Bedlam slumped back into a crumpled heap, his body disintegrating into dust before a vacuum nozzle sucked it through a portal to Discords realm.
Reiver was silent. Bedlam was a creature born from his own soul, who he initially thought to be a hallucination. He felt a connection to the strange creature, and his father had really hurt him, maybe even worse. The fillies were at his side a moment later, Apple Bloom laying a hoof on his shoulder as he felt his eyes well up.
Reiverrrrrrr!
The feral roar from across the orchard snapped them back to the present.
"We have to get out of here," said Apple Bloom.
"Yeah," supported Scootaloo, but Big Mac stepped in front of them.
"Can one of you tell me what the heck is going on and how it's related to the thing destroying our orchards?! Why is it calling for Revier?"
"Because it's my dad!" snapped the foal, tearfully stepping up to the draft horse. "He had a draconequis like me, but it’s not like Bedlam! He appeared by the clubhouse to take me away-"
"But we wouldn't let them!" declared Scootaloo.
"Yeah!" supported Sweetie Belle.
"But then he got mad and they changed into a monster!" Finished Apple Bloom.
“And Belam sent us away so he could fight him, now he’s gone and my dad is still after me!” finished Reiver.
Big Mac turned to stare out towards the burning trees, expression settling into a grim, narrow eyed stare as he quickly digested the information he was just given.
"So, your daddy is burning down our orchards."
"Yes, I'm sorry."
"Don’t apologise, he's the one doing it."
"But if he hadn't found me-"
"I’ll stop right there,” said the stallion, firmly. “He could have been reasonable and talked to us, but we still wouldn’t have let him take you.”
He looked back up at the burning orchard.
“Instead, he got mad and set fire to our trees, and if he had a lick of sense, he’d know not to harm an Apples orchard. Now, I want all of you to head to the farmhouse, Applejack and her friends will be back soon. Y'all will be safe there until then."
"Y-you're not coming with us?" stammered Apple Bloom.
"Nnnope.”
“But, he’s a monster! You can’t fight him!”
In response, Big Mac shrugged off the yoke he always wore around his neck, the Crusaders jumping as it crashed to the ground, crushing the path stones to powder. The crimson draft horse then flexed his neck and body in a series of bone cracking stretches, before spitting out the stalk of wheat that was typically between his teeth.
"Big Mac, please don't do this!" begged Reiver, desperately grabbing the stallion's forelegs. "He's a monster, he killed Bedlam! Please...I don't want to lose you."
The muscular stallion wrapped a hoof around Reiver, smiling softly as he dipped his neck.
"I'll be fine."
"But why are you doing this?"
"Because you're family, and Apples look after their family. Y'all get going now, get! I'll stall him as best I can."
With that, he pushed Reiver to one side, watching the colt and CMC reluctantly gallop off, before setting his sights on the burning orchards, and planting his hooves firmly on the road.
He didn't have to wait long, as a strange stallion casually trotted into view. Scott had resumed his pony shape, but it was clear that Anarchy still held sway. His hooves left smouldering burns in the ground and his eyes were now yellow with red pupils that zeroed in on Big Mac as he stopped in front of the draft horse, whose own eyes narrowed at the possessed stallion.
"Excuse me, have you seen a group of foals come this way?" he asked, cordially. Although it sounded to Mac like he was sizing him up.
"Nnnope."
HE LIES!
Scotts shadow rose up beside him, its own mismatched eyes opening to glare at the stallion.
"I'm here for my son," explained Scott. "I'm his father. Just hand him over, you really don't want to be in my way."
"Nnnope," replied Big Mac, flexing his shoulders. "You're after one of my family, that would be enough to warrant the flank kicking I'm about to give you, but then y'all had to go and burn our orchard."
"Oh please," scoffed Scott. "Like that load of trees is even worth anything, you're just some...cartoon that distracted him from real pursuits. Now, where. IS. HE?!"
He snorted thick smoke from his nostrils that curled around him like a chain, while Anarchy morphed into thick sludge that oozed over Scott until he was covered in jet black goo.. Mismatched eyes snapped open, smoke continuing to smoulder from his nostrils as a wicked looking horn spiralled out from his forehead and leathery, bat-like wings sprouted from his sides.
Big Mac regarded his transformed opponent with calm detachment, face stony and impassive. The stallion had dealt with bullies before, when he was young and small they liked to pick on him, so he developed a thick skin. After he bulked up, those same tormentors targeted his sister, and he made sure they learnt a lesson they would never forget.
This stallion in front of him, he was just another bully, and he deserved what was about to happen.
Squaring his shoulders, Big Mac braced himself.
"Reiver told us all about you, how you neglected him and his ma’, how you drove her to do what she did."
She made him weak.
"She made sure he was loved, which is more than I can say for you. You're a disgrace to your family."
You know nothing about my family, you nag!
"I know you didn't deserve yours."
With a roar, Anarchy took the bait and charged. Big Mac held his ground right up until the stallion impacted his shoulder, then, the draft horse spun. Using his opponent's momentum, he shifted and twisted his body, wrapping his forehooves around his opponent, biting the scruff of Scotts neck before whipping his own head forwards, hurling the creature off the path, through the fence and into the field beyond. The corrupted stallion screamed as he hit the ground hard, leaving a trench as his momentum drove him right into a large rock, which cracked right down the middle on contact with his skull.
He slid, slowly to the ground, wide eyed in shock as he spit out a clod of earth, along with a few teeth. Bedlam hadn’t been able to overcome his newfound strength, he might have been a newborn, but he’d had the power of chaos to call on. This…pony, this, no power, cartoon character, had thrown him like a rag doll. He snarled and pulled himself up, shaking his head to clear the ringing from his ears.
Scott turned to see Big Mac slowly approaching.
How...how did you do that? No pony is that strong!
"No pony, ‘cept me." snorted the stallion, spitting out a glob of Anarchys slimy coat. Scraping a hoof through the earth Big Mac tensed his rear legs like a pair of coiled springs, and launched himself right at Scott.
The corrupted stallion barely had time to brace himself before he was hit with the force of a freight train, the impact pushing him backwards, leaving smouldering furrows in the ground as he grappled with Big Mac. He snorted a choking cloud of smoke right into the farm pony's eyes, but that just made the red stallion snort back angrily as he reared up with a loud whinny, hooves flailing out to smack Anarchy right in the jaw, the possessed pony losing his footing as a consequence.
Anarchy's face oozed sludge and bile as he fell sideways, he threw a wild punch that clipped Big Mac and disorientated him long enough for the creature to stagger and regain its footing before going on the offensive, sprouting a set of fangs and biting the farmer in his muscular foreleg, before being dislodged by a heavy hoof crushing him into the dirt.
Big Mac reared back, looking down at the smouldering wound, he could already feel his head start to spin. But even with Anarchy's corruption burning through his veins, the stallion stood his ground as the mauled creature recovered, standing back up in a cacophony of cracking bones and the squelching of mutilated flesh.
You really think you can keep doing this?
"I can do this all day," snorted the stallion.
I think not
Anachy's horn ignited in fiery green tar that erupted in a great fountain towards Big Mac, the stallion ducking into a roll to dodge the attack, as it melted the ground where he had been standing.
Scraping up a hoof full of dirt, he threw it at Anarchy's face, the creature crying out in surprise as it was blinded, giving him the opportunity to slam into it head on with a low charge, driving the corrupted stallion into the split boulder with a rib crunching crack.
To anypony else he was always a pony of few words, calm and cheerful to those around him, but Big Macintosh had a strong protective instinct, if you threatened anything he cared about, especially his family, then you would regret it.
Anarchy was learning this first hoof as his body went slack, sliding to the ground as Big Mac slowly stepped back from the twitching spirit of chaos. The stallion took a moment to observe its broken body, before turning to limp his way to the farmhouse.
So that's where he’s hiding.
Big Mac stopped, then turned to watch in horror as Anarchy pulled himself up yet again, his body rebuilding itself as his goo-like skin shimmered and hardened into crystal. The smell of ozone filled the air as sparks of sickly purple and pink spluttered from his horn while the sludge on his wings sloughed off to reveal a new set of graceful, insectoid replacements.
Figured you would go to him once you ‘defeated’ me, mocked the creature, as it took a deep, cleansing breath.
You have so much raw anger. A white hot fury shared only by the one that gave me life!
He smiled widely, as a new, permanent set of glittery fangs filled his maw.
Of course, I put it to much better use.
Anarchy launched himself with a chittering roar, Big Mac ducked sideways, just avoiding the charge, but then a serpentine tongue whipped out with a loud crack, nicking his ear and forcing him behind part of the fence to avoid the razor sharp appendage. He was getting slow, the poison burning in his veins made his limbs feel heavier with each passing moment, while his head felt like it was submerged in syrup.
A mass of shattering splinters cut his cheek as the razor tongue shattered the wood and he leapt from cover to go on the offensive tackling the spirit of chaos to the ground, flesh and bone meeting hardened crystal with a loud smack!. The creature's wings buzzed angrily as he tried to pin him, but it quickly threw him off with a kick to the ribs.
Grunting in pain, the draft horse managed to stagger back up and buck out his rear legs, both making contact with the force of a cannon blast, crystalline skin shattering beneath his hooves, Anarchy faltering, but not falling.
Impressive.
Anarchy whipped out his tongue again, wrapping it around the stallion's neck and squeezing tight. Big Mac's hooves flailed as his airflow was cut off and he was dragged to the ground, a heavy hoof pressing on the back of his head.
Why are you still defending that little fool?
Anarchy snarled and leant down to look him in the eye, while Big Mac struggled to free himself, but he could feel himself slipping. So he mustered up what energy he had left for what could be his last act.
With the creature's head in so close, it was impossible to miss as Mac cracked Anarchy's jaw with a hard right hoof, the entity staggering back with a pained roar, tongue going slack and giving the stallion a moment to recover.
"Like I said, he's family," coughed Big Mac. "Don't care where he's from, or what he is. And this family looks out for each other."
Using his powerful back legs, he launched himself into Anarchy once again, the pair rolling in the dirt as they fought, kicked, and bit one another relentlessly, Then there was a flash of purple from the creature's horn, blinding Big Mac long enough for Anarchy to heave him to one side and land a hard crack across his muzzle.
Big Mac crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Worthless pierce of childish trash, he scoffed. Now, to find my son.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The farmhouse door slammed shut behind the fillies and colt as they raced inside, Apple Bloom immediately securing the locks.
"Think that'll hold him?" asked Scootaloo.
"I dunno, but I'm not taking any chances," replied the farm filly.
Reiver meanwhile, flopped to the floor.
"Why did Big Mac have to do that? We saw what my dad did to Bedlam!"
"I know," replied Apple Bloom, in a worried tone. "But my brother can be as stubborn as Applejack, especially with family involved."
"But...I'm not family," replied Reiver. "I'm just some alien that spilled porridge on your head."
The farm filly frowned and pulled Reiver up by his scruff.
"Now you listen here, and get this through your thick head! Y'all might not think so, but y'all have been part of this family for a while now."
She looked him dead in the eye.
"You've eaten with us at our table, helped Big Mac with his projects, been on Cutie Mark Crusaders, heck, y'all have been living with us for so long it's like you were always there. Applejack. Granny Smith, Big Mac and me, we've all got to like you."
She pulled him into a hug.
"Doesn't matter where you came from. You're part of the Apple Family."
Reiver sniffled, then returned the hug, even as the other fillies joined in.
"Don't forget us," reminded Scootaloo.
"Yeah," supported Sweetie Belle. "You're a Cutie Mark Crusader, you know."
"...girls…I...don't know what to say."
"Y'all can start by explaining about the ruckus I'm hearing out in the fields!"
They all jumped at Granny Smith's sharp tone as she descended the stairs, then they all launched into a rapid retelling that ended just as abruptly when the door was shattered..
Reiver's blood ran cold, as Anarchy stepped through the cloud of splinters, his fanged maw curling into a smile as they set eyes on each other.
Ah, there you are.
I think at this point the only thing that will stop this guy is the elements themselves. Discord deep down did have he just wasn't in touch with and bedlam did understand friendship even if he got a little carried away when he first started getting his own life. . This guy only cares about himself and although he might have been a good soldier that all he was good for.
Big Mac is what a family man should be...
And Scott is the exact opposite of what a family man should be.
Glad to see another chapter of this fine story.
11290334
Maybe one day it could happen but I think he needs a long stoney time out first to get him to see that his path isn't the best thing. He can't begin to change until he can be humble. Discord knew that the elements could beat him and tried to sneaky about it but it allowed him to open up to friendship even if at first he didn't want to.
if we did not get the line that said bedlam's dust was sucked back to discords dimention i would have guessed he reterned to Reiver's soul. either way im hoping for the answer to taking his dad down will be Reiver and Bedlam either permenetly or temporeraly combinding and beating him down with a more cordinated version of the link between his dad and his draconicus
Awesome chapter loved that Mac managed to stand up to Anarchy and managed to land blows on him. From the looks of it Reaver's father is well on his way to be completely subsumed by Anarchy if there is even a difference between the two.
Either the Elements of Harmony are getting used of this guy will be chucked into Discord’s realm. However it goes I doubt he will like the experience at all.
Looks like it's coming to a head. Looking forward to the next one.
Anarchy, you done messed up!
Big Mac hitting in all areas
Inb4 Granny is secretly more jacked than big mac, like how old men are in japanese fight cartoons
Well, I can't fault Big Mac for trying. Poor guy was just outmatched.
That being said...ooh, Anarchy's just warming up for a whuppin'.
Unfortunately most of his "sense" has been slowly corroded by Anarchy during his stay in Equestria
Oh that's not a good sign
Definitely not a good sign
And that's Anarchy in the driver seat.
Scott is definitely losing more and more of what little control he still has... and the worst part is that he can't seem to recognize what's real anymore thanks to Anarchy
11290334
Agreed.
Granted, Anarchy needs to be removed from Scott first, but after that all I think he really needs is someone who won't put up with his bull$#|t.
Like Redheart, been seeing a potential ship there and haven't been able to put it out of my mind, and someone has to help him get used to Equestrian society.
Personal opinion on the start of Scott's issues is that he just couldn't adapt.
He couldn't adapt to civilian life, so he went back to the military.
He couldn't adapt to having a family, so he avoided them.
He couldn't adapt to the changes in society, so he pretended they hadn't happened.
Honestly getting tossed into another world might have been better for Scott than for Reiver.
11310042
I don't think Anarchy is making Scott act this way: he's bringing out what's really inside Scott.
Scott had nothing good about him and was a terrible father. Anarchy is making those feelings bubble to the surface.
As a wise man once said, the true judge of a man is what he does with power.
So, what are we betting? Petrifaction? Obliteration? Or just strip away Anarchy and all of Steve's self-delusion and force him to confront just how sick he is, by having him see and feel all the things he's done from the perspective of his victims.
I kinda hope Granny does a 'get off my lawn' bit :)
derpicdn.net/img/2012/11/15/153166/medium.jpg
With all the destruction in the orchard, and Big Mac playing speed bump... she might have enough time to bust out the 'old' farm implements, ya know the ones that let them keep the land back when it was 'wild'!
11311821
I'm just betting on the elements themselves. As for how they will handle it I'm not sure. Sunset I think did have a heart she just never really cared probably because nobody really cared about her. Discord well he never bothered to care about anyone before fluttershy.
11310046
I'm not sure there Is much left of the original person and considering they are both jerks put them both in stone for a while until they understand their way is the not the best way for anyone but them.
11310046
Actually the son might finally be able to heal from the damage dad did by being unwilling to accept that not everything and everyone is going to do things your way and it isn't always a bad thing.
Shouldn’t this part be ‘Anarchy’ instead of Bedlam?
11386755
Indeed, didnt notice that mistake. Corected it. Thanks for spotting that.
constructive criticism is appreciated
You're the boss: "I’ll stop right there,” said the stallion, firmly. “He could have been reasonable and talked to us, but we still wouldn’t have let him take you.”
It would work better if instead of just writing "said the stallion, firmly" you instead did something like having Big Mac show that he's being firm by pushing his chest out and standing above him with his head held high. Something like that to show the reader he's being firm while saying it. And it's not like you don't have examples of characters showing throughout your story, but I figured I'd point out some telling when it could be showing.