Chapter Seven
Later that morning all three of them Fluttershy, Rarity and Wrench Heart went to see Pinkie Pie. When they arrived at Sugarcube Corner they noticed that she was just walking in.
Pinkie Pie just opened the door when she turned around seeing her friends and when Wrench Heart saw her happy face to see them a part of him just couldn’t bear to see her sadden face when he told her the news. For the safety of the whole village he had to tell her.
“Pinkie Pie?” he asks sullenly walking up to her as she stands on the steps looking to him.
“Wrench Heart,” she says starting to bounce in place, “You’ll love the fruit punch I made for the party, and it’s just delish.” She giggles.
“Can we come inside? We have some bad news.”
“Bad news?” she stops bouncing immediately then turns around entering into the building, “Sure, Ok.”
They follow her inside and Rarity shuts the door so they can’t be disturbed.
“What is it?” Pinkie asks looking a little confused.
He sighs and sense there’s no easy way to say it he just says it, “I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to attend your party Pinkie.” Just as expected her mane deflated into looking like something that just got done taking a bath.
“Why?” she asks with her eyes watering up.
Frustrated with the whole thing it breaks his heart to see her like that after what he said. To him it makes him feel like he hurt her, “It’s for the safety of the town Pinkie.”
“What do you mean? Don’t you like parties?” Pinkie looks to him with those watery filled filly looking eyes.
Darn it all to…he thinks to himself then says, “Of course I do Pinkie, yes I want to come, and if anyone needs a laugh then I can tell you I’m the one who needs it most, but I...,” he takes second, “Aurora entered into my dream last night and she’s close to taking over. The whole town is going to be there.” He starts to pace around feeling like he just needs to walk to shake the frustration out, “If she gets control while the whole town is there…” he trails off not needing to finish.
“OOoohh,” she says catching on, “But you said that you do want to come right?”
“Well, of course I do, but…” he gets cut off by Pinkie Pie
“Then I’ll see you there,” she says as her mane instantly puffs back up again.
“And if she gets control over me during the party?” he had to ask the question.
“Then we’ll use the Elements of Harmony silly,” she bounces off further into the building.
To her it was just that simple, “I’ll go on one condition Pinkie,” he says to her to stop her.
She stops and looks to him.
“I’ll go, but the second I sense that I’m about to lose control I leave,” he says to them all not just Pinkie, “I don’t want to put the whole town in danger ok?”
“Ok,” she starts bouncing again then disappears deeper into the building.
“Well darling,” Rarity speaks up softly, “I guess you’re going.”
Turning he looks to the two of them, “If anypony needs a laugh it’s me, but as soon as any sign of trouble appears I’m leaving.” He reiterates, “I just can’t risk the whole town.”
“Oh I understand,” Fluttershy says softly, “I wouldn’t want to risk the town either.”
He and the rest of the six decided to show up way early to the cider, in fact early enough that they all wanted to help setup. Of course they worked their hardest helping to get all the barrels ready and stacked for the day’s cider. Rainbow and Wrench Heart helping to stack while Fluttershy and Rarity helping Applejack to setup the stand. They didn’t get free cider as a way to cool off during the work like they all hoped, but they were able to be the very first ones in line for it though. For Rainbow Dash that was all she was after for at last this year she didn’t have to worry about Pinkie Pie drinking it all even though she was still in front of her for another year.
Admittedly he had to be honest that the hard work had done him good and now waiting in line for the cider to start running, though it wouldn’t be only a couple of minutes, then looking at the barn which was filled with the welcome to Ponyville party he loved it all. Enjoyed the hard work and really looking forward to relaxing with his friends. That doesn’t mean he let his guard down of course. Every minute he was attentive to himself and to get even the smallest feeling that she was going to overpower him. He was glad at least right now she wasn’t and the cider started flowing and the whole line let out a wild cheer. Although no one thought that anyone cheered louder than Rainbow Dash. Rainbow saved up the whole year and got three this year at once.
It was his turn and he put out his money although it really wasn’t his. Fluttershy had enough saved up for two so she gave him the money for his own. He couldn’t thank her enough as he got his cup full and joined Fluttershy nearby, “Thank you again Fluttershy,” he had to said to her, “this cider really is great, I love it.”
“It’s done every year and everyone around Ponyville and sometimes even from Canterlot comes for the cider,” Fluttershy explains to him.
Suddenly seeming out of nowhere Pinkie Pie shows up behind them almost making them spill what’s left of their cider, “Wrench Heart,” Pinkie says on standing on their left side, “Fluttershy,” she says now standing on their right side, “You need to come with me now.” She finishes behind them and between them then heads off for the barn where the party is like a spy slipping between the apple trees.
Fluttershy and Heart look to each other puzzled but just smiles thinking its Pinkie Pie and puts their cups down at their appropriate place after finishing them then heads to the barn. On the way there Heart notices that nopony really has given him a second thought yet, more than likely they are too engrossed in their cider to notice.
As soon as the two of them enter the barn Pinkie Pie pulls them aside, “Wrenchy, I need you behind there until the party starts.”
“Why?” Heart says a little perplexed.
“Well,” Pinkie starts by taking a deep breath, “I noticed that you really haven’t been seen by almost all of Ponyville and being an alicorn and a male alicorn it’s going to be a surprise to them. They will have a lot of questions of who, what, when, why, how, is he going to do this, or that, or maybe this and I thought,” she stops then taking that surprised big breath again, “I can bring him out at the beginning of the part to make his big introduction and maybe give a speech, will you give a speech, will you, will you, will you?” She finally finishes grinning and bouncing up and down.
“I…” he starts, “well…,” trying to figure out what to say he just stammers but hears a giggle from Fluttershy.
“Just give in,” she says with a smile, “it’s easier that way.”
He just sighs in defeat, “Alright.”
Pinkie Pie jumps in joy then ushers him to the back of the barn where a small curtain type screen is for him to walk through on his big entrance as Pinkie Pie wants it.
Fluttershy joins him back there and he smiles, “Thanks for staying with me Fluttershy.”
“You’re welcome Wrench Heart.”
“Oh just call me Wrenchy,” he smiles and laughs with her at the nickname Pinkie just gave him.
“Did I miss something?”
“Oh hi there Twilight.” Wrench Heart says looking to her, “Not really except the name Pinkie just gave me, ‘Wrenchy’”
She had to laugh, “In that case get worried because she really likes you.”
“Seriously though Twilight,” he says to her as the laughing ends glad to see Twilight now has a serious look on her face, “If what is going to happen tonight happen I’m going to need your help being a Princess of Friendship yourself. I think that Pinkie is right though in that I think there will be a lot of questions about me. I’ll need you there to help with the crowd but to put my…,” he hesitates not knowing how to put it.
“Our,” Twilight says softly with a smile.
He sighs with a look of deep thankfulness on his face, “Our problem with Aurora out in the open like that.”
Twilight can see the worry on his face, “We’ll take it slowly ok?”
“Yes, Wrenchy,” Fluttershy giggles, “baby steps Wrenchy, baby steps.”
He smiles and nods, “Thanks.”
“Looks like it’s almost time,” Twilight says
They watch behind the curtain as the crowd comes in and starts to get a little restless considering they were told not to touch anything just yet on orders from Pinkie Pie.
Applejack comes up to them with Rainbow beside her and Applejack speak up, “What’s the holdup y’all? This crowd is getting more restless than a stampede.”
He shrugs, “Its Pinkie’s gig, so she’s the one in charge.”
About a couple of minutes later Pinkie pops up on stage standing on her hind legs with forelegs stretched out, “Hey Ponyville are you ready to par-tay?”
“Yeah,” comes the response from the crowd with cheers and hoof stomps
“Alright but before that there is a special newcomer to Ponyville which Princess Twilight wants to introduce to you.” Pinkie dashes to the curtain sticking her head in to bring Twilight out.
Twilight steps out to cheers and hoof stomps on the ground which she quickly quietens by spreading her wings, “He’s new here to not only Ponyville but to Equestria and he came here with no memory.” She gestures to him to come out with one hoof as she steps back closer to the curtain.
He takes a deep breath taking a quick look to Fluttershy as she smiles and nods to him giving him courage. The curtains part as he steps in front of them letting the light shine on him and a second later he hears a familiar high pitched filly’s voice, “I told you I spoke to a male alicorn.” It was right then that the crowd started to murmur among themselves, so he felt that he had no choice and spread his wings out for them to see. A collective gasp hit the crowd and then started all the questions. Rapidly they came one after another after another: Are you a prince? Where will you rule? Will you rule by Princess Twilight? Will you two get married?
“Please,” he shouted above the clamor of questions and soon it fell silent, “Let me speak. I know you all have questions.” Speaking normally now his baritone voice carries throughout the barn, “I have a lot of questions, where only a small few have been answered.” He takes a look around at the crowd and he has no clue on how to speak to them or where to even begin. His eyes rests on Applejack and he thinks to himself, the Element of Truth, it was then that she just nodded and smiled. “I will tell you the truth,” he said looking around the crowd once more, “My first memory was waking up in a locked room at Canterlot Castle having no memory of who I was, where I was, or even what I was. I didn’t have a name so I took the name Wrench Heart only because that is what my cutie mark is. No, I didn’t even know I was an alicorn and when I found out I didn’t know how to take it. I was scared, frightened and obviously very confused and it was Fluttershy which found me first through her bunny Angel. Then she introduced me to her friends and they decided to help me investigate all these questions.”
He takes another breath not really knowing how they will take it but knows that he has to do it, “I was brought here through a portal from another world by dark magic.” They began to murmur some but only a little and let him continue, “We think that it’s this magic that has blocked my memory.” He stops for a second then speaks a little softer, “It’s also this magic that is slowly taking control over me. According to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna the orb which brought me here spoke of some test and obviously I’m it.”
The crowd began to speak again and this time Twilight had to calm them down for him to speak again, “In my short time of being here,” he can’t help but speak from the heart as he looks over the crowd, “I’ve met Fluttershy, Princess Twilight and all their friends and family. I’ve seen what this world and what this town has to offer. I’m so lucky to have lived even a small part of it and I have fallen in love with Ponyville and the friends I’ve made here. I don’t want this magic to have control over me or any part of that magic. All I want is to live here with my friends, all I want is to live here in peace, and all I want is to live here with all of you as my friends. Fact is fact that I must face, that this magic is taking control over me and we don’t know how to stop it. I don’t want to be here when it does because I don’t want to hurt my friends or any of you over what it will do through me. In my heart I won’t be able to feel anything other than guilt if that happens.”
He stops not knowing what else to say and no one really speaks for a couple of minutes then he sees Sweetie Belle step forward then Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. It was Sweetie Bell that spoke first and oddly enough the whole barn was so quiet you could hear a pin drop on a hay bale, “There’s no reason to feel guilty if it’s not you who’s doing it. It will be that evil thing and not you, so the Cutie Mark Crusaders will stand by your side. We will help you fight it and stop it.”
So moved by her words he laid down in front of the three little filly’s and nuzzling them each as his heart feels such humility from their courage, “No stronger of words have been spoken by so small of a package.” He whispers to them as his emotions couldn’t form a stronger voice, “Thank you.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders turned around to face the crowd and this time it was Apple Bloom which spoke, “Who is with us?” In turn Scootaloo spoke, “Who else will help him?”
Naturally Twilight stepped up beside Heart, then Fluttershy coming from the side to stand beside him also, then came Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. Sometimes a minute seems to go by so slowly and then from the crowd the Mayor stepped forward then looks down to the Crusaders with a smile of pride then turns around to face the crowd, “I do,” she says, then slowly one by one it seems the whole town just steps forward.
He stands with a humble heart as he looks around, “Thank you,” his voice showing his obvious emotions that is running through his heart of joy, gladness, thankfulness and pride, “Thank you all.”
Oh how touching my sweet, comes Aurora speaking into his mind once more. He closes his eyes and snorts with anger as it shows on his face when he feels that tail run down his back once more, but this time she’s not there.
“Uh Rarity? Fluttershy?” Sweetie Bell calls a little concerned.
Fluttershy rushes in front of him then comes Twilight and Rarity, “What is it?” Fluttershy asks him.
It’s as if she is there with him but obviously not but only in his mind but it makes no difference, because he can feel her while awake now. That same feeling she gave him before at her ministrations she gives him now with that same kiss on his flank this time taking her time with him enjoying this particular type of torture.
His anger, disgust with his feeling so violated comes through his soft voice as he speaks to Fluttershy quietly, “Aurora.”
Fluttershy gasps in horror and fright, “Oh dear.”
He tries using his lesson of control to get her to go away as he concentrates using all the strength he can summon. She laughs in his mind as she nuzzles his neck then taking her time with kissing it slowly and possessively. Instinctively he turns his head but of course it doesn’t help as her dark evil seductive voice rings through his mind once more, “So close my sweet.” Everywhere that his mind thinks she touches his skin instinctively shutters like trying to shoo away a fly. He opens his eyes a little looking to Fluttershy not really knowing what she can even do at this point, but his voice comes out soft tinged with anger toward Aurora but also with worry for her and everyone, “Run. Please. I’m barely…hanging on.” His breath comes out deep as he uses all his strength to try and get rid of her.
Some in the crowd leaves the barn then some more after, but a lot actually stays standing firm side by side and it was Fluttershy that speaks up, “No.”
This time when he tries to convince her and the others to leave it wasn’t his voice but Aurora’s that comes through his mouth, “Oh, how touching.” Hearing her dark seductive voice coming from him was to say the least frightening and not to mention weird.
Fluttershy and Twilight look between themselves in horror and surprise.
“What in tarnation?” Applejack says hearing the female voice coming from Heart’s mouth. The crowd seems to back up as the voice comes out except for the mayor and a few by her side, the Crusaders and Fluttershy’s friends.
“What’s happening Twilight?” Fluttershy asks
“I think Aurora is speaking through him, which means she can control is body now.”
“Oh, my,” Fluttershy responds to Twilight’s answer.
He seems to wrestle control over her as his own voice comes out this time he backs up away from them trying to give them distance, “Go away…Aurora.”
She wrestled control away from him and uses his body to mimic what she was doing to him in his dream. His body now being used by her to walk like a mare around a stallion as she mimics kissing his neck, “Oh you can’t get away,” she mimics rubbing up against him flank against flank then as if kissing his neck again, “my sweet, sweet slave.” The last of her words comes out of his mouth slowly as if savoring each word while each one possessive.
He yells loudly getting control again and jumps passed the curtain as if trying to hide from everyone, his face showing rage, hate and the last strength he can muster to trying to do anything to make her stop.
The Mayor in horror of what she sees takes charge of the crowd, “Well, I think it’s time to get the little ones away from here.” The crowd dissipates while taking the young ones with them and leaving Fluttershy, Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack as they go behind the curtain to see if they can do anything.
They see him yell as himself then bucks a whole right through the wall of the barn, his eyes closed hard in a type of pain that sinks deep within oneself. His head is tilted to one side, his breath coming out in deep long snorts like a wild stallion determined not to be tamed.
They all jump when he bucks through the wall.
“That would bring even my best tree down in one buck,” Applejack says in astonishment.
“NO,” he jumps to one side wrestling control again, then she wrestles it back with a seductive, “Yes, come here my sweet.” They see her take control again and jumps in the direction of the last one as if she is chasing him. Each one fighting for control as the two wills fight over the same body. One trying to get away any way he can while the other wanting to have him for her own. The two looks like they are playing a game through one body as he yells again continuing to jump away. His breath coming out in wild snorts when he’s in control compared with the seductive attempts of the other jumping after him.
“Is there anything that we can do Twilight?” Fluttershy asks feeling helpless to do anything but feeling for him and the evil that he’s under.
Twilight just shakes her head, “I have no idea.”
“Oh the evil, the torture,” Rarity pipes up in a hatred that is rarely seen on this lady’s face, “there is not a word vile enough to describe her.”
“Let’s kick that evil witches’ rump,” Rainbow says with a hatred glee just looking for a fight.
“But won’t you only be hurting him?” Pinkie Pie says to the others.
“She’s right,” Twilight says, “She’s in control of him so any harm would only harm him and not sure but it might even help her because it would weaken him more.”
Fluttershy looks on and through her fear she slowly steps forward toward him.
“Fluttershy,” Rarity speaks in warning, “Darling what are you doing?”
She takes control over his body again and sees Fluttershy slowly making her way over and smiles to her. The eyes which look to Fluttershy now are clearly not of his. Her dark seductive voice comes out and each word slowly making emphasis over her possession of him. She uses his body as if her own kissing the air slowly as if kissing his neck, “Isn’t he a catch?” Aurora looks to Fluttershy with ecstasy as if eyeing a potential rival, “Such strength,” she says seductively and passionately. Kissing again this time as if kissing on one side of his neck then the other then laying her eyes through him on Fluttershy again as Fluttershy nears Heart.
“Let him go,” they hear Fluttershy say in a low soft voice that feels like it would put the stare to shame. It comes out low and soft but with a strength they have yet to have seen in her up until now.
“Why would I do that dear?” Aurora bats his eyelashes at her while raising one foreleg clearly female like in manner and expression, “I like him,” she says slowly. She spreads his wings lowers the foreleg now spreading the legs out as if stretching in the morning. She mimics going under his head so that if real his head would rest on her back then looking to her again, “I think I’ll keep him.”
Now standing in front of Heart with Aurora still in clear control and with Zecora’s amulet still around her neck she speaks softly but with a stern firm voice, “Wrench Heart?” She speaks up waiting a beat then says, “Hold her.”
Aurora laughs long and loud, “Oh my dear, you think tha…” and to her surprise the whole body freezes, voice and all, just stops. She feels him rush to the surface again regaining a little control. The face contorts in effort and his voice comes forward softly filled with exhaustion, “Flutter…shy.”
Now, she thinks and raising up to hug him putting her head against his neck with her forelegs wrapped around him. The amulet around her neck glows brightly giving off a strange power as an aura of bright light surrounds them. She can feel something happening to both of them. Her strength is draining into the amulet and she starts to feel tired but holds on to him.
He can feel Aurora slowly go away as the power envelopes him and he uses it to push her down while regaining control over his body. Then soon with the last bit of his effort he pushes her as far down within him as he can then passes out.
They watch as the light surrounds them where it’s almost hard to see then a second later the light fades. They see Fluttershy slowly letting go and taking a step back laying down as if going to sleep. Wrenchy stands for a second more as the light fades to nothing then he falls to the floor as if dead with a hard thud against the dirt floor of the barn.
They all just stare in awe at the sight they just saw then as if snapping out of a trance they rush up to them.
“Is she alright?” Pinkie Pie asks about Fluttershy.
Twilight nods, “Yes, I think she’s just asleep.”
Rainbow lands beside Wrenchy and checks him, “Well, he’s still alive, but the question is who’s in charge?”
“Given what happened,” Twilight speculates, “it should be Wrenchy.”
“Let’s get ‘em inside y’all.” Applejack says.
“Indeed,” Rarity agrees.
The five of them pickup Fluttershy and Wrenchy taking them out of the barn and setting them gently inside the house one on each couch.
They look on to the both of them, the courage of Fluttershy and the obvious exhaustion of Wrenchy who looks almost dead laying there on the couch. “I so much want to kick that witch’s tail for what she’s done,” Rainbow says softly with an eagerness for a fight.
“I think you might get that chance Rainbow because I don’t think we got rid of her, just bought us some time,” Twilight says looking between them all.
“Let this next fight be the last my darlings,” Rarity says also wanting a fight, “This lady has had enough of this witch.”
“Yeah,” Pinkie Pie says, “No one does that to my friends and no one crashes one of Pinkie Pie’s parties, no one.”
“You see that amulet glow?” Applejack says looking at it again as it is back to its soft glow around Fluttershy’s neck
“I think that is the key to defeating her for good,” Twilight says speculating, “the amulet took Fluttershy’s strength and gave it to him. I think that is the only way to defeat her, from the inside out. We have to find a way to get her out of him first before we are able to fight her.”
“With the amulet?” Applejack speaks up again.
Twilight nods, “It would appear so.”
“Sounds like we have a plan guys,” Rainbow says while looking between Fluttershy and Wrenchy.
Meanwhile the crowd dispersed after they left the barn except for the mayor which she made sure the Crusaders stayed inside until they came in with Fluttershy and Wrenchy then leaving after wishing them goodnight and saying to contact her if they need anything. They all agree and one by one they head for another couch or free bed to sleep at Sweet Apple Acres for the night to watch over them.