A Thousand Son in Equestria, part 31 (Showdown)

>This was bad.
>Not just bad, this was a no-win situation.
>You had seen Tomb Stalkers tear through Chaos Dreadnoughts like a hot knife through butter.
>Even Titans could not withstand their might unscathed.
>The massive metal centipede looms above you, and you are awestruck by the sheer SIZE of the creature.
>The crowd 'ooohs' and 'awwws' at the sight of it, even as you and Trixie freeze.
>The Flim Flam Brothers stop their stream of animating magic before turning and smiling at the crowd.
>"Isn't it glorious, folks! I say, this great machine can do anything you demand of it, from the most odious of manual labor to the most difficult task!"
>Oh god they're still milking it.
>"Why, it can even juggle!"
>One of them, you think Flam, turns to the crowd, smiling.
>You don't like that smile, especially how it widens when it's gaze falls on you.
>"It's strong enough to juggle anything, folks! No matter how large! Why, ponies would be easy for it!"
>The other brother speaks up.
>"Come on folks, let's get a volunteer up here and we can show you what this machine can REALLY do!"
>The crowd mutters to itself, and you growl in annoyance as more than a few gazes turn towards you.

>Almost immediately, the whispers start.
>"Isn't that Anonymous..? The Princess' pet creature? What's it doing here? Is it hear to spy?"
>You make your way over to Trixie, doing your best to ignore the crowd.
>Ponies crowd around you as you attract more attention, hooves tugging at your cloak.
>"I hear it took on Discord! He fought the Eldar, didn't it? A fighter, that one. I see why Celestia keeps him around. A pet monster, to keep her and her kin safe? Why, I'd pay any amount of bits for a guard that powerful."
>The Flim Flam brothers faces light up.
>"Any amount, good sir? Well what if we told you that this..."Anonymous" doesn't hold a candle to our Machine!"
>The stallion in question, a monocle-wearing white unicorn, scoffs.
>"How in the world would you prove that!?"
>You sense where this is going.
"Trixie, what the hell do we do?"
>The Flim Flam brothers fix you with malicious smiles.
>"Simple, good sir! A contest! A duel! A challenge! Flesh versus machine! Celestia's monster against pure pony ingenuity!"
>The white stallion scoffs and shouts, "That's barbaric!" but he is swiftly drowned out by the roars of the crowd, both noblepony and Appleloosan.
>"A contest, yeah! A duel!"
>The Flim Flam brothers fix you with deadly leers, and Trixie leans in, whispering to you.
>"Well, Anonymous, as your roommate, apprentice, and showpony supreme, I say you give them a show."
"What!?"
>"Give them their contest. Trixie will make wagers with the nobleponies. All you have to do is win, and we solve two problems at once. No more dangerous Necron machine, and no more money problems."


>You look at Trixie.
>Then you look at the looming Necron machine.
>Then you look at Trixie again.
"Did those cacti you fell in poke out your mind? Do you SEE that thing?"
>Trixie seems taken aback at your hesitation.
>"Anon, what do you mean!? You've taken on that monstrous machine lord, this thing can't even-"
"Trixie, I almost died fighting him. This thing bores holes in TITANS. I don't stand a cha-"
>Trixie gets a smug look on her face.
>"Are you saying you're not up to the task?"
>She didn't.
>"Is your magic too weak, Anonymous? The Warp not all it's cracked up to be?"
>She did.
>You glare at your apprentice.
"Make your bets, then. I'll give these ponies a show. I'll give them one they won't forget."
>You turn and jump onto the stage, hurling your cloak off in the dramatic manner Trixie drilled you in before you made it to town.
>Then you put your hands on your hips and glare up defiantly at the Machine.
"Alright then. I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE, FLIM FLAM BROTHERS. Man against machine! I WILL SHOW YOU A DUEL THAT YOU WILL NOT FORGET!"
>The crowd explodes in cheers, and the Flim Flam brothers get nasty grins on their faces.
>You watch as their Tomb Stalker turns to face you, gauss flayers lighting up with energy.
>You change your stance, widening your feet and holding your out your hands, lightning flashing from your fingertips.
>You and the machine hold that stance, sizing each other up, as one of the Appleloosans begins to count down.
>You were so fucking dead.
>"Rrrrreeeeaaaaaddddyyyyyyyyy....."
>A tumbleweed blows across the stage platform.
>"BEGIN!"
>The Flayer lets out a metallic hiss and leaps for you.

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg-yC0xcI9s
>It's like the sky falling on you, hundreds of blade-tipped legs whirring and slicing out at you.
>So you leap backwards, straining desperately to move out of the machine's reach.
>The platform groans and collapses under the great machine's weight, and it's legs scrabble as it heaves itself after you.
>Your first instinct is to teleport away and keep running, but you had to remember.
>Give em' a show, Anon.
>You start hopping backwards, short hops that keep you out of reach of those titanic jaws.
>And you lift your fingers, thumb held upwards, index finger pointed outward like a gunbarrel.
>And you start shooting lightning at the oncoming stalker, blast after blast, as you duck and weave from the creature's clusmy jaw snaps.
>It's slow.
>So much slower than it should be.
>Thank Tzeentch for small favors.
>Even as you watch, The Flim Flam Bros. horns begin to glow, and the machine rears up, the twin gauss flayers on it's head lighting up.
>Shit
>Shit shit shit shit shit.
>Don't think, just move!
>You blink in and out of reality as the gauss blasters turn your former standing place into so much ash.
>The creature's head sweeps around to follow you, and you keep rolling to the right as the monster burns a great path of ash into the dry dirt of Appleloosa.
>You hear the gasps of the crowd as you duck and weave past certain death, and you have to admit.
>This felt pretty good. You could understand why Trixie-
>A metal leg casually slams into your chest, and you go flying.


"FUC-"
>You don't get to finish your exclamation as you go hurling through the wall of a house, wood and masonry breaking under your weight, your armor, and your velocity.
>You tuck into a ball and roll to lessen the impact.
>You still go hurling out the opposite side of the house, to the horror of the crowd.
>One Appleloosan shouts in dismay.
>"MAH BAR!"
>"THE BAR!"
>You shake your head groggily as you struggle to regain your feet, watching in growing dismay as the Tomb Stalker crashes through the house it just hurled you through, gauss flayers still firing.
>You teleport yourself out of the way as the mechanical monstrosity atomizes the bar.
>You pop yourself around town, watching in amazement as the monster hunts you down relentlessly, tearing through everything from hay bales to wild west dancing squares to get to you.
>You've got to end this before somep0ny gets hurt.
>But how, is the question?
>That necrontyr metal wasn't even scratched by your spells.
>Spells.....
>You grin as you get an idea.


>Flim and Flam watch the bets fly among the crowd of nobleponies and Appleloosans, casually sipping cider as they maintain the spell that kept the Tomb Stalker active.
>"We outdid ourselves this time brother."
>"We sure did, brother. Bits'll be raining on us by the time we're done! And when that Sorcerer's finished, our benefactor's going to give us even more machines to work with!"
>They laugh and clink their glasses together.
>And then you teleport in behind them.


>The Flim Flam brothers jump in surprise as you pop in behind them, and you note the green glow of their horns as they whirl on you.
>"Well, well, well, come to give up, Anonymous?"
>They start smirking.
>"Couldn't handle the heat? Our machine too much for ya?"
"Nothing like that. I just wanted a chance to catch my breath."
>They look at each other and grin.
>Then they turn and look at the oncoming Tomb Stalker as it's legs churn up sand as it rampages towards you.
>"Well you better breathe quick, cuz' this duel ain't over until you're dust, buddy!"
"I'm not your buddy, pony."
>"Whatever."
"And I'm not going to be dust, either. I had a thought, you see."
>"Really now? Do tell. I'm sure your final words will be something we can engrave on our glorious machine when it crushes you."
>The crowd gasps at the banter between you two as the machine gets closer.
"Well, it started with a question. What's the quickest way to turn off a machine?"
>They snort.
>"Fill us in, really. We're just dying to know!"
"You shut off the power source."
>They laugh at your answer, then stop laughing as they start to think through the implications.
>You don't give them a chance.
>You reach out your hands, grab both Flim and Flam's horns, and with a wrench, crack both of the horns off.
>The Necron Tomb Stalker collapses into the dirt.
>The crowd goes silent.

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xvshX3vAz0
>Flim and Flam both give out hoarse screams, the kind of scream filled with so much pain that one cannot even put volume into their voice, and collapse into the dirt.
>You turn and look out into the crowd, dropping the bloody horns next to their owners.
>Most of the unicorns in the crowd look sick, their coats faintly green, and even Trixie has two hooves to her mouth.
>The earth ponies and pegasi, however, are shocked and amazed.
>Jaws hang on the floor.
>You stare back at them, noticing the sickened reactions of the unicorns, and scoff.
"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? IS THIS NOT WHAT YOU REQUESTED?"
>The crowd eats it up, pegasi and earth ponies starting a slow hoof stomp, then picking up speed as they express approval for the showing in front of them.
>The unicorns, still horrified and disgusted, only clap slowly, but they do join in.
>If their is one thing every race shares, it is a desire to see organized brutality.
>You raise your arms, soaking in the applause, as a few Appleloosans grab the Flim Flam brothers and drag them away, muttering about them, "breaking the damn bar just to sell a toy."
>An Appleloosan, wearing a massive hat, makes his way over to you.
>"I declare this 'ere Anon to be the winner o' the duel!


>You descend from the broken platform, still taking in earth pony and pegasi applause, your arms raised.
>The show must go on.
>You address the ponies that cluster around you.
"As I have proven tonight, my dear ponies, Celestia's "monster" is greater than any deranged machine."
>You raise a fist into the air.
"The Princess Protects."
>They eat it up like candy.
>You see why Trixie loves it.
>Speaking of Trixie, the blue unicorn makes her way over to you, covered in bags bulging with won bits.
>She's not looking at you.
>"Anon, that was the most disgusting, most brutal thing I've seen with my own eyes."
>Now she looks up.
>"And it just made us so much MONEY. We HAVE to do a show like this again."
"I don't intend to habitually snap off unicorn horns, Trixie."
>She shudders.
>"I should hope not. That was...Anon what you did was just....."
>"Barbaric, is what it was!"
>You turn and look at the monocled unicorn from earlier, and he glares back at you.
>Another unicorn, a slender mare, hangs on his shoulder.
>"What you did was monstrous! And the humble folk of Appleloosa might have found it entertaining, but we of Canterlot do NOT appreciate it."
>You turn and look at Trixie.
"Who is this?"
>Trixie appears to have gone into shock.
>"R-remember how T-Trixie said important unicorns would be here?"
"Mhm."
>"This is....this is..."
>"Fancypants is the name, Anonymous."


"A pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
>"I wish I could say the same, really, I do! I expected better out of some..someone the Princess valued so highly!"
"Better? How so?"
>"You took their horns! Do you not understand-"
>Trixie cuts in.
>"He...er...doesn't, mister Fancypants, sir."
>Fancypants coughs, surprised at being interrupted.
>"Be that as it may, he just mutilated two ponies onstage."
"I mutilated two ponies who were attempting to kill me. I spared their lives."
>"Life without a horn..."
"Should still be worth living. I am not some thoughtless butcher, Fancypants."
>He frowns, still irritated, and still furious.
>"I see there is not much point in continuing discourse with you. I'll see you at the wedding, then, Anonymous. That is, if you and your...assistant were invited."
>He turns and strides off, along with a large group of still disgruntled unicorns.
>Trixie speaks up first, flustered.
>"Wait a minute, HE'S the assistant! I'm-"
"I don't think it matters, Trixie."
>As you come down from your battle-high, you begin to feel disgusted with yourself.
>What had you just done?
>Had you not sworn to protect Equestrians?
>What part of protection was ripping their horns off?
"Let's go home, Trixie."


>You and Trixie sneak out of Appleloosa with your winnings, making your way towards the train station.
>The Canterlot ponies are already beginning to leave the auction, heading to the wedding in hot air balloons and servant-drawn chariots.
>You were satisfied with the train. The wedding would be over by the time you got home, but you'd be okay with that.
>You'd get to see Ditzy again.
>Maybe she could soothe your thoughts.
>With the massive amount of bits Trixie won by betting on you with the nobles, the pair of you purchase first class train tickets.
>As the moon rises and Trixie curls up to sleep, you voice the question that preys on your thoughts.
"Trixie?"
>"Hmmmph?"
"How bad IS horn removal for a unicorn?"
>She's silent for a long time before answering.
>"Bad. Really, really bad. It's like....like taking a huge part of what makes you, you, away. There were stories....it used to happen a long time ago, before ponies knew harmony."
"Elaborate."
>"Earth ponies and pegasi would do it to unicorn prisoners when the three tribes fought. It's....it's mostly a scary tale, nowadays, told to unicorn foals to keep them in line. But today...you actually did it. And that's....that's more than a little scary to some ponies."
"Did it scare you?"
>She shudders, just a little, but enough for you to notice.
>"Yeah."
"Trixie, I'm sorry. Truly. I wasn't thinking. I just wanted to win, to survive, and to me, that was the only choice. I didn't mean..."
>"Oh shut it. It's over now. We both know you were in serious mortal danger, even if those p0nies didn't. Besides, we made a ton of money! Now be quiet and let Trixie get some sleep!"

>You chuckle quietly as Trixie turns over and begins to snore.
>Her single-minded focus on attention and profit were...strangely endearing to you.
>But it wasn't what you needed right now.
>Right now, more than ever, you wished Ditzy were here.
>You look out the train window as cacti and dirt flies by.
>You couldn't wait to get home.

APPLELOOSAN GENERAL HOSPITAL
>The Flim Flam brothers laid awake in their beds, shuddering and flinching at their pain.
>Appleloosa's doctors had done their best to re-attatch their horns and bandage their work, but it was still agony.
>And it was humiliation.
>"Next time, brother."
>"Next time."
>"Well get that annoying monkey."
>"We just need to talk to...ya know...."
>"Yeah...but without our horns....how?"
>There is a chill to the air, suddenly, and a face bearing mismatched horns forms above their beds, smiling down at them.
"Oh, I could deliver a message, my good salesponies."
>The brothers stare up at the face fearfully.
"In fact, I've got one for you right now! Your dear friend, the Necron Lord, has asked me to tell you..."
>The mist begins to solidify as it pours into the room, sending tendrils creeping up the beds of the Flim Flam brothers.
"....That your services are no longer required."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fe9W1gZPUs
>Home, finally home!
>Trixie hops off of the train, yawning.
>"Anon..aawwwhhhh...I'm gonna go..pay off our debt...I'll be back home before you know it!"
"Fine, Trixie. Just no more gambling. I expect to see not a bit out of place after you're done."
>She rolls her eyes and trots away, while you head back home.
>You just want to stop and pick up your things, and then you're going to see Ditzy.
>You needed her more than anything. Her love, your love for her, it kept you human. It gave you a conscience.
>It told you that what you did yesterday was wrong.
>As you walk, you hear the ponies in town gossiping, talking about the Royal Wedding ceremony.
>How a great burst of magic hurled away a swarm of giant bugs or some such nonsense.
>You really don't care at the moment.
>You open your door, smiling to yourself at the prospect of seeing Her again.
>And then you hear something rummaging around in your house.
>And you spot your window, the glass broken and scattered on the floor.
>You charge into your house, intent on catching the intruder.
>In the kitchen! It's-
"Ditzy?"
>She lies on your floor, scratched and injured, and you gasp as you kneel next to her.
"Oh no. No no no no. No. Ditzy, Ditzy speak to me...you can't be hurt...what happened?"
>You kneel close, your composure cracking as you behold her bloodied form.
>She whispers to you.
>"Honey....muffin? Is...that...you?"
>You lean over her, your heart clenched, a she turns her eyes, those wondrous eyes, up to look into yours.
>Wait.
>Her eyes weren't...they didn't look like that bef....
>You feel your mind grow fuzzy, and weak.
>"Anonymous, my dear. Come closer."
"Of course, beloved. Of course."