My Little Fire Emblem – Uprising Generation

Chapter 8: It's a Trap!

Discord lead the party into the main section of the castle.

"This way, Princess Twilight." Discord pointed out "Captain Armor is being held in a cell back there."

"Very well, let's go." Twilight commanded

"... Sir Discord." Flash asked "how long ago were you taken prisoner?"

"Some two weeks past, Captain Shining and I were forced to surrender. We've been held captive here in this dungeon since that black day." Discord explained

"Did you gain any news from your captors during that time?"

"Not a word unfortunately... Our daily meal was brought to us by servants from the neighbouring villages. There were forbidden to speak to us, and we heard nothing about the war. Tell me Flash, how fares Solaria?"

"... Solaria has fallen. Princess Celestia... The princess is dead."

"Dead... My princess... My apologies, Princess Twilight. I have served you poorly."

"You are blameless in this Sir Discord." Twilight comforted "we need to look to the future. Not to regret our past actions. The Crystalis army is chasing after me to acquire my crown. My brother wears a twin crest of the crown, and he's in danger too."

"Crown? Crest?" Discord asked "ah, I remember... Captain Shining still wears the crest. And Crystalis is after them? If that's the case, princess... You should entrust the bracelets to somepony else."

"Maybe, but..."

"Give them to me or Flash. Let someone you trust guard them." Discord advised "If the empire desires your bracelet, you are in danger as long as you hold it. For your own safety, Your Highness, please, what do you say? We can't allow the Sacred Stone of Solaria to be taken."

"Everything you say is true and sensible. Yet..." Twilight was confused until Flash immediately stood in front of Twilight shielding her from Discord.

"Sir Discord. Forgive me for doing this, but give me your weapons immediately." Flash sternly ordered

"Flash?" Twilight asked confused

"What are you talking about Flash?" Discord asked in confusion. "Can't you see I'm unarmed? Do you think they allow prisoners weapons? What kind of injury have you taken that you suggest such foalishness?" He jeered

"A lot of ponies hate me for a reason which everypony knows is pathetic." Flash replied "but some hate me because I punish them severely because of their false statements."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Discord tested

"If I am mistaken, then I will give you all due apologies. However, there are questions I have that I cannot answer. A lot of questions. Why were there no reinforcements from the castle during the battle outside? Our arrival in Rearvall was expected wasn't it? Why would you escape your cell and leave Captain Shining in chains? As a knight of Solaria, you would well and truly know you would rescue your superior instead of galloping off alone. You would have also rescued Pinkie Pie and the Doctor while you were escaping as well, just as the Princess told me, 'the more the merrier' so why did you leave the three of them behind? How do you know the ties between the Crown, Crest and the Sacred Stone? This secret from Princess Celestia has been only discreet to me and me only. Of course, this secret has already been leaked to the Crystalis Empire... Or were you the one that leaked them?"

"Now look here Flash." Discord protested "there has been some misunderstanding here. I..."

"And..." Flash interrupted "that scale protruding from your tail. Is it me? Or is that scale an illusion to hide, I don't know... A blade? Is that it?" Discord immediately went silent. "Discord" Flash spoke with anger rising in his voice "why do you conceal a blade as a part of your body?"

"What?" Twilight gasped

"... Very well." Discord sighed "you are oh so smart once again Flash. You haven't changed a bit at all..."

"Tch..." Flash grunted

"If only Twilight had been alone. You however, simply will not be deceived. That's kind of why some ponies hate you for that."

"Discord!" Twilight ordered "what is the meaning of thi--" But was interrupted with a snap of his fingers which caused the bridge that they crossed to collapse. "No! The bridge!" She cried

"Discord." Flash asked sternly "why did you betray Solaria?"

"My fondest wish will be granted... To spend the rest of my days in the embrace of my loving daughter once more..."

"What are you saying?" Twilight asked until two enemy soldiers and a general walked up to them.

"That's enough Discord." Bold Bulwark ordered "you've done well. I'll take over now, you may return to your beloved daughter..." And in command, Discord teleported away.

"Who are you?" Flash asked as he stepped forward to protect Twilight.

"We've never met. I am Bold Bulwark." Bold greeted "loyal and talented aide to Lightning Dust, general of the Crystalis army."

"So you're that monster's--"

"And you are Flash Sentry of Solaria yes? 2nd in command of the army and Captain Shining Armor's loyal adjutant. I thought that I would catch a small bird in my net. Instead, I've ensnared a flock of hawks judging to the size of your team. Who knew that you and your team could have come this far."

"Where is my brother!?" Twilight angrily asked

"Ah, yes. Your brother, he's not here. The coward and his duo of cavaliers fled Lady Lightning's pursuit... Somehow, he escaped the castle. And escaping other these conditions.... Tch! Such stubbornness is quite annoying. It was my cunning intelligence that led us to turn this unfortunate blunder to our advantage. I spread the rumours myself, I led the villagers to believe that he was prisoner. What better trap than to catch his sweet, bookworm sister?"

"My brother escaped?"

"Yes. But your emotional reunion no doubt, will have to wait until the afterlife. You've got nowhere to run now. Let's end this shall we?" And marched for the throne giving a command to everypony "All soldiers! Kill her and take her crown!" With that response, many soldiers and enemies flooded the hallways.

"Princess Twilight" Flash warned "we need to get out of this place now!"

"But how? You can see that the bridge is gone!"

"Blast!" Flash cursed

"I'm so sorry BBBFF... I..."

"Don't worry about it milady." Flash comforted "I'll make sure you can see your brother once more. But we are going to have to fight our way through here. 9 Ponies are needed this time. There's also some treasure in this castle so I'd suggest bringing Cloudchaser for this battle. Prepare wisely Princess."

"Alright everyone!" Twilight announced "we've got to stick together properly! This may be our hardest battle ever! Applejack, Flash, Pipsqueak, Cloudchaser, Flitter, Bonbon, Twinkleshine and Button. I'm counting on you all to stay alive!"

"Roger!" Came the unanimous response. Twilight raised her rapier to begin the escape and fight.

Flitter took the initiative by causing first blood by killing an enemy soldier. Applejack did the same on another soldier while Pipsqueak took care of an archer with his lance as an enemy myrmidon was close to him. Flash had the honours to take out the Knight and collecting a door key, after dumping the vulneraries into the supply, Cloudchaser and Twilight head to their positions waiting for the enemy's turn.

Sure enough, the myrmidon attacked Pipsqueak with his sword. Although he managed to hit, it didn't do much damage to Pipsqueak and got dangerously injured from Pipsqueak's retaliation. Apart from that, other enemies started to run towards the party in order to flank and surround them. One shaman sent a flux of dark energy at Flash, but missed entirely.

Things have been going okay for Twilight's party. But on the other side of the castle, in came Twilight's caring brother Shining Armor, Tired and beat up.

"Twilight. I hoped you would be here" he prayed "please don't get hurt. I've lost my two trusty cavalier knights as they have sacrificed themselves to slow down the enemy and gave me time to come back to Rearvall. Don't let their deaths be in vain."

"Captain." A stallion coughed behind him "we don't die that easily." Shining turned around to see that his red and green knights are beat up but still alive.

"Once we knew that the enemy was too much for us, we retreated!" Pinkie Pie added "like you said, don't pick fights that you can't win!"

"Oh thank Princess Celestia that both of you are safe." He praised

"Anyway, my Pinkie sense is telling me that something is going around in the east corridor of the castle. Let's see... Eye flutter, ear flop, tail twitch, enitre body is shaking... It's fighting!"

"Captain, do you think it's Flash Sentry and Princess Twilight Sparkle?" The Doctor asked

"All right stallions... And mares. We have two goals here: Save Twily and defeat the enemy." Shining commanded "are both of you ready?"

"Roger!" Came their synchronised reply.

"Captain" the Doctor advised "it is advisable to team up with Princess Twilight first. We can reach them by the way of the eastern corridor."

"Doc." Pinkie sighed "that seems more complicated. Why don't we crush Crystalis together with both our forces and Princess Twilight's?"

"'A lot of trouble'? Miss Pinkie Pie, you're as insolent and careless as you are crazy!" The Doctor rebuked "if anything happened to Princess Twilight, the Solarian knights would..."

"A lot of trouble?" Pinkie Pie interrupted "and if you think Discord betraying us was any better. Don't tell me you want to play safe so you could take us down easily! Are you another turncoat?"

"Miss Pinkie Pie!" The Doctor yelled enraged and started another kitten fight.

"BOTH OF YOU STOP IT THIS INSTANT!!!" Shining bellowed to which they immediately did.

"Okay, okay." Pinkie Pie conceded "I understand your point. Let's calm down, before we boil over again. But this is left to the decision of Captain Shining. So how are we going to proceed Captain?"

"We will await your command sir." The Doctor added "take your time."

"Both of you, follow me!" Shining decided. Meanwhile on the other side, Pipsqueak finished of the Myrmidon and the main party was planning on how to open the door and attack

"Princess Twilight said that there were 5 knights in there." Flash informed

"What a hulking mess." Cloudchaser joked

"How about this?" Applejack asked "Cloudchaser can use the key to open the door, then Flash, Button and ah will storm in."

"And how do you suppose I can damage the enemy's armor?" Button Mash asked

"You idiot! You have an armourslayer!" Cloudchaser reminded

"Oh..."

"Anyway, plan decided. We will execute it next turn." Flash concluded "our princess orders us to wait here."

"Why are we waiting here?" Bonbon asked

"I feel like something or somepony has entered the battle, and it doesn't feel like an enemy. That magic that the unknown force is radiating seems somehow familiar and warming." Twilight replied. Sure enough, she didn't know it was her brother as his cavalry duo was busy cutting down enemies once again.

The enemies now diverted their attention against the Doctor instead of Pipsqueak. Of course, they were no match for the Doctor and his Killer Lance. One bowmare decided to take a shot but the arrow bounced off his armor. It now seems that the Doctor does not take any damage from iron bows.

Flitter killed the shaman that attacked Flash without taking any damage while the main party assumed their positions of their siege. In other news, an enemy mage gave chase to Shining's party. Feeling that the aura of the mysterious force getting closer, Twilight did not notice Pinkie Pie gallop past her and came face to face with the Doctor.

"Oh my Celestia! Is that you boss?" Pipsqueak exclaimed

"Ha!" The Doctor chuckled "if it isn't my dear apprentice! How have you been?"

"That's what I should be asking you boss! We'd heard you were captured by Crystalis' stallions. I was so worried!"

"Worried? Dear Pipsqueak, I ride along with Captain Armor. Anypony who rides with the Captain can certainly ride away from death! But that doesn't mean we've avoided trouble completely. Hmm?... You look a bit older now. What's up?"

"Like you boss, I've completed my training and I am now a sworn pirate of Solaria!"

"You mean knight." The Doctor chuckled

"Just watch. One day, I'm going to be on par with Lieutenant Sentry!"

"You want to be like the adjutant eh? How about me?"

"Oh, I... Well I still want to be like you too boss!" Pipsqueak laughed.

"That's a good boy. Captain Armor is right behind me so you can tell Princess Twilight that."

"Alright team. Ready to strike?" Flash asked

"Let's do this." Applejack replied

"OPEN THAT DOOR!!!" Button Mash commanded. In response, Cloudchaser used the door key and the three charged in with weapons blazing. Twinkleshine also joined in the fun and 3 out of the 5 knights were neutralised instantly.

"Well done team!" Flash commended "thanks for your help too Twinkleshine. Now let's see what the enemy can do."

The remaining two knights tried to mount a counter-attack. While one managed to hit Applejack, she quickly retaliated in one critical hit. The other went for Button Mash, wounding him pretty hard, but with the armourslayer, Button landed a one hit kill.

"Oh dear." Pinkie Pie noted "it seems that the enemies we slowed down just arrived."

"Well we've got more numbers now, lets take them out!" The Doctor encouraged

Shining ran to his sister's sight once again and embraced her.

"Twily! Are you well?" He asked

"Shining? Is it really--" Twilight started with joy "you're alive! You're alive!"

"Well of course I am." Shining chuckled "after we escaped Rearvall, I thought I would land a blow on the ruler himself. When I heard that you've been waylaid by the enemy however, I turned back to find you. I guess my timing was right on the spot."

"I'm really sorry. The irony is that I was trying to rescue you." Twilight apologised "all I did was interfere with your plans."

"What is this nonsense I'm hearing from my sister? You came to help me, didn't you? Your efforts alone are enough to inspire me. Besides, I see my loyal adjutant Flash Sentry is still alive, you've also gathered a lot of strong-looking ponies of different skills and abilities. I'd say you've made fine progress on managing your soldiers better than I do. Come on, Twilight! The enemy awaits!"

"All right!" Twilight agreed readying her weapon. "Let's all regroup first!"

As the team regrouped together, the enemies came even closer. One enemy bowmare was equipped with a sneaky longbow and attacked Button Mash with it.

"Extended attack range hmm?" Twinkleshine questioned, before proceeding to burn the bowmare with two fireballs. The calvary of Shining has now fully grouped with Twilight's company.

"Lieutenant Sentry!" Pinkie Pie squealed

"Well met, Pinkie Pie." Flash replied "I never thought for a moment that you would be defeated easily. You are a tough one after all."

"No siree! And I never doubted that I would see you again!"

"Pinkie Pie... About Discord..."

"We heard it all Mr Adjutant. I can't believe it myself! But facts become facts."

"That's true. If Discord can turn his back on Solaria... Then we knights of Solaria must work extra hard to prove ourselves. Let's roll Pinkie Pie."

"Yes sir!" Pinkie exclaimed and as a joke, jumped and curled herself into a ball before uncurling herself transformers style. The party got closer and closer to the throne room while the enemies behind gave chase.

"Captain Shining Armor." Flash greeted

"Flash Sentry! You're still alive!" Shining jumped for joy

"And so is the princess. I believe that you two have met already. I have some grave news to express. Luckily, that will have to wait for later. We'd best get out of here."

"Right. We'll finish our business here, then talk other matters. Let's take it to the enemy my loyal adjutant!"

"Yes sir!" Flash saluted. Applejack moved forward to lure the three guards of the throne room out. Axes beat lances she remembered, this is going to be easy she thought.

Sure enough, the three guards charged but fell to the strike of Applejack's axe and not even landing a single scratch.

"Y'all should've learned the weapon triangle!" She taunted

"I sense mage reinforcements on both corridors adjacent to the throne room. There's one above us right now. A thief also seemed to have joined the party." Twilight scouted with her mind's eye.

"A thief?" Cloudchaser jumped "just what I need! My lockpick durability is running out soon!"

"At least give me your expendable items so that the thief won't take them. The Angelical Robe you got from the chest protected by those 5 knights is too valuable to lose." Twinkleshine advised

"That reminds me. I'll get the thief, have mah vulneraries Flitter." Applejack reminded. Once the two traded their respectable items to the other two, they were ready.

The mage north of the party struck Flash with a thunder strike. However, Flash anticipated where it will strike and dodged efficiently. The thief decided to attack Applejack since nothing was there to steal as weapons can't be stolen.

"Thank you!" Cloudchaser snickered as she nicked the thief's lockpick. "I'm done with this enemy! Somepony give him the boot!"

"Aye aye!" Pipsqueak volunteered and drove his iron lance into the thief killing him.

"Anyway, we've got a lot of injured here. I'll heal you ponies up!" Bonbon noted

"There's a cracked wall on the other side of the corridor. It leads to a locked door with treasures." Twilight noted once more with her mind's eye. Cloudchaser's eyes sparkled with joy.

"All right then." Flash agreed "the treasures may be useful for our journey. Somepony get to breaking the wall please."

The other mage proceeded to attack Applejack but missed by "that" much.

"Those cavaliers are approaching fast!" Flitter warned seeing the pursuing enemy.

Flash was the only pony who started chipping away at the 50 health broken wall, as other ponies were busy doing something else. Except for Applejack who was covering Flash against any enemy on the other side of the wall.

"Excuse me Miss Twinkleshine" the Doctor asked "can you help me take care of the enemy cavalry reinforcements?"

"Why not?" Twinkleshine asked and stood in position.

An enemy shaman on one side of a wall fluxed at Applejack and missed.

"Ah'm not just big! Ah'm very agile too!" Applejack taunted and threw the hand axe at him killing him in one blow.

Bonbon was busily healing everypony's wounds while Applejack and Pipsqueak took over to break the wall down which crumbled under their weapons. Pinkie ran first in to defeat the knight guarding the door, Cloudchaser soon followed.

"You get the chests! I got your flank!" Pinkie ordered

"Let's take it to the enemy!" The Doctor encouraged as Twinkleshine charged first and threw a fireball at the first cavalier. The Doctor backed her up and took out the cavalier with his killer lance. Twilight used her special Rapier and took out the second cavalier in two hits without getting hurt.

A mercenary went for Cloudchaser and struck her true. Cloudchaser countered with two knife slices taking half of his health. The third cavalier and mage went to attack Twilight but every single one of their hits missed and Twilight was able to retaliate and kill the cavalier.

"Area clear." Flitter reported as she downed the mage in two shots

"Same here!" Pinkie replied taking out the mercenary

"Then all that's left is the enemy commander, Bold Bulwark." Flash replied

"Let me take the treasures first!" Cloudchaser butted in.

As Cloudchaser was busy looting the chests getting a Silver Sword and an Elysian Whip, Pinkie realised there was still one more mercenary hidden in the hallways.

"I'll just do him in!" Pinkie chorused

"Then let's go, we've got an enemy general to finish." Shining commanded

"Surrounding the enemy!" Pipsqueak notified

"Hmm... My stallions were unable to finish the job were they?" Bold questioned "I guess it falls on me to show you my own special brand of power." Applejack made the first swing and hit. In response, Bold launched the spearhead of his Silver Spear at Applejack but failed to hit. Flash received his Silver Lance from the convoy to attack Bold.

"Come on Flash!" Shining encouraged as he pulled out his Reginleif. "Let's take down the general together!"

"Why you annoying flies!" Bold cursed as he tried to hit the two ponies who were swerving all around him and dealing damage.

"Let me join in!" Twilight chorused and she ducked, dived, teleported out of harm's way while stabbing at the armor's weak points revealing most of bold's body.

"Adjutant versus adjutant!" Flash pointed out as he drove his Silver Lance into Bold's leg.

"Rrrgh..." Bold tried to stand up, unable to wield his weapon and attack.

"Now for the finishing blow!" Shining yelled "wheel of fortitude!" And spun his lance around and until it became like a forcefield before flicking himself forward to critically slay the general.

"Very... Impressive..." Bold coughed "however... I expect you'll wish you'd died here on my steel. Lady Lightning is... Not nearly as merciful... As I..." Before he collapsed on the floor, unable to hold himself up and breathed his last. In the end, Twilight approached the throne and raised her Rapier in the air. Symbolising that Solaria has seized Rearvall once more.

"Shining... My BBBFF..." Twilight wept at the aftermath of the battle.

"I worried you, didn't I, Twily?" Shining replied "and you as well, Mr Adjutant?"

"Not at all." Flash replied "we are joyous that you are safe. But Captain, do you know of Discord's treachery against you and all of Solaria?"

"Yes, though I was too late to find that out, after we've been trapped at Rearvall. I still find it difficult to believe that after all his years of his service to Solaria... I guess I am morally responsible for his plight."

"Shining..." Twilight said concerned

"Shining..." A voice called behind Shining, a baby dragon walked up to him.

"What is it Spike?" Shining asked

"Something's coming... It's drawing very near... Dark stuff... Really big... And great in number."

"Understood. I guess we should get out of here." Shining advised

"Wait... BBBFF, who is that behind you?" Twilight asked "he's purple, and he has green spikes. That sage back at Seramany... She said that..."

"That's a long story." Shining interrupted "we have to move now. We can just say that Prince Blueblood has enlisted some... Powers that are not from this world. We must warn everyone of this danger."