Collision Code

by SSJRandomMaster

Act 2 Chapter 19

Act II: Collision Course
Chapter 19: Escalating Evil
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Ponyville had been quiet for days since the previous attack. The citizens had continued their lives, blissfully ignorant of what had happened, or what could happen soon. That is, except the few who had been there and prevented it from reaching them. Even as they continued to pretend nothing was wrong, they continued to keep out a watchful eye. But they weren’t just watching, they were also preparing themselves. They were making sure they’d be ready for when the next attack occurred.

Almost two weeks have now passed since Lyon’s vow to return. And yet, there were no signs of him. But he wasn’t the only one who had vanished. John had also not returned from wherever he’d run off to. With so much time elapsed, the team was beginning to wonder which one would make his return first. The wait was brutal, making every team member restless.

That wait came to an abrupt end. Something had happened in Ponyville—something awful. The town, previously surrounded in a pleasant aura, was once again erupting in the sounds of panic. And over the sounds of screaming, a terrifying lion’s roar could be heard echoing through the air.

This roar wasn’t an intimidating one, or at least it wasn’t meant to be. The roar was meant to let everypony who knew the truth know of one very simple fact.

“Twilight!” Corey yelled, running down the steps of the library.

“I heard it too,” Twilight called back, making her way towards the door, “He’s in town!”

Corey grabbed his jacket and hastily threw it on as he followed Twilight outside.

This is it! Corey thought, noting his fear was oddly…diminished, The day’s finally here! Day after day, I’ve been pushing myself beyond my limits. Now that the day’s here, I want to show what I can do. There were no “ifs” as he would have usually put in his assessment of situations. There was no denying he was still feeling the fear, but determination was currently overpowering that seizing feeling.

Corey and Twilight ran through the streets. The sounds of screaming lead them to where the attack was happening; though the sounds of panic were far-reaching, they seemed to be concentrated especially in one area. As they followed the clamor, they realized several townsponies were running in the opposite direction—worked into such a frenzy that it was hard to dodge them at times. However, this clued them in: they were heading in the right direction.

Pinkie Pie and Rarity soon joined them. It wasn’t too long before they reached where the attack had occurred. Many homes had been severely damaged, as though the windows or walls were pried open with two massive hands. Part of the street had been torn off, no doubt thrown through the other windows that weren’t torn clean off the walls. There were still ponies in the area, completely paralyzed with fear. But there was one thing missing: the lion who’d caused it all.

“Guys, over here!” This was Rainbow Dash, beckoning the group of four to come to her. Her head wound had healed for at least a couple of days, the bandages gone. Behind and to the left of her, Applejack was crouched in front of a trembling civilian.

“It’s okay, he’s gone now,” Applejack tried her best to calm the civilian, “Please, tell me what happened?”

The pony took in several, shaking, deep breaths—or at least, as deep as she could make them. Eventually, she was able to make words.

“B-b-big…b-b-b-big l-l-lion!” Her voice trembled as she tried to explain, “B-big, c-cage…h-h-he t-took…hos-hostages!”

On these words, everyone took up a look of disgust. Corey’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw locked as he took in the news.

He’s after us, he bitterly spat to nothing but the inside of his skull, Why’s he bringing others into this!?

Corey’s fists tightened. He would have continued to stew in the unsettling fury that had boiled up, but a hand came down on his shoulder. Turning to its owner, he saw Twilight. Though it was clear she didn’t like the situation either, she shook her head slowly at hm. Realizing what he was doing, Corey closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

“Did he say anything?” Applejack asked the pony, having allowed her a little more time to gather herself.

“B-before he left…” The pony struggled, the shock of the moment still there, “He screamed, ‘Come back to where this began!’”

The words meant nothing, or next to nothing, to anypony who had heard it at the time. But to those who had battled the lion the pony spoke of, it was all they needed to know.

They knew where he had taken them.
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He could never forget the spot where his pride was lost. Even though the only landmark was the city less than a mile away, Lyon remembered very well where this was. Carrying the cage over his head, which contained at least seven ponies of varying size, color, and race, Lyon had made his way for this clearing at blinding speed.

Only when he reached the edge of the clearing, towards the forest, did he finally set the cage down. Gazing upon the trembling forms of the ponies within brought an unsettling smirk to Lyon’s face. He glanced into the cage for a few minutes more, before turning around, facing the city he’d ransacked.

That should have gotten their attention, thought Lyon.

The time continued to pass since Lyon set down the cage, seeming to drag on to him. Slowly, but surely, his teeth bared in impatience. Surely those ponies cared for their own? His eyes darted back to the cage as he weighed a disturbing option.

Shall I challenge them one by one? Lyon thought, These ponies definitely stand no chance against me. But such an easy challenge…

For a few moments longer, he stared out to the settlement.

“Perhaps…” Lyon started to turn, keeping one eye on the settlement. Then, he saw signs of movement in the distance, and turned his body around again. There was a throng of pony-shaped figures coming towards him. As they neared, he could see some familiar creatures.

His mouth curled once again, baring his teeth. His brows arched, and he slowly moved forward. Continuing to glare in their direction, one simple thought echoed through his mind.

It’s payback time…

Lyon forced himself to wait. Every fiber of his being wanted to pounce on the ponies that were approaching him, but he’d figured that since they actually showed up, he’d wait just a little longer. Eventually, the throng of ponies reached him.

“So you showed up,” Lyon snarled, loud enough so that the arriving ponies could hear him.

“Damn right we did!” shouted Rainbow.

“You mess with Ponyville, you mess with us!” Applejack added. Lyon wasn’t listening. Now that the group had stopped a safe distance from him, Lyon’s eyes could scan the group. Someone was missing. Someone who dwarfed each of the ponies in height.

“The dragon isn’t here!?” Lyon roared. Most of the party exchanged confused glances.

“That’s right, John hasn’t come back yet…” murmured Twilight.

“That coward would humiliate me in battle, only to turn tail and run away!?” Lyon snarled, eyes darting about wildly.

“Don’t talk about John like that…” Corey grumbled, tightening his fists.

“He’ll be back soon,” Applejack said, “Til then, you’re stuck with us.”

Lyon scoffed loudly. Even underneath the glowering eyes, the clenched jaw, and the almost feral posture, people could see a storm brewing. One that was even worse than before. Eventually, his gaze rested on it.

“I will not stand for it,” he growled, “I will not be ignored! Of you, he is the only one worthy to face my wrath…”

“It won’t be like last time!” Rainbow shouted, just before flinching. Not from the soul-piercing gaze Lyon threw the group, but from what he did as he did so.

Lyon’s claws raked along the top of the cage, making a horrible screeching sound, the ponies inside the cage now petrified with fear. Some of the ponies across from Lyon unconsciously reached for their ears.

“If he is not here in five minutes, one of the hostages will pay!” Lyon vowed.

Based on their last encounter with Lyon, they knew that it would take a lot of force to move him. It would have taken too much time and effort to get him far enough away from the cage before he brought harm to one of the hostages. So, the group had no choice but to comply for the moment.

None of the ponies knew time could move so slowly. It wasn’t the wait that was making it difficult for them, though. It was the fact they had to wait on John. John, who himself had no idea when he’d be back, who hadn’t sent word to anyone since departing. He’d been gone for almost the entire time between the two confrontations.

“Three minutes…” Lyon snarled, scraping his claw across the top of the cage.

“What if he don’t show?” Applejack said, voicing what everyone was thinking. No one had an answer, continuing to watch Lyon for signs of movement. As time continued on, Lyon continued to stand close to the cage.

“Two minutes,” Lyon called out when the time came. His claw continued to grind against the top of the cage, this time with such force sparks were flying.

“He’s not going to make it,” Twilight said. No one said anything to correct her. Time was running out, and there was still not even a little sign of him.

“He’ll make it,” Rainbow said, arms folded over her chest.

“How do you know?” asked Applejack.

“Because when he left, he promised me he wouldn’t leave us to fight him alone,” Rainbow said.

Everyone fell silent once more. It wasn’t that they doubted John made the promise. They doubted if he was going to be able to keep it. Lyon was right there, grinding his claws against a cage he got from who-knows-where, staring at them intently. John, on the other hand, likely had no idea what was going on.

“One minute,” Lyon said slowly, his claws slowing down, but still scraping the top of the cage enough to cause a horrid noise. The seconds seemed to pass even slower now.

“Rainbow, it’s fine and all that you trust his word,” said Twilight, “But we’re running out of time. We have to face the facts…he’s not going to—“

“No,” Corey cut in, stepping forward again, “If he promised he’d be here, then he’ll be here. Back home, John was someone who stayed true to his word when it came to helping someone else. I can vouch for that myself. So if he says he’ll be here, I’ll trust he’ll make it in time…”

As if to spite his confident manner of speaking, time continued to creep by. Eventually, Lyon stopped scraping his claw on the cage, and sneered wickedly.

“Time’s up!” yelled Lyon, flipping open a door on the top of the cage, “I knew it! The dragon you all trust is nothing more than a cowards who abandoned you!” He reached inside, grabbing one of the hostages, who let out a bloodcurdling scream.

“Now, watch the consequences of allying yourself with him!” Lyon said, preparing himself. Everyone immediately prepared to find some way to cut him off—John may not have shown up, but they would be damned if something were to happen to one of the hostages.

But, just before either side could make a move, everyone heard something. It wasn’t a scream, but it was as loud as one. And it wasn’t coming from the pony Lyon was holding, or the others in the cage. Lyon paused for a moment. The sound continued to grow in volume. It was a familiar sound, yet no one could pinpoint what it was. At least, almost no one.

“Wind?” Rainbow had heard the sound—being a fast flier, she was used to hearing the high-pitched whistle of the air rushing by her ears. Her ears twitched twice more, and turned to point where the sound was coming from, “From behind!”

The very instant after Rainbow finished saying her words, something rushed past her and the others—something huge and fast. The next thing anyone heard was a hard impact, and a very sharp grunt from Lyon.

Rainbow turned her head back to see that Lyon’s face had been knocked back. His hold on the hostage had been released. Both the hostage and Lyon fell simultaneously. Lyon hit the ground, but the hostage did not. She was caught by someone else. A familiar, large figure, wearing a familiar-looking sweater.

“John!” The team called out. The dragon turned to regard his teammates.

“Hey guys, did I miss anything?” asked John, slowly walking over to the group with the hostage—who had passed out with fright

“What took you so long?” asked Rainbow, flying up to him, “Do you have any idea how down to the wire you were?”

John didn’t know the answer, but he had a pretty good idea based on what was happening when he arrived.

“Sorry, I tried to get here yesterday,” John said, “But I kinda got lost on my way.”

Rainbow could only facepalm in response.

“So, you chose to show yourself after all,” said Lyon, slowly rising from the ground. The very instant John heard his voice, his expression changed to one the others hadn’t seen from him before. Gently, he placed the rescued pony down, and turned to face Lyon.

“After everything I went through to get ready, there was no way I’d miss a rematch,” John said, beginning to move towards Lyon. Lyon stared as the dragon approached him. Instantly, he noticed something.

His eyes are different… noted Lyon. It was true; John’s eyes had a certain fire that wasn’t there before. The two stood several feet apart for a time. Neither made a single move, almost as if waiting.

“He’s not planning on fighting him alone, is he?” asked Twilight, only to be met with silence.

“No, he’s not.”

All eyes turned to the source of the voice: Corey. He began to walk forward now.

“What?” asked Twilight.

“I know it might be sudden,” Corey said, turning his head back to them, “But can you guys hang back for this one?”

Everypony was shocked by this request. Corey didn’t make it more than three more steps.

“Hold on!” Twilight said, stepping in his way, “You’re telling me this whole time the two of you were planning to fight him alone?”

Corey gave a short nod, “Yeah, pretty much…”

Twilight didn’t know what to think. Lyon was an escaped prisoner from Tartarus. He was a deadly force to be reckoned with in just about every sense of the word. He’d overpowered John and shattered Shining’s shields before. Now, barely two weeks later, Corey was trying to convince her that he and John could handle him?!

“Why?”

“To prove something,” said Corey, “During the last attack, we both barely managed to come out on top. Since then, we’ve been preparing ourselves for this, a rematch. Okay, I didn’t fight him before, but I know I’ve gotta fight him now. We need to prove to ourselves that we can hold our own.”

The whole time he spoke, Twilight stared at him, her brows arched. The way he talked about it, his expression…it was clear to her he’d made up his mind on this. Corey broke eye contact, beginning to walk past her. Only then did Twilight find her voice.

“But…but what if you get hurt?” she asked.

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” said Corey, walking over to John. It wasn’t long before Corey ran into a different kind of resistance.

“This battle is between me and the dragon,” Lyon roared in warning, seeing Corey’s approach, “No one will interfere!”

“What’s wrong, Lyon?” mocked John, “Afraid to fight a dragon and a pony?”

“Hold your tongue, dragon,” Lyon snarled, “So long as I have these hostages, I command that—“

Lyon expected to start scraping the top of the cage once again, but instead his claws touched something else—what felt like smooth glass. He turned slightly, seeing something familiar was blocking him from it.

“A shield?” asked Lyon, confused.

“Sorry, Lyon,” said yet another voice everyone recognized, “But that’s no longer the case.”

All heads turned to see Fluttershy, and close by, Shining Armor. Upon realizing who was talking and recognizing him as the pony with the shields, Lyon laughed.

“I broke this once,” Lyon said, pulling his fist back as high as he could, “I’ll do it again!”

Lyon brought his fist down with all of his might. He made contact with the shield. To his surprise, the shield didn’t even crack—it merely rattled.

“What!?” Lyon shouted in shock.

“Did you think I wouldn’t prepare myself for this?” said Shining. The cage began to slowly move his way, still encased in his shield spell, “You don’t hold the cards anymore. Your fight…is with the two in front of you and no one else.”

To emphasize his point further, Shining created another shield, one that was big enough to surround him, the others, and hostages, cutting them off from the battlefield-to-be.

“Perfect,” John commented, his concerns about the others’ safety evaporated, “So Corey, how was your training?”

“I think I’ll manage,” Corey said, “How about yours?”

John didn’t answer right away. He merely chuckled as he unzipped his sweater and tossed it aside. His exposed torso was covered with several things that were absent before.

“Scars?” asked Rainbow. They weren’t large by any means, but they were noticeable. He had many spread out all over his torso.

“I gained what I was lacking,” John said.

“Then that makes two of us,” Corey commented.

Lyon roared in anger, getting their attention almost immediately.

“Enough! You can have the fight the way you want it!” His feet dragged along the ground, uprooting the grass as he got into a ready stance, but it was clear he wouldn’t stay that way for long, “It makes no difference to me! You’ll both fall by my hands!”

Immediately afterward, Lyon launched himself at the two. John quickly began running towards Lyon as well. Corey, after a few moments had passed, began to follow in his steps. Lyon and John met pretty much in the middle. Lyon threw out one punch, which John just barely managed to catch. He returned with a punch with his free hand, but Lyon caught this punch. The two began to test each other’s strength, each pushing to try to overpower the other.

He hasn’t changed… thought Lyon blankly. If he thinks he can come at me the same way as before, he’s sorely mistaken…

Lyon soon began to push harder on John’s hands. At first, it seemed like a visual representation of what happened last time. John began to slowly, surely lose ground. Both fighters’ clawed feet began to dig small trenches in the ground. Suddenly, Lyon felt himself jerk forward just a little.

What!? Lyon looked up. Even though John’s head was lowered, Lyon could see what looked like a smirk on John’s face. Almost immediately, John began to push back. Lyon dug his claws into the dirt, but slowly but surely he found himself sliding back.

Lyon roared, yanking his arms up. John stumbled. Seeing his advantage, Lyon quickly extended one leg out. One slitted pupil jerked back to face Lyon, and a moment later, John put up a block over his chest. Just in time, too; John’s clawed feet scraped through the dirt as Lyon’s hit took effect.

Lyon would have pressed the attack further, but the sound of a foot jumping off the ground caught his attention. Lyon’s eyes became bloodshot when he noticed Corey preparing what looked like, to him, a glowing punch. Lyon quickly turned his body, catching the fist with his own. He would have then tossed Corey over his shoulder, perhaps tried to get him with his claws, but a tremendous force suddenly slammed into his paw. While his arm didn’t physically sustain damage, the sensation of having his forearm suddenly jerked back caused a shooting pain in his arm.

Letting out a savage roar, Lyon began to take aim.

“Watch out!” shouted John. Corey gritted his teeth, his horn lighting up. Part of a barrier manifested as Lyon’s claw came down. At the same time, he started moving.

Lyon’s tremendous hand smashed through the barrier, but Corey barely managed to move out of the way, his eyes wide at the crater Lyon’s hand made in the ground.

If I had been a little slower--! Corey quickly abandoned his introspection when Lyon turned his head completely to face him. Corey’s horn lit up again. Lyon swiped his claws at him once, Corey juking backwards to dodge the attack. He did so again, but as he went to dodge this one, Corey stumbled again. Lyon seized his chance and went for another attack, sneering.

“Got you now!” Lyon snarled, only to be met with a black fist slamming the side of his face. The impact caused him to miss a now-rolling Corey. Corey quickly got to his feet.

“Thanks,” Corey said. John said nothing, flashing a very quick thumbs-up in Corey’s direction before going for another attack. John went for another punch. Lyon’s attention was now focused on John, and this time, he managed to put up a block. Lyon threw out a kick. John blocked this with his forearm, letting out another punch with the other arm. Lyon once again found himself eating a dragon’s fist.

Lyon bared his teeth in anger. When John went for another punch, Lyon caught him in an arm bar. He then roughly tossed John’s arm aside, landing a powerful punch to John’s own face, causing John to stagger back. Lyon pressed the attack further. John moved his head, a punch just barely missing his head. When Lyon went for another kick, John blocked this, only to find his follow-up attack blocked in turn.

Seeing an opening, Lyon finally landed a kick to the center of John’s chest, knocking him on his back. Sneering, Lyon began to go for another attack. He heard the ponies gasp and smirked, feeling their fear.

Then, he felt a heat impact his back. Though his hide protected him from any real damage, the force was enough to make him flinch. Turning, his eyes wide, he saw Corey, one hand raised. Lyon roared in rage.

“Enough of your cowardly attacks, unicorn!” Lyon rushed Corey head on, as he slowly lowered his hand, “Fight me head-on!!”

Corey’s response was anything but expected.

‘If you want…” Corey said, standing straight up, arms at his sides. Lyon understood his stillness as taking him up on his challenge. Letting out a tremendous roar, Lyon leapt up, dropping an elbow down at Corey.

The impact of the strike was so strong, an explosion of smoke kicked up from the point of impact. John flinched, and everyone uttered a gasp at what they had just seen.

“Corey!” Twilight screamed.

“That one was a direct hit…” Shining said.

There was an unsettling silence as Lyon stood up, the dust from his attack finally clearing. When it cleared, they saw Lyon looking down. They couldn’t see the expression on his face. Yet, something about his posture seemed…off.

“Is he…?” Rarity began. However, a loud, angry roar was what tipped them off that something wasn’t quite right.

“Where did he go!?”

At Lyon’s feet, where a completely shattered Corey should have been, was an empty, now dirty gray jacket.

“You’re too slow!” This was a voice that sounded cartoonish. Yet, underneath the delivery was a familiar tone that no one missed. A blur slowly slid to the side of Lyon. Lyon turned in shock and anger.

“You didn’t just say that…” John groaned, as his gaze flicked down, all the way to Corey’s feet. He could see a rapidly dimming green glow. Corey quickly cocked back his right fist, runes appearing all over it. Lyon began to move to attack, trying to trip Corey. Corey leapt up, aiming his fist right for Lyon’s chest.

The punch hit, and the runes quickly traveled to the point of impact. Lyon let out a roar of surprise. The concentrated kinetic force exploded, and he was lifted from his feet by the strike. Lyon coughed unexpectedly as he landed on his back several yards away, his mind unable to comprehend what had just happened.

A…a pony…Did this…to me…?!

“So that’s what he did!” Twilight screamed, a hand still over her chest from the previous fear reaction, “You had us worried, Corey...”

“What did he do?” demanded Rainbow, wondering just how Corey managed to get out of the way, “Teleport?”

“No,” said Twilight, “His feet…he cast a runic spell on them that increased his speed! He dodged Lyon’s attack before any of us realized what was going on!”

“Whatever John did must have worked too,” Shining said, “I saw him fight last time too. He actually fights like he knows what he’s doing now.”

John jerked violently as he sneezed, his focus completely on the fight.

“Bless you,” Corey said.

“In just a week and a half, they’ve completely reinvented how they approach this kind of thing,” Shining continued, “The only question now is, ‘can they really win on their own’?”

“Really, Corey?” John asked, rubbing his snout, “’You’re too slow’?”

“I couldn’t resist,” Corey rubbed the back of his head. Lyon slowly began to show signs of life, his head lowered. Both of their attentions shifted to him, but John kept going.

“And that other spell you used,” John continued, “Was that what I think it was?”

“Yes and no,” Corey responded.

“How did you--?”

“I’ll tell you after this.’

Lyon finally got to his feet. Or rather, his feet and open palms. Growling could be heard coming from him.

“They’ve really made him mad now!” Pinkie said, “Just look at how he’s standing! He’s standing like a cavepony or something!”

“You…” Lyon snarled, slowly rising from the ‘cavepony’ position and back to a more upright position, “I’ve had enough of you!”

His head raised, revealing wide, bloodshot eyes, twin pools of rage and absolute hatred. Corey and John got ready.

“This is only getting started,” John noted, “You’d better be on your guard.”

“Same to you,” Corey said.

Lifting his head to the sky above, Lyon belted out his most terrifying roar yet. Then, he slowly lowered down.

Author's Note:

And so that's where we leave off until the next update. Til then, everyone.

Comments

[RuneStone]

Great chapter can't wait for more. Lots of excitement going on.

[DestinyQuill]

With the fact you described a green glow, Corey moving all too fast, and that line?

I will forever see him as a partial Sonic.

[dyedquartz]

HAHAHAHHAHHAA! COREY IS NEW SANIK!

[Luna is back]

Wait, if his first spell increases kinetic force, if he increased his speed, and strength then uses his 1st spell, what would happen. I'd imagine something along the lines of a controlled atomic bomb.