Pony Buster: A timeless journey

"And that is the end of the report Princess." Flash concluded,

"It's hard to take in Flash." Twilight replied "to think that reawakened heroes from foreign lands can be awakened and summoned once again. Even worse, we've got a horde of them against us!"

"Do not fear Princess, there are heroes out there who still fight for good."

"Fan Lihua, so that's her name." Twilight continued "even a character like her is revered as a Powerful hero, I have my doubts that... She could carry the burden of Ponyville let alone Equestria by herself. Besides, she may--"

"She won't." Flash sternly interrupted "she is fully on our side and I am honoured to call her comrade or as she says, a sister-in-arms. As for her allies scattered all over, we can organise search parties."

"Flash, we really are in trouble. Aren't we?" Twilight asked, "are we really... In danger?"

"the tip of the iceberg, the prelude," Flash sighed, "we are at war."

"And that's what I've stated." Flash spoke at a calm meeting with Lihua and Applebloom "Unfortunately Miss Lihua, I had to talk of you, but I made sure that this information is confidential within Ponyville, as we will have to warn the ponies that we are in imminent danger. As for you Applebloom, I omitted your presence entirely."

"Under these circumstances, I believe my presence must be known to the leaders." Lihua nodded in agreement,

"But what I fear the most," Flash continued "is you Miss Applebloom. Sooner or later, ponies will know that you're also responsible, as you are the one who has the 'bond' to Miss Lihua, which is the reason why she won't be defecting anytime soon, also adding to the fact you are protecting us by your own will."

"That much is correct." Lihua nodded again,

"Can you remember your allies that made it out Miss Lihua? Their names and what they look like?" Flash asked,

"Xiang Ying, the daughter of Xiang Yu and my closest sister-in-arms. Tachibana Ginchiyo, the head of her family clan and a brilliant musketeer and shooter. And Date Masamune, the outstanding tactician and katana practitioner, also known as the 'One-eyed dragon'."

"Yeow! His eye was cut off!?" Applebloom cringed in horror,

"Actually, it was the disease of smallpox that robbed his eye." Flash corrected, "it was much serious back then because their methods of curing such disease is rather... Complex. Eventually, it became a big hindrance so of course it was gouged out."

"Hurk..." Applebloom replied, holding her mind and stomach in place

"I've done all I can Miss Lihua and Miss Applebloom." Flash stood up "if the cat happens to get out of the bag, I will speak in your favour, because I trust you and all you've stated, and that you have proven with your actions. But now comes a large struggle."

"What is it?" Applebloom asked,

"We may have defended Ponyville from invasion, but that doesn't mean Chaos will give up. I am absolutely sure that they will strike once more, and not a full front attack like before. The two of you WILL be required to fight them,"

"We understand." Applebloom and Lihua said in unison.

"That's good to know, but if we were ever to succeed, two conditions must be met."

"It's not anything bad... Is it?" Applebloom asked,

"That depends" Flash continued "Miss Applebloom, you will have to be trained to defend yourself. You're lucky your school work will be postponed this week because of the current affair. That will give you time to train."

"Well that's okay!" Applebloom grinned "I've always wanted to learn how to fight."

"It's not pleasant if you actually think about it." Flash replied, "fighting is only for your own defence. Lihua, I want you to train her."

"Me?"

"You may be under Miss Applebloom's influence, but that doesn't mean you can not assist her. I thought the best teacher for her would be you."

"You flatter me." Lihua replied,

"And the second?" Applebloom asked,

"I know it seems selfish of me to ask Miss Lihua this proposition but... Would you also take me as your student as well?"

"I beg your pardon?" Lihua asked with a confused look,

"Oh... Ah remember. You see, Mister Sentry actually has some admiration towards you. He told me that if you were alive, that he'd want to learn your Spear techniques."

"My... Apologies." Flash replied, although keeping a straight face, his cheeks turned red.

"Well well well..." Lihua chuckled, "now I truly am flattered." She walked closer to Flash "Do both of you have what it takes?"

"Yes..." Flash and Applebloom spoke once together, then looked at each other, nodded and finished off with "...Fan lǎoshī." Causing Lihua to burst into laughter.

"Both your Manedarin are terrible." Lihua blurted, still laughing. Taking 5 minutes to calm down, Lihua went back to her serious self. "Right, let's get down to business."

Applebloom felt her muscles ache and cramp as she hobbled along the path to her CMC clubhouse. She and Flash stood in many poses and breathing exercises for too long.

"Makes me think that washin' chariots and carts are pushovers compared to stances." Applebloom mumbled to herself. After the scuffle, it was clear to say the town was safe and the lockdown was lifted. Ponies were now able to walk freely in the town, so Applebloom knew her friends would be there.

"Howdy y'all!" Applebloom greeted as she entered the house, to see two frowning faces from her friends.

"You seem rather energetic for one who has been locked up in the house all day." Scootaloo replied,

"well why not? The town's safe once again!" Applebloom reasoned, "ah'd rather kept safe at home rather than out and having the chance to let those... Whatever they are, have us for dinner!"

"That's not the point Applebloom." Sweetie replied "what we're saying is, were you really stuck inside all day?"

"Of course! That's what the lockdown is for, remember?"

"Yeah, I'm not buying it." Sweetie continued, "When I was shut inside, minding my own business, I spotted this yellow mare, dashing quite fast from where Sweet Apple Acres is to the castle."

"Err... That must be somepony else!" Applebloom diverted "If yer trying to imply that it was me, ah don't have that skill."

"You certainly don't." Scootaloo spoke "and we agree. I also saw the same thing, a pony dashing towards the castle. What we saw but don't quite understand, was that somepony was clinging on to her back."

"You Applebloom, we could recognise your mane anywhere, even if you were just a blur." Sweetie Belle finished,

"Umm..." Applebloom muttered, feeling stiff and frozen with fear. "Yeah... Ah didn't stay inside."

"Why?" Scootaloo asked, an icy glare in her eyes "tell me, what does this mare have to do with you? Why were you allowed to go out when we were all shut in?"

"Because it's her responsibility to resolve the situation that caused the lockdown" a voice boomed from behind. The CMC turned to see Flash Sentry standing at the foot of their treehouse entrance.

"Flash? How did you find me- I mean us?" Applebloom jumped in shock,

"I asked your sister, Lady Applejack." Flash replied, "do you mind if I come in?" With a nod from the three, Flash flew into the house

"that easy?" Sweetie replied, "I know you're Ponyville's lieutenant, but I'm not sure Applejack would be so safe to tell you where we are."

"My situation is... Concerning." Flash replied, Scootaloo swallowed and spoke,

"When you said 'her responsibility', what did you mean?"

"I am afraid that is classified to the royal Ponyville individuals and Applebloom is an anonymous exception. I can't discuss this any further. I hope you understand."

"I can tell you something though." Applebloom added "do you remember the marble I showed both of you?" She pulled out the soul stone of Fan Lihua from her pouch once again and showed them. "The mysterious mare you saw with me? She's with me."

"Applebloom..." Flash warned,

"That's all ah can say, ah ain't breachin' anymore codes. I hope you girls can understand. We're still friends, okay?" The two fillies remained silent as they stared at their Earth Pony friend with a lost expression.

"Listen, if we ever get to help you" Scootaloo started, "don't hesitate to call."

"We may not fight." Sweetie replied "but we can do something, we must!"

"Perhaps." Flash replied, "I understand your concerns about Miss Applebloom, but it may be a hindrance if you don't have a hero that would travel with you."

"No, please!" Sweetie pleaded, "I'll do anything! Bring along supplies, anything!"

"Sweetie." Scootaloo placed a hoof on her soldier. "If Mr Sentry says no, then he means no."

"I will promise you however." Flash added as he offered a hoof "that I will extend my limits to protect Applebloom, for her and for you."

"Flash..." Applebloom sighed. Scootaloo boldly trotted forward and grabbed his hoof hard with her own.

"You'd better not break it. Or I'll never forgive you" Scootaloo replied, grasping hard.

"Understood" Flash nodded, then turned to Sweetie "and you?"

"Promise." Sweetie also nodded, grasping his hoof.

"Ah'll make sure to keep in touch," Applebloom replied and with Flash, trotted away.

"Do you think they'll be alright?" Sweetie asked as they saw the two walk towards the horizon.

"They will." Scootaloo nodded "our best friend's tough. She'll pull through, and I'm definitely sure about Ponyville's lieutenant." She closed her eyes in assurance "he's worked hard for his position... And he's loyal and caring..."

"Miss Applebloom, I'm afraid to say your power will be needed again." Flash briefed, "there has been reports to say that a few unknown ponies have been circling Ponyville indirectly. By that, I mean they are hiding in the neighbouring forests, including the Everfree."

"They're plannin to ambush and surround us." Applebloom guessed,

"Do not fear, they are currently mobilising and will not fully get in position until tomorrow." Flash continued, "I still have my doubts however..."

"About what?"

"I may look cold and uncaring, but I don't want to risk your friends losing you. It will bring grief not just to them but to Lady Applejack as well."

"You care a lot Mister Sentry. Yer a really good guard." Applebloom replied,

"Just doing my job." Flash replied, "you've done well today, get a good night's sleep, you and Miss Lihua, wherever she went. We'll all need one for tomorrow."

"Goodnight Applebloom." Applejack replied as she turned off the light. "Sorry about this morning. It's all good now."

"It's okay sis. Goodnight." Applebloom replied. As Applejack turned to close the door, she noticed that the light coming from the holes of the window, was shining on something very peculiar.

"Whut the hay?" Applejack mentioned to herself as she closed the door, noting that where the moon shone, a few planks were on the floor, neatly cut in half.

It was now Tuesday, and Applebloom secretly met up with Flash Sentry to understand what's going on.

"We've decided to upholster the town's defences." Flash briefed "so no Royal Guards will be travelling with us. Just me and you."

"Understood."

"I hope you remember your training." Flash replied "because things will get ugly, and you'll be a part of it."

"Wait... No weapons for me?" Applebloom asked,

"Don't you remember?" Flash replied "you've got a weapon of your own!" And pointed at Applebloom's pouch of stones.

"Ohh... Ah still wanna wield one!"

"Negative, too dangerous." Flash replied "however, it seems that some of our enemies have dropped their weapons during that last battle. Perhaps I can change some of my weapons. Also, I've also got with me the bag of potions, or pots for short, from yesterday. I had to give some of these tonics to the research department, they found it... Interesting. Using so little ingredients to make something very strong. Whoever made this came from must have a lot of knowledge when it comes to Potion brewing. Regardless, we can make ample amounts of this too."

"Not enough time to go all analytical now." Applebloom sighed as she pulled out Lihua's soul stone. Doing her 'summoning routine' she yelled to the skies.

"Fan Lihua! Ah summon your presence to save the world!" Like before, the stone glowed and gleamed, the earth shook, 5 pillars rose from the ground in the formation like the vertices of a pentagon and from the skies, a familiar figure came into view from high in the air and landed neatly on the ground without kicking up any dust.

"I am here. Now face my spear!" The mare stood up straight and firmly stamped her weapon on the floor.

"Nice entrance Miss Lihua." Flash applauded without emotion "You can also rhyme too."

"I aim to please." Lihua replied, "has Chaos made its move?"

"An ambush through via the woods, each of the four platoons in each of the four neighbouring forests. The Everfree forest seems to house the commander, as it has the most enemy units.

"Did you scout the commander?" Lihua asked,

"A male earth pony, spear user, wearing boots on his hind legs and some pants. He is wearing a helmet however, and it horrifies me to see this: The skin of a leopard's head."

"Eww... He killed and used the head of a leopard!?" Applebloom gulped, trying not to throw up.

"Then that must be Lin Chong." Fan Lihua replied, "he's known as the Tiger Warrior. Silent, but deadly"

"Fits the name" Flash replied,

"Oohh... Killing an animal and using it for its clothes..." Applebloom shivered "who would do such a thing?"

"Just so you know," Lihua added, "the fur with my armour and clothes? They belonged to the most dangerous wolves and killed and skinned by yours truly." This shut both ponies up as they stared in horror at the mare before them.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Lihua asked, showing her killer smile "let's stab some enemies!"

The group scurried to the first forest and found an unpleasant sight. Familiar enemy soldiers were patrolling the area again. Only this time, most of the ponies and creatures they saw were green in colour or wearing green tunics. Fan Lihua took a deep breath.

"Somethin' wrong?" Applebloom asked,

"M-Me? No! Not at all." Lihua replied,

"We can all tell, that deep breath means you've got something troubling you." Flash replied,

"Remember how you found out that Fire was weak to Water?" Lihua replied,

"Yeah?"

"Well, each revived hero and creature all have a elemental type to them. Fire, Tree, Cave, Wind, Nova and Aqua. Like the elements itself, each hero has a strength and weakness against certain elements."

"You told me yer a hero of the Cave element." Applebloom replied, then looked to the enemies, "so that means..."

"The order that I have set the elements are in a way where an element is stronger than the one after it but weaker than the one before it."

"And the Tree element is before the Cave element." Flash replied,

"... I'll make sure to be careful during these fights." Lihua replied, fear dripping down her face. "It's not that I stay clear of fighting against enemies of the Tree Element. Times when I do have to fight them, I fight them with my partner. She's a fire type hero, and she can defeat them easily."

"So Xiang Ying's a Fire hero?" Flash mused "Let's hope for the best that she would show up"

"Silence..." Flash signalled, "enemy at 12 o' clock."

"Ah see 'em wide an clear." Applebloom replied, "let's waste em."

"Can you really with those numbers?" A soft but familiar voice came from behind. The group turned around to scream at the presence of Bu Lianshi but she manage to quickly signal them to keep quiet.

"What are you doing here!?" Applebloom rasped as quiet as she could, "I thought you were gone for good!"

"Remember that I am a hero like Lihua." Lianshi replied, "if a Hero Buster defeats a hero and acquires his/her soul stone, the hero will regenerate after a few hours. After all, you have my Soul stone as well as the Princess'."

"Whoever controls the hero" Lihua added "the hero will follow the Pioneer's choices, ideals, values and commands. Simply put, a reflection of the heart"

"However Applebloom, your ideals for Heroes under your control is to allow them to act freely under the rules and laws of this world as you do, and not just used for fighting. You don't treat us as a subordinate or slave, but as a compadre. I think you call them..." Lianshi continued,

"Friends." Applebloom replied,

"Well, since you freed both me and milady from the control of Chaos and returning both our consciences and free will. We owe you plenty, that and the Princess asks of me to assist you for this journey."

"Wouldn't she get swamped by the other ponies back home?" Flash asked,

"No need to worry, she is in co-operation with your Princess." Lianshi replied, "she's rather feisty though..."

"What is this madness!?!?" Shangxiang yelled, "what do you mean you can't fix the Purple Blue!?"

"I'm just saying, we don't have that advanced technology yet." Twilight reasoned, "If you'd like, I can research the weapon for you, perhaps we can find an alternative. I mean, it wasn't that hard to make the potions from before."

"Arrgh!!!" Shangxiang yelled at the top of her lungs.

"Ah think we're goin' to need backup to round her down." Applejack gulped,

"They'll be fine." Lianshi replied, "I-I'm sure of it."

"Thanks for your Assistance Miss Lianshi. Your type advantage will really help a lot. It is great to have both you and Miss Shangxiang on our side."

"No problem." Lianshi winked, "after all, It should be me who's thanking you three."

Like yesterday, the now decreased force ploughed through their unknowing trip thanks to the help of Bu Liangshi. Firing ever so accurately, every Forest axemare, small tree-cat and even the two Brawny platoon leaders were no match for the small platoon.

"This is what you get for facing a hero!" Lianshi taunted,

"I believe you have done most of the work here." Flash replied, "poor Miss Lihua still looks rather grim."

"I-It's fine." Lihua shuddered "I've been through this before."

"Just to let you know, I'm trying not to be Xiang Ying's replacement, but am I doing well to your standards?" Lianshi asked,

"You've been protecting me from the Tree enemies, just like how Xiang Ying has been doing. You're doing great. Thanks." Lihua replied,

"Heads up everypony, the second forest is inbound." Flash warned, "use extreme caution and do not alert them. We're going to make them taste their own medicine of stealth attacks."

"Yes sir!" Came the response of the three mares. Sneaking through the dangerous path of the second forest. They came across a mare with a bamboo hat and levitating a wooden staff.

"She looks like the only one from this platoon." Lihua replied, "she's definitely the one."

"That, and another of those Brawnies." Flash replied, "first off, lets kick these Purings, Cats, Axemares and Archers out, two by two. Lianshi, you may start the initiative."

"Roger." Lianshi replied and with a true aim, struck the nearby puring down.

"Now!" Lihua signalled and the four ponies charged out. Easily taking each down two by two, it they managed to get towards the platoon commanders.

"The mare is a Wood Pharmacist. She has the ability to heal those who are injured." Lihua analysed,

"Then that means we knock her out first!" Applebloom replied,

"Not quite so" Flash replied, "can she heal those who are already dea-I mean defeated?"

"Good point, let's take out the archer first." Applebloom decided, Lianshi stared once again by rapidly firing against the archer and giving enough time for Lihua to deal a finishing blow.

"Next, we take out the Pharmacist." Flash replied. Teaming up with Lihua, they both swung their spears and lunged forward in perfect synchronisation. This led to disarming and defeating the enemy pharmacist.

"You match my moves almost correctly." Lihua noted, "you really are a quick learner Flash."

"I aim to please shifu" Flash replied, "but we've still got one more enemy."

"You're not pleasing me with your awful Manedarin." Lihua sighed, "but yes, we have the Brawny left to deal with."

"You should rest Lihua. Why don't I partner up with you soldier foal?" Lianshi advised,

"Sure thing." Flash replied. With a sudden movement, Lianshi quickly fired 5 arrows landing perfectly around the Brawny's chest, followed with a tough spear throw by Flash piercing the enemy's flesh and heart. Knowing that it would seal the deal, the Brawny collapsed and vanished into thin air.

"Not bad Flash, not bad." Lianshi replied,

"I still feel queasy when I take ponies' lives." Flash replied as he recovered his spear.

"It's still not over though. 2 platoon are remaining, and you know who they house." Lihua added,

"Looks like the real battle begins." Applebloom noted, "let's hurry to the third forest." As the 4 took off, a pony watched from a tall tree. Looking at them with great interest.

"Well well, it seems you've been busy Fan Lihua." The pony whispered to herself "looks like it's my turn." Equipping the weapon from her back, an extremely oversized axe in the form of a large blade from an X-acto knife, the pony pursued the group from the shadows.

"..." Lihua shuddered,

"Somethin wrong Miss Lihua???" Applebloom asked,

"I'm beginning to feel a familiar spirit around here." Lihua answered "I feel like somepony is tailing us..."

"Now that you mention it," Lianshi picked up "something's amiss with the wind."

"Stay low" Flash signalled, as the team continued creeping around the enemy lines, they noted a small alcove with a large tarp dyed with the colours of a tiger.

"Fan Lihua, is that what I think it is?" Lianshi gestured,

"Yes, we have come to the 'Tiger Cottage'. That tarp is easily recognisable."

"The Tiger Cottage?" Flash asked,

"This is a tarp used especially by the hero Sun Erniang. Wherever she puts up the tarp, she calls the area surrounding it 'Tiger Cottage'."

"Who's this Erniang lady by the way?" Applebloom asked,

"She's another fictional character in one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese Literature." Flash explained, "but let me warn you that she is very, very deadly."

"How so?" Applebloom gulped,

"She's a tender mare that runs a restaurant with her husband, and whenever travellers come to dine, she drugs their food and drinks. These victims are then killed and robbed of their possessions."

"What!?" Applebloom jumped, "that's horrible! She shouldn't even be called a hero!"

"Yes, her acts are immoral and cruel. She is also the one who does the killing and slaughtering. Tender AND cruel, she's quite a deadly butcher, even to the fact that she would actually make steam buns with the fillings of pony flesh straight from the poor victims to serve other customers, acknowledging that the fact of cannibalism or the idea of eating meat is a atrocious crime."

"Urk..." Applebloom held her mouth, trying not to throw up "I feel sick..."

"I wouldn't want her serving me food." Lihua chuckled "however, she also has been employed to help fight in certain campaigns and was honoured for her duty. She may be cruel in the beginning, but from her duties of war till her death, she was recognized as a hero and an expert Martial Artist."

"Won't make me think any better of her..." Applebloom replied, until a sound of pain echoed from the forest. The group turned to hear this mysterious interruption of silence.

"Somepony's attacking." Flash replied, "it's coming from where the enemy guard has been placed."

"Oh no..." Applebloom jumped as the screaming continued echoing towards their direction. "Did somepony stumble here by accident?"

"Can't be" Lianshi countered, "the two Princesses and the guards have made sure no one leaves Ponyville. I doubt nopony has the mind to get themselves killed."

"Then could it be the enemy?" Lihua asked,

"What in the hay is happening!!!" A loud voice boomed from underneath the hanging tarp. "Backup the guards you lot!!!" Without another second, groups of ponies and monsters swarmed out of the tarp and towards the source of the screaming.

"It looks like Lihua may be correct." Flash noted as the heroes ducked down back into the bushes. "The enemies seem to be taking a beating."

"But who would be powerful enough to take on a horde of enemies?" Applebloom asked,

"... I hear you." The voice from inside the tarp echoed once again. "Why don't you come out and show yourselves?"

"Oh lords!" Lianshi ducked even deeper, "have we been spotted?"

"I said, come out!" The voice repeated, and a large shiny object flew out of the tent and brutally stuck itself on a tree, just a few centimetres above Flash. As the soldier looked up, he made it out on what this mysterious object was.

"Yes." Flash replied as he timidly removed a large shiny cleaver above his head. "And she really wants us to come out."

As the 4 ponies stepped into the clearing around the tent, a pony, wearing green garments tied together with a red and white sash that it looks like an apron as well as having with a very complicated manestyle tied together with two large golden hairpins, stepped out it with a clump of cleavers similar to the one Flash held in her mouth.

"I believe you dropped this." Flash replied, placing the cleaver at her feet and quickly stepping back.

"Ptoi!" The mare spat the cleavers to the floor which they neatly pierce the grounds surface. "So you're the ones who've been causing trouble for my stallions."

"Actually, we've been going around them." Lihua corrected,

"Silence!" The mare snapped back, "regardless, the commotion is disrupting my cooking! No one dares to do that, I'll butcher anypony who stands in my way!"

"Very well then Sun Erniang!" Lianshi raised her crossbow. "Do your worst!"

"Hah! You're too close to fire on me!" Erniang laughed as she tossed one of her cleavers at great speed, knocking Lianshi off-guard and slicing her face.

"Argh!" Lianshi reeled as she fell to the ground,

"Miss Lianshi!" Flash jumped to alarm and flew towards the butcher mare and attempted to strike her down.

"Ooh" Erniang smiled as she blocked the lunge of Flash's spear. "You've got exceptional skill for a western hero."

"I'm no hero" Flash replied, "I'm just an everyday Royal Guard doing my duty, but my duty is to protect the inhabitants of Ponyville. I will protect them, with my life and spear. Especially from you!"

"Hah! Well I hope you get insurance for that!" Erniang laughed as she pushed him back and used her cleaver to slice the spear in two.

"No!" Flash gasped at his broken weapon with horror. Erniang used this distraction to tackle and knock Flash Sentry out of commission.

"Your will in your spear has broken." Erniang taunted "and so will your life!"

"Stop!" Applebloom yelled and she used all her mind to shove Erniang away from Flash.

"Huh." Erniang propped herself back up. "You've got a lot of nerve little filly. You've distracted my two kills, but gutting you is going to be easy."

"Ah won't let you turn them into food!" Applebloom replied,

"Hah hah hah!" Erniang laughed evilly "they're better off as food than soldiers! And..." She sniffed the scent of Applebloom "you'll be too!"

"You would dare take the life of foals and fillies and use their flesh for your atrocious meals of crime!?" Lihua rebuked,

"I don't give a damn Lihua!" Erniang replied, "anyone who crosses by me will be marked for death!" And with a response, she threw a cleaver straight towards Applebloom. As Applebloom saw this movement, she became immobilised with fear as the cleaver started flying towards her head.

"Applebloom! Move!" Lihua cried in desperation as she galloped as hard as she could to block the cleaver, but the cleaver continued speeding towards the aghast Applebloom as it continued spinning closer and closer towards her face.

"No!!!" Lihua yelled as a cracking sound echoed through the area. She fell to the ground in shame and sadness and lowered her head to the ground in pain. "I'm so sorry *sniff* that I couldn't help you... It was supposed to be my job, my duty!" Lihua continued blabbering and blubbering until she noticed something strange, the sight of small yellow and red sparks fell to the floor puts her into a confused state.

"Ugh..." Lianshi frustratingly picked herself up and held her face to prevent any more blood loss.

"Gah..." Flash picked his aching body up until he can muster up the strength to look towards Applebloom in horror. "Wh-What in Tartarus!?"

"No way..." Lihua gasped, "she really is..." Following the spark's trail, it led her eyes to see a cleaver frozen in mid-air instead of protruding from Applebloom's face.

"How... How is that possible!?" Flash added. The cleaver seemed to have stuck itself onto some invisible force field, where a small area around the cleaver made that force field visible. A force field that consistently transitions it's colour between yellow and red and small sparks of these colours of energy continuously flew from where the cleaver made contact and to the ground.

"Damn it!" Erniang yelled in frustration. "It can't be!"

"Ah... Ah won't die." Applebloom whispered softly though everypony could hear. "Ah promised that ah won't die, and that ah would save Equestria." She grasped the handle of the cleaver and pulled it out from the force field in one go. Pointing it at her adversary, she menacingly glared at Erniang.

"Because ah am a Pioneer, and ah'm usin' this power to protect the ones ah love!" Applebloom yelled,

"Gah..." Erniang stepped back in fear. "A young little filly punk life you? A Hunter!?!?"

"How did she...?" Flash spoke softly,

"It's because of us." Lianshi carefully trotted over to Flash, though in great pain, continued her usual tone "our Soul Stones. Whenever a Hunter has possession of them, the Heroes under his or her control will link their souls to his or her power and devote their lives to protecting them from harm, and that's also in the literal sense. The force field that protected Applebloom is called a Soul Shield, because Lihua and I are out fighting side by side with her, our stones also act as a shield for her."

"I... I see..." Flash took it all in "so the colours of Red and Yellow. Those are yours and Miss Lihua's element respectively." He stared at the cleaver-wielding Applebloom "A Pony that can summon and use Heroes of the East and West, as well as using them to be their shield, sword and so much more... This is the power of a Hero Buster, and Miss Applebloom is one of them."

"You don't threaten me little punk!" Erniang roared, "I'll break that Soul Shield of yours!" And with a wild charge, the Butcher swung madly at her opponent, but the little filly was nimble and determined and made sure that the cleavers swung at air.

"Like I said, the Soul Shield is made by our Soul Stones, so we are connected to that shield. Every time the shield receives collision, it will pass off that damage to the heroes that are active with her." As a frightening example, Erniang managed to strike the Soul Shield whilst she was aiming for a leg of Applebloom, and as the cracking sound can be heard once more, Lianshi felt pain.

"Argh..." Lianshi growled as the wound on her face started releasing even more blue motes of light. Flash immediately took her in his arms.

"You need help fast." Flash replied as he grabbed a potion and held it to her lips. "Can they be also applied to your wounds?"

"Yeah..." Lianshi replied as she felt the embrace of the orange pegasus as she ingested the red fluid.

"Okay then, show me the wound, I'm going to apply it now." Flash warned, as he turned to Lihua, the spear wielding mare was also feeling faint as she continued watching the fight.

"Ahh..." Lianshi twitched in pain as the red fluid touched her facial wound, though she still held still.

"Okay, I'm rubbing it now." Flash replied as he applied the constant pressure from his hoof.

"...So smooth... So kind... Even in battle." Lianshi whispered to herself with a relaxed smile as she felt the hoof of the orange pegasi as well as the pain burning away.

"Enough!" Erniang yelled at Applebloom, "I'm going to rip you apart!"

"No you won't!" Another voice replied, and a shadow jumped between the filly and the butcher. "You're going to be ripped apart!"

"Wha?" Applebloom jumped,

"Oh lords!!! You!?" Erniang yelled,

"No way..." Lihua's eyes widened in realisation "... You're still here..."

"Alive and in the flesh!" The mysterious girl replied, and pulled out her weapon with one hoof,

"It really is you!" Lihua smiled with joy as she laid eyes on the large X-acto blade-axe "my sister!"

"Her sister???" Flash replied as he let go of Lianshi, "so this is the daughter of Xiang Yu..." He inspected the newcomer from top to bottom. The mane was dark orange in colour and was long enough to be tied into two identical long spiral strands. With that, she wore a black Alice Band with white spiky frills at the top, a small mask of a tiger and a red dress which although normally frilled at the bottom and spike frilled on the sleeves for the front legs, it was tailored for war.

"Hey kid," The newcomer called without letting her eyes leave the enemy's. "Leave this one to me. Why don't you go get the Tiger Warrior? I've heard he's attempting to make a counterstrike at this location. You might want to do something about that."

"O-Okay, thanks for saving me!" Applebloom complied,

"Save it for when we finish the fight." Came the reply. Without a word, Applebloom stood up to her feet and galloped to Lihua's side. Lianshi and Flash joined up with them a few seconds later and they were galloping off towards the Everfree forest.

"You!" Erniang yelled, "you denied me my kills!"

"I know." The newcomer replied, "now you've got me!" And the two mares began clashing blades.

"Are you feeling any better Miss Lianshi?" Flash asked,

"Yes I am." Lianshi replied with her usual tone "thank you for your assistance"

"At least you're still alive." Flash replied as he examined his spear, torn in two, "lives are much more valuable than a weapon."

"I'm sorry Flash," Lihua apologised "how you and your weapon have been through thick and thin, I would feel the same if my Pear Blade would be lost."

"That much is true, but it is still just a normal spear, standard issue. Unlike both of your weapons, they were made especially for you, and if I heard, you even gave it a name. The Pear Blade, you called it?"

"Yes" Lihua nodded,

"Mine is called the Bulian Bow." Lianshi replied, "similar to my name,"

"I may not brood so much about weapons." Flash sighed, "but I need to find a new weapon fast, I don't mind using my hooves though."

"Heroes that use their bodies as their main weapon are way out of your league." Lianshi warned, "I think you'd be best off getting a new weapon of your proficiency. How about this?" And showed him a Copper Spear,

"Oh" Flash examined it, "looks really nice" and gave it a few practice lunges "a bit heavy, but It should make up for durability and power right?"

"I know nothing can replace your original spear, but I hope this would do. It may not be as powerful as a hero's weapon, but it has a higher chance of survival against one."

"It would take a few minutes to get accustomed to the weight, but I'll eventually come to it, thank you."

"We could always get that old spear repaired" Applebloom suggested,

"Or maybe you can use a hero's, if you're lucky." Lianshi replied, "we'll be approaching the Everfree forest soon."

The party managed to reach the entrance without any interference from enemies, and without any word, continued on traversing the dirt path. It wasn't long until they see a lone figure standing in their way.

"Excuse me..." Flash replied, "we are trying to find a stallion known as Lin Chong. If you intend to stand in our way of finding him, there is no chance of driving us away."

"..." The figure stayed silent

"I see..." Flash replied "so you are one of his soldiers. I admire your courage of getting in the way of our main target"

"... I am your main target." The figure grunted, and stepped closer to make himself visible to his opponents. A muscular looking stallion pointed his spear at the group, his eyes and mane shielded with what looks like the head of a leopard.

"The leopard cap... Lin Chong" Lihua stated,

"... You've gotten this far, preventing our ambush invasion... You must be powerful ponies indeed." Spinning his spear, he put himself to a battle ready stance. "Killing you will be very satisfying!" With a fearsome roar, he lunged at the group, clashing first with Lihua.

"Impressive..." Chong replied as he collided blades, "have you perhaps grown stronger?"

"Even if I have the power to take down Chaos with my own hands," Lihua replied, "I will keep on fighting!"

"I believe we should fall back." Lianshi advised, "I will cover from afar." Hopping to a sturdy branch on a nearby tree, she starts aiming down on the Tiger Warrior as the two furiously traded blows.

"It will take more than just an arrow diversion to take me down!" Chong taunted as could not only fend off Lihua's Pear Blade, but also neatly dodged the arrow.

"The Tiger Warrior..." Flash watched from afar "he really does live up to that name. His skill is ferocious."

"He's movin' and fightin' like that tiger from the Daring Do novel!" Applebloom watched,

"I need to help someway." Flash replied, grasping the Copper Spear,

"Don't even think about it" Lianshi called, "like you said, his skill is ferocious. I'd rather risk the life of a hero rather than the life of a real pony."

"But..." Flash tried to object,

"Mister Flash." Applebloom placed a hoof on Flash "remember yer promise to Scootaloo and Sweetie? That you'd protect me?"

"But..."

"Ah know you wanna take the enemy down yerself in order to protect yer friends and me, but ah don't accept that. Ah want you to stay alive."

"... Fine" Flash concluded,

"I've made a promise too." Lihua replied, as she pushed away Chong to breathe "that I would protect you too Applebloom, and that also means protecting Ponyville from Chaos!"

"Ditto" Lianshi replied, "and milady would say the same thing. Before being controlled by Chaos, we all promised to defeat it."

"Give me a break." Chong replied as he stepped back to breathe too "this sappy story of promises and bonds are sickening. You are wasting time for my master!"

"The real Chong I know serves no pony!" Lihua replied,

"Chaos has given me much benefit and power in return for my services." Chong replied with a murderous smile, "besides, he'll let me kill as much as I want. How can I but refuse?"

"You'll be causing grief to another country at your satisfaction!" Lianshi replied infuriated and fired a shot, hitting him directly in the shoulder. Chong grunted in pain

"You caught 'im off guard!" Applebloom called,

"Then I'll finish him now! Yargh!" Lihua yelled as she drove her spear through his body.

"Heh heh heh..." Chong coughed "you think a mere stab could finish me off?"

"Dang it... I was careless..." Lihua cursed under her breath.

"And you know what happens after that right?" Chong continues, "this!" and furiously lunged his spear. The group could all but watch in horror, shock and pain as the spear of Chong impaled the mare's neck.

"Fan Lihua!!!" Applebloom yelled in loss, Flash held her back in haste as they continued to see Lin Chong brutally remove Lihua from his spear and tossed her to the floor.

"It's okay..." Lihua coughed with a calming smile as she starts to glow blue and sparkling blue dust came out from her body like everypony else who was a hero. "I'll be okay... Lianshi will take care of you... Please, run..."

"Miss Lihua..." Flash grumbled in sadness as the mare faded into bright blue dust and shrunk in size until there was nothing left. Applebloom reached into her pouch with trembling hooves and pulled out Lihua's soul stone, which's glowing aura was fading in intensity and that the original colour of the Soul Stone became dull and cold.

"The power... Her power..." Applebloom spoke with a sad tear "ah can't feel it anymore..." Without remorse, the Tiger Warrior scoured the area where Lihua had died, in attempts to find something. After some frustrating paws on the ground, he looked up to the young filly and spotted the dull Soul Stone in her hand. Flash stepped forward in defence.

"I see..." Chong started "so this is Chaos' sole irritant from conquering this world..."

"You dare call Miss Applebloom an irritant!?" Flash yelled,

"A young child, one that has the same control of heroes like Chaos. You however, lack the superiority and authority over us."

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applebloom replied,

"You treat the heroes like your own. Share experiences together through good or bad, motivate and cheer for when your hero fights, cry and mourn when your hero dies, you fail to understand that heroes like us are tools meant for battle in our days of life."

"... Miss Lianshi, take care of Applebloom." Flash commanded,

"Flash?" Applebloom asked,

"He has just pulled the last straw." Flash lifted his head in fury "no matter how much a hero goes through, they have done so much for their country and for the ones they love, they are to be treated with respect and care."

"Why do you value the life of a hero?" Chong asked, "even if we die, we can be revived and re-summoned!"

"They still feel pain!" Flash retorted, "The cost of everlasting revival comes with being pulled by a leash. When every hero was alive, they had the freedom to act under their own will. Now, they go against their own will and are enslaved by the likes of your 'master'. Of all ponies, you should know that!"

"How you bombard me with your moral outrage" Chong laughed "why don't you ask the heroes on your side?"

"Miss Applebloom may have the soul stones of Miss Lihua, Miss Lianshi and Miss Shangxiang in her possession, but she doesn't treat them as weapons, she treats each and everyone of them like a normal pony, an ally, a friend."

"Compassion..." Chong spat "how sickening and weak"

"you are clearly out of your mind. You speak with the tongue of Chaos" Flash rebuked once more "but I'll put an end to that!" and with a large yell, he ferociously roared as he buckled the Copper Spear with Chong's.

"Hah!" Chong gasped as he blocked and deflected every aggressive blow Flash deals out "you are pretty strong for a mere guard, but I can recognise those moves anywhere. Fan Lihua must have taught you well."

"Grr..." Flash growled as he continued on attacking relentlessly,

"Hey! Don't lose your head!" Lianshi called out "that's not how you defeated me before!"

"I can read you like a book!" Chong smiled as he quickly evaded one of Flash's lunge,

"Damn it!" Flash cursed as he swatted the air, the Tiger Warrior then took the chance to zip behind him and deliver a dangerous swing and leaving a long gash on his side.

"Heh, you prove to be a much bigger challenge than Fan Lihua." Chong replied as he breathed heavily due to exhaustion "Even you've managed to deliver some blows that I cannot dodge in time, as well as tiring me out..."

"Don't touch him!" Lianshi yelled, raising her bow,

"Either of you move an inch, I'll plunge my spear into his heart" Chong countered, "don't test me,"

"No matter who I face..." Flash gasped for breath "... I will fight my hardest... For everypony..."

"And with whatever belief you fight in, you fight well." Chong approved "It's an honour, killing a real-life pony such as you" and he raised his spear, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

"No you don't!" A familiar voice called again and a blur tackled into the looming Tiger Warrior. Applebloom saw the mysterious mare that rescued them from before with the large X-Acto blade axe.

"Xiang Ying!" Lianshi called in relief, as Lin Chong picked himself up from the surprise attack, Xiang Ying picked up the badly wounded Sentry and slumped him next to Applebloom.

"Little kid" Ying motioned to Applebloom "take this vial and pour it's contents on Lihua's soul stone, it will revive her instantly"

"O-Okay." Applebloom did what she was told. As she pulled out the opening seal and tipped the rectangular vial over, a glowing green liquid pours out of the vial and straight towards the dull soul stone. A feint light glowed from the dull soul stone, which to Applebloom's eyes, left her amazed as it attracts the flow of the green liquid and starts to absorb it. The more liquid the soul stone absorbed, it's colour gradually transitioned from dull to yellow. When every last liquid from the vial is absorbed, the Soul Stone was bright yellow and shining once more and with another radiating light, a familiar figure started materialising next to her.

"Miss Lihua" Applebloom cried with glee as she sees her hero retain her full colourful image.

"Applebloom..." Lihua smiled back as she embraced the crying filly.

"Ah'm sorry fer hugging you, even though we only know each other fer 5 days." Applebloom apologised "it's jes' that, what ah've been through with you yesterday, and that time when we first met and fought those varmints... It felt like we've known each other since ferever!"

"Yes..." Lihua nodded, her voice faltering "it really has..."

"Sorry to break your happy reunion, but we've still got a problem to deal here" Ying interrupted, gesturing towards the warrior

"Sorry about that" Lihua nervously apologised,

"Here's another gift for you kid" Ying added and tossed a large green marble to Applebloom,

"This..." Applebloom examined it, what looked to be the symbol of a leaf, twisted in a rather peculiar way. "It's that butcher's soul stone, is it?"

"You catch on real quick" Ying replied, "I defeated her in a blink of an eye. Took me quite a long time just to track you guys down though."

"That's just like you." Lihua replied,

"You'll face me this time Lin Chong" Ying replied, "and we all know what happens when you face me"

"Hmph" Chong grunted and with a swift movement, the two began clashing weapons against each other

"..." Flash bitterly held on,

"Wow Flash, you still held on strong" Lihua replied, "you're much more stronger than I thought you would be..."

"You don't look so good yourself..." Flash replied,

"Although I may still be revived" Lihua replied "I'm revived to a pretty terrible state..."

"Actually," Lianshi butted in, "I may be the your mare for the job. Applebloom? Can you take out my Soul Stone?"

"Sure!" Applebloom nodded, pulling out the Red Soul stone from her pouch, a design of a shield with two flame-tipped arrows crossed in front of it.

"Use my Heroic Skill" Lianshi instructed, "I'm sure you've been told that Pioneers such as you can help activate a hero's Heroic Skill. My one has the ability to heal myself and the allies around me."

"That really would help the situation! Ah'm on it!" Applebloom nodded as raised the soul stone to the air in a swift movement of her leg,

"Skill activation, Healing Arrow!"

Lianshi closed her eyes in concentration, and the arrow currently loaded onto the bow glowed green in colour. With a quick move, Lianshi aimed that arrow on the ground and fired it. The arrow exploded into a green hemisphere of alluring light and energy which surrounded the group. Applebloom felt a relieving and renewing wind which has negated her exhaustion and regained her motivation and mind. For Flash and Lihua, Applebloom saw their wounds being embraced by the green sparks of light as it slowly but surely, shrinks it's size.

"Ahh..." Lihua replied in relief,

"I..." Flash coughed "I guess we're even then"

"Not yet Flash" Lianshi warned "that wound was very large and it can reopen up sooner or later, avoid moving that part of the body."

"Okay, now I'm ready!" Lihua replied, a feeling of motivation coursing through her mind. The sound of explosion can be heard from the ongoing battle, where everypony turned to see what happened.

"Too slow, I'm already done" a voice called out, Xiang Ying walked out of the foggy clouds unscathed, pulling a lifeless earth pony behind her.

"My sister, you did it" Lihua sighed in relief,

"He wasn't much of a problem anyway" Ying laughed as the body crumbled into blue sparks and atoms, leaving behind another large green marble "and here's my third gift kid"

"Thanks a bunch" Applebloom replied as she placed the second Tree Soul Stone in the pouch, "ah'd love to give ya somethin' in return"

"No need, I just want let you know one thing"

"What?"

"That it was a big mistake to take Lihua's soul as your hero" Ying turned around facing Applebloom, anger in her eyes

"Miss Ying??? But ah don't understand..." Applebloom replied with confusion,

"Do you want to know why we're sister in arms?" Ying continued "we've been through with each other longer than you've been living in your world"

"Miss Ying..." Flash intervened, "may I suggest watching your tone?" Ignoring him, Ying pointed her axe at the filly, immobilising her with fear,

"Xiang Ying!" Lianshi gasped "how could you!?"

"Heroes are meant to be independent, not to the like of 'Hunters' like you" Ying continued

"But Xiang Ying..." Lihua stepped in between "you do know that isn't true..."

"Oh really?" Ying replied, "that's because it's you Lihua, you and all the other heroes. Me on the other hand, I'm sure you understand why I don't need someone having a leash on me, especially from a small country bumpkin like her"

"You dare!?" Lihua roared, raising the Pear Blade against her

"Gladly," Ying responded by pulling out her axe "I think it's time to show you how much you've deceived the poor filly and guard"

"No more!" Lihua replied as she charged forward and collided her blade with the large axe, where Ying abruptly knocked her back to a safe position.

"It's my turn now" Ying replied as she raised her axe to the air. The aura of fiery power can be seen through the eyes of the daughter of the Western Overlord of Chu as her weapon's blade turned red as fire.

"Princess Axe!" Ying yelled and she brought down the axe on the fearsome warrior mare, causing a raging cloud of fire that engulfs the poor mare.

"Fan Lihua!" Applebloom called out, as she saw her friend all injured and charred, using her Pear Blade to support herself from the ground.

"No way... Did she?" Flash gasped, "she used a Hero Skill..."

"By herself" Lianshi sighed in response, "I suppose we have been keeping some truths from you"

"You see" Ying continued "unlike both Lihua, Lianshi and most of the heroes, I have the ability to activate the Hero Skill on my own. I did this through hard work and determination. Not by sharing the power of a Hero Buster."

"Dammit..." Lihua growled in despair and shame,

"Face it," Ying taunted "you were desperate to get stronger, don't you? Not just helping this world?"

"..." Lihua silently held her head in dismay,

"That's why I became your sister-in-arms, to see somepony who's younger than me to be so weak, so powerless, so I can show how heroes can manage well on their own."

"Th-That's not true..." Lihua replied, "you also hold a personal grudge against them"

"Whatever, I'll leave you to your 'Hero Buster', see you soon." Ying replied as she galloped away, leaving behind an aghast set of ponies and a emotionally damaged Lihua.

"Miss Lihua..." Flash called, "are... Are you okay?"

"Flash" Lianshi replied, "I think you should leave her to Applebloom."

"Miss Lihua..." Applebloom approached the fearsome mare which is now full of despair "... Are you okay?"

"I'm... I'm so sorry Applebloom" Lihua softly wept "I'm sorry for lying to you..."

"So you mean that whole Hero Skill Kerfuffle with Miss Ying... Is this true?" Applebloom continued

"Yes... I'm sorry..."

"What's going on?" Flash asked, "is there something that we don't know?"

"I think I'd perhaps give you the lay down myself" Lianshi replied, "we should leave them be"

"You see, before Chaos attacked, the revival of heroic souls were already in motion. No matter how famous we were back then, we were used as tools of stallions and mares, ones that will always be eternally living. When freshly revived, we don't regain all our powers immediately from our days of life. Only through the experience of battle, training or memory/power enhancement will we grow strong. Only whenever a Hunter has control of our soul stones, their power will be shared among us to make us strong to face our foe, as well as to train together. Xiang Ying has a big grudge against Hero Busters because she has a bad history with them."

"Was she abused?"

"No, she was disowned, nopony ever wanted her. Every Hero Buster was considered to her, stuck-up, high, too demanding, and only wanted the best of the best. And unfortunately, her view of them has stuck on with everypony else."

"That's cruel..."

"But that's what happened. We were merely tools of war, for any Hero Buster. They didn't care or understand our feelings, the only cared on who's the stronger hero."

"They're just as bad as Chaos then..."

"Xiang Ying didn't like this attitude. Being the stubborn mare she is, she started to train all by herself, everything a Hero Buster would do with their hero, she does it all by herself. Train, enhance her weapon and her power, everything."

"She would be a valuable asset then"

"She did, her determination has been recognised by many other heroes and they also followed suit. They're not as rude and cruel to Hero Busters as she is though..."

"I see..."

"She then found another hero like her who was ditched by many other Hero Busters and unlike any other hero, she took her in and trained together with her, like sisters. The reason why, is because she was very similar to her at the time"

"Fan Lihua..."

"That's her. When all the Hero Busters were gone, it was rather pleasing to Xiang Ying because all heroes would be free from control, but as Chaos started attacking, nearly all of the heroes were assimilated and unlike the Hero Busters, we fell under its control and followed its every commands. With my conscience trapped, I lay waste to my allies and destroyed the Headquaters I called home. Then, we set sights on your world and you know what happened till today."

"The start of Equestria's resistance"

"Now when I think about what you said about the previous Hero Busters being bad as Chaos... I was able to turn and slay my own pioneer with ease, but when facing against Applebloom and Fan Lihua of all heroes... I realised, perhaps I've given in to the fact that we were just heroes who were reborn again just to endlessly kill, that I fell under Chaos' influence. As soon as I heard of her beliefs and personality of how she treated heroes, as well as besting me in battle... I feel like there is some greater power that Heroes can take whenever we fight together... To change both of us for the better..."

"... Applebloom may be very young to be a Hero Buster..." Flash replied, "but what she has learnt from her generation, some righteous ideals and values should be passed on to the old."

"... Sorry that I've lied to you..." Lihua continued apologising "It is true that Heroes are able to use their own Hero Skill by themselves, without the help of a pioneer... And that entrusting my soul to you will also make me stronger... I'm so sorry for using you..."

"..." Applebloom stayed silent,

"But please trust and forgive me when I say this, I still want to protect the home you love, even if I don't have the power, I won't lie to you anymore, I promise"

"... You just lied..." Applebloom spoke,

"I don't know how many times I have to say it, but I'll keep on saying sorry..."

"About that Hero Skill thang? Not that... Sure, it did hurt me a little to see the reason why we've been fightin' together, but yer jus' doin' yer best to save Equestria right? You were lyin' when you said that you were weak."

"... What?"

"Didn't you just say that you wouldn't lie again? Yer lyin' about being weak!"

"Me... Weak?"

"Don't you remember what we went through yesterday? Ponyville was under attack! You then came in and helped defend our town! You defeated Miss Shangxiang and Miss Lianshi! You saved Ponyville! If somepony were able to do that, ah wouldn't call them weak!"

"... Applebloom..." Lihua started,

"We may have a rough start, but when you gave yer soul stone to me, you said that you and me will defeat Chaos and bring the heroes back together! Ah don't know if you still doubt yer strength and that you have to use mine, if ah 'ave any, but that's okay! We'll train together! Fight together! And we can show yer sister-in-arms that not all hunters are like that, and that hunters can expand a hero's limits the right way!"

"Applebloom..." Lihua started crying a third time "... Thank you"

"Ah promise you that as long as we're together, we can overcome anything that does us wrong!" Applebloom extended a hoof.

"... Very well..." Lihua smiled as she used her hoof to shake back "I promise you too, that I will assist you in anyway, to become stronger, together" As their hooves touch, a bright cyan light shone from Applebloom's front right hoof.

"Wha!?" Everypony jumped as Applebloom feel a cooling sensation on the affected hoof. As she put her hoof into view of everypony, a mysterious force in the light began engraving a mysterious symbol on the hoof. A picture that looks similar to a sharp-winged butterfly with it's head as some form of a cross.

"What the heck?" Applebloom gasped in wonder as the engraving finally completed itself in another burst of blue light before calmly radiating a sky blue colour.

"What is this?" Flash immediately galloped to Applebloom's side, inspecting the picture engraved on the hoof.

"This..." Lianshi answered "... This is the insignia of the Hero Busters."

"Pardon?"

"It is a sign to show that whoever has this insignia is a true Hero Buster." Lihua replied, her demeanour and personality back to her own self "I apologise for my emotional outbreak from before"

"Normally, Roya and Qiuxiang are responsible for planting the insignia on new Hero Buster recruits" Lianshi continued "but this is a rare occasion. For an insignia to appear all by itself is a symbol to show that this pony is a real true Hero Buster for creating a strong bond with his/her heroes"

"So are you saying that anypony can sign up to be a Hero Buster in your world?" Flash asked,

"No, they still have a pass a test to see if they have the power to be one, but most ponies came with the desire to control Heroes, not like Young Applebloom at all."

"Is that so? No wonder why most Hero Busters quit or were killed when they found out what they were facing against in your World."

"That's not very funny..." Lianshi replied, "but it is true that our mission is serious, and not just to collect a majority of Heroes"

"Ah see..." Applebloom overheard "so ah really am a Hero Buster after all... Miss Lihua?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks fer choosin' me as yer Hero Buster" Applebloom answered "It's an honour and pleasure to fight with you"

"No" Lihua corrected "the honour and pleasure is mine"

Back at the castle, Twilight handed back the two energy blades, now fixed and effective as before, to the Fire Princess Sun Shangxiang.

"W-We've managed to fix your weapons after a long time of research. Hope you didn't wait for long..." Twilight nervously chuckled, Shangxiang inspected her two blades on the outside, then activated it to release the energy.

"It did take long, but It looks good as new!" Shangxiang replied as she deactivated it and put it away "thank you very much!"

"It's no problem, glad to help another Princess!" Twilight replied,

"Excuse me Princess" A guard informed "there are some ponies here to see you. They say they are related to the Hero Fan Lihua"

"Is that so? Send them in" Twilight commanded, the guard bowed in acknowledgement and let two mysteriously-dressed ponies in, which seems to intimidate the Princess.

"C-Can I help you?" Twilight asked,

"Wait... You're!" Shangxiang jumped,

"Yes... It's us..." One went, a stallion's voice.

"Princess Twilight" the other bowed, a mare's voice "I'd like your permission to create a new business development"

"Wh-What is this about?" Twilight asked, uncertainty in her town

"Don't worry" The mare replied "just a small addition on the town... Heh heh heh..."