//------------------------------// // Chapter 95 - Berserk // Story: The Master Mev // by kazamacat //------------------------------// Chrysalis nervously paced alone in her room. Team Awesome had left but at least let her know they had a plan and work to do. She had felt her magic return, but they still weren't back yet. She walked up to a window and peeked outside just in time to see the sky turn dark. It was still afternoon, and there was no moon out. She sensed that something must have gone wrong and scowled. "Oh, now what has happened?" she muttered to herself irritably and returned to pacing. Below the library, it was just Cozy Glow and the master mev turning berserk—in a dragon form at that. The filly of the pair gulped nervously as it seemed the transformation had finished. The dragon opened her enchanting vampire red eyes, searching and finding a target. "Child?" Rainbow Dash asked in a scratchy voice, bordering on disappointment at first, recognizing the form before her as a child before grasping the form was a known entity with a name. Then the vampire broke into a wicked grin. "Not just any child! A toy!" A crack of thunder, and seven lightning bolts came truly close to scorching Cozy Glow's peach-colored coat. The whole matter caused the filly to yelp in fear. "Aaah!" The evil mev laughed with delight. She wagged a clawed finger at Cozy Glow. "You've been naughty." A red circle quickly formed under the filly, ensnaring her. Cozy stared down at it, caught mid-air. She swallowed, finding herself completely incapable of not being scared of this eerie dragon resembling her teacher. "Master mevs won't bite children, even when berserk," Cozy said aloud, trying to gather her wits and remind the creature in front of her. She then repeated it like a chant to herself as if to ward off a spell. "First time for everything," Rainbow growled with another wicked smile, baring her sharp fangs. She quietly opened and closed her mouth in anticipatory hunger. Formidable Lightning struck again. Cozy screeched in terror, causing the mev to go into a fit of diabolical laughter. "Gotcha!" Rainbow Dash snarled, soon followed by a gleefully proud, evil smile. "Oh, you are fun!" she declared, pointing at the filly. Cozy concentrated with all her might, tightly closing her eyes and still feeling helpless. Her body dipped closer to the circle. She opened her eyes to stare down in front of her, and there was something off about the ground. Instead of the dark blue bedrock, it swirled like a miniature storm of light gray clouds in front of her. "What are you doing to me, Master?" Cozy whimpered. The dragon chuckled a wicked little chuckle. She reached out her clawed hand and grabbed Cozy Glow by a back hoof, ever so reminiscent of the story of Achilles' heel. "Saving you." The mev's pupils thinned into slits. "For dessert." Rainbow Dash let go, dropping the filly into the strange grayness. Cozy found herself incapable of flying as she fell. She was then quickly surrounded by a mist, giving way to nothing but occasional glimpses of silver scales that had to be something like a large snake. She could only assume it was the rumored leviathan dread from the show for Nightmare Night. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash shook her entire draconian body, ready to take action. "Time to eat for real! My game begins!" she declared with an eager, evil smile. In Canterlot, Starlight Glimmer informed all present, "It would seem that our powers thought it best to leave her with Rainbow Dash." "But why?" Fluttershy wondered. Starlight sighed. "Revenge. She did try messing up our home territory. I can't imagine the land itself is too pleased with being manipulated the way she managed—even if she is a child." "Please, tell us, what is going on?" Celestia's voice carried over to the others. Luna stood by her side. "Good news, we fixed the drain," Twilight Sparkle began to explain. "Bad news, thanks to extenuating circumstances, Rainbow Dash started to go berserk. The transformation was nearly finished when we decided to get everyone out and come here. Princess Celestia, we need to activate the berserk reserve right away." Celestia nodded seriously, and Luna nodded too. The ruling alicorns immediately set to work to find the proper ponies to alert. They had heard thunder earlier and caught sight of a darkened sky as they barked orders to make everything ready. "We should probably get Chrysalis over here," Fluttershy suggested. "I mean, I know she's probably safe as a client but just to help her keep updated with what happened. That sky is bound to make her uneasy." Starlight nodded in agreement and returned very quickly with the tall changeling. "Alright, now tell me what is happening," Chrysalis ordered impatiently. Starlight motioned for the changeling to follow as they approached Sweetie Belle and began to discuss things. As she did that, Discord was summoned in by Celestia herself and assured the first drain itself was gone. "Do you remember what we talked about for this possibility?" Celestia asked him. "Yes, I do, and my opinion remains the same. I'm telling you, it won't work. Her immunity's going to regard it as me casting magic on her," Discord told Celestia with folded arms. "I thought the magic was regarded as what directly affects her body?" Luna noted. "That's a simplified version of it. With the likes of a master mev, there are always exceptions or twists like how changelings can't take her form even if they aren't anywhere near her. Besides, normally, Rainbow isn't berserk, is she? Don't you get it? Teleporting everyone away is effectively the same thing as containment," Discord explained. "A master mev berserk is designed to combat that, except of course if what Jin told us to do actually works." "I ask that you at least try," Celestia urged. "If you manage, we can get everyone to safety much more quickly." Discord sighed and snapped his talons. A flash of white, followed by a resounding boom, and red smoke knocked him onto the floor. "Alright you win, Discord, I'm sorry!" Celestia approached to help him up. He dusted himself off as he stood. "Perhaps now you see my point," he said. "I can act as bait, but I cannot be the solution." The two ruling princesses and draconequus looked over to Starlight Glimmer who was busily talking to Chrysalis and an older looking Sweetie Belle in the room. Once concluded, Starlight approached them, the students, and the other fledglings. "Alright, everyone. We all know the plan?" They all nodded except for the students. Gallus raised his hand. "Not us." "Right. Sorry. Okay, real quick. The best defense against a berserk is evasion and distraction. You six won't be much of a diversion because Rainbow's going to be focused on finding and eating magic primarily from unicorns," Starlight explained. "What if we stand in the way of her target?" Gallus suggested. "Bad idea," Starlight explained. "Rainbow might not bite you, but that doesn't mean she can't touch you. She will physically move you out of the way as fast as possible." "And that would certainly be a problem being that she is your teacher," Rarity reminded them. "This is different. She was forced into the berserk against her will," Smolder argued crossly with folded arms. "Yeah, and Yona and friends can handle it," Yona said firmly. "We have to be able to do something!" Silverstream proclaimed. "I'm getting to that," Starlight assured her. She yawned. "Look...here—here's how you can help us." Then she started to stumble and nearly fell in place. Twilight helped her stand. "Tiredness," she told Starlight apprehensively. "I guess that's another effect from this berserk. It must be hitting you first and hardest because you're Primeva." "Oh bother," Starlight muttered. "We can still do it," Sweetie Belle said with encouraging determination. Starlight nodded. "Right. I'm tired, but I'm not out of this yet." The berserk mev smashed through the multiple floors of the School of Friendship and rose into the darkened sky. She sniffed the air between the edge of Ponyville and the edge of Canterlot. She was about to fly over to Canterlot when she caught sight of a familiar solitary unicorn she recognized as Lyra Heartstrings. Lyra waved up at her with a friendly smile. "Master," she offered as if trying to get Rainbow's attention. Smiling back, Rainbow flew down and pounced, biting into the unicorn without a word though she heard a second whispered "Master," as she did so, much to her own pleasure. Soon, Luna appeared with a formation of five more unicorns behind her. The unicorns were armored with helmets protecting at least the sides of their necks. Four held spears ready with their forelimbs, but one carried a spear telekinetically. "Master," Luna said with a serious tone. "I must ask you to please stand down. Do not attack Equestrian citizens. This is your territory, remember?" Rainbow looked up from her position over the sleeping Lyra and licked her lips with a smile, baring her sharp teeth. "Game," she growled and immediately pounced on the unicorn holding a spear with magic. The targeted unicorn tried hurling his spear at her body, only for the spear to bend in on itself against the dragon's tough blue scales though her pony coat would have been just as effective in a berserk state. Her fangs bit right through the helmet and spit the metal out before she dug into his neck. While all present were aware she would be more prone to outright attack, they mistakenly assumed she would go after Luna first. Luna tried her magic on the immune mev to no avail for a simple telekinetic lift, and the attempt rebounded her on with a shocking thunderclap, hurling the alicorn away several feet. That was new. The worst they had expected was nothing to happen at all when trying magic on the master mev. The other four unicorns had their instructions and watched, ready to spread and flee in different directions to invite her attack and keep her away from unsuspecting ponies. They saw her drawing away from her meal, and they all ran further into the main road of town and spread. They couldn't separate too far. It was crucial to keep the mev on them for as long as possible. Rainbow Dash darted to one and rolled with him on the ground before biting into his helmet. He tried to punch her in the face but was met with immense pain in response and cringed as she bit into his neck. The wicked mev chuckled and lifted her gaze. Now there were only three more. Another charged at her, ramming into her side, but the hit merely left the attacker dazed. She pried his helmet off with her claws and dug in. Two left. The next unicorn charged straight toward her face and placed his forelimb over her eyes as if to shield himself or anyone against enchantment, and the mev's magic in general. The eyes were how she activated her magic, so maybe if he blocked them out—a strong dragon tail grabbed the forelimb and tossed him forth several feet. "Bad decision," Rainbow hissed in disapproval as she pounced and bit him, leading the unicorn to scream in agony compared to his compatriots. Apparently, that plan was not a good one after all. The last unicorn lost herself to sympathy and tugged at Rainbow's tail, trying to pry the mev off the fourth unicorn. That plan didn't work either as the tail merely wagged the unicorn one way and another until slamming her to the ground. The dragon mev back-flipped to land and bite in to the last unicorn of the group. Luna stood over the fourth unicorn, who groaned in pain. "Master, he is not asleep," Luna alerted the master mev, hoping that Rainbow had something to do or say about that. Rainbow finished eating magic from the fifth unicorn and met Luna's eyes. The night alicorn took an uneasy step back, struggling to break free of the automatic enchantment. "So, make him sleep, Princess," Rainbow Dash commanded in a low growl. "I will not counter." Luna gulped and obeyed, casting her own magic to do exactly that. Afterward, she felt compelled back to seeing the enchanting eyes. The mev inhaled, relishing in the fear before she at last released Luna's gaze and flew away, much to the alicorn's own astonishment. Everyone in on the plan had assumed Rainbow Dash would go after alicorn magic before unicorn if given the opportunity. Was it because Luna ruled over the night? She hoped that it didn't mean Discord wouldn't be enough either. After realizing her shock was distracting and delaying her, Luna flew onward to find Rainbow Dash again. She was ready to find more of the reserve waiting for them. Hopefully, it would not be much longer. She dreaded to think of what this creature could do for an entire night plus the remaining part of what should be day. With a snap of his talons, Discord successfully teleported himself and the entire group of fledglings, crusaders, students, and Chrysalis, to stand in front of the Tree of Harmony. "Here we are," he announced to them all in a proud bow. "I guess I'm allowed to do this much at least." The gems in the tree automatically released and floated over to their respective fledgling with the exception of Loyalty. They turned into a necklace for Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Twilight's Element turned into a crown. Starlight took a deep, nervous breath and pulled out Jin. She dare not wear the crown over her head but instead held it outstretched with a forelimb. Loyalty at last responded and attached itself to the lightning bolt symbol on the crown. "Good," Starlight said in relief. "Now outsiders, we need a little boost from each of you." The gems began to glow and so did the students, with the exception of Sandbar. The students themselves realized their glows matched certain colors. Gallus glowed red as did Loyalty, so he flew to Starlight's side. Ocellus went to Kindness. Silverstream went to Honesty. Smolder went to Generosity. Yona went to Laughter. Sandbar looked at Twilight. "I guess I can't be Magic, huh?" Twilight smiled warmly. "No. Magic is complicated, and we are going after a creature that feeds on it, especially active unicorn magic. She cannot eat friendship magic though, so I'm sure we'll help at least a little." He blushed and stood by her side nonetheless. "Alright, touch the gems," Starlight instructed the group, yawning again. They did, and most students felt a little something between themselves and the Elements. Power concentrated from each, except Magic itself, and zapped into the crown. Loyalty merely glowed. "That's enough," Jin said with authority, and the magical zaps stopped. "Now, Chrysalis..." The tall changeling blinked in surprise. "Yes?" "A dash of magic if you will," a more feminine voice told her. "Think of your friendship with her when you do. Something from a client is bound to help further." "Oh, so it is gender fluid," Rarity remarked to herself. Chrysalis heard the remark so was not as confused about the shift in the voice. She looked at all of the others looking at her, imploring her aide. She quietly stepped forward before doing as Jin had instructed. "Rhezenda too, please," Jin added. Sweetie Belle was still not accustomed to shooting magic zaps, but Rarity remembered the day her sister became Rhezenda. The third fledgling stepped toward the young assistant, held her hoof, and Sweetie Belle was able to shoot the necessary blast. Without further ado, most of the Elements of Harmony returned to the tree. Loyalty remained in place on the crown. "I am ready," Jin announced, returned to his usual male voice. "That's really it?" Gallus double-checked with Starlight. "For this stage, yes," Starlight answered and tiredly blinked her eyes, then yawned. "Discord...the throne room..." Fluttershy yawned too, feeling the tiredness setting in on her next. "Please hurry..." He nodded and snapped his talons, teleporting all of the group to the throne room of Twilight's castle. Celestia knew to be there and was waiting for them with Spike. "Twilight—is everyone still alright?" "Starlight is getting more tired. Fluttershy has started to get tired too. They can still talk and move around. I'm afraid we fledglings won't be able to help much after this point," Twilight explained. "We want to be out of range for her to command us to do anything." "Scootaloo...scout the area," Starlight instructed in her tired voice. "Try not to get her attention. Don't go too far." Scootaloo nodded and flew off, returning soon after. "Six down, all unicorns. I didn't see Luna or Rainbow Dash." "Rainbow didn't eat Luna's magic?" asked a curious Twilight Sparkle. Scootaloo nodded. "Looks that way." Starlight addressed the group. "Our dear outsider friends, time to find her. Celestia, you stay with us for now. We don't want Rainbow going after you unless Discord's not enough." Celestia nodded in silent agreement. Sweetie Belle magically lifted the crown and put it in her saddlebags. "Right. We're on it, Primeva." She gave a salute as Rainbow herself often did. With a snap, Discord flashed the Crusaders, the Student Six, Chrysalis, and himself to just outside the city hall in Ponyville. Once there, the draconequus snapped his lion paw fingers and shot a large white blast of magic upward that then lit into several fireworks. It did the job of attracting Rainbow's attention at least. The sky blue dragon gazed inquisitively at the sight before realizing that it wasn't unicorn magic. She had already had draconequus months ago. These victims were fresh and more desirable. From behind, Luna saw the decision not to pursue. She reluctantly pulled back to alert Starlight Glimmer back at the castle. The reserve units were working as intended, keeping Rainbow Dash focused on them instead of others. Many non-reserve ponies had taken to staying inside, correctly assuming the darkened sky meant that matters were not fully resolved. Celestia teleported herself to Discord and the others. She shot out a golden blast of magic toward the darkened sky in the shape of a large sun outline. Rainbow Dash was busy eating magic from a unicorn when she sensed a flare of magical energy blinking and lighting up the area. She looked up into the empty dark sky once finished to witness a second blast. "Celestia," she hissed wickedly under her breath. She wouldn't pass up the chance for the last of all alicorns to be her meal now. No one and nothing could stop her from having that. With a beat of her leathery wings, she lifted into the air and swiftly flew to the source. The tall white alicorn waited below and stared up at Rainbow Dash. "Master," she said seriously. They made eye contact, and Celestia was enchanted immediately with ease. She soon felt a pleasure she would never experience again. While Rainbow Dash ate, Sweetie Belle tried to magically place Jin over Rainbow's head by letting the crown drop. However, right before it would have made contact, the dragon tail swiped just beneath to hold it before tossing it aside. Apple Bloom picked it up in her mouth and tried a more direct approach, but the tail thwarted her too, batting her away. At that, the six students nodded at each other and all piled themselves onto the tail which continued to flick up and down, regardless of their added weight. Varying colored lightning bolts shot from the sky, barely missing them, and the entire group held firm. Finally, Scootaloo swooped in with her magically aided flight and at last placed the crown on Rainbow's head while Discord and Chrysalis acted as shields between Scootaloo and either side of the wobbling tail. A blast of wind shot out from where Rainbow was, knocking them all upward. Every flier of the group used their wings to catch themselves and regain balance. Discord and Chrysalis caught everyone else in a magic telekinetic field to ease their descent. On the ground, Rainbow Dash slept soundly, returned to her standard pegasus form. The crown had a barely noticeable hint of a red magic aura, placing the berserk into what everyone hoped would be a more manageable state whenever she awoke.