//------------------------------// // A Pyrrhic Victory // Story: partisans of Eqwuestria // by Ferencelvtars //------------------------------// "This is a great plan, Ferkó, but what's plan B if this doesn't work?" Ocellus asked, trembling slightly. "If it doesn't work, don't worry. Behind the jawbone, you'll hide a radio so if the plan fails, we'll have an insider. In fact, this might be even better than just increasing our numbers, hmm?" Ferkó explained, then pondered over the other plan. Ocellus quickly transformed into a white-coated, blue and black-maned pony. He concealed the radio in his coat and the medallion under his hat. Ferkó led the way slowly, resisting the cold and slippery forest path, using his wings as grasping hands, which the rigid bony branches didn't appreciate, protesting with sharp pain. The landscape was deserted and quiet, almost too quiet. Ferkó had a bad feeling, so he cast a spell on his horn and they continued. The castle of the two sisters was even more dilapidated and eerie than Ferkó remembered from his books. Facing the gate within the crumbling walls, Sombra awaited them precisely at midnight, with a cage containing their friends. Along the way, Ferkó caught a rabbit similar to Angel and held it under his hoof. He gulped as a cart filled with apples, carrots, cakes, and other treats appeared from behind Sombra. "Here's everything you requested," Sombra announced. "Now, let's see if you brought what I asked for," he demanded his share. Ferkó illuminated the space behind him with magic, revealing the disguised Ocellus. "I always keep my word. I hope I can say the same about you," he said confidently. "Why wouldn't I? Your pitiful rebellion will be crushed eventually, and don't think this little trickery changes anything. If you try any tricks, you'll experience Tartarus's torment today. Sombra declared, unleashing his black magic from his horns. Ferkó watched his eyes carefully, but to his surprise, there was no deceit. "I'll give you the rabbit, then you give them to me. Once I have them, you'll get your captain, and you leave the food here. I hope that's satisfactory," Ferkó outlined his intentions firmly, layering defenses in case Sombra attempted to deceive them. "Fine, give me that rabbit." Sombra conceded, visibly irritated. Ferkó handed over the rabbit with relative calmness, which Sombra briskly took. He then pushed the cage, and Ferkó caught it. It wasn't what he expected, but it was better than them being pushed into the abyss. "You can go," Ferkó commanded Ocellus, who hurriedly trotted over to Sombra's side. "Well, it seems everything is in order, but remember, if you plan anything, you'll die with your friends. Sombra stated, then turned his back and walked away with Ocellus by his side. Afterward, Ferkó approached the cage and opened it with a well-aimed strike. Their friends slept thanks to the aftereffects of the curse. With his horn and hooves, Ferkó slowly moved his friends to safer spots in the cart. The moon had long passed midnight when he finished, and he wondered where Ocellus was since they agreed he would teleport back after ten minutes, and more than half an hour had passed. At that moment, he led a magical thread into the mist, searching for the medallion. The thread elongated until it reached the medallion and activated it. Ocellus stood next to Ferkó again. He was disguised, but it was clear he was startled. "It was supposed to be ten minutes, not thirty-five!" Ferkó scolded the changeling. "I-I'm sorry, but you know Sombra was keeping a close eye on me. I wouldn't have had a chance to use the medallion. I'm glad you did it for me." Ocellus said. "Okay, but we don't have much time. Let's leave quickly before Sombra returns. Help me push this monstrosity," Ferkó said, trying to get the cart moving. Ocellus quickly joined in pushing, fluttering his wings in an attempt to assist. Finally, with a creak and a groan, the cart began to move, and they started to navigate it into the dense forest. As they passed through Sombra's mist, they pushed even harder. Sombra almost spotted them when they finally disappeared in a cloud of smoke. "Ferkó, couldn't we have done this earlier?" Ocellus panted as they glimpsed the city walls. "Well, that wasn't me. This is strange," Ferkó said, perplexed by the turn of events. "So, where were you two going in the dead of night?" a very familiar voice asked. "Negotiating with Sombra?" the voice continued. "Sweetie Belle, spare me the Scodris temptation. It doesn't suit you," Ferkó said, firing a spell around them. "Ah!" came the cry from the reformed Sweetie Belle. "What was that for?" she asked irritably. "I don't know. Why are you here, and why did you save us?" Ocellus asked, not at all bewildered. "You know, if you can feel and see magic, you also know when someone's up to something. Besides, where did the idea come from?" Sweetie Belle teased further. "Well, there's a master thief named Twistite Fate who can outwit anyone. I figured, why not imitate him?" Ferkó explained. "Ah, I see. Well, I don't care. Let's take the others to the base; they must not be doing well," Sweetie Belle said, getting nervous, as she stood beside Ferkó at the cart, which was difficult to get moving again. The story continued.