//------------------------------// // Chapter 37: Playtime in Ponyville [Part 1] // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// “I want this place locked down now. No one gets in or out, you all hear me? We need this to be a trusted safety zone for us.” “Right!” Sir Cutter X barked orders to his henchmen as the Misfit Marauders paraded just on the outskirts of Ponyville. Stallions rushed back and forth, save Joltaire and Masquerade Blade who watched with pity. Both stayed quiet as their leader continued making requests. “Dust Crack, come with me.” “Of course, sir!” Dust Crack hobbled willingly to his master’s position. “What do you need, Sir Cutter X?” “Follow me. Doctor Rivet, you know what to do,” Cutter X called to the tinkering doctor. Working on a veiled object of massive proportions, Doctor Rivet smiled as he finished his operations. “Of course.” Clicking his glasses into place, he stepped back and marveled at the giant masked mass. “Fuzzy Fry, will you please remove the cloth.” “Yes.” the beast raised its claw and slashed at the covering. The blanket flew off gracefully to reveal a locomotive sputtering with energy. On the front of the train lay a plastered white skull, steam flushing from its nostrils. With its black and red exterior, spinning spiked wheels and deathly screeching, Doctor Rivet felt a sense of euphoria. He laughed slightly, to Joltaire and Masquerade’s unease. “Dude really gets his jimmies off creatin’ messed up crap,” Joltaire commented. “…” “It is complete. The Death Divider, a train that disobeys the laws of the railroad! The land is its playing field!” Doctor Rivet shouted. Joltaire almost burst out laughing. “You gave that thing a name-” “Nothing can stop this ingenious masterpiece. Specially fortified armor and enhanced engine provides endless power and durability! Added traction and modified wheels make this masterpiece able to travel anywhere!” “So it’s just a big ass-UV…I mean big SUV,” Joltaire said unimpressed. “Seriously, it’s literally a slower off-road vehicle. Skull looks cool and the spinning spike wheels are awesome, but doesn’t it look like too much?” “…” “You’re right. Totally.” “It’s so beautiful.” Doctor Rivet bubbled over to everyone’s discomfort now. “Alrighty, boys-and girls. The time has come,” Cutter X announced. “The time to redeem yourselves has finally arrived. As the sun will soon set, we’ll walk down that dawning road like complete badasses.” “Here he goes…” Joltaire said. “Can’t blame him, he’s a good speaker. At least to these types of ponies.” Joltaire turned his head and peered into the eyes of Platinum Chain. He then focused on the cheering crowd of stallions and shrugged. “It’s like a frat party. Everybody’s excited to be important while not realizing how much crap they’re intaking,” Joltaire said shaking his head. “That’s probably what they need. To feel important in this world,” Platinum Chain said looking off into the dawning sky. “Just to feel that they are better than others-” “When they’re really not.” Platinum Chain pursed her lips. “You can say that. I just think everyone deserves to redeem themselves one way or another.” “Wouldn’t call it redemption,” Joltaire said with a chuckle. Platinum Chain tilted her head. “Maybe not. A better life, perhaps? Chance to change…” Joltaire looked directly at Platinum Chain this time. “That time you might be right.” Platinum Chain nodded and trotted away. She spotted the other remaining mare and waved with a smile. “Hey, Sweet Pop.” The mare looked at Platinum Chain with a sparkle in her eyes. “Platinum! Can you believe we’re actually going to do this? Are you excited?” she said. “Just can’t wait to take my anger out.” Platinum Chain held her chain with a distant look. “A lot of things went wrong and I have to set them right.” “I see.” Sweet Pop fluttered a bit, to Platinum Chain’s amazement, as she could not stop moving. “Wow, I never knew you were a pegasus,” Platinum Chain said instinctively and scratched her head at the stupid statement. “Uhh-” “Yeah, if things get messy I’ll just fly away.” “Real funny. We’re gonna win, we have to.” “With this guy in charge?” Sweet Pop pointed at Cutter X who was performing the Bernie on top of a rock. “Why is he even wiggling like that?” He held his hoof over his crotch and started to spin and thrust. “Pfft, yeah I’d like to see that.” Platinum Chain laughed, but stopped shortly of her true feelings. “I just want to get this done one way or another. I-I need to do something in Ponyville.” “Let’s not waste anymore time!” Cutter X said ceasing his dance. “Go forth and show these fools who’s their daddy.” A few idle stares left Cutter X in turmoil. “That means let’s go!” Joltaire said motioning the group to charge. The stallions and two mares screamed with pride as they stampeded towards the entrance of Ponyville. Doctor Rivet laughed maniacally as he set the Death Divider into motion, Fuzzy Fry mimicked the laugh perfectly along too. “And so it begins. Prepare yourself, Enzo. If you aren’t willing to sacrifice your life for this stupid world…then I may just have to burn it down with you,” Cutter X said. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Where’s Fluttershy?” “She should’ve been here…” “Oh this is simply horrid!” “Girls! Please, settle down,” Clyde said to Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and Rarity respectively. “Oh boy, it’s like heaven down here. Clyde, you never told me how many lovely ladies were in Ponyville.” “MISTER BRASS DOZER! HOW-” “Can we focus?” Twilight Sparkle said calming both guards down instantly. “Now if we can just find Fluttershy.” “I’m here. Sorry!” Fluttershy came fluttering quickly to the group with particular stallions following behind. Each held a smug grin on their hard faces. “Hey, why are those guys with you?” Rainbow Dash demanded as Dumbbell and his two associates stumbled behind Fluttershy. “You said you needed all the help ya could get,” Dumbbell said confidently. “We’re here to provide.” “Yeah, provide!” “Shut up, Hoops,” Dumbbell said menacingly to his subordinates. “Never mind them,” Twilight said with annoyance. “Now that we’re all here…if we use the Elements…” “Are you sure they’ll work?” Clyde asked. “No. Since we’re dealing with beings from another dimension, I’m not sure what the outcome will be.” “Great. The power of Harmony is going to save our asses again,” Brass Dozer said doubtfully. “I seriously doubt a little magic is going to stop-” “Surely the Elements will do something,” Clyde said. “I can’t say for sure whether that something will be in our favor,” Twilight Sparkle said. At this point, arguments broke out between the mares. “This is just an awful scenario. We shouldn’t even be out here,” Rarity said. “I say we just brute force it,” Rainbow Dash said kicked in the air. “I agree,” Applejack said. “Me ‘n Big Mac could do some work.” “Eeyup.” Fluttershy inched herself into the fray sheepishly. “B-but, I can’t…” Pinkie Pie ignored the conversation and narrowed her eyes at an approaching object in the distance. “Hey that’s a funny face!” Pinkie Pie started to blow her cheeks wide and used her hooves to manipulate every part of her face. “Oh! You’re moving…and you’re steaming!” The object came closer and was followed by multiple specks. “Are you mad?” “Pinkie,” Twilight Sparkle said with unending stress. “What are you-” Her face darkened. The whole group turned to see the Misfit Marauders strolling closer and closer. The Death Divider train howled in triumph as its shrill screams sent residents scrambling. Ponies that were still in range fled with each advance. Gulps, sighs and panic flowed through the Mane Six, Big Mac, the three guards and three bullies as they were the only ones left in the center of town. Clyde stamped his spear. “They’re here.” “Which means playtime’s over,” Brass Dozer said. ~~~~~~~~~~ “This is so boring, man,” a stallion said stabbing his knife repeatedly into the soft grass. “I know, but boss says we got an important job,” another pony said with a similar knife swinging lightly atop his hoof. “Keep out any outsiders.” The other stallion dramatically peered around and shook his head. “Nopony’s even here!” “Yo, you know how many mares are in this Ponyville?” a third stallion said. “We are so getting laid.” “Not you, small pint. We are getting the ladies.” “Actually, I’m getting the ladies,” a fourth, different voice said. “What the?” “Yo-” All three stallions whipped out their knives and formed various combat stances. “Who the hay are you guys?” “Oh my, my, that really is such a stupid word. ‘Hay’,” Bloom said strolling with Pride, Greed and Wrath close behind. “Get lost, punks. This ain’t no place for colts like you.” “He just called me a colt,” Greed said. “That’s pretty grody, see.” “Hey, listen; just get outta here if you know what’s best,” one of the watchman said. “You don’t want trouble.” “You three are certainly asking for it, however,” Pride said stepping forward with sword in hoof. “Is this a challenge?” “What? Are you wanting to die?” Pride put one hoof behind his back and starting wavering his rapier. “I should warn you. If you take this chance to challenge me, I will not hesitate to end your lives.” “Big talk coming from a fancy-ass-hey!” Without much linger, Wrath had materialized next to the stallion and raised his gauntlet. With irritation, he bashed the pony’s head straight into the ground and got to his knees to send a flurry of punches into the skull. With the ground shaking, the two other stallions prepared to attack. The instant they moved, Pride had already beaten them with two quick slices to the chest. They fell with splattering thuds and Wrath completed his task of turning the stallion’s head into red mush. “Neato, eh,” Greed said with a slight frown. “That was a bit excessive,” Bloom stated with his arms crossed and back turned. “Let us continue,” Pride said oblivious to the comments made by the other two sins. “Yeah,” Wrath said wiping the dead stallion’s blood on the grass. He stared at the headless corpse before standing up shakily. “Let’s go.” Pride nodded and swung his sword to remove the blood. Striding forward, the other three sins followed without hesitation. The four stallions walked with mixed emotions past the deceased watch towards inner Ponyville where the real action was sourced. ~~~~~~~~~~ “Shake it!” Cutter X resumed his dance as he thrust his two spike arms into the air. Fist-pumping, he performed a small twirl. “Here comes hell!” “Ahh, save your victory for when we actually do this,” Joltaire said hovering in via jetpack. He groaned as his horn felt immensely dull along with his brain. “Stupid-ass magic limit…can’t even get a break.” “Here comes the pain train. Choo choo!” Cutter X slapped the Death Divider on the side as it rolled sluggishly into the fray. Its steam filled the sky with choking dread. “Avec le blasters!” Bull It Buster said from atop the train spinning his guns against the train. Metal on metal created a satisfying grind to the ecstatic pony. “And everyone suddenly got a boner,” Joltaire said to Masquerade Blade. “I’m starting to not like this idea.” “…” “I know you need to redeem yourself, but is it really worth this crap? Honestly, it’s embarrassing.” Joltaire stretched out his forelegs and tapped his mini cannon. “But, a guy could use a little chaos once in a while!” Within the train, several ponies waited for their call to redemption. Each one trembled with their own sense of dignity. “I guess this is it,” Sweet Pop said twirling her dark purple mane. She looked excitedly into Platinum Chain’s green eyes. “Yeah…I just wanna get out of this thing and get to where I need to be.” “Don’t worry, Sir Cutter X promised us that we’ll all get our piece of glory!” “I hope your right…” From the front of the train, Dust Crack operated the controls under strict, delighted order from Doctor Rivet. Fuzzy Fry strolled playfully along the side, admiring his master and the uncanny reconstruction of a train. “Ahh, finally,” the doctor said with pride still pouring out of his mind. “My inventions are going to be put to practicality. Fuzzy Fry, are you prepared?” The pony nodded and clawed at the ground viciously. “Excellent. No more hesitation, understand?” The pony nodded wildly. “Very satisfying results.” With the enemy closing in, Twilight Sparkle bit her lip with elevated stress. “More intimidating than I anticipated. But I have hope we can overcome this.” “Yeah, we’re boned beyond all belief,” Brass Dozer said clutching his spear tight. “C’mon, big brother. Be a confident guard!” Glass Dozer swung his spear wildly in blind enthusiasm. Clyde dodged a swipe and put a hoof on the younger brother’s shoulder. “I ain’t being a dead one today. Today’s not my day…” Brass Dozer said shaking his head. “We are in way over our heads now-aw damn!” “Alright girls,” Twilight Sparkle said ignoring Brass Dozer’s protests. “Does everypony remember what to do?” The assortment of mares nodded carefully and donned their Elements. Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, and Magic; each piece to their respectful owner. The mares formed a line behind Twilight Sparkle, their hooves shuffling with allegiance, angst and courage. “We’ve been through this before and we can do it again!” Twilight Sparkle said as the Misfit Marauders waltzed into the center of town. “Oh, look. The welcoming whores!” Cutter X said giggling like a madman. “See? They created a sexy party just for us!” “I don’t know who you are-or who you even think you are,” Twilight Sparkle said with a new, sparked tone. She stood her ground as the stallions before her all eyed with unsure looks. “But if you think you can just walk into Ponyville and try to destroy us, then you’re wrong!” She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. “What is this? A magic show?” Joltaire said putting a hoof on the confused Masquerade Blade. “…” Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes to reveal white, hot blazes of pure light. Her blank, dazzling eyes matched the growing aurora surrounding the purple mare. Already, the mares behind her shared similar glows; their Elements had started to truly shine. The air grew heavy and the invaders felt themselves being pushed back. With a dashing spiral of energy, the mares started to gravitate off the ground. “Oh boy, this really is the end!” Bull It Buster said banging his guns against the Death Divider. However, time passed and the mares simply gravitated without any response. The Misfit Marauders watched with growing pity. “What?” Twilight Sparkle said as her body floated back to solid ground. She blinked before her eyes returned to the purple from whence before. “The Elements…didn’t work?” The remaining mares also returned to their previous state, fear now pulsating from each girl’s heart. “Cute,” Joltaire said raising his cannon spiraling with blue energy. “Quite,” Cutter X said clapping with his sharp, metal-coated hooves. “I applauded the effort; I was somewhat worried for a second. It looked like you girls were about to explode.” “…” Masquerade Blade held his few remaining blades by his side. “Hallelujah, we now get to shoot ‘em up!” Doctor Rivet tapped the Death Divider twice and the inmates started to flush out. Patting his pet, the doctor chuckled. “Let’s get started, then.”