Primal Menace

The train rattled loudly as the cat warrior her head leaning back as if looked to the ceiling of the car. Her armor had returned to the heavy leather and plate, when questioned by the girls she told them she felt the most comfortable in it. They did not question further as they watched her pick a spot away from the crowd. Her eyes screwed shut trying to ignore the uneasiness in her gut. The travel companions ignored her as they talked among themselves, the excited conversations slightly distracted the warrior. A soft tap on her knee made her groan as she slowly opened her eyes to see who had poked her. The pink hair and yellowish complexion, she couldn't help but sigh was the look of concern was plastered on the young woman's face.

“Miss Stormcaller, are you okay? You have been in that position for a while. It didn't look like you were sleeping, I didn't wake you did I? I am sorry if I did.” Fluttershy asked her voice trembling towards the rambling.

“I wasn't sleeping.” Olwen said leaning head back. “I don't handle mechanical transport very well. I always feel off balance when on one, usually my head one way my stomach and legs in other directions.”

“It is called Motion Sickness. Many ponies and animals have that problem.” Fluttershy said softly as she poked the tips of her fingers together. The look Olwen gave Fluttershy made her blush and begin to mumble. “I'm not... your not an animal... I mean.. um.. oh dear.” A strong hand resting on her shoulder made her stop as she looked to Applejack's knowing eyes.

“Don't be taking offense. Sugarcube here just hasn't seen many people like ya. I think it is a little awkward since we have cats back home and well...” Applejack smiled awkwardly as she tried to word it as nicely as she could, Olwen just sighed. “Ya should know that there aren't many cat people in Equestria.”

“I know that all too well and I prefer Miqo'te to cat person.” Olwen replied it was Applejack's turn to blush as she nervously adjusted her hat. “I have been given a few odd looks from the crowds. None seemed angry more confused and curious.”

“How do ya know?”

“These ears aren't just for show.” Olwen said pointing to her head, the pair of triangular cat ears swiveled on her head. “I could hear the whispers from the people as they held their children closer or the jokes from the ignorant. I am sort of used to it from where I'm from.”

“I thought you had family back home.” Fluttershy said leaning forward putting a hand on Olwen's knee who flinched slightly from the touch.

“Oh sure my parents and sisters are back in the Shroud.” Olwen began but stopped as she noticed the confused looks. “It is a large dense forest in my home province if you will.” The pair nodded and Olwen continued. “I left the Shroud to find my way when I was still considered a kitten. I traveled to the island nation of Limsa Lominsa, it was a rough town founded by pirates and the ship builders. I went there looking for adventure, it found me. I was nearly abducted, but was saved by a marauder that ended up teaching me the way of the axe. I left to see the world and find adventure, doesn't mean I didn't find people that find my race just a bunch of thieves, or pretty faces that they could take advantage of. Or looked at like a weak messenger boy even after you have defeated hundreds of foes, just because I am a female or am a Miqo'te.” Breathing heavily she took a big breath and released it slowly. “I'm sorry I rambled there for a second.” The two girls in front of the warrior looked stunned but quickly regained their composure.

“It is alright sugarcube.” Applejack chuckled. “Ya look like ya needed it.”

“So your people stay in this Shroud? Does that mean there aren't many in other areas of your country.” Fluttershy mentioned getting a negative shake of the head from Olwen.

Holding up two fingers she gave a small smile.“There are two types of Miqo'te. I am a member of the Keepers of the Moon. The other is the Seekers of the Sun.” The two women glanced to each other a knowing smirk on their lips before turning their attention back to Olwen. ”The Seekers tended to spread out over the continent, while the Keepers prefer the Shroud to hunt. The Seekers prefer more bright and sunny areas and warmer temperatures, they also usually worship Azeyma one of the twelve deities of Eorzea. We Keepers, we like a more dark areas and the more moderate climates. We usually worship Menphina sister to Azeyma.” Olwen held her hands out as if holding a ball and began alternating their heights. “You have many similarities, but we have quite a few differences.”

“So is the red face paint there for this Menphina person?” Fluttershy asked getting a shake of the warrior's head.

“This is a mark that for my particular family has deemed as a mark of banishment.” Olwen said leaning back into the seat. The two girls looked to each other confused and was about to ask when a Train Attendant bellowed that they would arrive at Ponyville in five minutes. This caused the other members of the group to jump into action rushing to their belongings while Applejack and Fluttershy looked to each other with looks of concern.

The train screeched to a halt a few minutes later the small group leaving with Pinkie and Rainbow leading the way Olwen and Rarity following and Applejack and Fluttershy taking up the rear of the pack. The leading pair bolted off rushing to their homes, Applejack was about to stop them but was stopped by a yellow hand on her shoulder. Turning to the owner of said hand the farmer knew by the look on her face she was going to ask something big. Sighing and stopping in their tracks Applejack crossed her arms across her chest.

“Alright Sugarcube. What is on your mind?”

“We should find a way to help Olwen. She is banished from her family, I don't know how she could possibly be dealing with something like that.” Fluttershy looked to the apple farmer with pleading eyes.

“I know I would be mighty sad if I couldn't see my family. You know that.” Applejack said making Fluttershy brighten a bit. “But how would we possibly be able to do anything. We don't know what all went down with her Ma and Pa. We don't know anything about why she was banished. We also have no way of getting a hold of her family, or where they are at.” Applejack listed on her fingers some of the reasons. Each reason making the small smile on Fluttershy's face droop. “Listen here Sugarcube. I know ya mean well, but we can't do anything for the past, but we can be her friend and be there for her.” Applejack said bringing the smile back to Fluttershy.

“I guess you are right.” Fluttershy weakly said as she almost pouted.

“That's the spirit, plus we have so much going on right now the whole personal drama thing we don't need.” Applejack chuckled getting a giggle from Fluttershy.

“Can you imagine what Rarity would have done if she knew about this?”

“Chaos and I know it. Lets go find the others and Twilight so we can get at least one thing done today.” Applejack turned to the group that was beginning to disperse but had stopped. “What all ya stopped for?”

Rarity turned back to the farmer with a look of concern. “It feels odd.”

“What feels odd?” Fluttershy asked moving to the side of the dressmaker.

Rarity asked pointing to the near empty streets. The group looked out to the eerily quite town the streets empty of all life. The group looked to each other while Olwen noticed their fear and a hand hovered over the handle of her weapon.

“Rainbow.” Applejack barked making the woman spin on her heel. “Take to the air. We need to see where everyone is.” A mock salute and a pair of blue aetherical wings sprouted from her back and she took off like a shot. “Pinkie does anything feel more odd than usual?”

“A mild itch on the wrist, but nothing major.” Pinkie saluted similarly to Rainbow.

“Applejack.” Rarity spoke up stopping what the farmer was going to say.

“What is it Rares?”

“Mayor Mare sent the letter maybe we should head to city hall.” Rarity suggested getting nods from the rest of the group.

“Lets head there, Rainbow can find us on the way.” Applejack ordered as the group moved into the town. She moved close to Olwen who still held a hand over her weapon. “Any backup plans?”

“You seemed to have this handled.” Olwen said her face neutral. The emotionless look made Applejack shiver slightly as she watched Olwen. Her ears were moving quickly and her tail was twitching rapidly.

“She is in soldier mode right now.” Applejack thought as they moved through the town. “I hope nopony jumps out at us. She looks like she is about to pounce.”Applejack winced at her thought as the group neared the center of town when Rainbow landed in front of them.

“Twilight is on a stage in the center of town and a few ponies were there.” Rainbow answered the question everyone was about to ask. “I didn't land, I figured I would tell you girls.”

The group let out a collective sigh. They nodded and began to relax as they moved through the town. Coming into the main square and eying the gaudy stage, Pinkie spotted Twilight as she sat on the stage talking to a group that stood on the ground below her. Pinkie let out a loud squeal and charged towards the surprised woman.

“Twilight!” Pinkie screamed as she leapt towards the princess.

“Pinkie Wait!” Twilight tried to stop the pink blur, her hands held up defensively her eyes clenched shut. She was halted by almost the sound of a squeaky dog toy hitting a solid wall, opening an eye slowly she watched as her friend slowly slid down the barrier wall like a bug against a window. Pinkie landed on the ground with a soft squeak and peeled her body away from the invisible wall, her head wobbling slightly. “I tried to warn you. Are you alright Pinkie?” She asked trying to peek over the edge of the stage but was stopped.

“The snozzberries are a little sour, but they will be good in a week.” Pinkie mumbled as the crowd tried to help the party woman to sit up. The others closed the gap and looked confused as Pinkie regained herself.

“Hello girls.” Twilight said standing up and wiping skirt for dirt. “Trixie trapped me in a barrier. The townsfolk have been looking for her while I have been trying to figure it out.” She explained before the looks of confusion on the girls became vocal. “With testing I have proved that living creatures are stopped. Non living things such as food and non organic things seem to pass through.” Twilight said holding up a shovel and an apple that she lazily tossed to Applejack through the invisible wall.

“You beat her shouldn't it have vanished?” Applejack asked as she fruit and pressed a hand to the barrier.

“I did knock her off the stage but I believe she was still building the shield to keep us both inside when I tossed her out.” Twilight shrugged as she began to pace along the stage.

“We must find her so she can dispel this heinous crime.” Rarity spoke up stopping Twilight's pacing.

“We know that. She couldn't have gotten far.” Rainbow floated above the group. “I will find her in no time.” She started to take off but was stopped by a grip on her ankle. Looking down she saw Olwen holding it as she rummaged in her belt. “What is the big deal?”

“Olwen why did you stop Dash?” Applejack questioned as the Miqo'te drew a small vial from her belt.

“Fluttershy you can fly like dash here correct?” Olwen asked ignoring Applejack and the woman she held, Fluttershy nodded and lifted off the ground with a pair of pale yellow wings. Olwen handed her the vial. “This will help you track this Trixie.”

“How will this help us?” Rainbow leaned in looking at the red fluid.

“That vial contains a broth that will summon a beast that will help track Trixie's scent. His name is Saber Siravarde he looks intimidating but he is a big kitten and is actually easier to control than Carrie that Fluttershy trained with.” Olwen answered releasing Rainbow's ankle. “You will have to find something of Trixie's so he can get something to track though.”

“Her cart should be somewhere close.” Twilight spoke up looking over everyone's heads. “Over by the flower shop.” She pointed to a large wagon with a covered roof.

Fluttershy nodded dripping a few drops on the ground a large feline appeared before her in a swirl of energy, the tiger towered over her his dark grey coat and lighter grey stripes running from his back. A pair of large saber like teeth come from his mouth giving him a prehistoric look to him. His ears flicked around and looked down to the small woman before him and turned his head as she shrunk slightly from his surprising size. His gaze met Olwen who gave him a small smirk as he walked over and gave her a soft headbutt.

“Nice to see you too big guy but I wasn't the one that called you.” Olwen chuckled as Siravarde tilted his head to the side. Fluttershy floated beside the large cat and placed her hand on his side causing him to turn to her, noticing the vial he gave a loud purr as he turned to the pink haired woman circling her twice before giving her a similar headbutt he gave Olwen earning a giggle from Fluttershy. “Told you he was a kitten. Just treat him right Fluttershy and he will be your best friend.”

“I will.” She smiled as she floated beside the large cat. “Alright Mister Sirvarde we need you to help us track somepony. Come with me.” Fluttershy ordered as she flew to the cart lifting a star studded cloth from the cart and held it to the tiger. “We need to find this person and bring them back here. So no eating them please.” The large cat gave a small growl of acknowledgment and sniffed the cloth, he walked over to the stage and began to walk down the path to the river, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash quickly behind as he bounded off through the town.

“Now that those two will be after Trixie. Do you have a plan about this?” Rarity dramatically to Twilight who waved.

“Not a good one.” Olwen said calmly as she placed a hand on the bubble feeling it up and down before taking a few steps back and unsheathing the weapon from her back.

“Please don't tell me you intend to..” Rarity was interrupted by the warrior as she swung the axe in a wild broad swing, the heavy weapon slammed into the barrier with a loud boom. The people around it held their ears tightly as Olwen stood frozen in place for a few moments. “Are you alright darling?” Rarity shouted slightly as she rubbed her ears.

The weapon clanged loudly on the ground as Olwen let it drop from her shaking hands. Lifting her arm across her mouth a string of what the group could guess was profanities from her mother tongue, as she staggered slightly away from the weapon. Pinkie hopped over to the cat woman and placed a hand on her arm but quickly removed it with a giggle.

“Your all jiggly.” Pinkie giggled as Olwen shook her arms trying to rid her of vibrations.

“She must have gotten feedback from hitting the dome.” Twilight hypothesized. “You probably know about that Applejack.”

“Eeyup.”

Olwen returned to pick up the axe with Pinkie bouncing beside her. Rarity leaned in with a small smirk. “That was your plan.”

“I did say it wasn't a good one.” She answered tossing the weapon over her shoulder. “Do you have a better idea?” Olwen said rather coldly.

Placing a hand on the hip and letting out a huff. “No, not right now.” She answered as she watched Olwen inspect the spot she had hit.

“You have to give Trixie credit she has done good work with this spell.” Twilight smiled. “It kind of makes me proud she went to so much trouble.”

“But you are stuck in it Twilight.” Pinkie said pressing her face to the dome. “Why would you feel pride in it.”

Twilight gave a light giggle. “She designed this for me. She created a barrier that could hold an Alicorn. I know it sounds silly, but she was driven by me to create this.”

“I can see your point dear, but I disagree that this is anything worth praising.” Rarity commented tapping her foot. “What if she used this on say Celestia or Luna. How do you think you would feel about it then?”

Twilight sighed as Rarity's words dug in. “I guess you are right Rarity. This isn't something great but the thought that I inspired such a spell kind of blinded me.”

“Gettin all starry eyed ain't gonna get you out of this mess. Got any ideas?” Applejack asked the trapped woman.

“Well usually there are three types of shields. One that is strong and absorbs damage but is dramatic drain on the user, my brother makes those often. A softer shield that is meant to deflect the attack by removing the force of the attack, these are usually very squishy and cause attacks to spread the over the shield and lose all momentum like a pillow or trampolene. The final one a mirror shield, this works like a mirror reflecting the attack back but is very brittle and will break easily.” Twilight answered as she made small doodles on the dome with her finger. “It looks like we have a Strong one here, but with the result from Olwen's attack it is also a Mirror. The mirror did not break so it is safe to theorize that a soft shield is mixed in as well. Trixie seems to have interwoven the three shields.”

“Do the shields compliment each other?” Rarity wondered as she tapped her foot. “I only ever see ponies using one of them at a time. Why hasn't anypony else tried this?”

“They do not compliment each other normally. A combo isn't used by one pony because it is very taxing on the mana, mind and body. You remember how exhausted Cadance looked in the Cyrstal Empire when we first visited correct. It was the same deal.” Twilight pondered.

“What are the weaknesses of the types of shields?” Olwen asked as she leaned on her weapon.

“Strong shields potent against magic but are mana intensive the more damage it receives the more mana is drained. The soft shield is less mana intense but cannot take repeat blows in quick succession. Mirror is brittle and will break usually after strong blows but will reflect physical attacks back.”

The group sighed as they mulled over the information.

…

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash trailed behind the large cat as he sniffed his way past the bridge out of town and along the edge of the Everfree Forest. Gliding beside her friend Rainbow looked uneasily to the large cat as it stalked the scent, turning to Fluttershy who looked rather joyous as she watched the pet left under her care Rainbow coughed lightly getting her friend's attention.

“Shy, do you really think letting this beast hunt is a good idea?”

“I think he will be vital to find Trixie. We don't know where she is and she might be the only one to be able to let Twilight free.” Fluttershy replied turning back to the large cat that turned to a path leading southwest of town. “Rainbow, isn't that towards Ghastly Gorge?”

“Ya. I guess that would be a good place to hide. Not a whole lot of people would head this way.” Rainbow smirked, she knew this gorge she trained flying through here countless times. There was only one path through the entire gorge and it would be easy to cut her off, they had flight on their side. She stopped as the Ghastly Gorge came into view and the sight of the disheveled white haired woman sitting on the cliff overlooking over the vast chasm.

Landing lightly both pegesi looked to each other as Saber sat at attention his tail flicking back and both. Fluttershy gave him a soft pat and a rub on his head before taking a few steps towards the woman.

“Trixie... is that you? Are you okay?”

The white haired woman's head snapped up at the voice her head whipping around to look at the offending party. Fluttershy took a step back as she looked at the teary eyed woman that had trapped her friend, the look of fear in her eyes quickly snapped to anger as she stood.

“You.. you are friends with Twilight Sparkle. She has already beat me are you here to rub it in?” Trixie snapped causing Fluttershy to jump back, Rainbow was about to jump in and the growl from the side told her the large cat was about to pounce.

Fluttershy held out a hand to halt the pair. “We came to ask you to come back to town. We need you..”

“To be mocked by the town. I refuse.” Trixie scoffed as she turned around.

“Your barrier is still active. Twilight is trapped and she knows you know how to dispell the barrier.” Fluttershy shouted surprising everyone. Trixie recovered from her shock and began to laugh slowly her laughter building to a cackle.

A blur of colours and Rainbow grabbed Trixie's collar pulling her close. The glare the prismatic pegasus gave the showmare was one that could have ended her if looks had any lethality. “You have no right to laugh right now. Tell us how to break the spell.” Rainbow growled.

Trixie's laughter died down to a broad grin. “My spell was broken when I was thrown from the stage. I lost all concentration when I was tumbling from Twilight's spell.” Rainbow's grip tightened on the collar.

“You are lying.”

“A mage must have a visual connection to the area that they cast the spell. This is only exempt from travel spells such as teleportation. Teleportations are dangerous because you may warp into objects or other things because you don't have visual of the area.” The pair of pegasi looked at her confused slightly. “What do you think would happen if a pony teleported inside of a wall or another pony?”

A few moments of silence was met by wide eyed stares and a retching sound from Fluttershy. Trixie gave the pair a deadpanned look as Rainbow slowly let her down. “The thing is. If I'm not the one with the spell. Who is?”

“You should come with us so you can prove yourself innocent.” Fluttershy mentioned wiping her mouth with a handkerchief.

“Ya you should do that. If you aren't the cause so you have nothing to fear.” Rainbow said crossing her arms across her chest and giving the magician a glare.

“I will return to prove my innocence, if I get attacked I blame you.”

“Whoa whoa whoa...” Rainbow was about to protest but stopped as a held landed on her shoulder. A knowing look from Fluttershy made her sigh. “Fine. If you get in trouble I will step in.”

“Alright then. We should head out then.” Trixie said pushing past the two women and the tiger.

“I am going to regret saying that aren't I?” Rainbow growled as she watched Trixie stomp towards town.

“We both might. It did get her to go back.” Fluttershy answered as she floated to Saber's side giving him a pet before following the white haired magician.