//------------------------------// // Falling Apart // Story: Humans Assemble! // by Mistershield //------------------------------// Chapter 60- Falling Apart “I am starting to hate trains...” Soma grunted, moving up a ladder. While not as fast as the bullet trains in Japan, the force of the wind made his hair and clothes wave in a violent manner. Mental note: Don’t wear a loose coat on a moving train. He managed to get on top and look around. It seems that the changelings had taken the form of eagles. Large ones, able to hold round... Coconuts? The bombs looked like they were dark orbs in their claws. Their aim was a bit off, and the bombs looked to be fuse type. Could he get the wicks wet? “Oh crap...” The soul hunter opened his eyes. A new wave of bombs was coming down. He had little time to prepare for a proper setup. “Killer Clown!” Soma moved his right hand out to hold a pair of playing cards. Quick attack, great range, and low mp cost. His hand flew out to toss playing cards out at the falling bombs. It was hard to aim though, the bombs had a poor hitbox, and aiming at this speed was hard. He managed to get two bombs, only to have a bomb land close and detonate. It sent his body flowing back a bit. Luckily for him, the bomb detonated in the air instead of hitting the train. “Not doing that again...” Soma raised his head up to hold the side with his left hand, and his other hand to hold the upper body up. “I am starting to hate you too, Otacon.” Once he could stand, he moved to close his jacket around his form and then move from cabin to cabin. It was tricky, trying to move from car to car without over jumping things at the train’s speed and his own super movement did not help. He debated staying on the front car to protect them all, but staying in the middle was for the best. If Soma stayed at the front, the enemy would know they had been all moved to the front. If he moved to the back, they may know the plan to separate the trains. Time to switch it up. His Death Scythe would be useless in a long range battle. Think fast... Projectile weapons or something defensive. To deflect the bombs, he need a fast and accurate projectile weapon or soul. Chakram for now. He could fend them off with a defensive soul, but he would not be mobile. “Rycuda,” Soma called out to get blue lighting sparks in his right hand. It was fast, a very large hitbox, moderate mp use. Best of all? It had a chain attribute, meaning the lighting he shot out could jump to more than one enemy. Switched out the Black Panther to get the Flying Humanoid. He needed Luck more than Speed. Lastly, he took off his miser ring and put on the rune ring- Magical regeneration up. “Let’s do this!” Soma shouted out to raise the chakram throwing weapon in his right arm, while the left hand sparked with blue lighting. Bombs that were falling were being detonated by the lighting beams shooting out of his fingertips. Meanwhile, Nate had rushed through the cars. He had the silver pistol in his right hand, at ready as he gave each train car and cabin a final look. There was no way he could leave a pony behind and also to find anything useful. Nothing in the dining car or the second class lodgings, and looking through each door of the private cabins was eating away at precious time. At least none of the doors were closed. “What is going on?” A pony called out to blink a few times. Nathan frowned, turning to look at a cherry colored unicorn that wore an apron. One of the workers? Damnit! The conductor was too busy with the passengers and forgot about the staff! “How many workers are there?” Nathan called out to close the distance between them. They were standing in the pantry car, one where they washed dishes, cooked the food, etc. “Oh, umm... There’s me, the conductor, the engineer, a stewardess, the custodian, and one baggage clerk,” The cook said to think back. “Not that many since this train didn’t have too many passengers this time around. Let me tell you, traveling by train isn’t as popular, with what them new fancy balloons and flying contraptions.” “Not an issue! Get the others and head to the front cars! I have to separate the rear cars!” “What?! Are you crazy? You know how much-” “Remember the shaking from earlier? That was not an accident or hitch in the tracks! We are under attack!” Nate explained to frown. “Really? Oh my gosh! The luggage clerk is in the back, with the custodian! They both went to fix the luggage since it got messed up with the shaking... The Engineer should be in the front. I think. The stewardess was with the conductor to check the after lunch rounds.” “So just two? Ok. Get going!” Nate nodded down to the unicorn and released a breath of air. At least he just had to find the last two and he could start separating the cars. “How is everypony?” After a head count, the conductor managed to count twelve ponies altogether. Most of them were nervous and frightened, and understandably so. Besides Dan, There were two other ponies that were injured, one pegasus with a broken leg. The other was an unicorn pony that managed to bang her horn. They all huddled close together, there had been a few more shakes and rumbles, but not as powerful as before. “They look ok, but Mr. Mandel looks like he took the worst of it.” Rarity moved to lay the human on the floor. “Stay calm, it’s important to stay calm...” The white unicorn thought to herself. Someone had to. Pinkie Pie looked so worried, her eyes kept looking down at Dan’s head wound. “Oh, let me look at him,” Fluttershy said to lower her head to look at Dan’s head. That yucky horrible smell of metal. True blood. She moved to take Nate’s handkerchief to place it over the wound. “Someone make sure the others stay off their feet, and use anything to wrap their wounds, keep them warm. Oh, I think its worse than what Mr. Drake said... Pinkie Pie, could you look through the supplies? If you don’t mind leaving Dan’s side, that is...” “Oh... Right!.” Pinkie Pie moved herself to lower her head and look at the human’s closed eyes. His chest still moved up and down. Her bottom lip started to quiver. Least no bombs were falling... Soma was doing his job. She turned to look at the briefcases Soma dropped off and rushed to look through them. The first suitcase she looked through was Dan’s. What was all this stuff? Her head turned left to right, looking through the ammo stockpile. Did Danny not have a single healing item? Hoof by hoof, she kept pulling out explosives, grenades of various types, and stones for sharpening. “Anything I should look for?” Rarity asked out loud, looking through Nate’s case. It seemed he had a few ammo boxes, a second gun, some grenades and flashbangs. She finally spotted something she thought was a healing item, but she wasn’t sure. A first aid spray, a red and green... Vial? And another vial that had red, green, and yellow in it. She moved to grab the spray since it had a red cross on it. “Can you handle this?” Conductor asked. The blue pony closed its green eyes a bit to look at the other injured. They seemed better off than Dan at least. Was it because they had better balance since they were on four legs? “I have to start adding coal to the fire and get us going.” “You go sir, and may Celestia give you luck. We all are in dire need of it,” Rarity said with a smile. “And trust in the humans. They are heroes.” The conductor nodded and rushed out of the front cabin. He would have to cross the coal and wood carrying car, and then reach the steam engine. He took a second to look behind himself and spot the white haired... Human standing on top with both arms out and calling forth lighting like a thunder god. Blue white lighting would shoot out to hunt a black orb and fly out to another and hit it. After a second, they all detonated in the air. “Like fireworks gone wrong...” The conductor said to frown. He turned to rush into the engine cabin. _____________________________________ Glad to be down from the snare trap, Diamond Tiara lead the way to the school house. It was a short walk though, she had been captured close to the school. Still, Diamond Tiara wished Silver Spoon was with her. The rich filly was not sure how to feel with the Kids Next Door and the other fillies and colts in tow. The plan was to get the paper printed, a single page spread since that was all she had to work with. “Number One...” Kuki walked up to Nigel, still a bit in shock. The children walked slowly, most of their heads down. “Do you feel dead?” “Of course not! Not for one second I believe that!” Nigel said to frown and look back. It was the one thing on their mind that bothered them all. “You all heard how we got sent here by magic!” “But... Did we survive the crash?” Number Two picked up his head. “I mean yeah, we have survived worse crashes...” “We’re here,” Applebloom said to stop next to the other Crusaders and the colts. Like the children, the little ponies had their eyes closed. Although no one said it out loud, the thought of zombie was in their heads. But a more pressing concern was about the human adults. Who was Johnny anyway? Lil Applebloom was remembering that time Dovahkiin was sleep shouting though. Were all dragons killers? She remember back when Spike grew huge and destroyed part of town. Would Dovahkiin do the same? “Rainbow Dash is innocent....” Scootaloo tried to convince herself. She was found innocent... But what if the case was reopened because of Phoenix? Was he guilty of evidence fraud? “A tomb raider is.. Not that bad...” Sweetie Bell muttered in a low voice. Daring Do did it all the time! Still, did Nate kill anyone? “Number One... Why are we doing this?” Wally stopped walking, standing behind Scootaloo. “I don’t get it. What if this is all lies? Scoots here said she was part of the Gabby Gums. But none of them wrote it.” Abby moved her hand out to rub Pipsqueak’s head, only to have him flinch once. Number 5 took her hand back to look down at her palm. “I’m... Sorry,” Pipsqueak said to frown, more at himself than her. If this was all lie, he was being really rude. “Because we have nothing but speculation at this point. If it’s a plot to discredit humans, why not include us? And why use the obvious lie about who wrote it? But at the same time, what if its true?” The bald kid lowered his shades a bit to look down at the ponies. “What if a pony tried to kill Nate? There is too much at stake. If we confront the adults without evidence-” “They may say we are lying, and its all a terrible joke,” Sweetie Bell said. “And because both humans and ponies have issues to address-” “Both sides may force the other side to tell the truth, but only if we can get others to support us. And the only way is with a newspaper article spread out to as many people and ponies we can.” “I guess... That makes sense,” Hoagie said to lower his head. “But I don’t like the idea that we’re-” “Don't even finish that sentence Number Two! We got a mission. Sokka left to meet with the adults about the midday check in, so we have little time to get this published and spread it out. Diamond Tiara, I assume you know how to work a printing press?” “Unfortunately, yes. Since I got demoted from chief editor, its my job to get the ink rolling,” The filly frowned and turned to look at the Crusaders. “But I need help. Somepony has to type the story and I need someone to run the presses.” “We got it...” Scootaloo said with a nod. “How are we going to get past the adult ponies though? Mayor Mare made the school the temp City Hall...” “Do we know who is in there?” Wally moved to peek through a window. “I see a single pony, a guy with an... Hourglass?” “That’s Mr. Time Turner. He’s the Mayor Mare’s timekeeper,” Pipsqueak said to hop on Wally’s shoulder and peek inside. “He hate pears.” “Number 5,” Nigel nodded at Abby. She nodded and walked to the side of the school. She raised a ball in her left fist and tossed it inside the entrance. The ponies held their breath and watch as a white powder dust exploded inside the room. “Wheeze- Cough- What in the..” Turner rushed out of the school, eyes closed to cough and try to breath. Number Three moved out to place a hanky into the stallion’s mouth. Time Turner opened his eyes wide, wondering what was going on. His eyelids though, slowly closed as he dozed off. “Nightie Night!” Kuki said to smile and move her hand back to pet the light brown pony. “Let’s go!” Diamond Tiara rushed inside to lead the way to the newspaper room. _______________________________________ “I am glad we had such an opportunity to unwind,” Jack moved with Spike to head back into the Canterlot palace. The ‘troops’ under his command bowed their heads as he walked past, making him lift an eyebrow through. He had no idea why they gave him such respect- It had only been a day. “I guess its okay to party down now and then, show the ladies our moves,” Spike said to lift his hand over the scales on his head. “Oh, that reminds me. Time for the report,” The toddler dragon smiled up at the warrior. “Something up?” “Ah... No. After this morning and the guards bowing their heads like that-” Jack raised his shoulders to shrug a moment. Even the retainers under his father’s command were not this formal. They only showed ceremony on important occasions. “Get used to it,” Vergil said to walk up next to Jack. “While there is no captain, we’re it. These... Ponies...” Vergil had to stop and frown, not wanting to call them animals. He almost called them maggots. “Are used to serving royalty. You are a feudal lord, and I’m really starting to suspect Terra is royalty as well. You guys act with nobility that doesn’t come from everyday people.” “He’s right you know. Even the other guards never treated me as if I was above their station. I’m younger than a lot of these guys too.” Shining Armor blinked once to look back at Terra. It did make sense, his wife was a princess. Terra could be royalty as well. Jack looked away from his fellow warriors and moved to place the Octo-phone on. “Is there anything else we should go over before the meeting starts?” The samurai asked. He had them all start in the garden for the meeting to start. Luna turned to an attendant and had more writing utensils and paper ready. While Jack could write, his form was more archaic than the others were used to. Least, those that could read common. “Well, we found out the changelings have been hiding underground. Most likely tunnels in mountains and such,” Travis moved to cross both arms on his chest and frown, getting back into his serious mode. “Its the one place changelings can hide outsight the almighty sight the princesses have.” “I see. It could be then why the changelings are both in and at the same time, not in Dodge City...” Jack said to move a hand out from his robes to hold his chin. Spike nodded, moving to start writing things down. “Nothing else?” “No. It seems they communicate through letter using birds, but we all knew that. However, it is thanks to this that we know not names nor plans. Only orders are sent out, else news of pressing matters. Changelings do not question orders.” Princess Luna moved to stand next to Travis and frown as well. “Training is coming along. Least from the grunts. But its only been a day, and I’ve focused on weapons combat,” Vergil moved to lean against a pillar that lead up stone steps. Princess Cadence and Terra moved to join him. “And Celestia’s so called military advisors-” “Are not very helpful,” Distant Star said as he walked out into view. “In fact, a doggie door would be more useful.” He was a bit taller than Shining Armor, the color light gray was his coat. He had Star Swirl’s cape around his shoulders and his hat on his head. He had a small goatee, the same dark color as his mane. “Now announcing, Distant Star. Forgive me your highnesses, but he insisted that this was important...” A guard said to bow his head. “Discord?!” Princess Celestia picked up her head, her mouth agape. Both of her eyes opened wide to look at the unicorn on top of the steps. “This cannot be! Who are thou, foul pretender?” Princess Luna frowned, noticing the cape. “And how dare-” She stopped though, finding a cupcake inside her mouth. “Oh, Pinkie Pie can be random, but she knows an excellent way to shut ponies up.” Distant smiled as his horn stopped glowing. “Yes, its me, Discord. But not the way I wanted to be...” The half humans turned to look at each other, bit confused by what was going on. “This is Otacon, Team Espionage checking in.” ******************************************** “Otacon, this is Sokka. Team Ponyville checking in,” The young man said. Applejack, Dovahkiin, Ash, Mayor Mare, and Derpy hooves had gathered at the Cutie Mark Crusaders treehouse. All of the other little colts and fillies were accounted for at least. “Well, most of us at least. Merchant and Junebug arrived before and are in town somewhere- The Kids and their partners are hunting down a runaway filly.” “He... He... Hello?” A timid voice spoke through the bluetooth. ********************************************* “Fluttershy?” Phoenix raised an eyebrow, sitting down on a bench. Right now, Vash was competing in the lasso event. To keep the Appleloosan and the rest of the competitors from panicking, they continued the Rodeo. Sheriff Silverstar, Sephiroth, and Lyra were leading the captured changelings into the jailhouse. Only Rainbow Dash and Toph stood with the attorney outside. To keep appearances, the other humans and ponies stayed to support Vash. “Uhh... What’s going on?” Tumbler the Tower turned to look at Rainbow Dash. He had been spared the loosing of his horn. Sephiroth thought one would be needed for questioning. “Shut it,” Rainbow Dash frowned and moved into to give the changeling a headbutt. If Fluttershy was on the octo-phone, it was really bad news. **********************************************, “Oh, yes. Dan’s had an accident. We managed to cure him, but he’s still knocked out...” Fluttershy spoke through the device. It was odd, putting that thing on her ear. Pinkie Pie was crying, her eyes shut to hold Dan’s head on her lap. “We managed to heal him using medicine the Merchant gave us-” “Where’s Soma and Nate?” Otacon spoke through the phone. “Oh, umm- Soma’s deflecting bombs, and Nate’s separating train cabins...” Fluttershy said to look at Rarity. She was leading the baggage clerk and custodian into the cabin they had all gathered. “Pinkie Pie! Fluttershy! Changelings have started to land on the train!” Rarity shouted. ********************************************* “Oh this is bad...” Otacon spoke as he winced. He was the one to tell the Changelings to practice and make bombs. King Aurelius never mentioned how far they came with the explosives in his letter. Thanks to Samus, the ponies and Snake listened into the conversation through her suit. “Oh man... And Merchant’s not with us, so we can’t ask why the medicine didn’t work well on Dan,” Snake scowled. “Oh, Dan is going to kill us for letting Merchant go ahead of us all,” Twilight Sparkle frowned. “Rainbow Dash!” ********************************************* Phoenix’s mouth fell open as his eyes were opened wide. Tumbler had run his horn through the cyan pegasus’ neck. “Head butt me, will you?” Tumbler snarled, his horn dripping with blood. Toph shifted her head left and right, not sure what was going on. She immediately stomped the ground, making a large earth coin flip from the ground and land on Tumbler’s neck to pin him to the ground. “What is going on?!” Jack shouted. “Rainbow Dash! She’s been stabbed!” Phoenix knelt down, moving to lift her head up gently. His face completely lost any signs that he was confident or cool. Both normally sharp eyes were closed to look at the warm blood collecting in his hand. “I.... Guess I was... Too worried about Fluttershy,” Rainbow managed to get out. Her wings fell flat against her side, feeling her body lifted slightly. Her face felt cold, but Phoenix felt so warm. She smiled a little, her eyes shutting close. “I’m... Seeing things. Phoenix- You’re...” “Phoenix?! Rainbow Dash? Someone tell me what’s going on!” Toph shouted, unable to see what was happening. Phoenix’s body was fading from view. Chapter proofreaded by LyonAzakura. Bonus: “Must I do this?” Sombra, the Dark Unicorn asked. “Hey, just get this over with!” Rainbow Dash frowned. She was sitting down on a director’s style chair, with Phoenix at her side. “If this is going to be our final moments, this behind the scenes interview better go right!” “Fine. I have no idea why I was picked though... Iron Will seems like the obvious choice,” Sombra moved to sit on his own chair. “So, you’re gonna die...” “Yeah, looks like it,” Rainbow Dash said to lower her head. “I guess I drew the short straw.” “At least I get to go home, but this way feels so...” Phoenix turned to look at Rainbow Dash and sigh. “Ha! Like I care,” Sombra said to frown. “I have yet to even show up in this story...” “Hey, shut it!” Phoenix shouted, narrowing his eyes. Sombra lowered his head, gulping a bit. “Right. Next question. How much did you love each other?” “That was not on the questionnaire!” Rainbow Dash blushed, pointing at Sombra. He merely grinned, as this question also made Phoenix blush and shut up. “I’ve been over... Five DS titles, some GBA and a fighting game. And in all of them, I’ve never kissed a female on the lips. My first onscreen kiss went to Rainbow Dash.” Phoenix admitted his head down a bit to chuckle. “I- Ahh...” Rainbow Dash shut both eyes. “This isn’t fair! It can’t end this way!” “Oh knock it off!” Sombra shouted. “Some behind the scenes interview. Last question then. Did you see ‘The Hobbit’?” “Oh, that movie was awesome!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “Ehh...” Phoenix picked up his left hand, waving it side to side. “Its okay I guess.” “Alright then. Any last comments, now’s your chance.” Sombra moved to get down from his chair and walk off. “I don’t know... Asking for a second chance would be too much?” Rainbow pleaded.