//------------------------------// // Frappe // Story: Remnants of Equestria: FRRP // by RhetCon //------------------------------// “I assume I’ve made your job clear enough?” asked Luna. “If so, deal with it as soon as possible. We would rather you stay home, in fact. My Sister and I would be foolish to spare one of our teams so close to the Vytal Tournament.” “It’s o-okay, Professor,” said Fluttershy nervously. “We will try our hardest.” “Nevertheless, thank you. Beacon wishes you the best of luck, Team Frappe.” The Scroll conversation ended as Fluttershy shifted uneasily in her seat. “Chill, Fluttershy,” said Rainbow Dash. “We’ve been on missions before. No need to be so jumpy.” “I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash,” apologized Fluttershy. “It’s just… I’ve never been far from Vale before. I’m scared of what’s out there.” “Don’t worry, Fluttershy!” said Pinkie as energetically as always. “We’ve got your back!” “Honestly,” commented Rarity. “This mission will be far from our toughest as candidates for the Vytal Tournament.” “I’m still hyped about that,” said Rainbow Dash. “We’re only first years, but we’re cool enough to get into the tourney on our first try.” “Yes, it is quite ‘cool’,” said Rarity with a smile. “Fluttershy?” “Yes?” “We’ll be landing soon, I believe,” she said. “You should debrief us and give orders.” “It’s not like Fluttershy can make her own decisions, or anything…” said Rainbow Dash sarcastically. It warranted a scoff from Rarity. “Oh, o-of course,” she said, clearing her throat. “We have to find a Huntress, reported missing a few days ago. Celestia says she’s probably still alive, because of the odd signals coming from this spot here.” She pulled up a map on her Scroll. “She also went missing somewhere around here.” “Excellent, Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “And what is her name?” “Uh… I think it’s Lilith Crimson.” “Okay then,” said Rainbow Dash, punching her palm. “Let’s go kick some ass!” “Silly Dashie,” said Pinkie. “We’re on a rescue mission, remember?” “Let’s go save some ass then kick some ass!” she revised. As Rarity had suspected, the Bullhead they were riding in came to slow stop. Underneath the Bullhead was the vast expanses of space between Vale and Vacuo, two kingdoms of Remnant. A forest carpeted the entire area, leaving only a few patches of open space. “We should break up into two teams,” suggested Rarity. “We’ll cover more ground that way.” “Okay, Commander Rarity,” said Rainbow. “Come on Pinkie. You’re rolling with me.” “Are we rocking, too?” asked Pinkie, jumping to the forest below. “We should depart as well,” said Rarity, placing a hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “We wouldn’t want to fall behind.” “I see.” Fluttershy took her weapons, Blanc, and Noir, into her hands. “Team Frappe, move out!” This forest was unlike the Emerald Forest. Normally, the unknown was a scary thing. The very fact of ignorance could make a Huntsman shake in their boots. They weren’t too focused on ignorance, though. They just had fun hitting Creatures of Grimm. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, in the midst of battle, came to realize their love for being Huntresses. “Hey, Pinkie,” said Rainbow, finishing off a Boarbatusk. “You see any kind of people around here?” “Nope,” she said, firing a grenade into the chest of a Beowolf. “Too busy thinking about cupcakes.” “You’re always thinking about sweets, Pinkie Pie.” A Beowolf howled throughout the forest, attracting all different types of Grimm. Rainbow Dash sighed in boredom. “Hey, speaking of sweet. Wanna see my new move?” “Oooh,” said Pinkie interestedly. She jumped on the floor, crossed legged, and grabbed a bag of popcorn from seemingly nowhere. Rainbow Dash turned away from her and took a deep breath. The world slowed down, and Rainbow’s body enveloped in light. She stepped towards the Beowolf and put a fist into its gut. Before it could dissipate, she turned to a Boarbatusk that was just emerging from the forest and brought a knee to its snout. She felt like she could take all the Grimm in the forest. Then, the world sped back up. “Wow, Dashie!” said Pinkie in awe. “That was amazing!” “It’s supposed to go for longer than that, though,” said Rainbow in disappointment. She had no idea that Grimm were still advancing and, had Pinkie not been there, her lack of attention may have killed her. Pinkie hurled her hammer at an Ursa that was about to claw into Rainbow Dash’s back. The hammer bounced off of the Ursa’s mask, causing it to recoil backwards. Pinkie ran up, grabbed the handle, and changed it to make the head sharp, like a pickaxe, and stabbed it into the Ursa’s stomach. Rainbow Dash pulled her fist back and hit the Ursa in the chin, knocking it off of its feet. Finally, Pinkie brought the head of the hammer onto the Ursa’s face, making it fall into black dust. “Victory!” yelled Pinkie Pie, raising her hand for a high five. Rainbow Dash graciously accepted. “Yeah,” she said with a smile. Another roar echoed throughout the forest, bringing a groan to Rainbow’s lips. “I should’ve stayed in bed today.” “Scared, Fluttershy?” “Well… a little..” “I figure. Does a forest feel more comforting than a cafeteria?” “...Somewhat.” Fluttershy concentrated. “There are three Grimm up ahead.” "So... if a tree falls in the forest, and there is nobody around to hear it..." "It would make a sound, yes," said Fluttershy. "Besides, I could probably pick it up anyways." “I still can’t get over the usefulness of your antennae,” complimented Rarity. “How do Grimm smell, anyway?” “Different from humans and Faunus,” she said. “We should go around-” An explosion rang out in the forest, much to the silent disapproval of Rarity. “I shouldn’t have let those two go together,” said Rarity. “They’re not going to get any work done that way.” “M-Maybe they’re doing it their own way,” said Fluttershy, maneuvering around the cluster of Grimm. Rarity caught up quickly. “I just hope they’ll be okay…” “Sorry, Fluttershy,” apologized Rarity. “I should really let you make your own decisions. You are the leader, after all.” “Oh, no,” said Fluttershy. “I’m very grateful for your directions. I don’t know what to do sometimes, and you’re always so helpful.” “Not at all, darling,” she said. “Now, where were we?” In front of the two ladies stood three Ursa. “W-what happened, Fluttershy?” asked Rarity pulling Fluttershy backward. “I…” Fluttershy blushed in embarrassment. “I didn’t expect them to move...” “Nevermind it,” said Rarity, readying her already drawn needle-swords. “I’ll deal with these three.” “But I can help,” said Fluttershy, stepping up to Rarity with her weapons. “I am a Huntress too.” “I can assume that you are fired up, then?” she asked. “Y-yes,” she answered. The Ursa charged towards the two Huntresses, but the Huntresses were both smiling. Neither of them felt anything but excitement. Rarity took the lead, striking the first of the Ursa and quickly after spun on her heel and sliced upwards on the second Ursa just behind it. Fluttershy, moving swiftly, was able to dodge the first two strikes from the third Ursa. Flipping out the long side of Noir, the left baton, she jabbed it into its stomach, following up with an electrified punch from Blanc, the right tonfa. Rarity would have no trouble repelling the two Ursa. In a fight against Rarity, time was not your friend. As the Ursa’s continued to flail their arms, Rarity’s Sphere was getting bigger. This sphere was her Semblance. As Rarity concentrated, she could establish a “sphere” where she could dodge anything, block anything, and find exactly where to strike. It took an amazing amount of concentration, though. Something only Rarity could pull off. Soon, when both of the Ursa were covered in her influence, she was able to locate the best place to cut. With a flick of the wrist, deep gashes appeared over the chests of the Ursa, dropping them both to the ground. Fluttershy wasn’t having too much of a problem with her match either. Fluttershy was purely on offensive, jabs, smacks and kicks in rapid succession. Fluttershy dashed behind the Ursa, and brought the short end of the tonfa into the Ursa’s back, bringing it to the ground. She jumped into the air and slammed down with a lot of force, electricity surging through the Ursa, smashing it into black specks of light. Rarity clapped in celebration of Fluttershy’s win. “Well done, Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “Well done indeed.” “T-thank you…” responded Fluttershy. “Pinkie’s been practicing with me…” “I never noticed it until now, but your weapons.” Rarity ran her finger down the side of Fluttershy’s tonfa. “They are very well made, no?” “Uhm... “ said Fluttershy. “I don’t know…” “You’ve named them, right?” “This one is named Noir,” said Fluttershy, bringing up the one clad in white. “The other one is Blanc. Rainbow Dash said I should change them to their opposite colors.” “Maybe I should name my own weapons,” sid Rarity, lifting her weapons. “Something to give them more personality.” “Well… you like to make dresses, so maybe you should name them after something like that.” Fluttershy suggested. “I-I mean, only if you want to…” “I see,” she said, thinking it over. After a few seconds, she smiled. “Silk.” She raised one needle. “And Satin.” She raised the other. “Wow,” said Fluttershy. “Those are great names.” “Thank you, darling,” said Rarity. “We should get going. Lilith is still out here somewhere.” “She must be so scared…” Rarity walked forward, but stopped and turned. She extended her hand forward. “After you, leader.” “Ugh. I’m bored,” said Pinkie, practically dragging herself across the forest. “Aren’t there any more Grimm to fight?” “Not that I know of, Pinkie Pie,” said Rainbow Dash. “Have you seen Lilith yet?” “If I saw Lilith don’t you think you would’ve seen-” “What’s that?” asked Pinkie, gleefully skipping towards a tree. There seemed to be some kind of scratches in the bark. “I think it says, ‘left’. What does that mean?” “I think we should go left,” said Rainbow Dash. “Or maybe we should go right!” “Why do you say that?” “Well,” started Pinkie. “If it was left by Lilith, then maybe she wanted to confuse the Grimm!” “Grimm can’t read, Pinkie,” said Rainbow Dash. “Or… maybe they can… I dunno. Cheerilee's class is dumb.” “C-Cheerilee?” asked a voice. “Miss Cheerilee?” Rainbow Dash jumped back and looked into the trees. A woman was cowering above her. “Who the hell are you?” asked Rainbow Dash. “If you say anything other than Lilith-” “Y-yes!” she stuttered. “My name is Lilith Crimson. Who are you two?” “My name is Pinkie Pie,” said Pinkie loudly. “We’re here to save you!” “Save… me?” “Yeah,” answered Rainbow Dash. “You know, from the forest?” “You’re here to bring me back to Beacon!?” she asked excitedly. “R-really?” “Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash. “We found you, so I should call in the Bullhead.” “Thank you!’ she said, overjoyed. “W-wait. Is my team okay?” “Yeah they are,” said Pinkie reassuringly. “They came to Celestia telling her to come help you!” “So… they do care,” she said. Her voice changed from that of relief to one of ominous sadness. She quickly changed back, though. “Uh, nevermind! Let me get my things.” She jumped down from the tree and started walking to the right. “Ha,” said Pinkie Pie. “Told you it was to the right.” “You two stay here,” she said. “I’ll… be right back.” “You betcha!” Pinkie yelled. “We won’t even move an inch.” Lilith disappeared into the forest, leaving the two alone. Pinkie entered a mode of pure stillness. Rainbow Dash sat near a tree and waited. “Should we have let her go by herself?” asked Rainbow Dash. “She didn’t look like she had any weapons. Pinkie didn’t respond, much to Rainbow Dash’s annoyance. “Pinkie, I think you can move an inch.” “But what if Lilith was expecting me to be in this exact spot?” she asked. “Then, she wouldn’t know where I went, and be thrown into a fit of panic!” “You’re being more extreme than normal, now.” Rainbow Dash shuffled a bit. “Seriously, Pinkie. Something is just… throwing me off, you know? About Lilith.” “What about Lilith?” asked Pinkie Pie, still reluctant to move from her spot. “Is it her hair?” “No…” Rainbow sighed. “Maybe I’m being paranoid, but this whole situation just seems weird. Lilith’s team just left her out here to die?” “Seems like that,” answered Pinkie. “You wouldn’t leave me out here, right Dashie?” “Sure I wouldn’t, Pinkie Pie,” she said. “Why would her team either? Then, they just up and ask for help getting her back…” “You’re thinking about everything too much, Dashie,” said Pinkie. “I’m sure Lilith has a perfectly valid explanation. We’ll ask her when she gets back.” “Yeah, maybe,” said Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash felt a small prick on her shoulder. It went away after she scratched it, but came back soon after. It slowly escalated into a burning pain. “Dashie?” asked Pinkie. “You’re fidgeting a lot.” “Yeah, my arm is hurting for some reason.” She tried to get up but fell back to the ground. She didn’t feel especially weak. She tried again but was faced with the same result. “Jeez, what is up with me?” Pinkie extended her hand, which Rainbow Dash graciously took. With an iron grip, she grabbed hold of her hand, stopping her from escape. Pinkie had no way to evade the small blade coming out of Rainbow’s palm, cutting into her own. Her struggling was suddenly stopped and she fell to the ground, hair un-poofing and becoming flat and straight. Lilith’s hand gripped Rainbow’s shoulder gently as she leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “I think you should take a rest. Sleep…” “Something seems off…” said Rarity quietly. “I haven’t heard any ‘bangs’ or ‘booms’ in a while.” “They’ve probably stopped fighting,” said Fluttershy, above Rarity in the trees. “I wonder if they’ve found Lilith yet,” she continued. “I guess that if they had, Pinkie would shout really loud.” “Most likely…” said Fluttershy. “Am I boring you, by any chance?” “N-no,” said Fluttershy reluctantly. “I don’t have any problem with a bit of conversation…” “Oh.” Rarity sighed. “Any luck finding Lilith?” Fluttershy’s antenna flickered around. “I can smell a human,” she reported. “It’s still pretty faint, though. It must be pretty far away-” A shrill shriek rang out through the forest, putting both Rarity and Fluttershy on guard. “And that?” asked Rarity. “I-It didn’t sound like Rainbow Dash and Pinkie…” said Fluttershy. “I don’t think it was too far away from here.” “That might be Lilith,” said Rarity rushing deeper into the forest. “Come one, Fluttershy! We must act with haste!” “O-okay!” Fluttershy ran after her, quickly catching up with her on the ground. Once they entered a clearing, a woman with crimson hair stood with a small dagger in her hand, surrounded by two Beowolves. Fluttershy and Rarity were prepared to fight, but Rainbow Dash and Pinkie descended from the trees, taking the two Grimm out with one shot each. “Ah, you two,” said Rarity, sheathing her weapons. “I was wondering when you’d-” “Are you okay?” said Rainbow Dash turning to the unknown girl. “I don’t know what we’d do if we’d lost you,” said Pinkie. Her hair was down, which was unusual for her. “Oh. Hello, Fluttershy. Rarity.” “Hello…” said Rarity. “What happened to your hair?” “Explain,” she said plainly. “It’s… flat…” said Fluttershy quietly. “You normally keep it big…” “That is irrelevant,” said Pinkie. “We’ve found Lilith, so shouldn’t we call in the Bullhead?” “This is Lilith?” asked Rarity skeptically. “We met her a few minutes ago,” said Rainbow Dash, suddenly speaking up. She was acting just like Pinkie. “Again, shouldn’t we call in a Bullhead?” I-I guess…” Fluttershy flipped open her Scroll and entered a conversation with the Headmistress, Celestia. Once the call opened, a voice played through the speakers. “Hello, Professor Celestia speaking,” said Celestia. “U-Uhm…” said Fluttershy into the mic. “This is Team Frappe. We’ve… found Lilith here and would like to request a Bullhead to come pick us up.” “Will do, Fluttershy,” she said. “A Bullhead will come to pick you up soon.” “Thank you, Professor.” The scroll conversation ended and Fluttershy put her scroll away. Once she turned around, Pinkie stood directly in front of her, Rainbow Dash in front of Rarity. Pinkie grasped Fluttershy’s hand and flung her over her shoulder. Crashing to the ground hard, Fluttershy gasped as all the air was taken from her. Rarity was put into a similar position by Rainbow Dash. Pinkie and Rainbow Dash both planted knees into their respective prey, keeping them immobile. “What is the meaning of this?!” Rarity roared. “Let me go this instant!” “Sorry that I had to be so rough with you two,” said Lilith, the crimson haired Huntress. “I just couldn’t have you guys catching on to me. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that I take good care of your bodies.” She motioned towards Rarity, making Rainbow Dash draw a dagger from her palm. She plunged this dagger into Rarity’s shoulder, causing her to slump to the ground. “Rarity!” yelled Fluttershy. “R-Rarity?” “Your friends are all under my control now,” said Lilith. “Sovereignty is a beautiful dagger, no?” Fluttershy started to cry. She couldn’t think of anything else to do. Reduced, once again to a weak and helpless Huntress, she cursed her own lack of power. It may be hard to be me, but I’d gladly face the hardships for my friends. My... Friends… A hearty boom echoed throughout the forest, taking everyone by surprise. Lilith looked around as if she was expecting an attack, and Pinkie straightened up, giving me some leeway. “I’m sorry, Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy wriggled free of Pinkie’s grasp and pushed herself backwards. Now free, everyone’s attention turned to her. “I promise you all! I will bring you back, even if it’s the last thing I do!” “Mind your words, girl,” said Lilith with a smirk. “Pinkie, cut her.” Pinkie made her way to Fluttershy, a small dagger appearing out of her hand, swiping and stabbing with it. Although she was strong, she had no experience with daggers. With a simple parry, Fluttershy was able to get the upper hand and knock Pinkie back. “I’ve been waiting,” said Fluttershy confidently. “Today, right now, I will show you why I’m called a leader!” “Ha. Talking like you’re important!’ said Lilith. “If a leader is so important, why did my team discard me, huh?!” “What are you... talking about?” “‘We’re running away from Grimm’? We could’ve stood against them! They didn’t have to leave me...” “You’re team?” asked Fluttershy. “T-They’re the ones who asked us to come and get you!” “They don’t care about me!” she yelled. “That’s why I’ll use you and your friends to show them just what I think about their ‘kindness’!” “Just let me and my friends go!” yelled Fluttershy. “I… I want to live with my friends so we can help you live with yours!” Lilith began laughing maniacally, bringing Sovereignty to her face. “Let’s see whose wishes prevail, my dear!” She flicked her dagger forwards, leading the three Huntresses towards Fluttershy. In response, Fluttershy placed Noir and Blanc together and flipped it to make a longer stick. At the very end, a small hole was present, allowing Fluttershy to blow into it. The sound was high. High enough to make Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie stop in their tracks. Once she was done, the forest shook as a flock of different birds burst into the clearing, impairing everyone’s sight and movement. Except Fluttershy. Moving quickly, she broke the tonfa apart and ran towards Lilith. Just before it connected, Pinkie jumped in front of it, taking the hit for her. “They can’t protect you forever, Lilith!” said Fluttershy, going for another jab. This time, Rarity took the hit. “They’re my friends and I won’t let you take them away from me!” Another blow was blocked by Rainbow Dash. With all of the Huntresses out of the way, Lilith had nothing to protect her but her dagger. Fluttershy pulled her fist back and brought her full power onto Lilith’s hand, shattering the dagger and sending Lilith backwards. It was the most thrilling thing Fluttershy ever experienced. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all fell to the ground while Lilith stumbled backwards, her shattered knife still in her hands. “M-my knife…” said Lilith, falling to her knees. “You couldn’t have… my knife…” “My friends give me my strength,” said Fluttershy. “You gave up on your friends. They want you to come back, so…” The Bullhead pulled above, blocking the sun. In the shade of the Bullhead, Fluttershy extended her hand with a smile. “Will you?” “Damn you,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “Damn you to hell…” Fluttershy gave her a hug, making her break down into genuine tears. “It’s okay,” said Fluttershy. “It’s okay.” It takes a certain strength to befriend an enemy. A strength only Fluttershy possesses. A leader’s intuition that grows with time was blooming inside of her. It would take ahold and make her into a great leader, no doubt. Rarity, the older of two sisters: both with misguided hate towards the other. This hate will soon spark a conflict that neither will have any control over, either of the sisters realizing their impending downfall. Rainbow Dash, a brash and arrogant braggart. Surely her path, however short, can only be one of the grandiose exploits. The question, however, is not what her fall will be, rather what will she do at the fall of others before her? Finally, Pinkie Pie. A psychopathic party animal with almost no sense of danger. It's good that she’s so strong-willed. She, like everyone else, has something to live down. Somewhere out there, a different path lied. The very existence of it made her grin with delight. Team Frappe: a team of four Huntresses- No. A team of four friends heading to the Vytal Festival, ready to take the world by storm.