.buck//Moment

Applejack had barely any time to react as Shadowdancer lunged, blades aimed at her throat. Dodging sideways, she managed to miss the almost certainly lethal blow, instead getting a small nick across her flank; damaging, but not majorly so. Whirling around, the blademaster raised her sword, parrying the next strike, but received a kick in the jaw for her efforts, knocking her backwards. Shadow scoffed, purposefully striding towards the now prone mare.

“That all you've got, newbie?”

Growling, Applejack forced herself up, baring her teeth. Then her view was blocked as Ardent stepped in front of her.

“That's enough, Shadow. Leave her alone.”

The two pegasi glared at each other, Shadow tensed and ready to strike while Ardent stood sideways on, blocking as much of Applejack as possible.

“You seemed pretty for it when I told you to escort her here.”

“That was because you made it sound like a friendly duel. Not that you were trying to kill her.”

“Trying? I've been quite lenient so far given she's still alive.”

“You need to calm down Shadow. She doesn't understand what she's done.”

“Then let me teach her.” The rogue launched herself upwards, soaring over and diving at Applejack, who propelled herself backwards, just getting out of the way as the pegasi's swords dug into the ground where she had just been. On instinct, she reacted, swiping her sword across the mare's back while she was stuck, but it barely even touched her. In fact, Applejack was pretty sure her sword took more damage than she did.

Tutting, Shadow pulled herself free, stroking her coat where she'd been hit, smoothing it down. Glaring at Applejack, she lunged again. The orange pony ducked, but got a hindhoof to the face for her efforts, throwing her back into one of the benches, leaving her sprawled across it and badly wounded, red flashing in the edges of her vision.

“Get up newbie.” Shadow was slowly closing in. Applejack closed her eyes, anticipating the inevitable. She calmed her breathing and waited, hearing the blade whooshing through the air.

“PhaVak Rom!”

A scream forced her eyes open, and she saw Shadow recoiling back in horror, a tornado of fire surrounding her and singing her coat and mane. The tornado began to constrict, giving her less and less and room as she flailed helplessly. Applejack cast her eyes around the room and saw the source.

In the background was Violet Blaze, eyes glowing white with power. Her coat and mane whipped around in a strong wind, but she remained still. The rest of the crowd stood there, mouths agape at the unicorns display of raw power. Shadow began to scream louder as more and more of her body was caught in the raging flames, and Applejack saw fear on her face for the first time. Shaking her head, she shouted.

“VIOLET STOP IT!”

Violet faltered momentarily, magic dissipating swiftly and harmlessly. Her face morphed into one of shock as Shadow dropped to the ground, smoking and wheezing. Instantly she flicked through the book, eyes darting back and forth as she searched. “Repth,” she whispered, as magic caressed the prone form, barely healing her but after several repeat casts slowly returning her body to her previous healthy state, before moving to Applejack and doing the same, as she saw the red fade and her health bar refill almost instantly. Collapsing on her haunches, she looked down at the rogue before her. She was still struggling to breathe.

“Thanks Violet, but Ah think ya may have overdone it.”

The group began to close around the two mares in the centre of the room, checking over Applejack, then Shadow. Their bashful expressions and murmurs of apologies for not stepping in earlier were met with a shake of the head and comments of how it was alright. After all, she argued, Shadow seemed to have a bit of anger problem and needed to let it out, at least in Applejack's opinion. Everypony else disagreed.

Eventually she stirred, forced herself upright, looking around and mumbling apologies to the collected party, aside from Applejack, who she still looked disdainfully at.

“Uh, sugarcube, y'alright?”

Shadow snapped towards her, barely hiding a growl. “You even copied her speech pattern. Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Uh... What?” Applejack looked lost at the group, watching Starlight gently lean over and whisper in Shadow's ear. Her face remained stoic, before twitching a bit and turning towards the unicorn with a 'really?' expression, which was returned with a nod.

“Oh. Uh...” Shadow turned back to Applejack, far more reserved and calm this time. “You're really the real Applejack, huh?”

She nodded. “Yup, that's me.”

“You know, you aren't supposed to use--”

“Ah know!” Everypony laughed at her outburst, and soon she joined in, the weight of tension in the cathedral broken by the sounds of joy.

Several minutes of introductions later, Applejack wiped a lone tear from her eye that remained from the laughing, and looked over the guild in front of her, finally all collected in one place.

Rainbow Dash was playing Ardent Sunrise, a pegasus Berserker, the guild's specialist tactician and melee fighter.

Pinkie Pie was playing Party Time, an earth pony Adept Rogue, which had been explained was a class that mixed and matched between others. Party's choices were the 'Reaper', specialising in fighting lots of enemies in melee at once, and 'Gunner', a powerful ranged class using cannons.

Twilight's character was Violet Blaze, a high level unicorn Mage. By far the most knowledgeable pony, she knew nearly everything about the game, as well as being highly skilled at her class.

Rarity was using Starlight, a unicorn Brawler, which was apparently a kind of melee character who used specialised boots to fight foes with their hooves. Definitely not the class Applejack expected the delicate fashionista to use.

And Fluttershy was playing Shadowdancer, a terrifyingly intimidating pegasus Rogue, who Applejack couldn't help but feel was pretty much the exact opposite of the butter pony she knew and loved.

Oh and, of course, Applejack was playing Applejack, the earth pony Blademaster.

Confident in their introductions, they all sat down in the centre of the cathedral and chatted about inane things, what they'd been up to, any new items they'd picked up or friends they'd made. Applejack instead found herself looking up to the statue staring down at them. The sadness made her heart sink, even if it was just lifeless stone, it felt so much more than that.

“Hey, Applejack, you alright?”

Violet's voice startled Applejack, who flinched and chuckled lightly, turning to her companion. “Ah'm fine, sugarcube.”

“Really? Because you don't look it.” She edged closer, wrapping a hoof around her neck. “What's up?”

Applejack sighed. “Ah was jus' thinkin'...” she looked back up at the statue, Violet's gaze following hers. “That mare's Aura.”

Violet blinked. “Wow really?” Applejack gave a quick nod. “Wow, okay.” She turned back to the group. “Hey, Shadow, can you come here for a second?”

The pony in question 'eeped', hopping up on all fours and trotting over. “Yes, Violet?” She looked solemnly at Applejack for a moment. “Sorry again.”

Applejack laughed. “Honestly, sugarcube, it's fine.” Shadow mumbled some kind of counterpoint, but Applejack gave her a stern look, which ceased her protests.

“You uh... You fought well, actually... I'm impressed.”

“Hah, yeah everypony's been tellin' me that. Ah'm jus' doin' what comes naturally.”

Violet coughed between them, and they both looked at her apologetically. She shook her head and spoke to Shadow. “What do you know about the mare in that statue?”

Shadow blinked, looking between them, then up at the sad, stony visage. “Well uh... It's said she was a kind of caring spirit. Like a ghost, but not a ghost. It's said she had a lot of power but only used it to help those in dire need.”

“Helping them?” Violet questioned. “How?”

Shadow paused for a moment before looking awkward. “Sorry Violet, I don't know. It was just said that she protected the world from the darkness...”

“Where'd ya learn all this Shadow?”

The pegasus turned to Applejack. “It's just rumours and things, but that's the story. It's said that she used to be seen by players all the time, until she suddenly vanished.”

Ardent's voice piped up from behind her. “I've been playing the game since release, and I've never seen her.”

“Oh. Maybe she only appeared to certain ponies?” Shadow shifted nervously. “But either way it's all rumours, there's no evidence, and that statue has been here since I found this area.”

Applejack looked around at the room around them. “Ah know Ah haven't played much but... this seems pretty different ta me.”

“Yeah, this place is unique,” Violet answered, “at least, as far as we know. Peaceful though, which is nice.”

Leaning back, Applejack stared up at the ceiling. “Ah have ta say, Ah agree with ya on that one Violet.”

THUMP

And now she was lying on her back, stars spinning around her head, Party Time grinning down at her. She scowled and glared at the heavy reaper. “What d'ya think yer doin'?”

“I'm boooooooooored!”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “That's nice an' all but that hurt, Party. Be more careful.”

“But I wanna kill stuuuuufff!”

Cocking an eyebrow, Applejack gently shoved Party off of her, getting up herself and shaking her head, vision returning slowly. Party bounced away as the others moved in to check if she was alright, Starlight voicing her disapproval.

“I worry about that mare sometimes.” The group chuckled amongst themselves, a few nervous smiles passed between them. Applejack looked over at Party Time, who was now gracefully jumping from bench to bench for some reason. Shaking her head, she stretched, feeling her shoulder bones snap into place with a satisfying click. There was silence for a while, aside from the clinking of armour as Party leapt around energetically.

“Well, we should probably do something before Party starts bouncing off the ceiling.” Ardent spoke up. A few murmurs of agreement came from Shadow and Violet, while Starlight just gave a quick nod. They turned to Applejack. “Up for a bit of adventuring?”

She grinned. “Of course Ah am.”

The group smiled at her, Party suddenly appearing between Ardent and Violet. “Then let's gooooo!”

Laughing, the band trotted towards the exit, Ardent and Party leading the way. Applejack found herself next to Shadow, who looked far more confident and intimidating now, but definitely had that air of kindness radiating from her. Shadow noticed and smiled softly at Applejack. “Sorry for earlier. I tend to uh... Get a bit angry sometimes...”

She chuckled. “S'alright sugarcube, Ah can't expect--”

A loud explosion rocked the area, shaking her to her core. “What in tarnation...?” Whipping around, she lowered herself into a fighting stance. Just beneath Aura's statue was a new figure, a monster twice her height, made of rock. Another golem. But unlike the previous one, this one had strange green shapes melded to its surface in random places, almost like armour. As the other girls came up alongside her, it turned, facing them with a growl. Its face was warped, half of it covered by these weird regular growths, glowing with an uneasy light.

“PhaVak Don!”

Violet stepped forward, tome glowing with her horn. Applejack watched as magic coalesced above the creature, forming a giant fireball which split into several smaller ones as it descended, wrapping the creature in a savage inferno. But to Applejack, and the other's horror, the golem merely roared, striding forth from the blaze. The scorch marks all over its body healed, the hexagonal armour moving across its form randomly.

“W-what?” The mage's eyes were wide with terror.

“Ah thought y'all said this zone didn't have no monsters!”

Shadow growled, snapping a blade free. “It doesn't.” Around her, Applejack heard the sounds of the others unsheathing their weapons, and followed suit. Ardent looked across them, then to their opponent, who had now managed to work himself into a run.

“I can't get a reading on it.” Starlight uttered, attempting to remain calm. “It's not appearing on my screen.”

The rest nodded in agreement.

“Violet! Find out what this thing is!” Ardent barked, the mage nodding instantly and bringing up multiple menus. “Applejack, with Party and Shadow! Star, with me. We'll keep it off you!” The three nodded, their leader grinning in response before hardening her expression. “NOW!” She charged.

Ardent met the beast with her shoulder, stumbling it as she swept the blade across its chest. A deep gash formed, but resealed as the creature forced itself up. As it went to retaliate, it was met with an armoured hoof to the face, knocking it backwards as Starlight sailed over it. She slammed her hoof into its chin in a wicked uppercut, launching it into the air. A streak of darkness rushed past Applejack as the pegasus at her side launched at it faster than she'd ever seen, driving her blades into its back. Applejack took the opportunity to charge forward, blade drawn, and skidded between its legs, sword slicing through one of its limbs. It dropped to one knee, howling, when it was twisted around as Shadow pulled her blades free. A loud crackling was followed by a roar as a bolt from Party's cannon blew its face open, showering the group in a cloud of dust.

For a few tense moments, all that could be heard was heavy breathing, the dust obscuring their vision. Applejack panted slightly, sword still ready, as they waited. Nothing happened, and she felt a hoof on her shoulder, and looked up at Ardent, who nodded.

A fist of stone shot from the veil, slamming into the armoured pegasus and sending her into the far wall, leaving a deep crater. She moaned, collapsing onto the floor in a heap. In an instant Applejack ran to her side. “Ardent!”

“Jeez, that thing hits hard.” She laughed weakly and coughed, barely alive. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself upright, glaring at the dust cloud. Applejack followed her view, watching in terror as the golem swung its fists around, attempting to strike her allies. It didn't even look scratched, in fact it looked annoyed more than anything else. The group, at least, were doing a good job of dodging, but each time they moved they looked more tired, and the golem got closer with its strikes.

“Violet! Healing, NOW!” Ardent snapped. Violet glanced up, nodding and pulling a potion from her bags which she tossed to her companion, who drank it greedily. Instantly her body was surrounded in a warm glow, and she shook herself, stepping forwards and swinging her sword a few times. She turned to the Applejack, who was watching the combat unfold with concern. “Applejack,” a hoof was placed on her shoulder. “Get to Violet, find out what the hell this thing is and how to kill it.”

“Y-yes ma'am!” Applejack couldn't help but salute Ardent, who'd now launched herself into the fray, diving to save Party just before she was clobbered. Applejack sprinted around the battle, skidding to a halt next to Violet and tapping her gently. Her face was locked in fear, muttering to herself as she desperately tried to remain calm.

“Violet, how do we kill it?”

Violet shook her head rapidly. “That's the thing Applejack, I can't find it anywhere. For all intents and purposes,” she pointed a hoof at the golem to reinforce her statement, “that monster does not exist.”

Applejack blinked, then groaned. “Not again.” She scratched her head. “Well, it's probably hidden somewhere. Jus' keep lookin' an' we'll keep fightin'.” Violet's head snapped to the fight as she lobbed another potion at Party Time, who'd just been sent flying across the room. Applejack gulped. “Jus' find somethin' soon.”

“I'll try.” She went back to her screens, stopping only to toss healing to anypony who got hit, which was rapidly becoming more frequent. Grimacing, Applejack drew her sword and charged at the beast, desperate to help her friends. As she neared, it swung around at her instantly, and Applejack barely jumped over the attack, skidding across the floor. Jumping aside, she dodged a follow up attack and slashed across its upper arm. Overhead soared Shadow, who drove her blades into the wound Applejack had created, trying to prevent it from closing. Following her example, Applejack launched herself up, clambering up the creature's side and attacking relentlessly at its arm, trying to cut deeper. Casting a glance at Shadowdancer, she saw her face locked in an expression of pure, unadulterated hate. Anger she'd never seen on the real Fluttershy's face. It terrified her, more so than the creature attempting to kill them. Gulping, she returned to driving her blade in.

The monster began rocking, violently waving its arms around in an attempt to get the two ponies attacking it off, but Starlight and Ardent wailed on it endlessly, keeping its attention fixed on them. Party sailed around the fight, firing bolts of energy into its face to keep it blinded. Slowly, the two mares riding the golem sawed through its arm, gradually getting deeper with each stroke. Eventually they made it, and Applejack reared her head in the air, bringing her sword down hard into the wound, snapping the limb free. The creature roared, and Applejack saw a glint on her screen, the target information window popping up finally.

She didn't have time to read it, however, as the joint of the monster's arm flashed brightly, then unleashed a shockwave, launching the party away from it. Smashing through several benches as she skidded along the floor, Applejack barely managed to hold onto conciousness, gazing up at the creature. It stood completely still, arms outstretched, severed arm floating in mid air. She saw the rest of the group, all spread across the room and clearly in pain, looking at it, watching in anticipation for the moment when it would collapse into dust.

But it never came. The detached arm slammed back into the torn socket, light glimmering momentarily as the beast healed. “What...”

Anger washed over Applejack's face as she forced herself upright, growling. Her growls turned to shouts, screams, as she forced her battered body to move, charging blindly at the creature, who ignored her and focused on her allies, who were all lying helplessly on the ground. Even Violet, far from the combat, was incapacitated, her horn spluttering with weak magic as she attempted to cast even a simple healing spell. Ignoring the warnings flashing over her screen, the near empty health bars of her and her friends, she galloped between the golem's legs as it raised its fists over Ardent, ready to deliver the final blow. Applejack skidded to a halt, standing over the downed pegasus, who looked up weakly and groaned.

“Applejack... run...”

Applejack stood her ground, glaring up at the creature's fists as it brought them down onto her. “No.”

Ping.

Time slowed, then halted. Applejack blinked in confusion as the golem ceased movement. A gentle breeze wafted through her mane, causing her to turn around. There was no one there, but she felt a presence, a sense of protection.

“Use the book.”

Applejack spun on the spot as the voice rang through her head. “A-Aura?”

“Use the book.”

A tingling filled her body, and she felt something lift itself from her. Turning again, she saw the book floating in mid air, gently rising. Warily, she reached out and pressed a hoof to it. The tome snapped open, wrapping her in magic and pulling her into the air. Struggling, she attempted to fight the tendrils of energy, but they were far stronger than she was, securing her in place, facing the spread book. Foreign words covered the pages as it flipped through, a strong gale rushing through the cathedral and whipping her mane about. Shouting in protest, she saw the book flip through its final pages before snapping shut with a resounding crash.

Then it exploded. Golden orbs floated around her, then forced themselves into her chest as she hung helplessly. Uncomfortable warmth filled her body, then burned as she felt it spread throughout her form. Her outfit rippled, shimmered, warping into a darker, slightly blue tint, suited towards lunar guards as wisps of shadow wafted off it. The glow spread down her legs, jagged bright red waves forming a band just above her hooves. It travelled up her neck, reaching her head, as two inverted V shapes formed on each of her cheeks, colour matching those on her hooves. Wrapping her head in magic, her eyes dulled for a moment, forcing themselves shut, before she snapped them open, the green irises morphed to a gold which shone with life, as though they were lit from within.

The excess energy burst forth from her limbs in a shower, swirling around her body and merging in a ring which orbited her right forehoof. The golden colour dimmed, forming a mix of pale blues and greens, as it condensed into solid shapes; an interlocking bracelet of crystalline hexagons that hovered as though held by magic. Light burst from her body as the changes were consolidated, and she dropped to the floor of her own accord, no long held by spell.

Time slowly began to speed up, resuming. Applejack looked up at the golem's fist, grinning. The warnings all over her screen faded, leaving her with the UI she understood. As the golem slammed down, she acted. Ducking, she picked up Ardent, who was by now aware that something was wrong but too weak to act, and leapt away. Carefully, she deposited her on the floor, turning to face her opponent. Behind her, Ardent coughed and mumbled.

“Applejack... what...?”

Grinning at her companion, she winked. “Get everyone healed.”

The golem roared, and she turned her attention to it as it charged. “I'll keep it busy.” Glancing at the target window, she drew her sword as she read it.

M!n*r R0c$ “(l”m

HP: £991/400

Well, that was certainly unusual. Smirking, she leapt, meeting the golem's charge with her sword as she slashed through its side. As expected, it healed up fully, but spun to face her, ignoring her allies as, one by one, they healed each other enough to stand. Applejack closed her eyes, focusing. She heard the footfalls of the creature, the cracking of stone under it, the rushing of air as it swung. Instinctively, she ducked under the wild punch and struck again, this time at its wrist. The monster roared, attempting to strike at Applejack, who kept dodging effortlessly, retaliating with her own attacks, focusing on keeping its attention on her. It was certainly working as it rumbled in frustration. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her allies all upright, watching her in a mix of awe and confusion.

“Now!” she barked. For a second, they seized, before Ardent nodded.

“You heard the mare: move out! Same tactics as before!”

The fight broke out again, but morale was renewed. Even though the creature healed any damage it took, the six worked together flawlessly. Ardent and Starlight stepped in to peel its attention from Applejack, who worked with Shadow and Party to attack it from behind, while Violet sat back and blasted it with magical fire. Ardent shifted back into a commanding role, barking orders to the group, and slowly they began to wear it down.

“It's not dying!” Starlight yelled over the crackling of fire. “I don't know how much longer we can do this for!”

“We jus' have ta try!” Applejack responded, leaping onto the creature's back and driving her blade into its spine. It arched, roaring and swinging as she held on for dear life. A blast from Party to the back of its head stopped it for a moment, and she used to opportunity to pull on her sword, breaking a large chunk of rock out of it. Shadowdancer appeared on top of its head, driving her blades into the base of its neck as it howled. Another shot from the reaper pony knocked it to the floor, and the glimmering green armour on it wavered slightly, cracking. Applejack felt a warmth around her hoof, and looked down to see the bracelet of matching shapes pulsing.

“What the hay...?”

Her body acted on its own accord, propelling her off the monster's back and into the air. Falling for a mere moment, she levelled the bracelet to it as she began to hover.

“Everypony back now!” she shouted, trying to fight her actions.

They all turned to her, confused. Ardent spoke up. “Applejack... What?”

“MOVE!”

Hastily, they did, diving for cover. The bracelet shone, becoming fully corporeal. The hexagons making up its shape disconnected, rotating faster and faster. Suddenly they stopped, locking into place. Five prongs burst out in a regular pattern, surrounding her outstretched leg in a vague cone. As the golem stirred and began to move, Applejack felt energy course throughout her entire body into the bracelet, its form collapsing and unleashing a stream of energy into its back, locking it in place and freezing it. For a moment, all was still, then wild arcs of blue and green energy burst from the bracelet, tearing through its prone form and shattering the armour entirely as the bracelet shone brightly. In a few moments it was over, her body dropping to the ground as the bracelet faded from existence. She stared at it blankly, not sure what to feel.

A roar caught her attention, and she looked up at the monster, now looking far more normal, if no less scary. She peered at the target window again.

Minor Rock Golem

HP: 400/400

She raised a hoof over her eyes as a bolt of crackling energy streaked over her head and slammed into its chest, distributing its body all over the cathedral. Silence fell over the zone as the others slowly approached Applejack.

“So...” Ardent broke her trance. “Anypony want to explain what just happened?”

Applejack looked at the group surrounding her awkwardly, gauging their reactions. Shadow and Party both looked inquisitive, the reaper especially focused on where Applejack's bracelet had been. Violet trembled slightly, while Starlight rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Ardent stood before Applejack, meeting her eyes and staring intently, her face deadpan but those bright eyes scrutinizing her like they had when they'd just met. Applejack found herself shuffling nervously, unable to look away, but simultaneously unable to form any words as she struggled to understand what had occurred.

“Ah... Ah don't know...” she eventually managed to get out. The pegasus studied her for a few more moments after that before nodding and ceasing eye contact, looking to Violet. Applejack let her head drop and exhaled a breath she didn't realise she was holding as she vaguely heard the rest of the group descend into hushed whispering. Keeping her head down, she sat on her haunches and rubbed her foreleg idly. There was no physical presence of the bracelet, although the new markings tingled slightly with warmth. Her ears twitched as she caught bits of the conversation around her.

“...maybe a hacked item?” Violet had whispered to Ardent, causing her to sharply inhale, her armour rustling subtly as she shook her head.

“She'd never be a bucker.” There was a hint of contempt and disbelief in her voice at that last word.

“They're called hackers, Ardent. And no, not knowingly, but how else do you explain...” She didn't need to see to know she was being pointed at. Tensing slightly, she turned her attention to the other unicorn and pegasus on her other side.

“...like it before.” The meek voice of Fluttershy broke through her character's shell for a moment, but there was an underlying layer of admiration in her tone.

“Me neither darling. Event, perhaps?”

“Violet said it wasn't but then maybe it is because this is new and secret and stuff!” Party sounded like she was struggling to not live up to her name, her voice barely below normal speaking volume.

“It could be,” Shadow spoke again, contemplatively. “But then, why would--”

“Excuse me ladies,” Ardent returned to normal volume. “Violet and I would like to share some thoughts.”

Starlight agreed for the three, and they gathered in front of Applejack. She felt a hoof on her chin lift her head up, and stared into the silvery eyes of her friend, whose expression was now one of concern rather than of detached inspection. A soft smile was on her lips, and Applejack felt herself smile back automatically. A hoof placed itself gently on her head, causing her to growl at Ardent, who was now wearing a massive grin. A soft chorus of 'aww's made Applejack's cheeks flush, and she rapidly rose, attempting to scowl but failing to suppress the smile on her muzzle. Her friends laughed, and she breathed easily.

“Applejack,” the armoured mare began, “we'd like to talk.”