//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 - Potions and Tricks - Pt.3 // Story: Tails of Innocence // by CommanderX5 //------------------------------// Tails of Innocence - Chapter 6 - Potions and Tricks - Pt.3 “Quickly! Inside!” A few teachers cried out, gathering ponies into a nearby classroom. A group of teachers formed a defensive line, being at stalemate with the hostile plants. Kyuubi was about to join them when she heard a filly scream, “Mama!” As frightening as the hostile vines were, fear wasn't going to stop her from aiding a defenseless filly. As she followed the voice, she spotted a scared unicorn colt who had to be no older than five years old, crying as he lay on the floor upon tripping. Kyuubi didn’t even hesitate and rushed back to the scared colt, picking him up with telekinesis and placing him onto her back while a few thorns caused bleeding wounds on her sides and limbs, easily piercing her fur and skin.  Her face became pale as all her paths has been blocked and hostile plants went for her from all sides. She summoned her 'Sacred Fire' in the rush of panic, yet her flames barely managed to burn the vines ahead of her. As her fragile body was about to be wrapped and pierce with sharp thorns, blast of fire appeared like a flamethrower, casting them back. Turning to her side, Kyuubi saw a yellow furred unicorn with a mix of yellow and red mane gritting her teeth as she unleashed her flame spell on the crazed plant. The filly shouted, “Let’s go!” Sweat fell down her face as she maintained her spell, scorching the vines left and right. Kyuubi didn’t need to be told twice as they rushed down the hall, but they were still a distance away. Fortunately, she knew of the class room and summoned a portal in front of them to use. Noticing the stunned filly’s expression, Kyuubi shouted into her mind, Into the portal! Hurry! Her rescuer didn’t hesitate as she jumped in, followed by Kyuubi and her passenger. Within a second, the three of them were inside the classroom with the teachers shutting the door and putting a barrier spell on it. The vines slammed against the door a few times before moving on. Sighing in relief, Kyuubi let the little colt down before a mare she assumed to be his mother rushed over and scooped him up, hugging her crying child as she looked at Kyuubi with thanks. “Thank you so much, Miss Fox.” Don't mention it. And it’s Kyuubi, Ma’am, She replied, smiling. The mother looked a bit surprised by the telepathic contact, but smiled and moved to the back to care for her child. Kyuubi then turned to her fellow rescuer and nodded. Thanks for your help back there. I sure bit off more than I could chew. She tilted her head, taking a closer look at the unicorn, only now realizing that she was much smaller and younger than Rosey and Nightbright, and she had certainly never met her during classes. For someone so young, you sure have a lot of power and courage. “So this is the telepathy I heard so much about.” Puffing out her chest, she replied, “Well, it wasn’t that hard. I kinda always wanted to use that spell, but thanks for the compliment. I’m Sunset Shimmer, by the way. I take it you’re the rumored magic fox that goes to this school?” Yes, I am Kyuubi. Are you a student too? “Yes, I am. I just started last year, but they’re already talking about letting me skip a few grades. When I heard about this contest, I thought I would get to see what the older students were capable of. Then, all of sudden it’s like the Everfree Forest decided to invade and I’m running for my life,” Sunset Shimmer replied, raising her eyebrows. “What the hay happened?” Wish I knew. I was in the bathroom while my friends were… Kyuubi gasped. My friends! Rosey! Nightbright! What if they’re in danger! “Woah, I hope you aren’t thinking of going out there on your own! Those thorns look sharp!” Sunset Shimmer pointed out. “We should wait for experienced teachers to fix it.” No! I have to find them... maybe I can even stop this... Kyuubi thought as she looked at her tail that contained the ability to purify all things. She didn’t sense it when she was running for her life, but the vines felt different. Like magically different. Nothing evil or malevolent but certainly angry. “How? With a giant weed cutter?” Sunset asked, rolling her eyes. I have the power to purify things, Kyuubi said, determined. If I can get to the source of all this, maybe I can stop it. “First, that’s kinda cool, you gotta teach me that,” Sunset replied, with wide eyes. “Second, I think I saw a stand about something involving a miracle grow? It was right next to the one about potions that can stimulate your senses.” I think I know the one you’re talking about, Kyuubi said, thinking hard on where she wanted to teleport to. Okay, hopefully I can get there and stop this before more ponies are hurt. “Well, I’d go with you, but I’m a little drained at the moment with that spell,” Sunset answered, shaking her head. “Note to self, never put too much mana in a spell that’s all about spreading flames around.” Okay, you tell the teachers about this. In case I fail, maybe they can do something, Kyuubi said as she opened a portal. One of the teachers asked what she was doing, but before they could stop her Kyuubi went through it. “How long do you think that shield will hold?” Rosey asked as Nightbright did his best to keep both of them protected under his shield. “I can... maybe hold it for another ten minutes... after that we’re gonna get our veggies as my mom puts it,” Nightbright answered, struggling to hold the shield. Normally, he would only be able to hold the shield for five, maybe seven minutes, but with Rosey in danger he pushed himself further than ever. He had to thank his instincts on reacting to whatever this mess was. The moment the vines started coming he quickly grabbed Rosey close to him and activated the shield spell. All around them were thick green vines with sharp thorns that were trying to pierce the shield. Some of them were already cracking it. “Think Kyuubi’s okay?” Rosey asked, worried for their friend. “Yeah, she was far away when this started. I’m sure she’s fine,” Nightbright reassured her. He looked at her and asked, “Can you teleport?” “Not far, but yeah,” Rosey. “Good, use it and get out of here,” Nightbright said. “What?! And leave you here to become plant food?! Never!” Rosey shouted, huffing. "If only I was strong enough to teleport us both!" She stomped. "This isn't fair!" “It’s better if one of us gets out of here! I can’t hold this forever and who knows how long we’ll have to live with this thing crushing us or putting holes in our body!” Nightbright shouted. “I’m not leaving you!” She charged magic into her horn. "I will shield us so you can teleport away." “Look just-” Nightbright’s face was dragged to a glaring Rosey which made him blush. “I. Am. Not. Leaving. You.” “... fine,” Nightbright said, sighing as he turned away. “... Also, your breath smells.” “Hey! I brushed my teeth last night!” “... You need to brush in the morning as well.” “... really?” Kyuubi was ready for anything the moment she stepped out of the portal, and sure enough the vines sensed her and tried going after her. Thankfully, she had her fire spell ready and blasted them to ashes before rushing as fast as she could past the vines, doing her best to avoid the thorns. The entire place looked like a jungle with roots, vines, trunks, and even flowers were starting to bloom. Ponies were either screaming in pain or shouting for help, but a few were using their magic to shield themselves or others from the plants. Gotta find that booth! She told herself as she narrowly dodged another set of vines. Some of the thorns managed to scratch her sides. Wincing, she ignored the pain and pressed onward, casting her fire, healing and shield spells as often as she could. Ducking from a seed, Kyuubi realized she just needed to get down a few more feet and she would be at the booth. There was a large solid seed like object in the shape of a bud with vines protecting it. She was about to rush forward when the vines got wise and attacked her from below in between each other. Kyuubi gasped as they wrapped around her waist and tails, the thorns going deep into her skin. Feeling herself bleeding, she tried to get out of their grip but they dragged her down even further. Wrapping tighter around her body. Kyuubi struggled as hard as she could while ignoring the pain of her body being crushed. Getting... harder... to breathe... She tried to summon 'Sacred Flame', but the harder the vines sqeezed her tails, the weaker her fire has become. The vines were wrapped around them and were nearly crushing them. Her magic just wasn't strong enough. Got to think of something... and fast... they’re crushing this body of mine... wait! She realized. Maybe if I go to my actual size... Focusing her magic, Kyuubi gritted her teeth and soon began to change form. Growing bigger and bigger as the vines struggled to hold her. Yet despite their efforts, they were unable to hold her down as she managed to get a bit more loose. When her tails managed to grow, she quickly unleashed fire around her entire body and let out a roar. The sacred fire didn't burn her, and she quickly focused on healing herself. With nothing holding her down, Kyuubi rushed as fast as she could until she was finally at the booth while covered in blood and ash. The vines soon found their way around her throat and began choking her and pulling her back from their nest. Closing her eyes, Kyuubi struggled as she was getting pushed back further and further. With one last gasp, she sent out her tail, activating its purifying magic and touched the center of the booth. The very tip of her glowing tail managed to touch it just as she was finally pulled away. A few seconds later, the seed soon began to glow white as it started to shiver as if something was infecting it. Sure enough, the little bit of magic Kyuubi used began to grow and spread until it fully engulfed the large seed. From there, the white magic spread across the vines, filling them with purifying energy before they slowly began to retreat as if reversed by time itself. Ponies gasped for air and moaned as their green prison began to set them free. Kyuubi herself finally managed to get fully loose as she watched her efforts pay off. The once deadly vines were retreating and getting smaller in size. It took at least ten minutes for the last of the vines to retreat into the plant which had by then shrunk into the size of a miniature blooming flower of white and green. Once the situation had been settled, the Royal Guard took control of the situation. Healers were summoned as everypony waited to get healed with medics taking care of them as well. Kyuubi did what she could to help, but when those she healed started looking like walking sandwiches and smelling like well-roasted meat, she decided to stop. Some ponies were transported to the closest hospital in Canterlot or were forced to be treated in the school’s medical wing. There were no fatalities, but a lot of ponies had lost a lot of blood and would need transfusions. There were blood replenishing potions too, but those were both rare and expensive, used only for those who could afford them. Kyuubi, forced into three hospital beds that were put together for her in the hospital wing with her tails spread towards a  corner of the room, winced as a nurse wrapped medical tape around her paw. “Stay still,” the nurse ordered, smiling. “Don’t want our hero to get infected now do we?” Smiling, Kyuubi looked around and saw nearly everypony there smiling at her with thanks. Word had quickly spread about how she was the one that ended the disaster, earning her the thanks of many. Ironically, that left her with too little magic to attend her own wounds without getting overwhelmed with predatory instincts. I’m just glad it’s over... “Hey, Kyuubi!” Rosey said as she rushed over with Nightbright. Both of them were unharmed, which was the best news Kyuubi’d had all day. Of course her smile quickly turned into a painful frown when Rosey hugged her taped forepaw. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay! Thank your God for that special power of His!” “Oi! Stop it, Rosey,” Nightbright said, pulling her back with his magic. “You’ll squeeze all the blood out of her if you don’t stop that.” “Sorry, I’m just so happy!” Rosey said, sheepishly before sighing in disappointment. “Of course, the contest is ruined and so were our potions. Ah well, we can always just make more!” “I think after today I’m never going to make another potion again,” Nightbright sighed, huffing in anger. “Can you believe that Silver Lotus? She could have killed somepony with that potion of hers! Serves her right for getting expelled!” I don’t think she meant to cause such damage, Nightbright, Kyuubi answered, feeling sorry for the filly. She was crying and apologizing even after her parents came to pick her up. Some even wanted her arrested for getting them into such a dangerous situation, but it was clear she didn’t want this to happen. I saw how she looked when the Headmaster told her she was being kicked out for using such a dangerous ingredient. I think that was going too far. “Even if he didn’t do it, a lot of parents would be demanding it,” Nightbright pointed out, crossing his arms. “A lot of ponies got hurt, she has to face the consequences of her actions.” I guess, Kyuubi answered, sighing. Oh, by the way... She turned to the nurse and asked, Did you find that filly I mentioned before? “Oh, yes, Sunset Shimmer. I think she left already. She did ask if you were okay and she looked relieved when I said you were,” the nurse answered. “I asked if she wanted to come and visit, but she said she would see you again when you were healed up.” I see... “Whose Sunset Shimmer?” Rosey asked, tilting her head. Kyuubi only smiled and answered, A new friend.