The melee that was occurring before me was immensely cool. It was like a hybrid between a Lord of The Rings battle in size with the urban grittiness of The Warriors. I scanned the crowd and saw the girls whooping some butt. Sunset even resembled Sif of Asgard the way she wielded the baseball bat and trash can lid she possessed. A whistle over my shoulder alerted me to Flash tossing me a lacrosse stick. I grinned almost evilly as I rushed into the crowd to knock some heads.
*
Chrysalis hurled several faculty members and students with her magic as The Captain came to her side, “My Queen it is not safe here, we best fall back to the school.”
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes when she noticed The Protector known as Scribe working his way toward her, “Very well.”
The plates on her back shifted as a pair of large insect wings sprouted out and began to buzz.
*
I glanced up and noticed Chrysalis making a break for it. I looked over to the statue and continued to see more of her troops buzz through. I narrowed my eyes as the girls came to my side.
Twilight looked where I was, “She’s headed for the roof. Scribe, we need to regroup and formulate a plan of attack.”
I steeled myself, “As a great hero once spoke, I have a plan, attack.”
I then broke into a sprint toward the school’s front doors.
Sunset grabbed my sleeve, “What are you doing?”
I grabbed her and gave her a quick smooch with a smile, “Saving you all!”
I rushed through the doors without a thought.
*
Twilight and the girls gazed after Scribe as he entered the school, “Is he CRAZY!?”
Pinkie Pie scratched her chin, “Depends, has he been talking to himself when he’s alone?”
Applejack looked around and round housed a changeling then turned back to the situation at hand, “We need ta go in after him.”
Pinkie Pie was already gone. The girls immediately jumped into action and pursued their friends into the school.
*
I pretty much was channeling my inner Sam Fisher when I entered the school. I was sticking close to the walls as the sound of buzzing and clacking of those freaky changeling hoof feet reached my ears. I glanced around a corner and caught site of a few guards walking through the main lobby. I noticed there was a sizeable gap between my hiding place and the next hall over.
I was ready to spring when I voice caused me to jump, “HI!”
I almost fell over but I caught myself, “Pinkie, be quiet you’ll blow my cover!”
Pinkie giggled quietly, “Sorry.”
Before I continued my face became neutral, “The rest of you are here aren’t you?”
The other girls sounded off silently, “Yes.”
I sighed, “Alright, stick close and watch my back.”
They all nodded as we rushed quickly across the gap. It was relatively clear in the next hallway and we advanced up toward the roof entrance.
I stood before the door and inhaled, “Girls, go outside and help everyone. I have to go at this alone.”
Twilight stepped forward, “But-“
I exhaled in frustration, “PLEASE! This is my mess and it’s time that I take responsibility and clean it up, partner.”
Twilight nodded, “Just be careful.”
I looked at her over my shoulder with a smirk, “Come on gals, this is me we’re talking about.”
I then ran up the stairs to the roof.
*
I kicked open the door and beheld The Captain as well as Chrysalis, “Knock knock.”
Chrysalis turned to me, “Well, well, look who finally showed up.”
The Captain made a move to come toward me only to be halted by Chrysalis, “No need Captain, I’ll handle him. Go down and assist the troops.”
The Captain reluctantly took off as me and the Queen began to circle each other.
Chrysalis was still smirking, “I have to thank you Scribe, if it wasn’t for you I would never have gotten this far.”
I narrowed my eyes, “That doesn’t belong to you; it shouldn’t belong to anyone except the one who protects it.”
Chrysalis smiled, “Now see that’s the thing. The previous protector DID have it in his possession until I took it and now I have stolen it from the SECOND protector!”
I then began to laugh which she took offence to, “What’s so funny!?”
I stopped, “For someone who did their research you sure do know next to jack on how the choosing works. The Algorithm doesn’t pick another protector when it’s stolen; the previous protector has to bite it first before another is chosen.”
Chrysalis froze as I stated, “By the way did that bump on your head from my work boot heal alright?”
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes as I spread my arms, “Hello again queenie.”
Chrysalis then spat back with venom, “Human scum!”
I then rushed her, “The Algorithm is mine!”
Chrysalis slashed out with her claws which I rolled under and reached out. Chrysalis then smacked me backwards onto the roof once more. I backed up with The Algorithm in hand and stood on the ledge. She took notice of the possession I had and her horn glowed threateningly.
Chrysalis approached me slowly, “Where are you going to run now Scribe.”
I smirked, “Who said I was running?”
I then stepped off the ledge.
*
Chrysalis ran to the edge and what she saw when she looked down made every fiber of her being burn with the fires of rage.
*
Previous day
Flash spoke with confusion on the phone, “You want me to do what now?”
I smiled, “Bring your car to the school tomorrow just in case if the plan goes south, which most likely it will.”
Flash sighed, “And where does Sunset fall into all of this?”
I nodded slowly, “She’s been tasked with gathering the students of Cloudsdale Secondary and Crystal Empire University for the coming battle.”
Flash sounded shocked, “You know something’s going to happen?”
I leaned back, “Nah, it’s called the Xanatos Gambit.”
Flash sounded confused, “The what now?”
*
Present
I was levitated by Twilight down to ground level as she and I piled into Flash’s car.
I turned to him, “Floor it dude!”
Flash nodded as he shifted gears and roared onto the street.
*
Chrysalis landed onto the field and yelled at her contingent in the sky, “GET THAT CAR!!”
The changeling’s were confused as Chrysalis pointed, “The giant metal contraption with wheels that is CURRENTLY FLEEING!!”
The changelings began to their pursuit.
*
I was panting as adrenaline pumped through me, “MAN that was close!”
Flash rounded a corner as we neared the city, “Right, so what now?”
I blinked, “Crud.”
Twilight was frantic, “YOU MEAN YOU DON’T KNOW?!”
I waved my hands, “Hey I didn’t think we would get this far alright.”
Flash adjusted his rear view mirror and widened his eyes, “We got company!”
I turned to him, “Think you can lose em?”
Flash smiled as he looked at me, “Just try and stop me!”
Twilight smiled as Flash stepped on the gas and we roared down the road onto the city streets. Flash quickly drifted into a nearby alleyway, the changelings rushed in after us but unfortunately ineffective in such a confined space. Most of them smacked into each other or the bricks of the nearby buildings while others smacked into dumpsters and trash cans. Flash smirked as he shifted gears once more and exited onto a vacant side street. He checked the mirror and noted that the changelings were not following us anymore. Before we could breathe a sigh of relief however we Twilight pointed in front of us causing Flash to break sharply. Standing before us a block down was Chrysalis and her alone. Flash narrowed his eyes as i glanced at him with a straight face.
I sighed, “Can we go back the way we came?”
Flash shook his head, “Not unless you want those other guys to get at us.”
I nodded, “Then the only alternative is to go forward.”
Twilight was shocked at us, “You mean you’re going to-“
Flash revved his engine to signal his intention to the queen, “We don’t have a choice.”
I gripped the dashboard, “Floor it man.”
The tires squealed as we zoomed toward Chrysalis at break neck speed. Chrysalis stood her ground as we approached. Then the car lost traction and flipped right over her head, we landed on all four wheels but the axels were probably wrecked. All three of us blinked as the car was lifted off the ground.
All three of us then said simply, “Frak.”
*
All the students and changelings ceased their fighting when the Canterlot kids noticed the familiar car get deposited roughly on the ground. Twilight, Flash and Scribe all emerged from the car. Immediately the paper that Scribe had was taken from him.
*
I glared at the laughing monarch as the girls came to our collective aid.
Chrysalis tapped her chin, “Now what to do with all of you. Ah yes I know, public display of punishment.”
Twilight and the girls began to light up, “Not this time!”
Chrysalis merely raised an eyebrow as the elements fired full force at the Queen. She raised The Algorithm which was instead hit by the blast. What occurred next was frightening, dark green energy overtook the element’s collective energy and surged back to its source. The girls then reverted back to their normal forms in a flash.
Chrysalis then began to laugh in utter joy, “I not only achieved the impossible but I have cut off the elements power? I truly am all powerful!!!”
I glanced at the crown’s gem which flickered weakly as Chrysalis landed and continued her gloating. I then stared at the laughing Chrysalis and finally I just…snapped. I don’t know what it was, maybe it was the fact she had backed us into a corner or that I wanted to do something crazy but I stood up from the kneeling position I went into to catch my breath and began to walk forward.
Twilight glanced at me in surprise as I handed my glasses to her, “Hold on to these.”
Twilight and the girls looked at me as Fluttershy asked what they were all thinking, “Scribe…what are you doing?”
I narrowed my eyes as I picked up a discarded hockey stick, “My duty.”
I began to walk toward Chrysalis much to the now shocked expressions of the students and faculty. Chrysalis turned and noticed me with a raised eyebrow. My walking pace then transitioned into a full on sprint as I raised the stick and gave my best battle cry. Chrysalis responded with an arc of magic lighting which ripped into me and hurled me back.
Sunset and the girls were at my side, “Scribe just stay down, you can’t fight her!”
I ignored those words and rushed the Changeling Queen for a second time as she shook her head, “You’re kidding? You’re kidding right?”
I raised the stick and went right for her head, “I never kid!”
Chrysalis caught the stick and turned it to mulch immediately, “Fool.”
She then blasted me with a second volley of electricity which sent me flying into the statue’s podium. I felt nothing but burning pain, one of my arms was most likely busted and a couple of ribs might have just been cracked. I panted as my skin burned with pain I clenched my teeth as I tried to stand. My feet leveled out as I forced myself to stare defiantly at the false Queen who must have taken that as a personal insult because her face contorted into a mask of hate and rage. Several students began to cheer me on as I advanced toward Chrysalis.
Chrysalis’s left eye twitched, “Insolent whelp!”
My skin then began to burn as magic bombarded me. I yelled out in pain but kept pushing forward, my mouth turning into a sneer. Soon however my body gave out as I was forced to one knee.
Chrysalis laughed at this, “Look well my subjects, even the strongest of spirits can eventually be broken,” she approached me, “Now be a good servant and proclaim your love for your queen.”
I clutched both of my fists together, “NEVER!”
I rose and smashed them into her stomach.
In response I was backhanded ruthlessly into the girls. All of them crowded around me.
*
Twilight glanced at the crown and noticed the gem had barely regained its luster, “It’s something.”
Chrysalis then proclaimed powerfully to the crowd, “Now behold my slaves! I shall show you all what happens when one of you decides to defy my will!”
Chrysalis charged a beam of magic as Twilight donned the crown once more, “You will not touch him!”
Chrysalis snarled at the princess and let loose a massive blast of power. This was met by a barrier of Twilight’s energy, which shattered like cheap glass. The element’s gem then went out like a light.
Chrysalis looked down at the fallen Princess and an image of a defeated Celestia rang true in her head, “And the student shared the same fate as the teacher in the end.”
*
The laugh that rang through my head roused me from my unconscious state. I gazed at Chrysalis and then at the girls. Sunset noticed I was awake and smiled as well as touch my face lovingly.
I weakly asked, “Did we win?”
Sunset shook her head sadly, “No...”
I grasped her hand as Chrysalis moved in for the final blow. I shut my eyes as the familiar tingle of magic charged the air and was soon unleashed in all of its intensity upon us. But the pain never came…in fact I felt charged.
I opened my eyes and noticed that we were all surrounded in a barrier, “Are we dead?”
Twilight glanced around, “But how?”
I looked down and noticed that my injuries and clothes were fully repaired.
I slowly stood up as did the rest of the girls. I looked around and gasped as the girls suddenly became engulfed in light. I blinked and there they all stood in the very dresses they had been in during the Fall Formal as well as being in their pone forms.
Chrysalis shook her head in disbelief, “NO! How can this be!?”
Twilight looked around in shock herself but when her eyes fell upon Sunset and I she smiled, “You may have weakened the Element of Harmony’s power Chrysalis, but you made one fatal error!”
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, “And what pray tell is that?”
Twilight began to advance, “You see Chrysalis the magic you suspended was only the magic that resided within me and the girls. But what you failed to realize is that there was another magic with us that was just as strong,” she then pointed at us, “a magic I think that you were once all too familiar with!”
Chrysalis looked at both me and Sunset.
*
Chrysalis then remembered the dark day when Shining Armor and Cadance banished her from Canterlot with the power of their love, “No…”
Scribe and Sunset then began to glow with the power of the elements of harmony and a secondary white aura. Scribe glanced at his hands as his dress shirt became a lighter gray and more crisp and fitting his frame. His loose fitting pants smoothed out and became a more pristine white that seemed to shine. His hair became longer in the back and front and slightly wilder looking like a mane, from atop his head a pair of white pony ears sprouted soon accompanied by two white pegasus wings unfurling from his back. Sunset gazed at herself as her skirt and shirt became all red and seemed to glow. Her jacket became a gold trench coat as the studs vanished; her boots became crimson as the purple flames became gold as well. Her hair gained the same tail like extension that the girls had as pony ears matching her skin color sprouted from atop her head.
Both landed and looked at each other in amazement.
*
I was about to speak when I felt a sudden rush. It felt like floodgates had just been opened in my head as images and knowledge blasted through my being. I exhaled in surprise but then felt a smile creep onto my face.
I looked at Sunset, “Wow, you look great.”
Sunset smiled back at me, “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Both of us then stood side by side with Twilight, “Twilight speaks the truth Chrysalis. The Element may have been closed off from its full power but it still could resonate with a magic of equal power,” I then placed a hand upon my chest, “The magic of love.”
I stepped forward, “You see love and friendship may be different concepts, but they are two sides of the same coin! There are two kinds of love, the first one,” I glanced at the girls who smiled, “Is the kind of love you feel toward a true friend. The kind of love that could be contributed to the kind you feel toward your own kin! The kind of love that would make you plunge into the abyss alongside those friends and back again.”
I then looked to Sunset as she once more took my hand, “Then there’s the love you can only feel for one other. A love that unites your spirit and heart, intertwining your fates and destiny into one! Ergo I state to you, Friendship can give forth love, and love can be given to friendship!”
We all began to glow with a pure silver and indigo aura, “Separate on their own they have their own power but TOGETHER they form an infinite bond that all possess! A bond that can never be broken no matter how powerful you think you are. This bond is a power, that can transcend TIME ITSELF! This power, nay, this magic,” the girls and I joined hands and levitated reaching the zenith of our glow, “IS THAT OF UNITY!!!”
The blast was a rainbow of an infinite spectrum of ever changing colors. Chrysalis attempted to pull The Algorithm out but the blast was far faster and plowed full on into her. Her morphed appearance was blasted off of her in a flash of brightness.
Chrysalis then yelled out as she fell to the ground with steam coming off of her, “NO!!!”
*
Chrysalis looked up weakly and made a move for The Algorithm which lay before her only to be stopped by a familiar sneaker.
She glanced up in fear and saw the girls and Scribe with their arms crossed and glaring at her.
Scribe then simply stated, “Don’t even think about it.”
*
All the changelings popped back to normal and were immediately detained by the student and teacher army. Chrysalis was grabbed by Celestia and tied up by Big Mac.
Celestia jabbed a finger at Chrysalis, “For the record, I never liked you. Oh and your fired.”
I turned from the scene and shut the gaping portal with The Algorithm. I then stared at the clearing sky.
*
The girls then took notice of Scribe gazing into space.
Twilight approached the winged boy, “Scribe?”
*
I inhaled, “What just happened, happened right?”
They all slowly nodded as I put my hands together, “I’m friends with all of you, my girlfriend is Sunset Shimmer and I am on an alternate world. Not to mention I have wings and pony ears as well as mane like hair.”
Twilight stepped forward as all present including the girls looked at me in concern, “Is there a problem?”
I nodded slowly, “Yes, there is a major problem.”
All of the students and faculty were slightly confused at my statement.
I raised my hands to the heavens, “The problem is,” I whipped around with the biggest smile, “Why the hell didn’t I get my memories back sooner to enjoy this even MORE!!!”
Twilight and the girls smiled as I paced, “I mean okay, I’m the guardian of a piece of Equestrian magic that is, THAT IS, one of the strongest in existence.”
I ran to the statue and pointed at it, “I stepped through an inter-dimensional gateway and became…well like this!”
I then rotated on the spot, “I met so many awesome people and made more great friends and I’m in love with the most beautiful girl!”
Sunset blushed at the statement as I flew up in the air, “And ladies and gentlemen to top it off, I HELPED SAVE TWO WORLDS!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!!”
I then collapsed on the ground laughing as the group stared down at me with amused smiles, “Man I love you girls.”
The girls picked me up in a group hug as we all collectively laughed in happiness.
Rainbow Dash was the first to speak, “So what happens now?”
I glanced at The Algorithm, “Well I’m in no rush to get back at the moment so I say,” I flew up in the air once more and proclaimed, “VICTORY PARTY ON THE LAWN!!”
Everyone voiced their agreement.