Carmino

by BigBadBorox_Is_Back

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Adventure
Length: 57606

A story of a few ponies (and other creatures) who's paths cross. The meeting might be good, bad or ugly.

Pea Gravel has been searching for a mysterious object called 'The Carmino' for most of her young life, but she finds more than what she thought. New friends…and new enemies…

The cover art was done by a very skilled friend of mine, you can find her as Cortawesome on Devient art.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-05 03:12:43 UTC

1) First Steps

Pea Gravel had been wandering through the desert for days.This filly had a grey coat,she also had long legs for her age. Her mane,though riddled with sand and dirt, was distinctly a carrot orange with yellow highlights. She had bare hooves and a hairless, skin toned muzzle.

She squinted her soft green eyes from the sun. "Is this it? I'm just going to die out here?"

The Sweltering heat beat down viciously on her small filly's body, her pace slowed down the further she went. Soon she simply crawled along the  rocky, unforgiving ground. The filly found refuge in the shade of a large rock. It gave her an amazingly refreshing break from the brutal rays of the desert's sun. She curled up in a ball and took a moment to remember what had happened. The last thing she could remember was being at some log cabin on the edge of the scrub desert. The Scrub Lands were so far away now, she hadn't seen a tree in days. She had been with somepony who she called 'Uncle'...now she remembered.

It was late in the night, the moon shown like a dim, white sun over the horizon's mesas. She had been living at Uncle's cabin since she was eight. That was six years ago. Pea and her uncle sat in his cabin; she liked him, he was always taking her out to fly on his back. And he told her stories...somepony close to her had also told her stories before. Jars and sacks lined his shelves, he had many wool blankets with amazing designs, but they were kinda stinky. She was eating some dried plants with Uncle, come to think of it, he was a strange pony. He was a donkey, but he had wings like a pegasus. She only knew two pegasi...but the other one...Pea blocked out that memory, she didn't want to remember that.

She thought back to her Uncle. They were eating, but when Pea went up into the loft to go to bed, Uncle looked out the window. He had only a few windows, one facing north, south, east and west. His back was to her, but she could tell he was trembling. She was about to ask what was wrong, but he spun his head around and motioned her to be quiet. He had a panicked look in his eyes.

Pea realized what he was afraid of when she heard a low thumping, like a massive set of legs trying to be sneaky. The soft moon light that filled the room was now suddenly blocked out and Uncle had one last look at Pea, still with a hoof to his lips. With no warning a massive yellow hand smashed through the window. It's clawed fingers wrapped around Uncle like a vice. She could hear his ribs crunch and his wings snap; but as he was dragged out of the hole in his home...she heard a sound far worse.

She couldn't tell what happened, she just hid under her uncle's blanket in the loft, trying not to listen to the awful, terrible sound. It was the sound of something eating uncle. Though she tried not to listen, she could hear every last stretch, rip, and crunch. She almost vomited, but she was so terrified she held it back.

         After awhile, the night became quiet aside from a low steady breath from outside the cabin. Then she heard the invader's laugh. It was a raspy, gluttonous, and awful sound. It made her hair stand on end. For a moment she lost grip of her courage and she let out one, single, tiny wimper. She instantly regretted what she did because she then heard a sniff.

The invader spoke,"Ah... Pequeño? Don't hide from dear old tío...come out,"

Pea froze, she was petrified...she couldn't move at all. A vicious growl came from outside. Suddenly the Cabin shook, it was collapsing! She jumped out of the loft, only to find the room she was eating in moments ago was now ablaze. She busted out of the east window as the room caved in on the small wood cabin. Pea trotted away as fast as her little hooves could carry her. She looked back for a moment, just a moment.

But what she saw was what she had feared. Behind the blazing rubble heap, was a massive yellow dragon. He had a stocky neck, mammoth shoulders and a long tail with a hook on the end. His face was wretched. His head had an eye missing, broken horns, pirceings on his nose and what was left of his ears.  His shoulders though, seemed to at one point, anchor a powerful set of wings. The Dragon's mouth had a crooked tooth smile, still stained with Uncle's blood. One side of his face had looked as it should, a scar here and there, but the right side of his face...it was missing an eye, and most of the skin. all of his teeth showed on that side of his face as drool and blood dripped from it. Pea ran even faster now, not because of what happened exactly, but who sent this invader. It could only be one thing...

Pea came back to reality. She blinked, fully remembering the past events. She shook her head in confusion,"Its not fair!" she spat out as she pounded the sand,"Why do they keep following me?! What did I do to deserve this?!"

All of that shouting, even under the rock's shade, took a lot of energy out of her tiny body. In a painful flash, she blacked out.She woke up shivering and, in the pitch-black darkness, she hears sniffing. Pea froze, her heart raced. Did he find her, was her escape for nothing? She shut her eyes, ready for the cruel hand of death to snatch her away. But it didn't, a voice called out to her in the blackness;

"Me smell you," the voice said. It was much softer and kinder than the dragon's, "Is you alright?" Pea couldn't see him, but she knew from the tone of his voice that he sounded friendly. She stuggled to her hooves and stumbled in the blackness.

"I could be better...I-I need some water," she said weakly," Could you spare some?" She heard a soft chuckle, "Share? Yes, Me will share water."

Pea was so tired, she barely noticed she was being lifted on the stranger's back. She couldn't feel how rough it was, how warm it was...She felt so safe, so far away from her pursuer that she drifted off to sleep.

Pea woke up with a start, her mouth was dry, muscles sore, and she couldn't feel the ground. She blinked and looked around at her surroundings. She was at some sort of cliff base, and there were long brown sacks everywhere. The sun wan in a late afternoon position and the the mesas at the horizon cast long, purple shadows. All she could smell was brimstone and...blood! She looked at the bags again, some were bloodstained and motionless, others seemed to have desperate contents. She looked at herself...her belly was scraped up, bruises shown through her fur, and now that she moved around...she could taste her own blood. Worst of all, her back left leg was strung up to a dead tree with a mind-numbingly confusing knot.

She became panicked,"How am I going to get out of this one?"

She heard footsteps, low thuds...like a massive set of legs trying to be sneaky. She tried her best to play dead.

"We sure made a grande haul, eh Sidzo?" said a voice she didn't recognize. She did hear one that rang a bell however it was a raspy, gluttonous, and awful sound;

"Did you see it when He said 'Oh me have water'?...Oh its too much!"

As Pea played dead, she cursed. "They did find me...what are they going to do?" she thought. One of Sidzo's cronies poked Pea. He was some kind of diamond dog, but he looked more like a jackal.

"Hey boss," he barked,"this 'un still 'ung up, do you want me teh put 'er in one of da bags?"

Sidzo grunted in disapproval," Do what you want, I don't care." The nasty Yellow dragon shoveled some of the mysterious bags and stuffed the contents in his jagged maw. The sounds that came out were crunch after wet squishes, Pea' skin began to crawl. The jackal caught her and hopped right next to the poor filly.

The jackal sniggered, "Well, Ahm kinda hungry..." Pea flinched, he licked his teeth,"Oooh...she's still awake..."

"Hey! What you doin'?" a voice called, his voice sounded oddly relaxed. The jackal untied the knot that held Pea in the air," Oza, its you...wern't ya doin sumptin?"

Pea heard footsteps closing in, not as big as Sidzo's but close to them. Suddenly she was lifted higher in the air. Her head was turned to meet the stranger's.

It was another dragon, he was a little past his teenage stage and had only been walking on fours for  a year or so. He had a white-orange stripe pattern on his smooth scales, like a clown fish. On top of his head short, sharp horns were beginning to grow. His body were slender with lean muscle. Just like Sidzo, he had large,nasty scars on his back where the bases of wings should be. His teal eyes glared coldly at the jackal as he trudged forward.

His eyes looked at Pea's, "What you here for, pony?" Pea hadn't actually spoke for days, so when she tried it came out cracked and weak. The dragon, Oza rolled his eyes.

He grabbed a large jug near by,"Drink," he commanded. Pea looked at the jug for a dazed moment, than guzzled it. It's refreshing taste of fresh water was almost too much but before she was done.

The jackal snatched it from her," Hey you little dirt clod! Quit drinkin' all mah water!"

The next thing the jackal knew he was smacked up side the head. Oza lowered his popped his knuckles,"Shaddup, Oza is dragon, not doggie! Run off before Oza gets upset."

The diamond dog whimpered and scooted off, taking his precious water jug. Oza sat the filly back on the dirt and stretched out to his full length. When he yawned, the little pony could see that his tuonge (and the rest of his mouth) was blue. He smacked his lips and closed his eyes.

Pea was confused. The striped dragon spoke as he rested," Oza ask you before, why you here pony?" Pea Gravel had never heard or seen a dragon like this...Oza.

She pushed up some courage to speak," T-the yellow one...um...Sidzo, right?...H-he kidnapped me," she started crying when she remembered what happened to her uncle,"I-I...um..." Oza raised his hand, motioning her to stop. "You don't have wings...why Sidzo take you?" Oza opened one eye. He had seen many sad ponies in the past few years, but he always thought there was a good reason behind it. This time he wasn't to sure.

"What Sidzo do?" his relaxed tone suddenly grew a razor edge. Pea didn't know how to say it, how to describe that night's horror. "He k-killed my uncle...and broke down my house."

Oza rose up on his back legs, he wasn't very tall, but was barrel chested. He glared in Sidzo's direction, his toes dug into the dirt.

"Sidzo, what you do to this pony?" He called. Sidzo looked up from something he was eating, he placed one of the mysterious bags down. Sidzo was just as terrifying in the daylight as in the dark. One of his massive hands wiped his mouth as he spoke.

"Is something wrong amigo?" the yellow dragon spat through his crooked teeth. Oza walked toward the beast up on his back feet, his chest puffed out.

"Boss said only winged pony or ones who didn't pay, not the others..." Oza said with bared teeth," Borox asked for that one alot," he pointed at Pea," Sidzo don't want to see Borox angry, right?"

Sidzo chuckled, he was at least  three times bigger than Oza and was much, much stronger. The massive yellow dragon turned his entire body towards Oza. All of Sidzo's henchmen looked at the future fight scene in anticipation.

"I don't think he cares to much, Pequeño Lagato," spat Sidzo.

They were only a few yards away from each other now, steam rolled out of Sidzo's mouth," Don't get any stupid ideas Oza..."

Oza scraped the dirt and cocked his head sideways, " How about fatty makes Oza, eh?!"

The yellow dragon crouched half a second, than bolted toward Oza, who just barely dodged the assault. Sidzo smashed his head in the Cliff base, rocks began falling from the top. Oza lifted his bodyweight over as many bags as he could. Not wanting the precious cargo to get squished. Pea was far enough away to not get hit. (actually she backed away from the camp by a few yards) Rocks rained down on top of Oza as pe huddled behind a bolder at a safe distance.

After the dust cleared, Pea saw Oza shake off many of the rocks and boulders that fell on him...but no Sidzo. With a loud bang and a green flash of light, Sidzo appeared directly above Oza. In a moment, he forced all of his weight on Oza's back, causing a loud WHAM and dark blue blood to spurt out of the young dragon's mouth. Sidzo reared on his hind legs, now almost a third of the cliff's height. He roared monstrously as his torso flew down to earth, his meaty paws balled up in bone crushing fists. Oza looked up for a second, before Sidzo smashed into him again.

"Oh God..." whispered Pea, " there's no way he could have survived that one!"

Sure enough, the orange-white dragon didn't get back up, he managed to spit some of his blood back at Sidzo, but the massive dragon wasn't satisfied. He grabbed Oza's head, who's body was limp. Sidzo raised his victim's head up and smashed it against a rock, twice, three times, four! He slipped his hands under his victim and lifted Oza over his head. Oza couldn't even react as Sidzo dug his talons into Oza and smacked him against the cliff like a baseball bat. After a few whacks and blue streaks ran down the cracked rock, Sidzo threw Oza back to the dirt. The yellow dragon's henchmen went wild cheering their master on.

Sidzo released his vicious grip, his chest heaved with a triumphant belching growl. Oza lay practically lifeless at his feet. The victor gathered the bags, the supplies, and all of the water. "Adelantado boys, we're leaving."

Pea waited for the monsters to be out of sight. She got out from her hiding place. She tip-toed over the the broken dragon. She couldn't tell if he was breathing...she got closer...still nothing...closer. He suddenly gasped for air, and made slow shaky breaths. He could't move his body, but he tried to speak. What came out was gurgles and coughs.

Pea looked at the pitiful creature, "Serves you right, you...you dragon bastard."

Oza turned his head with much difficulty...or at least Pea hoped that was a face. The dragon's neck quivered as tried to stay erect, and blue blood trickled out of Oza's mouth and nose.One side of the dragon's face had been practically smashed into a blue, swollen mess. With the less damaged side of it, he tried to smile. Pea didn't know how to feel; her whole life, dragons ruined everything, she hated them, but this one...he stuck his neck out for her, he didn't even ask for her name. She stood back up, a confused and angry look on her youthful face.

"No," she thought, "all dragons aren't evil and murders...yeah thats it..."

Pea began to walk in the opposite direction Sidzo went, but she heard Oza. With some spurts and coughs he managed to say,"Is...*cough*...you alright?"

Now Pea was at a moral cross road. She remembered something somepony said to her when she was young;" The best friends in life, are the one's you reach out to help." Pea stood dead in her tracks, what should she do? Oza coughed again.

This time more blood drained out,"I...can s-see you're fine...Oza...Oza is fine too..."

The mare turned around an trotted back to her defender. He was laying limp again and Pea crept up to his head. She tried to smile because his face was so wrecked, along with the rest of his body.

"Um...is there anything I can do to help?"

Oza's eye fluttered open. Pea wasn't a doctor, but she'd seen plenty of death to know that Oza's time was coming to a close. The dragon muttered something, Pea didn't understand it, but she suddenly wanted to gather half a pound of sand and a bluegrass cactus bud. She darted off to find the ingredients and laid them in front him. He rolled his tongue out and chanted something, his eyes rolled back and he stopped moving.

Pea was shocked...she wanted to cry, but the sand and the flower slowly levitated with an eerie glow. A strange bottle landed in it's place. The pony had an impulse to pour it on Oza's tung. She did and waited...nothing...she dug her hooves into the ground nervously. After what seemed like an eternity, Oza's eyes sprung back, his face was now...less damaged than before and she heard his joints pop as he moved his head up. Pea was overjoyed! She popped forward and hugged Oza's neck tightly.

"Hey now," he chuckled," Oza still hurts a little!"

Pea let go and scooted back. The dragon rolled onto his back stretching his limbs. Pea fidgeted nervously, confused and kind of scared. The dragon's wounds slowly closed up and his ribs morphed back into place.

She looked up at the dragon," What was that back there? I'm not a doctor, how did I know how to do that?" Oza smiled as he checked his fingers and toes could wiggle.

"Oh, Oza used magic on pony, tell you how to make 'Revival Potion'. Oza thanks you for listening."

So much had happened to Pea, she was so worn out and confused. Oza laid down again and Pea inched closer to him. "Um...Oza, t-thank you for everything. I would've been eaten or worse... if you didn't help me."

Oza raised an eye brow," Oza would be dead without help also." They sat silent for a moment, the sun began to set and it got chilly.

"Oza, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, pony can."

"I could use a friend, and you're alone now too right?"

Oza made a wide grin,"Oza could use friend too."

Pea remembered her green pancho, she wrapped it around herself in the growing cold. "By the way, My name is Pea Gravel."

The dragon licked her mane," This dragon Oza, but Pea already knew that."

TO BE CONTINUED...

2) Beamville and the Jertin Vest

It had been two years since Pea had met Oza. They spent their time wandering from town to town causing trouble. They didn't mean to, of course, it just happened. They had been out of Peas home desert for most of that time. Oza had shown Pea places she had never seen before. She saw a forest for the first time and a water fall. The two travelers had now reached a slightly rocky area that had sparse fields.  On their travels Oza seemed to have trouble sleeping. Pea told him stories, even lullabys to the troubled dragon.

Now they were in some sort of Steel Mill town, exploring the wide paved streets. It wasn't a city by any means, but it was the biggest town either of them had seen. They were walking down one of the main streets and many of the pedestrians stared at the pair blankly. Oza took up as much space space a a large cart in the street and Pea's palomino decent had left some spots bare of a coat. She was used to bare flanks, but some of the male workhorses weren't.

"I guess they've never seen a dragon before eh Oza?" Pea smirked.

Oza nodded, he seemed to be distracted by something though. Pea didn't want to pry, but she knew him well. "Oza, is something wrong?"

The dragon seemed spaced-out,"Oh...Oza fine," he said finally,"How we get food here?"

Pea hadn't noticed how hungry she was, they didn't have any money, just a few supplies in Pea's satchel. Oza had packs on his back too, but keeping enough food for a dragon and a pony was tricky business. They noticed some sort of street show on the side of the brick-paved street. A crowd surrounded the 'show' and was in an uproar. Oza and Pea went over to check it out.

In a rope ring there were two stallions, one had a pair of overalls (he probably worked at the mill) and the other was the biggest pony Pea had ever seen. He was a mule, an odd find in the desert, but common in industrial towns like this one. The crowd kept cheering for 'Andre' then the mule kicked the miller who flopped on the ground, unconscious. Some other ponies dragged him out of the ring and money was passed around by the audience members. From what Pea could gather, the ponies were gambling on who would win in a fight with  the giant Andre.

A small, scrawny pony with thick glasses trotted up next to the mule,"Who else wants to challenge Andre...come on! You can't all be old mares, one of 'yas gotta come up!"

Nopony entered the ring," I sees it, so Andre is the strongest one in Beamville?"

Oza lowered his head near Pea's,"Hey pony," he whispered,"Oza has plan...you go in that ringy thing, Oza will do rest."

"What?! Me go in there?! You're crazy!" but as Pea said this, everypony turned to look at them. Oza tapped Pea's nose, suddenly a wave of energy surged through her slim body.

Oza devilishly grinned," Don't worry, trust Oza!"

The audience had no idea what the two strangers were up to, but jeered Pea on to go in the ring. The youthful mare strode through the wild crowd with ease. She walked to the rope ring with unnatural confidence and adrenaline. The mule grunted,"Ah come on, I cant beat up a liddle mare , Quill."

The scrawny pony shrugged, and started placing bets. Pea ducked under the rope and looked up at her opponent, who is at least four head taller than her, but she smiled anyway. Bets were made and a little bell sounded.

Andre popped his neck,"Sorry girly"

He lifted his right hoof for a hefty punch. his massive hoof swung and flew past Pea. She jumped to the side and kicked his ribs, nothing. He turned his bulk toward her, and dived for another strike. The mare simply lifted her weight over his head and jumped along his back, now Andre was fired up...

He jumped up, with Pea still on his back and tried to slam down on her. Pea narrowly dodged it as his weight dented the pavement. He lumbered back up  while  Pea ran circles around  the ring. Andre cursed as he swung violently in random direction after her. Pea slid under his leg with him barely noticing. The crowd, including Oza were going crazy over the best fight they saw all day and cheered both fighters on.

Pea was behind Andre who was on his hind legs, suddenly the mule's weight wobbled. Pea had kicked out one of his feet, he wobbled...the audience held their breath...Oza chuckled. Andre was about to fall over but Pea scampered in front of him and bucked up her hind legs and battered Andre's chin. She hit him so hard he flipped over and landed on his back. The wind was knocked out of his barrel chest and he heaved in and out for air. Pea swayed  seductively over and whacked him on the head, he blacked out and a nasty whelp rose from the impact.

The crowd was speechless...Oza broke the silence,"Lets go ponies, pay up!"

  Pea and Oza walked merrily down the brick street, heavy money bags in tow. They wandered around town a bit more, Pea bought stockings and other warm clothing,( you never know when you need it) a bundle of fresh rope, a new compass, and a few other supplies. Her friend went to a grocer stand, though he wasn't particularly fond of produce, he bought most of the merchant's stock. (Which didn't cost as much as he thought it would...maybe because he scared the poor pony half to death, they just aren't used to seeing dragons!)

It was now getting late, the street lanterns were being lit and ponies went back to the comfort of their homes. Pea was getting tired, Oza could tell. The spell he used on her must have worn her out. As they walked they found an inn near the edge of town and it was conveniently cheap. They could have spent more on a fancier hotel, but they wanted to conserve money and besides, Pea didnt much care for 'fancy'. Oza sat ouside the inn as Pe went though the thin wood door.

Pea went to the front desk,"Hey mister...ya got any rooms?" she yawned," Me and my friend are kinda sleepy."

There was a donkey behind the counter, he was rather fat and looked very cramped behind the little desk. He was about to tell the mare to get lost when he saw the dragon. His chubby face went into a cold sweat.

"Heh heh...um I-I don't think I have a room big enough for your friend..."

Pea became frustrated, she tried to reason with the chubby donkey but Oza stopped her.

"Oza fine, he'll sleep outside."

Pea couldn't help but smile and firmly asked for a room on the ground floor with a nice window. The donkey exchanged the requested room's key for a few Bits. The tired mare wandered though most of the first floor until she found her room. With some dificulty, she unlocked it, slumped the new supplies of her back and Pea groggily walked inside the room. She found Oza already outside the open window but was too tired to be surprised. She wobbled over to the bed and flopped on it.

" 'Night buddy!" she murmured happily.

The dragon smiled, and waited for her to fall asleep, he had something he wanted to do for her. He wanted to get her a gift, because tomorrow was her eighteenth birthday and an anniversary of their friendship. Oza slinked off and headed back into town. He walked through the empty street looking for a certain shop. When he found it, the owner was preparing to leave and was not expecting Oza's presence.

The dragon caught her by surprise," Excuse Oza, but he needs your help on something." The pony was confused and still processing her first sight of a dragon,

"Yes...what can I do for...Oza?" she asked nervously. Oza explained (best as he could) what he needed, the mare began to smile.

"Sure I can do that, I'm gonna need some measurements though, sweetheart." Oza looked at a mannequin in her shop, it suddenly rattled and morphed slightly.

Oza nodded,"There pony, measurements."

The mare was startled, but went back in her shop, Oza tried his best to fit through the door. Only his neck and one arm made it, he didn't mind though. The tailor looked in her fabric shelves and picked out a few. One was a soft looking cream colored wool bundle, the other two were some kind of blue fabric for fancy suits. Oza didn't think those would work, but the wool would. He pointed to a wooden crate next to the shelf. It was covered in newspaper and some line of books.

Oza tilted his head,"What in box?"

The tailor giggled,"Oh that thing? I haven't opened that in years!"

She brushed off the stuff on top and lifted the lid. She pulled out some thick brown fabric, it looked like some sort of padding. Oza's eyes widened.

"That's it! That one!"

The tailor raised an eyebrow,"You sure she'll like it? Its under padding for armor, its kinda heavy just by itself..."

Oza shooed her work bench.

"Dragon fix that. make suit" The tailor shrugged and started working on the pattern for the piece. Oza drummed his fingers on the wood floor as he waited, the tailor squinted at him,"I can't work with all that noise!"

Oza stopped and shifted guiltily, "Oza sorry..."

The mare giggled," Oh stop bein' so dramatic!"

As an hour passed, she tried cutting the fabric pieces, but the padding Oza picked was too tough for even her biggest, sharpest scissors and needles. Without warning Oza snatched one of the needles and put it in his mouth. The tailor squealed. He stuck out his tung and the needle was there but seemed...different.

She was very surprised at this. Oza put the needle back on the tailor's work table. She blinked at it like it was something she was seeing for the first time. Oza gestured to it with impatience. She tried cutting the padding with it which held firm but cut like butter. The new tool sped the process up delightfully quickly. Only three hours had passed since she started and the piece was nearly finished.

All she had to do now was add buttons, a collar with the wool and her signature. When she finished, she handed the piece's hefty weight over to Oza with great difficulty, the dragon lifted it like a feather. He pulled himself out of the doorway and with a rushed 'Thanks pony' he darted off. He did leave the remainder of the fight's earnings at the door as payment. The tailor was ecstatic, only the richest ponies paid her this much for custom suits. She waved at the disappearing figure.

As the dragon neared the inn, a strange feeling took over him. He couldn't remember anything before his fight with Sidzo, but he remembered magic he learned in his childhood. At least he assumed that's when he learned it. Oza carried the gift out of town, he stopped under a bridge. He drew a circle in the dirt and placed the gift in the center, then he pricked his claw into a soft spot on the other arm. He cut a small slit into the padding and wrote several runes on the inside with his cobalt blood as ink. He blew an eerie, cold flame on the runes and they began to glow.

He seamed the slit back together, as well as his wound and headed back to the inn. He bundled the vest into a blanket and slipped it through Pea's window. He almost stopped halfway, admiring how beautiful she looked. She lay curled up comfortably on the mattress amongst a puffy blanket. Her lips curled up in a small smile as she slept soundly. The dragon sighed to himself as he slid the window closed. He lounged on the pavement outside and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

Pea woke up in a comfy bed, she didn't remember where she was for a second. She looked out the window and could tell it was almost noon from the position of the sun. The mare sat up and saw a bundle at the edge of the bed. It had a little note on it, she inched over to read it. 'Happy Birthday! from: Oza'

Pea giggled with joy, she had completely forgotten about her birthday. She opened the bundle to find a fine chocolate brown vest. It looked flexible and it probably would cover most of her torso. It had a soft wool inner lining and shinny brass buttons. She was ecstatic as she put it on.  It looked rough but felt like the inside of a cloud and much to her surprise it was rather light. She also expected it to be hot in the city's weather, but she felt the same with it on. It was an amazing vest, she wanted to thank her friend.

She ran out of the inn and found Oza lounging on the side of the building sleeping soundly. Pea knew he was a light sleeper, so she shuffled over and tickled his nose. He responded with a loud sneeze that knocked Pea on her flanks. Pea giggled and brushed herself off, her friend admired how well the vest turned out. She was wearing her old poncho like a blanket over shoulders.

"Oza, where did you find this thing? It so amazing!"

Oza stretched out and yawned," Oza asked for dress-making pony's help on it. Dose Pea like it?"

Pea looked at herself in the window's reflection,"Its wonderful bud, but its so light and it ain't stuffy...how did you get this?" The dragon twiddled his fingers,"Oza use some magic on vest. He calls it a 'Jertin'."

Pea was well aware of her friend's accomplished magical talents, but never heard him call it by something her ears could actually hear...she became even more excited.

"What's a Jertin?" she asked with bright eyes.

Oza stood up and flexed his wing stumps, Pea always flinched  when he did this then he slumped back down again as he folded his hands.

"Jertin is set of magic letters on clothes. There's is one to keep Pea warm or keep cool, one to make heavy go away and one to make vest strong as metal," Oza leaned toward Pea with a serious look on his face," That one 'wakes up' when Pea says special word. Pea must remember, when vest is made metal it will be heavy and not move. Pea needs to remember..."

Pea rolled her eyes,"Pfffft...come on Oza just tell me already."

Oza's face relaxed," Word is 'harden' but Pea has to be ready for it."

Pea burst out laughing," Really Oza? A dick joke, come on...what is t really?"

Oza scratched his head," Oza not joke...that's really how one makes it work..."

Pea struck a dramatic pose like a damsel in distress,"Harden!" she said in a dramatically panicked tone.

Suddenly the vest became ridged and its weight forced the mare actress to the ground," Ah shit, you weren't kidding!"

The sudden massive weight was lifted instantly when she said 'Harden' again. Oza laughed as Pea tried to prepare herself to do it a few more times. Once she got the hang of it, she turned to Oza with a wild look in her eye...

"Oza, I need to know if this thing will work well as armor...hit me."

Oza's face suddenly went pale and he blinked in confusion," Don't Pea believe her friend?"

Pea Gravel cocked her head to the side," 'Course I do, but I need to test the thing!"

Oza shook his head," No, no Oza not hit friend..." Pea grunted, "Fine, I'll slip it off, but you have to hit it," She said, then stated the magic word.

The dragon suddenly looked sad, he thought the vest looked nice...why was he hitting it? But he didn't want to disappoint his friend so he smacked the vest lightly.

Pea groaned ,"harder," she said.

Oza flinched as he brought his hand to a fist, he bopped the vest a little harder. "Come on man!" cried Pea," There's no point in using it if I don't know what it can't handle!" Oza finally gave in.

Pea watched as he rose to his full height, he almost reached the inn's second floor windows. He balled up his hands and Pea could see veins bulge in his arms...maybe this wasn't such a good idea?

Oza used his body weight to slam against the vest. The enchanted vest, with the density of several hard metals, crumpled like paper from the impact. The pavement around that cracked into a jagged spiderweb. Pea was knocked off her hooves and the surrounding buildings shook. Pea was stunned.She looked guilty when she saw Oza trembling, his powerful hands still on the vest. Pea walked up to him and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. Oza craned his neck to look away.

"...Oza never wanted Pea to see that....Oza don't like doing that...not to dragons, not to ponies, not to friend's gift..."

Pea took his hand and tried to comfort him. She laughed softly," Oza, I don't think I'll ever be hit by something like that...come on look over here," her friend obliged and turned his head back to her.

"Vest can be fixed," he sniffled," Pea say magic word, it goes back to normal."

She said the command and the vest returned to it's fabric form. Pea leaned over closer to Oza," Thanks for the gift bud, it's wonderful."

This brought a smile back to Oza's face and the mare tugged lightly his ear. "Come on man, lets get going. You got food right?"

Oza grabbed the packs he had left on the side of the building," Yep!"

They were chatting as they left the city limits and walked on the cobble stone road for awhile, when Oza had a rather important question. He looked at Pea with a concerned look on his face, "Pea, where are dragon and pony going?"

Pea suddenly looked sad...they had been friends for two years, yet those words never came out of Oza until now. Pea walked slower, her now wet eyes looked out on the horizon.

She took a deep breath," Oza...I'm looking for a place called Ponyville..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

3) A Wider Veiw

"I'm looking for a place called Ponyville," said Pea.

"Where can Pea find Ponyville?" asked Oza, he had been around a lot of places...but he never heard of that town.

Pea kept looking at the horizon,"I-I just need to find it Oza...I..." she then burst into tears. Oza didn't really know how to react to this. They had known each other for a long time. Even when faced with death, Pea still had a fire of courage. But right here, right now, she seemed weak...broken. Oza lifted the whimpering pony on his back, she nestled between the large supply packs and slowly fell asleep.

Oza walked further down the empty road, he racked his brain to come up with a solution of why his friend acted like that. The once mid afternoon sky turned dark with clouds, a storm was coming...

Oza knew it wasn't an ordinary storm...

As the rain began to pile down, Oza put a tarp over his back to keep Pea dry. The dirt road now grew soft and muddy and the dragon's feet sank as he trudged forward. He had to keep going...his mind spiked with pain. He knew something was going on, but couldn't place what it was.

Further down the road Oza could see a figure, tall , long and thin. He could see her electric green eyes shine through the rain. Her voice called out to him,

"Oza...what are you doing out here, Master has been worried about you," as these words were said, he had a natural instinct to follow.

Oza shook his head, "No! Oza don't know you, go away!" He continued down the road, closer to her.

She was a long blue dragon, her intense eyes were fixed on Oza. Her smooth scales had scattered scars running up and down her neck. She had earrings and gems stuck in her long, pointy ears. The fin on her spine became jagged and ugly and it reached her shoulders from her missing wings. She  was from the same pack as Sidzo and his cronies from the desert. The orange and white dragon's mind felt as if it was trying to remember something...something ugly.

The venomous eyes of the stranger still glared,"Oza...you have quite a stash on you back...where did you get it?"

Oza stopped only a few steps from her. He rose his neck up to look at her eye level. He kept his face rigid.

"Oza not tell Jenja!" The blue dragon smiled, showing her needle teeth as she slinked up to Oza. Pea's friend didn't even know how, or why he said that name. He had never seen this dragon before, or had he?

"So...you remember me?" Jenja giggled, "You know Oza, you've become quite a fetching dragon..." Jenja's acidic tone became sweeter than honey.

She moved in closer, inches from Oza's face. As she licked the side of his cheek, his ridged expression became soft. He knew she was using some kind of spell to throw off his guard, but his body didn't care. The rain that surrounded them became warm like a tropical monsoon,  and Oza returned the favor. Jenja's talon caressed Oza's chin and the rain piled down.

Jenja's cheeks turned purple with resentment. Oza's breath was hot and his head swam...it was one hell of a spell she cast on him. Jenja slid her smooth rain soaked body up to Oza's. Her eyes became seductively alluring, making Pea's friend forget what he was doing, where he was and just...forget.

Oza felt a kiss. His legs turned into jelly, his eyes closed and a surge of uncertainty plowed through him. After what felt like forever, his nirvana was stopped dead in its tracks. He felt a sudden stabbing pain in his neck. Oza's eyes shot open and he saw Janja looking deeply into his panicked eyes as her long, sharp claws dug into Oza's neck. His body couldn't move, all he could do was stand and have Janja drag the claws down his neck. Deep, nasty gashes seeped cobalt blood as the claws sank into his flesh.

Janja stopped, smirking wickedly as she pulled her bloodied fingers from the wounds,"Such a shame...you were so handsome too..." she licked her fingers with a forked tongue.

Oza's vision went blurry. She had poisoned him and a chilly, depressing feeling swept over him as he sank to the muddy road. He could make out what looked like Janja leaving. The Orange-White dragon grabbed the tarp on his back and Pea. He nestled her still sleeping body next to his chest and covered her so she didn't get wet. Oza couldn't tell if he was cold, or the rain was...it didn't matter much to him. Pea would be safe from the elements. That was enough for him...

How could he have been so stupid? "Oza...can't...abandoned...Pea..." The rain had finally stopped, but he couldn't feel it. The sun had been down for hours and Pea awoke groggily.

"Oza, where are we?...I can still see that Beam place!" Pea felt safe under friends strong arm, and snuggled closer to him,"If you're that tired, we can stay here..." then she felt warm...and wet...It wasn't raining...she saw a pool of cobalt mix with the mud under her.

"Oza, hey buddy?....Oza?!" She stood up only to see the massive gash wounds on his neck. She immediately looked though her pack to see if she could find something to help...anything...she found nothing. Pea went into a state of panic, what should she do? What could she do? She heard Oza make some sort of noise.

He sputtered blood,"Pea...you awake?" Pea Gravel tried to smile...but she couldn't.

"Oza! What happened?" Pea finally said, tears in her eyes.

Oza closed his eyes," Deja vu, right pony?" then he stopped breathing.

Pea's eyes widened, She shook her head in disbelief, she tried to shake Oza awake but as she touched his neck something burned her hooves when they were near the gashes. she pulled her hooves away...

She heard a laugh, not an evil one, but one that sounded like it just told a good joke. Pea spun her head around...nothing but grassy, water logged fields and Beamville in the distance. She looked at Oza. Oza looked back at her.

"Oza got you!" he giggled. Pea was furious and overjoyed at the same time. It took her a moment to recover.

"Oza! You're alright," she punched his shoulder,"What the hell got into you!? You scared me to death, Oza!"

Oza pulled his neck up with difficulty,"What? Did me scare Pea too much?" He winced when he laughed.

"Damn right it was too much!" her stern expression changed," Oh god, you're hurt pretty bad huh?"

"Oza hurt, but not beat! It take more than that to kill this dragon!" Oza said as he puffed his chest slightly.

Pea swelled with pride, her best friend was such a bad ass! The damaged dragon got up and blood slowly trickled out of the long gashes in his neck as he trudged. Oza began walking down the road, Pea had to go rather fast to keep up with his fast pace. The mare was a little confused.

"If you need healing, shouldn't we go back to town?"

"What Oza need is not behind us. We need to go far...really far."

Pea became concerned,"Okay Oza...do you know how to get there?" Oza suddenly stopped. He looked at the horizon like a lost puppy.

"....not from here...." Pea couldn't help but facehoof. Oza looked dazed and craned his neck in random directions.

"Tell you what, can you hang out here? I'll go back into town and buy the biggest map I can find okay?" she turned to leave, than quickly turned her head to Oza," You'll be fine while I'm gone right?"

Oza sat down with a toothy grin,"Oza be fine!"

Pea Gravel ran as fast as she could back to town, she didn't want to waste a second. Oza was tough, but she didn't know how long he would hold out. She entered the town, the loud drone of the steel mills blared. Ponies and mules alike covered the street, Pea shoved her way through the crowd and got shoved back. One pony in particular passed who by recognized Pea's vest.

"Hello, miss!" the stranger said. Pea turned to her and the mare continued,"I see you got the present your friend bought. It fits you lovely, say...where is he anyway?"

Pea saw her chance,"Oza, you know him?"

The tailor smirked,"Know him? Not really, but I haven't forgotten him..." She saw desperation in Pea's eyes,"Is Oza alright?"

"N-not for long, something came up last night and attacked him. He said he knew where a cure to the poison in his blood was, but we need a big map to find it."

The tailor's dignified demeanor became focused and alert. She took a bag of money she had at her side and tossed it over the crowd. As soon as the massive CLANK was heard, Ponies from all directions swarmed to the spot.

"Follow me!" the tailor yelled over the din of the city.

They ran easily through the now dispersed crowd until they came to an alleyway. The tailor looked over her shoulders making sure nopony was near. She pushed aside some large crates from a spot in the alley. Under the crates was a cellar door. On the alley wall were some kind of propaganda posters, but Pea couldn't read them.

The tailor looked Pea in the eye," Promise you won't tell anypony about this place?" Pea nodded.

Pea followed the mare down, She saw all kinds of odd trinkets and papers on the walls and floor. They walked deeper into the hidden place and the air became more dank and cold. Pea wasn't really sure about what was going on, but she had to find a way to heal Oza. The air suddenly became warm, and dry. The two mares passed a corner and saw who lived down here. The room was lined with shelves and each shelf had books, scrolls and snack boxes. Pea blinked in confusion. She was expecting some sort of old sage that knew many things and was a great magician, not what she now saw...

"Cosmo, you have a visitor..." The tailor said.

The oddest unicorn Pea had ever seen zipped across the room, "What does the Earth Pony want, servant of mine?" he said in a mock maniacal tone. Pea stepped forward, ready to explain, but he didn't seem to even notice. He was crazy that was for sure, his ears flicked.

"You're in possession of an enchanted suit, aren't you?"

"Y-yes, sir..." murmured Pea.

Cosmo bounced in front of her, "I'm a mind reader! The ponies who are setting up a rebellion against The Roxites-"

As Pea hear that her face turned white, she slumped down shivering. The tailor shot a glare at Cosmo, " Cosmo you idiot! You can't go telling ponies I bring down here what were doing!"

She looked down at Pea and motioned Cosmo for something. He scampered to the  edge of the dank room and pulled out a map from a shelf, a big one, exactly like Pea wanted. He handed it to her and she took it reluctantly. A wry smile grew on Cosmo's face.

"I'm a mind reader!" The green stranger said casually," I knew what you wanted, oh and shh!"  The tailor scowled. Pea slowly rose up with a cold sweat. She looked at the strangers in disbelief.

"Are you all high? How can ponies beat Roxites? I've...seen them...met them..." Pea remembered Sidzo...and her Uncle. She also remembered something from her distant past...someone that made her skin crawl. She looked back at Cosmo," You ponies can't be serious!"

Cosmo waved a hoof in the air dismissing Pea's plea. He motioned to the map while he grabbed a bag of crackers. He passed some over to the tailor and they munched quietly as the mare opened the dusty brown scroll.

She didn't even think of how big it's scale would be! The desert she had called home could fit under an eyelash. There were Islands all over it, she expected this is what an 'Atlas' looked like. The edges of the map still had land, but they were not the same. The center of the map said 'Unknown'. Pea thought this was odd, a world map with a blank spot?

As she strained her eyes to the islands, most of them had many borders, like different pieces of a land puzzle. The island her desert was on seemed tiny on the mid part of the Atlas. It was called Preon and was fairly close to an island called Equestria.

"Excuse me, C-Cosmo?" his unsettling presence made Pea feel...odd," There are still places not covered by the map, they just go off the edge...how will I know my way around if the map doesn't cover it?"

The unicorn chuckled," Oh Earth Pony, I doubt if your great grand-children would even get close to that map's edges."

Pea's eyes widened, this had to be the map she was looking for, Oza couldn't possibly need something that was on the edge of this map...right? Pea thanked the two strange ponies and headed back outside. As she left a few tough ponies walked back into the alley behind her. They passed dirty looks before she left.

Her mind was ablaze about the map she put in her pack. The crowd that had been such an annoyance before now had dissipated, everypony who worked at the steel mill was now in their respective place. The streets felt empty now and the shops that lined the street beckoned anypony that trekked the practically empty street. Pea went through the rural outskirts of the town and crossed the Beamville bridge. She now made it out of the town, "Hopefully for the last time",she thought.

She finally made it to where Oza was resting. She could tell his wounds got worse, they look like they had been cauterized. So Oza did know a thing or two about that 'medical' stuff...

"Oza? Hey bud, you alright?" Pea called.

"Oza fine, how did map hunting go?" the dragon asked.

Pea trotted up to Oza, excited to show him the map. She opened it before him and his eyes widened. It was if he could see more on it then she could and the dragon smiled. He pointed to a spot on the map close to the desert.

"We need to go there," he said flatly.

His wound was beginning to act up as they headed in the selected location. Oza held onto the map, trusting the odd scroll as a guide. By now they could barely see Beamville, the massive quarry next to it was only a lump on the horizon and the smoke stacks made their own little cloud trails.

Oza told Pea where they were heading,  past a farming area of sorts. There was a large town next to it called Neighxville. He needed to get to the desert, but chose this route to avoid trouble with the Roxites.  Pea thought that name was pretty silly but...she'd do anything and go anywhere for Oza. They chatted about the map and what could possibly be at the edges or even at the center.

Could there be some strange treasure or a utopian city in the center? Does the world have edges or was there more the map didn't show? Oza was quite entertained doing this, he never really looked at maps before and Pea did her best to show him what she knew of maps. The Atlas (as they now called it) didn't have a North-South orientation, instead it had a grid system starting from the Atlas' illusive center. Whatever was there was pretty important.

They were so engrossed in studying the mysterious map that they didn't even hear the faint 'raid sirens coming from the distant Beamville...

Inside the city’s chaotic streets ponies ran all directions from the onslaught. Flightless dragons rampaged as they saw fit; tearing down buildings or terrorizing the small defenseless citizens. Amongst the flames and ruined buildings two dragons stood far from the action atop a ledge of ruble. One was long and blue and the other was a massive, restless yellow beast.

“¿hola, el Jenja… hermoso no es él?

The blue dragon looked at Sidzo with disgust,“Speak normally Sidzo, I have no time for your games!”

“Jeez, calm down! Su bueno...so what are you here for, your majesty,” Sidzo spat.

Jenja turned her head to the yellow wall of a dragon,” I came here to tell you important information,” she looked back out at the city,”...Oza is still alive…”

Sidzo spun around and almost knocked her over. Jenja pulled back in surprise and Sidzo’s chest heaved with angry breath. His one beady orange eye glared at the snake-like dragoness.

“I already told the Boss he went missing,” he looked almost panicked,”...where did you see that slippery cavrone?”

Jenja regained her composure and waved Sidzo to keep his distance,” He is off ‘exploring’...with some pony,” She looked Sidzo straight in his one eye,” He would die for her, I don’t think he’s the same dragon I knew…”

Sidzo lumbered off the ledge slowly swishing his hook ended tail violently against random bits of rubble. He didn’t seem to care about the information about Oza, or simply didn’t show it. He went off to wreck havoc on what was left of the city and Jenja slunk away, back to her master.

To Be Continued...

4) Roxites? Here?

Pea and Oza had taken a tributary rout on the road (which turned out to be a smaller part of a highway) and they ended up on a hill top. The view wasn't massive,but it was much nicer than being on the flatland below. Oza was fascinated by the map, partly because his dragon eyes could see more of the details the an Pea's could. They found out the town Neighxvile was only a few hours away, Oza confirmed this when he saw crop fields in the city's direction.

The two travelers decided to camp out on the hilltop and head over to the city in the morning. Oza set up a campfire to keep his friend warm and Pea took some rations from their stash. Though Oza was a jem-eating dragon (most are) he didn't mind eating the food Pea shared. They sat and relaxed in the warm mid-summer breeze, the few trees out there waved and danced in the gentle wind.

Pea loved being out in the wide world, now a rest in a soft bed was welcome, but she couldn't imagine living like that. She wiggled into the tall grass make-shift bed next to the campfire that made soft welcoming crackles. She drifted into a well awaited sleep as Oza watched the horizon. He didn't know what to expect from the next town, was it going to be like Beamville or was there something hidden there?  A shiver went up the young dragon's spine. The Image of Jenja's piercing eyes still flashed in Oza's mind. By now she most likely thinks that Oza was dead so he didn't worry to much. He too fell asleep...

It was mid-afternoon when they both finally awoke. To their surprise there was a massive crowd of ponies heading to Neighxvile! The friends sped down to the hill to see what was going on. As they arrived to the heard some armed guards stepped between.

"You two will have to wait out here, we don't want an civilian mix-ups," one of them said.

Pea intervened," That's fine sir, but what happened? Why are all these ponies out here?"

The guard snorted,"That's confidential information civilian, move along!"

The guards led some stray ponies back into the block. Pea was plain frustrated, and Oza could tell. Her youthful, bright face wrinkled into an adorable frown. Oza couldn't help but giggle. Pea punched him lightly snapping Oza back into semi-seriousness. The two had no trouble out-walking the sluggish heard. When they entered the town Pea noticed large tents with ponies in lab coats running in and out of them. The town (or at least this part) looked rural with its long streets  lined with homely little houses. The park that once served as a fairground now was a relief shelter for the mysterious heard.

Other ponies were bringing supply crates to the camp. Civilians looked out of their doors and windows in concern and fear. Several earth ponies in uniform made road blocks and kept the curious civilians away from the shelter. Pea and Oza looked from the newly erected fence line, wondering just what all the commotion was about. They didn't have to wait long...

The heard of ponies entered the camp's gates and the ponies in lab coats rushed over. Some were helped along, other were carried away in stretchers. Pea saw that many of the patients had burn marks and others had massive fractures.The sheer scale of the operation was unsettling...as if a whole city was relocated. Oza pointed out an important looking mare in a suit talking with some guards, they were talking so quietly even Oza had trouble hearing them.. The two friends sneaked over to where the secret conversation was being held. The main guard had large squared of shoulders and a corse face. The mare had her mane up in a lofty bun that bobbed when she moved her head.

"...thank goodness you arrived with the Beamville populace-" the mare in a suit said, she was stopped short by the head guard.

"We only brought the survivors mam'...we couldn't locate anypony else..." his strong features held back tears.

The mare was speechless. She looked at all of burned and traumatized ponies. There were so many here...she could understand how the guard felt, but didn't see a loss into the hundreds of survivors.

"... but there are so many here, surely there wasn't a horrible loss?"  One of the uniformed ponies snapped up and glared at the mare.

" Beamville is a town with over a hundred and thirty thousand  strong...'a great loss'?! You dumb bitch, only five hundred made it out!"

The head guard stamped his hoof at the speaker,"Watch her damn mouth boy, you talking to the mayor of this here town!"

The mayor took apologized for what she said and decided to take her leave. Oza  and Pea watched days she left the enclosure. Once she had made area yards away a few press ponies swooped in, hungry for the latest news. The mayor however didn't much feel like talking.

" So mayor, what's this whole hullabaloo? Why are all these ponies here?" One of the reporters asked. The rest awaited with  anticipation. Mayor broke into a sweat. She didn't want to lie as cause suspicion, but she also didn't want to create a panic.

"... umm...these ponies...er...are victims of a...tornado that went through Beamville. They all are extremely tired and injured. Please don't interview them. J-just leave wait until they all recover."

The reporters stood unsatisfied and grumpy. Oza walked over and snorted loudly, startling the nosey ponies.

" You heard mayor...get!"  Grunted the dragon. The reporters scattered in lots of directions from the dragon. The mayor's hair frayed as she sped of to the shelter, "Everypony! There's a dragon here!"she cried.

The guards sprang into action, pulling out swords while the head guard folded out a firearm of some kind. Pea was trying to keep up with all that was going on.

"Whats wrong?" Pea cried, "Why are you all acting like this?" But her cries were in vain. The guards threw a heavy chain net over Oza. The dragon was to confused to care or struggle. The guards yelled for every pony to spread out of the dragon's 'reach'. The ponies in their houses panicked, the ponies in the tents panicked, and the mayor panicked.

" Hey lady!" One of this the guards shouted," come this way! Its not safe over there!"

Pea however, flicked her mane as she trotted next to Oza and sat firmly next to her friend. The guards and other ponies screamed for her to get away, while that was going on Oza turned his had to Pea. She had a stern look on her face.

"What are crazy ponies doing? This net not comfy." Oza said. Pea started to take then net off of him.

"Stop!" Shouted on of the guards,"He's gonna eat you!"

"You stop," snapped Pea," he's not that kind of dragon!" Once when was done pulling of the net she stood up. Tension built up in the already nervous crowd. The head guard stepped away from the encampment. Pea saw a name tag on his armored vest. It read: Srg. Black Berry. His dark purple coat shone like the night under his kaki uniform. He gritted his teeth as he steeped forward.

"Mam' you 'an your friend aren't welcome here," he cocked his gun, "we've all had more than enough of the scaled bastards. Just git outa here before someone gets hurt..."

Pea stamped her hoof on the pavement,"Can you at least tell me just what the hell is going on?"

The Sargent and everypony else became unsettled. The Sarg finally spoke up.

"Beamville was attacked by 6 dragons last night...they were all Roxites..."

With this words everyone, including Oza and Pea became terrified. Oza  remembered them, Pea despised them. They were a pack of flightless dragons, the most powerful in the area being Sidzo. Both friends knew once Roxites set their greedy, wrathful eyes on something, its gonna have a damn tough time trying not to be pulverized. They could also tell that the victims of the raid were terrified of Oza and his wing stubs, him being there only made it worse. With an apology here and there, they went to the outskirts of the area.

The two friends sat on the hill top they slept on the night before, lost in their own painful memories of the Roxites. This place was so far from the desert... how, no...why are they out here? Pea became scared,  simply waiting for something to come out of the grass and attack. Her ominous feelings were right...

A few yards behind Oza  sat someone or somepony in the tall grass. Suddenly a red made with a hefty mallet and baby blue hair sprang from her hiding place. She had a blue bandana over her mane, Pea didn't even see her before she struck Oza's head. There was a loud THOCK and the dragon slumped down.

"Ouch,who hit Oza?" He groaned. The red made rose up on her hind legs and swung her mallet on Oza head again.

"Die! Die you dragon bastard!" She squealed as she raised her mallet for another swing. Pea finally took action and tackled the mysterious attacker.

The mare was swept off her hooves from the impact and they landed in a tangled up heap. The red pony tried her best to throw off Pea, she did pretty good for a bit. Pea decided to end the struggle.

" Harden," Pea said with effort. Surely enough, the vest she wore grew heavy. The red pony gasped for breath and squirmed under the sudden weight.

"What are you doing?!" She squealed,"Get the hell off before he kills us both!"

Pea frowned,"You too huh?"

Oza  rubbed his head were an ugly knob was forming," Hey pony, Oza not hurt you, why hit Oza?"

Pea rolled her eyes,"oh stop being such a baby!"

The red pony stopped struggling, she looked up at Pea in disbelief. She simply couldn't believe that a pony was mouthing off a dragon. Her face that one looked desperate now loosened up into guilty embarrassment. Pea found a her mood swing odd...

"Just who are you?"Pea asked, her eyes narrowed.

Oza  lumber over to where the mares were piled up. He lifted Pea up (her vest was still in it's armor state) in one hand and the stranger in the other. His eyes shows no contempt to the red pony. He made his big toothy smile.

"You hit pretty hard for a pony!" The dragon chirped.

Now the stranger felt guilty of  what she did. She looked at Pea than to Oza meekly, "I-I'm sorry...I d-didn't know what I was thinking..."

"Oza forgives pony."

"I-I suppose I s-should introduce myself...the names Dew Berry..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Pea's Campfire Story

Pea could tell that Dew was uncomfortable, even Oza seemed irritable as he studied the map. Dew munched on an apple nervously. She was talking with Pea, more mumbling than actual conversation. Pea looked into the campfire's center. Faint memories of two ponies very close to her swam through her head, she glanced at Dew. The red mare seem equally distraught. Pea took a deep breath and shifted her weight as she lay down next to the welcoming fire.

"Hey Dew?" she sighed.

"...y-yeah?" Dew replied.

"Do you like stories?" Pea asked whimsically.  Dew crinkled her nose at the thought, she ate the rest of her apple while she thought.

"I suppose," she placed a hoof to her chin,"...w-what kind of stories?"

Oza craned his neck around the campfire,"Story Pea! Tell real scary one!"

Pea smiled as Dew looked nervously between the two. Pea stood to her hooves as Oza scooted closer to the other member of the audience. Pea paced as she thought about which story to tell, since she had so many dwelling in her mind. She decided to pick one of her favorites...the first love story she heard. Pea turned to her audience with bright eyes and a smile.

"Okay...here it goes, its not to long;

"Once in a distant land, there lived a pony with red hooves. His parents didn't think anything of it, since his father had a brown coat while his mother's was red. The child's cutie mark was also strange, unlike other ponies who earn it later in life, he was born with his. It was a caramel apple with a bite out it. Other than that he lived a rather normal, dull childhood. Its not that nopony disliked him...he just had an unsettling feeling about him. The land he lived in was dry, dull and nearly dead. He spent most of his time playing at the shore and sometimes just gazing out at the sea. His favorite place was a cove hidden by hanging vines and rocks.

One spring morning as he gazed at the sea's sunrise in his little cave he saw something splash in and out of the mysterious water. The shape swam closer to the cove. The only way out was where the shape was coming from so he did his best to hide. He leaped behind some rocks before the thing surfaced. He heard tales of nasty, horrible creatures that lived in the deep...maybe this was one of them?

He heard the water splash softly as, whatever it was was, slid out of the water. He expected it to sniff the air for him or growl at him, but all he heard was a sigh...he inched his head over the mossy rock to get a peek. To his surprise he saw a hippocampus, or a seapony. And she was beautiful...her orange-yellow skin blazed with an brilliance in the sun's rising light. She nestled into the cove's sandy floor and waved her flowing tail slowly-"

Dew interrupted," Pea?"

Pea rolled her eyes," Yes, Dew? What is it?"

"Its a lovely story...but weren't you supposed to tell...," she paused, almost afraid to ask,"...a...um...scary one?"

"Give it time Dew...jeez!," Pea said," Now where was I...oh thats right;"

"The red hoofed pony was smitten by the elegant seapony. He leaned over the rock to get a closer look, her lips were open slightly as she began to fall asleep. The red hoofed pony gazed at her beauty, like the sunrises and sun sets he always looked forward to but she was so much more than that. He was so absorbed, he didn't notice himself slipping off the rock and falling loudly into a puddle of sea water. The seapony launched off from her spot in the sand and into the water. As quickly as she arrived...she had vanished into the sea. Our hero sat silent, not sure if he just woke up from a dream or actually saw her. He decided to wait for her.

Every day he went to the cove, one or twice he thought he caught a glimpse of her. The tide grew in and out, ships plowed by, seasons changed and a year or more passed. His mind was starting to grow sick from all of the waiting. As he arrived to the same spot one spring morning, his waiting was over. She seemed even more beautiful than ever. She didn't notice as his heart ached from not knowing what to do. He didn't wan't to frighten her again, but couldn't bear to keep his eyes off of her. He his behind another rock and sat. His heart was beating fast and his stomach churned, what should he do? He slumped into the sand and lay limply on his belly. He didn't know if she was even still there or not, but he almost jumped over the rock when she began to sing.

He felt like he was melting as he listened to the angelic voice. Her operatic tones echoed smoothly in the little cove. He was lost in the heavenly melody, so much so that he couldn't help but cry. Suddenly the beautiful sound stopped. He felt water drip on his back and a sweet voice said above him," Oh, goodness...are you alright?" His body froze.

He tried to speak but nothing came out. She patted of of her finned hooves on his back," Say," the seapony cooed," you're not a hippocampus...what are you doing by the ocean?"

"I-I...love to look at the sea, its so beautiful," said the red hoofed pony. He finally loosened up enough to speak.

"The ocean?" the seapony asked," You may like it, but I find the land to be much more exciting!"

Pea looked at her audience who was asleep. Oza and Dew were huddled comfortably next to the campfire. Pea wanted to keep telling the story even though no one was listening. Instead her mind trailed to her parents. Their faces hadn't crossed her mind in quite some time, but letting a story out beside a fire among friends made her remember them. Paco Gravel wasn't really from anywhere he just could fit in. He had been a wanderer in many lands before he met Pea's mother Nina.

Pea remembered sitting between her parents as she and her mother listened to Paco paint pictures with his words. Some of those moments were blurred, others were vibrantly detailed. She wondered how it all ended...then she remembered. She took a shaky breath and slinked over to her friends. Pea tried to wipe images of the past away from her mind and drifted into a fit full sleep.

6) The Crew Forms

The crew of travelers were miles upon miles away from Neighxville. Pea and Oza lead the way over the progressively rocky country as Dew trudged behind. The Crew had crossed some regional borders and covered quiet a bit of land. Over the few days it took them, Dew slowly opened up to the idea of friends but kept to herself and rarely spoke, a 'thanks for the food' was most of it. She especially enjoyed it when they covered so much ground. This was partly because Oza had a tendency to sleep walk, so when the girls were tired, he hoisted them on his back with the supplies and simply kept going. This system did have a few errors though, he tripped sometimes, wakening all of them up. Other times he would go off course or even walk into rocks and cactus.

Once they entered the scrub desert Oza and Pea became more cautious of their campfires and their method of travel. They were deep in Roxite territory and they all knew it. Small skull shrines were scattered about along with charred earth. Dew was growing paranoid, she accepted Oza's assistance but didn't trust him. She as well as Pea had trouble with dragons in the past and didn't really want to be in the home territory of an extremely violent and organized pack of flightless dragons. The violent ones were always a problem...but the Roxites who had an adept magic ability are the ones to avoid. The Crew arrived at a worn down rock formation, that at one point was a cliff.

Oza began to rummage about the foliage in the area, looking for a blue cactus flower. Pea wanted to help but Oza told her to keep a watch for danger. Pea climbed to the highest point she could and Dew slowly followed her. Pea was on top of the worn down mesa and could see a good half-mile around them. Dew called down to Oza;

"Are you sure this is the only place that blue flower grows?"

"Oza is sure....how about ponies look up there?" the dragon called back.

Pea kept a vigil watch on the area, while Dew looked at the dry scrubby plants. None of them looked like they were alive. She leaned over to Pea, "So...why did you two save me? It's kinda funny, I tried to kill one of you, yet you almost get shot when you save me..." she giggled nervously,"T-thanks....Pea Gravel..."

Pea kept her eye to the horizon," Don't mention it Dew, Oza and I saw something wrong...didn't like it and...helped" Pea turned to the red pony,"Dew, what were you doing that got you tied up and beat?...You're not some criminal are you?"

Dew chuckled," N-no...I...I was Black's slave...he gave me the 'Berry' name after his. You know he wasn't so bad when he first bought me...he wasn't wonderful...but he wasn't bad..." Dew trailed off, her hoof was making little lines in the sand.

"Oh God, what happened," Pea blurted," When I saw him...hang on, he got real mean after he started JADE?"

Dew cocked her head to the side,"Whats that?"

"Its short for Jade Cactus Fruit. I saw him smoking some the night we got...freed you."

Dew's eyes swelled with tears," That's right...I'm...free now, aren't I?"

Pea put a hoof on her shoulder,"Yes, yes you are. But you need to answer my question..." Dew nodded.

"Yeah, I didn't know it at first, he always did it away from everypony...then once he found some others who did it, he got more and smoked it all the time...."

Dew tilted her ears back," I know this may sound kinda silly, but what does that stuff do? I know it makes ya angry or it can make you lazy...you seem to know a lot about it."

Pea took a deep breath," Well, you see...you start just smelling the dried fruits, when that isn't enough anymore ponies grind it to a flaky powder and smoke it, like Black is doing. But by that point you body becomes so addicted, it usually rejects everything else, and you want to eat it...one of two things will happen; either you die from the shit that's in the fruit...or you body will only want to eat it and you'll die of starvation 'cuz it doesn't fill your belly."

Dew had a blank face, she was processing everything that Pea had told her. Oza soon called up to them which surprised them both.

"Hey Ponies! Oza found flower!" Oza ate as the two came down from the hill.

Dew noticed something before they reached the foot of the cliff. She pointed to it, some sort of glare in the sun. The crew was curious and headed over to see, now feeling a little safer with Oza fully recovered. as they drew closer, Oza saw two large figures among several smaller ones. His eyes narrowed into slits.

"Pea...Roxites ahead...."

Dew and Pea stopped, unsure to go forward or run off. They heard screaming and guttural laughter form the site. Oza tread toward them, the mares following at a safe distance. They could fully see what was going on, There were two Roxite dragons and about a dozen ponies. The dragons weren't much older than Oza and seemed rather childish as they played with their food. Oza popped his knuckles.

He was about to jump in when he heard Pea whisper,"Oza...please don't kill them...you won't will you?"  Oza  grimly nodded.

The two dragons by now had seen Oza. The smaller, green one was already stretching up for a fight. The bigger one however,she still toyed with her captives as Oza came closer. The green one had his beak-like mouth cemented with an evil grin. The bigger one was maroon and bulky. Her horns were starting to grow out like a bull's. The green one stepped in circles around Oza.

"Well, well...lookie here Vox, we got that one dragon....Oza right?" his voice sounded crude and sly.

The maroon dragon finally put her 'food' down. She lifted herself on her back legs, now two heads taller than Oza. Her beady eyes glared at Oza as she went back to all-fours. Even at shoulder height she was practically his size. She came close to Oza and sniffed. She eyed him hungrily.

"You smell like food..." she craned her neck past Oza to see Dew and Pea. She licked her lips. Oza's arm snapped to Vox's horn and pulled her face to his. Her beady eyes shot wide open as she saw Oza's. The look in his eyes would cause weaker foes to turn on their heels and flee.

"They are not your problem," Oza spat," Oza is your problem now..."

Vox's tried to push Oza away, but in vain. He finally let go and she rose up to her full height again ready to smash him. Oza however, couched and jumped up. Vox didn't realize it until it was to late, Oza shot his powerful legs into what looked like a Roundhouse Kick straight into Vox's stomach. She wobbled clutching the now bruised spot and she tried to regain her footing. Oza kicked at her legs and her lumbering weight toppled onto the sandy ground. Oza's relentless assault was far from over. He pounded his fists at her ribs, even as she sprawed on the gound trying to block his attacks.

The green dragon saw Oza's friends as an advantage over him, and raced toward them. Dew screamed and Pea stood firm staring down the green dragon. He grabbed the two ponies and lifted them into the air, a triumphant grin on his crooked face. Dew shivered in fear be held by a dragon like this. Pea chuckled.

Dew spun her head," What the hell is wrong with you...he wants us dead...THIS DOESN'T SCARE YOU!?" The green dragon also wondered this.

Pea pointed at Oza," Nope, that dose though..."

Every one looked at Oza, Pea, Dew, Vox, the green dragon, and the ponies that may have been eaten. He stopped punching Vox and reared his head toward the green dragon. All of them saw the look in the Coral Dragon's eyes that was directed at his target. It was a look that would make even the most experienced warriors think twice about fighting. Oza's eyebrow twitched as he tried to speak but only gnarly, vicious sounds came out of his set of sharp teeth. Pea smirked as she looked up at the green dragon.

"Hey man, if you don't want to see what the color of your insides are....you might wanna put us down."

The Green dragon was petrified, so much so that Vox lumbered over (  who was still winded from Oza's kick ) to her companion. She gingerly placed Dew and Pea on the ground and dragged her companion away as fast as her legs could go. Oza's face slowly turned back to normal as Pea and Dew helped the ponies back on their feet. They were part of a caravan that got lost and went off course. The Roxites had busted their cart and injured a few, but no causalities.

Pea told them Oza would fix their cart and help them heal  once he calmed down. Some of the Settler ponies cringed as they say Oza sitting a few yards away with steam rolling out of his mouth. Lilac drool oozed out between his bared teeth and sizzled as it hit the dirt. He looked only slightly less on edge than moments ago.

The Settler Ponies' leader walked over to Pea," Yall came just in time, Ah was afraid sum of us would've meet the good Lord today...ah guess not eh?" He chuckled then leaned closer to Pea so the others couldn't hear," I'm sure as hell glad that feller over there is on 'ah side, not theirs...yall was bluffin' 'bout tha whole insidez 'ting...right?"

Pea smiled sweetly," Oh, Oza never kids around with that kinda stuff, I told that fella what would happen if Oza went easy on him."

The Settler tipped his hat as a 'thank-you' nervously and was about to leave. Oza was already placing runes on their cart to fortify it. It simply reassembled itself and Oza want on to healing the few injured ponies. He walked over to the ringleader who looked up at him timidly.

"Oza fixed cart and your friends," said Oza as he clapped the dust off his hands,"You can go now." He pointed to the fixed cart.

The settlers smiled nervously as they began their search for their caravan. Oza turned to Pea when they were out of earshot. He pulled out the Atlas and rolled it out on a nearby flat rock. Oza scratched his chin as he looked at it. He tilted his head.

"So Pea...You remember why Ponyville so important to you?"

Pea put a hoof to her temple as she racked her brain. She tried to remember why...

"Were you supposed to find somepony?" Dew asked and Pea's eyes shot open.

"I remember now! I'm supposed to look in Ponyville for somepony named Carmino!"

Oza and Dew seemed confused. Neither of them had heard of Ponyville or somepony named Carmino. They looked at each other, Pea knew they wanted answers but couldn't find the right way to say them. She passed back and forth, she shook her as she thought. Dew's eyes followed the grey mare and didn't really know what to do, so she sat down in Oza's shadow. After a minuet or two she looked back at her comrades. She tensed her muscles as she prepared to speak.

"Okay...when I was a kid, my Padre told me that if..." she sniffled,"...that if I ever lost him or m-mom...I needed to find the town of Ponyville...that's where Carmino lives." A few tears rolled down her soft face as she sat in Oza's shadow. The dragon twiddled his thumbs and Dew was the one who spoke up.

"I d-don't mean to pry, but...how did you lose your dad?" Dew could tell Pea was growing more and more upset. Oza snorted loudly, breaking the silence. Dew spun her head to Oza, his face was pretty close to how it was earlier....the red pony's skin began to crawl.

"Oza knows how..." he exhaled deeply, even in the uncomfortable heat of the desert, small waves of hotter air flowed out of the dragon's mouth. He closed his eyes, "...the dragon named Borox. He did it."

Dew's eyes shot open, how could she get mixed up with somepony who Borox was after?! She had heard stories about that monster from Black's smoking buddies. They only spoke in hushed whispers about that thing. Borox was know through out the land and had many titles; The Red Terror, The Crimson Bastard, Devil of the Desert,  and Master to all of the Roxites. Dew scrambled to her feet and looked at her new friends or maybe they weren't...

"Now hang on...you're telling me that Borox is after YOU?" Pea nodded her heads firmly. Dew scooted back shocked by her situation. She didn't really know how to take the fact that they were being hunted by the biggest and strongest Roxite. She dug her hooves into the loose dirt, she thought long and hard about what to do.

She could stay with these two, but they were nothing but trouble. If Dew left them and went on her own, she might end up as a slave again. She didn't even know where she would go. Her thoughts trailed back to were she was from...Dew didn't want to be alone anymore. She walked between Pea and Oza who were sulking. The red pony reached both of her companions in toward her. Pea smiled weakly and Oza sniffled. Dew giggled as she nestled in the center of the group hug.

"Alright you two, looks like I'm gonna stay with you...but you two need to be less reckless!" Dew chirped. Oza reached his scaled arms around the two mares and hugged them a little tightly.

"So...Dew trusts Oza and Pea now?" Oza's eyes were bright," Are we friends now?"

Dew was about to answer but looked at Pea with a loving expression. Pea smirked and wriggled out of the group hug. She went over to the map and rolled it up, she spoke with her back turned," Yeah...I guess we are huh?"

Dew and Oza sighed with relief. The crew turned back to the low mesa they had been at earlier to set up camp. The sun had begun to set when they arrived. Oza made the fire as usual, Pea studied the map some more and Dew rummaged through the food stock. Even though the three looked busy, each were lost in a mist of uncomfortable memories...Dew glanced up and walked over to Pea. She saw something on the map that looked familiar...

Dew pointed to a spot on the map," Hey Pea, back home my mom told me about a  massive library. It was part of some big castle for an Alicorn...that spot on the map looks like the area that she described." Pea looked at the spot. It was mountainous and fairly far south...it was actually near the coast. Pea looked up at Dew. Dew smiled sheepishly.

"Whats at the library, bud?" Pea asked.

"W-well...you need to find a town that isn't on our map...that library is ancient ,Pea. The kingdom its a part of...I don't remember the name but it had relations with countries far across the ocean. It probably knew about lots of things...we should check it out. From what she told me, it fell a hundred years ago or something, there probably isn't much there besides the Library."

Pea was delighted at how helpful Dew had become, she looked to the dragon. Oza rolled his eyes.

"More walking?" he groaned.

TO BE CONTINUED

7) Change of Plans...

The crew had made it safely out of the desert, through a forest full of pine trees and into some sort of highway. It looked like one, but the road was empty and had two metal lines in the ground and wooden planks connecting them. There was a large part of the forest cleared out on both sides. None of the three had ever seen a road like this, suddenly they heard a distant rumble and a long horn-like blare in the distance. Oza shoved Dew and Pea  behind him, ready to fight the oncoming menace. It soon came into view, smoke billowed behind it, lofting high above the trees as it raced towards them while planted on the track. The menace sped toward them and just as fast passing them.

Oza sighed with relief, "Oza knows what that is, its been years since hes seen one but its called a...tr...train, yes...that's it."

Dew was amazed at the thing, its long snake-like body rattled loudly alongside. Pea covered her ears in the blasting noise. They watched it zoom across the ground and some small dot flew out of one pf the cars. Dew was the first to race over and see what it was. Oza jogged beside her and Pea followed up quickly at the rear. As they approached the mysterious thing, Dew almost fell on her face from how fast she stopped.

There way a small, tan, young pony laying on the ground.

He was bundled up in heavy clothes and looked (and smelled) like he hadn't had a bath in weeks. Dew was the first to inch up to the little pony. Oza head was tilted as he followed. Pea sat back, winded from the sprint and didn't feel as curious as her friends. Dew was standing above the dirty child when he suddenly squealed.

"Ey! Don't touch me ya damn broad!" Dew had a surprised and hurt look on her face.

"Can I help you up?" she asked, the colt shrugged away.

"I don't need yo help! I'm fine....lemme alone!"

What happened next surprised everyone present. Dew straightened her neck and glared at the foul-mouthed kid. She smacked him back to the spot he got up from and gave a classy flick of her mane.

"Ouch! Da hell was dat fo?"

"That," Dew said coldly," Is absolutely no way to treat a lady or mares in general."

The raggedy kid sat dumbfound on the ground while Oza covered up his laugh. Pea giggled and Dew began to smile, she looked back at the kid. He now had an air of guilt and tried not to look eye to eye with Dew.

"Well?" The red mare asked.

"...sorry...'mam..." the kid said.

Dew reached out a hoof and helped him back on his hooves. Pea was glad she had opened up so much recently. Dew had been so seclusive and closed off, like Pea herself at one time awhile ago. Dew straightened the kid's jacket as she interrogated him. Oza and Pea tuned in intently, but mostly Pea. Oza was falling asleep next to a tree.

"So young sir, why did you jump off that train?" Dew asked, not exactly pronouncing 'train' right.

"Well..." the kid's eyes darted to each of the travelers," I whas with a bunch of homeless folks, the cops back over in da city...allah da homeless folks were flushed out. Say, yall got any grub?" he eyed Oza's backpack hungrily.

Pea tilted her head,"So...why did the cops move you guys out? You weren't doing anything wrong...right?" she asked.

"Cors' not! We's just bein hungry an shit, an fo some reason those Borgota fellas are gettin really edgy since their boy Sponge went missing, Ah mean,he was their toughest guy and he just-"

"Wait," Dew interrupted," who are the Borgotas, and who this Sponge guy?" Kid raised his eyebrows.

"Yall don't know nuthin about what been going on at Big Apple? Seriously?"

Dew and Pea nodded in unison and Oza woke up. He decided to nod too, the kid just rolled his eyes. He started walking over to the train tracks and headed off in the train's direction. Declaring to nature that they were hopeless but the crew got up and followed him. The kid sped off down the road incredibly fast. Pea looked over to Oza. The dragon had a wry grin on his face.

"Hey bud," The grey mare said," I wanna know what going on in that town, don't you?"

"But what about the castle...and...and the library? Aren't you in a hurry to find Carmino?" Dew cried.

"Oza catch stinky pony now!" the dragon gleefully barked.

The next thing the kid knew, he was in Oza's arm and being carried back to the mares. He was yelling and hitting Oza's arm, who merely flicked his ear in response with his other hand. Oza started walking up the tracks where the train came and the two mares followed. The grubby kid spat and cursed as the three walked on. Oza looked over at Dew. She strode closer over to him and the kid.

"Hey lady!" the kid shouted," Ain't no way in hell any of 'yas is taking me back there!  No Way In Hell!!" His little chest heaved with each word, Oza chuckled at his rashness. Pea simply rolled her eyes.

Dew pecked the kid's cheek and his dull tan face turned crimson and his eyes were wide open is whimsical shock. Dew batted her eyes then he turned even redder. Pea's jaw dropped in bewilderment.

"Oh, can you...please? How are two pretty girls like us going to find out out way around a scary town? We need a big, strong Stallion who knows his way around so we don't get hurt or lost..."

The once grumpy colt was now determined to lead the crew to Big Apple. He wiggled out of Oza's grip and did circles as he ran ahead, shouting," Don't worry pretty ladies, Lil' Shank is here!"

Pea walked over to Dew, who when Lil' wasn't looking hung her tong out and wiped it off in a disgusted manor. Pea chuckled and the red mare glared at her. Pea laughed even harder. Oza sped after Lil who was going in all kinds of directions now.

"Jeez Dew, you didn't have to go and make him a horn-dog. We would've just kept carrying him or...I don't know pay him or something?"

Dew craned her neck to look dignified," He's going to be a bigger help to all of us now...but...." Dew leaned closer to Pea with a slacked expression, "He smells...really, really bad! No joke...God I hope that was worth it..." When Dew looked up at Lil' her eye twitched with resentment, but forced a smile. Pea couldn't hep but snicker, Oza would've laughed along but he was busy herding Lil' to stay near the track not up trees beside them.

The day rolled on and the trip was much longer than anyone thought it would've been. Oza's eyes were heavy and he lumbered in a snaky line. He wasn't used to that much chasing. Pea dodged him as he bumped into a tree, than into another one. Dew seemed tired as well as Pea. The only one who seemed somewhat energetic was Lil and even he was walking at a rather slow pace. The troupe was about to set camp, when Pea saw a low glimmer like a tiny sun behind the trees. Her tired eyes shot open in amazement, what seemed like glowing mesas rose up as they drew nearer. She sped up and saw Big Apple in it's midnight glowing glory. In fact all of the crew looked at the massive towers in amazement, they could hear trains between the buildings and a low din of noise. None of them had ever seen such a bright and massive city, except Lil' of course.

The crew followed the train track and neared the track's station. They went up onto it from the less stuffed side of the station's deck. There were ponies in suits, mares with sweet smelling bonnets and dresses, donkeys, tough looking mules and (a rare sight for Pea) griffins. Mixed in with all of them was a mean looking Minotaur in a pinstripe suite with a cello case on his back. Lil' pointed out that he was a high ranking gangster of the Borgotas and they should steer clear from him. With that Oza ducked, practically crawled along side Pea as they kept distance from the Minotaur. He seemed to be scanning the crowd for someone and as Pea's friends left the deck and inside the station, the Minotaur looked in her direction. She didn't notice that he began to follow her.

Pea sped inside following them and there were even more ponies, mules, mares and griffins than outside. She looked at the ceiling and saw five massive clocks, each telling a different time. Her friends, especially Oza stood out in the crowd and turned a few heads. There were many shops and lights that lined the tall, sloping walls. They made it to the entrance and beheld one of Big Apple's busiest streets. With Ponies and taxis everywhere, it was a bit much for them. There was massive signs that were alight and the tall buildings seemed even bigger. Pea, Dew and Oza were so absorbed by their surroundings that the approaching Police Officer wasn't even noticed.

"Hey you kids...and...dragon!" the cop shouted over the noise the crew's heads' spun around to see him. He straightened his hat," You kids aren't from around here are you?" he asked. Lil' hid behind Oza.

Pea began to look at the ponies around her and the cop closer. Almost all of them had their bodies covered in clothing and didn't show their cutie marks. The cop pulled out a walkie-talkie and mumbled into it. He looked back up at the crew. His face was a bit red, Pea didn't know why. Dew's mind however, began to put pieces together as she tried to hide from view.

"Ladies...I'm going to have to take you down to the station, your big friend can come too," he coughed and couldn't keep eye contact with Dew or Pea," Come on now, lets go!"

"Excuse me," Dew said softly and the cops ears shot up,"why are we going? Did we do something wrong?"

The cop motioned for them to follow and they did as he explained. Lil had run off into the crowd. The cop led them through the busy crowd, some colts whistled as Dew and Pea trotted by. Dew's naturally red face turned a different shade when those boys watched her go by. The Cop barked at them to shove off and they sped away whooping and jumping. Pea looked at Oza who was equally confused.

"Ladies...I'm taking you in for indecent exposure."

Pea looked at herself, she only wore her vest and some packs. Unlike the city's mares, Pea's flanks were completely exposed. Dew only wore her blue bandanna. They didn't really understand, everywhere else they could walk around like this but here they couldn't?

TO BE CONTINUED...

8) New Kids in Town

Dew understood good and well what was going on, she pulled one Pea's ponchos from Oza's backpack and draped it over her back. Pea did like wise, but she didn't really know what was going on. Oza kept walking along, completely absorbed in the cities lights and sounds. The cop turned them round a corner where traffic was lighter. He looked at Pea and Dew, now fully clothed. The two mares, dragon and officer had made it over to an older looking part of town.

The brick buildings had cracks amongst the dirty looking windows. Most of the fire escapes were rusty to a point were they looked more like nasty traps than a way to safety. The crowd in this part looked shabbier than on the street next to the train station. In the city night only a few street lamps' bulbs were alight, making an ominous scattered light along the street. The crowd across the street seemed to be moving around something on the sidewalk.

"Well...er...," the cop coughed lightly as his face's blush died down," I'll let you ladies off with a warning, but don't go running around town like that, one of you might get hurt..." his voice trailed off. He stared at the other end of the street. Pea was the first to realize what he was looking at...the Minotaur from the train station!

The mobster had a wide brimmed hat that covered his eyes. The brute seemed half asleep. He leaned his bulky mass on the side of a cafe, but  he was aware of what was going on. The cop gulped and began to sweat. The mobster moved slightly, then itched his nose. He shifted the cello case's weight on his solders. He seemed to be waiting for something. The cop pulled out his walkie talkie with a shaky hoof.

"Officer Silver Shell to base..." he said quietly to the device.

"Yes, what is it?" a famine voice crackled on the device.

Officer Shell trembled slightly as he spoke into the Walkie Talkie," Stonewall Steve is on 64th street," He shifted a hoof to his gun," Send all available units now...he's up to something..."

The voice agreed and Silver looked over to the mares and the dragon. He looked desperate. The crowd was beginning to dissipate all along the street so much it was practically empty. The lone street light flickered a ominous yellow glow. A dozen ponies in baggy clothing with heavy necklaces came down the street and stopped a few yards from Steve. Some of them were Stallions, most of them were zebras and a few griffins.

Dew hid behind a dumpster and motioned Pea to follow. Oza tried his best to hide behind it as well. Pea's heart was racing as the three hid from the stranger. She felt a hot breath on her shoulder. She saw that it was Oza's. He had a blank stare on his face, as if trying to remember something. Dew raised her eyebrows as she whispered over to him;

"Oza, you need to be quieter...he'll hear us," Oza still stared into nothing," Oza!" Dew said softly as she bumped his side.

The dragon shivered and looked back at the mares," Deja vu...", he said.

Silver shifted his hooves nervously waiting for backup to arrive. The gang shouted and cursed at Steve. The Minotaur remained in silence. One of the stallions pulled out a shiny object in his hoof which he called his '38.

"Hey there," said the gun toting stallion," I'm talking to you big guy!"

Steve didn't move. He kept leaning against the building.

"You Borgota fellas can't be over in dis side of town. This is our territory!"

Another, a zebra, cocked his head to the side as he spoke up," Are we gonna 'hafta do sumptin about dis guy?"

Still nothing.

Silver silently moved back as the gang all pulled out their guns. Steve finally stopped leaning. He placed his cello case where he planted himself. He took off his hat and slicked his hair back before putting it back on. He raised his chin up as he folded his arms. Behind the dumpster Pea half-caught a glare from his small yellow eyes. The street was silent for almost a minuet save for the stray newspaper or buzz of the street lamps.

"Alright," said the minotaur, breaking the blood-chilling silence," Which one of you kids from the gutter is gonna shoot me first?"

A griffon stood to his shaky back legs. The gang stared at  wide eyed. Steve simply chuckled to himself. The griffon aimed his hand gun at the mobster with an uneasy arm. Silver by this point was nowhere to be seen, neither was the back up.

"Look kid," Steve sighed," You're not even old enough to out 'an buy booze...what are you doing out here?"

The griffon smirked as he cocked his gun,"I didn't chose da hood...the hood chose me!" His gun's blast echoed off the dirty brick walls and as soon as it started it was over.

A small patch of blood swelled on Steve's chest. He raised a beefy hand to the wound and shock his head as he laughed to himself. The gang on he other hand, were whooping and cheering the shooter.

"Kid," said Steve, the mobster seemed to be in no pain,"...you know how much time it takes to get a blood stain out of a nice suit like this?"

The gang seeing that Steve could in fact bleed now only taunted him at their safe distance. Dew pointed out that Steve was opening the cello case, the gang didn't. The massive mobster stood to his full height and swung the point of the cello's contents in the gang's direction.  It was a long gun with a disk in the middle. Steve pulled the trigger.

The street was filled with sound again.  This time it was louder, each shot sounded like a thunderous chop of an ax on flesh. Dew covered her ears as she shut her eyes from the spectacle. Pea saw a cold, heartless glare in Steve's eyes as his face was lit up by his gun's muzzle flash.

Pea and her friends sat dumbfounded behind the dumpster. Steve put the deadly tool back in it case and pulled out a comb. The gun's shots still echoed slightly and amongst the shredded thugs, the griffon sat clenching his arm. As the street grew quiet once again, Steve's heavy hoof-steps could be heard. The griffon tried his best to get up, to get away from the angry bull. He was about to spread his wings and fly away, but he wasn't so lucky.

"Kid... just where do you think you're going?," said the mobster. His voice seemed to freeze the very air it touched. He sighed with half delight as he grabbed his victim by the neck. The griffon made a few strangled, gurgling  squawks. Steve loosened his grip slightly so the feathery thug could breath...slightly. The Street was quiet again, save the griffon's struggles.

"I'm looking for someone," said Steve," have you seen Sponge anywhere in this part of town?"

"Don't you read the news?" the griffon choked," Sponge is dead! The cops have been looking since yesterday!"

Steve narrowed his eyes. The griffon suddenly realized that the mobster didn't want to hear that. He sighed,"Sorry to trouble you then kid..." the mobster said.

Dew and Pea almost jumped when they heard the sudden snap. Steve's apology was the last thing that griffon ever heard. They heard some sort of shuffling and saw that Steve was stuffing the dead gangsters into bags. He lined them all up on the side of the road and took out a clipboard from his cello case. He was mumbling to himself as he scrawled something on the board's paper. He put it back in his cello case and pulled out a cigar.

He lit it as he walked off. Oza, Pea and Dew sat in shocked silence.  The three travelers sat in the quiet night, blinking and trying to recover. Almost a quarter hour later some officers came by with some sort of wagon. Silver Shell was among them. He piled the body bags onto the cart and a tall, dull orange Pegasus in a rather clean uniform walked up beside him.

"Silver," The Pegasus said, "I know what the Borgota has done to your family, but calling out an entire S.W.A.T team for Stonewall?"

Silver seemed ashamed as he hoisted the last bag on the cart. He cleared his throat as he turned his head to the tall winged horse," Sorry Chief...I-I know that, they keep the streets clean...but-" The police chief stomped at him.

"But nothing!" The chief cooled down as he continued," Steel was a damn good cop, but he knew as well as the rest of us that he went to far!"

"Did Amber know?!" Silver's eyes blocked back tears," Did she Chief?" At this the Pegasus, as well the rest of the officers hung their heads in remorse as the went back to their regular duties. The Chief spread his wings and soared into the city's skyline.

Dew and Pea were still behind the dumpster, Oza passed out before the police arrived. Dew looked panicked as she huddled next to Oza and Pea. Gravel wasn't sure how to take what was going on...what the minotaur did was cruel and heartless, yet the Chief of Police was permitting ,or even praising his actions? Just what kind of town was this?

9) The Big Blue Mule

The night had ended and the sun was beginning to rise over Big Apple. The Maine Street was still busy, but less then at later times of the day. The smaller parts of the city were just waking up, ready to start a new day. Birds sang as they flew over the growing crowds in the streets. Taxi cabs rolled passengers from place to place. And our three companions wandered through the streets, each with their own reactions to last night. Dew looked panicked as they walked on, Pea however seemed determined to get somewhere.

"Pea, you've seen whats going on around here...Pea?"

"What is it?" asked Pea flatly.

"Let's leave, Its dangerous here...I don't like it."

"No," Pea's voice sounded cold as she spoke," I'm going to find out what the deal is around here and find out out who Sponge is."

Dew shook her head," Why? Don't you need to find out where Ponyville is? What about your father's wish on finding Carmino?," She stood in front of Pea. The red mare blocked Pea from going an further," This whole thing is not our...your business! I-I'm leaving Pea...I don't want to be here!"

Pea looked Dew straight in the eye. Her demeanor became different, almost cruel," Then get the hell out of my way."

Dew complied, and looked to Pea with pain. Pea took a few steps then spoke to Dew with her back to the red mare," Dew...if you wanna leave, do it. I need to find out whats going on," She looked at Dew with icy eyes," Besides, you weren't my business either...remember that."

Dew slumped to the pavement. Oza patted her back as Pea kept walking.

"Dew...dragon sorry..." Oza said. He trudged as he followed the grey mare.

Dew looked behind her. She saw crowds of ponies, strangers. She looked in front of her, trouble waiting to happen. She took a shaky breath and followed the mare and the dragon.

The crew arrived at some sort of public square. The sun shown brightly over the park-like space. The low hanging trees showed a slight breeze. Some ponies kept their distance from Oza, thinking of him as some kind of threat. Along the streets in the park were stands. News paper stands, food stands, bar stands and even poker stands. Oza sat next to a tree as Pea took off to the news stand. Dew not knowing what else to do sat down next to the dragon. Once Pea was out of ear shot Dew clung to Oza.

"Why is she acting like that...Pea is such a nice mare..." Dew whimpered.

"This pony has right to be confused," said Oza with a comforting tone,"When Pea gets scared or feels alone...that Pony turns cold. She only acts happy when safe with friends, Dew saying she'd leave triggered that. Pea will turn around since you stay," the dragon said as he rustled Dew's mane gently. Dew felt safe and warm knowing she had a friend like Oza...and Pea too.

Pea glared at the stands in the park in search of one with news or something. There was a unicorn running the news stand. Her green curly hair shown out over her white pelt. She looked at Pea cautiously with her lime eyes.

"Excuse me, is there something you need?" she asked, off put by Pea's cold stare.

"Yes there is. Whats going on with Sponge?"

The newsmare now seemed panicked, but tried to keep calm," W-why do you ask?"

"He's a friend of mine, I've been out of town and since then everything gone down...hey look at me when I'm talking to you!"

The newsmare was now under the assumption that Pea was a Borgota Mobster, and a high ranking one too since she was apparently friends with Sponge. Pea kept her deadly gaze locked at the mare in the stand.

"Well...I-I'll assume you left a little before Officer Steel Shell started arresting a bunch of your guys?"

Pea played the mobster part flawlessly," That guy? Oh...he better be dead."

"He...i-is. Sponge killed him in his apartment two days ago. You guys never killed cops before-"

Pea slammed a hoof on the stand's desk. News papers fluttered around as she intensified her glare at the newsmare.

"I'm not here for conversation!" she leaned forward and the white mare began to sweat," Tell me where Sponge is, now."

"I...d-don't know where he is! He's been gone for days, no one knows where he is..."

Pea nodded a thank you as she took her leave. The newsmare nearly fainted out of relief. Pea walked to Dew and Oza who dozed peacefully under the tree. Pea looked at them, her one stone hearten demeanor melted away. She let them sleep and went from stand to stand. She passed by the white mare, who was now terrified of Pea. Pea didn't know exactly to apologize, so she tossed the mare a few Bits and walked off with a newspaper. She sat on a bench at some sort of cafe stand. She looked at the paper, glancing from picture to picture.

She saw that the homeless ponies were flushed out of town in attempt to find Sponge, and the old factories in the western part of town were now abandoned. The perfect place for a refuge. Pea took up the bench as she laid down in thought. All she could think of was how much Dew just wanted to leave and how awfully she had treated her. Pea decided that looking for sponge was looking for trouble. She walked back over to were her friends were sleeping and woke them gently. She told them that she decided to not have any part in the mess, much to Dew's delight.

The three travelers headed back toward the train station with much difficulty. There were so many streets and so many creatures in the crowds. Outside of town there was a river front with a wooden train bridge across it. It was near the station and they decided to risk it since it was clearer than the way they came. Also no trains seemed to be coming or going. They neared the wood bridge with all of its complex arced beams. Oza got on the bridge first and the mares followed. It was fine at first, but halfway across Oza spotted something walking along the tracks. Weather toward or away from them, he couldn't tell. Not to long after he saw the figure a train sped up in the distance behind it.

Pea led Dew to the beams under the track for safety along with Oza. They waited for a few moments, and Oza lifted his head back up to the track. The figure was still there and the train was dangerously close. The figure did nothing to avoid the oncoming speeding wall of metal.Oza sprang up onto the track and raced to save the stranger. He came close to it, so did the train.

"Oza! What are you doing?!" Pea and Dew screamed after him.

He grabbed the stranger and leaped off the bridge, Time seemed to freeze as Oza and the stranger plunged into the river. As the train roared above them, Dew and Pea shimmied their way across the support beams under the bridge.After the train passed the two mares raced as fact as they could on the tracks to the other side. They finally reached the opposite shore and sped to the bank, scanning the surface for Oza. His head popped up like a periscope near the center of the river.

"What is it Oza?" called Dew.

"Some kind of...Oza can't tell, to busy swimming!"

He arrived on the bank rather quickly but once on land he bent double from fatigue. Between breaths he slumped the stranger to the ground. Pea and Dew inched close to examine it. Whatever it was, it was big. It had a heavy coat along with clothes similar to what Lil' Shanks had scraggly hair covering his eyes. Pea was the first of the mares to be next to it. She hesitated before she pulled his hair away from his eyes. He was a pony of some kind, remembering back to Beamville he had a similar build to the mule Andre she had fought in the street. His pelt was a faded denim-like blue with an inky black mane. Even though he looked younger than Andre he looked like he could crush Andre with a single swipe. Dew was now next to Pea and Oza.

"I-I've never seen somepony so big...he's almost as big as Oza!" Dew said with awe.

"He's unconscious," said Pea. She looked at his jacket and gasped," Oza, he's bleeding! Quick, help me get this off of him."

Oza held the mule up as the mares took his heavy coat off. Dew cringed as she saw the wound that was hidden. It was a wide gash running up rom the base of his front leg to his chin, It looked like it had been reopened from the jump from the bridge. Once his wet, blood stained clothes were off Dew got dry blankets, Pea looked for fire wood on in the near by woods as Oza tended to his wounds.

The sun was high when Pea came back and she saw their make-shift camp. The stranger was under several blankets as Dew and Oza waited for Pea. She piled up the wood she found and Oza started a fire, once it kept he left off to find bigger pieces. Dew and Pea sat in silence listening to the small fire crackle. Even though the sun was up it felt cold near the river, but they had already made their 'guest' comfy.

What broke the silence wasn't Oza returning but the stranger shuddering in his sleep. The mares weren't sure what to do, should they risk wakening him or let him sleep, he stopped eventually. After what seemed like forever Oza came back with logs, carrying tree easier than their guest.  He set them over the fire and sat next to the mares. The camp was eerily silent save the sound of the river and the camp fire.  Dew spoke up;

"...Pea?"

"Yeah Dew, what is it?"

"Y-You don't think this is Sponge...do you?"

Pea looked at the mule, he certainly had similar bulk as Stonewall Steve, but as she looked at his face she saw something different. She saw a pain on his squared off face, more from just his wound. Dew shifted nervously.

"Pea...I can't be around those Borgota guys...I can't stand them..."

"Why, did they do something to you?"

Dew was silent for a moment, she wrapped a blanket around herself from her pack. She held back tears as she began to speak," Pea...a Borgota," she said almost sobbing,"...sold...sold m-me to Black...their the reason I w-was a slave..."

Dew slumped to the ground whimpering. Pea sat shocked on the sand, she looked with desperation to Oza. He looked forlorn as well. Pea turned back to Dew, she tried to comfort her but the red mare pulled away. The sun had lowered by now and was beginning to set. Dew and the stranger were fast asleep, leaving Pea and Oza. The dragon was dozing off as Pea stared at the stranger.

"Oza...what are we gonna do if...he's one of them?"

"Hmm?" Oza asked sleepily,"  Oh...Oza don't know."

Pea was about to ask something else but Oza had already fell asleep. She sat at the fire sadly. The day's events were cemented in her mind, especially how she had lashed out on Dew. Pea shuddered in an oncoming breeze that lowered the flames of the campfire. She got up to check on their guest. In the sun's dying light she saw one of his back legs sticking out from under the blankets. She lifted them to tuck his leg in but stopped when she saw his thigh.  His cutie mark was faint on his fur but she saw it, a pony skull with a fedora. She shuddered when she saw it. Was he really a mobster? Pea tucked his leg under the blanket and looked at his face skeptically. She was about to go lay down when the mule curled into himself slightly, Pea didn't pay attention. The mule's eyes lifted half open and darted from Pea, Dew and Oza.

His heart began to beat fast and his wound blared with pain. He waited until the travelers were asleep before he slowly got to his hooves. He crept softly away from the camp. He was about to leave until he caught a glance of the two mares. He gazed at Dew's sleeping face and his heart melted, the mule had a change of heart and sat back down next to the fire. He couldn't just leave them without repaying them for helping him...even though he didn't wan't it.

Pea woke up snuggled up in between Dew and Oza. She yawned lazily as she slid out from her spot. She wobbled over to the fire to restart it. She didn't notice the smell of food or a big blue thing in her way. She bumped into the mule who was huddled next to the fire. He jumped slightly as well as the mare. She blinked as her eyes shed their sleepiness off. The mule had two cooking pots over the fire. Pea giggled;

"Oh sorry," she straightened her vest," I didn't see you there..."

"Don't worry 'bout it 'mam," said the mule.

His voice was depressing yet kind. He scooted to the side so Pea had a warm spot by the fire. Pea sat down happily and looked curiously at what he was making, she could smell coffee. The mule handed her a cup and grabbed one of the pots.

"Coffee? I'm not sure what kind of blend you ladies had so I'm not sure how it'll taste."

"Sure," Pea said as the mule poured her some," So whats your name, stranger?"

"Ahhm...Joe," he said. Pea almost felt like he was lying about his name, but that didn't matter to her.

"So Joe, how did you get that gash? Its pretty nasty!"

"I'd rather not talk about it...it's not a nice story..."

"Oh, its fine," Pea said as she sipped the brew," I wont pry...ack! This is kinda bitter"

"Sorry, you didn't have any sugar, I made biscuits though, want one?"

"You made breakfast for us? That's to sweet!"

"Its the least I could do, now if you'd excuse me Ahm thirsty."

"You could drink some coffee-" Pea called, but Joe had already trotted a few yards down river. She had a few moments to herself to look at the crisp early morning. She noticed that Joe's coat was folded neatly next to his blood stained shirt. She munched on the biscuits he mentioned and she found them delicious. She ate four going on five when her other friends woke up. She poured them coffee and fed them biscuits, Dew crinkled her nose as she glanced around the camp.

"Wheres the mule?"

"You mean Joe," Pea said with a mouth full of food," that's a good question...he should've been back by now..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

In The Distance...

Far past Big Apple, Pea's beloved desert or even the isle of Peron. Theres a mountain fortress at the coast of an old, bleak, dead land, standing mighty against the raging sea storms for centuries. This fortress is gargantuan with high spires and many windows that look like thousands of eyes at a distance. The entrance is a close kept secret but there are wide open patios of stone near the top, for those who would dare to fly in. This fortress is the home to the Roxcites and the lair of Borox. The fortress' name; Loigerhin.

This Fortress is full of lightless creatures of malicious alignment. Chimeras, dark griffons and other dark creatures cursed to walk on the land for the rest of their lives. Borox inherited the coastal fortress from one of his mentors and molded it into a place of refuge for other nefarious creatures. Here they can make alliances with others, train themselves in various arts of combat or build their muscles to monstrous size. On the higher floors creatures were taught ancient forms of Illusion, Destruction and Restoration magic. Those who master both the body and mind hold a grip over their weaker peers. On top of this malevolent food chain are the dragons, for a few reasons. Firstly they outlived most of the other creatures that lived there, so the Roxcite dragons had an advantage. Second, Borox himself is a dragon and even though he accepts efforts from non-dragon races he still thinks them inferior. At the bottom of the food chain were creatures of ill-will like the others but they are either too stupid to learn magic or are slaves to the higher-ups.

In the entrance chambers Sidzo was shaking off the rain on his scarred back. He had taken a ferry to Loigerhin, and was on edge. Any time he was out on the field Sidzo was a powerful beast that no one questioned but here...he was but a student. He sighed gruffly as he went through the damp cavernous halls.  His presence was held in reverence by the younger dragons that passed, some no more than hatchlings. The yellow dragon snarled as he approached the main hall. It's tremendous size was staggering even to him now, with the many walk ways taking up the arial space going to different caves throughout the fort. He walked inside, any dragon that was near bowed or hurried aside. He held his scarred, grizzled head high. One of his peers, Grudose, stopped teaching his young students the art of runes for a moment. He told them to stay put as he hurried to see who was the dragon of importance. Grudose was a gaunt Copper dragon. His scales shown brightly in the hall, squinting his glossy opal eyes he gasped at the sight of Sidzo.

"Sidzo...is that thee? O tis been too long old friend! How is life treating you?"

"Amigo, its great to see you. Su bueno, I'm good...but-"

Sidzo led Grudose to a less populated area off the hall. He spoke in a grave whisper," I don't know if I will be...the Amo, Borox wants to see me."

Gudose laughed nervously,"Perhaps the Master wishes to congratulate thee on thine feats of strength outside our borders?"

"Your words show kindness amigo...It was good seeing you...I don't want to keep Amo waiting." Sidzo's feet made audible thuds as he went off to his task, Grudose went back to his.

Borox's lair was deep beneath the fortress, not at the tall towers as most creatures expect. He is occasionally seen up at Loigerhin's lofty spires, but not always. Sidzo traveled further underground, the air becoming more stale and hot as he went. His massive heart began to beat like a panicked child's. His one eye darted from step to step on the descending staircase. The cramped tunnel he was in opened up into a large cavern with flowing pools of magma. Piles of gold and other precious metals lay about the cave floor. In the dim light from the magma Sidzo could see the other side. There was Borox. His dark figure couldn't be identified from Sidzo's distance. The cave's halls were lined with runic writing and trophies of all kinds. Slaves of various races sat in groups with blindfolds over their eyes so they don't behold the majesty of Borox. The yellow dragon walked carefully towards his master.

Borox was a dragon of a rare breed. He was some kind of Red dragon that are all but extinct, similar to the blue dragons of deserts. His face was ridged, with tusks jutting out from his bottom jaw, a pair closer to the front of his mouth, the other closer to the back. His ominous yellow-green eyes were shaded from devil horn-like ridges on his head.  Ears stuck out the side of his head, heavy with jewels and earrings. His skin was made of interlocking dark red scales that made a suit of armor over most of his body.  Large, predominate spikes lined up his spine leading up to a almost unicorn-like crest on his head that was studded with gold plating. If you never saw him with wings, you would have assumed he had lived on the land his whole life.

He leaned his massive girth on a throne on stone and gold. He rested his mighty head on his powerful hand. Each of his fingers was studded with a ring of some sort. Among him were several dragonets of metallic breeds. They tenderly draped their shiny silver or gold bodies over the dark red dragon. He caressed the nearest one and Sidzo took small steps toward him. The powerful yellow dragon was dwarfed incredibly before Borox. Sidzo kept his eye away from his master's in sheer terror.

"O Sidzo, hide not thine face," Borox's powerful voice filled the chamber, it had a father-like quality to it," You are a guest here and a son of mine. Come eat and drink your fill."

At this a feast appeared before Sidzo. Several meats, wine, gems. Anything he could ask for to eat was there. He reached for a large leg of roast mammoth," Amo...I shall eat, but why have you convocado...summoned me here?"

"I wish to learn of thine progress, simply that," he brushed one of his concubines away from his face," Sidzo, hast thou been advancing your healing magic as I hath requested?"

"N-no..."

"Ah, I'm disappointed," the banquet vanished," Now that I ponder further..."Sidzo went into a cold sweat,"What hast my student been putting effort in accomplishing?"

"Well, my grip on Peron is muy fuerte...very strong. I have stamped out a rebellion against our kin in Peron."

"Who organized such a ludicrous idea? Ah, do elaborate."

"...well...the leader was an Alicorn-"

Borox burst into a fit of deafening laughter. His concubines giggled in unison, It seemed as if the cavern would crack if he laughed any louder. Sidzo chuckled nervously.

"Molest me not with the name of those damned, pretentious, simple minded animals," he bore all of his sharp teeth into a blood chilling smile," Surely they possessed no threat, that would be an insult to nature!"

Sidzo now made a similar smile," No Amo, I have not found their leader, but their pueblo is nothing but cenizas...ashes!"

Borox nodded his ornate head in approval," Good, very good. As I'm sure you, SIdzo are aware, thou may stay with us here at Loigerhin as long as thee sees fit. I would appreciate if thee educated some of the newer students here to mold their bodies into marvels such as what you have done for thineself."

"It would be a blessing, great Amo," Sidzo said as he bowed his head.

Borox nodded his heavy head and Sidzo took his leave. The mountainous red dragon took back to the soft touch of his smooth scaled dragoness. The yellow dragon felt relieved as he hurried to the surface levels of the fort. Borox seemed to be in an unusually good mood...

Sidzo met back up with Grudose at the hall and Sidzo took a look at the copper dragon's students. They were all flightless in some way, as were all Roxcites. There was one that seemed to be to soft hearted though. Sidzo shoved his war beaten face in front of one of the hatchlings. She was a chimera with rounded features of youth, she cringed with him looming over her.

"What do you here, el pequeño?

"I-I...I've been learning r-runes from G-Grudose," she stuttered.

"What does a Roxite do with runes?"

"Uses them to protect themselves from....danger and..."

Sidzo's scarred face had all the children on edge," What do you do when they, no trabaje...don't work?"

The chimera froze. She had never heard that before. Sidzo stepped back and raised his front paw into a fist," You use this nino, your body must be an arma, a weapon!"

The young dragons cheered and began to play fight amongst themselves, inspired by Sidzo's words. Grudose was still in charge of teaching them runes for the day, and they weren't listening.

"Students, listen....Children!"

Sidzo cocked his head to the side, he glared at Grudose. The copper dragon didn't notice until it was to late. Sidzo grabbed the nearest student and held her up in the air. She dangled dangerously close to the jagged teeth of Sidzo's mouth. He let go and Grudose and the young dragons were frozen with fear. His jaws snapped shut as she bounced off Sidzo's nose and landed onto the floor at the yellow dragon's feet. Sidzo looked over at the copper dragon.

"Miedo! Fear ,Grudose! That is what you underlings should have in you, that is how Borox has taught me. "

Sidzo left the hall. He had had enough of those pampered, snot nosed babies. He wanted to get back to fighting on Peron, not playing babysitter over here. He was nearing the exit when he heard a booming knock at the door. That wasn't how Roxites requested entry, it had to have been some one else. Sidzo quickened his pace and shoved two Slaad guards away from the door and gazed through the one way glass. On the inside it looked like a window but rock on the outside. Sidzo's eye widened. Outside was Ruchos, a master to another group of flightless dragons. This massive dragon stood broodingly outside the gate with storm water rolling off his body.

Sidzo opened the door and the dragon stepped inside. His body was muscular like Sidzo's, but much bigger. Ruchos had maroon scales with a light red under belly. He had Armor plates of steel bolted into his skin. Unlike most flightless dragons, he was only missing his wing membranes and his wing's fingers. His whing's thumb claws were massive, and looked like red mantis arms on his back. He looked down at Sidzo with his fierce lilac eyes.

"Little lizard, I'm here to speak with your lord and master, Borox. I have news to speak of."

Sidzo bowed deeply before he turned on his heels. He sped through the many corridors of the fortress, plowed through the creatures in the main hall and squeezed into the lower halls. He almost rolled into Borox's throne room. The metallic dragonets gasped in surprise at his entrance. Borox raised an eyebrow;

"Sidzo, thou hast returned...what is the under what circumstances?"

"O mighty Amo," Sidzo panted," Ruchos...is at the gate...he wishes an audience-"

Borox rose to his feet. His concubines rolled off of him as he erected his neck to a regal stance. He disappeared  in a dull flash of light that left a singe mark on the floor. The massive red dragon reappeared at the gate next to Ruchos. The guest was startled by his sudden arrival.

"Thou art seeking an audience?"

"Yes Borox, but ..." he eyed the gathering crowd," we must hold council in a place of solitude."

"I shall grant thy request, Ruchos."

In a second they both teleported to one of the open rooms in Loigerhin's towers. It was empty and quiet with smoothed stone walls. There were lounging sofas fit for creatures their size, and Ruchos planted himself onto the softest one. Borox remained standing,"Speak, Ruchos."

"Firstly, do not think of yourself higher then me, Borox," Ruchos scratched his chin with his wing's claw," Now, as I came to tell you. Your apostle's assistance on the jungle isle of Zenduram was most helpful, we converted the isle's dragon population with minimal casualties," Ruchos folded his hands," Aside from that I wish to speak of your student's...'demeanor'."

"Their assistance served no pleasure for thee?" Borox asked dryly.

"Not entirely," Ruchos looked out the room's windows watching rain bead off the stained glass," A few of them were defiant and did as they saw fit in the campaign."

"My apologies Ruchos. I shall see to them," the Herculean red dragon stepped over to the window to regain his guest's attention," Is there any thing else? Art thou hungry or in need of drink?"

"I'm famished, bring food and women!" the maroon dragon's laugh boomed in the tower room.

Borox magically fabricated a scroll, wrote a note and it vanished with a puff of smoke. It reappeared in the fortress' food stockade. The Chief of Meals read it with wide eyes. The ovens began to blaze as his kitchen servants fetched meat for the two kingly dragons. Others went into the kitchen's brewery to bring them Loigerhin's barrels of Lavender Metheglyn for Ruchos. Finally two  brought a portable furnace into the fortress' vault and piled in the purest gold and silver as a cocktail for Borox.

The feast was brought up on the backs of four slaadi (which are bipedal toad-like creatures that serve in the fort) and a brothel of female dragons followed the slaadi with a quartet of Troglodite musicians. (Also servants in the fort) They climbed up the many flights of stairs leading to Borox's tower. Upon arrival they burst into the room with savory sights and sounds flowing along side them. Ruchos clapped with delight, Borox made a disgusted face when his guest wasn't looking.

Ruchos gorged on the food, not taking the time to enjoy the flavor like his host. He poured the aged wine over his mouth, making a barbaric mess. He clapped along drunkenly    with the lizard musicians. Even when the dragonets attempted to comfort him, he thrashed around like a ditzy youth. Borox sipped on his beverage of molten gold. He had an unimpressed air to him as the small celebration rattled around him. Ruchos rose to his feet and wobbled over to him.

"Ey Boraaaax...my friend," the guest said drunkenly," I got something to tell ya!"

"Proceed Ruchose," grunted Borox. The maroon dragon leaned over and wrapped a wing and an arm over his host's massive shoulders.

"You don't have control over yer...little dragons 'round here!"

"Excuse me?"

"You are excused! Don't feel bad...mebbe some day you'll be as good as me..."

Borox sprung to to his feet causing Ruchos to roll on the floor in a drunk heap. Borox stamped over to him. The musicians, dragonets and slaadi sprawled to get out of his way, knocking over trays and barrels, even spilling some of Borox's gold. The herculean dragon loomed over his drunk guest. Ruchos snickered weakly as Borox clamped a hand to his neck. The Maroon dragon began to squirm under the clamping hand. The very air seemed weighed down with Borox's venomous temper.

"Thou dare to barge in my home, complain about the blanket of protection I provide, waste my food and wine, mistreat my women..." his grip tightened turning Ruchos' face an ugly shade of pink,"....and then thou spit in my face with insults?! In my own palace...I should wring thine neck..."

"P-please! Borox, O Mighty Beast," Ruchos croaked," Spare me! I only meant to...ACK!...only jest!"

Borox smiled nefariously,"Thou art correct...all thy can do is jest."

He let go of Ruchos and rose the winded dragon to his feet. The servants cowered in the far corners of the room as the red dragon began to laugh quietly. He glared at Ruchos with wild eyes,"Now my friend, Thou art spoke of a student of mine who did not meet expectations?"

"Yes..er...his name was Grudose. T-tell me, Borox...what are your plans with him?"

Suddenly there was a dull flash of light and a copper dragon appeared in the room. He looked stunned and then terrified to see Borox. He slammed his face to the floor with his tail between his legs. His shivers of terror were shown by light reflecting off his shiny scales. Borox walked over nefariously to the cowering dragon. He stopped a few feet away from Grudose, Borox called over his shoulder;

"Doth thou want another to the Luchadite Ranks that is under thine command?"

"...perhaps...what are his skills?"

Borox leaned his massive head over to Grudose and spoke in an icy whisper," Speak with convincing words Copper Lizard, if thou fail to impress...they will be the last to leave thine lips."

At this Grudose wriggled away from Borox and over to Ruchos. He kept his face low as he pleaded," O merciful Ruchos, listen to my humble plea?"

"Proceed Grudose," the maroon dragon said cooly as he rubbed the sores on his neck left from Borox.

"I am a skilled teacher, O Mighty One! If thou spares my life...I-I could teach others your ways," he began to sweat," I'll do whatever you command, say the word and it will be done!"

Ruchos seemed unimpressed. He waved his hand away and Grudose looked up at it with horror. He slowly turned his head behind him to see the massive wall that is Borox. He tried to scream or dodge, but his body was frozen. He began to levitate up to Borox's eye level, the red dragon's magic grip was smothering. Borox eyed him for a few seconds, then smiled his blood-chilling smile," I have had a recent craving for a suitable piece of copper..." The servants at the corners of the room retreated even further, Ruchos seemed relieved.

Borox opened  his mouth and beads of lime yellow drool oozed on his snake tounge onto his gums and landing with acidic splashes on the stone floor. He moved the petrified copper dragon closer and snapped his unearthly powerful jaws shunt. Blood spurted out of Grudos' torso's back-half and landed wetly onto the floor. The hind legs twitted awkwardly and his long tail wriggled like a tortured worm. Borox pinched this part of his meal that fell off and held it aloft. He cast an animalistic gaze at Ruchos.

"Care for some, friend?"

"I am full, but I...appreciate your 'offer'..."

Borox shrugged as he consumed the rest of Grudose with malice. He looked to his guest with a satisfied smile.

"Ruchos, is there anything else I may do to assist?"

"No I'll take my leave...It was good to see thee again Brorox."

Borox returned to his chamber underground. The maroon dragon raced through the halls to the main gate. He burst out of it and into the rain outside. Some of his subordinates waited outside. Ruchos shook his head in the rain and walked toward his anchored ship at the coast. His followers trailed close behind in silence. Lone, an ogre mage who was his right hand fighter, was the first to speak, "So boss, how did it go? Did you get what ya came here for?"

Ruchos lashed him with one of his wing arms,"No...that Bastard is still as twisted and stingy as always. I didn't even get the chance to ask"

TO BE CONTINUED...

10) Rumble In Big Apple

Pea placed her coffee near the fire to keep it warm. She stood up, still with food stuffing her mouth. Dew began to look around, the mule Joe, wasn't anywhere to be seen and yet his clothes were still at camp. Where was he? Pea walked off promising to find him, she decided to search up river first. She had gone quiet a ways and became almost board as she dragged her hooves into patterns along the sand. She wasn't paying attention and bumped into something...Joe.

"Hey I did it again didn't I?" she asked sheepishly. Joe didn't answer, his head was submerged in the river water.

"Joe you're really thirsty! You got your head underwater and everything..." she noticed no gulping sounds from him, in fact no sound at all. She laughed nervously before she shook him to see if he was conscious. Nothing.

She wrapped her arms around his burly neck and strained to remove it from the water. She wasn't a weak mare but sliding him away from the water drained her. She sat panting and looked at Joe. She regained her breath and called out for Oza. In a moment she could see him running her way with Dew over his shoulder. He skidded in the sand next to her. He instantly took charge, he placed Dew aside and checked for a pulse. He checked on each of his limbs and his neck. Nothing. The mares held their breath in anticipation. Oza preformed CPR on the mule. Dread hung in the air in the moments passed while the travelers awaited him to awake.

He suddenly gasped and went into a coughing fit, water flowed from his mouth between each cough. The mares stared at him with concern an Oza did his best to sit him up. Once he stopped a few silent moments passed until Dew broke the quiet. "Joe...what were you thinking, were you trying to drown?"

Joe's face was full of tragedy, something had broken this massive mule's spirit, Pea could tell.

"Can I ask you ladies something?" Joe asked hoarsely.

"Sure, go for it," Pea said.

The mule paused for a moment," Why did-," he pursed his lips," Where are you headed now?"

"Well, were kinda off course from where we were going," Pea smirked,"Actually we followed the train tracks to this place. Do you have anyplace you're going?''

"Its far from here..." Joe cast his face down. He sighed heavily and looked back up at Pea," You all have done more then you should've, I can't thank you ladies and dragon enough. I'll just get out of your hair," he said with a melancholy tone. He rose to his hooves and made his way for the bridge to lead him into the city. The travelers exchanged glances followed the mule at a safe distance. He didn't seem to notice and they followed him ( Oza made a quick stop to pick up their packs of course) into the city. He wandered through the emptier parts of town, avoiding anyone's eyes. They made it all the way to the west side of town, the 'bad' part of town.

The crew felt uncomfortable as they followed Joe, now doubting their curiosity that may be placing them in danger. The buildings were low, drab and there was almost no sigh of anypony (or anyone) living there. The street was narrow and seemed to squeeze anything walking on it. Pea remembered the closed down factory she read about yesterday, and pieces fit together in her head. This mule could be or maybe even was Sponge.

He arrived at some sort of corner store with dirty windows, there were shouts and loud blast coming from inside. A group of three figures burst out from the door. One a lanky Unicorn, the other was a squat donkey and the third was a grizzled looking pony with a sack over his back. They were racing toward Joe. Pea and her friends hid out of site behind an ally corner. The robbers nearly rammed into Joe whom was facing the ground as he trudged aimlessly.

"Hey! The hell you 'doin?" the donkey snapped at Joe.

"Just walking," the mule mumbled.

"G-Get out of the way," shouted the unicorn as he pulled out his pistol with magic. Joe simply blinked as the gun was pointed at him.

"I said MOVE!," the unicorn shouted again," I'll...b-blast yer brains out!"

Joe bowed his head slightly," Do it, you'd do me a favor...but if you don't kill me," Joe's voice was flat and menacing," then please, run as fast as you can."

The robbers exchanged panicked glances until the Unicorn squeezed the trigger. The gun's blast echoed off the old, narrow street. A little blood trickled down Joe's neck. The three robbers gasped in horror as the saw Joe. He still stood, a bullet lodged in his thick skull. His slash injury was worse that the bullet wound and the robbers saw that. Before the unicorn could shoot again Joe the massive mule stepped toward him. The other two fled for their lives as the Unicorn had half a second to react. Joe's front hoof swung at him and it landed with a resounding thud on the robber's thin frame. Dew covered her ears and turned her head, Pea felt sick as she watched and Oza, his face was blank.

The travelers cringed as Joe pinned his attacker to a wall and leaned toward him. Joe's massive frame towered over the Unicorn's. The robber had a petrified look on his gaunt face looking up at Joe and his other arm, which was raised up to strike. Joe froze for a moment, as if realizing what was going on. He released his grip and staggered back, pleading the unicorn to run. The unicorn took no time to make it out of the ally. Joe stood there,his muscles shivering uncontrollably.

Not to long after Police ponies zoomed pass Pea and her friends' hiding spot and surrounded the Mule. The chief who the travelers had seen before with officer Silver stood a little closer to Joe then the others. He puffed a cigarette as he looked at the mule in disgust.

"Well, well...look who it is. Finally found you, Sponge."

Pea and Dew gasped. Joe looked at the Chief with cold eyes and straightened his neck and towered over the orange Pegasus. He slicked back his hair just like Steve, yet he did it as if it was clockwork for him. His eyes softened and he almost seemed sick as he looked at the mess he made.

"So are you sirs gonna stand all day or shoot me?"

"Better, You're a wanted mule Sponge, you're under arrest," as the Chief said this all of the Police drew out guns or night sticks. Joe (or Sponge) lowered his face.

"I won't fight you," he raised his eyebrows,"...I'll follow you Chief..."

Two officers stayed behind to take care of the robbery while the rest waited for a jail carriage. Sponge barely fit into the portable jail cell, one officer slammed the door on him while a team of ten hitched up and rode off. The street cleared soon and the three travelers felt similar to the night they met Steve. Pea'e eyes followed the jail coach as it rattled down the street and off to the Big Apple Prison. Dew trembled. Pea shuddered. Oza gulped nervously.

"P-Pea...," Dew stuttered, she had tears rolling down her face.

"Yeah?"

"I..I'm glad that half breed was caught...he's a monster, like the rest of them..."

"Dew, did...did you see the look in his eyes this morning?"

The red mare paused for a moment," W-what about it?"

"He's no monster...I could see he ran himself into a trap," Pea leaned toward Dew with a prideful gleam in her eyes," I don't care if he's a Borgota...he needs our...your help!"

"B-but you saw what he did...a-and the police want him dead! How can we help him?"

Pea lifted Dew up on her hooves and dried her eyes," We might not be able bust him out like we did for you, but we can try to bail him out or something."

Dew's demeanor lightened, she curled her lips into a weak smile. Pea patted her back. Oza still seemed to stare into space. Pea rolled her eyes as she bumped her elbow at the Dragon.

"Come on bud, lets get Joe."

"This dragon ready, we go!"

The three friends sped to the busier side off town, searching for a way to help the mule. Word of his capture was quick, Ponies were chatting about it all over the streets. There were even posters being made and distributed for his trial that was in two days. Some ponies complained that he should sit in prison longer before he was excited. Others were upset about how his execution was planed. Some wanted him hung, others wanted him in an electric chair. All this was razor blades to Pea's ears, but she held firm.

The eventually found a cop who wasn't off celebrating. He was sitting on a bench watching traffic as he puffed away on some sort of plant. His eyes were hazy but alert, he blinked lazily wen Pea sat next to him. They appeared to be at some sort of bus station.

"Excuse me, I need to see someone...can you take me to him?"

"...wha?" the cop looked in several directions before he saw Pea," Ahmmmm...lady, what did you say?"

"I need to speak to Joe...er...Sponge," The mare said with a wide grin. The Cop fell into a fit of wheezy laughter," Whats so funny?" Pea asked.

"Whoo, he he...I could take you to see him, but the boys in chains have probably beat 'im black an blue...you know, after he was whipped an' shit...he he he!"

Pea shrugged and craned her neck to see a map. She found one of bus routs, the Big Apple Prison was at the far North end of town. She knew they didn't have much time. She looked to Oza and pointed to where they needed to go. He understood, scooped up the two mares and sped up the street north. He raced through the streets, avoiding collisions as much as he could. In the blur of travel Pea was determined to help Joe. Dew had many emotions on her face, she wanted to help but she hated the crowd he was a part of.

Oza dodged taxis, cars and buses in his run. They reached the North end of town rather quickly, it almost looked like a different town. The tall buildings stopped short and there was a large pasture of dead grass between the city's edge and the Prison's fences. Pea jumped off Oza and ran as fast as she could toward the monolithic structure. As she came closer she saw a large crowd in the yard.

A mass of inmates surrounded something in the yard. She slammed into the chain-link fence and took a moment to absorb the scene. There was a deafening amount of noise from the crowd of inmates and there was Joe in the center and he was in bad shape. His back was torn from whip lashings, his legs were bruised from fractures, and his neck and legs were linked to thick pine trunks in the ground with heavy chains. His once massive ridged frame was crumpled on the ground. The inmates shouted and spewed insults at him, they threw rocks at the chained up mule. Pea's teeth ground against each other at the sight, when Dew and Oza reached the fence Pea's blood was boiling. The grey mare screamed over the din of the crowd;

"YOU BASTARDS WOULDN'T BE SO BRAVE IF HE WASN'T CHAINED UP!"

Some of the inmates turned around and laughed. Pea stamped in anger, Dew took some steps away from her. Pea was going to try to climb the fence before Oza picked her up by the nape of her neck. She spun her head around.

"Oza what the-"

Oza's face looked scarier then how she felt, almost like he was a different dragon. She instantly cooled down and Oza's body heated up and his eyes turned a electric shade of blue. He raised his hand and began silently counting the inmates surrounding Joe. Once he was done he hissed and snapped his fingers. What happened next shocked the two mares. All of the Inmates' backs arched in unnatural directions, and the all fell limply to the ground. Oza dropped Pea to the dirt with a thud, the inmates he didn't count fled screaming. His snapping hand now swiped the chain link which bent like chicken wire. He took long steps toward Joe, Pea and Dew followed at a safe distance. Oza reached Joe and reached for the chains that held him down. The mule suddenly jerked up and clamped his teeth towards the dragon's fingers. Oza glared at the mule with angry eyes,  Joe glared back.

"What the hell are you guys doing?!" Joe snapped, his voice sounded feeble compared to it's stronger tone from that morning.

"Were here to help you!" Pea said," Were gonna bust you out!"

"Shut up," Joe spat. Pea was shocked. Joe turned his narrow eyed glare to Pea,"I don't need yer help. If I did I would've asked...you three better get out of here before you get in trouble you don't need to be in!" Joe slumped his heavy head to the ground and closed his eyes.

"What's wrong with you?" Dew butted in. She stamped over and stuck her face in Joe's," Were sticking out our necks for you...what's the deal?"

Joe opened his eyes and snarled. He pushed Dew away with his neck and laid back down," Why don't I want help? I'll tell you; I'm here because I deserve it!"

Pea hopped over and grabbed his head. She hoisted it up to meet her eyes," Joe you don't deserve this kind of thing, what they did to you is wrong! I'm here to help-"

"You don't get it! I'm a piece of shit, I don't even deserve the honor of an execution! I should be left in a ditch to rot..." Tears rolled down his bruised face," J-Just leave me! Go, go away..." he said between sobs.

Pea kept holding his head up and almost cried looking at him. Oza looked around to see if there were any guards coming, nothing yet. Joe tried to pull his head weakly away from Pea's tender grasp, but she refused to let go.

"What happened Joe? What did you do?" Pea whispered.

Inside Pea's mind it felt like a thunderbolt smashed through it. Suddenly Joe went limp and Pea scrunched up her face in pain. Dew grabbed Pea before she fell on the ground. Pea was faint with timid breaths. Oza was still scanning for danger. Dew wiped sweat from the grey mare's forehead.

"What happened Pea, are you alright?"

"I-I don't know...is Joe alright?"

"Mmmm yeah. Now Pea," Dew helped her friend sit up," Why did you just faint back there?"

Pea's senses sprang back up," Oza get Joe out of those, we need to get him out of those. Dew, come on...we need to get out of here."

Dew had no choice but to follow. She looked behind her and looked for a moment at the scene they caused and left so suddenly. The dragon studied the chains holding the mule down.

Oza broke the bindings on Joe and hoisted his forelimbs over his wingless shoulders. He made it to the fence line, looking back at the mess he made then snapped his fingers and the inmates sprawled awake as he mended the chain-link fence. He followed quickly after the two mares. They ran until they were back in the city. Pea ran to some sort of court yard for a large apartment complex. The three bent double out of breath. Dew was the only mare who seemed to notice Joe's unconscious presence.

"Dew, Oza," Pea said so anyone in ear reach would have difficulty hearing,"We need to get out of the city...he needs to get out of here..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

11) Good Bye, Big Apple!

Joe's weight on Oza's shoulders seemed heavier then it should, the wingless dragon thought. They were trying to find a back street route to the train station they entered the city in. It seemed so far away, the buildings and crowds merged into one grey, loud  blur. They tried their best to keep out of the view of police and when Pegasus or Griffons flew over head they his Joe behind the nearest dumpster. Some time had passed and the street lights lit up the cold, empty alleys. Joe blinked out of his dreamless, rather painful sleep.

"Hey, dragon...your shoulder is jabbin' into mah ribs."

Oza let him down on the rough pavement. The mule flinched slightly, his limbs still battered and bruised. Dew looked at the mule with critical eyes, Pea din't even look at him. She seemed to be absorbed at a street lamp across the street.

"Why did you three get me out of there?" the mule asked," I told you not to. The mob is after me.. they'll kill you if they see you with me. I'll just hide out here, go on ad leave the city without me."

Dew mustered a smile,"Were doing something that these two did for me," she gestured Pea and Oza," Helping you when you need it the most."

Oza smiled a big toothy grin, Pea kept her face from the others. Joe sighed heavily," You two really don't know do you?" Dew and Oza looked at him puzzled," You don't know what happened..."

"That's not important," Pea called over her shoulder," What matters right now is getting out of this god forsaken town."

"That's good and all," Joe chuckled," But i'm kind torn up at teh moment...My legs can barely stand on their own and I'll weigh Oza down if he carries me."

The dragon promptly spat on his hands and rubbed them together. He had the crew's bags under the mule and put them to the side, pulling a flask out of one. He dripped some of the dark liquid in his mouth and it made acidic hisses when it landed in his mouth.  Joe blinked in confusion as he sat while Oza put his cyan saliva on the whip lashes on the mule's wide back and and other lacerations. Oza then snapped his fingers and the cuts shrank into oblivion, Oza then puffed out a small green fire ball that hung in the air like a ghostly balloon. Joe winced as split into four smaller ones that floated to his battered legs. They now looked as good as new. The mule couldn't help but laugh, he looked at Oza with a beaming smile;

"Oza a coral dragon, they good healers. Oza really good though."

"Thanks dragon," Joe said," you really didn't need to do all that though," he now looked crestfallen," You should just leave me here in the ally now."

Dew glared at the mule. He noticed her stare when she moved closer to him. She raised her brows cynically,"That's the thanks we get? Oza here got you out of that pit, and patched you up and you don't even want to repay the favor?"

Joe looked to other things as he spoke," Trust me sweetie, It's best you leave be....I'm only trouble."

"What's your deal," Dew asked harshly," What the hell did you do that would be trouble for us?"

Joe slouched his shoulders and kept his eyes to the ground. His lips moved but no words came out. Dew tapped her hoof impatiently.

"If I could...just..." Joe choked," Just talk to Amber and her boy...apologize...I know they won't forgive me but," His shoulders quivered from the sobs he was holding back. Dew's face showed that she, or Oza had no idea about what the mule was talking about.

"Who's Amber?" Dew asked quietly. The mule's answer was an unexpected explosion.

"I CAN'T STAND IT!" he shouted," Every night since their faces have haunted me, I can't sleep. Even looking at  Pea...Amber looked...well...like her in a way..."

"I bet we can find them," Pea said reassuringly from her spot," but you'd have to come with us if you want to find them."

Dew had been seething through out Joe's refusal to leave. Her deep blue eyes shown out venomously, as she lurched up on towards Joe.

"No! I've had it with your stupid pride, Joe!" She held her face inches away from His,"If you wan't to go apologize so damn badly..then get off your ass and DO IT!"

"Its not that simple..."

"Is that all? Are you going to do something or do I need to get physical for some reaction from you?"

"Hit me, I'm no good for anything else."

Dew clenched her teeth in rage as she stood face to face with Joe. Oza spoke up;

"What Joe do to make Dew so very, very angry?"

"What did he do?" Dew mocked,"He's a dumb ass mule that won't repay a favor! You saw that he can fight and isn't afraid to take a bullet yet when the Mob is involved, he runs off like a pussy! These Borgota guys after him are the real deal and he's not doing anything to stop them! These guys are complete bastards, they kill for the highest bidder and whoever they don't murder...get sold off... "

"Miss Dew," Joe said, "If your so angry at me take it out on me, don't hold back. Its all I can really do to help."

Dew stood shivering with rage. She raised a hoof to smack Joe and as she did she saw a hopeless look in Joe's eyes. He seemed careless, fearless but didn't have the look of a killer. They seemed more like a victim's eyes. Dew shut her eyes and swung her extended hoof at Joe's head. It seemed to absorb Dew's strike much to her dismay. She opened her eyes again and looked at Joe. His nose had a trickle of blood coming out of one nostril, but Joe smiled.

"You happy now?"

Dew now seemed depressed, and slumped to the pavement. She sighed,"No...no I'm not."

Oza stood up, Pea and Joe looked up at him. He brushed himself off before he spoke;

"So what do us do now? Is we fighting or is we friends...Dew?"

Dew sat solemnly on the ground. Oza sighed as he reached over for Pea and drug Dew closer. He picked up one mare in each arm and looked at Joe.

"Were leaving now, Oza had enough of city for long, long time," He looked at his bags then back to Joe,"Could Joe carry bags?"

Joe smiled weakly as he rose to his hooves. He hoisted the bags on his back,"Sure Oza, I'll carry you too if you want."

"Eeeeh...no."

Oza lead the crew out of the ally and onto the street. He looked around the barely lit space. Dew gave a melancholy sigh, Pea rolled her eyes and looked up at Oza.

"So how we getting out of town from here? Those cops are gonna be prowling the streets."

The dragon smacked his forehead,"This way!" he smiled like a light light up in his head. He clenched his eyes shut while the others looked at him with more confused glances. The dragon never failed to impress...and leave you confused.

"Hey dragon, just where is 'this way' yer talkin about...I think the fuzz is gonna be here any second-"

"HEY YOU!" a voice called with a shining light in their direction," STOP, YOUR UNDER ARREST!"

Suddenly Oza wrapped his tail over Joe's shoulders and before any of the equines knew what happened the vanished from the street. It took several moments for them to readjust. Partly because where they were was so much darker then the city street. Oza let the mare's down to walk again.

"Wooah," gasped Pea," We teleported didn't we? I always feel woozy when we do this!"

Dew suddenly squealed. Pea's ears shot up,"Dew, you alright?"

"Yeah," she said,"I just tripped over something...it feels like metal..."

The mare's eyes had finally adjusted to  darkness and they could see the train tracks the found almost a week before. It was almost pitch dark and they could barely see low clouds on the western horizon. The sky was full of dazzling stars, the mares gasped as did Joe. Oza stretched his arms and yawned.

"Hey dragon," Joe said," How the hell we get out here?"

Oza shrugged," This dragon knows some magic...Joe feels woozy?"

"Come to think, yeah I do got a bit of a headache..."

"Oza want's to know if mares sleepy," the two mares nodded," aright, here we go."

He cradled one in each arm. Pea remembered which way they were going to go before they left to Big Apple. Oza walked in the designated direction and motioned Joe to follow. The mule wobbled over and stayed to an even pace with the dragon. They walked for awhile and the two mares fell asleep soundly in Oza's arms.

"Joe?" Oza asked.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Oza wants to know...what makes you so sad?"

The mule was quiet for a moment," Well, lets just say I've done some bad things in the past..."

"So has Oza."

"What? Like what kind of things?"

"Don't worry," Oza ignored cheerfully," You be happy soon. Oza promise."

"Thanks..." Joe's voice trailed off. He finally saw Oza's back and gears turned in his thick skull.

"Aren't dragons supposed to have wings?"

"Yes...why Joe ask?"

"Well...you don't have any," He yawned," What happened to 'em?"

"Oza not remember...something bad..."

Joe was half asleep and his slowing pace showed it. Oza was walking by himself until he looked behind and saw Joe sleep-standing. Oza rolled his eyes and used a levitation spell on Joe who now floated like a big ballon behind Oza. The dragon followed Pea's path for a long time and his mind was blazing as it usually was when he was alone.

"Something...bad..." he repeated to himself.

Even though Oza knew they had a lot of ground to cover he didn't feel like walking. When he was alone his mind went to dark corners that are usually closed off. He shook off the sinking feeling griping his chest. He wanted to remember what it was and yet...he didn't. A long, drawn out hour passed and Oza drifted into a kind of dreamless sleep-walk.

Joe woke up slowly, the morning sun blared across the plain. There were small grass covered hills scattered on the wide space the travelers were in. Joe smile as he gazed sleepily at the spectacle. He rolled over and spun mid air. He was floating!

Joe let out a panicked shout and that woke up Oza. The dragon tripped in the grass from surprise and dropped the mares. He summersaulted over their heads and rolled off in the grass as Joe flopped to the ground. Dew groaned grumpily and Pea shot straight up like a panicked rabbit. She saw Oza and Joe rubbing their heads and she laughed. Oza began to as well and then Joe. Dew chucked and then she saw Joe. She quickly looked to Pea who was still giggling. She lounged in the tall green grass. Oza Rolled through it over to the mares, Joe however kept his distance from them. Pea sighed happily and gazed at the morning  sky. She gasped suddenly.

"Hey Dew," she chirped," we don't have to wear all this extra clothing like we did in the city!" She threw off her poncho and sighed with relief,"Ah, much better!"

Dew was about to until she got a glimpse of the mule and she squeaked with embarrassment. Joe's face was covered with a shocked blush at Pea wearing nothing but a vest, leaving her flanks and legs bare. Dew kept her poncho on and made sure her flanks weren't exposed.  Joe coughed lightly and Pea turned to look at him.

"Yes, Joe, what is it?"

"Er...are you um...sure you wanna walk around..." His voice trailed off.

"Go on Joe, I'm listening."

"Well...to be frank...your kinda um...naked Ms.Gravel..."

"Oh Joe. I'm not naked silly!" she gestured to her vest," I'm wearing this!"

"Ahhh...I-If you say so..."

Dew flicked her hair and huffed," Alright mule, YOU are walking in the front. I don't want any funny business going on just because you like to be at the rear."

Oza helped Joe gather up their bags and Pea took out their map to make sure they were on course. Dew had a scowl whenever the mule was nearby. Pea sighed and went on ahead to lead the right way. Dew rushed ahead and stopped her. Pea was about to protest but Dew motioned Joe to go in front. They went on in their destination's direction, enchanted by the beautiful morning sunrise.

"So Ms.Gravel," Joe called back," Were exactly are we going?"

"Were going to some old library Dew here pointed out, its not tooooo far now."

"Ah, so tell me Dew," Joe called back again,"  Whats in the library?"

"Some books," Dew said bluntly.

"Well I know that!" Joe chuckled," Which ones are you three after?"

"Oza knows!" the dragon blurted," more map books! Pea needs one to find Carmino and Ponyville!"

"Ponyville eh? Sounds like a funny place..."

"You really are dense," Dew sneered.

"Dew!" Pea cried," What is your deal?"

"We may need that...jerk up there, but I still don't like him!"

Joe laughed and the red mare scowled.

"So whats a Carmino?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Pea chuckled," What I do know is that I need to go to Ponyville to find it, thats where my dad told me to find it."

"So hows your old man, he must miss you. You going out in the world and such..."

Pea was silent for a few moments. Joe turned his head back to see her. To his surprise her face looked like a emotionless, solid slab of stone. He stopped and she almost bumped into him.

"Oh, I'm sorry Joe..." she whispered sadly," I-I wasn't looking at where I was going..."

"Was it something I said?" Joe said softly.

Pea looked up at him hopelessly," Don't worry about it Joe...its nothing to worry about..."

"He ran out on you, didn't he?" Joe implied rather sternly.

"No...he's dead...I d-don't really want to talk about it..."

"Sorry mam," Joe's sternness withered," I didn't know...you seem tired,would you like it if I carried you?"

"That'd be nice, thank you Joe," Pea's lips curled back into a smile.

Joe helped her onto her back and began walking again. She had made a small bed for herself between the packs on Joe's back. Dew looked at the two with disgust. Oza flicked her ear, much to the mare's surprise.

"Oza! what was that for?"

"Sorry, Oza thought he saw fly on Dew's ear..."

They walked most of the day and rested on a hill top for a meal. Since they were in an area with absolutely no trees nearby to make fire wood, Oza pulled a round brown orb with small vents out of his pack. He rarely ever used it. Pea had seen it a few times before they met Dew and it hadn't been used since. Oza put the round object in a small hole he dug in the ground as a makeshift fire-pit. He breathed a blue flame into one of the vents and slow tongues of blue flame crept out. They slowly became a small fire that was bright for it's size. Joe was amazed by Oza's magic trinket and watched the device do it's simple job.

Dew sat further away from their campfire than usual and would poke her food. Joe and Oza sat next to each other each listening to what the other had to say. Pea looked over her shoulder of and on again to check on Dew who sat at the edge fire's light, sulking. Pea looked at the sky as the sun began to set. She went looked over the big map again looking at the island far away from her own. She rested  her head on a hoof as she gazed at all of them, they looked like scattered pieces of a global jig saw puzzle. She was so enveloped in thinking how they would all fit together, when Dew sat beside her she almost jumped out of her skin.

"Dew!" she whispered loudly," Don't scare me like that."

"Sorry Pea," Dew said almost enveloped in her Poncho," I-I couldn't stay out there, its getting so cold!"

"Oh, yeah...Its getting pretty chilly, lets get closer to the fire."

The two mares crept next to the other two of their party, Pea held out the map in front Oza with glee.

"Look, look, look Oza!" she giggled," Did you notice that all of the island fit together like a puzzle?"

"Oh! Pea is right, the island's edges look like they were one big thing at one point..."

"Holy smokes," Joe breathed," I never really thought 'bout the whole world...that's what it looks like?"

The crew sat together next to the fire and chatted about why the islands look like that, what caused it, what the big thing looked like before. The crew, for the first restful and relaxing night in a long time, almost a life time for some. They all drifted to sleep in a snuggled mound, smiling contently with the crackling fire beside them. They didn't see however, the manny pares of yellow and green eyes watching hungrily from the dark distance...

TO BE CONTINUED...

12) Bounties?

Pea, Oza, Dew and Joe slept soundly next to their campfire. Each of dreamed sweetly or not at all under the starry, open sky. A light wind blew across the plain they rested in and caused their camp fire to flicker uncomfortably. Almost eighty yards away from the camp three sets of yellow-green eyes shown in the dark, these eyes belonged to dark figures crouched in the tall grass. These dog-like creatures were cautious to move any further to the dying fire.

"Ahhh, ya smell that?" the first one asked," They ssssmelles good...lets eat 'em!" he lurched forward.

"Shh! Git back 'ere ya git!" hissed the sceond," 'Ah smell em too...but theres one of 'em, 'Ah don't know..."

"She's right," said the third in a grizzly voice," Theresss one...I never smelled it before. We ssshould wait...or one of usss goeses over der and see 'em."

The third and first looked to the one between them and sniggered. She was shoved by both to get closer. She crept cautiously toward the campfire, her paws barely made a sound when they glided through the grass. As she neared the fire her dog-like features showed in the faint light. She was ten yards away from the crew of travelers and stopped. The thing she never smelled before sat up. The second figure dropped to the ground as quietly as gravity would let her. She held her breath by holding her muzzle shut with a forepaw in desperation not to be seen. The strange thing looked around with his orange and white stripped head, it didn't seem to see her. The thing stood up and stretched it's long arms with a yawn and then it crouched over the dying fire. The hidden figure heard the fire blaze more and he began to panic if her shape would show out in the grass.

The figure heard the fire maker sniff the air. She had had enough, she jumped up and sped back in her comrade's direction. The fire maker called out to her but the figures were whooping, yipping and howling as all three of them raced off into the night. The fire maker made sure the ponies around him were safe and sound and he went back to sleep, or as close as he could get to it.

The mares woke up near noon and were delighted to see Joe making breakfast, Pea's favorite: oat meal. Pea wolfed her share down quickly in anticipation to be on the move again. Dew however took her time in eating. Joe sipped some coffee he had made and craned his neck to see Oza. The dragon was about eighty yards away, he seemed to be looking at something. Joe excused himself from breakfast and trotted over to the dragon, as he neared he noticed that Oza seemed to be tracking something.

"You following something, bud?"

"Joe need to see this," Oza said as he crouched," See foot print on ground? three things were at campsite last night."

"They didn't take anything, did they?"

"No, Oza check," the dragon reached into the bent grass," This is something of theirs... see?"

Oza had a small clump of dirt in his palm, when he brushed it for a little white shown in stead of brown. It was a small bird skull, with a small hole to fit onto a neckless. He handed to Joe and gathered more and a small piece of cord. They were all small skulls, teeth, and claws. Oza strung them back onto the cord and tied it. Joe watched confused as Oza placed it gingerly back where he found the pieces.

"Why'd you do that?"

"It looks like special neckless, owner will come back to look for it and be happy to see it fixed," Oza said with a grin," Oza don't think they are bad, they ran away from Oza when they saw him. Thought Oza was scary."

"Well...what should we tell the girls?"

"Joe can say what he wants, Oza don't feel like going somewhere his friends didn't need to go again!"

The dragon laughed and he patted the mule's back. The mule laughed nervously at the dragon's fearlessness of being followed or hunted. They went back to the camp where Pea had already packed all of their supplies and was itching to get moving. Dew smiled at Pea's anticipation and when the boys were close enough the mares headed off. The plain they were on was expansive and scattered with farms, each of these homesteads had sod houses and sparse wheat groves. The crew was on the trail for about a week and in that time several things happened.

Joe and Dew saw their first tornado in a nasty storm that rolled over the great plain. Once the storm was over a massive heard of bison were on the move, being held back by the storm. The crew had never seen such a large group of...well anything. They sat and gazed at the massive heard while it passed and some of the bison seemed to be making waves around something. In a short moment the massive heard blazed off into the distance. Oza was the first to spot something on the plain that was recently occupied by bison.

"Oza sees...a house?" He seemed to count with his fingers for a moment," lots of houses there Pea, more than Oza has fingers!"

"Can you see anything there, you know, besides the houses?" asked Dew.

"Oza sees manny ponies, most with wings. The rest have none."

"Ms.Gravel?" asked Joe," should we check it out?"

"That could be a risk...we don't know whats down there..."

Pea was cut short by Joe who jumped on ahead. Pea was a bit startled by this,"Joe, what are you doing?" she called.

"I'll check it out," he called back," and if I die, no big deal. You'd know this town would be bad and would go around!"

"Joe, stop!" cried Pea. Her plea fell onto deaf ears.

"Should we wait for him here, Pea?" asked Dew,"Or should we follow him?"

"Ponies and dragon should stay," Oza sighed as he sat in the grass,"Joe wanted to go alone in there, right?"

Joe felt almost proud as he neared the strange town, he felt as if he could repay the life debt he owed Pea and the others by being the first to be there. He approached the first building in his path and gasped, it had Bounty posters on a large board and had a small band of creatures surrounding it. There were five standing with their backs turned to the mule, unaware of his presence. There was a cobalt Pegasus, a slim unicorn, a Llama with a long rifle, a rather feminine pony and a deer of some sort.

"Well aren't you an odd bunch?" Joe smirked without thinking.

"Hmm?" asked the pegasus," Woah, sorry mate. Didn't see you there!"

"Lash?" whined the pony," who's the big mule? He looks like the bounty hunter type."

"Don't get any funny ideas," snapped the Llama," were the only real bounty hunters out here in Breeze."

Joe's face was blank for a moment as he tried to absorb the odd introduction,"You must be mistaken folks, I-I'm no bounty hunter...just passing through."

"Thats a load of bull!" chuckled Lash,"The whole bloody 'passing through' thing is what all bounty hunters say. Which one you after?"

"...'Pardon?"

"The bounties, mate, which one you want?"

Suddenly the rest of Lash's crew were on edge, they all started shouting in protest.

"I guess I wouldn't hurt..." Joe shrugged,"To see if I could find some quick cash."

"Come on Lash, why are you givin' this guy first dibs?" cried the unicorn in a voice that was difficult to tell what gender it belonged to.

"Why not?" said Lash calmly," besides...you want to fight that train of a mule?" Lash gestured the massive mule.

The unicorn shrunk down, the rifle toting Llama however, didn't feel the same. He lifted his gun that was mounted on his back. The rest of Lash's crew were wide eyed.

"Alright mule," the llama scowled," 'quick cash'? All of these bounties are over 50k Bits! Just who do you think you are?"

"Oi Sanchez, calm down, mate!" groaned Lash.

"No, Sir its fine," Joe said cooly," Sanchez is it? Well 'mah name is Joe...Trainwreck Joe. You see these scars?" He arced his neck up to expose his massive scar along his chest.

"So? what are those from, some little bar fight?" The Llama spat.

"This," he gestured to the scar that ran from the base of his forearm and up most of his neck," Is from Dead Eye D, a head Borgota mobster from Big Apple..."

The bounty hunter Llama broke into a cold sweat," A-and the one b-btween your eyes?"

"Some Unicorn tried to shoot me, about the distance between you and me now."

"DUDE!" said the deer quiet suddenly," This guy is bitchin'!"

Joe smiled. The rest of the bounty hunters laughed nervously. Lash motioned the mule to come closer.

"Say mate, yah need employment? I could use some muscle like yours in my crew."

"Thank ya kindly, Mr.Lash...but I can't."

"Ah a lone wolf I see, well thats cool. Could I...er...we hang out with ya?"

"Ummm, I guess?" Joe looked at each of the hunters nervously.

The bounty hunters all crowded around Joe and lead him through the Town. Joe gathered quiet a bit of information before he left:

Firstly the town's name was Breeze. It was a major trading post since its built smack in the middle of the Tecumseh Air Current; a massive wind current running straight through a chain of islands. Lash or Whip Lash, (his full name) was the leader of a roaming band of bounty hunters called the Patch Batch. There was Sweet Summer (the rather feminine pony), Zip  Zap ( the ambiguous unicorn), Sly Francis (The deer, who had a roll of something he was smoking all the time Joe say him.) and Mr.Sanchez, the sharp shooter of the Patch Batch. The toured him through the almost empty sod town. There were a few settler ponies there but the rest of the populace were either griffons or Pegisi. They lived, or visited Breeze as couriers for various businesses or services along the Tecumseh Air Current.

Along with several hours of tales of hunting glory and unnecessary swearing  Joe heard something about how the town was in trouble. It used to be bigger but since life was so tough in the plains many residents left, not to mention the growing population of Gnolls in the area. The Patch Batch had Joe in the town tavern for almost five hours, when they were to drunk to keep their stories straight the mule made a few goodbyes to the drunken crew.  Once he left the sod walls of the building he went back to the bounty board. He looked in disbelief at some of them, he snatched them off the board and raced at full speed to the ridge where Pea and the others were waiting. His heavy weight was heard well before he arrived to where the mares and Oza were sitting.

"About time!" Dew scoffed," What the heck took you so long?"

"This..." Joe said out of breath," these...papers...have-"

"Oh just let me see!" Dew sighed as she took the yellowed papers. She stare wide eyed at them.

"Pea! You wont believe this!" Dew squealed.

"What is it?" Pea's voice trailed off as she read the papers," Damn it! We have bounties on our heads?! How'd that happen?"

"Really Ms.Gravel?" Joe groaned.  Dew sat and giggled like a child as she stared at the bounty letters.

"Dew, whats the deal with you? Don't you now having a price on your head is a bad thing!"

"But look!" Dew said with glee," They're giving out one hundred and eighty thousand Bits for me! I might as well turn my self in!"

Pea shook her head," Okay...so Joe anything else you learn?"

"Well...ahm...theres some critters runnin' around causing trouble in the area. There called Gnolls but I've never heard of those things."

"Gnolls?" asked Pea perplexed," Those are bad news...ever heard of a Diamond Dog?"

"Yeah, I saw a few in the ally ways of the city, why?"

"Imagine one of those Dogs," Pea said with a wild look," okay...now imagine it even stinkier, meaner, and bigger!"

Joe closed his eyes for a moment,"...nope, I got nothing. Ah just don't have that  big of an imagination thing like you, Ms.Gravel."

"Thanks Joe!" Pea giggled," but really, Gnolls are bad news," She pursed her lips and cringed,"They love eating ponies...as far as I know..."

"Pea, don't worry your pretty head over them, Oza and I will keep you and Dew safe. Isn't that right Oza?"

"Yes, Oza will beat up pony-eating-dogs for his friends." The dragon said rolling his slender shoulders like a boxer.

Pea and the gang decided it would be best if they took a wide turn around Breeze to be safe. Oza suggested that to get to the Library faster they would travel both night and day, much to Pea's dismay. The dragon reassured her that they would be safe. They traveled through a rather windy night that was blanked by dark clouds in the midnight sky. Not to far behind them a lone pair of yellow-green eyes watched them. This was the visitor from the night before, she held a javelin with a wide iron tip. She could make out in the dark the tallest one 'Fire Maker' as she called it. She saw though that the smaller ones looked up to him...needed him. She didn't have it in her heart to shoot. She put it back in its quiver and sat frustrated in the grass, holding the mysteriously repaired neckless in her paws.

"Why Fire Maker have to fix my neckless?" she thought to herself,"I can't hurt them now...but I'm so hungry" she punched the ground in dismay.

Meanwhile at Breeze the Patch Batch were finally sobering up. They had rented a room at the tavern and it's small space seemed more cramped with the five of them inside. Zip was going through their bounty letters and was stumped, Lash leaned over to see what the unicorn was looking at.

"You seem upset, 'ol chum. You must've read those bloody thing a dozen times by now!"

"Your right ,Lash...but this one really bothers me."

"Which one,mate?"

"This one; Sponge." Zip said, pointing to the picture on it.

"So, thats there so we know what he looks like."

"I know that but did any of you actually read them?"

The Patch Batch all shook their heads. The ambiguous eyes of Zip  went from member to member with disappointment," Would you like me to read it then?"

Before any of them could answer Zip began to recite the letter;

To All Bounty Hunters, Adventures, Mercenaries etc. :

The City State of Big Apple has placed a Six hundred and eighty thousand bit bounty on the mule known as Sponge. He is a dangerous criminal and recently escaped prison under the charge of the massacre of the Shell family. Also with extortion, criminal activity, disturbing the peace, and rejection of the Mule Codes. He is in league with the Borgota Mob and is extremely dangerous. Be aware that he can take bullet wounds with minimal effects on him, so be precise with your aim.

Sponge is a navy blue mule with very dark hair. He is almost three heads taller then the average adult male pony and his flank mark is a skull wearing a mobster's hat. Sponge may seem like a gentile giant upon meeting, but don't be fooled! He is a dangerous killer and is wanted by the Big Apple State dead or alive.

-Chief of Big Apple Police

The Patch Batch sat in horrified silence. Lash was crest fallen along with the others. Trainwreck Joe fit Sponge's description perfectly, even though they didn't want to believe it. They had spent awhile with that mule and never once felt in danger once they got to know him. They sat and consulted for a while on if they should actually try and bring the mule in dead or alive....

TO BE CONTINUED...

13) A Cold Rainforest

As Pea and her friends moved on away from Breeze, the tall grass became shorter and small ponds were everywhere. The air became thick and even foggy, the terrain became muddy and marsh like. The first tree they saw wasn't a pretty one. It was gnarled and leaning dangerously on its side. Oza saw a faint tree line in the distance and reported that they all looked like this one.

"Was this the right way?" asked Dew nervously.

"Yes, this way is the right one," Oza said while rubbing his hands together," This dragon is sure!"

They neared the tree and  a figure with the same rickety appearance as the tree swung out, startling all of them. Its head was equine for sure, but had many missing teeth, green skin and amber eyes. It had little hair on it's head and wrinkles all over its green skin. It stood on its stick-thin legs and didn't blink as it stared at the ponies and dragon. There was a tremendous amount of tension between them, Joe and Oza were preparing to fight it...whatever it was.

"What are yeeeew doing heeere?" it asked in a horse, high pitched voice.

"We...w-we just p-passing through..." offered Pea.

The green creature cackled with delight,"Thats it? I thought yeeew came out here like eeeveryone else-" it cut off shortly.

"What does everyone else come out here for?" Joe asked defensively.

"Oh something about an old caaastle with treeeasure...or something else like that..." She answered.

"What does this green thingy call itself?" Oza asked.

"I'm a pony, jeeest like your friend right ther," it gestured," Caaan't you tell?"

Pea and her friends looked at the 'pony' with an untrusting look, it's almost toothless grin didn't help along with waving its lacking hair.

"Yes, yes of corse!" Pea said quickly," Now....um...are you trying to stop us or do we need to pay a toll or something to get in the forest back there?"

The green 'pony' stood for a moment puzzled," Yeeew know...I'm probably the nicest critter yew'd meet in dat der forest...I'll help you through..."

"Oh that'd be great! thanks," Dew said happily,"Um...whats your name?"

The green pony extended a hoof,"Pay the...er...toll and I'll let yeeew in," Pea dug around for some money," Oh and the names Ol' Mossy"

Pea pulled out a half dozen Bits and held them out with a welcoming smile. The green pony shook her head," Nope! Money does nuttin for me out here."

"What is it you want then?" Asked Dew sourly.

"Chocolate!" the green pony sighed dreamily," Oh its been years since I've had that!"

The crew made a small huddle away from Mossy. They were contemplating weather to have a guide in the forest or not, since they didn't have any chocolate. Dew offered they climb the trees and go through the canopy instead of the forest floor. Joe planned on going on ahead and beat up anything that moved. Oza looked to Pea without saying a word. Pea Gravel had a plan forming in her head, he could tell.

"Hey Oza?" she asked with a sly grin.

"Yes, Pea?"

"You have any magic that could...change someone's, or in this case, somepony's mind?"

"What dose Pea mean?"

She motioned Oza closer and whispered something in his ear, a light slowly began to light up in his head. Once Pea was done telling him of her plan, he winked to the crew and carried one of their packs over to Mossy. He pulled out a dried piece of fruit and his eyes shifted colors as he stared at Mossy. In a short moment the pony looked hypnotized.

"Here creepy pony, chocolate for you."

Mossy took the fruit and bit into it. The crew waited in anticipation to see if Pea's plan worked. The old hag chewed with a confused expression.

"Yeew sure this is chocolate? Its been so long I don't remember the flaaavor..."

"Oh its chocolate, Oza promise!" the dragon said with fingers crossed behind his back.

The hag shrugged and motioned Oza and the rest to follow. They were lead into the dense forest and much to their surprise the forest was cold and muggy instead of warm. Pea wrapped a poncho around herself. Dew already was wearing hers and Joe simply toughed it out. The forest floor was dark and little air moved as the four travelers and their guide moved down the over grown path in the shrubbery. The sunlight had only a small grasp on the forest floor, leaving most of it in cold and wet shadows. Small bat-like creatures flew about snatching even smaller insects from tall mossy trees to taller mossy trees. Dew squealed when they flew close by, Pea simply smacked them away. As time passed, they couldn't tell if it was getting darker or not, until they heard a strange howl in the distance. Mossy put on a false air of bravely.

"Oh don't worry 'bout that...its jeest the wind," the green pony said reassuringly.

"But Mossy," Joe said through his teeth," there ain't no wind in these woods."

Mossy stopped, causing the rest to stop as well. Dew walked up to the guide with eyes of question. She was about to ask until she too saw what caused Mossy's knees to buckle. A pair of nasty blue eyes on a horse's head, higher than Oza's eye line. Its skin was magenta trailing to purple down its legs. The monster's mouth was full of serrated teeth and drooled profusely.  Oza shoved the mares behind him and Joe stamped beside the dragon. Mossy fled back the way they came screaming. Oza's nostrils flared but the hideous horse-like monster wasn't looking in their direction, it was looking above them. The mares looked to see a massive spider web, with some poor creature wriggling inside. The ghoul snarled and stamped it's hooves at Oza and Joe.

"Pea, the monster doesn't want to fight us," Oza whispered, " Lets track back awhile before it dose."

The rest nodded in unison and they sped back down the path as the ghoul clawed its way up to the web and grabbed the trapped creature which they could now see was some kind of deer. It didn't have long before the ghoul bit down on it, causing it's blood to spatter in the dim light. The crew was only a few yards away before their path was blocked...by the biggest spider they had ever seen. It looked like it could eat Joe in one bite. It was an odd spider besides it's enormous size, it had what looked like blue paint on top of its amber brown abdomen that spelled out; BUBZY.

The spider shoved the crew aside as it bolted for the ghoul and they could only watch as the two forest predators clashed in a vicious fight. The ghoul had been bitten several times before it clamped one of the spider's legs in mouth and tore the spindly limb from its socket. The spider let out a screech and it was turned over on its back, then magenta sudo-horse seemed to smile as it gouged into the spider's exoskeleton with its clawed hooves and gnashing teeth. It made short work of the arachnid's armor and soon the forest was quiet save the ghoul's heavy breathing. It kicked at the spider to make sure it was dead and went back to the stolen kill.

The crew wasn't sure if they should take it on or not. The ghoul finished its meal quickly and left the path where the giant spider lay for the darker part of the woods. The mares sighed with relief only to hear more terrible sounds. They heard a shriek similar to the spider's and the crashing of a chase through dense foliage. The ghoul raced across the path being chased by a creature equally nasty.

It was a dark brown humanoid figure with hands down to its ankles and a spider's head. Its leathery skin had a similar pattern to a wolf spider but had scars and bite marks along its arms and back. The ghoul was fast but the other creature's log fingered hands were faster. It grabbed the ghoul by its purple ankles and swung it against a tree with a wet thud. The figure dropped the smashed ghoul by its stocky legs and cocked its head to the side as the ghoul limply wiggled to get away. The magenta menace met its end when the figure's spider head dug its sharp fangs into the ghoul's neck, draining most of its bodily fluid.

The crew watched with disbelief and disgust. This forest was dangerous, more then they could've imagined. The big creature with a spider's head walked slowly over to the giant wounded spider. It made sad whines while it poked at the spider. It easily lifted it up in his long arms and even from a distance...it looked like it was crying with its large opal-like eyes. Oza began walking over to it, Pea raced up to stop him.

"Oza, what are you doing? " she whispered severely," You saw what that thing can do, why are you going over there to fight it?"

"Oza not fight, Oza help," he said quietly.

"What?," Dew and joe said in unison.

"Spider-Head misses little spider," Oza said nonchalantly," Oza wants to heal little spider."

The mares and mule tried to protest, but being loud would alert the depressed creature. They could only sit in the brush and wait. Oza tread softly with his palms in view of the creature who noticed him only when he was four yards away. Oza stopped when the creature hissed venomously. It turned the mortally wounded spider away from Oza and stomped one of its stocky legs on the mossy ground.

"Go away, go away!" its voice sounded like it was gargling vinegar, "Leave my little spiderly alone!"

"Spider has no need to fear," Oza said calmly," This dragon is here to help."

"No no, Bubzy hurt much, much to bad. Bubzy is soonly dead...theres no helping!"

"Let Oza see Bubzy," the dragon said with a welcoming smile," Oza is good healer."

The creature reluctantly placed his precious spider in front of Oza. He crouched next to Bubzy examining the open wound. The humanoid spider held its hands together nervously as Oza looked at the wound. The dragon motioned the spider's master closer. He pointed to the edges of the gash in the spider's exoskeleton.

"Oza need you to hold these together."

It complied instantly, a worried look on its multiple eyes. Oza took a deep breath before he jabbed a claw into his arm, a small trickle of cobalt blood dripped onto the open wound and made a slight sizzle. The spider twitched violently and Oza told the creature to hold his pet still. Oza let a few more drops of his mysterious blood on the spider before he blew a small green flame from his mouth. It twisted and curled into the air forming a small heart shape. The odd appertain wafted down to the spider and disappeared once it touched the wound. The gash glowed and fused shut and the spider wriggled and chirped with delight. Its master sighed with relief and hugged Bubzy.

"See, Spider Head," Oza said holding a hand over his arm," This dragon is good healer!"

"I see, I see! I thank youse very much!," the creature clapped with joy," Oh friendlies!" he called to the ponies," Don't be afraid, me was only angry at ghouly thing, not you. Come, follow me, I'll take youse home for night."

Bubzy scampered up into his web in the canopy. Oza and Bubzy's master watched the spider crawl up the trees. The creature introduced himself as Mumal. He was one of the few Ettercaps in the forest, a race of humanoid spiders that have a very close bond with their arachnid cousins. Oza motioned his friends to follow as Mumal lead them off the path into the forest. Some of the ponies protested but soon realized they had a guide with more power in the forest then Mossy. They followed the Ettercap through the dense foliage, with several pairs of hungry eyes watching them in the dark. They soon came to a clearing with a massive tree that looked like it had been uprooted almost a hundred years ago, yet still somehow kept growing. Its roots curled around themselves into a cave like structure with cobwebs covering the nearby branches. A chimney made of mud bricks stuck out one side.

"Oh dear, oh no," Mumal sighed, resting his chin on a hand," Me's not been home in long time...me wonder how my little bitty spider babies do?"

The ponies followed Oza and Mumal into the tree cave and were surprised to find a rather nice looking hovel. It was warm and dry. The 'roof' was far above even Oza's head and had cobwebs all over it. There was a wide fireplace and a peat moss covered floor that smelled pleasing to the senses, openings along the tree's length that lead to pitch black rooms and a few articles of crudely mede furniture and save for the masses of small spiders in the upper corners just above head level the home was welcoming. Mumal sat Oza and company next to a large bookcase and hobbled about from each corner of the hovel. He gathered chairs, a table, firewood, a bunch of jars, several books and a crate and piled them all in the center of the room.

"Here friendlies!," Mumal said triumphantly," make my home yourses, me go to checkey check on little spiders babies." The Ettercap dusted off his hands and hobbled off to the lower stretches of his home.

Pea , Dew and Joe looked at each other then to the pile of stuff in the room. Oza crouched by the fire place and was trying to ignite the wet fire wood. Joe got up and grabbed the jars and opened the crate to find more preserved food. Joe had a sever expression as he looked  from the mares to Oza.

"Look ladies, if we take some of the food and make a break for it, we can still make it back to the path and back out of the forest!"

"Woah wait!" Pea retorted, raising  hoof," We can't just skip out on hospitality! He's just a big friendly guy, what did he do to us?"

Joe pounded the ground," He's a spider monster, a carnivore! These jars of pony feed aren't his he had to get them from somewhere...you know what spider do, they make a trap and when your not looking they suck the life out of you. We can still run off before he tries to eat you two."

Dew shook her head with a dark expression," You damn idiot, you know what you just said?"

"The truth, Dew. What...you can't handle that not everybody in the whole damn world is nice?"

Dew smiled grimly," You said the exact same thing I said about you before Pea took you in...you're basically a monster too, mule. Remember that."

Joe was shocked and sat heavily on the moss floor. Pea sighed as she wen't over to the provision jars. She went through them with puzzlement all of them were decades or older, she wasn't sure if they were still fit for eating or not. She tossed one to Joe," Hey scout guy, try this."

"You wan me to eat it?," Pea nodded," If you say so Ms.Gravel..."

He opened the glass jar with difficulty but soon ate the soupy contents within. The two mares held their breath as they waited. Joe's face went blank for a moment.

"...Cherry?"

The mares laughed with relief. Oza lounged next to the fire happily and as the mare began exploring the different jars, Mumal returned. He hobbled happily next to the fire place, dwarfing Oza. Joe looked at the Ettercap with a shamed look but kept to himself.

"So friendlies," Mumal said," What brings youes allah to The Voltera Woods?"

"Voltera Woods," asked Pea with a mouthful of peaches," whats that?"

"Ahhh you all don't know? Voltera was the name of the Princess that lived in these woods many, many years ago," Mumal scratched his head," She was Princess before this tree us in was even a little seed baby, methinks..."

"She sounds amazing," Dew said wide eyed, " Can you tell us any thing about her?"

"Me not knowing many things," Mumal chuckled," I try reading, but is very compl...comlic...tough for Mumal."

Pea giggled," Well, were on our way to an old castle we heard was in these woods. Do you think it would be Voltera's?"

"Mumal dosen't knowes any other royaly types that live out here...yes me remember! Your looking for big stone room with bunches and bunches of books yes?"

"We are Mr.Mumal," Joe said timidly.

Mumal seemed worried for a moment. He looked around with his glossy opal eyes at each traveler with confusion. The crew was beginning to become worried as well.

"Hmmm...me only beena der a few times...that place bad. Bunches of ghouls liveses in that big stone house...to many for Mumal to shoo away..."

"Oh great!" cried Pea," we went all this way and we cant go in because of some stupid monsters!"

"Pea needs to calm down," Oza yawned," Oza can take care of monsters. He knows what they do now."

"Oh no, dragon friend," the Ettercap said sheepishly," one ghoul is very bad, bunches is hopeless! Youse would need great powerful magician to kill allah dem!"

Pea grinned slyly," A great magician huh?"

TO BE CONTINUED...

14) The Castle Voltera

The log house in the Voltera Forest was warmer then the damp, cold night outside. The two mares Pea Gravel and Dew Berry sat next to the fireplace along with Oza. Joe sat in the main room where the light barely illuminated. Their host Mumal sat cross legged going through some of the books in his small collection, his long spider-like fingers flipping through the yellowed pages. His eight opal eyes glimmered in the fire light with an understanding, more or less, of the books' contents. The Ettercap had gone through the handful of books he owned as most of his guest dozed off in the fire's warmth, until a realization struck him.

"Hey, hey pony," he whispered," What do you want from the big book walls? What is you and friendlies looking for?"

Pea blinked sleepily," What, Spider Face," she yawned," Oh...I'm to tired to talk now...maybe tomorrow big guy."

The grey mare dozed off to sleep, her peach colored muzzle with a happy grin.  Mumal blinked his many eyes with a frustrated look on his face. The large humanoid sat hunched next to the fire contemplating with his primitive brain. He almost jumped when he heard Joe's voice from behind.

"Sorry, Mr. Mumal," he said quietly," I didn't mean to frighten ya..."

"Oh muscly pony boy!," the Ettercap whispered severely,"Don't be a scaring the host. Me heat is beating like little drum!"

"Did I really scare you that much?" Joe asked indignantly.

"Nah, Mumal just playing. Blue Pony doesn't scare big Ettercap like me."

Joe chuckled lightly as he ventured closer to the fire place. The peat moss floor cushioned his wide hooves. The blue mule sat down similarly to Mumal and folded his forearms, the Ettercap paused for a moment and folded his arms as well.

"I take it that you want to know what Ms. Gravel is after?"

Mumal nodded excitedly.

"Well...I can't say that I know for sure exactly what  it is...or where it is. None of us do actually," Joe said rubbing his forehead. Mumal threw his arms in the air with frustration.

"If silly little filly doesn't know know where or what she is looking for...and her friendlies don't either," he scrunched his face and placed his long finger tips either side of his arachnid face. " Thats stupid! Little pony goes out not knowing what she is doing and could get lost, hurt or....me not want to think of nasty things!"

The Ettercap seemed to be borderline hysterical in worrying over the mares' safety. Joe tried to comfort him bit Mumal smacked his hoof away. Joe went from a welcoming disposition to defensive one as the Ettercap stood up.

"Youse the oldest in this circle, me can tell by look in your eyes," he waved his finger at Joe like a father scolding his child," Theys little and pretty...this big, big world we live in is full with bunches of monsters and meanness. You can't let them be out is this unsafeful world."

Joe lowered his eyebrows, creating a menacing look in the dim light," You may be right Mumal, but you have no idea what the've been through...You wanna know big guy?"

Mumal towered over him, an unconvinced look in his four sets of eyes,"Me listening..."

"These mares," continued Joe," are some of the bravest souls I know...I myself have been shot and stabbed many times in 'mah short, miserable life. I've done things that Ah should be in the deepest pits of hell for but you know what makes me not run toward death any chance I get?"

Mumal tried to keep a ridged look about him, but began to quiver out of sheer pity toward the mule.

"Pea Gravel an' little Dew Berry," Joe's menacing expression too softened up, but he was on the verge of tears," They picked me up when I was at 'mah lowest, they gave me another reason to live! They faced lord only knows getting me out of that hellish city even after knowin' what I've done...'this world to big and scary' you say? No Mumal...they can tackle this world...and that mare Pea...she's got a spirit of fire ah've never seen."

Joe sniffed and felt relieved letting out that weight on his chest and Mumal fell on the ground causing a low thump. Joe wiped the wetness from his eye and looked at the whimpering Ettercap. He laid out flat on his slopping back and covered his face with his thin, spidery hands. Joe couldn't help but smile reassuringly as he looked back over to the dying fire.

"You want me to get some more fuel for the fire?" Joe asked, Mumal ignored his question. He simply sat there sobbing.

"Me never heard...me didn't know!" Mumal bawled.

"Oh don't be such a cry baby," Joe teased," A big guy like you upset? Come on that just ain't right!"

"Joe were crying too!" the Ettercap said wiping his eyes.

The mule rose up to add some more light to the fire. Mumal did his best to sit up but was still a bit shaken up. Joe came back and after he tossed some heft logs in he laid out comfortably near the hearth, but away from everyone else. Mumal got up and headed toward the darker recesses of the house.

"Where ya goin? Aren't you gonna sleep over by the fire? " Joe called after him.

"Mumal is an Ettercap, Joe. We's like little bitty spiders, can't stand lotta light," He waved and disapered into the blackness,"Imma goin' back her with my little ones, you all sleepsy good now."

Joe nodded of at his spot next to the fire. The doorless opening not to far away glowed with the light of a bright moon and frosty air crept in. Joe shivered and inched closer to the fire, he bumped into Dew accidentally and held his breath incase he woke her up. She stirred slightly, her brow tightened for a moment almost like she was in distress. Dew then yawned and stretched he slender arms and unconsciously  snuggled up to the mule. Joe's eyes widened and his face turned red slightly. He tried rolling her over to where she was but she kept coming back. Joe groaned quietly and accepted this. The mule drowsed off into a dreamless sleep.

The sun's early morning rays left the ground of the Voltera's Woods in night-like darkness. The birds and other small creatures that dwelled in the cold forest shook of the frosty dew from their backs and the daily struggle began. The massive spider Bubsy was weaving a web in the clearing over the Ettercap's log house to catch any daring bird who came by. Meanwhile inside, the crew were beginning to start their day. The fire place had the remnants of last night's fire and the forest's frost air crept further inside. Oza tossed almost half a dozen logs in the crude brick fireplace and promptly lit them on fire. Pea was walking around Mumal's home in curiosity, flipping through some of the books Mumal had gone through the night before. Joe and Dew were still asleep much to the grey mare's surprise.

"Hey, sleepy head!" she called to Joe," get up! We've got a big day ahead of us."

She tossed a book about gold smithing at the sleeping mule. It landed square on his broad muzzle and woke him up with a start. Joe jerked up which caused Dew to roll over groggily. Joe was about to yell back at Pea, then he remembered who was next to him.

"Wha?" Dew asked drowsily," GHAA! Joe, what are you doing?"

"I didn't do 'nutin!," the mule said sourly," You curled up to me last night, not teh other way 'round."

"Sure," Dew said cynically," I snuggled up to the brick head."

"Deeeew," Pea groaned," Stop being so mean and get ready, we've got to get to the castle...thing."

The ponies gathered the supplies given by Mumal and stowed them away in their bags. Joe was the first to stick his head out the door and jumped back inside. He pulled out one of the wool blankets they had and wrapped it around him in a rush. Pea giggled and put on her poncho, Dew rolled her eyes. The red mare put a wool blanket over the poncho she already had on and looked rather silly with just her eyes visible. The ponies and Oza were now prepared to go back into the woods, Oza however called out something which made them stop.

"Where Mumal, Oza not see him all morning...you see him?"

"No," Pea said," is he still asleep?"

"Its alright guys," said Joe,"I'll check, you hang tight now."

The mule headed to the dark recesses of the hovel, the dim morning light barely lit a third of the room. The walls became mossier and damp, a thick smell of mildew hung in the air. The hovel led underground and there were several damp passages that were close to the dragon's head. He pushed the masses of cobwebs there and almost jumped when he stepped on something hard. It was a horse skull. His eyes widened and his heart began to flutter, where was the Ettercap? He heard a scuffle and in the almost pitch black space he saw a hunched figure shuffle past him. Joe jumped to the chase, so did the creature he was chasing. It ran fast through the passages unlike Joe who bumped into the wall and lost ground. He almost grabbed it but it swung it's head around and bit his hoof.  Whatever it was, it didn't seem like Mumal. It had an air of malice to it.

The creature's bite had some sort of venom in it, it kept him off his guard. Now he was desperate, he had become lost in the strange catacomb and searched frantically to get back to his friends. He heard a scratching and the sound of dirt moving. The mule froze, his heart stopped and the whole place was quiet. Suddenly from above him the creature he was after exploded from the tunnel ceiling. It's stubby arms ended in spade shaped claws. The creature barely missed Joe and smashed into the dirt nest to him. He tried kicking at its stocky, corse haired body. The sub terrain animal jerked around quickly then bit onto his leg. He tried punching it's thick head but in his state it didn't matter. He swung his leg against the tunnel wall and it hit a tree root, it seemed stunned. Joe smacked it off and scampered off quickly. Thats when he heard a ghastly squeal. He looked to see if it was Pea or Dew who had come down looking for him, but neither of them were there. He did see, however, the hunched shape of Mumal crouched over where the digging animal was.

"Mumal...that you?" Joe asked nervously.

The Ettercap had his fangs sunk into the creature, Joe could hear the blood being drained from where he stood. The mule cringed. Mumal rose to his feet and turned his blood soaked spider face towards Joe. The Ettercap stared silently and menacingly at him for a few moments, then picked up his victim and turned away.  His hunched frame grazed the top of the tunnel as he walked, Joe trailing behind.

"What is this place? Did you dig all of this?" the mule asked.

Mumal sighed and wiped the blood from his fangs with his free hand," Little pony boy, you should've gone with out Mumal...its bad down here," Mumal chuckled,"No, no Mumal didn't dig this, he can't even scoop dirt, Ganooks made tunnel."

"What is a Ganook?" Joe asked, his eyes darting around for more of the vicious things.

"Mean little animals," Mumal said bluntly," They has been digging under me house for awhile now...some nasty things use em for dinging traps an teh like."

Joe's senses began to return, the rancid smell of the Ganook assaulted his nose. He noticed the smell grew stronger, the Ettercap motioned him stop with his free hand. Joe waited as Mumal shambled into a gap in the tunnel, there were voices from inside.

"Geeahk, Mumal! Why bring another? Is nothing else in the forest?" A gurgled voice said, like another Ettercap.

"We come to eat and this is all Mumal has...old Ganook meat!" said another, more gruff voice. A resounding smack echoed in the cramped tunnel.

"P-please!" Mumal's voice whimpered out," Don't hit poor, little Mumal! Youse asked fo meat an did is-" another smack and a pitiful croak from Mumal.

Joe was tempted to go inside but when he caught a glimpse of the interior his stomach churned and held back a wave of disgust. The cavern-like hole's walls were covred in archaic runes and skulls of many kinds in holes in them. There were at least a dozen dead Ganooks, five Gnolls, a shiny black Ettercap and Mumal.  statuette of a horse with ram's horns and a tail ending in a scythe was at the end of the room, some Gnolls semmed to be praying to it. nearest Gnoll, like Pea had described but this one was especially awful. He had a mangled muzzle with scars and missing teeth. One of his ears was completely gone along with several fingers. He wore a tunic with chain-mail and horse leather. A rusty mace hung at his hip with a few long knives. Next to the Gnoll was an Ettercap, but this one was more of a black widow then a wolf spider like Mumal.

The shiny black Ettercap held a hand ready to strike Mumal, who was curled up on the ground. The Gnoll spat in the huddled Ettercap's face and walked heavily over to the far side of the room and resumed eating the stacks of Ganooks. The black ettercap kicked Mumal and followed the Gnoll. Mumal heaved his weight up and shuffled out of the chamber limply.

Joe pulled himself away from the room on his belly and the tunnel's dank, stale air seemed like a fresh breeze compared to the room he was just in. He laid out on the dirt floor for a moment and he heard a feint chant form inside the chamber. Soon after the Ettercap drug his weight back out and glared his dark eyes at the mule. Joe couldn't decide to strike at him or run away. Mumal lifted him up to his feet and lead him toward the surface.

"Little pony boy," the Ettercap said. His voice was low,"These woods are home to many scary creatures, not allah dem like they seemes..."

Joe was practically dragged back to the surface and wasn't sure what to say when he saw the cheery, unaware faces of his friends. Should he tell them that their host prayed to a dark god amidst the dead? What would they do, what would he do?

"There you two are!" Pea said with glee," come on Mumal, you gotta lead us the way to that castle."

"Slow down pony girl," Mumal said with a warm tone, as if the events underground never happened," We has all day, no need to be rushy."

The crew and their guide left the log house into the frosty forest. The sun was higher and the floor seemed a little warmer the it was earlier and the path the Ettercap led them along was rather clear. It seemed to have cobblestone in some areas and even rectangular, mossy rocks with writing of some kind on them. It was an ancient road, that was for sure. Pea was chomping at the bit to go faster, but Mumal stopped every once an awhile to regain his bearings, (it was actually because his muscles were sore from his beating underground)  had been years since he was in this neck of the woods. One of these rest stops Joe walked close to Oza as quietly as he could and spoke in a hushed whisper.

"Oza...this Mumal guy, I think he's trouble..."

"Why Joe say that?"

"Well, theres these weird mole things under his house and their apparently a problem," he hesitated," but he's not just killing them...he got 'em stacked up and was praying or something around their dead bodies....not to mention theres some more freaky ass monsters down there!"

"That....is odd..." Oza said quietly. He looked at Mumal again, but in a different light.

"Oza and Joe keep an eye on this guy," the dragon continued," He may be up to no good..." Joe nodded in silent agreement.

Most of the day consisted of traveling, they were all surprised at the sheer volume of the forest. Near the 'road' were the skeletons of stone houses from a time long ago, overgrown with trees and shrubbery. Pretty soon the trees canopy became sparse and the ruined path lead to a massive clearing. The Castle Voltera stood before them.

The castle's size was a sight to behold, even though some of the spires had collapsed on parts of the palace, most remained in amazingly good condition. The stone was a blue grey, with spiral designs running up pillars along the walls. Remnants of green banners hung from the rounded ramparts, and brazens for torches stood ridged and rusty. The gate house had a broken drawbridge that was submerged into the swollen moat around Voltera's Castle, its dark green waters were thick with lilly pads and loose stone. The walls had trees growing at their basses and even on top of the ramparts as long vines clung around the blue stone.

"Hey Mumal?" Pea asked, stilled awed by the ancient castle," Do you know your way around this place?"

"Sorta...we should go in da night time, allah ghouls will be outside of stone house then."

"Are the things in there like what we saw the other night?" Dew asked.

Mumal folded his long arms," No...that one was a lonely type...they feed fo demselves. The ones in big stone house are lots smaller."

Oza popped his knuckles and walked toward the draw bridge," Hey Joe, you and Oza gonna fight dem ghoul things, lets go."

Joe seemed to question the idea for a moment, then trotted up beside Oza," Alright, whats the plan?"

"Mumal?" Oza called back as he walked to the moat," Wheres library in castle?"

"Me dunno, its been long time..."

Oza rolled his eyes. The dragon jumped across a stretch of the moat onto the old drawbridge. Once there he used a telekinetic spell on some of the rocks in the moat and made a makeshift bridge for the rest of the party. Joe hurried along behind him, along with the two mares. Mumal took his time entering the castle walls, he was on edge about the whole trip and the occasional noise from the forest didn't help either.

Oza stood in the castle court yard, filled with trees and ruined buildings. A long and reather well , monolithic fort stood at the center. Mumal said that was where the library was. Oza turned around with a smile on his face, his legs bent , ready for a run.

"Try to keep up!" he said, then bolted toward the fort. The rest had no choice but to run along behind.

Two ghouls crawled out of the stone houses and chased Oza. The caught up pretty fast and tried to bite at him as the ran closer, he jumped backward causing a loss of several meters. The ghouls didn't have enough time to react before Oza blasted them with a kind of magic blast which sent them tumbling to the grassy ground in crumpled heaps. More came from the ruined houses and targeted the mares, Joe sprang into action. The first was rammed by the mule head on sending  its magenta body to the side. The next two ran up and tried to stop as Joe jumped into the air and landed onto them, they tried to bite him but his grip was too strong. He punched the first one and tossed the nest into a tree.

The mares were close to Oza by now and Mumal trailed behind. Joe smacked the the remaining Ghouls a bit and called to Mumal as he sped onward. Oza reached the door of the central fortress. It stretched almost fifty feet in the air and still looked strong after its long life, the dragon sped faster and burst the them open. A grand hall that never saw sunlight for centuries is what Oza slowed his pace into. Several Ghouls growled at him from the rafters and around the smashed furniture in the now lit room. Oza used a spell he attempted at Big Apple. He counted the ghouls while chanting to himself and snapped his fingers, almost all of the scrappy monsters fell to the floor unconscious and the rest fled into the darker halls. The rest of the party arrived and were relived to find most of the work done.

"Really Mumal?" Pea smirked," This was what we should've been worried about?"

"Tsk...me guess so," Mumal wheezed, still out of breath.

The crew ventured inside with torches made of the wood they found inside. There were tapestries with dazzling designs and statues of heroic looking ponies of old. The castle was surprisingly warm and dry compared to the jungle outside. They were completely unaware of the curious eyes that had been following them the past few days. It was the dog creature from the encounter with the Gnolls. Her features were in full view as she crouched next to the opened doors. Her coat was in short hair over her supple figure. Her fur was a light brown that was darker around her muzzle and paws. Her bright blue eyes darted around carefully. Her ears were half bent and a small braid ending small glass beads was next to her left ear. She wore a leather vest with crude bone buttons and small iron plates at the shoulders. Over her back was a small satchel, a quiver of short javelins and a club. Around her neck was the neckless that Oza had fixed, she clenched it tightly. She wasn't sure if she should tell her chief that the castle doors were open...for the ponies' sake.

TO BE CONTINUED...

15) Mysterious Clues

The Castle Voltera's halls were dark and dry. Pea and her friends wandered through the well kept halls but small scratches from the ghouls could be seen on the stone bricks and tapestry edges. The castle had a unsettling feel to it, almost welcoming but still hiding something.  Joe and Mumal held torches for the crew in the pitch dark spaces of stone. Mumal became unnerved when they approached a large staircase going to the castle's lower levels.

"Mumal not like the lookah dis," the Ettercap whimpered.

"Whats wrong with it?" asked Dew," their just stairs."

"But whats down 'em?" Mumal snapped.

"I don't know, thats why were looking around!" Dew snapped back.

"Oh stop being so hissy," Joe snorted," I'll go check it out, yall can wait here if ya like."

"Off he goes...again," groaned Dew.

Pea Gravel rolled her eyes and studied a near by tapestry as the mule walked down the stairs, his torch's glow fading away as he ventured deeper. The piece of wall art before her astounded the grey mare. Though it had it's worn out spots, the picture was still visible. There was a silver alicorn next to a taller dull red one. They looked in different directions, the silver with lime eyes and a flowing mane of jade to the left and the red with pink eyes with a purple mane to the right. It was apparent that the silver alicorn was a princess due to her gem crusted tiara and regalia. The other was a princess as well, but she wore a neckless with a large black gem. Their surroundings also interested Pea.

Around the silver one were ponies in suits of armor with bright dots for eyes in their visors. There were also snakes made of metal as well who had a single gem on top of their heads. The other princess' surrounding were different. She had skeletons of ponies with bright dots in their sockets and magenta ponies with yellow teeth. Behind the silver was a castle, much like the one the tapestry was within and behind the red one  was a massive, knobby looking tree.

Dew looked at it as well," Who do you think those two are?"

"One of them should be Voltera," Pea offered," That or these are Voltera's daughters or something...I dunno."

In a short time Joe came back up with helpful news. He reported the finding of a library, only one problem. There were suits of armor in formation in the hall leading to its massive, ornate doors with images of books on them. Not to mention that a small light shown between the doors, as if someone were still using it. Pea shrugged and trotted down the stairs and the rest reluctantly followed. Joe was correct,  there were suits of armor leading to the book collection.

These suits were massive, Joe would fit snug or not at all in some of them. The armor was almost completely solid metal plates, save chain mail at the joint ends, the necks and waist were a series of small metal plates fitting to make a scaled look. Some of them had large shoulder plates with and even spikes. Their heavy looking helmets had small visors or round blinders with a net of holes for eyes. Their halberds mounted to their sides were arched over the walk way. These dark blue metal suits confounded the crew. How could metal in an age old abandoned castle be so pristine and...polished?

The entire crew felt on edge inside the confines of the stone walls as the neared the library's entrance. The tall door seemed to hum with energy when the crew approached it. Joe lifted a hoof to the knockers and pushed...nothing. He checked the door's hinges to make sure he was pushing the right way. He tried again, harder this time...still nothing.

He snorted and handed his torch to Dew. He rolled his shoulder and neck muscles and threw all of his weight against the door. A small, almost ripple-like wave of light emanated from the impact. He bashed the door a second time and before he could do it again Dew placed a hoof on his now bruised shoulder.

"Hey you big lug," She said cynically," Your gonna kill yourself doing that...not that I'd mind but whatever."

"Excuse me?" Joe snorted," What the hell kinda talk is that?"

"You don't need to be so brutish! The doors probably barred from the inside, dummy. You should your brain more before you smash it into mush, the way you hit things like that."

"Alright Miss Dew, got any bright ideas?"

Oza walked between them and placed a hand on the door. The quiet humming stopped instantly and the doors unfroze from their places. The one Oza had his hand on swung open slowly and the light from within shown more and more. Joe's mouth hung open in disbelief, Oza smiled a big toothy grin and waved at him. His cheery demeanor became astonished as well as he and the others took in the sight of the archaic library.

This was simply too much. There was a carpet with comfy looking sofas and a lit fire place near the entrance. Next to the fireplace was a small, slender, polished blue suit of armor for a pony. Instead of being upright like the others outside it was leaned up against the wall. If it was alive it would've looked like it was asleep, cozy next to the fire. There were a few short tables and shelves around this 'reading corner' but the actual collection was much, much larger. The shelves reached up to the high celling, about fifty feet above the floor. They stretched out making a maze of isles between them, with small yellow balls of light every ten feet up. The crew all looked to Pea for instructions and, possibly reason.

"Ummm...I guess look for books on either Ponyville or Carmino," Pea shrugged," Or look for books you can at least read, I guess?"

Joe was the first to venture off, followed by Oza. Mumal sat next to the door cross legged and refused to move, Pea and Dew tried to convince him but he insisted he had done his part. The mares left him alone and Dew began to look around at the massive book shelves, leaving only Pea. The grey mare wanted to look along with the others but the strange suit of armor in the corner had her attention completely. She walked over to it slowly with eyes wide open. The fire crackled lightly as she approached it, her hooves grazed the carpet. The blue armor glimmered in the fire light. The head piece had a wide visor where no light shown, giving the whole suit an off putting look. Pea reached out a hoof to touch the helm.

"Yes miss, you need something?" The armor asked in a metallic, feminine tone.

Pea jumped back squealing. Inside the armor's visor blackness now two purple eyes glowed inside, their light warm and friendly. Pea blinked in disbelief as she watched the ghostly figure move. The armor straightened up and Pea scooted back further. Its joints slid across each other quietly and the armor's neck was bent at an awkward angle for a moment before it pulled its head up. The armor blinked her ghostly eyes back.

"Excuse me," said the armor. Her voice quiet and friendly," Is there something I can help you with?"

"Ahhh..." Pea's mouth hung open in a loss for words. The stranger had her metal head tilted to the side again. Her eyes seemed to be raising an eyebrow in response to Pea's reaction to her.

"Oh um, help...right," Pea shook her head," I-I do actually."

"Are you interested in a particular book, perhaps one on cooking?" The armor said, almost autonomously.

"No not cooking...that'd be silly," Pea giggled. The shock had died down and she began to accept this 'librarian'.

"Well then miss, what would you be interested in then?"

"You wouldn't happen to have any books on something called 'Ponyville' would you?" Pea asked timidly.

"...Ponyville...one moment," The armor said. Her eyes disappeared  from view and she stood silent for a few moments.

"I have a result," she said with a peppy tone," We have exactly...two books on the subject. Sorry miss, they are off limits though, they are in the Princess' privet collection."

"What?" Pea cried," What do you mean I can't? There is nobody but you, me and my friends here. I saw no princess when I walked in."

The armor shook her head, "Miss you must be mistaken, her highness always informs me when she goes out on business."

"Tells you huh?" Pea pulled a sly look," So what were you doing yesterday, hmm?"

"I'm not supposed to chat with visitors but I guess I could a little," the armor said as she sat back down," I was talking with her highness yesterday about her advancing skills in Soul Craft in the courtyard garden and reorganizing the fiction section due to a mix up last week." She stared into space for a moment,"Dose that answer your question?"

"Oh dear," Pea said with a hoof to her lip," I was in the court yard not to long ago. The place was overgrown with tress and vines and the grounds were infected with Ghouls. Are you sure you saw the princess yesterday?"

The librarian cheerful composure seemed to falter slightly," N-no your lying, miss. I'll have to ask you to leave...there are several students who would need my assistance at the moment...I must get going." She got up and began walking toward the rest of the library. She only took a few steps and froze in her tracks.

"There must be a mistake..." she whispered, mostly to herself," There must be a logical reason..."

"Whats wrong?" Pea asked," Did you forget something?"

"I only rested my eyes for a moment...her highness was just here, she said something about-" She spun around and stared at Pea with her lavender eyes, now they seemed to be in pain.

"You said something about...ghouls? Outside in the castle grounds?" The librarian's voice was wavering, "Please miss, you need to tell me!"

"Yeah there are ghouls...inside and outside the castle," Pea looked to the side in thought," its weird...none of 'em are in this part of the castle..."

The suit of armor stood ridged, her legs trembling slightly. Pea became concerned...who was this? Why was the news of the ghouls so bad? Dose she know that nothing is living in the castle anymore?

"Ummm hey lady," Pea asked quietly," Can you tell me whats wrong?"

The librarian stood silent, her lavender eyes stared at the ground. A few glowing purple drops fell from her soft eyes, ghost's tears.

"T-the princess...she was with me in the library as I placed her journal here," Her knees buckled and she landed heavily onto the floor," She told me I could rest for a short while...and she's not here."

"I saw a tapestry of the princess and another alicorn, they were surrounded by skeletons and metal ponies-"

"Impossible!" the armor blurted," There is only one tapestry of them here...that one is of the royal family, your lying! I need to find her!"

The librarian shot up and sped to the exit quickly. She didn't notice Mumal napping there and smashed into him. He lazily lifted his head and blinked all eight of his eyes, the ghostly metal pony squealed and ran back into the library. She raced toward the massive bookshelves in panic. Several minuets passed as she eventually bumped into the rest of Pea's crew in her panicked run.  She ran into Oza last. She slammed into his leg, almost knocking him over.

She looked up at him,"AHHHH! DRAGON!" she screamed. Oza rolled his eyes and lifted her off the ground. He hefted the panicked suit of armor on his shoulder and craned his neck to see the rest of his crew.

She squealed in protest as Oza searched for his companions. They all rounded up at the reading corner where the librarian started, even Mumal joined the meeting. Oza placed the hysterical metal pony on one of the sofas and held her in place as Pea tried to calm her.

"Come on, we have questions and so do you," she said kindly. The librarian was darting her eyes around and fidgeted under Oza's grip.

"Alright," Pea continued," take a deep breath and calm down."

"I can't!" the librarian cried," I don't have lungs! I'm an enchanted suit of armor!"

Not knowing what else to do Pea smacked the helmet of the armor, hoping it would  bring her back to her senses.

"AHH!" she squealed," Now your hitting me! What on earth did I do?"

Dew grabbed a water canteen from her pack and looked to Pea. The grey mare nodded and Dew poured the water inside the helmets visor, not really have very many other open spaces on the helmet. The metal pony stopped squirming and squealing, the room became dead silent;  except the noise of water dripping out of the sabatons of her leg armor. She sighed sadly and tapped Oza's hand with a metal hoof. Oza released his grip and she adjusted her seating on the sofa, trying to regain some sort of professional composure.

"I-I'm so sorry everyone...I'm not a civilian, I'm a servant. Its horrible of me to act in such a manner," She closed her eyes, leaving the wide visor dark and empty." I'm just...shocked at the events...thats all."

"What events?" Joe asked," According to our guide nothing has been going on around here for thousands of years."

"Well, as your friend informed me," The librarian gestured to Pea," There are...ghouls outside and even inside the castle..."

"And?" Dew said," That is bad yes, but what do they have to do with anything?"

"The princess-" The blue suit of armor stopped and opened her eyes," wait...how did you all get in here? The gate was sealed with magic!"

Oza took an sudden interest at looking at the ceiling," Oza not open door...don't look at him!"

Pea rolled her eyes," Oza your a terrible lier."

The librarian raised a metal hoof," Wait, wait...I suppose if we are going to exchange information then I should introduce myself. My name is Sebrina. Her highness Voltera created me to catalog and keep our precious library in working order. But thats beside the point...who are you all, if I'm so bold as to ask?"

Pea smiled like a Tv showmare," I'm Pea Gravel, the red mare over there is Dew Berry, Joe's the big blue mule, Oza is the dragon here and that guy," she looked around to see the Mumal who was hiding behind another sofa," Thats Mumal. He helped us find the Castle."

"Is that thing an Ettercap?" Sebrina asked timidly," Their evil ,meat eating creatures! You should stay away from him."

"Evil? Mumal?" chuckled Dew," He wouldn't hurt a fly..." Dew blinked in astonishment of how silly she just sounded.

"Well...Pea Gravel was it? Shall I take you to those books you requested?" Sebrina kept her gaze from Oza and Mumal.

Pea was about to jump to the chance then stopped," You said they were off limits, right?"

"I did," Sebrina sighed," but the situation has changed..."

"Hold on," Joe butted in," Where is this 'Voltera'? You were talking about her as if you knew her!"

"I do...or did," Sebrina said solemnly.

"Well then," Joe's voice was staring to show his frustration," what the hells going on? No ones lived out here in thousands of years...that'd make ya...really, really old."

"Perhaps...if what I fear has happened then I may be the only one left from that time...pity isn't it, little old me is the last one."

"Last of what?" asked Dew.

"I suppose I should tell you...since I have no one else to talk to. You see, I'm one of many servants that was created by Voltera. She was a master of Soul Craft and the ways of metal smithing. Her sister was also a master of Soul Craft but chose a different path. One more...organic. " Sebrina sighed sadly. Dew hid a half disgusted look from Sebrina, Joe sat down with a facade of bravery.

"They became bitter rivals in the years that followed," Sebrina continued," I knew they were both competitive, but they weren't fighters. One day Voltera told me she was going to do something and said I could rest. Then I woke up from Miss Gravel's touch and here we are."

"Alright Sebrina," Pea said,"Thats good enough for me. I'll take those books you told me about now, if its not to much trouble."

"Not at all, though its most irregular."

Sebrina led the Pea toward the book shelves. The rest of the crew looked at each other wondering if they should grab Pea and try an escape from this 'enchanted' place. Pea called for them to follow and they did reluctantly. They all arrived at the opposite end of the large room where a set of large pillars stood against the wall. Sebrina pushed an off colored brick on the wall and there was a loud sound of grinding stone. The pillar before them spun slowly around like a secret book case. They were astounded to find it hollow with a spiral stair case inside. Sebrina walked inside with Pea following close behind.

"Come on guys!" Pea called," Its okay, her eyes glow in the dark! Its really cool!"

As the crew followed Pea and their new guide they fond the place creepier an creepier. The fact that Sebrina had spotlights for eyes didn't lighten the mood. The arrived at the bottom of the stairs after what seemed an eternity.

"So she left the light off then?" Sebrina asked herself," Ah, she was so careless..."

Sebrina shot an orange laser out her spotlight eyes. Instead of going straight however, it spiraled into a ball and lit the cluttered room with a warm glow. The secret room was much smaller then the library but was by no means small. There were pieces of armor lying around and a work bench with blue print notes and a rainbow of gems.

Suspended from the wall were several armor torsos, some half finished and others completely ruined. There were helmets of many odd designs stacked on a shelf  next to the work bench. On the floor were note of paper with measurements and sketches scribbled on them. At the far end was a thick wooden door. The crew was huddled near the entrance while Pea explored the room with Sebrina.

"Woah Sebrina," Pea said in awe," This is Voltera's secret room?"

"Yes, very few are...were allowed down here. I'll show you to the books, Miss."

She led Pea to the door at the far end and opened it. A gust of warm air came from the other side. Pea walked in with the librarian and Oza followed, not wanting Pea out of his sight with such strange things going on. Sebrina made another light to reveal the inside. It was small and homely, much like the reading corner in the upper level. There were a few book shelves with thick, ancient looking books. There was a podium in the center of the room with a book bound inside a golden cover. Sebrina eyed it, Pea trotted over to the book.

"What, have you not seen it before or something?" Pea smirked.

"No...that one is new," Sebrina said flatly.

Pea pursed her lip. She looked at Oza and Sebrina at first for advice. They both looked back at her puzzled.

"Well, Im gonna touch it!" she said as she grabbed the book.

"WAIT!" Sebrina cried, "IT COULD BE A TRAP!"

Pea held the book for a moment as she stared wide eyed at Sebrina," Well why didn't you tell me-" Suddenly the grey mare feinted suddenly and landed limply on the floor. Oza rushed to see if she was alright.

TO BE CONTINUED...

16) Who was Voltera?

"What happened...did I black out?"

Pea Gravel lay on her back, her emerald eyes closed. She squinted her eyes open and looked around the room, it seemed different somehow. Her vision was hazy and her thoughts sluggish. Oza and Sebrina were gone and the light she had made was replaced with candles on the book shelves. Also lighting the room was a window with closed blinds on the opposite wall from the door, leaving a warm glow from the sun behind them.  Pea stared at it dumbfounded, there was solid wall and hundreds of feet of dirt there before. Pea rose to her hooves and walked to the window, suddenly she heard a loud cry from the 'work shop' room. Was this the ancient princess Voltera?

"I did it!" the voice called," Sebrina look, its finished!"

Pea moved slowly to the door to see what was going on inside. The room didn't have her friends in and was far more cluttered. There was a silver alicorn standing next to the work bench holding a scroll high, a look proud fruition in her lime green eyes. Pea could hear Sebrina rushing on the stairs, she entered and bowed low to the ground before speaking. Pea watched and listened closely, every detail counted to help her find out what was going on.

"Yes, my lady? You called of my services?" her metallic voice chimed.

"Look, look! I finally made it!" the alicorn giggled as she shoved the scroll in Sebrina's face.

"Made what, if I'm so bold to ask," the librarian said as she held the scroll and studied it.

"Their blueprints for my greatest achievement yet!" she rubbed her hooves together giggling,"I'll finally have something to show up Rumella's work!"

"Voltera, this...creation of yours, though magnificent on the scroll...presents a problem" Sebrina said with a skeptical tone," How are we supposed to gather the materials for this? Your measurements would take up at least a thousand Ebony ingots and twelve hundred pounds of gold! Not to mention how will you power this massive vessel?"

Voltera's joyful expression became crestfallen. She slumped to the floor and a few tears welled up in her eyes. Sebrina moved beside her and placed a comforting hoof in Voltera's mane.

"Oh Sebrina," she said dejectedly," How is it that Rumella always has an upper hoof in everything we do? I build a metal guard for the castle and she just shows up with ten timber wolves that can do the same job and look after more of the city."

"You could always try Rumella's...organic practices, Princess," Sebrina said comfortingly.

"Oh, an automaton such as yourself would never understand," Voltera said as she stood back up," theirs ethics involved in Soul Craft. We both use the souls of volunteers or animals. I choose the way of steel and stone to make my creations last through the wind and rain. Rumella just wants the most out of what little effort she puts out  with the trees, plants and...the dead."

"I'm sorry my lady,"Sebrina said quietly. Hoof steps were heard from the staircase and Voltera put on a defensive face.

"Tsk! Up to it again, little sister?" a sultry voice called from the stair case.

Voltera shot a venomous glance at the door way," Are you here to gloat, Roomy?"

The tall, dark red alicorn, Rumella entered with a proud swagger. She looked down at her sister and flicked her deep purple mane as she laughed," Oh Volt, your too much! The ponies of Coppice prefer my methods to yours, stop playing this silly game and let me have the crown."

"Insult me as you like. Galaxia will choose who is fit to rule, not you!" Voltera said with a frown. She stamped up to Rumella's face and stared at her defiantly.

"Oh your so cute when your angry, I'd never forget that day for the world...but your still going to lose," Rumella smirked. Voltera glared at her furiously, the red alicorn giggled and poked her little sister's nose.

"I'll be off," she snickered as she turned for the door," I'm going to win this competition, Volt. Besides, you know I'm godmother's favorite."

Voltera fumed as her sister exited similarly to how she entered. Sebrina tried to comfort her but was put aside. The princess said she needed to be alone and excused her metallic servant hastily. Once she was alone she looked to the room Pea was hidden in. The silver alicorn headed toward it, Pea's body sprang into action. She leapt as stealthily as she could behind the nearest sofa and tried to calm her breathing as the apperceive princess as she threw the door open. Pea heard her hooves against the stone floor as she moved to the window. She opened the curtains and the sun blasted in.

"Oh, why do we quarrel so?" she asked herself," This tumultuous competition will tear my kingdom apart..." the princess sighed heavily.

Pea tried a peak to see the distraught alicorn, she was surprised at what she saw. Voltera held a journal, the same one Pea touched earlier.  She held it up with levitation magic and looked longingly at the pages. Her eyes had tears of jubilation or sorrow, Pea couldn't tell. The paper sounded heavy as the pages were turned and glistened brightly in the sunlight. Were the pages...made of gold?

"I would love to share this book with her," Voltera mused," but she'd probably hate it. She always tries to ruin the things I keep close..."

Suddenly everything went dark and Pea couldn't tell if she was standing or falling. A rush of blurred images and sounds swept past her and  before she knew it she was standing in a crowd of ponies. They all had long robe like apparel on, some looking like silk while others were burlap. The crowd's attention was fixed on Voltera and Rumella standing on a large platform with covered boxes behind them. At the front of the platform was a different group. This was a group of royals, most were unicorns or griffons but there was a alicorn sitting amongst them that shown out like a radiant, dawn sky. She dwarfed every creature sitting near her and her wings, though folded, were still enormous. Next to giant alicorn were two very small alicorn fillies; one with a white coat and a pink mane and the other was midnight blue with a light blue mane.

A low din was in the crowd before Voltera spoke;

"Ladies and gentle colts, Royal guests. My sister and I have agreed to hold a contest between us to determine who is more to fit to rule the Coppice Kingdom, the wise and elegant Queen Galaxia shall be the judge. Our late mother and father kept this country safe with the ancient art of Soul Craft and we shall do likewise."

"Yes, sister, you speak the truth," Rumella smiled to her and the audience," My sister have constructed wondrous works of the art Soul Craft. As I'm sure your aware, my sister has been using the city forge as her...laboratory and dries out our precious metal supply for her pieces. While I use the great jungle around as a device, a rejuvenating and ever growing source of materials."

Queen Galaxia rose a hoof, silencing the princess. Rumella pursed her lip, awaiting what the royal had to say.

"Princess Rumella," the queen's angelic voice chimed," I did not bring my daughters to be influenced by such a childish debate. We came to shed our opinion on which of the two of you is fit to lead the Coppice Kingdom, so if you don't mind, let us proceed with the event."

Voltera stepped in," Yes, yes of corse your Highness. I shall present mine first..."

She smiled meekly as she reached for the cover behind her, pulling the cloth off revealed a metal barred box with a strange suit of armor within. It's design was full of sharp, triangular edges and the metal itself was a glossy midnight blue. The armor was trimmed with gold and inside the jaw's of the helmet something shiny sat. The helmet looked like a horse's head but with jaws of a metal wolf. The neck and waist were made of close knit metal plates, long this lines ran throng the rest of the armors larger pieces. The hooves looked dangerous with their pointed, wedge like fronts. The tail was long, thin and whip like. Mounted on the back were long and ornate rifles folded back like metal wings.

Voltera looked hopefully at the audience, most of the citizens were captivated by it. A few of the royals cheered at it, the family of alicorns however, were stone faced. Rumella cleared her throat , gaining their attention. She unveiled her creation and an audible gasp was heard.

This one was in a dark wooden box and it was much less daunting then Voltera's. It looked like a polished birch wood mannequin at first, but a close look would show more then a simple wood carving. The joints were made of vines as well as the neck and waist. It had moss for a mane and tail and the creation's eyes seemed empty and dark. It's wooden parts were covered with ornate, spiraling carving.

Those who didn't adore Voltera's clapped in response of Rumella's. The red princess made a prideful smile while her sister began to hang her head in embarrassment. One of the alicorn children, the elder one grew tired of the slow procession.

"They look nice, but what do they do?" she piped up.

"Celestia," Said Galaxia in a matronal tone," Keep quiet, this is very important."

Rumella took no time to show off. She straightened her neck up and half spread her wings," Servant, come out. Our friends want to see you." she cooed.

The empty eyes of her creation lit up in a warm green glow, the spiraling carving also glowed.

"Yes mistress?" it's voice was soft and feminine," What can I do for you today?"

Voltera held a hoof out and gestured the wooden figure step into better view. It stumbled like an infant still new at walking. Unlike the crowd, the queen seemed unimpressed.

"Go on, tell them what you do," Rumella said sweetly.

The wooden figure blinked her glowing green eyes at the audience and her knees quivered, she tried talking but all that came out was small, nervous squeaks. Rumella nodded for encouragement, the figure shook her head slightly and spoke softly;

"H-Hello everypony...my n-name is Mita...and Rumella created me to keep our city and jungle s-safe. I can-"

"You? Keep us safe?" snorted one of the royal unicorns next to the queen," You look more fragile then a daisy in a thunder storm, just what can you do?"

Mita looked at a patch of grass that was near the platform, her eyes turned yellow and the patch of grass shook savagely. Some of the ponies in the crowd moved back as the grass morphed into something that looked like a tree. Mita's eyes returned green and the 'tree' stood as if it had always been there. The audience was awestruck, Galaxia's lips curled into a small smile.

"Amusing, Rumella. Your...Mita shows promise to keep gardens everywhere in check. Now, Voltera. Care to show us your metal beast?"

Voltera nodded nervously. She moved over to the ominous armor and summoned some gems from her workshop's collection. She placed them into the armor's clamp jaws and took several steeps back.

"Hulok!" she said sternly," Your Princess commands you to step forward!"

A low humming sound enumerated from Hulok. The armor rattled and steam wafted from the helmet's mouth. In the grooves covering the armor a low purple light shown and under small ridges on either side of the helmet a small, eye like dots blinked on. Hulok lifted a heavy hoof and stomped forward, then another. The rifles on his back were folded to face away from the crowd.

"Yes, master?" Hulok's dark, robotic voice droned," Tell my thy bidding." His dangerous head faced rigidly forward, looking at nothing in particular.

"Our guests would like to hear what you were made for, tell them Hulok." Voltera's confidence built up as she saw Rumella help Mita sit back in her box.

"My purpose?" Hulok's metallic voice attempted something similar to a laugh. " My purpose is to protect and to serve," his voice blared toward the crowd," Any threat that knocks at thine door shall be smote by Hulok or others like him."

The crowd seemed impressed and intimidated by Hulok. The royals talked among themselves in whispers while the queen kept the procession moving.

"Tell me, servant of Voltera," Galaxia said," How will you 'smite' danger?"

"With the energy weapons at my sides and my jaws, in situations that require it," Hulok's metallic voice droned.

The queen levitated a hat from a nearby pony and sent it high into the air. She cast a cynical look Voltera and her creation and frowned.

"Hulok, that is your target. 'Smite' it."

The menacing suit of armor's rifles spun forward and detached. They levitated close to him and were aimed at the hat. A loud hum could be heard and out of his left gun a crackling red beam shot out. It vaporized the hat in seconds, though the blast was being shot longer. Some of the audience members applauded but their cheer was cut short. Hulok's heavy head slumped down, his weapons clanged when the fell on the ground. There was a thick cloud of steam and the ghostly purple glow was gone, the armor looked lifeless.

Voltera broke into a cold sweat as she looked at the audience, the queen, and her sister's smug smile. Voltera's knees buckled as Galaxia's judging glare pierced the silver alicorn.

"Princess, why has your device stopped working?" she said with a disenchanted tone.

"W-well, with something this big a-and powerful...it needs quiet a few soul gems...l-like a forge needs coal..." she felt squished under the queen's gaze.

"Very well Voltera. Allow me a moment to decide," the queen said. In a flash, both her and her daughters were gone. The crowd began to talk amongst themselves as well as the royals. Rumella waltzed over to her mortified sister.

"What a pity," she giggled," and I thought that that monstrosity of yours would be capable of more then that."

"Shut up Rumella!" the silver alicorn snapped," At least mine can do something! Not just play 'cute little flower girl'!"

The two sisters stood nose to nose steaming with contempt. Galaxia's voice interrupted them.

"Ahem...I have come to a decision, princesses," she sighed heavily before continuing and looked to the red alicorn," I see that Rumella's way of protecting her kingdom with expendable creations that can make...obstacles for attackers. Though not frightening in the slightest, they show hints of promise if she brings more effort to her work."

She turned her glance to Voltera," But this one understands how to make something that would make an attacker think twice. Voltera's ways build champions of steel and casters of powerful destruction magic and designed to be hearty in a harsh world. Her creations need quite a bit of work before they met her goals but I do believe she can accomplish that if she continues in her practices."

Voltera almost blushed from the queen's remarks. Rumella tried to keep a regal composure for she began to doubt her own abilities. Galaxia whispered with some of the royals before she walked to the side of the platform. She had no difficulties reaching the raised area due to her massive size. She waltzed past Rumella who now looked like a small child next to the queen and the radiant royal stopped next to Voltera. She smiled and looked to the large crowd.

"Citizens, I have come to a decision. As the godmother of these two princesses I leave the crown to..." the entire audience held their breath in anticipation,"

"I have chosen...Princess Voltera as the new Queen of the Coppice Kingdom...or now Queendom. Congratulations, your highness," the giant alicorn said with a warm smile. Voltera beamed with joy, she blew kisses and "thank you"s to the crowd as well as Galaixa.

The crowd went in a mixed uproar, most were happy with their new queen while others...were less then thrilled. Pea stood in the loud congregation rather puzzled. Was this how nations picked their queen? She didn't really know and didn't feel like reading into it to much so she cheered along with the ponies next to her. Mid shout the world around her faded away again and colors whirled past her.

"Oh man...if this keeps happening I'm gonna get hurl! Hang on, I haven't eaten anything today...crap now I'm hungry," Pea thought to herself clenching her stomach.

The whirling stopped and she was in a new environment. Around her was a room made of polished wood and small torches mounted on the walls. There were two rooms, one leading to a hallway and the other led to a half open door. Pea decided to sneak a peak inside. She crept  past the potted ferns on either side of the room, leading to the door. Her hooves went almost silently on the hard wood floor and  then pushed the door open ever so slightly.

The room had shelves with a verity of bottles and dried herbs. There were potted plants of all kinds and even small animals crawling around on the floor and celling. In the center she found Rumella standing before a cauldron with a nasty liquid bubbling inside. The strangest thing was that she seemed different somehow...

The red princess' youthful features seemed aged, her purple hair was lighter then it was the lat time Pea was it. Her eyes on the other hand, were still as sharp and bright as before, now with a envious fire in them. Her fierce pink eyes stared into the concoction and she licked her lips.

"Mita, bring the...guest," her voice slithered through the air.

Pea looked behind her and ducked behind a fern beside the door just in time. Mita trotted into view, she had vines on her back wrapped around a brown and red earth pony stallion. He was fit and young, his attractive features were smothered by Mita's unmoving grip. Mita's wooden hooves clacked loudly on her trip to the door. One she had closed it behind her Pea crept to the door to spy again.

"Princess!" the stallion cried mournfully," Why are you doing this? What did I do to you?"

"Oh thats the thing, farm foal," The princess hissed with glee," You've done nothing. I'll make this as painless as possible."

The stallion was about to protest but with a nod from Rumella, Mita dropped him into the cauldron. The liquid clung thick on the poor pony. He shot his head up for air but Rumella grabbed him and held his head under the wrenched soup. There were gurgles and bubbles for a short time then they stopped. Rumella used her magic to grab several jars off her shelves and scanned the ingredients within. She found one with a dried paw inside.

She snickered, "Mita...how do you think adding the essence of a wolf will do?"

"My Lady," the wooden pony said weakly," Why have you suddenly changed the ritual? We use volunteers or animals...not sacrifices."

Rumella rolled her eyes disgustedly as she dropped the dried salamander into the cauldron," Oh, Mita. You silly, silly creature. I was inside our wise and beautiful queen Voltera's library not a few days ago," she said cynically," I found the most amazing book she had kept hidden, I presume from me."

The paw sank into the thick soup while Mita tried to understand what her mistress was saying," Princess...what kind of book?" Her words were stopped short as the cauldron shook and the soupy contents dripped over the edge, making acid splashes as they hit the floor.

A  wicked smile that made Pea's blood run cold was on Rumella's face. Her eyes were wild with pride as her monstrosity tipped the cauldron over which spilled the brew all over the floor, a large red-brown lump rolled out after it. It was a magenta creature in the shape of a pony...was this the origin of the Ghouls Pea had met earlier? Mita shifted slightly as the lump croaked.

"Mita," Rumella said sweetly," that book showed me a new kind of Soul Craft...souls that die with a vengeance make a much, much stronger beast..." She walked slowly over the the once pony. She leaned down to look at it.

"Hello, little one...whats your name?" the princess said with a wide grin.

The beast didn't reply, it simply hissed at her. Pea's stomach churned at the monster's sight.  The ghoul pushed himself up and made a bark like noise as he flexed his tiny claws, Rumella smiled with malicious pride. Pea wasn't sure of how much more she could take but she heard something that made her heart skip a beat.

"Mita, I need you to help mepack some supplies. That book I mentioned had a very interesting passage about a special something called Carmino..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

17) Bad Moon over Breeze

A few miles from the jungle where Pea and her friends were, the town of Breeze had trouble brewing. The night sky was full of thick clouds and the moon cast beams of silver light on the windy town. The wind was cold and wet, almost all of the citizens stayed inside but there was large dark purple pony with acid red eyes in a heavy khaki vest walking along the westernmost end of town. The wind was the strongest here and there was a windmill that powered a type of arcane telegraph machine, the telegrapher inside had no idea as to who would show up in her building that night.

The bounty hunting group called The Patch Batch were gathered on the outskirts of the town, debating where Sponge...or Joe went. They argued for sometime until a voice behind them interrupted.

  "Excuse me, good ponies and...others," the voice said. His voice was dry and held thick big city accent.

"Wacha want, eh?" Whip Lash said called over his shoulder," Me an' my crew are busy at the moment."

"It's rather important," the voice said annoyed,"I'm sure a pony of your business would understand."

One of Lash's members, Sanchez, looked at the stranger first, the llama was rather unimpressed. The stranger was a squat stallion with round glasses and a bowler hat. He wore a thick black coat and had saddle bags at his sides.

Sanchez snickered,"Hey Lash, theres a little tax sprite here to see you."

"That's rather unprofessional of you, Llama," the short pony snorted.

"Okay, this I gotta see," Lash said as he turned to see him," Ahright shorty, wacha want?"

"Well Mr.Lash," the stranger said," I'm looking for somepony named Sponge...perhaps you've heard of him?"

"The mule with a 180k bounty? Sure have, me an' my boys are gonna bring that git in and keep the reward."

The short pony smiled," You? You're going after Sponge...interesting. I'll be in town for a few days so let me know if you catch that son of a bitch."

"Can do shorty," Lash said with a smug smile," So when I do, by what name am I going to call you?"

The short pony tipped his hat," I go by the name Dead Eye D, happy hunting Lash and company," he said as he made his way back into town. The bounty hunters' faces turned white, what was the most infamous Borgota mobster doing out here?

Meanwhile at the windmill, the unicorn mare running the depot was nibbling on crackers while reading a magazine about kites. She leaned her feminine figure over the counter, her blue eyes and hair shown out from her orange fur. Her door opened and she waved at it without looking up from the page.

"No no, we're closed. If a telegraph comes in I'll git it to you tomorrow. Go back outside, if you don't mind."

The pony that walked in was the dark purple pony from the street, he shook some of the wet off of him. The unicorn looked up from her magazine and glared at him. He rubbed the rain water off the top of his head, which was shaved almost completely bald. He had some stubble on his squared off chin.

He smiled,"Some place you got here..."

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I'm closed for the evening," the mare said with annoyance.

"But its cold and rainy outside," the unwanted guest complained," Surely you can let me stay inside until the weather lets up?"

"This isn't an inn, dumb ass," the unicorn said," If you want somewhere dry to stay, go there.  It's on the other side of town."

The unicorn's angry rant was stopped short when the stranger pulled a fold-up shot gun from the side of his vest, he looked with his red eyes at it as if to inspect it. The mare cringed and stuttered as she too looked at the weapon. The stranger looked up at her and she hid lower behind the counter.

"Now that your listening," he chuckled," I came here to send a message, care to hear it?"

"O-of corse!" the mare agreed trembling," J-just t-tell me it and I-I'll write it d-down..."

The armed pony walked closer to her, a sympathetic look on his face,"Awww, don't cry. A pretty little mare like you should keep a smile on your face...though you do look adorable when you're scared."

"S-sir, I thought you w-wanted me to send-" Her words were cut short.

"Shhhh, the letter can wait. Come here and let ol' Black Berry cheer you up," the big pony said smoothly.

The mare's eyes widened,"But-"

"Ol' Black has been soooo lonely, let me get close," The unwanted guest grinned. The mare began to quiver behind the counter.

"I said come here," Black said sharply. The mare stood up behind the counter, not keeping eye contact with the dark purple stallion. He lowered the gun to the floor and reached out to touch the mare's chin, she pulled away quickly.

"Ahhh, I see how it's going to be."

"Sir, I don't know w-why your doing this...but please don't!" she pleaded.

"Oh I love it when they tell me no," Black licked his lips," Now, I'm not gonna ask you again-"

"W-what do you want?" she asked with a shaky voice," I-I thought you wanted t-to send a message..."

"Like I said sugar cube, that cant wait...I'm interested in somepony right now."

The unicorn's heart pulsed in a  hopeless panic, she hoped...prayed for something to save her. Out of nowhere, a knock came from the door and both ponies looked at it. Black squinted angrily. A small look of hope shown on the mare's face.

"Shove off! This place is closed!" he snarled.  There was a silent response, who ever it was probably left. The mare looked from the door to Black, The muscular stallion smiled like a fox would to a crippled rabbit. A new sound came from the door;

"Black? I didn't know you worked here!" a voice said from behind the door.  " Come on, let me in."

Black paused for a moment, then he burst out laughing,"Well, I'll be damned! Dead Eye, is that you?"

The door opened and the squat stallion stood there, a wave of cold air and rain swept inside behind him. Black seemed to forget the mare and trotted over to the mobster. They seemed to be old friends, seeing these two froze the mare's heart with fear. They moved more over to the counter where the petrified mare was.

"So tell me Mr.Berry," Dead Eye smirked," Who's this peach ya got tonight?"

"Oh, her? I just needed to send a message tonight, thats why I'm here. But I didn't expect to find such a...peach as you said. She's a cute one when she's got that look in her eyes huh?" Black chuckled. The mobster's lips curled into a small smile.

Dead Eye looked around the simple interior,"That's a bit odd, Black. This town isn't near anyplace special or worthwhile, why send a letter from here?"

Black's cocky jubilation toned down," Well, tell ya the truth D...I'm running low on my stash and Jam said I could get some from him."

The mobster laughed a dry, hollow laugh,"So that old bastard is still alive ,eh? I thought someone would've tried to kill him years ago!"

"I know," Black nodded," He's gettin' old and doesn't have many friends these days. He's still got that old factory, actually he got a new one not too long ago," The dark purple stallion raised an eyebrow at the mobster.

"Come to think of it," Black continued," Why are you out here? Big Apple has got to be miles from here."

While the two stallions were chatting the mare inched towards the door as a means of escape, but a look from the nightmarish mobster stopped her. His single eye stared at her through his round glasses. His yellow iris pierced her, then he smiled a devilish grin from ear to ear.

"I'm lookin' for a run away, his name's Sponge," Dead Eye said dryly. The mare slumped to the floor and he chuckled," You're right, she does look mighty fine with that look."

The mobster wiped his face back to normal and looked back to Black. He cleared his throat,"Alright Black, I've got to get going. Meet me at the pub in an hour, I'll come up with a plan then," He went to the door briskly. Before he left he called over his shoulder," Oh and Mr.Berry...don't take to long getting to that sweet peach pit, we've got business to attend to..."

Black smirked at the mare as Dead Eye D left. The air was still cold and rainy, almost more now then earlier. The mobster hadn't taken more then a few steps before he heard a feminine squeal from the building. He rolled his eyes and headed to the inn. It was a terrible walk; the ground was muddy, the wind was strong and the rain had soaked his coat by the time he had reached it. He opened the door and sat at the nearest table he could find. After a few moments of taking in the rustic sod built inn a female griffon with a tight red collar on came up to the table. The mobster sat with his face mostly hidden from view.

"You look exhausted mister, care for a drink?" she asked. She looked like she knew who he actually was, which wasn't a surprise to Dead Eye.

"I'll take some whisky,"He said,"Don't bother brining me a glass. Just bring the bottle, miss."

The griffon left with a quick pace and Dead Eye saw that in the back of the main room were halls leading to bedrooms. He saw a glimpse of Whip Lash going back there with his crew. 'Perfect', he thought to himself. The griffon came back with a variety of bottles, some square and others more round.

"I didn't know what you wanted Sir, so I grabbed the good stuff so you could pick for yourself. Ive got some Apple Jack Daniel's, Stag Horn, some Fireball and a little bottle of rum. Is that okay with you?"

"It's fine miss, I'll take the Daniel's and the rum. It's been awhile since I've had that."

She put the two bottles on the table and went back to put the rest away. Several minutes passed and by then the mobster had gone through most of the Daniel's, he knew rum was Black's favorite. More time passed and customers came and went in the inn. Dead Eye rubbed his fore head,' Where is that stolid thug, he should be here by now!', the mobster growled internally. He sat looking at the art on the walls when the griffon came back, but this time, she leaned on the table and stared at him with hungry eyes.

"So, wacha doin' in Breeze? You are't the delivery boy type like most ponies with wings here."

"Miss, if you're trying to seduce me I won't allow it. I'm never having relations with a griffon," he said dryly.

The waitress scowled at him and left to see to other customers. Dead Eye was mid guzzle in whiskey when Black swung the door open. He flaunted over to D's table and flopped on a chair. He giggled stupidly as reached for the rum. Dead Eye glared at him.

"You're late," he said sharply," Its nearly been two and a half hours! What in hell were you doing in there?"

Black guzzled the rum and it dribbled on his chin before he spoke," If theres mares like her in hell, then let me burn 'cuz she was amazing! It took longer then I thought to get her though. I had to use the last of my stash, can you believe it? Once she was as high as a kite it was great, especially when she grabbed-"

Dead Eye cut him off," Don't tell me. If I wanted to know I would've stayed, Black. Now did you send that message to Jam or not?"

"Hell yeah I did!" Black hiccuped," I'm no rookie, I can play and work geezer. Cut me some slack!"

The mobster slammed his hoof on the table," GEEZER? You're older then me! Answer my question damnit!"

Black took another swig of rum and snickered," You're too uptight bud, relax. So what's the brilliant plan you thought up with that pencil pushing mind of yours?"

Dead Eye gritted his teeth," I'm a mobster, not an office worker. I hated that, being so cramped and lazy."

"Don't get all dramatic with me D, whats the plan you told me about?"

The mobster leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone. He told Black about the bounty hunters called the Patch Batch. Using them as bait for the Gnolls that were terrorizing the plains. He said that they could sweep in after the bounty hunters found Sponge and his accomplices. Once there, they could get Sponge, turn him and the ones following him in for their rewards in Big Apple and use their Mob connections to get them back for other reasons. Dead Eye wanted Sponge back to kill him; 'unfinished business' D called it. The other ones following him could be sold off as slaves.

Black smiled grimly,"I love it, so who's following him? I want to know if I need to bring my A game or not."

"Nothing too bad," D said," There's two mares with him, but the dragon may be a problem if he isn't killed by the Gnolls."

"A dragon you said?" Black scratched his buzz cut head," Was the dragon orange and white, was the chick a grey mare with orange hair and 'flesh color' on her face and her ass?"

"I'm surprised, a brute like you rarely ever reads the news. Yes, thats a very accurate description of them...are they important to you?"

"Sure as hell they are," Black Berry growled," those two punks stole my favorite slave...Dew Berry was the name I gave her. I wouldn't mind it as bad if they took some other bitch I had lying around but they took her," He looked off dreamily."

"She was actually loyal to me," he continued,"Beautiful isn't it, a slave who actually respects their master instead of waiting to try and kill him."

"Tell you what," said the mobster after he drunk the last of his whisky," I'll tell my friend to get your property first hand while they capture the rest, how does that sound?"

Black smiled a criminal smile," Anything that lets me get some action, I'm in. When do we start?"

"I think we'll start with the rookie bounty hunters tonight," D said as he gestured the back hall," We'll 'hire' them tonight and that'll bait the Gnolls."

"Let's go!" Black barked with a demented sense of glee.

With a few pairs of eyes watching quietly, the two stallions strode across the inn and to the back hall and moved from door to door searching for the loudest one. Once they found it the two deadly equines set into action. They silently looked at each other and went back to tactics as mob partners. Black would play a charismatic or pitiful role and lure the target into a trap...Dead Eye and his knives. While Black straightened up his look Dead Eye stepped out of view and let Black take over with his dramatic talents. He knocked on the door politely.

"Summer!" a tired voice called from behind the door," Somepony's there, go answer the door!"

"Alright, I'm going jeez!" a feminine voice said.

A curvaceous pony opened the door and looked up at Black," Hey mister, we didn't order any room service...whacha want?"

Black had a suave smile on his squared face," Well miss, I heard that the great Patch Batch was in town. I just had to see if the rumors were true."

The pony blinked at him," You heard about us? We haven't made a big haul yet, how do you know?" She waited for a response. He gazed at her dreamily.

"Well, I'll be damned...your really are as pretty as they say."

The mare blushed," W-what? Me, don't be silly. I'm not the reason you know about the crew...right?" she gazed back at him.

"You bet it is miss Summer," he said and she covered her face with a hoof," Your'e about the prettiest mare I ever did see."

A voice interrupted," Summer, who the hell is it? We've got a big day tomorrow, come back to bed!"

The mare scowled," In a moment Lash, I'm talking to somepony right now," she called back to him.

"It's alright," Black said," Go on to bed...all I wanted was a look at you," he turned to leave but the mare reached out for him.

"Hey, don't leave! I don't even know the name of my biggest fan...come here,"She said with a saucy tone.

"Well, if you insist miss..." Black said sheepishly," By the way, the names Black, Black Berry."

The mare pulled him closer by his vest collar. She raised an eyebrow while Black had an astonished look on his face, a blush could be seen on his dark purple cheeks. Summer batted her eye lashes with a crimson face.

"What are you doing?" he whispered," Lash may see you!"

"I don't care if he dose," she said quietly," I need to thank my biggest fan after all," she leaned forward to him. Black stood fixed while Summer caressed his lips with her own. She pulled back after a bit, a thin line of saliva on her lips. Black grinned.

"You know how to please your fans, Summer," He said," I wish I could return the favor..." he looked over to Dead Eye who was leaning on the hall's wall waiting.  Black winked at him and the mobster left. He went to the front counter and rented a room, then when he found it and opened it he waved at Black.

"Say Summer, care to follow me back to my room? We could talk in there," he said and the mare rubbed up next to him.

"Hey Lash, I'm going out for a bit," she called," I'll be back soon!" She turned to Black.

"Alright Black, let's see if you are my 'biggest' fan..."

As the two walked down the hall, Black caught a glance of Dead Eye sitting at a table in the main room. The dark purple pony winked at him and turned to the half open door, he led the pretty mare inside and turned down the lights as she closed the door.

Dead Eye sat at his table ridged, waiting for Black to show up again. It annoyed D on how easily Black could woo women. An hour passed, two hours. The mobster was almost dozing off when Black sat next to him again, a euphoric smile on his face.

"You've had a wild night, eh Black?"

"Hell yeah," Black said breathlessly," She was crazy, but I convinced her to tell Lash about how the Gnolls were wanted for a lot of money and weren't too hard to handle. Then she grabbed-"

"Stop, I don't need to know," D said again," I'm glad you can still do a job these days. So the plan is set...now all we do is wait."

"Alright bud, I could use a rest...I'm exhausted," Black said with a slack jaw.

"Don't remind me," Dead Eye groaned.

18) The Gnolls of Breeze

A heavy silence hung in the secret room under the library. Pea was out cold and in a feverish sweat. Joe and Dew were now next to Oza who held Pea Gravel in his trembling arms. Mumal sat in the workshop area waiting quietly and for the somber crew to come out. Oza gazed at the sleeping grey mare with pained eyes. He wasn't sure if she was alright or not, he tried to see what her status was but some magic was keeping him from reviving her. He stood up with a hopeless look in his eye, he always looked to her for advice in trouble but when she was gone...he was lost.

Sebrina suggested they take her upstairs next to the fire place for warmth. The rest of the crew looked at Pea and the dragon with curiosity. They followed her silently and grimly until they reached the carpeted area, Oza gingerly placed he on one of the sofas. He put one of their blankets over her and sat next to the cushioned seat.

"Hey Oza?" Joe asked," Will she be alright...what happened?"

"Oza...don't know. Pea grabbed book, then fell. She won't wake up and looks sick...Oza not see anything like that before..."

"Was she poisoned or something?" Dew asked timidly," Oza you know how to heal things, help her!"

Oza covered his face,"  He can't! Oza can't help, something stopping him...something very strong."

The mule sat paced in a circle, every so often he'd check Pea to see if anything changed. Mumal was the first to look for advice from the library around them. Dew soon after got up to look for some books that may help them heal Pea, while Oza decided to stay at Pea's side in case her condition worsened. Sebrina watched the sleeping grey mare with her ghostly purple eyes. The minutes turned to hours, hours turned to days. Pea seem disconnected, her mind elsewhere while her body sat chilled and helpless. Her friends had no idea where Pea actually was...or more accurately when.

The plains were bright, warm and damp in the mid day sun in the plains outside of Breeze the Patch Batch stood arguing, as they usually did. Summer Sweet demanded they go where Black had told them to go the night before, to the northern part where a Gnoll camp may be. Whip Lash was demanding from Summer about who this Black Berry guy was and why he was so helpful to just Summer. The rest of the group just waited it out, the deer Sly Francis was the first to talk besides the two arguing ponies,

"Are we gonna go after dem Gnoll dudes?" he asked with a cigarette between his teeth," What were they again Zip?"

"I read a book mentioning them once," said the ambiguous unicorn," There some kind of small dog thing...not to much trouble."

Sanchez, Francis and Zip all got up and headed north. Summer flicked her mane as she followed. Lash stamped the tall grass around him and in a short burst, flew up into the air. He held himself above his crew and called out to them.

"Alright, if you all want to get those bloody things so badly I'll scout ahead and see whats out there. See ya!" He flew as fast as he could in the northern wind, his crew followed the general direction on foot.

Lash was furious. Was it towards Summer? No, it was that Berry guy she kept on talking  about all morning. 'Some dreamy' guy she said,Lash pumped his wings harder against the wind. He simmered in the air until his anger was cut short. A stabbing pain shot through his body and he looked at his wing with petrified eyes. An arrow was sunken into his left wing, the ground began to race towards him. On the ground were two figures, the smaller one was walking towards the bigger one.

He could see them clearly now, two gnolls. The bigger one had dropped his bow and held a mace in his paw, waiting. Lash tried to maneuver himself out of the way but he was falling to fast, the gnoll's mace hit him before he hit the ground.

"GEHAHAHR!" the gnoll chortled," Look, look Sparrow! I got 'im! Ya see that?" He danced around the crumpled, dead winged pony.

The other figure was the diamond dog who had seen Pea and her friends go into the jungle castle. The gnoll who was celebrating was the one who had been in the tunnels by Mumal's house. She rubbed her arm nervously as the beefy gnoll waved his arms around, completely full of himself over his shot. She lifted the dead pony up with remorse.

"Lefty, I know this isn't like that Gnook meat you bring sometimes...but do you have to be so...harsh to them?"

Lefty picked up his bow with his bad hand and yanked his prize from the diamond dog with the other. He sneered his sharp yellow teeth," Shaddap, I'm the bigger dog. Don't tell me wat to do!" he hoisted the carcass over his shoulder," I didn't get to ask ya yet...where ya been? The packs was looking for ya the other night."

Sparrow kept her blue eyes from Lefty's one good eye. He glared at her," You're sneaking off weren't ya? Wait'll I tell pops!" He hobled away snickering. Sparrow chased after him and the gnoll only ran faster.

"Come on Lefty," Sparrow whined as he dodged a tackle from her," Dad won't let me eat for a week if he finds out where I was!"

Lefty stopped a few feet away from her, she slowed down up next to him. He had a wry smile on his scarred face," Sooo....where ya goin' off tah, hmmmm?"

Sparrow punched his arm," I'm not telling!"

Lefty gave her a playful shove," Alright, and dat means more food fer me!"

Sparrow kicked back at him, but his stocky legs barely felt the impact. She pouted, arms folded she glared at him," Alright FINE. I'll tell you...I was...was..."

"Sparrow, yer hiding somethin...you seeing some pup I don't know about?" He put his free hand on his hip.

"No, nothing like that...I was going into the jungle-"

"What?" Lefty's voice had an edge to it now," You were where?"

"I was real careful I swear!" the small framed canine said," Honest!"

"There's monsters in there that'd eat ya alive, I ought ta wallop ya upside the head!"

Left was mid swing but what Sparrow said stopped him;" The big stone house...its open!" She flinched.

She squeezed her eyes open and say Lefty with a expression of thought, or the closest he could get to that. He started back to the direction they were before, he had a dopey smile on his lips.

"Ya better not be lying, or dad'll really kill ya!"

"You're not telling him are you?" Sparrow pleaded, tugging on his right arm.

Lefty drew his hand back," 'Cors I'm gonna tell! That old geezer's been trying to get in that thing for years. Hell, even grand pappy tried!"

Sparrow looked around nervously, she thought of the little ponies and the other creatures that may be in danger because of her now. She twiddled her fingers as the two canines walked. She looked up to see her brother gnawing on one of the pony's legs. She punched his arm.

"HEY!" he looked away from his snack," Lefty, you need to save some for the others!"

"Whadda you care? You barely eat meat anyways," Lefty said gruffly as he continued to gnaw away.

He stopped gnawing and began sniffing, Sparrow looked up at him again. Her eyes were puzzled.

"What is it, what do you smell?"

"More vittles," Lefty sighed hungrily," This 'un was with mebbe..." he sniffed again,"...three, four other critters. Let's wait here." He slumped his prize down and looked back at the horizon he shot the Pegasus from. Sparrow's stomach churned.

"We have enough here...let's keep going?"

"Shaddap, I'm hungry and more meat is always good."

Sparrow knew there was no arguing with her brother. She sat down in the damp grass while the sun beamed in the noon sky. The plains were vacant and the grass looked like a vast sea of dull green. Lefty scanned the horizon and spotted four tiny dots in the field. He snickered as he tapped his mace head on the ground impatiently. Enough time passed and their features were almost declarable, the rowdy gnoll was itching to get some more meat. Sparrow folded her arms and smiled slightly.

"You're gonna charge them, aren't you?" she smirked.

Lefty scampered off, kicking up bits of grass as he ran. He yipped a gnoll's infamous hyena-like laugh and his sister distanced herself from the dead Pegasus. He was going to relish the hunt, Sparrow knew it. She made herself comfortable on the grass and dozed off, waiting for him. The diamond dog's mind, however, was more worried about the ponies in the jungle and out there on the field. She never liked seeing things getting hurt but it was in her kind's nature to eat other creatures, Sparrow regretted being a carnivore at times like these.

The Patch Batch were walking unaware of the carnivore racing towards them. They were arguing about nothing in particular until Zip's ears shot up. The unicorn looked around in a panic.

"Dude, whats the matter?" asked Francis," Is something bothering you?"

"Do you hear that?" Zip cried. The rest of the bounty hunters listened to the whistling of the wind and grass. They became nervous when a terrible, gleeful laugh was heard faintly. It grew louder.

Sanchez loaded his rifle and Zip's horn glowed with a destruction spell. Francis pulled out a knife while Summer drifted to the back. In the distance a figure could be seen, pelting the ground as he ran. Sanchez shot of a round at the figure, a puff in the dirt flew up. The laughing was louder. The creature, who they now saw was a gnoll was closing in on them. The gun toting Llama shot again, hitting the gnoll's shoulder.

The gnoll jumped into the air and swung his heavy mace with glee. Sanchez dodged it by the skin of his teeth, but Lefty didn't care. The brute's body still in motion from the swing, heaved his leg into the llama's side, sending the gunman flying back. Zip blasted some magic at Lefty, it made his muscles twitch quit a bit, he growled at the unicorn.

Sadly that was the last thing Zip saw. The gnoll's mace swung a direct hit on the unicorn's precious horn causing the magician rolling on the ground. Francis was up next, but his knife did little work on Lefty. The deer tried to stab his back or his legs but Lefty was getting impatient.

He grabbed the deer's leg and held him aloft for a moment. Then Lefty flailed his prey on the ground like a sack of apples. Lefty looked around at the meat he just got, he rolled the carcasses in a pile. He sniffed the air again...one was missing. He got his bow out and notched an arrow in the fleeing pony's direction.

Summer was sprinting a full speed, her heart throbbing, her mouth dry and throat burning. Her sprint was short lived when an arrow pierced her back leg, sending her sprawling. She stared shocked at the wound screamed in pain. She also screamed when Lefty bolted at her, yipping his hyena laugh. Before she knew it, Lefty had ran up to and behind her. He reared a leg back and punted Summer like a football in the direction he came. While the pony was in the air he notched another arrow. He shot it and it whistled through the air, stopping in the airborne pony. He danced a dunked jig of pride in his shot, laughing the whole while. He wagged his tail like a pup on his way back to Sparrow, four carcasses in tow.

Sparrow blinked in surprise at the sight of Lefty carrying all of that like a load of laundry. She stretched before getting up. Sparrow plucked the dead Pegasus up and wobbled sleepily over to Lefty. The beefy gnoll giggled to himself. Sparrow groaned.

"So did you have fun?" she yawned.

"Ya should've seen it! I kicked the little one in da air, and while she was up there I got an arrer right in the critter's ribs!"

Sparrow faked a smile as they traveled back to camp. It was a short walk to the camp, the sun was beginning to set and the campfires and leather tents stood out against the dark, flat landscape. As they approached the camp's edge, several young gnolls ran out to see Lefty. The hounded him about splitting the food with them. He tried to shove them off while he headed for his tent. Sparrow lagged behind, eventually she stopped. She looked at the camp then to the darkening land behind her. A small gust of wind blew from the vast horizon, she stood for a few moments deciding weather to go back out or stay at the camp. A deep voice called from behind her.

"Hey there, little sparrow," the voice said. Sparrow turned around to see the speaker.

"Oh, h-hello...Goat Choker!" she yipped sheepishly," What are you doing out here?"

The gnoll, Goat Choker, was massive. He was easily four times bigger then Lefty who was at least three feet taller then Sparrow. Goat Choker had a thick, square face with teeth jutting from his lips. He had a dense coat of chain mail with several pelts stitched together over the metal rings. On his back was a flail with three chains, each with a crude mace ball on the end. His brawny arms were folded as he looked down at the small dog. His pale yellow eyes shown out in the dim light. The burly gnoll glanced back to where her brother was.

"Yer brother caught some haul today, did you help em?" He snarled.

"N-no...you know me," Sparrow said with her arms across her chest," I'm not the violent type..."

Goat Choker shoved his angry face dangerously close to Sparrow's, she flinched like a small child.

"Just be glad that the Shaman is yer daddy, Diamond Dog," he spat," Or else you'd end up like yer poor mammy."

He turned back to the camp laughing a hyena laugh. Sparrow bent double and hugged herself in the grass. She forced herself up and ran quietly in the night. She knew she should tell her father about the castle he had been trying to get into for years , or how Goat Choker treated her. He'd be ecstatic about the castle, but would brush off her domestic issues like he always had. She could tell her brother, but Goat Choker would rip him apart...she just ran off in the plains like she always did. Her run slowed to a jog, then to a walk.

She looked at the open night sky, it was much brighter then the other night. The stars covered the black space and the moon shown like a soft silver sun over the quiet space. The gnolls seemed so far away, yet so close. She reached into her vest pocket and pulled a collar with a diamond at the front. She looked at it then to the one of teeth and bird skulls from her brother, one from her real family...the other from the one she knew. She remembered the faces of the orange white stripped dragon, the grey mare with an orange mane, the little red and blue mare and the big pony  with them...why did their faces stick out so much? She couldn't figure it out.

Sparrow lounged in the tall grass gazing at the stars. She dozed off happily. She heard a pair of feet not to far off, her hears shot up and she sniffed the air quietly. Goat Choker was not to far off...could he smell her? No, she was down wind of him. She didn't want to know why he was out here and didn't care to ask. Sparrow crept low to the ground through the grass, the mammoth gnoll strode past not even looking in her direction. She sighed with relief. A few voices could be heard from his direction and smelled strangers.

"Who's that?" one of them said.

"That's the gnoll I told you about," said the other in a strange accent.

"I could smell yew two from a mile away with all that liquor you've been drinkin'," barked Goat Choker," What are you two out here fer?"

The strange accent called out," Goat Choker, it's been awhile! You living out here these days?"

"Little D?" the gnoll said baffled," I thought you'd be killed off years ago! What can I do for ya?"

Sparrow inched her head above the grass to see what was going on. There were two ponies in coats near Goat Choker, both may have been large but were dwarfed next to the massive hyena beast. The smaller of the two talked to Goat Choker as a master would to a hunting dog, the gnoll's tail even wagged when 'Little D' was talking.

"Choker, I've got a job for ya. Ever heard of sponge?"

Goat Choker put a paw to his chin in thought, he snapped his meaty fingers as a light blinked in his brain," Oh yeah. The chief's boy brought in a bunch of ponies fer eatin' earlier and the one with wings had a bunch of paper with him. None of the pack can read, 'cept the old bastard in the big tent. He said this...'Sponge' critter was worth an ass load of cash."

"Is my friend, is worth money. He hasn't been brought in yet. He's trouble and I'm gonna to need some help."

Choker bust out laughing," YOU? You need help? Oh, that's a knee slapper!" he chuckled more until he saw how serious D's face was. The gnoll stopped laughing and cleared his throat. His eyes twitched nervously," He's really that bad, huh?"

Black Berry butted in," It's scary isn't it? Ol' D here has killed just about every kind of creature on this island and that little shit just ran off, and he's got some pretty girls following him too."

Choker licked his lips," So what the little runt told the pack was right...I'll be dammed."

"They were pretty fine lookin' too..." Black said starring into space. He snapped his look back to Choker," Who? The chief's kid you told us about? What did he say?"

"Yeah, said sumptin about how his little dog sister found the big stone house in the jungle open," He counted on his fingers," and that four critters went in there. One was a pony thing bigger then the two girlies with him. Said something about a weird lizard thing too."

"Lizard? You mean a dragon," Black corrected.

"Whatever," Choker waved a heavy paw in the air," It don't matter teh me. So Lil' D, you want to go catch that little shit?"

The mobster smiled slyly," Yes, bring some of the pack that follows you the most. You'll need it. I'm expecting to meet you and your hunting party at sunrise over in the Pegasus' town, understood?"

Choker stood up ridged," Can do chief! See you at sunrise!" and the gnoll was gone. His burly shape sprinted off in the distance. Black was laughing to himself as the two intimidating stallions walked back to Breeze. Sparrow herd their conversation before they were out of earshot.

"That big ass dog looked at you like a dumb pup!" Black snickered," How'd the hell did that happen?"

"Simple," Dead Eye said dryly," He was a pup in the streets and I told him I'd drown him if he didn't work for the mob. He said yes faster then  a bullet kills a cop," The mobster's hollow laugh was heard clearly from where Sparrow was sitting. She sat horrified but didn't know why. The little diamond dog got up quickly and ran back to the camp to see her father, maybe he'd let her go into the stone house instead of Choker...then again, who said he was going to ask?

TO BE CONTINUED...

19) Fever Dreams

19) Fever Dreams

Pea was still exploring the ethereal visions she had been trapped in. Like the times before the world around her blurred and she saw bits and pieces of what had happened. Rumella poured hours, even days at a time in their parent's library for information of the elusive Carmino, in her studies she found a out a strange, taboo magic. She no longer practiced the art of enchanting an object with a soul to power it, but now she learned a kind of necromancy; Caromancy. It was the manipulation of flesh into whatever shape the caster desired.

She made immensely strong soldiers for her sister's Queendom, but Voltera refused these gifts for the danger behind them. Voltera's creations could be shut off with a single word, while the things Rumella made were alive and had conscious. Years, centuries even, had passed and the two sisters grew further and further apart. Rumella had become obsessed over finding the Carmino, it was a desire that could rise to bloodshed. Pea saw that the Rumella had been exiled from the territories of Coppice, this may have been a mistake.

Then blur had stopped. Pea looked around. There were tall palm trees and a smooth sea breeze flowing through her mane, she almost laughed aloud.

"This is where Roomy was banished to?" she asked herself as a small blue crab skidded past her hoof," This isn't bad at all, and I thought she would go for some creepy forest or something..."

Pea's voice trailed off as she saw long spires through the palm leaves, a low din of a crowd could be heard over the calmness of the beach. Pea's curiosity had taken over and she looked to see what it was.

"Oh what is it? Pirates? Did Roomy become a pirate? That'd be so cool!"

She made out of the trees to the beach, stopped behind a large piece of drift wood for cover. It was a bay at the far end of the isle Peron. The sun was high and hot, baking the white sand. There not a few yards away was Rumella with her creations. The princess had several large necklaces on her. The largest with a glossy black onyx stone. Under her wings were ornate saddlebags full of gems of all kinds.

In the bay was one of the strangest and vile things Pea's eyes had seen. Anchored in in the water was a vessel that could loosely be considered a boat. It looked like a boat, but it had ores sticking out the sides and a pair of eyes on the front. This struck Pea as normal but as she looked closer they looked like the flippers of a sea turtle, not to mention the eyes were blinking and looking around at their surroundings.  The red alicorn stood on the beach surrounded by a multitude of monstrosities,  some where like the ghouls, while others looked more like Mita. Some were semi-equine shaped monsters Pea had never seen. The ex-princess' servants were loading many crates onto the caravel, their contents unknown to Pea. Out of the trees near Pea a lanky ghouls sprawled out and raced past the grey mare toward Rumella.

"Mistress," he panted," There's a...an embassy from your sister, it looks like Huloc!"

Rumella looked at the ghoul with a snarl," Damnation! What dose he want?"

A fair distance behind Pea's hiding spot several dots could be seen, they were some of Voltera's Knights. Hulok's massive frame shown out above the others. In a few moments they had passed Pea, the servants of the red alicorn backed away when the knights came closer. Huloc looked different as well, he had a brown cloak over his back and face but his eyes shown out from the darkened hood.

"Mistress Rumella," he droned," I have been sent by her majesty to speak with you."

"Spit it out automation! I have projects that need my utmost attention," Rumella said bitterly.

"I cannot spit, I am not of flesh."

"Oh, it irks me how literal you all are," Rumella sighed," Alright...tell me of what word my dear sister sends me."

"Word has reached Her Majesty that you are attempting to leave the island. Is that correct?"

"Perhaps," the alicorn smiled wickedly," What are her plans if I am, hmmm?"

"The Queen doesn't want you to leave the island. You will abide by the royal order."

Rumella laughed,"And what will you do, little tin pony?"

"Keep you here, with force if needed."

Rumella's flamboyant malice disagreed. She stared with wrathful eyes at the hooded suit of armor. The ghouls and the other knights were abashed by her furious gaze. The only  part of Huloc that moved was his cloak in the sea's breeze, his pricing lavender eyes stared back. Unblinking and cold was the gaze of the hooded knight.

"This displeases you princess?"

"Who dose that metal tinkering bitch think she is, commanding me?" Rumella fumed.

"Voltera is the Queen, she has given one of her subjects an order."

"Go tell little miss Volt that I'm going where I see fit," she shouted,"No force under the sun can command me!" Rumella's chest heaved and Hulock kept staring.

There was a tense silence for a few moments, then Hulock spoke," You search for the Carmino yes?"

Rumella eyes widened," How do you know about that?"

Huloc's voice now sounded smug,"Her Highness told me that is what you search for. This is the reason you cannot leave the isle of Peron."

"She just wants it for herself!" Rumella hissed," You can't stop me, neither can she!"

Huloc had his two rifles slide out from under his cloak and the other knights did as well. Rumella shouted and in a flash all of the ghouls and wooden mannequins rushed to the knights. She flew up into the air and landed behind her masses. The metal ponies on either side of Huloc fired of lead ball rounds at their attackers which ripped through the closest of Rumella's minions. The cloaked suit of armor fired of a shot that could only be described as a red lightning bolt that sliced through a chunk of the alicorn's ranks. Rumella now wanted a piece of the action.

She bolted up into the air again and raced toward the knights. Huloc threw off his cloak and began to circle the masses of fleshy servants.  Rumella flew nearby overhead. A beam of red light shot from her horn and landed on one of the knights, it was hyper focused onto one spot and in seconds the knight's armor had a hole molten into it.

The red alicorn to no time to fire a plasma like ball into the hole, causing the automaton to explode into tiny shrapnel. The knight next to him was pin cushioned with tiny shard of steel and the ghouls welled over him like a wave of muscle and teeth. Hulock swung his heavy head and whipped his tail at the ghouls that crawled over him, he spun his sharp eyes to see the last of his knight being lifted up by Rumella's magic and thrown high into the air.

It landed and the linking pieces broke apart in a crumpled heap. Hulock's eyes stared at his fallen comrades, then to the princess. He shot his lightning guns close to him, frying the minions and turning some of the beach's sand to glass. Only a handful remained and the stood a distance away, wondering if being fried was worth it. Their hopes were rallied when they saw what Rumella was up to. Her horn shown brightly with dark circles and green licks of flame and the fallen minions around her twitched.Their bodies shook and their eyes lit up, Huloc stood dumbfound at the sight of the creatures he had just killed.

"I told you, tin pony," Rumella hissed through her teeth," Go on back to that 'queen' of yours and tell her that I'm leaving and there's nothing any of you can do to stop me!"

She grabbed Huloc with her magic and threw him across the beach to where he started from. He landed heavily and skidded a trench in the sand. Pea saw him walk away heavily.  She looked back at Rumella and her minions, who were now going onto the ship. While the last of the of the crates were being loaded she slipped into one while no one was looking. Once inside she realize she was the only thing in it, were all of the crates empty?

Later when every thing was aboard she peeked out of the box she was in. The deck was crawling with Ghouls and other creatures. Pea wanted to see what Rumella was up to, but there were simply to many eyes to sneak by. She sat back in the dark of the box and thought, she flinched in surprise to find she was in another part of the ship. It was a small, bare room with a few shelves and a desk. Rumella was right next to her. Pea froze stiff, she held her breath to not be noticed. The ex-princess  was looking at a several maps and charts on a desk. There were massive fireflies on the walls illuminating the room. Her eyes were tired yet vigil as she studied the parchment. Then time seemed to speed up again.

Pea blinked and the red alicorn was on the other side of the desk, now cluttered with scrolls and books. The walls that once were bare had large charts and maps draped on them. She realized that years must have just flown by since she saw that the maps Rumella was making were beginning to look like the map Pea had. The red alicorn looked to the door of the room and moved briskly out of it. The light of the rising sun blared in Pea's eyes after she left the dark interior of the cabin.

The grey mare followed quietly and saw that the ship was in a different bay.  Thick lines of trees were across a gravely shore, it looked like the jungle that Voltera's castle was in. Rumella stood on the deck and looked silently to the coast, the land close by looked dark and lonely. Rumella spread her wings and flew to the coast. Pea was about to follow but then she noticed something was off, the masses of servants were no where to be found. Pea went to the bow of the ship and watched the alicorn fly to shore. Pea remembered how she 'appeared' next to the princess earlier and she didn't seem to notice the grey mare. Pea focused on being next to the alicorn.

She found herself next to the the Alicorn, her eyes looked flat and dead. She moved through the forest like wind through branches and Pea did her best to keep up. After a bit of sprinting through the brush the walls of the castle and it's tall spires could be seen. Rumella moved even faster and it looked like she would smash into the wall. Her horn flashed and the mighty blue stone was broken down in waves of dust and rubble. The alicorn flew low through it and raced to the castle, some of Voltera's knights saw her and readied their weapons. Rumella's magic made short work of them, they shattered like porcelain when she flew past. Her wings beat the air as she raced to the main gate, a spear of blue light shot from the front gate and tore several feathers out of Rumella's left wing. She halted and watched with venomous eyes as her sister stepped into the light. A long ornate dress covered her legs and a regal crown was now on her head.

"Rumella, what are you doing back here?" Voltera asked with a commanding voice.

"You...you're keeping it from me," Rumella spat.

"Keeping what, sister? Your crown?"

"A piece of gold is no matter, the device...the idol...where is it?" Rumella said through her teeth.

"Idol? Have you taken up the Sun Goddess' Religion?" Voltera smiled.

"ENOUGH!" Rumella shouted," Your banter irks me. The Carmino...where is it?"

"Even if I knew I wouldn't tell you. Don't tell me you left the island-"

"It's NOWHERE!" Rumella screamed. At this point a small crowd of citizens was forming to see what the commotion was,"I've searched nearly the entire realm, you seem to be the only other one who knows where or even what it is."

"Sister, this is ludicrous! What will that thing give you?"

Rumella for the first time in the ordeal was silent. She cast a hateful glare at her sister.

Voltera laughed," You don't even know what it dose, and you still search?"

The laughter was cut short when a crackling beam shot from Rumella's horn and whizzed past Voltera's face. The silver alicorn's cheek was singed from the blast and blinked with dumbstruck eyes.

"Tell me," Rumella said while her horn still crackled," now, Voltera."

"You'll have to kill me, I'll never tell." The silver alicorn wasn't expecting a quick reaction.

Rumella's wings shot out and in one tremendous push against the air she rocketed forward. Time seemed to slow down as the red alicorn flew straight at her. Voltera's heart stopped when Rumella's horn ran through her chest. Rumella strained her neck and back to hold the silver alicorn completely by the horn, which slid through like a knife through butter. The crowd that watched began screaming and running in panic. Voltera coughed up a few  drops of blood and went limp on the bloodied spear. Rumella slid her sister off he horn and stared at the corpse for a few tense, blood freezing moments. Her eyes glistened again and she saw her crime in a different light. She stared in horror at what she did and the panicked citizens didn't help.

The world became hazy around Pea and visions were feint. Unlike before when the whizzed past harmlessly this one now seemed to fizz into a toxin in the air. Pea watched as Rumella and the world around her evaporate into a black void. The vapors swirled into a stream straight up. As the grey mare's eyes followed she found where they were going, a strange tube-like jar being held A cloaked black figure sat on a simple white chair. A red skeleton with pink dots for eyes was next to it. Pea couldn't tell if she was floating up or they were coming down to her, but when her eyes met the cloaked figure's solid blue eyes she felt oddly calm somehow.

"Who are you?" she asked the figure.

"Every creature knows me," said the figure. It's voice was like a women's whisper through a grave yard.

Pea raised an eyebrow," Sooo...your famous then?"

"Your so naive," The figure chuckled like sound of bones rattling," Dear equine, I am Death."

Pea's mouth dropped open. She began looking around frantically," WHAT? I'm DEAD?!"

"No, no your aren't dead..." Death said quickly. Her voice trailed off because Pea was running in circles in a state of panic.

"Oh, could you cease with your squabbling?!" Death drummed a set of bony fingers on the chair's arm," Pea Gravel!"

The grey mare stopped and spun her head to see Death. The mare promptly sat down on the void that surrounded them. Death sighed slowly.

"Pea Gravel, do you know what you have seen?"

"You mean the tragic past of the two bookworm princesses? Yeah, that was odd. What was that all about?"

"It's a warning," Death said sharply," I know of what you seek and that journey only brings misery and pain on oneself," death gestured the red equine skeleton. It sat limply and though silent, it seemed to scream.

"Is that Roomy?" Pea asked timidly.

"Correct. This is where the path you blindly trod on leads," Death said.

"You talking about that Carmino thing I'm looking for?" Pea said defensively.

"When you grabbed that book Pea, I decided to show you what happens to whoever goes after that device. It is still hidden in the sun goddess' garden, that is the extent of even my knowledge....it's a trap that sends you to me before your due time."

"That sucks," Pea smiled," But I'm not after if for power like Roomy was. I'm looking for it because my poppa told me to get it back if he died."

Death slouched in her white chair in thought for a few moments. She leaned forward and the chair creaked eerily. Her cloaked body was hanging over Pea all the way from it and looked at the mare with puzzled eyes.

" 'If your father died' you say? Your father is Paco Gravel correct?"

"Yes, you should've seen him about a decade ago, Miss Death."

The cloaked figure leaned back in her chair. She scratched her head," That's very peculiar...I've never seen Paco, here being dead..."

"What?" Pea stood up with a serious tone.

"Oh Damnation...you heard too much!" Death wimped and she waved her bony hand over Pea.

The grey mare piratically jumped from where she lay. She looked at her surroundings with heavy breaths and a cold sweat on her brow. She turned her head to the beaming face of Oza. He lifted her in the air giggling with joy after the long days of waiting for her to wake up. Pea hugged the dragon and smiled.

"Miss Gravel, you're awake?" The mare heard Joe ask.

"I hope so," Pea smiled as Oza set her on the ground," So, how long have I been out?"

TO BE CONTINUED

5) The Red Mare; Dew Berry

Pea gasped, "Berry? Like that Black Berry guy back at the camp?"

Dew winced, she nodded weakly.There was a moment of silence.  Oza saw that the red pony it him out of fear, and didn't  think she was dangerous. He set the two ponies back on the ground. Dew rubbed her shoulder and sat on the ground awkwardly at Oza 's feet. Oza rubbed his hands together and waddled over to the fire pit.

"...Um...Oza start fire now...okay?"

Pea waved her hoof, "Yes, yes please."

Dew looked down at the ground pawing the dirt, "You...you don't need to do that...I'm no guest..."

Pea put a hoof on her shoulder," awww cheer up Blue...er...Dew Berry, you can eat with us. Its okay...right Oza?"

The dragon looked up from his work, "Yep! Stranger can eat with us."

Dew smiled sheepishly, "But....I hit you over the head with a mallet, doesn't that make you at least a little upset with me?" She almost sounded hopeful. Pea shrugged and headed over to the fire.

" We've seen some shit Dew, a bit of wack-a-mole won't  get us in a tizzy," With flicked her tail as she trotted over to the camp fire.

"Y-you two are t-to kind....but...I r-really should get going. Black might get upset..." she got up to leave.

Oz a butted in, "We'll take care of him," he pointed to an empty spot next to the fire, " Sit. "

Dew was ecstatic yet terrified at the same time, she stood for a few moments just blinking. She trudged over to the fire, she tried her best to feel comfortable, but she was fidgeting and looking over her shoulder for the longest time. The three of them sat in an awkward silence as hopeless look at their guest. Dew kept looking around, as if she was waiting for something to get her. Pea had almost enough of this...

"Okay, what's the deal?" Pea blurted out.

"W-what?" Dew was surprised at the hostess' outburst," What's wrong?" she asked timidly.

Pea folded her arms, "You're scared of something...what is it?"

Dew Berry had felt uncomfortable the moment the two strangers opened their arms to her, she tried to kill one of them...Why did they shift gears so suddenly? Did they not take her seriously? Were they setting up a trap? Dew's mind was blazing with uncertainty, what was she going to do? She suddenly collapsed. The memories of when Beamville was raided flared painfully back to her. She curled up into a little ball and shivered. She remembered she escaped them, but there was something she knew she couldn't escape...

Pea was shocked at the sudden events. She heard Dew mumble something about hiding or the hideous jaws of an angry dragon. Pea was going to try and comfort the stranger, but when she got closer to Dew she saw something.  Bruises and small scars showed up on  Dew's back as she curled up. Pea placed a gentle hoof on the stranger's shoulder. Dew shrugged it off.

"N-no...Black...s-stop laughing...p-please?" She looked up at Pea. There was a hopeless look in her tear covered eyes.

Pea became aware that this little red pony had been through something terrible. Dew rose up quickly with shaky knees and looked at the two travelers.

"...Thanks for b-being so nice...But, I g-gotta go home...now..." Dew said between sobs.

She dashed off the hill and back to the town. Pea and Oza watched Dew as she ran back. She stumbled occasionally, but kept her frantic speed. The two travelers looked at each other with ridged expressions. They knew what needed to be done...they need to save that pony, no matter what is following her.

They planned out their strategy as the sun was beginning to set. They first needed to find out a way to get in the camp. They could try to bribe their way in, but everypony recognized them, and they definitely didn't have enough money to make them forget. They could fight their way in...but that wouldn't end well for anyone. They decided to sneak just Pea in.

As they approached the shelter with its makeshift fences, they set their plan into motion. Oza hid away from sight from the patrols and Pea leisured over to the straggling stallion. As the group of guards turned the corner, Pea swung in front him.

"Oh...please sir, c-can you help me?" Her eyes were wet with stage-tears.

The stallion was caught by surprise,"Ahhm....aren't yah that one chick...who was friends with that dragon?"

Pea moved closer to him. Her breath was timid as she inched closer,"I just escaped him, oh he..." she covered her face with a hoof," He was awful!" She squeaked softly. By this point she was inches from the guard. She blushed...

"I...I need someone...or some pony to help me relax..."  she cooed. The guard smirked.

"How relaxed, sugarcube?"

Pea giggled, "This much..."

She learned forward to kiss him and as she did so, she flicked her tail. Oza saw this in his hiding spot and teleported silently behind the aroused guard. With a silent blow to the head the stallion slumped down with a dopey grin. Oza yanked off his uniform and handed it to Pea, "Here Pea, you need this."

Pea nodded and Oza sunk back over with the unconscious guard. Pea pulled the hat brim over her eyes as she needed the gate. She got in with little difficulty,it seemed that the whole thing was a lot less organized than she originally thought. She trotted through anyway, staying out of the main walkways in search of the red pony. She slunk around the camp checking the medical, dental as well as some barracks. All of them had sleeping ponies, not red ones.

The night drug on as she searched, she made it to the other end...there she found who she was looking for. Pea winced at the sight. Outside of a tent,  there were two things one was a sign that read: 'Sargent Black Berry' . The other thing was Dew. She had a thick rope tied rather tightly around her neck. There were new, bigger lashes and bruises on her delicate body and a little red in her baby blue hair. Pea tip-toed over to her. Neither Dew or Black heard her as she inched closer.

"Pssst!" Pea whispered, but Dew didn't respond. Pea tried again, this time Pea touched Dew's head gently. Dew made a muffled squeak of pain.  Pea spoke a little louder.

" Blue...er...Dew, can you hear me?"

Dew kept her head low, her slender red body stayed curled in a feeble ball. Pea was about to untie the rope when she heard something from inside the tent....

"Eh...boss? Maybe you shouldn't smoke those here...somepony might see 'em..." said a male voice.

Pea recognized the second one, but Black Berry sounded a bit sluggish than when she first heard him. She his behind a few crates as Black began to speak audibly.

"Shaddap you...I'll smoke mah stash where I want...." Pea heard mumbling, followed by a muffled yell. Suddenly there was a nasty crash then a low thump. Black barked out again;

"Dew! Git yer ass in here an' clean dis up!"

Dew got up and limped into the tent, there was some low chatter as Pea heard some rustling on the dirt floor. There was more shuffling and soon everything was quiet. Pea wasn't sure if she should try and sneak into the tent or wait for Dew to come back out, she didn't have long to wait...Dew came back out. Her delicate red body trembled slightly in the moonlight. Pea saw a sliver of light from the underside of the tent. She took a peek under the tent and saw Black. He was sitting on a massive pillow that had ornate patterns. There was a limp guard at his feet. Around the motionless stallion the dirt looked wet, like something was washed out.

Black had a deliriously calm expression  on his gaunt face. He huffed out a thick bluish cloud of smoke in the air. After a few moments he reached behind the pillow and pulled out a long tube with a nozzle that looked like a deep sea fish. He inhaled deeply and when he huffed the smoke out again it turned from blue to green. He chuckled stupidly watching the cloud as it changed colors. Pea knew he was on something, but when he refilled his hookah, she saw what it was. He pulled out of a crate jars that were labeled 'JADE CACTUS FRUIT'...

Pea's knees buckled, she needed to get Dew away from Black at that moment. Without consideration, she leapt over to Dew and violently rid her of the ropes. Dew made a squeak of surprise, but nothing else. Then she was lifted onto Pea's back. Pea whistled loudly and Oza teleported on the other side of the fence. He tore part of the fence out of the ground. Black roused out of the tent as the commotion started. He blinked lazily as he saw Dew being carried off by Pea and Oza. His lazy eyes became bloodshot with rage as he tore through his tent for his gun. The encampment guards buzzed around in the commotion, searchlights blazed and everypony started shouting.

Black shot off a few rounds and roared orders to the guards," Get movin! Dem bastards just ran off with a mare from Beamville, yall better find 'em or I'll gut ya!!"

His chest heaved with rage as the guards sped away like attack dogs. His heart suddenly had an enormously hard time beating, the drug he was smoking was a hit or miss experience...today it was a stimulant and his heart couldn't handle what it did to him. He would've been at the front of the chase if he didn't pass out...

The guards sped out of the camp after Oza and Pea. They were hot on the escape's trail. Dew was now fully awake and was screaming in confusion. She squirmed on Pea's back as the grey mare tried to run, but Dew made it difficult. Some shots hit near Pea's handicapped hooves. She became frantic and zig-zagged,  but almost fell on her face with the weight of another pony on her back. Oza seemed oddly calm, as if he was waiting for Pea to speed up.

"A little help for Christ's sakes Oza!" Pea shouted.

"Okay..."

Oza slowed behind Pea and lifted each mare in a different hand. He held the two close to his chest as bullets began spritzing the air like angry fireflies. Oza's hind legs, now not slowed down to another's pace sped across the ground insanely. Some of the faster stallions  used almost all of their strength to catch up with Oza. They blind fired some shots at him, only studding his back slightly. The Guards were going so fast their reaction time practically didn't exist.

Oza dug his feet into the ground making small ditches for a few yards. The guards, not even seeing this ran straight into Oza, and felt a similar experience to running into a stone wall. What guards din't run into the dragon tripped over the ditches and were promptly swatted away by Oza's tail.

The Dragon shook the unconscious guards off his back and continued off to the night at a quick pace. Oza held the two mares to his chest as he ran, Dew listened to his heartbeat. It seemed unusually slow for such speeds she thought. He had been running for what seemed hours and Pea was getting a little motion sick.

"C-Can we stop now?",she said between bumps. Oza ground to a halt.

"You were waiting for us to ask you to stop?" asked Dew. Oza placed the mares down and nodded.

Pea was setting up a fire for her and Dew while Oza was orienting the map. He had ran about 30 miles away from the town. They were a little to far East from the direction they had intended to go. Oza and Pea decided to plan a route around the Neighxville area and go through the forest and it's eastern border. As they were deep in conversation Pea handed Dew one of her apples, Dew took it reluctantly. She sat next to the fire munching slowly on the fruit as she watched her rescuers. A lump grew in her throat when she wanted to ask just why the decided to save her. She didn't understand how or why they saved her, she was a slave, not even one in good condition....what kind of good price could they get off of her?

TO BE CONTINUED...