//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: AMAZO visits Equestria // by KingDogbertXIV //------------------------------// “What?” Dash screamed at the top of her lungs. “The Wonderbolts were attacked?” “Yes,” Nightingale said, reeling from the scream. “by somepony they were questioning. They’re downstairs in the burn unit. Spitfire hasn’t woken up yet. It’ll be a few days before they’re back 100%.” Turning towards Twilight, she asked, “How are you?” “I’m stressed, but better. The pain of breathing is slowly going down,” Twilight said. “You’re doing great. If all goes well, you can leave the day after tomorrow,” Nightingale said. “That’s great,” Spike said, pulling a quill and piece of parchment from the saddlebag that he brought from the library. “In fact, I’m about to go get Nurse Redheart to help you get up and walk around a bit just to keep your lungs and muscles from atrophying. I’ll be back in about ten minutes,” Nightingale said as she backed out of the room. After a second or so, Dash turned to Spike, who was dutifully writing something on the parchment. “What are you writing?” she asked. “I’m writing to Princess Celestia about Reigns attacking the Wonderbolts. This situation is spiraling out of control and we’re running out of ponies to throw at this,” Spike said. “Good thinking,” Twilight yawned. “What do you think she’ll do?” Derpy asked. “I’m not sure,” Spike admitted. “She might just contact the jail and have them arrest Reigns.” “Good,” Dash said. “That nut needs to be locked up.” “Yeah, well, I’m going to go outside and send this,” Spike said as hopped off his chair, parchment in hand, and walked the door. “I’ll hurry,” he said as he exited the room. --- “Now, AMAZO, I have good news and bad news,” Warden Penn said as the three guards approached with the android. “The good news is that we’re not going to bother upgrading your cell. The bad news is that you’ll be monitored constantly, even when you have visitors. Speaking of visitors, Reigns is here to see you. A guard will escort him in shortly,” he said as a fourth guard opened a cell door and motioned for the other guards to herd AMAZO into the cell. “Oh, and try not to make half your cell vanish this time. Although, the warden did turn a lovely shade of angry purple,” Fixit said as he trotted up to the group. “Fixit, Reigns wanted to see you when you got off of work,” Warden Penn said, turning to Fixit. “Why?” “He said he wanted to talk to me about some of his invention plans,” Fixit answered, rubbing the back of his greasy hair with a hoof. “Did they find anything when they were looking through his stuff?” “They found some glove-like contraption that nopony could get to work and some sort of medical scanner,” a guard chimed in. “I’ll be honest here, Fixit, and advise you to stay away from Reigns. He makes my skin crawl and I deal with crooks two-thirds of my life,” Warden Penn admitted. “No. Science demands I see what he has to offer,” Fixit declared, causing the warden to facehoof. Sighing, Warden Penn said, “Whatever. You and the guards can go fetch him. I’ll stay here with the android until you come back.” “Yes sir,” the guards and Fixit said before trotting off. --- “How does it feel to be up and around, Twilight?” Derpy asked as she, Dash, Nightingale, and Nurse Redheart escorted the somewhat wobbly Twilight around a corner. “It’s unnerving,” Twilight said, shakily taking a few steps. “I feel like I’m about to fall over.” “Don’t worry. We got you,” Dash said, hovering at Twilight’s side. “You have four ponies around you. You’re not falling anytime soon,” Nurse Redheart said, pushing Twilight’s IV pole along with a hoof. “I know, but still...,” Twilight trailed off. “You’re doing fine,” Spike said as he approached the group from the closing elevator. “Thanks, Spike,” Twilight said, looking back at him and smiling. “Encouragement helps in these situations,” Nightingale said. “If I may ask,” Nurse Redheart began, “what exactly happened at the jail? Why did Dinky’s doctors and Derpy bring you in? What were you guys doing there? In fact, how is Dinky anyway?” At this, Dash coughed loudly and Derpy and Twilight’s eyes grew wide in panic. Thinking quickly, Spike said, “It’s kind of a delicate subject and it also involves some Wonderbolt stuff. It’s confusing and stressful and nopony feels like talking about it.” “Fair enough. How’s Dinky?” Nurse Redheart asked as the group completed their final lap around the floor and turned into Twilight’s room. “She’s...better,” Derpy said awkwardly as she flew to Twilight’s bed and rearranged the sheets. “That’s great to hear,” Nightingale said as she and Dash helped Twilight to the bed. Twilight then shakily climbed into bed and rolled over on her back as Nurse Redheart watched her IV. Derpy then pulled the covers up over Twilight. After making sure that Twilight was alright in the bed, Nightingale said, “We’ll let you rest for a few hours, then get you back up again.” “Sounds good,” Twilight yawned. “Alright. See you in a few hours,” Nurse Redheart said as she and Nightingale trotted out of the room. After a moment, Dash turned towards Twilight with a worried look. “I just had a scary thought about this situation. What happens when we show up at AMAZO’s cell to use the Elements? He’ll know why we’re there and he’ll retaliate. How can we fight an all-powerful being like that?” Sighing, Twilight said, turning her head to the side, “The way I see it, getting him to leave the planet is the only surefire way to win here. It’s that or somehow wear him down enough so that we can use the Elements.” “What if those two options fail?” Derpy asked worriedly. “I honestly don’t know what would happen then. AMAZO’s not into ruling Equestria; he just wants power,” Twilight said. “But remember,” Derpy started, “Soarin’ said that AMAZO made a deal with the princess that he would return to his cell in exchange for the guaranteed safety of Dinky and I. It’s a stretch, but we may be able to convince AMAZO that he’s gotten everything he can from this world. I mean, what higher power is there than Discord?” “Exactly. He’s milked this planet dry and I have a feeling he knows it too,” Twilight said. “So,” Spike began. “He’s just staying here for Derpy?” “I guess,” Twilight said. “My fear is that Reigns is going to manipulate him into using Discord’s power for evil.” “But AMAZO isn’t evil, just confused,” Derpy said. “Besides,” Spike began, “he’s been used before so he probably knows the warning signs.” “I hope so, for all our sakes” Derpy trailed off sadly.