False Euphoria

When I awoke I found myself in a painful position in some stiff bed with thin cheap blankets. I must be in a hospital. As if on cue, a nurse walked in to check my IV.

“Um, excuse me miss, where is this hospital located?” I asked. She just finished doing whatever nurses do with the IV and looked over at me.

“You are in the Royal Canterlot Hospital. Princess Celestia had chosen for you to stay here, she would like to have a word with you.” With that said, the nurse left the room, leaving me with my thoughts.

Royal Canterlot Hospital? Could they at least put more effort into the beds?

Then I remembered why I was even here in the first place. Those creatures that attacked Cloudsdale; did they win? Probably not, Pegasi are no pushovers. But still, how did I get out, wasn’t I drowning and being molested by tentacles?

Ew. Gross.

The door opened and Princess Celestia walked in. She had two guards with her and I swear she was trying to look as impressive as possible. Just as I figured.

“Hello, Spectrum. You’re probably wondering why you’re here.” She started taking a few seconds to add a dramatic pause. “You see, I have had accounts that you’ve been seeing strange things the last couple months. Your mother told me most of it. I need to figure out if you have any idea what those things that took over Cloudsdale were.” She looked generally distressed, which definitely wasn’t a good sign.

“Ok, I would love to tell you what they were, but I have no bucking clue. Quick question though, did you just say Cloudsdale FELL!?” I was sitting straight up now; shit just got serious.

“Spectrum. You seemed to notice things nopony else has, if theres anything you could tell me, I’d be much obliged. And Yes, Cloudsdale has fallen. We can’t even get to it, theres some kind of black mist surrounding it. We’ve lost too many trying to get through, there are creatures in there I have never witnessed before. Horrible creatures.” She shook her head and turned away. She took another breath and continued, “Cloudsdale isn’t even the only place, there are other places that have succumbed and the mist is spreading. We can fight them outside of this mist, but, Equestria is being corrupted.” This was a lot to take in, Equestria was being taken over? Even more importantly, Princess Celestia thinks I can actually HELP? As honored as I am, I can’t help. If I knew anything I would say, but, I’m just as lost; though I do have an idea.

“Princess, why don’t you try using the Elements of Harmony? They always saved the day in the past.” This seemed like a solid idea, everypony knew the stories of the Mane Six who always stopped plans to take over Equestria using said elements. The Princess sighed again.

I assume that won’t work…?

Princess Celestia had a solemn look about her, “We need Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy in order to use the elements. Rainbow Dash was in Cloudsdale when the attack happened, we can’t find her. If she’s there, we can’t get to her.” This hit me like harder than one of Vinyl’s bass drops. I looked up to Rainbow, she was one of my reasons for never giving up. I even practiced doing a sonic rainboom; though without any success. The possibility that she was killed was too much for me. I couldn’t imagine what I could do, what I should do, if there was anything to do.

“We are requesting help from all around Equestria. We are increasing our military and getting our best Unicorn’s to help fight the mist’s presence. If you would like to join, speak with Shining Armor. You can find him at my castle. Good day, Spectrum” Princess Celestia and her guards left; leaving me with even worse thoughts than before. I had to figure out what to do, anything. But I know one thing, I had to get out of here. I ripped out the IV and jumped out of my bed. Then I stopped, in shock. My tail, was rainbow colored.

What. The. Hell?

“Whoa! My tail is rainbow colored how the hell did that happen?!” I shouted out loud, this was awesome. However this happened, it was ok with me. Then I noticed a clipboard on the desk. I picked it up and read my injuries, several lacerations… Rainbow river fluid in lungs…. Rainbow river fluid in bloodstream… Whoa, it’s in my bloodstream? That doesn’t exactly make sense to why my tail changed colors but I’ll accept it. Though I should be wary of my wounds, I’ll take it easy, but I’m still getting out of here.

Windows are an easy way out.

I flew out the window and away from Canterlot. I knew that I would make a terrible soldier, but maybe I could get some information on what these creatures are. But first, I wanted to see what was left of Cloudsdale. I flew out towards Cloudsdale as fast as I could, I needed to see what the mist was. It didn’t take long to get there, I felt faster for some reason, maybe my new rainbow super-powers.

Yeah, that would be nice.

What I saw was devastating. A dense black mist surrounded the city; it had spread to the ground beneath it as well. The mist seemed to be spreading slowly across the land. I could hear sounds from the creatures inside, deep moans and cries. I could faintly see giant creatures in there as well, kind-of like big worms. Their movements were slow and unnerving.

Sweet Celestia, what is happening?

I departed with a tear in my eye, knowing this was bigger than anything I could ever do. I decided my best bet was to visit someone with experience in the unknown. I departed towards the Everfree Forest. The forest is difficult to approach from above, so I settled down at the entrance before I continued. Suddenly I realized that Fluttershy lived near here, and her being a Pegasus, maybe I should go talk to her. I turned towards her house, past the immense amount of adorable animals that were all over the place. I walked up to her door a knocked a few times. I waited, then tried again.

Dammit Fluttershy are you in there?

I was about to leave when I heard a faint creak from her door. It was Fluttershy, she looked like a wreck. “Um… Yes? Do you n-need something?” She whimpered, almost unrecognizable. I nodded softly as she let me inside. We sat down at a table with some hot chocolate, it seemed appropriate.

“Fluttershy, I just came by to see if you were ok. You know, with Cloudsdale being taken over and Rainbow going missing and-” I didn’t get to finish because she began crying uncontrollably, I figured maybe I could give her a hug or something to try to comfort her but being the awkward pony I am I just sat there.

“Why can’t everything just be ok!? W-Why did this all have to happen!?” She screamed, tears disfiguring her face. Seeing her like this made me want to throw the world into the sun. It strengthened my resolve.

“Listen, Fluttershy, we can figure this out. I’m going to see Zecora. She’s smart, and might know something I can do to help. We can do this. Ok? We can save Rainbow.” I assured her the best I could, when she somewhat regained her composure she spoke her mind, “The creatures have been more unstable since this happened, I’ll take you to Zecora. Ok?” I agreed, and we set off. The Everfree Forest gets pretty dark, even during the day, but it was manageable. Fluttershy took lead, she seemed to have some newfound confidence, probably from the hope of saving her lost friend. Monsters didn’t approach, probably because they all had a connection to Fluttershy, which was good.

I wonder how hard I’d die if a Manticore attacked…

We soon came upon Zecora’s hut. We knocked and she quickly let us inside. There were concoctions everywhere, probably all to stop the mist. Some definitely smelled pretty lethal.

“Hello, Zecora.” I began, “You're pretty wise, could you tell us what you think of the creatures appearing around Equestria?” She seemed content but shook her head.

“Sorry, young one, but those creatures are not from this world. But it seems that harmony makes them want to hurl.” She stepped towards one of her pots, adding a bright green fluid to it and began putting it into a test tube. “This acid has magical qualities and is quite strong, try it on the one outside if you think I’m wrong.”

It must suck having to speak in couplets. Wait, what did she just-?

Just then the entire roof of the hut was ripped off as a behemoth of some sort roared and reached down and grabbed Fluttershy. It hovered over the hut, a menacing 40 feet at least. It was covered in scales and was bipedal, accompanied with massive biceps; two horns protruded from its head.

OH SHIT. SHITSHITSHITHTISSTHIHTSITHSISIHISIHTIISITIHS

Zecora continued to make more test tubes as the beast turned and began to slowly make its way back into the forest. “Wait! What are you doing!? Throw some magical potion stuff at it! Zecora! Oh crap it took Fluttershy, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-” Zecora punched me in the face to shut me up and handed me a belt with a bunch of flasks on it.

“Stop whining and go save her, equip this belt, the acids will come in handy later.” She gave me the belt and I fastened it across my chest. This is crazy, I’m going to have to FIGHT that thing!? I started hyperventilating as Zecora hit me again and told me to hurry. I took a deep breath and flew after the behemoth.

Oh Celestia I’m gonna die! Why am I doing this?!

I found the behemoth pretty quickly, Fluttershy was screaming but I couldn’t really hear her. Which was normal at least. It looked even bigger than before; knocking down trees with little effort. I flew straight at the monster and headbutted it as hard as I could.

I woke up a few seconds later dazed, and saw it walking away again. The sound of its steps shook the ground beneath me. At least now I know its scales work like armor. I looked at the tubes.

Oh right, acid.

I grabbed one and flew towards it again. I popped off the cork and positioned myself right in front of its face. I gave a smirk and splashed it in it’s eyes.

Bitch.

It roared at the top of its lungs and swatted me to the ground. I crashed hard into the dirt and cried out in pain. I saw it grab its face and step back, which means it dropped Fluttershy, but where is she? I struggled to get up and get on my hooves. At that moment I saw something come out of the forest. A tall multi-headed monster appeared and began to attack the behemoth; a Hydra. At the same time Timberwolves and Manticores began beating and tearing at the armor plating. Fluttershy helped me up and told me to let the forest protect itself. I looked to see hundreds of animals attacking. A Cockitrice froze its legs while the Hydra began ripping the plating off its face where the acid took effect. It seemed to drown in the army of beasts.

Hoo-rah.

“Spectrum, let’s go back to Zecora’s.” I nodded and we flew back to Zecora’s hut and helped put the roof back on. Once we were inside I leaped face-first into a bed and and let out a long breath of relief.

Zecora smiled and looked at Fluttershy, “Fluttershy, my dear, you must take you and your friends to Canterlot. It appears the creatures are after you I fear. Tell Celestia about what happened, and the battle we fought.” She then turned to me, “And you should go as well, theres no need to plunge deeper into hell.”

I got up, “I completely agree. Let’s go.” Zecora bid us farewell, she even let me keep the remaining test tubes. We flew back towards Ponyville to retrieve the remaining Mane Six.

You know, for once I actually feel important.