//------------------------------// // Decrescendo // Story: Ace of Hearts // by blowngasket //------------------------------// Chapter 33: Decrescendo "Really? You did absolutely nothing, and now that it is all over, you're not even going to help me carry him?!" Rarity complained, an unconscious Spike draped over her shoulders. They proceeded to move quickly towards the center of town, where the most recent of explosions had finally came to a halt. Still glaring at Discord as he whimsically floated along next to her, he gave a simple laugh, proceeding to do a backstroke. "My dear Rarity. I did quite a bit, if you haven't noticed." Discord said, grinning at the distressed woman. "You sat there eating popcorn!" Rarity spat out, irritated that she was being treated this way. "You don't understand the importance of the lone popcorn eater. The task entrusted to those who take it is filled with lots of loneliness, and melted butter. Would you be able to handle all that melted butter?!" Discord said, debating his side of the case. "Well...when you do put it that way...wait! That's not the point here!" Rarity said, almost caught up in his truth. "The truth is you have been nothing but lazy and unreliable when you were needed." "...The melted butter..." Discord said, making his best attempt at the puppy dog eyes, those easily coming of as creepy. "You're...joking, right?" Rarity sighed, giving up all attempts at wining this forsaken argument. "You are like trying to argue with Sweetie, except she actually makes sense." "I do apologize. An argument making sense must be so dull. It is a good thing I came along to do you this wonderful service." Discord said, practicing his butterfly strokes as he swam through the air. "...I need a drink..." ---------- ---------- ---------- "J...Just a bi..t moRE!" Ark gasped at the sudden sensation, every nerve lighting up, and doing everything in his power to hold back his screams. "There ya go, good as new." Rainbow said, stepping off of his back, and onto the ground. "Happens to me more than you'd think. Fixing a dislocated limb has become second nature to me." "...It's better now." Ark said, slowly rotating his shoulder, before starting to sit up from his position on the ground. "Of course it is! Did you ever doubt me?" Rainbow asked, puffing out her chest with pride. "Yes." Ark said, standing up and moving his arm around to make sure it was in place. Rainbow sighed, her ego deflated thoroughly from his simple yet harsh response. "Ya know, a thanks at the very least would be nice." She said in a sour tone, crossing her arms and turning away from him. "...Thanks..." Ark quietly slipped out, walking past her and towards the main road to Ponyville. Rainbow blushed slightly, never actually having heard him compliment her, or say anything nice in general. "Yeah. No problem. Let's go, red. The rest of them are probably waiting for us. “Rainbow said, her enthusiasm back in full swing. "Red?" Ark asked. She simply stared and pointed at him, pointing out that he was, in fact, still covered in his opponents’ blood. "Fair enough." "Ready, then?" Rainbow asked. Ark shook his head, and pointed down the road, back towards Sweet Apple Acres. She looked curiously at him, before taking a gander down the path. It didn't take her long before she noticed a figure, wearing full body armor, walking almost absent mindedly their way. "Is that Shining Armor?" "Yes." Ark replied, slightly curious as to where the person he was supposed to guard was. As Shining finally noticed the duo standing in his way, he quickly made his way over towards the two. "Shining, where is the girl?" Ark asked, slight annoyed that he might have failed his task. "She is fine...but it's complicated...Are you covered in blood again?" Shining asked next. "Yes." Ark answered like it wasn't a big deal. At this point, Shining didn't really care anymore. This day had been too off for him to be able to, and he just wanted to get it over with. "Right, then. You ok, Rainbow?" Shining asked the annoyed looking rainbow haired woman. "Bout time ya noticed I was here!" She responded, a slight glare in her eyes. "Sorry, just a lot going on. We should hurry to make sure everyone is alright." Shining said as he walked on past them. Ark shrugged and followed, Rainbow quickly joining them. Shining...co...in Sh...ing Shining noticed the little voice in his head speaking, though recognizing the sound of it, if an internal voice could make sound. Reader? ---------- ---------- ---------- "Cake!" "Brownies! "Fruit punch!" "Muffins! "YAY!!!" "Pinkie and yer sister have been at this for five minutes straight." Applejack said to the calmer of the twins. Belili nodded, holding her head in annoyance. "Good luck getting her to stop though. Besides, they are having fun, I think." Belili said, watching Pinkie and Rusalka continue to shout out things that they like. Reader watched the group of girls over as they talked, still slightly suspicious. They did try to kill him, so that was to be expected. "PONIES!" Pinkie and Rusalka shouted happily, breaking Reader out of his thoughts. "Anyways...we should continue onwards on the path. A loud explosion rang through form this direction." Reader said as he continued to try and get in touch with his allies. He managed Shining and Ark, though Catacomb and Perry were both giving off only static. Pinkie gasped, everyone turning their gaze towards her. "That's where Twilight lives!" Pinkie yelled out. "Twilight?" Belili asked. Applejack and Pinkie both nodded. "Dante's target. Sounds like he got serious..." Belili said, shivering slightly. "Oh I hope they are alright..." Pinkie said in a calm tone that made everyone worried. Reader walked up to her and pat her on the back. "Don't worry yourself, Miss Pinkie. The young changeling would rather die than let anything bad happen to her." Reader said, trying to be reassuring. "But...I don't want anyone to go away..." ---------- ---------- --------- "LIGHTNING!" Twilight cried out, the bolt striking the target exactly where it was intended. Catacomb's body jolted upwards, the voltage attempting to jump start his heart. Immediately, she began chest compressions to maintain the rhythm. "You are not dying you selfish arrogant freak!" Twilight yelled out, tears streaming down her face. She placed her ear against his chest, listening closely. The lack of noise only increased her panic. Lifting herself back up, she started to focus once again. "Lightning!" Another bolt came down from the cloud, sending another jolt through Catacomb's nervous system. "Please...Cata...don't quit now!" Twilight said, beginning chest compressions once again, trying to force him back to life. She placed her head against his chest one more time, the lack of sound slowly shattering her. Her head resting against his chest, she began bawling, unable to contain herself any longer. She didn't want to lose him, not like this. Not when everything would finally calm down, and they could both relax away from this madness. She stopped suddenly, eyes widening. She ceased all sound, holding back even her staggering breath. She waited for that single second, leaving this very moment in the hands of fate. Thump. Quickly, she began to chant the best healing spell she knew, not wanting to waste the precious gift of time granted to her. "Nature's gentle caress, soothing the weary traveler. Guided to the land of serenity, encompassed in the wonder and beauty of life. Rest, take comfort in the loving embrace of the wind." As the gentle green glow began shining off of Catacomb, Twilight grasped his hand gently, hoping that with her effort, he would be able to stay with her long enough for help to arrive. "Please...someone...help..." Twilight spoke quietly, leaving the rest up to fate. "Catacomb?" Twilight immediately jumped up, her eyes widened with disbelief as her cry for help actually went answered. "Is he dead?" The voice came from Perry, walking alongside Fluttershy, who had to help hold him up. He was battered up, but easily better off than the man by her side. "We need to get him help!" Twilight called out, everything else she could say easily being less important. Perry, looking at Fluttershy and nodding, got off of her so she could go and check on his friend. He slowly walked over to Twilight, and sat down beside her. He was completely silent, knowing that no words were going to make the situation any better for her. Softly, he grabbed Twilight and pulled her in for a hug, letting her release all of her pent up emotions into his shoulder. "His...his heart rate..." Fluttershy spoke nervously, drawing in the undivided attention of both Perry and Twilight. They both prepared for the worst, holding onto each other tightly, Perry's face that of actual worry for his friend. "It's normal?" Twilight and Perry both stared, exchanging happy yet baffled looks. "Unless they have naturally faster heartbeats, he actually seems fine." Fluttershy said, letting out a sigh of relief." "He...is fine..." Twilight said, repeating it several more times to herself. She looked at the unconscious body of Catacomb, noticing the slow rise and fall of his chest. Just before, she could barely notice his beating heart, and now he is better. "Twilight?" Perry asked, making sure that his friend is okay, as she looked like she was in a daze. "Twilight, are you okay?" Perry asked again, starting to get worried. "I don't know, Perry." Twilight responded, staring at Catacomb. "...Hey..." "It's like I can hear him speaking even now...I am so confused!" Twilight yelled out, shaking her head. Perry gave her no reaction, as he was too busy watching a friend rise from the grave. "Twi...light." She finally turned her head, and stared over at Catacomb as he still laid where he was. Even though his eyes were closed, his lips were in fact moving. She quickly pushed Perry off of her, the poor man hitting the ground, frowning at the sudden abuse. As much as it bothered him, he knew better than to speak now. He just stayed where he was, watching the happy scene for himself. "Cata...are you okay?" Twilight asked softly, getting close to him. His eyes remained closed, but she noticed a small smile on his face. "Been better..." Catacomb responded quietly, not able to really raise his voice above a whisper. "Definitely...been better..." "You were dead for a moment...I was so scared that I lost you forever..." Twilight said. Even with his eyes closed, he still felt bad for making her cry, knowing that the dampness on his cheek was from her. "...That sucks..." Catacomb responded plainly, not really knowing what else to say. "...It did suck..." Twilight responded, noticing him very lightly laugh from her response. "Is...everyone alright?" Catacomb inquired, hoping that no one else ended up as bad as him, or worse. "I was thrown through a wall several times. Besides that no different." Catacomb smiled at the sound of Perry's voice. "Reader recently got a message through to me. He just met up with everyone else, and they are getting help for you from the hospital. Just lay there...and not die again while we wait." "Can't say...that will be easy." Catacomb meekly said. "Kinda...wanna...nap..." "Cata...please don't kid." Twilight asked of him. He slowly opened one eye, struggling to focus is blurry vision. He made out a purplish blob that resembled her hair, but everything else was hit or miss at that point. "Come....closer, Twilight." Catacomb said, as she obliged, moving her face a few inches from his. Slowly he rose his head up and surprised her by licking her cheek. She jumped, rubbing her recently assaulted face. "Perry...Is she blushing...Kind of hard to focus." Catacomb said, chuckling. "You should probably play dead for a while, but yes, she's blushing." Perry said, no longer worried for him. "Sorry Twi... but worth it..." He smiled. She didn't even really care that he just did that, because he was going to be fine, and that's all that mattered. ---------- ---------- ---------- "...No, I absolutely, positively refuse to believe that is what happened!" "As a doctor, and the only one here actually specialized in changeling biology, I can assure you that it is indeed what happened." Everyone watched, being quite amused with them, as Shining Armor and Dr. Redscar continued their argument. "I don't care about any of your scientific mumbo jumbo! There are points where I draw the damn line, and that has crossed it so far, that if it went any farther, it'd see the line again, and probably make an effort to double cross it." Shining said, huffing out his chest and turning away. "I think it is wonderful, personally." Rarity commented, staring at the sleeping Catacomb. "The truly unbelievable thing is that he can actually sleep through your bickering." Twilight commented, more than annoyed by her brothers’ silly reaction. What Dr. Redscar said had made more than enough sense, and facts were facts. "Ah think it's sweet, in a slightly weird way." Applejack said to Rainbow, who seemed fairly disinterested in the topic in general. "Whatever. He's fine, who cares why." Rainbow said, shrugging. "By the way, have you seen Pinkie, Perry, Fluttershy, and those creepy twins?" "They're out planning a huge bash fer a job well done." Applejack responded, having to speak up as Shining Armor continued to get louder and more obnoxious. "If I didn't know better, I would say you're making it all up, just to annoy me." Shining said, nodding at his own statement. "Fine! Don't believe me, I am only a doctor. What is so weird about a changeling using the love of his partner to stay alive?" Redscar said like it was a well-known fact. "Everything about it! I am supposed to go about and say that my sister's idiotic boyfriend was saved by the power of love!?" Shining said, flailing about. "I mean, it is so freaking cheesy and unrealistic! It is like something out of one of those bland novels that women like to read. I mean, it is so..." "Romantic..." Rarity interrupted, swooning slightly at the thought of such a storybook ending. "You know what, I give. I surrender! I am done, just done!" Reader calmly patted him on the shoulder, feeling slightly sympathetic for the overly realistic man. "Come, Captain. I shall provide you with that drink you requested. We shall make haste for a bar." Reader said, patting his back. "Catacomb blew them both up..." Shining said, reminding himself, much to his own grief. "I think I am just going to take the late train home." Shining said, shaking his head. "Still got a lot to do in preparations for the baby." As she heard this, Twilight's eyes widened. "Wait...you're going to be a father?" Twilight asked, her voice a combination of slightly pissed and baffled. "You spend all this time here...and THIS is the first I am hearing of this?" She got painfully close to her brother, her voice filled with more scorn than anything else. "..I..it's not what you think, Twily." Shining started to stutter nervously, realizing he screwed up big by not telling her. "How long have you know?" Twilight said forcefully, her tone causing him to sweat bullets. "...A month..." He shrieked out. "But I was so busy with protecting you and your friends and Sombra and the Catacomb thing happened and...I am sorry?" Shining said, trying to grin and pass it off like a viable excuse. "A...month..." Twilight said in disbelief. Not even a letter or a memo, and she had seen him twice now since. "It's ok, Shining. I understand, and I still love you. You are my BBBFF, after all." Twilight smiled innocently at Shining. "Hey, doc?" Rainbow said quietly, nudging Redscar, who watch the scene folding out with mild amusement. He turned to look at her, nodding to acknowledge that he had heard her. "I think you're gonna need to prepare another bed." He looked at her, intrigued by her remark. He turned back to the siblings to see just what she meant. "LIGHTNING!" "Called it!" Rainbow said, chuckling. Redscar sighed, and dragged the twitching body of Shining Armor to the extra hospital bed, roughly chucking him onto it. He looked back over at Twilight, who stood there, scowling. Rainbow giggled for a bit more before turning towards Ark, who stood there quietly the entire time, though thankfully given a fresh change of clothes. "So, what are you going to do now?" He turned to her and shrugged. "Go home, I guess." Rainbow frowned slightly, shaking her head. "Nope, wrong answer." She told him. "Why?" Ark asked. "Well for starters," Applejack said, involving herself in the duo's conversation. "we are kinda having a party to thank the lot of ya. It wouldn't be the same if ya'll went and left before hand." "Didn't you just have a party tonight?" Ark asked, genuinely confused at the statement. "You obviously not from around here." Applejack said, laughing. "Besides, it's gonna be a more private thing, since the group of ya like to not be known and all." "Do it, doom and gloom." Everyone turned to stare at Catacomb, who was awake, and glancing around the room, getting a body count of all of his visitors. "It will be worth it." "Cata!" Twilight said, nearly tackling him out of the bed. He was slightly shocked, but didn't mind the attention. After all, her love for him did save his life, so why should he complain. "Nice to see ya too, Twi." Catacomb said, gently wrapping his arms around her, returning the hug. "I know this is gonna be an odd question and all, but something's been bothering me." Twilight lifted her head up and looked at him. "How did you know that stuff would work?" "Oh! You mean the tonic? Well, I use it so I can test spells on Spike." Twilight replied, smiling happily. Catacomb smiled awkwardly as well. "That's...nice I guess." Catacomb said, not really sure how to respond to hearing that the teen dragon acts as Twilight's guinea pig. If she was willing to create something for that, what was he in store for now that he was dating her? He shrugged it off, figuring he would take it as it came. "So, where is everyone else, anyway?" "Spike is out cold, having fought one of those nuts." Rainbow said, chuckling as Rarity turned a bright red. "Discord told me the whole thing. Apparently, Spike came rushing in, screaming 'Don't you dare touch her, she is..." "That's quite enough, Rainbow!" Rarity said, quickly interrupting her. "How about when we met up with Twi and Perry. I still can't believe how fast he dug a hole to shove his head into once he realized he wasn't wearing his mask." Rarity said, trying to change the subject to something else. "I know, right! Gotta say his eye is awesome!" Rainbow said, remembering the brief glance she got of his face. "Where is Mr. unstable at, anyways?" Catacomb asked the group. "Helpin' everyone else out with the party." Applejack said. "You're sticking around for it, I hope." "I still got lots of vacation days owed to me. You won't get rid of me that easily." Catacomb said grinning. "Sound good, Twi?" He looked over at the woman still clinging to him, who simply smiled and nodded back. "Maybe we can actually enjoy the rest of the vacation without a national crisis for once." "I do doubt it." Reader said, finally involving himself into the conversation. Catacomb grinned as he enjoyed the older man's wit. "You should also stop singing that song in your head. I do enjoy songs about walking on sunshine as well, but it is getting slightly hard to tolerate." Catacomb blushed slightly at the mental invasion of privacy, glaring at him. "Screw you, I'm just gonna think it louder!" Catacomb said, pulling an equally bright Twilight closer to him. "And don't it feel good!"