//------------------------------// // Chapter Eighteen // Story: Wishing Well // by Nobrains //------------------------------// Chapter Eighteen You all burst out onto the street, looking around frantically. The guards were motioning for you to cross the street, but they were unaware that some of the hellspawn lurked on the roofs right above them. “You! Get your asses up the street and don't look back! We're being chased!” Static called out to them. “What was that, Captain?” One of the guards asked. “GET UP THE STREET AND STOP LOLLYGAGGING!” The guard was taken aback, and they all started to run up the street, away from the set route, and into a fray of confusion as Static, Twilight, and you ran ahead of them all to guide the way. You wanted to fall back, to stay in the brunt of the crowd, but you knew Twilight wouldn't be letting you. The creatures flooded into the streets behind all of you and to the sides. The ones that had recently appeared to your sides simply laughed and watched you go by with satisfied smiles, knowing that the ones behind your group would be more than sufficient than taking you out. “We'd prefer you didn't play such callow games, and simply accepted your fate. It would save all of us a lot of trouble..” “Ah, shut up!” Static yelled back to your pursuers. “It's like we're playing tag!” Pinkie exclaimed happily. “Dear Celestia, are these the ponies I'm stuck with here?” Static asked himself aloud. You rounded a corner quickly, one of the guard ponies tripped from the sudden change in direction and you all knew he was gone, soon under a torrent of the hellspawn. “Dammit!” Static roared out. He seemed to be one of the types that didn't take losing a soldier under his command lightly. “Are we even heading in the right direction anymore?!” You asked between quick breaths. “I think so!” Twilight said. “It has to be just a bit past this.... yes!” The upscale homes and other establishments that you ran along began to recede, giving way to the familiar steps leading up to Canterlot castle. Hope began to bubble up from within you despite the stress that was placed in each stride you made. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. From the corners of your eyes, you could see that several more hellspawn had suddenly appeared from what seemed to be nowhere, focused upon you and Twilight, and they were closing in much faster than the stragglers behind your group. “Aww, shit!” You called out in anger and stupefaction. “Thanks for voicing all our thoughts, human! Just keep moving!” Static called out. You got to the steps leading up to the castle. You looked back once and practically swallowed your tongue when you saw just how close the demons were upon you. The rest of the mares and the guards began to cover the steps behind you, but that hindered their progress enough for the hellspawn to pounce. They focused on the guards to the back, jumping upon them, causing them to yelp out in surprise. One lost his spear and it flew ahead, hitting the ground in front of you while you were ascending the steps. What compelled you to stop and pick up the weapon instead of continuing your sprint, you'll never know, but something inside you urged you to have something to defend yourself with. This spear from a fallen guard would have to do. You felt something bump into you before you could move again, and you felt yourself suddenly being pushed until you picked up the pace. “I'm not staying grounded just so you can all slow me down more!” Rainbow called out in frustration. “I'm sorry!” You responded quickly. “Zip it and keep going!” You huffed in bitterness as you sped up the stairs, eventually being brought to the courtyard of Canterlot. You all darted further and further into the castle grounds until being brought up to the front entrance to the interior of the castle. Static pushed by all of you, yelling for his men to form up on him. He magically began trying to open the doors and swore bitterly when he realized they wouldn't budge. “I shouldn't be surprised. Damn it all.” Twilight trotted up to him quickly. “I can get in, I just need some-” A hellspawn jumped right in between all of you, looking around, seeing the reactions he had invoked. Some of the guards yelped and Static just stared bitterly at the creature. “All that effort for nothing it seems..” “You said you could get in there... do it, then.” Static said through clenched teeth, his eyes still on the hellspawn. The guards recovered and one took the incentive to attack, causing the others around him to follow him in a confused tussle. The creature swatted at the spears that attempted to pierce his exoskeleton. You know they would have overwhelmed the hellspawn if it wasn't for his fellow demonic allies nipping at the guard's backs. Cries of pain could be heard from the exchange of blows between the two groups while you and the mares stood out of the way. For some reason, you wanted to assist the guards. They were certainly not going to make it unless they had some external aid. You took a deep breath, taking a step towards the fight. “What do you think you're doing?” Twilight asked worryingly. “I was going to help-” “You won't be helping me if you go and get yourself hurt! Please, we need to get these doors opened.” “You still haven't done that yet?” Static asked, dodging a sweeping blow from the hellspawn. “Hurry up!!” “Okay, we will!” Twilight said defensively. You felt yourself being tugged by the magical force of Twilight again, your feet sliding across the ivory ground, until bumping up against Twilight. “Put your hand on my back.” She ordered. “What? Why?” You were confused. “Please, we don't have anymore time and I really don't want you out here by yourself.” “Why n-” You said while placing your hand on her back. You couldn't finish the sentence however as you felt yourself become dispersed from reality for just a second. The feeling was like falling apart and coming back together. You fell on the ground and grunted. Something on you felt rather warm, and you looked down to see that the bottom of your shirt was singed rather badly, a small flame still formed around the bottom rim of the lacing. You quickly began to roll around and pat out the fire. You were surprised nothing else on you caught fire besides your shirt, it seemed to be more of a nuisance than a life threatening situation with the manner in which this was projected. Sighing in relief, you stood up and looked around, trying to see where you were and to find Twilight. You were in the throne room, except there was no throne. Dark and glossy tendrils stretched over where the regal seat should have been, a sign that the hellspawn could corrupt even places of such stature. You also noticed that you had lost your weapon when making the jump. Great, now you were defenseless again (not that Twilight would've let you confront another hellspawn.) “Hey! Come over here... sorry about your... uhmm clothing, by the way...” Twilight was attempting to move furniture that was blockading the door and forcing the others out. She quickly moved as much of the furniture as she could immediately, and you helped take care of a few of the velvet chairs that she had left behind. Whoever was in here was definitely trying to keep those hellspawn out with whatever they could find in the castle. You guessed that most of this came from the dining room. Twilight began to pull the doors open slowly, but found that they were forced open, the mares running through while guards were thrown into the castle. Static rushed through yelling you both to shut the doors. You tried pushing them closed along with Twilight's magic, but you soon found yourself sliding across the ground on your back as they were thrown back open. Several hellspawn stepped in, snarling and looking around. “Shut us out in the cold and darkness? What kind of guests are you?” “You aren't anypony's guest, you sick thing.” Static snarled. “Now, get out of here!” His spear shot forth, the air whistling at the speed of the projectile. Apparently, the hellspawn didn't think that the weapon would hurt him that dramatically, or perhaps he simply hadn't expecting the unicorn captain to have thrown it so fast. It embedded itself right into the creature's eye, causing it to howl and pain and flail about, trying to pull it out. Its companions watched it with deplorable looks, but did nothing to help it as it pulled at spear in its eye. Eventually, it did pull forth the spear, but it severed the connection in the hellspawn's brain, and it fell over, the spear rolling out of the way, bloody and gored. “Well done. That's one more than we thought you would manage to end.” You watched the other hellspawn with chary eyes. They were simply stepping to the side or over their slain companion. They didn't care. They didn't care about anything, not even themselves. They just wanted this kingdom in ruins. Static pulled the spear on the ground near the dead creature with his magic, stepping back until it was in his possession once again. “We'll fight you. We'll fight you all to the very last breath.” “We wouldn't expect anything less from you.” The hellspawn stepped forward eagerly. Static looked around to see who was left with him. His remaining men seemed to be too injured to assist him any further as they laid strewn out upon the floor where they had been thrown. He looked to the rest of you with an ascertaining look. “Nothing can go right for me, huh?” “It all depends on your outlook, of course. At least you lasted this long.” You stood up slowly and edged over to one of the incapacitated guards who was trying not to groan too audibly, fearful for his life. You grabbed the spear he had dropped, hoping that nobody from either party (especially Twilight) had noticed your discreet alacrity. “Get back! I'll end another one of you! I'll send you back to Tartarus!” Static was starting to lose his composure. “Tartarus, hmm? Sounds like quite the place.. we'll be sure to look into that land as soon as we're done here...” The hellspawn was practically looking straight down upon the captain now. Static finally took action once more, jabbing the spear in the abdomen of the demonic creature. Unfortunately, it simply glanced off of the exoskeleton, only chipping it. “Oh you've gotta be kidding me....” Now that the conflict had been reinitialized, you ran into the fight, hoping that Twilight wouldn't yank you right back now that she had seen you. Running up to the hellspawn that was about to make short work of the unicorn captain, you attempted to jab the spear in a similar place to the encounter within the barn. It was an advantage to have encountered one before, but would it be enough? Static caught sight of you rushing up and gave you a dumbfounded look. “What are you doing?! Get back with the others!” You didn't say anything as the hellspawn began to notice you. You wish that you had a few more seconds of time before becoming evident, but Static had blown your cover before you had made you move. Luckily, you were quicker than even you had thought possible. The hellspawn left Static to his own devices as he switched his attention to you. You could hear Twilight calling out in anger and fear. You told yourself to drown out all other sounds and focus on what was in front you. The hellspawn swiped as you came into range of his claws. You hopped backwards just in time and jumped forward with even more speed. He stepped back in surprise, but you were too close to him now. You stabbed the spear forward and upwards into the creature's neck, right between the jawline. It pierced and you felt your spear do it's work. You pulled it out gruffly to make sure that as much damage that could possibly be done had, in fact, been done. The hellspawn's eyes began to lose their luster as you realized your blow had been fatal. Its claw grabbed your shoulder, but it never squeezed or cut. Its arm shook and it coughed as blood continued to leave its system down the wound in its neck. “You can't undo what you yourself helped establish...” It fell over and you looked at it and almost felt remorse. Almost. You felt something cut down your back and you cried out in pain. You were then in the air and at the hooves of Twilight. You laid on your stomach as you realized that another hellspawn had attacked you from behind. “Why didn't you listen to me?!” She hissed down at you. “I'm sorry! I wasn't just going to let him die though!” You were trying to sound as sincere as possible. You were only telling the truth. “All you did was get yourself hurt even more.” “But I killed one!” “I don't care about that!” “We're still in the middle of a fight here, everypony!” Static called out, now fully engaging the hellspawn that you guessed had attacked you from behind. “He's right, Twilight! We've got to be more like your friend and help him out!” Rainbow said, beginning to hover off the ground slightly. “Wait! We don't need to fight a conglomerate of them! We just need to barricade ourselves in!” “What good did it do the ponies in here, huh? I say we give these nasties the walloping they deserve!” “Please, don't be so headstrong! There's always another way!” Twilight wasn't up for any arguments at such a critical time. “There's no time for another way!” With that, Rainbow Dash darted into the battle, knocking over two of the hellspawn that had just come into the entrance. “We've gotta help them!” Applejack said, following after the rainbow streak. Soon, everypony except for you, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity were engaged in some way with the demonic attackers. “Why doesn't anypony listen to me?!” Twilight called out in fury. You got to your knees, wheezing. You watched as the others fought against the attackers. Static was the most hard-nosed fighter, taking on creature's with just a spear and the armor on his figure, shrugging off blow after blow of the hellspawn. Applejack was bucking any that decided to shy away from the fight with Static. They were staggering back into each other and falling over on occasion. Rainbow Dash was flying around the empty shell of what was once the throne room, knocking over any of the demon's that she could make contact with, and Pinkie Pie was simply being elusive, almost effortlessly so, for she was fundamentally in two places at once, darting out and about of the chasing hellspawn's grasp, creating easy targets for Rainbow Dash to knock over. It looked to be effective, but Static was the only one with killing power that was fighting. The other's were simply disorienting the demons momentarily before they could recover and continue the offense. Your attention returned back to the two mares that watched them all still with frustrated and ambivalent looks. “Darling, I'm sure the others could use one of your adroit schemes right about now...” Rarity urged nervously. Twilight continued to watch the battle unfolding before her while her mouth began to move. “I could use a stone turning spell on the doors to-” “Wait... no.” You felt an idea forming. “Not on the doors, use it on them.” “But that would be-” “Don't think about what it would mean. It should work, and it will save us.” “O-okay. I trust you.” She smiled timidly before closing her eyes and breathing a heavy sigh. “I swear, I'd be doomed without you.” You laughed lightly and watched her step by you and Rarity. “Remember it, Twilight... remember it...” She muttered to herself. Her horn began to glow, and her eyes scanned the battleground. You knew she had to be careful, lest she accidentally commit friendly fire. She squinted her gaze and prepared to take the first shot, glad that she was unnoticeable. A magical dart shot out of her horn, hitting a hellspawn that had just been bucked in the jaw from Applejack. It shook and fidgeted slightly, wondering what had just happened to it. Its feet began to grow gray and cold as the spell began to take effect. “What is this.... what is this?!” It grabbed and pulled at its leg, trying to free itself, but the stone only spread further, eventually covering the entire body of the hellspawn. It had worked. You couldn't believe it, but it worked! Twilight's confidence began to grow as she hit another that was assailing Static. He stabbed at it while it hardened under the spell, only stopping when he realized what had happened to it. “Look who pulled through!” He said amiably. You, Fluttershy, and Rarity cheered her on as she began to make short work of the others before a single one noticed what was happening around him. They were clever it seemed, but not so attentive to what was going around them. By the time anyone besides you, Rarity, Twilight and Static had noticed, there was only a handful of the hellspawn that remained. The area was covered in the haunting shells of the defeated hellspawn. You noticed from the side that a demon had kept himself in low profile, obviously waiting for the right moment to attack. You struggled to your feet nearly choking from the pain that ran down your back. You were going to need some neosporin if it existed in some form in this world. The hellspawn made his move, cutting the distance in marginal time. You made sure you still had your spear in hand and staggered forward, hoping to cut him off. Twilight wasn't noticing a thing, focusing on those in front of her, she was blind as a bat from the angle the hellspawn was approaching. You nearly tripped trying to get over there, the pain down your back yelling at you to stop moving, not that you would ever listen to it. Soon, the creature was close enough to attempt what he had set out to do. He laughed and growled at the same time, catching Twilight's attention. She screamed, and you knew that if you were going to take action, it was now or never. You growled through the pain yourself and rushed forward pulling the spear as far back in your grasp you could. “H-help!” She cried out, terrified. Her horn had stopped glowing, her concentration had been broken from the sudden scare. You dove forward and slammed the spear into the back of the hellspawn between two different plates of its exoskeleton. It dug in and bit through its flesh. It yelped pathetically as you were overcome with anger and drove it in further until you were sure it hit the spine. You tried to pull your weapon out, but found that it was lodged in there. No matter, for it seemed that you had paralyzed it from the waist down. You stepped back and told Twilight to do the same so it couldn't lash out at you both. You never thought it would come to this. You never thought you would be killing anything, but that was the only thing you could have done to save Twilight. It was worth it, you kept telling yourself it was all worth it to keep her safe. “Should I...?” She asked after watching the grieving creature on the floor. “Yes, you should.” You breathed out. She concentrated once more and fired the spell at the hellspawn on the ground, encasing him in stone and ending its misery (you assumed.) It seemed to be over for now, and the ones that had been caught in the conflict began to rendezvous where you and Twilight were. “We kicked some serious butt out there!” Rainbow exclaimed, diving into the group. “Was a good little bout, thanks to Twilight.” Applejack said, adjusting her stetson as she trotted up calmly towards you all. “I appreciate the praise, but it wasn't my idea...” She looked shyly over to you and everyone knew what she meant. “Well, quick thinking there, partner.” Applejack said with a faint smile and a nod. “Thanks.” You returned. “Where's your pink friend?” Static asked, looking around under his now dented helmet. You all mimicked the captain's action and looked around curiously to see where Pinkie might have gone. Nothing, where could she have gone? Turning back, you were all shocked and startled to find that Pinkie was now in the center of your group, erupting in a flurry of ecstatic words and merry gestures. “Can you believe all that?! I kept telling them they wouldn't catch me, but they wouldn't listen! Oh well, seems like they're too busy being.... well... stoney!” She snorted. “You need to stop doing that, Pinkie...” Rainbow grumbled. “Stop doing what? I'm not doing anything.... I think... well I'm talking right now and...” “Look what you did, Rainbow.” Applejack sighed. “Me?! I didn't start this!” The pegasus returned, offended from the accusation. “No more arguing.” Twilight interjected. “We've got to get to the elements of harmony. We're so close and we aren't going to stand here idly when so much depends on us.” Static stepped back, a sad look on his face. “You should get going then. I'll need to stay behind and tend to the wounded.” He looked at the soldiers that were groaning in pain on the ground. “They're my responsibility.” He nodded and gestured for you to go. “Go on.” “Are you sure? Your fighting ability was beyond instrumental in helping us survive all that.” Twilight asked. “Ha! You got your own little guardian right there in the human. He put down more of those things than I did. I think you'll be just fine.” They both turned their gaze to you and gave you an indebted look, only the captain's was more of respect, and Twilight's of simple infatuation. You nodded tensely, showing that you recognized the praise you had just received. You were even too apprehensive to no longer pay mind to the pain crawling up your back. “No need to stick here any longer. You all get going.” Static said crudely, waving a hoof. “Thanks for your help.” Twilight said. “I don't care about appreciation. I just want this over with.” Twilight kept you uncomfortably close as you looked back one last time at the captain while walking towards the winding halls of Canterlot castle. He looked over his stallions with a caring and autocratic eye. You prayed he would be left to peace now that he had departed your company. You weren't sure how long he would last otherwise.