Chapters New Bounty
The stranger sat silently at his bar table, the saloon stank of Clacker, and their annoying voices gave him migraines, though they paid well for completing bounties. Today he is using the money to rest for a day, get something to eat and drink. The Clacker behind the counter banged on a static TV cursing and whining every time he hit it.
On the table a Fuzzle from his ammo bag sipped from his bowl of water as he slowly pet the top of its head. The sound of the saloon door squeaking open got the silent attention of the other patrons, they stared at the cloaked figure that entered the dusty and dirty saloon, they soon went to their normal duties of gambling, drinking, and hitting on the annoyed bar waitress, who had already introduced one to the back of her hand. The cloaked figure walked over to strangers table.
“Mind if I sit with you friend?” He asked in a Polite manner. Stranger noticed the figures large 3 fingers, wide yellow eyes, and Blueish skin.
“Your a long way from home Mudokon. I don't see why not. . . .” He said while sliding a chair over to him, the Fuzzle paid him no mind and continued to gnaw on leftovers. The Mudokon sat down and removed his hood, revealing his ponytail and stitched lips. “What is a Mudokon doing this far west?”
“Offering a bounty to the Steef that destroyed the Cursed Dam.” He said while staring at Stranger, obviously not fooled by his disguise. “Do you want the info on it?”
The Stranger groaned and grunted, Abe could see bits and pieces of Steef armor under Strangers clothing, mainly his wrists and chest.
“How did you know where to find me?” Stranger asked in a low tone.
“Frayda told me, she said you would be in the city looking for bounties. She was right.”
“Whats the Bounty?”
“Its a Rescue mission, do you know what a Gabbit is?” Abe asked.
“Yes, though I have never seen one. They're aquatic, one legged creatures allied with Mudokons. You and one of em destroyed Vikers Labs for a can of Gabiar, 3,000 eggs. Got a lot of offers to track you two down by those. . . .Gluckkons. Most of their consumers of weapons and food are the Clackers, Outlaws, and Walvarks.” He told the Monk. “But I declined all of them, I have some respect for the natives.”
“Respect?”
“Your deeds have reached us in the west as well. You destroying Rupture Farms, Soulstorm Brewery, and Vykers Labs. While trying to free your brothers and Queen, pissed off a lot of their customers. Can't really say I enjoyed most of that. . . ‘Soul Storm’ stuff. Though the bottles did make handy lanterns and candle bases, and I'll miss those Scrab-cakes. But I accept your Bounty, but I need to know where ah'm goin.” He said.
“We are going to the east, my friend, the Gabbit Munch has been taken by the Glukkons and their Sligs, they are lead by an Octigi named Sekto. Heard of him?” The words made Stranger cringe and growl in anger. Remembering how many of his people were trophies in its office.
“I have. . .” He said angrily, nearly putting claw marks into the table.
“He has led a force of Glukkons, Sligs, and Gloktiggi into a new and. . . strange place, munch with them. I need help bringing him home, his people and the hatchling's are safe at Last Legs for now. Though, frayda has increased the Guards on the walls.”
“New place? What d'yah mean about that?”
“They've. . . used their technology to make a portal that is powered by their old and our magic's, it leads somewhere unknown to us.”
“Mmm. . . . traveling to east Mudos will take me time, I will need money for supplies, a ship, how much it pay.”
Abe reaches into his bag and takes out a 13-inch glowing crystal that was carved in the shape of a praying Mudokon.
“Will this be enough?”
“Uh. . . yeah that'll work. I accept the bounty.” He said, taking the effigy and putting it into his bag.
“Oh and we wont be walking to the east.” Abe said, standing up. “Before the labs were destroyed I was able to acquire a airship. It will help us reach the east a bit faster.”
“Sounds. . . fun, though I never enjoyed flying.” Stranger said, he scooped up the little Fuzzle and put it in his bag, much to it's annoyance to not finishing it's bone it began to squeak and growl. “Lets be off then.”
They both left the saloon, outside a large Glukkon air ship was parked in the street with Mudokons and Grubs all over it. A Clakker was yelling and screaming telling them to move it, thought they were too busy getting ready to leave. Once they boarded the airship slowly raised into the sky and over the bustling city, it jerked forward and set course for the east, flying directly over the flooded lower levels.
******
Twilight trotted happily down the streets of Ponyville heading towards Sugarcube corner, it was Pound and Pumpkins birthday today and she didn't plan on missing the foals giggle in joy at the cake and presents. While going toward the bakery she heard marching and orders being given. She turned to see a large gathering of royal guards, about 120 in total, marching down the street.
The lead Pony was a Unicorn wearing purple armor, similar to the kind her brother wore, with two short swords strapped to his Flank, his banner-ponies were beside him carrying spears with Equestria's flag waving from them, the rest of the Guards wore the standard Golden armor wielding spears, with shortswords on their flanks, and small buckler shields strapped to their forearms. She saw six guards in white and red armor, all of them were unicorns with one sword and a bag full of medicine.
The lightly armored archers and crossbow ponies were behind them. She waited for them to pass then she moved into the bakery, already seeing Pinkie ready the cake and decorations with the help from Rarity and Fluttershy.
“Twilight You made it!” Pinkie yelled happily as she bounced over and hugged Twilight, a normal thing for the bubbly mare to do when she see's her friends.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world Pinkie, where are the Cakes?”
“They took Pound and Pumpkin to the park while we work on the party.” Rarity said while trying to hang some streamers.
“I'm glad you let me help Pinkie, I know how difficult it is for you to do it yourself.” Fluttershy said, setting a small basket of carefully wrapped toys down. “Why so many guards in town?”
“Celestia sent me a letter earlier saying they'd be on patrol or something, they won't be here for too long.”
As they continued to work around the bakery a loud, bloodcurdling, and deep howl from the forest, catching many Ponies attention.
“What was that?” Pinkie asked, walking outside with Rarity.
They went outside to see many Ponies looking at the forest, the column of guards stopped and looked as well. The deep and loud Howling continued.
“That doesn't sound like any animal I've ever heard, not even a timber wolf is that loud.” Fluttershy said.
As the howling and barking got louder, several pink pony sized animals ran out of the forest, some were larger and were barking angrily and loudly. The had a massive mouths full of teeth, two muscular back legs, no eye's but they could smell the ponies in the town. The
Ponies panicked, a normal function for them when monsters come into town. They fled into buildings and locked their doors. The guards took their positions, spears in front, archers and mages Behind. The Began to fire beams at the charging creatures hitting some and killing them, though they still advanced.
Archers used their magic to use their bows and fired arrow upon arrow hitting and killing several, the creatures got closer, the officer ordered the spears to lower, having the creatures run into the spear tips causing them to be impaled. The guards used their swords to combat the squealing and barking creatures, a guard was bitten in the side by one of them, it didn't let go it only shook as he was caught in its mouth. The officer freed his friend and moved him to safety, Twilight used her magic to put a barrier around Ponyville, preventing other creatures from getting in. A guard killed the last creature with his spear, the other's tried to get through the barrier by running at it head first, only causing them to shoot off it.
“Report, is everypony alright!” The officer shouted. The guards all shouted in compliance, the wounded one's groaned in pain from the massive bite wounds they sustained.
“What are these things?” Twilight said looking at the now dead creatures. Red blood flowed from them and onto the road.
“I'm not sure princess, but we need to prepare for another attack, send a message to the princess telling her what has happened and that we need more Guards.” He said.
“Alright, send your wounded to my castle.” Before she left she heard a whistling sound, the creatures outside the barrier looked into the forest and barked as a reply. She watched them waddle into the forest and in the brush she sees a Green/yellow creature with red eyes and metal legs walk with them and heard them into the forest. She then saw thick black smoke rise from the old castle, it looked like factory smoke.
Author's Note
And the first chapter is complete, hope you all enjoy and point out Errors if you see some.
Factory Invasion
The airship touched Down in a Mudokon war camp, Stranger saw Mudokons armed with Spears, Tomahawkers, and Mudarchers wielding a weapon that fires crystal shards at a high rate. He saw Grubb warriors with the Mudokons, they were ready to go into battle, catapults were being pushed by Both species to the front of the camp. Abe led him into a tent, inside was Frayda and her guard, along with Abe's friend Alf.
“Steef! You came I cant believe it you Came!” Frayda yelled happily. “I told them you'd come!”
“Yeah its. . . nice to see you too Frayda.” He grumbled. “What is the situation?”
“The Glukkons have reinforced their positions around the factory, the towers are armed with heavy cannon's and the guards are all armed with Snuzis and heavy Weapons. We were able to weaken the main gate and walls with the catapults but their airships keep coming to bring supplies. They attacked a few hours ago, it was a Vykers led assault with Sligs, Slogs, and big bro sligs. They didn't get far but we suffered losses. They were quickly resurrected by the Shamans.” Alf told him.
“Our catapults will be hitting them all night, to soften up the walls for our final invasion.” A Grub general said.
“We planned on attacking at dawn, but we will be ripped apart by their cannons and rockets. They need to be eliminated before the attack.” Abe said. “They started getting desperate on weapons, so they've made several turrets made of SnUzi's strapped together and put on a tripod. crude, but highly effective.”
“The search lights are on every night, we cant get it.” Alf said.
“Perhaps I can.” Stranger said. “Distract them with catapult fire and I will sneak in and destroy the turrets, when I give the signal move in.”
“We will ready the Catapults, they'll fire at dusk.“ Alf said, he and Abe left the tent.
“Steef, we brought the rest of your armor and repaired it.“ Frayda said. She led Stranger to his tent, inside there was a small bed and a large chest. Inside was the armor the Grubs made him to fight Sekto. When he emerged from the tent he was in full armor, his equine legs exposed. The Grubs bowed in respect and so did a couple of Mudokons.
As Alf had said, when dusk approached the catapults fired flaming stones at the factory.
When he arrived at the wall he saw search lights scanning the ground, Slig Soldiers followed by Vykers employees ran around the camp and onto the walls. He climbed the vines that were present on the concrete surface. When he was climbing he saw a Slig walking towards his location, he armed his crossbow with one fuzzle and fired it right by its feet.
The fuzzle attacked the patrolling slig, sending it into a frenzy of screams. “Get off me you furry little shi—” The slig bumped into something hard and breathing. It looked up to see stranger towering over him. “Uh oh”
Stranger hit him, hard enough to send him flying off his mechanical legs and propel the Slig over the wall to the ground bellow. He made his way towards the gate where he saw the SnuZi turrets manned by Guards. He loaded the crossbow with two boom bats and fired, one of the boom bats landed next to a Sligs feet. He looked down to investigate but it exploded before he could see it, the guard next to him was killed in the explosion. Stranger ran to the gate controls, pressing the buttons but they didn't respond to his commands. Catapult fire destroyed one of the nearby buildings and it damaged the nearby wall.
“Damn Grubs cant aim.” Stranger mumbled. The gate slowly opened. From the factory entrance Sligs, Vykers, and Interns poured out battle ready. Stranger loaded his Crossbow, one side super Stingbees and the other Boombat seekers. The security forces fired at him, making him flee for cover behind a metal crate. He fired three of the bats in crowd of security, causing them to scatter, using the stingbees he kills any who are not in cover.
“Open the garage doors, let out the tank!” A slig officer yells. A large garage door opens to reveal a massive, circular, one tracked tank with two large chain guns on each side. Stranger fired four bats at it with little effect, he fired his bees with little effect. The tank open fired, its heavy guns destroyed the cover stranger was behind, he ran trying to evade the destruction. Its guns made a sudden stop, he could hear the Slig inside it screaming and shouting in anger, giving him an advantage to run over to it.
He climbed onto its surface and forced open the hatch. The slig inside shot at him when the hatch was opened, stranger grabbed it by its mouth and threw it out of the tank, he climbed inside and closed the hatch. The inside wasn't built for him but he grabbed the controls and used the tanks mass and weapons to reign destruction on the security forces, a slig airship fired on him from the sky, stranger used the tanks guns to bring it down in a ball of flames, the massive factory doors closed shut, leaving some guards behind begging to be let back in.
The tanks engine revved as stranger used its mass to ram a massive hole into the gate, smashing all guards behind and in front of the door. Using the tanks guns to clear a path he made his way to a large open room with assortment of large spire like machines and electrodes all around the room, he shut off the tank and climbed out. The sounds of Mudokon and Grub warriors shouting and yelling filled the seemingly dead quiet halls.
“Nice work Steef, you sure showed those bastards!” Frayda said. She was followed by Abe, Alf, and an assortment of Mudokon and Grub soldiers. “What. . . is this?”
“A Portal, they made this to travel to another World. They took Munch through it.” Abe said. “A Liberated worker told us about it.”
“How do we use it?” Stranger asked.
“First we need to regroup, move all of our Warriors and equipment here and defend the Factory from the Glukkons.” Abe said. He and the others walked outside, leaving stranger to himself. Stranger looked at the portal, wondering what was on the other side.
******
Twilight raced around her castle, wounded guards lay in her library, those animals left massive marks and wounds, their teeth even went through their armor. The Non wounded guards warned everypony in Ponyville to stay inside until it is safe, their commander sent Celestia several letters asking for reinforcements and supplies.
“Princess Twilight, we are trying to get everypony inside but many want to know what is going on, many want to help defend the town. The ones that wanted to help took what they could use as weapons and are gathering by the town hall.” The commander said.
“I don't want anypony getting hurt, but they probably wont listen to me so I guess they can. Is Princess Celestisa coming?”
“No reply Princess, I hope she sends us more Guards.”
“Well I hope to, those things were called back by something, I couldn't fully see it though it looked like it had metal legs.”
“A master to those beasts?” The Commander said.
“Maybe, after the attack smoke began to rise from the forest, factory smoke.” She looked out her window to still see the smoke rising. She saw something running from the forest to Ponyville, it looked like a massive Crab with four claw like legs, a large upper body and a massive claw like head. “Commander there is something else coming!”
The guard commander ran outside, his two swords were levitating beside him. When he got outside the creature was eating apples from a stand when it noticed him, it let of several barks, its massive beak like mouth opened up to reveal several jagged and sharp teeth. A Long hiss and growl came from it, it charged the commander trying to knock him down with its massive head.
He jumped out of the way as it passed, the creature turned around and charged him again, this time knocking him down, the massive monster tried to impale him with its sharp beak, but the commander used his magic to launch it off. The creature was sent flying across the street and into a fountain, it shattered the statue and slowly and shakily stood up and roared once more before charging at him again, when it opened its mouth he launched his sword at it, the sword went into its mouth and broke out the other side, the creature fell to the ground, dead before it his the ground. He looked at the large crab like creature, he picked up the blood stained sword and cleaned it in the fountains water.
“Is it dead?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, we need to wall up the town, to make sure they do not get in.”
“Alright, I'll go use magic to make it.” She ran to the bridge. Using her magic to rip several trees out of the forest and place them in the ground to form a wall all around the town.
******
Stranger watched as Mudokons and Grubs readied their weapons and supplies, ready to cross through the portal.
“They will be expecting us you know?” Stranger told Abe. “Their guns will cut us down when we step through.”
“That's why we will be sent to a different location, away from their new factory. I didn't tell you about their other prisoners did I?”
“No, who are they?”
“Along with Munch they have some of your kind.” Stranger looked at Abe with a surprised look.
“They have Steefs with them? How many?!”
“About fifty, though they are females, and Children, few adult males.”
“Why didn't you tell me before!”
“I didn't know this until I found the manifest. They are testing new products and drugs on them, forcing them into a slave like state.”
Stranger Growled at this, not knowing how many were left, he needed to save them. “I will go through first, and find them.”
“Abe, the Portal is open. Go on through.” Stranger walked to the large blue portal, on the other side he saw nothing but trees. He stepped through.
Author's Note
Second chapter is done. Enjoy
Oh and I almost forgot, here was the concept for the Slig Tank
The Factory
The smog from the everfree thickened, creating horrid black clouds circling over the forest, the weather patrol has had a difficult time taking care of the horrid smelling clouds, for every time they touch it their hooves become a stained black. Twilight sees guards in every street, moving weapons and supplies to the newly built wall surrounding the town.
Fluttershy and the Apples had to come inside because of the threat of another animal attack. Animals from all shapes and sizes have fled the forest, from small rabbits and mice, to the large bears, manticore's, even a hydra and pack of timber wolves have fled. “This is terrible. . . " Twilight said, looking over the forest from her balcony. A couple guards come in.
“Princess Twilight, there is something at the gates and. . . well we don't know what it is.”
“What's does it want?” She asked, turning to face them.
“Follow us.” The guards led her outside, a large pyre was set up to burn the bodies of the pink monsters. Guards patrolled the streets and walls, Ponyville now had a curfew. Upon reaching the gates Twilight looked down to see a strange bipedal creature with metal legs, muscular arms, a tentacle like mouth, and large red eyes. It knocked impatiently at the door, it held a book in one hand and had what looked like a large knife on its back.
“Can I come in or what?!” It said angrily, kicking the door once. The guards muttered silently to each other.
“What do we do Princess?” One asked.
“Well. . . we have to see if it's intentions are peaceful, and. . . what it exactly is. Open the gate but be alert.”
“Yes Princess.” The guards opened the door but readied their weapons just in case. Twilight walked to the waiting creature.
“Uhm. . . hello.” She said nervously. “Welcome to Ponyville, I'm princess Twilight Sparkle, if you need something please ask me.”
“Finally they send someone out. I am a representative of the Soul Storm brewery owned by the Magog Cartel, my boss Molluck has sent me to speak with the Leader of this establishment to. . . apologize about the Paramite and Slog attacks, they broke out of their pens when we set up shop.”
“Set up shop?” She asked.
“Why yes, the forest has provided us with several new types of ingredients for our products, right now we are expanding our Factory. And that is why I'm here, this seal dictates you and your subjects be ordered to leave your homes so we can expand.”
“Um. . . Excuse me? We aren't leaving our homes.” She said.
“Well I'm sorry, you will either leave peacefully or we will be forced to use extreme acts to make you leave.”
“I wish to speak to this Molluck, can you arrange a meeting?”
“Hold on a sec.” He touches a small device on the side of his head. “Uh hey boss. The Princess of this town wishes to speak with you about the eviction notice. . . alright yes sir. A meeting has been arranged for tomorrow afternoon, see you then.” The creature walks back into the forest, leaving the eviction notice on the ground in front of her.
********
Munch sat quietly in his holding cell, the howls and screeches of unknown and familiar animals surround him, the terrified whimpers of Fuzzles and the cries of a small child in the cell next to his. The small child clutches onto his mother, they both have the same features, four legs with hooves on the end with two massive arms, the larger males have shaved nubs where horns would have been and serial numbers stamped on their shoulder and chest.
Upon seeing the bored sadness of the child Munch, though of something to do. He made a medium sized ball made of the mattress stuffing and twine from his bed and rolled it through the bars to the cell next to his, the little ball gently touched the child's side. He looked at the small ball and knocked around gently, then he looked at Munch, kicking the ball gently back to him with one of his fore hooves. Munch picked it up and rolled it towards him. The child new he was trying to entertain him, the Little Steef picked up the ball and walked over to him.
“Hello.” Munch said politely with a smile on his face. The young Steef studied this strange being.
“W. . . what are you?” It asked him.
“I'm a Gabbit, my name is Munch.”
“I'm a Steef, my name is Achack, and that's my mom Adsila.” He points to the female steef sleeping on a mattress.
“What of your papa?” The little steef's ears droop sadly. “Oh. . . never mind.”
Achack notices the device on Munch's head. “Whats that?”
“Oh this? Its a long story.” He makes it spark.
“Do you have a family?”
“Yes, but they are far from here, they are safe with the Grubs in Last Legs.”
“That's where we were going before we were captured by the big heads with needle fingers.”
"Those are Called Vykers, sick beings who experiment on those they think are lesser than them. They are the reason I have this thing on my head.”
“What will they do to us?”
“I do not know little one. But we must plan our escape.”
“And how is it we do that?” A ;arger male Steef asks.
“Munch this is Akecheta, chieftain of my tribe.”
“You say you have escaped these creatures before?”
“Yes. I used Fuzzles to my advantage.”
“Will it work again?”
“If I can find some yes.” A Guard walks by but ignores them. “We should plan this with less guards around.”
“Agreed, come little one, it is time you got some rest.” Akecheta herded the child to his mother, he lied down next to her and fell asleep, Munch kept his eyes on the guards, trying to count how many would patrol tonight and in the morning.
********
Twilight sat in the large factory office, from a window in the office she could see machinery moving and creating the strange drink that was called 'SoulStorm'. She didn't try the samples on the large wood table. This large office was very different from the factory floor. It had large ornate windows, red carpets, wooden walls with paintings and tapestries.
Three of those creatures she saw earlier were at the larger office door, one behind a counter typing on something, he was a secretary, and the other two were guarding the door. Three of her guards escorted her, the Guard Commander named Valiant escorted her. She sat in a red and rather soft chair, in front of her was a table with two bottles of soulstorm and a glass with ice cubes in it. To pass the time Twilight decided to try it, she opened the bottle and poured the green liquid into the glass, it had a sweet smell coming from it, she took a sip, and quickly regretted it, she swallowed regretfully, frowning and closing her eyes.
She set the glass back on the table. “Princess Twilight, Molluck will see you now.” The secretary said. Twilight followed by Valiant walked into the large office room, inside she saw pictures and paintings of what seemed to be important figures, a large desk was in the center of the room, a massive chair facing many screens was behind the desk. Twilight climbed in the smaller chair in front of the desk. The larger chair slowly turned to reveal a large, squid headed creature with glowing yellow eyes, a finely made suit with a large cigar in his mouth.
“Welcome to the Soulstorm Brewery Princess Twilight, I am Molluck, owner of this Brewery and of this chapter of the Magog Cartel.”
“I am here to speak to you about this eviction notice. We decline this offer of eviction.”
“My guards told me of your opinion on this matter and I'm afraid your opinion is invalid. We are expanding no matter who is in the way. The tree's in this area have provided our boilers with enough fuel and wood for construction. A nearby quarry will also be used by our workers and so will the Ponyville gem mines once those dog people are cleared out, the lake and river will be dammed up for energy and the lake will be mined for limestone and clay.”
“We will not leave our homes Molluck, no matter what you throw at us. The Ponies of Ponyville will not back down.”
“I did not want to resort to force, but you have forced me to do so. You and your escort will leave peacefully but if you or your kind are sighted on factory grounds we will open fire.”
“If that is the case the same will happen to your workers if we see them on near ponyville.”
“You may leave Princess. . . ” Molluck said, his chair turned around and he faced the screens.
********
Stranger and his group consisting of Abe, Alf, and Freyda with some Mudokon and Grub soldiers exited the portal and into the large, dark forest. The trees blocked out some of the sky, the air smelled fresh and clean, cleaner than the air on Mudos. He watched as Abe walked out of the forest and into a large field, it was recently plowed. “Civilization?” Strange asked.
“Looks that way, look in the sky.” Abe points to the several black clouds and then to a large plume of smoke coming from a large metal pipe in another part of the forest. That is where we need to go.”
“How many Steef are there, that you know of?”
"A worker we liberated said that there was about forty or more, many were children and what they are using your kind for I have no idea, I'm sure it isn't good." Abe walked towards the Smoke followed by the others. Stranger saw the many different plants and animals as they continued towards the smoke, even a few abandoned buildings, but no inhabitants.
Large bullet holes were in the houses walls and doors, left behind from the Slig soldiers, Slog tracks were in the dirt and. . . hoof prints, not of a a Steef, they were somewhat smaller but wider than his, showing signs of a quick evacuation the tracks go towards a large sized town in the distance, close to the Factory. “The Glukkons would find a town like that to be. . . In the way of their operations, perhaps the natives here could be of some use to us.”
“Maybe" Stranger said, he uses his binoculars to get a better view of the town. He can see wooden walls, gates, and a few towers. The larger towers have ballista on them, several quadruped like animals clad in armor and clothing wielding weapons such as spears, bows, and swords. Some have Wings, Horns, and neither of the two, exiting the forest he sees four of the natives, two clad in gold armor, another in Purple, and the last has purple Skin with both wings and a horn, she appears to be giving the soldiers orders, he wondered if she was their leader. “If we are going to talk to them we may have to talk to the Purple one, she seems to be their leader.”
“Then speak to her is what we must do before the Glukkons cause anymore harm to this world.” Abe said. Stranger observed the natives a while longer, he noticed the city built onto the mountain, its golden roofs reflected sunlight into his binoculars. He saw several of these winged natives flying around the town and city like birds, many of them were armored and moving supplies into the town. He sees one using what looks like Magic to carry a heavy board.
“This world is weirder than mine.” Stranger said.
Author's Note
I had to use Native American names for the Steef's
Enjoy
