Trixie could do nothing but sigh in blissful relief as she lowered her backside into the tub of steaming hot water. Hesitating for a moment to allow her posterior adjust to the warmth, Trixie finally decided to plunge all the way in. All the aching bones in the unicorn’s body let out a relieved moan as Trixie fur and skin became wet with water. Laying back in the bath so only her neck and head remained above water, Trixie relaxed after a long day of showbiz. The showmare took ten minutes to simply take in the heat and then began the process of cleaning herself off, rubbing soap in every crevice (to her dismay she had to stand several times to get all of her body clean). She contemplated staying in the bath for another few minutes to rest up more, but she decided against it. Lying down in a pool of one’s own filth sort of defeated the propose of a bath. Stepping out oh so gracefully, she dried herself and unplugged the stopper from the drain to allow the water to exit.

Once all of her gussying up needs were tended to the mare stepped out of the bathroom of the room she had rented. Trixie smiled at the five star hotel room, adoring the high society life she was treating herself to. Trixie was never short on money; in fact she always had enough to keep her belly filled to the brink and her other basic needs in check. She knew full well that needs were much more important than wants and the mare prided herself at keeping a very balanced checkbook. But as Trixie peered to the large sack of coins she had received in the mail she could help but wonder at what she’d splurge on with it.

While looking at the bag the showmare’s eyes couldn’t be stopped from looking at the letter that had arrived with the coins:

Miss Trixie Lulamoon,

I thoroughly enjoyed our little act together; it was quite entertaining. To see you get pummeled with a large variety of objects gave me a chuckle or two. Still, I do not expect you to get hurt without receiving an adequate reward for entertaining me. Enclosed are ten thousand bits for you to use for your own desires. I hope you enjoy them and use them wisely. I would suggest using them as soon as possible to do something nice for yourself. After all, you never know when something could tear your life apart now do you?

Best Wishes, Lots of Love,

Miss Ebony Spring

Trixie had no clue what the last part meant but she sure did appreciate the money. Trixie chuckled; she’d have to do a show with Miss Spring again sometime. The tips from that particular show had set Trixie for the next three months. It seemed like the crowd enjoyed watching Trixie get hurt after all her cruel tricks. If Trixie could employ that kind of technique, cruelly messing with ponies and then being defeated by one, it would just rake in the cash and keep the crowd happy. That was the important part: the crowd’s happiness. There was no point of Trixie putting on her big Great and Powerful act in it didn’t please the crowds. Trixie smiled at the idea of sending a letter to Miss Spring and asking her to perform with her again. They’d make an epic traveling duo, helping to bring entertainment all around. Not only that but Miss Spring wasn’t half bad looking now that Trixie had thought about it. The showmare wondered if this Ebony Spring’s barn door swung that way (she certainly hoped so). Yes… the two of them… a great traveling entertainment couple. And after the show they’d go to Trixie’s wagon and enjoy the ‘after party’. Hugs, snuggles, kissing, bending down and…

A knock at the door made Trixie jump and her heart skip a beat. Her cheeks became a deep red color once she noticed where her hoof had drifted. She dried off her hoof with a towel and made for the door. She decided that she didn’t feel like being all great and powerful right now. Right now she’d be the real Trixie: a modest mare who excelled at putting on the mask of an actor. The mare made it to her door. “Yes? Who is it?”

“Room service ma’am, complements of the kitchen.” The voice behind the door was sort of strained, as if trying to keep in a lot of pent up aggression.

Trixie decided to look through the door’s little spy hole. Sure enough there was a purple mare in the standard hotel staff uniform. Trixie could only blush at the spectacular beauty of the maid in the hallway. She reminded Trixie of somepony she knew… but she couldn’t place it. Seeing no obvious threat, Trixie began to unlatch the door and remove the protection enchantments common to all hotels and inns. As the last lock and magic seal were opened, Trixie began to pull open the door with magic. The showmare had no idea why the hotel’s kitchen was giving her free food and she had felt like being cautious but dismissed it.

After all… what was the worst that could happen in the whole thirty seconds it would take to get the food?

The palace’s servant quarters were unbearably quiet this time at night. It made sense though, there was a huge birthday party going on downstairs. It wasn’t everyday the head gardener turned sixty and all the palace staff wanted to show their great appreciation and respect for the stallion that had been apart of the Canterlot castle for over forty years. Despite the lack of living souls in this part of the castle, Steadfast still walked with precision and deft stealth skills to avoid detection. He knew his route by pure memory alone, having to go to and fro often. In his saddlebags rested all sorts of copied documents. Guard deployments and schedules, royal decisions in court, and all other types of papers only meant to be seen by the Princesses or high-ranking officers. Finally reaching his destination he turned the doorknob and stepped into Ebony Spring/Creativity's room. Despite being empty for ten whole days the room was amazingly well kept, Steadfast had made sure to that. The guard had no clue how to clean properly like a maid would, but he certainly tried his best. His master would return to a clean and pleasurable environment. Reaching the center of the small room Steadfast placed the bag of documents down onto the central table. It was the main feature of the humble quarters, considering the only other things in the room was a bed at the back wall, a vanity stuck against the right wall, and finally a medium sized chest below the window. Checking one last time to ensure all the stolen documents were present and would be waiting for his master, Steadfast finally turned to leave…

“Hello there recruit. Why might you be here this fine evening?”

Steadfast jumped and turned around instantly, his eyes quickly beholding General Duncan standing in the room’s doorway, clad in his normal armored apparel as well as a pink and yellow polka dotted party hat. “Oh… General Quickstep sir…” The recruit tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t reveal his reasons for being where he was. “W-What are you doing here sir… I thought you were in Manehatten?” The recruit tried to smile nervously, but he failed.

“I was, but I got back this morning. Slept the rest of the day away… Oh well, at least the party has been fun.” Duncan smiled warmly at the recruit. “So… What are you doing here Private Steadfast? Miss Spring isn’t here at the moment, something about a personal problem… yes that’s it! She was taking a few days off to help with some family issues.” The General had taken a few steps into the room during his explanation, unnerving Steadfast in the process.

“I, uh… Ebony wanted me to bring any mail she got while she was away and put it in her room. That’s what I’m, uh… doing, yeah…” Steadfast’s heart raced; if Duncan looked into the saddlebag he’d find a lot more than mail.

“I see, I see…” Duncan moved his head up and down as he scanned the room, walking in a slow circle around the center table. “So you and Miss Spring are well acquainted?” Steadfast nodded. “Well it’s good to know she’s making friends and not just… bed-buddies…” Steadfast’s eyes widened. How did the General know about Creativity’s sexual encounters? Why was he questioning Steadfast so much? Did it really matter, or had the stallion already piece the evidence together? Duncan saw the distress on Steadfast’s face and continued. “So recruit, do you know of any of Miss Spring’s relatives? Know of any family? You see I was looking at a picture Princess Celestia has and… well I dare say Miss Spring has quite a resemblance to a mare her royal highness knows.” It was no secret that Celestia kept a scrapbook of all her personal students; the sun princess was a sentimental one indeed. Steadfast shook his head again; his eyes shifting as Duncan finally made his circle and now stared Steadfast in the face. “Ok, last question. Now... and stay with me on this one... why are you giving Miss Spring classified documents? A maid hardly has any use for such things.” Steadfast’s eyes widened. He knew! He knew that Creativity was not what she appeared. Steadfast’s mind shifted about, thinking. What to do, what to do? Before his mind was made up however, his mouth spoke.

“With all do respect sir,” Steadfast’s voice was contaminated with a harshness the stallion didn’t know he had. “I have done no such thing as give Ebony classified documents. I am simply doing a friend a favor. With that in mind, how about you take your suspicions and shove ‘em up your ass you arrogant son of a bitch.” Steadfast’s mind couldn’t fathom what he had just said, to a superior officer no less! If it was Captain Armor standing in front of him he’d been on kitchen duty until he made the rank of Captain himself.

Duncan brought his face mere centimeters from Steadfast’s, a death-inducing scowl on his face. “You know Private, bad behavior rubs off from others onto you. I expected better from you, considering how polite you were the first time we met.” Despite his facial expression beaming of hatred, Duncan’s voice was quite calm. “I would suggest holding your tongue when speaking to officials other than I, they won’t be as lineate.” With that Duncan brushed past the still foul-faced recruit. It was only when Duncan was fully out of his sight that’s when Steadfast’s regret kicked in.

“Wait, General sir!” The stallion turned around to see the General, who had done the same for him. “I-I’m so sorry I… I don’t know what came over me I…” The recruit looked close to tears.

Duncan put a hoof up, stopping the sobbing guard. His face was sympathetic, the calling a guard a traitor tactic was always an effective way to route out the unloyal. A treasonous guard would become worried and overtaken with anxiety, and usually spill the beans since the officers already ‘knew’. Steadfast had reacted the way a truly loyal guard would: annoyed at being called something so heinous as a traitor. “It’s alright recruit, I am the one at fault. I shouldn’t have gone so low as to accuse you of treason; I know how much you guards hate that. I know you aren’t giving out classified documents. Just trying to test your metal... Its a foolish thing I do with my own soldiers sometimes, no offense was meant.” Steadfast looked at the General with a new level of respect, since when did higher up officers apologize? “I am simply trying to keep you out of trouble, you never know where it will appear. Which is why I’m asking for you to listen: You can have a perfect dog. You can love it, feed it, play with it and give it everything it needs. It can love you back with all its heart and never dream of hurting you. But just remember recruit: Even your perfect dog will bite you if you disturb its pups.” The General let the words sink in and then bowed to Steadfast. “Good night Private Steadfast. If I can give you any recommendation it would be to come to the party downstairs, it’s quite fun.” With that, the General exited the room, returning to the party.

Steadfast just stood there, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Finally giving up he decided to do as the General commanded and go to the party. He looked around the room and sighed. “Where are you Creativity?” He asked aloud somberly as he turned to leave.

“Awww, Steadfast… You really do care.”

The guard pony whipped around to see the window open, the drapes blowing in the breeze. In the window frame a figure could be made out in the darkness. Her yellow eyes glowed from the light hitting them.

Trixie’s head slammed against her room’s vanity. Tumbling to the ground, she could feel the rush of blood from her nose increase. Bruised and beaten, a black eye forming under her left socket, she could barely move her head enough to see her attacker. The purple mare Twilight Sparkle looked down at her, the mare’s pupils were blood red color and her mane and tail slashed into a tomboyish style. The scowl on her face brought such fear to Trixie that she had soiled herself right before the first barrage of attacks. Behind the unicorn stood a white pegasus with a blue mane and hazel eyes. Trixie tried her best to talk over the pain.

“T-T-Twilight… p-please. T-Trixie is sorry for what she did in P-Ponyville. Trixie didn’t mean for it to happen. She only…” The hoof coming down on her face and bashing her head against the floor stopped Trixie short.

“Shut up bitch! I don’t want to hear it! You’ll pay for what you did and I’m going to make you wish you were never born!” Anger cried out hatefully, preparing for another strike on the powder blue mare.

Tears formed in Trixie’s eyes, flowing down her face in waterfalls. “No! Please! Trixie is sorry!” The showmare cried heavily, trying to speak through the sobs. “Trixie is so sorry!” Anger brought her hoof down of the poor mare once more.

Anger’s head turned as the sound came from the door. Nothing else happened, everything was still. Anger’s eyes shifted about, trying to make sense of it. There was no response or question, just a knock. Suddenly a second knock came, prompting Mute to turn her head and wonder. Still, no pony called to them, asking if everything was ok or if Trixie needed something. This unnerved Anger a great deal. Trixie, using her remaining might, slowly pulled her own head to the door in confusion. Finally, a third knocking came… and Anger had had enough.

“Stop knocking and go away you piece of…” The anger fragment wouldn’t ever finish her sentence, it was hard to talk when the hotel suite’s door was blasted off its hinges and sent hurdling at Anger.

Anger’s eyes widened just in time for the door to slam her away from Trixie and send her through the wall out into the street. Trixie and Mute stared in shock; the amount of magical force needed to do that was substantial at best. Walking into the room and appearing from beyond the dust and debris stood… Twilight Sparkle? Trixie’s head stalled as she witnessed yet another Twilight Sparkle, this one with dark green eyes, walk casually into her room. Seeing that it was her lover’s enemy, Mute prepared to jump into action and help combat this new threat. As she spread her wings wide to prepare, however, Logic’s magic came up and backhanded the mare into the wall with bone crushing force (Luckily the sound proof walls made sure that the elderly couple next door couldn't hear a thing). Trixie stared at the new Twilight as she approached her. Her face was a blend of neutral and scowl, she clearly did not want to be combating the other Twilight like this. Checking to make sure Trixie would live to see another day, Logic turned her attention to the large hole in the wall. Walking up to it see peered down into the street below, she spotted Anger getting herself up from underneath the rubble. Logic’s eyebrows furrowed and she jumped out of the window, enveloping herself in magic to make the fall down slower and less bone crushing. Landing on the pavement with a light clop of her hooves, Logic peered over to her sister and began the short walk to her. Anger had just pushed the last piece of rubble off of herself, now reverting her attention to her attacker.

“Really Logic!? We’re doing this again?! I’ll break you in two sis-…” Anger was blasted back by a green bolt of magic from Logic. Landing a few feet back, Anger clutched her stomach. Logic’s blasts had never been that strong!

At Logic’s end, she was formulating plans to counter Anger. It shouldn’t be too hard, Logic wasn’t holding back anymore. She had held back against Anger the first time, she’d held back against the hydra, and Creativity, and so many other things. Her holding back was why Applejack was in the hospital, why Creativity was still free. The fragment was done! She’d had always held back for fear of hurting others in the process or accidently creating another magical problem. Everything changed after Creativity had attacked. Now the logical fragment was done playing nice.

Anger once again stood up as the pain subsided and she prepared to… and Logic threw a bench at her. Charging an attack, Anger blasted the bench and shattered it to pieces. The fragment had to cover her face as bits both large and small flew past her, some of the large parts (still flying at high speed) were close enough to slice past her skin and cause several flesh wounds on her body. Logic wasted no time and charged her sister, her horn lighting up and sending pulses to her hooves. Anger recomposed herself and dodged Logic’s hoof as it slammed into the ground, crushing the pavement into a good sized crater. Anger charged up her open blast and sent hissing at Logic. The green-eyed Twilight cast up a shield and deflected the shot back at Anger, once again propelling the angry fragment back a few meters. Dazed, Anger tried to recompose herself, only to have Logic use another magically charged hoof to pummel her into the ground.

“It is over Anger.” Logic remarked coldly. “Your revenge schemes end here!” Logic sent another charged hoof down on Anger, causing the fragment to spit out some saliva and blood. Logic grimaced, it annoyed her to use an attack Creativity had made up but it was still very effective. Logic would not forsake such a usable weapon simply because its original creator was dirty.

Anger tried to wiggle from Logic’s grip, to no avail. “Dammit! I won’t lose! I won’t lose to you and your stupid friends!” Anger grunted with annoyance as she squirmed.

“Well, you are in luck. It is only I. I will not risk the safety of the others when it comes to you. They are all safely secure in Ponyville, not even aware of my absence save Spike.” Logic tightened her hold on Anger, almost breaking her ribcage. “Now, to end this. You will harm no one else sis-…”

Logic was sent flying to the right as a blur slammed against her and carried her away from Anger. Pulling back, the blur sent Logic skipping and skidding against the hard pavement towards a three-way street intersection. Landing next to Anger, the blur known as Mute nuzzled her love and gave a quick kiss to the cheek. Logic shakily got up on her hooves and aimed an attack. Firing the green blast towards the couple, green met red and sparked about violently as a shield encased the unicorn and pegasus. Logic’s eyes widened. Anger was using a shield spell! Blast… Logic’s teeth gritted as she put two and two together, being with Mute has no doubt kept Anger calm enough to actually start learning more advanced spells. Once again Logic had made a miscalculation that had gotten the better of her. Ever since Curiosity had told Logic that she had seen Mute with Morality and Anger she dismissed it. Logic had not actually thought the mare’s presence would do anything but calm Anger down a bit. This turn of events was certainly unthinkable. Logic didn’t know if it was a fault on her part or if Anger had adapted to the usual unpredictability that organic creatures have. It didn’t matter; Logic would defeat these two!

Before Logic could react Anger sent a magical blast right at her. Dodging effortlessly, Logic prepared her own attack. Mute sprung into action, flying at super fast speeds in order to slam right into Logic’s stomach. Pushing Logic into the side of a building, Mute broke off to allow Anger to send blast after blast of volatile magic at Logic. Logic was blasted to the side in a storm of red magic and grey smoke in a skipping motion, Anger not even letting her sister touch the ground before blasting her again. Despite deciding not to hold back, Logic wasn’t able to concentrate long enough to get off a single counterstrike and could only form quick shattering shields to protect herself from the full brunt of Anger’s hits. Anger was smiling sadistically as she blasted her sister, enjoying the crushing defeat of the high and mighty Logic. Suddenly a spark of green flew out of the red and grey to slam Anger right in the face. Anger backpedaled in pain, holding her face as it seared from the concussive blast. Logic had bided her time in order to see any possible pattern in Anger’s attacks. When she found it she waited for the opening and POW! Finally getting time to concentrate, Logic charged up an attack to… wait, where is Mute? Logic’s head perked straight up in time and she dodged the pegasus’ hind hooves slamming down towards her. Logic landed and brought up a shield to deflect the beam of magic shot at her from the revived Anger. Shifting her eyes about, Logic assessed the battle. To her left, Mute hovered slightly off the ground some meters away, poised to strike the moment Logic’s attention was shifted elsewhere. To Logic’s right stood Anger, ready to blast her sister with magic. Logic shifted her magic into a quick scan of her body. Lets see, heart rate: sixty bpm, blood pressure: ninety-seven, overall body condition: forty-eight cuts, seventy-five bruises, a deep laceration in right side (risk level currently low), blood loss currently one liter (magically enhancing heart to compensate), magic supply is currently at eighty-nine percent full, internal bleeding in left leg and lower neck. Also, have to pee real badly. Logic huffed at bit; her situation was not looking well from a physical standpoint. At least her magic could compensate where needed, still she had to end this soon. She could not take on these two alone with them being so in sync together. She could try a magical shockwave… no that could bring down several buildings if she put too much into it. Dammit, even though she had pledged to do whatever it takes to capture the fragments from here on in, Logic couldn’t bring herself to simply start dishing out large amounts of magic with no concern for those nearby. She wasn’t Creativity.

“What’s the matter Logic? You seem to be at a loss.” Anger chuckled confidently, preparing to end this with a single blast. “I one the other hoof am quite ready to end this right now!” Anger flung her head forward and sent her red magic flinging towards Logic. The intelligence fragment was at a loss. If she dodged or deflected the attack, she’d be wide open to Mute’s attack right after. Logic could easily stop the pegasus but Anger would simply strike at her again, leaving Logic with few options. The red zipped towards Logic, Mute readied herself, and Logic tried to formulate some way out. That way was closer than the fragment thought…

A powder blue streak rushed across the sky, zigzagging gracefully as it struck Anger’s attack and dissipated it into a beautiful flash of light blue and red sparkles. “What the hell?!” Anger turned to the origin of the streak, only to have another hit her like a bowling ball right in the face and send her into a wall. Mute let out a silent call of alarm at Anger, but it was the least of her worries. Several magical tentacles rushed forth and entangled her, pulling her forward and positioning her just right to slam her head into a lamppost. She slumped to the ground lifelessly. “MUTE!!” Anger dashed over to her beloved with all due speed, relieved when she found her alive.

Logic stood dumbfounded as a light blue flash erupted in front of her, revealing the Great and Powerful Trixie. The showmare had a stern look on her face. Logic could tell where her magic had been used to seal cuts and heal the parts of her body damaged by Anger. Trixie cocked her head towards Logic. “Are you ok?”

“Well, I am not dead. That is a statement in and of itself.” Logic stepped up next to Trixie. “I must say I am impressed. I do not remember you having the ability to teleport last time.”

“Trixie may be great and powerful but even she can always learn something new and useful for her acting career.” Trixie struck a dashing pose and raised a hoof to the night sky. “After all, once a spell is learned by the Great and Powerful Trixie it can be considered a truly advanced form of magic!” Trixie gave a confident grin and made her facial expression a suave one.

Logic shook her head. “Yes, quite the advanced magic. It is not like it is know by even the tiniest unicorn foal with a guide to basic spell casting.” Trixie caught on to Logic’s sarcastic tone, deflating her ego.

The showmare smiled embarrassingly, scratching the back of her neck. “Yes, well… Trixie sometimes over exaggerates with her abilities… It is all for the show you understand.” Trixie chuckled a bit, but soon lost her elated tone and stared at Logic. “So, what’s going on? Did Twilight Sparkle accidently mess up a spell? It would certainly explain why there are two of her.” Being a unicorn specializing in magic herself, Trixie was well aware of all the mishaps that could occur when practicing magic.

“It was of no fault of her own. It seems fate was simply unkind to her. A magical accident has split her into multiple personalities. I am Logic, Twilight’s intelligence. I am currently assisting the other Elements of Harmony with capturing the other fragments and restoring Twilight to her original state. Currently, we are facing Anger and she desires your head for the wrongs you brought upon Twilight, her friends, and Ponyville. Do not think her some social avenger however; she is but a foal who has become angry at a bully who stole her glasses.” Logic believed that explanation was good enough. Trixie scuffed a bit, being compared to a bully was not a fun experience.

The powder blue unicorn shook off her dislike of the comparison and focused on the task at hand. “So how do we go about ending this? Trixie is good at defense but not at attack. Her first shots only worked because it caught Twili- Anger off-guard.”

Logic formulated a moment in her head. “Hmm… You focus on Mute, I will deal with Anger, this way they cannot double team us.”

Trixie pulled her whole body in Logic’s direction and pouted dramatically. “WHAT?! No! Trixie wishes to help defeat this Anger mare! Trixie can sense how powerful she is and Trixie knows you’ll need more than just yourself to beat her!” Trixie became somber, tilting her head down in a sudden, rapid depression. “Trixie… I have to help… to right a wrong done to innocent ponies by a foolish mare. Please Logic… let Trixie help you.” She became truly distraught.

Logic put a hoof on her shoulder and gave her a sympathetic look. “I am stronger than Anger, maybe not in brute strength, but still stronger in other aspects. I have been unable to defeat her because she and Mute have been tag teaming me. Keeping Mute occupied will go along way. Not only that but I do not want you to get hurt, too many have already been hurt by this foolish accident.” Trixie sniffed up a forming tear and looked at Logic, hardening her resolve Trixie nodded and the two turned to face their opponents.

Anger had just awoken Mute and got her to her hooves, ensuring there was no long-term damage to the pegasus. Logic and Trixie wasted no time separating the two, Logic rammed Anger with magic and chased after her tumbling form while Trixie enveloped Mute in her magical tendrils and flung her about. Logic charged Anger and head-butted her with a magically enhanced skull. Anger responded with her own magic and soon the two were engaged in a brutal reverse tug-of-war, their magic mixing in and around them causing massive red and green sparks to erupt into the street (had Logic not magically cut off the sound and light to the surrounding buildings beforehand the battle would have awoken every living soul in the neighborhood). “I’m going to break you and that stupid bitch Logic! I may not have your magic, but I’m ten times stronger than you!” Anger boasted as the pair’s heads shook violently under the pressure being applied to them by the opposing mare.

“You continue to repeat that and yet I still stand! As with most words spoken in anger your threats are hollow!” Logic yelled back, closing one eye to shield it from the intensity of the sparks that danced about sporadically. Logic’s backtalk only infuriated Anger more and she pushed harder, not willing to give an inch.

Trixie jumped back and sent powder blue shocks spiraling from her horn towards the hostile pegasus. After Mute had broken free from Trixie’s grasp she had pounded the unicorn dead center in her chest, flinging her back. Trixie was on the defensive as Mute continued a pattern of dodging and attacking at the exact moment Trixie stopped firing to allow for her magic to cool down. Already several bruises had formed, washing away the progress Trixie had in healing herself during the first half of the fight. Both fighters knew Mute had the upper hand: her slick, slender body wasn’t only just for looks. The soundless pegasus was faster than one would expect her to be and to her dodging Trixie’s attacks was like doing the kiddie course at flight school. If this obvious disadvantage wasn’t enough, Trixie was exhausted. Any unicorn would be out of breathe from the amount of energy used to quickly heal the damage Trixie had taken from Anger but Trixie had it off worse. She was a unicorn used to quick tricks and spells that dazzled a crowd long enough for her to catch her breath, not a seasoned guard with lots of stamina and conditioning to use her magic supply efficiently. The final, unfortunate fact that she was facing off against the pony race with arguably the most stamina out of the three did not improve her chances. Charging up yet another attack, Trixie’s eyes widened as the magic simply fizzled out of her horn. She had been too fighting too hard! Her magic had overheated and needed time to cool off for a second, a second Mute used to her advantage. Like the untrained fighter she was, Mute could only ram into Trixie hard and send her flying in what appeared to be a final blow. Trixie skidded about and finally stopped cold. The showmare shifted on the ground, but her body had failed her. I… I can’t do anymore. I-I’m done, it’s alright though… Trixie did her best… It’s ok for me to just lie down and rest… no… NO! I won’t… I won’t give up! I have to help! I have to… Trixie sent a magical shock through her own body, kick starting the tired and numbed muscles. Standing upright, Trixie stared down her opponent. Then, without warning, she charged at Mute screaming a wordless battle cry. Mute snickered silently and met Trixie’s charge with one of her own; unicorns were bad at close quarters after all so it would be an easy kill. Kill… Would Mute really do that? The pegasus pondered for a moment during her charge. Yes, for Anger! For her beloved Mute would do whatever it takes to please her. That was all that mattered. The gap between the unicorn and pegasus lessened and finally they collided, unfortunately for Mute. The pegasus let out a wordless scream as she and Trixie were electrocuted. During her whole charge Trixie had been building up magic to release it into one final electrical shock. Trixie would go down, but she’d take Mute with her. Now Trixie was screaming at the top of her lungs as she acted as a conductor to allow electricity to flow into Mute. Finally Trixie lost consciousness and fell to the ground numb, but still breathing. Mute staggered back a good full meter before falling backwards and landing on the hard pavement, tiny breathes escaping her mouth.

Logic broke from the head-butt and slid back, turning her head to Trixie in worry. “Trixie! Trixie can you hear me?! Trixie!” Logic had stopped paying attention to Anger and left herself wide open. Logic could never understand why she cared so much for others. She was logic, cold and calculating. But even though she promised to give her all and take her fragment sisters down no matter the cost she still found herself holding back and not willing to sacrifice for the cause. She could have easily ended this fight with a magical shockwave. It would have leveled the neighborhood but it would have worked and stopped Anger. Why did she care? It was one of those life questions Logic wouldn’t be able to solve now as Anger threw a magically charged hoof dead center into Logic’s chest, sending her flying a good five meters. Landing with a loud thud, Logic looked at her sister with utter disbelief. She has already learned that attack?! I have only used it a few times and she can already duplicate it without any training?! Logic couldn’t believe how this fight had turned. Trixie was down, probably dying. Logic was badly hurt and getting worse each second. Despite it all, Anger still seemed to be going strong. Logic had to do something! Logic closed her eyes and tried to desperately think of some way to beat her sister… but what could she do?! Wait… That’s it! Coughing up a bit of blood and breathing heavily, was able to get up onto her hooves, though she wobbled constantly.

Anger watched the spectacle with amusement. The fragment laughed. “Gee Logic, what’s wrong? You don’t seem to be well! Are you feeling ok? You’re not acting like your usual ‘superior’ self!” Anger laughed again at her sister’s suffering. She deserved it for standing in Anger’s way.

Logic grunted. “It is true… I am not feeling like myself… I may be beaten, bloody and exhausted but at least…at least I am not you…” Logic coughed more and tried to keep her balance.

Anger’s eyes widened in confused frustration. “What? What the fuck does that mean?!” Anger put a hate filled hoof forward.

Logic chuckled without smiling. “I mean that despite all this pain… despite all this torture my body is currently going through… At least I am not you… At least I am not a failure!” It was getting hard for Logic to talk; she tried to put as many words as possible into her breaths.

Anger’s right eye twitched. “WHAT?! A FAILURE?! I’M NO FAILURE!” Anger screamed at her sister with all her might.

Logic gave her smile-less chuckle once more. “Oh really? Not a failure? Your track record says otherwise…” Logic looked her sister dead in the eye.

“What the fuck are you talking about?!” Anger inquired frustratingly, she was not impressed with these games.

“Simple.” Logic replied. “ You failed to defeat me during our first encounter, despite your best efforts. You failed to find your way out of the Everfree forest without Creativity’s assistance. You failed to defeat the hydra until you employed everything you had, and even that was a close call. You know that, do you not?” Anger began to seethe, her rage building up with each accusation. “You failed to effectively combat the slavers before they captured your precious Mute. You failed to climax with your lover despite both of your best efforts. You failed to kill Trixie even though you had her right in your hooves. And like the first time, you have failed to defeat me, despite expending all your strength.” Red magical electricity began to spark around Anger’s eyes closed and she shook with rage. The smart thing to do would be to stop right now, but that ironically enough was not part of Logic’s plan. Now was the time for the killing blow. Logic took a minute to steady her thoughts as they trailed away due to blood loss and fatigue. Finally, she tore the scab off the unhealed wound. “And of course, your greatest failure is from your own foolishness. Do you want to know a secret Anger? Thanks to Curiosity’s recon I was able to do some calculations. Guess what I found out: If you had not bickered with Morality about going to save Mute then you would have arrived at the slaver hideout long before she was raped.” Anger’s eyes shot open in shock. “That is right! You are the one responsible for Mute being raped! It was your own irresponsibility that is the reason she had to suffer through that experience! You are why your precious lover was forced to her knees and had to give a stallion oral intercourse!” Logic let the last part sink in.

Anger erupted into a mess of red electricity as her eyes were consumed by a red glow. A sphere of red formed around the fragment as her rage reached critical. Logic nodded to herself, this is what she wanted. Anger would fire a super charged blast of magic at Logic. Logic would deflect it with her still considerable pool of mana and capture Anger instantly, the mare having used all her power in the attack. Finally Anger would be defeated and Logic could help Trixie. But wait… something was wrong. Anger wasn’t concentrating her magic, she was letting expand outward… disintegrating everything in the red sphere of magic! Logic’s gasped in shock at her miscalculation, Anger was going to release the energy in a death sphere of incredible energy! Already a crater was formed under the mare, the ground being blow away. Logic acted fast, her eyes gave way into complete green glows and she charged all the magic she could muster. Sending it through her hooves and into the ground, a green aura soon sprouted out and engulfed everything: All the buildings, the street, Mute and Trixie, anything that could be harmed by Anger. Logic was not going to let Anger destroy the entire neighborhood. Logic grunted as the protective spell reached its limits. Looking around, Logic made sure everything was secure. Yes, everything was enveloped in the green aura… everything except Logic! Logic had selflessly made sure she would be the last one secured, but as she tried to envelope herself with the magical shield Logic made a terrifying discovery: the spell had a limited amount of area it could cover and Logic had made it to the limit. Logic tried to think about what she could take away to shield herself. No, going over the numbers again Logic ascertained that she couldn’t take an inch off of anywhere or there would be damage. Anger fired her sphere outward; it fizzed against the shield. Logic looked to Mute and an idea came to mind. If Logic took the shield off Mute she could protect herself! After all who was Mute to her? The enemy that’s who! A mare that was helping Anger! The sphere was approaching fast! But as Logic prepared to take off Mute’s shield she stopped herself. No… how could Logic do something so cruel, something Creativity would do… The red magic was a foot away from hitting Logic! Logic shook her head.

She was not Creativity.

General Duncan walked into the study, more than just a little drunk. His party hat was tipped to the side and he had a dumb little smirk on his face. Instantly, he spotted Royal Guard Captain Shining Armor drooling over some paperwork. As the not so sober stallion walked over to the Captain the stallion in question noticed his guest.

“Oh… Hello General Quickstep. What are you doing here?” Shining asked blandly.

Duncan sat in the chair opposite to Shining. “I am is enjoysing the boozes. Iz much fun!” Duncan chuckled drunkenly.

Shining rolled his eyes. “Really? Can’t you act like your rank for one night?”

Duncan waved a hoof in Shining’s face. “My shift ends at when the big pointy thing is on the four and short pointy thingy is on the six… or wait is it the other ways around?” Duncan pondered.

“Ugh… Have you no shame?” Shining shook his head.

Duncan shook his head at the question. “You need to lightens up! You is always about work! You always so about work yous aren't even able to sent a letter to your sister that you are becoming married! Whas up wit that?! The Princesses are lesser sticks in the mud than you!” Shining scuffed angrily, trying to contain some growing rage.

Suddenly a bright light appeared off the distance in Canterlot. “What in the world?!” Shining jumped out of his chair and looked out the window.

Duncan did the same, but remained in his chair for balance reasons. “Ooooo! Prettical colors! Somepony thinks its Hearths Warming Eve already. Silly pony, that event’s not for another tree months… what… whats month is it?” Duncan chuckled as the flush on his cheeks darkened thanks to the booze.

Shining on the other hand was very concerned. “That’s no holiday festival Duncan! It’s some sort of magical fight! I have to go and get my guards on it!” Shining headed for the door.

“NO!!!” Duncan rushed to Shining, pressing his face against Shining’s.

Shining Armor grumbled. “Duncan... we’ve been over this personal space issue before haven’t we?” Shining tried to push the stallion away.

Duncan shook his head. “No I mean you can’t send guards right now! Too dangerous!”

“What?” Shining replied.

Duncan brought Shining to the window. “See the red sphere-y thing? See how’s its all pulsate-y and sparky? That mens it all unstable! That bad! The green stuff is protecting them district it seemth. But it too be pulsating… That must mean the green castor is being attacked by the red pony! The power being emulated by the attack is too strong, your guards’ll be disintegrated!” Shining Armor looked at Duncan with dumbfounded expression. Shining and Duncan were rarely on similar terms and Shining considered the General a child that never acted his age. But even Shining Armor respected the fact Duncan’s investigative abilities were unmatched, despite being drunk off his ass. Duncan certainly was good at his… “And that’s why the snow fairies are going to war with the dirt people of Arcturus seven over their cheese supplies!” And there was the booze talking. Shining finally pushed Duncan off and headed out the door, leaving the stallion to his rants. Still, the Royal Captain planned to take Duncan’s advice.

As Shining turned down the hall Princess Celestia walked into the study. Noticing Duncan on the floor she looked down at him, a grimace on her face. “Really Duncan?! How many times have I told you not to go to a booze party without me?! I mean really, how can you be so insensitive, not saving me any.” The royal Alicorn was yelling at the drunken stallion in the face.

Celestia pouted, sometimes Duncan never thought ahead... the royal Alicorn liked alcohol too!

It felt like a hundred freight trains hitting Logic all at once. The magic tore through her body and gashed out chunks of the fragment. Logic wasn’t even able to think straight as the pain engulfed her body and tore through her very being, right down to Logic’s artificial soul.

What felt live an eternity in hell was actually only three good minutes of Anger venting. The previous battle had exhausted her just as much and she didn’t have a lot left. As the last remnants of magic faded, Anger fell over panting hard. Twilight’s hatred picked herself up and looked around to find everything still intact. Anger shook her head; she didn’t give two shits about the surrounding area. All she cared about was her bitch sister Logic bleeding out several feet away. Taking long, wobbly steps Anger moved to her sister with what consciousness she had left. A smile formed on Anger’s face and she laughed. “N-Now who’s the… the f-failure Logic?!” Anger lost her balance and tumbled forward, coughing out some spittle. Rising again Anger continued towards Logic. “I-If I was such a… such a failure you’d be the one standing here!” Anger now stood over Logic’s form. “But I g-guess not!” The fragment still smiled.

Shaking, Logic turned her head to her sister. “A-At least I can climax during my sexual escapades.” Logic chuckled somberly. She didn’t actually know if she could climax at all but hell, if she was going out she might as well go out as a defiant bitch.

Anger raised a hoof in preparation to crush Logic’s head. “You annoying bitch! I’m gonna enjoy this!” Logic closed her eyes in response to meeting her death.

Anger screamed as something latched onto her back and held on tight. Logic opened her eyes to see the powder blue form of Trixie hanging on for dear life around Anger’s neck. Anger tried desperately to remove Trixie from her back but it was no use. In an attempt to hold on Trixie found a spot on Anger’s neck and bit down hard into it, drawing blood. Anger reared up screaming curses and the like. Trixie tried to speak but the sound was muffled. “Trixie will not let you hurt Twilight! She won’t let you hurt anypony else!” Closing her eyes, Trixie tried to concentrate.

Logic saw the glint in Trixie’s horn. “T-Trixie! No! Stop!” But it was too late, using the very last drop of magic and consciousness she had, Trixie teleported herself and Anger out of Canterlot in a flash of powder blue.

The street was quiet now. Rubble from the hotel and pavement littered the stretch of open space, giving one the impression of a warzone. Logic tried to stand but simply couldn’t, falling over herself each time she attempted. Giving up, Logic proceeded to crawl slowly to Mute, leaving a skidded blood trial as she went. Finally reaching the unconscious pegasus, Logic grabbed hold of her and teleported in a flash of green.

The guards that arrived thirty seconds later had no idea of what to make of the ruined battle scene they were looking at.

Canterlot glistened in the distance; it’s beautiful walls reflecting off the moonlight. On a small rocky ledge only a few miles from the city Trixie and Anger rematerialized from a flash of light blue. Trixie landed straight down while Anger skidded a bit. Trixie was out cold, but Anger was still very much awake. Getting up from her landing zone, the fragment looked around at her surroundings.

Realizing where she was Anger shook her head in disbelief. “No…No, no, NO!” Looking around frantically, Anger spotted Trixie. Rage replaced disbelief and Anger stomped towards the defenseless mare. “YOU! You ruined EVERYTHING! I was finally going to beat Logic and get my revenge! I was going to prove I’m no failure! Than you had to be a fucking hero! Well fine! You wanna be a hero? I kill you like the stupid fucking hero you are!” Anger raised a hoof against Trixie, preparing her strength to crush the mare’s neck. Anger brought her hoof down and… she was blasted back by magic before she could do any further damage. Anger staggered back in confusion. Before she could look up again another blast of spiraling black and white magic sent her against the rock face. She fell to the ground with a thud.

Anger’s eyes shifted as she tried to open them. Finally succeeding she looked up and towards Trixie. Standing behind the fallen mare stood a purple unicorn, her left eye was white and her right was black. Anger put a hoof out in defiance, but Morality disregarded it. Hoisting Trixie on her back, Morality took one last look at her sister. Anger’s eyes widened, it was the same look Logic had given her when she called Anger a failure. It was the same damn somber look. Morality turned her head away and teleported in a flash of black and white, leaving Anger alone. It finally crossed Anger’s mind: she was alone. Mute was gone, probably killed by Trixie’s attack. Anger wanted to cry but she knew full well she didn’t have the capability for it. She had lost everything. Sure she didn’t have much but she had Mute (and that was all that mattered to her). But now it was all gone… and it was all her own fault.

Anger let out a frustrated scream that echoed through the night.

Spike yawned, he wasn’t used to staying up this late. Still, the young dragon wanted to be awake when Logic returned. Spike had reservations about Logic going without anyone else but there wasn’t much he could do to stop the fragment and even if he had told the others it would take hours to get to Canterlot. Spike placed the last book on its respective shelf; he hated busy days like today had been. The dragon shrugged, simply happy that the craziness of the day was well over.

A green flash from atop the stairs alerted Spike to Logic’s return. The dragon walked around the center table to get a good look at his returning caretaker, certain she had defeated Anger and caught the renegade fragment. In reality, what Spike saw turned his already cold blood into ice and had his mouth drop. “L-Logic?”

At the top of the stairs stood the fragment Logic, beaten, bruised, and near death. Dried blood encrusted forty-three percent of her fur and fresh blood gushed out of huge gashes littered all about her body. Where it not for her magic sustaining her, Logic would have died long ago from blood loss.

Logic had just returned from a Canterlot Hospital after leaving Mute at the front door. Logic was not, however, going to stay in the same city that she knew Creativity was hold up in, too risky. Logic turned her head towards Spike shakily; in fact the fragment’s entire body was shaking. “Spike… do not let Rarity into my hospital room alone. I do not trust her not to try something sexual while I am unconscious… Also do not tell her I said that…” Logic finally swayed from side to side and fell over down the stairs to the bottom floor, leaving behind speckles of blood with each hit on the staircase.

Spike gasped and ran over to his friend, frantically shaking her trying to awaken the defeated fragment. “Logic! Logic wake up! LOGIC!!”