Justice League of Equestria: Gods and Monsters

"Why am Ah just a prisoner?" Barda asked shamefully as she sat in the middle of her cell. "It just.. Ah don't deserve tah live."

"I'll say you don't." One of the Crystal guards stated angrily. If it were up to me you would've been executed the moment the lasso was taken off. You should be thankful that our Queen is being even remotely merciful to someone like you!"

"Then do it." She said with a growl. "Just get it over with then. Ya clearly want to."

The guard gave her a dark glare before cracking her neck. "Open the cell door. She's trying to get out."

The Pegasus guard gave her an uneasy look. "Uh m-ma'am, I don't think that would be wise-"

"She's asking for me to kick her ass and she won't shut up about it." The mare said. "I think I should give it to her."

"Go ahead, do it." A new-yet-familiar voice called out. "Ah'll be sure tah visit ya in what passes for a hospital on this island to sign your cast."

Looking to her left, Barda's eyes widened. "S-sister?"

"Wait, what are you doing h-WAAH!" The Amazon screamed as Applejack grabbed her and tossed her over her shoulder.

"That's your sis?!" Featherweight exclaimed in shock as the Pegasus Guard drew her sword.

"Sis? What are you doing here?!"

"Ah was huntin' for you duh." she said as she opened the cell door easily. "Ah was scared ya done gone and went ballistic and hurt yerself... ya are okay aren't ya Bloom?"

Barda couldn't believe what she was hearing, despite everything she did, she still came for her. "...no... Ah'm not ok...." She replied, turning away as she fought the urge to cry. "Ah haven't ever been ok... after everything Ah did, why would ya try and save me?!"

"Well... yer family Bloom." Applejack said as she walked over and hugged her. "And ya know Ah'd never stay too mad at ya."

"Sis.... oh sis!" She cried, hugging her back, feeling as if she'd disappear the moment she let go. "Ah'm sorry! Ah'm so, so sorry!"

....sadly the little moment was interrupted entire island shook violently.

"WHAT IN TARNATION?!" Applejack said as she pulled her sword out. "Sis do ya know where yer armor is?!"

"Ah don't know!" She shouted over the explosions. "Ah checked the armory but it wasn't there!"

"And knowing them they probably moved my armor somewhere else too..." Featherweight added in a disappointed tone.

Applejack glanced at the strange creature (from her perspective anyway). "Ah'm sorry, who are you?"

Featherweight then smiled as he stood up. "Name's Featherweight better known as Black Manta! Hero of Atlantis and all around Suave stallion who's half sea-pony!"

Applejack arched a brow. "As many questions as THAT raises, we need to find your armor and weapons!"

"Well… there's a small chance that the Queen might know…" Featherweight stated. "Though I seriously doubt she'll be willing to hear us out..."

"She won't have a choice. Considering that earthquake just rocked her island? She's going to have to trust us to try and solve the problem." Applejack said as she cut down the bars on Featherweight's cell and activated the boom-tube from her sword. "Let's go "request" an audience..." She said as she stepped through the portal, with Barda & Featherweight following behind...

Diamond Grace could only smile as she watched her Paradeamons attack the unsuspecting empire. Seeing an Empire that resembled their enemy's home go up in flames brought her such... satisfaction...

"This is.... so beautiful." She said with a light chuckle. "I can't believe this civilization is where our army will begin to be honest.... it's so.... PATHETIC."

Lashina landed next to her, casually flicking the blood off her whips. "We've been able to take the inhabitants by surprise, however they seem to have mobilized rather quickly and have began a counterattack. They're even using their knowledge of the islands layout to their advantage."

"But we're superior.... have I mentioned I LOVED being a Goddess?" She said as she listened to the screams of the Amazons who were unable to fight back against the Parademons. "Ah… such a lovely symphony."

"Yes, yes it is... though the screams lose some of their magic when it's not me torturing them..." Lashina said with a malicious smile. "If you'll excuse me, I still have some killing to do..." She said as she jumped down towards the Empire.

"Oh... this is such sweet catharsism... after.... after what happened.... after what they did..... AFTER WHAT THOSE TRAITOROUS BASTARDS DID!" Diamond yelled as she slammed her hoof down.

She quickly regained her composure and calmed herself. "Lord Darkseid, this is but a stepping stone to our goal. I promise you we will take our planet back, and we will restore it to its former glory...."

Around that time Applejack, Barda, and Featherweight came out of the boom tube and right in front of the Queen. "Alright you start talkin'! Where's mah sis's weapons and where's Feather's.... doohicky's?!"

"Doohickys? Really? I'm.... kinda hurt." Featherweight said.

"What are YOU doing here?!" The Queen snapped as she drew her sword. "You dare answer my chambers uninvited?! Along with the prisoners!" She then pointed her sword at Featherweight. "This invasion is YOUR doing, isn't it?!"

"Oh that is just SO typical." Featherweight said with a bored tone. "Just blame it on the outsiders huh? Anything that doesn't fit with your idea just has to go don't it Spoiled? You know I bet that's why it's your name huh? Spoiled... like a spoiled rotten child."

"How dare you! Men like you are nothing but a poison to our land! I knew that little "ambassador" excuse you gave me! Simple trick for you to use to get us to let our guard down while you took our empire and defiled my daughter!"

"SHE CAME TO ME FIRST! WHAT PART OF THAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!" Featherweight shouted at her. "SHE CAME TO ME FIRST AND IF ANYTHING FOR A BIT I WASN'T GOING ALONG WITH IT AT FIRST!"

"Listen here you insolent little-" The Queen angrily stormed towards Featherweight, only for Applejack to block her path.

"That's enough! Ah don't know how you do things here but in case you haven't noticed there's an invasion going on outside!" She shouted in irritation. "Ah'm willin' to defend this place as is my sister, but she needs our armor and gonna give it to her, or else you're going to have two fights on your hands!"

"... fair enough.... but you must swear on the River Styx that you will save and defend as many Amazons as you can." The queen said.

"We'll do what we can." Applejack said. "Now where's her armor?"

"And mine!" Featherweight put in.

But before she could answer, they heard a familiar voice in the next room.

"Aresia please, snap out of it!" Flurry shouted just as she was thrown into the throne room, crashing into Featherweight in the process.

The yellow-coated, orange-maned Pegasus flew into the room with several other Crystal Ponies behind her, all of their eyes glowing a sinister lavender.

"What is the meaning of this treachery?!"

"For the glory of Apokalips!" Aresia shouted as she charged forth with the rest of the brainwashed.

Before the sisters could charge forth, the Queen darted in front of them with her sword and shield. "I'll delay them as long as possible! Flurry Heart, get them to the Royal treasury immediately!"

"But mother-"

"JUST GO!" She shouted as she blocked one sword swing from Aresia. "I will not let anymore lives be lost today Aresia! Fight whatever this is that's controlling you!"

"... Aresia... what's happened to you?" The queen asked. "What magic is forcing you to fight your queen?"

"Th-their leader! H-hypnotized me!" She groaned as she was forced to swing at her Queen yet again. "I can't c-c-control my body!" Aresia said, to fall from her eyes.

"None of us can!" Another Crystal Pony stated as she lunged at her from behind. "Please my Queen, stop her, stop US!"

Flurry felt nothing but sorrow as she saw her mother fight against the mind controlled Crystal Ponies. It was like seeing a nightmare unfold before her. "F-follow me." She managed to get out as she led the trio to where the armors and weapons were.

"Wow, this kind of reminds me of the armory we have back home… only with less tridents... and guns..." Featherweight mused as they started searching for their armor. "...and of course she'd mount my helmet on the wall like some trophy."

"Sorry." Flurry said. "I-I'm sorry my mother's been a bitch everyone it's... she's over protective of me-"

"OH, YOU THINK?!"

"-but that's because she.... well um..... who here has worked with pottery?"

"WOW. That is..... WOW." Flurry said in the most irritated voice. "Okay long story short? My mom made me from clay and Zeus gave me life. I was basically a vase."

"..... oh.... so..... well the paranoia makes sense now." Featherweight said.

"Wait, wait, wait, Manta's lasers bounced off the guards when he fired at them! Last Ah checked that only happens with crystals!" Barda interjected as she put her armor on. "How's that even possible if everyone here is made from mud?!"

"It's a protective shell that's formed around us when we're born. Look that's nowhere CLOSE to being the most important thing right now! Just get your armor and save my family!" She said with fear and uncertainty in her eyes.

As Diamond continued to watch the carnage unfold, one of the brainwashed Amazons ran to her in panic. "My master! I bring grave news! The enemy seems to be pushing our forces back!"

".... excuse me?" She asked with a twitching eyebrow. "You promised me you were powerful warriors! How are you this incompetent?!"

"It's not our fault! They-" Before she could finish, a Parademon was sent flying into a tree.

"Long time no see, Diamond Grace." Applejack said as she floated down towards her alongside her sister. "Still seducing others into doing your dirty work?"

"B-Bekka! W-what a surprise!!" Diamond said with a panicked look in her eyes. "I-I wasn't expecting to see you here! I thought that Equestria w-was New God free! S-silly me!"

"Well Ah'm in a pretty forgivin' mood right now, so Ah'll make this simple." She said before pointing her sword at Diamond. "Take your army and leave or else things get ugly."

"....L-LASHINA!" She shouted. "LASHINA GET OVER HERE! WE GOT A PROBLEM!"

A boom-tube opened up behind Applejack and Lashina immediately ensnared her arms, sending powerful shockwaves through her body to stun her.

"Oh I've been waiting for this!" She smirked before yanking her into the portal as is closed.

"SIS!" Barda called out before glaring at Diamond, only to notice she had opened up a second boom-tube... and two familiar figures stepped out.

The first one was a large muscular mare with a light pink mane and magenta mane. She wore a yellow helmet with a black visor, a large red and yellow jumpsuit adorned with red shoulder pads, a yellow breastplate, as well as a short yellow cape, a black belt and large yellow gloves and boots.

The second one was a pale coated mare with wild red hair going down to her shoulders and pink eyes. She wore a silver metallic headband, silver shoulder pads, gauntlets, vest, along with green pants and leggings.

"Stompa, Harriet! Take her out!" Diamond commanded

"Yer a coward!" She shouted at her. "Yer a damn coward Diamond!" Barda aimed her scepter at her. "Ah ain't even wastin' mah time on the other two!"

"You say that like you actually have a choice!" Stompa shouted as she slugged her while Harriet leapt over her and attacked from behind.

…only to be blasted aside by Black Manta as he leapt out of the shadows. "Now, now, girls. Two on one isn't really fair!"

"What the... what sort of strange warrior is that?!" Harriet demanded as she saw Black Manta crack his neck.

"Name's Black Manta. Guardian of Atlantis... oh and half sea pony." He said as he pulled the two hits from his back.

"That... is the STUPIDEST name I've ever heard." She stated before extending her claws and lunging at him.

"Big talk coming from someone who looks like she should be in the loony bin!" Manta retorted as the tattoos on his body started to glow and twin blades irrupt it from the hilts he was holding.

"....okay, THAT is cool." Stompa said as she was blasted by Barda's staff.

"Pay attention in a fight! Ah can't BELIEVE they let Y'ALL be furies. Where was the threat level? Lashina's about the only one Ah'm worried about right now."

"Rule one about combat: remove the biggest threat first!" Diamond stated as Stompa got up. "Lashina would tear you apart anyway, her time is best suited taking out your sister! Stompa is more than a match for you!"

As if to prove her point, Stompa slammed her foot onto the ground, creating an earthquake the shook the entire island.

Barda stumbled a bit before she aimed at Stompa's legs. "Let's see how good ya are at stompin' on a stub!" Barda yelled as she fired a beam at her legs.

Thanks to her natural durability, Stompa was able to tank both blasts without losing her limbs. However the force of the impact was still enough to stun her and bring her to her knees. Looking up she quickly caught Barda's Mega-Rod inches away from her face.

"Good bye." She said coldly as she she fired the laser at her head and sent her flying into the air.

On the opposite end of the island, Applejack continued her battle with Lashina. Using her sword to counter her electric whips whenever she could, sadly was coming increasingly difficult with the various Parademons swarming the island.

"Just give it up, traitor!" Lashina taunted as she flew around her, striking her blindsides whenever she could. "This island will fall to us, and and the rest of the planet and will follow!"

"Ah never expected what mah family did! Ah wanted actual peace!" Applejack said as she slashed Lashina's whips at different intervals whenever she could. "Ah'm sorry that we deceived y'all... but this..... THIS IS INEXCUSABLE! This world did NOTHING wrong to Apokalips!"

"Do your honesty think we care?!" Lashina retorted as two more Parademons lunged at the New God only to be cut down. Seeing an opportunity she wrapped one of her whips around her opponent's arm while she was distracted and shocked her mercilessly. "After your betrayal there's practically no where on Apokalips to hide. We need a new planet to start our rebellion, regardless of its prior inhabitants!" She gloated, relishing in her opponents anguished screams. "And once we've subjugated every last living creature here we will wage war against New Genesis and restore glory to our former planet!"

Before she could continue however, she was ensnared by a glowing and thrown into one of the Paradeamons.

Looking up, Applejack saw Princess Flurry Heart hovering above her with her wings spread wide, she now wore a red bustier held up by a brace of silver resembling a falcon, a silver belt, blue briefs with a star on each side, silver bracelets around her wrists with blue sleeves that went up to her elbows, and blue knee-high boots with a white stripe on the front side.

"Need some help?" She smirked.

"Thank ya Flurry." Applejack said as she got up and cracked her neck. "Ah was starting to get put on the ropes here."

"Well now that just isn't right." Flurry said. "Who's the stranger in the VERY bizarre outfit?"

"Really? She's a Royal Guard? She'd hardly pass as a harlot." Flurry Heart said as Lashina growled.

"HOW DARE YOU! I AM ONE OF THE BEST OF THE FURYMARES! MY PRESENCE ALONE HAS BROUGHT NEW GENESIS SOLDIERS COWERING TO THEIR KNEES!"

"Adorable." Flurry smirked as she drew her own sword. "But your boasts mean nothing to a Crystal Amazon!"

"I WILL SLASH YOU TO PIECES!" Lashina shouted as she used her whips to try and cut into Flurry who dodged at the last second.

"Really that's your best? My mother's faster than that!" Flurry taunted as she darted around her, deflecting her sharp whips with her sword.

Applejack quickly joined her after decapitating another Parademon, quickly striking after Flurry deflected her whips. The two soon started taking turns attacking Lashina, the moment one whip was countered one of them would rush her, forcing her to block with her remaining whip, forcing her onto the defensive.

"YIELD LASHINA!" Applejack yelled as she grabbed her. "YA ALREADY LOST! DON'T MAKE THIS HARDER ON YOURSELF!"

"I. WILL. NEVER. YIELD!" Lashina screamed as she quickly took to the air. "As long as I live I will fight to restore Apokalips to its former glory!"

"It's LOST it's glory Lashina!" Applejack shouted as she flew after her. "There's no glory in defending a doomed world! Yah can't-wait, who's screaming?" She stopped in mid-rant as a loud scream echo throughout the battlefield... a scream that was getting closer.

"Her, I think." Flurry stated, pointing to the left.

Following her line of sight, the two New Gods saw a familiar figure flying through the air... straight towards them...

...or more specifically, Lashina.

"That looks like... Stompa-OH SHIT!" The Pegasus screamed before the behemoth crashed into her, creating a huge dust cloud upon landing and shaking the island again.

".... ouch." Applejack winced before turning to the Princess. "Hey Flurry, uh... Ah think mah sis needs some help. Think ya can meet me over there?"

Flurry smirked. "I'll try, but I need to cut down more of these demons… and make sure none of my sisters harm one another. I know for fact that they'd never forgive themselves, brainwashed or not."

"Ah understand." Applejack said as she opened up a Boom-Tube. "Stay safe Princess." She said as she traveled through the Boom-Tube.

Featherweight was seriously getting tired of this weirdo, no matter how many times he smacked her around she just kept getting up with that creepy smile on her face.

Worse, he was starting to tire out.

"Oh this.... this isn't going to end well..." He said as he got kicked in the chest and sent backwards a bit. "Ouch."

"What wrong? Don't wanna play anymore?!" Harriet cackled madly as she leaped around him. " 'Cause I'm just getting warmed up!"

"No I'm just about sick of your smug smile." Black Manta said as he slowly got up. "And I hate bad guys like you.... you think you're so high and mighty... just because you're a borderline god? I got news for ya... you're NOTHING. Just another jumped up punk in a WEIRD ass suit."

Harriet stopped for a moment, tilting her head. "That cuts deep man... real deep..." She said in a surprisingly somber tone... only for her head to twist at a VERY disturbing angel (to the point where her head was literally sideways) as she smiled maliciously. "...BUT I CAN CUT DEEPER FISHY-BOY!!" She screamed as her claws extended once more and she lunged at her opponent.

"I wasn't saying it to be deep." He said with a smile as he blasted blasted her point-blank. "I was distracting you ya dumb bitch."

Harriet was flung into one of the trees with enough force to snap in half. Just as she lost consciousness, a Boom-Tube opened up as Applejack stepped out. "Wha'd Ah miss, and where's mah sister?"

Barda approached the two, dragging Diamond Grace across the ground. The New God was in pretty bad shape, her body was covered in several bruises and she had a very noticeable black eye... not to mention she was missing some teeth.

"WOW. You did NOT like her did you?" Manta asked with a slight chuckle.

"Her voice was getting on mah nerves..." Barda mumbled as she threw her to Applejack's feet. "Ah'm assuming y'all took care of the rest of them?"

"Well yah ain't wrong sugar cube." Applejack said with a big smile. "Now what do ya think we should do fer the rest of her army?"

"We need to find a way to get them all off the island." Manta said as he turned his attention to the Empire. "And considering the fact that they've practically overrun the place..."

"Hey sis... Ah got an idea." Barda said with a big smile on her face. "Ah always kinda wondered what would happen if two Boom Tubes were opened at the same time."

Applejack gave her sister a flat look. "Wow, so transparent." She scoffed before lifting her sword. "If we're going to pull something like that off we need to make sure none of the citizens are dragged into it." She stated as she casually stepped over Diamond Grace's body. "Since sleeping beauty here is out for the count, that should mean that..."

Before she could finish, and angry scream echo throughout the empire as another Parademon Landon not too far from them with a sword sticking out of its head. Aresia, now free from Diamond's control, immediately landed on top of the preacher and yanked the weapon out of its head.

"THAT WAS FOR MAKING ME ATTACK MY FAMILY MONSTERS!" She shouted as she then sliced off the creature's head. "FOR THEMYSCIRA!"

"Good tah know the back tah normal..." Applejack said as she approached her. "Listen, we got a plan tah take out the whole army, but we need y'all tah round up the remaining Parademons, think ya can do that?"

"With pleasure battle sister!" Aresia shouted as she flew out to help her sisters round up the other demons.

"Dang... not one bit of recognition." Black Manta said with a bit of sadness.

"You managed to bed the princess." Barda smirked. "I don't think you have much to complain about at this point."

"Fair enough.” Manta shrugged. “Plus you two have a busy time ahead of you."

"So do you!" Flurry called out as she landed before them, giving Manta a coy smirk. "If we need to round up all of those demons then we are going to need your little "gift" as well… And I know the perfect place to use it..."

"Show me the way." Manta said smiling under his helmet before looking at the two New Gods. "You two are going to LOVE what comes next."

The two sisters glanced at eachother before flying towards the castle where most of the fighting was taking place. "Alright, we gotta time this perfectly..." Barda said as they slowly charged their respective weapons…

Down below, numerous Amazons had broken free of the spell and were now taking vengeance upon the demons that dared to invade their home, with their Queen leading the charge.

"ATTACK THE INVADERS MY DAUGHTERS AND SISTERS! LAY THEM LOW FOR DARING TO DESTROY OUR HOME!" She shouted as they started to push them back. Flurry Heart soon arrived and decapitated one Parademon.

"Mother! The New Gods have a plan to get rid of the invaders in one fell swoop! But I need you to have our forces retreat into the castle!" She explained.

"What?! Why would we need to do that?!" The Queen asked, baffled by this new info.

"Because for our plan to go smoother we need him!" She stated, pointing to Manta.

".... him?!" She shouted.

"Mother.... if you're going to-" Whatever Flurry was going to say next was lost by what she saw... her mother smiling.

"That is an excellent strategy daughter! Amazons! Retreat to the castle!"

Manta blinked behind his mask as the Amazons obeyed their Queen. "Huh, thought there'd be a little more arguing... not that I'm complaining..." He said as he turned to the approaching Parademons "Alright you demonic scumbags! Let me teach you a little lesson..."

He spread his arms, mentally bending all the water within the castle to his whim, and with one single most and he thrust his hands forward forcing several compressed streams of water to burst through the castle walls and blast the Parademons back.

"DON'T FUCK WITH A WATERBENDER!!"

He smirked as he turned to face them... and they all looked at him with a confused look on their faces. ".... just know it was a clever remark." He said while groaning. internally. 'Waste of a perfectly good quip.'

Flurry playfully nudged Aresia and gave her an arrogant smirk. "I'm hitting that."

Aresia groaned. "CAN YOU NOT?!"

The Queen rolled her eyes. “I just HAD to let Goddess Cadence bless her when I made her…” She mumbled

"Focus… focus…" Applejack chanted as she and her sister crossed their charging weapons in and "X" symbol.

"Alright... almost...... GOT IT!" Barda shouted as her staff was finally charged and so was Applejack's sword.

The two immediately distanced themselves from each other and pointed their weapons at one another, immediately a bolt of electricity crackled between the two weapons and started swirling in a circle before becoming one massive boom tube.

Seeing the massive hole in the sky opening up, Manta immediately threw his hands upwards l and summoned the water back to the castle before forming a dome around it.

Unknown to everyone however, a small trickle of blood started to leak from his nose…

"Come on.... just a little closer y'all" Applejack said as the demons started to get sucked into the dimensional tear in the sky. "ALRIGHT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH! JUST HOLD ON BLOOM!"

"AH'M TRYIN’!!" She shouted as she struggled to keep the portal stable. As the army was sucked up saw as least two of the Furymares getting pulled into the portal, Diamond Grace and Mad Harriet, both of whom were still unconscious. Looking down she saw Lashina holding onto Stompa with her whips as the bulky Furymare dug her hands into the ground. Unfortunately for them the gravitational pull of the portal was much stronger and she was eventually pulled of the ground.

As they flew towards the portal Lashina glared daggers at Barda. "Don't think for a second that this is over Barda! We're not done with you! We'll get out of this and when we do-!" Was all she could say before she entered the portal.

"They ain't gonna do nothin'." Barda said with a smirk as they closed the portal up. "Thanks fer the help sis."

Applejack simply embraced her sister. "Ah really missed this, us fighting together…"

"Yeah.... A-Ah'm so sorry Bekka....... y-you were right.... w-what we did was wrong." Barda said as she hugged her back.

"Ah'm glad at least you see that..." She whispered as they descended to the ground below as the water dome surrounding the castle dissipated.

Inside the castle, Manta threw off his helmet as he fell to the ground coughing. "A-anyone.... a-anyone got water?" He asked with a dry voice. "I-I kinda need it."

Flurry quickly ran to his side. "Oh sweet mother of-"

"Good news everyone!" Barda said as the two sisters entered the castle. "The invasion is ov-"

"YOU. OCEAN. PORTAL. NOW!" Flurry shouted as she pointed to the weakened Featherweight.

"Whoa what happened to him?" Barda asked as she looked at him.

"OCEAN. PORTAL. NOW!" Flurry yelled again and instantly Barda made one for him.

Wasting no time Flurry hurled Featherweight into the sea, tossing his helmet in as well. "Whew, that was close... ok, close it!"

"Wait, what?" Barda asked in confusion. "Why-"

"Later Flurry!" Featherweight called out as he put his mask on before diving underwater and out of sight.

Barda just looked confused as the portal closed. "Just... what was that about?" She asked Flurry Heart who just sighed in relief.

"Save for a few small cups, he's been deprived of large doses of water for a while, after that stunt he pulled keeping us safe he needed a good soak." Flurry explained as the portal closed.

"Well that's... good he got some then." Applejack said but like her sister she had a confused look on her face. "Sorry just sometimes this world has a ton of surprises."

"Indeed it does..." The Queen stated as she approached the two, and much to the shock of everyone...she bowed. "But the most important thing is that you saved our island, our home, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"Just take the praise." Flurry chuckled as the rest of the Amazons bowed as well. "Trust me, it takes A LOT to get this kind of respect from her!"

"Oh well... thanks." Barda said with a shy smile. "A-ah mean it's nothing Ah really deserve but... Ah'll take it."

Later on the beach, Barda sighed as she watched the sunset. To say it had been a rough day would be an understatement. After the invasion had been stopped the Amazons waisted no time rebuilding their homes and mending the damage done by Diamonds forces.

While she'd willingly helped out, there was a small voice in the back of her mind asking one simple question… a question she didn't know the answer to:

What now?

"Somethin' botherin' ya Barda?" A familiar voice asked as Barda turned around and saw her sister with a smile walking up to her.

"Ah'm just... thinkin'..." She stated as she sat down. "Everything's just going so fast… and now, Ah'm not sure what tah do with mah life..."

"Well... Ah've got an idea." Applejack said as she patted her back. "Ya could stay. Hide yer Boom Tube trace like Ah did. Try and remember what it meant to be good and just."

Barda stared at her sister, conflicted and uncertain. "D-do yah think they'll accept me? Ah mean, they know mah history..."

"Even if they don't? Ah will... and Ah'd welcome you back to the Watchtower no matter what." AJ said as she hugged her.

"Thanks sis." She smiled as she broke the hug and got up and turned towards the castle. "Well, here goes nothing..." She took a deep breath before flying off.

"Ah hope for the best fer ya sis." Applejack said with a smile on her face. "Ah'm sure y'all do just fine."

Meanwhile in Apploosa, Harley sighed as Braeburn treated her wounds. "Stupid boomerang throwing jerk..." She groaned.

"Thought you were friends with him?" He asked her.

"Well.... I tolerated him personally." She said while rolling her eyes.

"Any reason you think he wanted Strongheart dead so badly?" He asked he wrapped a bandage around her arm.

"I think I can answer that." Batmare said as she entered the room, wiping the blood off her mouth.

"Did you eat him?" Harley asked with a disappointed look on her face. "Aw Bats I could've fed you!"

"You're injured, I'd rather not risk it." She stated bluntly before sitting down. "Besides, we're going to need you at 100% strength if we're going to be remotely ready for the rest of them..."

"Them who?" Braeburn asked in confusion.

Batmare's eyes narrowed behind her mask. "Task Force X."