//-------------------------------------------------------// MLP: Venom To All Things -by JusSonic- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 02: Snake Infestation! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 02: Snake Infestation! Chapter 02: Snake Infestation! At this very moment, the fair in the Rainbow Kingdom was going very well, already Chief Thunderhooves, Little Strongheart, and the Buffalo Tribe have heard much tales of what the ponies have done since last they met. And the introduction to Ben Mare, son of Celestia, Nyx, child of Twilight & Ben who has their blood while many other crazy stuff about being Nightmare Moon reincarnate, Phobos the Moon Dragon, Princes Golden Heart, his step-sister Pinkamena, Goldie’s trusted friend Jack Zen, Pinkamena’s made mechanical bot Omega, the former evil King Sombra along with his love Autumn Gem, and still a few other friends around Ponyville. Why the adventures told of the Demon Pony, Tough Apple’s visit, the Brotherhood & Tadaka’s Dragon Army, Sunset Shimmer chase to an alternate human-version world of the ponies, the journey to the End of Equestria, Brave Heart’s Visit, Ghosts in a Haunted Mansion, The Clone Six, the Day of the Moon festival, and even about the events leading up to befriending the Mystics and the battle against the Three Lords of Equestria: The Apocalypse Ponies, the Dark Mystics, and even the dreadful Demon God Grimmore. There was so much happening, most of it is explained but very hard to swallow. “Hmmm, you appear to have handled much adventures since last we met.” Chief Thunderhooves responded in being surprised by such adventurous tales. “It’s incredible. We have seen Omen signs, but then many perils are then gone.” Little Strongheart responded in being amazed by how the ponies have managed to perform such feats. “Yep! Sometimes that was us, and sometimes, those were our other friends.” Pinkie Pie spoke off to say this in stating the facts. “But mostly, we handled the awesome stuff.” Rainbow Dash proudly spoke that matter of an answer. “Right, or so yer ego says.” Applejack rolled her eyes in making this remark of a claim. “HEY!” Rainbow Dash snapped back for the remark comment that was an insult. “Well those two are still the same, as you can see their rivalry of friendship and other such things.” Rarity quoted in how this was seen by AJ & Rainbow’s form of being such good friends. “Still, it’s nice that we gather to celebrate this with you. We can certainly use some spirit here.” Fluttershy smiles in trying to be very thoughtful to their guest over the matter here. “And it’s nice of your warriors and our guards to train together in different forms of combat.” Ben stated in what was even nicer, their guards and the buffalo warriors are working together. “Just look at how Fred & Barney are doing.” He looks behind him in stating a fact here. The group sees what was going on just nearby as Ben had said; two sides are practicing a little training workout. And even Fred & Barney were moving in a circle form against two buffalo warriors. “Here, bully-bully-bully, bully-bully-bully….” Barney was challenging the buffalos to come at him. “Barney you nut job, that’s a buffalo, not a bull!” Fred remarked to remind his pal of the difference between two creatures. “Oh sorry Fred, I’ve never actually seen one up close.” Barney apologized for the misunderstanding here. “Then you better snap to it, cause he’s about to come even closer!” Fred issued off in looking at something about to come at them fast. Soon a few buffalos were charging at the two guards as they had to take evasive action while their performance was…very humorist. And many of the crowds watching felt like they were enjoying the display like it was a dinner theater show. “Boy, those two really can put on quite a show, and with dinner here to boot.” Phobos smiled off to say this while enjoying his meal. “I think you mean a dinner and a show, Phobos.” Nyx pointed this out to her friend here. “So Omega, any signal detections for evil enemies?” Pinkamena asked her bot pal for any signs of enemy movements to be on the lookout for. “None what-so-ever, mistress.” Omega shook his head for ‘no’ on the subject. “When did you build in something for Omega?” Jack Zen raised an eyebrow in questioning something here. “Oh it’s just a prototype, but it should detect any evil entering our area.” Pinkamena smiled off to proudly issue what she did, it’s just a prototype before an actual version for a security system is done. “Are there any?” Autumn Gem asked in hoping there isn’t any enemies around. “Now, now my dear, I believe there aren’t since Omega has yet to detect any." Sombra patted his love to be at calm, there isn’t any enemies around so they are safe. “Right, lets continue to enjoy this apple pie, it’s been a while since we had a decent meal without any sudden action.” Golden Heart spoke from taking a bite of his served apple pie, it’s been a while since he had this. “Right!” Goldie’s group responded in agreement as they were diving in without any worries. However, as everyone was minding their own business, none saw that something slithered within the darkness and around the grassy areas, something even was going down the alleys to be kept out of sight. No one saw that something was among them, and from the beaky eyes that were seen…by the many, it would strike. “Eep-Wob-Baah, Gaaugh, Deeih-Duhoooohoooww!” Then both Pinkie Pie & Pinkamena were suddenly yelping to jump on the table to begin making strange body movements that earn some immediate attention on them. “Ah, I see the pink one and her look alike are performing a new dance and song act. Must say, seems pretty good.” Chief Thunderhooves smiled off in thinking this was the dance and song entertainment that Pinkie Pie wanted to show. “That’s no dance act, those are their Pinkie Senses.” Spike stated in what they are seeing is no act, but a reaction. “Pinkie what-sense?” Little Strongheart raised an eyebrow in hearing this. “Long story short, it means when they sense something, depending, alerts us.” Rainbow Dash shrug off to simply say this off to the girl of what was going on. “But what is it? Rainbow clouds? Crow Flock? The Cakery being late? What…” Rarity asked off in what the alert sense was about & of what’s to come. Soon the pink ponies cease their strange behavior of moment to suddenly look a bit puzzled while in concerns. “Um, Twilight….you have a bad habit with something that slithers, right?” Pinkie Pie asked off this random question from out of nowhere. “Wait, you’re not saying…” Twilight felt hesitated in finishing that sentence, her friend doesn’t mean what she thinks it is. “Pinkie…what’s coming?” Ben raised an eyebrow in having a bad feeling about what might be heading their way. “Oh dear…Is it an evil enemy?” Fluttershy yelps in fearing it’s an evil enemy attack. “But Omega hasn’t warn us of there being any evil foes.” Jack Zen stated from seeing that Omega hasn’t reacted at all. “Sis, what did you sense?” Goldie raised an eyebrow in having a bad feeling of what’s to come. “Well it’s weird, cause in a matter of moments, we’re about to have a siege from…” Pinkamena was about to say the answer here, but was cut off… “HISSSSSSS….” Then without warning, something was heard hissing from around the corner…followed by many more hisses until….they appeared. Many slithering serpent snakes were coming out of the bushes and alleys, and going up poles and clothes lines and unto the tables. “SNAAAAAAAAAKES!” Twilight screeched out with wide eyes as she and many of the other wide-eye ponies saw this; mountains of crawling, slithering snakes. “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!” Miss Cheerliee screamed out in terror in seeing they have an infestation. Soon many of the citizens fled from the scene as the snakes were all over the place, it’s like a classic nightmare of a zoo animal escape fiasco. “Hisss….” The snakes were appearing all over, and pretty much, only the heroes seem to be around along with their guests. Twilight mutter, "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?" Rainbow comment, "Good delivery, Twi. You sounded just like Daring Do when she used that line in her first novel." “Golly me, don’t get this much slithering fellows back home?” Braeburn replied off in seeing this terrible case playing out. “Great! Why it have ta be snakes? Why not a hydra while at it?” Tough Apple rolled his eyes in remarking what was going on here. “Warriors! Prepare to battle these serpent Demons!” Chief Thunderhooves turned with a stern face in ordering his buffalos to prepare to fight. “Yeah, I mean come on, it’s just a few small snakes, no….” Phobos nods in seeing this was not even a problem, just some tiny snakes, what could be the problem. “GRUUHHIISSSS….” Then a louder hiss roar is heard as suddenly giant snakes and hydras appeared on the ground along with flying serpentines in the air like Horror Hounds & Quetzalcoatl types. This just made the problem a heck of a lot bigger than before, and even what looked like Snake Men and Lamia were appearing and looked extremely skilled to fight. “Problem…” Phobos finished his sentence in looking really in shock and stunned at seeing they just got a bigger problem to tend to. “That’s….a LOT of snakes!” Autumn Gem gasped off to say in seeing what was before them; giant serpents & hybrid snake people. “Apparently, this was not a part of the fair you wanted to plan, now was it?” Sombra issued to the Sparkle group in seeing snakes were not of the list of setting up this fair. “Well looks like our party just got turn into a survival game.” Nyx spoke off before transforming into her Battle Form Mode as Adult Nyx. “Amazing, you can change forms.” Little Strongheart responded in seeing such magic before her of what Nyx did. “It was during one of the adventures I had.” Adult Nyx spoke off the answer really quickly here. “Okay every pony, get ready…” Ben spoke forth in getting to summon his Master Sword and Hylian Shield in preparing for battle. Soon the battle was going off as everyone prepared themselves for a fight never fought before…against snakes. Yeah, it’s a creepy job, but if they can handle villains, then slithering serpent creatures shouldn’t be too bad…right? That, remains to be seen… Within the Everfree Forest, we see the mysterious hooded cloak female of the serpents returning. But as she had returned, she found much of the young snakes of all different species that remain, the adults and warriors are not seen. “(I am back. Where are others?)” The mysterious female asked the little serpents where the others were at after her return. “(Gone to get more food.)” A child lamia stated off in telling the one who was here of where the others went. “(What! No! I said to wait!)” The mysterious female protest out in hearing this matter. “(By the serpent’s fang, they’ll caused more hate on us!)” She groans to complain in realizing what could happen now. Then without another word, the mysterious female had to quickly go off, and by that…I mean she took to the skies and flew off with WINGS! Looks like many other surprises are still to come from who or WHAT the mysterious female is… And as for what’s happening in Ponyville, it’s a battle where it’s catastrophic with giant snakes tearing up the town. Some that giant or so had long extending tongues or others spit out acid that melt anything it touch. Much of any of the Rainbow Kingdom’s Royal Guards were up to their knees to fighting against such odds without getting killed; especially when watching out for any tight squeeze issues or getting close to the fangs to be bitten, and then there’s the eyes that hypnotize. But as much as the conflict was going on, the serpents seem to be targeting other animals that Fluttershy brought other along with…the Buffalo Tribe. “URROOUURRGHHH!” Soon a giant serpent was lifting up a tail wrapped around some captured buffalo to eat when… “Whipfruvhmm…” Suddenly, a diamond lasso wrapped around the mouth, sealing the snake from chomping. “Oh no ye don’t! Buffalo meat ain’t ON de MENU!” Applejack protest to the critter while keeping the giant snake from eating some buffalos. “Hisisisi…” Some slithering snakes were coming at the gang when… “SURPRISE!” Pinkie Pie pops in with a little surprise for the snakes; her cannon! “Kurpowfruvhmmm….” And one blast from her party cannon sent a couple of them slithering crawling snakes packing in tangled streamers. “Hisisisiss….” A couple of large boa constrictors were coming near to get the gang, but Rarity was on the case…in her own usual way of handling this… “Eew-eew, eew-eew-eewww….keep away!” Rarity was yelping to use her Eternal Style to form her scepter to use it like a swatter to keep any slithering snakes back from getting near her. “Mwwourraaughhh….” Many of the buffalo warriors were charging against the smaller menaces, but the larger ones proved harder to take down. “Hisiisss….” Some giant snakes were wrapping their bodies against any of the other little animals to feast, until…. “Iron Bear Claw!/Powwfruvhmmm…” Then Fluttershy dived downed from above with her front hooves that made a strong bear-strength impact that knock the giant snake into its allies and let the animals go free. “I’m sorry, but my animals are not for your menu!” Fluttershy protest of seeing such a thing was not what she wanted to happen, even if it’s a part of the animal world. “Waaahhhh!” Suddenly, Little Strongheart was rushing to escape a giant King Cobra about to bite her when… “Bang-Bang-Bangvhmm…” Soon Rainbow Dash was flying in and shot her nun-chuck blasters at the serpent’s eyes that made it temporally blind. “Buddy, you just got your Snake’s Eyes handed to yah! Oh yeah!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed with her ever ego shown. “Omega Flamethrower/Prrussfruvhmmm….” Omega was soon producing his flamethrower function as it fired off large amounts of flames. “Krrisissis….” Many of the snakes were backing away from the flames from being burned. “Alright, we got them on the run!” Pinkamena cheered in seeing this, they are getting things under control. “Everyone, keep them back, we’re almost through.” Sombra shouted off in giving the order to the groups. However, above a building was someone watching the battle of ponies, Dragons, etc. fighting the serpents. The snakes were being overrun and getting beaten, and that….made the hooded figure begin to growl. Twilight was seen preparing her Twilight Star Shower move to take out more snakes when… “GRAAARRAARRRUGHHH!” Then without warning, something attacked Twilight from above that caused them both to roll across the ground. “Ahhh, hey!” Twilight struggles against someone that apparently, isn’t a Snake Men, or a Lamia, but…well she can’t figure it out while under attack. “Twilight! Hang on, I’ll help!” Ben shouted back in seeing his love was in trouble and needed help. “Hissss….” Then the mysterious female in cloak glared before she suddenly popped out her wings and flew up before Ben even touched her with his sword. And then she brought out a made-bronze slingshot, took aim to fire her shots which the heroes duck to avoid some explosive fire shots. “Woah! Who’s that shooting at us?” Phobos yelped in pondering what kinda creature that was attacking them. “I don’t know, but it has wings!” Spike stated in not knowing, whatever or whoever that is, it has wings….almost like they’re….Pegasus wings. “When in the sky, that’s my time to shine!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed forth in seeing that she’ll handle this matter easily. Soon Rainbow Dash was chasing after a small, but fast flier, but nothing Rainbow couldn’t handle on her own. “Bang-Bang-Bangvhmm….” The dare-devil pony was using her nun-chuck blasters to fire off her fast shots, all to hit the target. “Hiisssivhmm…” The mysterious figure however proved to be just as agile and quick on response to have dodge the shots and counter them with her own before charging to Dashie’s location. “Woah! Time to change tactics here!” Rainbow Dash yelped in seeing what was coming her way, guess it’s time she had a change of plans in how to fight here. “Enhanced Melee Mode: Spear Pole!” She announced this while her nun-chuck is soon combined by the long poles together that extends into a longer melee weapon and looks almost like a spear pole with the gun-hole points & the trigger grip handles near the bottom or top. Soon Rainbow Dash used this move to surprise her charging foe to swing backwards to dodge an attack and attack the cloak creature in the back. Course that stunt whack the opponent hard while catching the cloak. “Clupsfruvhmm…” The mysterious figure crashed against some barrels from what took her down and was covered by a dust cloud. “I must say, excellent work Rainbow Dash.” Rarity smiled forth in giving her compliments to her friend for the valiant effort. “Looky there, ye even nab its getup.” Applejack pointed off what Dashie gone and snatch from the mysterious figure; the cloak getup. “Guess now we can see who the mysterious female figure is.” Pinkie Pie spoke in stating this fact of what they can now find out here. “Must be another serpent folk, it’s gotta be it.” Tough Apple stated his own opinion over what they’ve seen so far. “Look! There it is!” Braeburn pointed off in seeing something was coming into view. Soon rising up from the barrels and the clearing of the dust clouds, something appeared that completely shocked everyone’s minds of what was hidden under the mysterious cloak hooded figure that was a female….A PONY! She appears like a Mare Pegasus with light emerald coat fur & a mix spot works of dark emerald coloring, long red & dark red messy mane & tail all scattered in an unnest way for a delicate lady, and her eyes are light emerald-turquoise color. She wears on her hooves bronze hoof-wear that seem a bit rugged and front bronze ankles. What’s notice about her is that her black pupil eyes are crescent-shape, has freckles, and underneath her messy mane is not really gray horns, just a mare-comb made from two fangs from a decease serpent. Lastly is what’s on her flank that is supposedly her Cutie Mark, it’s a red symbol of a cobra with wings (symbolizing her connection to being raised by snakes). Truly as she stared out while her snake and serpents gather around to support the mare that seem very close to one another. “Oh my goodness….that’s no snake or serpent creature, that’s a…a…” Twilight gasped in seeing what was now revealed to them, the cloak hooded figure with the snakes, was actually… “She’s a pony, like us!” Jack Zen finished that sentence in being very confused and very puzzled. “But, why is she attacking us and helping the serpents?” Autumn Gem questioned the thought, why is their own helping such creatures? “(I said to wait, and look what you did! Now they’ll hunt to kill you!)” The revealed serpent mare was talking to the other adult serpent snakes about their actions and what it could have cost them. “Oh my, she’s speaking to snakes….but…it sounds so strange!” Fluttershy gasped in surprise, she knows about talking to animals but…this was a language she’s never seen perform. “That’s cause she’s using Parseltongue, she’s a Parselmouth.” Goldie stated in what he could recognize that was being performed here. “A Parsel what is?” Adult Nyx asked off in hearing this, she doesn’t know what that is. “The Snake Language, it’s a very old and dark age sorta language that’s been hard to keep track of. But we didn’t think any pony knew how to speak snake.” Pinkamena shrug off to say in explaining the history that relates to another language of long ago. Then as the gang watched on, the wild mare soon set her eye gazes on them and they seem to almost be looking and studying them. Eyes filled with emptiness & being an outcast, only so few could tell what she was. “You ponies will pay for hurting my brethren!” The wild mare snapped off with a frown in what the group has done to her snake brethren. “Your brethren?” Omega responded off puzzled and very questioned on that logic. “Does not compute, a pony and snakes relationship is illogical.” The bot was unable to figure out this case, it was not making any sense to him. “Silence metal pony! Unless you want to be rip from your shell!” The wild mare snapped off to hiss from sensing Omega was not a creature with a soul. “Who are you?” Ben asked off puzzled, who was this pony, and why was she helping snakes? “I am called….. (Snake Language)….” The wild mare spoke off to say this while speaking her name in which only snakes ever know, leaving everyone unable to figure out how to say such a name. “But aside from that, I am called Anakonda, the Wild Snake Mare, a proud member of the Serpent Clan!” She fully introduced herself to those that do not know her, and where she stands. “Serpent Clan?” Spike repeated that with a blank look on his face. “As in a clan made up of snaky characters?” Phobos asked off in finding this to be very confusing to them. “But why are you here?” Adult Nyx asked off why Anakonda was here to begin with. “Our home was ravage by your own kind of dark aura beings. They hunt us down, trying to kill us for scales and our fangs.” Anakonda spoke off with upset and fury in glaring at those that has caused her to feel such anger. “I not allow you to harm my family when they are starving of hunger that blinds their judgement!” She declared that anyone here that should harm her breather of serpents will pay dearly for it. “Well this….seems awkward.” Pinkamena spoke in feeling like they are being treated like bad guys, how weird is that. Suddenly, many resilient royal guards and citizens were protesting over what was happening. Saying things like ‘Get outta here/You cursed snake Demon/Take your slithering friends back from whence you came!’ and many other insult remarks from those that feared the snakes. “Wait, what is this?” Spike yelps a bit while he asked off in seeing this angry protest of a mob growing. “An angry town’s uproar.” Phobos pointed out in what they can describe this to be. “All of you, calm down! We’re trying to understand the situation, not complicate it!” Ben tried to calm this angry crowd before they make the situation worse. “You ponies all same, you try to kill for fear of what we are. You see one thing, we see another.” Anakonda remotely stated in seeing this cowardly action to threaten the snakes and serpents in thinking they are the monsters. “This be my showing you, to not come and harm my snake family again. Hruuaaarrggh….” As she spoke those words, she suddenly was taking a deep breath to prepare something…. “Uh oh! I don’t like the looks of that!” Braeburn yelps in having a bad feeling of what might be coming at them. "Look! I don't want to hurt you! You have to stop!" Ben exclaims, trying to reason with Anakonda. Anakonda stops what she's doing for a moment to snap, "Liar! I will not listen to you! You all are the same!" Before anyone could do anything, they heard the loud and wild roar. Before they could do anything, they saw multiple yet various attacks heading straight at them - Mystic Dragon Flame, Water Torpedo Blast, Electrical Thunder Surge, Earthquake Destroyer and Metal Bullets. Luckily, they missed. "Whoa, close one!" Rainbow exclaims in surprise and alarm. "Where did those shots came from?!" Adult Nyx demands in confusion. "Seems 'ta come from out of nowhere!" Applejack exclaims in surprise and concern. "Could it be...Father?" Anakonda mumbles to herself, but snaps out of it quickly. "No! I mustn't think that! My brothers and sisters need me! I have to get them out!" "Incoming!" Spike exclaims as most of the gang moves, realizing that the worst is about to come. “Poison Dragon’s Roar!” Anakonda announced forth the name of her strongest attack here. “Powwfrusvhmmm….” Then she unleashed a red poises stream from her mouth that impacted all the large gathered warriors. “Grraauuooorughhh….” Many of the Royal Guards and Buffalo Tribe warriors were hit and some angry citizens, all but the heroes and their pals who managed to escape being hit. “Time to go, they suffer now for crimes onto us!” Anakonda pats one of her large snake brethren in stating they can leave now, for those that would harm them are now paying up for their actions. Soon Anakonda was seen vanishing by some kinda camouflage ability as many of the snakes slithered or flew away from the scenery to head off near the Everfree Forest. But while the serpent menace was long gone, another issue brought in our attention. Twilight’s group opened their eyes in seeing a horrible site; many that were hit by that attack from Anakonda were not moving, and their moans sounded…weak, eyes looking heavy while looking black. “HOLY MOLY! What happened?” Pinkie Pie cried out in seeing the work done to a lot of members. “My warriors, speak to me!” Chief Thunderhooves approached his buffalo tribesmen, they are all seemingly sick. “It’s no good chief.” Little Strongheart shook her head in seeing that they appear to have been spared of what affected the others. “What did she do to them all?” Jack Zen asked off in not figuring what was it that Anakonda used. “It look like a poisonous breath that rare half-breed poison type Dragons use. It’s weird how a pony could use such a rare thing.” Pinkamena spoke in pondering that such a technique used by such rare type of Dragons is possible for a pony, how strange. “Oh my, they look sick! We need to treat them!” Fluttershy stated with worry, maybe they can help heal them. “Dear me oh my, my time appears too late for this timely moment.” Then a familiar rhyme speaking zebra enter the area from afar as it was none other than Zecora. “Zecora?” The gang responded in seeing their shaman zebra friend come in. “What are you doing here?” Twilight asked off why Zecora was here all so sudden. “Yeah, ye miss out on our fight against them no good snakes.” Applejack stated with a frown in what happened here. “I can explain, but first, tell me. Was there not, a wild jungle mare, who was seen….hanging with these serpent beings?” Zecora responded to say while speaking her rhymes along the way. “Anakonda, yeah, hard to forget her.” Rainbow Dash nods off to say this without any delay. “And it looks like she not only looks like a snake, but breathed out strange toxins! Look at these poor fellows!” Rarity stated to say while looking back at what has harmed many of their side. Zecora came to study the warriors, royal guards and any unfortunate citizen that was hit. From her studying eyes of knowing many treatments and illnesses, this one seem…very tricky to handle indeed. “Life signs are stable, but dropping.” Omega stated from his scans detect the infected ones are alright, but their life-spans are dropping at a slow paste. This worries the others, what has happened that could cause such ill manner unto others to slowly die. “It is as I fear, Anakonda was here.” Zecora spoke her rhymes in stating what has transpired here. “She has poisoned them and need help fast, or they will not last.” She explained by her rhymes in what needs to be done now. “That’s not a good thing to hear.” Autumn Gem gasped in really not liking it, the ones here are poisoned and are going to slowly die. “We need to move them all to a safe place.” Sombra suggested this out to the group in what they need do. “Twilight, can we use your castle as an emergency shelter for the sick?” Goldie asked this request for a place to hold a lot of sick ponies in need of medical treatment. “Yes of course, every pony, gather whoever you can and bring them to the castle!” Twilight nods in agreeing to that, and wants everyone who is not sick to help out. And so without delay, any of the heroes that weren’t infected by a poison sickness started to gather whoever they can and bring them to the Rainbow Castle. So many things have happened, snakes and serpent creatures popping in, a snake mare who acts like a wild jungle girl, and now sick ponies and buffalos due to whatever poison they inhaled or came in contact with. And the clock is ticking, if nothing is done soon….well, let’s not go into details just yet… As Anakonda and her brethren got farther away, she spoke to the snakes in the Snake Language, "(Have any of you seen my father? It has to be him. Who else can launch that many fire powers?)" "(Sadly, we did not.") The boa constrictor hissed in regret to Anakonda. "("We haven't seen him.") One Hydra Head said in agreement to Anakonda, the serpents all gave the same answer: no sign of Anakonda's father at all. Anakonda looks at the sky, mumbling, "(Father... Where are you?)" Dragoking was continuing his search in the Everfree. She has to be here somewhere. The monster was almost close when a familiar voice stops him. "Dragoking!" Dragoking turns to see Shadow Dragon galloping up to him, upset with him obviously. "What are you doing here?! You were supposed to be at home." Dragoking growled in anger at him. "What do you mean some ponies hurt your beloved mate and child?" Dragoking growled softly. Shadow Dragon, understanding, snapping, "Ponyville? That's ridiculous... You know they hate them, especially Twilight Sparkle. You remembered that, don't you?" Flashback Twilight Moon hide behind the crates while looking at Dragoking. She shivered and quivered in fear and worry. Dragoking looked at her with worried yet curious look at her. Shadow Dragon sighed in concern. Twilight Moon is just like the regular Twilight, fearful of snakes. Flashback Ends "That was lucky for her to like you back when I helped her get a close relationship with you. Why would they wanted the snakes?" Shadow Dragon scolds his pet. Dragoking roared wildly and angrily. Understanding that, the Dark Mystic Pony hummed, "Don't rush me! I need to think. Who and why need the snakes? I doubt Twilight overcame it so quickly as my wife...” Dragoking turned and walked away from his master. Shadow Dragon, noticing this, shouted after him, "Dragoking, where do you think you're going?!" Dragoking roared wildly. "I see... Take care of her. And say hi to her for me." Dragonking grunts as he heads on his way. She better be safe or heads are going to roll. Author's Note Well this turn out well, eh? Now in the next chapter, the gang learn that the poisoned victims can only be cured by the one who caused it, namely...they must seek to find Anakonda. Zecora tags along to help Twilight's group find the Snake Mare, having known the pony that the zebra is trustworthy. And once everyone meets up, there are some debatable matters, but in truth, Anakonda is but a sad victim of circumstances none can understand. How will things go from here; that remains to be seen...so stay tune and do so enjoy... //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 04: A Poisonous past //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 04: A Poisonous past Chapter 04: A Poisonous past Now we enter a scene where we find a peaceful lake within a certain part of the Everfree Forest, it’s a very calm, very peaceful area. And we find Anakonda sitting on a hill over the lake, looking at it to see her reflection…of what and who she is. She was a bit lost in her own thought before seeing something fly behind her by the lake’s reflection. “Hiisss…” Anakonda hissed with looking ready to attack anything coming at her with a ready poison glowing around her hooves. “Woah-woah, easy there!” Adult Nyx yelped from flying from above gently to the ground. Then with a quick work of her magic, she reverted back to her small filly form. “I come in peace.” Little Nyx stated in not meaning to cause any harm. “Hmmm, you change size to help you fight, bad choice to fight small.” Anakonda spoke in studying how Nyx’s transformation helps her in battle, the one that’s more helpful is the larger form than the small filly form. “I’m not here to fight, I just wanna talk.” Nyx spoke in explaining that she was not here to pick fights, just have a peaceful chat. “Why talk with me little one? Are you not like others, questionable of my actions, my abilities, what I could do if left uncheck?” Anakonda raised an eyebrow to gaze at Nyx, knowing full well of how many see the snake mare and that she is dangerous if alone. “Well cause….I may know how you feel. Being alone, ponies saying you aren’t them and that they see a monster who’s more dangerous to them.” Nyx hesitated a bit before going into some detail about knowing how the mare seems to feel about such reactions other ponies give. “You speak these things as if you know what I feel.” Anakonda spoke a bit lost and confused by how Nyx knew such things. “Tell me, how do you know such feelings?” She asked with being intrigue, pondering how one so young could know such feelings. “Well, it’s because…” Nyx slowly begins to say, taking a big breath before preparing a conversation in…opening up to another that is almost like her in some ways. “I’m a reincarnation of Nightmare Moon. The evil that latch onto Princess Luna who turn her evil and a creation of the Moon Demon Lord, Tso Lan.” She told her whole story of what has happened to her and what she has done thus far from what her past explains. “Nightmare Moon….you say?” Anakonda repeated this off in being fascinated to learn of this bit of info. “Serpent Clan know much about Moon Demon Tso Lan and Nightmare Moon, but to think rumor of her being you is….surprise.” She explained from having the Intel of who Nyx is from the past to meeting her now. “Wait, you heard about me?” Nyx yelped in surprise to learn about this stuff now. “We snakes share all info with another, we know what is going on from overhearing others.” Anakonda explained how even slithering serpents like snakes can tend to know a few things. “To think you would be that creature many hated, yet I see you are not as bad with this.” She raised an intrigue eyebrow in seeing how well Nyx is taking such matters about how others think of the evil Nightmare Moon that many feel is a curse. “In the past, I might have been controlled by others during my confusion to be who I was supposed to be, but…my mommy helped me find another path to be.” Nyx looked down in recalling her past experiences from what she used to be and how without Twilight Sparkle, she might not be who she is today. “And ever since then, I’ve had wonderful friends and I’ve been really happy to have them all. They help me not become who I was or let evil forces use me.” She smiled in being glad that she has such great friends and family to help her along the way. Anakonda felt silent, the words that Nyx spoke did not sound like lies, but good to honest truth. Not many young ones of Nyx’s age would say they managed to overcome some form of which might be a curse of their existence; how strong she must be. “To think a child as young as you could speak so freely, so wisely, it’s as if we live in different worlds of our shared pain of suffering, you and I.” Anakonda spoke these traits of thought that have boggled her mind from seeing how different she and Nyx are. “Maybe if you tell me about yourself, it could make you feel better.” Nyx suggested this with a little nudge to help this wild mare of serpents open up. The Snake Mare looked to Nyx in almost being surprised, the filly wants to hear the story of what has made Anakonda be what she is today, and why it is she does not trust others other than her serpent brethren. “Haaaah, very well, I shall tell you my tale, something that is very tragic in my life.” Anakonda lets out a heavy sigh in seeing that maybe a tale about herself to one that shares some relationship of what it’s like to be cursed upon their birth; it may do her wonders. Soon things begin to blur out as the tale about Anakondo is soon to be told for any around to hear… At this time, the scene opens to what was a dark, stormy and rainy night, as it looked really bad in the forecast. The scene focuses around two ponies under cloak and hoods that were shot by darts and fell off a cliff. But during their fall and their bodies scattered, the mother looked to have protected a basket, which contained…a crying baby Pegasus filly. No one was around to hear her cries as it looks like the parents of the child met with….an unfortunate end. “I was but a simply infant, who had not been older than one…when I lost my parents. They met with an end by greedy hearts of ponies and they left us abandoned to die.” Anakonda’s narrative voice explained her sad tale of what happened to her long ago. “But as luck turn out, I was near within Foal Mountain and met the wild life, where I met…the predator.” On that last note, that's where something arise from the quote itself. The scene changes to where a familiar giant flying serpent is seen as it lands on the ground where the baby Pegasus was. “I did not know it, but I came face to face with the Sky Serpent, Cubellios the queen of the Serpent Clan. She was going to devour me when she found me, but…she did not.” Anakonda’s narrative voice explained what was going to happen to her when the snake reach over to devour her…or would she? A scene shows the giant serpent about to eat the child that was staring at it. But around the giant flying serpent was a collar that was seen from a flash of lightning as it was a strange snake fang,and it glowed emerald green for unknown reasons. Cubellios cease action in noticing what was happening and was curious of it…and the baby. “She became curious about me, when what was around her collar neck glowed when near my infant self.” Anakonda’s voice explained the state of where something was going on between a simple baby pegasus and a giant serpent beast. “Cubellios gave me the fang to touch and that’s when everything changed for me.” As spoken, Cubellios leans down and lets the curious baby crawl to reach up her hoof to touch the glowing fang. The time shows that as the baby touch the fang, it let off an eerie glow that turn to vapor, and floated to cover the child. Once it was over, the baby filly was no longer a mere ordinary Equestrian; she as now a different creature, newly color fur mix with scales and with serpent-like eyes. “Cubellios saw I changed into not just a mere pony, but a half breed serpent and decided to raise me as one of her brethren & children of the Serpent Clan.” As Anakonda explained her story, Cubellios took the child in its care back to Foal Mountain to meet with more snakes. “I learn that I was chosen by the magic fang to be the user to an element neither side could ever gain of good & evil; the Element Of Venom.” As told, the child could create much venom and poison that all the serpents were impressed, she was one of them. Many snakes gathered and the baby was never fearful of them, instead, they rather like her, the child was of their own but more special. Even the queen seem to smile in looking down at the child and spoke something to all snakes. “Cubellios named me in their native snake language, one where I to slowly begin to pick up and my given name to which others address me from think I am like an anaconda snake-type. And I liked it, I was now, Anakonda, the Wild Snake Mare.” Anakonda narrates in explaining how she was able to make a new life by a name she was given by snakes and another name to be address by in the English term. A scene shows the young Anakonda learning the ways of the Serpent Clan, blend in by camouflage, use her poison ability and even perform speaking snake talk. “I was taught within the serpent clan, our language was what some called Parseltongue as it would allow one’s ability to speak and communicate with snakes. I was given lesson about singing a song of one who need their own space when in deep doubt with a chanting calling. Another was making a calling sound in alerting my brethren of danger within the area.” Anakonda narrates to explain the things that was being taught to her, as she was learning fast and becoming more and more understanding of a serpent’s way of life. The scene shows Anakonda as she was now much older as she explored around to see ponies from nearby, only to gasp and snarl at watching hunters take snakes that are dead and rob them of their fangs from the living ones. “As time grew, I began to see those like me, but hated how they treated snakes, especially the cruel and evil ones. So I taught them a lesson.” As Anakonda narrates her words, her past self used her venom power that completely finished off such evil. But any surviving members of those that were with evil hunters, ran to warn a village, warn them about an evil serpent mare that could use deadly poison. “But that provoke in fear and I had to hied, they thought my power was a curse that could kill them all.” Anakonda explains her narration as her past self hided from an angry mob. “They were right so far, but many were misled by power hungry fiends that wanted my power, my poisonous venom, to help kill enemies.” As the scene played out, hidden evil forces smirk at the idea and wanted to hunt the wild mare that had such power. Now Anakonda is seen living within Foal Mountain, where she is comforted by her true friends and family, the Serpent Clan. “So I remain as defender of my serpent brethren, and to our queen, the one who I think of…as a mother.” Anakonda narrates in what she has decided for herself, to help be protective of her family of all ponies that see them as dangerous creatures. Now we focus on Anakonda as she is seen blending around her surroundings, practicing her slingshot techniques and practicing on using more deadlier techniques of her element. “It not matter if I had snakes as only comfort, they aren’t bad; they live as nature gave them. And I…I live by my own nature to be strong, and not weak.” Anakonda explained how she knows a truth of what others lack to see, and remains strong…strong to protect snakes and eliminate all that want harm or wish her harm in any way. Everything goes dark here, as the story slowly comes to an end…. Now we return to the present of which Anakonda and Nyx were near after the story of the past has ended. Nyx was really surprised to hear such a tale be told, so in a way, it kinda explains much about Anakonda and what her life was like. “Now you see where I come to be, little one?” Anakonda spoke gently to Nyx in stating her own thoughts of seemingly not have come over terms of her life. “What made me who I am, what made me special, can also be a curse of being targeted by those who hate and fear the deadly venom I can make.” She has seen the ugly side of those that fight to kill what they do not understand by fear, by greed, by the dark bearings of their hearts. “Gosh, I’m sorry to hear all that.” Nyx spoke in feeling like that is such a hard life, she feels sorry for Anakonda to have lived like that. “Hear this song of mine, child of the night, this helps me heal over the pain I feel everyday.” Anakonda spoke gently in wishing to show Nyx something, a song to help heal one’s pain of their loneliness. Soon Anakonda moves up near the hill over the lake, looks up to the night sky of the full moon. She moves in accordance to a tribe’s men in preparing a song chant. Anakonda: Hiiiyaaaah…..Hiiiiyaaaahh….yooooo Sebna-oh-may-yaaaaahhhh Nyx watched as Anakonda performed this interesting tribal chanting song, it sounded so pretty, like it was meant to help heal the soul. Senderhaaaaaaeeee…. Dieheadyooooo…. From above the night skies, there was an echo on that last part heard that seem to resonate with the night. Min-yaaa-hooooo….. And hidden from nearby, was the Mane Six & Goldie’s group along with Zecora as they watched this action in progress. “Oh my, it sounds so pretty.” Fluttershy gasped in a surprise way of being amazed. “And this is a song that snakes have made, who knew?” Rarity responded in never guessing a beautiful song sung, could come from serpents. Hiiiyaaaah…..Hiiiiyaaaahh….yooooo Sebna-oh-may-yaaaaahhhh “It is custom to sing chant, for it help make the bad go away, no?” Zecora explained what was going on here, Anakonda was wanting to help make the pain ease away. “Guess if we had hard times, we like something ta do dat too.” Appeljack shrug off to say in feeling like they can follow along. Senderhaaaaaaeeee…. Dieheadyooooo…. “Gotta admit, it’s a catchy beat.” Pinkie Pie smiled off in liking the tune of that song. “Yeee…ah, you think that way Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in hearing that statement. Min-yaaa-hooooo….. The gang watch as Anakonda continues to sing her song while so in focus, not letting anything distract her. Hiiiyaaaah…..Hiiiiyaaaahh….yooooo Sebna-oh-may-yaaaaahhhh “Well Twilight, what do you think?” Goldie looked to Twilight in asking her the question. “Yeah, you aren’t seriously thinking of being afraid of snakes that can make a nice chant like that.” Pinkamena asked off that if snakes had such a nice chanting song, would they all be so evil? Senderhaaaaaaeeee…. Dieheadyooooo…. “Well I…its very beautiful…” Twilight slowly responded in feeling like maybe…her little fear of being around snakes, is wavering a bit thinly. “I have to admit, it is nice and pleasant to listen to.” Ben smiled to nod in liking what they are hearing. Min-yaaa-hooooo….. The chanting song was coming to a close on that final note as Anakonda soon lowered her front hooves down and exhale her breath. But at the same time, she heard the sound of others coming up that was more than Nyx, for it was the rest of the group that hid from sight. “So, you saw?” Anakonda asked forth in looking to those that has decided to come forth. “Wait, you KNEW we were watching?” Phobos yelped off to ask that the snake mare knew they were hiding. “But…how did you, we were quiet as a mouse?” Spike asked off in what gave them away, they were very quiet, so how? “Even a squeaky mouse cannot keep silent.” Anakonda explained the case that even a quiet creature cannot be so easily silent. “And as another precaution, if you did try anything, we would have reacted sooner.” She gave out this other issue of warning if the group were to try any forceful actions against her. “We?” Jack Zen raised an eyebrow in confusion here. “Hisisss….” Then coming out of the darken woods were many snakes and serpents, small ones, big ones, even the flying ones and Snake People types. They were around and cut all exits out for the gang. “It would seem we are surrounded again.” Omega pointed out in seeing what this was developing into; deja vu, like from what happened in Ponyville. “Wait! If you had your snakes watch us, then why didn’t you attack me or my family and friends?” Nyx asked off in wanting to know something that was puzzling her. “I wanted to test them, see if they are not going to betray me when my fellow clan of serpents needs saving.” Anakonda spoke to say this in what she was planning to do, it’s all precautions. “We have heard much of those that talk of friendship, but I’ve felt it was only reserve for those outside snakes.” She stated that every time there is mention about friendship, snakes in the area were never given such a kind thing. “Those that are not evil, but good, startle snakes, their friend in peril, they act to stop snake, show friendship of bravery and stuff, but no feeling for poor snake.” Her words were of sorrow and pain, because while even good folks help another out if a snake was near, do they ever consider if the snake was dangerous to them if they haven’t startle it; no. “Gosh, I feel really bad for the poor snaky.” Pinkamena spoke in feeling kinda down after hearing this bit of info now. “Anakonda…” Twilight spoke in approaching the wild mare in feeling like she has to say this. “I know that we may have hard times seeing eye to eye, but…what I do know is this.” She spoke in preparing to gather the right words in order to use them well. “Whether you are a snake or a pony, we shouldn’t judge your appearance, but by your actions. And while your actions may have caused problems for us…” Twilight was on a good start so far until the subject of what caused a terrible disaster. “Hrrrrgh!” Anakonda growls as do her snakes in feeling this reminder was putting the blame on them until… “But…I can understand you do anything to protect those you feel dear. And that’s something we all have in common. We each want to help stop whatever took your home so you can return and for us to get a cure from your venom element.” Twilight spoke these words in feeling like they all want to protect their homes and those they live together with all their strength. “But if you feel that I can’t be trusted, then…infect me as well, with your poison.” The princess spoke in wanting to earn trust so much, she’ll even be poison to do so. “Hugh!” The others gasped in shock, Twilight was gonna go that far. “Twilight, are-are you sure about that?” Spike asked off if maybe that’s a little hefty there, maybe there’s another trust act to do. “Hisss…” Some snakes hissed in keeping the others quiet as someone who was listening heard this to ponder the thought. Anakonda was slowly moving up near Twilight as if preparing to follow the princess’s term of what she wanted. “Harrrourrrrrrgh….” Anakonda opens her mouth were her sharp snake fangs are seen, the others look fearful in worrying if Twilight will survive such a poison dose. “No….” But then without warning, Anakonda closes her mouth to issue this claim. “Wha?” Twilight replied off in opening her eyes in being shock; was she not going to be poison to show that she won’t be distrustful? “To go so far as to prove you won’t betray me or my clan, you risk the threat of being poisoned yourself. Tis foolish action you try to pull!” Anakonda scolds the mare for such actions, as Twilight was silent in thinking the idea was a bit rash. “And at action like that shows, that even if you fear snakes and go far to help get cure for your own kind, shows you are indeed trustworthy.” The wild mare spoke wisely in stating that for one to go so far to earn trust is no mere act, and without any reaction to go against it, shows how determine Twilight was. The others smiled in hearing this, it sounds like Anakonda will trust them now. “My brethren! We now have allies to help us reclaim our home and get ride of stinky dark aura creatures from whence they came!” Anakonda turns to face her serpent and snake kind in announcing the time for them to reclaim their home is now. “Hhisisss….” Many of the serpents let off their loudest hisses in cheering for this. Suddenly the ground stomps, making the heroes yelps. There's Dragoking, back on the scene. He growled angrily at Twilight and her friends. What the hay does he want now? Anakonda patted her father's chest gently, saying gently, "It’s okay, papa. It's okay. They won't try to hurt us without the fight..." "Papa?!" Most of the ponies ask in surprise and confusion. Dragoking is Anakond's adopted father? Then again, they did heard it called him “father” earlier…. "And how did that came to be?" Twilight ask Anakonda curiously. "We know who your mommy is...but how did Dragoking became your daddy?" Nyx ask Anakonda, wanting to know too. "My father's name is Dragoking. And he is the last to his kind - Hydragoon. They're the first powerful and intelligent ancestors and kind to all Dragons and Reptilian Creatures." Anakonda explains to the newcomers as to what Dragoking is to not just her, but to every Dragons and Reptilian Creatures. "And above all, he's my papa." "Yeah... That freak is hardly a dad for you. He looks like a monster than a good and gentle daddy." Phobos jokes a bit. Of course, that made Dragoking roared at him for that comment. "Yikes! Is this guy always like to pick a fight?!" "My father is a warrior. He lived to fight and challenge with his enemies, whether they're weak or powerful. He will fight till the end." Ben grumbled a bit, "Well, that freak try to take a bite on me! And I hate him a lot!" Dragoking growled angrily at Ben before spitting greenish slime onto the latter's face. "Ugh! See what I mean! That was on purpose! And I bet he will try to swallow me up again..." Anakonda scoffed at that, "The only reason he did that is because you owe him a meal since the Winter Wrap Up." "That was ab accident! How am I supposed to know that he was setting a trap for his prey to eat? In fact, I repaid him with an Octorok meal!" Anakonda shrugged as she comments slyly, "Or maybe... You're his favorite meal and chew toy." Ben groaned in annoyance while slapping his face, "That makes me feel better..." "About meeting your father?" Twilight ask Anakonda, wanting to know how Dragoking first became her adopted father. "Yes... My father was traveling around the Everfree Forest and Serpentine Land for a rest until he met my mother. They first suspect each other as enemies until they spend a lot of time together and even have fun. They both fell in love." Anakonda explains the story as she sighed happily. "That was romantic." "Well, 'dat's a bit different." Applejack comments in amusement. "Right! When two creatures like them fell in love, always so magical!" Rarity said, sighing happily and feeling great for the two lovers. "I know, right?" Fluttershy ask her friend with a giggle. "If you ask me, that was disturbing for some snakes." Rainbow remarks, rolling her eyes at this. Ben nodded in agreement while adding, "I'm with you, Dash." "If you don't mind, I would like to continue... But their love can't continue because of the duty. My mother wish to continue her rule as Queen of the Serpentine but my father remained loyal to his master. Mother tried to convince him to stay but chose to remain on his master's side." Anakonda said, explaining as to why her parents don't stay together for all time. "Despite that, he would come and visit her." "So about your mother..." Twilight said with a pause then continues asking, "How did Dragoking take it when you first met him? When your mother first brought you home?" "When I joined my family, we both met. My father didn't like a strange pony like me to stay. But after some months and years of staying and looking after me, he grew closer to me because of my skills and snake-personality. He sees me as his daughter as I did see him as my father. So, I called him my father." Most of the group nodded in agreement or amazement. Dragoking must truly care for his adopted kid. They watch as Anakonda and Dragoking beginning for a moment. He growled in anger as he turned and looked away from Ben and his friends. "Father agreed to help us. And in-return-!" Anakonda begins to say the condition for Dragoking's help. "Forget it!" Ben snaps in annoyance. Last thing this pony wants is to end up getting eaten again! Anakonda groaned at the interruption before she continues, "I was gonna say that you will not cut his heads off again. He hated it because each time his heads cut, he struggles in getting them work together as one. And of course, putting his head back together as one wasn't good enough." "You're saying that he has some split personality? That's new..." Spike said, amazed and amused upon hearing that information about Dragoking. "Usually Hydras don't mind it." Phobos comments with a light chuckle on that. "That's because some are mindless and wild serpents. And for others, they're struggled to work together as one." Anakonda told Phobos about how different Hydras are from Hydragoons. "Agreed." Twilight said with a nod, that's true when one thinks about it. "But in-return, stop eating me. I'm not his chew toy or meal." Ben said sternly to both Dragoking and Anakonda. If the stallion must allow Dragoking to help, at least enough already! "Father can live with that. He can hold his stomach for an hour before eating you up." Anakonda remarks, giving a cute giggle much to Ben's chagrin. "And why does that makes me feel better?" “Just one question, who are these dark aura beings we keep hearing?” Phobos raised his claw to ask the question here. “In ancient times, certain tribe folk have address such things. Creatures who produce light & dark, their auras are quite far beyond our mortal understandings. Mystics & Dark Mystics, we simply call them as such.” Zecora explained with her rhymes of stating what term use one calls the ‘dark’ or ‘light’ aura creatures to today’s knowledge. “Then the dark aura beings must be the Dark Mystics!” Ben responded off in now seeing the truth; the Dark Mystics are to blame. “So them varmints are de lowdown snake in de grass.” Applejack sternly stated in guessing the true snakes they gotta contend to. “Right! Hurting innocent snakes who aren’t bothering no pony, and after we just learn not all snakes are bad!” Pinkie Pie spoke off in feeling upset over the whole thing to. “So how’s about we go over there and kick their flanks!” Rainbow Dash pointed out in a daring feat in what they outta do here. “Now you know they aren’t exactly easy foes, right?” Rarity raised an eyebrow in bringing up a good point; their foes are an organization that’s a part of the Three Lords. “But Rarity, they are hurting those Anakonda loves, we can’t let them do that.” Fluttershy spoke in feeling they can’t just sit and do nothing when someone needs help that others are being hurt. “Fluttershy is correct. To ignore the request is illogical.” Omega responded to say here while getting ready. “I shall prepare in eliminating threat.” He was seen bringing out his Gatling blasters, preparing for a heavy fire-fight here. “That’s the spirit Omega! We’ll all go and help out!” Pinkamena nods in agreement, they’ll all help. “Right, if we work together, we can do this.” Jack Zen nods in preparing his sword in what battles await them. “But we’ll need to catch them by surprise. Anakonda, how many ways can we sneak into Foal Mountain?” Goldie spoke in thought of what be the best way to perform such actions, maybe how many ways to get into the mountain. “There are many tunnels large snakes use, however….” Anakonda spoke in stating that there are many tunnels that they can choose to take, but enemies may wait there, but… “There is secret entrance which I know of. We can use that, and once inside, I can call in other serpents outside to begin attack.” She explained the plan, they sneak in through a secret entrance and then launch surprise attack that the enemy won’t see coming. “Sounds like a plan to us.” Spike replied off to say in hearing this now. “Right, we’ll catch them guys with their pants down!” Phobos nods off to say in a cocky manner. “You see Anakonda, we’ll all be okay if we work together, that’s what friends are there for.” Nyx smiled forth towards the snake mare in seeing how all of them are gonna help another out. “Friends….as in….pony friends?” Anakonda slowly spoke in having heard this as she’s never had…any friends that were ponies that didn’t wanna be with a snaky pony like her. “And Dragons!” Spike & Phobos pointed out that they are to be included to. “Hmmm, I think if this goes well, I might like that.” Anakonda slowly spoke to almost show an honest to true smile in what she’ll decide after everything is settled. “Before you go, I must ask a payment for the aid. We need a cure for your venom today.” Zecora spoke forth in stating time was still ticking, if they don’t give the antidote to the poisoned victims back home, it’ll be too late. “Of course, now that I can trust much of you, I shall give to help.” Anakonda nods slowly to Zecora as she will give an early payment after seeing those that can truly be trusted. Soon Anakonda was standing near Zecora who held out a jar for the snake mare. And soon something glowed with a bright crimson red glow around the fangs as it took the form of liquid while it drips. In mere moments, the jar was mostly full, Zecora sealed it up as they have now collected a sample of Anakonda’s venom to be used to help figure out how to cure their sick friends. “While I return to prepare this medicine, you all must be careful on your journey.” Zecora spoke off towards the gang in what she’ll be busy doing while the others have their own task to do. “We will Zecora, and please, take care of our sick subjects.” Twilight nods with a firm expression to be determine that they will win this while the zebra saves their citizens and buffalo guest. Ben sighed as he stopped for the moment. Dragoking smirked as he slowly swung his tail at Ben's legs hard in making the latter fell down, much to the Hydragoon's amusement! Now was the moment that both separate parties were gonna go their own ways. Zecora would return to Ponyville with the collected samples of the Element of Venom’s antidote while the Mane Six’s party, Goldie’s group and lastly, Anakonda’s Serpent buddies would work together to free Foal Mountain under dictator control. This will be a pretty close calling, especially against such strong foes, but with the heroes work, they may just pull out an impossible act, how….we’ll have to be seen. As everything goes dark here, as the mystery of what’s to come….lies in wait… Ben sighed as he stopped for a moment. Dragoking smirked as he slowly swung his tail at Ben's legs hard, making the latter fell down. "Hey! You did that on purpose!" Ben protest angrily as he got back up to his hooves. Dragoking chuckled in amusement. "Think that's funny. Try this!" Ben kicked the sands onto Dragoking's eyes. Dragoking roared in anger as he shouted straight at Ben's face. They both decided to ignore it for now. But of course, things get a bit more funny... The gang begins crossing a river. Dragoking make himself a bridge for the ponies to cross. When Ben wanted to get up onto the tail however, Dragoking let the tail up and Ben fell into the river. Another time, Ben accidentally cut Dragoking's tail when cutting some bushes down. At another time, Dragoking sneezed but accidentally launch his Mystic Dragon Flame on Ben's tail, causing the pony to yell around like mad as he tries his best to put the fire out. Draoking just snickered in amusement while the others just shake their head at this. In a fourth time, Ben climbed up a tree to find their enemies but a branch broken, causing both to fell onto Dragoking head. Needless to say, the Hydragoon roars in annoyance and pain, having being tempted to just eat him again. The fifth time during the trek, Ben throw a mud ball at Dragoking at one time and whistled innocently while walking away. He got himself slammed by Hydragoon's tail as a response. "Oh for the love of..." Ben groans angrily. Before he could finish, Dragoking ate him up again when due to the Hydragoon being angry again. This cause Ben to cut the head off from within once more. Needless to say, both fight at each other like Hercules Hydra Battle. Dragoking and Ben were about to fight some more until her friends interrupted them. "Guys, come on! We're on a mission!" Twilight scolds the two for their pointless mission when the gang are on a mission here. "Honestly? Can you two just get along for Anakonda's case?" Rarity remarks in agreement with the two. "Fine." Ben groans then glared at Dragoking. "I'm watching you, snake-face!" The Hydragoon stuck his tongue at the Friend of Friendship before spitting some slime onto his face. Ben groaned in annoyance, "I can see why Twilight hates snake especially that jerky Hydragoon. Really hate that thing..." Anakonda overheard Ben’s comment. She narrows her eyes while turning to Twilight, saying, “Perhaps I was wrong. You're not the problem to serpents. It's your friend. Your boyfriend hates my father a lot. Why?” Twilight Sparkle giggled uneasily, “Let's say he had bad experiences with it. He got eaten thrice - Winter Wrap Up, the Bugbear Attack at Ponyville and of course, moments ago. “It's him. I don't like someone called him 'it'.” “Sorry.” “Why do you fear him?” Anakonda ask Twilight, wondering why the Alicorn would fear her adopted father. “It's like I said before. I will do what I can to help you and your family. And besides, I'm surprised that he didn't eat me. So, I'm not afraid of him.” Twilight explains that unlike other snakes that she feared, the princess wasn’t eaten by Dragoking thus far. “Actually. Shadow Dragon (PM) trained her PM counterpart not to be scared of snakes. In fact, Dragoking is the first snake she trust and respect with. Therefore, they're BFFs.” Pinkie explains happily and randomly as she bounce along. “Maybe, this could do the same thing.” “Interesting...” Anakonda said amazed yet puzzled by what Pinkie just said. Twilight roll her eyes as she comments, “Don't believe of what she had said. Although I'm actually trying to learn about this PM Universe of me... I could get some tips from her how to be not scared of snakes.” “Got you cover when this is over.” Rainbow said, making a point to ask PM Shadow Dragon for that when this mission is over. Author's Note The song chant is something heard from Xyber 9: New Dawn series from episode 10. Well with this done, I'm moving onto the grand moment, the battle scene. Look forward to it folks, it'll be heroes and snakes VS. The villains. And during the battle, another secret fact about the Element Of Venom is revealed, plus a surprisingly deadly move that is more related from close serpent creatures that's never been learn by others outside such a species (& Anakonda knows it!). Trust me when I think of some amazing things, you'll be surprise indeed. So until then, enjoy what is here and get ready for the next fun, exciting and thriller chapter to come.... //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 05: The Battle for Foal Mountain! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 05: The Battle for Foal Mountain! Chapter 05: The Battle for Foal Mountain! The scene begins to open up near a secret location by Foal Mountain, a spot not even any Dark Mystics seem to know exist. As the heroes are soon making their way by stealth to enter the secret entrance followed by Anakonda and her Serpent Clan. With many of the smaller snakes, they went into camouflage mode and were very much unseen while hinting the group they are with of being near. It wasn’t long before they group managed to reach what look like the center cavern chamber for all snakes. And there were many snakes, giant ones and hybrid types of Snake Men locked in cages or bound by chains. And there were many Dark Mystic Soldiers marching along the way, keeping a watch guard on the prisoners. “Boy, this place looks like it’s been turn into a fort.” Jack Zen spoke off in seeing what was going on, these villains turn a snake’s cave den into a fort. “More like a prison if you ask me, can we pull this off?” Ben stated in what they could determine while they needed know if their plan can work. “We just need to cause a distraction inside to have their forces come in and Anakonda will signal more snakes outside to attack their blind spot.” Golden Heart explained how they’ll be doing things, cause a distraction to focus on, then strike; easy. “And guess who can help cause a big distraction?” Pinkamena spoke in looking towards Omega for obvious reasons. “I am ready to unleash the fury!” Omega spoke forth in preparing himself for the task at hand. “Hey look, it’s those wannabe guys.” Phobos spoke off silently in seeing the DJ Red, Clumsy Rat, Shades, Black Tiger and even Tech approaching. “The Dark Warrior Trio, Black Tiger…and Tech.” Nyx repeated the names of the group and the tough fighter and even quoted with a slight less impressed tone on the latter guy. “Well if they are here, it must be an important job.” Spike stated quietly in what they can figure out here. “Except with the whiny dork over there?” Phobos silently made a tease remark about Tech to the gang. “AHCOOO!” Tech then suddenly let off a sneeze without warning that earn attention. “Snifff….did either of you started talking about me?” Tech asked off from sniffing his runny nose; maybe someone was talking about him. “No!” The Dark Warrior Trio and Black Tiger responded off remotely from not saying about Tech. The hidden heroes watched the scene play out and one of them had a very interesting idea in how to turn this into a game. “Hey guys, watch this. Gurhum…” Rainbow Dash whispered this out before taking a deep long breath. “Tech’s a mama’s colt! Tech’s an idiot! Tech’s so stupid, he’s clueless!” She was making a few tiny tease remarks in a kiddy-type voice in making fun of the guy behind his back. “AHCOO! AHCOO! AAAAAAAHCOOOOOO!” Tech was sneezing up a storm that made him look pretty silly to the point he was off the ground and fell down on it hard. “Alright, who’s talking about me? Seriously?” Tech asked off annoyed by this, whoever is talking about him is making him sneeze and it’s getting annoying real fast. “Heheheh, that was kinda funny to watch.” Pinkie Pie silently giggle to not be heard in what they saw. “But remember, we’re not here for games.” Rarity spoke to sternly remind everyone of their task at hand here. “Right, time we start causing some ruckus.” Applejack nods with a stern and determine face. “And free the captive snakes.” Fluttershy nods in knowing what they must do here. Then Dragoking started to scratch himself, but most of his misses made quakes that shook by Ben's spot to which he almost lost balance. The pony could tell what was going on, & so he swung his Megaton Hammer on the ground that caused a disturbance that made Dragoking lose balance to slide on his belly side. They others saw this mischievous action as it looks like Dragoking and Ben were about to fight until their friends interrupted them. "Alright ye two, break it up now, ye hear." Applejack cuts in to state "Yeah, save any fighting for the REAL enemy!" Rainbow Dash issued to remind these two knuckleheads of who they outta be fighting. "Fine." Ben sighs to say this before he glared at Dragoking. "I'm watching you, snake-face!" Ben issued off to say this in keeping his eyes on the slithering thing. Dragoking stuck his tongue at Ben before spitted some slime on his face. "Ugh...again, I can see why Twilight hates snakes, especially that jerky Hydragoon. Really hate that thing..." Ben groans in annoyance in seeing what just happened. "Come on Ben, I'm sure with a little disciple, he'll straighten out, watch!" Pinkamena stated to say this in stepping up to gaze up to the creature in being close to its face with something being prepared. "You’re Times...Uuuup!" Yep, she was about to unleash the Brrrs to get this thing to listen up of who's in charge when... "CHOMP!" Before the pony could use the Brrrs, the head of the Hydragoon ended up chomping to swallow the whole being that was Pinkamena down. That made everyone gasp in shock and alarm. "PINKAMENA!!" Goldie yelled out in shocking horror as everyone else was pretty much looking so shock; that happened so fast that not only did Dragoking not feel the effects of the Brrrs, it stop the user by swallowing them instead of simply knocking them away. But at the sudden motion, Dragoking's stomach made a weird reaction noise as he looked a little unwell from having eaten something that seem to...not agree with him. Then without warning, he ends up hacking up Pinkamena out near Ben Mare's presence...all slobbered up. "Wow....& I thought I had it bad!" Ben raised an eyebrow in finding this weird that first the thing ate the pink pony, then spit her out; & now Pinkamena is even more slimed up than he is. "Ugh....Hydragoon slobber, I'll be needing a shower after this!" Pinkamena yelps off disgusted by this to shake herself off any slobber she's got. "(What did we discuss of not eating them?)" Anakonda spoke in her snake tongue to Dragoking for reacting to such behave, which the Hydragoon lightly lets off a low snarl in response of not helping itself. "How....or rather, why'd he spit you out?" Jack Zen asked off in how Pinkamena was able to get out of that situation alive. "Probably because I'm not a tasty treat. That, & if he really ate me completely, I gut his insides out or use my Element Form to turn him to dust or call in my Kirin pet to show this guy." Pinkamena explained herself in what she would have done during her time in the creature. Dragoking raised an eyebrow in having heard the strange looking pink pony say something about a 'Kirin' which made it feel a bit on edge. "That's right buddy, I got a pet Kirin Dragon named Azure, so whatever beef you have with Ben...DROP IT! Or so help me I'll either give you the Brrrs or have a BIG dragon that will knock you into next week! GOT IT!" Pinkamena lectures Dragoking to drop any mischievous action towards Ben unless he wants to deal with her & what she has got. At that moment, Dragoking huffs to look away while making a mocking expression of what Pinkamena said. "I saw that!" Pinkamena snapped off that made Dragoking lightly yelp from that forceful tone of someone not afraid of him. "Now, make nice...you promise not to eat Ben or pull anymore fast pranks & I can promise you that our friends will try to help each other out save the Serpent Clan. This will go smother as long as we aid the other, deal!" Pinkamena issued off in wanting this serpent creature to know what they need to do here. Dragoking looked to Ben with a raised eyebrow as if saying 'she cannot be serious' on his face as if he'll bite so easily. "Trust me, you don't wanna get her mad. Much as I like to see you try, take my advice..." Ben issued off in being honest with the Hydragoon, he wants Pinkamena to be happy, if not...then he knows what will happen. Soon Dragoking lets off a little steam from the nostril, before looking away to lightly use its tail to have him & Ben shake, promising that the creature will not try to eat or do any little pranks on the stallion since they need to save the Serpent Clan. "Good, now that that's settle, we're gonna try to help each other, fine with you." Pinkamena issued to say this to the Hydragoon in what they are doing, as Dragoking nods in understanding. "Okay Ben, I think we're good." She stated that this was done, all is well now. Everyone was trying to gently laugh off this strange event while Anakonda watches to make sure that her 'dear-old pops' doesn't try to pull any fast ones... “Ready for this Twilight?” Ben asked off in hoping Twilight isn’t having second thoughts about freeing snakes, the same ones she gets scared of. “I am, Omega, you’re on.” Twilight nods with a focus and serious face while giving Omega the signal to go out there and do what he does. Omega nods before preparing himself in bringing out his arsenal; it’s time…to par-tay! At this moment, Maskdevil was seen in a remote cave spot where he made it his own work area. Right now, they have contain a lot of the captured Serpent Clan, but many were still on the loose, especially one target in particular. He seems very upset in wanting to acquire that which Anakonda has and he will obtain it…one way or another. “She’s out there, somewhere….we just have to figure out where she and the other Serpent Clan members are.” Maskdevil spoke to himself in pondering where Anakonda is, once they have her, then their plans can begin…. “Kaboomfruvhmmmm….” Then without warning, a large explosion shook everything along with the bright flashy stuff. “What the….?” Maskdevil yelped from what was happening; were they having a problem with anything or are they under attack. “Sir, we got a problem!” A lone Dark Mystic trooper came in to inform the guy of the matter. “What is it, one of the snakes got out?” Maskdevil asked off in thinking that was it, but… “No, WORSE! A seriously heavy firepower mechanical pony is attacking us!” The trooper reported that they are being attacked by some robot pony. “A mechanical pony, attacking us? Who is it?” Maskdevil repeated this while being unsure what or who would do it and how they knew where they were. Soon the scene darkens with much puzzling questions as to what was going on. Now the scene opens up to where we are seeing much blasting of lasers, missiles, charge shots, you name it, and many of the cave was starting to almost come down. And the one causing such a ruckus was none other than…Omega! “Omega Machine Guns/BangBangBangBangBang….” Omega shifts his front hooves to Gatling machine guns as he let loose. “Boom-Boom-Boom, KURBAM-Kurbamfruvhmmm….” And boy did that boy really let loose the dogs of war all over the area. “Waaaaughhhh….” Many Dark Mystic Soldiers were seen being blasted or running for their lives against the heavy artillery bot. Even the Dark Warrior Trio were seen hiding to take cover from their attacker. “Yo, dudes, who let in the heavy artillery?” DJ Red asked off from peaking and ducking from a near missile work; where Omega come from. “Wasn’t me!” Clumsy Rat shook his head in stating he didn’t bring that guy here. “Right, he came out of nowhere!” Shades stated off in what happened was that Omega burst in and started blasting any of them. “Raarrrughh! Ramming Bull Charges by the Horns!” Black Tiger charges forth against the barrage of blast and missiles to tackle the metal bot. But then Omega grabs the Dark Mystic by his shoulders, ceasing the charge. “Here’s my own move I call; Grab the Bull by The Horn!” Omega quoted off in what he wants to call this move since Black Tiger was making such a move and grabbed this guy where he stands. “GEUURRAAOGH…GUUOOGH/Clurpowfruvhmmm…” Black Tiger was tossed and crashed against some rubble by Omega’s powerful thrown from his enhanced mechanics. At the moment, Goldie’s group and the Mane Six party were all helping to unlock the cells around certain caves where many Serpent Clans were trapped and chain up. While they used magic with any nearby keys to unlock the chains and shackles, the last step was unlocking the jail bars. “Hey!” Then Tech was seen in spotting the Mane Six and the baby dragons by the cages. “What are you doing? You’re not supposed to be here!” He protest in stating that this was a location secluded to them, how the heroes find it. “Oh we’re doing nothing.” Spike waved off to plainly state of what they are doing. “Nothing except freeing these guys!” Phobos made a sly smirk in responding the question while they pull a lever. Then before the guy could respond, many of the cell cages were being opened up, letting some very angry serpents out to look ready to attack… “Techbots! Contain and stop the enemies!” Tech touch his remote control pad in calling in his robotic tech support. Now Tech’s robotic reinforcements arrived as they all prepared their arsenal to attack the escape snakes. But within the distance, a strange whistle sound was heard, puzzled the bad guys, but made the heroes…smile. “Riissssvhmm…Chompfruvhmm….” Then without warning, more giant size snakes appeared and bite across the Techbots and were busting them up by their powerful fangs until they were swallowed. “Kriisssurrooruaaahhh….” Then many of the giant angry snakes gaze down to Tech’s position, stating he’s next. “Ahahahah, nice…snakes….” Tech chuckled nervously while slowly backing away…until he bumped into something. “Hugh!” Then he looked at who he bump into, there was nothing at first; but then Anakonda deactivate her camouflage mode to appear. “You want nice, then you best be nicely prepared….to die.” Anakonda slowly spoke with a serious face from her serpent eyes. “HIISSSS…..” Then she opened her mouth to show her scary fangs in looking ready to bite the poor guy. “Waaaahhhhh! MOMMY!” Tech cries out to say while taking off like a coward that is too scared to face such scary odds. “Time to really go at it!” Nyx responded off as she transformed into her Battle Form Mode, getting ready to go and fight bad guy booty. “Roouurrrughhhh!” Soon more Dark Mystics were charging into the room, preparing to attack the gang. “Golden Knuckles!” Golden Heart spoke in magically encasing a glow around his front hooves that became like gold hoof-wear before going for the attack. “Powwfruvhmmm…” And the guy delivered truly hard as gold base blows against the troops that were given a GOLDEN KO’d! “Swifter Strike!” Jack Zen announced forth in preparing to also attack the enemies with his own moves. “Slash-Slash-Slashvmm…” He was firing many yellow stars to spin around his horn and thrust them to deliver a hurtful blow against the enemies. “Your Time’s….Uuuuuppp!” Pinkamena looked to the troops with her scary face & eyes that from the stare, caused them to freeze and get the Brrrrs now. “And now…Blades Of Pinkie Pie…GO!” She spoke forth in wielding her twin swords on chains to prepare to attack. “Slash…Kurpowwfruvhmmm…./Aaarrrughhhh!” Many Dark Mystic troops were sent packing from that blow Then suddenly without warning, a sudden heavy built Dark Mystic rams against Pinkamena when her focus was against the beaten troops. “Heeeeyyy!” Pinkamena snapped as she was struggling but was pin from her hooves and her tail on the ground by a Dark Mystic’s back hoof. “You’re gonna pay for that, freak!” The tough heavy looking Dark Mystic said as he readies to bring the death blow to the pin pony. “How’s about you…EAT THIS! NAAA-CHOMP!” Pinkamena spoke in protest as she acted quickly to bite her mouth on the Dark Mystic’s front right hoof, sinking her teeth and fangs into it. “Aaaahhhhh!” The evil foe let off a loud reaction as he tried to pull his front hoof back, but… What came next did not look so pretty. Pinkamena with all her strength pulls a chunk of that right hoof clean right off while surprisingly doing a back arm throw move against her opponent. “AAAAARRRAAAHHHH!” Then the heavy Dark Mystic yells out in shock and horror as he held his torn right hoof with his left while he backs away. Many that are few saw this to feel a bit spooked out, but…. “Pitooeeewww…” Pinkamena soon spits out the chunk of that Dark Mystic’s right hoof like a bad taste. “Ruuooarrrughhh…Bitrrussfruvhmmm….” And then she lunges at the Dark Mystic and bites down hard of the enemy’s neck… “SnapTruvhmmm…Fuussvhmmm…/Clupowwfruvhmmm…” And then with all the pink pony’s strength, she twist the Dark Mystic’s neck with a loud snap and then spin tosses the Dark Mystic into a group of Dark Troops that were too spellbound and shocked by the scene to dodge, and were smacked and crush by that heavy body. Then the pink pony lookalike was seen licking the blood on her teeth while making any of her friends and some surviving enemy troops shiver by that sight. “What? My fangs are not just for show and to scare off some foes and maybe eat as well since we all gotta eat. But…when you have me pined, I will show you what my bite can REEEAAALLY do.” Pinkamena explained this off casually to anyone which they slowly nod in getting the memo there. Dragoking and Ben struggled to work together while battling with their enemies. Ben swung his Master Sword at some troopers but instead slamming it on Dragoking's tail. The Hydragoon roared in pain before he swung and slapped his tail at Ben's face. Ben groaned in annoyance as he turned and fought with his enemies. Dragoking fired his Mystic Dragon Flame at them but instead his flames got Ben's tail on fire by accident. The Prince of Friendship screamed in pain and fear as he ran around and around wildly. After recovering and putting the fire out, Ben groaned angrily as he fired his Hero's Bow and Arrow at his enemies but one of them struck on Dragoking's head. So far, the two aren't doing well at all! Both Ben and Dragoking glared at each other for a moment. Ben finally spoke, "Look! I know you hate me and I hate you! But remember, we need to work together! Okay? Just for this one. Remember what Pinkamena said earlier!" Dragoking snorted angrily as he mumbled in agreement. He will work with Ben...for now and for real. The Dark Warrior Trio were trying to fight against the Mane Six, Ben, Nyx, Dragoking and the baby Dragons, they got better after their last fight and with stronger weapons to combat against the Dark Mystic kind. “Poison Whip/Fruspvhmm…Whiprsuvhmmm….” Anakonda’s voice is heard while she flew to generator a thin, whip-like strange string of yellow-green magic energy from her hoof-tips to whip-lash against DJ Red, Clumsy Rat & Shades. “Gruuaarughhh….” The Dark Warrior Trio let off a cry from un-expectively had their bodies be dealt with cuts that burn their flesh to land on the ground. They seem unable to move as they have now been poisoned. “Woah, what was that?” Adult Nyx asked off in seeing such a powerful move that even punctured three of these guys’ defense. “Gave critical blow to them, induce poison in their body will affect them to be ill.” Anakonda explained what she did to the enemy to keep them out of the battle. “Now lets keep fighting!” She insisted that they continue to fight this battle. With that much in agreement, everyone was bringing up their best to fight and take down much bad guy resistance. Pretty much, it looks like the battle was going well for the heroes. They distracted so many foes that they came here and were caught by more snakes popping in, and now the fight was just about good and done… “My oh my, you seem to think you have the upper grasp here.” Spoke a voice from above that earn the attention of all the heroes. “But you be wrong.” Then coming out of one cave’s darkness, entered Maskdevil who stood like a powerful figure leading this Dark Mystic group. “Wait a second, I know you…your Maskdevil!” Golden Heart spoke off in having recognize who that enemy is. “You know this Dark Mystic creepo, Goldie?” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow in seeing Goldie knows who they are dealing with. “Regretfully, yes. He’s one member of a group of four called; The Fearsome Four. They’re powerful, dangerous and brutal warriors who fights and attacks their enemies by brute and strength forces.” Golden Heart explained with a stern and serious face in knowing they are facing one of four strong warriors. “Oh my, and this guy is one of four of those?” Fluttershy yelped in thinking if one of the other tough Dark Mystic Ponys was strong, then those under close service must be somewhat close perhaps. “Looks like he fit the bill in being a meany pants.” Pinkie Pie pointed out in stating a fact on what they know here. “Krrisisisvhmmmm….” Suddenly, a few giant size serpents were all attacking from every side against the Dark Mystic, but… “Clupowwfruvhmmm…Kurpowwwvhmm…” Then the guy rose up fast, grasp two giant snakes, and thrown them to smack against the others that crashed against the walls before landing on the ground where he stood. Everyone was shock to see that, he took care of that many giant adversaries quickly, he seems like the real deal. “Apparently, your golden friend fail to mention I’m not just strong and powerful, I have smarts & intelligence to be leader of the Fearsome Four.” Maskdevil explained off another fact that was clearly left out. “And now I’m going to reclaim that which escaped me for the last time.” He spoke in sounding serious of taking what is his. “Hiissss….” Anakonda narrow her eyes in fury and annoyance by this enemy. “Enemy leader’s focus is center around Anakonda.” Omega issued off to say in what was going on here. “Be a good girl and give in quietly, and I’ll not harm your queen.” Maskdevil spoke off in stating that if Anakonda agrees nicely, the Serpent Clan’s queen shall be alright. Soon something appeared above, chained into the ceiling by a function work of modern glow light spheres that were cast just now. Many of the heroes gasp at why they saw, Cubellios was chained there, looking like a serpent model while letting off little silent hiss as if she was hurt and unable to struggle free. “Hiisss….you dare do that to our queen? To my….mother?” Anakonda hissed in fury and in anger, this Dark Mystic treat the queen who was like a mother to the child that way. “Oh I can, because I am very ruthless, I can be brutal and a menace to any that tries to deny me.” Maskdevil responded off in stating these facts here. “She was getting punishment for keeping what you have from me all this time.” He explained the cause of what he did, was because Cubellios’s actions. “You’re after her element, aren’t you?” Twilight spoke in narrowing her eyes in what the guy was after. “Correct. But before it was hers, the Element of Venom, was once….mine!” Maskdevil declared in stating that before Anakonda, the element she holds was once his. “What? That can’t be!” Ben yelped in surprise, that doesn’t sound good if an enemy like this guy had such a dangerous element. “It is, I was once the user that spread the legends of the dangerous venom element. But my aggressive action, as well as being arrogant and overconfident in believing I can beat all my enemies, left me open to be defeated…by the Mystics.” Maskdevil explained his tale of how he was once feared to all, but then he went too far and was defeated by the Mystics. “They strip me of the element that we shared a dark bound and they hidden it away, I only managed to recollect old venom samples of what I once had to boast my power.” He stated that he may have lost the element, but he managed to recollect samples of the venom to help give him power. “So….now I see where Serpent Clan gain the element….they kept safe from great, greedy, evil creatures…like you who caused many to fear the power I possess!” Anakonda spoke in gazing at the one who had her element, but misused it for evil. “I never would have believed the Mystics would entrust such a dangerous element to a feeble animal clan of serpents and snake people. But now after so long, I finally found it and see you have become it’s user…intriguing that you became part snake, it must be due to having been around these serpents for so long.” Maskdevil stated forth that his search has ended, and is surprise to see how Anakonda is the new user to the Element of Venom, enough to change her appearance. “You want my element, you’ll have to come and take it!” Anakonda spoke off in spatting off a challenge to this villain if he wants the power, he’ll have to take it from her first. “I was planning to from the beginning.” Maskdevil responded off to say this in having thought the same idea. Soon the atmosphere became quiet as both sides were letting loose their magic auras of preparing their fight. “We have to help!” Twilight issued this to her group and Goldie’s band. “Right, lets…” Ben was about to say this, but was cut off. “No! Save my mother! Save our queen! I handle him!” Anakonda spoke off to tell the group what they can do; free the Sky Serpent Queen from where she is placed. “Wait, are you sure? He’s not like the others?” Twilight asked off if that was really wise, Maskdevil might be stronger than the other Dark Mystics they fought off. “Trust me, I can handle him…he hurt mother and my clan, now he’ll feel a serpent’s wrath!” Anakonda spoke with a serious determination in her voice, as she knows this is a battle between the two and the enemy will see how dangerous this jungle snake mare can be. Without arguing, the heroes begin to scatter to go around to free Cubellios from her prison. They were meeting across any little resistance of Dark Mystic Troops and some of Tech’s little Techbots and other series, but they’ll handle them as they are not as weak Equestrians as some believe. As for the biggest fight about to go down, it just went off like that… “Venomous Hooves!” Anakonda spoke these words as her hooves were coated with venom, she leaps up to land an attack. “Hugh-Haah!” Maskdevil was seen dodging the attacks from his foe, he was being nimble. “Venomous Fangs! Hisss….” Anakonda brought forth her fangs that were coated with venom as she went to bite the enemy. “Stabfruvhmmm…/Frisisisvhmmm…” Both the fangs and the hooves coated in poison bust the rock that was melting from the strong toxic venom when Maskdevil dodged in time. “Instant death poison, very useful. For me!” Maskdevil smiled off to say from when they were fighting, he secretly came near the spot of venom and used magic to collect it. “Poison Tail!” Anakonda announced this when she had a violet/black glowing tail of hers that was straighten. “Whispfruvhmm…” Then she swung it so fast, that it would not be dodged. “Packfruvhmmm…” Maskdevil was seen blocking the attack while looking somewhat okay for the least bit. “Nrrugh, very strong. You seem far stronger…for a mare.” He spoke this off in seeing that Anakonda is stronger than she looks. “Do not put me in league with weak mares that wear stinky water.” Anakonda spoke off in stating that unlike civilized mares, she is much stronger. “Hey! It’s called perfume!” Rarity snapped back when she and the others were bashing away any Dark Mystic and Techbots from their path. “Rarity, focus!” AJ issued for her friend to focus while they are freeing Cubellios. “Yeah, and besides, AJ & me are plenty tough!” Rainbow quoted to mention this off in her own case. “Poison Sting!” Anakonda announced this while shutting and then reopening her mouth to fire another attack. “Pow-pow-pow-pow-pwofruvhmm….” Soon she was firing violet color needles of magic energy that was a barrage assault. Maskdevil didn’t move, he instead took the attack and didn’t seem too bothered by the damage…what was his game? “You’ll have to try better than that. Why don’t you quit holding back and let me see some REAL deadly poison moves?” Maskdevil challenged forth in wanting this snake mare to give him her best shots. “You want deadlier moves, fine…you get them.” Anakonda spoke forth in seeing if this guy wants to take bigger blows, so be it. “Poison Dragon’s Twin Fang!” She shot her front hooves forward in the shape of a cross, forming a very large amount of red poison in two massive waves, shaped like elongate, snake-shaped masses, which all moved towards the opponent at once. Maskdevil blocked the attack that has sheer blunt force, but could sense the deadly poison. Maskdevil focused some dark magic and fired a sphere right at the girl. “Poison Dragon’s Fang Thrust!” Anakonda generated a wave of poison, shaped like a large-fanged snake head, and sends it towards the target, stopping the incoming attack by having the wave ‘bite’ them. “Impressive….stopping my attack with poison.” Maskdevil responded in smiling at such a move used. “Poison Dragon’s Spiral Jaw!” Anakonda jumps in the air and, when upside down, gatherers poison on her back legs and kicks at the opponent while rotating. “Urrrghhh!” Maskdevil was shot back a bit from that move, but rebalance himself. “Hurrrrughhh!” Maskdevil then takes a chance to attack to land a punch, but… “Poison Dragon’s Guard!” Anakonda moved her front hooves forward in a cross, creating a large shield of poison that defends her. “Powwfruvhmmm…” This stopped the enemy’s attack and at the same time, gave her the opportunity to counter without fear of being intercepted. “Poison Dragon’s Scales!” She swung her front hooves, generating a very large number of scale-shaped masses of poison, which are rapidly sent flying at the target in consecutive reprises. “Grrr….” Maskdevil is seen taking the attack by guarding with his arms. “Heehh…” But he lets off a sneaky smile as he’s made of strong stuff and even from all of this poison, he seems…unbothered. “Now to finish you! Poison Dragon’s Roar!” Anakonda responded to say this while taking a deep breath and gathering her large amount of magic. “Powwfruvhmmm….” She soon unleashed a powerful Dragon’s roar mix with red poison magic straight at the target. “Grruuoooorrughh….” Maskdevil was hit full on force of that attack as he was sent backwards. Once the attack was over, Anakonda saw her foe was on his knees. It look like she won… “Heh-heh-heh, thank you.” But what Maskdevil said kinda made things a little more complicated. “Hmmm?” Anakonda raised an eyebrow in hearing this out of nowhere. “I’ve long wanted that moment of such force…” Maskdevil responded off in slowly standing up to his hooves in looking a bit messy, but look like he’s still kicking. “You see, my power can be boosted from the deadly force of the venom…of your element. And thanks to you…” He was slowly starting to glow a darker aura from showing something to be unleashed. “I may have taken a beating, but it was worth it…to get an extra power boost.” “Rrrrrrrr…” Anakonda growls in seeing her foe was wanting to get much of her poison attacks, just so he could get stronger. Soon the battle was looking like it was gonna turn. As both fighters stare off in what will happen next…. Twilight’s group was soon finally bypass the last of the Dark Mystic defenses to reach Cubellios and was working on freeing her. They were already getting to halfway there against the chains and metal nail bars jab into the walls’ ceiling structure. “Hang on, queeny, we’ll save you!” Pinkie Pie shouted off in saying they’ll help get the queen down from there. “Oh dear, you look in pain!” Fluttershy gasped in what she saw, the Sky Serpent Queen of the Serpent Clan does look like she was hurt badly by Maskdevil; he’s very ruthless. “Hugh-Haah….Just break these chains and she’ll be free in no time!” Ben issued forth in using his Megaton Hammer to break off the nearby chains. The baby Dragons were blasting their flames to burn and melt off any chains nearby. “Quick, focus everything now!” Twilight instructed the others in what they have to do here. With one final push, everyone used their weapons and magic spells to blast against every last chain that held the Serpent Clan’s queen, removing the muzzle as well. Cubellios was free as she slowly used her wings to drift down to land on the ground and let off a little tired moan before trying to open her eyes. “We done it, now that leaves….” Goldie was about to say in seeing what was now left here, but… “Yikes! The battle….Anakonda’s looking like she’s in trouble!” Pinkamena gasped off in seeing what was happening that brought everyone’s attention. Just as when the gang have helped to bring Cubellios down onto a safe ground, they all saw what was happening. Maskdevil had pin Anakonda’s backside to the ground and he summoned forth a sharp blade in which he lean it close to the mare’s neck as she hissed at his toy. “You put up a valiant fight, but the match was won before we begun. I’ve managed to know much of your venom techniques, all the poisons, and none have worked.” Maskdevil exclaimed to state this fact to the snake mare with his blade near her neck so slowly. “Now I’ll just cut off your head, like how we do for snakes when they are caught.” He rub in the sand in the open wound there, treating Anakonda as how she is. “Hisss….” Anakonda hissed in not being scared by such threats even with her life on the line. “You believe what you see, but still not know truth.” She issued to speak these words that brought off confusion. “What truth?” Maskdevil raised an eyebrow in pondering what the girl is talking about now. “You only used the Venom Element as a weapon, I see it as what can help protect my family.” Anakonda spoke forth in what the deadly element can be used as, there is another way than the villains' way. “After living among snakes and learning their ways, I have learn new ways to improve the element…with something you never could do.” She spoke in stating she’s gain something far more than even Maskdevil could, and never achieve. “And what…exactly, is that, might I ask?” Devilmask asked in slowly being intrigue by such facts. “That snakes are venomous creatures and they know techniques very well, including how to transmit such poison to….kill and not even touch.” Anakonda explained this statement with a dead-on serious expression on her face. Suddenly, Pinkamena & Pinkie Pie were shivering like there was no tomorrow as if sensing…something bad was about to come. “Close your eyes!” Both pink ponies whispered to their allies this message quickly before even asking why. Below, something strange was going on as there were sudden heart beat motions beating slowly before they pick up a quick beat. And when time seem to slow to catch up, the snake mare’s eyes were shut before…. “Gruooarrruuuoggghhhh!” Anakonda opened her eyes to which they gain a yellow serpent’s eye form, and gazed straight with the intent to ‘kill’ on sight; this action even surprised Maskdevil, but could not react…. “Powfrupfruvhmmmm…” Then in a sudden force pulse of wind, it blown the Dark Mystic off of the snake mare’s body, time moving every so slow as all watched what happened. “Clupofruvhmmm…” And soon time slowly resume itself as Maskdevil landed on his back, his eyes look wide-eye in shock, terror and a frozen face of seeing….death! “What…just….happened?” Jack Zen asked off slowly in seeing what they witnessed. “I….I don’t even know.” Ben responded off in not having a clue here. “I’m detecting enemy’s life signs, they show….nothing.” Omega spoke from what his scans detect and they read….zero life. Soon the Dark Warrior Trio, Black Tiger & Tech came near to inspect Maskdevil and they were in deep shock of what they are seeing. An Ultimate Warrior of the Dark Mystics was killed by an Equestrian, was such a thing possible? “Dude….he ain’t breathing!” DJ Red spoke off in seeing the no signs of breathing life. “Yeah, and his eyes ain’t blinking neither!” Shades points out another fact in what they see. “You think he’s really…” Clumsy Rat was about to ask in fearing the answer. “Oh no! He must be….he’s DEAD! But how….all he did was…was…” Tech was panicking a lot, how did this happen, who DID it happen to be? “He gaze into her eyes and they killed him. This move, it could not be….” Black Tiger was slowly starting to think and began to sweat in terror; this move couldn’t be… “The Killing Eyes, those said to kill via sight…to this day, the only ones with that kinda power were the Basilisk.” Goldie explained from looking like he saw a ghost, a move that only one type of creatures could use….but how? “Haarrughh….” Anakonda was seen getting up, a bit off balance, but she stood her ground to those near her defeated prey. “Basilisk are serpent clan members of long ago….their secrets, no one….but the clan knows. And now…so do I; The Basilisk Gaze.” She explained the case that Basilisk are serpents and she now has the secret, of using such a technique. “She….knows.” The Dark Warrior Trio repeated in hearing those words; which means…uh oh! “HIISSSSSS…” Anakonda gives another fearful hiss near those that were still around, her eyes maybe back to normal, but they look ready to change again. “Waaaaaughhhh!” The Dark Warrior Trio & Tech screamed in pure terror in seeing that their goose is almost cooked if they stay. “Rats Scurry Away From Vicious Snake Predator!” Black Tiger yelled out while starting to pick up Maskdevil’s body with a panicky frighten expression. Now those Dark Mystics left the scene with Maskdevil by a dark portal to get the heck out of there and any of the remaining Dark Mystic troop soldiers did the same thing. Soon it was all over, all the evil bad guys were now long gone, and the cavern within Foal Mountain was cleared. “Grugrugrooaauagh….” Cubellios made a low growl noise to lift her head up to gaze towards those nearby. “Sssshhh, it’s alright. It’s all over, none will hurt us no more.” Anakonda was petting her ‘mother’ by the large snake’s cheek, calming the beast to be at ease. Everyone else was watching this in amazement in how well Anakonda was able to be so friendly even towards snakes, it’s almost like Fluttershy’s job with animals, only this was on a whole other scale. “Man, that was….well, the word awesome doesn’t describe it.” Rainbow Dash spoke off to say in what they saw, was way beyond. “Right, dat move she used, it look pretty powerful.” Applejack nods with a serious face, that eye thing was about as freaky as getting the Brrrrs. “I’ll say, can you image what would happen if every bad guy could kill with their eyes?” Pinkie Pie nods off to say this while thinking of something of the worse situation. “It be like Tuerto with the eye event all over again, only much worse! And that move looked way worse than my Brrrs power!” Pinkamena spoke off to mention this stuff of what happened in the past. “So, is it safe to say that…we’re okay?” Rarity asked off this with a hint of being a bit frighten. “You won’t have to fear….” Anakonda’s voice spoke gently to those she could consider to be alright. “That power is very strong, I still need to be more prepared in using it…as a last resort.” She issued that the Basilisk Gaze is a move so deadly, that it might be a real drain on her if she isn’t careful. “Oh, well….don’t think this means we’re more scared of you…um, if you’re okay that is.” Fluttershy meekly spoke off in feeling a little unsure in what to say about that. “It fine….I trust you…unlike those others, you seem…understanding.” Anakonda spoke that compared to the Dark Mystics, she feels more good with this group here. ` “So, are we friends?” Adult Nyx asked off in hoping for a good answer. “Yes.” Anakonda nods slowly in stating this answer. “Hugh, well at least we help save your home and your clan.” Ben stated that at least they helped get Anakonda’s home and clan of snakes back from what evil was being done. “Anakonda, we hope this means that, well…you know.” Twilight spoke in hoping to try to say something, but… “While the past maybe hard to change, the future can be. I shall try to learn how to be more…trusting, in the future.” Anakonda spoke in stating that while she does not trust many of pony kind, she trusts those here so it’s a start. “And we’ll help make sure your clan isn’t attacked by anymore enemies.” Twilight smiled off to say this with a little smile. “Well, at least this ended pretty well.” Spike smiled off to say this in thinking all’s well that ends well. “Yeah, at least that’s one enemy we’re glad he’s gone.” Phobos nods in feeling like this turn out good in the end. Dragoking and Cubellios hissed happily as they both nuzzled each other's muzzles for the moment passionately and joyfully. Everyone smiled in amusement and happily. "Awww, they make a cute couple." Pinkie said with a happy smile on her face. "Yeah, but a couple of what?" Phobos jokes a bit, but Adult Nyx nudges him. "What?" "At least Anakonda's adopted parents are together again." Rarity said in approval of this. "Yes... I really wish this stays on for the rest of my life..." Anakonda said with a happy yet sad smile on her face. Her parents won't be together forever, but at least they got this moment. Things looked well as Anakonda and her serpents were heard making a cheery hissing noise to commemorate this victory. The others watched this play out with smiles on their faces, at least something good happened here. And with that, things begin to go dark with this scene. Meanwhile, the Dark Warrior Trio, Black Tiger & Tech appeared near an opening by the Everfree Forest outside Foal Mountain. They were all weaken and injured from their battles, and Black Tiger put Maskdevil’s body down, as he shut the decease creature’s eyes behind the mask…of which was the honorable means to let the departed rest in peace. “Oh man oh man, what are we gonna tell Dark Curse? We lost the new hideaway, lost getting the Element of Venom and Maskdevil is dead! This is so NOT cool, he’ll kill us for this failure, if not him then Dragoclaw will!” Tech was speaking a lot of worries from his lips, this was not a good moment for the group, with Maskdevil gone, they will have to explain and be punished for this. “You really are fools, aren’t you?” The voice of Maskdevil spoke off from somewhere that was outside his body. Then without warning, Maskdevil’s body glowed to fade into sparks of nothingness. And then appearing out of nowhere, was Maskdevil again who fell on his knees, looking like he escaped the jaws of death. “Waaahhh!” The Dark Warrior Trio screamed out in terror in seeing that, but slowly calm down after seeing that it was no ghost. “Maskdevil?” DJ Red spoke off with a little happy tone. “Buddy?” Clumsy Rat stated that the guy was like an old pal to them. “You’re Alive?” Shades responded in surprise that this guy was okay. “But how, you were victim to the Killing Eyes?” Black Tiger asked off in not understanding how this happened. “Nrruagh….I used a quick Body Double switch spell, just as I saw what was coming.” Maskdevil spoke from holding his chest from feeling a tense of pain. “But, nnrrrugh, doesn’t mean I escape unharmed. That technique may not have killed me, but I feel completely beaten and sore all over.” He explained that he managed to escape that move that was shot at him, but not without suffering it at least. “To think that snake mare had such an ability was beyond our intel.” He stated that none of them knew that Anakonda could perform such feats. “I’ll say! There haven’t been Basilisk for years since they were mysterious wipe out or gone the next day! And now that pony can use it!” Tech stated that this was not good, basilisk were dangerous creatures that one look in their eyes, means instant death. “For now, they’ve won this fight, but the war is far from over.” Maskdevil stated off that this was not over, not by a long shot. “Get us back to HQ.” He snapped an order to those here in what they must do. “Yes sir!” The other Dark Mystics responded in hearing the order of one of the Fearsome Four. Soon the group cast another spell that brought a portal of darkness as they step through and were out of sight before the portal vanished afterwards. But unknown to the Dark Mystics, one camouflage snake was seen watching this from the bushes as its eyes narrow in what it seen and heard. As it slips away from sight, it looks like the news of the death of the Dark Mystic Maskdevil may not be as true as one may think. With that, all things go darken with more questions left unanswered here. Author's Note For the note, Maskdevil's info was what VISION-KING saw in nigel's Dark Mystics' Guild (along with the info about the last Venom Element User & what he does), plus think of the guy as base on Bane, Killercroc, Killermoth (from DC universe or from whichever anime series that shows them, they are muscle after all), so hopefully, this is fine. Info on the Basilisk with their killing eye technique is listed, since they are a part of the serpent race. A hinted reminder of Tuerto from Total Drama Equestria is mentioned here. And now that this is done, the final chapter will involve everyone happily getting back to the fair celebration. And along the way, Anakonda will become another ally in the heroes fight against evil. What else may happen along the way, just have to stay tune to find out more...won't we? Till then....enjoy... //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 06: Not All Are Conniving Snakes //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 06: Not All Are Conniving Snakes Chapter 06: Not All Are Conniving Snakes At this time, the gang are seen preparing to leave Foal Mountain after having helped save the Serpent Clan from certain problems against the Dark Mystics. Anakonda hugged Dragoking's chest passionately and happily. He then nuzzled her head gently. Cubellos approached and nuzzled Dragoking's head gently. Anakonda sighed, "I wish you would stay here." Dragoking growled a bit before nuzzled on her head. "I know... Will we get to see you?" Dragoking nodded his head before giving Anakonda's face a lick passionately and gently for a few times. Anakonda smiled as she licked on his face for a few times. "I'll see you, papa. I hope you and mama get married." Dragoking smiled as the Hydragoon did something unexpected. He spoke, "Bye... Bye... Ana..." Dragoking turned and headed off to go back to his master's homeland. Ben in alarm spoke up, "Wait! Did that thing just talk?!" "It can talk?!" Most of the ponies yells out in shock and surprise. "Hydragoons can talk?!" Spike ask Anakonda bewildered and shocked. Anakonda giggled, "I forgot... Hydragoon can speak since they're very intelligent beings. Pray that he can speak your language." However, before Anakonda was about to go with the gang, Pinkamena approached her & Cubellious from digging into her mane. Goldie, Jack Zen & Omega noticed what the pink only was doing, but was unsure of what or why. “Sis, what you doing?” Goldie asked off puzzled by this act. Pinkamena gets out a big case around pony size with some air holes while she stood near Anakonda & the queen of the Serpent Clan. “What is in there?” Anakonda asked off lightly curious of this strange feat. "I had plan to come to Foal Mountain, so I could let these snakes go to their home & figured the Queen of the Serpent Clan to care for them, but seeing how the situation has become, you both can look after them.” Pinkamena slightly shrug off her shoulders to issue this strange statement to be heard. Once Pinkamena opens the case, Anakonda looks inside it…and is surprised. Why, because inside she was seeing some snakes in it, the snake mare studies them to notice some marking patterns. “Impossible…I know what they are. These are Basilisk, but infants…how is this possible?” Anakonda issued off in surprise to see this before her eyes. “Long story, but I’ll tell you. A long time ago when I traveled to hunt for food for my Kirin, I came across something I never would of believed.” As Pinkamena spoke off, a flash back happens to show Pinkamena in the past as she was getting food. Then as she was heading back, she hears faint hissing before she slowly walks to the sound, just as she jumps faintly in what she sees. “What I found was a snake I only heard in some old stories about the Basilisk, and a female as well, but she looked very worse for wary.” Pinkamena of the past studied this Basilisk to notice some gashes on it before knowing what they were from. “I heard about how they were mysterious wipe out or gone the next day, I had a feeling it was by something of great power that done this. But somehow, this one survived, but it was losing the will of any chance to be treated & healed as it was too close to being gone. But then I saw why it was struggling to stay alive.” Pinkamena of the past slowly walks a bit & sees a few eggs covered with some leaves by the Basilisk. “It was trying to keeps its eggs warm, if nothing was done, they would of perished. I had to keep my eyes closed the whole time, but manage to open them a little to see them to which I had to earn the mother’s trust if there was any chance the eggs would survived, so I had to open my eyes and risk death…” Now we see Pinkamena of the past carefully removing old leaves & putting new ones on, the Basilisk hisses in being ready to use the gaze on the pony for any suspicion, but notices the worry in Pinkamena’s eyes. “I was certain I be dead right there and now, but it never used the Basilisk Gaze. But I didn’t care, my focus was to help keep the eggs warm, but at this rate…they could die. So I had but one choice…” The Past Pinkamena showed worried feelings for the eggs being cold time as they were running out of time to be kept warm, even the Basilisk could feel it. “There might be only one chance to save your children, but you might not like it. I need to get them to my place where I can get them warm or they will not survive. But feel that you don’t trust me enough to take such a chance.” Past Pinkamena issued this off in knowing what needs to be done, though it sounds suspicious for a mother to listen to a complete stranger. The Basilisk mother hisses to the pink pony & lightly moves its eggs near her. Pinkamena notices to look up at the Basilisk & it gives a small nod; Pinkamena gets a sizable blanket and carefully puts the eggs on it while carefully picks up the Blanket with the eggs. “I promise I will return them to Foal Mountain when they are old enough.” Past Pinkamena looked back to say this to the mother Basilisk. The Basilisk lets off a faint smile, but its head slowly falls while it’s on the ground; the glow of its eyes fades before it’s eyes close. Pinkamena of the past could tell it was no longer breathing & she faintly lets tears down her cheeks. “I Pinkie Promise, I’ll keep them safe till I can be able to get them to Foal Mountain when they’re ready.” With those last words, Pinkamena of the past heads off with the eggs in tow… As the flashback ends with Pinkamena having ended her story. “From that day I took care of them ever since & now, it’s time I finally be able to fulfill my Pinkie Promise.” Pinkamena smiles a bit in stating this about completing her promise. “Hmm, their skin is very healthy, you seem to have raised them well.” Anakonda checks the scaly skin of these infant snakes, they have been well care for. “I have much time on my hoofs to do things like this.” Pinkamena shrug off to say this about free time that she has. Just as she places the box down, the Basilisk infants slithered out of it to get near Anakonda & Cubellos as they hiss faintly. Anakonda listens & a shows a small happy expression in her eyes before she looks at Pinkamena. “We’ll ensure they will survive Pinkamena & hold the promise you made to their mother.” Anakonda issued off to say this to the mare. “That is good, take very great care of them, we’ll catch you later.” Pinkamena smiled off to say this while also saying her goodbye. Now Pinkamena heads off along with her group as the infant Basilisk hiss lightly & Anakonda looks at them. “Come young ones, me, my mother & the clan will take you inside & help look after you.” Anakonda issued off to say this in welcoming the new young ones to their clan. With that, Anakonda, Cubellos & the infant Basilisk begin to go into the mountain. Anakonda will first make sure the infants are well taken care of before planning to follow the others back to Ponyville to make sure…all are well & many are cured from the poison she unleashed. With that, the scene begins to fade out here… The scene begins to open up around a strange darken room area, as we find the Dark Mystics that had return to their secret headquarters from the failure at Foal Mountain. But as they moved, they were stop by loud stomps to be overshadowed by....a serpent type creature known as...a Hydragoon; aka, it was Dragoking. And he looked really mad & furious about to go all loose & entering was Shadow Dragon who remain firm of those that have return. "Oh, Shadow Dragon, hey....um, we just got back & uh..." Tech nervously responded in seeing who was here until... "Leave Maskdevil, we have things to discuss." Shadow Dragon coldly spoke off that made the Dark Warrior Trio, Tech & Black Tiger nod as they left Maskdevil alone with the guy & his pet. "Care to explain yourself." He narrow his upset eyes at this Dark Mystic in not being too please... "You mean my failure to reclaim what was once mine at the mere feats of some Equestrians?" Maskdevil exclaimed off in knowing what the guy was getting to. "No....you going off, attacking & capturing the Serpent Clan, injuring the queen, without running by this to us while only taking a few of our members." Shadow Dragon coldly stated off that Maskdevil did an assignment that was never given an okay rundown by them, he acted on his own. "So we lost some. What's your point?" Maskdevil rolled the eyes in not seeing the big deal over the loss of their troops. "The point is that territory was to be left alone...you had no right to go after an Element User in that area." Shadow Dragon objective to what this Dark Mystic did was acting out of term in an area he was not given clearance to perform. "The Element of Venom is a powerful & dangerous force that must be ours to use, it was mine until those Mystics took it to let some slithering serpent protect it. Only to give it to a child! Next time I see that snake mare, she will not be so lucky, I'll weaken her by finishing off her precious queen." Maskdevil issued off in making his own claims while planning to exact vengeance. Dragoking suddenly lets off a loud roar near the guy's face in sounding very upset in what he heard, he looked ready to bite the guy's head off...only for a hoof raise up to stop him. "The Sky Serpent Queen, Cubellos, & the Wild Snake Mare, Anakonda, are to be left alone. They live within the territory of which Dragoking looks over." Shadow Dragon issued off in stating this, the queen of the Serpent Clan & the snake mare in question are under Dragoking's protection as he watches over the territory of Foal Mountain. "Oh really, you sure it's not because he's a serpent too & cares for those things?" Maskdevil remarked off in thinking that Dragoking has other matters that concern him. "Let me be clear...that area is under my pet's control, dare to enter it without my okay or harm any of those from the Serpent Clan & you will pay severely for it. By being Dragoking's next morsel meal." Shadow Dragon gave a stern threatening tone of his voice to make this guy get the picture, cross a line, & there will be no coming back. "Alright, I give...but just so you know...when Dark Curse sees that snake mare, he'll show no mercy...so your pet better learn who you work under if you wanna stay on good terms." Maskdevil issued off in knowing what needed to be done, but even Shadow Dragon & his pet, can't oppose their leader when it comes time to go after...Anakonda's element. Now Maskdevil leaves the area while wanting to heal up, Dragoking snarls in looking ready to attack the guy for such remarks; only for Shadow Dragon to stop him. "Easy Dragoking, I've made sure your kind are safe for now, after all...it's a leader's role to insure the safety of his clan...even one such as yourself...for the one you love & the child you see as a daughter." Shadow Dragon eased his creature in having done all he could to make sure, the Serpent Clan are to be left safe, including the queen & the child in question. Dragoking lightly looks off into space in recalling some flash vivid memories of something. They appear to be old memories of when Dragoking had meant the Sky Serpent Queen Cubellos, they both were in love upon their first meeting. They are seen traveling into the Badlands were they began to slowly enjoy one's company. However, due to their different interests for each other, they could not always be together. For Sky Serpent Queen Cubellos was the queen of a clan of snakes of all species, she wanted Dragoking to help lead the Serpent Clan as their king along with their queen. But, Dragoking was a loyal pet & only friend to Shadow Dragon in such darken times as he stayed loyal to his own family since they were important to him. Cubellos was of high intelligence as she leans to nuzzle the Hydragoon's cheek in being understanding & spoke in their serpent tongue, that if he wishes, he is welcome to come visit whenever he wants to meet her, to which Dragoking nods with a low hiss sound in agreement. Then from another memory shows as Dragoking visits within Foal Mountain, he comes to meet a new addition to the Serpent Clan, a special child named Anakonda when she was but a filly. Dragonking was impressed with her skills & personality, she was liked & loved by many serpents & had the element of what made her worthy to wield it as she showed much love to the queen that was like a mother & daughter moment. When Dragoking learn much of Anakonda, she approached him with a smile & showed to...'like' him when so many ponies would fear his mighty presence, it made the Hydragoon smile from such a special child Cubellos has brought in. With that, Dragoking wanted to care for the child like a father figure & he taught her some skills & tricks like a mentor, & Anakonda showed much potential in reaching greater feats than any with the Venom Element from her serpent blood that courses within her. As Dragoking leaves, Cubellos & Anakonda wave goodbye, they hope to see him on days he could visit, which may not be much in serving with the Dark Mystics, but...he will try to visit.... "Dragoking..." Shadow Dragon's voice interrupts his pet's memory daydream moment. "I must return to Ponyville to learn of what has occurred & hear how everything is, I will meet you later." With that said, Shadow Dragon transforms to Chase as he goes to learn what he wants to hear. As Chase leaves while the scene darkens, Dragoking looks away before stomping off to head off...somewhere at this time. The scene opens up to where we see the Mane Six & their group returning back to Ponyville at this time. As time had passed, much of the sick and ill Royal Guards of the Rainbow Kingdom and the Buffalo Tribe were slowly, but surely getting back on their feet. Apparently, it looks like Zecora’s little trip here to give out the antidote she got from Anakonda’s venom sample has helped cure all those severely poisoned. The gang spotted their zebra friend speaking or being spoken to by the buffalo tribe’s chief, the youngest member and of course Braeburn and AJ’s family. “Zecora, how is everyone?” Twilight asked the question that popped into her mind very quickly, hoping to hear the good news besides just seeing it. “As you can see, they are as right as rain, I made it in time before the poison could be through.” Zecora spoke in rhyme in stating she got here before the poison spread too far that the victims would have been beyond saving. “Shaman, you have saved my tribesmen from the poisons of such manner.” Chief Thunderhooves spoke in sounding very grateful to the zebra’s shaman method style. “We are in your debt, but tell us, is everything better now?” Little Strongheart spoke to say while wondering how the others that return have fared off. “Believe it or not, it was Anakonda who helped saved you all.” Ben shrug off to say this in giving an answer to the question, much to anyone’s surprise that wasn’t there to know what happened. “Right, she’s not bad, something just made her confused over who was friend and who was foe. We jump to the wrong conclusion.” Nyx spoke in stating the facts of what happened that lead to this whole misunderstanding action course of events. “Hmmm….that sounds familiar to me, I recall making mistake as well.” Chief Thunderhooves spoke with deep thought in recalling such an event, it’s been so long now. “When we thought the settle ponies ruin our stomping grounds before we made a peaceful agreement.” Little Strongheart explained the answer of what they did in the past before making up on negotiations from their side and the settle ponies of Appleloosa. “Boy, was it something. It happen in….APPLELOOSA!” Braeburn responded off to say before he pause for the dramatic work of shouting out the name of his hometown. “Brother, we ain’t even in Appleloosa.” Tough Apple rolled his eyes in seeing Braeburn was shouting that name when he isn’t even in Appleloosa. “Oh, pesh-poss, this here we can still enjoy our fair….ugh….fair!” Granny Smith spoke off with a smile in seeing they can still have a good time with their fair; thought she got the words mostly mix. “We already fix up the damages.” Apple Bloom spoke off in letting the others here know about the case. “Brought in more apple treats.” Scootaloo stated with a proud expression on her face. “And the games to play too.” Sweetie Belle happily cheered in what other thing they fix. “GAMES! HOORAY! We got games again!” Pinkie Pie cheered loudly in being so happy to hear that message now. “And it looks like every pony is back to being normal again. I’m very glad to see that.” Fluttershy smiled off to say in seeing how things have turn out, no one’s poison, they are all healthy now. “Yep, now where were we before this whole thing happened?” Rainbow Dash nods while pondering what it was they were doing before this whole ‘attack by snakes’ happened. “I believe we were getting down to eating our delicious meals.” Rarity pointed out something in the last thing she recalls. “Yep, time ta get cracking’ here. We got apples ta make fer all.” Applejack nods with pride in getting ready to get down to business here. “Yeah!” The gang cheered in being ready to get started here, they got a fair to continue for the Buffalo Tribe to enjoy. As the gang were moving around, Goldie’s group managed to meet up with Autumn Gem and Sombra who were just nearby. So they decided to meet up and have a little chat over how things have been. “So, everything was alright in the end?” Autumn Gem asked in hoping nothing horrible happened. “Yes, though it seem the Dark Mystics were the cause of the whole matter.” Jack Zen nods slightly to the answer in what they saw happened with their eyes. “Then if they just left things alone, the snakes from Foal Mountain would never have been aggravated to attack here because they were hungry.” Sombra spoke in seeing how things would have gone if their enemies weren’t causing a disturbance. “Right now, Flutterbat is scooting the nighttime shift and Havis is still keeping guard watch over his brethren.” He explained the currency of what they are doing. “Well that’s good to hear.” Pinkamena smiled to say this from hearing the other report. “But on another scale, we have managed to befriend the one called Anakonda.” Omega spoke off to say they have become better friends to the snake mare. “Omega’s right, and I think in the end, having a new friend is better than just having another enemy.” Pinkamena smiled to say this about having a friend is far better than just getting more enemies. “Right, but I don’t see Anakonda anywhere. I thought she was behind us, maybe I was wrong.” Golden Heart spoke in looking around to not find Anakonda anywhere, they thought she was behind them. As things with the fair festival were going on, unknown, Anakonda was in her camouflage mode. She was sneaking up near the Sparkle Family when the others left to get another feast table set up. “Princess, I need to tell you something.” Anakonda spoke to undo her camouflage mode to Twilight’s family. “Hugh! Oh, that surprise me.” Twilight yelped from hearing the voice behind to only sigh in relief in who it was. “But, what is it?” She asked off in pondering what Anakonda wanted to say to them. “I’ve just received word from one of my serpent allies, they say the Dark Mystic called Maskdevil is still alive.” Anakonda spoke to explain the case in what has happened recently, their dead enemy isn’t as dead as they thought. “Wait, how can that even be right?” Spike asked off surprise to learn this piece of info. “You gave him an eye move that Fluttershy, Pinkamena and even Tuerto did but differently, and it look like it really affected him to be dead!” Phobos stated how compared to those that use different eye techniques, Anakonda’s Basilisk Gaze should have work in killing any that look at the eyes in the form of a basilisk eye gaze. “He was quick enough to escape death with a Body Double spell. I came to warn you of this.” Anakonda spoke off in explaining how Maskdevil escape such a death and warn those here to be cautious. “Thanks, we’ll let the others know in a bit.” Ben nods to the girl for giving them the warning, at least seeing Maskdevil alive and well won’t be a total surprise. “Hisss….” Then Anakonda suddenly made a hissing noise to look around and then stare at something that made her senses….go on high-alert. “What is it, something else bothering you?” Nyx asked off in seeing something was distracting their friend. “Who be that?” Anakonda points across the distance to where the gang slowly begin to see….a familiar pony walking off and wasn’t joining the fun; it was Chase. “That’s Chase the Warrior, looks like he’s skipping out on another large event party.” Ben spoke off to tell the info to the snake mare of who that guy was. “Hmmm, something about him smells….off.” Anakonda spoke with a frown in not liking something about the Chase fellow. “Oh boy, is she gonna say it too?” Phobos slapped his forehead in knowing what’s coming here. “Yeah, I think so too.” Spike lightly nods in having a feeling another pony will say something about Chase, like before. “Animals have instincts they trust, different from trust of heart, you trust what you can tell is right.” Anakonda spoke off in stating these facts here about what animals do and who they trust. “Are you saying that we should be suspicious of Chase, why so?” Nyx asked off in finding a lot of ponies find Chase suspicious, but why it’s never said? “I can’t tell, even from here, the scent is of something….unknowingly dark, conceal to which it’s hard to pile off…like snake scales.” Anakonda spoke off in explaining what she can tell, Chase is hiding something from the others and it is a dark unknown something indeed. "His scent is strange, but another scent reminds me of another serpent he seems to be near...A Hydragoon if not mistaken. Like my father." She stated in what the second scent off Chase reminds her of. "Wait, Hydragoon serpent? As in Dragoking? Are you sure, I've never seen Chase around those except for...well, I rather not talk about it?" Ben asked off surprised, the only time he came across such creatures was during a little misunderstanding event to up to this point which he won't go into such details...at least, not at this point. "It is most puzzling, scent reminds me of one who raised me like a daughter with my mother, the queen." Anakonda rub her chin to ponder this in being curious about the second scent reminds her of another familiar serpent. "But why would you say Chase has the scent of a Hydragoon serpent that reminds you of someone who was like a father to you." Nyx asked off this puzzling question that really got many to be puzzled. "Wish I knew, but scent is mostly covered by another act to make it hard to know for sure." Anakonda shook her head in not knowing for sure why Chase has a scent matching another serpent that helped raised her; it's like he's hiding it very well. “My advice, be wary of him. I know that trust is sacred, but even trust to those you believe in can still turn. I have seen such actions.” She spoke in giving some wise advice of those here to be careful, even those one trusts so closely might be more than they seem. “We….see.” Twilight hesitated a bit, but lightly agree with this much statement, Twilight really is feeling like Chase is hiding something in the dark he doesn’t wanna reveal. "I understand what you’re saying Anakonda, between trusting those you think you know too trusting those who say otherwise, it's hard to pick a side." Ben stated off in knowing how hard this act was to follow up especially when it came to....trusting someone as shady as Chase. “I do not say these things to be mean or say your friend is not trusting. I only say things, because for first time in life….I don’t want to lose first true friends.” Anakonda spoke in saying she speaks her words because she fears of losing those she cares for, and does not want to lose what she has just gotten; friends. Twilight and the Sparkle family smiled in seeing this, forgetting the Chase suspicion, Anakonda just truly wants to not lose something that no one could give the snake mare; pony friends, along with Dragon friends too. “I need go now, much needing of my brethren, my home needs to be prepared.” Anakonda spoke in about to say she needs to get going now, she has to care for her clan brethren and defend their home against invaders. “Take this, it’s a special safety spell my brother and sister-in-law develop to help keep track of any enemy attackers. Made by Cadance’s father.” Twilight spoke to give Anakonda a little jewel charm that Cadance’s father made, it may prove useful in helping the Serpent Clan be more protected. “A gift I shall treasure as I too have a gift for you.” Anakonda responded to say in taking the trinket while having something else to give. “Should you need me to fight evil, I will come to aid you…for we are friends.” She spoke that she’ll become an ally to the group, if they ever need a hand. “Yep. No doubt about it.” Ben nods with a smile that it be nice to have another friend helping them out. “I give you my secret vow; that should you need me, I will help out against your enemies. Until then….farewell and goodbye….my friends.” Anakonda spoke in giving a secret vow and position in how to do so, and once done, gave her farewell to the gang. Then without warning, Anakonda vanished by her camouflage effect and was out of sight completely. The gang tried to look around, but saw neither sign of the snake mare, she was gone and was so silent, guess being raised by snakes to slip through undetected has its perks. “Think we’ll see her again?” Spike asked off if they’ll ever see Anakonda again. “Who knows when?” Phobos shrug off to say that seeing a wild snake mare is pretty much a rare thing in these woods. “I hope we can!” Nyx spoke off with a smile, it’s been so long since she met with another that the two are like kindred spirits, sorta. “As do I honey, as do I.” Twilight nods lightly with a little smile, even if Anakonda is a cross of being a pony and a snake, that’s one snake the princess of the kingdom isn’t afraid of. “Hmmmm….what friends doing, come…enjoy these delicious apple pies.” Chief Thunderhooves spoke off as he and Little Strongheart were already enjoy the apple pies that were served out and saw the ruler family was stalling in not joining them. “I think we’re hungry enough to agree to that.” Ben smiled off to reply to the question with a ‘yes’ response. Soon the Sparkle Family joins everyone that was waiting for them and soon they were gonna have a merry time in having a blast….and this time, without any more unsettling interruptions. With that, everything begins to zoom out and up above the starry night skies while a lit campfire light up the fair’s festival. Scene opens up back within Foal Mountain as we see Anakonda with the Serpent Clan, safe and sound. Anakonda was taking a large jug jar filled with yellow liquid inside to present it to Cubellos. “Hhiisss….” Cubellos let off a hiss sound in speaking the snake language only snakes understood and those that know Parseltongue. “Its fine mother, drink this….it will bring back your strength, zebra shaman woman promise me so and I trust her work.” Anakonda spoke to ease her queen and mother that the potion she gives will work to help. “Hhiisss….” Cubellos slowly spoke after taking the potion to help her recover faster. “Easy now, we’ve all had a rough time, but it over. We’re home, and we’re together and a family again. With new friends I made.” Anakonda spoke to pat her mother’s cheek side and be under Cubellios’s eye in stating this positive manner. “Hhiisss…” Many of the Serpent Clan let off a hissy cheer in agreeing to that claim. Then the Sky Serpent Queen nudge her head near Anakonda as it giving a certain signal to the snake mare of which she could understand very well. “You wish to hear a chant, an old one we know far and wide?” Anakonda responded in understanding what Cubellois wants…which the Sky Serpent Queen nods too. “Okay, I sing it and help calm our minds and rest our souls.” She nods lightly in seeing what to do, as she will do so to help them be more at ease. Soon Anakonda moves up near a lit fire in the center of the cavern. Many of the Serpent Clan was slithering out of their tunnels and homes, giants to little snakes and hybrids and Snake Men & Lamias gathered around to see that which to help them be more settle now. Soon the theme from ‘The Misty Mountains Cold’ song begins to play out, but in a newly made verse version dubbed; 'The Foal Mountains Cold'. As many of the serpents let off their hissy ‘hum’ noises, as it sounding off a gentle melody unlike any other. And soon about to speak this chanted song, was Anakonda…in one far different from her last one; this one was….more mystical. Anakonda: Far Over The Foal Mountains Cold, To Tunnels Deep & Caverns Old, As the snake mare sang, she performed a recital dance that would soon sooth all the serpents while the glimmering sparks of fire burn. And soon with another moment, all the Snake Men were soon joining in as a chorus and they were speaking in perfect English like Anakonda while banging ceremonial drums and playing mythical tribe instruments. (The Snake Men & Lamia can speak English, but only on their choosing.) Snake Men: We Must Away Ere Break Of Day To Seek Our Long Joining Kind The Snake Men sang off with much of their vocals as heard, speaking over a tale long forgotten. The Mystics Of Yore Made Mighty Spells, While Hammers Fell Like Ringing Bells, Within the night skies, showed star images of what looked like Mystic Ponies, performing certain spells and their hammers bash on an anvil, as if…making something. In Places Deep, Where Dark Things Sleep, In Hollow Halls Beneath The Fells. Soon the star images show something created, deep within the darken skies as it seem to go far deeper and deeper until much was pitch black For Ancient Being And Elvish Lord There Many A Gleaming Golden Hoard Soon two start images of what looked to be of an ancient battle long ago; one that look like a Mystic Pony, facing the tallest star figure in the form of Grimmore and his vast army of all evil creatures at his command he sent forth. They Shaped & Wrought, And Light They Caught, To Hide In Elements On Forms They Shape The image soon shows what looks to be the lone Mystic Pony, calling forth the many other shiny stars to scatter away while one stay behind…to shine brightly over the star image form of Grimmore, ending their scene. On Silver Jewels They Strung The Blossom Stars, On Crowns They Hung The Dragon-fire, On Twisted Wire They Meshed The Light Of Sun & Moon. The scene shows much of what plays off of the jewels of stars that were scattered and blossom, finding areas to deem their perfect locations. Then images of fiery Dragons are seen as light as the sun and moon blinded all things. Then the image changes to where the fair with the Rainbow Kingdom is going on right now. Everyone seems to be having a good time at the moment. But then Little Strongheart saw her chief looking up to the start skies as everyone that saw this became silent…what was gonna happen? Then without warning, the Buffalo Chief soon spoke this chant. Chief Thunderhooves: Far Over The Foal Mountains Cold, To Tunnels Deep & Caverns Old, As he sang this forth, everyone felt silent and felt as if drifting along for some reason. And then the rest of the Buffalo Tribe join in on this. Buffalo Tribesmen: We Must Away Ere Break Of Day To Seek Our Long Joining Kind The buffalos spoke wholly as if wanting to say, they long to be apart of joining with more of their own, but more so….with others as well. Goblets They Carved There For Themselves, And Harps Of Gems, Where No Male Delves There Lay They Long, And Many A Song Was Sung Unheard By Mortals Or Mystics. The Buffalo Tribe chanted forth while they play their drums to beat, speaking to tell a tale of something from long ago that many tribes share. Many could almost see the stars moving to show many things stallions wish to gather treasure but never reach it and that this tale is something not heard by many Equestrians to even Mystics. The Pines Were Roaring On The Heights, The Winds Were Monning In The Night, The Buffalo Tribe spoke in solemnly chanting their song as if looking to the trees that blew with the night sky. The Fire Was Red, It Flaming Spread, The Trees Like Torches Blazed With Light The scene focuses on the lifting fire near the crowds as it showing how fire blazes with such light, that it can spread without one knowing it. The Bells They Rang In The Dale, And Stallions Looked Up With Faces Pale. Then above the Ponyville citizens, they heard their Schoolhouse bell ring, and then above the starry skies…more magic image shows are display. The Dragon’s ire, More Fierce Than Fire, Laid Low Their Towers & Houses Frail. The image shows a strange Dragon, unlike any other the heroes have seen, as looks to be unleashing its flames on a start figure form of a town and their towers. The melody slowly pauses for the dramatic moment as everyone watches of what’s to happen. The Mountain Smoked Beneath Thy Moon. The Creatures, They Heard the Tramp Of Doom. Then images of a start form of Foal Mountain is seen as if a scene plays out as something happens that it’s called the ‘tramp of doom’ for unknown reasons. They Fled The Hall To Dying Fall Beneath His Feat, Beneath The Moon. Many starry figures are seen trying to escape a certain unknown force, but they all meet their end under his feet and beneath the shining moonlight. Then in a strange moment, a split scene shows Anakonda & Chief Thunderhooves as they sing this phrase in their own separate homes. Anakonda & Chief Thunderhooves: Far Over The Foal Mountains Grim, To Tunnels Deep & Caverns Dim, They sang in speaking these words of what all may know or not know, but it’s a tale that tells of Foal Mountain from long ago. And soon many Snake Men & Buffalo Tribesmen all chant together in separate screen splits too. Tribe Chorus: We Must Away Ere Break Of Day To Claim Our Right & Live In Peace! They all sang forth this song in stating what they all hope to claim…a right to live in peace by breaking that which keeps them apart. Soon afterwards, only Anakonda & Chief Thunderhooves had the floor to sing this finale moment. Anakonda & Chief Thunderhooves: Far Over The Foal Mountains Cold, To Dungeons Deep & Caverns Old As they sang this, they lower their heads with eyes shut in almost sounding like they pry with their hearts. It was around now that the song was coming to an end and all things went quiet. And with that, many watch in silence to take in the melody of the chant, as if feeling touch by such words of long ago. Soon the scene darkens here, showing that all things are now coming to an end at this moment… Far from the sight of Foal Mountain, hidden behind the trees of the Everfree Forest, was Dragoking who had listen to the song: The Foal Mountains Cold, from beginning to end. The mighty Hydragoon lets off a silently & quiet roar as if making a call out to the mountain. Then approaching the creature was Chase the Warrior, who is really Shadow Dragon, but he approaches his pet in seeing his expression show...the one that misses their family. "You miss them, don't you?" Chase spoke off in seeing how Dragoking misses the Serpent Clan. Dragoking nods his head in silently agreeing to that, he does miss those he's come to know, especially...ones he loves. "I heard the song, it was....lovely." Chase spoke up in comforting his loyal pet to pat his leg to give support from having heard the song from afar. "You have a great family, my loyal friend." He issued off that Dragoking has a wonderful family within Foal Mountain. Dragoking looks his face with an expression of showing a sad creature of missing those he has come to know as family. "I am deeply sorry that those from my group tried to hurt your family & swear...they will not be hurt. You are my most trusted & loyal friend, to see you unhappy after standing by my side is something I don't wish to burden you with." Chase issued off in stating this claim about never wanting to bing harm to those that Dragoking has his heart in loving; his loyal beast deserves better than that. Dragoking lowers his head to nudge Chase in accepting such words as they help him feel better. "Come, let us go...we need to get back to where we need be." Chase issued that they need to get going & not be seen by anyone. "By the way, your daughter...still remembers your scent, even when I hide much of my dark aura, she could easily still sense some of it...including your scent. That may show, she cares for you very much." Chase turns to smile off a bit that though his cover was nearly blown, the news about Anakonda sensing Dragoking on him shows...how much the mare still cares for the Hydragoon to not have forgotten it. That was enough to make Dragoking lightly let off a growl of happiness, his little one he raised with Cubellos; Anakonda, is something precious that he loves them both; & was glad to hear he is remembered. Soon both the serpent & Chase leave the scene as everything goes dark around now... The scene opens back at the Sparkle Home within the Rainbow Kingdom’s castle. Twilight’s family and friends were hanging out after the fair festival was finally done and over with. They said their farewells to the Buffalo Tribe, the chief, Little Strongheart, & Braeburn as they went back towards Appleloosa. They all felt like they had quite the adventure today, and what a moment the ending was that came with it, they never expected that at all. “Haaaaauuhhh….boy, am I feeling sleepy!” Sweetie Belle slowly spoke in covering her mouth, she feels tired. “Yeah, Ah think this was some all nighted o' hard work. Yaaawwwnnn….” Apple Bloom responded to say this while a yawn escaped her very lips now. “Yeah, but…yaaawwnnn…it was something to be up for.” Scootaloo lets off a yawn in trying to make a statement here. “I think you fillies may need to get ready for bed.” Rarity spoke in feeling the little ones are very tired and should get ready for bed. “Right, Granny, Big Mac. & Tough Apple already went on home.” Applejack nods in stating this here fact of what the rest of the Apple Family has done now. “Oooooo…yaaawwwnnn…kay.” The CMC responded in making a very long yawn at this moment; they are very tired it seems. “I’m just glad that everything work out well in the end.” Fluttershy smiled to say that besides the issue of facing rampaging snakes, settling a confused snake mare and helping rid Dark Mystics out of a snake’s den, it wasn’t so bad. Course the rest of the gang heard of Maskdevil was alive, but they’ll be ready if they face him. “Yeah, let’s just hope the next fair or festival, may go off without any problems.” Ben spoke off in hoping the next time they have this, it’ll be a villain free zone. “Can’t make that promise daddy, otherwise, it ruin the fun of what to expect.” Nyx smiled off to state this in knowing that some excitement may just come their way anyway, so why fight it. “Hah, all I know is, I feel almost tired out and exhausted.” Twilight sighs to lay down near her thrown in just wanting to take a break for the moment. “Hey Twilight, care for a can of jelly beans? Pinkie help me pick it out. It’ll sure help give you some strength.” Rainbow Dash smiled to offer her friend a friendly looking can that was label ‘jelly beans’ on the mark. “It’ll really surprise yah & make you energetic for sure!” Pinkie Pie smiled off to say this with a cheeky smirk on her face. Twilight held the can of jelly beans and studied its structure. Course there were some hidden giggles from the two girls and it really became clear what was going on. “Nice try girls, I’m not falling for the old snakes in a can routine.” Twilight spoke off to say while tossing that prank can away from her….but it rolled right towards the baby Dragons. “Oh boy, a can of jelly beans! Hope they’re gem flavor!” Phobos smiled off to say in getting this thing and started to open it up. “Ah Phobos, I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” Spike was about to warn his friend in having a feeling he knows this prank, but… “Poiingggininiiggghh….” Then without warning, the can was opened a lot of funny slinky snake toys popped out and wrapped around Phobos. “AAAAAHHhhh! SNAKES! THEY’RE AT IT AGAIN! GET THEM OFF ME! HEEEEEELP!” Phobos was screaming and running around looking like what was on him was real. “Ooooh Phobos!” Nyx rolled her eyes in seeing her friend being silly here. “Well that’s one surprise of snakes we don’t have to fear.” Ben smiled off to say this from what they saw. “You said it Ben, you said it.” Twilight lightly nods in agreement o that subject very much. Pretty much, there was soon some laughter in the air while Phobos was running around from thinking the fake snakes were real while Spike tried to catch up and help him. The scene zooms away in showing everyone was having quite a laughable time without much worries. What started out as a scary adventure, and involving snakes, turn into more than anyone bargain for, and this just proves….every snake can change their scales by shedding and even ones that might be bad may turn out good. It all depends, and for that, the heroes made a new friend and one they hope to help out them as they would another in the future…as every goes dark here; signaling the end of the tale… The End Author's Note Major Cast List Lauren Tom: Anakonda The Wild Snake Mare J.B. Blanc: Maskdevil Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Moon Ashleigh Ball: Rainbow Dash, Applejack Andrea Libman: Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Various Dizens Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity, Granny Smith, Various Citizens Cathy Weseluck: Spike the Dragon Jason Marsden: Ben Mare, Chase the Warrior/Shadow Dragon Daveigh Chase: Nyx Chris Sanders: Phobos the Dragon Orlando Bloom: Golden Heart Vic Mignogna: Omega, Various Citizens Brian Drummond: Jack Zen, Various Dark Mystic Soldiers Dee Bradley Baker: Dragoking Kazumi Evans: Cubellos Brenda Crichlow: Zecora Frank Welker: Various Serpents, King Cobra, Hydra Heads, Boa Constrictor, Quetzalcoatl 1, Cobra 1, Lamia 1, Rattle Snake 1, Python 1, Various Citizens John DiMaggio: Black Tiger Adam Baldwin: DJ Red Clancy Brown: Clumsy Rat James Sie: Shades Danny Cooksey: Tech Minor Cast List Michelle Creber: Apple Bloom, Various Fillies Claire Corlett: Sweetie Belle, Various Fillies, Child Lamia Madeline Peters: Scootaloo, Various Fillies Scott McNeil: Tough Apple, Chief Thunderhooves, Various Buffalo Warriors Cody Ruegger: Various Colts Nathan Ruegger: Various Colts William Lawrenson: Various Colts Peter New: Troop 1, Various Dark Mystic Soldiers, Various Royal Guards, Various Buffalo Wariors, Heavy Dark Mystic Rob Paulsen: Various Dark Mystic Soldiers, Various Royal Guards Jim Miller: King Sombra, Various Royal Guards Lara Jill Miller: Autumn Gem Erin Mathews: Little Strongheart James Arnold Taylor: Fred Flintstoneward Jeff Bergman: Barney Rubblestone Nicole Oliver: Cheerilee Michael Dangerfield: Braeburn Well there we go, this story looks like a real nice one, wouldn't you say. And here is the next fic... "Pony of Illusions: Equestria finds itself under attack when ponies are going crazy or nuts from illusions, not even Princess Celestia is immune. Ben, Nyx and Phobos discovers that a pony named Loki A. Fool is responsible and has captured the Mane Six for his entertainment. Ben, Nyx, Phobos and their allies old and new must go through his tower of illusions, find the seven rainbow gems to stop him. Villain: Loki A. Fool (reforms at the end)" This folks is inspired by the remake of the Mickey Mouse game "Castle of Illusions" which I am looking forward to do! Until next time, read, review and suggest! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 01: Snakes In Equestria //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 01: Snakes In Equestria MLP: Venom To All Things Chapter 01: Snakes In Equestria The story begins somewhere within the Foal Mountain range of the area of Equestria. Alone, it looks like your everyday view of the mountain, nothing special, right…? WRONG! It’s what’s inside the mountain that makes things more intriguing as things begin where the camera zooms below to find a hidden cavern cave within Foal Mountain. There appeared to be something seen flying within the large area that could allow giants to walk around so easily, and the structure seem very well crafted for….something to slither around, especially the tunnels. And what is seen around the ground turns out to be…..SNAKES! That’s right, snakes of all kinds, Cobras, King Cobras, Pythons, Boa Constrictors, Anacondas, Hydras with 8 heads or more, and plenty others. There were even serpents that fly like Hunting Horrors, Quetzalcoatls, and those that are cross breed of worms to dragons. While there were many to be considered serpentines & serpents weather small or the larger versions of mythical creatures, there were those that were hybrids to have human appearances, Snake Men & Snake Women, or for the latters, Lamia, as best to show a difference of the males that are different snakes while the women look slightly different but look more human. Everything here was like some sorta secret civilization of so many serpent brethren, it’s almost unheard of or a bigger question….why so many dangerous snakes are lying in wait and not attacking any one….that’s a mystery in itself. But the real issue comes from what is outside that comes in…. “Hissss…./Hiisssss….” Soon there are many snakes that are attacked or captured, some even beheaded that were some of the small types. “Grisssissshhh…./Rooaarrughhhh….” The larger serpents were seen trying to attack, but some strong material of magic chains were lashed around them, immobilizing their mobility on ground and air. “Hehehehehe…/Huuh-Huhuhuaaahh….” There was evil laughter heard from the distance, as soon something was seen coming with lit torches….large number of different pony soldiers. But these were not mere Equestrians, no, far from it, they were in truth….Dark Mystic Soldiers. “Size the Serpent Clan!” A mysterious leader figure was giving the order for many Many of the giant serpents hissed with rage and tried to fight back…but they were being tied down by Dark Mystic Magic. Even the brave Snake Men & Lamia type warriors were only faring so much before being cornered as it were. “Master Maskdevil, we’re rounding up the Serpent Clan’s last bunch of resistance.” One troop saluted to his leader of the operation thus far. Soon entering the scene as the one called Maskdevil, and judging by his stature of appeal, he was an Earth stallion. As far as descriptions can give us about this guy, he seems to worm a wrestler's body suit that's half blue & more black upper, showing little of his fur coat color especially when wearing a long brown overcoat which covers the cutie mark. But he also seems to wear a black wrestler's mask with a white front facial mark for covering the nose & mouth which opens when he speaks, & seems to have red contacts to hide his eyes true color. This guy was clearly no Equestrian but of another class entirely different...a Dark Mystic. And now we see the guy was studying over the work of having many of the serpents caught and bound in their holds. “Excellent, pretty soon, this whole mountain of venomous serpents will be under our control. Especially since their Sky Serpent Queen, Cubellios, is now subdued.” Maskdevil spoke forth in what they are up to before looking upwards behind him at something… Behind the Dark Mystic was the largest of a serpent to fit the whole cavern as she had violet scales & a light colored underside, her eyes were green with black pupils, a large pair of bat-like wings to allow airborne transportation. This type of snake was most likely seen as the supreme prime leader of the bunch of serpents, but with her capture, the queen was shackled and muzzled a bit to stop as much of her resistance as possible. “But where’s the other one, the real target of our hunt?” Maskdevil questioned the matter that they are here for something far greater, and it’s with these serpents, but where…where is it? “Poison Cloud….” A female voice is heard from nearby, as though she was near, but was unseen. “Haassiiieesss….” Then the shadowy figure exhales that which looks like a violet fog that covers the whole area. “Guueeegh…./Wruuaaaghh…./Aarrruughhh….” Many of the Dark Mystic Soldiers were victims to the fog as it not only blur their sights, but was weakening them, robbing their strength, eyesight, and hearing…this poison was deadly to them. “Hmph?” Maskdevil reacted to this by leaping out of the way as soon as the poison cloud spread far enough over the floor and lands in a high enough point to be out of range. “That move…” “(Brothers & Sisters, those that are free, we must get away from those that harm us. Hurry before you get capture like others!)” The mysterious female voice spoke, but it sounded so…strange, it sounded….serpent-like. “That language…its Paseltongue. The snake language.” Maskdevil spoke to himself in what he’s heard, that’s the language to communicate with snakes. Soon the many Serpent Clan members that were free were slithering away through snake-tunnels or breaking the walls to make a new entrance and exit path. Just as the mysterious mare within the Poison Cloud was about to move to escape, she was seen from the cloud that made her slightly visible. “Hold it!” Maskdevil shouted in which he earn some attention to himself. “At last I’ve found you, come with me if you want to live!” He spoke to threaten the one he was wanting to find. “Hiissss….” The hidden mare in the clouds hissed like a snake with a terrifying tone, “Me no trust the smell of stinky creature of dark pitch aura!” She hissed off to say this with an English sounding voice towards the Dark Mystic. “You speak English, good, makes things easier. I have something you want, as do you….just give in peacefully, and we can end this.” Maskdevil spoke in wanting to get this business settle, once done, then this matter will be over shortly soon. The mysterious mare that hides in the clouds heard this, but seem to not buy such promises from one that has done harm here... “Only end you get, is venom to kill! Poison Breath!” The mare spoke from within the poisonous cloud before taking in a breath. “Brussprovhmm…” Then she let out a large amount of poison streams that was covering her view and going upwards to hit the target Once the attack served it’s purpose, the mysterious individual slip through in blending around while escaping from sight. Maskdevil managed to evade the earlier attack, but lost sight of the target. “Very good, that kinda deadly venom is what I’m seeking to gain.” Maskdevil spoke in sounding very pleased in what he’s seen. Soon after a few moments, Maskdevil used a spell that seem to suck in the remains of the poisonous substance around to contain it in holding spheres, thereby allowing one to breath at ease. And it seem much of his forces breathed in too much of the poison, thereby…well, ceasing their actions here. But who should show up from around one tunnel than the Dark Warrior Trio, Black Tiger and Tech. “Yo, Maskdevil!” DJ Red spoke off his greeting to a pal. “How ya doing!” Clumsy Rat responded off to say here. “Looking sharp there.” Shades complimented the guy on his appearance. “It’s about time you all got here! Though I suppose if you were, you be dead from the poison unleashed!” Maskdevil snap off to complain here in seeing these guys show up late. “We were delayed cause Tech mislead us down the wrong tunnel!” Black Tiger issued to glare at Tech for bumbling their way of getting here. “Hey, I said I was sorry! My GPS system can’t work well, must be some magnetic interference.” Tech stated his reason with a device, which was on the frizz it seems. “Whatever, we have apprehended some of these serpent creatures, now just take away the deadweight.” Maskdevil waved off to say in not caring while he gave orders for the bunch to remove the deadweight that’s lying around. The Dark Warrior Trio & Black Tiger turned to look at Tech, as if they were about to move against the mama’s colt. “Hey-hey! I’m not deadweight, okay, sure I mess up, but come on…” Tech was protesting in seeing what was happening, he’s not deadweight for him to be here with the others. “Not him, these dead body weights that are filled with poison. Take them to Guildenstern to have him exam the venom in their system along with the remains of this poison cloud mist still floating about.” Maskdevil snapped off to explain the case to those fools in what he means as he wants those poisoned to be removed and studied. After that matter was settled did those working for the Dark Mystic take the spheres contain with poison venom samples away. All while Maskdevil was alone with the still captive serpent creatures and the queen. “I will find her…and the power she holds…the deadliest element to kill things by contact…the Element Of Venom will be mine once again….” Maskdevil spoke off to himself in stating what he’ll be doing, he’ll get the one who got away…the one with an element that’s deadly and be perfect for an evil cause….the venom that is poison to all life. The scene darkens around Maskdevil as he has plans to get the one that escaped, for she has what he wants, and aims to acquire it…by any means. What awaits ahead is unknown at this moment of time… Dragoking was sleeping inside of his paddock that was filled with straws, water and forests. He was snoring happily until a sudden noise entered his ears. Something he haven't heard in a long time until... A scream yet hiss in pain sounded in Dragoking's ears. He immediately got up and looked up at the black sky of night. He approached to the front as he listened carefully. Dragoking could hear the scream in pain and fear from reptilian creatures. He groaned in anger as he knew what was going on until... "FATHER! HELP!" The voice cries out. Dragoking gasped in shock through growling. He growled in anger before he roared wildly like a Tyrannosaurus Rex throughout the night. In the morning, Twilight Moon approached Dragoking's Paddock as she opened the gate. She levitated some barrels of dead animals while entering the paddock and looking around for the one in question. "Dragoking! I've brought you your favorite meal! Time for your breakfast!" Twilight Moon calls out. She paused and looks puzzled. "Dragoking? Dragoking! Here boy! Where are you?! I've got your-!" Twilight Moon gasped in shock as she found that the back gate was destroyed. Not good. Dragoking is out! "Shadow Dragon is going to kill me..." Twilight Moon groans, knowing her love will not be happy about this! The scene soon opens up to the Rainbow Kingdom, where it looks like things here are more or less….a bit more positive. There seem to be a fair going on at this time, mostly that of a theme for those that are from the west like Cowboys and Indians. The Mane Six along with Ben, Nyx, Spike & Phobos were checking out the final setting work for the fair. All the citizens were helping to make it look spectacular, especially when they have guest to drop in. “AJ, Fluttershy, I have to admit, I almost had doubts, but…” Twilight spoke in looking around at what was going on here. “But-but…but what Twilight?” Pinkie Pie yelped to look at her friend in feeling something was wrong here. “But this may turn out very well. A Western Cattle Drive & Animal Support Fair, it may help with some funds to give us more in protecting our kingdom.” Twilight spoke off in seeing how this fair event can help out. “Oh yes, I mean it’s wonderful since I added in the style for any country pony to feel at home.” Rarity spoke with much pride in seeing how she managed to pull this off since she went through an identity crisis that time with Applejack from Tenderhoof. “Yeehaaaahhh!” Tough Apple was nearby by a pig’s pen, jumped in and was wrestling them critters. “Now which of ye wants to mud wrestle a pig?” He spoke off to Miss. Cheerliee’s group of class in inviting them to the party. “WE DO!” Many young fillies and colts responded while Miss Cheerliee stood back to see some of her class wanted to get down and dirty. “And it looks like Tough’s job is one that he feels happy to do.” Spike stated in seeing how much Tough Apple was having fun with his assign job. “Who wouldn’t? You wrestle pigs in the mud, talk about getting down and dirty!” Phobos stated in what he could see happening right there. “Yeah, good times there. Good times there indeed.” Rainbow Dash daydream off in remembering the time they mud wrestle with pigs when Tough came into their lives. “Well I invited Braeburn and de Buffalo Tribe ta join us, it’ll help raise de fair theme a bit.” Applejack stated from informing her pals of who else was coming to join them. “Oh yes, and I’ve brought out some desert creatures to help the event, um….at least those that won’t scare any pony/” Fluttershy nods in looking to the animals she brought forth that were those that lived in the desert; jack rabbits, eagles, lizards, moles, just about any that she had and was taking care of. “Looks like everything may go fine here. Everypony’s enjoying the fair, and when the Buffalo Tribe comes, we’ll have some Apple Pies that they can enjoy eating.” Nyx smiled off to say this in what will happen when more friendly folk come by to visit. “Right, I heard the chief enjoyed them so much that he and Braeburn made an agreement in Appleloosa over a matter long ago.” Ben smiled off in recalling what was said to have happened when the Buffalo Tribe wanted to trample their old stomping grounds, but after Appleloosa was built, things met with change, complications before arrangements settle the matter. “I’ve been practicing my dance number since Chief Thunderhooves said he didn’t enjoy it much. So I hope this time will be a difference.” Pinkie Pie spoke off in wanting to put on a dance number for the chief of the Buffalo Tribe. “It’ll be nice seeing Little Strongheart, she’s got character.” Rainbow Dash smiled off to say in recalling that little buffalo girl. “Um, maybe we should finish up with the last matters.” Fluttershy meekly spoke in thinking they still gotta finish a few more things before they are ready here. “Goodness, yes! There’s still so much to prepare!” Rarity nearly gasp in being reminded of this, they have much to cover here. “Right, Braeburn and the Buffalo Tribe will be here any second, can’t disappoint them.” Applejack nods in agreement, they gotta be good host for their arriving guest. “Then let’s get to it, Spike, you, Phobos and Nyx check with the CMC in how much we’re ready.” Twilight nods in wanting to give this assignment to the little ones. “Roger!” Nyx & the baby Dragons replied off before leaving the gang to check in how everything is looking. “Hey Ben!” Goldie’s group of Pinkamena, Omega, Jack Zen, Sombra & Autumn Gem appeared. “Golden Heart, glad to see you could join up.” Ben smiled in seeing another friendly face appearing now. “Wouldn’t miss this if we tried, a tribe of buffalos coming here is a rare sight.” Jack Zen replied off in mentioning how this is a very good moment indeed. “I figure we come and check it out, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen native buffalos.” Golden Heart issued off in stating a claim here. “By the way, have you heard of any new surprises?” Pinkamena asked off this surprise question out of nowhere. “What new surprises?” The Mane Six responded a bit puzzled in thought. “There was some sightings of smoke clouds by Foal Mountain before the matter vanished. We have not received any reports of cause for alarm.” Omega shrug off to say this, apparently there was a problem, but it vanished mysteriously. “It’s strange. Surely someone could’ve reported this in, if there was a fire or something of danger, but it seem pass.” Autumn Gem spoke in being lost in thought of what was happening here as of recently. “We thought it be best to give you the heads up alert, just in case it’s brought up again later on.” Sombra stated the matter to give this group a heads up alert if whatever the case by Foal Mountain is, if it comes up again to be wary. “Thank you for the update, we’ll keep that in mind. For now, let’s try to enjoy the fair.” Twilight nods in appreciating the word of though from her friends before asking they continue their fair. As Goldie’s decides to take up on that offer and the other Mane Six members go do their thing, Ben could tell Twilight was thinking over the matter. “Hugh, you think everything’s okay Twilight? I mean, sure there was no pony hurt and the problem was gone…but…is that all we know?” Ben asked off in thinking the issue by Foal Mountain can’t have just vanished without an explanation, could it? “It is, I’m just hoping it was just some ponies that were playing with fire and quickly put it out before leaving to not be caught and be in trouble.” Twilight nods in saying this while thinking of the logical point of view on the subject. “Hugh, at least I’m hoping it’s that simple.” She sighs in hoping that’s the only case concerning Foal Mountain that had smoke from fire spotted by it. Sometimes for the heroes, even if it’s not as dangerous and an easy to understand case that doesn’t involve great danger….might be far from it, if they only knew the truth. Meanwhile within the Everfree Forest, the escaped Serpents, both big and small, mythical and hybrid and even more humanoid, await the arrival of someone. And soon appearing was a brown cloak hooded creature with a cloth around the mouth. The snakes all hiss for a moment, but then became calm when they heard something…by their own tongue. Yes, they speak Parseltongue, the language of the snake. “(Easy my brethren, it is only me.)” The mysterious female spoke to calm those that are both frighten and cautious. “(Mistress, what happened with others and….our queen?)” A King Cobra asked off in sounding concern over the others that aren’t here, especially their queen. “(Captured. By dark aura creatures. They seek venom, our venom.)” The mysterious female regretfully explained the issue of what happened involving the Dark Mystics trespassing in their den. “(We are weaken, we need rest.)” One Hydra Head spoke in what they need to do now here after the fled event of their home. “(We need to shed old scales for new ones. Make us feel stronger.)” The Second Hydra Head stated in what they must do from their old scales are damaged and they need to shed off the stuff. “(We must also feast, regain strength to attack & reclaim home.)” The Third Hydra Head suggested what they need now, food to replenish their zapped strength to perform a counter measure. “(I agreed. Me find zebra shaman, she give us things for what we need not.)” The mysterious female spoke off in stating who she’ll meet to get such necessities. “(Wait! I sense…prey….lots and lots of prey…there.)” Boa Constrictor spoke off in looking towards Ponyville as it’s packed with…something to quench their hunger. “(That place filled with ponies, no eat them. They bring trouble when see snakes.)” The mysterious female spoke off in stating a protesting argument here. “(But we’re all famished, young ones need meal!)” The Fourth Hydra Head stated out in what they need, especially the younger serpents. The mysterious serpent girl in the cloak & hooded rags looked around, seeing many of her brethren are in trouble. The little ones are hungry and looking like they will wither away unless they can get some food soon. “(Let me lead with the Hunting Horrors, we’ll scare up some of them in a panic and take what looks filling.)” Quetzalcoatl requested in what they can do, frighten the pony folks and secure a tasty meal. “(Ahhhh, you go there and they will harm you. Wait until I get back.)” The mysterious female sighed to shake her head ‘no’ to the idea, the ponies will fight back to harm them. But as soon as the cloak female was leaving to be out of sight to get something to aid her brethren, the rest of the snakes had other thoughts. “(While she gets food, we get more.)” A Cobra spoke in what they’ll do here now. “(But she said to wait?” A Lamia spoke in recalling what the mistress said to them, they are to wait, not leave. “(Those ponies are no threat, we out number them, we are bigger than them, and if they get in way….we finish them.)” A Rattle Snake declared forth that they will get what they want and if anyone gets in their way…they’ll be sorry. “Hhiisssss….” Many of the other hungry snakes were ‘hissing’ in response to this; no more waiting, time to act. Soon the scene grows darker with many of the serpents eyes staring at Ponyville…as they are hungry to devour….what is waiting just ahead. Within Ponyville, Braeburn came in with the Buffalo Tribe as they were given a hearty greetings from Princess Twilight and her group of those coming from so far away to the Rainbow Kingdom. And from the Buffalo Tribe came out Little Strongheart and Chief Thunderhooves as they approach the Mane Six bunch while Applejack and Braeburn got reacquainted again. “Ah, young pony friends, long since the days of old, have we seen another.” Chief Thunderhooves spoke forth in addressing those here before him. “And we never would have expected to see you six…” Little Strongheart spoke in stating the Mane Six…. “Seven!” Spike cuts in to correct the number term here. “Yes, your seven again. Clearly much has changed, you have more friends within your group even from your town’s population.” Little Strongheart spoke in addressing the manner of the much more gathered bunch of friends. “And I see one of you, a pony with once had but a horn of magic, now given the wings of an eagle.” Chief Thunderhooves spoke in addressing Twilight, issuing her as a pony who has become something more. “Hugh? Wings of an eagle? Can somebody translate this native tongue?” Phobos responded off in not figuring out the stuff said. “He means that last time, he saw me as a Unicorn, but now I have Pegasus wings, so now I’m an Alicorn and he’s surprise to see one.” Twilight explained the matter of what the buffalo chief was saying. “We’ve brought much of out own delicacies to help with your festival. As long as there is enough for us to enjoy to.” Chief Thunderhooves showed some things the buffalos brought to share with those of the Rainbow Kingdom, as long as they too provide something too. “The tasty fruit…and those delicious apple pies.” He still remembers the taste of such things from before, he never gets enough out of that. “Did you happen to bring turquoise gems?” Spike asked off in hoping for those tasty gems he likes. “Oh course, here you go. Plenty for you and your honorable Dragon friend to enjoy.” Little Strongheart gave the turquoise gems to the baby Dragons who mouth water at the stuff, and started to dig in happily. “Wow; that must be some tasty gems there! It’s nice to meet you all.” Nyx smiled off in seeing these buffalos here to join them. “We have much to catch up on since many things have happened.” Twilight explained how it’s been so long, that they almost felt out of touch with the Buffalo Tribe. “Please, let us continue the discussion….once we’ve settle down with a meal.” Chief Thunderhooves spoke humble-like in saying they can discuss what they’ve miss out…over a nice meal. “Sure, the meal of sharing some apple pies.” Ben nods to say while explaining this to the chief here. “Oh…that would be delightful!” Chief Thunderhooves smiled off with much joy to hear those words. As many of the ponies prepare themselves for their honored native buffalo friends to join the fair festivities….little does anyone know…something is slithering around all corners. Make no mistake about it, trouble will come, and it will be a moment no one will soon ever forget…. Dragoking traveled through the dark forests. He spent whole night till morning in search of screaming snakes and voices. He found nothing until he heard some hissing noise. He slowly turned and looked at the front, seeing a familiar town. Dragoking growled in the Snakes' Language, "(Daughter... I'm coming...) Author's Note Parseltongue is the language of the snakes as seen (& can be heard) from the Harry Potter series. Alrighty, now that this is seen, that's one start made. Pretty interesting, right? I thought since the buffalos have missed out on much, they can be used for...an 'interesting' role of where I have in mind while slowly getting up to speed. For now, in the next chapter, as every pony and buffalo are enjoying themselves, the place is invaded by not evil villains but....wait for it....SNAAAAAAKES! That's right, little ones, big ones, snakes of many species all coming to toy, and looking for a BITE to eat! Twilight & the other members of the group try to handle the pest infestation, but what happens when someone interferes and it being....a WILD JUNGLE MARE? What will the commotion bring and what power does the wild mare have over not just snakes, but a force so terrible that everyone hates her for it while those of evil wickedness...share a different view? Things will be very complex, but I'm sure the Mane Six will try to find a way through this...somehow...So get ready for the fun when I post the next stuff, enjoy... //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 03: The Search For Anakonda //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 03: The Search For Anakonda Chapter 03: The Search For Anakonda Within the Rainbow Castle, the open halls were soon filled to the brim with many, many, MANY sick patients that couldn’t even be fit into a hospital. Right now, there were many doctors and nurses roaming around, helping any of the sick and weary patients. “Well Fluttershy, anything?” Applejack asked her friend of any luck in helping to heal those that are as sick as dogs. “I’m sorry girls, but…it seems that whatever poison there is in their systems, it’s seems very strong. Not even my Rosin’ Crystal Petals can heal it.” Fluttershy explained that even her technique, Return Shield, is having a hard time rejecting and reversing what strange poison that’s in many victims to be expel, it’s some powerful stuff. “Goodness! That’s never failed us before, so why now?” Rarity gasped in surprise shock, how could this have happened at all? “Think it’s busted?” Pinkie Pie questioned if Fluttershy’s object was busted somehow. “How can it be busted, it’s a magic object.” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow in thinking that was a silly thing to ask. “Nyx, how many do we have that are sick?” Twilight asked her daughter who was checking all those listed in being in sickbay. “Not good mommy, almost the whole town of ponies got blown away or some just suck in that poison stuff.” Nyx spoke to give her mother the bad news of what was happening here, half their town is sick. “We’re lucky some managed to keep away, like my friends here.” She pointed out in seeing the CMC rush up, all healthy and whatnot. “Cutie Mark Crusaders reporting in!” Scootaloo saluted forth in them being presented here. “We’re hoping’ ta help out however we can.” Apple Bloom spoke off in what they are hoping to achieve here. "We may have our cutie marks, but doctoring is a new thing to help out in.” Sweetie Belle stated how that this will be something they have not done before; even with their cutie marks, they can learn about this. “Alright, help check whose needing aid, like nurse assistance.” Twilight stated in seeing this while giving those fillies something to do. “Right!” The CMC responded off to say before heading off to be helpful here. “Well there’s a bright side to this.” Phobos spoke off to say something over this case. “How is there a bright side from this?” Spike raised an eyebrow in pondering what his friend was saying. “The jerky-mic-jerk and his boys got the stuff and are kept quiet.” Phobos pointed off across from them, that Riff Tannen, Matchstick, Baldy & Goggles are keeping quiet from that poison stuff that’s making them too weak to make any complaints. “Hugh, well at least they can’t give us a headache with this sickness.” Tough Apple rub the back of his head in thinking maybe that is good news. "At least dat Diamond Tiara & her pal are better off not bein' bullies ta help." Tough stated in seeing Diamond Tiara & Silver Spoon help out, as the former's parents were suffering the same poison effect as the others were. Golden Heart enters the scene along with his own group to meet up with Twilight. They were away to get a few things requested and have now traveled back at this time. “We’ve been preparing a medicine potion Zecora told us to make and give to the sick, it should delay much of the poison spreading in their bodies.” Golden Heart explained what they were doing to help keep many of the sick as healthy and alive as possible. “That’s the good news, the bad news is it’s not enough to cure the poison in their systems entirely.” Jack Zen stated in giving both good and bad news to everything here. “Unless we can do something, the victims under the poison will fall into a deep sleep of no return in approximately 48 Hours.” Omega spoke the condition of a limited time that if they don’t act soon, those that are poison…will cease being alive. “48 Hours! That’s too short on time!” Ben yelps out to say in hearing this; that is seriously bad news indeed to hear. “Can’t we cure them?” He asked off if there was no other way to help keep everyone from dying by poison effects. “Trust me, we’ve contacted Celestia to see if Sir Spell Nexus has any books about what this poison is. Try to seek out aid from the Mystic known as Black Jack or find Mangani to help heal them, but they are out of reach. Plus me & Goldie never seem to come around its existence until now.” Pinkamena stated to say this in having to put much of their effort in learning what kinda poison they are dealing with, it’s very unusual to the point they need REAL expert help which can't be reached. “Then there’s only one pony to turn to. Someone that might know what’s been happening.” Twilight narrow her eyes towards somewhere, having a good idea who can explain this situation for them; someone that may hold the answers. The group follow Twilight in thinking she has a lead on what was going on. Hopefully so since if they don’t find out soon how to fix this mess, no one’s gonna get better soon. The scene opens to Zecora helping some buffalo warriors with Chief Thunderhooves, Little Strongheart and Braeburn there. The zebra shaman is making the buffalo drink plenty of special brew soup stuff she’s made to act like a medicine…for the most parts. “Shaman, please tell me, how are my warriors?” Chief Thunderhooves asked with worry, he could not bear to see his finest warriors fall to death by poison action. “They are resting, sound asleep they are. Some rest can help, but only delay, their sickness has not gone away.” Zecora spoke her rhymes in explaining what she has done all for now here. “This seems really bad.” Little Strongheart spoke with some worry in what they are seeing that’s taken effect of the buffalos. “I’ll say, just what is eatin’ us up here?” Braeburn asked off in not figuring out how any of this came to be; just what is it they are dealing with. “That’s what we’ll intend to find out.” Twilight’s voice enter the room which made everyone see who was now here. “Zecora, you asked us about that Anakonda pony, do you know her?” She asked this question in hoping to get a straight answer. Zecora seem silent to look like she frozen up before looking discourage over the question. “Zecora, what’s wrong?” Nyx asked in feeling the question got Zecora by means of an emotional sign. “It seems my actions to help have cause distrust, no doubt.” Zecora spoke her rhyme while putting the medicine bowl down, stating what actions have brought up such questions. “Hey, hey, we still trust you. We just wanna know if you know who that pony was and why she can command the serpents.” Ben spoke in saying they aren’t mad at Zecora, they are only seeking answers to something that can help them out. “Hugh, to know thy answer that you wish to seek, we must go forth to find, the cure to aid us within our risky cause.” Zecora sighed a bit before she spoke in rhyme again, stating they need to go somewhere to find a cure that could be tough. “Hugh?” Tough Apple replied off in not figuring out heads or tails of that rhyming stuff. “She means we gotta follow her & she can help give us answers & an antidote.” Applejack responded to tell her cousin in what they are trying to know what Zecora was saying as Tough Apple slowly nods in understanding the question now. “Wait, you know what can help us fix the unfortunate souls…suffering from this unheard of poison?” Rarity spoke off in thinking they are onto something here? “That I can, and that I will. For this is a powerful, but deadly element, said it’s been lost for ages come and ages gone. The Element of Venom is what this poison can cause.” Zecora spoke her rhymes in explaining by her words, what the revealed poison is…an element that is as deadly as venom and such. “The Element of Venom?” The gang responded in almost being completely off guard; the name alone sounds way, way, WAY Scary. “Wow, sounds hefty!” Pinkie Pie replied off in finding the name of the element of the poison to be something else. “Zecora, are you certain of what you’re saying, that element is…or was…” Goldie was trying to speak from almost looking like the name was an old ghost tale, like it was something lost or something… “I am certain Golden Heart, for I’ve seen it, no doubt. It exist within that pony you’ve fought earlier just now.” Zecora nods in being serious, as she explain by rhyme, the one who now holds the Element of Venom was the jungle mare they saw. “Anakonda is the user to the Element of Venom?” Twilight responded off with wide surprise eyes; that seems almost too much of a coincidence. “Hugh, figures! A poisonous venom and snakes seem like an easy giveaway!” Rainbow Dash responded to roll her eyes, they meet a pony that hangs with and acts like a snake and even do poisonous performances like one too. “Zecora, why…why did she acted so strange to us and those things she said?” Twilight asked in also wanting to know why Anakonda said they don’t change causes fear blinds them when they see snakes; sure she is fearful of them, but still… “To know the truth, you must first seek it. Come, we go to the forest, no doubt that’s where the serpents have come to make their beds.” Zecora spoke her rhymes in gathering her things while stating where they can go here. “Does she ever run out of clever rhymes?” Phobos rolled his eyes to say something at the time. “Nope. And you just did one too.” Spike shook his head while saying Phobos just got into the rhyming gig too. “D’OH!” Phobos slapped his forehead in seeing he got suckered in from hearing so much rhyming stuff. “Guess we’re off to find Anakonda.” Nyx shrug off to say in seeing if they wanna solve this case, they have to get to the bottom of it. “We best be careful, no telling if we leave now, Ponyville will be vulnerable to an attack.” Ben spoke with concerns, with so many Royal Guards unable to keep watch of their kingdom, any enemy force could attack at any moment the rest of the gang are away. “Sombra, Autumn Gem, stay here with Tough Apple, Braeburn, Chief Thunderhooves & Little Strongheart and help the CMC, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Maxin Talos, Granny Smith, and inform Celestia who may come afterwards of what’s going on. Okay?” Pinkamena spoke to those here that can help keep watch on things to make sure all is well. “Right!” Those who were told of this nods in agreement to stay and hold the fort. Soon the group make their way out of the room at this time. They got a task to perform and a mission objective to complete, and this will be no small feat; lives are on the stake here. Hopefully, whatever the cure is against the powerful poison substance from the Element Of Venom is, the heroes can come across it once they meet up with Anakonda. Course, that sounds easy, sure, but the harder question will be….getting up close to chat with such a wild mare who acts and behaves like a snake. This…could take the gang some moments to figure out while everything goes dark now… Within the Everfree Forest, the scene goes straight towards where hidden deep there, many of the snakes and serpent hybrids are now resting after they left Ponyville. Anakonda had brought over a large sack of what was special snake food to feed hungry snakes. Many of the young and the grown up serpents ate without complaining as they slowly felt their strengths returning to them. “Hiisss….” A Boa Constrictor hissed off a bit from finishing a little meal to speak towards the snake mare that feed him. “(You are welcome, you see, if you listen, we not be in mess made.)” Anakonda spoke to her brethren by Parseltongue in scolding the ones that perform such a reckless action. “(We were hungry, we tried to recover strength faster.)” A King Cobra stated of why they had gone and done the deed. “(But them creatures got in way instead of flee.)” A Python protest to say this wasn’t their fault, some pony heroes wouldn’t let them have their moment. “(Do not worry, I took care of problem. Now no one will come to harm us.)” Anakonda spoke off to say this as her own matter of having dealt with the problem. “(But once strength return, we must make plan to get back our home, free others & queen.)” She explained their next step plan in taking back their home and freeing other serpents. “Hiiss….” Then suddenly, something alarmed a few of the snakes & serpent creatures as they lay their heads to the ground….and were suddenly feeling the shockwave vibration of the ground to sense afar….the approach of Twilight’s group. “(There are some creatures approaching.)” A Lamia stated off in sensing something from the ground. “(Judging by steps, they sound….few ponies, one made heavy metal, and two baby Dragons.)” A Fourth Hydra head issued off from detecting what sorta creatures are approaching. “(Haaaahhh….will they not leave us alone already?)” Anakonda hissed in fury in feeling angry that those that are coming are persistent. “(Should we stop them?)” All four Hydra Heads asked off in what they should do now. “(No, I shall handle them myself. This time….they won’t escape my poison.)” Anakonda held up her hoof to say that she’ll handle those coming, personally. Soon Anakonda was seen disappearing by camouflaging herself and was leaving the scene to go off to meet those coming after the Serpent Clan. Things grow dark here with many more puzzling questions of what’s yet to come. The scene shows the Mane Six, Goldie’s group, Nyx, the baby dragons and Zecora up front going into the Everfree Forest now. They have been there for about only a few short minutes trying to search for the one they wanna discuss things with. “Golden Heart, you sounded surprised about the element Anakonda uses, why?” Ben asked off something that was on his mind, and maybe Golden Heart who has been around, might know something. “Long ago Ben, that element was said to be a dangerous source for killing. Anyone with an evil heart wanted to misuse it, and it stroke fear in many ponies when they saw its power in action.” Golden Heart explained the case concerning the Element of Venom and how it was…misused. “I’ve only heard the tales of its use once, but it’s been forgotten when it was safely hidden.” He doesn’t know what happened afterwards, the element’s terrible power was not seen for as long as any ever-living alicorn or some knows it…until today. “Then how is it another pony is using it?” Rarity made a good question to be brought up here. “That’s the part we don’t know. She might have stubble across it or something.” Jack Zen shrug off to say that they don’t know where Anakonda got the element. “Best way to find out, is to go and find who the new user is.” Pinkamena stated the simple answer to the dilemma, go up and ask straight from the snake mare’s mouth. “So what’s the cure for the Element of Venom?” Omega asked forth in wondering what the cure for a powerful venom element is. “Like a venomous snake, the antidote lies within their fangs, so goes the same, for the one that is both pony and serpentine.” Zecora spoke her rhymes again in explaining the case of where they must get the antidote they seek…from Anakonda’s fangs. “Ye mean de cure is from Anakonda?” Applejack raised a disbelief eye in what they heard; Anakonda can cause poison effects, as well as cure any from hers or any other? “Great, like she’ll just let us do that!” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in thinking the snake mare will just peacefully give them what they need. “First we have to find her and then try to reach a negation.” Twilight spoke forth in explaining the best path to come towards. “Neat-o! Maybe we can agree and help another out!” Pinkie Pie smiled off in saying this with a positive outlook. “She seem like a pony who doesn’t like us, can we even find her?” Fluttershy spoke with some concerns in thinking otherwise if Anakonda will help them out. “Sometimes, you let what you seek, seek you instead.” Zecora explained this rhyme claim of what to do here. “Is that another way of saying what goes around, comes around?” Phobos asked off in not following what that sorta statement even means. “I think she means what we’re looking for might find us.” Nyx explained to her friend in what was best to understand. “Right, like we’re gonna find Anakonda just like that.” Spike shrug off to say while checking a nearby bush…. Suddenly a stomping noise is heard, causing the group to stop. A concerned Ben ask, "You guys hear something?" "It sounded like..." Pinkie said as the stomping noises are heard. "That we're in a fanmake of the Jurassic Park films!" "Eeek! Huge dinosaurs!" Fluttershy exclaims, backing off a bit. "But dinosaurs has been extinct for years!" Twilight protests in concern over that guess. "One couldn't be living in the Everfree Forest now!" Ben slowly moved back while holding his Master Sword. He mumbles, "I've heard that before. Where does it...?" The pony yelps as he notices that the ground is getting a bit sticky and slimy as if it was drooled on recently. "What the-?! Why is this place sticky..." Ben paused as something familiar came back to him. "...Slimy?" The stallion recently looked up and found a familiar place, a huge mouth that made him gulped. "Oh no!" CHOMP! The mouth closed up. Twilight and her friends turned and found a familiar Hydragoon standing before them who roared angrily...and has Ben right in his mouth! Ben screamed frantically inside the mouth, "HELP! Get me out of here! I don't want to go inside his stomach! This is the third time since the Bugbear Attack!" "Hey, what are you doing?!" Nyx yells out to Dragoking in alarm. "Release Ben at once, you big dumb meanie!" Fluttershy protests, causing Dragoking to growl at her. "Errr, whenever you can." "Let him out!" Twilight demands angrily. All that did was making Dragoking growled in anger before giving a smirk. She gasped as the princess realize what this guy was about to do. "Don't you dare-!" Dragoking swallowed Ben up through his long neck straight down to his stomach. Everyone gasped in shock. Ben has been eaten! Nyx exclaimed in anger, "DADDY! You-! You monster! Let him out now!" Dragoking snorts as if refusing. Twilight narrow her eyes as she declares, "Okay, then. Let's do the hard way! Cut his neck out!" Dragoking growled in anger but stopped as he felt something funny in his stomach. He looked down and found a sword piercing through his neck. SLASH! Dragoking's head fell to the ground. Ben coughed heavily as he quickly jumped and landed on the ground hard. That was disgusting! "I really hate going into that monster's stomach!" Ben complains in annoyance. What is it with what freak trying to eat him?! Ben sighed as he landed on the ground. Spike holding two fingers exclaims to his friend, "Ben! How many fingers I'm holding?" "Six?" "Guys... Is it me or that thing looks like-!" Rainbow yelps as she notices something's off with Dragoking's body. The ponies turn and saw that the monster's body is indeed moving! That doesn't look good. Something was trying to breach through Dragoking's chomped neck for the moment. As his neck was breached, it revealed an angry three headed Dragoking as they roared angrily at Twilight and her friends. Twilight, Ben, Nyx and the Dragon yelps in alarm, they've forgotten about that ability! Phobos and Spike gulped in fear, "Here we go again!" Ben groaned as he slaps himself on the face. "Great... I forgot... This thing has the Hydra's ability since he's an Ancient Beast." Dragoking was about to attack his enemies but stopped before a familiar mare who appeared from out of nowhere, calling out, "Father, stop!" "Father?!" The heroes but Zecora yells out in shock. There's Anakonda, appearing and getting in front of Dragoking! Dragoking growled in anger as he launched his middle head straight at Anakonda. Everyone gasped in worry and concern. For a moment, it looks like that jungle mare is a dead girl! Instead of eating her up however, Dragoking licked playfully and passionately on her body and her mane. Everyone was in shock and surprise of what they just saw. "Well..." Spike said, blinking a bit. "You don't see that everyday...." "I know." Twilight said slowly in agreement. Dragoking is treating that mare as if she is her daughter! "All right, well, we found her, so..." “Hiisss!” Then without warning, Anakonda jumps down to the group with an angry hiss. “Woah!” Spike yelps away from what he discovered as everyone was on high-alert. "Okay, first she saved us, now she turned on us?!" Rainbow yells out in annoyance. "Can this pony make up her hay pickin' mind?!" "Father, leave. I will handle these intruders." Anakonda hissed to Dragoking. The monster growls, nodding to Anakonda. He then snorts at the Mane Six's group before leaving the area, leaving them with the upset Anakonda. What the hay was that about? “What do you want now, come to finish us off!?” Anakonda spoke in fury of what the group was here to do as if the incident with Dragoking was long forgotten. “We’re here, because we need your help. Your poison is killing some innocent ponies and buffalo natives.” Twilight issued off in bringing this conversation up to date; they need something that only this pony can give them. “Innocent? So you say, but how can I trust from one’s that speak of truth?” Anakonda spoke off to say in not buying this little act of honesty of goodness. “What do you mean?” Ben raised an eyebrow in thinking there was something strange about that claim. “You all are no better than the dark aura creatures, who wish to use us for your own greedy satisfaction.” Anakonda spoke off with an angry look on her face. “The only one I trust is zebra shaman.” She points out in who she can truly feel at ease around. “You and I have come to know another when I offered aid to help a snake. But even still, our meeting was not just coincidence or fate.” Zecora spoke her rhymes in explaining the case of how the two have come to meet. “She one I can trust, but none of you!” Anakonda stated that though she trusts Zecora, she does not feel like trusting the others. “Why’s that? What we ever do?” Pinkamena raised an eyebrow in questioning what they could have done so wrong. "You attacked Father, cut off his head which made three more so you're lucky you didn't kill him!" "Uh, in my defense, Anakonda, he attacked us first." Ben points out to Anakonda that Dragoking attacked him first. "And try to eat me! What is his deal?!" “None of your business! Anyway, anything else, it is what you haven’t done, yet. And that is why, I won’t help you. Goodbye…” Anakonda spoke off to say this without an answer as she was turning away to leave… “You’re just gonna leave us, you’re a pony too, why you wanna hang with snakes anyway? You’re own kind is endangered?” Rainbow Dash asked off in what the deal was with Anakonda, she may act like a snake, but she’s still more pony than a serpent, so why? That got to Anakonda to cease her movement to slowly look back in feeling like she was hit with a bullet. The question is the hardest one to answer and some of the gang feel like they hurt a sensitive nerve. Could it be, there was a reason the wild mare is more comfy around snakes than with ponies? “You ask why I turn against my kind of ponies? It’s cause I hate being born as I am. A creature brought up from snakes and have most form of pony.” Anakonda spoke off in sounding very sadden, upset, lost and empty deep inside her very self. “But you want something I have in which I can do, my element, yes?” She asked this straight out in knowing what the group truly seeks; a cure from her poisonous element. “Right, de venom thing.” Applejack nods off to say this of what they are here to get. “Do you not know of the dangers this power is. Do you not know why so many of my kind has been hunted, slaughtered, all for their scales and to extract snake venom for weapons,” Anakonda looked to the gang with a strict stern expression, telling how many are killed, all for the sake of getting snake’s venom. “Oh my, that does sound terrible!” Rarity gasped in surprise shock, hearing how snakes have it made like that seems…cruel. “Worse, yes, because my element is what all creatures fear, that why they hate me as your so-called ‘innocent’ creatures said. They hate what they fear and do not know. They let greedy hearts want to kill what I have or use me.” Anakonda explained with an upset frown in knowing too well about how those that claim to be innocent can hide a greedy heart of wanting her power for their own end or some with fear just wants her gone. “Oh dear, we never do that. I’m a lover of all animals, even snakes.” Fluttershy gasped in seeing the point; that was too much to take in, they aren’t like that. “Yeah, sure…we fought snakes, but only if it’s to defend ourselves.” Pinkie Pie slowly stated this out while knowing they never are that cruel. “Anakonda, please, tell us why you are away from home so far.” Zecora asked the bigger question, such as what has caused all this to happen. “Dark aura beings came for us…for me…we left, but others and queen got caught.” Anakonda looked down in sorrow in stating that her home was attacked, creatures that came for her, but did not get her. “Then how about this, we help you and you can help us with the antidote.” Twilight spoke in trying to come up with a solution of helping the other out. “I find term of aid debatable, especially since the one I not trust most, is you…princess….” Anakonda spoke this with a grim attitude towards Twilight. “Me?” Twilight replied off a bit surprise to hear this; why can't she be trusted? “Twilight, why her?” Ben asked off why this was important, what did Anakonda have against trusting Twilight? “I can speak to snakes, they told me of her fear of them. She hates them, despises them, how can I trust her to save my brethren when she not want any part of it.” Anakonda issued off with an upset face in seeing Twilight is not one to be trusted to save serpent lives when she is frighten of them. Many felt that was a tricky riddle of a question, the answer seems harder to come across. “Please wait, I wanna help. Yes, I’m afraid of snakes, but I’m afraid of my friends dying, I can’t just ignore it. You have to trust me.” Twilight pleaded for Anakonda to see from her eyes that she’s sincere. She may be afraid of snakes, but more afraid of not overcoming that fear when lives are on the line. “I go now, I think for while, but don’t expect good answer, cause trust must be earn, not ask.” Anakonda looked away to speak this off, but from the tone…it might be a 'no' for an answer. Then Anakonda left to go into the forest to vanish from sight and left everyone lost in thought of what to do now. If they don't help each other out, then nothing is going to be solved. “Well, that could have gone better.” Jack Zen slowly spoke in seeing the situation isn’t what they were hoping to achieve. “Did some of you look into her eyes, I think there was a sense of…loneliness.” Pinkamena spoke in feeling that whatever was wrong with Anakonda, it look like she was some poor soul without home or friends. Something she has come across from certain time to time points in life. “I think I saw it too, she feels like everyone around sees her as a monster.” Nyx spoke in feeling like it’s a feeling she knows very much; kinda like when she was seen as the reincarnation monster form of the evil Nightmare Moon. “Anakonda’s life within the Serpent Clan was no easy upbringing. Many as you know do not get along with snakes and her venom is rare indeed, they’ll hunt to kill or capture to obtain what they seek.” Zecora spoke with her rhymes in explaining the reality of things, how many find it hard to accept Anakonda for she is more a monster than pony. “There must be a way to reach an understanding.” Omega spoke in wondering if there was a way to help. “Perhaps way to touch a soul that knows it’s an outcast is to open up more to another…like her.” Zecora spoke her rhymes again, this time with a smile and thoughtful plan. “And there with us, is one who truly has felt the harshness of being treated like an evil creature than as a pony being.” She stated off to say that they have one that may help out in Anakonda’s case. Eyes were soon on the only pony around here that could even be remotely close to the description. The one that could help the Wild Snake Mare out the most was a certain black filly from the group that realized what was going on. “Me?” Nyx responded off in seeing that she was the one to do the task. “Of course, Nyx was once the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon, maybe she can get through to Anakonda.” Goldie slap his forehead in seeing it, Nyx should have experienced such hardships to even know to figure out much of Anakonda’s own secret suffering. “Sounds risky, you sure you’re up to this Nyx?” Ben responded in thinking this mission relying on his daughter is much to ask for; there might only be a 50/50 shot. “I can try daddy, after all….she feels like there is no pony that would love her; I can understand that feeling.” Nyx spoke off in feeling like she can relate to Anakonda, they both have been through something of the same field of being mistreated. “Honey, normally I wouldn’t do this, but….I’m going to trust you. Please, help Anakonda reconsider in us helping each other.” Twilight bends down to hug her daughter in asking, prying that Nyx can succeed in the task at hand. They need Anakonda to help them & for them to help her but only if the wild mare trusts them... “I won’t let you or anyone down. I’ll do it.” Nyx nods forth with a serious face in promising that. “Then follow me, I think I know where Anakonda will be. So in order for this to work, we must not be seen, for young Nyx to help bring relief to another’s broken spirit beat.” Zecora spoke forth in stating a plan by her rhymes that they shall be hidden while Nyx does what she can to help. Now everyone moves out in knowing what they need to get doing here, find Anakonda, try to reach the snake mare to trust the heroes and then figure out what to do in helping each other out. How will things even go down from here to the next, no one knows. As everything goes dark at the moment, with time still ticking, and hopefully…they still have a chance to make it… Author's Note Well this is done, about halfway through now Jus. In the next chapter, we look into Anakonda's past in how she was brought up in Equestria by snakes and became the Element User of Venom. And during the whole story, Nyx tries to help get connected to the snake mare, understanding how they are kindred spirits who many wanted to use another for evil. And will Anakonda come to terms to allow the first actual good ponies help the Serpent Clan retake their home....that remains to be seen. So let’s enjoy what's here while awaiting the next chapter, things are just getting more interesting as they are...