//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 – Things can only get Better? (unedited) // Story: A Gamer In Equestria // by The Dark Brony //------------------------------// God I hate Mondays. Day one in Equestria and I have fainted twice; man I must look weak to everybody around me, pulling something so cool off and then fainting minutes later. Note to self never try to use fire breath again. I slowly begin to wake up to sound of two familiar voices, but am unable to understand who they are until my eyes being to open, and I hear Twilight say “look he's waking up” I then hear Applejack say “Ya OK their partner” I then reply by faintly saying “yeah but can someone get the number of that train that hit me. That bucking hurts. ” I then look at them and say “how long was I out” To this, I hear Applejack reply “jus' till the mornin'. Think ya feel ok to move around” To this, I look up her and say '”yeah” as I begin to stand up I then hear Twilight say “good to see your feeling better” I then look at her and say “yeah, good to be better, I say we take a walk back to the farm” I then look at Applejack and say “I can guess you need to be sorting the fields out, right” She then looks at me and says “I guess ya right” I then look at her and say “Applejack, I was also wondering if you need any help on the farm, it would be an honer to help you. I also need to pay you back for making sure I was OK after I arrived here yesterday” “I couldn't accept ya help Craig. Ya may not be better” “Listen Applejack. Back home I get injured most days and was doing martial arts the next day. I'm pretty sure I'm fine” To this, both Twilight and Applejack looked at me and then Twilight said “Wait, you know Martial Arts?” To this I just shrug and say “Yeah, I always been quite weak, I had issues with Falling over and cutting my head open from a young age” I then reaches for my hair line and pull it away to show a scar in the shape of a plus mark “I got these when I fell over constantly.” I then let my hair fall back and moved my hair to cover my scar. “I did Martial Arts to help improve my balance originally but I also become faster, stronger and more agile. This was without powers. And has made me naturally agile and strong. However, I never used anything I learned, as I never wanted to fight anyone, and would avoid fights whenever I could.” At this Applejack says, “wait, ya know how to defend ya'self even if ya powers weren't workin'.” “yes Applejack. Yes I do. But were getting of topic as I said, I know when I am well enough to work. I also know when I want to help somebody, and like you Applejack, I don't like backing down.” Appljack sighs then says “Ya seriously won't not help me will ya?” “Nope. I'm determined to help you Applejack” I reply “Fine I guess ya can come an help” replied Applejack “Thanks Applejack” he the turned to twilight and said “I guess you'll be heading back to the library” She then looks at and says “yeah. Wait, how did you know I lived the library?” “Yesterday when you came back you were carrying a lot of books with you. I just assumed that you either brought a lot of books or you worked elsewhere that had a lot most likely a library.” I then hear Applejack say “Craig, ya don't need ta lie ta us. Luna told us about what we are in ya world. we already know the true reason” I then sigh and say “wish you had told me this, before I made a fool of myself” Twilight then looks at me and says “anyway, yes. I am heading back to the library. I'll see you later” To this Applejack says “bye Twi” I then said “See you later Twilight” I then turn to Applejack and say “Lets head to the farm” She then looks at me and smiles “I'm with you partner” With that we both made our way towards Sweet Apple Acres. - 5 minutes later - Once we reached Sweet Apple Acres. At which time I turned towards Applejack and say “oh. I forgot my guitar and laptop I better run back and get them” At this Applejack just looks at me and laughs “Ya don't need to worry about ya things. Me and Applebloom brought your stuff here after the incident last night” To this I sigh and say “thank god I'd hate to lose them. They're all I have left from home. I say we get to work. What do you need me to do” To this Applejack Looks at me and says “I guess I need ta harvest the corn. Ya could 'elp with that if ya like?” To this I just smile and look at her and say “Lets do it” Once we reach the corn field Applejack says “Just wonderin' do ya know how to pick corn?” I just look at her and say “no I don't. But no time like the present to learn” She just look at me and says “I like your Attitude Craig. Right here's what you do to harvest corn” -One explanation Later- “OK I think I understand so is this how I do it?” I say to Applejack “Yeah ya got it” I then look up and say “Um... Applejack, are the clouds normally pink?” “No. Why?” she looks at me with a puzzled look “look up” She then looks up and says “what in Equestria is goin' on” At that moment it started raining but we notice something strange about the rain. “Applejack is the rain normally brown” “no, not normally” At this moment Rainbow Dash flys by the farm and shouts “Hey I didn't tell you to go anywhere!” At this moment Applejack shouts to her and says “Rainbow Dash what's going on with this rain? I mean chocolate milk. I mean chocolate milk rain! To this Rainbow just said “There's crazy weather all over Equestria!” To this I just look at her and say “How crazy we talking?” “Cloudsdale's getting soaked by a major cola storm right now. So beyond Pinkie crazy” At this both me and Applejack turn towards each other and say “Petty crazy” Rainbow dash then looks at us and says “don't worry. I'm not leaving you until I get control of Ponyville” As she begins to fly off this we hear a load popping noise from behind us, and turn to see the corn behind us turning into Popcorn. Seconds later we see Pinkie Pie diving in the corn as she says “Why would you wanna stop this?” We both just ignore her as we hear Rarity say “Ahem. I heard about your troubles, Applejack, and I came to see if there's anything I can do without getting wet. Or dirty. Or out from under my umbrella. Oh nice to see you” To this I just look at her and say “charming nice to meet you to” Applejack then looks towards the orchards and sees all the apples almost triple in size and all the animals starting to eat the fruit. It then hear Applejack shout “Fluttershy do something” I then see Fluttershy try to talk to Angel only for everything about him change I then hear her say “No! It's not possible! I must be seeing things!” I then turn my head around knowing Twilight will appear over the hill momentarily as expected she did. It's a shame that the fail-safe spell would fail. I then look at a Twilight and mentally count down. three, two, one fail I then chuckle as I hear Twilight say “My fail-safe spell... failed. What do we do? I then laugh as I hear Spike say “Uh, give up?” I then hear Rarity say “Spike, Twilight will come up with something.” I then begin to think and cue a solution in three, two, one. I then turn my head towards Twilight and see her head towards Dash who was stuck in a cotton candy cloud and says “Rainbow, can you corral all those clouds in one corner of the sky?” once this is part way done she then shouts to Applejack “I need you to bring those high-strung storm clouds down to Earth.” with that Applejack then lassoed the clouds in place then began to drag them down to the ground. After this is then see twilight begin to to whisper something to Fluttershy who then says “Oh dear. I hope none of the animals see these delicious chocolate-filled cotton candy clouds. I'd hate to have to share them.” At that moment pinkie says “You and me both, sister!” Then all the animals that had been eating the fruit ran towards the clouds and as they rush towards Pinkie I hear her say “Hey!” and then begin to eat the clouds. Once this is done I then hear Applejack say, “And when y'all are done with that, feel free to have some popcorn for dessert.” To this I just turn to Applejack an say “well said. And spike that is why you never give up” To this Twilight turns to me and says “You got it, Craig. You should never give up. There's nothing we can't overcome if we all work together.” At that moment a green flame flows out of Spike's mouth which leaves a Scroll in it's place that twilight quickly takes and reads after which she gasps and says “Come on, girls. Princess Celestia wants to see us all in Canterlot immediately!” To this, I sigh and say “I guess I'll see you when you get back” To this Twilight looks at me and says “you'll see Celestia as well she asked for you too” I then laugh and say “I guess she decided to see how I was doing earlier than expected. Let me get my guitar then lets go.” I then hear Applejack say “I'll get it for ya” and with that she runs into the farmhouse. I then turn towards Twilight and say, “Twilight any idea what Celestia wants?” She then looks at me and says “no but I have a feeling we'll find out soon” I then turn towards the barn to see Applejack carrying my guitar “ere it is Craig. Why do you even want it?” To this, I look at her and say “never know when music will help you. Anyway, let's go” and with that all of us excluding Spike make our way to Canterlot. - A train ride later- A matter of hour later we all arrived at Canterlot as soon as we arrive we all rushed towards the palace. As soon as we arrive there everyone instantly rushes towards the throne room whilst I just walk and somehow manage to keep up with all of them but Twilight and Rainbow Dash. As soon as we arrive at the throne room Twilight instantly sees Celestia and says “ Princess Celestia, we came as fast as we could!” She then turns to us and says “Thank you, Twilight. Thank you, all.” I then turn towards her and bow to her and say “It is a honer Princess” I then stand up and say “However I have a feeling that were all here for more that a chat” Princess Celestia then turns to me and says “that is, unfortunately, correct” I then hear Twilight say, “Is this about the weather? And the animals' weird behaviour? What's happening out there? Why isn't my magic working? Is ther–” To this, she just looks at us and says, “Follow me.” At this, we all begin to walk down the hall as Celestia says “I've called you here for a matter of great importance. It seems an old foe of mine, someone I thought I had defeated long ago, has returned. His name... is Discord.” To this, I say, “I guess there are a lot of things they should know about him. I know enough heck there was even a song about him. To this, I hear Pinkie say, “Could you perform it?” To this, I laugh and say, “I wish I could perform the music, but it's not playable by my guitar. I have the song on my laptop but we left it in Ponyville” I then hear pinkie laugh and say, “you mean this laptop?” To this, I just look at her and say, “you never cease to amaze me Pinkie. Where did you even get it?” To this, she looks at me and says “I knew you'd need it so I got it before we left” To this, I sigh and say, “I'll get it loaded in and play the song. Give me a minute” - 3 Minute later- I look at everyone and say, “OK the song is ready” do you want me to play it now?” To this, I hear pinkie say “yep” I then turn to everyone and say, “you lot sure you want it to listen to it?” I then look at them and they all nod and then Applejack says “we might as well” I then look at them and say “OK” I then remove the headphones from the computer and hit play then the song begins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPfMb50dsOk One the song finishes I shut my computer down and put it away the say “what did you think?” To this, I just see them all stare at me and say “that bad huh.” I then turn to Celestia and say, “maybe you should tell them more about Discord Celestia?” To this she turns towards me and says “I suppose your right” she then turns to the girls and says “Discord is the mischievous spirit of disharmony. Before my sister and I stood up to him, he ruled Equestria in an eternal state of unrest and unhappiness. Luna and I saw how miserable life was for Earth ponies, Pegasi, and unicorns alike, so after discovering the Elements of Harmony, we combined our powers and rose up against him, turning him to stone. I then hear Rainbow Dash Shout out “All right, Princess!” I then look at her and say, “There's a problem isn't there. Same as Luna's time on the moon the spell only lasted for around 1000 years but you hoped it would hold Discord forever” She then looked at me and said “yes, however since Luna and I are no longer connected to the Elements, the spell has been broken.” To this Twilight just looks at Celestia and says “No longer connected?” To this, I turn to her and say, “Since you now bear the elements both Celestia and Luna have no control over them. Meaning that the six off you are the only ones who can use them.” To this Celestia just looks at me and says “You've explained that quite well Craig, you really do know a bit about the elements don't you” To this, I look at her and then smile and say, “Thank you. I suppose I do. Anyway, I guess the next thing to ask is where we are now” To this she looks at me and says “This is Canterlot Tower, where the Elements are kept inside since they were recovered. I need you to wield the Elements of Harmony once again and stop Discord before he thrusts all of Equestria into eternal chaos. I then see Pinkie look at one of the glass windows and say “Hey, look! We're famous!” To this, I think more than you know Pinkie, more than you know. I then hear the Princess say, “You six showed the full potential of the Elements by harnessing the magic of your friendship to beat a mighty foe. And as Craig said although Luna and I once wielded the Elements, it is you who now control their power, and it is you who must defeat Discord! I then look at them and say “we both know you are more than capable of defeating him” To this Twilight looks at us and says “Princess Celestia, Craig you can count on–” I then hear Pinkie say, “Hold on a second! Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain, you guys. Chocolate rain!” I then look at Pinkie and say “Yeah but also unmatched sadness, and a world where nopony smiles or laughs. I think we all know that's not the sort of world you want. I felt like that was my world for years Pinkie. It hurts; a lot.” To this Twilight looks first to pinkie then to Celestia and says, “Don't listen to her, Princess. We'd be honoured to use the Elements of Harmony again.” At this point, Celestia opens up some large golden doors and collects a jewel encrusted box contained inside. We then hear Rarity say “Ooh. You can keep the Elements. I'll take that case!” To this I just look at her and say “Really Rarity, you would want a box over looking Fabulous again?” She just looks at me and says “I guess your right. Wait I never got a chance to ask you your name before the incident last night” To this is I laugh and say “my names Craig. Pleasure to meet you Miss Rarity” To this, she looks at me and says, “well at least you have manners even if you have an awful sense in style. You must allow me to make you some proper clothes when we get back to Ponyville.” To this, I look at her and say “I say that we have this discussion after the current threat if over” She then sighs and says “I guess your right” Celestia then looks at all of us and says “have no fear, ponies. I have total confidence that you will be able to defeat Discord with these!” As she open the box we all gasp as we see that the box empty. Second later I hear Pinkie say “Oh, well. If anyone needs me, I'll be outside in the chocolate puddles with a giant swizzle straw.” I the hear Twilight say “The Elements! They're gone!” Me and Celestia then look at each other and then she says “That chamber is protected by a powerful spell that only I can break! This doesn't make sense!” I look at her and say, “I have a feeling we know who did this. I then turn to one of the glass windows and shout “Discord! Come out and show yourself” I then hear a voice that I hadn't heard before say “Oh, your no fun. However, that song about me was mediocre” I then hear Celestia shout “Discord... Show yourself!” At this point Discord then appears in one of the many glass windows that are around the room and then says “Did you miss me, Celestia? I missed you. It's quite lonely being encased in stone, but you wouldn't know that, would you, because I don't turn ponies into stone.” I then look at Discord and say, “She may have been the first to turn you to stone, but she won't be the last. Now come and face me you chicken! Celestia then looks at me and say, “that's enough Craig” she then turns to Discord and says “What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?” He then looks at us and says, “Oh, I just borrowed them for a teensy little while.” He then snaps his fingers, and an image of the elements disappear, from the stained glass window he is in. At this both me and Celestia say, “You'll never get away with this, Discord!” After this, I hear discord say, “Oh, I'd forgotten how grim you can be, Celestia. It's really quite boring. I then hear Rainbow Dash shout “Hey! Nopony insults the Princess!” And then second later she begins to fly towards the window as fast as she can but discord just moves to another window and she crashes face first into it. He then Teleports back to the window he was in before and says “Oh, you must be Rainbow Dash, famed for her loyalty, the Element of Harmony you represent.” Rainbow then looks at him and says, “That's right! I'll always be loyal to the Princess!” I then hear him say, “We'll see about that.” Seconds later I hear Rarity say, “I can't believe we're wasting our time talking to a tacky window.” Discord then looks at Rarity and says “the beautiful Rarity, representing the element of generosity, if I'm not mistaken?” I then hear Applejack say, “So you know who we are, big deal.” He then turns to Applejack and says, “Oh, I know much more than that, honest Applejack.” Seconds later I hear Twilight say, “You seem to know our strengths too.” Discord then looks at Twilight and says, “Yes, Twilight Sparkle and yours is the most powerful and elusive element, magic. Fluttershy's is kindness and Pinkie Pie's is a personal favourite of mine – laughter.” After this, we begin to hear Pinkie trying not to laugh. after which I hear Twilight shout to her “Pinkie!” I then turn to look at Pinkie as she says whilst laughing “He's standing on your head!” I then look in the direction she looking towards and, see him dancing on top of one of the stained glass images of twilight. He then tuns to me and says “and then, there's you. I have no idea what you are, or what significance you have. I don't see how you could even be a threat to me.” He then laugh and stares at me then says “A freak like you couldn't do a thing to me” he then teleports behind me and whispered to me “I bet your parents were even bigger freaks than you”. With that my eyes suddenly opened as a Katana sword appeared in my hand and I stabbed into the side of Discord then kicked him back off the sword and said “you can insult me all you bucking like, but when you insult my family, you have gone to bucking far!” I then put two my fingers infront of my forehead and disappear only to reappear seconds later behind him and say “and your one to talk about being a freak. Just look at yourself” I then breath in and shout “FusRoDah” and he plummets towards the ground. He then clicks his claws together and reappears in one off the glass windows breathing slowly and says “what, the hell, are you. How did, that sword, hurt me.” He then looks towards me and continues to say "Your like like those freaks I met last time." I turn to him and say “I am the person, you should never piss of Discord” and then my sword disappears and I begin to calm down. “the sword I struck you with was called Dragonbane. It is a sword that has been enchanted to do more damage to dragons and I can see you; are part dragon.” To this, I see everyone looking at me until Celestia looks at me and says “I am disappointed in you Craig. We will be having words. I then look at her and say “OK Princess” I then begin to leave until I hear her say “I didn't say to leave” She then turns to Discord and says “OK Discord stop stalling! What have you done with the Elements of Harmony? Tell me unless you want Craig to hunt you down and strike you again” I then look at him and say “It would give me no greater pleasure than to make you suffer for what you said about my family” Discord then looked at the princess and then said “Celestia. Really? Fine, I'll tell you, but I'll only tell you my way. To retrieve your missing Elements, just make sense of this change of events. Twists and turns are my master plan. Then find the Elements back where you began.” then with a laugh he disappeared. A second later Celestia turned towards me and said “Now Craig why did you do that” To this I just look at her and say “I don't know. As soon as he insulted my family, it was like he struck a nerve. I just felt like I couldn't let an insult to them stand. Besides, all have have of them are memories” With this Applejack looks at me and says “what did he say about ya family” To this I can only whimper out “ he said, I bet your parents were even bigger freaks than you” To this Both Applejack and Celestia walk up to me. Applejack just looks at me whilst Celestia says “Craig, family is important, and I will agree that what he said to you was wrong. However, you can't defeat him without the elements. However I can help you stop him.” To this, I look at her and say, “How?” To this she looks at me and says ”Could you please give me your guitar?” To this I just take my guitar off my back and she envelops it in a bight white light. Seconds later the light fades and I see my guitar with one difference the back of the it has a symbol of a sword. As I look at it Celestia say “touch the symbol with your hand” To this I look at her and say “OK.” as I touch the symbol, the guitar's shape changes into the shape of a Longsword but I notice two strange features. One being that it looks similar to the master sword from The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. The second being that it had what looked like Celestia Cutie mark embedded, on the blade. I then look at her and say “wait a second this is a longsword, and why does have your cutie mark on it? To this she looks at me and says “This is a gift I am giving you. You said you wanted to help protect Equestria, however you are unarmed, and have no weapon that you could use to defend yourself. Furthermore it has my mark on it as the sword does something special please touch the symbol. To this I look at her Quizzically and say “OK” I then touch the symbol and she blade glows in a red light and then bursts into flames. I then look at it in amazement and say “what, does it, do?” To this she smiles and says “this allows to to cleave through any defence, or illusion that you may face.” Seconds later the flames die down showing the blade to look as if it hadn't been burning at all. She then says “You will also want this.” She then starts to lower a sheath in her magic connected to a belt and says “here's something for you to carry it with.” I then look at her and say “how can I turn it back into a guitar?” To this she grins and says “look at what I just gave you” I then look at the sheath and notice an indentation of a guitar on it. She then says “ to turn the sword back into a guitar, all you need to do is put the palm of your hand on the indentation” I then Sheath my sword and then look at her and say “I don't know what to say. I don't deserve this.” I then bow to her and say “I guess I need to earn the right to wield this Princess Celestia” I then hear Fluttershy say “Can we go home now?” To this I look at her and say “I'm afraid not Shy. We have some missing elements to find and deal with a deranged god. But first we need to deal with his riddle.” I then hear Applejack say “what do you reckon he meant? Twists and turns and ending back where we started?” We all look towards Twilight as she says “Twists and turns... twists and turns... twists and turns! That's it! I bet Discord hid the Elements in the palace labyrinth!” I then look at Twilight and say “how does that fit in with the second part of the riddle, when he said 'then find the Elements back where you began'?” To this she look at me and says “I guess they could be near the entrance.” To this I look at her and say “I guess there's only one way to find out” I then hear Celestia say to us “Good luck, all of you. The fate of Equestria is in your hooves or hands in your case Craig.” To this both me and Twilight say “Thanks, Princess. We won't let you down.” and with this we all make our way towards the labyrinth.