A Wolf Among Caribou

"They're getting better." Rage said as he, Elisa, Evan, and Ash looked over the blueprints that showed the additions to the Caribou arsenal.

"And more dangerous," Elisa stated.

Then we just improve our arsenal no pressure." Evan said.

“And how exactly are we supposed to do that?” Rage asked. “Even if we built these things ourselves, it’ll just be another damn stalemate.”

“Well, I don’t know, smart guy,” Elisa snapped. “I don’t see you coming up with any bright ideas.”

“I got one in mind,” Rate sneered as he held his hand over his gun.

"What would that be?" Ash asked curiously.

“Well…you won’t like it,” Rage sighed. “It involves taking a trip to the Vault.”

"Rage?" Ash asked with concern in his tone.

“You know what I speak of, brother,” Rage said. “We need the Paradigm Shift.”

"Rage no that thing is off limits." Ash declared.

"Uh, what shift?" Evan asked.

“Years ago, before the war, Ash and I were working on a little project for Celestia’s army,” Rage explained. “She and Luna felt as though they were reliant on Ash and me too much and the soldiers were stuck on the sidelines whenever a major threat made itself known. So, Ash invented a battle suit that would’ve bolstered the troop's battle capabilities.”

“That sounds pretty cool,” Evan said.

“The hell it was…” Ash said. “The prototype was a disaster.”

“Ash, you can’t keep blaming yourself,” Rage said. “The soldier made a full recovery after all.”

“Someone mind telling us what happened?” Elisa asked.

“The suit was basically an exo suit harder hitting balanced armor and maneuverability but during tests, the wearer nearly died due to a power failure we were unable to resolve so the project was abandoned," Ash explained.

“And that’s why we need to perfect it,” Rage said. “Ash, even you have to agree that if we get that thing working in perfect conditions, those bastards wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to our forces even with all these new weapons they’re making.”

“You talk big but I’ll remind you that we tried several attempts to perfect it but they all ended in failure,” Ash said. “I’m smart, Rage, but I’m no genius. Not even Twilight could figure it out, and it almost drove her crazy.”

“Then we just need a bigger brain to help us,” Rage said. “And again, you won’t like it. In fact, you’re gonna hate who I have in mind.” (edited)

"Oh this ought to be good if you're suggesting this then I can't wait for who you have in mind," Ash said.

“Mad Gear." Rage said causing Ash to look at Rage quietly before letting out a groan while rubbing his eyes.

"Of all the...ugh." Ash sighed.

Ash began to pace back and forth before he took a large breath.

"Fine I'll go see Diamond Cutter but there is a chance he's not going to agree so don't get your hopes up okay?

“Uh, Ash? Again, care to fill us in?” Evan said.

“Yeah, who’s this Mad Gear guy?” Eliza asked.

"He's a Diamond Dog who calls himself my rival in terms of inventing but his latest...invention if you can call it that was...Catastrophic and it resulted in him being locked away." Ash explained.

“Eish, what’d he do?” Eliza asked.

“Made a drill that almost destroyed the whole Diamond Dog kingdom in a massive sinkhole,” Rage said. “He argued it was to mine gems and minerals more efficiently.”

"He's been under tight security ever since," Ash explained.

The group of four then traveled through the castle till they found Diamond Cutter and when Ash explained the situation Diamond Cutter couldn't hide her annoyed expression.

“Ash…” Diamond Cutter pinched the bridge of her snout. “Even if it’s you, you cannot be serious.”

“Afraid I’m as serious as can be,” Ash said.

“After what he did?!” Diamond Cutter snapped. “And yet, to this day, he STILL says it was for the greater good! And he still blames you!”

"I'm fully aware of that and I would not ask if it wasn't necessary and for all his faults he has invented various things that have made life for the Diamond Dogs better he just...slipped off his rails when he discovered my skills." Ash pointed out.

“And you’re sure there’s no one else to help you with this suit of yours?” Diamond Cutter asked.

"I would be there if I knew someone like that hell even Twilight was stumped," Ash explained.

“…very well,” Diamond Cutter said and waved to her attendants. “Bring in the condemned scientist.”

"Pardon but I wish to go to see him. The sooner we get this over and done with the better...Rage can you get the suit?" Ash asked.

"Done it'll be in the workshop." Rage said before departing.

With that Ash teleported the remaining individuals of the group to the city prison and entered easily before going to where the mental patients were kept upon arrival at a cell the guard opened the door where the group gazed upon a Diamond Dog who was busy scribbling mathematic equations on the padded walls of his cell while muttering to himself and twitching every so often.

"Mad Gear," Ash said hoping to get the Diamond Dog's attention.

The Diamond Dog was small and looked like a Pomeranian with patches of fur missing. He froze and slowly looked over his shoulder to see Ash.

“Ash…Blade?” The Dog said in a raspy voice.

Ash then slowly stepped into the room.

"Been awhile hasn't it," Ash said.

“DEAD!” Mad Gear suddenly said. “You…you are dead! I heard! You shouldn’t be alive! I saw your headless corpse! Dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! Why aren’t you dead?!” (edited)

"I guess his news is a little out of date...wait headless?" Ash asked.

“Does not matter!” Mad Gear said and went back to scribbling. “Must solve the equation. Must complete masterpiece! All for the queen…for my knowledge!” He looked back at Ash. “Why are you still here? Begone! You can’t compare to my genius!”

“Gear I need your help," Ash said.

“Begone with you, I say! I have no help to give!” Mad Gear said.

Ash then stepped out of the room and shrugged.

"Dosn't seem like he wants to listen to me either he still hates me or thinks I'm all in his head," Ash explained.

“Does that mean I can kick his ass now?” Elisa asked. “Maybe that’ll make him more compliant.”

"Somehow I doubt it," Ash replied.

“Then how do we get him to help us?” Evan wondered.

“You could always appeal to him,” Elisa suggested.

“Elaborate,” Ash said.

“You said you two had a rivalry, right?” She asked and Ash nodded. “Then that doesn’t necessarily mean he hates you. It probably just means he wants to be better than you at inventing. So why not try to acknowledge that he is?”

"Didn't I already do that by asking for his help?" Ash pointed out.

“That’s not appealing to him,” Elisa said. “I mean you should acknowledge his status as an inventor and say shit like he’s better than you.”

“Oh for fuck sake." Ash groaned before returning to the room. "Mad Gear I have a problem I can't solve and I need your help because you're better than I am."

Mad Gear once again paused from his scribblings.

“And why is that?” Mad Gear said. “You cannot fool me! You only wish to upstage me again by making me lower my guard! But I’ll show you! I’ll show them all with my newest creation!”

Ash looked back at Eliza and Evan with a deadpanned expression and they just shrugged in response.

"May I try," Diamond spoke causing Ash to look at her in thought before he made a gesture to the queen to have an attempt.

The queen stepped forward while Mad Gear scribbled.

“Gear,” Diamond Cutter said.

“Greetings…cousin,” Gear spoke in a spiteful tone.

"Cousin?" Ash mentally asked.

"Cousin!?" Evan and Elisa screeched aloud.

“Gear, please listen,” Cutter said.

“Like how you listened to me?” Gear spat while still scribbling away. “How convenient your so-called comrade, who also is my bitter rival, comes to my aid you so happen to be present after not bothering to even send me a letter.”

"I have tried seeing you in person but you turn me away every time what good would sending a letter do," Diamond said sadly.

“Hmph, I’m far too busy to be dealing with you,” Gear scoffed. “Oh! This equation! I’m close! Now onto the next!”

"Mad will you at the very least entertain the idea Ash himself is asking for your help I'm asking for your help I have not forgotten all the good you have done for our people and before you speak your last invention nearly killed thousands and destroyed our kingdom if it were not for my intervention you would have been executed," Diamond said.

“ONE MISTAKE!” Gear yelled at Cutter. “THAT’S ALL IT WAS! A MISTAKE! YET HERE I ROT WITH MY IMPENDING MADNESS!”

"I know but I can't change the minds of the masses despite me being their queen and you being my cousin," Diamond said.

“Yet here you stand…” Gear said before continuing with his equation.

"Gear...please help us...what can I do?" Diamond asked.

Gear paused from his scribbling and looked at Cutter. “What can you do?”

“Yes, anything, please,” Cutter said.

“You’ve never asked me that before,” Gear said. “Not since your mother passed. You haven’t asked anyone that because you always knew what to do.”

"Gear...our world is in a state of war against a country full of male supremacists who consider females to be nothing but pleasure objects for their personal use and standing beside them are males from various species who have sided with them...how is anyone to know what to do considering the circumstances," Diamond said almost breaking down in tears.

Gear stopped scribbling and turned to face Diamond.

“How can I trust you?” Gear asked. “I’ve been in here for so long with nothing but my thoughts.”

"When you say that there is no way I can ask you to trust me...but still I am asking," Diamond said.

Gear peered past Cutter and looked at Ash.

“And what if you?” Gear asked. “Did you mean what you said about my inventing surpassing yours?”

"My words had no lie," Ash said.

“Then why did you have to steal my glory?” Gear questioned. “I was well-respected as an inventor until you showed up with your otherworldly inventions. Nothing I created could hold up to your standards.”

"I never meant to steal your glory Gear and I never intended to be a rival with you," Ash said with a sigh.

Gear stared at Ash as if trying to gauge his words and looked at Cutter who still awaited his response.

“What help could I provide after so many years of confinement?” Gear said as he looked at his hands. “There’s no telling when I’ll have another breakdown or go completely mad and sabotage everything.”

"Perhaps you just need to see the problem to get your inspiration running," Diamond suggested.

Gear thought about his offer and scratched his chin.

“What exactly do you need help with?” Gear asked.

“The power core for an exo suit,” Ash said.

“Oh, for the love of-! You still haven’t figured that out?!” Gear groaned. “Blade! It needs a Phaze Core!”

"A what core? Also, where can I get one of those?" Ash asked.

“What do you think those ships are powered by that the Caribou use?” Gear deadpanned.

"Of fucking course it is." Ash groaned.

"Wait a sec what is a Phase Core?" Evan asked.

"Think of it like a small super battery the caribou somehow produced it should be small enough that it can fit into a suit." Mad Gear said.

"So what does it look like?" Elisa asked.

"I don't know exactly but it will be in the center of the engine powering everything." Gear said.

“Hold it right there!”

The sudden voice of Ash’s lover Spitfire filled the group’s ears as the mare herself marched up to Ash with a huff.

“Spitz? What’re-?” Ash tried to say.

“Save it!” Spitfire snapped. “You’re gonna go off on yet another mission, aren’t ya?!”

"Well yeah someone has to go." Ash pointed out.

“Not right now, you’re not!” Spitfire said, getting in his face. “I knew you were gonna go off yet again without warning, so I followed you here! You still owe the rest of your herd a long overdue question! And it involves us mares, you, and a bucking ring on our fingers!” (edited)

"Oh my," Diamond stated with surprise while Elisa and Evan looked anywhere but Ash while whistling innocently.

"Uh, I... what." Ash stuttered in bewilderment unsure of what to say or do at Spitfire's brazen demand.

“Girls! Get in here!” Spitfire called out from the hall. Soon, Moon and Tempest came into view and stood by Spitfire. “Well?!”

“Drama~!” Eliza teased, making Ethan snort in amusement.

"Wait, wait wait time out where did this all spring from?" Ash asked.

“Well for one, Luna,” Moon said. “Every time she’s in the room, we can’t help but glance at her wedding band.”

“Not to mention you two have sons,” Tempest said. “And you had a wonderful ceremony, from what I’m told.”

“We love you, Ash, but if we’re not hitched, then what exactly are we?” Spitfire asked. “You can’t honestly tell us we’re still your marefriends. That’s foalish! We’re grown-ass mares!”

"Well, you all make a great point...but I can't propose-." Ash stated.

"WHAT!" The three mares screeched in outrage.

"At least not yet and I'll explain why." Ash finished causing the mares to stop and take a moment and wait for Ash's explanation. I love you all equally and if I'm to propose to all of you I wanna do it right and that means I have to get a ring for all of you and I don't mean a random ring you can just buy at the store you see the ring Luna wears I made it for her and to show I have the same amount of love I have for her I have for all of you I want to make a ring for each of you each one being unique and reflecting you all as a whole."

All the mares cross their arms under their busts and deadpan at Ash.

"What?" Ash asked.

“Just ask already, damn it!” Eliza barked.

Ash merely let out a breath before he got onto one knee and looked at each of the mares in his herd in the eyes.

"Moon, Tempest, Spitfire will you do me the honor of being my wives?" Ash asked.

There was a pause in the room as the mares looked down at Ash. Their reactions soon made themselves known as Moon started to tear up as a wide smile stretched across her lips. Tempest’s face became redder than Ash had ever seen her as her body trembled with excitement. Spitfire’s wings twitched and shook as she also bore a wide smile and tried her damndest to hold back her tears.

“…yes!” Spitfire spoke. “Yes! Buck yes! I’ll marry you!”

“I’ve been waiting so long!” Moon wept happily. “Yes! Please make me your bride! I’ve longed to be your loving wife forever!”

“I…never thought I’d have anypony propose to me,” Tempest said. “But you’ve been so kind and thoughtful to me, how could I say no? Yes, Ash, I would love nothing more than to marry you too.”

All at once, the three mares wrapped Ash in a loving group hug as they peppered his face with kisses and affection.

Elisa and Evan began to whistle and clap while Diamond joined in with a small applause of her own Ash then returned the affection with kisses of his own before he stood up and wrapped his wings around the three mares in a hug.

"I better get onto those rings and also ask Celestia that question shouldn't I," Ash said.

“Ya think?” Evan said. “But congrats, man.”

“Yes, yes, congratulations, and all that,” Mad Gear said. “Now, can someone please escort me back to my lab?”

“Does that mean you’ll help?” Ash asked while still being smothered with affection.

“I suppose I should lend a hand, considering those caribou are as ruthless as they come,” Mad Gear said.

"Wonderful I'll have the officers organise the release," Ash said.

"Meanwhile we're gonna go see where we can find an airship with this core you mentioned," Elisa said.

“And we’re gonna go prep the ceremony!” Spitfire said as she pulled Ash’s arm. “C’mon! I bet Celestia will faint when you pop the question to her!”

“That or smother me in a hug," Ash said.

Back at the Palace

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!”

Ash's vision was blacked out and he could feel his body being shaken like a ragdoll because the moment Ash proposed to Celestia she flung her arms around him pulled him into her bosom and was now jumping for joy. (edited)

“YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!”

"Sister please curb your enthusiasm otherwise there will be a funeral rather than a wedding...an experience I do not wish to repeat," Luna stated flatly.

“BUT I’M GETTING MARRIED!” Celestia cried as she continued to bounce with Ash in her grasp. “AFTER OVER A MILLENNIA OF WAITING, I’M FINALLY WITH THE STALLION OF MY DREAMS!”

"A feeling I sympathize with but come now, Celestia." Luna pleaded as she gestured to Ash's form.

Celestia eventually let Ash breathe from being smothered, only to open her mouth and plant it right on Ash’s mouth.

Ash managed to get a breath of air before being kissed full on the lips and he was about to berate Celestia but such thought melted away with the kiss from the sun goddess and after a long kiss Celestia pulled away.

"I do believe this calls for a special occasion," Celestia said with a smirk on her lips.

“Can…(wheeze) I at least…(wheeze) catch my damn breath?!” Ash said as he took in deep breaths. “I don’t intend to meet your father a second time!”

"Celestia and Luna both giggled at this before Celestia gasped.

"Oh, I must inform Mother and the others they'll be so excited!" Celestia squealed before vanishing in a flash of golden light.

"You know beloved it's an understandable reaction what Celestia had I thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest," Moon stated with an excited smile.

"Now ladies I do suggest you best go to Rarity to get your latest measurements and dress ideas before we think on and organize the ceremony," Luna said to Moon, Tempest, and Spitfire.

The three mares come together in a group hug and head out for Rarity's shop, leaving Ash and Luna alone. "Well. That happened."

"I'm proud of you, sweetie," Luna tells him before kissing his cheek. "I'll help with the wedding plans."

"Well then don't let me hold you up," Ash said with a small laugh after returning the kiss before she departed.

"Congrats, man," Ethan said as he came up behind Ash. "So, we ready to head out?"

"Ethan, I take it you found what we were looking for?" Ash asked.

"Indeed. We found a ship that holds what we need. It's over Rainbow Falls," Ethan said.

"Rainbow Falls? Cocky bastards just don't learn don't they." Ash sighed with annoyance.

"Never do," Elisia said as she came up.

"Well, do we know anything about the asshole running this ship, or is that a guessing game?" Ash asked.

“All we're sure about is that it's a former Wonderbolt. Makes sense, when you think about it," Rage said as he came up with some papers.

"Damn Spits and Dash are gonna hate this...well no use beating around the bush let's go clear the skies," Ash said.

(That night)

Ash and the rest of the Harbingers rode on a rouge cloud over the falls. They didn't have to look hard to find the ship they were looking for, since it took up the whole sky above the falls, turning the once colorful waters into grey and green sludge. "Fucking bastards." Rage growled as they looked at the condition of the landscape.

"Another mistake we'll have to clean up," Ash said as they got closer. Once they were right over it, they finally saw the name of the ship. "Dainn's Sword."

"My money was on him naming it after his dick," Elisia remarked as they made it to the aft.

"Makes you wonder how difficult it would be for these assholes if they were forced to take part in No Nut November." Rage stated.

"Well let's get to work," Ash said as he walked off the cloud and descended upon the warship.

There was very little crew on the top deck, and the few that were were asleep or in the middle of rapping some poor female.

And as for the ones patrolling the four quickly slit their throats and threw them over the edge before moving on.

They then went to the rapping scumbags and just threw them over the railing with cum soaked cloth in their mouths. After that, they went below deck.

The halls had carpet floors with timber walls and steel doorways with ornate light sources lighting the passages.

Following the signs they journeyed towards the engine room so they could secure the core.

Upon locating the desired room the four god-like individuals killed the guards outside quickly before entering.

The first thing the four took notice of was that it was hot in the room stupidly so...Ash saw various stallions in chains shoveling coal into giant furnaces and in the center of the room, there seemed to be a giant generator.

“It seems the engines for the ship along with the electrical system are powered by that big ass generator while heating is powered by the boilers." Ash pointed out.

"Ash? Is that you?" came a voice Ash was familiar with and when he looked his eyes went wide with recognition.

"Bow...Bow Hothoof?" Ash asked when he spotted the father of Rainbow Dash.

"Hey!"

Turning to the voice that spoke up Ash saw a caribou guard who must have been patrolling the room armed with a rifle and aiming it at them but before the Harbingers could react there was a loud clang before the caribou fell revealing Gentle Breeze father of Fluttershy.

"Nicely done sir." Rage commented.

"I never cared much for violence before. But this prick had it coming," Gentle said before whacking the guy again when he tried to get up again. "Stay down, bitch!"

"Ha Gentle Breeze swears." Rage chuckles.

"You boys alright?" Ash asked.

"We're fine Ash well as we can be anyway but he's got our wives." Bow exclaims.

"Who does?" Ash asks.

"Wind Rider every stallion here is married and every time the scum ball rapes one of them the husband is forced to watch," Bow said.

"I had to watch that scum take my wife multiple times. If I ever get my hands on that bastard, I'd castrate him with a spoon!" Gentle barked while gripping his shovel tighter.

Suddenly fire started emitting from Rage's body causing several stallions to back off.

"Hey don't make it any hotter in here than it is dude," Elisa said as she gently backhanded Rage on the shoulder.

Rage shook his head, getting his senses back. "Sorry, but that pissed me off."

"I get it Rage...Elisa, Evan you handle things here. Rage you get the mares I'll deal with Wind Rider." Ash stated.

"Ash," Bow came over and pointed to the front of the ship. "The bastard's in the captain's quarters." He then grabs Ash's arm and looks him in the eye. "Make it hurt."

Ash patted Bow's shoulder reassuringly before he and Rage departed.

Rage and Ash soon split up to complete their objectives Ash noted that this Wind Rider creep was a real narcissist portrait of himself in dramatic hero poses that were as large as a person were upon the walls as he traversed the halls and along the way many caribou and traitors fell to Ash till he finally arrived at a set of ornate wooden doors with Wind Rider's cutie mark emblazoned upon the door and Ash could hear the sound of grunts and moans within giving Ash a good idea what was going on.

Ash then took out a throwing knife and checked his revolvers were loaded before he cracked his neck.

Ash then kicked the door off its hinges and took stock of the room and saw only Wind Rider was in the room along with a mare he was currently fucking on his desk with his hand on her neck.

Wind Rider was shocked by the sudden entry of the god of Equestria he had no time to dodge or intercept the knife that Ash threw until it was too late.

The knife flew through the air and impaled Wind Rider in the wing and the force from the throw was strong enough to pull Wind Rider off the mare and pull him into the wall opposite the doors of his quarters causing the seasoned pegasus to cry out in pain.

Ash then stepped forward his eyes glaring daggers into Wind Rider with righteous fury that is until movement from the mare on the desk caught his attention upon looking at the mare Ash recognized her immediately as Stormy Flare mother of his soon-to-be wife Spitfire.

The mare was a mess she wore no clothes, her fur, mane, and tail were covered with various fluids and her body showed clear signs of abuse such as bruises around her neck and body with rope marks on her wrists and hooves The poor mare even had a black eye and cut lip and worst of it was that she seemed oblivious to the world and had on her neck a purple collar.

The second she saw Ash, she raised her right arm slightly, either out of pain, exhaustion, or both, and beckoned him over. "F...fuck me."

Ash teleported over to Stormy's side before he gently lifted her off the table and placed her on the ground.

"Easy Mrs. Flare," Ash said as he set the mare down.

With a low groan, she muttered, "Fuck my mouth." She then opens her mouth wide with her tongue hanging out.

Ash is momentarily taken aback by the lewd request but quickly shakes it off before placing Stormy into a deep slumber so he can focus on healing her wounds.

Ash heard the siren and turned to see Wind had pulled down a lever with a smirk on his face. "Gotcha now."

Ash heard the sound of approaching caribou but scoffed in annoyance before he flung two more throwing knives at Wind Rider impaling his hand and causing him to scream in pain.

"The only thing you've got is a minute cause once I'm done with them...you're next," Ash said as he donned his armor before he drew Whispering Wind and transformed it into a gladius for the narrow surroundings.

Ash faced the door and saw that the bulkhead was knocked down by two minotaur traitors, followed by the rest of the crew.

However, the two minotaur were ill-prepared for as they entered the room they were surprised to find the intruder running towards them before jumping into the air and coming down with the blade held in reverse.

Ash's execution of the Eagle's Fury was flawless as he impaled his sword into the Minotaur's chest and thanks to his strength the blade pierced the Minotaur's armor and body striking its heart in one solid blow which brought the behemoth down quickly.

With that Ash turned to the next Minotaur sword in hand and at the ready.

Before the second meathead could twitch a finger, Ash threw Whispering Wind right through his throat, and into the chest of a caribou soldier. Vaulting over the dying minotaur, Ash grabbed his sword and sliced it down, spilling the caribou's entrails to the floor. Sheathing his sword, Ash pulled a Karambit from his sleeve and twirled it to get a proper feel for it.

Two caribou came charging at him, the one in the front with a spear and the one behind him with a shotgun. Ash used the hooked blade to grab the caribou by the artery and spun him around, causing the shotgun-wielding soldier to run into the other's spear.

Reaching forward, Ash grabbed the gun and blew the brains out of nearly a dozen soldiers with five shots. The sixth shot he left for his human shield.

"Bastard!"

Ash noted a caribou was about to swing at him with a claymore but Ash ducked below the swing and drew Whispering Wind once more while the claymore embedded itself into a wall.

The buck tried to free his weapon from the wall but failed giving Ash ample opportunity to strike back.

Ash began his assault by landing a jab at the stag followed up by a swing of the blade followed up by another jab and then another slash from another direction and again and again leaving little room for the scum to defend, counter or strike back till his whole body was covered in cuts staining himself red.

Next Ash delivered two quick slashes to the caribou's knees that brought him to his knees just before Ash plunged Whispering Wind into the stag's neck which was followed up by a punch to his face sending him onto his back.

BOOM!

Ash felt a hard push against his temple that slammed him against the bulk. When he looked at what pushed him, it turned out to be another soldier wielding a shotgun.

Ash growled in his throat and impaled Whispering Wind into a wall before he teleported beside the caribou and grabbed his wrist before delivering a punch to the caribou's elbow which snapped the joint and bone causing the stag to scream in pain before Ash grabbed the shotgun and aimed at the stag nursing his arm and reduced his head to crimson spray and scattered brain matter before Ash started firing it into the lines of soldiers killing many.

Soon, the halls were littered with bodies, and the walls were painted red with blood. All that was left at the moment was Wind Rider.

Ash himself was splattered in so much blood it was overpowering but too Wind Rider he only saw a monster as he turned to face him. A pair of icy blue lights glowing eyes glared at him beneath the helm and bore a hole into his very soul.

"Please. Please don't kill me!" Wind begged while trying to get away, only for the knives to slice him further.

The Beast within the armor did not answer with words as it approached it only glared right up till it stood before the disgraced pegasus and when Wind Rider moved to plead for his life an armored hand seized his throat and squeezed leaving the words in Wind Rider's throat to die.

Ash removed the two knives from Rider’s arms and resheathed them but left the one in his wing keeping his grip on Rider's throat Ash pulled the pegasus away from the wall which resulted in the knife splitting Rider's wing in two and earning a muffled scream.

Ash then approached a large window that was in the room before Ash brought Wind Rider to face him once more.

"Tell you what. I won't kill you." He then smashes Wind Rider's head through the window and hangs him over the side. "The ground will!"

"No...no please Noooooooooo-!" Wind Rider shouted as he was sent through the window.

Ash watched the pegasus disappear from view before he made his way over to Stormy who was still deep in sleep he checked and saw her wounds had healed while Ash was busy dealing with Wind's guards Ash then crossed his legs and sat down beside Stormy and began to use his magic to restore her mind a ring of magic appeared around Stormy's head and began to shift and change as it worked to restore the mare's mind.

Ash heard footsteps approaching and immediately threw his knife in that direction. Instead of killing a caribou soldier or traitor, the knife was caught by Rage, who kept the knife from hitting Gentle Breeze between the eyes. "Geez! You don't look before you throw?"

"Sorry, my focus was on her," Ash said as he gestured to the unconscious Stormy Flare.

"Is she alright?" A mare with Fluttershy's looks, wings boxed in a black wing case and black collar, came over to have a look at Stormy. "The poor dear. She took the brunt of the abuse that pervert inflicted on us."

"Posey Shy right Fluttershy's mother?" Ash asked.

The mare nodded yes as Gentle came over with a blanket for her to cover up. "Thank you, Lord Ash."

"Don't worry about it...I'm currently working to restore her mind...she should be fine but she needs to rest." Ash explained.

Just then, Evan and Elisa came in, both of them bloody with Elisa carrying a string of caribou antlers, complete with scalps.

"What did they do to earn that?" Asked as he gestured to the scalps and antlers.

"Called me short," Elisa answered.

"Ah right," Ash said.

"Well, while Elisa was collecting her scalps, I was able to get this." Evan reached into his bag and produced a core.

Seeing the item in Evan's hand Ash had to do a double take before the core vanished from Evan's grip and appeared in Ash's where he began to look the device over.

"No mistake this is a Guardian Core," Ash said.

"A what?" Bow asked while helping his wife, Windy.

"Uh, not a good time right now Evan hold onto this please I'll carry Stormy," Ash said as he handed the core back to Evan before he picked up Stormy Flare who weakly groaned at being moved.

As the group went through the halls, Rage and Elisa went about setting explosives along the halls. Without the core, the ship would soon fall to the earth eventually, so why not help it along?

"How many are we transporting?" Ash asked.

"Just a small group. We took care of the crew, while you went and took care of Wind Rider." Rage has his finger become demonic and lights the slow fuse.

"Wha-what's going on?" Stormy moaned as she awoke.

"Uh, no time to explain Ms. Flare we gotta get outta here," Ash said as the group hurried over to where the prisoners were he set the mare down and then continued on their way to a more secure location.

Once they made it to the top deck, Ash pulled out his key. "What the hell is that?" Elisa asked.

"Just a little gift from a friend from out of town," Ash said before plunging the key prongs into the railing and opening a door to the Aephoceria gardens. "Alright, everyone through!"

The liberated prisoners made their way through the portal soon followed up by Elisa, Evan Rage, and then finally Ash bringing up the rear before closing the portal behind them.

Once the portal closed Ash called a few guards and had them organize the freed captives but called Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Spitfire to them causing the guards to salute.

Once most of the group had left Ash summoned blankets for Fluttershy's Rainbow Dash's and Spitfire's parents when suddenly the echoing sound of an explosion could be heard coming from somewhere in the north-east.

"Ah and here I thought I mucked up the fuse." Rage said.

"Well ya didn't...another piece removed from the board," Ash said and after a minute Rage, Elisa, and Evan left leaving Ash with the mothers and fathers whom he escorted into the medical wing for a full health check.

As Ash waited outside to hear the verdict from the doctor Rainbow, Fluttershy and Spitfire flew in.

"You Ash what's up was it something to do with the explosion?" Rainbow asked but Ash held up a finger as he saw the doctor come out.

"How are they?" Ash asked.

"Clean bill of health all across the board but uh...normally I wouldn't disclose this but since this is an irregular situation and since one of my patients has allowed this..." The doctor started but whispered something to Ash to which he nodded.

"No problem I've already been advised on that rest assured I'll keep my eyes on this," Ash stated.

"Then I'll leave you to it then." The doctor said as he departed.

"Hello care to fill us in?" Spitfire stated.

At this Ash merely smirked and opened the door to the room where the mate's parents were being examined.

"So what's the-Gllk!" Dash was interrupted when her parents brought her in a crushing hug.

Dashie!" Windy and Hothoof cried out in relief.

"Mommy, Daddy you're okay!" Fluttershy cried as she too embraced her parents.

"Mom!" Spitfire shouted as she embraced her mother.

Ash decided to take his leave at the moment and let the families reunite in peace.

"And that about sums it all up," Ash said as he sat in a small meeting room where there were two couches and a table between them with the sole occupants of said room being Faust and Ash.

"So this is a Guardian Core as you called it?" Faust asked as she gestured to the large orb device that was currently resting on the table between them.

"Yeah," Ash said.

"Hmm, I remember your opinion on those guardians back during your days in Hyrule...I imagine things must be...conflicting." Faust stated.

"You can say that...it's got the mark on it so this is an original and not a Caribou recreation but it does bring up three concerning questions. How did they get their hands on this? Are there others? And do the Caribou have a full grasp on the power these things possess?"

"I have no doubt all these questions have one source. Geralt," Faust sighed while serving the tea.

"Ugh, I cannot figure him out." Ash groaned.

"Hm...So Ash news has reached me that you have finally popped the question to your herd." Faust said calmly helping herself to some tea.

"Yeah. Spits thought it was time I stepped up to my herd." Ash nodded.

"She's not the only." Faust took a sip from her tea.

“Oh my have I upset my mother-in-law?" Ash asked.

"Not upset. I just expected a proposal months ago, and now I have to pay Dream and Chrysalis the fifty bits." She smirked at Ash. "Still, I'm glad you proposed to them."

"You can't blame me for wanting to hold a wedding when we aren't in the middle of a war where there is a chance of an attack," Ash stated.

"Ha! With our track record, we could be in a locked room and there would still be some form of attack," Faust pointed out.

"Heh, fair point," Ash said admittedly. "So they ask you to help out with the ceremony?"

"Of course." She got up and conjured a giant binder onto the coffee table.

Ash looked at the binder and then back at Faust with a raised eyebrow.

"What's this?" Ash asked as he gestured to the item.

Wedding details. Well, for the cake and music anyway. I have a lot more." Faust smiled.

"You come up with these yourself?" Ash asked as he gauged the thickness of the binder.

"Had help from Twilight. She has a thing for binders it seems."

"Of course...I half expected this from Cadence since this is her department." Ash said.

"Oh, she has plenty of ideas mine are just the tip of the iceberg," Faust said sweetly.

"This is gonna take a while to sift through." Ash sighed.

"The best things often do," Faust smiled while handing Ash the binders.

"All that's left is to go over it with the girls," Ash said.

"Well then," Faust got up, just as Ash's herd came in. "I'll leave you all to it."