//------------------------------// // Help Is On The Way // Story: Kind Yet Humble Courage // by misskoifishpony //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Help Is On The Way "Twilight!" The crystalline doors at the entrance to the castle burst open as Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity galloped in from the storm. They called for their friend urgently, hoping that Twilight could hear their panicked echoes in the vast towering castle. Luckily, she did. Twilight galloped to the front entrance hallway and called back to her friends. "Girls!" "Twilight! What's going on?!" Rainbow asked as soon as Twilight appeared before them. "Yeah...we came...as soon as we got...Spike’s message," Applejack added while trying to catch her breath. Twilight was able to get a good look at her dear companions who braved the storm. They were drenched from head to hoof. In fact, they all looked exhausted and Twilight realized as they all sat there, panting and shaking the water from their dripping wet manes, that they must have all dashed out into the storm as soon as they'd received the green fire message from Spike. "It's Angel," Twilight explained solemnly, "he came to the castle not too long ago with an urgent message. Something possibly about Fluttershy and danger, but then, he collapsed before he could even explain it. Luckily, Spike and I were able to help the little guy regain consciousness again. He's resting in the living room yet now." "Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Rainbow exclaimed while preparing herself to zip to wherever Angel was. However, she was quickly stopped by something pulling on her back leg. It was Rarity's magic pulling on her leg. "Rainbow Dash!" Rarity scolded, "I know you're worried about Fluttershy, but there's no reason to rush into the room and scare Angel Bunny. The poor fellow had to venture into this storm all by himself despite the odds. He needs his rest." "But..." Rainbow protested. "Rarity's right Rainbow," Applejack remarked, "we need to be gentle and patient with Angel right now. Besides, we'll get to the room soon enough." Meanwhile, Angel was lying silently and stiffly on the plush purple couch. His small body, except for his arms and head, were bundled in two layers of blankets. His pure white fur looked grey in his disheveled state. The small bunny could feel the coldness of the rain wash away from his body. The fireplace was glowing with a sweet and inviting amber. The couch, the pillows, and blankets comforted him with their heat. But most of all, Spike's homemade carrot soup warmed his bones. The little dragon was even kind enough to spoon feed him. Spike would blow on each little spoonful before gently bringing the soup into the rabbit's mouth. And whenever Angel accepted each spoonful, he would smile softly at him. Angel would try to smile back to the best of his ability. The little rabbit felt so weak. Even if he moved his arm, the muscles in his paws would shiver. Causing his whole arm to shiver with it. His beady black eyes were heavy and half opened, portraying his lack of energy and weariness. The little bunny's ears shifted quickly towards the door. Even though his head couldn't move, his ears were always alert. And Angel heard the door squeak and hooves slowly tip-toeing into the room. Spike turned around and saw Twilight and his friends coming close to the couch. "Hey guys." He sweetly whispered and waved. "Hey Spike," they all whispered back. "Hey Angel," Pinkie softly cooed to Angel Bunny. She propped her head and forelegs on the back of the couch and whispered "How are ya feeling bud-bud?" The little rabbit responded to Pinkie's question with a weak smile and a soft nod. "Don't worry tough guy," Rainbow cheered quietly, "you'll be back on those lucky feet of yours soon." Angel turned his head to Rainbow, and smiled at her as well. But when he turned his head towards her direction, he noticed something on the coffee table. It was a large, purple leather bound book filled with pieces of paper and pages sticking out of it. Twilight directed her attention to where Angel was pointing to and saw the the thick book. "This?" She asked while holding up the book with her magic, "You want this?" Angel smiled and nodded his answer. Twilight placed the book carefully onto Angel's belly. She used her magic to open the book for him. He put his white paws on the pages and looked through the pictures. There were pictures of Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. But his eyes were locked on the picture of Fluttershy. His owner's hair draped over half of her face, yet her shy smile could still be seen. Angel's smile dropped when he saw her smile. The weakened bunny looked back at Twilight pointed his small paw towards Fluttershy's picture. "What about Fluttershy?" she asked. The rest of the ponies and dragon in the room leaned in closer towards Twilight and Angel. Like Twilight, the expectancy for the worse clouded their thoughts and their concern for their friend clearly showed. Twilight's fear was soon confirmed by a solemn and silent nod by Angel. Every soul in the living room gasped, their racing hearts stopped in mid beat. However, despite their shock, Rainbow exclaimed "What happened to her?! Where is she at?!" Angel went back to the photo album and searched through the pages for a new picture. He pointed towards a photo of Fluttershy's cottage in the spring. Twilight narrowed her eyes, rubbing her chin. "Her cottage? You mean she's still there? But if she's in trouble, then..." "The danger, aka some no good monster, is there with her!” Rainbow finished Twilight's statement, grinding her teeth in subdued rage. Angel nodded to confirm her suspicions and Rainbow’s hooves pawed the floor, her eyes begging for battle and revenge. "But who, or more like what, could possibly be there? At her cottage of all places?" Rarity wondered aloud. Angel responded by pointing his paw towards the little dragon in front of him. "Huh? Me?" Spike answered while pointing towards himself. "No sugar cube," Applejack remarked, “ah think Angel is tryin’ to imply that it’s a creature like you. A critter small like ya, or a monster scaly like ya, or maybe…” “...An actual dragon,” Spike whispered while lost in his own reflection. His thoughts quickly flashed back to his time with the Dragon Migration. The time where he meet dragons face to face, especially teenage dragons. Spike didn’t want to think about them again. Thinking about those jerks only made Spike regret of the mistakes that he almost made. "A dragon!?" Twilight added in a panicked voice, "Nononono, it can’t be! What's a dragon doing out here in Ponyville?!" "It’s doesn’t matter Twilight, we gotta save her!" Pinkie shouted while grabbing the sides of Twilight’s face. "What are we waiting for?!” Rainbow shouted. “Let's go!" Rainbow's command immediately caused everypony to charge out of the room. However, Twilight lingered in the doorway before following the others. "Spike,could you...?" "Don't worry Twilight, I'll take care of him."Spike smiled softly at Twilight while gently patting the resting bunny on the couch. Twilight smiled back him and whispered, "Thanks. You too, Angel." Angel grinned back at her and slightly nodded his head before drifting to sleep. Twilight quietly closed the door behind her before galloping down the hall. It took almost all her strength to reach her friends at the front door. She opened the grand doors with her magic. However, something strange, yet familiar stopped Twilight in her tracks...when she opened the door...thunder and lightning boomed in the background before a mischievous voice replied... "Evening all!" It was Discord, dressed in his Sunday best black suit. Although, his Sunday best looked more like a wrinkled wet suit. He was soaked from head to toe, yet he still had that cheeky grin on his face. He even had a black fedora on his head,but it looked more like a wilted flower than a hat. The draconequus was leaning most of his weight on a tall cane in front of him. His mismatched feet was covered in shiny tap toes. The ponies, especially Twilight, wondered why tap toes. In weather like this? "Lovely weather we're having, don't you think?" He asked, his grin getting bigger with each second. He put his paw on the front tip of his cane and turned it into a black umbrella. He held opened umbrella over his head, and the umbrella rained on Discord from the inside. "In my opinion," he sighed, "nothing can beat a stormy day. Thunder booming in the mountains, lighting setting the earth on fire, the clouds swirling and clashing in the sky." Then, a green frog jumped out his coat pocket and hopped off into the warm castle. "Discord!" Applejack groaned. "We don't have time for yer shenanigans right now!" "My my, what's got your hat in your knot today? Lack of outdoor activity I assume?" Discord replied with a smirk. With a snap of his talon, AJ's hat snapped over her eyes and the cowmare couldn't pull her hat off her face. This made Discord snicker into his paw, poorly hiding his laughter from the others. "She's right Discord, we don't have time for this," Twilight patiently stated to him. "Yeah!" Rainbow shouted in Discord's face, "Fluttershy's in trouble!" "T-Trouble?" Discord murmured in disbelief. He quickly poofed away his costume, stood in front of the group in shock. To Twilight, it almost looked like he couldn't process the concept of Fluttershy being in dire peril. Thunder starting booming outside. "More like BIG trouble!" Pinkie proclaimed. "A huge dragon is holding Flutters hostage in her own home!" Discord's eyes suddenly narrowed. Flames sparked inside his red pupils, and all his fangs snarled out. The claws in his lion paw came out, and the ponies could hear a low but frightening growl grumbling in Discord's throat. The ponies waited for his next dangerous and unpredicted move. Twilight knew that the dragon holding Fluttershy hostage will soon be in a world of pain and agony. Discord's tail rapidly coiled it's grip around the Mane Five. They struggled and tried to break free, but Discord didn't listen to their pleads. His eyes were on the horizon, and they were as dark as the stormy sky. With a snap of his eagle talon, they vanished in a flash of light. Thunder boomed once more outside.