Dimensional Pain

The bolt flew through the air coming straight at the Alicorn Princess, Twilight Sparkle. She had heard Spike call out her name, allowing her to barely have enough time to tilt her head to the side. The bolt passed her by, leaving a spot on her cheek singed. The magic bolt hit the wall beside the rooms entrance, bouncing off the crystal that it was constructed out of and ricocheted toward the ceiling. Seeing how close the bolt came to flying out the room, Twilight lite up her horn in her personal purple coloured magic as the same happened to the door. With a flick of her head, the door slammed shut.

The creatures in the room watched as the bolt hit an angled end of the ceiling crystals, returning to ground level.

“Don’t let it touch you!” The princess shouted, taking to the air with powerful wing beats in an attempt to study the bolt from her vantage point.

The earth pony stallion Cratus dove to the floor, throwing his hooves over his head. “This is why I got into the ancient creature catching business.” He grumbled. “It’s the only profession that unicorn magic can’t effect!”

“Ah!” Safari and Spike both gasped as the bolt flew at them, forcing the two to dive underneath the table. “This may be a bad time.” Safari started, a nervous smile on her face. “But this reminds me of the time Daring Do had to avoid a swarm of Flash Bees, during her adventure into the southern swamps to…”

“You’re right. This is a bad time.” Spike commented with a sidelong glance. The scroll and pen still in his claws, Spike started to write down the situation.

“Gah!” Twilight expressed as the bolt shot passed her. “Okay. I think I have it figured out.” She said aloud as the bolt returned to the ceiling area, her eyes never losing it. “These bolts prove my theory; Duo must be in the midst of transforming into a dragon. His torso is too big to fit through the other side, blocking it. The excess magic that flowed through that side has no where to go but back through this side!” Twilight finished explaining as she noticed the less then enthusiastic face of the others in the room. Laughing nervously, Twilight examined the magic bolt. “The bolt is comprised of the magical elements that power the portal. Knowing that, I can use the right spell to neutralize it.”

Spike, more familiar with magical theory then Cratus and Safari, paused from his writing. “But if it’s made of the same magic as the portal, shouldn’t it have crated a portal after hitting the wall? Why is it bouncing around?” Spike questioned as the bolt hit the ground beside him. “WHOA!”

“It must be the castle. The crystal structure must have a reflective effect on the bolt due to the portal being housed in a mirror.”

“You really think so?” Safari asked, have a vague understanding of what the two were talking about thanks to the many adventures Daring Do had been through.

“At this point…” Twilight quickly dodged the bolt as it bounced back upward. “…It’s all just a theory.” The four ponies and dragon kept their eyes trained on the bolt as it bounced around above them, refusing to lose any momentum.

Until it hit an extending crystal of one of the crystal towers.

Hitting the crystal point at just the right angle allowed the bolt to enter into the crystal itself. Fascinated, Twilight flew up higher and watched as the bolt traveled around within the crystal walls themselves.

“What an amazing discovery! The magic of the bolt wasn’t able to affect the crystals smooth sides, bouncing away as a result.” Twilight explained with adorkable excitement. “By hitting the crystal at its end point, the magic was able to focus itself, allowing the bolt to enter the very walls!”

As she explained all that Spike and the earth bound ponies watched as the bolt glided through the walls, lighting them up like they were neon lights. Finally the bolt reached the crystals that made up the window sill. Everyone gasped in horror.

“The Window!” They all shouted just before the bolt reached another outstretched crystal, firing out the pointed end and straight into town. Spike ran for the window, Cratus and Teddie Safari closing in behind as Princess Twilight landed at the window. She was watching as the bolt began to arc towards Ponyville when the others joined her.

“What’s going to happen when it hits?” Cratus asked cautiously.

Whatever happens, it’ll endanger my friends! Twilight thought. Not willing to wait and see, the young Alicorn flared her wings out, readying herself for take off when a noise came from the mirror. Twilight turned to see just as another bolt launched from it. Ready this time, she turned and aimed her horn at the magic projectile. Her horn lite up, firing a spell that hit it’s mark causing the bolt to vanish in a flash of wonder along with her own spell. Sighing in relief, Twilight glanced back out the window as her face showed her worry while Cratus and Safari shared a look and Spike continued to write the letter to Celestia.

Unable to leave, all Princess Twilight could do for her friends and community was hope they can take care of themselves.

In town, the local ponies went about their daily routine. The Cakes mind their shop as Pinkie Pie watched the twins. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon were having breakfast with Minuette, Big Mac and Applejack were bringing in the latest harvest as the Cutie Mark Crusaders made their way to the schoolyard. Muffins and Carrot Top were conversing, Rarity and Fluttershy made their way to the spa for their weekly trip and Rainbow Dash was clearing the sky of the rain clouds they had set up for a light rain for the evening before.

Kicking another cloud apart, Rainbow’s keen senses managed to pick up on the low buzz of the bolt. She swivelled her ear to pick it up more clearer when her instincts kicked in, dropping her head in time to avoid the bolt.

“What was that?” Rainbow mused. She quickly caught site of the offending projectile as it headed straight for Applejack and Big Mac.

“AJ! Heads up!”

Applejack and Big Mac looked up at the pegasus, spotting the rapidly approaching bolt. Her brother hooked up to the cart that held their apples and unwilling to abandon her kin, Applejack watched in abstracted terror as the projectile grow closer with each second.

A pale aura surrounded the two Apple siblings, pushing them backward. Applejack rolled away until Rarity intercepted her while Big Mac’s weight capsized the apple cart as he hit the ground with a thud. Minuette’s horn shown with the same glow as her expression relaxed, knowing the two were safe.

The bolt hit the underside of the overturned carriage resulting in a flash of multi coloured brilliance. Rarity and Fluttershy were awestruck by the spectacle, the unicorns imagination kicking into high gear on clothing designs before the new portal formed.

Once it had, a torrent of water rushed out like a raging river. The water drenched the unsuspecting residents; its current was strong enough to carry the table Minuette and her friends had been eating at along with the ponies. The river of water washed over the road as pegasi took to the air while the earthbound ponies ran to the nearest building to them.

“What in tartarus is goin on right now?” Applejack expressed strongly as Rarity helped her to her hooves. “What sort of magical mishap has Twilight gotten into now?”

“I would think it obvious, Applejack.” Rarity replied, her horn flaring up a light blue as the same aura covered the straps that held Big Mac to his apple cart. Free from his charge, Rarity continued as Rainbow swooped in to join them. “It’s rather clear one of her spells on portals has gone awry.”

“Since when can Twilight create portals?” Asked Rainbow as Applejack gave Rarity a disgruntled expression. The water shown no signs of stopping as the residents worked together to clear the area of bystanders.

“Ah doubt that there Chancellor gave her any pointers.” Applejack claimed, still annoyed with Rarity’s jab as the four ponies quickly made their way to Twilights Castle.

“But if it wasn’t Chancellor Neighsay…” Rarity started as Pinkie fell from the sky before them looking surprised by the sudden change in scenery. Rainbow flew by without a glance back as Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy ran past, prompting the pink perplexed pony to join them. “…what other way could Twilight have access to portal magic?”

The four friends pondered that questioned as they drew closer to Twilight’s home. “Doesn’t Twilight have a portal to another dimension that’s always open for anypony to walk through?” Pinkie asked, completely oblivious to how she got from Sugar Cube Corner to running beside her friends.

Rainbow faced hoofed. “Duh!”

Back at the castle window Cratus and Safari had witnessed what was happening in town. Sharing a look the two earth ponies ran past the Alicorn as she neutralized another bolt that had shot out, reaching Duo’s tail. Safari clinched the tail between her teeth and pulled as Cratus bite her tail, pulling as well.

“Spike!” Twilight calls out, her eyes not wondering from the mirror. “What’s the status of that letter?”

“Iiiiiiiit’s….done!” Spike placed the quill back on the table then rolled up the scroll. Taking a breath Spike blew his magical green flame at the parchment, turning it into magical ash that flew out the window towards Canterlot. “It’s on it’s way, Twilight!”

“Good. That’s one less thing to worry about.” Flaring up her horn with the counter spell, Twilight recognized by now the pattern that took place before a bolt would shot out. As the mirror demonstrated those patterns, Twilight prepared herself as she waited for her mentor to arrive.

Elsewhere in the castle Starlight sat alone eating the pancakes she and Spike had made for the three of them. Chewing down the last bite of her meal, she glanced at the two untouched plates.

“Huh. What are those two doing?” Impatience and curiosity getting the better of her Starlight wiped her face of the syrup that remained and left the room in search of her two friends. “Maybe she really is remodelling the castle.” She mused as Princess Twilight’s student went in search of her wayward friends.

The dragon clawed at the ground with his one freed limb. His heads flailed about as he cried out with roars and growls. Frustrated, scared, and confused, the Orthros turned dragon Duo, grew desperate to get free. Smoke leaked out of one mouth while mist streamed out the other as both heads rose up towards the sky.

When they came down a torrent of flame blasted from one head and a stream of ice burst from the other.

Straight at the six magical girls.

“Incoming!” Twilight announced. Rarity threw her hands before her, conjuring a wall of diamonds. Both streams of fire and ice slammed against the wall forcing it back as the onslaught continued.

“I could…use some…ASSISTANCE!” She announced, sweat began to slide down her face.

“ON IT!” Rainbow Dash shot into the air flying over the diamond wall. Next, she flew around both necks in a loop going faster and faster until a tornado grew. The tornado became strong enough to force Duo to stop his attack; the powerful wind currents had begun to choke both of his necks.

Duo raised his heads causing Rainbow to fly away, drawing his attention from her friends. “That’s right, Scaly. Catch me if you can!” With a cocky grin on her face Rainbow flew around the two dragon heads, narrowly dodging their attempts to eat her alive.

“Go, Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie cheered as she danced around with pom-poms. “Show that mean dragon who’s boss!”

Applejack held Rarity, who had collapsed once Rainbow Dash had taken the dragons attention away. “How’re ya holding up, sugarcube?”

“Terribly.” Rarity replied as she stood up, lightly pushing Applejack’s hands away. “The sweat will be a nightmare to remove from my dress.” She turns to her friends and gives them a sad smile. “But, it will be worth it. Once we send this poor creature back.”

Poor creature? Applejack thought, giving her fashionista friend a look.

Sunset Shimmer was relieved her friend was alright. She looked toward the dragon as Rainbow continued to occupy it with her powers while Pinkie flailed about, cheering her on.

Seeing this, Sunset got an idea.

“Alright, girls.” She said, getting the others attention. “I have an idea on dealing with this guy.”

“Then let’s hear it.” Applejack encouraged, her gaze turning towards Dash and Pinkie. “Ah don’t like lettin them antagonize that there beastie.”

Sunset nodded in agreement. “Okay, thanks to Princess Twilight’s Spike, we know that dragons are intelligent creatures. All I need to do is touch him, then I’ll be able to see what’s upsetting him. Maybe even calm him down enough to talk.”

“That’s a sound idea, Sunset.” Twilight said as her face had a concern expression. “But, how do you know your magic ‘can’ affect it? Have you been able to read the other Spike’s mind?”

“I haven’t had an opportunity to try.” Sunset admitted as she bit into her thumb nail. She thought about her idea some more, looking from the ground in front of her to the dragon. Her eyes widen. “His head!”

“What about it?” Rarity asked.

“And which one?” Applejack added.

“It doesn’t matter which one. Just as long as I can touch one of them, my powers should work.” She turns to Twilight with a grin. “What better place to access the mind then the head?”

Twilight readjusted her glasses as she thought over Sunset’s idea. Finally, she looks at her friend and nods in agreement.

“What’s the plan, dear Sunset.” Rarity inquired.

Sunset faced the dragon before speaking. “I need to get at one of it’s heads. Twilight…” She called looking over her shoulder at her. “…can you get a hold of one and get it close enough for me to touch?”

The science wiz nodded, a focused look on her face. “Leave it to me, Sunset.”

Nodding at her friend, Sunset looked over her other shoulder at Applejack and Rarity. “Applejack, can you keep his claw from digging?”

Applejack winks at Sunset. “Sure thing.”

“Rarity, can you stay here and defend his attacks? The other heads not going to like us very much once we get started.”

“Absolutely, dear. I won’t let a single hair on any of your heads get so much as singed.” She declared with an air of certainty.

“Alright girls. Let’s do it!” Sunset declared. Twilight took to the air heading for the left head as Rarity stood at the front doors of the school, two diamond shields at each hand. Sunset Shimmer and Applejack shot forward with the former running straight for Pinkie while the latter charged Duo’s claw.

Rainbow took note of her friends movements; during her evasion she flew passed the airborne Twilight and shared a look. In the very short time they shared that look, Twilight was able to convey the plan.

Distracted the right head. I’ve got the left one.

Her hands glowed purple with her power as the same glow covered the left dragon head. Rainbow caught on immediately, focusing on the right head. “Not so tough now that it’s two on two!” Rainbow taunted with a smug smirk.

Duo’s right head glared at Rainbow as he raised his claw to swipe at the flying foes. The claw barely left the ground when Applejack, using her super strength, grabbed the claws thumb. She grunted with effort keeping the claw in place causing the trapped left head to growl in frustration.

Suddenly, the claw shot straight down at Applejack.

“GAH!” She gasped as her right hand rose to catch the middle claw while her left remained at the thumb, keeping him form grabbing her. “Gah…never thought ah’d…grr…ever be grapplin…rahh….with ah dragon!”

The right head of Duo forgot about Rainbow, choosing instead to shoot a torrent of flame at Applejack. Her eyes widened at the approaching flame; she smiled and focused on her task when multiple layers of diamond walls intercepted the attack.

“Not! One! Hair!”

Rarity held-fast, her shields beginning to crack as Rainbow took pot shots at the attacking head. Twilight strained at keeping the left head still, slowly forcing the appendage towards the ground. Duo’s right head ignored the flying announce, his focus remained on burning Applejack to a crisp, preventing him from freeing himself.

Sprinkles and confetti came into his line of site, baffling him.

Then they exploded.

The dragon head shot up into the air angrily. Rainbow flew away from him as the flame he spewed extinguished allowing Rarity to catch her breath. The head shook itself before looking to the ground where he saw Pinkie Pie with a bag in her hand as Sunset Shimmer stood beside her.

Sunset looked the dragon in the eyes defiantly. Of all the times this could’ve happened, this dragon had to choose the one time Fluttershy wasn’t here?

Driving down the road as her head bobbed to the beat of the new track she and the Rainbooms had finished, Vinyl Scratch, or DJ Pon3 as her friends like to call her, drove toward the school. She had declined Twilight’s invitation to Spike’s party due to a gig she was performing later in the afternoon.

But she still wanted to give the little guy a present.

Vinyl knew where the girls would be thanks to Pinkie’s constant check list reviews she went through every time they practiced together. Thanks to her, Vinyl knew Fluttershy and Spike were at the dog park and the girls were either at the school or Applejack’s barn.

The school came into view as she turned the corner, slamming her brakes. Vinyl sat there for a moment until she slowly lifted her signature purple shades from her face. Ever since the Fall Formal she had seen The Rainbooms do some strange and amazing things.

Watching her friends fighting a two-headed dragon that was stuck in the portal blew them all away.

…huh. Was the only thought Vinyl had as she pulled out her phone.

“This place is amazing!”

His tail wagged with excitement as Spike entered the Bales Dog Park. Fluttershy had her kind smile on her face, watching her friend run around the open green area. They were not the only ones there; other owners had their canine companions as well, enjoying the early morning at the park. The reputation of this park came about from the high standard of maintenance the owner invests into it. The plant life was bright green from the morning dew with water stations for both owner and pet.

“Fluttershy! Check this out!” Spike called out, startling the nearby owners. Their eyes turned toward Fluttershy as she approached. Having taken Spike on walks before, she grew use to the attention people would give her whenever Spike spoke aloud. Normally, she would have shied away from those looks.

But when it came to the animals in her care, not even strangers giving her looks would shake her confidence.

“What is it, Spike?” She asked with a giggle as she reached the purple pooch who stood before a sophisticated pile of climbing platforms. The different blocks where greyish forms of blues, greens, and reds. Chew toys laid about with some that hang from ropes that would slide along it, allowing the dogs to run with them.

“It’s even better then I imagined!” Spike leapt up to the lowest platforms, stopping at one that had a squeaky chew toy. He snatched it into his mouth, growling as he shook his head from side to side excitedly.

Fluttershy couldn’t contain the joy she felt from seeing Spike enjoy himself from radiating through her smile. She had heard of Bales Dog Park long before Twilight mentioned it from the shelter she volunteers at. Turning her gaze around the park, Fluttershy marvelled at the quality the park emulated. Her thoughts going to the people who dedicate their time to the upkeep of the park as Spike continued to prance around on the platforms, until she spotted someone she recognized entering the park.

“Dr. Fauna!” She called out, waving her hand to catch the veterinarian’s attention. The light blue hair, yellowish skinned woman spotted her and waved back as she made her way to them.

A blue adolescent shepherd followed behind her.

“Fluttershy! What a pleasant surprise.” The Doctor greeted as the two shared a hug. The blue shepherd looked from the two humans to the purple pup that quickly approached from the platforms. “What brings you here? You haven’t adopted a dog this time, have you?” She teased as they released each other.

The two met each other when Fluttershy had to take her pets for a check up. Her parents suggest she take them to Dr. Fauna at the shelter. When she arrived the two hit it off, even convinced her to volunteer.

“Oh no, nothing like that.” Fluttershy assured as Spike reached her. She bent down to pet Spike. “A friend of mine asked me to take him here for his birthday.”

“Well, isn’t that kind of you. This little trouble maker is Ember, a newcomer to the shelter.” Dr. Fauna introduced before she bent down to pet Spike as well, making the puppy’s tail wag even faster. “Happy birthday to you little sweetie.”

“Thanks! Everyone’s being so nice to me today!”

“AH!” Dr. Fauna fell away from Spike as he spoke. Both her and Ember looked at Spike with alarm before she looked back at Fluttershy.

“Don’t be afraid, Doctor.” She said as she stood up and extended her hand out to the fallen woman. “I can explain.” Once she had helped the veterinary to her feet, Fluttershy told her how Spike was able to talk along with everything else.

As she did, Spike turned his attention to Ember who still gave him a look of alarm.

Spike’s ears drooped. “Is I really that scary?”

Ember blinked before raising to her feet. “I wouldn’t say scary, just…surprising.” She walked up to Spike, smelling him as he perk up. “How are you able to do that? You have an odd smell to your sent.”

“It was weird. I was with Fluttershy and my owner when these strange holes appeared. A funny looking rabbit jumped out of one and I chased it.” He ran around Ember as he continued. “Then, I got hit by a funny beam. Next thing I know, I’m able to talk to humans.”

“…you don’t say?” Ember gave him an unconvinced smirk. “Next you’ll tell me that this human can speak with cats.”

“Not just cats.”

Ember’s eyes widen as she looked up at Fluttershy.

“But dogs too. And birds. And all sorts of animals.” She explained, causing Ember to look from her to Spike, flashing her a smug grin.

“What did she say?” Dr. Fauna asked.

“Spike was telling Ember how he started talking like us. But Ember didn’t believe him and joked that I could talk to cats.”

“So all that talk of magic and ponies was true?” She asked, amazement on her face.

Fluttershy nodded with a hint of embarrassment. As she was about to reply, her phone buzzed as she received a text. She knew who it was from by the ringtone so she wasn’t surprised to see Vinyl’s name appear on her phone.

Turning to Dr. Fauna. “Could you excuse me for a moment, please?” Her friend nodded. Fluttershy turned around as she opened the message. As she read the contents her eyes widen with fear before she even finished. Fluttershy reread the message twice to make certain she was seeing the words right before putting her phone away.

“We have to go, Spike.” She bent down to pick up the purple puppy.

“Is something wrong, dear?’ Dr. Fauna asked with concern.

“What did the message say?” Spike asked.

“It’s from Vinyl. She says the girls are fighting a dragon that came out of the portal!”

“A dragon!?” Dr. Fauna and Spike shouted simultaneously.

“What’s a dragon?” Ember asked with genuine curiosity.

“I’m so sorry, Dr. Fauna. Ember. But we have to go right now!” With that, Fluttershy ponied up and took to the air. Everyone in Bales Dog Park, from the humans to their pets all stared at the winged girl hovering above them.

“Dr. Fauna?” Fluttershy asked as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her car keys. “Could you hold on to these for me? I don’t want to lose them.”

All Dr. Fauna could do was nod her head. Her winged friend lightly tossed her keys to her who caught them without taking her eyes off Fluttershy. And just like that, Fluttershy flew off towards Canterlot High leaving everyone at the park flabbergast.

“I’m…gonna need…to…sit down.” She said as she fell to her knees as Ember sat down beside her and barked. Dr. Fauna looked to Ember then back to the sky. “You said it.”

“Pull, Safari! PULL!” Cratus grunted with Duo’s tail in his mouth. The two earth ponies pulled with all the strength only earth ponies were known for.

Duo didn’t move an inch.

“I AM you big brute!” she snapped through clinched teeth.

The mirror’s magic continued to ripple around the beast’s tail as sparks and wisps of magic cracked and flowed out of it’s surface. Another bolt of magic shot out but the Princess of Friendship neutralized it before it could bounce off the walls. Sweat trickled down her brow as she took laboured breaths, sucking in great lung fulls of air each time. The bolts came at random intervals, making them different to predict. As such Princess Twilight had to remain in the air while using just enough magic to intercept them but not too much that she’d burn herself out.

“SPIKE! Any response from Celestia?” She called out as the mirror chose that moment to eject another bolt. Caught off guard Twilight allowed gravity to drop her narrowly avoiding the attack. She turned with a flap of her wings while quickly calculating the bolts path. As soon as she was in position, Twilight Sparkle fired her spell just as the bolt bounced of her crystal walls and right into the magical beam.

“Not yet!” He replied as he ran towards the mirror to assist Cratus and Safari.

The door to the room opened as Starlight Glimmer trotted in.

“Finally! I’ve been looking for you two all…”

“Starlight, close the door!” Spike called out after he stopped to see who had entered.

Starlight gave him a confused look as another bolt shot out the mirror straight at her. She watched as the magic bolt rocketed toward her, caught off guard by the sudden and quick moving bolt. Just then, a beam of magic struck the bolt just inches from her face.

The door slammed behind her, snapping Starlight out of her daze to see Twilight hover above her, horn aglow. “What’s going on here?” She asked as she quickly made her way towards the mirror.

“No time to get into details, Starlight.” Twilight replied as she turned back towards the mirror. “I’m glad your here, though. I need your help with these bolts.”

The mirror fired again but this time two bolts flew out of it’s shimmering surface.

“Starlight!” Twilight called out as she aimed her horn at one of the bolts, while the other one headed straight for one of the chairs that circled the table. “Don’t let it hit anything!”

With no fear, Starlight dove in front of the bolt and threw up a magical barrier around her and the furniture. She allowed a smirk to cross her face, having helped Twilight study the mirror she was curtain her barrier would neutralize the bolt rather then have it ricochet off.

Her smirk quickly faded as the bolt passed through her barrier as if it wasn’t there.

“How…?” Starlight began before tilting her head to the side. The bolt sent a concussive blast out of itself as it passed by the unicorn. The force of it threw Starlight against her own barrier as the bolt hit the wooden and fabric covered chair causing another portal to appear.

Starlight’s barrier slowly vanished as the portal revealed a raging storm on the other side. “Oh no.” She breathed while her mane and tail began to flow freely as the portal fully opened within a destructive hurricane.