Celestia spun in place, one wing raised reflexively as she threw out a bolt of light to deflect Marvelous's incredibly-blatant attack. In that respect, his plan had worked perfectly -- though she knocked away his energy blade, she couldn't pay attention to everything at once. The electrified needles lanced into her back and side; one wing and her foreleg drooped immediately, making her stumble with a surprisingly equine neigh of surprise.

She felt the collar unclasp, and mindlessly seized it with her telekinesis to hold it still, that directive overriding others. But now she was completely vulnerable.