Revenge of Fury

Chapter 2

Trapped

Applejack was shocked. Her mouth was left hanging agape, as she searched for something to say. Ultimately, she gave up.

"Pregnant?" she asked in disbelief.

Twilight nodded. "Yeah," she said, feeling awkward suddenly.

Applejack shared the feeling. "Is it Lightning's?" she asked without thinking.

Twilight seemed offended by the question. "Of course it is! Applejack, what a question!"

"Sorry, Twi, just makin sure," Applejack said, guilty.

Another awkward pause followed. "So...does that mean that you and Lightning....you know..."

Twilight nodded. Her facial expression was perfectly flat, save a deep blush. Whatever experiences she had had when Spike wasn't home, she wasn't about to reveal.

Applejack simply nodded and swallowed, looking away. "Well then,"

"Applejack, what am I gonna do?" Twilight pleaded.

"Well, obviously, you have to tell Lightning,"

"NO,"

Applejack was surprised by the sudden outburst.

Twilight stammered "Uh-I-I-I mean-uh, I'm n-not ready," she said.

Applejack eyed her. "Twilight, you realize you're gonna have to tell him eventually,"

Twilight sighed. "I know, Applejack, it's just....what if he gets scared? What if he leaves me? Applejack, I'm scared enough as it is, I don't think I could handle Lightning leaving me!"

Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry Twilight, Ah'm sure everything will be just fine. Just relax. You can tell Lightning and everypony else when you're ready," she said.

Twilight smiled. "Thanks, Applejack. I knew I could trust you,"

Applejack smiled back. "No problem, Twilight. Now, if ya'd excuse me, I have to get home. Granny Smith's been sick, and needs attention,"

Applejack made her way to the door, opening it to leave.

"I hope she gets better!" Twilight said.

Applejack waved at her. "Thanks. I do, too,"

And with those words, Applejack closed the door, and left. Twilight exhaled deeply, sitting down. She shut her eyes and leaned back, trying to rest. She was about to fall asleep, when a loud knocking snapped her back In reality. She groaned. When she opened the door, she smiled. "Hey, Lightning," she said.

Lightning floated outside. "Hey, Twilight!" He said, hugging her immediately. Twilight hugged him back, happy to be in his warm embrace. "How was your day?" he asked.

"Good, good," Twilight lied.

Lightning looked at her. He never ceased to be amazed at her beauty. She looked at him, seeming to care more about him then than ever before. They moved to kiss, when suddenly the door slammed open again.

"Twilight! Twilight!"

Lightning and Twilight both turned in annoyance. Spike barged in, a scroll in his hand, with a look of guilt. "Oh, sorry guys! Am I interrupting?"

"What is it, Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Twilight, this letter just came in. It's urgent, I think you should see this!"

"Twilight grabbed the letter with her magic, and opened it.

To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

As I am sure you are aware, our situation with the changelings has been reaching a boiling point. Ever since the Canterlot Invasion, we have been on alert. Luckily, as you are aware, we were able to capture one of their spies. Sadly, the spy died not long after being captured, but not before informing us of the location of the changeling hive.

Twilight, I require that you and your friends see me at once. I must discuss with you more. There is much to say, but I cannot risk saying it over an easily intercepted message. Even with the best guards, one can never be too careful. Just be sure to bring that changeling friend of yours.

Your teacher, Princess Celestia

Twilight finished reading it out loud. Lightning smirked. "Well, she's gonna be disappointed. Reaper's been gone for days, now," he said.

Twilight nodded. "I'm sure she'll understand," she said. "Go get everypony, and meet me at the train station in twenty minutes," she said.

Lightning nodded, before zipping out the door.

"What about me?" Spike asked.

Twilight looked at him, and gave him a kind rub on the head. "You just stay here. Help yourself to whatever's in the pantry. I won't be gone long," she said.

Before Spike could protest further, Twilight had grabbed a bag of supplies and had disappeared out the door.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Rarity sighed, closing the door to Carousel Boutique behind her. She sat down, looking across the room into a tall mirror. She smiled. Things certainly had been good for her. She smiled as she thought of how happy Lightning and Twilight were. She smiled at the thought of how happy Reaper and Pinkie would be.

And they weren't alone. She smiled as she thought of all the ponies whose romantic tension was reaching its boiling point. And then she stopped smiling. Then she frowned. How was it that this was possible? How was it that she, Rarity, the most beautiful mare in all of Ponyville - neigh, all of Equestria! - had never felt the joy of love, or to be loved?

True, she had had girlish crushes before, but she had never actually been in a relationship. How was it that Twilight, the socially awkward mare who never even gave colts a thought before Lightning, had gotten one before her? And what of the others? Certainly they had been romantically involved with somepony before.

Rarity looked at herself in the mirror. Was it her fault? Was it possible that she, who had always tried everything she possibly could to make herself as beautiful and inviting as possible, had actually pushed colts away with this action? Was her personality not likeable? She thought deeply. True, she was high-maintenance, and she was indeed an opinionated mare. Perhaps it was these qualities, though superficial, that prevented anypony from seeing her more inviting traits.

She was passionate, artistic, generous, and caring. But could it be that nopony had ever bothered to check? Rarity was deeply bothered by this revelation. She looked at herself in the mirror again, envisioning her perfect colt.

He was strong, caring, polite, and very handsome. He was taller than her, but not too tall so that amorous endeavors would be a chore. Color didn't matter, so long as he wasn't green. Or brown. Or red. On second thought, color may matter just a little. And most of all, he shared her passion for fashion - or was at least open to it.

Rarity thought long and hard about the colt, before coming to a conclusion. He didn't exist. Rarity realized that she had set the bar too high. It seemed obvious now - it was no wonder she had never been in a relationship, her standards were impossible to meet!

Rarity took on a face of determination. By the end of the month, she swore, she would have a coltfriend. She sighed, until she heard a knock at the door.

"Rarity!" Lightning's voice called from outside.

She opened the door. "Yes, dear?"

"Twilight needs us all to go to Canterlot. Meet us at the train station in twenty minutes," he said, before flying away in a golden flash.

Rarity sighed, writing a note to Sweetie Belle explaining the situation. She packed her things, and went out the door.

*  *  *  *  *  *   *  *  *  *  *

Derpy sat on her couch. She sat, thinking. Most ponies assumed that just because of her odd eyes and her natural clumsiness that she was stupid. This was not the case. Derpy was actually quite intelligent - albeit, not always in a practical way. She thought, thinking about what would happen next.

Shamrock had offered to help support her. She knew full well that he would be unable to do so. Although she greatly appreciated the gesture, she doubted his capability to support her in the long-term. She would have to find a job. That's when Dinky noticed her sitting, thinking solemnly.

"Mom? Is everything all right?" she asked.

The following thoughts blurred through Derpy's mind like a freight train. Dinky was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her. She cared about nothing more than Dinky. And never in her life had she ever lied to Dinky. There were no secrets between them. If something was wrong, Derpy would always tell her. But today, it was different.

"Yes, dear, everything's all right," Derpy lied.

Derpy felt terrible. But it had to be done. Dinky was getting older, more mature. She would fully understand the plight they were in, and that would cause her undue stress. The guilt was unimaginable.

Then she heard a knocking at her door. She opened it to find Rainbow Dash. "Lightning told me that Twilight needs all of us at the train station. Come on, we gotta go!"

Derpy nodded.

"Mom? What's happening?"

Derpy smiled at her daughter, and hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Dinky. Mommy's just gotta go do some work. I'll be back before you know it," she said, before kissing her daughter on the forehead. They smiled at each other, before Derpy went to go gather her things.

Once she finished, she met Rainbow outside, and the pair of them flew towards the train station.

*  *  *   *  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *  *  *  *  *  *   *

Reaper woke up groggily. As his eyes forced their way open, he looked around his new surroundings, ignoring the pain in the back of his skull. He was not surprised by what he saw.

He was in a cell. Black, iron bars held him in. The room was small. It's only ornamentations were a lumpy, shoddy bed, and a toilet. He got up, groaning. A guard noticed him waking up. "He's coming to," she said to her partner.

"Finally," The other replied.

"Go alert the Princess,"

The second guard nodded before disappearing out of a doorway.

Reaper walked up to the bars, leaning against them. "My, my, the cells here are just as unpleasant as I remember them!" he said cynically.

"Shut it, prisoner,"

"Oh, you may hold me in these bars, but you have nothing that can prevent me from speaking, now do you?"

"I could go in there and beat the snot out of you,"

Reaper gave a short laugh at that. "Can you? Can you really? I, an exile, have returned for unknown reasons. Not only that, but I have returned as you are on the brink of war. You can't tell me that the Queen isn't a little curious, now can you?"

The guard would never admit it, but Reaper was right.

"And how would she react if she found you had beaten me to the point I no longer would speak?"

The guard gave up. "Fine, talk. Just don't be so annoying,"

Reaper grinned, but remained silent for a moment. Then he spoke up again. "So, tell me, what is your name?"

"My name?"

"Yes, your name,"

"Why does it matter?"

"Just trying to be courteous,"

The guard sighed. "My name is Vertigo," she said.

Reaper grinned again, grinning like a snake that had a mouse in its coils. He got his first good look at Vertigo. She was built like any other drone mare, slimmer than the males, longer, curlier tail, and more feminine overall. She lacked the eyes or mane that royal changelings like Phasmi or Chrysalis had, but she did have color. Her back carapace was purple, as were her eyes. She looked at Reaper with a hint of annoyance. "Are you done?" she asked.

Reaper merely smiled warmly, a fake gesture. "I suppose. Though, do tell me Vertigo, how long has it been since you last fed?"

Vertigo said nothing for a moment. Then she finally responded. "Five days," she said.

Reaper feigned surprise. "Five days? You must be starving!"

Vertigo nodded.

Reaper grinned his snake grin again. "You know, I have been very well fed lately. Being exiled was the greatest thing that ever happened to me,"

Vertigo said nothing.

"I have too much to feedf on, you might say. So much excess, he said,"

Ah, there it was. He sensed it. Vertigo was getting jealous. Perfect. "You know, I could give you some. That is, if I want to,"

Vertigo may have been hungry, but she would not resort to begging a prisoner. In the same way that changelings could store emotions, they could also transfer them to other changelings.

"Do I want to? That is the million-bit question, isn't it?"

Before Vertigo could react, she realized that Reaper was giving her emotions. Not many, but enough for her to immediately begin feeding. Reaper watched her complexion switch from surprised to animalistically hungry. He grinned. "You know , Vertigo, you seem familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Vertigo nodded, suddenly more complacent. "My brother is a general. He served under you," she said.

"Did he now? Tell me, what was his name?"

"Ajax,"

"Ajax? I always liked Ajax. Such a bright one. A shame he wasn't a little more independent,"

Vertigo nodded, as Reaper leaned in close.

"Listen to me, and listen closely. This cell is quaint and all, but I have no intention of staying here much longer. What I gave you was but a mere taste of what I can offer. If you wish to help me in my quest, bring yourself and your brother to Tyrant's Gorge. I will be there, waiting. I will wait two days, then I will assume you have decided against it," He said.

Vertigo said nothing.

"Think about it," Reaper finished.

Finally, the other guard returned. "I got it from here, Vertigo. You are dismissed," He said.

Vertigo breathed a sigh of relief, before rushing out the door, a million thoughts zipping through her head. Reaper waved her goodbye, smiling at his victory.

As Vertigo left, Princess Phasmi took her place. The princess walked in, her figure dominating the room outside Reaper's cell. He smiled a cold smile. She had certainly changed since he saw her last. She was taller now, though not quite as tall as her mother. Her mane and tail were still short and messy, reminiscent of Rainbow Dash's now that he thought about it. Her horn had grown, and its first crook had appeared.

The two stared at each other for about 3 seconds. Then she spoke. "Leave us," she said to the guard. The guard obeyed, and the two ex-lovers were left alone.

"Hello, Phasmi. Did you miss me?" Reaper asked.

Phasmi was not interested in games. "Why are you here, Reaper?"

"Tut, tut, princess. Didn't your mother teach you manners? It seems she failed in that endeavor as well,"

"Why are you here?" she repeated.

"Well, if you insist. I am here to take back what is mine. I am here to become the new king and lord of the Changeling Empire,"

"Take back what's yours? Reaper, you're the one who tried to overthrow the Queen!"

"I tried to do what needed to be done!"

Phasmi sighed.

"Now that we got that out of the way, it's my turn. Tell me, did you ever replace me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did you ever find another high general?"

Phasmi nodded. "Silicon was promoted shortly after you left,"

Reaper's face contorted with rage. "Silicon? That fool who came up with the plan to invade Canterlot? How insulting!"

"Silicon is good at what he does, and loyal,"

"Loyalty. What do you know of loyalty? I'm certain you've replaced me in other ways, as well,"

Phasmi remained quiet, averting her eyes.

"Yes, don't play coy. Tell me, who's the lucky colt? Unless the tradition of sleeping with the high general hasn't changed,"

"It's not like that. Silicon and I aren't together,"

"Lies. You were never good at them, Phasmi,"

Phasmi said nothing, as Reaper leaned back and sighed. Then he noticed something terrible. "My hat. Where's my hat?" He said, panicking.

Phasmi was confused. "It's with the rest of your belongings, in safe containment," she said.

Reaper hissed. "I need it. Now,"

"No,"

The two stared at each other for some time. Finally, Phasmi broke the silence.

"Mother wishes to see you. You'll be having your audience with her in a few hours,"

Reaper smiled, his rage disappearing in an instance. "Good. I have so wanted to speak with Chryssie again," he said.

Phasmi looked at him for a moment, before walking away. Just before exiting the room, she half turned. "If it means anything to you, yes,"

"Yes? Yes what?"

Phasmi paused. "Yes. I did miss you," she said, before leaving.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Vertigo sighed, closing the door to her home behind her. She felt conflicted. Her brother appeared. "Hey, sis. How'd it go?" he asked.

Vertigon paused. "Good," she said. "Listen, you remember Reaper, right?"

Ajax nodded. "Yeah, he used to be high general before getting exiled. What about him?" he asked, standing up.

Ajax was a big changeling. He stood taller than the average changeling, and was stronger too. His eyes and carapace were both dark orange. Vertigo sighed. "Well, he's back. He's been captured. But, he talked to me,"

"Talked to you? What did he say?"

"He said he would be escaping soon. He said that if we wanted to live, we would meet him at Tyrant's Gorge,"

"What? How could he say such a thing,"

"Listen, brother. He wasn't hungry. He had so many emotions to feed on, it was unbelievable. He gave me some," she admitted guiltily.

Ajax said nothing.

"Look, you have a lot of soldiers under your command right? Why don't we go meet him there, and help him out? After all, all he's doing is in out best interests," she said.

Before Ajax could respond, a messenger opened the door. "General Ajax, the queen requests your presence. Be at the throne room in three hours," they said, before closing the door again.

Ajax sighed. "Look sis, I'll think about it. But no promises," he said.

Vertigo pouted, but didn't protest as her brother left.

*  *  *  *  * *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Phasmi returned to her quarters. Silicon was waiting for her. "How did it go?" he asked.

Phasmi sighed. "Not well. Reaper's changed. He's not the same,"

"Exile will do that to anyling, I imagine," he replied.

Phasmi nodded.

Silicon moved closer to her. "Look, I know things haven't been great since the invasion failed. But things will get better, okay? I promise," he said, holding her tight.

Phasmi rested against him, happy to have someling to care about.