The waiting was killing her. Applejack wasn't the kind of pony to sit around while everypony else did the work, but she had a responsibility. She knew it was inevitable that the Dratali would reach the city, and when they did, she'd give them the bucking of their lives. She looked around at the ponies she was to be fighting with. She knew most of them at least by reputation, but the nomads were completely foreign to her. Of course, that meant Pinkie Pie was chatting up a storm.
“Hey, Applejack!” called the hyper mare, “Come over here!”
“What's up, Pinkie?” asked the farm mare.
“I just want to introduce you to my new friend!” exclaimed the daughter of chaos, indicating a dark gray unicorn with an amethyst mane, “She's a nomad! I've never had a nomad friend! Now I just need a yes-mad friend! Hey Applejack, do you know where I can find a yes-mad? Do you think Trixie's a yes-mad? She definitely says yes to being mad a lot...”
The two mares watched as the pink one's mouth continued.
“Is she...” the nomad began.
“Yes, yes she is,” Applejack answered the question she knew was coming, “You get used to it. By the way, the name’s Applejack.”
“Flicka, a pleasure to meet you,” replied the mare.
“...And then the monkey was swinging from the curtains and Princess Cadence was laughing, but Shiny wasn't...”
“You ever been in a rumble, Flicka?” Applejack asked.
“Yes, we live outside the princesses' influence,” Flicka answered, “I've fought, and I've even had to kill. Do you have experience fighting?”
“Ha! Just Nightmare Moon, Discord, a changeling invasion, a ticked off ghost, a crazy monkey king, a few dragons... and parasprites,” she put extra venom on the last.
“Parasprites?” asked the nomadic unicorn.
“...So after I strapped Dashie to the table in the basement and got out my knives...”
“A real pain in the flank,” the orange mare explained, “The little varmints ate a third of mah trees.”
“Ah, we've had trouble with similar creatures,” Flicka groaned, “Sand beetles. They can destroy a field of crops in less then three days.”
“Wow. That's not quite as bad as parasprites, but they’re magical. For regular bugs, that's pretty bad.”
“Yes, and they're hard to get rid of.”
“...Now I'm not allowed within fifty miles Manehattan.”
The two sane ponies looked at Pinkie with similarly confused expressions.
Pinkie met their gazes, “What?”
“Hey guys!” Vinyl called from the balcony of a large house that overlooked the city nicely, “We got company!”
“Get ready!” Applejack called out, “Parry, you protect Fluttershy. We'll need her safe, in case somepony gets hurt.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Holy cow!” Rainbow Dash couldn't believe her eyes, “You told me what that spell does, but... wow! You're huge!”
“That's what she said,” Spike chuckled, sweeping his tail at the nearest Dratali as they stared on in shock.
“Ha! Good one,” Rainbow zapped a couple more, while cutting one across the belly that got too close.
Rainbow looked at her now blood soaked wing and down at the guy she just killed. She wondered why she wasn't revolted by it. Yeah, she felt bad for the guy, but it wasn't as bad as she thought.
“It's the Crystal Heart spell,” Spike said, noticing her confusion, “It steels the nerves and strengthens the body and magic.” He released a burst of emerald fire at a few soldiers that tried to shoot him. The rounds stung, but couldn't penetrate his scales, “Now, come on. Let's kick these guys off our planet!”
“Right!”
Spike breathed a coat of fire on his claws and quickly started inscribing runes in the air. He raised his claws over his head and slammed them down with a loud crash. The hovering runes followed suit, shooting into the ground and sending out a shockwave. Every living thing within a two hundred fifty foot radius was flung into the air, as gravity seemed to lose its hold. Ponies stood in awe before recognizing their opportunity and opening fire.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Let's see how you guys like being on the receiving end of this for a change,” Curt grinned evilly.
He and his small team of four unicorns began weaving the spell on the opposite side of the Dratali from Celestia and her army. Being the least experienced, he simply followed the lead of the unicorn Twilight said was the best of the group, Lyra Heartstrings. Apparently, she was an old classmate of Twilight's that Celestia sent to 'keep an eye on her pupil' when she moved. Needless to say, Twilight was rather upset when she found out, but understood the need for security.
The group of mages weaved the spell, feeding it energy. A brilliant flash of light filled their vision, blinding them momentarily. When their sight returned, they were greeted by several hundred Alliance soldiers. After the daze of the teleportation wore off, they turned toward the battlefield and with a mighty battle cry, charged.
“Alright!” Curt called as he caught his breath, “Let's get ready to bring the armor!”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
The Dratali soldiers tried to run, but it didn't matter. The last thing they saw was the emerald flames of the great beast. They were soon joined by their fellows as the purple dragon burned them with flames, tore them with claws, and crushed them with its tail. All the while, its lover darted through their ranks cutting with the steel edged wings, and burning with lightning.
The pegasus was too fast to target and the dragon was too thick skinned. They needed something more powerful than their rifles. They tried to deploy portable rocket launchers, but the fast one cut them down before they could use them. To make matters worse, Alliance soldiers had appeared on the battlefield, flanking them. They were assaulted on every side, and their chances were looking grim. What was needed was armor. What they got, though, was so much better.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Three more screams filled the air as Spike's fire claimed more lives. It was a terrible sensation, but the Crystal Heart's spell let him fight on. The logical part of his mind knew when the spell ends, the horror of this battle would catch up to him, but it was a small price to pay. He was more worried about Rainbow Dash. She acted tough, but he's seen the side of her no one else has. She was always scared. Not for herself, but for everypony else. He knew she wouldn't take it well, but he would be there for her.
The purple dragon took in a deep breath, pulling his fire from his core. Before he could unleash the attack, he was thrown through the air by a massive object slamming into the ground in front of him. Dazed, Spike staggered to his feet and looked at the culprit. His jaw dropped at the sight. Emerging from the metal sphere was an enormous creature. It was easily three times Spike's size and looked like a cross between a dragon, a tortoise, and a machine. Metal pieces were fused to its body, reinforcing its scales and gigantic claws.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Curt laid his head on the grass. Summoning the armored divisions was hard, and he needed a breather.
“What the hay is that?” Lyra gasped.
Curt turned to look and bolted upright, his fatigue gone. He stared at the Dratali tech covered beast, “That... That's new is what that is.” Lyra looked at him with confusion and fear. “I’m pretty sure nothing like that has been reported before.”
Lyra gulped, “What do we do?”
Curt looked at the monstrosity, “Hope that Spike can kill it...”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Spike,” Rainbow called as she hovered by her fiance's head, “What is that thing? It's bigger than you!” Spike could only nod in acknowledgment, “I... I don't think you can beat it.”
“Rainbow...” he said softly, “Get out of here.”
“What? No way! I'm not leaving you!”
“Dashie, please,” he pleaded, “I can't fight all out with you here. Don't worry, I'll stop that thing. Go help the princess.”
Dash reluctantly nodded and gave him a peck on the cheek, “Don't get yourself hurt, kay?”
The cyan pegasus flew off toward where the sun ruler still fought.
“Alright you freak. Let's do this!”
He thrust his claw into the ground, and tore out a large boulder. With a quick burst of fire, he inscribed a force magnification rune onto the stone, and drove his fist into it. The stone burst into flames and rocketed toward the mechanized turtle-dragon at supersonic speed, slamming into its head. It roared in pain before charging the threat. Spike hadn't anticipated its speed and barely managed to bring up his arms to block the mighty blow from its deadly claw. Despite his protective measures, the blow launched the dragon several hundred yards away.
“Holy hay, the guy's got a hammer!” Spike groaned as he sat up... just in time to see the giant plowing toward him. A quick roll to the side kept him three dimensional, but the same couldn't be said for several ponies on the ground. Their screams sent chills down his spine. I gotta lead it away!
“Hey, ugly!” he shouted before spitting an emerald ball of flame at its head. It had the desired effect of drawing the behemoth's attention away from the ponies. Unfortunately for Spike, it drew its attention to him.
With a deafening roar, it charged the dragon once again. Spike turned tail and ran for it, using his wings to keep enough ahead of the monster to not be in danger, but close enough to keep its interest. He needed a good way to hurt this thing. An Idea hit him, but he wasn't sure if it would work. With a quick movement, he twisted around using his wings, and inscribed a rune in the air. It hung where it was written until the juggernaut chasing him hit it. Spike had to repress a cheer at the sight of the fiery rune stuck on its chest. He dove to the side, the creature missing him by only a few dozen feet. The purple dragon drove his fist into its side, the rune multiplying the force several times.
“Yeah!” Spike cheered as the monster rolled a good distance. The beast rolled to its feet again as if nothing happened, “Oh... crap.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Weapon systems ready!” Aden called to his co-worker.
“She's all gassed up and ready to blow stuff up!” Technia sang.
“We're ready when you are, Deb,” Aden told his fellow pilot.
“Then let's get this bad boy up and killin' lizards!” replied the half-aviva.
The gray unicorn lit up her horn, and turned a crank on the wall. Daylight broke through as the entire wall slid open, making room for the new spacecraft.
“You're clear for take off,” alerted Aden.
“Alright you Dratali bastards! Here comes Firefly, and she's got a new toy!” cried the redhead as she gunned engine.
Aden watched until she was gone from sight, “Alright, are you going to be good here? I gotta go help with the fighting.”
“Go have your fun,” Technia said, “Me and my new friend here are going to wait for someone to play with,” she rubbed a large, sheet covered object.
“You’re scary,” Aden said before jumping into a mech, “Stay safe.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Vinyl's horn shined as she hollered as loud as she could. The unrelenting force her voice had become passed through the shimmering wall of protective magic. The Dratali adept's hands recoiled to his head as blood oozed from every orifice. His death was quick, but agonizing. AJ couldn't hold back the shudder. It was a terrible way to go, that was for sure.
“How is he, Fluttershy?” the country mare called out behind her, where her friend was treating one of the nomad ponies.
“H-he didn't...” the gentle pegasus' quivering voice was all she needed to hear. Applejack never even knew the guy's name, but it still made her angry. Nomad or not, he was a pony.
“Y'all gonna be alright?” the farmer called back.
“Y-yes... It's not the first time a patient has died, but... never a pony... I'll be fine.”
Applejack looked back at the enemies, and mentally cursed herself. An aviva convert had one of those big tube weapons that Twilight said shot rockets and it was aiming right at her. Before AJ could respond, a blur landed on him with a battle cry.
The orange earth pony flinched as debris flew in her face. She looked back to where her would-be killer was just moments ago and instead saw something she couldn't believe. Her mind tried to wrap itself around the utter strangeness of the situation. It wasn't the beaver tail, the single crow's wing, or reindeer antler, or even the raccoon paw gripping the big candy-cane sledgehammer that made the sight so impossible to comprehend...
… It was the pink pony they were attached to.
“Hiya, AJ!”
Pinkie goes All Crazy! Love it.
Well everybody is screwed now...
Just had this conversation with a friend over steam not a minute ago.
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: you finished chapter, yes?
CreeperDaReeper: yeah
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: pinkie has a candy-cane sledgehammer
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: what.
CreeperDaReeper: Pinkie Pie is suddenly a draconaquis, and ur confused by the hammer?
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: she's finally embracing her heritage
CreeperDaReeper: well no shit
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: that doesn't surprise me as much as her choice of weapon
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: i mean candy canes aren't sturdy
CreeperDaReeper: Daughter of Chaos
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: it'd break pretty easily
CreeperDaReeper: logic not required
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: well, unless you let it stale for a year or so
ultra(1437) cheeky dickwaffle: then it'd be more solid than rock
2512219
Your friend knows what he's talking about
Did you really have to post that video half way through the chapter? It really killed my immersion into the story, and it felt like you were trying to rub it into my face. The best way to include music is to hyperlink it so that if I chose to (which I don't, more often than not) I can open it in a new tab, instead of having a big distration in the story itself, like so:
Pinkie sends things into Disarray.
Oh hell yes, Battle scene is amazing. Love the song choice dude
2512232
Talking? Who's talking? I'M RAGING FRUIT CAKE!!! I CHALLENGE THEE TO A DUEL! A DUEL TO THE SANE!!! FIRST ONE CERTIFIED BATSHIT CRAZY EXPLODES TWICE!!!!!!!!!
YOU GET NUTS! YOU GET CRAZY!! EVERYBODY GETS INSANE!!!
Pinkie Pie, Chaos Incarnate Mode, Activate! Also, is Flicka the same one from the Unity Games (Well, same character, at least.)?
Suddenly Pinkie Pie. Classic XD
2512266 Eeyup. Flicka's going to be part of the colab and I'm setting her up a bit for it. That being said, I'm sure you can guess how things are going to end up for her.
Oh no.
The element of laughter has finally gone off the deep end. And it looks like she's gotten hold of some of Discord's playthings.
It's going to be one heck of a mess to clean up later...
Houston, the crap has hit the fan.
The unrelenting force.............
I see what you did there. =3
When is the orbital friendship canon coming in?
And I must agree with 2512244 on this one.
Spike needs to find a cliff to get the massive creature to end up running off seeing as he can fly. I doubt it would kill it, but it may wound it's legs opening up multiple advantages for Spike to use.
Pinkie embracing her inner draconaquis.
Panzers (tanks) (Germans make the best tanks thus Panzers) inbound
Maybe Xander will be killed by the Dratali...... he likely promised them and easy seizure of Avol and the end to their only magic threat. Instead they are having much needed units being slaughtered.
2512283
she's a daughter of chaos born from the loins of her father Clyde (AKA James; AKA ex-chaos god) and her mother (who is a normal EP), she doesn't have to take shit from Discord as she has her own crazy arsenal of weapons.
The candy-cane sledgehammer (of doom) fits well with Pinkie
Wonder how long Vinyl can keep playing Black Canary (DC hero) until her vocal cords say enough
Alliance: we got magic
Dratiri: we are better experienced in magic
Alliance: we also have a dragon
Dratiri: we have a tortoise () mecha hybrid
Alliance: our dragon also has magic and can think for himself
Dratiri: ...we'll still win
Twilight: Not on your life shit-heads!
Dratiri: OH SHI- test.demotivate.me/mediafiles/full/4162010103911AM_oh-shi.jpg
You can't stop me! I'm having fun!
Twilight is going to be their superweapon, I just know it, even Pinkie can't stop the sheer magnitude of power flowing through that unicorn, she was powerful to begin with, now she's gonna have a lot of fun rampaging through their ranks
“...So after I strapped Dashie to the table in the basement and got out my knives...”
Cupcakes anyone?
2512486
...You're substituting the 'L' and 'R' just like the Japanese do. The same thing occurs with Alucard's name.
Well Played.
25.media.tumblr.com/3f71128ae8cf3849b6837f6173121f3b/tumblr_mlq9q1vIMR1snjj1io1_500.gif
2512361
Crap will break the fan when Twilight comes around.
Heh, Vinyl Scratch IS her Bass Cannon.
Pinkie Pie embraces her chaotic heritage? I'm still waiting for her to start whipping out the party cannons, for a 'new' type of party.
By the by... where is Discord?
2512486 dude no its
dratini: we have a tortise
alliance: we have a pinkie pie
dratini:...
anyway.
spike this thing is attacking the planet he's attacking the ponies YOUR ponies he is attacking your hoard he is STEALING YOUR HORDE.
2512673
Dratini sends out Blastoise
Me, right now: "Oh boy, there can be nothing more badass than beast mode-spike punhing a giant cyborg-turtle-dragon in the face"
Then, Pinkie happened. It appears the excrement has struck the ventilation unit.
€dit: Make that the header for your next chapter... :D
Whelp... I can say I shat enough bricks to rebuild the Great Wall
2512272
And to think I was commenting on that particular Flicka being quite similar to Twi here, in terms of leg and eye. That is, until I realized she's all metal. Derp! Good to see her here, anyway.
I am considerd patient. Reads chapter. Sees ending. Patience gone. F5. F5. F5.
The unrelenting force her voice had become passed through the shimmering wall of protective magic.
Heh, see what you did there
2513043>>2513076fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/267/e/e/troll_tiger_by_shirotora84-d5ftl5l.png
Dratali: We have an Army.
Equestria: We have a Pinkie Pie
PP: PINKIE PIE SMASH!!!!!
Also, Your PINKIE PIE is evolving!
And, Pinkie Pie has turned into her Mega stage.
Because screw the rules, she's Pinkie!!!
**hugs his pinkie pie plushie** Hey Pinkie!
Gah! Finally installed Crysis after so many years, and now. Nomad! Nomad everywhere!
2512420 ~Fire the Orbital Friendship Cannon!~
Too bad Twilight cannot use her Orbital Mana Gun (the OMG)
And that's why Pinkie is best pony.
-Mis
2513249 I've never played Crysis so I have no idea why it's related to nomads.
A moment of silence for Flicka, gone before we knew him.
2513291 First, its her and second, she's not gone yet.
excellent choice of boss fight music for Spike there. The epic has happened. I can't wait to see how he gets to take it down. To say nothing else of what other awesomeness will happen.
2513304
Remember how you said that, and you'll see why it's so funny in a couple chapters.
2513290
The codename of the protagonist is Nomad. I had never even heard the word before, and now that I know it, it just starts popping out everywhere.
Also, as you have not played it, I strongly recommend you to. Beautiful graphics to even modern standards, interesting story and good gameplay makes it a masterpiece. You can actually download a demo here: http://www.crysisdemo.com/
2513328 My computer is from Wal-Mart
Wonder when we'll see Twi again. Seems like she's done enough charging up and screaming behind the scenes for a DBZ transformation at this point, so I'm waiting for her to go Super Saijan 4 (or however you spell that) and obliterate her foes already.
2512575
...what? 'L' and 'R'? The hell did I do wrong this time?
2512673
Yeah, but the dragon is what is freaking them out at the moment
2513382
If only you knew!
Chaos Pinkie ACTIVATE!!!
This gon b gud.
Ooh, DraquoniPinkie! The fun had been quantissified!
2513291 I would hope Flicka has not gone yet. I've still got some mighty plans for her in the works, ya know. Can't be a complete bad ass if you're dead already. Sure, I'm probably going to cringe and let some tears fall a bit when Shiro has her crash and burn, but for what we have planned for the colab it is a necessary evil.
Also, whoohoo! My OC finally made her debut! I must say, you've nailed her way of speech perfectly, Shiro. Well done, well done indeed.
2512266 And yes, yes I am. I can say I'm honestly pleased that my OC is at least recognized by some.