//------------------------------// // An Affair to Remember // Story: Nucor's Counterattack // by Matthew Stone //------------------------------// Back in Ponyville, Fluttershy goes back into her cottage to make sure everything isn’t torn apart or invaded by zombies. It’s all clear so far, and she can see her pet rabbit Angel hiding in one of the kitchen cupboards. As she helps him down, Discord comes into her house to help lay Skull on her couch to rest. William, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo also head in to hang out, curious of how everypony is doing. Soon, Skull awakes in front of them, and Fluttershy comes over to hug him. She sits next to him, giving him a cup of tea she just heated at the oven. Skull drinks, also seeing William is taking big gulps of tea, only to burn his tongue and scream in the process. Skull chuckles at this, and then turns to Fluttershy. “You were very brave confronting your father with whatever power you just brought out.” Fluttershy compliments. “Yes, and not to worry. The form is only used for good purposes, I would never manipulate it.” Skull said, “I think my anger built up my power too, since I saw my mother imprisoned by my own… ABUSIVE father. I’m just glad you all are safe.” “Well the fight isn’t over yet, even though we’re resting.” Fluttershy sighs, “Nucor might think of your weak spot when you’re under the dark power.” “No kidding.” Skull agrees, “He might have his zombies nest at the cities he just attacked to, Fillydelphia and Baltimare. I’m sure the zombies will map out to attack Vanhoover and Manehatten as well.” “That meanie….” Fluttershy sneered about Nucor. “And the worst part is…. the city f Manehatten was built over an abandoned graveyard. As time passed by, ponies were unaware of what’s under the city.” Skull tells her, “I’ve snuck into Twilight’s library just for the heck of it the other day, and I found something insane. There is a tiny pink gem that carries the same dark power Nucor and me hold, only it’s combined with the powers of Volucris, Tirek, and Sombra altogether. I think the other purpose my dad has is to find the stoned gem, so he’ll win this damned battle. The power that will sink into him then is known as… dark chaos.” “Dark Chaos?” Discord asks, sipping his tea, “I think I learned about that long ago. It’s similar to my powers, only it’s…. worse….” “How?” Fluttershy asks. “Well, I was here during the construction long ago, disguised as a pony since I was on the lam. And… I’m sure if you knew this but… I had a brother once.” Discord said. “Really?” Fluttershy asks. “Oh yes, his name was Terrence, a draconequus just like me. He actually created the gem stone that holds the dark magic, since he practiced the power himself.” Discord reveals, “I… then confronted him one day, because normally I used my chaos for playing around. But Terrence, he unfortunately wanted more. His eyes glowed blood red the last time I saw him. And he…. didn’t do innocent destruction. He KILLED everypony. I had to seal him away, just before Celestia sealed me, then… of course released me. Thinking of Terrence…” Discoed wept at this sudden memory of his, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Fluttershy come up to hug him to cheer him up. “Discord. We never knew before…” Apple Bloom also weeps. “Well, that’s definitely what Nucor is looking for.” Skull said, “And if he’s looking for the gem, he’ll release Terrence too. Maybe, Nucor might form into HIS appearance, take out his spirit possibly.” “One thing I should also let you know is that Terrence messed with unicorn powers in grisly ways too.” Discord adds, “He also has the ability to turn any undead unicorn into a flaming monster that destroys its targets. Like Nucor, he recreates the undead into bad… creatures…” “We… probably should inform Twilight about this.” Fluttershy considers. “We also need to think of a plan to protect her. Rarity too. Nucor will do anything to possess alicorn or unicorn alike.” Discord advises, “If Nucor DOES release Terence…” Fluttershy turns to William and the fillies. “You guys stay here to watch skull.” she tells them. “OH! Come on!” William complains. Discord and Fluttershy insist, as they leave the house to find Twilight and tell her the worst news. Skull just lays in place, looking at his friends. William just sits by him, sighing at when this will all end. For all Skull hopes, he wants it to end too. He wants to strength to come back quickly so he can be part of Nucor’s defeat. The zombies have took complete control over Baltimare, as they have their shelters in each building secure and infested. The moaning is loud throughout the city, like a stereo of incessant wasps humming a death tune. The rest of the zombie majority stays close to the city hall. After all, Nucor is their leader, and he is in the building to plan his next move. In the abandoned conference room of the city hall itself, the brainwashed Cheese Sandwich stays close to him. The zombie pony was appointed lieutenant of his zombie army, as Cosmos was appointed the spell caster. The Volucris bodied monster also stands by Nucor, as he is thinking long and hard in his seat. He looks down, observing all the newspapers from different dates that are scattered al over the place on the table, just when panic came from him invading the city. The zombie lieutenant than hands him a privately low-budget newspaper he found in Ponyville. Nucor snatches it from him, and looks inside to see the pictures and words. All the same political issues that shared controversy of city mayors was quite a topic in these papers. Then, he found a historical memory section. One that talks about Discord’s sadistic brother. Discord had already guessed that Nucor would find about him, and boy… is he right. As Nucor read more about the history, he smiles evilly. He then looks up to Cheese and Cosmos. His teeth gnaw in pleasure, like he’s chewing tobacco. “I have a way to stop my son.” Nucor sneers. He throws the paper down on the table, revealing a picture that has the statue of Terrence, located in the middle of Manehatten. “Terrence, brother of Discord.” Nucor explains, “He’s just enough to kill his brother and the stupid six ponies, along with the fucking dragon. My son, he’ll lure him to me, as he brings more unicorns to my power, for all I hope. Still, Manehatten has built tight security after it’s past incidents with changelings and vampires. We’ll have to destroy that barrier if we want to get to crack open the statue to release Terrence. Manehatten, my next property. Heh. Have my troops prepared for their next road trip, will you two?” “Yes master.” Cosmos and Cheese moan. The two of them then go outside to instruct the orders to the zombies, as Nucor lies in his seat, laughing. “Let’s see if you can handle my new assistant, TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” Nucor laughs. Twilight felt blank after that first fight with zombies today. The way she encountered them was so… odd. It’s like she really opened up to a darker experience that turns her into an adult. That’s just something to get used to. Anyway, she’s in her tent, made with the help of Fireblaze’s dragon troops. She’s looking at maps, planning where to strike next to surprise Nucor and his zombies. Then, Tails suddenly enters the room, not even having Twilight know. Yet, she wasn’t startled, and she knew he entered the room quietly. “What can I help you with?” she asks. “I just wanted to hang out with you.” Tails said. “I’m not doing much. Just planning.” Twilight responds. “Have you heard about Flash?” Tails wondered. “He’s with Celestia and Luna, helping calm down the victims as they hid in the Crystal Empire.” Twilight responds. “Have you also thought about…” Tails starts to ask. Twilight turns to see his face, concerned. “This isn’t the time.” she said, “Nucor is going to attack, and we can’t worry about romance or who’s supposed to fall in love with who. Lives are at stake, and it’s…” “Also the same as loving anypony?” Tails tries to understand. It’s awkward, because Tails is trying to say anything that compares to him loving her, she knew. She sighs and nods. Tails then comes up to hug her. “I’ll do anything to help… if that’s all you want.” Tails says. “That’s good enough.” Twilight sighs. She then looks up to his eyes, and not thinking… She brought her lips to his. The kiss was a spark, but it seemed like a mix of right and wrong. Twilight knew, as did Tails. A certain love affair is underway. The kisses made her pull back, blushing. Tails fell back too, shuddering. They don’t know if they want to get too close so soon at this hour. Yet, they pulled back at the right time, because Discord and Fluttershy enter the tent. “Oh, hello.” Twilight huffs, “What’s up?” “Twilight… did you know Discord has a brother?” Fluttershy asks her. “No…” Twilight said, surprised. “Than I think there’s something we need to talk about.” Fluttershy said