Chapter 24 You've Learned To Live, But Do You Choose How To Die?
"Applejack, hold her down!" Twilight exclaimed.
Applejack got into the cell and tried to restrain Pinkie Pie against the wall. She grappled on but had trouble pushing her due to her sprained leg. Twilight trotted in quickly and shut the gate behind her. AJ got fed up with her sqwurming and used all the strength she had to slam Pinkie at the wall, "Stop strugglin!"
Applejack planted her hooves and kept Pinkie Pie still, but couldn't hold on for long, "Twilight! Do it now!"
Twilight nodded and rushed over. She closed her eyes and tried to focus her magic. She took a deep breath and leaned her horn towards Pinkie Pie. The brainwashed pony cringed and was afraid of the horn. She tried to get away but Applejack had her pinned. She screamed louder and louder as the horn got nearer. Finally Twilight's horn touched the forehead of Pinkie Pie and she sent a magical spell through the mind of Pinkie. She suddenly stopped screaming and stared off into nothingness. Inside her mind she was brought to fond memories of her friends. A time before all the madness. Time when she and her friends were still innocent. Then she began to get the poof back in her hair and her lips curved with a smile. Her struggling slowed and Applejack loosened her grip. As her memories progress, Pinkie's original state of mind revived and she giggled. Again, and again her laughs got louder and stronger. Applejack finally let go and Pinkie Pie hugged both of her friends with excited passion, "Twilight! Applejack! I'm so glad your here now! I thought it was all over..."
AJ smiled and took an apple slice from Twilight's bag, "Sugercube, it's not even close to bein over. Now let's get to Fluttershy...But first, here eat this."
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Meanwhile, Spike mounted Rarity and they rode to the stairs leading to the upper deck, "Big Macintosh!" Spike hollered.
"Eeyup?" Macintosh called from the other side of the room.
Spike waved, "Me and Rarity are gonna check upstairs for anymore guards. We'll be back!"
He raised his hoof, "Eeyup!"
Big Mac trotted across the vast room, in search for more of Nova's elite army. All the dogs had been dealt with. But he felt he wasn't alone. Their remaining team of seven ponies that survived the assault fled back outside, waiting for them. Macintosh gazed around the room at all of the destruction. The smashed controls of meteor, Nova's security laid out all over, and smoke still pouring from the opening to the fire in the other room. He was nearly satisfied and was about to go pay Nova a visit when he heard trots from behind him. He turned around curiously and standing in front of him was Bradshaw Buckingham, equipped and armored. He wore a plate of armour that appeared to be chain mail custom made with diamonds entwined with the chain, making it nearly unbreakable, and strapped around his flank, was a carrying sleeve for his jewel encrusted diamond dagger. Bradshaw laughed, "Well I never thought someone as dumb lookin as you would break outta that trance Comet had on ya."
Big Macintosh glared, "Eeyup! I'm out of it...and I'm lookin fer a fight..."
Buckingham scoffed, "Well yer certainly strong but yer still the stubborn stallion that you look like. Although I must say yer sister Applejack has quite the look about her I must say."
The red stallion stepped forward, angry, "Why you..."
"Oh Buck up Big Macintosh...After all you must have had enough problems with yer farm burnin down and all..." He smiled deviously.
Big Mac's eyes widend and he pointed his hoof, "It was YOU!"
Bradshaw played it off sarcastically, "Who? Me? Why I would never do that!"
"Stop with the jokes...I'm gonna break every bone in yer body..." Macintosh threatened.
His smile disappeared and he held the hilt of his dagger in his teeth, "I'd like to see ya try...Personally I don't like gettin this one of a kind dagger filthy but when push comes to shove, some sacrifices jus have to be made...Time to meet yer maker Big Macintosh..."
Big Mac shook his head, "Nnope...Ya'll are gonna pay the ultimate price fer the trouble you've caused this family..."
Bradshaw jumped ahead and tried to slash at Big Macintosh. The red pony swiftly dodged the blade and countered with a quick buck to Buckingham's side. He slammed into the wall and dropped his dagger. With worry he rushed over to grab the expensive weapon but was tackled by Big Mac who tried to pin him down. Bradshaw was equally strong and shoved him off. He sprang up and tore a piece of piping from the wall, then tried to smash Big Macintosh with it. The red pony side-stepped his clubbing three times get caught it with his front hooves on the fourth and kicked Buckingham in the gut, releasing his grip. Macintosh took advantage and wrapped his hoof around Bradshaw's head, attempting to put him in a front headlock. He went to haul the diamond crazed steed down but Bradshaw refused to fall with him and forced him to back up into a wall. He applied pressure and tried to squeeze the life out of Big Mac but he kept using his front hooves to smash into Buckingham's back. He quickly backed away and dove for his dagger. Big Macintosh on the other hoof slid for the metal pipe. As soon as they got a hold of their weapons, they swung at each other and both clashed into one another. They stood pressuring their weapons. Bradshaw's dagger digging into the metal pipe while Macintosh's pipe tried to push the blade back against the evil stallion.
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For the time being, Rainbow was tackled again in mid-air. The large body of Soarin nearly caused Dash to hit a rock. At high speeds, Rainbow Dash found it hard to keep balance while being attacked. She soon decided something would have to be done. She turned around and seen Spitfire racing towards her followed by the third, Fleetfoot. Dash shook her head, "I'm so sorry..."
When Spitfire came along as a bullet, Dash with lightning speed, dodged the assault, grabbed a hold of her tail and swung right back around, slamming Spitfire into the body of the surprised Fleetfoot. Rainbow made no remarks and took off again. She was feeling the tremendous pressure of the wind flow through her mane, not to mention the adrenaline in her body. She was nearing the missile but looked behind to find Soarin hot on her tail with Fleetfoot and Spitfire still a good distance behind them. She looked up ahead and tried to flap her wings harder. Meteor was only a few more meters away and Dash tried to reach out to it. But Soarin managed to bite onto her tail and hauled her back. Rainbow took offense and kicked the Pegasus in the nose. He let go and flew off holding his face. Then again, Spitfire made her way up and tried to smash Rainbow out of the air. She went to turn around again but this time she was too slow as she was tackled and Spitfire clung on to her. She held a tight grip around Dash, immobilizing her from flapping her wings. Then they began to quickly plummet to the ground...really fast. Rainbow was in a dangerous situation and could see that they were approaching the ground at high velocity, "Your telling me that your giving your life just to kill me?" Rainbow shouted through the wind.
Spitfire said nothing and only fastened her grip even tighter. Rainbow Dash was losing time. She had think of something quick or else they will plung to their death deep within the canyon. Yet more importantly, more will perish when the rocket reaches it's final destination.
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Big Macintosh at this time was still in the struggle with Bradshaw Buckingham. He applied harder pressure into Buckingham's dagger, trying to force him to cut himself. Finally after beginning to lose the grapple, Bradshaw used all his strength and shoved him away. Then he dove at him with the dagger to go through Mac's chest but he ducked under and nearly sent Bradshaw down the flight of stairs to the dungeon. Big Macintosh went over to smash his head into the wall but then Buckingham elbowed him in the head and smashed him into the wall instead. Big Mac became distracted as he noticed his nose began to bleed. Then with a quick slash, Buckingham managed to slice his leg. But he ignored the pain and thrusted back with a vicious swing of his hoof. He smacked Bradshaw in the jaw and forced him to drop the dagger once again. He took Buckingham and swung him towards the center of the room. He staggered, almost tripping over himself then slammed into the meteor control board. Big Macintosh glanced and seen Bradshaw's dagger on the ground. He smiled to himself and went to wield it, while Mr. Buckingham tried to catch his breath.
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Meanwhile, Twilight focused on Fluttershy who was still trying to refuse her magic. Although wrapped in chains, she couldn't do much, "Ok Fluttershy, just hold still and..."
She thrashed around and tried to make it as difficult as possible. The chains were beginning to loosen. Twilight called out, "Pinkie Pie! Help me!"
"Coming Twilight!" she exclaimed galloping over.
Applejack looked upstairs and back to the girls, "Ya'll think you can take her from here?"
Twilight nodded while trying to keep the struggling pony still, "Yeah I'm pretty sure. Why?"
"Well I jus wanted to see how everythins goin up there...I got this strange feelin that I gotta check out." AJ said concerned.
Pinkie waved her on, "We got it from here Applejack, you go on. We'll be up in a minute."
Without a word Applejack trotted up the stairs as fast as she could. It was a long way up and her injured leg didn't make the climb easy.
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Rainbow Dash was still locked in Spitfire's grasp. She had to think of something now or else it would be too late to save herself. She thought back and remembered how she dealt with Bradshaw when he choked her. She cringed at the thought but sought that it was the only chance. Dash looked at Spitfire and kissed her right on the lips. The brainwashed Pegasus became confused and dizzy. Which gave Rainbow her shot and she broke free of the loosened grip, racing back up into the sky. Spitfire shook off the incident and chased her yet again. Rainbow knew it wasn't going to be an easy task to shake these guys off. Her only thought was to out race them. Then she gazed ahead and seen the missile approaching the end of the Canyon. The slight amount of snow on the ground told her that the Nydeabaen Kingdom was not far off, time was running out. Rainbow Dash got back to her proper altitude and sped herself up, with the three Wonderbolts, now Thunderbolts looming toward her. Up to this point she only dealt with one at a time. She knew for sure that she wouldn't be able to take on the dangerous efforts of all three. So with another push of speed she raced ahead, and realized what she'd have to do, "Alright guys...Time to show you why MY name...is Rainbow Dash!"
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Big Mac jumped up and thrusted the blade down at Bradshaw. To avoid the attack, he took one of the computer monitors and threw it at the red stallion. Macintosh was surprised when the dagger easily sliced through it. They began to circle each other. Buckingham laughed, panting, "Sharp blade isn't it? Customized it myself...Unbreakable!"
Big Macintosh smirked, "Eeyup! Unbreakable, jus like my family's spirit!"
He lunged ahead and tried to spear the brown steed again with the sparkling blade. Bradshaw dodged once more then this time grabbed a hold of Big Mac's leg. Suddenly, Applejack finally made it to the top of the stairs and seen the fight, "Big Macintosh!"
Buckingham used his strength and swung him around, then knocked him into the side of the controls. His head bounced off and he nearly blacked out. Applejack ran to her brothers aid, "I'm comin Big Mac! Jus hang OW!"
AJ's damaged leg buckled and she fell to the ground. Buckingham grabbed his dagger again and stabbed at Macintosh. Once again he sprung back to his hooves then uppercut the stallion. Bradshaw got up with the hilt of his knife in his mouth and they grappled each other's hooves again. They stood, trying to push each other to the ground. Big Mac looked into his eyes, "I promised that you were gonna pay fer the pain you caused my family...Eeyup...It's all over for you."
He secretly unveiled an N-Tech from his hoof and spun Buckingham around, then attempted to stab the neuro-toxin into his spine. But to his shocking surprise, Buckingham blocked Mac's hoof and spun back around with the dagger in his hooves..."NO!" Applejack screamed terrified.
...Big Macintosh was embraced into Bradshaw Buckingham, shivering with a stone cold look of shock in his eyes. Buckingham whispered into his ear, "On the contrary Mr. Macintosh, I'm just gettin started..."
Bradshaw stepped back and retrieved the blade from Big Mac's side. He fell to the ground and stared over at Applejack who crawled over as quickly as she could, tears streaming uncontrollably. Buckingham just stood back and watched, wiped the blood off his blade and smiled psychotically. Big Macintosh reached out to his sister and she cradled his head, stroking his mane. He apologized with a shaky, weak voice, "I'm...sorry...A..J."
She shook her head and hugged him, "No no no none of this was yer fault...Please don't go...We need you...Don't go!"
He pitifully lifted his hoof and wiped off his sister's tears, "Nnnnnope...This is my last ride...You look after the family...Defeat this guy....Defeat Buck...Buck...Buckingham..."
AJ looked in his eyes, still sobbing, "I love you big brother..."
He said nothing. He only smiled one last time with faint eyes and but a single tear strolled down his cheek, then slowly closed his eyes and went cold...He died in Applejack's hooves, not in vain, but with honor. AJ embraced him and cried into his body. Bradshaw Buckingham only mocked and put him down, "Face it you lil filly. He died from his own stupidity...Thinkin he could take me down was a Big Macstake? So to speak?" He laughed.
Applejack immediately stopped crying and looked up at him furiously. She laid Big Macintosh's head down and stood up still staring at Buckingham. He knew what she wanted and put his stained diamond dagger in his mouth once again, "Well? Come n get me..."
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"You got her Pinkie?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie Pie found herself wrapped around Fluttershy, forcing her to be still. The chains loosened and she still tried to shift away. Finally Twilight touched Fluttershy with her horn and sent the same spell through her body. She too stared away and began to calm down. Fluttershy remembered their fights with Nightmare Moon, then Discord. Their determination and friendship help defeat the foes twice before, and her last thought was that it could work once again. Her trance was finally broken and she looked at Twilight and Pinkie frowning, "...I'm so sorry girls..."
Pinkie Pie hugged her friend with excitement, "Oh It's ok! We knew it wasn't you. Well actually it wasn't me neither! But I know Twilight won't blame you."
Twilight nodded, "Of course not. It was Nova..."
The girls shook their heads. Fluttershy spoke up, "It wasn't Nova."
"I don't understand. Then who?" She asked perplexed.
Pinkie Pie helped Fluttershy out of her chains and brushed her off, "It was Trixie."
Twilight put her hoof on her forehead and whispered to herself, "So Aspen wasn't kidding..."
"Who?" Asked the excited Pinkie.
She looked at Pinkie and shook her head smiling subtly, "Oh Nopony...Has Trixie changed in anyway?"
The girls sat back down and Pinkie answered, "If you mean she's still a show off them nope!"
Twilight stood up angered and trotted towards the door, "Somepony has got to teach that mare a lesson!"
"Where are you going Twilight?" Fluttershy worried.
Twilight opened the door, "I'm going to go look for the rest of the gang. We can't take Nova on alone. You girls going to be alright here on your own for a while?"
Pinkie nodded and put her hoof around her friend Fluttershy, "Don't worry. We'll be fine...Good luck Twilight."
She smiled, "Thanks. I'll be back!"
Twilight shut the door and trotted up the stairs. From there she could hear commotion above.
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Applejack and Bradshaw slammed into a wall and fell down on top of each other. She tried to grab the dagger from his teeth but her intentions were foiled as he punched her in the face and shoved her away with his hooves. Buckingham got up and tried to choke her. Although AJ resisted as she kicked him in the guts with her good leg and shoved him back at the wall. Her bad leg was killing her. Bradshaw seen her limping and tried to take advantage of it. He took the small sword and made a slash at her sprained leg. But with quick reflexes Applejack jumped from the attack and scooted away as fast as she could. Buckingham loomed towards her with a crazed look, "So you've learned how to live. But do you choose how to die?"
Applejack stood up and they began circling each other, "Fer Big Macintosh, I assure you...He won't die in vain. Yer done for Buckingham..." AJ muttered with a shaky voice.
Twilight quickly appeared from the stairs and watched in fright at Applejack who struggled against Bradshaw Buckingham, "I'm comin AJ!" she hollered.
She began to gallop over but was suddenly halted from a familiar voice, "Don't go any further! This is her battle, let her fight it!"
Twilight didn't have to turn around to tell who it was by the arrogant tone in the voice, "...Trixie."
She turned around and seen the egotist smiling down at her from the top of the stairs leading to the upper level. Twilight leered at her but she wasn't shook, "It certainly has been a while Twilight Sparkle. I've forgotten that dumbfounded look you had when we first met...Yeah that look. But the one thing I haven't and never will forget will be the way you ruined my life."
"So I guess you HAVEN'T learned your lesson?" Twilight scoffed.
"Learned my lesson?" She laughed.
"You seem to forget Twilight that you were the one held responsible for forcing me to retire from public performances..."
Twilight couldn't stand it anymore, "Could you look over your ego for one second?! What have you done with Spike and Rarity?"
Trixie chuckled again, "They're a little tied up at the moment...I've waited a long time for this Twilight Sparkle. No...The Great and Powerful Trixie has waited a long time to be exact. Now I'm greater, and even more powerful. I teamed up with Nova for one reason. To get to you!"
Twi shook her head, "Trixie listen to me...Nova is planning great danger for everypony. You have to forget the past and move on."
Her smile was wept away, "I CAN'T FORGET! Everywhere I go, ponies pointing at me, shouting at me, putting me down. With your name at the end of every sentence. You have ruined my dreams! You only LIVE twice, Twilight. One life for yourself, and one for your dreams. Now I intend to get revenge for the death of my dreams."
Twilight pleaded, "We don't have to do this Trixie. This isn't what I wanted."
Trixie shouted her down, "Well that's too bad! It's time to see what your really made of Twilight...This is going to be quite the magical battle..."
"...Have it your way." Twilight frowned angrily.
Trixie's arrogant smile appeared once again and she presented herself proudly, "After all this time. You will fall to my new and improved magical abilities. Prepare Twilight Sparkle...The Grrreat! And POWERFUL...Trrrrixie has returned! Welcome...to the END...of your life!"
She jumped down and the two stood across from each other, with a magical wind beginning to stir around them. Their horns began to glow and their eyes focused into one another. Trixie asked, "Are you ready Twilight? To lose that is."
Twilight smirked confidently, "The difference is, your fighting for yourself. Me on the other hoof, I'm fighting for harmony...For Princess Celestia, friendship, and Equestria!"
[...To be continued]