//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: Planned Plans Are Planned By Careful Planning // Story: Master of Dimensions, Pleaser of Crowds. // by Dimentio //------------------------------// Chapter 16: Planned Plans Are Planned By Careful Planning         The next several days went by quickly as Shining Armor recuperated. Twilight and John speculated what could be done to save Cadence and the multiverse for that matter. Princess Celestia and occasionally Luna would come by and contribute to the attempted planning. Discord hadn’t been seen for awhile, which worried everypony slightly. Celestia said that Discord could handle himself and would probably be able to stop Dimentio single handedly. While nopony really questioned that fact, they all wondered why Discord hadn’t done so earlier.         Perhaps the strangest thing was that no news had come about Dimentio: no sightings, no disappearances, nothing that would really alert them to Dimentio’s presence. In fact, the only strange occurrences lately, according to Celestia, was the increased changeling sightings in the Everfree; a problem that, according to her, could be solved by increasing patrols in the area. Surprisingly enough, the Princesses decided to upgrade Equestria’s millitary quite a bit when John explained what Dimentio’s plan probably was. After telling them that Dimentio could, with the Chaos Heart, obliterate Equestria’s current force with the raising of an eyebrow, efforts had begun to find a way to counter the Heart’s power. Presently         “Look, we need to find a way to save Cadence. According to what you’ve said. Dimentio can’t make the Chaos Heart without her or some other princess!” Twilight argued once again to John.         “I agree, but none of us have the means to get into Dimension D. Even if we did, I wouldn’t want to face Dimentio there.”         “Why not?” Twilight asked, frustrated with the entire situation.         “He’d have the homefield advantage alongside all of the other advantages he has on us.” John reasoned.         “True, he is too powerful for us to face head-on. Without Discord anyway. Any word on that situation?” Twilight asked the question on everypony’s minds.         “No, and despite what the princess says, I’m getting worried. Discord is our best hope for fighting Dimentio.” John sighed.         “Aside from you.” Twilight said.         “Me? If you haven’t noticed, I’m not much of a fighter.” John argued.         “No, but you have some of Dimentio’s own powers. If what Discord said was true, you have more energy to expend than Dimentio because of your soul being connected to him.” Twilight countered.         “I can’t even control those powers, they only kick in when I’m in danger. All they do is keep me from being killed.” John said.         “That may be, but it’s still something.” Twilight assured.         “I guess.” John said as he stood up. “I think I’m going to stop by Rarity’s place and pick up some clothes.”         “Wait! I almost forgot to tell you that Shining is going to be allowed to leave the hospital today, Celestia has already filled him in and he wants to speak with you when you get the chance.” Twilight insisted.         “Alright, I’ll stop by there later.” John said as they concluded their meeting. In the six days that had passed since their last encounter with Dimentio, they had been having meetings daily. These meetings had all been pretty much fruitless, but they never really gave up hope. Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location         “Buhuh...Where am I? Hey, you reading the story! Wh-thwack!-” Crump was shut up with a blue hoof to the face.         “Shut it X-boy!” Trixie yelled, whoever this guy was. Dimentio had better explain why he was needed for the plan.         “Hey, that’s no way to treat our guest, Trixie.” Dimentio scolded, happy that Crump had finally come to. “Now...the game can really begin.” "What do you need him for anyway?" Trixie asked, regarding the whimpering Lord Crump. "Yeah! Why do you need me?-Thwack!-" Crump asked only to receive another smack to the face from Trixie. "I just asked that." Trixie clarified harshly. "Trixie!" Dimentio scolded as he tried to hold back laughter. "Sorry...his face is just very...smackable." Trixie said, hanging her head in partial shame. "Ah...proceed. Get it out of your system." Dimentio said, impressed by Trixie's wording. -Thwack Thwack Thwack!- Trixie wailed on Crump's face. "Hey! Stop it! Buhuh-Ow! -Thwack-" Crump fought against his restraints to no avail. -Thwack Thwack- Okay, this had gone far enough. "X-Nauts!" Lord Crump called, suddenly a small force of short masked people burst into the room, removed Trixie from their commanderr and began to pummel her "Hmmm? I don't remember bringing anyone else here...how did you do that?" Dimentio asked, his curiosity piqued. "Wouldn’t you like to know.X-Nauts, attack!" Lord Crump yelled and the small men jumped at Dimentio.