//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Of Fairies and Ponies // by K.C. Ellison //------------------------------// “Of Fairies and Ponies” by K.C. Ellison -Eight- Michael reappeared at an old, beautiful canyon. He trotted towards a nearby ledge and stared at the giant ravine. As the dust flew by around him, he shut his eyes and sighed deeply in his state of solace. But, he was totally unaware that a female griffon had followed him here. “Looks like I finally caught up with you,” she said in a raspy tone. The violet unicorn turned around to see the griffon, who was lying lazily on the rocks above him. “Who are you?” asked Michael. “The name's Gilda,” she said with a mischievous look on her face. Gilda then got off her rocky perch and went towards the unicorn; her amber eyes staring into his crimson ones. “Y'know, you seem pretty cool,” Gilda said. “But I couldn't help but notice that you were with those lame-o ponies.” The griffon smiled as she circled Michael like a vulture on an animal carcass, but neither he nor Gilda broke their contact at each other. “I think you need someone with attitude; someone who's awesome, unlike those dweebs. You need someone like me. The two of us would be the most raddest team in all of Equestria; what do ya say, huh?” Michael scoffed at the griffon. “Why should I waste my time with someone like you?” he asked. Gilda was surprised! “Whoa! Hey man, I just wanted to know if you wanted to hang out!” she said. Michael took one look at her before beginning to walk away. “Don't bother; you're not worth my time,” he said. The female griffon became cross. “And why is that?” Gilda snapped. “Because those who are care only about themselves are the lowest forms of scum imaginable; I was getting irritated just by hearing you talk!” answered Michael. Now the griffon was completely furious. “Well fine! I don't need some angst-ridden jerk pulling me down anyway! Why do you act like that anyway? Did no one love you or something?” Gilda cracked. The unicorn turned around; his horn glowing. “Don't mock me, or it'll be the last thing you'll ever do!” he growled. Gilda chuckled and crouched down. “For a little freak, you've got guts to threaten me like that! So, you think you're quick using magic, huh? Let's see if it's good enough to dodge...THIS!” The griffon let out a piercing roar before pouncing towards Micheal. She had her talons out and ready to slash at the violet unicorn. “Halt,” said Micheal quietly. Within seconds, everything around him slowed down to a stop. The violet unicorn walked over to the side of Gilda, frozen in mid-attack, jumped up and mule kicked her right in the head before the flow of time resumed. The griffon barrel rolled onto the ground. “Unbelievable! This pest knocked me down!” she thought as she got up. “You're going to pay!” she screamed and charged at Michael again. Micheal responded with a double bicycle kick to Gilda's chin before landing hard onto her stomach. The unicorn leaped up and charged up his horn. “You're through!” Michael shouted before firing the blast right in front of the downed griffon. Gilda was flung across the ground, landing on her side, and covered with scratches and bruises when Michael creeped up to her, breathing heavily, and with an angry scowl on his face. “What is he? This is not a pony; this is a monster! A monster that has no remorse in killing!” Gilda thought with fear in her eyes. Micheal reached up to the beaten griffon with another blast at the ready. Gilda thought this would be it for her, but to her surprise, the unicorn stopped and turned away. “How pathetic,” said Michael. “Wait, you're sparing me; why?” asked Gilda. “Because letting you cling to your wretched life is a more fitting punishment than killing you. However, if I ever see your face ever again, I'll show you no mercy. Goodbye,” Michael said before winking out into the unknown. Gilda limped off, not knowing what just happened. Back in Ponyville, Twilight and the others walked up to Timmy and Trixie. “Could somepony PLEASE tell me what just happened?” screamed Twilight. “How in Equestria did you two do that?” “What? All we did was give you ponies the chance to defend yourselves,” answered Timmy. “Yeah, and if what the princess said was true, then you all need to stand up and fight. And that's where we come in,” added Trixie. Rainbow Dash flew next to Twilight. “Yeah, it's time we start kicking flank and taking names!” she said while doing karate kicks in the air. “They're all right, Twi,” added Applejack. “Besides, them soldiers have been a pain in the patootie!” “I'm still not sure; I mean I want them just as gone as the next pony, but we don't even know what we're up against. What if more of those things show up?” asked Twilight. “Which is why we need to fight back and get to the root of it all: Nightmare Moon.” “Um...we do have some time, so uh...maybe you can show us what to do...if that's okay with the two of you,” said Fluttershy. “Well it's pretty obvious,” said Applejack. “We've gotta buck 'em down!” To prove her point, she kicked hard with Bucky McGillygutty and Kicks McGee (whom Timmy and Trixie learned were the names Applejack uses for her hind legs). “That's a good start, but the nine of us just aren't enough,” said Timmy. “We need to get everyone else to join in,” added Trixie. “Yes, but how are we going to convince them?” asked Twilight. “We just have to some them that we all have a chance to stand up for ourselves!” said Pinkie. “That's absolutely right!” said Timmy as they all went went to the main square where the ponies were still cowering. “PONIES! When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade! You make life take the lemons back! GET MAD! I don't want your stinking lemons; what am I gonna do with these! You demand to see life's manager and make life rue the day they gave each of you lemons! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I AM THE COLT THAT'S GONNA BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN WITH THE LEMONS YOU GAVE ME!!!” Timmy shouted at the top of his lungs. The crowd looked on in surprise at the pink unicorn when a brown earth pony walked towards him. “Excuse me, but are you one of the ponies that defeated those nightmare creatures earlier?” she asked. “Yeah, who are you?” asked Timmy. “I am Ms. Mare, the mayor of Ponyville. We were just about to give up hope until you came and gave that stirring speech. Thank you!” she said and shook Timmy's hand so massively, that he became dizzy after letting go. Mayor Mare turned to the crowd with her forehoof around Timmy's neck. “Citizens of Ponyville!” she addressed “For far too long, we have been afraid at the hooves of Nightmare Moon and her forces! But today, we came face to face with two ponies that have inspired us with the courage to fight back! They both have shown us that we have strength and the chance to stand up for ourselves and rid us of this evil!” All the ponies were moved and began to cheer loudly. “But Mayor Mare, what if Nightmare Moon notices that the first wave has been taken out and sends an entire army at us?” asked Twilight. “Not to worry, I'll have everpony that's able to fight ready. I'll even contact the Mayor of Cloudsdale to see if she'll lend some pegasi to patrol the skies in case of any attack. There's no time to waste, everyone get into positions!” shouted Mayor Mare. “This is so awesome! I'm commanding a militia!” she thought while everypony was getting ready. At the same time, Nightmare Moon was overlooking the sight in Ponyville. “Form an militia, what do I care? In the end, it will be me who'll be ruling Equestria!” she said. “Why don't you let me take care of them?” said a tall blue earth pony with a long black mane and a cutie mark of a white peace symbol. “I wouldn't want to let someone as beautiful as you get your hooves dirty.” Nightmare Moon looked at the pony. “Very well, you get one chance. Do NOT fail me...Tootie.” she said. “Trust me, I won't!” said Tootie before leaving. Please read and review! --Kellen Clay “K.C.” Ellison