Friendship by Fire

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

“Okay, hear they come.” As Agent Sweetie Drops took her position, packed and ready, she saw Sir Fancy Pants doing the same on the opposite side. Eyeing Princess Cadence in grey paint, they watched her and Daredevil take their own places after setting off the orb. While she stood completely still, in the middle of the open plaza and near the fountain, he lied down from a distance, as though he were blasted like before. The rumbles and shakes from the Storm Creatures’ arrival grew even more ferocious, until they stopped before the two in the crater.

“Typical ponies,” scoffed the Sergeant, “Second they see another one of their pretty princesses petrified, they run off. Seize her.”

As two of the goons took off and retrieved her frozen form, he looked at his adversary from last night in furrowed brow.

“Wait a sec."

"What's up, Sarge," asked another.

"His costume.”

“What about it, sir,” grunted a fourth.

“Should be more damaged than that. And what’s it doing still on him?” He advanced towards the blind pony to check, when he saw the two troopers for seizure knocked down by lightning. Just then, the grey Alicorn took off. Bzzzt-POP!

“NOW!” At that, the lying pony bucked him at the chest, then rose onto his hind legs in a black blur.

“Get them!” Upon the Sergeant’s command, the surprised lackeys charged forward, only to find something land, plop-bomp, right in front of them. Click. Pop! Bang! Wheeze! Splat! Heavily packed cases of pink with confetti-balloon décor spontaneously burst out as the locks came off. Firecrackers, silly string, cupcakes, pies and even water balloons assaulted the bewildered Creatures into a retreat. Only to be greeted by the beige Earth Pony and pale-blue Unicorn cutting them off.

At this great confusion, Dis suddenly felt a blow to his head by the blind-folded stallion, carrying his duel non-chucks with equal ferocity. As Sir Pants and Agent Drops immobilized the delirious and outwitted Storm Creatures, Princess Cadence and Counselor Daredevil made their own advance. With the stallion's blows from the ground, the grey mare gave Dis air strikes to further disorient him.

“AAAAAHHHH!” In a fit of rage, the Sergeant made one stride forward, only to be as quickly overpowered. He then found himself ensnared by wrapped non-chucks, which came off after a blue magical barrier enveloped him.

“Yeah,” cheered Sweetie Drops, “Boy, that brought back good memories. Like that chimera I hunted down with my partners.”

“Quite. Positively thrilling, indeed,” smirked Fancy Pants, “Shame it wasn’t the leader we were expecting, though.”

“Look out!” Whack! Ka-pow! After the blind pony’s shout, he batted an orb heading Cadence’s way with his non-chuck. At that, the four ponies found themselves suddenly overrun by more Storm Creatures. Surrounding the plaza, they raised their lances and swords directly at them, while archers took to the rooftops.

“One false move, and somepony gets it!” At that shout of warning, a familiar, jagged stump emerged from a dark alley. Smiling in satisfaction, Tempest Shadow passed though the horde. “Looking for me?”

The Tempest We Know

~ Part II ~

“Thank you for being the perfect bait, Sergeant,” Lieutenant Shadow remarked, “Suppose you have your uses, after all.”

“This was my assignment, Tempest,” growled Dis, as the force field faded from him, “You shouldn’t be here!”

“And if I hadn’t shown up, you would’ve been captured and interrogated. Maybe even kept for a bargaining chip, or used to infiltrate. Either you’re useful to them, or me.”

“Neither! I’m always loyal to the Storm King! I would’ve found a way to get them from the inside!”

“I severely doubt that,” she chuckled back, “Now, back to our current situation. Princess Cadence, love what you did with yourself. It suits you.”

“Given the circumstances, I thought it might catch your attention.”

“Anypony that even teleports will bear witness to the others being struck down," Tempest continued, "Any movement that catches their attention makes them send a volley, right on the spot.”

“You know this won’t end in any way you've intended,” continued the Alicorn, “Even if you succeed here.”

“If you refer to your precious husband’s sister, we found her and her pathetic friends. Your power is all but secure, now. All of you.”

“And the Storm King,” asked the blind one, “What then? Expect him to just let you have it?”

“He’ll give me what I’m owed.”

“By what? His promise to you? Because, so far, all I can pick up about him is how absent he is in all this.”

“You think you can insult the Storm King like that!?”

“Sergeant, stand down.”

“NO! I don’t follow orders from some low pony, regardless of rank! I follow only the Storm King! And he deserves the fear and intimidation of all he and his armies have beaten!”

“Who said he’s beaten us yet? He’s not even here.”

“Let me just snap shut that muzzle for you, blind ninja and show you how his power is known, even from far away!”

“Sergeant…” POW! Bling! Clickity-click-whizzzzz-click-whizzz! Plinkity-plink-plick-puck-pew!

Even if Dis had listened to Tempest, he was too close to back up in time. The second he came up to Daredevil, Cadence blasted him, and worked to make a sudden force field for the surrounded ponies. Sir Fancy Pants immediately went to reinforce it as best he could, not taking chances with leaving the Princess to fend for all four, by herself.

As the Unicorn ignited his own horn, Agent Sweetie Drops and the blind stallion quickly took to their comrades’ sides, as close as they could.

“I’ll teleport us out of here,” began the Alicorn, “Sir Pants, keep us shielded!” Bang-BAM! Boom!

Tempest’s jagged stump had ignited also, sending a massive blast against the pinned combatants. Caught off guard, the two barrier ponies lost their concentration to keep it up for the oncoming orbs.

With a whack, smack and pop, the stallion in black used his batons to bat each one away. Two even went in Tempest and Dis’ direction, who each took a grunt Creature for a shield. After they were solidified, the two Storm Officers advanced past them, only to be met by the beige and golden Earth Ponies.

“Dibs on the left one,” Sweetie spoke evenly. “I’m a sucker for giant beasts.”

“Fair enough.” ZZzzzt-PSZZzzzz-bop!

A baton was sent her way, and Tempest’s horn was cut off from making another blast. Then Daredevil charged at her, with the other in hoof. With the mare agent weaving and evading the Sergeant’s assaults, Lieutenant Shadow matched the blind stallion blow for blow. Every kick, swing, punch and lunge he also met with twin red sticks. And much to her gritted fury, each time she tried to light up some electricity, no matter how much space she tried to gain from him, he threw stick after stick at her and landed every, single shot. Then, after he united them with a wire string, he would send them outward to grapple onto her leg, neck, snout, and even the unfortunate lackey she threw at him. Then did she finally send a blast his way, forcing him to cartwheel away. ZZzzt-Poom-bang! Whish-whish-whoo!

“Hold still, you little pest!” Hearing the poom-bams of Sergeant Dis squashing and missing Agent Drops, who then pulled out a grappling hook and cable herself, the Lieutenant activated her magic with a sizzle, then levitated three more Storm Creatures towards her opponent, all at once. As he ducked, slid and leapt away from all three, Tempest took her chance to take down a soaring Cadence. As the Alicorn immobilized more archer brutes from the air, she barely caught sight of a round projectile from Tempest, and spun away.

“Back to me,” she shouted, “We have to leave, now!”

Ka-blam-POW! “Princess!”

Two more orbs flew at Cadence, forcing her to weave, but then lose sight of the electric blast that came after. Before Daredevil could get away from the recovering Storm Creatures in time, he heard the explosions and Sir Pants’ outcry. The fumbling Sergeant Sweetie had wrapped up suddenly broke free of the cable, forcing the mare to retreat. As Fancy Pants levitated the falling, dazed Princess safely to the ground, he was joined by the mare agent. And while a small, golden shield of magic came up to block more attacks, the blind Earth Pony shuffled back also. Only to stop in front of the other three ponies.

“The alley behind you is clear,” said Daredevil, “Take her, and run. I’ll hold them off as best I can.”

“No, wa-” Pling-poof!

Hearing Sweetie Drops interrupted by that burst, but sensing one pony still behind him, he tilted his head back. “What’re you doing?”

“Just step back,” he heard Cadence groan, “I’ll send us both!” While doing so, he joined his non-chucks back together for a staff. Standing on hind legs he swung away arrow, after arrow, after orb. Ping-pong-bat-smack-ting! Boom!

Just as she made contact with his leg, however, Tempest sent a current onto Cadence’s horn with a bang, and shocking her down through her spine. And before he could retaliate, Daredevil felt the same experience. Bam-zzzzzzzz!

“Well, then,” muttered the Lieutenant, “If that’s your idea of showing your King’s power, I’m not impressed.”

“Shut it, pony.”

“What was that, Sergeant?” ZZZZzzt.

“I said…thanks for the assist, Lieutenant.”

“You’re welcome. Now, was that so hard? I’ll take these two with me on my ship to Aris. That way, you have much less to worry about.”

“Such as?”

“Such as finding those escaped ponies. I’m sure you could catch their scent easily. Given how close you’d gotten to them.”

“With all due respect, Lieutenant Shadow, that makes it one of you, and two of them. You sure you can match them?”

“You’re right. I should also take you along as their pin cushion. Again.”

“I’ll,” growled Dis, “I’ll track those ponies down.”

“The opportunity is now much closer, Matt. Soon, you will begin to open up to your new friends.”

After the gentle voice had finished speaking, he lost contact of its presence, followed by everything flooding back towards him again. Suffocating, smothering, losing air, burning without end!

“He never cared for you,” screamed Elektra.

“I wanted a soldier, you wanted a father.”

“Then I guess we were both disappointed,” was his response.

“Yeah, guess so.” But before the old man would depart, he asked, “Was it worth it?”

“What?”

“Loving them?”

“You don’t love me,” screamed a second woman, “You’re still just stuck on losing Karen, that’s all!”

Feeling the metal band and stone placed into his hand, she continued, “If you really do love me, you will call off the wedding.”

“Milla, stop! Wait!” CLANG! Sensing her strapped form behind the steel door only worsened the experience.

“I know you never listened when I said you should stop being a lone wolf,” said his partner, “Which is the real reason why I can’t take this anymore. Because what’s changed? Tell me, Matt. What?”

“Mattie, please. Listen to me.”

“Why? I never knew you existed, and yet here you are asking me to hear you out, Sister Maggie. You just cut me and Dad out of your life. So easy, too.”

All the voices soon cluttered and overwhelmed his ears, along with constant blasts of gunfire, swishing blades and explosions. “Hit me.”

Then the wailing sirens. WHUUUUUEEEEEEeeeeeeeer!

“Now, I know what you’re thinking,” said the gruff Marine, “One shot. One chance to stop me from killing Dino Gnucci. Can’t break lose in time, haven’t got the space to throw the chain either, and I’m wearing Kevlar. Can’t take out my knee, without getting someone’s attention. Somebody who does want to take off that mask. And I won’t be helping you out. Got to be the head shot. You don’t shoot, you’ve got a death on your conscience. One you could’ve prevented. You shoot, you’re a killer.”

“Wha-What kind of a choice is that?!”

“The kind I make every time I pull the trigger. The kind I’m going to make, right here, right now.”

“Frank, stop! Oh, God.” Ka-lick.

“That’s the spirit, Red.”

“Please, just listen to me! Stop!"

"There he is. Coming out of his car. A perfect, clear shot."

"Damn it, Frank, don’t make me do this! Frank! Frank, you shoot, you’ll just keep the cycle going! More families destroyed! Just like yours! More innocents caught in the crossfire! Come on, Frank! You’ll tear society apart, from the inside out! The one you SWORE to protect!”

“Then pull the trigger.”

“God, forgive me.” Just as he sensed Castle's rifle rise to take aim, he lifted his own strapped pistol to do the same. BANG!

“You did everything you could, Matt.” The soothing words did not cease the endless storm and outbursts of fiery wind that assaulted his spiraling heart.

“Then why am I still feeling guilt, Father?”

“The guilt,” answered the priest in contemplation, “It could mean your soul’s call to action. The indication that...your work is not yet finished.”

“It’s brilliant, don’t you think? Who better to face a second-rate villain than a second-rate hero? And this baby was the perfect set up. Framing your partner and friend for murder. Classic. And as for Karen, pfff, maybe she was terminal, maybe she wasn’t. You’d think she’d at least go get a second opinion. And hiring Bullseye to lure you was icing on the cake. How about it, Murdock? Doesn’t all this drive you mad? Mad enough to finish me off? Me, the amazing Mysterio, in his grand finale!”

“Whoa, Double-D! STOP!” The wall-crawler’s outcry did not stop him from sending the blade into Bullseye. Right where Elektra was slain. After a short while, he then sent the final blow to the head, the same place Karen was struck. “MURDOCK!”

“Murdock is no more,” he growled back, “He is finished. Now there is only the BEAST!”

“It’s hopeless! Totally, completely hopeless! We’ve been abandoned, forgotten, and left to fend for ourselves!”

“Can it, you overstuffed snob-fest,” Sweetie Drops snapped at Blueblood, “The sooner we get our heads together, the better off-”

“Don’t you dare insult me, peasant! Or I will see to it you...”

“Come, Agent Sweetie Drops,” said Sir Fancy Pants plainly, taking the mare aside, “Best not waste our breath with this one. Attention, everypony!”

With all fearful, dreading, anxious, colorful eyes on him and the beige mare, the pale-blue Unicorn spoke further, “As you know, Princess Cadence and Counselor Daredevil have been captured after securing my and Agent Drops’ escape. If we’re to take this chance given to us, we best do so at once!”

“Why? What’s the point,” shouted a stallion from the crowd, “Princesses Celestia and Luna are statues, Princess Sparkle and the Elements have left us, our last Princess has been taken-”

“Our daughter would never abandon us!” The loud response from Nightlight sparked others to mutter in greater discomfort. “She and her friends love Equestria too much, to do something like that!”

“Yeah,” the first voice replied, “Then where are they, now? Why aren’t they here?”

“As Princess Cadence repeatedly told us, Lieutenant Lance Alot,” spoke Fancy Pants more forcefully, “The Elements are expected to return, hoping to bring with them reinforcements to overcome these encroachers.”

“Then why haven’t they just used the Elements,” Lance Alot retorted, “Use that Magic of Friendship, or True Love they keep waving around and stopping the likes of Tirek, Nightmare Moon and Chrysalis?”

“Things got more complicated, when we were suddenly attacked from all sides, all at once, without any time to fight back, you dimwit,” Sweetie Drops snapped, “Until now. Like you said, this isn’t the first time the majority of our leaders were outmatched, or got separated.”

“But even then,” the Pegasus Royal Guard persisted, “why bother? They come back, the untrained civilians they are, beat the bad guys, and save the day. Then they expect everything and everypony to go back to normal, like it never happened. That we weren't sitting helplessly in the belly of the beast, without hope of fending for ourselves. And I know I can speak for the Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts of how useless we’ve felt, when standing next to these Element bearers! And now a blind lawyer is giving us a run for our bits? The cruel irony! What's next!?”

“That may be how you feel, Lieutenant, and I respect your openness of it,” sharply spoke Fancy Pants, “But is that what really happens? If you are so useless and pathetic, then how is it Equestria remains calm and stable, long after the Elements are used, and the Princesses are restored? Why there has yet to be an uprising, or trouble amongst us, after making our grievances to them? It’s not merely the Princesses’ calm demeanor, poise and reasonable persuasion that keeps all things together, you know. If that be the case, then explain your rank, and extensive training.”

“And they don’t just expect us to move on like it never happened,” added Sweetie Drops, “And they don’t think they’re better than us, either. In fact, the reason they do all this is because they know how much we all matter. Not just Equestria, but all of us. Heck, even Rainbow Dash became a Wonderbolt, herself, because they were the ones who inspired her to be one. I live in Ponyville, and I’ve seen how they don’t stand high and mighty, and watch over us like Celestia’s so-distant cousin that he’s just as distant from all of us. And he doesn’t even have a real title.” This earned a huffed smirk from a grey Pegasus holding her Unicorn filly. “They live and walk among us. They laugh, play, cry, get angry and fight with us. And for us. And even after the threats and battles, they come back to their homes, and families, and friends, and keep doing what they’ve always done. Thinking about what they can do for us. Learning how to be better for one another, and us.”

“And now,” the Unicorn stallion stepped forward, “I daresay it’s our turn to give back to them. Give them a reason to return, by asking what we can do for them, for each other, and for Equestria."

"Right," jumped in Ditzy Do at last, "'Cause if Daredevil doesn't let his blindness stop him from doing the right thing, what's stopping us?"

"So," said Fancy Pants, "given I’m but a mere veteran in the force here, and Sweetie Drops is a former agent of a disbanded organization, what’s your plan of action, Lieutenant?”

“M-Me?”

“Well after all, you are the senior officer in this cellar. What will you have us do?”

As everypony turned to face the sole Guard in the entire troupe, he lowered his head in a defeated sigh, then said, “Me, and my big mouth. Alright, we’ll first need to find some way of getting into the Palace. I'm pretty sure that’s where all their leaders and major operations are kept.”

“I can get you there easily,” Agent Sweetie Drops answered, “I took those abandoned tunnels and cave systems underneath to get Pinkie Pie’s over-packed luggage.”

“And given how easily they ambushed and trapped Princess Cadence and you,” continued Lance Alot, “There’s a good chance they’re tracking us also. Even though you were teleported.”

“Agreed,” nodded Fancy Pants, “We know little or nothing about these Storm Creatures, so they may have a great sense of smell, and very well have caught our scents.”

“So,” nodded Lieutenant Alot, “We first need to find a secure location for the foals, sick and elderly. One as scentless as possible. Then second, the rest of us make our way to the tunnels, where we’ll definitely be tracked. That could draw any unwanted attention away from the others.”

“Um, yeah,” cringed Sweetie Drops, “Would you settle for the opposite of scentless?”

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. He was getting closer, and he knew it. With every pounding step he made, he could tell how much he was closing the distance. The smell of those pesky, timidly annoying ponies became stronger and stronger. Especially that one. Granted, the stallion was taken into Shadow’s custody with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but that did not detract from knowing where he and the Alicorn had been. It only became a matter of time.

As he and his unit closed in on the clearly vacant estate, Sergeant Dis gave the signal to engage with a loud smash against the main doors. The exaggerated whimper he heard was all he needed to know where next to search. Sending groups of two Storm Creatures to secure the area, he beckoned two more to flank him, as he made his descent into the cellar.

The smell was even more invasive of those pathetic, little beasts of burden. They have most definitely come down here for shelter. However, upon raising his lance at the ready, he found the most unexpected sight before him.

“Please, please don’t hurt me,” it exclaimed and choked. Dis could not make out the gender because of the high-pitched voice from the size of that trembling figure in the shadows.

“I-I-I know where they went. A-And what they’re planning,” it continued in a more frightened state, “And I know exactly how they plan to cut off their scent from you! I should, you see, because I never wanted to set hoof in that horrid place, myself! So I thought it best to take my chances here, instead! Just please, please, please, promise not to harm me!”

“Tell me what you know, pesky pony,” said the Sergeant, leaning towards it with a sneering grin to terrify it further, “And I might consider your plea. If not, I’ll finish you off here and now, and take my chances in tracking them myself, anyway.”

“Pr-Princess Luna,” she gasped in recognition, “I-I thought you and Celestia were…”

“We were,” somberly answered the night’s Regent, “But much similar to Discord's own imprisonment, that’s exactly what happened to us.”

“I'm sorry. I failed,” Twilight spoke shakily, “I failed my friends, I failed Equestria, and now we’re all captured. I…” she broke into tears, “I’m no longer worthy to be the Princess of Friendship.”

“One misdeed may be enough for pillars long-built to collapse,” Luna said, as she offered a tender embrace, “But that doesn’t destroy the foundations, themselves. Both you and your friends are more than familiar with that, after Discord’s corruption and Chrysalis’ deceit. You will build again from this, and even higher than before. Much like how you all helped me, more than once.”

“But that's just it. I can’t even get through to Tempest the way Spike and I did with Starlight, the way my friends helped restore you and fight the Tantabus, the way I couldn’t even fight Discord’s tricks to bring back my friends without Celestia’s help, the way we gained back all the magic from Tirek, the way we had helped Cadence and Shining stop Chrysalis, and the way Sunburst helped restore the Crystal Heart, and Starlight and Discord rescuing us from Chrysalis! Because that’s just it! I’m completely helpless and alone, now! There are no friends here who can help me, and it’s all my fault!”

“First of all, again, as you aided me with the Tantabus, you must forgive yourself. You are more than willing to, and capable of learning from your faults, and move forward. And you shall. So, also your friends. Secondly, Tempest Shadow will require a friend’s help shortly, I’m sure. So be ready for when that time comes. Thirdly, as you said, we may all be captured, but your own, special sister of sorts is with you, as Celestia’s with me. Never doubt how much can be done, despite the circumstances. And fourth, there’s one friend also present with you, and I’m sure he’s in dire need of such now. Sadly, this state has made it difficult to reach out to others. Even my time here’s reaching an end. And from the few glimpses I’ve seen of his most recent nightmares, I may need you to reach out instead. Just remember to listen first, and listen closely. That’s always the first, and vital step in a pony’s most trying times.”

“But Luna, wait,” exclaimed the lavender Alicorn, sensing the faded departure, “What friend? Listen to what, exactly-?”

“You think you’re the only one who’s lost something vital to you?”

Still, eyes closed, yet suddenly awaken by that rumbling voice, Twilight flicked her ear just briefly before hearing the next one.

“What can anypony know about what I’ve lost? What I’ve been through? Especially somepony who’s blind?”

Twilight never had the chance to think of how to respond to Tempest, for she heard Daredevil do so, right away.

“I’ve had more than my fair share of losing. You could say I made a living out of it.” Deciding it best to simply listen, she remained absolutely still, as he shakily continued.

“I lost my sight. I lost my Dad. I never knew who my Mom was, ‘til I was practically on my deathbed. I lost my home and law firm by someone corrupt, whom I fought so long and hard to take down. Three times I…three times, I lost someone I might’ve loved, honored and cherished for the rest of my life. Four, if you count the asylum. I lost my mentor, in some ways my father figure. Murdered by one of my lost loves, after she came back from the grave. My best friend and I…we had a fallout twice, and I may never get to say ‘Goodbye,’ let alone ‘I’m sorry.’ And to top it all off, I was once possessed by a demon, losing my freewill and whatever innocence I had left.

But you don’t see me turning against my own kind, do you? Do you see me assaulting my own leaders, stealing from them and taking their lives, for the sake of some tyrant’s word? No. No, I keep fighting. And I will keep fighting with whatever faith and hope I have left, while I still breathe. So you might as well finish me off, here and now. Because I. Won’t. Stop. So far, by my reckoning, you’ve nearly taken a foal’s mother. TWICE. And you’ve allowed countless families to be put in chains, without cause. So I’d say the Princesses have been nothing but lenient to you. Because you’ve done nothing but show how you’re capable of betraying your brethren, for your own, personal, happy ending. So, from the blind one in the room, it’s time you opened your eyes, and witnessed the atrocities that you’ve committed. What others lost, because of you.”

Bzzzzzz-POW! Swiftly opening her eyelids, Twilight saw the gold-yellow stallion fall limp onto the cell floor, followed by a spark from Tempest’s horn, whose back was to her.

“Sheesh,” growled the short troll standing aside, “Thought he’d never stop.”

“Shut it, Grubber,” Tempest spoke in kind, “And get everything ready for when the Storm King comes. We'll be landing soon.”

“Ooh! You’re going to wear that specially-made helmet for that?”

“I’ve got his icon on my flank. That’s good enough for him. That helmet just gives me two short, pointed stubs, instead of one. Like I were some little, goat fledgling.”

“W-well, that’s the idea,” warily responded Grubber, “Because the Storm King always views the new recruits that way! No matter the rank, it's for those who have great potential to serve him! Just earning their horns, to show what they’re capable of!”

“I said shut it,” Tempest snapped at that sentence. “And make sure all three are awake, when we land.”

“Yes, Lieutenant!”

At that, the two departed from the airship’s brig. Upon hearing that final exchange, the Alicorn mare lifted her head to look more closely at Daredevil, and saw his barrel slowly rising for breath. In such relief, she let out a sharp breath of her own, and turned towards her sister-in-law, who also rose from her somber sleep. Seeing the shared look of empathy and grief past the bars, Twilight knew what they both had heard.

“There! Over there, right where I told you they were! Ah!”

"Quiet, you sniveling pest." Shoving the creature to the side, the Storm Sergeant advanced to the gleaming sight ahead. Keeping his lance raised and ready, he rounded the corner of the deep, dark tunnel and found the light’s source.

Of course, he would have suspected they were attempting the most atrocious place to hide their scent from him. By simply being enveloped by their own sewer smell. The arched bricks and paths opposite of the running water and grime were the best lit in this region. And now, he has found it. Their hiding place.

To his confusion, however, Dis only spotted two glowing bridges of magic. The golden glint they have shown forth was unlike what he expected, for there were no other ponies to shine on.

“You,” he snarled at the white pony captive, clasping his neck, “You tricked us, didn’t you?”

“N-N-No! I swear! This is exactly what they planned to do!”

“Then feel free to look around, yourself. Because your pony friends played you like a cowardly fool!”

“WAAAaaaaaaah!” Ku-splash! Seeing the frantic beast of burden splashing and wailing for his life, he took brief delight before seeing a grey blur coming directly at him. Smack!

“Oof!” After it grunted on collision, a voice shouted from the dark tunnel beyond.

“Miss Do!”

“Sorry, sorry,” it murmured back, as Dis recovered, “I meant to go after Blueblood.”

At that, before he could reach after the hovering Pegasus, another went at him with all speed and might. Poom! “Oh!”

“Everypony,” shouted the charged pony knight, “NOW!”

The command that echoed was instantly followed by an advance of several ponies from both sides of the canal, led by the Unicorn and Earth Pony from the plaza. He had no chance to command a response, as a swarm of Pegasi took to the putrid air, zipped around, and cut off his troops’ retreat. As they closed in more tightly, the Earth Ponies and Unicorns came forward with shovels, pitch forks and the occasional spear and shield. In panic, the Storm Creature’s under Sergeant Dis took leaps over the brink. A multitude of splashes united to make a resounding PLOSH against the arching walls and ceiling.

“Come back here, you cowards! They’re nothing but skittish, small horses! AAAaaaaah!” Enraged, the Sergeant took his lance and made his way to clash with the attackers. His weapon was deflected, however, by the same golden hue that made the bridges, as the pale-blue Unicorn came to the Pegasus stallion’s aid.

“You honestly believed we would allow our young and sick be kept in here?” At that question, the Unicorn moved forward, as his flying comrade cornered Dis from behind. Before he knew it, he felt himself shoved down towards the foul current below. Splash!

“Not quite so desperate for that, yet,” finished Fancy Pants, as he and Lieutenant Lance Alot shared a satisfied smirk.

“Oh,” they heard a gasp, “I can’t believe you let me fall into that! I’ll have to bathe ten times a day, for a week!”

“You know, Blueblood,” warmly spoke Ditzy Do, “I kind of thought watching you thrown in was good enough for me. But I think I’m starting to lose my grip.”

“No, no! Please! I’d rather you sat on me!”

“Your wish is my command, sweetie.” Boom. Seeing the sprawled Unicorn across the way, they watched him look up to the descending mare.

“Oof! Muffins, wha-No! No! NOOOOO!” Plop. “Oh, my spleen.”

“Told you he was the perfect decoy,” she smirked to an approaching Sweetie Drops.

"I just hope Mrs. Velvet and Mr. Nightlight don't have many problems with the others in those caves," said Sweetie Drops, "But right now, I think we need to work out a way to get at those beasts in the palace."

It was not as bad as anticipated. In fact, much like with Luna, this felt even more alleviating. Although, it was painful to know that sharing some of the burden had put a pulsating shock that froze those listening. But alongside that turmoil, there came relief, because more than one was now willing to take in as much as they could, for his sake.

“It’s like you said,” he heard the Alicorn’s voice beside him, along with the rattling, grating chains, “Not to break the law whenever we want, but to look past it. Guess I should’ve taken that to heart sooner, whether in Equestria or not. And that’s exactly what Pinkie Pie-”

“Hey!” The shout from below his sternum came with the tug of the collar above it. “No more talking, until the Storm King says so! And you got to meet him, first!”

“Not that one, Grubber,” the gritted command came from Shadow’s voice, “Take him to the nearest dungeon for the King to meet later. He has a more important meeting with the Princesses.”

“You sure you still don’t want your helmet-?”

“Throw that in with him, for all I care!” The sharp venom of detest matched the same unease he detected from her in the vessel. “I don’t even want to hold it to the side, and complete my armor! In fact, take both of them back to the airship’s brig.! Away from any form of land! He only has to be awake for when we summon him.”

“You got it, Lieutenant,” Grubber shouted back, “Come on, let's go. You blind freak-show.”

“No, wait!”

“Thanks for the talk, you two,” he whispered at Twilight’s protest, as he was pulled back, “I’ll catch up.”

The hitched breath and tension from the younger mare still remained, but reduced slightly at the brush from Cadence. Taking that good sign, the stallion then took more urgent matters into consideration, such as his means of escape and how best to offer his help. The former was the less difficult of the two. Despite his chest and head growing more painful from the blasts, smothering and shocks taking their toll, he used his unsteady form to his advantage. Having his legs shackled also aided the pretense that the small troll could do this simple task all by himself. That the stallion was much weaker, and far more defenseless than the captured Alicorns.

“Come on, you can do it,” the little Creature mocked, “Just a few more steps.” Having made it past the ramp and into the hull, he knew they were completely out of sight. Taking the first chance he had, he leapt forward and wrapped his front chains around Grubber’s neck from behind. Barely letting out a small chortle, the little Storm Creature fell limp into Daredevil’s grasp within seconds. Checking his pulse, he placed the unconscious troll gently onto the wooden floor without a sound. Save one. Plop-bob-blblblblblblb.

Nearly rolling out onto the walkway, Daredevil caught hold of the helmet with his straining hind hoof. In relief, he sensed no response from the guards outside. Sliding it back towards him, he then took hold of the keys from Grubber’s belt with his teeth. He recognized the shape and size to match the shackles’ locks, and picked it out as gently as he could, should he drop them from his practicing grip. Wielding his staff was one thing, but multiple items on a key chain that required some digit dexterity was another. Thankfully, his heightened equilibrium, muscle and limb placement, enabled him to adjust thoroughly.

But not before he detected the extraordinary shift of energy throughout the atmosphere. Sudden changes in temperature, then back, and forth, then back again. Any ordinary blind person could guess something was wrong with the sun. Realizing the Storm King had attained what he wanted, the stallion burst out of his unlocked irons with a clang. The two Storm Creatures at the platform turned their heads in hearing him, and went in to investigate. Whish! Clingalingalingaling-pop!

Sending the chains their way, Daredevil wrapped one at the head, and the other was smacked from the opposite end. Pulling the first one down to the floor knocking him senseless, he flipped back to send a resounding buck onto the second, dazing him further. Without much time left, he clutched at his barrel and departed from the three lying lackeys. Limply, Daredevil made his way to the Lieutenant’s cabin, where he knew his staff was kept. Just then, from the distance, he could pick up the voices of the other mares, along with a male feline creature, as they were hauling a cart of armed beings in a massive cake.

But once he firmly grasped his weapon, he picked up on another disturbance of energy behind him. Sharply, he spun with his staff split at the ready. Poof!

“Whoa-whoa-whoa! Easy there, partner,” came Starlight’s voice, “Just me. Got your message, and kept a close eye on things while Shining got everything ready.”

“He’s here?”

“No, but Captain Sentry has his best squad near the main entrance, waiting for my signal.”

“Good, then send it now, and teleport us to the throne room. Cadence and Twilight just lost their power, and Twilight’s friends are about to make their way inside.”

“You sure about that? ‘Cause you don’t exactly look one hundred percent, right now. More light sixty-five, or fifty.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Bu-”

“No time to argue! Do it now!”

“Okay! Okay!” Pling!

There was very little time to act. Sensing Spike, Dash, Rarity and the others outside, with several other creatures bursting out of the cake in attack, he picked up on Twilight and Cadence’s struggle to aid Tempest from the Storm King’s betrayal. The air pressure grew drastically dense, as the winds swirled and spun more, and more wildly up into the accumulating storm clouds above. As the King raised his bursting staff over the three ponies before him, Daredevil sent his own non-chuck to wrap around the wielding wrist.

“Starlight,” shouted Twilight. POOOM!

“Wheeeeeee!” A great blast from a cannon busted the doors wide open, as five ponies and a young Dragon flew straight towards the Storm King. POW!

“Best. Blast. EVERRRRR!”

“Pinkie Pie! Applejack! Fluttershy!” Sensing how everyone’s attention has shifted, the stallion took this chance to buy them some more time. Releasing the cable wire, he reverted to batons, and dove straight at the rising Storm King.

Left. Right. Uppercut. Cross strike. He maintained his rigid offensive to slightly throw off his opponent. Each blow he sent was met by the vibrating staff of colossal magic, making his feeble attacks even more so. But he powered through, knowing that Starlight was behind him and waiting for a clear shot. Sliding down, he swung his hind leg for a round kick against the legs, only to be met by a pounding rod full of energy. Pom!

He growled in pain, as he felt a massive hand grasp his throat. Dangling and swinging his legs, clutching against the vice, he found himself fighting for breath. Pew! Psssssh.

A blast from the Unicorn mare barely singed the King's fur. After that, the hoarse voice and foul breath before him was all he could sense.

“Anyone who doesn’t bow down to their King…will fall down.” Suddenly he felt weightless, as he was thrown sharply outside and over the balcony. Feeling a cracking sensation on his leg, chest and cranium, he slipped into unconsciousness while still airborne.

There was no other way to say it. It all happened so fast. First was getting to Twilight and Cadence with help from Capper, Captain Celaeno and Princess Skystar. Next was finding Starlight and Daredevil with them, the former had just set off a magical beacon out over the balcony. Then came the efforts the latter made in distracting the Storm King for them, while showing clear signs of injury and fatigue. Considering what he went through during their absence, stunned would not be enough to describe everypony’s response.

That was when things suddenly took a drastic turn for the worse. Overpowered, the blind pony was held in a chokehold, then thrown out of the mountainous castle. It was one thing to witness one pony knocked over the edge of a volcano by her friend, even though that pony tried to do something terrible. But it was completely different to watch a good friend thrown by a massive, cruel, unkind beast without a thought.

Even Rainbow’s impulsive dive to rescue Daredevil was not enough to shake her out of it. She was so deeply affected by that act that it was only after Twilight wrestled with the King for the scepter, and Tempest sacrificing herself that she realized where she had been going all that time.

After bringing the stallion back up to them, Rainbow Dash saw Fluttershy instinctively tend to him, eyes blankly staring ahead. While Twilight used the scepter to restore the Alicorns their magic, and brought Celestia, Luna and Tempest back from stone, the Pegasus checked the Earth Pony’s faint pulse. She could not help but shudder at the cracks that somehow made their way to his hind hoof, and left temple of his unmasked face.

Everypony went to the immediate hospital where Twilight teleported him, and were escorted by the Crystal-Equestrian soldiers who came with Starlight and overran the rest of the Storm Creatures. Spike and Starlight then told them about the message Daredevil had him send to her, which puzzled and bewildered many present. Alongside the militant escorts were other ponies who said they were rescued by Cadence and Daredevil from a prison pen, with Fluttershy recognizing Bon Bon in the group. She heard mention of Twilight’s parents watching over the foals, sick and elderly in the hidden caves under Canterlot, but she kept her focus on the injured pony who was taken for further study and care. After seeing the rest of Pinkie’s ninja costume taken off, more cracks were seen at his chest and base of the neck.

She was replaying that entire scenario through her mind, struggling to cope. She might have done so repeatedly, until she felt the gentle touch of hooves on her own, along with her back and shoulders.

“It’ll be okay, Fluttershy,” softly offered the lavender mare, “The doctors say he’s been keeping stable.”

“Yeah, I mean come on,” scoffed the blue Pegasus, “He got hit by one of those stone-changing balls, and still got back into the ring! If that isn’t tough as nails, then I’m not awesome!”

“We might not know how he done got through that,” Applejack joined, “But we reckon that there be called a blessing.”

“Indeed,” Rarity added, “Such dreadful things to befall him were not to be taken lightly.”

“I just hope he can get better soon,” said Spike, after watching the pink Earth Pony tightly hold the removed costume.

“I still didn’t get to give him that party yet,” she murmured, her pink mane flat and drooping, “Now he’ll have to wait even longer, to get better first.”

“Princesses? Everypony?” Hearing the summons from down the hall, they all rose from their seats, and stepped forward to meet the physician before them.

“What can you tell us, Doctor Flightheart,” Luna inquired.

“Incredible, to say the least,” huffed Flightheart with a tired smirk, “With what we’ve found, and what the poor pony’s been through, I’d say it was quite something.”

“What do you mean by that, Doctor,” asked Celestia.

“Well, considering where he came from, it’s no wonder how durable his hide and bone structure is. But at the same time, so easily brittle, should he sustain the wrong amount of pressure. And he had.”

“Can you elaborate for us, please,” said Cadence, who shared the same concern and confusion with the rest.

“You mean…you don’t know?”

“Know what,” Twilight spoke, frantically dreading the explanation that had yet to come.

“Well, I suppose that makes sense,” huffed the bright red Pegasus again, rubbing his mane with a hoof, “I mean, we never suspected it either, until we looked more closely at his dilated pupils. Very rough and unpolished. Probably due to his disability. But the texture’s still present.”

“Huh? What do you mean? What texture?” Now with Pinkie's own questions, Fluttershy was even more troubled by what this entailed.

“When I went to the Equestria Games in the Empire, I was stunned to see how the ponies there had such astonishing eyes. They reflected the light like precious stones. So astonishing, I wanted to find out why that was. And I did.”

“What’re you saying, Doc,” Rainbow wavered in suspense, while hovering closer to Flightheart. "Just give it to us straight."

"Yes, quite," stiffly said the fanning Rarity, "Simply get to the point, please."

“What I’m saying is, the reason he withstood a stone-transforming spell unlike the Princesses, but what also explains his injuries, is because he’s basically made of stone. Crystal Empire stone, to be specific.”

“Hold up an apple-buckin’ second,” shouted Applejack, in gasped shock like all the others, “You’re tellin’ us Daredevil’s a…a...?”

“A Crystal Pony. Yes.”

... to be concluded.