"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!" Terry shouted coming out of his hole while everyone else did the same. "WHAT WAS THAT?!"

"I don't know!" Ricky panicked. "I certainly didn't see that coming!"

"Joe, I can't believe you were juggling that thing!" Terry continued his rant! "Devastator, what happened?!"

"Devastate!"

"You just... scratched it? And all that happened!"

"I hope we don't find out what happens when you insult its mother." Joe said.

"JOE, SERIOUSLY?!" Marty shouted.

"WELL, EXCUSE ME FOR TRYING TO MAKE THIS PLEASANT!" Joe shouted. "IT'S HOW I COPE!"

"DEVASTATE!"

"What about Aaron?!" Terry shouted.

The other wirewolves were surprised when he crawled out of his hole making painful grunts. They gasped when they saw a giant-sized hole in his chest. Most people surrounded him, but Ricky stayed back looking devastated.

"What happened?!" Joe asked.

"He must have been struck by that Apple!" Marty panicked. "What can we do?!"

"Devastate!"

"Joe and Marty?" Terry asked. "How can they help?"

"Devastate."

"You think so?" Terry asked. "Well, you haven't steered me wrong yet."

"What'd he say?" Marty asked.

"Joe, you can change Aaron's broken parts into new ones." Terry said. "Marty, once he's done, you meld his metal back together."

"You got it." Marty said.

"All righty-tighty, lefty-loosey." Joe said.

But despite all that, Ricky didn't join them. He looked at the Golden Apple sitting on the ground. He took it and ran out of the area without anyone noticing. When he thought he was far enough, he rested and looked at the fruit he took.

"You're nothing but trouble." Ricky growled. "I can't believe that magic map led me to you. I told that thing I wanted a way home, but instead, I found you, and you hurt one of my friends." He lowered his head. "No. I hurt him. I dragged him along this wild goose chase, and now look at him. I was stupid to think a miracle would happen just like that. ...And now, it's hopeless."

"Maybe not."

Ricky raised his head and heard a strange voice in front of him. He saw Tartus and Greengear approaching him.

"Who... are you?" Ricky asked.

"Name's Tartus. And this is my crew, Greengear. And I've been waiting a long time to meet you, Shadow Blot."

"Look, pal, if you're here to join me in my quest to return to Equestria, I can tell you, you're wasting your time."

"My boy, I have no business in Equestria. At the moment, I am needed here. However, it looks like you're at the very edge of a way home."

"You mean this?" Ricky held up the Golden Apple. "I don't think so. I told a magic map I wanted a way home, but all this did was hurt my friend."

"Maybe the map lead you to the apple so you could give it to me in exchange for a way back to Equestria." "What?" Ricky asked. "If that's true, why didn't the map just lead me to you directly?"

"Because I don't just happen to help any wirewolf cross worlds out of the goodness of my heart." Tartus explained. "I'm not a charity. I need a deal struck. And, as it so happens, the Golden Apple is a perfect exchange."

"Wait." Ricky said. "How do you know of the Golden Apple?"

"It's my business to know. As a scientist, I explore endless possibilities. My specialty is the Golden Apple's folklore."

"Seems pretty convenient." Ricky said. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Did you know that approximately 33% of the Apple's power is capable of creating an artificial universe, or that the Apple is merely part of a set of 3 ancient artifacts called the Relics of Creation?" Ricky didn't answer. "Didn't think so. It might interest you to know that it can also open a portal to Equestria and restore your pony form at the same time... if you know how to use it."

"What?" Ricky asked. He was about to give him the apple, but he stopped himself. "I still don't know. It's pretty dangerous, and there are some monsters after it."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Jade said. "If you're smart..."

"Now, now, Jade." Tartus said. "I can tell you're hesitant, Ricky. So what if I promise that I won't harm Equestria?"

"Really?" Ricky asked. "Do you mean it?"

"Kid, there are a few other ways to return you to your home and even fewer to turn you back into a pony. My deal promises both. I mean, unless you want to go back to Equestria looking like a sci-fi/horror flick.

"I know you've waited years for this moment

To finally have a chance to go back home

But you better think twice

'Cause everything has a price

You could risk ending up all alone"

"Oh, whoa, whoa" Greengear sang,

"Oh, whoa, whoa"

"Now, I know you've missed her all your life" Tartus sang,

"And you'd give anything to reunite

Well, I shouldn't have to say

But if you go your own way

All they'll see is something that isn't right"

"Oh, whoa, whoa" Greengear sang,

"Oh, whoa, whoa

Pony or monster

Pony or monster

Which one will return to Equestria

It won't be a horse

But a wolf, of course

In the eyes of dear Celestia

Oh, whoa, whoa

Oh, whoa, whoa"

"They'll call you a freak or a beast" Tartus sang,

"And that's just in the least

Look in the mirror, and that's all they will see

But I can fix whatever ails

My work never fails

All you have to do is give the Golden Apple to me"

"Oh, whoa, whoa" Greengear sang

"Oh, whoa, whoa

Pony or monster

Pony or monster

Only he can do the job

Don't hide the fact

That they'll just react

By breaking out into a mob

Oh, whoa, whoa

Oh, whoa, whoa"

"I merely wish to help a friend out" Tartus sang,

"To get you back to the girl you miss

What makes you think she'll just accept

A guy like you that looks like this

They say you should always be yourself

But if you do, you'll just be scorned

If you just give the apple to me

THEN, I GUARANTEE, YOU'LL BE REBOOOOOOOOOOORN"

"PONY OR MONSTER" Greengear sang,

"PONY OR MONSTER

YOU CAN DREAM, BUT IT'S NOT REAL

TO TRULY LIVE IT

YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT

TAKE HIS HAND AND SEAL THE DEAL

PONY OR MONSTER

WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE

PONY OR MONSTER

WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE"

"This could be my only chance to really return" Ricky sang.

"PONY OR MONSTER" Greengear sang,

"WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE"

"At last, I can be reunited with her" Ricky sang.

"PONY OR MONSTER" Greengear sang,

"WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE"

"The risk is too high to just ignore" Ricky sang.

"PONY OR MONSTER" Greengear sang,

"WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE"

"ALL I HAVE TO DO IS GET RID OF THIS CUUUUUURSE" Ricky sang.

"PONY OR MONSTER" Greengear sang,

"WHICH ONE WILL YOU...

PONY OR MONSTER

WHICH ONE WILL YOU...

PONY OR MONSTER

WHICH ONE WILL YOU...

CHOOSE"

Without hesitating, Ricky forwarded his hand quickly and passed the Golden Apple into Tartus' offering, metallic hands. Accepting it, Tartus took a closer look at his prize.

"It's more beautiful than I ever imagined." Tartus admired. "The physical vessel of pure chaos, and I can hold it with just one hand."

"All right, you've had your fun." Ricky said. "Now, send me back to Equestria."

"Oh." Tartus said. "Of course. As you wish." He reached out his open hand and made a strike at the air. Suddenly, his claws created what looked like a claw-mark in thin air, only the marks show Canterlot.

"What's this?" Ricky asked.

"A portal." Tartus said creeping behind the wirewolf.

"Hold on." Ricky said turning to Tartus. "I thought you said you needed the Apple to do that."

"No, I said I needed the Apple to open a portal and change you back at the same time... but I'm just going to do the former."

Before Ricky could respond, Tartus pushed him back. Ricky began to trip and fall through the portal, but he grabbed the ground before he could fall down. He looked up and saw Tartus towering above him with a smug smile and the Golden Apple in his metal claw.

"What's the hold up?" Tartus asked. "I thought you wanted to go back to Equestria. Having cold feet? Don't worry, you won't have to worry about ponies fearing you for long; just until Kul'as comes in Underlings a-blazing after I give him the Golden Apple."

"What?!" Ricky asked. "But... you promised you wouldn't hurt Equestria!"

"No." Tartus said. "What I said was, 'what if I promised I wouldn't hurt Equestria'. It's not like we had a contract. That's the crack in your armor, Ricky: you're far too trusting. There are many beings in the Multiverse like me who don't follow the same principles as you do. You tried to make a friends out of me, but the sad truth is this: I've never had friends, and I. Never. Will."

"But why?" Ricky asked. "We just met! I did nothing to you!"

"Correction: you did nothing... yet."

Suddenly, Tartus pointed the Golden Apple and a yellow burst of energy escaped from it and hit Ricky. He felt some of the light enter his body. He was so overtaken, he had to let go. He released the ledge and fell down until he hit an empty alleyway. When he was gone, Tartus grabbed the edges of the portal and closed them.

"I've been waiting a long time to do that," Tartus said, "And it was worth it."

"Hey, boss," Jade said, "What about those other wirewolves? Can we tear them apart now?"

"Easy, Jade." Tartus said calming down his lead vulture.. "For now, send word to Kul'as. Tell him, I've got the Golden Apple."

Author's Note

Well, Ricky finally got what he wanted; he's back in Equestria, but at what cost? FYI, I've got a lot of songs for Tartus in the future that I just don't want to get rid of.

The song here is a parody of "Unleash the Magic" from Equestria Girls: Friendship Games.