"Whats the plan?" Vinyl asked while a nurse changed out Spike's bandages. A full team had taken it upon themselves to remove the first set and perform proper care on his eye, removing it and cleaning out the socket. As for the burned flesh...Science and Magic could only do so much.
The nurse held open his 'eye' and reached for a swab, dipping it in a cleaning solution and running it along the socket. Next she placed a cotton-ball inside and let go of what remained of his eyelids, quickly replacing the bandages.
"Thank you." he mumbled, pulling up the hood of his jacket. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small paper, passing it to Vinyl.
"As I asked each of you to do, she chose someone to take her place. Someone worthy of the title of Knight of the Titans." he said softly. Vinyl blinked as she stared at the letter.
"I uh...wow. I was expecting a chick. How are we gonna recruit this guy though?" she wondered.
"We be honest with him. We hold nothing back and explain the situation and whats at risk." Spike answered. Vinyl sighed as she continued to read.
"Barnaby Macintosh Apple. One Hundred Percent Pure-blooded Titan in human form huh? I think she might've just had the hots for the guy. I mean, I know the facts. Supposedly the whole Apple family line comes from big bad Terra herself."
"I only hope he accepts." Spike sighed, fussing with his bandages.
"What do we tell the girls? What are we going to do about their School?" Rarity continued to whine and worry. Rainbow sat in a corner hugging her knees to her chest and ignoring any and all attempts at comforting her.
"As heartless as it sounds...we've got bigger problems." Applejack sighed, glancing at Twilight who had finally given up on getting through to Rainbow. The Magian huffed as she took a seat at Celestia's conference table, the Princess herself in the infirmary tending to her sister.
"Whats th' plan?" Applejack asked Twilight, the Magian blinking.
"W-Why are you asking me?"
"Cause you're the leader miss leaderpants!" Pinkie answered with a wink.
"Pinkie has a point. When things have been at their worse it's been you thats kept a level head and pushed us forward darling. We need you." Rarity added, hands fidgeting and the woman obviously still concerned about giving the bad news to Sweetie Belle and her friends.
Twilight looked between her friends, seeing the hope in their eyes as well as sadness. But there was determination there as well, a determination to do what had to be done. With a shuddering breath she pulled the scroll from her belt and spread it out over the table.
"The new plan, is the old plan. We're going to save Fluttershy, seal away Discord, and make things right. But I'm going to need all of you...that means you Rainbow." Twilight called over her shoulder. The Skyborn glanced over at her, Twilight wearing a smile and awaiting her reply.
"How the heck are we suppose to save her?" Rainbow muttered. Angel held up his hand, his chains jangling against one another.
"We just gotta get in her head and drag her out. If you can hold her still long enough, I can do it. But uh...Someones gonna have to go in with me. Someone she cares about." he nodded his head towards Rainbow Dash.
"Huh? Me? Why me?!" Rainbow demanded. Angel gave her a flat look and sighed.
"I don't see anyone else here who managed to get that girl in be-OOF" he grunted as Rainbow tackled him
"You.Shut up.Right now!" she yelled, doing her best to strangle the bunny through the collar around his neck. Rarity and Twilight sighed, snatching the Skyborn in their magic and prying the two apart.
"Angel has a point Rainbow. You have the closest relationship with Fluttershy. Her subconscious HAS to listen to you. And if it works we'll be able to save her." Twilight said softly. Rainbow glanced at her and sighed, turning back to Angel.
"Fine...but no tricks bunny boy or I swear to Celestia I'll..."
"You'll what, Rainbow Dash?" Celestia herself asked as she entered the room. Rainbow chuckled nervously and cleared her throat. Angel however smiled and waved to the Princess.
"I think they are just about ready Princess." he said as he held up his arms. A flick of Celestia's wrist and the chains fell.
"And so am I."
"Everything is coming together nicely." Discord murmured as he marched in circles, Fluttershy standing beside his throne with a dead stare.
"The Elements will come for me and all of this can come to an end. Or rather it can all begin. Chaos is such a fickle thing" he sighed as he sat in his throne. So many years of careful planning and manipulation would finally come to fruition this day. He smiled and snapped his fingers, the figures in the shadows of his throne room making themselves scarce.
They would take no place in the battle to come. No...their place was the war that would take place afterwards.
Luna's eyes slowly opened to reveal several of her guards surrounding her and Trixie in a nearby chair. The moment the Princess awoke her student was at her side.
"Mistress! Are you alright? Sorry, stupid question. C-can Trixie fetch anything for you?" the young magician grasped the Princess' hand in both of hers, putting on a weary smile.
Just how long has she awaited my revival? Luna wondered, glancing at one of her guards who merely smirked before returning to formation.
"Calm thyself my apprentice. I am not as badly injured as they make me out to be. A spike of Chaos to the brain, not a deadly dosage, but enough to put me out of fighting condition. I was careless and it could've cost me dearly. But it didn't. Why?" she sighed as she sat up, surprised when Trixie provided her with a glass of water before she could even request one.
With a smile she accepted the glass, soothing the ache in her dry throat and letting her thoughts wander. She had given her battle with Discord everything she could and more. He had obviously been holding back, that much had been clear during the fighting.
That one punch could've been the end of it all. He wouldn't even need to focus the chaos to do it. Just letting it roam free within my mind would've been enough. He would've had to use a concentrated dose of chaos to simply knock me out and spare me. Why would he make it more difficult? or for that matter, why would he spare me?
"You seem troubled Mistress..." Trixie noted softly. Luna nodded, placing a hand over Trixie's.
"I am very troubled my Apprentice. All things considered that battle should've been where my life ended. But here I am"
"Because you are strong Mistress!" Trixie argued.
"I would like to believe that. But the truth is that Discord could've easily done away with me if he so chose to. But he didn't. Even a Chaotician has reasons for what they do. They may not make any sense or even be related to the task at hand, but they have a reason nonetheless." she smiled for a moment, watching her student absorb her every word
"The question here is, why would he spare me when it would've been easier to kill me?" Luna asked. Trixie pondered the question for a few moments, a hand against her chin and a few bells on her hat jingling.
"Perhaps he needs you alive for his plans?" Trixie suggested. Luna smiled, giving Trixie's hand a squeeze.
"An excellent theory. Now we just have to figure out what those plans are."
"Ah'm mighty sorry 'bout all th' trouble they caused" Big Macintosh apologized to a group of nurses while Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stood behind him with their heads hanging low.
"We're sorry' they apologized once more. Nurse Redheart only sighed and shook her head.
"It's alright. Children will be children. Though I have to say I haven't seen any children quite as..." she paused and glanced at the destruction the trio had caused. One by running at full speed with her Runes at full glow, another carrying her friend on her back as she sped through the hospital with quick bursts from her wings and the last one panicking and moving things out of their way with her magic.
"...I believe 'talented' is the word I am looking for here." she chuckled. The three girls giggled amongst themselves, at least until Macintosh glanced at them, effectively silencing all three.
There had been no anger, not even a talking to or a scowl. Just a simple shifting of his eyes in their direction. The thing about Big Macintosh was, he didn't talk much, but if he did, you had better listen.
"Maybe ah can put their talents t' good use on th' farm. Got some extra work needs doin'. Ya'll think all of em are healthy 'nough fer it?" he asked with a small smile. The three girls groaned, earning a giggle from Redheart.
"I believe they are more than capable, just as long as they have someone keeping a good eye on them. Take it a little easy on them though, from what I can gather they were only looking for their respective guardians and family."
"They ain't here?" Macintosh asked, his brows furrowing. Redheart blinked and checked over her clipboard
"No. They checked out quite some time ago. No one really realized with all the chaos going on around here. Did they not go home?" she asked. Big Mac sighed, the air practically rumbling around him.
"Thank ya fer yer time Miss Redheart." was all he said, turning on his heel and marching out of the hospital with the girls following behind him. Curiosity got the best of Scootaloo, the young flier racing in front of Macintosh and marching backwards as she looked up at him.
"Hey Big Mac, do you know where Rainbow is?" she asked with hope in her eyes.
"Or Applejack?" Applebloom tossed in
"W-what about Rarity?" Sweetie Belle said, still a bit panicky.
"Ah reckon the whole lot of em are in th' middle o' some serious business with th' Princess'. But that ain't much o' yer business." Big Macintosh rumbled, keeping his eyes forward.
The girls murmured amongst themselves as Big Mac led them to Sweet Apple Acres, though standing at the gate waiting for him was someone he didn't expect. Spike smiled and waved his arm back and forth in the air.
"Hey, whats up?" he asked as they reached the gate.
"Spike! You know where Rainbow is right?" Scootaloo asked as she grabbed him by his lime green shirt.
"Uh...not really. They kinda hopped on a train and Twilight told me to hold down the fort, well Library anyway." Spike chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head. Macintosh glanced at him for a moment before turning to the girls.
"Why don't th' three o' ya'll go ahead t' th' house an ask Granny if she needs any help cookin'? Ah gotta talk t' Spike 'bout somethin'" he said as softly as he could. Applebloom gulped, patting Spikes shoulder as she passed by him, dragging her friends away from what would be one of Big Mac's famous little talks.
She just hoped Spike came out of it okay. The Gaian waited until the girls were well and clear out of his sight and hearing before turning his attention back to Spike.
"Ya'll can tell yer friend t' stop hidin'" he pointed to one of the trees, Vinyl letting out a sigh and dropping from it silently, her cloak of shadow fading to reveal her standing in her armor.
"So I guess Cheerilee wasn't just obsessed with you." Vinyl chuckled.
"Ah'd appreciate it if ya'll didn't use yer magic 'round here." he continued, ignoring the Magians observation. Vinyl glanced at Spike who simply nodded, the illusion around him fading and revealing the bandages over his eye.
"Alright, you've got us figured out and you probably know why we're here." Spike said, dropping the act.
"And ya'll probably know my answer, so we're done here. Ya already took my sister into yer craziness an ya got a good woman killed with this secret society o' yers. My sister ain't had no choice in th' matter o' course. Th Elements chose her an her friends. But ah got a farm an family t' tend t', so take yer business someplace else." Big Macintosh crossed his arms, Vinyl taking a step back and crouching just slightly.
"I have one question." Spike said softly, holding up a finger.
"Shoot."
"How did you know Cheerilee was dead?" Spike asked. Vinyl blinked and glanced between Spike and Big Mac. The giant chuckled softly and sighed, looking up at his trees.
"Most people are blind t' th' world 'round em. They think trees are jus' trees. Ain't nobody realized jus' how important they are." he smiled for a moment before turning his gaze back to the pair of knights.
"Yer friend was a Gaian, born o' th' earth an o' th' Titans. When our time comes we return t' th' earth an t' th' Titans who created us. If ya listen carefully, sometimes they can be heard." he said softly, closing his eyes for a moment, his runes in full glow and causing Spike to squint his good eye.
"Apparently ya'll owe her five bucks Miss Scratch." Macintosh chuckled as he walked past the pair. Vinyl stared as the giant continued to walk away.
"So uh...he can talk to dead Gaians? Geez, I thought I had a cool power." Vinyl grumbled
"She did say he was pretty much a Titan in human form...maybe its true?" Spike wondered
"In any case, what are we gonna do now? He was our best bet and I don't see a plan B." Vinyl pointed out. Spike crossed his arms and let his thoughts wander, Vinyl falling silent beside him.
"I suppose all we can do is wait until he's ready." he shrugged, walking away from the farm. Vinyl rolled her eyes and followed after him.
"Sometimes I wonder what its like inside that head of yours boss."
Angel stood before a brick wall, taking a slow breath and glancing over his shoulder at the remaining Element bearers
We're coming to save you Shy... he thought with a smile. He leaned towards the wall, rapping his knuckles across several bricks as he hummed
"Shave and a hair-cut...two-bits" before taking a step back, the wall splitting down the middle and sliding open.
"Just through here is my fathers Castle. He is probably expecting us or even watching us right now, so everyone be on your guard" Angel warned. The girls nodded, each calling out to their respective Element as they stepped through the doorway, only to find themselves in a large darkened room. Angel swore under his breath and snapped his fingers, the room filling with light. Discord stood in front of them with his hands tucked into his lab coat pockets, a smile touching his lips
"So you came after all. Forgive me for skipping all the traps and whatnot, I'm on a rather important deadline. I'm sure you don't mind though. Now then..." he turned his gaze to Angel, the beastkin gritting his teeth as Fluttershy appeared beside Discord, her wings spread wide and her lifeless eyes gazing at the floor.
"Let her go!" Angel yelled, clenching his fists. Behind him, Twilight nodded to Applejack who slowly grabbed hold of her lasso, Rainbow getting ready beside her. Pinkie Pie drew her swords as quietly as possible, each of them holding their breath as they prepared to put their plan to the test.
"If thats what you want" Discord shrugged, snapping his fingers. Fluttershy's eyes widened for a moment, the Skyborn drawing her sword as her armor appeared around her, cracked and dulled with chaos surrounding her. Angel shifted his stance, stepping to the side as Fluttershy leapt for him.
"NOW!" He yelled as he tumbled backwards. Applejack twirled her lasso, tossing it as Fluttershy turned to chase after Angel and catching the Skyborn by the waist, tightening the rope around her and latching her arms to her sides. With a quick tug on the rope she pulled Fluttershy to her, throwing her arms around the girl and holding her in place.
"Hurry up!" Applejack yelled, wincing as the Chaos from Fluttershy's armor started to chip away at her own.
"No you don't!" Discord stepped forward, blinking as Pinkie Pie stood before him, twirling her swords as her hair deflated slowly. The Chaotician grinned, taking a small step back, watching as the baker widened her stance, the light leaving her eyes and a few cracks showing in her armor.
Discord pulled his hands from his pockets as Pinkie rushed at him, blocking her swords with the sides of his hands. The baker grit her teeth, flipping a blade around in her hand and leaping into the air, smashing her knee across his cheek and causing him to stumble a bit. He rubbed his cheek and smiled as he glanced at Pinkie once more.
"Of course...You're little Pinkie Pie aren't you?! Oh Wonderful! This should be exciting!" he laughed, chaos surrounding him as he stepped to the side to avoid another kick, smacking his palm into her back and sending her tumbling through the air.
Pinkie dug her blades into the air, Chaos helping her to right herself before she slammed into a wall. She glanced over at her friends, seeing Angel standing in front of Fluttershy and grabbing hold of her shoulders.
Twilight and Rarity stood on either side of them, surrounding Angel, Rainbow, and Fluttershy in their Magic while Applejack kept the Skyborn still. Pinkie let a smirk touch her lips as she rolled out of the way of Discords attack.
She panted slightly, watching as he pulled his hand from the wall. She readied herself for the next attack, knowing she only had to keep him busy long enough for them to free Fluttershy, but she had no idea how much longer her armor would hold out against the Chaos.
Discord stood upright, marching towards her slowly. Had he realized she was running on borrowed time? She grit her teeth and marched forward, refusing to back down and flourishing her blades, gasping as he smacked one away and gripping her remaining sword in both hands.
"Come now my dear, do you really want to fight me? I mean...we're family after all, aren't we?" he asked sweetly. She glared up at him and shook her head.
"No,No,No,No,No! Family takes care of each other and loves each other. You hurt your own family and other families for your own stupid reasons!" she yelled.
she gasped as she managed to just barely duck under his hand, lunging forward and burying her shoulder into his gut, tackling him to the ground and roaring as she smashed her fist across his face, gritting her teeth as he caught her next punch. She winced as her armor cracked and split apart, smashing her head forward into his, panting slightly as her vision started to blur.
Hurry up girls...
Applejack grit her teeth, keeping a tight hold of Fluttershy, despite the sting of Chaos seeping into the cracks of her armor and sinking into her skin.
"Alright, we gotta be quick about this." Angel placed his hands on either side of Fluttershys head and nodded to Rainbow. The Skyborn groaned and leaned forward as Angel's hands began to glow. With an apology whispered under her breath she pressed her lips gently against Fluttershy's.
when she opened her eyes she found herself standing in a place she recognized. Or at least thought she did. Beside her stood Angel, the two surrounded by Fluttershy's worst fears and regrets deep within her mind. Sitting before them was Fluttershy herself, hugging her knees to her chest and bound to the ground by ethereal chains.
"Shy!" Rainbow called out, rushing to her side. Fluttershy looked at her friend, her eyes widening
"R-Rainbow Dash?! W-What are you doing here?! Oh no...d-don't tell me I killed you too...OH Rainbow, I'm so sorry..."
"What? Killed me? Pfft, C'mon Shy. You aren't exactly the toughest girl around." Rainbow joked. She shook herself and knelt beside her friend, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Look Shy, we need you. I dunno how long this connection we've got is gonna last. You've gotta break outta here." Rainbow told her, looking into her eyes.
"I...I can't Rainbow. I can't go back out there after what I've done..."
"Sis, we don't have a lotta time to argue." Angel spoke up, his body shaking and blood dripping down from his nose.
"A-Angel?!" Fluttershy gasped, trying to rush to him and collapsing against the tug of her chains.
"All of your friends are waiting for you...They need you Sis. If you don't get out of here with Rainbow then all of them are probably gonna die." Angel said softly.
"I can't..."
"YES YOU CAN!" Rainbow yelled, lowering her head.
"All that time I acted so tough around you Shy...I was just trying to impress you. You have this crazy strength to just keep going no matter what happens. No matter how badly someone treats you or how bad things seem, you always seemed to just shrug it off and keep going...I wanted to be tough like that" Rainbow admitted. Fluttershy lowered her head and took a slow breath.
"I-I'll go with you...b-but afterwards...you need to lock me away."
"Lock you away?! What the heck are you..." Rainbow blinked as Fluttershy put a finger against her lips.
"I'm a monster. I've done so many terrible things and hurt so many people...I don't deserve you as a friend Rainbow...B-But I do owe you and the girls. So after everything is said and done...You have to haul me away to be put away so I can't hurt anyone else."
"Shy...thats the stupidest thing I ever...!"
"Promise me..." Fluttershy whispered, gripping at her chains.
"But..."
"PROMISE ME!" Fluttershy screamed, the realm around them shaking and her chains thrashing about. Rainbow gritted her teeth, tears stinging her eyes as she spoke.
"I promise..." She whispered. The chains binding Fluttershy within her mind snapped, Rainbow gasping as she found herself being held by Twilight, the world spinning around her. Fluttershy took a step forward, drawing her sword and patting Angels shoulder.
The beastkin followed beside her, the two marching towards Discord and Pinkie Pie. The baker smiled in relief, gasping as Discord grabbed her by the throat.
"Put her down!" Fluttershy screamed, pointing her sword at her father. Discord glanced over his shoulder, rolling his eyes as Angel crossed his arms.
"Why choose now of all times to stab me in the back?"
"Your charm kept me from changing old man. You broke Shy's brain and that broke the charm. I would've tried earlier but uh...not much you can really do while trapped in the body of a bunny." he shrugged, wiping a bit of blood from his nose. Discord huffed, chucking Pinkie Pie aside, the baker rolling across the ground and caught by Applejack before she could slam into another pillar.
"She's out cold..." Applejack sighed.
"Rainbows out too. I really hope the two of them can do this..." Twilight said as she set Rainbow down, pulling the scroll from her belt.
"Twilight, take the girls and run. We'll buy you enough time to prepare your spell" Fluttershy said softly, raising her sword. Angel glanced over his shoulder at her, giving her a thumbs up.
They want us to run...Fluttershy knows about the spell? T-Then...They all knew...the entire time, Discord knows about the spell! Twilights eyes widened.
"We won't leave you behind!" she yelled, reaching out towards her only to have a barrier of chaos shock her hand.
"This is my fight now Twilight. You have to be ready for yours" Fluttershy said under her breath. Twilight grit her teeth, surrounding herself and her friends in her magic and teleporting away.
Discord watched them from the corner of his eye, turning his attention back to his current opponents.
"Like Father, like children. Though you said so yourself...all you can do is buy her a bit of time. And then what my child?" he asked, holding out his left arm, his bones crunching loudly as it morphed into a monstrous limb complete with claws and surrounded in a thick layer of chaos.
"Are your friends worth your life?"