Author's Note

Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. Bit of a short chapter, but I figured to get something out versus nothing, but also with the other stories that I have in the queue to post kinda divides my creative focus on some chapters. But I will be striving to have higher word counts so the chapters actually feel like actual chapters.

As always, thanks for the support, in whatever fashion that is. Hope you enjoy.

Movement

''Let me rephrase the question,'' Chloe asked, slowly walking her way back and forth in the small. . .hovel this group of miscreants called home. ''Do you wish to be strung up by your ears outside, from a height of 5,000 feet; where your only option is to die a horrible and gruesome death face first, with your eyes wired open, or do you want to be good ponies, and tell me what I want to know?''

Shaking in terror at the severity of her words, the group before the trio only tried to shoo themselves back into the corner, only to be held in place by Chie. ''Given how scared they appear to be, I would not expect answers.''

Aero felt the same, gnawing away at his toothpick. The idea of multiple worlds being real was the wet fever dreams of conspiracy theorists and extremists alike. But to bear witness was just. . .different. ''And that means diddly when it comes to Chloe; she always gets her answers.'' with another flourish of his revolver, the group froze up.

''We told you already, we didn't see anything!'' Fan yelled, his wounds beginning to flare up once again from the nigh-hour-long 'talk' this Chloe. . .thing said they were going to have. A wave of greyish-yellow flew out from his mouth and onto the floor as he tried to fight the response. ''Ugh; Celestia.~''

''If that is your God, then I would refrain from naming them in my presence,'' Chie sharply stated her already tight grip on one of her fans nearly splitting the wood in two. ''There is only one true God that all should follow to receive love and grace.'' A pause followed, then a glint of something passed through her eyes before fading. ''That, and The Second Coming, who is my mistress.''

''Huh? What the buck are you talking about?'' Lance grunted, his vision blurring for a second. A quick pulling sensation led his face to the floor underneath Chie's feet who looked down on him with the utmost look of disgust on her face. ''N-Nevermind.~''

''Ya know, dealing with Chloe as a comrade isn't nearly as bad when you're a target. You've done away with me first warning as we came in, you openly disrespected a member our team and her beliefs, and now we're on the third strike. For your health, just tell her before she lets loose.'' Aero huffed, already seeing the situation's conclusion a mile away as he sat down in the nearest chair. He lazily waved his hand back and forth. ''Last chance.''

''. . .Well, what's in it for us?'' Alici's side eye to Chloe made the rest of the group do a double take.

Almost on cue, Chloe smiled even wider than before, lightly flicking her wrist downward, and planting the edge of her sword into the wooden floor. ''For one, your lives. That is always the best option in any situation. As for the second,'' Chloe gestured to Chie, who nodded. ''We can offer you power. Power beyond what your little minds can comprehend. This for that, if you will.''

''Exchanging power. It could be what we need to make a name for ourselves.'' Log replied to Chloe's offer, beginning to look back on the different times their lot was essentially put to and through the edge, only to be reaffirmed of how little they mattered in the grand scheme of things. Maybe, just maybe, could this offer of hers be just the thing for them to have some sort of respect and influence over the higher powers that be? ''But the million-bit question is what exactly do you want us to do?''

Even for being a different species, the look of knowing seemed to be universal. Tell them.

''Okay, okay. We saw them. But what can you do with that info? We only barely docked after getting our tails handed to them. And if that wasn't bad enough, we missed out on a good chance to make a quick buck with those little things they had with them.'' Fan muttered the last part mostly to himself.

''So that confirms at least they brought their Fairies with 'em.'' Aero bumped his head from side to side. ''Reckon you don't know what direction they went, so the best thing to do would be to retrace your steps.

''Think you'll be able to find them? They got a good start on you.'' Fan replied, not entirely approving of the look that the three gave each other.

''You don't worry your sweet little head about that,'' Chloe's mind began to race with possibilities, some clear, while others were not. If the two biggest nuisances to her lady were here in this world, traipsing about, then it would only be time before enough of an uprising would prove to be an issue for her lady herself to intervene.

And that would not happen. Hands on her hips and leaning to one side, Chloe spoke.

''Accept my offer and we all win; otherwise, you would just end up being destroyed for trying to resist.'' A flicker of excitement crossed her eyes before settling; no need to start early. ''It is. . .the nature of lesser beings, in the end.''

Slumping to the ground, each word that came from Lance's mouth next only served to make him all the quiet when he realized that they were essentially trapped. ''Not like we have a choice, do we?''

Satisfied with what seemed to be the consensus of the group, Chloe looked to Chie once again. ''Signal Delta-1. Tell her to send 4 Evo-Pods; Aero with me.'' Chloe's sword was wiggled out of the ground into her waiting hand with a snap of her fingers.

The duo walked up the upper levels of the hovel, feeling the damp, almost unbeatable air as they walked to the nearest clearing, far away from the eyes and ears of their newest 'acquisitions'. ''You're not actually considering giving those prats what I think you are, right?''

''Of course not,'' Chloe waved his concern off with a wave of her own hand. Already, she began to envision the inevitable betrayal that would come with being given what most would ultimately be great power. ''Our lady would not approve of us being reckless in that regard. However, with the addition of those 4, one of us will need to stay behind and monitor, while one goes to receive the pods, and while the other goes ahead in pursuit.''

Aero could tell what that meant from a mile away. They would have to change their tactics. ''Time for the past to come into the future, eh?''