//------------------------------// // And Then We Prepared // Story: And Then Fury Took Over // by Slender Dash //------------------------------// The letter made a crisp snap as it flung back into a roll. I placed Celestia’s letter on the table, and turned and walked quickly away. I had to find my girls, the Elements of Harmony, for the newest job. Celestia normally would have invited us to her magnificent castle, but she was too busy keeping up with Canterlot’s fortifications to keep the capitol city safe. There had been a few reports of some smoke poking out behind a mountain, and a couple low grumbles. When a scout was sent to check - he never came back. Celestia and Luna themselves went to see the problem, obviously a new threat to Equestria. They were horrified about what they saw. A massive dragon, larger than most dragons, a size they had only heard about from their parents, lay down on a pile of riches before them. It slowly lifted its sleepy eyelid and stared at them with sharp, intelligent eyes. Then it opened its gaping jaw and unleashed a bone-chilling roar of fury and pain, which sent even the Royal Sisters cowering in the palace. All of it was explained in the letter. That this was no dragon- this was a Fury. Greatly outmatching all dragons in size, strength, weight, speed, and agility, this dragon was also highly intelligent. It was fueled by an undying rage, only subdued by its woeful slumber. Unfortunately, that scout had woken it up, and it was preparing to rampage. I clopped over to the library door, swinging it open softly. I did not want to wake Spike, because he both needed his sleep and probably wouldn’t want to come get rid of a dragon, anyway. I gave a small smile and wished him sweet dreams, the slowly let the door close. I soon set off a brisk pace toward Fluttershy. Last time we faced a dragon, she was too scared to climb the mountain. But she had stood up to the dragon once the time called. But would she crack upon seeing that this dragon is so much larger? And what if the time for her didn’t call? I would have to think of that later. Even if she couldn’t reason with the beast, which I sincerely doubt she could, Fluttershy was still an Element of Harmony. We would get that dragon out by force, if need be. I almost walked past her wooded cottage, as I was tangled in my own thoughts. I caught myself and started up the small dirt path leading to her doorstep. Once there, I knocked. She called out a quick, “I’m coming!” and there were some muffled noises until the door swung open and I saw the shy pony’s face. “Oh, uh, hi, Twilight, um....do you need anything?” Fluttershy stumbled with her words, but still gave a sweet, caring smile afterwards. It made me giggle a bit under my breath. She was still smiling when I composed myself and began. “Fluttershy, Princess Celestia has sent a letter. We are needed urgently at Canterlot for a mission.” I recounted the most basic points of the letter, postponing the mentioning of the dragon. “Oh my goodness, what for?” Fluttershy stared at me sheepishly, awaiting an answer. My brain scrambled for a good excuse not to tell her, just in case she did freak out. Classified? No, then Celestia wouldn’t have told me. Uhhh... “I’m not sure myself, Fluttershy, but I’m sure the Princess will tell us when we get there.” Of course she won’t, we’re expecting to go straight to the Fury, since Celestia and Luna were both to busy preparing and fortifying. I just bit my lip, gave a small smile, and hoped Fluttershy would buy it. “Oh, ok. I’ll get ready right away.” She turned to the interior of her house, about to shut the door when I interrupted her. “Meet me at my house in two hours!” Then I let go of the door, shutting it. I breathed a sigh of relief. One down, four to go. Next, AppleJack. I quickly made it to her house, and it didn’t take long for her to agree to come. Next was was Pinkie, and she just thought it was a party, like she did everything. Rarity took a little convincing, but I finally got her to give in. Since Rainbow’s house was the hardest to reach, I went to hers last. I soon cast a spell allowing me the ability to walk on clouds. Then I teleported myself up onto the clouds. I held my breath for a moment, making sure the cloud-walking spell worked. It had, and I proceeded to knock on her door. No answer. I knock again, and again, no answer. Right as I’m about to knock again, I hear some muttering and the door creaks as it swings inward. I am met with the face of a tired pony with ruffled hair. She just stared at me expectantly, not bothering with a greeting. It was obvious I had awoken her from her afternoon nap. “Uh, hi Rainbow. Celestia has called us to Canterlot for a crucial mission.” Her head cocked to the die, her ears perking slightly. I took this as a signal to give her more information. “A dragon Fury has been spotted, and w need to remove it from Canterlot.” This was too easy. Rainbow loved adventures like this. But I grew confused when I saw the undecided look on her face. It was a couple seconds before she broke the silence. “I..I dunno, Twilight, doesn’t it seem kinda...dangerous?” I stared, bewildered, at my friend. Did I just hear her say that? She lives for danger! How could she say that? “Rainbow, I’m surprised. What makes you say that?” I stared at her inquiringly. I watched as she stood up, eyes sparkling, mind ready. “Just the sleep, Twilight. I just woke up. I’m awake now. I’ll get ready!” She turned to go inside, but just before the clouds concealed her face, I noticed a flicker of doubt cross her face. It vanished just as quickly as it appeared. Oh well, no time to notice that now. I still had to pack, and it was a fifteen minute walk to my house. That left me a half an hour. After I packed, and my friends had showed up, we bought some tickets for the train to Canterlot. We got our own little sleeping cabin, because it was the afternoon and it took at least twenty-four hours to get there. After some fun an games, we all settled down to sleep. It was too bad my sleep was disturbed, dreaming about the massive foe that lied before us.