(play”Luna [Remix] vs Eurobeat Brony” now)
The moon hung high in the sky now as Scootaloo sped towards Gina with a look of determination in her eyes as Gina looked back at her with a look of resentment she knew all too well. It was the same one she always wore when she looked at her mother while she was Discorded. “I may not have an element of harmony or any magic, but I will free you from his control Gina!” Scootaloo shouted as she grew closer and closer now.
“Why would I want to be free?” Gina replied with a grin as she took a deep inhale and exhaled flames at the Pegasus only for her to bank right to avoid them and spear her from the right.
Much to the orange Pegasus's shock however Gina was a lot stronger than she looked. Within moments of being speared by her she grabbed her by the mane with her mouth and began to spin her in circles as Scootaloo cried out in pain due to her mane being pulled in such a way. She could feed threads of her mane being ripped from her head and neck which felt like sharp needles being stabbed into those places until she was abruptly let go and sent flying vertically.
Scootaloo recovered mid-air only to be struck in the chest before she could fully recover causing her to give a shrill cry of pain Gina's hoof connected with her chest and moments later was sent flying away in a mid-air flip style, but managed to recover by ejecting her wings out which allowed herself to level herself. She had no time to recover, but managed to evade Gina this time around by taking a sharp vertical climb to which Gina followed.
“Buck it all, I can't get a good enough distance from her to get my bearings! She's already hurt me bad already and I have yet to cause a scape in her hide!” Scootaloo thought to herself dramatically as she attempted to ignore the throbbing in her chest along with the stinging from her mane being pulled in such a fashion earlier.
“What's wrong Scoots? Chicken? Scoot,scoot,scootalooooo!” Gina exclaimed in a taunting manner as she chased the orange Pegasus around.
Upon hearing this Scootaloo came to a dead stop and turned around to look at her. “What did you call me?” Scootaloo asked in a low tone as she felt her temper skyrocket.
“Oh I was only calling a chicken! See? Scoot,scoot,scootaloooo!” Gina exclaimed in a tainting tone.
“No pony and I mean no pony, calls me a chicken!” Scootaloo roared and in the next moment throttled the purple Pegasus hard upside the head which sent her flying back only to recover.
“About time you got serious.” Gina replied with a sneer as she wiped her bloodied lip with a hoof and charged at her.
Hooves collided, blows were exchanged and flames were evaded over the course of the next few minuets as Scootaloo and Gina went all out on one another which left the two beaten and battered after three bouts.
“Gina...listen to me...Discord is controlling you! Fight it!” Scootaloo exclaimed between huffs and puffs as she wiped blood off her eyebrow which was bleeding profusely at the moment along with just about every other part of her face.
Gina however seemed to ignore the orange Pegasus's pleas and charged at her once again but this time the two hit a deadlock with one another as all four hooves began to grind against one another mid-air. “Gina, I know you're in there! Come on! It's me! Scootaloo! You saved me from Sherry and Jesse's trademark locker stocker two years ago, remember?” Scootaloo said in a pleading tone trying desperately to reach her friend.
Upon hearing this Gina's expression lightened greatly as if she was in fact recalling that event. “I-I remember...” Gina said in a soft tone and without warning flung her front hooves over her head and began to cry out in pain.
“That's it Gina! Fight it! Remember all the times we spent together, the fun we had, remember our friendship!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a desperate tone realizing she was getting through to her finally.
“St-Stay away from me Scootaloo! I'm not safe!” Gina shrieked out as she continued to wage war within herself against Discord's influence.
“No, I’m not going to leave you! You're my friend Gina! And friends stick together no matter what!” Scootaloo exclaimed and hugged her friend tightly at which point Gina's eyes shot open and looked at her friend.
As if by magic Gina's color began to change to their normal color from the tail up to her head. In a few moments she looked like her old self again at which point the purple Pegasus passed out only to be caught by her friend whom carried her to a safe spot on the ground and sat beside her.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sweetie Belle ran as fast as her hooves could carry her as she ran in the direction of Twilight's house. “Don't worry Roseheart. I'll protect you no matter what!” Sweetie Belle said in a reassuring tone to the young foal whom looked scared and frightened at the moment.
Finally Twilight's house was in view but just as she neared it she suddenly found herself surrounded by zombie ponies. “No...not like this...” Sweetie Belle said in a soft tone as she looked about herself as fear began to overwhelm her. She was still too weak to do anything and they had her outnumbered ten to one.
It doesn't have to end like this you know...
A voice echoed out at which point a pink pony stepped from within the ranks to the front. This pony had a pink fur coat purple mane and tail which seemed to have white streaks throughout it, but this wasn't the defining attributes of this mare. The defining attribute was her eyes which looked as if someone had stuck a hypnotism circle in them. And just like one they swirled continuously.
“Screwball? How come your not affected and what are you talking about?” Sweetie Belle asked in a cautious tone.
“Why would I be affected by something that my daddy made?” Screwball said with a sneer as she walked up to one of the zombie ponies whom was standing stationary, ran a hoof along their cheek, and in the next moment snapped their neck with a sickening cracking sound before the zombie pony fell to the ground dead, yet the others did not advance on her. “So as I was saying, it doesn't have to be this way Selena...” Screwball said after a few moments looking directly at Sweetie Belle whom gasped upon hearing her old name spoken.
“How do you know my name? I mean my old name!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed tripping over her words slightly as she spoke.
“Oh, I know much more about you than your name Selena. I can give it all back to you, your true form, your true magical power, all you have to do is give your will to Discord, and all your former glory shall be yours again...Selena.” Screwball replied as she paced around the white unicorn filly now who seemed to be frozen in shock.
“You can really give it all back?” Sweetie Belle asked in a soft tone as her voice cracked slightly as she spoke.
“Yessss, I can.” Screwball replied with a malicious grin. “So, do we have a deal?” Screwball asked a few moments after her initial reply as she stood in front of her now extending a hoof.
“I won't have a will of my own will I? I'll hurt many ponies...won't I?” Sweetie Belle replied in a slow tone feeling the temptation nearly overwhelming now.
Upon hearing this Screwball rolled her eyes and made a shrug gesture. “Meh, maybe a few here or there. But hey, at least you'll have your true form back. You won't be this quivering, pathetic, little filly anymore, and that's all that matters right?” Screwball replied with a sneer as she extended her hoof to the unicorn once again.
Sweetie Belle looked up to the sky now once again feeling tears swell in her eyes.
Sweetie Belle:
♫ Long ago...♫
♫ I remember...♫
♫ I was somepony grand...♫
Screwball now paced around Sweetie Belle once again looking at her with malicious intent.
Screwball:
♫ Long ago you were somepony great.♫
♫ I have the power to free you from this sorry state.♫
♫ Selena take my hoof.♫
♫ And I will give you proof...♫
Sweetie Belle:
Sweetie Belle looked up to the skies seeing herself as Selena once again as if by magic but also saw herself as the filly she is now playing with her friends.
♫ Long ago...♫
♫ I was searching...♫
♫ To find myself again...♫
♫ To find a way...♫
Screwball:
♫ Selena you have found a way...♫
♫ and it will be here to staaaay!♫
♫ All you have to do,♫
♫Is take my hoof and your true power will ensue...♫
Sweetie Belle:
Sweetie Belle looked at Screwballs hoof and slowly began to edge hers out towards it.
♫ No matter what comes to be...♫
♫ I just want to be meeeee!♫
Stop!!!
A voice rang out at which point a purple figure landed in between Sweetie Belle and Screwball.
Spike:
Spike then took her hoof that she had been slowly extending out to Screwball in his claws and looked into her eyes.
♫ Sweetie Belle don't you seeee?♫
♫ This is not who you want to beee!♫
♫ You are who you are no matter what ponies say...♫
♫ What this fiend promises you will cause you take life this daay!♫
Screwball:
♫ Don't listen to this dragon..♫
♫ He simply wants to deny you the opportunity to get on this grand bandwagon!♫
♫ Stick with me Selena for your sake.♫
♫ And we will leave this pitiful life with nothing but your power in it's wake!♫
Sweetie Belle:
Sweetie Belle looked to Screwball then back to Spike, looked up at the sky and sighed heavily.
♫ How could I have been so blind now to see.♫
♫ The element of your treachery!♫
♫ I will not take your deal Screwball...♫
♫ No, I will not be what you want me to be at aaaalllll!♫
♫I want to be my own pony no matter the strife...♫
♫ No matter what comes to be...♫
♫I just want to be meeeee!♫
Sweetie Belle then mustered all the magic she had in her and in a blast of magic ejected Screwball and the horde around her away in a blinding flash of magic, fell to her stomach and began to sob loudly.
“It's okay Sweetie Belle.” Spike said in a comforting tone as he ran a claw along her mane softly.
“I can't believe I was such a foal! I was willing to take her deal no matter what! Is that all I am?!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed between sobs.
“No, your a wonderful filly. And you made the right choice.” Spike replied with a soft smile.
It was then that it occurred to the white unicorn. “What a second, the time stream was fixed, so that means you shouldn't be here...how?” Sweetie Belle asked in a confused tone as she looked at Spike now.
“Don't ask me. I just suddenly popped into the library about an hour ago. Kind of scary really considering the last thing I remember was taking a hoof to the gut and bleeding out on the floor.” Spike replied as he scratched the back of his head in confusion then noticed Roseheart. “Who's the foal?” Spike asked curiously.
“Her name is Roseheart. She's Applebloom's daughter.” Sweetie Belle replied without thinking only to see Spike's jaw drop.
“Since when did Applebloom have a foal?!” Spike asked incredulously.
“It's a long story...” Sweetie Belle replied and noticed zombie ponies gathering around them. “But it can wait till we get inside. Twilight's protection spell should still be up so lets go. Can you carry Roseheart? I'm afraid I used the last of my magic repelling Screwball and her minions.” Sweetie Belle asked in a hurried tone to which Spike nodded, lifted up Roseheart, and followed the unicorn into Twilight's house.
------------------------------------------------------------
Gina stirred and suddenly sat upright to see Scootaloo sitting next to her. “Welcome back Gina.” Scootaloo said with a smile.
“Did I- oh dear Celestia I did! Damn it!” Gina exclaimed in shock and horror and turned away from Scootaloo now.
“Hey, don't worry about it. You were under Discord's control. I know you wouldn't try to hurt me if you were yourself.” Scootaloo replied with a smile as she placed a hoof on Gina's shoulder who could be heard sobbing softly now.
“So you know then...” Gina replied between sobs.
“Know what?” Scootaloo asked curiously.
“That I’m a freak. No normal pony can spit flames.” Gina replied between sobs.
“Hey! Your not a freak! So what if your mom or dad was a dragon. If you ask me, being able to blow flames is way past cool!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a reassuring tone with a smile to match it.
“You don't think I'm a freak? But I’m not normal.” Gina replied not sobbing nearly as much now as she looked at Scootaloo.
“Gina, I’m your friend. No matter what you are, nothing will change that.” Scootaloo replied with a warm smile at which point the purple Pegasus was able to clear up the waterworks completely.
“My father was a dragon, my mother was a Pegasus pony. See, when I was very young they had a very skilled unicorn cast a illusion spell on me. My wings aren't really feathered but they look and feel that way to anypony who touches them. My fur coat is real, but beneath the fur are dragon scales. Before the spell was cast on me you could see them through my fur coat though.” Gina said in a soft tone.
“And everything else?” Scootaloo asked curiously.
“Well, everything else looks like your normal pony. My face, mane, hooves, and tail are normal looking even without the illusion spell. The thing about the spell is that it's unaffected by mirrors.” Gina replied in a soft tone.
“That explains why you never wanted to use the restroom when I was with.” Scootaloo replied in realization of why she had acted so oddly during their times in flight school together.
“Exactly, I was afraid what you might think of me if you saw my reflection.” Gina replied with a sniffle as she wiped her nose with a hoof.
“Come on though, we need to move. It won't be long before Discord's hordes are on us.” Scootaloo said in a cautious tone as she looked about herself.
“Where will we go?” Gina asked curiously.
“Twilight's house. It has a spell on it that repels anypony under the effects of Discord's chocolate rain.” Scootaloo replied and took off from the ground followed by Gina.
---------------------------------------------------
“All that happened while I was...well...dead?” Spike said incredulously.
“Well not all at the same time due to Celestia changing the time stream, but yeah.” Sweetie Belle replied as she looked about herself.
“Wow, this is a lot for a dragon to wrap his head around! I mean you and Pinkie Pie, two parts of the same pony? A history of being in a war, and...oh my head my hurts!” Spike exclaimed clamping his claws on his head which caused Sweetie Belle to giggle.
“I thought you knew about me when you stopped me from making that deal with Screwball though.” Sweetie Belle replied.
“No, I just knew she was up to no good is all. I mean one pony trying to convince you to make a deal with a bunch of zombie ponies around? What's any good about that?” Spike replied making a shrug gesture as he spoke.
“I suppose you have a point there.” Sweetie Belle replied with yet another giggle.
“So what's this about Scootaloo though? You said she still has a link with Discord even though she's not discorded anymore?” Spike asked in a concerned tone.
“Well, it's only theory really, but I think that when Discord converted her about two years ago he created one more element of disharmony, one he never intended to make. That's why she can still tell how he thinks and why she's unaffected by most of his magic. When I think back, Scootaloo was clearly not close enough to Applebloom at that time to be protected by her element, yet she was still unaffected.” Sweetie Belle replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Run that by me again Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo exclaimed in shock as she stood in the doorway now which startled by Spike and Sweetie Belle.
“Is she on our side now? And how long were you listening?” Sweetie Belle asked in a guilty tone.
“About the part where you said about an element he never intended to make.” Scootaloo said in a annoyed tone as she walked up to the two and realized Spike was sitting there. “Spike?! But I was told he was-” Dead, yeah I know. So did I up till he told he had no idea how he's back really.” Scootaloo began to say only to be cut off by Sweetie Belle.
“Well as I’m sure you have figured out by now, Discord's elements of disharmony protect him from the elements of harmony.” Sweetie Belle said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Uhh, actually. I had no clue.” Scootaloo replied in a confused tone.
“Am I the only pony who pays attention to the magical workings around her?” Sweetie Belle asked in an annoyed tone as she facehoofed with a groan.
“I think your just more experienced than the rest of us.” Spike chimed in though this didn't do much to alleviate the unicorn's annoyance.
“Anyways, When Discord converted you, I think he may have unintentionally created another element of disharmony. By magical theory this would explain why you are able to sense his magic and be unaffected by many of his spells.” Sweetie Belle explained.
“Okay, saying that I go along with this wild theory of yours. What element do I represent in his elements of disharmony? Because last I checked he has all six.” Scootaloo replied in a skeptic tone.
“But Scootaloo, there are seven elements of harmony, so it only makes sense that if Discord was mimicking their style of magic as a shield he would possibly create a seventh element himself.” Sweetie Belle countered taking note of her skeptic tone.
“Okay, so which element do I supposedly represent then?” Scootaloo replied in an annoyed tone.
“Well, since the seventh element of harmony is love and recalling what how you acted towards Rainbow Dash when you were Discorded, I'd have to go on a hoof and say the element is hatred.” Sweetie Belle replied in a concerned tone.
“That's crazy! I don't represent the element of hatred! In fact I love my mom more than ever!” Scootaloo exclaimed in an offended tone.
“Not now you don't, but while you were discorded you showed that attribute clear as day! Don't you remember?” Sweetie Belle countered in a serious tone.
“I try not to...” Scootaloo replied in a soft yet saddened tone as she felt herself become overwhelmed with guilt for how she acted towards Rainbow Dash.
“This is all magical theory anyways. Who the hoof knows how you were possibly able to be unaffected by Discord's magic.” Sweetie Belle replied in a reassuring tone due to the fact she was now feeling guilty for even thinking of this theory.
“Saying I go along with this theory of yours, how do I pan into this whole deal with Discord?” Scootaloo replied as if ignoring Sweetie Belle's previous comment.
“Well, as long as the elements exist, Discord is immune to the elements of harmony, and theory dictates that the only way to defeat him with the elements of harmony is to destroy all of his elements of disharmony...” Sweetie Belle said and trailed off near the end of her statement.
“In other words, I have to die.” Scootaloo replied in a solemn tone at which point an awkward silence ensued between the four.
“As I said Scootaloo, it's only theory. It doesn't make it true!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a worried tone as she feared for what Scootaloo might be thinking right now.
“What if it is true? Twilight and the others are risking their lives against a foe that they have no chance of winning against right now!” Scootaloo exclaimed, stood up, and began to walk to the door.
“Scootaloo wait! Don't you dare consider doing what I think you are doing!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in a panicked tone.
“I'm not going to go and kill myself Sweetie Belle, but I can't sit back and let this theory of yours go to chance either. I'm going to face Discord along with Twilight and the others and if he's still immune to the elements of harmony once they have managed to destroy them all. Then I’ll know if your theory is true or not. Besides, the others probably don't even know that they have to destroy the elements of disharmony right now anyways, so somepony needs to tell them.” Scootaloo replied with a smile.
“I'm going with you. I've got a score to settle with that draconequus for making me almost kill you.” Gina said chiming in now as she walked beside Scootaloo.
“It's going to be dangerous.” Scootaloo replied with a smirk.
“Ha! If there's anything I take pride in about myself, it's that my half dragon heritage gives me a natural defense against all forms of magic!” Gina replied with a cocky grin at which point Spike's jaw dropped.
“You're half dragon?” Spike asked in a slightly shocked tone.
“Heh, yeah. Long story, I’ll let you in on it later. Lets fly Scoots!” Gina exclaimed and took off through the front door followed by Scootaloo.
“I think I’m in love....” Spike said in a dreamy tone with heart eyes as he stared on while Sweetie Belle facehoofed and groaned.
“First my sister and now her...will he ever learn?” Sweetie Belle remarked in a dismal tone with a sigh.
--------------------------------------------------------
(play “Spirit Of Chaos” now)
Twilight swiftly dodged a blast of magic from Discord as Applebloom and Applejack charged forth and performed a double buck against the draconequus knocking him backward followed by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy to double speared him. Twilight and Rarity then both channeled magic into their horns and fired a double magic attack against him, yet nothing they had done seemed to affect him. Not greatly anyways.
“What the buckin hay do we have to do in order to kick this varmint's flank?!” Applejack exclaimed in an annoyed tone as they began to frantically dodge beams of magic from the draconequus.
“I don't know! Rarity, how did you harm him earlier?” Twilight asked as she channeled magic into her wings to act as a shield from one of Discord's magical attacks.
“I honestly don't know Twilight. I simply lost all sense of reality for a moment and charged at him and then when I got knocked back onto my flank I regained my senses.” Rarity replied in a panicked tone as she dodged a blast magic barely.
“Ugh! We're fighting a brick wall here!” Twilight exclaimed in an annoyed yet discouraged tone.
His elements of disharmony! Target them! They are his weakness!
A voice rang out which could belong to non-other than Scootaloo who could be seen flying into the room now along side of Gina.
“What the hay are ya doin here Scootaloo? Ah told ya to get the hay outta here! And how the hay do ya know this?” Applebloom exclaimed in an annoyed yet worried tone for her lover's safety.
“Sweetie Belle told me. Twilight can you lock onto where his elements of disharmony are stored?” Scootaloo asked in an urgent tone as she answered Applebloom's question then turned to look at Twilight.
“I can try!” Twilight replied and began to focus on scanning the draconequus's body while everypony continued to strike at him and dodge his attacks.
For sometime it seemed as if the Alicorn was making little or no progress until her eyes lit up in excitement. “I found them!” Twilight exclaimed triumphantly.
“Good! Now where the hay are they?!” Applejack exclaimed as she dodged an attack by the draconequus.
“There are five left! One in each of his hands, one in each of his legs, and one in his left eye!” Twilight exclaimed at which point everypony felt the moral between them raise in light of this information.
“Come on everypony! We're back in this!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed enthusiastically with hoof pump gesture, nodded to Fluttershy, and the two of them charged full throttle for each of his arms only to get blasted away before they could get close.
“You little foals may have found my weakness, but you will never reach them!” Discord exclaimed in the same demonic tone as he conjured a barrier around himself.
“Consarn it all! Just when we think we got a hoof up on the varmint he goes and pulls this rotten apple out of his orchard!” Applejack exclaimed in an annoyed tone.
“I think I can help with that!” Gina exclaimed with a smile and charged at Discord.
“Hey, sheep for brains! Guess what?!” Gina exclaimed with a grin as Discord pointed his claw hand at her and blasted her only for her to be seemingly unaffected. Gina then took a deep breath and exhaled flames at the draconequus which hit it's mark leaving his barrier down and everypony in the room slack jawed.
“Either I need to see a eye doctor for my eyes, or she just blew flames!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock.
“No, you saw right. Gina is half pony,half dragon!” Scootaloo exclaimed proudly.
Sure enough as Gina landed back on the ground it became clear that this was fact.
“The Illusion spell. Oh no! Discord's magic must have dispelled it!” Gina exclaimed in shock as she looked at her wings now which were no longer feathered but rather that of a dragon's wings.
“Gina, remember? It doesn't matter what you look like. We are all your friends and we will be no matter what you are.” Scootaloo said in a comforting tone.
“Gina looked to everypony in the room and could see nothing but smiles at her now. “Heh, I guess you're right. I was just worried your friends might not be as understanding as you.” Gina replied in a sheepish tone.
“Not as understandin? Why little missy, you look great!” Applejack exclaimed with a genuine smile.
“Applejack is right darling, you look simply fabulous! Why, I may even ask you to model for me after this is all over! I've always wanted to do a fashion line for a cross breed specie!” Rarity exclaimed enthusiastically.
“Uh, everypony. Focus! Discord’s barrier is down!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she and Fluttershy darted forth and struck both of his hands as hard as they could which effectively destroyed the two elements of disharmony in them.
Upon these two elements being destroyed however Discord erected yet another barrier. “I forgot about the half breed freak's immunity to magic! It happen again!” Discord roared in anger as he shot beams of magic at everypony once again.
“Hey! She's not a freak you overgrown mule!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she shot off the ground and through his barrier without realizing it and struck him squarely in the eye destroying the element of disharmony there at which point Discord gave a shrill cry of pain and batted the Pegasus away and to the ground causing her to cry out as she hit the stone floor.
“Are ya okay honeh?!” Applebloom exclaimed in a worried tone as she rushed to Scootaloo's side.
“Yeah, I’m fine. He packs a punch!” Scootaloo replied in a pained tone.
“Ah reckon so, but how the hay did you just fly through his consarned barrier like that?” Applebloom asked curiously.
“I...I don't know.” Scootaloo lied. She had a feeling she knew but didn't want to say anything just yet. But what she had just done reenforced Sweetie Belle's theory of her being the seventh element of disharmony and it scared her. She may have to give her life up after all. In her mind however, if it came to that, she would do so without a second thought, but until then she wanted to play it by ear.
“Three elements down, two to go! Come on everypony! Lets finish him off!” Twilight exclaimed enthusiastically.
However no matter how much they tried Discord's barrier seemed to be stronger than ever now and was able to repel even Gina despite her defense against magic.
This fact was reenforced as Gina hit his barrier nose first and fell to her rump holding her nose only to be tackled to safely by Applebloom moments before a beam of magic struck the ground where she once sat.
“Watch where the hay you sit consarn it! Ah won't be able to save your hide all the time!” Applebloom exclaimed, moments later charged forward, element glowing brightly, and gave a mighty buck against his barrier only to be repelled and sent flying back, skipping a crossed the floor haphazardly like a rock being skipped a crossed a lake until she slid to a halt before Applejack who promptly lifted her up by the mane and dodged yet another blast of magic from the draconequus.
“Says the pony who was just knocked on her own hindquarters and had to be rescued.” Applejack remarked with a smirk as Applebloom got to all four hooves.
“Shut ya apple eatin trap big sis...” Applebloom retorted sourly before she charged forward again leaving the farm pony with an offended look.
“Well ah never! Ah didn't raise her to give meh that kind of lip!” Applejack remarked in an annoyed tone.
“Cut her some slack A-J! We're fighting for our lives here!” Scootaloo exclaimed as she flew behind Applebloom providing backup for the farm pony.
“Any plans honeh?” Applebloom asked as they neared the draconequus's barrier.
“Yeah, hold on!” Scootaloo exclaimed, lifted Applebloom off the ground mid-run and used her wings to propel the two at a much greater speed now.
“Ah don't think catapultin meh will work this time round honeh!” Applebloom exclaimed in a panicked tone.
“Who said anything about catapulting you? We're charging through!” Scootaloo exclaimed much to Applebloom shock.
“Ah hope you know what you're doin!” Applebloom exclaimed as they were barely five feet away from the draconequus barrier dodging beams of magic shot at them.
Applebloom slammed her eyes shut expecting to hit the barrier strait on followed by a burst of pain only to open them a few moments later to see the two had passed through the barrier unscathed. “How in the hay-?!” “Ask later, bucking position now!” Scootaloo exclaimed cutting off the farm pony as they were now up on the draconequus who spotted them reared his lions paw back and swatted at them.
Unfortunately for the orange Pegasus she was hit dead on but she let go of Applebloom moments before which caused the farm pony to land haphazardly on the floor in front of him only to dodge a strike from his claw hand.
Scootaloo let out a shrill cry of pain as she skipped along the floor exactly as Applebloom had earlier except with far more skips along the stone floor before she was caught mid-skip by Rainbow Dash.
“Don't be so reckless Scoots! I didn't go through hell to get you back just to lose you here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a concerned tone as she held her tightly for a few moments in the hair before setting her down on the ground.
“Sorry mom...” Scootaloo replied in a pained tone as she wearily got to all four hooves and looked to see Applebloom fighting the draconequus one-on-one now. “Come on Applebloom, I know you can do it...” Scootaloo remarked in a soft tone as she looked on.
Applebloom dodged right, dodged left, jumped, performed a mid-air spin, landed on all four hooves, and dodged left once again effectively dodging six attacks from the draconequus, but even though she was able to evade his strikes somewhat easily, she couldn't get close enough to him to strike at the remaining elements in each of his legs. “Consarn it all! Ah'm spendin so much buckin time dodgin his attacks ah can't close in on the varmint!” Applebloom thought to herself in an annoyed tone as she dodged another set of attacks from Discord.
Twilight who was watching this from afar now due to Discord focusing on Applebloom now instead of them could see this clear as day. “She can't get close enough to strike! We have to help her!” Twilight exclaimed dramatically as she looked on.
“If you have any ideas of how to get past that dreadful barrier of his, I’d love to hear them darling.” Rarity replied in a slightly annoyed tone.
“As much as I’d hate to agree with her, Rarity's got a point Twilight. As long as the jerk has his lame barrier up, we can't get close enough to help her.” Rainbow Dash chimed in looking at Twilight now as well.
“I'm thinking!” Twilight exclaimed in annoyance as she racked her brain trying to figure out how to get past his barrier until her eyes lit up. “Discord spoke of this place as the area where the source of his power is stored right?” Twilight asked aloud waiting for the others to nod.
“Skip to the consarned point sugarcube! Ah don't know how much longer mah little sis can keep it the acrobatics in thar!” Applejack exclaimed in an impatient tone as her gaze was on the action between Applebloom and Discord at the present moment.
“His book! He spoke of a book! We need to find that book!” Twilight exclaimed deciding to skip the lecture for once in light of the situation.
“Okay, lets go find that book!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
“Okay, Applejack, Gina, and Scootaloo, you guys stay here to be ready to back up Applebloom once his barrier's down, the rest of us will search these caves for his book!” Twilight exclaimed at which point the purple unicorn charged out of the room followed by Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy.
(play “Thousand Foot Krutch-E For Extinction” now)
“With all that has happened in mah life. The choices ah have made, the stuff that's happened to me and mah friends, ah won't back down now! Ah won't give up! Ah'm not fighting for just mah friends now, ah'm figthin for mah daughter's future! And with Celestia as mah witness, ah will make sure she grows up in a word worth livin in!” Applebloom thought to herself dramatically as she continued to dodged strikes by the draconequus.
Applebloom's element began to shine once again, but this time it was different. This time the element surrounded the farm pony's body in a warm pink glow. Applebloom's movements suddenly picked up in speed and the farm pony found herself able to predict Discord's moves to a degree now. “Ah get it now. The stronger mah love, the more powerful mah element becomes.” Applebloom remarked to herself thoughtfully.
“You think you can take me on alone? You are barely able to evade my attacks little foal!” Discord exclaimed and began to strike at her even faster now.
“How the hay-?!” Applebloom exclaimed in shock as she barely dodged a strike against him and felt the other nick her mane. “Consarn it all! Every cotton pickin time ah get a one up on him, he somehow manages to counter meh!” Applebloom exclaimed in annoyance.
“You will never reach the remaining elements!” Discord exclaimed as he struck at her now.
“Of course! He's defendin his legs, but what about...” Applebloom thought to herself as she changed up position suddenly, jumped up much to the draconequus shock and bucked his squarely in the face which caused him to stumble back and put his lion's paw over the spot where the farm pony struck. “Ha! Ah got ya! Ya is so busy protectin ya legs, ya didn't even think to protect ya face did ya?!” Applebloom exclaimed in a cocky tone.
“Oh yeah! Go Applebloom, go Applebloom, sock it to that mule!” Scootaloo exclaimed jumping up and down.
“You stay out of this!” Discord hissed at Scootaloo at which point she dropped to her stomach and waved her right hoof halfheartedly.
“Discord, Discord, he's our pony....if he can't do it....GREAT!” Scootaloo exclaimed in a halfhearted yet sarcastic tone up until she shouted her last word at which point her expression suddenly turned into a cocky grin with a glare to match it.
“Do you really need to make him pay attention to us Scootaloo?” Applejack remarked in annoyance.
“Hey, that's my fillyfriend in there. I'm entitled to cheer her on.” Scootaloo countered with a smile.
“Ya can't fool meh. You're terrified for her life. You're not the only one though.” Applejack thought to herself as she looked on at her the Pegasus who's expression was nervous as hell at the moment then back to Applebloom who was striking at the draconequus in an attempt to catch him off guard only to be blocked by another strike from him.
“I should be in there with her! But i'm not nearly as athletic as she is when it comes to ground movements. And Discord can swat me out of the sky easily.” Scootaloo thought to herself nervously. She wanted more than anything to back her lover up and the only thing halting her from doing so at the moment was fear of making Applebloom worry about her, goof up, and get knocked outside of the barrier. Without the others in here providing a decent cover there was no way she could get her back in there from a range.
Gina was just as nervous as the others were as she watched. “Why can't I get through? I'm immune to all kinds of magic. So why was his barrier able to repel me?” Gina thought to herself in a depressed tone. “I'm useless...” Gina remarked aloud without realizing it.
“Hey, ah don't wanna hear that kind of talk from ya little missy. Ya helped us destroy a few of his consarned elements didn't ya?” Applejack said in a encouraging tone.
“Yeah, but now I can't do anything but watch as Applebloom fights for her life.” Gina replied in a depressed tone.
“Don't ya worry your little head bout it. Once Twilight and others destroy that consarned book of his we'll get our turn.” Applejack replied with a smile then looked to the cave room entrance. “Hurry Twi, ah don't know how much longer Applebloom can hold out...” Applejack thought to herself in a worried tone as she looked on then back to Applebloom and Discord.