The Triumvirate

by Fedora71


Ambushes, narrow escapes, and bluffs

Chapter 33        

        Fluttershy nearly carried Ancro out of the kitchen, keeping the frying pan. Ancro wasn't in any shape to protect himself much less her, he couldn't even open his eyes and his nose was still bleeding badly, and she just noticed the crack at the base of his horn.
        “Fluttershy, I can feel you beating yourself up, please don't.” Ancro's voice was flatly analytical. “I need everything I can get and I don't like the taste of...pity.”
        “I'm sorry it's just...I thought...you'd you know, heal faster.”
        “Not now, I'm trying to keep from vomiting all over you.” Ancro said, upon feeling her confusion added, “I'll explain later.”
        “Okay, it's fine, I take care of animals all the time some little critter getting sick on me is something I'm used to.”
        “Yeah I may need to enlist your help for my back after this is over, I've got some knots that are murdering me.” He chuckled hoping he hadn't crossed a line about knowing too much. At this point he was beyond caring about boundaries, his mind was finally clearing up and he could focus on the task at hand without tripping over his own brain. “Am I the first changeling you've encountered today?”
        She thought for a moment, “Not unless they've been disguised, sorry.”
        “Weird,” Ancro spoke thoughtfully, “I'd figure they'd go after you first. No offense.”
        “Don't worry, I know I'm not as tough as Applejack and Rainbow Dash, as resourceful as Rarity, talented like Twilight, and not as...Pinkie as Pinkie.”
        “Yeah, and that's what doesn't sense,” Ancro said, “I mean why not go after you, all of you are needed to make the Elements work?”
        “I think so,” She answered.
        “Then why start with me and Spike?”
        “Umm...I may not know as much about this sort of stuff, but what if my friends aren't the target?”
        “Then who?”
        “Ancro!” Spike's shout grated on the changeling's still sensitive ear nubs. The dragon was running through the rubble as fast as his stubby limbs would carry him. “They're not after the elements of harmony!”
---
        
        Hiding in the smoldering remains of Luna's tower the commander watched in disbelief while his praetorians died. He was hoping that Velus would've killed the changeling before dieing. Instead the the other traitor had gotten wind of him and stalled long enough to injure him. He felt her die so enacting his revenge would be pointless. The traitor had already seen to cost him enough time as is.
        Amidst the rubble he reached out until he sensed his target. Shrouding himself in green flames taking his time to take his form. Large, powerful black wings emerged from the cyclone first, insect wings had their advantages but sometimes gliding and power were necessary. Next the chiseled forearms and torso of a minotaur, ever since he fought one he had grown fond of it the brute strength. An eagles legs for the back, ideal for clutching and pinning a target as well as impaling them. The tail of another great bird to ease the steering and add morel lift. The head, he was always partial to a the streamline and flexibility of an eel decorated with three horns turned forward. A final flash and he armored himself, preferring to follow the dynamic of a crab rather than beetle.
        Spreading his wings he left his perch silently diving for his target. Ancro had stopped and was talking with something. The presence was nervous and he felt Ancro's mood go from that of a guardian to fear and resignation. It was delicious. He shot a fireball, using only enough to destroy the wall not kill the changeling. It had little to do with wanting to kill the traitor with his bare hands. The commander needed to conserve energy.

---

        “Down!” Screamed Ancro kicking both Fluttershy, and Spike out of the way. If not for Spike's timely warning about the actual target, Ancro would've gotten between Fluttershy and the explosion like a self sacrificing idiot. He'd have to thank the little guy later.
        A massive arm reached for him through the dust. If not for an accidental roll when he kicked the two out of the way he wouldn't have been able to dodge. Only the fingertips brushed him, but they had enough power to finish Ancro's mid air spin. Internally he gulped and hoped cavalry would be there soon.
        His time with Fluttershy had given Ancro a little energy. It wouldn't be enough to hurt the changeling, all he could do was hope to stall. Through the brief contact Ancro felt the tension for the next blow forming through impossibly powerful muscles. Using the small amount of energy he charged his hooves to blast him in another direction. Specs had told him to avoid doing that since it was waste of energy for short term gain. In the split second he had to be else where he blasted himself out the only exit to give him some distance. The very nice hole that had been created. Maybe he'd last a bit longer in the air?
---
                Blue Blood followed the crash around the corner, he hadn't gotten a good look at what had hit but he knew better than to think it was Celestia or Luna. His horn began casting a spell and fantasies abounded in his mind. Perhaps a medal or award for valor was in his future, after all that fortune telling show pony had said there were great things in his future, this had to be the first step. A small smile curled his lips.
        Afterwords maybe Celestia would finally give him the recognition and position he deserved. Maybe even teach him to raise the sun. That would surely make him the envy of all the nobles in Equestria he'd have the title of honorary sun raiser. A title no other could boast!
        Confident the spell was strong enough to tear the over grown bug to shreds he turned the corner and fired blindly into the cloud of debris. The cloud parted for the spell and struck home. The horror that was within the cloud barely flinched.
---
        Only after the explosion propelled him out the hole did Ancro realize he was too burnt out to do anything, he laughed at the irony of short term gain, so he chuckled. The chuckle turned into a giggle, which eventually became straight laughter. He couldn't help it, after two failures in his own life what gets him is his own short-sightedness. Then everything stopped. The debris that was following him out slowed and stopped and Ancro realized so did he.
        “This is neat,” Ancro said trying to spin in what he thought would be zero-g.
        “You're in a better mood than I thought you would be.”
        “True,” Ancro said after a moment of thought, “Of course I can't be too mad at you, we're the ones playing with genie in a bottle.”
        “And they call me insane,” Discord stated. “Dare I say you're as mad as the March Hare.”
        “And here I've always wanted to be the hatter,” Ancro shrugged, “In the end we're all mad men at a tea party.”
        “I did enjoy that scene,” Discord pondered, “Actually the whole book was rather enjoyable.”
        “Have you read Through the Looking Glass yet?”
        “Yes, I've become quite a connoisseur of Wonderland lore.” Discord said, “The one with Depp was kind of hit or miss.”
        “I feel the same way.”
        “You know they're planning a sequel?”
        “Wow, didn't think it made enough.” Ancro said in disbelief, “I mean I liked it well enough but there were some scenes that could've been handled better.”
        “I agree, especially the Hatter's inner struggles with madness.” Discord added.
        “Yes, it's added as a sloppy subplot made to give him depth.” Ancro began going into an argument and discussion he had many times before Discord cut him off.
        “I'm sorry but you don't mind if I cut you off?” Discord said, “I've used a lot of power today and I'm not sure how much longer I can suspend you.”
        “You've come to offer me a cliche deal haven't you?” Ancro teased, too far gone from pain, exhaustion, and fear to care.
        “Only the most cliché deal.” Discord gibed in return. “In exchange for enough power to survive you'll owe me on small favor.”
        “And that would be?”
        “I haven't decided yet,” Discord smiled, “nothing to harm your other two friends, I assure you.”
        Ancro noted time started to move, either that or he was picking up speed as he slow motion fell. He took a deep breath to consider his predicament. Before smiling. “Discord, I'm going to have to turn you down.”
        “Really?” Discord asked shocked.
        “Yep, really,” Ancro smiled trying to appear confident.
        “May I ask why?” Discord asked scratching his chin in the frozen time scape.
        “The answer is quite simple,” Ancro smiled, “It would be irresponsible to give you one favor from a being such as myself.”
        “A being such as yourself?” Discord asked folding his forelimbs.
        “Have you forgotten? Discord, I'm perfect.”

---        
        
        Fluttershy stood up her face hurt from where Ancro had saved her from the brunt of the blast. But that was nothing compared to the pain where a particularly lively rock hit her chest. A dust cloud had arisen from the debris and inside it she heard noises. An explosion, a crunch, Ancro's scream.
        “Spike to the rescue!” Fluttershy turned and to her horror saw Spike wielding a broken board and charging into the cloud. She needed to do something help Ancro, stop Spike, cower? No now was not the time to cower Ancro was in trouble and even though she didn't know him that well nothing neither pony or changeling needed to-a blast of magic blew the cloud away and revealed a beast that not even in Fluttershy's darkest nightmares could've existed. The very nature of the thing was stomach churning and horrible. The unnatural grace with which the creature moved and the terrifying that was revealed with every twitch and movement.
        She looked to see Spike had dropped the board and had started backing up mouth agape. Twilight told him about how he had stood up to a group of adolescent dragons. This monster was much worse. The mysterious spell that hit had broken through the hard crab like shell. The monster faltered slightly a moment later the injury was gone.
        With sickening fluidity its head twisted and a fireball shot from one of it's forward curved horns. A shriek was heard simultaneously with the impact, a moment later the shock wave and the heat washed over her taking the dust and debris with it. A brown unicorn stood between a panicking Prince Blueblood and the changeling.
        Appearing only slightly charred he looked none worse the wear for taking such a spell directly. The changeling did not stare in awe. It leapt at the unicorn every sinew in it's body showing.
---
        
        Time went back to normal. Ancro patiently waited, a calm smile washing over his face. Discord had to be bluffing. Call it too much self worth but he figured Discord would try to keep him and his friends around. He, no they, the all three members of the Triumvirate were vital to his schemes.
        Ancro kept waiting, then he felt it. A sense of urgency, anger, duty, and most importantly loyalty. Smiling as it closed in on him. Pinkie might be best pony, but she was a very close second. He relaxed his body using some of the training he got from Specs to shut off parts and increase his bodies ability to survive the change in momentum. Even with the minor levels of toon physics Ancro didn't want to take a chance.
        Her hooves snatched him from mid-air. His fragile stomach lurched from the shift in momentum but luckily that was about it as they gained altitude. The changeling at first tried to lift his head to see where they were going but gave up. Dang with how little energy he had he was amazed throwing up wasn't an issue.
        He then looked at Rainbow Dash. Specs had told him that you could skim off the top of some ponies with more robust personalities and they not even notice it. Still though...he'd need to keep his honor intact. Fluttershy had been a willing donor. Anything from Dash was going to be a bit more actively taking.
        “Dash, can I snack on you a bit?” Ancro asked, doing his best not to sound too creepy.
        “What?” She asked.
        “Middle of battle, friends in danger, low energy, need snack, asking you.” Ancro replied trying to stay brief. He hadn't been sure if it was the wind rushing past or that he failed to not make himself sound creepy.
        “Is this your fault?” She asked. Empathic powers weren't needed to determine what a guilty verdict would mean.
        “No, will explain later.” Anccro said, “Feed now, save Fluttershy.”
        “You better.” She said taking a breath and relaxing and at that point Ancro realized he had never done this before.
---
        Stigandr had been just in time to save the poor sap who had picked a fight with the praetorian. A half glance informed him it was Blueblood. He'd find out why later in the meantime, he needed to survive this guy. Luckily he finally had teleporting down and was able to blink out of the way of the charge but was both surprised and terrified to find the changeling almost on him when he came out.
        It was too soon to teleport again. His horn glowed and a magical wall appeared before him then it was gone as the changeling smashed through it. His magical construct only softening the blow to his chest.
        Stigandr new from reflex the second blow was coming and reared up intent on gaining distance and being able to use his hooves to block the next shot. He couldn't dodge and only managed to block costing him his right foreleg from the hammer fist. He groaned through the pain firing a spell directly into the changeling's face. It's eel like neck ducked under the spell going beneath his guard intent on coming up around his neck. If not for his timely teleport down the hall he would've been done for then.
        Stigandr managed to recover first the changeling having overly committed to the attack thinking to end it immediately. His spell struck home directly under the wing. All three horns charged and fired immediately after.
        Anchoring himself with his three good legs he deflected the blast around him as best he could the spell still driving him to his knees and blinding him. His horn was half-way charged when the changeling's palm connected with his snout. Sending him sprawling backwards miraculously he didn't lose focus on his spell.
        Pushing through the haziness and iron taste Stigandr fired his spell.
---
        “Shit, fly by Stigs, we need a distraction,” Ancro said trying to focus on how much he was taking from the pegasus.
        “No problem, have a plan?”
        “I have one, and it's completely irresponsible, destructive, and shitting bats crazy!” Ancro smile's bordered on half drunk. He'd have to ask later what exactly happens when you take from a pony. Cause he couldn't tell where his insanity began and where Rainbow Dash's attitude took over. It would have to wait though as they were closing the gap and he wouldn't have much time to talk.
        “Stigs!” Ancro screamed as they got close.He could tell his friend was in rough shape but still steadfast. “Full nelson!”
        Being able to sense understanding made screaming details much easier. Unfortunately that didn't prevent the praetorian from sensing and hearing the changeling.
        “Rainbow Dash climb!” Ancro ordered and she followed. “We need to max out the ceiling.”
        “What's your crazy plan?” Rainbow Dash asked narrowly dodging the changeling's ranged attacks.
        “He'll kill me if I fight straight up.” Ancro explained, “Even if flew into the ground as fast as I could go and he stood still and took it.”
        “Oh?” Rainbow Dash asked Ancro could taste the adrenline coming off her. “How fast were you thinking?”
        “Sonic Rainboom.” Ancro shouted.

So all is well in my life sorry for the major delays although slightly less major than the last chapter. Big thanks to my editors for being patient and don't worry I should have the next chapter done by the end of the month to early january. On the news of personal life Scott's set to graduate from Parris Island the twelfth of this month and I'm set to go in the may 8th. I'm aiming for CBRN in the Marine Corps Reserves, I have the scores for it 96 on the ASVAB. As usual feed back is enjoyed and appreciated as well as pointing out my errors.