//------------------------------// // Aftermath // Story: League of Bronies // by darkironpony //------------------------------// Author's Note: This is possibly my favorite chapter so far. I hope it shows. Lastly edited by Rampage. Also the title of the chapter may change. Just saying. [Bass's P.O.V. Unknown location.] "Ow. My head," I complain as I come to. I close my eyes in agony. I rub my temple with my fingers. Fingers?! "Awwwwwww. Not this place again!" I said realizing where I was. As I did my eyes fully adjust revealing...nothing. "What the hell?" I think aloud. I feel myself fall to the ground. I hazard a look to find myself standing on nothing. "Awwww!" I scream hysterically. I jump and yet I don't drop. Okay. This is weird. I wonder where Brighty and Blackest are? I carefully inch forward expecting to fall off. Can't waste time. Probably they can tell me what is going on. I take my first step and feel myself fall straight down. I'm too frightened to utter a single sound. I fall for what seems like hours until I impact hard against a jagged floor of some sort. "Mmmph!" I hear a muffled voice. "Blackest?" I ask remaining where I am. "Where are you?" "MMmph!" he answers back. "You are eating a snack?" I ask hopefully. "Mmmph!" "Oh. I'm on your back," I say facehoofing. "Mmph!!!" "Okay. Okay I'm getting off. Sheesh!" I complain getting up. As soon as I get up I feel another hand grab my neck. "I'm gonna enjoy this!" he said raising a fist. As he did that he tightened his grip on my neck. "Brother you know he can't feel pain here," I hear Bright speak up. It is then when I realize I could still breath. How can I? "We are merely inside your subconscious. You can't die here. And seeing how we are you we can't hurt you without damaging ourselves," he answered my questions. "Say what?" I ask confused. Bright shakes his head. "Lets just say magic." I nod my approval. Blackest grunts. "Um...So why aren't you guys there?" I ask hesitantly. "Because. You didn't listen. You moron," Blackest said irritated. I open my mouth to reply. "Its because you fought Rampage," Bright explained calmly. "Who is Rampage?" I ask dumbfounded. "The pony that knocked you out," Blackest elaborated. "I thought his name was Rage." "He used an alias," Bright answered obviously. " Why would he need to use an alias?" "That we don't know," Bright said frowning. "So am I dead?" I ask fearfully. "Yeah you are," Blackest answered chuckling. I felt myself begin to hyperventilate. Bright shot Blackest a dirty look. He just shrugged a response. This caused Bright to sigh. "Not really. You see you're just mostly dead. There is a big difference between mostly dead and all dead," Bright explained helpfully. "What?" "Basically your brain entered a kind of sleep." "Well when do I wake up?" "You won't." "What?!" I inquire shocked. "Unless you do something," Blackest said smirking. "And what is that?" I ask dreading the answer. "In order to wake up you have to pay," Blackest said menacingly inching closer. "What kind of payment?" I question warily. "A fight. You can wake up by fighting me." "Stop Brother," Bright said sternly. "Is he right?" "Blackest is merely finding any excuse to fight," Bright said ignoring my question. "I said is he right?" I ask Bright seriously. "Yes. He is but- "That's all I need to know," I interrupt rudely. "Fine Blackest you and me." Bright sighed as Blackest nodded. A flash blinded me for a second. When my eyes adjusted I found myself in the tournament arena. I examined myself. I saw Blackest across from me. He was wearing a red vest and jeans. He wore a muscle shirt with his vest. His eyes didn't have pupils. He had brown spiky hair. I thought they had to look like me. What is going on? Bright entered the middle. He had blond spiky hair that matched his brother. He had a blue vest and jean but like his brother wore a muscle shirt as well. "You both will fight. There can only be one winner. Go!" he exclaimed disappearing. Blackest cracked his neck. "Alright. Finally, some excitement," he said eagerly as entered a boxer stance. [Rampage's P.O.V.] I l eft the ring in a daze. I drifted through the town. Every building I passed ponies closed their doors. My body went numb. I saw my view change but I felt nothing. "Hey Rampage!" I heard a voice call from above. I ignored it and continue to walk. She landed right in front of me. "Hey, I'm talking to you," Rainbow said angrily. I moved a little to the left and began to walk again. Rainbow used her wings to block me from going. I look at Rainbow's eyes. They burned with steely determination. "What do you want Dash?" I ask with a sigh. "What's with the attitude?" she asked irritated. "None of your business!" I yell angrily. "Hey. What did I do?!" "Get out of my face!" I growl, annoyed. "Not until you tell me what is wrong with you," she demands sternly. "Not going to happen. Now move Dash," I said icily. She shakes her head stubbornly. "Fine." She takes a deep breath. "Well?" she asks impatiently. "Let’s just say Bass isn't somepony I like." "Why?" "No real reason." "How can you hate him without a reason?" "I don't know, but I do." "But why do you?" "He just gets under my skin. That’s all, Dash." "I don't believe you." "Too bad for you," I retorted, annoyed. "Why won't you just tell me?!" "Fine Dash. You wanna know the problem?" She nods slowly. "You are the problem Dash. You will be with me for a while. Then a few days later you will face a choice. A choice between me and somepony else. When that time comes you would pick the other pony. They always pick the other pony!" I scream, frustrated as my tears began to stain the earth beneath me.. "Rampage, I," she began. "Dash just stop. And let me go," I said monotonically. Dash gulped and lowered her wing. "Thank you Dash. And goodbye," I said, my voice void of all emotion as I walked past her, not looking back. [Infinite's P.O.V.] So...this is Manehatten. I fail to see its allure. Looks like just another city. She probably isn't even here. I walked aimlessly through the streets. After a straight hour of searching I decided to rest and recuperate. Luckily I found a nearby coffee place. It looked abandoned. I saw a red pegasus tap his hoof against one of the abandoned tables as he sighed. " "Excuse me?" I said trying to gain his attention. His ears perked up as he heard my voice. "Just one second. I'll be right there sir," he said gliding through the air. He landed right in front of me and beamed happily. "So what would you like?" he asked eagerly. "I would first like a menu." "Right. A menu. Tee we have a customer," he yelled hysterically as he ran through the shop's back doors. In a minute a blue coated unicorn with a white mane entered from the doors. She used her magic to hold the menus. She sprinted in my direction. And she fell down on her face. The menus fly through the air and hit my face. The force of the blow knocked me over. I grunt as I begin to get up. "I'm so sorry sir," the mare said sincerely as she attempted to help me up. "It's fine. I'm just glad I ordered the menus first." Tee giggled. "Tee," the pegasus said tiredly. Tee sighed and pulled out a bit from a nearby saddlebag. She offered me the bit. I can use this. I shook my head. "You can repay me by getting me," I said lifting a menu to my face,"two coffees and some information." She nodded thankfully. The pegasus let out a relieved sigh. "Wait. Why two?" she asked abruptly. "Tee the customer is always right," the pegasus said sternly. She nodded and went back through the doors. A few minutes later she returned with a plate holding two cups. Luckily she didn't trip this time. She placed it in front of me along with a piece of paper. I picked up the paper and read it. "Really? Just two bits per coffee?" I asked skeptically. "Cafe doesn't think they're worth more than that," she explained sadly. Cafe. That must be the owner. I shrugged and she remained standing. I eyed her intensely. "Why are you standing there? There is an extra seat," I said gesturing for her to sit. She looked back at Cafe who nodded his approval. "Besides you still owe me some information," I said warmly. Tee sat down across from me. She grabbed one of the cups with her magic. "So what do you want to know?" "I'm looking for somepony. I heard she was somewhere in Manehattan." "Oh. Who is this somepony? Is she your marefriend?" she asked teasingly. I shook my head. "No, she is a performer from what I hear." Tee cringed as I said that. She must know who I'm talking about. "Tee have you ever seen the great and powerful Trixie?" I inquire calmly. Tee took a deep breath. "What do you want?" I raised a brow. "Do you want to make fun of me too? Do you want to call me a liar? I have heard them all. What is it that you want?" she asked bitterly. "I WANT to know where I can find her," I answered as I take a sip from my cup. "I'm HER," she said angrily. She isn't what I expected. This is better than what I could've hoped for. "Answer me one more question." "What is it?" she asked growling. "What would you do to be great and powerful again?" I asked whispering. "What?!" "I can make it happen. I can give you power." "Why would I want power?" "Power commands respect and admiration. Those two traits are very important to a showmare such as yourself," I elaborated, smirking. "What would I need to do?" she asked excitedly. "One operation. I guarantee you that it will make you feel empowered," I said smugly. She went silent to examine the area. Her eyes rested on Cafe. She shook her head. "Alright. I'll do it." "Wonderful," I said grinning. I quickly used a portal to extract a contract. "Just sign here." She nodded and did as I asked. "Now what?" "Now...we...go," I said, opening the portal larger and larger until it engulfed us both. "Tee," Cafe said scrambling to glide to catch Trixie in time. He managed to make it near us as our heads were descending. "Cafe!" she said trying to reach for him. "This is what you wanted," I said chuckling as I pulled her down. [In Sonic's World. Tails's P.O.V.] "Look Tails, I admit Sonic is acting strange but I don't think he is turning evil," Knuckles said frustrated. "But," I insist. "But nothing Tails," he growled back. I slumped down in shame. "Look!" he yelled desperately trying to compose himself,"look I'll bet you Sonic just needs a break. You two have been working nonstop since we got back. Probably we can have a party or something." "I know just the place," I said eagerly. "See you around Tails," Knuckles said as he walked away. I went to search for Sonic. Shadic and Knuckles are probably right. Sonic might just need some rest. "Sonic!" I shout gleefully as I saw him. "Yes Tails?" he asked stiffly. "I was thinking we should throw a party! We can invite everyone and there will be chilidogs," I said temptingly. "You're going to invite everyone?" I nodded earnestly. "Okay that sounds like fun." "Glad you like it. I'll go get working on the invitations," I said heading to my lab. Sonic followed close behind me. "Yes Sonic?" "Mind if I choose the place Tails?" "Uh...sure," I said hesitantly. "Good, Lets hold it here," he said pointing at an old location. "You sure Sonic?" He nodded smiling. I shrugged. [Bass's P.O.V. Play this!] Blackest went straight with a right hook to my head. I blocked it. Blackest didn't waste a second as he hit my head with a left kick. I fell down. Blackest caught my body with a fist to my chest. The air left my body. He grabbed my head and tossed my entire body into the air. He jumped and kicked my chest once with each of his legs. After that he followed up with a double kick to it. I fell down hard leaving a me shaped crater in the arena. "Get up and I'll put you back down!" Blackest threatened chuckling. I picked myself up shakingly. He lunged at me. I ducked under his jump. Then Blackest did something strange. What the? He froze? But why? His eyes twitched. I gave him a quick right uppercut to his jaw. That sent him flying. As he fell I prepared to kick his head. Suddenly his eyes opened. I closed my eyes tightly and kicked. I saw that Blackest was spinning his body in the air. Why does that seem familiar? He bought his hands down together hitting my back. Blackest landed in front of me. He pulled my head into his right knee. I stumbled backwards. He jabbed my head pushing me further back. "Come on! Don't make it too easy!" he taunted harshly. I felt my world begin to spin. I could feel my bones begin to break. My mind became less focused. My muscles became tenser. Blackest threw a power filled punch to my head. I ducked my head. I jumped and kicked his face. Blackest was left dazed. I smiled. I grabbed his right arm. Before he could resist I hit it with my left elbow. The bones shattered. "Aw!" Blackest exclaimed falling back. I followed up with bringing both of my hands down on his head. He tryed in vain to block my attack with both his arms. His right arm fell useless. His left arm was unable to withstand the blow. My attack made it match its counterpart. I continued my assault by sweeping his legs. He roared defiantly and began swinging wildly at me. I easily dodged his blows. I saw him falter. I aimed for his shins. [You can stop the music now.] 'Enough!" Bright said appearing between me and Blackest. "Just one more minute," Blackest begged desperately. "No." "Fine," Blackest pouted. I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad. So now I wake up right?" "Not exactly," Brighty said hesitantly. "What?!" "Did you learn your lesson?" "What lesson?! We just had a fight! I had no time to learn a lesson!" "Told you he wouldn't figure it out. You should've let me loose on him," Blackest complained tiredly. "Then you would've killed him." Blackest raised a finger prepared to retort. He then shook his head. "You're right." "Excuse me! What lesson did I need to learn?!" "About me genius," Blackest said annoyed. "What about you?" Blackest huffed and disappeared. Brighty sighed. "You understand what we are correct?" "You mean spirits or something? What about it?" "My brother and I represent aspects of warriors. My brother is the physicality while I'm the mentality." "What does that have to do with anything?" I asked frustrated. "Both aspects create a powerful fighter." "And?" "Did you realize how you defeated my brother?" "Um...skill?" I asked hopefully. "Yes...and no." I sighed defeated. "Basically you trusted your instincts to defeat my brother. You had no time to think so you acted. You chose to trust your physical form. But note regardless of the damage you did to my brother he was willing to proceed. Our bodies are only as strong as yours is. Still his spirit allowed him to continue," he explained calmly. "What does that have to do with me waking up?!" "Well," Brighty said smirking, "Perhaps you need to trust yourself more. And not blindly believe others." Brightly began to disappear. "Wait!" I shouted in vain. Damn it! This was just a waste of time! "Hey. I think he's coming to." Shadow?!