Dimensional Pain

“Celestia…where are you?”

The Princess of Friendship had sunk closer to the ground; her wings were aching from overuse. Sweat dripped off her chin as her gaze alternated from the portal to Starlight and Rarity, who were themselves tiring. A flash of color crossed her peripheral vision as Rainbow continued to flying opposite the wind current that blew into the room via the portal that led to a raging hurricane.

She did not fail to notice her pegasi friend slowing down.

It was a known fact that Rainbow Dash was the fastest pegasus in Ponyville, arguably the world, but even she had her limits.

Five magic bolts escaped the shimmering surface of the mirror. Acting on instinct developed since she started her defence, Twilight Sparkle aimed her glowing horn at two bolts that where within three hooves of each other and launched her spell. Compared to them Twilight’s bolt was just smaller but more compressed. When the three bolts collided, The Alicorn’s bolt expanded into a field that neutralized them both.

It might take more magic to do… She thought while wiping her brow of sweat. …but it saves me from having to aim at multiply targets.

“Come on, ya’ll! One more time!”

As she caught her breath Twilight looked at the foot of the mirror to see Applejack lead everyone into getting Duo out.

“One. Two. Three!” As soon as the number was called Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Spike, Cratus, and Safari pulled together on the Orthros’ tail. “Don’t stop! Keep pulling!” The farmer encouraged through clinched teeth.

They pulled so hard they flew backward as the fur she had a grip of tore free. The ponies and dragon groaned as Applejack sat up, fur still within her mouth before spitting it out.

“Applejack, this isn’t working.” Fluttershy admitted. “Whatever happened to Duo, it’s got him stuck on the other side.”

“Darn it! Ah hate ta admit it, but ya might be right there, sugarcube.” Applejack stood back up as the others followed suit. “Unless we get help from the other side, the big fella ain’t budging.”

“What if we tie your rope to his tail and pull? Oh! Or some tasting dog treats to lure him back through! Oh! Oh! Maybe use some wagon wheel grease to slick up the other side, THEN pull him with the rope! Or maybe…!” Pinkie’s tangent of suggestions was cut off once Spike pushed his claw against her muzzle.

“Slow down, Pinkie! We can’t decide on one when you keep suggesting another one.” He said with pleading look, causing Pinkie to give him a sheepish look while she shrugged in apology.

“But she did bring up an interesting one.”

Every pair of eyes turned to Cratus, who had a hoof to his chin, deep in thought.

“Which one?” Safari asked with a chuckle.

He lifted his eyes. “Going inside the portal ourselves.”

“Now, hold on there.” Applejack took a step forward. “Let’s not go and do anything too crazy. We don’t even know what’s happenin’ in there. Fer all we know, little magic gremlins could be inside just waitin’ ta nab us.”

“Is that even possible?” Said Fluttershy to Spike, who shrugs.

“Even if it is, what choice do we have?” Cratus argued. “Princess Twilight and your friends can’t stop those magic bolts forever.” At the mention of her friends name, Applejack gave a sideways glance towards the magically adapt ponies. “If we can’t get Duo out, more portals will form and tear this castle apart!”

The realization of that struck the mares; Applejack turned towards the mirror as if everything will fix itself if she just stared at it long enough. Pinkie and Fluttershy shared a look with each other before turning their gazes towards their friends working so hard. Fluttershy noticed that Rarity was kneeling on the ground, her mane and tail a complete mess, while Starlight looked just as bad but still able to stand.

Twilight was on the verge of passing out right there in the air.

Pinkie had her gaze tracking Rainbow Dash; as fast as her friend was going Pinkie was always able to find her. She could tell that Rainbow was running on instinct rather then actual thought even without the wind battering against her as a result of Rainbow’s decrease in speed.

If the hurricane level wind returned…

“…I’ll do it.”

Applejack, as well as the other ponies present, quickly looked at the baby dragon with varies looks of surprise as Spike glared at the mirror.

“Hold on there…”

“NO, Applejack! Cratus is right. We don’t have any other options. We have to get him unstuck from inside.”

“But why you?” Fluttershy pleaded, fear for her friend laced on each word.

“Because, aside form Twilight and Starlight, I’m the only one who’s gone through the portal before.” Spike reasoned as he made his way to the mirror. “Besides, I’m the only one without magic who can smear the grease around Duo.”

Pinkie squee with delight before producing the grease from her mane, earning her looks from Safari and Cratus.

“Don’t tell me you KNEW we were going to need that?” Safari accused, shocked at the mere thought of it.

“Of course not, silly.” Pinkie giggled “I ALWAYS have it for when I’m making deliveries for the Cake’s. You never know when one of your wheels needs a good greasing!”

The two earth ponies blinked at he pink mare before looking at the others.

“Don’t ask. Easier if ya just accept it” Applejack replied evenly. She let out a heavy sigh before removing her hat and taking out the rope she keeps in it. “Alight, Spike.” She reluctantly agrees as she places her hat back on. “We’ll tie this on ya. Pull on it twice and we’ll pull you back out.”

Spike nodded as he tied the rope around him as Pinkie gave him the grease. Stepping up to the mirror, he took a deep breath before taking a step forward.

“SPIKE! What are you doing?!”

Back in Ponyville, the residents had dug a trench from where the water landed leading it towards the river that ran across the town. But as they dug, the portal began to grow, unleashing more water and flooding it. The unicorns all tried to close it with their magic while the pegasi flew around the portal, creating a tornado to divert the water away from the town.

Sadly, all their efforts failed.

On the verge of giving up two shadows flew over head. As they past over, two beams of magic struck the portal.

One gold, one cobalt blue.

The beams had created a barrier around the portal, sealing it. The townsfolk looked up at the sky in joy as the two shadows continued on to Princess Twilight’s castle. Distracted, the ponies of Ponyville finally noticed the area suddenly grew darker. They turned their heads to see a giant transport ship soaring above them, heading in the same direction as the crystal castle.

As the other ponies watched the ship in awe, the grey pegasus Muffins hovered near the portal. She smiled as one eye watched the awestruck ponies while the other looked at the portal.

Her ears perked when she heard a snap just before the portal vanished.

“Oooo. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Twilight and her friends have gotten into, this time.”

Muffins turned to face the direction she thought she heard the voice come from, only to see the flash of someone teleporting. The pegasus smiled as she looked towards the castle as she recognized the Draconequus’ voice, waving her hoof with joy.

“Thank you, Discord!”

Spike stood frozen in front of the mirror, his foot inches away form entering the portal when Twilight called out to him.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Get away form the portal!”

“I’m going through to get Duo unstuck. It’s the only way.”

“WHAT!?” All three magic wielding mares said as their eyes widened.

“You can’t go in! You don’t know what’s going on in there.” Starlight called out, her voice hard with anger and concern.

“Please, Spike! There must be another way!” Rarity pleaded, her strength returning as the fear for Spike reenergized her.

“There isn’t!” With that the baby dragon leapt into the portal.

“SPIKE!” The three mares called out. Entering the portal caused it’s surface to shimmer violently sending out more bolts then anyone thought possible.

Still clutching the rope in her mouth Applejack and the ponies with her dove to the sides of the mirror, narrowly avoiding the wave of magic bolts. Rarity and Starlight dove to the floor while Twilight flew straight up with a powerful flap of her wings. As she rose the Alicorn saw her friends rainbow trail as Rainbow Dash flew directly in the path of the bolts.

“Rainbow!” Her horn glowed as Twilight called out her friends name. The same glow encompassed Rainbow before yanking her out of the way, causing the blue mare to yelp in surprise.

“What’s your deal, Twi…!” The room was filled with the roaring force of the hurricanes powerful wind. By saving Rainbow from the magic bolts, Twilight had also forced her to stop countering the hurricane’s wind.

A wind that now had a hold of every magic bolt in the room.

Princess Twilight fought to stay airborne while also keeping her hold on Rainbow, until a book smacked her in the face causing her to release her magical grip. The two mares were carried around the room along with the books and magic bolts. Portals began to open all over the room as the bolts collided with the books. The purple mare gasped in horror as she watch the wind carry bolts through the portals that had appeared as only one thought passed through her mind.

I failed. Equestria is doomed.

Suddenly the door to the library blow off its hinges, drawing Twilight’s attention. The joy she felt at seeing the ponies at the doorway caused tears to flow from her eyes.

Princess Celestia stood tall, her horn glowing gold as Princess Luna hovered above her sister, her own horn surrounded in a cobalt blue aura.

“You came…” Twilight whispered to herself.

“Princess Celesta?!” Safari gasped.

“Princess Luna?!” Cratus shouted.

Without a word the Alicorn sisters launched a magic beam simultaneously at the portal within a hurricane, sealing it off from their dimension but not closing it. Instantly, the wind died, causing the books to fall as the magic bolts continued to ricochet of the walls.

Twilight, no longer able to keep herself in the air, fell as soon as the wind died. But just as she crashed into the floor a golden glow gentle slowed her decent until she was gentle placed beside her two exhausted friend. The three held each other as the Princess of Friendship met with the maternal gaze of the Princess of the Sun.

“Well done, you three. I’m so proud of you all.” Princess Celestia’s smile shone as brilliantly as the sun itself as Twilight nodded weakly.

“Thanks for coming when you did.” Starlight said outright, earning her a tired, but annoyed glare form Twilight. Rarity giggled as Starlight gave a nervous chuckle. Princess Celestia nodded at the three mares before flaring out her giant wings, taking to the air while blasting at the ricocheting bolts.

Try as she might Rainbow’s wings were too sore to keep her aloft, causing her to fall straight at Applejack and the others.

“Incoming!” Pinkie shouted as the others watched Rainbow head straight for them. A blue glow surrounded the rainbow mane mare, stopping her from impacting her friends.

“Phew. Thanks, Princess Luna! I owe you one.”

Placing Rainbow down beside her friends Princess Luna descended before them, a regal smile crossed her face. “Not at all, Rainbow Dash. It is we who owe you all. For staving off this catastrophe for as long as you all have.”

A magic bolt bounced off the wall and headed straight for Luna, causing a gasp from the ponies before her. Despite their reaction Luna stood calmly as a gold barrier appeared between the Princess of the Night and the offending bolt.

“Please, allow us to take it from here.” As soon as she finished speaking a rumbling sound echoed around the room. The ponies in the room watched in impressive joy as a small battalion of unicorn guards charged into the room, blasting at the bolts as they entered.

“Well…this is new.”

Within the mirror, Spike held on to Duo’s tail as the magical energies swirled around him in a dark rainbow of shades compared to the last time he went through.

“Heh, looks like Applejack was wrong about those magical gremlins.” Transferring the grease bucket to his tail Spike began pulling himself along the Orthros’ tail, his eyes scanning the swirling vortex around him. The darker shades of reds and purples swirled together in a dark mess, making Spike sick to his stomach.

“I forgot how…gah…nauseating it is in here.” Making an effort to keep from throwing up the purple dragon focused along Duo’s tail until his eyes caught the strangest sight.

Further up the tail lost it’s fur, replaced by brown dragon scales.

He looked beyond the odd mix of canine and draconic portion to see the other side of the portal, that had a huge dragon body currently stuck within it. The baby dragon let out an annoyed sigh as he resumed his climb. “For once, I was really hoping one of Twilight’s theories was wrong.”

As Spike pressed on, the rest of Duo’s tail changed.

Back in the library, Twilight, Starlight, and Rarity joined the group of ponies beside the mirror as Applejack kept hold of the rope.

“Why?” Twilight asked sadly upon arriving, her eyes moist with fear for her closest friend. “Why would you let him go in there like that?” She looked at each pony as she asked; Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Safari turned their eyes downward when the Alicorn’s eyes met theirs, Cratus held her gaze, confident they made the right decision, but not for long.

Applejack kept her eyes locked on the mirror, unable to meet her friends eyes.

“Take it easy, Twilight.” Rainbow cut in, standing in the middle of the group. “Spike maybe a baby, but he’s tough enough to handle a stupid out-of-control portal thing!”

“That’s not the point, Rainbow and you know it!” Rarity snapped back, causing Rainbow to take a step back as her ears fell against her head.

“Portal magic is among the most unstable kind of magic known to ponies.” Starlight chimed in to explain why the three magic users were so upset. “Only truly talented ponies like Twilight, educated ponies like Chancellor Neighsay, or powerful ponies like the Princesses have the best chance of using portal magic without it backfiring, resulting in accidents like with that hurricane.”

“Because of that, for all we know, there could be a portal within the mirror that leads to the sun!” Rarity added angrily. “And you all just let him jump through without thought!”

The non-magically adept ponies became deeply upset with this news, but not as much as Applejack as tears trickled down her cheeks.

“Well, ‘I’ for one, applaud the reckless thought of our dear dragon friend.” A flash appeared above the group of distraught ponies as Discord hovered over them, a grin plastered on his face. “He really has taken away some things from our Ogres & Oubliettes get togethers. Big Mac would be so proud.”

“Discord! We don’t have time for any of your jokes!” Twilight shouted, her mind and emotions being pushed passed there limit. “Can’t you see we have a crisis on our hooves!”

“My dear, dear Twilight.” The Spirit of Chaos floated around the group before hovering in front of the portal to the hurricane. “You must calm yourself and relax. Try doing that thing Cadence taught you.” As he spoke Discord snapped his lion paw, making the portal behind him disappear. “I’m here to help.”

“You are?” Both Fluttershy and Starlight asked in surprise.

“Honestly, you two. A little enthusiasm from you wouldn’t hurt.” He says in a feigning hurt way as he prepares to snap his paw again.

“Discord, wait!” Twilight shouted in a panic, her hoof stretched out.

“Oh, for the love of all things Chaos!” Discord expressed before facing Twilight. “What more do I need to do to convince you? I’m here to help. Ask Celestia and Luna. Their the ones that came to me.”

“It’s not that.” The young Alicorn said. “When those portals opened, the magic bolts that created them flew through. If you close these’s ones now, we may never find the ones that have opened on the other side.”

“…oh.” The Draconequus said as he looked at each portal that was already opened.

“You have to go into each one and close any portals that have opened up, before closing these ones.”

“Twilight Sparkle. Are you trying to get rid of me so I don’t fix the problem before you do?” Discord teased as he wrapped his body around her.

“What!? No! I…”

“Discord.” The soft voice of Fluttershy spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention, except for Applejack. “You’re the only one with the ability to find and close all the portals the quickest. That’s all Twilight meant when she asked.”

“Yeah. After all, you are able to manipulate reality itself, right?” Starlight added. “Who better to fix holes in reality then you?”

Looking between his two friends, Discord unwrapped himself from Twilight and smiled. “Well, why didn’t you say so, Twilight? Had you started with that I wouldn’t have taken it the wrong way.” He floated towards the open portals and duplicated himself. The many Discord copies flew through each portal save one, who held his chin with his bird claw. “Or maybe I would have. Chaos is funny that way.” With a twiddle of his bird claws, Discord disappeared through the portal.

Leaving Twilight a twitchy mess.

Meanwhile, Spike drew closer towards the other side of the portal.

“Just a little closer…” The purple dragon expressed as he pulled himself along the dragon’s back, the bucket of grease secure at the end of his tail. “…and this guys outta here.” Spike arrived at the point where Duo’s body met the portal’s frame, giving him the perfect spot to apply the grease.

Suddenly, back at the library, Duo’s tail fully changed into a dragons.

“Every pony, look out!” Pinkie shouted as the tail thrashed about, forcing the ponies to scatter away from the mirror.

Applejack pressed herself to the ground, Spike’s lifeline clutch firmly in her teeth as the force caused by the tail’s powerful movements, blew her hat right off her head.

Ah ain’t letting go! She told herself as the tail slammed right in front of her. Quicker then she expected Duo’s dragon tail swung towards her forcing the farm pony to leap over it. Determined to keep the line secure for Spike, Applejack continued to leap over the tail every time to came close.

Safari had read every page of every novel of everyone of A.K. Yearling’s Daring Do tales. She could quote ever word from The Quest for the Sapphire Stone from memory and name every one of Daring Do’s villains and their henchponies. Being the Daring Do fan that she was Safari truly believed she had experienced every kind of adventure the world had to offer through those novels.

She never thought she would have an adventure of her own.

Looking around the room Safari was amazed at the site of it all; Applejack showed such bravery and care for her friend, it enabled her to persevere against her dear Duo’s now dragon tail. Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends watched in awe and determination, believing in their friends ability to hold on to Spike’s lifeline and give him the time he needs to succeed.

The yellow earth pony mare turned her gaze slightly upward to look past the group of heroes before her. The many unicorns, joined by the rulers of their country, stood unwavering against the onslaught of magic bolts. The mirror had not let up it’s torrent of bolts since they arrived, even as the group of friends avoided Duo’s tail.

Despite the current crisis Safari found her gaze lingering on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They hovered in the air, side by side, their attention alternating from the bolts the mirror unleashed, to the other numerous portals within the room. Though Discord and his copies had ventured within them, there was no way of telling where they lead to or what might come through.

“This is all my fault.”

Her ears flinched at the words as recognition caused her to look upon Cratus. The grey stallion faced the mirror as Applejack slipped to the ground. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy dove to her side, assisting the farm pony back to her hooves in time to avoid the tail.

“If I hadn’t have gotten so attached to Duo, none of this would be happening.”

The big earth pony lowered his head in shame. Safari stared at her friend as the realization of current events flashed within her mind. The three of them, herself, Cratus, and Duo, had spent months together. From training Duo to meals and even the odd late night walk. Looking at Cratus, Safari couldn’t help but smile as she reach over and touch his hoof, earning her a surprised look form the stallion.

“If that’s the reason for all this…” She began while leaning into his side, placing her head on his shoulder. “…then I’m partly to blame as well for the same thing.”

The mare closed her eyes just as Cratus placed his head against her own, the sounds of the chaos around them a white noise compared to the heartbeat of the pony beside one another.

Spike held on as Duo shook his tail causing his body to do the same, making the baby dragon’s task that much harder.

“I can do this!” He focused his eyes on portal wall before him. All he had to do was throw the grease at it and coat both it and Duo. After that, the girls can pull the two of them out and save Equestria. “Alright! Here goes everything!” Taking the bucket of wagon wheel grease into his claws, Spike lifted it over his head.

Just as he was about to throw, Applejack’s exhaustion finally caught up with her.

With the help of her friends Applejack was able to keep avoiding the tail. The others too exhausted to help, Spike’s only hope of return rested with the three of them. Though Applejack out right refused to allow anypony else to hold on to the rope.

Unfortunate, as Applejack slipped up on her landing resulting in her directly in the path of the dragon tail.

Ah, horse apples! With a swift swing the dragon tail knock Applejack away form the mirror along with Pinkie and Fluttershy. On instinct Applejack bit down on the rope, tightening her hold on it as she was flung away from the mirror.

Causing the rope to go taut.

The rope around Spike’s belly tightened as he was propelled backwards, losing his grip on the grease. “NO!” He called out as he was pulled out of the portal.

The bucket however, tumbled in the empty space of the portal until it hit the vortex of the dark shaded rainbow. Upon contact the portals magic leaked onto the bucket just before it bounced away and into the other side of the vortex. Back and forth it went, more of the portals magic seeping onto it until it finally made contact with the beast within.

The dragons body shivered as the bucket was crushed into oblivion as another portal opened. This portal was a mix of orange and red, violet and green, brown and purple. The new portal grew onto Duo as the vortex of magic slowly poured into it, resulting in Duo’s body growing.

“It’s alright, Duo. You don’t have to lash out anymore. Everything will be okay.”

At the sound of the flying girls voice Duo’s eyes softened, her kindness breaking through the confusion within him. He remained calm as Fluttershy hovered closer without a shred of fear, her right hand out in front of her before reaching his scaly snot. She placed her outstretched right hand on Duo’s left snot, earning her a soft growl of joy from it, then placed her left hand on his other snot getting the same result.

A warm smile spread across Fluttershy’s face. “I know you’re scared. I would be too if I changed into a dragon. But right now, I need you to stay calm. I promise, we’ll all help you get back to your own body. Okay?”

The two heads gently pushed against Fluttershy’s hands before growling their response.

“It’s okay, Duo. We all know you didn’t mean to attack us. They’ll forgive you, and so will everyone back in Equestria.”

Her eyes marvelled at Fluttershy; Sunset knew her friend was capable of such amazing feats if she truly tried, but watching her calm the Orthros’ turned dragon was a spectacle to watch.

“That’s our Fluttershy. Able to calm even a rampaging dragon.”

Sunset look to her friends as Rarity spoke. All of them, including the worn-out Applejack, watched their kind friend excel in her element. A groan reached her ear; turning towards it Sunset sighed once again at seeing Rainbow helping Vinyl and Spike to thaw out Pinkie’s feet by rubbing her hands on the ice so fast it quickly melted it.

Everything looked like things would resolve themselves now.

Duo’s eyes flung open, his reptilian pupils dilating startling Fluttershy. He flung both his heads back and roared in pain and anger, the action flinging Fluttershy back a bit. Everyone looked on in shock at Duo’s sudden outcry as the two heads shot forward, right for Fluttershy.

Twilight starched out her hand covering her flying friend in her purple glow, pulling her away as the twin jaws snapped at the space she previously occupied. Without missing a beat the two dragon heads sucked in large breaths while aiming at the group, prompting Rarity to summon layer after layer of diamond shields just before the streams of fire and ice unleashed upon them.

As Twilight pulled Fluttershy towards them, Applejack wrapped her body around her two friends as Rarity struggled to fend off the duel elemental streams. Her shock turned to rage as Sunset noticed Rarity’s shield cracking, gold wisps of magic emanated from her body as she stood up.

“I’ve had enough of this!” Sunset declared as the wisps surrounded her body faster and faster. The power behind Duo’s assault cracked the diamond shield further, knocking Rarity towards her friends. The four magically imbued girls watched as the diamond shield shattered.

As the twin streams of the dragons might approached, Sunset Shimmer dove in front of it’s path. The gold wisps completely surrounded her body as the blast impacted against her.

“Sunset!” Fluttershy called out as she stretched out her hand.

They watched in disbelief as the golden cocoon before them began to sprout bright wings while launching an attack of it’s own, pushing Duo’s streams of fire and ice back. The wings reached there intended length as a equally bright horn grew at the top of the cocoon, prompting the golden shell to break away revealing a form they had not seen since the end of the Friendship Games.

Daydream Shimmer had returned.

“I won’t stand by anymore!”

Daydream Shimmer poured more power into her attack, her appearance and power surprising Duo. She took advantage of his dropped guard to spread her golden magic over the assaulting streams, forcing them to dissipate with ease. HIs attack interrupted Duo bared his fangs at Daydream, growling as his eyes harboured a unwavering hatred within them.

“I don’t know what has happened to you, Duo.” Daydream admitted as she floated before him, her ivory dress flowing in the air as she prepared magical orbs around her hands. “But one way or another, I’m getting you out of that portal!”

The pseudo-Alicorn met the hate filled glare of the Orthros’ turned dragon with unwavering determination. Her friends had risen to their feet behind her, making their way over to the school to join their friends a safe distance away. By the time they reached the stairs Rainbow had completely thawed out her pink friends feet, providing blankets for everyone that she grabbed from inside the school.

As they watched Daydream challenge the beast Rarity’s attention was drawn away. She had not removed her gaze from the statue as they retreated to the school, so when she had a moment to think, something struck her. Focusing her gaze at the walls that contained the portal Rarity saw what had been bugging her.

“Oh my. That could be a problem.”

The base of the statue was cracking.

The dark rainbow vortex swirled into the portal that had attached to Duo’s body, making him grow as well as the portal itself. As it did a pair of eyes appeared within the portal, but these eyes were not an identical set. The right one was a sickly green human eye while its left was a blood red draconic one. The eyes shifted from within looking about as the vortex slowly disappeared. The eyes scowled in anger and pain before shutting them tight as a pained cry echoed out, followed by an explosion of faded crimson erupting from inside the portal.

Before the spectacle overcame them, the ominous set of eyes glared outward as a deep, pained voice floated out.

“You all…will know…my pain…”