//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Scarlet Devil Pony // by lordbrick651 //------------------------------// Chapter 3 The six ponies finished crossing the lake and waved goodbye to Cirno, who flew back to the center of the lake. In the distance was a red mansion that appeared to be releasing the red mist. "Well, it looks like we're getting close to the root fo this problem." "Ya'll think anypony lives in there?" "For sure, I mean, somepony has to be making this mist in the first place." "Ok, Rainbow Dash, but why would they need it at all? What does the mist even do?" "I don't know, I just say it darkening the skies, that's all." The mansion loomed in the distance, and it was going to be a while before they go there. It was going to be a long trip. Meanwhile, at the mansion gates, a green earth pony with long red hair was waking up from one of her naps. Except two things were different. One was that she wasn't woken up by a knife to the head, as she normally would be. Second was... "Well, time to water the garden and- and I have hooves. Ok, this is probably a dream. No wait, why would I dream I'm a pony... maybe I've taken one too many knives from Sakuya over the years." She was about to shrug it off and water the flowers, when she saw in the distance a group of ponies coming towards the mansion. "Well, dream or no dream, I gotta guard the mansion gates, or my name isn't Hong Meiling!" With a powerful, yet somewhat silly battlecry, she charged forward towards the potential intruders. Twilight and her friends were getting pretty close to the mansion now, although Rarity was having some difficulties thinking of more spellcards. Then suddenly they heard something strange bellow through the air. "JAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Everyone froze and stood ready, except for Pinkie who nearly burst out laughing. "Pinkie, something just roared or growled and your laughing at it?" "Well, YEAH, of course, it's a silly battlecry. JAAOOOO! Hahaha!" "Did you say battlecry?" "Sheesh, after this, I have GOT to show you-" Pinkie was cut off as a red earth pony known sometimes as China jumped in. "Aha! Intruders! Go home, there's nothing here for you!" "Sorry, whoever you are, but need to stop the red mist from... well, we're not sure." "We're doing the scarlet mist again? I thought Reimu came and- wait... are we still in Gensokyo?" "Where?" "Ah ok, we're not. Either way, I can't let you past." China took an offensive stance and was ready to repel the invaders. "Looks like we're gonna have to fight. Rarity, ya'll got anymore spell cards ready?" "I'm afraid not, Applejack, these cards are harder than I first thought." "Oh don't worry, looks like this is gonna be settled Hisoutensoku style." "What are you-" Before Rainbow Dash could finish, she found herself getting kicked away by China. "Nothing personal, just doing my job." China fired a few rainbow bullets that kept the other five at bay. Eventaully, Applejack dashed through the bullets and bucked Meiling in the face. Pinkie, who had somehow obtained a microphone, began commentating on the sidelines. "Hello, Fillies and Gentlecolts, right now we have a Unthinkable Natural Law battle right here between Applejack and China!" "MY NAME'S NOT CHINA!" "Oh, sorry, Applejack vs Hong Meiling." "Better." The battle between Meiling and Applejack resumed, both of them trading blows. "Uh, Pinkie, two things. One, how did you know that pony's name?" "Easy, I just looked at name that appeared when she showed up." "Name that- Nevermind. Two, how did you know this wouldn't be a spellcard duel." "Also easy, like easy modo easy. China..." "MEILING!" "Right, Meiling is better at martial arts than Danmaku." "And how did you know that?" "Yeah, after we finish this, I REALLY have to show you-" Pinkie was cut off again, this time by Applejack knocking Meiling down. "Alright folks, and now the score is 1 point for Applejack, and no points for Meiling." Pinkie already lost her first train of thought, and was instantly focused on the fight again. Meiling picked herself up. "Well, you're better than I thought." "Heh, not so tough without ya'll spellcards, are yah?" "Don't think you've won yet!" Meiling dashed and kicked Applejack in the legs, causing her to tumble. Before Applejack could get back up, Meiling blasted her with a wave of energy, sending her skyward. Applejack recovered in midair and charged towards Meiling with a powerful kick. Just before she got in range, Meiling pulled out a spellcard. "Attack Sign: Roc Fist!" Meiling threw a powerful upwards punch, right into Applejack, sending her back into the air, only this time, she didn't recover soon enough and landed down hard. "Ooooh, and it's 1 point for Meiling now, the next knockout will win this match!" Applejack eventually picked herself up, though she was still reeling from that last attack. "Now hold up here, aren't we not allowed to use spellcards for this?" Meiling just blinked. "We're not? Every other time it was allowed." "Really, girls, after this I REALLY REALLY have to show you..." Pinkie waited to be cut off again. "Oh, no more cut off, phew. Anyway I have GOT to show you girls about Touhou after this." "Now that's fine and dandy, sugarcube, but right now Ah have to beat this pony or we'll never get past." "Okie Dokie Loki! Final Round! FIGHT!" Pinkie rung a bell and Meiling and Applejack went back at it. After a few attacks, Meiling felt she needed to end it now, or she might lose. "Time to end this, Ultimate Color: Mad-" "Oh no you don't!" Applejack gave one last powerful kick right Meiling's face and sent her flying. Meiling fell down hard, and couldn't move much. "Argh... forgive me, mistress." "Well now, the way's cleared, so I reckon we should head into that mansion." Twilight and the rest of the group nodded and proceeded inside.