//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: Kamen Rider Lux: Sins of the Parent // by Rixizu //------------------------------// “And I tell ya, it ain’t going to happen!” A yellow pony said in protest to the calls of a collection of fillies and colts.  “Come on, sis! It’s a wonderful idea! With Destron sneaking about, the princess needs all the help she can get!” A yellow filly said. Like her other compatriots, she wore a half-domed helmet shaped like Kamen Rider Lux’s helmet.  “Yeah, I’m sure the princess will think it’s a great idea once you tell her!” A white filly said. “Think about it! We can have eyes everywhere! No Destron baddie can escape our sight!” “Right! With us fighting beside her, Destron won’t stand a chance!” A snooty pink filly added.  Gilda watched as the collection of foals argued with the adult, refusing to give any quarter. But the older mare in a half-gallon hat refused to budge.  “I appreciate you’re willing to help, sugarcube, but it’s too dangerous for a bunch of foals like you.” The old mare said reasonably. “The princess would only worry if you got involved. It would be better for the Rider Scouts to go camping instead. Say, how about we go this weekend? The Whitetail Woods are darn right beautiful this time of year.” “Okay, Miss Applejack.” The foals moaned dejectedly. They’d really been looking forward to matching wits with Destron and fighting against evil. While Gilda obviously agreed that children shouldn’t be involved in the battle against Destron, she had to admire their gusto. Loathed as she was to admit it, ponies were much tougher than her original assumption.  “I told you it was a dumb idea, stupid!” The snooty pink filly said towards an orange pegasus classmate. “You didn’t listen to me.” “It was a good idea!” The orange filly countered. “If Rainbow Dash can fight for Equestria, why can’t we? AJ’s just too close-minded to realize the Rider Scout’s awesomeness!” The two fillies broke into a heated argument, which reminded Gilda of the fracases she had gotten into with Rainbow Dash at flight school. Rainbow watched in amusement as she approached.  “What’s the hubbub about?” The mare asked.  “Just silly kids’ stuff,'' Gilda replied with a shrug. Her rainbow-maned friend waved to the orange filly, who seemed to glow from the attention. To nogiff’s surprise, the dashing mare had an admirer.  “Looks like they’re having fun. Cool helmet, Scootaloo!”  The filly beamed, joining her friends for some adventure in the park. Gilda reclined on the bench as her old friend joined her on it.  “So, how’s training?” Gilda asked, trying to sound casual. She’d been worried that her slacker friend might struggle with the Wonderbolt’s famously intense program. “I’m managing,” Rainbow replied with a snort. “They’ve even allowed me to help train the newer recruits since we're so short-staffed. The Wonderbolts only had thirty members before Shocker’s fall.” Her friend sighed and reclined on the bench. “I’m tired, honestly. Thanks for joining me on my day off. The wings are killing me!” In response, Gilda only offered a shrug. It would appear lame if she admitted this hangout session pleased her. She listened as Rainbow broke into a series of complaints about some poor recruits who were still struggling with basic. Still, despite these grips, Gilda could tell her friend enjoyed teaching. Her friend had changed those chicks from wimpy ponies into a formidable fighting force. But Gilda was still worried. Her gut told her any day now, the enemy would attack. Despite her inward fears, Rainbow Dash was tough and could handle herself. “Forget work. It’s my day off! We should enjoy it.” Rainbow Dash made a conspiratorial smile. “It was meant to rain today, but I bribed the head of the weather team to postpone it until tomorrow. I deserve decent weather for my day off!” This earned a chuckle from Gilda. Her friend knew what she wanted. “Cool, cool. How about we get some ice cream?” “Awesome! I know just the place!” They walked in relative silence, basking in the sunny weather Rainbow’s bride had provided.  “Chocolate for me,” Gilda said, her beak already watering. Chocolate was a difficult substance to get cheaply in her homeland. The cocoa bean was incapable of growing in its harsh climate.  Hey, this alliance between our two countries might have some perks.  “Strawberry swirl for me,” Rainbow said. While Gilda’s cybernetic appearance startled the seller, he happily took their bits and gave over their order.  Before Gilda could lick into her delectable treat, a scream started her. She turned to find a Combatpony assailing a random mare. More Combatponies appeared, slipping out from the shadows and sewer entrances to attack Ponyville. Their numbers seemed legion as more and more appeared. Gilda’s metallic claws crushed her ice cream as she vented her fury. Destron. How dare they interrupt her hangout with Rainbow Dash?  “They’re invading now?” Rainbow said, surprised. “Captain said it’d take at least another week or two!” “It seems they didn’t get the message,” Gilda replied. She watched as a tank appeared from nowhere, presumably teleported from somewhere. It was an impressive trick for unicorn mages to move that much tonnage. Gilda didn’t doubt it had come at a cost, however, likely killing several of the unicorns in the process. “Oh no, you don’t!” Rainbow Dash zipped forward, punching a Combatpony as they tried to foalnap a nearby child.  While it didn’t thrill Gilda that her best friend had joined the fight against Destron, the pony’s fighting spirit was something any griffon parent would be proud of. She threw herself into battle, heedless of danger. Her heart sang with the drums of war. This is what griffons lived for. Her talons met flesh as she aided Rainbow in assisting the pony populous.  But more tanks appeared, one firing towards them. But Gilda's metal talons slashed the incoming shell to pieces, the remnants exploding behind her. Gilda leaped onto the tank’s hatch and ripped it free like a can of tuna. The Combatponies screamed as she tore apart the driver and his comrades.  Yes, today would be a good day.  ---- A yawn erupted from Twilight’s throat. Since the attack on the train, she had gotten little rest. The words of the document she was attempting to read all blurred together, making them difficult to comprehend.  “Hey, Pinkie, how about some coffee?” But then she slapped herself, remembering the pink ball of energy was on medical leave. The entire office seemed quiet without her assistant.  “Oh well.” Twilight worked to brew her own coffee. She jumped as her door suddenly slammed open. A frantic Windowpane greeted her as she turned towards the intruder.  “What is it?” “It’s Destron! There…” The cabinet member collapsed as a Combatpony decked him in the skull with a club.  “Destron!” Twilight prepared for battle as ten Combatponies swarmed her. Steel slashed past her head as one of them leaped at her with a sword. Another stabbed at her gut, but Twilight used her chair to block it before it connected.  Her hooves rained down on her foes, knocking or tossing them aside. While each wielded a deadly weapon with muscles that contained the strength of three ponies, they each fell in rapid succession. Twilight wasn’t even panting as she knocked out the remainder of her enemies.  “Are you okay, Windowpane?” Twilight asked, helping her friend and cabinet member up.  “My head hurts something fierce, but I’ll manage.” The stallion said, managing a weak smile.  “Princess Sparkle, thank goodness you’re okay,” General Stormy said, dashing in through the door. It was an impressive feat, considering how quickly she’d been flying.  “I’m okay. It’s Windowpane who’s hurt.” Twilight replied.  “Scumbags,” General Stormy uttered a curse, though she seemed relieved her princess was unharmed. “It’s time to fight back. The foals seem to assume that if they secure the capital, Equestria is all theirs. Let’s show them differently.” “General, get the Wonderbolts and the other forces organized,” Twilight said, nodding. Her military commander’s enthusiasm was infectious, boosting Twilight’s waning confidence in their success against Zol’s forces.  “Yes, ma’am!” General Stormy said, offering a salute.  “I’ll be fighting on the front lines, helping where I can.” Twilight had seen old photos of Princess Luna entering battle when Equestria’s situation seemed the direst. She wasn’t about to disappoint that legacy.  “The Cyclone Delta is ready in garage K,” While not pleased about her princess going in danger, General Stormy nodded. “Go get them. Don’t do anything reckless.” This earned a smile from Twilight. “Me never!” “Princess.” A new voice said. The former Shocker members stood at her office’s door, expressions worried and concerned. “Thank goodness, I feared the worst.” “Never fear, Doctor Shinigami. A few Destron Combatponies can’t beat me so easily,” Twilight replied. “Doctor, help the general where you can.” “Can do. I look forward to knocking the heads of those traitors.” Ditzy Doo said with her usual vindictiveness. Doctor Shinigami inclined his head. “Your wish is my command, princess.”  “Don’t worry, princess. We’ve secured the other cabinet members. I’ll get Windowpane to the safe room.” Stormy added as Twilight dashed from the room.  More Combatponies appeared to block her way. But her guard had organized a defense, fighting back against the intruders.  “Go, princess.” Her head guard, Joust, said. He used a shield to block a Combatpony’s club. “We’ll handle it from here. Stop Colonel Zol!” “Thanks!” Twilight dashed around the engagement into a far corridor.  With her magic, she tore open the garage door. Inside were the old vintage cars that Ambassador Hell had collected before his untimely demise. Twilight couldn’t help a wide smile as she spotted her newest motorcycle. The machine was a true beauty.  It roared to life as Twilight revved the engine, purring like a lion cub. She could feel its raw power through her bones. It roared like a dragon as if it eagerly anticipated the speed Twilight planned to pour into it. After securing a helmet, Twilight zoomed out into the open street.  Twilight whooped as Combatponies scattered as she zipped towards them, some howling in pain as she delivered a kick to their face for their trouble. Some Combatpony riders tried pursuing her, but they only ate her dust. With ease, she outmaneuvered them as they attempted to box her in. One brave Combatpony tried jumping on her bike, but a quick burst of speed made him eat hard pavement instead.  With her bike's remarkable agility, Twilight flew through alleys and narrow streets, leading her enemies into places they couldn’t easily follow. But they tried anyway, often suffering painful results. She openly mocked them, trying to draw as much attention as possible. If they focused on her, they wouldn't be tormenting her subjects.  Her bike almost lost control as an explosion rocked her, but instinct saved her from a nasty blowout. Another explosion blasted towards her, but the Cyclone Delta’s remarkable engine flew past it. It wasn’t hard to find the source of her attack, Twilight steering towards him.  “Die, Rider!” Kame Bazooka cried, sending another shell her way. But she dodged around it, whirling her bike around until it came to a halt. As expected, a multitude of Combatponies surrounded her in an instant.  “This time, you won’t escape, Kamen Rider Lux.” Kame Bazooka said, gesturing. Instinct saved her as claws slashed out from the gaggle of Combatponies. Hasami Jaguar gave a nod of respect for her quick dodge.  “This time, Zol isn’t here to save you! This will be your tomb, Rider.” The cat monster said, slashing his claws together.  “I’m not finished yet.” Twilight tossed her belt around her waist and entered a pose. A shell blasted towards her, but she somersaulted away before it hit. “Henshin!” “Now it’s time to play with my newest toy,” Lux said, pulling a suitcase from her Cyclone Delta. It broke open to reveal her new weapon as the Combatponies swarmed her. Steel dropped from a handle as Twilight’s blade deflected an incoming swipe, cutting the steel blade like butter. Her green blade illuminated her helmet as it shone, harnessing her photon power to its truest potential. Her energy blade shot from a crossguard with a handle that went high into the air, almost appearing as a second shorter blade.  “Come and get me!” Lux said, charging into battle.  --- “Trixie!” Dinky yelled in horror, watching as the older mare got tossed through a glass wall. While she’d gotten some bloody nicks across her fur, Trixie seemed otherwise alright.  “Damn.” Trixie sagged, her body aching everywhere. Whatever drug the nurse had pupped her with was interfering with her powers. While they burned bright within her, they surfaced sluggishly. Worse, the damned monster had Dinky captive, limiting Trixie’s ability to fight back even with her powers.  Doesn’t this jerk realize who he’s got captive? Wait. “I’d let that filly go if I were you.”  “Oh, and why’s that?” Hammer Kurage said, smug in his position. Before good measure, he pointed his wrecking ball appendage at his hostage.  “That’s Inquisitor Doo’s daughter,” Trixie said, doubling her own smugness that she knew something this creature didn’t. “Do you know what she’ll do to you if she learns about this?? Memories of the beating the mechanical mare gave her in that secret lab flashed back unbidden.  This made the Destron monster hesitate, no doubt aware of the Shocker Inquisitor’s infamous reputation.  “Yeah, my momma’s gonna beat you up if you don’t release me!” Dinky said, squirming under Hammer Kurage’s grip.  “Uh.” Sweat visibly formed on the fish creature’s brow, realizing how badly he’d messed up. But then he ignored his own caution. “Shut up! She’ll never learn of this if you're both dead!” “Hello, inquisitor. It’s in the name.” Trixie replied. “I doubt there’s anywhere you could hide with that mare on your scent.” “Shut up!” Though Trixie heard the quaver in the Destron monster’s voice. “Shocker’s dead and gone. She’s powerless!” And the monster continued to rant about his superiority. Trixie summoned her belt around her, using a fallen cart is disguise the action. While glacially slow, her power returned. Though Trixie doubted she’d be a hundred percent until the drug wore off. “Damn you!” The monster said, recognizing what his target had planned.  “Henshin!” In a flash, her armor appeared.  Usually, Trixie felt she could conquer the work with her Protean powers. Now, however, she felt like she was swimming through maple syrup. But Trixie swore she’d win this. Before Hammer Kurage could raise his hammer leg on his hostage, Trixie kicked Dinky aside from the monster’s grip.  “Ouch! Hey!” Dinky cried, fuming from where she’d landed.  “Who cares about that? Run!” Trixie replied. The filly nodded, scrambling away. Then froze as dozens of Combatponies charged into the room. Damn, Hammer Kurage must have let them in.  “Hey, that’s Inquisitor Doo’s daughter. She’ll flay you alive if you dare touch a hair on her head.” This time Trixie’s warning worked, allowing the filly to scramble under the Combatpony’s hooves to safety. That filly had some impressive speed.  “You idiots! Don’t… Whatever.” Hammer Kurage said, recovering. “We Trixie right where we want. I’m going to enjoy this. Get her!”  “If you can!” Trixie replied.  Trixie grimaced as a polearm slammed into her stomach, the Combatpony guffawing in delight at the easy hit. Then he howled in pain from a headbutt to the snout. Blow after blow struck Trixie as she struggled to fight off the dozen Combatponies assaulting her. Despite her boast, she wasn’t in any condition to fight. Trixie grunted in pain as she received a painful blow to the gut and collapsed to the floor.  “Pathetic!” Hammer Kurage said, his subordinates separating as he walked towards the fallen Trixie. He put a wrecking ball hoof to Protean’s chin and lifted it up. “This is the Rider Destron feared? Hardly worth the effort.”  Her entire body throbbed. Not painful exactly, but unpleasant. She tried clambering back to her hooves, but a blow to the head from Hammer Kurage knocked her senseless.  “Hey, leave her alone, you bully!” Dinky yelled, hopping mad.  “No,” Trixie mumbled. The idiot filly! Why wasn’t she getting Lux or someone else to help? She could do nothing against these monsters. But Dinky stood firm, refusing to be intimidated despite several Combatponies thrice her size coming towards her. “You have spirit, filly.” Hammer Kurage said. “But foalish, none the same. Your courage can serve Destron. Or scientists will augment you into something more useful.” “No, let me go!” Dinky said, struggling as two Combatponies grabbed her by the front legs. “No!” Trixie snarled, forcing herself to her legs. A Combatpony drove a billy club at Trixie’s helmet to stop her. But she dodged aside, kicking that stallion between the legs.  Trixie refused to allow Dinky to suffer the same hell she’d suffered at the hooves of Twilight Velvet. That indignation drove Protean forward, punching a nearby Combatpony in the jaw. With unstable hooves, Trixie pulled a bone blade from her left leg and charged.   Caught by surprise, Combatponies fell to her blade. Still, Trixie took a beating as they fought off her attacks. One Combatpony got the bright idea to put a knife to Dinky’s throat but got a sword in the chest before she even raised her weapon. Seeing his minions dropping like flies, Hammer Kurage entered the fray. Protean ducked as the Destron monster sent a wild punch toward her head.  Much to her surprise, her fighting ability improved as she fought. Her movements became sharper and more agile, losing the sluggishness she once possessed. With another bone blade, she blocked Hammer Kurage’s wrecking ball arm as it aimed to cave in her helmet. Sparks flew as Trixie drove her other blade across the fish monster’s chest, causing him to stagger back.  “Damn you, Rider.” Hammer Kurage said, annoyed the battle had shifted in his opponent’s favor. He reached for Dinky, but the filly darted away. Incensed, Trixie drove her twin blades forward. The Destron monster howled in pain, crashing into a nearby wall.  Seeing her chance, to finish this fight Trixie tossed aside her swords and leaped into the air, kicking off a wall to execute her finisher. “Protean Spinning Rider Kick!” The blow struck the monster’s center of mass, and the wall cracked as he crashed into it.  The monster staggered to his feet, refusing to surrender. But he succumbed to his wound and collapsed. Seconds later, he exploded in a massive fireball. Trixie undid her transformation and sighed in relief. Without the painkillers, her agony had returned in full force. Her injured leg screamed something fierce as she put weight on it.  “Trixie!” Dinky sobbed in Trixie’s coat, forgoing any attempt to act tough. “I was so scared!” “It’s okay. They can’t hurt you any longer.” Trixie replied, stroking the fillies head with sisterly affection. “Nor will I allow these jerks to hurt you.” After a few seconds, Dinky collected herself and gave a grateful nod. “Thanks.” She gave a weak smile.  Trixie only beamed, giving a self-satisfying smile. The building shook from a sudden explosion, reminding her the danger was still near. Trixie had a sinking feeling about what was happening. “What’s going on?” Dinky said, trembling under Trixie’s legs.  “It’s Destron. Their invasion of Equestria has begun.” Dinky stared up at her, wide-eyed. “No.” “Come on, let’s go.” Trixie hefted Dinky onto her back. “It isn’t safe here. Besides, I have some heads to kick in!”  “Okay,” Dinky said, her voice small.  After checking that more Combatponies won’t jump out at her, Trixie dashed into the corridor. Hopefully, she’d find somepony to take care of Dinky while she fought the bad guys. No doubt Twilight Sparkle was out there fighting Destron, and Trixie refused to be upstaged by the daughter of her greatest enemy.  I’m coming for you, Zol, half-dead or not. You better watch out!