//------------------------------// // The return of the Power Ponies: Ultimate Drum attacks // Story: Chaos: the Age of Spike // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// The return of the Power Ponies: Ultimate Drum attacks “Spike, I’m begging you; please stop!” Shouted Twilight in her Matter Horn uniform. “I won’t invade your privacy again, I swear for my teacher! Now please let us out of here before somepony gets hurt” But there was no answer, Spike have left already. “There’s no use” said Fluttershy, now Saddle Rager. “We have to defeat the bad guy to get out… but do you think Spike really wants to… hurt us?” “No sugar cube; he’s furious with Twilight, not with us” said Applejack Mare-Velous. “Now we have to figure out what’s Mane-iac’s or Humdrum’s plan in order to go save our own world. Let’s separate to cover more terrain” “No wait” asked Rainbow beginning to think. “Spike clearly said that he’s our new villain here too: Ultimate Drum I think he’s called. Is this a coincidence or what?” Matter Horn nodded thoughtful. “Yeah, Spike told me what happened just before I went to find you: apparently in this reality a good guy, Humdrum, became a villain when the former villain gave him part of her powers and asked him to become her replacement; exactly what happened between Discord and Spike” Suddenly an earthquake violently shook the entire Maretropolis just at the time the giant figure of Ultimate Drum covered the skies smiling to the terrified inhabitants of the city; and unlike Mane-iac, they were truly afraid of him. Mane-iac was insane, Ultimate Drum was truly evil. “Evening Maretropolis, it’s me! Your worst nightmare: Ultimate Drum!” Bright purple fireworks joined the image of the smiling dragon, contrasting with his white draconic fangs at the time six towers of purple light appeared on different spots of the city. Ultimate Drum nodded satisfied and fixed his mask before continue with his message: “As you noticed, my devices projected its lights at different spots of the city; very well, each one of them is a bomb capable to reduce three skyscrapers to nothing in a blink. Exactly at midnight the six bombs will activate at the same time causing several deaths; unless your heroes deactivate them exactly at the same time but the tiniest mistake can end up in a tragedy. Isn’t that amazing? Don’t worry, I won’t blackmail you; I’m only using you as a bait to attract the Power Ponies to my trap. Power ponies, now I’m speaking directly to you: I’ll avenge Hair Beauty by exterminating you, so be prepared because if you’re not careful, this could be your last night” He laughed evilly and the projection disappeared instantly. “Is just me or this comic just became darker?” Giggled Pinkie Pie. “I never knew Spike liked this kind of dark violent comics, and see how easily he got into character? He looked really frightening” Twilight sighed in annoyance. “As soon as we got out of here, I’ll talk with the author of this. This readings can be a bad influence to the young minds” “You mean after you apologize to Spike” scolded Applejack. “But in the meantime, let’s move!” Radiance looked to Matter Horn. “Alright darling, you’re the leader, what should we do?” The purple alicorn looked at her heroine suit and then to her friends. “Okay, Ultimate Drum already warned us about what will happen if we act separately. Rainbow, Pinkie, if I’m right you two will be the first ones to arrive to your spot, please don’t deactivate the bomb until 23:50, synchronize your watches, is our only chance. Remember do not act until, 23:50” “What if we don’t make it?” Asked Saddle Rager. “I don’t want to sound pessimistic but you know, giving the case Spike’s henchmen stop us as usual, how can we know the others made it?” “I was getting to that point” said Matter Horn. “Pinkie Pie, go a buy us six lanterns and six sheets of cellophane paper of different colors. As soon as you arrive to your bomb give us a sign” Filly-Second disappeared and reappeared with the requested items. “You owe me twenty five bits Twi” “Got it” said Mattern. “Now when you see the other five lights in the sky that would mean it’s time to act, alright?” “Oki-Doky-Loki! Power Ponies, assemble! I mean, separate!” Said Filly disappearing in a flash. Dash was dying for get into action and as Twilight predicted, she was the one to arrive to one of the bombs even if she chose the most far. She was received by a group of ponies dressed in black with a U embroidered on their uniforms. “Ultimate’s henchmen I presume” said Zapp or Dash preparing her amulet, a small tornado would do the trick. The wind began to blow around her enemies, but them took a gas-mask and wore it. It was when Zapp noticed her wind was lifting a suspicious-looking white powder around her. “Cof-fof, well, I have more than just little tornados” said Zapp extending her wings to scatter the white powder away from her and then summoned a lighting to finish those two. But the powder was of explosive nature and Zapp’s actions caused it to explode sending her to a wall creating a huge crack on the process. The cyan Pegasus spited some blood. “Wow, this comic just got twenty percent cooler” The enemies were approaching, so Rainbow charged to them giving one a powerful kick directly to the chest, but other tried to attack Rainbow from above and jumped on her; the impact forced Zapp to land but she wasn’t going to be defeated for something like that. Rainbow quickly took her amulet and summoned a hail against the attacker who was knocked out by it. And just in time to roll avoiding an attack with a construction hammer that almost brakes her leg. Still she back flipped and kicked him on the jaw knocking him on the process. She won, or at least she hoped so. The henchmen went back on their hooves like nothing. “We’re stronger than before Zapp” “We had to improve when the new boss took over” Zapp grinned. “Awesome dudes, but I’m not in the mood. If you excuse me, I’ll finish you now” Once again Zapp took her amulet and sent a blizzard, that blew away all the powder to them and finished the job with a lighting. The explosion made those two unconscious freeing Zapp’s way to the bomb. “That was fun, but I don’t think Rarity and Fluttershy could handle T rated comics, I’ll give them a hoof” And she flew to assist her friends. In the meantime back to Twilight’s Palace, Sweetie Black was walking all over the library looking for something, and she finally found it. “Gotcha! H.Pony Lovecraft’s complete works!” She announced looking through the window. “According to this, the two monsters are fighting are Cthulu and Yog-Sothoth. Two evil alien gods created by this author. Cool, I’ll read this on my free time, who doesn’t enjoy a good horror story from time to time” “It seems like you’ll have nightmares” commented ScootaDark seeing how the two cosmic deities destroyed everything around them. “Ey, isn’t that Pipsqueak?” Practically out of nowhere Pip charged to the monsters helped by some kind of strange steam equipment like looked like a steam-punk version of Spider-Mane. The little colt was possessed by a blind rage. “I’LL KILL ALL THE PONYTANS! I’LL KILL THEM!” And when he was close enough to the monsters, he bit his own hoof turning into a giant pony-monster who roared and joined the fight. “Cool!” Cheered Mist. “I never thought that Lil Pip liked Attack on Ponytan” “I’m more surprised about Feather Weight” said Shadow looking to the small planet her friend now lived: with three volcanoes, two extinct and one active. Feather himself was dressed in a light blue jacket and a red scarf. Other ponies were more obvious, like the human who was running around fascinated by its hands, it had to be Lyra. But then Night Seed looked back to the Power Ponies comic. “Yeah, yeah, this seems pretty cool but I’m a little worried about them. That comic is not for kids from Issue # 109” Back to the fictional city of Maretropolis, Saddle-Rager was immobilized by two of Spike’s henchmen, when a third one kicked a dog only because it was on his way. Obviously that was it, soon Saddle Rager turned into a irrational muscle mass that jumped on the henchmen and began to punch him over and over again while they were penetrating more and more through earth, reaching the center and continued to an ocean; but at that point Saddle Rager began to punch him back to they were, passing through the entire earth and then back to the surface again. “I’LL DESTROY YOU ALL!” Then took a trash container and smashed it on other one of those evil henchmen; and to the last one she broke his back and then jumped on him over and over until she calmed down. “Oh no! What have I done? PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!” “It’s okay Fluttershy” said Rainbow from above. “This is a teenager’s comic, moderated violence. You can break their bones all you want, is that kind of comic” “What? But that isn’t right! Violence is not the answer!” “On this universe it always is, but don’t worry. They’re just ink and paper, and here you’re not Fluttershy, you’re Saddle Rager, get angry and do your stuff” “But I can’t just go mad because they’re fake creations and punch them because of that. Sorry but that’s just not me” Ultimate’s henchmen were recovering, and still dizzy and confused one of them stepped on a rat’s tail making the small creature to squeal in pain. One more time Saddle Rager felt how her anger increased her power and resumed her attack reducing the henchmen in seconds. “Puny ponies” she roared. Rainbow rolled her eyes but seeing everything was alright she flew away wondering how Rarity were doing. And in fact she had her powers being Radiance: sending especial attacks just as cages, giant pillows or paper balls to keep the baddies away, and it was working unbelievably well since no pony understood the heroines’ new strategy: “Do you think she wants us to lower our guard to then did us the same she did to Steve?” “Don’t remember me! Poor guy, Mr. Ultimate had to give him three months of rest” Radiance landed behind them. “Excuse me darling, but exactly what I did to your partner? I don’t remember?” “Don’t remember? You almost kill him!” Exclaimed one of them very angry. “Yeah: first you punched to transport him to the base plant of the Pink Lamps Space Cops right before of one your batteries of power, then you smashed him with a giant hammer, crash two industrial containers on him and to finish made appear thousands of arrows and clubs sending him back to Maretropolis because the impact. One of the most powerful super moves I ever saw” Rarity blinked surprised. “I did that?” “Of course you did! That’s why we don’t understand your actions now!” Rarity was about to answer when Filly-Second appeared happily: “Oh, hi Rarity! I came to help you because I saw you fighting with children’s comic moves and this is a teenage comic so I thought you need a quick lesson in comic vioelence so I came to show you how it’s done. Check my moves carefully, okay?” Rarityt shook her head. “Pinkie Pie, I know teenage comics, I don’t think I want to see it; I know teenage comics and I know how violent and sexual those are. That’s why I never allow Sweetie Belle to even glance over those things!” (Of course she couldn’t know that Sweetie was reading precisely the comic they were on) But Pinkie didn’t listened, she chose a baddie who seemed very solid and put herself on a race position, she yelled happily and ran at full speed and gave the poor guy a punch at full speed, that confused him a little but Pinkie hadn’t finish yet, she ran an entire lap to the earth and once she was back she give a new punch to the enemy, this time on the jaw; a punch so strong that sent him two meters in the air but right before he touched the ground Pinkie positioned herself behind and took him by the mane to smash his face to the ground so hard that she cracked it instantly. “Just like that!” Cheered Pinkie. It’s easy, try it” Back to the outside world, Mist was the first one to separate from the comic. “Ouch, I think I felt that one. Poor guy” “Just look at Rarity, she’s in shock” gigged Dark. Effectively, Rarity gulped to this demonstration of violence and the fact that Pinkie just assumed that part of the comic so naturally. She would have to ask Twilight to keep an eye on her, and also Spike’s readings. In other sector of Maretropolis, Applejack didn’t have problems accepting the new nature of the comic; especially when she had to defend from two ponies who tried to attack her with a knife and a wrench by kicking and knocking them with the wrench she took from the second one. Another of Spike’s ponies tried to approach from behind but he tied the attacker to the other two and also pushed them to roll downhill. Grinning she looked to the sky and saw Pinkie’s signal, Rainbow’s signal, Fluttershy’s and Rarity’s. They were almost ready. “Just one more to go. Go ahead Twi, apologize to Spike, do the right thing” Back to the real world, Princess Celestia looked watched what happened around the kingdom spending the time guessing who were who and realizing she still had some many things that she had to read; even if a they were newspaper’s comics like a pony with a bird-like face (literally) who was in the middle of a stupid discussion with other pony: “You know that drinking is bad for your eyesight, right?” The other pony, obviously drunk just answered: “Bullshit, I see you DOUBLE!” The first pony fainted with a single PLOP! (A/N: I have a feeling that most of you won’t get this so let me explain: this was a reference to Condirito, a very popular comic book in Latin-America) In other side she saw a couple of sisters, both of them impersonating the same singing princess: Let it go, let it go! Can't hold it back any more. Let it go, let it go! Turn away and slam the door. I don't care what they're going to say. Let the storm rage on. The cold never bothered me anyway Other couple of sister were just snoring in a corner as the Sleeping Beauties they were. Or one of the few female guards worn a black dress shouting to a bunch of winged monkeys: “Fly, fly my faithful servants! Bring me the red slippers, the red slippers I say!” Other of them (long ridiculously-looking curly hair and a crazy beard) was just staring to the window and saying: “Who created the pyramids? Humans! Who are conspiring with the government? Humans! What’s the answer to all the mysteries in Equestria? Humans!” In a word: diversity, everypony liked a different character and it was amazing. Smiling happily, Celestia went back to the Throne Room to see Nightmare, who was sitting in a middle of a bunch of Hearts Warming Eve decorations and scientific equipment. “Nightmare?” What’s up with you? The Nightmare Queen grinded her teeth and began to sign: Hearts Warming is buzzing in my skull Will it let me be? I cannot tell There are so many things I cannot grasp When I think I've got it, and then at last Through my bony fingers it does slip Like a snowflake in a fiery grip Something's here I'm not quite getting Though I try, I keep forgetting Like a memory long since past Here in an instant, gone in a flash What does it mean? What does it mean? “Luna? Are you feeling alright sist? Nightmare still ignored Celestia and continued her song: Simple objects, nothing more But something's hidden through a door Though I do not have the key Something's there I cannot see What does it mean? What does it mean? What does it mean? Hmm... I've read these Hearts Warming books so many times I know the stories and I know the rhymes I know the Hearts Warming carols all by heart My skull's so full, it's tearing me apart As often as I've read them, something's wrong So hard to put my dead hoof on Again Celestia shoot Luna with a memory spell more worried than before: “Tia: we must hurry, the most time we spend like this the most the character takes control of our minds. What delays Twilight Sparkle and her friends? Why they haven’t stopped this already?” “They must be in a predicament” reasoned Celestia. “Perhaps Spike’s trick is affecting them as much is affecting you, I’ll help them but in the meantime… your dark version isn’t dangerous, right?” “No, I’ll try to steal the Hearts Warming Eve but nothing more” Celestia nodded and left the room but she still heard the demented laughs and Luna’s next statement: I BET I COULD IMPROVE IT TOO AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’LL DO HAA HAA HAA!! Celestia chuckled a little and flew to help her faithful student. In her way to Ponyville Celestia found a lot of interesting characters: for example a mare in a blue suit with a long red cape who was yelling: “What the Jokespony made me did to my beloved Maretropolis can’t repeat! That’s why I, Super-Mare, propose a strict regime with zero tolerance to criminals. A regime full of harmony and peace as me as Supreme Councilor” She accelerated at the time the main antagonist of Disharmony: Goddesses Among Ponies were attacked by a group of Martians from the war of the worlds; a bibliographic reference after other. It was heaven for Twilight. At the end Celestia arrived to Twilight’s Palace eluding the battle between Smog the dragon from the Hobbit, Pipsqueak as a Ponytan, the two lovecraftian deities and the Awakened Beings from Claymare. “Twilight Sparkle where are you?” She shouted opening the door. Instead of Twilight, she found the five agents of chaos reading a comic. “Ey, a Princess Celestia! From her autobiography I presume…” “No, is the actual me, thank you for asking” she said to the black foals, it was the first time she saw them in persona and could feel the chaotic power coming from them. “Where are your counterparts?” Sweetie Black pointed to the comic. “In here, after Twilight made them went back to normal Spike set them this trap. He wants to… fix things with Twilight, and believe me: I’ve never saw him that pissed off in my life” “Pissed off?” Asked the Princess. Shadow offered her popcorn. “Want some? This is getting good” Celestia nodded and sat to see the rest of the comic: Twilight, Matter Horn walked to her respective bomb. Apparently she was the only one left, but the path was clear. “What’s going on?” Asked Matter Horn. She stepped on a mine that sent her away, spraining her a hoof. “Ow…” Ultimate Drum appeared before her, holding two electric nun-chucks. “Are you ready Twi?” Asked the dragon. “Ready for what?” “For a Rated T comic, moderated violence” Twilight gulped. “Are you really capable to hurt me?” “I don’t know, are you really capable to break into my room without my permission?” Twilight gulped again. “Spike, I’m sorry! I know I shouldn’t do that, but please stop this. Is just that I was afraid and wanted to make sure your agents of chaos weren’t a true menace. I had to!” “I ANSWER FOR THEM, DON’T YOU TRUST ME? We live together, I’m your oldest and closest friend; isn’t that enough to trust in my decisions?” “Spike…” “Is more than that, you respect me now but only because I have Discord’s powers; because I’m as powerful as you in magic. Do you realize how much I had to suffer all this years when I didn’t have this powers?” “Spike, try to remember! We spent great times together! Remember that diary we all wrote together?” “You mean the diary I had to write for you when you had those adventures? Go to hell and prepare to fight” They both stared to each other, a pair of eyes furious and the other pair ashamed. Twilight realized he was really hurt and it was all her fault. After an uncomfortable silence Twilight lowered her head. “Just do it already” Spike raised an eyebrow. “Huh?” “I now I should respect you more and I’m sorry Spike. And if beat me with those electric nun-chucks is going to make you feel better, go ahead. I won’t do anything, I promise. I deserve it so go ahead, beat me all you want” Ultimate roared and swung his weapons to Twilight, who closed her eyes and let escape a small tear. The lavender alicorn felt the air getting colder as she felt Spike’s attack closer and closer, but the dragon just couldn’t. He threw away his weapons and offered a claw to Twilight. “I can’t” “Huh?” “In the comic I supposed to almost kill you… but I, Spike, can’t” Twilight half-smiled to Spike and hugged him. “Thank you. I know I hurt you but I promise I’ll make it all up to you. Everything is going to change from now on, you have my word. But not because you’re the lord of Disharmony and Chaos… because I owe you this. We’ll do everything together from now on and become even closer” Spike shrugged sadly. “It’s too late Twi, sorry. Now I have my own group of friends and my own business to do, that’s mess with the six of you. Now what about a quick harmony explosion to clean my mess?” Twilight nodded and Spike clacked his claws to transport them back the real world. “Ey guys, what’s up?” Greeted Spike. To avoid an uncomfortable moment by mentioning the conversation they just read, the team of chaos show its leader the pandemonium that cheered up Spike a little. “Cool, who said that reading was boring?” Black showed him Cthulu and Yog-Sothoth. “You’re right, I really want to know more about them” “That’s the spirit Black” said Princess Celestia. “I like you to expand your horizons by reading” Spike blinked surprised. “Princess Celestia! What are you doing here?” “Since this joke have being going a little too much I came to see if Twilight needed my help” Spike showed her the girls. “They seem alright” Celestia nodded and hugged Spike. “I’m proud of you Spike” “Princess Celestia?” “You had all the right to be angry, to have a chance to beat Twilight; but at the end you didn’t. You controlled yourself, and that’s something to praise” Spike smiled and returned the hug. “Thank you Princess Celestia” But then he noticed the Bearers of Harmony prepared to expand the Wave of Harmony to clean up the mess so Spike teleported to the clubhouse/chaos headquarters to protect his team identity. At the end Celestia walked to Twilight. “Twilight, do you realize this was a wake up call? Spike is a good boy, you’re lucky he isn’t vengeful or this could become a major problem. He’s calmed now but you still to need to earn his forgiveness” Twilight sighed ashamed. “I know, because with his new powers, this anger can drive him to become a real threat; I never thought that he’ll become as powerful as me” “No Twilight!” Protested Celestia, “because he’s your little brother and you hurt him all over this years. But he’ll forgive you, he’s a pure soul after all” Twilight nodded and Celestia added something: “By the way, he’s not as powerful as you Twilight Sparkle” “No? but he…” “Why do you think I had to team up with Luna every time we faced Discord? Because he had the power of two alicorns, not one, two; power that he transferred to Spike” Twilight paled… “You mean…?” “Yes, Spike is not as strong as you, he’s way too stronger”