//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - Hunt And gather // Story: Monado Of Harmony // by Yosh-E-O //------------------------------// “Pitiful creatures,” scoffed the grey cat as he casually swung about his Monado. The symbol on the lens was that of the hoof swiping the bag of bits from the other hoof and it was starting to cause quite a panic throughout Ponyville. “The orchard belongs to whoever wants it! The castle belongs to whoever wants it! All that matters is that you let nobody take what is rightfully yours!” “Yeah!” an Earth Pony cried. “I deserve a castle! Why does Princess Twilight get a castle when I have to live in a one room shack!” “Why should I spend bits on apples when I am entitled to all of them I want?” a Unicorn added. It wasn’t long before these random outbursts became a full-fledged chorus of greed. “Go forth,” the cat meowed. “Disrupt Harmony and those who work for it.” *** WHOO-WHOO-WHOO “Discord,” stated Fluttershy. “My friends need me.” “Out of the question!” the draconequus countered. “You’re safe here from Anarchy and safe is how I like you to be!” There was no doubt that the yellow Pegasus was afraid of what awaited her outside of Discord’s Dimension. However she knew her friends needed her and how they were stronger together than apart. “Discord!” she snapped back. “I can’t stay here another minute knowing I could’ve done something to help my friends!” WHOO, WHOO, WHOO “The Cutie Map has been calling me ever since I got here,” the timid Pegasus continued. “Yes, I’m scared. Yes, I don’t want to get hurt by that mean kitty. However, for the sake of my friends, I have to do something.” Discord slouched. “I can’t protect you out there, Fluttershy,” he moped. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.” “Discord,” assured the pony with the pink mane while resting a hoof against him. “Friendship has not failed us before and it won’t fail us this time.” “But I can’t use my powers,” contested the draconequus with concern. Fluttershy put a hoof to Discord’s chest. “Real power comes from the heart,” she said softly. “And I know we can help every pony. Together.” Discord melted as he raised his paw. “You win, Fluttershy,” he said. “To the Castle Of Friendship we go.” SNAP POOF *** “What the…,” trailed Spike as he, Yosh, and Isabelle noticed a herd of ponies galloping towards the boutique. PWOOM A vision came to Yosh of these ponies stampeding over them to get at all the dresses and other clothing kept within Rarity’s shop. FWOOM “It’s greed,” Yosh said softly. “Greed?” gasped the purple dragon. “Like the kind that makes me into a monster?” Yosh nodded. “Pretty much,” he replied as he held the Monado Of Harmony in front of himself. “I need to focus myself to counter what the Agent Of Anarchy has done to the citizens of Ponyville with his Monado.” TINK-TINK “Hurry, Mayor!” panicked Isabelle as the mob of ponies galloped closer. “I don’t want you to get hurt!” TINK Fluttershy’s Cutie Mark appeared in the lens before a burst of rainbow-light burst from the lens itself. “Monado!” cried Yosh as he prepared to swing the blade. “Grant us your power!” FWOO-SHIMMER The rainbow-colored wave of sparkles that was released from Yosh’s Monado stopped the mob in their tracks. “Isabelle!” announced Yosh as he raised the sword. “Spike! Prepare to help these ponies to return to harmony!” TINK-WHOOSH Rarity’s Cutie Mark appeared before Spike grew to his slightly larger size as he gave off a bit of a rainbow shine. TINK-WOOSH Fluttershy’s Cutie Mark appeared prior to a wisp of ethereal energy sweeping over Isabelle to, yet again, grant her the magical fruits basket. “Peachy,” she beamed while plucking out a shiny peach. “I’ll maintain the effect,” stated Yosh. “Spike help Isabelle kindly share the fruits of kindness.” “Then what?” inquired Spike. “Then,” said the dragon-duck. “We head for the Tree of Harmony to put an end to Anarchy’s cruel campaign.” *** POOF! Applejack and Starlight turned to see Fluttershy and Discord appear within the throne room of the castle. “You’re back!” beamed Starlight. “This is perfect!” “Back?” asked Applejack. “Where’d she go?” “Alas,” shrugged Discord. “Fluttershy has bravely offered herself to the cause of stopping Anarchy even at the risk of her own well-being.” WHOO-WHOO-WHOO The Cutie Mark’s of Starlight, Applejack, and Fluttershy blinked as their symbols appeared on the Cutie Map. “It seems to be directing us to go outside of town?” pondered Starlight. “I’m no map expert,” spat Discord. “However I would guess the Tree Of Harmony is requesting an audience with you.” BAM! BAM-BA-BAM! “What the…?” wondered Applejack as the sound of something smashing against the castle doors and windows began to echo throughout the throne room. “I don’t remember the Pegasi orderin’ up any hale today.: SLAM! Everyone turned to see ponies charging in through the forced-open front door. “Normally I’d be for such antics,” stated Discord. “However I can tell you Anarchy’s pet cat is behind this and these ponies aren’t going to be touchy-feely in a way that friendship alone can fix.” The mob grew larger in size as silhouettes of other ponies pounding at the stained glass windows grew in number. “We’re trapped,” panicked Starlight. “Can’t you do something, Discord?” pleaded Fluttershy. “We can go ride out the whole thing back in my dimension,” the draconequus replied. “However, if Harmony is destroyed, it won’t be much of a safe place for long.” The mob grew closer to the throne room as they went about fighting over various objects to take ownership of. “Discord!” cried Starlight. “It would be too much for myself to do. However can you help me to teleport us all, including the map, to the Tree Of Harmony?” “I can get close,” he said. “However Harmony doesn’t exactly agree with chaos.” “Fine,” worried Starlight as the first ponies in the mob entered into the throne room. “Close is fine! Just do it!” SNAP! POOF! Starlight, Discord, Fluttershy, Applejack, and the Cutie Map all vanished from sight as greed-driven citizens went about tearing the trhone room apart to claim all they could for themselves.