Cogs of Equestria: Volume I

He stepped out, towering above the two ponies. Vortex still had a pretty damaged wing, they weren't sure when that thing was gonna heal. The Minotaur sluggishly moved toward them, little Firefly hid behind Spinning Vortex. His shadow fell upon them, casting out Celestia's glorious sun. The Minotaur gave a subtle snort and said softly "What." He looked at them, analyzing them, the ponies did so back. "That wing looks pretty bad... I know of someone who could help you," he muttered under his breathe. Then Vortex says in a sarcastic tone "Buuuuuuuuuut?" The Minotaur laughs a little and replies "But I need some help little ponies." They knew it was a bad idea to even consider getting help from a Minotaur but... what choice did they have?

"Bring me... a cockatrice egg... and I'll see what I can do," spoke the Minotaur. The look on Vortex's face told it all, Firefly though was compelled to ask. The ponies began to walk away, deeper into the woods. "Do you... do you think he can help us?" Firefly shyly asked. "I don't quite know what to think Firefly... Cockatrice is a dangerous creature, one not to be messed with," Spinning Vortex said, with some fear in his voice. "Why?" Firefly dared to ask, then Spinning stops and scoffs. "Well... it looks completely ridiculous. With the head of a chicken and the body of a snake. They can turn any-pony to stone with their gaze." Firefly gulps and softly says "Wonderful, a cock that turns things to stone." This makes Vortex chuckle, almost uncontrollably, Firefly looks at him funny. "What?" Firefly says, Vortex turns and stutters, trying not to laugh "Awww nothin' kid, bahaha!" Firefly sighs and looks smug.

It takes them some time to find a Cockatrice, they do some searching around, find some stoned critters. Then they see it's nest, five perfectly placed eggs lay there. The ponies did not know where the mother was, nor did they honestly want to, as long as it was away. Vortex picks one up with his mouth and places it in Firefly's bandana, he then scoffs. "Huh, didn't know it would come in handy," Spinning Vortex says making the bandana tighter so the egg wont fall.

They get back to the hut and Minotaur is there, sitting on his porch. His big head raises and the ponies hear his roaring laughter. "Oh little ponies, you did it? I am impressed... now... bring me the rest of them." Vortex and Firefly's eyes shoot wide open. "What?" Vortex says, befuddled by what he had heard. "I know a cockatrice lays more then one egg, the fact you got one means you can get the others am I correct?" They sigh, Firefly takes out the egg and lays it on the ground. "Go little ones, I have more tasks ahead of you," the creature spoke, resting his head back down. "Well..." Firefly began to say, the Minotaur's head arose, "What if we don't?" The Minotaur got onto his feet, then went over to Firefly and picked him up by the back of his neck. "Because if you don't, I am going to rip off your little pony wings and beat you to death with them!" The Minotaur screamed with great force, steam seeping out of his nostrils. Firefly nodded nervously, the Minotaur dropped him and he landed on his flank. Whilst walking back the Minotaur said "Don't question me pony, ever," the Minotaur sat down.

They went back to where they had found the eggs, Vortex placed the eggs into Firefly's bandana one at a time, carefully so none break. "Where is the cockatrice?" Firefly had asked, looking around nervously. "Keep your mind clear and focused, not on that... thing." Spinning Vortex said, trying to keep calm the little colt. Then they heard a noise, distance at first, slowly growing. "Sweet Celestia, Firefly we need to go, now!" Vortex tightened the bandana and they began to run, Firefly just behind Vortex. Then it came out in front of them, Spinning stomped down his front hooves and spun himself around, his back hooves swiping the cockatrice across the face, sending it off to the side. They galloped past the unconscious cockatrice to the hut. The ponies arrived and there was the Minotaur, smiling a big grin, clapping happily. "Well done, very well done. Now, one more task to lead you the way." "Name it," sternly said Spinning Vortex. The Minotaur smirked, "I require wood... from a Timberwolf."