//------------------------------// // Crushing Diamonds // Story: This is what we do // by Foxgear //------------------------------// This is what we do Chapter 28 By Foxgear “Dammit, dammit, dammit!” Maddie raised her head, her captor, Pinkie Pie or Spite as she referred to herself. Raged and cursed as she stomped across the dirt floor of the barn, seething and gnawing her jaws like an animal. Through her bruised eye Maddie saw Spite sporting a few burns and cuts, so someone had gotten the better of her. Of course, that didn’t stop her from ranting about the destruction her beasts had caused chasing after Moon Dancer. Giddily the monster girl and that’s what she was now a monster. The same kind as her just different pleasures. Spite exposited jovially about the people crushed in the streets, laughing at the irony that many in the crowd had probably wished for something like this to happen, thinking they’d be the hero of the story. Spite practically reached ecstasy as she droned on about the death and destruction. She’s had to endure the insane raving for the entire night, but when the day came there was a strange shift. Spite began to ranting and raving of her failure to capture Moon Dancer. The key objective in her plan to break her. It almost seemed like Spite was talking to someone. It could be Pinkie, but Pinkie wouldn’t condone these actions. Not that Pinkie probably had a lot of say what her body did anymore. So maybe Spite was unstable? That made sense. Pinkie wasn’t stable either. “That’s it!” Spite said suddenly, standing rigged in a stiff pose. “Yes, yes, what was I thinking? Giants, pwf! What nonsense! Oh, unoriginal! No fun at all! I need something more unique. Compact, deadlier, smarter. I need…” Spite looks Maddie’s way. “I need to make my own monster! You’ll help me? Won’t you mommy? Please!” Maddie leans back as Spite lays her head on her lap. If she wasn’t tied to this chair, she would have pushed the psycho off and ran, but that wasn’t happening. Maybe there was a way to swing this in her favor? “I would… love to um… darling, but Mommy’s hands are tied up and I don’t have my lab or materials. It would be…” “Say no more!” Spite said, sounding way too much like Pinkie. “I’ll go get everything you need! Wait patiently please!” With a wave of her amulet Spite stepped through a portal and disappeared. Maddie took a breath biting her lip as she began to rub her ropes against the chair. “Please God, if you’re real, help me out?” She laughed. (What a way to find faith now?) “Well if you’re not real or if you are and don’t want to help me. I’ll just keep helping myself! Even if I have cut my hands off!” A cold wind passes beneath her chair making her look down. She forgot her feet were tied too. “Ok… please help before I cut my hands off!” “This is a waste of time! We need to get going! You wasted all of yesterday and this morning it’s already noon!” Moon Dancer vented standing in the Apple’s kitchen. At the table sat Sonata and Aria the table piled high with guns, ammo, and other equipment. Aria cleans her rifle bolt her hands covered in oil as she inspects the metal part for damage. “Be quiet and go whine somewhere else. This kind of shit takes time. But be my guess and go start looking around like a headless chicken.” Applejack ran by half-naked. “I can put it on myself Adagio!” “Just let me adjust the strap! That gear is tricky to get on alone! Sunset help me out!” Moon Dancer sighs at the circus around her. These people were her best hope to save Maddie? (I can’t believe I want the guys that almost dropped a ball of molten metal down my throat.) Fierce Fury walks in the house, carrying another storage chest. “More gear.” He looked around the living room and kitchen. Adagio had Applejack pinned to the couch trying to adjust the armor straps around the younger girl’s chest. “Don’t want to know.” He walks out of the house. Standing on the porch with his counterpart Ferocious. “Want a smoke?” Ferocious holds out the pack of cancer sticks. The red rinin takes one for himself, snapping his fingers to light it. The two let out puffs of smoke into the chilly autumn air. The heat wave caused by Fury and one of the Sins passed and the chilly autumn weather came back in full force. News reports suggested there could be some snow later in the week. Fury had been concerned about how that might affect their search, but Mac and Ferocious told him that the snow would make things easier. Like when hunting Deer. (I forget their meat eaters over here.) Fury mused puffing at his cigarette. It didn’t taste right. There was a lot of extra favors and not particularly good ones. It defiantly wasn’t pure tobacco. As they stand and smoke neither of them speaks to the other. (What do you say to someone who is you, but not you?) “Heard you spent the night with Luna.” Ferocious stated out of the blue. “She said she mistook you for me. She must have been really drunk to think that.” Fury took stock of his counterparts’ appearance. They were the same height, had the same color eyes, their hair was styled the same, except he had gold mixed into his hair. The only other major difference between them was their muscle mass. He was bulkier, while Ferocious was leaner. The only other thing was the placement of their battle scars. “We didn’t partake in any mating activities if that’s what you're wondering. Though I must admit I wouldn’t have minded. Although…” (I’m not sure I would have performed well.) He laughs looking over his altered body. He still wasn’t used to standing on two legs, it didn’t feel right. “Well, hopefully, Sixes and Princess Luna are figuring something out to fix the portal. This body has its advantages, but… well…” “Nico adapted ok. At least I think he did. Maybe you can settle down here like he did or do you have a sweetheart back on the other side?” Ferocious asked. He grumbled, not really wanting to talk about such things to near stranger, but maybe it was normal in this world. (Whatever normal is, I’ve certainly never known.) “I had a marefriend once, long ago. We separated when I chose to freeze myself in stone. I always wondered why she didn’t come with. Haven’t really had anything serious after that, been too busy.” Ferocious laughed, “I know what’s that like.” A car pulled into the yard. Celestia and Luna returned from town with whatever Mac asked them to get. Mac himself was out in the tool shed working on something. As the sisters exit the car they walk to the trunk. Fury noticed his counterpart looking at Luna’s rear as she reached deep into the trunk. He looked too, not finding the attraction he would normally have. (The difference of being a pony I guess.) With a loud grunt, Luna emerged from the truck holding what looked like a war hammer! “Can someone help me! This thing is heavy!” Beside him Ferocious grumbled hobbling on his good leg while leaning against the rail, his back now turned to the two women as he angrily smoked through the rest of his cigarette. “Would you mind going?” “No problem.” He replied, but before he left Fury patted his counterpart on the shoulder. “We may look the same, but it’s you she’s attracted to. Maybe make time for her now.” What little romantic advice he had said. Fury marched to the car and picked the war hammer like tool up with one hand. He does a quick rep measuring its weight. It was probably ten pounds or more. The handle was made out something that wasn’t wood or fully metal. Noticing a tag on the handle he reads it. “Fifteen-pound, fiberglass/metal handle wood splitting maul.” Fury gives the maul a few twirls in his fingers before grabbing properly and holds it over his head. He flexed and then swung! A burst of hot air flying from the maul. A barren tree branch fell, the stump of the branch shattered instead of cut. He flips the head of the maul over to the ax and tried again. Another branch fell, perfectly cut. “Don’t go messing with my trees now. Your lucky that one is half dead already.” Mac said joining them. He looked at the maul with affection and takes into his hands. “Thanks for making the run Luna. I would have myself, but I had… other things to do this morning.” Luna smiled, “Anything I can do to help. Usually, those things are only eight pounds, but the hardware store guy said he accidentally ordered this one and was glad to get rid of it. Even gave us a discount just to get it out of the store.” Celestia scoffed, “Five dollars of an eighty-dollar hammer.” “Well, maybe you should have shown a little more boob. That’s how you used to get discounts.” Luna teased, Celestia, turned red at the statement. “You just be quiet now, little sister. I’m not the only one who abuses their sex appeal.” “Ok… well thanks for picking this up. Um… Fury would you join me in the tool shed? I got something that might be useful for you.” “Sure,” He replied stepping away from the two sisters. A wide grin spreading across his lips as the two sisters continued to bicker. They really were just like his Luna and Celestia. Maybe not as mature. How could they be when the Princesses were pushing twenty-seven hundred years old, but even then, he’s sat back with Sixes plenty of times to watch the two rulers argue over this and that. (This world isn’t a bad vacation spot.) Mac was aware but hasn’t asked about just how often Sixes and others would cross over the mirror. Kira really liked to bring her grandchildren here. Celestia came to visit Sunset Shimmer, and Luna would join her every so often. He played bodyguard a few times when the princesses would visit Sunset. It was kind of fun seeing Luna act so awkward around her grandniece. The fact Sunset was Sixes’s and Celestia’s grandchild and Sixes and Luna were an item really made things awkward, but fun to watch. At the barn Fury followed Mac inside passing the tractor and heading into the back. Where Mac had set up a small forge for himself. A soft glowing pile of ember still burned in the forge, casting a dim orange glow. On the small workbench lay Mac’s patroller jacket, now equipped with a back holster for the farm boy’s new weapon. Curious Fury picked up the coat. Noting Mac’s craftsmanship. “Not bad.” He said tugging at the newly forged metal rings with a leather belt looped through them. Setting the coat aside Fury sat there was another coat laying beneath it. Battered and torn. The chainmail sewed beneath showing in several spots and broken. It was Ferocious’s coat. Mac scratched his head looking embarrassed. “I’m not much of the blacksmith, so I was wondering if you could help me fix Ferocious’ coat.” He inspected the coat again, taking note of all the damage and previous patches. This coat had indeed seen much use. When spotting the 0756 Night Patrol patch on the sleeve Fury grinned. “So that’s what happened to them.” “What was that?” Fury shook his head. “Nothing. Sorry to say I’m not much of a blacksmith myself either. I leave that Platinum. Besides this coat is about as old as yours, it’s served its time. In both our worlds.” He laid the coat back on the bench, patting it affectionately. “I think I’m going to go have another smoke with my counterpart.” Confused, but not wanting to pry. Mac gathered up his coat and maul and followed Fury back outside the barn. A cold wind blew through the yard as they walked towards the house. Ferocious was still standing on the porch smoking another cigarette. Fury broke off to join him, while Mac went inside. Mac peeked inside the kitchen. Luna and Celestia were by the stove, Aria and Sonata still working on their equipment. In the living room sat Sunset and Applejack watching the news. His sister looking flushed as she hugged her chest. (What happened to her?) Looking back in the kitchen he saw Sonata grinning. (Adagio must have been teasing her again.) Walking into his room he found Adagio sleeping on the bed. Her orange puffy hair laying over her like a blanket. Quietly he tips toed to the bed and pulled the blankets over her. She squirmed a little hugging the blankets close to her body, mumbling soft nothings in her sleep. He tips toed to the door and closed it softly with barely a whisper. Mac glanced upstairs. Applebloom and Sweetie have been awfully quiet. Maybe too quiet. He climbed the stairs and listened for any sound. Maybe they were asleep? The last few hours have been very stressful for all of them but doubled for the young pre-teens. Still, he was worried, so he started checking the rooms. First was Sonata’s room, Twilight was still asleep inside recovering from her fever. Moving to the other side of the hall Mac looked inside Aria’s room, finding no one inside. He walked to the end of the hall, looking in his old room first, again finding no one. Lastly, he looked in Applejack’s old room and found the two preteens asleep on the bed. Mac touched his stubbed chin looking over the two. The two girls were curled up on the bed, Sweetie squeezing Applebloom like a stuffed teddy bear, her eyes red from crying recently. He had been about to close the door when he saw Applebloom’s eye open suddenly. “She’s coming.” She said. It took him a moment to figure what she was talking about when Sweetie suddenly began to shiver, a loud high-pitched cry coming from outside. A cry of pain, rage, and anguish. A number of shouts from downstairs and the rushing of feet told him all he needed to know. Rarity was here. She had come to them. “Applebloom!” He shouted grabbing the two preteens in his arms and carrying them downstairs in a flash. From his bedroom Adagio emerged holding the pistol they keep by the bed. He passed the two girls onto her and she took them with no protests and led them into the kitchen and then down into the basement. In the living room, everyone was gathered, some armed, some not, but all of them were wary as Rarity stood out in the open in the middle of the yard. She was dressed in winter clothes, some purple poncho thing with one of those weird Russian hats. He remembered seeing something like that in her store. So, she apparently went home after the gunfight at the VFW. “I know you have her Mac!” She shouted. “Give her to me and all will be well. No further ugliness will be needed! This is my one and only offer.” “I can get her,” Aria said softly, her body pressed against the wall, her rifle aimed at what was most likely Rarity’s head. Aria’s finger was twitching, her eyes glowing with magic. She had stolen some from someone. Enough to see the dark magic surrounding Rarity and whatever she saw had her biting her lip and looking nervous. Aria didn’t usually get nervous. “What do you see?” He asked. “Evil, lots and lots of evil. She did something. She’s much stronger than before.” What could she have done? He couldn’t see what Aria was seeing, but he could feel the cold tingle running down his spine. “This is May Golden Showers on the scene found earlier this morning at suspected loan shark…” The TV was still on. Slowly Mac and the others looked at the screen showing the remains of some building. Several bodies lay about, all of them crystalized with a hole in their chest. “The… bodies of several employees including the owner were found. They appear to be made of crystal, but the insides are…” The reporter leaned closer to one of the bodies, gagging as she quickly turned away. “Oh my god, the hearts have been ripped out! Cut the camera!” Outside Rarity began to giggle loudly, in an insane almost giddy fashion. She grabbed her left arm tightly as she laughed. Even from this distance, they could see her enlarged canine teeth, almost like the fangs of a snake, the white teeth stained red as well as her lips, which Mac had thought was lipstick at first. “She didn’t…” “She did.” Fury confirmed. “There might be no saving her now. Even if we do, her mind… well… I hope she’s as strong-willed as the Rarity back home.” Wings sprouted from Rarity’s back, her insane laugh still bellowing through the yard as her tail sprang out from her back, and diamonds began to coat her hands. “Well, Mac! What’s it going to be!” “Sonata, Aria, go upstairs and get ready to provide support. Applejack, Sunset, go get Twilight and bring her downstairs. The rest of you go to, Fierce Fury and I will handle this. No arguing.” He said sternly as he opened the front door. Ferocious stood on the pouch, not looking happy. “I’m not going anywhere, kid.” The red detective said blowing out a plume of smoke. Mac put on his armored jacket and took his maul into his hands. “Fine, guard the front door then. Is Stryker on his way back?” Stryker was in town working investigating some leads. His presence was missed in light of the injured and inexperienced fighters on their team. He and Fury taking the top spots right now. “Tried to call him, phones are out again. Fucking dark magic bullshit.” Ferocious cursed tossing his phone onto the bench. “It would be better for Celestia and Luna to go up and supply your two sisters-in-law with some magic. I doubt normal rounds will do anything to her now. She’ll be more cautious after what Gator did to her.” Celestia and Luna were still in the living room. Sunset and Applejack carried Twilight through the living room. The two sisters looked at them through the bay window, probably hearing what they said. Mac pointed up from them to go help Aria and Sonata. Both principles looking too eager for his tastes. “Let’s hope nobody gets killed.” He mumbled. Rarity, no Vanity, if he recalled from Rarity’s journal, has been awfully patient he suddenly noticed. The diamond girl was still standing in the yard, looking twitchy and progressively more insane. “What’s wrong with her?” “Her mind is breaking down. Healing her body in the manner that she did, well it leaves some terrible aftereffects. I’m honestly surprised she knew she could gain power by doing that.” Fury explained. Mac looking back inside at the news report. “Well at least I hope she knew otherwise things are even worse then they seem.” Mac sighed, “Yeah, that about sums this all up.” He steps of the porch, Fury by his side. “No deal Vanity.” Vanity stopped her twitching for a moment. “Well then, I’ll have to do to you what I did to that old fool the other day!” Mac’s grip around the maul tightened, his ears moving to the top of his head. “Try it bitch, Aria!” The crack of the gunshot boomed and Vanity’s head was sent flying backward, but there was no blood. That didn’t matter to Mac he charged across the yard, maul swung back wide, and with planted feet and an ear-splitting scream, he swung with all his might! The maul connected with something. The air pressure kicking up a cloud of dirt. No scream of pain and nobody flying. Mac didn’t wait he jumped back, just in time for a diamond dagger to fly by. “MAC DUCK!” Aria screamed. He dropped to the ground without a second thought, a second shot rang out. He rolled to his feet, clutching his maul, his eyes frantically looked for Vanity in the smoke screen. Fury landed next to him, the night patrollers chest ballooned and glowing. Mac inhaled, magic filled his stomach and together they released duel streams of fire at the dust cloud. The dust blew away, the flames bending and twisting around a spherical shape. The flames died, revealing the blue energy shield. Vanity stood in the center looking smug as she extends her left arm, making a joisting lance of diamonds on her right arm she crafts a shield on her wrist and a sword in her hand. Chunks of diamond armor adorn her body, leaving little to the imagination and very few gaps in her armor. Flapping her wings Vanity lifts off the ground, making a ‘come at me’ gesture. Fury ignites two flame swords, “My, isn’t she cocky.” “Um…FYI Rarity said something about taking fencing lessons!” Sunset Shimmer yelled from the house. Mac yelled, “Get back in the house!” “Don’t get distracted, dammit!” Fury fully transformed into his winged form grabbed Mac by the collar and carried him off as an explosion rocked where they had just been standing. Mac craned his neck back to see a dozen diamond spikes sticking out of the ground. Vanity trained her lance on them, and he noticed the holes around the base of the flange. Another scattershot of spikes shot from the lance, Fury threw him up while he dived down and charged Vanity. Sending magic into his jacket Mac switched it to flight mode. The chainmail twists and rearranges into wings. (I really love this feature.) Airborne Mac glides down to assistance Fury who was having a tough time getting close to Vanity. The white serpent keeping him at bay with her spike shooter. Fury swung his swords, the blades exploding on contact with the lance. Fury flew close, holding two flaming orbs in his hands. “Crossfire!” Two giant flaming X’s fill the sky. Mac rears back bringing his maul down to where Vanity’s head would be. She was projecting a shield over the one on her arm to help guard against the flames. He flipped the maul from the hammer end to the ax, charging magic into the blade. Remembering Sixes' lessons. (When you give something a name, you give it power.) “Stone Cleaver!” Orange magic flared around the curve of the ax head, making it bigger, stronger, and deadlier! Vanity looked up and raised her lance to intercept. He knocks the lance away, the tip exploding when his attack connected. He spins bringing his maul back around with the hammer end forward. He charges as much power as he could in a second, the hammerhead connects with Vanity’s shoulder! The diamond shoulder armor shatters, the head of the hammer digging in deep. Vanity’s face contorts in pain as she’s sent spiraling down to the ground! Dust flew up again, but that didn’t deter Mac. He charged up his maul and swung, blasting the dust away with a gust of air. Vanity lay withering on the ground, her jaw opened unnaturally wide as she screamed in pain. She threw her diamond shield and it broke apart into a dozen diamond spikes! He flopped his wings and free fell, his arms crossed over his face, his arms covered in scales. Three spikes hit their mark. One sticking through his arm, the other two only shallowly. Growling through the pain Mac spread his wings again and lands atop Vanity, his boot landing hard on her chest. She swiped at him with diamond covered nails, but he batted her arm away with the handle of his maul and dropped to his knees, pinning her down by the shoulders. He brought the head of the maul around facing downward. She eyes widen and diamonds quickly covered her throat just as the metal hammer head fell on it. She gagged and gasped for air, her body thrashing, but she couldn’t muster the strength or leverage to throw him off. “Stop… you’ll… kill… her!” Vanity pleaded through gasps. He pressed harder. “But not you, get out of her now!” He barked adding more magic to his muscles. The diamonds around Vanity’s neck begin to crack! “RARITY!” Both Mac and Vanity look towards the house, Sweetie Belle standing on the porch. She takes off running. Ferocious hot on her tail. Vanity reached out her arm, a slithering budge running up the length. A white snake with blue wings flew from Rarity’s hand, Vanity’s true form! Mac quickly removed the head of the maul from Rarity’s throat as the diamond armor fell away. Barely avoiding crushing the poor girl’s throat. “Sweetie Belle! RUN!” Rarity screamed hoarsely as she scrambled out from under Mac to try and save her sister. Vanity wheeled around, hissing as she looked between the two sisters before making a break for Sweetie again. The white snake’s jaws were spread wide, Sweetie holding up her arms and screaming as the snake drew closer. She fell to the ground, her eyes closed. Sweetie heard a short-strangled gasp and felt no pain. Slowly she opened her eyes to see Fury and Ferocious standing over her, each holding one end of the snake. Ferocious held the head, while Fury held the tail. The counterparts nodded, their hands igniting in flames! Vanity wiggled and slithered, trying to escape their grasp. Soft pained hissing escaped from Ferocious grasp and then was silent. The snake’s body went limp, completely charred black, and fell away to ash. “Sweetie Belle!” Rarity, nearly naked tackled her younger sister to the ground crying up a storm as she held the younger girl close to her. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so, so, sorry! I saw everything she did, but I couldn’t stop her, please, please forgive me!” As the two Belle sisters cried and hugged each other, the others came out of the house. Applejack bringing a heavy blanket for Rarity. Wrapped up tight Rarity finally let Sweetie go and stood. “Thank you so much… for…” Rarity fell face first to the ground. Sweetie screamed! “Rarity!” And knelt down but Applejack dragged her back while Fury and Mac picked her up and carried her towards the house. “Sonata get the first aid! Adagio call Nyx! Hurry!” Mac barked as they carried Rarity to his bedroom. They lad the girl down on the bed, her body shaking and thrashing violently! “What’s happening to her!” Someone screamed, Mac didn’t know who, his eyes were transfixed on Rarity as she began to sweat some black substance. She throws off the blankets exposing herself to them again. Rarity writhed in pain as scars began to appear on her body. “Dark magic backlash,” Adagio said suddenly standing beside him. She patted him on the shoulder and pulled him towards the door. The others were already gone. “Come on, she’ll be fine, but she’ll be having a tough time for a bit. We can’t do anything.” They shut the door. Rarity’s screams coming through the wall. They all grimaced as the screams become louder and she began to cry. Mac sat down on the couch with Adagio. Their hands intertwine as they wait. “She is ok?” “She’s stopped screaming at least.” “Why does she…” “Shush!” Rarity woke up with a number of faces looking down at her. Her body felt like it had been lit ablaze. Everything hurt. Particularly under her breast. She touched the spot with her hand, her fingers glided over her skin. It was rough. “Can I have a mirror?” She asked the crowd around her. She tried to get up. Tried the keyword. Her limbs wouldn’t move, it was like they were made of lead! Something else didn’t feel right. Besides the pain, her body felt foreign to her. “A mirror? Can I have one? Also, could you help me sit up?” “Rarity,” Mac said, he looked very distraught. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Why?” She asked craning her head to try and see, well anything really. She looked down her chest, she was still naked apparently, she didn’t feel any clothes on her beside the blanket covering her. She looked past her mountainous breasts (We’re they always this big?) and wiggled her toes out from underneath the blanket. They seemed… further away than normal. “Alright all the males out, I’m going to do a checkup,” Nyx ordered entering the room, still in her nursing uniform. Pulling on some gloves she grumbled, “Calling right when my shift ends, just my fucking luck. Blue, Pink, help me set her up.” Sonata and Aria grab Rarity by the shoulders and eased her up to a sitting position. Rarity took a moment to gain her bearings. Was the ground always so far away? Her legs too… they looked so long! Her vision blurs for a moment the room spinning. The two sirens right her, her gaze fixed upon Adagio who was standing in front of the vanity mirror. “Please, I need to see myself!” Adagio looked to Nyx, who then looked to Sonata and Aria. “Fine, hold her up. Now be ready Rarity you’ve suffered some black magic backlash. Some being relative really, just… try not to freak out.” The two sirens hoisted her to her feet and Adagio stepped aside. Giving her a full look at her body. “That’s a trick mirror, right? I mean look at myself! I’m so tall… and these… scars.” Rarity touched the rough spot under her breast. It was a scar. A large messy looking scar that traveled up her left breast and down to her thigh. Her left shoulder had a huge bruise on it and was also scarred. Around her neck was scarred too and there were dozens of smaller circular scars everywhere else on her body. It was all shocking and overwhelming, but that wasn’t it. She was taller now. At least a head taller than Aria and Sonata, she looked… well, she looked older! “Black magic,” Adagio begin moving back in front of the mirror. “Has a nasty habit of backlashing against the user when it’s not removed properly. Given the situation, it was less than ideal, so well… the changes you see are more than likely permanent.” “What?” Her voiced cracked. Nyx moved to beside Adagio as Sonata and Aria sat Rarity back down on the bed. “That’s not all.” The changeling nurse sighed. “That thing, the Sin, it really messed with your body. Really took it for a joyride. From what I remember from parasite creatures like that they usually try to make the hosts last for a few years, but this thing…well… slaves that my old Queen captured were treated better. That thing, Vanity it called itself, burned through your life force pretty good to age you up. And before you ask, life force is different from magic, though they're both a power source. Anyway, I’ll need to do some testing, like looking at your cell count and stuff, but given all the injuries she took, all the rapid healing, and then the backlash. Don’t be surprised if a few years were shaved off your life expectancy.” Rarity hugged herself, Sonata laid the blanket over again. “Um, I’ll go find you some clothes. Maybe some of Adagio’s will work. You two look about the same size now.” Rarity looked at the mirror again, she looked about twenty-two! She’s aged nearly five years! She can’t go to school! Not like this! Forget school what about her parents? What will they think? “Is there really no way to reverse this? The scars… well, not faltering can be covered up, but I can’t go walking around as young adult when I’m really a teenager! I’ll need a new ID or some way to prove who I am! Nobody will look at me and think I’m seventeen!” Adagio looked hapless. “Sorry Rarity, but reversing this? That’d be tricky and way out of our league. Maybe someone in Equestria could do something, but black magic backlash, it usually sticks. But if push comes to shove, we got a guy in city hall. We can make you up some new papers. And since Celestia and Luna are in the loop they can maybe fudge your school documents a bit so you graduate. But before doing all that let's just wait and see what happens. We still got three more of those Sins to worry about. Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Pinkie. We got to find them too.” Sonata handed a pile of clothes through the door. “Mac and the others what to questions you when you're ready.” “She’ll be out soon,” Adagio replied taking the clothes. “Come on, we still have work to do.” “Right, um… could I have some privacy?” “Sure.” Adagio stepped out of the room. Leaving her alone. Quickly she pulled on the borrowed underwear, her limbs still heavy and pained as she began pulling on the sweatpants. She tried to put the bra on, but her arms wouldn’t reach behind her back. The pain in her arms too great. So, she simply abandoned it. She pulled on the Tee shirt and then the fleece sweater and looked at her image over in the mirror. She looked like a grape, every piece of clothing she’d been given what some shade of purple. Her hair blended wonderfully into the sweater. She tossed up her hair, cringing at how unruly it was, it’s been some time since she’s worn it straight. But she didn’t have the time work it into its usual curl, so Rarity grabbed a scrunchy off the dresser and pulled her hair into a messy ponytail. She bit her lip the entire time her hands worked to fix her hair, her arms falling limp to her side, her fingers numb. She hoped this pain passed quickly. One final look in the mirror Rarity decided she was decent. Ironic considering everyone had probably seen… well, everything. That thought finally dawned on her and she covered her face as it turned completely red in embarrassment. It quickly passed when she remembered what was now hidden beneath her comfy sweater. Gingerly she raised the hem of her shirt, grimacing at the scars on her belly. “Well, this might be the last time I need to bother worrying about the opposite sex.” She let the shirt fall back down, covering the scars. There were so many things she’d need to deal with… suddenly Rarity felt bile rise in the throat. Quickly she ran out the door, surprising everyone as she dives into the bathroom and begins vomiting! (Good thing I tied my hair back.) “Ugh… what did I eat?” She moans. The aftertaste was weird. Like some kind of meat, but not one she ever remembered having before. She looked down to see what had been in her stomach, but Mac had already flushed the toilet. “It’s better if you don’t know.” He said helping her up. “You feel better now? Need anything?” “No, no, I’m fine. Despite appearances.” She replied as Mac set her down on the couch. She may have spoken too soon as her stomach began to quiver again with everyone’s eyes fixed on her. “So… I suppose you have questions for me?” Leaned against the wall Ferocious spoke first, “Yeah, starting with…” “Um sorry,” Rarity interrupted looking from Feri to Fury. “But who are you? Is he your twin brother Fury?” The red equestrian rolled his eyes, “No he’s my counterpart in this world. And Mac’s Godfather, Ferocious.” “Oh, sorry I’m just feeling out of the loop. I’m sorry, ask your questions.” Mac took center stage sitting right across from her with his hands folded over his knees. “Do you know anything about the others? Anything at all? Like their locations, goals? Did you talk to them? Or vise versa? We need to find them and quickly. Given how things with you turned out, the sooner we find them, the better off they’ll be in the long term.” “I see. I’m sorry to be of no help then. I’m afraid the only one I’ve ever spoken to was Fluttershy when she commissioned her new clothes. We had a minor exchange. Stating we’d stay out of the others way. I have no clue what she’s planning. As for Pinkie and Rainbow, I don’t think I ever ran into them. At least not that I can recall. Have you tried checking the Animal shelter? That’s the only place I could think of to look for Fluttershy. The other two, I have no idea I’m afraid.” Ferocious’s phone suddenly went off and he left to stand outside. “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, but we didn’t really coordinate. We all basically did out own thing.” Mac nodded, “Ok that’s fine. But maybe you can help us understand what your goal was? What was it you were trying to achieve? Why were you destroying houses?” “Oh… that… well, I ran into two rather boorish men shaking down Saffron for money and I… I… oh god…I… and then I…” Mac set his hands on Rarity’s shoulders, massaging her neck. “Alright, I think we got the jest of it. Why don’t you go lie down upstairs?” “Thank you, I will.” When Rarity was out of sight and her footsteps stopped overhead, everybody took a collective sigh. They dodged a bullet there. There were clearly some memory gaps and thankfully they were the darker ones, but who knew how long that would last. Nyx armed crossed addressed them. “As a medical professional, I would advise we refrain from anymore questioning. We all know what’s she’s done. The most graphic of which was just flushed down the toilet, so let’s keep it that way. For her mental sanity. Now if that’s all. I’m going home.” “Thanks, Nyx,” Mac said as she walked towards the door. “I’ll be sure to deposit some extra cash this month.” “You better. Maybe if you pay me enough, I’ll just be your own private doctor and maybe I’ll finally get some sleep.” She didn’t slam the door, but she didn’t shut it gently. “We’re really pushing our luck with her huh?” Adagio said as Nyx drove off and the room dispersed, leaving her and Mac alone. “Yeah, hasn’t been easy for her, either.” Mac nodded feeling tired. “Should really be more considerate. I did drag her into this.” Adagio draped herself over his shoulders and kissed his cheek. “If she really wanted to get out, she could transfer or report us to the police or the news or anything like that. I think she doesn’t mind helping us, she just likes to bitch about it. And with magic on the verge of being exposed maybe, she’ll publish a tell-all book about the city’s secret hero Mac!” He chuckled kissing Adagio fully on the lips. “Yeah, maybe.” The front door opened and Ferocious hopped in while he shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Stryker found something, come on, let’s go to town.” Mac nodded and stood. He pulled Adagio close and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back soon.” He walked towards the door putting on his jacket and grabbing his maul. “Be safe!” Adagio shouted as the door closed. Her stomach churned as she watched the dust cloud dissipate as Mac drove off towards danger again.