//------------------------------//
// 27 Pathetic Fallacy 
// Story: Libera Mé 
// by EZTP 
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27


The creature woke to Rarity and remained her in silence overlooking the sunset. Twilight and the others were awake, lost in it. They all sat peacefully enjoying the red orange hue that covered the land in its glorious light. The creature sat up with Rarity and inhaled deeply. Rarity leaned against it, and it on her. Twilight and the others inhaled the evening air to follow the example, a fresh breeze gently passing by and carrying the scent of the forest. The evening was tainted to Rarity, the inescapable fact that their day was closing on them.
Pinkie Pie fell against Crystal on the other side of the creature. They all followed and gathered around, trying to make that moment all the sweeter. To Twilight, they all had the same thought, it was the least they could do with their new friend. As it said only the present is certain, and they were going to enjoy it.
Rarity cleared her throat pointing to the castle in the distance, “That is Canterlot. It is where you came from, a lot of ponies there. There is Ponyville, the Everfree forest. Can you see that large cloud there with the rainbows pouring out?”
“I think so.”
Rarity nudged Rainbow Dash. “Thats my home, cloudsdale, we make all the weather there, rainbows and rain, thunder and lightning for the storms. If you see the factories going there is sure to be a downpour somewhere in Equestria. Fluttershy is from there as well but she has decided to live closer to the ground.” She touched Fluttershy’s shoulder.
“Well..umm. There’s the Everfree Forest, but I guess you knew that already. There’s umm...my home...which we can’t see. Ah! The birds you see now are Cuckoonutters, they are a little eccentric sometimes. My favourite animal though is...oh I can’t choose. In the distance is Mount Kilimanjaro, a nice place to visit for ponies who like to ski...which I don’t so I umm...haven’t.” She tapped Pinkie’s foreleg.
“Ooh, my turn! Well I don’t know...I like to think about flavours when I am nervous, sad, scared, all of them. The sunset would be orange with dark chocolate! Celestia has outdone herself this time, that’s the orangiest one yet!” She bumped Applejack.
“Well that right there is a whole lot of forest. I think back there’s where we first met, one of my favourite nights. Sweet Apple Acres should be having a fresh harvest now, Granny Smith would be busy with Big Mac choosing the best ones. I can’t wait to bust them out and get that harvest started.” She bumped Twilight.
“All of it is here in Equestria. There are many different creatures that make up the wonderful world we see around us. Now we have one more to make it all the more magical.”
The creature exhaled a trembling breath, “Thank you ladies.”
“I know it’s not the tour we promised but-.”
“Perfect. It was  perfect. Never had to get up.” They did not move until all the light had finally gone. “I don’t know about you ladies but I hate pathetic fallacy.”
As the sun disappeared the creature sighed and stood up. Heading back into the cave with Crystal it beckoned them to follow, their time was up.
“Gather your equipment ladies, make ready.”
It proceeded in retrieving the necessary components it required, the explosives, the shoes, and its knife. It did not carry anything else. Crystal took the pack of its blood and drank deeply. Clearly not enjoying the taste. Her clear body became a pale crimson and her eyes a bright red. Rainbow Dash shuddered at the sight. Twilight was readying her spell and the others gathered their ropes and tools to fight the golems. There was silence amongst them, a heavy and ominous feeling hung over the group. Applejack was disturbed when she saw the creature place a flat stone on the makeshift table, its own signature on it with a small rose carved in it.
"Will your little friend be alright?"
"He will! Dragons need to sleep to heal faster."
"Quite the tough one."
Rarity was by far the most quiet, she barely made a sound while she gathered her kit. Her thoughts were still dwindling on the night before, it made her heart race but soon sink. It was such a short time they had but she remembered its word and it brought comfort to her. She would use it to stay focussed for the good of all her friends.
Rainbow Dash attached her Wonderbolts pin. She was ready to storm the fortress with her friends and bring peace to all Equestria once again. She would stare down the hordes of the queen and not bat an eye, she was a Wonderbolt, and had faced far worse.
Pinkie Pie Was the most disturbing to them. Her usually full spirit attitude had mellowed after the sun set. Her smile was as big as ever and her spirit full but there were no antics, barely any talking. She was nervous about what might happen, but she laughed it off personalising her tools with some colourful ribbons she still had.
Fluttershy was eerily calm. She had her suit on the quickest and spared no effort communicating with animals to see if there was something else important they should know. To her disappointment there was no extra information, nothing to help it.
The creature sighed and beckoned them to the centre of the cave clearing its throat.
“Ladies. As you know we can have no contact after we leave this point, so if you have something to say to each other, for ponies sake do it now and not when we are ear deep in golems.” They looked around at each other confused as what they should say, to each other of the creature. “I would prefer to go first. Ahem. A lot has happened between each of us during my time here. I do not know how or why I came to be here, but I am grateful to have done so. Despite everything I am glad to have met each one of you very special ladies. You have helped me grow and changed my life. I will conclude by saying; it is an honour to stand by you and for you.” The creature bowed in half and raised itself smiling. It made them feel more comfortable.
Twilight spoke, “I think I speak for everypony here when I say we are glad to have met you Sir Teddy,” They giggled as its eye twitched hearing that name, “You have helped us through some difficult moments, and we are honoured to have you as our friend.”
“Definitely. It was awesome.”
“Thank you Teddy.”
“Look after the outfit now Darling.”
“We’ll be right behind you sugar cube.”
“See you at the after party!”
Twilight turned to her friends, “I’m sorry I didn’t listen earlier Rarity, you are always a good friend. I should have trusted your advice, just because you are not an alicorn, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have insight that could help.”
“Don’t worry darling!”
“One more thing...” the creature turned and lowered itself to its knees as Crystal pushed her head to its body, the arms coming around and holding tightly to her. Rarity had to force herself not to cry, as easy task when she saw Rainbow biting her hoof to stop herself. It closed its eyes and held on for some time to Crystal, finally managing to pull away. It kissed her large forehead. “I just figured it out sis. It’s good to see you again, I missed you. You look after them for me, alright?” The creature let its tears freely fall The wolf whimpered and pressed its transparent nose to the creatures bowed head. “Sorry I didn’t see it sooner, you know what a fool I am. I am free now, I did it. You take care of them. I love you.”
“Teddy...are you alright?”
The creature stood high, taking a deep breath. “Yes. I can feel them, they are close. Time to go.”
“Good luck everypony!”
“Good luck indeed... Ready your highness?” Twilight turned them all invisible for the final time, fading into the darkness of the cave, extinguishing the lights. The creature stretched and cracked its joints. It marched out with Crystal, the mighty wolf by her companion. “See you tomorrow.” It tapped the wolfs side and she burst into a run, they watched it disappear into the forest. The instantaneous sounds of crushing stone echoing off the trees.


*


The run through the forest had been scary for Fluttershy. The creatures strategy was flawless and they ran past the shattered, glinting remains of Golems as it thundered to the fortress back in Ponyville. With each step they grew closer to home, to save their fiends. It was difficult moving being invisible,  fortunately the training they had that day helped. She listened for the signals of her friends as she darted through the treed, It was as though she was alone, they were right there but without seeing them it was very disconcerting. She felt nervous about the whole plan. It was simple enough but what if they could not find the elements and Teddy had to to fight the queen alone? She pushed herself faster as its roars drew more faint, following the sound of breaking glass. She was mindful of her steps trying not to slow the others down.
As they pulled closer to the towering gate they could see the creature had made quick work of the golems that were there. When they honed into view it was poised with the explosive waiting for Fluttershy to signal them. Crystal was standing beside it and it sent her to retreat into the forest for Twilight to turn her invisible. They had done as the creature instructed, no sounds at all, Twilights magic muffling their steps and keeping them all hidden from the golems. Fluttershy saw Crystal vanish into thin air and called her signal, the hoot of an owl.
The creature paused a moment as it had said so the queen would dismiss the sound and not see it as the signal it was. It rushed forward planting the explosive firmly on the sides and at the base lighting the fuse. It had been perfectly done and the creature ran to the side  doors with just enough time before the explosion went off.
Twilights mouth stood agape at the carnage of the blast. The creature was right about keeping its kind out of Equestria. It was a small package but the force of the explosion splintered and tore the door clean open as if were paper. Shrapnel rained everywhere as the creature stepped through the smoke slowly. Fluttershy sounded another signal, this time her cricket impression. Pinkie’s cloud was releases, blending and enhancing the smoke. They all darted through to the right door. The thickness of the smoke in the area was fortunately as planned, spreading wide. Twilight used her magic to make it thick enough to inconspicuously obscure them as they swung the side door open and passed through to the dungeons. The creature was using the clouds to its advantage against the tide, neatly ducking and weaving to wait for the golems to become brittle enough tot break. Twilight was happy it was still working. The last thing she could see the creature stood defiantly in the centre as the queen landed with a tremendous blow to the floor.

I can see them now. Applejack, such a burden to bear alone, now it’s gone. Rainbow Dash, you are the bravest, biggest fool I have ever known. Pinkie, how I wish I had met you earlier, you psycho. Twilight, my dear I wish you luck on your journey. Sorry I cannot be there to see it. Fluttershy, you heart melting brave coward, I am glad you were there to help me. Luna, pest, you knew which way to guide me, never gave up. Celestia, if this doesn’t quell your anger, then nothing will. Rarity, such insight. Thank you for helping me see it all, for being there with me. I hate myself for hurting you now. Crystal, my sister, what a journey we have been on. I can see them at that table, together. Such good friends, my good friends. I miss them already.
Lets get going my friend, we are almost there. One more time. One more time.

As the lights fade and the darkness comes, I shall not fear for my job is done.
I promised you I will free one day, now I am, Libera Me.


*


Twilight hated closing that door, the queen looked more powerful than ever, to leave the creature, Teddy, to face her on it’s own. She could not help it now. Recovering the elements was her priority, then she could help.
They darted through the portal, her insides felt as if they were twisting and she arrived back at the castle, the cavernous hallway rounding the corner stretched before the the spiral stairs to the cells. As they galloped down she could only wonder where they were, her parents, Celestia, the Elements. She knew she would have to find them, the focus had to be here now, here it was needed. Passing each cell to her horror it was laden with the soldiers of Equestria. Wonderbolts and pegasus guards with their wings charred, unicorns with splintered horns, knights and soldiers strewn in the cells, either in chains or straps. They were all deliriums unable to recognise thy were here to help.
Fluttershy forced herself to look away from the cells, it was painful to move past them, ignoring the ponies that needed her help. She remembered what Teddy had said, she could help them more by defeating the queen. It did not make it easier, did not numb the pain from seeing their weakened faces, but it helped her concentrate and see a direction to go.
Rainbow Dash could only see the wonderbolts uniforms, she was angry for leaving them behind, but if she had stayed she would have burned with them’, Teddy was right. She was more useful here, to all of them. Focus Wonderbolt.
Applejack searched high and low but there was no sign of the Golems she had expected. It was heartache for her, all their preparations and they were here, hiding under a magic spell while Teddy was out there fighting the queen alone. She was ready to take on the whole army but instead they were all there. At least Pinkie was as cheerful as always. She would never admit it, to another pony at least, but her energy was contagious, if she was cheerful there was nothing to be afraid of. Rarity was determined, she could see  it on her face, why can I see them?
“Twilight? Why aren’t we invisible?”
A large tail swept neatly across scattering them, Discord the culprit. He did not seem to be welcoming them. This was asserted when he struck the ground and smiled at them.
“Discord! It’s good to see-”
“Another test my Queen has sent me, I shall not loose, I shall not loose...”
“It’s me!”
“Nope, just another changeling my queen wants to test me with. You are not acting close enough. Try closer.”
“Discord please.”
“They are gone, they are gone, I will not be fooled again. I lost my one and only friend. They are gone...” he continued to chant.
“Fluttershy, look at the eyes.” They were that emerald green rarity had described. This was another walker, “Love can beat it, you must go!”
“I-”
“For your friend.”
“For my DISCORD!” Fluttershy bolted to him, the sudden action confusing the walker to be floored, a twist of the arm to force it to hold still. She could not hold back seeing him fight this thing. She felt the trembling claw slowly wrap around her throat. She did the last thing she could, forcing herself closer and letting her lips find his cheek. She did not remove them for fear of loosing her advantage. The struggling slowed and the limbs fell loose. She felt for breathing, she was happy to find it normal and in good speed. Discord opened his eyes to the mare holding him down. He smiled up at her, the terror instantly fading.
“Don’t you ever scare me like that again! Okay?”
“...Alright Fluttershy”
“Now you rest right here, we’ll be back to get you.”
“I can still help,” he said trying to force himself to stand. Fluttershy pinned him and stared sternly in his face. He reluctantly lay back, “Alright Fluttershy.”
“Good!” she said cheerfully, “Do you know where the Elements Of Harmony are?”
“No but you can call them yourselves. Feel the spirit in you and they will come.”
“You heard him!”
They let each of their elements work within them, Teddy’s lesson proved very useful to them. Sure enough there was a series of clattering and they entered. After some revolutions around the group they began to float away.
“NO! We need to help Teddy! Focus, focus for everything your worth.”
The elements descended to them once more, it was tough but they reached out nah held them. They had done it.
“Well that went well, let’s go dethrone us a Queen!”
The plan was working, they were filled with hope for their future, as Sir T eddy had instructed. Upon their arrival to the upper areas, they were in time to see the creature standing with two massive statues flying around it. The uniform had been burned, it staggered to stand upright and it was clearly in trouble. Twilight felt all the power build in her, it flowed from her friends through het and the Element of Magic, shooting forth a beam of Rainbow light.