Lowering my head I focus my eyes on the chains which have secured around my hoof preventing me from moving. Without any magic, I attempt to push the shackle off my hoof but to no avail, it only succeeds at causing me discomfort as the shackle digs into my flesh. With my free hoof, I bring it to my chest to rub against the reddening flesh from John's kick, despite his weak looking legs he surprisingly has a fair amount of strength in them.

The sound of Cadence and Celestia attempting to release themselves from their own restraints causes me to look to the two of them. Celestia's usual clean coat has been stained with a small amount of blood trickling from a gash on the side of her head, the bleeding doesn't seem to be severe but it has resulted in the crimson red liquid to smear the left side of her face and neck. Cadence seems to have gotten off more lightly compared to my sister, the only mark I can see is some reddening to the flesh underneath her coat along the base of her neck, what appears to be a light handprint seems to be embedded around her throat.

Releasing an exasperated sigh, Cadence release her shackle as she rubs her hoof over her neck, "We've got to get out of here. Who knows what Tirek will do to Twilight and the rest of Equestria."

Lowering her head, Celestia lies down on the floor as she holds her hoof to her wound, "I'm sorry, Cadence. There's no way we'll get out of here, not without any aid and especially without our magic."

"There must be something we can do, anything."

After a pregnant pause, Celestia winces as she removes her hoof from her head, "All we can do is hope that Twilight will find a way to defeat Tirek before he locates her. Discord will likely be able to locate Twilight with ease for Tirek, but I never accounted for John being corrupted."

Trying to stand my shackle pulls back on my forehoof bringing me back to the floor, "Who knows what Tirek intends to do with him. He could be at risk of further harm."

"With John under his control then many of the ponies of Equestria could be at risk. John has far more combat experience and training than any of our members of the guard, Tirek will likely use his training to benefit his goals."

"B-but what about if he locates Twilight and obtains her magic. What would he do to John then?"

Raising her head, Celestia looks above our position where the portal once stood, "There's no way to tell. Tirek may no longer have a need for him and imprison him here, release him to roam the lands alone or... possibly kill him." As I lower my gaze Celestia turn to me, "Luna, why do you have so much concern for John?"

Looking back to her my eyes momentarily flick to Cadence, "W-what do you mean? We just witnessed him getting attacked by Tirek and having his mind influenced. Why wouldn't I be concerned?"

She doesn't seem fully satisfied with this answer but before she can pursue it further Cadence interrupts her, "What I don't understand is how his mind was so easily influenced. Even the smallest creatures in Equestria have some sort of natural resistance to magic."

Sighing I look to the floor, "John isn't from here, no humans have ever existed in Equestria before his appearance. Their world has no magical properties, instead they rely on science and technology to further their species. I've been able to access his dreams on a... number of occasions, compared to entering a ponies dream he had no resistance to magic allowing me complete and easy access. Whereas species here have lived with background levels of magic, they have all evolved to possess some level of resistance to magic. John doesn't have any sort of resistance, any spells used on him require less energy and could potentially have a stronger effect on him."

"John is vulnerable to any form of magic," Celestia adds. "With no way to combat magic, Tirek would have been able to easily access and influence his mind, bending it to his desire."

Cadence looks to me with sorrow, "Is there any way to save him?"

Closing my eyes I rub my hoof over my muzzle, "I-I don't know. If Tirek is defeated the spell influencing his mind may be broken, but until then it may be impossible. There may be the chance that he could fight back, but with no magical properties in his body that may be impossible. That wasn't the real John that attacked us, he would never do that."

John wouldn't want to hurt me, I know that wasn't the real him. I just hope he can escape from Tirek's control.

"Here, I want you to have something," Tirek states as he approaches me. Reaching for a medallion around his neck he pulls on the string removing it as he holds it up to present me tieing it around my neck. "This was given to me by someone very close to me. I give it to you as a sign of my gratitude and loyalty." The Medallion is a golden pyramid with small patterns carved into the main body.

"Oh, my. I do love a good accessory. I suppose that's Rarity's influence." Tilting my head to the side I look to John as he stands there glaring towards both myself and Tirek. Having retrieved his rifle his fingers idly tap against the wooden frame as he watches us, "I know you're supposed to be under our control but do you really have to stare at everything as if you want to cause it great harm?" He doesn't respond as his head shifts to focus purely on me.

Tirek chuckles as he looks at my improvements to one of the stained glass windows, instead of depicting the wedding of Shining Armour and Cadence it now displays myself and Tirek side by side as he wields a sword to slice through a submarine sandwich. "Amusing. But we have no time for such things." Pacing he begins to advance back towards the former throne of Celestia, "With the princesses out of the way, we can now-" Cutting off mid sentence he doubles back to look at a stained glass window displaying Twilight at her coronation, "Is this meant to be humorous!?"

Chuckling I look to the window in more detail, the main body has been cracked from when Triek slammed John against it. "Oh, no, I haven't touched that one yet."

"There's a fourth? And you did not tell me this!?"

"I just needed some assurance that you truly considered this a team effort. And now I have it," Stepping closer I close the distance standing on the other side of the stained glass window.

"Then where can we find this fourth princess?" Leaning forward he grabs hold of my throat and applies pressure to it. Being a spirit of chaos has its benefits as I feel absolutely no discomfort from the action. "Where is her castle?"

"Castle? No, Princess Twilight lives above a library in Ponyville." Unable to contain myself I start to chuckle, "Castle?"

Releasing his grasp of my neck, Tirek rubs his hands together as his magic begins to materialise, "Not for much longer." Stepping away from the window his magic begins to rapidly heat the glass causing it to melt resulting in the image to become distorted. Stepping up to John he looks down at him, "You were with the Princesses, is Twilight definitely at the library?"

"She's definitely in Ponyville," John responds, his voice sounding more hoarse than usual. "She was sent back to Ponyville but she more than likely has left the library in order to remain hidden. She'll have two of my guards with her."

Growling Tirek steps to the side as his hand pushes John out of his way, "We need to find this 'Princess Twilight.' How do we get her?"

"She's the Princess of Friendship. Simply get her friends and she'll likely come out of hiding to help them."

With an evil smile, Tirek turns back to me, "We've got some more ponies to round up. Send our new minion to the library, he'll attempt to track her down and bring her to us while we begin to capture her friends." Lowering my gaze to John I wait as he secures his rifle to his back before clicking my talons, in a bright flash he vanishes as I send him on his way to the Golden Oaks Library.

Shuffling my hooves I glance back to the doorway of the library, somehow Twilight had been able to blow the door off its hinges breaking it into a dozen pieces. Looking to Spectre on the opposite side of the door I let out a shallow sigh, "I still don't understand how or why she broke her own door."

Cocking a brow my sister glances to me, "She's an Alicorn, I try no to put any logic into how and why they do what they do. She... must have had a reason."

"And what reason is that? She forgot her keys?"

Sighing she takes the beret off her head and spins it in her hoof, "She just did, okay? Besides, why are we even guarding the library? If Twilight isn't here then why are we needed to watch a busted door?"

Copying her action I remove my beret and slip it into my field pack, "The Lieutenant wanted us posted here. We're here to act as a warning system should Tirek or Discord show up for her."

"So we've got this door to watch while Chaser and Sunny are with the Princess? What about John? Where's he in all of this?"

Groaning in irritation I rub my eyes, "Do you ever pay attention, or were you too busy looking at Janine?"

"W-what?" Spectre suddenly replies as her eyes lock on me.

"You're not as subtle as you think. Since the war games, you seem to be showing some interest in her."

Chuckling Spectre rubs the back of her neck, "No harm in looking."

"Anyways, John stayed in Canterlot to protect the Princesses there. I guess the Captain of the Lunar Guard needs to keep the Princess of the night safe."

"And we can't?" Spectre rests the butt of her rifle on the floor, using the weapon as a resting post. "Thestrals are supposed to be the military elite of the Lunar Guard. We could easily handle that responsibility."

"Two Privates guarding the Princess? In a situation like this, it only makes sense the Captain would do-" The sound of something clattering inside causes both of us to snap to attention as we turn our heads to look inside. Taking control of our rifles, Spectre nods to me before stepping inside the library. Sticking close to her I follow her inside as we try to find the source of the noise. Coming from up the stairs we can hear the faint sound of Twilight's owl as it sounds as though somepony is throwing things around.

With Spectre taking the lead she cautiously steps up the stairs as I remain at the bottom with my rifle aimed upwards. As she ascends the last few steps I reach for the bolt of my rifle and load a round into the chamber. As soon as she reaches the top her rifle instantly lowers as she looks into Twilight's bedroom in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

After a brief pause, I lower my rifle slightly as she steps around the corner out of view. Making my way upstairs I can hear her gasp, "What happened to you!?" Freezing I glance up the stairs as I hear a set of heavy steps approaching her. "W-what are you doing!?" Trying to rush up the stairs my eyes widen as Spectre's back collides with the bannister before she begins to tumble down the stairs. I'm forced to jump up and hover in the air as she falls below me and rolls past impacting with the floor below.

Twisting my head back up the stair I freeze in mid-air as I look at the figure. Standing at the top of the stair is John except he looks as though he's taken a beating. Dried blood covers his face and neck, the front of his armour has a sizable hole in the breastplate revealing bloodsoaked Kevlar underneath. The main thing that stands out though is his eyes, as he stands motionless he glares towards me with what I can only describe as murderous rage with a set of solid white eyes. "John? What the buck is going on?"

Without warning, he sprints down a couple of steps before lunging for me, with no time to react he wraps his arms around my chest bringing us both to the floor as we fall down the stairs. Impacting the floor he lands on top of me causing a searing pain to shoot through my back as I let out an agonising scream. Lifting himself up he looks down at me as he raises his fist, with his body weight pinning me down I'm unable to act as he brings his fist down. His knuckles come into contact with the end of my muzzle knocking my head back onto the floor with a resounding thud.

As I lie there dazed he prepares for another strike, before he repeats the action Spectre lunges for him tackling him causing the two of them to roll to the side. Twisting my head I watch as she tries to jab at his face from above, each time she strikes he blocks her attacks with his forearm. Trying to push myself to my hooves I fall to the side as the room seems to spin around me, spitting on the floor a sizeable amount of blood escapes from my mouth.

Looking back to the fight John clasps onto her throat cutting off Spectre's air supply, with a forceful push he's able to throw her off from on top of him causing her to impact with a bookshelf. As a number of books cascade on her head, John forces himself onto his feet before charging her. As he reaches her he brings his foot back before forcing it forward catching her abdomen with the tip of his boot, the impact is enough to knock her back as the air seems to be knocked from her.

As John begins to deliver a quick succession of kicks I fight through my discomfort and charge for him, reaching him I slide across the floor as I pivot and bring my hind legs back. Kicking with all my might I force my hooves into the side of his armour knocking him to the side as he falls to the floor gasping for air. Before he can recover I jump onto his back and try to wrap my forelegs around his neck, applying pressure I begin to cut off his air supply.

Struggling for air he grabs onto my forelegs and pulls them away from his throat, as he does this he tucks his chin into his body protecting his throat from my attack. Before I can escape he climbs to his full height and falls backwards onto the floor using his whole body weight as a weapon. Landing on top of me I let out a pained scream as a succession of cracks can be heard, my chest feeling as though there's a fire burning underneath my flesh.

As my grip relaxes he pulls himself off me and stands up, looking to me he instead shifts his focus to Spectre as she readies herself for another attack. Drawing her sword she starts to pace around John as he stands still, "I-I don't know what the buck has gotten into you! But nopony hurts my sister!" As she gallops towards John he waits until the last minute before drawing his sword and blocking her strike. As their blades scrape together he brushes his hand across the hilt of the sword enveloping the blade with an enchanted flame.

With a demonic grin, he pushes her back before delivering his own attack, raising her sword to block his attack the superheated blade is able to slice through her sword. The heat allows his blade to embed itself into hers as it melts the surrounding steel, using the opportunity he draws his blade back causing Spectre's sword to slip from her grasp as it clatters to the floor. Not waiting for her to recover he delivers once final swing causing the blade to slash through her armour as she screams in excruciating agony.

As she falls to the floor he sheathes his sword as she frantically tries to put pressure on the wound, the smell of burning flesh hits my nostrils making me want to gag. Approaching her he grabs hold of her head and drags Spectre backwards across the floor back towards the bookshelf as she tries to kick free. Reaching his destination he keeps hold of her head pulling it back before slamming the back of her skull against the edge of the bookshelf, following a sickening crunch he repeats the action before throwing her to the floor.

Tears begin to fill my eyes as I look at her in horror, as she remains motionless on the floor blood begins to pool from the rear of her skull onto the floor. With the fight over John shifts his focus to me, trying to use my hooves I attempt to frantically crawl away from him but find myself unable to escape his advance.

Grabbing my throat I began to choke as he leans closer to me, "Twilight!? Where is she!?" Bringing his hand back he slaps me across the back of my head before shaking me violently, "Tell me!" Without waiting for me to respond he draws his pistol and points it against the tip of my ear.

PHAT

Agony shoots through my ear as my hearing is shattered from the gunshot, screaming out in torture I can feel my warm blood trickling down my ear. As his grip on my throat relaxes I fight for breath. Closing my eyes I let out a sob, "S-she's with Chaser and Sunny. T-they went to the castle of the two sisters." I'm suddenly thrown to the floor as I open my eyes, looking to John he takes a step back and holsters his pistol as he watches me. Turning my head to Spectre I fight through the pain and crawl over to her.

Grabbing her head I turn her to face me, "Spectre? C-come on, say something." The sound of footsteps approaching forces me to turn, as soon as I look back to John I find the butt of his rifle pointed towards me as it's forced towards my face. From there, everything fades to darkness.

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My eyes crack open as I hear two voices conversing with one another, over the ringing in my ears I'm unable to make them out. As my vision gradually returns I turn my head to look back to Spectre, a large quantity of blood now stains the floor below her as her chest barely rises and falls with each shaky breath.

As a tear falls down my cheek a set of talons rest on her chest, lifting my head I can see Georg as he looks her over and prepares to carry her. My own body screams in agony as I feel somepony else grabbing me around my bruised chest, looking directly overhead I can see Janine as her eye locks onto mine with anxiety and concern. As she starts to lift me up my eyes drift closed as pain shoots through my central mass.

Sitting down on a grass verge the three of us look towards the castle of the two sisters. Since coming to the Everfree forest Twilight has been trying to keep control of her magic with little success. Even the most basic spell had the potential to be amplified increasing its power to an unpredictable level, she couldn't even fly without creating a crater whenever she'd take off or land.

Letting out a sigh, Chaser unclips his helmet and rests it alongside him, "There's got to be something we can do."

"Like what? How are we going to combat Tirek?" I ask as I look past Twilight to focus on him.

"I don't know. Anything. Who even knows what's happening in Canterlot right now, maybe... maybe Tirek has been defeated?"

Lifting her head Twilight glances to him, "Do you think so?" She asks in a hopeful tone.

With a soft smile, Chaser tries to look confident, "Your brother and John have their strengths. I bet you that they're working together to defeat Tirek."

"What if you're wrong? The Princesses gave me their magic, they wouldn't have done that if they thought Tirek could be defeated."

"Maybe they did it as a precaution?" I offer. "If anypony... or human could beat him, it would be John."

Taking a deep breath, Twilight nods her head as she climbs to her hooves, "I can't just sit here and do nothing. If Shining and John are fighting, then I need to try and find how to get into that chest. Maybe I missed something in the castle?"

Both myself and Chaser join Twilight as we look at the castle, "I'm sure the three of us can figure it out."

PHAT

A sharp pain shoots through my hindleg as the sound of a gunshot cracks through the forest. As I collapse to the floor Twilight and Chaser turn to face the source, as I hold onto my leg I focus on them as they look to the distance in terror. Following their gaze, I freeze when I see John stepping out of the clearing as he pulls the bolt of his rifle to the rear ejecting the cartridge and loading another round. Dried blood rests on his face whereas fresh blood splatters his hands and the sleeves of his uniform, as he steps closer his white eyes stare at us as though he wants to kill us.

"What the buck?" Chaser mutters as he draws his own rifle. "John!? Drop the rifle!"

Stopping on the spot, John aims the rifle directly at Chaser, "I'm not doing anything you say! I'll give you an ultimatum! Either Twilight comes with me, or I'll kill the two of you then blow her kneecaps out and drag her back! Your choice!"

Taking a step forward Twilight keeps her eyes on John, "Where are the Princesses?"

"They got in the way of Tirek's plans, I took care of them!"

"What did you do, John!?" Twilight's voice fills with fear as she back peddles to Chaser.

"Enough questions! Come with me now or these two die!" Glancing to Chaser on the side I shake my head as I begin to channel my magical energy to form a one-way barrier. As I start to form a shield around us John's aim focuses on me.

PHAT

Chaser fires first causing his round to hit the side of John's abdomen, from the angle of his armour the bullet ricochets from his breastplate causing John to fall to the side from the impact. Loading another round into his rifle, Chaser turns his head to Twilight, "Get out of here!" With one last look to John, Twilight's horn glows before she teleports away from us.

Once my shield is fully erected, John slings his rifle over his back as he starts to laugh. "Well isn't this cute, the two lovers trying desperately to keep me back." Pacing forward he makes his way towards my shield as Chaser keeps aiming at him, "You know you won't be able to stop me. As soon as this shield is down... I'm gonna kill you. Both of you."

"And what make you think I won't drop you first?" Chaser retorts as he shakes his rifle for emphasis.

"The fact that I just shot your girlfirend and you still haven't put me in the ground." Chaser's gaze shifts as he looks to my still bleeding leg. "The knight in shining armour doesn't give a fuck that his partner is hurt. He's got the man responsible right in front of him, yet he does nothing." Leaning closer a devious grin spreads over John's lips, "Do you really think she's satisfied with you?"

"W-what are you talking about?" Chaser lowers his rifle as his attention shift to me. No! Chaser he's trying to play with your head, don't listen to him!

"You're just another pony, like many others before. I, on the other hand, have given her something you've failed to do... pleasure." Stepping to the side John's hand idly starts running over the hilt of his sword as he watches Chaser's reaction. "How does it feel knowing that I've been there and done that? Made her scream in ways you could only imagine, I bet you can't even get her off."

My eyes widen in shock at what John is saying, I know he's only doing this to get under Chaser's skin but it's still uncomfortable to hear him say it. Chaser shakes his head as he removes his hoof from the trigger of the rifle, "Wh-"

"-You're not a man, you're a fucking coward! Come out here and fight me! Protect your bitch's honour before I make her my own and get her to squeal my name!"

Lifting my head I look to Chaser, "Don't listen to him!" By looking at Chaser's face I can see the anger building up in him. From the look in his eyes, he's about ready to pounce at any minute.

Chuckling, John steps in front of me and traces his finger down the outer shield, "Isn't that sweet, trying to make him feel better about himself? We all know he isn't capable of satisfying you. What you need is a real man." Grinning he raise his hand and wiggles his fingers, "You remember what I can do with these."

Without warning Chaser snaps as he releases a primal scream, dropping his rifle he charges through the shield he wraps his forehooves around John as he tackles him to the ground. As they both fall to the ground I drop my shield as I use my magic to take control of Chaser's rifle, keeping my hooves on my hindleg to keep pressure on my wound I resort to using my magic to aim the rifle.

With Chaser's forelegs still wrapped around John's chest, John begins to bring his elbow down on the rear of Chaser's head as he holds him in position. Flourishing his wings, Chaser is able to break free from John's grasp as he takes to the air to hover. As soon as there is a gap between them, John draws his pistol and quickly aims at Chaser.

PHAT

Before John can shoot I compress the trigger of my rifle to fire at him, not aiming for any vital organs I instead manage to hit his forearm causing John to drop the pistol where he stands. Instead of trying to retrieve his pistol John changes targets and turns to me. As I try to reload the rifle he quickly closes the distance between us as I force the bolt forward. Taking aim I'm unable to fire as John jumps at me, instead of jumping forward he instead leans backwards bringing his legs up in front of him.

Both of his boots force themselves into my throat causing my magical focus to break as pain envelopes my neck. The force of his kick is enough to throw me backwards causing me to fall off the edge of the grass verge to the rocks below. My back collides with the sharp rocks below causing my armour to dent inward from the force, I'm unable to hold back my pained cries as the metal forces itself into my body applying pressure on my organs.

Looking back up to the verge I'm unable to see either John or Chaser as I hear them fighting one another. Rolling my body I try to use my magic to retrieve my own rifle from my back, with the pain coursing through my neck I find myself unable to channel a basic spell. Using my hooves I'm able to pull my rifle free from underneath me, looking to the weapon I can see that it took the force from the impact of the fall as the wooden body is cracked along with a section of the barrel being bent.

Removing the sling from around my neck I drop it to the floor as I try to think. His eyes, I've only heard of it but I've never actually seen it. Mental manipulation. Tirek must have gotten to him and influenced his mind to work for him. But if Tirek got past him then what happened to the Princesses? No... now's not the time to think about that. We've got to stop John before he hurts on of us or he gets hurt himself.

BOOM

The sound of a distant explosion breaks my train of thought as I look back to the sky. That explosion, it was too far away to have been either John or Chaser. It must have come from... Ponyville. Rolling onto my hooves I try to push myself up, the dented armour seems to be applying pressure to my muscles and cutting off my blood circulation as I find my legs feeling weak and extremely numb. Sitting down I try to frantically release the straps of my armour as my eyes lock onto Chaser's rifle further along the rocks.

The sound of Chaser grunting causes me to jump in shock as he lands alongside me on the rocks, numerous small cuts cover his face as he tries to regain his focus. Looking back to the verge I watch as John jumps downs, the landing causing his legs to buckle bringing him to his knees. Before John can get up I lean over Chaser, "It's not John. Tirek must be influencing his mind."

Rubbing his head Chaser climbs to his hooves, "So what am I supposed to do? Let him kill us?"

Removing my first strap I shake my head, "Just keep him away from us. You may need to knock him out so we can get away, but don't kill-" Chaser is knocked to the floor as John brings his fist against Chaser's muzzle, as soon as he's on the floor John begins to frantically kick at Chaser's neck and torso.

Trying to help him I dive at John's legs knocking his balance off, falling to the side John's head impacts with one of the rocks causing him to stop momentarily. Raising his hands he quickly applies pressure to his head as he breaks his foot free from my grasp and stomps down on my forehead. My head throbs as his boot makes contact, the tip of his boot catches my horn sending a painful jolt through the appendage causing my grip to loosen as I roll to the side.

Forcing himself to his feet John kicks the underside of my chest knocking me onto my back, as I look up at him I can see a large fresh wound above his eye as blood begins to paint his flesh. Lifting his leg he prepares to stomp on me before Chaser steps forward, swivelling on his forehooves Chaser delivers a solid kick with his hindlegs against John's stomach knocking him backwards. As soon as John falls to the floor Chaser seizes the opportunity to deliver a quick succession of strikes against John's head.

Holding back on his strikes Chaser tilts his head back to me, "The rifle! Grab the rif-" John cuts him off by delivering an uppercut knocking Chaser off allowing John to roll over bringing himself on top. Removing the last strap of my armour the two halves of the breast plates separate relieving the pressure from my body, my muscles still feel restricted but I immediately feel my lower body recovering from the restricted blood flow.

Standing on shaky legs I stumble over the rocks as I scoop up Chaser's rifle and turn to aim towards John. My heart stops when I see John standing over Chaser with his boot pushing into his back, as his boot forces Chaser into the ground John is grasping onto Chaser's wing as he pulls with all his might. The sounds of Chasers tormented screams send shivers down my spine as I can see the anguish on his face. As my eyes start to water I take a step forward, "JOHN!"

John pauses as he keeps hold of Chaser, his fearsome eyes lock onto mine as he remains motionless. "Really? You're not going to shoot me." Turning his attention back to Chaser he slams both feet onto Chaser as he applies his entire bodyweight, I can see straight away that this is cutting off Chaser's breath as he struggles for air. Watching my reaction John grins, "See. Now be a good little bitch and wait patiently for your turn" -John draws his sword with his free hand and raises it overhead- "I've got a Pegasus to kill."

PHAT

Closing my eyes I fire towards John as I avert my gaze. I don't want to hurt him, but I can't let him kill Chaser. The sound of steel clattering to the floor forces me to open my eyes as I look back at John. His head lowers to examine his chest as blood begins to trickle from underneath his armour and drip onto Chaser below him. Despite his wound, John steps off of Chaser and begins to advance towards me. As I back peddle Chaser stutters heavily as he regains his breath, "Sunny, s-shoot!"

I'm sorry, John.

PHAT

The round tears through his gut causing him to fall forward onto his knees, keeping himself up I can hear him groaning in pain as he tries to climb to his feet. Stay down... please stay down. Despite his injuries, John climbs to his feet as he takes a few shaky steps. Closing my eyes a tear begins to run down my cheek as my hoof begins to pull back on the trigger.

Before I take the shot the sound of metal and flesh impacting with the floor causes my eyes to creak open. Looking towards John I can see him lying face first on the floor, a small trail of blood is spread out on the rocks behind him leading back to his earlier position over Chaser. Dropping the rifle I rush over to John and roll him over to look up at me. I watch as he remains motionless, each breath he takes becomes more and more shallow as his white eyes drift closed.

As his eyes clamp shut I frantically try to reach for his armour straps with my magic, to my relief I seem to have regained some control of my magic as I remove his armour. As I pull the breastplate away the sound of a thunderous roar bellows out in the distance causing me to freeze as I try to look for the source. After a few moments Chaser joins alongside me as a succession of loud thuds begin to impact against the ground above us.

Both of us turn back to John to examine the wounds, pulling up his shirt I can see where the rounds had impacted. The first round has tore through his flesh to the right of his sternum whereas the second had pierced his stomach. As his blood begins to quickly drain from his body I force my hooves onto his stomach in an attempt to stop the bleeding, mimicking my actions Chaser applies pressure to his other wound.

Tears begin to stream from my eyes as we remain stationary, we're unable to act as we watch the colour from his skin fade away as he becomes paler. In an attempt to comfort me Chaser wraps his uninjured wing over my back as the sounds of multiple hoofsteps forces us to look to the passage overhead. To our relief, we watch as the bearers of the elements of harmony sprint along the verge to reach the passage further on to head to the tree of harmony, to our surprise we also watch as Discord is close behind them.

They didn't seem to notice us as they passed, hopefully that means that they figured out a way to open the chest. Turning my head back to Chaser he uses his wing to pull me closer as we both look down at John, his breaths becoming more laboured with each passing minute.

I'm so sorry, John.