//------------------------------//
// In The Neighbourhood 
// Story: Colours of Dusk 
// by AlphatheGriffin17 
//------------------------------//

Applejack twisted through the air, skidding across the ground and stopping when her head hit a rock. Every part of her hurt, like she'd been working the orchard all day and the trees had bucked back. No matter how hard she'd hit him, Osteo barely seemed fazed.

The stallion was unrelenting. She could see what Rainbow meant about his bones. She swore she could feel them, growing and expanding beneath his skin. Whenever she hit him, he'd pack on more in the spot where she did and then do the same for his hoof when he returned the favour. She'd never seen anything like it and she didn't know what else to do.

He was striding towards her now, like this was nothing more than a walk in the park. He had some bruises and a black eye, but that was about all she'd managed. Meanwhile, she felt like her brain was rattling inside her skull and parts of her really stung to move. Breathing hurt as well and her vision was going all wonky.

"You have fought well, Applejack," he said. "You have given all that you can. For that, I thank you. Now, I will end your suffering."

Just as he raised his hoof, Applejack was suddenly scooped off the ground and into the apple orchards, hidden by the trees. She managed to focus on Rainbow, who wasn't looking so good herself. Her fur was singed in places, with circular burns across her body and she had a few cuts to go with them.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Prob'ly better'n you," she responded. "Where's yer dancin' partner?"

"Left caught up in a tornado, but it won't keep him long." Rainbow set her down carefully. "We need to get outta here. I don't like to admit it, but we can't take these guys."

"Sure we can. We jus'… jus' ain't tryin' hard enough," she panted.

"Then we at least need to get some help! Get back to town, get the others. Hay, Big Mac would be something right about now!"

"I ain't… gonna put anypony in danger by… by leadin' these two along with us." She swayed a little. "We jus' gotta… jus' gotta…"

"For crying out loud, Applejack! I'm not gonna stand here and watch you get beaten to a pulp by this guy! Now, will you shut up and just listen to me for once!"

"Hey now…" She managed a weak smile. "Since when… when were you one ta… ta back down from somethin'?"

"Since somepony that I… I care about a lot might get hurt. Or worse," she murmured with a red face.

Funny, Applejack thought. She looked kind of cute when she's all bashful like that. She shook her head to get rid of the errant thought as well as her dizziness, her vision steadying a little.

"Mighty sweet-a you, Dash. But we ain't down fer the count yet."

Rainbow's eyes focused on something else. "I think we're about to be."

Osteo was approaching, with a Pegasus covered in metal hovering above him. It took Applejack a moment to realise it was the same varmint who'd sided with the changelings and attacked Ponyville. He didn't look so good right now though, even if that didn't seem to stop him from picking a fight again.

Edge's cannons whirred to life as the bones in Osteo's hooves enlarged. Applejack and Rainbow exchanged a look. They couldn't flee in the states they were in and neither was willing to abandon the other to both their enemies. That left only one thing.

Applejack managed to find a stable stance, pawing at the ground to charge. Rainbow smacked her hooves together. Whatever happened, at least they weren't alone.

"HEY LOSER!"

All of them only had time to look up before something large and brown slammed into Edge. It sent him crashing into Osteo, as that something grasped them both by their necks with sharp claws.

"You hurt my friends? You're gonna regret it!" snarled Gilda.

With a beat of her wings, she took off into the sky and dropped Osteo unceremoniously in the opposite field. Edge punched out of her grip and fired, but she was already flying away.

"No way!" Rainbow cheered. "Where did she come from?"

"She is very brash, your friend," said another familiar voice, sounding out of breath. "It was all I could do to keep up with her from below."

Both mares turned around and simultaneously did a double-take upon seeing the speaker that had suddenly appeared beside them.

"Strongheart?" Applejack's eyes focused on the buffalo calf. Her chest was rising and falling visibly as she took deep breaths, but otherwise, she seemed to be in good health. "What in the hay are you doin' here?"

"Looking for you and your friends, though it seems you need my help, much as I need yours." She approached, pulling out that medicine paste she used when Discord took over and spitting into it. "Here, this should help tide you both over for the moment."

"Thanks." Applejack rubbed it on the parts of her hurting most and it already worked to soothe them. "We'll be happy ta help ya with yer troubles, jus' as soon as we sort out these two."

"Hey Dash!" Gilda narrowly avoided another blast, corkscrewing in the air. "Little help up here!"

"Don't worry, I'll pull your flank out!" Rainbow finished applying the paste to herself too. "You guys gonna be alright here?"

"With our strength combined? Of course, and regardless…" Strongheart glared over at Osteo, who was rising from where he'd been dropped. "This one has much to answer for."

Rainbow nodded and peeled off. Applejack went to stand by the buffalo, who exchanged a warm smile.

"Good to see ya again."

"You as well." She looked back at Osteo who was nearing them again, apparently unfazed by the drop. "I'm grateful we can fight side by side, once again."

"Yer tellin' me."

"I know you." Osteo regarded Strongheart with mild interest. "You were among the buffalo at the cave. You lacked the courage your bulls displayed."

"Before you murdered them!" she spat. "You just left before I could have the chance to show you what it means to truly anger a buffalo!"

"You would fight me whilst I am outnumbered? Good." He cricked his neck again. "I am beginning to enjoy this."

Applejack and Strongheart exchanged a brief glance. They didn't waste any more time talking and charged. So did Osteo. Applejack saw her legs tense and slowed just before she reached him. Osteo's punch missed when Strongheart sprang over him, somersault kicking the back of his head and adding a buck to his rear.

He stumbled into Applejack, who punched him twice in the face. He blocked the third strike and even managed to kick Strongheart when she charged. But the buffalo managed to get her head under his leg, head-butting upwards and throwing him off balance. Applejack bucked him right in the chest, which didn't give the same resistance as before.

"Ah yes!" He grinned again, wiping away a trickle of blood from his mouth. "Now this is getting interesting! Hold nothing back, either of you!"

"You heartless beast!" Strongheart snarled. "Is that all this is to you? Some form of game?"

He barked a laugh. "Can you not feel it? Push and pull, force meeting force and blood pounding through your veins. Is this not life at its purest?"

Applejack snorted. "Not when yer needlessly endin' those lives at the end. Ya want a contest with blood-pumpin' and whatnot? Try hoofball, ya gosh-darned maniac!"

"An excellent suggestion!"

He kicked two heavy stones at them. They whistled over their heads as they ducked, but both were caught by his uppercut when he charged. He took them both in his hooves and slammed them to the ground. They managed to get their hooves around and strike him in the face, making him stumble back while they got back up.

"Me an' my big mouth," muttered Applejack as Osteo charged again.



 Up in the sky, Gilda cawed in pain when a bolt from Edge hit her. Rainbow hit him with hooves as she shot at him, dazing him a moment and giving her the chance to talk to Gilda.

"You alright?"

"No, I'm not! That freakin' hurt!" She rubbed her shoulder. "How is he even doing that?! If this guy suddenly transforms into a toaster, I'm gone!"

"I wouldn't put it past him. Last time I saw this guy, he was meant to be dead."

Gilda huffed. "He's not doing a very good job of it. But weird lasers or none, he's gonna pay for attacking Griffinstone."

"Wait, what?! You're not serious!"

"Totally serious, but I'll tell you about it later. Let's kick his flank first!"

Rainbow nodded and they parted to avoid more blasts fired at them. They weaved and flew about, keeping his attention divided.

"Hey, G! Remember the Double Corkscrew?"

"Like I would forget!"

They came together again, spinning around one another. They split apart to dodge incoming blasts but soared up and around to smack into him at the same time. Rainbow punched him in his fleshy side while Gilda scratched him up on the metal bits.

But Edge's wings suddenly came around to shield his face. Their sharp feathers slashed them both in the face and again across their legs when they went back into place. Rainbow went to fly up, but was blasted in the leg. It caused her to falter and she didn't manage to dodge Gilda when Edge got her in his levitation beam and threw her at Rainbow.

"Okay, I've had it up to here with this jerk!" snarled Gilda when she recovered. "I'm about to come over there and you're gonna need some more metal on you when I'm through!"

"Can't… can't stop…" groaned Edge. "Have to… have to… fight."

"So what? Don't hear us bragging about it!" she retorted.

"Gilda, wait," said Rainbow. "He was like this before too. I don't think he actually wants to do this."

"Could have fooled me. What does it matter anyway?" She bared her claws. "I'm gonna tear him apart!"

"Gilda! Stop! We need to work…" She trailed off when Gilda charged again. "Ugh, fine then."

Angling around to attack from beneath, the three flyers clashed in a meeting of claws, hooves and crimes against nature.



 It broke Rarity's heart, seeing such beautiful fabrics be torn apart like this. So many delightful dresses and fancy frocks, now never to be. But at the same time, she'd much rather be around to make those clothes.

The problem was that her supply of fabric was limited and no matter how she layered them on, Selena wasn't perturbed. Rarity would try to get a few kicks in while she was restrained or would apply more force to the spell, but she'd always tear her way through.

"You're holding back, Rarity." Her fangs flashed in a teasing smirk. "You've been in fights, yes but you've not had to fight to kill. To kill one who is trying to kill you."

"How dare you talk as if that's shameful!" she retorted. "Killing isn't something to be proud of!"

"It isn't about pride. It's about necessity." Selena's eyes flashed. "If you don't learn that soon, only one of us will be walking away from this battle and it won't be you."

With sudden speed, she darted through Rarity's last attempt at a restraint and slashed her across the face. Rarity reeled as she was kicked, grabbed and hoisted into the air. She cried as the claws dug into her sides as Selena inhaled deeply.

"If it's any consolation," she whispered, "you're going to make a fine meal."

She hurled Rarity back to the ground, landing in a crouch as the fashionista tumbled to a stop. Her head was pounding and her vision was going blurry. Selena was stalking towards her. But Rarity couldn't give in, she couldn't. She wouldn't die like this!

But just as Selena was about to pounce, a massive ball of fire struck the ground between them. Before either of them could react, a tall figure dressed in golden armour landed in a crouching position.

Even as the lingering wave of heat washed over her, Rarity immediately made out the bipedal body shape, the long tail, and the sharp claws of a dragon. Her first thought was that it was Spike, but this dragon was a little taller and leaner. Red eyes gleamed at her from inside her helm and she could see blue scales and leathery wings in the gaps of her armour.

"What is it with you and dragons?" Selena remarked. She sniffed. "Wait, I know that scent…"

"You remember me? Good." The dragon rounded on the thestral. "Then we can get right to it!"

Taking advantage of the distraction, Rarity once again dabbed and bandaged what she could with the scraps that remained. Another fireball burst from the dragon's mouth, forcing Selena to dodge. She got in close, slashing at the dragon but her claws slid off the armour.

The dragon struck back with her own. She feinted with a high strike then caught Selena on her leg. The thestral stumbled and the dragon grabbed the sides of her head, kicking her in the chin with her knee. Selena lashed out, catching the claws under the dragon's helmet and dislodging it. The claws went for the dragon's eyes, but Rarity came in with a kick that sent Selena sprawling.

"Hey! I didn't ask for your help!" the dragon snarled.

"You seemed to be in a bit of a fix. I thought you might appreciate the assistance."

The dragon regarded Rarity uncertainly. Her face was just as lean as the rest of her, ending in a pointed snout. Two horns curled under her ears and her head was decorated by a line of spines.

"I thought you ponies were all about flowers and frolicking and such," she remarked, her eyes lingering on Rarity's wounds. "Didn't think any of you had the stones for a fight."

Rarity flicked her mane back. "While we certainly don't go looking for trouble, we're certainly not afraid to face it, if it rears its head. You certainly came dressed for it, Miss…?"

"I'm no 'miss'. Name's Ember," she replied shortly. "I came here to find out why one of you attacked the Badlands."

"Since we're meant to be about frolicking and flowers?"

"Pretty much." She turned her attention to Selena. "Didn't think I'd find one of the ones responsible for it."

"You're lucky I left you alive," Selena hissed. "I'll be sure to retract that kindness this time."

"You won't get the chance to. Stay back!" she snapped at Rarity. "She's mine!"

Rarity was about to object, but Ember had already made straight for Selena. While she was certainly ferocious, Selena was already adapting to her new opponent. She didn't stay in close, only going in for quick jabs in gaps through Ember's armour. Both were quick, but Selena was a little quicker. The odds had to be evened.

Hurrying into the boutique, Rarity dashed up to her workroom. She retrieved her diamond-edged scarf, then her eyes wandered to something in the corner. Her chest of precious gems that she used in her designs. Once again, her heart ached.

"Yet more dazzling accessories to be sacrificed," she mused. "Oh well, I'm sure Spike won't mind a little trip to get some more."

She levitated it downstairs, just in time to see things weren't going in Ember's favour. Selena had managed to slash the leather buckles keeping her armour in place. The chest piece had fallen away, exposing her less armoured underbelly which Selena was already targeting.

Rarity levitated a few gems and hurled them at Selena. She yelped as two cut into her sides. She was forced to fly back when Rarity sent a few more at her, hurrying over to Ember who scowled at her.

"I told you, she's-!"

"Yes, yes, she's yours but there's no reason the effort shouldn't be divided. Here." She gathered up some tatters of straps and was able to magically combine them back together on her chest plate. "I think you may need this."

Ember stared in bemusement. "Why are you doing this?"

"Well even if it was inadvertently, you did save my life. Besides," she added, levitating a gem to her, "I have great experience dealing with dragons."

She regarded the gem warily, then ate it gladly before fastening her armour back again.

"I was wondering why you were throwing snacks at her," she said. "Um… thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome. Now," she said, levitating more gems around her as Selena recovered, "shall we get back to it?"

"Alright, but save a few of those for after. They're not half bad, you know, considering they're pony picked."



 Back at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie had reached something of a stalemate with the twins. Feeling intensely gave her focus. If she was happy, she'd be sure to share it. If she was angry, she made sure whatever brought it out was dealt with so she could get back to being happy. The twins were definitely that target.

The trouble was that they just wouldn't stay still. They'd gotten wise to her tricks and weren't staying in one spot too long. She'd surrounded her immediate area with more sticky taffy so they couldn't just charge at her. They could only jump or try to sneak around.

But Pinkie was onto them too. She wouldn't let them get her either. Not like they'd done with…

She choked on a sob at the thought of Zecora. It made her firing falter. Just for a moment, but it was enough. The happy one hurled more knives at her. She was forced to block it. The frowny one dashed at her, jumping over the taffy. She went to shoot but the other one was coming too. She had two eyes but only one cannon. She couldn't hit them both.

She'd have to be quick. She blasted the frowny one with cookie dough. She turned to the other. She wouldn't have time, she needed to load another shot. The knife flashed. Pinkie braced herself.

Then something pony-shaped twisted into the happy one, kicking her away and bounding off to land next to Pinkie. She almost stopped to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. Turquoise eyes, black-and-white striped fur and mane. Golden bangles around her forelegs and neck, with matching earrings. None other than…

"Zecora!" she squealed, her mane inflating and her pink returning. "You're okay!"

The zebra shaman's voice was somewhat laboured as she spoke. "As of now, that remains to be seen, thanks to these two fiends. But even so…" She smiled at her. "It is good to see you, Pinkie."

"You too!"

Pinkie could see she was bandaged, around her sides and on her head. But that didn't look like it was keeping her down. The twins had stopped their attack. They craned their heads from Zecora to Pinkie. She could almost hear their heads whirring away, trying to figure out what they should do.

"You both gave me quite a nasty surprise before you absconded with your prize," said Zecora. Her eyes flickered to the Amulet. "But you were rude and did not ask, now I must take you to task."

Their heads glanced at the Amulet too. Then back at Zecora. Zecora looked back at them. Pinkie looked between them both. She didn't know what they wanted the Amulet for, but she knew it couldn't be for anything good. They couldn't let them take it.

For a moment, nopony moved.

The twins pounced. Zecora sprang. She hoisted herself up on her staff, delivering a double kick to them. She slid down to grab the Amulet, but the frowny one swiped it first. Zecora landed in a crouch, sweep kicking as the frowny one flipped back. Pinkie cut off her escape by firing her cannon. Zecora knocked the Amulet out of the frowny one's hoof.

It sailed up into the air, but the happy one caught it with a jump. She ducked under Pinkie's blast but flinched when Zecora bonked her on the head. She hooked her staff around the Amulet and the frowny one knocked it off with a throwing knife. It skidded towards Pinkie.

"I got it!"

Pinkie dived for it, grasping for it. She got it and stood up, just to get kicked in the chin. Something flipped around her back and she felt something sharp press against her throat.

"No!" Zecora glared at the twin holding Pinkie. "Let her go."

The one holding her went for the Amulet. Pinkie held it closer, whimpering when the blade dug a little further in. But she wouldn't let them scare her. She couldn't let them have it!

Zecora's eyes moved between Pinkie and the Amulet. Sweat beaded on her forehead. The other twin was coming around to join her sister, both of them watching Zecora closely. The zebra closed her eyes and sighed.

"Zecora… you can't let them…!" Pinkie squeaked.

"Though I'm reluctant to let them have their prize, I also do not wish for your demise." She opened them again. "Give it to them."

Pinkie didn't want to. But she also didn't want to be carved up like a birthday cake either. She gulped and dropped the Amulet.

The twin not holding her caught it. The other shoved her into Zecora and they sprinted for the stairs.

"Hey, come back with that!" yelled Pinkie.

"Quickly Pinkie, we must give chase and not let them escape this place!"

She started to run, but winced and clutched her head.

"Now hold up, you just take it easy for a sec," said Pinkie. "Have another swig of a brew, then we'll pursue those two. Hey look, I did a you!"

"Indeed you did, it must be said." Zecora laughed a little and drank another potion. "Even now, I still have a pretty bad head."

"Then let's get some fresh air! And Zecora?" Pinkie smiled. "Thanks for saving me."

She returned it. "No object is worth another's life. With you in this world, Pinkie, there is much less strife. Now, will you join me and stop our foes, even such vile ones as those?"

"Just try and stop me!"

The zebra nodded and together, they took off after the twins.



 Dusk cried as Grace slashed him across the leg. The same again when another knife hit his flank. The disembodied leg of the stallion zoomed at him, crashing into his skull at full force. Dusk saw stars before a pair of floating hooves twisted towards him, lifted him up and slammed him back down again.

He tried to stand again, but his legs gave out. He tried his magic, but his head was pounding and he felt drained. His most recent bout of colour forms were already fizzling away, the puppets they had been engaged with stalking towards him. Grace reformed into one whole again, joining them.

"Well, I have to admit, Dusk, you didn't disappoint," he said. "Your magic is both unique and impressive. I think that… yes, you'll make a wonderful addition to my troupe."

"I'm not… going to let you carve… one of these in my image," he said weakly.

"Come now, my friend, you make it sound so mundane, so pedestrian!" The knives sprang from his hooves again. "But you'll learn soon enough."

Dusk tried again to stand, but it was just too much. He attempted to back away, dragging himself along the ground but it was no use. Grace would be on him soon and then that'd be it.

One of the puppets was reaching for him, no doubt to hold him still. Dusk found the energy for one more spell. At least he'd go down fighting.

Then something slammed right into the puppet, crushing it beneath its weight. Something dark and large, with jade green eyes that looked around at the scene before them.

"Brother." Doom stood over his 'catch', looking unimpressed. "You appear to be having some trouble."

"What… gave you that idea?" he managed to say.

"The sight of you lying battered and broken, yet not at my hooves." He pressed his hoof down on the puppet he was pinning. "I intend to rectify that."

"Who are you and what do you think you're- NO!" Grace watched in horror as Doom slammed his hoof down, leaving a very large series of cracks in its head. "I had just gotten her looking so much better and now you just went and… how dare you?!"

"You asked who I am." Doom plucked splinters from his hooves, barely wincing. "My name is Blackhole Doom. Remember it, because you will be using it to beg for my mercy soon enough."

"Oh-hoh, I see. You're one of those types!" Grace laughed derisively. "Well, you can be rest assured that I will-"

He had to duck when Doom flung the puppet with the force of a cannon firing. The stallion himself came at Grace like a raging bull, slamming into him and sending him flying backwards. The puppets dived at him, trying to pin him down but he threw them off with shadows that danced as a raging fire would.

Dusk pushed himself steadily to his hooves, intending to lend his help. But only a few seconds watching told him Doom probably didn't need it. His former dark side was like a force of nature unleashed. Being outnumbered didn't faze him in the slightest. If anything, it made him fight harder. Dusk winced at every blow struck, marvelled at his control over shadow and was even a little envious at his ferocity.

A puppet blasted him with magic. Doom powered through it and tore the weapon off, bending it in his aura. Another plunged its blade into his side. He yelped, but snapped the blade off and punched the offending attacker. He pulled a chunk of earth to block more blasts of magic, then propelled it at the puppet firing.

"Is this all you have, little stallion?!" he roared at Grace. "This feels like light exercise!"

The puppet master recovered, glaring at Doom. "Then what say we make this a real workout?"

His body flew apart again. Knifed hooves slashed at Doom, landing hits on his legs. He winced and tried to grab them with shadow tendrils, but they zoomed out of reach. Crossbows took their place and fired. Doom grunted when some of the bolts entered his foreleg before using shadows to catch the rest.

Doom yelled when a puppet blasted him in his blind spot. Grace seemed to recognise his opponent was best not engaged directly and kept his puppets using ranged attacks, forcing Doom on the back foot. He had to surround himself with writhing shadows as Grace and his puppets hovered about him.

"Your strength is certainly impressive," remarked Grace, dodging bladed shadows. "But that's pretty much all you have, isn't it? Swinging your body about like a cudgel. I've dealt with your type before. How much can you take before it's too much?"

"I will show you!"

With a roar, the shadows lashed out in all directions. It disrupted the puppets' field of fire as Doom leapt out from the centre, aiming to crash down on top of Grace. The puppet master dodged, but only just. Doom levitated the resulting debris from his impact, hurling pebbles and dirt at Grace while he tried to recover.

"Get back!" he snapped when he saw Dusk starting towards him. "I already have enough of a headache without having to contend with you! Since you can't manage this affair, I shall do it for you!"

"Doom… you can't… beat him alone," gasped Dusk.

"Can't I? Watch me."

"Oh, isn't this sweet?" Grace chuckled. "Big brother is fighting his little brother's battles for him. I'm touched."

Dusk's anger flared. He was tempted to stay, Show Doom that he wasn't a weakling anymore and pay Grace back for what he'd done.

Then, he remembered his exchange with Grace. They weren't just attacking randomly. They were here for a purpose. And that purpose was currently away from the town, with no idea of what was going on and the most gentle-hearted among them the only one there. If the others were caught up in similar fights as he suspected, then Dusk was the only one who had a chance of stopping them.

Dusk lowered his voice. "You're sure you can beat him alone? I think I know what they're here for and I might be able to at least prevent them."

"Where do you need to be?"

"Fluttershy's cottage. If you can-"

But Dusk didn't get to finish before he felt a coldness wrap around him. Moments later, he was flung away by Doom over a nearby house. He only just managed to use a pink cloud to break his fall. Even then, he winced from his previous injuries.

He considered trying to find his friends, offering help. But they could look after themselves. Right now, he had somewhere he needed to be. Casting soothing cream-yellow magic on himself to treat the worst of the pain, he set off for the cottage of the pony associated with it.

He only hoped he wasn't too late.



 Ray lounged on the couch in the cottage. He'd passed some time by engaging in a stare-off with Angel Bunny. That little mammal had way too much aggression for something so small and he refused to be intimidated.

His mind turned to his marefriend. He felt like she'd been gone a while. He hoped she hadn't run into any trouble, but when it came to animals he knew better than to try and stop her. He began to wonder if it wasn't worth going out to find her. Then again, he'd found himself enjoying moments of peace like this to himself. Given how most of his life had been, it was pretty welcome.

But it was hard to take his mind off things. Mainly Dusk. The way he'd reacted on the train, when the girls had speculated about other Demon Beasts. He didn't like the idea of there being more Wraths out there any more than they did, but if Dusk was hiding something like that, they needed to know for sure. He'd be patient, for now. But not forever.

He was almost tempted to ask the Beast himself. But then he remembered the most recent time he'd done it and wasn't keen to repeat the experience. Besides, how would Fluttershy react if she came home and he was away in his own head? Better just to wait, then she could help him forget his worries, if only briefly.

The door to the cottage opened again and there she was. He was already starting to feel better.

"Hey, you're back! Was it alright?"

"Oh yes, nothing to worry about. Poor Harry had just stepped on a thorn, but I got it out." She pawed at the ground. "Room for one more there?"

"You know it." Grinning at how adorable she was, he patted the spot next to him. "Can I respectfully request we ignore any other interruptions?"

"I think that's a great idea. In fact…" She turned and locked the door. "There. That's that."

"Wow, I was only being partly serious," he joked. "You know if some other animal needs your help, you can just go. I really don't mind."

"Don't you worry, Ray." She flew over and nuzzled in next to him. Her hoof moved to the back of his neck. "We won't have to worry about that one little bit."

He gazed right back into those perfect blue eyes. Everything in the world felt just right whenever he looked into them, like two shimmering pools of sparkling water. It would all be just fine, so long as he had her. Nothing else was going to distract him from this.

Somepony hammered on the door outside. The handle jiggled frantically, but didn't give.

"Whoa hey, what's that all about?" he asked.

"Don't worry, just ignore them," said Fluttershy. She turned him around to look into her eyes again. "They'll go away if we stay quiet."

"Ray? Ray, are you in there?!" The door shook from frantic hammering again. "Please, open the door!"

"Wait a sec…"

"Ray, it's alright." Fluttershy's voice lost its tenderness. "Just look at me."

He realised his head felt weirdly… spinney. He recognised the voice on the other end. But it couldn't be right because the pony it belonged to, she was… she was…

The door burst open and in it stood…

"Fluttershy? But-"

Something cold pressed onto the back of his neck. He only glimpsed the other Fluttershy hurrying inside, followed by somepony… or was that actually a…

Then Ray Strike thought no more.



 The fight with Grace hadn't done Dusk many favours, either for injuries or energy levels. But he pushed himself to keep going. He was out of Ponyville, it wasn't much further to the cottage. So far there was no sign of any more trouble.

Arriving at the cottage was a different story. The first thing he saw were two different Fluttershys, both grappling with each other. Both had such expressions of ferocity and fought with equal determination that Dusk honestly couldn't tell which was which.

Then something answered for him. A changeling, in its standard form, tried to grab one of the Fluttershys and restrain her.

"Get away from her!"

Dusk restrained the other Fluttershy with shadows, gagging her mouth. He punched the changeling with orange hooves and dazed it. He restrained that one as well, helping the genuine article to her hooves.

"Oh Dusk! You came along just in time," she said in relief.

He nodded. "It certainly looks like it. They're after Ray. Take him and go. Hide him in the Forest, for now. They'll be reluctant to go after him there."

He ignored the protests of the changeling Fluttershy, as she struggled against her bonds.

"Good idea." She flew back inside, coming back with the stallion supported on her back. He was out cold. "The changeling crept up in disguise and did something to him. I don't know what, but I'll try and reverse it."

"I'll let the others know what's going on," he said. "Can you manage?"

"You know me, Dusk. When I have a job to do, nothing will stop me, especially where he's concerned."

She hurried off with the stallion and Dusk turned to regard the fake Fluttershy.

"I don't know which of you Fallen recruited to his cause, but your plan failed," he said. "You're not getting him."

The fake was wriggling frantically. If only to stop pushing his magic so much, he removed the gag.

"Dusk, what are you doing?!" she shrieked. "I'm the real Fluttershy! That one's the fake!"

"Do you really think I'd fall for such an obvious-?"

"Big brother, please! We have to stop her before she gets away!"

Dusk faltered at this. The changeling could have learned that was what she called him and was still trying to fool him. And yet…

He heard a magical blast go off behind him. Green magic had shot into the sky, glowing and hanging in place. Like a signal. Directly underneath it was Fluttershy, with Ray still on her back.

She looked back at Dusk, with a sinister smile and pressed something on her foreleg. With a flash of light, she was gone and Ray along with her.