“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
-Old Proverb
2 days later...
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS?!?!"
The pegasi trembled, cowered in the face of Scootaloo's outrage. The sound of her shout still echoed through Wonderbolt Stadium, rattling off of the empty seats. Normally the arena would be full of pegasi cheering on the queen and her guard as they trained and performed. The stadium had become a monument to power and grace of Rainbow Dash and her Woderbolts, but today was not such a day. The guardponies had known that they were in trouble when they couldn't find any sign of their beloved queen. They had searched for her, checking her normal hangouts but had not been able to find a lick of her. As it became clear this was not a prank of hers, their hearts dropped with dread. One of the queens had gone missing and all signs pointed to capture. The idea of the harmony-hating rebellion managing to snare Rainbow Dash had even the lowliest private quivering in his armor.
The only silver lining was that Rainbow's disappearance wasn't, from all appearances, the biggest problem facing the queens. Queen Rarity and Fluttershy had been on their way to reinforce Rainbow Dash when troubling news out of Canterlot had sent them screaming back. None of the guards knew what had happened, but rumors swirled that the rogue abstract Doubt, the corruptor of Twilight Sparkle, had laid siege to the city and converted all its guards into his mindless metal slaves. Queen Pinkie had, upon realizing that none of the rest of the queens were there, promptly turned tail and ordered her mobile party to return to her base of power (the guards had been thankful for that... there was something about how Pinkie's entourage smiled that made each and every one of them shudder). Queen Applejack had, as always, been running late but apparently gotten the news as well.
Still, knowing all of this did not make facing the berating any easier.
"She is your queen!" Scootaloo roared. "Rainbow Dash is the greatest, most awesome pony ever! She freed us and opened our eyes to the glories of harmony! How could you just misplace her?! What is she, a quill?" Scootaloo got in the face of one of the guards, her cheek turning red as she screamed. "Why were you not protecting her!?!"
The commander of the Winniepeg guard swallowed before speaking, choosing his words VERY carefully. "Captain, the queen commanded us to hold back and allow her to deal with the rebels. You of all ponies know how she can get." Scootaloo begrudgingly nodded her head. "We were to hold the gates-"
"Which you failed to do, lame brain." Scootaloo rolled his eyes in disgust. "Celestia and Luna managed to escape."
The captain cleared his throat. "They somehow were able to get through the line..."
Scootaloo shook her head, waving off his further comments. "I don't care. All that matters is the fact that you failed." The commander lowered his head in disgrace. "The question is what should we do about this setback?"
"Prepare," a male voice called out, startling the group. "You should prepare."
Scootaloo whipped around, wings flared out and her eyes narrowed as she took in the intruder. To her surprise the stallion that brashly approached her was an alicorn that was only half a foot taller than she was. His body was lean and athletic; tone muscle could be seen under his flank and there wasn't an ounce for fat anywhere on his body. His golden coat seemed to shine like a medal given to a victorious flyer and his eyes held the burning fire of competition that Scootaloo had come to expect in Rainbow Dash's eyes. His short mane was dark and slicked back, as if plastered there by a gale force wind. A lean horn, sharpened to a razor's edge, poked out from the golden alicorn's forhead, jutting out over his eyes and looking ready to pierce the skies at any moment.
What was most eye catching were his wings. Rather than the feathered appendages one would expect, this stallion’s wings appeared to be made out of golden thread, twisted and woven to create the wings. Though it was glorious to behold, the ends were fraying though and bits of string were forever caught in an ethereal gust that sent them billowing out. If a pony got too close the thread would tangle itself around them before dissolving into morning dew.
"Is that a way to treat a friend?" the stallion said, mock hurt coloring his words. "I came here to help you out and all you do is glare at me? Not very friendly at all!"
"Who are you?" Scootaloo demanded, taking a step forward.
"I just said... a friend."
"I meant your name," Scootaloo snapped, not in the mood for games.
"Ah. Well, before I give my name I suppose I should explain myself." The golden alicorn took a step forward and the guard closed up ranks. "Ha! Very good! You become a unit when threatened... very smart. But let me assure you... if I wanted you dead..." the sky cracked with lightning, though none could be seen, "...you'd be dead already."
"That does little to comfort any of us," Scootaloo snapped, trying to act braver than she felt. Her stallions gathered behind her, gaining strength from the knowledge that they had the advantage of numbers.
The golden alicorn shrugged his shoulders. "Let me ask you... you have heard of Doubt, right?"
"He is the black alicorn that corrupted Twilight Sparkle and turned her away from harmony."
"Correct." The golden alicorn took to the air, lazily circling the guards. "I am another of his kind... not just an abstract but another member of the elements of harmony. If you wish to be technical, I am his older brother." The golden alicorn flashed a saucy grin. "I got the good looks in the family."
"You're his brother?"
"Congrats, you have reached the intelligence level of a parrot." The golden abstract rolled his eyes. "You can call me Loyalty."
"You are Rainbow Dash's element?" Scootaloo asked. It was less of a question than an accusation.
"More than that, I am her partner... or was." Loyalty dropped down to the clouds and began to pace in front of Scootaloo and her troops, cantering like he was a prize poodle on display. Disgust was clearly written on his face as he thought about what had happened in Winniepeg. "Twilight Sparkle interfered... she somehow managed to separate Rainbow Dash and I. I fear that Dash has been corrupted."
"You lie!" Scootaloo shouted, her stallions preparing to attack. "Rainbow would never fall!"
"Your dedication to your mentor warms my heart but you are just a bit blind. Even the mightiest of us can fall, sweetheart." Loyalty's cocky grin reformed. "But that doesn't mean we can't do something to raise her back up. That is loyalty, after all."
Scootaloo pursed her lips, warring between mistrust and hope. "What do you suggest?"
"An alliance," Loyalty said. "You worked with me already, when I wielded my power through Rainbow Dash... I ask that we stand side by side again. Together we can save your mentor... just as she would save you, if your roles were reversed."
Scootaloo grimaced, her mind a jumbled mess. Her heart screamed at once to not let this outside help... and yet denying him might bring harm to Rainbow. The former filly just didn't know what to do.
Loyalty nodded skyward. "I thought you might have your doubts, so I brought some aid, to help in your decision."
Scootaloo's jaw dropped as, bursting from the clouds, came the Wonderbolts. Rainbow's elite squad, they only responded to her commands and followed only her into battle. To see them lining up next to Loyalty... is wiped away any misgivings the filly had about the abstract.
Loyalty saw this and grinned. "Good! I see you and I are on the right page. Now then... we must plan out how to find Rainbow Dash."
"That won't be that hard," a slightly larger than average Wonderbolt said, pulling away her hood and removing the illusion charm she had placed on herself.
"Rainbow Dash?"
"Surprise," Rainbow said with a smirk as Twilight and two of the banished royal guards yanked off their disguises as well. "Don't stand there with your jaws hanging open," she teased, "either surrender or fight." Rainbow's horn glowed as she stared down the abstract that had ruined her life. "One guess which choice I hope you pick."
A short chapter, I admit, but we are getting into some long stuff next.
So begins the Battle of Cloudsdale... and things are about to get VERY interesting.
So was that really Loyalty? I am confused, was it maybe Faith in disguise?
Troian horse... How... ironic...
1947347
Doubt is chilling inside of Cadance last we saw, and when Dash was 'freed' by Twilight, the corrupt Element was released. So yeah, I'd say that is indeed Loyalty.
1947363
Whoops, I meant Faith, I forgot about the name change for some reason
1947371
Hmm. While it would be interesting to contemplate that, I would think that with his near grievous wounds, coupled with the fact that Faith has a physical body now and is not just an abstract, I would place him with the folks that escaped from Canterlot still. If I were Loyalty, my mind set would be to keep/regain as much power as I could, which would mean trying to get the troops that Dash would try to free from the corruption.
Who knows though, it could be a twist, but highly unlikely Faith is there. I would think he's still recovering from his near fatal wounds.
Good build-up, certainly has me excited for the next chapter.
I know he's supposed to sound like Nathan Fillion, but instead of Mal I keep hearing Caleb... and that's just not right.
(Joke) Alt. Title: The (Over)Abundance
The fu...
Well... Can't say I saw that coming. How did they even fool Loyalty and how did they know... Hmm... I suppose all will be explained next chapter.
So THAT'S where the queens were. Guess they have priorities, nice to know they care more about Faith than they do their friend. How harmonious...
1947440
To be fair to Fluttershy, Rarity and the rest, they do have Faith's brothers and sisters directing their actions and whispering in their ear, telling them how to act... the girls have free will (as we saw when Rainbow freed herself) but it is easier to just go along with what sounds like sound advice.
Extra brownie points for them sneaking under their nose like that!
Now if you excuse me, I'm going to the store yet again to buy me an industrial fan.
The last one couldn't work anymore due to the amount of feces that was smashed into it.
I wonder why that is happening, everytime I read a story or so it happens, it really smells.
1947474 The Queens are the real problem but they don't seem to realize they do no good to themselves by staying divided, if they could all unite they could easily take down this rebellion.
Oh well they'll learn the hard way about teamwork.
1947474
Yeah yeah I know. Can't really blame them. Still, it might be useful ammo for Twi to use against the queens, I can really see Twi or Faith adressing this in one of your monologue battles. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.
loyalty's magic should be next to useless, with the guards confused and scootaloo mildly unsure of whats going on, the rebels well likely win.
Good transition, looking forward to the upcoming fight especially since Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo as well as Loyalty all seem they might be important in the fight.
Fecal matter has just reached a state of reality!
Still waiting for the heartwarming/breaking dialogue between RD and Scoots. I cannot imagine how hard can be for Dash to face what she has made of the once little filly.
...and this reader's liking where this is going!
Defication has hit the oscillation. Let the games begin.
But yeah, how did they end up fooling loyalty? Did they plan for him or was it a lucky coincidence?
(Fun fact, my auto correct changed lucky to fucking. I almost left it...)
well this shall be intersting
Dun Dun DUUUUN
I am very much looking forward to the next chapter. :D
This is going to be a diffcult fight, especially if Rainbow Dash is willing to face off against her former #1 fan.
I mean how can Rainbow hope to reach Scootaloo in all that brainwashing that she implied in her ?
And how can Twight be able to defeat Loyalty and where is Faith in all this ?
Please do keep up the good work upon such a great tale like this one.
1947474
Here's hoping for a Rarity vs Spike battle in order to have Spike save his beloved from the Element's influence.
The Queens, or should I say the Elements of Harmony, SUCK at engaging in warfare.
Do they not know of the strategies of the great military genius Sun Tzu?
With all of their power and hold over the land they still manage to be led on by the rebels, going from one location to the next and back like cats chasing a laser pointer, with minimal intel on the rebels and their operations. How pathetic...
Power out of place may as well be no power at all - At least Twilight realizes this and takes advantage of this, always having accurate intel on the enemy and exploiting their complacency and inexperience with tactics like this one.
Twilight knows herself and knows the enemy - 1000 battles, 1000 victories.
i.imgur.com/JdpYT.gif
"What is she, a quill!?"
Scoots, I'm Quill. Now shut the buck up and don't be a potty mouth.
And now we wait again. For the glorious cry of armies, the sweet embrace of death, the thunder of the wargods, for the wails and moans of those left behind. Now we wait till the fight is over, the world stops breathing here for just a moment - and when she draws breath again, and epic battle will have commenced, a victor found and a looser left to suffer. Now we wait for the outcries of hundreds of watchers, condemned yet blessed at the same time, waiting for the next chapter.
...now that my mood is over, I need to say, your story rocks, defender2222! After Faith and Doubt I never imagined a story being even close to as great as this masterpiece was, yet you still gear up to an even grander story in the sequel. The fight of and alone was enough to get me hooked but all that exposition, all the angles you've come up with simp,y takes the cake. Your fighting scenes, even when they are viewed through the eyes of others are still an enjoyment like few things else. But your story around the fights...*shudder*
You, sir, are simply awesome!
If Loyalty merges with Scootaloo... they are bucked
1953571
You mean Scootalo army, right ?
Doubt is faaaaar better teacher then Celestia, he made Twilight a tactical genius and teach her how to use her powers for warfare and for many small stuff, I bet Celestia with all her hundreds years of experience would never come out with plan like this.
If it continue, Celestia will be student and Twilight will be teacher.
Anyway RainbowDash is still Alicorn and Scootalo powers are not near Alicorn level even in his armor, and Twilight is indeed a power house.
The only problem is Scootalo army, they have huge number and Twilight is not the type who would want to hurt her enemies, so unless rebel army will deploy reinforcements, this battle may be hard ( not so easy to put enemies to sleep when they try to kill you ).
"Now then... we must plan out how to find Rainbow Dash."
i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae42/BluesZX_2010/rightbehindyou.png
Right behind you. (yes I know she was in front of her but still)
Just a couple of things I noticed.
First Paragraph:" The stadium had become a monument to power and grace of Rainbow Dash and her Woderbolts, but today was not such a day. " - I assume you mean Wonderbolts
"Which you failed to do, lame brain." Scootaloo rolled his eyes in disgust. "Celestia and Luna managed to escape." - Im pretty sure Scoots is a girl
Last sentence: "Rainbow's horn glowed as she stared down the abstract that had ruined her life. "One guess which choice I hope you pick."" - Rainbow's quote seems broken...maybe "Once choice as to which choice I am hoping you pick" or something? Im not an english buff but it just sounds off as is.
Great job as usual!
With great power comes great responsibility
1967285
I hate it when the same word is repeated in a sentence... it makes it sound tacky. 'Put on a beat so I can beat'? Sorry, but it sounds very poor to my ears, so the quote stays as is. Also, Twilight would never call her friend a 'buddy'.
Second short chapter in a row? Hardly seems worth it, after now 4-day waits for updates, at least until you finish one of your other projects, I'm guessing. Not to say it's not setting things up believingly, I must admit.
I see Scootaloo is the same as back when she first appeared in this story, even though that's not much of a surprise, but it's been such a long time, I guess. Confused about one part when you describe what Rainbow's Guard/followers in Cloudsdale have heard.
Where is there? Where her base of operations is? And why go back there? So the same thing that was rumored to have happened back at Canterlot didn't happen with her own prisoners and guards, mostly?
And finally Loyalty reveals himself to somepony other than the Elements' bearers. Though his opinion seems to be a tad misguided, on the concept of Loyalty; but we know that all of the Abstracts (with obvious of exception of Faith), are kind of stupid and ready to believe whatever they're told easily, if this is part of Doubt's monstrous ingenious plan. I'm surprised they didn't try to attack him right after admitting that he was Doubt's (as they constantly call Faith ) brother, but at least he got to admit that he was Dash's partner before doing so. And wow, what a twist! That the rebellion sneaked in and managed to imprison/knock out the Wonderbolts, so they could take their place! But I'm surprised they don't have more numbers, but I trust you'll show more next chapter(s) with the next battle to come. Hopefully, more than just pegasi there from the rebellion, with the walk-on-clouds spell Twilight learned back in Season 1, so they can fend off any others who try to fight them with magic, etc (not to mention, whatever she asked Clyde and The Doctor to help with, at the end of the last one).
Now to see how the battle goes! And to see which Queen will be facing next, as I assume at least one will be there. 1947328 And finally, hopefully, interesting doesn't mean BAD, as don't wanna see Dash get corrupted again, even if I doubt that would happen now that she realizes what the hell she's done.
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Dunno if you've re-read this since, but he CLEARLY states that they used illusion charms and were covered by some sort of clothing. Probably Wonderbolts suits (whether new or old) or something to that effect.
1951014
You seem to forget that just two chapters ago, defender stated from Doubt's POV mostly, that something changed a month before that point in time. I guessed it had to do with something earlier on, like whatever magical force almost sucked Twilight into oblivion, and defender said that existed that're older than the Princesses and/or Abstracts in the notes there. If he didn't mean the Abstracts without saying so, but I doubt it, as we already knew about them kinda.
1953780
You called Faith 'Doubt'. Like his siblings are doing, cause they don't know he's actually himself again, and when there actually IS a Doubt and they keep referring to the wrong one. And I don't know if I agree with your theory even with things as they've played out thus far, but I do know maybe that Celestia DOES care for Twilight, even if the series hasn't painted her in the best light at times, I admit (but just as much done the same). Well, relationships are complicated, no matter what type they are.
Plus, you are right about not killing, she even said that when she addressed the rebellion as a whole when she first met them. Whether it was about the Queens or even the ones who were corrupted as a result of the influence the Elements put, doesn't matter. As they're attempting to show they're BETTER than this so-called misguided 'harmony' that back then, they thought Twilight's friends were responsible for.
1953780
You missed out on Twilight having learned the art of war while studying under Celestia, as an independent study. As mentioned in like chapter two or so. Not from Faith.
1953780 I am actualy capable of seeing celestia/Luna becoming Princess Twilight 's students when the story end.
Also I would be cool if the old elements/abstracts did and new ones appeared each one growing under the tutelage of Big Bro Faith.
Twilight could easily win if she wanted to, probably in minutes but it would probably destroy an entire city.
I would like to imagine Twilight as an overpowered god in this story but either the Arthur doesn't want Twilight to be to powerful or make an excuse why she isn't showing her "full power."
I wonder if it is possible for an Allicorn to have more than 1 power, Twilight seems to have power over all types of magic, stars, and parts of the night sky, she also might have power over knowledge if she is able to strategies the way she does and absorbs knowledge like a vacuum without running out of room.