After much consideration Twilight decided to scout out a new area, albeit also one that wasn’t as far away as the desert. The Mountains would be a good hideout for these demons and therefore the perfect location to check out.

As for the team, the alicorn further decided to go herself. Spike would stay and administer Ponyville in her absence, even with him having protested some to being left behind.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash would follow her, ensuring she was having a nice balanced team of strength, speed and magic. Meanwhile, Rarity, Ceraph and the guards would all stay, fortifying their defenses perfectly. Not to mention that Rarity would serve as a support for Spike…and might also be good to have to deal with Ceraph. Twilight didn’t exactly want her baby brother to be alone with her. She knew exactly how that would end up. At worst Rarity would have to take one for the team in exchange for them searching for her sister and the others.

So, after preparations were made the three mares went on a journey to the mountains. The mountain range Canterlot was sitting on top of was wide, so they were planning to focus on the area closest to Ponyville and look for leads for any demons there. Maybe they could actually find some polite demons or other races as well? Mareth seemingly was quite diverse after all.

“Twilight, are ya really sure it is a good idea with only us going on this here expedition?” Applejack asked with some worry as she trotted along, with Rainbow casually flying on her back, something only possible because her saddlebacks were specifically fitted for pegasi and were bound around her entire barrel.

“Pffft! You scared we can’t handle a few measly demons? We kicked their butts just a week ago, remember?” the prismatic mare cut in with a confident smirk.

“Ah do remember being told that ya got in trouble with a tentacle creature. We do not know what others might await us. Could not be merely small fry,” the farm mare pointed out which did help in shutting her friend up quickly at the reminder of her past encounter, while Twilight was mulling the question over.

“We are in a small group which also makes us quick on hooves. Rainbow is a fast flier, you are a fast runner and I can teleport. There is a reason I configured our group like this. Not just for attack, but also for a necessary retreat in case of unknown variables.”

“Ah see…Still feeling a bit worried, but ya did think it through well. Sorry fer doubting ya.”

“There is nothing to be sorry about. We all have our blindspots and I can make mistakes as well, so I am grateful for any and all feedback. Ponynally? I wanted to make sure Ponyville was safe first and foremost. What use would be finding the kidnapped ponies and non-ponies if Ponyville was raided while we were away.”

Applejack gave a nod and a smile, appreciating the sentiment deeply as her thoughts traveled to her own family. The family that was still in Ponyville.

“It does put me at ease, Ah gotta admit. Couldn’t imagine Bloom or Big Mac having to deal with another of those attacks.”

“Yeah…that would suck. Can’t have them do whatever they want! We gotta show them who’s home they are invading!” Rainbow affirmed strongly, shadow boxing the air a bit as they were all nearing the mountains.

They went up the slope and Applejack held up a hoof after they managed to find some cave entrances with some different footsteps all around.

“Hold up. Ah think we got something right here. Those are larger and hooved, but not pony hooved…” the farm mare said while Twilight and Rainbow took a look at them too.

“Minotaurs possibly. Mareth seems to have them too after all according to Ceraph. And there are a lot going into one of the caves as well…so that seems to spell trouble.”
“And it ain’t where Granny Smith would be as she was with some goblin folk.”

“Yeah, but wasn’t Pinkie seen with some of those?”

“...Ah guess that is true.”

The alicorn mulled it over as she was taking a look at other prints. Smaller ones, but also other larger canine-like prints. But several mixed ones were going in one direction as well, so there has been quite a few demons that made this their home.

“Okay…minotaurs are in that direction, but hellhounds are close by as well. They are strong and not something we want to encounter, even with them roaming around alone. Of course minotaurs are more intelligent and they seem to have a camp as a group, making them much more dangerous than any hellhound…and then we also do have some mixed steps. Goblins, imps, even a minotaur and others, showing signs of a possible mixed civilization? Then again…they might be too few for something too big…” the purple mare concluded, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, while her friends were mulling that revelation over as well. There were definitely some promising options to take.

“Oh! Here are a lot of imp ones going up the mountain further! And some interesting feathers are around too in that direction!” Rainbow called out, after zipping over to said prints, sharp pegasi eyes able to spot them naturally. Twilight trotted over with Applejack to take a look at it. It was probably good she had taken her with them.

“That this trait? ‘Pegasus Eyes’?” the farm mare inquired while the pony in question puffed out her chest pridefully, giving a pose.

“Sure is! You definitely should try some liquor as well. I am telling you, that goblin ale stuff is sweet!”

“...And end up walking on two hooves? Yeah, no thanks. Let’s focus on the tracks.”

“I agree. This is not the best location to discuss the possible boons one can gain from the otherworldly items. Either way, these tracks mean…we might possibly find some imps if we go further up, but harpies and in the worst case even basilisks might be found at a higher altitude from what Ceraph told me. It at least would be their preferred habitat.”

Still, they hardly had the horsepower for large sweeping searches, so Twilight would have to set priorities and hope she would make the right decision…

You choose.

Where should they go?
1. Follow the minotaur tracks
2. Follow the mixed tracks
3. Go further up the mountain

Vote Results:

Where should they go?
1. Follow the minotaur tracks IIIII IIIII III
2. Follow the mixed tracks IIIII I
3. Go further up the mountain II

Author's Note

I apologize for the short chapter. It felt like a choice was already something that would make sense. I will see how the voting looks by Saturday or Sunday and then continue with the juicy part of the chapter.