//------------------------------// // Four for a Fortune // Story: The Cursed Prodigy and The Three Special-Grades // by I Ate Appiness //------------------------------// "Everybody! RUN!!!" Yuta yelled from atop the enormous wave of roots and bark. The young six heeded his advice, and so did everybody else on the scene as they made a break for it to the school entrance. But the wave's shadow loomed closer, casting a cold fear over the fleeing crowd. Debris rained down like twisted giants hurling boulders in rage. A sickening crunch sounded as some students stumbled, swallowed by the wreckage. "Ah!!!" The six turned back to see it was Speeding Nimbus, trapped under a heavy stone. Sweat bead down their foreheads; they knew they didn't have the time to return to the fallen pegasus; with Yuta busy fighting the tree elemental curses and the sizeable newborn spirit wailing around on the school building, they were stuck in between two colossal giants. Yet it isn't in their nature to abandon a helpless victim. Just as the six were about to run back, Applejack intervened with a swift backkick. Smashing the large stone, trapping him. Grabbing him by the neck, she heaved him onto her back. "You lot make a dash for the exit, yer hear?! We got this covered." Looking up, a familiar sight beholds the seven of them. A rainbow streak flew past from above, ramming straight into the cursed spirit currently breaking down the school. It released its grip upon the roof and fell back to earth. The connected hit shattered the glass plains facing the stadium. She hovered above the curse, turning back to the students to give a confident smile. "Hurry every creature! This way!!" Shouted Rarity, guiding everybody with an oversized knitted sign to point to where the exit was. Meanwhile, Rainbow wasn't one to rest on her laurels. She zipped around the fray, harassing the disoriented curse with supersonic taunts and well-placed sonic booms. But it was Pinkie Pie who stole the show, skipping merrily towards the colossal being with a mischievous glint in her eyes. From behind her back, with a flourish worthy of a seasoned conjurer, she materialised a GIGANTIC hammer, dwarfing her diminutive form by at least tenfold. The subsequent WHAM! as she slammed the weapon into the spirit's leg was both comical and impressive. The curse roared in pain and fury, but Pinkie's attack, while valiant, wasn't nearly enough. Just as it reared back for a devastating counter-attack, a snap of sun-tinted fingers echoed through the air. Discord floated on his side; a sly smile on his face transformed the remaining legs of the spirit into giant candy canes, brittle and delicious. A deafening crack resounded as the spirit's form, brittle as rock candy, crumbled inwards, creating a temporary escape route. Students poured out like shaken soda pops, relief and gratitude etched on their faces. "Thanks, Discord!" Pinkie said. A plume of fire erupted from within the school's battered gates, spewing smoke and debris into the twilight sky. The playful smirk vanished from Discord's face, replaced by a flicker of concern. He disappeared with a snap of his fingers, reappearing beside Fluttershy in a swirl of emerald mist. He scooped her up in a flash, teleporting them both to safety outside the school's shattered perimeter. Fluttershy stumbled, blinking away the disorientation. Her gentle heart ached at the sight before her. The once pristine school grounds were a tableau of devastation. The scorched earth mingled with shattered glass. Remnants of the explosion littered the landscape like macabre confetti. Fear gnawed at her. "Oh my goodness..." she whispered, voice trembling. "I never thought curses were so destructive." "They are quite the specimen, dear," replied Discord. Pointing at the cursed spirits rampaging the school grounds. "It's in their nature." He continued. "Is Yuta going to be okay?" Asked Ocellus from the back. A chuckle, rougher this time, rumbled from Discord's chest. "Fear not, little one. Yuta is no stranger to adversity. He can handle himself." "What should we do now? I mean, the cursed spirits might get away... Should we lock down the escape route?" Asked Silverstream, hovering nearby, trying to watch over the chaos. "It's alright. I believe in Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and the rest of my friends." Fluttershy said. Turning to face the school. "They can defeat those curses no problem! Since we're here, we should tend to the wounded." Across the shattered courtyard, the battle between the enchanted creatures raged like a tempestuous storm. Yuta, his form cloaked in magenta light, danced a deadly ballet with the blazing curse. Heat waves rippled off the creature's body, warping the air and scorching the earth. It was heavy and hot, pulsing around it like a quickened heartbeat. Yuta couldn't quite reach it with his blade from where he was, and the exhaustion gnawed at his limbs; the relentless onslaught of curses throughout the night was taking its toll. But the sudden addition of a forest fire near the school, which he had Rika extinguish, caused him to indirectly lead the curses to the school. Leaping back just as a whip of fire lashed out, he narrowly avoided its searing embrace. The ground writhed in response, thorny roots erupting like monstrous claws, attempting to ensnare him. With a snarl and a flash of his blade, Yuta cleaved through the verdant onslaught, landing precariously on a crumbling stone pillar. "Hey, Yuta!" Pinkie Pie bounced into view, her mane jiggled with a chaotic fluff of defiance. "Need a helping hoof?" Yuta's lips stretched into a weary smile. "That would be greatly appreciated, Pinkie." Without needing another word, the pony launched herself forward, a pink hurricane zipping towards the towering plant curse. It lumbered, attempting to raise a wall of writhing branches, but was too slow. Pinkie smashed through the barricade with a giggle, leaving splinters and leaves raining in her wake. "I knew it," Yuta began, a spark of hope warming his chest, "she's a-" His words were cut short by a fiery eruption beneath him. The young sorcerer flipped backwards, narrowly avoiding the inferno. A familiar voice pierced the din. "Yuta! Grab on!" Rainbow Dash swooped down with an outstretched hoof. He didn't hesitate. Grasping Rainbow's hoof, he was whisked back towards the flaming spirit. The world became a blur of rainbow feathers and roaring flames as Rainbow propelled him at breakneck speed. With a deafening crack, they shattered through the fiery barrier, plunging into the heart of the curse. Landing hard on his feet, Yuta crouched low, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Sliding down, he pressed his palms, shoulders, and upper back flat against the scorched ground, channelling his curse energy. A magenta light pulsed from his core, resonating with the earth beneath him as he lifted his feet to face the curse. Rewinding his legs, he unleashed a powerful kick; he launched the curse with a spray of blood. Recovering with a strong kip-up, the world shifted as Yuta spun through the air, his katana glinting, almost calling for its master. He caught hold of the winged spirit in mid-flight, its surprise bellow echoing through the chaos. He planted his feet on the side of the curse to steady himself before he brought the full force of his curse strike down, the blade plunging deep into the heart of the winged behemoth. Yuta wrenched his blade free with a grunt, leaving a sizzling gash in the winged spirit's side. Then, with a swiftness that defied his fatigue, he the cursed spirit downward, cleaving its side and its wings clean off its body. Unleashed a spinning kick, the impact shearing off a portion of its head wing and sending it careening into the school with a bone-jarring thud. Turning his attention back to the fire curse, now towering implacably above, he didn't waste a moment. He landed atop the creature's flaming skull, his boots connecting with a sickening crunch. The inferno flickered momentarily, embers scattering like fireflies in distress. Unrelenting, Yuta stomped again, and again, and again, and again, and again; with each blow came a grunt fueled by the growing crater beneath his feet and the desperate writhing of the curse. The once vibrant flames subsided, reduced to a pathetic flicker in the face of his relentless assault. The creature clawed at his shins, its desperation palpable, but Yuta remained impervious. His face was streaked with grime and sweat. He blows a candle out to one of his foes with a final stomp. "One down, three to go." The ground shuddered with a guttural groan, echoing from within the shattered school. From the dust and debris, the two vanquished curses rose once more, a grotesque testament to their unholy resilience. The winged monster flapped its newly regenerated wings, casting an ominous shadow, while the titan of the school stomped, its limbs reforming with unnatural speed. Yuta picked up his sword, intent on first taking down the big one. Yuta, blade already singing in his hand, intent on first taking down the big one. But before he could, a blur of pink fur and manic laughter collided with him. "Oh, hi Yuta!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, bouncing back with the effervescent cheer she could only possess. "Ms. Pie! Are you hurt?" Yuta gasped, momentarily thrown off guard. "Not a bit!" she chirped, rummaging through her mane with surprising dexterity. "But you might be after this!" A freshly baked pie emerged, its aroma incongruous amidst the battlefield. "A homemade treat's just what you need to-" "Look out!" Tilting his body while hugging Pinkie close, he used his right arm as a meat shield to block the cursed branches from reaching her. Pain lanced through his already battered arm as he took the full force of the blow, blood gushing down his shaking forearm and along the roots, piercing through his trembling flesh. Clenching his jaw, he dropped Pinkie along with his sword, his wounded limb reaching out to grasp the branch in a vice-like grip. Pulling with a strength fueled by desperation, he yanked the towering spirit forward, its grotesque rose head mere inches from his face. Without hesitation, he unleashed a series of skull-numbing headbutts to the curse imbued with a steady output of positive energy. Each echoed with a sickening crunch that reverberated through the air. Blood sprayed and splattered across his eyes, his vision blurring around the edges. Yet, through the haze, he saw Pinkie's mane drooping with every bone-jarring collision, her laughter silenced by the horrific spectacle. The rose head contorted, petals flying with each brutal strike, its vibrant colours dulling to a sickly grey. The groans emanating from the spirit turned into pained shrieks, the creature recoiling with each assault. Pinkie could see the flower petals caving into its skull, bits of flesh and bones revealing themselves to her. With a final swing, the curse disintegrates from the heavy positive energy output. Yuta slouched slightly, the steam coming off his arm subsiding from his use of reverse curse technique to heal his arm, his head covered in purple blood, "Phew... two down." Wiping the blood off his face, he turned over to Pinkie. "I-I'm so sorry! You got hurt because of me..." Said Pinkie, picking up his sword for him in a frenzy; her mane slightly deflated, she looked up with a muffled voice. "Here, let me help." "Thanks," he rasped, reaching for the katana. Glancing at the blade, a glint of obsidian wings sliced through the smoke. "Get away!" He yelled, reaching out his hand to push her out of the strike zone, but to no avail. The impact resonated like a macabre symphony. Pinkie's body contorted in an unnatural arc, her eyes widening in silent terror. Crimson erupted from her nose, painting his lips with a metallic tang. Her head jolted as if caught in a whirlwind, the force of the collision slamming her against the cracked earth. She lay still, a limp doll against the scorched ground. Her shallow breath was a fragile thread, each cough a strangled gasp. A primal scream ripped from Yuta's throat. "Pinkie?! Damnit!" Surging his fist with immense cursed energy, he gave the flying curse a mean left hook. Connecting with its body with a sickening crunch and sending it tumbling back onto the ground while blowing off a portion of its torso in the process. Dashing over to the pink mare, he slid to a halt beside her. He had hoped the damage wasn't too severe, his calloused fingers brushing against her cheek, searching for a pulse, only to find that she was barely breathing through husked breaths with a pool of blood on the ground from her head. "Pinkie?!" her voice cracked, fear ripping through her composure. Ignoring the tremor in her legs, she bolted towards the fallen form, her heart hammering against her ribs like a frantic bird. Reaching Pinkie's side, Rarity's breath hitched. The usually vibrant mane lay dusted with the grime of battle, matted with crimson that contrasted harshly with her pale coat. Tears welled in Rarity's eyes, blurring the sight of the wound on Pinkie's head, but the frantic rise and fall of her chest, shallow and uneven, snapped her gaze back into focus. "Oh my goodness! No! Pinkie!" Rarity cried, her voice choked with emotion. But even in her panic, her horn glowed, scanning the pony's injuries. A broken rib, internal bleeding, a concussion… the list was daunting. "Stay with us, Pinkie!" she pleaded, her voice firming despite the tremble. With a muttered spell, she conjured a shimmering bubble of magic around the injured pony, shielding her from further harm. Gently, ever so carefully, Rarity lifted Pinkie's limp form. Yuta shook his head. "She took a direct hit from a cursed spirit. She needs medical attention. Now." Rarity held her breath. "I'll bring her to the safe zone, please be careful." Without waiting for a reply, Rarity launched herself forward, hooves pounding the scorched earth. The safe zone, a makeshift haven shielded by Discord's magic, seemed miles away, yet she raced towards it with the desperation of a mother protecting her foal. Each bump and twist in the terrain threatened to jostle Pinkie's fragile form, but Rarity held on, her every fibre focused on reaching their sanctuary. In the meantime, the winged spirit had recovered its strength and was now standing back up. This doesn't stop Rainbow Dash from spearheading herself into the wicked curse. "You dare hurt Pinkie?!" Rainbow Dash screeched, her voice a battle cry that echoed through the shattered grounds. A mighty flap of obsidian wings unleashed a tempestuous gust, the force of it knocking Rainbow back several feet. Her mane whipped around her head like a sapphire flame, but her spirit remained undimmed. "You'll pay!!" she roared, Rainbow Dash shouted as she charged back at the cursed spirit. But not even a second later, the winged spirit blasted a giant blast of wind towards Rainbow Dash, sending her flying through the air. Yuta decided that while Rainbow was dealing with the one that could fly, he'd handle the giant one terrorising the school. Bursting forth, he bent down slightly to grab the katana lying on the floor before accelerating towards the mangled facility. The thing had one of its tendrils around Applejack and another around Starlight. The former looked to be still conscious while the latter was knocked out. "Let me go you big-" Tired of the earth mare's complaints, the cursed spirit dragged her body through several stories of the compound. Decimating a section of the school. Lifting Applejack up into the sky and smashing her back into the earth. A joyous glee plastered all across its disgusting face. Yuta hopped onto the roof of the building, wasting no time to lunge into the air and severing the arm with a single cut, catching the unconscious Farmer and Headmare in his grasp. They looked worst for wear. Applejack's eyes were white, and her right forehoof and hind leg looked broken. As for Starlight, Glimmer's ribs, back legs, and back were bruised by a horrific dark blue purple that was even darker than her coat. Yuta theorised the curse must have spawned onto her; otherwise, her injuries wouldn't have been to this extent. "Put them away, Rika." The sorcerer spoke. "Okay!" Acting with the command. Rika emerged from the darkness, storing the two ponies in her body. For a second, the beast hesitated from the presence of Rika as it jumped back, sweating slightly. Landing on what was left of the rooftop, Yuta wiped off Pinkie's blood from his lips as he walked over to the enormous curse; ever since Rarity had taken Pinkie out of the arena, he had been charging up his cursed energy into his katana at a steady pace. Brimming with cursed energy, it was ready to attack. All he needed now was a target. Far away, Swoosh was the sound the evacuated students heard from far away. The cleaved upper body of the gigantic cursed spirit flying upward was what the students saw. Blood was sprayed across the entire west side of the building. Its top half landed unceremoniously onto the ground with its arms going limp. One foot still kicking up dirt and stone fragments. The other foot bending downwards. Crushing fountains beneath it. The audience had their mouths agape while Discord took a pair of binoculars into his hands and whistled simultaneously. Sighing, he looked at the exorcised cursed. "One left." Turning his attention to the last one, he let his mind wander. "This should be the doing of the cursed spirit that sent me here. Where is she?" That doesn't matter now; right now, there's an immediate threat he has to deal with. Clearing his thoughts, he focused on the remaining spirit that was currently trying its best to kill Rainbow. Speaking of, the rainbow pegasus was now currently floating in the air. Blood flowed down her forehead, staining her beautiful mane with a crimson red. She licked the blood from the corner of her lips with a grimace. With a quick glance behind her, she could see Yuta was staring at them. Noticing Rainbow's guard was down, with a guttural screech, it raised its obsidian wings, summoning a swirling vortex of wind. The air itself seemed to writhe and contort, condensing into razor-sharp pellets that launched towards the rainbow pegasus. Some found their mark, digging into her hide, but Rainbow gritted her teeth, refusing to falter. Rainbow followed up by landing a tackle, sending the cursed spirit flying back onto the school's roof. Seizing the opening, Yuta made a mad dash towards the curse, a whirlwind of energy crackling around him. Using a combination of his katana and his own strength, he managed to slice the spirit's wings off for a second time. As soon as he did so, Rainbow gave a hard shove to the cursed spirit, sending it flying off the roof's edge. However, the curse retaliated with a condensed gale straight into Rainbow's head. She tried to twist her head away from the blast but was slightly off. Tearing into her right eye and forcing blood to spray out of the socket. Rainbow yelled in pain as she used her hooves to minimise the bleeding. Yuta doesn't allow this to stop his assault; going after it, he delivers a reversed roundhouse kick to the side of its head, knocking it off course. It soared through the air, reeling into the school wall and sending rubble everywhere. Yuta, boosted with renewed energy by Rika's assistance, slammed into the cursed spirit with the force of a meteor, their combined weight sending them careening down the side of the building as they slid down the exterior. His sword sank deep into the cursed spirit, causing it to shake violently in his grip. Ripping the blade free from the curse, he surged it with concentrated curse energy, decapitating the cursed spirit in one fell swoop and finally ending the mayhem. He kicked off its dead body, letting it fall to the ground below as he leapt back onto the rooftop. Rolling on his shoulder, he made his way over to Rainbow. "Are you okay?" he rasped, his voice choked with concern. Rainbow's once vibrant mane was matted with crimson, and a tremor ran through her body. Rainbow looked up, tears welling in her remaining eye. "Me?! What about you!?" she forced a smile, but it wavered at the edges. "You're covered in… well, everything." "I can patch myself up later," he insisted, kneeling beside her. The weight of her pain pressed down on him, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm in his chest. "But you…" "Well, at least I'd get a wicked cool scar!" she joked, attempting to lighten the mood. But her voice, thick with tears and pain, broke through the bravado. Yuta held warm and strong hands on her head despite the trembling that racked him. "Hold still, please." He said, amplifying his output of positive cursed energy into his hands and onto Dash's wounds. The gash on her forehead knitted shut, leaving only a faint pink line. The phantom pain of her missing eye subsided, replaced by a tingling sensation. Slowly, cautiously, she opened her eyelids. Her vision swam at first, blurry and distorted, but then cleared. A new eye, as blue and vibrant as the other, stared back at her. Rainbow let out a sigh of relief, looking up at Yuta. "Ow! That hurt." She said in pain. "Moving while you're still being healed is similar to reopening a wound, told you you shouldn't move." He commented. "That should be the last of it." "I didn't know you know healing magic! And to this extent!" Yuta doesn't respond. Instead, summoning a ghostly pale hand that bulged a black sack. Upon its breaking, it released Applejack and Starlight from Rika. "AJ!? Starlight!?" "Please don't yell; I need to concentrate." he does the same treatment for them, but he can't fully heal them due to the heavy exertion of cursed energy he outputted throughout the fight and the previous night. Dropping onto the floor, he rested his head against the wall. Exhausted. He looked up at Rainbow Dash. "You did great, Rainbow." He said, a hint of respect in his tone. "... I didn't" Rainbow's sorrowful expression was clear; she wiped away some blood from her eyes, trying to keep it together. "Some student... didn't make it." Yuta looked down momentarily. Even his reassurance couldn't erase the sorrow in Rainbow's eyes. Tears escaped, mixing with the dried blood, making him ache for her pain. The mention of the fallen student hit him hard. Before he could respond, a familiar voice sliced through the heavy silence. "Okkotsu Yuta, we need to talk." a purple alicorn princess stood before him. "Good morning, Princess." Down below the school's library, the Special Grade curse apparition stood in the history aisle. An opened book in its hands, reading through the contents. They tossed it aside in frustration; right when they were about to leave, a book with a golden spine came into their vision. Picking it off the shelf, they gave it a thorough read. Smiling, they closed the book. "Pony of Shadows... Huh?"