//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: The Element of Laughter // by The-rogue-shadow //------------------------------// Pinkie sidled closer to Rosethorn as the two stared down at the seemingly impenetrable fortress below them. Heartstrings was complaining, but everypony was ignoring her. Pinkie noticed the leader of the beta team, Redmond, was hyperventilating. "What's wrong?" Pinkie asked, and Redmond turned to her, and he smiled a weak smile. "I'm fine, really, it's just I have absolutely no clue how we are meant to do this." He said. Pinkie smiled at him, trying to comfort him. "Trust us, we are the best at this." Said Rosethorn. Redmond nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself down. He turned to his troops, telling them to head back to where they had set up camp and gather all the supplies they would need. Swift tapped Rosethorn on the shoulder, signing something to her. "Swift wants to know just how we plan to destroy this place." Rosethorn said to Redmond. "Rarity in the research department made up these explosives that are activated by a magical fuse. A unicorn arms them with her magic and then they can be set off with a timer or the unicorn can use her magic to detonate them." He explained, Swift nodded, satisfied with the answer. The other ponies from beta team arrived with their equipment some time afterwards. Alpha team started to plan their attack, eventually deciding to wait until nightfall and sneak in in groups of five. The first team would consist of Pinkie, Swift, Rosethorn, Heartstrings and Redmond and the other team was made up of the rest of Beta team. Nightfall came pretty swiftly and the ponies made their way down the hill to the stronghold. Pinkie's team of five heading towards the gate, Swift had been given some throwing knives and used them skilfully to take down the guards on top of the wall. Heartstrings and Redmond took down the guards at the gate silently. They entered, hearing sounds of sleeping griffins and Minotaur echo through the hallways. Pinkie looked back to see the second team enter and head down a different path. Pinkie followed Rosethorn up some stairs, hiding in dark corners and waiting for guards to pass. They found some sort of office, housing hundreds of folders filled with order sheets, Heartstrings found one of particular interest, "Hey everypony, check this out. I found these reports by somepony named Tinker, they seem to be, well telling the griffins our secrets." She said, Pinkie's eyes widened, she couldn't believe that anypony could sell out their own species. Rosethorn got angry all of a sudden. "That pony is going to get what he deserves if it's the last thing I do. And I think we found the spot for the first charge." She said, grabbing a charge out of her saddlebag and arming it with her magic, she then placed it in the middle of the room, under a large pile of folders. Heartstrings put the folder she was reading into her saddlebag, wanting to use it as evidence. Swift, who had been standing guard at the door, suddenly turned to the group and signed to them to hide. The ponies dived behind whatever they could find, plants, chairs, cabinets. Swift hid behind the door. A griffin entered, followed by a Minotaur guard. The griffin wore square glasses and a lab coat, indicating that he was a scientist. "You can leave now; I'm going to be here for a while, just filling out paperwork." The griffin said to the Minotaur, who shook his head. "New rules state that scientists are to be escorted at all times." Said the Minotaur, until it had its head twisted around by Swift. Bile rose in Pinkie's throat as she heard the snapping of its neck. Swift tackled the griffin, who was too scared to scream. The other ponies came out of hiding, surrounding the griffin. Rosethorn drew her sword, holding it up to the griffin's throat. "Scream and I kill you, now I'm going to ask some questions, and you had better give me some good answers." She said, and Pinkie was surprised to see the griffin start to cry. "Please don't kill me; I have a wife and two kids. I'll do whatever you want. I don't even like working here, all I do is make wire, don't hurt me please." The Griffin pleaded, and Pinkie couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Shut up! I won't hurt you if you answer my questions. Firstly, how do I get to the main production section of this place, and secondly what is the quickest way out?" she asked, the griffin took a deep breath, calming himself, although Pinkie could still hear the fear in his voice. "The Main production area is up one floor, take the stairs and follow the signs, it's easy. As for a way out, the easiest way would be the back gate, there is less guards because it faces straight into a mountain, but if you cross through a waterfall there, it leads you into a tunnel that runs straight to New Grifburg." The griffin told them, Rosethorn kept her promise and let him up. "I want you to leave, go back home to your family and if the alarm is raised, I will know it was you and I will hunt you down and make you pay." She threatened. "I won't say anything, I swear. Thank you, thank you." The griffin wiped the tears away and let him leave. Rosethorn turned to swift; "Follow him, and make sure he keeps his promise." She ordered. Swift nodded, and left, following the griffin. Pinkie turned to Rosethorn, she was shaking. Pinkie gave her a quick hug and the ponies left, heading for the main production area. "I can't help but wonder how my team is doing." Said Redmond. "I'm sure that they're fine." Said Pinkie smiling. They rounded a corner and found the main production centre. A really long room filled with giant smelters and vats filled to the brim with molten metal. Sparks flew through the air as hundreds of Minotaur and griffin hammered away at swords and axes for their troops. It was the biggest blacksmith's Pinkie had ever seen. "I wonder if they make horseshoes, I need a new set." Joked Heartstrings. The others shot her a look. "I think that will be the best place to put the next charge." Said Rosethorn, pointing to one of the large smelters. "If we destroy that, it should start a chain reaction and destroy the rest." "How?" asked Pinkie, "Coal isn't explosive." "I know, but look, those smelters use oil for heat, which is very explosive." Rosethorn replied. Pinkie nodded, and was about to walk away to plant the charge, when Redmond pulled her back. "Stop! Look, guards." He said, and sure enough, Pinkie noticed hundreds of guards making their way through the room in a seemingly random pattern. She looked around for anything that could help and her eyes rested on an empty box. Pinkie picked it up and put it over her head, then laid down, so her legs were hidden. "This will never work." Said Rosethorn cynically as she handed Pinkie the charge which she had just armed. Pinkie held it in her mouth and made her way across the room, her Pinkie sense helping her to avoid the guards as well as the workers. She finally found the smelter and set the charge. Making her way back, she threw the box off herself and struck a triumphant pose. "That would never work again in a million years." Said Rosethorn, amazed. Pinkie smiled and kissed her. "Yes it would, because I'm Pinkie Pie." She said. "So what do we do now, we have one charge left." "Well when this room blows it will be enough to destroy the whole stronghold. I think we should put it at the entrance, and seal them in first." Said Redmond. Heartstrings and Rosethorn agreed. They picked up the pace on their way out, hoping that the charges weren't found. Swift met them along the way, and they told him the plan. They decided to go for the main entrance, seeing as how the other led to the griffin capitol, which was not the place to be for ponies. Just as they reached the door, it was blocked by a particularly large Minotaur. Pinkie turned when she heard a voice behind her. "Well look at this. We have some intruders in our midst." Said a griffin, he was covered in gold armour, indicating possible status as a general. More griffins and Minotaur started to surround them and the ponies huddled in a circle, facing outwards. Pinkie was facing the general. "I'm sorry to say that we found your friends. And I, personally, do not like intruders, so if you would be so kind as to give the names of their families so I know where to send the bones to, I would appreciate it." Said the general, smiling as manic smile. Pinkie felt the darkness crawling up towards her heart. "Monster." She said. The general laughed. "Monster, Me? Well I suppose there are worse things to be… a pony for example. Now I know you planted explosives all around the stronghold. Tell me where they are and I will let some of you go free." He said. Pinkie shook her head, as did the others. "You will know where they are soon enough." Said Rosethorn. The general's eye twitched, he walked up to Pinkie. "No matter, I have ways of getting the information anyway." He said, He grabbed Pinkie, and put his hand on her forehead. Pinkie screamed as he felt her invade her mind. "Please stop! You don't know what you're doing." Pinkie screamed at him, and the griffin laughed again. He pushed deeper into Pinkie's mind, and she was unable to resist. She felt it then, the darkness, rushing to meet the invading presence. The general was thrown off of Pinkie, slamming into a wall. And Pinkie collapsed, throwing up a bit. She could hear a voice in her head. 'Let me out Pinkie, I can help; I only want what's best for you.' It said, and Pinkie forced it back down with sheer force of will. The griffin stood up, dazed and angry. "Just kill them, we will find the explosives on our own." He said to the assembled hordes. Pinkie stood, drawing her sword as the Minotaur and griffins charged. Even with seemingly no chance, the ponies fought with all of their might. Griffins fell before Pinkie; Swift was brutal, never staying in one spot for very long. Heartstrings took the aerial battlefield, ruthless in her attacks, Redmond hacked away, jumping around with agility nopony would have suspected him of, and Rosethorn blasted a bloody path through them with magic. Pinkie killed the Minotaur that was blocking the door and the ponies backed outside, giving them more space to hold off the griffins. The ponies started to become overwhelmed by the uncountable amount of enemies; Pinkie looked at Rosethorn, who looked back with a worried expression. Pinkie smiled as Rosethorn mouthed 'I love you' to Pinkie. Pinkie's eyes opened wide and she screamed; "Behind you." She yelled, as a Minotaur's blade pierced Rosethorn's side. For Pinkie time slowed as she made her way over. Rosethorn's expression was a mix of surprise and pain. The sword was pulled out and Rosethorn fell, her eyes beginning to close as she did so. Pinkie screamed and leapt onto the Minotaur, driving her sword into its chest and twisting. Pinkie looked at Rosethorn, and suddenly everything else was forgotten, there was only her and Pinkie in the whole world. Tears ran down Pinkie's face as she hugged her lover. She felt a tiny heartbeat, as Rosethorn lifted her head slightly. "I love you Pinkie." She whispered, and Pinkie felt Rosethorn's last breath upon her face. Pinkie lowered Rosethorn to the ground and stood up. She could feel the darkness rising, faster than ever before, it tried to take over, and Pinkie let it. She closed her eyes, her mane straightened out and her coat darkened. She took a deep breath, picking up her sword as well as Rosethorn's. Pinkie pushed at her ground with her front legs, raising herself up onto her hind legs. She balanced there for a moment, before arching her back and feeling her vertebrae crack and shift. Pinkie had awoken in complete darkness, and found nothing solid under her hooves. She was just floating in nothingness. "Hello." She said, and her voice echoed out from her. "Hello Pinkie." Said a voice, Pinkie turned to see herself, but different, she had flat hair and her coat was darker. "Who are you?" asked Pinkie, as the other one floated toward her, and caressed her face. "My name is Pinkamina. I'm that dark part of you that you have been trying to resist for so long." Said Pinkamina. "What do you want?" asked Pinkie, nervously. "I just want what's best for us, and if that means killing a whole lot of griffins or beating the hay out of an abusive twit like Duskheart, well so be it." Replied Pinkamina. "So are you in control at the moment." Asked Pinkie and Pinkamina nodded. "When can I have control again?" "When I'm finished, I promise. I may be scary Pinkie, but I love you and won't ever harm you." She said. Pinkamina waved her arm and a square of light appeared. "I thought you might like to watch me in action." She said, disappearing. Pinkie positioned herself in front of the window and looked out into the world. Pinkamina opened her eyes, and started walking, unsteadily at first and then with more confidence as she made a bee line straight for the nearest griffin. She swung the two swords with expert ease, opening up the stomach of the griffin as it swung an axe downwards toward her. Heartstrings noticed her and landed, walking up to her, Pinkamina pushed her down. "Pinkie, what's wrong? What are you doing?" she said, picking herself off the ground. Pinkamina turned to her, a twisted smile spread across her face. "I'm sorry, Pinkie isn't in right now, my name is Pinkamina Diane Pie, can I help you?" she said. Heartstrings shook her head, confused. Pinkamina turned, and started running towards more griffins, her swords became a blur of red and glistening silver and like clockwork, every time she swung the sword, a griffin or Minotaur fell. Some charged at her from behind, but couldn't hit her, no matter how fast they were, Pinkamina's Pinkie sense had gone into overdrive, she was moving on pure reflex, faster than a thought. It didn't take long for the area to be completely clear of enemies. The other ponies had been so frightened of Pinkamina that they had retreated to Rosethorn's body. Pinkamina took a deep breath, savouring the smell of fresh blood. She closed her eyes. Pinkie regained control abruptly, her mane puffed up back to its usual state and her coat regained its light colour. Pinkie became unbalanced and fell down, not knowing how to walk on two legs. She got up and looked around at the carnage she had wrought, not a single griffin or Minotaur was alive, but then Pinkie saw one moving, she galloped over to find the griffin general, a sword wound in his belly and a scowl on his face. He looked up at Pinkie. "And you called me the monster." He said, coughing on his own blood and dying. Pinkie looked over at her team mates, all huddled around Rosethorn. Pinkie joined them, ignoring the looks from Heartstrings and Swift. They sat there for a while, crying over their fallen friend. Pinkie stood, lifting Rosethorn onto her back, and vowed to carry her to the camp for a proper burial. "What about blowing up the stronghold?" asked Redmond, the others just kept walking, they just didn't care anymore. "I set the last one on a timer, just in case." Said Pinkie finally. Redmond turned, before following them at a gallop. They reached the top of the hill when it exploded, stone and steel erupted from the stronghold as cascading explosions brought it crumbling down. The ponies watched it burn for a while, and Pinkie cried as her lover lay dead across her back.