//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Positive Reinforcement // Story: Rise of the Element Gang, Book 3: Heroes United // by Power of Six //------------------------------// Chapter 17: Positive Reinforcement I knew that this was the end as Black Fang inched me closer and closer to his jaws, the grip of his coils becoming ever tighter until I knew that, from the way my vision was blurring, I would be knocked out from oxygen deprivation, all while the monster feeding off my terror and pain, gorging itself like a great overfed pig. That was why it was drawing this out so long, to get as much of a meal off my emotions as it could before sending me into infinity and from how weak I was now feeling, I knew that wouldn’t take much longer. While death did scare me its entirety, for I feared death as much as anypony, it wasn’t so much the face that my life would be ended, but what I had failed to do. My death would only serve as an example to those who resisted Discord’s reign and to provide food for my killer. We had failed to stop him, failed to save our home, my sins as Diablo Nightfall would be forever unforgiven, and Twilight… I never had the chance to tell her how much she meant to me. Now, she would never know… My vision began to darken… or might be the fact Black Fang was drawing me closer to his glistening black scales, eyes still glowing red against the black, gleaming hungrily, joyously at the pain I was in. This was it… BOOM! Suddenly, the ground began to shake and then ice blasts appeared as they froze some Paraserpents solid and pieces of stone rising from the ground and crushing them along with other that tried to run away. While this happened, the sky—which had been obscured by clouds of candy floss—burst open, ripped apart by a flash of light, and the fiery rays of the sun and jagged bolts of lightning came shooting through it, blinding me and sending shivers down my spine, a sheer sense of awe and fear coursing through my body. Fierce winds blew up, whipping through my mane, thunder boomed and rumbled across the sky, and the stickiness of the chocolate rain was gone, replaced only with the warming beams of the sun, gracing my skin. Like a storm and heat wave were happening all at once, which could only mean one thing… “What?! NO! Impossssssssible!” Black Fang too stared up in terror at this sudden event, hissing with distress and eyes widening dramatically, watching as several of his fellow Paraserpents were struck down with bolts of electricity or disintegrated with beams of fire, their bodies crumbling into ash which was blown away by the gusts of wind that accompanied the heavens being ripped asunder. Seeing a chance to fight back, bolstered by the meaning of this strange force of nature, I reached into my magic and blinded the beast with an orb of light, causing him to loosen his coils. The instant it did this, I struck Black Fang across the face with all my might, making him recoil into a bolt of lightning. Electricity streamed through its body, skeleton shining and eyes popping, until he fell to the ground in a smoking heap. More bolts of lightning accompanied the first, striking down most nearby Paraserpents, all of them writhing and convulsing as they lost control of their nervous systems, their shrieks like the wailing of tortured souls. Despite their evil nature and intent, I still felt a twinge of pity for them at their state and I grimaced to hear their death throes, tearing my eyes away at the sight of them twitching and smoking. Why did this all have to be done with violence? This however, was replaced with relief and amazement when I saw who descended from the sky towards me, bolts blazing from her horn and her expression utterly livid with rage and righteous anger at the monsters. “Vile wretches!” Princess Luna bellowed, striking down a nearby snake with her glittering hoof. “Thou shall never threaten our subjects again, if it is the last thing we do!” “Luna!” I sprinted up to her, at first overjoyed to see her, but I skidded to a halt and turned my gaze to the ground. I had forgotten at first, those memories of her, beneath my vision and crying out as my claws struck her face, feeling every impact they made as they bruised her skin and shattered her bones, all the pain I had caused her. Now, they came flooding back to me, along with the guilt of having been the cause of it. What would she think of me now? How could she even begin to forgive me after what I had done? How could anypony? I had stopped before her as she landed, bowing my head in shame and fear. I waited until she would behold me, expecting her anger to be rivalling, if not equal to, and her fury at Discord’s minions. After all, only an hour ago, I was no different from the rest of them, equally eager and willing to share in the suffering of others, but for my own pleasure in addition to duty to my master. How could she not hate me? But I couldn’t have been more wrong. “Oh, thank the stars!” I felt the warmth of her fur as she embraced me gently. “You do not know how much it gladdens me to see thee alive and well, my little pony.” I was in such a state of disbelief at this sentence that I barely even returned her hug, didn't even respond to what she said because I knew I must have misheard her somehow. She pulled back, a look of concern etched on her face. “Are thou feeling well, Dusk? I would have thought thou would be a little more relieved at this.” “Oh, no, I am!” I assured quickly. “It’s just that… I’m rather surprised that you’re even saving me… considering everything…” “What does thou mean?” A second later, she made a sound of recognition and her features softened further. “I know what thou refers to and thou need not concern thyself with it." “But I…” “It has already been forgiven. Do not forget thou are not the only one who has succumbed to the call of darkness.” I was now silent again as her face clouded for a brief moment before returning to a look of hardened resolve. “We shall discuss this later, but right now there is a battle to be fought." “Of course.” I said with a nod. “You came in just in the nick of time. Is Celestia here too?” “Yes, she’s here. She tending to her student at the moment.” Dragonis said as he flew down over to us. “Just as much as we have come to tend to you.” “Dragonis!” I said, happy to see the great guardian again. “So I guess you three came here to help us?” “Indeed.” Dragonis told me. “But I’m afraid neither us or Celestia can help you with the Paraserpents. Our battle lies with him.” Following the gaze skyward of the two, I saw the disbelieving face of Discord as he sat on a couch that was floating in the sky. Both Dragonis and Luna glared up at him and returned her attention to me, where I was feeling somewhat distressed again. “You’re going to fight Discord?” I said to them with worry. “But Luna and Celestia aren’t connected to the Elements anymore. Without them, he’s too powerful for anypony to face!” “That is true, but my sister and I are still formidable even without the Elements. And so is Dragonis.” Luna said confidently. “Our aim is to keep his attention away from thee and focused on us, long enough to fight through his minions and retrieve the Elements from the library, else he will simply create more and thou will be overwhelmed.” “But last time, they almost defeated us!” he said desperately. “We can’t do this! I can’t do this! Not without you!” “Thou can and thou will. I know you can. Both of us do.” “No, I can’t!” I bowed my head in shame. “I’m no hero. I’d practically given up by the time you arrived. I can’t possibly hope to win, none of us can! I failed my duty as a Fire Dragon. I’m no symbol of peace and justice… I’m… useless.” I didn’t dare look up at them for I did not deserve to even behold their faces now that the truth was exposed. However, I was surprised by what Dragonis said to me. “Now is that really the young colt who had once spent years protecting an entire city by himself?” Hearing what the guardian said, I looked up to make eye contact with him. “The one who had taken on three Dark Gang elementals by himself while leading a team made of himself and only three of his fellow elementals? Is who stand us really the colt who had then grew up to be one of the greatest heroes Equestria has ever seen? The hero who had faced against the vengeful Eye of the Midnight Sun, the one who had helped in the defeat of an ancient devil along with the Dark Spade Triad?” I then felt a hoof gently cup my cheek and Luna lifted my face so I was looking right into her compassionate, caring eyes. “Dragonis is right. We refuse to believe that the pony who had done such great things and had told me not to give up until I had tried is thinking of giving in while chaos runs amok in his home.” She gripped my shoulders and spoke firmly. “You are far more remarkable that thou gives thyself credit for, you always have been. You just haven’t known it, but it’s been there. It was there when thou rescued thy friends from the Forest, when thou began to rescue them from Discord’s power, and it is here now. All thou has to do is use it, as thou already has done many times. Unite them, Dusk, for that is how you can overcome thy foes.” I looked up at her, taking in all that she said, then glanced at the stones that were dangling around my neck. My stone, my fragment, I noticed now had a faint aura around it, like the power it held was just begging to be released, to be used for what it was meant for. I gripped this stone and nodded. They were right. After everything I’ve been through, I couldn’t give up. Not now, not while my friends were in danger. Discord was still in power and my home was under threat. I wasn't going to let this happen without using all of what I had to prevent it. I was Dusk Noir, son of Charcoal Noir, descendant of the great Dragonous, and the world’s symbol of peace and justice! For my friends, for Ponyville, for Equestria, I would do this, for if Luna and Dragonis believed in me, why shouldn’t I? After all, I did like to invest in the seemingly impossible, for was there really such a thing? So many things believed to be impossible for me to achieve had now proven to be within my reach the whole time. All I’d had to do was to reach out and take it. I had always had faith when others had none before and not allowed anything to shake it, why stop and despair now? So, that was what I was going to do now. “Right… I’ll try." Now I did return her hug. “Thank you, Luna.” “I did what I had to.” She pulled back before she and Dragonis spread their wings. “Now, I must rejoin my sister and fight my own battle. Good luck, Dusk.” “You too.” Something suddenly occurred to me. “Wait, just a few things!” “What is it?” Dragonis asked as they glanced at me. “First of all, why didn’t you tell anypony you were engaged?” I put in, just getting an answer to what had been bothering me when I had the chance. “Oh.” Dragonis said, nervously scratching the back of his head as he and Luna began to blush. “You know about that?” “Uh, yeah. Dragonis, you were actually gonna marry Luna?” “Well, yes.” Dragonis told me. He took a brief moment to put some thought into this before he spoke. “Look, can we talk about this after you save Equestria?” Though I did want an explanation to Dragonis and Luna’s engagement and their continuing delayed marriage, I also knew that now wasn’t the right time to push it now. “Fine. But I better get a clear answer when this is over.” “Deal.” He said to me. “Anything else?” “Yeah. About these stones… what exactly are they? I know they are what Fore Sight had been looking for and they seem like they can help in this situation, but I don’t know how.” Losing their blush, the two only smiled at me as Luna simply said “The answer is in the number.” Without another word, they took off into the sky, leaving me surrounded by the fallen serpents. I frowned and glanced down at the stones again. Why did these knowing ponies feel a need to code everything in a riddle? I sighed and started to think about our next move. There were still serpents left and they would be coming soon. But now, I knew exactly what to do, if the others were still okay. “Dusk!” I spun around to see Rarity and Leon, bedraggled and shaken, but alive. “Oh, thank goodness! Are you alright?" “I’m fine, yes… sort of…” I muttered, taking in painful breaths. “I'll live…you?" “Well, my mane is a complete mess and my fur could do with a wash after all this, but nothing serious.” she said in typical Rarity fashion. “Don’t worry about me.” Leon told me with reassuring smile. “Gonna take a lot more than a squeeze to keep me down.” “Yeah. That was certainly a close one.” I remarked, looking around at the slain serpents. “Yes. Yes, it was…” She trailed off, still looking shaken despite her attempts at being casual. “I really thought that was the end for a while. In that moment, I thought that I was… that we were…” I nodded in understanding. “So did I.” “Yeah, I think I saw my whole life flash before my eyes.” Leon spoke up as Rarity did her best to smile. “But what matters is that we’re alright. You, me, Rare, and…” “FLUTTERSHY!” we all shouted simultaneously, to where I followed up with “Quick, we need to find her! Did you see where that Paraserpent went?” “No, lost her in the struggle!” Leon said as he and Rarity were now as frantic as I was, their eyes darting everywhere. “We need to find her, quick! She won’t last a minute by herself.” “Um, excuse me?” Even the quiet voice was enough to silence us when we turned and saw Leon’s fellow animal lover standing close by. "I didn’t worry you too much, did I? I’m sorry if I did.” Utter relief at seeing her safe overwhelmed I and, feeling like the brother she viewed me as, walked up to her, unable to keep myself from smiling at just being herself, even in the midst of all the fighting. “Fluttershy,” I said gently, hugging her, “there’s nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad you’re safe.” “Me too. Thank you.” she whispered, pulling back and giving me a gentle smile. “But I didn’t come back by myself.” She gestured with her hoof to show that she had indeed returned with company, in the form of a certain striped equine, laden with two saddle bags from which I could hear the clinking of potions bottles and a long staff on her back, made from bamboo. “She is correct, for you are not alone.” Zecora said, speaking in her usual rhyming dialect. “As of now, your force has now grown.” Smiling, I approached her and greeted her in her native language. "Hujambo, Zecora." “Hujambo, Dusk.” she returned. “Ni vizuri kuona tena.” “Vivyo hivyo.” I replied, knowing she said it was good to see me again and saying it was likewise before returning to English. “Glad you could join us.” “Yes, all of us are relieved to receive some additional support from you, Zecora, dear.” Rarity added. “Was it you that helped Fluttershy?” “It was not just others’ strafe, but by her own efforts she stayed safe, for that poor Paraserpent could not bear the held in her Stare.” she said with a knowing smile. “She’s correct, you know?” said a familiar voice, one I haven’t heard in years. “Yeah, she stopped that thing its tracks.” said another voice, one with a familiar confidence and pride. “And we managed to get the bunch of those snakes around her.” “Wait, those voices…” Looking behind Fluttershy, I was then surprised to find she had indeed returned with company, in the two certain ponies who I was surprised to see. Walking over to us was Gold Star with his signature smile, blue vest, and black headband. Though I was especially surprised by who was accompanying him. Walking beside him was a azure blue unicorn mare with a slender built body, pink eyes, and a long silver mane and tail with her main tied in pigtails and center bangs over her forehead. Her attire consisted of pair of purple stud earrings with a cross flory/fitchy shape, a silver bracelet on her left wrist, a sleeveless, backless, short purple dress covered by a white silver-colored blazer of a backless design with sleeves attached at the back that extended slightly beyond her elbows with gold-colored cuffs. The blazer also had a pair of silver pins attached to it around the collarbone area along with frilly edges and a rounded tailcoat that extends down to her knees. Furthermore, the blazer also extended up to her neck where it possess frilly edges that is held together by a gold locket. She also wore a brown leather belt with similar color and gold ornaments at its corners and a blue dragon totem on her hip. She also wore a pair of silver-colored leg warmers with gold-colored cuffs at both ends a pair of sandal. Over this, she also wore her signature gold-button, gold-trimmed, black robe with a gold bull head insignia on the left side of her. She also sported her emotionless expression as to appear she didn’t care. This mare was one I knew as Hearth Forest, a member of House Wood’s royal family. “Gold Star? Hearth?” I said as the two came over. “What are you guys doing here?” “Well, the Mystic King had overheard that Discord had been causing trouble in this town.” Hearth said to me, sounding serious and stern. “Knowing that you were living here, he decided to go and assist you. I came along as his escort.” “Actually she came here because she was worried about you.” Gold Star said, causing Hearth to scowl at him. “I was not worried about him!” she snapped. “You know that, as a Necro-Knight, I have the sacred duty of protecting you!” “Yeah, whatever! Say what you like, but we both know one of us is telling the truth about you.” Gold jokingly said, causing Hearth to growl in frustration, her cheeks tinting with a blush. After he gave a chuckle, he then spoke normally to me. “Any case, we all here to help you guys.” “It is true, for as you can see,” said another familiar voice, speaking in her usual rhyming dialect, “you have now allies with us three.” “Well, I do appreciate it.” I told them before I looked to Fluttershy as I knew well of her instinctual power to command animals with her gaze. “So you used the Stare on a Paraserpent, huh?” She blushed at the mention of it. “Well, I don't really have any control over it and…it just kind of happened. Guess I was just lucky.” “I’ll say.” Leon spoke up as he and Rarity came over. “It’s a good thing these guys aren’t too bright.” “Yes, it seems these beasts were more like animals than we first thought.” Rarity remarked, glaring at one with disdain. “It certainly was lucky that it just happened then.” “Yeah…” She blushed again, staring at the floor. “Well, after I got free, these three showed up and helped fight off the last few ones and then we all came back here.” “I’m glad you’re safe.” I said to her. “Me too.” Leon added with relief. “Though we lost you there.” He then looked to Hearth. “Can’t believe I’m saying this, but thanks for saving Flutters, Hearth.” “I only saved her because it is my duty as a Necro-Knight.” Hearth told him, closing her eyes as she turns her head away. “But I will say that you’re welcome, Aquilous.” “Still the same old Forest priss.” Leon said in exasperation before speaking normally. “Okay, I get how Gold and Hearth just got here, but where have you been, Zecora?” "I was in my home, where Discord's magic does not yet roam, thanks to my potions and various incanting motions," she reported. "You could say I was the rock against chaos' raging ocean." "You managed to hold them back all by yourself?" I nodded in admiration. "That's very impressive, Discord's magic is very strong." “These facts, I’ll not distill, for the spells took great effort and skill. I was almost beaten by chaos' tide when our horned sages and great guardian arrived.” “Celestia, Luna, and Dragonis?” Zecora nodded in answer to me. “They were there looking for you?” “They were.” Gold told me. “When we got here, we ran into them and they led us straight to Zecora.” “Yes, it was me they sought, for they said a great battle was to be fought.” Zecora said before gazed around the chaotic town, sadness in her eyes. “Seeing Ponyville and given these two, I knew this could only be true. So I gathered my weapon and brew and ran out here to help you.” “Well good, we need all the help we can get.” I said to her as I felt my heart glow. Ever since I had fought my way out of my mind, I’d been reminded that I had made many other friends since I’d arrived in Ponyville as much as the friends I made in my journey. Seeing Zecora along with Gold and Hearth now, actually arriving to help in our hour of need, reminded me once more of just how powerful and special bonds of friendship were, no matter who it is with. Never again would I forget that power and forget who my friends were, even if it seemed like they’d abandoned me. “Um, pardon,” Rarity spoke up, looking towards her as Hearth turned and opened her eyes to look at her, “sorry, but I just noticed your ensemble. It has such fine regality.” “Well, it’s not a surprise. She is royalty.” I said before beginning introductions. “Rarity, meet Hearth Forest, youngest child of the Forest Family.” “The Forest Family? As in the Forest Family?” Rarity said in awe. “One of the most prestige royal families in all of Fillydelphia?” “The very same.” Leon told her. “She also happens to be a cousin of yours and Dusk’s.” “What?!” Rarity was shocked by this as she looked to me. “Dusk, is this true?” “Yep.” I answered her. “I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to get a move on.” I then gestured to Zecora’s form. “Zecora, how are you in combat?” “My brews have varying effects from providing strength to afflicting defects.” At this, she pulled out her staff and twirled it in her hoof. “In addition to my staff of bamboo, I can do much in the fight with you.” “Good, along with Hearth’s Water Magic and Gold’s Anti-Magic, I’ve got a feeling we’ll need it.” I said grimly. “Got a plan there?” Leon asked me. “I do, but there’s a downside to it.” I told them as they gathered around. “You see, for the most part, I won’t be able to take part in the battle as my concentration will be needed elsewhere. Therefore, I need to make sure I can count on you all to hold off the Paraserpents until I'm done. Can you do that?” “You got it!” Leon told me. “Got it!” Gold said in acceptance. “Very well. I will do to the best of my abilities.” Hearth confirmed. “You know you can always rely on me, darling.” Rarity affirmed. “On this, you have my word,” Zecora vowed, “that they think they can match me is quite absurd.” Fluttershy, however, shifted nervously. “Oh, um… I don't know. I mean, I… you know that I… I don’t like fighting… I can’t fight.” “I know, Fluttershy. I don't like it either. In fact, I hate the idea of it.” I replied as I had been expecting this from her. “But right now, we all need to fight for our home because it’s the only way we can. Do you remember when you and I sung your animals to sleep, when you and Leon helped me find Ophelia?” She nodded mutely, her eyes shifting between me and the floor. “Unless we fight now, no matter how much we may not want to, we won’t be able to do those things ever again because Discord will take over everything. I understand you’re scared. I am too, completely terrified, and I understand that you don’t like fighting. But right here, right now, Equestria needs us to fight. We need you to fight. I need you to fight, because there’s no other way.” I took her hoof gently and gazed right into her eyes. “Please, Fluttershy, for me?” My hazel eyes were locked on her teal blue irises, seeing the fear and trepidation that burned in them. I hated asking her to do this as much as I hated violence, but right now I needed her help, all of their help, or we wouldn’t succeed without it. I just hoped that it would be worth it and that I wouldn’t regret it. Finally, she gave small, brave smile and gripped my claw in return, though even this was as soft as a bird’s feather. “Okay, I’ll do my best. For you, Big Brother.” she promised. “I won’t be very good, but I’ll try.” “Thank you.” The two of us hugged each other once more. "I know you can do it, I believe in you. Just be careful, okay?" “Oh, I will.” she nodded frantically. “I’ll keep her covered.” Leon promised me. “No Paraserpents gonna hurt her on my watch.” “Thanks, Leon.” I said to him. “No problem. So what’s the plan exactly?” “Well, these stones seem to strength my magic.” I said to them. “Let’s see what their full power can do. It’s time.” “Time for what?” Gold asked me. I looked around at them all, out at Ponyville and started to allow my magic to take over just as I heard the slithering of more Paraserpents. “To unite.” Dog’s view Still doing my best to struggle out of the tight coils of the Paraserpents, I found it harder to see and breathe with every second, reaching my breaking point. I wasn’t going to let these overgrown belly crawlers get the better of me, not when I’d already beaten worse things, including a crazed Big Macintosh who’d had one too many salt licks. I wasn’t going to lose, I wasn’t! It was stubbornness that kept me fighting, but now I was beginning to consider that I might not make it out of this alive. What would happen then? What would become of my friends, my home, and my family? The farm wouldn’t be able to cope without me or AJ, not in this world of chaos. Especially little Apple Bloom… neither of us got to see her find her special talent, finally get her own cutie mark. Though right now, as much as I would like to see Apple Bloom, I wanted nothing more than to see AJ one last time… in my final moment… “Hey, get your snaky scales away from my friend!” I heard a familiar voice cry out. Hearing a couple of grunts, a flash of light came in and I soon found myself falling in a pile of ash, where I took a deep breath of air. “Need help, sugar cube?” I looked up and could hardly believe to see AJ smiling down at me. Quite unable to stem the tide of emotions that came from hearing the voice of AJ, seeing her standing by me, right here, right now, I gulped down as much air as I could, regained all the strength I had, enough to open my mouth and say her name, just to express my relief. “AJ!” No sooner had I said her name, I wrapped my legs around her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” “I’m glad you’re okay too.” She said to me, returning the hug. “How’d ya escape from the Paraserpent?” I asked as we broke the hug “Well, seems we got a little help.” She told me as I looked around as I could hardly believe my eyes. My vision was a bit blurry from the light, but got better. The dark pink cotton candy clouds were gone as had the chocolate rain they brought along with a good deal of Paraserpents, these beams of fire and lightning shooting through a hole in the sky. I could make out some kind of brown blob fighting off some other Paraserpents, but couldn't make out what exactly it was. Fighting off the remaining snakes and helping Rainbow Dash and Shield to their hooves were three fillies, one of them coming over to us. “Don’t worry, the monsters are all gone now.” Apple Bloom’s sweet voice comforted. “We beat ‘em back. It’s okay.” “Apple Bloom.” I said, smiling gladly at AJ’s little sis. “Y’all have no idea how glad ah am to see you, sugarcube.” “Me too.” She said, returning it. “I thought… well, I thought that I…” “I know, me too.” “We got Rainbow Dash and Shield! They’re okay!” Scootaloo spoke up. “I mean, you know, not that I ever doubted they weren’t ‘cause of how awesome they are.” “Okay, now…” AJ started, looking shocked and worried. “Did you find Rarity anywhere?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking around worriedly. “I can’t see her anywhere.” “Don’t worry, she’s probably somewhere else in the town.” Scootaloo said nonchalantly. “The point is Shield and Rainbow Dash are okay, so we’re gonna be just fine.” “What are you even…” AJ was cut off again. “But what about Rarity?” Sweetie cried, her voice breaking a little. “We need to find my sister!” “Don’t worry, Sweetie. I’m sure she’s okay too. We’ll find her.” Apple Bloom comforted. “But what if we…” “Girls!” AJ’s shout finally focused attention on her. “Not that ah ain't pleased to see y’all, but what the hay are ya even doin’ here?!” Apple Bloom was taken aback. “What does it look like? We’re here to help ya.” “I can see that, but why?” “Yeah, don’t ya know how dangerous it is?” I put in. “Yeah, not meaning to sound ungrateful shorties,” Rainbow added with Shield nodding in agreement, “but a war-torn village isn’t really the place for three little fillies who don't even have their marks.” “Exactly!” AJ pressed on. “What made ya even think it was safe to come in here? Ya coulda been hurt or worse!” “Well, gee. You’re welcome.” Scootaloo said sarcastically. “Next time, we just might not bother saving you.” “Yeah, why are you so mad?” Apple Bloom asked. “We only wanted to help ya out.” “I ain’t sayin’ we’re not glad ya saved us, I’m sayin’ that ah think it was foolish to come here, by yerselves, jus' runnin' on here like a herd-a crazed cows! What were ya thinkin’?!” Her demanding and chastising certainly had the desired effect. The three fillies looked rather shamefaced now, staring down at their hooves and shifting around on them. If any of them were planning on answering her, however, they were prevented from doing so by another familiar voice, one that she hadn't heard in a long time. “Actually, it’s somewhat my fault that they came to be here.” admitted the voice of the buffalo calf Little Strongheart. AJ was struck dumb at the sight of the wide-framed calf, her curled brown hair as natural as the earth she ran on, the feathers on her headdress blowing in the breeze. She gasped as a Paraserpent slithered up behind her, but she kicked it once and set it sprawling without even looking around. At least now they knew what had been fighting off some of the remainder of their number. “Strongheart!” Dash flew up to her and gave her a noogie. “Long time, no see, kid!” “Yeah, good to see you!” Shield added, running over to her. “The feeling is mutual, Rainbow Dash. You as well, Shield.” she replied, laughing along good-naturedly. “I must admit, it is a relief to see you all alive and well.” “Yeah, we’re fine. We’re both tough like that, right, Dog?” Shield prompted, punching my leg. “Uh, yeah, sure.” I turned to look at the calf. “Good to see ya again, Lil' Strongheart, but what did ya mean it’s your fault that lil’ Bloom and her friends are in this mess with us?” “Ah, yes.” She looked a little sheepish. “They found us when the Sky Monarchs and the Elemental Elder came looking for me. You see, I…” “Wait, hold on!” Shield interrupted. “Sky Monarchs? Elemental Elder? You mean Celestia, Luna, and Dragonis?” “Yes, your rulers and guardian.” Her expression became clouded with simmering anger. “As you may have noticed, several of my kin have succumbed to chaos spirit’s foul magic. Somehow, do not ask me how, I remain without affliction. I could not let such a crime go unpunished, so I started to gallop all the way from Appleloosa to here in Ponyville, intending to find some kind of solution to this madness. I had hoped to find you all, that you might be able to use friendship’s magic to stop him.” “Well, that was kind of the plan,” Rainbow said, “but Discord sure as hay isn’t making it easy.” “Yes, I noticed.” she remarked. “Anyway, your princesses and guardian found me just as I reached the town and told me they were gathering the few who had remained untouched by Discord to meet him and his forces in battle. Naturally, I send I would lend a hoof. You ponies are not the only ones who remember the cruelty of his rule.” “I’d think so.” I said, remembering the ballet-dancing buffalo. “But how do these three come into it?” “Well, they found us as we travelled. They wanted nothing more than to do something, anything to help their friends and their home. They were so insistent in the end I decided that, as long as they remained in my care, I would keep them safe from harm.” “And ya just let ‘em come along, knowin’ how dangerous it would be?” AJ asked incredulously. “Well, I thought they would be safe with me.” Strongheart reasoned. “Please, Applejack, I meant no offense to you.” “No offense? No offense?!” she shouted, losing her temper. “Ya willingly put, not only my sister, but also her friends in danger from a swarm of hungry monsters and ya say ya meant no offense?!” “Applejack please, there’s no need to be angry," she said calmly. “I’d say there is!” Applejack stepped angrily towards her. “I thought you were supposed to be our friend and yet y’all go an' do somethin’ as empty-headed as this?!” This seemed to strike a nerve with the buffalo as she furrowed her brow in an angry frown and held AJ’s hard gaze. “Do not call me empty headed,” she growled, “or I will show you just how hard an empty buffalo head is.” “Just try it. I’d probably want to go a few rounds for lettin’ ya put my sister in danger!” “AJ, calm down!” I said to her, trying to stop all of this. “Stay outta this, Dog!” She said to me, scaring me. “This is between me and her!” “Applejack, stop it!” Apple Bloom squealed. “It’s not her fault!” “Ya stay outta this too, Apple Bloom! This don't concern you!” she ordered her sister. “Are you questioning my judgment?” Strongheart demanded. “Sure am, feather head!” she retorted angrily. “Just give me one good reason not to smack ya inta the dirt right now!” “Try that and I will make you regret it.” “That a threat?” “No, that is a promise.” “Why, I oughta…” “Stop! Both of you!” I got in between them and shoved them apart. “Look, AJ, I don’t agree with what Strongheart did. Ya got every right to be angry. But right now, we got enough problems without ya two lockin’ heads with each other.” “But she…” “I know what she did, but she meant well, y’all can see that.” I told her. “We need to stick together. That’s what Dusk would say if he were here and so would Twilight.” “Yeah.” Shield put in. “Even though they’re eggheads, I’d agree with them.” I then looked from one to the other. “And I’ll tell ya somethin’ else Dusk would say: fighting, whether an enemy or a friend, won’t fix this either. And ya know what? He’d be right too.” “Yeah, I’d agree to that too.” Shield added. “Even though I still think a problem’s better solved by swinging a few hooves, but not here and not now. Not when there’s something worse we could be swinging them at instead.” “Exactly! So stop your fightin’ and let’s get back to dealin’ with Discord!” As AJ kept looking angry, I was hoping she’d see that I was right. As the two smartest in our group, that would be exactly what Twilight and Dusk would say and, of course, they’d be absolutely right. All the madness that was happening and the two of them were squabbling like chickens over the last few grains of corn? Fighting each other wouldn’t help to stop Discord and it certainly wouldn’t help to stop his minions either. She looked at Strongheart, my speech seeming to have a profound effect in her too. Her own angry expression softened somewhat and she looked rather ashamed of herself. Perhaps it was from the mention of Dusk that did it for her, as AJ and I both knew that they were all good friends and she was probably worried about him, just as we were about him and the rest of our friends. She met Applejack’s gaze again. “Dog is right. Discord is the true enemy here and I lost of sight of that.” She raised her neck to AJ. “I’m sorry for my actions, my harsh words, and placing you sister in danger. It was not my intention to do so.” “We don’t blame you, Little Strongheart.” Sweetie put in. We all looked at her. “What? We don’t, I’m just saying.” “That’s good of you to say so, Sweetie, but the apology is still necessary regardless.” she said. “Can you forgive me, Applejack?” “Don't sweat it, sugar, and… I owe ya an apology too.” she admitted. “I shouldn’t have got all worked up at ya, ʹspecially when it was thanks to ya that I can still get worked up anyways. I’m sorry.” “You are forgiven.” she said gently. “Please understand, among my people, I too am still considered a child and yet I am still able to fight for what I wish to be done. I thought it could do no wrong to give these little fillies a similar chance to fight for their home as I was, but I forgot that we have grown up in different circumstances to each other. Once again, I’m sorry for overlooking that.” “Hey, it’s already forgiven, sugar.” Applejack assured. “I get that, but I still shouldn’t have gotten so worked up either.” “You had every right to be. As Dog said, the fault is mine entirely.” she insisted. “I know, but I think I overdid it a lil’ with the violent threats an' what not." "I probably would have done the same, I understand really." “Yeah, but…” “Okay, you can stop apologizing now.” Shield said, exasperatedly. "Geez, I think I preferred it when you were fighting.” “Hey, I thought ya didn’t want them to fight either. Make up your mind!” We laughed off the incident and AJ returned her attention to her sister. “Now, what am we gonna do with you three?” “Please don’t send us away, Applejack.” Scootaloo begged. “We only wanted to help Rainbow Dash and Shield… and the others too, I guess.” “Yeah, we just wanna help ya and fight for our home too.” Apple Bloom put in. “Please let us stay! I need to find my sister and make sure she's okay!” Sweetie Belle sobbed. “You understand, right?” Me and AJ looked at each other then over the three young ponies. Under normal circumstances, we would’ve preferred to send them straight home or put them somewhere safe. But, in the end, we both had to admit that wasn’t going to happen. In this place, nowhere would be safe thanks to Discord and his pets and, if the Paraserpents came after them, they wouldn’t be able to defend themselves. In the end, we conceded to reality and sighed. “Right, I guess it’s obvious y’all ain’t goin’ nowhere and we don’t have the time to take ya back to the farm.” Sweetie Belle perked up at her words. “Does that mean that we…” “Yes, ya can stay with us.” she called as they leaped and jumped for joy. “Now hold on! Just a few rules if ya gonna stay with us. It’s still pretty dangerous out here.” “Ee-yup!” I put in. “First, no runnin’ off alone. Stay close to us and ya’ll be fine.” “Right!” Apple Bloom affirmed. “We’ll stick to ya like candy ta an apple!” “Make sure ya do.” I smiled as she quoted her sister. “Second, no takin’ stupid risks. This ain’t a game. This is dangerous stuff and ya can’t afford to mess around.” “Got it!” Scootaloo saluted, slapping on her crash helmet. “Don’t worry, safe is our middle name.” “And third, don’t get yourselves involved in the fightin’. This stuff is too much for fillies to handle.” I warned them. “Just let us handle it and stay outta the way, okay?” “Okay.” Sweetie nodded. “I wasn’t exactly planning on going hoof-to-hoof with those things anyway. They don’t even have hooves.” “Good, just follow them rules and ya’ll be just fine.” “Course we will! We got Icedra and Apolloid with us!” Apple Bloom said with a confident smile. “Ya know?” I asked, surprised even more by her nodding. “How?” “Well, when we ran into Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Dragonis, Sweetie Belle kind of told us your secret.” Scootaloo told us as Rarity’s sister looked ashamed. “Sweetie Belle?” I couldn’t believe she told them. “And ponies call me a blabbermouth.” “I had to!” Sweetie told me. “Dragonis told me too!” “What?” I was confused by this. “Why would he tell you to…” “Look! Here come more of them!” I whipped up to look at where Strongheart was pointing to see even more of the monsters slithering and hissing out of the shadows. “AAH! More of them, run!” Sweetie Belle shot off before they could do anything Shield dashing off and grabbing her before she got too far. “Don’t worry, Sweetie Belle.” Shield said as he put her on his back. “Just stick close to us and you’ll be fine.” “Don’t worry, sis! We’ll help ya beat these varmints back!” Apple Bloom promised AJ, raising her hooves. “Hey, watch me scooter right off the head of that one!” Scootaloo proclaimed, hopping on her scooter as she said it. “It’ll be awesome!” As Shield walked over to us, I stared in disbelief before I looked to AJ, Dash, and Strongheart who looked just as flabbergasted as me, AJ slapping her hoof to her head. “Fillies.” she groaned. “Why do I bother?” Shaking myself back, I then said “Come on. Let’s go get ‘em.” Right there, we all then ran off to save Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Twilight’s view I was still panicking at the realization that Pinkie’s explosives had failed to go off at a vital time. As a result, my mind was frantically trying to think of some kind of new strategy, all the while the Paraserpents creeping steadily closer, squeezing through the arch way and glaring hungrily at me and Pinkie, who also was starting to panic a little even as she tried using her elemental powers to either slow down or push back the Paraserpents. My eyes darted from one pointed face to another. We could try holding our ground, but I still needed some time for a little rest after performing all of those spells and Pinkie needed time to load her cannon again. If we tried fighting in our current state, we would become tired and overwhelmed quickly by the sheer mass of them. To run was out of the question as the Paraserpents would cover the ground in seconds and overwhelm us still. I was also not willing to have Pinkie fly while is such a panicked state, worried of how it’ll affect both our escape and her powers. What could we do? What else could we do? There had to be a way out, there was always a way out! I couldn’t be beaten now, not here. Discord was still in power, we still needed to stop him. It was just these stupid snakes stopping us from reaching the Elements. We were so close and yet this looked like the end. What about the rest of my life, all the things yet to be done that I would never do? My training with the Princess, I’d never finish it. There was still so much I needed to learn, so many things to do, books I hadn’t read, and Dusk… I’d never even told Dusk my feelings for him, for I knew I had them. Though I’d tried so many times to deny it, they were there. Would it have worked out if we had tried? Would I have been happy? “Huhuhuhuhubububu!” Broken out of my thoughts, I looked to see that Pinkie’s body was vibrating violently. “Oooh, boy! That was a big one!” “Pinkie sense acting up?” I asked, my gaze darting between her and the Paraserpents. “Sure is and—man!—is it a doozy!” She shook again and shuddered. “Well… what is it?” I asked, dreading the worse. “I don’t know for sure, but something big is coming. Like a major plot twist or something.” she reported. “Something along the lines of deus ex machina, I think.” “What?” As always with Pinkie, I was now confused. “What do you mean by that?” Before Pinkie could answer, another voice cut her off in that instant, sounding very close by and directly behind her. “Twilight, get down!” Without thinking, I obeyed the voice and ducked. The instant I did, a green ball of fire shot over my head, so close I could actually feel the heat radiating from it, past the swarming Paraserpents, and into the arch way, hitting one of the red cans she knew to be a party grenade. That was all it took. KABOOM! In a cloud of purple fire and pink smoke, the three grenades detonated, consuming all the Paraserpents nearby in a brilliant plume of fire and streaming confetti. I conjured a shield to counteract it, watching as large chunks of stone shot into the air and came crashing down around me, some of them smacking the heads of more of the monsters and knocking them out cold. Even in the safety of my shield, I could still feel the rumble in the earth from the explosion. As if that wasn’t spectacular enough, the clouds suddenly opened and a beams of light and streaks of lightning shot out of it, electrocuting or spontaneously combusting a few of the remaining stragglers nearby who were now hissing and shrieking frantically, slithering as fast as they could to try and get away from the torrents of elements raining down upon them. Shaking my head, I cut off the shield and turned to see our rescuer, who was looking taller than he usually did, reaching up to my head—as well as more muscular in his upper body—eliminating the chubby belly he had before. His mouth was smoking from the potent ball of fire he had launched, far more powerful than any others he’d done. “Spike? Is that you?” I asked in disbelief. “Sure is!” His voice was deeper too now, flexing his muscles impressively. “What do ya think? Pretty good, huh?” “Wow! Spike’s had a growth spurt!” Pinkie Pie cried. “So what? Are you a teenaged dragon now? That’s not good! Now he's gonna be all moody and stuff.” “Actually, Pinkie…” Spike began, but the pony cut him off. “Now, at this time. you’ll probably start growing scales where you didn’t have any before and you may find girls slightly less icky. But don’t worry, it’s all perfectly natural.” she said in a teacher-like tone. “Now, the biggest change you can experience is down in your…” “Pinkie, enough!” Twilight said, though I couldn’t help but giggle at Spike’s blushing. “I’m sure it’s nothing like that? It isn’t, is it?” “No! I mean, uh…” he stammered when his negative came out in a higher voice than before, “No! But, really though, this is all thanks to a potion Zecora gave me. Makes me stronger and my inner fire more powerful. Cool, huh?” “Wow. I didn’t even know she could do potions like that.” I awed. “Neither did I.” He looked down at his muscular body, smiling to himself. “Oh, yeah! Rarity’s gonna love this.” “I wouldn’t get too used to it, Spike. I’m pretty sure that the effects are temporary.” I noted. “Yeah, I know. But I can at least enjoy it while I can.” He looked around at the Paraserpents bodies and piles of dust. “Looks like we got here just in time.” “You can say that again.” Twilight agreed. “Yep, your fire set off my grenades just when we needed it.” Pinkie added, looking at the remains of the arch. “I guess they weren’t duds after all. They just needed a good kick to get them going.” “So that’s what that was?” Spike whistled in admiration. “I just thought that was my fire being more powerful than normal. Those things really pack a punch.” “That’s what I made them for.” Pinkie winked. “You said ‘we got here just in time’. Who else is with you?” I asked. “Oh, plenty of people. In fact,” he said, pointing behind me, “here’s one of them right now.” I looked and my vision beheld somepony that completely eliminated any fear I had previously, for I knew now that we would be safe. Sailing as majestically as a cloud, her horn shining with her powerful magic, and her mane flowing like a rainbow river, Princess Celestia descended from the sky and landed before me, a radiant smile on her face. “My student, I’m glad to see your safe.” she said warmly. “And I’m glad to be safe.” I beamed at my teacher. “Thank goodness you’re here. I thought we were done for.” “Evidently not. I knew your magical abilities would keep you safe.” I glowed at this praise. “And hello to you too, Ms. Pinkie Pie. Unharmed I take it?” “Yep! Fit as a fiddle, raring as a rooster, and safe as a snuggy!” Pinkie reported happily. “Good to know.” Celestia giggled. “Still keeping a positive attitude then?” “Yes, indeedy.” she nodded. “I’m gonna be ace in this place, head of the race, and keeping pace with a smile on my face!” “I have no doubt of that. It’s good of you to think in such a way in this dark time.” She passed her gaze around. “Where is everypony else?” “We got separated in the struggle, Princess.” Twilight said. “I don’t know where they could be.” “Then you must find them, Twilight. It is imperative that you remain together.” Celestia told her. “Only then can you defeat Discord.” I already knew this, but I nodded in affirmation regardless. I’d thought that splitting up would divide the Paraserpents’ forces and make them easier to manage, but it was clear that we should have stayed together from the beginning, even now when I’d spent the last half an hour reminding myself of that. That would be the last time she made that mistake. And I won’t be leaving Dusk alone this time. I thought to myself. “I understand, Princess.” I said. “Now that you’re here, I’m sure we can find them again.” The princess sighed. “Unfortunately, Twilight, I cannot remain to help you. The focus of my fight along with Dragonis and Luna’s lies elsewhere on a different path to you and it is with your enemy and mine.” Dread started to form in the pit of my stomach for I knew that could only mean one thing. I followed Celestia’s gaze upwards and, sure enough, there he was, sitting on a couch floating in sky and surveying all that was happening below him with a contemptuous smile and just a flicker of fear on his face. “You’re going to fight Discord?” I asked in disbelief. “We are,” she said, “but just to hold his attention on us and prevent him from creating more Paraserpents to prevent your progress to the library, long enough for you to retrieve the Elements and stop him for good.” I lost all composure at this. “Are you insane? You can’t fight Discord by yourselves!” “On the contrary, my student,” Celestia dismissed, “we can and we will, as we did at his first dominion over Equestria. Dragonis, Luna, and I are more than capable of holding our own, you know that better than most.” “But that was when you and Luna had the Elements!” she cried. “He’s too powerful for you to stop without them! He’ll beat you and probably turn you to stone too! Or worse!” “What’s worse than being turned to stone?” Spike asked. “I don’t know. Being turned to concrete? Granite? Limestone? Jelly?” Pinkie listed off. “Ooh! I would love to be turned to jelly, I bet I’d taste delicious! Oh, wait! Then I’d be eating myself, so maybe that wouldn’t be so good. Ooh, ooh! I know! How about…” “Both of you, quiet!” I snapped. “This is serious!” The two of them quickly being silenced, I looked back at Celestia. “Princess, you can’t seriously be considering fighting Discord.” “I am and I will.” she said firmly. “Regardless of what you may think, Twilight, I know what I’m doing.” “But there has to be another way!” I insisted. “Princess, please! You can’t do this! He’s too strong!” “Maybe, maybe not, but no. This is the only way.” The smile returned to her face. “Have faith, Twilight Sparkle. Don’t you trust me?” I was about to argue back, to say that of course I trusted her judgement, but right now I just didn’t think that this was the best thing to do. My rational thought, my common sense that I relied on so well, was screaming to urge the Princess to stay with us, to fight the Paraserpents because we needed her help and she would have a much better chance against them than against their master. It only made sense and I was more than willing to tell her that. But one thing that Celestia said silenced me: have faith. Faith, that little voice telling you to believe when common sense was telling you otherwise because, deep down, you knew that little voice was right and that you should listen to it. That’s what Dusk would say. That was what he believed and, as silly as it may sound to me, I found myself believing it too. Because how could he be wrong about it? That just didn’t seem possible. I would never doubt him, not for a second. So why would I doubt my teacher? In the end, I bowed my head and sighed, finally giving in. “Okay. I trust you, Princess.” I admitted. “I’m sorry that I stepped out of line and lost my temper. I just… I don’t want you to…” Staring down at the patchwork path, I became aware of warm presence close to my face. When I looked up, Celestia was craning her head down to my level, her smile as warm as the sun she raised. “I understand your concern, Twilight. Don’t worry, I'll be fine, you’ll see.” she assured as gently as a mother would her child. Unable to contain myself, I jumped forward and hugged my mentor, wrapping my forelegs around her soft white fur, letting all I felt and feared be expressed through it, feeling secure as she returned it. I could hear Spike sniffing and Pinkie bawling like a child, crying rivers of tears, but I didn’t mind. Somehow, that sense of security didn't completely fade when Celestia released her and turned to take off into the sky once more, her face resolved and her eyes glowing with fierce determination. It was time. “Good luck, Princess.” I whispered, wiping away a tear that had trickled onto my cheek. “Good luck to you too, Twilight.” She started to walk off, then hesitated. “Remember one thing: keep Dusk close, for he is far more special than we first thought.” I couldn’t help but smile warmly at the thought of Dusk. “I don’t doubt that, Princess. He really is remarkable.” “I should hope so, especially considering he was there at the beginning, more than you know.” she said with a mysterious ghost of a smile. “Yeah… I know.” With that, Celestia spread her wings and took off, soaring towards her sister who hovered higher up. I stared after her, still feeling the lingering warmth of the sun in her wake and the awakened feeling of my own faith. I just hoped it wasn’t misplaced. Dragonis’ view As we waited at the meeting point we had decided upon with Celestia before going to find their respective subjects, Luna was anxiously flapping her wings, glancing towards her fate when her elder rejoined us. “Is all well?” Celestia asked when she hovered next to us. “It is, as well as they… he can be.” Luna murmured, glancing back down to where Dusk was. "And Twilight?” "Shaken, but fine, yes.” she nodded. “We’ve done all we can for them now, only one thing remains.” “Indeed.” I spoke up, though feeling a shiver of fear down her spine at the thought of it for which I quelled while putting on a brave face. “Then we should not keep him waiting.” “Yes.” Celestia said, turning to face Luna. “Ready, my sister?” “As I will be.” “Then let us fly, together!” Soaring upwards into the cotton candy filled sky, I was soon flying side by side with the sisters, shooting off to meet Discord in battle which no doubt gave the younger princess great feelings déjà vu. Here they were again, Celestia and Luna, like a thousand years ago, flying together to battle the evil tyrant, bonded by their friendship and sisterly love. Only now, I had joined their stride with my Golden Staff ready. Hopefully, the three of us would be enough. I recalled the look in Dusk’s eye when we’d spoken to him before coming here, that special understanding of some deep knowledge that had been conveyed in that moment, those stones glinting around his neck. Dusk already had the skill, the drive, and the purpose the fight on for his home. But now his faith had been strengthened ten-fold. What was more, he had his friends and he had his heart, which we both knew would not fail him now or ever. Like myself, he was as ready as Luna could hope him to be, as much as I hoped him to be, and I had no doubt he would press on to the end. Only one question remained now: if Fore Sight was right and Luna’s assumption was correct, would Dusk be able to figure it out now, exactly what those little stones actually were? Exactly what their true purpose was? Luna had done her best to give him the hint and, from what I could tell, Dusk had mostly figured out that there had to be something about him, something that only he possessed which would help to defeat Discord. Of course, Dusk was right, but would he be able to figure out exactly what? As much as she wanted to tell me, Luna knew Dusk had to figure it out for himself. Much like how I have to allow so many times in his life. That was how it had to be. Returning to the matter at hoof, we had done all we could, Celestia, Luna, and I. Now it was time for us to face our destiny as he casually hovered over to meet us, halting in the sky and leaving a sizable space between us. I had forgotten how much his malicious smile made my skin crawl as we beheld the spirit of chaos once again. “Why, Celestia! So glad you could come! I was missing you!” He gestured towards Ponyville. “Do you like what I’ve done with the place? I think it’s quite an improvement if I must say so.” “It was better as it was.” Celestia retorted angrily. “Honestly, so narrow-minded.” he pouted. “If you like this, just wait till I get started on Canterlot. Floating spires, stone made of sugar, and a nice big cushy throne room for yours truly. Oh, yes. It will look a treat, quite literally.” “I’d rather relinquish my wings and horn than see you set one hoof in Canterlot or any other part of Equestria!” Celestia spat. “You would? Well, that can swiftly be arranged if you like.” He smiled and turned his attention to Luna. “And you, little Luna, don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. You’re looking well, considering how last time you were falling to pieces, in every sense.” “Thou will have to do much better than sending one of thy lackeys to destroy me, Discord!” she said defiantly, determined to remain courageous. “Hm… I suppose I will. Hired help is so unreliable.” he nodded. “Note to self: never send a pony to do a draconaquis’ job, especially when it means he misses out on the fun.” “Yes, it does seem your servants are exactly great like before, are they?” I remarked. “Diablo is gone and your Paraserpents are otherwise engaged. It is just you and us, Discord!” “Oh, that’s not entirely true.” he said slyly. “There is still one left who serves me, one noble soul who would serve in my name if I asked him to. He’s a little… preoccupied in Tartarus at the minute, but I can soon change that. Thank you for reminding me, by the way.” “Don’t you even dare.” I growled at him, knowing exactly who he was speaking of. “Oh, but you know who I mean, don’t you, Dragonis?” he noted. “Once the loyal captain of Celestia’s guard all those years ago as well as your star pupil who was willing to lay down his life for you, all before turning to the best side after how you treated him and what she had done to him. Really, Celestia how could you? I thought you were supposed to be kind.” “Stop it, Discord.” Celestia said in a low tone. “And he had such good plans too, powerful magic and the right mind to use it. I wonder if he managed to get any of them completed before you locked him up and threw away the key. There was one I was particularly invested in, one that would certainly be a lot of fun to use once it was finished. Perhaps I’ll let him resume his work once he’s out. You know how I hate leaving something unfinished.” “SILENCE!” I almost jumped out of my skin at Luna’s declaration. “How dare you even mention him? How dare you?!” “Ooh! Touched a nerve, have I?” Discord grinned even wider. “So much for royal composure then.” “Enough stalling, Discord!” she snapped, distracting him from the point. “Thou knows why we’re here.” He waved his hand in a bored sort of way. “Oh, yes. I know, I know. Here to do epic battle with the big boss, thunder crashing and skies flashing as we lock blades in battle upon which the fate of the whole of Equestria rests in the balance. Only one may walk away. One shall stand, one shall fall. No turning back, yadda, yadda, yadda. But really, what’s the point when we all know how this’ll turn out?” “Nothing is set in stone, Discord.” Luna retorted. “Thou knowest that better than any.” He frowned at her intended pun. “Not bad, Luna. Not bad. I guess you do have a sense of humor. Are you sure you wouldn’t mind joining me instead? I could have Dragonis join too.” “She will not! Neither will Dragonis!” Luna’s sister bellowed. “Today, Discord, we stop you once and for all and restore harmony to Equestria!” “Yes, thank you, Miss Grimsalot.” Discord dismissed. “But really, haven’t the you all come to your senses by now and seen the truth?” “What truth?” I asked in spite of myself. “That harmony and your rule are not only boring, but so, so pointless.” Neither of them said anything in response to this and he continued. “You talk about restoring harmony, bringing peace and love to the land and all who live in it, but let me ask you something: how is your rule and mine any different?” “What?!” Luna laughed decisively. “Our rules could not be more dissimilar.” “Oh, really?” He paused a moment. “Think about it, Celestia: we both have great power and the will to use it, the purpose of ruling in our own ways. Yet, there’s one thing I wonder: who was it that overthrew me and declared themselves monarchs without anypony else saying so? Who was it that saw fit to dethrone another rightful monarch and imprison him in ice? And who is it that, when her sister put one hoof out of line, locked her away in the moon for a thousand years?” Luna was struck dumb by his words, as was Celestia. Seeing his advantage, Discord pressed on, still grinning away. “Yes, you see now, don’t you? Who’s the real evil tyrant here? She, who restricts the freedom and fun of chaos and imposes her own rightful order thinking she knows what's best for everypony. You see, in my rule, ponies are free to do as they please, because nothing restricts them and they can be themselves. They don't have to be scared of the big bad princess who may banish them if they do something she doesn't like. And, unlike you, I certainly don’t turn ponies into stone!” As the two were taking the moment to think, I saw through Discord’s lies and decided to put an end to them with a blast of fire, leaving the Lord of Chaos surprised and singed. “Enough of your lies, Discord!” I spoke up. “You can try to trick us with your wicked words, but the fact remains that you most certainly are the true villain here. Celestia and Luna don’t set monsters on their subjects, try to deceive them, or treat them as their own playthings. That’s all you and you must be stopped!” The sisters shook their heads furiously as they regained their senses. “Vile trickster!” Luna bellowed. “Thou shall pay for what thou has done! To us, to our subjects, and to Equestria! We shall see thee locked in stone for eternity!” He stared at us a moment, frowning again. “Is that all you have to say then?” “That’s all that needs to be said.” With the three of us nodding to each other, we flared our horns and prepared for battle. Discord only raised an eyebrow and gave a small chuckle. “Still so boring. Alright then. First, let me clean myself up.” In a flash, the burns and singed fur were gone like they weren’t even there. “Next, let me make sure your friends are occupied.” He snapped his fingers, summoning more Paraserpents below. “Then some fitting music.” He conjured a radio, playing strange madcap tunes. “And lastly…” He held out his palms, various explosives floating in them. “Let’s brawl!” With this, in a bright flash of light and sound, we crashed together again and all of Equestria shook to hear our battle cries.