A/N: I'm going to need to borrow Kagehime for a little longer, Leo Archon. I hope that's all right, and thank you!
---
Wake up
Our past stops right now
I see light
Must be you
Chapter 17: Darkness Into Light
I had ordered my air force to position the Thunderhead above the 7th farm. The enemy would never find it there.
"Captain!" shouted a man on radio, "The enemy has launched a magical missile to position Foal-Alpha-Roger-Melvin 7!"
"Crap!" I cursed before ordering, "Reposition UCC Bumblebee to position Charlie-Luna-Otto-Uncle-Delta 2!"
"Understood, over," crackled the radio with the ending static. This wasn't good. I was about to lose another fleet of sky units. The wars I had won before meant nothing if the enemy were to destroy me now. I had already lost a Mach-2 Seagull, my Comrade Cumulus, the West-six Weatherpony, and my 2-volt Thunderbolt. I prayed that good fortune would find me a miracle. The radio crackled again.
"Captain," said the man, "The enemy has just fired at position Charlie-Luna-Otto-Uncle-Delta 2!" The miracle was gone.
In spite of the fact that I had just lost my men, I looked up and smiled at the 'enemy'.
---
"I win, um, if that's all right," muttered Fluttershy.
"That's more than all right, Fluttershy," I said in pride, "That was fantastic, strategic playing."
"R-really?" she asked covering one eye with her mane.
"Really!" I nodded firmly.
"Oh, well, um, thank you," said the Pegasus. The moment of compliments ended abruptly as the door opened. One of the nurses entered, but it wasn't one of the ones that I knew the name of.
"Excuse me," she said to Fluttershy, "Visiting hours are over."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Fluttershy in a rush, "I'll just be going now." With that, she started quickly stepping out the door.
"Good game, Fluttershy," I called, "I'll see you later!"
"Y-yes. Bye, Tundra," responded the Pegasus as the nurse closed the door behind her. The lights seemed to automatically turn off after the door shut.
Is it really that late? I thought.
I yawned, "Oh well. Fluttershy's right. I can take care of whatever I forgot when I get better." I laid my head back against the pillow and peacefully fell asleep.
---
Oddly enough, I spent less than forty-eight hours in that hospital bed. Equestrian medicine was amazing. I wondered what I ever did without it. My wonder was interrupted as I met a familiar face after I exited the front door.
"We've got to stop meeting like this, Twilight Sparkle," I joked.
"Well, if you could stop getting severely injured we wouldn't have to," she joked right back. At least, I think she was joking. It's kind of hard for me to tell when I'm talking to someone who's typically sincere.
"I heard about the incident from Fluttershy," she stated.
"Which incident? There were a few things that traumatized me over at the cottage," I pointed out.
"The one involving a giant arachnid shooting metallic alloy at you," Twilight elaborated.
"Oh, that incident," I said in realization, "Yeah, that wasn't one of my finer moments."
"On the contrary," said the unicorn, "That was a really admirable action standing up for Fluttershy."
"Huh? Maybe I missed that part," I said with an eyebrow raised, "I distinctly remember getting my flank handed to me."
"Yes, but in doing so you ultimately saved Fluttershy from suffering the same casualties," redirected Twilight. She smiled, waiting patiently for me.
"Ohhh," I finally said, "Eh heh. It was nothing."
"So, now that you've recovered," said the librarian back in organizer mode, "Who do you want to work with next: Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie?"
"Pinkie Pie," I answered without hesitation.
"Wow, I'm surprised," said Twilight, "I thought for sure you'd at least stop to think about that."
"Pinkie Pie's tasks will try my patience more," I replied, "So I say, 'Take the most difficult stuff first.' If I can survive Pinkie Pie, than I can look at whatever plans Rainbow Dash has and practically brag that my job is too easy."
"Okie Dokie Loki!" piped in the pink party pony from nowhere, "Your shift starts right now." She grabbed me as I yelped in surprise.
---
Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty
Cupcakes! Don't be too hasty
Cupcakes!
Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes!
Oh good gosh, make it stop, I whined mentally, This song is getting on my nerves.
"Okay!" chirped Pinkie Pie while skipping over to another side of the kitchen counter.
"W-wait, did I say that or think that?" I asked. Then I face hoofed, "Oh, right. It's Pinkie Pie. It doesn't need to make sense." I set my hoof down on the floor. Meanwhile, I kept mixing the bowl of batter by levitating the whisk. The layer of ice that my magic added to floating objects didn't seem to get in the way as much as I thought it would. In fact, it actually made the treats that came straight out of the oven easier to sample.
"Mm, chocolate banana," I mumbled before swallowing one of the cupcakes, "Now that's a good taste."
"Isn't it though?" responded Pinkie Pie, "Now remember, don't put in anything sour."
"I know, Pinkie Pie," I replied, "I only heard your song nine times before."
"You want to hear it again?" she asked with a giddy grin.
"NO! I mean, uh, no thank you," I answered, "That's quite all right."
"So!" she asked, "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?" I responded while tilting my head in confusion.
"Duh!" she rolled her eyes as if the answer were obvious, "That crazy battle scene that takes place after you ask, 'Pinkie, what are you talking about?' Are you ready for that?"
"Pinkie, what are you talking about?" I asked. Then I did a double-take and thought, Huh? How did she do that? My train of thought was interrupted by a large vibration running through my entire body.
This is spiritual pressure! I thought. The door to out back suddenly burst open to reveal a straight sword on a chain.
"Get down!" I yelled tackling Pinkie Pie to the floor. The longsword and chain whizzed over our heads barely missing the hairs on our manes. The blade banged and nicked one of the counters before recoiling back out the door.
"Any Zanpaktou wielding ponies in there that can come out and play?" cackled a voice from outside.
"It can't be," I whispered.
"What can't be?" whispered the pink one. I barely registered what she asked. I was still trying to comprehend the possibility of who the attacker was.
"Wait here," I whispered to Pinkie, "I have to check this out." I slowly crawled around to the back doorway. I held myself off to one side before taking a peek just beyond the frame. A small red blur passed my vision as I heard chains rattling. I backed up as a bladed, red fold-up fan exited the building. Slow stealth wasn't safe enough. If this new threat was in fact what I thought it was, then I needed to arm myself and charge in.
I summoned my katana and took a leap in the visible area of the doorway. I galloped forward without holding back. The longsword from earlier was heading toward me, but I held my own sword up to block. The blades clanged against each other as the chain yanked the longsword away. It was then that I caught site of the attacker.
It kind of reminded me of what Rarity's mother looked like: a unicorn with a pair of white pants on. Yet, there were distinct differences. This enemy was purple in color, and her mane was a long and untied sea green. Her evil grin revealed slightly fanged teeth. She held the fan and longsword in her front hooves. Somehow, she had perfect balance on her hind legs. The look in her eyes was one of excitement and blood lust.
I couldn't believe who this was, yet here she was. This was the Bount that was called Yoshi and her weapon was her doll Nieder.
"So you decided to play, Shirayuki," commented Yoshi, "I'm so glad." I opened my eyes wide at what she had just said.
"How... do you know that name?" I asked shakily.
"That guy David told us to specifically target you," chuckled the unicorn.
"Us?" I questioned, "How many of you are there? Just who are you people?"
"You've told her too much," said a masculine voice from the longsword she held.
"You certainly love to hear yourself talk," said a seductive, feminine voice from the fan.
"Hey, shut up!" growled Yoshi, "Did you forget who's in charge here?"
"Of course not," said the two voices of Nieder in unison.
"Um, am I interrupting something?" I asked rhetorically.
"Hmph, wise crack!" shouted the Bount as she threw the fan at me.
"Here I go!" cried out the fan. I raised my sword expecting to block the attack. What caught me off guard was the fan suddenly switching angles to a much lower height. The fan dragged the chain around my back hooves. It circled a few times and then tightened. The unicorn grunted and yanked on the longsword end of the chain. This sudden force flipped me over onto my back. I was being dragged toward this mad mare. I was still a few yards away, so maybe I still had a chance.
Thinking quickly, I held up my free hoof and started chanting:
The one who reigns, mask of flesh and blood
All creation, the flutter of wings
The one who crowns us with the name
Gathering of heat and war beyond the seas and rivers take steps to the south.
Hado 31: Shakkahou!
An orb of red fire headed right for the enemy. Her chuckling changed to a spit of frustration as she moved her longsword in a diagonal position. The fire exploded on contact with her blade. She was sent sliding back into a conveniently placed tree. Unfortunately, I was still chained so I got dragged along the ground. The friction between the grass and my back burned me like a rash.
It wasn't a total loss. As Yoshi was momentarily stunned, the fan part of Nieder loosened its grip. I was able to roll over away from the chains. This was no time for holding back. I stood up and held my Zanpaktou with its blade pointed down.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki," my sword changed to white as did my body. Shirayuki, in dominance, lifted the katana's blade to point at the Bount. Four small columns of snow and air floated from the ground to the sword's tip.
"Tsugi-no-Mai," breathed the tall, snowy alicorn, "Hakuren!" Before the large blast of ice could hit its target, Yoshi opened her eyes and leaped to the left. All the attack succeeded in doing was freezing the base of the tree.
"That's not good enough!" laughed the unicorn as she threw her longsword in my direction. Shirayuki slashed and knocked the opposing blade away. She then held up a free hoof for her Kido chant:
The one who reigns, mask of flesh,
All creation, flap of wings
The one who carries the title of human
In the name of truth and temperance, dig your claws into the wall of sinless dreams.
Hado 33: Sokatsui!
An arc of blue fire rushed forward. It narrowly missed its target as Yoshi ducked down onto one front hoof and leaped high into the air. Shirayuki opened her wings and flew to intercept the Bount's path. The enemy yanked the side of the chain she held and the longsword came whizzing past the alicorn. It nicked her wing slightly, causing her to wince in pain.
Yoshi took this opportunity to perform a downward kick into Shirayuki's body. I could feel my other half's stomach pain as she was catapulted downward. I could also feel her back pain when we crashed through the roof of Sugarcube Corner. Various building debris followed me to the floor. I was, for the most part, pinned to the bakery floor.
"Tundra!" I heard someone call out. I couldn't tell who because Shirayuki's vision and hearing had muted in the dust from the collapse. I felt very lightheaded at that moment.
...
---
"Tundra!" shouted Pinkie Pie. From the kitchen doorway, she had seen her friend enter the sweet shop in a very painful way. She had taken peeks outside every once in a while in curiosity, but she wasn't the type to get in a fight. Fighting made other ponies sad and sad was the opposite of happy. The very thought of some pony deliberately trying to make some pony else sad sickened her.
The idea made her angry.
Yes, give into your fear, said a voice in the earth pony's mind, Give into your pain.
Unbeknownst to Pinkie, her poofy curls were slowly losing their cotton candy appearance. One by one, her hairs began to straighten out and lengthen. Her coat was getting a few shades darker. Her expression was an unreadable frown.
Give into your anger.
Pinkamena Diane Pie held out her hoof to the side. A curved sword appeared in her grasp.
Kill.
"Reap," whispered the pony, "Kazeshini." The blade flashed in an eerie green and transformed. When the aura cleared, the weapon had become two scythe blades joined by a chain. One scythe was held in each of Pinkamena's front hooves. In a blur, she vanished from where she was standing.
---
The Bount laughed wickedly. She was having way too much fun. She was kicking the tar out of an alicorn, supposedly the strongest species in this whole pitiful land. Fighting made her feel so alive.
A swoosh of air behind her interrupted her laughing fit.
"Just what are you laughing at?" asked a voice. Yoshi turned around to see a pony standing on the air just like she could. In the speaker's grasp was another one of those unusual weapons. Yoshi figured it must have been one of those Zanpaktou. She resumed her earlier grin.
"What am I laughing at?" the unicorn echoed, "I'm having a blast. Crushing my enemies and making them suffer is quite pleasurable."
"I see," said the other pony quietly. She twirled one of the chains in her hoof, causing the scythe on that side to rotate in a circular motion. It made a distinct whistling noise as it gyrated through the air. Then, without warning, the pink pony released that scythe, causing it to rotate like a propeller as it flew toward Yoshi.
The Bount easily sidestepped the toss, only to find the pink pony had disappeared and reappeared instantly right in front of her. Said pony began to swing her second scythe straight down. Yoshi quickly put up Nieder's fan to block the strike. This defense seemed to work at first. Then, a dark slicing noise could be heard as she watched red liquid spurt from her left arm.
The pink pony yanked on the chain in her hooves. Looking slowly behind her, Yoshi saw the incoming, spinning scythe that had been launched initially. Her next moments were lost in bleeding shadows.
Pinkamena stood in the dark sky for a long while after that.
---
Meanwhile...
"Twilight Sparkle!" declared a voice as if over a megaphone, "The Great and Powerful Trixie has returned to get her revenge! Face Trixie now if you can!" In the center of Ponyville, nothing stirred but an out-of-place tumbleweed. The show pony thought that she would be able to convince her rival to fight with nothing but sheer... persuasion. Needless to say, Twilight Sparkle didn't show. This was going against everything Trixie had planned, but she would not be stopped by minor setbacks.
She heard a sound similar to rushing wind behind her. Assuming it to be a teleportation spell, she turned around with her eyes closed and a smug, confident grin on her face.
"So, Sparkle you accepted the challenge-..." she paused when she opened her eyes to see what was really behind her. It was not the lavender unicorn with magenta highlights. Instead, a small, orange Pegasus had materialized in that spot.
The filly spoke up, "I thought I sensed a strong pressure in this direction."
"You are not Twilight Sparkle," Trixie snorted, "Trixie does not have time to play with you, runt."
"It's Scootaloo," said the filly, "and just what are you planning to do when you find Twilight?"
"I don't have time to explain my plans to you," said the blue unicorn, "Trixie has revenge she must take."
"Revenge for what?" asked Scootaloo, "Last I checked, that egghead beat you fair and square."
"Do not try Trixie's patience," snarled the show pony. She held out a hoof and a katana materialized in her grip.
"Don't do something you'll regret," retorted the filly. She called forth a katana of her own.
"You don't know who you're dealing with," said Trixie.
"Don't let blind anger be the source of your power," said Scootaloo with a wisdom beyond her years, "If you let your rage control you, it will destroy you."
"Enough of your nonsense!" shouted Trixie, "If you insist on standing in the way, Trixie will get rid of you as well." Her katana began to glimmer as the filly's katana grew covered in a dark veil.
"Shine brightly, Nijigasumi!" cried the show pony. Her blade was consumed in light.
"Shroud the world in darkness, Kagehime!" shouted the filly. Her blade transformed into a double katana joined at the handle. Both ponies slowly moved a hoof. In the next instant they seemed to vanish in blurs of motion. Sounds of metal clashing against metal could be heard, but the only thing a passerby could see was quick flashes of white and black lights.
At least, that was true until the fighters reappeared in one spot on the other side of the town center. They held their weapons against each other in a push-of-war. This was soon stopped by Scootaloo spinning her handle. The motion brought her second blade in an upward motion. Trixie reacted by quickly jumping away.
"Don't make me kill you, foal!" implored the blue unicorn as she moved her blade in a sideways U-shaped motion.
"I could say the same," replied the Pegasus filly, "Shadow Blade!" A circle of dark energy swords appeared in front of her. With a nod and a push, both ponies launched their respective projectiles. Light clashed with shadows, neither side gaining the advantage.
"Flash and burn!" yelled Trixie. A flurry of light particles started to stream in the air around Scootaloo. Before she could react, the lights expanded and completely engulfed the entire area. She was trapped in a semi-sphere of light.
"Saigyoku Nijigasumi," breathed the show pony, "It's over." She turned around away from her light dome. Her cape fluttered on a magical wind. She started walking away but then paused to take one last look at her handiwork. However, she did not expect a sudden barrage of sword-shaped shadows flying right for her. They collided with her, tearing up her cape as she rolled along the ground. The encasing light suddenly dispersed as an unharmed Pegasus filly started walking forward, shooting her Shadow Blades in a multitude of directions. As quickly as this had started, her firing ceased.
"It can't be," heaved Trixie as she shakily stood up, "My Nijigasumi should have destroyed all the shadows. How is it possible that you can still use them?"
"Don't you know?" asked the filly rhetorically as she trotted closer, "If you shine a brighter light, the shadows just get longer." A translucent silhouette of a chain mailed unicorn appeared next to Scootaloo before quickly vanishing again.
"Preposterous," spat the show pony, "Darkness can't exist in the same place as light."
"Maybe, maybe not," Scootaloo sighed, "But I'm not going to talk about that. I want to ask you something." She stood just a couple feet away from the older pony before asking, "What did you hope to accomplish?"
Despite her bruises, Trixie huffed in pride, "Twilight Sparkle deserves death and I am going to be her executioner."
"She saved the town from destruction so she deserves death?" asked the filly skeptically, "Now who's being pre-pasta-mous?"
"She humiliated me," added the blue unicorn.
"So?" retorted Scootaloo, "Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon humiliate me every school day. You don't see me trying to kill them."
"She robbed me of my fame," growled Trixie.
"Mare-Do-Well stole Rainbow Dash's fame, but she didn't try to kill her," countered the Pegasus.
"She killed my father!" yelled the unicorn.
"W-what?" stammered the filly.
Trixie closed her eyes and sighed before describing the tragedy that befell her.
---
The curtains opened, the drums rolled, and the crowd cheered. She watched from the side of the stage as the final act began. Her father climbed into the empty tank. Once there, an assistant used a chain and lock spell to make sure any ordinary pony in the stallion's position couldn't move. The tank was then filled to the brim with water, much higher than the chains would allow the magician to swim. Trixie had seen this trick a hundred times in her whole life but it never ceased to amaze her.
It would only take the stallion twenty-five seconds to escape spectacularly. He would even be high and dry when he reappeared again. That was Trixie's favorite part. The clock ticked by as she watched her father pretend to struggle helplessly against the bindings. That would raise the tension of his audience. It was the perfect way to grab attention.
But as the second hand passed thirty-five after the minute, Trixie could sense that something was wrong. Larger air bubbles left her father's mouth. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to perform the impossible feat, escape the tank, and bow to a shower of roses. Why wasn't this happening?
Her father drowned that night.
---
The traveling cart was all she had left to remember him by. It was the last birthday present he had ever given to her. She vowed to treasure it regardless of the weather. When she heard it crash to pieces behind her, she had only been in fear of the Ursa. But as she left the town after going out with a smoke bomb, she realized that there was nothing left. All that she had to hold her father close to her was gone.
---
"That wasn't Twilight's fault," argued Scootaloo.
"It was entirely her fault!" snapped Trixie, "It's because of her that my father's memoir is gone. Those that cannot prevent death deserve to die themselves."
"In that case, why not just kill every single pony in existence?!" asked Scootaloo rhetorically skeptically, "No pony can prevent death."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie will never accept that nonsense as a fact!" said Trixie, "By getting her revenge, Trixie shall make the equal exchange."
"It's not your right to decide who lives or dies," said Scootaloo softly.
"How would you feel if everything you knew and loved was taken away?" asked the show mare, "You don't know what I've been through. A filly like you would never understand true loneliness and despair."
"Loneliness," echoed the orange filly, "You honestly think my life's been sunshine and rainbows every day?"
---
"Chickens can't fly, ha ha!"
---
"You think I don't know what it means to be picked on for my faults?"
---
She shed tears while holding her hooves on top of her mother's tombstone.
---
"The feeling that you're all alone in this world..."
---
"Blank flank! Blank flank! Cutie marks can't stand your tank. Ha ha ha ha ha!"
---
"The feeling that your life is pointless..."
---
Every pony would be better off if I just... faded away.
---
"True despair... oh yeah," reflected Scootaloo solemnly, "I know what that's like."
"Worthless, little piece of... urgh!" grunted Trixie as she called forth her katana again, "Shine, Nijigasumi!" She then yelled as she galloped forward.
"Shroud, Kagehime," whispered the Pegasus filly while holding her ground. The sound of two swords swinging was heard. Blood dripped just as one of the blades got knocked back from its wielder and was driven into the ground.
Scootaloo stood there, empathizing with her opponent. They shared so much in common, but they fought for very different reasons. Her sword shrank to its single katana form. She looked at the blue unicorn that had once again collapsed to the ground.
"What are you waiting for?" asked the bleeding unicorn, "You have your weapon and I don't. End this fight."
"Whatever you say," said Scootaloo and let her blade vanish from the physical realm. She turned around and began to trot away.
"Why?" yelled Trixie, "Why won't you do it? I tried to end the life of a friend of yours, didn't I? Finish me!"
The filly stopped and sighed before turning her head, "I'm letting you live so that you can learn. I'm still learning and fighting against lights and shadows of deception. Maybe you can too." She then resumed her trek back to Apple Bloom's home.
Trixie slammed the ground with a hoof before screaming in anger.
---
"Soten Kisshun, I reject!"
My ears were working again and my body didn't feel so heavy. I slowly opened my eyes to try and see why. I was a bit startled by the strange, orange tint that shaded my vision. But after a few more seconds, the orange faded and two objects passed my sight. They looked like... origami swans.
"Good morning, Tundra!" greeted a familiar voice. I looked to my right and saw the origami swans fly around for a bit. I was shocked to watch them incorporate themselves into Pinkie Pie's flank.
"Pinkie Pie," I slowly said, "What just happened?"
"Well, I said 'Good morning, Tundra!'" she repeated.
"No, no, no. I mean before that," I clarified.
"Well, a lot of things happened before that. I was born and raised on a rock farm. I discovered the joy of parties. I took a job in catering..." she rambled.
"No, after that," I face hoofed.
"Which is it? Before or after?" she asked smiling innocently.
You're doing this on purpose aren't you, I thought.
"Doing what on purpose?" she asked still smiling.
"Gah!" I yelped in annoyance. I then took a deep breath before asking, "What were those origami swans that just... flew into your flank?"
"That's silly, Tundra," Pinkie Pie giggled, "Origami swans are made of paper. Paper can't fly into your flank."
"Then what were those things that merged with your flank?" I asked. I was beginning to remember why I thought she would be the hardest to work with.
"Oh!" she finally seemed to understand, "Those were my new friends, Ayame and Shun'o."
"Ayame and Shun'o?" I echoed. Then I thought, Where have I heard those names before?
"Yeah, they're pretty neat," said Pinkie, "They showed up sometime after you fell through the roof. They can fix up your owwies fairly well. They came with four other friends: Hinagiku, Lily, Baigon, and... um."
"Tsubaki?" I offered. I had an idea of where this was going.
"Yeah! Have you met them already?" she asked somewhat too excitedly.
"Uh, no... not personally," I chuckled nervously. In what I hoped were private thoughts, I thought that the main cast was going to receive Soul Reaper powers save for Twilight Sparkle. Why did Pinkie Pie get Orihime's powers?
"They live in my cutie mark. Isn't that great?" said Pinkie jumping up and down in place.
They live inside her cutie mark? I mentally pondered.
Well, there are six of them and she has six balloons in total for a cutie mark, commented Shirayuki's mind.
That... makes... way... too much sense, I thought dumbfounded.
"So, want to make more cupcakes?" asked the pink earth pony.
"A crazy lady just tore up a large portion of the shop's roof, you just gained powers that can increase your fourth wall breaking tenfold, and you're asking if I want to make more cupcakes," I said skeptically.
"Yuh-huh," confirmed Pinkie Pie.
I sighed, "Sure, let's go do that."
"Yay!" she cheered while skipping along to the kitchen. While I'd never understand her, I could say one thing without a doubt:
"Typical Pinkie Pie."
---
"Huh? What's this?" asked the unicorn in the candlelight. She was reading the library's copy of Predictions and Prophecies, but was intrigued by new pages that had appeared before the back cover. She had never seen these before. A single line appeared on the first extra page:
A Quincy's arrow must be fired from the heart.