My Kingdom of Rubble

That town looked a lot closer than I thought.

What should have been a five minute walk turned into a twenty minute saunter, as Ozzy had underestimated the distance of his position from the town. Passing by cacti and dead shrubs, a cacophony of sounds began to grow. First and foremost was the sound of ponies screaming, crying, and wailing for some unknown reason. Secondly came the snarling, but slightly more intelligent. Lastly came the shouts of someone or something yelling at the ponies. From the general array of the situation, it appeared whomever had attacked the train was attempting to corral the ponies to the train tracks near the town.

Remember Nipton? I'm getting that kind of vibe from this.

Well, that can't happen just as as I turn up. Time to be the hero.

Ozzy quickened his pace as Chrysalis attempted to catch up. Approaching undetected, the pair took cover behind a small building to survey the situation from a better angle. From where he stood, Ozzy could see that the attackers turned out to be dog-like creatures that stood on two legs. Carrying spears and wearing dull-looking armor comprised of gray shoulder pads, chest-piece and helmet, they shoved ponies around, hitting them upside the head when one did not move quickly enough or one talked back. "Diamond Dogs," Chrysalis said. "I have heard of them. They normally stay underground in mines, only coming out to trade. Why this band has decided to attack Appleloosa is beyond me."

As she spoke, the Dogs moved the ponies to the tracks. They separated the parents from the children, and as the parents were pushed back by the guards, the children were shackled into heavy chains and marched into lines. The parents shouted at the guards to release them, which only gained them a blunt blow to the side of the head. As the crowd was controlled, one Dog climbed atop the awning of the train station, preparing to address the mass of cowering ponies.

This Dog stood about a foot taller than the rest, which led Ozzy to believe that he was the leader of the raiding party. In addition to the armor his comrades wore, minus the helmet, this Dog wore a red cape draped over his left shoulder. The Dog's shoulder pads were encrusted with a variety of fine gems. His ears pointed directly into the air, and were pierced at the very tip with silver earrings. His left eye was glazed over by a layer of white, rendering him unable to see out of it. On his hip, he carried a small dagger as well as a crudely fashioned sword, seemingly made out of sharpened stone.

That thing couldn't cut through butter.

The leader Dog paced atop the awning, scanning over the fearful ponies. He smirked, finally addressing the crowd.

"Greetings, ponies of Appleloosa! My name is Lobo, and we come in peace!" His voice was scratchy, as though he had gargled with acid. "We do not wish to harm anymore of you! We simply wish to take the gems that you possess, as well as make slaves of your children!" At that, many of the citizens shouted at the Lobo, to which he replied with a grin.

As the crowd grew unruly, Ozzy and Chrysalis formed a plan of attack. "It appears as though only a full-frontal assault is our only option," Chrysalis said, leaning out to analyze the street. "Not quite. If one of us draws their attention while the other sneaks behind the train station, we could kill the lot of them quick and easy," Ozzy said as he craned his head to gain a better view. "If we approach it like that, who will walk the road and beguile them into a false sense of security?" Chrysalis asked.

Ozzy looked to her with a smirk. "I feel as though a new alien species will draw their attention pretty well. Plus, you can be pretty effective at range with that horn of yours." The crowd was pushing back against the Dogs in an attempt to reclaim their children. "Fair enough. I will signal you when I am in position. Try not to attack them until then." Chrysalis began to skulk away, but not before being stopped by Ozzy who grabbed her by the shoulder. "Don't hurt any of the ponies. We're the good guys, alright?" Chrysalis nodded in understanding. "You should heed your own words, Courier." Ozzy frowned as Chrysalis turned to reach her position.

Well, buddy ol' boy, shall I do the talking?

Not quite. I think I'll use some of your techniques, though, if you don't mind.

Oh, nooooo, please. Be my guest.

With that, Ozzy straightened up against the wall. Taking a deep breath and replacing his frown with a winning smile, he stepped out from behind the building. Straightening his weapons as he walked, Ozzy began to casually stroll down the main road of the town. Passing by the town hall, the Sheriff's office, with the sheriff who was conveniently missing from the action, as well as an assortment of other storefronts, Ozzy found that the town had that charming western frontier vibe to it.

Kind of reminds me of Primm.

It does, doesn't it?

Ozzy let out a light chuckle. He flashed back to chatting with Ruby Nash on the street corner outside the Vikki and Vance. As he continued to observe the town, the crowd of ponies and Dogs gradually grew quieter, with their gazes turning to the creature strolling down the street. By the time Ozzy neared the crowd, it had grown dead silent. Ozzy, now realizing he was the center of attention, stopped as well.

Thus began a silence for the ages. Ozzy stared, followed by the crowd staring, followed by the wind kicking up dirt, followed by even more staring. Lobo was the first to react, slowly grabbing the handle of his sword. He unsheathed it, walked to the edge of the awning, and jumped down. Slowly, he and the rest of the Dogs moved from containing the crowd to surrounding Ozzy, who smirked at the attempt to encircle him. As the Dogs moved, the ponies slowly crept away from the circle, instead taking cover behind barrels and inside buildings. The parents picked up their children and carried them away as well.

Once the street had cleared, which is what Ozzy had been waiting for, Lobo decided that even though this creature was new and foreign, it was worth robbing it. "What do we have here, hmm?" The Dog said, eyeing Ozzy for any valuables. "I have never seen anything quite like you. Anything on you that will make me prosper?" Lobo brought his sword forward, lifting the bottom of Ozzy's duster.

He fucking touched the jacket. He must die now.

We wait for Chrysalis to get into position. I want to try to take this guy alive.

But the rest are expendable, right?

Oh, no question.

Good.

The Dogs surrounding him were laughing, smirking, and sneering at Ozzy. They scanned him for anything that might be valuable, or for the fact that he may make a decent meal. Lobo attempted to fake Ozzy out by pretending to rush him, though Ozzy stood resolute. This only served to annoy the Dog. "You know, this is a dangerous place for a new species. It appears as though luck is not on your side." Lobo spit at the ground near Ozzy's feet, though Ozzy did not move an inch. Just as the dogs began to tighten the circle, Ozzy spied a light atop the train station, emanating from a long black horn.

Oh, you mutts are going down.

I counted twenty-three, not counting Lobo. There may be more, so watch your six. Let's do this.

A Dog to Ozzy's left decided to try and pry 'This Machine' from Ozzy' back. Just as his arm was about to grab the stock, his hand was cut off faster than he could blink. Pain coursed through his arm, but was quickly ended by his throat being slashed open. Tumbling to the ground with blood spurting from his neck, the remaining Dogs either gasped or felt their breath be stolen from their lungs. Ozzy stood with his back to them, machete in hand. He reached for Blood-Nap, machete in the left hand, knife in the right. He turned to them, blood marks adorning his face, and a small smile slowly gracing his lips.

Twenty-two.

Lobo was about to speak, but was cut off as Ozzy slashed through another dog, cutting open his chest.

Twenty-one.

Another Dog lunged with his spear, Ozzy dodging to the left and bringing his foot down on the Dogs knee. The sound of bones crunching followed by the howl of the Dog snapped the others out of their fear-induced stupor. A slightly smaller one came charging at him, though Ozzy was quick to slice the spear rod in half, followed by sticking the short blade in between his eyes.

Twenty.

One more jumped on Ozzy's back as another tried to stab Ozzy with his spear. Spinning around, Ozzy had the Dog on his back catch the spear in his spine, quickly ending his life. As that Dog fell off, Ozzy threw him onto the other, forcing him to the ground. Ozzy rushed him, bring the machete blade down through his skull.

Nineteen and eighteen.

Sheathing Blood-Nap, Ozzy reached for the Mysterious Magnum. Three more dogs attempted to rush him, though Ozzy's fingers glided across his Pip-Boy. Before the three could react, three bullets had entered each of their skulls, with one entering through the eye. As their limp bodies fell to the ground, Ozzy ducked, narrowly avoiding a stone axe to the head. As the Dog tried to right himself after the swing, Ozzy plunged the machete into his stomach, hunching over the axe-wielding dog. Before he hit the ground, Ozzy stuck the barrel of the Magnum to the back of his head and pulled the trigger, a loud bang followed by brain matter falling to the ground.

Seventeen through fourteen.

As the dog who had his leg broken attempted to limp away, a blast of green energy from the station rooftop turned him to ash. With that, ten of the canine raiding party diverged from attacking Ozzy to charging the train station. Blast after green blast was hurled at the advancing Dogs, gaining a wicked smile from Chrysalis.

Thirteen.

Grabbing a barrel from a nearby store-front, a Dog hurled it directly at Ozzy. Hitting the deck with great speed, the barrel crashed into the dirt on the street. Getting back on his feet, the same dog ran forward, short knife in hand. Lunging at the Courier from the side, Ozzy hooked his right arm at the dogs elbow, with his left arm underneath the dogs arm. Gracefully redirecting the direction of the weapon, the Dogs eyes grew wide as his own blade was stuck through his throat. Ozzy brought his leg forward, kicking the dog square in the chest, sending him flying backward.

Twelve, and DUCK.

Ozzy crouched, avoiding another Dog that was sent flying from the train station roof. The dog skidded along the road, howling the entire way. His journey was cut short, though, as a .44 magnum round entered his heart and left him dead in the street.

Eleven.

Sheathing the Magnum and his machete, Ozzy reached for his rifle. Aiming toward the train station, he counted that Chrysalis had about four more to contend with. As one was about to pounce her from the side, Ozzy fired the rifle, sending the Dog sprawling across the rooftop. Before he could turn around, however, a Dog with a stone mace smashed him directly on the side of the head, sending Ozzy to the ground. The Dog was about to bring the mace down to finish the job, but was stopped as a blast of green energy left a gaping hole in his stomach. Dropping the mace while doubling over in pain, Ozzy stood. Grabbing This Machine by the hand guards, Ozzy swung the butt of the rifle in a full golf-arc toward the forehead of the dog. As the rifle connected with a sickening crack, the Dog was sprawled on his back, stuck somewhere between dying and dead.

Ten. Plus the however many so that Chrysalis killed, looks like she only has one left.

Seeing a green aura above the train station, a loud popping sound followed by the head of a Dog rolling down the street signified that Chrysalis had handled herself well.

And that's that. Now to find General Lassie.

Lobo, whilst the fight was raging on, had attempted to flee with several would-be slave children in tow. Dragging them by the chains around their necks, he was about to exit the town and escape into the desert. As he passed by a wood pile, a shot bounced off of a nearby rock, stopping him in his tracks. Slowly turning around to find the same creature who had killed his Dogs wielding a long stick, though holding it as one would hold a crossbow.

Lobo held his sword above the head of a little baby-blue unicorn in chains. The Dog eyed the Courier with lethal intent, though the Courier only smiled. Lobo was confused, to say the least. "Don't you care if this filly dies!?" Lobo shouted at the Courier. "You hero types are always concerned about casualties!" The Dog pulled on the chain, forcing the little filly to stand on her hind legs. As Lobo was distracted, Chrysalis, who had taken to flanking the Dog, pulled the other children away from him. Ozzy watched as the other children were led away, refocusing his gaze on the Dog.

Those two are out of the way. Now we just have to worry about the little one he has.

The filly's bright purple eyes shimmered with tears. She felt lightheaded from being choked by the chain around her neck. Why this Diamond Dog was hurting her in the first place, she was unable to comprehend. She was able to understand that whatever the creature that was talking to the Diamond Dog was, he was trying to keep her safe. She wanted to feel safe right now.

Another jerk from Lobo on the chain made the filly cough, almost on the verge of passing out from lack of oxygen or fear. The Dog eyed the girl as though she were just a slab of meat. He looked back to the Courier. "If you don't let me go free, I will kill the little pony." Lobo glided his sword across the filly's head, a whimper escaping her lips. Lobo was so enamored by the sight of his blade on her head that he failed to notice the carapace-covered interceptor flanking him from the right.

Without warning, Chrysalis fired a green bolt of magic directly at Lobo's hand, knocking the sword free. As Lobo yelped in pain, Chrysalis charged forward with her head down, her horn aimed directly at the Dog's knee. With great speed, Chrysalis' horn tore right through Lobo's leg, forcing him to cry out at the burning sensation. The filly, seeing her opportunity to run, dashed away from the Dog who held her captive, heading straight back for the town.

He's wounded! Get his canine ass!

Lobo attempted to right himself, but was cut short as the butt of a rifle smashed into his jaw, blurring his vision. The Dog fell onto his back, and spied his sword lying almost within arms reach. Before he could grab it, however, a boot came crashing down on his elbow sending a wave of pain through his body. Lobo looked to see the face of whatever this thing was, but was interrupted with another bash of the rifle butt, effectively knocking him unconscious.

As Ozzy stood over him, watching the wound on the Dog's leg drip blood, he turned back to see Chrysalis observing the unconscious Dog as well. "At least we took this one alive. We may have a harder time explaining the corpses in the street to the townsfolk," Chrysalis said, as Ozzy walked over to the pile of spare wood. "What are you doing?" She asked, as Ozzy found two sturdy logs. "I'm going to leave the dog in a position that sets an example, and that he cannot escape from." Ozzy laid out the logs in a cross pattern. "What form of imprisonment is this?" Chrysalis asked, curiosity growing.

"Crucifixion." He answered.

Your Legion-ness is coming out. I like it.

After Lobo was dealt with, Ozzy and Chrysalis began walking back to the rustic town. Before they reached it, however, they noticed several things. The first and foremost was that a dark blue chariot with an impressive emblem was parked outside of the train station, close to the toppled engine car. The second being that ponies with rather leathery bat wings were hauling corpses away, either by levitating them with magic, or using their brawn. The gored bodies were being laid out in a straight line, from shortest to tallest.

The third was the elated cries of the parents to see their little children once more. The cries were drowned out, though, by the furious shouting of a mob of the Appleoosan ponies, who sounded appalled at the reaction time of this division of the pony military.

"Where were you guys?!"

"We could have been killed!"

"You're lucky that thing showed up and saved us!"

"What if it had killed us, too?! We don't even know what it is!"

As the shouting took a turn regarding him, Ozzy thought it best to take cover behind a nearby building, with Chrysalis following suit. "Well, they do not sound very happy," Chrysalis observed, earning a single laugh from Ozzy. "Not really. Wonder what took these guys so long. Who are they, again?" He asked, turning to the Changeling. "They are the Ebony Nights, if I am correct. They are a special division of the Lunar Guard." Ozzy stared into the desert, weighing his options.

Don't look now, but we're not alone behind this building.

Ozzy leaned back into the building, cracking his neck in an effort to discreetly scan the area. By doing so, he barely made out the form of another, slightly larger pony atop the building which they were hiding behind. From what he could see, the pony was a dark blue, almost violet color, with what looked like both a horn and wings.

Another Alicorn. Awesome.

Ozzy leaned closer to Chrysalis, his voice growing hushed. "Stay calm. Someone is back here with us." Chrysalis quickly scanned the area in an attempt to find the other pony, but her effort was in vain. "Where is this other one?" She asked, hoping for a reasonable response. Her answer, however, came from directly above them.

"I believe that would be me." The pony said. At that, Ozzy and Chrysalis snapped their heads up to see the grinning blue Alicorn. Ozzy reached for the Magnum, but was stopped as a blast of blue magic sent his hand whipping around, as well as his entire body, successfully disorientating him for a moment. Chrysalis fired her own magic, just as the other pony vanished in a cloud of thick, blue smoke. Chrysalis spun around, immediately looking for any potential hiding spots that the other pony may be waiting to ambush her from.

She was stopped, however, as another spear of blue magic paralyzed her, her body falling over with the grace of a stone statue. Ozzy, now regaining feeling in his hand, managed to draw the Magnum from its holster. As the blue Alicorn crept out from behind the side of the building, Ozzy aimed the Magnum directly between her eyes.

She's good, that's for sure. This may be that Princess Luna that Spike was talking about.

Probably. Time to be the nice guy.

They stood there, their attention never wavering. Luna stood about a foot and a half shorter than Ozzy, her frown only growing deeper whilst she stared at the alien. Ozzy's face, however, did not portray any emotion at all, as he had practiced for years. Chrysalis, meanwhile, twitched idly from her position on the ground, her eyes darting between the Courier and the Princess of the Night. Finally, after finding a suitable subject to discuss, Ozzy spoke. "How long will my companion be frozen?" He asked.

Luna let out a light chuckle. "Long enough for my soldiers to detain her. She is a war criminal, after all." She glared down at Chrysalis, who still remained on the ground. "I can't let you do that. She's a friend of mine." His voice was even, though with a hint of irritation. Ozzy pulled back the hammer of the Magnum. As he did so, Luna spoke once more. "After seeing what you have done with that to those Diamond Dogs, I highly recommend that you refrain from killing me." Her voice become more authoritative as she spoke.

"Why shouldn't I?" Ozzy asked. Luna let out a more hearty chuckle at that. "Not only am I nearly immortal, but you would wage war against the very nation of Equestria." She walked closer to Ozzy. "And I can assure you," she was about a foot away from him. "You do not want that." Ozzy, for his part, was doing his utmost to refrain from bursting out laughing.

They really don't get it, do they?

Not really.

Ozzy holstered the Magnum. "Very well, pony," Luna interrupted, "You may address me as Princess Luna." Ozzy began after being so rudely interrupted. "... Princess Luna. If you want me to behave, then let's make a deal. Chrysalis has repented from her crimes against Equestria, this I can vouch for. As for myself, I feel as though an alliance between your country and mine would be a great boon to us all." He knelt down so as to be eye-level with the princess. "What do you say?" He asked, smiling as he did.

Before he could react, Luna brought her rear hoof directly into Ozzy's nose, sending him flying backward.

HOLY SHIT, that was cool!

Piss off.

Ozzy jumped from his laying position back onto his feet, this time drawing Blood Nap. Luna spoke, slowly growing more irritated. "Firstly, I do not make deals with enemies of the state. Secondly, you threaten me, then ask for my friendship?" Luna spat at the ground near Ozzy. "Nary a chance." Luna readied her horn for another volley of magic, but stopped in her tracks when Ozzy responded.

"What if I said I could help you out with your Minotaur problem?" He said, a small smirk showing on his face. Luna froze, unsure of how the alien knew of the political affairs of her country. "What Minotaur problem? What nonsense do you speak?" Ozzy twirled Blood Nap by the hilt, readying himself should the worst come to pass. "I know that there is an escaped slave seeking refuge in Equestria. I can either return him to his masters without you having to get involved, or I can reason with the owners to see if they would free him." Luna sauntered to the left, looking out toward the expansive desert.

"You make it sound as though we are harboring this slave. What makes you think that the Minotaurs are not mistaken?" Her voice lost its edge, growing more calm as she spoke. "Honestly?" He sheathed his knife. "I don't know either way. What I do know is that this sounds like a job that would be better handled by someone outside of the Equestrian government." He slowly approached her side. "I excel at such matters." He ended with a sly smile.

I would not be surprised if she decided to kill you instead.

The wind howled for a brief moment, just long enough to throw sand into the gale. Luna sighed, closing her eyes as she did. "We have hired mercenaries in the past to deal with some... Less than reputable matters. However, signing on the Changeling Queen who attacked Canterlot would cause too much of an uproar." She gazed out across the sand, Ozzy following suit. "Who said anyone would have to know? She can throw up a cloak when we're in mixed company."

Luna looked back to the Changeling, still lying on the ground, frozen. Turning to look at the alien, she began to view the scars, both large and small, adorning this alien's face. "You say to hire you, meaning you demand compensation for your work. What would your price be?" She asked. Ozzy put his hand to his chin, silently stroking his beard. He began pacing from his position besides the princess to the wide expanse of the desert. Finally, he spoke.

"I want a full pardon for Chrysalis. She's done her time out in the frozen north." Luna's eyes bulged, shocked by what she had heard. "You cannot be serious?!" Her voice grew exasperated. "Half of Canterlot would see her hang, as well as my sister! What makes you so worth our time that we would grant such an arrangement?!" She glared at the alien, flabbergasted by his demands. Spinning on his heels, Ozzy replied. "You are talking to one of the most accomplished agents on my home planet. You will not find anyone on this planet," He motion to the sky, "Nor anywhere else that will fit my qualifications."

It's rare that I get to see you become a true showman.

It feels soooooooo good.

Luna pondered the Courier's deal. This alien massacred twenty or so Diamond Dogs, yet claims he is an ally. At the very most, this would be a great scientific discovery. An alien from a completely different world, and is willing to cooperate? As well as solve a delicate political matter? As she was contemplating her options, Luna had a revelation:

She was screwed either way.

Either let them roam free, detain them and have to explain why she is holding an alien creature in the dungeons, or bring them on and have to explain why she has brought on such odd soldiers to resolve the issue. "Very well. I will not immediately grant a full pardon for the Changeling, but she may earn one should she aid you in this endeavor." She began walking out to the main road. As she did, her horn lit up in a bright flash of blue magic, which enveloped Chrysalis as well.

Once the flash evaporated, Chrysalis immediately rose to her feet, coughing and sputtering. Her eyes flamed with anger directed at the Night Princess, though she was stopped when Ozzy rushed to put a hand on her shoulder. She looked back at her companion, her anger threatening to boil over at any point. Ozzy shook his head, hoping that despite everything, they could be amicable about being accepted as outside help.

As the pair began following Luna, the Princesses' horn lit up once more, this time enveloping Ozzy and Chrysalis in a cloud of blue smoke. The pair was startled, and grew even more confused when the smoke cleared, yet could not see each other, or themselves for that matter. Before they could protest, Luna spoke. "Tis best for the population of Appleloosa to think that you have been detained and brought in for questioning. You will move as quietly as possible to my carriage whilst I assure the ponies that the situation has been handled. Are we clear?"

The pair almost nodded, but realized that that would be a fruitless effort. A quiet 'yes' was heard, and Luna nodded in content. "Very well. Once I address the crowd, take that as your cue to move to my carriage. I have also notified the guards to look the other way and prevent other ponies from seeing you." She craned her neck around the building to view the borderline-riotous crowd. "Move quickly, and I will see you both in my carriage."

With that, Luna flew into the air, circling the small town with a birds' eye view. Ozzy and Chrysalis watched the Princess land on top of a saloon opposite the building where they had met. Before the duo could move, a booming voice was heard across the street.

"Citizens of Appleloosa!"

The crowd immediately turned to find the source of the noise, and was startled to see the actual Princess of the Night, on top of the most popular salt lick in town.

"We apologize for our late arrival! Our forces were pre-occupied stopping the main force near the mountains!"

The crowd murmured with fear, shocked at the news they had heard.

"You heard right! This was but a fraction of what would have attacked your town, would we not have intervened! Hundreds of Diamond Dogs have been detained and brought forth for trial!"

The crowd's mood turned from furious at the night guard to semi-grateful, though remnants of anger still lingered. Their focus was so devoted to the Princess that they failed to notice the hoof and foot prints making their way toward the carriage. Ozzy, once they reached the carriage, found small letters inscribed on one side of the carriage, carved in regal, ornate lettering.

Fitting.

As the pair hid themselves aboard the carriage, Luna finished addressing the cowponies.

"I swear to you all, that this untimely arrival of our forces will never occur again! Thank you, my ponies!"

The ponies cheered, though some still appeared less than pleased. Luna beat her wings to take to the sky, landing a short distance away from the carriage. She stopped to give instructions to an Ebony Night on what to do with the bodies. After he saluted in understanding, Princess Luna boarded her carriage, giving the ponies pulling it permission to ascend.

Now in the privacy of her carriage, Luna's horn sparkled with light, forcing the cloak that hid the alien and the Changeling to become visible once more. They sat in silence for a moment before Ozzy addressed the princess. "So... What's th-" He was stopped as Luna held up a hoof. "First, I want your name, your occupation, and where you have come from. Only then will I relinquish the details of your potential assignment." She stared at him expectedly, before shifting her eyes to Chrysalis. "I already know of you, Changeling. You are only here for the sole purpose that he is a new species that has taken a liking to you."

A little harsh, isn't she?

Can't blame her, to be honest.

Chrysalis subtly deflated at those words, yet resigned to staring out the window at the passing landscape. Luna stared back at Ozzy, who was returning her stare with a slight smirk on his face. This caught Luna off guard, for she blinked and returned her head to its normal position. "Well, might as well give you the gist of it. My name is Ozzy, I am a lot of things, really, though I guess my main profession would be Courier. I come from a little planet called Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy," He leaned back into the plush seating. "Lately, I've been running my own nation, so I guess I can add 'Mayor' to my resumé. Also, I am a human. Homo Sapien, to be exact," He finished with a broad smile.

Luna, for as well of a judge of character as she thought herself to be, could not for the life of her make heads nor tails of this... Human. Her stare bore into him, yet she could not decipher just what his true intentions were. However, she had already traveled too deep down the rabbit hole. She was out of options.

After a moment of hesitation, she spoke. "Very well. Ozzy, I will be bringing you on as an information gatherer. The Minotaurs have accused Equestria of harboring an escaped slave, yet we have accepted no pony into our country under such pretenses. My sister, Celestia, has stated that Equestria is a free nation, though, and would grant asylum to any slaves looking for a new life." The carriage rocked against the wind outside as she spoke.

"What would happen, should a slave come to us seeking refuge, is that Celestia will contact the owner and offer to purchase the slave from them, effectively freeing them. This time, however, a slave may have absconded into Equestria without us even knowing of it. This in and of itself would be an extremely difficult task." Ozzy nodded along to the Princesses' words, already hatching a plan. Luna continued. "Now, we have already questioned the legal Minotaurs residing within our borders, and their stories are legitimate. Your job would be to find any Minotaur that has eluded our naturalization process, as well as managed to stay off the political record. Are you able and willing to perform such a task?"

Ozzy sat there, contemplating Luna's words.

What have we got to lose? You did say that you wanted to help.

I said I wanted a paycheck. If I help people along the way, then that's just a bonus.

After a long moment of silence, Ozzy responded. "Just to be clear: I find your missing Minotaur, and you grant Chrysalis a complete pardon of her crimes." Luna sighed at that. "I will see what I can do in that regard. Many ponies would lose faith in us if we let her off the hook so willingly." Ozzy shifted his gaze to the bored looking Changeling, still gazing out of the window. Looking back to the princess, he spoke. "At the very least, I want you to seclude her somewhere where she is still away from the general population, but won't be unfairly pitted against the elements, fighting to survive on a daily basis."

Luna looked to the distraught Changeling, malice still in her eyes. "Very well. Somewhere in the mountains outside of Canterlot, under constant guard from the Night Guard. My sisters' soldiers would not stand a chance should she decide to attack us again." At those words, Chrysalis turned to Luna. "I was under beguilement at the time. I was not thinking clearly," She finished, dejected. Luna continued. "Whatever the reason, that will be my terms. Fair?" She held out her hoof, yet Ozzy was unsure of how to respond.

Bro-fist. She doesn't have hands.

No shit, Sherlock.

Curling his hand into a fist, Ozzy met his knuckles with the bottom of Luna's hoof. Concluding with a soft *clack*, Ozzy and Luna settled down to their relaxing positions. "Also, maybe you could help me figure out how to get home? I kind of need to get back to where I'm needed most," Ozzy said. "I understand, and we will discuss the specifics of that once we reach Canterlot. For now, I wish to rest. We have a long ride ahead of us."

Luna leaned back into the seat, her eyes slightly drooping. Ozzy, in need of a rest himself, followed suit. Chrysalis, finding no other option worthy of her time, slowly drifted off to sleep as well.

Soon, only the sound of soft breathing came from within the cabin.

Pssst. Hey.

What? I want to take a fucking nap, let me sleep.

You will, I just have one question: why was she so willing to trust you?

What do you mean?

This seems to be a theme with the people, or ponies, that you meet here. You fight them, then become friends with them five minutes later. Doesn't that strike you as odd?

A little, yeah.

Just be on your toes. This place is starting to get on my nerves.

Roger.