Stygian's First Guys' NightView OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsStygian's First Guys' NightOne night, while Twilight and her friends were off on another friendship mission, Spike was watching the sky, through a pair of binoculars, counting, "3......2.....1," the sun sets over the horizon. "I declare tonight's guys' night, open!!!" He cheered. "Yeah!!!" Discord and Big Mac joined, as they all did their dance. "It's guys' night! Eeyup! Oh, yeah! Eeyup! Having fun now! Eeyup! Oh yeah!" "Do we really have to do a dance like that, every time we begin guys' night?" Thorax asked. "Well yeah," Spike replied. "I mean, it's all part of the festivity." "Kinda absurd if you ask me," Pharynx grumbled, before he received some stares from the other boys. "But, if that's how it is to have fun, then, alright. Whatever." "So, what type of activities does one do in a 'Guys' Night' to be exact?" Stygian asked. "Well, my fellow former baddy," Discord began. "We would just spend most of our days, here in the castle, playing a game of ours called, Ogres and Oubliettes!" "Ogres and Oubliettes?" Stygian whimpered. "We have to battle monsters for fun?!!" "Oh, don't worry," Spike reassured. "These monsters aren't like the one you...uh," Spike almost brought up the Pony of Shadows scenario they had recently dealt with, before he finishes, "Um, the ones you've studied with Starswirls." "Eeyup," Big Mach smiled, as he cracks a wide smile, together with Thorax. "Exactly!" Discord joined in. "The monsters we'll be fighting in this game, are nothing like the one you were," In response, Big Mac quickly elbowed Discord in the side. Wanting to avoid some negative feelings, Spike quickly spoke, "Look, let's just get this guys' night started, okay?" When he sees Stygian still looking unsure, Spike went over, "Don't worry. C'mon, we'll show ya." Later [Ram Jam - Black Betty] Spike, together with Discord, Big Mac, in their gaming personas, were running for dear life, as they struggle to outrun several cannon blasts, courtesy of the Squizard's evil henchmen. "Captain Wuzz!" Spike shouted. "Fire an arrow in the air! I've got a plan!" "On it, Garbunkle!" With that, Discord fired an arrow in the air, which Spike fired a spell at, causing the arrow to explode into a dazzling display of bright lights, blinding the Squizard and his monsters. Elsewhere, Thorax, Pharynx, and Stygian, who were also in their own gaming personas, were standing at the top of a tower. "Now's our chance!" Thorax said, as he and Pharynx loaded Stygian into a cannon. "Ready! Aim!" Pharynx aimed the cannon, before he screamed. "FIRE!!!" With that, Stygian was launched out of the cannon, and straight towards the Squizard, and bopped the villainous squid on the head. "I will survive!" the Squizard moaned as he retreated. "And plot my revenge!!" With that, the squid took his leave. "Yeah!!!" the boys cheered. "Wow, that really was fun!" Stygian smiled. "See, I told ya," Spike smiled. "Eeyup," Big Mac replied. "It's kinda like having an adventure of your own," Stygian exclaimed happily. "Only you're doing it, without the ponies you've looked up to, for your whole life!" "I know, right?" Spike asked. "It's actually a nice feeling to be a hero of your own story for a change." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Stygian frowned, as he looks down to the floor in shame. "What's the matter Stygian?" Thorax asked. "Aren't you having fun?" "Of course I am," Stygian replied. "I just wished I realized this, before I ended up trapping myself, and my friends in a limbo." The rest of the boys looked to each other, before Spike walked over, "Hey, look, the past is the past," Spike spoke. "We don't let that weigh us down, from moving onto the future." "Eenope," Big Mac spoke. "Easy for you boys to say," Stygian muttered. "You guys never did anything foolish that almost destroyed Equestria." In response, the boys looked to each other, before Spike spoke up, "Actually, we kinda did." "Oh really?" Stygian asked. "What's that?" Spike was the first to start, sweating a storm, "I...uh, may have experienced my first greedy growth spout, and turned into an out-of-control titanic dragon, pillaging all of Ponyville, and if worse, the whole world." "We were once evil changelings commanded by an evil queen," Thorax spoke, on Pharynx's behalf. "And though I didn't do anything that threatens Equestria," Big Mac spoke. "There was this one time where me and AJ, almost.....uh, put the sake of our Apple family's business tradition on the line, when AJ kept making lies." "Really?" Stygian asked, before they all turned to Discord. "What? You've never heard of me?" Discord asked. "Well, I'm absolutely offended!" With that, Discord pouted, holding his head high, before he blinks an eye open to see the boys weren't going to leave him with the subject. "Alright. I used to be some chaotic maniac who once tried to take over Equestria." "And?" Spike spoke. "And I've turned Ponyville upside down and made it the chaos capital of the world." "And?" "And I've once drove a wedge between the girls, before they reformed me." "And?" "And while we were having this conversation, I draw a mustache on Princess Celestia's plot, and named it, Butt Freaky." Meanwhile, in Canterlot Princess Celestia was happily eating some cakes, when she heard some giggling behind her. Celestia looked behind her, seeing some of the ponies, failing to suppress a laughter. "What?" Celestia chuckled. "What's every pony laughing at?" She was completely unaware of a face drawn on her flank, courtesy of Discord. Princess Luna was passing by, when she saw her sister's flank, and couldn't help but laugh, "Tia!" she laughed. "You're so sunny!" Back with the guys "Look, the thing is, not all of us are perfect," Spike spoke. "We've all made mistakes, big and small." "Eeyup," Big Mac replied. "But it's from those mistakes, that we learn how to be the better creature we are today!" Thorax spoke. "I'll say," Pharynx spoke. "I may act all tough, and not like my wimpy little brother here, but I still care for him, and the hive. And admittedly, I've had a few bumps to realize that." "And all I had to do was flood Sweet Apple Acres, before I realize that I'd be risking the friendship between Fluttershy, and the ponies of Equestria," Discord spoke. "So you can plainly see, Stygian," Spike began. "Not all of us are perfect." "Nope," Big Mac agreed. "And sure, not all of us are heroes, like Twilight and the girls," Discord and the two Changelings shook their heads, while Spike continues. "And some of us may not have powers. But after all these years of working as their number one assistant, I know one thing. As long as you have good friends at your sides, we'd be able to overcome any obstacles in our way." "YEAH!!" the rest of the guys, minus Stygian cheered. Stygian smiled, feeling his spirit rising up, thanks to the boys' encouragement. "So what do you say, Stygian?" Spike asked. "You with us?" Stygian, looked at the rest of the boys in the room, before giving his answers, "I think so," he said hesitantly. "I mean, yeah!" "Yeah!" the other boys cheered. The boys looked, seeing Bulk Biceps in the room, "Sorry. Wrong address," With that, the bulk pegasus stallion took his leave. Stygian turned to the rest of the boys, "So, what else do we do on Guys' Night?" The boys pondered, before Spike's spikes started to glow, same with Thorax, and Pharynx's, horns. Discord's body twitched uneasily, while Big Mac and Stygian's cutie marks glowed and vibrated. "The map's calling us?" Spike asked, as he and the boys ran to see the map, bearing symbols of the boys, hovering over Canterlot. "Looks like there's a friendship problem that requires all of us," Thorax noted. "Oh yeah!" Discord cheered. "Let the fun begin!"
Canterlot ConflictView OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsCanterlot ConflictOpening The curtain rises up to reveal: "Spike!" a chorus sang, as the little purple dragon smiles and wave. "And Vlad." Prince Blueblood jumps in, "Ta-da!" he sang, but didn't get any applauses. "Discord!" the chorus sang, revealing Discord, and Big Mac. Discord was mink winks, smiles, and several points to the audience, while Big Mac simply waves his hoof. "And Big Mac!" the chorus sang. Blueblood was later doing a tap dance, before he tossed the cane away, "Ta-da!" He sang, and still didn't get any applauses. "Well," he huffed, as he walks away, and gets hit on the head with the cane. "Thorax!" the chorus sang, as the camera pans over to show the changeling king himself, with his co-ruler, and brother, "Pharynx!" Blueblood later walked back on stage, sets up a ring, before he lit a small fire at the end of his horn, which he used to lit the ring up. With that, Blueblood took some steps back, before he came back running, "TA-" he said, as he jumps through the hoop, and got incinerated upon jumping the other side, save for his face. "Da...." "Stygian! Stygian! Stygian!" the chorus sang, as the last of the boys appeared, waving his hooves, ushering the audience to hold their applause. Blueblood, at this point, was really losing it, "And Blueblood, and Blueblood, and Blueblood," Blueblood repeated, before he gets himself into a cannon, and it fires him across the screen. "AND BLUEBLOOD! AND BLUEBLOOD!! AND BLUEBLOOD! AND BLUEBLOOD!! AND BLUEBLOOD! AND BLUEBLOOD!! AND BLUEBLOOD! AND BLUEBLOOD!!" The furious unicorn stallion ranted, as he flies past the boys. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Princess Luna screamed. "Well, he had a pleasant trip to the moon," Discord joked. "Do ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!" Two random elderly ponies laughed from their seats. "That's us folks!" Spike said, before he walks over and flips the switch, turning the story's title on. Canterlot After the Friendship Map called the boys to Canterlot, the boys appeared in the middle of the city's street, in a flash of light, courtesy of Discord. "Whoa, head rush!" Stygian groaned, dizzily. "Don't worry," Spike spoke. "After awhile, you'll get use to it." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "So where is this friendship problem that we need to solve?" Pharynx asked. "Well, let's see," Discord cracked his knuckles, as he took a whiff in the air. Before long, the draconequus was on the ground, sniffing like a hound dog, much to the Stygian's bewilderment. "Do draconequus like him always act like this?" Stygian asked. "Buddy," Spike began. "I'd rather not question it." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Discord continues to sniffed the ground, before he suddenly stood straight up, and immediately pointed his nose in a specific direction, "Ah-ha! It's this way!" Discord shouted, before he disappears in a flash of light. "Hey Discord!" Spike shouted, as he took off running after the draconequus. "Wait for us!" "Eeyup!" Big Mac called, as he chased after Spike, followed by Thorax and Pharynx. "Hey! Wait for me!" Stygian called, as he galloped after the boys. The Tasty Treats Turns out, the smell Discord smelled was really Coriander Cumin's famous Flat Noodle Soup. "I'm hungry," Discord said in his defense, to the boys who all bore questionable looks at him. "Besides, I can't work on solving a friendship problem on an empty stomach. Can I?" With a roll of their eyes, the boys all followed Discord as he leads them into the Tasty Treats, where they took a seat. "Wow," Stygian marveled at the interior decorations of the restaurant. "This place is beautiful." "You can say that again," Spike replied. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Kinda too flashy for me," Pharynx grumbled. "I think the ponies who run this place have good taste," Thorax voiced. "Well, if you ask me, I for one thing they could use a little more, pizzazz," Discord said, as he snapped his fingers, turning the latin decorations of the fabrics, into colorful, intensive patterns. While Discord entertains himself and the boys with his antics, a certain honey badger arrived, don up in an apron, and simple cap, while carrying a tray of cups. "Welcome to the Tasty Treats," the badger greeted. "Your server will be right with you," He said, as he places the cups on the boys' table. "Thank you," Stygian thanked, before he levitated the cup to his mouth, only for him, and the boys to spew it out, momentarily. "What the-?!" Pharynx coughed, with bubbles coming out of his mouth. "What is this?" "Tastes like dishwater!" Spike said in disgusts. Eyeballing at the cup, Discord stuck his tongue, as it turns green, "It is dishwater!" Discord cringed. Setting his cup down, Spike called out, "Busboy! Busboy!" No reply came, "Now where did he go?" Spike asked, while looking around the restaurant. "Well, I know where he's going when I'm through with him!" Pharynx said as he got out of his seat. "Straight to Tartarus!" "Pharynx! Wait!" Thorax shouted, as he got up and chases after his brother. "Let's not be hasty!" With Thorax chasing after Pharynx, and preventing all Tartarus from breaking lose, Stygian was left at the table, with Spike, Discord, and Big Mac. Stygian scans across the room, before his eyes suddenly sets upon a unicorn mare, sitting at a table, all by herself. In appearance, she has piercing moderate opal eyes, dark orchid coat, and moderate rose man and tail. For attires, she wore a long dark robe, and a dark fedora. "Whoa!" Stygian gasped. "Who is that?" "Who?" the boys asked, before they followed Stygian's gaze, directing them to the mare in question. "Oh, that's Fizzlepop," Spike answered. "Fizzlepop Berrytwist to be precise," Discord added. "Fizzle pop," Stygian repeated, as he continues to look at the mare. "That's a cute name, for a mare like her," Stygian's eyelid quickly drooped, as he continues looking at the mare, 'Not to mention, very pretty.' Fizzle pop was looking at a menu, when she suddenly looks up and caught Stygian staring her. In response, Stygian quickly looked away, trying to act natural, all the while blushing a storm. Then, the restraint's host, Coriander Cumin came, "Welcome to the Tasty Treats!" he greeted. "What can I get you gentlemen this evening?" "We'd like to have some more of your Flat Noodle Soup please," Spike ordered, before Big Mac whispered into Spike's frills. "And make it two, please!" Coriander nodded as he wrote the said orders, "Oh, and two of our friends will be rejoining us momentarily, so be sure to come back, when they return." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "I'd like to have one of your finest grass sandwich, if you please," Discord order. "Extra mustard Dijon dressing, I might add. And an extra for to-go, please. I'll be taking that one home, for Fluttershy." Coriander wrote all of the boys' orders down on a notepad he levitated, before he turns to Stygian, "And for you young stallion?" "I'm fine, thank you," Stygian replied. With that, Coriander was on his way to the kitchen, "Saffron!" he called. "We need more Dijon dressing!" While the boys waited for their orders, Discord snapped his fingers and started folding the napkins in a variety of shapes. Inspired by Discord's magical display, Stygian took notice of the silverwares that were on the table. With that, Stygian decided to amuse himself, by levitating the silverwares via magic, and crafting them in a replica of Canterlot Castle. Needless to say, this didn't go unnoticed for the rest of the patrons, Fizzlepop included. "Wow, Stygian," Spike mused. "Neat trick!" "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Thanks," Stygian smiled sheepishly. "Yes, it's good, for a unicorn," Discord grinned mischievously, as he snaps his fingers, and the floating napkins shaped themselves into pony soldiers. "Attack!" Discord order, as his napkin ponies attacked, Stygian's silverware castle. In response, Stygian hexed his castle, causing the silverwares to rearrange themselves into the shape of a spider. The spider lunged towards the napkins, who all screamed in fear as they retreated. Quickly noticing a box of toothpicks, Discord snapped his fingers, and the toothpicks were all flown out of the box, as and into the napkins. "En garde! Touché! Cafe au Lait! Champs-Élysées! Pompeii! Au revior! Zoot suit!" Discord said, as his napkin soldiers all waved their toothpicks around like swords. In response, Stygian's silverware spider stood up, as it morphs itself into a tall bipedal fighter, with multiple arms, each with dinner knives for weapons. The silverware and napkin soldiers all charged at each other. The patrons all cheered for, either Discord's napkin warriors, or Stygian's silverware beast to win. "Come on, napkins!" a stallion shouted. "Give it to him!" "Give the monster the big nap!" a mare called. "Take their heads off!" an elderly mare shouted, cheering for the silverware beast. Fizzlepop shook her head in amusement, when the honey badger arrived, "Hey Fizzy," the badger spoke. "Can I borrow fifty bits for the silver monster to win?" "Ah-ha!" Pharynx's voice shouted. "There you are!" "Yipe!" the honey badger whimpered, before he took off running, as Pharynx chased after him, with a bar of soap in the angry changeling's aura. "Hey! Come back here and take it!" Pharynx shouted. "Take it like a man!" "Pharynx!" Thorax shouted as he resumes chasing his older, short-tempered brother. "Calm blue ocean! Calm blue ocean!" Fizzlepop just watched the two changelings leave, when another server came up to her, "Well it's about time," she spoke calmly. Meanwhile, Discord and Stygian's fighters continue to go all out. Discord's napkins all surrounded Stygian's silverware monster, before they attempted to smother it. However, the silverwares all separated from each other, avoiding the napkins, before they shaped themselves into a giant hand. The napkins copied the silverwares. Soon, both hands tussled each other, in an all out thumb wrestling match. Soon, Discord's napkin's thumb caught Stygian's silverware thumb, "One, two, three, four, five...." Spike counted, before Stygian's silverwares snaked over Discord's napkin thumb, and caught it, "One, two, three, four, five...." "What is the meaning of this?!" Coriander Cumin shouted. There, standing in the doorway of the kitchen, was Coriander Cumin, with his daughter, Saffron Masala, levitating the boys' orders. "He started it!" Stygian and Discord replied, while pointing at each other. "Where'd he go?!" Pharynx voice called, before in a flash of light, he reveals himself, on Saffron's plate. "Where'd that yellow bellied badger go? I'll wash his mouth out, if he thinks he can get away, feeding me dishwater!" "Pharynx!" Thorax panted, as he came out of the kitchen. "Inside voice, brother. Inside voice. We're in public!" Later After the excitements got settled, the boys got their orders, along with much cleaner drinks, the boys settle down to eat. Though, Pharynx was apparently put on a dog leash, courtesy of Discord, for the safety of the badger - if not, every pony around him. "Let me go, at once!" Pharynx struggled. "Justice will be served! I demand hard cold stone justice! You hear me?!!" "C'mon, Pharynx," Thorax ushered. "Let it go! I'm sure it was a mistake." "That was attempted murder!" Pharynx countered. "That badger tried to kill me, with polluted water! And I aim to pay it back to him, with clean, cold, hard, stone justice!" Pharynx paused for a moment. "Whoa. That actually sounded bad when I say it, out loud." "Whatever, let's just finish eating so we can find the friendship problem, and get back to Ponyville and finish up our guys' night," Spike spoke. "So, how exactly do you find a friendship problem?" Stygian asked. "And once you found it, how do you solve it?" "Well, to be honest," Spike began. "Twilight and the girls have always been the heroes called to solving a friendship problem. "So, they're kinda the expert at solving, and finding them, I guess." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Though, once," Thorax began. "Both me and Spike have been a part of a friendship problem before." "Oh yeah," Pharynx began, in a more calmer tone. "Isn't that when that Dragon Lord Ember girl came to visit Ponyville, and then Spike over there tried to keep you, and her, from meeting each other, for fear it would start a war, or something?" Spike chuckled nervously, while blushing up a storm, "Yep, pretty stupid of me," Spike smiled sheepishly. "Oh, come on Spike," Discord said, patting the dragon's back. "It was very stupid of you." Spike shot a deadpan look, "Gee, thanks for rubbing it in," Spike said sarcastically. "My pleasure," Discord replied, with a smug grin. "Though, back on topic," Spike continues. "From what the girls have told us. They just simply go to the place where they're being called, and just look around, until they find the problem, and work their magic to solve it." "Fascinating," Stygian noted. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "So first thing first," Discord began. "After we have lunch, the first step we do is....." Flashy Transition ".......Interrogate the locals!" Discord declared. "First thing first, we gotta find someone who looks like they're having a friendship problem." Stygian looked at the draconequus questionably, "Um, what's your criteria on that?" Stygian asked. "Good instinct!" Discord replied. "Keep your eyes open boys!" With that, Discord projected his eyes into binoculars, as he scans the surroundings. "Um, that's kinda too, creepy," Spike spoke. "I mean, you can't judge some pony's problem, just by looking at them." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "AH-HA!!" Discord shouted, as he ran over Spike and Big Mac into pancakes. "You there! Start talking!" Discord said, to an elderly pony. "EEK! What heaven's name?" the pony exclaimed. "Allow me to introduce myself, madam," Discord began. "I am Discord. The Master of Chaos. The suave, talented, handsome, and courageous hero of this story!" "Ooh, well please to meet you-" "Now what's your problem, ma'm?" Discord asked. "Is your friend dying? Do you have a grandson who's falling out with you? Or is your husband thinking about divorce?" Soon, the rest of the boys caught up to Discord, "Discord! What are you doing?!" Spike asked. "What's it look like I'm doing?" Discord asked. "I'm interrogating this nice, little, old lady here, if she's having any friendship problems." The boys looked at each other in bewilderment, "I fail to find that helpful, than it is less helpful," Spike said. "Eeyup," Big Mac replied. Walking up to the old pony, Spike apologized, "Sorry about my kooky friend here. This is our first time solving a friendship problem together." "Oh, well that's quite alright young dragon," the mare replied. "I don't have any problem, such as that." "Oh, well sorry for troubling you then," Spike said, as he and the boys took their leave. "Good-bye." "Have a good evening," the mare replied. Soon, the boys were once more conversing with their new member, "Okay Stygian," Spike began. "Let that be a first lesson for us. If you want to solve a friendship problem, never just charge up to some pony like a complete stranger, and ask them if they have a problem." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Well sorry," Discord apologized with a roll of his eyes. "Can't I help it, if I'm still new to this?" "Eenope." "So, how do we really find this friendship problem?" Stygian asked. "Well, from what the girls say," Spike began. "They either find it, or it finds them." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. From the corners of Pharynx's eyes, he caught sight of something black, and white, "AH-HA!!" Pharynx shouted, as he leaps into an alley. "Now I've got you!" However, much to his surprise, it was only a tuxedo cat. The cat screeched in fright, before it took off, running. "Never mind," Pharynx spoke. "It's just a plain old putty tat." Thorax groaned, as he shook his head, shameful at his brother, "You don't suppose the map called us teach Pharynx about holding grudges?" Spike asked. "I wish," Thorax replied. "What the devil is going on here?" a voice hollered. "Oh no," Spike groaned. "Not him," Discord groaned. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed in dismay. "What?" Stygian asked. "Who's him?" "Yeah, who?" Thorax asked. Rather than answering, the three boys pointed their friends' attentions in a direction, towards Prince Blueblood, who was walking with his dog, Bunny. "Who's that?" Stygian asked. "That's Vlad Blueblood!" Spike whispered. "He's evil!" Just then, Fizzlepop was passing by, when Blueblood bumped into her, "Move aside!" Blueblood said, as he rudely shoves the mare away. Needless to say, the boys stood aghast at his action, "You see what I mean?" Spike asked. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Soon, the boys ran pass Blueblood, causing the prince to spin around, as they helped Fizzlepop up. "You okay there, Fizzy?" Spike asked. "Just a little shaken," Fizzlepop answered. "But nothing too serious." "Glad to know you're alright," Thorax said. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Pharynx turned, and glared angrily at Blueblood, "Hey you!" he called. Blueblood turned to the changeling, with his eyebrow raised, "Are you addressing to me?" the snobby stallion asked. "What's the matter?" Pharynx barked, as he pointed to Fizzlepop. "You blind are something?" "What?! You accusing me of blindness?" Blueblood asked. "It was her fault! She got in my way!" "Oh really? And a simple excuse me isn't simple enough for you to say? Or how about an apology for when you push her, like that?" "Me?! Apologize? Humph!" Prince Blueblood raised his head up, as he looked away. "That is for the weak and wrong! So she should be saying she's sorry to me!" "Not as much as you should be, for pushing her down like that!" Spike added. "Well, look who it is," Blueblood sneered. "It's little baby diaper Spike the baby diaper dragon!" With that, Blueblood entered a fit of laughter. "Hey!" Thorax began, as he assertively stands defensively over Spike. "You can't talk to my friend like that!" "Oh, I'm sorry," Blueblood rolled his eyes. "Who are you?" "I'm Thorax! Current leader of the Changelings! That's who!" Thorax snarled. "Oh, well I don't care," Blueblood replied. "I've got better things to do than wasting my time with a couple of bugs and lizard." "Hey! Let me tell something to you!" Spike began, as he got in front of Blueblood. "Oh, don't you dare touch me, you filthy reptile!" Blueblood said, as he smacks Spike in the face. "Hey watch it!" Thorax said, as he and the rest of the boys helped their dragon friend up, as well as confronting Blueblood. "Oh you've gone and made me mad!" Pharynx said, as he transforms into his monstrous bug form, and scares a frighten Blueblood. Soon, all of the Canterlot ponies took notice, as they stopped to watch the scene being played out. "WHAT IS GOING ON?!!!" a loud voice called, revealing itself to be Princess Luna. Every pony stopped what they were doing, before they pointed, "HE started it!" Prince Blueblood was seen, pointing at the guys, while the guys were pointing at Blueblood. Later "What have we taught you about the golden rule?!" Luna scolded. "Treat others as you want to be treated, blah blah blah," Blueblood repeated. "Ahem!" Luna cleared her throat. "Alright, fine!" Blueblood folded his hooves as he turns to Fizzlepop. "I'm sorry you have broken horn." "Blueblood!" Luna scolded. "And I'm sorry you can't do magic, like a proper unicorn of high status." "Blueblood!" "And I'm sorry if your mane looks bad." "BLUEBLOOD!!" "What? I apologized, didn't I? What more do you want from me?" "How about be a little more genuine, with your apologies? Apologies to Fizzlepop, exactly how you'd want her to apologize to you!" Blueblood turned his head away in defiance, "Alright! That's it, young stallion! You're grounded!" "WHAT?!!" Blueblood exclaimed. "ME?!! YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO ME!!!" "I can, and I just did!" Luna said, as she magically grabs Blueblood by the ear, and pulls him away. Taking one last look at the boys, Blueblood shouted, "I'll get you boys for this!!!" "Have fun being locked in your room!" Discord shouted. After watching Blueblood disappearing out of sight, the boys turned to Fizzlepop, "Sorry that we didn't get him to apologize for you, Fizz," Spike said, solemnly. "But, at least we rat out Blueblood for you." "Well, that's better than nothing, I guess," Fizzlepop replied. "Still, it was entertaining to see Princess Luna dragging him off like that." "Yeah," Spike agreed. 'Guess some things will never change,' he thought. "So, while we're here," Spike began, as he turns to Fizzlepop. "How've you been, Fizzy?" "Oh, just fine, I guess," Fizzlepop said gloomily. "Really? You don't sound like you're 'just fine,'" Spike replied. "Nope," Big Mac shook his head. "You sounded a bit more, um," Thorax paused to think for a moment. "What's the word?" "Unsure?" Pharynx answered. "No, not that," Thorax replied. "Um...." "Insecure?" "Closer, but....." "Alienated? Ostracized? Isolated?" "Down in the dumps, is more like it," Thorax answered. "I'm just having trouble fitting in, okay?" Fizzlepop answered. "What?" Spike inquired. "But I thought you were enjoying yourself here in Canterlot. I mean, last time me and Twilight were here, you hit it off quite well with Moon Dancer and the girls here." "That's the thing!" Fizzlepop answered, as she sighed. "They're all magical. They've all got horns. And all I've got, is his....." With that, Fizzlepop slowly lifted her hat up to show a stump, where a horn used to be. Needless to say, Stygian was surprised. But now that he got a closer look, he did took notice of a large scar running down over Fizzlepop's right eye. How could such fate befall on a unicorn so beautiful, such as her. "Being with some ponies who can control their powers, it's just hard for me to....get along," Fizzlepop murmured. "That's why I'm better off alone." Spike looked at each other, before they all nodded in agreement. Spike opened up his mouth to say, "It's true! It's very hard to get along with unicorns who have horns, when you've got a broken one," Discord answered, much to the boys' shocks. "That, and the fact you've once worked for a delusional, weirdo, and plain goofy Storm King," Instantly, the boys elbowed the draconequus, appalled at what he said, "What? I thought's what we nodded for." "That's not helpful!" Spike replied. "Eeyup!" Walking over to Fizzlepop, Spike placed a comforting claw on her shoulder, "Look Fizz. You gotta let some of that stuff go in the past, because it just doesn't matter. The only thing that mattered, is what you choose to be now." "Eeyup." "Easy for you boys to say," Fizzlepop replied. "You don't know what it's like to just look at your own reflection, and then be reminded for all the horrible things you've done in the past." "Oh believe us," Stygian spoke, as he walked up to the mare. "I know that feeling too well." "We all do," Thorax spoke. Soon, the boys all exchanged their stories to Fizzlepop, who could hardly believe every words. "Wow," Fizzlepop began. "And I thought I was bad." "Believe me," Stygian replied. "It could've been worse." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "But still, the last thing I would do, is to make another friend," Fizzlepop looked away sadly. "I'll just fail them in the end." "That's not true!" Spike exclaimed. "You're not a failure, Fizzle! Nopony's perfect! Even Twilight admits she and her friends aren't flawless!" "But still, who'd want to be friends with me?" Fizzlepop asked. "I would!" Spike said, taking Fizzlepop by surprise. "Because in a way, Fizz. You and I aren't so different." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Same here," Thorax spoke. "Well, I don't usually admit if I have common interest with someone else," Pharynx began. "But I can admit, I'd want to be friends with you." Fizzlepop smiled, "Um, would it be alright if I call you, Soda Pop, or just Pop? I don't know why, it's just that, to me, Fizzlepop kinda leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But Soda Pop, that really pops! Uh, no offense." "None taken, I guess," Fizzlepop mumbled. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to have another fellow, former baddy on my friendship list," Discord said, as he produced a scroll, with Fluttershy's picture on top, and cut in the shape of a heart. "I'd certainly want to be friends with you," Stygian spoke. "Like I said, I may not have magic, or strength. But to me, I think you're the strongest unicorn I've ever known. Broken horn and all." Fizzlepop felt touched by Stygian's words, while at the same time feeling suddenly good inside her. Almost as if her heart's thumping tenfold, and it wants to break free from her chest. "I don't know what to say," Fizzlepop smiled tearfully. "You don't have to say a thing," Spike smiled, as the rest of the boys all shook their head in agreement. "Fizzle pop!" a voice cried out, revealing itself to be Moondancer, and her gang of unicorn girls. "There you are!" "We've been looking all over for you!" Minuette added. "You were?" Fizzle pop asked in surprise. "Of course we were," Twinkleshine said. "After that explosion you made with one of Moon Dancer's chemistry set, you just took off. We thought you got hurt, so we just came to make sure you're okay! That's all." "But I thought you girls would just, forget about me, and move on," Fizzlepop said. "What?" Moondancer exclaimed. "All for a simple accident? That'll take more than that to drive us apart from you!" "Yeah! Accidents happen!" Minuette giggled. "Just ask Twilight! She made a big accident of leaving us without saying good-bye!" "But then she learned her mistake, and came back to make amends," Lemon Heart added. Fizzlepop turned her head to the boys, who all gave her encouraging smiles, "So, um, if it's not too late," Fizzlepop began. "Can we make amends?" "Of course!" Moondancer replied. "We need an extra hoof to clean my place up." "Let's go!" Minuette chirped, as she and the girls walked away. "Maybe we'll make it, into a cleaning game!" Fizzle pop soon took her leave, while the boys looked, seeing Spike's spikes flashing, Big Mac and Stygian's cutie marks were flashing and vibrating, along with Thorax and Pharynx's horns. "Does this mean we have another problem to solve?" Stygian asked. "Eenope," Big Mac replied. "It means, our work here is done," Spike smiled. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Boys!" Fizzlepop called, as she galloped back to them. "I just wanted to say, thank you. I'm glad to have that talk with you boys." "All in a night's work, Fizzy!" Spike said, raising a thumbs up. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Fizzlepop looked at Stygian, who blushed with his cheeks turning red, "So," Fizzlepop began. "Will I be seeing you again?" "Um, I uh," Stygian stammered. "Sure! I mean, maybe! I mean, I'd like that very much." Fizzlepop smiled warmly, which was enough to make Stygian feel the funny fluttery feeling in his stomach, "Well, I'll see you around," Fizzlepop replied, as she walks away to catch up with Moondancer and the others. "See ya," Stygian sighed. "Well boys," Discord began. "Looks like we did a good job, on our first Guys' Friendship Problem Solving Night." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, followed by the other boys. Just then, Pharynx caught sight of a certain badger who was trying to escape, "THERE HE IS!!!" Pharynx shouted. "YIPE!!!" Grubber whimpered, as he is once again, running for dear life. "Help!" Grubber cried. "Crazy, angry horsefly chasing me!" "I'll teach you to feed me dishwater!" Pharynx roared. "PHARYNX!! NO!!" Thorax called, as he was once more, chasing after his brother. "Don't kill the badger! Don't kill the badger! Think of the children! Think of the children!!" "Well, it was good, while it lasted," Spike said. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Closing Prince Blueblood was sawing the curtain's rope like crazy, before he jumps in front of the boys, "Ta-da!!!" The boys quickly jumped, just in time, as the curtain closes behind them, and they struck poses, followed by the audience clapping.
Hard Days StygianView OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsHard Days StygianIt was a bright, sunny day in Ponyville. At Sugarcube Corner, Spike was filling in for Pinkie Pie, who was called away on another Friendship Mission with her friends. "Thank you for coming!" Spike said, as he finishes handing the costumers their orders. "Have a nice day!" "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Big Mac was also there on Applejack's behalf. Applejack and Pinkie Pie had agreed on selling their sweets together at Sugarcube Corner. Though without the two of them, both Spike and Big Mac were left to do the work in their absent. The doorbell rang, as Snips and Snails walked in, "We'd like to have two hay shakes please!" Snips smiled. "Just for the Great and Powerful Trixie!" "Coming right up," Spike replied, as he went to get their orders, when Discord appeared. Discord boomed, as he took the boys' moneys away and looked, "Vouchers, huh?" Discord asked suspiciously. "Let's see if these babies are real," With that, Discord took out a peculiar device and used it to scan the bits in his paw. "Um, Discord?" Spike asked. "What's that?" "Just a nose hair trimmer," Discord answered. "What's it look like?" Elsewhere Speaking of which, "Where is it? Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?" Cranky asked, desperately looking for his trimmer, before he screams in horror at the sight of his unkempt nose hairs. "Enjoy your shake, boys," Discord smiled, as Spike went back to work. Spike went over to a machine to squeeze out some shakes, only for the machine to run on empty, "Big Mac! More hay!" "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, as he went around back to pick up a box of hay. "Ooh! Heavier than usual!" Big Mac grunted. After several struggling walks, Big Mac made it back to the machine, where he poured the content in, revealing itself to be Stygian. "Stygian?" Spike exclaimed, as he and Discord walked over to the small stallion. "What are you doing in there?" "I'm hiding from the girls!" Stygian explained. "Why are you hiding from the girls?" "They think I'm this stallion named Tomb Riddles!" Stygian answered, while holding out an magazine issue titled Dreamcolt, with the cover depicting a suave and handsome looking colt, who bears some resemblance of Stygian. "Tomb Riddles?" Spike asked. Suddenly, the screams of fangirls can be heard outside of Sugarcube Corner. "Oh now you've done it!" Stygian moaned, as he dives back into the box to hide. "Stygian, c'mon!" Spike said. "You can't hide in there forever." "Eenope," Big Mac shook his head. "What will you eat?" "Hay?" Stygian replied. Shaking his head, Spike dragged Stygian out, before they were on their way, "C'mon. We'll help you sort this whole thing out." "Eeyup," Big Mac added, as he joins the boys. "You coming Discord?" Spike asked. "Discord?" After another moment of silence, Spike shrugged his shoulders, before he and his friends leave. Little did he know, however, Discord's eyes and mouth appeared on a paper bag, laughing mischievously. For the rest of the days, Spike and Big Mac tried to reason with the girls that Stygian isn't Tomb Riddles, as they thought of him to be. Unfortunately, that action backfired on the boys, as Spike and Big Mac's words fell on deaf ears, and the girls continue to chase after Stygian. Seeing as how the girls won't listen to reasons, the boys decided to try on disguises for Stygian. Therefore, they managed to escape to the Changeling Kingdom, where they enlisted help from Thorax and Pharynx. However, even the masters of disguise did little to help, since the girls can see right through their disguises. It also didn't help that the rest of the swarm were too afraid of the girls to even comply disguising themselves as Stygian. Later that night The boys were later hiding at the Castle of Friendship. "No matter where we go! Those girls always find us!" Thorax moaned, while perching as a lamppost. "They won't find us here, Thor," Spike replied, while he and Stygian were hiding under the couch. "Eenope," Big Mac spoke from the chandelier. Then, the sound of girls swooning filled the air. "Here they come!" Thorax said in fear, as he quickly turns himself into a lamp. "Sorry, Thor," Pharynx apologized, still maintaining his record player disguise. "It's just me, practicing my voice imitation of Nicole Rey," To prove it, Pharynx opened up his mouth, and spoke, sounding like Princess Celestia herself. After a moment of silence, Spike came out of hiding, "I think the coast is clear," He said, opening the doors to reveal a mob of fangirls, before he quickly closed it up. "Better lay low a little longer," Spike insisted, before he opens the doors, just ajar, to see the fangirls still screaming outside, before he quickly shuts them up. "A little longer," Suddenly, many hooves broke through the castle's walls, and windows, as they all made a grab for Spike, whom they believed to be Stygian. "Make them stop!" Stygian pleaded, while covering his face with his hooves. Spike in the meantime, looked as if he was about to be pulled apart, much to the boys' horror. Spike quickly breathed a series of short and long puffs of flames. "Morse codes!" Pharynx deduced. "He wants us to barricade the doors!" Thorax confirmed. "Eeyup!" With that, Pharynx quickly pulled Spike free from the grabby fangirls, while the rest of the guys hammered a series of wooden planks to the doors, windows, and wherever the mares' hooves are breaking through. After awhile of hammering, "Guys? Where did those woods come from?" Spike asked. "The library," Thorax replied, before he realized what he did. He and the boys turned around to see a huge hole, where a bookshelf used to be. "Oh boy," Spike moaned, as the mares all appeared through the hole. "Hi Stygian!" the mares greeted lovingly. "AAAAAAAAHHH!!!" the boys screamed, as they were backed up against a wall. "I'm sorry, Stygian!" Thorax apologized. "I didn't sign up for this!" "Nope!" Pharynx added. "Run away!" Big Mac said, as both him, Pharynx, and Thorax cut their escape through the floor. "Hi Stygian," one of the girls greeted lovingly. "Hi Stygian," another greeted him lovingly. Spike looked, before he and Stygian spotted their next escape attempt, "Quick, Stygian!" Spike insisted. "The chandelier!" With that, Spike and the small unicorn wizard all made a run, and climb for it, until finally they were safe from the lovestruck mares. Well, with the exceptions of the pegasi. Meanwhile, outside the Castle of Friendship was Discord, Snips, and Snails. Discord was lounging on an easy couch, as he enjoys himself some chocolate milk, with Snips and Snails, fanning besides him. "Well fellas," Discord said in amusement. "I know funny and that's that!" Discord laughed, as he continues, "And all I had to do was rat out Stygian!" From their hiding spot, Big Mac, Thorax, and Pharynx have heard the whole thing. "Let's go catch a rat!" Pharynx said to the boys. "Eeyup!" Big Mac agreed. Back with Spike and Stygian Stygian was holding Spike close, as he shakes in fear, "I'm afraid this is the end, Spike!" Stygian quivered. "It's been nice knowing you, my dragon friend." "Same here, Stygian," Spike replied, before his stomach growled. "You're hungry at a time like this?" Stygian asked incredulously. "I can't help it," Spike replied. "I eat when I'm nervous," Looking around, Spike spotted a nearby gem, hanging from the ceiling. "If only I can just get that gem, then my end would be a lot sweeter." "I'll get it!" a pegasus mare said, as she got the gem and gave it to Spike. "Here you go." "Thanks," Spike replied, as he took the gem and ate it. Looking at Stygian, Spike asked, "Need anything else?" "Um, maybe some apple pie would be nice," Stygian answered. "Allow me," a familiar voice spoke, to which Fizzlepop Berrytwist appeared, and gave Stygian his requested desert. "Oh, thanks," Stygian replied with a smile. "You're welcome," Tempest Shadow smiled. "Huh, I guess this isn't so bad," Stygian smiled. "I think you're right, Stygian," Spike agreed. "I should accept my fate!" "Go for it!" "Okay girls," Stygian called out. "Here I come!" With that, Stygian makes a leap of faith, towards the outstretched hooves of his adoring fangirls. Suddenly, a magazine slipped from under the door, to which the mares all dropped Stygian, as they went over to pick it up. "Hey! It's the latest edition of Dreamcolt!" one of the mares exclaimed, before they all once again, broke into fangirl cheers, and exited the castle. "What just happened?" Stygian asked, dusting himself. "I have no idea," Spike replied, after he climbs down from the chandelier. The two boys soon walked out of the Friendship Castle, where they meet Thorax, Pharynx, and Big Mac. "Big Mac! Thor! Phar!" Spike smiled. "You guys sent that Dreamcolt magazine!" "Eeyup." "It's amazing with what you can do with scissors, glue, and a picture of Discord," Thorax said, as he reveals the magazine they've changed, with Discord's head over a buffed stallion's face. Just then, a loud scream was heard, to which the boys turned their attention to see Discord, getting his just deserts. "Wow," Spike frowned with worry. "Poor guy," Pharynx whistled in astonishment. "I'd hate to be that guy right about now," Stygian moaned. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "What have we done?" Thorax asked rhetorically. "Hey guys!" Snips and Snails came over. "You want dinner? We're buying." The boys all exchanged agreements, as they left together with their friends, while Discord continues to scream in pure horror, while the mares were all crying out loud for him. Just then, Twilight arrived back at the castle, with her friends. "What happened here?!" Twilight exclaimed. "WHO DISMANTLED MY BOOKSHELF?!"
How Discord Wasn’t In The MovieView OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsHow Discord Wasn’t In The MovieAuthor's Note The following is a parody of the Lego Ninjago Short: The Master. Guest Star: Robert Klein as the Butterfly. How Discord Wasn’t In The Movie The chapter opens to reveal a disoriented world, filled with floating lands, and bizarre creatures of all shapes and sizes. And a voice can be heard, narrating. "In the far off land of Chaosville," A text appears in a flash of light, to read: a Lionsgate Entertainment fanfic. "The fandoms speak of an ancient temple, home to one true, legendary warrior." The camera zooms in to show Discord, playing the trumpet, emitting the melodious sound of a flute. The draconequus snaps his fingers, to display a text that reads: "A My Little Pony FIM Fic." "Dedicating himself to solitude, he was balanced with the world." With that, Discord was seen gardening some weeds, while pulling out vegetables. The camera zooms out, to reveal the vegetables all form a message that reads: "Starring Discord." In the next scene, Discord was inside a training dojo, with what appeared to be a huge block of ice. Bowing his head, Discord flies at the block, while landing a few karate kicks and chops, as he spells the title. "And he trained tirelessly, until his moves were super sweet!" Discord was on the verge of completing the title, "He was the one, the only-" "Wave the flag for hudson high boys, show them how we stand!~" A random butterfly sang, distracting Discord from finishing the title properly, causing it to read: The Astr "Astr.....," The narrator reads. "Huh? Is that even a word?" "I am a rolling gambler~" The butterfly sang. "How do you do?" "How do I do?" Discord asked. "Terrible! Did you see what you made me do?!" He asked, pointing at the messed up title. "Excellent! Well you're a fishmonger," The butterfly replied. "You're my everything. You're my sunshine. You're old and gray and full of sleet. You're my consumptives Mary Jane~" "Wrong movie," Discord said, as he catches the butterfly in a net, and took him outside the Lionsgate, and order. "Stay here!" With that, Discord returned to start the short over again. "Starting again?" The narrator asked. "Oh! Okay....Ahem...." "In the far off land of Chaosville," A text appears in a flash of light, to read: a Lionsgate Entertainment fanfic. "The fandoms speak of an ancient temple, home to one true, legendary warrior." The camera zooms in to show Discord, playing the trumpet, emitting the melodious sound of a flute. The draconequus snaps his fingers, to display a text that reads: "A My Little Pony FIM Fic." "He lived solitude, until he was balanced with the world." With that, Discord was seen gardening some weeds, while pulling out vegetables. The camera zooms out, to reveal the vegetables all form a message that reads: "Starring Discord." In the next scene, Discord was inside a training dojo, with what appeared to be a huge block of ice. Discord frantically flies at the block, while landing a few karate kicks and chops, as he spells the title. "And he trained a lot, until his moves were still super sweet!" Discord was on the verge of completing the title, "He was the one, the only-" "Oh have you seen the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man?~" The butterfly sang, in front of camera. "Now there's a butterfly in the way, and I can't read it," The narrator grumbled. With that, Discord grabs the butterfly, puts him on a fly swatter, and catapults him out, before he shuts the Lionsgate on the butterfly. "Why, I never!" The butterfly frowned. "In the far off land of Chaosville," Suddenly everything went fast for the narrator, as the texts: "a Lionsgate Entertainment fanfic," quickly appeared. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! The fandoms speak of an ancient temple, home to one true, legendary warrior." Discord runs into the camera shot, with a trombone, as he quickly snaps his fingers, to display a text that reads: "A My Little Pony FIM Fic." "He was balanced with the world." Discord frantically plucks all the vegetables with a harvest machine, to spell: "Starring Discord." Discord was nearly out of breath, as he panted heavily before he appeared before the block of ice. "His moves are super sweet! And he was the-" "One!" The butterfly interrupted. "One alone, to be my own~" "Oh surprised," The narrator quoted. "The butterfly is back." "Get BACK in the 1950s!" Discord ordered, only to be taken by surprise, as he was literally kicked out of his house, and through the Lions' gates. "In the far off land of Chaos-Oh! The fandoms have changed," Discord frantically runs back to his house, as a broken text appears to read: "a Lionsgate Entertainment fanfic," "Now they speak of a looney butterfly." With that, the butterfly broke out in an operatic voice, with letters coming out of his mouth, to form words that read: "A Robert Klein Comedy Skit." "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Discord screamed in horror, before his face shifted to Rarity's face. "Bring it on~" The butterfly challenged. With that, Discord lunged forward, determined to give the butterfly a piece of his mind. But the butterfly flew right at Discord's chest, and pushed him down with such force. "He floats like....well, a butterfly, but stings like a bee." With that, the butterfly stings at Discord, on the nose, leaving a large red bump on the draconequus's muzzle. "It is clear, you have mastered Fly-Kwon-Do," Discord analyzed. "But can you handle, the Thirteen Wasps of Shaolin? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13?!!" "One, two, three o Larry~" The butterfly sang, as he dodges Discord's attacks. "He was balanced with the world." Discord looked in horror, to see the butterfly manages to spell, "Starring the Butterfly," With his wasps. Next thing the draconequus knew, the butterfly was making a beeline for Discord's house. "No, no, NO!!" Discord shouted, as he frantically gave chase. Discord arrived in the room to see the butterfly was singing in his opera voice, breaking the block of ice. "He was the one, the only-" "NO!!!" Discord screamed in defiant, as he stopped the butterfly in the nick of time, just as the ice broke, to read: "The Butt" Discord snapped his fingers, and he quickly restored the texts to a simple block of ice. With that, Discord gave a mocking laugh, while the butterfly flew circles around him. Discord quickly conjures a fly swatter, as he vigorously swat at the butterfly in vain. In his attempt, Discord smacked the block of ice, breaking it apart to reveal the letter "M." Taking his chance, Discord began to land some blows to the ice, while still keeping the butterfly at bay. "He was the one, the only, the-NO!" The butterfly tapped danced on one of the letters, to shatter them to pieces. "He broke them down again...." The narrator grumbled. Irritated, Discord snapped his fingers, as he throws several chocolate milk bombs at the butterfly, who zipped through them all, at the speed of a dragonfly. At last, the butterfly floated besides Discord's ears, and sang an operatic voice, causing the draconequus to feel disoriented. Taking the chance, the butterfly began to spell the letters on the ice. "He was the one, the only, the-!" Shaking out of his confusion fast, Discord snapped his fingers, restoring the block of ice. "They keep breaking the ice, and fixing it," The narrator complained, while Discord crazily, and desperately finishes the spelling. "And now the building's going to collapse so they should hurry up!" Discord was at the final letter, "Okay, fine." "He was the one, the only, the-!" Discord was sadly interrupted, when his whole house fell down on him, giving the butterfly the chance to finish the title: THE MASTER BUTTERFLY!! Discord slumped in defeat, "Fine....you win," He moaned, as the butterfly began to sing, "No! No need for songs. I'll sing myself in self pity...." With that, Discord took out a harmonica, and a hobo stick, as he sadly leaves what's left of his abode. The butterfly looked at Discord, before he shook his head, feeling sorry for the draconequus. With that, the butterfly turns to the ice, and sang an operatic voice, shattering the words, "Butterfly," before was able to put together another letter. "Yoo-hoo!" The butterfly called, catching Discord's attention. "Butterfly," Discord replied. "You are full of surprises." With that, the two started the whole thing, from the top. A Lionsgate Entertainment fanfic. "Ahem....In a far off land of Chaosville. The fandoms settled on two, legendary warriors. Together they are-" THE MASTERS!!!!! "J.K!" Discord quickly shouted, as he swatted the butterfly, right out of the chapter, breaking the letter, "s," causing the title to read: THE MASTER!!!!! "Okay, let's start the story!" Discord exclaimed. "Oh! I'm sorry, but that's all the time we've had," The narrator replied. "I'm sure it was going to be awesome, but y'know, it was nice to have Robert Klein come as a guest star for this fic. And at least we paid a little homage to one of Lionsgate earlier distribution, the Last Unicorn. Right?"
Heroes, Sidekicks, and FriendsView OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsHeroes, Sidekicks, and FriendsIt was another quiet night in Ponyville. Spike and the guys were once more at the Castle of Friendship, for another Guys' Night. "It's Guys' Night! Oh yeah! Having fun now! Oh yeah!" The boys chanted, before they resumed their games of Ogres and Oubliettes, donning up their game personas. Castle Rock - Rayman Legends "Captain Wuzz!" Spike shouted to Discord. "Up high!" Discord looked up and quickly fired an explosive arrow into the air, striking down a flying monster, "Back at ya, Garbuncle!" Discord shouted as he fired an arrow at a skeleton monster that almost got Spike. Spike looked to Thorax and Pharynx and screamed, "Mario! Luigi! Look out!" With that, the two changelings dodged to the side, just as a giant fly swatter nearly crushed them. Spike and Big Mac both backed up against each other, and using some creative teamworks, they fended off some surrounding enemies. "WATCH OUT!!" The boys said, while pointing behind the other. Big Mac quickly kicked a troll away, while Spike blasted another with his fire breath. "Behind you!" Spike warned, as he and Big Mac rolled to the side. Spike looked up, and spotted Stygian, sitting on the sideline, watching the whole fight taking place before him. Curious, Spike walked up to the small unicorn, "Hey Stygian. Aren't you gonna help us fight?" "What? Oh no, I'm just gonna watch and learn," Stygian waved. "Watch and learn?" Spike repeated. "Learn what?" "What it means to be a hero," Stygian replied. "And what it means to be a friend, and work as a team." The rest of the boys ceased their game, as they all joined around Stygian and Spike. "And pray tell, why do you want to know what it means to be a hero and friend, exactly?" Spike asked, while trying not to sound too insensitive. Stygian shifted a little, before he replies, "Well. I'm sure you've all heard about the tales of how I united the Pillars of Equestria, and defeated the Sirens, thus saving my home." The boys all exchange agreements. "And following that incident, you went coo-coo, and turned yourself into the Pony of Shadows, and almost destroyed the whole world," Discord said bluntly, before he was elbowed by Pharynx and Big Mac. "Don't mind him," Spike quickly said. "Please, continue." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Well, there's more to it than that," Stygian explained. "Before we went into battles. The Pillars were dubbed the elements of Strength, Bravery, Healing, Beauty, Hope, and Sorcery. And while I wasn't a pillar myself then, I was given the title as the Element of Friendship itself." The boys were shocked, "You're the Element of Friendship?!" Thorax asked. "Was," Stygian repeated. "Not anymore. In fact, I'm not even certain that I deserve such a title. The pillars say that I'm deemed the Pillar of Friendship, because I brought them all together. But that's just it. Nothing more. Though I'll admit, I was so moved by their strength combined together, with their dedications to saving Equestria and being the heroes they are, I wanted so badly to be like them. And......you know the rest," Stygian muttered, while lowering his head at the last part. The boys all turned to each other, before they nodded in agreement. Spike was the first to start, "Y'know, Stygian," Spike began. "You're not the only one who wanted to be a hero, now and then." "Eenope," Big Mac agreed. "And you're not the only one who's got friends who are the heroes of Equestria," Thorax added. "Especially friends who were once your enemies," Discord pointed out on behalf of himself, and the Changeling brothers. "So, we all understand perfectly how you're feeling," Spike smiled in sympathy. "Eeyup." "How can you understand Spike?" Stygian asked. "You're a hero, too! A hero of the Crystal Empire!" "That's just it," Spike answered. "I'm only a hero of the Crystal Empire! But in truth, it was Twilight who did all the work on finding the Crystal Heart. I only delivered it to Princess Cadence to beat King Sombra." "What about that time during the Equestrian games?" Thorax asked. "Yeah. You did that all by yourself, little guy," Pharynx pointed. Unable to argue with that, Spike replied, "Touché," Getting back on topic, Spike continued, "But the point I'm trying to make is, I'm only a hero of the Crystal Empire. Twilight and the girls are heroes of Equestria and beyond. Maybe even the whole world, or two. And I wanted to be more of that." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, before he continued. "That's just like me too. I'm just a simple farm pony, always helping out on Sweet Apple Acres, while Applejack is off saving the world. And every time she comes home, she's always got a story to tell. And each one just makes me wish I could be more, and more like her. A hero." "Same for us too," Thorax spoke up. "After Queen Chrysalis was defeated, and I took over as the new leader of the hive, we changelings have been striving to show the world that we're different than what we used to be. All the more reason I enrolled Ocellus into the Friendship School to begin with. In hopes for her to show we changelings can be friends with the world, and be heroes too." "I second that notion," Pharynx voiced his approval, before he and the boys all turned to Discord. "Yeah, well....fine," Discord admitted. "I do want to be a hero, sometimes. But it's only to stay on Fluttershy's good side. Besides, it's better to be loved than to be feared....I guess." Turning back to Stygian, Spike added, "So you see, Styg? You're not alone. We all wanted to have a chance of being a hero. But it takes more than just good deeds, or two. It takes the magic of friendship to guide us all the way, to make the right decisions." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Not everything's set in stone. You gotta write your own story." "Besides, you've got a new story of your life now," Thorax added. "A story that begins with you, and all of us together!" The rest of the boys all agreed. Touched, Stygian walked over, "Thank you, gents. I never realized how much I needed to hear all this." "Guess we sidekicks just got to stick together, huh?" Spike added. "Eeyup," Big Mac and the Changelings agreed. "I prefer the term 'Cans of heroic characters waiting to be opened,'" Discord voiced his opinion, before the boys all shot glares at him. "But yeah. Bros until the end," With that, the draconequus shared a quick fist bump with all of the boys. "Hey! I got an idea!" Discord shouted. "What's say we go visit Lulu? It's been awhile since we've visited a fellow reformed villain!" The boys turned to each other, before they all shrugged in agreement, "Let's do that!" Spike replied. With that, the boys find themselves in Canterlot, and were on their way to the castle, while Discord continues to list off some other ideas, "And how about after this, we go see that Sunset Shimmer girl? I hear this Human World is lovely at this time of year. She did mentioned something fishy about those Dazzling characters she and her friends have been keeping some eyes out for. And after that, let's steal Celly's cake again. And if anyone asks, I'll escape into the human world, and I'll come back to bail you guys in a thousand year." Hang On - Smash Mouth
Cupcakes And Cakes Part 1View OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsCupcakes And Cakes Part 1One morning in Ponyville, Stygian was happily enjoying himself a plate of cupcakes, in Sugarcube Corner, when Spike walked in. "Hey Stygian!" Spike greeted his unicorn friend. "Hey Spike," Stygian greeted, while munching on a cupcake. "Want some?" "Don't mind if I do," Spike shrugged as he happily took one, and downs it whole, when Mrs. Cakes walked by. "Hello dearies," Mrs. Cakes greeted, before she looked at the cupcakes dreadfully. "Um, boys? What are those?" "Cupcakes," Spike answered. "What else would they be?" "And where did you boys get them?" "They were sitting right here on the table," Stygian answered. "They were delicious. How much do they cost?" "Oh no," Mrs. Cakes muttered. "Those cupcakes aren't for sale." "Sweet! Then they're on the house!" Spike smiled as he downs another. "No, they're not for sale because they're Pinkie Pie's!" When Mrs. Cake said the pink party pony's name, Spike and Stygian stopped their cupcake feast, with their look of content replaced with that of dread, "W-W-What?" The two boys asked. "I-I-I I didn't know they were Pinkie's...." Stygian stuttered in defense. "I just saw them on the table, right here. There was no note!" "Saw what on the table?" Pinkie chirped, appearing out of the blue, like always. "Oh no!" Spike frowned, while Mrs. Cakes took off, as Pinkie Pie examined the plate on the table, now clean of cupcakes. "Uh-uh, Pinkie Pie," Stygian began. "You must understand, I didn't know those cupcakes were yours. There were just sitting on the table right here, and there was no note. There was no note!" With that, Stygian frightfully levitated Spike up as a shield. "WHAT!!" Spike screamed in outrage. "How dare you drag me into this mess!" "You ate here cupcakes just as much as I did," Stygian countered. Pinkie Pie simply let out a cute giggle, "It's okay, silly-willies," She smiled. "I understand." Spike and Stygian both looked at Pinkie Pie, bewildered, "You are?" They asked. "Yes, indeed!" Pinkie hopped. "You mean, you're not mad?" Stygian asked. "Nope." "Wow, I'm surprised," Spike nervously chuckled. "Normally, you'd flip out on us for eating your cupcakes." "Yes, I normally would," Pinkie smiled. "But my psychiatrist told me that I'm allowed to flip out, four times a day," Looking at the clock, Pinkie turned back and told the boys, "Now's not the time." Spike and Stygian looked at each other, before Spike turned to Pinkie Pie, "When is it?" "Oh that's a surprise!" Pinkie smiled, before she bounced away. Knowing Pinkie Pie, Spike turned to Stygian, "Let's get out of here while the getting's good," He suggested. "Agreed," Stygian replied, as the boys quietly took their leave. The boys hadn't gone far from Sugarcube Corners, when the sound of an alarm clock blared from the gingerbread house. “YOU ATE MY CUPCAKES!!!” Pinkie bellowed, as she came charging out of the house, with a huge hammer in her mane. “There was no note!” Stygian protested, as he and Spike took off running for dear life. “YOU ATE MY CUPCAKES!!!” "There was no note!" “YOU ATE MY CUPCAKES!!!” Pinkie slashed her hammer after the boys, who all ran for dear life around Ponyville. Meanwhile, in Canterlot "Mmmm, this is good," Thorax smiled to himself, enjoying a huge cake. "So much better than stealing all the love for Queen Chrysalis." "No kidding," Pharynx replied, as he enjoyed half of the cake. "I can't believe what we were missing when we invaded the royal Canterlot wedding. The next time we invade a wedding, it should be for the cakes." Thorax turned to their host, who happens to be Princess Luna, "So nice of you to invite us for cakes, Princess Luna," Thorax thanked the night alicorn. "It was very thoughtful of you." "Anything for one of my favorite boys," Princess Luna smiled. "Especially for honoring my beautiful nights with your Guys' Nights." "MY CAKE!!!" A loud shrill scream screeched, causing the changelings to go pale, as they turned to see Princess Celestia, at the door, looking horrified at the two changelings eating her cake, together with her sister. Thorax gulped, before he gave an awkward grin, revealing the crusts stained on his teeth. "Your cake?" Pharynx asked. "But....we thought it was Princess Luna's!" Princess Luna simply chuckled, "We never said anything of the sort," Luna replied. "We only invited you all for cakes. Nothing more." Catching onto what Luna was saying, the changeling brothers were appalled, "You mean, you invited us just so you can pull a prank on Celestia?!" Thorax asked in bewilderment. "How could you?!" "Yeah! That is low! Even lower than Queen Chrysalis!" Pharynx frowned. "It was all in good fun," Luna shrugged innocently. "Right, sister?" Luna asked, giving a toothy grin. In response, Celestia grabbed her sister by the throat, with her yellow aura that turned fiery red, nearly choking the life out of Luna, "Sister...." Luna wheezed. "Too tight....." Celestia was breathing heavily, and rapidly, with her eyes twitching, "I've.....been......working non-stop for these past......weeks........and I just found the time........to sit down........for a nice cake.....and I....came....here....to...find my cake......EATEN BY YOU THREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" Thorax and Pharynx quickly spit out whatever chunks of cakes they had in their mouth, in their attempt to "restore" the cake, before presenting it, meekly, to Celestia, "Want some?" They asked. All across Equestria, Celestia's scream can be heard, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" Followed by an explosion, and Princess Luna was shot out of a volcano. Spike and Stygian were both hiding at Sweet Apple Acres, hiding in the barn. For good measures, the boys had barred all the doors and windows, keeping Pinkie Pie out. "I think we lost her," Spike whimpered. "Let me just take a quick peek through this little whole to make sure-" "HERE'S PINKIE!!!" Pinkie cackled, breaking down a door, and showing her twisted angry face through the crack. "AAAAAAHHHH!!!" Spike and Stygian screamed, before they took off running, broke through a wall. The boys quickly ran into the orchard, where Big Mac was bucking some apples with Applejack. "BIG MAC! AJ! HELP US!" "Sounds like them critters are in trouble!" Applejack deduced. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, as he and AJ turned to see Spike and Stygian running in their direction. "PINKIE'S GONE BESERK!!" Spike screamed, as Pinkie Pie was hot on their tail. "Whoa nelly!" Applejack screamed, as she rolled to the side, dodging the unstoppable pink blur. "This way boys!" Big Mac ushered, as he, Spike, and Stygian quickly ran through the orchards, before they ran back out in Ponyville, with Pinkie Pie still on their tails. Looking ahead, the boys quickly jumped on the last train that was leaving Ponyville, to Canterlot. "I think we're safe," Spike panted. "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, before they looked to see Pinkie was still onto them. The deranged pink party pony was hanging onto the train's roof, and was pressing her angry face at the window, staring daggers at the boys. "Eenope." "YOU ATE MY CUPCAKES!!" Pinkie screamed through the window. Thorax and Pharynx were running for dear life, out of a burning Canterlot Castle, with Princess Celestia hot on their tails, literally. The once kind and benevolent Princess of the Sun was no more. In her place is the hot-headed, demonic, Demon Sorceress of the Fire, Daybreaker. "YOU ATE MY CAKE!!!" Daybreaker roared, before she gave chase. Thorax and Pharynx were flying for dear life, before a door suddenly appeared and slammed into Daybreaker's face. "HEY SHUT UP OUT HERE!!" Discord yelled. "I'm trying to get my beauty sleep here!" The draconequus was suddenly blasted from his magic door, by an even more angry Daybreaker. "Oh, hi Cele," Discord greeted casually. "How are you? Hey, is that a new mane job? Because if it is, then I have to say, it looks simply marvelous my dear," In response, Daybreaker blasted Discord's claw off. "AH!! Now see here missy!" Discord frowned, while reattaching his claw back on. "That was absolutely uncalled for!" Next thing Discord knew, he was turned to stone, and was shot out of a volcano. Daybreaker glanced up back up at Thorax and Stygian, baring fangs. "AAAH!!" Thorax screamed, jumping into Pharynx's arms, before they took off, and crashed into the timely arrival of Spike, Big Mac, and Stygian. "Who's chasing you?" The boys asked. "PINKIE!! CELESTIAI!!!" They answered at once. Speak of the devil, Pinkamena Diana Pie and Daybreaker caught up to the boys, both glaring daggers. "YOU ATE MY CUPCAKES?" Pinkie asked, before she holds up her hammer. "I SMASH YOU!!" "NONE SHALL EVER EAT MY BELOVED CAKES AGAIN!!" Daybreaker bellowed. "NEEEEEVEEEEEERRRRR!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" "Can we talk about this?" Spike squeaked, only for Pinkie Pie and Daybreaker to pounce, into an all out tussle. "Guess not." Big Mac said, as he and the boys got out, unscathed. "Whoa, what a fight," Thorax whimpered. "Ten bits for Daybreaker," Pharynx betted. "Now's not the time, Pharynx," Spike muttered. "Let's get out of here while the getting's good." "Eeyup," Big Mac agreed, as the boys tried to walk innocently away. "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!!" Daybreaker asked, boomingly. "RRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNN!!!!" Author's Note Based off the video of fan video of Cookie Monster from castroedgar316, and the episode of Drake and Josh: The Really Big Shrimp.
Cupcakes and Cake Part 2View OnlineGuys' Nights New AdditionsCupcakes and Cake Part 2"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" Is the sound of five frightened boys running for their lives from an angry Pinkamena Diana Pie and Daybreaker. "Run faster boys!" Spike screamed, while riding on Big Mac's back. "You think we've been running slower for them?" Pharynx asked rhetorically. The boys kept on running for dear life, "Are they still after us?" Stygian asked. Spike took a quick glance behind him and confirmed, "Yes they are," He muttered in fright, before he dreaded to see what was up ahead. "YIKES!! SKATEBOOOOOOAAAARDDD!!!" Too late! Big Mac stepped on the skateboard and both he and Spike immediately slid away at high speed. "Hey! Wait for us!" Thorax shouted, before the sound of Pinkamena Diana Pie's crazed laughter pierced the air, together with Daybreaker's angry shriek. "CUPCAKE STEALERS!!!" Pinkie snarled. "CAKE THIEVES!!" Daybreaker added. "Split up! They can't follow all of us!" Pharynx stated. "No, don't do that!" Thorax argued. "Then Pinkie will follow me!" "Would she follow you?" Stygian asked. "She always follow me!" "Stop being paranoid and just do it!" Pharynx replied, as the five boys all split up in different directions. Spike and Big Mac skated in one direction with Daybreaker chasing them. Stygian went left, Pharynx went right, while poor Thorax continued straight with Pinkamena Diana Pie following close behind him, "NOOOOOOOOO!!! I told you she would follow me!" Thorax wailed. Taking quick glances in every directions, Thorax wondered how he would make it out alright, when he nearly smacked himself for forgetting the most important thing. “I have wings for goodness sake!” With that, Thorax buzzed his wings, and took to the sky. "Adios, Pinkie!" Thorax waved, before his pupils dialated to a dot when he saw Pinkie catching up to him in a weird helicopter-like contraption. "Leaving so soon?" Pinkamena asked, before she pulled out a huge butterfly net, no doubt intent on catching Thorax. "Well, YIPE AGAIN!!!" Thorax screamed, buzzing through the air, determined to hide from Pinkamena Diana Pie, when he spotted Rainbow Dash's house coming into view. Taking his chances, Thorax dives through one of Rainbow Dash's windows, made a quick run towards a door, frantically opens it up to hide behind it, failing to discover a skeleton behind it. Bugs Bunny - Skeleton in the closet Moments later, the door creaked open as a slightly disturbed Thorax came into the room, shaking and stuttering in fright, "D'yoi, d'yoi, d'yoi, d'yoi," Just then, Pinkamena came into the room. "YIPE!!" Thorax yelped in fear as they resume the chase. Thorax quickly ran into the restroom, where he double locked the door, "Phew," Thorax sighed, before he went over to the nearby cabinet for a glass of water. "Hereeeeeeeee's Pinkie!" Pinkie cackled, from within the cabinet, "Ha ha-OW!!" Thorax quickly slammed the doors into Pinkie's face, before he broke down the wall, and buzzed away. "Ow....I gotta quit saying witty things before I pounce...." Pinkamena moaned. Meanwhile Spike and Discord were speeding through the streets of Ponyville, with Big Mac on skateboard, and Spike on Big Mac. "LOOK OUT!!" Spike shouted to some unlucky pedestrians. "SORRY!!" He apologized later. "Sorry!" Big Mac apologized, after he bombarded a cherry stand. "SORRY!!" "Sorry!" "SORRY!!" "Sorry!" "SORRY!!" "Sorry!" "SORRY!!" "Sorry!" "SORRY!!" "My leg!" "My cart!" "My cabbages!" "My pants!" French Narrator: "100 crashes later." Spike and Big Mac finally came to a stop, when the skateboard finally broke. "WHOO YEAH!!" Spike cheered. "That was fun! Let's grab another skateboard and do it again!" "Eeeeeeee-nope," Big Mac disagreed, before they heard Daybreaker closing in on them. "RUN AWAY!!" Both boys screamed, as they quickly bolted into the Everfree Forest, straight into Zecora's tree hut, where Spike began mixing up some random vials of potions, before Daybreaker arrives. "STOP!!" Spike shouted, while holding a vial in one claw. "One more step from you, and I'll blow you up!" He threatened. "This contains manganese, phosphorous, folic acid and dextrose!" "Eeyup!" Daybreaker simply laughed her hearts out, "That is the formula for a chocolate malted." Daybreaker explained, before she resumed laughing, while Spike took a sip out of curiosity. "Mmmm!" Spike smiled. "Yummy! I'm a better alchemist than I thought! YIPE!!" Spike and Big Mac took off running as Daybreaker chased them out of the hut, just when Zecora got back. "Aye me!" The zebra exclaimed, noticing the mess her hut was left in. After awhile of running, Spike and Big Mac later met up with Thorax, and the rest of their gang, Pharynx and Stygian, at the ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters. The five boys later cuddled up to each other, within a small pillow fort, in their last desperate attempt to escape from the two crazy mares who are after them. Spike was sucking on his thumb, while hugging close to Big Mac. Thorax and Pharynx both turned themselves into pillows, while retaining their natural colors, with Stygian hiding beneath them. "Guys," Spike began. "If this is the end. I Just want you all to know, I'm glad to have guys like you for a friend." "Yeah, same here Spike," Thorax whimpered. "You're the best friend a changeling could ever ask for." "Ditto." Pharynx and Stygian agreed. "Eeyup," Big Mac added. "Though, there's something you should know first." "What's that?" Spike asked. "Remember that poem you wrote for Rarity?" Big Mac's lips quivered before he confessed. "I STOLE IT TO IMPRESS SUGARBELLE!!!" "WHAT?!!" Spike shrieked. "I was desperate! I don't know what I was thinking!" Big Mac moaned in regret. "MY LOVE STORYYYYYYYYY!!!!!" Spike wailed. "I'm sorry!" Anger replacing dread, Spike lunged after Big Mac, "I'm gonna kill you, hamburger!" He roared. "I'm sorry!" Big Mac replied, trying to hold the little dragon back. "I'm sorry! I'll write you a new one! 20% cooler!" "Guys! Guys! KNOCK IT OFF!!" Pharynx shouted, trying to stop the fight. "ENOUGH!!" "Tag! You're it!" The boys ceased their fighting, as they looked up to see Pinkamena and Daybreaker standing over them. "AAAAAAAHHH!!!" The boys screamed in terror, before they were sprayed with a laughing gas that made them helpless as they were dragged away by Daybreaker and Pinkamena. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" The boys laughed. "Oh no! Ha ha ha ha," Spike laughed. "We're gonna die, ha ha ha ha ha!" "Ee-ee-ee-e-eeyup!" Big Mac managed to say, before he resumes laughing. "It's h-hi-hilarious!" Thorax laughed. "How we were all trying to get away.....a-a-and now we're going to die!" "It's rather dark, isn't it?" Pharynx laughed. "I mean, this is a kids show. A-A-and this story was rated 'E' for everyone! Teenagers and adult men included!" "It's a hostile takeover!" Stygian laughed. "Now we know why you can't spell SLAUGHTER without LAUGHTER!!" Spike joked, resulting in an even bigger uproar of laughter from his fellow boys. "I SAW what you did there!" Thorax laughed. "If you REALLY wanted a big piece of meat, you should've gotten BIG MAC!!!" Pharynx joked. "Eeyup! Hey! Ha ha ha ha ha!" "Kinda gives you that empty feeling huh?" Stygian laughed. "I'm about to bust a gut, so we better CUT it out!" Spike joked. "No guts no glory! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Thorax laughed. The boys were later tied down to a large wheel, ready to be spun into madness. "Buuukawk!" Princess Celestia clucked, together with Pinkamena Diana Pie. "Buuukawk!" Standing on the sidelines at a safe distance, the boys stood, unharmed. "Well boys," Spike began. "It looks like Pinkie and Princess Celestia are victims of foul play." "Eeyup." Big Mac agreed, as they both shared one last laugh together with their comrades.