14 - Parasite Of The Cursed Game Colt

The pair landed in a heap on the sweet-smelling ground of Sweet Apple Acres. "Sorry about that rough landing, Twily! My teleporting needs a lot of work."

"I hate to say it, Game, but...you're right. Never mind, though. We've got a mystery to solve!"

"D'you reckon Spike and Owlowiscious will be OK alone?" Game kicked up the pace, chasing the stream of light up to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse.

"Yeah. They get on really well! But I've got a feeling they're not the ones we need to worry about. What if Applejack's in danger?"

Game held the Power Sock to his heart. "I'm gonna do all I can to fix this. And if I've gotta save her in the process – in fact drop that: if I've gotta do anything else along the way, then I'm in. I don't care what it takes."

Applejack was frozen in shock. Her fear was indescribable. She couldn't bare to look at any other pony in the cramped clubhouse. Apple Bloom was near enough identical – she shuddered in the corner, tears pouring down her face. Shroom Hop was a different matter entirely. His face wore no emotion. His eyes stared emptily into his Game Colt – the source of the light.

Game and Twilight burst into the clubhouse. Neither knew where to run first... Game eventually decided to console Applejack. "Applejack?...I'm here...Everything will be alright...We can defeat whatever's scaring y –"

Game gaped. He couldn't describe what he was seeing. It filled him with immense sadness and fear. "I – Shroom – I can't even – this isn't – I've gotta do something!" He tugged at the Game Colt. "You've gotta get off that thing!"

With tenfold the immense power of the Royal Canterlot Voice, Shroom Hop stared rudely up at his father with fury in his blinding white eyes, and said, "IT IS A PART OF ME." "I AM THE GAME COLT."

"I...I swear I remember some legend about this...a cursed Game Colt...how do we defeat this!?" Game looked around hastily, struck by fear. "Something...anything...Luna! Luna!" Game called. "This is urgent! Luna!"

The tall, dark alicorn appeared at his side. "I see your problem, but I cannot solve it alone. We will need magic. Lots of magic."

"What's your plan, Princess?" Game looked up dutifully.

"We overload it."

"But it's cur –"

"Trust me, Game Changer. Find every unicorn in the town. We need every last inch."

"Hurricane Twilight. I know the drill! Game Changer at your service!" Game saluted and took Applejack's hoof in his. "C'mon, Applejack. We'll fix it." He wiped her tears away, pulling her onto all four hooves, and left the clubhouse with the tiniest inch of doubt stabbing away at his mind...