Remember to check out Part 5. I added a bunch to that!
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Untitled Document
Part 6
Applejack's eyes were open, but to her they could have still been closed. The picnic was quickly vanishing from her mind, and it was too dark to look around her. She could feel the wet dirt on her back, and hear the drip of water from above pushing down on her cell. She could smell the moist moss growing on the stone that made up the walls. She could also hear Rarity sobbing quietly the next cell over. She blinked repeatedly, and listened for any other pony.
Soft wings fluttered to her right. Far to her right. She wasn't sure if it was the soft Fluttershy or if Rainbow Dash was trying to not make sounds. Applejack rolled over, taking to her hooves, wobbling. The crying stopped.
"Applejack?" Rarity's soft voice cracked.
"Rarity." Speaking made Applejack's mouth as dry as a bale of hay in summer. Applejack felt a wall with a hoof, the slime easily coming off. Applejack rubbed it on the ground, causing it to mix into a clumpy, slick mess. Applejack stuck her tongue out.
"Applejack, come to the door."
Door? What door? Applejack took a few steps forward and saw the heavy metal bars covering the only exit in the room. Highly luminescent mushrooms growing out of the wall gave off the only light in the hall. To the pony's right, the hall continued farther then she could see, and to her left were six more cells. Rarity's snout and part of her face was stuck out the closest one, peering over at the orange pony.
"Are you alright, dear?"
"Yeah, Rarity, I think I'm okay." Applejack looked to the right. "Where's everypony else? How long have I been out?"
"I just woke up myself a few minutes before you. I think Rainbow Dash is in the cell in front of you, but she's not talking."
"And Fluttershy?"
Rarity was silent. "I have no clue."
Applejack sighed, "and no word from Nyra?"
Rarity snorted, "I wouldn't be able to understand her regardless of if I had or not." She disappeared for a moment.
"Where'd you go?" Applejack tried to push her head through the door.
"I had to wipe off the grime and grit. If you aren't careful it can stick you to the door."
"Who told you that?"
"Dea." Rarity said, magically throwing a pebble at the cell between the ponies on the other side of the hallway. "Come meet Applejack."
Applejack stared, trying to take in as much detail as possible. The Shoobi that came forth into the light was insanely battered. The snout had a rough scar that branched into a series of smaller ones that started at the tip and ran up between the eyes. The lower lip had been split a few inches down; the dark blue tissue was visible in the low light. The head turned, revealing an eye; large and dark with a pinprick of lighter pupil in the center.
"Who iz this, Rarity?" His deep, growly voice matched the look of his face. His long sharp teeth poked out from between his jaws at some points, giving him an evil look.
"This is my friend Applejack. I told you about her." Rarity sounded totally at ease with the monster. Applejack couldn't break contact with the eye that looked her over critically.
"Ah yes, the farm pony." In the darkness, Applejack could see his head crest was flared, with small holes and a rugged edge. "She iz the strong one, no?"
"Oh yes, she is very strong, when she puts her back to it."
Dea growled deeply. "And her mind? What condition iz her mind in?"
Rarity sighed, "not as bright as most ponies, but she got us into Dyla."
His growl became a rolling chuckle, "and look, you are en the dungeons when left alone for five minutes."
"Wait," Applejack shook her head, "How do you know Equestrian?"
Dea leaned his head back, "I have, as well, travelled the universe. With Total Matter. She gave me a different body to use. I visited your world, thousands of years ago."
"How old are you?" Applejack asked, hearing another rustle across from her.
"I do not know. I spent so long with Matter, it seems like yesterday I returned and was damned for my knowledge of the universe."
"Damned?" Rarity asked.
"Yes, damned. The king…he did not like what I told him, especially my new body. He forced Matter to return me to a proper Shoobi, then had me entered into the arena."
"The arena?" Applejack looked into the rustling cell.
"An underground battle ground run by the King. Only those who fight know of it. It iz a terrible place. I've killed."
"Is that why you were so horribly put down here?" Rarity asked.
"No. I was put down here because I tried to kill the king." He laughed, throwing his head back.
Applejack leaned forward against the bars. "Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash stalked forward wearily, hiding her face. One side of her whole body was covered in mud. Her voice broke, "Fluttershy's in here too."
"Ah, good. We need to someway get a hold of Nyra."
"Nyra? You would wish to speak to Nyra?" Dea stuck his snout outside the cell, took in a deep breath, and breathed out slowly, causing a tongue of flame to erupt from his mouth, the bright light illuminating the disgusting walls. Rarity stepped back and rubbed the slime off her face. Applejack did the same. Rainbow Dash did not move.
A way down the hall, a heavy door opened and the cellmates heard a sea pony approaching.
"Dea, I've told you a thousand times to not—" Nyra froze in the firelight. "Oh. You're all awake."
Dea chuckled, "meet Nyra, sergeant of the guard and the Princess of Shoobi." Nyra growled, her head crest flaring.
"Nyra, what's happening?" Applejack switched to Shoobi.
Nyra's voice lowered to a harsh whisper, "I can't break you guys out yet. Yes, you too Dea. Not yet. I need time to talk to my father."
"The king" Dea smirked, "I get to go free? Why the change of heart after all these years?"
"You would rat me out."
"In a heartbeat!" He laughed.
"Applejack?" Rarity whispered. "What are you all saying?"
"Nyra can break us out, but not yet."
Rainbow Dash turned and looked at Nyra, rustling her wings. She sobbed, "why?"
Nyra didn't need a translation. She dropped her head and turned to Applejack, "I needed to. I had to prove myself. I chose the weakest of the group."
"What?" Applejack's body went cold. "What's going on?"
Rainbow Dash flicked her hair angrily out of her eyes, glaring at Applejack, who gasped. Dash had a dirty, bloody scar running through her left eye, from above the eyebrow to the cheekbone. "Fluttershy's dead."
Pinkie sat alone for what seemed like forever, glaring at the frozen Twilight. The other ponies had left for Canterlot already. They left a long time ago. What to do? What to do? Pinkie shifted her sitting position, rubbing her nose on her arm. She was officially kicked out of the Team Twilight side, she could see that, and she doubted Discord had any real means for her. She took a deep, shaking breath and stood up. The tree was still dark.
She circled around Twilight, like everyone else had done, but she saw no change. She even poked the filly, but it had been like touching stone, cool and immobile. Pinkie closed her eyes and focused real hard. Energy! She screamed in her head. What should I do?
She was surprised to get an answer, in the deep voice she missed. Pinkie? How are you doing this? His voice was faint. Pinkie smiled.
I don't know. Should I be able to do this?
Absolutely not.
What should I do? I don't know anymore.
She sighed when she didn't get an answer. She sat in front of Twilight, staring at the cold, angry eyes that nearly glowed with magic. Pinkie listened for Energy's words.
Pinkie…we shouldn't be able to communicate like this. Total Matter is concerned, as is I.
Well…is there any explanation?
Matter can't psychically talk to you, so, perhaps it has to do with your Element?
Pinkie mulled it over, attempting to decipher Space's words. If the psychic link continues down the royal line…and you and Matter created the Elements…
Pinkie heard the mental gasp can the Elements communicate? Do they have the same psychic link we do?
Pinkie scooted closer to Twilight. I can try.
Pinkie, no, don't do anything too risk-!
She cut him off, blocking him. Her eyes narrowed in concentration, and she directed her mind towards Twilights. Twilight Sparkle, you listen to me missy. We desperately need your help. I desperately need your help. But no response.
She licked her lips and readjusted. Twilight. Please. I'm begging you, respond. Still nothing. She sighed, closed her eyes, and opened her mind. Perhaps I'm looking at this the wrong way. Maybe I need to catch Twi's drift, not force my own.
She sat, attempting to not think, but still vaguely focusing on Twilight. Then she felt something. Like a twinge. Like her brain was trying to make way for something. Her neck twitched.
DISCORD! The reverberation caused Pinkie to fall backwards and grab her head. DON'T DO THIS!
Pinkie's teeth ground together at the volume and power of the words. Twilight, please, stop.
…Pinkie? What's going on? Why can't I move? Twilight's angered face stayed, but her mind was free.
Oh good you didn't go insane. I was really worried about you Twi because Space said that you may go insane but I couldn't remember if it was if we broke you out of Space or Time. Luckily it was Time so now you're ok and you can help us! Pinkie bounced around her friend.
Wait. Pinkie. How are we talking?
The Elements have a psychic link because Matter and Energy created them and they still have a link though normal ponies don't. She smiled at her friend.
How do you know all this?
Because Radiation X summoned Pony Space and she told us about the links. Pinkie then spoke aloud, "can you hear me if I speak like this?"
Apparently not; Who is Radiation X and …Pony Space? What's going on?
Pinkie sighed. She lowered her eyes sadly, Discord froze you in Time and Space with some weird magic he accessed through Black Hole's soul. Then Radiation X, Matter and Energy's father showed up, did some crazy cool magic, and summoned the Pony Space, his mother.
Oh. Well. I would have loved to meet these ponies. Twilight's tone fell. She had missed two ponies who were even stronger then Total Matter and Energy all because of Discord.
Where's everypony else? Spike?
Oh, uh, they went to Canterlot to speak with the Princesses.
Why are you still here then?
Pinkie bit her lip, I stayed behind to look after you.
Twilight sighed, thanks Pinkie. Now that you can talk to me, though, can we catch up with everypony else?
Uh, Twilight, you can't even see. That and they left hours ago. Pinkie walked to the closest window and looked at the lowering sun. It's almost sundown. You were only frozen early this morning.
Twilight pondered for a moment before Pinkie felt a push on her mind. What are you doing?
Move over Pinkie, we have to share this body so I can see.
Pinkie grabbed her head. Twilight, this hurts. She whined, closing her eyes and leaning her head against the ground.
It'll be over in a minute Pinkie, don't worry.
Pinkie felt more pressure, like the evilest migraine ever, then something popped and it didn't hurt anymore.
Damn, it didn't work. Twilight sighed, I can't see anything. Pinkie opened her eyes, wait. I see the floor.
You can see through my eyes? "Does that mean you can hear me when I talk?" Pinkie sat up, and looked around, avoiding the statue of Twilight.
Yes. Yes I can. She sounded so excited. Let's go Pinkie!
Pinkie made her way to the door, but Twilight remembered. Wait, let me see my body.
Pinkie paused. Are you sure Twilight? I don't think it'd be such a good idea.
Yes, please Pinkie. Her voice was so sad. Pinkie sighed and turned around, gazing at the angered Twilight. In her mind, Twi gasped.
I look so angry…
"You were." She looked for a moment longer, then turned and exited the tree. Her eyes squinted against the bright light. "How should we get to Canterlot?"
Is there a train at this time? Pinkie tilted her ears. "I don't hear one." She made her way to the station anyway.
Princess Celestia hid the portals behind tapestry's she and Luna brought down from their rooms. Luna had been calling in groups of ponies who had sighted Discord and the Cosmponies, while Spike took notes such as where they'd seen him, and at what time. Also, their thoughts on the other strange ponies. Many had been saying that they had been trying to take him down. More and more though had decided the mystery ponies had been with him; causing chaos as they went. Big Mac stood by as an extra ear, also to run scrolls around to different parts of the castle.
They had been listening to groups all day, with Spike's claws beginning to cramp and Big Mac getting tired. Even the Princesses were getting exhausted, and frustrated at the increasingly bad picture of their parents, showed through their manes which began to deflate and break apart, falling into groups and some bits falling entirely from the mane, evaporating before hitting the ground. A group of farm ponies left, Mac holding the large door for them. He closed it softly, staring at the Princesses.
Celestia rubbed a hoof on her face, kicking off each shoe individually. "That's it. That's enough for today. What's it looking like, Spike?"
Spike sighed, rubbing his claws, "well, a good amount think Total Matter and Complete Energy are actually bad guys, but those ideals are only because they don't know who they are." He dropped the list and looked at the Princesses. "The only ones who thought they were fighting him were the ones who actually saw the fighting." A thin pony entered the room from a side hall, dropped a scroll, and left. Spike ran over and picked it up, unrolling it. "And the geographers say that he is heading west and slowly up." He glanced at Big Mac, "Also that Matter and Energy are falling behind."
Luna grunted, "how do two omnipresent creatures fall behind a serpent like him."
"They aren't entirely omnipresent. Not yet. X and Dust are." Celestia removed her crown, "Discord's new magic is unusual. We don't know anything about it, which is why we gave him magic in the first place, so he wouldn't have to experiment with the other, hidden, more dangerous magic."
"We told Matter not to release him. She knew we didn't like it." Luna stepped out of her adornments, shaking her crown off. "It's time to sleep. Spike, you can use the old room. There should be a bed big enough for Macintosh as well." The Princesses magically carried the shoes and crown, and began towards one of the side halls, which lead to their chambers indirectly.
Spike nodded, watching them go. A knock on the large door caused him to turn. He rolled his eyes. Big Mac pulled the door open as Spike stuck his head out, "sorry, we're closed. The sun went down two hours ago, let us slee—" His jaw dropped.
A proud Pinkie stood with the largest grin Spike had ever seen on her face. He took a nervous step back as she stepped forward. "Pinkie. You're…you're…" His hands shook.
Big Mac's eyes widened. "Glowing."
Pinkie laughed. "I feel so light right now!"She leapt forward into the room, gaining a good six feet of air. She radiated purple, a magically aura around her as she laughed giddly. Pinkie. I feel weird. "Don't worry Twi, it should pass soon!"
Spike stared, "wait, Twi?" He leaned into Big Mac. "I think she's finally lost it."
"Oh no nonononononono no!" She got in Spike's face, "we figured it out! We figured out what Space was talking about with psychic links!"
"What? Where's Twilight?" Spike folded his arms dubiously.
Pinkie blew her mane out of her face, "she's in my head, duuuuhh. We exchanged psychic links through our Elements so we can talk mentally and it was cool and all then Twilight became part of my mind so she could see what I see and now we're both here!"
"Oh. So…Twilight is in there? And that's why you're glowing purple?"
"Well, I don't know about the glowing purple part. Though it does explain why so many ponies were giving me weird looks on the train. But it was still pretty cool! We're here to talk to the Princesses so we can catch up with the others!"
Spike and Big Mac exchanged looks. "are you sure the others will want to see you?"
What is he talking about Pinkie? What did you do? Pinkie ground her teeth, "Now that I have Twilight, I'm sure they won't mind." Pinkie.
"Well…alright. They went through the portals Radiation X made. The one on the right, I think."
"Well why would they do something like that? Where do they go?" Pinkie peered into the pink vortex.
"One of them goes to Shoobi, where Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy went through. The other goes…somewhere." He rubbed his hand again, "sorry, I've been writing a lot since they've left. I don't remember."
"Oh it's alright Spikey Wikey. I'll just…I don't know."
Spike shrugged. "You could always ask Radiation what to do."
"Uh…" Pinkie pursed her lips, "I think I'd rather ask Energy."
"Whatever suits you." He motioned for Big Mac to follow him, "we're going to bed."
Pinkie watched until they were far gone. Her smile slipped off her face. "Okay Twilight, what did you want to try?"
I wanted to try to do magic, but with the vortexes' so close…it may be dangerous. "Twilight, I feel like the Elements weren't meant to mix like how we're doing this."
Me neither. But what else could we do?
Pinkie sighed, "let's try your magic."
She felt Twilight smile, Alright. I'm going to do a simple levitation spell. Pinkie eyed the feather Spike had left. Good enough. Pinkie felt a concentration of energy in her forehead. She heard Twilight pant. Pinkie tried to hold it together as well as she could, but the pressure became overbearing and she lost focus. Her eyes had involuntarily closed with the uncomfortable force.
The electric explosion that was the product of their efforts caused Pinkie to fly back twenty feet in the opposite direction of the feather, and to almost burn off the front poof of her mane. She sighed, putting her face in her hooves.
Twilight was quiet. …sorry Pinkie. I didn't know what would happen.
"Neither did I." Pinkie lowered her hooves and splayed out on the floor.
Wait, what's wrong with your hoof?
Pinkie looked up at her forehead, "What do you mean?" She lifted her left hoof. Pink as always. She lifted up her right one. Pinkie's jaw dropped to the floor. Purple. "My. My hoof. It's purple!"
Oh…ohno. No no no no this is not good! The two stared at the purple appendage. Pinkie leapt up, examining the rest of her body, but the rest of her was Pinkie. Pinkie's voice shook, "no more magic?"
No more Magic. She felt Twilight nod.
"Well what should we do now?"
Twilight bit her lip, wait for word from the others?
Pinkie walked over and sat before the portal on the right. The tapestry's had fallen as the Princesses left, leaving them in a pile on the ground. "Yeah. That sounds good."
The three Equestrian ponies were lead in chains into the court room. The shackles were tightened around their upper forearms, causing great discomfort. Applejack lead, glaring at the back of Nyra's head, who lead the brigade. Rarity followed, her makeup (which had not been affected by the liquid outside the palace) running down her face. Rainbow Dash was last, her wings drooped, her hair hiding her face again.
The three ponies reflected on what Rainbow Dash had said after showing them her new scar. She's dead. Forever. At this point, Rarity gasped, her eyes watering. Dea had sniffed, muttering about smelling a dead body, and Applejack had froze.
It took a few minutes for it to sink in before Applejack asked; "What about the Element?"
"I think…I absorbed it." Dash lowered her head again.
"What?"
"She died in my hooves after I woke up. I felt so angry, but she told me not to be. Then I wasn't. I think I absorbed Kindness. It felt right."
Currently, they were being brought in front of King Dyla the XVII, as always named after the city, and Queen Tetra, his fourth wife.
Nyra bowed low before her parents and the court, who sat on specialized benches; covered in expensive looking garb. They sat, high and polished, looking down their noses at the muddy and sweaty strange ponies.
Applejack glared up at them, prepared to state their case. She bowed low out of respect, pulling on the chains, forcing her friends to do the same.
King Dyla stared down at them, "Nyra, what are they?"
Nyra looked up at her father; "they came through a portal. They call themselves Equestrians, from Equestria."
"On the other side of the portal?"
"…yes."
Dyla nodded and the court began to mutter about themselves. Nyra spoke out above them, "they have come seeking help. They say this threat directly affects us."
"That is not why they were brought here today." Tetra looked at Applejack, right in the eyes. "We know they came through the portal; we wanted to ask them about the strange activity that was sighted, and felt by, our guards."
Applejack cleared her throat, drawing attention to herself; "what kind of strange activity?"
The court silenced and looked at her. Nyra turned and glowered at Applejack. "Shh."
"I'm not just going to be quiet, Nyra, this could be important. It could mean the destruction of your race. Hell, of your planet! Of everything you know and love." She turned her eyes to the King and Queen, and took a desperate step forward, causing more conversation among the court. "Please, I need to know what happened."
Tetra sniffed degradingly, "We were going to tell you anyway. There was a bolt of something blue that flashed through the portal and hit a guard. He said he felt all the hairs under his scales shoot straight."
"Blue bolt?" Applejack asked, confused. "Blue bolt of what?"
"We do not know. It was hot and hurt. The afflicted guard is in the hospital for the burns he received."
Applejack turned to Rarity. "blue bolt?"
"What?" Her voice cracked.
"They say a blue bolt shot through the portal."
Rarity sniffed, "ah…Lightning, maybe? Magic?"
Applejack turned back to the court. "We think it may have been lightning."
Dyla gave a sidelong glance to Tetra. "Lightning?"
"Yes, lightning." She gazed at the members of the court. "None of you know what lightning is? It's a weather condition."
"What is its significance?" Dyla stared at the pony.
"I don't know. But please, we have something much more important to discuss."
Dyla sat back in his court chair, "yes, this, danger, you speak of."
Applejack ignored the sarcasm, "yes. There is a terrible, dangerous creature on the loose. His name is Discord, and he has this magic." She licked her lips, aware of the dubious looks the court gave her. "We don't know what this magic is, but we know he doesn't either. It's very powerful magic, I can say that."
"And how is this a threat?"
"He can travel among the stars with his magic." She knew how fake the next part would sound. "The real threat is…ah. There are ponies with even more power than him. They have the power to destroy the universe, to unmake it. They are willing to use this power if Discord is not destroyed."
A moment of silence before the whole court erupted into laughter.
"Come on now, Equestrian. There must be some way of proof so we can verify your story." He chuckled. Tetra held a fin in front of her face to hide her giggles.
Applejack felt beat. She had no proof. But something was in the air. Her coat stood on end, and electricity crackled before her. Radiation X appeared long enough to say one sentence, exhausted. "Canterlot. Now." Then he was gone.
Less then five seconds had passed for the encounter, but every Shoobi's jaw had dropped, their eyes wide. Applejack smiled, "there's one of the most powerful ponies in the universe."
The three ponies waved to Nyra and her two friends, who had dropped them off on the portal island. Only the friends waved back, as Nyra instantly dove and retreated under"water". Applejack strode over to her hat and flipped it on, missing the feel of leather on her head. Rainbow Dash stared at Applejack with her good eye.
"How can you be so nonchalant about this?"
Applejack sighed, "I don't want to be. Fluttershy will get the proper burial after we've saved everypony. She wouldn't want us to sacrifice the mission for her."
Rainbow Dash pawed the sand, "I'm scared Applejack. I don't know what happened. I feel…strange." Applejack looked back over her shoulder.
"Perhaps Radiation can spread some light on how you absorbed Kindness." She took a step towards the portal. "First, we need to go back, though."
Rainbow Dash stepped up behind her. Rarity, rubbing her makeup off with one hoof, looked into the portal. "After you gals," Applejack stepped to the side.
Without a final glance back, Rainbow Dash stepped into the portal. Rarity trotted in soon after. Applejack glanced back out at sea, hoping Nyra could rally enough troops for the war against Discord. She then took a deep breath in, turned to the vortex, and stepped in. She couldn't wait to see the Princesses again.