//------------------------------// // The Battle for Ponyville // Story: The Elements of Unity // by Gremlin Grenade //------------------------------// [The sickness of the mind is one much more dangerous and more easily spread than that of the body. Where physical illness can be secluded and quarantined, hatred and rage can spread seemingly without control. Darting rapidly from victim to victim, spite grows out of control like a wildfire, consuming the world around the source and eventually burning it to the ground. Sometimes, however, new life rises from the ashes, and sometimes, you have to destroy before you can create...] The quiet still of Ponyville hospital was broken only by the periodic beeps of the machines connected to Fluttershy as she lie sleeping. Around her, her friends waited with sorrowful expressions as they waited for news of her condition. Her five closest friends, were there, as well as Master Plan and his. Even Steel Hoof, battered and beaten from the prior night, managed to hobble his way there to see her (despite Applebloom’s protests). The ten of them nervously mulled about for what seemed like an eternity, fiddling and worrying. Even Plan’s friends, who had each grown attached to the gentle yellow mare for their own reasons, paced uneasily about. Master Plan sat in the corner, his eyes fixed contemplatively on the floor. He had become sick to his stomach over the last night, and felt a light pain in his chest. What could possibly cause this nausea? Guilt? He had nothing to be guilty about, he wasn't responsible for Fluttershy's accident, and even if he was, it was one of the most useful events to occur yet. What better way to show evidence of Celestia's crimes than the near-death of Ponyville's kindest citizen? No, it couldn't be guilt... he hadn't grown that soft yet. More likely the effects of a skipped breakfast. “Ladies, gentlecolts, please give Miss Fluttershy some space,” the doctor’s voice was greeted with gasps and wide stares, excited and fearful in equal measure. “Is she going to be okay, doc? Is she…” Rainbow Dash shot the unconscious Fluttershy a nervous glance before continuing, “is she going to live?” “Our tests show she should make a recovery, so long as she remains in medical care during the process.” His statement was met with relieved sighs. “Now, everypony, please vacate the room so she can rest,” before everypony left, however, he placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, causing the group to stop, “Before you leave, was anypony with her during the… accident?” Twilight turned to face the doctor. “I was, doctor.” “So was ah,” Applejack took a step forward. “Me too,” Rainbow moved over to the doctor. Master Plan looked up towards the four of them, “I was as well.” “I need to speak to you four, in private,” the doctor’s expression was worryingly solemn. As the five of them headed to a nearby office, the doctor took his seat behind the desk. “First of all, I want you all to know how fortunate she is. Only a few centimeters to the left, and she wouldn’t be alive right now.” Twilight covered her mouth with a hoof, tears welling in her eyes. “What happened here doesn’t look like an accident. The burns around the wound indicate some sort of weaponized magic. I need to know if Miss Fluttershy has any enemies, anypony who would want to hurt her again.” “Doctor, Fluttershy is the kindest mare in Ponyville,” Twilight responded, “I don’t know of anypony who would want to hurt her in the first place.” “Well, this sort of thing doesn’t just happen,” the doctor looked at the four with suspicion, “it would seem that either Miss Fluttershy here has some dangerous enemies, or she was caught in the middle of an unfortunate struggle. Either way, you should have it looked into, for her safety if not your own.” With that, the doctor dismissed the four of them, and they headed towards the crowd formed in the hall. Master Plan pulled Twilight to the side, a look of grim intensity in his eyes. “Twilight, we need to get the ponies who did this.” Twilight nodded in agreement. “I know, I’ll contact the police as soon as we get back-“ “The police aren’t going to help us, Twilight,” the harshness in his voice reflected by the fear in her eyes, “the police are responsible. They wanted to silence me, to keep me from speaking out against Celestia.” Twilight shook her head in disbelief, struggling to bite back the tears. “No, no that’s not possible…” “It is, Twilight. There is a side to your government you don’t know about, but you can help me end it. You can help me bring them to justice, help me avenge Fluttershy.” “Don’t talk like she’s dead.” “I’m sorry. Please, just consider what I said here,” his expression had gone soft, lost its dour intensity he previously held. A beam of light peaked through the window, indicating the rising sun. Twilight’s ears perked up as she wiped the tears from her eyes, the importance of the coming day dawning on her. “We should go to bed, Plan. We’ve still got a big day ahead of us, and we’ve got a celebration to plan.” ======================================================================== Holy Justice smiled as he gazed over the papers laid out before him. The time had come, he was finally going to catch a dangerous traitor and make a name for himself in history. He had to use all of his political pull to get his sanctions into place, getting royal favors and blind eyes turned repaid by Canterlot’s ruling elite. Even more difficult was getting the sanction of a full battalion of troops without the notice of Princess Celestia or Luna; he didn’t want to pester the royal sisters with his petty raid, after all. His grin sagged slightly as his eyes turned to his assistant’s latest report. Not only had she missed her intended target, but in her panic she failed to correct the issue by implementing the time stop and memory erasure scrolls she had in her possession, thus potentially vilifying his cause. Fortunately, she managed to escape unseen, so there was a chance his involvement was still unknown. Still, now he needed to apply due haste more than ever. The preparations were in order, the troops prepared, and his sanctions in place. He resolved, as he looked over the paperwork one last time, that tomorrow was the day to attack. He would arrive in Ponyville, brandishing an arrest warrant and a battalion of troops, on the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. ============================================================================= By late morning preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration were already in full swing. Everypony was still hurt over Fluttershy’s injuries, but she insisted that they don’t let her condition worry them. Though Princess Celestia was not scheduled to attend again this year, but that didn’t stop everypony from ensuring the festival was top-notch. Everything from the decorations to the snacks were prepared as though everypony expected the princess to make an arrival just due to their efforts. The festival was moved from its location of the town hall the previous year to an extravagant bazaar lining the Ponyville streets, letting the beauty of the sunrise wash over them in its natural glory. Though Twilight and her friends were late to the preparations, before the afternoon they had joined in the commotion, providing their expertise to ensure an exceptional Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony, from the oldest mare to the youngest colt, had pitched in on this one task; everypony except Master Plan. In the relatively dim confines of the library, Plan found himself delving deep into various books and tomes relating to the Elements of Harmony and their creation. He could sense the shortness of time, the impending events that would set his plans in motion. Soon, the world these ponies knew would collapse, and a world of truth would be born from its ashes…. Plan’s thoughts were interrupted, however, as the sound of knocking rang throughout the library. As he opened the door, Rainbow Dash hovered in front of him, an expression of slight anxiousness laid out on her face. “Is Twilight here?” “No, Rainbow, she went to help with the Summer Sun Celebration.” Rainbow Dash averted her eyes from Plan’s gaze, rubbing the back of her neck. “Can I come in? There’s something I need to talk to you about.” “Sure, come on in.” Master Plan stepped away from the doorway. Rainbow hovered to the middle of the room before grounding, where she paced nervously before sitting on the floor. “Something tells me you know who hurt Fluttershy. I wanna know who.” Master Plan cocked an eyebrow. He didn’t expect this tomboy to be so perceptive, especially when her friends seemed so oblivious to the imminent danger. “I don’t think you do.” “Try me.” “Alright,” Plan let out a sigh as he paced about the room. “It was the government. When I told you girls I wanted to take up my issues with Celestia, it seems her agents weren’t too fond of that. They wanted to silence me.” Rainbow Dash turned her gaze to the floor, shaking her head in disbelief. “No, I don’t believe she would do something like that.” “She did.” “You haven’t met her! I have, and Princess Celestia… she’s not like that.” Rainbow Dash’s response held anger and sorrow in equal measure, and Plan couldn’t help but give the slightest grin as his words started to get to her. “Twilight felt the same, Rainbow Dash. She didn’t want to believe it either, in fact I don’t want to believe it. But it’s the truth; we can’t change that, only react to it.” As Dash turned her head towards Plan, he could see that an unexpected glint of grim resistance in her eyes. “No, I still think you’re wrong. I’ll prove it to you, we’ll work something out.” She sternly headed towards the door, keeping her gaze away from Plan’s. “I thought you wanted to get back at them for hurting your friend.” Dash stopped in her tracks, her gaze still fixed on the ground. “No… I wanted to get back them for hurting Fluttershy.” She gave him one last glance before leaving, “I don’t know if you’re right about this, but you can bet your flank somepony’s gonna pay.” ====================================================================== After a few hours Plan managed to rejoin Twilight and her friends as they finished working on the Summer Sun Celebration. Though the actual celebration would be the following day, the citizens of Ponyville chose to begin celebrating early, so that the foals who were too young to stay up until dawn could still enjoy the festivities. The bazaar buzzed with life as the whole of Ponyville engaged in games and song. Carnival games and puppet shows lined the streets, the aroma of baked goods filled the air, and the sound of laughter and singing could be heard from anywhere in town. Plan came across Twilight Sparkle as she and Rarity applied the final touches to the large banner adorning the town hall. As Master Plan approached, his draping black figure, contrasting with the bright colors filling Ponyville, caught Twilight’s eye. “Oh, hi Plan! Just give me a second here.” As she magically drove some final nails into the banner, applying a painstaking effort to ensure the ensemble was perfectly symmetrical. “You got here just in time for the festival to start!” Plan rubbed the back of his neck embarrassedly, “Sorry I wasn’t able to help.” “Don’t worry about it!” Twilight cocked her head with a warming smile. “You’re technically a guest anyway, so you don’t need to help out with town matters. Besides, I’m sure your research was important enough!” “Yeah, well thanks.” He started to return to his usual demeanor, “Have you seen the others? I need to speak with them.” Rarity turned her head in his direction, “You mean Royal and the others? I believe they were helping Pinkie, down by Sugarcube corner.” Plan could only imagine how well that was going. “Thanks,” he replied as he headed off. “We’re meeting here in about an hour!” Twilight shouted in his direction as he left, Plan waving a hoof of confirmation. As he approached the bakery, the noise was already evidence of his suspicions. “Pushy-mushy thing? This is not real word! How can I aid when I do not know what you say!” a deep bellowing voice rang out from the open doors and windows. “What don’t you understand?! You just need to take the rolly-polly dough and smoosh it with the pushy-mushy thing!” a far higher-pitched voice answered. As plan entered the building, before him stood Steel Hoof and Pinkie Pie, covered in white tufts of dough, on the verge of exploding at one another (though it looked like Pinkie was secretly holding back a boisterous smile). Near the entrance, Royal Valor and Kataro stood, their eyes expressing their shock and confusion. As Plan shot them an inquisitive glance, they merely shook their heads, indicating they were not a part of what was going on. “How aren’t you getting this? Just take the pushy-mushy and get the dough all flat!” she pointed a hoof towards a counter in the exposed kitchen, covered in various baking tools and accessories. Plan walked over to the counter, inspecting it for a moment, until he solved the riddle. “I believe she means this rolling pin, Steel,” he held it magically in the air for his companion to see clearly. “That’s what I said!” Pinkie shouted as she pointed an accusing hoof at the levitating rolling pin. Steel gritted his teeth, but Plan’s expression conveyed enough for him to bite his tongue. After a short time helping out Pinkie Pie (or at least attempting to), the four of them exited Sugarcube corner at Master Plan’s behest. Outside, they had the relative privacy of a boisterous crowd, allowing their talk to go unnoticed. “I just wanted to warn you three that our plans will be escalating very soon.” Most of their expressions showed hints of disappointment, except for Royal Valor, who was clearly upset by the news. Not only was the relative peace of Ponyville a relaxing change of pace, but she knew what would come next would far more hectic than even her time as a royal guard. “These government agents that have been after me struck the other night, as I’m sure you’re all aware. They are going to strike again today, and we need to be prepared.” “How do you know they attack today?” Steel Hoof asked. “Simple. They told me.” Master Plan couldn’t help but relish their surprise a little; he had to admit, it was a bold move. “Regardless, we have quite the fight on our hands, and we need to be ready.” Silently, each nodded, their minds clearing out the chaos around them as they prepared to extinguish themselves of this peaceful existence. Their mental peace was disrupted, however, as the roar of the crowd quickly quieted to a hushed murmur. Plan turned his eyes down the street to see Holy Justice, flanked by his assistant and possibly twenty guards marching in their direction. As Twilight, Rainbow, and Rarity headed in their friends’ direction, Twilight’s ears fell flat in concern. “What’s going on?” As though in response, Holy Justice addressed the audience, magically levitating an official scroll before him. “Master Plan, you are hereby ordered by her royal majesty’s court to surrender yourself on account of bribing an officer of the law and attempt at treason! Any resistance will be met with force!” Master Plan and his associates started to duck into the crowd, but their unusual appearance caused let the townsponies easily single them out. Everypony backed away from the newcomers, except Twilight and her friends, who moved over to their side. Plan dug his back hoof into the dirt as he poised himself into a fighting stance. “I haven’t done anything wrong, and I won’t be arrested for false accusations!” His crimson eyes burned with a fiery anger Twilight had yet to be exposed to. “You are a traitor to your kingdom and a criminal, and you will submit to her majesty’s will.” Holy Justice maintained a calm demeanor as he spoke. “Didn’t you hear? He hasn’t done anything wrong!” Rainbow Dash’s voice was flooded with fire, “You can’t arrest somepony for something he hasn’t done yet!” “Please,” Twilight’s voice was hurt and pleading, “you don’t have to do this.” Holy Justice cocked an eyebrow. “Twilight Sparkle, on the side of the traitors? What would the princess think if she saw you now?” Twilight’s heart sank deep into her stomach as he spoke, torn between her duty and her friends for the first time. Plan gritted his teeth, decisively resistant but determined not to make the first move. A spark of inspiration flew through Plan’s mind, and he darted forward and to his right, Holy Justice reflexively switching into a battle stance. As soon as Plan’s horn glowed, a fireball flew in his direction, only to be intercepted by the harmless tomato that Master Plan had grasped with his magic. As he dodged to the side, the fiery blast collided with one of the kiosks behind him, causing its wooden frame to catch fire. Now officially on the defense, Plan responded with a spell of his own. A magical dart narrowly flew past Holy Justice’s head as he jerked to the side. As his horn glowed, a magical sword appeared floating near his head. Master Plan brandished a blade of his own, and the weapons crackled with magical energy as the two charged towards each other. From behind the crowd, a pair of earth pony guards charged in Steel Hoof’s direction. He took the blows in stride, and soon Kataro responded with a counter-attack. A swift buck to the ribs sent one of the guards reeling as he collided into the crowd. Another stepped forward, the crowd backing away in fear of the blade clenched in his mouth. The guard swung his weapon in wide arcs, causing Kataro to duck and weave to avoid the attacks. Steel Hoof returned the earlier favor by driving a shoulder into the guard’s side, pushing him hard enough to make him drop his weapon. Kataro picked up the sword and drove into the side of another guard behind him in a single sweeping motion. “Go! We need to disperse!” Plan barely managed to shout as he dodged another strike from Holy Justice’s blade. “You’ll need to keep focused, if you plan to beat me!” he remarked confidently as they clashed blades again. As Rainbow Dash watched these ponies battle on, her mind stirred with turmoil. I don’t want to fight the princess, she thought to herself, but I can’t just stand by and watch as ponies are forced to live in conditions they don’t want to! Her mind reverted to the incident in Appleoosa, the injustice the buffalo tribes faced at the hooves of the more advanced ponies and the anger it made her feel. She was the very symbol of loyalty, but there were few things that made her blood boil more than watching ponies push around those weaker than themselves. Breaking from their stupor, Royal Valor, Kataro and Steel Hoof all took off in separate directions, each bringing a group of guards in tow. As Royal took off into the air, a trio of pegasus guards followed, two of which carried long spears in their mouths. As one of them swung, Royal maneuvered in the air, barely dodging the attack. A second swing clipped one of her wings, sending her throttling towards the ground. “Bleeding buggers!” she cursed as she spun towards the Ponyville rooftops, before crashing into the top of Sugarcube corner. Grounded, she galloped away from her attackers, before spinning around to deliver a swift buck to the neck. One of the armed guards choked as he dropped his weapon, before stumbling off the rooftops and crashing into the bazaar below. The unarmed guard lunged towards Royal, pinning her against the roof. The other readied his spear, preparing for a killing stroke. Before he managed to deliver it, however, a multi-color flash of light intercepted him, throttling the guard off the rooftops and attracting the attention of both Royal Valor and the remaining guard. Rainbow Dash hovered in the air, her eyes filled with a fiery anger, she couldn't take it anymore. She had no issue with authority figures, but these guards were nothing but bullies. As the guard crashed into the ground below, Dash couldn't help but feel a pit in her stomach. Though the Appleoosa incident was little more than a misunderstanding, she feared she was in for the long haul this time. *** As Kataro raced towards the park, he glanced back to spot two earth pony guards led by a unicorn trailing him. As he reached the bridge, he spun to face his pursuers, lowering himself into a fighting stance. While two of the guards stopped to meet him, one of the earth ponies continued his charge, only to have his momentum used against him, sending him up and into the river. As the unicorn lowered his head, his horn began to glow, sending a beam of light beneath Kataro’s hooves. The bridge started to ripple and crack, slowly giving way to his weight. In response, Kataro slammed his back hooves hard into the ground behind him, causing the bridge to collapse but also sending him flying into the unicorn guard. A bludgeoning hoof crashed into the unicorn’s face as Kataro repeatedly beat him with his fore hooves. A quick jerk pulled Kataro off his hooves as the other earth pony pulled violently on his tail. He swung his back legs in protest, but the guard managed to evade his flailing appendages as he pulled the zebra towards the river. Kataro quickly pushed himself upwards with his fore hooves, giving him some height over the guard before he lunged forward and latched onto the earth pony’s back. The guard pony flailed about, trying to remove his attacker, but Kataro managed to pull off his helmet and use it as a weapon. Beating viciously into the guard’s skull. As the guard finally collapsed, Kataro turned his attention back towards the town hall and bazaar, where a fierce flame grew in the distance. *** As the flames spread from structure to structure, Master Plan and Holy Justice ducked and weaved, swinging magical blades at one another. Each now wielded two swords, bringing the weapons towards one another in arcing displays of finesse and aggression. Spinning around, Holy Justice delivered a fluent buck to Master Plan’s chest, sending him crashing though one of the kiosks and into the building behind it. The building’s wooden infrastructure quickly caught the fire lingering to the shattered pieces of wood that had been launched into its body, slowly spreading to the structures adjacent. Unfazed, Master Plan quickly climbed back to his hooves, before lunging suicidally at his opponent. He grabbed Justice’s shoulders with his hooves, pushing away the incoming blades with his own, before tossing the white pony across the road. A feral grin spilled out of his lips as he pressed on the attack, not giving his opponent a moment’s respite. As their blades clashed, a low swing by Holy Justice caught Plan’s ankle, sending him crashing into the ground and bringing them both on the level. Nearby, Steel Hoof shook and rattled, throwing off the increasing waves of attacking guards as they tried to bring him low by leaping onto his back. Slamming into one of the burning kiosks, Steel was able to gain a moment of respite as a pair of guards ran screaming about, their fur coats ablaze. Twilight Sparkle watched the debacle with horror, horror at the atrocities that went unnoticed and the indescribable violence everypony so willingly engaged. She stood frozen, her mouth agape, as her eyes darted between the screaming citizens and burning buildings. Her whole world was coming down in flames… Above, four more pegasus guards had the duo of Rainbow Dash and Royal Valor to contend with. While Royal took the defensive, only making precise counter-attacks, Rainbow dash behaved contrarily to this, darting into the fray and using her sheer speed as a powerful enough force to send one guard hurtling into the ground. Royal had retrieved one of the spears from the earlier encounter, and was using it to pierce the wings of her attackers as she dodged their own efforts. Though she was already committed to the revolution, she was still reluctant to kill her former comrades. Below, Steel Hoof did not share the sentiment as he drove a furious hoof into a downed pony’s skull, the loud crack indicating his success. As the sun set in the distance, the orange hues of the fires consuming Ponyville appeared to reflect onto the sky, filling the air with a sense of violence and anger. As the chaos ensued around her, Twilight stared dumbly into the raging fires that engulfed the town. Rarity trotted to her side, nervously but sympathetically, placing a comforting hoof over her friend’s shoulder. Though she didn’t speak, Rarity could feel her friend’s pain at the situation. She too felt overwhelmed by the levity of this mayhem, helpless to stop the madness. Pinkie Pie sat on the front step of Sugarcube corner, her eyes wide with confusion. Her hair fell against her shoulders as the joyful laughing world around devolved into a place of hate and violence in seconds. Almost incapable of comprehending the feelings that were thrown back and forth, she simply stared into the growing flames. Across the square, Applejack stood firm, a resolute face laid across her face to hide her fear and confusion inside. She worried of Master Plan’s intentions since his arrival, but now she saw the extent of his danger, the very town she grew up in crashing down around her. The hate that flew about the air flew into her lungs, filling her with a rage at the pony who brought her world down about her ears. As the sun passed below the horizon, the fires that were consuming Ponyville lit up the night with anguish. Master Plan continued his duel with Holy Justice, though a magical ray across his hind leg had made maneuvering difficult. He rolled to the side to avoid another swift blow from above, returning the favor with a rising attack of his own. The swing cut the ends of Justice’s hair as he stepped back to avoid it, smiling with amusement at the challenge he was presented with. He swung a fore hoof that struck Plan across the face, fazing him nearly long enough to sink a successful stab. Plan barreled into his foe, reducing the elegant duel into a merciless brawl for the second time. Steel Hoof pushed the limp body of one of Ponyville’s angry citizens off his body as he gazed about the burning town. It had seemed that he was incapable of find peace anywhere, not while he kept his mad company. His jaw dropped, however, as he saw the extent of the fires that raged about the town. In the distance he saw Ponyville hospital, nearly consumed in flames. He raced towards it, his heart heavy with thought of the consequences. Rarity, too, was filled with dread as the fires of battle ravaged her boutique atop the hill. She galloped home, not fearful of her work as much as her history, terrified of watching it burn to the ground. All the while, Twilight Sparkle sat, silently addled by the madness that broke out from nothing. Her friends were in danger, at war, with a force of ponies sent to destroy her reality. No, not only a group of ponies, but Celestia’s agents. Beloved Princess Celestia, her mentor and friend, had used her infinite power and wisdom to order the end of Ponyville? Was it true, that she feared for her own life so greatly that she would bring down Twilight’s world to remain safe? To remain unopposed? This wasn’t the Celestia she grew up with, the Celestia she knew, but no matter how much she wanted to fight it, she couldn’t ignore the reality around her. These ponies were here to bring down everything she knew and loved, and she had to deal with it herself. She was, after all, the element of magic. Holy Justice placed a blade to his adversary’s neck, calm and confident in his victory. The cost had been great, indeed, but the damage that was done could be repaired. He would be seen as a villain today, but his efforts to rebuild would have him be a hero. He let the calm warmth of the fire wash over him as he relished the moment, his rival pinned firmly beneath his hoof. What he was not prepared for, however, was the flash of light that appeared down the street. Twilight Sparkle glowed with furious power, her horn alight with magical energy and her eyes glowing white. She approached Holy Justice slowly, deliberately, without speaking. A pair of pegasus ponies raced to protect him, but a blast of energy shot them out of the air. Another unicorn retaliated with a blast of his own, the magical energy halted by an arcane force field that materialized around her. Twilight had not felt this kind of power for a very long time, not since she had gotten her cutie mark. Even when vanquishing the ursa minor, she had not had this surge of magical energy flow through her. The raw emotion that filled her heart powered her abilities and warped the world around her. The love she held for her friends, the hate she experienced at Celestia’s betrayal, the fear for the future. Holy Justice stared, dumbfounded, into the blinding light that surrounded Twilight Sparkle as she approached. A ray of magic shot forth, shattering his two swords, followed by another beam that knocked him off Plan’s body. The guards that attempted to apprehend her were shot away by arcing beams of light, and soon Royal Valor and Rainbow Dash had come to her aid, incapacitating the guards in troves. Amidst the commotion, Cleric stared; terrified of the power she had to contend with. The elements of harmony were evidently not just symbols, but creatures of great power. The battle for Ponyville was over. *** The fires that roared throughout the hospital bit at Steel’s skin as he searched the corridors. He was used to the cold of Stalliongrad, but the heat of the flames was an unfamiliar pain to him. Regardless, he pushed on, desperate to save the last vestige of kindness and hope in his life. “Fluttershy! I am coming!” As he approached the room where she stayed, he saw a stern, angry figure standing across the hall. “Ah won’t let you touch her!” Applejack was blazing with fury as she shouted. “You ponies caused enough trouble, but ah won’t let you finish her off!” Her words stung Steel’s heart, but in truth he understood her pain. “We do not have time to be argue! Help me rescue Fluttershy first!” He paused for a moment for continuing, “I promise, I will not hurt her.” Applejack did not speak, but simply nodded in agreement. The two of them quickly headed to Fluttershy’s room, where the fires had yet to spread. Inside, the pegasus mare remained asleep, though the fire had been causing her great stress as beads of sweat poured down her forehead. As quickly and carefully as possible, the two earth ponies disassembled the unnecessary medical equipment and began to move her bed. As they pushed through the burning hospital, Applejack did her best to keep the medical equipment together and correctly applied while Steel moved collapsed sections of the burning building. Though the process was dangerous, Steel’s heavy lifting, along with a conveniently placed handicap-accessible stairwell, allowed the three of them to escape the building relatively unscathed. The two of them huffed for air once they exited the building, allowing themselves a moment’s respite from the smoke and fire. “Good work, Big Macintosh,” the words managed to escape Applejack’s lips before she realized her mistake. She gave Steel a cold stare before turning somberly back to Fluttershy, coughing in her sleep. Steel gave the pegasus a nod as he spoke, “She should go with you,” as he turned to Applejack, his eyes were cold and remorseful; “there is too much pain where I go. Please, take her with you.” Despite her earlier anger, Applejack felt pained to pull what seemed like the last vestige of kindness in this world out of Steel Hoof’s life. Slowly and quietly, she wheeled the bed away, into the darkness outside of Ponyville. *** Master Plan gave a confident smile as he stood over his barely-conscious opponent. A magical sword levitated over Holy Justice’s neck as he twitched, struggling under the pressure of his traitorous rival. “So, it seems the great Holy Justice has fallen,” he remarked smugly as he gazed into his opponent’s eyes. Slowly, he raised his head, looking over the burning town that surrounded them. “Glorious, isn’t it? I must say this is your masterpiece.” He turned back to Holy Justice, who continued to struggle beneath his hooves. “I say your masterpiece because this is more a monument to your failure than my success.” He gave a sinister grin, “There is something marvelous about it, though. I’ve always loved the color of fire, the way it dances and changes constantly. Even though it never stays under control, you know what to expect of it. It’s nice… I like to know what to expect.” He let out a malevolent chuckle, “of course, I just expect everything.” He firmed his grip as he pressed down with both front hooves. “Well, it has been… interesting. But I’m afraid this is where our little game ends. Tomorrow, the revolution starts, and I have a glorious world planned. Unfortunately, you’re not a part of it.” *** Twilight galloped towards the library, her mind racing. What was she doing? She just attacked an officer of the law! Celestia’s law! No… what they did was unspeakable. They deserved what they got, and besides, she didn’t kill anypony… did she? Twilight stopped in her tracks as she saw her treehouse library, engulfed in flames. All of her books, all of her work, gone; but only one thing ran through her mind. “Spike!” She raced into the building, her heart pounding. She looked around, but the smoke made it impossible to see anything. Suddenly, she heard something out of the smoke. “Twilight!” Could it be...? “Twilight! Where are you?” Spike’s voice rang out from deep within the smoke. Twilight ran towards the sound of his voice. “Spike, I’m coming!” She knew his dragon body could handle both the heat and the smoke, but her heart pounded with worry nonetheless. A small purple figure broke free from the dark smoke, running in her direction. Before she had a chance to say anything, however, a loud crack heralded the falling of a large wooden beam, which crashed down upon his head. “SPIIIIIKEEEE!” It was all she managed to say before she felt a blunt force to the back of her head, and the world around her went black. End Chapter 10