//------------------------------//
// League 07 
// Story: Justice League (of Equestria) 
// by Kaliann25 
//------------------------------//


Family Ties (part 2)


The Everfree seemed to tremble in anticipation as the timberwolves paced in three counter-rotating rings, isolating Lantern, Forest Thing, and the slumbering Zecora from the rest of the forest.

Anxiously, Lantern glanced at the zebra sleeping in the green energy capsule kept at his side. He shifted her a little further away, but no one else seemed to care. He gulped as he realized all eyes were on him.

With a hint of trepidation in his voice, Spike said, "What now? Are you going to use your wolves to a stallion's job, like you did in Ponyville?"

A hint of irritation flashed across the alicorn's face for a split second. He sniffed. "Using wolves? I suppose I should expect such ignorance from a crude brute of a dragon. Pity you won't have time to learn the error of your ways."

The forest alicorn extended his wings, and his horn glowed slightly.

Three vines rose from the ground, stems growing as wide as an oak's trunk as they grew to their full length. Pink bell-shaped flowers bloomed as the vines grew and twitched, scattering their poisonous pollen. The timberwolves howled happily as the Forest Thing took in the scent with a nostalgic smile.

"Can you smell it, dragon boy? It's the perfume of Morpheus, magnificent, sweet, delicious, deadly. Those who invade my domain are lucky enough to sample its charms, a final mercy. It has no effect on alicorns."

Forest Thing gave a predatory smile. "I know what it does to dragons." With a quick spell, he formed the vines into a cocoon around Lantern, with all of the flowers pointed inward. Zecora slumped to the ground.

Stoically, Forest Thing watched as the vines collapsed in around the dragon. "Soon, my friends, we will have one less pest."

Unnoticed, the vines shriveled as they grew tighter around Lantern. Suddenly, they disintegrated in a cloud of dust. With a roar, Lantern ignited the cloud in a brilliant flash.

The wolves cried in fear as they jumped away from the ball of flame.

As the flames faded, the air grew hot with the alicorn's anger. The vines on Forest Thing's costume came to life.

“Don’t ─ ever ─ use ─ fire ─ near ─ my ─ family.”

The vines wrapped around Lantern’s neck and limbs, throwing the hapless dragon into the alicorn's buck. Lantern screamed in pain as he was sent through the trunk of an old oak.

The vines dragged Lantern back to Forest Thing, pinning him spread-eagle to the ground. Another set of vines hefted a giant boulder and raised it high above the dragon.

“You’ll pay.”

The vines flung the boulder down. A sheet of green appeared under Forest Thing as green dragon's hand construct deflected the boulder. Forest Thing's hooves slipped out from under him just before the boulder came crashing down on his back.

The wolves howled at their leader’s fall, preparing to maul Lantern as the hero flew free of the vines. The boulder disintegrated into dust as Forest Thing got back on all fours.

“No! Stay back! This is a dragon!”

With a single flap of his wings, Forest Thing flew up to Lantern's altitude. With all his will power, Lantern formed a hammer as large as the alicorn and swung it onto the alicorn's back. There was no discernable effect.

“You have to be strong if you want to survive in the forest, dragon boy. This is nothing.”

Forest Thing grabbed Lantern with the vines from his costume and dragged him down to the center of the rings of timberwolves as he lightly touched down at an edge of the clearing.

The wolves howled in celebration of their leader’s feat.

Vainly, Lantern struggled to break free, but the vines dragged him millimeter by millimeter toward Forest Thing. With a smile, the alicorn said, “You’re brave, dragon boy, really brave, and strong, but I’m stronger.”

Spike shivered. Despite Forest Thing's brief show of anger, the alicorn was, for the most part, as serene as the forest, his forest.

Green razor blades sprang up from Lantern's costume, cutting him free of the vines. Forest Thing fell back as the tug of war abruptly ended. The alicorn recovered just in time to see Lantern streaking away with the still-sleeping Zecora in tow.

Before Forest Thing could give chase, an ancient female timberwolf padded up to him and gave him a nuzzle. Her body was hardened and grizzled, colored by the centuries, but she was still a strong and valued member of the pack. She still had much to teach her cub.

Forest Thing nuzzled her in return before kissing her on the forehead. He said, "I don't have a choice, mother. If I don't take care of dragon boy now, he will grow up to be a real nemesis."

With a mighty flap of his wings, Forest Thing gave chase.

Risking a quick backward glance, Lantern saw that Forest Thing was closing the gap.

“Oh, come on!”

The alicorn accelerated, giving Lantern no choice but to fight back. He flung a giant green fist toward Forest Thing. The alicorn was unimpressed. The fist flattened into an opened hand, palm down. Closer the alicorn flew, ignoring the ineffectual construct. The hand rotated to vertical with thumb, pinkie and ring finger tucked back. Forefinger raised and lowered, cutting the primary feathers off Forest Thing's right wing. The alicorn augered downward.

The crowns of several trees rose to catch the tumbling alicorn and break his fall. After giving him a moment to regrow his damage feathers, they catapulted him back in pursuit, faster than before.

Lantern risked another backward glance. If he were lucky, he had a minute before the chase ended.

Zecora's eyes fluttered open. “Young Spike!” she called.

Lantern turned to her. “Zecora! You’re awake!”

“I’ve been awake since you destroyed the flower. I couldn't help, too strong was its power.”

“It’s all right!”

“If we both use our wits, we can win in the end. Nature gives him power; to Ponyville, my friend!”

Forest Thing overshot his target as it abruptly changed direction. He pulled straight up and hovered, taking a moment to sight his quarry. It was heading for the town he had attacked. The alicorn quirked an eyebrow when he saw that the dragon had landed on top town hall and waved a hand, beckoning him.

Lantern touched down in the town plaza as Forest Thing approached. The alicorn grinned. “You decided to confront me, I see.”

Lantern replied, "You and I both know you're weaker here, away from the forest. Look, nopony was hurt, and the town is more or less in one piece. Why don't we just call it a draw?"

Calmly, Forest Thing sighed. “Against you, a change of scenery won’t make any difference, dragon boy.” Looking around, he said, “Tell me, dragon boy, what have you done with the wolves?”

“I don’t know; Marevel and Batmare took care of them. I was busy saving ponies from your vines.”

The Forest Thing scented the wind. Spike mimicked the gesture. The cheery smell of a campfire filled the air.

Forest Thing took to the air. From above, he could see smoldering piles of twigs and branches littering the town. Horrified, the alicorn touched down. "No . . ."

Lantern backpedaled. The aura he felt earlier was nothing compared to the inferno of rage now radiating from the alicorn; it was almost as though the alicorn now held the sun itself.

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!” shouted the alicorn as his aura intensified.

With his sight blurred by his tears, the Forest Thing concentrated his aura into a powerful beam, aimed directly at Lantern. Verdant shields were no match for the overwhelming force as the baby dragon was thrown through building after building.

Lantern breathed with difficulty as the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. He gagged as he coughed up a broken fang.

From a distance, Forest Thing slowly walked toward his foe. "You murderer. You destroyed my family. You will pay with every last drop of your blood."

Shakily, Lantern projected what looked like a bundle of parallel tubes. Gradually, they spun up before giving out a roar. A swarm of angry projectiles peppered the advancing alicorn, but they might as well have been cotton balls for all the effect they had.

Forest Thing grabbed Lantern with his magic and threw him violently against the statue of Princess Celestia. Weakly, Lantern shook his head to clear it. This time, he sent a beam of pure plasma against the alicorn. Forest Thing was not impressed.

Zecora rushed over to the fallen dragon, trying to treat his broken body. The alicorn approached at a deliberate pace. Desperately, Lantern conjured a muzzle-loading cannon.

Forest Thing stood a pace away and snorted. "Pathetic. Any last words, worm?"

Weakly, Lantern said, "Surprise." The cannon fired, covering Forest Thing's face with cake batter. Lantern encased himself in a green body cast and covered Zecora and himself in an energy bubble. They sank into the ground like a pebble on the water.

When the Forest Thing finally managed to clear the last of the batter from his face, he simply groaned in frustration. “Damn dragon.”

The timberwolves approached gently.

“This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let them convince me to ask the other packs for help,” he said to his own pack.

The wolves howled softly.

“I am so stupid! But no, no more. This is the last time I endanger any of you. I promise.”

A wolf barked inquisitively.

“Later. I’ll take care of that stupid dragon later. Now come on! Let’s go back to the forest. Civilization makes me feel unclean!”





The princesses' chariots touched down in the landing zone that the town's residents had marked with banners. The residents of Ponyville were slowly recovering on the adjacent meadow where Dash had placed them. The chariot carrying Arrow and Canary landed shortly afterward.

"Dash!" called Twilight. "What's the story? Is Ponyville still standing?"

“I don’t know.” said Dash “Batmare and Marevel stayed behind to rescue any stragglers, and Lantern went to the Everfree to root out those vines.”

“We want a detailed report when we return to Canterlot,” stated Princess Luna.

The Dash nodded.

“How long until the others come?” asked Twilight.

The Dash was about to shrug when everypony spotted the solitary figure of an alicorn crossing the sky.

Alicorn Marevel landed proudly in front of the princesses, scowling.

Princess Celestia smiled at her. “Oh, hi there! You must be the famous Alicorn Marevel we’ve heard so much about.”

Grudgingly, Marevel replied, “Yes I am. It’s an honor, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.”

“The honor is ours,” said Princess Luna, politely.

“Oh, look!” said Windy with a yawn. “Our daughters did a great job.”

Bow shook himself awake. “Oh, what you were saying, dear? I fell asleep.”

“Our daughter did great job!” repeated Windy, waving a pennant with Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark.

“Hurray! Hurray!” added Bow, waving a giant banner with Scootaloo’s and Marevel’s cutie marks.

Dash blushed furiously. Fortunately, most of the ponies were either too tired or too distracted to notice.

“Let’s go back to business!” urged Princess Celestia. “Tell us, Alicorn Marevel. Is everypony safe? Nopony was hurt?”

Marevel ground her teeth as a small lightning bolt crackled down the length of her horn.

Celestia and Luna moved backwards, preparing to fight, but Twilight simply kicked Marevel on the leg.

“Never in anger! You can harm somepony you don't intend to!”

Marevel took a deep breath, and the lighting faded away. Softly, she said to herself, "I was almost as bad as her." Turning to the others, she said, "I'm sorry. It's just that somepony was hurt, and I was too late to help. It was my friend Sweetie Belle.

Arrow quickly clamped a forehoof over Canary's mouth. As she struggled, he whispered, "Secret identity."

Canary glared at Arrow, but he held firm until she forced herself to calm down.

Marevel began, “Batmare and me took care of all the timberwolves the Forest Thing sent to Ponyville . . .”

“Timberwolves?” asked Celestia in disbelief.

“Well, he did seem to have a connection with those creatures,” remarked Luna.

“So, the timberwolves hurt my . . . I mean, they hurt that pony?” asked the Canary, despite the Arrow’s warning glare.

“No, it was the idiot of Batmare. While we were looking for anypony left behind, one of the wolves came looking for trouble, and Batmare was more than willing to grant its wish. The moron decided to blow up an entire kitchen to kill the timberwolf without checking to see if there was anypony else inside the house first. I managed get Sweetie to safety, but she needed a doctor badly.”

“My dark knight did that?” The air grew cold with Luna's anger.

“She is no knight!” shouted Marevel, stamping her hoof on the ground. “She’s a stupid filly playing with expensive and dangerous toys!”

“Where is she?! She has to answer for this,” said Princess Celestia angrily. “We warned her to stay away!”

“She took Sweetie Belle to her hideout for treatment."

Celestia glared at Marevel. "Tell me where she is."

Marevel took a moment to compose herself. Calmly, she replied, "I'm sorry, your Highness. Sweetie Belle believes Batmare should be given another chance, and I promised I would help."

"Don't be a fool! Anypony who had chosen such a dark path is beyond redemption! Can't you see what she might do?"

Solemnly Marevel nodded. "She might raise an army in opposition to you. She might go to war."

Celestia gave a triumphant smirk.

Marevel continued. "She might become Princess of the Night." The smile ran from Celestia's face to Luna's. "I made a promise to my friend, and I swear that I will do everything I can to make sure Batmare doesn't repeat that mistake."

Luna said, "She will answer to me. I had forgotten that my knight still has much to learn."

Dash groaned. "I can't leave you alone for a second, can I?"

Marevel snapped, "Hey! I had no idea she was so desperate to prove she wasn't just a filly! I never would have let her out of my sight if I had known."

There was an awkward silence as the ponies contemplated how best to deal with Batmare. Suddenly, the ground quaked like jelly, shaking them from their reverie.

The civilians watched in fear as princesses, guard, and vigilantes assumed defensive stances, prepared for the worst. A green bubble popped from the ground as if it were water. Everypony relaxed when they saw it was Zecora and Lantern.

The bubble popped, depositing the pair gently on the ground.

“Spike!!” shouted Twilight, as she drew the dragon into a gentle hug.

“Twilight, watch the ribs,” gasped her little brother.

Twilight stood back. Her face fell when she saw the blood and bruises. It dawned on her that the green body cast was not for show. “Oh no! Spike, what happened to you?”

“I met the princesses’ little brother. He’s strong, very strong. But, I took care of those vines like I promised. I . . .”

Zecora eased him down as his eyes rolled up. His suit and all his constructs faded when he fainted. Shocked, Twilight watched as Zecora performed first aid.

Princess Celestia frowned. Sharply she said, "Captain Armor, take a squad to Ponyville. Clear and secure the town. Once you are sure there are no hostiles there, cast your strongest shield around the town and hold it until I arrive."

Shining acknowledged with a salute. "By your will." He turned to Dash and asked, "Can you give me a ride to Canterlot?"

Twilight deposited him onto Dash's back. The pegasus said, "Hang on to your lunch, big guy!" The two disappeared in a streak of light."

Celestia turned to address the Ponyville residents. "My little ponies, it is not safe for you to return home at this time. There will be trains to take you to Canterlot, where you are welcome to stay at the emergency shelters until you may return."

Castle infirmary, at the next day: 

Spike opened his eyes. So far, he had categorized fifty-six distinct types of pain. Still, he counted his blessings. Between Zecora's potions and the veterinarian's expertise, he was well on his way to recovery, despite looking like a mummy.

“Hi Twilight.” said the dragon as he noticed the lavender alicorn next to his bed.

Twilight hugged him as gently as she could manage.

“You really scared me, Spike. Don’t ever do that again!”

“I was just trying to get rid of those vines. How was I supposed to know that alicorn would be there?"

“Of course he would be there! It is his forest!” protested Twilight.

“It was really close to Ponyville. I thought I was close enough to civilization to scare him away,” explained Spike.

“I get that, but why did you confront him?”

"He didn't give me a choice. I was going to escape with Zecora as soon as I killed that damned weed, but he didn't want to let me go. He kept going on about how I would become a problem if he didn't take care of me then and there. I thought he was upset the first time he tried to kill me. He really lost it when he saw what was left of all those burning timberwolves."

“For Faust sake, Spike! You don't go after somepony that powerful by yourself if you can help it. Just . . . oh, forget it. The princesses want to talk to you, to all of you.”

Spike smiled briefly. “Of course, where? The conference room?”

“No, you’re still too weak. Everypony is coming here.”

With that, Twilight opened the door with her magic. Cadence, Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor, the Arrow, the Dash, and the Canary filed in, followed by Scootaloo.

“Are you lost, little filly?” asked Princess Luna, gently.

“Well, I . . .”

The alicorn of the night gave a small nod and smiled. “You must be worried about Spike, but this is not the time for visits. When we finish, we will call you, all right?”

“But I . . .”

“Guards, please escort this filly to the waiting room,” asked the blue alicorn.

Two pegasus Day Guards flanked the orange filly.

“Great . . .” mumbled Scootaloo. “I really wanted to avoid this, but, SHAZAM!”

Lightning struck the orange filly, turning her into Alicorn Marevel.

“I’m sorry, but it’s exhausting to keep this form for a long time. That’s why I only use it when it’s time to fight. SHAZAM!”

Another bolt of lightning turned her back into a pegasus filly.

Luna nodded to her guards. “You are dismissed.”

They exchanged a confused look, and released the filly.

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “And the list of questions only grows larger.”

Scootaloo glared at Dash. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I wanted to see how you'd handle the situation. Pretty smooth, if you ask me!”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, as Spike asked, “Okay, what happened with everypony?”

“Everypony is back home, safe,” said Princess Luna. “The damage is minimal thanks to your teamwork.”

"Except that everypony else is paying for Batmare's mistakes." Scootaloo groaned. "You received the beating that was meant for her!"

Spike groaned in pain. “Is that so?”

“You said he went mad when he saw the dead timberwolves, right? Who do you think who burned them in the first place?”

Spike replied, "I found out about that fire thing when I torched his plants."

“So, we have to respect the flora and fauna if we don’t want to unleash the beast,” said a voice on the other side of the infirmary.

The Canary turned to the filly, extending her telescopic bo staff. “Give me a reason not to beat you all the way back to Ponyville, you idiotic filly.”

Batmare sighed as she approached Canary. "For that mistake, I deserve it. I swear, I had no idea there was anypony else in that house. You can tell Miss Rarity that I will personally pay to rebuild Carousel Boutique."

Arrow held Canary back as a low growl came from her throat.

Icily, Luna said, "You will answer to me for your mistake."

Batmare turned to her patron and replied, "I swear I will do all in my power to make things right." She then shouted toward the door. "Come on in"

The door of the infirmary opened again, and Sweetie Belle entered. She smiled broadly as she practically pronked in.

“Hi everypony! Sorry I made you worry.”

Scootaloo ran to hug her friend. “Sweetie Belle, oh Sweetie Belle! You’re fine!”

It took all of Canary's willpower to not scoop up her sister in a bone-crushing hug. After Scootaloo's description, Canary was relieved that her sister was looking so well.

“How is this possible?” asked Scootaloo. “I thought the doctor said he had to replace a big portion of your body.”

Sweetie Belle smiled and walked a couple of steps backwards.

The filly made her horn glow, and her glamour melted away. The changes were now visible. It seemed as though she was more machine than mare, with metal exoskeleton on most of her body. Three of her four hooves were now metallic, as was two thirds of her barrel. And, to make things worse, one of her eyes had been replaced by a green light.

The Canary almost fainted, but the Arrow held her hoof to draw her focus. “Later!” he advised.

“At least you’re fine, Sweetie Belle . . .” mumbled Twilight, unsure what to say.

Celestia groaned. "I had hoped we could celebrate our victory at this meeting, but, given the circumstances, we should wait another day or so to let Spike recover."

Luna turned to Batmare. "You, my knight, have much to learn. When this is over, I will have much to teach."

Luna continued, "Although two of our subjects were injured, this team successfully stopped our little brother. Heroes big and small, we call on your help once more; only with your help can we stop Forest Thing before he dooms us all."