//------------------------------// // The new-old base // Story: partisans of Eqwuestria // by Ferencelvtars //------------------------------// The Old-New Base With Sweetie Belle on his back, Ferkó rushed forward as fast as his hooves could carry him. The loud noise woke the little unicorn from her sleep. Pegasus, unicorns, and dragons began pursuing the two friends, and all sorts of spells and charms were hurled at them, even drinks from the yaks. Sweetie Belle was deeply involved in dodging the attacks as Ferkó tried his best to avoid them. "W-what's happening? Who are these?" Ferkó finally managed to stammer out the question. "Great question, but an even greater question is whether suppressive fire is a luxury item?" Ferkó retorted to Sweetie Belle, who was still somewhat dazed. "Oh, sorry, right." Sweetie Belle apologized, then quickly started firing shots primarily at the pegasi. However, the pursuers didn't relent and kept getting closer. Ferkó thought hard about what to do, but without the power of his horn, he felt helpless. One of the unicorn's shots hit Ferkó's leg, causing him to lose balance and soar into the air. Quick to react, he tried to regain his equilibrium and came up with a brilliant idea. As he ran steadily, he halted, executing the plan he had in mind. "Sweetie Belle, in my bag, there's a little bag with a fuse on it. Light the fuse and aim for a tree!" Ferkó instructed his friend as he dodged two more shots. Sweetie Belle didn't hesitate and started rummaging through the bag. Once she found the small bag and lit the fuse, she aimed it at a nearby stump. The bag exploded, and the tree began to topple toward the pursuing pegasi, forcing them to come to a halt. The shots from unicorns and dragons were deflected as if by a shield. Ferkó and Sweetie Belle seized the opportunity and quickly made their way. They hid behind two trees, Sweetie Belle preparing her horn, while Ferkó pulled out a pistol with his wing, ready to shoot. They waited and waited, but the attackers seemed to have disappeared. Ferkó and Sweetie Belle decided it was time to make a run for it. When they were far enough, they finally stopped and awkwardly stared at each other for a moment. "Ferkó, what happened to your horn?" Sweetie Belle asked, noticing that Ferkó hadn't used any magic during the battle. "Well, that's a question even I can't answer. It's like I don't have control over my magic, or maybe there's not enough of it to use. That enchantment to mimic the voice even strained me so much that my head still aches. " Ferkó explained, both angry and sad. "Yes, I understand what you mean. Like when I set the clubhouse on fire, full mastery of magic requires the help of another living being," Sweetie Belle said, recalling bitter memories. Ferkó understood Sweetie Belle's hint, or at least he hoped she knew what she was referring to. "Sweetie Belle, are you suggesting that I absorb magic from you?" he asked with fear in his voice. "Exactly," replied Sweetie Belle. "Alright, but I warn you, it's not guaranteed that this will end well," Ferkó told his friend. Sweetie Belle's blood ran cold at the thought that Ferkó might overdo it, but he had faced greater risks before. Ferkó delicately touched Sweetie Belle's magic with a tiny magical thread and slowly began to extract a suction-like behavior from it. He felt the playful and vibrant magic gradually transforming into his serious and calm magic, and the feeling was so pleasant that it was indescribable. "This must be what love poison feels like to changelings," Ferkó thought to himself. However, he saw how this wonderful source of power was diminishing from Sweetie Belle, who visibly started shivering. Ferkó felt like he could cast any spell now, so he quickly "cut off" the magic. Sweetie Belle, clutching her scarf, tried to warm herself but seemed to struggle. Ferkó, realizing he could now perform almost anything, rushed to her aid. He hugged her tightly and used his own body to warm his girlfriend. "Is everything alright, Sweetie Belle, or did I go too far?" Ferkó asked anxiously. "I-I'm fine, just a little c-c-cold," replied the young unicorn. "Okay, good." Ferkó responded, and as they embraced, they slowly continued. The two friends walked side by side, carefully erasing their tracks, so as not to be discovered based on them. Ferkó and Sweetie Belle mostly talked about what they would do once this was over. In the end, Ferkó suggested staying here, but Sweetie Belle said she would gladly live on the other side. They didn't argue about it and had a meaningful conversation. As the sun was winking down, they glimpsed the ruins of the thousand-year-old city, where Ocellus and Smolder awaited them. Ferkó soon spotted the watchful Scootaloo and Fluttershy in the sky. Starlight, who was preparing food, and Rumble, who was tending to wounds, also came into view. Ferkó hoped the others would catch up, but his hopes were in vain. Ferkó and Sweetie Belle first wanted to eat and then rest. Slowly walking through the ruins, the chilling magical drain was the worst part. Ocellus raised her head from the fire at the sound of footsteps. "Ferkó, Sweetie Belle, you're finally here!" she exclaimed joyfully. "Yes, we're here, but it's hard to escape from King Sombra." Ferkó said sadly and angrily. "Well, to be fair, you carved an impressive advantage from the tools. I can't even imagine the destruction you could cause with more equipment. Praise to Ferkó!" Sweetie Belle complimented Ferkó, who felt a bit embarrassed because of the praise, but also because it came from his love. "Why don't we attack then?" Smolder asked irritably. "Hey, did you forget that last time we attacked, we lost half the team?" Rumble asked with determined anger. By the way, where are the others? Ferkó asked puzzled. Ocellus sighed heavily and began to tell what had happened. To be continued.