- >You file into the train, kissing Fluttershy goodbye.
- >She’s staying behind with Rarity to take care of Flash and Anonymous for you all.
- >Everyone else is heading with you to Canterlot to confront Luna.
- >”Promise to keep him safe Pinkie.”
- >”Pinkie Promise,” she giggles, her careless joy welcoming.
- >You could all use some of her happiness right now.
- >The train roars to life and the doors close, Fluttershy putting her hoof to the glass.
- >You do the same, “Stay safe.”
- “I will.”
- >The train pulls away and Fluttershy’s image fades out of view.
- >”You really care for her don’t you?” Rainbow Dash asks.
- “More than the world, but I can’t just let that down.”
- >You find your seat and plop down, Pinkie sitting across from you.
- >She looks out the window and back to you, “Are we there yet?”
- >This is going to be a fun trip.
- “No, we’re not.”
- >You rest your head on the cushioned seat and try to relax, “How ‘bout now?”
- “No, we’re not.”
- >Another silence.
- “No, we’re not.”
- >”But I didn’t say anything,” she pouts.
- “You were thinking it.”
- >She giggles and bops you on the nose, “Well haha Mr. Smarty Pants.”
- “Don’t bring Twilight’s doll into this.”
- >You steal a glance at Twilight who’s trying her best to ignore your comment.
- >And she thought you wouldn’t notice that doll.
- >Anon sees all.
- >You rest your head against the glass as you’d done back on earth whenever on a trip.
- >Your mind wanders as the terrain flashes by.
- >At least before Pinkie drags you back to reality.
- >”Watcha thinking about?”
- “Nothing Pinkie.”
- >”Nothing? How can you think of nothing? I tried to think of nothing once, but then I thinked of everything.”
- “Thinked? I’m pretty sure that’s impossible.”
- >”Don’t even get me started,” Twilight adds from the other side.
- “Anyways…” you look back to the window.
- >”So how are things with Fluttershy going.”
- >You pull your gaze away from the landscape once again with slight irritation.
- >The same way a monkey flinging dung at you is slightly irritating.
- “They’re going fine.”
- >”Did ya take her out somewhere special?”
- “Yes, the Spa. She told you this.”
- >”How long have you been going out for?”
- >She just never stops with the questions.
- “About a month, give or take a few days.”
- >”Got any plans for your anniversary?”
- “Actually, I do.”
- >She gazes with interest, “I’m listening.”
- “I was thinking about taking her up to Neighagra Falls.”
- >She gasps, swallowing in more air than humanly possible, “That is just so romantic.”
- >You didn’t think it was all that great of an idea.
- >It’s nice to see you were wrong.
- >She continues to bombard you with questions regarding your relationship and its very tiring.
- >Twilight and Applejack try to help you out a little, but even they cannot calm the storm that is the Pinkie Pie.
- >And that’s when things get weird. She asks the one question that crosses all the lines.
- >”So have you guys done it yet?”
- >NOPE!
- >You stand up and walk to the other end of the cart and sit down, “So have ya?”
- “Jesus H Christ, do you just pop out of nowhere?
- >Everyone answers in unison, “Yes.”
- >”So what’s the answer?”
- “That is a very private question that I do not believe is appropriate enough to deserve an answer.”
- >”So…”
- “I’m not telling.”
- >”Oh come on! Just a hint.”
- “How do you hint a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question?”
- >”I dunno.”
- >That was helpful.
- “Can we just drop it?”
- >”Alright, but I’m watching you Mr. Cocoa.”
- >Who the fuck is that? You know what, don’t even bother brain. It’s not worth it.
- >Duff catches your attention with a motion of his hand.
- >”So have you?”
- >You stare at him, your rage a fire pit of roasted rattlesnakes and marshmallows.
- “If my anger could be concentrated in a single mass I would become a black hole that sucks everything around in an act of destruction unknown to mankind.”
- >”Is that a yes?”
- “Fuck you Duff.”
- >After what feels like hours they finally put an end to the endless questions.
- >Duff, being the most experienced strategist, calls a group huddle.
- >”Alright gang, if Luna’s going to put up a fight we’re all going to have to pitch in and concentrate our efforts. We stick in twos in case she tries anything funky. I’m taking Dash under my belt.”
- >He points to Applejack, “You and Mous are together. Twilight, you and Mickey are together.”
- >He finally gets to you, “And I’m sorry, but you and Pinkie are together.”
- >Pinkie does a jig and sits down, “You’re going to my question sooner or later.”
- “Or never.”
- >”That too.”
- >”In any case, let’s be sure to stick together and-“ Rumble, rumble.
- >You all hold onto whatever you can as a shockwave courses through the train.
- >”What in Tartarus was that?” Twilight asks.
- >You spot Canterlot in the distance, a smoking pillar rising from the city.
- “Holy shit, Canterlot got smashed by something powerful.”
- >Mickey closes his eyes, “I can’t sense any spike in Chaos. Discord couldn’t have done it.”
- >”Helping out for once I see,” Rainbow stabs him with scorn.
- >Mickey quiets down and avoids eye contact.
- >Applejack speaks up, “Well we ain’t just waltzing in there now.”
- >”Alright, new plan,” Duff takes command again, “Same teams, we move up through the city section by section.”
- “That’ll take too long. If Canterlot’s under attack we need to get to the Princess as fast as possible.”
- >”Solid point Anon. We get to the city as fast as possible, helping who we’re able to along the way. Fair enough?”
- “Works for me.”
- >Duff looks to Twilight, “Alright Twi, what’s the fastest way to the castle?”
- >She thinks for a minute, “The city’s central market.”
- >”What about the back alleys or walls?” Mickey asks. “I made great time going that way.”
- >”It’d be hard to get us all through either of those places with a group of our size, even if we split.”
- “So how do we got about this?”
- >”We’ll have to see when we get there. There’s no telling how much damage has been done to the structures.”
- >”Let’s get to the Markets and we’ll see what we can do from there.”
- >You watch as you get closer and closer to Canterlot. The fire spreads throughout the city, but there’s no sign of an exterior threat.
- >Duff concludes that this is most likely an inside job, and by the way it’s spreading, they aren’t done yet.
- >You keep your hand on your pistol. Your palms grow greasy and an uncomfortable heat seizes you.
- >Just think of Fluttershy, think of her smiling face as you return home.
- >You’ll sit out by the river with her and watch the clouds.
- >She’ll scoot closer and nuzzle your neck as her heart throbs against you.
- >Together you’ll your eyes and fall asleep as one.
- >It’ll be nice, but you have to fight for it first.
- >The train slows to a halt, the lot of you fidgeting nervously.
- >Duff whips the flame thrower off his back and hands it to Mickey, “Don’t make me regret putting this in your hands.”
- >”You won’t.”
- >Duff hands out his ammo for the three of you and takes hold of the door handle.
- >”When I open these doors, get to cover. Am I clear?”
- >”Yes sir.”
- >He smiles, “Hooah.”
- >The door’s pulled open, “GO GO GO!”
- >You charge into the city, or rather what’s left.
- >You’re temporarily stunned as the fires rage through the debris ridden streets.
- >Whole buildings are just gone, nothing but a few stones to commemorate their existence.
- >Pinkie pulls you down to cover with the others.
- >You grab hold of your gun and hold it firmly, Duff peeking over the debris.
- >”Let’s keep this clean. Hold your fire unless they’re a confirmed hostile.”
- “And how do we know when their confirmed?”
- >”They’ll try to kill you.”
- “Oh… ok…”
- >”Let’s go, and try to keep low to avoid the smoke. The last thing we want is your coughing to give away our position.”
- >Duff heads up first with his Pulse Rifle at the ready.
- >You vault over the wreckage and get behind a wall, the others moving up.
- >Your group moves up through the desolate street, screaming echoing from further up.
- >You swallow hard and keep your gun up.
- >Duff holds his fist up to his side and you all freeze. He presses his finger to his lips and holsters his rifle.
- >He draws an exotic looking knife from his leg and crouches forwards.
- >You quietly follow to get a peek at what he’s doing.
- >You turn the corner as Duff sneaks up behind some black insect thing.
- >He grabs him by the mouth and slits his throat in a single fluid motion.
- >Note to self, don’t piss off Duff.
- >He gives a come hither motion with the back of his hand and you crouch beside him.
- >”When I give the order to freeze, you do so. Am I understood?”
- “Yes sir.”
- >”I understand the curiosity, but do you know killed the cat?”
- “Curiosity?”
- >”No, I did. Scratching at my door one too many times,” he jokes, “Let’s move up.”
- >You follow Duff side by side, “That was a Changeling by the way. Surprising how all the big baddies are black and have odd colored blood.”
- “I’m sure fighting Xenos is a bit easier than these guys.”
- >”Xenos can’t turn into one of your friends, these guys can.”
- “But still…”
- >A group of p0nies darts down the street towards your group, two more bug things at their tail.
- >Duff fires off a shot connecting with one of their heads.
- >You take aim and fire. It hits the changeling’s wing and he crashes down into the dirt.
- >Dash and the others calm down the fleeing group of p0nies and directs them indoors.
- >Duff walks over to the wounded changeling and curb stomps him, “You missed.”
- “Just barely.”
- >You regroup with Twilight who’s flagging you both down.
- >”This is it, just about forty yards north and we’ll hit the courtyard.”
- >”Alright, how’s it look?”
- >”Not great,” Twilight says, “But enough for us to work with.”
- >”Then let’s get to it,” Duff says anxious to see this mission through.
- >”Duff I want you on the rooftops. My team will go around and secure the exit, while Anon and Mous head through either side of the courtyard.”
- “Sounds like a plan to me.”
- >Duff stands up, “You heard the lady, we have our orders now move out.”
- >He holsters his rifle and begins to climb, Dash helping him reach the top.
- >Mickey and Twilight head left down the alleyway, leaving the main road to Mous’s team and yours.
- “Ready to kick some flank?”
- >”Just make sure Pinkie okay?”
- >”He will.”
- >They share a hug and you proceed into the yard.
- >You hide behind an overturned cart with the others and peek over.
- >”Watcha see Anon?” Applejack asks quietly.
- “I see more Changelings and some p0nies in weird armor.”
- >”Are they fighting?” asks Mous.
- “No but…” you see another p0ny in golden armor charge into the field before getting overwhelmed by the two forces. “They’re definitely not our allies.”
- >Pinkie joins you too, “OH! Those are the-“
- >You pull Pinkie down before they see her.
- >”Night… guard…” she whispers.
- >You take another look and see a half dozen guards and bugs coming your way.
- >They step over the corpses of their fellows, eyes fixated on you.
- “Fuck. Fuck. Alright, when I give the signal head along the western side.”
- >This is a terrible idea.
- >But you weren’t born with an abundance of brains.
- >You take a few breathes and roll to the side behind a nearby pillar.
- >The changelings begin to chatter in their tongue and you take the opportunity to let off a few rounds.
- >The first hits a changeling right in the head and you quickly fire at their peers.
- >You get another changeling in the torso before he and his friends can get into cover.
- “Roll out!”
- >The rest of their group acknowledges your position and begin shooting of bolts of energy towards your position.
- >You fire off a few more rounds, but are ultimately pinned down by their bombardment.
- >A shattering boom comes from your left and three of the attackers are covered in some yellow substance.
- >”Dangit, I accidently filled it with cheese, let’s try again.”
- >Pinkie fires another blast off of her cannon, and you can’t help but think where the hell she pulled that out of.
- >You keep moving further up the east wall.
- >As you’re switching sides you notice a Night Guard charging towards the cart Pinkie’s entrenched in.
- “Get out of there!”
- >You move to take him down, but another hail of lightning bolts keeps you effectively pinned.
- >A shot rings out from above and the guard plummets to the ground.
- >You look up through the smoke, and see Dash landing next to Duff, his barrel smoking.
- >You give him a salute and crawl back over to Pinkie amidst the rubble.
- >She lets loose one more blast, knocking a changeling into unconsciousness with a concentrated confetti attack.
- >It does double damage if the target is a big meanie apparently.
- >You pull her with you along the archway. Two more guards block off the path and you’re forced to get into cover.
- >A few potshots do little do slow them down and one manages to throw your cover away leaving you open.
- >As he lunges you quickly switch it to burst fire and lay six rounds into his chest.
- >He collapses atop you lifeless and you quickly finish off his companion.
- >A fierce explosion rocks the building in front of you and forces you to stay back.
- >Further up, a changeling is fortified and charging another blast.
- >You spot a pillar up ahead and sprint towards it, an explosion meeting you.
- >Everything turns white and the next thing you know you’re on your back and you can’t feel your legs.
- >You look down, your legs still intact, but the explosion knocked a lot out of you.
- >Pulse Rifle fire rains down from above, the changeling shielded by one of his comrades.
- >Pinkie… Where’s Pinkie?
- >The changeling’s horn grows a glimmering green as he finishes it up, a pink ninja popping out behind him.
- >She gives him a swift chop to the neck and pointblank cannons another.
- >They both go down and the next thing you know she’s helping you to your feet.
- “You’re fast like a freak you know that.”
- >”Yep!”
- “No time to celebrate. Mous and Applejack look like they’re getting hit hard.”
- >Duff picks off another two, but they just keep coming.
- “What do you say we lend them a hoof?”
- >She smiles, “Okie Dokie Lokie.”
- >You swap mags and strip the old one before looking to Pinkie.
- >She nods and the two of you head out to give them a taste of your own medicine.
- >You break through one of the fruit stands and tackle the guard.
- >Two squeezes of the triggers and not even his armor can protect him from death.
- >A changeling brings his hooves atop your ribs and you sweep your legs, giving him a taste of gun barrel.
- “Pinkie! Covering fire!”
- >She slides beside you and begins firing into the crowd.
- >Mous steps out of cover as a foolish guard advances and fills him with lead.
- “How many of these guys are there?”
- >”Too many.”
- >The main force is fortified in a fountain in the center of the marketplace.
- >Dash makes a sweep surveying the field and gives Duff the information.
- >”GRENADE OUT!” you hear him shout.
- >”What’s a-“
- >You cover her as another explosion pierces the air of the courtyard.
- >Water and debris fall atop your back as you shield Pinkie.
- >The fountain’s effectively demolished along with those who hide inside it.
- >A changeling struggles to escape and you end him with one motion.
- >Pinkie’s still in shock from the explosion and you hoist her over your shoulder.
- >You sprint to where Mous is holding out and call out so he doesn’t accidently blow you away.
- >Mous steps out and fires both barrels beside you.
- >You get behind cover as Mous nudges the corpse he just made.
- >You set Pinkie down, Mous quickly checking on her.
- “She’s fine. The explosion shook her up pretty good though.”
- >He holds her with care, “We’ll make it through this don’t you worry.”
- >”That there was awesome!” Applejack cheers still in awe over Duff’s work.
- >Movement catches your eye behind Applejack.
- “AJ behind!”
- >She raises her rear and bucks, her attacker falling to the floor with a beautiful snap.
- >”Like bucking apples back home.”
- “Apple trees don’t buck back.”
- >”True.”
- >”If you two are done we should get moving before reinforcements show up.”
- “Agreed.”
- >The two of you reload and Applejack carries Pinkie.
- >Both changelings and the night guards take their loses and start pulling out… Right into the cone of flame.
- >The smell of burnt flesh permeates the air as they scramble away from the scorching flames…. Right into the hail of bullets.
- >There’s just no winning for the bad guys.
- >You finish off one last guard with a bullet to the head before filling up your current mag.
- “About time you two got here.”
- >”Sorry,” Twilight apologizes, “We ran into some trouble ourselves.”
- >”Better late than never,” Dash says coming in for a swift landing.
- >Duff hits the ground in a cloud of dust, his gun at the ready.
- >”Did you miss me?”
- “How did we get so far without you?”
- >”Meh, I was just up there anyways. I have that aura of victory.”
- “Yeah I’m sure. Nice aim by the way.”
- >He nods. “Thank the corps,” he looks to the castle, “Let’s get up there. There’s no time to waste.”
- >A member of the night guard shouts towards the castle, “They’re here! Send all rein- hguhg”
- >You lower your gun and roll behind one of the many bushes in the garden.
- >Hooves approach your location and you look to Duff for your order.
- >Duff gives you the signal and you take ‘em.
- >Bashing the first one over the head the second guard pummels your face and gets you on your back.
- >Dash tackles him and AJ finishes him off with a stern kick to the head.
- “Teamwork at its finest right here.”
- >You push open the castle doors and check your corners.
- “Clear here.”
- >The others file in behind you and Twilight gives the room a onceover, “Alright, let’s find the Princess before Luna can get her.”
- “Flavus too. We can’t let either of them get away.”
- >Duff kicks open the door as a luminescent blue shining off his face.
- >”What in Celestia’s name…”
- >You push through the door and towards the light, an alicorn as black as the darkest night and with a mane of the stars conjuring some sort of spell.
- >The target? Celestia and a single unicorn in armor.
- >The unicorn seems to be holding up a protective barrier with Celestia’s assistance, but it’s waning.
- >”Shining Armor! Princess!” Twilight cries out.
- >Luna looks towards your group and ceases her spell.
- >”At last you’ve arrived. You have to get me out of here. He’s out of-“
- >A swish sounds out and the alicorn drops to the floor, a dart sticking out of her neck.
- >”It’s about time you showed up. I was afraid the prince would’ve passed on his trip, but fate has proven otherwise.”
- >The man hits the floor without so much as a sound. He stands up, the full length of his coat flowing down.
- >”I missed you all so much.”
- >You’re about to take aim when he interrupts, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You’re an alright shot I’ll admit, but not good enough to hit me.”
- “You don’t know that.”
- >”Oh but I do. I overlooked your whole battle in the markets, shame about the fountain. I really liked it.”
- >Duff is about as flustered as you, “Look Flavus, I don’t know what’s happened to you, but there are bigger problems out there. We can’t be fighting-“
- >”Ah yes, Discord am I correct? Shame that. He’s reached a level that even I cannot defeat, at least not alone.”
- >”His power’s already corrupted us,” Mickey says in sorrow, “I know what it feels like.”
- >Flavus raises his brow, “So you think- Oh my lord. You think Discord did this to me? Sorry to burst your bubble, but you’re looking at me in my purest form. Nothing more than a mindless psychopath, you could say. You’d be wrong, but…”
- “I don’t care what you are. We can’t let you harm Celestia.”
- >He chuckles, “Take Celestia, I have no quarrel with her. It is you, who should be concerned.”
- “We’ll see about that.” He grins as you raise your gun.
- >You fire three rounds at him, his coat falling to the floor ridden with holes.
- >”As I said, you’re good, just not great.”
- >Where the hell did he- “Behind you.”
- >A swift kick to the back of your head and he’s once again vanished into the shadows.
- >Mous shouts for him to reveal himself, earning a chilling laugh in return.
- >You get up as Twilight and Applejack fall down, two more darts sticking out of their necks.
- “What did you do to them!?”
- >”Nothing compared to what I’ll do to you.”
- >You roll out of the way as his knee smacks into the floor where your back used to be.
- >He grins, “That’s the spirit.”
- >Mickey jabs at Flavus who easily dodges every attack, even getting in a playful smack or two.
- >Duff tries to aim, but can’t get a shot without risking to hit Mickey.
- >”You’re hesitation will be your downfall against Discord.”
- >Flavus kicks Mickey away and into Duff, leaving only Mous left standing.
- >”Ah, the old adventurer. Tell me, what odds do you think you have against me.”
- >Celestia and her guard watch in horror as Flavus approaches him.
- >”I think you loathe the idea of being used. You want our help, even if it means having to put up with… lesser beings, you might say. Am I wrong?”
- >Flavus is taken aback, “I must say that you’re quite the artifact. Not many know of my methods.”
- >”What can I say? I used to have the mind of a monster myself.”
- >Flavus nods cheerfully, “You never did answer my question though.”
- >A pink dot moves in the background as Mous gives him an answer, “This much. Anon?”
- >You fire a burst at Flavus who dodges the attack, but is placed in an awkward position.
- >Mous smacks his head with the barrel of his gun and sends him rolling back before he gets to a knee.
- >On cue, Pinkie gives him a shot of her party cannon and forces him to dodge once again.
- >Which gives Mickey more than enough time to focus his magic and hold Flavus down.
- >When Flavus overcomes the bonds of his restraints he stares back at the barrels of three guns, each trained on his head.
- >”Where Discord and his changeling allies fear you, I do not.”
- >He throws his arm up, knocking away each of your barrels and pounds his fist into your chest.
- >You’re thrown backwards as he quickly disarms Duff and Mous and sends a knife into Mickey’s gut.
- >”You lack the conviction to even fir- *Bang*
- >Your hands shake as smoke rises from your pistol.
- >Flavus looks at you quizzically and then to the hole in his shoulder.
- >He flinches as he dips his finger inside and licks off the blood.
- >”Hmm, could use a bit more flavoring,” he looks to you and marches forwards.
- >You squeeze the trigger again- *click* Fuck me.
- >”I didn’t expect this from you, you know.”
- >You flinch as he shoots his hands towards you.
- >But the attack never comes.
- >And when you open your eyes his hand stayed extended towards you.
- >He grabs hold of your hand and pulls you up when you refuse to meet him.
- >”There’s a fire in your eyes. You’re willing to do whatever it takes to stop Discord, even if it means killing a potential ally?”
- “Yes.”
- >His smile is disheartening, “Then we are more alike than I thought.”
- >”Come Anon, let us help the others. We’re going to need them if we’re to strike our next target.”
- “Next?”
- >”But of course, the changeling’s hive.”
- >Meanwhile off in the Hive…
- >Discord scratches his chin in anger, his connection with Anon severed, and his forces in Canterlot all but destroyed.
- >”As the lord of chaos, I do not appreciate it when others bring it to my own plans.”
- >Chrysalis looks down upon her captive, the muscled being working out.
- >”You worry to much my lord. Nightmare Moon was destined to fail, you told me this yourself.”
- >”Yes, but not so soon. This strength they’ve gathered has consequences. I will not be cast in stone once more.”
- >”And you won’t. Our tool is more than enough to handle all of them.”
- >”He cannot overcome their will. With the mane 6 at their side I’m not sure he can withstand them.”
- >She smiles and waves to the man down below, “When the time comes and they assault these walls, Light will strike back from the darkness.”

