination flooding his senses, dodging attacks and throwing blows with the strength and agility of a true Canterlot royal guard! Alas, eventually, the fleet had overpowered him, and the stallion was forced into the cell he finds himself in now, chained to the wall like a wild animal. Flash Sentry cursed under his breath. He was a disgrace. A disgrace to Canterlot, a disgrace to the royal guard, but most importantly, he was a disgrace to all of Equestria. With that thought in mind, the orange pegasus slumped a bit in his spot, his usual stern face giving in slightly.
As if on cue, two Hargeon guards strutted over to the equine's cell, smug smirks plastered upon their faces as they looked down upon the pony on the other side of the bars, no hint sympathy for the downcast stallion. Upon seeing the two-legged creatures smirk at his pitiful self, Flash straightened up and plastered on his stern expression, not willing to allow these men the satisfaction of seeing him in his lowest point. He still was a Canterlot guard and he would be damned if he were to tarnished anymore of a royal guard's honor by allowing arrogant creatures such as these to see him in such a pitiful state.
"Aw, what's wrong, pony? Mad that we beat you too easily?" the tall guard teased in a mocking tone.
"Well, it's no surprise. After all, we ARE two of Hargeon's best! Still, I was hoping for something more exciting coming from you. Oh well, I guess we are just too good of guards to be beaten by a puny horse such as yourself!" the shorter man boasted, snickering arrogantly.
Maintaining his composure, even though the men's words enraged him beyond words, Flash Sentry said, in a dignified and leveled tone, "You do not deserve the title of being guards,"
Stopping abruptly from their laughing, the two guards looked at Flash with shocked and angered expressions, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" they both shouted in unison.
Flash remained calm, "You heard me. You two do not deserve to call yourselves local guards or any type of authority," the young pegasus spoke.
"Say's the one who's behind bars because he couldn't win the fight against us!" the tall guard exclaimed, outraged.
"Yeah! You have no right to talk to us as if we are below you, we won in that fight!" the short guard agreed, smirking victoriously.
Flash Sentry could feel his blood boil, yet tried to remain unfazed. These men needed to be taught a lesson, "Being a guard is more than just fighting, you know. You must abide by certain morals, such as protecting the innocent, giving you life if necessary, as well as displaying dignity, honor, loyalty, bravery, and selflessness, but you two? All that you seem to show is your arrogance. If you were true guards, you would be out in the town, defending it's inhabitants, instead of being in front of me, mocking me of your skill. It is for that reason why you two should not be allowed to call yourselves guards," Flash finished with a hard glare in a stern, yet passionate tone.
The said guards stared at the equine with shocked, yet annoyed expressions, red veins popping out of their foreheads. Finally, the tall man charged at the cell doors, ready to fight as he raised his fist in the air, "WHY YOU-!" he yelled in fury.
However, the man never got to do what he wanted to, for at that moment, the large, metal doors the led to the jail chamber exploded off of it's hinges, flying forward towards to the two guards who squealed like little girls, as they too were flung along with the poor door as it came into contact with them both and eventually collided with the stone wall at the end of the chamber! Flash, astounded and shocked, froze when he heard voices coming in the direction the door used to be secured in, "NATSU! Was that really necessary?!" a female voice was heard. However, the stallion's eyes widened to the size of plates when he heard a familiar voice.
"FLASH SENTRY!!!!"
Turning his head around, Flash stifled a gasp as he saw Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Apple Bloom running and flying towards his cell at full speed, relieved and happy expressions on their faces. But what shocked Flash even more were the two humans behind them with what appeared to be a flying blue cat flying beside them, their smiles as big a his companions when they saw him. Only one thought registered in his mind as they approached:
"What did I miss.......?"
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When they spotted Flash Sentry in his cell, Twilight was the first one to reach him. Panting slightly, Twilight skidded to a halt in front of the Canterlot guard who, much to her amusement, had a bewildered expression on his face for a split second. That is until he regained his senses and plastered on his usual stern, emotionless, and somewhat cold gaze upon her. Catching her own breath as the others came up alongside her, the gifted unicorn said, "Thank Celestia your okay!" at the comment, Flash scoffed.
"Of course I'm okay. I thought I told you three to run and wait for me! And what are you doing coming here with those HUMANS?!" Flash pointed his hoof towards Natsu and Lucy, who both glared at the ungrateful stallion.
Natsu scrunched down so that he was eye level with the male pony on the other side of the bars, glaring daggers at him, "For your information, 'pal'-" Natsu sneered the word 'pal' in mock friendly-ness, "-Twi, Rainbow, and Apple Bloom wanted to save you, and needed OUR help! So, how about instead of pointing you fin......uh...hoof at us, you thank us!"
Rainbow soon chined into the heated conversation, "Yeah! We risked our skins to come and get you, and this is the thanks we get?! And for your information, their not just humans, their WIZARDS!" at the mention of wizards, Natsu, Lucy, and Happy smiled proudly, feeling quite special.
Flash Sentry didn't even blink, but Natsu and Lucy thought they could see a slight gleam of interest and even a bit of regret in the male pegasus's eyes. With a heavy sigh, the royal guard looked straight at the group's faces, his gaze passing by all of them, before it finally landed on both Natsu and Twilight. For whatever reason he wasn't too sure on, Flash Sentry felt a strange feeling emanating off of the dragon slayer and unicorn. It was almost as if they had an unknown connection to eachother that even they were unaware of. Brushing it off for now, the orange-coated stallion asked in his serious, guard-like tone, "How did you find me?"
At the sudden question, the group of wizards and ponies laughed awkwardly and scratched the backs of their heads nervously, avoiding Flash Sentry's piercing blue eyes before Lucy spoke up, a bit hesitant, "Uh.... well, it's kind of a long story........"
"I can listen," Flash deadpanned.
"Okay well, um......." with that, the celestial spirit Mage began to explain the whole incident.
*Flashback......*
When the group arrived in the town, all eyes fell on the three colorful ponies before the townsfolk charged towards them in fury, some glancing over to the Fairy Tail mages with smiles and saying things such as, "Nice work for catching those BEASTS, Fairy Tail!" or, "We knew we could count on you guys!"
However, much to the citizens shock and confusion, Natsu stood protectively in front of the ponies with fire licking all across his structured body, his eyes giving off a deadly and threatening gleam at anyone who got to close to the mares and filly. Lucy too stood defensively with one of her golden keys in her hand and her magic whip in the other. Even Happy glared menacingly at the bystanders. Twilight, concentrating on the spell that was keeping Fumio at bay in his flaming cage, used every ounce of her strength to conjure up a spell that could create a protective barrier around her and her comrades, while Rainbow Dash flew about three or four feet in the air, ready to attack if necessary. Finally, Natsu spoke, "If any of you lay a finger on any of them, I won't hesitate to burn you to a crisp!" He boomed with determination. The crowd stood in silence, a few people murmuring about what was going on and why the ever so reliable Fairy Tail mages were refusing to hand over the thieves that stole there magic. Moments later, a man with armor similar to that of the town's fleet of guards, calmly walked to the center of the crowd, stopping two feet in front of Natsu who still held his flames at bay with his hand behind his back.
"Fairy Tail, I welcome you to Hargeon, and I see that you have also brought those......creatures...that are responsible for the disappearance of magic. Excellent! Now, if you would kindly hand them ov-" the man was cut off.
"No way in Hell we're letting them go! Their not the ones who stole your magic!" Natsu defended.
The man cocked his head to the side as some onlookers broke out in murmurs, "Well, if they are not the ones who've caused all this trouble upon us, then who is?" the man who Natsu concluded was the head of the local guard asked.
At the question, Twilight approached closer and stood next to Natsu and used her magic to levitate Fumio's fire prison towards the well-composed man, "This wizard is to blame, sir. He had admitted to stealing your town's magic and tried to frame my friends and I. He even tried to kill my friend Rainbow Dash," at the mention of her name, the said pegasus flew on the other side of Natsu and pointed to the large bruise that was forming around her neck, making a few people in the crowd to gasp in horror. The armored man looked to the man in the cage. Twilight, feeling it was now safe to, deactivated her magical flame prison, which released it's grip on Fumio and the flames were sent back to their original owner, Natsu, who slurped up all of the flames as if he were eating spaghetti, much to Twilight', Rainbow Dash's, and Apple Bloom's shock.
"Is this true?" he asked.
Fumio nodded, "Yes," he confirmed. Now completely sure that they had their man, the large, armored man turned to two guards that were with him and instructed them to take Fumio away. However, before the dark Mage was carried away from the crowd, he whispered very quietly so that not even the almighty Salamander could hear him, a spell that was directed to the very man he just confessed to a moment ago, "I take control of thee. Thou shall abide by thy command," Fumio chanted. At that moment, the head of the local guards, stiffened up as his face went completely blank, and his once green eyes took on a crimson red for a split second as he head Fumio's voice in his head, saying in a whispering tone:
".......Kill them........."
Apple Bloom, who had stayed completely silent while standing behind Twilight, felt an uneasiness overcome her senses as she looked towards the armored man who had two of his guards take Fumio away. She didn't understand why, but she felt as though something bad was about to transpire. The filly's suspicions were proven once she saw the eyes of the armored man turn into a shade of red. The crusader's eyes widened in horror once she saw the now red eyed human reach for his sword as he appeared to be in some sort of daze! "LOOK OUT!!!!" the little filly cried out, making her comrades who had turned their heads away for a moment snap their faces in the direction Apple Bloom had referred to, only to see the head of the guards, who previously was about to let them go, flung himself at them, his sword raised over his head as he got towards them!
Everyone in the crowd screamed in shock and horror as the once calm and collected man became savage and blood-thirsty as he flew towards the Fairy Tail mages and their pony companions. Thinking quickly, Twilight conjured up a spell that blasted the rapidly approaching man away from her and her friends. The onlookers soon erupted into a frenzy of panic as they all rushed to their homes and businesses, some even running to the nearest hiding places they could find! The two guards that were supposed to take Fumio to the jail, rushed over to their fallen leader's side, trying to hold him back as he attempted to charge back to the unicorn that had knocked him off his feet, gritting his teeth as he struggled against his own men's grip! Fumio smirked, happy with his handy-work.
"Well, seems my work is done for now," Fumio spoke to no one in particular before he disappeared into thin air, no one paying the least bit of attention to him anymore.
"What's happened to him? He was fine a minute ago!" Lucy said, looking to her comrades for answers.
"Twilight! You the gifted unicorn here! You've got to know what's gotten into him!" Rainbow Dash said frantically as she looked to the said unicorn mare.
"I'm not completely sure, but I think he's under some kind of mind-control spell!" Twilight responded. Apple Bloom shook fearfully from behind her, knowing perfectly well that Fumio was responsible.
"A mind-control spell, huh? Any way to reverse it?" Natsu asked, igniting a flame in his right palm. Twilight shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I don't. The last time I did a spell like that, my mentor had to break it for me. Oh, if only Princess Celestia were here! She'd know what to do!" Twilight exclaimed guiltily, remembering the time she had cast an enchantment on her Smarty-Pants doll, causing almost all of Ponyville to fight just to get it for themselves. It may not exactly have been a mind-control spell, but it certainly messed with everypony's heads to the point of chaos. Finally, with a aggravated shout, the now possessed man flung his two men who had been restraining him to a nearby brick wall, knocking them unconsious.
"Prepare yourselves, Fairy Tail and you beasts, for now, you all shall DIE!!!" the armored man declared with an eerily menacing tone. With that, he threw himself at the mages and ponies once again, his sword raised threateningly, his eyes thirsty for blood! Before Twilight could conjure up another protective sheild around herself and the group, a fire ball hurled itself straight at the descending guard, making impact straight to his face! The said guard was flown a good distance away from them and crashed into a shopping cart! Everyone in the group saw Natsu standing in front of them, facing the direction the man was just knocked over to.
The fire mage smirked and said, "Sorry, pal. Not today,"
Rainow Dash gaped at the young wizard's attack and flew over to him, an amazed expression adorning her features, "That. Was. So. AWESOME!!!! How did you do that!? You think I could learn how to do something like that?" the dare-devil pegasus proclaimed excitedly, making Natsu smirk cockily.
"Maybe once this all said and done, Dash! But first, why don't you say we handle this guy first, eh?" Natsu suggested, gesturing to the said guy that was currently getting up from his spot in the now destroyed food cart. the man ran to them with a furious look upon his face. Rainbow smiled smugly as she beat her hooves together in determination.
"Sounds pretty good to me. Check this out, Pinky!" with that, the sky-blue pegasus mare flew full speed at the man, causing him to stop in his tracks in confusion. Not a second later, Rainbow Dash rammed head-on into his stomach, bringing him along with her as she smashed them both into a building, causing the wall to smash open, allowing an elderly shop owner to be seen, who was trying to protect himself by placing his hands over his head.
"RAINBOW DASH!!!!" Twilight exclaimed angrily at her friend. Honestly, that pegasus can be so reckless!
Rainbow rubbed the back of her head and blushed in embarressment, "Ha ha.....I guess I over did it," she laughed nervously.
"Are you kidding? That was awesome!!!" Natsu defended enthusiastically, walking along with the others over to the flying mare and the now destroyed wall with the elderly citizen and unconscious guard captain.
"Aye, sir! That was soooo cool, Rainbow Dash! Ya think you can teach me how to fly like you? If you did, I bet I can impress Charla and FINALLY get a date!!!!!" Happy practically begged as he imagined Charla seeing him fly at amazing speeds, completely awestruck as she looked up at Happy with wonder in her eyes.
"Oh, Happy! I never knew you could be so fast! Will you ever forgive me on regecting you all those times?" is what the Charla in Happy's imagination pleaded.
"Of couse, Charla! Would you like to go grab a fish?" imaginary Happy, who, in his mind, had the body of a full grown man with muscles huger than his own head, asked confidently as he posed.
"Of course I would, Happy! You are the strongest, handsomess, most fastest cat I've ever met!" imaginary Charla swooned as she blushed and shook her head dreamily.
Back in reality, the real Happy was slouched over in mid air with a dreamy expression on his face, drooling all the while. Lucy gave the exceed a strange, 'are you kidding me?' look and said flatly, "Keep dreaming, cat," Apple Bloom stood beside the celestial wizard and just giggled with her hoof over her mouth at the site of the feline in La La Land. The feeling of a hoof patting on his head is what brought Happy back to reality. Looking up at the source, the exeed saw Rainbow Dash was the one patting him with a small smirk as she tried to repress her laughter.
"Sorry, Haps! But I don't think you'll ever be as fast as me. Afterall, I am the fastest flyer in all of Equestria! With that said, buddy, I bet I can fly circles around you!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed proudly.
Twilight hoof-palmed her face, "Oh, brother....." she sighed.
"Great, a crazy and hot-headed pegasus. What next, a perverted troll.....?" Lucy sweat-dropped. Why did she always run into the ones who wanted a challenge or to pick a fight? the celestial mage reached the conclusion that she was cursed.
"WHAA!!! Natsu, Rainbow's so mean!" Happy whinned to his adopted father as he flew away with tears swelling out of his eyes.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, "I'm just stating the truth,"
"Pfff, please. Happy would totally outfly you, Spinkles," Natsu commented some-what bored. At the nickname, 'Spinkles' zoomed in on the dragon slayer's face and glarred dangerously at him, a glare he instintly returned.
"What'd you say, pinky?" Rainbow Dash asked menacingly.
"For the last time, it's salmon, not pink!" Natsu retorted, annoyed.
"Uh.......Lucy? Is Natsu always like this?" Apple Bloom asked the blond, sweat-dropping as the dragon slayer and pegasus argued.
"Yeah, but you get used to it. Once you see Fairy Tail, this will seem like child's play," Lucy answered nonchalantly as they saw Natsu throwing flamed punches at Rainbow Dash, who easily dodged them and retaliated by throwing her own punches and kicks at the young man.
"Us? Fairy Tail? What's that?" Apple Bloom asked curiously.
Lucy smiled, "It's the guild Natsu, Happy, and I are in. It's alot to explain, so I'll tell you later," Lucy said, to which Apple Bloom nodded.
"ENOUGH!!!" Twilight yelled as she shoved Natsu and Dash away from eachother with her magic, irratation and annoyance clear on her features, "If you've forgotten, we still have to rescue Flash Sentry if you don't mind!" the unicorn continued with a ominous aroura around her, causing both Rainbow Dash and Natsu to shudder in fear.
"Great, another Erza......" Natsu thought as he trembled next to Rainbow Dash.
"Now, let's go get Flash," Twilight stated, everyone following her as she led the way.
Apple Bloom was about to follow when she was suddenly grabbed and scooped up forcibly, making her shriek in both fear and shock, "AAHHH!!!" once the scream left the young filly's mouth, the group of fairies and ponies turned abruptly and saw, dumbfounded and horrified, the once unconscious guard captain was now fully awake and was clutching onto Apple Bloom with his arm and was holding his sword by him threateningly as he sneered at the group. Twilight could feel her heart stop and for a moment, she felt dizzy. Natsu, however, only felt rage and, if he was being honest, fear as he saw the terrified expression the the Cutie Mark Crusader was throwing them. He felt his flames shooting into the palms of his hands as he glared sinisterly at the man.
"Let her GO!!!" he demanded.
The man nearly smirked as he raised the sword closer to Apple Bloom's cheek, causing her breath to get caught in her throat, "Only if you come with me, or else your little friend will become dinner!" to emphasize his point, the man slid the sword across her cheek, causing her to gasp in pain and for a trail of crimson blood to flow down her face, leaving blood left over on his sword as he licked some of it off the blade and smile sadistically at the wizards and equines. The group grimaced at the disgusting display before Rainbow Dash charged, Natsu closed behind her in flames in his palms, ready to blow the man to the moon!
However, they never got the chance as the man flicked his hand that held his weapon and sent both the fire mage and the mare thrown back to Happy, Lucy, and Twilight, "Natsu! Rainbow Dash!" all three shouted in unison.
The man smirked evily, "Try to attack and she dies!" he announced as he drew his sword closer to the filly, who was now crying and sobbing. Twilight felt cornered; they couldn't attack him, or else he'd surley kill Apple Bloom. If they went with him, then they would pratically be signing their death satificates. At that moment, a lightbulb went off in her head! It might not work, the guard captain could still overpower her, but it was worth a shot. Walking closer to the man, catching everyone's attention, the mare simply bowed in surrender, her companion's stared in asonishment at the action.
"We surrender," she said simply.
"Twilight, what are you doing?" Rainbow Dash asked in shock.
"No, Twilight!" Lucy begged.
"Are you insane!?" Happy asked.
"What the Hell....?" Natsu asked, completely confused.
Twilight ignored them and continued, "Only if you let her go," she finished. The male hesitated for a moment, before he obliged and blantly dropped the filly on the concrete ground, landing on her bum. Apple Bloom ran to Twilight and hugged her gratefully, to which the Element of Magic gladly accepted.
Letting go of Twilight, the young farm pony ran over to Lucy, Rainbow Dash, and Happy, who all gathered around her making sure she was okay, "Are you okay?" Lucy asked worridly, which Apple Bloom nodded, still a bit shaken. Once the young pony was released from his grasp, the armored man looked back at Twilight, who had her head bowed in submission.
"Seems it's time for you and your companions to hold your end of the bargain, eh, beast?" he asked with a smirk.
At that moment, Twilight's horn started to glow it's bright pink aurora, catching everyone's attention. Raising her head up to look the possessed guard captain in the eye, she saw the man step back a few feet away from her in shock. Using her magic to strengthen her spell, a stream of violet light incased itself around her and the man, trapping them in it's grasp, before it morphed into a ball and zoomed straight up, taking both pony and man with it! Natsu, Lucy, Happy, Apple Bloom, and Rainbow Dash ran to where they friend once was, looking up to the sky where the violet ball of magic had taken them.
"What just happened?" Lucy asked, Apple Bloom in her arms.
"I don't know, but I ain't gonna wait here to find out. Happy! Give me a lift!" Natsu ordered.
"Aye, sir!" the exceed complied, lifting up the dragon slayer and flying in the direction his friend went off to.
"Don't even think I'm staying here, either! Wait up!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed before taking off after Natsu and Happy, leaving bhind her a rainbow trail.
"What now, Lucy?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I think we should start trying to look for your friend," putting Apple Bloom down, the celestial mage and Cutie Mark Crusader ran through the streets of Hargeon in pursuit of Flash Sentry.
Meanwhile with Twilight, her magic ball served as a floating cage that kept herself and her opponent secure within itself. It was a spell she had just recently mastered. However, the spell would only last a few minutes, so the unicorn knew that she had to use her time wisely and get back to the ground before her magical ball popped. Currently, the young mare stood in a fighting stance on one side of the ball, while her enemy stood in the opposite direction, anger adorning his features as he said, "You monster! I should have never believed you! What is this sorcery?" he demanded.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't allow you to harm my friend!" Twilight replied. At that, the man before Twilight began to lung himself and throwing his sword straight at the young equine, who vanished before he could even strike a blow. Landing on the surface of their little magic bubble, the man looked behind him to see the unicorn was now in the spot he was in just a moment ago. With pleading eyes, Twilight continued, "Please! This isn't you! You are under an enchantment, sir! You've got to snap out of it!" but Twilight's pleads were proven futile as the man came at her again, his cold eyes holding no trace of humanity as he came closer to the Element of Magic! Before Twilight could put up a force field to protect herself from the blow, the man's sword caught her chest, slicing through her skin and allowing a little bit of blood to leak through! Twilight cried out in pain and examined the wound. It wasn't fatal or severe, but it still stung. Gritting her teeth, Twilight realized that her opponent would have to be defeated by force, seeing as she could not undo the spell that was placed upon him. Even so, she didn't want to hurt him, seeing as he couldn't control his actions.
Conjuring up her magic once again, Twilight shot a beam of magenta at the man, who shielded himself with his sword, yet still being dragged back forcibly to the curved wall of the magic ball that kept them descended three thousand feet in the air. Growling, the armored captain rushed to pony and swung his sword at Twilight again, who dodged it this time by jumping over his head in what seemed like slow motion. When she landed gracefully on her hooves, Twilight used her magic to create a violet boomerang before she threw at the man. the boomerang flew past him, making him smirk at the mare's lack of aim. That is until the same boomerang turned and came straight at the back of his head and hit him with great force, causing him to gasp in surprise and tumble to the surface of the magic ball.
Their fight continued on like this, Twilight shooting every defense spell she could conjure, shooting spells from her magic blasts to her magic boomerangs. Twilight had to admit, she didn't know a lot of combat spells; all she ever really had to use were her magic blasts, telekinesis, or the Elements of Harmony, but since she didn't have her crown or her Ponyville friends, save Rainbow Dash, who were the bearers of the Elements of Harmony alongside herself, her only real options were either her magic blasts or her magical boomerangs. Even with those, it wasn't enough to defeat her opponent. What was worse? Her magic ball that kept them both secure in the sky was slowly fading with each passing moment!
The unicorn and guard were out of breath as they starred at each other. They had been throwing magic blasts, boomerangs, swords, and knives so much that they had resorted to throwing kicks and punches. Twilight did her best to avoid hurting the man too bad, but he was relentless; he kept going at her with his sword or dagger that she had no choice but to kick him where the sun did not shine, which proved very effective when he grabbed where it hurt and fell over whimpering in pain. Now here they stood, both battered, scrapped, bruised, and bleeding, starring at each other, debating who should throw the next hit. A call from bellow them snapped them out of their little stare match. Looking down, Twilights eyes widened when she saw Rainbow Dash, Happy, and Natsu flying straight at them from bellow, battle faces ready. Natsu ignited his fist as he was lifted by Happy when he came closer to the fading magic ball.
Before Twilight could open her mouth to ask them what they were doing, her magical ball faded completely from under her, causing herself and the guard captain to fall out of the sky! Both screamed as gravity accelerated their speed as they plummeted to the ground, "Hold on, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she zoomed over to her falling companion and catching her from under her arms. Natsu and Happy were trying to get to the falling man as he continued to get closer to the earth, but it was too late. The man collided with the hard concrete with a huge bang, making the concrete road bellow him to crumble and break from the impact.
As the group landed safely on the ground, they rushed over to the fallen guard captain, crouching down beside him as to make sure he was alright, "Is he okay?" Twilight and Rainbow Dash asked. Natsu felt for a pulse, letting out a breath of relief as he found one.
"Yeah, he's alright. Just a little beat up is all. He'll make it," the fire mage responded.
"Twilight, what were you thinking? Conjuring up that ball of magic and fighting him by yourself! And to do it three thousand feet in the air!" Rainbow Dash scolded her unicorn friend accusingly. She couldn't believe that Twilight, the most reasonable mare she knew, decided to do something so reckless like conjuring up the spell and taking on the man on her own in the middle of the sky. It seemed more like something she, herself would do, not Twilight. Seeing the mare's cuts and bruises from her fight only made the rainbow-mane mare even more concerned. Twilight looked down in shame.
"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, but I had to. He threatened to kill Apple Bloom, and I thought that if I could face him alone then I could somehow snap him out of his enchantment, but it didn't work. I conjured that magic ball to send us both to the sky so that you guy's wouldn't get hurt. I'm sorry," Twilight's voice was defeated. She was too exhausted from her fight against the possessed guard captain.
"Hey, there's no need to beat yourself up over it. You did what you thought was best, but ya know what? There's no shame in needing help, alright? With that said, WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE ME UP THERE WITH YOU, I COULD HAVE TOTALLY TAKEN THAT GUY WITH MY HANDS BEHIND MY BACK!!!!!!" Natsu proclaimed angrily as he pumped up his fists and blew some fire out of his mouth, Happy sweat dropping at the sight.
"That's Natsu for you; always wanting to be in the fight," Happy shrugged, causing Twilight and Rainbow Dash to roll their eyes and giggle lightly. They had already gotten accustomed to the two's antics. A soft groan tore the four's attention to the man on the destroyed ground. He mumbled something that Happy, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash couldn't make out what it was. Luckily, Natsu could somewhat make out what it was the male was saying, "...Magic's fire...?" Natsu whispered, repeating what he had heard. Twilight cocked her head to the side as she looked to the dragon slayer in confusion?
"Something wrong, Natsu?" she asked, drawing Rainbow and Happy's attention as well.
Natsu shook his head, "It's what he said, 'Magic's fire'.....have any of you heard about that before?" he asked, to which his three comrades merely shook their heads.
"Twilight, your the magic expert here. Do you know what it means?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight shook her head somewhat distractedly, as she was deep in thought, "I don't think so. However, I get the strange feeling that I've heard about it before, but I can't put my hoof on it. I'll let you know if it comes to me," Twilight responded, tapping her hoof to her chin as she racked her brain for an answer.
"Well, let's worry about that later. Right now let's get Lucy and Apple Bloom and find your friend," Natsu concluded as he stood up.
"Hey, where are Lucy and Apple Bloom, anyway?" Happy asked. To answer his question, they all heard a female voice calling out to them. Turning around, Natsu, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Happy saw the two girls they were talking about.
"Where did you run off to?" Natsu asked as Lucy and Apple Bloom approached.
"We found the local jail. Apple Bloom and I think that Flash might be there. Come on!" Lucy gestured with her hand as she ran off in the direction she and Apple Bloom just came from, the others following close behind. A low moan made Apple Bloom stop abruptly in her tracks. Looking behind her, she saw the guard slowly start to regain consciousness.
Looking around frantically, the filly saw an apple cart not too far from her. How convenient? Smirking mischievously, Apple Bloom galloped over to the cart, climbing onto it, taking a few apples in her hooves, and throwing them at the recovering man, making her friends turn around to see what she was doing, "This is for my friends, ya big bully!" taking a particularly hard apple, and I meanhard apple, Apple Bloom kicked it with amazing force for her small body and hit the man straight in his noggin before he could do anything to stop the forbidden fruit. Once the object made impact with his head, he fell back once more and was, again, unconscious. Crossing her hooves in satisfaction, Apple Bloom smiled triumphantly, "Show's you to mess with a member of the Apple Family and her friends," cheers from Natsu, Lucy, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Happy made Apple Bloom look over to see them run to her with proud smiles on their faces.
Natsu got to her first, as he scooped her up and out of the apple cart and held her as he smiled his trademark grin, "Nice job, Apple Bloom! You sure showed him!" he congratulated the filly.
"Wait until AJ hears about this! She would be proud!" Rainbow Dash continued.
"Great job, Apple Bloom!" Twilight went on to cheer.
"Your pretty tough! You know that, Apple Bloom!" Lucy cheered.
"I'd say you've earned a fish!" Happy proclaimed proudly, obviously not giving up on his fish obsession anytime soon.
Apple Bloom blushed at all her friends claims, before a light bulb went off in her head, "Hey! Maybe I'll get my cutie mark at apple throwing and tossing!" this response only caused Twilight and Rainbow Dash to roll their eyes and for Natsu, Happy, and Lucy to exchange looks of confusion before shrugging it off for now. There would be time for questions later.
"Okay, so what do we do with him?" Lucy asked, gesturing to the once again unconscious man.
"I suppose we take him with us to the jail. It's not safe to leave him out in the open like this," Twilight responded.
"Alright, I guess I'll carry him," Natsu lazily said as he put down Apple Bloom and slung the unconscious guard over his shoulder, "Alright, let's go," with that the group FINALLY took off down the street on their way to the Hargeon jail.
*End of Flashback.......*
"So there you have it. That's how we found you," Lucy finished. Flash Sentry rose an eyebrow as a reply.
"Well then, that does sound quite thrilling, now what's the real story?" Flash deadpanned.
Rainbow Dash and Natsu's jaws practically dropped when he said that, "ARE YOU KIDDING, ME!!!!!!" they shouted in unison.
Twilight stepped up to the Canterlot guard's cell, wincing slightly from an injury on her right leg, "Flash Sentry, I understand if it is a bit hard to believe, but know that we are telling you the truth. You don't have to believe us, but please allow us to save you," she begged.
"You still haven't told me how you know THEM!!!" Flash gestured towards Natsu, Lucy, and Happy. Natsu couldn't help but want to punch some sense into the ungrateful stallion, but for some reason when Lucy squeezed her hand with his, he calmed down immediately. the blond girl had that effect on him.
This time, it was Apple Bloom who answered, "We can explain everything on the way, Mr. Flash Sentry, but first we need to get out of here," she reasoned. Flash Sentry was about to retort back, but given his current predicament, he knew that the filly had a point. Sighing, he stepped back. "I suppose you have a point there. Alright, I'll go with you, but I expect a full explanation as to how to all know each other, am I clear?" Flash asked sternly. Everyone nodded at that before Twilight stepped up to the cell door and used her magic to make a key and opened the lock. Once the orange-coated stallion stepped out of his cell, Twilight engulfed in in a warm hug, catching him and everyone's surprise. It had been a long time since he had been given an affectionate hug, and by a pony who he's barely known for a full day, no less. However, it did allow him to see Twilight's injuries more clearly, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't concerned.
Once the hug was over, the two ponies pulled away, "Well, I'll go get that guy that's in the lobby and put 'em in Flash's cell," Natsu said. When Flash Sentry heard that Natsu used only his first name, a red vein appeared on his forehead.
"My name's not 'Flash', it's 'Flash Sentry' to you," the orange pegasus said in a slightly aggravated tone.
"Okay, okay, geez! No need to get you feather's in a twist," Natsu said before going back in the lobby to retrieve the unconscious man, Happy following after him. Flash simply huffed before regaining his composure.
A moment later, Natsu came back, dragging the armored guard captain by the back of his armored neck collar and putting him in the jail cell that was once occupied by Flash Sentry. Shutting and locking the door, the pyromaniac turned to his companions, "Well. I'd say it's about time we get back! Come on!" with that, the group of ponies and wizards ran out of the jail and through the streets of Hargeon.
"Back? Where are we going?" Twilight asked, Apple Bloom secure upon her back as she galloped across the streets.
"Yeah? Where are we headed, Pinky?" Rainbow Dash asked, just as curious.
"I too would like to know," Flash Sentry chinned in.
Still running, Natsu turned his head and smiled his toothy grin at his new pony companions as he said cheerily, "To Fairy Tail!"
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"Please forgive me, sir. Things became complicated. There were these strange creatures and the Fairy Tail wizards that got in the way a-"
"SILENCE!!!" a man who's face was shadowed demanded, causing Fumio to stop abruptly in his talking, "I do not care to hear of your failure, Fumio. You failed me, you better hope I take mercy upon you, or else you can say goodbye to your pitiful little life!" the man in the shadows threatens, sending a chill through Fumio's spine.
"Y-yes, s-sir. I-it won't happen again, sir," Fumio cursed himself for stuttering.
"Good. Now, be gone! I need time alone," the man commanded.
"Yes, sir," with that, Fumio bowed and exited the room, leaving the other man alone,
"So, it seems that those pitiful Equestrian ponies have made it to Earthland , have they?" turning to the window, the man looked across the vast landscape.
"Fine then. I'll play your little game.....Celestia,"