Where the Angels Fall

    Garrett flicked his Sawtooth Arrow side to side with his nimble fingers, mentally daring the Vandalite to make a move. It twisted and rotated speedily in his hands, years of experience proving to aid his tricks. The pale bipedal regarded this with amusement, knowing something like that wouldn't hurt it.

    "Garrett..." Twilight coughed, her horn glowing as it levitated the unconscious bodies of Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity to safety. "...Remember, we need to speak to it. We need it alive."

    "Just how 'alive' are we talking about?" Garrett sneered, the Claw hanging from his other hand by a cable.

    Pinkie Pie's head jerked up. "That was a Deadpool reference!" she cheered, before falling unconscious again.

    The Vandalite made the first move, screeching as it charged Garrett. The Master Thief smiled before vanishing into the Sweet Apple Acres, completely invisible. "Show yourself, coward!" the Vandalite screeched as it haulted its progress. Its claws were extended and at the ready. No response was given except a rustle of the branches overhead. The Vandalite roared, jumping up and destroying the apple tree to get to Garrett, apples flying everywhere. It was to no avail.

     Applejack's eyes widened as a destroyed apple rolled to her hooves. Rage boiled in her system as she eyed the mangled fruit her family was named after.

    The Vandalite screeched as another tree rustled, and was momentarily destroyed by the bipedal's claws. "Come out, Master Thief!" it screeched.

    Applejack stood up from her position, snorting as another of her beloved family trees were ripped to shreds. Her green irises were edged with rage.

    Meanwhile, a flicker of Primal energy sent the ex-Freak into a frenzy. It yelled out horribly, jumping straight up and ripping off a branch. This time, besides the leaves and apples falling, the naked body of Garrett thumped on the floor. Focus flickered away from his eyes as he yelled out in pain, holding the back of his head. The human's lack of attention allowed the Vandalite to grab him by the neck, hoisting the Master Thief up.

    Applejack had enough. She let out a battle cry as she charged, the bruises on her body not being paid any heed. She stopped right in front of the Vandalite, turned around, and bucked it in the groin with all her might.

    The pale bipedal flew across the orchard, before crashing into a tree hardly. "DON'T YA *EVER** EVEN THINK ABOUT DESTROYING MY FAMILY WORK AGAIN, YA PALE, PSYCHOTIC FREAK OF NATURE!!"* AJ yelled at the top of her lungs, her equine figure shaking with rage.

    The two conscious ponies behind Applejack stared. Garrett, meanwhile, was chuckling. "Remind me to never touch your apple trees."

"Ah' will," she muttered angrily, snorting at the Vandalite. The ex-freak shook its head woozily, before turning its head back up to the duo. Garrett crouched in a low stance, glaring at the monster as Applejack followed suit. The former human growled, standing up to its full height before charging again. AJ also charged while Garrett slipped into the shadows.

    The Vandalite and Applejack collided with brute force, although the former flew back from it. AJ bucked it in the chin before the biped staggered back, stunned. The mare quickly continued her onslaught, punching the ex-Freak in the face. It yelped, leaping back before spreading its claws defensively. The Vandalite growled as the farm pony charged again, yelling a battle cry. The moment Applejack was in range, however, the ex-Freak retaliated with inhumane speed as it grabbed her neck. She gasped and sputtered in its grasp as the Vandalite prepared itself for the killing blow.

    Before it could eviscerate the mare, however, Garrett jumped down from a branch above. The Vandalite yelled out in surprise before Garrett stabbed its head with his Sawtooth. It screeched, dropping the mare. Applejack scrambled away from its gripping distance, although readied herself for another fight afterwards. Meanwhile, Garrett pulled the Sawtooth Arrow out before stabbing its neck with the Claw. Instantly afterwards, the four spikes jutted out and shredded its windpipe.

    The Vandalite gurgled out black blood, although it didn't require its windpipe for survival. Garrett knew this, and figured that wasn't enough. The Master Thief jumped up onto a branch, intending to strangle the ex-Freak with the cable. However, before the deed could be done, the Vandalite detached the Claw, the cable shooting it back at its owner. With a glow of his eye, Garrett easily dodged the Claw as it shot at his face, and caught it mid-air. The four spikes retracted immediately.

    The Vandalite roared as it jumped up for Garrett, blood gushing from its neck. However, it didn't get far. A cyan blur shot into its belly, carrying it into another tree. Rainbow Dash stood, snorting angrily as she eyed the Vandalite. "Nopony messes with my friends," she snarled, crouching intimidatingly. The ex-Freak shook its head yet again as it regained itself, quickly standing up again. The Vandalite charged, although it wasn't fast enough for Dash. The mare shot across the orchard to the Vandalite, catching it in her hooves. She flew straight up into a clearing of the sky, before throwing the Vandalite down. The ex-Freak barely had time to yelp as it crashed into the trees, only partially slowing its decent before smacking into the grassy ground below.

    The Vandalite groaned, before sitting up woozily. In front of the ex-Freak were its three enemies: Garrett, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. They were all crouching defensively, glaring at the Vandalite.

    The ex-Freak charged yet again, quicker than anyone could have depicted. It easily threw Garrett and Applejack aside, barreling into Rainbow Dash. The two rolled for about two seconds before tumbling into an apple tree. The Vandalite was on top. It grabbed Dash by the neck, throwing her to the ground roughly. She yelled as she felt bones bruise. The Vandalite, learning from its past mistake, waisted no time to finish her o--

PPFFFTTOOOOUUUUU!!!

    The ex-Freak was blasted away from Rainbow Dash with confetti, balloons, and party supplies. Meanwhile, the cyan pegasus groaned out of pain, rolling up to her hooves.

"Hi Garrett!" Pinkie Pie chippered, waving her hoof vigorously from behind a cyan colored cannon with pink wheels. "I'm not unconscious anymore! Oh, but you probably don't know why I actually fainted, but I can tell you right now! After I was almost knocked unconscious by that Meanie-Pants Vandalite, I looked up and saw you in all your super sexy, naked, and ripped glory! I couldn't take your glorious coltfriend material so I fainted and woke up at the last possible moment before Rainbow Dash fans everywhere dislike this story and hate the author andthenthisstorywillobliterateitselfwithallthehate!!!"

    "That would be disastrous!" Garrett called. "...Wait, I'm naked?" He looked down. Instantly afterwards, a hard blush formed on his cheeks. The thief swooped into the darkness of the apple orchard.

    "Wait!" Pinkie Pie yelled out. "Come back! I promise I won't stare-- OOF!"

    The Vandalite tackled Pinkie, screeching as its glowing eyes bored into the mare. It threw her into an apple tree, drawing a yelp from the pink mare. Before the ex-Freak could charge again, Applejack dived in front of the Vandalite, using its momentum to buck it in the stomach. It flew back into the arms of Rainbow Dash, who threw it in the air. Garrett jumped from a branch overhead, and using his Focus for maximum accuracy, threw his Claw to the monster's neck. It instantly locked on, and the Master Thief twisted his body, throwing his arms down. The Vandalite was launched into the ground, and landed with a hard thud.

    Its world became blurry as the Vandalite groaned out of pain, its neck spurting the dark black liquid known as its blood. Before it could regain its bearings, Garrett hoisted the biped up from behind, holding a Blast Arrow to its chest. The ex-Freak knew exactly what it was, and whimpered.

    Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Princess Twilight Sparkle approached the helpless Vandalite. It sputtered fearfully as the alicorn's horn glowed, pointing at it.

     "Let's have a chat," she growled.

——————————

    Trixie sputtered as her world once again shifted reality, coming to the inside of a dark, decorated building. She blinked, confused, as she looked down to realize her body was back to normal. When Trixie looked back up, Vandal was sitting beside her.

    "Welcome back," he chuckled, looking at her intently.

    "...What just happened?" Trixie asked ludicrously, peering at her scenario. "Where are we?"

    "What just happened is that you did what I asked of you," Vandal smiled, patting Trixie on the shoulder. To the mare's surprise, she didn't instinctively recoil at his touch. Instead, she felt calmed by it. "...Where we are is Wubberz. You don't recognize the place?"

    Trixie looked at her position again. Now that she thought of it, it did look quite like the interior of her first meeting place with Vandal. The dance floor in front of them was there, although unpopulated and quiet. The stool she was sitting on was indeed a stool to the bar behind her, and the DJ machine and turn tables were on the same position as last time. However, a sign which read "Out of order" was hung over the instrument.

    "It's closed," Vandal explained. "Having the main attraction destroyed does take a club out of business. You should think about that next time." Trixie glared at him. "Just kidding around!"

    The unicorn only sighed, exasperated. "...So, what happens now?"

    Vandal smiled proudly. "Nightmare helped encourage the Vandalite to go easy on Garrett... Then, to share some information with him when its helpless."

    "What information?" Trixie questioned.

    Vandal smirked.

——————————

    "...We have to stay in Canterlot?!" the five mares and three fillies all gasped, shocked.

    Princess Celestia nodded slowly, sighing. Nurse Redheart was beside her, currently working on a broken and unconscious Fluttershy, lying on a hospital bed. Garrett was on the next bed, although he was currently in a argument with Rarity about how he didn't have to lie down. "I am sorry, but it is the only way. Fluttershy must stay here, at least until she feels better. Cutie Mark Crusaders, it is your choice to come with us to Canterlot. It is far from Ponyville."

    "There's no way I'm letting you guys have all the fun!" Scootaloo announced, puffing out her chest. "I missed one Vandalite fight, and I'm not gonna miss another!"

    "Garrett saved our lives," Applebloom agreed. "We have to return the favor sooner or later!"

"I missed Sexy Garrett..." Sweetie Belle mumbled.

    "What?" the other two fillies asked.

    "I said I won't let him do this without me!" Sweetie announced. "Plus, my sister is going, so I have to!"

    Princess Celestia sighed. "It is dangerous, my little ponies," she warned, gazing at the three fillies intently. However, a smile formed on her face as she remembered one fact, which would make all the difference. "...But Garrett is committed to your safety. He has already proven himself more than once, although this time he has shown he is willing to put himself in harm's way in order to save you."

    Garrett looked up from his position, sitting up on his bed while Rarity chided him. He was now in pony form, although his right arm was covered in gauze. "It was instinct, I was no hero," he commented. "After the Vandalite regained its wits and tried to fight back, I merely jerked my arm down." He shuttered. "...Still burns."

    "Yeah, but it looked super cool," Pinkie chippered. "...Before we saw your fleshy and burnt arm, I mean. And your reaction."

    Garrett's eyes narrowed. "Like you wouldn't run screaming like a maniac to the nearest water hole. You try having a Blast Arrow explode mere inches from your hoof."

    Princess Celestia looked at all her subjects in turn, silencing their conversations. "...Once again, I am sorry you have to leave so suddenly. I will give you all ten minutes to pack, but after that we must leave. I will be waiting by Twilight Sparkle's library with my cart-pegasi awaiting your arrival. I can only hope Fluttershy will wake by then..." She gazed sorrowfully to the said pegasus, her breathing slow and shallow. She was still unconscious. "...I will give you time to say your goodbyes to Fluttershy if she does. If not, we will have to leave."

    The Elements of Harmony all looked down sadly. Garrett also glanced at Fluttershy, the ever so familiar feeling of guilt filling his system.

    Princess Celestia gave her subjects a reassuring smile. "...My little ponies, Canterlot needs you now more than ever. I have no doubt you will make me proud, as you always have. I have already established apartments for you all, as you must keep a low profile. Same as before, keep watch for Vandalites. And under no circumstances, no matter what, do NOT tell ANYPONY that there are bombs under Canterlot."

    The Elements of Harmony all nodded.

    "...Hey," Applejack commented, holding a ice sack to her head. "...Ah' think we should all make something for Flutters. Ya know, if she doesn't wake up in time."

——————————

    Fluttershy's eyes slowly opened, expecting to see green overgrowth above. However, that was not to pass. Her vision gave away to a white ceiling above, decorated with tiles. Confused, Flutter started to sit up, but intense pain in her abdomen stopped the pegasus. She whimpered quietly, looking down to find that she was in a medical bed, inside a hospital room.

    Fluttershy lifted the covers from the bed, and gasped out of shock. Heavy gauze covered her abdomen, squeezing her body tenderly. She glanced up, fearful tears in her eyes. The pegasus was completely alone.

    She started to whimper out of fear, but a glance to her side stopped all negativity. On the table beside her was a pink paper, folded hamburger-style. On it was a note which read: "Read me."

    Curious, Fluttershy reached over and grabbed the paper, turning on the desk lamp while she was at it. When the mare opened the folded paper, her eyes widened as notes fell out. They were all on little Stick-It's, each a different color.

    Fluttershy, figuring she would read the actual paper later, picked up a cyan colored one, reading it in her mind.

"Sup, Flutters? I just wanna say that, what you did back there? That was really awesome. You're a great mare, an amazing friend, and I'm pretty sure Garrett likes you. Speaking of which, you're extremely lucky, too!

"Stay cool! -Dashie"

    Shy smiled, her heart warming with the overwhelming feeling of acceptance. "You're an amazing friend, too," Fluttershy whispered. She set the note tenderly to her side, picking up the next one. It was purple in color.

"Dear Fluttershy. I would like you to know that I think the way you defended your friends back in Sweet Apple Acres was very brave. You deserve better than to have a broken rib, and to be hospitalized, but what's done is done.

"Get well, soon! -Princess Twilight Sparkle"

    Fluttershy's smile widened, tears of happiness coming to her eyes. "You deserve the best, Twilight," she hinted. After setting that one aside, she picked up the next one. It was pink in color. All of the I's were dotted with a heart, and it was also bombarded with glitter.

"What you did back there was AWESOME! Fluttershy, I think you are AMAZING! I love everything about you! Your shy attitude, your kind personality, your love for animals! EVERYTHING!! <3

"No homo! -Pinkie Pie, XOXOXO"

    Fluttershy laughed quietly, a single tear escaping from her eye. She touched the note tenderly, as if it was a bunny. "I think you're amazing too, Pinkie," she chuckled. Fluttershy picked another note from the pile. It was black in color, and had white writing on it. The letters seemed uneducated and uneven, as if the author had just learned to write.

"DEAr wAifu: i LiKE your spunk. whEn You comE ovEr to cantErLand or whatEvEr it is You're gEtting the huG of your LifE. -Garrett"

    Fluttershy blushed, smiling warmly. She kissed the note tenderly. "Oh, Garrett," she whispered before replacing it with another note. It was white.

"Dear Fluttershy...

"What you did back in Sweet Apple Acres was very heroic. I can't wait to see you again to tell you how grateful I am. You truly are an amazing pony, and you deserve the best.

"With Love, Rarity.

"P.S. The Cutie Mark Crusaders say-- *HY FLUTTERSHY! WE LUV YU! WE HOP YU GET BETTER SOON!***

"Terribly sorry, Fluttershy! Scootaloo took the pencil from me..."

    Fluttershy laughed, letting tears trail down her cheeks. "Classic Scootaloo," she kidded, before switching to the last one. It was orange in color.

"Fluttershy--

"What you did back there was absolutely amazing. I am telling the honest truth when I say I am proud to call you a friend. Anypony in Equestria would be proud. You're kind, brave, and adorable. I hope you get better soon.

"--Applejack

"P.S. Garrett made me put 'adorable' on that list, otherwise he would have never given my hat back. If you see any blood on this note, it's his. Nopony touches my hat."

Fluttershy's cheeks were tear stained as she smiled, closing her eyes. The kind words from all of her friends were bombarding her heart with happiness. She gently set the last note aside, finally peering inside the pink paper.

It was a photo of nine ponies. It held Rainbow Dash, who was currently wearing Applejack's hat while smiling to the camera. The latter was giving Dash a look which said: *"I am going to eviscerate you and bake you into cupcakes." The photo also had Twilight and Rarity, who were trying their best to strike a sophisticated pose as their friends remained crazy. Scootaloo and Applebloom were wrestling on the ground playfully. Pinkie Pie was giving Garrett, in pony form, the hug of his life. He was looking at the camera wide-eyed and confused, as if the human didn't know what it was. Sweetie Belle, meanwhile, was at Garrett's feet, pulling him away from Pinkie.*

All of Fluttershy's friends, being themselves, and having fun. All loving her, all hoping she would get better soon. The pegasus hugged the paper, smiling contently. Tears trailed down her face.

*"...Friendship is Magic," Fluttershy sighed happily.*