//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: A Glimmer of Hope // Story: M̸y̶ ̸L̴i̶t̸t̶l̴e̶ C̵o̸r̷r̴u̶p̶t̶e̷d̸-P̵o̴n̴y̷ // by ScorchingFlamesInc //------------------------------// The first thing Chrysalis did moments after seeing Starlight’s face was shoot her. The green bolt of magic struck Starlight right in the barrel and the mare was sent back, colliding against a tree. “Okay…” she groaned as she got up. “Should have been prepared for something like that.” “That was uncalled for,” said Fluttershy. Chrysalis snarled. Starlight thought for a moment, knowing what she had to do to prevent things from escalating. “Could I have a moment alone with Chrysalis, please?…” Starlight asked. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?-“ inquired Spike. Starlight gave him a nod, one assuring him and the others that she’s got this. “…Alright. Come on, let’s go.” Spike left, and Pinkie and Fluttershy followed. It was just Chrysalis and Starlight now, Chrysalis shooting a glare of hatred and venom. Starlight sighed. “You really can’t let it go, can you? The last time we fought, you won, you got your way, had the last laugh against me, and yet somehow I am still a priority to you in a situation like this.” “Just because I beat you once doesn’t mean my hatred for you has subsided!” Chrysalis spat. “Not to mention even though I did beat you, at the end of the day, I still lost all progress and was sent to that stone imprisonment!” “Can you just stop and listen for one moment?! I get it! You hate me. I took everything away from you. You’ll never be satisfied with beating me until you get your way and take over all of Equestria! I’m one of your biggest rivals. But we have something even more important to deal with! “Now correct me if I’m wrong here, but knowing you, you teamed up with Spike and the others because you saw this corruption as a greater threat than you, something that will prevent your goals and stop them from achieving them. And the moment I show up you’re now set on something entirely unrelated, and for all we know could hurt your alliance and chances of winning!” “How so?” Chrysalis scoffed. “Well, harming me or whatnot would pretty much hurt or, even likelier, end your alliance, and you would be all on your own. And plus, you need me! Everything’s going to get to a stage where your power is not enough, even with the alliance! You’ll need more firepower! More magic! And I can help! I’m not going to try and change your mind on friendship or make you not want me dead. It’s something I know I can’t do, and so I decided if we met again, it wasn’t worth it anymore. “Listen, Chrysalis. Just for this moment, can you just put our rivalry aside and let it go?! We can work together like you’ve been doing with the others, we save Equestria, and then when all is said and done, you can do whatever you want. Okay?” Chrysalis for a moment growled at Starlight, eyes piercing into her soul. And then, she exhaled in a quick defeat. “This alliance is going to be far less enjoyable…” *** Spike, Pinkie, and Fluttershy all sat patiently as they waited for Chrysalis and Starlight to return, having little to no clue on what was going on. “I hope it works out okay…” Fluttershy said. “Yeah!” Pinkie nodded. “After all, Starlight is one of Chrysalis’ most hated rivals and Chrysalis would want to tear her apart into itty bitty pieces more than any of us combined!” “Well hopefully that doesn’t happen…” said Spike. “Chrysalis was useful, and Starlight would also be a big help, but both of them would be really helpful especially since our last stop is… Canterlot for the… diamond-“ All of a sudden Spike gasped, cupping his mouth. “THE EMERALD! THE RUBY! THEY WERE ON THE SKIFF! AND THE BLOODSTONE!… Oh no… NO! WE LOST THEM!” “No we didn’t.” Pinkie smiled. She reached into her own mane and proceeded to pull out the bloodstone, the ruby, and lastly, the emerald, setting all of them nicely on the ground. The tense feeling throughout Spike’s body quickly dissipated, and he let out a massive sigh of relief. “Oh, Pinkie, what would we do without you?…” Within’ the next few moments, Chrysalis finally returned, accompanied by Starlight. “So… what’s going on?” asked Fluttershy. “As far as I know she’ll put her hatred for me aside, at least until this is-” Starlight put her explanation to a halt and her gaze focused on the three massive shiny gems on the ground. “Wait… what are the gems for?… Is that the bloodstone for Ember’s scepter?” “Oh yeah! We figured out a way to save Equestria!” Pinkie beamed. “Oh thank Celestia… I couldn’t figure out anything on what I was going to do! Libraries were dangerous to be around, and I knew it was only going to get riskier to be alone!” “So what are you doing all the way out here near the dragon lands?” Fluttershy asked. “I, uh, eventually had a run-in that led to me being here. Another long, very complicated story for another time. So… I’m guessing these gems are what we need? What for?” “I would explain if I had my book-“ Chrysalis grumbled. “Oh!” From out of nowhere, Pinkie held up the book. “You mean this book?” Chrysalis immediately snatched it with a scowl. “Give me that!…” She flipped through the pages and showed what she saw to Starlight. “These gems are to power a contraption meant to purge this corruption from our world. If we are successful, then your precious world will be saved.” “Alright,” said Starlight. “We should get going then-“ “Not so fast Starlight Glimmer! We’re not done. We are missing one more, and it’s a diamond all the way in Canterlot.” “Oh… and… I’m guessing that’s going to be a pretty dangerous mission?” “Yeah,” Spike confirmed. “It’s not the dragon lands, but Canterlot’s got so many residents, guards, and the Princesses themselves! I don’t think it’s going to be pretty.” “Yeah, escaping after I was set free from stone was not an easy task…” Chrysalis said. “Especially considering… you know…” Chrysalis motioned over her body, referring to the bits and pieces of dark matter on her. “And if it was difficult, I fear it will be much worse.” “Maybe, but if we stick together-“ Chrysalis put her hoof on Pinkie’s mouth. “-Yes, yes, stick together, power of friendship. I don’t need to have that speech forced into my mind again.” “But… how are we even going to get to Canterlot?” Fluttershy questioned. “None of us have a way to get there!” They all entered a deep state of thought. “All I can think of is that… we need something that’s good and helpful…” Spike continued to think, tapping his chin. “…buuuuut doesn’t get us caught and in a pretty impossible situation.” “Maybe Chrysalis could turn into a giant creature and fly us to Canterlot!” Pinkie suggested. “And be directly responsible for painting a target on our flanks?!” Chrysalis spat. “No thanks!” “Well then there’s only one thing we can do,” Starlight said. “We’ll have to go the old fashioned way. On hoof.” “Not a problem, I got from Ponyville to the Dragon Lands on my own two feet!” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow “And… how long did that take?” “I, uh…” Spike scratched the back of his head. “I lost track…” “Well we’ll just have to go that way unless we find anything,” proclaimed Starlight. “Let’s go.” They all went on their way, and time passed by slowly. Nobody was open to the idea of going by hoof/foot the whole entire way, but before long, they came across the border to the Celestial Sea, and resting at shore was a small sailboat. “It looks like it’s been there for a while…” Fluttershy said. “Doesn’t look too damaged though…” Spike mumbled. “I’m getting a closer look.” “Let me help you,” Starlight offered. Accepting the offer, Spike made his way to the boat, accompanied by Starlight. After a brief inspection, they concluded that it was safe to use, and once everyone boarded the boat, they went off. “Are you sure you know where to take this?…” inquired Chrysalis. “Oh…” Starlight realized. “Yeah, I probably should have-“ Pinkie pointed at a specific direction, one where it was nothing more than just water and the night horizon. “We gotta go west! That way!” “Well, alright, if you say so.” Chrysalis scoffed. “You actually believe she knows what she’s doing?…” “Well… yeah.” Chrysalis sat down, averting her gaze away from all faces, and stared at the far distance. “It’s your loss. I doubt this will end well. But I can’t help but be curious as to where this will go…” Another hour passed. The moon remained where it was, no signs of change. With many hours of night come and gone, Fluttershy took note on the situation. One thought lead to another, and it prompted her to speak up. “How long has the moon been up?…” she questioned. “I, uh…” Spike thought. “I don’t know… but now that you think about it… the sun should have been up at some point…” “Do you think the Princesses are okay?” Fluttershy asked. “I mean… I know it’s possible they ran away and probably don’t have the time or opportunity to change night to day… but the possibility of them being corrupted… it’s scary.” “I’m sure they’ll be fine!” Pinkie chirped. “They’re super powerful and even though they’ve been through a lot of nasty things, they’ve escaped a lot of nasty things too!” “I hope so…” Spike yawned. “Ugh… all of this time being awake and on this adventure is finally getting to me… but I really don’t want to sleep…” “Ooh. I’m feeling sleepy too,” said Pinkie. She curled up and immediately snoozed off. “Don’t worry too much, Spike,” Starlight assured. “Get some sleep. We’ll wake you up if anything happens.” “Well, alright… I trust you.” Spike lied down. As doubtful as he was of letting his guard down and going to sleep, deep down… he was just relieved he could get at least a little more rest, of course something that was still among his favorite things to do. In moments he drifted off to sleep. “Well…” Starlight looked over at Fluttershy and Chrysalis. “I guess it’s just us three for the time being…” Fluttershy nodded slowly, and Chrysalis just looked away, not willing to bother in engaging in conversation with Starlight. Starlight just sighed and continued to manage the boat.