Sword Mare

by ReifuTD

Rating: teen
Tags: Sex, Random, Adventure, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 144371

Based off of the comic book series found in the Fallout: Equestria universe. Captain Zero Endless is trapped in a world of both the future and the past. There he teams up with the hero Sword Mare to fight the Evil Zebra menace.

Throw your normal logic out the window as you enter into the high fantasy propaganda war time infused comic book world of Sword Mare. Inspired by Golden and Silver age comic books and based off of the comic book series found in the Fallout: Equestria universe.

Captain Zero Endless is trapped in a world of both the future and the past. There he teams up with the hero Claymari know as Sword Mare and her Unicorn daughter Philia to fight the Evil Zebra menace. Meanwhile Top Zebra assassin Azrael is sent to the world of future and the past to pursue Captain Zero Endless.

In Sword Mare’s world the Zebra rule a poisoned Equestia. The trees and animals have gone wild, the ground bare with soil. The pony races are divided and at best barley stand each other.

Published 2013-11-24 23:00:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-17 18:39:57 UTC

New Frontiers Part 2: Church of Bones

Philia walks into the inn room to consult with the injured stallion prostitute. The prostitute was lying on the bed with healing bandages wrapped around his waist. He was on his belly reading a book with a hot pack placed under his groin.

Philia sees the pack a frowns, “Did my mother hurt you bad? I mean when she bucked you off?”

“Oh that’s part of my daily treatment,” The stallion told her just before turning the page of his book with his muzzle.

Philia raises an eyebrow at this.

“You really don’t know,” The stallion smirks, “Your mother was right about you being a lillyfoot.”

Philia turns red,

“No need to get angry,” The stallion tells the Unicorn filly. “It's called heat castration, not as permanent as it sounds, from what I been told raising the temperature significantly for thirty minutes a day screws up the formation of protein bonds in sperm production making me sterile. If I stop the treatments I become fertile again. Castration through removal causes performance issues that turns off some mares. So this is the better option for both parties."

“I see,” Philia nods her head.

“That’s one of the reasons why male prostitute licensing is so strictly reviewed,” The stallion shrugs, “Mares like to make sure they aren’t going to get pregnant if they lay with one of us.”

“Sorry, about what happened to you and that other stallion you came with that got killed,” Philia said somberly.

“It’s okay, it’s not your mother’s fault,” The stallion tells her.

“A noise from out in the hall catches the ward Philia's attention …”

“She walks out to see… A mob of ponies breaking through the door of Captain Zero Endless's room...”

“They grab the Captain and pull him out of his room bucking and neighing...”

“Captain Zero Endless to his horror… finds himself in a world he’s hated… just for being a Pegasus…”

“What’s going on here!” Philia pokes her head out of the room.

“Get her out of sight we don’t need this crowd turning on her.” Knives whispers to Honey Mead. “I’ll talk to her later. I’m willing to give Claymari and Philia some doubt on this. But I need to make sure they don’t kill that buck.”

“Yes sir,” Honey Mead nods her head at Knives.

Honey Mead stands in front of Philia blocking her from fallowing the mob down stairs.

“Get out of my way bit-oof!” Philia was interrupted by the gold Earth Pony shoving her in the chest. She stumbles into her mother’s room.

“Philia, Its best you don’t remind them that you are with him,” Honey Mead tells the Unicorn.

“Mother do something!” Philia shouts to Claymari.

“The Sword Mare lays silent on the bed… Healing bandages are wrapped around her side…”

“Claymari!” Philia cries, “You…do something! I-I don’t want to see you hurt yourself. But I-I-I!” The young mare drops her head and mutters. “Need your strength.”

“Meanwhile…Down stairs…Captain Zero Endless is getting more than a little roughed up…”

Zero hits the bar table with a loud thwack. A pony grabs his wing in its muzzle. Zero’s wing snaps like a twig causing the buck to scream out in pain.

A knife whizzes through the air and lands on the table next to Zero’s head.

“Okay everybody that’s enough roughing him up,” Knives yells

The glasses wearing buck grabs the Pegasus. He takes him outside. The slave wagon was still sitting there with a pair of Earth Ponies repairing the wheels.

“Open that up,” Knives demands.

“Excuse me sir?” One of the Earth Ponies questions.

“I need to stash the bastard in a safe place,” Knives snaps.

The two Earth Ponies look at each other. One pulls out a detention rod. He hooks it around the Crystal Unicorn mare’s neck as the other opens the door.

Knives tosses Zero into the slave wagon. He then the shuts the door. They let go of the Crystal Pony who collapses and sobs.

Knives walks back into the Yogurt Inn.

“Back in our time and place… Ministry Mare Applejack walks down the halls of the Ponyville branch of the Apple Family Co Baked Goods Factory…”

“Her sister Apple Bloom head of Stable-Tec fallows close by…”

“Sister sure you want to send it?” Apple Bloom asks, “It's bigger then a fruit pie.”

“I’ve been looking at the designs for the space suit and I think it will fit.” Applejack answers.

“And if you break the machine?” Apple Bloom points out.

“A risk we have to take,” Applejack tells her sister.

“In the back room of the factory…”

“Is the Granny Smith’s Fruit Pie transporting machine…”

A Granny Smith Fruit Pie drops into a large funnel many meters wide. The fruity treat rolls along the funnel’s wall and drops into the dark hole down at the bottom.

“Ma’am,” A Pegasus walks up to Applejack, “He’s been taking fruit pies out like mad for the last half hour.”

“Okay then he should get it soon,” Applejack points out. She turns to Apple Bloom. “Give it to me.” The mare orders her sister.

“Apple Bloom hands Applejack a mysterious velvet box…”

“With out hesitation Applejack tosses the box into the transporter…”

“Now all we can do is pray that Captain Zero Endless is still wearing his space suit,” Applejack says hopefully.

“And that the ponies of Equestria continues to buy Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies to fund this project to save Captain Zero Endless.”

“But Captain Zero Endless was not wearing his space suit…”

“Instead… the Space Suit was in the possession of the bar maid Petty Kitty …”

“The Miniature Cat Pony had collected quite the stack of Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies… When she pulls out something that was certainly not a fruit pie…”

“What’s this? Mew?” Petty Kitty looks at the velvet box curiously.

“The Cat Pony opens the box…”

“Inside was Stable-Tec’s latest marvel the Pipbuck…”

“A handy anklet device that acts as a… personal radio…mapping device…track objects with vision enhanced with Eyes Forward Sparkle and better combat abilities with SATS… and much much more…”

“But this is unknown to Petty Kitty who now holds the satin gray device in her paws…”

The Cat Pony inspects the strange device turning it around in her paws. She comes to the conclusion that it was some kind of bracelet and clicks it on her wrist. The device adjusted to her wrist size with an airy hiss.

“Oh, Sweet Celestia! What did I do!” Petty Kitty screams swinging her hissing wrist in the air.

Unable to find a seam to remove the Pipbuck, the Cat Pony starts smacking the thing around. The Eyes Forward Sparkle turns on and little colored ticks appears in Petty Kitty’s vision.

“I’m so tripping balls right now!” The Cat Pony cries.

“Hello you’all?” A voice causes Petty Kitty to leap in the air. When she touched the ground her hair was standing on end and she lets loose a hiss.

“What the heck just happen?” Applejack remarks her voice coming from the Pipbuck.

“Oh my, this bracelet just,” Petty Kitty shrieks, “This isn’t happening! This isn’t happening!”

“Settle down sugarcube,” Applejack replied to the Cat Pony, “Your wind up tighter then a hedgehog painted red.”

“Wait? Where is he? Petty Kitty looks around the room. “I told him if he showed his face around here again I’ll call the town guard.”

“It's a figure of speech sweetie,” Applejack told her.

“Oh, okay,” Petty Kitty was starting to calm down.

“Are you wearing the Pipbuck?” Applejack asks.

“This funny bracelet? Petty Kitty answers holding up her paw.

“Yes,” Now Applejack can get to the real matter. “Do you know a Captain Zero Endless.”

“A cutie patootie with bird wings,” Petty Kitty remarks, “He’s getting a whoopen. Wait? You’re not a Pegasus spy are you? You sound like an Earth Pony.”

“My name is Applejack and I’m an Earth Pony,” Applejack said slowly.

“Petty Kitty I’m a Miniature Cat Ghoul,” Petty Kitty introduced back.

“Now where’s my buck,” Applejack demands.

“Are you his boss or something?” Petty Kitty asks, “Is he like a double agent?”

“Is my man okay gash darn it!” Applejack snaps.

“He’s out side with the Chrystal Pony,” Petty Kitty said coldly.

“Sorry sugarcube,” Applejack sighs, “I’m just responsible for his predicament.”

“Me too,” Petty Kitty said somberly. “I wanted to try to get a little something something. So I went to see him in his room. I saw the wings and freaked out.” The Cat Pony wipes the tears away with her paw. “I was scared! I didn’t know what else to do but scream. I couldn’t stop and ask myself should I scream? Should I call for help? I just did it. He’s traveling with Sword Mare so he can’t be bad, can he?”

“Beg pardon? Sword Mare?” Applejack asks.

“Sword Mare, Claymari, Kills Zebra with a sword, Hero of the Wildlands of Equestria,” Petty Kitty answers.

“This Sword Mare knows Zero?” Applejack wonders.

“They traveled together,” Petty Kitty said factly.

“Take me too her,” Applejack orders.

“Back in the slave wagon… Captain Zero Endless licks his wounds and contemplates his options…”

“I can’t believe this,” One of the Earth Pony wagon drivers complains. “We got the wagon repaired and we still can’t get moving because of that stupid buck!”

“Stay here,” The other pony orders, “I’ll go talk to that Knives chap.”

“Okay,” The first buck yawns as his companion walks into the Yogurt Inn. He leans against a barrel and drifts off to sleep.

“Captain Zero Endless sees a ring on the unicorn’s horn… Right away he identifies it as some kind of magic suppression device…”

“You, What would happen if I take that off?” Zero asks pointing at the Crystal Pony’s horn.

“My name is Winkz,” The maroon pony tells the Pegasus buck.

“Captain Zero Endless,” The space buck takes on a cautious tone. “You don’t have an issue with me?”

“Sh-should I?” Winkz answers unsurely.

“I’m a Pegasus?” Zero asks.

“I never seen a Pegasus before,” Winkz remarks, “Back at the Chrystal Empire we have Crystal Earth Ponies and some Crystal Unicorns. Some of those, they turn into Dark Ones. King Sombra he is one of the Dark Ones.” The Crystal Pony shutters.

Zero looks the mare up and down. She looked like she was living a healthy life up until recently. He notes that her cutie mark was of little stars. In Unicorns this usually meant a talent for magic.

“Okay, I’m going to try to remove that horn ring,” Zero tells the Unicorn.

“I don’t think it will work but you try,” Winkz replied.

“Bring your horn over to me so I can put it in my mouth,” Zero orders.

Winkz blushed and did what she was told. Zero takes the crystal horn into his mouth grabbing the gold ring in his teeth.

Zero pulls and the Crystal Unicorn let out a loud “Oof!”.

“Could you be a little more quiet.” Zero says with his mouth full.

“It tingles and it hurts,” Winkz cries red faced.

Zero does another pull.

“Ah! Aah! Ahh!” Winkz squeaks.

“What kind of depravity are you two doing?” The Earth Pony guard had awakened and was giving the two ponies a deadpan stair. They jumped away from each other and returned the buck with a deep blush.

A figure comes out of the shadows and stabs the wagon driver in the neck. He was pulled back into the darkness and a loud crack could be heard.

The Church of Bones ponies walked out of the shadows.

“Please remain calm,” Their red coated leader told the two ponies in the wagon. “We will let you out of there but first we need to take the wagon somewhere else.”

“I understand,” Zero nods his head.

Two Church of Bones members strap themselves to the wagon's harnesses.

“With a jolt the wagon starts moving down the dark street… But unbeknownst to the ponies the amount of confusion and stress this will cause for our heroes…”

“Back in the Yogurt Inn… Petty Kitty goes to talk to Sword Mare… But the effects of the mysterious Pipbuck still haunts her…”

Petty Kitty paws at the dot on the floor caused by the Pipbuck’s EFS. The dot kept appearing over her paw like it wasn’t real.

Knives and Honey Mead walks past the Cat Pony. She noticed they had amber dots on them and came to the conclusion that the dots must mark ponies or something.

Philia steps out into the hall.

“Philia!” Petty Kitty shouts.

“You,” Philia said coldly.

“Not now-“ Petty Kitty drifts off to watch a dot move across the room.

“Are you on something?” Philia gives the Cat Pony a confused look.

“Not sure at this moment,” She mutters back.

“What?” Philia reacts.

“My bracelet wants to talk to Claymari,” Petty Kitty holds up the Pipbuck.

“Howdy you’all,” Applejack said cheerfully.

“Ahh! You gave me a contact high you crazy little-“

“I assure you I’m quite real,” Applejack replied interrupting Philia.

“Wait is that a Pipbuck?” Philia glares at the bracelet.

“Pip-what?” Petty Kitty reacts.

“A device from before the Mist Bombs fell,” Philia points out, “The only other one I seen was on the hoof of Clover the Clever. She told me they were rare.”

“You know Clover the Clever?” Applejack remarks.

“She taught some classes,” Philia shrugged, “And you are?”

“Applejack of the Ministry of Wartime Technology,” Applejack answers.

“Zero told me about you,” Philia remarks.

“That’s what I need to talk to you about,” Applejack points out, “I’m hoping to get Zero released from his imprisonment.”

“Sorry, m’lady I know you have pull where you are from but here you mean jack shit Applejack.” Philia tells the voice, “If Claymari was herself she’ll march her butt outside and bust him out herself. Ain’t no one stopping her.”

“And what’s stopping her from doing this now Sugarcube?” Applejack points out.

“Melancholy,” Philia sighs, “She fills her free time with boos and bucks. On the road her anger and love for me keeps her focused. This is different this time.”

“Well at least let me talk to the poor gal,” Applejack tells the Unicorn.

“Very well,”

“Philia turns to open the door… But to her surprise finds it barred…”

“On the other side of the door stood Azrael… He looms over Claymari… with her sword Crimson Bond in his hoof…”

“Cuck”

“Cuck”

“Claymari open the door please!” Philia shouts.

The noise awakes Claymari.

“The mare sleeping on the bed was surprised to find a rope around her neck…”

“Before she could react…Azrael pulls on the rope… Claymari was lifted up into the air…”

“I should warn you I don’t make the same mistake twice,” Azrael whispers into Claymari’s ear. “And I realize killing you may be a mistake. Sniffing you out like a dog will only serve to raise you into the eyes of the masses.” Azrael tightens the rope. “You need to lead by example bitch. You need to be a living example of what happens when you fight the Zebra Empire.”

“Fine, take my sword it betrayed me anyway,” Claymari gaps.

The knocking on the door grows louder.

“Do you take me as a fool,” Azrael snaps, “You think I’ll take a weapon simply because it claims to be mine. No, I’d rather have you live with that I could and can take it from you. The same goes for your life. For you to know that you are weak.”

Tear start to stream from Claymari’s red face. Azrael licks the salt from her cheek.

The door shutters as a body smacks against it. “Claymari! Claymari!”

Azrael smirks, “I hear that when you strangle someone long enough they pee themselves. I feel I haven’t done my job if you don’t sprit yellow.”

“Never,” Claymari spat.

“Very well, Azrael smiles, “Piss yourself now or I’ll let your daughter in. I’ll do things to her right here in front of you. Things that will make her turn Zebra. Make you have to kill her.”

“Please don’t,” Claymari begs.

“You know my payment,” Azrael snaps.

“As soon as she relaxed her blatter… the rope relaxed…”

The door swings open… allowing Philia to enter… Other than her adoptive mother sobbing on the floor in her own wet… the room was empty…”

“Claymari what happened,” Philia runs up to the sobbing pony removing the rope from her neck.

“Azrael h-he was here,” Claymari answers wiping the tears from her face with her hoof.

“D-did he poke you?” Philia asks unnerved as she pulls out a knife. “You want me to finished you off before you change?”

“No, he didn’t do that,” Claymari shook her head, “He just wanted to show his power over me. I’d bet his pecker is too small to do anything anyway.”

The two mares laugh.

“Is Claymari okay?” Petty Kitty cautiously walks into the room.

“Get out!” Claymari flashes the little mare a rageful glare.

“Sorry sweetheart for whatever it is that just happened to you,” Applejack speaks up, “But I have a pony that needs your help. Now get a kick in your step and do something.”

“First, Did that bracelet just talk?” Claymari points out making a glare. "Second, Who do you think you are?”

“Me? What about you?” Applejack snaps, “You have a wonderful seeming gal that loves you despite all the crap you put her through. Not many ponies find a good partner like that. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself and take control.”

“Fine then,” Claymari says with determination. She picks up her sword. “Where is Knives!”

The sword pony stomps out of the inn room.

Honey Mead sees Claymari and starts to greet her with a smile. “Good to see you up-“ The gold pony was slammed up against the wall before she could realize what danger she was in.

“Knives now!” Claymari demands.

“He’s down stairs!” Honey Mead cries.

“Thanks,” Claymari hits the pony hard enough to knock the wind out of her. The gold pony passes out and Claymari passed the unconscious horse to Philia. “Keep an eye on her.”

“Immediately recognizing the danger… Sir Knives draws his blade and blocks Claymari’s swing…”

“What’s the meaning of this!” Knives shouts as the wagon driver he was talking to hides.

“I want my friend back you bastard,” Claymari spat.

“I explained that I can’t do that he’s a Pegasus!” Knives snaps.

“I wasn’t in a talking mood then,” Claymari smirks.

“Besides he’s gone now,” Knives adds.

Claymari relaxes her blade. “What do you mean by gone?”

“Somepony killed one of the wagon drivers and stole the slave wagon I put him in.” Knives explains, “It’s most likely the Church of Bones.”

“Then we simply need to find them,” Claymari points out. “I’ll guess they’d smuggle him out of the city and taken him to Bones Town.”

“We can’t go to Bones Town,” Knives points out, “You being a Zebra killer and I military officer of Earth will be identified as racist agents and attacked on sight.”

“You don’t have means of parlay with them?” Claymari asks.

“Not after what happened this evening,” Knives points out. “Their so called patients with me had worn out.”

“I see,” Claymari sighs, “Then I must go ahead to Bones Town and hope for the best out come.”

“I’m not allowing you to go anywhere you openly attacked me,” Knives snaps. “I’ll have to arrest you.”

“Then what follows is a line of corpses,” Claymari smiles.

“With that I don’t doubt, When you are in this kind of mood.” Knives nods his head. "I’ll put you under an escorted arrest. You are free to go anywhere as long as I’m at your side.”

“So be it,” Claymari smirks.

“Mother, I’m coming with,” Philia adds.

“I insist that you bring ma Pipbuck along for the ride,” They heard Applejack speak up as Petty Kitty walks up.

“Wait, I’m attached to your Pipbuck!” Petty Kitty shouts.

“I’m sure we can work out a payment system for your services,” Applejack suggests.

“I suppose I could go,” Petty Kitty purred.

“Is that the royal Apple Family Twang?” Knives’s ears perks up.

“Royal Apple Family?” Applejack answers questionly.

“She’s the prime apple Applejack herself,” Philia points out, “If I understand things right.” She turns to the Pipbuck. “The Royal Apple Family are the descendants of you Applejack. They now hold places of high power in the nation of Earth. Smart Cookie herself claims to be an Apple of the mainline. Chancellor Puddinghead is her uncle in law. Only of the Apple Family by marriage.”

“Descendants… children?” Was all Applejack could say stunned.

“That device is a portal through time?” Knives points out, “I don’t believe it.”

“It’s the honest truth,” Applejack replied.

“I can sense the truth from you,” Knives nods his head. “I must take you to the Chancellor himself.”

“First thing I must retrieve my man,” Applejack orders.

“If he indeed is your agent then he must be taken to Puddinghead himself,” Knives nods his head.

“The next morning… The Chrystal Unicorn Winkz and Captain Zero Endless is smuggled out of Point Pudding in wine barrels…”

“After the wagon traveled some distance… The hidden ponies were given the okay to come out with a special knock…”

Zero pops out wincing in pain. His wing was badly treated. This was mostly because none of the ground ponies knew how to properly treat a broken wing correctly.

Winkz pops out of her barrel. She winced too, but this was because of the sun this time.

“I’m free?” Winkz said unsure.

“Yes my sister you are free,” The red pony tells her.

Winkz’s face lights up.

“Let’s introduce our selves,” The red pony speaks, “I’m Kool-aid, The ponies driving, the white pony is Comet and blue is Happy Happy.”

“Thanks,” Zero sighs, “I suppose I can stick with you until we reach the end of our journey.”

“That afternoon… Claymari… her ward… the barmaid Petty Kitty… Sir Knives and his sub Honey Mead… Set off for the road …”

“By evening the traveler camp…”

Petty Kitty takes Zero’s space suit out of her saddle bag.

“Wow, this Pipbuck thing allows me to take things out of my inventory very quickly,” Petty Kitty remarks, “Heck now my saddle bags can fit more stuff then I thought possible.”

The Cat Pony starts passing out Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies.

“I haven’t heard from Applejack in a while,” Knives notes.

“I think she’s a busy mare,” Petty Kitty points out as she looks through her possible perks on her Pipbuck screen.

“Yeah, I suppose the buck shrugs.

“Meanwhile… Honey Mead and Philia changes Claymari’s healing bandages…”

“It looks like your wound has gotten smaller,” Honey Mead grimaced as she peeled the bloody slimy cloth off of Claymari’s side. “Should relatively heal up by tomorrow morning.”

Philia casts a charm on some clean bandages turning them into healing bandages. She uses her levitation magic to wrap the fresh bandages around Claymari’s waist.

“I’ll go down to the river and wash out these dirty things,” Claymari picks up the dirty bandages in her magic and walks away.

“Down at the river the ward Philia is watched by three dark figures…”

“Back at the camp… Zebra attack!!!”

Claymari slices two Zebra with her sword making them explode out green blood.

“This is a lot of Zebra,” Honey Mead remarks stabbing a Zebra in the brain through the eye with her spear.

“They must have been fallowing me,” Claymari tells her taking out another Zebra.

A Zebra grabs Petty Kitty’s tail in its muzzle lifting her off the ground. The Cat Pony activates SATS allowing her to find the Zebra’s weak point and with a swing of the Pipbuck smashes it’s skull in.

The Cat Pony was dropped to the ground and two more Zebra lunge at her. Petty Kitty flinches and closes her eyes. A set of knives fly at the Zebra killing them. Petty Kitty opens her eyes to see Knives standing over her.

“Back at the river… One Zebra slaughters the others … “

“It’s eyes had a strange red glow… Philia’s eyes and horn had the same strange red glow.”

“After killing its own… the Zebra kills itself by snapping its own neck…”

Philia shakes her head clear.

“Are you okay!” Petty Kitty came running up. “We were attacked so I tracked you down by this Pipbuck thing.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Philia points at the dead Zebra. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Are you okay Sugarcube?” Applejack speaks up, “I’m reading that you got attacked by something. Your Pipbuck is reading your tail is sprained.”

“I’m fine Applejack,” Petty Kitty answers.

“You’re such a little thing. I’m kind of worried.” Applejack told the Cat Pony.

“You know I’m an adult mare?” Petty Kitty remarks, “I can take care of myself.”

“I’ve been keeping tabs on you with my own Pipbuck but haven’t had time to speak,” Applejack remarks, “Your world is dangerous. So I’m sending something through the suit. It’s in pieces and you’lls just have to snap it to gather.”

“The Cat Pony bar maid pulls out three metal pieces and a piece of paper from the pocket of the Space Suit…”

“She assembled the device under instruction making a very advanced Star Blaster…”

“And children you too can have your own Star Blaster… Just send in eight Granny Smith Fruit Pies box tops and 50 bits...”

“For every purchase… Apple Family Co will donate 25 bits to the war effort…”

“What is this suppose to do?” Petty Kitty asks as the futuristic weapon kicks on.

“You point it at what you want to shoot and pull the trigger with your paw,” Applejack explains.

“The Cat Pony points the Star Blaster at an undead muted Zebra tree…”

“She pulls the trigger… A beam of energy hits the tree and sets it on fire …”

“What are you doing,” Philia shouts surprising the Cat Pony.

“Well I-I…” Petty Kitty stutters.

“I gave it to her ma’am,” Applejack answers.

“Why in the name of the Summer Sun would you do that?” Philia snaps.

“I’m dragging her along I might as well help her defend herself,” Applejack explains.

“Trust me from experience giving her a weapon like that only makes her a target,” Philia told the Earth Pony from a place far away. “That wouldn’t be an issue of she is strong enough to handle such a thing.”

“I’m strong enough,” Petty Kitty snaps stomping off, putting the Star Blaster in her saddle bag.

“Just when you use it do it in a way the no one knows you have it. Specially that Knives. Its bad enough that he knows about that space suit,” Philia points out, “Other wise you’re liable to lose your freedoms all together.”

“I understand,” Petty Kitty nods her head.

“Miles up ahead… Captain Zero Endless and the Crystal Pony Unicorn Winkz are let into Bones Town …”

“At first sight this Bones Town looks like a Utopia… There were almost equal number of Earth… Unicorn and Ghoul Ponies…”

“But the sight of a small group of Zebra openly walking around puts Captain Zero Endless into shock…”

“Before the buck could react something bumps him…”

Zero turns around to see a blue Pegasus who was flying backwards. She had a large square diamond on her flank. The Pegasus was guiding what appeared to be cute fuzz balls the size of a pony's head. They moved by turning into balls and bouncing on the ground.

“Oh my, your wing,” The Pegasus said in shock.

“Yeah, I was found out as a Pegasus and they broke my wing,” Zero told the Pegasus gal.

“Oh that’s awful,” The flying pony sighs, “And that brace will not work. The name is Perfect Image by the way.”

“Zero Endless,” Zero answers.

“Hello new comers,” A voice calls out.

“Ack!” Winkz screams as the large black Shadow Pony walks up.

“This Shadow Pony is part of the race that the Crystal Unicorn Winkz would call a Dark One… Race of Crystal Unicorns fused with King Sombra’s dark magic…”

“No need to fear child,” The Shadow Pony speaks. “I’m Reverend Bones leader of the Church of Bones. I’m no longer a member of the Dark Ones.”

“Yes-Yes, master whatever you say,” Winkz replied.

Bones sighs, he reaches his horn for the maroon Chrystal Pony. She flinched away.

“Stay still,” Bones commanded.

“Yes sir,” Winkz trembles.

Bones touches the ring on Winkz’s horn with his horn. The ring sparks causing the mare to yelp in pain. She tilts her head to wince and the suppression ring simply falls off.

“You? freed me from my bond?” The Chrystal Pony looks down at the ring.

“Of course this is a safe place for all,” Bones boasted.

“And the Zebra?” Zero raised an eyebrow.

“They are as harmless as you,” Bone smirked.

“But they're Zebra,” Zero starts to say taking a second look at a Zebra walking down the street.

“If you have an issue with it you may leave us,” Bones warns.

“After I fix that wing dear,” Perfect Image leads Zero away with the fuzz balls fallowing her.

“What are those things?” Zero asks.

“Bushwoolies,” Perfect Image answers.

“What about me?” Winkz ask unsurely.

“Come with me, I’ll give you a debriefing of Bones Town,” Bones answers.

“Yes sir-I mean Mr. Bones,” Winkz trots after the Shadow Pony.

“As he walked… Captain Zero Endless noticed the town walls had an extremely high amount of armed ponies patrolling the area… Some even had old guns…”

“What's with all the armed ponies,” Zero asked as he was lead to Perfect Image’s home.

“They keep the piece from both outside and within,” Perfect Image answers opening her door.

“I thought all of you are of liked mind,” Zero points out, “Why would you need protection against your selves?”

“We bring in people who are suppressed,” Perfect Image remarks, “Some are like you are brought here and has distaste for Zebra. Some take action in that distaste. We show our distaste for them.”

“I don’t see many Pegasus here,” Zero notes.

“My people’s mind set I’m afraid,” Perfect Image sighs, “There are three or four other of my kind here. Now with your friend Winkz that’s even less than the number of Chrystal Ponines here. Lift your wing please.”

Zero did as he was told. The fem Pegasus pulls on his wing resetting the broken bone.

“Perfect Image had just finished bracing Captain Zero Endless’s wing… when Reverend Bones walked in…”

“The Chrystal Pony agreed to live with us under all our conditions,” The dark pony told them, “What’s your decision?”

“I’m just passing through,” Zero answers, “I must say I don’t approved of a place that accepts Zebra anyway.”

“Is he able to take the road?” Bones asks Perfect Image.

“Unable to return to the clouds in Earth Pony territory that’s a death sentence,” Perfect Image gasps.

“I can’t have a race baiter hanging around,” Bones tells her.

“I-I suppose,” Perfect Image mutters.

“Now, I’ll have you escorted out with two of my men,” Bones orders.

“Two armed ponies escort Captain Zero Endless… But his escorts did not stop at the gateway…”

“Where are you taking me?” Zero asks as the two escorts bring him deep into the woods.

They reply by kicking him to the knees. A gun barrel is pressed against the Pegasus’s head.

“That’s how it is?” Zero remarks. He takes a breath and closes his eyes.

“Suddenly Bushwoolies attack the armed ponies…”

The furry creatures bounce around as balls knocking down the ponies with guns.

“Zero let’s get out of here!” Perfect Image grabs Zero’s hoof and the two of them rushed into the woods.

Perfect Image whistles and her Bushwoolies stops their attack and fallow after her.

“What’s going on?” Zero asks as he ran with Perfect Image.

“I didn’t want to leave you walking the roads,” Perfect Image explains, “I was going to bring a cloud to you and let you sail it to the nearest Pegasus village. Then I came across those two about to shoot you. I don’t understand why.”

“That's the nature of your Reverend Bones,” Zero explains, “Everyone and everything live together in peace. Those who don’t love and tolerate are weeded out with bullets.”

“But I seen so many pushed away,” Perfect Image points out, “I even let them- Oh my they’re dead. My friends I-I-I killed them!” Tears flow from Perfect Image’s eyes.

“Sword Mare and her traveling companion’s walks up to the black walls of Bones Town gates…”

“Who goes there!” A guard pony yells from above.

“It is Sword Mare!” Claymari shouts.

“We know about you and your Zebra killing ways,” The guard pony calls back, “Is that Buckland Knives?”

“It is?” Knives shouts back.

“Open the gate!” Bones calls out.

“With a creek the gate opens… Reverend Bones walks out to meet the traveling ponies…”

“We don’t have race baiters here,” Bones says with a smirk on his face. “Now leave before you unnerve my Zebra converts even more.”

“Some of your followers helped a friend of mind a Pegasus,” Claymari tells the shadow pony. “I think they would have taken him this way.”

“Zero Endless?” Bones remarks, “I sent him away. You did see him on the road?”

“No,” Claymari answers.

“Perhaps he’s walking off the road?” Bones suggests, “Just this once how about I let you in? We have a few good Pegasus willing to help their fellow pony some sweeps around the area could help turn him up for you. Once we find him you all can leave.”

“The Reverend Bones takes the travelers to his personal home…”

“He sticks them all in the same waiting room…”

“Do I have to serve them?” A Zebra maid asks nervously as Reverend Bones walked out of the room.

“No dear you don’t,” Bones replied.

“Reverend Bones press a secret button and the waiting room fills with gas…”

“Soon the group of ponies pass out…”

“Mean While… Winkz appears in the middle of the woods…”

“Her sudden appearance surprised the Pegasus ponies Perfect Image and Captain Zero Endless…”

“Winkz what are you doing here?” Zero snaps.

“Don’t get angry,” Winkz chimed, “I used a teleport spell.”

“Chrystal Unicorns are more magical them normal unies,” Perfect Image explains.

“We are in trouble,” Zero whispers, “Reverend Bones is really a very bad pony.”

Winkz sobs, “I was hoping that the Dark One was truly good.”

“At the very least he may think he’s doing good,” Zero sighs.

“Zero, He has those mares you where traveling with,” Winkz explains.

“That’s not good,” Zero points out.

“Reverend Bones stood over the unconscious bodies…”

“Now what will I do with you?” The dark buck remarks.

“Just then Azrael walks into the room…”

“My good buck, isn’t there anything you ever wanted that was too dangerous for you to get?” Azrael asks, “Something only a hero like Sword Mare could get you?”

“Harmony,” Bones answers with a smile.

“They did not notice the little pony that was missing…”

“She crawled through the houses vent system and pops out the back…”

“The small Cat Pony noticed three green dots walking along the tree line…”

Petty Kitty makes a "Mew?" sound as she watched the dots.

“The three ponies and the small fuzzy creatures enter into Perfect Image’s cottage…”

“What are we going to do now,” Winkz asks the small blue pony, “I can only teleport to people I know. Only people I know are living in the Crystal Empire. I’m not going back there. I don’t even know I could make it that far if I wanted too.”

“Yeah, it wouldn’t take towners long to come here,” Zero points out, “And we can’t leave the others.”

“I don’t want anyone else to get hurt,” Perfect Image cries hugging her Bushwoolies.

“I have a plan you’all you have to do what I say,” Applejack calls out. Petty Kitty had appeared near the back door of the cottage with a smile on her face.

New Frontiers Part 3: A Storm of Fire

“Claymari hides in a ditch… as the scorching hot winds singe her mane…”

“After about a minute of hell the winds subsided… Claymari emerge to see a desert landscape with large deep cracks scattered a crossed it…”

“In the distance a black tower… Shooting from the tower a rotating storming beam of fire and smoke…”

“Soon… that storm of fire will return…”

A loud bird screech causes the Sword Mare to turn her head.

“She’s over here!” A voice calls out.

“A day ago…”

“You wish to have the Elements of Harmony?” Claymari raises an eye brow.

“They are said to be in the tower of fire in the Baked Valley,” Reverend Bones tells the Sword Mare. “Get them for me, for your companions.”

“Baked Valley is a dangerous place!” Claymari answers taking a step forward.

A shadow shoots across the floor. It suddenly turns into a jet black crystal that points it’s self at Claymari’s neck.

“I have your friends and family,” Bones smirks, “It’s best you accept my offer and I let them go, alive.”

“Okay but I want one pony to come with me,” Claymari tells the dark pony.

“Knives,” Bones said coldly, “And one of my people.”

“Sir,” A Zebra, a female enters into the room. “There is a commotion going on at Perfect Image's cottage.”

“Who are you going to have come with me?” Claymari brings Bones’s attention back to her.

“Her name is Silent Hill…”

“Okay you two enter in through the door,” An ash colored Unicorn Mare orders two ponies. She turns to a third. “You have a shotgun you stay back here.”

The two ponies enter into the cottage. Petty Kitty was waiting for them. She had a smirk on her face and was mixing drinks from Perfect Image’s liquor cabinet.

“Who are you?” A pony demands.

“A simple bar maid,” Petty Kitty remarks mixing a drink in a shaker.

They see the object on her wrist. “What’s that?”

“It allows a bar maid to do this,” Petty Kitty splashes the two ponies in alcohol.

The Cat Pony slips into SATS. She scratches one pony in the face with her paw. At the same time she scratches the other pony in the neck with her back paw. As the SATS spell ran out. A quick red bleep appears in Petty Kitty’s vision. She ducks just in time to dodge a shot gun blast. The cat pony jumps behind a counter as another gun blast wiz by her head.

As the gun pony was reloading, Petty Kitty lights a match and tosses it over the counter. The alcohol on the floor ignites into flame. The first two ponies are set on fire. The pony holding the gun yelps as his feet catches the flames.

Petty Kitty tosses another alcoholic bottle smashing it over the gun pony. The flames whoosh up over his body.

Winkz teleports next to Petty Kitty, puts her hoof on the small pony’s shoulder and the two of them teleports away.

“Winkz had focused on one of the Bushwoolies who went off ahead into the woods…”

“This had put the two ponies ahead of their other allies…”

Zero and Perfect Image was running through the woods. Another pony chased after them.

Petty Kitty slips into the shadows. She flanks the pursuing pony. The mare slips and the bar maid kitty aims her claws at the back of the pony’s neck.

“Don’t move,” Petty Kitty orders.

“Just then a piercing wailing siren sound shoots through the woods… An eerie gray magical light bounces up and down in darkness of the woods as it approaches…”

“It… was the Unicorn Silent Hill…”

All the ponies in the area were stunned from the noise. The ponies automatically close their ears but this had no effect on the magical sound.

The horn went out and the noise stopped. “Now would you all excuse your selves and come with me.”

“Suddenly to the magical mare’s great surprised… A maroon Crystal Unicorn appears and makes herself and Petty Kitty disappear…”

Silent Hill lights her horn preparing to use her magic. When the Unicorn teleports in again. She starts up her siren spell stunning the Crystal Pony and every pony in ear shot.

Silent Hill shuts off the noise. “Now I can direct that directly into your brain and only your brain. You will have to teleport pretty far away for that not to kill you next time. Got that?”

“Yes ma’am.” Winkz nods her head.

“Claymari… Silent Hill… and Knives walk up a large steep mountain…”

“As they walked up the mountain… A loud roar would pass over head once in a while…”

“At the peak of the mountain… they could see Baked Valley and its cracked landscape…”

“There’s that fire thing coming this way,” Knives points out.

“I think we can hide from it in those cracks,” Silent Hill points out, “It’s a matter of finding one of the right angles as to not get heat blasted. I suppose the question is do we wait for it to pass or dash out and hope to reach cover in time.”

“Claymari… banking on the higher speed and endurance of an Earth Pony… suddenly takes off running down the cliff side…”

“Knives quickly chased after her already realizing the plan Claymari had come up with…”

“Silent Hill ran off next… But being a Unicorn had no chance of catching up with the Earth Ponies…”

Claymari was the first to reach the crevasse. She pokes her head out to check the approaching smoking spinning storm of fire. The storm gathered so much energy it was shooting sparks of lighting.

Knives makes it to the safe area next. Silent Hill was still several yards out when a beam of lighting zaps across the ground in front of her. The Unicorn was stunned by this causing her to skid on the rocky soil.

“They did not watch the spinning wall of fire move upon the ashen pony… Mostly because they had to protect their own heads… But they were also the kind of ponies that wouldn't watch that happen to another living being…”

“Back in Bones Town… Reverend Bones decides to have a personal audience with Captain Zero Endless…”

“But the great liar Azrael was there…”

“I’ve been informed that you are from a time where the races of ponies live in harmony?” Bones looks at Azrael. “Mostly.”

“It’s nice to know that little bit of information would have stopped you from putting a bullet in my head,” Zero snaps.

“I gotten the story from your Zebra friend here,” Bones points out, “But the reliability of what he says is questionable.”

“That sounds kind of racist,” Zero mocks.

“I’m a factist above all else,” Bones snaps, “Some types of people are more reliable than others. Upbringing and there for race has to be put in account. If I knew you didn't have the up bring of a normal Pegasus. I’d been more lenient then to the others of your kind. Even peasant Pegasus are known to have a I’m superior mine set as they are raised. I won’t assume or I’ll dissassume I given every pony a chance to show their willingness to change their mind set. You didn’t come to me a repentant soul. You came to me a beaten dog willing to bite those around them. So you can call me racist as much as you want.”

“Very well, what do you want to know?” Zero asks.

“How did the pony tribes unite in your time?” Bones replied, “I have to try to recreate those events.”

“Ambitious,” Zero answers, “It happened because of hate. Their hate summoned the Wendigos. At the last moment a group within the government of each race found a way to see eye to eye. They found love in that.”

“And why haven’t you united with the Zebra?” Bones asks.

Zero looks at Azrael and speaks in a slow tone. “His whole race is insane. You may be getting along well with the Zebra now. But you make the wrong move or say the wrong thing. All the Zebra here will forget about all the good you did for them and hang you and every one Zebra by the neck. This is a fact.”

“You are dismissed,” Bones waves Zero off.

“As Zero is taken out of the room… Reverend Bones is left with his thoughts…”

“Umm, Wendigos,” The buck mutters under his breath.

“Zero was taken to the guest wing of the building… Guards stopped at the end of the hall…”

As Zero walked up to his room, Philia and Perfect Image came walking out of another room together the both of them glowing. Perfect Image’s Bushwoolies who were waiting at the front of the door cooed and cheered at the blue pony as she walked out.

“It’s nice to see you two are getting along,” Zero smiles.

"Very," Philia purred.

“Yeah, getting along,” Perfect Image replied nervously.

Zero gives a questioning look, “Your still worried about the others?”

“No,” I’m fine,” Perfect Image blushed.

“Philia!” A guard pony speaks up. “Reverend Bones wishes to talk to you.”

“Claymari examines the brick walls of the crevasse… She comes to a conclusion…”

“This is artificial?” The Sword Mare points out.

The sky was getting cloudy and a good snow was hitting the ground. It melted when it hit the surface, making things slick.

“This passage way too,” Knives walks around from the corner. “The clay bricks have worn a little but they are in good shape.”

“Is the whole valley like this?” Claymari asks out loud. “I could see maybe people making a city, its too big to be a fort it scretches for miles.”

“I see no door that could lead to an underground structure.” Knives points out. “If I have to guess this hold terrain is meant to slow us down. We can’t make the whole trip through these passages. We can’t see the storm coming and to get caught down the wrong way when it passes is death.”

“So we have to take the trip above ground and clime in and out of these damn things?” Claymari sighs.

“Claymari!” They could hear Petty Kitty’s voice call out.

The two ponies look around for her.

“Up here,” Petty Kitty shouts from the top of the wall. “I fallowed you by using my Pipbuck.”

The Cat Pony leaps from the wall. And she lands hard onto mid air. For a second it looked like she was floating then a large orange marble block became visible. Even when it became visible it was still floating in air.

“Ouch? What the hell man,” Petty Kitty rubs her paws. She spots something shiny. “I found a gold coin!”

“I don’t know,” Knives feels the space under the block. “Something invisible is here.”

“Duck!” Claymari shouts as she swings her sword. The blade bounces off the transparent object and a pair of orange blocks became visible. After a few seconds the bricks became invisible again.

“It’s a damn trap,” Knives spat.

Petty Kitty lands between Knives and Claymari.

“Whatever these things are they didn’t show up on my Pipbuck map until I ran into one,” Petty Kitty remarks, “Speaking of its marking a town nearby.”

“Back in Bones Town…”

“So what do you want from me?” Philia asks Reverend Bones.

The Shadow Pony sniffs the Unicorn’s muzzle. Philia replied with a blush.

“What?” She snaps.

“Your full name is Muni Philia?” Reverend Bones asks.

“Yes,” Philia answers.

“Strange how names work out,” Reverend Bones smiles.

“Yeah,” Philia was getting nervous.

“You call the Earth Pony, Claymari your mother?” Bones asks.

“Yes,” Philia answers.

“How do you feel about Unicorns?” Bones replied.

“What kind of question is that!” Philia snaps.

“Your adoptive mother is an Earth Pony, your blood family are Unicorns.” Reverend Bones points out. “They issued a warrant for Claymari for killing your birth mother and stealing you.”

“Do you want me to say I hate them?” Philia snaps with tears. “It’s my choice to be with Claymari!”

“Really?” Bones remarks, “It was your choice your birth mother died?”

Philia was getting very angry. “That’s not what I meant! I mean I’m an adult with my own decisions!” The Unicorn takes a breath. “What are you trying to get at?”

“I’m trying to figure out what kind of mare Claymari is,” Bones answers, “Well she doesn’t like Zebra. But she tries to gain favor with the other pony races. I think my thinking may have been wrong. Instead of trying to change the world in one fell swoop. Maybe foal’s steps are in order.”

“Foal steps?” Philia questions.

“You are dismissed,” Bones waves the mare away.

“As soon as Philia left the room… Azrael steps out of the shadows...”

“I don’t think your plan will work,” The Zebra remarks.

Reverend Bones flashes him an angry look and Azrael realized he made a mistake.

“Of course you’d think that,” The Shadow Pony snaps, “Make your leave serpent. And if I catch you talking to any of the Zebra of my town. I’ll have a sniper take off your head then.”

Azrael giggles, “Good Luck, the Zebra says before stepping back in the shadows.

“Back in Baked Valley… The ponies hunker down as the fire storm passes…”

The sky clears, The newly heated ground was making the snowfall steam.

For a moment Petty Kitty’s eyes and ears twitch.

“Is something the matter?” Claymari asks picking up on this look.

“A red blip appeared behind us then disappeared,” Petty Kitty answers, “Its like something can sense the limits of my Pipbuck.”

“Red means pissed off right?” Knives asks.

“Yes,” The Cat Pony replied.

“We have a wall here,” Claymari taps on the invisible bricks making them visible. “We’d have to walk around.

“After a little back tracking… They came upon a wide open area... parts of it was covered in some kind of wood structures…”

The snow turns a heavy rain causing the travelers to run for one of the structures.

Claymari shakes like a dog, then looks at a wood beam. “Why haven’t this burned down?”

“Dragon wood I suppose?” Knives suggests.

“The sounds of squeaks could be heard deeper within the structure… And so our heroes investigate…”

“Rats!” Petty Kitty runs up to an animal pen, One of many each with a dozen animals. She picks up a large tame rat witch sniffs her muzzle pressing his own against the lavender pony. “You think they are someone’s pets?”

“Someone is taking care of them,” Knives remarks, “At this number it looks like they are farming them.”

Petty Kitty picks up a plate sitting in one of the pins. "This looks like bone mill, I think they are feeding it to the rats. Who owns them must eat meat and gives them the scraps."

“Uck, their using rat poo to grow mushrooms,” Claymari puts her hoof over her muzzle and with the other points at a wide trough with some large light brown chestnut looking things growing in it.

“Wish I could eat them,” Petty Kitty sighs looking at the rat. “But it's not nice to eat someone else’s animals." Then her eyes light up. “Speaking of, they are coming and not looking friendly.”

“Claymari and Knives lift their weapons just before the door burst open …”

“Bones Town…”

“Your name is Honey Mead?” Reverend bones asks, “And you’re a soldier?”

“Yes sir,” Honey Mead said coldly.

“Do you like killing Zebra?” Bones continued.

“Excuse me?” Honey Mead answers.

“Do you like Killing Zebra?” Reverend Bones repeated.

“That kind of thinking in people is weeded out of the army,” Honey Mead repeated, “You take pleasure in killing one being you take pleasure in killing them all. That’s why Zebra enjoy killing so much.”

“So you believe,” Bones smirks, “Do you want peace?”

“Every warrior wants piece,” Honey Mead answers, “As a mare I can’t settle down and have children if war is a foot.”

Reverend Bones walks around to Honey Mead’s rear. “Are you married?”

“N-no,” Honey Mead answer’s nervously, “Back home there’s a few bucks me and my girlfriends share.”

“I thought you and your Captain Knives are a thing?” Bones asks.

“I don’t think I should answer that!” Honey Mead snaps.

“Very well you can leave,” Reverend Bones walks away.

“The wooden building shakes from the fire storm passing over… as the tama hawk whizzes past Claymari’s head…”

“The attackers were Dracogriffs… Wingless Griffon like creatures with lizard claws and tails…”

“Can we talk about this?” Knives asks as he jumps back from an ax swing.

“Meat don’t talk,” The Dracogriff snaps.

“Luna’s hugs and kisses, they are going to eat us!” Claymari swings her blade down as a Dracogriff tries to enter from her side of the room. The thing’s neck breaks.

Two Dracogriffs charge into the room from the door near Knives. One came at Knives. He was able to dodge the Dracogriff’s attacks but unable to reach for his knives in the close quarters.

The second Dracogriff went at Petty Kitty, who at the time was grabbing up some rats and stuffing them in her saddle bags. She ducks the first attack and leaps over the second.

Claymari thrusts her blade into the skull of Petty Kitty’s attacker. She swings around and hits the Dracogriff attacking Knives. The impact brakes the things shoulder and the beast lets loose a bird squawk of pain.

“This way,” Claymari takes charge and leads them out the other side of the room.

Down the hall a Dracogriff jumps out. Knives throws a knife down the hall taking out the creature.

“We can’t keep this up in here,” Petty Kitty points out.

“Then we get outside,” Claymari starts ramming the loosely nailed together walls.

As the Earth mare worked on the wall. Petty Kitty and Knives defended her by fighting off the Dracogriffs who came down the hall. With a crack a chunk of wall falls free and the three ponies jump out.

They ran down the clay brick corridor with the Dracogriffs chasing after them. The corridor was leading them up hill with the rain water of the storm rushing against them.

Soon they reached the upper level of the valley. Claymari blocks an ax of a Dracogriff. She pushes the creature back making it fall back down hill. As other Dracogriff approach a beam of lighting shoots across the ground causing them to scatter.

“The storm is coming back!” Petty Kitty shouts.

“Run!” Knives shouts in reply.

The ponies run across the landscape with the turning fire storm behind them arcing lighting over their heads. Up ahead Petty Kitty sees a narrow alley. She slides down it as they pass.This caused Knives and Claymari to come to a stop.

“We are too big to fit down there,” Claymari points out.

“Don’t worry about me run,” Petty Kitty tells them.

Knives and Claymari turns and run as a Dracogriff crawls up to the Cat Pony. The creature hissed at her and the mare replied by scratching it in the face.

There’s a canal!” Knives points out.

The two ponies run and jump for it. Knives made it. Claymari smacked into an invisible block which turns orange.

The Dracogriffs start to close in on the orange mare. She turns and runs along the invisible block floor leaving an orange trail behind her.

Claymari found an intersecting corridor that she could drop down in. Unfortunately for her it ran parallel to the fire storm funneling its power down into the pathway. So Claymari had to continue to run away from the spinning fire ball the heat nipping at her tail.

She spots an intersecting corridor and dashed for it, her speed abnormally fast for an Earth Pony her size. Claymari makes it just as the turning wall of flame over comes the hall she was just down.

After a sigh of relief, A Dracogriff tackles her. The mare was knocked on her back. Before he could swing Claymari used her sword to block the ax from coming down on her.

With a shove of her powerful hind legs, Claymari sends that half lizard creature over her. He flies into the fire storm, Screaming as his flesh is stripped away by raging heat.

Claymari gets to her feet and is promptly attacked by another Dracogriff. As the two of them clashed blades a loud siren sound hits the two of them.

A pony shaped figure steps out of the warring flames of the storm. Her skin was burned away and her flesh down to the bone in some places. The pony walks up to the Dracogriff and smashes his head like a melon as her flesh and skin restored to her gray coat.

The sound stops,

“What are you?” Claymari remarks.

“I have a curse cast on me,” Silent Hill replied, “I can’t die.”

“Oh, you’re alive,” Knives remarks as he came walking up.

“And I know the cat is out there,” Silent Hill points out

“Oh, man,” Petty Kitty leaps down from above.

“Bones Town…”

“W-Why would you want to talk to me?” Winkz asks.

“I wasn’t going to press the issue,” Reverend Bones answers, “But could you drop the act?”

“Winkz sighs and closes her eyes… When she opened them again they were glowing black as night…”

“I'm not a true Dark One,” Winkz points out, “I didn’t drink the Zebra blood.”

“A slave can make a good spy,” Reverend Bones remarks.

“That was the idea,” Winkz walks over and helps herself to Bones’s bottle of vodka he had sitting on the table. She takes the glass and puts it up to her muzzle. “We had no idea that you were Reverend Bones.”

“Will that cause me trouble?” Bones asks.

Winkz starts laughing, “Honestly? I don’t know? I have no grudge with you.” The Crystle mare starts looking around the room. She spots a cigarette case. “Mind if I help myself?”

“Sure, they are vintage Rich’s Cigarettes from back in the day.” Bones tells her.

“Remember kids… If it ain’t Rich then it belongs in the ditch…”

Winkz lights the cigarette and takes a deep chug. She exhales the smoke out of her nose. Then the pony inhales from the cigarette again. She walks over to Bones and kisses him on the lips. Smoke shoots out the stallion’s nose.

“What was that about?” Reverend Bones asks making a cough.

“Do you have any idea how long it’s going to be before I get a chance to make love with another Dark One?” Winkz gives him another kiss, then pulls back. “Clean me afterwards and I won’t have to tell them you raped me.”

“Baked Valley…”

“It appears the Dracogriffs are staying the frick away from you,” Petty Kitty remarks.

Silent Hill was scratching her horn. “That Pipbuck thing is messing with my magic.”

“Fascinating,” Applejack speaks out of the Pipbuck. “I would need to tell my sister to fix that.”

“Who’s that?” Silent Hill asks.

“Oh, a pen pal.” Petty Kitty answers.

“Cover!” Knives calls out before the fire storm passes over head.

After the storm passed, the ponies uncover themselves.

“That was shorter?” Claymari notes unsurely.

“And I think it came sooner?” Petty Kitty remarks looking at her Pipbuck.

“Sure you’re not mistaken sweetheart?” Applejakck adds, “From what I understand this fire thingy is rotating from the center of this valley. When you get close to the center the beam should not speed up.

“My Pipbuck’s mapping of the area also seems off.” Petty Kitty points out. “Where we came from appears to be bigger then it was when we were there. Head of us seems to shrink to the point that I can’t see what’s up ahead.”

“I’m bringing up your readings now,” Applejack told the Cat Pony. After a pause she speaks, “Yeah this doesn’t make sense?”

“It’s magic, has to be,” Silent Hill points out.

“I’ll have to call Twilight up on this one then,” Applejack sighs.

Silent Hill gives a shocked look, “Did she just say Twilight?”

“In the castle at the center of Baked Valley… Shadowy figures looked out the window…”

“Dear sister it appears we have visitors coming this way,” A female voice points out.

“Sadly they must share the fate of every other intruder,” The other voice speaks.

“Sister you don’t hear that?” The first female points out.

“Hear what?” The second female asks.

“I don’t know it’s like a whisper of a past life,” The first female answers.

“Don’t be weird,” The second female snaps, “I can’t have you hearing not real things.”

“But the voice was more real then she knew…”

“Claymari and her companions approached the center of the valley… A wall blocks the fire storm which has shrunk to the point that the heated plasma had focused into a laser beam…”

“Behind the beam… A force field protected castle…”

“So now what?” Knives remark as the beam blasted into the wall they were hiding behind.

“I’m sensing life forms on the other side of the wall,” Silent Hill notes, “I think I can assault them with my power.”

“That does not mean they will open the door for us,” Knives points out.

“It gives incentive,” Silent Hill remarks.

“You with the sword,” A voice pierce’s into Claymari's head. “Are you the familiar voice trying to talk to me?”

“What?” Claymari reacts.

“Claymari?” Knives asks.

“Shush,” Claymari snaps.

“I will allow you to come in and only you,” The voice replied.

Claymari turns to her companions. “Who’s in there is talking in my head and is going to let me in. Only me.”

“Within moments the spinning beam stops and an opening appears in the side of the force field…”

“Claymari cautiously approached the opening… But just as she was reaching it… Silent Hill casts her spell…”

The ashen Unicorn shoots through the air like a bullet. Being between the opening and the fast moving pony, Claymari was shoved onto the castle grounds.

“Bones Town…”

“Is she dead!” Perfect Image shouts with tears in her eyes.

“Who?” Bones answers.

“Hound Boy, the mare I came here with,” Perfect Image spats, “She got into a fight. You made her leave. Did you kill her!”

“Oh? No,” Reverend Bones shakes his head.

“Liar, She would have taken me with her.”

“I assure your friend Hound Boy is most likely still alive some were,” Reverend Bones answers, “She always thought you were too kind for the world out there.”

Perfect Image lunges at Bones with a knife. The blade bounces off the pony’s crystal skin. Bones hits the Pegasus with a swing of his neck. She falls to the ground. The Pegasus lay their sobbing.

“I fell for it, I fell for your lies. Only through and act of kindness everything became clear.” Perfect Image sobs.

“Back at the castle in the center of Baked Valley… A little blue alicorn is very upset…”

“I said come alone,” The filly cried.

“That’s what I told her!” Claymari points at Silent Hill.

“Reverend Bones, suspects you will not be able to complete the mission do to some unforeseeable moral dilemma,” Silent Hill answers, “So, It's my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Intruders!”

“A tall alicorn made of baked clay fill with fires charges down the castle stair case enraged…”

The clay Alicorn shoots a fire ball at the two mares. Claymari avoids the fire ball using a flash step. Silent Hill takes the blast healing her flesh afterwards.

“Silent Hill tries to attack the clay Alicorn with her siren spell… All it caused was gold sparks as the clay Alicorn casted a counter spell…”

“With that… Silent Hill decides to cast another spell right into Claymari’s mind…”

“I’ll keep this thing busy, you go get the Elements,” Silent Hill says to Claymari.

“That’s a little rude don’t you think?” Claymari replied out loud.

“What?” Silent Hill reacts as she holds her hooves up defensively against the clay Alicorn’s flames.

“I mean, I at least was invited in. I’m not going to go around ransacking the place.” Claymari answers.

The clay Alicorn hits Silent Hill with a good hard buck, turning to face Claymari.

“Oh, sweetheart you don’t want to do this,” Claymari smirks.

The clay Alicorn charged at the orange earth pony.

“Sonic Sword Boom!” Claymari shouts swinging Crimson Bond. A shock wave of red hits the clay Alicorn. It was knocked back but not down the impact making it rear up on her hind legs.

“Celestia!” The blue filly cries.

“Celestia?” Claymari said in shock.

“Just then… the head and neck of the clay Alicorn cracks and split… The baked earth falls away to reveal a young teenage Celestia…”

“Luna get away from that mare!” Celestia orders.

The blue little Alicorn puts her tail between her legs and backs away from Claymari. Meanwhile Silent Hill slashes at Celestia’s clay armored flank with a dagger.

“So both of you are going to come at me armed,” Celestia spat as her clay armor reformed around her face. “Vibe Scepter come!”

A metal rod with a red gem at the end flies from the castle and to Celestia’s mouth. With a flick of her neck, the Alicorn smacks Silent Hill across the head. When she slams the end of the rod into the ground.

The ground shakes as a waves shoots out from the rod. The longer the scepter touched the ground the shaking grew stronger. Claymari lost her balance a little bit and used her sword to prop herself up.

“Are you done with this over welling power bullcrap princess?” Claymari remarks.

“Do you know me?” Celestia asks.

“Maybe I’m not sure,” Claymari answers.

“Her sword is speaking, can’t you hear it?” Luna points out.

“Could you handle that?” Claymari points at Silent Hill.

Celestia slams the Vibe Scepter to the ground. The clay reaches up from the ground and grabs Silent Hill. The gray mare was incased up to her neck.

“What the?” Silent Hill struggles against the stone.

“This rod was passed to me by Star Swirl the Bearded,” Celestia smiles.

“Just then… everything clicks into place… Star Swirl the Bearded the father of the Omniomorphic Spell…”

“Celestia demonstrates the power of the Vide Scepter by putting it up to the stone of the castle…”

“A voice spoke…”

“Princesses, this stone holds information on how to cast weather mag-“ Celestia pulls the Vibe Scepter away.

“Why did you come here,” Celestia asks.

“Unfortunately, I’m being black mailed to steal the Elements of Harmony.”

Celestia started laughing,

“What’s black mail?” Luna asks.

Celestia stops laughing. “Good question what is black mail?”

“Really?” Claymari mutters.

“Forgive us,” Celestia replied, “Me and my sister are aware that we had past lives. But our memories of them are gone. Perhaps it’s the nature of our rebirth?”

“I see,” Claymari answers, “It means forces against one’s will. She, her boss has my daughter.” Claymari points at Silent Hill.

“That means she’s you’re not friend?” Luna adds.

“It means she’s not ours,” Celestia points out still giggling.

“What was so funny?” Claymari asks.

“The Elements are gone,” Celestia answers, “A few years before I woke they were cast aside by Star Swirl.”

“The tree is still here!” Luna chirps.”

“Tree?” Claymari reacts.

“I’d like to see you try to take that thing away,” Celestia smirks.

“Below the crypts of the castle… Settle a small crystal sapling…”

“The Tree of Harmony,” Celestia announced.

“It’s fused with the stone,” Claymari notes.

“It’s magic after all,” Celestia adds.

“Just then Crimson Bond starts vibrating…”

“Claymari didn't have much time to react to this as the siren sound jams it's self into her head…”

All three ponies became unable to move as Silent Hill approached with her horn a glowing.

“You’re not the only one that can use vibration magic,” Silent Hill smirks, “I am the master of sound.”

The ashen pony approached the Tree of Harmony. She proceeds to impale her body onto the young tree. Silent Hill screams as her flesh fuse with the artifact.

She grows taller. Bat like wings appear out of her back. The pony’s tail elongates. The horn splits and curls into something that looks like rams horns.

The newly formed beast stretched its wings and takes off for the sky.

“Thats not good,” Claymari remarks.

Celestia gives Claymari a glare. “We have to fallow her.”

“But Star Swirl didn’t want us leaving until-,” Luna points out.

“Star Swirl’s plan will have to wait,” Celestia snaps.

“It did not take long for the mutated Unicorn to reach Bones Town…”

“Silent Hill?” One of the guard ponies said in shock.

“Take me to Bones,” Silent Hill orders.

“At the Reverend Bones’s home…”

“Mr. Bones, Silent Hill has returned,” Happy Happy rushed up to the Shadow Pony. “She looks like a dragon.”

“Ponies changing into dragons are you mad?” Bones snaps.

Silent Hill walks into the room. The Shadow Pony stood there in shock.

“Silent? What did you do?” Bones said dazed at the sight.

“I brought you Harmony, I adsorbed it into my body,” Silent Hill boasts.

“You can’t hold that power,” Bones told the mutated pony nervously.

“Well I have it and it’s for you,” Silent Hill said with a gleam on her face.

“Such power taken in like that always fails,” Bones snaps, "King Sombra almost lost his-"

“Suddenly… the bones in Silent Hill’s foreleg snap and brake…”

“Captain Zero Endless sighed in his room… Then the tree root busts through his floor…”

“Ahhh!” Zero screams running out the door.

The girls only felt the building shake.

“What was that?” Perfect Image says noting the look on Zero's face.

“Tree!” Zero shouted.

“Tree?” Honey Mead reacts.

Both Philia and Winkz rub their horns.

“Something magical is… here?” Philia stuttered.

A leaveless branch shoots through a wall with a loud crash. The ponies guarding the hall scatters. Honey Mead had the wits to grab a guard before they disappeared.

“Our weapons now!” The yellow mare growled.

“At-at the end of the right hall,” The guard stuttered.

Honey Mead retrieved her battle spear. Their wore other weapons. None of the other ponies were trained fighters but they decided to at least arm themselves with daggers.

There was another loud crack. The floor split open. The two sides of the floor were held up by two knotted branches that stretched farther apart. Perfect Image takes to the air. Winkz, Philia and the Bushwoolies was on one side of the gap. Honey Mead and Zero was on the other side.

“Down below… A magical metal rod stabs the trunk of the tree… It turns black and starts to fall…”

“W-what’s going on?” Zero points out as the tree turns black and the over sized branches star to crack.

“It means we have to get out of here now!” Honey Mead shouts.

Perfect Image looks at Zero, with his injured wing and back at her Bushwoolies in the opposite direction.

“Don’t worry, help them!” Philia shouts realizing the Pegasus’s dilemma. “Winkz and I are magic. We can protect ourselves and your friends! They can’t fly.”

Perfect Image nods her head and fallows Zero and Honey Mead.

The small band of ponies had to run and dodge the falling dying branches and pieces of demolished building. Perfect Image even had to help Honey Mead advance down at one point. Zero had to jump for it. Being a Pegasus he could take the abuse but it didn't help his wing any.

When all was said and done, the three ponies found themselves in the center of the tree and commotion. There Reverend Bones stood over the body of Silent Hill. She was back to normal and was riving in pain. A small crystal tree shot out of her body about were her womb would be located.

Celestia pulls the Vibe Scepter out of the rotted bark. Claymari stood behind her. Behind her the small figure of Luna. Petty Kitty and Knives stood behind her.

“My goddess,” Bones said in shock.

“Sister what now? The tree is stuck here,” Luna asks.

“I suppose we have to live here,” Celestia mutters.

“We have to get rid of some vermin,” Claymari smiles pointing at the Shadow Pony.

“What?” Reverend Bones said in shock. Then he understood.

Celestia holds up the Vide Scepter. “I wonder what would win in a fight? Sound or crystal?” The teenage mare smirks.

The Shadow Pony made of crystal gulps. Behind him Philia, Winkz and the Bushwoolies came running up. Perfect Image and the fuzzy creatures couldn’t contain themselves and rush for a group hug.

“As per out deal I’ll be taking my friends now,” Claymari chirped as she walks past Bones.

“What is the name of this place!” Celestia shouts to Claymari.

“Bones Town,” Claymari answers joining with the rest of her friends.

“No, this town isn’t going to be here,” Celestia answers back, “The name of the area!”

“Everfree I believe,” Claymari shouts back.

The Night Life Part 1: The Lords of Two Lands

“Twenty years ago…”

An Earth Pony digs at the ground. He swings his hoe and pulls the dirt. Above him, a pink flash streaks across the sky. It impacts a large cloud in the distance of the Earth Pony's sight. The streak hits the cloud with a bang.

“After his shock subsided the lonely Earth Pony goes to work…”

“But his work will be interrupted once again…”
A body falls from the sky. It lands near the Earth Pony. He gallops to it to find the body was of a Pegasus. Soon more bodies fall from the sky.

“Now…”

A rat roasts over a fire. Petty Kitty pulls the stick away from the fire and offers it to Honey Mead.

“No thanks I don't eat meat,” The Earth Pony turns to eat some little white flowers.

“This rat holds more energy in it then your weeds,” Petty Kitty smirks ripping some rat flesh in her teeth, “Your plants know that.”

“What do you mean?” Honey Mead raises and eye.

“This valley was once the grounds where a town of Pegasus fell from the sky,” Petty Kitty answers, “So many that the winged ones left them here. The plants you are eating feeds off their bones.”

Honey Mead’s chewing of the wild grasses slowed.

“From the sky… something new falls…”

A Bat Pony cuts through the air like a rock. There was a scar around her head held together with metal staples and a large metal wire antenna out the side. A pink hilted dagger was at her hip.

Before the dirty yellow pony hit the ground a blue Pegasus saves her. Perfect Image lands near Claymari, Zero and Knives. Her Bushwoolies run up to her.

“My goddess what happen to her?” Knives examines the Bat mare.

“Those staples remind me of something,” Zero remarks, “Franken Pony.”

“Let her breathe,” Philia came marching up with Winkz next to her.

The Unicorn examines the unconscious pony. “This gash across her head is bleeding.” She pulls the mane back from behind the Bat Pony's head. “It goes all away around.”

Petty Kitty came running up with Honey Mead behind her.

“We saw the catch,” Honey Mead huffed.

“I see is she dead?” Petty Kitty asks.

“No,” Philia answers, “Her head wound appears to be bleeding pretty badly. I’ll charm some bandages. But that metal have to go. Some sick bastard did a number on her.”

“Speaking of,” Winks speaks up, “Was she?”

Philia examines the Bat Pony’s hind with a quick once over noting the green orchid cutie mark. “She appears untouched. They only touched her head. Petty Kitty you have lock picking tools?”

“Yes,” Petty Kitty nods her head.

“Take those out as I get the magic ready,” Philia points at the staples and walks off.

“C-Can you show me?” Winkz asks fallowing the pink Unicorn. “I may know some flashy spells. But that’s my familiar magic. I need to learn the simple stuff.”

Philia replied with a gentle smile.

“This blade had never been sharpened,” Claymari remarks taking the Bat Pony’s knife. She looks at the hilt and then takes out her sword looking at it's hilt as well. “This looks like they have the same maker?”

“Is that odd?” Zero asks.

“This is not the first I seen other blades of this make,” Claymari answers, “Keep in mind of my story and that this mean they are magic. Nothing good fallows when I come across other blades like mine.”

“Did you say magic?” A strange female voice chirped over Petty Kitty’s Pipbuck. The Cat Pony was in the middle of popping staples out of the Bat Pony’s skull.

“Twilight?” Zero realized.

“Ah, Yes, Captain Zero Endless,” Twilight replied.

“About this magic?” Twilight asks.

“What happened to Applejack?” Zero interrupts.

“She gave me a Pipbuck so I could talk to you,” Twilight answers, “Although the crisis she told me about appears to be over. Now about the swords?”

“They are magical,” Claymari answers, “Mine has the ability to enhance my natural speed even if I don’t have it on me. Holding it I can perform what I could call Speed magic. Quick bursts of instant speed and even speed up the air around my blade to perform a sonic boom. I’ve seen one of these blades give a Pegasus super strength.”

“Umm, Magic swords of similar make,” Twilight says to herself, “I wonder if I can find anything about them.”

“If you want,” Claymari gotten a somber tone.

Petty Kitty popped the last staple off the Bat Pony’s head. Perfect Image stood next to her watching. A moment later the top of the Bat Pony’s skull flops off, Perfect Image fallowing it by turning her neck. The Pegasus gets wide eyed. It took Petty Kitty a moment to notice her look.

The brain of the Bat Pony was exposed. This made the Cat Pony jump back letting loose a squeak. Zero noticed Petty Kitty’s look. He leans around the small pony body and seeing the mare with no cap on her head, He screams. “Franken Pony!” This got Claymari’s attention and she looks up from examining the two swords.

The screaming awakes the Bat Mare. She sat up feeling like her head was throbbing, Rubs the eye crust away and smacks her mouth to get rid of the dryness. It took her a moment to notice the ponies around her. Once she did she jumps awake quickly getting to all for feet.

To her perplex, the Bat Pony realized the strange ponies looked afraid of her.

“Miss are you okay?” A cat ghoul asks.

It was then she noticed the blood trickling down her muzzle. This caused her to look up and she saw nothing. Witch was odd because at least her mane should been visible.

Something touched her back leg. The Bat Pony turns around to see something red and it had dark blue tuffs of hair, Her tail hung near it with the same tuffs of hair. She puts two and two together.

“You sick-o’s scalped me!” The Bat Pony her feet in a panic state trotted in place.

“Oh, it’s not what you think!” Petty Kitty shouted, “We-umm, More or less found you like that.”

The Bat Pony spots Claymari with the pink dagger.

“My mother’s dagger!” The mustard mare took a few steps forward.

“Miss stay still,” Petty Kitty held her paws out the concerned look in the Cat Pony’s eyes made the Bat Pony’s heart jump.

“H-how bad is it?” The Bat Pony stutters to ask.

“We aren’t sure how you are alive?” Zero answers.

“Your brains are showing,” Perfect Image adds.

The Bat Pony freezes sweat starts beading on her body. She starts speaking slowly to Claymari. “Could you give me my sword back? I think it’s keeping me alive.”

Claymari gives the blade a thoughtful look. “I can see that,” And hands the dagger to the Bat Pony.

The mare sighs in relief and she hugs the blade like an old friend.

“What the?” Philia says in shock as she walks up with Winkz. Then she glares at Petty Kitty.

“You told me to pull out the staples,” The Cat Pony shrugs.

“Ah yes, I suppose we should fix that,” Philia picks the skull cap up with her magic. This caused the Bat Pony to flinch uncomfortably.

“Are you in pain?” Philia asks.

“Of course, but your magic is causing this to itch,” The Bat Pony replied pointing at the antenna with her hoof but carful enough not to bump it. It wasn’t sensitive or anything, she was just afraid if she bumped it her brains would pop out.

“Let me look,” Philia examines the brain. She could see the blood pulsing through a membrane skin. The Unicorn didn’t know about this underskin and noted it in her mind’s archive for later. The antenna was still attached sticking into the side of the brain.

“What’s this piece of metal?” Philia asks, “It appears somepony attached into your brain.”

“I-I don’t know,” The Bat Pony replied unnerved, “There's nothing wrong with my memory that I know of. But I think I have some missing time since I don’t know how I got here. But I could if been drug and had to be tossed away for some reason.”

“Given that no one fallowed you here yet means that they don’t know or care,” Knives adds.

“What’s your name?” Philia asked.

“Ferngully,” The Bat Pony answers.

“I do not dare to mess with this metal thing,” Philia tells Ferngully, “I can put the top of your skull back on mend the flash could even mend the bone. But if I do some pony may have to cut your skull open again to remove that thing and other then the person who did that to you. I don’t know of anypony in the area that could pull such a task with out killing you.”

“Leave the skull unsealed,” Ferngully answers, “I know of a pony that can fix it.” The Bat Pony looks at the darkening sky. “But it will have to wait until the morn.”

Philia puts the skull cap back over the Bat Pony's head. “Petty give me the staples you just took out.”

The Cat Pony shows Philia the bent pieces of metal. The Unicorn takes up the pieces of metal. She straightens them and proceeds to put the staples one by one back into the Bat Pony’s skull. Each staple glowed red causing Ferngully to flinch.

When everything was done the Bat Pony felt the need to rub her hooves against her head like one would addjust a hat. Afterwards Philia puts a healing bandage on her head.

“This will help fuse the flesh,” The Unicorm told her.

“An hour passes and the temperatures drops… Claymari looks out over hilled grasslands lit by the moon…”

The orange mare exhales the steam of her breath appears in the night air.

“You look tense,” Knives remarks.

“I feel battle on the air,” Claymari answers.

“You put too much of a burden on yourself,” Knives tells the Earth mare.

Claymari turns and kisses Knives. The buck shivers and Claymari giggles at the stallion. “That was easy, I did expect to cold buck you.” The orange mare walks off.

Perfect Image and Zero Endless walks next to each other. The mare was eyeing the buck’s wing as they walked.

“What’s the matter?” Zero asks.

“I’m a little worry to leave you like this,” Perfect Image points at the wing.

“You don’t have to leave,” Zero answers.

“I don’t have a place in the world,” Perfect Image sighs, “That’s why I asked to go to this area. I could hide here. Take care of my Bushwoolies.”

The buck moves in for a kiss. Perfect Image kicked up and back her head away from them. Zero frowns, Look the mare in the eyes. Then he runs away.

He found Petty Kitty warming herself against the fire. Honey Mead was there too curled next to the flames. Winkz and Ferngully snuggled in their sleep taking each other’s heat.

“I want to talk to Applejack,” Zero demands to the Cat Pony taking her off aside.

“Um… I suppose,” Petty Kitty answers surprised by Zero's sudden abruptness. She puts the Pipbuck to her mouth. “Applejack are you there?”

“Errr? What is it Sugarcube?” Applejack said sleepily groan.

“Where you sleeping?” Zero asks with a slight apology.

“Yes, but it’s okay,” Applejack then yawns. “It’s not uncommon for me to be a woken in the middle of the night. I technically sleep for a few hours over the day. Rarely over one lump sum at night. Something happen Sweatpie?”

“How’s my wife?” Zero asks flatly.

“She knows, what happened to you. You where unconcerned until now,” Applejack remarks.

“What was her reaction?” Zero wondered.

“I told her you were dead,” Applejack said factly, “She of course cried in the chest of her boyfriend and I assume she made love with him that night to make her soul feel better. I didn’t tell her that we found out you were alive. She still cares for you like one does a close friend. But your situation is complex.”

“Sorry for bugging you, I just wanted to hear about her suddenly.” Zero sighs.

“You’re having an emotional crisis?” Applejack said with a smirk in her voice.

“Yeah, I suppose,” Zero answers, “With the brake up, and being flung into this strange place I’m feeling lonely.”

“A buck has needs,” Applejack replied, “Sorry, but I can’t do much about that from here. Even if I could I have my own buck at home.”

“You can go back to bed,” Zero said in a broken tone.

The Pipbuck went dead. Zero lowers his head. Petty Kitty kisses the male on the lips.

“Petty?” Zero takes a step back.

“The night we met I was offering myself to you,” Petty Kitty told the buck. “You can still take me.”

An image of Perfect Image’s body appears in Zero’s mind in away to make the Pegasus aroused. He personally didn’t find the Cat Pony attractive and her small size made things awkward.

“As the two ponies walked off… A spark came from the antenna of Ferngully…”

The Bat Pony open’s her eyes. The color of her eyes had changed. She stands up, Winkz opens her eyes and spots the Bat Pony’s flank. The orchid had changed from green to white.

“What are you?” Winkz answers disregarding her beaten slave tone and taken on her more confidant Dark One tone.

“What do you mean?” The pony that looked like Ferngully answers.

Winkz took a moment to cast a spell to send Honey Mead into a deeper sleep.

“You’re not faking it like I am,” The maroon pony tells the Bat Pony.

“I work for a strong master,” The Bat Pony answers unsheathing her dagger, “My name is Vanilla.”

A magic aura of white appears around the Bat Pony’s antenna and she cast the spell her magic channeling through the dagger and hitting the ground.

“The creatures that are coming aren’t meant to hurt you only to gain the trust of your companions,” Vanilla tells the Crystal Pony. “I believe you’re not going to interfere in away to ruin this plan.”

“No, as you guessed, I’m and observer,” Winkz answers.

“Good,” The Bat Pony closes her eyes and falls back. Winkz had to catch her.

“From deep within the earth… Skeletal figures dig their way up from the ground…”

A soft decayed pony hoof breaks out of the ground. A Bushwoolie walking by shrieks and runs away. The hoof pulls the upper body of a Pegasus skeleton out of the ground. As strips of muscle tissue wrapped around the frame of the skeleton. It pulls it’s self out the earth. Behind it more skeletons rise.

“What’s the matter sweetie,” Perfect Image says as the Bushwoolies rush over to her.

The skeleton Pegasus walked toward the winged mare. Knives fly through the air hitting the skeletons in the back of the necks. The heads fell off. Claymari comes in and smashes the frames.

Winkz awakens Honey Mead by disabling her spell. The skeleton was standing over the gold pony as she looks up at the blurry image with her groggy eyes.

Honey Mead rolls out of the way of the hooves. They hit the earth as Honey still on the ground grabs her spear and thrusts. The spear goes up under the skeleton’s skull.

Honey Mead takes out two more undead ponies. Winkz screams and bucks one breaking a leg. But for every skeleton they took out three more seemed to rise.

Philia fires stun beams from her horn. This slowed the approach of the skeletons enough to allow Winkz to put Ferngully’s unconscious body on Honey Mead’s back and run past them.

A cross the field, Petty Kitty hits a pair of skeletons with her Star Blaster. The boney creatures explode in flame. Zero stood behind her ready to buck anything that came into range.

“Sonic Sword Boom!” The force wave shatters the group of skeletons that approached that pony pair.

Claymari swings round to take out a skeleton that tried to flank her. Knives defending the mare’s hilt side.

“Luckily we spotted those fire balls,” Claymari told them.

“What was that?” Knives asks.

“Some bomb plants I found,” Claymari lies slipping the Star Blaster into the saddle bag.

The group of ponies battle their way to the camp fire where they meet up with the others. As they fought the skeletons kept coming.

Ferngully stirs and wakens. She quickly notices the undead ponies coming down on the party and starts lashing about.

“I see your part of the living,” Winkz remarks.

“Could you not kick about?” Honey Mead adds, “Last thing I want is for you to hit me in the back of the head and knock me out.”

“What’s going on!” Ferngully shouts.

“Th-they just started raising form the grave,” Winkz answers.

“I’m betting they want revenge for eating these things essence sucked up in the grass,” Petty Kitty points out.

“Don’t you be blaming this on me,” Honey Mead thrusts a creature with a spear. “Beside you eat whole flesh of creatures.”

“At least I make sure what I eat doesn’t have the flesh to allow them to walk,” Petty Kitty boasts.

“Honestly, I think some kind of healing magic is at play with these things,” Philia points out getting into the conversation. “After all they should have been nothing but bones or less years ago.”

Ferngully starts rubbing her head. “My head his buzzing.”

Suddenly the Bat Pony’s antenna sparks then a flash of magic knocking down some skeleton ponies.

“Oh my goddess they didn’t,” Philia mutters.

“Was that magic?” Ferngully sounded shocked.

“From the sky came a piercing howl… Above rains down a set of bat theme ghoul ponies…”

A Bat Pony land hard on the ground. From there she swiftly turns into a large hairy half Bat Pony half wolf creature with claws that slashed at the skeletons.

Another Bat Pony was a mare with a thick snake tall complete with a raddled for her lower half. She swings her great lower half taking out a hoard of undead.

The last technically wasn’t a Bat Pony but she had the same kind of eyes and ears. A dark blue gem was in her for head and the pony had a long tail with only a tiff of mane at the end.

She was a type of pony called an Elfen. They us magic like a Unicorn but instead of a horn they are born with a jewel in their forehead. Instead of having levitation as their default magic like Unicorns do, Their default were magic arrows.

This Elfen had a pink boa around her neck that turned into wings. She held a white orb in the bowl of her hoof.

The orb emits a stream of white mist. The mist stretches out. Philia watches the mist swirl around her head and reach Ferngully.

Ferngully’s antenna sparks white sparks. Her eyes and cutie mark changes colors. The Bat Pony takes her dagger form around her hip and slams the hilt against the ground with her antenna glowing white. Wave of magic shoots across the ground fallowed by the skeletons dropping dead.

“Sorry about that,” The lavender Elfen with the dark blue mane and red head gem spoke up. There was a red whip cutie mark on her flank. “I’m Lady Dominatrix, one of our number got away with an artifact and must have somehow activated it.”

“Mother, They are using some kind of mind controlling magic on Ferngully,” Philia tells Claymari.

Sword Mare points her blade at Lady Dominatrix. “Let Ferngully go from your spell and we can be civil.”

“Very well, Vanilla come here,” Lady Dominatrix holds up the orb and the mist sucks from Ferngully’s body returning the Bat Pony to her normal state.

“What happened?” Ferngally holds her head.

“Ferngully it’s me Doma,” Lady Dominatrix told the pony.

“Doma?” Ferngully looks past the Elfen. Then she starts crying. “I know the name but the person, my memories of you are gone.”

“How about me? It’s Ester Song?” The yellow Lamia Bat Pony with the purple mane and green snake half slithers up and asks.

“I know that name too but I don’t know you,” Ferngully answers.

“We should get her to the castle,” The orb spoke up.

“Can she fly?” Lady Dominatrix points out.

“I don’t know if I can,” Ferngully replied, “I fell out of the sky once already I don’t want to again.”

“She fell on Earth Pony land,” Knives spoke up. “As representative of the nation it’s my duty to escort her.”

“I’m with him I suppose,” Claymari adds with a smirk.

“Off the side… Petty Kitty talks to the Werewolf Bat Pony…”

“So you can change from a Wolf Ghoul to and Bat Ghoul?” Petty Kitty remarks to the Red winged pony now looking like a normal Bat Pony.

“Not sure Bat Pony’s count as Ghouls,” Zero points out, “In my time Bat Ponies are Luna’s guard, Of course most are spelled to look like Bat Ponies but some are real.”

“Oh, I see,” Petty Kitty reacts, “I wonder if other types of Ghouls are really pure breeds?”

“I’m half Bat Pony and half Wolf Ghoul,” The Wolf Bat replied, “The name is Fang Flame.”

“Petty Kitty,” The Cat Pony introduced herself, “I’m half Cat Pony and half Miniature. How do you change like that?”

Fang Flame shows the collar in her neck. A small talisman gem was imbedded into the leather. “It allows me to suppress my Ghoul aspects at will.”

“The party of Bat Ponies take the traveler to Mount Faust… On top of the mountain lies a set of towns… Half the city was built on the mountain and the other half was built on the clouds…”

“The name of the Towns were Hard Peak and Soft Peak…”

“The Bat Ponies put the travelers up at the Daphne Inn…”

“This area, Hard Peak is where our none cloud walking citizen’s live,” Lady Dominatrix told the travelers. “Our lord Beerstien lives at his castle in Soft Peak. The two Pegasus can travel with us to the cloud town.”

“I’m coming with,” Claymari orders.

“I don’t know the spell that will allow you to walk on the clouds,” Lady Dominatrix tells the Earth mare.

“Don’t worry I have a charm,” Claymari was sure she was lying about not knowing the cloud walking spell. With position she was in and manner of the two towns. A magic user not knowing that spell isn’t worth their salt.

“Very well,” Lady Dominatrix answers, “Fang Flame, you stay here.”

“Yes ma’am,” The red Bat Pony replied.

“The groups split… Soon Claymari’s group reaches the border of the Hard Peak township…”

Claymari stops at the line of cloud and earth. Ester Song just slithers past her.

“You're coming,” Ester gives a smirk to the Earth Pony.

“Yeah,” Claymari steps onto the cloud.

Ester’s smirk turned into a look of shock. “I guess you weren’t kidding about walking on clouds.

“But they always make me feel sick to my stomach,” Claymari remarks.

Ester pats the Earth Pony on the back, “I get that feeling too, I think it’s an Earth Pony thing. You know Lamia morphed or at least most morphed from an old settlement of Earth Ponies back when the Mist Bombs fell and mess with our genes.”

“The group of ponies advanced to a castle at the center of the town… A castle of stone…”

“Stone in the sky?” Zero points at the castle walls as they walked in.

“Old alchemist trick with something call slush powder,” Lady Dominatrix answers.

“In the audience chamber waited two Bat Ponies… Lord Bernstein and his wife Ale…”

“Ferngully!” Ale a light brown Bat Pony mare with a grayish blue mane rushes up to the young Bat Pony.

Ferngully steps away cautiously not recognizing the strange mare.

“Sweetie what’s wrong?” Ale asks.

“I-I…” The Ferngully starts tearing.

“She remembers old names but not faces,” Zero pats the crying Bat Pony on the back.

“Thank you, you are responsible for returning my daughter,” Lord Bernstein who was other than being large and with a goatee was the typical blue coloring found among Bat Ponies.

“You’re welcome,” Claymari asks stepping forward.

“An Earth Pony?” Beerstein raises and eye.

“I’m Claymari the Sword Mare,” Claymari announced, “The two with me at the moment are Ca-Zero Endless,” Claymari stopped herself as to not to give away confusing information. “And Perfect Image.” She points at the blue Pegasus.

“I’m currently looking for a home,” Perfect Image adds. I was just traveling with Claymari and her companions until then.”

“Well I could always use cloud walkers,” Beerstein answers, “And you helped my daughter.”

“I also have a group of animals that accompany me,” Perfect Image points out. “So I need to live on earthen ground.”

“The earth space maybe more complicated,” Ale remarks sadly, “We have plenty of cloud room but ground is tight.”

“I see,” Perfect Image sighs.

“Speaking of your daughter,” Claymari chimes in, “How that thing happened to her head?”

“She was one of twins,” Ale rubs her belly. “One was healthy, the other not. After a few years the weaker sister died”

“That would be me,” The white orb in Lady Dominatrix’s hoof remarks.

“My brother loved my child as if it was his own. He had away to bring our dead daughter to life. And acted on his own.” Beerstein told them. “He ended up butchering her.”

“And he kept me locked away,” Vanilla adds.

“We sent the fowl creature in our dungeon,” Ale spat.

“I see,” Claymari frowns.

“You do not approve?” Beerstein asks.

“All I can say, that’s not what I would have done,” Claymari pauses. “Maybe…”

“Back at Daphne Inn…”

Philia and Winkz sat at the table sipping on drink mugs. Out of the corner of her eye Winkz spots two ponies sitting across the room. They were bucks, one red and the other white.

“What is it?” Philia ask noticing the Crystal Pony’s look.

“Kool-Aid and Comet,” Winkz answers, “They are followers of Church of Bones.”

“I remember the red one now,” Philia smile getting up out of her seat.

“What are you doing?” Winkz says in a concerned hushed tone.

“I’m going to say high,” Philia smiles.

“Is that wise?” Winks asks.

“Wiser then ignoring the issue,” Philia answers and she says, “high,” to the two stallions.

“Your Claymari’s daughter?” Comet recognized the filly.

“Yep,” Philia answers, “Mind if I sit.”

“A little but you can,” Kool-Aid sighs as Philia and Winkz takes chairs.

“What brings you bucks here?” Philia asks.

“What’s it to you?” Kool-Aid snaps.

“The terms we left on,” Philia answers, “Don’t we have issue’s?”

Kool-Aid was about to say something when Comet stopped him. “We have no issue. We are relocating our settlement to New Laurenville”

Philia frowns, “Isn't that a little too close to Old Laurenville?”

“The mist has settled for years,” Comet sighs.

“Don’t you have a better settlement spot?” Philia asks, “Don’t your church have other places?”

“This is a placement of power,” Comet answers. “Reverend Bones wish to look up the old gods apparently.”

“I just hope things don’t get out of hand again,” Philia sighs.

“In the back rooms of the inn..”

Petty Kitty curled up on the bed. Fang Flame walks into the room.

“You want something?” Petty Kitty yawns.

Fang Flame turns off her talisman and she became her shaggy form.

“The two of us are Ghouls,” She smiles.

“Yeah so,” Petty Kitty snaps.

“There is a loneliness in you,” Fang Flame removes her talisman choker. “Come here.”

Petty Kitty with a cautious look on her face jumps off the bed. Fang Flame puts the choker around Petty Kitty’s neck.

“Look in the mirror,” The Wolf Pony smiles.

The Cat Pony looks into the mirror and she wasn’t a cat anymore. What was before her was a pink pony with a yellow and purple mane. She was still smaller then a normal mare. But what stood there was a pony.

Petty Kitty had to double take at the cutie mark on her flank to make sure that it was her own. A metal heart shaped thing with a keyhole. A cat claw picking the lock. It was a more complex cutie mark. She won a reward for it when she entered it into the fair at her home town.

“I’m pretty,” Petty Kitty said with tears streaming from her eyes.

“I’ll let you borrow it for the evening,” Fang Flame tells the pony. “I know I witch nearby that came make these things for a price.

“Thank you,” Petty Kitty leaves the room.

“Back at the Castle…”

“Doma,” Ale speaks up, “We have a group of ponies wishing to have and audience waiting for you at the Daphne Inn.” The Bat Pony pulls out a pair of talismans and tosses them to Lady Dominatrix. “Bring them here.”

“Cloud walking charm?” Claymari notes.

“We keep such things regulated,” Ale replied. “This helps keep the undesirable away.”

“I see,” Claymari answers, “That’s why the Elfen can’t cast the spell herself?”

“Can’t get much past you,” Lady Dominatrix smirks, “They pay me to keep an eye on me. To not use that magic on anypony.”

“I see if you are going back to the inn, I suppose I should come with.” Claymari shrugs. She turns back around. “Zero, Perfect?”

“If you find a place will you send somepony to contact me?” Perfect Image asks as she turns to walk away.”

“We will dear,” Ale replied with a smile.

Lady Dominatrix, Claymari, Zero, and Perfect Image leaves the hall.

“Ester, take the young Ferngully to her room.

“Yes sir,” Ester Song nods her head.

“Daphne Inn…”

Petty Kitty walk out onto the bar room floor. She noticed right away the bucks looking at her like they never looked at her before. One even approaches her.

“You’re a mare not a filly?” The buck asks nervously, “You’re the size of a filly but hips and face says mare.”

Petty Kitty blushed, Bucks outside her home town never guessed her age before and got it right. Not many could tell she was an adult because her cat features threw them off. They always assumed filly due to her size. Cause of this she always had to hit on stallions first.

“I’m a mare,” The pony mare replied with a smile. “The names… Petty Pony.”

The name rolled around in Petty Kitty's head and she giggles a little. She found having a name with the word “Pony” in it sounds kind of hot.

“Across the room Winkz sends a telepathic message to Philia…”

“Um…Philia,” Winkz’s voice was nervous in Philia’s mind.

“What is it?” Philia answers without moving her lips. The two ponies were trying to keep their glow to a minimum. Since they were so close that wasn’t hard.

“Is that Petty Kitty?” Winkz projected the image of a Miniature pink pony into Philia's mind. The sudden intrusion made Philia whence.

“Don’t do that,” Philia snaps as she turns around. She spots the pony. “Yeah a see her.” Philia looks at the cutie mark on the flank. “That's pretty distinct you have to be right.”

Philia turns around and puts some bits on the table. “Thanks for the conversation.” She tells the Church of Bones bucks as she and Winkz got up from the table.

They walked to the pink pony talking to a buck.

“Petty Kitty?” Philia spoke and watched the pony’s ear pop up.

“I’ll let you talk to your friends,” The buck walks away.

“That is you!” Philia smiles. She swiftly notices the chocker on the mare’s neck. “Is that Fang Flame's.”

“She’s letting me try it out,” Petty Kitty smiles.

“Why would she do that?” Winkz asks taking a mug from the bar tender and paying with a bit.

“She’s trying to get me to buy one of these from the witch at the bottom of the mountain.

Philia and Winkz’s ears twitch at this.

“You girls need to stop downing drinks or I’ll have to ask for another lone from the barox,” Knives remarks to the mare with Honey Mead behind him.

Honey Mead turned to Petty Kitty. “Is that you?”

“Soosh, Girl thing,” Petty Kitty smirks.

Knives sighs, “Unfortunately, This town appears privately ran so no income flow from the Earth.”

“We still have Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies,” Philia smirks.

The Unicorn had the urge to look around the room and she noted the Bat Pony guards pretending not to be watching them. A moment later Claymari with Zero and Perfect Image walks into the inn. Lady Dominatrix enters behind them and walks over to the table that has Kool-Aid and Comet.

“That’s not good,” Philia remarks.

Perfect Image walks back to see her Bushwoolies.

“Aren’t those guys from the Church of Bones,” Claymari notes. She was starting to feel off.

“Our old enemy and the lords of this area are talking we should leave,” Knives points out.

“I want to wait a day,” Claymari says cautiously.

“You’re worried about Ferngully,” Knives frowns.

“Zero?” Petty Kitty blushed stepping forward.

“Petty?” Zero said shocked. He looks the mare up and down.

“What do you think?” Petty Kitty boasts.

“What was wrong with your other form?” Zero remarks.

“You didn’t even know I was a mare until somepony told you,” Petty Kitty said coldly.

“I’m not arguing about this,” Zero walks off, “It’s late and I need rest.”

“We all should have rest,” Claymari tells her party.

“After her companions went to sleep… Winkz walk the halls of the inn…”

“She leaves the Daphne Inn… and crosses the border between Hard Peak and Soft Peak…”

“Ester Song leads Ferngully down the castle halls to her room…”

Ferngully flops down into her bed. Her antenna bounced and a throbbing pain.

“Are you okay miss?” Ester Song asks.

“Yes, I just need to rest,” Ferngully answers.

Ester Song nods her head and puts out the light of the candle with her tail.

Ferngully found herself tossing and turning in her bed. This was due to the antenna that forced her to turn her neck in a position she didn’t like.

A heavy sliding sound made Ferngully’s ears twitch. She turns around to see a secret stone passage way had opened up. The next thing she noticed was a strange buck was standing over her.

Ferngully let loose a quite "eep".

“Fern it’s me your father,” The bat buck told the bat mare.

Ferngully just replied with a confused look.

“Don’t you know me sweet heart?” The buck asks concerned.

A white spark came from Ferngully’s antenna. Her eyes changed color. “No she doesn’t.”

She strikes the buck with magic lighting.

“Winkz stands in audience with Lord Beerstein and Ale…”

“Is everypony going to be able to walk on clouds today?” Beerstein remarks.

“You must be the pony that Vanilla told us about?” Ale notes.

“I’m a Dark One from the Crystal Empire,” Winkz answers.

“Are you related to that Dark One who moved in at the base of the mountain?” Ale asks.

Winkz had to stop a moment to think. “No, but we have meant. Somethings happened in which I was somewhat involved but no. We have nothing to do with each other.”

“Why are you here?” Beerstein demands

“I have interests with my traveling companions I need to protect,” Winkz told the Bat Ponies, “I plea you not to intend them harm and allow us on your way.”

“I’m afraid it’s much to late for that,” Beerstein smiles.

“Daphne inn…”

“Zero,” Petty Kitty walks into Zero's room as he tries to lay down.

“Don’t talk to me like a girlfriend,” Zero snaps.

“You’re really mad at me,” Petty Kitty said sadly.

“I’m disappointed,” Zero sighs.

“I’ll forget about this pony thing if you do something for me,” Petty Kitty tells him.

“What?” Zero asks.

“Make love to me once like this,” Petty Kitty answers, “Like this I feel sexy, I mean physically down inside and out sexy. The sexiest I’m ever felt. I want to feel the per and emotion of a buck in me at my most sexual. After that, after we are done. You still want me to forget about this. You’d never see me in this body again as long as we are together.”

Zero stared at Petty Kitty. This caused the pony to blush.

“I suppose the most buckish thing I could say is you had me at make love to you,” Zero smirks kissing the mare on the lips.

The kiss with the added sensation of how sexual her pony body was making her feel. Petty Kitty let out a moan. Zero walks over and started sniffing around her rear.

“From somewhere in the shadows… Fang Flame touched a talisman with her hoof…”

“Errrrup!” Petty Kitty exclaimed.

“Did you just make a cat sound?” Zero pops his head around and asks.

“I did?” Petty Kitty replied confused.

“Your eyes turned back into slits and their big and round,” Zero notes.

“The better to see you with,” Petty Kitty jokes with a smile, “I guess these things wear out.” She was looking at her hoof now witch had turned back into a paw.

Zero from behind her watch the long mane like tail with a swoosh turn into a cat tail and the color of the Cat Pony’s coat.

“Petty,” Zero said in shock. He was looking at the back of Petty Kitty’s head. Her yellow bit of mane that was on top of her head had disappeared.

What turned around could not be called a pony in any sense. The large cat turned and hissed. It takes a swipe at Zero. He tries to dodge but there was little room to move. The claws cut deep in Zero’s shoulder. Blood starts spurting out and Zero lets out a scream.

The Night Life Part 2: The Monster from Beyond the Moon

Claymari slept on her back, her legs were spread out leaving her undercarriage in plain view. Philia who was asleep as well cuddles up next to her.

The door creeks open, Philia perked her ears at the sound. Perfect Image walks into the room and Philia smiles at her presence. She gives Claymari a look over as she approached.

“Wow she’s impressive,” Perfect Image remarks pointing at the mare’s udders with her hoof.

“They were fun to play with when I was a foal,” Philia yawns.

Perfect Image gives Philia a strange look.

“I mean I remember when she was breast feeding me,” Philia answers.

“I thought she found you?” Perfect Image points out.

“Yeah but she was still producing milk when her foal died. I wasn’t born much later,” Philia told her.

“I see how much do you remember from when you were that young,” Perfect Image asks.

“Oh, I remember being born even before that,” Philia answers.

“A little of my first year,” Perfect Image remarks.

Then they heard a scream. This caused Claymari to jump awake.

“What was that!” The mare gears for action grabbing her sword.

“That was from Zero’s room,” Philia notes.

Knives runs past the door and stops. “Something is going down.”

When they reached the room they saw that Honey Mead was fighting some kind of cat creature and that Zero was knocked back on his butt with a gushing gash in his shoulder. The buck was in a way that if there wasn’t a cat monster in the room it would have made the mares blush.

“Zero!” Perfect Image shouted.

“That thing, it’s Petty Kitty!” Zero shouts.

“What?” Honey Mead reacts dodging a claw swipe.

Philia spots the chocker around her neck. “It’s her, That thing, if it can suppress blood one way it could suppress blood the other way.”

“Shit, it’s a trap!” Claymari shouts.

Just then Bat Pony soldiers came running down the hall with Fang Flame behind them.

“Move out of the way!” Fang Flame shouted.

Her Bat Ponies started lassoing the wild Petty Kitty.

“You’re not attacking?” Claymari said in shock.

“Attacking?” Fang Flame replied.

“This has the hallmarks of a surprise attack,” Claymari told the half Bat Pony.

“Sorry but no, the talisman I gave your friend must have suddenly ran out of power and back lashed,” Fang Flame answers.

“I’ll sedate her,” Lady Dominatrix came walking up. She cast a spell that made the raging cat thing fall asleep. “We need to remove her from this place.”

“Yes, I have an extra talisman back at the castle but she’ll awake before then,” Fang Flame told them as her ponies took the unconscious cat out of the room. “I’ll be moving her to the jail.”

“We are coming along,” Knives demanded, “She maybe a ghoul but her blood base is an earth pony.”

“Philia stay here and heal Zero,” Claymari orders as she fallowed, “Perfect Image you stay back too.”

The rest of the group walked outside.

“Perfect, put pressure on that wound,” Philia order.

The Pegasus puts a cloth on Zero’s shoulder.

“Is she going to be alright?” Zero gasped looking pale from the loss of blood.

“I’m worried about you right now,” Philia told him as she cast a spell.

“Outside…”

The Bat Ponies where loading Petty Kitty on a wagon.

Knives looks around cautiously. Something didn’t seem right. Then he realized what it was. “Every pony civilian is in hiding!” He shouts as a pair of Bat Ponies tackle him and puts the pony in cuffs.

Claymari and Honey Mead was quick to react fighting off their grunt attackers. Fang Flame had to step in to fight Honey Mead. After a few clashes of weapons Fang Flame over powers the gold pony.

Claymari went up against Lady Dominatrix. Her speed ability allowed her to gain ground on the Elfen. But the Elfen managed to hit the Earth mare in the shoulder with a magic blast. Claymari swings and Lady Dominatrix barely dodge due to the help of a weak magic barrier. Claymari’s shoulder shrieked in pain and she falters. This gave Lady Dominatrix and opening to turn around and buck Sword Mare in the face. Well Claymari was stun the Bat Pony soldiers came in and cuffed and disarmed her.

“Back in the Daphne Inn…”

Philia ears twitch as she just finished casting the healing magic on Zero. The buck was out like a light.

“What is it?” Perfect Image asked noticing this movement.

“My mother is in distress,” Philia answers. She was feeling exhausted from the healing magic.

“You mean something happened?” Perfect Image reacts.

“I think she was attacked,” Philia tells her, “But I’m useless in this state. Bard the door. I need to rest and as much of it before they come.”

“My Bushwoolies are outside,” Perfect Image complained.

“Call them in and barred the door,” Philia replied.

Perfect Image stuck her head out the door and called her pets into the room. After shutting the door she put a chair against the door handle.

“I didn’t see Winkz anywhere I hope she’s okay.” Perfect Image notes.

“Back at the castle…”

Winkz dodges Lord Beerstein’s hoof attack. Energy flowed out from his attack as the talisman on his wrist glowed.

“A talisman that increase your power and speed,” Winks smiles, “You’re going to need more to defeat a Dark One.”

Beerstein opens his arms and shot lighting from the ceiling. It hit Winkz and she flies across the floor.

“Okay that’s a little better,” The Cristal Pony stood up wincing and exhaled a puff of smoke.

From behind a thick snake tail swung down at Winkz. At the last second a shadow jumps between her and Ester Song.

“You look like you need help,” Asrael smirks.

“Why are you helping me?” Winkz snaps at the Zebra as she defends a piercing winds attack from Lord Beerstein.

“The Zebra and Dark Ones are allies,” Asrael answers swinging a hook that rips into Ester Song’s arm pit. With a pull he rips out the hook and the half pony looses her vital blood and passes out.

Winkz puts up a forced barrier to block Beerstein’s attacks as Asrael leaps over her. Beerstein tries to do a defensive block but was too slow and Asreal slips in two cuts across his neck. Blood runs down the pony lord’s chest and he drops dead.

Winkz and Asrael turn to Ale who look like she was starting to sweat. Asrael then gives Winkz a look that told her the decision of what to do next was up to her.

“Now since you are the new lord lets rediscuss,” Winkz smiles.

Ale replied to her with laughter. “New Lord? Miss I was always lord.” Suddenly Ale’s eye’s flash shooting out force energy that knocks both Winkz and Asrael back.

Winkz slips and stumbles. In the second it took her to recover a blade strike bounced off her crystal hide. Winkz’s leg gives out and her body felt like pins and needles as her blood pressure dropped.

“I just took half of your life force,” Vanilla answers holding the Life Knife. “Your body is barely functioning at sustainable levels. If I take more of your life force then your body will start to break its self down and organs will fail.”

Vanilla then turns around and with the blade and a glow of her antenna heals Ester Song. The Lamia Pony still didn’t wake up.

Asrael lunges to attack Vanilla. She blocks his sharp wings with the Life knife. The wings started to rot and crack and the longer he contacted the knife the more it cracked. This force the Zebra to retreat from the attack.

“Leave the Zebra to me dear,” Ale orders.

The Bat Pony lunges at Asrael using her wings as blades. Asrael blocks with his own wings but his wings in their weakened state brake. Ale’s wings slice into the flesh of his chest.

Asrael stumbles back and watches as Vanilla gives the Life Knife to Ale.

“This is yours my lady,” Vanilla said kneeling to one hoof and the blade exchanged hooves.

Asrael smiles, “I understand now, what you are.”

Ale raises the blade.

“No need lady, I yield,” Asrael painfully kneels to the Bat Pony Lord.

“Good for you,” Ale said as she resurrects her husband.

Ester Song awakens holding her head.

“Ester good your awake, take this Zebra and Crystal Pony to the dungeons.”

“Umm. Yes ma’am,” Ester Song leads the two ponies out of the room.

“Petty Kitty awakes in a jail cell of Hard Peak Jail…”

“So, did you remove that thing on the Cat Pony’s wrist?” A mare voice snaps.

“No ma’am it’s locked tight.” The Bat Pony replied.

“We can’t leave it on her it’s magical,” Lady Dominatrix told the underling.

Petty Kitty only had one hoof cuff on due to her Pipbuck being too big to cuff. Her cuffed hoof was to the side of the bed. A bridle was around her muzzle and a bit in her mouth to stop her from manipulating things.

The Cat Pony picks her cuff lock with her claws and removes the bridle from around her head. She then reaches around and picks her cell lock. Petty Kitty slowly creaks the cell door open and walk out.

She found Knives and Honey Mead in the cell next to hers.

“Where is Philia, Perfect and Claymari?” Petty Kitty asks.

“Philia and Perfect Image was never picked up,” Honey Mead answers, “Claymari was taken away, I believe to the castle.”

“Okay give me a minute,” Petty Kitty starts to pick the lock.

“Please don’t do that,” Fang Flame walks up with a shamed look on her face.

“Get away,” Petty Kitty hissed.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Fang Flame warned.

“What you did to me was cruel,” Petty Kitty snaps.

“I was just fallowing orders,” Fang Flame cried.

“An excuse of the broken,” With a flick of her paw the cell door was unlocked.

“I said stop!” Fang Flame lunged.

Petty Kitty slips into SATS. She attacks the wolf pony’s leg making deep bleeding claw marks. Fang Flame replied by biting the Cat Pony’s side.

Fang Flame suddenly takes a buck to the face from Honey Mead. There was a crack from both the Wolf Pony’s face and Petty Kitty’s ribs as the hooves hit both of them.

In her moment of stun, the Cat Pony rams full force into Fang Flame. She hits the wall with a thud as Petty Kitty yelps in pain from her ribs.

“Guard! They are escaping!” Lady Dominatrix shouts.

Petty Kitty removes the bridle from around Honey Mead’s mouth. That allowed the pony to reach into Fang Flame’s saddle bag for her cuff keys. In a quick motion she release Knives who tosses a few hidden blades at some incoming Bat Ponies putting then out of commission. Then Knives unlocks Honey Mead.

A magical energy blast hits Knives in the shoulder. He screams in pain as two more hits him in the side. Honey Mead pulls him out of the way as more energy shots came down the hall.

“Give up, I have you pinned,” Lady Dominatrix shouts.

Honey Mead held Knives he was barely conscious and was shaking with pain. She looked at Petty Kitty who was holding her side.

“We are not going to hold out are we,” Petty Kitty gives a sad concerned look.

“Don’t worry little one I’m sure we will make it,” Honey Mead replied with a smile that confirmed she was lying.

“You, Go down there and flush them out,” Lady Dominatrix orders one of her Bat Ponies.

The Bat Pony quickly started to do what he was told but half way down the hall he stops. After about thirty seconds Lady Dominatrix speaks again.

“I told you to go down there!” She snaps.

The Bat Pony spun around and toss the spear he had. This took Lady Dominatrix by surprise. It was then she noticed the pink glow in the Bat Pony’s eyes.

“Magical Mind Control! The Elfen spat.

It was then that Lady Dominatrix was tackled from the side. Philia swiftly casts a magic disable spell on Lady Dominatrix’s gem. Because of that the skirmish between the two mares quickly turned into a hoof boxing match. After about a minute Philia got her magic around the Elfen and lifted her off the ground effectively ending the fight.

Philia locks Lady Dominatrix and Fang Flame into a cell.

“Petty Kitty, hold up here with Knives, I’ll have Perfect Image join you,” Philia orders, “Honey Mead and I will head to the border of Hard Peak and Soft Peak.”

“Why?” Honey Mead asks, “We can’t enter the castle can we?”

“Well actually I can cast the spell to allow us to walk on clouds,” Philia answers, “I looked it up in my spell books once we got here.”

“Then we should help Claymari,” Honey Mead points out.

“We will but we have to be level headed about this,” Philia tells the Earth Pony, “More of their enforcers are bound to come after us. You’re the only fighter active. We can be on the defensive and stand our ground here at the jail but with the forces we got that’s not going to last long. We can storm the castle taking the offensive to free Claymari but we don’t know the layout and there’s bound to be an enforcer near her. Best choice is to draw their strongest out into the open defeat them there and stroll into the castle once their forces are weakened.

“I see,” Honey Mead replied.

“Claymari stood in the ritual chamber… her body bound by chains…”

“Why are you keeping me alive,” Claymari mutters to Beerstein and Ale.

“We are keeping you alive to… to…,” Beersteir turns to Ale. “Why are we keeping her alive again?”

“We are going to summon a monster from beyond the moon. It will need a snack and live meat is the best. Our Sword Mare here is a plum sack of meat,” Ale smiles, "And by the size of the udders marbled."

“You’re the master mind,” Claymari smirks at Ale. “And your daughter’s part in this?” Claymari asks glaring at Vanilla who was preparing some kind of altar.

“Both of us?” Vanilla answers.

“I came up with this plan after she got her free will,” Ale told Claymari.

“The monster needs a willing virgin sacrifice,” Vanilla adds, “One closely related to the caster. I’m not sure possessing one's body counts but you got to work with what you got.”

“Once I summon the beast I can break up the Zebra Empire allowing the world to take it's natural cores,” Ale continued.

“With you as the over seer,” Claymari snaps.

“Someone has too,” Ale said coldly.

“Your sword, your blade where did you get that?” Claymari asks.

“Ale looks at her Life Knife… And her mind wonders to the past…”

A Pegasus starts coughing as he stumbles around in the dark. The light turns on.

“Sir please go back to bed,” Ale in a nurse’s outfit grabs the Pegasus’s arm.

“Don’t touch- ack!” The Pegasus coughs up a bunch of snakes that drops to the floor and slither away.

“Your illness is getting worse,” Ale ushers the pony to bed, “I need to bleed you right away.”

The Bat Pony cuts into the Pegasus’s arm with a knife. She inserts a surgical tube into the Pegasus’s arm. Blood flows down the tube and into a bucket. As the blood hits the air it starts turning into snakes.

The snakes started out small most of them black. Some of the snakes were black with white markings. They slithered in the blood growing larger.

Ale lights the bucket on fire before the snakes grew large enough to clime out of the bucket.

“Now that should hold your illness back for a while,” Ale told the Pegasus his face now looking paler.

A hansom Bat Pony walked into the room fallowed by a not as good looking but still pretty attractive other Bat Pony. By the look of the two stallions they wore related.

“Doctor Beerstein they are getting worst,” Ale points her hoof out at the room full of sick Pegasus ponies coughing. Some of them coughing up snakes.

“This Zebra illness is starting to get fatal,” Logger points out.

“Fret not, We will find a cure,” Beerstein starts coughing.

“Dear,” Ale said concerned.

Logger sees some slithering lumps. “He has snakes!” He shouts.

Ale quickly pokes him with a knife. Snakes slithered out of the wound and Beerstein makes a sigh of relief.

“My love, your-“ Ale starts to say.

“No need for that,” Beerstein snaps.

Ale takes on a professional demeanor. “Yes sir.”

“Week passes…”

A Bat Pony crashes into the cloudy astroturf. A spear was in his side and snakes were leaking out of his gaping wound. Ale runs up to him.

“What happened to you!” Ale helps the pony up.

“No, I’m dead anyway,” The Bat Pony gasps. “The peaks are infected as well. A Pegasus contention is coming into all the villages in the area. They are being quarantined. Everypony will burn.”

The Bat Pony takes his last breath body dissolving into snakes. Ale shakes the snakes off and rushes over to the bedridden Beerstein and his brother. Blood was draining from their arms.

“It’s terrible news!” Ale cries, “The Pegasus are going to come in and kill us all!”

“There’s nothing you can do,” Beerstein moans, “Ale, your uninfected save yourself, run.

“No, my heart is bound to yours by our love,” Ale takes Beerstein’s hoof and cries in it.

Just then the door crashes open. A group of Pegasus in armor stomps in.

“Kill them all,” Their commanding officer

“No!” Ale screams and got smacked in the mouth with the blunt end of a spear for her trouble.

First the blades went into Beerstein’s and Logger’s chests. Then they moved to the others sick in the room systematically stabbing them.

“No! No! if he dies now then I’ll lose his body,” Ale clutches Beerstein’s snaking body.

“What about her sir?” A soldier asks, “She appears uninfected.”

“I said kill them all,” His commander snaps.

The soldier raised her spear then suddenly starts coughing. The Pegasus throws up blood. Snakes started growing up out of the blood.

“Sir!” A soldier runs into the room. “Our men are coming down with the illness.”

“We need to get them to beds right away,” Ale told the commander.

“You’d help us?” The commander said shocked.

“I can’t watch ponies suffer and die no matter what they did,” Ale answers.

“Just then… a pink streak of light that was wondering the sky at the time turn it's direction…”

“The streak of light hits the cloud city… Ale was the epicenter of that impact…”

Ale found herself floating in a deep dark blackness. With in the blackness a voice calls out to her.

“Ale, I heard the kindness in your heart and I’ll grant your wish to save lives but with a price,” The voice tells the Bat Pony mare.

“What is your price?” Ale asks.

“I could heal the Pegasus or kill them and resurrect the Bat Ponies.” The voice answered.

A tear streams down Ale’s face. “The Bat Ponies!”

There was a another flash of light and Ale found herself standing where she was but all the sick Pegasus in the room not just them but all the Pegasus in the Pegasus City were alive again even the ones that turned into snakes.

“It’s a miracle,” Beerstein stands up out of bed and walks next to Ale.

“What happened here?” The commanding Pegasus looks around confused.

It was then that Ale realized she had a small sword at her hip. The mare absentmindedly pulls it from its sheath with her mouth.

The blade flashes shined light into Ale’s eye for a moment. After that moment the commanding Pegasus gets a blank look on his face.

“Are you okay?” Beerstein asks.

Ale looks around and all the Pegasus had that look. Suddenly they sink through the cloud floor.

Beerstein rushes for the sinking Pegasus commander but couldn’t reach him.

“But Pegasus only do that if they are dead?” Beerstien said in shock.

Ale had an even more shocked look on her face.

“I did this,” The mare mumbled.

“What,” Beerstein turns to see his love.

“Suddenly Ale clutches her chest… The mare’s heart beat became erratic as a piece of darkness penetrates it…”

“As the Bat Ponies… They were saved… But at cost of Lady Ale’s kindness and Pegasus lives…”

“Ale’s mind came back to now as a Bat Pony guard came running into the room…”

“Lord Beerstein, Earth Pony villagers have started walking off the cliff!” The Bat Pony shouts.

“What,” Beerstein said in a loud commanding voice.

Claymari smiles, “That’s my girl.”

Ale and Vanilla glare at the orange Earth Pony.

“They are being forced to jump one by one by some kind of magic,” The Bat Pony guard continued, “We dispatched men to patrol the under cloud for droppers but it’s putting considerable strain on our numbers specially since that group that went to the Daphne Inn never came back.”

“Well if I know my daughter she’s trying to draw you out,” Claymari told them.

“It’s working,” Beerstein walks out of the room.

“Yes, take Ester Song with you,” Ale adds.

“Down in the Castle dungeon…”

“You’re the real Beerstein?” Asrael remarks to the Bat Pony in the cell across from him.

“Yes,” He replied with a grunt, “The Beerstein you been seeing is really my brother. My wife been having an affair with him for years.”

“I’m not very interested in your hang ups,” Asrael snaps.

“Then you can stay then,” Doctor Beerstein’s cell door creek open. He walks over and lets Winkz out.

“Impressive,” Asrael opens his own door. “Nothing, I can’t so better.”

“Okay we need to stop Ale from sacrificing my daughter,” Doctor Beerstein told them.

“You go do that,” Asrael response, “I think my efforts are better put elsewhere.”

The ponies and Zerbra split ways.

“Outside the castle…”

An Earth Pony in a trance slowly walks toward the cliff at the edge of Hard Peak. The pony without flinching steps off the rocky face. He drops through the clouds where at the other end a Bat Pony catches the tranced pony.

At this point in time the Earth Pony’s trance is broken and he became aware of his surroundings. This did not make things easy for the Bat Pony trying to save his life.

Logger meets up with the Bat Pony as she puts down the cursing Earth Pony.

“Can you report?” Logger orders the Bat Pony mare.

“Things are hectic sir,” She replied.

“Well good work, Me and Ester Song will try to hunt out our enemy.” Logger told the underling.

“Please hurry,” The Bat Pony sighs before flying off.

Ester Song watched the trance Earth Pony walk down the street. She was assuming they must be nearby or have to have eye contact with her target.

The Snake Pony found the most likely house that the pony she was looking for could be in and snuck inside. Finding nothing she sneaks back out.

Ester Song had to dodge a spear strike as Honey Mead swung at her. The half snake pony had to quickly spin around and swing her tail.

Honey Mead stabs the end of her spear through the meat of Ester Song's tail. Ester did not like this and shrieked shaking off the Earth Pony from her spear. Then with a slam of her tail brakes the weapon leaving only it’s blade in her.

Honey Mead lunges for the small piece of hilt sticking out the Lamia Pony’s flesh. As she grabs it, Ester Song stomps her forehoove down on Honey Mead’s flank. Honey Mead yelps just as she grabs the spear head. With a swing of her neck, she makes a gash across Ester Song’s belly.

The Lamia holds her bleeding side and just as Honey Mead came in for another strike puts her hoof out.

“I yield!” Ester Song shouts.

“Fine, the jail is that way,” Honey Mead motions with her neck. “You’d get fix up there. Head anywhere else or show your face again and I’ll kill you.”

Ester Song nods her head and slithered off for the jail house. Honey Mead watched her long enough to see the Lamia had made it to her destination.

A moment later there was a loud crash. Logger had busted through one of the houses and with his bat fang mouth had taking Honey Mead up by the neck. Blood trickles down the Earth Pony’s chest.

Logger slams the unconscious Earth Pony to the ground.

“Well come out and fight me!” Logger shouts as he puts his hoof on Honey Mead’s neck.

“Leave her alone,” Philia steps out in the open with a nervous angry look on her face.

“Where are the others” Logger raises an eye.

“Back at the jail,” Philia answers, “They are too injured to fight.”

“I see, they should make easy picking then,” Logger smiles.

“You have to get through me first,” Philia snaps.

Logger gives a smile. His talisman activated. The next thing Philia knew that his hoof punched her stomach. The filly coughs up blood and kills over.

“Perfect,” Logger smirks at the mare rolled up into a ball.

“How about you fight somepony your own power level!”

Logger turns as a black thing with yellow glowing eyes slams into him.

Philia opens her eyes to see Asrael standing over her.

“Watch, I want you to see how weak you are,” Asrael smirks.

“What ever, gift horse and all,” Philia says at she weakly stands up.

“Back at the castle…”

Ale opens her eyes. “Beerstein.”

“I can’t let you do this,” Doctor Beerstein walks into the room.

“It’s too late!” Ale shouts.

Vanilla kicks a lever, the roof of the chamber falls open showing a star filled sky.

Ale tosses the Life Knife to Vanilla. Vanilla grabs the blade and holds it up to the sky. Her antenna glows white. Its glow covers the Life Knife. A moment later a blast of energy shoots up to the sky.

“No!” Beerstein lunges at Ale.

The Bat Pony dropkicks the buck. “You are weak.”

“You loved me once,” Beerstein replied with a wheeze.

“And it blackened my heart,” Ale replied.

Meanwhile, Winkz sneaks around and starts loosening Claymari’s bonds.

There was a loud roar that shook the building. A black blue starry wave splashes into the room. Vanilla screams as the dark energy sucks into the Franken pony's body.

Claymari’s bindings let loose and the pony dropped to the floor. She scans the room.

“I have your sword,” Winkz answers giving Claymari Crimson Bond.

Claymari takes the blade.

Vanilla screams as her body distorts. Ale turns and smiles at this. This gave Beerstein a chance to get away.

Vanilla suddenly explodes into a leviathan like creature. The direction of the explosion was aimed at Claymari. Beerstein pushes Claymari out of the way allowing the monster to swallow him up in one gulp.

The massive beast turns to Claymari and moves in for another attack. Claymari blocks the creature’s fangs with her sword and with her super strong Earth Pony power pushes the monster back.

“Outside the castle…”

“Asrael and Logger clash powers…”

The energy rickashay across the air as the force energy between the two ponies fire off. Philia puts Honey Mead around her shoulder and slowly moved out of the area as the powers destroy their surroundings. Then the ground shakes and with a bang a whole wall of the castle collapses.

This gave Asrael the chance he was looking for. The Zebra turns his back toward the Bat Pony. He folds and thrusted his wings backwards. Both points pierce Logger. With a flex of the artificial muscles. Asrael rips out his rib cage.

“Killed you twice,” Asrael smiles.

Asrael then turned and headed for the space monster.

Claymari was riding on the neck of the massive monster when Ale jumped at her. The Bat Pony’s wings sparks off of Claymari’s blade. The wings slide off and Ale with a spin the Life Knife in her mouth. She nicks Claymari’s foreleg.

Claymari takes a few steps back. Her leg turns blue and the mare cries out in pain. Ale moves in for a another strike when Asrael blocks the attack with his wing. The wing rots to bone.

“How about you take the easy one,” Asrael smirks.

“Easy one?” Claymari answers.

“The space monster,” Asrael rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, I’ll go work on that,” Claymari runs for the head of the monster.

Asrael turns back to Ale, “Now we should talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you Zebra,” Ale snaps taking a swing at Asrael.

“Oh, I’m talking to your blade not you.” Asrael smiles.

“Claymari searched the skull cap of the monster for a weak spot…”

It took Claymari a couple takes to see. At first she thought it was a horn but as strange as it was it appeared to be Ferngully’s antenna only calcified and much larger.

The monster breathes white flames onto the towns below. Claymari had to make her move now before some pony got hurt. The mare takes a calming breath before making a leap toward the monsterfied antenna.

“Sonic Sword Boom!” Claymari shouts releasing her attack point blank on the antenna. The four force of her sonic attack traveled through the antenna and down into the monster’s brain.

The space monster roars in pain. Claymari stabs her blade into the creature’s forelimb stopping her from plumitting to the ground. The pain in the monster head was causing it the fall.

“I know why you seeked out this mare!” Asrael shouts to the blade as he dodged Ale’s strikes.

“You have the ability to save lives!” Asrael shouts.

“Like you should talk,” Ale snaps.

“No, not save, trade, I trade lives,” The Life Knife replied in its mystical voice.

“Good, we are making progress,” Asrael remarks, “You can stop this. Stop this beast from killing.”

“She wants to stop the Zebra, start world peace,” Life Knife replied.

“Are there Zebra below us?” Asrael points at the white burning town.”

The Life Knife paused as the monster crashed into the side of the mountain.

“No,”

“When Claymari awakens… She was in the middle of a decaying rib cage…”

Claymari glances a look at the ribs. The meat was burning away cell by cell. On the other side of the opening Ale was dissolving in the same manner. Oddly Claymari thought she looked like a Zebra.

"I knew you were one of us," Asrael stood over her, "Preprogrammed to cause chaos and death with no knowledge of the truth."

The knife drops at Ale's feet. “You betrayed me you bitch!” Ale snaps as the last of her breaks away.

“Ferngully?” Claymari says as she walks up, “Does this mean that she’s dead.”

“Yes,” The magical voice answers. “There is enough life energy to save her but I need a wielder. One with kindness deep in their heart.”

“Who?” Claymari asks.

The blade of the knife moves pointing at a Bushwoolie who was climbing over the monster’s bones. Beyond the Bushwoolie stood Perfect Image.

“Why is everyone looking at me?” Perfect Image looked confused.

“Moments later…”

Perfect Image had her eyes closed. The Life Knife floats in front of her. It’s blade down toward the ground then drops embedding it’s self into the soil. There was a flash, Ferngully emerges from the ground.

After this event was done. Claymari and the others noticed that Asrael was gone.

“Three days later…”

“Perfect are you sure?” Zero asks.

“I’m not a traveler and fighter like you,” Perfect Image answers.

“And you have my castle to live in,” Ferngully smirks.

“Now are you sure you want to leave?” Zero asks the Bat Pony.

“You guys need a flyer on the team,” Ferngully points at Zero’s still injured wing. “Be sides I need some unicorns to teach me how to use magic.” She points at her antenna.

“Are we ready to go?” Claymari shouts back at her group.

“Give me a minute!” Philia shouts.

The unicorn blushes, and looks Perfect Image in the eye. She then kisses the mare deeply on the lips.

“Be seeing you sweetie,” Philia blushes.

“Did you know about this?” Zero whispers to Honey Mead.

“Are you implying something,” Honey Mead gives the buck a glare.

Zero looks at Knives.

“Not going there,” Knives shook his head.”

Petty Kitty snuggles against Zero. “Why should you care?”

“Yeah I shouldn’t,” Zero kisses the Cat Pony.

“Okay,” Claymari starts riding off causing the others to fallow. “Next stop Earth.”

Hollow Earth Part 1: Coyote Madness

“Chancellor Puddinghead looks down from his highest castle walls… Below him many many Earth Pony troops gathers…”

“The troops mount a defensive line as the armies of dragons and trolls approached…”

“Puddinghead stare stoically out onto to the battle field… emotionless as his greatest fear of the Pegasus and Unicorns teaming together to take over the Earth Pony’s fruitful farm lands…”

The armies start clashing. Puddinghead raises his lance as a Pegasus rides his dragon mount at him. He leaps forward knocking the flying pony off his mount by lancing him in the shoulder. The Chancellor then takes the reins and steers the dragon.

“Send them, send them all, I don’t care if it will kill most of them we take this castle now!” Commander Hurricane shouts to his troops from his dragon mount.

A shadow over head makes the silver colored pony looks up. Puddinghead jumps off of his mount and tackles Commander Hurricane off of his.

The two figures shoot down through the air. They crash into a roaming troll with a loud wet crack. Commander Hurricane was starting to stir when Puddinghead rolls on top of him and starts punching into him.

“And that’s how Equestria was made,” Puddinghead was now with a grey mane. Feathers from his now destroyed pillow flew everywhere.

The stallion stood in his red and lacy bedroom. He looks around the room with a crazed look in his eyes and wipes the spittle off the corner of his mouth.

From up above glowing yellow eyes watch the ageing leader. The shadowy figure of a coyote laughs over head.

“In the morning across the city…”

There was a loud kick at the door. It flies open with a crash startling the two ponies sleeping next to each other. An angry blue Earth Pony glares at them.

“La Dawn!” The Earth Pony points at the light green pony with the mint colored mane. Next to him a banana yellow pony with a strawberry mane.

“Whoop, Got to go!” La Dawn’s jumps up spreading his wings and jumped out the window.

The winged pony slides across the tiled roof. The Earth Pony chaises after him. La Dawn flaps his wings and makes three leaps across different roofs losing the enrage pony chasing after him.

Once safe, La Dawn takes a navy cloak off some pony’s clothes line and wraps it around himself. He walks out in the street and crosses a strange group of travelers. He bumps into Claymari causing the Sword Mare to flinch for her sword for a slight instant.

“Sorry,” La Dawn says turning to the fox colored pony as he disappears into the crowd.

A soldier heads toward the group, “He’ll be ready to see you once you arrived,” The soldier said.

“Good,” Knives answers.

“I can’t wait to get home,” Honey Mead stretches her body.

Petty Kitty and Ferngully gawked at the city’s many large, tall, and brightly cleaned buildings. They had never been in a city this large. Winkz only pretended to be amazed because her homeland had buildings even more beautiful.

Zero on the other hoof was gawking too. He was undergoing a bit of culture shock with all the bustling ponies. Up until now he’s been in small communities homes that looked a lot like the homes back in his own time. The strange buildings clothing flags and goods being sole got to him.

Claymari and Philia was unphased. They been to this city before and have seen better.

“Okay?” Philia asked scaring the space buck.

“Yeap!” Zero jumps away.

“Zero?” Philia speaks concerned.

“Sorry, this is just too much,” Zero sighs.

“Then don’t look now,” Petty Kitty whispers into Zero’s ear and points up ahead.

Before them a humongous castle strong hold built against the face of a tall mountain.

“I want to perch on that tower so bad,” Ferngully peered.

They walked into the fortress castle’s garden. Strange glass orbs floated all over the place. Zero looks at his reflection in one of them and to his shock it turns to reveal a purple eye looking back at him. The buck turns to his side to see Petty Kitty trying to swat at one of the floating eyes like a kitten.

“Eyes?” Zero questioned.

“Earth Pony Alchemy,” Philia answered, “They are just for show balanced out with float powder.

“In my time Earth Ponies had Unicorns to do this stuff,” Zero remarks inspecting the glass object.

“Over here,” Knives called out. He lead the party away from the main door.

“Where are we going?” Zero asked noting the odd change in direction.

“We are going to the silent room,” Knives told them.

“I hate the silent room,” Sword Mare shivered.

Zero raised an eye at this as they walked up to an unassuming door. Knives opens up the door and white.

The room was white. It had no ceiling, no floor, no walls at least ones they could perceive. After all even though there was no floor their feet where standing on something solid.

The room had throne and a royal red carpet at its feet. An unseen door opens and a pair of Earth Pony’s walked into the room.

One pony was light brown in color with a mane grayed with age. Next to him to Zero’s surprise was Applejack.

“Applejack!” Zero shouts at the orange pony. She replied with a daring look that stunned Zero.

“All hail the great and honorable Chancellor Puddinghead,” Honey Mead announced with her spear steadfast.

“Who?” The brown pony looked around confused.

“You sir,” Smart Cookie told Puddinghead rolling her eyes.

“Oh yes,” Pudding smiles teethy.

“Great he’s a mad pony,” Petty Kitty whispered to Zero.

“I should have known giving the play,” Zero rolls his eyes.

The silent room was getting at Ferngully. Her antenna was itching as she sweat. The black walls was making her head swing and she could hear, smell a beast. She looks at Puddinghead and saw a dark shape behind him. A pair of eyes stare back at her and the Bat Pony looks away. She had to hold back her sick.

“Oh, are these the embassaries from witch is it? The Future or the past?” Puddinghead asks noticing the group of ponies.

“Both sir,” Smart Cookie answered.

“Really?” Puddinghead smirks, “How’s that possible?”

“Applejack,” Petty Kitty spoke into her Pipbuck.

“I’m here,” The southern voice answers.

“Ooo! Talking glowing watch, Does it have a wizard?” Puddinghead remarks

“You need more than that to convince us of your worth,” Smart Cookie said coldly.

“Zero reaches into the pockets of his space suit… and pulls out many Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies…”

“I offer the lord fruits pies from my time.” Zero told the Earth Ponies.

Smart Cookie takes one of the fruity treats and takes a bite. Then her face lights up and she takes two more joyful bites.

“Okay, I believe you,” Smart Cookie said with a mouth full of pastry.

Philia see’s Ferngully’s distress, she turns to the Chancellor and his Secretary. “This room appears to be putting one of our companions under distress.”

“She may leave,” Smart Cookie waves the Bat Pony away.

“I’ll watch her,” Honey Mead volunteers.

The two ponies walked out of the room. When they stepped out Ferngully starts taking in many breaths. She sat on her hunches as one of the floating eyes drift by her.

“Sure those things don’t see us back?” Ferngully looks at the thing nervously.

“I don’t know that to be the truth,” Honey Mead answers.

“Back in the silent room…"

Chancellor Puddinghead ate a Granny Smith’s Fruit Pie. “These crabs taste like fruit,” Puddinghead cheered.

“They are fruit,” Smart Cookies said with irritation.

“Ho, yes I see now,” Puddinghead nods his head.

“Em, you all done?” Applejack spoke up from the Pipbuck.

“Yes,” Smart Cookie nods her head, “Lady ministry? You’re from a time with more advance technology then ours. We are willing to negotiate a trade.”

“Wouldn’t that risk our past?” Applejack points out.

“And saving your future,” Smart Cookie replied.

“I want my man to be safe and to find away to send him home,” Applejack adds.

“He is being pursued by a strong agent of the Zebra,” Claymari spoke up finding herself looking at the spot where the door to the outside should be. She found herself thinking of Ferngully’s mother and what she was. Something the mare kept to herself, and wondered what Ferngully was.

Smart Cookie raised an eye at the contrary body language shown by the Sword Mare.

“There is one thing you should know,” Knives adds.

“What is it?” Smart Cookie asks.

“Zero! Remove your robes!” Knives orders.

Zero did as he was told, He spread his wings at least one of them. The other was still in the brace.

“Pegasus,” Smart Cookie grits between her teeth.

“Oh, a Bird Pony,” Puddinghead smiles at the sight of the wings. He turns to Smart Cookie. “Like that kid, what’s the name? that brother of yours?” For a moment a dark an evil glare peered at Smart Cookie then followed by Puddinghead’s crazed smile.

Smart Cookie composed herself. “You know how to pull my strings sir.” She sighs, “I will allow him to stay in the castle under our care." Smart Cookie turns to Zero. "But be warned, I know the ways of a Pegasus.”

“Um, what?-okay?” Zero reacts at the sudden and confusing turn of the conversation.

“Good, you are dismissed, Knives find rooms for Claymari and her group.” Smart Cookie turns for the hidden door she first walked in. “Come Chancellor.”

The two ponies left the room.

“What was that about?” Zero blushed.

“She has a certain impression of your kind.” Knives answers.

“Outside the door to the silent room…”

“Honey Mead?” A castle guard in a gold mask walks up to Honey Mead and Ferngully.

“Metalance?” Honey Mead perks up.

The guard pony removes her mask to reveal an olive colored mare with a brown mane. “I wasn’t expecting you back for another month.”

“I had to return to the capital with Knives,” Honey Mead answers, “Claymari is with us as well.”

“It's been a while since she been in the city,” Metalance laughs, she sees Ferngully. “Who’s this friend of yours.”

“Ferngully of Soft Peak House,” The Bat Pony answered.

“This is Metalance of Popper Family,” Honey Mead introduced feeling anything less than the pony’s full title wasn't appropriate.

Metalance blushes at such a formal introduction. “After my shift you want to head back to the house? I would love to see the looks of the others faces at your return.

“Oh, she’s your herd sister?” Ferngully realized.

“Yeah,” Metalance smirks.

There was a loud flutter sound. This made the two warrior ponies go on alert. But Ferngully flinch nervously. A cloaked figure had just jumped over the five story wall.

Metalance puts her mask back on and shouts “Halt!”

The pony raised his hooves showing pastel green forelegs. One of the legs had a gold bracelet around it with the Apple Family seal.

The two Earth Pony mare’s sigh and spoke at the same time, “La Dawn.”

“Yes it is I!” La Dawn pulls back his hood and flares his wings.

“Pegasus?” Ferngully points out confused.

“Ah what is this a lovely night maiden,” La Dawn jumps to the cute Bat Pony.

Ferngully blushed at the strange pony’s sudden and close action. She was still young just became a mare by pony standers and never had her sexuality been so blatantly commented until now.

The two other mares giggles at the Bat Pony’s reaction.

“He’s a special case,” Metalance answered, “That bracelet means he’s okayed to be here.”

“In fact I live here, my home in the abandoned second east tower,” La Dawn answers, “I been told to keep out of sight and out of trouble. The first I’m hardly able to do, the second none at all.”

The door opens causing the mare to turn and watch Claymari and their friends walk out. They turned back to see La Dawn was gone

“Honey Mead we are dismissed, “Knives told the yellow mare, “I’m heading to my family, you can see the rest of yours once you settle our former companions in their rooms.”

“Smart Cookie retreats to her chambers…”

Smart Cookie looks at herself in the mirror. She didn’t have much makeup on her face but she did have some on.

Suddenly Smart Cookie’s window swings open. She turns to see a green Pegasus sneak into her room.

“What are you doing!” Smart Cookie snaps at the intruder.

“Just stopping by sis,” La Dawn answers.

“You’re up to no good again?” Smart Cookie snaps.

“A charming rogue like me?” La Dawn smirks, “no.”

“I don’t know why I tolerate your antics,” Smart Cookie sighs.

“Everybody loves me despite my wings,” La Dawn out stretched showing off his wing span. The Pegasus heads for the window. “Nice chat sister but I have some more maidens to deflower.”

La Dawn flies out of the window. Smart Cookie shakes her head and walks out of her room.

“Zero looks out a window and sees the flying figure move away from the castle…”

“Was that a Pegasus?” Zero points out the window.

“La Dawn,” Philia answers, “He’s the only Pegasus that’s allowed to walk freely around the city.”

“How that happen? Zero asks.

“Rape,” Philia answers coldly as she turns and walk away.

“Zero! These guest rooms are amazing!” Petty Kitty sticks her head out and shouts.

“It’s alright,” Ferngully remarks, “They are a little better then my private quarters back at home.

“Yeah, But you’re a rich pony on the edge of the Wildlands,” Petty Kitty points out.

“Well, I have time to hit the training hall,” Claymari states well stretching her joints.

This made Metalance give a smirk. “I’d love to see you put our men to shame.”

“Well I’ll stick around for this,” Honey Mead smiles.

“I’d like to go out with you!” Ferngully jumps up. She turns to Philia, “Is this training hall a place where one can practice magic?”

“I don’t think Earth Ponies have a place for magic,” Philia answers.

“Actually we do,” Metalance spoke up, “Paladin dragoon use enchanted weapons with magic effects our training halls could handle anything you can do.”

“I’ll stay here,” Zero yawns.

“I’ll stay with him,” Petty Kitty hugs the Pegasus.

“Chancellor Puddinghead walks down the halls of his fortress castle…”

“Uncle!” A white mare with a brown mane and bubbles for a cutie mark came trotting up. A Blue buck was behind her with a clay turtle cutie mark.

“Ah, Whirly Pop right?” Puddinghead looks at the mare dazedly.

“Is it true about that watch that talks to the future past?” Whirly Pop asks.

“Yeah, But I don’t see the importance, I could talk to them now,” Puddinghead shrugs

“Claymari is here too?” The buck Pot Shell adds.

“I guess its been a while since you seen her,” Puddinghead remarks.

“I want to see the pony with the watch that talks to Applejack,” Whirly Pop demands.

“Check the guest wing,” Puddinghead remarks with a shrug.

“Claymari wipes the sweat from her brow… Bodies lay at her feet…”

“Next?” The mare panted. The group of ponies she just defeated crawled out of the way clearing the training floor. The Earth Pony was wearing simple leather training armor and she defeated her opponents with bare hooves and brute strength.

“Use the training swords this time,” Rat Tak-Tak the training warden orders the next three ponies. She was a lavender colored pony with a sand colored muzzle. Her cutie mark a dropped green rod. A wavy line shot up with a tiny note at the lowest point was her cutie mark.

The ponies picked up wooden weapons. One went at Claymari with all their might. The mare blocked the attack by lifting her patted foreleg. Another wooden pole struck Claymari in the thigh slipping in between her fore and hind legs. The mare grabs the weapon with in her legs as she bucks her third attacker from behind. Claymari only hit the attacker hard enough to send her flying back.

“I like this sport,” Metalance said to Honey Mead.

“It’s nice to see the mare in combat without having to dodge weapons myself,” Honey Mead smirks.

“Once she’s done I want you two fight her with the paladin spears.” Rat Tak-Tak ordered.

“I haven’t touched a paladin spear since I left the boarders of Earth,” Honey Mead blushed. Such weapons were not permitted outside the country unless for war. “What of Metalance?”

“I have been training in the paladin spears,” Metalance added.

“Metalance is our best paladin in training, you fought alongside this Claymari, you know how she fights,” Rat Tak-Tak told them. “I want to show the men this warrior pushed to her limit.

“Back in the guest sleeping quarters… Zero and Petty Kitty play a card game…”

Zero puts down one of his playing cards and uses his muzzle to move a peg on a board. Petty Kitty does the same but uses the padded toes of her paws to move her peg smirking at Zero the whole time.

“You are enjoying that,” Zero remarks with the some joy himself.

“You bet your pony ass,” Petty Kitty laughed.

Zero’s stomach groaned.

“Another Granny Smith’s Fruit Pie?” Petty Kitty reaches into Zero’s space suit hung up on a coat hook behind the Cat Pony.

“No, that’s good energy for traveling the poisonous wilds,” Zero shook his head, “We are in civilization now, Let’s eat civilized food.”

“Okay,” Petty Kitty brings up a map on her Pipbuck. “I marked the Kitchen on my map.”

“You go ahead, I’ll take a nap,” Zero plops himself onto his bed bring me back something good.”

“God pony you sleep more than a cat,” Petty Kitty shook her head, “I should know.”

The Cat Pony leaves the room. Her natural curiosity caused her to explore.

Petty Kitty fallows one of the ticks that marked a living being on her EFS. The Cat Pony walks down the hall. She hears a sliding sound and turns the corner to see a dead end. The tick she was tracking appeared to be moving and was close by the rate it moved across her EFS.

Petty Kitty catches the scent of food on the air and turns her attention to its direction.

She found the smell came from an active kitchen. In charge of the cook room was a light green chief pony with two maids that fallowed his instructions.

“What are you doing here little one,” The cook said to Petty Kitty in the tone of one speaking to a child.

“I’m from the Wildlands,” Petty Kitty answers sniffing the air full of cooking food.

“Here,” The chief pony gives the small pony a cupcake. The Cat Pony takes it.

“You’re the one with the talking watch?” A voice spoke up from behind Petty Kitty.

The Cat Pony turn to see a young white mare looking at her.

“You mean this thing?” Petty Kitty showed Whirly Pop the device on her wrist. “It's called a Pipbuck.”

“Oh, yes, I seen one of those on Clover the Clever,” Whirly Pop nods her head.

“You seen Clover the Clever?” Petty Kitty said in shock.

“There was a convention last time Claymari was in the city,” Whirly Pop smirks, “I believe Claymari was banished from our nation until you came along.”

“With her, I can see that,” Petty Kitty shrugged.

“In one of the training rooms... Larger then the one Claymari showed off her skills in… Philia, Winkz and Ferngully trains in the art of magic…"

Ferngully’s eyes and antenna glowed as she floats a white game ball.

“Good,” Philia spoke with Winkz behind her. “I think you are now strong enough to try more complex magic.”

Ferngully nods her head in reply. She released her telekinetic magic and Philia catches it in the cup of her hoof. She put the ball in a bag and takes out a knife.

“Now, since you had such a strong connection with the Life Knife, I believe you maybe be suited for healing magic.” Philia explains.

“Sound reasonable I suppose,” Ferngully nodes her head. She had left the enchanted blade back home with the Pegasus Perfect Image.

The Unicorn then holds out her forehoof and cuts her flesh making a trickle of blood that quickly slows. Ferngully was shocked by this, Winkz tried to hold back her smile as not to break her beaten slave ruse.

“Philia!” Ferngully shouts.

“Now use your magic to heal this wound,” Philia ordered.

“How?” Ferngully said nervously.

“Cast your magic and use your mind to think of healing,” Philia instructed.

“That seems at little advanced for her,” Winkz remarks.

“If she fail we can move to charm magic,” Philia answers, “Plus I can always heal myself.”

“Well here I go,” Ferngully sighs and casts her magic. It took a few seconds of concentration but the wound on Philia’s forelimb started to close.

“Yes, Yes, good work!” Philia cheered

Suddenly one of the doors to the room swing open with a loud clang.

“Okay, this is the room where we use the paladin spears,” Rat Tak-Tak announced.

Both Philia and Ferngully jump and scream. The shock makes Ferngully hit Philia’s wound with a strong blast of energy opening it wider then it was. The wound squirts blood causing Philia to pass out. Winkz fakes a gasp of horror, turning to run out of the room to find a place where she could release her laughter.

“Damn,” Philia quickly recovers and covers her wound.

“Umm…Sorry?” Rat Tak-Tak saw she did something to hurt the Unicorn although she didn’t know what it was.

“It's okay,” Philia sighs turning to the yellow Bat Pony who was looking absolutely pale from guilt.

“Up to foolishness daughter?” Claymari mocks in a teasing tone as she walks into the room.

“I could say the same about you mother,” Philia smiles, “Still butting heads I see.”

“Oh, You only frown upon this because you’re not an Earth Pony,” Claymari pounds on the ground to limber her body. “If a Unicorn butts heads they poke an eye out or something.”

Honey Mead and Metalance step forward with a pair of highly crafted lances. In each lance there were empty holes. Slots for something.

“Why are you guys moving to this room?” Ferngully asks.

“High level fighter training area,” Rat Tak-Tak explained, “This room allows them to move wider and perform stronger attacks. Speaking of.” The instructing mare points at a window on the second floor. “Who’s not fighting should head up there.”

All the unneeded ponies left the room with Rat Tak-Tak staying behind.

“Honey!” The training master tosses an amber colored gem to Honey Mead.

“My power gem?” Honey smiled.

“Power gem?” Claymari perked up.

“You been away from your homeland far too long Claymari,” Rat Tak-Tak laughed, “Let’s just say we got a hold of one of those magic swords.”

Claymari makes a glare, “You bastards, He would have never allowed this what did you do?”

“I don’t know how this came about, Only the scuttle butt that this magic is based off something like your sword powers,” Rat Tak-Tak shrugged, “Focus your anger on those that would know Claymari.”

“Cookie,” Claymari grits her teeth.

Metalance places an olive colored gem into the empty slot of her spear. It clicks and a wave of sparkling green energy shoots up from the gem. The energy sticks to Metalance’s body forming into a solid armor the same color of her coat.

Honey Mead puts her gem in the slot of her spear and the same wave shoots up her body. This time the color of the energy was shining amber. It shot up her body and shot out the back of the pony like a pair of spiky wings. She starts hovering in the air.

“Interesting,” Claymari notes the forms the ponies turn into, “Instead of finding somepony that fits a blade’s abilities. You found a way to make a blade that customize it’s self to a pony’s abilities.

“I was helping prototype this before I left for the Wildlands,” Honey Mead explained.

“I’m heading up stairs to watch,” Rat Tak-Tak waves off as she walks out the door. “You may start.”

Claymari draws Crimson Bond. Honey Mead rockets toward Claymari, who had to use her speed power to retreat backward from the speeding pony. She eventually hit the back wall. Something that was expected and the paladin pony made her strike. Claymari too expected this attack and ducked. At this moment she smelt an odor coming from the weapon.

The smell was another matter, Claymari in her crouching position lunges forward and headbutts the floating Honey Mead in the lower abdomen. As Claymari attacked the slower Metalance had gained ground and attacked the fox colored pony. Claymari blocked the attack with her blade.

Between Honey Mead, the wall and Metalace, Claymari found herself boxed in and only had one position to retreat to. She jumps backwards and fires a Sonic Boom at the two ponies. Claymari used the Sonic Boom attack to hide the Flash Step she used to get away.

Up in the observation room, Pot Shell burst through the door.

“Did, I miss it?” He shouted causing the ponies in the room to turn and look at him. “The fight did I miss it.”

“No you didn’t,” Philia said coldly wrapping her foreleg in a healing bandage.

“Come sir, Watch,” Rat Tak-Tak said to the pony.

Pot Shell enthusiastically dashed for the window.

The Flash Step head made Claymari’s head swim. It always made her head swim but this was different. Normally things would spin for a second but the mare would quickly recover. This time her head was taking too long to clear from its swimming.

Across the room the door opens up and Winkz walks into the room. She quickly realized that she shouldn't be there and stepped back out.

This allowed Claymari to get her mind about her just in time to block Honey Mead’s attack. The odor that Claymari was smelling earlier hit her nostrils again. This point she realized what it was. Alcohol, Honey Mead was emitting alcoholic gas. These Paladin Spears were more powerful then she thought.

Metalance was catching to the two ponies and Claymari needed to get away before she reached them. She shifted to bolt and found her forehoof hooked by Honey Mead’s spear. Claymari trips, she quickly reacts and hits Honey Mead in her padded side. Then Claymari spins around and bonks Metalances’s armored face with the hilt of her sword.

Honey Mead avoids Claymari’s buck well she sticks Metalance with her sword. Claymari's blade sparks magical sparks as it contacted the armor. Metalance swings her hoof but found Claymari out of range of her spear.

“You think you can beat me by getting me drunk,” Claymari smirked, “I enjoy being drunk! And gotten quite good at it.”

Philia facehooves somewhere,

Claymari had enough of this fight and leaped up into the air. One of the abilities Crimson Bond gave her was to make her body as light as a Pegasus. With her strength this allowed her to hit the ceiling. Before she reached the ceiling. Claymari flipped on her back and lands on the ceiling with her hooves. She then pushes off the ceiling and comes down at Metalance.

At the last moment Claymari turned her neck and missed Metalance. The pony didn’t have time to think about what would have happened to her skull if Claymari had hit her because the mare had leaped back up and rammed into her chest flipping the armored pony on her back.

Claymari’s drunken mind was spinning from the sudden movements. She knew that Honey Mead was moving in for an attack and spins to block. But she was too slow and found a spear pointing at her chest.

“As you see even the great Sword Mare can’t even hold up against two of our Paladins,” Rat Tak-Tak boasts.

“If it was a real fight my mother would have won,” Philia added flatly, “Claymari would have struck- Metalance right? Metalance with her blade at the moment she dropped from the ceiling. She would have seriously injured your man and would have been able to keep close to Honey Mead and under the range of her spear tip. If she attacked Honey Mead from that position she would have struck the girl first.”

“Yeah what she said,” Rat Tak-Tak blushed realizing she missed a lesson she could have pointed out herself.

Claymari marches out of the room with an angry glare.

“Claymari!” Pot Shell shouts as he ran down stairs.

Ferngully quickly grabs the buck and hushes him, “Whatever business that you have with her should wait.”

“What’s up her pussy?” Metalance remarks.

“What ever it is if we fallow her it may take another hour before we get home,” Honey Mead points out.

“True, Training Master?” Metalance asks.

“You can leave,” Rat Tak-Tak waves the mares off.

“Zero was awaken by a knock…”

The brown Pegasus gets up out of his bed. He winces in pain as his bound wing tried to stretch. Zero opens the door to see Smart Cookie. The sight of the Appplejack looking mare caused the Pegasus to stand up right out of respect.

“At eases,” Smart Cookie ordered the Pegasus.

Zero sighs and loosens,

“I’m looking for the Cat Pony,” Smart Cookie told him.

Zero turns to look at the cloak back in his room. “She went off for the kitchen a hour ago, The girl has the will of a cat, so who knows when she will return.”

“Cookie!” Claymari shouts marching down the hall.

Smart Cookie was about to dash into Zero’s room to hide from the enraged pony. She ended up bumping her nose against the closed door. Zero wasn't dumb enough to stand between Claymari and anypony she was mad at.

“Inspiration! Where is it!” Claymari demands.

Smart Cookie smiles understanding the question. “Yes, we found Nutcracker and his sword not long after you were banished.”

Claymari punches Smart Cookie in the face. The mare stumbles back and dabs her bloody nose with a handkerchief.

Claymari starts sobbing, “His sword allowed him to see everything. To see the truth of the world and its beauty and in its return make the world a more beautiful place.”

“Yeah he was the buck,” Smart Cookie smiles.

“He knew he had to run, run from you. He knew, knew how this would go if he stayed,” Claymari snaps at the orange mare.

“Look Claymari, It’s always the good ones that are murdered,” Smart Cookie explained, “Nutcracker retreated to the Griffon boarders. He was killed by a Gryphus who took over a Griffon tribe.

“Gryphus?” Zero opens the door, “They a cruel and strong, massive beasts.”

“Yes, one would have to be crazy to kill a Gryphus,” Smart Cookie answered.

“I’ll kill him,” Claymari growls.

“Point taken,” Smart Cookie whispers.

Claymari over hearing this, glares at Smart Cookie and held back her anger. “The sword, show me it.”

“The Cat Pony first,” Smart Cookie answers, “I’m not making a needless trip unless I need too.”

“What about me?” Petty Kitty came walking up with Whirly Pop behind her.

“We will see in a moment,” Smart Cookie smiles.

“What’s going on?” Ferngully came walking up the hall.

“The preppy lady wants to take us somewhere,” Petty Kitty remarks.

Ferngully gets a smirk on her face. She was enjoying this randomness that happens around Claymari.

“Do we have to wait for the others now?” Smart Cookie said coldly.

“I don’t think so,” Ferngully’s eye’s roll up thoughtfully, “Phillia seemed to know that boy I stopped so she and Winkz stayed behind to talk to him. Honey Mead and her herdmate went home. Everybody else is here. So I think I covered everypony’s whereabouts.”

“Good, fallow me then,” Smart Cookie replied.

“Honey Mead and Metalance walks through the doorway of their home…”

“Girls! Look who’s back!” The green mare calls out.

“Honey Mead!” A cream colored mare with a blue muzzle answered. Her mane rose pink. A blaster gun with a heart on it as her cutie mark.

“Blaster…”

Another mare was with her, A green full sized Cat Pony with a red mane. She had a light green clam shell cutie mark.

“Catfish…”

Honey Mead gives the two mares a smile. “Are the other’s home?”

“Butterfree is off working,” Catfish answered, “She’s going to have a foal soon.”

“We kicked the males out of the herd,” Blaster added.

“Oh, where are they now?” Honey Mead said sadly.

“Farmland near the Griffon boarder,” Blaster answers.

“That's a dangerous area,” Honey Mead sighs. She looks up to see two shy looking foals were peering at the top of the stair case.

“They are getting big,” The yellow mare remarks, “So, Any new bucks around the group?”

“Testing the waters,” Blaster answers, “If you’re interested in foaling we could make a choice.”

“I’ll have to see what my next orders are,” Honey Mead answered with a blush.

“You could use the time off,” Metalance snuggles affectionately against the yellow mare.

“Speaking of,” Honey Mead looks up that the stairs.

She heads up the steps to see the two yearling foals. A filly and a colt. The filly had a bright brown coat. The colt a light brown coat.

“Weedie and Caramel Coonz”

“You live here?” Weedie asked shakily.

“Yeah, I just been gone a long while,” Honey Mead nods her head.

“Does that make you another mommy?” The filly asks.

“I suppose you could say that,” Honey Mead gives a smile.

The mare walks past the foals and opens the door to her room. It had been cleaned. But her tokens were relatively where she left them.

Honey Mead inspects herself, She was sweaty and dirty. Being on the road she hadn’t bathe for about a week and nothing was stopping her now. Mare was going to hit the shower tonight.

Honey Mead opens her door to see Catfish and Metalance standing in the hall. Metalance pats Weedie on the head.

Is it okay I fill the tub?” Honey Mead asks.

“I’ll join you,” Metalance adds.

“Need any help?” Catfish remarks.

The ponies filled up a tub large enough to fit four mares. Or three mares and two foals. The water was lukewarm. Sitting in the water on their hunches it went up just under the chests of the mares.

Weedie and Caramel scrubbed down Honey Mead’s back.

“Go with the hair sweetie,” Catfish points out seeing how Weedie was stroking Honey Mead’s back. She then grabs Caramel, pressing the colt against her body and starts combing out his hair.

Honey Mead smirks and gets the urge to lift Weedie up in the air. The dripping filly laughs and giggles.

“Meta catch,” Honey Mead toss the filly to Metalance. She catches Weedie splashing water over the edge of the tub.

“Please don’t make a mess,” Blaster remarks entering the bathing room her hoof splating in the water.

“I’ll get out,” Catfish steps out of the tub and shakes off the water like a dog.

The mares hear the door open. A minute later a light blue pregnant mare with a navy blue mane walks into the room. She had butterfly ink blot cutie marks.

“Butterfree,” Honey Mead smiles down at the mare.

“Honey,” Butterfree replied smiling back.

“Back at the castle… Smart Cookie enters a large chamber…”

The secretary, Holds the door open allowing Claymari, Zero, Petty Kitty, Ferngully and Whirly Pop to walk in a head of her. The room was part library, part museum.

“What is this place?” Zero asks tapping on the rusty remains of a Protectron.

“A place where Applejack can fulfill her promise,” Smart Cookie remarks.

“Leo Vitreous’s Laboratory,” Whirly Pop answered.

“Nutcracker’s sword,” Claymari runs up to one of the glass cases. Inside the case was a rapier with a purple gem in the hilt. “Inspiration, you deserve to be alive in the muzzle of a pony not stuffed in a case.”

“These are hoof grabbers,” Ferngully notes a pair of leg straps with moving metal claws, “Some tribes of Bat Ponies use these to hold onto the stone faces of cliffs.”

“Eeeek!”

They turn to see Petty Kitty holding a sheet. On a slab near her, a desiccated corpse.

With a clatter a massive peace of armor moves. “Don’t touch that!” The armor speaks. “That’s for anatomy study!”

Claymari reaches for her blade.

“Don’t attack me!” The armor opens up to reveal a brown pony with a gray mane. His Cutie Mark was a lion's head in the shape of a gear.

“Leo,” Claymari loosens her stance.

“Claymari, “The buck answers back. He looks at Inspiration on display. “Sorry about Nutcracker.”

“Putting aside can we get started?” Smart Cookie told them.

“Okay,” Petty Kitty pulls out some pieces of paper from her saddle bag placing them on the table, “Applejack had sent back some schematics we can work on. Eventually we can make a prototype magic engine that could be used to sent Zero back.

“Let me see that,” Leo gets out of his moving armor and looks at the papers on the table. “This is some amazing stuff.”

“Sir?” Ferngully speaks up, “Mind if I borrow these grabbers?”

At this point Leo Victorious notices Ferngully. “You have an antenna sticking out of your head!” Leo said excitingly. “Is that in the pony’s magic center of the brain?”

“Um yes,” Ferngully blushes, “I can use magic now too.”

“Fascinating,” Leo smiled.

“I wanted to have it removed when I first got it but now I rather like the use of magic,” Ferngully remarks.

“Well better not tell you then,” Leo mumbles to himself.

“What?” Ferngully’s ears perked up.

“Why do you want my grabbers?” Leo asked.

“I’m out of practice,” Ferngully shrugged, “With all the traveling I’m planning on doing I should get use to using them. I’ll commission a black smith to make me some but I want to use these until he’s done.”

“I suppose,” Leo shrugged, “I’m not going to be using them anytime soon.”

“Thank you,” Ferngully bows respectfully. “I’ll put these into my room.”

Ferngully walks back to her room. She tosses the grabbers and catches her reflection in the mirror. The Bat Pony found herself looking at the antenna that stuck out of the side of her head. She wasn’t used to it yet and seeing the thing still bugged her.

A light growling sound came into Ferngully’s ear. Fallowed by a voice. “I know you seen me, You are mad.”

Ferngully’s eyes focus on a dark figure in the mirror behind her. The Bat Pony’s heart stops as she realizes what it was. A shadow of a coyote.

Hollow Earth Part 2: The Three Mustangeteers

“At an Earth Capital Tavern…Ferngully related the events of last night…”

The Bat Pony drinks a mug of Fruity Punch. “Last night I saw a shadow beast.”

“Ferngully remembers the events of last night…”

The shadow beasty stared at Ferngully. The thing lunges at her. The Bat Pony dodges the attack. Ferngully countered with a magic arrow. The Shadow Coyote yelps and moves for Ferngully again.

Suddenly the door swings open,

“Ferngully! I sensed attack magic!” Philia shouts.

The shadow creature was gone leaving Ferngully with a dazed and confused look on her face.

“Ferngully?” Phillia replied.

The bat pony passes out,

“The next morning Ferngully wakes in her bed…”

“What happened?” Philia greets the filly with a smile.

“I…” Ferngully stutters holding her hoof to her head.

“You don’t have to say right away,” Philia tells Ferngully seeing the pony’s distress.

“Why don’t we go out dri- I mean eating, it will help you relax,” Claymari suggested changing in mid sentence noticing Philia’s glare.

“Back to now…”

“That sounds horrible,” Philia remarks to Ferngully.

“I thought I saw that thing with Puddinghead,” Ferngully answers.

Winkz thought for a moment on how much she should say. How much a slave pony would know on the matter. She had her suspicions but the beast was already revealed so it would be a matter of time before what happens happens. Better to save face in her persona.

“Madness Coyote” Winkz answered, “I seen Chrystal Summoners bring fourth such creatures. Like Windigos and Black Cats.”

“Summoners?” Ferngully answers.

“Spirit beasts that affect and feed off emotion,” Winkz explains, “Chrystal Pony magic users can control such things.”

“Does that mean someone is behind this?” Philia asks.

“Could mean nothing,” Winkz answers, “These things can act on their own.”

“Well we should keep an eye out,” Philia remarks.

Claymari swiftly drinks down a mug of pineapple juice. When the wooden beer stein was empty, she flips it upside down and slams it on the table.

“May I have another!” The mare shouts. The bar tending pony takes the chalice and as he fills it up Claymari look smirkingly at the black buck next to her. “How good are you at a game of drink?”

Philia shakes her head with discuss and turns back to her drink a fizzling strawberry. Winkz sitting next to her shrugs. Ferngully on the other hand marches right up next to Claymari with a smirk on her face.

“I’ll challenge you to a game a drink.” The Bat Pony said proudly.

“You know that offer was just to the males right?” Claymari replied.

“Oh, you go ahead,” The black buck told the mares.

“I would warn you Dirt Pony, All Bat Ponies can handle their juices.

“You know it’s weird,” Winkz says as she eyes the room in a nervous fashion. “It’s strange not seeing Knives or Honey Mead with us after such a long journey with them.”

“Well it always been that way when Claymari and me travel,” Philia remarks, “Ponies join our group, ponies leave our group. In the end it’s always down to Claymari and me. For a while there just Claymari.”

“I see,” Winkz looks depressed at her drink.

“What the matter dear?” Philia asks.

“I don’t want to leave your group,” Winkz told her, “I’m scared, I never been a free pony. Fallowing you guys around makes me feel like I have a purpose.”

“I should give you a meaningful warning about finding your own path,” Philia remarks sorrowfully, “But I shouldn’t be talking.” She makes a glance at Claymari.

“Just then a blue pony walks into the tavern…”

“Claymari!” He shouts trotting up to the mare.

Claymari spins around in her stooper showing that she was red faced and swaying.

“You’re a young one,” She slurred.

“I’m Puddinghead’s nephew,” Pot Shell replied.

“What do you want kid?” Claymari replied.

“I was hoping to hear stories of your new adventures since the last time you were here,” Pot Shell told the mare.

“Yes, I too would like to hear these tales,” Ferngully adds cheerfully.

“A story you want a story you’ll get,” Claymari gets out of her seat. Just let me squeeze the clam first.” She walks out side to the toilet trough.

“Honey Mead hums… She looks at herself in the mirror…”

The mare combs and ties her mane in brades she was wearing a white nightgown. Metalance stirs from the bed behind her. She walks up to the mare and nibbles her on the neck.

“What are you doing?” Honey Mead giggled.

“Your neck looked so good I had to bite it,” Metalance remarks nibbling some more.

“I don’t want us be the ones to give the children any ideas,” Honey Mead points at the two small sleeping figures on the bed.

“We are going out for briefest,” Catfish pops her head in the room.

“Don’t you think her mane looks nice like that?” Metalance remarks pointing at Honey Mead. “Perhaps we should put her in makeup? You wouldn’t mind that Honey?

“Umm Okay,” Honey Mead blushes, “Could you help me with my makeup then?”

Catfish worked on Honey Mead’s face well Metalance took out a different kit and started penciling in Honey’s cutie mark. A drink mug, with light brown lines.

“Before you get too far can you add color to the mug to make it look like glass?” Honey Mead asked.

“Okay,” Metalance takes out a thicker brush.

Blaster had changed into a light blue dress. She walks into the room with a few other dresses on her back.

“Honey? Guys? You want to choose one?” Blaster asks.

Honey Mead picks a yellow dress. Metalance picks a red one. Catfish picks another blue dress. Butterfree a dark blue dress. The foals didn’t want to wear dresses and didn’t pick anything.

“Outside the tavern… Outside the public toilet…"

“Hey, you bumped me,” A green stallion wearing a feathered hat in a blue uniform snaps. He was a Mustangeteer with a silver bird V inblazened on his regalia.

Claymari didn’t give the buck any attention as she walked into the public toilet building.

“You!” The stallion marched after the mare.

Claymari turned around pointing her rear at the urine stained wall with a wood trough below it. This time her drunken mind sees the stallion glaring at her.

“What’s your problem,” Claymari snaps at the buck.

“Apologize to me, don’t you see who I am,” The stallion complains to the mare.

“Don’t care,” Claymari replied with a shrug. “Now use the humper and leave me be or I’ll call the guard on you for being a pervert.” She points at the special trough that males had to grab like they were mating with a female in order to catch their urine.

“You dare insult me more with such claims?” The stallion shouts red faced as the mare relieves herself on the wall. He noticed her sword.“You’re a fighter? Fine ma’lady I’ll challenge you for my honor-“

Before he finished Claymari had walked away.

“Knives and his family walks down the city board walk…”

The mare was a yellow thing with cobalt hair. A vespa wasp was her cutie mark.

“Superbeele...”

Next to them a pair of young colts. One was a cream colored thing and the other bright brown.

“Puggy and Pierrot...”

“Honey? Isn’t that your boss?” Catfish points out.

“Honey?” Knives turns around to see the small herd of mares walking down the street.

They stop in front of the family of ponies. Honey Mead looks at Knives’s wife and foals and she blushes.

“I see you couldn’t stay still was well,” She remarks.

“Yeah,” Knives shrugs.

“Nice family,” Honey Mead says well looking nervously at Superbeele out of the corner of her eye.

“Your family is nice to,” Superbeele points out looking at the mares behind her.

“You know about that?” Honey answers.

“I seen some of them in support groups,” Superbeele answers.

“We get better get going,” Knives spoke up breaking the tension.

“Okay then,” Honey Mead said with a smile.

The family of ponies move down the street.

“Stop him!” A stallion shouts at a cloaked figure running down the street.

Honey Mead and Metalance grab some nearby wood polls. One trips the cloaked figure and the other points at the end of his face. The cloak's hood falls back to reveal La Dawn.

The stallion catches up. “Thank you.”

“You know who this is?” Metalance asked the stallion.

“He slept with my wife,” The stallion snaps.

“Sir that’s unethical but not illegal,” Honey Mead said coldly.

“Depends on the breeding contract,” Blaster shrugged.

“Just arrest him,” The stallion shouts.

*Thrack!*

The stallion’s ribs crack as the pole was rammed into his side.

“Ah! You bitch!” The stallion shouts eyes watering.

“Metalance!” Honey Mead shouted shocked at her friends actions.

“He’s protected sir move along,” Metalance snaps at the stallion.

“I get the point,” The stallion turns and walks away.

“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,” La Dawn jumps up and shakes a hoof of each of the mares with every “Thank you,”.

“Don’t, we know of your trouble making ways La Dawn,” Blaster snaps.

“All mares know of me,” La Dawn said flirtatiously, “Both the good and the bad.”

Metalance leans in and kisses La Dawn on the lips.

“You know him?” Honey Mead said in shock.

“I guard the castle, we hooked up a few times,” Metalance replied, “Caramel is probably his.”

“If you want you too can take my flare,” La Dawn smirks.

“I’ll think I’ll decline that offer,” Honey Mead waves off with her hoof.

“I don’t know, it’s La Dawn,” Catfish smiles, “As much trouble that he is, I heard he’s worth it.”

“True,” Blaster nods her head.

“Yes, yes listen to the girl,” La Dawn said excitingly.

“La Dawn you bastard!” A voice in the crowd shouts.

“That’s my queue to leave,” La Dawn puts the hood back over his head and runs into the crowd.

“Back at the tavern…”

“Hey you!” An Orange Mustangeteer came marching into the tavern pointing at Claymari.

Claymari turns to look at the stallion yelling at her. She had switch from pineapple juice to cider and sobered up. She didn’t recognize the green stallion behind him.

“What do you want?” Claymari asks still slurring a little.

“I challenge you to a dual,” The orange stallion shouts at Claymari.

“This seems familiar,” Claymari remarks.

“Deja Vu,” The stallion answered.

“Yes, I think it is,” Claymari replied.

“No, Deja Vu is my name,” The stallion snaps.

“You insulted me and my friends,” Deja Vu told the mare.

“Friends?” Claymari questions.

“Presque Vu,” Deja Vu points back at the green stallion behind him without looking back. “And Jamais Vu,” Deja Vu looks around the room confused. “He was with us a minute ago?”

“So you want a dual?” Claymari egged on the Mustangeteer.

“Yes,” Deja Vu nodes his head, “Since you already challenged Jamais Vu for noon.”

“When? I don’t remember meeting this stallion?,” Claymari turns to Ferngully and Pot Shell. Ferngully gives a shrug.

“Philia and Winkz walks the Streets of the city…”

The two Unicorns walked down the street. As they passed by some of the Earth Ponies around them gave them dirty looks. Every once in a while one would look at them for a little too long. Philia would then flash her diplomatic bracelet and the ponies turned and walked on their way.

“Sure we should have left them there?” Winkz asked.

“I didn’t want to sit there and get drunk-“

“I see you are mares of elegant tastes,” Philia was interrupted by a street merchant as they walked by. A pale aqua mare with a crisscrossed rainbow mane. Her cutie mark was a spool of rainbow thread. She was selling clothing and fabric.

Philia raised an eye at the mare. Generous Thread had gotten strange looks before but this was because of her rainbow mane which makes her stand out in any crowd. But this look was different. It was the look of those who knew magic.

Philia herself caught the look the mare was giving her back and gives her a smile. “Look, I don’t care.”

“Oh yes,” Generous Thread nods her head, “As I was saying you look like mares of elegant tastes. Specially the Crystal Pony a thing that beautiful shouldn't walk down the street naked.”

“I’m nothing special,” Winkz blushed.

“Oh ma’lady don’t put yourself down like that,” Generous Thread ushers the maroon mare into her shop. “I got a nice mediterranean style dress that would look fabulous on you.” Generous Thread looks back at Philia, “And surely you’re a Unicorn of worth to be allowed to walk down an Earth city street. From a wealthy family?”

“Yes and no,” Philia shrugged, “Can we come back later to pick up our dresses?”

“Sure, I seen you,” Generous Thread waves the two ponies off, “I have a good idea what your measurements are.”

“She’s not a normal Earth Pony,” Winkz remarks to Philia as they walked away. “That mare made my horn tingle like she was made of magic.”

“She’s a Holic I think,” Philia answers.

A moment later, Philia stops at a building that said Ancient Venus Spa.

“What is it ma’am?” Winkz asks.

“We are going to have a wonderful time,” Philia answers.

The two mares walked inside the building. It was large with a very fancy interior made with red and blue marble.

“Philia? Winkz?” Honey Mead was standing in line with a group of other mares. Philia and Winkz trot over to them.

“What do you know small city,” Philia smirks.

“Catfish works here. So we get a discount,” Honey Mead remarks. “She has cat paws that do wonders.”

“That’s nice,” Philia replied.

“We have some rooms open now,” A spa mare told the group with a smile.

“I’ll take the foals to the arcade well you girls relax,” Butterfree told them as she walked out with the children.

“Have fun,” Blaster waves to the mare and foals as they left then sighs. “I hope they won’t be too much for the thing.”

The mares entered into the room. Thick vines hung off the back wall. The mares lay down on misusage tables. Next to each table a spa mare with a glowing orb around their neck.

Some kind of magic allowed the orbs to control the movements of the vine by moving hooves across them. With a few waves of their hooves the vine stretched out and started pressing against the flesh of the patron mares backs.

“Ho I forgot how good this feels,” Metalance moans as the vines misusages her back and thighs.

“Yeah, we need to do this more often,” Blaster remarks getting the same treat meant.

“Honey,” Philia groaned as her back cracked.

“Yes,” Honey Mead answered as her vine worked her stiff shoulders.

“Don’t invite Claymari here she’ll demand for a happy ending,” Philia told her.

“We don’t do that here,” Catfish adds.

“It must be nice to work here,” Philia says to Catfish perking her head over Honey Mead to talk to the green Cat Pony.

“Yeah, I at least treat myself like this once a week,” Catfish replied, “Luckily they hired me because of my paws,” The Cat Pony smiles well wiggling her toes, “Some ponies don’t like the tentacle treatment.”

“I don’t get what’s so special about this,” Winkz remarks the tentacles having no effect on her crystal flesh. In fact her coat was rubbing the vines raw causing them to leak sap.

“Mousecakes, take out the buffer and the wax,” Catfish tells a meek pink cream pony with a soap waffer cutie mark.

The small pony takes out a small buffing machine and a bottle of liquid wax. She pours the contents of the bottle onto Winkz’s back then hit the pony with the spinning buffer.

“Oh! That’s the spot!” Winkz moans.

“EEEP! Who are you!” A mare’s voice shouts from a back room.

“Sorry, Ma’am kind of in hiding and just playing a part,” La Dawn answers back.

“Help! Help! A lecher!” The mare screams.

“And I got to go,” La Dawn said fallowed by sound of hoof trots.

They smirk and laugh at this.

“Claymari now approaches her destination for battle…”

This was the church, glass forged stone bricks made the steps of a hill top. The battle ground was in the bottom most step, A ditch for the overflow in the rainy season. Green plants grew between the gaps of the bricks. This spot had a bridge over it.

“This looks like a vulnerable location,” Ferngully notes, being a winged pony this was making her feel boxed in.

“The point,” Claymari answered, “Both parties had time to prepare anything extra if they wished.”

“But you can handle anything they throw at you,” Pot Shell boasts.

“Maybe, these aren’t weak Zebra bandits. There are Earth Pony powerful and strong. Now stay on top of the hill and stay out of my way.”

“Yes, Lady Claymari,” Pot Shell bows.

“And don’t call me a lady,” Claymari smirks.

Deja Vu and Presque Vu was waiting for her in the ditch.

“Isn’t there another?” Claymari remarks.

“He couldn’t make it,” Deja Vu told her.

“If you say so,” Claymari eyes the grounds cautiously. Over the years many trees have grown over the glass stone bricks.

“Witch one of us you want to take first,” Deja Vu asks.

“How about both of you?” Claymari smiles. Then she mutters, “Since my luck with twos have been so great lately.

“Very well miss,” Deja Vu does a salute with his rapier blade. Presque Vu does the same.

Claymari draws Crimson Bond. She focuses on Deja Vu. She keeps Presque Vu in sight out of the corner of her eye.

Presque Vu makes the first strike. A thrusting attack. Claymari dodges, and a second strike from Deja Vu almost hit her.

Claymari circles around the two ponies trying to get a better sight on both of them. Presque Vu was fast and no matter how fast she turned Presque Vu stayed in the corner of her eye.

She could see Deja Vu moving in for an attack. Well she was distracted for that split second Presque attacks. Claymari had to Flash Step away. When she reappeared the mare dodged a strike from Deja Vu.

“Deja Vu,” Claymari remarks noting the odd attack pattern of strike followed by another strike.

Claymari reaches a defendable position cornering herself. Deja Vu moves in to attack. Claymari rushes forward and butts Deja Vu with a hilt. Presque Vu attacks. Claymari swings blocking his attack. She forces the buck in the corner.

Deja Vu recovers and moves in for another attack. Claymari bonks Presque Vu with the flat side of her blade knocking the buck out. She spins around and bucks Deja Vu. He was knocked back but managed to cut the mare across her thigh. Claymari moves in for a final stomp.

“I yield!” Deja Vu cries.

Claymari stamps down on his hoof. Deja Vu screams out in pain. Claymari circles around him.

“What if I tell you I’m in the mood for inflicting pain,” The mare told the Mustangeteer.

“You stupid half breed!” Deja Vu snaps.

“You see, that was a mistake,” Claymari puts her forehoof on the stallion’s sheath slowly putting her weight on it. “That’s what I liked about the Wildlands, Half Breeds, Ghouls. It doesn’t matter.”

An arrow lands at Claymari’s feet.

“He said yield,” A stallion’s voice calls out from the trees.

“Jamais Vu?” Claymari asks.

“Yes,” Jamais Vu answers.

Within moments armed Mustangeteers rushed in. Some of the Mustangeteers had captured Ferngully and Pot Shell.

Claymari backs away from Deja Vu’s groin.

“Sir this one is Puddinghead’s nephew,” One of the Mustangeteers holds up the blue colt.

“Ancient Venus Spa…”

The mares sat in a sauna. Most of them at least.

Winkz stood outside the sauna room looking at her shinny crystal body.

“Sorry miss,” Mousecakes told the mare, “We aren’t use to treating Crystal Ponies didn’t realized the sauna would mess up your finish.”

“It’s okay,” Winkz answers, “I don’t like sweating. How about some frozen yogurt.”

Mousecakes’s orb began vibrating.

“Hello?” The pony answers putting the ball to her ear. “I see,”

The brown filly walked back to the sauna. “Blaster Shot?” The filly called out.

“Yes?” Blaster replied.

“Your being called to the church bring your gun,” Mousecakes replied.

“What that about?” Philia asks.

“I’m a Mustangateer for the Church of the Sky,” Blaster answers, “Sometimes if unstable ponies visit they train snipers on these visitors.

“All praise Celestia,” Philia smirked.

Blaster left the room.

“Petty Kitty waited in the hallway of the castle…”

The Cat Pony had fallowed the disappearing tick again. So now she stood at a dead in hallway staring at a statue of a well endowed stallion reared up on his hind legs.

As she looked at the statue, Petty Kitty’s cat mind was coming up with strange ideas. One of secret passageways.

First she pushed on the statue to no effect. Then she pulled on the statue and heard a click. A moment later the statue fall back.

A blast of hot air hits Petty Kitty as a passage open up. The Cat Pony sticks her head into the doorway. It lead to a stair case carved from mountain stone leading to a deep pit that emits a red fiery glow.

The Cat Pony takes a few steps back out into the hall. A second later a mechanism clicks allowing that statue to slide back into place.

“Petty!”

The Cat Pony spins around in a startle state to see Zero had sneaked up on her.

“What’s the matter dear?” Zero reacts confused with Petty Kitty’s actions.

“Zero! I found something!” Petty Kitty shouts.

“What?” Zero answers.

Petty Kitty pulls on the statue. It slides out of place. The two ponies walked into the chamber. Petty Kitty takes out her Star Blaster ready to aim it at whatever jumps out at them.

The ponies walked down the stone steps. They heard the mumble of voices and peers over the approaching corner they could see a pair of rather large Earth Ponies.

“Dore,” Petty Kitty said to Zero.

“Dore?” Zero answered.

“They might or might not be Earth Ponies,” Petty Kitty told him. “They are ponies who spend their lives in mines and caves cutting into the rocks and forging weapons. They are larger and stronger then normal Earth Ponies.”

“Sounds like Claymari,” Zero remarks.

“Well,” Petty Kitty replied not sure how to answer to that.

“Who’s there?” One of the Dore shouts.

“What do we do?” Zero whispers, “What are they doing here.”

“This is a mountain,” Petty Kitty shrugs.

“We hear you,” The guard snaps.

“Hold your Blaster with your tail and walk out in the open,” Zero told Petty Kitty, “If things go well I can slip it back into your saddle bag before they see it. If things go south you can grab it quickly in your paws.”

“Okay,” Petty Kitty nods her head.

“Don’t attack us,” Zero said as he and Petty Kitty walked out into the open.

“Are you from the castle?” The Dore asked.

“Yes,” Zero answered.

“Come with us,” The Dore ordered. “Claymari, Ferngully and Pot Shell stare up at the stain glass of the Crystal Church…”

The building was based of prewar crystal empire architecture. Allowing sunlight and its distorted rainbow forms to spread across the floor.

They could see in the larger chamber a set of ponies training to be earth clarics, Practicing with their magical crystal orbs. Some moved the earth, Some moved the water, others control life like plants and animals.

“Causing trouble as always Claymari?” A large satin black stallion in a blue dress walks up.

“All hail High Bluejay Blackstone.

“I never thought I’ll see a Dore become a Bluejay much less a High Bluejay of the sky worshipers,” Claymari remarks.

“I admit not having the mountain over head and under my feet was weird at first,” Blackstone replied, “But this place is in its own sense a mountain.”

“Glad somepony had to say it,” Claymari laughed.

“Umm? Are we in trouble?” Ferngully asked. “Because I didn’t fight anyone?” Then she mutters under her breath. “This time.”

Blackstone laughs, “Claymari and I are Dore. I know how Dore are. We can give some leeway with our actions.”

“What’s a Dore?” Frengully gives a confused look.

“Depending on who you talk to they are part of the Earth Pony race,” Pot Shell answers. “Some say they went under the mountain when the Mist Bombs fell. But there are stories of Dore before that. Regardless the Dore are ponies who lived underground for so long their bodies are structured different then a normal Earth Pony.”

“Yes, the Dore Kings agreed to cohabitate under surface pony rule,” Blackstone continued. “In exchange they help us found new colonies of Dore by helping them move to new mountains.”

“How did you become the head of the church?” Claymari asks.

“Faith in the sun and the moon,” Blackstone answers, “Also the will to lead. The Church of the Holy Sky after all he who leads the Church leads the nation.”

“Puddinghead might disagree,” Pot Shell snaps.

“Really?” Blackstone asks, “Who’s army is bigger? Who would our followers in your uncles armies ally with?”

“That sounds like treason?” Pot Shell snaps.

“I could say the same about you,” Blackstone replied.

“Yes, yes, we see the point you're equal powers in the same kingdom,” Ferngully breaks up the argument.

“Claymari?” Blackstone took the hint and changed the conversation. “I last heard you haven’t talked to your father.

Claymari’s heart skips a beat, “He’s here?”

“Deep within the mountain… Smart Cookie stands next to the Dore King looking down at Petty Kitty and Captain Zero Endless…”

“You were sneaking around the castle I see,” Smart Cookie snaps.

“I have no regrets,” Petty Kitty announced.

“I want to know why there is an invading army hiding under the castle?” Zero remarks.

“We are behind the castle not under it,” The Dore King told him. “We rule two sides of the same lands.

Zero looks at the Dore King then Smart Cookie. “Two sides of the same land.”

“I was told you know my daughter,” The Dore King remark.

“Claymari?” Zero answered.

“Yes, We have issues, But I like to hear of her the good or the disappointing,” The Dore King replied.

“From up in the rafters… Blaster aims her laser rifle at the figures below..."

Finding the relic was what got the mare her cutie mark. She spent most of her time and money finding parts and maintaining the thing but at times like this it’s worth it.

“Everyone of our Mustangeteers are also trained in the cleric arts,” Blackstone tells Claymari. He points at a brown stallion with a black and gray mane. “This is Mareseir my adviser.”

Mareseir was holding the orb out in front of him. He was standing in front of a bird bath glaring at the water as he rubbed his orb. With each rub of the orb the water danced.

“You’re the one who started the cascade,” Mareseir remarks to Claymari without looking up.

“What?” Claymari reacts.

“You have brought the horror of eternal day upon us,” Mareseir replied.

“My adviser sees visions of the future,” Blackstone told Claymari

“I told him that he will be king,” Mareseir adds with a mumble.

“More powers,” Claymari smiles, “By this rate everypony will have powers.”

“Yes,” Blackstone nods his head, “Puddinghead has his Paladin but I have my Clerics.”

“At the same time… The Dore King shows his guest around…”

Big muscular ponies with iron hammer horse shoes pound on red hot metal. Fold it with their protected hooves and pounds the metal again.

“Watch our people forge metal,” The Dore King boasts to Zero and Petty Kitty. Smart Cookie too but she seen his theatrics before.

“We are strong we are skilled we are the ponies under the mountain,” The Dore King continued. Walking over to a different set of forges. This set of forges had stones being put into some. Others had ponies pouring out molten glass. The ponies roll this glass into balls and putting them somewhere to cool. Once cooled, other ponies take the glass away for polishing.

“We even mold the stone to our will. We do strong work and good work,” The Dore King told them. “We make weapons, spears for Puddinghead and marbles for Blackstone our kin.”

“Seems a little slow,” Petty Kitty whispers, “I can see how this is Claymari’s father.”

“Not dumb, strong minded,” Smart Cookie told them.

“So you make weapons for both sides,” Zero remarks to the Dore King.

“We all the same side as far as Earth Pony goes and as for us the Dore is concerned,” The Dore King answers. “That stays as long as the Dore get what they want.”

“I see,” Zero shakes his head then turns to Smart Cookie. “Some country you have here.”

“Philia and Winkz return to the castle grounds…”

“That was a wonderful time,” Philia purred.

“It’s something,” Winkz looked at her shinny exterior. “I guess I feel good.”

As they walked up the garden’s main road, Claymari, Ferngully and Pot Shell came walking up. Pot Shell was wearing a T’shirt with the Silver Church of the Sky symbol on it.

“Where you two been?” Philia remarks, “The last I saw you, you left to fight some pony.”

“After that we were took to the Crystal Church,” Claymari told them.

“They have a gift shop,” Pot Shell adds.

Ferngully shrugs.

The two groups when inside to see Zero and Petty Kitty waiting for them.

“You won’t believe this there is a civilization of underground ponies living in the mountain behind the castle.

The rest of the ponies looked at each other.

“You already knew,” Zero dead panned.

“They have a gift shop,” Petty Kitty held out her paw that had a gold bracelet around it.

“Above… La Dawn flies over the castle…”

The green Pegasus glides over to his tower landing in the upper most window. The room he enters had the bare minimum. A dresser and a bed of hay. The dresser did have a potted plant. A straggly little pink flower.

The back of the room had a door. La Dawn opens the door showing a stair case heading down. The Pegasus grabs a lantern and lights it before walking down.

At the bottom there was another door. This door open to a prison chamber. To the back wall of the chamber a light green colored pony wearing an iron mask was strapped.

“Greetings Pony in the Iron Mask,” La Dawn announced to the room.

Burning Cage Part 1: Demilitarized Action

“In the dark a female Griffon cries out in pain…”

“Forces beyond her control push the contents of her belly out…”

The egg plops to the floor. The Griffon turns to look at the egg. She was only able to turn her neck and shoulder. Her wrists were chained to the wall.

The Griffon soon had to push out another egg. She only lay their panting for a few minutes. She didn’t know when her masters would be coming back. The Griffon grabs one of the eggs with her back legs. She brings the thing to her front claws and grabbed the thing with her talons.

The Griffon with all her might squeezed the thing until it cracked. She cut her self on the broken shells but didn’t care. The Griffon tears into the yellow yoke.

“The Earth Capital... Puddinghead has a meeting in his main thrown room…”

“Sir you need to send some reinforcements to the Earth and Griffon Lands boarder,” The Lord Fearion told Puddinghead.

“Yes, the Griffon’s have been an issue as of late,” Puddinghead nods his head.

“We have a treaty limiting the number of troops and where me move them from,” Smart Cookie told the pony.

“We can’t hold out against the Gryphus mercenaries,” Fearion begged.

Smart Cookie laughed, “If they are using Gryphus to fight us they will destroy themselves soon enough.”

“The Gryphus have been raiding our farmlands,” Fearoin snaps, “Too many of our live stock have been taken.”

“May I make a suggestion,” Whirly Pop step forward. “There are rumors that Claymari has plans to set out to this region.”

“Ah, yes the magical sword, What a splendid object,” Puddinghead remarks.

“It is not uncommon for ponies who don’t know each other to band together for safety. If a very small number of our best fighters have legitimate reasons for being there and they are attacked and they happen to come across and kill these Gryphus wouldn’t that be within lay of the treaty?”

“Yes, I suppose,” Smart Cookie answers.

“Smart one she is,” Puddinghead remarks.

“But it’s a risky move,” Smart Cookie points out, She turns to Whirly Pop. “I will go along with your idea, one condition.”

“What is it ma’lady?” Whirly Pop asks.

“You and your brother head down to the area with the group we send out. Use your negotiation skills to stop these boarder skirmishes. This should make you more invested in your action because if things go south who do you think the bird beasts kills first?”

Whirly Pop gulps, “I understand.”

“Later that day… Whirly Pop and Pot Shell has a meeting with Claymari and her companions…”

“I don’t know about taking you with me,” Claymari remarks.

“Oh please I love to go on an adventure with you,” Pot Shell cheered.

“Please don’t call it an adventure,” Philia sighs, “It encourages her to do more stuff like this.”

“I know we are not fighters but things are getting dyer in the area,” Whirly Pop tells Claymari.

“That’s not what worries me,” Claymari shrugs, “Half the people I travel with aren’t fighters.”

“In our defense, we all have at least one useful ability,” Petty Kitty remarks, “Except for Zero.”

“Hey!” Zero snaps, “I killed plenty of Zebra I have you know.”

“Still,” Petty Kitty shrugged.

“Claymari, just tell me your coming back here?” Philia asked the orange mare.

“You’re not coming with me?” Claymari replied.

Philia looks back at Winkz, Zero and Petty Kitty. “I don’t think we are ready to split up just yet. If I go with you I know we won’t be coming back.”

Claymari smiles, “Okay, I understand.”

“Is it okay if I come with,” Ferngully raised her hoof.

“Sure we could use a flyer,” Claymari answered. She turns to Whirly Pop. “Anypony else coming with?”

“We have three Paladin Spears we need some fields tests on and our two test subjects has family over there sort of,” Whirly Pop points out.

“Honey Mead and Metalance,” Philia notes.

“Yes,” Whirly Pop answered.

“Who’s the third?” Philia asked.

“Rat Tak-Tak,” Whirly Pop replied, “But she needs a reason to travel with us. We can’t tell the census takers she’s there to protect me and my brother she’ll count as a soldier and would make things confusing when the reinforcements come into that area.”

“Isn’t the farmlands where we get our soap?” Philia points out, “I think Rat Tak-Tak has a sister that works for Ancient Venus Spa. Maybe she needs to do a supply run.”

“The spa pony steps into a brown mud puddle… She shakes her hoof…”

“I hope that wasn’t anything unsanitary,” Mousecakes makes a cringe face.

“Was that in the middle of the road?” Claymari remarks.

“Yes,” Mousecakes answered.

“Then it’s nothing, travelers use the side of the road,” Claymari points at Whirly Pop. The white mare was walking along the ditch at the side of the road. She had her tail lifted up. A moment later she deathacates as she walked. After the act was done she wiggles her tail and trots ahead.

Mousecakes cringes, she never had to travel like this before. She looks down in the ditch as she walked past and saw a hoard of beetles already ripping the scat apart and rolling it out into the field.

“It’s okay sis,” Rat Tak-Tak pats Mousecakes on her back. The purple pony was strapped to a wagon and was pulling it down the road.

“Ha, Back in my younger days I used to travel across Earth lot doing supply runs,” Fearion reminisced.

“Ever went to the Equestrian Wildlands?” Claymari asked.

“A couple of times,” Fearoin answered, “I never want to go back.”

“To me, it’s home,” Claymari smiles, “I don’t think Philia feels the same.”

“How so,” Fearion asked.

Claymari laughs, “For her, home isn’t a place, it’s a person, it’s me, for better or for worst.”

Pot Shell trots alongside Mousecakes. “So, you’re from that Ancient Venus Spa?”

“Yes,” Mousecakes replied nervously.

“I thought I seen you around there,” Pot Shell blushed.

“Ferngully is coming back,” Honey Mead shouts. She and Metalance took the front line of the group.

Ferngully glides over them and lands.

“What’s your report?” Whirly Pop asks.

“The traffic on the roads are starting to lighten up,” Ferngully told her.

Claymari looks at the sun creeping behind the mountains. “The day is getting late, Night comes fast in this area,” She notes.

“Should we camp?” Whirly Pop asks Claymari.

“When my group passed through this area, there was reports of Zebra bandit sightings,” Claymari answers, “I think there’s a Church of the Sky outpost not far from here. In this land, I’d rather march a few hours for shelter then be exposed at night.”

“Very well,” Whirly Pop nods her head.

“Hours pass and the sky darkens…”

“Enemies lurk about…”

Out of the corner of her eye Claymari spots a spark of light.

“Everypony duck!” Claymari shouts.

A fire ball shoots out of the woods. It hits the ground with force knocking over the wagon now being pulled by Whirly Pop and Pot Shell.

The two ponies neigh as they fall on their side. Claymari hacks at their reins as the large band of Zebra come down on them. The spear mares makes the first contact of battle.

“Mousecakes, Fearion stick close to Claymari!” Rat Tak-Tak orders.

All what Mousecakes could do was stick her tail between her legs and slink to the ground.

“Overhere,” Fearion grabs Mousecakes and takes her aside.

“Rat watch out!” Metalance shouts taking out a Zerbra lunging at the distracted mare.

“Thanks, Keep me covered I’ll activate my gem,” Rat Tak-Tak told the pony.

Ferngully was fighting off her Zebra with a pair of grabbers. She hooks the Zebra by their limbs and straps of clothing and tosses them to the ground.

Honey Mead stabs one of the downed Zerbra with her spear causing it’s green blood to gush out. Ferngully gave the mare a look.

“Zebra don’t stop unless you put them down,” Honey Mead told her.

“I will fight but I will not take a life,” Ferngully replied, “Even a Zebra.”

“Suit yourself,” Honey Mead shrugged stabbing another Zebra.

A Zebra with red tattoos inhales. Then shoot a blast of flame out his mouth. The two ponies dodge the attack.

“They have one of those?” Honey Mead shouted.

Ferngully replied with a whimper. The sensitive membrane of her wing got hit by the flames and was turning red.

“I’ll kill it for you,” Honey Mead smiles.

Pot Shell was the first to get to his feet. Whirly Pop got up next but her strapping to the wagon was still attached to her and reseted it with her.

A Zebra went at Claymari from behind. The mare swings around cutting the forelegs out from the striped beast. The Zebra fell to the ground. Claymari comes down on him taking the creature out.

“Whirly stay still and I’ll let go,” Pot Shell told his sister.

Behind him Claymari bunts another Zerbra then slays the striped thing with her blade.

Rat Tak-Tak puts a gem in her spear. Purple energy shoots up her body. The spear became something like a large violet flute.

Rat then strikes a Zebra. Where the tip of the spear touched the Zebra a large chunk of flesh crumples away making a round gap the size of a pony skull. The Zebra’s heart was exposed and with a heart beat the Zebra drops dead.

Another Zebra comes at Rat Tak-Tak. She stabs at the ground and the soil breaks. The Zebra trips and Rat Tak-Tak smashes his skull with a loud thuck.

The purple mare swings her spear through the air. It made a high squealing sound as it moved. This stunned the next advancing Zebra opening him for an attack with a bloody end.

Honey Mead dodge another fire ball from the red tattooed Zebra. Ferngully was protecting her flank not close enough to be in the way.

The gold color mare got close enough to make a strike at the fire breathing Zebra. She clips his neck and he turns around and shoots flames. They nipped her tail. Honey Mead made another strike sinking her tip into his flank. Before he could recover from the shock of pain. Honey Mead turns around and bucked him in the face. The Zebra’s neck snaps.

Rat Tak-Tak dispatches a Zebra that tried to attack her sister.

“Mouse you’re a cleric do something!” Rat Tak-Tak snaps.

“Like what?” Mousecakes said nervously.

“They are standing on grass,” Rat Tak-Tak points out.

“Oh yes,” Mousecakes takes out an orb. A moment later the remaining attacking Zebra yelp in pain and turn back disappearing in the woods.

“Ahh!” Metalance winced, her hoof was on the grass. She removes it and blood starts dripping out the bottom. The grass where her hoof was were standing straight up like razors.

Mousecakes rubs her hoof over her orb and the grass loosens. “Sorry,” The small pony blushed at Metalance.

“It’s okay dear,” Metalance takes out a rag from her saddle bag and wraps it around her hoof.

“I have been practicing healing magic,” Ferngully told the green pony.

“Can you just dull the pain?” Metalance asked, “I want it to start to heal on its own before using magic on it. So unless there’s a sudden enemy leave it be.”

“I see,” Ferngully replied disappointed.

“It’s okay gal,” Honey Mead pats the pony on the back.

“Well, I can lick my own wounds,” Ferngully looks at her own wing which was starting to blister. “It must be nice to have feathers protecting wings from stuff like this.”

"I don't know if Philia told you this but you need to pop the blisters before healing a wound like that," Claymari points out.

"Thanks," Ferngully gives the orange mare a smile.

Suddenly a Zebra body that was laying in the grass jumps up screaming. The side that was laying down on the grass was sliced to ribbons. A moment later the Zebra passes out from shock. Honey Mead puts the thing out of his misery with her hoof to his throat.

Rat Tak-Tak powers down. The gem she had used in her Paladin Spear lost a great amount of it’s luster.

“How long you think it will take to recharge,” Metalance asked.

“Half a day I suppose,” Rat Tak-Tak answered.

Mousecakes’s orb had the same dull look to it. “Umm, I used a lot of energy with my orb but it should be able to function again in a few hours.”

“That- was a fight!” Pot Shell cheered laughing, “I never been in a fight! I mean a real draw blood fight!”

“You still haven’t,” Claymari mocked.

“What do we do now?” Whirly Pop asked Claymari unsurely.

“We can’t stay here,” Claymari answered.

“Yes,” Whirly Pop nods her head. “Okay every pony let’s get moving.”

“They soon reached the Church of the Sky outpost…”

The party gazed upon a large blue tented church building. Some kind of mote was dug around the property with some boulders placed around the edge of the water.

“Turtle pond,” Pop Shell remarks with a smile.

They were greeted by a purple young mare with a violet mane. A yellow streak was in her mane. Her cutie mark was two snakes in a figure eight.

“Greetings, I’m mistress Echidnas I’m the assistant to Arkis the owner of this church,” She greeted the travelers.

“Claymari, We will up put up the wagon,” Honey Mead said with Metalance next to her.

“One of us should sleep in the wagon to keep and eye on it.” Metalance remarks to Honey Mead as they walked off with the wagon.

The building was big and hallow. The chamber had many pews there where ponies already settling down making beds on many benches.

“Claymari!” Ferngully whispered loudly in the orange mare’s ear.

The Bat Pony points at the Elfen. It took Claymari a moment to realize it was Lady Dominatrix. She kind of recognized the Earth Ponies with her as some of the followers of the Church of Bones. Recognizing the group Claymari’s group walked up to them. Except for Fearion who decided to walk up to Arkis and talk to him.

“Hello, Young miss,” Lady Dominatrix greeted Ferngully walked up with the others.

“You’re traveling with the Church of Bones?” Ferngully asked.

“Well before your umm, mother disappeared, She was having me contact with the remains of the Church of Bones in the area.” Lady Dominatrix explained, “After the incident, I and the other mercenaries found ourselves out of a job. Fang Flame and Ester Song stayed in the area. I found out that the Church of Bones were sending people to the Earth Capital and I decided to take up a protecting job for them and hope to find work at the Capital.”

“And what are you going to do down there?” Claymari asked Comet the white pony.

“We need to bring in some funding,” Kool-aid answered for him, “The Church of Bone’s is a partner of the Church of the Holy Sky and they often fund our efforts.”

“I see,” Claymari nods her head.

“Mousecakes? Is your orb recharged?” Rat Tak-Tak asked.

“No, why do you ask?” Mousecakes replied.

“I was hoping you were still close enough to the city to use that as a communication device,” Rat Tak-Tak answers.

“No I can’t,” Mousecakes shook her head.

“I saw a bird roost,” Rat Tak-Tak points out.

“Can I come with I have to write a message too,” Whirly Pop fallows after the purple pony.

The two ponies headed for the attic of the church. Up there, there was a large room where a hand full of brown birds parched. Next to that was a room with a desk stacked with spare paper and writing utensils. The two ponies each took their own paper and pencil and wrote their letters. Moments later Echidnas walked in.

“You want some letters sent?” The purple mare asked.

“Yeah, I have some reports to make,” Rat Tak-Tak replied.

“Me too,” Whirly Pop nods her head in agreement.

“Well we are not sending any birds out until the morning,” Echidnas told them, “You can still give the birds your notes and I can program them and they will fly out with morning’s light.”

“Can you make an exception for us?” Whirly Pop asked, “We will pay double.”

“Oh well,” Echidnas sighs, “We have these rules to protect your letters to have you know.”

Echidnas takes out a magic orb. The two ponies rolled up their letters handing them to the mare. She puts one in a vile on the birds leg.

“Okay think really hard on where you want the letter to go,” Echidnas orders Rat Tak-Tak.

The purple pony with the cream muzzle nods her head then closed her eyes. Echidnas tapped her orb to Rat Tak-Tak’s head. She then took the orb and tapped it to a bird’s head. The bird flies out of the window.

This process was repeated with Whirly Pop. Afterwards Echidnas nods her head and walks out of the room.

“I sent in a report about the Zebra bandit activity,” Whirly Pop remarks, “I assume you did the same.”

“Yeah, I also told them about the Church of Bones movements, The guards will pick them up tomorrow when they enter into the city.”

“Three days of travel past when Claymari’s caravan reached the check point…”

The area was mountainous causing the road to funnel to a pass blocked by a wood gate. Next to the gate a hut occupied by a set of the Griffon and Earth Pony guards.

Fearion talked to the Earth Pony guards as the Griffon’s with notebooks inspected the caravan for anything objectionable.

One Griffon had an onex lower half and a rusty colored upper body. He was asking questions to Whirly Pop. The other Griffon might not be a Griffon. Instead of the common lion lower half, this Griffon like creature had a white rabbit lower half.

Pot Shell took up a curiosity about the creature. “What’s with you?” He asked the female Griffon like thing.

“This,” She lifts her back leg to show off her body. “I’m not sure, This happens once in awhile in my kind. Some odd animal bit shows up. No one knows why? Most people’s theory the effect the Mist Bombs had on my people. I personally like the legend about the Chimera Cauldron sucking up all life spiting them out as mixed creatures with the blood of every animal in them. The children often teased me calling me Lupin the Luffon.”

Lupin walked around and started inspecting the wagon’s contents. She eyes Mousecakes as she came upon the Paladin Spears. Mousecakes flashed the other mare’s a nervous look.

“What are these?” Lupin snaps.

“Personal weapons,” Rat Tak-Tak answered.

“Really?” Lupin said unsurely, “What are you doing in this area?”

“My sister is picking up some soap manufactured in the Griffon meat farms,” Rat Tak-Tak answered, “The roads are dangerous of late and from what I heard the roads ahead even more.”

Lupin looked at Metalance and Honey Mead. “You have the same weapons?”

“We are fighters too,” Honey Mead answered, “We fought side by side with her and have friends that moved to this part of the country we need to visit.”

“I see,” Lupin answered. She turn to Claymari who was looking off at a strange red beam of light shooting up for the sun.

“What is that?” Claymari asked.

“Burning Cage Quarry,” Lupin answered, “It's named for the red stones that shoot up beams of flesh burning light whenever they are hit with the full force of the sun.”

Before their eyes a rogue cloud drifted in front of the sun and the red beam disappeared.

“Burning Cage? There is a town named that?” Claymari wondered.

“Well yes, or there was,” Lupin answered. She moved in close to whisper to Claymari. “My partner would be mad if I told you this but rumor had it that a party of Gryphus destroyed the town and kill the watchmen who sat at this post before us.”

“I know about that,” Claymari told the Luffon.

“Okay just have you know for your safety sake,” Lupin replied, “It looks bad for my people to have such horrid things around. By the way why are you traveling?”

“To bury the dead,” Claymari answered.

“Um yes,” Lupin writes from stuff down in her notes. After that she walks up to the other Griffon. “Ore,” speaking the Griffon’s name to get his attention. Then the two of them spoke in an inaudible whisper.

Lupin had the look of concern on her face but Ore just waved the party ahead. After a mile of walking they come upon a fork in the road.

“This leads to Burning Cage?” Claymari points at the right path.

“Yes, But we are going to Stallion City,” Fearion told her.

“Yeah, I’ll catch up there are some things there I want to check out,” Claymari told them.

“Suit yourself,” Whirly Pop shrugged.

Pot Shell looks at Claymari. “Can I come with?”

“No,” Claymari snaps.

“Well I should come,” Ferngully tells the mare. “I can fly and can quickly move back and forth between the two parties. When you are done with whatever it is that you want to do. I’ll dash over to the others and tell them you are coming.”

“I suppose,” Claymari answered.

“If she’s coming then I’m coming,” Pot Shell declared.

“Ugh, very well,” Claymari sighs.

The two groups split ways.

Claymari and Ferngully marched in front with Pot Shell taking the rear.

“The poor thing sure is smitten with you,” Ferngully remarks to Claymari in a hushed tone. “Been grooping you since we left the Capital.”

“Yeah, when you are a famous hero that happens sometimes,” Claymari replied, “You should see what happens when you let the ones like him rut you.”

“Claymari you didn’t,” Ferngully gasped.

“Oh I haven’t did him,” Claymari told Ferngully, “You’d know if I pop his cherry. I don’t know how to describe it. It kills something inside a pony to have sex with their idle.”

“Really, I think he’d like it,” Ferngully remarks.

“He would at first, but afterwards,I guarantee he wouldn’t be so clingy,” Claymari smirks. “So, if I ever wanted to get him to leave me alone. I’ll just take his body.”

“Wow, you can be so cruel some times,” Ferngully blushed.

“Yeah, it’s the Dore in me,” Claymari smirked.

“You know, He’s listening to us,” Ferngully remarks glancing back at Pot Shell.

“Yes,” Claymari replied.

“Make him think you are going to break him,” Fergully answered.

“Really? Now who’s the cruel one?” Claymari raised an eye.

“Creature of the night,” Ferngully points out.

“Very well, go make a fly around and come back after you gave us enough time,” Claymari ordered.

Ferngully nods her head and took to the sky, “I’ll go mess with his sister too.”

“She’s taking off to look around,” Pop Shell said nervously.

“I take it you heard some of what we said,” Claymari said aggressively as she walks up to Pot Shell.

“A little,” Pot Shell squeaked.

“Good,” Claymari gently pushed the young stallion onto his hunches.

“Soon… Fergully flies over the other half of the party…”

The Bat Pony lands on the side of the road with a smirk on her lips.

“What? Is Claymari done?” Rat Tak-Tak asked.

“Oh, that’s not up to her,” Ferngully let slip.

“What?” Rat Tak-Tak reacted.

“Oh, we are not near the town yet,” Ferngully corrected, “Just keeping an eye on both of you.”

“Your hiding something,” Whirly Pop marches up to the Bat Pony.

“Well umm,” Ferngully was flustered by the sudden intrusion.

“That smirk on your face you’re not telling “me” about something,” Whirly Pop snaps.

“I convinced Claymari to have sex with your brother!” Ferngully squeaked.

“Ahhh!” Whirly Pop lashes out in anger. Luckily Honey Mead and Metalance was prepared for this and grabbed the mare before she hurt the Bat Pony.

Rat Tak-Tak starts laughing, “Well that’s an amusing thought.”

“Sister,” Mousecakes snaps.

“It’s not funny,” Whirly Pop shouts.

“What? Claymari making a conquest of your brother?” Rat Tak-Tak remarks, “He’s a big boy he can handle himself now be a lady and compose yourself.”

“Errr,” Whirly Pop grits her teeth. “Okay let me go but Bat Pony you’d better leave quickly.”

“Yes, Ma’Lady,” Ferngully does a bow and flies off.

Once up in the sky Ferngully sees a formation of three specks landing not far from the Burning Cage Quarry. The Bat Pony circle around to check it out.

To her shock when she flew over the area and seen the figures they were Pegasus ponies. They quickly spotted her. Ferngully realized she had to turn and make a B line out of there.

When Ferngully turned around to see who was chasing her, the Bat Pony was shocked to find that there was only one Pegasus after her. She was starting to wonder where the other two when the one behind her started catching up.

“Back on the ground…”

Claymari sees the two figures fly by over head. She recognized one of them as Ferngully and the other a strange Pegasus.

“Shit that’s not good,” Ferngully snaps.

“Was that Ferngully?” Pop Shell asked wiping the sweat off his brow.

“Yes, and that came from Burning Cage,” Claymari answered.

“Pegasus in the ground and air in this territory?” Pot Shell said shocked.

“Must not be many if only one is after her,” Claymari notes.

“What are we going to do?” Pot Shell asked.

“We move toward the town,” Claymari answered.

“What about Ferngully?” Pot Shell points out.

“Can you fly?” Claymari asked.

“No,” Pot Shell shook his head.

“Me neither,” Claymari answered, “We will have to hope for the best with her.”

Ferngully waits with in the shadows of the forest…”

The Bat Pony had quickly found a roost when she slipped in the woods to lose the Pegasus. The Pegasus came in after her of course but she was now wondering the area hoping to spot the Bat Pony.

Ferngully quickly ran through the differences between a Bat Pony and a Pegasus in her head. Pegasus was quicker in the air because they are more evolved for flight. But she was more adapted for moving in the woods so going down here was a good choice for her.

Pegasus had far better sight vision when compared to Bat Ponies. But Ferngully’s hearing was way better. Plus Pegasus eyes where build for bright sun light and open air and wide plains, they were useless in the shady forest. But Ferngully could see clearly.

Next came physical, female verses female, Pegasus are stronger. If it was male verses male the Bat Pony would be victorious but it was not. Also putting into account that the Pegasus was a trained fighter Ferngully was not.

From her hiding point Ferngully could see the Pegasus getting frustrated. Soon she will leave. Ferngully wondered if she wanted that. Before the Pegasus took off for the sky, Ferngully realized another advantage over the Pegasus she had.

As soon as Dogboy lifted her feet off the ground. A white magical arrow struck her in the wing.

“Eep!” The Pegasus screamed as she was struck.

The girly scream made Ferngully feel bad about hitting the red Pegasus but she had no time to hold back. She puts the grabber hooks around the Pegasus’s neck and holds her body down by sitting on it.

“What kind of Bat Pony uses magic like that!” Dogboy snaps.

“I ask the questions, you-you?” Ferngully looses the word she was thinking of.

“Bitch,” Dogboy finished.

“Yeah that,” Ferngully nods her head.

“I prefer bastard myself,” Dogboy smirked, “You have a warm pussy you know that?”

“You’re just trying to escape,” Ferngully snaps.

“Okay what? Are we just going to lay here getting aroused off each other’s heat or are you going to do something?” Dogboy remarks.

“What are you doing down her you bastard bitch,” Ferngully demands.

“Bitch, was my mother, you can just call me bastard-!” Ferngully tightens the grip around Dogboy’s throat.

“Gryphus attacked some Pegasus villages!” Dogboy cried.

“I’m with people looking for them too,” Ferngully loosens her grip and gets off of the Pegasus.

“You are letting me go?” Dogboy said in shock as she stood up.

“We have the same goals, we shouldn't be fighting,” Ferngully explained.

Dogboy sighs, “You’re not into mares because that ordeal made me horny.”

“Well I think I-!” Dogboy interrupts the Bat Pony with a kiss and walks off a head.”

“Asexual,” Ferngully muttered in then snaps out of it. “Wait? Why are we walking?

“You shot my wing you batty bitch,” Dogboy laughed, “I don’t think you trust me enough to fly off on me are you?”

Ferngully sighs and walks after the Pegasus.

“The town was completely destroyed… Not my fire… But by force… the force of some kind of massive monster…”

“What happened here?” Pot Shell asked.

“A massacre,” Claymari answered, “This looked like it happened over a year ago.”

Claymari scans the area something odd catches her eye. By one of the houses there was a healthy food garden. Then by the garden Claymari sees a small yellow green pony. She looked like a Miniature with a ghostly glow about her. She had sparkly vines on her rump. These same vine markings was on her face near the eyes. The strange small mare sees Claymari and runs into the building.

“Wait!” Claymari shouts.

“What is it?” Pot Shell asked.

“I think it’s a ghost!” Claymari ran for the building.

The roof of the house was smashed in and sun light shined down making a halo on the floor.

“Claymari I don’t think anyone is home?” Pot Shell said nervously looking at the moss and mold that had started to grow.

“I did say ghost,” Claymari replied standing over the mummy of a dead pony.

“They left the bodies here?” Pot Shell said sadly.

“Those who mattered enough had their bodies taken away, those who didn’t stayed and rot,” Claymari told him.

“Wait that garden outside?” Pot Shell points out.

“That was taken care by a ghost,” Claymari explained.

“A pony ghost,” Pot Shell shivered.

“No, the ghost of a plant,” Claymari corrected.

“Plant’s have ghosts? But that looked like a pony?” Pot Shell was getting confused.

“You come out!” Claymari shouts to the room before turning back to Pot Shell, “Ever heard the story of Pony Thumb?”

“The colt born from a garden?” Pot Shell answered as the air twinkled.

The twinkling soon formed into the shape of the small pony with the face markings.

“That’s a Biollante,” Claymari told Pot Shell, “The spirit of a plant in pony form. They are rare but only form when love and loneliness meet.”

“I see,” Pot Shell was quite sure he completely understands.

“Little one,” Claymari gave the small pony a smile. “What’s your name?”

“Violet Eyes,” The pony answered.

“You know Nutcracker’s house?” Claymari asked.

“Nutcracker?” Violet Eyes replied.

“Some strange ponies may have come by and taken a sword from the home,” Claymari suggested.

“Oh, I know where that is,” Violet Eyes replied.

“The Biollante lead the two across the town to a wood carver’s home…”

“This looks like what Nutcracker’s home should be,” Claymari remarks looking at the remains of the building.

They walked inside. The first thing she noted was the main work room full of wood carving tools and finish projects of furniture and toys that no pony would pick up now.

There was another room in back. This was a different kind of room. It was filled with dresses and sewing equipment.

“A mare lived here,” Claymari remarked out loud.

“Did you think he would always remain alone?” Pot Shell points out.

“I’m sad because she’s most likely dead too,” Claymari sighs.

Claymari walks outside the sewing room. She spots a shrouded object in the corner of the room. The mare walks over and pulls the sheet away with her mouth.

It was a pony sized wooden doll. It was unfinished. The flank was branded with a nut being cracked by a lighting bolt. Claymari gasped at the face for it was Nutcracker’s face.

Violet Eyes taps a red jewel on a nearby work desk. It flops on the wood surface causing Claymari to turn her head.

“A Hallo?” Claymari turns back at the life sized pony nutcracker. She sees a slot for the object to slide into.

“What you say? Hallo?” Pot Shell notes, “That's for making golems right?”

“Yes, Nutcracker making a golem,” Claymari grabs the hallo with her mouth and puts it in the nutcracker's slot. “I think he was making it to live forever.”

Claymari stood there a moment. All was silent. Then Pot Shell Spoke.

“That was anticlimactic,” He remarks.

The ponies walked outside.

“Claymari!” Pot Shell shouts from around the corner.

“Dammit, Pot stick with me we have Pegasus about!” Claymari shouts.

Claymari and Violet Eyes run to the sound to see a large skeleton laying on the ground. It didn’t take them long to realize these where Griffon bones. Three times larger than any normal Griffon.

“Is this?” Pot Shell said in shock.

“A Gryphus,” Claymari finished.

“It’s so big,” Pot Shell noted.

“They are born the same size as normal Griffons but their mutation have them lack the genes that restrict their growth. Basically the older they get the bigger and meaner they get.”

“Shit and you are having to kill these things?” Pot Shell remarks.

“I don’t have to, I want to,” Claymari told him.

“So, this is about revenge?” Pot Shell snaps.

“I’m an angry pony,” Claymari answered.

“Guys?” They heard Ferngully shout.

“Hay, well she’s a alive,” Claymari smirks.

Claymari, Pot Shell and Violet Eyes walked back out into the street. They spotted Ferngully with Dogboy behind her. As soon as Dogboy saw the others she taps on her gauntlet releasing a blade to shoot out. She takes that blade and presses it to Ferngully’s throat.

“Hello bitches,” Dogboy smiles.

“I thought we are on the same side on this,” Ferngully snaps.

“We are but what we do isn’t up to me,” Dogboy replied.

“Let her go and I won’t kick your ass much,” Claymari replied.

“It’s up to us,” A black Pegasus stallion with a black mane spoke from above. He had some green streaks in his hair. A grey cloud was his cutie mark.

“Landlooker…”

Next to Landlooker stood a pink Pegasus with a ratted spring green mane. He had his hooves chained together in shackles.

“Sergeant?” Claymari squinted at the pink pony.

“No, Claymari,” The pink pony shook his head. “I was demoted.”

“What happen,” Claymari smirks.

The chained pony held out his hooves palms open, "I’m an honest pony."

“He’s a coward and a trader to the Commander and the Queen General,” Landlooker spat at the chained pony’s feet.

“I’m a Privet now," The chained pony added. "Privet Pansy."

Burning Cage Part 2: Broken Toys

"In the night a hooded figure digs into the soil…

He digs unit morning…"

Long bat wings reached out over a casket. They hook on the lid and with a great crack rip it off.

A well preserved pony body was laying inside the casket. Azrael looks down and smiles.

“Nutcracker we are going to make things interesting,” Azrael says to the body.

“Back to now… The sun shines down on Burning Cage… Tension in the air…”

“Privet Pansy?” Claymari smirked at the pink pony, “I knew your honor would get you in trouble some time. So the Commander really dropped you as his right hoof.”

“No, I’m still his right hoof, his right back hoof,” Pansy smirked.

Claymari starts laughing, “Yes, yes,”

“Claymari a little help,” Ferngully cries out with Dogboy’s blade at her neck.

“Oh, She can’t stay that way forever dear,” Claymari waves off with her hoof.

“That’s what I’m scared of,” Ferngully rolls her eyes.

“So what now?” Claymari asked.

Landlooker looks at Pot Shell.

“He’s not a fighter,” Claymari told him.

“Okay you surrender to us?” Landlooker demanded.

“To what?” Claymari looks around. “I assume this is some kind of stealth mission. It’s just you ain’t it.”

“We have your companion,” Landlooker points out.

“Yeah, that’s nice and all but at this point you’re not going to hurt her,” Claymari shrugs, “If you where that psychopathic wouldn’t be on a mission like this.”

“She has a point,” Pansy points out, “Plus there are four of them and you have to watch me. I may decide to escape.”

Claymari looks around, “The Biollante disappeared, I’m willing to bet if you have us tied up she’ll sneak up when you’re not looking and free us? Even if you have to gall to kill us. You’ll have to reach me first and my friends would be dead so I’ll be mighty pissed.”

Landlooker sighs, “Dogboy let the bat go.”

Ferngully kicks away from Dogboy and the two mares glared at each other.

“What are we going to do now?” Pot shell asked.

“The sensible thing to do is to team up to defeat the enemy but-,” Pansy starts to say.

“Your people aren’t sensible,” Ferngully rubs her neck.

“Pansy, this town is empty, Let’s check out the bar for some forgotten whisky,” Claymari smirked.

“Yettt!” Dogboy cries out as an arrow sticks her in the rump.

“Your under arrest!” Lupin shouted landing nearby with Ore behind her. The Luffon held a bow of orange orichalcum. Metal refined from griffon gold like iron turned into steel. As flexable as willow. As light as mythril and said to be unbreakable.

Landlooker pulls out his sword, the hilt was made of metal and leather but the blade was frozen lighting. He charged the two Griffons.

Dogboy grabs the shaft of the arrow with her muzzle and pulls it out. Red blood runs down her red leg. The mare quickly took position behind Landlooker but she was uneager to take the lead in the battle thanks to her injury.

Pot Shell ducked out of sight. Ferngully found herself between two opposing forces. She panics and bolts taking up to the air. She perches on the hey covered roof of Nutcracker’s home.

Claymari and Pansy turns around to watch the spectacle. They shrugged in unison and walked away.

Lupin’s bow blocked the sword attack from Landlooker. Luffon with her legs free makes a swiping kick at the black Pegasus. He jumps away from the attack. He wasn’t sure how strong bunny kicks were but he suspected they were as bad and pony bucks.

Ore went at Dogboy. The mare flinched and found a set of claws digging into flesh. Well they were connected, Dogboy stabs Ore in the side.

The Ore disconnected from Dogboy. He moves a couple of feet from the mare and clutches his bleeding side. Dogboy had more injuries and nice deep ones. But compared to her wounds his one wound was in a bad place.

Sensing weakness, Dogboy’s hair raises on her back like her name sake and she charges. This time Ore draws his sword. Dogboy veers away and puts the breaks to her hooves. She slides across the dirt stopping a good few feet away from Ore.

Lupin and Ore were now flank to flank facing outwards. Dogboy and Landlooker circled around them.

Dogboy lifts her gauntlet blade and aims it at Ore. A dart fires from a launcher under the blade. It misses Ore and hits Lupin in the shoulder. The Rabbit Griffon shrieked as a lighting shoots into her from a wire. The power left the wire and Dogboy ejects it from her gauntlet.

Ore catches Lupin’s unconsous body. Seeing an opening Landlooker charges in with his lighting sword. Ore block with his own sword. He could feel the electric buzzing through the blade. This all puts pressure on his body causing his wound to scream in pain.

Lupin spins kicking with her leg. Her rabbit foot hitting Landlooker in the knee. The Pegasus’s leg torqued and suddenly his body weight was trying it’s best to bend his knee in the wrong direction.

Landlooker uses his wings to move his position back a few feet putting him next to Dogboy.

Ferngully watched from above. She thought best to stay out of this fight. She wasn’t going to let the two sides kill each other either. If one side goes to make a killing blow, she decided to interfere and heal the injured.

“Elsewhere in Burning Cage… Claymari and Pansy find the abandon liquor cabernet in the bar…”

“Let me pour you another glass,” Pansy smirked as he grabs the bottle with his muzzle and tips the amber liquid into Claymari’s cup.

As soon as the cup was filled Claymari whacks it with her hoof sending the thing flying across the room and crashing into the wall. “Screw the cup, Give me that bottle you bastard there are plenty to choose from.”

Pansy slides the whisky bottle over to Claymari. She grabs the thing with her wrists tips her head back and starts chugging from the bottle. She pulls the bottle from her lips and gives a loud exhale.

“So your replacement what’s her name?” Claymari asked Pansy.

“Loyal Gold,” Pansy answered. A Pegasus the color of flames said to be unkillable in battle. She shown up not long after you left last time you were at the Sky Empire. She was looking for you and wanted to challenge you to combat. Commander Hurricane like her so much he hired and promoted her right away. Of course this meant the Pegasus had to give up the hunt for you. Soon after that the Commander asked me to do something I couldn’t do.”

“What about your sword?” Claymari asked.

“It refused to work for anypony else,” Pansy smirked, “I was too useful the kill. They keep the sword now. They give it to me between missions to recharge the powers it gave me. I heard your sword tried to betray you for a Zebra.”

“You know about that?” Claymari said shocked.

“So it’s true” Pansy laughs. “You should hear them talk about you. ‘That Claymari has trouble keeping her sheath out of other pony’s swords!’ Wait, I think I said that wrong.”

“No, that’s about right,” Claymari shrugged.

Suddenly there was a creaking sound. Both the drunken ponies perk their ears up at the sound. The roof rips away and two giant bald bird heads peers down at them.

Well the ponies were stunned, the Gryphus flew into the building. Their mass almost took up the room. Their cat half of their bodies were lion colored but with added faded brown tiger stripes.

One of the creatures picks up Claymari. She was the size of a small foal in its claws.

The other Gryphus goes for Pansy. Pansy punches the wall next him with his hooves. He dashes out as the building falls in on its self.

The two Gryphus shakes the debris off like it was scraps of card board. The Gryphus chasing after Pansy found his target and continued his pursuit.

“Please don’t squeeze meep!-“ The Gryphus squeezes Clayamari to stop her from talking.

There was a pittle tattle as urine leaks from the orange pony.

“What the,” The Gryphus reacts.

“I said don’t squeeze me!” Claymari cried.

“How do you make it stop?” The Gryphus flips Claymari around.

“Stop!” Claymari shouts as her urine trickles down her belly.

“This wasn’t the only place the Gryphus attacked… The Griffon and Pegasus’s battle was soon interrupted…”

Ferngully was tossed like a rag doll from her position on top of Nutcracker’s roof. Her body flies over the heads of Lupin, Ore, Dogboy and Landlooker. She smashes into the building across the street.

The Bat Pony heard and felt something snap, possibily more than one thing. Ferngully twitched in the splinter. She wants to cry out, but it took all that was in her to quietly cast the healing magic over her own body. Took everything to stay conscious as her life faded from her eyes.

The Griffons and the Pegasus look up at a Gryphus. The creature jumps off the roof and lands on the ground. There was a loud crunch as his talons came down on Ore and Landlooker. The Gryphus holds their dead lifeless bodies up into the air.

“I’m out of here,” Dogboy turns and bolts. She tries to fly up into the air but trips over the ground due to her wing injury from the fight with Ferngully. The mare quickly recovers flaps through the pain and takes off for the sky.

Lupin being closer, the Gryphus moves toward her. The Rabbit Griffon panics. She draws arrows from her quivers and starts randomly firing at the monster.

Screaming, Lupin closes her eyes in anticipation of the death blow from the massive Gryphus. There was a thump at her feet and Lupin opened her eyes.

She had forgotten in her panic that the bow was enchanted. Arrows hit him in the heart, lung, two in the neck and one in the eye hitting the brain.

The hacking of Ferngully caught the attention of the Luffon. There was a little spittle of blood around the Bat Pony’s mouth. She makes a moan and her body goes limp.

“Is she going to be okay?” Pot Shell asked nervously coming out of his hiding spot.

Lupin sticks her finger to the Bat Pony’s neck. “The gal has a pulse, that doesn’t mean much.” She looks at Ore and Landlooker’s mangled bodies. “They are very much dead.” Lupin then turns to Pot Shell. “Go find some blankets, her body is in shock we have to keep it warm.”

Pot Shell nods his head and trots off.

“Pansy finds himself in Burning Cage Quarry… His enemy still in pursuit…”

Red shinny stones littered the ground. The clouds covered the sun for now. Pansy stops his momentum and turns to face the Gryphus. His chains had made his wrists and ankles bleed.

“So you stopped running little pony,” The Gryphus smirked.

“I plead you not to do this,” Pansy demands.

“You’ll pay for dropping a building on my head,” The Gryphus snaps.

“I’d hate to break my vow,” Pansy told the creature.

A hole breaks in the cloud and a ray of sun like shines onto the quarry. It hits some small red rocks and lasers shoot up.

This distracted the Gryphus long enough for Pansy to make his move. A large boulder slides across the rocky ground. It hits the Gryphus knocking the monster back.

Pansy heaves another heavy boulder around and readies to pushes it with his forehooves. The Gryphus takes to the air.

“You can move that thing with your forehooves?” The Gryphus notes, “You’re no ordinary Pegasus.”

Pansy replied by flipping around and bucking the boulder into the air. It clips the Gryphus in the hind leg and the massive beast falters and lands. Pansy charges at him, but the Gryphus covers and takes to the air again.

“Your battle tactics does not suit your species,” The Gryphus remarks flying higher.

Pansy out stretched his hooves. Then takes to the sky. The Pegasus zooms upward and passes the Gryphus in height. The Pegasus loops his shackled forehooves around the Gryphus’s forehead. He flips in the air and sends the giant beast to crash to the ground.

The Gryphus stands up holding his sore back. The Pegasus lands in front of the Gryphus. The beast swings a punch out of frustration at Pansy.

The Pegasus blocks the punch with her hoof as if he was a mountain. He knocks the Gryphus’s claw aside causing the creature to stumble back. Pansy charged forward and headbutt the Griffon mutant in the gut.

The Gryphus grabs Pansy and slams the Pegasus into the ground. The sun emerges from behind the clouds. Beams shot up from the red stones that was scattered across the quarry grounds shooting red lasers up to the sky.

The Gryphus yelps in pain as his massive size was too large to avoid the burning beams. Pansy stood up and stumbles back. He cries out in pain as he stumbles into a beam.

The Gryphus found himself trapped in a burning cage. Pansy kicks one of the laser shooting stones at the Gryphus. The massive creature squished himself and singe his flank on a beam behind him.

Pansy kicks another stone. The thing stinged his hoof a little. It didn’t have nerves but it was hot enough to put a sting into his wick deep within the hoof.

The bean burns the Gryphus. He scratches out into pain. Above him a cloud moves over the sun. The Gryphus looks up to see the female Gryphus with Claymari in her talon had pushed a cloud to cover the sun.

“Polis we have the Dore princess we need to leave.” She shouts at the male.

“What about the survivor?” Polis points at Pansy.

“He doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things,” The female Gryphus shouts.

Polis grunts and flies up to the female Gryphus. The two creatures fly off.

Pansy watched the creature fly off into the distance.

“Pansy,” Dogboy came slinking up head low. “We are aborting the mission.”

“Where is Landlooker?” Pansy asks.

“Dead, Oh Celestia, one of those things stomped him out like a bug,” The mare had been crying and fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.

Pansy reach out and hugged the mare she cried in his shoulder.

“Huff… Huff… Huff…”

Ferngully had gained a loose definition of consciousness. The mare was red face and sweating. She panted and moaned in pain.

Pot Shell stood there in shock. He was speechless unsure how to react to the panting lethargic mare.

“Can you hear me?” Lupin asked loudly.

Ferngully replied by a wince so hard she squeezes tears from her eyes. Then she weakly speeks. “Y-yes,” She then whimpers. The Bat Pony squeaks in pain and her consciousness left her eyes but the mare continued her panting.

“She’s going to kill herself at this rate,” Lupin said darkly. The Luffon turns to Pot Shell. “You are going to have to give her water. If she can’t drink it on her own. Force it down with a kiss.”

“Yes ma’am,” Pot Shell nods his head.

“I’ll look for help,” Lupin told the pony.

“The ones they were traveling with, We were going to be back with them at Stallion City. They should still be on the road.” Pot Shell adds.

The buck spots the Pegasus approaching. He instantly grabs Landlooker’s lighting blade laying on the ground. At this point the blade was starting to flicker. A sign it was running out of power.

“The Gryphus has Claymari,” Private Pansy said as he came walking up. “You should know that.” He looked at the freshly dead bodies. “I think they were here for her.” The pony picks up Landlooker’s body and puts it on his back. “We are just here to pick up what’s ours and we’ll be out of your territory.”

Lupin nods her head. She turns and flies away. Dogboy and Private Pansy flew the opposite way.

This left Pot Shell alone with the injured panting mare.

“Fallowing the path… Lupin found the travelers…”

Whirly Pop’s party was on a long winding road in the middle of the grassland. A few other travelers dotted the same road they walked on.

“Does that Griffon look weird to you?” Mousecakes whispers to Whirly Pop.

Whirly Pop looks to the sky. There been a few Griffons flying over head using the road to navigate back and forth. But this Griffon looked funny and was making maneuvers like it was going to land.

“Rat Tak-Tak,” Whirly Pop commands the mares to attention.

“I see it,” Rat Tak-Tak inched closer to the wagon and her spear. Honey Mead and Metalance did the same.

“That’s a check point guard uniform,” Fearion points out.

“Oh yes it looks like the bunny girl,” Whirly Pop notes.

Lupin lands near the party.

“Thank the mother you are here,” Lupin panted.

“Is something wrong?” Whirly Pop asks.

“Your friends were attacked by Gryphus,” Lupin replied catching her breath.

“My lord are they okay?” Whirly Pop gasped.

Lupin shook her head sideways.

“What happen?” Rat Tak-Tak demands.

“The bat she is injured, stable but she’s in intense pain,” Lupin told them. She can’t move herself.”

“We got to save her,” Honey Mead demands.

“It gets worst,” Lupin told them, “The beasts kidnapped Claymari.”

“Why would these things kidnap Claymari?” Metalance points out.

“Don’t know, but trust me if she wasn’t any use to them then they would have killed her.”

“Okay, Petty Kitty gave us a Health Potion from Zero’s world,” Whirly Pop told them. “It is said they can heal most injuries.”

“Yes boys and girls… Ministry of Peace Health Potions… Make sure your mommies and daddies buy a heathy stock of them…

“Health Potions are perduced by Three Hearts Co… PMG… LLP…”

“Do not consume Health Potions orally… if consumed orally consult the Ministry of Peace poison control center…”

A hooded pony bumps into Lupin then stops there. The Lupin Griffon turns to the traveler.

“Sir? If there something the matter? Unless someone is in imminent danger of being harmed it will have to wait.” Lupin told the standing pony.

The standing pony puts his long bloody fingers on the Luffon’s shoulder. Not fingers, it was the lower half of his forehoof. Normally fused into one rod of flesh the bones making up the end of his arm somehow mutated into a workable hand with spidery fingers.

The moment Lupin saw something was wrong. The hand gripped and twisted. The Rabbit Griffon’s arm rips off. Lupin shrieks and stumbles back. Metalance catches the mangled Griffon.

Honey Mead activates her spear, It's light moves over her body, changing its shape and shooting energy wings out her back.

Meanwhile, Metalance puts Lupin on the wagon. Whirly Pop pops the top off the Health Potion and dumps it on the bleeding empty socket. The flesh heals as Lupin passes out.

“Honey, You fight that thing with power for now, If you are in trouble I’ll activate too,” Rat Tak-Tak told the mare. “I want to limit the use of the spears in case a Gryphus attacks us.”

Honey Mead charges the attacking pony. He ducks and Honey Mead’s spear catches on the pony’s cloak. She rips it off to revealed a pink hairless body. In his chest an exposed beating heart.

“A Zebra Warlord,” Whirly Pop said in shock.

“My lord it’s Nutcracker,” Rat Tak-Tak points out, “They stole his body and turned him into that thing.”

Other than being bald, Nutcracker’s face looked normal. His hands curled over meaning he was standing on his knuckles. His arms and body had grew and adjusted to this.

Rat Tak-Tak approached with her spear at the ready. Honey Mead looks at her spear and that the monster. Not for long because the thing lunged at her. Her wings allowed her the speed to avoid the hooked claws.

“Sir, I’m not exactly the best type to fight this thing,” Honey Mead points out. “My powers are useless against him. If I could get some speed I could deal some notable damage.”

Rat Tak-Tak moves in with her spear. The blade bounced off the Warlock’s hide.

“Meta! Need some help!” Rat Tak-Tak orders.

Metalance grabs her lance and charges the Warlock monster. Her spear head too bounced off the thing as well.

“This isn’t going well,” Metalance starts to put her power gem into the slot of the spear.

“No, this is too well planned,” Rat Tak-Tak snaps stopping the mare. “If both you and Honey power down at the same time our group will be at its weakest for another attack. Just keep him still to give Honey some time.”

Of witch the mare had gain some distance, about few yards or more. She concentrated the ethanol plasma flame from her back and buzz forward like a rocket.

Honey Mead held her spear forward. With a twist of the shaft a hypodermic point pops out of the tip. She pierces the Warlock’s flesh. With another twist an outer shaft slides up away from an inter shaft doubling the length.

Honey Mead pushes down putting the spear back to its original length. The Warlock screams as a loud crackly freezing sound came from the creature. Frost starts covering the body and the beast stopped moving.

Honey Mead sighs as she gets off the Warlock and pulls her spear from the body.

“You froze it?” Mousecakes cautiously walks up to the solid Warlock.

“My spear can produce liquid alcohol in it. I have the ability to heat and lower the temperature of that alcohol at will. It has a very low freezing point and I can fire it from my spear burning the target with cold.” Honey Mead explains.

“Oh, that's how you fly too?” Mousecakes points out.

“Okay what are we going to do about this thing?” Whirly Pop asks.

Honey Mead powers down, “He’s a zombie so as soon as he unfreezes he’ll come back to life.”

“How long will it last?” Rat Tak-Tak asks.

“At this temp a few days he’s about as cold as dry ice,” Honey Mead points out.

“I see,” Rat Tak-Tak nods her head.

“I’m a little confused on what to do now,” Whirly Pop speaks up. “The next city is half the day away. We have two injured we need to take care of. The Rabbit Griffon who’s with us now and Ferngully who’s a few hours away. We used our Health Potion. I’m pretty sure we need to split, then there’s that monster.”

“Yes,” Rat Tak-Tak nods her head, “Some of us should take the Griffon to the city as the others recover Ferngully. It’s risky but we have to leave the monster along here by the side of the road. Hopefully we can recover it later.”

“Wouldn’t that endanger travelers?” Whirly Pop points out.

“Like I said it will take a while for him to thaw,” Honey Mead reminded.

“I could write a note and pin it on the creature,” Mousecakes adds, “Something like ‘Danger, zombie monster, Frozen on Monday, should still be frozen on Tuesday, Better not stick around on Wensday.’.”

Metalace laughs at this idea.

“Better than nothing,” Whirly Pop sighs. She turns to Rat Tak-Tak. “Our grouping?”

“Well, Honey Mead wouldn’t be able to use her powers for a while,” Rat Tak-Tak thought out loud. “You, Fearoin, and Mousecakes. Metalance you will be their guard. You should head to the city with the Griffon, you’ll have to carry her on your backs. From the sounds of it, Ferngully's spine is injured. We will need the wagon to retrieve her.”

Whirly Pop frowned at this. Ponies didn’t heal from broken bones well to began with without some magic assistance. A back was one of the worst.

“Okay, Honey Mead you help me retrieve our companions at Burning Cage.” Rat Tak-Tak orders.

“Back at Burning Cage…”

Ferngully was giving a low painful moan. Her hooves laid over her red face. The Bat Pony’s body quaked with pain.

Pot Shell put and open flask of water by the sweating pony’s muzzle hoping she take a drink. She was in too much pain to notice. In addition she had spent too much time on her side and her body weight was putting pressure on her possibly injured ribs.

“You need to drink water,” Pot Shell frowns.

Ferngully her eyes squinting, puffy and watering. Pulled her muzzle forward about an inch in flopped her head down exhausted

Pot Shell sighs and puts some water in his mouth, Took the agonizing filly’s head into his forewrist lifting it up to him. He puts his lips to hers, pushing the water into her mouth. The natural body responses take her over and the mare swallows the liquid. Tears stream down the Bat Pony’s cheeks.

When Pot Shell was done he releases Ferngully from his kiss. He lets her go and the mare starts coughing choking on some of the water. This caused her body to shake and she howled in pain.

Violet Eyes had reappeared. She had some large fruit in her muzzle. It looked like a cross between a peach and an apple.

“Eat,” Violet Eyes looks at Pot Shell then turn to look at Ferngully.

Pot Shell understood what the little pony meant. He takes a few bites of the fruit. The stallion chewed these bites thoroughly then takes a few more swigs of water.

The process was repeated with Ferngully. She swallows and they let go lips. Ferngully panted, this was taking a toll on her. She puts her head back down.

A moment later the mare yips and whimpers, then shutters. A trickle came from her rear. The warm puddle rubs against his forehoof.

Pot Shell turned red,

“S-sorry,” Ferngully said with all her will to cut through the pain.

“It’s okay,” Pot Shell grabs a rag and dabs under the mare's tail and the ground around it.

When he was done Pot Shell strokes Ferngully’s mane to comfort her. She just winced there trembling.

“It was another two hours before Rat Tak-Tak and Honey Mead came…”

Ferngully was asleep or at least passed out. Pot Shell broke down crying at the sight of them. He buried his head into Rat Tak-Tak’s chest.

“Poor dear this must have been hard on you,” Rat Tak-Tak puts her hoof through the stallion’s mane.

As Rat Tak-Tak comforted Pot Shell. Honey Mead made a stretcher for Ferngully.

“Rat,” Honey Mead called out, “A little help.

Rat Tak-Tak pulled the wagon closer to Ferngully’s shivering body. She then stands up on the opposite side of Honey Mead and the two mares gently slid the Bat Pony on the stretcher. This woke her up and she started screaming in pain.

“It’s okay dear,” Rat Tak-Tak comfort Ferngully like she did with Pot Shell.

Ferngully cooed and moaned as they put her on the wagon. She started breathing heavily has her pain taxed her body.

“That one on the ground,” Honey Mead points at the dead Gryphus on the ground. “Is that the bastard that did this to her?”

“The Griffon Lupin did that to him,” Pot Shell told her.

Honey Mead smiled then looked sad. “Good girl,” She said with a nervous giggle in her voice.

“Did something happen to her?” Pot Shell caught to tone in Honey Mead’s voice.

The mare went pale.

“Celestia that bad,” Pot Shell gasped.

“We need to get going,” Rat Tak-Tak called back.

“I need a minute,” Pot Shell answers. “Violet Eyes!” He calls out.

The Biollante appeared.

“Come with us,” Pot Shell asked the creature.

Violet Eyes shakes her head, “No this is my home. I will stay.”

“I understand,” Pot Shell sighs.

“Lupin awakes…”

The Rabbit Griffon jolts up, If she could sweat it would be cold. Without looking, she didn't want to look she tried putting her talon to her forehead. It did not come. Now she had to look.

Lupin shrieked and cried and she put her other talon over her stump. Hugging herself and rocking back and forth.

The Griffon care giver heard the screaming and crying. She now waited outside the patient’s room, waiting for her to calm down. The Griffon had seen many war injured and knew when to come and stay away.

Once Lupin exhausted herself emotionally. The Griffon came into the room. Lupin was slumped over, her wing near the missing arm lay limply. Maybe from the lack of skeleton and muscle structure or nerve and tended damage. Most likely both.

“How long was I out,” Lupin asked flatly.

“Two days,” The Griffon care giver answer.

Lupin looked shocked, “But my flesh is fully healed.”

“The travelers that saved you had a Health Potion,” The care giver answered.

“I remember,” Lupin looked down shamefully, “That was meant to help their friend.

“She’s here too, the pony that was injured,” The care giver told her.

“Let me see her,” Lupin climbed out of bed. The Griffon care giver help balanced her.

Ferngully was in the next room. She was supported in a standing position by ropes, body wrapped in splints. The Bat Pony had a mellow look on her face as she was doped up on morphine*.

“*Also known as Med-X…”

“You look like you have seen better days,” Ferngully said to Lupin in a raspy voice and with a smile.

“So have you,” Lupin replied, “Where are your friends?”

“A farm out on the edge of the city.” Fergully answered, “They are staying there.

“Two hooded figures walked up to a house over the cover of darkness…”

A creamy brown hoof stretches out from under one of the cloaks and knocks on the door.

A light pink stallion with a lavender mane opens the door. His cutie mark was of a green shadow of a fairy pony.

“Puck…”

“Come in quickly,” Puck told the hooded ponies.

“So, what did you find out?” Whirly Pop asks.

A lavender mare with cow udders cutie marks was pouring Whirly Pop a drink. Another stallion stood next to the lavender pony. A flame red stallion.

“Tits Up and Vepicon…”

“Lupin is awake,” Mousecakes cheered removing her hood.

“Good anything else?” Whirly Pop asked as Pot Shell, Honey Mead and Metalance walked in from the back room.

“Everpony says the Gryphus are holding a Griffon village near the Griffon Kingdom border,” Rat Tak-Tak pulled back her hood. “Lately they been raiding some ore shipments from a near by mining town.”

“What does any of this have to do with Claymari?” Whirly Pop thought out loud.

“They are stealing ore, Maybe they need black smiths,” Pot Shell suggests.

Everyone was looking at the colt now.

“Claymari used to be a black smith,” He points out heck they say all Dore can forge metal and stone.”

“Due to the treaty there are no Dore settlements in this area,” Whirly Pop adds.

“So this is about making weapons?” Metalance snaps, “The Gryphus numbers are too few plus there are plenty of normal Earth Ponies and Griffon that can do the job.”

“Yeah but Dore can make powerful magical artifacts,” Pot Shell adds.

“True,” Honey Mead replied with the other spear mares nodding in agreement.

“They could have her make anything,” Whirly Pop sighs.

“Like a weapon,” Rat Tak-Tak adds, “There has to be word on the street on what these Gryphus are up too. We should take more time to investigate before charging in there.”

“Agreed, it’s going to be a few more days before we know if Ferngully will be able to walk around on her own. You have tell then.”

“Two days ago… The Gryphus strong hold…”

The two giant Gryphus fly in through a cave entrance. It wasn’t a natural cave, It was carved from one of the many gold mines Griffon were known to dig.

“Kira let me see,” Polis demands the female.

Kira shows off Claymari by holding her out by her hind leg. This left the mare upside down and exposed.

“Let me go you cocky pussy!” Claymari snaps as she swung from her leg.

Polis glares at the large pony. “Is she diseased? Her tits are swollen?” He pokes one of Claymari’s udders with his knuckle.

“Maybe she’s pregnant,” Kira then smirked, “Not for long with the way we are going to treat her.”

“They are big because she’s a Dore,” Azrael came walking into the room pulling a wagon behind him. Nutcracker was in the back.

“What happen to your pet?” Kira smirked.

“They have ice powers, don’t worry I have a brew that will stop that from happening again,” Azreal told them.

“What were you saying about the Dore?” Polis asked.

“Yes, they are a subterranean pony species,” Azrael told him. “They feed mostly off of mushrooms and insects that live there and they grow some of them as food. Because of this they adapted to produce more milk and for longer than most pony kinds. So they don’t have to work as hard to find food for their young.”

“So she’s a milk pony,” Polis smirks.

“She’s a stink pony,” Kira snarled. “Even before she pissed on herself.”

“You tip-!” Claymari was cut off when Kira tossed her into the fracking pool nearby. The pony splashed around at first then got her footing. She stood up in the milky water and shook like a dog.

“What is this shit it itches!” Claymari shouts.

“It's called clean Claymari,” Azrael said coldly.

“Umm that water has acids for dissolving some stones,” Polis whispers to Azrael.

“I bathe,” Claymari snaps, “I stood out in the rain last month.”

“Surely you been rutted between now and then,” Azrael smirked.

Claymari then gasps, “I-is that Nutcracker!”

“Yes, I felt like playing some mind games with you,” Azrael answered.

“What you bastards want with me!” Claymari was about to leap at Azrael but with the Gryphus around she thought better of it.

Azrael tosses a piece of black metal down at the edge of the pool. “You are going to make another Chimera Cauldron for us.”

Author's Note

Thanks to TundraStanza for the name Three Hearts

Gryphus are inspired by this artwork by Assasinmonkey.

Claymari Captured Part 2: Despair

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Claymari Captured Part 3: Hope

Claymari shakes off the wet and looks at the piece of metal Azreal had tossed on the ground. “And what this thing suppose to be?”

“It’s a piece of the cauldron,” Azrael answered, “It’s said to have been retrieved from the Dore caverns at Earth Capital. It authentic I both tasted it and checked my Azrael Sense.”

“Azrael Sense?” Claymari asked putting her muzzle down to sniff the metal.

“An ability I got from a pony called Pinkie Pie,” Azrael explained, “If you ever talk to Applejack again ask about her and what I did to her.”

Claymari licks the metal and smacks her mouth to analyze the metallic taste.

“They say that’s part of the womb of a god,” Azrael remarks in hopes of grossing the mare out.

“It’s magic,” Claymari said casually, “What’s uterus meat called?”

“Hysteria,” Azrael answers, “It’s a little rubbery, but female gonads (Makes kiss motion,) delish.”

“Ever ate a raptor’s lady mountain oysters?” Claymari remarks.

“What like a bird?” Azrael asked, “I have roasted a bird with an egg still in it’s belly.”

Kira and Polis cringed at the idea of an egg cooking in a belly.

“No, a dino raptor,” Claymari corrected.

“Can not say I have pertaked,” Azrael shook his head, “Does it taste like lizard.

“Poultry, Dinosaurs count as poultry the animals are in the same family and surprisingly taste alike,” Claymari told him, “Now if they where cold blooded they probably taste like reptiles. I suspect they would taste like a lizard.”

“About the cauldron?” Azrael asks.

“I suppose,” Claymari answered, “Or at least make it look like I’m working on the thing. You’d have to provide me with alcohol since I’m a drunk. I can’t make a full sized cauldron and guarantee it keeps it’s magical properties. But a smaller one should work fine. What do you want it for?”

“I want to be able to conceive children,” Kira answered, “The cauldron is said to have that kind of power.”

“I think a tea pot should suffice in that regard,” Claymari said smugly.

“The Chimera Tea Pot?” Azrael raised an eye at this. “It doesn’t have the same ring to it but I suppose it's what we got.”

“Okay now here comes the hard part,” Claymari adds with a smirk, “Since this is made from living iron we need more living iron to repair it. It’s not hard to come by and I only need a few pounds. The easiest way is to order a shipment of iron crab shells from the Shubee-do-wop ocean that’s pretty far away and may take some time. Knowing my friends you maybe short on that. Some types of baskerlisk have iron scales.”

“We don’t have baskerlisk around here,” Kira points out, “What we do have are iron birds but they live on the other mountain range at this time of year.”

“You can fly right?” Claymari points out.

“Anything else you need?” Azrael asks.

“Metal to work with, You may have tools for your forges, but I may prefer to make my own.” Claymari points out.

“You’re not going to do an Ironmare on us are you?” Azrael remarks.

“Who?” Claymari asks.

“Nevermind,” Azrael shook his head.

“What are you going to do with Nutcracker?” Claymari points at the mutant in the wagon.

“He’ll be find and more uglier I assure you, I’ll also be holding onto your sword to keep you from abandoning us,” Azrael adds.

“You think I put too much importance in that blade,” Claymari boasts.

“It’s as much your family as that Unicorn you drag around with you,” Azrael then claps his hooves and looks up at the Gryphus. “Will one of you lovely creatures take the mare to her room well I get her forge supplied?”

Polis volunteered, He takes Claymari down a cavern that was obviously enlarge to accommodate the larger creatures. Two ill looking Griffons with weighted collars walked past them as they went down the corridor. Claymari turned back and glanced under their tails to confirm they were female.

“Checking them out?” Polis smirks.

“I have trouble telling the sex of Griffons,” Claymari explained.

“They all are females,” Polis told the pony.

“What about the Gryphus?” Claymari asks.

“Mostly male,” Polis sighs, “Kira is our clan’s only female and as I’m sure you been told by now we can only reproduce with Griffons.”

“Those females don’t look happy,” Claymari remarks.

“You think so?” Polis asks, “I should track them down. So we can execute and replace.”

Claymari was taken aback by this. “That seems drastic.”

“They are breeding stock,” Polis tells her, “They aren’t suppose to be happy about it nor sad. It should just be their reality. Their place in the world.”

“True, But I don’t think breeding has to be so cruel,” Claymari remarks, “I myself would have had to conceive a foal by law if I was still living with my people at this point.”

“Well they will have more then one,” Polis told her.

“So, You the female and the zebra are the ones running the show,” Claymari asked as they walked.

“Well we have an elder but he delegates down to the rest of us,” Polis tells the pony.

“So is he more of a respected elder or a leader?” Claymari wonders.

“He’s the biggest, strongest and oldest one of us,” Polis answered.

“So, let’s just say he’s respected,” Claymari smirks, “Perhaps, I should introduce myself?”

Polis hesitates for a moment. “Perhaps you should, it may put some things in perspective for you.”

Polis leads Claymari to a large chamber. In the chamber was three large Gryphus. One was three times larger than any of the other Gryphus’s that Claymari had seen so far. He sat on a throne with half a dozen female griffons laying at his feet.

The large Gryphus turns his head one eye milky white. His plumage black speckled with red, his crest white, pelt crimson gold. “Ah, a pony female haven’t had one of those in a while.”

“What is his name?” Claymari whispers to Polis.

“Thor,” Polis whispered back.

“Oh, Lord Thor I am Claymari known as Sword Mare,” Claymari introduced herself.

“Hum, that sounds familiar,” Thor graveled.

“She’s supposed to be some kind of pony hero,” One of the Gryphus next the Thor points out.

“A hero?” Thor laughs to himself, “I fought many so called heroes, they took their last breaths screaming at my feet.” Thor starts to lift a large sword.

“She’s not here the fight you sir,” Polis steps in between Claymari and Thor. “She’s going to help your daughter become a breeder.”

“Yes, good,” Thor nods his head as he puts his sword away.

“I just wanted to see my benefactor,” Claymari told the giant Gryphus as she bowed respectively.

“Benefactor?” Thor raised an eyebrow.

“Your people commissioned me as a blacksmith,” Claymari explained, “I hope to be honorably compensated for my efforts sir.”

“Compensated, yes,” Thor nods his head then turns to the Gryphus beside him that spoke earlier and whispers, “You know of her, see the young lady gets what she likes.”

“I have something in mind,” he replied.

Claymari turns and walks out of the chamber. Polis follows after her.

“What the heck are you doing?” Polis snaps at Claymari.

“I’m more than the drunken warrior,” Claymari smirks, “I’m an experienced diplomat, I’m making a political play. I know how the game works and I’m getting out of this alive.”

“So, you’re getting yourself acquainted with our leader,” Polis remarks.

“Well he does have the most influence among you,” Claymari points out.

“True,” Polis nods his head.

Polis opens the door to some kind of a room. Claymari steps into the room and looks around. It was a carved room. Green levi canvas were hanged up on the walls as padding. There was a large dusty bed made from the same material. There’s even some shelves carved into the walls.

“Not bad for a prison cell or something in a mine,” Claymari remarks.

“There is only one way in or out of this mine,” Polis explains, “It’s guarded, you’re free to roam within reason.”

“What do you mean by within reason?” Claymari asks.

“If someone objects to you being there, then there is a reason for you not to be there,” Polis answers.

Polis turns to leave Claymari to her room, when a Griffon walks past him with a bottle of wine in a picture of water. Claymari sees the Griffon, then sees the wine she was carrying and her face lights up. She grabs the bottle from the Griffon.

“Don’t!” The Griffon starts to say.

Claymari takes a couple of swallows of wine and pulls the bottle from her lips.

“That was suppose to be diluted in water,” the Griffon tells the pony, “You just drank the whole pitcher’s worth of alcohol.”

“Yeah, I know,” Claymari smirks, “And I’m going to feel that in the morning. What’s your name girl?”

“Goldie,” the Griffon replied.

“Fetch me some snacks, I’ll be back in a bit,” Claymari tells the Griffon.

“We are going to be going?” Goldie asks.

“I’m heading out a bit, I am free to explore,” Claymari answered as she walked out the door.

When she walked, Claymari staggered a little bit as the high amount of alcohol hit her system. The pony made her way back to the cavern entrance, there she saw two large Gryphus standing watch at the opening. They allowed her to walk all the way up to the edge, because this entrance was in the middle of a cliff face. Being a pony who is unable to fly, she would have to climb her way down with some kind of rope. If she had such a thing, the Gryphus at the entrance wouldn’t allow her to get too far. And the Griffons with the weighted collars won’t fare much better.

As Claymari watched the outside a big black crow flew over her head. The thing firstly found some kind of crack to land on perching itself above all the other creatures. A Gryphus for its own pleasure tosses a rock at the crow. The thing flies away dodging a rock, only to land someplace else and squawk mockingly at the Gryphus.

“Why don’t you just fly up there and get it?” Claymari points out.

“It’s small, it’s swift and it’s clever,” the Gryphus snaps, “The darn thing enjoys teasing us and stealing our gold.”

“Steals your gold?” Claymari raises an eyebrow, “Like how does it steal gold?”

“Well when it first arrived, and we left the horde chamber open the thing would fly in and steal one gold piece at a time.” The Gryphus tells Claymari, “Then you put a lock on the door and guess what? It somehow finds a way to unlock the door and open it. So you have the door barred now. Then it started stealing our gold pouches off our belts. The damn thing is too clever for its own good.”

“What would this thing want with so much gold?” Claymari wonders.

“It’s a crow, it likes shiny things,” the Gryphus answers.

“You try following it to get your gold back?” Claymari asks.

“Yeah, but it keeps losing us,” the Gryphus told her.

A Gryphus walks up to Claymari, she recognized him as the one Thor was asking advice from.

“Greetings Claymari,” He said as he walked up, “Let me introduce myself, Turgh. We got you a gift and left it back in your room.

“Gift?” Claymari raised an eyebrow.

“As a gratitude for what you are doing for us,” Turgh replied.

Claymari was led back to her room. Once there Turgh shows off three strong looking stallions waiting in Claymari’s room.

“What’s this?” Claymari asks.

“You’re known for liking the company of males right?” Turgh points out.

“Oh,” Claymari realized, “You didn’t have to go through this trouble.”

“It’s not much trouble sweetheart,” Turgh told her, “These aren’t professionals mind you, but they’re good hard working ponies that we have captured to work for us. If they lose themselves and forget they are here to please you, you are free to beat them.”

“I understand,” Claymari nods her head.

“Where do you want us to start?” One of the stallions asked.

“We get drunk for starters, then tit, shit, clit and pit in that order” Claymari reached for the picture of wine. This was diluted wine not the pure stuff Claymari drank from the bottle earlier. After that incident, Goldie must have had the sense of mine to mix the wine herself and take the bottle back. “My name is Claymari.”

“Radish Hoof,” the navy and green stallion replied.

“Willow Bloom, the red and brown stallion answered.

“Fly Flower,” the last stallion answered. This one was more deeper red than the other stallion. His main started out yellow at the roots then grew out as red with speckles of white.

“Where did you come from?” Claymari asks as she passes the wine around.

“We were took from the fields,” One of the stallions answered.

Just then Goldie walks into the room with a tray of food. She looks around the room with the new stallions and remarks. “I should have brought more food.”

“The Gryphus took the stallions straight from the fields,” Claymari points out.

“That’s what they do,” Goldie replied, “When I was very young they took me and my mother. She died in the middle of mating with Thor. They thought since she had laid eggs that she could take him.” Goldie said this without any waiver of emotion.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Claymari told the Griffon.

“It’s just what is,” Goldie shrugs off, “I’m going to get some more food and the bottle of wine back.”

“That night...”

Claymari lay in her bed with the spent stallions snuggled up against her body. She awakens in stands up carefully as to not disturb the others. Claymari takes a quick glance at Goldie who had her head rested on one of the stallions.

At least the poor girl had one good sexual experience in her life. Claymari wasn’t sure at what point the Griffon joined in or remembered why.

The Gryphus didn’t seem to care about pleasuring the females they take. She also heard that feline cocks had stinging barbs. Also the Griffon probably gave birth at least once at this point in her life. So all her pussy knew was pain until the stallions put their lips to it.

Claymari snuck out of the room with some bread and a candle. She walks to the entrance chamber. The Earth Pony lit the candle illuminating the chamber in a dull orange glow. She inspects the ceiling tell she spots a suspicious black spot. Then she picks up a rock in her muzzle and throws it at the spot.

The crow squawks and flies from the area. It finds a new resting point and glares at Claymari. Meanwhile Claymari puts her candle down and leaves a pile of bread wafers next to it. She pours some pure wine onto the bread then walks away and waits.

After about a half an hour, the crow gets brave enough to fly down and eat the bread. It didn’t take long for the wine to have an effect on the crow. It got loopy and started singing its bird songs. Claymari then sneaks up on the thing. The crow notices her and tries to fly away, but it's vision was to distorted and it crashes to the ground.

Claymari puts her hoof on the crow.

“Don’t kill me!” The crow cries, “I’m magic!”

“I know your magic,” Claymari snaps at the thing, “That’s why I did this.” She moved her hoof.

Before her eyes the crow starts to change shape. It’s bones crack and wing feathers spread out turning the crow into an expanding ball. Hooves and claws come out of the ball as well as a long neck. The crow now resembled something like a Griffon but it’s face would switch between a bird in a ponies.

“Only an Animus would be so greedy and clever,” Claymari remarks.

“So you got me? What are you going to do with me?” The crow asks.

“I’m going to ask you to join sides,” Claymari answered.

The crow thinks about this for a moment. “What’s in it for me?”

“I’m sure you have many natures I can accommodate,” Claymari points out, “Greed? Playfulness? Hubris?”

The crow has now taken a completely pony form making it resemble a black Pegasus without the cutie mark. He walks around Claymari inspecting her. “All that does appeal to me, I heard they brought in three stallions to satisfy your sexual urges. You even took that lovely young Griffon.”

“I didn’t take the girl, I merely shared,” Claymari answered, “I’m usually not into watching other gals get there rocks off. But I just felt so bad for the poor thing, every girl deserves to be treated like a princess for one night.”

“So you would object to me taking her?” The crow asks.

“It would be respectful to ask her first and accept whatever her wishes maybe,” Claymari answers, “But nothing actually stops you from taking her. Just like nothing stops the Gryphus from taking her.”

“So you don’t object then?” The crow replied.

“I have to accept the Gryphus doing it, so why should I object to you?” Claymari shrugged, "I think she would be a little better off under your care anyway. Baby steps to full freedom is better then none."

“If I want to take you,” The crow looks into Claymari's eyes and asks.

Claymari kisses the crow on the lips. “Do you see me objecting?”

“You’re not the prettiest pony,” The crow tells Claymari, “But I would like to see if you are as good as they say.”

“The next day...”

Azrael introduces Claymari to the forges. She had the materials that she needed and soon had the forges lit. Azrael stayed and helped her a bit.

“You've had experience with forges before?” Claymari asked Azrael.

“My father was a metal magician,” Azrael answered.

After a while he just sat back and watched as Claymari worked. Soon Claymari began singing as she pounded on metal.

“Oh once there was a lovely buck,

Oh he had a sexy butt,

When he walked by the mares would call,

He made their pussies wet and that’s not all,

This got all the husband’s mad,

This was because their mares were glad,

And so they went up to the lovely buck,

And he took it up his sexy butt,”

Eventually Azrael got tired and began to do other things leaving and coming back. At first he did this every hour or so, Then every two hours, then to three. By the third day Azrael only came in to check on Claymari three times.

The last time Azrael walks into the forge room he notices a black crow perched on a stand next to Claymari.

“Is that the crow that has been terrorizing the Gryphusus?” Azrael noted.

“Yes,” Claymari said coldly.

“How did you tame it so quickly?” Azrael asks as he examined the bird.

Claymari points at the birds leg which had a metal ring around it. “Apparently he was someone’s pet.”

“I see,” Azrael replied.

“I may call it a day in an hour or so,” Claymari told Azrael.

“You’re the blacksmith,” Azrael shrugged, “for the moment I really don’t care what you do or how you do it. Just that when we do care, you get what we need done.”

Azrael walks out of the room passing Goldie along the way. She enters Claymari’s forge with freshwater for the mare to drink. Claymari wipes the sweat from her brow and takes a deep gulp of the cool liquid.

“So, how is the progress going?” Goldie asks.

Claymari pulls out a hidden box in opens it in front of Goldie. Inside were a pair of metal keys. This made Goldie rub the caller on her neck.

“Are those to our collars?” Goldie said wide eyed.

“Yeah, our friend,” Claymari points at the crow, “Stole a key, I copied it and he put it back before they even noticed it was missing.”

“Does that mean that the escaped will happen soon?” Goldie asks.

Claymari points at a small head size barrel of gunpowder. “That barrel is made of good strong wood. The kind that doesn’t burn very easily. If I thrust that into the forge it should take up to thirty minutes before the barrel explodes.”

“And that’s when I past the keys around?” Goldie answered.

“Yes,” Claymari nods her head, “There will be other help as well.”

“I’m not sure if I can fly after all these years,” Goldie says nervously.

“It’s like working the irons,” Claymari replied, “You never forget.”

“You know exploding this room isn’t going to slow them down,” Goldie points out, “They have other forges.”

“I know, all it is is a distraction,” Claymari tells the Griffon.

Claymari sticks the gunpowder into the forge and she and Goldie leaves the room. Goldie went back to the slave housing well Claymari went back to her room with the stallions waiting for her. Once there she began using one of the keys that she kept to unlock the stallions’s shackles. A short time afterwards, there was an explosion that rocks the mine.

“Now!” Claymari shouts.

Her and the stallions rush out the door. Ahead of them they could see a bunch of Griffon running down the hall with their callers now off. A couple of Gryphus step out into the hall to grab the Griffon. They managed to get a couple when Claymari running rams into one of them. A couple of the stallions attack the other Gryphus.

As soon as more Gryphus start showing up, there was a sudden flutter of crows. These crows swiftly turned into pony shapes or forms in between an attack the Gryphus. Soon the whole mine erupted into battle.

The crows had two objectives in mind. The first was to keep the Gryphus busy to let the Griffons and ponies escape. The second was to raid the Gryphus’s gold hoard. There were hundreds of crows the sheer number made the Gryphus unable to fight back against them.

Claymari enters the entrance chamber. She could see some of the stallions that she’s been sleeping with get grabbed by Griffons and flown away. Goldie puts her talon on Claymari shoulder.

“Don’t think about that little one,” Claymari replied to the Griffon, “You are unsure about your flying anyway. And I’m too heavy for you.”

“That is why I’m getting some help,” Goldie points at a large Griffon walking up beside her. A moment later a Gryphus talon slams down on the Griffon killing her.

Kira tosses the meat aside and glares at Claymari. “Liar, traitor,”

“You really thought I was on your side?” Claymari snaps.

Tears rolled down Kira’s face. “Why should you have children and I don’t!” She shouts.

This rose anger inside Claymari and she yells as loud as she could. “Why should my child! My child who I grew inside me! Have the be killed right in front of me! Bitch, life isn’t fair!”

Kira swings hars smacking Claymari and sending her across the room. She hit a couple of crows in Griffons along the way.

“Claymari!” Goldie shouted and started to rush to the mare.

“Save yourself!” Claymari shouted, “Make sure the word gets out!”

Goldie nods her head and reluctantly runs for the entrance then falls like a rock. Luckily for her a crow shaped like a pony swoops down and saves her.

“You're our little friend?” Goldie asks.

“Yes,” the crow replied, “You are mine now.”

“So what now?” Goldie asks.

“We have some boars to see,” the crow answers.

Claymari dodges another swing from Kira. Then something dark lunges at her. At first she thought it was a crow but then she soon realized that it was Azrael.

“I knew you were up to something,” Azrael smirks.

“What did you expect,” Claymari chirped, “I’m a booze drinking, sex having, self pitying, symbol of hope.”

Kira swings at Claymari’s flank. But Azrael blocks the attack with his wing. Then lifts his other wing to show Claymari Crimson Bond. This made the pony’s heart sink.

“You want this don’t you sweetheart?” Azrael mocked.

“Claymari composed herself. “No, I will not fall for your tricks, Escape now, then your head on a pike and then I hug my sword.”

“See pony your tricks are not working!” Kira screamed, “We should just kill the bitch now.” The Gryphus pushes harder against the Zerba’s wing.

“We need her unharmed,” Azrael warned pushing Kira back.

“She’s more trouble than she’s worth,” Kira growled.

Azrael with his other wing points it at Kira’s lower abdomen. “You think Griffons can grow their baby makers back?”

Claymari takes this time to sneak away. But she stopped by something else. This was the revitalized Warlord body of Nutcracker.

“Oh fuck me,” Claymari rolls her eyes. She reaches into herself and summons the power to flash step away.

Nutcracker looks up at Azrael was a confused look.

“She still has her sword powers even after all this time?” Azrael noted, “How long are those things supposed to last?”

Claymari found herself in the middle of a stampede. This was a risk of flash stepping in the crowd. She was not down in claws and paws stepped on her. Of course some of the Griffons fell as well. But by the time Claymari got the mouth of her she was always spotted in this time they didn’t give her a chance to escape.

Claymari was held with her forelegs pinned to her side in the claws of a Gryphus. She was struggling when Azrael in Kira came walking up. By now all the Griffons that were going to get away and got away and the ones that were captured were starting to get taken back to the holding area.

“Well Claymari, I think we need to take you someplace where you will learn a lesson,” Azrael smirked.

“Claymari was put into a dark cell...”

She didn’t know how much time had passed when the flash happened.

“Shit! Claymari!” Winkz shouts as her eyes adjust taking up precious seconds of her adrenaline high.

“Winkz? I’m over here,” Claymari cries hoarsely.

“Stay there I’m going to teleport you out,” Winkz tells Claymari.

“I am also here,” Azrael replied.

“Winkz! Run!” Claymari shouted.

Before she could react Azrael smacks the pony in the back of the head knocking her out. He then drags her out of the cell. After a while Winkz wakes up and rubs the back of her head. When she woke Azrael was there.

“Did you have to hit me so hard?” Winkz asked.

“Just making a convincing performance dark one,” Azrael smiled.

Winkz frowns, “Well this changes my plans.”

“Let’s just say your plans are interrupted but not finished,” Azrael replied, “I have plans that you can help me with.”

“What are they?” Winkz asked.

“Keep in mind, I’m just making this convincing,” Azrael said with a smirk as he approached the crystal pony.

“Wait! What you doing!” Winkz shouted backing away. She attempts to use her magic only to find it blocked.

“I disabled the protection spells for this area just to let you in,” Azrael answered, “Because I knew you would come. I knew she would see you. And she knows I will hurt you.”

From behind the closed doors Winkz screams in pain.

“Later...”

Winkz sat strapped to a chair. Blood ran down from her face. One eye was bruised, her lip cracked, her head swayed as she struggled to lift it. The rest of her body wasn’t faring any better.

“See, now wasn’t it not that bad?” Azrael said happily.

“You’re a bastard you know that?” Winkz snaps.

“You always hurt the ones you love,” Azrael replied, “You should have seen how I left Pinkie Pie. How a pony lives after losing so much blood I will never know. Also I must have a thing for dark pink. Maybe because it is like happy blood. I wonder if there were a spell that makes ponies bleed dark pink?”

Azrael unties Winkz, she falls to the floor in a painful mess. She then struggles to get to her feet.

“See I kept you mobile, so no permanent harm done,” Azrael points out.

“You broke some of my ribs,” Winkz gritted her teeth.

“Nonsense, they are only bruised,” Azrael half giggled.

Polis runs into the room, “Azrael! come quick!” Polis then looks at the beaten up Winkz and cringes.

Polis, Azrael, and Winkz rush back to the entrance chamber. It is there that they see Kira with a missing arm. Missing in the extent that it wasn't on her body. The arm was there but it was laying on the floor next to her and it looked like it was turning into soup.

“What in Her magnificents happened to you?” Azrael said with a look of glee on his face.

“Sword Mare, another Sword Mare,” Kira gasped.

“Another Sword Mare?” Azrael raised an eyebrow.

“There are are many Sword Mares and Stallions,” Winkz points out, “The term is used with a pony that possess one of the five magical swords that came from the sky.”

“Where are the swords located?” Azrael asked.

“One Claymari has,” Winkz explains.

“Had,” Azrael corrects.

“One in the bat pony territories, one controlled by Earth which they done experiments with to make special weapons,” Winkz continued, “There is one controlled by the Pegasus, and one controlled by the Unicorns.”

“It was the Earth Pony’s sword, Inspiration,” Kira spatted.

“Well can you help her?” Polis asked.

“Dammit man, I'm a psychopath not a doctor, Okay, I was a doctor,” Azrael joked, “In all seriousness, that arm is pretty gone. But the wound doesn’t seem to have any visible bleeding so she should live if we keep it from getting infected.”

“You brought dead flesh to life, you sure there isn’t anything you can do?” Kira asks.

Azrael laughs, “I can but not in a way that will please you, I think we should keep a good relationship for the moment being please.” Azrael turns to Polis, “Take Winkz to Claymari,” He ordered.

“Winkz?” Polis answered.

“The Crystal Unicorn,” Azrael points at Winkz with his hoof.

Polis roughly grabs Winkz by the arm.

“Not so rough, she’s a friend remember,” Azrael says as he starts cutting into Kira’s flesh. “Tell Claymari that if she doesn’t help us I’m giving the Unicorn to you to have fun with.”

Claymari was now in a lit cell. She paced angrily back and forth when the door opened. Polis tosses Winkz onto the floor.

“Winkz!” Claymari runs up between the Crystal Unicorn and Polis.

“Azrael did that to her,” Polis tells Claymari, “He said I can have her next time.”

“Bastard,” Claymari glared at Polis, “I demand to see Thor.”

“Are you sure you want to see him?” Polis asks, “You tried escaping after all.”

“I didn’t see the slave girl toss the gunpowder into the forge,” Claymari snaps, “That is my fault, but you can’t blame me for trying to escape when the opportunity happens.”

“I suppose right,” Polis nods his head, “That still doesn’t negate the fact that you tried escaping.”

“Please, just let me get back to work on the forge,” Claymari asks, “You can watch me closer.”

“You truly are a strange one,” Polis remarks.

“I like to keep busy, that’s half the reason why travel,” Claymari answered deeply, “I’ve learned it’s bad for me to grow stagnant with my thoughts. Labor takes the edge off, beer even more.”

Polis looks down at Claymari sadly. Claymari looks back up at him their eyes meet. “I’m sorry, I won’t do anything to the Unicorn that was Azrael’s suggestion on what to say.” He told Claymari, “I’ll try my best to help you. I’m not making any promises.”

Polis leaves the room.

“Are you going to be okay?” Claymari asks Winkz.

“The wounds are just supposed to look bad,” Winkz answered, “The next time he will make them real.”

“The next day...”

Azrael leads Claymari and Winkz into a new forge chamber. “Okay, let’s start over,” He told the mares, “You will work in here. You be a good girl, both of you be good girls. Claymari you work on the forge and the Crystal Pony will replace your little Griffon friend as your servant. Try something bad and she’ll lose her crystal head.”

“I understand,” Claymari nods her head.

“Claymari, could you step out with me for a moment?” Azrael asked, “In private.”

Claymari turns back to Winkz. “It’s okay, stay here.”

“Well I don’t want to make him angry,” Winkz replied.

Claymari and Azrael walks out into the hall.

“So what do you want to talk about?” Claymari asks.

“I was thinking of a way to punish you,” Azrael answered, “I had my hooves on this little tidbit of information that I was hoping to save for the right time. But since you been a bad girl I'm going to tell you just to see your heartbreak.”

“The anticipation is killing me,” Claymari said deadpanly.

“You know that daughter of yours?” Azrael asked, “Not the adopted one the real one, the one that’s dead and ripped apart in a big bloody mess.”

“At this point you’re pissing me off more than anything else,” Claymari gritted her teeth.

“What would your reaction be if I told you that she is alive?” Azure wondered.

Claymari fell back onto her hunches as her mind absorbed this new information. Then a very pissed off look came over her face and she punches Azrael right in the middle of the nose.

Battle for the Iron Bird Part 1: Sword or Mare

An army of boar stood in the middle of a pair of rocky outcroppings. At their front a large massive boar squeaks and grunts a speech to his people. Next to him a light brown sow. She was smaller than him but still larger than any of the other boar.

A crow made a loud caw disrupting the large boar’s rant. All the swine turn to look at the black bird. It flies from the tree it was perched in and lands to the ground. He turns into a half pony half crow form.

“Let’s speak in the magic high tongue?” The crow asked.

The female boar takes the form of a pony but kept her boar markings. “My father refuse to speak the despised tongue,” She snaps, “But as born from his loins so I speak for him.”

“Those who speak the magic tongue are coming to this mountain,” The crow answered.

“They come now and again what’s your point?” The sow snaps.

“Those are giant meat eaters,” The crow tells them, “Like the small meat eaters with the bird heads.”

“We will fight them,” The sow boasts, “But why tell us this? Wish to cause war and feast on their flesh? We keep the flesh, we eat the bones and claw.”

“I do this as a favor to a mate of mine,” The crow answered.

The sow sniffs the air. “I see.”

“The magic speakers will be after the Iron Bird,” The crow adds.

“Are you done then?” The sow asks.

“Yes,” The crow turns to fly away when the sow tackles him to the ground.

“Do you know what my name is?” The sow asked.

“Let go of me!” The crow squawked.

“Feather Breaker,” The sow answered before biting off the crow’s head.

Feather Breaker wipes off the blood from her mouth and turns to the other boar. “Find his lover, and kill the Griffon whore. Leave her wings for me to consume!”

“Three days later…”

Goldie walks across the rocky terrain. The white rocks poked into her feet and the brown sandy soil slid under her steps. She eyes every tall hill for danger. She could see the Bat Pony circling up ahead in the sky.

Metalance puts her hoof on Goldie’s shoulder startling the Griffon.

“It’s okay,” She tells her.

“Sorry, I’m suppose my nervures are just shot with all the stuff that happened to me,” Goldie sighed, “I was freed from the Gryphus only to be drugged here then to be chased from here by boar.”

“Well, if we could have avoided taking you here we would have but after killing a couple Gryphus we thought it was a bad idea to stay at the farm,” Metalance points out, “Any of us.” She turns to look at Tits Up and Mousecakes feeding a small band of cows.

“My hooves hurt from all this walking,” The cow complains.

“Hush now,” Tits Up pats her cow friend on the neck.

“Once we are out of these mountains we can rest more.” Rat Tak-Tak remarks as she comes walking back to the rest of the group Ferngully landing behind her. The Bat Pony stretches her shoulders and pops her back.

“Okay?” Rat Tak-Tak asks.

“Yes, just good to fly again,” Ferngully answers.

“The road up ahead turns and doesn’t go in the direction we need to if we have hope of finding the Iron Bird. We should figure out how to divide our party.”

“We should have the none fighting members of our party move ahead to Cannon Town,” Vepicon points out.

“What’s the plan once they reach Cannon Town?” Whirly Pop asks.

“I’ll have to rent farm space from a another farmer until we can afforded and or farm opens for us to buy,” Tits Up explains, “Normally in these case we may have to trade milk or exchange a calf.”

A cow hugs it’s young one.

“That’s a little cruel,” Pot Shell points out.

Tits Up shrugged, “The cows are my friends but they are lesser beings and it’s more acceptable to make some harder choices with them.”

“The same had been said about me,” Goldie adds somberly.

“I don’t mean to say it’s right,” Tits Up replied, “Just saying it’s more socially acceptable for two ponies or Griffon some combo there of to sell a cow between each other then another pony or Griffon. There isn’t a law against it but it’s looked upon as taboo. What the Gryphus did to you was stealing since you didn’t owe them any debt.”

“Whatever,” Goldie turns away from her.

“I don’t think she likes you very much,” Mousecakes remarks to Tits Up.

“I think I remind her too much of her slave drivers,” Tits Up points out.”

“So, the groups?” Honey Mead brings back on topic, “The Cows, Tits Up, Mousecakes, Pot Shell and Goldie are all obviously the ones going to Cannon Town. What about Ferngully, Whirly Pop, Vepicon and Puck?”

“Well now that you have the sword Inspiration your our group’s strongest member but the choice is up to you,” Rat Tak-Tak tells Whirly Pop.

“The Gryphus are strong, If I’m your hammer then I must be with the group that is most likely to fight them.” Whirly Pop answered.

“In that case I will go with the group going to Cannon Town,” Rat Tak-Tak told them.

“I’m with going with the rest of you to the mountains,” Ferngully tells them.

“Just don't be going and puting your self in any more harm,” Pot Shell warns.

“I’ll try not to,” Ferngully answers.

“You’re going to need another fighter,” Vepicon points out to Rat Tak-Tak.

“I’m not a good fighter but I’m fairly well with climbing mountains and cliffs,” Puck remarks, “I think I’ll go with the other group.” He then leans inn close to Vepicon. “Besides I don’t trust Whirly Pop alone with the girls.”

Vepicon puts a hoof on the pink pony’s shoulder and nods his head in solidarity.

“Okay, when we split Metalance will be in charge of the party,” Rat Tak-Tak tells them, “Next under her command is Honey Mead fallowed by Whirly Pop.”

“The next ben around the mountain they came upon a shocking sight…”

Bodies of mangled crows lay spooled out across the rocky valley. Among the dead were some boars as well.

“What happen here?” Vepicon wonders out loud.

Rat Tak-Tak stands up after examining the ground. “A battle between animal tribes.”

“Why would the crows and the boars fight like this?” Tits Up asked.

“I heard that they developed a taste for feathered creatures,” Puck answered.

There was three living crows picking at the carcass of a boar. One pulls out the dead pig’s eyeball as the group of ponies and Griffon approached. All three crows stop to look at the Griffon and flew over to her.

One lands turning into a winged pony shape.

“You are Goldie right?” The crow said more of a statement then a question.

The second crow lands, “You are ours.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Goldie backs away to gain some protection from the ponies.

“We are one,” The third crow said as he landed and took shape. “We are murder.”

“What’s going on?” Honey Mead mutters to her group.

“I heard crow flocks sometimes have a hive mind.” Pot Shell answered.

One of the crow points at Goldie. “She is ours.”

Whirly Pop steps forward. “I cannot allow that?”

“I, we were promised,” The crows said in unison, “We were killed, we had vengeance.”

“They are looking for a fight,” Whirly Pop heard her own voice in her head. It sounded like it came from the sword. “Make one scream now and you may save your friends from injury later.”

Whirly Pop tremored.

“I think the sword is talking to her,” Puck whispers to Honey Mead.

“You sure?” Honey Mead replied.

“I have traveled with Nutcracker,” Puck told her.

A crow steps forward. Whirly Pop starts to draw her bow. Rat Tak-Tak reacted quicker but held back the first blow. She knew this was up to the marshmallow coated pony on what happens next.

“Woot! Woot!” A pony shaped creature leaped over the heads of the group. She put a spear through a crow’s chest. Feather Breaker pulls the spear out as two more boar in pony shapes land near her.

The two remaining crow backs off turning back into birds and perching on a nearby tree.

“You’re a boar bitch Feather Breaker,” A crow snaps.

“I was hoping to let you get fat before I crushed your skulls in my teeth,” Feather Breaker smiled, “But the ponies forced our hand.

A boar lunges a spear point at Vepicon. Vepi blocks the attack with his sword the spear bouncing off the metal.

The other boar charged switching from his equine to swine forms. Whirly Pop had to dodge the beast. Behind her Pot Shell and a cow jumps out of the way as well.

Metalance activates her spear incasing her body in armor. She takes the full impact of the boar. For a moment the two creatures were at a standstill. Then the boar gets a hold of Metalance with his tusk and attempts to up root the green pony.

“Move!” Puck shouts at some of the cows that obscured his view. The bovine scattered allowing him to take a shot at the boar with his cross bow.

The bolt hits the boar's neck not penetrating deeply into its thick hide. Metalance slams down on the projectile. The boar could feel pain as the bolt went deep into his neck and piercing the air cavity of his throat. This didn’t stop it from flipping Metalance on her back.

“Stick together sweethearts!” Tits Up shouted in a panic as her cow friends scattered.

Rat Tak-Tak and Honey Mead had started to herd the panicking cattle together by pushing them with their bodies. Mousecakes attempted the same but was knocked back by the stronger cow and almost fell over.

Two more boars jump out and ambush a panicked cow. One grabs her forehoof and another bit her neck. Unable to open their jaws until once closed all the way they bit bloodily through the cow’s flesh and bone.

“Mommy!” The cath screams as it watched it’s mother die. Tits Up had to grab the creature to stop it from running to the killer boar.

Rat Tak-Tak stabs one of the boar that killed the cow relieving it of it’s life blood. Another boar appeared to replace it.

“Fuck! We need to get out of the kill box!” Rat Tak-Tak shouted.

A cow near her gives the mare an indigent look.

“Pardon my french ma’lady,” Rat Tak-Tak smirked at the cow.

Inspiration starts to react to Whirly Pop’s mental commands. She could picture images of all the boars heads flying off in a bloody mess. Her loins felt hot from arousal. Then the pony stopped herself in horror as the images of her last massacre popped in her head. She was starting to feel sick.

Puck holds his hoof out to Whirly Pop. “You don’t have to use it.” He said.

“I’m scared,” Whirly Pop cries. Her memories goes back to how Smart Cookie had treated her. “I don’t have to be weak anymore. No more. She sent us here to die.”

Ferngully hooks one of the boar with her grapplers and starts riding. The thing bucks her off and she lands into Pot Shell and Goldie.

“Are you okay?” Pot Shell asked.

“I think I hurt my back,” Ferngully groaned.

“Not again please,” Pot Shell rolls his eyes.

Feather Breaker turns into her boar form. The crows she was stocking took to the air. She fires strands of hair as thick as arrows at the crows. They drop dead to the ground. She then moves her attention to Whirly Pop.

Vepicon dodges the boar’s slashing tusks. The red pony swings, The boar ducks and thrusted foreword with his snout. Vepicon jumps and stabs his sword in the boar’s eye.

Rat Tak-Tak activates her spear turning it into a flute contraption. She stabs a boar that was behind her with it. The thing had a hole exploded into it and it drops dead.

“Using up our power is better than being dead,” Honey Mead says to herself as she activates her spear. When the flames shot out from her back, a boar with its back toward her farts and an explosion of flame knocks the pony to the ground.

The boar grabs Metalance’s tail hairs in its teeth. It starts dragging the armored pony across the ground. Metalance gives the creature a quick swift kick with her hind leg in the face. The armored hoof cuts into the boar’s flesh. The mare feels her hairs rip apart freeing her from the boar. Once to her feet Metalance grabs her spear and plunges it into the boar’s chest.

Feather Breaker turns back into a pony form and walks toward Whirly Pop and Puck menacingly. Puck fires his crossbow. It hits the boar in the shoulder but bounces off her hide.

The group starts moving and Puck pulls Whirly Pop up off the ground. Rat Tak-Tak starts leading them up the hill as the ponies fought off more boar.

“These damn things just keep coming,” Rat Tak-Tak snaps to herself.

“I don’t think reaching the top of this hill is going to help us much sister,” Mousecakes remarks.

“We have to retreat to somewhere,” Rat Tak-Tak points out. Suddenly a boar rakes Rat Tak-Tak in the back puncturing her deeply.

“Rat Tak-Tak!” Mousecakes shouts using her body to support her injured sister.

Mousecakes glares at the boar. She then pulls out her orb and glares at a nearby dried up tree. She whispers some prayers into the orb and it begins to glow. Then the tree too begins to glow. Within moments leaves begin to blossom on the tree.

Feather Breaker thrusts her spear at Whirly Pop. Whirly Pop blocks with her bow. The bow changes into something that starts rapping around her foreleg. Images of the female boar being dehided danced in the pony’s head.

“No,” Whirly Pop mutters to herself.

Feather Breaker swings again and Whirly Pop blocks again.

“I know you have more than this and you,” The pig snorted, “Fight me like a real warrior.”

Whirly Pop looks up at Feather Breaker, a silver metallic glint was in her eyes. “That’s just it I am not a warrior.” Hooks start to come out of the bow.

Before Whirly Pop could do anything, Puck jams a bolt into Feather Breaker’s side. The boar stumbles back as the wound seeps blood.

Just then the leaves on the tree stiffen and fly off its branches. They become helicopter blades attacking the boar. This also caused Feather Breaker to retreat back a few steps as she slapped the painful leaves away.

“What dark saucery is this?” Feather Breaker snaps. Then one of the leaves slices across her eyebrow. “Ugh, retreat!” She shouts.

Quickly all the boar left the area. Causing all the ponies in Griffin to give a nervous sigh of relief. Mousecakes tends to Rat Tak-Tak's wounds with some healing bandages.

“I managed to slow the bleeding down,” Mousecakes remarks, “But concerns me is that these bandages are supposed to be more effective than that.”

Goldie and Ferngully lands nearby.

“All along the roads the boar have ambush positions,” Goldie tells them.

“Yeah, they have us pretty much well trapped,” Ferngully adds.

“What about the cows?” Tits Up asks.

“We can’t split the group under these conditions,” Vepicon tells her.

“He’s right,” Rat Tak-Tak agrees.

“We can’t drag them across the mountainsides!” Tits Up shouted.

“We can,” Puck points out, “The biggest issue is that it will slow us down.”

“We also need to protect our livelihoods,” Vepicon adds.

“True,” Puck shrugs.

“What if we find a cave somewhere and drop you guys off?” Rat Tak-Tak asks.

“I’m sure that would be okay, at least for a while,” Tits Up nods her head, “But we only have enough food to last the cattle a few days.”

Rat Tak-Tak turns to Ferngully. “Think you too can start scouting for good spots for a cave?”

“Sure, as if we can pull a cave out of our asses,” Ferngully remarks.

“We can also keep an eye out for a cave on the ground,” Pot Shell adds.

“Yes, but our search area on the ground is limited due to the possibility of boar patrols,” Rat Tak-Tak replied, “Shit, we haven’t ran into any Gryphus yet.”

“Sister you need to calm down,” Mousecakes pulls back the bandage to check the wound. It was starting to look infected. “Why isn't this thing working?” She mutters.

“What?” Ferngully asks over hearing.

“There’s something wrong with the wound,” Mousecakes said quietly to the Bat Pony.

“Well she was gnarled by a tooth,” Ferngully points out, “A mouth isn’t the cleanest thing and these boar are touched on the magical side of things. Maybe their spit has special powers like one of those large lizard things on that island? Bat Pony bites are said to be hard to stop bleeding. I have bitten my lip quite a few times and I suppose that to be true but then again I haven’t compared it to a none Bat Pony since it wasn’t something I dwelled too much on until now.”

Whirly Pop sat on the mountain side. She was trying to swallow her emotions. She found herself thinking about memories of when she was a foal.

“The Wax and Taxidermy Museum…”

Whirly Pop wonders around the building full of grotesque dead creatures on display. Farther back there was a display of ponies. Each one of the dead ponies were incased in wax with each display show casing a different aspect of pony anatomy.

The first display had a mare petrified in wax. The next had another mare her body shaved bald. The next mayor had her skin removed showing the layer of fat underneath. The next show cased the muscles. Half showed the muscles as they were assembled in the body while the other half showed the muscles dissected into their individual parts. After that was a display only showing the bones and internal organs. The last showed the veins of the circulatory system.

“Most of these bodies were donated to Lord Adipocere,” A gray mare with a rust and ebony mane told the filly. She had a black explanation point for a cutie mark. She also had black eyeliner on around her face. “As to where the bodies came from before they were donated I cannot attest to.”

Whirly Pop gave a nervous smile in reply.

“Explanation,” The mare introduced herself, “My grandfather owns this place and I work here helping him.”

“Whirly Pop,” Whirly Pop answered, “My father runs East Apple Country, I’m in the capital to be educated.”

“Do you feel educated?” Explanation asks.

Whirly Pop looks up at the wax display. “I’m intrigued, they are kind of beautiful if you get past the death aspect.”

“We have more in back if you want to see?” Explanation points out.

“I suppose,” Whirly Pop said indifferently.

There are various individual organs and display in the background. Whirly Pop walks from one to another examining each small case. The last one she comes across was a display of stallion penises each one frozen in a different state of arousal. This caused the young filly to blush.

“So wha do you think?” Explanation asks.

“It’s umm, fascinating,” Whirly Pop answers.

“Explanation my dear girl, who is this you have with you?” Leo asks as he walked up.

“Grandfather, this is Whirly Pop a noble from the eastern part of the country,” Explanation tells the stallion.

Leo examines the filly. “Yes, there’s a spark in you.”

“I saw it too,” Explanation nods her head.

“So what?” Whirly Pop asks nervously.

“A thirst for knowledge, inquisitive thinking, and a spark of inspiration,” Leo answers.

“Whirly Pop? Puck arouses Whirly Pop out of her thoughts by putting her hoof on her shoulder.

Whirly Pop turns to look at Puck. He could see the silver glint in her eye. This made him nervous a little.

“Are you okay?” Puck asks.

“Peachy,” Whirly Pop answered coldly.

“Yes, if you say so,” Puck turns is flank to the mare and walks over to Metalance and Honey Mead. “She’s getting worse.” He told the mares.

“Well I admit she’s not a killer, so violence has more effect on her than us,” Honey Mead remarks, “that doesn’t mean the sword has control her mind. I spent time with Claymari and she didn’t seem to be controlled by her sword.”

“How can you be sure? Have you met this mare before she got the sword? Puck points out.

“He does have a point,” Metalance agrees.

“You always takes his side,” Honey Mead snaps.

“Hey, look at it this way Honey, after this little adventure you will most likely will not have to deal with me again,” Puck smirks.

This remark just made Honey Mead depressed. She grunts and turns her back to the others.

“Up in the sky…”

Ferngully and Goldie flew across the mountain range.

“I see no caves, I see no Iron Bird,” Goldie said disinjectly.

“Move!” Ferngully shouted pushing Goldie out of the way of some arrow like spikes of hair that was flying at them.

Goldie turns to see some boar duck into the mountain shadows.

“They all can do that?” Goldie said in shock.

“Apparently so,” Ferngully shrugged. She points up at a high cloud. “Perhaps we should take some cover outside of their range?”

Goldie nods her head.

They flew to the cloud and perched on it. The Pegasus and Griffin took a moment to relax and get a breath. Goldie turns her head to see Ferngully stretch her back again as she looks out over the landscape. Then the yellow pony’s eyes widened.

“That cloud above us? You see it?” Ferngully asks pointing out a massive cloud overhead.

“What about it?” Goldie answered with a question.

“It’s shaped like an egg,” Ferngully points out.

Goldie stares at the cloud. She could see the shape that Ferngully was talking about. Before she could say anything, the Bat Pony had already taken off for it.

There was a large black object sitting on top of the cloud. It was an estimated half a mile long. The outside of the object was smooth and metallic. Strange white lines and ruins covered the thing.

Ferngully runs her forehoof across the metal egg. The white lines smeared at her touch. She looks at her hoof to see it was covered in white dust. “Chock?”

“What do you think this thing is?” Goldie asks the Bat Pony.

“A giant metal egg,” Ferngully said mockingly.

“How big is this Iron Bird supposed to be?” Goldie asks nervously.

“I can guarantee you that this thing did not come from its pussy if that’s what you’re asking me,” Ferngully remarks.

“What do you think those markings mean?” Goldie asked.

“Spell ruins used by none unicorns,” Ferngully answered as she walked around the object. “They couldn’t have been put here more than a few days ago, otherwise the weather would have blown the dust away.” She comes upon a bloodstained section of the metal egg. “And that’s not good.”

From up above they heard a loud screech. The pony and Griffon looks up to see a metallic roc come down on them.

“Iron Bird,” Ferngully said in a deadpan tone.

“My God, it’s as big as a Gryphus!” Goldie shouted.

“Time to dodge,” Ferngully shouts.

The bat pony went up and the Griffon dodged right. The Iron Bird decided to go after Goldie. This caused Ferngully to make an 180 in the air and dives for the Iron Bird. Just as the thing’s talons was about to reach Goldie, Ferngully swoops in and bucks the monster in the back of the head as she passed by. This stunned the Iron Bird.

Suddenly a bloody Gryphus bursts from a cloud and grabs the Iron Bird by the neck. The roc claws its talons into the thing’s groin and attempts to dig at its eye. The two beings tumble to the ground.

Ferngully and Goldie rushes back to the camp to tell everyone what they discovered. When they got there Rat Tak-Tak was in really bad shape. She was shivering and sweating.

“You’re getting cold, we have to build the fire,” Mousecakes notes putting a hoof on Rat Tak-Tak’s forehead.

“No fire,” Rat Tak-Tak snaps, “We can’t risk it being seen.”

“We have a sheet of thick canvas, if we find a good overhang, we can obscure a good portion of the flames from prying eyes,” Vepicon points out.

“Perhaps, we can have the flyers switch priorities in their search?” Puck adds.

“It’s still too risky,” Rat Tak-Tak moaned.

Mousecakes pats her sister on the head and sighs.

“We found something,” Ferngully spoke up, “A few things actually.”

“What is it?” Puck asks.

“While we found the Iron Bird, we ran into a Gryphus, and found a strange onyx egg, a very big egg,” Ferngully answered.

“I think they crashed into the ground,” Goldie added.

“This Iron Bird is as big as a Gryphus,” Ferngully points out, “I still think we would have been better off trying to free Claymari directly.”

“I was thinking she wanted us to capture the bird to stop the Gryphus from using it,” Puck remarks, “But we can’t do anything with a bird this big.”

“Normally they are not that big,” Pot Shell said as he walks up with Metalance behind him. “But some say that every animal, every creature, every monster has at least one member of their species who have a god status. These members tend to be larger than the others of their kind.” He finished.

“Like the addition of the Alicorn goddesses each species of pony is said to have a god that protects them,” Puck points out.

Pot Shell nods his head. "The Earth Pony has Terrato who slumbers under the ground, the deformed Medusa who is said to mothered the Pegasus and is sealed in her temple, and the majestic Rhino the first Unicorn who’s encased in ice.”

“If we are lucky, both creatures died in that crash,” Vepicon remarks.

“How so?” Metalance asked.

“Perhaps, we can destroy the Iron Bird’s body before the Gryphus can take it,” Vepicom answered.

“You have a point,” Metalance nods her head, “But we have to deal with Rat first.”

“That evening...”

The party found a ledge to camp under. They all settled as the sky darkened and the stars came out. Tits Up pats us sobbing calf on the head.

“I want my mommy,” the calf sobbed.

“It’s okay dear,” Tits Up says to the young creature.

Mousecakes stood up and Tits Up turns to look at her. “Checking on your sister again?”

“Yeah,” Mousecakes sighs.

The purple mare walks up to the body laying on the ground. The body’s silhouette was illuminated by the moonlight. Mousecakes could feel the body’s coldness in the air and it unnerved her.

“Rat?” Mousecakes spoke up.

The body didn't respond, Mousecakes’s heart sinks in her chest. She lets loose a wail that wakes everybody up. They turned just in time to watch the pony dash away.

Mousecakes stopped running when she tripped on a rock. Once she got her footing, the pony realized that she was lost. Her equine eyes could see clear enough in the dark. But the night had mooted all the colors and she was hopelessly lost.

A silver flicker of light captures Mousecakes’s eye. She turns to look at it to see it was some type of object moving in the night. As it moved closer to Mousecakes’s face it turns into a butterfly. She begins to reach for it with her hoof.

Ferngully suddenly crashes into Mousecakes. She swiftly pins the Earth Pony down to the ground.

“Get off of me!” Mousecakes shouts.

“What do you think you are doing you idiot!” Ferngully snaps.

“My sister,” Mousecakes turns away teared eyed.

“She’s still alive,” Ferngully told her.

Mousecakes’s heart skipped a beat.

“You two out there!” Vepicon called out.

“Over here,” Ferngully answered back.

Vepicon finds his way to the two mares. As he approached Ferngully lets Mousecakes up.

“She looks like she calmed down,” Vepicon noted.

“Sorry about this,” Mousecakes answered blushing.

“Ack!” Ferngully squealed bumping into Mousecakes and causing her to bump into Vepicon.

“Ferngully what the heck man?” Vepicon snaps.

“Is that a butterfly?” Ferngully points at the silver object flying around them.

“Oh yeah, I saw that thing befo-“ Mousecakes gets cut off when the butterfly lands on her nose. Suddenly her, Ferngully and Vepicon disappears.

“-r you guys jump me,” Mousecakes finished as her and the other ponies reappeared.

They found themselves in some kind of chamber. The butterfly illuminated enough of it to show iron walls and floors and ceilings. But within moments the creature had flew around a corner putting the ponies in pitch black.

Mousecakes and Vepicon felt their hooves blindly along the metal surface. Ferngully just stood there listening. Even in the pitch blackness she had her eyes closed. Then one of the ponies bumped her.

“Watch it,” Ferngully snaps.

“Sorry,” Mousecakes answers, “Wait a minute, I think I have a source of light.” She takes out her orb from her saddlebag which had just enough glow to it to illuminate a foot area.

Ferngully winces at the light. “You know you interrupted me?”

“How so?” Mousecakes asks.

“I was trying to do my echolocation,” Ferngully answered, “I can only use it when all of my visual information is cut off.”

Vepicon looks around. The walls were made of large square panels that made everything visually look the same. This caused him almost to miss seeing the opening in the wall that the butterfly turned down. “I don’t think being able to see is going to help us much here.”

“In that case could you please put that thing away?” Ferngully asks.

Mousecakes gives the Bat Pony a nervous look, she didn’t like the idea being blinded again. Vepicon puts his hoof on her shoulder.

“It will be okay,” he told her, “The Bat Pony can see a lot better in the dark than we can.”

Ferngully pulls out scraps of fabric from her saddlebag. “Tie one of these over one eye,” she orders.

“Why?” Mousecakes asks taking the fabric.

“Eye patch,” Ferngully explains, “It’s supposed to stop your eyes adjusting to light too quickly. That way if you adjust to the dark and you turn on your light and turn it off it won’t take you as long to see in the dark again.”

“Thanks,” Vepicon said as he put on his patch.

Ferngully and Mousecakes each covered one eye too and Mousecakes puts her orb away. Everything went dark and Ferngully concentrates again. She slowly taps her forehoof on the floor. The sound reverberates through the structure and comes back to the Bat Pony’s ears. Her visual nerves bubbled underneath her eyelids and Ferngully could soon see a good amount of the maze ahead.

“How far can you see you like this?” Vepicon whispered.

“It depends,” Ferngully whispered back, “In quiet twenty meters, farther if the noise isn’t coming from my location. Multiple noise sources interferes and depending on how loud they are makes things hard to read.”

“I see,” Vepicon nods his head deciding to keep quiet from now on.

After a few minutes of walking around the pony’s eyes did adjust to the darkness. With their equine eyes they could pick up a slight glow coming from one of the passageways and cautiously follow it.

“I’m sensing a door up ahead,” Ferngully told them, “It’s full of objects I believe may be furniture and something living walking around.

Vepicon draws his sword as a precaution. They turned the corner and spotted a glowing butterfly that hovered above a doorknob.

Mousecakes and Vepicon were silent in this made Ferngully a little nervous. “Is something the matter?” She asks.

“We are looking at the butterfly,” Mousecakes answers.

Ferngully open her eye and she sees the silver butterfly. “It deflects no sound, a magic construct of some sorts perhaps?”

“What ever it is I think it wants us to open the door,” Vepicon notes.

This caused both mares to look at the stallion. Vepicon sighs and turns the doorknob with his hoof. The door cracks open and light blinds the ponies. The first thing that hits their nostrils was the smell of delicious roasted meat.

The pony’s eyes adjusted to a brightly lit gold like room. In the middle the room was a thirty foot long dining table covered in a white sheet turned yellow by the light source. On top of the table were roasted meats sitting on polished steel tupperware. Placed between the meats were candelabras.

At the end of the table stood a large gray metallic Alicorn. “I believe you are looking for me?”

Battle for the Iron Bird Part 2: God or Flesh

The ponies began to regather back at their camp after their search.

“We can’t find her,” Honey Mead said dissheartenly with Puck next to her.

“I couldn’t find anything either,” Metalance said as she walked up with Whirly Pop.

Tits Up, Pot Shell, Goldie, Rat Tak-Tak and the cows had stayed at the camp and watched the two group of ponies reconnect.

“Where’s Ferngully and Vepicon?” Pot Shell asks.

“Could question,” Metalance notes, “He used to be a soldier and should know the rags when searching for somebody who spontaneously runs away. He should be here about now, unless he just now came across Mousecakes or was attacked by something.”

“Don’t tell me they are missing too,” Puck groans.

“It appears that way unfortunately,” Whirly Pop points out.

“Shit!” Puck turns is back away from them shaking his head in a total loss.

“What’s that?” Pot Shell points out.

They all turn to see a silvery glow heading down the hillside. All the ponies braced themselves for combat. Suddenly there were mobbed by butterflies.

“Next morning...”

The Gryphus awoke with a stinging pain in his side. The last thing he remembered was fighting the Iron Bird. When he lifted his head up, he became horrified. A couple of boar had their snouts digging into his groin wounds pulling out strands of flesh and eating them. In a rage the Gryphus grabs one of the boar and uses it as a weapon against the other causing the two things to squeal as they died bloodily.

The Gryphus had to pull some of its larger feathers from its wing to act as a clot to stop the blood from flowing out of his leg. His head was swaying and his heart was beating rapidly. A spear jabs him in the neck and the Gryphus turns to see Feather Breaker with an evil smile on her face.

He knew that he didn’t stand a chance in the state he was in, but the Gryphus still had to fight for his life. Feather Breaker charges for him and he braces himself for battle and death. Just then two more Gryphus divebombs the boar princess. She squeals in pain and runs away.

“Are you okay?” Polis asks.

“I think I’m going to die,” the injured Gryphus grunted.

“Not today,” Polis told him.

“What are we going to do sir?” the other Gryphus asked.

“Revenge,” Polis answers, “I feel like killing something today how about out you?”

The other Gryphus nods his head in agreement.

The two Gryphus then flew in the direction of the fleeing boar. They soon found an encampment of them. They dived down at the boar.

The Gryphus would pick up a boar and drop it just to watch the thing splat or slam into another boar. The boar retaliated by firing arrows of hair. But the Gryphus were large enough that these didn’t bug them much.

Polis spots the biggest bore of them all and unsheathes his sword. A sword that was designed to be large enough for a Gryphus to wield. He dives down at the giant boar his blade raised and with all his speed and power comes down on the giant creature. But to his shock the sword bounces off knocking the Gryphus back. The boar were swiftly on him and Polis thrashed about to keep the pigs from injuring his body.

Blood trickled from the boar chieftain's skull. His bones were as strong as any steel blade but the impact still made his head hurt and he was feeling enraged. He put his eyes on the Gryphus before him and charged.

The other Gryphus had just looked down to see the boar mobbing Polis. He dives into the fray and helps pull the boar away from the other Gryphus. As he attacked and tossed boar the chieftain charged.

The Gryphus and the boar were shoved out of the way as the chieftain plowed through. Some where even injured by this brash action.

The massive boar hits Polis in the gut knocking the air out of him. He then found himself being drug along with the boar in its charge. Somehow Polis had managed to keep a hold of his weapon and he plunges it into the boar chieftain’s back. The old monarch squeals in pain and with all the strength he could muster, Polis pushes the sword deeper into the boar. The creature goes limp and stops moving.

“Father!” Feather Breaker shouted. The boar leaps into the air at Polis her spear poised. Polis smacks the sow with the broad side of his sword. She was slammed into the ground and felt the wind leave her body. The last thing Feather Breaker saw before she passed out was Polis slicing a number of boar with his sword.

“Later…”

Feather Breaker awoke to the stench of death and decay. Under normal circumstances this smell meant victory, pride and feasting. But her smug feeling soon left her as she remembered the last moments of consciousness she have had. Feather Breaker’s eyes cleared and she could see crows feasting on the corpses of her tribe members.

The pig gets to her feet, she winces as pain shoots up one of her forelegs. Feather Breaker then scours the area until she finds the large body that she was looking for. Many crows had been feasting on her father’s corpse. She was filled with emotion and Feather Breaker charges at them.

“What goes around comes around, what goes around comes around,” the crows song as they flew away from Feather Breaker.

“I get it you bastards!” Feather Breaker shouted, “But I just want one piece.”

Feather Breaker dives her snout into her father’s chest ripping into the flesh. Her body soon became covered in his blood as she pushed her head underneath his rib cage. The boar found what she was looking for and pulls out the giant boar’s heart. She looks at it for a moment before sinking her teeth into the organ.

As she ate the heart, crows begun to gather around the boar. When she was done she lifts her head up and wipes off the mixture of blood and saliva from her lips. And without turning her head speaks to them. “Come and get me if you want me!”

“The Iron Egg…”

Polis laid the injured Gryphus on a cloud.

"Get my gear and supplies. they are over there,” the Gryphus weekly points at another cloud across from them.

Polis nods his head in acknowledgment and flies over to the cloud. He finds a few Gryphus sized saddlebags and starts looking through them for anything useful and quickly found the bandages that he could use to patch up his comrade. He also came across some runic spell books and writing utensils mainly chock. Polis puts this stuff aside for the moment in flew back to the injured Gryphus.

“What were you doing here?” Polis asks as he patched up the Gryphus.

“I was trying to retrieve the Iron Bird,” the injured Gryphus told him, “He is hiding himself within that egg thing.”

“I see,” Polis nods his head.

“I knew only magic could break such a thing and remember I had a book in my private horde.” The Gryphus continued, “Please, finish the spell and crack the egg. Then the Iron Bird will have no place to hide.” The Gryphus took a breath, “You will also need to make these pendants to make sure the butterflies don’t teleport you away.” The Gryphus showed them a pendant with a rune symbol on it that he had around his neck.

“Rat Tak-Tak wakes up…”

The mare found herself wading in some kind of wax bath. As she moved she broke apart the crust of wax that had formed on the surface of the water and around her. The first thing Rat Tak-Tak did after sitting up on her hunches was to check the wound on her back. It was almost healed.

“Almost as good as my mother’s old dagger,” Ferngully remarks as she walks into the room. “Maybe I should lie in one of those later on?”

“What’s going on?” Rat Tak-Tak demands.

“We found the Iron Bird, well one of their gods which is technically the same thing,” Ferngully answers.

She helps Rat Tak-Tak out of the bath and leads the mare out down the hallway and into a large dining room where the rest of their companions were. Rat Tak-Tak was hit with the smell of roasting meat. She looks down at the table to see a cooked bird about the size of a turkey.

“The whole thing is yours if you want it?” Ferngully remarks.

Rat Tak-Tak sank her teeth into the roasted bird. The muscle tissue fell apart in her jaws as she savers the taste. Her body thanks her for the food with waves of pleasure.

“Sister!” Mousecakes runs up and hugs Rat Tak-Tak.

Rat Tak-Tak wipes a chunk of charred meat from her lip by using her hoof. “It’s good to see you too.” Rat Tak-Tak looks around the room. “What is this place?”

“This is the Iron Bird’s sanctuary,” Mousecakes answered.

“But why are we here? Heck that, how did we get here?” Rat Tak-Tak asks.

“We were kind of captured,” Metalance says as she walked up her face red with blush.

“Dammit Meta, you had only one job to do and you had to mess that up,” Rat Tak-Tak snaps than us smile crosses her face and she begins to laugh. “At least you got us captured by someone who gives us expensive dinners.”

Whirly Pop came walking up to them as well. “It seems that the guy that runs this place is indeed the Iron Birds avataric god. He built this place around us as a safe haven for them to lay eggs and raise their young. But things have become desperate for him.”

“I suppose with a whole mess of Gryphus after him that’s not that shocking,” Rat Tak-Tak remarks.

“He remembers from ancient times that ponies used to be guardians of nature and the animals and hoped that we could help him,” Whirly Pop answered.

“And where is this benefactor now?” Rat Tak-Tak asks.

“I was checking my inner sanctum, it’s where I keep the others of my race,” a metallic gray coated Alicorn answers as he walked into the room. “You may call me Ferrum Avis.”

“Another Animus? We have been running into a lot of you guys lately,” Rat Tak-Tak raised an eyebrow.

“Well we have been dealing with a lot of wild animals as of late,” Whirly Pop points out.

“True,” Rat Tak-Tak shrugs.

“Also every living being has the ability to take the shape and form of another living being,” Ferrum Avis points out, “They just need the magic power and the mind for it.”

Suddenly the entire structure is shaken by a loud boom from outside. Then they could hear loud cracking and creaking noises.

“Oh that’s not good,” Puck remarks.

“Is that the building breaking apart?” Pot Shell points out.

“What do we do if we have to abandon ship?” Honey Mead asks.

“Fall,” Puck snickered.

“That’s not funny,” Honey Mead said coldly.

“My concern is how are we going to fight the enemy on top of clouds,” Vepicon points out.

“Well any being with the ability to make a giant metal egg float should be able to make ponies float,” Pot Shell adds.

“And now we have no excuse not to fight them,” Vepicon moans.

“It is true that I can cast the magic to make you able to walk on clouds,” Ferrum Avis told them, “But we now have three of those winged beasts the deal with.”

“Well one of us face those odds before and won,” Metalance pats Whirly Pop on the back.

“No!” Whirly Pop backs away horrified.

“What’s the matter? Metalance asked.

“Your friend Puck is right about me,” Whirly Pop answered then pulls out the bow that Inspiration is fused with. “This thing is making me scared of myself. Having thoughts and memories of bad things.”

“You’re not a bad pony Whirly,” Honey Mead said to the white mare. “Puck is being paranoid.”

“No, I’m a bad pony,” Whirly Pop shook her head as memories starts flashing in her mind. She focuses on an image of her cutting into a pony on an autopsy table with Leo standing behind her watching.“I have never flinched away from blood and gore. I’m sick, I’m sick.”

“Sister, you don’t have to beat yourself up,” Pot Shell stated.

Whirly Pop just shook her head and backed farther away.

“Look, once we defeated all the Gryphus you can do whatever you want with that sword bow thing or whatever you want to call it,” Rat Tak-Tak tells Whirly Pop, “But for now we need you. We just don’t need your weapon we need you.”

Whirly Pop still stood there silently. Then Tits Up walked up to her and slugged the mare in the face.

“You’re not the only one who has experienced blood and meat, I have seen all kinds of injuries and I have watched and helped births of many kinds, blood isn’t something to be afraid of it is nature.” Tits Up snaps.

“You don’t get it, I loved it, the pain, the power, I was in control, I am the strongest,” Whirly Pop said as a silver glint goes into her eyes.

Ferrum Avis puts a hoof on the back of Whirly Pop’s head. He mumbles some words and the glint leaves Whirly Pop’s eyes.

“What just happened to me?” Whirly Pop shakes the strange feeling from her head.

“Your weapon is admitting strong magic,” Ferrum Avis answered, “May I see that for a moment?”

For a split second a voice in Whirly Pop’s head told her not to hand over the weapon. She had to push back that feeling and reluctantly puts the bow inside of Ferrum Avis's hoof. The Animus’s horn glows causing magic symbols to appear on the weapon.

“This weapon has a strong will of its own,” Ferrum Avis said, “Its prime directives are to find a wielder in wait for the spark and join its brothers. But until then they desire to be separate from one another as to not be abused as one force. But this weapon is special, it has an ego stronger than the others. It wants to show the world what it can do. And since that is in the form of a weapon that is kill.” Ferrum Avis hands the weapon back to Whirly Pop. “I have pushed away this ego for now. It’s still there but it will be seeping into your mind much much slower. So slowly in fact that once you realize something’s wrong it may be too late to resist. But that’s the risk you take for using this thing.”

Whirly Pop nods her head.

“Outside the Egg…”

Polis, The injured Gryphus and the Gryphus that came with him all drew symbols on the side of the egg. There was already a crack across the side of the structure.

Once another set of runes were finished there was another explosion and the crack grew wider.

“One more of these could do it,” The injured Gryphus said.

“Not if I can help it!” A metallic gray Alicorn shouted.

Before their eyes the alicorn turned into a giant Iron Bird.

“That’s the guy!” The injured Gryphus shouts.

Polis draws his sword. “Lancep make sure one of you keeps drawing runes.” He orders the uninjured Gryphus.

Polis strikes the roc but the roc’s living iron feathers protected it. But the impact was enough to knock the roc back. He dives and Polis dives after him.

The ponies crawl out onto the surface of the egg. The first one to step out was Metalance. Her hooves looses its footing on the slick surface and she starts to slide. Lucky for her military ponies have to wear horse shoes and her metallic foot wear dug into the surface making her stop in a trail of sparks.

“Watch your footing!” Metalance shouted.

Honey Mead was the next to walk out. The wind was fast and it caught her long hazel mane and blew it across her muzzle. The pony brush the hair from her face then activates her spear and walks cautiously out. If she felt like she was going to fall she would right herself with a burst of flame that pushed her in the right direction.

“Show off,” Metalance smirked at Honey Mead.

“Your just mad because your powered form turns you into a rock,” Honey Mead remarks as she balanced on her hooves.

Rat Tak-Tak was the next to step out. She looks nervously out at the horizon. “This is the first time I’m entering into a battle feeling that both sides are equally fucked. Spell or no spell a tumble down that thing is going to hurt. ”

“Now you’re the officer in charge Rat, you are suppose to be encouraging not depressing,” Puck remarks as he steps out with Vepicon.

“Do you two have horseshoes on?” Metalance asked.

“No, But that’s not stopping us, We just need to be a little more careful.” Vepicon answers. He looks at the runes. “I know this magic.”

“Where from?” Ferngully asks as she flies out of the hatch.

“I had a mentor that lived not too far from here, She was an Earth Pony born Unicorn and needed runes to help her cast magic.”

“I was noting my mother used the same kind of magic,” Ferngully remarks.

“Can you use runes?” Vepicon asks.

Ferngully points at the antenna at the side of her head. “Don’t need too.”

Puck slips and Ferngully swoops in and catches him. “Careful now,” She tells him.

Finally Whirly Pop climbs out of the hatch.

“It’s nice to see that you decided to join us,” Rat Tak-Tak smirks.

“I said I would help,” Whirly Pop replied.

“Back in the Egg…”

Tits Up leads the cows into the aviary. Pot Shell and Goldie follows in after them. Inside the aviary were less than a hundred Iron Birds most of which were sitting in various nests.

One of the eggs, a thing made of living iron, starts to hatch. It started by getting a spot of rust. That spot would grow and crumble until the egg fell apart. Then the chick could crawl out of its shell.

“Could you imagine how few ponies if any have actually seen this?” Pot Shell remarks.

Then there was another explosion. Everything shakes and an egg rolls out of one of the nests. Goldie reaches out and grabs the egg and puts it back in the nest were it belonged.

“That was a close one,” she comments.

“Back outside…”

Lancep had just finished another rune and watched it explode. A large fisher was now ripped open in the iron egg.

“You’re up for raiding this thing?” Lancep asks the injured Gryphus.

The injured Gryphus shook his head up and down.

Just as they were about to crawl in a voice calls out.

“Where did you learn these runes?” Vepicon shouted with his sword in his muzzle.

The injured Gryphus turns and looks at him. “What is it to you?”

“Answer me!” Vepicon screamed.

“Some stupid Unicorn was walking alone on the road and I made a little meal of her,” the injured Gryphus smirked.

Light shines off the rune at the tip of Vepicon’s sword. The blade was set afire and the pony charges. Polis rips off a loose chunk of iron and blocks the sword swing. Honey Mead charges in and Polis dodges her spear strike.

Rat Tak-Tak transforms her spear. The upper atmosphere’s winds move across the holes and it emits a high pitched wail. All the ponies through their ears back at the sound. Lancep tosses his chunk of metal at Rat Tak-Tak. She dodges it but looses her footing and starts sliding down the side of the egg. Ferngully had to dive down and grab Rat Tak-Tak and in the process took the chance to fire a magic bolt at the Gryphus. It hits Lancep in the shoulder.

“Could you put your spear back in its normal state?” Ferngully asks, “That noise is hurting both sides.”

Rat Tak-Tak’s spear turns back into its passive state.

The injured Gryphus grabs Vepicon’s sword. It was red hot and singed his flesh. A look of fear goes into Vepicon’s eyes.

“This pain means nothing to me,” The Gryphus lifts Vepicon by the sword in his muzzle and with a flick of his wrist tosses the pony aside.

Ferngully puts Rat Tak-Tak down and swoops to the red stallion.

Puck fires a bolt at Lancep hitting the Gryphus in the upper arm.

“Why aren’t you armored up?” Puck asks Metalance next to him.

“I move more agile without it,” Metalance answers, “Besides I’m afraid I’ll fall faster with it.”

“You do realize you can’t fall faster,” Puck remarks.

Lancep swings at both of them and they jump out of the way of his attack.

“Okay then,” Metalance said with determination as she armors up and charges.

Lancep back hands the mare and she was sent tumbling down the side of the egg. She rolls off the cloud.

“I knew this would happen!” She shouted as she fell.

Ferngully sees Metalance falling in her heavy armor and sighs disheartenly. “Sorry Meta I’m not touching that one.”

As she fell, Metalance felt her armor moving on its own. Her legs tucked in and her plates popped out and started shifting. She found herself in the shape of a crescent. The wind hits her body and Metalance hits the ground hard at a semi glide that broke rock and tossed up dust. As the dust settles Metalance stumbles out of the crater that she made and falls over.

“Well, she lived, I think,” Ferngully smirks. She then flies down to help her.

Honey Mead charges at the injured Gryphus. She stabs him in the knee causing him to back near the edge of the cloud. The injured Gryphus stabs at Honey Mead with the flaming sword. The flames hits the ethanol gas making a fireball explosion that knocks the Gryphus off the cloud.

Whirly Pop pulls out her bow. The injured Gryphus was now hanging off the edge of the cloud. She rapid fires on him and he lets go his injured wings not allowing him to fly.

Polis could see the Gryphus figure fall out of the sky. His head ducks as a set of bladed wings swing over him. At the same time Polis uses his sword to block the roc’s talons.

“Where em I?” Metalance said groggily.

“You fell from the sky,” Ferngully held the mare up. “I didn’t know you could glide.”

“I can fly?” Metalance jumped awake.

“I said glide not fly,” Ferngully corrects.

Lancep reaches out and grabs Whirly Pop with his claw. Whirly Pop replied by making metal spikes shoot from her body. Lancep shrieks and tosses Whirly Pop off of the cloud. Wings appears on Whirly Pop and she starts gliding toward Ferrum Avis and Polis.

Lancep quickly binds his bleeding claw. At the same time Rat Tak-Tak stabs him in the hind leg knee. Lancep kicks her away as Vepicon grabs his sword and charges. He cuts into the Gryphus its flesh simmering in the aftermath.

Lancep looks around at the ponies creeping up on him. He realizes the odds aren’t good and flies away. This caused the ponies to cheer.

Polis swings his sword. It bounces off of Ferrum Avis’s wing. Polis goes around and bunts the roc in the face with the hilt of his sword.

The Gryphus caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. He swings around with his sword, Whirly Pop blocks with a forehoof extending out a metallic shield.

“So you came down to fight me?” Polis smirks.

“Oh, I just happened to be here,” Whirly Pop smiled back.

Ferrum Avis lashes out with his beak. Polis jumps away in takes a defensive stance against Ferrum and Whirly Pop.

Ferrum Avis flaps his wings sending feathers flying. The feathers turns into butterflies and swirl around Polis. They glowed brighter as they attempt to use their teleportation magic. But Polis with a swing of his sword scatters them.

“Think you can beat me,” Polis snaps, “My quest is too righteous to fail.”

“When pigs fly,” Ferrum Avis smirks.

“Then they fly today,” Polis charges.

Ferrum Avis dodges, “No! Pigs really flying.”

Polis turns to see a giant boar with wings charging at him. It hits the Gryphus and they both tumbled to the ground. Polis lands chest first and the boar bites into his wing joint. Then the boar takes a pony form, that form was of an Alicorn.

“Remember me?” Feather Breaker says into Polis’s ear.

Lancep makes a dive and tackles Feather Breaker. He grabs Polis and they both fly away. Whirly Pop fires at the two Gryphus. Even though she had hit her mark it didn’t stop them from getting away.

“Get back here you coward!” Feather Breaker shouted.

Ferrum Avis and Whirly Pop looks at Feather Breaker. She noticed their stairs and arched her back preparing for battle.

“Want to join sides?” Feather Breaker asked nervously.

“Later…”

“No,” Vepicon snaps, “That thing should be in chains and tried for her crimes against pony kind.”

Feather Breaker in her pony form stands in front of the party of ponies with a sheepish look on her face.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Whirly Pop points out.

“Given that she attacked us not too long ago, that kind of thinking is stupid,” Rat Tak-Tak remarks.

“But we do need the manpower,” Puck adds.

“Puck!” Vepicon snaps.

“No, he’s right,” Rat Tak-Tak replied.

Vepicon turns his back to the ponies in stomps his hoof. “At least put her in chains until we need her and once all this is done make sure she’s atleast put on trial.”

“I am starting to have second thoughts about this partnership,” Feather Breaker remarks.

“Think you can take on an army of Gryphus all by your lonesome?” Rat Tak-Tak smiles, “Vengeance has a price. If push comes to shove we can kill you now.”

Feather Breaker holds out her forehooves. Whirly Pop contacts them with her bow. A piece of metal jumps from the bow and wraps itself around Feather Breaker’s forehooves. The metal turns into gauntlets.

“I am telepathically linked to those cuffs,” Whirly Pop told her, “With a thought I can have those slice off your hooves. Make a wrong move or get too close to me.”

“I get your point,” Feather Breaker nods her head.

Above them they could hear a loud crack. They look up at the cloud that holds the iron egg to see many Iron Birds fly away.

“Wow, those things grow quickly,” Ferngully remarks.

Ferrum Avis lands in front of the ponies. “I would like to thank you for helping me.” He said.

“The honor is ours,” Mousecakes bows.

“My vessel is damaged,” Ferrum Avis told them, “I’ve been thinking about making a new one, sadly year after year the numbers of my kind have been dwindling more and more. Perhaps I should make a smaller vessel one less conspicuous.”

“I think that may be a good idea,” Rat Tak-Tak remarks.

“You may use this old vessel as you wish,” Ferrum Avis tells them.

“Is that so?” Rat Tak-Tak looks up at the sky and smiles.

“At the Gryphus stronghold...”

Claymari rummages through the pile of Gryphus horde. As she picked out gold goblets and jewels, she takes swigs from a small alcohol barrel around her neck.

“Claymari what are you doing?” Winkz asks as she walks into the room. “If those things catch you in here they will strip your hide.”

“Oh, I have permission,” Claymari told her as she slid down the pile of gold. “I told them it might be nice to reutilize some of this material to decorate the teapot.”

“I never thought you to be so artsy,” Winkz remarks.

“Oh, I’m not, I’m a practical blacksmith,” Claymari smiles, “The thing is going to look like shit if I start plating it in gold and adoring it with jewels and crap.”

“The party has returned!” A voice shouted, “And get the medic.”

“Again?” Claymari remarks as she takes a chug from her barrel. “I sware for bad ass monsters these people get their asses kicked a lot.”

Claymari and Winkz heads for the entrance chamber, there they see Polis and Lancep covered in wounds.

“Don’t tell me you failed again,” Azrael remarks entering into the chamber with Nutcracker following him.

Seeing Nutcracker causes Claymari to give Azrael a cold glare.

“You really want to kick my ass don’t you?” Azrael smirks.

Polis looks around the room. “Where is Kira?” He asks.

“She’s been very depressed lately with the loss of her arm,” Azrael answered then looks at Claymari. “Once the babymaking teapot is made she should be a little bit happier.”

“I get your point,” Claymari rolls her eyes.

“Did you get any living iron?” Azrael asked.

“Sorry, We completely failed,” Polis answered, “Their god hidden all of their species inside a giant iron egg. We managed to blast it open, but the Iron Bird god and a group of ponies with strange powers repelled us.”

Azrael pauses for a moment to mall over this information. “Did you retrieve a piece of this egg?”

“No, why?” Polis asks.

“One would think a magical iron bird would use living iron to make an iron object,” Azrael told him.

“Oh,” The two Gryphus said in unison.

“Well regardless I had a backup plan,” Azrael says as he walks up to a wooden crate. The Zebra smashes his hoof into the crate allowing pounds of iron crab to fall out on to the cavern floor.

Gryphus Maximus Part 1: Monsters Fall

Kira shivers violently, her body felt sick. She looks down at her remaining arm. A sadness sunk in her heart. The Gryphus felt the erge to rip at her vein with her beak.

A knock at the door draws the Gryphus’s attention away from her own blood lust. As she looks up at the door, a black tear taking the shape of a spider falls from her eye. By the time she opens the door it was gone.

“Your father is requesting your presence,” Tough demanded.

Kira nods her head.

They walk to Thor’s chambers. In there there were fifthteen full grown Gryphus and thirteen young ones. The remaining female Griffons the clan had managed to keep a hold of sat in two rows in front of Thor’s thrown.

Kira looks at the Griffons and the spider covering her heart tightens its grip. Thoughts of how she is now no different to the males of her kind then those small weaklings enter her mind.

Kira takes her place by her father’s side as Claymari walks forward with a large simple iron teapot. The pony does a curtsy and speaks.

“Oh Lord Thor I present to you the Chimera Teapot as you requested,” Claymari said in a grandiose matter that played to the moral of the crowd.

Thor motioned for a Griffon to take the teapot for him. Claymari steps back into the crowd next to Winkz.

“I thought you were going to decorate that?” Winkz asked.

“Well we need to know it works first,” Claymari answered then smiled, “Yeah we did some tests but I’m not going to drink that shit. Azrael says that given what he knows about Griffon biology we should know right away if it works. Besides I have enough orichalcum stored up that I can make a decent club sword out of it.”

“Azrael of the Zebra,” Thor addresses. Azrael stepped forward. “How do we use this teapot?” Thor asks.

“One just needs to simply boil water,” Azrael answered.

“Do we have a portable stove?” Thor asks the crowd.

Two Griffon carries forward a stove with some kind of gas tank attached to it. They turned on the stove’s burner and filled the teapot with water. The teapot was sat on the burner.

“Now everyone turn around,” Thor orders.

Azrael raised an eye. “Why?”

“A watched kettle never boils,” Thor answered.

Everyone in the room turned away from the cooking teapot.

“This is ridiculous,” Winkz grumbles.

“I like him the way he is frankly,” Claymari replied, “It makes him a little more malleable.”

Kira had turned away from the teapot but watched it out of the corner of her eye hoping it would not boil. One she had longed to have children. Not even the death of her favorite lover did not deter from her desire. Then she lost her arm and suddenly nothing mattered any more.

The teapot starts steaming and Kira was filled with more sadness.

“You can turn around now,” Thor ordered.

Everyone turns back around.

“You can now empty the teapot,” Azrael told him.

Thor points at a Griffon. The Griffon dumped the contents of the teapot into a white bowl. What poured out was a thick stringy milky white substance. It had a pungent sex smell to it.

Winkz raised an eyebrow, “Is that?”

“I think so, makes sense if you think about it,” Claymari shrugged.

“Wow, you made a magic teapot that turns water into cum,” Winkz rolled her eyes.

“Second most awesome thing I made,” Claymari smirked, “Oddly enough the first involved cum as well.”

“What was the first?” Winkz asked.

“Eponi,” Claymari replied.

The Griffon kneels in front of Kira presenting her with the bowl and it’s brew. Kira feels her heart tighten again as images of Griffons being fucked by Gryphus danced in her head.

“Get that away from me!” Kira slaps the bowl away spraying the contents on the ground.

“What’s the meaning of this!” Thor stands up and shouts.

“There is no point to this!” Kira yells, “All what that crap will do is give you an excuse to turn me into the clans fuck toy just like all the othe-“

Thor slaps Kari so hard she came off the ground and fell on her back. “You agree to this, to give our species a chance to live as its own.”

“I just don’t give a shit anymore,” Kira glares at the large Gryphus.

“Interesting,” Azrael remarks stepping between father and daughter.

“Get out of the way pony,” Thor bellowed.

“Oh, I’m no pony,” Azrael replied shaking his head. “I was wondering how she would react under the curse.”

“Curse?” Both Thor and Kira said at the same time.

“Yes, A curse,” Azrael smiled. He was enjoying taking center stage. “She had it since coming back.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Thor snaps.

“Not part of my contract until now,” Azrael said putting his hoof forward. “Now it’s interfering with my contract and my curiosity.”

“Can you fix her?” Thor asks.

“In the mean time, wouldn't it be much easier just to force the drink down her throat tie her up and have your way with her,” Azrael explains, “No different then what you do with the Griffon.”

“So, daughter will you drink?” Thor asked.

Kira's response was to collapse and weep.

“I take that as a no,” Thor snaps.

Suddenly a pair of Gryphus holds Kira down as a third refills the bowl. The sight of this made Claymari flinch and fidget nervously.

Kira’s beak was forced open and the pungent white liquid was forced down her throat. They released the female Gryphus and after her fit of coughing subsided, she became also catatonic. Blood began to flow from her genitals and her face became flush.

“She’s in heat!” A Gryphus shouted causing a loud roar of cheers.

Winkz made a disgusted face. “Gryphus bleed well in heat? These things are truly animals.”

Thor approached his daughter. This caused Claymari to turn and start to walk away.

“Claymari are you okay?” Winkz asked.

“This, is too dark of a turn and kind of hits home for me,” Claymari answered.

“What you don’t like your handy work?” Azrael smirks.

“You had to do it!” Claymari snaps, “I could have done something helpful that not involved violence!”

“It was bound to happen,” Azrael shrugged. He turns to look at Polis who had turn away from the sexual act well the other Gryphus watched eager for their turn. “But not everyone of these creatures are indifferent to the turn of events.” Azrael giggles, “Ironic result of love I’ll say.

Polis leaves the room and Claymari fallows after him.

“You can’t watch her like that too,” Claymari remarks to the Gryphus as she took a gulp from her wisky barrel.

“Things had been going bad ever since you came along!” Polis snaps.

“Don’t blame me on this!” Claymari snapped back, “It’s your people’s actions that led to this. What were you doing just fallowing orders? You attacked, you killed! You have the scars to proved you tangled with my friends and lived! How are they by the way?”

“Alive,” Polis said coldly, “And multiplying.”

Once Thor was finished with his daughter, he allowed the next Gryphus to take her. Azrael now had the chance to speak with him.

“As you see she is fertile, Now as our deal may I take the teapot with me?” Azrael requests.

Thor nods his head and Azrael picks up the teapot in his muzzle. He turns and walks out of the room.

Claymari sees Azrael walk by with the teapot in his muzzle and panics. “Stop him!” She shouts to Polis.

“What?” Polis was shocked at the sudden commanding tone that the basically pony slave was giving him.

“We must delay his departure!” Claymari shouted, “Preferably not let him leave with the teapot if we can. Trust me the stories I’ve been told about him.”

Polis reached out and grabbed Azrael as Claymari rushed back into the room.

Arzael drops the teapot on the ground and glares at Polis. “Do you want it horizontal or vertical? When people slit their wrists horizontally it means they aren’t committed to die. Slitting the wrists vertically means that they are committed to die.”

“Thor!” Claymari shouted as she ran into the room.

“Yes pony,” Thor answered.

“I saw that you were letting Azrael keep the teapot!” Claymari shouted.

“And what of it?” Thor asks.

“Don’t you think it’s a little early?” Claymari points out, “Just because she can conceive offspring now doesn’t mean her children can. What if Kira’s breeding ability isn’t permanent and you need the teapot again?”

“Azrael agreed to bring the teapot back once he’s done with it,” Thor answered.

“Really? You believe him? One who named himself after the ‘King of Lies?’” Claymari answered back, “He’s a spy for a living. You think he will just drop everything to help you.”

“I honor my contracts,” Azrael remarks as he walks up. He licks the blood from his wing. In the background Polis had a cloth clamped down onto his wrist. “Humm, pony blood tastes like iron, Griffon blood tastes like gold.”

“If anything ask him to stay the next few weeks or so,” Claymari requested.

“This is ridiculous,” Azrael snaps.

“See he doesn’t want to stay this is because some thing will happen ,” Claymari tells Thor, “Something will go wrong with your daughter something which he doesn't want to risk being around for or he had put something else in motion that will kill us all.”

“I have other places to be,” Azrael interjected.

“You didn’t have an issue hanging around until now,” Claymari smirks.

“There is no harm in you staying for a little while,” Thor answers.

Azrael puts the teapot down and storms away.

Claymari sighs in relief.

“Meanwhile elsewhere…”

Pot Shell stood in the center of an air ship’s bridge. Honey Mead and Metalance stood in front of a set of control panels. They pushed buttons and pulled on levers with their hooves. To Pot Shell’s right stood Rat Tak-Tak, to his left stood Whirly Pop.

“Number one, give the orders to begin warp,” Pot Shell orders.

“What?” Rat Tak-Tak gives Pot Shell of funny look.

“Is there an issue?” Pot Shell asks.

“I’m still not even sure how are we even flying this thing?” Honey Mead whispers to Metalance.

“I think it’s some kind of mind mental kind of thingy,” Metalance points out.

“I don’t think this vessel has any warp drive,” Rat Tak-Tak points out, “It’s a giant metal egg flying in the air.”

“One can dream,” Pot Shell sighs.

“Okay, you’ve had enough fun,” Rat Tak-Tak mutters.

“Can’t you just let him have his fun? He always wanted to fly an air ship?” Whirly Pop points out.

“No,” Rat Tak-Tak replied.

“Please,” Pot Shell looks at the mare wide eyed.

Rat Tak-Tak grumbles and turns away.

Ferngully and Feather Breaker enters onto the bridge.

“Well we just did a flyby and whatever it is you are doing the ship is moving,” Ferngully points out.

“How fast would you say?” Pot Shell asks.

“We have passed several small mountains,” Feather Breaker points out taking a step closer to Pot Shell.

“You stay away from him,” Whirly Pop snaps.

Feather Breaker takes a step back. “Okay.”

“I don’t want you anywhere near my brother,” Whirly Pop tells her, “The last thing I need you to do is for you to take him hostage thinking that I will not kill you.” Whirly Pop then smiles, “I will a sure you that any type of wound that you give him will not bleed out faster than the one I give you.”

“I get your point,” Feather Breaker grumbles.

“So, Fern how's the boys?” Metalance asks.

“They miss their female and their cows,” Ferngully answered indifferently.

“That in the same way I hope,” Honey Mead joked.

“And what’s wrong with that?” Metalance smiles, “Did I ever tell you I dated a bull once.”

“I believe I recall the story,” Honey Mead smirks, “Is it true about them being hung?”

“Oh, wonderfully so,” Metalance cheers.

Ferngully and Honey Mead both blush and laugh. Then Ferngully suddenly gives a depressed sigh and puts her hoof to her chest.

“Are you okay?” Honey Mead asks.

“I’m okay just a little heart burn,” Ferngully said with her voice cracking. “I got to go!”

The Bat Pony rushes out of the room, she finds an abandoned hallway and once sure she was alone starts crying.

“No, not again, what’s wrong with me?” Ferngully sobbed talking to herself. The spider over her heart grips harder making her sudden depression worse.

The Bat Pony had managed to keep her bouts of melancholy a secret. She had been having them since she had been attacked by the Gryphus. No, that wasn’t right, since before she left the capital city. Maybe it was her mother dying? Then the image of the coyote pops into her head.

Ferngully thought about that night and the thought of it made her brain itch. The memory wasn’t right. The Bat Pony concentrated on her magic. Green magic came from her antenna as she casts a memory spell. A new image replaced her old one. One of her tight up with ropes binding her legs.

“Are you okay?” Vepicon asks.

“Yes,” Ferngully answered wiping the tears from her eyes.

“I heard sobbing? Are you crying?” Vepicon questions.

“Yes, Please don’t tell anyone,” Ferngully asked of the stallion.

“You know, it’s okay to be scared,” Vepicon tells her, “Heck, I’ve heard you died once before.”

“Something like that,” Ferngully smiles, “And if you are wondering I either saw nothing or don’t remember a thing.” She looks around again, “Now can you give me some privacy?”

Vepicon nods his head and walks away. A shadowy looking snake slithers out from Ferngully’s mane. The thing whispers into her ear.

“It looks like you broke the seal,” the snake said to her.

“Who are you?” Ferngully demanded.

“Serpent of Psychopathy,” the snake answered, “You will believe whatever I tell you.”

“What do you want from me?” Ferngully snaps.

“Technically nothing, my master found you interesting and put in several precautions to keep you under his control,” the serpent told her.

“He’s the Dark One that cursed Puddinghead,” Ferngully realized. Then the spider gripped her heart. The surge of emotion caused Ferngully to cry out loud in anguish.

Both Vepicon and Puck came running. They saw the Bat Pony collapsed on the ground.

“Puck, go tell the others what happened,” Vepicon orders.

Puck nods his head and gallops away. He enters the bridge panting.

“What’s the matter?” Rat Tak-Tak demands.

“Ferngully collapsed,” Puck told her.

“I thought she seemed unwell,” Honey Mead points out.

“Everyone stay where you are at for now,” Rat Tak-Tak orders, “I’ll go check on her.” Then she mutters, “Why did you have to leave your sister behind in Canon Town with the others.”

“Not too distant past…”

Ferngully was back in her bedroom suite at the castle. The Madness Coyotes stood across from her. It leaps across the room in pins the bat pony down. Ferngully begins to cry out when it puts a paw over her mouth.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ferngully could see a tiny hoof sized sheep of what looked to be made out of a tiny cloud. It leaps across her vision. “1” another one leaps, “2” a third leaps, “3” then another, “4”. Ferngully was starting to feel herself getting tired. “5” she blinks her eyes. “6, 7” from up there the Bat Pony blacks out.

Ferngully awakes in a blinding white room. She was laying on the ground with her hooves tied.

“Hello there little filly,” A black Crystal Pony stallion remarks.

“You’re the Dark One that Winkz was talking about!” Ferngully glared daggers at him.

“Let me introduce myself,” the Dark One said, “My name is Eclipso, I noticed that you are sensitive to my authorial beings.”

“Is that why you captured me?” Ferngully replied.

“That’s half the reason,” Eclipso answered, “You are a fascinating being, you are a creature that has the flight magic of a Pegasus. Yet the arcane magical ability of the Unicorn.”

“I'm closer to a creature like an Elfen than a Unicorn,” Ferngully corrects.

“Good to know,” Eclipso pulls out a large wiggling spider made up of shadow. With his magic he forces Ferngully’s mouth open. He places the spider in it and it wiggles down her throat. The pony releases the magic on her mouth.

“What was that?” Ferngully said in the mist of coughing.

“Depression spider, it’s a way of keeping some people under control,” Eclipso said, “They are found in the chests of people with strong depression. Larger ones like the one I gave you and is under my control by the way. Can force depression.”

“You going to make me sad?” Ferngully snaps, “That’s your big plan? Making me sad?”

“Oh no, it’s just a way to keep you in line,” Eclipso pulls out a snake, “This will make you mine.”

Eclipso puts the snake into Ferngully’s ear and she screams out in pain. Ferngully wakes up drenched in sweat. Her eyes scan the room. She was still in the metal egg. The Bat Pony sighs.

“Remember, don’t tell them about me,” the Serpent whispers into Ferngully’s ear. “You are the only one that can see me any others will just think you are crazy.”

“Just think I’m crazy,” Ferngully replied in a hypnotic tone her eyes glazing over.

“You gave us a scare for a while,” Puck remarks as he walks into the room. “With Mousecakes gone, you are our only healer. If you caught ill befor the battle we would be screwed.”

“Sorry,” Ferngully said looking down at the ground.

“Look up at me,” Puck puts his hoof under Ferngully’s chin making her look into his eyes. “You did nothing wrong, you just let yourself get exhausted. Now get some rest we are almost there.”

“Almost there?” Ferngully said in shock. “How long was I out?”

“About a day and a half,” Puck answered.

Ferngully felt her heart sink again and this time it wasn’t from the spider.

“Night… At the Gryphus mines…”

Kira grunts as she pushes out another egg. It rolls out onto the ground and a Griffon puts it in a pile of other eggs.

“This isn’t right,” the Griffon said nervously. “She was just breed yesterday and she’s been popping one of these out like every five minutes for hours now.”

“This is what happens when you mess with dark magic,” Another Griffon remarks.

“Not dark magic,” Azrael says as he walks into the room. He makes a nervous glance at the Gryphus eggs. One of them appeared to twitch as if it was about to hatch. “The better words for it is chaotic magic. Dark magic implies that magic can be inherently evil. Usually what people calls dark magic is magic that has powers out of their control.”

Kira rolls over on her back. “Help me,” She gasped.

Azrael looks back at the eggs. “Yeah, I think this has gone far enough.”

“What?” One of the two Griffons said shocked.

Azrael stretches out his wings. With a slight flick of them their clawed tips goes into the Griffons’s throats. They grabbed their necks and goggled on their own blood trying to breathe.

The Zebra walks up to the birthing Gryphus and plunges his wings into her gut. Kira screams out in pain as Azrael pulls her womb out of her.

As they looked at the sack of meat and egg slides out and drops onto the floor. Then the womb inflates again as another egg starts growing inside.

“The magic in this thing is strong,” Azrael smirks.

“You bastard,” Kira snaps as she holds her bleeding guts.

“At least I'm giving you a fighting chance to live,” Azrael remarks as he squeezes the egg out of the womb and binds the thing with some rope and puts the thing in his saddle bag. “But if you’re ungrateful.”

Azrael makes a pass by the pile of eggs on his way out the door. He stabs as many as he could with his wing claw as he walked by. Then the Zebra stops at the door and turns around.

“By the rate that you are producing eggs,” He speaks up, “I theorize that they have exponential growth. This means that they need food to fuel that growth. Now of course them being natural meat eaters and being born with basic instincts like hunger also being newborns they know nothing else but hunger. I can’t see things turning out well for anything still in this mine within the next few hours.”

Azrael walks out of the room leaving the shaking eggs as their shells crack even more. Soon they burst open showing small tiny slimy Gryphus chicks. They look at the bleeding Griffons with red blood colored eyes. They jump the females and sink their beaks into their flesh and all the Griffons could do was to make gobbled screams as they died.

Kira in horror watched the Griffons get consumed. As the magic infused baby Gryphus eat their meat she could see them grow before her eyes. Once finished the larger creatures puts their sites on Kira herself. She screams as they rushed her.

Polis could hear the screams from out in the corridor and rushed into the room. To his heart break he sees the mindless young Gryphus ripping into Kira’s bleeding gut hole and biting into her legs. On instinct he swipes away some of the mindless young things and reaches for Kira. He grabs her and starts to drag her out to the hallway. A young Gryphus bites Polis on the ankle and he kicks it away as he pulls Kira out of the room.

“Guards!” Polis screams causing two Gryphus to come running.

Polis points at the room. “Kill those things before they take over the whole mine!” He shouted as he drug Kira away.

“Sir?” One of the Gryphus questioned not wanting to kill the young of its own kind. Then one of the smaller creatures leaps up into the air and rips out his throat. The other Gryphus started attacking the blood thirsty creatures but he was soon over mobbed.

“Polis,” Kira cries out, “Run, leave me!”

“No I won’t,” Polis screams.

Suddenly with her remaining claw grabs Polis and pulls his face up to her’s looking him straight into the eyes. “Leave!” She growled before putting her beak to his. A violent coughing spasm from Kira caused the two to pull away. Polis wipes wet from his beak as Kira breathes one last exhale and her body goes motionless.

Polis grips his chest and screams out in agony. “No!!!!!!!!”

“Elsewhere in the mine…”

Crimson Bond slices across Tough’s throat. The Gryphus groans as he reaches for his neck and drops dead. Azrael looks down at the body smiling.

“I wanted to try this sword at least once and I have to say using it feels right,” He remarks to Nutcracker standing behind him silently.

Azrael walks over and grabs the teapot. Then with a flick of his neck passes it to Nutcracker who catches it in his decayed muzzle.

“Now, keep that safe we can’t catch Discord without a vessel that he can’t escape from,” Azrael remarks as he walks out of the room.

“Another place in the mine…”

Claymari and Winkz were in the forge room when Winkz stops and gets a funny look on her face.

“Is something the matter?” Claymari asked putting a cork in her booze barrel.

“The Unicorn magic warding spells has just deactivated,” Winkz answers.

“Wait? What? You can use magic now?” Claymari said surprised.

“Apparently so?” Winkz replied.

“Why?” Claymari shook her head.

“Perhaps Azrael wants us to escape?” Winkz suggests.

“Make sense giving the cock blocking I gave him the other day,” Claymari remarks, “The fact that it is happening at all makes me very nervous.”

“Don’t think it is wise to look a gift Zebra in the mouth especially Azrael,” Winkz points out.

“You’re right,” Claymari sighs, “Let’s be done of this damn place.”

Just then they hear a scream from outside the room.

“Damned kiss from Candace,” Claymari snaps, “Why can't it never be simple.”

Claymari grabs her orichalcum club sword and creeps out into the hall. Suddenly what looked to be a mad Griffon jumps out at her slashing at her face with its claws. Claymari backs up back into the forge room and the Griffon follows after her. With a mighty swing she hits the thing in the head with the sword witch breaks it’s skull.

“What the heck?” Winkz said in shock, “I don’t recognize this Griffon do you?”

Claymari touches her bleeding face with her hoof. “It’s male, they don’t keep male Griffons around here unless they are young Gryphus.”

“Still we would recognize him,” Winkz points out.

They could hear more noises coming from outside the room.

“I’m going to have to go out there again,” Claymari remarks.

“Why do you have to make it so hard on me?” Winkz moans, “I could just teleport away by myself. But if I do so, Philia would kill me for leaving you alone in this place.”

“Well I will just be a minute,” Claymari smirks, “And I’ll just come right back. If something that isn’t me goes through that door you are free to teleport away.”

“Don’t you think I won't take you up on that offer,” Winkz said putting her hooves on her hips.

Claymari leaves the room. She walks down one hallway to find some dead Gryphus being gnawed on by a pack of Griffons. She backs up and turns the other direction. Down that hallway she sees a bloody Gryphus fighting against some Griffons.

“Polis?” Claymari said in shock.

This caused the Gryphus to turn around allowing a mad Griffon to jump him on the neck. Polis tosses the thing aside.

“Claymari!” He cried.

“This way!” Claymari called out. She leads the Gryphus into the forge room and they shut the door behind them.

Winkz glares at Polis. “You’re helping them now?” She snarks.

“This is Polis, he’s not such a bad guy for a monster,” Claymari said boastfully. She then looks Polis up and down. One of his arms was mangled. Oddly the one that Kira had lost.

“Are you okay? Other than the obvious wounds?” Claymari asked.

Polis broke down crying. “Kira! She’s dead!”

“Sorry, can’t say I’m sad to hear that,” Claymari lowers her head, “At least not for her.”

“Do you know what’s going on?” Winkz asks.

“They are Kira’s children,” Polis answered.

“If I had to guess the Chimera Teapot had some strange side effects,” Claymari points out.

“So we did this?” Polis said shocked.

“Serves you right you wicked vile creatures,” Winkz snaps.

Polis grabs her with his good claw and slams the Crystal Pony against the wall. Winkz fires a maroon blast of energy into one of the Gryphus’s eyes causing him to scream and drop the Crystal Pony.

Claymari steps between the two. “We don’t need to be fighting right now, unless it’s a Zebra then it’s okay.”

Polis sighs and turns away from Winkz. “Yes, Azrael needs to die.”

“That would be nice,” Winkz smiles.

“See we are in agreement,” Claymari cheers.

“So now what?” Winkz asks.

“Well I would like to get my sword from my room, it isn’t far from here,” Polis answers.

“What about Azrael?” Claymari remarks, “If I had to guess he’s either gone by now or on his way out. Perhaps if we act now we can catch him?”

“At the mine entrance…”

Azrael and Nutcracker walks up to the two guard Gryphus.

“Halt, by orders of Thor you are not allowed to leave,” One of the Gryphus told Azrael.

Azrael just gave a sly smile and spoke in a calm tone. “Do you know what is going on back there?” He asks.

The two guards gave each other a nervous glance.

“Your people are dying, all that death, is coming here coming for you,” Azrael told them, “Now you have the choice, face the death before you or let me pass and faced the death that’s coming.”

“Is that a threat?” The Gryphus asks in an aggressive tone.

Azrael shrugs, “Just the truth.”

The Gryphus lashes out at Azrael only to have Nutcracker put his claws into the creature’s throat. Meanwhile the other Gryphus attacks as well and Azrael slices his arm into pieces with Crimson Bond. Nutcracker removes his claw and blood spills out of the Gryphus. The one armed Gryphus screams out and Azrael silences him by piercing his larynx with his wing.

“Now will you please excuse me,” Azrael said as he walked past the Gryphus.

But the Gryphus had other plans. He reaches out and grabs Azrael and with one mighty thrust tosses the Zebra across the room. Azrael hits the wall hard and coughs up green blood. Nutcracker grabs the Gryphus and begins to take its head off. The Gryphus attempts to get a few slashes in on the Warlock before its head came off.

Many horrified Gryphus came running into the entrance area chamber. Behind them mad Gryphus spawn of various size leaped, tackled and ripped into the stragglers.

“Not good! not good! not good!” Azrael screams as he gets to his feet. He rushed for the opening and skidded on his hooves. The Zebra looked up at the night sky only to see it blocked by a giant metal egg.

Suddenly an object came gliding into the entrance chamber. It was a purple pony and she was holding some kind of spear. The pony flew in riding a green metal crescent thing. The pony slid across the ground as she lands. She swiftly stabs a couple of Gryphus in their vital points causing their flesh to explode in a bloody mess. Once at a stop, the purple pony steps off the metal crescent and the thing turns into an armored pony.

Azrael turns to look back out at the opening only to see the metal egg as it crashes into the side of the mountain. Everything shakes in the mine. Walls crack and stones fall as the metal egg scratches across the mountain side.

Gryphus Maximus Part 2: Heroes Rise

“Inside the metal egg…”

The impact caused Honey Mead to stumble on her hooves.

“You crashed that thing!” Puck yelled at Honey Mead.

“It’s no use screaming about it now,” Vepicon remarks taking out his sword.

“It’s not like it had a dock,” Honey Mead told them, “Now hurry, if I’d done this right the crack should be pressing up against the opening allowing you guys to jump inside as we descend.

Puck grits his teeth.

"Pot, I guess this means you have the helm," Honey Mead says to Pot Shell.

"Yeah, after you broke it," Pot Shell remarks.

Honey Mead, Puck and Vepicon walks out of the room.

“Outside…”

Feather Breaker, Ferngully and Whirly Pop circled around the metal egg as it crashed into the side of the cliff waiting for their opening.

“In the mine…”

Claymari, Winkz and Polis walks into the entrance chamber to find it abnormally dark. They heard yells and screams as they expected. But things seemed oddly more chaotic to them then it should be.

Polis struck a creature with his sword. As he did so he spotted a familiar Gryphus.

“Lancep!” Polis calls out.

The Gryphus turns to look at Polis having himself just swatted another carnivorous creature away. One of Lancep’s clawed fingers had been bitten off at some point leaving a bloody stump.

“It’s nice that you guys have a reunion,” Claymari remarks as she bucks a creature in the face. “But we should be heading for the exit?”

“I’m afraid the way seems blocked by something?” Winkz notes, “That would explain why it’s so dark in here.” Then the Crystal Pony’s horn glitters. “A couple people I know are hear?”

“This must be my groups doing,” Claymari points out, “If so then they are the ones who made have blocked the way out and Azrael may still be here.”

Winkz’s horn glows again. “Azrael is indeed here.”

“Okay, this switches around our priorities,” Claymari tells them, “Winkz you need to connect with our comrades. Just befor you go, point me to the direction that Azrael is and I’ll go after him.”

“What about us?” Polis asked.

“Well at this point this makes things a bit more complicated,” Claymari answers, “I don’t think you want to meet up of my comrades. But if you want to help me fight Azrael? Or you could do the smart thing and just leave on your own.”

Polis smiles, “Told yeah, I want to kill Azrael.”

“Then you should follow me,” Claymari tells them.

“Across the battlefield…”

It took a minute for Rat Tak-Tak and Metalance to realize something was wrong.

“Is it just me or is the smaller Gryphus attacking and eating the larger ones?” Metalance asks in a disgusted tone.

“I think so?” Rat Tak-Tak replied in the same tone.

Rat Tak-Tak then spots a glint of maroon in the crowd. This maroon color was coming at them and it took a moment for her to realize it was a Crystal Pony.

“Winkz?” Rat Tak-Tak said in shock.

“Long story short I teleported here,” Winkz answered.

“What’s happening here?” Metalance asks.

“Again long story short mutant cannibal babies,” Winkz answered again.

The Rat Tak-Tak and Metalance looks to each other.

“Near the entrance…”

Puck leaps out the crack as it passes by and found himself face to face with Azrael with Nutcracker behind him. He looks at the Zebra and then up at the large creature next to him.

“Well hello,” Puck smiles.

“I am Azrael,” The Zebra introduced himself.

“My name is Puck,” But replied.

“I think there’s only room for one devil around here,” Azrael remarks.

Puck takes a step back and makes a defensive stance.

“Puck what’s going on?” Vepicon shouts as he lands on the mine floor. The first thing he sees were Gryphus fighting smaller Gryphus. Then he saw Azrael and froze.

Honey Mead stumbles into Vepicon’s rear as well. “What the heck-!” She says as she turns her head and sees Azrael.

“I get the feeling that we should of stayed in the egg,” Honey Mead remarks.

“You and me both sister,” Vepicon adds.

Honey Mead spots something yellow orange coming their way. “Claymari! I think I found her!”

Just then the metal egg lowers below the opening allowing the sunlight to shine in. For moment everything was blinded.

Azrael recovers from the sudden change in light. He looks up at the sky and smiles stretching out his wings. Nutcracker grows wings and he begins to take flight.

“Azrael!” Claymari shouted. She digs deep within herself to summon up the last of Crimson Bond’s power to do a Flash Step that allowed her to tackle Azrael sending them both falling.

“Well, that’s a thing that happen,” Puck remarks.

As Azrael and Claymari fell, Claymari smacks Azrael in the side of the face with her club sword. Azrael’s cape flies open and Claymari sees Crimson Bond. She drops her current sword and grabs Crimson its power instantly going through her body. Then she Flash Steps away and Azrael does the same.

The two equines now stood on the surface of the metal egg. They glared at each other with hate.

“So you have Crimson Bond back!” Azrael spat as he picked up the orichalcum club sword, “It’s not going to help at all I still retain its power. You still stand no chance against me.”

“Today I do,” Claymari raised her sword.

“Up in the sky…”

Ferngully and Feather Breaker dashes into the mine. But Whirly Pop sees something fly out that catches her attention. Two things in fact that flies out of the mine. As she watched something orange jumps out of the mine and tackles one of them. But it was the other one that Whirly Pop was focused on.

“Nutcracker,” Whirly Pop hears Inspiration whisper and she dives for him.

Nutcracker had seen his master get tackled and was about to go help him when something strikes him. Whatever it was struck him with such force that he drops the Chimera Teapot. They slam into the side of the cliff. The two beings slide down the cliff face and land in the ground and oddly into a pile of maggot covered rotting flesh.

The maggots were as thick as forelegs. They quickly attacked the newcomers. The dumb bugs didn’t stand a chance. Whirly Pop sliced them with her chains well Nutcracker spun around with bone blades that protruded from his legs. Soon all the maggots in the area were dead leaving the two ponies alone with each other.

The teapot clanged against the surface of the metal egg. In an instant Claymari charges at Azrael. But Azrael’s first instinct was to go for the pot. He grabs it with one wing as he blocks Claymari's attack with the other. Then with a flick of his neck sweeps his sword at Claymari’s feet.

Claymari saw the attack coming and leaps into the air the blade only hitting against one of her backhooves. Claymari lands down swinging with all her might. Azrael blocks and grunts in pain as the impact rings through his body. He kicks away from the engagement and swiftly hooks the teapot to his saddle belt.

Claymari goes at the Zebra again. She swings at the air releasing a Sonic Sword Boom. Azrael replied by doing a slashing motion with his wings. This unleashed a Sonic Wing Boom. The two Sonic Booms contact each other. But the Wing Boom being two booms over powers the other. Claymari blocks the impact with her sword and she is knocked back a foot.

Azrael attempts to fly away. Claymari Flash Steps and appears in front of Azrael blocking his way. She rams the hilt of her sword into his muzzle knocking him back and allowing green blood to spill out his nose. Azrael lands on his back and slides down the side of the egg. He recovered just in time to dodge Claymari sword coming down at him.

“Well that was irritating,” Azrael remarks wiping off his bloody nose.

“Come on man! Get your head into the game!” Claymari shouted, “Working the forges these last few weeks has revitalized my Dore spirit. My body and soul are at its peak.”

“Oh you want me to get serious?” Azrael smiles, “Then you will regret asking for it.”

“The mine entrance…”

A bolt hits Lancep in the flank. “Crap! Claymari’s friends are attacking us.”

“Well if we have to fight them, then we have to fight them,” Polis raises his sword.

Puck reloads his crossbow as Vepicon charges at Polis. They engaged blades both swords catching on fire.

“I see you copied my tricks,” Vepicon smiles.

“It was such a wonderful idea,” Polis replied, “Now by.”

With a flick of his wrist Polis with his sword sent Vepicon flying across the room.

Puck manages to fire two more bolts into Lancep before the Gryphus could make a swing at him. As he dodged, Puck trips over a piece of a dead body and falls onto his back. He looks up to see a small mad Gryphus growling at him and swiftly dispatches it by shooting it under the neck.

Lancep grabs Puck by the hind legs and holds him upside down. He prepares to flick his wrist, an action what could easily snap the pony’s spine. That’s when Feather Breaker jumped in. With a quick motion she rips out the Gryphus's throat and kicks his bleeding body to the ground. She then turns to Puck.

“No need to thank me,” She told the pony. Feather Breaker then lashed out at Polis knocking Vepicon aside. The Gryphus fends her off with his flaming sword as he slowly backs away.

Honey Mead had powered up. She just killed one of the mad young Gryphus when she felt the cavern shake. Suddenly the largest by far Gryphus bursts through the doorway. The impact knocks Honey Mead onto her butt. She recovers just in time to look up to see a claw coming down on her the owner not even noticing her presence.

Rat Tak-Tak dashes in and snags Honey Mead. The two of them fall across the ground as Thor walks by. He looks down and sees Metalance and strikes her with his claw sending the armored pony bouncing away. The two mares could hear Metalance scream out in pain from an impact that not even her armor could protect her from.

“Metalance!” Honey Mead shouted. She rushed for the armored mare who had ceased to move. The green pony’s armor disappeared.

Rat Tak-Tak reached Metalance first and checked the pony’s pulse.

“Is she?” Honey Mead asked her face red and she was beginning to tear.

“She is alive,” Rat Tak-Tak sigh in relief.

“Thank the goddess,” Honey Mead sighs as well.

Rat Tak-Tak swings around and strikes a mad Gryphus that jumped at her.

“Now we need to protect her,” Rat Tak-Tak remarks as the creature explodes raining blood.

Honey Mead nods her head and attacks the nearest enemy with her spear.

“I smell a god,” Thor roared, “I shall eat its heart and gain it’s strength.”

Feather Breaker turns her head just in time to be tackled by the large Gryphus. Bodies flew everywhere as Thor picks up Feather Breaker and flies out of the mine.

Polis now free from direct combat relaxes himself a little. That was when Ferngully flies up next to him. He turns to look at the Bat Pony who had an odd glazedover look in her eyes.

“You want a piece of me little girl?” Polis snaps.

With a slight change of her expression the pony gives a command to the spider over Polis’s heart. He clinches his chest in pain and begins to weep. Then the pony begins to speak.

“The spider feeds off of sorrow,” the Bat Pony explains, “The Rabbit Griffon would have been something my master would have loved to possessed and with the loss of her arm a deep hole of sadness was there to feed the spider very very fully. And so the spider within this pony decided to breed. Unfortunately the Rabbit Griffon died soon after the breeding, but fortunately her death allowed the offspring to infect something more powerful. But transferring a spider from one body to another body curses that body. That is what truly caused the Gryphus to lose its arm. But again unfortunately she too died. But the spider did not die with her. The spider used its limited control over her mind to transfer to another body.”

Polis looks at his mangled arm and breathe a word. “Shit,”

“My master has a request for you,” The Bat Pony said in her hypnotic tone. “Go to the Earth Nation’s capital city and he will stop your pain.”

“And what’s the purpose of stopping my pain,” Polis grabs the Bat Pony.

“Revenge? It is the ponies who commissioned the death of your clan,” the Bat Pony said, “But this day would have happened sooner or later somehow.”

Polis grunts and puts the Bat Pony down. He turns and flies out the entrance. Ferngully collapses, Vepicon finds her a moment later and puts her on his back.

“What happen to her?” Puck asked as he fought off some mad Gryphus.

“I don’t know?” Vepicon answers, “She does not appear to be injured.”

“Well, looks like all the large sane Gryphus had all pretty much left or died at this point,” Puck remarks, “So all that is left are these crazy small ones. I think they don't even know that they can fly? I swear I just saw a few fall off the cliff.”

“Good, means this battle is nearing the end,” Vepicon replied.

“Inside the metal egg…”

Winkz teleports in startling Pot Shell.

“Holy crap!” The stallion shouted grabbing a weapon. It took him a moment to recognize the Crystal Pony. “Wait? You’re one of Claymari’s friends?”

“Yeah, I tried to rescue Claymari and it didn’t turn out so well,” Winkz blushed.

“I see,” Pot Shell nods his head.

“You think you can get this thing back up into the air?” Winkz remarks as she looks around the room.

“I think so maybe,” Pot Shell said unsurely.

“Well we may have to, even a slight hover would be a help,” Winkz remarks.

“Up in the sky…”

Feather Breaker breaks free from Thor. She slams her hooves down on him sending the massive Gryphus falling to the ground. He lands on the ground and Feather Breaker dives at him. She hit him with the full force of her hooves.

Thor’s slid across the ground but did not fall over. In a swift motion he grabs Feather Breaker’s leg. He spins her around and lets her go. Feather Breaker flies into a pile of dead flesh. Maggots swiftly jump onto her body and bite her. As she knocks off as many as she could Thor draws his sword and charges the boar.

Feather Breaker manages to move quick enough to miss being impaled by the blade. But Thor’s full force slams into her as he hits her with his body. Feather Breaker could feel her ribs crack causing her to cough up blood as she tries to suck air into her lungs. Thor uppercuts Feather Breaker in the chin with the hilt of his sword causing her to be tossed back into the air.

The boar stands up after landing and wipes the blood from her lip. She looks at her bound wrists. “If I could take my true form this fight would be more evenly matched.” Her horn glows and light gathers around her. The light turns into a spear in Feather Breaker’s mouth. “Well, I’ll just have to make do with what I can.”

Whirly Pop slices into Nutcracker’s flesh. With each cut she makes tentacles fly out and try to bind her. But Inspiration’s armor would slice it away. Soon Whirly Pop found herself caught in a tangled mess of flesh. She spins a series of blades that frees her from the monster. Once free, Whirly Pop distances herself from the Warlock.

The remains of Nutcracker gobbled and popped as it changed shape. The thing had a bottom half that had eight legs like a spider and the upper half of a mutated pony. The shredded remains of Nutcracker’s cloak hung off its back.

With the belch Nutcracker sprays acid at Whirly Pop. Inspiration forms an orichalcum shield that deflects the acid. Even with the shield protecting her, some drops of acid hits Whirly Pop’s flank. She yelps in pain. This show of weakness caused Nutcracker to charge at her.

Nutcracker hits the shield. Whirly Pop stumbles back, with a thought spikes shoots out from the shield piercing Nutcracker. The Warlock tries to pull away, But Whirly Pop pushes forward. A blade appears on one of her forehooves and she stabs Nutcracker repeatedly in the face.

Recovering from the damage, Nutcracker’s face takes the shape of a venus fly trap. A tongue shoots out from the face and clips Whirly Pop in the cheek. The cut and the flesh around it quickly becomes dark purple and Whirly Pop feels her head pound in pain. With Inspiration boosting her power, she kicks away from the monster. When she lands, she stumbles on her feet a bit.

“Shit, I got to end this fight soon,” Whirly Pop mutters to herself.

Claymari’s sword strikes Azrael sword. Her blade slides down the sword until it hits the hilt guard. When she reached the end of the blade, Claymari repeatedly punched Azrael in the face with her forehoof. Azrael’s response was to start repeatedly stabbed Claymari in the hide with his wings. With a loud grunt Claymari swings her neck and unlocks the swords sending Azrael stumbling back.

Seeing an opening Claymari rushes forward and swings. Azrael blocks with his wing, couple of his legs started to buckle under the force of the mare’s attack. Azrael swings his club sword into Claymari’s bloody flank. The pain made her bite down harder on her sword and she released contact to make another strike. Azrael steps out of the way and Claymari misses him.

Azrael swings around Claymari and strikes the base of her tail. Claymari felt the bones crack in her body spasms and pain. She responds by spinning around swinging at Azrael but he dodges jumping away. Claymari’s back legs stumble a bit. Azrael thrusts forward with the club sword scraping Claymari’s side.

“Sonic Sword Boom!” Claymari shouts releasing the wave attack. Azrael screams in pain as his side get shredded. The teapot falls from his belt and bounces down the side of the egg. Then to make matters worse the egg itself starts moving.

Azrael uses a Flash Step to dash for the teapot. Claymari goes after him by doing her own Flash Step. Azrael had almost reached the teapot when a Sonic Sword Boom blast knocks both his hoof and teapot away.

Azrael found himself laying on his side when Claymari came in to do a strike. He rolled over onto his knees and blocks the attack with his club sword. Claymari's sword was deflected upwards and he jumps up into the air headbuttig her in the chest. The pony lands on her back with a thud and Azrael comes at her.

Claymari rolls to her feet only allowing Azrael to hit the surface of the metal egg. The mare's feet slides across the smooth ground as her momentum slowed. Azrael goes into a Flash Step, Claymari performs a Sonic Sword Boom on the ground at her feet. The spell Crimson Bond casts on her body making it lighter allowing the backlash to send her flying up into the air. When Azrael reappeared to strike Claymari, she was gone from where he expected her to be. Claymari came down spinning with her sword. At the last moment Azrael blocks with his wing, but the force was so strong that his wing rips apart and he tumbles down the egg’s side.

Feather Breaker swings furiously at Thor. Her spear repeatedly bounces off Thor’s blade. After the fourth volley Thor knocks her back with his sword. Then Thor goes in for a deathblow. Feather Breaker’s horn glows and his blade bounces off of a magical shield. His attack not connecting correctly throws him off for moment. Feather Breaker takes her spear up with her magic and fires it.

The spear passes through Thor’s hip embedding itself into the ground pinning him in place. Feather Breaker dives in and punches the giant Gryphus in the face. She strikes him a second time and pulls her arm back for a third. He grabs her arm and flips the boar over snapping the bones up her arm. Thor then punches Feather Breaker so hard that her head hits the ground and her vision blacks out for a moment.

Thor yanks the spear from his hip and smacks Feather Breaker in the face with the blunt end. He then stabs it through the shoulder of her broken foreleg and with another push embeds it deeply in the ground. Feather Breaker screams out in pain as Thor rips into her body with his claws.

Whirly Pop found herself on the retreat. She had turned both of her forehooves into axes and was chopping away at the tentacles. Suddenly Whirly Pop’s flank hits something large wet and squishy fallowed by a piercing pain. She looks back to see that she was up against a rotting Gryphus corpse with hundreds of large maggots consuming it. One of the maggots had bit her. Whirly Pop looks to the ground to see maggots consuming the chunks of Warlock flesh she had chopped apart.

Whirly Pop makes a dash closer to Nutcracker. As he wraps his tentacles around her she hooks some chains around him. Then she fires a rocket blast sending her and Nutcracker flying into the rotting corpse with a big wet splush. Suddenly long large spikes shoot out from the corpse ripping it apart and Nutcracker within. Whirly Pop retracts the spikes and jets up to the sky. She watches the bits of Nutcracker wiggle and squirm as maggots consume it.

Once free from the battle, Whirly Pop surveys the area. She could see two more battles going on. One was between Claymari and Azrael. That one it looked like Claymari was winning. The other was between a giant Gryphus and Feather Breaker. Feather Breaker was definitely losing that one. So Whirly Pop decided to help.

As Thor dug into Feather Breaker again and again, the metal gauntlet on her broken foreleg suddenly jets out a long blade. This new blade surprised Thor and before he could react Feather Breaker grabs hold of her broken limb and by proxy the blade wrapped around her arm and slices it across Thor’s neck. Blood sprays out over her body and the boar god passes out from both the pain and relief.

Claymari rolls off the egg and lands hard on the ground. She felt one of her forelegs dislocate, but that didn’t matter. Azrael was in front of her and he looked in much worse shape. He crawled across the ground to make it to the teapot. The maggots crawled over him ripping at his wing and bleeding side. Of course his green blood killed them instantly but the dumb bugs didn’t care.

Azrael grabs the teapot in his muzzle. Claymari cuts across his ham muscles. Azure cries out in pain and drops the Chimera Teapot. But he manages to collapse his body onto it and took the thing underneath his good wing.

“Azrael!” Claymari called out, “Today you are defeated!” Claymari raised her sword.

Azrael smiles, “Oh, you think I'm defeated? Ready to die?”

“Your body is broken and those wings of yours are broken,” Claymari points out.

“Well it’s a funny thing that you mentioned my wings,” Azrael stretched out his wing with the membranes shredded showing off the bone joints to Claymari. “I have learned that it’s always a good idea to keep a spare.”

Suddenly the bones shoot out and Claymari found a bolt of bone sticking into her chest. She stumbles back as she could swear she felt the thing rubbing against her heart. Before her eyes another wing shoots out from Azrael’s back and with a swift motion smacks Claymari across the head with the teapot. He then rehooks the teapot to his saddle belt and flies off.

Claymari looks up at the sky her vision cleared and ears stopped ringing. She focused on Azrael as he flies away. Somehow the last thing she manages to do before passing out was to fire off a Sonic Sword Boom. Then her lungs seem to stop working and everything went black.

“A few days pass…”

Claymari sits up in a bed her body covered in bandages. She sat under lamp light writing a letter using a pen held in her muzzle.

To Philia my beloved daughter,

I’m writing this to you to tell you that I am now free. I’ve been told that you have been told of my capture. And I’m sorry for the worry that that may have caused you. To your chagrin I'm sure, I have to tell you that I have been injured making my escape. But you should have seen the other guy(s). one of the other guys was Azrael by the way. Even at he almost got me. I was so close to getting him.

I am recovering quickly. I'm in Cannon Town, it didn’t have a decent medical facility but we had few good healers with us so we made do. A group of ponies that had seemed to have joined my group after I was captured will be parting ways here in Cannon Town.

There was one more companion that joined the group during my capture. She seem to be some kind of Animus god thing. From what I’ve been told she was the leader of some kind of boar bandits. Soon after the battle she helped us with Rat Tak-Tak executed her for her crimes. Wasn’t their to see it but I’ve been told it was an interesting site. She unleashed all of her power from that transforming spear thing of her’s you know the one with the power of sound and wind. Well anyway Rat unleashed the full force of her sound powers onto the god. When she was done the god took a step forward and dissolved into goop.

Love, Claymari Rounds.

“At the remains of Burning Cage…”

A small yellow green pony with purple vines cutie mark tends to a small vegetable garden. Violet Eyes stops her watering as she senses beings enter into the town. She turns invisible as the three ponies enter.

One of the ponies were a pale pink Alicorn with a black mane with black in the tip of her horn and wings. She had a black red rose for a cutie mark.

One of the other ponies looked like an Earth Pony yellow and orange colors with set of brown notes as a cutie mark.

The last was a red Earth Pony with a pink and green mane. Her cutie mark was of a pink swirl of wind. A sent of strawberries were around her.

All three ponies had the abnormal glow and flowery vine marks around their eyes that indicated that they were Biollate.

“Come out, come out my little one Black Rose is calling for you!” The Alicorn called out.

There was no response and Black Rose grit her teeth. “Very well if you won’t come out on your own then I shall make you come out.”

Black Rose’s horn glows pink and Violet Eyes was brought into sight kicking as Black Rose’s magic covered her.

“Now stop kicking about and be a good girl and I’ll let you go,” Black Rose reprimands.

Violet Eye stopped kicking and started sobbing.

“Better, but I could do without the sulking,” Black Rose turns off her magic allowing the green Biollate to drop.

Violet Eyes looks up at Black Rose giving her a glare.

“Can you speak?” Black Rose asks.

“Yes,” Violet Eyes answers nodding her head.

“Good, as I said my name is Black Rose what is your name?” Black Rose reintroduced herself.

“Violet Eyes,” The green Biollate answered.

“My companions are Pineapple Pitch and Strawberry Breeze,” Black Rose introduced her comrades.

“What do you want with me?” Violet Eyes asked shyly.

“As you see I’m an Alicorn level Biollate,” Black Rose remarks showing off her wings to the small Sprit Pony. “This makes me in a way leader to all my people.”

“Do-do I have a choice,” Violate Eyes was trying to keep her composure. She did not like where this conversation was going.

“As a leader of my people I help form the bridge between our kind and the plant worshiping sprit users,” Black Rose told Violet Eyes, “You see without outside help our days are short and numbered. Join us and we will give you a sprit contract with a living pony. Your half life of a being of energy becomes extended.”

“What about my garden?” Violet Eyes asked looking back at the plants she been tending too.

“You can still tend to it,” Black Rose smiles, “You will stay here when you are not needed by your implorer.” Black Rose pulls out a smooth black stone from her saddle bag. “This is a summoning stone. It has a sister stone. Once you make a contract. You can travel from one stone to the other. It will also transfer energy from one stone to another.” Black Rose gives a beaming smile to the young Biollate. “You can still tend to your garden and help others. And isn’t helping others what all good ponies do?”

“I suppose,” Violet Eyes said hesitantly. At this point without interference she had a year, year and a half at the most left on her life spanned.

“Also, we maybe Biollate but we have learned to use our sprit powers,” Pineapple Pitch adds. She demonstrates by singing a note witch cause a bird to land on her raised hoof.

Strawberry Breeze demonstrated her power as well by summoning a pink shimmering mist from her hair. This mist reaches over and brushes Violet Eye’s mane wiggling the locks. The mist hits Violet’s nose causing her to sneeze which was odd because technically not having a physical body she shouldn’t have that ability.”

“He can help you discover your power and teach you how to use it,” Black Rose said.

“Okay,” Violet Eyes nods her head, “But if I sign up with you can I quite if I don’t like it?”

“Sure,” Black Rose shrugged.

“So what do I do?” Violet Eyes asks.

Black Rose gives Violet Eyes a milky stone. “Swallow this and you will be summoned at a later date, so be prepared.

Violet nods her head and swallows the stone.

“I’ll be leaving now to search for others of my kind,” Black Rose tells the Biollate.

“In the woods there is this pond-“ Violet Eyes starts to say.

“Yes, I can sense her presence,” Black Rose answers.

The group of Biollate turns and walks out of the village.

“Miles down the road…”

Winkz’s horn tingles and she gives a glance at the woods and beyond.

Mousecakes trots up next to Winkz as the party walked toward the boarder station.

“What is it?” Mousecakes whispered cautiously, “More Zerbra?”

“No, Zerbra has hidden runes that block my long range scan,” Winkz answers, “ I was only able to locate Azrael because I knew him so well from our contact with each other. No, I think there is a god over there. Class three god from the power, in Burning Cage from the distance and direction.”

“A god? Are you sure,” Mousecakes asked.

“It, no she, her magical vitality is arousing me even from here,” Winkz answers.

“I don’t feel anything,” Mousecakes blushed.

“You don’t have a horn to soak up her sexual energy,” Winkz told her, “Also I can scan a farther distance then most Unicorn so magic power like that effects me much sooner. I do suspect that even since you’re an Earth Pony you should be effected if she was closer due to you being more attuned to magic specially the type of magic this goddess seems to be connected to.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mousecakes replied, “Speaking of magic that’s what I want to talk to you about.”

“Yes?” Winkz raised an eyebrow.

“It’s obvious that you have raw magical power,” Mousecakes begins to whisper as she leans her head in to Winkz's ear. “When I’m done talking laugh like a told you a private joke.”

Winkz nods her head and Mousecakes speaks quietly to her. Afterwards Winkz laughs and speaks.”

“Is that really true?” She remarks, “If so I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when it comes up next.”

From a head of them Whirly Pop looks back at the mares out of the corner of her eye.

Liquid Earth Part 1: Failed Homecoming

“Rat Tak-Tak wakes…”

The mare found herself in a cell. All of her belongings were stripped from her and shackles lay across her feet.

Everything was covered in dark but she could make out the thin out line of the bars. Moving her legs around Rat could feel that they were chained. With nothing to do Rat Tak-Tak sits on her hunches.

After a spand of about thirty minutes a door opens up. The sudden change in the light caused Rat Tak-Tak to cover her face with her hoof. As her eyes adjusted a figure of a stallion walks into the room. Rat Tak-Tak recognized who it was.

“Mareseir?” She said shocked. But her surprise didn’t last long. “You bastards finally did it. How you catch me!” Rat Tak-Tak shouted pulling on her chains.

Mareseir steps aside to show Mousecakes. She looked ashamed and about to cry.

“Sister?” Rat Tak-Tak’s heart skips a beat, “What happened? The last thing I remember is stopping at the Church of the Sky outpost the one ran by Arkis and Echidnas.

“I used my orb to put you all asleep before we approached the city,” Mousecakes said not looking her sister in the eye.

“Why? why you?” Rat Tak-Tak asked crying.

“The goddesses of the sky has returned,” Mousecakes answered.

“Puddinghead and Smart Cookie hoped to bring the princesses to their side,” Mareseir explained. “With their isolationist views we couldn’t afford to allow them more power among the people.”

“So you did a cue,” Rat Tak-Tak snarled.

“I would have rather not put you in a cell but I didn’t think I could keep you restrained,” Mousecakes points out.

“Damn, straight,” Rat Tak-Tak snaps.

“Yes, your too strong of a warrior to allow you to go to the other side at this point,” Mareseir adds.

“And what about the others?” Rat Tak-Tak asks.

Mareseir turns his flank to the mare. “They are around.”

“Elsewhere…”

Claymari awakes to find a pair of young filly eyes looking at her. It took the mare a moment to realize that it was Luna. This revelation made Claymari jump.

“Luna!” Claymari franticly looks around the room. She appeared to be in Puddinghead’s personal chambers in the Earth Capital castle palace. It also appeared that the room no longer belonged to him.

“Hello Claymari,” Luna said like a polite little filly.

“Luna what are you doing here?” Claymari asked as she looked around for her sword.

“Enlightening the Earth Pony silly,” Luna smiled.

“Yes, because thats what they need,” Claymari remarks, “Where is my sword?”

“I have it on me,” Celestia said as she walked into the room. The teenage princess had on royal knight barding with a sword on her saddle belt. The sword was Crimson Bond.

“Give me that!” Claymari lashes out.

Celestia steps out of the way and Claymari slides across the floor. Quickly shifted herself, Claymari sending her body slamming into Celestia’s side.

“Stop fighting!” Luna cried dashing between the two mares.

Claymari’s eyes shot daggers at the filly and raised her hoof to smack her but thought better of it lowering her foreleg.

“Blackstone said you would react this way and that I should hold your weapon until you woke,” Celestia smiles.

“Okay, I’m an impulsive bitch,” Claymari grumbles, “Can I have my sword?”

Luna gaps, “You said a naughty word.”

Claymari gives Luna a glare that made the young filly’s ears flatten and tail tuck between her legs.

“Wait you said Blackstone?” Claymari raised an eye as she took her sword from Celestia.

Luna was about to say something but she was feeling so disinjected by Claymari that she stopped herself. Celestia answers in her stay. “He’s the leader of the Church of the sky and recently over through the evil ruling party who wanted to use me and my sister.”

“They were immoral not evil,” Claymari rolls her eyes.

“What’s the difference?” Celestia remarks.

“You know as much of a front you try to put on don’t pretend you’re not as naive as your sister,” Claymari snaps.

Celestia just glares and grumbles as she turns away from Claymari.

Claymari was looking around the room. She noticed Ferngully snuggled up on the bed.

“Bat Pony get up!” Claymari shoves the yellow pony with her hoof.

“What?” Ferngully gets up and looks blurried eyed at the two goddesses. After rubbing them clean with her hooves, the Bat Pony jumps up and cheers. “My goddess!”

“See, some pony here knows how to properly treat a lady,” Celestia boasts. But to her shock Ferngully had rushed over to Luna. She lifts up the Alicorn filly’s hoof and kissed it. Luna began to blush red.

“C-could you please stop?” Luna asked nervously.

“And she’s adorable,” Ferngully cheered, “I’ve been told that you have had returned but it was too unbelievable to believe.”

“Yes they are high goddesses,” Claymari rolls her eyes.

“You are not amazed by them?” Ferngully asked.

“And you are?” Claymari answers.

“You’ve seen gods more impressive,” Claymari points out.

Ferngully pauses for a moment. “True I have to say, But I think that had to do with their size mostly.”

“Oh, Celestia in her true form would level this city,” Luna points out.

“Luna,” Celestia snaps.

Luna flattened her ears and took a submissive pose again.

“Oh, dear sister I’m sorry,” Celestia states after seeing how her sister reacted. “We shouldn’t give these mortals any idea of our true power. It’s bad enough that they seem to know more about us then we know about us.”

“Not all of it is true,” Ferngully points out. “Many people don’t believe the goddess Lauren is your true mother for example. Yeah it’s the most common foke tale but it doesn’t mean it's true.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” Celestia replied.

A large satin black stallion in a blue dress walks into the room with Winkz. The two ponies appeared to be engaged in a conversation. The stallion turns to Claymari and Ferngully, “I see you’re awake,”

“Blackstone!” Claymari snaps, “Why have you taken us prisoner!”

Blackstone glares at Claymari. “Do you look like you are prisoners?”

“Let me explain please,” Winkz interjects raising her hoof between the two. She turns to Claymari “We had to be separated from the others.” She explains, “This was due to our alliances or lack thereof to the former regime.”

“You’re saying there was a cue,” Claymari said coldly.

“A cue?” Ferngully remarks, “Man, you either have the worst luck Claymari or bad timing. Then again it could be me.”

“We have no ties to this nations government and there for not a threat,” Claymari continued.

“Exactly,” Blackstone said, “The others are unharmed for the moment. Whirly Pop and Pot Shell did nothing to be executed for and will make great bargaining chips. The soldiers will be given a fair chance to choose their sides. This works out for you because your pardon has been extended indefinitely. You no longer have to worry about what you did to the Oranges.”

Claymari broken a sweat as she got up pit in her stomach. “What makes you think I wanted a pardon?”

Blackstone smiles, “I see, you’re making a penitence.”

“Just what did she do to these Oranges?” Luna asked cheerfully.

“Luna!” Celestia reprimanded.

“It’s okay,” Claymari answered, “Basically, the Orange family are the ones that executed my family.”

“I thought your family was killed by Zebra?” Ferngully points out.

“Yes, they were killed by Zebra, but the Zebra were working with the Orange family, hired by them,” Claymari told her, “After I escaped the Zebra, I came back to Earth Nation with Philia and I found out what the Orange family did. Which makes sense because they were the lords that were at the time protecting the county we lived in.”

“And what did you do?” Luna asked.

Claymari sighs and closed her eyes then she speaks. “I killed them, I killed more of them then needed. My vengeance became a legend and Philia saw more than she needed to.”

“Thinks to that incident the branch of the Apple family that Puddinghead and Smart Cookie were part of got enough power to get elected into their positions,” Blackstone said.

Celestia pulls Luna away from Claymari and gives the mare an angry glare.

“Don’t act so high and mighty,” Claymari snaps as Luna was pulled away from her. “If half the stories are true having new bodies and clean minds would not abolish you of your sins. Because as they say those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.”

Celestia looks down at Luna. The filly looks back up at her wide eyed. “No,” Celestia looks back at Claymari. “Perhaps you should leave.”

Claymari, Blackstone, Ferngully and Winkz all leave the chambers. The Alicorns shut the door behind them.

“Come and follow me and I’ll escort you to your rooms,” Blackstone says as he starts to walk down the hall. The other mares follow him.

“So where is Philia, Zero, and Petty Kitty?” Claymari asked.

Blackstone shakes his head. “We lost them in the chaos.”

Claymari slams Blackstone into the wall and puts her muzzle into his face. “You’re going to tell me, me of all people, that you started a war and my daughter is missing because of said war?” Claymari growled.

Blackstone shrugged, “Be thankful for the freedom to look for her.”

Claymari grits her teeth and lets Blackstone go.

Ferngully looks out the window as she walked. She sees La Dawn’s tower with what appeared to be a bunch of archers and gunponies surrounding it.

“What’s going on over there?” Ferngully asks pointing with her forehoof.

“La Dawn is held up in there,” Blackstone answered, “When the rest of the old regime evacuated the city he stayed behind in his tower.”

“Why would he do that?” Winkz remarks, “He could easily fly away?”

“We don’t know why,” Blackstone replied, “But the tower is sealed so he’s pretty well fortified in there. So in the meantime to handle him we have ponies posted. He’d have to run out of foods and water sooner or later.”

Winkz backs away from Blackstone as they walked putting herself closer to Claymari. “I wonder about Ponyville?” She whispers.

“That strange Pegasus you told me about?” Claymari said back in a hushed tone.

“Yes,” Winkz answered, “She was supposed be staying with La Dawn but I don’t know if she would’ve been still there when this cue happened.”

“I’m not going out of my way to tell him if he doesn’t know,” Claymari replied, “I have a good idea where Philia and the others are at or to better put it who they are with.”

“Really?” Winkz asked.

“If they were being taken care of by the old regime, then they would have evacuated with the old regime,” Claymari answered.

“Claymari!” Blackstone spoke up, “Your father has requested to speak with you.”

“As I’ve always said,” Claymari gritted her teeth, “I do not want to talk to him.”

Blackstone opens the door to Claymari's quarters. “He’s already waiting for you.”

Claymari glares angrily at Blackstone.

“Things have changed for us Dore we no longer have to hide in the shadows,” Blackstone smirks.

Claymari walks into the room.

“Whirly Pop awoke to find her face pressed against a pane of glass…”

She felt like she was standing upright on her hindlegs. The glass surface was pressed against her cheek and Whirly Pop found herself staring at her hoof. The hoof taps against the glass making a hollow clopping sound. The mare turns her head to look out the pane. The glass was blurry but she could see some pony shapes.

Whirly Pop tries to move Inspiration, but it just won’t react to her mental commands. It wasn’t just the lack of telepathy but she felt like the magic of the sword was neutralized in the chamber that she was in.

A blue pony slams a piece of paper against the glass. On the piece of paper were words. “Sorry sis.”

Pot Shell sighs and removes the paper. He turns to Generous Thread. “She’s awake now what?”

Generous Thread looked emotionally sick with guilt. So Velvet Rope steps forward to speak for her. “We find a way to subtract the blade from the mare and give it to its real master.” Velvet Rope took a glance at Generous Thread.

Both Pot Shell and Generous Thread turns to look at Leo.

“Perhaps the best option is to simply ask for it?” Leo suggests uneasily, “If this Holic is the blade’s true master as you say then it should stay with her.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Velvet Rope asks.

“It certainly can’t reconnect itself to Whirly Pop while she’s in the case,” Leo points out.

“Well that was a stunning piece of insight,” Velvet Rope sighs, “Made keeping you around worthwhile.”

Pot Shell leans closer to Generous Thread. “I can tell you don’t want to do this.”

Generous Thread swallows before speaking. “Having the blade is my destiny, it was what I was made for.”

Velvet Rope turns and smiles at Generous Thread. “Yes, you have dallied at our mission long enough.”

“Things were much simpler when we were just supposed to watch them,” Generous Thread mutters, “I can’t believe these are Starswirl’s orders.”

“You made the mistake of falling in love with that Nutcracker,” Velvet Rope snaps, “Then he refused to use its power and let the Gryphus things kill him.”

“Nutcracker was an honorable pony!” Generous Thread shouts at Velvet Rope.

“Left you a sobbing mess when I found you,” Velvet Rope smirked.

Generous Thread starts sobbing into her hooves. Pot shell consoles the mare with a hug.

“Your a monster abusing your friend like this and making such a nice pony do all of this!” He snaps at Velvet Rope.

“It’s what I was made for,” Velvet Rope said coldly.

Pot Shell gives Velvet Rope an angry glare and turns back to the sobbing Generous Thread. “Sorry about what happened to Nutcracker, even after his death he wasn’t allowed to rest. At least until my sister put down the monster that he became.”

“And she forever has my thanks for that,” Generous Thread told him. She looks at the case with Whirly Pop in it. “If I had my say I would have treated her better than this.”

A series of taps came from the case that Whirly Pop was being held in.

“Oh what now?” Velvet Rope raised an eyebrow.

“I think that’s hoof code,” Leo answered unsurely.

“Yeah, me and my sister used to talk a lot to each other in hoof code,” Pot Shell said excitingly.

“Well, what does it say?” Velvet Rope asks.

“Give me a minute,” Pot Shell said as he kept a stiff ear. “She’s asking what’s going on?”

Pot Shell walks up to the glass case and starts tapping a reply. When he was done Whirly Pop tapped back. Soon they were tapping furiously at each other.

“Wait! Wait!” Velvet Rope starts shouting, “What’s that you’re saying to her!”

Velvet Rope pulls Pot Shell away from the case. “That’s enough of that!”

“Let go of me!” Pot Shell shouted.

“I can’t just have you saying what ever you wan to her at the moment,” Velvet Rope told him.

Whirly Pop begins tapping again.

“What is she saying now?” Velvet Rope asks.

“It’s a surrender,” Pot Shell said sadly.

“Sorry,” Generous Thread says to Pot Shell, “It was inedible that we would reach this point.”

“I know,” Pot Shell sighs.

Velvet Rope puts her hoof on her chin. “So how are we supposed to subtract that thing without her going equine on us?”

“Well, I do have some animal restraints,” Leo says hesitantly, “We can open the case, hold her back with them and take Inspiration from her.”

“Okay, boy write her a letter telling her not to move,” Velvet Rope orders.

Pot Shell starts writing on a piece of paper as Leo passes out restraints to Generous Thread and Velvet Rope. Pot Shell puts the piece of paper against the case’s glass pane so that Whirly Pop could read it. After a moment he pulls back and Velvet Rope opens the case with her magic. Leo, Generous Thread and Velvet Rope quickly jumps in and quickly restrains Whirly Pop’s neck and forelegs.

“We are going to attempt to take Inspiration from you,” Velvet Rope said slowly, “Do not attempt to move from that spot. Once we have Inspiration we will close that case again and depending on what happens we may experiment on opening it and letting you out.”

Whirly Pop silently nods her head.

“Good,” Velvet Rope smiles. She turns to Pot Shell. “Please remove that from your sister.”

Pot Shell did as he was told and took Inspiration in his muzzle. He had to quickly leap out of the way as they closed and locked the case again.

A smile lights up on Generous Thread’s face as she inches closer to Inspiration. “It feels good to be near it again,” She said.

Generous Thread takes Inspiration into her hooves. It glows brightly as she touched it with a light that consumed the object. When the light dissipated it had separated itself back into the rapier and orichalcum bow.

Generous Thread frowns, “This thing never liked me, I was made to love it, but it doesn’t like the fact that it can’t manipulate me like the beings of flesh.” With a glow Generous Thread takes Inspiration into her body. “Hugh?”

“Is something the matter?” Velvet Rope asks.

“No, nothing you should concern yourself about,” Generous Thread shook her head. “Perhaps we should try to release the girl now?”

“Are you sure?” Velvet Rope asks.

“Yes, you do it,” Generous Thread demands.

“Okay,” Velvet Rope said unsurely.

The unicorn opens the case again with her magic. She takes a step back as she allows Whirly Pop to put her hooves down. Having been stuck in such an awkward position for so long, the white mare instantly collapses landing on her stomach.

“Whirly!” Pot Shell cried.

“I’ll be fine,” Whirly Pop said as Pot Shell helps her to her feet. She turns and glares at the other ponies in the room. “I would like to know what the heck is going on?”

“We took inspiration it’s as simple as that,” Velvet Rope smirked.

“How about a little wider scope in your explanation?” Whirly Pop suggests.

“I am a Holic created by Starswirl the Bearded,” Generous Thread explains, “One of five, each one of us assigned to one of the great magic swords. At first we were just suppose to observe and keep track of the blades only interfering if needed or ordered. Each one of us goes about this our own way. Some of us never see or make physical contact with our target. But I on the other hoof fell in love with mine and his name was Nutcracker.

“I heard he had a wife that disappeared after he died,” Whirly Pop noted.

Generous Thread blushes, “I kept his blade with his body in Burning Cage and guarded it.”

“About a year ago Starswirl thought his Holics were losing their focus, somewhere even attacked over the years, So he decided that they needed some help,” Velvet Rope adds, “I convinced Generous Thread here to let the Earth Nation take Inspiration. Unfortunately he underestimated the magics of ponies.”

“They took Inspiration and used it to make the Paladins,” Whirly Pop points out.

“What’s even worse they locked Inspiration away so that it would not find a wielder,” Velvet Rope spat, “He decided such power didn’t belong in the hooves of ponies.”

“In theory, since the Holics that he created were made from the same energy that the swords were made from we could wield them ourselves,” Generous Thread tells them.

“Things gets worse for us,” Pot Shell adds.

“How could they possibly be worse?” Whirly Pop snaps.

“Aunt Smart Cookie and uncle Puddinghead are gone,” Pot Shell explains, “Apparently there was a cue.”

Whirly Pop felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. She turns to look at Leo.

“I was captured,” he explains.

“Yes, we aligned ourselves with the Church of the Sky,” Velvet Rope nods her head, “But when they made the move and I came to capture the blade it unfortunately went someplace else.” The unicorn pulls out some letters and tosses them on the floor. “Thankfully the good soldiers that came with your group made reports to their nonexisting government explaining what happened.”

“So what’s going to happen to us now?” Whirly Pop asks.

“I don’t know nor care,” Velvet Rope shrugs, “We have what we want and it’s up to the church to decide what to do with you.”

Velvet Rope walks up to the doorway and calls for the guards. Within moments Pot Shell, Whirly Pop and Leo were escorted out of the room.

“Honey Mead wakes up in her own bed… Metalance wakes up next to her…”

Honey Mead scanned the room, everything seemed fine but she felt everything wasn't fine especially the fact she didn’t remember returning home.

“Meta,” Honey Mead said shaking the green pony.

“What?” Metalance groggily woke up. She looks around the room. “When did we get home?”

“I was wondering the same thing,” Honey Mead answered.

Weedie and Caramel came running into the room crying. “Meta, Honey you’re awake!” They shouted.

“What’s the matter sweeties?” Metalance asks padding Weedie on the head with her hoof.

“You’re not going to be bad ponies are you?” Caramel asks.

“What? No, what are you talking about?” Metalance said confused.

“Butterfree said that when you wake up you might be bad ponies,” Caramel told her.

“So Butterfree is around?” Honey Mead asks looking around the room.

“She’s downstairs,” Weedie told them, “She told us that we should greet you first that way you may not become bad ponies?”

“She told you that we would become bad ponies!” Honey Mead said angrily.

This caused the two yearlings to flatten their ears and tuck their tails.

“Did we say something wrong?” Weedie said sobbing, “You’re not going to be bad ponies are you?”

“Oh, no sweetheart you did nothing wrong,” Metalance comforted the filly. She turns to Honey Mead. “Why would Butterfree tell them something so cruel?”

“I don’t know but I’ll have some words to say to her,” Honey Mead gritted her teeth.

“So mama Butterfree did something wrong?” Weedie asked.

“No, we’re not going to play that game,” Metalance told the foals, “Now you two stay up here and we will go downstairs and talked to mama Butterfree.”

“Is there anyone else down there with her?” Honey Mead asks.

“No,” Weedie shook her head.

“Were are the others?” Honey Mead questioned.

“Catfish is off working,” Caramel answers, “Mama Blaster is at the castle.”

“What is she doing at the castle?” Metalance wonders.

“She’s going to shoot Mr. La Dawn,” Weedie said cheerfully.

“Okay,” Metalance nods her head trying to hold back the smirk on her lips.

Metalance and Honey Mead slowly walked downstairs. They found Butterfree in the living room waiting for them.

“I trust you spoke to the children,” Butterfree said with a smile on her face.

“Yeah, what the hell was up with that?” Honey Mead snaps.

“ I just need to remind you two what you’ll be losing,” Butterfree told them as she pops the cork off a whiskey bottle and pours the two mares a shot glass each. She sighs, “I do miss drinking these things but my condition makes it such a bad idea.” Butterfree points at her belly.

Honey Mead took the drink but Metalance pushes her’s away.

“Why did you tell the foals that we are bad ponies!” Metalance demanded.

“I didn’t tell them that you are bad ponies, I told them that you might be bad ponies,” Butterfree corrected.

“I think my issue still stands,” Metalance told her.

Butterfree sighs, “I suppose you’re right. I should start by telling you the government that you work for no longer exists. At least in this city.”

“But that’s-“ Honey Mead starts to say.

Butterfree raised her hoof,” The Church of the Sky took over.”

“But why?” Honey Mead said shocked.

“Our glorious goddess lords Celestia and Luna has been discovered,” Butterfree said.

“That fact alone gives you more power than the lordships,” Metalance notes.

“Correct,” Butterfree cheered.

“And this leads us in a very sticky situation,” Metalance points out.

“Yes it does,” Butterfree said coldly, “I am a psychiatrist that works for the church, Blaster is a musketeer that works for the church, Catfish is a cleric trained by them.”

“So we are voted out of the herd than?” Honey Mead glares at Butterfree.

“No, not necessarily,” Butterfree told them, “If you promise to lay down arms and not cause trouble than we can remain a happy family.”

Honey Mead felt the rage building up in her. What followed shocked her because Metalance struck before she did. The pregnant pony flipped over on her back as she hits the ground.

“How dare you corrupt our family and use our-my child against me in this way!” Metalance screamed.

A loud pop made all the mares stopped cold. Honey Mead and Metalance suddenly found their hooves covered in a slimy substance.

“Shit, you had to break her water,” Honey Mead said to Metalance as her mouth went dry.

“Claymari stands face to face with King Mars… Both equines ready for a fight…”

Mars sighs, I suppose I will be the first that will have to speak since you are even more stubborn than I. You disappoint me daughter.”

“And you’re a piece of shit,” Claymari snaps.

“Yes, I suppose the first sin is mine,” Mars said somberly, “But I have broke the madness that gripped me so many years ago.”

“Really? Because I’ve noticed that the madness gets stronger when you get older,” Claymari smirks.

The two ponies charged at each other. When they came in range they reared up and started hitting each other with their hooves. Mars gets under Claymari and flips her over his body and onto the bed. The bed breaks from the impact.

Claymari quickly gets to her feet and grabs Mars by his neck with her foreleg. She repeatedly hits him in the face with her hoof as she slams him into a dresser. Mars roles and slams his body onto Claymari.

“From outside the room they hear the commotion of fighting…”

“Should we do something?” Ferngully asked.

Winkz shivers, “Errr, I’m not going in there.”

The two mares then looks at Blackstone. “Don’t worry, Dore thing just let them work it out.” Blackstone walks down the hall.

“Where are you going?” Ferngully asked.

“I have places to be,” Blackstone said as he turned around the hall.

“Back in the room…”

Blood runs down the foreleg of Mars. As Claymari came in for an attack, the blood suddenly turns into a scythe. The blade hooks around Claymari’s neck. But the mare slips out of the weapon and pulls out Crimson Bond.

“So you finally mastered the Blood Blade Technique,” Claymari smirked.

“I had to keep up with you daughter,” Mars smiles back.

The two ponies clashed blades. Claymari got more leverage into Mars and flips him onto his back.

“I always thought about doing this since the day I left,” Claymari aims her blade to her father’s groin. Then she gasped in shock.

Mars made a devilish smile. “I had it done about a year after your family died. A symbol to show I gave up on those mad dreams.”

Claymari blushed, “Wow, I never thought you would mutilate yourself for me. Although that is still pretty freaking crazy.”

Both ponies laughed.

“Do you want to finish this at the bar?” Mars asks as he gets up with a grunt.

“I’m always up for a drink,” Claymari smirks.

“Mousecakes thought somberly as she walked down the hall…”

“Mousecakes!” Catfish shouted as she walked up to the mare. “Are you going to the binding ritual?”

“Oh, yeah guess I am,” Mousecakes said as her thoughts straightened.

“It looks like something else is on your mind though,” Catfish remarks.

“Is it that obvious,” Mousecakes said blushing.

“I’ve seen that look a lot lately on many faces,” Catfish remarks, “Mine too when I look in the mirror.”

“I just feel so bad for my sister,” Mousecakes mutters, “I know it’s for the best, this feels like such a betrayal.”

“I feel the same thing about Honey Mead and Metalance,” Catfish sighs.

“So I heard this ritual is supposed to allow us to team up with some kind of spirit creature or something like that,” Mousecakes points out.

Catfish takes out her orb. She rubs it with her hoof and the thing glows red. A red mist comes from the orb and it forms into a pony.

“This is Strawberry Breeze,” Catfish told Mousecakes, “She’s a Biollante, a plant spirit.”

“I didn’t see it but we met one of these in Burning Cage,” Mousecakes points out.

“Can I please return? I was a little busy?” Strawberry Breeze asks.

“Sorry,” Catfish rubs her orb and the Biollante disappears.

The two mares walk into a chamber. Blackstone and Mareseir were waiting for them. Blackstone was conveying with what appeared to be a gold coated Alicorn with an orange mane. The mane had a green streak going through it. Her cutie mark was of a bee with sparkles trailing behind it.

Mousecakes and Catfish bows to the Alicorn as they walked into the room.

“Is she a new one sir?” Catfish asked.

“Yes, this is Summer Harvest one of the four Biollante lords,” Blackstone tells the Cat Pony, “I just made a contract with her so she’ll be my personal summons.”

“Biollante lords?” Mousecakes questions.

“There are four of us that looks like Alicorn’s,” Summer Harvest explains, “We act as the linchpins of our people. We find lost souls and give them energy so they can live. Making deals with mortals like this helps us gather energy.”

“Yes, when you make a contract with a spirit like that, you give it energy to keep it living,” Mareseir adds, “This was a technique I borrowed from an Elfen tribe.”

“I suppose we should get started than,” Blackstone remarks as he summons Summer Harvest away.

“You’re not going to use Summer Harvest for this?” Catfish questioned.

“No, she needs some time to prepare before we start doing that with her,” Blackstone said.

Mareseir summons a black Alicorn Biollante. “This is Black Rose,” He introduced.

Black Rose gives a curtsy to the mares. “It’s nice to meet you again Catfish and who’s the new mare?” She asked.

“I am Mousecakes,” Mousecakes introduced herself.

“Present to me your orb,” Black Rose commands.

Mousecakes holds out her orb. Black Rose puts her hoof on the orb and the orb takes on a weird violet glow. Mousecakes gets a weird feeling in her chest and she starts breathing hard.

“Focus on that feeling,” Black Rose tells her, “Swallow it inside into the orb.”

It took Mousecakes a minute to succeed at doing what she was told to do. A violet mist came from the orb. The mist forms into a pony. A yellow green thing with a purple mane.

“Where am I?” The Biollante asked confused by her sudden appearance.

“Violet,” Black Rose spoke in a gentle tone. “You made a summoning contract remember?”

“Oh, Black Rose yes I do,” Violet Eyes nods her head.

“This pony here,” Black Rose points at Mousecakes, “Her name is Mousecakes and she will be your partner unless you have an issue with her?”

Violet Eyes nervously looks Mousecakes up and down. “All right,” she replied weekly.

“Is that it?” Mousecakes asks.

“ Pretty much,” Black Rose answered, “If you want to get rid of her use the same feeling you used to summon her. But I suggest you two start talking and get to know each other better.” Black Rose gives a gentle smile.

“Why don’t we go out for lunch?” Catfish suggests, “It will give you two a chance to talk.”

“That does sound good,” Mousecakes replied the mentioning of food made her stomach rumble.

Violet Eyes just nodded her head.

“Butterfree screams out in pain…”

“What are we going to do she’s going into labor.” Honey Mead cried.

“Caramel honey go to your room and pack your bags!” Metalance shouts up the stairs

“Mommy what's going on?” Caramel cries out.

“Do it now we’re leaving!” Metalance shouts as she starts to walk up the stairs.

“Meta? Think about this?” Honey Mead stops Metalance by putting her hoof on her shoulder.

“You’re seriously, contemplating staying here!” Metalance shouts, “Our family betrayed us! Try using our foals against us, my son against me!”

“Sorry,” Butterfree said between contractions. “It was going to happen, as a family it’s the duty of each one of us to try to keep that family together.”

“Well it’s too late for that,” Metalance said coldly. “Honey are you going to help me or not?”

Honey Mead looks back at Butterfree. “You can do what you want, but I’m staying here.”

“Well suit yourself then,” Metalance shrugs.

“Meta, please reconsider,” Butterfree begged.

Metalance punches Butterfree in the face knocking her out.

“Stop that!” Honey Mead shouted, “Hitting a pregnant mare is what started this mess!”

“Yeah but at least we don’t have to deal with her for the moment,” Metalance smirks.

“But she’s giving birth!” Honey Mead exclaims.

“I’m sure she’ll wake up before it’s all done, if not? well it’s an automatic biological function that foal is coming out no matter what,” Metalance points out as she went up the stairs.

Metalance enters the foal’s room. She sees both Caramel and Weedie packing saddle bags.

“I’m almost ready,” Weedie tells Metalance.

“Weedie you are staying here,” Metalance orders the filly.

“But why?” Weedie asked.

Metalance kneels to Weedie’s level. “You remember how Caramel came out of my tummy?”

“Yes,” Weedie nods her head.

“I’m leaving the herd, because he came from my tummy I’m taking him with me,” Metalance explains, “You didn’t come from my tummy so you stay here with your other mommies.” Metalance wipes the tears from her eyes.

“No!” Weedie screamed clutching onto Metalance. “I want to come with you! Want to come with Caramel!”

“Get off of me,” Metalance said sternly.

“No! No! No!” Weedie shouts.

“I said get off!” Metalance snaps striking the filly so hard to send her flying into the wall. Weedie squeaks and whimpers from the pain as Metalance grabs Caramel and his saddle bag.

“Meta!” Honey Mead shouted rushing to the injured filly.

The mare and colt hurries downstairs. Weedie kicks away from Honey Mead and rushes after them well limping on one of her forehooves. She catches up to them as they walked out the door.

“Metalance!” Weedie shouts grabbing Metalance's hind leg just after she and Caramel steps outside.

“Weedie please don’t do this,” Metalance cries out.

A bow pony raises his crossbow and aims at the green pony. Just as he fires Honey Mead jumps out of the building and tackles Metalance. The bolt misses its intended target of the green pony and hits the yellow one.

“Run!” Metalance shouts. She grabs Caramel and gallops down the road. Weedie runs after them.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” The bow pony shouts as he ran out into the street. He takes aim but couldn’t fire because the foal’s were in the way.

Metalance finds a moment to calm down, she takes a breath as she leans against a wall. Caramel was crying and Weedie was breathing heavy from her exertion.

“Mommy Honey was shot?” Weedie said in shock.

Metalance looks at Weedie and groans. “Oh no, they might’ve let me leave with Caramel because he was mine. Now that you’re with me this turned into a full kidnapping.” She mutters.

“I’m sorry,” Weedie backs away.

“Come here sweetie,” Metalance waves Weedie over with her hoof. “Now that your with me I’m not going to leave you.”

“Watching the tower…”

Blaster had been on her shift for a few hours now and was feeling stiff. There had been little movement from the tower. They were starting to think that what little movement they have seen was meant to show them that La Dawn was still in the tower, him and the other Pegasus.

“Here,” A cleric gives Blaster a cup of hot soup as part of her rounds.”

“Thanks,” Blaster tells the mare giving her a toothy smile.

The mare had a deep diamond blue coat with a silver mane. Her cutie mark was six diamonds of different sizes.

“Diamond Luck…”

A swiftly moving shadow from overhead caused both mares to drop their exchange and look up. They for a quick moment they saw what looked to be a giant Griffon going into some clouds.

“Gryphus here?” Blaster said picking up her laser rifle.

Liquid Earth Part 2: Curse the Choices We Make

“The inn was a bustle with ponies…”

Filly Nat watched the ponies enter and leave her family inn. She was a dark blue mare with a silver mane and voluminous red eyes. Her cutie mark was a bunch of nats flying around each other.

An odd group entered through the door. Two Dore, a Bat Pony and a Crystal Unicorn pony. They all took a seat together.

Soon after the first group took their seats, a second group came in. One was a silver grey Unicorn and the pony with her was vanilla cream colored with a rainbow colored mane and tail.

The Crystal Unicorn seemed to recognize the two new ponies that came in and invited them to sit down with their companions.

Then a third set of ponies came in. A scrawny purple mare, a green Cat Pony and a yellow green pony with an odd glow about her. Definitely not one of the normal races. These ponies too was recognized by the other groups and was invited to sit with them.

“Filly?” A large white stallion with silver locks spoke to Filly Nat. His cutie mark a set of moths.

“Yes father?” Filly Nat replied.

“Colt Moth…”

“Could you quickly take out the trash?” Colt Moth asked his daughter.

Filly Nat nods her head and grabs the bag of half eaten food and various other stuff. She takes it outside to the dumpster in the middle of the alley. It was there when the cloak figure approached.

“Filly Nat,” The figure said making the mare turn around. She sees the hooded pony remove her hood to reveal a green mare. Two small foals were standing next to her.

“Metalance?” Filly Nat replied.

“The herd home…”

Honey Mead’s head was pounding from the pain of the bolt that had been in her shoulder. She had put her hoof on her snout and tipped her head backward to deal with the pain.

A pair of mustangeteers had brought her into the house. One and female was treating her wound as the other a male stood nervously over Butterfree.

“Umm, something’s coming out!” He shouted nervously.

“Oh, don’t freak out,” The female soldier snaps.

The female was called Oubliette, A dirt brown Earth Pony with a two tone slate gray mane. Her cutie mark three holes in the ground. The male mustangeteer was named Mellow Pillow. He was a yellow coated pony with a yellow mane. His cutie mark a pillow pulled back to reveal a silver bit coin.

“Up stairs in Catfish’s room there are some smelling salts,” Honey Mead told Mellow.

Mellow nods his head and hurried up stairs.

“Her door is the one marked with the fish!” Honey Mead shouted. The pony then sighs and turns to the mare treating her. “What kind of living situation you have?”

“What do you mean?” The mare asks.

“Do you have a herd or do you live alone? Married to a single pony maybe?”

“I live in a herd house,” The mare smiles.

“Do you think I made the right choice?” Honey Mead asked, “I mean if I was a real mother and it was one of my foals. I mean yes you could call me a mother. Since it’s a herd home and everybody raises each other’s young. But I thought of myself more of an aunt then anything else.”

“Well, I have been in both positions,” Oubliette told Honey, “My herd mates had two foals before I did. Then I had one and we had two more since then.”

“Sounds like a big family,” Honey Mead giggles.

“It is or was,” Oubliette giggles back, “But what I was saying yes there is a difference. If I had strongly disapproved of my herd’s actions I would have left and taken my foal with. In fact some of my clan had left. But Luckily our herd was made up of either members working for the church or civilians. I could imagine how bad things would have turned out if we were mixed like yours.”

Mellow came back down stairs holding the smelling salts. He puts it up to Butterfree’s nose. The pony jumps awake.

“Celestia’s motherly embrace,” She shouted. Butterfree glares at the others “Being woke up to my loins being pulled apart is the last thing I expected.”

Oubliette walks over to Butterfree. “You should start pushing, This shouldn’t take much longer.”

“At the Inn…Time…not too far off…”

King Mars was the first to sit down. Claymari sat next to him. Ferngully sat across from King Mars. Winkz sat next to her placing the Crystal Pony across from Claymari.

“Hello I’m Pom Pom, May I take your order?” A yellow mare in a blue dress with a two tone curly mane asked.

“Strongest sprits you got,” Mars answers.

“Double that!” Claymari adds.

“And triple that,” Mars smiles.

“Careful father are you sure you can handle that amount of liquid without your equipment?” Claymari teased.

“Oh, I’ll be fine,” Mars smirks, “You should be worried that you can’t hold it back with that hole of yours.”

“I think you’re confusing a cervix with a urethra,” Claymari mocked.

“I’ll have a bloody mary,” Ferngully tells the waitress pony.

“Some simple ale,” Winkz says with a smile.

Pom Pom writes down the orders and walks away. Meanwhile Ferngully gives a funny look at Mars and Claymari and taps Winkz on the shoulder.

“What are they doing?” She asks Winkz.

“Think they are dick measuring,” Winkz points out.

“Why would Claymari do that with her father?” Ferngully wondered.

“It’s her settle way of teasing him because he has no dick,” Winkz answers.

“What!” Ferngully looks under the table fora quick moment and pulls her head back up. “I’ll be damned, the king has no dick.”

“Nice that you took notice,” Claymari snickered, “You want to hear the story behind it?”

Ferngully flashed a nervous look at Mars who stood there gritting his teeth his face turning to the wall.

“This piece of shit, my father here,” Claymari smirked pointing at Mars. “Thought that I was the reincarnation of my mother, both mind and body and told me he was going to force me to marry him and have his children. When I told him no, he beat the shit out of me.”

“In my defense I never touched you,” Mars points out.

Claymari starts laughing. “I actually had him arrested for domestic violence.”

Ferngully snickers and Winkz starts laughing as well. “You have actually got a king arrested for domestic violence. That is ballsy.”

“I find it hard to imagine another pony beating the crap out of you,” Winkz remarks, “Were you a filly?”

“Nope, full grown mare in the military,” Claymari said proudly.

“You were a military pony?” Ferngully said disbelievingly.

“Well it was mandatory,” Claymari told her.

“And it’s amazing, even after all this crap and still manage to sit the next to your father,” Winkz points out.

“I guess us because the two of us has an odd temperament,” Claymari shrugged.

“That’s probably because the two of you are discordic neutral,” Ferngully points out.

“Discordic neutral?” Winkz questions.

“Oh, it’s a term from the game Ogres and Oubliettes that me and Pot Shell played well we were traveling,” The thought of Pot Shell made Ferngully ears flop back from sadness and she stares down at the table.

“And this discordic neutral business?” Mars spoke up putting the Bat Pony’s thoughts back in order.

“Oh yeah, in this game you play a character or characters and each character has something called an alignment,” Ferngully explains, “This alignment is a general code of life for a character. A discordic neutral character is someone who tends to live on the fringes of society. Self absorbed with self pleasure disregarding of laws and rules. They adapt to situations quickly often meaning them switching sides. Sounds familiar?”

“I get your point,” Claymari grumbled.

The door opens and a pair of ponies walk in. The new presence makes Winkz’s horn tingle and she turns around to see them. One of the ponies had a rainbow type mane that she recognized instantly.

“Generous Thread,” She called out.

The two ponies turned to look at the Crystal Pony. “Winkz right? I thought you disappeared with Claymari’s group?” Generous Thread points out.

“I’m Claymari, and she’s with me,” Claymari chirped raising her hoof.

“Winkz?” Velvet Rope questioned.

“Met her with Philia once,” Generous Thread explains.

“Oh, I remember Philia,” Velvet Rope remarks.

“You know what happened to Philia?” Claymari asked.

“No, she just disappeared after the uprising,” Velvet Rope answered, “Or so I heard, things like that should be common so I never put much thought into it.”

“Look on the bright side,” Mars mutters to Claymari, “At least you kept this one alive for twenty years.”

“Want to start fighting again?” Claymari gritted her teeth.

“Not a bad idea,” Mars grumbled, “But I want some alcohol in me first.”

“Why don’t you sit next to us?” Winkz suggests, “The more the merrier.”

As Generous Thread and Velvet Rope sat down at the table next to Claymari's table, the waitress Pom Pom came walking up with the drinks. Once she was done passing them out, she walks over to Generous Thread and Velvet Rope.

“Would you like to order?” Pom Pom asked.

“How about some sweet ale?” Generous Thread answered.

Then both Generous Thread and the waitress turn to look at Velvet Rope. Velvet had zoned off playing with her paper napkin.

“Miss?” Pom Pom spoke up breaking Velvet Rope of her thoughts.

“What?” Velvet Rope replied.

“Your order?” The waitress asked.

“I’ll have what she’s having,” Velvet Rope points at Generous Thread.

Pom Pom writes down the orders and then walks off.

“You can at least act like you care,” Generous Thread leans over and says quietly to Velvet Rope.

“I just don’t see the point,” Velvet Rope snaps in the same hushed tone. “It’s not like we need food or drink.”

“It is called giving back to the community,” Generous Thread told her, “We don’t need stuff like food or drink, but to keep things balanced we must buy these things. It spreads the money to the people that need food and drink.”

Claymari felt Crimson Bond vibrate in its sheath. She turns toward Generous Thread and looks the mare up and down.

“What is it?” Generous Thread asks.

“Nothing,” Claymari answered turning away.

Velvet Rope glances at Claymari’s sword and whispers to Generous Thread. “She knows about Inspiration.”

“If she does, we will deal with it when it comes up,” Generous Thread points out.

Velvet Rope smiles, “I have something in mind that would help distract her.”

The door opens again, this time Catfish and Mousecakes walks into the inn.

“Oh shit,” Mousecakes starts to turn around. What stops her was a look from Winkz who glared at her from the corner of her eye.

“Is that Winkz” Catfish points out, “Has to be, there ain’t that many Crystal Pony around here.”

“With her has to be Ferngully and Claymari then,” Mousecakes answers.

“That's Claymari the Sword Mare?” Catfish points out, “I haven’t met her yet.”

“Well Winkz knows I’m here, and she knows you,” Mousecakes points out, “If we leave she’ll know I walked away.”

“Oh yeah, you’re the one that knocked them out,” Catfish remembered.

“With Winkz’s help,” Mousecakes adds.

“Well they seem to have forgiven her,” Catfish points out.

Mousecakes sighs and they walked up to the table.

“Ferngully, Claymari, I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Mousecakes said nervously.

“Ah, the other trader,” Claymari raised her glass at Mousecakes. "You should know me by now when there is a bar I'll be there."

Mousecakes gave a look of her heart sinking. “You’re not mad?”

“Oh shit I’m furious,” Claymari smirked, “But your way got no one killed, surely that something be thankful for. Who’s your friend?”

“This is Catfish,” Mousecakes introduced.

“Ah, I thought that was who you were,” Claymari remarks, “Honey Mead and Metalance talked about you.”

“How are they by the way?” Ferngully asks.

“They were find the last I seen them,” Catfish answered, “Butterfree told us to stay clear for a while as they get use to the idea of what happened. She didn’t want them to get overwhelmed right away by having all of us there.”

“I guess that makes sense for the number of people you could have running around the house,” Ferngully replied.

“Why don’t you have a sit down?” Winkz asked.

The two ponies nodded their heads and sat at the table behind Ferngully and Winkz. The mares took out their orbs and summoned their Biollante. Violet Eyes and Strawberry Breeze appeared next to them.

“Violet?” Both Ferngully and Generous Thread said at the same time. Then they turned at each other and spoke. “You know her?”

“Jinx,” Winkz giggles.

Pom Pom walks up and gives Generous Thread and Velvet Rope there drinks. She then walks over to Mousecakes’s and Catfish’s group to take their order.

“Where do you know Violet fro-Ack!” Ferngully was interrupted by a shock up her spine.

“I was one of the last ponies to leave Burning Cage after the Gryphus attacked,” Generous Thread pauses for a moment. “Was I just attacked by a spell?”

“I know I was-Ess!” Ferngully clenched her teeth as she was shocked again.

“I think Winkz literally jinxed you,” Claymari points out.

“Then unjinx me! Ouch!” Ferngully shouts wincing.

“Ferngully,” Claymari answered, “Better?”

“Maybe,” Ferngully then paused, “Yep, I didn’t get shocked.”

“So we all have people in our groups that know each other in some way or another?” Strawberry Breeze points out, “It seems odd that we all happen to be here at the same time.”

“Well I been sensing strange magic from this area ever since the first group walked in,” Pom Pom remarks.

“That maybe my fault,” Winkz spoke up, “My talent is fate and divining magic. It’s a very hard to control field of magic. My very presence can tug on the red strings making the unlikely happen.”

“Here I thought that feeling was normal,” Ferngully remarks absentmindedly rubbing her hoof across her antenna.

“How are you sensing magic?” Velvet Rope asks the waitress.

Pom Pom pulls up the front of her mane with her hoof. She revealed that she had a cut off horn stub.

“Well what do you know, the little lady is a Unicorn,” Mars remarks.

“I’m a refugee from the Unicorn Kingdoms when wars between Caledonia, Unicornia and Crystal Empire broke out,” Pom Pom explained, “Earth reluctantly took some of us in but ordered us to have our horns removed.”

“That sounds about as horrible as having a horn basically drilled into your head,” Ferngully remarks.

“Well it was either my horn or roughen it out in the deadly and poisonous Wildlands of Equestria.” Pom Pom sighs, “Good for me, the country’s policy has changed and horns grow back,” the waitress smiles, “Now excuse me I have to go.”

Pom Pom walks back over to the kitchen. As she enters the kitchen she sees Filly Nat come in with a cloaked mare and two foals.

“I’m taking these upstairs to a room,” Filly Nat told her.

As they walked to the stairs, Metalance took note of the three tables with the ponies talking.

“Claymari?” She spoke as she realized who she was seeing.

“Mommy Catfish!” Weedie starts to say.

“Suresh,” Metalance orders the filly.

“You know the orange mare?” Filly Nat asked as she led the ponies upstairs.

“Yes, I was travelig with her when I was captured,” Metalance points out, “I guess since she’s walking around she must of sided with the church.”

They reach the room, Metalance open the door and let the foals go in first. “Stay right there, I need to talk to Miss Filly in private real quick.” She closes the door.

“What is it?” Filly Nat asks.

“I’m still planning on trying to leave the city,” Metalance answered.

“If you need it, I can spare you some bits,” Filly Nat replied.

Metalance raised her hoof. “Thanks, I make take you up on that offer. But I need to get rid of Weedie, I should think about giving her directly to Catfish. Go downstairs and ask her to come up here so we can talk.”

Filly Nat nods her head as Metalance opens the door and walks into the room. Once the door closed, Filly Nat headed downstairs. She seeked out Catfish and tapped her on the shoulder. Catfish turned around and Filly Nat whispers into her ear.

Meanwhile, Claymari had just finished her third mug. “I’m going to go find the head,” she remarks.

“See what I told you,” Mars smirks, “Big hole can’t hold the floodgates.”

For a moment Claymari sits back down into her seat and starts a staring contest with Mars. She taps her hoof on the table a couple of times then suddenly turns and walks away. “I am not getting into a non pissing contest with you. Do you have any idea what birthing a foal does to a bladder?”

Velvet Rope sees Claymari leave and follows her. Claymari had noticed the mare following her and once alone in the hallway speaks.

“What do you want?” Claymari asked.

“I’m just curious, your father, that stallion, I don’t understand? How can you forgive him after what you did to the Oranges?” Velvet Rope asks.

“Our disagreement was a long time ago,” Claymari answered, “You could call it two lifetimes ago. My first life was a purgatory in the underground. I chose to end that life, Mars just made the passing worse. My second life was heaven on earth which was ripped from me in blood and screams. Any pony who has a hoof in destroying heaven needs punishment worthy of such a sin.”

“That’s just it,” Velvet Rope replied, “King Mars, at least from what I’ve heard is the one who gave the Oranges the idea of attacking you and your family. He’s the one who’s truly behind their deaths.”

“At the castle…Everyone was scrambling…”

Two more shadows sweep across the ground.

“There’s three there has to be,” Blaster remarks.

“What are they doing here?” Diamond Luck asks.

“I think they want revenge,” Blaster answered, “Maybe they are after Claymari herself or after us for sending Claymari after them. Either way they are here now.”

Sirens goes off indicating ponies to either go to their posts or take shelter. Soldiers and fighters start packing the walls and rooves.

A couple minutes after the alarm sounded all three Gryphus took flight. The ponies on the ground soon noticed a trail of something falling behind the Gryphus. Paper with strange symbols on them starts falling around the ponies.

“Paper?” Blaster notes grabbing a paper from the air with the joints of her forelimb.

“Don’t touch that!” Diamond Luck nocks the strange paper out of Blaster’s hoof. The light comes out from behind a cloud and the papers explode in three foot wide fire balls.

For Blaster, the confusion daze only lasted a minute and there was some seconds of missing time. Through the ringing of her ears she could here screams of injured ponies. Then her pain hit her.

First Blaster found her right ear flap pulsing with intense pain fallowed by a wet feeling around it. Her right cheek arm and bit of her shoulder and chest. Those burns felt mild like a bad sunburn at the moment.

Blaster spots Diamond Luck laying on the ground her body twitching in agony. The left side of her face neck and forearm were charred and was already blistering.

“She shielded me from the blast,” Blaster said in shock. “Those bastards made sure that we all were out here!”

Blaster looks out at the screaming ponies around her. Some of witch was still on fire. “Is this what the Oranges felt when Claymari attacked them?” She found herself thinking.

“In the castle…Celestia and Luna…”

The sirens caused the two sisters to jump.

“Sister what’s going on?” Luna asked shivering.

“Stay in here Luna!” Celestia orders as she walks out of their chambers.

As she walked down the hall, Celestia could hear some kind of booming roar. A door opens up and a smoking chard pony can running in.

The sudden sight knocked the air from Celestia’s chest as she panics. Her memories goes back to a chard village.

“Hello?” A younger Celestia calls out as she walks through the smoking streets. Black and red corpses littered everywhere. But she assumed most of the bodies were inside the buildings witch were now a pile of black soot. This despite the them being dead she was thankful for.

Broken blacken chains hung off of Celestia’s neck and legs. She had broken them herself when she had escaped.

Emotionally exhausted Celestia brakes down crying collapsing in the ash covered ground.

As Celestia weeped, a white pony with a long navy blue beard with some gray walk up to her. He was in a blue cloak and hat that was covered with stars and bells.

Celestia notices him and backs away scared.

“Don’t be afraid little one there is a place in this world for you.” He told the Alicorn filly.

When Celestia got back to reality, her hooves were bloody. The chard pony lay dead at her feet his blood pooling on the floor.

After the shock passed, Celestia got and angry look on her face and charged out the door.

“Elsewhere in the castle…”

The sirens goes off causing the guards at the front of Pot Shell and Whirly Pop’s chambers to draw their weapons.

“What’s going on?” Pot Shell cracks the door open.

“Stay inside,” The guard orders pushing Pot Shell back as he walks into the room.

Whirly Pop who was standing nearby, shake her mane loosening out what looks to be a bobby pin. The pen instantly turns into a long wire that snaked and moved on its own. The wire wrapped itself around her forehooves and in an instant she had the wire around the guard pony’s neck.

Pot Shell sees red leaking out from around the guard’s neck and shouts. “Whirly Pop stop!”

“Please don’t kill me,” The guard beg.

“You don’t need to kill him,” Pot Shell tells Whirly Pop, “You’re not a killer, you’re not a bad pony.”

Whirly Pop could feel her heart beating and she composed herself by slowing her breathing. She removes the wire from the guard pony’s neck. When she did so, Pot Shell swiftly turned around and bucked him in the face knocking the stallion out.

Seeing the door open, another guard walks into the room. She sees the past out and bloody guard and the two ponies standing over him and reaches for her sword. Something then grabs her hoof and the mare quickly lost her balance as it yanks on her body. She hits the ground so hard that it knocks her out.

“At the herd home…”

Butterfree lay exhausted half past out from her labors. The newborn foal had his muzzle between her thighs suckling on her tit. Honey Mead watched the sight with a flushed but happy look on her face. Meanwhile Oubliette came walking in with a wash pan and some sponges.

“Let’s get her washed up,” Oubliette said to Honey Mead.

“I think that’s the first time I watched a mare give birth,” Honey Mead remarks in a half spacey tone.

Oubliette smiles, “I kind of never tire of it.”

“So you have seen plenty of that?” Honey Mead asked.

“You can say that,” Oubliette answered.

“Is it okay to come in now?” Mellow called from outside.

Oubliette shook her head and laughed, “Typical stallion.”

“Well to be fair, most mares are encouraged to see something give birth at some point well there are growing up,” Honey Mead points out, “Be it pony or some other kind of creature. Stallions are not.”

“You can come in!” Oubliette shouted before picking up a wet sponge in her muzzle. She started to wipe down the foal.

Honey Mead had started to do the same as the stallion walks in. She looks up at him and smiles. “You want to help clean her?”

Mellow smiles back and picks up a sponge. A few moments later was when the sirens went off. The foal jolted at the sound and Honey Mead had to grab her to stop the young thing from hurting herself.

“What’s going on?” Butterfree weakly asks.

“That sounds like the Pegasus attack alarm,” Honey Mead points out looking at Oubliette to confirm.

“Yes, that’s still the aerial warning system,” Oubliette nods her head.

“Damned Pegasus always looking for a weakness,” Honey Mead snaps.

“What do you want to do?” Mellow asks Oubliette.

“Stay in here with the mares, I’m going to go outside and check to see how bad it is,” Oubliette answers.

“Oh, I’m coming out with you,” Honey Mead orders.

“No, you’re supposed to be basically are prisoner,” Oubliette told her, “I just can’t let you run around.”

“Are you going to stop me before I go outside?” Honey Mead raised an eyebrow.

Oubliette looks at the newborn foal and grits her teeth. “No,”

The two mares ran out the door. They look up at the sky to see a large Griffon like creature fly overhead. A trail of papers fell behind it.

“What the? That is no Pegasus?” Oubliette points out.

“No, It’s a Gryphus, I never thought the survivors would show up here,” Honey Mead notes.

“Survivors? You mean you fought this thing? You fought more than one of them?” Oubliette said forehead sweating at the thought.

“Yeah, a few times, “Honey Mead nods her head, “Do you not have any intel on the mission that I was on?”

“Apparently so,” Oubliette answered.

“We even took on a whole nest and only defeated them due to luck,” Honey Mead continued

“What do you mean by luck?” Oubliette asked.

“Dark magic made their young turn on the adults and eat them alive,” Honey Mead answered coldly.

“Celestria! That’s-,” Oubliette had no words.

“Strange and unbelievable?” Honey Mead smiles, “Don’t tell me that they didn’t even tell you that I was traveling with Claymari.”

Then they heard the explosions and saw the flames explode up around the castle and the surrounding buildings.

“Shit! Blaster is over there!” Honey Mead runs for the castle.

“Don’t take off!” Oubliette shouted chasing after the mare.

“Up stairs… The inn…”

Catfish knocks on the door. After a moment Metalance opens it up.

“Mommy Catfish!” Weedie shouted giving the Cat Pony thing a hug.

Caramel was hiding behind his mother.

“What are you doing here with the foals!” Catfish shouts, “You’re not even supposed to be out of the house!”

That last phrase rose Metalance’s anger and she grabs the Cat Pony, fling her across the room and slamming her down on the bed.

From downstairs, Strawberry Breeze could sense something was wrong and turns into a gaseous state that floats its way up the stairs.

Mousecakes sees this and turns to Violent Eyes. “What was that about?” She asked.

Violet Eyes replied with a shrug.

“Mars you bastard!”

Metalance pushes her hoof against Catfish’s throat. “I am leaving this city with my child,” She said gritting through her teeth. “Weedie accidentally tagged along with me. I’m trying to give her back to you. If you’re going to jeopardize me leaving the city with my colt I will kill you now, I don’t care if it’s in front of them.”

A misty red tentacle grabs Metalance from around the neck and forcibly pulls off the Cat Pony.

Catfish coughs as she takes in air. “Strawberry Breeze stop!” She gasped.

The mist let’s go and turns into the shape of a pony.

“Everyone stop fighting!” Weedie screams and runs out of the room bolting downstairs.

“Sonic Sword Boom!”

The attack hits the table turning it into splinters. Mars dodged out of the way. Winkz puts up a shield and Ferngully was knocked on her back.

“Claymari what the hell?” Ferngully shouted.

“Tell me it isn’t true,” Claymari shouted at Mars ignoring Ferngully.

“Now what the heck are you talking about girl?” Mars asked indifferently.

“The Oranges, they went after my family to gain favor with you,” Claymari spat her eyes full of tears.

Mars closed his eyes. “Yes my greatest sin.”

Claymari went at Mars swinging her blade. The stallions wounds pop open and blocks the attack with his blood scythe.

“You see I knew the Oranges and the Apples had a rivalry,” Mars explains, “And the Oranges knew that if they gained favor with me they could gain enough power to become the new leading family of the Earth Nation. So, I asked them to show you how truly dangerous see outside world is and take your family at least your child back home. I never expected you to be so weak to allow my granddaughter to die.”

Claymari unhooks the blades so she could spin around to Mars's is other side and bucks him in the ribs with her back legs. The large stallion grunted as he stumbled back a couple of feet, but shook off the attack and went after his daughter. This time Claymari blocked his blade.

“But the thing that really made me realize my folly was what you did to the Oranges,” King Mars said before he knocks Claymari back with a heavy push. “You killed them, you killed them with mines!” He shouted, “It was then I realized the path of my lust and anger had led to. Forty nine souls ripped apart in heat and shrapnel. Stallions, mares, some colts and fillies. I created a monster. I knew then you were not Claymaria. My angel would have never done anything so evil and if that’s the case I turned my daughter into a monster for nothing.”

“And so you cut your pecker off,” Claymari snapped, “Cut off the root of the problem?”

“You looked so much like your mother,” Mars said gently, “I knew I couldn’t help but to feel attracted to you.”

The two Dore charged at each other again. As they fought Velvet Rope walks up to Generous Thread.

“Time for us to make our leave,” She told the rainbow mane pony.

Just then two mares walks into the inn. They saw the two ponies fighting and instantly turn the other way. That was when the air sirens went off.

“Dammit,” One of the mares snapped as they stopped themselves from going outside.

Weedie was standing there in shock as she watched the two ponies fight.

“Got you!” Metalance snaps as she puts her hooves around the filly.

“I’ll help you leave the city,” Catfish said as she walks up, “But things seem to have gotten more dangerous.”

“Okay everyone down to the cellar!” Colt Moth shouted.

“This way!” Filly Nats adds opening up a door that led down to the basement.

“What about those two?” Ferngully points at Mars and Claymari still fighting.

“I’m not getting between that are you?” Colt Moth remarks.

“Suppose you’re right,” Ferngully sighs.

Then there were explosions and the smell of smoke. Soon smoke bellowed out from the top floor.

“Caramel!” Metalance shouts as she rushed up stairs bumping into a few ponies running downstairs.

The flames were quickly spreading. Their origin point seemed to be an open window at the end of the hallway. Flames had shot up the wall and was now spreading across the ceiling.

Metalance opens the door to her room and coughs as smoke pours out.

“Caramel,” She shouts again.

“Mommy!” A voice weekly replied.

Metalance sees a small figure laying on the ground. She swiftly scoops the colt up over her head and runs downstairs.

“Okay change of plans,” Filly Nats shouted, “Every pony out!”

Metalance rushed past with her colt on her back. Once out of the street she puts them down only to her dismay to find that he wasn’t breathing.

“Caramel!” Metalance sobbed pushing the unconscious colt with her hoof.

“Let me try something,” Ferngully suggests.

“Just please help him,” Metalance cried.

Ferngully zaps a spell over the colt from her antenna. He shimmered with green energy and then coughed. Caramel opens his eyes weekly and speaks. “Mommy Metalance.”

“It’s okay sweetie,” Metalance said gently as she stroked the colt’s head.

Velvet Rope looks around the crowd. “Where’s Generous Thread?”

“Perhaps she took off to find shelter?” Mousecakes answers looking around, “We are under attack aren’t we?”

None of the other buildings on the block seem to be on fire. Although she noted a few more columns of smoke here and there. But the biggest column came from the castle. Some of the ponies that had ran out of the inn started hurrying away.

“Perhaps we should go to my place then,” Velvet Rope suggests.

“That may be a good idea,” Mousecakes replied.

“I’ll do a quick look around and tell some other waiters and waitresses that work at the inn that if they see her tell her where I went,” Velvet Rope tells the mare.

“Inside the burning building…”

Generous Thread slowly sips down her mug of ale. The smoke like the contents of the mug had no effect on her. Generous Thread then sighs. “Why can’t Velvet just enjoy things.”

Claymari and Mars are still fighting. Their bodies dripping with sweat from their exertion and heat from the flames. Suit covered there sticky bodies. The ponies’s lungs burned from the smoke but their battle persisted.

The fight was interrupted by a loud crack as one of the buildings support beams split and fell between them. The two ponies glared at each other. Claymari with pure hatred, Mars with aggression. This was all they could do now unable to continue the battle with the flaming beam between them.

“Claymari? Do you want to see Philia again?” Generous Thread asked finishing her drink.

“Augh! What did you say? Augh!” Claymari coughed as she turned around noticing the lone filly sitting at the table with the building burning around her.

“I know where Philia is,” Generous Thread answered. She looks around the burning building. “But this,” The mare motions, “Is not an appropriate place to have such a conversation don’t you agree?”

Claymari glares at Mars one more time and grits her teeth. She turns her head away back to Generous Thread.

“Then follow me then,” Generous Thread says as she gets up and walks behind the bar table.

Mars watches Claymari follow the mare to the back room. Once out of sight he turns and walks out the front door.

“Ponyville was awakened by a roar of explosions…”

“Come on you lazy Familiar!”

Ponyville feels a hoof hit her rump. She sits up in the bed propping up on her hunches. Flies buzzed around her head and she had a strong stink comming from her body. Her body felt very dirty. All of this was odd to her because she doesn’t normally get body order and filth, at least not this bad.

Ponyville felt funny, it wasn't her normal funny. Normally her mind raced with anxieties and scattered thoughts. But now her mind was foggy and slow. She had felt like this for days at least. But the Pegasus can't really tell for how long.

“Ponyville get your butt moving! It is time to go!” La Dawn shouted.

Ponyville with foggy vision turns to look at La Dawn to see that he was dragging a pony in chains. What was odd about this other than the mask, was that this pony with the mask was the same size with the same colored coat as La Dawn. This confused the mare, it was as if La Dawn had a twin in cosplay.

She steps off the bed and stretches her stiff body. The pony felt like as if she hadn't left that bed for days. Then Ponyville’s heart sinks as her memories came flooding back.

“Eclipso!” Ponyville shouts.

La Dawn had the strange pony over by the window when Ponyville attacked him. The two of them struggled for a minute before La Dawn managed to get Ponyville off of him.

“Frinken pony you keep burning through your brain slugs!” La Dawn shouts as he puts his hoof down on Ponyville’s wing pinning her down.

“Ouch! You’re hurting me,” Ponyville cried.

“An amusing side effect,” La Dawn remarks. He turns to the pony in the iron mask. “I suppose I’ll have to use his for the time being.”

La Dawn whispers into the iron mask's ear hole. The pony in the iron mask struggles a bit then passes out as yellow mist almost like slime leaks out of the hole taking the shape of some kind of worm. La Dawn picks it up and places it into Ponyville’s ear.

Ponyville screams and thrashes violently. So violent that La Dawn had to let go of his grip. Ponyville leaps up into the air and one of her flailing limbs smacks La Dawn in the nose. He stumbles back and lets go of the pony in the iron mask.

The pony in the iron mask falls out the window. The feeling of the air pushing against his body awakens the Pegasus into a half conscious state. His body automatically rights itself in the air and the masked pony glides himself to a crash.

The crash was enough to awaken the masked pony into full consciousness. He turns around to get his bearings then looks up at the tower to see La Dawn pushing Ponyville out of the window both of them flying out. The masked pony could see La Dawn flying at him and he made a run for it.

Ponyville was the first to the ground landing as the masked pony went through some doors leading into the castle. La Dawn lands next to her and starts stomping his feet.

“Shit!”

Liquid Earth Part 3: Behind the Mask

“A pony falls from the sky…”

Another Gryphus dives down knocking a standing regiment of ponies onto the ground. He turns and smashes into another group of ponies. This caused the survivors of the flame bomb attack to scream louder in horror. After the Gryphus stirred up enough panic he flies up into the air and lands onto a nearby cloud.

“You know I never thought this would be so easy,” The Gryphus smirked to Polis.

“A little tactical planning compounded with some shock and awe can get you far,” Polis answered. His bad arm was in a sling well he kept a sheathed sword by his hip. He then smiled back, “A book of magic runes, some old books and a few days prep doesn’t hurt much either.”

Then both the Gryphus and Polis flies back down to the castle to cause more confusion and chaos.

Blaster puts Diamond Luck over her shoulder and makes a run for the nearest door. Out of the corner of her eye, Blaster could see a Gryphus homing them out. This caused the pony to try to move faster but the Gryphus was homing in.

In a panic she shoves Diamond Luck aside, this allowed her to pick up speed as a Gryphus remains focused on its target. Blaster leaps on a series of wood barricades that blocked the path she was running.

The pony’s hooves skillfully leaped from plank to plank. Behind her the Gryphus simply crashes through the barricades sending chunks of wood flying with the force of its wings. Blaster soon reached the end of the barricades and she leaps up into the air.

While up in the air, Blaster pulls out her laser rifle and fires upon the Gryphus. The blasts caused the Gryphus to flinch but it did not slow down his momentum as the mare hits the ground landing on her back.

Just before the Gryphus came down on her, something came in and headbutted the creature causing it to be repelled back. Blaster looks up to see Celestia standing over her.

“Stay back you foul beast,” Celestia commanded. Even though her teenaged Alicorn body was three times the size of a pony. The Gryphus was still three times bigger than her.

The Gryphus smiles, “My aren’t you larger than a normal pony, and the wings of a god. You shall make a fine meal.”

“I shall not even give you the satisfaction of choking on me!” Celestia shouted shooting a beam of flame at the Gryphus. The Gryphus screams and recoils back but Celestia heard the screams of other traumatized ponies. “Okay, fighting with flame might be a bad idea right now.”

“We have your back Celestia,” Black Rose says stepping out behind the white Alicorn.

“It is your light that guides the life,” Summer Harvest says as she too steps out.

“There is three of you,” The Gryphus sniffs the air. “But only one of you is meat.”

Summer Harvest‘s horn glows, the same golden and yellow glow surrounds the bees on her dress, suddenly they spring alive attacking the Gryphus. The bees were small but the intelligence that guided them made sure that they attacked the most vulnerable spots on the Gryphus.

As the Gryphus screams and takes off for the sky, two more Gryphus come in for the attack. A Gryphus tackles Celestia as Polis takes on Black Rose.

“Leo works in his lab…”

The brown stallion had his war time exosuit taken apart. He took an arm and placed it on his work table. The arm was attached to some kind of spark crystal by a fiber crystal and metal filament cable running from the crystal and down the arm.

Leo picks up a gas torch, after lighting and holds it to the palm of the robotic hand. The cable and spark crystal both glows red.

“Okay, it can absorb fire magic,” Leo mutters as he wraps his hoof around a trigger. “But can it release it?” He pulls back on the trigger and a ball of flame shoots out from the arm.

Screams and a thud from outside his door draws Leo’s attention. The door opens up and Whirly Pop and Pot Shell walks into the room.

“What are you doing walking around?” Leo raises an eyebrow.

“We are escaping,” Whirly Pop told him.

“Good for you, but you do realize you’re not getting out of this city?” Leo answered. “Your brother maybe if you split up but Whirly your too important to allow to leave.”

“Leo!” Pot Shell snaps.

“It’s the truth,” Leo answers.

“Are you coming with?” Whirly Pop’s voice was showing she was losing her patience.

Leo looks at the arm and spark crystal. “I have very important work to do,” He told her.

“So it’s a no then?” Whirly Pop asked.

“Yes,” Leo nodded his head still looking at the table.

Whirly Pop and Pot Shell turns around and walks out of the room. Leo turns back and starts working on the table again.

“In the city…”

Claymari follows Generous Thread, behind them was Metalance and her colt Caramel followed by Catfish and Weedie. They walk out onto the lake harbor now abandoned due to the siren alarm and explosions that had happened.

“So are we taking a boat?” Metalance asked. After she had ran out of the fire and her colt recovered enough that he could walk, Metalance had snuck away around the building. It was there she ran into Claymari and Generous Thread. Little did she know Catfish had followed her with Weedie at her side. Now the four of them was stuck following Claymari and this strange pony.

“No, at least not yet,” Generous Thread told them, “We need to head to the Wax and Taxidermy Museum first.”

“The Taxidermy Museum?” Catfish questioned, “But ever since the cue that neighborhood has been put off limits.”

“It makes a great meeting place, the fact it’s off limits now really wasn’t a factor in choosing the place but that would be an added bounus.” Generous Thread told them.

“It may be of some importance to know why the museum is off limits?” Claymari asked.

“They say that the exhibits have come alive,” Catfish answered.

“It's a Taxidermy Museum so obviously zombies,” Metalance notes, “You and Weedie really should head back, I’m having second thoughts of taking Caramel with me.”

“I want to know that the two of you will be alright before I abandon you,” Catfish told them, “I have already made too many bad choices to let the two of you become one.”

“I’ve been told it’s safe for us,” Generous Thread points out.

“I kind of wonder why the new regime didn’t clear the neighborhood out?” Metalance asked.

“It’s not a high priority,” Catfish answered, “The creatures of the museum keeps to themselves and we need to use the manpower for other things.”

“It is theorized what happened to the museum is some kind of defense mechanism,” Generous Thread adds.

“It’s just of course there be something like that in the middle of the city,” Claymari grumbled.

“In the castle’s dungeon…”

Whirly Pop wonders the dungeon hallway with Pot Shell walking nervously behind her. As she walked by the prisoners they pleaded to be let go. She obliged them by picking the locks with the strand of wire she kept with her.

“When you reach the weapons cash if you find Paladin Spears take them to me,” Whirly Pop told the highest ranking officer.

He was a stallion named Prime Key with a cutie mark of a large key with three smaller keys under him. His coat was some light colored mixture of purple yellow. His mane light orange.

Prime Key replies by nodding his head and leads the military prisoners out of the dungeon.

“Aren’t we going with them?” Pot Shell asked.

“No, following a large crowd like that is suicide when in enemy territory,” Whirly Pop answered.

“Then wouldn’t it have been better to leave them locked up?” Pot Shell wondered.

“They didn’t object,” Whirly Pop shook her head, “Besides we need the distraction.” She pushes her hoof on you the wall and a secret door opens.

Rat Tak-Tak squints her eyes at the light. She puts her hoof up to shield her eyes. “Whirly Pop?”

“Hello commander,” Whirly Pop smiles as she unlocks the door and removes the chains.

“It feels good to be free,” Rat Tak-Tak replied rubbing her sore muscles.

“Why didn’t you free her with the rest of them?” Pot Shell asked.

“Because we need her with us,” Whirly Pop answered.

“You freed the others before me?” Rat Tak-Tak questioned, “

“Yeah there’s some kind of attack going on,” Whirly Pop said, “By the suddenness of it I assume it's the Pegasus or something.”

“I need to get my weapon,” Rat Tak-Tak stated.

“Not a high priority right now,” Whirly Pop tells her, “That’s a command from the highest ranking lord of Capital City.”

The ponies made their way out of the dungeon where they were stopped by a figure laying against the wall. It was a Pegasus in shackles and an iron mask.

“You?” Whirly Pop said in shock.

“Help me,” The pony in the iron mask gasped.

Whirly Pop undid the shackles and unlocked the mask. With a groan it pops open and the stallion pulls the mask away. Under was the face of La Dawn only this La Dawn had a scar over his left eye and his mane was ragged.

“Elsewhere…”

The other La Dawn suddenly screams out as black cracks came across his pelt. With a burst of energy the pony’s coat and wings shatter off revealing a black tall Crystal Unicorn.

“Damn, he removed the mask,” Eclipso snaps. He glows over at Ponyville. She was standing there looking at him with a dull thoughtless look on her face. “What are you looking at!” Eclipso shouts slapping her so hard that her knees gave out.

Ponyville stands back up and Eclipso starts stomping his hooves out of frustration. “What am I going to do now! Maybe I can still salvage this if I regroup.” Eclipso glares at Ponyville. “But all I have is her, well she is a nice prize she is too hard to reliably control in a way that can be useful. Unless I summon more creatures.”

Eclipso’s horn glows, a black mystical gate appears in front of him. Four red bugs and a conch shell crawls out of the portal. After summoning the objects, Eclipso begun to cough. He wipes his mouth with his hoof and looks at the blood streak left behind.

“Serves me right for doing a new summoning without a sacrifice,” He complained to himself.

Eclipso picks up the objects with his magic. He then combines the conch shell with Ponyville’s choker and puts one of the bugs into Ponyville’s ear.

“Now go find my other servants,” Eclipso orders causing Ponyville to take to the air.

“Somewhere in the city…”

“So Claymari had to have gone this way,” Winkz remarks her horn glowing.

“Maybe I should fly up?” Ferngully asks, “It should be easier to see her that way?”

“Not unless you want to risk getting shot down” Winkz answered.

Ferngully felt a familiar tug at her heart and she takes up to the air. Winkz heard the flap of wings and turned around to see that the Bat Pony was gone.

“That little bitch,” The Crystal Pony snaps.

Ferngully lands on a nearby rooftop, Ponyville was there waiting for her. The sight of the beshoveled and abused mare shocked and horrified Ferngully.

“Put this into your ear,” A commanding voice came from the conch shell as Ponyville puts down one of the red insects. Ferngully was about to protest when she felt a pain in her chest, and so she got the idea.

The Bat Pony picks up the squirming insect with her muzzle, she lifts her forehooves and puts the bug on the back of it, then lifts the insect to her ear. It crawled inside the filly causing shivers to go up Ferngully’s spine.

“Can you hear me?” A voice and Ferngully’s ear asked.

“Unfortunately yes,” Ferngully gritted her teeth.

“Good, the Pegasus in front of you is strange,” The voice replied, “How long I can control her is limited. She has another one of those bugs on her, they are called earwicks, be a dear and give one to that Gryphus friend of ours and wait for further orders.”

After taking another earwick from her, Ponyville flies off. Ferngully puts the earwick in her saddlebag and mutters shamefully to herself. “It’s time I take desperate action.”

“Black Rose…”

The two swords clashed against each other. The Gryphus’s larger size and power caused Black Rose to buckle a little. Polis forced himself forward. Black Rose’s horn glows and the bricks below Polis’s feet give way. As he fell, he grabs Black Rose’s forehoof. With her first he smashes her into the walls below.

With a flap of his wings, Polis rights himself on the roof. He turns and looks into the hole. As he looked stone bricks taking the form of spikes fire up at him. Polis manages to block with his sword but as he blocked, Black Rose flew out and dive bombed him.

When Black Rose struck the Gryphus, Polis’s sword lights of flame.

Black Rose smiles at this sight. “You use rune magic to set your sword a flame.” Black Rose’s horn glows and her sword becomes red hot and bursts into flames. “I used earth alchemy magic, any substance that comes from the earth I can make it do what I want.”

Polis watched as Black Rose’s hot blade began to melt through his own. He did not get a chance to see the blade split because the heat transferred to the handle forcing him to let go before it could.

Black Rose stood back and laughed as the flames extinguished from her sword leaving it black and charred. “You know if another sword struck this one in the state that it is now this sword would surely shatter.” Black Rose’s horn glows and the black suet is magically peeled away from her sword making it like new. “But thanks to my earth alchemy magic I can rejuvenate it as many times as I want.”

“Celestia…”

Celestia is tossed into the castle wall. The impact shakes the wall by its foundation and before she could fall the Gryphus grabs her head by the neck and slams her head back against the wall. With his grip firmly on the Alicorn, he flies along the wall dragging her against its surface.

Celestia was slammed hard into the wall’s inner corner. To add insult to injury, the Gryphus spikes Celestia’s face into the ground.

On the wall above, Summer Harvest runs across with her horn glowing. The Gryphus looks up at the large mare as she blasts a wave of pollen mist at him. The Gryphus was stunned by the missed and starts sneezing. Well in the middle of his sneezing fit Summer Harvest leaps off the wall and dives into him. The Biollante Alicorn knocks the Gryphus back and she lands putting herself between the creature and Celestia.

“Are you okay my Princess?” Summer Harvest asked Celestia as she got to her feet.

“Okay,” Celestia answered after spitting the blood and gravel from her mouth. “It's a good thing I can grow back teeth.”

The two mares laughed at this.

“Perhaps it would be prudent that you use a bit more power on this creature?” Summer Harvest suggests.

“I don’t want to use flames around these ponies,” Celestia answered.

“I guess that’s a little understandable,” Summer Harvest nods her head, “Can you still fly?”

“It will take more then that to wreck Alicorn wings,” Celestia replied.

“Then take the battle to the sk-!” Summer Harvest was interrupted by another Gryphus coming from the sky and slamming her body into the ground.

“The castle dungeons…”

“Can’t believe the Church of the Sky did this to you!” Pot Shell snaps.

“Why would the Church of the Sky do this to me?” La Dawn answered putting his hoof to his face as his eyes hurt from the light.

“Didn’t they capture you?” Rat Tak-Tak asked.

La Dawn just looked at her with a blank look of confusion then replied. “Sorry, I’ve been out of the game for months what’s going on?”

“Months!” Whirly Pop shouted, “We last saw you three weeks ago.”

“Eclipso,” La Dawn said in anger.

“Eclipso?” Pot Shell questioned.

“He’s a Dark One that captured me and use that mask to steal my form,” La Dawn explained.

“I thought that you seemed extra sleazy lately,” Whirly Pop remarks, “You even tried hitting on me until Smart Cookie reminded you that I was like your little sister.”

“Sorry poppet,” La Dawn reaches over and gives Whirly Pop a hug.

Rat Tak-Tak coughs to remind them that they don’t have much time.

“Anyway this explains a lot,” Pot Shell adds as they moved out of the dungeon, “We’ve been theorizing that one of the Dark Ones has been affecting Chancellor Puddinghead.”

“Black Rose…”

Polis dodges the sword swing from Black Rose. As he fought, he felt a pain in his chest and knew he had to go. The Gryphus took straight up to the sky.

“No you don’t,” Black Rose snaps.

Polis sees the Biollante Alicorn following after him. The Gryphus grabs a nearby small cloud and tucks in his wings. He and the cloud drop like a rock. Their descending speed overwhelmed the Biollante as Polis smacks her hard with the cloud.

Black Rose was knocked out and sent falling to the ground. As she crashes Celestia takes up to the air with her own Gryphus following her.

Celestia dives through a cloud bursting a hole through it. The Gryphus follows after her, but once he went through the hole he had lost the Alicorn. He was frantically looking around when Celestia leaps up at him from out of the cloud.

She puts her hooves on his shoulder. Her eyes glowed with divine fury that overwhelmed one of the Gryphus’s retinas causing the vision in that I to go black. Her mouth next held smoke and she kisses the Gryphus on the lips.

Light and heat followed, pain came out of Celestia’s mouth and into the Gryphus. It filled his body and he found himself wondering what kind of dark magic was keeping him alive. Celestia let go in the Gryphus stumbled back with a few flaps of his wings.

It begun with a slow burn, the Gryphus screamed out in pain. A dull light could be seen in the back of his throat. But that light did not state dull for long. Soon flames shot out his eyes and mouth as the Gryphus’s body glowed red ending in an explosion.

“The harbor… and the edge…”

Generous Thread had led them to a wooden barricade at the edge of the lake harbor.

“This is the start of the quarantined neighborhood,” She told them.

“Catfish you and Weedie should turn back,” Metalance warns.

“It’s not safe for us then it’s not safe for your child,” Catfish snaps, “Besides I don’t remember anyone ever getting hurt in this neighborhood.”

“Incoming!” Claymari shouted.

They looked up to see a flaming Gryphus skull come falling of the sky and crashes into the dock that the ponies were standing on. Generous Thread, Claymari, Metalance and Caramel were all knocked onto the sandy beach. While Catfish and Weedie fell into the water.

Once in the water gills opened up in Catfish's side and she swims toward Weedie. The filly had slits opening up in her side too, but they weren’t as well formed as her mother’s. This caused the pony to have trouble breathing and she passed out. Like a torpedo, Catfish scoops up Weedie and takes her a shore.

A shore Weedie starts coughing up water.

“Its okay, the water is not going to hurt you,” Catfish pats the filly on the back.

“Are you okay!” Metalance shouted as she came running up.

“Yeah,” Catfish answered as she took a deep breath and exhaled through her gills forcing water out. Then the flaps sealed neatly against her side becoming almost invisible again. "I should teach her how to swim one of these days. It’s kind of pathetic that she sinks like a rock.” Catfish gives a nervous laugh to break her emotional tension.

Suddenly they heard a magical pop.

“What now,” Claymari snapped.

They turn to see Winkz and the last remnants of her magical teleportation disappearing around her. She looks around and gets a smile on her face. “What happened to you guys now?” She remarks.

“This thing attacked us,” Claymari tapped a smoking skull the size of her body with a sword. “It was on fire, we can still smell the boiling marrow.” The mare smiles, “I so love that smell.”

“A Gryphus?” Winkz said in shock, “How did you blow it up in such a flammy matter?”

“Oh we didn’t blow it up the skull went at us and it was on fire,” Claymari then laughed, “Maybe they are escaping the flames of Tartarus to have their revenge.”

“If there was a hole to Tartarus, I wouldn’t be shocked to find one here given recent events,” Generous Thread remarks.

“Just you?” Metalance frowned.

“Who were you expecting-“ Winkz stops herself as she realized what Metalance meant. “Yes, Ferngully for some reason she abruptly decided to do her own thing. I didn’t have to worry about her keeping up with me so I teleported here.”

“Did she say what’s she’s up to?” Claymari asked, “She’s free to do what she wants but I can imagine anything more important to her than sticking together and getting the heck out of here.”

“I suppose that’s out of character,” Metalance notes.

“Well the odd thing is, she’s heading for the castle,” Winkz points out.

“Think she turned traitor?” Metalance asked, “Speaking of which.” She glares at Winkz.

“Ease off,” Claymari snaps, “She did what she thought was right for the group. Her and Mousecakes, their actions got us captured as peaceful as possible.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Metalance snaps back, “You broke all ties to this country.”

“This country broke me!” Claymari shouted.

“Girls,” Generous Thread interjects, “Perhaps we should keep moving?”

“Castle courtyard…”

La Dawn cautiously follows Whirly Pop and Pot Shell outside, Rat Tak-Tak followed at his rear. The stallion’s eyes darted around nervously.

“It will be okay sir,” Rat Tak-Tak tries to comfort La Dawn.

“I know you’re trying to help out please don’t say stuff like that to me,” La Dawn replied, “I know Eclipso has to be looking for me in hopes he can do damage control. He will kill you all and capture me again if he can. There is also the prospect of being captured by the church which would actually be a much better fate than what that Dark One has instored for me.”

“Stop!” Whirly Pop held up her hoof.

“What is it?” La Dawn asked nervously.

Whirly Pop raised an eyebrow. “An Alicorn fighting a Gryphus?” She remarks as she sees Summer Harvest fighting against a Gryphus.

“What is this? Like the third time we seen that?” Pot Shell remarks.

La Dawn looks back at her with a raised eyebrow.

“They are not joking,” Rat Tak-Tak says then pauses for a moment and adds, “We’ve been traveling with Claymari.”

Suddenly a large equine shaped object crashes to the ground next to them.

“Ahhhh!” La Dawn screamed grabbing Whirly Pop.

Whirly Pop turns her head to him, grits her teeth at him and flips her ears back. “Did you just piss on me!”

“I don’t know maybe?” La Dawn blushed.

Black Rose stands up, she was screaming in pain and several parts of her metaphysical body was so damaged that they dissolve the way leaving her with only one foreleg, one backleg, and one wing. Magic sucks into these gaping areas as she tries to heal herself.

The Biollante turns and looks at the ponies standing in shock in the courtyard. “Do I know you from somewhere?”

Despite his reaction from earlier, La Dawn managed to keep a calm look on his face. Him and Rat Tak-Tak both. Whirly Pop and Pot Shell on the other hand had big fake he nervous sweaty grins on their faces.

“Having fun Black Rose?” Mars asks as he came walking into the gate. He stops and looks at the group of ponies. “Whirly Pop, Pot Shell, La Dawn you looked better? And purple girl I don’t know. Are you out for a stroll?”

“Wait? I know these names? They are supposed to be locked up!” Black Rose shouted.

Mars looked at the ponies and shrugged. “Good luck with that.” Mars then walks past Black Rose.

He sees Summer Harvest struggling with the Gryphus that she was fighting. “You need any help?”Mars asked cheerfully.

“Yes please!” Summer Harvest shouted trying to hold back the beast.

Mars bursts open one of the burn wounds on his legs. Blood starts to trickle out of the wound. With a swing of his leg, a whip shoots out and slices the Gryphus in half. He then smiles and does a bow to Summer Harvest.

“You are welcome sir,” Summer Harvest said in reply.

“Up in the sky…”

Polis twitches as the earwick crawled inside of him.

“Yeah it’s not pleasant,” Ferngully answered.

“Polis are you there?” Eclipso asked over the earwick.

“Yes?” Polis replied I’m sure if his reply can be heard.

“Good,” Eclipso answered, “I need you to catch a pony that escaped from me.”

“It’s nice to know that there’s hope,” Polis remarks. For that remark he gets a pain that causes him to clutches chest.

“Anyway,” Eclipso continued, “He’s a sea green Pegasus, you may know him as La Dawn.”

“La Dawn? The La Dawn? The one that was around town sticking his thing in any mare he can find?” Ferngully remarks.

“Yes,” Eclipso replied.

“I can just imagine how he got your wrath,” Ferngully smirk, “What’s her name by the way?”

“Just find him he should still be in the area!” Eclipso shouted before the communication line went dead.

Ferngully turns to Polis. “You’re the one with the eagle eyes.” She points at the ground.

Polis sighs and stares down at the city below. “You seem different than when I first met you?” He noted.

“That’s because the snake was forcing more control over me,” Ferngully answered.

“Snake?” The Gryphus questioned.

“It talks to me,” Ferngully replied, “Gives hypnotic suggestions, you see I don’t want to help him, I want to escape, I know how to escape but I have several psychological barriers stopping me.”

“I see,” Polis answered.

“So? All you Gryphus know rune magic?” Ferngully asks.

“Not as a general rule but I got a hold of magic spell books from a friend,” Polis told her.

“My mother used rune spells,” Ferngully points out, “She did this neat trick that allowed the soul of my sister to possess my body.”

“Crap,” Polis said.

“What is it?” Ferngully asked.

“I found him,” Polis answered, “But that black Alicorn bitch is about to get them.”

“Them?” Ferngully questioned.

“Awe yes, some of your traveling companions appeared to be with him,” Polis points out.

“That kind of makes things easy then,” Ferngully remarks, “You attack the Alicorn, I’ll rescue my friends and later you can take La Dawn when you’re ready.”

“I am not looking forward to trying to escape from her again,” Polis groans.

“Down in the courtyard…”

Black Rose stomps her hoof. Her alchemy magic sets the ground on fire causing all the ponies in the area to run from the flames. Whirly Pop uses her wire like whip to attack the Biollante. This held Black Rose back enough for the others to head for the gate.

Polis drops from the sky. He hits into Black Rose hard. Well she was stunned he lifts her up into the air. From above, Celestia rams into Polis causing him to drop the black Biollante. Polis spins around and punches Celestia in the nose. She becomes stunned and the Gryphus flies away.

Guards come at Whirly Pop. She braces herself to fight them when blasts of green energy knocks them out. Whirly Pop looks up to see Ferngully flying down from the sky.

“Move!” She shouts at Whirly Pop.

All the ponies run for the gate fighting off whoever comes to stop them.

“Inside the Castle…”

Blaster fires her laser rifle at the escaped prisoners. She and Diamond Luck still in pain and barely conscious were pinned down in the hallway. She had a better weapon but they had numbers.

“Shit!” Blaster looked at her energy cell. She never had to fire the old weapon so much. The mare comes around and shoots some cover fire. Prime Key fires a bolt that whizzes past her head causing the pony to take cover again.

Then Blaster hears the prisoners cry out in pain. She turns around to see Honey Mead attacking some of them. Prime Key hits the ground holding his hoof.

“Honey!” She calls out.

Honey Mead turns around. “Blaster!”

“Stay away!” Blaster cries out aiming her rifle at Honey Mead.

“Blaster, it’s okay,” Honey Mead takes a step forward.

Blaster begins to pull the trigger.

“Stop! She’s on our side.” Oubliette shouts jumping between the two.

Blaster drops her rifle and falls to her knees crying with her hooves over her face. The other two mares stood there and watched.

“The city… abandoned district…”

The streets were covered in magical mist. This made Metalance and Catfish uneasy and they walked close together keeping their foals between them in case of some kind of attack. Winkz was just ahead of them but she wasn’t any more than a flank away her horn glowing probing the area. Claymari and Generous Thread being the more confident of the group walked several feet ahead of them.

“Where did this mist come from?” Metalance asks looking around nervously.

“Yes it is dreadful,” Generous Thread remarks.

“We don’t know, it started around the museum then expanded a few blocks overnight and stopped expanding,” Catfish explains.

“It’s coming from here,” Winkz says as she veers off course. She stops at a nearby building with a rune drawn on a wall. The Crystal Pony cuts into the wall with her sharp hoof slicing the image in half.

A section of the mist disappears. In the edges of the remaining mist shadows of figures starts to emerge.

Claymari draws her sword and turns to the Crystal Pony. “Winkz you shouldn’t of done that,” She snaps at the pony.

A small figure steps out of the mist. To their confusion it was a doll. A pony doll, glazed in ivory white wearing a black trench coat and fedora. Its eyes were piercing black with spikes pointing out for irises. A hook was stuck at the end of its muzzle.

“Mommy, that’s a weird looking doll,” Weedie remarks.

“Don’t touch it sweetheart!” Catfish ordered pushing the filly back.

“She’s right don’t hurt it!” Generous Thread shouted.

Two more figures step out of the mist. These two were pony sized but were obviously dead and covered in shiny wax. Claymari charges at them.

“Please don’t attack my exhibits,” A voice called out stopping Claymari before she could swing at the creature. It didn’t flinch at all at almost being attacked.

The mist begins to pull back revealing a large figure. This was a mare with a gray and black mane wearing black lipstick with a wide smile on her face. She had an exclamation point as a cutie mark.

“Who are you! I demand an explanation!” Claymari shouted.

The mare gives off a slight giggle at the question and answers. “Explanation is what you got.”

Liquid Earth Part 4: The Wax and Taxidermy Museum

“Triage in the castle…”

Mousecakes bandages up Blaster’s ear. Diamond Luck lay in the bed next to her moaning in pain. Her wounds had been treated first.

Blaster stared at her hooves. “I don’t know what to do.” She began sobbing. “There is just so much going on. First it was Honey Mead and Metalance coming back and we had to treat them like criminals! Then that attack happen. I just found out our foals have been kidnapped by Metalance. Catfish and Metalance were caught up in a fire and disappeared afterwards. On top of that Butterfree had given birth and is now basically by herself.”

Mousecakes hugs and pats Blaster on the back. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”

“Diamond!” A yellow pony with a dull yellow muzzle shouts as she rushes forward.

Mousecakes had to quickly step forward and hold her back. “Don’t touch her! She’s in great pain.”

“She’s right Gold Splitter,” Diamond Luck managed to say.

Gold Splitter starts crying. She was of an in between age. No longer a filly but not yet a mare. Her cutie mark was a piece of gold ore being split in half by a lightning bolt.

“It will be okay,” A kind filly’s voice spoke to Gold Splitter.

They turn to see Luna walking up to them. The sights had made the filly Alicorn a little pale.

Blaster and Mousecakes gives her a salute. Gold Splitter stood there stunned partly because she was seeing the great goddess Luna standing before her other half being that she looked so young and cute. This was nothing what the pony was expecting from a goddess.

“At ease,” Luna said dryly.

Blaster pours Luna a glass of water from a nearby pitcher. The filly drinks about half of it before taking a breath.

“That’s a little better,” Luna remarks.

“Should you be here princess?” Mousecakes asks Luna as the filly turns to Diamond Luck.

“Here take these protein pills you’ll need them to heal,” Luna says gently to the injured pony before turning to Mousecakes. “You call me princess and warship me and yet you wonder why I want to help!” She snaps.

“Not to be rude miss,” Mousecakes apologized.

“Celestia had said the same thing to me and I gave her the same reply,” Luna sighs as she casts a spell on the injured pony. “But I have the powers of the night and it is the night where the body does most of it’s healing. With a power like that I have to help.”

“Thank you for helping my sister,” Gold Splitter told the filly.

“Its an honor,” Luna replied, “But given the number of injured I think we could always use some help.”

“I understand,” Gold Splitter cringes and looks at her sister. “Do I have to see the wounds? With my sister burned like that I don’t think I can-“

“Luna?” Oubliette called out as she came trotting up.

“Yes what is it?” Lune turned and asked.

“I am Oubliette Diglette,” Oubliette introduced herself. “I helped stop some of the escaped prisoners that was captured during the cue.”

“Yes I know about their failed up raising,” Luna nodded her head.

“The triage staff is mostly ignoring them,” Oubliette said concerned, “I know these burnings are bad. But they have some stab wounds and broken bones that need to be attended to. I helped as much as I could but I’m no healer.”

Honey Mead wraps the wrist of Prime Key in a bandage.

“You’re Honey Mead right?” The stallion asked nervously.

“Yes,” Honey Mead replied.

“So, you sided with them,” Prime Key said displeased.

“I sided with my family or at least what’s left of it, what I hope is the majority,” Honey Mead answers.

“You’re not the only one that changed sides,” Prime Key told her.

“Not shocked,” Honey Mead smiles, “People tend to try to side their actions with their heart. Be itself gratification, protection of one’s family or keeping one’s honor. I suppose I sided with family.”

“I guess I sided with my honor,” Prime Key replied.

Honey Mead lowers her head and cries.

Prime Key puts his hoof on hers. “It’s not too late.”

“No, I feel bad but I still don’t know if the choice I made was right,” Honey Mead answered.

“Just don’t past the point of no return,” Prime Key told her, “You avoided killing my men that should say something.”

“It says I’m a bad ass bitch who can take out a group of enemies without killing them,” Honey Mead smiles and laughs.

Oubliette came trotting up with Luna and Gold Splitter behind her.

“Oubliette! You’re back and you brought a goddess with you,” Honey Mead cheered.

“I’m here to heal the captured prisoners,” Luna answers. She turns to a pony laying on the ground and with a glow of her horn his broken ribs pops back into place making the stallion scream out in pain.

“The sweetheart is all business isn’t she,” Honey Mead remarks.

“I think she had to shut herself off emotionally,” Oubliette tells the pony.

“She should take a break after this,” Honey Mead points out, “She does not look well.”

“Believe it or not she considers this a break,” Oubliette told her, “Have you seen the main triage center? I don’t blame her. We are lucky that there isn’t more dead.”

“Still we should treat her to something after this to show her our thanks.” Honey Mead remarks.

“Excuse me,” A silver colored Unicorn spoke up.

The sight of the Unicorn something still pretty rare in the Earth Nation shocked the two mares.

“Are these the prisoners that Whirly Pop helped?” Velvet Rope asked.

“Umm, yes?” Honey Mead answers. “What happened to Whirly Pop?”

“She escaped,” Velvet Rope answered her question hastily.

Honey Mead wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Happy because Whirly Pop was a traveling companion that she was still feeling close to. Sad because she escaped from her new allegiance. She was also afraid that the mare would get hurt on the run.

“Did she have Inspiration with her?” Honey Mead asked.

“I’m not exactly sure that’s why I’m questioning-“ Velvet Rope then went wide eyed. “How did you know about that!”

“I was traveling with her not too long ago,” Honey Mead answered unsure if she said something wrong.

Velvet Rope examines the mare closely. “You were captured with her?”

“Yes, I’m Honey Mead,” Honey Mead said nervously.

“Shouldn’t you still be under some form of detainment? Velvet Rope asks.

“Well I was,” Honey Mead was trying to think what to say carefully, “I have sided with you people, but it’s not official yet.”

“She’s under my watch,” Oubliette adds.

“I see,” Velvet Rope nods her head, “The two of you may have to come with me later as part of my report.”

Velvet Rope walks up to one of the prisoners. She lifts up his foreleg with her magic. He starts twitching uncomfortably.

“I have a few questions for you so listen carefully,” The mare told him, “Did Whirly Pop free you correct? If so don’t answer yes just tell me how she did it.”

The stallion hesitated to answer. Velvet Rope’s horn glows brighter and he yelps as his joints in his foreleg pop.

“Hey don’t do that!” Oubliette shouted.

Velvet Rope then glares at her.

“It was a wire,” Prime Key answered hastily not wanting to see some pony under his command get hurt. “The thing changed its shape.”

“I thought so,” Velvet Rope smiled. She points at Oubliette and Honey Mead. “You two come with me.”

“What about the injured miss?” Oubliette asked.

Velvet Rope looks at Luna. “She looks like she has it handled.”

Velvet Rope leads the two mares away.

“Where are you taking us?” Honey Mead asked.

Velvet Rope opens up a pair of doors and they walked into a meeting room. Honey Mead and Oubliette froze at the sight of who was in the room. Blackstone, Mareseir, Celestia, King Mars, Black Rose, and Summer Harvest all sat around a table in the room.

“Shockingly the number of casualties reported from the Gryphus attack is only three,” Mareseir tells the group.

Celestia’s heart skips a beat as she remembers the burned pony that she had attacked.

“Is something the matter?” Summer Harvest asked her.

“No I’m fine,” Celestia lied.

“Does the filly need to have a nap?” Black Rose teased.

“Give her some respect!” Summer Harvest snapped, “She is goddess of the light that gives us plants energy.”

“Sorry,” Black Rose shook her head arrogantly. “I worship the earth, the life giving soil.”

“Will you two stop bickering?” Blackstone snaps. Blackstone then sees Velvet Rope “Ah,Velvet Rope done with your investigation?” Blackstone remarks then looks at the ponies behind her. “What’s up with them?”

“They are witnesses I brought directly to you.” Velvet Rope answered. She turns to Oubliette. “I think you two have something to say about a particular green pony?”

Oubliette was shocked for moment then she shook that shock off and began to speak. “Yes, the one called Metalance escaped from her house arrest taking two foals with her.”

“I can personally confirm a green pony with a couple of fillies that seemed familiar with another pony I know was from the same house that Honey Mead here lives in,” Velvet Rope told them.

“I was injured trying to stop her from escaping with the foals,” Honey Mead shows them her bandaged shoulder wound.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Blackstone nods his head. “But I hope this means that you are joining us?”

“Yes I am,” Honey Mead answered.

“Well anyway,” Velvet Rope continued, “Soon after the tavern inn that I spotted this Metalance in was one of the few buildings that caught on fire from the Gryphus attack.”

“I can confirm with my own eyes that this Generous Thread who I have been told has the magical blade Inspiration inside of her was last seen with Claymari exiting that building,” Mars told them.

“I have had reports of them heading to the restricted neighborhood near the harbor,” Mareseir reported.

“I believe that Whirly Pop somehow has a piece of Inspiration with her,” Velvet Rope adds, “She and her group were spotted heading to the restricted district.”

“You suspect that your partner and Whirly Pop are working together?” Blackstone asks.

“Unfortunately I believe so,” Velvet Rope answers.

“Then we must retrieve them,” Mareseir points out.

Mars begins to laugh and looks at Black Rose and Summer Harvest. “If you are going after my daughter better be packing one of these Alicorn ghost things. If that Inspiration weapon is as strong as I heard you better be packing two.”

“Agreed,” Black Rose nodded her head.

“I suppose,” Summer Harvest agreed.

“Perhaps to test her loyalty we should have the yellow pony go along in the expedition?” Black Rose suggests.

“In that case her escorts should come along too,” Blackstone points out, “After all they are supposed to be watching her.”

“If we’re going to test wills,” Velvet Rope spoke up, “Then shouldn’t you have the one called Mousecakes come along as well her sister is part of the group that we are trying to track down I believe.”

“Okay, so the party has been set,” Blackstone announced.

“Whirly Pop’s party walks down the foggy streets…”

“Can’t believe this happened to this neighborhood,” Rat Tak-Tak remarks nervously.

“Over there was my favorite outdoor cafe,” La Dawn said somberly.

Ferngully’s antenna glows. “All of this fog is caused by magic,” She remarks, “Rune magic by the feel of it.”

“Not shocked about that,” Pot Shell points out, “Rune magic is quite common among Earth Ponies.” He turns to Whirly Pop. “Sure it’s okay to be here?”

“Not at first, but my suspicions have been rectified,” Whirly Pop answered.

“Okay,” Pot Shell said nervously.

Whirly Pop soon leads them to a large irongate. “The Wax and Taxidermy Museum,” She introduced.

“Yeah that sounds macabre,” Ferngully remarks.

“Says the Franken Bat Pony,” Pot Shell points out.

Ferngully’s reaction was to mockingly pout her lips and flutter her eyes at him.

Whirly Pop puts her hoof on the gate and it slides open with a slow creek. She takes a few steps in cautiously looking around. Once reasonably sure it’s safe, she waves her hoof for the others to follow her and heads for the front door.

The lobby was abandoned, there was a checkout stand and a small section for a gift shop. A small layer of dust was on the floor due to the lack of use.

“Looks like other ponies have recently been here,” Pot Shell points out at a bunch of hoof prints on the dusty floor.

“Stay close to me,” Rat Tak-Tak grits her teeth at the fact that she still didn’t have a weapon.

Everyone went quiet, when they did so they could hear hoof clops walking down the hallway. They all tensed up as a glossy figure of a pony steps out from around the corner.

Rat Tak-Tak attacks it with a scream. She knocks the undead thing into the wall making it drop the tray of food and hot drinks it was carrying. Rat Tak-Tak screams again as the hot liquid hits her body.

“Wait? Was that zombie carrying? Launch?” Ferngully points out confused.

“What are you doing!” Catfish shouted.

“Wait your Catfish?” Rat Tak-Tak points out.

“Oh yeah, you’re Mousecakes’s sister,” Catfish remarks, “Did you escape or switched sides?”

“We all escaped,” Whirly Pop steps forward announcing.

“Technically I was let go,” Ferngully raised her hoof.

“Good for you,” Whirly Pop remarks.

“We’ve kind of been waiting for you,” Catfish told them.

“What do you mean by waiting for us?” Whirly Pop asked.

“And what’s up with the zombie pony?” Rat Tak-Tak adds.

“All will be answered in due time, Come and follow me,” Catfish answered.

They followed the Cat Pony deeper into the building. She turns and leads them into an employee break room. There they saw Claymari and Generous Thread.

“All they have here are bags and bags of coffee,” Claymari complained as she brewed a pot of coffee. “Didn’t anyone believe in having any liquor around?”

“Claymari our friends are here,” Generous Thread points out.

Claymari acknowledges them with a slight glance. “That’s nice and all but I’m stone cold sober right now.”

Whirly Pop walks up to Generous Thread. “As we agreed,” Whirly Pop holds up her hoof. The wire snakes down it. Generous thread holds out her hoof and the wire goes inside of her with a spark of light.

“Okay what’s going on?” Pot Shell snaps, “You give her your last piece of Inspiration?”

“She can hold its power and handle it better than I you,” Whirly Pop told him.

“Yeah but it seems it doesn’t want to follow my instructions,” Generous Thread blushes, “If we find ourselves in combat you’re going to have to use it.”

“I understand,” Whirly Pop replied.

Winkz walks into the room. “Catfish is my coffee ready yet?”

“Sorry,” Catfish blushed, “I had an accident with the meals.”

Winkz looks at the newcomers. “It’s okay, I thought I sensed some new companions around.”

Claymari grumbles, “Sure you can’t use your magic to locate some alcohol?”

“If it was my best friend instead of yours maybe,” Winkz giggled.

“Fine I’ll go find some embalming fluid or something,” Claymari walks off.

Winkz turns to Whirly Pop, “I thought I sensed you around.”

“How much of the old gang is here?” Pot Shell asked.

“We have Metalance, but Honey Mead is not with us, Mousecakes is gone as well,” Winkz points out.

“That’s sad because we did see Mousecakes at the inn,” Ferngully remarked.

“Yeah it seems that Mousecakes and Honey Mead has chosen their sides,” Winkz replied.

“And at this point where does she stand?” Rat Tak-Tak asked.

“Claymari? She wants to leave the city and find her daughter,” Ferngully remarks.

“She thinks that Philia is with Pudding Head and Smart Cookie’s forces,” Winkz points out.

“Well in that case I should go and talk to her,” Whirly Pop realized. She turns to the others in her group. “You should take this time to relax a bit.”

Whirly Pop walked out of the room. She was very familiar with the layout of the building and swiftly finds Claymari digging through one of the old storage rooms. She picks a jar off a shelf and reads it out loud.

“Do not consume may cause blindness,” Claymari reads, then she grits her teeth in goes on a rant. “That’s not fricken helpful! May cause blindness means that there is an amount that I can safely drink without going blind!” She sighs, “Maybe Explanation knows how much I can drink?”

“So she’s here too?” Whirly Pop asked.

“Explanation yeah,” Claymari answered.

“I’m going to have to find her later,” Whirly Pop remarks, “Anyway I’m here to talk to you about where I think Philia is.”

“East Apple Country,” Claymari said indifferently.

“How did you guess?” Whirly Pop asked.

“First, I’m a game changer you’re probably going to say anything to get me on your side,” Claymari remarks, “Not that I think you’re lying, second I used to live in that region and know the area has the Apples strongest supporters. So that would be the best place to look.”

“Now that thats out of the way, I suppose I should track down Explanation,” Whirly Pop points out.

“She should be on the main floor with Metalance and the foals,” Claymari told her.

“Thanks for the help,” Whirly Pop says as she leaves the room, “And please don’t drink that.”

As Whirly Pop walked out onto the main floor of the Museum she heard a voice.

“You see Lord Adipocere lived in constant fear due to his experiments,” Explanation explains to the foals showing them a wax zombie sealed away in a glass case as Whirly Pop approached.

“Explanation I’m shocked to still see you in town,” Whirly Pop said as she walked up.

“Whirly Pop,” Explanation answered with a smile. “Yeah with my grandfather still captured in the castle I couldn’t have it in my heart to leave this city and leave him alone.”

“I tried offering to help him escape but he said he had a plan and wanted to stay,” Whirly Pop told the mare.

“Yeah I know,” Explanation shrugged.

Whirly Pop looks at the case with the zombie pony in it and smiles. “So you got it to work? His weapon?”

“I even got the puppet to live,” Explanation points at the small pony figure at her feet with the glossy shell and trench coat.

Whirly Pop bends down to the puppet and waves a hoof at it. He watches her hoof by moving his head. “Creepy, how can it see me?”

“I don’t know exactly,” Explanation remarks.

Whirly Pop giggles, “And here I thought you knew everything.”

“The puppet is really nice too,” Weedie points out.

“We call him Lance, because of the pointy bits,” Caramel remarks.

Catfish walks up with a wax zombie pony. They were carrying more hot drinks and sandwiches.

“Thanks,” Metalance says as she takes a sandwich. As the pony ate she looked depressed.

“What’s the matter?” Catfish asked.

“It just seems like everything has gone so wrong,” Metalance wipes a tear from her eye. “I just wanted to leave with my son and the next thing I know we are stuck in this place both of us in more danger than if I just stayed at home with him.”

Catfish gives the pony a gentle smile. “You’re doing what you think is right, don’t blame yourself for that. Every journey sometimes has a dark road you must fight through it. If you forced yourself to stay you would have been dead inside. Then what kind of mother would you be?”

Metalance smiles back, “I suppose you’re right.”

“So is that really Lord Adipocere?” Whirly Pop points at the zombie stallion pacing around in the case.

“I’m assuming so,” Explanation replies, “I’m not letting him out, rumor has it he wasn’t a very good pony. And all the necro magic I’ve been using are remnants that he had left behind. Crap, if he got out of there he could overwhelmed my abilities and take over the wax zombies I summoned to protect me.”

“Do you have any plans to escape at any point?” Whirly Pop asked.

“I extended the fog spell to parts of the harbor,” Explanation answered, “I have a ship ready, from there you should be able to sail up river to the East Apple Country.”

“You said you,” Whirly Pop points out, “I guess that means you’re planning on staying again?”

“As I said I can’t leave my grandfather alone,” Explanation tells her, “I may have to hide in the greater city but once I help you with escape they will no longer allow this place to act freely.”

“I understand,” Whirly Pop nods her head.

“Outside… The harbor…”

“So this is where the body went,” Black Rose remarks at the Gryphus skull. “After all that crap Celestia gave me about using fire.”

Mousecakes wrinkles her nose at the charred skull. “I didn’t think I would ever have to be exposed to more dead Gryphus again.”

Honey Mead looks out at the fog covered neighborhood. “Looks like a trap to me.”

“If it’s a trap it’s one that’s been set for a while,” Mellow points out, “Remember it’s been like this since the cue.”

“It looks like a method of escape to me,” Black Rose notes the fog heading all the way down to a part of the harbor.

“Yeah, if I was escaping and I had all the time to plan it out, I would hide a boat there,” Oubliette points out.

“I’ll scan the area,” Summer Harvest states as she out stretches her wings allowing the bees to fly off her dress.

“Back at the Museum...”

Ferngully stands on the roof her eyes glazed over in a hypnotic trance. “Yes, we are at the Taxidermy Museum, you will send the Gryphus? I suggest you ambush us on the boat, it will allow you to get rid of all witnesses and acquire a method of escape.”

Ferngully sees a bee buzz by out of the corner of her eye.

“What is it?” Eclipso asked.

“It’s nothing just a bee,” Ferngully answered.

Within the museum the bees land on many tapestries, curtains, and carpets. They fused with the fabric as the threads wrap around the insects allowing them to take new larger forms. They went from the size of a marble to the size of a soccer ball.

Lance spots one of the bees as it was forming. He attacks the thing grabbing it with his hook and shooting a dagger from his mouth stabbing the thing. He cuts into the strands of fabric that the bee was made of. The strands come to life and grabs the puppet as the bee takes to the air.

“Where is Ferngully!” Rat Tak-Tak snaps, “We need to get ready to head out to the boat.”

“She was on the roof,” Winkz remarks as she packs some saddle bags.

“Who cares if she’s late?” Claymari shrugged, “She can fly right?”

Suddenly a bee with a puppet tingled in it smashes into the case holding Lord Adipocere causing the glass to shatter.

“Well that’s not good,” Winkz remarks.

Claymari pulls out her sword. “I suppose now we find out if the creepy guy is good or bad.”

“Elsewhere in the museum...”

La Dawn slices a fabric bee in half with a rapier. “Luckily this place had some old antique weapons lying around, but I do miss my old sword very much.”

Metalance whacks some bees with a spear. She motions for the foals to stay behind her. “Yeah, we wouldn’t stand a chance against these things if we didn’t have weapons.”

Catfish summoned Strawberry Breeze from her orb. Strawberry Breeze then looks at the bees. “This is Biollante magic.”

“What?” Catfish said shocked.

“I’m not going to fight them,” Strawberry Breeze stated, “I’m also not going to fight you until I completely understand what’s going on.” The Biollante disappears.

Catfish stood there speechless.

“It’s probably best not to summon her again,” Metalance remarks.

“Generous Thread!” Whirly Pop shouted.

“All you need to do is jump inside of me,” Generous Thread said as her body glowed.

Whirly Pop dashed into Generous Thread. She passes through the Holic Pony. A metal mask now covered the lower half of Whirly Pop’s face. Blades were attached to her hooves.

As she dashed out, Whirly Pop slices two bees with a spin motion and lands on her hind hooves sliding across the floor stopping precisely where she wanted to.

“You look better in a mask than I do Whirly,” La Dawn joked.

“It’s not shifting to my mental commands,” Whirly Pop remarks looking at the blades.

“That’s because I used my control over Inspiration to form lock it.” Generous Thread answered, “This will block the sword’s power from your mind. If you wish to change the configuration, simply think of the form you want and dash back into me.”

“We should reconnect to the others,” Pot Shell said as he turns and bumps into a wax zombie.

The zombie lashes out at Pot Shell. The young stallion jumps away from it as Whirly Pop slips in and slices the zombie’s head off with her blade. The head drops to the ground and hisses. Whirly Pop slices the skull open to stop the snapping head.

Hooves hits Whirly Pop in the back, she was knocked to the ground as the headless pony rears up on her. Explanation dashes in with a hammer and brakes the wax zombie into pieces.

“It appears I lost control of the wax zombies,” Explanation said.

“In that case,” Whirly Pop dashes in and out of Generous Thread now equipped with some kind of hammer device to her chassis. “We better get smashing.”

“Did you just jumped in and out of that mare?” Explanation asked slack jawed.

“Back at the museum’s main hall…”

“Yes, now that I am free and alive again I can continue my experiments and perhaps bring the world into an era of the undead,” Lord Adipocere calls out.

“It’s talking, why is it talking?” Claymari frowns.

“Just do a flash step and kill him already,” Winkz rolled her eyes.

They were starting to get surrounded by wax zombies. Claymari flash steps slicing across Lord Adipocere. The base of his neck starts to slide away from his shoulders halfway then the wax starts to repair itself.

Claymari turns and shrugs at Winkz. “It’s never that easy.”

Winkz summons a shield as a wax zombie comes down on her. A couple of magic energy blasts hits the zombie knocking it back.

“Didn’t you guys already fight the whole undead thing when you met me?” Ferngully joked then mutters underneath her breath. “The whole controlling my body thing has been done before too.”

“Ferngully duck!” Whirly Pop shouts as she jumps into view. Ferngully ducks as her hammer flies over the Bat Pony’s head. The hammer smacks into a wax zombie breaking it apart.

“Thanks,” Ferngully replied.

“And another priceless artifact destroyed,” Explanation sighs.

“You couldn’t of waited a hour to lose control of the zombies could you!” Claymari shouted.

“I can’t see how this could not get worse for me,” Explanation groans.

“Never say that around Claymari!” Ferngully snaps.

“Why?”

“Ka-boom!”

A fireball bursts into the room taking out to wax zombies.

“That is why,” Ferngully points out.

“So who are you?” Claymari asked Black Rose as she fought off Lord Adipocere.

“She leads Blackstone’s Biollante army,” Generous Thread points out.

“I am Black Rose Biollante Lord of the earth,” Black Rose announced.

“You do realize that you have a fire ability right?” Claymari points out.

“I set the earth on fire!” Black Rose stomps her hoof igniting the ground below Claymari into flames. Claymari Flash Stepped out of the way to avoid the flames, Lord Adipocere was not so lucky.

The wax zombie screams as he melts and his melting wax sets on fire. Lord Adipocere charges at Black Rose covering her in a glob of living melting wax.

“Claymari!” Whirly Pop shouted, “It’s time to take our leave, the others have already gone ahead.”

“See you later miss Rose,” Claymari smirked as she gave a salute with her sword before leaving the room with the others.

“Whirly Pop, this is where we part ways,” Explanation said as they came out onto the street.

“Thanks for all the help,” Whirly Pop answered the mare.

Explanation nodded her head and ran off down the other street.

“The fog covered section of the harbor…”

“The fog starts to take on an orange hue…”

“Did they set the neighborhood on fire?” Metalance asked out loud as she looked at the glowing mist.

“I don’t feel any heat,” Pot Shell points out.

“No strange air drafts either,” La Dawn said as he held his wings out a little bit.

“Mommy I feel sleepy,” Caramel told Metalance.

“We are almost to the ship dear, you can sleep then,” Metalance said.

“I’m feeling sleepy too,” Weedie said as well then suddenly she collapses.

“Weedie! What’s the matter!” Metalance shakes Weedie.

Catfish had already pulled out her orb. “This fog is magic,” as she finished a statement the others start passing out.

Summer Harvest emerges from out of the fog. “I see you managed to counter my sleep powder.”

Mousecakes and Honey Mead emerge from the fog behind Summer Harvest. Mellow and Oubliette stayed farther back in the fog near the boat.

“Please,” Catfish begged, “I will accept any punishment but allow them to leave!”

“They are the enemy,” Summer Harvest shouted.

“Really you see enemies here before you?” Catfish asked, “Pot Shell a brave but scared boy, La Dawn held in a pit for months by a Dark One only to emerge to find his home in turmoil. Metalance a mother betrayed by her family!”

Honey Mead lowered her head and turned to Summer Harvest. “She’s right, please allow them to take sides, let them go.”

“Keeping them here isn’t right,” Mousecakes agreed.

“What about Claymari and the others with her. Whirly Pop and Generous Thread?

“Well technically Claymari and her companions she originally came here with are free to go,” Oubliette stepped forward. “As for Whirly Pop and Generous Thread. It’s been confirmed that Whirly Pop attacked and assaulted several guards and Generous Thread is a trader by her actions. We have every right to contain those two.”

Summer Harvest looks out a head past Catfish and calls out to the fog. “You heard that right Claymari? Your kin and the other ponies are free to go if Whirly Pop and Generous Thread surrender themselves.

Claymari, Winkz, Ferngully, Rat Tak-Tak, Whirly Pop and Generous Thread steps out of the shadows of the fog.

“Really if I turn myself in you will let them go?” Whirly Pop restates.

“Yes, on my honor,” Summer Harvest replied.

Whirly Pop pauses to think.

“We don’t have time for this crap!” Claymari suddenly strikes Whirly Pop in the face knocking the mare out and she falls to the ground.

Claymari turned to Summer Harvest. “Would that suffice?”

“I suppose if we can hold her,” Summer Harvest nods her head.

Claymari then turns to Generous Thread. “I don’t know if I can knock you out but I will try my darnest.”

“I give in,” Generous Thread replied.

“See she’s Discord Neutral,” Ferngully smirks.

“I don’t know, her actions is for the greater good,” Winkz points out.

“Yeah but that’s only because it’s self serving to her.” Ferngully points out.

Rat Tak-Tak rushes to Whirly Pop’s unconsous body. “I’m staying too, she helped me escape.”

“Sister, you should go,” Mousecakes shook her head.

“Mouse, I forgive you,” Rat Tak-Tak cried.

Mousecakes turns away eyes welling with tears.

“You agree to willingly summit?” Summer Harvest asked.

“I do,” Rat Tak-Tak nods her head.

Summer Harvest turns to Honey Mead. “This is your last chance to go with them.”

“No,” Honey Mead shook her head, “I have two other foals and the rest of my herd to think about. Perhaps I’ll take the chance to be a house mare and get pregnant.”

“Okay enough talk, let’s get them on the boat,” Claymari rolled her eyes.

“Agreed,” Summer Harvest nods her head.

They take the unconsous ponies onto the boat.

“Wait!” Catfish points at Mellow as he puts Weedie’s body on the deck. “Take her off the boat she’s staying here,” She told him.

“What the heck is going on here!” A voice shouts.

Black Rose emerges out of the fog.

“Let them go Black Rose, We made a deal,” Summer Harvest points at Whirly Pop laying on the ground with Generous Thread standing next to her.

“I have a feeling letting these ponies leave will be a mistake for us,” Black Rose points out.

“It’s my choice,” Summer Harvest said in as a commanding tone as she could muster.

“Very well,” Black Rose glowed her horn. Lord Adipocere steps forward his body repaired by patching destroyed wax zombies together.

Black Rose looks at Claymari. “We made a deal if you were wondering.” She smirks.

“Everyone who is going a shore get your asses moving!” Claymari shouted as she went below deck.

Below deck there was a walk wheel attached to a propelling wheel at the end of the ship. Claymari steps inside the walk wheel and the thing moves with a loud creek. The propelling wheel on the outside of the boat starts moving. The boat moves away from the dock causing the boarding planks to break away from it.

“Jump for it!” Oubliette shouted as she jumped off the deck of the boat.

Mellow looks at Weedie the filly laying unconsous on the deck.

“Leave her there!” Catfish orders, “Keeping her here is much safer then taking her a shore on your back!”

“But she’s suppose to-“ Mellow starts to say.

“I know but nothing I can do about that now,” Catfish answers.

Both ponies jump off the deck.

“Ferngully? You have inherent weight nullifying magic like Pegasus do right?” Winkz asked.

“Can I fly?” Ferngully said cheerfully.

“I’ll take the helm you pull up the anchor,” Winkz orders.

“On the dock…”

Honey Mead smiles at Rat Tak-Tak as the two ponies draw their weapons and faced Lord Adipocere. “Looks like one last battle,” She tells the purple pony.

“Lady, You never know when your last battle happens,” Rat Tak-Tak smiles back as they charge at the zombie pony.

Summer Harvest sends out a mist of pollen at Black Rose. Black Rose uses her magic to ignite the pollen into a ball of flame.

“All organic material is earth based,” Black Rose declared, “Unfortunately we Biollante are beings of energy or I would have finished you off by now.”

“You’re that arrogant,” Summer Harvest remarks at Black Rose.

“No, just observant,” Black Rose said as she glowed her horn. The earth below the water explodes in flame in the dock suddenly collapses. The collapsing dock snags the boat anchor trapping it.

The sudden snag causes Ferngully to drop the anchor chain. “Crap it’s stuck,” She snaps.

Catfish sees the anchor get snagged and she dives underneath the water to where the anchor is at. With a few shoves the Cat Pony dislodges the anchor from the pile of wood above it. Ferngully gives a great pull on the chain. Catfish grabs the sliding chain and rides it up the side of the boat.

“No!” Black Rose shouted as she took to the air. Summer Harvest knocks her out of the sky with a well placed magical blast. The pony falls crashing into the water.

“At this point I think we are almost scot free,” Ferngully remarks as the city grows smaller in the view.

“At least you guys are,” Catfish said sadly.

“Sorry man,” Ferngully replied.

Winkz does a quick number check of the boat’s crew with her horn. “Ferngully, there are two more persons aboard this boat then there should be.”

Ferngully shook her head, “No there isn’t.” She said darkly.

“Below deck…”

A magical blast hits Claymari in the back of the head knocking her out. The wheel stops turning as she collapses.

“Above deck…”

The ship’s propeller stops leaving it floating on the river currants.

“Ferngully! What’s the meaning of this!” Catfish shouted.

“Sorry, I had no choice,” Ferngully looked away.

“What do you mean by no choice,” Catfish snapped.

“I have her under my spell,” Eclipso said as he walked up on the deck with Ponyville behind him.

“A Gryphus is approaching,” Winkz announces analyzing the air with her horn.

Polis then lands on the deck.

Eclipso smiles, “Now I’m not sure whether to kill all of you or to find a way to put you all under my mind control.” The Dark One sighs. “On a second thought I have a hard enough time controlling who I have now. Perhaps I should wait until I settled down before I get more minions.” He turns to Polis, “Kill them all please.”

“I hope you know what you are doing,” Polis mutters under his breath as he opens his good claw. He had itched symbols into his flesh the wounds still seeping blood. The Gryphus suddenly puts his claw against Ferngully’s forehead and she screams her eyes glowing white.

Eclipso screams as he feels the spider in Ferngully’s heart die. “What did you do!” He shouted.

“I don’t know yet,” Polis answered.

The glow in Ferngully’s eyes dimmed down and her cutie mark switched from green to white.

“That was strange, I feel like something was ripped away from my heart?” Vanilla remarks.

“I see, that was what Ferngully was trying to tell me,” Polis noted, “Switching souls switches the metaphorical heart that the spider feeds off of ripping it apart.”

“I still have the serpent!” Eclipso shouted. His command made the serpent come out of Vanilla’s mane.

“Shouldn’t have said that,” Vanilla stated as she fries the snake with a glow of her antenna. “I’m not sure all of what’s going on, I think Ferngully’s intent of allowing me to take her body again is for me to handle those little beasties. I suppose I should.”

With a glow Vanilla attacks the spider in Polis’s heart. With another flash of magic the earwicks became destroyed. This caused both the pony and the Gryphus to flinch.

“Stop doing that!” Eclipso snaps.

“Or what?” Vanilla replied with a smile.

“I’m stronger than you!” Eclipso shouted taking a few steps back.

“You’re outnumbered,” Vanilla replied.

Eclipso’s horn begins to glow, but his magic spell was interrupted when Ponyville attacked him. Eclipso was flung into the railing. Polis grabs Eclipso with his good arm lifting the Crystal Pony up. He smiles at the ponies.

“I’m going to make sure he isn’t going to hurt anyone again,” Polis said just before jumping into the water. The pony and the Gryphus sinks like a rock. Eclipso was the first to give in and inhale water. Polis soon followed suit.

“Well that was a thing?” Winkz remarks.

Ponyville collapsed sobbing, Catfish walks up to console her.

“So is Ferngully coming back?” Winkz asked Vanilla.

Vanilla shrugs, “I’m not a hundred percent sure, I may have to return home to do it. Meanwhile should we worry about our transportation?”

Both ponies looks at Catfish.

“Why are you looking at me?” Catfish asked nervously.

“We assume that Claymari is discapacitated in some way she may not be able to power the ship,” Vanilla points out. “You’re technically an Earth Pony right?”

“I get the point,” Catfish grumbles as she walks below deck.

Forgiven Past Part 1: The Begotten Son

“Past…”

The ponies entered the hall of the Orange Estate. They were led by a house servant. Most of the ponies were in shades of oranges with orange themed cutie marks.

One of the ponies was an orange colt not old enough to have a cutie mark. He clung to a light red mare with a strawberry colored mane. Her cutie mark a glob of pink yogurt.

“Tangerine and Strawberry Cream…”

Tangerine looks nervously at all the adult ponies and never felt more out of place.

“I don’t want to be here, Can’t you handled this like everything else?” He whispered to Strawberry Cream.

“No, you’re old enough to start handling your own state hood affairs,” Strawberry Cream told the colt. She then hugs him. “Don’t worry I’m still here to help you. Keep in mind I’ve been running things in your house ever since your mother die giving birth and your father never returned from the Wildlands.”

“Thank you,” Tangerine said.

After a few minutes all the lords of the Orange Family started to settle and talk to each other.

The servant mare that led the ponies into the room speaks up. “The master will be here in a minute N-now will you excuse me.” She was shaking heavily and had trouble speaking loudly. When she walked out of the room the mare had left a puddle of urine behind.

Some of the stallions laughed and smirked making comments about how she must be looking to be rutted.

“Wait, that doesn’t smell like sex urine?” A pony points out, “That’s fear!”

“Hello you bastards!” A voice shouts causing all the ponies to turn to the room’s entry way.

A large Earth Pony mare with a fox orange coat and fox red mane. Her muzzle and flintlocks were colored white. She held a bit with strings attached to her by her mouth.

“My name is Claymari of the House of Black Apples born in the Dore House of Kings!” The pony shouted, “You Oranges allowed the House of Black Apples to be killed by Zebra! All of you are responsible for the death of my family! I placed explosive mines under the boards at your feet! Now I will be responsible for your deaths as well as your own. You may be standing on a mine and if you move it might go off starting a chain reaction.”

Claymari bites down on the bit and turns away. The strings tighten and the doors slam shut. The pins pull out of many mines.

For a moment no pony moved. Even if they survive no one would know where it started first. The room explodes from everywhere.

When Tangerine awoke he couldn’t feel his back legs. Bodies of ponies were everywhere. Some were screaming in pain.

Tangerine was too focused to scream as he crawled to the body of Strawberry Cream. She wasn’t moving.

“Strawberry!” The colt yelled at the mare.

An explosion of a mine randomly going off caused Tangerine to turn. He quickly brings his attention back to the mare.

“Strawberry!” The colt cried shaking the body with his forehooves again, teared eye he speaks again from his heart. “Mom! Get up!”

A click came from under the body. Tangerine’s heart froze as the body explodes in front of him.

“Now…”

Zero slowly slides the balefire egg* from the pedestal and replaces it with a heavy bag of sand.

“*A small Equestrian radioactive bomb…”

Several feet behind Zero a group of ponies and a green Manticore gives him a nervous look. One pony was Philia. As for the other two ponies, one was a living scarecrow dressed like a clown. The other was a mare made of metal.

They appeared to be in some kind of dungeon with large dark gray bricks.

Zero waited to see what happens to the pedestal before putting the egg in his saddle bag and turns around. Before he completely turns away from it, the pedestal starts to shake. It takes a metallic color and turns into the upper half of a pony.

“Hey! Who put a bag on my head!” The pony remarks. She looks past Zero and sees the fellow metallic pony behind him. “Muto? Is that you? Who are these…” The metallic pony went wide eyed. “Intruders!”

“Run!” The Manticore screams turning and running down the steps.

“No you fool!” The Scarecrow shouted at him.

“Ugh,” Philia rolls her eyes.

“It’s not what you think,” Muto tries to tell the other metallic pony.

“Intruders!” The pony repeated.

“Okay it’s what you think,” Muto said before turning and running.

Blocks started raising up from the floor, walls and ceiling. They take the form of ponies who start moaning and pointing at the intruders. The Scarecrow, Philia and Zero all start running down the stairs.

“You said you knew what you were doing!” Philia snaps at Zero as the metallic ponies starts to chase after them.

“I do, I’ve done this with my mother lots of times” Zero replied.

“Then what now genius?” Philia snaps.

“At this point we usually have some kind of ride of neighdeath,” Zero answered.

“What’s that supposed to mean!” Philia shouted.

Suddenly the floor gives way below them turning the stairs into a slide. The Scarecrow and Philia slide away as Zero was already flying in the air fell behind. The Pegasus then shrugs and closes his wings dropping to the ground and slides down the slide.

They all crash into a pit of changing metallic ponies. The ponies quickly restrains them and dragged the intruders outside.

Zero felt his saddlebag get removed from his body as he and his companions except for Muto are tied to stakes. Muto being a shape shifter like the others had to be personally restrained by two metallic ponies.

“All of you are charged with trying to steal our sacred relic,” One of the metallic ponies told them, “What do you have to say for yourselves?”

“Jabberwocky,” Philia smiled as a storm cloud clattered behind them.

“What did you say?” The metallic pony raised an eyebrow.

“Jabberwocky!” Philia shouted as lightning struck behind her her horn a glow.

From out of the clouds came up both dragon like yet not dragon like beast of storm cloud and metal. His claws was like lightning is breath like a twister.

The sight of the thing made all the metallic ponies run back to their tower. In the commotion Muto wrestles the saddlebag from one of her fellow metallic ponies. Once the bag in her possession she quickly frees the prisoners.

The Jabberwocky lands next to Philia and she strokes it on the snout. “Good girl,”

“You do realize it is a hermaphrodite right?” Scarecrow points out.

“I prefer she,” Philia growls at him.

“Think you! Think you! Think you!” Manticore started kissing Muto’s feet as soon as she freed him.

Muto turns to Zero, “Here,” She says giving him back his saddlebag.

“I guess we go back to town now,” Zero replied.

“Elsewhere…”

Tangerine steps out of his front door. The young stallion was covered in scars. One of his hindlegs was missing. A jagged scar ran down his neck. His foreleg was functional but mangled with large scars and chunks of meat missing from it. The mangled leg was supported by a brace.

The stallion walks up to his mail box at the front of his house. As he takes out the mail and sorts through it, a sight of a pony makes him drop his letters.

A large orange mare with a white muzzle and red mane walks down the road. She had with her two Pegasus, a yellow Bat Pony, A dark pink Crystal Pony, A green Cat Pony and a Green Earth Pony with to foals. There was also a light blue of the pony that looked familiar.

“Welcome to Pink Alice the trading post of the Western border of East Apple Country,” Claymari announced smugly.

“I still feel bad about abandoning our boat,” Metalance points out.

“Yeah, We could have made a prophet selling that thing,” Catfish adds.

“That would have caused to much of a commotion,” Claymari points out.

“Keep in mind Claymari is still a wanted criminal in this country and East Apple Country is the place that wants her neck,” Winkz points out, “Until we find Smart Cookie and Pudding Head she is in danger.” The Crystal Pony points at Ponyville and La Dawn. “It’s bad enough that they are with us plus the other mixed travelers we got.”

“Not that I need to hide my self,” La Dawn stated putting his hooves on his chest. “I’ am La Dawn, I maybe a Pegasus but I’m still a part of the Earth Nation noble family and well known in these parts.” He gives a wink to Claymari. “But I am not one to leave a lady out to dry.”

“In more ways than one,” Vanilla said flatly.

“I guess you’re feeling up to your old tricks,” Metalance smiles.

“My dear,” La Dawn takes Metalance’s hooves, “This young stallion has some new tricks.

Metalance giggles and blushes.

“Perhaps with Pot Shell and La Dawn vouching for you they’d let you pass?” Metalance suggested.

Pot Shell makes a glance at Claymari turning his head away.

“You seem to be in a mood,” Catfish remarks to the young stallion.

“Sorry, I’m kind of worried about my sister still back in the city,” Pot Shell wipes a tear from his eye, “Why couldn’t we save her!”

Catfish pats Pot Shell on the back, “As we told you she sacrificed her freedom so that we could leave.”

Pot shell turns away from the green mare.

“Halt!”

“I didn’t do it!” Ponyville shouted as an armored ponies stopped them.

“Didn’t do what?” The pony asked demandingly.

“I don’t know you’re the one that stopped us?” Ponyville answered.

“What makes you think we stopped you for doing something?” The guard points his spear at the brown Pegasus.

Ponyville nibbles on her lip in thought. “Well you stopped us for one, Second people always go up to me and goes Fag your doing something queer again.”

“Wait your name is Fag?” Catfish quickly points out.

“No, my name sounds like Fag so they call me that because of my queer disposition,” Ponyville answers, “In retrospect I think I like the name Ponyville better? Maybe I’m not sure?”

“I do too,” Pot Shell whispers to Ponyville.

Claymari steps in to defused the situation. “I’m miss Rounds a mercenary escorting refugees my Pegasus friends are also mercenaries.

“Yes,” La Dawn nods his head, “I’m Le Dusk and this is my wife Ponyville.” The Pegasus stallion wraps his forehoof around Ponyville and pulls the mare up to his body.

“Your touching me, I don’t like to be touched,” Ponyville replied in an indifferent tone.

The guard stallion raised an eyebrow at this. “You’re married?”

“She has issues but I love her,” La Dawn shook his head as if speaking from the heart. “We didn’t want to live under the rule of our Queen. So we decided to leave our country in the sky. Being Pegasus we thought we could fake being mercenaries and make some easy money escorting ponies from one place to another and swiftly retire. But it was for not as we soon found ourselves over our heads and had to be saved by the large and brutish lady over there.”

“So your refugees,” The guard pony points out.

“We are,” Metalance motions to herself, Catfish and the foals.

“Arrest them!”

They turn to see Tangerine running or briskly limping up.

“Lord Tangerine,” The guard said in shock.

“That’s Claymari!” Tangerine points at the orange mare.

As the town guard reacted, Claymari had drawn her sword sliced a guard in the shoulder and put her blade up against the throat of the other.

“None of you move!” Claymari shouted, “If you do, I’ll slice his head off and kill the one closest to me.”

“Ahh! I’m bleeding!” The cut guard screamed.

“Err, blood and I don’t like blood and screams I don’t like screams,” Ponyville starts fidgeting with the bandages on her forelegs.

“Cousin Tangerine it’s me Pot you don’t have to do this!” Pot Shell cried.

“Pot yes it’s been a while,” Tangerine nodded his head.

La Dawn steps forward, “I am La Dawn brother to Smart Cookie under my sister’s orders Claymari has a momentary pardon for her crimes.”

“I thought you said you are Le Dusk?” The guard pony points out then pauses and speaks, “Never mind I see it now.”

“Well your sister isn’t here is she?” Tangerine points out snarling his nose at the Pegasus, “And these soldiers are under my control, my word is law.”

“That’s it this stallion’s life is forfeit,” Claymari readies to swing.

“Please don’t kill me!” The stallion cried.

“Claymari don’t do this!” Metalance demands reaching for the sword at her side.

Claymari sighs and lowers her blade. “I am not one to senselessly turn on my own party.”

The guards quickly shackled the mare.

“But be warned what happens next to me is on you,” Claymari told Metalance as she was tied up. Claymari then turns to Tangerine. “I regret saving your worthless life.”

“Saved my life! You should of let me died!” Tangerine shouted.

“Past…”

Tangerine was flung back into the field by the explosion. The small body flying through the air catches Claymari’s attention.

“What the? Was that a foal?” Claymari said to herself noting the object landing nearby.

“Mommy what was that noise?” Claymari hears the young Phillia’s voice as she turns to look at the bloody body of the young colt.

Claymari found herself locked into a memory.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Her daughter Eponi cried as the Zebra held her down. Claymari watched in horror as her own flesh and blood let loose a horrible shriek as her hindleg was pulled from her body. The Zebra let the filly go along enough to stumble and fall to the ground. When she hit the ground they swiftly ripped one of her forelegs off.

“No stop!” Claymari remembers herself shouting is the Zebra laughed and licked up her daughter’s blood. Next they did the tail, then finished off all the legs. The whole time the filly cried for her mother to her last breath.

“Sorry ma’am,” The maid mare spoke waking Claymari out of her stupor. “The filly just got away from me.”

“It’s okay Poly,” Claymari told her

“What happened to that colt?” Philia points at the ripped apart and bloody body laying in the told grass.

Without notice Claymari found herself emptying the contents of her stomach onto the ground. “Why did there have to be children?” She mutters, “I wasn’t expecting children to be in there.”

“Ma’am?” The maid called Poly spoke up again hoping to get a command.

“Take him with us,” Claymari wiped the bile from her lips.

“Now…”

“What about the others?” The guard pony asked Tangerine.

“I suppose that depends on who they are?” Tangerine notes, “La Dawn and Pot Shell should be safe to go ahead if they does not cause us any trouble.”

“What about the female Pegasus?” A guard pony asked.

“I’m a spy from Pegalopolis so I’m not really a threat,” Ponyville said expressing herself with her hoof. She stops to think for a moment. “I don’t think I should of told you that?”

“I suspect that she suffers from delusions caused by war trauma,” La Dawn said nervously.

“I’m part of the army,” Metalance told him, “I left the Capital City with part of my family.”

“Sir, I remember hearing stories that Claymari entered the country with a Crystal Pony and a Bat Pony,” The guard pony points out.

“And that’s our cue to leave,” Winkz says as she scoots up next to Vanilla and teleports away with the pony.

“See how your friends abandon you?” Tangerine laughs.

“Sorry Claymari,” Metalance said to the orange mare.

“I don’t blame you this isn’t your fight,” Claymari sighed.

“I’m keeping the female Pegasus as well,” Tangerine stated as the guard ponies instantly grab Ponyville.

Ponyville instantly shrieks, “Oh! No! Don’t touch me! You’re invading my personal space! Please stop!” Tears rolled down the pony’s face as she screamed.

“Stop that there is no need to bind her! Can’t you see your being cruel!” La Dawn shouted.

“She could just as easily be putting on an act,” Tangerine points out.

“Trust me she’s damaged it’s not an act,” La Dawn told them.

Once the guard ponies finished shackling the Pegasus mare, they backed off from her. The Pegasus tips her head down low and flaps to the ground sobbing fetally.

“Okay take them away,” Tangerine ordered.

One of the guard ponies leads Claymari away, As the injured guard goes over to Ponyville. He touches her on the shoulder and she lets loose a piercing scream that caused him the close the flaps of his ears.

“Perhaps we should get some more guards, I don’t think I can handle her?” The pony suggested to Tangerine.

“Bring some more ponies!” Tangerine shouted to the pony taking Claymari away as they walked down the road.

“Come on Pony go with the stallion,” Catfish says as gently as she could to the curled up pony.

Ponyville replied with a noise that may have been “No,” or just a whine.

The injured guard pony reaches out for Ponyville. Suddenly the mare lashes out biting him on the leg. He yelps in pain and pulls away as blood runs down the bite marks on his foot.

“The bitch bit me!” He stated looking at the bleeding wound.

Other ponies of the town guard came running up.

“What’s the matter?” One of the ponies asked.

“This one’s being unruly,” The injured pony points at Ponyville, “We’re going to have to drag her to the jail.”

“She’s just having a panic attack, please give her a minute!” Catfish shouted.

Two town guards walked around to each side of Ponyville and reach to lift her up. She instantly bucks away and tries to bolt. Her legs being bound she falls over on her side. But as she hit the ground the mare let loose a shriek, spins around and bucks one of the ponies in the chest with her hindlegs. He was flung back and knocked unconscious.

“Holy crap! How did you even get the shackles on her?” One of the town guards remarks to the injured pony.

“She became this aggressive after rebound her,” He answered.

“Get some rope we are going to have to hogtie this one!” The guard shouted.

Ponyville tries to flap her wings to take off to the air. A lasso wrapped around her hindlegs binding them even tighter. Ponyville found herself falling to ground. She pounds at the ground with her forehoof and charges headfirst into the nearest enemy pony. She hits her target as a lasso wraps around her neck.

“Shit she’s strong!” The pony holding the rope around Ponyville’s neck shouts as he has trouble staying up on his feet.

The bunch of ponies finally managed to successfully wrestle Ponyville to the ground and bind her to securely with all four legs together and a rope over her muzzle. Unable to move the mare went catatonic again.

Metalance glares at the town guard ponies, “To have you know that was unnecessary.” She told them.

“At least two of our men are going to the infirmary because of her,” The guard leader snaps as they drug Ponyville away.

“Now that that’s over, I suggest you to leave this town as quickly as possible,” Tangerine told them, “If you want to stay there is an inn not too far from here.” Tangerine walks away.

Metalance sighs “So what are we going to do?”

“Well Winkz and umm… Vanilla? Bailed on us,” Pot Shell points out, “Perhaps La Dawn should fly ahead and inform my aunt on what happened.”

La Dawn shakes his head, “No, at this point Smart Cookie is most likely going to leave Claymari to hang. This part of the country is our strongest support. Interfering would be like shooting yourself in the foot.”

“So even if Claymari had made it to Smart Cookie’s base of operations she would had her arrested anyway,” Pot Shell points out.

“Yes very likely,” La Dawn answered.

“Okay but should we help her?” Metalance asked.

“Concerning Claymari, you guys can do what you want,” La Dawn told them, “On the other hoof it would be smart for Pot Shell and I to directly stay out of the Claymari affair. I will focus my efforts on freeing mademoiselle Ponyville though.”

“Yes, helping Claymari could only cause trouble for us at the moment,” Metalance said thoughtfully, “But my conscious says I should.”

“But keep in mind the fact of Winkz and that other pony,” La Dawn points out, “Perhaps they have their own plans and ideas to help Claymari.”

“Knowing them they most likely to have a breakout plan for Claymari,” Pot Shell notes.

“Yeah, because of that my suggested course of action is to stand back and wait to see where this goes,” La Dawn says.

“Pink Alice jail…”

Claymari sat in a pile of hay laid about on the cell floor. They tossed Ponyville in the room with her and was in the middle of cutting the ropes that bound her legs.

As soon as she was cut free, Ponyville jumps up making a sound that’s unlike a cross between a squeal and a whine. She then starts pacing around the cell frantically.

“Let me out! Let me out!” Ponyville shouts clawing at the walls.

“It’s no use digging at the wall,” The guard pony laughed that Ponyville’s efforts, “You’ll ware your hooves down before you’d even make a dent.”

Ponyville replies with an inaudible comment that seemed to be about her hooves.

“The Inn…”

“Okay, once we are done eating we can figure out what we’re going to do for lodging, Pot Shell and I will head down to the jail and try to straighten out as much as we can,” La Dawn tells the others.

“Well I think we have enough money for two rooms,” Catfish told them as she counts through their pooled money. “I wish we packed enough bits for a trip.”

“Catfish?” A voice gets their attention. Everyone turns to see a small Cat Pony with a lock being picked by a claw cutie mark.

“Petty Kitty?” Catfish reacted from the chance meeting.

“Petty Kitty? She is one of Claymari’s companions?” Metalance points out.

“Yes, she was with Philia and Zero,” Catfish answers.

“Wait does that mean Philia and Zero are here?” Metalance replied.

Petty Kitty gets a nervous look on her face. “I’m not with Philia or Zero right now.”

“But you know where they are at?” Metalance asked.

“It’s of grave importance,” Pot Shell adds.

“Claymari has been arrested,” La Dawn adds as well.

“Well I suppose they should be back sooner or later,” Petty Kitty blushed, “Me and Zero are in a phase that we are not speaking. He and Philia took off on some adventure and I decided to remain here and be a barmaid for a while.”

“Typical,” Metalance complains.

“At least we are closer to our task then previously thought,” La Dawn points out.

“So why are you working as a barmaid again? Don’t you have a magic space suit or something?” Catfish asked.

“Yes, but we left so quickly that that got left behind,” Petty Kitty answered, “Then Applejack decided that it was best to self destructive it just in case some unsavory force got a hold of it and somehow figures how to use the thing to enter her world and attack it. Ironically without the suit this thing can’t talk to her anymore.” Petty Kitty pointed at the pipbuck on her wrist. “It still works though.”

Then everyone hears a murmuring from outside and a gathering crowd. Suddenly a pony steps into the inn and calls out. “They have arrested Claymari and they are bringing her out to the square!”

“That’s not good,” La Dawn says as everybody gets up to head out the door.

They caught up to the ponies at the town square. They could see a platform with a set of punishment racks in the middle of it. It didn’t take long for Claymari to come into view with two guards escorting her. They hook her up to the racks. Her head and forehooves was bound by one rack as her hindlegs and tail was bound by the other.

“I guess they are not executing her yet,” Metalance points out, “That’s a relief.”

Tangerine hobbles onto the stage, the excited crowd grows quiet as he takes his place. “Ladies and gentlemen I hold before you the criminal Claymari. Some of you may remember the crime she did to us, to me in our weakest hour. In one fell swoop she killed most of this region’s leaders leaving us weak. A weakness that allowed the Zebra and the Pegasus to swoop in and attack us killing hundreds if not thousands of ponies. How many of our brothers, sisters, fathers and children died because of her actions!”

The crowd was getting more excited and riled up at the speech Tangerine was giving them.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t stay in this town,” Catfish whispers to Metalance, “Who knows what these ponies may do to us if they find out we traveled with Claymari.”

Metalance nods her head, “Take the children out of here, if you ride all day you could easily make it there.”

Catfish quickly leaves the crowd to go back to the inn.

“This isn’t good,” Petty Kitty mutters to herself, “Zero, Philia comeback soon.”

“Since I know how much this mare has wronged we the people I have put her out on public display for punishment,” Tangerine told the crowd before turning to Claymari. “How are you feeling my dear?”

“You’re a vindictive bastard,” Claymari gritted through her teeth.

“You made me this way mare,” Tangerine says turning away from Claymari, “In a way you could call me your son, your begotten son.”

“Past…”

Claymari chews on the end of a piece of dried wheat as she watches the bandage colt walk out into the field with crutches. Philia pounced around him laughing as she chased down late summer dragonflies and other insects.

“Come on Tangerine play!” Philia cooed.

Tangerine replied with a weak smile as he kicked loose a rabbit from a bushel of grass. Philia sees the rabbit and chases after it.

A grayish blue mare with a quill drawing a spiral on her flank gives Claymari an unhappy look as she watched the two foals.

“Poly Tale…”

“So how long are you going to keep this up?” The mare asked.

“Keep what up?” Claymari replied.

“This game you’re playing with yourself,” Poly Tale answered, “I know you want to play mother, it’s bad enough that you keep the filly with yah. But keeping that colt around cannot lead to anything good.”

“Yaop!”

The mares heard Philia yelp. They rushed out to the field to see what it was. The sight they came upon made them gasp.

Philia’s leg had fell into a rabbit hole causing the young pony to hit the ground and sprain her ankle. But as soon as the filly hit the ground Tangerine picked up a rock and smashed it over her head causing blood to gush out.

Claymari’s first instinct was to knock the offending colt aside and rush over to her badly bleeding daughter. She held the filly up to her chest her blood staining into her coat and weep as Tangerine laughed.

“I hope she’s dead! You hear me! I hope she’s dead!” The colt shouted.

“Now…”

Tangerine walks off the stage.

One of the town guard ponies steps forward, “You know the rules stay behind the markers to ensure your safety.”

As soon as the pony walked away a rock was flung at Claymari. After that came an apple and a cabbage.

The voices of two ponies could be heard over the crowd.

“Apples! Apples! Nice half rotten apples! Good for throwing!” A gray pony with a satin black mane and a couple of gold bits for his cutie mark calls out.

“Honest Dollar…”

“Razor blades! Razor blades! For when throwing apples just aren’t enough!” A green pony with an olive black mane and a bottle of tonic for his cutie mark shouts as well.

“Apple Tonic…”

“Don’t you think the razor blades are a little too much friend?” Honest Dollar remarks.

“It’s never too much to take an advantage of an opportunity?” Apple Tonic replied then calls out to the crowd, “Buy two packs and get a coupon for oranges.”

“But I’m selling the oranges?” Honest Dollar points out.

“And you’re going to honor all the coupons right Honest old boy? Apple Tonic smiles.

An apple hits Claymari in the face and blood starts running down her forehead. La Dawn sees this and starts rushing over to her.

“Get away from me you fool!” Claymari snaps at him.

“I cannot allow this travesty to happen to a mare?” La Dawn says to her.

“I’ll be fi-neigh!” Claymari lets loose a whinny.

“Mommy I hit her in the butt hole!” A little filly shouted from behind Claymari.

“Be a stallion, save Ponyville and get the others out of here!” Claymari snapped.

La Dawn nods his head and backs away.

“What did she say?” Petty Kitty asked as La Dawn approached.

“We need to leave her alone, I can’t watch this,” La Dawn says as he walks past Petty Kitty. “If I didn’t have to worry about Ponyville being locked away I would stop this right now.”

“Perhaps I should come with you to the jail,” Metalance suggests to the Pegasus.

“That case I will go leave with the Cat Pony and the foals,” Pot Shell turns to Petty Kitty, “Perhaps you should make your leave with us as well?”

Petty Kitty nods her head in agreement.

La Dawn and Metalance heads down to the jail. When they got there the guard was giving them an uneasy and nervous look.

“Please tell me you have some release papers,” He begged the ponies.

“Why what’s the matter?” Metalance asked.

“The mare, she’s being very creepy,” The guard answered.

From inside the cell Ponyville was pawing at the seams of the back wall. She scratched the wall so feverishly that she wore way her forehooves and the wall was covered in her blood.

At the sight La Dawn fell into a rage and hooks the guard’s tunic with his hoof and yanked the stallion forward. “You’ve been letting her do that to herself!” He snapped.

“Sorry, I’m the only pony here right now,” The guard said in reply, “I would restrain her but she won’t turn her flank away from the cell door. Any pony can put another pony out of commission or kill them with a good strong kick with their back legs. She already bucked two of my friends to the infirmary.”

“Then let me in to talk to her,” La Dawn shouted.

The guard thought over it for a moment then decides to do what he was told. As soon as he opened the cell door, La Dawn rushed in. The guard locks the door behind him.

“Ponyville!” He shouted to the mare.

“Leave me alone, I want to be left alone,” Ponyville snaps as she mutters.

“Stop!” La Dawn lunges forward and pulls back Ponyville’s hooves. He looks at the mare’s worn and bloody hooves. To his shock the wounds had an odd glow about them like burning paper only instead of disappearing the flesh was regenerating.

“Get away from me!” Ponyville shouted pushing La Dawn away and retreating to the opposite wall. She crouches hiding her hooves as she sobbed.

“What are you? Your wounds?” La Dawn said in shock.

“The blood is only an illusion,” Ponyville muttered as the blood stains on the wall disappeared in orange glitters of light.

“Back at the Town Square…”

Claymari lay lumply in the racks. By now her body was covered in bruises and small cuts. She stared down at the ground a wet sticky mane hanging off her face. A sliced open orange splatters her in the head and she winces in pain as the juice hits her wounds.

A bright violet light makes Claymari’s eyes wince. She looks up to see Winkz smiling at her.

“It’s nice to have this plan finally work for once,” Winkz remarks as she puts her hoof on Claymari and they both disappeared.

“Back at the jail…”

“Voices could be heard from outside…”

“I heard they captured one of Claymari’s companions and puts her in the jail!”

“She injured several guards too!”

“Let’s hang her up!”

“Hey wasn’t there others with Claymari?”

“Hang them too I say!”

“I am not paid enough to deal with this shit!” The guard turns to run.

“But you have the key!” Metalance shouts as a guard left the room.

“Metalance! Go back! Go back to that inn now! Make sure the others make it out all right!” La Dawn shouted through the bars.

“Maybe I can get you out!” Metalance shouted.

“Come here,” La Dawn orders Metalance.

Metalance steps forward and La Dawn grabs her through the bars and kisses her on the lips.

“Now go,” He whispers.

“Always the romantic,” Metalance smiles and runs out of the room.

“Elsewhere…”

Claymari found herself staring at an old cabin. “This place? Why did it have to be this place?”

“Claymari?” Philia steps toward her face look like her heart was breaking from the sight of the mare before her.

“Philia?” Claymari mutters before passing out.

Forgiven Past Part 2: Discord Deals

“Past…”

Claymari walks up to the bloodstained boards inside the cabin. The body of Eponi was long gone buried up front with her father. The mare could hear the filly’s cries echoing through the home as she looked at the bloodstain. Claymari heart sinks at what she’s about to do.

The mare we sites the spell or more accurate the ingredients to cast the spell as she cuts into her wrist with a small dagger. “Blood spilt from a discordic person set ablaze in an ironic place.”

“Mommy what are you doing? I thought you said we can’t come into the house?” Philia shouts as she sleepily walks in through the front door.

“Back outside!” Claymari snaps at the filly, “I think I hear a bad creature in here!”

“First time you ever wanted me to stay outside to hide from the monster,” The filly mutters as she turns and closes the door.

Claymari finishes dripping the blood into a bowl. After there was an efficient amount she bandages her rest and dumps a few drops of lamp oil into the bowl. She lights the oil and it pops up in flame and smoke.

As the flames died down the ashes in the bowl and the glowing orange embers floated upward. The floating embers takes the form of a small serpent dragon. If one gave the sparkly dragon form a closer look they might be able to tell that the various parts of its limbs were replaced with different animals.

“It’s not very often that a pony summons me?” A whimsical male voice came from the ash as the creature playfully flew around Claymari. “And this isn’t a very happy place nor is it fun?”

“What? Someone’s home that can never truly be their home again isn’t ironic enough for you Discord?” Claymari snapped the tears she was holding back was starting to leak from her eyes.

“I didn’t say I don’t appreciate it, I find the emotional sacrifice quite amusing?” Discord answer back, “I’m just not the crying clown type. Nor caring about others pains. But to the walls doing this with the blood of your family right there.”

“You think we can get down to business?” Claymari said gritting her teeth.

“What’s the fun in that? I’m starting to wonder if you are truly discordic?” Discord smiles.

“Fuck you Discord?” Claymari snaps.

“Now that’s more like it,” Discord cheered at the pony. “Now what did you call me for?”

Claymari pulls out Crimson Bond. “What do you know about this sword?”

The Discord image examines it for moment then crosses his arms and turns around. “What makes you think I know anything about a worthless piece of metal?”

Claymari smiles, “You and I both know this sword isn’t worthless?”

“So it’s magical?” Discord shrugged, “What makes you think I have anything to do with it?”

Claymari’s mouth went dry and she speaks as if to admit a sin and her voice came out quiter then she wanted to. “I prayed to you.”

“What was that? I didn’t quite hear you dear?” Discord makes a cut motion over his ear.

“I prayed to you!” Claymari shouted to the top of her lungs, “Before the sword came to me! I prayed to you!”

“And I heard your prayers, such nice profanities you had for the Zebra, were their deaths as satisfying as you wished?” Discord giggled.

“Practically orgasmic,” Claymari gives off an evil smile.

“Practically orgasmic? Now, now, more details my lady admit to me how much you enjoyed the chaos?” Discord petted Claymari under the chin.

Claymari got mad and shouted, “I know what you’re trying to get at! Mares get aroused when they aggressively exert themselves like in combat. What next? You are going to try to convince me I’m a naughty little filly for having wet dreams?”

“What are you going to do about the Oranges then?” Discord asked.

“So the stories are true?” Claymari mutters to herself.

I’m not confirming or denying but, power grab!” Discord cheered playfully.

Claymari stumped her hoof, “Bastards, I’ve been wondering what I should do with them.”

“And yes, I’ve influenced the locations of where the blades landed but I’m not the one who made them,” Discord answered, “It’s that stupid Starswirl’s fault for letting them shoot off willy nilly. Humf he didn’t care as long as they found a pony that represented the elements?”

“You mean the Elements of Harmony as in the legends?” Claymari asked.

Discord starts laughing, “The jokes on him everything has a positive and negative side, a light path and a dark path. I made them fall, fall to those who I know would most likely chosen the dark path.”

“Wait? Are you saying I’m evil that’s why I have this sword?” Claymari snaps.

“Oh how quaint, you believe in the concept of good and evil,” Discord chided, “My dear, is everything that is said to be light good? Is everything that is said to be dark bad? What it is is what it is and what others think of it is what others think of it.”

Claymari disappointed with the answer and angry turns and stomps away.

“Keep in mind Claymari!” Discord shouted as he disappeared, “Your loyalties will bring you down the dark path and this is your nature!”

“Now…”

Ponyville swings back and forth on a noose that hung from a tree. A large rock hung off her tied to her bottom feet.

“Will you please let me go now I think I’am getting sick?” Ponyville said as she swung from the rope.

“She should of been dead by now?”

“Forget that how is she even talking? There is no way air is getting into her lungs.”

“Maybe she’s a witch?”

“Ponyville? Are you sure you’re okay?” La Dawn shouts. There were ponies behind him holding him back.

“I’m feeling better than I was,” Ponyville replied calmly.

“How are you not dead right now?” La Dawn had asked.

“I can’t say, she will be mad at me” Ponyville answered.

A laser blast fires over the head of Ponyville cutting the rope that she was hanging from. The Pegasus fell to the ground. The crowd went running as another laser blast hits the rope that was holding the rock. This allowed Ponyville to take up to the air.

La Dawn managed to kick away from the ponies that was holding him and takes off after Ponyville. As he reached her he could see the brown mare struggling with the ropes around her hindlegs.

“Here let me help you,” La Dawn leads Ponyville to a cloud. He sits her down on it and starts to untie her legs.

“Just don’t look up my tail or I’ll slap you,” Ponyville blushed.

Suddenly they saw a large beam of light shoot up into the sky from a nearby mountain about four miles away.

“What was that?” Ponyville asked nervously.

“Think that was Winkz,” La Dawn notes.

The two Pegasus fly off to the point of light.

“Down in the town...”

Metalance started leading Pot Shell, Catfish and the foals out of the inn when the crowd attacked. The green pony slashes at them with a sword holding them back until they formed a circle around the ponies.

“Do you think your sword skills have improved any?” Metalance asked Pot Shell.

“Not as much as I would of liked,” Pot Shell answered.

Suddenly a couple of flash bombs goes off throwing a couple of ponies back.

“Over here!” Petty Kitty shouts.

The ponies rushed over to their savior. The crowd recovers and starts to chase after them as Petty Kitty leads the party into the woods.

“Claymari…”

She found herself once again in her old home. She holds the knife to her wrist and lets her blood flow into the bowl. Once again Claymari lights it but instead of the ash coming from the bowl like last time the flame just puttered out.

For a moment Claymari found herself disappointed. Then the scream made her jump and she turns to her daughter’s blood stain. Before her eyes the bloodstain takes the shape of a filly and stands up from the wooden boards.

The thing turns toward Claymari and speaks, “Did you miss me mommy?”

Claymari let loose a gasp, her eyes rolling in the back of her head she passes out body thunking against the wall.

Her dream took place in the same room that she passed out in. Claymari even found herself looking at the same bloodstain on the floor. The only difference was things seemed to be more foggy.

“You should’ve seen the look on your face,” The bloodstain joked as it slid across the floor. “So you call me once again.” The stain takes the form of Discord. He was still two dimensional as he slithered across the floor.

“That is not funny!” Claymari snaps.

“Not to you maybe but that’s the wonderful thing about humor it is very subjective,” Discord said dancing around Claymari’s feet. “Besides I had a very good reason for doing this, in a here your mind there are no prying eyes.” A pair of eyeballs popped out of the floor and rolled in front of Claymari.

Claymari paused for a moment and could hear a faint voice. It sounded like Philia. “Claymari! Get up! What the heck you were thinking you dumb bitch!”

“Philia called me a bitch,” Claymari smirked pridefully.

“And that’s the bit of you I’ve always liked,” Discord smiled.

“I want to ask you about the Holics and Familiars,” Claymari said sternly.

“You’ve heard one of them is after you? And you seen how that Velvet Rope treats the sword bearer and her partner?” Discord points out.

“You played part in me getting this sword,” Claymari nudges at Crimson Bond, “I figured you’d want me to keep it.”

“I don’t know, kind of want to see what happens when a side gets two swords,” Discord points out, “Right now things are kind of even which is very very boring.”

“Yes but I sense Starswirl wants to end your fun with these swords,” Claymari adds.

“True, but I don’t at this point want to change anything,” Discord shook his head, “I am the path at the end of this fate. All five shall stand before me and all five shall succumb to me.” Discord starts to fade away. “Deeply penetrate the cutie marks of the Holics as hard as you can. There’s a sacred object inside of each one of their flanks. When the Holic’s die their Familiar die and that’s the only way you can kill the Familiars.”

“So you’re saying when push comes to shove and I need to kill Velvet Rope for example, I’ll have to kill Generous Thread despite her being a good pony,” Claymari points out.

The last bit of Discord Claymari heard was his evil giggles.

“Ponyville and La Dawn…”

The Pegasus lands in the mountain clearing. Waiting there for them was the smug look of Winkz with a brown Pegasus next to her.

“Zero,” Ponyville said in her different tone.

La Dawn heard the name and extended his hoof. “I think you may have met me? My name is La Dawn.”

Zero raised an eyebrow as he hooked his foreleg around La Dawn’s forehoof and shook. He had seen La Dawn before and this pony did look like La Dawn but different as well. His mane had been cut and butchered. He had a scar over as eye and his character felt different.

He recognized the feeling that came from the aqua Pegasus. This is the same sort of feeling he had gotten from ponies who have been POWs. Zero himself had that feeling.

“What happened to you?” Zero asked.

“The short story I was replaced by a doppelganger,” La Dawn answered.

“We decided to pitch our camp over here,” Winkz points off in a direction of the woods.

Walking past the grove of trees they came across a small group of abandoned cabins. A half dilapidated wooden wall surrounded the structures.

Vanilla was with a group of strange creatures around the campfire. A green Manticore, a living scarecrow pony and some kind of a metallic pony.

La Dawn raised an eyebrow at the sight of the creatures. Zero notes his look.

“It appears that both of us have had adventures,” He tells the Pegasus.

“Yes, but I managed to lose half of the group I left with, picked up another Cat Pony two foals, a womanizing Pegasus and whatever the heck Ponyville is,” Claymari remarks as she walks out of one of the buildings wiping the blood from her lip.“In comparison they came out on top.”

Philia walks out of the same building behind Claymari. There was a very pissed off look on the Unicorn’s face. “And never let me catch you trying to do that again!”

“What was that about?” Zero asked.

“I was trying to get some questions answered,” Claymari answered as she wrapped her bleeding leg in a bandage.

“Do you not understand the risks of breaching his seal?” Philia snaps, “Do it too many times and Discord could escape.”

“Like it even matters,” Claymari snaps, “He already has enough pull to affect one’s fate. More of a god then the Alicorns.”

“What exactly have you guys been up to?” La Dawn asked.

“We did some adventuring stuff,” Zero explained. He opened the saddle bag to show the balefire egg. It started out as a request from Smart Cookie to retrieve this thing.”

“We should at least tell them about the Rat King,” Phillia points out.

“The Rat King is dead and that is that,” Clayamari answered, “Nutcracker and I killed him a long time ago. His contract with the ponies here should have died with him.”

“Well he didn’t and we’ve been dealing with his meddling,” Philia points out.

“I suppose it’s possible,” Claymari rolls her eyes.

“Not too far from here there is a field,” Scarecrow spoke up, “I grew corn there even though no pony ever comes for it. The Rat King’s forces came and stole the corn tearing apart my body in the process. Philia and Zero found me and put me back together.”

“The Rat King discovered that Zero and I were your traveling companions and started pursuing us relentlessly,” Philia added.

“In the woods as they approached the living tower they found me alone frozen in place by a spell,” Muto spoke next, “Once I was freed I told them about my peoples the Mechamorphs weakness to electricity.”

“This is the point we went to go find the Jabberwocky,” Philia told them.

“Jabberwocky?” La Dawn said in a shocked tone.

“It still around and comes to my summoning,” Philia said.

“I lived around there,” The Manticore spoke up, “I found its thunderclaps frightening.”

“Eventually we went to the tower and stole the egg,” Zero said.

“What are we going to do about the others?” La Dawn asked.

“I’ve sensed that they left the town,” Winkz told them.

“The forest outside of Pink Apple…”

Petty Kitty looked at the display screen on her pipbuck as she walked. “Now I’ve only caught this place on my map screen. I haven’t explored it,” She told them.

“Explored what?” Metalance asked.

“It’s some kind of underground bunker made in war era Equestria,” Petty Kitty explained, “Wasn’t even sure I was going to find anything at first. Thanks to the time distortion this map seems be about ninety percent wrong.”

Petty Kitty walks up to a hill and kicks away some leads revealing some kind of metal sheet. “Could you guys help me here?”

All the ponies started pushing leaves and dig the dirt away from the metal plate. They soon found it to be a set of doors.

Pot Shell tries pushing on the doors to get them to open but all he managed to do was have them creek. “They are stuck,” He said with a sigh giving up.

Metalance spins around and bucks the doors with her hindlegs sending them flying open. “It just needed a mare’s touch.”

Catfish looks down the dark tunnel. “Think it’s safe?” She asked

“It’s supposed to be abandoned,” Petty Kitty told her, “How can it possibly be dangerous?”

The little pony steps down the tunnel. Catfish sighs and follows after her, the other ponies weren’t far behind.

The ponies soon found themselves stopped by a hatchway. Petty Kitty quickly found a terminal beside the hatchway and hooked her pipbuck to it.

“You know how to use that thing?” Pot Shell asks.

“A little, it’s not like I’ve had much practice hacking into camputers,” Petty Kitty answered before her pipbuck made an unhappy beep. “Dammit.”

“Here let me try,” Pot Shell said as he touches Petty Kitty’s display. The pipbuck responds with a happy ding and the hatch door opens.

They all walked in through the newly opened entry way. Petty Kitty spots a panel on the other side of the doorway and quickly hooks up her pipbuck to that one too.

“I think I can shut this door from this side,” Petty Kitty remarked.

Pot Shell walks up to the panel and presses a button shutting the hatch. Petty Kitty sticks her tongue out at him out of spite.

The Cat Pony’s ears suddenly goes on alert as something red appears on her EFS.

“Danger!” Petty Kitty shouted in a whisper. She then blushed, “Maybe, this thing on my hoof can be a little funny.”

“Catfish! Get behind me with the foals,” Metalance orders drawing her sword. “Pot being a stallion and take the front with me.”

“You know, I miss being the weakest member of a party,” Pot Shell complains drawing his sword.

“Petty, cover us from the rear,” Metalace tells the cat mare.

“Incoming,” Petty Kitty warns them.

A large rat steps out from around the corner and glares at the ponies.

“It’s a big mouse,” Weedie cheered.

Pot Shell frowns, “Ahh? All of this fuss over a level one enemy?”

“Pot watch out! Metalance shouts.

Pot Shell’s first instinct was to jump back. He stumbles over his hindlegs and fell hard on his rump. The stallion closed his eyes when he hears a “swack!” Pot Shell opens his eyes to see a very pissed off Metalance with her sword halfway impelled through the back of the rat’s neck.

Metalance flicks off the dead rat and sheathes her sword. In an instant she was on Pop Shell. Metalance slams the stallion against the wall.

“Look you little chicken shit, I’m not charged with protecting you anymore!” Metalance shouted, “On top of that compared to everyone here you are lowest on save your ass list. But I need you, I need you to step up, if you don’t step up you will die and possibly allowing anyone I care to die with you.”

“Yes ma’am!” Pot Shell yelped.

Metalance lets the stallion go and takes a step back to compose herself.

After a few minutes they start exploring.

“The camp up in the mountains…”

Winkz’s horn glowed brightly as she tracked the ponies location.

“Phillia, their progression seems stalled,” The Crystal Pony reported to the pink Unicorn.

Phillia stops to think for a moment. “Your magic seems to have the ability to reach far distances.”

“As you can see by my flank my special talent is eyesight,” Winkz smiles.

“Can you boost the range of another ponies magic?” Philia asks.

Winkz was at first taken aback by the request, “I don’t know haven’t tried it before? Are you hoping to set up some mental link with the others?”

“With our two powers working in tandem I theorize that’s possible,” Philia nods her head, “At least I might pick up on their mental impressions and get a beat on their status.”

“Oh come sit down then,” Winkz pats the patch of ground next to her with her hoof.

Philia lays next to Winkz and the Crystal Pony extends her horn. Philia puts her horn out contacting Winkz’s horn and the two horns emit a warm glow.

Scarecrow was sitting across from the two mares with a smirk on his face. “You know there’s something oddly sensual about that.”

The mares give him a glare.

“Just saying as an observation,” Scarecrow told them.

“Down in the abandoned bunker…”

Petty Kitty and Catfish stared at the rotted bunks in the sleeping quarters. The smell made Petty Kitty hold her nose as Catfish coughed.

“Uck! This smells like it used to be a rat nest,” Petty Kitty remarks.

“Given that we found one rat already I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s true,” Catfish told her.

Catfish then turns to Petty Kitty, “Mind if I ask you something?”

“Sure go ahead?” Petty Kitty answered back.

“Did something happen between you Philia and Zero?” Catfish wondered.

Petty Kitty blushed, “Well it’s actually between me and Zero.”

“I was thinking he might’ve slept with Philia or something,” Catfish blushed back.

“No, I believe she’s a lesbian, then again sexuality is can a pointless,” Petty Kitty shrugged.

“Then what happened?” Catfish asked.

“I told Applejack about my pregnancy,” Petty Kitty answered, “Then she gave me a warning about Zero.”

Petty Kitty broke down crying. Catfish grabs the small pony and hugs her close.

“It’s going to be deformed!” She sobbed.

“Well I can confirm the area isn’t secure!” Metalance shouts from another room.

Petty Kitty wipes her eyes clean. She and Catfish pokes their heads around to see a wide open chamber with the roof caved in making a skylight.

“It looks like something broken in,” Metalance remarks looking at the rubble of concrete on the floor. She then turns to a set of massive pods lining the walls of the room. There were seven of them at least twelve feet tall. They were all full of dried goo. Oddly one of them was more gooey then the others. “Maybe something broke out?”

Pot Shell examined the pods. “It looks like what was in most of these pods left years ago,” He notes as he walks up to the gooiest pod. “Except this one it had been opened recently.

Weedie felt her hoof hit something metal. She looks down to find a piece of metal covered in dirt and dust. She wipes it off with her hoof to reveal words.

“Rat King Un-it 5” She reads.

“What was that?” Metalance turns around to look at the filly.

“That’s what the sign says,” Weedie points out factly.

Metalance swiftly spots a blank spot on the wall above one of the pods. Above the pod next to it was another sigh ‘Rat King Unit 6’. Next to that was a sign that said ‘Rat King Unit 7’. Going the other way around the signs counted down ‘Rat King Unit 4’, ‘Rat King Unit 3’, ‘Rat King Unit 2’. The last one said, ‘Rat King Unit 1’, but this time the ‘1’ was scribbled out and replaced with an ‘8’. Below the sign was the pod that had the freshest grew inside of it.

“Oh that’s just creepy,” Metalance shuddered.

“Rat King,” Pot Shell says to himself, “That sounds familiar.”

“You know that from somewhere?” Catfish asked.

“Oh yes I remember now,” Pot Shell nods his head. “Rat King was a monster that both Claymari and Nutcracker fought together. He was an Earth Pony stallion who possessed reality warping magic. It was revealed that the stallion was being controlled mentally by seven creatures made by war era Equestrians. These creatures are codenamed Rat King and thought as one.”

Metalance looks at the 1/8 pod. “There was no eighth?”

“Not that I could remember,” Pot Shell taps his head.

She turns to Petty Kitty. “Perhaps we should find a way out of here as soon as possible?”

“Wait?” Petty Kitty glares at something in the corner of her eye. “Some red dots just popped up.”

“Down in the abandoned bunker…”

“That was interesting,” Philia remarks breaking contact with Winkz’s horn.

“Have you made contact?” Zero asked.

“Yes,” Philia nods her head, “I couldn’t make communications by did see what they see and they appeared to be in the nest of the Rat King or his former nest.”

Claymari perks up.

Philia turns to Claymari, “It appears that you may have been right about killing the Rat King,” She told her, “Somehow the Rat King made an eighth.”

“Past…”

Claymari and Nutcracker the size of dolls scurried across the floor as the giant hoof tries to squash them. They managed to take cover underneath a table.

“What the heck is going on?” Claymari snaps, “He’s much stronger now then he was.”

Nutcracker pauses a moment to think. “Northeast,” He mutters to himself.

“What was that?” Claymari said not catching the words.

“Don’t you feel it?” Nutcracker asked, “The energy in the air, it’s not coming from him, it’s coming to him.”

Claymari pauses for a moment, “I guess I feel it,” She answers unsurely.

“The first time we engaged him it was at the edge of his territory,” Nutcracker points out, “He was much weaker than. Next we engaged him in the town. And he was somewhat stronger. Then outside of his castle and finally here. Each time he has become progressively stronger.”

“Okay I understand,” Claymari nods her head.

“He’s not the enemy we should be fighting but some unseen thing,” Nutcracker adds, “A thing that gets stronger the closer we get to it.”

“And?” Claymari answered not sure what to do with Nutcracker’s hypothesis.

Nutcracker closes his eyes, “I don’t think we are actually tiny, I think all of this is in our minds. Since this is the strongest allusion yet this must mean the beings are standing right in front of us.”

“Beings?” Claymari was starting to get confused.

“Duck!” Nutcracker shouts.

Claymari ducks as Nutcracker creates seven saw blades with Inspiration’s power. The giant room disappears changing to a crumbling chamber. Seven dead creatures lay on the ground. The creatures appeared to be seven giant rats without skin. Instead of having red muscle, the muscles of the creatures were a titanium blue as if there were some kind of robotic creature. They bled on the floor as if they’re alive with white liquid spilling out of them.

“What were they?” Claymari asked looking at the dead creatures. Then around at the room, there appeared to be strange open pods along the walls

“A mistake from the past,” Nutcracker answered, “We should check out the rest of the complex to make sure that there are no more of these things.”

Claymari nods her head, as she moved around her tail felt heavy. She turns around to see the white blood of the rat creatures had soaked into the tip of her tale. “Oh gross.”

Nutcracker giggles, “I told you you should of shortened your mane.”

“And I’m going to have to shave my flintlocks after this,” Claymari complained as she looked at her hooves covered in white.

“Now…”

“Think they are in danger?” La Dawn asked overhearing Claymari tell the story.

“Perhaps Winkz and one of us should teleport to them?” Philia suggests

“Well I have efficiently rested I suppose,” Winkz said unsurely.

“Zero should go with you,” Philia points out.

Zero turns away, “No,” He snaps.

Claymari perks up, “Did something happen between you and the little Cat Pony?” She remarks, “Because the two of you or something like rabbits when I left.”

Philia gives Claymari a glare.

“Don’t tell me you slept with him,” Then Claymari suddenly jumps up enthusiastically and grabs Philia’s forehooves, “Wait! Please tell me you slept with him!”

“Mother!” Philia shouted offensively.

“I want grandkids!” Claymari steps back.

“Okay I’ll go,” Zero rolls his eyes.

Winkz puts her foreleg on Zero’s shoulder. With a glow of her horn they were both gone.

“Rat King’s nest…”

Metalance kicks the dead body of a rat off the sword as Pot Shell kills another with a swing from his.

“It’s nice to see you actually kill something,” Metalance snorted.

Pot Shell gives her an angry glare than snorts and stomps his hoof before turning away from her.

“I think you need to let up on the poor boy,” Catfish remarks.

There was a flash of violet light that made all the ponies wince. Once their eyes cleared they saw Zero and Winkz standing before them.

Zero and Petty Kitty turned away from each other. This caused the tension in the room to instantly raise.

Pot Shell speaks, “Winkz! Are you hear to teleport us away?”

“I cannot possibly teleport this many at once,” Winkz replied.

“What about one at a time?” Pot Shell suggests.

“I would have to take many several hour long breaks between every few teleports, afterwards I would probably be incapacitated for the next day or so,” Winkz answered, “Given the situation that we are in, I don’t think we have the luxury of that kind of time.”

“This is why I’ve been teleported here,” Zero told them, “I’m Zero Endless I will help protect you and will lead you to our camp site.”

“I remember you,” Metalance points out, “You were with Claymari, but I got the impression you wore a moderate fighter.”

“I have military training,” Zero said with a twinge of irritation.

“A lot of ponies do,” Metalance snaps, “People like me, Honey Mead, Rat Tak-Tak are worth ten of them. Then we have ponies like Claymari. She’s worth ten of me.”

“I may not have any sword training but give me a gun and I can go toe to toe with anyone,” Zero shouted.

“Yes, a gunfighter with no gun in a world of the swords!” Metalance shouts.

“Meta lay off!” Petty Kitty steps in and pushes Metalance away from Zero.

Metalance huffs and storms away.

Zero’s and Petty Kitty’s eyes meet. Petty Kitty speaks up hesitantly. “Look I’m sorry,” She tells the stallion.

“I didn’t think things would go this far,” Zero answered her back.

Petty Kitty gives a nervous smile, “Heck, maybe we will get lucky?”

“About her?” Zero points in the direction Metalance took off in.

“I think the stress is getting to her,” Petty Kitty points out.

Metalance finds some room where she could cry letting off some steam.

“Mommy?” Caramel steps into the room.

“I’m fine,” Metalance replied trying to keep her sobs under control.

Caramel snuggled up underneath her foreleg. Metalance replied by nestling her cheek up against his muzzle.

Winkz found herself looking at one of the dead rats. “What is this thing?” She asks.

“It’s a rat, we’ve been killing them here,” Pot Shell points out.

“Pot Shell my boy,” Winkz remarks as she holds still the rat with one hoof and peels back the skin to reveal blue tinted titanium muscles. “These ain’t no rats.”

“Pink Alice…”

Tangerine walks into his home. Once through his front door, he secures the locks and sighs in relief.

“Took you long enough,” A voice catches his attention.

Tangerine turns to look down his hall. There standing in the middle of the hallway was a large red eyed rat.

“Is she here?” Tangerine asked.

“I’ve had my rats put her on your bed,” The rat replied.

“Think you,” Tangerine nodded his head.

The rat stepped back disappearing into the shadows. Meanwhile Tangerine turns down the hall and enters his bed chambers. Laying there on his bed a sleep was Claymari with some kind of blue snakelike device wrapped around her head.

“Sweet dreams Claymari,” Tangerine smiles.

Forgiven Past Part 3: Rat King #8

“Pink Alice…”

Two cloaked ponies walks into the town with hoods up over their heads. They had armor underneath their cloaks and Paladin Spears by their sides. They stop a towns pony that was walking by. After removing their hoods they inspected him.

One was orange, a mare with a coat slightly more orange than Claymari’s mane slightly less red than hers as well. Her cutie mark was of a bent spoon.

The other was a satin metallic gray stallion with a two tone gray mane and the face of a hoof fighter. His cutie mark was of a spinning saw blade hitting a metal block shooting off sparks.

“Hello, I am Abra my friend here is called Machine Shop,” The mare introduced herself, “We are from the True Earth Alliance. Could you guide us to your governor’s home.”

“He’s up on the hill,” The pony points out.

“Thank you kind sir,” Abra does a bow.

From the shadows a rat watches the ponies that had just came into town. It’s red eyes start to brighten and dim rapidly. From inside Tangerine’s home another rats eyes does the same as if to receive a signal.

The rat scampers off to go find Tangerine. The pony was still in his bed chambers. He sat next to Claymari’s unconscious body stroking her mane smiling gleefully.

“Seeing her so helpless like this feels me up of such happiness,” The stallion says to himself smiling.

The rat approaches him, “Sir, Puddinghead’s forces has entered the town.”

“It’s about time how many,” Tangerine answers without stopping from petting Claymari or even turning to look at the rat.

“Two Paladin Knights,” The rat tells him.

“They must be trying to ensure and reinforce the existing loyalties of their territories,” Tangerine points out to the rat.

Just then Tangerine’s doorbell goes off. He rushes over to answer the door where the two Paladin ponies were waiting for him.

“Hello, I’m Ab-,”

“Abra and Machine Shop I was told of you entering into my town,” Tangerine ushers the two ponies inside his home.

“Wow, you have a really efficient way of relating information,” Abra points out.

“We live in troubled days,” Tangerine told the ponies as he shows them his living room.

“This is true,” Machine Shop nods his head as him and his companion sits down at the table.

“I can make some tea, I suppose we got plenty to discuss?” Tangerine asks.

“That would be nice,” Abra nods her head giving a glance to Machine Shop to see if he agreed. The stallion was nodding his head as well.

“Good,” Tangerine walks into his kitchen and puts the kettle on the stove. “So why are you two here?” He asked.

“We are looking for an update on your commitments to our army as well as some other information?” Abra tells the stallion.

“I’m still committing a good majority of my town guard and I’ve also opened up a volunteer drive for townspeople that wish to join the army,” Tangerine answers as he walks back into the room.

“If it would help run up numbers we could ask the Apple Foundation to offer some cash incentives,” Abra suggests.

“That maybe of some help,” Tangerine nods his head, “But unfortunately a few of my town guards got injured in a recent Zebra attack this morning.”

“Zebra? I haven’t heard anything about Zebra?” Machine Shop points out.

The boiling pot starts to whistle and Tangerine holds out his hoof as he stands up. He speaks as he walks over to the pot. “You know this kind of chaos brings out the worst elements of this world. They had to show up sooner or later.”

“True,” Machine Shop nods his head.

Tangerine puts his teabags into the cups with the hot water and walks over to his guests holding a tray. Abra and Machine Shop both grabbed their cups.

“We are also trying to locate a group of ponies,” Abra blows on her steaming cup before drinking from it. “Umm, orange,” She cheered after tasting.

“Family recipe,” Tangerine told her.

“As I was saying,” Abra continued, “We are looking for three ponies, a Pegasus, a Unicorn, and a Miniature Cat Pony.”

“I don’t think a Pegasus and a Unicorn would be dumb enough to wonder into pony towns on their own,” Tangerine told them, “Although the Miniature Cat Pony sounds familiar, I think there’s one who just started working at the Inn a couple weeks ago.”

“That would fit our timeline,” Machine Shop tells Abra.

“Indeed,” Abra nods her head. She then turns to Tangerine, “Do you have an indoor or outdoor toilet?”

“Indoor, it’s down that hallway, take a left and use the right door, the left door is my bedchamber,” Tangerine tells her.

Abra gets up from her chair and walks down the hall way. She takes a left and found two doors. The mare reaches for the left door and opens it. On the other side of the door she found the bedchambers with a mare sleeping on the bed.

“Oh, Sorry,” Abra quickly says as she shuts the door.

The mare turned around and was about to open the other door when she realized something was strange about the mare she just seen. First of all she saw something strange on her head that she didn’t quite get a good look at. Second that mare seemed familiar somehow.

Abra turns back around and opens the left door again. But this time she was greeted with something different. Sitting on her hunches in a blackish purple void was a deep purple mare with a black mane. The black mane obscured her face as she played with tarot cards. Blood drips from the forehead of the mare and onto the tarot cards below her.

“Sister!” Abra shouted rushing into the room.

As soon as her hooves touched the void everything shook. The bleeding mare disappeared and in her place a large flaming tower shot upwards. Abra turns to run away from the tower but three more shoots up boxing her in. Fear grips the mare’s heart and she screams.

“What was that!” Machine Shop instantly got up out of his chair and ran down the hall. Suddenly as he ran all four of his legs disappeared from out beneath him. He floated in the air for second before crashing belly first onto the carpet leaving his legs falling behind him.

He didn’t even have stumps behind or open bleeding wounds where his legs were. Machine Shop’s body was smooth like it was never meant to even have legs.

Laying on the carpet, Machine Shop suddenly realized something else was missing. He rolls to aside and looks down at his belly. Instead of the sheath and testicles of a stallion, the pony saw the semi flat mounds and thick nipples of a mare.

Machine Shop rolled back on his or her belly. The floor below had turned into the surface of a mirror. The face that stared back up at him was his own but instead of the broad stallion features was the smaller squelched together features of a mare.

A very dark coated stallion appeared behind Machine Shops head standing over her. He put his muzzle next to his ear and whispers. “Dad is going to make you feel good.”

“The Rat King’s Nest…”

Metalance had fallen asleep with Caramel by her side. She didn’t know how long she was asleep but it can’t have been that long or the others would of have started looking for her. The mare then turns to her foal at her side and screams in horror.

Laying under her foreleg was the bloody dehided corpse of a foal. The foal then turns his head and looks up at the mare was his lidless wide eyes and cheekless jaw.

“Mommy,” The muscled corps replied.

Metalance jumps away from the dead foal. She bumps into something wet. The mare turns around to see a living muscle corpse of a Cat Pony. Metalance lets out a scream.

Pot Shell hears a noise sounding like some rubble falling coming from down the hallway. He turns to see where it’s coming from and spies a rat. The rat’s eyes glow red and Pot Shell sees some kind of flash.

“There you are,” Pot Shell hears a voice behind him. He turns around to see Claymari. “Where are the others?” She asked them.

“They should be around here somewhere?” Pot Shell looked down at the ground nervously.

Claymari gives the stallion a stern look. “So you don’t know? Uff…” The mare turns away from him and starts walking down the hall.

“Hey wait up!” Pot Shell trots after her, “So Winkz must’ve teleported you here?”

Claymari did not answer as she walked away from the stallion.

Pot Shell felt anger rise up within him. “Don’t ignore me!” He shouted that Claymari.

Claymari stops then turns around glaring at him with a raised eyebrow. “What did you say to me?” Claymari shoves her face into his.

“I said don’t ignore me!” Pot Shell repeated himself.

“You know, I don’t like your attitude boy!” The large mare snaps at him making Pot Shell feel even smaller or had she gotten bigger? “Keep it up and I’ll drop you like your sister!”

Pot Shell suddenly had the strength to push Claymari from him. “You abandoned my sister didn’t you!” He screams tears rolling down his face. “You could’ve saved her but you left her! You abandoned her!”

“Now you’re going to abandoned me,” Pot Shell turns around to see Whirly Pop her fur glowing like an angel.

Pot Shell tries to speak, to rush over to her and speak to her at the same time but he found himself frozen in place. His eyes darted around managing to glance at parts of his body. Somehow he had been turned to stone.

Claymari walks in front of the frozen pony and lifts her tail giving him a good view of her marehood. She tickles the statue’s neck with her tail and with a seductive smile says. “I’m going to enjoy chipping you away piece by piece.”

Zero stood in the bathroom, in the stall behind him he could hear Petty Kitty hacking up the contents of her stomach.

“You okay?” Zero asked concerned.

“Just a little morning sickness,” Petty Kitty replied over the toilet.

“The sickness is supposed to stop after a while,” Zero tells her.

“Good to know,” Petty Kitty snaps at him.

Zero sighs, “I shouldn’t of reminded you that I’ve been through this before.”

“Yes that would have been nice,” The Cat Pony replied.

“She left a few months after we found out she was pregnant,” Zero says in a depressed tone. “We also had another foal, She birthed it while I was away. A cute little peach colored filly with a bright orange mane,” He looks up at the broken light in the ceiling and gives a halfhearted smile. “The time between when I was freed from the POW camp and my mother died me and my wife went at it like rabbits. We missed each other so much there was so much love between us.” Zero starts to cry. “Then my mother was murdered by that bastard Azrael, I became distant and single minded. Soon she took our foals and left me.” He stomps his hoof, “How do you think I feel finding about what happened to her pregnancy through you! What that gas done to me!*”

(*See Sword Mare Origins: Zero Endless)

Petty Kitty looks down thoughtfully at the dirty toilet bowl water. “I’m sorry for how I treated you, I guess being a mare I can’t help but feel responsible for how this foal turns out,” The Cat Pony puts her hoof on her belly. “But it’s your seed that’s sick not me.”

Petty Kitty then noticed her forehooves had shackles around them. “What the?”

Suddenly she was yanked forward her face splashing into the dirty toilet. The Cat Pony lifts her head up and screams out in pain as something large and slithery bulges her stomach as it scrums around. Petty Kitty coughed up blood that dribbles from her mouth like a sieve. The blood hits the water turning into red mist. She begins to feels something large crawl up her throat.

The Cat Pony sees the thing plop from her mouth and into the toilet water. The red thing thrashed about in the water as she watched. Petty Kitty could see the thing transform. The tail shrunk and stubby buds started turning into legs. The jawless head started to take the shape of that of a pony. The thing’s lips curl back revealing sharp teeth.

Just before Zero heard the scream he had glanced at his reflection in the mirror. He was now memorized blocking out the sound. A small black goatee was on his chin. Zero strokes his chin with his hoof as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Then he noticed the horn buds on top of his head, this and the goatee made him like a goat. Then the pony noticed a snaggle tooth jetting from his mouth.

“What’s happening to me?” Zero says to himself. He looks down at his hooves and noticed in the mirror that one became a reptile’s claw and the other a bird talon but in front of him his hooves were normal.

“You are an illregular,” The reflection spoke.

“What?” Zero looks up at the reflection.

“You are an illregular, within you is mutant blood, I am the truth behind your disguise,” The reflection told Zero.

“That’s not true!” Zero shouted at his reflection pounding his forehooves on the counter.

“Really?” Then take a look inside. The reflection points at Zero’s member between his hindlegs.

Zero looks down at his sheath. When he looks down, the top flared open revealing rows and rows of tiny pointy teeth. The stallion jumps backwards with a yelp falling onto the ground below.

Caramel found himself wondering the darkness alone, “Mommy Metalance! Mommy Catfish!” He cried to no avail.

Weedie found herself drowning continuously in avoid.

Catfish was running from the shadows. Emitting from them were accusing voices aimed at her.

“She’s a bug, she’s now different than a Changeling!”

“No! I’m not a Changeling!” Catfish shouted, “Do I really look like a Changeling!”

“Oh that disguise would never do.”

Suddenly the shadows rush her and Catfish feels them grab at her pelt with their teeth.

“No! You’re hurting me!” Catfish screams as her hair on her back is ripped from her flesh. Like a spring insect wings pop up from her.

“See she has wings!”

“No! I don’t have wings! I can have wings! I’m a water pony!” Catfish shrieked.

They continue to rip at her coat, the fur on her legs came off to reveal things with holes in them. A horn pops through her scalp. When they were done Catfish stood there with a gleaming black exoskeleton her once feline coat hung off her body in strips.

For a moment Winkz stood there wondering why all the ponies around her had gone insane. It didn’t take her long to realize that something was attacking their minds. Maybe because she’s really a Dark One or her special talent of perception, but whatever was attacking them didn’t seem to have affected her.

The Crystal Pony then heard a loud thumping noise. It was her heart beating rapidly and strong. Winkz looks down at her chest and she could see blackness within her crystal body. This blackness was where her heart should be. It swelled around her heart area like a ball of smoke then it expands throughout our body. She was now still maroon in color but underneath was a layer of black.

“We see you for what you are,” Voices whisper.

“Enough of this,” Winkz emits energy from her horn knocking back the rat. She stomps on the rat’s tail pinning it down and looks at it face to face. “Tell your master I’ll be back.”

Winkz then teleports away.

“The camp…”

Winkz suddenly appears in the middle of the camp startling all of the ponies. The green Manticore screams and runs into the woods.

“Ugh! It’s going to take us forever to find him,” Scarecrow remarks. He turns to Muto, “You look for him this time I did it last time.”

“Winkz!” Philia shouted, “Why did you teleport back? Did something happen?”

Winkz quickly checked her body, it was its normal solid maroon coloring. “We were attacked by rats that seem to put everyone into some kind of fear loop.”

“Interesting,” Vanilla smiles, “How did you escape?”

“The rats power must be magic based, unicorns are more resistant to mental magical attacks, plus,” Winkz taps her flank. “My special talent.”

“Wait? You just left them?” La Dawn points out.

“Whatever it was attacking them was strong,” Winkz shook her head.

“We should go down there and try to rescue them,” Philia suggests.

“What if we get stuck in the fear loop?” Ponyville asks in her nervous tone, “I have enough issues.”

“You don’t have to come,” La Dawn tells the mare.

Ponyville gulps and pounds her hoof to her chest. “I must be brave.”

“I suspect that they will be held as hostages, so they may not be in the same spot” Claymari remarks as she walks up.

“True but I could track them with my magic,” Winkz tells her.

“Then there’s the issue of finding the source of these illusions,” Claymari points out.

“Yes the Rat King,” Winkz nods.

“Okay, but how do we find the Rat King he could be anywhere?” Vanilla points out.

“Pink Alice,” Claymari answered, “Shit this big cannot go down so close to that town for somebody to not know something.”

“The issue with that plan is none of us can step foot in that town,” Philia points out, “How can you question people than.”

“Then we question one person,” Claymari answered, “We question Tangerine.”

“Anyway we must hurry,” Philia tells them, “If they are being terrorized it’s putting their bodies under tremendous stress.”

“Very well then,” La Dawn shook his head.

“Should we split into two groups?” Ponyville suggested fidgeting in her place.

“Yes,” Winkz nods her head, “I’d suggest as urgency is a factor the fastest ones of us goes after the group that has been captured. Vanilla, La Dawn, Ponyville, and I. The flyers will fly ahead of me when they reached the location I shall teleport there.”

“So the plan,” Philia nods her head, “Of course Claymari and I will go after Tangerine, I’ll bring along Scarecrow, Muto, and Manticore as backup.”

“And you still have the Jabberwocky thing,” Claymari smiles.

“Outside Rat King’s nest…”

The three flying figures lands into the nearby woods. When they landed, La Dawn spots something crawling on Ponyville’s tail.

“Pony, you have something on your tail,” He points out.

“Hugh?” Ponyville pulls her tail around and sees a white squirming bug. “Eek!” She shakes it out of her hair with her hoof.

“Quiet!” Vanilla snaps.

The bushes started to move. All of them readied for battle and Winkz steps forward.

“Don’t scare us like that?” La Dawn said clutching his chest.

“Yes, teleport in next time,” Ponyville said in a deadpan tone.

“Second thought jumping out of the bushes is good,” La Dawn nods his head.

“I didn’t want to cause any unwanted attention so I teleported in a little ways away,” Winkz told them.

“Smart, but lets get a move on,” Vanilla told them.

“Well the hole should be over here,” Winkz starts to lead them away.

La Dawn looks around nervously as they walked. “I don’t see any enemies.”

“Yes but we are fighting rats, giant rats, but rats the same,” Vanilla points out.

The sound of crunching leaves made Ponyville yelp, “Rat!”

Winkz looks back at her and rolled her eyes, “I sense no enemies and our friends are still down there.”

“You sense no enemies at all?” Vanilla asked.

“Yes,” Winkz nods her head as they reached the opening in the ground. They could see all the ponies gathered around in the main chamber.

“Don’t you think that’s suspicious?” Vanilla wondered.

Winkz’s eyes went wide, “I’m not immune!” Everyone in the pit below disappeared

La Dawn could see Winkz speak but not here her words. She looked like she was in a panic then he sees a familiar green mare.

“Metalance!” He called out.

“Think I don’t know what you are doing!” She snaps glaring daggers at him.

“Metalance?” La Dawn took a step back.

“You think you’re in love with me? Truly in love with me?” Metalance says as she starts stepping closer to the stallion.

“I...,” La Dawn starts to say.

“You can’t even deny it,” Metalance snaps, “You’re just a stupid childish stallion who lives to get his dick wet. You get captured and abused and once free you find one of your former lovers and her child that is probably yours just dropped into your lap. We were uprooted and afraid and you knew you could manipulate us to be your family.”

La Dawn found himself shaking. He was afraid truly afraid, “Don’t say more!”

“You tell yourself, things are going to be different, you’re not going to waste this opportunity,” Metalance continued, “But you know deep within your heart what kind of stallion you are. You are La Dawn lover of all the mares not just one. You are just a colt in the end.”

Ponyville feels a tickling sensation on the bare flesh of her inner thigh. She turns her head around to see another maggot crawling around on her. She stomps her leg and makes the thing fall to the ground along with two others that dripped from underneath her tail. A fourth maggot was crawling up around her udders.

By now she could feel them crawling all over her marehood and anus as well as down her tail and legs. “They are coming from inside of me!” Ponyville screams. She finds a nearby tree lifting up her tail and rubbing the barked surface against her rear.

Vanilla looks at La Dawn and Ponyville curiously. “How come I’m not going crazy?”

“Me as well?” Winkz asked as she and Vanilla backed up flank to flank.

“My little ponies,” A voice spoke to them, “You are not immune to the illusions, you can see past the madness the illusions are trying to cause.”

“Pink Alice…”

Philia was trying to use her magic to unlock Tangerine’s backdoor. Claymari and the Manticore stood behind her. Scarecrow and Muto watched the front to make sure no one escaped.

“Got it,” Philia said as the door opened with the click.

They walked in cautiously.

“We should split up,” Claymari suggested.

“Okay,” Philia nods her head.

“You take that hallway,” Claymari points, “The beast should guard the door.”

Philia turns and walks down the hallway checking each room behind each door. Eventually she makes a left turn and opens the left door.

“Claymari!” Philia shouted seeing the unconscious body on the bed.

“I was wondering what was taking you so long,” Tangerine walks out from behind the door.

“What did you do to my mother!” Philia shouted.

“Oh, that’s the Rat Kings doing,” Tangerine points out.

“Boo!” Another Claymari steps in to the doorway blocking Philia’s path.

Philia sees the other Claymari and quickly glances at the bed to look at the Claymari laying on it. ”This isn’t an illusion?” She mostly asked herself out loud.

Suddenly the Claymari by the door punches her in the face and Philia stumbles back a little.

“Okay that felt real enough,” Philia remarks wiping the blood from her mouth. She rights her horn and charges the sure to be impostor. Philia nicks the impostor with her horn making a long gash down her neck. The impostor Claymari hooks the flap of loose skin with her hoof and yanks it from her face revealing blue titanium muscles.

“You’re… You’re…” Philia was shocked at the site, “Some kind of Cyber Claymari?”

“I am the Rat King,” The Cyber Claymari answered.

Philia overwhelmed with everything that had just transpired rolls her eyes into the back of her head and passes out.

“In her defense I do like the ring of Cyber Claymari,” Tangerine remarks.

“Later…”

Philia slowly wakes up in some kind of chamber. Above her she could see seven tall statues of blue metallic rats sitting upright. No these were corpses mummified with age. Every once in a while a skinless metallic rat would plop wetly from one of their mouths and onto the floor.

The next thing Philia noticed were the moans and screams. Chained to the back walls were bunch of ponies most of them Philia recognized as the group of companions that was trapped in the Rat King’s nest. There were also two more ponies that she didn’t recognize. Rats watched over all of them as if somehow monitoring their torment. Only one pony wasn’t screaming and that was Claymari who was laying unconscious suspended to the wall.

“Welcome to the new Rat King’s nest,” Cyber Claymari announces as she approached Philia with Tangerine behind her.

“Tangerine stop this madness before it’s too late,” Philia pleaded.

“And give up all of this power,” Tangerine answered, “I like this arrangement it has suited me well all of this time.”

“Then you have been warned,” Philia glows her horn sending out a magic signal. Within moments the chamber shakes is the sound of lightning striking the structure vibrated through it.

“What was that!” Tangerine shouted nervously.

“That should be the Jabberwocky,” Philia says as the ceiling breaks open causing huge chunks of rubble to fall to the floor.

Cyber Claymari just calmly stood there as the Jabberwocky lunges at her. She then with a swing of her hoof she shouts. “You are dismissed!” The Jabberwocky disappeared in a puff of smoke and the rubble that it caused disappeared and the ceiling became back to normal.

“What the hell just happened!” Philia shouted.

The next thing she knew Scarecrow, Muto and the Cowardly Manticore was standing behind Cyber Claymari. With a wave of her hoof all of them disappeared into dust.

This whole time since you left Applecore has been an illusion created by me,” The fake Claymari explained.

“Then show me your real body!” Philia shouted.

“Ironically this is my real body,” Cyber Claymari told her, she holds out the metallic exposed muscle. “If it was fake I wouldn’t have such a fatal design flaw so visible.”

“Why do you look like Claymari?” Philia asked.

“Convenient DNA,” Cyber Claymari shrugged, “My systems are biomechanical in nature.”

Philia pauses for a moment to process the information and to rewind the past few events through her head. “Are you the one Winkz brought to the camp?”

“Body yes, mind no, although I was there,” Cyber Claymari answered.

Philia looks at Claymari hanging from the wall, “That device on her head? Transmissions thoughts right?”

“Yes,” Cyber Claymari replied.

“We switched them when we brought her out to the public rack,” Tangerine adds.

“Clever, it fooled Winkz’s tracking spell because I suspect that tracks brain waves and I know my mother well enough that I would of detected any impostor,” Philia notes.

“My illusion magic helped,” Cyber Claymari said smugly.

“Why not disable me like you disabled them?” Philia points at the screaming ponies.

“While my illusions can fool you to a point, but a pony like you when faced with an illusion that doesn’t make any sense like something from a nightmare or a dream you see past it and it has no effect on you,” Cyber Claymari explained.

“Okay one last question?” Philia tells her captors, “Why am I still alive and your answering my questions?”

“Because I want you to have a full understanding when you die,” Tangerine answers.

Philia smiles, “Oh not today,” Her horn glows pink, “You see the thing am best at his mental magic and this room is full of it. And I mean full of it, in terms of mental spells I can simply reach out and tweak and change them. That thing on Claymari’s head for example it sends out a signal so I assume that maybe it can receive?” Philia close her eyes, “Sorry Mother.”

Suddenly Claymari opens her eyes and releases a horrorific scream. She twists and pulls on her bindings.

“What the hell?” Tangerine steps back in shock, “What the heck did she do to her?”

“She took the thoughts of everyone in the room and transferred them into Claymari,” Cyber Claymari told him.

“Is there any danger of her breaking out of there?” Tangerine asked.

“There’s no chance of her getting out of those even if she did she’d be in no state to do anything,” Sudden shock goes on Cyber Claymari’s face. She turns to Philia just as the signal from Claymari’s helmet device strike Cyber Claymari.

The duplicate screams out in pain and rives on the floor. All of the rats did the same and the ponie stopped screaming. Everyone passed out.

“Crap not good!” Tangerine shouted.

“Ahhh!” Philia screams charging at Tangerine and punching him in the face with her hoof. He falls to the ground.

“That’s for hitting me with a rock you bastard!” She spat.

A moment later Winkz teleports into the room.

“The cavalry late as usual,” Philia laughed trying to catch her breath.

“Sorry I was fighting rat monsters with Vanilla while simultaneously trying to keep two crazed Pegasus alive, all the rats suddenly died so I came here,” Winkz answered coldly. She looks around the room at all the unconscious bodies. “You handled things efficiently, I should expect no less from Claymari’s daughter. Speaking of, is that a second Claymari?” The Crystal Unicorn remarks.

“That’s Rat King or Cyber Claymari, Whatever you prefer,” Philia answered, “Speaking of,” she points at the giant dead rats. “I think these things are the source of the Rat King’s power or if anything at least the source of the rats that work for it. It may be best to completely destroy them”

“Seven? I suspect these are the original Rat Kings,” Winkz remarks, “Perhaps they worked in tandem to create the illusion abilities but needed an avatar to work themselves though.”

“Yeah and when they died they used the Rat King design and Claymari’s DNA to make a smaller weaker version of them but was smart enough to use their power,” Philia adds.

“Those smaller rats must’ve been simple clones that the big ones could also use as a relay,” Winkz points out. Then with a flash of her horn sets one of the giant rats on fire. “I’ll destroyed these things you set the others free.”

“Yes,” Philia nods her head and walks up to the hanging unconscious ponies.

The first one she freed was Petty Kitty. With a glow of her horn Philia wakes up the Miniature Cat Pony. She was quickly brought up the speed and with her lock picking skills Petty Kitty quickly freed the others.

By the time Winkz was done burning all the giant rats. All the hostages had been set free. Philia was getting exhausted from using her magic so she only made enough of them conscious to help take the remaining unconscious out of the chamber. Tangerine was the last to be taken away leaving only one laying on the ground other than a bunch of dead rats Cyber Claymari.

Winkz stood over the duplicate. She too was fully exhausted from using her fire spell and her teleportation plus the magic she was using to fight against the rats earlier.

Philia walks up to Winkz from behind.

“What do you want me to do with her?” Winkz asked.

Philia puts the transmission helmet onto Cyber Claymari’s head. “Let her be tried for her crimes, with the adjustments I made to that helmet her powers are nulled and anyone can disable her by aiming their thoughts at her.”

“Did I ever tell you that you are scary sometimes,” Winkz remarks.

“And this was the opportunity I was waiting for,” A whimsical voice said cheerfully.

Philia gasped, “Scarecrow?”

Scarecrow steps out from the shadows and starts walking towards Cyber Claymari’s unconscious body.

“Wait? How are you here you were an illusion caused by the Rat King!” Winkz shouts.

“Oh yes this form is an illusion created by the Rat King but it’s sustained by another mind entirely my dear,” Scarecrow whimsically answered.

Philia glares at Scarecrow, “Then who are you?”

Scarecrow sing a few lines, “I'm not a fan of puppeteers but I've a nagging fear, Someone else is pulling at the strings.”

“Discord!” Philia shouted.

“Technically I don’t think that name should apply since I am really 0.00002% of Discord and acts autonomously from his main consciousness, but I am fond of the name Cyber Claymari it just oozes weirdness so I will keep that,” The piece of Discord said as his essence transmits itself into Cyber Claymari’s body.

The unconscious body of Cyber Claymari stands up. The helmet on her head smoked and crumpled away. “I guess this thing can’t stand having a god transmit through it,” She smirked.

“Let me guess about how you got to be here,” Philia states, “My mother summoned you?”

“Oh yes every time I’m summoned a little piece of me gets pulled into freedom and it stays in this world ” Cyber Claymari answers, “It was one of my many escape plans, a very slow and tedious one considering I’ve been summoned a hundred or so times since I have been sealed. But as I said the pieces of me stayed in this world and I’ve been having them do so many things.”

“Winkz! Don’t let her leave this ro-!” Philia starts to shout when Cyber Claymari suddenly teleports away. “Nevermind,” She sighs.

“Is this what it feels like when I do that to people?” Winkz remarks.

A Song of Apples and Oranges Part 2: Those of the West

A Song of Apples and Oranges Part 2: Those of the West

The yellow mare with the blue and yellow striped mane looks at her face in the mirror. After checking her mouth she lifts up the front of her mane. She checked the stub of horn on her forehead.

Pom Pom did this every day and everyday it got a little bigger. She hoped that soon she would be able to use magic again.

Filly Nat watched the mare examine herself from the bed on the other side of the room.

“Did I ever say how cute you look looking at yourself?” Filly Nat giggles.

“What ever you say boss,” Pom Pom said as she turned away from the mirror.

There was a knock at the door.

“It’s open,” Filly Nat said.

Two young colts opened the door. One probably had his cutie mark for about a year well the younger looked like he may have just gotten his.

The older colt was a dark gray in color with a bright red mane. A yellow streak of hair went through his mane and tail. His cutie mark was of a snake eating its own tail a thing called an ouroboros. A red arrow mark shot out of the ouroboros making something that looked like the male symbol.

“Gollum Due…”

The younger colt had a light yellow coat with a two tone orange mane that moved like fire. His cutie mark was made up of two symbols as well. The upper part of the cutie mark was a simple characterture of the upper body of a horse brown in color. The lower half of the cutie mark was consumed by a red fire symbol.

“Ponydash…”

“Umm… the ladies of the house wanted us to ask you of you don’t mind helping with the prep down stairs.”

Filly Nat smiles, “Helping prepare meals is the least we can do.

Filly and Pom Pom fallowed the two colts down the stairs. The bottom of the stairs was a smiling mare.

Her coat was a slate blue. Her long flowing mane was light green in color with an olive streak where the hair parted on her forehead. The mare’s cutie mark was three fence planks.

“Palisade…”

“They took potatoes from the cellar as you requested,” Palisade told the two mares.

“I’ll start peeling and chopping them up,” Pom Pom said as she walked toward the kitchen.

“I can’t thank you enough for letting us stay with you after our home burned down,” Filly Nat tells Palisade.

“I wish your father took us up on the offered to stay here,” Palisade sighed.

“Well other than your colts this is a mare home,” Filly Nat shrugs, “I’d suppose he’d worry about rumors if seen walking out of this place daily.”

“Stallions can be so silly sometimes,” Palisade laughs.

“Well herd crashing is a young stallion’s game,” Filly Nat giggles, “By the way is your sister still around?”

“Oubliette?” Palisade replied, “No, she went to pick up our guests. Poor things been having a hard time lately. We thought it would be nice to invite them over to lighten their moods.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Filly Nat smiles.

Inside the kitchen there was a mare and a filly already there when Pom Pom entered the room. The mare had a light pink coat but her mane was a dark abony red. A three colored streak ran through her mane and tail. Bright neon stripes of blue green and orange. In the dark the streaks glowed. Her cutie mark was of a blue glass heart with three fireflies inside of it.

“Paris…”

The filly was just young enough not to have a cutie mark yet. Her coat was a light blue in the filly’s mane and tail were striped grass green and rock gray.

“Brooki…”

“Where are the potatoes?” Pom Pom asked.

“They are over by the stove,” Paris said as she cut some green onions with a knife grasped in her forehooves.

“The spices are up here,” Brooki takes her stool and trots up to a cabinet on the wall.

“Thank you,” Pom Pom nods her head as she pulls potatoes from the sack.

A few moments later Filly Nat walks into the kitchen and begins to help cook as well.

“Elsewhere in Capital City…”

A stallion soldier walks up to his wagon. He sees a small figure standing in place where he normally hooks himself up to his reins. It was some kind of pony shaped doll. Only the doll had a drill on its muzzle.

He sits the drill doll down on the hood of his wagon. Suddenly the thing’s drill turns on and it leaps forward into his chest.

The stallion screams horribly in pain as he dies bleeding out on the ground. From around the corner Explanation walks out and looks at the handiwork of the doll.

“Another test run complete,” She smiles.

“Back at the house…”

“I’m home!” Oubliette called out.

“Mommy!” A redish brown filly with a very dark brown mane runs up and hugs the mare.

Oubliette laughs and turns to the mares behind her. “You see this one is my actual daughter Far Fetched.”

Honey Mead was standing right behind her a newborn foal gray in color was bundled on her back. Behind her was Butterfree and Blaster.

“I love her coloring,” Honey Mead smiles padding the filly on the head.

“Oh come on I don’t want to be standing out here all day,” Blaster complained.

“Oops, sorry,” Honey Mead stepped aside letting Blaster and Butterfree walk into the house.

“Is there a safe place we can put down the little one?” Butterfree asked looking up the foal on Honey Mead’s back.

“We have a pen outback where we keep our youngest,” Oubliette told her.

“I used to spend a lot of time in the pen, I don’t so much now because I’m a big girl!” Far Fetched remarks.

“Yes you’re a big girl,” Oubliette pats the filly on the head.

“Sister your home,” Palisade cheered.

“Yes,” Oubliette nods her head, “We are going to put their little one back with Duo.”

“Oh I want to see the little one,” Palisade smiles as she walks up to Honey Mead.

“It’s only a foal it’s not like we have enough of those around here,” Gollum Due sticks out his tongue to show his distaste.

“You boys are all the same,” Brooki pokes her head out of the kitchen and snaps at the young buck.

“And what’s your name?” Blaster smiles at the filly.

“Brooki Bra,” Brooki answered.

Blaster looks at Palisade. She shrugged back in her, “You know how these names work,” She tells Blaster, “She seems to love the beach though.”

“The one on my back, we named Slow Magnetism,” Honey Mead points out.

Palisade smiles, “He sounds like he’s going to be a virile young stallion.”

“I certainly hope so,” Butterfree laughed.

They put the newborn colt in the bin with a slightly bigger, slightly older orange brown filly. Duo walks up and sniffs the colt. Magnetism jumps back then slowly approaches the filly sniffing her coat. Soon the two got used to each other, Duo started eating the grass at her feet well Magnetism laid down and nibbled on some grass as well.

The mares smiled at the sight for a little while then decided to go inside. By this time the other mares in the kitchen had finished cooking.

“You girls take your seats,” Paris told the group as Pom Pom and Filly Nat walked out with plates of various prepared vegetables, fruits and wheats.

After a prayer to the earth mother, they all begin to eat into the prepared food.

“So you two are from the inn that burned down,” Honey Mead remarks to Pom Pom and Filly Nat as she pins a piece of radish to a couple layers of lettuce with her fork.

“Yes we are,” Filly Nat answered.

“Are you planning on rebuilding? I’ve always liked that place,” Honey Mead remarks.

“We are planning to, but with the change in government there are difficulties,” Filly Nat said as she played with a baby carrot on her plate.

“I’d imagine so with the nation fractured like it is I’ve heard many banks and insurance companies have put a halt to their business until they get their assets we assessed,” Butterfree points out.

“Yeah, it sounds like they will pay us back to rebuild,” Filly Nat nods her head, “In a way we are kind of lucky that our inn burned down. With the war looming rates have been jacked up really high. We were about to drop our coverage when the inn burned down.”

“It’s a sad world when we have to start choosing between preparing against the future or having enough bits to keep yourself going,” Blaster said sadly.

“Blaster?” Oubliette spoke up, “How’s that cleric partner of yours doing?”

“Diamond Luck?” Blaster questioned, “She’s still recovering at home with the help of her sister. It sounds like she’ll be returning to work in about a week.”

“That’s good,” Oubliette smiles.

“Paris and I was having this discussion the other day, we were wondering what’s with these rumors of the plague from the sky?” Palisade asked with a smirk on her face. “I think it’s hogwash but she’s absolutely fascinated about it.”

“It makes you shoot lightning what’s more cooler than that?” Paris remarks.

“Plague?” Blaster gives a confused look as she glanced at Honey Mead.

Honey Mead answers her with a shrug.

“Rumors from some of the towns on the edge of our nation that Pegasus have done raids on lately,” Oubliette explains.

“While there has always been stories about Pegasus carrying diseases,” Butterfree answered, “Most believe it is because of their ability to fly and go from one region to another. A few even theorized that they may carry bacteria from the upper atmosphere or even space. But regardless in a lot of cases were Pegasus go disease and death often follows.”

“No wonder why ponies can be so afraid of them,” Oubliette remarks. She turns to Honey Mead, “So had they decided to give you your Paladin weapon back yet?”

“No, actually it sounds like they are doing some experiments with it. That actually makes me kind of nervous,” Honey Mead blushes.

“In the Castle…”

Rat Tak-Tak walks into the training room. “I demand to know what this is about!” She snaps.

Velvet Rope opens up the window of the observation deck. “Do you know who I am?” The mare asked.

“You are a Holic or Familiar or whatever you want to call yourself,” Rat Tak-Tak shouts back up at the silver colored pony.

“Good you get the gist of what I am,” Velvet Rope smiles.

The doors opposite of Rat Tak-Tak opens up and a feminine looking purple stallion walks into the room holding up the ocarina spear of Rat Tak-Tak.

“What is this? How is he holding my weapon? How did you even summon it?” Rat Tak-Tak said in shock.

“As you may know Holics are born from items that hold great spiritual energy,” Velvet Rope explains, “How much spiritual energy is put into weapons what forges themselves from a ponies very soul possess?”

“I am Ocarina the blade forged from your soul but set free by your enemy,” The stallion announced.

Rat Tak-Tak instantly makes a dash for the weapons rack. Ocarina pursued after her. In one swift motion Rat Tak-Tak unsheathes a sword and blocks Ocarina’s attack. The blade instantly shatters from the sound blast and the hilt flies out of Rat Tak-Tak’s mouth.

“Pathetic,” Rat Tak-Tak hears Ocarina says as the tip of the spear touches her forehoof. For Rat Tak-Tak time slowed down as she watches the lower half of her leg explode in a bloody mess. Time rushes back to her as she screams horrifically falling to the ground clutching her bleeding limb.

Shockingly Ocarina let loose a painful scream as well as the same forehoof disappeared in a mist of energy. The stallion had managed to stay standing upright as he gritted his teeth. A moment later Ocarina’s foot reappears like nothing had happened. He looks up at Velvet Rope.

“Killing her may prove fatal for me,” The stallion relates.

Velvet Rope turns to a pair of stallions in the room behind her. “Take that mare away and bandage up her hoof. We can’t afford to have her die on us.”

To the other side of Velvet Rope, Ambrosia and Dragmoon watched the sight below.

“That’s not good for me is it?” Dragmoon remarks looking at the bleeding mare below. “The one I’m connected to is long gone from here.” The stallion shutters, “The idea that she could die at any moment frightens me now.”

“While I want to see the mare I modeled after,” Ambrosia said cheerfully as she buzzed around Dragmoon.

“I’m not sure if that is a good idea,” Velvet Rope shook her head. “She’s on the rope about working with us to begin with. If she found out what we done that could push her to the wrong side.”

“Oh but she’s going to find out sooner or later, you can’t keep warriors like these secret forever dear,” Leo said as he walks into the room.

“You old stallion mind your own business and help me work with the abstraction device,” Velvet Rope snaps.

“All I want to see her now! And I’m going to see her now!” Ambrosia shouted as she stormed out of the room.

“Should I go after her?” Dragmoon asks.

“No,” Velvet Rope shakes her head, “What’s done is done, if that yellow mare is going to find out about this I’d rather have it now when we can easily contain her then later like when we may have to test you guys in the middle of a battle.”

“Whirly Pop…”

Whirly Pop had the same room that she had before she escaped. She hadn’t seen Generous Thread since that day at the docks. Rat Tak-Tak was staying in the room with her, but this morning guards came in and took the purple mare away.

Now suddenly the door opens and guards toss a very unwell looking Rat Tak-Tak on to the floor. Whirly Pop gasps at the sight of the mare’s bandaged and bloodied foot and rushes to her.

“What did you do to her you bastards!” The light colored mare shouts at the guards.

The guards turned and left locking the door behind them.

“Generous Thread…”

The rainbow maned mare found herself trapped in Inspiration’s case. Being a Holic with no need for food and water, they had kept her in there for days. Over the days she could see Leo working on the device on his table. The machine that he was making sent shivers down the pony’s spine.

Velvet Rope walks into the lab. Generous Thread tries to tap on the glass to get the mare’s attention but she was ignored. This caused her to collapse back in the case and start sobbing.

“How close are you two doing the separation process?” Velvet Rope asks Leo.

“I don’t think I can penetrate that creature to such a degree, but I’ve come up with the different plan.” Leo told her.

“So what is this new plan?” Velvet Rope answers.

“I believe that I can recreate the nullifying magic in a fabric form, I’ve heard that you are familiar with lay magic?” Leo wondered.

“Yes I am,” Velvet Rope told him.

“I can make more of that special glass that that case is made out of,” Leo points out, “If I melt it could you fuse the melted glass into a fabric or sheet?”

Velvet Rope could kind of see in the image in her mind of what Leo was talking about. “I could make something like chain mail reinforced with silk strands. Using my magic I can make the glass into ringed beads the size of grains of sand.”

“That sounds like something that should suffice,” Leo nods his head taking out his smelting tools.

“Honey Mead…”

The ponies sat out back after their meal. Some of them decided to play some backyard games. Specifically half the ponies were in an intensely competitive game of shoes.

“And that’s two points for me,” Brooki said proudly.

“I know you’re catching up to me,” Blaster wined mockingly, “Honey Mead you better catch up!”

“I will, I will,” Honey Mead said nonchalantly as she picks up the horseshoe in her muzzle. With a flick of her neck it flies past the poll and smacks the middle of the shed door behind it.

“Your aim is really bad,” Brooki teased.

Honey Mead blushed,

Oubliette was in another part of the yard with the two colts. Ponydash was hanging on to the brown pony’s back as she tries to buck him off.

“And time,” Gollum Due said as he looked at the stopwatch in his hoof.

Oubliette stopped, her whole body was sweating and she panted out of breath. Ponydash looked quite exhausted as well.

“Wow, I actually stayed on this time,” Ponydash smiles.

“Should I be a little disappointed that I couldn’t buck you off?” Oubliette sighs.

“We should go as a rodeo buck team for next year’s capital fair,” Ponydash remarks.

“Hey? What about me I don’t want to get stuck doing the single competition?” Gollum Due complained.

“Maybe you could ask Honey Mead to be on a team with you?” Ponydash suggest with a smile, “She looks like a big strong mare. Her bucker skills has got to be better than her shoe skills.”

“Maybe we should find out,” Oubliette remarks, “Hey? Honey Mead?”

Honey Mead turns around, “What is it?”

“How do you feel about joining us as a bucker?” Oubliette asks.

“I suppose so,” Honey Mead shrugs, “This game wasn’t going anywhere good for me anyway.”

“I’m riding her,” Gollum Due states as he climbs up on the mare’s back.

Honey Mead blushes as the young colt’s body presses against her back. She wasn’t use to the close body contact specially with the parts of the colt she could feel pressing against her. “I remember riding my father like this,” She said trying to break her tension.

“Ready, the first pony to buck the colt off her back or if the other decides to give up wins, the colt who doesn’t get knocked off wins,” Oubliette states the rules.

“Okay then,” Honey Mead says with a look of determination on her face.

“Go!” Oubliette shouted.

The two mares start to thrash about.

Palisade, Butterfree, Filly Nat and Pom Pom were all over by the foals playing in their pen.

“I do not know whether to make a comment about our mares or my boys being bucks,” Palisade giggles with Butterfree as they watched Honey Mead and Oubliette.

Inside the house Far Fetched helped Paris clean up the table and washed the dishes. As they cleaned up, a small figure sneaks into their home.

Far Fetched heard a loud thunk and trots off to investigate it. What she saw was a filly with blue glowing wings holding her head.

“Ow,” Ambrosia complains.

“Who are you?” The filly asked nervously.

“Far honey who are you talking to?” Paris asked as she walks into the room. She sees the filly on the floor and gasps. “Where did you come from?”

“My name is Ambrosia, I came from the castle,” Ambrosia said in her cheerful tone, “I’m looking for a pony named Honey Mead? I sense her around here.”

“Sense? Are you magic?” Paris said noting Ambrosia’s words.

“From my understanding all ponies has magic in them,” Ambrosia replied as if Paris’s question was childish.

“Let me rephrase, do you have magic powers? Like a cleric or unicorn?” Paris asks.

“I think she is some kind of Breezy,” Far Fetched notes.

“No, I don’t believe I resemble a Breezy at all,” Ambrosia looked at herself.

“Wait? You said you’re looking for Honey Mead?” Far Fetched looked over at Paris, “Isn’t she one of the mares that mommy brought over?”

Ambrosia jumps up and grabs Far Fetched by the shoulders. “Yes! Yes! Tell me where is she!”

“They are out back,” Far Fetched answered.

“Yepee!” Ambrosia screamed as she shot flames from her back and dashed away.

Ponydash hits the ground, the colt makes a grunt as he contacts.

“Are you okay?” Oubliette asked concerned.

“Yeah I’m fine,” Ponydash says rubbing his sore shoulder.

“That means I lose,” Honey Mead remarks.

“No, that means I win,” Gollum Due boasts petting his steed behind the ear.

Suddenly a small filly bursts through the back door and out into the yard. Being nearest to the appearance of Ambrosia, Palisade, Butterfree, Pom Pom and Filly Nat all let loose a scream. Honey Mead and Oubliette instantly goes to battle mode and grabs nearby yard tools to use as weapons.

Ambrosia smiles at the two mares holding up a rake and a hoe in their mouths. “You two want to spar with me?” She says with a gleeful look on her face as she magically summons her spear.

“All of Celestia’s mercy and love,” Honey Mead said in shock.

“What is it?” Oubliette asks.

“That’s a morphed Paladin Spear, not just any Paladin Spear that’s mine!” Honey Mead answered. Then a look of realization went on her face and the mare frantically shouts. “Get everyone out of here! That spear that the filly is holding is a chemical weapon!”

All the mares, fillies and colts except for Honey Mead, Oubliette and Ambrosia ran away.

“Oh, they won’t be able to watch us fight now,” Ambrosia said disappointingly.

“What do you want from me!” Honey Mead demanded.

Ambrosia giggles, “To see you silly.”

“I don’t want to fight you here,” Honey Mead tells the filly.

“Then why did you draw weapons?” Ambrosia got a confused look on her face.

“You appeared so quickly,” Honey Mead said as she put the rake down and gestured to Oubliette to do the same.

Ambrosia breaks out laughing, “Wait I scared you? Little old me?”

“Yes you did,” Oubliette nods her head.

“I suppose I should apologize then,” Ambrosia remarks making her spear disappear. “Sorry.”

“How did you get my weapon?” Honey Mead asks.

“I was born with it and it with me,” Ambrosia answers.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Honey Mead questioned.

“Let me see,” Ambrosia pauses for a moment to think, “I believe I’m what you would call a Holic?”

“What’s a Holic?” Oubliette asks.

“I’m not sure but I know I heard that word pop up somewhere before,” Honey Mead answered her. “The castle was the last place I had seen my weapon so that should be the place to look for answers.”

“The castle…”

As she walked down the hallway with her freshly made dandelion sandwich Luna could hear a voice shouting.

“I demand there be someone I can talk to about this!” She heard a mare’s voice.

Luna goes to check out what it is and she sees a yellow mare yelling at a bunch of guards with a brown mare behind her as Ambrosia spins around them.

“It is not a good idea for you to cause a riot,” Oubliette cautioned.

“I’m going to cause a damn riot if I want to!” Honey Mead shouted.

“Miss please calm down,” One of the guards warned in a nervous tone.

“Ambrosia!” Luna cheered to the flying fairy pony.

“Luna!” Ambrosia rushed over to the blue filly.

“So you two know each other?” Honey Mead notes.

“Yeah, she was created a few days ago,” Luna nods her head.

“Created?” Honey Mead then whispers to herself, “So it is true,” She speaks up again, “Who created her?”

Luna looked at the yellow mare for a moment. Then she recognized her as one of Claymari’s companions from back in Bones Town and one of the mares that helped with the triage

“I think mister Leo and miss Velvet Rope,” Luna answered.

“Let’s just say Lord Adipocere isn’t the only one who knows the secret to life,” Ocarina calls out from a balcony. He jumps down landing on all forehooves and swiftly gives a bow to the mares. “I am Ocarina.”

“And I am Dragmoon,” The large stallion in green armor appears by the upper doorway.

“You are another one of the honored who gave birth to one of our numbered which like to call themselves Persona,” Ocarina continued.

“Persona? That’s what you people are?” Honey Mead snaps.

“What we are are Holics, our group that we are made of is called Persona,” Ocarina corrects.

“So what now?” Honey Mead asks.

“You come walking in here with such arrogance, after how easily I defeated my twin I still have thirst for battle perhaps I should teach you a lesson,” Ocarina smiles.

“Don’t hurt her! With every injury she receives I become weaker,” Ambrosia warns.

“I know the risks,” Ocarina dismissed the flying nat of a pony.

“This time you should use their weapons and not ours to make the fight even,” Dragmoon passes a couple of normal spears down to the ponies below.

“This is insane,” Honey Mead spat.

“Pick up,” Ocarina demanded picking up his spear.

Honey Mead picks up the spear and makes a fighting stance.

“I’m telling my sister about this you bullies!” Luna shouted as she turns and runs down the hall.

Ocarina makes his swing, Honey Mead blocks. The stallion takes a step back and smiles.

“Good you have the fighting spirit let’s show me what you got!” He tells the mare.

Honey Mead does an attacking thrust. Ocarina dodges the attack and smacks her shaft with his spear. Seeing that he was attempting to hook her weapon, Honey Mead turns her body swinging her spear away from her opponent’s tip. Ocarina slips past the spear tip stepping out of Honey Mead’s attack range.

The mare charges forward making up the gap in space. But Ocarina had enough time to slip past her attack and make one of his own.

Honey Mead had seen the attack coming and dodged just enough for Ocarina’s spear tip to brush her pelt. With a flick of her neck Honey Mead quickly pulls her spear back grabbing it higher up the shaft and with a swing smacks the brunt end of the spear against Ocarina’s head.

A normal pony would have been stunned or knocked out by this attack. But Ocarina was a Holic and didn’t have such a weakness. He pulls his body back and with a twitch of his neck hits the hock of Honey Mead’s back leg. Pain jolts up Honey Mead’s leg and she swiftly jumps out of the range of Ocarina favoring her freshly impacted leg.

Honey Mead gives a cold glare at Ocarina. By now she realized that this wasn’t a battle of skill it was a battle of nutrition. Her energy will run out. But for her opponent she had no idea.

Oubliette moves in to interject the battle. In an instant the hard mass that is Dragmoon’s hits are knocking the mare off all four of her feet. Oubliette, her back hitting the pillared wall, the air was knocked out of her lungs. The mare managed to stay conscious enough to sway on her feet as her head made everything spin around her.

Ocarina’s and Honey Mead’s spears contacted each other with a loud ‘wack!’ That reverberated through the chamber. There was another ‘wack!’ as the spears clashed again. Suddenly Honey Mead’s strength falters and Ocarina found his attack moving forward.

The spear penetrates Honey Mead shoulder and she cries out in pain. Ambrosia gasps in horror. Ocarina withdraws his spear and glares at Honey Mead angrily.

“You let me injure you on purpose!” He snaps.

“Yes!” Honey Mead shouted, “How far are you willing to let this false of a battle drag on? I don’t think you want to kill me, and with a wound like this my fighting against you can only get worse from here. That won’t be fun, So what will you do?”

Ocarina grits his teeth, then he starts to thrust.

“Enough!” Celestia shouts lightning shooting between the two ponies.

The impact of lightning was strong enough to knock the two ponies back and stunned them. Even Ocarina with his nonorganic physiology, couldn’t not help but to be dazed by the lightning strike.

The lighting had blown a hold through the roof. Once past the shock everypony in the room bows to Celestia.

Celestia blushes at this, “No, Stop don’t bow.”

Everypony got up.

“What’s the meaning of this!” Celestia demanded.

“They took our shtick!” Honey Mead points accusingly at Ocarina, “And he’s an asshole who attacked me. Also I need medical attention.” The mare collapses to the floor grasping her bleeding wound.

“Somepony give that mare first aid!” Celestia commands.

“I will sister,” Luna rushed over to Honey Mead.

“I joined their side and this is how I’m treated,” Honey Mead shakes her head as Luna sealed her wound. She turns to the Alicorn filly. “Both of us should not trust these ponies.”

“What’s going on here!” Velvet Rope shouts as she steps out in the hall. “Leo and I were working on some sensitive equipment.” She looks at the hole in the ceiling then at the scorch mark on the floor. The mare turns to Celestia. “If Starswirl shows up six months from now yelling at you about how he had to hop all over the globe to fix the weather that you screwed up, don’t come crawling to me.”

“That mare below wish to have a formal complaint with you,” Celestia points out.

Velvet Rope looks down at Honey Mead. “Well?”

“I’m at a lost for words to describe how I feel,” Honey Mead shook her head.

“Very well,” Velvet Rope turns to walk away.

“I would like to have a word with you!” Celestia chaises after the silver coated pony.

“What is it?” Velvet Rope said indifferently.

“I’m not a fan of your methods,” Celestia points out, “It’s a very dark path.”

“The means justify the ends that’s all that matters,” Velvet Rope told her.

“What about compassion?” Celestia asks.

“The compassion can be given as needed,” Velvet Rope said coldly.

Velvet Rope enters into Leo’s laboratory. Celestia follows in behind her. She sees Generous Thread trapped in the case and gasps.

“What’s going on here? I thought she was your friend?” The Alicorn snaps at Velvet Rope.

“She has the blade Inspiration hidden within her, despite her refusing to give us the weapon I still consider her my friend,” Velvet Rope smiles at Celestia.

“And you have kept her in here this whole time?” Celestia examines the case, “That’s pretty cruel.”

“Not really, me and her aren’t living creatures like you,” Velvet Rope answers, “We can withstand almost infinite isolation.” Velvet Rope walks up to a glistening white sheet of fabric. “I believe I have the means to separate the blade from her. If you think treating her like this is so cruel than why don’t you help me?”

Celestia mulls over the idea for a moment. “Very well, I will help you in this endeavor.”

Velvet Rope smiles at Celestia and lifts up the fabric. She grabs a couple of polls and soon makes a makeshift tent out of it. Velvet Rope then motions to Celestia to go with her underneath the tent. At one end of the tent was the glass case with Generous Thread inside of it.

“Okay Celestia, I want you to put up a reinforcing magical barrier using this tent,” Velvet Rope instructs, “Meantime I will open up this case and cast the separation spell.”

“I understand,” Celestia says nodding her head before casting a glow in her horn. A feeling of strong magic could be felt inside the tent.

Velvet Rope opens up the case and Generous Thread tumbles out. “This may sting a little,” She tells her friend as her horn begins to have a silvery glow.

“No don’t!” Generous Thread shouts as the magic hits her.

Generous Thread was trapped in Velvet Rope’s magic aurora. She screams out disspleasingly as the blade Inspiration was pulled from her magical body. The magic aurora around Generous Thread suddenly let go of her causing the pony to tumble onto her back, but Velvet Rope still kept the energy around the sword.

Velvet rope concentrates her magic on to the sword Inspiration. The sword flashes and sparks shoot from it as the phantom outline of a pony shape forms around it. The phantom shape soon became solid her coat the color of polished steel her mane the color of orichalcum eyes that of gold.

Celestia drops her shield, “What did you do?” She said in shock.

The new mare spoke in a monotone robotic tone, “Greetings, I am Inspiration.”

“Explanation…”

The gray mare quickly put the pieces in her suitcase as something slams against the locked door. The last thing she grabs before jumping out the window is a half finished puppet of a six legged stallion.

On the other side of her door a soldier again slams his body against the sealed piece of wood. The frame cracks and breaks and he rushes inside to find an empty room. The stallion soldier then spots the open window and sticks his head out to see the flank of a mare running down the alleyway.

In the rafters above him, a puppet of a pony mare opens her mouth impossibly wide. A large white maggot like creature emerges from the mouth and plops onto the rump of the offending soldier. The creature almost immediately digs into the flesh borrowing underneath the skin.

The soldier screams out in pain and turns to look at his bleeding rump as a lump crawls underneath his skin and up his back. Another maggot thing drops onto his head. That too digs into his skin. A moment later it finds his eye socket and bites through his eyeball then goes into the brain.

A Song of Apples and Oranges Part 3: Those of Between Heaven and Earth

The bright flash of light wakes up Perfect Image. The blue Pegasus rolls out of bed as the Bushwoolies scatter from the room. Perfect Image looks up to see Winkz and Vanilla standing over her.

The blue mare quickly looks around the room, “Is it just you two?” She asks.

“Your lover isn’t with us.” Winkz told her.

Perfect Image sighs. “I wish Philia would at least write me?”

Vanilla gives a wicked smirk. “I’m not saying she doesn’t care about you, I think with all the traveling she does the pony has learned to focus on the moment.”

“You’re saying she only focuses on the now.” Perfect Image looks disappointed.

“I’ll remind her that you are looking forward to seeing her again,” Winkz gives Perfect Image a smile.

“There is no need for that,” Perfect Image blushed.

“Her mouth says no but her body says yes,” Vanilla smirks.

“What are the two of you here for?” Perfect Image asks.

“I’m trying to figure out how to give my sister’s body back to her without passing on my existence,” Vanilla answered.

“Vanilla? We found your orb but with it damaged we thought that you were dead?” Perfect Image said realizing who she was talking to.

The door suddenly flies open, “Are you okay madam!” The brown guard Bat Pony with a patch of mud for his cutie mark bursts open the door. He sees Vanilla and bows to her. “My lady I’ve had no idea that you have returned. You should of told us if you want to do business with the governor.”

Governor?” Vanilla raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Perfect Image.

“Apparently by the bylaws of your land, when you give me or your other self give me the Life Knife you gave me the authority to rule in your stead,” Perfect Image explains, “It was hard for me at first, but I’ve worked through the crisis Ferngully dropped in my lap.”

“Sorry about that,” Vanilla looked away shamefully.

“There is no need to apologize,” Perfect Image told her, “This place does not hold good memories for her, I don’t blame her for shedding this place like a snake sheds its skin.”

“Miss?” The guard pony spoke up questionly.

“You are dismissed Grimes,” Perfect Image waves her hoof.

“Very well,” Grimes leaves the room shutting the door behind him.

“We were hoping to look through some of my mother’s old books,” Vanilla stated.

“Well, when the castle was destroyed two of its three libraries were destroyed also,” Perfect Image replied, “But I was told some of those books were worth their weight in gold so we been taking great care in trying to find them as we dig through the rubble. Keep away rain clouds that can the stuff, We’ve almost cleaned up all of the mess and all the books and scrolls were placed in a pair of empty houses. You are free to go look through them but they are pretty disorganized at the moment.”

“Thank you,” Vanilla nodded her head.

“I’ll have Grimes and a few other ponies help you,” Vanilla tells them.

“The next day…”

The Pegasus fly into town. They were greeted by a small group of Bat Ponies.

“I am looking for the barer of the Life Knife,” A cloud pink colored Pegasus with a white main that had a brown streak going across both his head and tail. His cutie Mark was of a pussy willow curled in a spiral.

“Gentle Willow…”

“She is dead,” Grimes answers.

“Then I demand to see the blade,” The Pegasus told the Bat Pony.

“That is not up to me, that is up to the governor,” Grimes said.

“State your business here?” Perfect Image steps forward.

Gentle Willow had a look of shock on his face. “I thought this was an Earth Pony and Bat Pony village?”

“We are on the edge of the Wildlands the rules are different here,” Perfect Image explains.

“I see,” Gentle Willow nods his head.

“State what business you would have to bring you to come here and ask for the Life Knife?” Perfect Image asks.

“I am Dr. Gentle Willow, a bunch of our troops has been occupying Earth Pony villages,” Gentle Willow explains, “Before the invasion started our people started coming down with Lightning Flu. Normally this flu only affects Pegasus. But somehow we been passing it on to the other ponies with dire consequences.”

“And you think the Life Knife can help you?” Perfect Image points out.

“I’ve heard it cured an outbreak of blood asps, even brought back the dead,” Gentle Willow tells her.

Perfect Image gives a quick glance at Grimes. “The blade can do that but I’ve been told over using its power like that can have deadly consequences.”

“I suppose that means I shouldn’t use the Life Knife,” Perfect Image answered to the Pegasus.

Gentle Willow sighs, “Very well, I had been ordered to take in the knife by force if I thought I had to. But I believe your opinion of the knife’s usefulness in this occasion.”

“I thank you for your consideration,” Perfect Image nods her head.

“Ale and Beerstein did have one of the most extensive collections of medical texts around, they were doctors after all,” Grimes points out.

“Very well, Gentle Willow, her castle was recently destroyed,” Perfect Image tells the Pegasus, “We have a place we have been storing the books, their daughter and a friend of hers are there right now looking through the texts. I’m sure if you help them they will help you as best they can.”

“Thank you,” Gentle Willow bows his head.

The Pegasus swiftly headed to the books storage building. The Vanilla and Winkz were looking through books when the Pegasus walked into the cramped building. The two ponies readied themselves for what ever happened next.

“It’s okay!” Grimes jumped in and shouted, “They are here with Perfect Image’s permission.”

“Very well,” Vanilla loosens her stance, “I assume that you are looking for something?”

“Yes, some of the Earth Pony villages under Pegasus control has come down with a paramagical plague,” Gentle Willow answered.

Vanilla and Winkz exchange glances.

“That’s not an issue with you is it? That the villages are under our control?” Gentle Willow asks.

“No,” Vanilla said unsurely.

“What she means is that we are neutral parties, but we been doing some extensive traveling in the Earth Pony territories,” Winkz explains, “We have friends and allies who are not neutral parties.”

The Pegasus guarding Gentle Willow begins to make a fighting stance.

“But we are out here and this is neutral territory,” Winkz shrugged.

The Pegasus relax themselves.

“Then greetings I am Dr. Gentle Willow the two behind me are Three Ton and Steel Dew,” Gentle Willow introduced his companions.

Three Ton was the largest Pegasus that most ponies at ever seen. He was larger than Claymari who her herself was larger than most males. Eyes a turquoise green. He may have even been a little bit larger then King Mars. His coat was blue steel and his mane and tail bright blue. His cutie mark was of three elephants.

Steel Dew was a gray Pegasus with a gold mane. His eyes the color of brass. The stallions cutie mark was seven red hot molten droplets of melted metal.

“I am Vanilla and the crystal pony next to me is Winkz,” Vanilla extended her hoof.

Gentle Willow extended his hoof and they shook.

“I have an idea what books you might need for your research,” Vanilla tells him, “There also seems to be several published journals that my mother grouped together that still seemed to be relatively intact.” She smiled, “You got to love the Earth Pony printing presses.”

“Thank you very much,” Gentle Willow replied.

“I can point you to some of the ones that we have already been searched through that may be what you’re looking for. In exchange I’ll ask you to keep an eye open on anything that mentions soul transferring.”

“I will keep that in mind,” Gentle Willow motioned his Pegasus companions to start looking through the pile of books that Vanilla had pointed at.

“Evening…”

Gentle Willow came across an article that made his eyebrows raise. He turns to Vanilla excitingly.

“Miss, this is a firsthoof account of one of the patient zeros of the asp blood plague,” Gentle Willow says to her.

“Interesting, other than Ginger Ale and Beerstein were in the middle of the epidemic, I really didn’t know much about that incident,” Vanilla remarks, “Perhaps it won’t hurt to read it out loud as we search?”

Gentle Willow reads a little bit ahead. “According to this the disease was actually a magic curse. The Life Knife must have more powers been previously thought if it can break curses. Curses are normally unaffected by regular healing magic.”

“I’ll keep that information in mind,” Vanilla smiles.

“My name is Lt. Ginger Onyx,” Gentle Willow begins to read, “I was named so because of my onyx colored coat and my ginger colored mane. I was exploring the Wildlands as part of a military exposition. There are two other ponies that was under my command.

One was called Gas Hunter. He must’ve been some kind of mutant because his violet hair flowed and moved on its own. His coat was an even darker shade of purple than his mane. A series of lavender colored wisps was on his flank.

The other was a mare called Oyster. Like me she got her name from her coat a dull pearl gray in color. Her mane and tail was as black as ravens. Her cutie mark was of a golden clamshell.

The papers on the ponies under my command I was given to me before my mission. It said that Gas Hunter grew up as a tracker outside of some backwater village around Poison Swamp.

As for Oyster, she’s the daughter of one of the commanders on the Mass Counsel and like most of her kin is looking to make a name for herself through acts of adventurous heroism ,victories and battle. Usually the most likely case this mule is a dumb ass and would probably get herself killed soon.

Our mission was to confirm the location of the tomb of Medusa. She is said to be the mother of the Pegasus as well as Queen of the Serpents. As for what the hell serpents has to do with Pegasus I don’t know?”

“Well being called Queen of the Serpents and Mother of the Pegasus actually does make sense,” Vanilla notes interrupting Gentle Willow’s reading.

“Really how so?” Gentle Willow asked.

“Are you familiar with the theory of evolution?” Vanilla replied.

“It sounds familiar,” Gentle Willow said hesitantly.

“It basically states that if some outside force doesn’t interfere with a creature’s design, the creature will change over time to suit it’s environment better,” Vanilla answers, “This process of change is called evolution. Like how the Earth Pony changed to Dore after tunneling shafts underground. Or if you want to use a Pegasus example Swiftlets evolved after a bunch of Pegasus decided to live in large caves for shelter.”

“And what does this have to do with Pegasus and serpents?” Gentle Willow asked.

“There are papers that said that birds naturally evolved from creatures that are called dinosaurs,” Vanilla explains, “Dinosaurs are described as giant serpent like creatures.”

“Oh I see,” Gentle Willow nods his head, “Since Pegasus wings resemble birds that makes us serpent themed chimera.”

“At least from my understanding,” Vanilla tells him.

Gentle Willow coughs clearing his throat as he begins to read again. “Following the directions I was given, we soon came upon the village of bat winged Lamia Ponies called Lavender.”

“Lavender? That’s where Esther Song came from, come to think of it she’s been my mother’s employee since before I was born?” Vanilla notes. Suddenly a horrific memory of her body being ripped apart by dark power as she turned into the leviathan moon monster caused the bat pony to sway. “It was a serpent, she summoned a serpent?”

“Are you okay?” Gentle Willow asks.

“I died?” Vanilla gasped, “My memories?”

“You finally realize that you’re missing some?” Winkz said as she walked up behind a pile of books.

“Why didn’t you say anything!” Vanilla snaps.

“You were evil and mad,” Winkz shrugged, “Tell me you’re not better this way?”

“I don’t remember what I even died for?” Vanilla said shocked, “Was I ever even a pony?”

“If it makes you feel any better I suspect you’re probably a fake personality designed to keep Ferngully under control,” Winkz answered, “But at some point like always the character becomes real.”

Vanilla starts breathing heavily. “Keep reading,” She gasped at Gentle Willow. “I said keep reading!” The Bat Pony shouted.

“Gas Hunter instructed us on how we should introduce ourselves to the natives. They were nonhostile and quite friendly. They even showed us where to find the Temple of Medusa.

We all remember the story about the beautiful mare who worked for a goddess of war. Then one day one of her compatriots became lustful and raped her in the temple of the war goddess. She complained to the goddess about the vile act and was punished for having sex in the temple. The goddess turned her into a monster and the child that was forced upon her became the first Pegasus.

This story entered our heads as we entered the ancient structure known as a Stable. Its size was massive with what seemed to be statues of ponies randomly lying about.

As the three of us walked closer to the center of the Stable the more I thought about that story and the more I looked at Gas Hunter. There were thoughts that I soon realized wasn’t exactly my own. I found myself being mad at him, mad at him for being a stallion, like one of those stallions that raped Medusa.

“Don’t you hear it!” Oyster cried, “The singing of the siren pony?”

Oyster then makes a random turn. I yelled at her to come back to us is both Hunter and I followed her. We only lost sight of the pony for a moment but when we saw her again she was staring trancelike into a hole in the wall. When we got up to her to check on her the mare collapses at our feet.

“Come here my child,” said a voice. I asked Hunter if he heard it and he shook his head no. The voice repeated itself again and again but he did not hear it. The voice seemed to be coming from a hole in the wall.

I’ve bent my face down to the hole peering in through my eye. Looking in I saw a red glint that quickly disappeared as something lunged at me.

The next thing I knew I was on my rump with blood running down my cheek. Gas Hunter had sliced a purple snake in half. It’s upper half lay twitching and hissing on the ground. The pony had to crush its head with his hoof.

Without warning the buck sticks his lips over the wound on my cheek and begins to suck on the flesh. My blood flowed into his mouth and once his cheeks were full he spits the bloody mess on to the ground. For good measure sucks on my cheek again then spits it out again.

I looked at him in shock.

“That’s for the poison,” Gas Hunter explains pointing at the snake.

This was when I realized that the snake had bit me and he was sucking out the poison. We waited there for a few moments to see if the poison would have any effect on me. Nothing happened to me but gas Hunter soon became lightheaded in his body broke out in a sweat.

I decided to tell him to sit there and wait with Oyster as I returned to the entrance. After a minute of walking back the way we came I heard a loud scream of a mare. When I came rushing back the site made me gasp. Gas Hunter’s chest had burst open and dozens of blood covered snakes was slithering out of him. Oyster stood there over him freaking out in a panic.

I grabbed the distraught mare and we both ran out of the Stable. Outside the Stable we gave ourselves some time to relax. During which I found that there was a heavy pain in my chest. I didn’t think much of it as we returned to the village called Lavender. This time we were not so happily greeted by them.

After a heavy battle we escaped to the air. As I was flying I noticed a cut on one of my legs and something hanging out of it. It was the tail of a tiny snake. In a panic I pulled the thing out only to have another snake slide out of the wound with it.

We soon found a nearby village in the clouds. By then my entire body was in excruciating pain in the only thing that could relieve it was removing the snakes from inside of me. To my horror even pools of my blood was turning into snakes before my eyes.

Now I lay here dying, dictating my report to This Bat Pony doctor who is trying her best to save my life. When I became too sick to move Oyster went ahead of me. I’ve heard that she had been put into quarantine after others around me gotten sick. But oddly I’ve heard that she’s been fine and no pony really knows why?”

“Is that it?” Vanilla asks.

“It seems so,” Gentle Willow answers.

“I think I need to take a breath,” Vanilla says as she walks outside.

“Will she be okay?” Gentle Willow asked Winkz.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Winkz shook her head.

“The Bat Pony farms…”

Bat Pony farmers flew up and down the cliff side picking the flowers off of the ivy looking vines. Grimes flew around these ponies trying to spot the one that he was looking for.

She was a golden yellow Bat Pony with a pumpkin orange mane. Her cutie mark was the depiction of a silver medallion swinging back and forth

“Hypnotic Sleep…”

The mare greets Grimes with a smile and the two of them kiss.

“So is this your sweetheart?” Steel Dew smiles at the two ponies as he came flying up.

“She’s my wife,” Grimes introduced.

“Pleased to meet you,” Steel Dew did a bow.

“A pleasure,” Hypnotic Sleep blushed.

Steel Dew looks at the vines growing on the cliff face. “So what are these things?”

“These are the vines that we grow for food,” Hypnotic Sleep pulls a five leafed stem with long jagged leaves off the vine and presents it to Steel Dew.

The stallion takes the vine leaves and chews on it for a moment savoring the taste. “Tastes like rhubarb,” He notes.

“Just be careful it’s not good to eat too much of that plant raw it will make you sick,” Grimes noted, “Normally we boil them until the pot is thick with their juices.”

“Good to know,” Steel Dew nodded his head.

Hypnotic Sleep returns to the farm work that she was doing and starts to pick off yellow flower buds.

“Why are you doing that?” Steel Dew asks.

“Keeping the flowers on the plant makes the leaves grow small,” Hypnotic Sleep explains, “Removing the flowers allows them to produce larger leaves and therefore more food.”

“Mind if I help?” Steel Dew asks, “I’ll probably be eating some of that sooner or later since I’m staying here in this town anyway,” He smiles.

“Aren’t you supposed to be guarding Gentle Willow?” Grimes asked.

“Three Ton has guard duty I’m on break,” Steel Dew points out.

“I suppose it’s okay,” Hypnotic Sleep nods her head.

“Vanilla…”

Vanilla enters the bed chambers that was given to her for her stay. She was physically distressed and exhausted plopping herself onto the bed. Time rushed as she dozed off. She was awoken by a knock at her door. The Bat Pony gets up to answer it.

Perfect Image greeted her with a smile.

“What is it?” Vanilla growled.

The blue Pegasus’s smile turned into a frown. “Is something the matter?”

“Nothing you can fix dear,” Vanilla shook her head.

“I’m sorry,” Perfect Image replied. She then reaches into her saddlebag. “I brought you this.”

The Pegasus takes out a cracked crystal orb. Vanilla instinctively cupped who hooves out taking it in her forelimbs as Perfect Image past the glass object to her. Vanilla stood there staring at the thing.

“I figured you may want it,” Perfect Image points out.

“Thank you,” Vanilla said in an indifferent tone.

“You’re going to be okay right?” Perfect Image asked as she made half a turn.

“I’m fine,” Vanilla said as calmly as she could.

Perfect Image walks down the hall as Vanilla closes the door behind her. Vanilla lets loose a scream and chucks the glass object against the wall. It shatters at the impact.

Before Vanilla knew what was happening to her a shrieking demon of slashing sand springs from the broken orb and attacks her. The thing was somewhat shaped like a Bat Pony

Vanilla screams out as countless cuts were sliced into her body as the sands whipped around her. Then the creature released her from its vortex and she slumps to the ground her blood pooling on the floor.

The vortex of sand knocks Vanilla’s door off its hinges and rushed out down the hallway. Winkz hearing the commotion runs over and sees the broken door. The pony then enters Vanilla’s room to see the yellow Bat Pony laying unconscious on the ground. With her horn Winkz found who she was looking for and the two of them teleports away.

“The vine farm…”

Grimes hears the alarm go off.

“Hypnotic stay here,” The brown Pegasus orders.

“That’s an attack alarm right?” Steel Dew points out.

“It is,” Grimes says as he takes off towards the town.

“I’m coming with,” Steel Dew told him.

“Then you take the lead,” Grimes replied, “It could be you Pegasus that’s attacking us for all I know, so I’m not letting you get behind me.”

“Fair enough,” Steel Dew nods his head as he flies past Grimes.

The two flying ponies came across the sight of Three Ton being tossed into the side of a building. He impacted it so hard that he broke the wood paneling on the wall and caved it in a little bit. They soon noticed that one of his wings was bleeding.

Three Ton dodges the sand demon as it lashes at him to make another furious attack. The large Pegasus then quickly parries around and faces his supernatural opponent.

“Isn’t that your companion?” Grimes notes.

“It is,” Steel Dew replied.

“What is it he’s fighting?” Grimes points out.

“I’m going to find out,” Steel Dew said his body emitting a red orange aura.

“Is that? You have a speed magic ability!” Grimes stutters to say.

Suddenly Steel Dew takes off with an orange red streak shooting sparks behind him. When the Pegasus reached the spinning vertex he rears back in the air and kicks at it with one of his hindlegs. His metal hooves had become red hot and sparks shot from his horseshoes. To the eye, the speed of his kick made a red orange streak.

The vortex leaps back, the attack that just hit it was emitting heat and disrupted the air flow that was keeping it together momentarily. Steel Dew then comes down on the demon with his forehooves, them too glowing red hot and streaking red orange as they moved. The vortex demon dodges and shrieks at the gray Pegasus.

Steel Dew puts his hooves firmly on the ground. They sizzled and smoked as they touched the soil and the red glow faded from them. Grimes lands nearby as the vortex creature blends itself into the soil and dust of the road.

“You seem to have an effect on it,” Grimes points out.

“Unfortunately I don’t think I can really hurt it,” Steel Dew says as he cautiously looks around at every breeze of dust.

“I’ve inherited some Earth Pony magic from my mother,” Grimes told the Pegasus, “I have a second sense when it comes to soil and its makeup.”

“You know where the creature is?” Steel Dew asks.

“In general distance and area,” Grimes answers.

“Three Ton are you okay?” Steel Dew turns to his large companion.

“I don’t think I’m going to be able to fly for a while,” The Pegasus answered looking at the blood stains on his wing growing larger and darker.

A handful of Bat Pony guards show up. “What do you want us to do sir?” One of them asked Grimes.

“Stay up there for now,” Grimes orders. He then turns to Steel Dew, “You think that thing can fly?”

“It looked like it was taking the shape of a Bat Pony so I’ll assume yes,” Steel Dew answered, “If we could get away from the ground we would have the advantage.”

“Or away from this loose soil,” Grimes adds.

“Did you just get an idea?” Steel Dew asked.

“We should lead it toward the cliff side you know where they were farming the vines?” Grimes answered, “Best case scenario it leaves and becomes just another strange creature of the wild. Worst case it sticks around and we have to fight it.” The Bat Pony turns to his guards. “Gather up some of the ponies and make some firebombs out of the whiskey storage. With that combination we might be able to drive this thing in the direction we want.”

“Yes sir,” the Bat Ponies fly off.

“I think I’ll let you two handle that thing,” Three Ton tells them.

“That is fine, rest my friend,” Steel Dew replies to the large Pegasus.

“Dew watch out its coming your way,” Grimes shouted.

A cloud of dust shoots out at Steel Dew. At the last moment, Steel Dew takes off to the air as the dust cloud jumps up turning into the outline of a Bat Pony that was shrieking at him with this extended exaggerated jaw.

Having missed its target the vortex demon then turns at Grimes. But as soon as the creature turned the face the Bat Pony he was already swift enough to have taken up to the air.

“Vanilla awakes…”

The Bat Pony looked up to see Perfect Image standing over her, the Life Knife floated in midair above her.

“Can’t you do something about the scars?” Winkz asked.

“Scars?” Vanilla perked up. At this point she realized that she couldn’t feel her tail and one of her ears felt numb.

“I don’t think so, there seems to be some kind of force within her to stop a complete healing, it could be the antenna or because she was so close to death,” Perfect Image shook her head, “I’m afraid they also maybe biolocked like the scar around her head. No amount of magical healing can cure them.”

“Get me a mirror,” Vanilla said coldly.

“Vanilla you should wait a while,” Winkz starts to say.

Vanilla jumps up and pushes the Crystal Pony out of the way. She frantically looks through the rooms for a mirror. After entering the second room she found a full body one and the Bat Pony gasped at what she saw.

“Ferngully is going to kill me,” Vanilla said as she puts her hoof along the jagged scar that ran under her eye, down her cheek and across the neck.

Almost all the damage was kept to her right side. Tip of her ear had been lapped off in another scar went down across the side of her head near her antenna. A dozen random scars crisscrossed her torso, legs, and rump. Her right wing had three good holes in the flaps. The end of her tail had been lopped off, but remained covered or anal hole but left her marehood exposed.

Vanilla looked at her exposed rear lowering her ears. For some strange reason she was feeling extra drafty back there now.

“Sorry about your tail,” Perfect Image said as she drapes a sheet over the mare’s rear with the intention of covering her privates.

“It’s okay, it doesn’t bug me as much as I thought something like that would,” Vanilla replied.

“I never thought about living a life without a tail?” Perfect Image points out sadly.

“In the Crystal Kingdom there are a type of slave mare that have their tails removed to show them that they can’t reject the advances of stallions,” Winkz points out.

What Winkz said didn’t register to Vanilla, but caused Perfect Image to shutter at the thought.

A town guards pony came running up. “Madam Governor several of us has engaged a strange demonic creature made of slashing sand!”

“That’s the thing that did this to me,” Vanilla gritted her teeth.

“We’re driving it towards the cliffs with firebombs,” The guard pony stated.

Vanilla starts to head for the door letting the sheet slide off her body.

“Vanilla no!” Winkz shouted.

Vanilla turns back to the crystal mare, “This is my beast to bear!” She snaps.

“The streets of Hard Peak…”

The bottle crashes against the ground and the flame spreads across the dirt. The open fire causes the wind currents to become chaotic and repelled the vortex demon away. Another crashing bottle and it was forced in another direction. Soon the creature was forced to the edge of the cliff. There Grimes and Steel Dew was waiting for it.

“Come on you bastard fly or fall!” Steel Dew snaps.

The vortex was forced over the side of the cliff. The screeching ball of dust rode down the vine covered cliffside. Suddenly it’s form outstretched its wings and the thing took off to the air.

This was the moment Steel Dew was waiting for. He pops the cork off a whiskey bottle and dives for the shrieking sand monster his speed ability leaving a trail of red orange heat behind him.

Steel Dew spins around the creature pouring out the contents of the whiskey bottle over it. He then spins very very fast making a whirl of red as he heats up the air around the creature trapping it in the alcohol liquid and his own vortex. Suddenly the liquid ignites and the creature shrieks out in pain.

The flaming sand demon lashes out at Steel Dew. The Pegasus was knocked back, a long bleeding gash spurted blood from his side. Grimes had to diving in and catch him to make sure the pony didn’t fall to his death.

“That’s a plan that went down the drain,” Steel Dew said to Grimes as the Bat Pony supported him.

The flames covering the vortex creature soon went out leaving the thing steaming as it hovered there in the air.

“Monster!” Vanilla shouted.

The vortex creature formed its pony head and had looked up at Vanilla who was standing at the edge the cliff above it. There was a moment of emotion and understanding exchanged between the two. Without hesitation Vanilla outstretched her wings. One wing complete and one wing tattered she steps off the cliff.

The ripped wing made it difficult for Vanilla to move. But she managed to direct herself well enough to dive right at the vortex monster. Before they made contact her antenna glowed brightly white as she focused everything that she had into it. The blasts that she unleashes hits the creature.

The yellow Bat Pony looses consciousness as the vortex creature shrieks and begins to suck in more and more air. Dust from the air itself gathers to the thing making it into a more of a solid pony form.

Grimes put Steel Dew in some vines and the Pegasus wraps his legs around the plants. The Bat Pony now free, dives for Vanilla as the now solid creature of dust and soil flies away from them.

“The next day…”

Ferngully awakes her body sore and exhausted. Something didn’t feel right about her but she couldn’t put her hoof on it until she looked in the mirror. It was her reflection and the sight of it made her scream.

Grimes was the first one to come to the sound of the Bat Pony screaming. What he saw was her crying with thick tears running down her scarred cheek. Her foreleg had shattered the mirror cutting its flesh and causing blood to run down its cracked surface.

“I look like a monster now!” She wailed, “Truly a Franken Pony.”

“I’m sorry my lady,” Grimes did a bow to the Bat Pony.

“What the heck happened to me!” Ferngully shouted.

“You were attacked by a monster, the others it attacked recovered just fine with no complications, but for some reason your wounds are biolocked and they will never heal beyond those scars naturally or with magic,” Grimes explains.

Ferngully outstretched her injured wing and noticed strands of leather stitched through them.

“Your wings have been repaired to a state where you can almost use them like before,” Grimes points out, “I’ll go get your dress.” He turns to walk away.

“Why would I want to wear a dress!” Ferngully shouted, “Naked is the only way to wear scars!”

Grimes frowns and points at Ferngully’s rear. “He kind of sort of have to, unless you don’t have any issues exposing yourself to everybody.”

“Exposing myself?” Ferngully turns to look at her rear and yelps. “My tail is gone!” She screamed hiding her exposed hind quarters against the wall.

“So do you want the dress or not?” Grimes asked.

“Get the dress!” Ferngully shrieked.

“At the edge of the Peak Towns…”

Gentle Willow gathered supplies along with Steel Dew and Three Ton.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon,” Perfect Image remarks to the Pegasus.

“Luckily we found the right journal and notes so quickly,” Gentle Willow remarks, “Since Pegasus ponies already have an immunity to these diseases I can make anti serums by distilling Pegasus blood. But I’m going to need a lot of Pegasus to do it.”

Ferngully came walking up in a saddle dress. The end of the saddle dress had a cloth that hung over her rear. She braided the blue cloth to make a makeshift tail that covered her mare bits.

“I don’t remember you, but I was told that I should see you off,” Ferngully said to the Pegasus her voice lacking some of her normal emotion.

“You may not be the same pony but we are grateful for your help,” Steel Dew says to her. Ferngully turns away keeping her good side facing the Pegasus.

“You’re welcome,” The Bat Pony replied.

The Pegasus flies away, as soon as they were out of sight Ferngully rips the dress off her body throwing it to the ground. She stomps on it with her hooves as she screams and cries.

New Frontiers Part 1: The World of both the Future and the Past!!!

A stallion in and astronaut’s suit frantically runs through the over grown swamp. As he runs the stallion gets covered in mud and his suit rips. Sweat oozed over his brown coat wetting his black mane.

“Little did he know this morning… Captain Zero Endless astronaut would find himself in the world of the future and the past!!!”

“Yes… just this morning our good captain was sitting cosy in his seat of the new experimental equestrian space rocket...”

“From the control room… Applejack herself oversees the operation...”

“But little did she know… Zebra saboteurs wish to sabotage the monumental mission…”

Dark figures cuts wires on some panel connected to the rocket mission.

“Okay partner, final checks are over, you are okay to get these doggies rolling?” Applejack says to Zero Endless over the ships speakers.

“Yes, mad’am Ministry,” Zero puts his hoof on a big red button marked “launch”. “4… 3… 2… 1- “

“With his great and skilled training… Captain Zero Endless launches the rocket into the void of space...”

“It did not take long for the saboteurs sabotaging to go unnoticed...”

The middle part of the flying rocket explodes with flames.

“Control! Something’s wrong!” Zero shouts as a mysterious magical green smoke hazes the cockpits windshield.

“Hah ah,” An image of a Zebra appears on the pain of glass. He had slanted eyes and pointy fangs. He wore a green oriental hat and dress. “It is I the Zebra Emperor. I’m here to tell you that this is no accident!”

“This isn’t the end you cur,” Zero snaps, “The depraved Zebra cannot stand up against Equestria’s morals and values.”

“That maybe true, but you are not going to live long enough to see it!” The Emperor laughs.

The flaming part of the rocket explodes sending the life module spinning. The G-forces suck Zero to his seat making him unable to move as the Emperor laughs.

“Captain Zero Endless’s life support module is shot out into space... Normally this would be a death sentence if it wasn’t for the magical space energy that was passing by him that that very moment...”

“The wave of energy interacts with the rocket’s flaming magical engines... This makes a time vortex that sucks in Captain Zero Endless’s module…”

“The pull of the vortex… sends the life module back to the planet to an unknown location in an unknown when...”

“The space craft ignites when entering the atmosphere...”

“Captain Zero Endless pulls a lever causing flaps to open that slows his descent…”

“And the life module crashes… into a forested swamp…”

Zero checks his control panel. The readings said the outside was too hot and he would have to wait for his outer shell to cool down. The Zebra Emperor was still on the windshield dumfounded.

“So… your alive, I did not expect this outcome.” The Zebra Emperor remarks.

“Can it nightmare spawn,” Zero snaps.

“Your insults are meaningless,” The Zebra Emperor responds. “Now excuse me a moment as I consult my dark council of evil over what to do about you?”

Instrumental music starts playing as an image of a buffalo’s profile appeared on the windshield.

Once enough time passed the buck opens the hatch. The first thing he saw after his eyes adjusted to the light was a strange dragon bird creature flying over head.

“Captain Zero Endless steps out onto an alien land… But something is watching the space buck…”

A rustle of bushes draws Zero's attention. He turns to see a little white rabbit jump out.

“A bunny,” Zero smiles, “I know now not everything is strange and new in this world.” The buck walks up to the rabbit. “Aren’t you a little angel?”

An armored hoof comes down and smashes the helpless bunny. Zero looks up to see something pony shaped with the look of a Changeling but with more bulk. More of these things appeared around him.

“Captain Zero Endless runs for his life… into the dark forest…”

“Back in the life module… The Zebra Emperor gets an unpleasant surprise...”

The Zebra Emperor starts speaking as soon as he appeared on the windshield. “Okay, I have this medallion, we normally use it to corrupt young foals but maybe I can get you to shoot yourself in the head or something?” It took the Zebra a moment to realize he was talking to an empty cockpit. “Drat it.”

“The Evil Zebra Emperor covers his viewing orb with a blanket… He now realizes he’ll have to take drastic measures to silence the Equestrian Space Captain...”

“Call Azrael,” The Zebra Lord orders.

“With in moments… A black hooded figure walks into the chambers of the most vile and evil being known at this time...”

“The hooded figure is known to Ponies as Azrael… Who’s silver tongue caused a many Equestrian colony to go astray and side with the Zebra menace...”

“What can I do for you my liege,” Azrael gives his Emperor a bow.

“I’m sending you to a world that maybe lost to us by the sands of time.” The Emperor said coldly, “You need to assassinate an Equestrian rocket pilot so he can never come back.”

“What is his means of coming back to this world?” Azrael asks.

“He has none as of yet,” Emperor answers, “I can send you to this world using a transport spell and viewing orb. Once there you must take this potion to return home.”

Azrael raises an eyebrow as the Emperor passes him a vile with green liquid. The serf Zebra pretends to accidently drop the potion and smashed it with his hoof.

“Woops,” Azrael smirks, “I guess I’ll have to go ahead without it.”

“Your nation respects your sacrifice,” The Emperor puts his hoof on Azrael.

“Pleased,” Azrael deadpans looking at the hoof over his shoulder.

The Emperor tosses a potion on the floor consuming the Zebra in green smoke. The Emperor removes the sheet over the orb and the smoke sucks into it.

“The Great Liar Azrael emerged from the module... When he hit hoof on ground the Changeling like creatures surrounded him...”

“And now we find ourselves where we were at the beginning of the story… With Captain Zero Endless running for his life…”

The space buck then trips over a knotted tree root. Two of the Changeling like creatures was on top of him. The stallion screams and closes his eyes covering his head with his hooves.

A blade swings through the air. It slices the heads off the two attackers. Green blood spurts from the bodies as the heads roll across the ground.

Zero opens his eyes to see a large and muscular Earth mare towering over him with a long sword in her muzzle. Her face was attractive. Her body ridiculously hot. Undercarriage well defined with nice sized round mounds. Chain mail was draped over her chest and back but leaving her flank exposed.

The mare was fox colored. Her coat fox orange with white on her muzzle and under her tail. Her mane and tail fox red peppered with black. A long sword cutie mark was on her flanks.

A Unicorn mare stood behind the large Earth mare. She was good looking as well but not as good as the Earth Pony. Her coat a bubblegum lavender, hair lemonade. Her cutie mark was a heart.

“The Earth Pony Claymari stands heroically over the helpless Captain Zero Endless... Her squire ward Philia at stood at the Sword Mare’s side...”

“Think you,” Zero sobs.

“No need to thank me,” Claymari boasts, “I’m just doing my part against the Zebra menace.”

“Zebra?” Zero said in shock.

“To his shock… Captain Zero Endless inspects the insectiod head… to reveal it to be some kind of helmet...”

“The Space Buck opens the helmet and Zebra head rolls out…”

“Th-this thing is a Zebra?” Zero stutters, “Are they a new elite unit or something?”

“No this is normal,” Claymari said coldly.

“What is this armor?” Zero pokes the helmet.

“Changeling hide,” Philia answers, “The Zebra raise and kill them to make stealth armor.” The pink pony pauses, “Your clothing is strange, are you from a different land?”

“I suppose I am,” Zero says with a deep sigh.

“The evil Azrael… is escorted by the strange Zebras to a strange ritual chamber… At the center of the room... stands an ivory sarcophagus…”

“Impressive, you said this is the royal room?” Azrael remarks, “The corpse is a little weird I must admit.”

“We need to summon her,” A Zebra told him.

“Just then a procession of Zebra covered completely in white robes walk into the chamber...”

“Ancient spirits of evil,” The procession cheered, “Hear our howl, make our wish come true.”

“Suddenly the shrouded Zebra turns on one of their own… The green Zebra blood splatters everywhere as they stab it to death…”

The coffin slowly creeks opens pouring the room in a low mist. The ashen shriveled mummy of a Zebra shuffles out. One of the shrouded Zebra gives the mummy a goblet of green Zebra blood which she drinks deeply.

The flesh restores, Revealing a pale white body. The shadows casted on the ground stretch out for the white Zebra making black stripes along the floor. The head of the Zebra mare did not regain its flesh leaving it a bleach white skull.

“I live!” The Zebra mare shouts.

“Yes she does indeed live for she is… Zumbrella the eternal living... The despicable evil Emperoress of the Zebra...”

“My aren’t you new,” Zumbrella slinked across the hall looking Azrael up and down fluidly.

“Zumbrella right?” Azrael raised an eye brow. He gets a smile on his face. “Last I seen you just hatched from your egg.”

“Egg?” Zumbrella asks, “Do I know you?”

“I knew your father,” Azrael smirks.

“My father died two hundred years ago,” Zumbrella answers.

“I love what you did with the Empire over the last two hundred years,” Azrael remarks.

“Will you be as loyal to me as my father?” Zumbrella asks.

“You got to live for something,” Azrael smiles, "I live for the Empire."

“Mean while… Claymari and Philia and Captain Zero Endless sit around a campfire...”

“The Space Buck had just finished telling the two mares his story…”

“So you’re from another world and or time,” Philia remarks with a smile.

“As far as I can tell,” Zero shrugged, “What’s your story?”

“I’m a Zebra hunter,” Claymari answers, “Given that there is not many that can keep them in check business is booming.”

“How did you start?” Zero asks.

“Claymari, I think I’ll gather more fire wood,” Philia stands up and gives her adoptive mother a kiss on the cheek before walking off.

“She doesn’t want to relive the story,” Claymari sighs, “You see it starts when they break you.”

“It was the night of the full moon... Our Sword Mare in her younger days was sleeping in her bed... She lay next to her husband muzzle in his mane… taking his scent… A scent the she would never forget...”

“As they slept… the bed room door opens…”

Sensing the presence, Claymari jumps awake.

“Mommy, I’m scared,” The blue filly with the green and lavender muzzle says with wide eyes. “The Zebra come out on full moons.”

“Our Zebra warding talismans are on the door.” Claymari tells her daughter with a grown.

“Can I lay with you and daddy?” The filly asks.

“Okay, lay behind me as to not wake father,” Claymari tells her filly.

“A thud at the door awakens the mother mare for the second time that night… Before she could react to the door… The blood craving Zebra came through the window…”

“They killed her husband first…”

“She watched as the Zebra sink their fangs into her foal’s neck sucking the blood from her veins...”

“When they were done they snapped the fillies neck with a loud crack...”

“Claymari being a strong example of a mare… They toss her into a slave wagon…”

“As the slave wagons traveled… Claymari was bunked with a Unicorn mare... A Unicorn with child...”

“My name is Stroge,” The Unicorn tells Claymari who curls herself in the corner.

“Leave me alone,” Claymari snaps moping in her corner.

Storge frowns and curls herself in the other corner of the room.

“The next morning… the Zebra feeds their prisoners bowls of gruel...”

Storge licks out of her bowl. Claymari wasn’t touching hers.

“An hour later Storge becomes ill …”

The Unicorn empties the contents of her stomach out the side of the slave cage. Claymari perks up her head from her stupor as the red mare heaves.

“Can I have your bowl if you're not going to eat it?” Storge asks wiping the bile from her lips with her hoof.

“It made you sick once why would you want to eat more?” Claymari gives a weak smile.

“It’s not the food that’s making me sick,” Storge mutters under her breath.

“Why?” Claymari reacts over hearing. “If I was with child I would die before I let them take another foal the way they took mine.”

“I have hope,” Storge answers. She leaves a little of the slop in the bowl and nudges it to Claymari.

“How far along are you?” Claymari asks the Unicorn.

“I have a few months left,” Storge answers, “I must fight for my child’s life by living. I know I can escape before then. It is my duty to birth a new generation to fight the Zebra menace.”

Claymari wipes a tear from her eye, “You’re a fool.”

Storge replied with a shrug.

“From the shadows the Zebra noticed that Claymari had eaten...”

“The next day they put her to work on pulling the wagons...”

“After three weeks of working the wagons…”

“Escape came in the form of a magical crimson comet…”

A blood red streak shoots across the sky. It ends its trip by crashing into the ground near the wagon train.

The force of the blast caused the wagons to topple over. The Ponies in side are tossed like dolls.

The bars of Claymari and Storge’s cage snaps from the impact. In the tumble Claymari was toss from her mobile prison.

“Dazed… Claymari found herself drawn to the impact crater...”

“Claymari, come, you are my master,” The bodiless voice says in a whispering hiss.

“What was waiting for her… a red crystal orb of brilliance...”

“The Pony touched it causing… the orb to change its shape into something more suiting…”

“A blade whose purpose is to kill the Zebra menace...”

Claymari held the sword in her muzzle. The sword’s hilt was red with a red orb at the end. The blade curved back around fallowing the length of Claymari’s body. The end of the blade extend some inches past her rear.

With a thrust of her shoulder and tilt of her neck, Claymari splits a Zebra down the middle covering the blade with green blood.

“With that the sword that would later be dubbed… “Crimson Bond…” killed its first Zebra monster... It wouldn’t be the last of the day...”

More Zebra came down on Claymari. She charges for them. With the added speed and momentum, she swings slicing three.

A Zebra gets around to her unarmed side. She turns and bucks him with her back legs, then swings around cutting its neck with a sword swing.

The slave master Zebra mare catches Crimson Bond’s blade with her flail whip. Claymari being larger and stronger over powers the mare causing her to fall into the dirt.

Claymari escapes the crator. She makes for her slave cage cutting two more Zebra.

“Claymari! Help!” Storge cries.

Claymari finds Storge still in the toppled cage. She was laying in her own filth.

“My water broke!” Storge sobs.

“As the Unicorn went into labor… Claymari pulls her out of the Zebra slave wagon...”

“To escape the Zebra menace they went into the wild forest...”

“There with the luck of providence... The two mares found an abandon hole dug out by some long vacant beast hidden behind some vines...”

“To stop Storge from screaming out and giving away their position… Claymari holds her muzzle shut...”

“Unfortunately this act to save their lives… inadvertently kills the Unicorn mother...”

“So… Just as the young Philia’s life enters this world… Storge’s life leaves it…”

“From there Claymari makes the long journey to the Unicorn Kingdom...”

“There Philia was able to grow and learn to use her magic…”

“Well Claymari went on quests to fight the Zebra Empire...”

“When Philia got old enough… she made the choice to start journeying with her adoptive mother...”

“Thanks for not going into the gritty details,” Philia remarks to Claymari as she comes back with fire wood. Philia turns to Zero and blushed. “Things went south in the Unicorn Kingdom for us.”

“Just then… Captain Zero Endless gets the rumbles in his tummy...”

The two mares looked at Zero and the noises he was making. The space buck looks around. The ground had no grass and the trees had stringy willow like leaves.

“Most of the leaves and grasses around here aren’t edible to ponies due to the Zebra’s poisonous magics.” Philia tells the buck.

“Maybe,” Zero remarks thinking out loud.

“Captain Zero Endless Reaches into the pocket of his space suit and pulls out…”

“Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies… Yes… Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies the most delicious fruit pies ever to be made in Equestria...”

Zero pulls the wrapper off and starts eating the fruited treat.

“Is that Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies?” Claymari’s mouth was watering.

“You know of Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies? Zero asks.

“They are legendary,” Philia points out.

“Here have some,” Zero pulls more fruit pies out of his pocket. “My pocket is suppose to have an endless supply somehow. A Ministry of Arcane Science prototype.”

“Wow endless Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies you must be one lucky buck,” Philia's joke causes all three ponies to laugh in an oddly fake tone.

They hear a loud squawk. Over head one of the strange phoenix like dragons flies past. It spots the ponies and swoops down.

“A Dragenix! Get behind me!” Claymari orders.

The dragenix exhales fire at the ponies. Claymari blocks the fire breath with her magical sword making a void that protects her companions.

The dragon creature swoops low enough for Claymari to lunge at it with her blade. It contacts the dragenix. The creature’s skull cracks and it crashes into the ground.

“Is it dead,” Zero pokes at the unconscious creature with his hoof.

“It tastes like chicken,” Claymari smirks.

“I don’t think we had a creature like this in my time,” Zero points out.

“One of many creatures created by Zebra to make ponies miserable,” Philia answers.

“Zebra are really monsters,” Zero spats.

Claymari looks around at the flaming trees. “We should move away from these fires.”

“Err, mother I wanted to cook it,” Philia groans.

“We don’t have time dear,” Claymari replied.

“The party found their way to a fenced in settlement... The name of the settlement Point Pudding...”

“As they approached Point Pudding… an ancient machine grinds on...”

A robot rises from the dirt. This causes Claymari to draw her sword and take a battle stance.

“Present travel pass,” The machine orders.

“Travel pass?” Philia answers.

“New orders by Chancellor Puddinghead,” The machine tells them.

“Point Pudding as always been an open settlement,” Philia points out.

“Chancellor Puddinghead has never been a stable pony.” Claymari adds.

“But this outpost as always been open,” Philia mutters.

“One last time present travel pass,” The machine orders.

“I am Claymari, The Sword Mare,” Claymari announces.

“In valid,” The machine charges its gatling guns.

Claymari leaps in the air to swing her sword when the robot sparks and falls over. Throwing knives stuck out the mechanical device’s back.

A brown buck with spiky ice blue hair that stands up into the air walks up to the disabled robot. His glasses hide his eyes with a shine.

“Sorry about that M’lady,” The Earth buck tells Claymari.

“This is Sir Buckerland Knives… Captain in Chancellor Puddinghead’s army…”

“Sorry, Puddinghead is on one of his weird tirades,” Knives tells Claymari, “Smart Cookie, she’s trying to fix this. But for now the Kingdom is in chaos.”

“What else is new,” Claymari shrugs.

“You may enter Point Pudding,” Knives allows the party to enter into the settlement.

“Mean while… the liar master Azrael on leather bat wings enters Pudding Point...”

“Two ponies appeared to be waiting for him... But in reality they weren’t really ponies...”

“To Azrael they revealed their true forms as… Zebra with Changeling horns fused to their skulls...”

After landing Azrael fold his bat wings back into his black cloak.

“We received the message from Zumbrella,” A horned Zebra answers, “Rumors say that Sword Mare has a buck matching your description traveling with her.”

“Sword Mare that’s a strange name,” Azrael remarks.

“Sword Mare is just what we call her,” The Zebra replied, “Her name is really Claymari. She’s been openly rebelling against the Zebra Empire.”

“Then she won’t live long,” Azrael answers.

The Zebra with the Changeling horns turn back into ponies.

“Azrael pulls out the Mask of the Sphinx... A magical artifact he has used many times to take the form of ponies and spread his lies...”

“The Zebra buck places the mask on his face...”

“At this moment… Sword Mare and her companions walks the streets of Point Pudding...”

“To Captain Zero Endless’s shock… there were some strange animal like races of ponies everywhere around him...”

“What’s going on around here,” Zero asks his companions, “I never seen Bunny and Cat Ponies before? Is that one part lizard? Where did these people come from?”

“The Zebra is contaminating the Pony gene pool,” Philia answers, “Anypony who doesn’t belong to the standard races we call ghouls.”

“Ghouls, I see,” Zero says digesting the information.

“Claymari takes the party to the Yogurt Inn...”

“A war is coming!” A Earth Pony preached from a literal soap box. “You don’t have to get caught up in the upcoming war of races. Surely some of you may love, a Unicorn or a Pegasus, You may even love a Zebra. Are you afraid to admit your love because of the hate in this world. Come to Bones Town a community founded on love and equality. Straight, interraced, queer? All are welcome to Bones Town.”

“Just then a slave wagon rides by… it was controlled by two Earth Ponies…”

“Inside the cage was one pony… a Crystal Pony...”

Zero stood there in shock at the sight of the enslaved maroon pony with a sad look on her face. He was about to say something when Philia stops him.

“Don’t interfere,” She tells the space buck. “At least not right now.”

“Now?” Zero glares at the bubblegum Unicorn.

“I’m not a fan of slavers, But this outpost has a legal slave market,” Claymari replied, “If we see them on the road nothing stops me from ending their lives.”

“You see, you see!” The soap box pony got off his soap box and charges the slave wagon. “Attack the race baiters!” With a buck the pony cracks the wagon wheel.

The pony was quickly jumped by the wagon runners. Then the fellow followers of the pony charges into the fight shouting “Death to the race baiters! Death to the slave makers!” They break the wagon even more.

“We should go inside,” Claymari tells Zero.

“Inside was some of Point Pudding's most unsavory characters...”

“I would like to say the night,” Claymari tells the pink and purple Cat Pony filly with the blond mane at the counter.

“Fifthteen bits perrr room,” Petty Kitty answers.

“Can we all stay in the same room?” Claymari asks.

“Twenty five bits.” Petty Kitty replies.

“I was hoping it would still be fifthteen,” Claymari remarks looking through her money bag. "Should have checked those Zebra for Zebra gold when I had the chance." She mutters.

Zero gets an idea. “Do you take trade?” He asks.

“Depends on the trade,” Petty Kitty answers.

Zero places a pair of Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies on the counter. Petty Kitty gets wide eyed.

“Wow, Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies! That’s like worth three of our rooms!” Petty Kitty cheers.

“Then how about another,” Zero places another fruit pie on the counter.

“I’ll open a tab,” Petty Kitty takes the sugary treats in her cat paws.

“Zero, Well I appreciate what you are trying to do, please don’t flash around Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies around like that,” Philia whispers.

“Thanks,” Zero replied, “Perhaps, We should find someone to trade Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies for cash? They are grantee to last two hundred years.”

“Would you like a drink sir?” Petty Kitty speaks up.

“Um sure?” Zero answers.

The Cat Pony slides a foaming mug over to Zero.

“How about you two?” Petty Kitty asks the other two mares.

“Nothing too strong for me,” Philia answers, “Honey Mead.”

“Yes?” A yellow mare with a gold main answers.

“I’m talking about the drink,” Philia replies to the strange mare.

“Okay, Sorry that happens once in a while,” The yellow mare goes back to her fun and drinks.

“Your best wine and strongest whores,” Claymari announces hitting her hoof on the counter.

“Mother!” Philia shouts using the “M” word as an attempt to shame the Earth Pony.

“What, I got my own room and my gutters need cleaning,” Claymari smirks, “Why not take advantage of it.”

“Ah, Claymari you’re unbelievable,” Philia grits her teeth.

“Thy lady needs her hind shaken too,” Claymari smirks at her adoptive daughter.

“Forget it all you Earth Ponies are the same,” Philia storms off.

“At that moment… Sir Knives enters the Inn for some drinks …”

Knives walks up and kisses Honey Mead on the lips. Zero came up to the couple with a drink in his hoof.

“Sir, may I have permission to talk?” Zero asks trying to mingle.

“Sir?” Knives says in a surprised tone. Then he shifts to a normal tone. “Yes, you may speak, You are Sword Mare’s new traveling companion.”

“Oh and he’s rich too,” Honey Mead smirks, “He paid the counter kitty in three Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies.”

“Really,” Knives replied in a way that made Zero wish he didn’t use Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies.

“I’m out of the loop,” Zero tells Knives.

“You don’t look like a booney pony,” Knives notes, “You are a little far out here to be out of the main goings on.”

(Dang, he’s suspicious of me, can’t back off now it would make me look worse,) Zero snaps in his head. He speaks out loud. “Could you tell me what that commotion out front was about?”

“It’s about a lot of things could you be more specific?” Knives asks.

“The Bones Town ponies?” Zero answers in a questioning tone.

“Oh they are called the Church of Bones, a group that’s gaining momentum in the Equestrian Wildland colonies,” Knives replies, “They are a fringe Harmonist group part of the Unitist movement. Some are willing to attack those who they call xenophobic or supports xenophobia. Now, I don’t mind the Harmonist movement. The Divisionist thinking of the big three makes things stressful sometimes. I’m one of thinking that all races of pony should unite to fight the Zebra. Not what Unitists want, to make peace with them to join our flock.”

“I for one hate Unitist and Harmonist,” A blue Earth Pony with an eye patch and missing teeth spits at Zero’s hoof. “Unicorn lover.”

There was a loud sound of a point of a knife sticking into a wooden table. Petty Kitty’s paw lets go of the hilt.

“Do we have an issue here sir? The little Cat Pony smirks.

The old Earther grits his teeth and walks to the other side of the bar.

“Thanks,” Zero told the Cat filly.

“I don’t want anyone chasing away my valued customer,” Petty Kitty purred. Stroking the space buck with her tail.

The Cat Pony returns to her duties.

“I think she likes you,” Honey Mead points out.

“She’s a little young,” Zero remarks.

“Oh no, she’s a Miniature not a Pony, she’s full grown,” Honey Mead adds.

With this revelation Zero finds himself taking a second look at the small pony’s butt. She winks back at him.

“The Pony back there is your typical example of an out spoken Divisionist,” Knives breaks Zero from his thoughts. “Between you and me, there are rumors many Divisionist are really Zebra in disguise. They tell lies to Chancellor Puddinghead, Princess Platinum and Commander Hurricane to keep us fighting. I know for a fact that Smart Cookie sees past those lies. Once she becomes Chancellor will be put on the right track.”

“I see,” Zero nods his head.

“For the moment I’m enjoying the arbitrary piece,” Knives sighs, “By that I mean Earth Ponies and Unicorns can be in the same room together. The Pegasus are the only issue for the moment.”

“Pegasus?” Zero starts sweating.

“Is my new friend talking your ear off Knives?” Philia walks up flushed faced. She gets a little too touchy with the dark mane stallion for his own comfort.

“She likes her liquor sweet but she’s a lush about it,” Honey Mead smirks.

“I’ll take her to the head to sober up,” Zero blushes.

“I don’t need sobering,” Philia snaps.

“I want to flush out some general questions in privet,” Zero whispers.

Philia fake swoons, “Oh, Zero I suppose your right,”

The stallion leads the bubblegum Unicorn away.

“Don’t make Petty Kitty jealous,” Honey Mead waves bye.

“Thanks,” Zero says in Philia’s ear. “I think Knives was starting to suspect something. If I’m identified as out of place I’m sure I’ll be arrested.”

They bumped into Claymari on her way up the stairs with three very good looking bucks. Philia shoots the orange pony a glare.”

“Isn’t that a little excessive Claymari?” The Unicorn snaps.

Claymari looks back at the three bucks. “Not for the number of orgasms I’m planning on having.”

Philia bites her lip as Sword Mare and her soon to be conquests walk up stairs.

Once in the rest room Philia sits down on the toilet, Zero stood across from her.

“What do you want to know?” Philia asks

“First and most importantly each race has their own nation?” Zero points out.

“Thats not the case where you are from?” Philia answers.

“No its not,” Zero replies.

“I see,” Philia understands, "First of all, we are in the Earth Pony territory on the edge of the Wildlands of Equestria. Equestria itself has some settlements but they are mostly inhabited by ghouls.”

“Ghouls like Petty Kitty?” Zero asks.

“Yes,” Philia nods her head. “One town may have Lizard Ponies, another Spider, I’ve seen one of Lamia Ponies. Equestria and its harsh wooded wilds is said to have many magical treasures so many ponies wish to explore it.”

“I see, what of the main four races?” Zero points out.

“They each have their own nations,” Philia answers, “Earth Ponies live in the nation of Earth that are past the Appaloosan Mountains. The Zebra nations are next to them past the landbridge. Unicorns have the Old Caledonian lands and Pegasus the sky above. Next to the Zebra the Pegasus are the most hated race.”

“Why is that?” Zero asks.

“They are a proud head strong people,” Philia told the space buck, “They were the first line of defence against the Zebra menace. Because of this they sacrificed the most. From them the Divisionist movement started and spread to all the races. Then the Zebra Mist Bombs fell over Equestria. It mutated the land and its people. The pure bloods retreated from the once great nation. For the next one hundred years hate and ethnic cleansing solidified the race nations. For the last hundred years they had been at a standoff.” Philia sighs, “The Pegasus living up in the clouds don’t technically have to interact with any of us. I mean other then food of course. Because of this the Pegasus has taken to slave labor when it comes to activities on the ground.

“That Crystal Pony in the slave wagon,” Zero realized, “They also do raids on towns. Because of this a lot of ponies would attack a Pegasus on sight.”

“I see,” Zero was sweating even more now, “Philia, there’s something you should know.”

“Meanwhile… Claymari sweat drenched lay next to one of her quite sore and exhausted male escorts...”

“I don’t know do you think I’m out of line if I want to fornicate with a strange buck or three?” Claymari vents, "Not that you guys are strangers. I'm sure I laid with one of you before when I was in this town last time. And you are licensed."

“You’re a healthy young mare,” Another stallions starts rubbing her back.

“Oh flattery will get you everywhere,” Sword Mare rolls around kissing him on the lips. Then she puts her weight on him and they topple over hitting the floor with a thud. Still on top of the stallion Claymari kisses him some more.

The warrior mare sighs, “It’s just I feel like we are growing apart. I know it was the right thing to leave her at that Unicorn abby to finish out her childhood. But after word she just- just became such a Unicorn! You know what I mean.”

“Yes I do,” The stallion under her hummed.

“Ouch,” Claymari reached for her back.

“Em I hurting you?” The stallion asks.

“Sword Mare has been stabbed with bigger things then this,” Claymari jokes, “I just still got a kink in my back.”

“Okay get off, we can finish later,” The prostitute orders, “I simply must crack out those kinks first.”

“I am at your mercy,” Claymari says as she lays back on the bed.

The prostitute stallion puts his hooves at the end of her neck and pushed down cracking that part of her spine. He fallows his hooves down her spine in this way. When he finished at the base of the tail there was a moment’s pause. Claymari squeals and laughs as she was suddenly penetrated.

“Now that your back’s loosened up time to do my spei-“ The stallion tries to put his hooves over Claymari’s hooves but couldn’t quite reach. This of course messed up his little act.

“Special what?” Claymari smirked wagging her eyebrows.

“Special spinal stretching exorcize,” The stallion chirped.

The door opens… one of Claymari's escorts enters the room…”

“Ah, he must be back with the drinks,” Claymari smirks.

Suddenly the tray drops. An ankle blade suddenly stabs into the side of the buck on Claymari’s back. Then withing a heartbeat, it penetrates Claymari herself in the side.

Sword Mare roars as she bucks the bleeding prostitute off of her. With a second buck she kicks her attacker with the full force of her hind legs. The hansom stallion went flying across the room. The impact makes him cough up green blood and knock off the Sphinx’s mask from Azrael’s face.

The Zebra puts the mask back on as he runs out of the room. Claymari grabs Crimson Bond and chases after him. As she ran down stairs, the mare got light headed tipping over and smearing blood against the wall.

“Claymari!” Knives shout running up to the bleeding mare. “What happened?”

“Zebra assassin!” Claymari groans.

“What the…” Another Knives came wondering out of the crowd.

The first Knives was stunned for a moment. Suddenly bat wings shoot out from the second Knives. A wing nicks the first Knives’s throat. As the other wing went for Claymari. She blocks it with Crimson Bond.

Azrael dashes back into the crowd. Honey Mead runs up and puts a cloth to Knives’s neck. At the same time Zero and Philia came running out from the rest room.

“Claymari,” Philia gasped crying.

“I’m going to kill that bastard!” Claymari shouts.

“Mother please your hemorrhaging out!” Philia screams reaching for the orange mare.

“Philia leave me alone!” Claymari knocks the Bubblegum Unicorn back and charges out the door.

She spots the hooded Zebra in the middle of the road.

“You!” Claymari shouts, “You know what happens when a prostitute dies on you! You get black listed. Now how the hell am I going to get a good male whore in this town!”

Claymari charges at the Zebra. Azrael blocks her strike with both his wings. The wings hold Crimson Bond in place. They start to creak a little.

“Azrael… Azrael… You’re my true master,” A voice came from the sword.

Both horses become wide eyed at this. Suddenly Azrael’s wings break. With a quick flick of her neck, Claymari decapitates the Zebra.

“Claymari wonders back to the Yogurt Inn… Out of the corner of her eye she stares at her blade heartbroken and betrayed...”

Philia runs up and puts a cloth on Claymari’s bleeding side.

“Claymari! What’s the matter, Claymari!” Philia cries.

“N-nothing,” Claymari answers unnerved.

“Was that Azrael?” Zero points out.

“Yeah, I killed him,” Claymari sighs, “Cut off his bloody head.”

“Oh, What about steps two through ten?” Zero asks.

“Celestia!” Claymari snaps.

“They turn to see the liar Azrael’s body had mysteriously disappeared…”

“After the commotion settle down… Captain Zero Endless goes to his room…”

“There he disrobes from his space suit to reveal…”

“He has Pegasus wings!!!”

“But from the shadows of a cracked door…Eyes watched him…”

The door swings open causing Zero to turn around.

“P-p- Pegasus!!!” Petty Kitty screams, “Help! Help!” The Cat Pony had tears in her eyes.

“Back in our world and time… Applejack stares down at a photo of Captain Zero Endless who she believes is dead…”

“When a visitor knocks on her open door…”

“Applejack looks up… she sees the smiling face of her sister Apple Bloom current owner of Apple Family Co…”

“AJ, you know that buck that died in that rocket explosion,” Apple Bloom speaks up.

“Yes,” Applejack replied, “What about it.”

“Granny Smith’s Fruit Pies has been disappearing from that special stash you set up,” Apple Bloom answers.

A smile cracks the side of Applejacks lip.

Claymari Captured Part 1: Confusion

Author's Note

I published some Sword Mare side stories between this and the last chapter, suggest reading to add conext to events and possible future storylines.

Sword Mare Origins #1: Zero Endless

Sword Mare Origins#2: Claymari

Claymari Captured Part 1: Confusion

Zero Endless climbs across his bed and snuggles with the small Cat Pony next to him.

“Tell me a story about the war?” Petty Kitty asked.

The happy look on Zero's face left him. “Why would you want to hear that?”

“You come from a time of lazars and pipbucks,” Petty Kitty answered.

“Well, lazars and pipbucks really weren’t that prominent in my time,” Zero blushed, “To us gunpowder is new,” Zero shakes his head. “But why would you want to hear about death?”

“Don’t you like telling war stories?” Petty Kitty asked, “When I was a barmare, warriors would tell stories of their battles.”

“In my time war was fought by foals,” Zero explained.

Petty Kitty gasped.

“Not literal foals, But young colts and mares too innocent to send off to war,” Zero sighed, “Befor the war, we lived in a era of sunshine and rainbows.”

“I get your point,” Petty Kitty nods her head.

To reassure her that everything was alright Zero kisses the Cat Pony on the cheak. “I’d admit there was some times with my mother that was fun.”

A loud wail disrupts the lovers.

“That sounds female,” Zero points out.

“That sounds like Philia,” Petty Kitty noted.

“Is that like a mare thing?” Zero remarks, “You can tell each other by your wails?”

Petty Kitty raised a your being stupid dear eyebrow before getting up out of bed and walking over to the door. Philia was standing outside the door with a letter being held in her magic. She was sobbing.

“What’s the matter?” Petty Kitty asked as she and Zero walked out into the hall.

“Claymari has been kidnapped by a Gryphus,” Philia answered.

Zero snickers a little, “Wait? What?”

“This isn’t funny,” Philia snaps.

“I’m sorry, I’m just having a hard time imagining Claymari as kidnapped,” Zero answered trying to stop himself from snickering.

“Ahhh!” Philia shriek as she rears up and strikes Zero with her forehoof. She strikes him again and again slamming the Pegasus into the wall. Then suddenly she straightened her neck and rams him.

“Yahout!” Zero howled as her Unicorn horn went into his shoulder.

Philia pulls her horn out, she sees the blood and feels wet in her mane. The Unicorn touches her head with her hoof and looks at it. She sees that it was covered in blood.

Petty Kitty dashes between Zero and Philia, She was baring her cat fangs and her hair was raising straight up.

Philia stares at Zero in horror as blood runs down his body. She gasps and starts crying, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She said in a panic. Then turned and ran away.

Petty Kitty sighs in relief. “That Unicorn as too much Earth Pony in her.” She then puts a cloth over Zero’s wound. “You don’t go pissing off Unicorns. Poor thing, most Unicorns don’t like to use their horns as weapons. It just feels wrong to them.”

Zero winced in pain, “Yeah, I see your point.” He groans.

“We should get you to the infirmary,” Petty Kitty tells Zero.

Zero nods his head in agreement.

Philia runs outside and stopped at the fountain in the courtyard. She looks at her reflection in the water. She sees herself with the blood running down her face. This caused Philia to shake her head violently from discussed. Once she calmed down, Philia dunks her head into the fountain and shakes out her mane with her hooves. Philia pulls her head out of the water and shakes her head off. After she was done, Philia found herself shaking from shock. She needed to go and get out of there, someplace to clear her mind.

“At the infirmary…”

“That wound of yours looks really bad,” a blue mare with a purple mane wearing a doctor’s uniform remarks. She was an Earth Pony, but had eyes and ears that resembles a Bat Pony.

“Zumba…”

“Will he be okay?” Petty Kitty asked Zumba concerned.

“Well luckily it only looks bad,” Zumba remarks as she wraps up the wound. She looks at Zero’s patched up wing, “That has to be ready to be off by now.”

“That would be nice,” Zero smiles.

Zumba unhooked Zero’s wing brace. The Pegasus stretched out his wings, then winced in pain for moment.

“Zero!” Petty Kitty shouted.

“I’m fine just a little sore,” Zero told the Cat Pony. He turns to Zumba, “Can I fly now? Even with the shoulder injury?”

“Well, I’m no expert,” Zumba remarks, “but I have treated injured Pegasus brought in from the battlefield. In the end I suppose that you would know better than I if you’re ready to fly.”

Zero nods his head, then he looks toward the open window.

“What are you thinking?” Petty Kitty asked with a nervous look on her face.

Zero takes a few steps forward, and sticks his head out the window looking down. He was three or four stories up. Then the Pegasus leaps out the window his wings stretched out. He dropped off at first, then glided straight up into the air.

Petty Kitty rushed toward the window. She watched the brown Pegasus sore around. Zero noticed Petty Kitty and flew down to her.

“It feels good to fly again,” Zero remarks to Petty Kitty holding up his injured arm tenderly.

Petty Kitty smiles at Zero. “As long as you be careful.”

Zero looks up at a bunch of clouds floating by. “Do you mind if I explore and do some Pegasus stuff?”

“Sure, I suppose in the meantime I can take Winkz and look for Philia to tell her that you will be fine,” Petty Kitty suggests.

Zero nods his head. “Yeah, we are going to have to talk later.”

“Philia finds herself wondering the main plaza of the Earth City Capital...”

Philia thought a good walk would help calm her down. But the assault she committed with her horn, made the Unicorn a little squeamish of equine contact. Someone would bump her and she’ll flinch away. Her obvious distressed look and being a Unicorn caused many in the crowd to give her glances.

“Oh sweetie you look horrible,” Generous Thread walked up to Philia.

The Unicorn could sense the Earth Pony’s abnormal magical presence and it felt soothing to her and calmed her mind.

“What happen to you?” Generous Thread asked Philia as she led her away.

Philia spoke in a flat tone. “My mother was kidnapped and I stab someone with my horn.”

“That sounds horrible,” Generous Thread responded, “How about I get you off the streets dear.”

“Meanwhile... Mare herd house...”

As she sat on her hunches reading a paper, Butterfree hears a knock on the door. She attempts to roll over but couldn’t.

“Cat! Please get the door for me!” Butterfree calls out.

Catfish the green Cat Pony walked over to the door and opens it.

“We don’t know anyone else,” Winkz replied as soon as she seen Catfish. Petty Kitty was standing behind her.

“Well, there’s Knives but he lives outside the city,” Petty Kitty add before pausing to look at Catfish.

“Oh, yeah the two of you are Cat Ponies, do you know each other?” Winkz asked.

“No, I live with other Miniature Cat Ponies,” Petty Kitty answered.

“I’m actually an insect hybrid,” Catfish points out, “Gives me a bunch of weird freaky abilities.”

“What’s the matter?” Butterfree asked as she walks over.

“Our friend Philia had a breakdown and took off,” Winkz explained, “We know that she’s going to get into trouble wondering around by herself and we need help finding her.

“I can see how a Unicorn wondering around by herself can be an issue,” Catfish nods her head.

“Can I feel?” Petty Kitty asks Butterfree.

“Sure,” Butterfree answers.

Petty Kitty put her paw on Butterfree’s belly.

“How far along are you?” Butterfree asks Petty Kitty.

“What do you mean?” Petty Kitty asked.

“You don’t know yet?” Butterfree answered.

“Know what?” Petty Kitty replied.

“Well, I could be wrong but my Earth Pony senses tells me your pregnant,” Butterfree blushed.

Petty Kitty blushed, “But I’m out of season.”

“Still,” Butterfree shrugged.

“Where is Blaster and the young ones?” Winkz asked.

“Blaster is working to day at the Church of the Holy Sky,” Catfish explained, “They also do schooling there so she took the foals with her.”

“I see, so will you help us?” Winkz asked, “You two know this city better than us.”

“Sure,” Catfish answered.

“I could use the exercise,” Butterfree remarks popping her back.

“Over the Capital City…”

Zero sat on a cloud changing his bandages, putting the used ones into his saddle bag. When he was done, he laid down looking over the cloud. He could see La Dawn flying into a tower. Out of the corner of his eye, Zero could see a strange brown splotch sitting on top of another cloud.

Staring at the splotch Zero soon realized it was pony shaped. The most likely candidate was this was another Pegasus. Zero knew there wasn’t supposed to be other Pegasuses in the Earth Capital other than himself and La Dawn.

Zero quickly assessed that the end of the brown pony that was closest to the edge of the cloud that it was on must be it’s head end. He lands on a lower cloud facing its rear. This gave him a good view of the Pegasus’s is flank, enough to tell that it was female judging from the view he got. She was pumpkin pie colored, her coat the color of the piecrust and her mane the color of the brown filling. The Pegasus had cutie marks that oddly resembled the Ponyville flag. The mare’s legs were bandaged up and she had odd Band-Aids stuck randomly on her body.

“Well hello there Ponyville,” Zero spoke up startling the mare.

“Ack!” The Pegasus screamed as she spun around to face Zero. “W–what d–did you call me?”

“Ponyville, you know the cutie mark that you have,” Zero points at the mare’s rump.

“Ponyville is not my name,” The mare quickly answered, “Wait? You’re a Pegasus, there’s not supposed to be anymore Pegasus around here?” She began to gnaw on her foreleg and mutters to herself, “Not good, not good.”

“ Then what do I call you?” Zero hoped to calmed down the mare.

“I don’t think I’m allowed to give you my name,” The mare squeaked.

“Then you shouldn’t mind if I call you Ponyville Ponyville,” Zero remarks.

“Urg, what do you want from me?” Ponyville asked, “Are you going to turn me in?”

“I don’t believe I’m in any shape to take you down,” Zero points out to Ponyville. “Perhaps we can be friends?”

“I don’t know if I should,” Ponyville mutters to herself.

“Why are you here?” Zero asked.

“I’m supposed to watch a pony, by haven’t seen her around lately,” Ponyville answered.

“Who are you watching for?” Zero pursued.

Ponyville turns away and starts rubbing her hind leg very hard with her forehoof. “I don’t think I should tell.”

“I’m a friend it’s okay to tell,” Zero said with a smile.

Ponyville starts hitting her head with her forehooves. “What to do!”

“It’s okay! It’s okay!” Zero shouts pulling Ponyville’s hooves away from her.

“Claymari,” Ponyville quickly answered, “I hope I'm not going to regret that, Loyal Gold I’m sorry.”

“Claymari has been gone for quite a few days now,” Zero explained, “Actually she’s been captured by the Gryphus.”

“How did I miss that!” Ponyville shouted. She takes off to the sky and bolts leaving Zero sitting there on the cloud tilting his head.

“Philia found herself… being led down a blue alley…”

“Your home is down here?” Philia asked as she eyed the walls of the narrow alley. Mild claustrophobia was setting in.

“My home and main shop is down here,” Generous Thread explained, “My tent at Plaza Road is rented two days a week.”

“Only two days?” Philia asks.

“It takes time to make dresses,” Generous Thread points out, “I choose the two best days to sell the most dresses. Some rent out spaces for less time some for more. Example merchants from far off cities might come once a year and rent out bigger lots and stay for a week or two. Someone from a nearby town might come in once a month and rent space for five days. More local people might have permanent spaces that they use daily or weekly like me.”

“I see,” Philia nods her head, “This must keep things constantly different?”

“Here we are,” Generous Thread stops in front of a door. A sign said “Thread and Rope’s Fabric’s”

Philia pondered the name as Generous Thread opened the door. Inside was full of rolls of fabric. There were also stands and displays with finished dresses and suits. The sound of a machine moving back and forth with a clunk could be heard.

“Velvet Rope! I’m back and I’m with a guest!” Generous Thread called out.

The thumping stopped and a back door opens. A white mare with a silver mane walks into the room. Her cutie mark was that of a silver velvet rope between two polls. The mare’s body structure was alluring. She wore a sun hat on her head.

With the hat and body Philia could tell this mare, this Velvet Rope was a Unicorn. Only a Unicorn could be that hot.

“You’re not on normal Earth Pony are you?” Philia said.

“Well you figure me out real quickly,” Velvet Rope noted Philia’s look and takes off her hat to reveal her horn.

“You know it is risky being an Unicorn around here without one of these,” Philia holds up her forehoof with the metal bracelet that showed that she was allowed to be in the city.

Velvet Rope smiles at her, “Oh, there are plenty of Unicorn around here.”

“Really?” Philia asked.

Velvet Rope looks Philia up and down and notes how sickly she was looking. “Would you like some tea?”

Philia slowly nods her head.

“It will take a minute,” Velvet Rope walked off into the kitchen. Philia walked around the store a bit as she waited for the tea to boil. After sometime passed, Velvet Rope comes back out with a hot kettle. She pours the hot water into teacups and put teabags inside of them. The three ponies then set down around a little coffee table and drinks the tea.

Philia looks back and forth at the two mares.

“Is there something you want to say?” Generous Thread asks.

“I know you’re a Holic,” Philia stated.

Velvet Rope smiles as she sips her tea, “Not that many people knows what a Holic is. I’m rather impressed with your education.”

“I spent my educational years as a Unicorn noble,” Philia answered.

“Am I being a Holic going to be an issue to you?” Generous Thread asks.

“No, I’m well accommodated as well as well educated, I’ve seen plenty of odd magical beings in my lifetime,” Philia explains.

“My your a curious one,” Velvet Rope smirks.

“May I ask how you came to be and how you two met?” Philia wondered.

“Sorry but I don’t remember much from the beginning of my life,” Generous Thread answered.

“And I’m her Familiar created about the same time,” Velvet Rope added.

Philia gives a look of shock at this reveal. “You’re a Familiar!”

“I guess that was something you didn’t figure out already,” Velvet Rope laughed.

“Well I thought you were a normal pony,” Philia points out, “At most you’d may be a wizard or something.”

“I see you thought that I might have made her,” Velvet Rope answered.

“I didn’t know that Holics could have Familiars that seems a little redundant to me,” Philia notes.

“Well Holics are objects thats been endowed with so much emotion and or energy that they gain a soul of their own and project a physical body,” Generous Thread explains, “A Familiar can be a piece of soul that possesses something else or a piece of soul that gain it’s own life. This could include Holics.”

“But unlike Generous here I don’t have a magic powered object that sustains me,” Velvet Rope points out, “As best as I can tell my life is sustained by hers. If she dies I die. But unlike her I can’t be killed.”

“So, You’re a Holic,” Philia points at Generous Thread. “And you’re a what? Fractal Holic?” She then points at Velvet Rope.

“If you want to call me that?” Velvet Rope shrugged.

“Now dear what brought you into the state I found you in?” Generous Thread asked.

“My mother is being held hostage by Gryphus in the between boarder lands,” Philia started shaking, “I got mad at a friend and stabbed him with my horn.”

Generous Thread looks at Velvet Rope for deeper insight.

“Horns are very precious and sacred things to some Unicorns,” Velvet Rope explains, “Think of it in terms of sex, How would you feel if you woke up one morning to find out you forgot the night before and that you assaulted some pony.”

“I’ll feel horrified,” Generous Thread answered, “Sex is suppose to be love.”

“They say stabbing somebody have some sexual undertones,” Velvet Rope remarks. “Entering the flesh, feeling the warmth, the wet of the blood.”

Philia freaks out and hits the table. “Stop it!” She starts sobbing

“I’m sorry for upsetting you,” Velvet Rope apologized.

“I-it’s okay,” Philia answers.

“You should come and fallow me,” Velvet Rope walks over to the back room. Philia gets up and fallows her.

In the back room lay a large loom with a half done roll of fabric.

“Unicorn magic makes this device easy to operate,” Velvet Rope points out.

“What you want me to do with this?” Philia asks.

“Weave dear, just weave,” Velvet Rope answered.

Philia sits down and moves the machine with her magic. She seemed to know how to work the thing as if it was telling her what to do.

“Look into the weaves,” Velvet Rope said in a cool hypnotic voice, “With in it you can see the past, present and future.”

“The past...”

Philia saw herself as a foal, she and Claymari walked into an inn. Her hair was squiggly with the bits of dried slime in it from her recent birthing. The foal’s legs was covered in mud up to her kneecaps.

“Stay here sweetie,” Claymari told the foal Philia. The foal just look back at Claymari too young to understand.

“Ma!” The young Philia called out as Claymari walked away.

Claymari walks up to the check in counter. “Do you have any open rooms? Preferably one with a bath?”

The clerk pony looks around Claymari to look at the young dirty foal. She notes the horn on the Unicorn with her eyes then notes that Claymari has no horn.

“Yeah, she’s mine,” Claymari growls at the clerk.

“Sorry ma’am, it’s just if I didn’t know better I’d say she was just born,” the clerk said.

A trio of stallions sitting at the bar gets out of their seats.

“Can you prove that that foal is yours?” One of the stallions asks Claymari as the other two start to reach for their swords.

Claymari starts to reach for her sword. “Are you really going to attack a mother over this?”

“If you are her mother Earth Pony,” the stallion snaps.

Claymari swings her blade before two of the stallion’s could react. She cuts a leg each off of the two of them. The third stallion jumped back and drew his blade. Claymari sword clashes with his blade, the stallion forces the larger mare back. He thrust in for an attack but Claymari knocks his blade aside and stabs him in the shoulder.

Claymari glares down at the injured stallions. “I left you your lives be thankful for that.” She turns to the pony clerk at the desk. “Sorry about the mess we can go and find a different place to stay if you want?”

“Umm, we are sorry for the harassment madam,” the clerk pony replied, “We will send a messenger to get a healer pony and the local sheriff to recover this riffraff.”

“The present...”

Ponyville lands in a forest clearing. A Pegasus stallion follows her.

“Why are you following me?” Ponyville whined to the stallion.

“You look like you need help,” Zero told the mare. “If you are looking for Claymari I can take the message.”

“I don’t need your help Barbells,” Ponyville snaps before she starts
gnawing at her leg.

“Barbells?” Zero exclaimed.

“You call me Ponyville because of my cutie marks I call you barbells because of your cutie marks,” Ponyville explains.

“Well my name is Zero,” Zero answered with a smile. “Now will you tell me your name?”

“Fag-“

“Well looks like we may have a couple Pegasus spies here,” An Earth Pony stallion interrupts. Two stallions were with him. Oddly enough one of them had a missing leg.

“Oh, not good, not good, not good,” Ponyville mutters.

“This bitch looks crazy, I think she already beaten herself up,” One of the stallions points at Ponyville.

“I may bleed, but my blood is pointless,” Ponyville remarks.

“I am Capt. Zero Endless, under the protection of the Earth Nation,” Zero shows off his certification bracelet.

“Those things can be faked,” one of the stallions replied. “Besides only one of you has a bracelet, there for the other must be a spy.”

“Actually I think she maybe mentally ill,” Zero points out. “You’d be surprised how far Pegasus can get on their own. She may have heard about Claymari, you know the Sword Mare? And in her crazed mind decided it was a good idea to come here.”

“You’re a Captain! We are the same rank,” Ponyville cheered, “Sorry for the disrespect sir.” Ponyville gives him a salute.

A stallion forces Ponyville to the ground by pressing his foot onto her back. This left her rump up into the air as another stallion walked around to examine her.

“Leave her alone!” Zero shouts rushing forward. A stallion slams him in the face with the hilt of his sword. This caused Zero to stumble back.

The other stallion sticks his muzzle into Ponyville’s coot and takes a big long with. Ponyville squeals at the intrusion.

“She doesn’t smell unhealthy, in fact she doesn't smell like anything?” The stallion that sniffed Ponyville remarks.

“So basically her shit doesn’t stink,” The stallion that struck Zero jokes.

Suddenly a green blur comes down from the sky striking the stallion that had sniffed Ponyville knocking him out. The Pegasus turns and La Dawn draws his sword. The stallion nearest to Zero started to unsheathe his sword. But La Dawn stuck his rapier through his neck before the stallion could finish. The stallion with the missing leg had his sword already drawn and he faced La Dawn.

La Dawn came forward to strike him, the stallion swings. La Dawn ducks and parries and sees an opening where his missing leg was at. He slices across the stallion's sheath. The stallion screams in horror and falls to the ground holding his hoof over his bleeding number.

La Dawn points his sword at the stallion's face. “I’ll give you your life to tell this heroic tale of La Dawn.”

The stallion nods his head and limps off at a fast pace.

La Dawn sighs, “He’ll live he's lucky.”

Ponyville was crying, needing to decompress from the incident she just had. La Dawn puts his forelimbs around the crying mare.

“Is my lady hurt?” La Dawn asks put in his lips close to Ponyville’s.

“That’s enough of that,” Zero had to separate the two ponies. “The last thing she needs is to be molested by you!”

“It’s not my fault if she follows her animal urges,” La Dawn defends himself. “You know only females has a specialized organ that only exists for masturbation?” La Dawn points out. “That tells you how much more sexual creatures mares are when compared to stallions.”

Ponyville actually blushes at the turn of the conversation. Zero rolls his eyes at La Dawn's logic.

“We need to take her back to the city and give her some professional help,” Zero remarks.

“The future…”

Snow blows across Philia’s body. The wind whips a scarf around her neck. Everything around her was white.

Two figures starts to emerged from the white. One a large Dore mare and other a small Unicorn. The Dore was covered in blood from a bullet wound. The Unicorn held a revolver with three apples on the hilt in her magic.

“Littlepip!” Philia shouted over the wind as the Unicorn’s long red scarf flapped loudly.

“Philia I had to she was going-“ Littlepip starts to answer.

“I guess you finally found out who would win a fight between you two,” Philia said coldly.

“It wasn’t meant to end this way!” Littlepip shouted over the wind.

Philia’s eyes glowed lavender as she starts to use her mind control magic. Littlepip resisting as much as she could slowly turns Little Mac on to herself. The gun fires hitting the base of the neck and cutting a major artery. Within seconds all her blood and body heat with it sprays out of Littlepip’s body, much of it taken away by the wind showering the snow behind her in red.

“Ring-ding… Ring-ding…”

Philia left her visions. Tears were streaming down her eyes.

“Ah, what brilliant fabric,” Velvet Rope pulls the roll off the loom. “And the colors match your soul. Now why don’t you help me with the stitching?”

Philia looks at the roll of fabric she just made. “Are you trying to use me to do your work for you?”

“Ah, my dear this is therapy,” Velvet Rope points out, “Tell me you don’t feel better?”

“Better and confused,” Philia then mutters to herself, “Who the heck is Littlepip?”

The pink Unicorn wonders back out to the store front. To her surprise she saw Blaster talking to Generous Thread. She had a pile of Mustangateer uniforms next to her on the counter.

“It’s tonight before they come back with it,” Philia over hears Blaster say to Generous Thread.

Blaster looks at Philia and smiles a fake smile. “Oh, Philia what a shock it is running into you here? How is that castle these days?”

“Not so bad,” Philia replied, she was trying to keep her horn's glow to a glimmer as she tries to cast a mind reading spell. “Picking up uniforms I see.” The spell was too weak and Blaster was too strong minded for it to work.

“Back at the herd home…”

Zero reads the note on the door. “This says that they went to the Plaza Road for the next few hours.”

“We can’t keep dragging my'lady from place to place like this,” La Dawn motioning to Ponyville under an orange cloak.

“I really should head back anyway,” Ponyville said nervously, “Loyal Gold is going to worry about me soon. “

La Dawn strokes Ponyville’s mane gently. “It’s okay dear, The mare we know will help you.” He looks deeply into her eyes.

“You make me feel funny,” Ponyville said nervously.

“This is natural,” La Dawn moves in for a kiss.

Zero grabs La Dawn’s caller and pulls him away before he made contact with the mare. “What’s wrong with you,” He shouts at La Dawn.

“Magic, the magic of love,” La Dawn replied honestly with a shrug.

“Well she doesn’t need you confusing her sexually,” Zero snaps.

“I’m no more confused than usual,” Ponyville remarks.

“Maybe I should just do a quick fly around Plaza Road and see if I can spot them,” La Dawn suggests.

“Yeah, you should do that,” Zero agreed.

La Dawn takes to the air. The Pegasus circles around the mile long strip that is Plaza Road. He saw the pastel pony crowd below him trying to spot the patterns of the ponies that he was looking for. Two Cat Ponies together caught his attention.

La Dawn lands on a nearby rooftop. He then hops down to an uncrowded alleyway, where he covers his wings in a cloak. La Dawn then steps out onto Plaza Road watching for the two Cat Ponies that he saw. He sees something green and stripy and walk towards it.

“My name is La Dawn, you are Catfish right?” La Dawn said as he approached the green cat pony with the clamshell cutie mark.

Catfish was startled by La Dawn sudden appearance.

“I’m sorry if I scared you?” La Dawn replied, “But don’t you know the pony Butterfree?”

“Butterfree already has a bun in the oven hope you know,” Catfish remarks.

“I’m seeking Butterfree for professional help,” La Dawn points out.

“Good for you sir,” Catfish smirked, “you obviously have issues with intimacy and relationship with mares.”

“It’s not for me,” La Dawn shook his head then paused, “What do you mean by intimacy? And my relationship with mares is fine thank you very much.”

“We should meet back up with Butterfree and Winkz at the end of that block here,” Petty Kitty points out.

“Elsewhere... On Plaza Road...”

Blaster and Philia steps out onto Plaza Road from a side alley.

“Philia!” A voice shouted.

“Blaster!” Another voice shouted.

The two mares look up their heads to see Winkz and Butterfree heading towards them.

“What are you two doing here?” Blaster glared at Butterfree, “You especially don’t need to be stressed in your condition.”

“I’m fine,” Butterfree told Blaster, “Philia’s friends came to us for help because we knew our way around the city.”

“My friends?” Philia starts to get a nervous look.

“It’s okay Philia,” Winkz tells the nervous Unicorn.

“Where is Zero?” Philia asks as she looks around.

“From what Petty Kitty told me, he’s flying above the castle somewhere,” Winkz says as she points her hoof up in the air and moves it in a circling motion.

“So he’s flying again?” Philia asked.

“It seems that way, that brace had to come off sometime,” Winkz answered.

“You know you gave us a scare,” Petty Kitty remarks as she walks up with Catfish and La Dawn behind her.

“What is La Dawn doing with you?” Philia asks.

La Dawn rushes forward and puts Philia between his hooves. “A young maiden was in trouble and I could not help but to help find her wayward heart.”

“Well I’m flattered,” Philia blushed.

“Well I’m glad to be of service, but you are not the maiden I’m talking about,” La Dawn remarks.

Philia's replied was a confused look.

“Later...”

Philia and Zero sat across from each other in awkward silence. Philia was the first one to speak.

“I’m sorry for attacking you,” She said to the stallion.

“I suppose I could’ve been more sensitive,” Zero rubs his wounded shoulder.

Petty Kitty was staring at Zero in an over expressive angry glare.

“What!” Zero snaps at the Cat Pony.

“So you spent a lot of time alone with this Pegasus mare today didn’t you?” Petty Kitty said accusingly.

“You’re seriously doing this now?” Zero groaned, “You saw her right? How mental she is? After how much I tried to keep La Dawn from getting underneath her tail. I don’t need you accusing me of doing it.”

Butterfree’s office door opens up. She walks out and looks at the group of ponies. “The mare obviously has something wrong with her mental state. She suffers from chronic confusion and anxiety. Her anxieties makes it hard for her to make choices and makes her even more confused.”

“So what should we do about her?” Zero asks.

“We should arrange her to be kept in custody at a safe place well we send a messenger to the Pegasus Nation,” Butterfree tells them, “Surely someone in the Pegasus Nation cares enough for her to come down here and pick her up.”

“Well if I had to guess she must be a noble or scholar,” Philia remarks.

“What makes you think that?” Zero asks.

“Her cutie mark is the symbol of Ponyville,” Philia points out.

“In your point being?” Zero remarks.

“Well it may not mean much to you because you’re from a different time,” Philia starts to explain, “But in our time Ponyville is a forgotten place. Your average pony would have not been able to see the forgotten town’s symbol by cutie mark age. So either her cutie mark just happens to look like Ponyville's crest or she saw it in an old book. The kind of book that scholars and nobles would have access to. Then there is the off chance she actually been to Ponyville’s ruins and saw the flag somewhere.”

“Or she could have seen it on some other pony’s flank too,” Petty Kitty chimed in.

“Anyway, I see your point,” Zero nods his head, “But there’s still the problem where are we going to keep her that's safe?”

“I’ll keep the lady in my tower until her love one’s come to retrieve her,” La Dawn raises his hoof.

“We said a safe place,” Zero snaps at La Dawn.

“I can make the ladies feel nice and safe thank you very much,” La Dawn says proudly.

“La Dawn?” Butterfree spoke up, “You modified that tower you live in so that only flying creatures can access it right?”

“Why yes,” La Dawn said stroking his own ego. “If I had a normal home, I would be mobbed with the displeased lovers of my conquests putting my very life at risk.”

“So it’s basically one of the most secure places in the city?” Butterfree notes.

“If you’re hiding from Earth Ponies,” La Dawn answered.

“Didn’t you say you and this Ponyville was attacked by Earth Ponies?” Petty Kitty points out to Zero.

“I can’t believe we’re seriously contemplating this,” Zero roll his eyes.

“I’ll promise I’ll be civil,” La Dawn tells the ponies. “Ponyville come out here.”

Ponyville walks out of the office. “What do you want?” She said nervously.

La Dawn starts poking the mare with his hoof over and over again.

“Stop it!” Ponyville cried.

La Dawn stopped poking the Pegasus. “See I can take a hint.”

“Are you comparing yourself to a little poke?” Catfish mocked.

La Dawn blushes, “Don’t understate me my’lady, it’s not becoming.”

Zero, Petty Kitty, Winkz, Philia and La Dawn with Ponyville all exit the home.

“Hey Winkz?” Philia speaks up as she walked back to the Crystal Pony. “You can teleport to anyone right?”

“Anyone I know,” Winkz answered.

“And this is anywhere?” Philia asks.

“Yes,” Winkz told her.

“So you can teleport to my mother right?” Philia wonders.

“I suppose I could,” Winkz replied as if she just thought of the idea.

“So is there any reason why you couldn’t quickly blink to Claymari in quickly blink back here?” Philia asks.

“Well two teleports in a row is my limit,” Winkz told her, “Given how the spell works, my body surges with adrenaline, it allows me to do a second teleport within seconds of my first teleport. So I could teleport in and if I grab Claymari and teleport out within seconds I could come back here.”

“What are the chances of such an action being successful?” Philia asks.

“Quite high I suppose,” Winkz answered.

“So you seriously think he can pull this off?” Zero asks overhearing the conversation.

Winkz nods her head.

“Then I say go for it,” Zero told her, “I would love to see the look on those bastards faces.”

Winkz instantly disappears. She reappears in some kind of darkness. “Shit! Claymari!” Winkz shouts as her eyes adjust taking up precious seconds of her adrenaline high.

“Winkz? I’m over here,” Claymari cries hoarsely.

“Stay there I’m going to teleport you out,” Winkz tells Claymari.

“I am also here,” Azrael replied.

“That night... At the castle...”

A silver mist hits two castle guards and they pass out. A white Unicorn with a silver mane strolls past the unconscious bodies. She pushed open the door to Leo’s lab. The Unicorn casts a spell that illuminates the sword Inspiration from inside its case.

“Hello baby mommy’s home,” Velvet Rope announces to the sword.

In the background the alarm bell in one of the guard towers goes off and a loud amplified voice starts calling out. “Invasion! Invasion! Invasion!”

A Song of Apples and Oranges Part 1: Those of the East

A cloaked mare cautiously walks down the town road at night.

“Who goes there!” A voice shouted making her freeze.

The mare looks up to see a pair of lightly armored Pegasus flying down from the sky toward her. The mare stood still as she lifts the hood of her cloak revealing a lavender coat and a dark purple mane, her eyes a piercing crystal blue.

“I’m sorry for sneaking around after curfew,” The Earth Mare said to the Pegasus, “My son has gotten really sick and I had to get this medicine from a potions master.” The mare takes out a small clay vile and shows it to the Pegasus troops.

The two Pegasus gives each other nervous glances.

“You think it’s another one?” One of the Pegasus whispers.

“Another what?” The mare asks overhearing.

“When has your son started to get sick?” The Pegasus asked.

The mare tried to hold back her displeased tone as she spoke. “About a day after you invaded us.”

The two Pegasus again exchange nervous glances.

“I think that makes twelve?” The other Pegasus points out.

“Probably more tomorrow,” His partner nods his head.

“Is there something going on?” The mare asks.

“Nothing that should concern you,” The Pegasus answers.

“We should escort you home miss,” The other Pegasus tells her.

The mare was escorted home by the two Pegasus. Once she entered into her house the two Pegasus gives each other another look.

“We should inform the captain’s,” They said together as they flew off

Once Inside her home, the mare gives a sigh of relief. But she didn’t give herself much time to reflect on what had happened as she hurries up to her son’s room.

The small buck was orange yellow in color with an orange mane. He was laying back in his bed having a coughing spasm when his mother walked into the room.

“Mother your back!” the colt said between coughs.

“Take this and you’ll feel better,” The mare said as she pulls out the vile of medicine. She gives it to the colt and he drinks it up. Soon the child becomes red faced as the medicine took hold. He falls back in his pillow in starts to drift asleep.

The mare smiles at the young colt as he drifts off. She tucks him into his blanket in leaves the room. When the mare left the colt sneezes electricity shoots from his mouth and arcs across the room.

“Applecore…”

“You letting him go!” Claymari shouted from behind bars.

Tangerine stood smugly on the other side of the cell.

“Technically the only crime he did was assault two of my troops,” Smart Cookie replied, “Under the circumstances I am willing to forgive that. I need his men to help me take back the capital.”

“What about the Rat King?” Philia shouted.

“Well the original Rat King was a criminal, this Rat King was the Eighth? Is not,” Smart Cookie points out.

“But she tricked Zero and I and attacked several ponies!” Philia snapped.

“Under Tangerine’s supervision,” Smart Cookie explains as far as I’m concerned under the circumstances the actions the two of them made were justified.”

Philia grits her teeth, “So what now?”

“I would like you to bend over,” Tangerine smirked.

“Ack!” Philia leaped at Tangerine.

Smart Cookie stepped aside allowing Phillia to knock Tangerine over. The pink mare starts stomping on the orange crippled stallion.

“Get her off me!” Tangerine shouted.

Smart Cookie smiles, “You made a derogatory remark about fornicating with her hind end. As a mare I take offence to that.”

“Bullcrap!” Tangerine snapped as he was being hit.

“You remember I’m the one with the power here,” Smart Cookie told him.

“Children now stop your fighting,” Claymari says trying to hold back the look of glee on her face.

“How the heck are you a mother?” Smart Cookie remarks.

“It’s a tale of sex, death and betrayal,” Claymari answered.

“Guards!” Smart Cookie calls out.

“Later…”

The cell door slams locking Philia up with Claymari.

“So, they gave us a deck of cards,” Claymari points out. “Learn any new games since the last time we were locked up together?”

“Nope,” Philia shook her head.

Claymari sighs in disappointment.

“Zero and Petty Kitty…”

“I can’t believe the Balefire bomb was a fake,” Zero sighs looking through his saddle bag.

“I suppose the only chance of us getting one of those is to find an old armory in the Equestain Wildlands,” Petty Kitty remarks as she looks at her pipbuck.

“I doubt that they would let us go on another quest,” Zero points out.

“There isn’t no harm in suggesting it,” Petty Kitty told him.

“Winkz and Vanilla…”

“And is he cured?” Smart Cookie asked.

“Oddly no,” Winkz told her.

“We would have thought with the death of Eclipso his beasts would have disappeared,” Vanilla points out.

“Assuming he’s dead,” Smart Cookie adds, “I’m a show me mare, show me the body and I’ll believe he’s dead until proven other wise.”

“I’m taking Vanilla back to the Peaks,” Winkz explains, “We hope she can find away to put Ferngally back into her body.”

“My mother had researched all forms of magic so I’m sure there’s a bit in her library about astro beasts.”

“Yes, you are free to go,” Smart Cookie told them.

Without notice Winkz puts her hoof on Vanilla’s shoulder and the two of them teleported off.

Smart Cookie sighs, “I’m just glad those two are out of here. I don’t like ponies that are too smart for their own good.” Smart Cookie smiles, “I want to be the only pony that’s too smart for their own good.”

“Chancellor Puddinghead…”

“Young lady did you know that ponies on the moon can detach their heads from their bodies,” Puddinghead says before biting into a juicy red apple.

“And not kill themselves?” Ponyville replied.

“Yes,” Puddinghead said with a mouth full of apple.

“I wonder what would happen if my head was detached from my body,” Ponyville questions.

“Kill you I’d imagine,” Puddinghead answered.

Ponyville fidgets with her bandages, “Well actually I’m neighimmortal.”

“Splendid I shall call the executioner,” Puddinghead cheered.

“I didn’t say I wanted my head chopped off,” Ponyville nibbles on her lip. “Then again I’ll hate to disappoint.” Ponyville bites her leg out of frustration.

“Belay that order!” La Dawn shouted. “There is no need to call the executioner!”

“It looks like Ponyville and the Chancellor is getting along swimmingly,” Pot Shell remarks.

Guards came into the room with Smart Cookie behind them. “Arrest Chancellor Pudding head for treason.”

“Sister wait! What are you doing,” La Dawn steps in front of the guards.

“Puddinghead head come under the control of foreign powers,” Smart Cookie told him.

“What do you mean miss Cookie?” Pot Shell asked stepping out of the way of the guards.

“His mind is being warped by a magical curse,” Smart Cookie explains. “I’m arresting him to put him in my protective custody.”

Puddinghead was escorted out of the room.

“Metalance…”

“So you two are the only two with workable Paladin spears,” Metalance sighs as she talks to Abra and Machine Shop.

“Yes,” Abra replied.

“I wish that I managed to keep my spear,” Metalance said thoughtfully, “I guess my only solace is that the weapon is useless to them.”

“Elsewhere… Capital City…”

A brown stallion in Metalance’s green armor sneezes.

“What is it Dragmoon?” A feminine looking purple stallion holding Rat Tak-Tak’s ocarina spear reacts. His mane was marbled with a blue and violet sheen.

“I think someone is talking about me,” Dragmoon remarks wiping his nose.

“Maybe some mare has fallen in love with you,” A filly with Honey Meid’s flaming wings and holding her spear says as she buzzes around the stallion.

“I don’t think I know any mares Ambrosia,” Dragmoon shook his head.
Ambrosia sticks her hooves on her hips and turns to the feminine stallion. “You hear that Ocarina he says he don’t know any mares.”

Ocarina smiles and shakes his head. “Man you are in so much trouble.”

“Applecore…”

Metalance sneezes, “I think some pony is talking about me.” The green pony says itching her nose.

“Perhaps some stallion this thinking about you?” La dawn says with a smug look on his face as he walks up.”

“I don’t think I know any stallions,” Metalance says playfully.

La Dawn puts his hoof on his hips. “Don’t know any stallions she says,” The turquoise green Pegasus kisses Metalance on the lips.

“I suppose we should get going,” Machine Shop motions to Abra and the two of them walk away.

The two ponies let go their lips. “Sure we’re doing this?” Metalance blushed.

La Dawn’s heart twinged, “What do you mean?”

Metalance smiles, “Well you never been a romantic, I mean a true romantic, you talk about love but I never had the impression that you put any faith into it.”

“Faith into love?” La Dawn questioned

“You never actually tried to have a true relationship, you’d only romance,” Metalance explains.

La Dawn thinks over it and nods his head, “You’re right about that.” He smiles and kisses her again, “But young stallions can learn new tricks.”

“Claymari and Philia…”

“I spy my eye something purple, green and black,” Philia remarks as she looks out the window.

“It is a mare,” Claymari rolls her eyes.

“She has a nice flank to,” Philia smiles.

“I tired of this game,” Claymari complains.

“Is not my fault mares are the only thing good to look at around here!” Philia snaps.

Just then the cell block doors open. Smart Cookie came marching in with guards and Puddinghead behind her.

“Another visit? And so soon,” Claymari mocked.

“Put him in there,” Smart Cookie points at the cell just past Claymari’s and Philia’s cell.

“Wait? You arrested Puddinghead?” Philia said shocked.

Claymari smirks, “Looks like the madness is spreading.”

Catfish was all ready in the cell, she laid rolled up on the bench asleep. The sound of them opening up the door awakened her.

“What’s going on?” She asked as Puddinghead was shoved into the cell.

“The Chancellor has been charged with treason,” Smart Cookie announced.

Catfish turns to Puddinghead, “Wow sir there isn’t a shortage of people wishing to knock you from your pedestal.”

The befuddled pony was relieving himself in the cell’s toilet trough. “Maitre’d could you hand me a wipe.”

Catfish gives him a glare.

Smart Cookie and the other ponies turned to walk out of the room. At the last moment the orange mare glances at Philia. “I think you have cooled down enough.” She motions the guards to take the pink and blonde unicorn out of the cell.

“Miss you sweetheart,” Claymari said as Philia left the room with Smart Cookie.

“Look I’m not looking to make you or Claymari my enemy,” Smart Cookie sighed.

“We are also nowhere near to being your friend,” Philia remarks.

“I know and at best we can grudgingly use each other,” Smart Cookie replied, “I need to keep Claymari around and find some way to make her useful, reliably useful.”

“You want to ask me something?” Philia raised an eyebrow.

“The way I see it I have two options before me, they are technically three if I use both of them at once, and they are both of them extremely underhanded,” Smart Cookie points out.

“When isn’t manipulation isn’t underhanded?” Philia replied.

“The one I think would get the quickest result would be when I’m not using Claymari keep her behind bars like I am now, but when I need to use her for something you get confined in her place,” Smart Cookie explains.

“Yeah that’s what I would do,” Philia nods her head, “The biggest downside to that plan is the longer you keep her around the more she’s going to make you pay for using her in such a way.”

“I thought so,” Smart Cookie nods her head in agreement, “My second option was to get her to work for us in return of giving her a shot of fighting and defeating King Mars.”

“That would most likely and in her death,” Philia tells the mare, “Claymari may have the power to kill her father, but I don’t think she could put her heart into a fight to the death with him.” Philia pauses, “Unless your third option.”

“Yes, keeping you captive and giving her a shot at King Mars,” Smart Cookie told her.

“With my freedom and well being on the line it would push Claymari enough to kill her father,” Philia said sadly. “But as I said when she is done you will be next on her list. I could guarantee that you’d be dead before the battle for Capital City is completely over.”

Smart Cookie smiles, “I have a contingency plan for that.”

“By that do you mean kill her?” Philia asked, “Because if you promise not to I will willingly submit myself. Heck let me be there when she comes for you. I could convince her to leave you alone.”

“Deal,” Smart Cookie extended her hoof. Philia wraps her hoof around hers and the two mares shake.

“We found you,” Zero’s voice calls out with Petty Kitty trotting behind him.

“The Pegasus have you found a way to make up for failing to retrieve the balefire egg? Smart Cookie remarks.

“We may have another lead but we think it maybe in the Equestrian Wildlands,” Zero points out.

“If we are to retrieve it we would need Clay-,” Petty Kitty starts to say.

“Of course Claymari can come with,” Smart Cookie waves her hoof.

“What really?” Zero was surprised.

“She would be under your command of course,” Smart Cookie told them, “But Philia here would have to stay.”

“Why do I get the feeling that we missed out on some conversation?” Petty Kitty points out.

Smart Cookie looks at her watch, “Now excuse me I have a meeting with some of my advisors.”

The meeting room had a half a dozen ponies waiting in it.

“Okay some of you are new so I’d like to introduce you all to each other,” Smart Cookie announced to the room.

The mare points at a pony with a gentle pink coat and a light blood mane. Her cutie mark was of cherry blossoms wrapped around at baseball. “First this is Blossom Ball my mare of arms.”

Smart Cookie continues on going from her left. This made Tangerine next in line and next to him was a pony buck with a short shaven mane. The mane was gray and white striped his coat light gray. Three red lines or scratches were a cross his flank.

“This is Tangerine governor of Pink Alice and Upper Cranberry River. Since he is visiting us I decided to let him join this meeting. The pony next to him is Champion Chopper his security adviser who has been representing him in these meetings.”

Next in line was a navy blue mare. “This is Polytale mare of coin for Bubblefeild county just north of here.”

The next pony was a small green filly. Her cutie mark a bell flower. “This is Bellsprout spokes pony from the farmlands and in charge of our army’s supply routes.”

“Pleased to meet you,” The filly said politely

Next to the filly was a yellow green mare with a ragged green mane. She was wearing a flowerly dress and held a fancy fan in front of her face. From what could be seen of her face showed a blood shot eye and running mascara. If one saw her cutie mark under her dress it would be a tear with a crown of thorns.

“Baroness Weeping Victory.”

“And Winner of East Apple Country Iron hoof Tournament,” The mare adds

Next was a bright blue pony with a two tone glacier mane. His ears where colored red and oddly he had red lip stick. His cutie mark was vapor.

“Coldly Cruel the victorious general of the Pegasus wars.”

Last pony was a gray Crystal Earth Pony with a satin mane. His cutie mark a split grave stone.

“Geograve our convert intelligence expert.”

“Howdy the you’all,” The Crystal Pony greeted.

“Before we get down to business I would love to ask what happened to the Chancellor?” Coldly Cruel asked.

“He has been arrested for treason,” Smart Cookie answered.

“My intelligence network had informed me about some agents from the Crystal Empire secretly hiding themselves within the other countries,” Geograve told them.

“Yes because your intelligence was so reliable,” Baroness Weeping Victory mocks, “Who was it that allowed the surprise attack that uprooted us from power?”

Geograve gives a quick glance at Smart Cookie before speaking. “That was a regrettable failure at my part.”

“Don’t blame him, our nation has always been more focused at the outward threats then the inward ones,” Smart Cookie backs up the Crystal Pony.

“Just saying that failure should be fired,” The Baroness waved her hoof, “I would’ve replaced you with that second command of yours what’s his name Knives?”

“Well we need to talk about my supply routes,” Bellsprout said nervously.

A loud thunk at the doors caused everyone to turn their heads as the barrier flies open. La Dawn and Pot Shell storms into the room.

“How dare you leave us out of this meeting!” La Dawn shouted.

“I’m sorry, did I not tell you that this meeting is not for bastards and brats?” Smart Cookie said with the mocking smile.

“Then what about the kid?” Pot Shell points at Bellsprout.

“And what are you going to contribute to us? Serving throws?” Bellsprout snaps.

“Bastard! Don’t mock me sister, you may be a mare but because we are siblings you are fair game for a hoof to the muzzle,” La Dawn warns her, “With Puddinghead gone and you in charge. Then that leaves me the second in line of our House. Under emergency wartime proclamations I am second in command of the TEA.”

“You’re in charge of what I say you are in charge of,” Smart Cookie yells at the Pegasus.

“Fine then,” La Dawn turns his rump at Smart Cookie. He smacks her shoulder with a swish of his tail. “I challenge you to a duel.”

“Fine, I don’t have time for this,” Smart Cookie snaps, “You’re my second in command for now.” She points at Pot Shell, “And his problem?”

“My sister Whirly Pop, if she was here would be on this counsel, I would like to sit here in her stay,” Pot Shell answered.

“You don’t have to, the stand in that you have has been doing well enough,” Smart Cookie points at Polytale.

“Still I would like a seat on this counsel,” The young stallion told her.

“Very well, Poly get out!” Smart Cookie snaps at the blue mare.

“What?” Polytale said in shock.

“You and Pot Shell represent the same region,” Smart Cookie explains, “He’s higher ranking than you so get the hell out.”

“I’d rather have her stay for today,” Pot Shell said.

“Well tough shit,” Smart Cookie snaps, “I want to see her out of here.”

“You can’t treat me like this!” Polytale shouted.

“The only reason why you are here to begin with is because the Chancellor had it in his heart to forgive you. I will only give you the respect that I need to. Luckily for me I’m not expecting any need to kiss your tail anytime soon,” Smart Cookie told the mare.

Polytale gets up and walks out of the room as Pot Shell takes his seat. As soon as she shut the door behind her, Polytale began to cry.

“Poly?” Philia speaks up as she walks down the hall.

“Philia?” Polytale turns to look at the unicorn. “You’ve grown.”

“Why are you crying?” Philia asks.

“Smart Cookie is an asshole,” Polytale said as she wipes the tears from her eyes.

“Yeah I know,” Philia sighs.

“Okay let’s bring this meeting back to track,” Smart Cookie announces to the room.

“As I was saying some of our supply routes have been interrupted by Pegasus incursions into Earth Pony towns in my territory,” Bellsprout told them.

“We should smite them now!” Coldly Cruel told the council.

“Now, we can’t weaken ourselves by fighting back these Pegasus attacks and they know it,” Smart Cookie points out.

“If only we can get the Pegasus to side with us at least only for the moment,” Geograve points out.

“Are you suggesting putting together a peaceful envoy to meet them? In our territory no less?” Baroness Weeping Willow questions.

“It could work,” Blossom Ball adds, “Pegasus are notoriously competitive, perhaps if we make some type of competitional challenge. They will take us up on the offer?”

“Let me guess you want to challenge them to a Buckball match?” Baroness Weeping Victory remarks flicking her locks with her hoof.”

“While I am an expert in that sport as you can see by my flank,” Blossom Ball smiles.

Smart Cookie looks at La Dawn, “I guess you being here ended up saving me the time of tracking you down.” She smiled at him, “Since you are a Pegasus perhaps negotiations with the enemy should be best led by you.”

“I was about to suggest the same thing,” La Dawn nods his head, “We also have that Ponyville who we need to return to her people.”

“Also take that Captain Zero with you, more Pegasus can certainly help and I’ll think he’ll find it an educational experience.”

“Philia and Polytale…”

The two mares sat at a table with steaming cups of coffee in front of them as they talked.

“How have you been?” Philia asked, “The last I seen you it was back in the Unicorn Kingdoms.”

“Yes, my education of you had reached its limit so we decided to take you to your homeland, a trek that was very overdue,” Polytale said somberly.

“Oh yeah but with the Frozen Lands to the north protected by the Dark Ones and the Desert Wastes to the south the homeland of the Zebra. We would had to pass through the Wildlands to reach the Unicorns. Something you don’t do with a young foal unless you absolutely have to. Even with a guardian as strong as Claymari was.” Philia points out.

“It broke my heart when Claymari and I was forced to leave,” Polytale sobbed, “In the end I suppose leaving you was pointless since you decided to leave and find Claymari on your own.”

Philia puts her hooves on top of Polytale’s and gives her a smile. “Nothing to cry about, they taught me to use my magic beyond what a normal Unicorn can do.”

“I suppose without having to take care of you Claymari and I really had no reason to stick together,” Polytale tells Philia, “I return to my hometown wanting to find peace after such a long and crazy journey and was swiftly arrested. Puddinghead then just a governor that represented my town’s area took pity on me and had me pardoned. Gave me a spot in his house and help teach his niece and nephew.”

“Funny when you think of what ties we nobles have to each other,” Philia laughs, “My teacher and adopted mother’s sister in law ended up being steward to a stallion’s nieces and nephews who is what? Your third cousin removed?”

“Oh want to hear something else that is interesting?” Polytale perks up, “Claymari, since the royal family of the Dore mixes the blood with the Apples, Ebony and I are actually second cousins to her. Tangerine I think is fourth or fifth down the line.”

Philia frowns,

“What’s the matter?” Polytale asks noticing the expression.

“You just made me feel a little lonely,” Philia answered, “I guess one of the things I always liked about this country is the sense of family. Especially amongst you nobles, Usually it’s just me and Claymari. I’ve always felt all the more isolated because of that. Even Claymari for that little while had you as family. La Dawn was born of a Earth Pony mother and lives in the middle of one of the nation’s most powerful houses. I for one never experienced the Game of Hats.”

Polytale laughs, “Game of Hats?”

“Your leaders wears very funny hats and for some reason everybody’s desires that hat!” Philia laughs back.

“Yes and I heard Princess Platinum like to wear her crown upside down,” Polytale mocked.

“Philia? Interesting seeing you here,” A voice spoke up.

Philia turns to see what looked to be an Elfen mare. “Lady Dominatrix?”

“Don’t be so shocked to see me,” The Elfen smiles, “A war zone is the best place for a mercenary.”

“Well since you are here I guess you are obviously on Smart Cookie’s side,” Philia remarks.

“Well they are the only side who are hiring so to speak,” Lady Dominatrix smiles.

“And it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you too,” A stallion voice speaks up from behind Lady Dominatrix.

“Knives?” Philia replied, “What are you two doing here together?”

“We been placed in the same unit,” Knives points at Lady Dominatrix, “It’s special ops.”

“Oh, which one of you is in command if you don’t mind me asking?” Philia wondered.

“Neither, at least at this point,” Lady Dominatrix replied.

“Actually our boss isn’t here yet,” Knives adds.

“Then who’s in charge?” Philia asked.

“I was surprise to see you two in the manifesto list,” Zero says to the two ponies as he walks into the room.

“Zero? You’re leading a TEA mission?” Philia said shocked.

“Oh yes, I’m planning on a full incursion into the Wildlands to check on a possible balefile egg location,” Zero replied whispering to Philia, “I asked about you, and apparently I can’t do a mission with both you and Claymari together. So I have to bring a new band together.”

Philia blushes, “Sorry about that I agreed to be a hostage when Claymari’s out.”

“Really? That’s only going to end in death,” Polytale points out.

“That’s what I said,” Zero smiles.

“Actually that’s kind of the point of me agreeing to doing that,” Philia smirks.

“Betting on Claymari being crazy? I’m might need to change sides,” Lady Dominatrix joked.

“Zero!” A voice shouts across the room. La Dawn walks up to the brown Pegasus. “You need to come with me for a briefing. Your Wildlands mission has been put on hold.”

“I’ll talk to you later,” Zero tells Philia. He trots over to La Dawn. “What happened?”

“You’re going with me to negotiate some Pegasus troops that invaded an Earth Pony town,” La Dawn answered.

“Can I still bring the team that I chose with?” Zero asked, “This sounds like a fluff mission compared to what I heard the Wildlands are like.”

“Sure, everyone but Claymari,” La Dawn answered, “This may go south really quick, but at its base it’s supposed to be a peace mission.”

“Sounds like something good for Philia to come with?” Zero remarks.

“And you’re Cat Pony marefriend?” La Dawn wondered.

“Well I’ve been debating whether or not to have her come with,” Zero answers, “She’s good at detecting enemies with that pipbuck that she has. Also good at avoiding danger. But given her condition I’d hate to see her get hurt.

“Perhaps you should leave the decision up to her?” La Dawn suggests.

“I suppose I should,” Zero nods his head.

A sound makes both Zero and La Dawn perk their heads up.

“Was that a pony?” Zero asked.

“I don’t see anything,” La Dawn says moving his head around.

“Perhaps we should find a private place?” Zero suggests.

“Yes that maybe good idea,” La Dawn nods his head.

From the woods a pony watches them slowly walk away. Having found the relevant information he decides to head back to the edge of the town keeping to the tree line to remain unseen.

The pony watches the road until he spots an orange pony. “Deja Vu,” He called out.

“Jamais Vu is that you?” The orange pony calls back.

“Yes,” Jamais Vu answers without moving from his hiding spot.

“You know you don’t have to hide from us?” Deja Vu says putting his hooves on his hips.

“I like my anonymity,” Jamais Vu remarks, “Who knows what eyes are watching, and where is Presque Vu?”

“Over here!” A green spec on top of a nearby hill shouts.

“How did you get so far ahead?” Jamais Vu asked.

“He had to go use the bathroom,” Deja Vu explains.

“I’m coming!” Presque Vu shouts as he trots down the hill.

“You don’t actually have to wait for him,” Deja Vu tells his hidden companion. “I know how you hate staying still in one spot.”

“Very well then,” Jamais Vu replied, “It seems a bunch of the big players are going to be heading to that town that the Pegasus had captured. They seem to want to open up negotiations. In addition a handful of special ops ponies are heading down to the town with them.”

“Yes,” Deja Vu nods his head, “At all costs we must make sure these negotiations go wrong. Secondary we should try to kill as many of these special ops ponies as we can.”

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at?” Jamais Vu points out.

“I think I may see it,” Presque Vu says as he walks up.

“The special ponies are probably some of the best fighters they got,” Deja Vu tells them, “We take out the best and they are stuck with the rest which are not as good.”

“Affirmative, I’ll go gather more info,” Jamais Vu went quiet.

“I think he went that way,” Presque Vu points with his hoof.

“I sent some ponies coming,” Deja Vu warns knocking Presque Vu into a ditch.

Two pony stallions pulling wagons walked past them. They nod their heads at Deja Vu.

“Honest Dollar? Did you see a pony in the ditch? I think I may have saw something I’m not sure?” Apple Tonic asked.

“I don’t know maybe, honestly I wasn’t paying attention,” Honest Dollars shrugged, “So after we are done in Applecore where are we going to go next?”

“I’m sensing the energy on the ground,” Apple Tonic replied, “What was the name of that town the Pegasus had took control of?”

“Hayfever,” Honest Dollar answered.