17 - It's On!

The blast was overwhelming. One glance at it, and no matter how resilient you were in the face of it you'd have to turn away. So much magic was directed at the Game Colt...but would it overload the system as Luna predicted? Only time would tell...

The air burned around them. From even a short distance, the heatwaves made it nearly impossible to see the heroic team. Lights went out all over Ponyville – the magic overload was definitely doing its job there... "Keep going, everypony! We can do this, I just know it!" Game panted. He really wanted to fly up and see his son, but considering the conditions, he thought he might kill himself in the process. He'd do that for his son, by all means, but that tiny inch of doubt in his mind was growing. He could feel it, getting stronger and stronger, unable to decide whether it was unfounded or not. Thirty lives would definitely be helpful if the situation was made any worse by this – and it'd be as simple as up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A.

Luna sighed, a little frustrated. "That should have finished it. I was sure that sort of record-breaking power could break the curse. Prepare yourself, loyal one. You may have a long fight ahead of you."

"My instincts are saying rest."

"No, no! By all means, no! We cannot let the colt cause any more damage to our town...And we also cannot let him extend his wrath any further..." Luna seemed disturbed by the idea, and with very good reason.

"So, ideas? What about the Elements of Harmony?"

"They may work. They are a stronger form of magic. But perhaps this is your fight, Game Changer. Maybe it's time for you to rise to the challenge." Luna rested a confident hoof on Game's neck.

"Perhaps it is. Maybe it's why the Master chose Shroom Hop! I'll find a way. Don't worry, Princess. Your kingdom's in the ri –"

"My sister mainly owns it, but carry on."

"It's in the right hooves, Princess!" Game galloped out into the night, readying himself for what could be a major battle. "I promise..."

Game braved the tornado to find his son. Diving in, he clung tightly to the tree, hitching himself up it in a desperate struggle. "Shroom! Son! Ya hear me?"

No reply.

"I'll be there in a sec!"

Still nothing.

Game let out a hopeless sigh. "Have faith, Game," he murmured to himself. "C'mon, Shroom! Say something!"

Not another word.

The cold bit at his nose and messed his mane like a certain brute of a griffon. Game ignored it. Nothing was on his mind but his son.

Soon enough, he had some wood under his hooves. This tiny platform didn't seem like much of a place to end it. Game leapt furiously at his brainwashed son, grabbing and tugging at the Game Colt. "Stop these stupid games, whoever you are!"

"Is Tetris not your thing? Aww, what a shame!" the Master replied in a jeering tone. "Perhaps you'd like a bit of...let's think...nah. It's variety time!" Shroom Hop threw a nasty glance at his father, pointing the top of the Game Colt at him. A few cartridges shot out of the top, landing in Game's mouth.

Game spat them out into his hoof. "I wonder if Kirby's your thing, 'cause these are coming right back at ya!" The valiant colt threw all three back, the corners jabbing Shroom Hop in the cheek. He looked down, noticing that yet another cartridge was in the console. Perhaps that was a weak point?...

Game dived towards the handheld console, grabbing at the cartridge with a smirk. His quick hoof was stopped by an equally fast block. Shroom Hop threw his father's hoof back into his face. After taking a massive recoil onto the floor, Game growled through held-back tears, "That took some skill, Master. Turning my own son against me. Believe me, you're gonna pay. You're gonna pay every one of those hundred coins that you own. Game over. I promise."

"You wish. All your rings will be gone before you can say 'Dr. Robotnik'!"

"That'll be about as tough for you to pull off as finishing Battletoads blind. I'd like to see you try."

"Game!" The Master roared.

"Master!" Game yelled furiously.

"Game!" The Master boomed, deafening.

"Master!" Game made a valiant attempt at an equally deafening shout.

"Game..." The Master snarled, with less force but more vengeful fury.

"Master..." Game Changer spoke through tightly gritted teeth.

"It. Is. On!" Rarity piped up.

"My line, Rarity. Thanks, but no thanks. We're in a climactic moment here...can you step aside?"

"Oh, I see how it is. Hmph." Rarity turned her head, full of attitude, and pompously cantered away.

"Anyway...Let's do this!"