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// Chapter Seven: A Glimpse of the Future and the Forest 
// Story: Ruining Harmony 2: Pillars of Harmony 
// by Artaelian 
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Chapter seven: A Glimpse of the Future

Applejack wandered back to Edingcolt itself after seeing Rainbow’s memories. She mulled over what she had learnt so far, from her own memories and those of Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. How had they underestimated Ulysses so badly? And how was he so strong that he could fight alicorns to a stalemate?

There were just two friends to watch the memories of, but with Discord not having said what she should do next, Applejack was stuck in Edingcolt until a direction was given. Which left her seeing the reaction to the tragic news spreading amongst Irvest’s native population. Normally peaceful, Applejack couldn't help but notice weapons of war now started to appear as she wandered, from airships fitted with cannons, to weaponry that were fitted to the backs of stallions. War for Irvest was very different, as she had learnt.

Without the Elements of Harmony, any idea of peaceful or bloodless conflict had never come to be in Irvest. Instead of pies or water balloons, they had weapons which could break through to the brain or heart, or even just tear holes in a stallion over five miles. Irvest was founded in such conflict, and in their endless steam-age progression, while rarely called upon, such weapons were refined to be more accurate and faster killing.
But what hope did they have against a foe who could twist time to his will?
She didn't jump as Discord coughed beside her, sitting in the air.
“So sorry about having to vanish, but I needed to fix up the strongholds you have been to, I can help you from here on however.” Discord smiled.
“Ah need ta ask, what’ll happen if Ah lose this battle?”
If Discord wanted to joke about, he didn't. Instead he remained silent for a moment, before sighing.
“The other me warned how to the point you can be, very well, I will show you why this is a battle we can't afford to lose.”

A snap of his talons and Applejack could see the moment she was struck down a second time by Ulysses. While he was just a giant shadow, she could see the glee in his eyes. Above, the sun and moon raced toward each other in the sky, colliding and raining death in fire and stone on the world.
And then there was nothing but Ulysses. He had become the only living creature on the world, as it boiled in the fire that once made the sun.
“This is just the worst case, but the other timelines where you could lose are no better.”

The next snap of Discord’s talons returned her to the present. She was shaking slightly, but Discord placed a paw on her torso.
“This is not a fight you are to face alone. Myself and the Stronghold protectors are in this with you, Applejack. We will win together, or fall together. You must now activate the rebirth stronghold Fluttershy was taken to, in Altremis forest. Brace yourself, for this is by far the most sickening set of memories you will see.”

She was surrounded in a glow, and on it fading, she was facing the stronghold at the forest’s innermost clearing. It would have been Fluttershy’s idea of heaven, lakes to house fish, trees for the birds and other animals, and not a moment passed without them all making noise. While she faced the stronghold, Applejack couldn't help but be curious as to why such a place existed in Irvest. She turned from it and began to wander.
Her hope of finding a city or town were dashed however, as in an hour of walking in a circle, she found nothing to tell her there was anypony living near the place. She sighed, and turned back.

The interior of the stronghold was similar to Fluttershy’s colours, a soft pastel yellow with a soft pastel pink, decorated with flowers and statues of animals. There seemed to be far more care and attention to detail taken with this place, compared to the others, as if Discord had been mourning a friend. The memory machine was located on a floor below where Fluttershy had clearly lain as she was rescued from death, and recalling Discord’s words, Applejack was almost reluctant to watch. But she had no choice, it was clear the memories were vital and to play a part in what Discord had planned. She found the machine and pressed a button, watching Fluttershy's life from birth to the time they lived in Irvest sixty years earlier. It was all normal, and then the memory of the battle began to play.

She watched as Pinkie hit the ground with a thud. Overcome with grief, she ignored the battle, flying to her fallen friend, crying. She didn't care for the moment that Ulysses was laughing at her, how could she? Pinkie looked a mess, mud and fresh blood staining her coat, but against the odds and how she lay, Pinkie was breathing.
Slowly she turned to look at Ulysses, or the twisted form he had become. Never had she felt such rage. Without thinking, she grabbed a rock and flew at him, the rock in an outstretched hoof. This struck him, the rock tore through barely holding flesh and making Ulysses cry out in pain, before swatting her out of the sky. His limbs snapped her spine, but as she fell to the ground with just as sickening a thud, where she would see her own wings and flank before passing out, she smiled. It may not have been much, but it was something the others could work with, to avenge herself and Pinkie Pie.

Applejack was shaking again, she was getting to do this far too often now. But of all the memories this one had been important. Rarity, herself, Twilight and Rainbow hadn't even been aware that rock had done anything to Ulysses, a weakness they had never known to use. But what was next? Fluttershy had to have been saved, and taken by Ulysses,so she had to keep watching.

The room was cool, she noted as she woke up. She had only known heat for so long, its absence was new and exciting. She stood from it, and looked around. Something about the room made her happy, the figures were leading her somewhere too. With curiosity born of a lack of memories, she followed how they pointed, locating a machine down some stairs. More sat around it, pointing at the machine and the chair, so, she sat to see what would happen. 
A screen dropped down before her, playing memories that quickly returned to her mind, and making her the shy and, very sick, mare. Her back and been broken so badly, but how was she alive?
The ground began to collapse under her, she only had enough time to scream, before a black void claimed her.

Applejack shook her head. She was now so used to how the Irvestians could repair broken bodies that she didn't question how Fluttershy had been saved. But Ulysses had made a show of taking those he could, why was he so quick and less showy when it came to Fluttershy?
“Discord? Where do Ah go next?” She called out.
There was a faint snap of talons, and a portal appeared before her. She didn't know where it would lead, but the sudden sense of urgency in Discord’s actions suggested he would be sending her to where Twilight had been. The only place she could think of would have been either back at Port Equis, or with the sages. Taking a deep breath, Applejack walked through.

Rainbow had stopped to listen to the voices that spoke in the mists. She knew it wasn't in her head, as if she covered her ears and chanted, she couldn't hear them anymore. There was one voice that seemed to address her, the loudest of them all.
“Listen, and listen well, mare of rainbow mane and blue coat, to the tale of the fall of Akyrun. Four decades after the fall of Discord, Akyrun was confronted by friends of true strength, loyalty and honesty. Slain, as only befits the termination of a demon, he vowed to return once more when one who becomes twisted by time wrecks havoc on the world. You must warn others, lest Akyrun slay the world.”
Rainbow mulled over the words, something she did more since Twilight had convinced her to give reading a try. And spoke.
“This Akyrun is just copying a story I read once. I forgot what its called though, but still, no props to the guy for being unoriginal, it's just lame.”