Minecraft: A Pony's Tail

As Arid and Torch walked in the direction of Pandora, Torch noticed something: It was getting dark.

Torch groaned. "Arid. It's getting dark."

Arid looked up and swore. "Alright. We need to get moving. Now! Its not to far off."

The pair instantly sprang into action, ignoring the beauty of the land around them as they ran in the direction they hoped led to safety. Behind them, they could hear the monsters. An arrow streaked by, missing Torch by mere inches. Torch didn't turn. He just kept running.

Arid meanwhile, was content to run while levitating his two one-hoof crossbows. Still, he was't aiming, and he doubted he would hit. He could take the monsters behind them easily, but he didn't want to put Torch in danger.

After what seemed like hours, they ran out to a clearing. Ahead was a glowing purple portal guarded by a pair of ponies with camouflaged leather armor. The two ponies hadn't seen them coming, and were taken by surprise. They were even more so when nearly a dozen monsters sprang out hot on Arid and Torch's heels.

Torch shouted "Run!"

Instead, the pair of guards, a unicorn and an earth pony, pulled out guns.

Arid and Torch reflexively dropped to there stomachs as bullets ripped through the air. Then, they were up and running again.

The pair of soldiers, Arid, and Torch all lept through the portal, it closing behind them. Torch sighed in relief.

However, they did not have time to respite. Instantly, both the companions were knocked to the ground, guns to the backs of their heads.

One of the guards asked "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Arid answered. "We are but a pair of weary travelers, sir. We wish shelter among our friends. Was there a group that also passed through looking for shelter?"

The pony acknowledged. "Aye. They said that two would be coming through. Alright, I trust you two, but nothing crazy, or these AKs will tear you apart."

They were let up, and Torch saw they were right. Each guard had an AK-47.

Then, Torch saw there surroundings. The sun was just rising. Then, he saw the mountains ahead move. He blinked. No way...

Three minutes later, as they moved along, he found his answer. He also found out why Pandora was unique.

Floating Islands.

He stood at the edge of a bottomless drop. In front of him was an old bridge that led across to an island topped by a mountain. All around were smaller islands.

Arid smiled. "Ah, it's been too long. I forgot how fun Pandora was.

Cautiously, the pair of guards and Torch, not believing the bridges stability, started out on the structure. Then, Torch turned around, facing Arid behind him.

"You coming?"

Arid smiled, and changed into changeling form (freaking the guards out a good bit). "Wings." He replied smoothly.

With that, Arid vaulted, catching himself mid-air. Torch gritted his teeth. "No fair!" He shouted as Arid easily glided to the other end of the expanse.

Slowly, the trio made their way across the bridge. When they finally reached the other end, unscathed, they found Arid, back to normal, polishing his crossbows.

After a few rude words, the unicorn guard interrupted. "Hey, come on! The capital's close. Quickly."

Torch sighed. "Arid, at least don't leave us in the dust."

Arid nodded. Then, the group set out.

After a few more minutes, the group rounded the small mountain. There, Torch felt his jaw fall. Arid smiled.

"So, this is where you guys are hiding?" he smirked.

Ahead, another island away, was a gargantuan city built into a floating mountain. The air around it was bustling with airships and pegasi.

The group walked across a sturdier bridge, into an island where farms dominated. As they trotted, they were given several stares by some of the ponies there. There were also several guards who tightened their grips on their various weapons.

Which brings up another point. Apparently, the Empirate was not the best armed group. The pair of guards must be comparatively well-armed. Most guards carried a sword and a musket, along with leather armor. Hardly a heavy outfit.

Then, crossing yet another bridge, they got to the main gate. It was guarded by four more guards. These were better armed with old M1 Carbines and bronze armor. One stopped us. "Whats your business?"

The unicorn, apparently the more chatty of the two guards, replied. "A pair of stragglers from the refugees that arrived earlier."

The guard nodded. "Alright. But they better not cause any trouble."

Arid smiled. "Don't worry. I only raze towns I don't like."

The guard gave him an evil eye. "Alright. Open the gates!"

Torch looked awed into the city. The road ahead was crowded, but not impossible to navigate. It did lack one thing: Technology. It was surprisingly low on that item. Even when power was present, it was in the form of simple copper wires or primitive redstone circuits. The buildings were cobblestone with wooden support and touches. Not that bad.

Of course, the farther the group went, the more advanced the place was. Buildings started to be made out of iron and steel, with iron fences and other luxuries. Here, Guards were more often, and tend to have heavier weapons. Torch counted at least four with some sort of assault rifles.

However, he had yet to be truly impressed. As soon as he walked into the noble district, he remembered that the Empirate was very much a militant nation. Guards were stationed at regular intervals,, most armed with shotguns and assault rifles, while a few had sniper rifles or grenade launchers. It was a show of supreme firepower. The buildings were made of marble and other precious items, but still held a military touch. Torch noticed that several of the houses were armed, with turrets on the roof and poking out windows.

Arid walked through, he was hardly as distracted as Torch. Even in his kinder form, he still felt no fear from such open displays of power.

Finally, they came up to a gate where the armament of the Empirate became apparent. Six soldiers, all dressed in diamond armor, held the gate to the Royal Palace. Two, flanking the gate, manned Machine Guns. Brownings, to be exact. The other four were armed with lighter machine guns and diamond swords.

One stopped them. "No entry." He said. "The king is in attendance of a group of refugees."

Arid nodded. "Yeah. We're with them."

The guard stared, then nodded. "Alright. Come on in."

They entered to see Water conversing with a unicorn who could only be the king. He was a dark brown, bith his mane and coat, and wore a luxurious golden suit, a diamond crown fitted across his head.

He simply looked at Torch for a moment, then turned his gaze to Arid. Then, he turned as pale as a ghost. "YOU!!!"

Arid shifted into his changeling form, weapons openly displayed. He drew his obsidian blade. "Me." He said matter-of-factly.

The King cringed. "You were the beast the Old Kingdom used. You were their greatest weapon!!!"

So I am. The words weren't spoken, so much as shot through the thoughts of every pony in the room.

Arid advanced.

Instantly, a pair of diamond swords crossed in front of him. Two mean guards in full diamond armor held.

Arid smiled. Then, he slashed, disarming both guards in one sweep, and, upon grabbing ahold of their manes, banged their head together. With a loud clang of diamond helmet against diamond helmet, both guards collapsed. Almost in the same second, six guards opened up with machine guns.

Arid deflty lept, and chucked an... Egg (?) at one of the guards. He fell, a suddenly born baby chicken fluttering around his eyes.

Arid grabbed another item, and threw it. The next guard tumbled down, a pumpkin on his head obscuring his vision.

Next, Arid grabbed a bunch of pastries from a well-adorned snack platter.

One gunner stumbled backwards, a cake splattered across his face.

The next was knocked out cold by a glass bottle to the head.

Arid lept out into the middle of the hall. The final two guards raised their weapons. Arid simply smiled.

Click click.

The guards looked down, to see the ammo clips for their weapons missing. They looked back to Arid.

Arid held the clips up, smiling manically.

Both guards drew swords. One flew through the air as his own ammo clip slammed into his head. The second was better. He dodged the clip only to have Arid's hoof send him into the wall.

Arid sprinted up the the king just as a score of more diamond armored guards swarmed into the room. Arid held his sword to the king's throat, and lifted up a miniaturized block of TNT. "Stop where you are or I shove the TNT down his throat!"

The guards stopped. Torch, who had been flabbergasted the whole time, finally found his voice. "Arid, what the hell are you doing!!!"

Arid simply, looked at him. Then, he scowled, and, lifting the King up high....

.... And threw the Monarch with all his might, right into the cluster of guards. They went down like bowling pins.

Arid walked over to the King.

The king, hurting in all sorts of places, groaned. "Kill me already."

Arid sighed, and, to the King's astonishment, offered a hoof up. "My Lord, if I wanted to kill you, I would have walked into this room and shot a single explosive dart from one of my crossbows, where it would have hit you on the head, killing you quite instantly. If I wanted to destroy the Empirate, I would have simply work my way up from the city gates, letting you watch as I slowly destroyed all you have built." Arid had turned into his normal self, but there was an edge of menace behind his voice.

The King reluctantly took Arids hand. "Then what was that all about?"

"I simply wanted to show that if you messed with me or any I protect and love, then I will very well shove a chunk of TNT down your throat."