//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: Storming the Castle // Story: My Little Wasteland // by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns //------------------------------// At the ancient castle, Mal was sitting at the tallest tower, keeping a vigilant watch of the forest for possible enemies. Fluttershy had ordered many of her flying animals to fly around the forest for anything suspicious. Fluttershy came to the tower to check up on Mal. “Are you doing alright, Mr. Wesson,” asked Fluttershy. “Doin fine, ma’am,” said Mal. “And ah told you that you can just call me Mal. No need for the formalities.” “Oh…um…sorry,” said Fluttershy. “Sure are nervous for a Beast Mistress,” commented Mal. “That’s mainly for show,” said a blushing Fluttershy. “Have you seen anything?” “Haven’t seen a damn thing,” said Mal. “Any of yer flyin critters seen anything?” “Doesn’t appear that way,” said Fluttershy. Sly rushed up to the tower, almost losing his breath. “What’s all the fuss,” asked Mal. “Look like ya seen a damn ghost.” “Twilight…just got a message,” said Sly, still panting a little. “From Spike…Trixie and her gang are on their way here!” “Oh dear,” said Fluttershy. “Who’s Trixie,” asked Mal. “Don’t keep up much on currant events, do ya,” said Sly. “Trixie’s one of the most ruthless gang leaders in all of Equestria.” “And she and Twilight have always had a bit of a rivalry,” said Fluttershy. “So, ah’m assumin it’s safe to say she aint comin fer a friendly visit,” said Mal sarcastically. “You’d be right,” said Sly. “And she’s got the largest gang around. This isn’t gonna be an easy fight.” “You know how to fire a gun,” asked Mal. “I do ok,” said Sly. “Then arm yerself and find a good shootin spot,” said Mal. “I sure hope Spike has some reinforcements,” said Fluttershy nervously. “Spike’s got the best army around,” said Mal with a sheepish grin. “Himself.” Meanwhile, up in the air, Spike was flying as fast as his wings would take him; his eyes glowing a dark shade of green. He’d managed to catch up with some of Trixie’s pegasus sentries and started to open fire. Spike had the upper hand in this situation; it was harder for pegasai fly at fast and high altitudes to fire guns. Spike was able to keep a firmer grip on his guns in flight. He shot with ease, sending several to their grounded deaths. He even began using his fire in an offensive matter, his anger making the flames more lethal. The sentries shot best as they could, but spike’s large wings gave him the advantage in ducking and weaving, even pulling off a few barrel rolls. On the ground, the Apple Gang, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and the Cake Twins were riding to Ponyville, shooting off any ground sentries on the way. “Apple Bloom, Rainbow Dash,” yelled Applejack. “Ya’ll go get Rarity and Sweetie Belle! Rest of us’ll head to the Everfree Forest!” “Got it,” yelled Apple Bloom. “You be ok without me, Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash. “Don’t worry about me,” said Pinkie Pie. “Just worry about getting Rarity!” Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash veered off to make their way to the Carousel Boutique. “Why’d you send Rainbow Dash as well,” asked Pumpkin Cake. “Rarity needs a friend to convince her to get out to the forest,” said Applejack. “Rainbow Dash is the least able bodied of us, and Fluttershy’s gonna need as much help as she can get!” Apple Bloom and Rainbow Dash made their way to the Carousel Boutique, knocked on the door, and were greeted by Sweetie Belle. “Apple Bloom,” exclaimed Sweetie Belle, giving her estranged friend a big hug. “I was so worried you were hurt.” “Gonna take more than some lousy gang to keep this filly down,” said Apple Bloom. “Did you ever find Scootaloo,” asked Sweetie Belle. “Um…yeah,” began Apple Bloom, beginning to tear up. “But…she got in the line of fire protectin’ me.” “Oh…” said Sweet Belle.” I see…” “Hate to break up the reunion girls,” said Rainbow Dash. “But we got business to take care of. We need to get Rarity and head to the Everfree Forest.” “Good luck with that,” said Sweetie Belle. “Oh I’ll get here there,” said Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash stormed into Rarity’s home, looking for her fashionista buddy. “Rainbow, darling,” exclaimed Rarity. “I can’t believe it’s you! Oh my! What happened to your wings!?” “Long story, no time,” said Rainbow Dash. “We gotta get to the ancient castle in the Everfree Forest.” “Wait, you mean leave the house,” asked Rarity. “Well duh,” said Rainbow Dash. “Twilight needs our help. Trixie and her gang are planning an attack, and she needs the all the Elements of Harmony there.” “Oh, I don’t think I can leave,” said Rarity. “I’m so sorry, but I haven’t left this house in years.” “You act as if you have a choice, Rare,” said Rainbow Dash with a devilish smile. Apple Bloom then lassoed Rarity, fully tying her up, and placing a ring around her horn that blocked her magic using. “How dare you,” exclaimed Rarity. “This is no way to treat a lady!” “And this is no way to treat a friend,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “Twilight that is, not you and me. She needs us now more than ever! Bad shit is gonna go down if you we don’t go to her! The fate of Equestria is in our hooves!” “You’re right,” said Rarity. “I shouldn’t be so selfish. I’m the Element of Generosity after all.” “Great to have you back, Rare,” said Rainbow Dash, giving her friend a hug. “Now let’s head out.” “Shouldn’t you untie me first,” said Rarity. “Let’s make sure you don’t chicken out first,” said Rainbow dash with a smart aleck smile. “No seriously, you need to….” Rarity began to say, before Rainbow Dash grabbed her and put her on the motorcycle. They rode off with in a dash, with Rarity screaming from the speed and lack of security. At the castle, Mal and Sly were firing off at Trixie’s various gang members. Fluttershy and Angel were directing the other animals into different directions to attack; particularly the timber wolves. Also, strewn throughout the area were traps set up by Spike. Trip wire projectile spears, concealed pits with spikes at the bottom. “We need reinforcements if we’re gonna survive all this,” yelled Sly. “Hard to say when we’ll be gettin that though,” yelled Mal. Suddenly, a pegasus sentry landed in Mal’s tower, ready to attack him. Mal didn’t have much time to react, but thankfully Sly managed to get the trespasser right in the temple, causing him to fling over the side. “Not bad,” said Mal. “Glad yer on our side.” “If it weren’t for my wings, I could be a bit more useful in the skies,” said Sly. “But I don’t blame Spike for doing what he felt was necessary.” “Don’t know many ponies that would be so forgivin,” said Mal. “You haven’t seen what I’ve seen,” said Sly. “We can’t let Trixie harm Twilight. If she does, all of Equestria will end.” Aint nopony around that can best Magnum Mal Wesson,” said Mal with a proud grin. The two kept firing, and while it seemed to hold off the invaders, they both knew it couldn’t last. They were running low on ammo and endurance. Through the thick trees came a huge blast of magic, as Trixie came walking towards the castle slowly and confidently. “Trixie is here to see the cursed one,” she proclaimed. She sent another blast of magic towards the towers Mal and Sly were standing in. Thankfully, the two had managed to run out before getting any serious injury. Trixie simply smiled and walked into the castle. “Wait out here for any intruders my sentries,” exclaimed Trixie. “Trixie needs no help taking care of these ponies!” Mal and Sly ran outside to start another shootout. But they were significantly outnumbers, and new it was gonna take a miracle for them to survive. It was at that moment, Applejack and the ones that had gone ahead emerged. Bringing with them, plenty of guns and ammo. Big Macintosh once again opened up his metal hoof and began rapidly firing at the hordes of intruders. Several bodies were strewn about now, as Applejack looked for any possible allies. “Alright,” began Applejack. “Whoever’s on our team best give some kinda signal!” Fluttershy came out from a brush and tackled Applejack in joy. “I never thought I’d see you again,” said Fluttershy. “Seems like so many of us have been saying that lately.” “Sure has, sugar Cube,” said Applejack with a loving smile. “Ah can’t believe how strong ya’ll have gotten. The Beast Mistress, has a certain ring to it.” “Calamity Jack isn’t so bad either,” said Fluttershy. “That’s Calamity Jack,” exclaimed Mal. “Rowdiest, toughest, an most stubborn bounty hunter in all Equestria!?” “What of it,” asked Applejack. “Just didn’t expect a legendary bounty hunter to be so attractive,” said Mal, arching an eyebrow. “Uh, well, ah…” began Applejack, blushing from his comment. “No time for idle chitchat. We gotta stop Trixie now!” “Pinkie Pie,” exclaimed Fluttershy again. “Oh it’s so great to see you as well!” “You too, Fluttershy,” said Pinkie, managing to pull a smile. “What happened to your mane,” asked Fluttershy. “You could call it a new look,” said Pinkie Pie. “Oh…I see…it certainly is different,” commented Fluttershy. “Where’s Rainbow Dash?” “Went with Apple Bloom to get Rarity,” said Applejack. “No idea when they’ll get here.” And it was at that moment, that Apple Bloom came riding in, complete with a “YEEHAW!”, with Rarity and Sweetie Belle. “Oh my,” said Fluttershy. “Hey ya’ll,” exclaimed Apple Bloom. “It’s a regular reunion out here!” Fluttershy pounced at both Rainbow Dash and Rarity. “I’m so glad to see you both,” said Fluttershy. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you two!” “I think we have a good idea, darling,” said Rarity. “Celestia knows I’ve been thinking of you guys everyday since we parted ways,” said Rainbow Dash. “Heartwarmin as this all is,” said Applejack. “We really need to get inside the castle! Everypony lock an load!”