Theme Song: A World Without Danger
15: Fluttershy's Life
“Thank you for coming, Miss Dostoevskaia,” Principal Celestia said in her office.
“Of course, Principal Celestia. Whatever seems to be problem?” Rarity asked.
“I… was hoping you could answer that question for me,” Celestia said, looking at the student sitting across her desk in confusion. Normally, Rarity was the epitome of class. Her outfits were designed to accentuate her figure in a tasteful manner, and complimented her purple hair and fair skin.
The girl sitting before her was not the Rarity Celestia knew. She wore an extremely sexy black top that was just tasteful, extremely short black mini skirt, fishnet stocking, black high heeled boots, and leather gloves. She wore purple lipstick, dark sapphire blue eye shadow, and she had a white highlight in her hair. The way she was sitting was off too. She sat back in the chair with legs crossed, arms resting on the arm rests almost like a throne, and she was chewing gum.
“You're teachers have brought to my attention that your conduct as of late has been rather… questionable.”
“Oh?” Rarity asked, “What have they been saying?” Rarity asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Just that you've been somewhat difficult,” Celestia said, “And that you've missed a number of classes.”
“I haven't been feeling well,” Rarity said, adjusting which leg was crossed, “Bad headaches, probably stress.”
Celestia pursed her lips, “Be that as it may, talking back to your teachers is-”
“I'm sorry, Principal. You see, I'm actually on my period. That combined with how stressed I am has made me short with some people. You understand how bad that can be, dah?”
“Yes, I know. Being a young woman isn't easy,” Celestia leaned forward on her desk, “Rarity, I'll admit. I'm concerned about you.”
“Concerned?” Rarity asked, “Why?”
“Well, for one thing, the way you've begun presenting yourself in school. It's such a change.”
“I decided to try something new,” Rarity brushed it off, “I'm not breaking dress code, right?”
Honestly, she was technically. That top showed far too much cleavage, and Celestia could see her entire leg almost. She wanted to say something, but the way Rarity was looking right at her, chewing her gum, it was almost daring her.
“I suppose your outfit follows the guidelines, barely though,” Celestia said with a sigh, “I'll let you off with a warning this time, Rarity, but try not to miss too much class anymore, okay?”
Rarity sighed in aggravation, “Dah,” she said getting up, “Can I go now?
“Yes,” Celestia said, “Please head to class.”
Rarity turned and walked out of the office. Celestia leaned back in her chair, trying to piece what she saw together. There was definitely something wrong with Rarity, and if it was what Celestia thought it was, there might not be much that could be done for her.
“Twilight… I wish I had good news for you,” she said to herself, looking at her laptop, forming her next email in her head. She needed to figure out exactly what she was going to tell her young protege, who's mental state was fragile enough as it was. If she knew the truth about her friend…
That she might not be able to save her…
When she left the Principal's office, Rarity turned the closed door and flipped Celestia the finger.
“Piz`da,” Rarity said to herself before walking in the opposite direction of her next class. The only class she enjoyed now was fencing, and she didn't have that today. Besides, there was actually something else she was supposed to be doing. What she needed to be doing was searching for-
“Ahh!” Rarity screamed as someone bumped into her.
“Watch where you're going,” Trixie fussed, “And why are you-”
“Watch where I'm going?!” Rarity shouted glaring at Trixie, “You were one who bumped into me?!”
“Trixie was in deep thought,” Trixie said, “She is a genius, and can at times-”
“Oh would you SHUT UP YOU SELF ABSORBED BRAT?!!!” Rarity shouted. Trixie stopped talking immediately, and just looked at Rarity in shock.
“Um… Excuse me…?”
“You think you run entire school?! Like everyone here is supposed to make way for you?! If you'd pull your head out of your ass you'd actually notice that no one cares!” Rarity leaned in real close to Trixie and narrowed her eyes, “I'm queen of this school, and if you get in my way again I will ruin you, understand?”
“Yes! Yes! Trixie understands!” Trixie said nodding furiously. Rarity put a finger of Trixie's forehead and pushed it back, and sauntered out of the school. Trixie took a few deep breaths before running off in tears. None of them noticed Applejack watching them. She frowned and ran after Rarity.
“Rares, wait up!” Applejack called out. Rarity stopped and turned to Applejack with a suggestive smile.
“Ooh, AJ. Just who I wanted to see,” Rarity said.
“Rares, we need ta talk,” Applejack said seriously.
“Mmm, I don't want to talk,” Rarity said sauntering closer to Applejack, “But there is something I do want to do.”
Rarity grabbed Applejack's shirt and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Normally, Applejack would have loved this, as she was hoping she and Rarity could be more public with their relationship for a while, but this felt different. It felt wrong.
Which was why Applejack lightly pushed Rarity off of her.
“Rares, Ah'm serious,” Applejack said sternly.
“So am I,” Rarity said lustfully, her breathing picking up before she went in for another kiss. After a second, Applejack was able to push her back again and looked right into her eyes.
“Rares, yer outta control!” Applejack said sternly, “Ah saw how ya blew up on Trixie jus' now. What's wrong with ya?”
“Nothing is wrong with me,” Rarity said irritably, “Except being a little tired of people asking me that. First Principal Celestia, and now my own girlfriend.”
“Well, look at yerself,” Applejack said, “Dressin all provocative like, yellin at people fer no reason, you've always been short tempered, but lately it's like yer becomin someone completely different. Ah'm… worried about ya is all. Ever since the scyphozoa finished its upload...”
“You don't think… I'm still with XANA do you?” Rarity asked, sounding genuinely hurt.
“Rares...”
“You said that you trust me!” Rarity fussed, “That wasn't lie, was it?!”
“O-of course not!” Applejack said, “Ah trust ya… really… It's jus...”
“Just what?!” Rarity asked, “Just I attack you on Lyoko and now you think I'm evil, right?!” she turned around burying her face in her hands, “I feel horrible enough as it is! Why are you reminding me of what I did?! Why do you hate me so much?!”
“Rares, listen ta me,” Applejack wrapped her arms around her from behind, “Ah'm sorry, alright? Ah didn't mean ta hurt yer feelins. Ah'm jus scared, fer you, okay? Ah don't think yer evil.”
“You promise to believe in me no matter what?” Rarity asked.
“Without question,” Applejack said tightening her embrace.
“Good,” Rarity said leaning into Applejack's embrace, “I love you Applejack.”
“Ah love ya too, Rarity,” Applejack said, “Now, why don't ya come back ta class. Since we don't have fencin, after school we can go to a movie or somethin.”
“Movie sounds nice,” Rarity said, “But I'm getting headache. I need to go for walk.”
Applejack didn't look convinced, but she sighed nodding, “Alright. Ah'll text ya when Ah'm ready fer the movie, alright? Yer pick, my treat.”
“You are wonderful to me,” Rarity kissed Applejack and walked off. Applejack placed her hands on her hips shaking her head. Something was really wrong with her, and she was going to get to the bottom of it.
Fluttershy hated feeling like this. The sense of not knowing. She had been the first one to look into Rarity's eyes after she had been taken over by XANA. She had expected Rarity to be like a specter: demonic, possessed, and just monstrous. What she saw on Lyoko wasn't anything like she expected. She was still Rarity, just… evil.
And since they had used Return to the Past, she wasn't sure if they could trust Rarity.
She hadn't done anything to them to make them suspicious, but would get upset if anyone actually showed signs of being suspicious. Dash was the first one to interrogate Rarity, and she still wasn't convinced that she was on their side. Pinkie Pie was trying to be… well… Pinkie Pie about it, but even she couldn't hide how tense she got around the older girl.
Of course Applejack continuously vouched for her. That was her girlfriend though, so it was to be expected. Twilight hadn't spoken much about it to Fluttershy, but she could tell that Twilight felt really uncomfortable around Rarity now, who had suddenly begun clinging to her a bit.
It was so bad that Fluttershy could barely focus in class. She hated skipping class, but she just couldn't go into the classroom. She had asked Vice-Principal Luna if she could sit out the rest of her classes, and thankfully she understood. She was actually really nice, as long as you followed the rules of the school, something that Applejack either hadn't learned or just refused to acknowledge.
Yet Fluttershy had heard in passing that Applejack was her best friend.
Fluttershy didn't want to go back to her dorm room, so instead she decided to sit outside on a bench in the schoolyard. The spring breeze was nice and comforting, reminding her of why she preferred the real world to Lyoko. Her thoughts went back to Rarity, who she wanted to have faith in. Still, if what Twilight said was true, then…
“Oh Fluttershy, just who I was looking for.”
Fluttershy flinched slightly, looking behind her to see Rarity leaning on the bench from behind. The way she smiled at Fluttershy seemed to be normal.
“Rarity,” Fluttershy said, “This is a surprise. I was just thinking about you.”
Rarity sighed with a serious expression, “Let me guess, you think I'm still under XANA's control too, dah?”
“Oh no,” Fluttershy said waving her hands, “You say you're on our side, so I believe in you.”
Rarity smiled warmly, clearly touched, “Fluttershy…”
Fluttershy took Rarity's hand as she sat down next to her, and hugged her. This wasn't one of XANA's soldiers. This was her best friend, Rarity.
“So, what are you doing out here?” Fluttershy asked Rarity, who let her go and leaned forward resting her arms on her knees.
“I just finished talking to Principal Celestia,” Rarity said, “Someone else who thinks that I'm suddenly becoming some delinquent.”
“You're just stressed out, aren't you,” Fluttershy said putting her hand on Rarity's back, “We don't know what the scyphozoa did to you, so you're afraid, right?”
Rarity looked at Fluttershy, her eyes watering, “Dah...” Rarity said, “The idea that I could turn on you, and try to hurt you,” she buried her face in her hands breaking down, “I am horrible person, dah?”
“No, not at all,” Fluttershy said turning Rarity to face her and holding her hands, “Listen to me. What XANA made you do isn't your fault. Sure, you're a little short tempered, but you're a very nice and generous person, someone I'm proud to call my best friend.”
“Spasibo,” Rarity sobbed, “Ogromnoye spasibo… Fluttershy...”
“You're very welcome, Rarity,” Fluttershy said pulling her friend into another embrace, “If you're not going back to class, do you want to go for a walk?”
“Dah,” Rarity said nodding, “That sounds nice.”
Fluttershy and Rarity both got up and walked out of the school together, holding hands the entire time. It was nice, seeing such a sensitive side of Rarity. It made Fluttershy feel even closer to her.
Their walk seemed to bring them near the Everfree Mansion, which had become a place very important to them. They had found themselves here a number of times during XANA attacks, but Fluttershy had never really explored it too much.
“You know, its funny that we ended up here,” Rarity said, catching Fluttershy's attention.
“Oh? Why's that?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well, I was meaning to explore this place for a while,” Rarity said, “I think it might be connected to factory, and super computer.”
“You too?” Fluttershy asked, getting a nod from Rarity, “Ever since we found that the secret passage goes here too, I've been wondering if there was anything that would connect me to my past.”
“Does it seem… familiar to you?” Rarity asked.
“A little,” Fluttershy said, “I don't know why though. I've never been here before.”
“Why don't we go inside?” Rarity suggested.
“I don't know...” Fluttershy looked away concerned, “Without the others, it just doesn't feel right.”
“Anything we find we'll share with Twilight, how's that?” Rarity asked, “It will be fine, Fluttershy. I'm here with you, remember?”
“Right,” Fluttershy said taking a deep breath, “Let's go.”
The two girls ran to the gate, going into the mansion.
As per usual, the place was dusty and abandoned. Thankfully no homeless people had moved in, otherwise Rarity would have probably made a fuss. She did that enough as it was.
Fluttershy went upstairs, where Applejack had mentioned she and Luna found some really shocking things. Fluttershy had never gotten the chance to talk to Applejack about it, as the computer needed maintenance when she worked up the courage to talk to her. Maybe this was her chance to figure it out?
The two girls walked to what appeared to be a girl's bedroom. Being in that room filled Fluttershy with really odd emotions. Nostalgia… she had been here before.
“Rarity...” Fluttershy said, “Do we know who's room this is?”
“Nyet,” Rarity said, “Whoever lived here probably had a daughter though.”
They looked around the room. As she walked through it, Fluttershy's heart started racing for some reason. It was like the emotions were there, but the memory wasn't. All she knew was for some reason, being in this room made her want to cry.
“What is this place to me?” Fluttershy asked, her emotions building, “Who's room is this?”
“I… think it's yours Fluttershy?” Rarity said by the bookshelf.
“Mine?” Fluttershy asked, “That's not possible. Like I said, I've never been in this room before.”
“Well, that's not what this says,” Rarity said turning to Fluttershy. She was holding a picture in her hands. Fluttershy looked at the picture, and her mind went blank. In it was a family. An older man wearing a sweater, pants, and sunglasses, an older woman wearing a beautiful white dress,
And finally, Fluttershy saw herself.
“H-how…?” Fluttershy asked shaking her head, “This isn't possible… I'm… I'm a program on Lyoko!”
“Fluttershy-”
“NO!!!” Fluttershy screamed holding her head, “This has to be fake! It has to be! I'm not human! I'm NOT!!!”
She felt like she was trying to remember something, something very important. Whatever that something was though, she got scared and forced it back. It was like when she first saw the scyphozoa. That feeling of something horrible coming.
Rarity ran over to Fluttershy and embraced her, lightly shushing her.
“It's okay,” Rarity said softly, “You don't have to remember right now.”
“R-Rarity...” Fluttershy said leaning into her friends embrace as she tightened it.
“After all,” Rarity continued, “You won't need those memories once my master is finished with you and the others.”
Wait… what did Rarity say?
Fluttershy slowly backed out of the embrace and looked at Rarity, who's warm expression was replaced with a dark and sinister smile.
“Rarity? What are you- AHH!!!” Fluttershy screamed as Rarity turned her around and shoved her up against a wall, pinning her arm behind her.
“I can't believe how easy it was to get you alone,” Rarity said, “You are far too trusting, Fluttershy.”
“You are still with XANA, aren't you?” Fluttershy asked.
“Dah,” Rarity said with a giggle, “Master told me to bring you right to Lyoko, but I wanted to have fun with you first.”
Rarity reached behind a nearby shelf and pulled out a rope, which she used to bind Fluttershy's wrists behind her back. Once that was done, she turned Fluttershy back around to face her, and held her shoulders against the wall glaring dangerously at her.
“Before bringing you to Lyoko, I need to get some things out of my system,” Rarity seethed.
“W-what are you talking-” Fluttershy was cut off as Rarity slapped her in the face, knocking her to the floor.
“You know, XANA helped me realize how I truly feel about you,” Rarity said walking to Fluttershy's side, “Truth is, I do hate you. I hate your VOICE!” she kicked Fluttershy in the side, “I hate how TALENTED you are!” she kicked her again, harder this time, “I hate how EVERYONE in Canterlot High goes crazy over you! Like you're someone special!” she kicked her again, this time poor Fluttershy turned to lie on her side and started crying, “And you just love it, don't you?! Oooh, I bet you just thrive on the attention, attention that used to come to ME!” this time she kicked Fluttershy in the stomach, making her scream out in pain, “I USED TO BE ON TOP!!!! I USED TO BE THE ONE WHO TURNED HEADS!!!! I WAS THEIR QUEEN!!!!” Rarity picked Fluttershy up and shoved her against a wall hard, “But then you had to appear, and ruin everything! That was your plan the moment you came to our school, wasn't it?! WASN'T IT?!!!”
Fluttershy broke down completely, and looked right into Rarity's eyes.
“I'm sorry...” Fluttershy sobbed, “All I ever wanted was to be with Twilight… I didn't mean to hurt you, Rarity… Please forgive me…”
“Forgive you…?” Rarity asked stunned before gritting her teeth in rage, “FORGIVE YOU?!!!!! I just told you how much I hate you, and how I wish you'd just disappear, and you want me to forgive you?!” Rarity screamed in frustration, “You make me SICK!!!! Why are you so perfect?! Why are you so goddamn nice?!”
She threw Fluttershy back onto the floor, this time putting her foot right on her head holding her down.
“The only reason I don't kill you right now is because my master still wants to use you. Honestly, even that enrages me! Fluttershy this and Fluttershy that! It's all anyone ever talks about! Well, after my master is finished with you, I'm going to enjoy ripping you apart!” she grabbed Fluttershy's hair holding her head up a bit, “Pleasant dreams, “Your Highness”,” Rarity said before slamming Fluttershy's head onto the ground, causing her entire world to go black.
“Um, I'm sorry I missed your call… I hope it wasn't too important. If it was, then please leave a brief message and I'll get back to you soon. I promise.”
“Why won't you pick up?” Twilight asked, after calling Fluttershy's phone for the third time. She hadn't seen her or Rarity after class, and it was beginning to worry her. She was sitting in her room right now, waiting for Eos to get in touch with her. She was expecting an email.
What she got was a phone call.
“Hello?” Twilight answered.
“Twilight, it's me,” Eos said, “Can you find Rarity?”
“No, I can't,” Twilight said, “And I can't reach Fluttershy either. She's not answering her phone.”
“That's troubling,” Eos said. Twilight's door opened, and she saw Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack run into the room.
“We searched the entire campus,” Dash said, “No sign of either of them.”
“Lulu said she'd ask around,” Pinkie Pie said, “After that she's going to search in her car.”
“Good,” Twilight said, noticing the look of sheer worry on Applejack's face, “Eos, everyone else is here.”
“Good, can you put me on speaker?” Eos requested. Twilight hooked her phone to her computer, so Eos' voice could come out of the speakers.
“Okay, you're set up,” Twilight said.
“Can all of you hear me?” Eos asked.
“Ooh, this is the first time I get to talk to you, Eos,” Pinkie Pie said, “You sound really cool.”
“Well thank you, Pinkie Pie,” Eos said, “But we can all get to know one another at another time. Twilight has shared with me a lot concerning your friend Rarity, and I'm afraid I don't have good news.”
“So, ya know what that jellyfish did ta her?” Applejack asked.
“Yes, I am certain of it,” Eos said, “What XANA did wasn't a mere virus. Based on the symptoms Twilight shared, and my own personal observation, I can confirm that XANA has completely corrupted your friend.”
“Corrupted?” Dash asked, “Okay, I know a bit about computers now, but I still don't get what you mean.”
“What I mean is that she is not merely being possessed by XANA's monsters like a specter,” Eos continued, “For all intents and purposes, that is Rarity, but she has been converted into one of XANA's soldiers. She is fully aware of what she's doing, and is in complete control of herself, but what she wants has been altered.
Pinkie Pie wilted, “So… she isn't our friend anymore?”
Eos sighed, “I'm sorry, Pinkie Pie… but no. She belongs to XANA now.”
“Eos, there has to be something we can do,” Twilight said, “Rarity has been one of us for almost an entire year now. She's saved us, and we saved her in turn. She's a Lyoko Warrior.”
“I've seen what happens when someone is corrupted by XANA,” Eos said sadly, “Once the initial corruption starts, it grows in strength as their new self settles in. Its so much that their form on Lyoko shifts to match their new persona. Once that happens, any measures to save them would be extreme at best.”
“How extreme we talking?” Dash asked, “Like, diving into Sector 5 and getting special file extreme, or “we gotta take her out” extreme?”
Eos was silent for a few seconds before she spoke again, “The only way would be to seal her Lyoko form, effectively severing her connection to the super computer. Doing that would immediately return Rarity to her former self, but at a price.”
“She wouldn't be able to enter Lyoko again?” Twilight asked.
“Not just that,” Eos said, “She would lose all memories concerning Lyoko. This would include her memories of the computer itself, any events concerning it, and anyone she met because of Lyoko.”
That hit everyone hard. Truth was, she became their friend because of the super computer. If she lost her memories of the computer, she'd forget all of them.
Rainbow Dash…
Twilight…
Pinkie Pie…
Fluttershy…
And Applejack…
Everyone was silent, taking that news in. Poor Applejack walked over to her bed and sat down, her expression unreadable. Pinkie Pie sat down next to her taking her hand and caressing it.
“There's another way, right?” Twilight asked, “We don't want to lose Rarity.”
“If there is, I never found it,” Eos said somberly, “Believe me, I wish I could have done something myself… If there was another way, I would have taken it, but…”
“What the hell?!” Dash shouted, “We can't lose Rarity! She's too important to the team!”
“Not just because of how she fights,” Pinkie Pie added, “But she's valuable to us, especially Applejack.”
“Eos...” Applejack said turning to the computer, “Please help us find another way… Ah can't live without Rares… Ah love her…”
“Applejack...” Eos began, “I… I wish I could do more… I will try and help you save her, but… you must be prepared. If you truly love her like you say, then you'll do whatever you have to do to rescue her.”
With that, Eos hung up, leaving the four girls with mixed feelings. Before anyone could say anything, Twilight's phone rang again, this time showing Rarity's number. Everyone looked at one another briefly before Twilight slowly answered her phone.
“Hello?” Twilight asked.
“Hello darling,” Rarity said, “You sound so tense. Is everything okay?”
“Rarity, we know,” Twilight said, “You're work for XANA now, don't you?”
Rarity sighed, “Well, I already outed myself to Fluttershy, so there's no point in hiding it anymore.”
“Where is Fluttershy?” Dash asked, “If you hurt her I'll-”
“You'll what, Rainbow Dash? Kill me? That's not very friendly, now is it?” Rarity asked tauntingly.
“Rares, please tell me that it ain't true,” Applejack pleaded walking up to the computer, “Please tell me that yer not really one of XANA's soldiers now.”
“AJ, I...” Rarity said before shaking it off, “Come to factory. Truth is, I only need Twilight, but I know all of you will come with her.”
“Damn right we will!” Dash said, “And when we get there-”
“You'll do nothing,” Rarity said, “Otherwise, I'll run Fluttershy through with my blade, killing her.”
“Rarity, please don't!” Twilight begged, “I don't want you to be our enemy! Please come back to us!”
“Why? So you can all ignore me in favor of her?” Rarity asked, “Nyet, I will not come back. I'll be waiting for you.” Rarity hung up her phone.
“Are we going?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Yes, we're goin,” Applejack said, “Ah know Ah'm goin.”
“We're all going,” Dash said, “Twilight, call Lulu and tell her to come to the factory too. I think we're going to need everyone for this.”
“Agreed,” Twilight said getting up and turning to Applejack, “We have to save Fluttershy first. We'll figure out what to do concerning Rarity afterward, okay?”
“Yeah, got it,” Applejack said. The four girls ran out of the school and to the factory, heading right to the secret passage.
“Hey,” Rarity said lightly slapping Fluttershy's face to wake her up, “Wake up.”
“Mmm...” Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked around. They were now in the computer room, and she was sitting on the floor against a wall. Her wrists were still tied behind her, but she also now had another rope wrapped around her arms and waist.
“You know how to make computer work, right?” Rarity asked.
“I do...” Fluttershy said somberly.
“Show me how to go into Lyoko,” Rarity demanded, but Fluttershy just looked down in sadness, “That wasn't a request!”
“I'm not helping you help XANA,” Fluttershy said.
“You can't delay this,” Rarity said reaching behind her and pulling out something that terrified Fluttershy.
A gun.
“W-where did you get that?” Fluttershy asked.
“Not important,” Rarity said examining the black firearm, “What is important is that it's loaded, and I'm not above killing you to get what I want.”
“XANA needs me though,” Fluttershy challenged, “He won't let you kill me.”
Raity laughed, “Nyet, he just needs you as leverage. Once security section of Sector 5 is opened, you lose your use, but I can threaten your life to get what I want. This is just easier than trying to clear security alone, which I am not above doing,” she pointed the gun to Fluttershy's head, “Now if I were you, I'd start cooperating.”
“I… won't!” Fluttershy said, “You're my friend, Rarity, and I'm not going to help you betray the others!”
“Friend? When will you get it?!” Rarity whacked Fluttershy with the gun, “I hate you, Fluttershy!”
All Fluttershy could do was sob. Seeing Rarity hit her, talk down to her, and treat her like this hurt Fluttershy more than anything that had happened to her. XANA was truly horrible, taking away her best friend and turning her into someone so awful.
The elevator clicked on, alerting the two girls that they were about to have company. Rarity smirked and stood up, placing a foot on Fluttershy's shoulder and pointing the gun at her. When the elevator opened up, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Luna all ran into the computer room, stopping in shock when they saw their position.
“Rarity!” Luna cried out, “What is the meaning of this?!”
“I'm pretty sure that's obvious,” Rarity said, preparing the gun to fire, “Twilight or Rainbow Dash, I don't care which one it is, someone is going to transfer Fluttershy and I into Lyoko.”
“What if we refuse?!” Dash asked.
“Obviously I'll kill Fluttershy,” Rarity said.
“You wouldn't!” Pinkie Pie urged, “You're not that kind of person, Rarity! You're kind, and generous, and-” Rarity pointed the gun right at Pinkie Pie and fired. Pinkie Pie screamed and fell back as the bullet just missed her head. Dash and Luna ran over to her aid while Twilight and Applejack just stared at Rarity in horror.
“Believe me, I would,” Rarity said, “Now, do I have your attention?”
“Rarity...!” Dash seethed, “You almost killed Pinkie Pie…!”
“Yes, I did,” Rarity said simply, “and if anyone tries anything I don't like, I actually kill Fluttershy.”
Dash glared at Rarity in not just anger, but hatred. Their friendship was probably destroyed at that moment.
“Go on then!” Rarity said looking at the group, “Turn on super computer, and send us to Lyoko, NOW!”
Twilight closed her eyes and walked over to the computer. She didn't move for the longest time, but eventually she set up the transfer.
“Where do you want to go?” Twilight asked softly, shocking everyone.
“Mountain Sector, close to edge,” Rarity said.
“Alright...” Twilight said, wiping tears from her eyes, “I've prepared the scanners. Head downstairs, and I'll transfer you.”
Rarity smiled, “Good girl. At least someone here understands situation. Come along, Fluttershy,” Rarity picked Fluttershy up, and walked over to the elevator, pointing the gun at everyone to keep them from getting in her way. Once inside the elevator, she met eyes with Applejack, who just looked at Rarity in devastation.
Once the elevator closed, Dash went over to Twilight and grabbed her by her shirt angrily.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Dash asked, “You can't take her to Lyoko!”
“She has Fluttershy!” Twilight cried, “Remember what I said, saving Fluttershy comes first! I didn't see you rushing over there to do anything!”
“That bitch fired at Pinkie Pie! Believe me, when I get my hands on her-”
“We're not hurtin Rares,” Applejack said, shocking Dash who now glared at her.
“Nuh uh! You are not defending her!” Dash shouted.
“She's under XANA's control! She don't know what she's doin!” Applejack argued.
“She knows exactly what she's doing!” Dash shot back, “Right now, thanks to Twilight here, she's bringing Fluttershy to her new master XANA! As far as I'm concerned, Rarity just proved who side she's on, and I'm going to kill her and XANA for this!”
Applejack grabbed Dash by the collar of her shirt, “You lay one finger on Rarity an' Ah swear Ah'll rip ya apart!”
“Then let's go then!” Dash shouted, “I'll take you out too! Hell, I'll fucking take on everyone in this goddamn room to get to-”
“STOP IT!!!!!!”
Everyone stopped and turned to Pinkie Pie, who was crying in Luna's arms.
“We're supposed to be friends! It's bad enough that XANA took Rarity, I don't want to lose everyone else!” Pinkie Pie sobbed. Luna looked up at Applejack and Rainbow Dash and glared at them.
“You all realize that this is what XANA is trying to do, right?” Luna asked, “By taking Rarity like this, he creating a rift in the team. Dash, I know that you're angry, but lashing out at everyone isn't the answer. Also, you're not the only one who's having a hard time with this.”
Dash looked down in shame.
“And you, Applejack,” Luna said, “Same thing. You're supposed to be the leader, and as the leader you can't let personal feelings alter your judgment. I know that Rarity is your girlfriend, and you want to save her, but currently she's siding with XANA, and we don't know all of the details. Truth is, we might not be able to bring her back. You don't want to hear it, but its the truth.”
Applejack looked away from everyone, trying her hardest to hold in her tears.
“Twilight, prepare the transfer,” Luna said, “We'll figure out what to do about this, but for now you made the right judgment call.”
“Thank you,” Twilight said turning to the computer, “Rarity, if you're ready, I'm beginning the transfer.”
“Dah,” Rarity said pushing Fluttershy into a scanner watching it close. She then walked into another scanner right as it closed.
“Transfer Rarity… Transfer Fluttershy… Scanner Rarity… Scanner Fluttershy…” Twilight's expression was unreadable as she pressed the enter key, “Virtualization...”
When Fluttershy rendered and landed in the Mountain Sector, she was immediately bound again by black chains. She turned around to see Rarity standing behind her, but she looked different.
Her Lyoko form was still a knight, but the armor was now black and purple instead of white and purple, and it was a little bulkier with sharper edges. Her hair now sported the white highlight in the real world, and instead of a broad sword she had a large buster sword hooked to her back.
“Lead way,” Rarity demanded, holding the other end of the chain binding Fluttershy. Fluttershy sighed and walked to the edge of the sector. It took a little time, but eventually they arrived.
“Twilight, type in the code,” Rarity ordered.
Twilight said nothing. Instead, she opened up the chariot program.
THESEUS
The chariot came out of the digital sea and scooped up Rarity and Fluttershy, taking them to the center of Lyoko.
HOLOSPHERE SYSTEM
ACTIVATED
Once they arrived in Sector 5, a biker rode up to them. The monster stepped off the bike and saluted Rarity.
“Thank you, dearie,” Rarity said kissing the robotic rider on the cheek. She then yanked Fluttershy over to her and lied her down on the bike before getting on herself leaning over Fluttershy.
She then rode to the highway, heading to Security Level 6, the last level.
“While she's doing that,” Twilight said, “We need to figure out what we're going to do.”
“She's going to clear the security section,” Luna said, “Doesn't that mean XANA will be able to access it himself?”
“It does,” Twilight said, “Whatever is there he wants, and he'll be able to get it once we open the pathway to where Fluttershy's data is.”
“Maybe that's why he took Rarity,” Applejack said, “So she could get the thing that XANA wants in the security section.”
“No, that's not it exactly,” Dash said, “I think its more so to be a body guard while he gets what he's after.”
“We can't access the core section until we clear the security section,” Twilight said, “We could wait until Rarity clears the security section and then rush to the core section to beat her there.”
“What about Fluttershy's data?” Pinkie Pie asked, “If we clear the security, XANA will be able to take that too, won't he?”
“It ain't safe ta leave it alone,” Applejack said, “Honestly, Ah think it might be better ta have someone go in after Rares an' devirtualize her before she clears the security. XANA won't take action without her.”
“If we use Return to the Past, we'll also force XANA to reboot,” Twilight said, “That way we'll have more time to figure out what to do concerning Rarity,” she looked at both Dash and Applejack, “Whether we save her, or disconnect her from the super computer.”
“That means we need ta save Fluttershy so she can access a tower,” Applejack said, “We can't use Return ta the Past without one, right?”
“Until I make a program to access towers directly from here, no,” Twilight said, “Eos would know how to do that, but she has enough on her plate as it is.”
“So, are we going in or what?” Dash asked.
“We are,” Twilight said, “All of us. Lulu, once we're in, open the file to send our Tera-Bikes to us.”
Luna nodded as Twilight set up the delayed transfer. Once she was done, she and Luna switched places and they four teenagers ran to the scanners. This time, each one of them chose a scanner. Once they entered, the scanners closed and automatically got to work scanning the girls and connecting them to their avatars. When their work was done, they disappeared from the real world and were immediately pulled into Sector 5.
Once they arrived, their Tera-Bikes appeared next to them. They jumped on their Tera-Bikes and rode off, none of them saying a word to each other. This was more serious than any of their missions before. Who would have thought they'd have to fight one of their own.
Once she arrived in the security section, Rarity stopped and looked up at the spiraling staircase. At the top was a platform with a large white pillar of light in the center. Floating all around the staircase were mantas, and Flutterhshy saw a couple of creepers scattered around.
Fluttershy struggled with her bindings for a bit, until Rarity yanked her forward.
“No use trying to escape,” Rarity taunted, “Chains can't be broken by force. Only if I lose concentration.”
Rarity motioned for two mantas to fly down to them, and she waved a hand changing the chains binding Fluttershy. Now the chain that Rarity was holding was replaced by two chains hooked to the mantas, who flew straight up carrying Fluttershy, who looked down at Rarity pleadingly. Rarity smirked at Fluttershy and began walking up the stairs, but stopped when she heard something behind her.
She turned to see Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Twilight ride into the room, stopping their Tera-Bikes next to Rarity's. Applejack got off her bike first and ran up to the stairs.
“Rares!” Applejack called out. Rarity gritted her teeth looking up at Fluttershy, who was too high to hit with her sword, and she couldn't risk hitting the mantas. She swore to herself and then ran up the stairs. Applejack took off after her.
Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight followed, but Dash and Twilight were focusing more on the mantas that were carrying Fluttershy.
At about halfway, Applejack caught up to Rarity and jumped on top of her.
“Snap outta it Rares!” Applejack said, “Ya ain't one of XANA's!”
Rarity screamed and pushed Applejack off of her. She stood up pulling out her new buster blade, and slammed it down toward Applejack, who rolled out of the way just in time. Applejack loaded her shotgun and pointed it at Rarity, but hesitated.
“Ah know this won't kill ya,” Applejack said, “but Ah still don't wanna do this! Please don't make me shoot at ya Rares!”
In response, Rarity charged up energy in her blade and slashed at the air sending a black shock wave at Applejack, who ducked just in time. Pinkie Pie ran up and jumped over Applejack, rolling into a ball mid air.
“Homing Attack!” Pinkie Pie shouted, launching herself at Rarity, who blocked the incoming attack with her sword. She then pushed Pinkie Pie back, but she flipped mid air and landed next to Applejack.
“Rarity, you're hurting Applejack!” Pinkie Pie said, “Please come back to us! You're our friend!”
“Nyet!” Rarity shouted. She charged over to Pinkie Pie and slashed wildly. Pinkie Pie jumped and flipped out of the way as Dash and Twilight ran past them.
“Hey AJ! Shape up!” Dash ordered, catching her attention, “We need help saving Fluttershy!”
Applejack looked back at Rarity as she fought Pinkie Pie, wishing she could do something. She then remembered what Twilight kept saying to them. Fluttershy came first.
Applejack forced herself to her feet and ran up the stairs. As they ran up, the creepers started firing at them.
“Behind me!” Twilight ordered. Once Dash and Applejack were behind Twilight, she held both of her hands out shooting two large blasts at the two creepers in front of them, killing them instantly.
Applejack fired at the creepers across from them with her shotgun, while Dash used her Super Sprint ability to charge up at high speed going after the mantas carrying Fluttershy. As she ran though, another manta hit her in the back knocking her down.
Rainbow Dash: 40 HP
Rarity kicked Pinkie Pie back away from her and slashed her in half with her blade, instantly devirtualizing her.
Pinkie Pie: 0 HP
Despite the situation, when Pinkie Pie's scanner opened up, she looked really bummed out.
“Shoot...” Pinkie Pie pouted, “First one to die again?”
Rarity ran up the stairs as fast as she could holding her buster sword on her shoulder. She stopped and fired a shock wave out of her sword at Rainbow Dash, who didn't see it.
“Dash, behind you!” Fluttershy cried out. Dash looked behind her to see the attack, but Applejack was the one who pushed her out of the way just in time.
“Ya alright?” Applejack asked Dash, who looked really surprised.
“Y-yeah,” Dash said, “Listen, sorry for earlier, I-”
“Let's talk about it after Fluttershy is safe,” Applejack said helping Dash up and turning to Rarity, “Ah'll hold her off. You go an' help Twilight save Fluttershy.”
“Got it!” Dash said sprinting off at high speed. Applejack began firing her shotgun at Rarity, who blocked with her sword and continued running after Dash and Twilight.
“Damn it!” Applejack swore running after her.
Dash threw a kunai at one of the manta carrying Fluttershy, but it only did minor damage.
“Shit,” Dash said, “I need to get up there in order to get to-” she felt a sharp pain in her chest. She looked down and saw Rarity's sword thrust though her, “Rarity...”
“You are level too low to face me,” Rarity said with a smirk, watching Rainbow Dash devirtualize.
Rainbow Dash: 0 HP
Once Dash was gone, she turned her attention to Twilight, who was charging up magic in her entire body. Rarity fired her shock wave at her, getting her in the back and knocking her down.
Twilight: 10 HP
“TWILIGHT!!!!” Fluttershy screamed.
Twilight turned around to see Rarity standing over her pointing her sword right at her face.
“Master wants to kill you personally,” Rarity said, “But he said nothing about me devirtualizing you in the most painful way possible.”
“Why are you doing this to us?” Twilight asked, “Don't you remember? We're your friends!”
“Oh I remember,” Rarity said, “But I also remember you all putting Fluttershy before me!”
“That's not-”
“You and everyone else in school!” Rarity fussed, “You say that I'm special, that I'm important, but if you had to choose between me or Fluttershy, you'd choose her! You'd always choose her!” she began crying, “I hate Fluttershy! I hate Canterlot High! I hate you! I hate EVERYONE!!!” she raised her sword above her head, “But I'm going to love doing this!”
“RARITY!!!!” Twilight screamed. Right before her blade could make contact, Applejack's bullet hit her knocking her away from Twilight.
Rarity: 190 HP
“Twilight, get Fluttershy outta Sector 5 an' activate Return ta the Past!” Applejack ordered, “Ah'll hold her off!”
Twilight nodded standing up. She then spun around charging up her energy and lifting her arms into the air. Once she was fully charged, with her back facing her enemies, she leaned all the way back lifting her leg in the air and spreading her arms out, firing two large lasers from her hands killing the mantas holding Fluttershy and destroying the chains too.
Fluttershy screamed as she fell, but Twilight ran under her and caught her.
“Oh Twilight, thank you!” Fluttershy said.
“You're not just protecting me, remember?” Twilight said smiling at Fluttershy, “Applejack, I'm going!”
“Careful!” Applejack said, “Ya can't take anymore damage!”
“I know!” Twilight said running to the edge and jumping off. Thankfully she and Fluttershy landed right on her Tera-Bike and rode off.
Rarity ran over to the switch to break the security, but Applejack got in her way and whacked her with her gun.
Rarity: 185 HP
Rarity tried slashing at Applejack with her sword, but she ducked out of the way and fired at her again, but this time Rarity blocked and was just pushed back.
Applejack followed up by running after her firing at Rarity continuously, but Rarity spun around slashing her with her buster sword.
Applejack: 20 HP
Applejack fell back against the pillar the switch was on, and Rarity sauntered over to her.
“You're weak, Applejack,” Rarity said, “You can't beat me or Master XANA.”
“Ah don't care 'bout beatin XANA right now,” Applejack said forcing herself to stand, “All Ah want is ta bring ya home!”
“I am home!” Rarity shouted charging at Applejack, who charged over to her. Rarity tried slashing Applejack with her sword, but Applejack managed to block the blade with her shotgun and held her in place.
In the Forest Sector, Twilight and Fluttershy's Tera-Bike emerged from the Way Tower and rode toward the nearest tower to the east. As they rode, hornets flew after them and fired at them.
“Twilight!” Fluttershy cried out.
“I see it!” Twilight said, “We're almost- AHH!!!” Twilight screamed as a hornet got a lucky shot in, knocking her off her Tera-Bike.
Twilight: 0 HP
“Oh no! Twilight! TWILIGHT!!!” Fluttershy screamed running over to Twilight, who's body began breaking up devirtualizing. Before she could move though, another hornet fired point blank at Fluttershy knocking her to the ground.
Fluttershy: 60 HP
Fluttershy lied on the ground, feeling hopeless as the hornets hovered around her, as if taunting her. She couldn't do anything. Surrounded by XANA's monsters, Rarity probably close to devirtualizing Applejack, and with no way of defending herself, there was nothing she could do to stop XANA.
“Twilight...” Fluttershy sobbed, “I'm sorry I'm so weak… I'm sorry I couldn't defeat XANA… Rarity is right… I'm a horrible person...”
When Twilight ran into the computer room, she saw Rainbow Dash sitting at the computer, Pinkie Pie standing over her shoulder looking really worried, and Luna pacing back and forth biting her nails nervously.
“How bad it is?!” Twilight said rushing over to Dash.
“Applejack is down to her last few hit points, Rarity's got double health, and for some reason Fluttershy isn't moving!” Dash explained.
Twilight looked at the screen, seeing Fluttershy surrounded by three hornets, and two krabs were approaching her location.
“Oh no!” Twilight cried, “No no no no no no no!” Twilight switched places with Dash as Luna walked over to her.
“Can't you make something for her like a weapon?!” Luna asked frantically.
“Yeah! You programmed higher senses into my avatar!” Pinkie Pie said, “Can't you do something similar?!”
“Don't you think I've tried?!” Twilight asked, “Fluttershy doesn't have enough memory though, so she can't handle anymore programs! If we had that data from Sector 5 I could probably, but there's no way Applejack can get that to Fluttershy in time!”
“Even if we did, XANA would still get what he wants!” Dash fussed, “Goddamn it!”
“Fluttershy, can you hear me! Fluttershy answer me!” Twilight urged.
“Twilight...” Fluttershy sobbed, “I'm sorry… I can't go on...”
“What do you mean you can't go on?!” Twilight asked.
“Rarity belongs to XANA now, you and the others can't get back into Lyoko, and I can't fight my way out of this! Please Twilight, just end it! Pull Applejack out and turn off the super computer!”
“If we do that though, you and Rarity will-” Pinkie Pie said.
“Rarity is already XANA's slave!” Fluttershy said, “She knows what she's doing! She hates me, that's why she's hurting all of you! I'm the reason any of this is happening!”
“Fluttershy...” Twilight said, looking down and crying herself.
“Twilight, I'm begging you, turn off the computer! You have to!”
“I… I...”
“PLEASE TWILIGHT!!!! JUST END IT!!!! I'M NOT EVEN A REAL PERSON!!!! I'M JUST A COMPUTER PROGRAM!!!! I DON'T BELONG IN THE REAL WORLD ANYWAY!!!!”
“That ain't true at all!” Applejack shouted from her section. Everyone was surprised and turned to the screen showing Sector 5.
“Apple…jack?” Twilight asked.
“Ah heard everything, an' Ah can't let ya do that to yerself! Ah wanted ta tell ya fer the longest, but yer not a program!” Applejack said blocking Rarity's sword slashes, “Lulu an' Ah found a picture in the Everfree Mansion, an' it has you on it!”
Fluttershy's mind went back to that picture. She remembered seeing that with Rarity. But that wasn't possible. She was a part of Lyoko, she had always been on Lyoko. She was able to deactivate towers, and if she died she didn't go back to the real world like the others.
“That's not possible!” Fluttershy cried, “I've lived on Lyoko all my life! I'm a computer program! An anti-XANA program!”
“No Fluttershy, that's wrong,” Luna's voice said from the real world.
“Fluttershy, I don't understand it all myself, but what AJ said is right. The girl in that picture was definitely you,” Luna continued.
“Shut up…! SHUT UP!!!” Fluttershy screamed, “YOU'RE WRONG!!!! THAT GIRL ISN'T ME!!!! SHE CAN'T BE ME!!!!”
“Fluttershy, yer name was on the back of the picture!” Applejack said, “Ah know its hard ta believe, but it's the truth! Fluttershy, yer not a program on Lyoko! Yer a human!”
“If that's true...” Twilight said before sitting back up, “Then you need to live! You need to get up and continue living!”
“But… I...”
“Besides, you promised me!” Twilight said, unable to hold in her tears, “You promised that no matter what, you'd always come home to me! You can't die! I won't let you die! None of us will let you die!”
“Damn right!” Dash chimed in, “If you're human, then that means you belong out here with us anyway! This is your home, not Lyoko!”
“Either way, you need to discover the answers yourself, but you can't do that if you die!” Luna added.
“I don't want to lose you, Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie cried, “It's bad enough with Rarity, but you're my friend too!”
“Yer life is important! Jus' as important as mine, Rarity's, Dash's, Pinkie Pie's, Lulu's, and Twilight's!” Applejack said, strained as she was still fighting Rarity apparently.
“This is why you have to get up!” Twilight said, “Why you have to live, and keep on living! You matter to us! We love you! I love you!”
“SO GET UP AND FIGHT!!!!” Twilight screamed to Fluttershy, who was still lying on the ground trembling.
She was so weak. Here she was ready to quit, yet her friends were still fighting. They hadn't given up, even though the situation was utterly hopeless. She was always weak like this, wishing they'd just turn off the super computer and end all of this. A few times she went to the factory by herself and almost turned it off by herself. That was the easiest way to end it.
But it wouldn't end it, would it? Someone would just turn the computer back on and this whole thing would start all over again, right? That's why they needed to destroy XANA once and for all. But they needed her in order to do that. She was the only one who knew out to deactivate towers, and she still knew the most about Lyoko and how it functioned.
Also, she had to protect her beloved, special friend.
“I'll do it…!” Fluttershy said tightening her fists and forcing herself to her knees, “I'm done being weak…! For Rarity, for Twilight, for my human life! I'll fight you XANA!” she looked at the krab before her gritting her teeth, “I'm done running away from you XANA! If you want my friends, if you want my world...” She got to her feet and braced herself, “If you want me XANA, the COME AND GET ME!!!”
At that moment, something really odd happened on the computer. Fluttershy's avatar information came up on its own, and it was showing her memory rebuilding herself on its own.
“What the hell…?” Dash asked.
“Twilight, what's happening?” Luna asked.
“I don't believe this, but Fluttershy's avatar is… fixing itself!” Twilight said.
“Fixing itself? Was it broken?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Remember, she's missing vital data,” Twilight said, “That data is still missing, but the missing memory on Fluttershy's avatar is repairing itself! If this data is correct...” Twilight looked it over and looked shocked, “Fluttershy has weapons now!”
“WHAT?!!!” Everyone shouted at the same time.
“Fluttershy, remember what you told me!” Twilight said, “Do whatever you feel is natural!”
“Whatever is natural...” Fluttershy said holding her hand out. She closed her eyes, and a large white bow that looked like angel wings almost appeared in her hand. Using her other hand, she created a single arrow out of light and pulled it back, firing it at the krab right in front of her.
It died instantly.
“Holy shit!” Dash shouted, “You guys saw its life, right?!”
“She just OTKed a krab!” Pinkie Pie cheered jumping for joy, “Fluttershy just became a freaking tank!”
“Go!” Twilight shouted, “Get to the tower!”
Fluttershy nodded and ran forward, still firing her new arrows at any monster that flew up to her with amazing accuracy. It was as if she had always done this, like she was a natural at it.
Right before she reached the tower though, a megatank rolled up in front of her. Normally she would run away from this, but not this time. She'd never run away ever again. Not even against one of XANA's strongest monsters.
“You don't scare me anymore, XANA!” Fluttershy said, her voice sounding stronger than usual, “Now its my turn to protect my friends like they protected me!”
Fluttershy VS Megatank
The megatank opened up and fired its attack, but Fluttershy jumped to the side out of the way. She fired at the monster, but it closed to defend. The arrow exploded on contact though, and the force pushed it back a bit.
The megatank opened up again and fired, but this time Fluttershy decided to try something new. She spun around turning into static and vanished, appearing at the megatank's side. She then fired at it again with her arrow knocking it to the side and close to the digital sea.
Fluttershy created another arrow, this time not firing immediately. She waited until the megatank opened up to attack, and then launched her attack right at its eye impaling the monster. Once it exploded, Fluttershy made her bow vanish and ran to the tower, phasing into it.
Fluttershy ran to the center of the tower, and allowed herself to be lifted slowly to the upper platform. Once she landed, she calmly walked over to the console and began typing on it. As XANA didn't activate a tower, she didn't need to use Code: LYOKO this time, so she just sent the data to Twilight.
Once she received it, Twilight pressed the enter key activating the program, “Return to the past, NOW!” Twilight shouted.
In Sector 5, Rarity finally slashed through Applejack, devirtualizing her.
Applejack: 0 HP
She walked over to the switch, but was engulfed in a bright light before her hand could touch it.
“NO!!!!” Rarity screamed as she was pulled out of Lyoko, sent back to the real world and where she was when the day began.
At the start of the day, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Luna were running through the school frantically searching for Rarity. They checked everywhere; the dorms, the classrooms, the rec room, the schoolyard, Applejack even asked Trixie if she ran into her.
After a few minutes to an hour of searching, everyone gathered around a bench outside disappointed and confused.
“Where is she?” Luna asked.
“Think she's still on Lyoko?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Eos already checked on her computer,” Twilight said, “She isn't in any sector on Lyoko, and she was definitely pulled out too with Return to the Past.”
“Then she just ran away?” Dash asked.
“She needs the super computer in order to get to Lyoko,” Twilight said, “She won't go too far. We'll find her, and we'll save her.”
“Ah hope so,” Applejack said somberly, “Rares...”
“Hello everyone,” Fluttershy said walking to the bench. Twilight shot up and ran over to Fluttershy embracing her.
“Fluttershy! Are you okay?” Twilight asked.
“Overall yes,” Fluttershy admitted, “But I'm worried about Rarity.”
“We already searched all over the school,” Dash said, “She isn't anywhere here. Damn cunt… when I get my hands on her, I'll-”
“No Dash, that's wrong,” Fluttershy said. Dash looked at Fluttershy incredulously.
“Fluttershy, she's with XANA now! You saw her!” Dash said.
“Yes, I did,” Fluttershy said, “And she said some very hurtful things to me. However, I also know who Rarity really is. Even if she does hate me, she wouldn't work for XANA on her own free will. XANA did something to her, and we need to fix it and save her. Her life matters just as much as mine.”
Dash sighed, realizing that Fluttershy was right.
“So, what do we do then?” Dash asked.
“We get that data from Sector 5,” Twilight said, “She'll show up either way if we break the security.”
“That's risky,” Luna said, “If we do that, then XANA will...”
“Yes, that's true,” Twilight said, “But I have a theory about what that data is. If we're going to separate Fluttershy from the computer, we need that data, and we need all of us if we're going to save Rarity.”
Twilight and everyone turned to look at Applejack, who was looking down trembling. None of them missed the tears falling from her eyes.
Dear Eos,
We couldn't save Rarity this time sadly, but we did learn quite a bit about Fluttershy. Apparently, she's really a human being. You knew, didn't you? You always knew that Fluttershy was human.
I want to ask why you never told me, but I think I understand why. If you had told me then, I wouldn't have been able to understand it. Did you know Fluttershy personally before you shut down the computer ten years ago? What was your relationship with her?
What was she like before? Was she the same as she is now, or was she different?
I have so many things I want to ask you now, both about Fluttershy and Rarity. There's something else that's bugging me about this though. You know so many people that I know. Not only do you know Fluttershy, but XANA claimed that my Vice-Principal was Selene. That would mean you also know Vice-Principal Luna.
I know this is dangerous for you, but I need to know now. I trust you Eos, really I do, but there are so many inconsistencies that I need to know who I've been talking to all this time. Please tell me.
Who are you?
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle
Twilight finished writing her email for the night and was about to go to bed. She didn't expect to receive a reply so soon though.
Dear Twilight,
I finished a program that might, MIGHT be able to rescue Rarity, assuming she isn't too far gone already. If the corruption has taken hold too much, then this program won't be able to work as it requires that she remember her relationships with her friends and family.
I want to give you this program as fast as possible, but its too big to send via email. So I've put it on a flash drive so I can give it to you…
In person.
I'll be at Suger Cube Corner waiting for you. Come alone, Twilight.
Your friend,
Eos
Twilight wasted no time getting dressed. She first ran to the secret passage to get her scooter, and then rode off to Sugar Cube Corner as fast as possible. This was major. She would finally learn who Eos was. Sure, it could be a trap, and her mother had always warned her about things like this, but she and Eos had been friends for months now.
She could trust Eos. She knew she could trust Eos.
When she arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, she saw a few patrons sitting there. She wondered which one was Eos. Her heart was racing. Would Eos be how she imagined? Was Eos actually a woman? Was Eos older than her? How much older?
She took a deep breath and walked inside the cafe/bakery. She looked around, not seeing anyone that stood out. She stopped when she saw Principal Celestia sitting at a table right at the door drinking a cup of coffee. When she looked up at Twilight, her heart shot out of her chest. She was breaking curfew so bad right now.
“Um… Principal Celestia...” Twilight said fearfully.
“Hello Twilight,” Celestia said with a soft smile.
“I… uh… know that I'm not supposed to leave the dorms so late, but...”
“You're here to meet a friend, right?” Celestia asked. Twilight sighed in defeat. She knew she was caught.
“I can probably meet them later,” Twilight said sadly, “I can call them and tell them-”
“Twilight,” Celestia cut her off, “Please sit down.”
Twilight was surprised, but when she looked at Celestia, she looked serious, and a little sad. Twilight gulped and slowly sat down across from Celestia, who continued to drink her coffee.
“Am I… in trouble…?” Twilight asked.
“Not at all, Twilight,” Celestia said, “You're curfew will be excused tonight, as we have a lot to discuss together.”
“Huh… Principal Celestia, what do you-” she stopped when Celestia reached into her coat pocket and put something on the table.
A flash drive…
Twilight looked at the flash drive in shock, and then slowly looked up at Principal Celestia, who went back to her coffee.
“Principal Celestia… what is…?”
“That's the program I created,” Celestia said, “Put that in someone's weapon, and have them devirtualize Rarity. If the program works, she'll emerge from Lyoko back to normal.”
It wasn't possible. She knew about Rarity, the program, and Lyoko. But that would mean that…
“Principal Celestia… What is…?”
“It's me, Twilight,” Celestia said putting her mug down and looking right at Twilight, “I am Eos.”
Ending Theme: Can't Fight The Moonlight