//------------------------------// // Discord's Tower Of Demise (Pt 3) // Story: Fire Upon Strings // by New Dawn //------------------------------// I watch as the girls try desperately to pin Rainbow down. "They're not gonna do it." I sign to Adrian. "They'll... yeah they're not gonna do it." He tries to argue. I watch in surprise as they tie Rainbow up and force her to the ground. "They did it." Adrian says. "Imagine that." "Ugh... What happened..." Rainbow mutters. "No time. We need to find discord and fast!" Twilight yells. "ORPHEY!" DINKY! I run out the door to see Discord holding Dinky. "Lookin' for somepony?" He laughs. I glare at him as he teleports away, taking Dinky with him. "ORPHEY!" Her screams fade as I fall to the ground. "Are you ok?" Pinkie asks. Huh... Was I... crying? I feel a warm substance fall down my face. I slowly nod. "We'll get her back. Don't worry." Pinkie smiles. I nod again and walk off with the group. We reach the town square, where I see Discord but no Dinky. "What did you do with Dinky?!" Twilight yells. "Oh she's just having fun." Discord says, pouring himself a cup of chocolate milk. "Where?!" Adrian shouts. I feel my anger well up. Discord... Thing might get a bit messy if you don't answer us now... Didja miss me? Fuck off Sombra. Meanie. I think I want to play with you again... Master M wants me to break you... Break?! Master? W- I feel a dark presence fill my body as I fall unconscious. I awake somewhere different. It's... a house? I look down at my hands. They were normal again. "Hello, Orpheus." I hear a voice speak. I turn to face the speaker. It's Princess Luna. "P-princess..." I mutter, bending onto one knee. "No need to treat me with formalities. I just sensed somepony was being plunged into darkness suddenly... Figured it might be you." She says. "What?" I ask. "My sister has informed me about Sombra's soul escaping." "So he's..." I look down. "Not quite. He's not in control yet. I'm keeping him at bay so far. Once you awaken, it's up to you to cast him aside." Luna says. "And Discord?" "Back in stone." Luna answers. "Good. So I just have to fight him?" I ask. "Yes. Silence falls on to us. "This is the place you lived in before?" Luna asks. I nod. "My room. It's where I'd go when I needed comfort. So many people would make fun of me." I say. "I see..." Luna says, turning towards me. "Do you wish to return to this place?" She suddenly asks. I shake my head. "Not really. It's nice and all... But being back here hurts." I say. The scene changes to ponyville. Ponies are walking around, smiling. "I know Adrian wishes to go back.... But he never had to experience the pain I had." I say. A memory began to play on a random cloud that had floated down. It was when I was in middle school... I was trying to get to class when... "Come on! SAY SOMETHING!" I turn away as I hear the smack of skin on skin. I turn around and the cloud vanishes. "I would get abuse from my peers just because I wasn't the same." I whispered. I shake my head. "No more. I'm respected here... atleast." I mutter. Luna looks sorrowfully at me. She opens her mouth, then closes it a second later. A long silence is cast again in the air. "What about the one you call your brother?" Luna asks, shattering the spell. "He respected me, Of course. But now... All he wants is to go home." I answer. I suspect that Tartarus plays a roll in this. Luna falls on one leg and winces. Darkness covers the scenery. "S-sombra's... He's breaking the shield... Hurry!" Luna says, vanishing into blackness. I feel myself loosing consciousness. "N-no... you won't hurt anyone again..." I mutter. His dark laugh echoes. "Not anymore!" I shout. "Stop resisting Whelp!" "No! If I don't you'll hurt my friends! I know my brother might not care too much BUT I DO!" I shout. A rainbow soon flies through the darkness, lighting up. It swirled around the dark unicorn. "How'd they get the idea to use the elements?!" He shouts in pain. "I won't hurt anyone else with my foolishness... That means you must go!" I shout, swinging the harp that appeared in my hands. Sombra shattered like glass, releasing a light into the area. I smile and fall to the ground, exhausted. "Orphey!" I hear Pinkie shout. "Ngh..." I mutter. "Good! I just worked on Sombra..." I hear a voice say. I look up and see the ethereal forms of Celestia and Luna. "I'm... Sorry.." I cough. My throat feels like it's giving out... I hope it just means my body is recovering from chaos magic. "Rest now..." Luna says, her tone still full of sorrow. I open my mouth to use my Phoenix Wright training and object, but I just don't have the energy. I calmly close my eyes and relax, a smile clear on my face. What a trip down memory lane... Was my final thought as I fell asleep. My eyes flutter open. I'm laying on Twilight's couch. Where... I sit up and rub my head. "Good you're awake!" I hear Twilight sigh. "What.." I was interrupted by a coughing fit. "Don't speak. Your body is still adjusting to the element's magic." She says. What? "Your body doesn't react well to chaotic magic it seems. I was wondering why the spell was taking so long to wear off. The elements took away the spell so you should be able to talk again by tomorrow." Twilight explains, hoofing me a cup. I accept it and take a small sip. A rush of jasmine and honey fills my mouth. WOAH! I nearly spit out the tea in my surprise. What did the elements do to me?! "I forgot to mention... The elements repaired whatever you couldn't do. Doesn't mean that you've been turned back to human..." Twilight says. I don't care. I quickly leap onto her and lift her up in a hug. She seems startled for a second, then returns the embrace. "Thank you..." I rasp. "Take it easy I said!" She yells. I sheepishly put her down and smile. "Two more things... Uh.. We... couldn't find Dinky... No matter where we looked." Twilight says. D-dinky... "And... Thana-... no... Adrian heard what you told Luna while she was casting the spell... He... Ran off. I don't know where he went..." Twilight says. Adrian... What the hell are you thinking?! Wait, How did Luna even- Fuck it. Magic. I hear the tingle of magic and a cloth runs across my cheek. "Don't cry... It'll be ok." Twilight smiles. I shake my head. "I'm... Finding her..." I cough. "But-" Twilight yelps. Adrian is a big boy. He can take care of himself wherever he may be. Dinky... she's just a filly... I walk out the door and slam it shut, shutting Twilight up. I'll find you... I promise... With that final though, I run as fast as I can into the Everfree. A new hope burns in my heart... I will find you Dinky... And whatever you're planning and where ever you are, Messiah, Don't think I've forgotten about you. I whip my head around as the sound of crickets echoes. Shadows will be out on the prowl soon... That is, If they can get out of Tartarus. Not to mention the Everfree monsters... I spot a small cave nearby. I quickly rush over. "Agi!" I shout, letting a fireball soar down to the end of the cave. It illuminates the surroundings to a degree. It's clear. I wince a bit and cough. Right... I can control with my thoughts... I pick up a few branches and set then down in the dirt. Agi. I light the branches on fire and sigh. This... is going to be a long night... Dinky... Be ok... I look up at the stars. Luna must be supporting me tonight... It's truly beautiful... I yawn and close my eyes. A little sleep won't hurt... I move my hand in the way of my eyes. Damn you Celestia... you did that on purpose... "Orpheus!" I hear someone shout. I open them to see Twilight and her friends rushing over. Pinkie quickly glomps me, sobbing "I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOOOONNEEE!" She sobbed. "You had us all worried... I know you're worried about Dinky but we could have-" I push Pinkie off and hold up my hand. "I'm supposed to protect... Dinky..." I wince. I take a deep breath and shake off the pain. "I promised her...I'd always be there for her..." "Did you PINKIE PROMISE?!" Pinkie asks. I nod. Pinkie jumps back and gasps. "He HAS to do this girls!" She yelps. "But-" Rainbow interjected. "IT'S A PINKIE PROMISE!" Pinkie shrieks. "Pink-" Twilight starts to say. "PINKIE PROMISE TWI!" Pinkie stopped her. "If he doesn't do this. He'll break his Promise." Rarity says. I can see her shuddering a bit. "We all remember when Rarity broke that one promise..." Applejack says. Everypony but Twilight and me shudder. Must have been terrifying if Applejack's Pinkie Promise was anything to go by... I feel a small shiver run down my spine. "When was that?" Twilight asks. "Before you came to town... I made a Pinkie Promise to come to one of Pinkie's party... And instead I went to a business meeting..." Rarity starts. "The town ended up covered in frosting after that." Rainbow finishes. "Oh... My..." Twilight said. Oh my indeed Twi... "Well, Back on to the real reason we're here..." Twilight said, snapping out of her state. Gladly. "What I'm trying to say is we'll help you." Twilight offers. I shake my head. "Why not?" "Because... I need to do this alone..." I end with a cough. Twilight looks at her friends. I could see Pinkie, Rarity and AJ had made up their minds. Twilight sighs. "If... That's what you want... Just... Promise me that you'll be careful." Twilight looks up to me, eyes brimming with tears. "I'll do one better." I say. I do the motions of a Pinkie Promise. Twilight leaps onto me, wrapping her hooves around my neck. "Please! Come back safely..." She says. I nod. She leaps off and walks away a bit before running off in tears. "Twilight!" Pinkie cries, running after her. The rest of the mares run off, except Dash. There's a long silence between us. "I'm coming with you." She finally says. "Are... you sure?" I say, coughing a little. Rainbow nods. I nod back. She flies over and stomps out the smoldering remains of my fire. "Well, We better get going if we want to find Dinky." RD says, smiling. I nod and smile back. Don't worry... I'll- No, We'll find you Dinky... I'll at least find you even if it kills me. I'll walk alone no longer.