Silent Fractures

Suddenly the siren just stops. There’s a flash, and Discord appears holding what looks like a megaphone with a crank sticking out of it. “Well that sure got all of you out here quick. Now let’s get down to busi-aak”

A battle hammer as big as Celestia and with her cutie mark stamped on the head materialized out of the air. It smashed the siren from his hands then whipped around swatting his legs out from under him. He lay there, the hammer inches from his face. It smoldered as if it contained the sun itself.
“YOU!” Celestia screamed, “YOU DO NOT GET TO MAKE JOKES LIKE THAT!”

Discord stared wide eyed at the hammer that for some reason he could not teleport away from. “W-What is that thing?”

But Celestia was not listening.

“I WAS READY TO DIE FOR MY KINGDOM JUST NOW. AND THEN I DISCOVER IT WAS YOU MAKING THAT FAUST FORSAKEN NOISE!” Wisps of green began forming around her eyes and the glow of her hammer intensified.

“Sister please,” Luna placed a hoof on Celestia’s back.

She deflated slightly at her sister’s touch, the green around her eyes disappearing. She looked back at Luna, “You don’t understand, the things I’ve seen in that world,” tears began forming in her eyes, “The things I’ve done.” An image of the memorial statue in the center of Ponyville flashed through her mind. The name of one purple dragon embroidered on its face. She sniffed and then composed herself.

“You are correct Luna; this is not a time to be fighting amongst ourselves.”  The hammer vanishes and Discord stands. She looks back at him. “I suppose you’re here to tell us its time?”

He nods, still a little shaken from the presence of the hammer. “If you would all kindly follow me.”  He motions for everyone to follow him.

When the hammer comes down, smashing the megaphone, Heart drops to the ground as well. She shakes, covering her head, and then looks up at Celestia as she speaks. She slides her way towards Wormwood, nearly underneath him, by the time Discord give his instructions to follow.

As pleasurable as it would normally have been to have Bleeding Heart under him, Wormwood senses that now was not the time. "Come on," he says, putting a hoof on her shoulder for a moment. "It's time to move out. We need you."

"You don't need me!" Heart pleads, not moving. "I can't do anything! I'm not special, I can't help, I'll just be afraid and get killed and I don't want to!"

Wormwood takes a step back and hugs her close, whispering in her ear. "You are special. You're the one who can keep us from dying. We need you out there. I need you..." He takes a deep breath. "Besides, there's... something I need to tell you once we're inside."

"...Ok..." Heart whispers back, and then stands up. She stays right next to Wormwood, connected at the shoulder (as much as the height difference would allow), and does her best to move forward steadily. Her apprehension is palpable, short breaths and quivering racking her entire body.

Wormwood makes sure to keep pace with her, supporting her the whole way.

"Awww! Get, iron, look!"

The Reini grinned as she started to follow Discord, elbowing the ninjataur and speaking in a false whisper.

"Looks like someone found a special somepony, doesn't it? Unbridled horror: is there smithing more romantic?"
She'd smagged another pancake, shoving it into her mouth.

'befibes panfakes."

Cold only laughs and nods as he follows Discord & lissons to the Reini speak, privately thinking that was a good sign that the healer duo was bounding so quickly.

Heart takes a quick side step. Her eyes are bleary but she puts on a strong- angry- face, and turns to face.... somepony she's never seen before. "Hey list- Wait, who even are you?!"

Wormwood turns his head to see who spoke - and nearly broke pace with Bleeding Heart. "Um..." Part of him is trying to figure out how to respond, but it's eclipsed by the part that's wondering who this new mare is. At last his question was answered. "Interesting... wait, nightmares? I had a kinda disturbing dream last night as well..."

"But... no, that's... crazy. You're insane. I don't know who you are, but... but just stop bucking with me!" Heart doesn't mention her own nightmare, and somehow, feels more determined. She angrily breaks into a trot, leaving the rest of them behind. "Let's just bucking go!"

Cold Iron just sighs he was worried this was going to be the reaction.

Wormwood looks between Bleeding Heart and "The Reini" for a moment before hurriedly trotting after Bleeding Heart.

As Wormwood draws near, Heart looks back at him, still angry. "Quit following me so closely. I don't need a nanny."

Wormwood backs off a little, but still keeps pace with her. "I'm not a nanny, I'm your protector. I said I'd stay by your side and that's what I'm going to do."

Heart glares at Wormwood over her shoulder, and glances even more coldly at Iron. "Fine... do whatever you want I guess."

Wormwood flinched a little at her glare, but kept his pace. He just could not figure this filly out. Moments ago she was afraid to leave his side, and now? He didn't know what she wanted. His eyes wandered around, keeping an eye out for possible threats, but glancing back to her on occasion.

Heart continues along. She glances back at Wormwood- he was looking away. She looks back ahead. Then back at him. Her expression softens, and she looks at the ground again. I knew it, I knew I would scare him off. I knew he would hate me. She chances one more morose look back at him, and this time makes eye contact. She can't help but blush again, returning her gaze to the front. It was so frustrating, whatever these feelings she had were supposed to be. Without thinking, she instinctively rolls up one of her sleeves, and then brings the leg to her mouth. She bites down, hard.

Wormwood's eyes fall back on her in time to see her biting down on her leg. "Bleeding?!" He quickens his pace to pull up alongside her.

Heart snaps out of it, and hurriedly tries to hide what she was doing. "What, what is it?" She asks, trying to sound oblivious. Her face betrays her shame, and the small dark splotch that just appeared on her sleeve betrayed her as well.