Author's Note

Well, it has been a HOT minute, but we're back! I've had a lot of life hitting me lately and I had to step away for just a smidgen, but I'm back! New Chapter coming out, hopefully, soon. But no promises. Anyway, enjoy this, the sixth chapter of A Guardian's Rise.

Chapter Six: Commitment & Resistance

Sonic groaned as he struggled to his feet swaying back and forth with his fists up dazedly, a light trickling of blood flowing from his head. Script looked around at the slowly approaching group of girls as he rose his hand back and materialized an oddly made shield, the front piece surrounded by a glowing essence and outlined by metal segments. His eyes only widened further as he looked ahead at them and held the shield up with a more panicked breathing, rushing in front of Sonic and Cloud, "G-Get back! S-Seriously, please!" He begged as Rainbow Dash landed down and broke into a sprint towards them, slamming her fist into the shield causing him to be shoved back a bit into his friends by the force. Though he was staggered hard by the strike, he was just barely keeping himself grounded as he struggled to shove Rainbow back, sending her away a foot or two into a flip as she hovered above the other girls.

Meanwhile, Comet continued to fend off the enraged demoness that was Sunset. Her attacks had become erratic and predictable, allowing him to quickly counter her and send her flying away with his pillars or even bring up shields of ice when a torrent of magical fire was blown down upon him. Being sent into the air again, she growled in seething rage flipping back up into an upright position before spotting that Cloud and the others seemed to return to normal. She grinned monstrously and called down, "What are you waiting for?! Kill them!" She called out as the five of them began to rush towards them with intent.

Cloud grit his teeth as he saw them coming from all directions, Rainbow Dash throwing blow after blow at Script's shield and sending him a few inches back with every blow. Cracks soon began to ripple throughout as he was pinned against the podium that was once the portal and the Wondercolt statue, Sonic and Cloud moving to get out of the way. Script, unable to move from his trapped position, began hyperventilating watching Rainbow pick up speed in her strikes before him, tears trailing down his face as he could feel the shield starting to give, "Stop! P-Please stop!" he shouted out in fear as the shield shattered and digitized back to his horn.

He stared in fear as the emotionless grimace on Rainbow's face refused to budge, reeling a fist back before being tackled off to the side by Sonic as they went into a tumble with him landing on top of her, doing his best to block her blurred strikes and being struck himself a few times before he finally got a grip on her hands and pinned them above her head, "Stop! Stop it, Dash! Do you seriously not recognize us at all?!" He shouted before she arched her legs up around his waist from his straddling position on her stomach. He looked at her legs and then to her with a nervous chuckle, "Uh... Kinky?" He said before he was sent onto his back with a heavy thud and a groan as his hold on her wrists wavered enough for her to free her hands. Once she was free, she spun him around onto his front and put his legs into a modified submission hold as she began pulling his legs backwards forcefully, making him cry out in pain.

Being temporarily freed from Rainbow's onslaught, Script panted with tears surging down his face as he turned to run only to be met with Rarity giving him a heavy punch, sending him tumbling as he rolled back onto his feet only to be turned around by Applejack who's hit was far heavier. Sending him skyward a few feet with an uppercut as he fell back onto the ground where he was then surrounded by the two and Pinkie Pie who seemed to lose her utensils and decided to simply start kicking and stomping him with the other two, making him scream and shout in pain trying his best to protect his head from their attacks, "C-Cloud! Run, help, anything! Please!" He begged among his screams as he was kicked hard in the back.

Cloud's eyes shifted around between his friends being assaulted, the empty faces of their attackers, slowly up towards Sunset who laughed heartily at them as he clutched his fists and clenched his teeth, 'Aether... I don't care what you've gotta do. Help them!' he said as he felt a hand around his neck as he was brought back to reality by Sunset clutching his throat tight, "S-Sun--"

"What's wrong, Cloud? Don't tell me you actually care about them. I know you. You're a void of emotion. An empty, shallow husk!" She growled slamming him to the ground as he panted in pain looking back at the others who were still trying their hardest, struggling the entire time. It seemed Script had managed to create some odd field around his body while Sonic groaned and was doing his best to get some kind of leverage from Rainbow's hold. Seeing them struggle against the girls they all once saw as friends, he seemed to fall still before he started laughing, catching Sunset off-guard as he looked up at her, "W-What's so funny!? Have you finally lost your--"

"Duck, bitch..." he groaned as she looked confused at him and then behind her seeing Fluttershy's foot land against her head, sending her rolling with a groan of pain. She flew up and growled as she went for a dive before her wings were suddenly held back, chains of shimmering ice gripping them at the base of her back as more began capturing her arms and legs. Fluttershy panted and leaned down to pull Cloud up onto his feet, "Flutters... Thanks for the save." He said with a grin as she nodded, her eyes clear of their haze as she pulled him back up.

"I-I don't know what happened... I just... I saw you all fighting so hard and getting injured and I--" she stopped as she heard a crack like glass as she and Cloud turned looking back at Script who's shimmering body shield seemed to be breaking. Cloud turned to Comet who seemed to be struggling to hold back the seething she-demon, "Comet's hands are full and I don't want to hurt my friends... But I will if I have to!" She said in a more assured tone as Cloud nodded and stood up straight.

Inside the school, Luna and Celestia glanced towards the door, having barricaded it on Comet's request. Though Luna had faith in him, she couldn't help but be worried as Celestia kept her eyes on Twilight as she had since all this began. "Please, Twilight... Please open your eyes. Your friends, your family... They're all hurting. They need you." She implored as she held her hand tightly, feeling the weakened pulse as she hung her head low.

"It sounds bad out there... There must be others out there fighting back against her," Luna reasoned as she turned to Celestia, "If that is indeed the case, I believe we should take this time to try and move Twilight Sparkle somewhere more secure? Perhaps attempt to get her to a proper hospital?" She said looking through the infirmary window cautiously. Looking back to Celestia, she noticed that she seemed completely unresponsive to her suggestions. All her attention still centered on Twilight. Seeing this, Luna came over to her and placed a gentle, careful hand on her shoulder, snapping her back to reality as she slowly peered up towards Luna, "Sulking for her does her no good, dearest sister. If you want to help her, we should--" She was cut off as the two felt a sudden surging of magic, peering over quickly to the unconscious girl at their side in shock.

Back outside, Cloud had begun trying to divert the attention of Pinkie and Applejack by doing what he figured he did best: Be annoying. He flicked their ears, pushed them, honked their noses all while quickly rushing between the two in an effort to dodge their strikes at him, all while Fluttershy did her best to push back Rarity who seemed hellbent on bludgeoning Script. Struggling against her binds, Sunset roared out at the two of them, "How?! How did you release yourself from my hold?! That spell should've buried you under my control!" she shouted being slowly pulled to the ground by Comet's chains.

"It's simple, really." He said looking back towards her after leaping onto the statue's pedestal, his eye glowing a bright blue as he smiled, "I've got a commitment to keep to these guys. They're my friends, after all. But I'm sure you know nothing about that, huh?" he said, his voice seeming to come out in stereo as he looked to Fluttershy, "If you can get Sonic to his feet, I think he can handle Rainbow in the third round. I'll try and help Script." Fluttershy nodded and rushed over towards Rainbow and Sonic, grabbing Rainbow Dash's arms and doing her best to pull them back to release her hold on Sonic, having to stand over him to get the proper angle.

Sonic, doing his best to arch himself up and out of Dash's hold didn't notice Fluttershy, slowly raising himself up so he was partially standing on his hands at a slant. "I... Ain't... Out... Yet!" He shouted as his eyes flared a bright white, spinning himself in a tight tucked somersault and catching Rainbow Dash off guard as Fluttershy used the momentary shock to yank her away and onto the ground. The two falling made Fluttershy yelp and Rainbow groan as they looked ahead at Sonic, a white aura flowing off him as he looked back and flared out his wing in a crouched stance. Seeing this, Fluttershy quickly let go of Rainbow Dash, getting out of the way of her swinging down at where Fluttershy's face was as she leaped up onto her feet and seemed to grin, her eyes flickering as Sonic returned it. While they stared one another down, the aura coalesced to his back and became a glowing white wing, replacing the missing one.

"I know you're still in there, Dash... And I know you don't wanna lose, ever. So show me! Show me the Rainbow Dash I've been competing with for years!" He shouted as he blitzed at her in a blue and white streak with blue star-like sparkles as Rainbow dashed back, the two colliding fists as a large burst of magical wind shot around them and made the others around lose their balance for a moment. The two leaped back as they began chasing one another, swinging and dodging or blocking one another as they raced around, Rainbow leaping backwards as she flew and flipped with her feet pressed to the statue's podium before she launched herself at Sonic who spun and returned a heavy kick to collide with Rainbow's rebounding punch.

Script, just being able to make out what was happening now that the other three seemed to be distracted by Cloud's annoyance and the fight between Rainbow and Sonic, stared in awe at their friend's power as he clenched his fists, 'I'm so stupid... I know I need to fight, but... They're my--'

'Say that word and you will forever be a weakling unfit for our body.' The burning voice from before growled as Script's eyes widened. He turned and found himself in a sort of void standing across from a bright flame in the shape of some sort of equine, their eyes bright white as they marched up to him, 'Your pathetic whining disgusts me, but I know you have the heart of a warrior somewhere within you, for we are one. I will not lead you through every battle, for your actions must be your own! I refuse to allow a weakling like you to further sully my power, and so, you will carry out this fight!' He shouted as he repeatedly jabbed his hoof into Script's chest, 'Remember these words! We do not waver before the enemy, even if they were once ally! We do not stop until the battle is done, lest we lose another day! We are not simply a being! We are Kirin!' He roared as the flames burst out and surrounded Script before he found himself back looking at Sonic and Rainbow.

He panted and nodded, "Heart of a warrior? I'm no fighter..." He said before smiling as he quickly scrambled away from Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity, going into a dive roll and skidding away as he leaned a hand back, "But if there's one thing I know I am," He said with a bright grin as he slung his fist back, a large gauntlet appearing along with the rest of his arm being clad in a golden spiked armor as he clenched the fist with digital electricity surging up it and into his eye, "It's a gamer!" He shouted as he summoned another shield on his opposing arm.

Applejack, now realizing that he'd gotten away from them, rushed towards him with a shout as she punched down at him which he blocked before going into a spinning uppercut to her stomach, making her cough as she was flung into the air. She flew back and onto the snowy ground a few meters away as she groaned and struggled to her feet. He took a sharp inhale through his teeth seeing her go flying as he called a quick apology her way and looked over to see Pinkie leap onto his back and wrap her arms around his neck in a headlock, making him stumble as he de-summoned the gauntlet. Instead, appearing in his hand was an odd silver device that he threw over to land on top of the statue's remains. Snapping his now gloved hand, he disappeared from sight, making Pinkie fall to the ground as he reappeared in the device's place as it digitalized into his horn again. "Whoo! That was a rush... Kinda weird tho-- Whoa!" he shouted as he dodged a diamond disc thrown at him by Rarity who summoned more. He stared down at her and leapt off as he summoned a glowing cyan blade and swiped his hand over his eyes to create a visor that glowed to life, "I don't wanna do this, Rare... But if you won't stand down, I'm gonna have to--" He was cut off as he slashed another disc in half as it implanted in the podium behind him, "Okay, fine!" He called out as he readied the blade in both hands, the shield fading into his hands as they were now clasped in steel gauntlets with glowing cyan circuits.

Seeing that Rarity would be busy with Script and Sonic was handling Rainbow Dash, Cloud and Fluttershy were faced with Applejack and Pinkie Pie who were recovering from their attempt at stopping Script. Fluttershy hid slightly behind Cloud who looked back at her and pat her hand on his shoulder, "Chill. I won't hurt them." He said as they both ran at him, Fluttershy gasping and about to shout before he snapped his free hand, the two lunging into portals as Applejack flew out colliding with Pinkie Pie as they skid back some, "See?"

Sunset stared in anger and confusion seeing the battle continue on as a laugh came from Rainbow Dash that caught her attention as she and Sonic didn't seem to be fighting to kill anymore, but it seemed more like sparring as she lunged out of the way of his strike only to be caught in a grapple from behind that she laughed and grunted trying to fight against, "Say it!"

"No way, weirdo! You're not getting me that easy!"

"Wanna bet?" He said laughing as they went into a tumble befitting a pair of children rolling down a hill.

"No... No! How is this happening!?" Sunset shouted as she turned and saw Pinkie look at the portal and slowly slink a hand through, her empty glare softening as she saw her hand poke out from the other side. Her eyes began to sparkle as her hair puffed up again and she began giggling and leaping through the portal back and forth as Applejack groaned and chuckled a bit watching Pinkie bounce around, holding her injured stomach. "N-No! Stop it! They're the enemy, remember?! They killed Twilight! They--"

"I didn't do anything, actually." he said as he snapped his fingers, the portal shutting after Pinkie made it back through as Fluttershy caught her.

Rarity paused in her disc slinging as she shook her head, her eyes sparkling with life again, "W-Wha... Gamer?" She said in surprise as he panted and de-summoned the items he'd brought forth.

He smiled and gave a small salute, "At your service always, Rare..." he said with a tired bashfulness. Upon the two being free from their fight, they looked over towards a glowing screen that seemed to appear just over the street. It seemed to recall the night of the dance from Cloud's perspective as it replayed the situation over, "Twilight, dear..."

"As you can plainly see, ladies and gentlecolts of the jury, I am quite innocent in this." he said before looking to Sunset, "You on the other hand? Not so much."

"He's... He's right... My word, Script, I'm so sorry! Oh, look at you! You're covered in bruises and-- Are you bleeding!?" she said in shock cupping his cheeks and looking to his head and nose which both trickled blood as well as a bruised eye as he stiffened up and turned a deep red, "My goodness, darling! You need a hospital!" she said worriedly as he nodded, not wanting to dissuade her from holding his cheek.

Rainbow and Sonic dashed up to the group in a blur as they laughed heartily, an arm over one another's shoulder, "That was so cool! Dude, Sonic, your new look? So sick!" She said giving him a more playful jab as Sonic rubbed his chest and returned it.

"Oh, like you and your wild rainbow trail thing? Those moves were way past cool!" He admitted as they continued to nerd out at one another's new abilities.

Cloud smiled with a sigh as his glowing eye extinguished, "Well... Looks like all's well that ends we--Aaah!" He shouted as a purplish-orange flame blasted into his back, sending him a few meters away onto the ground. Everyone gave a gasp of shock as Script, Sonic and Fluttershy all rushed over to him, the other girls coming over as well to check on him.

Applejack, however, looked back towards Sunset who had a glowing hand risen with a dark grin. She gave a low cackle as she whispered, "Got you... Cloudy."