Equestria Girls POV
The girls came too in the dark of the science room. Sunset Shimmer shook away her daze and looked around.
“Is everyone okay?” She asked as the others came to.
“Urgh… aside from a pounding headache, I’m good.” Rainbow replied.
“What happened ta' us?” Applejack groaned, rubbing her head.
“Can we all keep our voices down a little…” Rarity rasped, rubbing her temples. Twilight looked to see Wallflower on the floor unconsciously, the horn in her hand. It glowed brightly in a rainbow color. Twilight knelt down to her and shook her by the shoulder worriedly.
“Wallflower! Are you okay?” She asked. Wallflower groaned and came to. She pushed herself off from the ground and shook away her daze.
“What… happened?” She asked.
“It appears that your full potentials are now unlocked.” A voice spoke. They looked to see Discord leaning coolly against a table. “Isn’t that just exciting??” He snapped his fingers and his outfit turned into a sailor uniform with a skirt and long boots, his hair having changed into long blonde twin tails and struck a pose with a pink wand with wings on it at his side. “Able to freely pony up and unleash your powers of friendship on your adversaries and save the day as you usually would!” He snapped his finger and returned to normal as he appeared behind Wallflower.
He then held up her arm with the horn. “And what a discovery! The key to it all!” He then leaned in, pretending as if people were listening. “Best hold onto that. They will surely need it.” Sunset frowned and faced Discord.
“You better start explaining what happened, now!” Sunset glared. Discord looked hurt.
“You don’t think I had anything to do with this, do you??” He lied. Sunset wasn’t sure and she groaned in frustration.
“W-well… I don’t know what, or why, but I know you did something!” She stated. Discord held up his hands innocently.
“I’m innocent! And why are you so hostile about a great thing??” He smiled and put a hand to his chest. “I, for one, would relish in the moment of being a genuine superhero! Isn’t that what you girls wanted?”
“Wellll…” Twilight began.
“Of course we’re superheroes!!” Rainbow Dash jumped in. “I can’t believe you all still haven’t accepted that! When are we all going to stand up and start acting like heroes? The magic picked us and we haven’t let it down at all since, have we?” The group was quiet. Sunset sighed and smiled.
“Dash is right. We embraced the magic and received our geodes as proof that we can use this magic for the betterment of not just our lives, but for those in need of help.” She began. “And since I’ve brought the magic with me and started this whole spiral, I feel obligated to clean up my mistakes. And I know I won’t do it alone this time.” She then looked at Wallflower. “What do you say, Wallflower? Want to be a hero as well?”
Wallflower balked but quickly look down at the horn. Her eyes studied it in thought. Was this something she wanted to do? Something she felt worth it? The thoughts of her days with the memory stone came back to her. She grasped the horn and took a deep breath.
“I’ve made mistakes too. And I’m… lucky that I have you all to have given me a second chance. I… I won’t make those same mistakes again.” She replied. Yet, despite the bravado, she had a bit of uncertainty in the back of her mind. But seeing the supportive smiles of the others, she felt a little relieved with this decision. Discord clapped excitably.
“That’s great! I’m so proud of you all for coming so far in your personal journeys! But now, if you want to try out your magic, I recommend exploring the sights and scenery of the city. Though, don’t mind the shadows. They aren’t kidnapping people right now. More like causing a lot of noise for some strange reason.” Discord tapped his chin at this thought. Sunset blinked.
“Wait… are you saying Canterlot City is in trouble?” She asked. Discord looked at her blankly.
“Isn’t that not what I just said? Ugh, kids these days with their lingo.” He grumbled slightly. Rainbow Dash cleared her throat and stuck her hand out.
“Ladies?” She grinned. Pinkie Pie enthusiastically stuck her hand in. Rarity followed and soon Applejack. Twilight was a bit hesitant but gave a smile at the sight of her beaming friends and stuck her hand in along with Fluttershy. Sunset Shimmer stuck her’s in and they all looked to Wallflower. The girl rubbed her arm nervously. Taking a deep breath, she walked over and with a small smile, put her hand in as well. Rainbow Dash smirked. “Alright. It’s hero time!!”
Canterlot City. Currently terrorized by a waking nightmare. Shadowy creatures stalked the roads and buildings, scaring or attacking people. Several hundred were injured, possible casualties included. The Canterlot Police and rescue teams had sirens blaring all around the city. Gunfire rang out and some citizens bore weapons to try and fend off the creatures while most ran away in fear. Up on top of the museum building, Fickle stood upright, her cloak and hair blowing in the wind as she observed the terror below.
Some of the citizens were using the museum as a refuge with several armed swat personal firing onto the shadowy creatures. Tenebres cackled.
Perhaps those three aren’t as useless as I thought! Haaah, look at all our friends laying down their lives to allow us our moment of searching~ She swooned. Fickle looked uncertain, biting her thumbnail. Tenebres sensed the worry. Have you’ve forgotten, vessel? Even if our friends fall, they only return to me and once they are recovered, they’ll be fit to play again! Including Mitzi. Why so worried? Fickle murred in worry thought.
“That Quiet Fire. Just what even is she? To defy that dumb snake and now to cut down our friends like nothing? What evil is walking this realm?” Fickle spoke nervously. Tenebres sighed.
Remain focus on our hunt, vessel. For if they catch us, I cannot guarantee your safety against them. We need power in order to put her in her place. She replied. Shall we? Fickle took a deep breath and nodded, shaking off her nervousness.
“Y-yeah. I’m with ya’ bestie.” She said. She then stepped off the building and floated down onto the top of the steps. Her cloak draped around her body in a shadowy wisp. She startled several of the swat surrounding the entrance that were being backline support for the frontliners.
“What the? What are you doing, kid! Get inside!” One swat person rushed over and said, grasping her arm. Fickle glared and her cloak sprang to life.
“Don’t touch me, you filthy adult!” She hissed. The cloak wrapped around the swat personal who screamed and struggled to break free. The shadow consumed them.
“What in god’s green earth is that?!” Another spoke. Fickle rubbed her arm and smiled innocently before turning to them. She held out her arm to her side and something protruded out of her cloak. She grasped it and withdrew a fierce looking shadowy scythe. She twirled it around her before bringing it back and slicing at the retaliating swat.
The shadow phased right through them, causing them to scream in pain, dropping their firearms and clutching at the supposed wounds that had a shadowy flame spewing from them. From the wounds, the shadows enveloped them, turning them into shadowy creatures. Fickle giggled and leaned against her scythe.
“Howdy, new friends. Want to invite more?” She then pointed with her thumb over her shoulder. The creatures shuddered and began to rush down the steps. Fickle skipped a little towards the entrance of the museum, seeing the people inside panic and back away. Her cloak shot out and broke the doors off their hinges, pinning several people and knocking over several others. The people began to scatter throughout the museum, everyone fending for themselves.
Fickle shouldered her scythe and hummed a small tune as she walked in and looked around. Her eyes fell onto a display of knightly armor and her eyes lit up.
“Whoa… an actual knight’s armor! That is so cool!” She said happily. Her cloak whipped around and shattered the display case before wrapping around the armor. It brought all the pieces together and morphed into a blob of shadows. From those shadows rose a fierce looking knight in shadowy armor. The helmet glared with purple eyes and knelt before Fickle. She felt a little giddy. “Yay! My very own knight in shining armor! Where were you when I dreamt of you~” she swooned with a blush.
The shadowy armor didn’t respond. Fickle giggled and spun around on her heels, pointing down the hall.
“Alright, Sir Hemlock! Help your new queen find anything that looks magical! You’ll see it sparkle with rainbows!” She said determinedly. The armor rose up and looked over a display case. It punched the glass and grasped an executioner’s sword before walking with Fickle further into the museum. The two came to a tall mirror in one display that had red velvet curtains around it. Tenebres shifted.
Well, well. I sense our old realm from the mirror. How amusing! Let’s break it! She giggled. Fickle raised a brow.
“Why?” She asked.
We aren’t planning on going back! Might as well prevent anymore of my sisters from trying to bring us back! She replied.
“What about Din and Quiet Fire?” She asked. Tenebres hummed.
Fair point. We should probably save one and banish her back into that pathetic realm. And when we do, we’ll shatter it and this realm will be all ours! Fickle smiled.
“Always brilliant, bestie!” She giggled.
Not without you doing the manual labor, bestie! Tenebres replied. Fickle nodded to Sir Hemlock and the armor took the executioner sword and brought it down onto the mirror, shattering the glass and breaking the frame. Colorful wisps of magic floated up, but Fickle stuck her hand out and the wisps retreated into her. She then turned and happily skipped back down the hall.
“C’mon, Sir Hemlock! Let’s find some more! And maybe even a new friend!” She cheered. The armor turned silently and followed after the girl.
“Help!!” A man cried out. He was on the ground and backing away as a shadowy equine reared up over him. The man whimpered and braced himself when all of a sudden, a rainbow blur zipped by just as the creature brought its’ hooves down. Several of the equine creatures and shadowy monsters sensed the power and turned to face a group of girls in sparkling outfits stand defiantly against the horde. Rainbow Dash zipped over to safety, leaving the man with the officers before zipping back over and floating with her wings over her friends.
“Alright, tall, dark and uglies! Who’s ready to get their butts handed too!” Rainbow grinned. Sunset smirked.
“Rainbooms! Pony on!” She said confidently. Applejack raised a questioning brow.
“Pony on?” She asked. Sunset flushed and rubbed the back of her head.
“Errr… we’ll work on the phrase.” She said. The creatures hissed or whinnied and faced them. Rainbow Dash was the first to move. She zipped around the creatures, throwing them off balance and leaving Applejack to charge and punch at two of the creatures. They went flying away and splattered into bits. Several creatures rushed Applejack, but Rarity swooped over, surfing on a gem and throwing out more gems to shield Applejack. She pushed them back, leaving Twilight to beam them down with magic. Fluttershy trembled as five creatures advanced on her.
“Hold on, Fluttershy!” An excitable voice shouted. Pinkie Pie chucked her sprinkles at the creatures. They glowed pink and when connecting with the creatures, they exploded into sparkles and confetti. The creatures fell at the feet of Fluttershy, who seemed traumatized by it. Pinkie Pie rushed over and grabbed her by the arm to run away from several more creatures that chased them. As they ran, Pinkie Pie tripped with Fluttershy, Pinkie rolling on the ground and crashing into the side of an auto wagon.
Fluttershy groaned and pushed herself off the ground, gasping in horror as the creatures rushed the dazed Pinkie Pie. From her backpack, the animals that she smuggled into school today saw the horror on her face and nodding to each other, they jumped out and called for their friends. Fluttershy saw her animal friends reach out to one another and together, a swarm of birds and squirrels rushed out of trees. The squirrels chewed on acorns before spitting them out in a rapid-fire manner at the creatures, which stopped them in their tracks.
The birds swopped down and began pecking at the monsters. Disoriented, Fluttershy’s bunny, Angel, hopped in front of her, reassuring her with a nod before chirping at the animals. Pinkie Pie shook away her daze and saw the animals fending off the creatures. She reached into her hair and withdrew two cupcakes. She shook them and they began to glow.
“Fluttershy, call them back!” Pinkie shouted. Fluttershy snapped out her stupor and stood up, hesitating a bit before putting a hand on her geode and calling back her friends. The animals broke away, allowing Pinkie to chuck the cupcakes, creating a frosty of explosions with confetti included. The creatures were mixed into the frosting, melting away from the fatal injuries. Pinkie Pie stood up and dusted herself off with a smile as Fluttershy rushed over.
“Pinkie Pie! Are you alright??” Fluttershy asked worriedly.
“I’m more than alright! That was amazing Fluttershy! Glad to have you on our side.” Pinkie teased with a wink. Fluttershy blushed but the mood quickly vanished with several more creatures swooped down, causing them to take cover. Sunset looked to Wallflower after beaming down a creature.
“Wallflower! Can you use that horn?” She asked, ducking and firing a beam at a shadowy creature. Wallflower looked unsure, having taken cover behind a bench. She held up the horn and studied it.
“I-I’ll try!” She called back. She looked to see Rarity struggling with a massive creature, protecting a family of two.
“Hold on, Rarity! ‘Ah’m comin’!” Applejack called out, rushing over to her. However, another massive creature stepped in front of her and swung a limb into Applejack, sending her crashing into garbage cans. Wallflower gasped and looked down at the horn. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and waved the horn.
“I wish… I wish… to help my friends.” She spoke. The horn began to glow brightly and a stream of rainbows sailed out of the horn and into the seven. All the girls felt a sudden surge of power. Rarity felt stronger and easily pushed the creature off. Rainbow Dash swooped in and kicked the face of a creature and sending it stumbling. Rainbow Dash laughed before zipping around the area, knocking up the smaller creatures, leaving Twilight to fire a beam and toss debris at them.
Fluttershy gasped in surprise with Pinkie as the trees seemed to come to life and along with a horde of woodland animals appearing out of nowhere, began to chase and smack around the creatures. Pinkie Pie shuddered and rose her arms up. She laughed happily as her cupcakes she was about to throw had changed around her arms into canons. She jumped on top of the bench and roared happily.
“Party Arm Canons!!” She cheered before running into the creatures, blasting confetti at a force that pierced through the bodies all the way. Sunset Shimmer smiled and suddenly felt a surge of power go down her spine. She began to find herself floating, feeling a warmth flow through her. Her hair began to flail like fire and in a spectral display, feathery flaming wings and a majestic curled feathered tail appeared. It was such a brilliant sight that it caused everyone to focus on her.
Sunset’s eyes glowed and a ring of fire swirled down her arms before she collapsed the flames and threw her arms out. Fiery feathers fluttered around her as the beams disintegrated the shadows, spreading out like it had during the Friendship Games. As quickly as the display happened, the rainbow that went into the girls ribboned out of them and back into the tip of the horn. Wallflower stared dumbfounded at the horn before looking on in awe at the majestic sight of what she could only describe as the wings and tail of a phoenix descend.
The characteristics vanished and Sunset knelt in its’ place. Sunset rubbed her head and shook away the daze before looking around. The area was clear. Her friends walked over to her as Applejack helped her up.
“Sunset… that was amazing!” She spoke. The girls agreed silently with a nod of their heads, speechless as the magnificent sight of what looked to be a phoenix to them burned freshly in their minds. Sunset groaned, feeling a bit woozy.
“What even… happened?” She asked.
“You… you were a phoenix…” Rarity began.
“I was?” Sunset groggily replied. She then looked to Wallflower, who took a moment to realize that she was being looked at and rushed over to her.
“Are you girls alright?” She asked worriedly.
“Better than alright! Did you see us?!” Rainbow Dash excitably stated. “Pinkie Pie even got party canons for arms!” Pinkie Pie held up her arms in a cheer before realizing the canons were no longer there. She raised a confused brow. Sunset, still reeling from that powerful feeling, looked to Wallflower.
“That’s some pretty powerful stuff in that horn.” She stated. Wallflower winced and looked down at the horn.
“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t know it was going to do that…” She said, a little terrified.
“Don’t sweat it!” Applejack said with a smile. “It was the boost we needed.” Wallflower looked uncertain. Doubt began to nip at her. There was suddenly cheering and applause.
“I can’t believe it! It’s the Rainbooms!” A voice cheered.
“You girls are heroes!” Another cheered. The girls looked around. Rainbow Dash proudfuly wiped the tip of her nose with a thumb.
“Heh. Now this is a crowd I can get behind.” Rainbow said with a wave to the crowd. Fluttershy trembled behind Applejack.
“S-so… many… people… watching…” she whimpered. Applejack pat her hand reassuredly. Sunset waved a little awkwardly, still a bit puzzled by all of this. Her attention then shot to the sky when three shadows passed them on the ground. She gasped, seeing The Dazzlings soar high overhead past the moon. Sunset pointed up.
“Look who it is!” She said. The girls looked up to see the retreating figures of The Dazzlings. From the blaring sirens around the city, they heard what sounded like a motorcycle revving closer and closer. They then noticed a familiar red garb bellowing behind a figure in a motorcycle speed down the road, seemingly following The Dazzlings. Sunset looked to the others. “C’mon! We need to help Quiet Fire!”
Rarity nodded with a smile before conjuring a big gem in front of them. They all stepped on and Rarity carried them hastily down the road, the crowd cheering as they went. Yet, those cheers were drowned out by terrified screams around them as they sped by. They wanted to help, but Sunset was certain that stopping the Dazzlings would put an end to this nightmare. Silently agreeing to this, Rarity sped them through, gaining some height. Rainbow Dash scanned the ground and pointed.
“There she is!”
Quiet Fire’s POV
Thi revved the auto wagon, weaving through the traffic. My eyes followed the silhouettes of the fleeing Dazzlings high overhead. I have no idea where they are fleeing too, but I have some questions that need answering. As we sped down a street, I noticed movement in the corner of my eyes. I looked over my shoulder and saw shadows jumping out of the walls and turning into equine bi-wheeled creatures. On their back were helmeted looking figures wielding sharp looking bludgeoning objects.
“We got company!” I shouted over the noise to Thi. Thi glanced over her shoulders and revved the auto wagon more. She popped a wheelie before gaining speed. I called to my staff and readied myself, holding it out to my side. The creatures caught up to us and flanked both our sides. I stabbed my staff at the one on our right. The one on our left got close and swung at Thi, who ducked and brought her boot up and kicked the creature away. The auto wagon wobbled a bit, but Thi corrected and sped along the road.
“Hang on!” She shouted to me. I did as she then made a sharp right turn. One of the creatures didn’t react in time and crashed into a pile up of auto wagon. The other, however, had jumped over the pile and turned to our direction. Up ahead, more shadows jumped out, the same creatures giving chase. They managed to position themselves around us, swiping their weapons at us. I deflected them and Thi did her best to kick away the ones that got a little too close.
“Duck!” I shouted. Thi did and I sat up, twirling my staff over my head and with a heave, I threw my staff out in front of us, smacking the creature in front. It then boomeranged around us, an amber light trail making a flashy show of disorientation as it struck the creatures one by one. Thi swerved to avoid the creature in front as I caught my staff. Thi looked up.
“They are heading for Canterlot Gate Bridge!” She shouted. I looked ahead. Tall structures with a long cabling arch connecting from the side of the road to the massive steel iron arcs asymmetrically supporting the bridge. The Dazzlings were indeed heading towards it over the riverbank. Thi revved the bike and took another sharp turn. We sped all the way down, ignoring the honking of some citizens before turning again and speeding down the bridge.
I looked to the side, seeing that The Dazzlings haven’t made it across the bridge yet. I held my staff over my head and in a bright flare of fire, the spectral halberd formed around my staff. I then leaned back and took aim. Timing myself, I heaved my halberd like a javelin towards the Dazzlings. I saw the twintailed one turn and her eyes widen in surprise. When my halberd zipped by them, it then popped into a ball of fire, sending the Dazzlings into a tumble and landing onto the bridge.
Thi sped up a bit before coming to a screeching halt. I hopped off the auto wagon and ran over towards The Dazzlings. I came to a stop when the three pushed themselves off the ground, rubbing their heads. The bushy haired one was staring daggers into me and I readied myself with a swish of my staff poised to defend.
“Grrrrggh!! What even are you!?!” The bushy haired one exclaimed angrily. I didn’t respond but narrowed my eyes, waiting to see if she would lash out an attack. She was shaking, her face red and not from the blood trickling down from her head to her cheek. She stood up and a dark haze began to envelop the area. “We’ve been trapped here in this hell for far too long, having to abide by the whims of the mortals! Starving of magic and of home!! Equestria was going to be ours! And when we find a way back, we’ll crush those who would get in our way!!” She pointed at me. “We have a good thing going here, and I am not going to let you ruin our one chance to be free!!” I eyed the dark haze.
“Then do you know of a way back? Did Tenebres promise you freedom in exchange for something?” I asked suddenly. “You made a grave mistake making a deal with a primordial being. Give up that shadow and turn yourselves in. This is your one and final chance.” The bushy haired one grinned, her expression showing a demonic side.
“As if we’d tell you! We’d rather die with what dignity we have left than to suffer another moment in this prison!!” She growled.
“Uhh… she’s putting words in our mouth. We’d rather not die.” The twin tailed one chimed in. The bushy haired one spun around and back handed the twin tailed one, sending her rolling a bit away from them. The ponytailed one gasped in shock. The bushy haired one glared at the ponytailed one and the ponytailed one backed away, mortified.
“A-Adaggio, c-calm down, p-please?” The ponytailed one stammered. The bushy haired one, Adaggio, held up a fist as if to punch her. The ponytailed one flinched enough that she fell back and cowered a bit. Adaggio didn’t strike with her fist. Instead, she planted a boot into the stomach, knocking the wind out of her and causing her to crumple into the ground in a fetal position, clutching her stomach.
“I’ve had just about enough of you two! You both don’t seem to care about getting back to Equestria or helping in ensuring our victory!! Fine then! I don’t need you two!! I can do this on my own!!” She angrily shouted before turning to me. I tilted my head and frowned.
“If that’s how you treat your friends, then you don’t belong in Equestria.” I spoke. Adaggio leaned her head back and laughed.
“Ahahahaha! Please! They aren’t my ‘friends’! They never were my ‘friends’! We were not born of the same eggs either! Our magic was stronger with the three of us together, but with this darkness allowing us to use our magic without an artifact, then what’s the point of having friends!!”
“It has to deal with everything, Adaggio!” A voice spoke. I looked over my shoulder to see the girls from Canterlot High float down. Sunset Shimmer stood at the front, looking down at the Dazzling. “Friends are what keep you from striving too far into the dark. Trust me, I know what that’s like. All that power and darkness. It won’t solve your problems. It’ll just leave you alone and stranded with no one to fall back on. Give up this path, Adaggio. And maybe we’ll forgive you.” Sunset hopped off the gem and walked over to stand next to me.
“Grrrrgh! What does it matter, Sunset Shimmer?! You intentionally came here on your own free will! Mine was ripped away by those damned ponies! Mark my words, Equestria will know my wrath!” The dark haze began to thicken around her. I grit my teeth and readied myself once more.
“So much hate...” I said suddenly. I couldn’t help but have a strange feeling of worry. Din shifted and sighed.
Do not worry yourself with that. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Just focus on capturing those Sirens. Din spoke. I gripped my staff tightly and nodded. Adaggio clutched her head and began to laugh as the dark haze began to swirl around her. The clouds darkened and began to crackle with lightning and thunder. A cold wind blew through the bridge, having to plant my feet to keep myself from being blown away. The shadow around Adaggio began to change her. Her hair elongated to a ponytail, pony ears on her head and sharp, sea like wings on her back. She rose into the air, her arms out to her sides as the haze grew darker and darker. Then, a massive claw emerged from the haze and stamped down in front of us. A long, snake and horselike head emerged overhead along with another claw before the body reared up. A sea serpent body slithered around, knocking Sunset and I away into Thi. I shook away my daze and gasped at the shadowy serpent like creature. Adaggio's voice echoed from within it.
"It's time I have my revenge, Rainbooms! No more humiliation! No more ridicule! This world and Equestria will do more than adore me! They'll worship me!! The name Adaggio will be the new ruler!!" She exclaimed. The body of the shadowy spectral serpent dove off the bridge and into the water where it slithered out not too far from the bridge and opened its' maw. An angelic voice resonated loudly and the bridge began to tremble and wobble. Some of the metal cabling snapped and whipped around us. I gasped and quickly picked up Thi on my back and scooped Sunset up before taking to the skies. Rarity quickly rose to the sky with me as the bridge began to collapse. I looked to see the other two Sirens stand up and retreat into a swirling pillar of darkness individually. I then looked to the others, putting Sunset down on the gem and holding onto Thi.
"What are we going to do about that!?" Twilight exclaimed as we looked on at the massive creature. Adaggio's tail slithered into the water, the tail slapping the surface as she eyed us. She then leaned back and began to sing. We broke away and dodged to the sides. I looked over my shoulder to Thi.
"Sorry, Thi. I need to set you down." I stated. She nodded as I soared towards the side of the bay and placed her down on the sidewalk. A lot of people were looking on in horror, some even recording it. I sighed a little at the curiosity of this world before taking back to the skies. I floated up next to the gathered Rainbooms.
"What's the plan, Fie?" Rainbow Dash asked. I narrowed my eyes at the creature.
"Think of one. I'll distract Adaggio for as long as I can." I replied, calling my halberd back. "Tenebres's magic isn't normal magic. Keep back." I then kicked off in the air and sailed towards the creature. Adaggio hissed and moved around in anticipation of me approaching, lashing out a shadowy claw that I flipped around to avoid. Like a comet, I soared around Adaggio, hearing her growl in annoyance at avoiding everything she did to try and swat me. She did manage to catch me with a tail slam, however. I put my halberd up and blocked the massive tail, using Din's and my own strength to push back. Adaggio cackled and flicked her tail, causing me to stumble with the sudden weight change. My eyes widened as I saw her claw coming at me. I turned and saw the other one and with a loud clapping sound, I felt my body scream as I was pressed in between her claw's palms. I grunted, trying my best to keep myself being smooshed. Din had mimicked me to help me push back against the force.
Grrrrghhh! Getting cocky, little fish! Din hissed. I felt a sudden warmth flow from me. A blazing inferno swirled around me into a ball and expanded, pushing Adaggio's claws away. She grunted as she tried to fight against me, but Din and I pushed against her and expanded the ball of fire, blinding her in the process. Taking the chance, I twirled my halberd and sliced into the chest of the shadows.
I saw Adaggio, her eyes glowing red with her sharp sea wings having grown largely and connecting to the body of shadows. I stabbed my halberd on the side to keep myself rooted before reaching in and grabbing hold of Adaggio. She hissed and delivered a sucker punch across my cheek. I growled and yanked her, but she pulled back, trying to push me off if her.
“Unhand me!!” Adaggio roared, swinging at me with her fist. All her swings connected to me against my cheek, head and stomach. I felt my grip lessen and she grinned, booting me away before sealing up the wound. I held my stomach as Din soared me away from her when she shifted back and swiped her claw. I coughed and took a bit to catch my wind, at the cost of getting hit with the tail into the water. I planted my feet hard into the wet mud, pushing against the weight of the tail.
‘I’m… blacking out…’ I thought as I felt my entire body scream and my vision beginning to blur with the lack of oxygen. I fell to one knee, still trying to push against the weight. Suddenly, the tail lifted and disappeared into the murky water, allowing Din to propel me upwards and break the water’s surface. I slouched as she struggled to keep in the air as I coughed up a lungful of water. Getting my second wind, I steadied myself in the air.
“Annoying pests!!” I heard Adaggio hiss. I looked up and saw a rainbow blur zip quickly around the creature. The creature was flinching in some parts of its’ body before Rainbow Dash soared away to avoid a claw swipe. I then saw Twilight Sparkle and Rarity flanked her, Twilight firing a beam of magic and Rarity tossing out sharp looking gems that sliced into the shadows.
I felt a gentle hand on my back and I looked to see Fluttershy smiling at me, her wings flapping behind her. She put a hand over her necklace and I saw the water began to ripple. Fishes and several sharks heeded to the call of Fluttershy and began to nip and bite at the base of the creature. I saw Rarity direct Applejack’s gem around the creature, allowing her to use her strength to punch the cheek, causing her to recoil with the force. However, Adaggio growled and lashed at her with a snap of her jaws, Rarity quickly moving Applejack out of the way before chucking a sharp diamond through the body of the shadows.
Sunset Shimmer floated up and with Twilight together, they fired their beams of magic, soaring around the creature in an effort to find a weak spot of some kind. Adaggio roared.
“Enough!!” The creature looked downward and began to sing. The water exploded, knocking away the girls and the fishes. I balked and rocketed towards the creature, giving a good smack over its’ head with the butt of the halberd to get its’ attention. That stopped her from singing and lash at me with its’ jaws. I dodged and maneuvered over and under her, however, I was unable to react at the slither of the body and was punted away.
I hit the side of a railing and bounced over it, landing on my stomach. I coughed, feeling achy all over.
“Urgh… going to feel that in the morning…” I winced as I painfully pushed myself up.
“Fie! Are you okay??” I heard a voice. I looked over and from the awe-struck crowd being pushed aside was Wallflower with Thi and the sisters with her. Thi helped me up and I held my side, feeling a lot of pain there.
“I’m durable… than I look…” I replied, giving Thi a tired smile.
“This is insane! Everything you girls are doing to her is having hardly any affect!” Cloudchaser spoke, looking out to the bay as the Rainbooms continued their attack on the creature.
“That’s the power of a power element…” I rasped. “Adaggio has so much hate inside of her that it’s keeping the shadows…” I winced at a sharp pain that interrupted me. “I have to dispel it at this rate, but I’m not sure how…” My eyes then looked to the girls pelting Adaggio with their powers. My eyes lit up in thought. “Of course… the Elements of Harmony!”
“The Elements of Harmony?” Flitter asked. I limped away from Thi and over to the railing.
“The Rainbooms hold a special power that exists in my world. Din, our previous sole purpose is to boost the Elements of Harmony to stabilize the balance. What would one power element be able to provide the Elements if we were to do so?” I asked aloud.
Sadly, the effects of such will not make a difference. It requires me to use all my magic. And as we can see, we are running on fumes here. Din replied stoically. I clenched my fist.
“We have to do something. Will anything happen to you if your magic is spent?” I asked. Din hummed.
I’ll end up sleeping for a while. But I see where you are going with this. Din grinned. On one condition. When I wake up, I want a full plate of crepes and some good news about the whereabouts of my sister. Fail to do so and I will go back to being the spiteful bitch you make me out to be. I couldn’t help but smile and nodded.
“Deal.” I said as Din unfurled her wings and I took off from the ground. I sailed like a comet up towards the fight where I then stopped, seeing Sunset being knocked back with the help of Rarity’s gem protecting her. Sunset panted, clearly showing exhaust.
“We can’t keep this up forever!” She exclaimed. I put a hand on her shoulder.
“Sunset. If it’s’ anything like my world, then you girls hold the Elements of Harmony. Our past sole purpose as a power element is to boost the Elements of Harmony to stabilize the balance. Din and I are going to lend you our power.” I told her. Sunset looked at me.
“Are you sure that’ll work?” She asked. I smiled determinedly and nodded.
“It’ll work.” I said confidently. Sunset studied me before smiling determinedly and we fist bumped before she called out to the others.
“Pinkie!! What’s the word!?” She shouted. Pinkie Pie, who had been aiding Rarity by tossing sprinkles and treats out during the fight, perked up and beamed. She nudged Rarity and the two nodded.
“Alright, ladies!! Light ‘er up!!” She cheered triumphantly. The Rainbooms soared away from Adaggio, who swiped at air before looking at us. She cackled and began to sing, the sound wave washing over us and knocking us back. We stood firm and faced her down. Sunset nodded to everyone before the six positioned themselves in a ring behind Sunset. They combined their magic into her and her eyes began to glow as a red aura began to swirl around her. I floated above them and positioned myself in between the six and Sunset.
‘Alright… here it goes…’ I thought to myself. I saw the glow of light began to develop into a bright rainbow that shot high into the sky, pushing aside the dark clouds. Sunset then held out her arms and aimed the beam at Adaggio. The siren screamed in reaction to being hit, yet to no one’s surprise, the shadowy creature remained unfazed. I then closed my eyes and felt the warmth flow around me. I held out my halberd in front of me and I heard Din began to chant something I couldn’t understand.
I opened my eyes and watched as a ring of fire surrounded me and quickly envelop me into a sphere. From the tip of my halberd, an amber beam shot up and crossed the rainbow beam, the flames trailing the colors. Sunset shifted along with the six. They must be feeling the power flowing through them. The rainbow began to brighten and shimmer as a sphere of light dispersed more of the dark clouds and began to grow bigger and bigger.
I suddenly felt a sharp pain rock my body and I screamed in reaction.
“Fie?!” I heard Sunset say.
“Don’t worry about me!! Just keep it going!! I’ll be fine!!” I struggled. I gripped my halberd tightly, feeling my body stiffen and unable to move. What is this sensation?? Why does it hurt so much?? My thoughts were cut off when I noticed a ribbon of rainbows sailed out and vanish into the girls. I then began to see Sunset’s clothing change. A flowing white dress, golden winged boots and bracelets, a horn appearing on her head and fiery wings protruding from her back. Fiery feathers fluttered around us.
The rainbow grew larger and I watched as the ball of light expand larger and larger before wings sprouted from it. In a magnificent display of magic, the pure light took the form of an alicorn. It reared up and kicked its’ legs out in a majestic whinny of triumph.
“NO!! I WILL NOT BE BESTED AGAIN!!” Adaggio roared. The creature opened its’ maw and began to sing, dark energy combining with the sound and striking the alicorn. Yet, it swished its’ horn, dispelling the attack. Sunset rose her hands into the air and the combined harmony of the friends shot into the alicorn. The alicorn aimed its’ horn and when it unleashed a powerful rainbow, rocking the entire city, Adaggio screamed. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”
The creature’s silhouette was the only thing you could see through the colorful lights. The creature’s silhouette vanishing to only Adaggio’s silhouette. The city was rocked again as a massive pillar of light and rainbows formed a mushroom cloud, parting the bay water. The clouds were pushed aside. The city was then sparkling. A multitude of colors fluttering throughout. The rainbow mushroom cloud didn’t last long as the light soon vanished, leaving a sparkling pillar.
I felt a wave of relief flow through me when the Elements of Harmony were finished. I panted, sweating profusely from the excruciating pain of boosting the elements. My eyes widened when I saw Adaggio floating in the air before beginning to fall towards the bay. I quickly kicked off the air and sailed towards her, catching her before soaring upwards. I looked down at her. She was unconscious to my relief. I looked up and saw the alicorn stare at me before vanishing into the light.
Vessel… I grow… weary… Din rasped weakly. I furrowed my look worriedly before nodding and soaring down towards the cheering crowd where the Rainbooms gathered. The girls were happily patting each other and celebrating. As I landed, I saw the ribbons of rainbow flow out of the girls and over to Wallflower, who held up the horn and studied it in awe. She then smiled and rushed over to the girls, joining in on the celebrations.
I panted tiredly, feeling my body ache as I limped over to them. They looked to me and rushed over, nearly knocking me over as they surrounded me.
“We. Are so. Awesome!!!” Rainbow cheered. I panted and smiled weakly. Sunset looked at me worriedly.
“Are you okay?” She asked me over the cheering crowd. There was the sound of sirens as the police decided to keep the crowd back away from us. I looked through the crowd to see my parallel dad smiling as a dumbfounded man stood next to him. I managed to read his lips.
“Do you believe in magic now, chief?” He smirked before walking through the crowd. I saw my parallel mother being a part of the crowd control. I then winced as a wave of exhaustion hit me and I fell to my knees, slouching over Adaggio.
“Fie!” I heard the voice of Thi. I looked up weakly, seeing my vision blur a little to the sight of Thi and the sisters rushing over to me. My gaze then looked to see my father kneeling down to my level and put a hand on my shoulder. His look studied me.
“How are you feeling?” He asked me. I panted and nodded.
“Rather… tired…” I rasped weakly. He then smiled in relief before looking down at Adaggio.
“So. She’s the cause for all the strife the past two weeks and a half?” He asked. I shook my head.
“No. She is the cause of tonight’s pain and suffering with two others. But she isn’t the source. Just a pawn in the grand scheme of things.” I rasped. “And just like her, I want sleep. Here… you take her… and wake me up… when she does…” I shifted Adaggio to my father as I said this before feeling the whole world spin. The ground was quick to catch up to me.
That night, the shadows vanished and a sparkle of light shimmered magically throughout the city. Rescue teams and alarms were all around, trying to clean up what chaos there was left. On top of a tall building, Fickle Spark looked around her in childish awe at the spectacle.
“Pretty…” she marveled. Tenebres, however, was not sharing the same sentiment. She was speechless, yes. But her shocked stupor betrayed it.
Is Din… really the cause of this…? She muttered. That power… That… is my life’s purpose…? To be… a battery…? she held up her trembling hooves and her shocked stupor turned to anger. It all makes sense now… Din is… willing to sacrifice herself for this realm… that isn’t even our own?? That the serpent has no knowledge of?? Her eyes glared. She plans to use this against the serpent?? No… against us?? Nononono… This power is mine… It is rightfully mine. I will not… be compared to a life support battery…
Fickle furrowed her expression into worry. “I-is everything okay, bestie?” She asked worriedly. Tenebres didn’t respond. Her mind was racing with the dawning realization. As if everything was clicking together for her. Din had developed so much power in such a short amount of time. And the serpent’s hardly compared. Had she obtained such tainted power that is limiting her from reaching such a potential? Yes, Tenebres knew the answer. And her sisters must realize this as well. Tenebres shook her head.
I’ve come too far… to be labeled as such. This world will be mine… And I will do it without the serpent’s power… Fickle blinked and she felt a cold shiver run up her spine. As if something had left her body. Tenebres looked up and eyed the swirling rainbow magic in front of her. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed how brightly they were compared to earlier. Another realization hit her. One that slowly made her creep into a maniacal smile. And I have Din to thanks for this wonderful gift. Fickle tapped her fingers together nervously.
“Bestie?? You’re scaring me…” she whimpered. Tenebres hummed and shifted.
Vessel. I agree with you. This spectacle is pretty. Very pretty. So pretty, in fact, that it works in our favor. Can you feel it? See it? The magic in this world. It is now potent. Everything around us. This world has changed. And it’ll be ours to claim! She smiled. Fickle blinked.
“Really?? So, we can still have our fun??” She asked hopeful. Tenebres chuckled quietly.
Oh yes. The fun has been doubled, I should say. She grinned. Fickle blinked as she noticed two swirls of darkness appear behind her and out from the shadows stepped Aria and Sonata. Fickle studied them and she smiled.
“Oh, you two survived? How wonderful!” Fickle beamed. Aria had an angry frown and her hands on her hip. Sonata looked down sadly, rubbing her arm. Both girls were battered and beaten. Fickle giggled. “Sad that your other friend couldn’t make it. She’s missing out on the pretty sparkles!” Aria snorted.
“What friend? For all we know, she could be dead.” She said sourly. Sonata didn’t say anything. Fickle sighed.
“A tragic loss, huh? I know that feeling all too well. But when Tenebres came into my life, I felt so much happier. It’s just the matter of sticking together through thick and thin like you two have!” She stated happily. Aria side-eyed Sonata, who didn’t bother to make eye contact.
“Whatever… I got better stuff to do.” Aria said before turning around to the shadowy pillar.
“Oh, Aria!” Fickle began. Aria stopped without turning her head. “No need to be a sour puss, silly. There is all the time in the world here! And the magic has been stirred awake! When you two are ready, we have something for you to do in the meantime. Goodnight!” Fickle waved to Aria in a friendly manner. Aria clenched her fist, hiding her anger under the darkness of her expression before stepping through the shadows and vanishing. Fickle hummed as she noticed Sonata not moving.
“What’s the matter, Sonata?” She asked. Sonata winced and backed away a bit from her.
“N-n-nothing… Just… thinking is all…” Sonata replied. Fickle pat her shoulder reassuringly.
“It’s okay. You can tell me. We are friends. And friends listen to each other’s problems no matter how small or large.” She said softly. Sonata looked uncertain.
“I-I-I don’t know… I guess… I’m going to go… sleep…” She said. Fickle looked at her worriedly.
“Oh, okay. If you ever need to talk, I’m always available!” She said with a smile. Sonata bit her lip in uncertainty. She then turned around and walked back to her shadowy portal, dragging her feet as she did. The girl vanished into the shadows and the portal disappeared. Fickle sighed and tapped her head in thought. “They must be really upset their friend left them. I know how that feels…” Fickle spoke, thinking back to a previous memory of hurt. Tenebres gave a pleasant hum in her mind.
And now that I’m here, our lives have been for the better, haven’t they? Tenebres said. Fickle nodded happily.
“Of course, bestie! So, do we keep looking for magic?” She asked.
Of course. We should rest for now and see how things turn out for the time being. The magic will reveal itself. She giggled. Fickle snapped her fingers and a dark pillar of shadows formed in front of her. She stepped into the void of shadows, vanishing, leaving only the city ambiance and the beauty of the sparkling lights shimmering around the city. However, one figure emerged from the shadows. Having disguised himself as a part of the water tower off the side, Discord dusted himself off.
“Hoho. I must say, the going is getting good! And with that settled, I think I can enjoy some vacationing time in this world!” He then snapped his fingers, his outfit turning into a Hawaiian shirt and short khakis and flip flops. Several objects of touristic manner popped into existence and floated next to him. “I’m sure Quiet Fire can figure out the rest now. All this heroing stuff can really tire a draconequus out. I’ll leave that stuff to Princess Twilight and her friends. Oh… that just gave me an idea…” Discord chuckled to himself before snapping his fingers and vanishing out of existence to his destination.