"All right that should do it." Miki said looking at bottle of hair dye then to the ten year old sitting in the chair. The boys eyes were wide with excitement and awe as he looked at his hair. Miki breathed out a long sigh through her nose, "Honestly, it's a good thing I caught you before things got messy. You know you shouldn't do this by yourself young man!"
The boy wasn't speaking to her. He was looking in between the his hair and the comic book in his hands. A wide smile began to creep across his as he turned to Miki. "Thank you so much, Miki!" He wrapped his arms around her waist and tightly hugged her.
"Whoa, whoa, watch it, sweetie, your hair's still drying." Miki said, but when she looked at the boy pressing against her she couldn't help but get a rosy smile, "Oh it's just a few stains."
He let go of Miki and brandished the comic in front of her. He pointed to the costume the hero was wearing, "Can you make this?"
"Are you planning on entering a costume contest?" Miki asked with a raised eyebrow.
The boy shook his head, "No way! I'm going to be just like him." He pointed to the hero in the comic with a smile, "I'm going to be just like Deku!" Miki raised an eyebrow trying her best to hide her giggle. Although the boy caught her and frowned pointing a finger at her, "I'm serious! I'm going to be a superhero!"
"What brought this on?"
"Deku does whatever he can to save people even if he gets hurt.....people just like me." He sniffled clutching his fist tightly, "He makes kids smile and always comes to the rescue when someone calls his name. I want to be just like that. I want to be a hero."
The boy continued to sniffle, but managed to look at Miki with determination. She smiled and dropped to her knees, the boy's eyes had reddened from forming tears. "I swear I'm going to be a hero and protect everyone."
He would have gone on if it weren't for the gentle pair lips pressing against his forehead. Miki kissed him with a small giggle and pulled away with an honest smile. She gently wiped the tears away from his face. "I'm sure you'll be a great hero." Miki went in to kiss him again although the boy blushed and tried pulling away.
"H-hey cut it out!"
"What kind of hero is afraid of kisses?" Miki teased while pulling him into her to chest. She began peppering his face with kisses causing him to groan. Miki's giggles transformed into a dramatic villain laugh, "It looks like Deku has been caught by me the mighty Madame Kisses. As punishment I'm going to kiss you until you shout how much you love me!"
He continued to struggle in her grip before an idea formed in his head. She made the great mistake of leaving his hands free. He dove straight for her ribs and began to tickle her. Miki stiffened before bursting out in laughter, "Curses my only weakness."
Miki laughed and added in some dramatic flair as the boy continued to tickle her. She fell to her back with as much dramatic flair as possible without breaking out into full blown laughter. She made a sputtering sound before sticking her tongue out. The boy had a smile on his face as he started to laugh at Miki. She peeked an eye open before sitting back up. She ran a hand across his cheek. The boy looked at her with kind hope filled eyes.
"Promise you'll always protect and save people."
"I promise Miki. The same way you, Hughes, and Trans saved me."
"Then I'm sure you'll be a great hero...."
________________________________
".....Vector flank right!" Bone Crusher called.
"Roger!" Vector called back as he looked over his shoulder to those following him, "Stay behind me."
Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were following behind him with worried expressions as they did their best to keep up with him and Bone Crusher. For his part Vector had slow down enough for the girls to keep pace and for him to grab Pinkie Pie out of the way of a massive root. Fluttershy yelped and fell to the ground. A root started to snake it's way toward her she screamed and started crawling away. Rarity rushed to her friends aide only to have another root wrap itself around her wrist.
Vector had wide eyes and moved quick on his feet. He took Pinkie into his arms before spinning her like she was his dance partner. As Pinkie spun to safe distance Vector was in the air.
___________________________________________________
He landed with a hard grunt, sweat glistening down his face, his leg felt like it was on fire. Blood was dripping down his calf. He felt like crying his leg hurt so much, but doing so would...
"Is that a tear!"
A fist went straight into his gut causing him to crumple to the ground. The man standing over him sneered as he cracked his neck. His purple eyes shined in the darkness. Surrounding him was a small group. All of them were sitting on wooden boxes inside the warehouse they chose to call home. One of them snickered.
"Fang, are sure this wimp is your kid?" The man laughed harder spilling some of the beer he was drinking.
"Hey watch it!" Another said in annoyance.
Fang simply rolled his eyes before looking down at the boy at his feet. He was wheezing in an attempt to catch his breath.
"Stand up." Fang said looking at the boy. He tried but it felt like the world was pushing down on him. Fang snarled and grabbed the boy by the hair making him cry out as he was forced to stand. Fang looked the boy in the eyes, "If you drop I'll snap your legs. Now stand up, Vector."
Vector did as his father commanded and stood on shaky legs. Fang gave a lack luster nod while his group gave a mocking round of applause. Fang raised his hand making them fall silent. He snapped his fingers and two men brought a larger wooden shipping container setting it down in front of Fang and Vector.
"Break it." Fang said.
"But Dad." Vector weakly said.
"Break it or I break you." Fang coldly stated as he went to sit and watch with his group.
Vector looked at the cold eyes of his father. Then to the gleaming smiles of his fathers gang as they started passing around money to make bets on his fate. Vector looked at the create and gulped his bleeding leg demanded that he stop, but his fear told him other wise. He took a fighting stance and reared his leg back.
________________________________________________________
The roots trapping the girls lied in splintered pieces. Vector kept moving grabbing Rarity by the waist and quickly pushed her to a safe distance. He then went to help the downed Fluttershy taking her hand and with ease hoisted her into his arms. The shy girl blushed as he quickly held her bridal style. Vector wasn't thinking much of it as he was staring at the incoming threat.
Above them was a smiling Gloriosa Daisy. Tree roots were hovering around her wiggling like the tentacles of an octopus. Vector's head was spinning with what to do next. Their current situation wasn't ideal. Aria, Sonata, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were currently trapped in wooden cocoons. Celestia and Luna were currently trapped inside the gazebo. This left Bone Crusher and Vector trying to keep the remaining members of their group safe. Although they couldn't do much considering they were trapped inside a wooden dome.
Gloriosa started to float down with giggling as her eyes glowed a sickly green, "Why are you all trying to run?! I'm doing this for you!"
Vector clung to Fluttershy closely as he began backing away. He had to keep Rarity and Pinkie behind him although Rarity wasn't helping when she nervously laughed and walked toward the crazed woman. "Gloriosa, sweaty, lovey, I do enjoy to be rustic every now and again. But I do prefer a nice lovely trip to the spa."
"To the spa?" Gloriosa spoke in a mocking as a sneer grew across her face as a green aura raced across her body.
The ruby eyes on Vector's necklace started to glow brightly, "I don't need you to tell me that, Caesar!"
Vector quickly placed Fluttershy on the ground and grabbed her hand. He broke into a sprint and grabbed Rarity's arm as well to push her forward. Pinkie followed close behind him. As they ran Gloriosa let out a loud shriek of rage.
"TO THE SPA!"
"You just had to the say S word didn't you?!" Vector shouted at Rarity.
"Sorry!" Rarity said as she did her best to keep up with Vector.
Gloriosa slammed her hands into the ground allowing her aura to fuse into the ground. Several roots sprouted in front of Vector and the girls causing them to come to a skidding halt. Vector clicked his tongue as he took up a fighting stance. Gloriosa was closing in on them at a rapid pace. He looked around thinking of ideas. So far noting was coming to mind and Gloriosa was right on top of them.
"Guess I'll do it the Akiko way." He said with a sigh before looking at the girls, "Stay here."
"Wha-" Before Pinkie could ask a question Vector was gone.
"VECTOR!" Fluttershy tried reaching out to him but he was already running at Gloriosa.
Gloriosa was taken aback by Vector's sudden charge. His eyes were steel as his movements became blurred. Gloriosa blinked and Vector was gone. The world suddenly started to shift and breathing became more difficult. She then felt a pain in her chin that caused her jaw to lock up. Her teeth rattled and felt like they were going to break apart from the sudden impact.
The girls were speechless and still trying to comprehend what Vector had just done. His movements were so fast that when they blinked they saw Vector landing a hard kick into Gloriosa's neck that was a follow up from an elbow to the chin. Gloriosa was on the ground with blood falling out of her mouth. Vector took a breath looking at Gloriosa wearily before sighing. He walked back to the girls, who were blinking at him. The roots had stopped wiggling and were starting to sink back into the ground revealing a concerned Bone Crusher behind them. His face lit up when he saw them.
"Oh thank God you guys are...oh crap." Bone Crusher's eyes went to the downed Gloriosa then to Vector, "You didn't kill her did you?"
Vector looked at Bone Crusher in offense, "Hey I know how to hold back. I just didn't expect her to be so weak."
"Dude, she's a camp counselor." Bone Crusher deadpanned.
"With plant powers!" Vector shot back.
"Should we really be standing around talking?" Pinkie asked, "This is usually the part when the bad guy gets back up twice as strong."
"Pinkie, darling, please don't scare me anymore than I already am." Rarity said.
"Um..." Fluttershy started to murmur with wide eyes trying to get everyone's attention.
"Pinkie she's not getting back up." Vector said with a sigh, "I hit her hard enough to take down someone twice her size."
"Dude, I've told you a thousand times. Go easy on the ladies." Bone Crusher said shaking his head in disapproval.
"Hey I don't care if it's a man, woman, or child. I'll take down anyone." Vector scoffed.
"How noble." Rarity said rolling her eyes Vector clicked his tongue while rolling his eyes.
"Um...Guys!" Fluttershy squeaked out starting to shake.
"Look we can talk about this later," Bone Crusher said, "For now let's focus on rescuing the others and getting out of here."
"And deal with the giant monster death match outside." Vector said.
Fluttershy starting making squeaking noises as her eyes became dinner plates.
"Fluttershy, darling, just spit it out." Rarity said with a sigh.
The shy girl pointed a finger to Gloriosa. Her body was starting to glow and she began to moan. Her legs shot up and sunk into the ground. She started to rise up as her moans turned into growls. Her eyes were hidden behind her hair. She continued to let out small growls as her hands started to crack. Her body still held a sickly green glow and her head slowly started to lift. Her eyes snapped open, revealing green eyes of rage.
"Oh boy." Bone Crusher said.
"Bad guy back up! Bad guy back up!" Pinkie as she started making horn noises with her mouth. Vector put his hand over her mouth with an annoyed grumble.
"We can see that Pinkie!" Vector said.
"I thought you said she wouldn't get back up!" Rarity cried hiding behind Bone Crusher.
"She shouldn't be!" Vector said. Caesar's eyes began to shine getting Vector's attention, "Really?" Vector moved slowly and found that Gloriosa was staring at him. Vector groaned at this before starting to think of a plan. He looked over finding the cafeteria was close enough and from what he remembered was still filled with left over flour from Pinkie's baking mishap. Caesar's eyes glowed again this time giving Vector a small headache.
"It'll be okay, Caesar." Vector said.
"What are you two talking about, Vec?" Bone Crusher asked.
"She wants me." Vector said moving to demonstrate his point Gloriosa followed him, "I'll keep her distracted you get the others safe."
"Vector that's insane!" Rarity said.
"She could kill you." Fluttershy said with tearful eyes.
Before Vector could respond Pinkie Pie had wrapped herself around his waist. Vector sighed looking down at Pinkie. She met him with small sad eyes. He sighed gently patting her on the head.
________________________________________________________________
Vector looked around the room with a bored expression. The living room was pretty basic a television in the corner and a large couch in front of it. He let out a sigh sitting down. At least it was comfy.
"Vecy!" A bundle of pink appeared in front of him.
Vector sighed in annoyance, "I told you not to call me that."
"Sorry." Pinkie said with a giggle before putting a tray of cookies in his face, "I made you some welcome cookies."
Vector looked at the cookies with a raised eyebrow before looking at Pinkie Pie, "We literally just got here."
"I always have fresh cookies baking just in case I have guests." Pinkie answered nonchalantly.
"Wouldn't that burn down your house?" Vector asked.
"Of course not silly. Besides Maud wouldn't let me burn down her house." Pinkie said.
"I see." Vector said taking a cookie off the tray and biting into it. His eyes widened from how good it was. Pinkie may be annoying in way that words couldn't even describe, but she could really bake. Vector took several more cookies getting Pinkie Pie to smile brightly with each bite he took. "These are pretty good."
"Thanks these are my special welcome to my town/home cookies." Pinkie said with a wide grin.
"I see." Vector said trying to ignore Pinkie as she got closer to his face. Vector eventually sighed and gave in, "Yes?"
"Soooo where are you from?" Pinkie asked as she flopped on the couch lying on her stomach with her hands resting on her chin. She looked like a child waiting for a story.
"Thailand, until I was seven, after that I bounced around between America and Japan." Vector answered taking a bite from another cookie.
Pinkie Pie had a dropped jaw looking at Vector, "Woah that must have been fun!"
Vector's face drooped taking a slower bite from a cookie, "It wasn't."
"Really?" Pinkie asked with a crooked head, "But you got to live in three different countries! That's like so many friends!"
Vector sighed taking another slow bite from the cookie. He looked on solemnly making Pinkie Pie look at him with a cocked head. He was starting to tap his foot against the floor rapidly. "Things were difficult for me back then." He said softly.
"Did you have trouble making friends? That happened to me when I first moved here with Maud and Limestone!" Pinkie said as she stared to get excited.
"I don't want to talk about it." Vector said taking an aggressive chomp on the cookie. His foot was starting to beat rapidly on the ground.
But Pinkie didn't take the hint as she went on with her story, "But then I met the girls at this awesome town fair! That's when I knew we would all be friends!"
"Would you just drop it!" Vector growled shooting Pinkie a harsh glare that caused the girl to shrink back. Caesar's eyes glowed as the guardian's voice shouted in his head causing Vector to wince. When he recovered from the sudden headache he looked at the slightly dampened eyes of Pinkie Pie. His eyes softened and he let out a sigh. "Sorry Pinkie, I didn't me to snap like that."
It only took a millisecond for Pinkie's mood to shift, "It's okay Vecinoator!"
"Will you just call me Vector." He said with a twitching eye, "And why are you happy again? I just yelled at you."
"What's the point of being mad at someone after they apologize." Pinkie said with her usual smile.
"Well at least that saves the speeches." Vector said with a shrug. Caesar's eyes shined again giving Vector another headache, "She said she wasn't mad! What do you mean? But it's...ugh...fine, fine! I swear it's like having Hikari in my head."
Pinkie looked at Vector confused as he started having a conversation with himself. Then she recalled what Vector had told them, "Are you talking to your kaiju! That's so cool!" She said as her eyes looked like they were glowing from excitement.
"No it's not." Vector grumbled rubbing his temples.
He then let out a small sigh looking at Pinkie. "Pinkie, look the reason I got so angry was because I didn't have the best childhood growing up. It wasn't a friend thing, well it kind of was, especially when I was in middle school. But well things were... I was just so angry....I'm still angry....I..."
Vector was cut off by the tight hug Pinkie suddenly placed him in. His eyes were wide by the sudden contact. She looked at him with a smile. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it right now. But when you are I'm here."
"You're a weird person." Vector said.
Pinkie giggled and squeezed him tighter, "I'm your friend silly."
"Friend?" Vector's face started to turn red.
"Well duh!" Pinkie giggled, "You said you wouldn't let Kuro and Midnight get us. So that makes you a friend."
"Oh." Vector said looking down in thought. He felt something strange in his chest. Something he hadn't felt since meeting the G-team. His face became hotter and he quickly pushed Pinkie away clearing his throat. "Well I said I would protect you guys and I would be a real jerk if I didn't hold that promise."
________________________________________________________________________
"Pinkie please let go." Vector said.
"But what if something bad happens." Pinkie said with sniffles, "What if you get hurt."
"I won't." Vector calmly said as he began pushing Pinkie's arms away, "I'm supposed to be the one protecting you guys not the other way around. Besides you need to rescue your friends and figure a way out of here. As soon as that happens Bone Crusher can give me a signal and I'll make a break for it."
Pinkie still sniffled and looked at Vector with worry. Rarity and Fluttershy held the same looks of protest on their faces.
"What am I a broken record?" Vector turned his head to look at Rarity and Fluttershy, "I'll come back."
Bone Crusher put a hand on his shoulder getting Vector's attention. The two brothers stared into each others eyes. The silent communication they shared was tense. Finally Vector gave a confident nod to his brother. Bone Crusher sighed before grabbing the girls. Fluttershy and Pinkie he managed to keep under his arm and he held Rarity over his shoulders. All three began protesting and struggling under Bone Crusher's python like arms. He gave Vector a nod of confidence that was also mixed with some worry.
"If you don't come back I'm selling all of your comics." With that he took off running with the girls leaving Vector alone with Gloriosa.
She snarled like a wild animal but it then started to turn into a haunting laugh, "That was very naughty camper."
King Caesar's eyes shinned and Vector shook his head, "Yeah that did sound super creepy." Vector readied himself as Gloriosa started to stalk toward him. He studied her movements finding that her steps were shaky like a drunk try to keep their footing. Caesar spoke in Vector's head, "So she's only standing because of this really weird aura. Talk about cheap."
"You need a time out." Gloriosa began to glow.
Caesar's eyes shined, "Already working on that!" Vector shouted moving like a cat.
Just in time as numerous roots broke from where he had been standing. He broke into a sprint as roots began making their way out of the ground. He slid under one that was going for his body. Vector went to all fours then to an immediate hand stand he pushed off the ground landing back on his feet. Vector started to run again he looked over his shoulder and found Gloriosa chasing after him. The first part of his plan was working all he could do now was hope she would play along with it. He started to sprit quickly toward the cafeteria.
Gloriosa roared as she chased after the naughty camper. He needed to be punished for what he did. There's no violence allowed in Camp Everfree. He needed a sever punishment. Her jaw felt as though it was about to fall of and her head still ached from the blow. The orange geode around her neck started to glow and her strength started to return. Gloriosa started to get faster as she felt her muscles getting tighter. More adrenaline pumped through her body dulling her sense of pain. Her body starting to levitate off the ground Gloriosa gave chase to Vector letting out a chilling laugh.
"Get back here naughty boy!"
"Hey look, I have a really dirty mind, so you might want to stop feeding me one liners." Vector called over his shoulder.
"Pervert." Gloriosa said with a red face.
Vector started running faster feeling the ground under his feet shaking. He jumped at the breaking ground nearly getting caught by the incoming root. Gloriosa sneered at this and increased her speed trying to catch Vector. She grabbed him by the shirt and Vector's instinct kicked in. He spun grabbing Gloriosa by the forearm with a great amount of strength he flipped Gloriosa over him and slammed her onto the ground. She had wide eyes and rolled out of the way in time of his stomping foot. She stood back up but was still dazed by the sudden attack. Which gave Vector the advantage.
He elbowed Gloriosa in the solar plexus. She started to fall back coughing and trying to catch her breath. Vector kicked her in the ribs causing Gloriosa to cry out in pain. She backed up further and found herself on the door of the cafeteria. Vector smiled then rushed Gloriosa slamming her through the door. The two rolled across the floor Vector did his best to keep her pinned under him, but the orange geode around her neck started to glow. Vector felt himself being pushed back and thrown off Gloriosa skidding across the ground. He looked up and found Gloriosa standing up with a harsh sneer directed at him.
"You shouldn't hit your camp counselor." Gloriosa growled.
"And you shouldn't kidnap teenagers." Vector shot back as he got back to his feet.
Caesar's eyes began to glow causing Vector's eyes to widen. He looked at the geodes around her neck noticing that one of the geodes was glowing brighter than the others. Gloriosa let out a roar lifting up a table with one hand and tossed it aside. His eyes widened at this he was starting to understand how her powers worked. Her strength was greater due to one of those rocks, but it didn't look like they made her a better fighter. Vector moved carefully watching Gloriosa.
Gloriosa quickly charged at Vector her hands ready to grab him. He dodged out of the way of her attack. She stopped herself from being tripped up and spun to attack him again. Vector continued to dodge out of the way. She missed every time making her growl even more. She then tried kicking at him just for Vector to catch her leg. He grunted from just how much force was behind the kick, but he still managed to keep a tight grip. Vector quickly used Gloriosa's momentum against her and tossed her into a table smashing it to pieces. She moaned and clutched her head.
"Maybe take some karate lessons." Vector said cracking his neck, "This is kind of unfair. I mean I've been trained in martial arts and well you're just a rando. Like have you actually been in a fight before?"
Gloriosa groaned trying to pick herself up.
"You know what don't answer that." Vector said as he began getting to work.
He closed the door to the kitchen locking it. He quickly began running around making sure everything was closed. Once it looked like the kitchen was sealed Vector ran to where Pinkie had been cooking finding the flour she was using. Luckily for him the bags were industrial sized. He smiled ripped open a bag and let the flour spill out into the air. He opened several more bags and let the flour spill into the kitchen.
Gloriosa began to glow and her eyes snapped open. She snarled rising back up only to start coughing. She looked around and found that the room was filled with flour. Vector began to step away holding another bag of flour and spilling it in front of her. He held a smile as he walked toward the pantry.
"Hey quick question." Vector began to move items until he found what he was looking for. "Have you ever heard of dust explosion?"
Vector stepped away from the pantry holding a box of matches.
______________________________________________
Bone Crusher sighed as as the girls continued to punch and kick him. It was already weighing heavily on him that he had just let Vector go off on his own. The girls yelling at him wasn't making things easier but for now he would just have to have faith in his little bro. Besides Vector was a pretty fierce fighter. In fact his way of doing things was kind of terrifying to him.
"Bone Crusher, put us down!" Pinkie yelled as she kept struggling.
"Please what if Vector is in trouble." Fluttershy pleaded.
"We have to trust Vector with this." Bone Crusher said.
"You just want us to leave our friend behind?!" Rarity shouted as she kicked her legs around. Her hands started to glow, "I'm sorry but I can't do that!"
Her hands ignited and a diamond appeared in front of Bone Crusher. He crashed right into it along with Pinkie and Fluttershy. Rarity let out a small yelp from the diamond hitting her rear. The three let out groans as Bone Crusher slid down the side of the diamond. Rarity let out a small cough and laugh as her cheeks reddened. "Did I make another one of those diamond thingys?"
"Uh huh." All three groaned.
"Whoops." Rarity said, "But I'm glad you stopped."
"There was an easier way to do that." Bone Crusher groaned.
Fluttershy and Pinkie stood up joining Rarity in looking at the downed Bone Crusher. He sat up testing to see if his nose was bleeding he found the girls looked like they were ready to gang up on him. He sighed, "Look I know you're all are worried, but going back there will make things worse."
"And leaving Vector to Gloriosa is better?!" Rarity asked Pinkie and Fluttershy nodded their heads in agreement.
"So you'd rather leave your friends trapped?" Bone Crusher said looking at the girls with a serious expression, "Girls, Vector is putting his life on the line so we can rescue the others."
Rarity couldn't think of the right words to say she had so many conflicting thoughts running through her head. Pinkie had tears running down her face. Fluttershy was trembling, "We just don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Then trust him." Bone Crusher said, "The sooner we rescue everyone the sooner we get back to Vector. Besides you saw him fight, Vector can take care of himself."
The girls still looked downcast and he sighed picking himself up. He gave them a small smile, "Look he may not show it, but Vector cares about you girls. It would kill him if something bad happened to any of you."
Rarity took a breath touching Fluttershy and Pinkie on the shoulder. She pulled them in and whispered something into their ears. They looked at her surprised then started whispering back to her. Bone Crusher raised his eyebrow at what was going on between the girls. They finally broke apart each nodding in agreement.
"Okay, Bone Crusher, let's go get the girls." Rarity said.
"What was that huddle about?" Bone Crusher asked.
"Nothing." All three said at once.
"Akiko is so gonna kill me." Bone Crusher said with a sigh, "Let's just go."
He and the girls quickly ran to where their friends had been captured. They quickly made it and found several wooden cocoons. One cocoon was shaking and they could hear the mumbling shouts of Aria. Fluttershy had red cheeks when she heard some of what Aria was screaming. She was silently glad that the middle Siren was stuck in there. Bone Crusher quickly ran to the cocoons knocking on the wood.
"Hey Aria do me favor and start using PG language." Bone Crusher said.
"Bone Crusher?" Aria called out, "GET ME THE FU..."
"PG! Aria! PG!" Bone Crusher said.
"Oh I'm sorry. I'm just stuck in a tree!" Aria sarcastically shot back.
"Just calm down and give me a minute." Bone Crusher said before looking at the girls, "Let's check on the others."
"Bone Crusher is that you?!" A familiar southern accent called out. The sound of crunching wood could be heard and the group found Applejack letting out small grunts. She was half way out of the cocoon that was holding her. With a grunt she pulled on the roots holding her in place and it broke apart. She kicked and broke another piece of wood. "Mind givein me a hand here!"
"Okay let me try something." Rarity said as her hands started to glow. Diamonds started to form around Applejack much to the girl's shock. Rarity pulled her hands apart and the diamonds stretched out pushing against the roots freeing Applejack's hands. With one final push Rarity snapped the roots apart. Applejack dropped to the ground with a huff and she placed her hat back on.
"Thanks." She said with a huff of breath.
"How did you end up like that?" Fluttershy asked.
"Not all to sure myself." Applejack said flexing her hand a small glow came across it, "I was trying to help Sonata get out those over grown weeds I broke a couple of them, but then ended up getting caught myself."
"It might be those powers you girls have." Bone Crusher said rubbing his chin.
"Must have been." Applejack said.
"Well I hate to save you and put you to work, but think you can help get the others out?" Bone Crusher said.
"Would have even if ya hadn't asked." Applejack said with a wink and nod.
Bone Crusher gave an approving nod before working on breaking Aria free. Applejack ran to another cocoon and quickly started breaking it apart with relative ease. Meanwhile Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity hung back taking small glances at each other.
"You think we should let Applejack and Rainbow Dash come with us?" Fluttershy whispered.
"Of course Vector's their friend too." Pinkie said.
"Well we could convince Rainbow, but Applejack is another story. You know how she feels about lying." Rarity said looking cautiously at Applejack.
Applejack grunted as she began to push the wooden cocoon apart revealing a surprised Sonata. The younger Siren smiled when she saw the farmer immediately rushed out. When Pinkie saw Sonata she lit up and the two quickly embraced in a tight hug.
"I thought I was gonna be turned into tree person." Sonata said before gasping when she looked at her ponytail and found several splinters inside of it, "OMG! It's already started! I'm gonna be a tree!"
Pinkie gasped when she saw the wood on Sonata and held her friend closely, "Don't worry Sonata I'll take care of you. I'll water you everyday and make sure you get plenty of sun."
"I'm gonna live in a pot for the rest of my life!" Sonata said as tears fell from her face like a water fall.
Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack stood by with blank faces as they watched the two girls cry.
"Um...Sonata you're not." Fluttershy tried to speak but Sonata kept wailing.
"I'm made of wood!"
"But you're not." Fluttershy said.
"Wood!" The two cried.
"The only thing made of wood is your brain!" An annoyed voice roared.
Sonata's cries of sorrow turned into cries of pain. She fell to her knees clutching her head. A huge lump formed on the top of her head. She looked to find Aria standing over her cracking her knuckles. Pinkie appeared next flailing her arms wildly, "Aria, are you crazy? Sonata's a wood person now you may have just split her in half!"
Aria rolled her eyes and grabbed Pinkie's lips making her worried cries turn into mumbling gibberish. She then pulled on Sonata's hair making her cry out and stand to her feet. Sonata whipped around with angry eyes. Aria held up the sticks that were sticking out of her hair. "You're not turning into a tree dingus."
Sonata looked at the wood then back to Aria, "I'm not?"
"NO!" Aria said with an annoyed roar.
The gears were turning in Sonata and Pinkie's heads. The girls sounded like old computers starting to boot up again. Finally Sonata's eyes widen and she cheered before tackling Aria into a hug along with Pinkie. The middle Siren groaned as the two squeezed her. "I'm not made of wood!"
"You're a genius Aria!" Pinkie said.
"I'm surrounded by idiots." Aria groaned.
"Is everyone okay?" Bone Crusher asked running up to the girls.
Aria gave him an annoyed scowl, "Is it too late to go back in the cocoon?"
"Um helllllooooo!" A voice raspy voice called out. The girls and Bone Crusher found a final wooden cocoon that was shaking around violently, "I know you're all having fun but do you mind getting me out of here?!!"
"Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked.
"No it's Santa Claus!" Rainbow answered.
"Really!" Pinkie Pie shot up with wide eyes.
A long groan came from the cocoon, "It's me Pinkie!"
"Hang on, Dash Bow, I'll get you out." Bone Crusher said.
"B-B-Bone Crusher!" Rainbow suddenly started stammer.
"Just sit tight I'll have you out of there in no time." Bone Crusher began to push and punch and the wooden cocoon. Unware of the small giggle fit that was going on inside of it. Applejack pushed her hat up while rolling up her selves. She rushed to Bone Crusher's side the two just exchanged nods before tearing into the wood. Bone Crusher was starting to tear into the wood recalling some of his martial arts training.
While Applejack simply used her enhanced strength rip away at the wood like it was made of paper. She impressed herself with how much stronger she was and with her friends around she could herself getting stronger. Then there was the thought that they were all in danger. The farm girl felt her body starting to grow brighter shocking everyone. Her ears changed shape and place her body grew denser. Her hair started to grow longer. She grit her teeth and the roots started to feel like paper in her hands.
Bone Crusher took a step back looking at Applejack as she started to transform. With one last yell Applejack ripped the roots apart. Everyone let out a cheer of astonishment and joy from Applejack's feat of strength. Although Applejack didn't have time to be impressed with herself when a rainbow blur flew out of the roots and tackled her to the ground. She yelped when felt something touching her chest.
"Thank you so much for saving me, Bone Crusher." Rainbow Dash said with a slight exaggeration to her voice. She continued to rub her head into 'Bone Crusher's' chest. She let out happy coos as her face reddened. 'He's so much softer than I remember. But who cares!'
"Um....Dash Bow?" Bone Crusher asked.
Rainbow lifted her head with a happy smile. She was met with a red faced Applejack. She then looked over finding her friends looking at her and snickering, Aria and Rarity more than anyone else. Bone Crusher cleared his throat stepping up to her from behind he smiled at them.
"I'm over here."
She yelped turning into a rainbow blur getting off of Applejack and stood in front of her friends. She slid her finger across her throat while snarling at them. She then turned around and cleared her throat, "Right I...totally knew that....I was just testing you....to make sure you were being vigilant!" Rainbow began to stammer as her face got hotter.
"Coulda fooled me." Applejack mumbled clutching her chest.
"Look, Dash Bow, you can feel up your girlfriend later." Bone Crusher said.
"Girl what?!" Rainbow and Applejack said with red faces.
"Where's Celestia and Luna?" Bone Crusher asked ignoring the two girls.
"Now just hold on a sec..." Rainbow tried blurting out.
"Oh I know! Follow me!" Sonata giddily said and took off.
"Hold it there are some rotten..." Before Applejack could finish her sentence Aria cut in.
"No you don't kelp for brains." The middle siren grabbed Sonata by the collar, "They're this way."
"No they're not!" Sonata shot back.
Bone Crusher groaned, "Girls we don't have for time for this! So, no offense Sonata, but I'm trusting Aria with this because she's smarter than you."
"Yeah she is." Sonata said looking at Aria, "Lead the way Riri."
Aria lead the way with Bone Crusher trailing behind her. Rainbow and Applejack were calling out trying to get Bone Crusher's attention both of their faces red as cherries. With the distraction Rarity looked to Pinkie and Fluttershy all three girls nodded. Before Rainbow and Applejack could chase after Bone Crusher Rarity grabbed them both.
"Ladies we have much more important task at the moment." Rarity said.
The girls quickly explained the situation to Applejack and Rainbow Dash.
"He's doing what!?" Rainbow exclaimed.
"I knew Vector was short a few seeds!" Applejack said.
"He was trying to protect us." Fluttershy said with downcast eyes.
"By getting himself killed!" Rainbow Dash shot back.
"That's why we wanted to ask you two." Rarity said looking at her two friends with serious eyes, "Are you willing to help us go get him?"
"Well duh!" Rainbow Dash said with her usual eagerness, "Vector may be a perverted jerk, but he's our perverted jerk."
Her charisma was infectious causing Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy to smile with her. The only exception was Applejack, who was watching Bone Crusher be led further away. She then looked back to her friends and noticed Rainbow was getting ready to take off.
"Now just hold your horses Dash." Applejack said before looking at the other three, "What about Bone Crusher? Should we really leave him to get Celestia and Luna by himself while we go runnin off to save Vector? He says he trust Vector to do this...so maybe we should too."
Rainbow Dash stopped at the mention of Bone Crusher. Rarity and Fluttershy looked ready to speak up but to their surprise Pinkie was the one to stand up to Applejack. "We do trust Vector. He's way better at this than us. But still...." Pinkie had small tears running down her face, "He's our friend! Vector's never had friends before. We're the first people to ever accept him. So how can we just let him get hurt."
"Pinkie." Applejack said softly her pony hers flopping down. The farm girl started to recall her transformation to save Rainbow Dash. It was all because her friend was in danger and she refused to leave her behind. She just couldn't leave a friend in need behind. She gripped her fist tightly trying to think of the right thing to do.
Although she didn't have much to time think when the ground started to shake. It was then followed by a loud boom. The girls gasped when they saw a large ball of fire and smoke rising the cafeteria.
Even Bone Crusher stopped to look over his shoulder notching the ball of smoke. He grit his teeth, "Vector, what are you doing?"
______________________________________________________________
Vector groaned and coughed up some of the dirt that entered his mouth, "That was defiantly a bad idea."
He took a breath and tried to stand up nearly cutting himself on some of the glass on the ground. He looked at the broken window he jumped out of. The inside of the cafeteria was ablaze. He breathed a sigh, "But effective."
King Caesar's eyes shined.
"Yes, that was my only option." Vector said looking at the burning fires coldly, "You've been in my head, Caesar. You know I've done worse."
Caesar's eyes shined again making Vector sigh.
"It was the only way, Caesar. She wasn't going stop." Vector said, "Besides you said her aura was getting stronger so odds are she's going to end up pulling a Midnight. So let's just get going before she starts moving again."
Vector started to walk, but the world felt like it was spinning. He coughed and started to get his sense of smell back. The smoke clung to his clothing causing him to cough even more. He clicked his tongue and pressed forward, "Hikari is going to get on my case about this."
The sound of crashing wood caught his attention he turned his head and only saw the burning building. He sighed and kept walking. Caesar's eyes quickly shined sending a warning message to Vector. His eyes widened just as he felt the ground beneath him rumbling. He quickly jumped out of the way just as the ground burst revealing two hands clawing their way out of the ground. Vector landed only a few feet away huffing. He dropped to a knee taking slow breathes to conserve his energy. His world was still spinning and one of his ears was still ringing. He felt a pain in his right knee. Overall fighting was going to be much harder along with running. His options to deal with the rising body coming out of the ground were limited.
Gloriosa clawed her away out of the ground letting out mad screams mixed with roars. The tips of her hair were slightly singed along with her right shoulder. She looked around wildly and snarled as she pulled herself out of the hole she emerged from. The geodes glowed darkly encasing her body in a sickly green aura that rose with her anger. Her eyes then fell upon the burning building. Her lip quivered and her roars died down. Her breathing became sharper as she watched the fire engulf the cafeteria.
"Mommy!" Gloriosa said reaching a hand out to the burning building, "Mommy, I'll make it better! I swear I'll make it better Mommy!"
He watched Gloriosa closely as she started to break down in front of him. Vector took advantage of it. Gloriosa was fully fixated on the burning cafeteria unware of him. Running was not option with his lungs and bad knee. He needed to conserve his energy. He took a breath and slowly started to back away from her. He didn't stand he kept all pressure off his knee. He made sure to breath softly. Although he didn't mange to make it that far.
Gloriosa's head snapped in his direction. Tears fell from her snarling face as she glared daggers at Vector. She rose up the sickly green aura around her grew as she began to levitate. Vector swallowed a nervous gulp as he looked at Gloriosa.
"So how was the trip to boom city?" Vector said while gathering dirt in his hands.
Gloriosa let out a screeching roar and charged. Vector moved fast throwing dirt into her face. She stopped with a grunt rubbing at her eyes. Vector took advantage of this and moved quickly into a sprint. His knee screamed at him, but he brushed off the pain. He moved quickly taking in as much air as he could. Gloriosa ripped the her eyes open and slammed her fist into the ground. Energy surged through the earth.
Caesar's eyes shinned trying to warn Vector, but his body was moving much slower. He jumped out of the way of an incoming root that speared out of the ground. It just missed his gut and instead grazed his ribs. He grit his teeth from the pain. He feel on his back and scrambled to get back up. Vector's eyes widened when he heard another warning from Caesar. The root had turned midair and came straight at him. The young scientist didn't have time to move when it wrapped itself around his ankle.
Before he knew it Vector was off the ground. Then the air quickly rushed into his face before he was slammed into the ground. He cried out in pain when he lost feeling his right arm. The root continued to drag him across the ground and to the angry face of Gloriosa. She stomped on his chest causing him to groan in pain. Gloriosa's response was an animalistic growl, "You destroyed my camp! You're just like everyone else!" She continued to stomp on Vector's chest her eyes glowing madly, "I won't let you take it! I'll kill you! Kill you! Kill You! KILL YOU!"
She raised her foot ready to crush the boy's sternum. Suddenly she felt a pain in the back of her neck causing her to cry out. She grabbed the back of her neck trying to get at the itching pain. Buzzing filled her ears and the dark counselor found herself being swarmed by a horde of mosquitoes. She screamed in rage as they swarmed around her. She began swatting at them wildly. She stepped away from Vector trying in vain to get away from the insects only to step into a freshly dug hole.
Gloriosa fell face first into the ground. She looked up with an angry growl that then turned into a confused grunt. In front of her were two gophers, who appeared to be chuckling at her. They turned and started to shovel dirt into her face. She spit and sputtered lashing out at the rodents. They scurried off still chuckling at her. She snarled trying to stand back up.
"On your left!"
Gloriosa suddenly found herself caught up in a rainbow tornado. She barely keep her balance as the wind picked up around her. She also found it harder to move her arms. She looked down and found a chain of diamonds wrapping around her arms. The rainbow disappeared and Gloriosa stumbled around trying to regain her footing.
"Psst! Hey Gloriosa."
She found the bubbly face of Pinkie Pie looking at her with her usual cheerful smile. She held out a plate of cookies, that she pulled from some where, and a jar of sprinkles that were glowing brightly.
"I would say sorry but you've been hurting my friend." Pinkie's smile turned into an angry sneer, "So face my sugary wrath!"
"Wha-" Gloriosa was caught up in a pink explosion. She was knocked off her feet and dazed. She wanted to be angry yet that explosion smelled like fresh cookie dough so anger quickly turned into confused hunger. She also found herself covered in frosting and sprinkles.
"Hold still Sugar Cube!" A southern accent called out.
She turned and had wide eyes. The root that was clinging to Vector's ankle was crushed under a boot. A surprised Vector was aided to his feet by a smiling Applejack. Her pony ears flipping around. Next to her was a worried Fluttershy, although Vector was looking at the yellow wings sprouting out of her back. She was surrounded by a swarm of mosquitos and two chattering gophers.
"What are you doing here?" Vector said trying to move only to clutch his broken arm.
"That's what we get for coming to save your scrawny butt!" Rainbow Dash called out as she hovered above the others. Her blue wings flapped with ease making her smile like a child with a new toy. Her ears twitched in anticipation.
"Sorry Vector but..." Fluttershy gently walked toward Vector taking him gently his shoulder.
"...What kind of friends would we be if we left you alone darling?" Rarity appeared behind him. Her tail wagging with a small smile on her face.
"You and the G-team have done so much for us, so know it's time we return the favor." Pinkie said bouncing in between Rarity and Vector in an explosion of confetti. The girls all took a protective stance around Vector all know fully ponied up. Each of them giving a slight glow that resembled a rainbow.
"You girls are idiots." Vector said with a pained sigh.
"And you're a denser than a mule." Applejack said.
"A total pervert!" Rainbow Dash said.
"A snob." Rarity said.
"You can be kind of rude." Fluttershy quietly said.
"Basically you're kind of a stick in the mud, Vecy." Pinkie said, "But that doesn't matter because...."
Vector was wide eyed as the girls all shared beaming smiles directed at him.
"You're our friend!" They all said at once.
Vector felt a warm feeling in his chest and a tear forming in his eye. It felt weird having people who weren't his family standing up for him. Fluttershy caught his teary eyes and looked at him with a worried expression.
"Vector are you okay?"
"Dude are you seriously crying?" Rainbow Dash said trying to hold in a laugh.
The others started looking at him making Vector blush and tried to brush off Fluttershy, "Shut up! I'm not crying! I'm just so angry that my eyes are watering!"
"Sure you are Sugar Cube." Applejack chuckled her tail wagging behind her.
"No one's going to judge you, Vecy! Rainbow cried when we started forgiving each other after all that Sunset Shimmer stuff." Pinkie said making Rainbow redder than a cherry.
A loud roar caught the girls and Vector's attention. Gloriosa was back on her feet the orange geode around her neck glowing brightly as her arms moved and struggled in the diamonds binding her. With a loud screaming roar she broke free of Rarity's diamonds. She huffed looking at everyone with wild eyes.
Vector tensed up and tried putting himself in front of the girls only for his injuries to stop him. Pain raced through his body. He could barely keep pressure on his left ankle his brain was telling him it was sprained. His chest was throbbing from being stomped on he wouldn't be surprised if he had a cracked sternum. Then there was his right arm even lifting it was out of the question.
King Caesar's eyes shinned telling Vector what he already knew.
"Shut up Caesar! I can keep going." Vector managed to huff.
"Hold it Vecy!" Rainbow flew into his face sticking a finger into his chest, "We didn't just rescue just so you could go and hurt yourself again."
"Rainbow this lady isn't in her right mind." Vector tried to explain.
"Not our first time handlin a bit of crazy." Applejack said as she started cracking her knuckles.
"Compared to everything else we've been through this Poison Ivy ripoff is nothing." Rainbow Dash said, "Now go tell Bone Crusher we figured a way out of here. AJ and I got this."
Vector looked at Rainbow Dash confused until Fluttershy chimed in, "We told Rainbow and Applejack about your plan. I came up with a better one."
Loud chittering caused Fluttershy to tense up and smile at the two gophers at her feet.
"I'm sorry I meant we."
Vector raised an eyebrow at this making Fluttershy blush and twiddle her fingers.
"My powers let me talk to animals. So I asked Reginald and Jasper if they would dig a hole out for us." She pointed to the gophers and much to his surprise the two rodents actually waved at him. One of the gophers began squeaking at Fluttershy causing her to jolt up and look down at him, "Yes, Reginald I'll give you all the nuts you can eat once this is over."
"Now go on and git. Dash Bow and I have some work to do." Applejack said with narrowed eyes.
"Heck we might be done here by the time you guys make it out." Rainbow Dash said with her usual cocky smile.
Rarity held a hand out and created several diamonds around Vector. She gently pushed him down them and much to his surprise they hovered off the ground. She smiled at him sweetly before looking to Pinkie Pie, "Pinkie go get Bone Crusher and please tell him how sorry we are."
"Oki dokey loki." Pinkie said with a salute before taking off in pink blur.
"Now then I believe it's time we run off, Fluttershy darling." Rarity said.
She and Fluttershy began to run off towing Vector along the way. Seeing this caused Gloriosa to roar in outrage. She chased after the trio only for Applejack and Rainbow Dash to tackle her to the ground.
"Sorry but we're your dance partners now!" Applejack said, "Get goin Dash Bow."
"On it." Rainbow began to beat her wings and with Applejack beating her foot off the ground with tremendous force the trio took off in a rainbow streak.
This gave Vector, Fluttershy, and Rarity some breathing room as they started rushing toward the wooden wall that imprisoned them. As Vector was carried away he couldn't help but think back to his youngers years and his conversations with Miki. He ran a hand through his hair. Both Fluttershy and Rarity were speaking to him about how everything was going to be okay, but he sighed. A bitter smile crossing his face.
"When I was a kid always wanted to be hero." He spoke softly, "That really was just a stupid dream."
"Vector what are you talking about?" Fluttershy asked.
"Look at me. Broken body parts and being rescued by gophers." Vector sighed, "Some hero."
Rarity looked at Vector in disbelief, "Are you being serious right now?!"
Vector shot a tearful glare at Rarity, "Rarity how often do you have to be pulled out of scrapes by your big sister?! Or how many times have you nearly gotten the people you cared about killed?! All my life I tried to be a hero, but I just end up screwing things up. Dad was right about me." He then looked to the glowing necklace, "It's true Caesar and you know it. You chose the wrong guy."
Rarity looked down in feeling a pain in her heart. Vector's life was truly a mystery even Pinkie couldn't get much out of him. Yet she could still see years of pain crossing his face. She couldn't form the right words to comfort him or if he would even accept what she had to say. So it surprised her when the normally shy and timid girl jumped onto her diamond and wrapped Vector into a tight hug.
"You big dummy." Fluttershy said with red cheeks that she rested on his back. She wrapped her arms around his stomach while her ponytail wrapped itself around them, "You are a hero."
"Flutter-"
"Be quiet!" Fluttershy's sharp statement caught both Rarity and Vector off guard. "You put your life on the line just to protect us. You're like this because you were protecting us. Your dad is just a big meanie and he doesn't know anything about you."
"Well said Fluttershy." Rarity said. 'And not a bad move.'
A coy smile crossed her face as she looked at the embrace Fluttershy held Vector in.
"I'm sorry if this is to heavy for you Rarity." Fluttershy sheepishly said as she let go of Vector.
"Oh don't worry darling. You just keep enjoying yourself." Rarity said with a wink that made Fluttershy blush. She was just now realizing the situation she put herself in. A small squeak escaped her mouth.
Vector gently touched her hand making Fluttershy's face grow redder, "Fluttershy."
"Y-Y-Yes?" She barely managed to stammer out.
Caesar's eyes shinned brightly and Vector's eyes widened in response, "GET DOWN!"
The wooden wall that was their cage suddenly exploded in a ball of dust as a screaming roar echoed. Rarity put a dome of diamonds around them. A deafening roar rocked the teenagers eardrums as the dust blinded all of them. A screaming roar caused them to look up and found a large insect being flung over their heads. Rarity couldn't make out what was going until she felt like a bus rammed into her body. Her dome echoed from a great force crashing into it. Rarity screamed as it felt like her bones were being rattled. She dropped to a knee her nose bleeding from the strain. She wanted to drop the dome right then and there, but noticed the scaly foot hovering her and her friends heads. It crashed down again and Rarity cried out this time her arms felt like they were going numb.
She gasped from both effort and shock. A massive glowing eye stared down at her, a panting maw rained drool down on them as a grey foot raised itself.
Further away Rainbow Dash and Applejack were shocked. The wooden dome they were trying to escape from burst open and Mothra came through it. She landed in the lake and had yet to crawl out. Now standing in the hole was the spiked form of Anguirus. His roars echoing and hurting their eardrums even from this distance. His eyes glowed a maddening red as he continued to howl in terrifying rage before bring his paw down into the ground.
A crazed laugh from Gloriosa pulled them back to their previous task. The two had Gloriosa backed into the tents they had done a fair job of managing to keep her at bay. Even if it did destroy their tents and scatter their luggage something they'd have to apologize to Rarity about later. Smashed bits of wood and shattered tents hung across their battlefield. Each girl was sporting a bruise from breaking each other out of Gloriosa's endless roots.
Now she was laughing like a mad woman looking past them and to Anguirus, "Make them hurt!"
"She's really off the deep end." Rainbow whispered.
"That's where Rarity and the others were runnin." Applejack said as she continued to watch Anguirus pummel the ground.
"I'll make it all better Mommy! I'll keep our home safe!" Gloriosa said as her eye twitched and started to glow along with the yellow geode. The girls watched this and then looked back to Anguirus as he punched the ground. Gloriosa's eyes became red.
"MAKE THEM PAY!"
GAOOOOOO
Anguirus brought his paw to it's full height before crashing it into the ground. The girls felt the earthquake as a cloud of dirt rushed toward the duo. Her eyes widened Rainbow acted quickly grabbing Applejack's arm. She took off leaving a rainbow streak behind. She looked down and noticed Gloriosa was stationary a smile on her face as the dust cloud consumed her. Rainbow felt a pit form in her stomach at leaving Gloriosa behind.
"Worry about her later, Rainbow." Applejack said although Rainbow caught the hesitation in her voice, "The others were down there."
Rainbow Dash had fearful eyes, "You don't think they're...."
Before Rainbow Dash could finish her sentence the dust around Anguirus's foot broke apart. A yellow blur came out moving as fast as it could. "Fluttershy!" Rainbow gripped Applejack tightly and flew straight toward the towering titan. Anguirus turned his head noticing the small forms running from him. He snarled lifting his paw up to swat them down.
"Rainbow!" Applejack cried out.
"I see him!" Rainbow responded speeding herself up. They got closer to the massive dinosaur as he prepared to swat their friends down like flies. "Hey AJ, remember when you tried out for the soccer team?"
"You mean when I kicked the ball into your ma's car?" Applejack said a bead of sweat running down her face.
"Yeah do that again!" Rainbow Dash said as she sped right at the walking mountain.
"Woah nelly!" Applejack cried out as she held onto her hat.
As they got closer the hot breath of Anguirus hit them nearly knocking Rainbow out of the sky. She beat her wings to get better air. As they got closer the girls spotted the yellow blur that was Fluttershy. She was starting to slow down even after such an incredible burst. She held Rarity and Vector in her hands. The two looked worn down and their combined weight was clearly taking it's toll on poor Fluttershy's weaker frame. Rainbow narrowed her eyes with friends in danger she couldn't help but speed up in order to protect them. She felt Applejack getting tenser signaling she felt the same. Without saying anything the girls came up with the same plan.
Anguirus was so focused on Fluttershy that he didn't notice the two humans flying closer to his cheek. Applejack gave a nod to Rainbow Dash signaling she was ready. Rainbow flew wide keeping the spot she was aiming for in sight. Applejack took a breath preparing herself for what she was about to do.
"You ready AJ!"
"This ain't no soccer ball, but I can pretend!" Applejack said.
The two dove strait for the side of Anguirus' face. Rainbow gained as much speed as she could while loosening her grip on Applejack. "Here we go!" Rainbow shouted as she threw Applejack straight at the dinosaur. Applejack took a breath as the wind rushed against her face. Her green eyes became steel and she maneuvered herself. The farm girl raised her muscular leg and shouted delivering a highspeed kick to Anguirus. Applejack instantly felt pain rocket through her body. Anguirus was just as hard as he looked.
But to her surprise and joy the monster let out a surprised roar. His head became off balanced and he lost some of his footing. He missed Fluttershy and brought his foot down to steady himself. A pained smile managed to crack across her features as she fell. Luckily Rainbow Dash came in just at the right time catching Applejack's arm.
"Nice one AJ! Woah! You okay!?" Rainbow Dash said seeing the pained look on Applejack's face.
"Leg feels like Granny Smith's Zapp Apple jam, but I can manage." Applejack said. She was just happy they managed to give Fluttershy some extra time to run.
GAOOOO
The low roar caused both girls to stiffen. Anguirus was done stumbling around and was currently looking at those who assaulted him. With a snort he nearly knocked the pair out of the sky. His glowing eyes burned them with hatred.
"So what's your plan now?" Applejack nervously gulped.
"Didn't think that far ahead." Rainbow Dash said with a nervous smile, "Ummmmm......Gee I think I saw whoever kicked you go that way."
Applejack went slacked jawed at Rainbow's lie while the girl smiled pointing in an opposite direction. Rainbow continued to nervously laugh as sweat rained down her face. Anguirus blinked for a moment and turned his head in the direction she was pointing. Rainbow looked down at Applejack with a cheeky smile.
It only lasted for three seconds.
Anguirus looked back at them and roared. Rainbow was thrown back by the sheer amount of air pressure. She could barely keep herself airborne and hold Applejack at the same time. Applejack could barely grip her friends arm as the screeching roar from the titian before them started to rattle her eardrums. The world felt like it was starting to tip. She felt like passing out.
Anguirus raised his paw ready to slash the pair out of the air. When Rainbow and Applejack saw this they screamed. Their lives flashing before their eyes as the ankylosaur brought his claws down.
CHEERRUUNT
The screeching roar stopped Anguirus in his tracks and turned his attention to the lake. Mothra burst from the water and tackled the larger monster away from the girls. Mothra's eyes flashed and pummeled Anguirus with a long atomic burst. He screeched as his faced sizzled he punched Mothra away. The two rolled away from each other before getting back on their feet. Mothra roared attempting to make him back down flaring her wings in a display of power similar to Godzilla. Her body began to glow and mini-Mothras shot from her back. Each the size of a bear. Two flew at the pair of Applejack and Rainbow Dash catching the girls off guard when they grabbed them.
Applejack was surprised by how gentle the two kaiju were. She let go of Rainbow Dash giving her a knowing nod and smile. Rainbow embraced Mothra and the small kaiju held her in a gentle yet tight embrace. Three more quickly managed to reach Fluttershy, Vector, and Rarity. They scared the pink haired girl at first, but a calming roar soothed her. She smiled and nodded her head in understanding. She gently handed over her injured friends to the kaiju before clinging safely to hers.
The final group of Mothras managed to find Bone Crusher and Pinkie's group. He waved a hand at them with the first smile he had the entire day. The moths flew around the group of humans. They could sense life inside of the gazebo and quickly rain downed mystic lightning on the roots. In a matter of seconds they were burned to ash releasing Celestia and Luna. The sisters where a mixed reaction of grateful freedom and fear induced panic attacks at the sight of the monsters fighting so close to them. If it wasn't for Bone Crusher yelling at them to calm down they would have continued.
The moths descended down collecting the remaining humans giving their larger counterpart some breathing room. She flared her wings once more giving several snarls toward to larger Anguirus. He responded by beating his tail on the ground with a mighty roar and stood on his hind legs. His snarls grew more animalistic as his red eyes glowed brighter. His roar was deep and guttural filled with malice that intimidated the younger kaiju. She could tell he was getting worse with each passing moment. She honestly wasn't sure he could be beaten buy any another monster besides Godzilla himself.
Her wounds hurt to the point she felt like passing out. She couldn't tell if her back was wet from the lake water or from the slash wound he left her. She looked at the humans they were managing to escape with the help of her clones through the hole in the dome Anguirus made with her body. As soon as they were clear Mothra lunged at Anguirus incasing her body in magic energy. The flash dash struck Anguirus dead center knocking the wind out of the titanic kaiju.
With a grunt Anguirus carved a trench into the ground grabbing the smaller monster. He held her by the head and slammed her into the ground. Mothra roared as Anguirus kept her pinned under his paws. She broke her body apart and began attacking Anguirus making him screech in pain trying to slash at the tiny moths fluttering around his body. She quickly reformed behind him on a wall. Her wings fluttering as she hissed at him. Anguirus roared beating his tail down to launch himself into the air.
He curled into a ball ready to collide with her. Mothra jumped from the wall letting Anguirus crash through with a heavy grunt. He came out skidding across the ground ripping several trees from the ground. He blew dust away from himself as he looked at the now crumbling wooden dome that surrounded Camp Everfree. Mothra climbed out of the new hole fully spreading her wings. She cried out to him doing her best to keep his attention on her. She knew the humans hadn't gotten that far and Anguirus was getting more out of control.
He was beating the ground like a mad bull with drool raining down his snarling maw. Anguirus was filled with nothing but rage. He didn't see a forest only the rocky hollow tunnels that were his birth place. Surrounding him were the devils that tormented him. They crawled around him biting at his flesh he wanted to crush them all. Yet the largest of them would attack whenever he came close. He snarled at the massive Skull Devil getting ready for another attack.
Mothra watched as Anguirus got ready to strike again. She braced while at the same time trying to get out of this fight without dying. He roared and charged Mothra responded in kind her body lighting with power as she flew at ever increasing speed. They collided head first into each other with enough power to create a sonic boom. Their bodies became entwined in a violent ball of slashes.
..............
Somewhere in the South Pacific
.............
"I wasn't excepting you to be coming so soon." Commander Honda said, "Daiyo!"
A woman stepped up. She wore a floral cloth around her chest that matched the small skirt around her waist. Her black hair was tied back into a ponytail with a flower hair pin. She looked at Honda expression less and ready to take orders. Honda was taking his hat off and settling on his desk. He wore a white military uniform the only color were the metals one his chest. Three scars ran across the left side of his skeletal face from his brow down to his cheek. Part of it was hidden under his eyepatch.
"Get our guest a drink."
She bowed without saying a word before walking to the liquor cabinet in the room. She took a quick glance at the man that was currently standing in the room with them. He was dressed in all black tactical gear, red hair hung loosely around his shoulders, a black mask covered his nose and mouth making his dark eyes the only way to read his emotions. Daiyo blinked at him and he blinked back as she walked passed him. Honda chuckled moving a wooden chair to offer the man a seat.
"Like what you see? You can borrow her if you want. She's very skilled at number of jobs." Honda chuckled looking at Daiyo with predatory eyes as she prepared two glasses of liquor, "Out of all of those savages from that God forsaken island. She truly is something."
"Don't forget who got you those savages." The man finally spoke.
A shiver went down Honda's spine from both the man finally speaking and just how cold his voice was. Honda steadied a gulp trying to mask his nerves around this man. He breathed as the man sat down firmly in the wooden chair. He sat down behind his desk softly chuckling to hide more of his fear, "Of course, Orochi, I would never forget you or Madame Frankenstein's kindness."
"And you still haven't managed to repay her." Orochi said darkly.
"Well that's why I wanted to talk with Madame Frankenstein. Our production hit a minor complication on one of our islands." Honda said.
"Was that complication Godzilla?" Orochi said raising an eyebrow.
Honda went stiff at the mentioning of Godzilla, "S-s-so you already know."
"The lady has ears everywhere."
Honda gulped nearly choking on his fear before speaking up, "First off: Let me just state that the men captured that day won't say anything about our operation."
"I know they won't." Orochi said blankly reaching into his pocket. Honda caught the sound of metal hitting metal before his eyes widened in shock and horror. A handful of dog tags were dropped onto the table. Each of them were covered in dried blood. Honda lost his voice his teeth coming close to chattering.
"T-that wasn't necessary, Orochi. I had already punished the men in charge of that island personally. I even had Madame Frankenstein on the phone when I did it." Honda stammered.
"I know, I was just bored and she wanted me out of the house for awhile." Orochi said shrugging nonchalantly as he leaned in closer, "Honda, here's the thing I really don't care that you managed to piss off Madame Frankenstein. Or that you managed to loose one of our nuclear plants and what were those things called again?"
"Ebriah." A soft voice spoke up. Daiyo walked between the two men placing a two glasses of liquor between them, "Those creatures were called Ebriah."
"Oh yeah Ebriah! I actually liked those things. So maybe I do care a little bit. But anyways the reason Madame Frankenstein sent me out here was to determine if whatever you had to say was worth keeping you alive." Orochi leaned in close to Honda the outline of a thin smile could be seen under his mask. "So what do you have to say?"
Honda was a nervous wreck as sweat dripped down his forward. He could barely hold his glass as he brought it to his lips. He took a quick shot of the liquor letting it calm his nerves. "W-well let me say thank you for giving me this chance."
"Getting bored." Orochi said.
"I can rebuild our nuclear plant!" Honda quickly spoke up. Orochi rose an eyebrow at this and leaned back in his seat motioning for the man to keep going, "We've found a new island far off from Godzilla's normal routes. It's beaming with natural radiation pockets. If started now the program will be well past where we were before the attack."
Orochi hummed to himself pretending to pick dirt out of his nails, "We both know Godzilla's going to find you again. That overgrown gecko never forgets a scent. So let me ask the real question what do you want as a bodyguard?"
"Well I was made aware of the creature you unleashed Skull Island to help gather our 'helpers'. They spoke to great lengths of how it well it preformed there. So with your permission I would like to borrow the M-11...."
A phone rang cutting Honda off. Orochi perked his head up and started looking around. He then felt around his pocket, "Hold that thought for a minute." Orochi pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered. He turned his back nodding his head in understanding.
"Seriously?! If you let me do whatever I want you can just pay me for this job." Orochi said nodding again, "Good, I'm about done here so give me the rest of the details when I get back."
With that Orochi hung up the phone and looked back at Honda, "Look Honda.....What the?"
Honda was slumped over in the chair his eyes whited out and foam dribbling from his mouth. Orochi looked at the dead man shocked before sighing in dismay, "I wanted to do that."
"You're not the one who had to sleep with him." Daiyo spoke coldly looking at Honda in disgust, "It was like having a dying fish bounce on top of me."
"Oh you poor girl." Orochi said with mock concern in his voice as he walked over to the window.
"Oh go choke on a sand paper cock." Daiyo flipped him off, "Besides he said the kill phrase so I had no choice. You know how the Madame gets about disobeying an order."
"Yeah 'kill phrase' not because you just get a kick out of death." Orochi said looking over the base, "Did you at least get the info that island, it sounded interesting."
"Yeah, Yeah, I got it." Daiyo took the black wig off her head revealing long light pink hair with blue tips. She took a flash drive out of it. When Orochi reached out to take it Daiyo pulled it away from him. "What was the phone call about?"
Orochi looked at her briefly before shrugging, "America is having a kaiju problem. A.G.A.F isn't doing enough to assure the president so our lovely lady wants to reassure him with our latest projects."
"Oh sounds like fun.~" Daiyo said licking her lips she gave him the flash drive, "I think I'll come with you."
"Doesn't matter much to me." Orochi said without much care as he opened the window, "How many men are on this island?"
"Just leave the 'helpers' alone." Daiyo said.
"Why?"
Daiyo smiled darkly at him, "A girl isn't complete without her accessories."
"And people say I'm messed up." Orochi said bringing down his mask.
Daiyo took a few steps to get a better look at his face. She'd never seen him without his mask and curiosity was getting the better of her. She kept getting closer an eager smile on her face. Orochi whistled into the night air and pulled his head back into the room. He quickly pulled his mask up and looked back at a disappointed Daiyo. He snorted pointing to his mask, "Sorry, but I'm saving this reveal for a special someone."
Daiyo scoffed and rolled her eyes. She then caught the distinct howls of large hounds, "If you don't want to show then fine. I'll just go watch something more entertaining."
The howls grew louder and were followed by various men outside shouting in fear. Shots started ring out in the night as the soldiers engaged with an invisible army. Howls turned to roars of hunger and shouts turned to screams of terror. Daiyo watched the scene with an amused grin on her face. She then looked back at Orochi as he began walking out of the room.
"Gonna leave a poor girl by herself." Daiyo said with a fake pout mixed with a grin. Orochi didn't respond and walked out of the room. "You could at least tell me who your saving the reveal for!" She called out before shrugging and looking out the window.
Orochi casually walked out of the building he was in. The sounds of carnage and gun fire not getting to him. The only thing that got his attention was the large creature racing toward him. It let out muffled barks due to the arm in its jaw. The face was reptilian yet the creatures thin body was covered in fur. Three clawed paws carried the strange creature toward Orochi. It came to a stop looking at him before dropping the arm in its jaws.
"Thanks for the present, Beta." Orochi said picking up the arm. He tossed it causing Beta to yip and chase after the arm. The strange creature caught the arm before it hit the ground. It looked at Orochi wagging its thick tail. Another of the creatures came from behind Beta and took the arm. This one was much larger with a blue streak running across its back. Beta snarled and gripped the arm tighter but the larger creature stood on thick hind legs raising both itself and Beta off the ground. Beta let go letting out whimpering cackles to the larger creature.
"Blue, quit teasing your brother!" Orochi called out. Blue turned allowing Beta to scurry off with his tail between his legs. Blue walked toward Orochi on its hind legs snarling at him, "Blue, be a good girl."
Blue snarled looking at Orochi hungrily. Orochi stood his ground glaring at the strange creature. Blue's eyes widened she began whimpering going back to all fours. She spread out taking a submissive stance. Orochi snorted before raising a hand a to the creature. "Good girl." He ran a hand across Blue's head. She perked up letting her tongue hang like an excited puppy.
"Now get the pack ready." Orochi said.
Blue rose to an intimidatingly high eight foot height, on her hind legs. She let out a screeching roar that caused the island to go silent. A howl responded to her call followed by another and another. Howls filled the night sky. Orochi chuckled looking at the dark moon.
"It's lizard season."