//------------------------------// // Spell Breaker // Story: Accelerated Dash // by Wildcard25 //------------------------------// One morning at the Castle of Friendship inside the Cutie Map room, Accelerated Dash and the girls were seated with Twilight using magic to mark off certain points on the map, "Ok, these are the spots where the Sirens have been located." "If we can get the drop on them before they arrive at their next target we can break their hold on Lapis." Zeck added. "If my calculations are correct, the sirens next stop should be Manehattan." Josh deduced. Rarity gasped, "Manehattan?! How wonderful!" "So it's the Equestria equivalent to Manhattan." Damien said. "This ought to be good." Derek added. "You girls every been there before?" Tyler inquired. "Oh, indeed we have," Rarity answered, "I've not only attended Fashion Week there, but also opened another boutique there as well." "Plus it was where we saw the Hinny of the Hills, the most popular musical on Bridleway." Pinkie added. "Most popular?" Damien asked. "Guess you girls never heard of Phantom of the Opera." Zeck said. "Or Hamilton." Derek added. "Either way it's the perfect place to get enough positive energy from an audience that'll help boost the energy Allegro's given you." Twilight said. "Then what's say we start packing and be on our way?" Tyler suggested. "Agreed. I'll even get us some reservations," Rarity said, "I do know plenty of ponies there." "Thanks, Rares." Zeck said, as the group left to get packed. Meanwhile, the Siren Sisters and Lapis were resting at a hotel in another city. Ballad turned to the three, "We've done well, girls. Next we'll be going to Manehattan, and that's a whole treasure trove of misery and negativity." "Especially since the ponies there can be very miserable already for living in such a busy city." Tempo added. "Oh, I can't wait!" Presto cheered, "How about you, Lapis. You getting excited?" Lapis looked and answered, "Manehattan? Sounds almost like the last place my brother was on his tour before ending up here." "I see. Well, this time it'll be you who will get the audience and not him." Ballad tempted her. "Yes. I will finally be recognized for my true talent." Lapis answered, still under their control. "We'll rest a little bit more before heading out," Ballad instructed, "After all, who's going to know we're going to be there?" The group said nothing and kicked back a bit more. Later on, the train pulled into the station of Manehattan, as the band, the girls, and Spike stepped out. Rarity looked around Manehattan in nostalgia, "Oh, Manehattan, I have returned!" The boys looked around, as Josh spoke, "Wow. It does feel like we're back in NYC." "No kidding." Damien agreed. "Hey, there!" came a voice, as they saw Allegro the siren approach. "Allegro, what're you doing here?" Twilight asked. "I figured this would be the next stop on the sirens list, and how fortunate you all deduced it as well." "Great minds think alike." Derek replied. "And since we're here first we'll have the drop on the sirens before they have a chance to strike." Allegro put in. "That's the plan." Twilight confirmed. "But as long as we're here we might as well, show the boys around so they can adapt to their surroundings." Rarity suggested. "I don't mind," Tyler said, "I mean, we could use a bit of relaxation to keep us from stressing out, right?" "He has a point." Josh admitted. "True," Zeck agreed, "Well, then shall we sight see?" "Yeah!" the boys cheered. And with that the group traveled all around Manehattan, with the boys seeing some places did look just like some spots in New York, like Time Square, Rockefeller Center, and even a ponified version of Lady Liberty. They were currently atop Manehattan's equivalent of the Empire State Building seeing the entire city from up top. "Oh, yes, look at the view!" Zeck cheered. "We really are on top of the world." Derek said. "Feels like we haven't even left earth." Josh noted. "Fabulous, isn't it?" Rarity asked, feeling the nostalgia. "It's beautiful." Damien admitted. "I'd really hate to think of those sirens trying to strike here." Fluttershy feared. "You said it." Applejack agreed. "Don't worry, when they show, our boys will blow them out of here," Rainbow said with her hooves around Zeck and Derek, "And if all else fails, we'll be there to help." "Thanks, girls. Having you for support brings me much relief." Damien said. "We should probably head over to the studio for you guys to practice." Twilight suggested. "Good idea," Zeck turned to Allegro, "Allegro, keep us posted if you see signs of siren activity." "You can count on me, Zeck." he saluted. "Then let's get going." Zeck told the group as they headed off. Meanwhile, the siren sisters and Lapis were already on their way to Manehattan, "Ah there it is, girls. Manehattan." Ballad began. "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. So they say." Tempo noted. "And we'll be making it all right." Presto said. "Indeed so," Ballad agreed, "Look alive, Lapis. For tonight, we make history once again." "Perfect." Lapis smirked. That night in Manehattan's park, many ponies were gathering once they heard the famous Accelerated Dash would be playing. The band and the girls were backstage of the stage set up for them, with the boys getting themselves ready, "Well, it's been a whole day and no sign of the sirens." Josh said with concern. "I'm sorry. But I haven't sensed them all day." Allegro said with guilt. "You did your best, Allegro." Fluttershy patted his back. "But right now, that crowd out there is looking mighty excited." Applejack noted. "Agreed," Zeck nodded, "So sirens or not, let's put on a show." "Yeah." the boys agreed, as they headed out on stage whereas an announcer had just called them out. The boys took the stage, as the ponies of Manehattan cheered. Zeck called out, "Good evening, Manehattan! How's everypony doing tonight? You all excited?!" The ponies cheered in confirmation, as Derek spoke, "Great, because we are too!" "We're glad to be performing here in Manehattan because it reminds me of another place where we're from." Josh explained. "But what say we cut straight to the chase and party out?!" Damien called, as the ponies cheered. "I got a better idea," Came Ballad's voice, as the ponies gasped. Appearing on stage via smokescreen were the sirens and Lapis in her Water Witch attire, "How about you boys take five and leave us to have the show?" "Not happening!" Zeck answered with a frown, as the girls, Spike, and Allegro hurry on stage. "Lapis!" Damien called to her. "Good to see you, brother." she answered in monotone. "You let Lapis go right now!" Tyler ordered. "You heard what he said, let her go." Allegro said. "Why don't you let her decide?" Tempo asked. "Lapis do you wish to stay with us or go back with them?" Presto asked. Damien and the boys looked at Lapis hoping she'll make the right decision, but became disappointed when she slung to Ballad, "I want to be here." "Lapis." Damien gasped. "She's made her choice." Ballad smirked. "But her choice is not of her own accord." Allegro called her out. "He's right," Twilight agreed, "Putting somepony under mind control is not free will!" "We've never been one to care about others and free will." Presto replied. "I'll bet that's why nobody really likes you." Josh said. "Pwned!" Derek called. "You dare accuse us of being hated?" Tempo growled. "Because it's true," Tyler replied, "You're afraid of being hated so you use your charms not just to feed on negative energy, but because you don't wanna risk others not liking you." "And that is so uncouth." Rarity finished. "Silence!" Ballad shouted, "We will be taking you boys out so that nothing can stand in our way." "Boys, vocalize!" Zeck instructed, as they began vocalizing in harmony to power up their gems, while the sirens and Lapis did the same. Both sides emitted vocal shock waves trying to repel the other, while the ponies took cover. Allegro saw they were evenly matched, but knew it wouldn't last long, so he flew in to provide his own vocals which was enough to repel the sirens and Lapis, knocking them off their feet. "Careful, we don't wanna hurt Lapis." Zeck warned the boys. The sirens and Lapis got up with Lapis' mask falling off her face. Ballad frowned, "Now we're angry!" "Boys, let's put on a show and prove to Lapis she doesn't belong with them." Damien suggested. "Let's Dash!" the boys cheered, as they began singing. As they sang with passion, their gems glowed empowering their voices. The sirens not wanting them to gain power from the ponies positive reaction vocalized to try drowning it out. As they clashed, Ballad thought, 'This can't be. They shouldn't have this much power compared to us, unless... Allegro you meddling imbecile!' Lapis stepped forward and vocalized more wanting to upstage her brother and his friends, while Damien thought, 'Lapis, I know you're in there. This isn't the way you wanted to become a star. Do it for the right reasons!' suddenly his gemstone glowed brighter, as the rest of the boys gems reacted as well. Suddenly the five gems fired a beam at Lapis, and they were all assimilated into her gem. The girls and sirens watched as Lapis eyes glowed and ceased her vocalizing. She began experiencing flashbacks of herself and Damien practicing together, with Damien instructing her how to improve her vocals. She then recalled their last moment before he left for a tour. "When you come back, can we practice some more, Damien?" Lapis asked. "I promise, Lapis. I promise." he embraced her. Suddenly in the waking world Lapis gasped, as her eyes were no longer glazed. She looked around before seeing her brother and his friends, "Damien!" she ran to him. "Lapis!" Damien embraced her and calmed her down, "It's ok, Lapis. I'm here. Big brother's here." The sirens growled, as Ballad shouted, "Now you've made us angry!" they tried to fly at them, but the boys and Lapis stood together and vocalized releasing a powerful shockwave that repelled them back forcing them to fly off in retreat. They powered down after finishing their song, and heard the sound of applause from their audience. Lapis looked out in surprise, as Damien spoke to her, "See, Lapis. They love you." "They do?" she asked, before seeing her brother was right, "They really do!" she smiled happily. "Give it up for our surprise guest, Lapis Lazuli!" Zeck cheered, as Josh and Tyler hoisted her up for everyone to see. The Sirens after being repelled retreated into an alley of Manehattan, "NO! We lost our hold on Lapis!" Ballad vented. "And without her all six of Starswirl's gems are under their control." Tempo added. "Which is bad news for us." Presto noted. "I know that!" Ballad snapped at her, "No matter. Let them celebrate their victory now. Because next we meet it will be the last." she promised while fire burned in her eyes. Later on at the hotel they were staying in, Lapis was sitting on a bed taking a sip of water offered to her by Applejack, "I can't imagine how it must've been being under their control an all." Applejack said. "It was a nightmare. Just Ballad's voice endlessly whispering all these things inside my head," Lapis sighed, "Telling me I didn't need my brother or anyone else but them. I'm just glad I'm finally free. Thank you, Allegro for helping my brother." "Anytime little friend." he smiled. "So now that we got Lapis back, can we go home now?" Derek asked. "I don't think we're done here just yet." Zeck replied. "Zeck's right," Josh agreed, "Unless those three sirens are quelled permanently, they'll never stop trying to feed on ponies negative feelings." "Right. So it looks like you guys will be extending your stay here." Twilight said. "It must be done." Tyler admitted. "And now that we got Lapis and her gem on our side we stand an even bigger chance." Damien smiled at his sister. "Uh-huh." she agreed. "Oh, this is so touching!" Pinkie sniffled, while wiping a tear from her eye. "Indeed so." Rarity agreed. "Come on, yall, bring it in." Applejack said, as the whole group joined in a group hug, with Lapis feeling extra good for being back with her brother.