1 00:00:00,469 --> 00:00:06,150 finally at long last I have reached this 2 00:00:03,658 --> 00:00:07,439 point in the story and at this point I 3 00:00:06,150 --> 00:00:09,960 beg your permission to take a little 4 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:11,460 liberty with the telling of it it had 5 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,349 been a long and winding road getting to 6 00:00:11,460 --> 00:00:14,759 Canterlot and I still have to tell of 7 00:00:13,349 --> 00:00:17,100 the difficulties and discoveries that 8 00:00:14,759 --> 00:00:19,500 faced us there the most vital of these 9 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:21,800 discoveries were the six memory orbs the 10 00:00:19,500 --> 00:00:24,600 final memory orbs which I found there in 11 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:26,699 those memories the veils began to part 12 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:28,890 showing me my true place in this world 13 00:00:26,699 --> 00:00:31,949 my purpose in life and just how 14 00:00:28,890 --> 00:00:33,950 everything was going to end I finally 15 00:00:31,949 --> 00:00:36,270 got my first glimpse of my own destiny 16 00:00:33,950 --> 00:00:38,160 that it took so long was probably 17 00:00:36,270 --> 00:00:40,219 exasperated and you might wonder why I 18 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:42,449 didn't just sip to this part sooner in 19 00:00:40,219 --> 00:00:43,980 truth I have skipped over a fair bit 20 00:00:42,450 --> 00:00:45,000 trying to tell you only the parts of my 21 00:00:43,979 --> 00:00:47,369 adventures that were important or 22 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:49,530 exciting enough to keep you reading I've 23 00:00:47,369 --> 00:00:50,968 told you these things I suppose for the 24 00:00:49,530 --> 00:00:54,660 same reason that Princess Luna told her 25 00:00:50,969 --> 00:00:56,550 story to midnight shower context only 26 00:00:54,659 --> 00:00:58,589 with the proper context can you see just 27 00:00:56,549 --> 00:01:00,149 how meaningful those memories were how 28 00:00:58,590 --> 00:01:01,440 they set my hopes on the path that ended 29 00:01:00,149 --> 00:01:04,530 with me coming here and doing what I'm 30 00:01:01,439 --> 00:01:05,879 about to do for all that there was a 31 00:01:04,530 --> 00:01:09,090 long and brutal journey still ahead of 32 00:01:05,879 --> 00:01:11,519 me I had only seen glimpses I had not 33 00:01:09,090 --> 00:01:13,469 found my virtue I did not understand my 34 00:01:11,519 --> 00:01:14,969 role in this world and I was utterly 35 00:01:13,469 --> 00:01:15,539 unaware of the war about to descend on 36 00:01:14,969 --> 00:01:18,688 all of us 37 00:01:15,540 --> 00:01:20,490 I didn't view them until our time in 38 00:01:18,688 --> 00:01:22,919 Canterlot was over and I feel it would 39 00:01:20,489 --> 00:01:24,509 be too much to tell them all at once too 40 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,060 much for me at least to try to relive 41 00:01:24,509 --> 00:01:28,709 them all in order like that so with your 42 00:01:27,060 --> 00:01:30,240 indulgence I will diverge from proper 43 00:01:28,709 --> 00:01:31,500 chronology and try to scatter these 44 00:01:30,239 --> 00:01:33,530 memories throughout the much larger 45 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:37,250 story of our experience in Canterlot 46 00:01:33,530 --> 00:01:40,468 thank you for bearing with me on this 47 00:01:37,250 --> 00:01:42,239 that's awfully fast clam knee commented 48 00:01:40,468 --> 00:01:43,618 staring the light pink mist that was 49 00:01:42,239 --> 00:01:45,438 already filling the streets of Canterlot 50 00:01:43,618 --> 00:01:47,640 as we look down on it from high above 51 00:01:45,438 --> 00:01:49,349 the steady rain had washed the pink 52 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:51,030 cloud out of the air in days before and 53 00:01:49,349 --> 00:01:54,718 yet the cloud was dense enough to tint 54 00:01:51,030 --> 00:01:56,280 the air merely half a day later most of 55 00:01:54,718 --> 00:01:57,419 the city was built from stone carved 56 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:00,299 from the very mountain Canterlot 57 00:01:57,420 --> 00:02:01,740 embraced cobblestone streets him in line 58 00:02:00,299 --> 00:02:03,420 with elegant structures formed from 59 00:02:01,739 --> 00:02:06,149 stone and mortar or magically molded 60 00:02:03,420 --> 00:02:07,799 rock most buildings of stone still stood 61 00:02:06,149 --> 00:02:11,129 although cracked and crumbling from the 62 00:02:07,799 --> 00:02:12,209 weight of unnatural ages as we flew by a 63 00:02:11,129 --> 00:02:14,310 three-story Tower 64 00:02:12,209 --> 00:02:16,860 once an upscale in collapse with a deep 65 00:02:14,310 --> 00:02:19,709 throaty Rumble sending up curling swirls 66 00:02:16,860 --> 00:02:21,239 of pink tinted stone dust everything 67 00:02:19,709 --> 00:02:22,500 more susceptible to the entropy of the 68 00:02:21,239 --> 00:02:24,269 cloud have been reduced to rust and 69 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:26,489 rubble smears and stains that once 70 00:02:24,269 --> 00:02:27,959 signified objects and decrepit 71 00:02:26,489 --> 00:02:29,870 structures stained pink and falling 72 00:02:27,959 --> 00:02:32,819 apart at the seams 73 00:02:29,870 --> 00:02:35,250 oddly some of the most preserved things 74 00:02:32,818 --> 00:02:36,869 were those which had once been alive the 75 00:02:35,250 --> 00:02:38,579 black and twisted forms of dead trees 76 00:02:36,870 --> 00:02:40,799 lined streets filled with dark pink 77 00:02:38,579 --> 00:02:42,859 rotted bones many which had partially 78 00:02:40,799 --> 00:02:45,030 sunk into the discolored cobblestones 79 00:02:42,859 --> 00:02:46,650 the only other place looked eerily 80 00:02:45,030 --> 00:02:47,609 preserved was the cluster of buildings 81 00:02:46,650 --> 00:02:49,409 that it once formed the heart of 82 00:02:47,609 --> 00:02:51,269 Equestria from a scattering of white 83 00:02:49,409 --> 00:02:54,209 stone towers to the Royal Castle itself 84 00:02:51,269 --> 00:02:54,870 and the coloured mist had settled 85 00:02:54,209 --> 00:02:57,329 everywhere 86 00:02:54,870 --> 00:02:58,889 fainting the air be Lois thicker on the 87 00:02:57,329 --> 00:03:02,219 streets and between the still standing 88 00:02:58,889 --> 00:03:05,700 structures it will get much worse with 89 00:03:02,219 --> 00:03:07,139 each passing hour Steel has warned us by 90 00:03:05,699 --> 00:03:09,869 morning the pink cloud will have 91 00:03:07,139 --> 00:03:11,459 returned in its full strength 92 00:03:09,870 --> 00:03:13,709 I pressed my lips together in 93 00:03:11,459 --> 00:03:15,658 determination before saying won't be a 94 00:03:13,709 --> 00:03:16,650 problem after the zebra town I'm not 95 00:03:15,658 --> 00:03:20,219 going to spend any longer here than 96 00:03:16,650 --> 00:03:21,629 absolutely necessary one of the other 97 00:03:20,219 --> 00:03:23,669 things our experiences in zebra town 98 00:03:21,628 --> 00:03:25,079 have made very clear was that the threat 99 00:03:23,669 --> 00:03:28,500 posed by the pink cloud was directly 100 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:30,060 proportional to its concentration we had 101 00:03:28,500 --> 00:03:31,560 spent hours in the light haze of cloud 102 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:33,439 that persisted in the zebra town police 103 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:35,549 station with only minor health problems 104 00:03:33,439 --> 00:03:37,019 nothing that couldn't be remedied by a 105 00:03:35,549 --> 00:03:39,420 health potion in some time in the fresh 106 00:03:37,019 --> 00:03:41,280 air the places where the pink cloud 107 00:03:39,419 --> 00:03:43,969 pooled thickly however were lethal it 108 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:45,930 beyond even steel of description of it 109 00:03:43,969 --> 00:03:47,969 we're gonna land right in front of the 110 00:03:45,930 --> 00:03:51,599 Ministry of image - in and grab what we 111 00:03:47,969 --> 00:03:53,219 came for I told my companions then we 112 00:03:51,598 --> 00:03:55,679 galloped in the Ministry of Awesome yet 113 00:03:53,219 --> 00:03:58,579 we need from it and go with any luck 114 00:03:55,680 --> 00:04:00,719 we'll be in and out in under an hour 115 00:03:58,579 --> 00:04:03,450 we'd spent the earlier parts of the day 116 00:04:00,719 --> 00:04:04,829 helping glyph mark even now Senate was 117 00:04:03,449 --> 00:04:06,119 still down there imparting all she could 118 00:04:04,829 --> 00:04:08,939 about the zebra stealth techniques to 119 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:12,120 the young adult zebras at least in such 120 00:04:08,939 --> 00:04:13,799 a short amount of time now the Sun was 121 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,480 setting dipping below the clouds to 122 00:04:13,799 --> 00:04:17,939 paint the world in hues of fiery orange 123 00:04:15,479 --> 00:04:21,329 and bloody red we hoped to take some 124 00:04:17,939 --> 00:04:23,639 advantage of the impending darkness are 125 00:04:21,329 --> 00:04:25,470 you sure this place wasn't hit velvet 126 00:04:23,639 --> 00:04:26,668 remedy asked observing the level of 127 00:04:25,470 --> 00:04:31,200 damage that was evident throughout the 128 00:04:26,668 --> 00:04:32,909 city is this all from just age the 129 00:04:31,199 --> 00:04:36,149 entropic effect of the pink cloud speeds 130 00:04:32,910 --> 00:04:38,070 decay Steel has noted if the city were 131 00:04:36,149 --> 00:04:40,560 not made largely of stone it would have 132 00:04:38,069 --> 00:04:41,788 crumbled to dust long ago only the 133 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:45,240 mystically protected places are 134 00:04:41,788 --> 00:04:46,439 significantly intact well I reckon a 135 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,030 fair bit of damage was done by the 136 00:04:46,439 --> 00:04:50,339 explosion when the shield came down to 137 00:04:48,029 --> 00:04:52,138 clam he commented as he circled in a 138 00:04:50,339 --> 00:04:53,698 safe height drawings over the outlying 139 00:04:52,139 --> 00:04:56,400 City and towards the castle itself 140 00:04:53,699 --> 00:04:59,250 I thought the missiles had stopped 141 00:04:56,399 --> 00:05:02,429 striking after the pink cloud went off 142 00:04:59,250 --> 00:05:03,839 yep that's how I heard it too but that 143 00:05:02,430 --> 00:05:07,290 ain't the explosion I'm thinking of 144 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:08,759 calamity explained remember the mega 145 00:05:07,290 --> 00:05:10,290 spell pumped enough of that cloud in the 146 00:05:08,759 --> 00:05:12,300 candle out to make air look like solid 147 00:05:10,290 --> 00:05:15,660 pink and it weren't like the shears 148 00:05:12,300 --> 00:05:17,790 weren't fully air to begin with of 149 00:05:15,660 --> 00:05:20,550 course the air pressure in Canterlot 150 00:05:17,790 --> 00:05:22,520 would have been well I'm not sure how 151 00:05:20,550 --> 00:05:24,720 high but it would have been pretty high 152 00:05:22,519 --> 00:05:26,310 no wonder the pink cloud seeped into 153 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:29,730 every surface a touch to the extreme 154 00:05:26,310 --> 00:05:31,339 wish which it did I expect the moment 155 00:05:29,730 --> 00:05:36,930 she went down there was one hell of a 156 00:05:31,339 --> 00:05:39,119 well you saw Steve's a my rat I didn't 157 00:05:36,930 --> 00:05:41,850 notice steel have said with a morose 158 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:44,629 defiance I was a little too focused on 159 00:05:41,850 --> 00:05:46,500 the falling wave of pink water I 160 00:05:44,629 --> 00:05:48,750 reviewed what we had learned from our 161 00:05:46,500 --> 00:05:51,060 so-called dry run for Canterlot in zebra 162 00:05:48,750 --> 00:05:55,589 town beyond the fact that steel lives 163 00:05:51,060 --> 00:05:57,180 and I disagreed on what dry means the 164 00:05:55,589 --> 00:05:59,789 greatest danger we expected to face in 165 00:05:57,180 --> 00:06:01,170 Canterlot was the pink cloud itself but 166 00:05:59,790 --> 00:06:02,400 the interior of the zebra town police 167 00:06:01,170 --> 00:06:04,740 station wasn't much different than 168 00:06:02,399 --> 00:06:06,209 Canterlot right now and so I was highly 169 00:06:04,740 --> 00:06:09,060 confident that we would be fine so long 170 00:06:06,209 --> 00:06:10,620 as we minimize our exposure likewise 171 00:06:09,060 --> 00:06:12,149 while we knew that the pink cloud had 172 00:06:10,620 --> 00:06:14,639 the potential to fuse objects to flesh 173 00:06:12,149 --> 00:06:15,929 or each other that only seemed to be a 174 00:06:14,639 --> 00:06:18,569 concern while within the highest 175 00:06:15,930 --> 00:06:19,829 concentrations at which point such 176 00:06:18,569 --> 00:06:23,219 fusions were the very least of our 177 00:06:19,829 --> 00:06:24,810 health concerns as such I announced that 178 00:06:23,220 --> 00:06:27,780 I was going to continue wearing my armor 179 00:06:24,810 --> 00:06:29,009 and pick buck I'm gonna put on my 180 00:06:27,779 --> 00:06:32,699 baddest out of the moment we touched 181 00:06:29,009 --> 00:06:34,918 down clam Lee responded that is a 182 00:06:32,699 --> 00:06:37,469 foolish choice Steel is retorted 183 00:06:34,918 --> 00:06:39,418 pointing out if you insist on taking the 184 00:06:37,470 --> 00:06:40,950 risk of wearing armor your Enclave armor 185 00:06:39,418 --> 00:06:42,839 not only offers a much higher degree of 186 00:06:40,949 --> 00:06:44,069 protection but it's magical energy 187 00:06:42,839 --> 00:06:45,239 weapons are far more suitable for 188 00:06:44,069 --> 00:06:47,569 battling some of the dangers we are 189 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:49,730 likely to face 190 00:06:47,569 --> 00:06:51,170 our Canterlot ghouls words reminded me 191 00:06:49,730 --> 00:06:53,569 of one of the more painful lessons from 192 00:06:51,170 --> 00:06:56,330 zebra town my combat skills were almost 193 00:06:53,569 --> 00:06:57,680 worthless here but two enemies we were 194 00:06:56,329 --> 00:07:00,859 most likely to face were Canterlot 195 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,970 zombies and alicorns none of my weapons 196 00:07:00,860 --> 00:07:03,500 were worth a damn against the latter 197 00:07:01,970 --> 00:07:06,230 once they got their shields up or 198 00:07:03,500 --> 00:07:08,480 against the former at all in order to 199 00:07:06,230 --> 00:07:09,230 stop a Canterlot ghoul I'd not only have 200 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:10,939 to take them down 201 00:07:09,230 --> 00:07:14,270 but then run up and hack off their head 202 00:07:10,939 --> 00:07:18,709 somehow unfortunately bullets don't tend 203 00:07:14,269 --> 00:07:21,469 to decapitate yeah I know that clammy 204 00:07:18,709 --> 00:07:23,060 responded suddenly but while I know the 205 00:07:21,470 --> 00:07:24,410 chances I might a slim I still ain't 206 00:07:23,060 --> 00:07:28,060 takin the risk that I might fused into 207 00:07:24,410 --> 00:07:30,560 the damn thing he's fat for emphasis our 208 00:07:28,060 --> 00:07:33,199 other environmental concern was the 209 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:35,120 broadcaster's Steel has warned me that 210 00:07:33,199 --> 00:07:37,310 any Broadcasting System from pipbuck 211 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,780 broadcasters to sprite bots were likely 212 00:07:37,310 --> 00:07:42,800 to have become twisted into lethal traps 213 00:07:38,779 --> 00:07:44,029 even those inside fortunately he also 214 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:45,560 assured us that we should normally be 215 00:07:44,029 --> 00:07:47,959 able to hear the damn things before we 216 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:49,339 got into their kill zones both of the 217 00:07:47,959 --> 00:07:51,560 broadcaster's I had fallen victim to 218 00:07:49,339 --> 00:07:53,779 before had been underwater preventing me 219 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:55,220 from hearing them and both times I've 220 00:07:53,779 --> 00:07:56,389 been travelling swiftly enough that I 221 00:07:55,220 --> 00:07:58,450 would have been thrust into their deadly 222 00:07:56,389 --> 00:08:00,589 area of effect before I could react 223 00:07:58,449 --> 00:08:01,909 hopefully traveling cautiously would 224 00:08:00,589 --> 00:08:04,389 allow us to avoid touch death traps 225 00:08:01,910 --> 00:08:06,470 while in Canterlot itself 226 00:08:04,389 --> 00:08:09,829 returning to his previous observation 227 00:08:06,470 --> 00:08:12,200 calamity mused still that's a lot of 228 00:08:09,829 --> 00:08:13,639 pink cloud coming awful fast you sure 229 00:08:12,199 --> 00:08:16,699 it's just even back up out of the 230 00:08:13,639 --> 00:08:21,560 streets and such I was opposed to what 231 00:08:16,699 --> 00:08:24,759 steel is queried as opposed to I don't 232 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:26,930 know being fed somehow calamity offered 233 00:08:24,759 --> 00:08:31,550 Steel has flicked his metal shrouded 234 00:08:26,930 --> 00:08:33,430 tail you think that the mega spell might 235 00:08:31,550 --> 00:08:37,269 still be going 236 00:08:33,429 --> 00:08:38,709 I felt a chill at those words I can't 237 00:08:37,269 --> 00:08:43,059 reckon how the pink cloud ain't been 238 00:08:38,710 --> 00:08:46,300 washed away fat ain't that was a deeply 239 00:08:43,059 --> 00:08:49,989 unpleasant thought velvet Romney spoke 240 00:08:46,299 --> 00:08:51,370 up but that would be insane if the spell 241 00:08:49,990 --> 00:08:54,009 just kept going it would eventually 242 00:08:51,370 --> 00:08:55,679 poison all Equestria the Zebras couldn't 243 00:08:54,009 --> 00:09:00,879 have wanted that 244 00:08:55,679 --> 00:09:03,969 no not even they would have I recalled 245 00:09:00,879 --> 00:09:06,189 the rumors he loves it mentioned after 246 00:09:03,970 --> 00:09:07,769 the shield fell the Zebras launched mega 247 00:09:06,190 --> 00:09:10,450 spells to finally obliterate the city 248 00:09:07,769 --> 00:09:14,829 but if that is true then those missiles 249 00:09:10,450 --> 00:09:18,220 never reached their destination it is 250 00:09:14,830 --> 00:09:19,600 possible I offered that they might have 251 00:09:18,220 --> 00:09:21,639 designed it to function indefinitely 252 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:24,490 just to ensure it would last as long as 253 00:09:21,639 --> 00:09:25,720 they needed it to and because they 254 00:09:24,490 --> 00:09:29,399 expected it to be destroyed along 255 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:31,629 Canterlot shortly after the shield fell 256 00:09:29,399 --> 00:09:34,929 only after it had done its job and 257 00:09:31,629 --> 00:09:37,570 murdered the princess's higher light let 258 00:09:34,929 --> 00:09:44,129 out a mournful note we flew in silence 259 00:09:37,570 --> 00:09:46,089 for a few moments more no I said 260 00:09:44,129 --> 00:09:47,740 telekinetically snatching the Fluttershy 261 00:09:46,089 --> 00:09:50,200 or boy from velvet remedy she brought it 262 00:09:47,740 --> 00:09:52,289 out of one of her medical boxes she 263 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:55,990 gasped as the orb floated away from her 264 00:09:52,289 --> 00:09:59,110 little bit give that back she demanded 265 00:09:55,990 --> 00:10:01,629 her voice lowering I frowned what shook 266 00:09:59,110 --> 00:10:03,580 my head you've been losing yourself in 267 00:10:01,629 --> 00:10:04,799 this too much velvet it's really 268 00:10:03,580 --> 00:10:08,650 beginning to worry me 269 00:10:04,799 --> 00:10:10,479 I'd been letting this go for weeks after 270 00:10:08,649 --> 00:10:12,778 all her alliance on the Fluttershy orbit 271 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:15,070 seemed to wane after pilot had joined us 272 00:10:12,778 --> 00:10:16,450 but ever since the balefire Fink's have 273 00:10:15,070 --> 00:10:18,730 been injured and dolf remedy had 274 00:10:16,450 --> 00:10:19,990 neglected a dying pony to save her my 275 00:10:18,730 --> 00:10:21,278 unicorn friend had been turning to the 276 00:10:19,990 --> 00:10:25,680 orb with even greater frequency than 277 00:10:21,278 --> 00:10:28,809 before excuse me velvet huffed 278 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:30,338 telekinetically snatching it back I'm 279 00:10:28,809 --> 00:10:31,809 pretty sure I've spent nowhere near the 280 00:10:30,339 --> 00:10:34,540 amount of time lost in memory orbs that 281 00:10:31,809 --> 00:10:36,339 you have she pointed out 282 00:10:34,539 --> 00:10:42,459 and I've been a lot smarter about when 283 00:10:36,340 --> 00:10:44,500 and where to do so ouch okay all true 284 00:10:42,460 --> 00:10:47,710 but at least I'm not viewing the same 285 00:10:44,500 --> 00:10:50,500 one over and over and over I said trying 286 00:10:47,710 --> 00:10:54,360 to sound perfectly reasonable that can't 287 00:10:50,500 --> 00:10:57,700 be healthy for you though it frowned 288 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:59,680 it's because I like this one no matter 289 00:10:57,700 --> 00:11:03,070 how bad it is out here I can always find 290 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:07,089 some solace and Fluttershy I cringed 291 00:11:03,070 --> 00:11:10,140 inside and yes it is escapism 292 00:11:07,090 --> 00:11:12,399 so is reading a book she challenged 293 00:11:10,139 --> 00:11:15,429 would you be so concerned if I read the 294 00:11:12,399 --> 00:11:16,659 same book over and over and over we all 295 00:11:15,429 --> 00:11:18,819 have our own little things that help us 296 00:11:16,659 --> 00:11:22,419 get through the day and at least line 297 00:11:18,820 --> 00:11:23,800 isn't self-destructive I could feel her 298 00:11:22,419 --> 00:11:26,199 on the verge of bringing up party time 299 00:11:23,799 --> 00:11:28,949 in tiles but velvet Remmy rained herself 300 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:32,830 in not wishing to cut back deep 301 00:11:28,950 --> 00:11:33,400 instead she sighed this world is 302 00:11:32,830 --> 00:11:35,440 horrible 303 00:11:33,399 --> 00:11:38,049 and I don't seem to be doing a whole lot 304 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:39,490 to make it all better all of my friends 305 00:11:38,049 --> 00:11:42,939 insist on risking death and 306 00:11:39,490 --> 00:11:47,049 dismemberment on a daily basis I don't 307 00:11:42,940 --> 00:11:48,820 steal interjected yes well you are being 308 00:11:47,049 --> 00:11:53,079 an entirely different problem aren't you 309 00:11:48,820 --> 00:11:55,810 velvet snapped my old home was assaulted 310 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:57,370 those I knew slaughtered and now we're 311 00:11:55,809 --> 00:11:58,899 about to dive into poison at the behest 312 00:11:57,370 --> 00:12:00,330 of a psychotic despot who would see the 313 00:11:58,899 --> 00:12:03,639 extinction of ponykind 314 00:12:00,330 --> 00:12:07,300 so maybe a little sq pisum is in order 315 00:12:03,639 --> 00:12:09,689 just to keep my sanity see lives turned 316 00:12:07,299 --> 00:12:11,639 towards me but said nothing 317 00:12:09,690 --> 00:12:13,620 I knew my own reasons for wanting to 318 00:12:11,639 --> 00:12:17,210 curb her Fluttershy worship but this 319 00:12:13,620 --> 00:12:20,100 clearly wasn't the way what is that 320 00:12:17,210 --> 00:12:21,060 velvet Remy asked changing the subject 321 00:12:20,100 --> 00:12:23,490 with the point of a hoof 322 00:12:21,059 --> 00:12:25,639 I watched her tuck the orb away before 323 00:12:23,490 --> 00:12:27,960 turning to see what it caught her eye 324 00:12:25,639 --> 00:12:29,850 the Setting Sun was passing behind a 325 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:31,650 tall slender white spire that rose up 326 00:12:29,850 --> 00:12:33,840 from the city taller than the highest 327 00:12:31,649 --> 00:12:36,319 tower of the castle flanked by a pair of 328 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:38,639 marble wings easily three stories tall 329 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:40,500 the light of the Sun seemed to ignite a 330 00:12:38,639 --> 00:12:43,919 Nimbus around the spire as its shadow 331 00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:46,850 slashed across the city below the 332 00:12:43,919 --> 00:12:48,990 Celestion monument stele has informed us 333 00:12:46,850 --> 00:12:50,730 Princess Luna had it constructed after 334 00:12:48,990 --> 00:12:52,440 Princess Celestia stepped down to honor 335 00:12:50,730 --> 00:12:56,580 her and her thousand years of peaceful 336 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:58,950 rule of course that would be why it's 337 00:12:56,580 --> 00:13:01,770 taller than the castle velvet Remini 338 00:12:58,950 --> 00:13:03,240 nodded Luna was making it clear to every 339 00:13:01,769 --> 00:13:07,110 pony that she didn't see herself as a 340 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:09,060 replacement for Celestia beyond the 341 00:13:07,110 --> 00:13:10,830 Celestion monument stretched a lifeless 342 00:13:09,059 --> 00:13:12,149 field lined with ugly dead trees that 343 00:13:10,830 --> 00:13:15,389 seemed to reach out of the dirt like 344 00:13:12,149 --> 00:13:16,860 grasping skeletal claws the field was 345 00:13:15,389 --> 00:13:19,710 bordered by broken cobblestone walkways 346 00:13:16,860 --> 00:13:22,980 in the centre sank a huge rectangular 347 00:13:19,710 --> 00:13:24,660 pool of pink saturated water rising 348 00:13:22,980 --> 00:13:27,090 opposite the monument was the royal 349 00:13:24,659 --> 00:13:29,329 castle itself a glorious mass of 350 00:13:27,090 --> 00:13:31,620 crumbling spires and cracked white stone 351 00:13:29,330 --> 00:13:33,090 the field was flanked by the silent 352 00:13:31,620 --> 00:13:34,350 sentinels of six preserved buildings 353 00:13:33,090 --> 00:13:36,690 standing across from each other like 354 00:13:34,350 --> 00:13:38,610 pieces on a chessboard the ministries 355 00:13:36,690 --> 00:13:40,010 each now a shadow of their regal 356 00:13:38,610 --> 00:13:43,639 impressive former selves 357 00:13:40,009 --> 00:13:45,889 this was ministry walk 358 00:13:43,639 --> 00:13:48,470 that there's a whole lot of alkanes 359 00:13:45,889 --> 00:13:50,090 clearly whistled staring down at the 360 00:13:48,470 --> 00:13:53,720 dark forms which swarmed around the far 361 00:13:50,090 --> 00:13:56,000 end of Ministry walk we had been warned 362 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:57,230 of alicorns in the Canterlot ruins but I 363 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:00,799 assume they'll be scattered about the 364 00:13:57,230 --> 00:14:03,470 city instead they amassed a Ministry 365 00:14:00,799 --> 00:14:05,419 walk it was almost as if something about 366 00:14:03,470 --> 00:14:08,240 the castle drew the alicorns close like 367 00:14:05,419 --> 00:14:10,459 bugs around a lantern so much for 368 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,990 setting down a ministry walk they will 369 00:14:10,460 --> 00:14:14,269 be all over us before the sky Bennet 370 00:14:11,990 --> 00:14:15,919 touched ground and alicorns were yet 371 00:14:14,269 --> 00:14:18,559 another enemy that my skilled firearms 372 00:14:15,919 --> 00:14:21,129 was pretty much useless against my least 373 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:23,569 as soon as I got there damn shields up 374 00:14:21,129 --> 00:14:24,559 Alec ones were some of the most powerful 375 00:14:23,570 --> 00:14:26,360 and dangerous opponents in the 376 00:14:24,559 --> 00:14:28,819 equestrian wasteland but at least 377 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,379 they've been predictable the encounter 378 00:14:28,820 --> 00:14:33,320 in zebra town had changed all of that 379 00:14:30,379 --> 00:14:34,909 in the pink the Alcorn's lost their 380 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:37,970 telepathy and their connection with the 381 00:14:34,909 --> 00:14:39,620 goddess here they were individuals and 382 00:14:37,970 --> 00:14:42,680 their tactics and demeanor radically 383 00:14:39,620 --> 00:14:44,750 changed logically I didn't have enough 384 00:14:42,679 --> 00:14:46,279 experience to be sure but my instincts 385 00:14:44,750 --> 00:14:47,450 are telling me to expect these alicorns 386 00:14:46,279 --> 00:14:50,629 to be more clever than the ones I'd 387 00:14:47,450 --> 00:14:52,280 fought an Appaloosa main hatun their 388 00:14:50,629 --> 00:14:54,769 individuality would allow for more 389 00:14:52,279 --> 00:14:57,250 creative tactical thinking at the same 390 00:14:54,769 --> 00:15:00,409 time they should be less coordinated and 391 00:14:57,250 --> 00:15:03,500 if my suspicions bore out less magically 392 00:15:00,409 --> 00:15:04,759 threatening with the exception of what I 393 00:15:03,500 --> 00:15:07,429 had come to think of as their breed 394 00:15:04,759 --> 00:15:10,519 powers all alicorns seem to possess the 395 00:15:07,429 --> 00:15:12,559 same spells but the only spell the 396 00:15:10,519 --> 00:15:14,389 alicorns had used in zebra town aside 397 00:15:12,559 --> 00:15:16,989 from their shields was a lightning bolt 398 00:15:14,389 --> 00:15:19,850 spell and only one of them had used that 399 00:15:16,990 --> 00:15:21,860 if all of them possess the full range of 400 00:15:19,850 --> 00:15:24,920 spells normal for alicorns we would have 401 00:15:21,860 --> 00:15:26,149 been slaughtered instead I had come to 402 00:15:24,919 --> 00:15:27,559 suspect that the alicorns were all 403 00:15:26,149 --> 00:15:30,230 tapping into a common pool spell 404 00:15:27,559 --> 00:15:31,579 knowledge one granted by the goddess and 405 00:15:30,230 --> 00:15:33,909 when they lost their connection to her 406 00:15:31,580 --> 00:15:36,200 they lost most of their spells as well 407 00:15:33,909 --> 00:15:37,829 too bad the damn shield spell seemed 408 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:42,120 inherent 409 00:15:37,830 --> 00:15:43,110 okay new plan I announced we land in 410 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:44,669 that cluster of buildings on the 411 00:15:43,110 --> 00:15:46,649 opposite side of the Celestine monument 412 00:15:44,669 --> 00:15:47,909 and we sneak our way in moving quickly 413 00:15:46,649 --> 00:15:50,700 from building to building until we reach 414 00:15:47,909 --> 00:15:54,539 our targets steelo's which one of those 415 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:55,920 buildings is the ministry of awesome the 416 00:15:54,539 --> 00:15:57,588 ministry of awesome is the smaller 417 00:15:55,919 --> 00:15:59,849 building made of glassy black stone 418 00:15:57,589 --> 00:16:02,399 farthest up right next to the castle 419 00:15:59,850 --> 00:16:05,149 across from the Ministry of morale seal 420 00:16:02,399 --> 00:16:07,139 is answered adding for clarification the 421 00:16:05,149 --> 00:16:10,278 Ministry of morale is the one with the 422 00:16:07,139 --> 00:16:15,949 mooring tower for Pinkie Pie balloons 423 00:16:10,278 --> 00:16:15,950 right next the castle of course it was 424 00:16:17,659 --> 00:16:21,139 I brought up my eyes for it sparkles 425 00:16:19,700 --> 00:16:23,320 clammy wingless back around the monument 426 00:16:21,139 --> 00:16:25,340 started to look for a good place to land 427 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,810 directly behind the monument stretched 428 00:16:25,340 --> 00:16:28,930 an assemblage of moderately preserved 429 00:16:26,809 --> 00:16:30,859 structures adorned with golden rooftops 430 00:16:28,929 --> 00:16:32,209 the buildings were littered over a 431 00:16:30,860 --> 00:16:34,610 generous expanse of space that I 432 00:16:32,210 --> 00:16:36,110 imagined must have been a park a small 433 00:16:34,610 --> 00:16:38,300 river snaked through it the water 434 00:16:36,110 --> 00:16:41,570 tainted by ribbons of pink terminating 435 00:16:38,299 --> 00:16:43,789 an inner city lake here we go everypony 436 00:16:41,570 --> 00:16:46,400 clam he called as he picked a spot and 437 00:16:43,789 --> 00:16:48,110 began to shed altitude I was thankful 438 00:16:46,399 --> 00:16:49,370 for calamities warning even though there 439 00:16:48,110 --> 00:16:52,129 wasn't really anything to do but brace 440 00:16:49,370 --> 00:16:53,929 ourselves velvet Remini took a deep 441 00:16:52,129 --> 00:16:55,009 breath apparently intending to hold it 442 00:16:53,929 --> 00:17:00,049 while we dropped down through the pink 443 00:16:55,009 --> 00:17:01,639 cloud we dropped into the pink the tint 444 00:17:00,049 --> 00:17:03,709 of the sky transformed the sunset into 445 00:17:01,639 --> 00:17:04,970 something utterly alien the red and 446 00:17:03,710 --> 00:17:10,880 orange hues shifting too sickly 447 00:17:04,970 --> 00:17:12,860 malignant colors yeh well even with the 448 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:17,540 change of plans we should be in and out 449 00:17:12,859 --> 00:17:19,250 within a few hours my eyes forward 450 00:17:17,539 --> 00:17:20,980 Sparkle flashed a location name sent 451 00:17:19,250 --> 00:17:23,029 from my pit box auto-mapping spell 452 00:17:20,980 --> 00:17:26,420 princess Celestia's school for gifted 453 00:17:23,029 --> 00:17:27,649 unicorns the cluster of lights flared up 454 00:17:26,420 --> 00:17:29,769 on my EFS compass 455 00:17:27,650 --> 00:17:31,940 none of them immediately hostile I 456 00:17:29,769 --> 00:17:33,349 turned my attention in their direction 457 00:17:31,940 --> 00:17:35,840 as calamity flew us down between the 458 00:17:33,349 --> 00:17:37,719 rooftops of the tallest buildings the 459 00:17:35,839 --> 00:17:40,429 lights came from within one of them I 460 00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:45,410 urged Clem to fly a little lower just 461 00:17:40,430 --> 00:17:46,789 for safety ivory tower my EFS proclaim 462 00:17:45,410 --> 00:17:51,269 is we neared the elegant structure with 463 00:17:46,789 --> 00:17:53,769 the golden onion graduate studies 464 00:17:51,269 --> 00:17:55,299 one of the uppermost floors of the ivory 465 00:17:53,769 --> 00:17:57,819 tower had boasted a beautiful multi 466 00:17:55,299 --> 00:17:59,649 storey window during the mega spell 467 00:17:57,819 --> 00:18:01,480 attack mounting air pressure had caused 468 00:17:59,650 --> 00:18:04,420 the window to implode and the whole 469 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:06,160 tower had filled with pink cloud as we 470 00:18:04,420 --> 00:18:08,680 passed I could see into what had once 471 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:11,769 been a library the books all long 472 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:14,470 rounded away the ivory tower had become 473 00:18:11,769 --> 00:18:16,000 a polling place I could see thick wisps 474 00:18:14,470 --> 00:18:19,240 of nearly solid pink floating up the 475 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:21,160 stairs from the chamber below several 476 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:23,170 dark in reptilian form slashed about the 477 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:25,900 library occasionally flexing leathery 478 00:18:23,170 --> 00:18:27,070 wings one of the creatures was curled up 479 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:30,600 in a shattered bowl of what had once 480 00:18:27,069 --> 00:18:34,359 been a giant hourglass snoozing soundly 481 00:18:30,599 --> 00:18:37,719 dragon's Canterlot ghoul eyes adolescent 482 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:39,209 dragons about spikes age I thought as I 483 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:43,420 remembered being trapped in spikes body 484 00:18:39,210 --> 00:18:45,819 recalling the feeling of his wings they 485 00:18:43,420 --> 00:18:47,350 could be as siblings I realized trapped 486 00:18:45,819 --> 00:18:50,710 forever and underdeveloped bodies that 487 00:18:47,349 --> 00:18:52,209 could not grow and would not die the 488 00:18:50,710 --> 00:18:54,789 sight struck a melancholy chord in my 489 00:18:52,210 --> 00:18:56,620 heart a sad note that continued to play 490 00:18:54,789 --> 00:18:59,649 even as three of their corresponding 491 00:18:56,619 --> 00:19:01,569 lights shifted to read three of the 492 00:18:59,650 --> 00:19:03,610 Canterlot ghouls rounded watching as we 493 00:19:01,569 --> 00:19:06,579 passed then spread out their wings and 494 00:19:03,609 --> 00:19:08,679 launched themselves after us Steel's 495 00:19:06,579 --> 00:19:11,349 reacted immediately dashing towards the 496 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:14,200 back window of the sky bandit Steele is 497 00:19:11,349 --> 00:19:15,609 wait I called out unsure of my actions 498 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:17,730 were wise but unwilling to make the 499 00:19:15,609 --> 00:19:20,469 mistake of shooting first yet again 500 00:19:17,730 --> 00:19:22,240 velvet you're up 501 00:19:20,470 --> 00:19:24,730 letting out a breath she been holding 502 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:28,029 velvet Remini jumped to her hos flashing 503 00:19:24,730 --> 00:19:29,680 me an odd expression she passed it was 504 00:19:28,029 --> 00:19:32,139 either her way of signle saying about 505 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:34,890 time or she was still upset with me over 506 00:19:32,140 --> 00:19:37,120 trying to take the Fluttershy orb away 507 00:19:34,890 --> 00:19:41,800 velvet torn glowed softly a steel have 508 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:45,009 stepped aside making way for her dragons 509 00:19:41,799 --> 00:19:48,220 of Canterlot her voice boomed magnified 510 00:19:45,009 --> 00:19:49,930 majestically we are but little pony 511 00:19:48,220 --> 00:19:52,600 travelers humbled to be in your 512 00:19:49,930 --> 00:19:53,680 magnificent presence we beseech you to 513 00:19:52,599 --> 00:19:56,109 allow us passage throughout your 514 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:59,009 territory we promise our visit will be 515 00:19:56,109 --> 00:20:02,409 brief and we will be of no bother at all 516 00:19:59,009 --> 00:20:04,000 really Steel's voice rumbled his tone 517 00:20:02,410 --> 00:20:05,850 making a very clear velvet Roundy's 518 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:10,299 diplomacy couldn't possibly work 519 00:20:05,849 --> 00:20:12,819 no she whispered back not really she 520 00:20:10,299 --> 00:20:16,720 turned back to me sorry about this 521 00:20:12,819 --> 00:20:18,669 little pip food one of the dragons 522 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:21,670 bellowed great 523 00:20:18,670 --> 00:20:24,400 they ate ponies of course they ate 524 00:20:21,670 --> 00:20:28,690 ponies mister topaz had been planning a 525 00:20:24,400 --> 00:20:31,180 feast after all why yes of course velvet 526 00:20:28,690 --> 00:20:32,049 rarely replied I wouldn't think of 527 00:20:31,180 --> 00:20:35,130 passing through your home without 528 00:20:32,049 --> 00:20:37,869 bringing something to pay the toll 529 00:20:35,130 --> 00:20:39,280 with that she floated out one of the 530 00:20:37,869 --> 00:20:42,250 dresses she had bought for me a 10 Pony 531 00:20:39,279 --> 00:20:44,049 tower the only one I noted which had 532 00:20:42,250 --> 00:20:48,430 several pretty sapphires woven into the 533 00:20:44,049 --> 00:20:51,250 hems I'm afraid I only have one gift so 534 00:20:48,430 --> 00:20:52,480 I do hope you don't mind sharing she 535 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:54,130 tossed the garment out of the sky 536 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:55,690 banditz back window and the three 537 00:20:54,130 --> 00:20:58,900 dragons immediately scrambled after the 538 00:20:55,690 --> 00:21:00,730 gemstone studded dress turning back 539 00:20:58,900 --> 00:21:03,160 around velvet room he smiled and 540 00:21:00,730 --> 00:21:05,548 suggested let's go inside before they 541 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:09,629 finish fighting each other 542 00:21:05,548 --> 00:21:11,519 I left from the sky bin at the moment 543 00:21:09,628 --> 00:21:15,298 touch the ground levitating our supplies 544 00:21:11,519 --> 00:21:16,710 with us we lift everything but the 545 00:21:15,298 --> 00:21:19,079 essentials back with is anything lift 546 00:21:16,710 --> 00:21:22,558 mark calamity released himself in the 547 00:21:19,079 --> 00:21:24,058 harness immediately Hey look calamity 548 00:21:22,558 --> 00:21:25,528 said pointing between the nearby 549 00:21:24,058 --> 00:21:28,470 buildings to the rubble of clip clop 550 00:21:25,528 --> 00:21:30,720 clip boards a few blocks away maybe we 551 00:21:28,470 --> 00:21:32,190 should stop by there on our way back he 552 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:34,769 suggested as we all begin to gallop 553 00:21:32,190 --> 00:21:35,879 towards the closest building perfect 554 00:21:34,769 --> 00:21:39,239 time to get a blade of armour for the 555 00:21:35,878 --> 00:21:43,319 sky bandit no getting sidetracked 556 00:21:39,239 --> 00:21:45,659 wait what I blinked a calamity in 557 00:21:43,319 --> 00:21:47,579 confusion yep 558 00:21:45,659 --> 00:21:49,769 ain't you notice all the clipboards 559 00:21:47,579 --> 00:21:52,678 laying about everywhere clearly asked 560 00:21:49,769 --> 00:21:57,649 flying alongside us down things an I 561 00:21:52,679 --> 00:22:00,330 indestructible I honestly hadn't noticed 562 00:21:57,648 --> 00:22:03,469 but then I didn't scavengers 563 00:22:00,329 --> 00:22:08,058 relentlessly as calamity did still 564 00:22:03,470 --> 00:22:10,950 clipboards his armor he had to be joking 565 00:22:08,058 --> 00:22:14,579 made that appear compressed obstinate a 566 00:22:10,950 --> 00:22:17,659 Neum days clam Lee continued bitching I 567 00:22:14,579 --> 00:22:21,210 have a little mac and punch hole in one 568 00:22:17,659 --> 00:22:25,700 obstinate a Neum there was no such thing 569 00:22:21,210 --> 00:22:29,038 as oh I get it now 570 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:30,269 well sure the new ones were but only 571 00:22:29,038 --> 00:22:34,230 after they stopped making amount of late 572 00:22:30,269 --> 00:22:36,388 stub night careful there Steel's grunted 573 00:22:34,230 --> 00:22:40,048 the Apple family had a monopoly on 574 00:22:36,388 --> 00:22:41,908 stubborn eyed Minds velvet remedy chased 575 00:22:40,048 --> 00:22:45,028 behind us a confused expression on her 576 00:22:41,909 --> 00:22:46,830 face I thought they were Apple farmers 577 00:22:45,028 --> 00:22:51,048 she whispered to pilot who was flying 578 00:22:46,829 --> 00:22:53,339 alongside her well shucks calamity said 579 00:22:51,048 --> 00:22:55,019 his some ponies hadn't been hogging all 580 00:22:53,339 --> 00:22:56,128 the stubborn eye for themselves maybe 581 00:22:55,019 --> 00:22:58,739 they wouldn't have had to run out like 582 00:22:56,128 --> 00:23:00,658 they did I'll have you know that 583 00:22:58,739 --> 00:23:03,840 Applejack never once hogs Stuber night 584 00:23:00,659 --> 00:23:05,400 seals countered she used every bit she 585 00:23:03,839 --> 00:23:09,869 had 586 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:13,620 I blinked mouth hanging open did Steel's 587 00:23:09,869 --> 00:23:17,369 just make a joke about Applejack Wow 588 00:23:13,619 --> 00:23:18,509 that was new a wave of pain blasted 589 00:23:17,369 --> 00:23:20,669 through my head as I reached the steps 590 00:23:18,509 --> 00:23:21,930 up the building door my EFS flashing the 591 00:23:20,670 --> 00:23:24,420 name of the building amidst medical 592 00:23:21,930 --> 00:23:26,640 warnings I felt like there was a vise 593 00:23:24,420 --> 00:23:28,700 tightening around my horn my vision 594 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,509 blurred and my ears began to ring I 595 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:34,470 stumbled back and the pain immediately 596 00:23:30,509 --> 00:23:36,440 faded whoa I called out holding out a 597 00:23:34,470 --> 00:23:38,390 for light to stop the others behind me I 598 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:40,740 wasn't quite fast enough 599 00:23:38,390 --> 00:23:43,650 calamity didn't stop flying right over 600 00:23:40,740 --> 00:23:45,210 me and slamming through the door as soon 601 00:23:43,650 --> 00:23:48,210 as the door was open I could hear the 602 00:23:45,210 --> 00:23:50,400 static calamity was halfway into the 603 00:23:48,210 --> 00:23:52,799 lobby beyond when he landed staggering 604 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:54,210 and spun about I could see blood 605 00:23:52,799 --> 00:23:55,559 beginning to seep out of his ears in the 606 00:23:54,210 --> 00:23:58,069 corners of his eyes as he turned to look 607 00:23:55,559 --> 00:24:00,539 towards us his face grimacing in pain 608 00:23:58,069 --> 00:24:03,599 then he looked up above and bid at the 609 00:24:00,539 --> 00:24:04,710 air I could see his bloodied eyes widen 610 00:24:03,599 --> 00:24:07,980 as he realized he wasn't wearing his 611 00:24:04,710 --> 00:24:10,110 battle saddle wobbling he shouted out 612 00:24:07,980 --> 00:24:11,870 pointing above the door a little bit 613 00:24:10,109 --> 00:24:15,689 right there 614 00:24:11,869 --> 00:24:17,699 then he toppled to his knees I dashed 615 00:24:15,690 --> 00:24:19,529 inside drawing little McIntosh from its 616 00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:21,240 holder ignoring the explosions of pain 617 00:24:19,529 --> 00:24:24,809 in my head and the sudden tint of red in 618 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:25,829 my eyes I spun around instantly spotting 619 00:24:24,809 --> 00:24:27,720 the school's public-address speaker 620 00:24:25,829 --> 00:24:28,949 built into the wall just above the bust 621 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:32,750 of the goddess let's hear that looked 622 00:24:28,950 --> 00:24:35,519 down at us from above the door boy alma 623 00:24:32,750 --> 00:24:38,160 my first shot missed digging a hole in 624 00:24:35,519 --> 00:24:39,900 the wall near the speaker my vision was 625 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:42,420 getting rapidly worse and I couldn't use 626 00:24:39,900 --> 00:24:44,460 my targeting spell it didn't recognize 627 00:24:42,420 --> 00:24:50,009 the speaker as a target there's nothing 628 00:24:44,460 --> 00:24:52,410 for it to lock on to blam blam my second 629 00:24:50,009 --> 00:24:53,940 shots shattered Celestia's face the 630 00:24:52,410 --> 00:24:57,029 third hit the speaker which finally 631 00:24:53,940 --> 00:24:59,340 exploded in a shower of sparks the sound 632 00:24:57,029 --> 00:25:01,559 of static soften but still remained the 633 00:24:59,339 --> 00:25:04,289 pain didn't go away there was at least 634 00:25:01,559 --> 00:25:07,279 one more speaker in here I looked around 635 00:25:04,289 --> 00:25:10,670 but my vision was swimming in red 636 00:25:07,279 --> 00:25:12,259 I couldn't see anything the ringing in 637 00:25:10,670 --> 00:25:14,600 my ears drowned out nearly everything 638 00:25:12,259 --> 00:25:16,009 else I could barely hear the explosions 639 00:25:14,599 --> 00:25:18,319 all around me as I lost my equilibrium 640 00:25:16,009 --> 00:25:22,250 and fell onto my side my vision fading 641 00:25:18,319 --> 00:25:24,769 to black my vision cleared again almost 642 00:25:22,250 --> 00:25:26,420 instantly leaving my ears softly ringing 643 00:25:24,769 --> 00:25:29,240 and a comparatively minor headache 644 00:25:26,420 --> 00:25:31,070 beating my brain the others had charged 645 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:33,410 in after me and from the smoke and 646 00:25:31,069 --> 00:25:34,939 debris steel hoes had grenade machine 647 00:25:33,410 --> 00:25:37,880 gun the upper walls of lobby until a 648 00:25:34,940 --> 00:25:41,630 static stopped I groaned and sat up 649 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:43,030 slowly wiping blood from my eyes we have 650 00:25:41,630 --> 00:25:45,590 a new problem 651 00:25:43,029 --> 00:25:48,710 velvet remedy informed me her voice 652 00:25:45,589 --> 00:25:50,899 seeming strange and far away I blinked 653 00:25:48,710 --> 00:25:52,130 at her trying to clear my vision then 654 00:25:50,900 --> 00:25:55,160 look towards the entrance where she was 655 00:25:52,130 --> 00:25:56,500 pointing a shield speller descended over 656 00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:58,670 the front door 657 00:25:56,500 --> 00:25:59,960 apparently shooting up the lobby and 658 00:25:58,670 --> 00:26:03,130 Celestia's private school of magic 659 00:25:59,960 --> 00:26:03,130 triggered defenses 660 00:26:05,079 --> 00:26:08,288 we made it up to the third floor before 661 00:26:06,909 --> 00:26:10,389 finding out that the stairwell to the 662 00:26:08,288 --> 00:26:11,648 next level had caved in forcing us to 663 00:26:10,388 --> 00:26:14,589 cut through the classrooms to reach the 664 00:26:11,648 --> 00:26:16,209 stairwell on the opposite side my plan 665 00:26:14,589 --> 00:26:20,859 to avoid detours was off to a bad start 666 00:26:16,210 --> 00:26:22,720 I pushed open a door checking my EFS for 667 00:26:20,859 --> 00:26:25,479 hostels then made my way into the 668 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:27,970 classroom the building was old but 669 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:30,700 mercifully free a pink cloud allowing us 670 00:26:27,970 --> 00:26:31,749 to proceed consciously we were operating 671 00:26:30,700 --> 00:26:33,129 under the assumption that the 672 00:26:31,749 --> 00:26:35,019 administrator's office was on the top 673 00:26:33,128 --> 00:26:36,308 floor and would have a terminal capable 674 00:26:35,019 --> 00:26:40,028 of shutting off the shields locking us 675 00:26:36,308 --> 00:26:41,440 inside at least that is what we assumed 676 00:26:40,028 --> 00:26:43,298 the large space at the top of the tower 677 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:45,970 was meant to be based on a map which had 678 00:26:43,298 --> 00:26:47,378 decorated the lobbies back wall a map 679 00:26:45,970 --> 00:26:51,220 which had lost large chunks under 680 00:26:47,378 --> 00:26:53,349 Steele's grenade barrage even state of 681 00:26:51,220 --> 00:26:54,700 decay the room was elevated by touches 682 00:26:53,349 --> 00:26:57,278 of clasps that set it apart from the 683 00:26:54,700 --> 00:26:59,230 buildings outside of Canterlot filigree 684 00:26:57,278 --> 00:27:01,358 in the walls and furniture the tattered 685 00:26:59,230 --> 00:27:02,829 remains of rotting banners the cracked 686 00:27:01,358 --> 00:27:06,699 marble tiles of two-tone blue 687 00:27:02,829 --> 00:27:08,558 checkerboard floor I paused staring at 688 00:27:06,700 --> 00:27:10,028 the globe tucked in the corner the 689 00:27:08,558 --> 00:27:13,509 continents beginning to peel off of its 690 00:27:10,028 --> 00:27:17,499 surface strangely I always considered 691 00:27:13,509 --> 00:27:18,878 Equestria to be flat I looked around the 692 00:27:17,499 --> 00:27:20,528 last lesson taught in this room was 693 00:27:18,878 --> 00:27:23,108 apparently astronomy as a chalkboard 694 00:27:20,528 --> 00:27:24,970 sill board diagram of if I was reading 695 00:27:23,108 --> 00:27:27,999 it correctly the single path on which 696 00:27:24,970 --> 00:27:29,259 the Sun and Moon circled our world this 697 00:27:27,999 --> 00:27:31,600 was not something the science classes 698 00:27:29,259 --> 00:27:32,919 and stable two had covered we had 699 00:27:31,599 --> 00:27:35,398 learned instead about mechanics and 700 00:27:32,919 --> 00:27:37,929 robotics arcane science and spell craft 701 00:27:35,398 --> 00:27:40,178 I'd sometimes pondered where the Sun one 702 00:27:37,929 --> 00:27:41,798 was Celestia put it away imagining it 703 00:27:40,179 --> 00:27:42,659 was all hidden beneath us possibly 704 00:27:41,798 --> 00:27:45,940 taking a nap 705 00:27:42,659 --> 00:27:47,080 if this diagram was true then Celeste he 706 00:27:45,940 --> 00:27:49,470 was setting it to another part of the 707 00:27:47,079 --> 00:27:51,548 world to make it day someplace else I 708 00:27:49,470 --> 00:27:53,919 wondered if that was the faraway land 709 00:27:51,548 --> 00:27:55,210 where the Zebras lived or maybe the 710 00:27:53,919 --> 00:27:57,940 place where the Dragons originally came 711 00:27:55,210 --> 00:27:59,679 from did that mean that Nightmare Moon 712 00:27:57,940 --> 00:28:01,490 had locked him an internal day slowly 713 00:27:59,679 --> 00:28:04,250 roasting them alive 714 00:28:01,490 --> 00:28:05,420 and how messed up did things have to be 715 00:28:04,250 --> 00:28:06,890 now in order for the pegasi to 716 00:28:05,420 --> 00:28:12,050 occasionally see the Sun in the moon the 717 00:28:06,890 --> 00:28:14,870 sky at the same time unbelievable Belva 718 00:28:12,049 --> 00:28:16,460 remedy intoned I turned to see that I 719 00:28:14,869 --> 00:28:17,889 was not the only Pony distracted by the 720 00:28:16,460 --> 00:28:20,059 contents of the room 721 00:28:17,890 --> 00:28:21,800 velvet had trotted up the steps that ran 722 00:28:20,059 --> 00:28:22,970 alongside the rising rows of chairs on 723 00:28:21,799 --> 00:28:25,609 the side of the room opposite the 724 00:28:22,970 --> 00:28:29,750 blackboard at the top near another 725 00:28:25,609 --> 00:28:31,069 doorway were several posters Bella was 726 00:28:29,750 --> 00:28:31,759 staring at one which featured a very 727 00:28:31,069 --> 00:28:33,379 small filly 728 00:28:31,759 --> 00:28:34,819 magically projecting a shield around 729 00:28:33,380 --> 00:28:36,050 herself and her family as an evil 730 00:28:34,819 --> 00:28:38,740 looking zebra lowered a stick of 731 00:28:36,049 --> 00:28:41,240 dynamite towards her with a fishing pole 732 00:28:38,740 --> 00:28:42,289 they were actually teaching children to 733 00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:45,559 use their shield spells to protect 734 00:28:42,289 --> 00:28:48,559 themself from a mega spell attack Velva 735 00:28:45,559 --> 00:28:49,879 Remini stomped from the poster i gleaned 736 00:28:48,559 --> 00:28:51,649 that the spell was one of the very first 737 00:28:49,880 --> 00:28:54,710 talk to any unicorn who had the capacity 738 00:28:51,650 --> 00:28:58,030 to learn it they might as well have been 739 00:28:54,710 --> 00:29:00,279 telling him to hide under their desks uh 740 00:28:58,029 --> 00:29:03,740 remedy there ain't no desk in this room 741 00:29:00,279 --> 00:29:05,389 calamity pointed out Belleville romney 742 00:29:03,740 --> 00:29:07,430 swung around and saw the rows of chairs 743 00:29:05,390 --> 00:29:11,680 in the lectern there was not a single 744 00:29:07,430 --> 00:29:13,789 desk in sight she sighed not the point 745 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:14,360 maybe Celeste she just didn't want them 746 00:29:13,789 --> 00:29:17,329 scared 747 00:29:14,359 --> 00:29:18,589 I offered I had to imagine that telling 748 00:29:17,329 --> 00:29:19,789 the children a lie that allowed them to 749 00:29:18,589 --> 00:29:21,379 believe there was something they could 750 00:29:19,789 --> 00:29:24,589 do was kinder than leaving them feeling 751 00:29:21,380 --> 00:29:28,160 helpless or was my belief just born of 752 00:29:24,589 --> 00:29:31,849 corrupted kindness i grunted absolutely 753 00:29:28,160 --> 00:29:34,610 hating Trixie red lights started to pop 754 00:29:31,849 --> 00:29:36,169 up on my EFS compass several of them 755 00:29:34,609 --> 00:29:40,039 converging on the door next developed 756 00:29:36,170 --> 00:29:41,630 remedy velvet i hissed motion here 757 00:29:40,039 --> 00:29:44,659 towards me before pointing warningly the 758 00:29:41,630 --> 00:29:46,160 door calamity now wearing his battle 759 00:29:44,660 --> 00:29:48,680 saddle flew into position covering the 760 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:50,090 door I whispered up a prayer to the 761 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:51,680 goddess Celestia that ended up becoming 762 00:29:50,089 --> 00:29:55,069 a more of an apology for shooting her in 763 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:56,740 the face the door opened and I felt 764 00:29:55,069 --> 00:29:59,589 myself go numb 765 00:29:56,740 --> 00:30:01,929 it was a small Canterlot ghoul eyes - 766 00:29:59,589 --> 00:30:04,808 unicorn child her school filly uniform 767 00:30:01,929 --> 00:30:06,580 melted into her flesh there was several 768 00:30:04,808 --> 00:30:08,678 more behind her all Colts and fillies 769 00:30:06,579 --> 00:30:11,619 locked in the endless routine of going 770 00:30:08,679 --> 00:30:13,450 to and from their exams until they 771 00:30:11,619 --> 00:30:15,009 spotted us and the air filled with sound 772 00:30:13,450 --> 00:30:18,580 more horrifying than any I could imagine 773 00:30:15,009 --> 00:30:20,259 a wordless sound of unadulterated and 774 00:30:18,579 --> 00:30:24,970 monstrous aggression from the course of 775 00:30:20,259 --> 00:30:29,019 achingly childlike voices no Celestia 776 00:30:24,970 --> 00:30:33,160 have mercy I was frozen my eyes locked 777 00:30:29,019 --> 00:30:37,089 on to the monster children I I couldn't 778 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:38,440 do this calamity fired the twin Bulls 779 00:30:37,089 --> 00:30:40,389 from his battle saddle tearing into a 780 00:30:38,440 --> 00:30:42,420 fillies head blasting most of her brains 781 00:30:40,390 --> 00:30:45,490 unto the remember your shield poster 782 00:30:42,420 --> 00:30:48,730 turning the rest of us yelled what do 783 00:30:45,490 --> 00:30:51,880 ya'll waiting for I knew they weren't 784 00:30:48,730 --> 00:30:54,160 really children I knew they were at best 785 00:30:51,880 --> 00:30:56,980 feral animals and that they would kill 786 00:30:54,160 --> 00:30:59,860 us if we didn't fight a run but my body 787 00:30:56,980 --> 00:31:01,900 refused to do either calamity fired 788 00:30:59,859 --> 00:31:03,519 again next to me 789 00:31:01,900 --> 00:31:05,440 velvet cast her an aesthetic spell on a 790 00:31:03,519 --> 00:31:08,109 young Colt only to moan as the spell at 791 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:10,150 no apparent effect even steel hose 792 00:31:08,109 --> 00:31:12,159 seemed to have faltered for a moment but 793 00:31:10,150 --> 00:31:14,380 now I heard the ports of his missile 794 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:20,048 launcher opening 795 00:31:14,380 --> 00:31:21,880 whoosh kaboom - rockets fired at an 796 00:31:20,048 --> 00:31:23,710 upward angle and exploded against the 797 00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:25,720 ceiling bringing large chunks of it 798 00:31:23,710 --> 00:31:28,630 raining down on the creatures children 799 00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:31,360 below along with half of a row of chairs 800 00:31:28,630 --> 00:31:32,740 from the classroom above us I stumbled 801 00:31:31,359 --> 00:31:34,449 back as two Colts and a filly were 802 00:31:32,740 --> 00:31:36,038 crushed under the collapsing ceiling the 803 00:31:34,450 --> 00:31:37,509 little pony of my head sickly wondering 804 00:31:36,038 --> 00:31:39,038 if that had killed them or just in 805 00:31:37,509 --> 00:31:42,940 convenes them even after the lights went 806 00:31:39,038 --> 00:31:48,069 out on my EFS compass littlepip Steve 807 00:31:42,940 --> 00:31:51,009 Lopes commanded get us up there up there 808 00:31:48,069 --> 00:31:55,389 I felt like I was thinking through 809 00:31:51,009 --> 00:31:58,960 sludge now he bellowed snapping me out 810 00:31:55,390 --> 00:32:01,179 of my stupor clam Lee swooped past me 811 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:02,650 firing again is another Canterlot zombie 812 00:32:01,179 --> 00:32:05,350 cult gone through the open door and left 813 00:32:02,650 --> 00:32:06,580 over the rubble towards us but twin shot 814 00:32:05,349 --> 00:32:08,969 hit the monster child on the side 815 00:32:06,579 --> 00:32:11,109 knocking him back into the chairs I 816 00:32:08,970 --> 00:32:12,819 wrapped my levitation field around the 817 00:32:11,109 --> 00:32:15,279 rest of us and levitated us up through 818 00:32:12,819 --> 00:32:17,319 the ceiling behind me 819 00:32:15,279 --> 00:32:18,490 I heard the sinister warping sound that 820 00:32:17,319 --> 00:32:20,678 signaled one of the Fallen cloud 821 00:32:18,490 --> 00:32:23,429 children was rising back up filled with 822 00:32:20,679 --> 00:32:23,429 necromantic life 823 00:32:24,460 --> 00:32:29,370 I poked my head out of the classroom 824 00:32:27,190 --> 00:32:31,750 looking both ways down the corridor I 825 00:32:29,369 --> 00:32:33,579 kept expecting the zombie children to 826 00:32:31,750 --> 00:32:36,519 appear but there were no hostel lights 827 00:32:33,579 --> 00:32:37,659 on my EFS compass I couldn't tell if 828 00:32:36,519 --> 00:32:39,849 they were trying to get up to this level 829 00:32:37,660 --> 00:32:41,350 or if they had ceased pursuing us the 830 00:32:39,849 --> 00:32:44,639 moment they could no longer see or hear 831 00:32:41,349 --> 00:32:47,949 us literally out of sight out of mind 832 00:32:44,640 --> 00:32:49,600 the hallway provided a new danger the 833 00:32:47,950 --> 00:32:51,069 air was filled with a pink haze which 834 00:32:49,599 --> 00:32:53,740 grew thicker towards a ventilation grate 835 00:32:51,069 --> 00:32:55,929 in the ceiling I could just make out the 836 00:32:53,740 --> 00:32:57,130 large metal fan behind that great warped 837 00:32:55,930 --> 00:32:59,950 infused with the metal of the shaft 838 00:32:57,130 --> 00:33:02,020 itself the dense patch didn't look 839 00:32:59,950 --> 00:33:06,940 particularly large but it was slowly 840 00:33:02,019 --> 00:33:10,480 growing ste loves I instructed closing 841 00:33:06,940 --> 00:33:11,920 the door we need you to scout ahead find 842 00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:15,160 the shortest path into another cloud the 843 00:33:11,920 --> 00:33:17,529 section of the building the steel ranger 844 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:18,970 outcasts nodded I open the door long 845 00:33:17,529 --> 00:33:21,000 enough for him to gallop through then 846 00:33:18,970 --> 00:33:25,569 closed it again 847 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:29,140 hey pip calamity said his voice almost a 848 00:33:25,569 --> 00:33:30,519 whisper I'm pretty sure one of the first 849 00:33:29,140 --> 00:33:32,680 ministry buildings is the Ministry of 850 00:33:30,519 --> 00:33:33,639 Magic I'm thinking we should pop in 851 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:35,799 there and grab ourselves some 852 00:33:33,640 --> 00:33:36,850 problematical energy weapons just in 853 00:33:35,799 --> 00:33:41,950 case we have to deal with a bunch more 854 00:33:36,849 --> 00:33:43,869 Canaanite ghouls ah here we go I sighed 855 00:33:41,950 --> 00:33:45,600 groaning inside and forcing myself not 856 00:33:43,869 --> 00:33:47,879 to face off 857 00:33:45,599 --> 00:33:49,169 we're magical energy guns I might bet 858 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:49,860 against the Cadillac ghouls in what way 859 00:33:49,170 --> 00:33:53,100 packing 860 00:33:49,859 --> 00:33:56,339 Steel's aside BAE is calamity recent 861 00:33:53,099 --> 00:33:57,569 altogether too reasonably and we 862 00:33:56,339 --> 00:33:59,069 shouldn't be relying on him to bring 863 00:33:57,569 --> 00:34:03,089 down the house every time we face more 864 00:33:59,069 --> 00:34:05,789 monsters and for that matter velvet 865 00:34:03,089 --> 00:34:07,559 remedy chimed in we really need to stop 866 00:34:05,789 --> 00:34:08,730 in the Ministry of peace it's right 867 00:34:07,559 --> 00:34:11,340 across the way and we could definitely 868 00:34:08,730 --> 00:34:13,219 use the medical supplies especially if 869 00:34:11,340 --> 00:34:18,860 you end up fighting with those alicorns 870 00:34:13,219 --> 00:34:21,209 of course we do I turn to both of them 871 00:34:18,860 --> 00:34:22,500 look the more sightseeing we do the 872 00:34:21,210 --> 00:34:24,780 longer and more dangerous this trip 873 00:34:22,500 --> 00:34:26,130 becomes we're already taking far longer 874 00:34:24,780 --> 00:34:29,280 than I wanted to just to get out of the 875 00:34:26,130 --> 00:34:30,960 first building all the more reason to 876 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:33,060 get extra medical supplies while we can 877 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:37,559 you know the Ministry of peace will have 878 00:34:33,059 --> 00:34:40,110 supply somewhere I nodded somewhere 879 00:34:37,559 --> 00:34:42,509 that's the problem you're not talking 880 00:34:40,110 --> 00:34:44,870 about a brief stop either of you you're 881 00:34:42,510 --> 00:34:48,630 talking about exploring those buildings 882 00:34:44,869 --> 00:34:52,289 Belleville remedy nodded I know that and 883 00:34:48,630 --> 00:34:53,460 I know it's dangerous but I'm worried no 884 00:34:52,289 --> 00:34:57,090 you just want to see fluttershy's 885 00:34:53,460 --> 00:35:00,150 ministry velvet took a step back 886 00:34:57,090 --> 00:35:05,190 feigning a wounded heart my expression 887 00:35:00,150 --> 00:35:10,639 was unmoving okay fine yes I do but I am 888 00:35:05,190 --> 00:35:14,780 also worried she insisted about Steve's 889 00:35:10,639 --> 00:35:17,569 Steele whose calamity echoed why worried 890 00:35:14,780 --> 00:35:21,200 about him guy can survive anything up to 891 00:35:17,570 --> 00:35:24,019 and including the apocalypse the Romney 892 00:35:21,199 --> 00:35:26,629 rolled her eyes he's immortal not 893 00:35:24,019 --> 00:35:29,170 indestructible that armor might repair 894 00:35:26,630 --> 00:35:31,460 itself but how do we know he's OK inside 895 00:35:29,170 --> 00:35:33,769 the only things that he'll ghouls are 896 00:35:31,460 --> 00:35:34,880 radiation and healing potions and that 897 00:35:33,769 --> 00:35:37,369 pseudo PES is designed to 898 00:35:34,880 --> 00:35:39,050 self-administer now the last time he 899 00:35:37,369 --> 00:35:42,650 restocked his armors medicine dispensary 900 00:35:39,050 --> 00:35:44,300 was stable 29 and since then he's been 901 00:35:42,650 --> 00:35:46,579 shot through with anti-tank rounds 902 00:35:44,300 --> 00:35:47,630 fallen a few hundred feet and gone 903 00:35:46,579 --> 00:35:51,829 through whatever he was put through in 904 00:35:47,630 --> 00:35:54,500 zebra town look velvet if steel hills 905 00:35:51,829 --> 00:35:58,369 was in trouble he'd tell us clam nice 906 00:35:54,500 --> 00:36:01,760 and what he felt a question 907 00:35:58,369 --> 00:36:04,119 I found myself caught unable to decide 908 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:06,470 which of my friends flaws were play here 909 00:36:04,119 --> 00:36:09,549 novel remedies excessive worries or 910 00:36:06,469 --> 00:36:12,139 still have stubborn stoic ism I 911 00:36:09,550 --> 00:36:14,380 suspected this was the other problem the 912 00:36:12,139 --> 00:36:16,599 Delta had claimed Steel's was being I 913 00:36:14,380 --> 00:36:19,400 couldn't blame her for being concerned 914 00:36:16,599 --> 00:36:20,839 best case she was a doctor was being 915 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:23,269 denied the ability to examine a patient 916 00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:25,910 and the wasteland wasn't in the habit of 917 00:36:23,269 --> 00:36:27,019 serving up best cases very often I was 918 00:36:25,909 --> 00:36:29,679 beginning to kick myself for having 919 00:36:27,019 --> 00:36:33,800 taken Steel's durability for granted 920 00:36:29,679 --> 00:36:36,409 well there were gummies but that was 921 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:39,110 before he got shot velvet Remy remind 922 00:36:36,409 --> 00:36:41,019 the Pegasus afterwards he only came back 923 00:36:39,110 --> 00:36:43,160 long enough to pick us up 924 00:36:41,019 --> 00:36:45,969 damn 925 00:36:43,159 --> 00:36:48,429 Clemmy rubbed his brow under his hat I 926 00:36:45,969 --> 00:36:52,519 reckon you might be onto something there 927 00:36:48,429 --> 00:36:54,859 turning to me he suggested little pip 928 00:36:52,519 --> 00:36:56,630 maybe I ought to run a diagnostic on 929 00:36:54,860 --> 00:36:59,030 azama and see just what's a da friend is 930 00:36:56,630 --> 00:37:02,690 in fraud we know he might be really torn 931 00:36:59,030 --> 00:37:03,170 up under all that steel I looked at the 932 00:37:02,690 --> 00:37:07,130 door 933 00:37:03,170 --> 00:37:08,139 wishing steel hose was back already okay 934 00:37:07,130 --> 00:37:10,180 okay okay 935 00:37:08,139 --> 00:37:12,619 Ministry of peace a ministry of magic 936 00:37:10,179 --> 00:37:14,419 but only the fastest looks and only 937 00:37:12,619 --> 00:37:18,819 until we find what we need targeted 938 00:37:14,420 --> 00:37:23,059 missions no sightseeing they both nodded 939 00:37:18,820 --> 00:37:24,680 then velvet remedy added actually I was 940 00:37:23,059 --> 00:37:27,710 really hoping you could take a peek in 941 00:37:24,679 --> 00:37:35,210 the goddesses castle - I face soft 942 00:37:27,710 --> 00:37:37,190 no I gasped collapsing against the 943 00:37:35,210 --> 00:37:38,750 storage room shelving the impact sending 944 00:37:37,190 --> 00:37:41,389 several boxes of cleaner toppling down 945 00:37:38,750 --> 00:37:43,210 on my head as I fought for breath my 946 00:37:41,389 --> 00:37:45,230 heart struggled in my chest 947 00:37:43,210 --> 00:37:48,260 Valderrama he slammed the door closed 948 00:37:45,230 --> 00:37:50,119 behind her the last one in she crashed 949 00:37:48,260 --> 00:37:51,680 into steel loves bouncing between him 950 00:37:50,119 --> 00:37:54,739 and the workbench calamity curled up on 951 00:37:51,679 --> 00:37:56,539 before falling to her knees I can't 952 00:37:54,739 --> 00:38:00,500 believe you've done that to yourself 953 00:37:56,539 --> 00:38:03,289 before she gasped wretchedly velvet 954 00:38:00,500 --> 00:38:05,630 began passing around healing potions 955 00:38:03,289 --> 00:38:09,289 under the police station was much worse 956 00:38:05,630 --> 00:38:10,789 calamity moaned downing his potion well 957 00:38:09,289 --> 00:38:14,860 I think I saw blue nope the boiler is a 958 00:38:10,789 --> 00:38:16,190 better alternative velvet groans shakily 959 00:38:14,860 --> 00:38:19,370 huh 960 00:38:16,190 --> 00:38:22,670 forgiven she floated her own potion to 961 00:38:19,369 --> 00:38:23,960 her lips and drank greedily I drank the 962 00:38:22,670 --> 00:38:25,700 potion developed it passed to me and 963 00:38:23,960 --> 00:38:27,050 closed my eyes waiting for the healing 964 00:38:25,699 --> 00:38:30,889 effects to begin to mend my cloud 965 00:38:27,050 --> 00:38:32,539 ravaged body velvet passed the second 966 00:38:30,889 --> 00:38:33,889 round of potions and I could see the 967 00:38:32,539 --> 00:38:37,460 stop in the Ministry of peace would be 968 00:38:33,889 --> 00:38:39,230 truly necessary after all weakly I 969 00:38:37,460 --> 00:38:42,710 slipped myself across the floor to steal 970 00:38:39,230 --> 00:38:44,599 those lay down soldier I demanded 971 00:38:42,710 --> 00:38:45,740 hurting too much to perform the social 972 00:38:44,599 --> 00:38:48,710 dance that friendship and civility 973 00:38:45,739 --> 00:38:50,629 required Steel is obeyed without 974 00:38:48,710 --> 00:38:53,260 question accidentally knocking over a 975 00:38:50,630 --> 00:38:55,670 row of plungers with his armored tail I 976 00:38:53,260 --> 00:38:57,410 pulled a tool from my barding and jacked 977 00:38:55,670 --> 00:39:00,619 my pipbuck into his armor running a 978 00:38:57,409 --> 00:39:02,210 diagnostic steel of displeasure at this 979 00:39:00,619 --> 00:39:05,289 invasion of privacy was radiating off of 980 00:39:02,210 --> 00:39:07,400 him but he didn't move or speak 981 00:39:05,289 --> 00:39:09,110 the little pony in my head began to 982 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:12,619 panic when my pipbuck started flashing 983 00:39:09,110 --> 00:39:14,240 medical alerts across my EFS I fought to 984 00:39:12,619 --> 00:39:15,769 keep my little pony calm as I worked to 985 00:39:14,239 --> 00:39:18,109 strip away the alarms that were probably 986 00:39:15,769 --> 00:39:20,869 false my pit bucks medical says spell 987 00:39:18,110 --> 00:39:22,550 was not calibrated towards ghouls much 988 00:39:20,869 --> 00:39:25,429 less whatever physiology was normal for 989 00:39:22,550 --> 00:39:26,750 cancer like ghouls I wished I had velvet 990 00:39:25,429 --> 00:39:28,669 Rama's understanding of Medicine 991 00:39:26,750 --> 00:39:32,030 although considering her reaction to 992 00:39:28,670 --> 00:39:33,619 ghouls that might not be much help the 993 00:39:32,030 --> 00:39:35,150 one thing I could say for sure was that 994 00:39:33,619 --> 00:39:37,099 Steel's armor was completely out of 995 00:39:35,150 --> 00:39:39,889 healing supplies and apparently had been 996 00:39:37,099 --> 00:39:41,269 out since partway through zebra town the 997 00:39:39,889 --> 00:39:44,000 sign was keeping himself going on 998 00:39:41,269 --> 00:39:46,759 painkillers and combat drugs most of 999 00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:49,030 which were also nearly depleted what 1000 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:51,290 even planning to do when these ran out 1001 00:39:49,030 --> 00:39:53,390 he'll one of his legs was broken in 1002 00:39:51,289 --> 00:39:56,029 multiple places the armor was just 1003 00:39:53,389 --> 00:39:59,670 holding it together like a cast 1004 00:39:56,030 --> 00:40:01,460 not okay I told him sternly feeling like 1005 00:39:59,670 --> 00:40:04,680 I was wearing velvet rowdies horse shoes 1006 00:40:01,460 --> 00:40:08,940 he said nothing if you're in trouble 1007 00:40:04,679 --> 00:40:09,629 like this you need to tell us I'll be 1008 00:40:08,940 --> 00:40:12,300 fine 1009 00:40:09,630 --> 00:40:15,269 he finally said but I noticed he 1010 00:40:12,300 --> 00:40:17,519 wouldn't look at me when he said it the 1011 00:40:15,269 --> 00:40:18,509 damn thing was he probably would be so 1012 00:40:17,519 --> 00:40:20,280 long as he didn't get himself 1013 00:40:18,510 --> 00:40:23,010 permanently killed or before he could 1014 00:40:20,280 --> 00:40:26,820 resupply his armor between now and then 1015 00:40:23,010 --> 00:40:28,200 however was a whole world of pain the 1016 00:40:26,820 --> 00:40:31,080 painkillers were handling a lot of it 1017 00:40:28,199 --> 00:40:34,619 right now but not all of it and they too 1018 00:40:31,079 --> 00:40:35,420 would be gone soon this felt like self 1019 00:40:34,619 --> 00:40:37,380 punishment 1020 00:40:35,420 --> 00:40:41,119 maybe for what happened a Buckland 1021 00:40:37,380 --> 00:40:43,470 bridge or maybe because of bad memories 1022 00:40:41,119 --> 00:40:46,799 wounds and regrets the coming here into 1023 00:40:43,469 --> 00:40:48,000 zebra town have made fresh again I could 1024 00:40:46,800 --> 00:40:49,650 point out that when the painkillers 1025 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:52,349 stopped the pain might hamper him 1026 00:40:49,650 --> 00:40:53,670 putting us all at risk that was the sort 1027 00:40:52,349 --> 00:40:56,099 of argument I knew he would listen to 1028 00:40:53,670 --> 00:40:59,099 and accept but it was also cold and 1029 00:40:56,099 --> 00:41:02,489 selfish Steel's was our friend and he 1030 00:40:59,099 --> 00:41:03,750 deserved better than that I needed 1031 00:41:02,489 --> 00:41:05,729 something to say that would show that we 1032 00:41:03,750 --> 00:41:08,880 cared and yet would still be persuasive 1033 00:41:05,730 --> 00:41:09,240 in his ears I looked - velvet remedy for 1034 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:11,039 help 1035 00:41:09,239 --> 00:41:14,009 only to be reminded of our argument 1036 00:41:11,039 --> 00:41:16,079 about the Fluttershy orb velvet remedy 1037 00:41:14,010 --> 00:41:16,470 was escaping steelo's was abusing 1038 00:41:16,079 --> 00:41:19,619 himself 1039 00:41:16,469 --> 00:41:22,589 I looked up at calamity and wondered if 1040 00:41:19,619 --> 00:41:25,380 he was doing any better clam he seemed 1041 00:41:22,590 --> 00:41:29,220 fine but then so its Telos until I took 1042 00:41:25,380 --> 00:41:30,829 a deeper look at least zennith was okay 1043 00:41:29,219 --> 00:41:34,569 right 1044 00:41:30,829 --> 00:41:37,039 now zennith never really seemed okay 1045 00:41:34,570 --> 00:41:38,630 after what she had been through I would 1046 00:41:37,039 --> 00:41:40,309 be surprised if there was an okay in her 1047 00:41:38,630 --> 00:41:42,890 world that even vaguely resembled the 1048 00:41:40,309 --> 00:41:45,289 one in our own her freak out of being 1049 00:41:42,889 --> 00:41:46,460 bitten was still fresh in my mind but at 1050 00:41:45,289 --> 00:41:49,699 least she was getting better I thought 1051 00:41:46,460 --> 00:41:51,070 rather than worse although at the time 1052 00:41:49,699 --> 00:41:53,149 we had left 1053 00:41:51,070 --> 00:41:56,030 zennith had still not admitted to Zef 1054 00:41:53,150 --> 00:41:58,490 fear that she was her mother was that 1055 00:41:56,030 --> 00:42:01,750 just Santa thiing a zebra or was a 1056 00:41:58,489 --> 00:42:03,879 warning sign something else I had missed 1057 00:42:01,750 --> 00:42:05,719 Steel's pushed himself back up 1058 00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:14,030 disconnecting his armor from my pipbuck 1059 00:42:05,719 --> 00:42:15,379 I should go go wear out your applied to 1060 00:42:14,030 --> 00:42:17,650 find the next room that is clear of the 1061 00:42:15,380 --> 00:42:17,650 cloud 1062 00:42:19,460 --> 00:42:23,179 Bella Romney tossed up her shield the 1063 00:42:21,800 --> 00:42:24,650 sharing screen of magic filling the 1064 00:42:23,179 --> 00:42:26,469 hallway just in time for the three baby 1065 00:42:24,650 --> 00:42:28,910 dragons to slay min - it 1066 00:42:26,469 --> 00:42:30,409 the little wingless creatures growled 1067 00:42:28,909 --> 00:42:34,000 and clawed at the shield their eyes 1068 00:42:30,409 --> 00:42:38,029 glowing their faces distorted by rage Oh 1069 00:42:34,000 --> 00:42:41,420 aren't they cute fella coud she got a 1070 00:42:38,030 --> 00:42:44,569 resounding no from the rest of us more 1071 00:42:41,420 --> 00:42:47,900 trouble Darfur clammy warned I spun 1072 00:42:44,568 --> 00:42:49,849 around from the other end of the hall 1073 00:42:47,900 --> 00:42:52,338 several Colts and fillies emerged from 1074 00:42:49,849 --> 00:42:55,000 the stairwell the lead filly had another 1075 00:42:52,338 --> 00:42:59,619 cloud ruined baby dragon on her back I 1076 00:42:55,000 --> 00:43:02,409 stared at the filly my eyes drawn to 1077 00:42:59,619 --> 00:43:05,838 littlepip what are you staring at in 1078 00:43:02,409 --> 00:43:08,539 black horror i hissed look at her cutie 1079 00:43:05,838 --> 00:43:10,338 mark the school fill his tattered 1080 00:43:08,539 --> 00:43:11,659 uniform gave a clear view of the blob of 1081 00:43:10,338 --> 00:43:15,409 dark pink that emblazoned the cloud 1082 00:43:11,659 --> 00:43:18,049 child's flank I reeled at the 1083 00:43:15,409 --> 00:43:19,969 implications the child had gotten her 1084 00:43:18,050 --> 00:43:23,450 cutie mark after the mega spell after 1085 00:43:19,969 --> 00:43:24,919 she had died that the cloud had 1086 00:43:23,449 --> 00:43:26,509 transformed the poor little filly into 1087 00:43:24,920 --> 00:43:29,240 an undying monster was horrific enough 1088 00:43:26,510 --> 00:43:30,530 but somehow the idea that had warped and 1089 00:43:29,239 --> 00:43:31,848 corrupted her to the point that the pink 1090 00:43:30,530 --> 00:43:33,829 cloud had stolen from her what should 1091 00:43:31,849 --> 00:43:36,740 have made her special and replaced that 1092 00:43:33,829 --> 00:43:40,579 with itself was somehow so much crueler 1093 00:43:36,739 --> 00:43:42,500 so much more pourraient the child horror 1094 00:43:40,579 --> 00:43:45,530 lowered her head her horn glowing a 1095 00:43:42,500 --> 00:43:46,969 violet pink thick wisps of pink cloud 1096 00:43:45,530 --> 00:43:49,119 snaked out of the air around her glowing 1097 00:43:46,969 --> 00:43:51,828 horn swirling as it filled the corridor 1098 00:43:49,119 --> 00:43:55,640 the filly was actually conjuring pink 1099 00:43:51,829 --> 00:43:58,160 cloud the baby dragon jumped off of her 1100 00:43:55,639 --> 00:44:00,219 back and began charging at us its little 1101 00:43:58,159 --> 00:44:02,568 claws tearing at the hallway carpeting 1102 00:44:00,219 --> 00:44:04,399 the twin shot from calamities battle 1103 00:44:02,568 --> 00:44:06,199 saddle echoed through the hallway the 1104 00:44:04,400 --> 00:44:09,559 baby dragons body ragdoll against the 1105 00:44:06,199 --> 00:44:12,439 wall a moment later the tendrils of pink 1106 00:44:09,559 --> 00:44:15,100 began to reach us immediately my head 1107 00:44:12,440 --> 00:44:17,800 swam my headache spiking 1108 00:44:15,099 --> 00:44:20,380 i backpedaled trying to get away only to 1109 00:44:17,800 --> 00:44:22,120 hit delle romney she'll de the three 1110 00:44:20,380 --> 00:44:26,490 baby dragons behind us gave little roars 1111 00:44:22,119 --> 00:44:30,069 of anticipation and violent desire what 1112 00:44:26,489 --> 00:44:33,159 calamity coughed is with the rest of you 1113 00:44:30,070 --> 00:44:35,019 all the pegasus dropped to the ground 1114 00:44:33,159 --> 00:44:37,929 unable to keep flying as the pink cloud 1115 00:44:35,019 --> 00:44:41,380 began to eat at his insides he fired 1116 00:44:37,929 --> 00:44:45,069 blindly into the pink they're not really 1117 00:44:41,380 --> 00:44:47,410 children I could hear the cloud children 1118 00:44:45,070 --> 00:44:49,420 galloping down the hall towards us all I 1119 00:44:47,409 --> 00:44:52,509 could see was pink and black the edges 1120 00:44:49,420 --> 00:44:54,159 of my vision beginning to go dark my EFS 1121 00:44:52,510 --> 00:44:57,790 compass was showing nothing but a mass 1122 00:44:54,159 --> 00:45:00,069 of blurry red every breath seemed to 1123 00:44:57,789 --> 00:45:01,329 shrivel my lungs making the fight harder 1124 00:45:00,070 --> 00:45:04,269 to get half the air I could read the 1125 00:45:01,329 --> 00:45:07,449 breath before velvet remedy clamps 1126 00:45:04,269 --> 00:45:09,400 beside me her shield going down one of 1127 00:45:07,449 --> 00:45:10,899 the baby monsters left at me claws 1128 00:45:09,400 --> 00:45:13,150 scratched my barding and digging wet 1129 00:45:10,900 --> 00:45:14,710 scratches in my flesh its teeth sinking 1130 00:45:13,150 --> 00:45:18,250 into my Mane trying to tear at the back 1131 00:45:14,710 --> 00:45:20,889 of my neck she lives opened fire in the 1132 00:45:18,250 --> 00:45:22,900 hallway I curled up as best as I could 1133 00:45:20,889 --> 00:45:24,009 and was pelted with concussive waves and 1134 00:45:22,900 --> 00:45:27,099 shrapnel from the close quarters 1135 00:45:24,010 --> 00:45:28,690 explosions the blasts left my ears 1136 00:45:27,099 --> 00:45:31,000 ringing my sense of direction and 1137 00:45:28,690 --> 00:45:34,300 balance shot to hell but they also 1138 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:35,889 thinned the cloud my gut was twisting my 1139 00:45:34,300 --> 00:45:38,140 insides felt like they had begun to rot 1140 00:45:35,889 --> 00:45:40,750 but my headache cleared just enough that 1141 00:45:38,139 --> 00:45:42,819 I could focus I floated that little 1142 00:45:40,750 --> 00:45:44,530 mcintosh aiming its small monster 1143 00:45:42,820 --> 00:45:47,950 gnawing on my back and fired 1144 00:45:44,530 --> 00:45:49,420 I felt the creature drop from my back 1145 00:45:47,949 --> 00:45:52,750 the poor thing which should have been 1146 00:45:49,420 --> 00:45:54,220 allowed to grow up to be a dragon fellow 1147 00:45:52,750 --> 00:45:57,070 granny was curled into a ball 1148 00:45:54,219 --> 00:45:59,409 crying the two other baby monsters are 1149 00:45:57,070 --> 00:46:01,890 trying to eat her her body was a 1150 00:45:59,409 --> 00:46:04,239 tapestry of shallow bleeding scratches I 1151 00:46:01,889 --> 00:46:07,210 fired twice more getting them off of her 1152 00:46:04,239 --> 00:46:09,579 and stumbled to my hooves somehow 1153 00:46:07,210 --> 00:46:10,990 dreadfully it was easier for me to shoot 1154 00:46:09,579 --> 00:46:12,558 these creatures than the monsters who 1155 00:46:10,989 --> 00:46:14,568 took the form of children 1156 00:46:12,559 --> 00:46:16,099 as if the fact they had never grown old 1157 00:46:14,568 --> 00:46:17,478 enough to talk or think like people made 1158 00:46:16,099 --> 00:46:20,420 it more okay to treat them as rabbit 1159 00:46:17,478 --> 00:46:23,298 animals my eyes forward spark was 1160 00:46:20,420 --> 00:46:25,909 flashed medical warnings even thin the 1161 00:46:23,298 --> 00:46:27,469 pink cloud was killing me I need to get 1162 00:46:25,909 --> 00:46:31,219 out before my internal organs started to 1163 00:46:27,469 --> 00:46:33,019 shut down wrapping velvet in my magic I 1164 00:46:31,219 --> 00:46:35,479 galloped as fast as my legs and lungs 1165 00:46:33,018 --> 00:46:38,718 would let me a staggering trot 1166 00:46:35,478 --> 00:46:41,179 trying to get out of the pink behind me 1167 00:46:38,719 --> 00:46:43,309 clam Lea fired once more then pivoted 1168 00:46:41,179 --> 00:46:46,219 and followed humbling is he attempted to 1169 00:46:43,309 --> 00:46:47,900 run the air filled with that noise some 1170 00:46:46,219 --> 00:46:49,639 grating sound as the eyes of the baby 1171 00:46:47,900 --> 00:46:53,380 dragon calamity had shot began to glow 1172 00:46:49,639 --> 00:46:55,639 and it began to growl get to the top our 1173 00:46:53,380 --> 00:47:01,390 Apple Jacks Ranger called back to us 1174 00:46:55,639 --> 00:47:01,389 I'll hold them here none shall pass 1175 00:47:02,380 --> 00:47:07,759 we're down to the last of our healing 1176 00:47:04,579 --> 00:47:10,519 potions velvet Remini worn softly tears 1177 00:47:07,759 --> 00:47:13,130 in her eyes I groaned as I drank the 1178 00:47:10,518 --> 00:47:16,308 potion she floated over to me we hadn't 1179 00:47:13,130 --> 00:47:17,660 even made it to Ministry walk yet and I 1180 00:47:16,309 --> 00:47:21,890 still haven't had a chance to restock 1181 00:47:17,659 --> 00:47:23,538 steelo's armor I watched as the slashes 1182 00:47:21,889 --> 00:47:25,248 of red that covered velvet closed gently 1183 00:47:23,539 --> 00:47:27,469 mending themselves before my eyes 1184 00:47:25,248 --> 00:47:29,108 looking here completely unmarked yet 1185 00:47:27,469 --> 00:47:31,759 still covered in her own blood 1186 00:47:29,108 --> 00:47:33,228 the mayor swayed despondently then 1187 00:47:31,759 --> 00:47:36,409 curled up next to calamity on the large 1188 00:47:33,228 --> 00:47:38,778 bed in the center of the room the large 1189 00:47:36,409 --> 00:47:40,129 circular room had no windows but both 1190 00:47:38,778 --> 00:47:42,938 the fireplace and the shoe provide a 1191 00:47:40,130 --> 00:47:44,479 means for the pinklao to enter the room 1192 00:47:42,938 --> 00:47:46,129 fortunately for us 1193 00:47:44,478 --> 00:47:47,598 a magical ventilation spell had 1194 00:47:46,130 --> 00:47:49,429 prevented the pink cloud from pooling in 1195 00:47:47,599 --> 00:47:52,459 here leaving the air on the slightest 1196 00:47:49,429 --> 00:47:54,259 shade of pink survivable levels of pink 1197 00:47:52,458 --> 00:47:55,329 so long as none of us fell asleep in 1198 00:47:54,259 --> 00:47:57,130 here 1199 00:47:55,329 --> 00:47:59,349 the administrators room had been a 1200 00:47:57,130 --> 00:48:01,150 lovely room once a solemn room of 1201 00:47:59,349 --> 00:48:03,309 violets and blues with a mural of clouds 1202 00:48:01,150 --> 00:48:04,900 drifting along the wall and a delicate 1203 00:48:03,309 --> 00:48:07,509 ornateness to every feature and piece of 1204 00:48:04,900 --> 00:48:09,190 furniture ghosts said that beauty 1205 00:48:07,510 --> 00:48:11,980 remained in the greasy rot at the carpet 1206 00:48:09,190 --> 00:48:13,599 bedding tapestries a golden scroll 1207 00:48:11,980 --> 00:48:15,219 shaped stand leaned against one wall 1208 00:48:13,599 --> 00:48:16,929 next to a crumbling bookshelf filled 1209 00:48:15,219 --> 00:48:19,929 with decayed books and the residue of 1210 00:48:16,929 --> 00:48:21,309 several dissolved Scrolls next to the 1211 00:48:19,929 --> 00:48:23,799 center of the bed was another golden 1212 00:48:21,309 --> 00:48:27,340 stand this one holding a terminal its 1213 00:48:23,800 --> 00:48:28,420 screen glowing softly still the door 1214 00:48:27,340 --> 00:48:30,030 into this room had been one of the 1215 00:48:28,420 --> 00:48:32,050 hardest locks I'd ever encountered I 1216 00:48:30,030 --> 00:48:35,950 expected no less difficulty from the 1217 00:48:32,050 --> 00:48:38,350 terminal it just isn't right 1218 00:48:35,949 --> 00:48:42,429 Vava remedy choked leaning against 1219 00:48:38,349 --> 00:48:46,389 calamity all those children I was little 1220 00:48:42,429 --> 00:48:49,599 baby dragons calamity wrapped a wing 1221 00:48:46,389 --> 00:48:51,460 around her she began to sob again they 1222 00:48:49,599 --> 00:48:56,440 didn't deserve this none of them deserve 1223 00:48:51,460 --> 00:49:00,519 this it's just so unfair it was worse 1224 00:48:56,440 --> 00:49:02,679 than unfair this was evil 1225 00:49:00,519 --> 00:49:05,139 I felt a bubbling raid simmering into my 1226 00:49:02,679 --> 00:49:08,710 beating heart but there was no pony to 1227 00:49:05,139 --> 00:49:11,529 be angry at I can be mad at the victims 1228 00:49:08,710 --> 00:49:14,019 and the zebras possibly ponies to who 1229 00:49:11,530 --> 00:49:18,040 created and deployed the mega spell all 1230 00:49:14,019 --> 00:49:20,860 of them were long dead no I was furious 1231 00:49:18,039 --> 00:49:25,029 with the paint cloud itself how dare it 1232 00:49:20,860 --> 00:49:26,559 I began to hack trying to focus not 1233 00:49:25,030 --> 00:49:28,090 wanting to take my frustrations out on 1234 00:49:26,559 --> 00:49:32,889 the terminal lest I make a mistake and 1235 00:49:28,090 --> 00:49:37,420 get locked out little pip velvet said 1236 00:49:32,889 --> 00:49:40,889 softly if if the mega spell is still 1237 00:49:37,420 --> 00:49:43,539 working here so pouring out this poison 1238 00:49:40,889 --> 00:49:47,230 her eyes closed her trembling voice 1239 00:49:43,539 --> 00:49:54,210 finding determined steel we need to stop 1240 00:49:47,230 --> 00:49:54,210 it I nodded the password was apologies 1241 00:49:56,050 --> 00:50:00,820 my host was checking his watch the 1242 00:49:58,659 --> 00:50:02,369 little hoof pointed to seven the big one 1243 00:50:00,820 --> 00:50:05,110 just a few minutes past the hour 1244 00:50:02,369 --> 00:50:07,539 it was either late morning or less than 1245 00:50:05,110 --> 00:50:10,300 an hour from midnight I had no way of 1246 00:50:07,539 --> 00:50:14,469 knowing always a cold gray medal with no 1247 00:50:10,300 --> 00:50:15,820 windows yet it felt like night a soft 1248 00:50:14,469 --> 00:50:17,980 shine from behind drew my hosts 1249 00:50:15,820 --> 00:50:19,960 attention he turned as the elevator 1250 00:50:17,980 --> 00:50:22,389 doors opened party music playing over 1251 00:50:19,960 --> 00:50:25,900 the speaker in the room the elevator 1252 00:50:22,389 --> 00:50:28,809 seemed empty my host stepped away 1253 00:50:25,900 --> 00:50:30,730 watching cautiously the elevator doors 1254 00:50:28,809 --> 00:50:33,219 closed again cutting off the sound of 1255 00:50:30,730 --> 00:50:36,940 music I could barely hear the soft hum 1256 00:50:33,219 --> 00:50:40,179 as the elevator began to descend my host 1257 00:50:36,940 --> 00:50:42,280 looked at left empty hallways no doors 1258 00:50:40,179 --> 00:50:46,329 ending with the heavy steel door of a 1259 00:50:42,280 --> 00:50:47,860 vault he looked to his right a magical 1260 00:50:46,329 --> 00:50:50,710 field of blue light shimmer in front of 1261 00:50:47,860 --> 00:50:54,370 the iron gate the room beyond was filled 1262 00:50:50,710 --> 00:50:56,710 with humming mainframes I apologize for 1263 00:50:54,369 --> 00:50:58,000 running late an exotic voice said from 1264 00:50:56,710 --> 00:51:01,000 the nothingness sounding slightly 1265 00:50:58,000 --> 00:51:03,190 muffled first the head of the zebra 1266 00:51:01,000 --> 00:51:05,679 appear as she pulled back her hood then 1267 00:51:03,190 --> 00:51:07,950 the rest of her I did not mean to make 1268 00:51:05,679 --> 00:51:10,669 you wait 1269 00:51:07,949 --> 00:51:13,319 I felt my host presses lipped together 1270 00:51:10,670 --> 00:51:15,630 that's alright Sakura but you'll have to 1271 00:51:13,320 --> 00:51:17,730 hurry security will cycle any minute now 1272 00:51:15,630 --> 00:51:19,710 when it does we've arranged for the 1273 00:51:17,730 --> 00:51:22,050 shield to drop but it will only be down 1274 00:51:19,710 --> 00:51:25,800 for a few minutes you'll have to get in 1275 00:51:22,050 --> 00:51:27,240 get the data and get out I saw my head 1276 00:51:25,800 --> 00:51:30,420 turn away as I fished a key out of the 1277 00:51:27,239 --> 00:51:32,250 pocket of my security uniform this will 1278 00:51:30,420 --> 00:51:35,430 get you through the gate you know which 1279 00:51:32,250 --> 00:51:38,869 system you're looking for right Sakura 1280 00:51:35,429 --> 00:51:41,639 nodded a sad look formed on her face I 1281 00:51:38,869 --> 00:51:45,570 asked if this is worth the cost the 1282 00:51:41,639 --> 00:51:49,108 lives of ponies will be lost I felt a 1283 00:51:45,570 --> 00:51:50,550 frown edge across my host muzzle we have 1284 00:51:49,108 --> 00:51:53,279 to be willing to make sacrifices if 1285 00:51:50,550 --> 00:51:54,990 we're going to end this war your success 1286 00:51:53,280 --> 00:51:57,589 here will get you the kaisers trust and 1287 00:51:54,989 --> 00:52:01,919 that will allow you to get close to him 1288 00:51:57,588 --> 00:52:03,210 my host stepped back but if it helps I'm 1289 00:52:01,920 --> 00:52:04,500 sure they'll arrange for the weapons 1290 00:52:03,210 --> 00:52:07,858 factories and those schematics to have 1291 00:52:04,500 --> 00:52:10,099 minimal staff on the Zebras hit them my 1292 00:52:07,858 --> 00:52:11,608 hosts frown turn into a grimace 1293 00:52:10,099 --> 00:52:13,400 unfortunately we've had a small 1294 00:52:11,608 --> 00:52:17,039 complication 1295 00:52:13,400 --> 00:52:18,568 Sakura raised an eyebrow they've 1296 00:52:17,039 --> 00:52:20,460 installed some sort of new gemstone 1297 00:52:18,568 --> 00:52:23,190 detector something from the Ministry of 1298 00:52:20,460 --> 00:52:24,780 image of all places is designed to 1299 00:52:23,190 --> 00:52:26,460 detect zebra talismans like your cloak 1300 00:52:24,780 --> 00:52:28,050 and it's not part of the normal security 1301 00:52:26,460 --> 00:52:30,210 system so we can't shut it down without 1302 00:52:28,050 --> 00:52:33,019 raising alarms you'll have to remove 1303 00:52:30,210 --> 00:52:35,478 your cloak before going in 1304 00:52:33,018 --> 00:52:38,508 I will not need it once I'm in there so 1305 00:52:35,478 --> 00:52:40,129 I will leave it in your care the core 1306 00:52:38,509 --> 00:52:41,199 slipped out of her cloak now wearing 1307 00:52:40,130 --> 00:52:43,519 only a satchel 1308 00:52:41,199 --> 00:52:46,639 she looked strangely naked without the 1309 00:52:43,518 --> 00:52:48,639 jewelry I'd seen her wearing before the 1310 00:52:46,639 --> 00:52:51,679 shield of blue energy suddenly went down 1311 00:52:48,639 --> 00:52:55,268 my hosts tucked in her breath quickly 1312 00:52:51,679 --> 00:52:59,119 strike me down hard 1313 00:52:55,268 --> 00:53:00,068 Sakura spun and bucked my hosts one hoof 1314 00:52:59,119 --> 00:53:03,739 caught him squarely in the chest 1315 00:53:00,068 --> 00:53:06,099 cracking at least one rib the other sank 1316 00:53:03,739 --> 00:53:08,630 Harding to the soft flesh of his neck 1317 00:53:06,099 --> 00:53:11,599 Sakura's eyes widen as I collapsed 1318 00:53:08,630 --> 00:53:13,398 choking fighting for air she had clearly 1319 00:53:11,599 --> 00:53:17,059 not intended to land a possibly fatal 1320 00:53:13,398 --> 00:53:18,639 blow my host waived on coughing and 1321 00:53:17,059 --> 00:53:21,890 fighting to remain conscious 1322 00:53:18,639 --> 00:53:22,969 Sakura galloped down the hall I heard 1323 00:53:21,889 --> 00:53:26,748 her unlocked the gate and pulled open 1324 00:53:22,969 --> 00:53:28,458 but my vision was blurry i sat there 1325 00:53:26,748 --> 00:53:30,348 fighting harder and harder trying to 1326 00:53:28,458 --> 00:53:31,518 breathe air struggling to get through my 1327 00:53:30,349 --> 00:53:35,239 throat into my chest 1328 00:53:31,518 --> 00:53:36,889 I heard the chime behind me the door 1329 00:53:35,239 --> 00:53:38,630 opened and an apple green stallion and 1330 00:53:36,889 --> 00:53:43,458 tuxedo barding stepped out looking 1331 00:53:38,630 --> 00:53:46,429 around Apple snack the moment he saw me 1332 00:53:43,458 --> 00:53:50,268 his eyes widened then narrowed taking in 1333 00:53:46,429 --> 00:53:53,568 the discarded zebra cloak nearby dammit 1334 00:53:50,268 --> 00:53:55,518 I knew something felt wrong he looked up 1335 00:53:53,568 --> 00:53:59,480 observing the open gate and disabled 1336 00:53:55,518 --> 00:54:02,329 magical shield hold on buck I'll get 1337 00:53:59,480 --> 00:54:03,590 Apple snack froze his voice silencing 1338 00:54:02,329 --> 00:54:09,349 abruptly as a core rounded the 1339 00:54:03,590 --> 00:54:10,910 mainframes heading back you Apple snack 1340 00:54:09,349 --> 00:54:15,650 stepped into a battle stances Acorah 1341 00:54:10,909 --> 00:54:17,769 stop short you Apple snack called out 1342 00:54:15,650 --> 00:54:21,440 fury and his voice 1343 00:54:17,769 --> 00:54:25,579 Apple snack Sakura said failing to rhyme 1344 00:54:21,440 --> 00:54:27,200 her eye is growing wider she trusted you 1345 00:54:25,579 --> 00:54:30,380 she let you into our house and you 1346 00:54:27,199 --> 00:54:33,230 betrayed her Apple snack was riding 1347 00:54:30,380 --> 00:54:35,720 slowly forward I open my heart to you 1348 00:54:33,230 --> 00:54:41,449 because she wanted me to I even began to 1349 00:54:35,719 --> 00:54:48,709 trust you to like you a zebra how could 1350 00:54:41,449 --> 00:54:50,629 I have been so stupid that map my host 1351 00:54:48,710 --> 00:54:55,599 wheezed holding up a hoof and trying to 1352 00:54:50,630 --> 00:54:57,550 stop Apple snack don't don't 1353 00:54:55,599 --> 00:55:02,199 but there was almost no sound to my 1354 00:54:57,550 --> 00:55:05,410 voice i we struggled to get up but our 1355 00:55:02,199 --> 00:55:09,210 hose wouldn't work I realized we really 1356 00:55:05,409 --> 00:55:12,179 were dying she thought you were a friend 1357 00:55:09,210 --> 00:55:16,710 you broke her heart 1358 00:55:12,179 --> 00:55:19,559 Apple snack was roaring I suddenly knew 1359 00:55:16,710 --> 00:55:21,610 this was what was hurting him I 1360 00:55:19,559 --> 00:55:23,590 remembered steel of denial when I told 1361 00:55:21,610 --> 00:55:24,910 him the truth about Sakura and the 1362 00:55:23,590 --> 00:55:25,269 painful resignation that seemed to 1363 00:55:24,909 --> 00:55:28,929 follow 1364 00:55:25,269 --> 00:55:31,509 I would prefer she killed these monsters 1365 00:55:28,929 --> 00:55:33,339 with cold blooded calculation sealers 1366 00:55:31,510 --> 00:55:36,160 had told calamity regarding my rampage 1367 00:55:33,340 --> 00:55:39,059 in our boo it wasn't the killing he had 1368 00:55:36,159 --> 00:55:42,730 thought was bad it was the blind rage 1369 00:55:39,059 --> 00:55:46,170 and now you come back tonight of all 1370 00:55:42,730 --> 00:55:50,289 nights to hurt her again 1371 00:55:46,170 --> 00:55:52,900 Sakura crouched down submissively you 1372 00:55:50,289 --> 00:55:57,759 have caught me I do not fight Shion 1373 00:55:52,900 --> 00:56:00,970 toned I am your prisoner tonight Apple 1374 00:55:57,760 --> 00:56:04,540 snack stooped shaking then screamed 1375 00:56:00,969 --> 00:56:08,099 bellowing no Sakura this is not how you 1376 00:56:04,539 --> 00:56:14,308 say died resisting arrest 1377 00:56:08,099 --> 00:56:17,239 no no Steel's don't do this 1378 00:56:14,309 --> 00:56:20,519 he charged turning and bucking at Sakura 1379 00:56:17,239 --> 00:56:23,999 she didn't try to dodge at least not the 1380 00:56:20,518 --> 00:56:28,379 first time she did the second and the 1381 00:56:23,998 --> 00:56:30,028 third and the fourth my hosts flail as 1382 00:56:28,380 --> 00:56:32,068 darkness began to seep into the edges of 1383 00:56:30,028 --> 00:56:34,829 his vision the fight for breath was 1384 00:56:32,068 --> 00:56:36,650 getting harder and he was losing his 1385 00:56:34,829 --> 00:56:38,789 whole body felt weak and distant I 1386 00:56:36,650 --> 00:56:42,630 didn't feel the hum of the elevator at 1387 00:56:38,789 --> 00:56:44,849 all but we heard the chime as the door 1388 00:56:42,630 --> 00:56:48,749 slid open an oddly familiar song flowed 1389 00:56:44,849 --> 00:56:50,189 into the hallway it was the same song 1390 00:56:48,748 --> 00:56:52,798 that had played in steelo's Shack the 1391 00:56:50,188 --> 00:56:57,088 morning I had first really met him the 1392 00:56:52,798 --> 00:56:58,768 song he'd become strangely lost to my 1393 00:56:57,088 --> 00:57:00,778 host struggled again trying to get up 1394 00:56:58,768 --> 00:57:04,919 trying to make any part of his body work 1395 00:57:00,778 --> 00:57:06,838 now we weren't getting air anymore down 1396 00:57:04,920 --> 00:57:08,630 the hall I saw the chorus strike out 1397 00:57:06,838 --> 00:57:10,858 trying to defend herself 1398 00:57:08,630 --> 00:57:12,869 Apple snack ducked under the kick and 1399 00:57:10,858 --> 00:57:14,308 brought up one of his own striking her 1400 00:57:12,869 --> 00:57:16,219 underneath and sending her body flying 1401 00:57:14,309 --> 00:57:18,449 against the wall 1402 00:57:16,219 --> 00:57:20,249 Zecora hit the wall with a meaty smack 1403 00:57:18,449 --> 00:57:23,789 leaving a splash of blood as she fell 1404 00:57:20,248 --> 00:57:27,298 below from within the elevator came a 1405 00:57:23,789 --> 00:57:29,039 horribly familiar voice nuts and shrews 1406 00:57:27,298 --> 00:57:31,228 I knew the boy was planning on proposing 1407 00:57:29,039 --> 00:57:33,028 at night but if we're missing our song 1408 00:57:31,228 --> 00:57:38,639 cos sardine steelo's has become sergeant 1409 00:57:33,028 --> 00:57:40,559 cold hooves oh no no no no no no don't 1410 00:57:38,639 --> 00:57:44,750 come out of your Applejack don't see 1411 00:57:40,559 --> 00:57:46,339 this it'll hurt you if you see this 1412 00:57:44,750 --> 00:57:50,300 we've been trying to repair our 1413 00:57:46,338 --> 00:57:51,858 relationship steel has it told me ever 1414 00:57:50,300 --> 00:57:57,700 since the night she'd seen the darkness 1415 00:57:51,858 --> 00:57:57,699 in me not learned about scene 1416 00:57:57,710 --> 00:58:01,860 applejack wearing a little black dress 1417 00:58:00,300 --> 00:58:05,070 that was clearly a rarity original 1418 00:58:01,860 --> 00:58:07,079 stepped out of the elevator she looked 1419 00:58:05,070 --> 00:58:07,940 to her right seeing an empty hall and he 1420 00:58:07,079 --> 00:58:12,480 can a vault door 1421 00:58:07,940 --> 00:58:14,250 she looked left her eyes widened pupils 1422 00:58:12,480 --> 00:58:16,920 dilated to pinpoints as she saw Apple 1423 00:58:14,250 --> 00:58:18,809 snack bloodied his torso even with each 1424 00:58:16,920 --> 00:58:21,650 breath standing over the very bloody 1425 00:58:18,809 --> 00:58:21,650 corpse of Sakura