Regenerator 228
Chapter 5
Twilight Sparkle found a very sad and angry Pinkie Pie pacing around the train station.
Just like she knew she would.
Twilight cautiously approached her corrupted friend, Pinkie’s coat was gray, her eyes were bloodshot and-when she saw Twilight coming over- she walked with not an ounce of her usual bounciness and when she spoke it was with a harsh and angry tone.
“What do you want? Come to laugh at me some more?”
Twilight sighed and sat down a foot away from her friend, “No, Pinkie, I came because I’m really worried about you.”
“Pffft… yeah right.” Pinkie scoffed.
Twilight’s ears pinned down and she looked at the ground, wilting under Pinkie’s hateful stare. There has to be some way to break through to her, she thought as a dozen different ideas flitted through her mind. After a second she picked out what she thought was the best one.
“Pinkie…. do you remember when I first came to Ponyville?”
Pinkie’s ears, which had been flattened against her head, perked up slightly at this question and Twilight almost thought that she had gotten through to her, but then her ears lowered again and and she said “Yeah, so?!”
“So… do you remember how happy you were when you met me? Did you remember the party that you threw for me and how scared I was at first?”
Pinkie rolled her eyes, “Yeah, you were a real wuss, what’s your point?”
Twilight blinked hard to keep the tears down, but a few made their way out and trickled down her cheek, Pinkie’s throat constricted and her fur brightened a touch, but the gray was still there.
After a minute Twilight found her voice and continued, “My point is that you helped me through my fear, you made my day better, you made me laugh.”
“Oh I made you laugh, huh?!” Pinkie snarled “You mean you thought I was too silly to be taken seriously, you always laughed at me or behind my back, you even bugged me for a whole day about my Pinkie Sense and sweet Celestia it was obnoxious!”
Now Twilight couldn't stop the tears from coming, every word out of Pinkie’s mouth felt like a knife to her heart.
“Like a knife to the heart.” I've always wondered why anypony would use that expression thought Twilight, I guess I know now.
She didn't see the look of horror behind Pinkie’s eyes or see her fur brighten just a little bit more.
“T-Tw-Twilight?”
The words came out shaky and tearful, Twilight looked up and saw the pink bubbling up underneath the gray. Sweet Celestia, Pinkie’s fighting! thought Twilight, feeling her tears stop.
“Yes, Pinkie, I’m here.” she soothed.
“H-help m-me…. p-puh-please?”
Twilight felt her heart break a little when she heard the pleading, miserable and somewhat pained tone in her friend’s voice. Twilight went to Pinkie and took her head in her hooves. Twilight looked in Pinkie’s watering baby-blue eyes and said “Fight it, Pinkie, I know you can do this. Just listen to the sound of my voice, okay?”
Pinkie nodded weakly and Twilight began to recall every single time that she had helped them.
“What about Gilda? You were willing to give Gilda not one, not two, but THREE chances to prove herself as good at heart. Or how you’re always there for Rainbow Dash when she does some reckless stunt. Or how about when we got really demanding with Rarity when she was going to make us dresses for the Gala? You were the only one who was happy with your first dress.”
As Twilight talked the gray in Pinkie’s fur began to drift away and disappear like smoke in a strong wind.
Just as Twilight was retelling the tale of Pinkie and the Baked Bads she felt Pinkie’s forearms wrap around her, the normally bouncy mare laid her head against her friend and started to cry, Twilight immediately returned the hug.
“I’m so, so, so, so, so, SO SORRY!!!” Pinkie wept, the force of her sobbing felt like a series of blows to Twilight and she felt herself start to cry, too.
“I forgive you, Pinkie. You’re my friend and you’ll be my friend forever.” she said as she gently stroked the sobbing mare’s mane.
Pinkie looked up and gave Twilight a smile that could rival Celestia’s sun in intensity.
“Thanks, Twilight, when we get back I’m gonna throw you the best party ever! It’ll be better than the Grand Galloping Gala, I bet I could invite Princess Luna!”
Twilight smiled at her friend, “I’d love that, Pinkie Pie, but first we need to free our friends from Discord’s influence.”
Pinkie nodded and said, “Lead the way, Twilight.”
Knock Knock Knock
228 had been rapping on the door to the tree house for seemed to him like a small eternity, but no-one was answering. He had thought he heard a whimpering sound coming from inside, but that was probably the wind through the branches or something like that.
228 looked down at the Unconscious Grounded Horse, she was just as unconscious as she had been five minutes ago.
The Regenerator heaved an annoyed sigh and turned away from the tree house, Maybe I should just leave her here. No I can’t do that, what if something tries to eat her?
228 walked away from the tree house, still carrying the horse under his arm, he was thankful that she was so light.
He walked up to that he assumed was the town’s marketplace and started to look for another place to drop the Unconscious Grounded Horse off at, but the streets and houses were still dark and devoid of life.
I swear if you aren't thankful that I not only hauled you around like a furry purse AND didn't eat you… I’ll eat you. thought 228 as he glared at the unmoving horse.
The horse didn't reply.
228 snorted and continued his trek, not noticing the dark shape that was moving along the rooftops, watching him.
Twilight and Pinkie found Applejack bucking apples.
“Hi, Applejack! We’re here to cure you of that big meanie Discord’s yucky evilness!” exclaimed Pinkie, bouncing over to an obviously annoyed Applejack, who was trying to buck her trees, but not really downing any apples.
“Ah’m glad ya think that Ah need ta be cured” said Applejack tiredly, “But Ah’m fine, Ah promise.”
Twilight didn't need to see her friend do a very accurate impression of a chipmunk with its mouth full to know that she was lying.
“Applejack, please don’t make this difficult, we need you to help us, please.” begged Twilight.
Applejack shook her head, “Ah’ll help ya in just a minute, sugarcube. Ah’m mighty busy.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Busy doing what? Knocking down three or four apples when you should be knocking down a few dozen?”
Applejack looked up at Twilight, anger blazing in her eyes, “Ah said… ‘Ah’m fine’!” she hissed.
Twilight sighed and trotted closer, “Applejack, I know that you’re in there and I know that you’re a fighter, so please: fight this.”
Applejack blinked owlishly and the gray in her fur faded a bit, then she huffed and turned to resume her work.
Twilight looked at Pinkie, who nodded as if she had read her mind; she knew that it was her turn. Pinkie bounced over to Applejack, who was now starting to sweat, Pinkie also noticed that her bucks were missing a whole lot more.
“Yes, Pinkie?” asked Applejack, exasperatedly.
“Hey, Applejack, I was just thinkin’ about some stuff and you know what I realized? I realized that I never made you personally laugh.”
Applejack stopped trying to buck the tree and turned to look at the pink party pony, “You've made me laugh before.”
Pinkie shook her head, producing a bongo drum sound, “No I haven’t, silly filly. I mean I've made you laugh, but I've never made YOU laugh, get it?”
When she saw that Applejack did not, in fact, get it she just sighed and decided that it would be better to show her.
Standing on her hind legs whilst placing her forelegs on her hips Pinkie looked Applejack dead in the eye and said, “Knock-Knock.”
Applejack blinked owlishly before hesitantly replying, “Who's there?”
“Pie!” said Pinkie, giving her Discorded friend a massive smile.
Applejack raised a brow, “Pie wh-”
A second later Applejack’s face was wearing a massive apple pie that Pinkie had produced from inside her mane. The farm pony growled and ran a hoof across her face to get the crush and apple mush out of her eyes. Pinkie could see the gray in her fur lighten a touch and she smiled, knowing that her tactic was working.
“Tough crowd, huh?” said Pinkie, sounding excited, “Well I’m gonna make you smile, Miss Saddy Pants, and you know that I’m gonna do it, because I’m Pinkie Pie and I always make ponies smile!”
Applejack started to retort, but Pinkie placed a hoof over her mouth and said, “Have I ever lied about my mission in life?”
That choice of words, coupled with the pure sincerity and seriousness in her tone, made Twilight do a double take. She had always known that Pinkie Pie was completely serious about her life goal, but hearing her state it with that much clarity and passion was surprising.
And it also strengthened her belief that Pinkamena Diane Pie was one of the best friends in all of Equestria.
Applejack’s eyes widened and her fur brightened a bit more.
“So, Applejack, waddaya say I start out with a classic? Here it goes: What did the bald griffon say when he got a comb as a birthday present?”
Applejack raised a brow and didn't say anything.
Pinkie continued, “He said: ‘I’ll never part with it’!”
The sheer corniness of the joke made Twilight snicker and she thought she saw Applejack bite her lip to keep from grinning.
“Why did the forgetful chicken cross the road?” asked Pinkie, “To get to the other side- wait, no that’s not it- to get eggs? No- Darn it!”
Twilight laughed and Applejack gave a small smile as even more of the gray melted off. Pinkie knew that she had Applejack on the ropes and decided to go in for the final blow.
“What do you call a fat psychic? A four-chin teller!”
Applejack burst into laughter as the last of the gray left her fur, Pinkie gave a squeal of glee before going up and wrapping her friend in a massive hug, a second later she was joined by Twilight.
“Thanks, Pinkie.” said Applejack, smiling through watery eyes at the party mare. “And thank you, too, Twilight.” she turned to Twilight and wrapped her in a tight one- on- one hug.
“It’s good to have you back.” Twilight said, smiling at the cowpony.
“It’s mighty fine ta be back, Twi.” exclaimed Applejack.
“Soooo- now that Applejack’s un-Discorded, who do we rescue next?” asked Pinkie Pie, sidling up to the two and darting looks between them.
Twilight looked at the two before saying, “I think we should go find a certain rainbow-maned speedster.”
Applejack nodded, “Alright, but wait- where d’ya think she mightiness gone now that she’s all disloyal?”
Twilight placed a hoof to her chin and was just starting to think when Pinkie said, “She’s in Cloudsdale!”
Twilight blinked at her before asking, “Why do you think-”
“Twitchy tail, tickly hooves (Hee-hee) and floppy ears.” interrupted Pinkie, making her tail spasm, bouncing up and down on her hooves and shaking her head really fast to demonstrate her tics.
Twilight and Applejack shared the now-famous “It’s Pinkie” look before turning back to their friend, “Alright, Pinkie… uhh… lead the way?”
“Yippee!!” cheered Pinkie as she turned and began bouncing away with Applejack following close behind.
Twilight stayed behind for a moment and watched as the setting sun painted the blue sky in shades of pink and orange. Two down, three to go. thought Twilight as she watched the colors deepen and expand, I just hope that Pinkie’s right.
Twilight heaved a sigh, then she stuck out her barrel, straightened her ears and followed after her friends.
The sun is setting. thought 228 as he looked at the colorful sky, he sighed in what could only be contentment as a cool breeze blew across his gray skin. The unexpected beauty of the sky, coupled with the breeze and the lack of annoying tile sounds made 228 feel… at peace.
He looked at the Unconscious Grounded Horse, whom he had set down on a patch of un-tainted grass, and felt a smile tug at his gristly, fanged maw.
This is nice. he thought decisively, returning his gaze to the sky. I don’t remember ever looking at the sky, but now that I’m looking at it, it’s- what’s the word...pretty?
228 watched with the kind of fascination that could only belong to a child as Celestia’s day slowly turned into Luna’s glorious night.
“It’s quite a sight, isn't it?” asked a thin, reedy voice from behind him.
228 turned his head a full 180 degrees and saw a very strange creature floating behind him. The creature was a mishmash of various different creatures: with a serpentine body, a lion’s paw, a scaly talon not unlike his own, a long red tail topped by a bit of white fluff, a reptilian leg and a leg with a cloven hoof.
It looks like some of the other experiments in the lab thought 228 as he let his eyes roam the creature’s odd body, maybe it’s like me? I guess there’s only one way to find out.
228 had never practiced talking before, but, if this creature was like him, then he needed to ask it where they were and why everything was so… chaotic.
The Regenerator opened his mouth and whetted his lips with his tongue, completely oblivious to the rather disgusted look that came across the creature’s face. The look of disgust was replaced by a confused grimace when 228 began his first attempt at speaking.
“Wh…. *hhhnnnngghh* where…. w-wuh-we?” he said, drool frothing around his fangs. The creature raised its other brow.
“Huh?” was its eloquent reply.
“Yuh-youuu…*hhheehhh*... l-like…*hhnn*... meeee?” asked 228, gesturing to the creature’s odd body, then to his own.
A third eyebrow popped up on the creature’s forehead and raised.
After a second or two the creature said, “Ummm… no, I’m pretty sure that you and I are not anywhere near related.”
The creature teleported in a flash and reappeared an inch from 228’s monstrous face. After looking him over for a second the creature shook its head, “Yeah, you definitely aren't one of mine.”
228 cocked his head and the creature continued, “You’re obviously from another world, I can smell the chaos on you, it smells a bit like…” here he stopped and sniffed before continuing “vanilla and butter-cream. Huh… I've never smelled chaos that smelled like that before. You must be from a world that’s very, very far off.”
The creature teleported again and appeared next to the Unconscious Grounded Horse, he looked at her and frowned, “My influence is fading.” he muttered angrily.
228 narrowed his eyes, HIS influence? Is that a ‘he’? I think it’s a ‘he’. So that means that HE did all this?
“Yuh-youuu…. *hhhaakkk*.... you di-did…. thissssss?” he hissed.
The creature turned around and smiled, “Why of course, my dear monster. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself: I am Discord, Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, Master of Mischief and general, all-around Awesome Trickster and you are?”
“Hhhh-have….. no name…. only number…. 228” said the regenerator.
Discord smirked and began to slither through the air, getting closer to 228 and looking him over with keen interest.
“Hmmm…” Discord produced a measuring tape from out of thin air and measured 228 from head to foot, “Approximately 8 and a half feet tall,” he lifted up one of 228’s hands and examined his talons. “ nice set of claws”, he pulled 228’s mouth open and poked a fang with one finger, “ow… and really sharp teeth.”
Discord slithered back and clapped his paw and talon, “Yes indeedy, you’ll make a perfect tool to use against those blasted Elements of Harmony.”
228 started and opened his mouth to protest, even though he had no clue what the ‘Elements of Harmony’ were, but Discord snapped his fingers and a muzzle appeared over 228’s maw.
“Now just relax,” he said with an evil chuckle, “this won’t hurt. One. little. Bit”
Then he reached out and pressed a finger to 228’s forehead, smiling as he began to do the same thing that he did to the Elements.
Discord looked into 228’s red and orange eyes, knowing that those colors would be replaced by red and yellow: his eye color.
This is taking a bit longer than usual. he thought as he continued to stare into 228’s eyes, shouldn't he be my slave already? Ehh… maybe it’s because he’s from another world and I need to keep pouring some energy into him.
So Discord kept up the flow of corrupting magic.
A second later a wave of dizziness overtook Discord and nearly made him break contact, What in Tartarus was that? It felt like… something was responding to my magic, but that’s impossible, I can’t sense any inherent magic in this thing.
Discord growled in annoyance, not noticing the blank look on 228’s face or the dullness that clouded his eyes. Ahh to hay with it. I can find another slave. he thought angrily as he removed his finger.
The Spirit of Chaos turned to go, but a talon-ed hand shot out and caught his wrist in a crushing grip.
“What the-?!” Discord started to say, but then he saw the hungry look in 228’s unnatural eyes.
Why is it looking at me like that? wondered Discord, trying to keep the tiny seed of fear inside of him from growing.
“Hey, buddy, I know that I’m ravishingly handsome and all, but I prefer the life of a bachelor, so if you don’t mind..” he tried to pull away, but 228’s grip was like iron and he couldn't budge. “Alright, you asked for it.” said Discord, his patience having run out, he raised his fingers and snapped.
Nothing happened.
The seed of fear grew and started to tentacle out as Discord snapped again and again with no effect whatsoever. It was then that he became aware of an odd feeling that had been present the moment that he made physical contact with the alien creature, but had remained in the very back of his mind.
It was a sinking feeling, a tiring feeling, a draining feeling.
Oh no. thought Discord as the draining feeling increased, It can’t be, but it is. This thing is siphoning magic out of me! Oh sweet Faust, I've got to get out of here!
Discord looked around for anything that could help him, it didn't take him long to find something suitably big for him to use: said big thing was, in fact, an apple cart.
Discord’s tail stretched out and wrapped around it, then he lifted it up and brought it down on 228’s ugly head, sending a storm of splinters and squashed apple everywhere.
The blow did the trick and 228 released his hold. Discord leaped backwards, tapped into his reserves of magic and vanished in a flash, leaving 228 standing with a blank face and slack arms.
Overhead the last of the sun’s warm rays disappeared and darkness took its place as Luna’s night began.
And what a night it would be.