Origin of Ahuizotl

Chapters

Megan in Griffonstone
Journey into the Abysmal Abyss
Giant Problem
Trapped
Ahuizotl's Beginning
Duke Coatl's Plot
School Life
Inferno In and Out
New Henchmen
Save the Cats
Secrets
Returning Home?
Griffins to the Rescue

Megan in Griffonstone

Chapter 1: Megan in Griffonstone

High on the mountains of eastern Equestria, Megan, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Daring Do were traveling up to the city of Griffonstone, on a very important mission.

“Thank you all for coming with me. Retrieving the Idol of Boreas from the Abysmal Abyss is something I don’t think I can do alone.”

“No problem, Daring Do. After all, we can’t leave it lying around for Grogar to get his hooves on it.”

At the very back of the group, Megan panted as she struggled to keep up with the three pegasi that are a few feet ahead of her. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and lifted her backpack as she walked on. Her exhaustion didn’t go unnoticed by her friends.

"You okay, Megan?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'm fine, Rainbow Dash," Megan wiped the sweat off her face, "I'm just not used to long hikes like this."

Fluttershy gave Megan a look of concern. She walked down to Megan and stopped next to her.

"If you want, I can give you a ride up," Fluttershy offered.

"Oh. I don't want to trouble you, Fluttershy," Megan said.

"No. I insist."

Touched by her friend’s kindness, Megan couldn't refuse. She got onto Fluttershy's back, and Fluttershy flew her to the top.

While Fluttershy and Megan flew ahead, AK Yearling and Rainbow Dash were talking. Daring Do wanted some assurance that the plan they currently have is the best one they had.

"Rainbow Dash, I hope your friend Gilda can help us look for the idol. It's important that Grogar never gets it. There's no telling what kind of power it has," Daring Do said.

"Don't worry, Daring Do," Rainbow Dash said, "She'll help us. Gilda's nice once you scratch the surface."

****

The four finally made it to the gate of Griffonstone, where two female griffins, one eagle-like and one black-feathered, greeted them with open arms.

"Rainbow Dash!" said the eagle Griffin.

"Hey, Gilda! Gabby!" Rainbow Dash said before she hugged the two Griffins, "Did you two get my message?"

"We did, and we'd be more than happy to help," Gilda said with pride and her chest huffed.

Gabby saw Daring Do, and with a glee in her face, she zoomed in front of her.

"Oh my gosh! Daring Do in the flesh!" she yelled with excitement, "I've read all of AK Yearling's books about you!"

Gabby shakes Daring Do's hoof fiercely, causing her body to shake as well.

"N-nice to meet you too, Gabby!" Daring Do said as she vibrated from the greeting.

Then, Gilda and Gabby got a good look at Megan with awe.

"Hi," Megan waved, "You must be Gilda and Gabby. I heard a lot about you from Rainbow Dash and the Cutie mark Crusaders. I'm Megan."

"Hi. Rainbow Dash told us about you too," an impressed Gilda said, "She even said your the first to stand up to Grogar. Totally cool by the way."

"So this is what a human looks like up close!" An enthusiastic Gabby said, "Fascinating."

"Welcome to Griffinstone, Megan," Gilda greeted.

Megan looked with wonderment in her eyes at the vast wonder of Griffonstone, the capital of the Griffon Kingdom. She sees griffons of different colors flying all over the mountain range, many of them particularly flying in groups.

"Wow!" she whispered, "So this is where griffins live."

Journey into the Abysmal Abyss

Chapter 2: Journey into the Abysmal Abyss

Gilda and Gabby were showing the four around Griffonstone. Griffonstone had undergone improvements ever since the griffins started working together at rebuilding their city. They were showing the others the library being rebuilt.

"And this is our library," Gilda said, "It's been in shambles for a while, but we're getting there at renovations."

"Whoa! You guys have improved since the last time we were here," Rainbow Dash said, "Wish Pinkie was here to see this."

"Yeah. She would have a "Griffonstone Grand Re-Opening" Party set up in seconds," Megan said with a smile.

"Where is Pinkie?" Gilda said.

"Setting up a birthday party for Spoiled Rich. Blech!" Rainbow said while sticking her tongue out in disgust.

Gilda at first looked very confused, until she started to get the idea of what kind of pony Rainbow was talking about.

“What about the others?” Gabby asked to break the silence.

“Twilight had to attend a royal meeting in Canterlot, and Rarity had to go to her Boutique in Canterlot to help with some orders.” Fluttershy told them.

“And Applejack and the Knights?” Gabby asked.

“Unfortunately, they had to help Pinkie set up that party for miss high-and-mighty.” Megan said.

“Oooooohhhh,” Gabby and Gilda said.

Gilda and Gabby felt saddened that the others couldn’t make it, especially since it would have been nice to catch up with them. But, out of the corner of her eye, Gilda saw Grandpa Gruff strolling by.

"There's my grandpa over there. He took charge of Griffonstone after your last visit here, Dash," Gilda said, "Wanna go meet him, Megan?"

"Sure, Gilda," Megan said.

Gilda and Megan approached the old griffon when he saw them coming.

"Hey, Gilda! Who's your new friend?" Grandpa Gruff asked.

"This is Megan," Gilda introduced, "She's the human the ponies of Equestria have been talking about."

"Ah yes! The one who prevented Grogar from breaking his spell!" Grandpa Gruff said, "You couldn't have come at a better time. The rest of the griffons and I found a safe route into the Abysmal Abyss."

Rainbow zoomed in front of the old Griffin and said, "WHOA WHOA WHOA! You found a way down to the Abyss? Where?"

"Follow me, and I'll show you," Grandpa Gruff said.

****

Grandpa Gruff takes the four to the Abysmal Abyss. Winds from the dark abyss blew like northern winds, and it was so dark, nobody can even see the cliff walls at the bottom. He took them to the far end on the other side of Griffonstone, and with the point of a claw, showed them the pathway that leads down.

"Is this where the Idol of Boreas fell?" Megan asked.

"You know of the idol?" Grandpa Gruff asked.

"Rainbow told me about it on the way over," Megan said while rubbing her chin, "What I’d like to know is why the Aramaspi wanted it."

"For centuries, the Aramaspi giants and griffons have been at war. We constantly stole each other's treasures for our own desires of greed and selfishness. That is...until the Idol of Boreas came along and unified the griffons into one kingdom.”

“Oh. So, what happened after that?”

“When the Aramaspi found out, they figured that if they stole the idol, they would have control over every griffon in Equestria."

"Grogar wants it for the same reason. If he gets ahold of the idol, every griffon will be under his power," Daring Do said, "Which is why we need to find it before he gets it first."

"You better get there quick," Grandpa Gruff said, "The guide spotted a blue monster heading down there."

"A blue monster?" Rainbow said with shock.

"Yeah. He was with four wildcats and a white kitten."

The four gave a look of shock, because there was only one creature they knew of who was blue, and was accompanied by four wildcats and a white domestic kitten.

"Ahuizotl!" the girls said in unison.

“We need to find that idol fast!” Rainbow Dash exclaims.

"You guys go down there," Fluttershy shyly said, "I'll stay and stand guard!"

Fluttershy by then got down on the ground, and covered her eyes in fear.

Rainbow Dash, annoyed, grabs Fluttershy by the tail, and takes her down the path with Megan and Daring Do running from behind.

****

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the abyss, Ahuizotl and his cats were sniffing around for the idol. He was sent by Grogar to find it and bring it back to Tambelon. With it, Grogar can command an entire griffon army. They looked under every rock and in every crevice & crack they could find, but still, they didn’t find anything that was golden.

"No sign of the Idol of Boreas," Ahuizotl said, "Any luck on your end, my friends?"

All five of his cats shook their heads no in dismay.

"We better find it! Grogar will have my head if we blew this assignment. To think this happened because I was accused of bringing that monster to Tambelon."

Remembering how this all happened, he looked to the ground as if it was the only thing he could ever look at. Ahuizotl's white kitten cuddles herself on his leg to comfort her melancholy master. Feeling the love that his cat was giving him, Ahuizotl picks her up and pets her.

"You always know how to cheer me up, Princessca," he says with a smile.

Giant Problem

Chapter 3: Giant Problem

Megan and the Pegasi are traveling through the canyon when they came to the bottom. Cave entrances coated the cliff walls, and the wind currents came from every direction. Megan shivered and wrapped her arms around herself due to the coldness of the winds.

"BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!" she says aloud, "I-I should have brought that sweater Rarity gave me."

Finding how cold Megan had seriously become, Fluttershy dug into her backpack and got out a light-yellow scarf. Then, she took it to Megan.

"Here, Megan. My scarf should keep you warm," Fluttershy said, "You need it more than I do."

Megan took the scarf, wrapped it around her neck and said, "Thanks, Fluttershy."

"You’re welcome. I'm not the pony of kindness for nothing."

A golden twinkle suddenly caught the corner of Rainbow Dash and Daring Do's eyes. They look up the top of a ledge and saw where the twinkle came from.

"What's that up there?" Rainbow pointed her hoof to the ledge.

Daring Do got out her binoculars and looked up. To her surprise, she saw it was the Idol of Boreas.

"It's the Idol of Boreas!" Daring said as she hugged Rainbow Dash.

Hearing what Daring Do said, Megan and Fluttershy rushed by the side of their friends.

“We found it?” Megan asks.

“Yes.” Daring Do says after letting go of Rainbow Dash.

The friends cheer in victory, knowing now that they have found the Idol, even before Ahuizotl could. Or so they thought.

****

On the other side of the cave wall, Ahuizotl and his cats were still scouting around for the Idol. The only difference from before was that while they did, Ahuizotl’s thoughts were on something or someone else in particular.

‘I wonder what Megan could be doing at the moment as she coexists peacefully with her friends?’ he thought, ‘It warms my heart to know that the lady of my dreams is living a life that isn’t like mine.’

He warmly smiled as he thought about Megan, and his heart fluttered as he remembered his time with her at Manehattan, which was the last time they saw each other.

His thoughts on Megan were interrupted when Princessca spotted something at the top of a nearby ledge. She meowed and pointed her paw up as she attracted her master’s attention. Seeing where his cat was pointing, Ahuizotl looked up and gasped with bewilderment when he saw a golden twinkle at the top. He took out a telescope to see if it was what he hoped it would be, and when he saw it, he gave a joyful cheer.

"The Idol of Boreas!" he yelled, "I'm back in Grogar's good graces!"

The lynx was about to make a jump for the Idol when Ahuizotl stopped him.

"Not this time, Snowy," Ahuizotl said as he pushed him aside, "This is something I have to do myself. I'm very experienced in rock-climbing. Besides, you're too light to handle the air currents."

And just like that, he began to climb. His mighty paws and feet grasping every rock they could grab.

Ahuizotl's pet cats looked on with concern as he climbed up to the ledge.

****

On the other side, Megan was climbing up the cliff wall with the pegasi watching her.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Megan?" Daring Do said, "Rainbow Dash and I can just fly up there and get the idol."

"The air currents at the top are too strong for you guys to fly up," Megan said, "You wouldn't be able to reach the idol without getting blown away."

"She does have a point," Fluttershy said.

"Besides, we're doing this to protect the griffons from Grogar. That's more important."

“Okay then. Just be careful.” Rainbow Dash said.

“I will.”

Megan continues to climb up the ledge. As she did, Fluttershy flaps behind her in case she needed any help. The air currents below the top were not as strong, so it was okay for the pegasus to follow.

****

At the other side, Ahuizotl climbed the mountain with ease. Years of taking lessons in mountain-climbing have really paid off for him. His perfect climbing slipped away from him though when he accidentally slipped his foot for a moment. But it didn’t take long for him to carefully replant his foot on the stone and keep climbing.

****

As Megan continued to climb on her side of the mountain, she too having taken some rock-climbing lessons back on earth, she too had no trouble overcoming the stone. But then, she nearly lost her grip when a rock broke off from her hand. But she soon regained her grip and kept going.

****

Both Megan and Ahuizotl climbed over ledges and rocks from opposite directions, neither of them knowing that they were going after the idol at the same time. They continued to climb until they are within reach of the idol, Megan being the first to make it. Megan grabbed it as she looked at Fluttershy.

“I got it!” she says.

"I got it first, Daring Do!" a familiar voice said.

"Daring DO?" Megan raised a brow.

Megan turned, and to her shock, Ahuizotl was across from her, holding the idol from the other side. Ahuizotl was also shocked, but when he saw that it was Megan, his shock turned into pleasure instead.

"Megan! Fancy meeting you up here!" he flirted as he leans toward her.

When Megan saw the look that he gave her, she felt a little shy about it and looked away, as she did not expect to see him at this moment. But her heart fluttered upon seeing him again.

Ahuizotl suddenly lost his footing again, as well as his grip on the idol after a rock broke off from his size and weight. He fell down the cliff wall screaming as he did.

Megan was aghast. Her mouth agape from what just happened. Ahuizotl just fell off of this mountain! She wanted nothing more than to help him and make sure he was alright. But first, there was an idol that needed to be recovered.

Finding that it was stuck, Megan pulled onto the idol. With one last hard tug, she got it out from its current position.
Then, with no problem, she hopped onto Fluttershy's back. They flew down, and Megan gave the idol to Daring Do.

"Good job, Megan!" Daring Do praised.

"Thanks, but we got an even bigger problem!" Megan said, "Ahuizotl is here! And he fell off the cliff wall while he tried to grab the idol!"

"And we should care, why?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Rainbow, he could be hurt!" Megan said.

"I'm with Megan!" Fluttershy stuck up, "We have to help him. It's the right thing to do."

The four suddenly felt a huge rumble beneath their feet. The rumbling got louder and louder. The four girls turned around and saw something that greatly terrified them. Three giant, one-eyed monsters were coming from a cave up top. The monsters jumped down and roared at the girls, causing them to scream.

Trapped

Chapter 4: Trapped

Megan and the pegasi found themselves surrounded by the Aramaspi, a tribe of giants who have been at war with the griffons for centuries. They know of the griffons' friendship with the pegasi, and they aim to use it for their centuries-long revenge.

Megan, Rainbow Dash, and Daring Do were quivering almost more than Fluttershy when Megan asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"We are the Aramaspi, enemies of the Griffon Kingdom. We are here to claim the Idol of Boreas,” one Aramaspi said, "For centuries, we have been at war with the Griffon Kingdom to steal their treasures and bits."

"One of our comrades went on a solo mission to steal the Idol of Boreas. With it, the griffons would be at our mercy.
But he perished thanks to the interference of King Guto and his guards," the third said.

"Now we will finish what he started and take the idol for ourselves!" the second said.

"You're not getting this idol!" Megan said as she grabbed it from Daring Do.

"Then we shall take you!" the first Aramaspi said.

Before anyone could blink, the Aramaspi grabbed Megan as she screamed while holding the idol.

"Megan!" Rainbow Dash cried.

Rainbow Dash zoomed into the Aramaspi's face with super speed, causing him to let Megan go as he tried to swat her. Daring Do and Fluttershy caught Megan and landed her gently on the ground. Suddenly, Ahuizotl's tiger, jaguar, lynx, and cheetah appeared and bit the rest on their feet, causing them to lose their balance. Already, the second Aramaspi fell backward.

Megan and Fluttershy looked on at the fight, until Megan felt a tugging on her pants. She looked down to see Princessca pulling on Megan's pants with her teeth, and her attention came fully on the cat.

"What is it, Kitty?" Megan said as she lowers herself to the cat.

Princessca meowed and pointed to a cave entrance, confusing Fluttershy and Megan.

"I think she wants us to follow her into that cave," Fluttershy said.

"That's a good idea," Megan said, "Come on!"

While everyone else was distracted, Megan and Flutteshy ran as they followed the cat into the cave. They gasped when they find someone else in the cave, standing out from the cave’s darkness...Ahuizotl, unconscious and breathing heavy.

"Ahuizotl!" Megan said as she ran to him.

Worried for him, Megan lowered herself and touched Ahuizotl as way of checking for injuries. She kept touching him until she felt a break in his right arm.

"His arm is broken," Megan said.

Right away, she took her scarf off, and tied it around his arm to form a sling.

"He must have gotten hurt during his fall," Flutttershy said, "Luckily, I brought a first aid kit."

Without delay, Fluttershy put her backpack on the ground and dug through it for the first aid kit she brought. Princessa watched the two as they were attending to her master.

****

Meanwhile, Daring Do and Rainbow Dash were fighting the Aramaspi until Rainbow Dash got knocked against the wall, causing a rock slide.

"Oops!" Rainbow Dash said.

A large boulder fell ahead of the others, and nearly fell on Ahuizotl’s tiger, who was biting an Aramaspi’s foot. The tiger saw it coming though and got out of the way in time. The rock fell on the Aramaspi’s foot instead. He roared in pain when the rock fell on him.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but laugh at what happened to the Aramaspi before her. Her laughing didn’t last when Daring Do got her attention with a shout.

"I saw Megan and Fluttershy go into that cave!" Daring Do said, "I better get them out!"

Daring Do zooms into the cave and saw the two applying first aid to Ahuizotl.

"What are you two doing?!” Daring Do yelled, "We gotta get out of here!"

The rest of Ahuizotl's cats suddenly jumped Daring Do. The rockslide dropped a pile of rocks and blocked their only exit, leaving only an opening small enough to let in air.

"We're trapped!" Megan said.

Fluttershy screamed as she grabbed the tiger and held it like a teddy bear.

Ahuizotl's Beginning

Chapter 5: Ahuizotl’s Beginning

In the cave, Megan and Daring Do tried to get the rocks out of the way, but it was no use, none of them would move. They sat down in defeat.

****

Outside, Rainbow Dash, while shocked, zoomed to the cave entrance and tried to move the rocks, but they were too wedged to budge.

"Megan! Daring Do! Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash cried, "Are you okay?!"

"We're fine, Rainbow Dash!" Megan hollered, "But the rocks won't budge! There's a small opening to let in some air, but that's it!"

"There's a bigger problem!" Daring Do said, "Ahuizotl and his pets are trapped in here with us! He's unconscious from his fall, but for how long?"

"Hang on! I'm gonna get help!" Rainbow Dash said as she zoomed away.

****

A short while later, Ahuizotl grunted as he began to come back from unconsciousness. His eyes slowly opened and cleared up from a blur to see Megan right in front of him. He warmly smiled and gently put his hand on her face.

"It looks like I'm looking at an angel," he said softly, "I must be in heaven."

"I wish," Daring Do huffed.

Ahuizotl scowled to her comment. As he got up, he felt a pain in his right arm. He looked down and saw the yellow scarf wrapped around his arm.

"I see you've been tending to my wounds," Ahuizotl chuckled, "At least someone was willing to help despite my history."

"History as a villain you mean!" Daring Do groaned, "Of all people to be trapped with, it’s the one creature who is not only my worst enemy, but the enemy of Tambelon!"

"Watch your tongue Daring-" Ahuizotl yelped when he felt a sharp pain in his arm.

When he yelped, Megan put a comforting hand on the hand connected to his broken arm.

"Don't move, Ahuizotl," Megan said, "You may have broken your arm from your fall."

She got him to sit down on his hindquarters.

"Megan, why are you even helping this jerk?" Daring Do asked harshly, "Have you forgotten the stories the Knights told you? About how he burned Scorpan's home and left him an orphan? About how he bullied him and his friends? About how and why he was banished from Tambelon and became my mortal enemy?"

Fluttershy zooms in front of Daring Do and gives her the stare, causing Daring Do to look at her with fright. Ahuizotl's cats surround him and Megan and growled at the adventurous Pegasus.

"Now Daring Do," Fluttershy said, "Ahuizotl may have done horrible things, but that doesn't mean we should hold back our kindness from him. Megan had the right idea. All creatures, no matter who they are or what they did, deserve a helping hand."

"Besides, Daring Do, does it occur to you that I was driven to be who I am today?"

"By who?" Fluttershy asked.

"By my narcissistic father. Who else?"

"Duke Coatl?" Daring Do said, "But he was once part of the Tambelonian Council."

"And you never asked yourself what went on behind closed doors with him and me behind them?" Ahuizotl said.

"Why don't you tell us about it from the beginning?" Megan said.

Those words from Megan sparked something inside Ahuizotl that he had never felt before...ever. In his mind, she was the first to show him any compassion.

"For you, I will tell," Ahuizotl said as he put the hand of his good arm on hers, "I'll start at my beginning..."

****

"...Ever since I was a young cub, I've always been fascinated with books on history, along with ancient and modern spells. But my father had other plans for me, and he made sure of it in his own way..."

A young Ahuizotl was reading a book on legends of Equestria when his father, Duke Coatl, took the book away from him.

"Ahuizotl! What are you doing?!” he yelled, "We come from a long line of ruthless deviants! We do not do honest things like reading! No good comes from reading about the past! We must set plans for our future hold on Tambelon!"

Young Ahuizotl quivered in fear to his father as he tore apart his book.

"For centuries, my family was well-known for their deviousness and cunning. My father had ambitions to go after bigger power, namely the Moochik's magical power. Once he obtains it, our family can have the power to rule Tambelon."

Duke Coatl's Plot

Chapter 6: Duke Coatl’s Plot

“My father harshly trained me in combat and trap setting. He wanted me properly groomed for his plan. Training with me is his favorite, my evil red twin, Xolotl. My father idolized him more than me..."

Ahuizotl was in a jousting match at his castle. He went against his brother, who looked like him, only blood-red. He charged at his brother with his lance. When the two meet, Xolotl knocked him down with his lance and sneered at his fallen brother. His father approached the two boys and shook Xolotl's hand with pride.

"Well down, Xolotl!" he said.

Ahuizotl held his hand up, hoping his father will help him. Instead, Duke Coatl harshly backhanded him and hit him over the head. Ahuizotl rubbed his head when he noticed his father glaring dagger eyes at him.

"Show some more ruthlessness next time! You have a family reputation to live up to! he yelled.

His father walked away, leaving Ahuizotl hurt, both physically and emotionally. His brother approached and snickered at him.

"Guess a bookworm is all you'll ever be!" Xolotl laughed.

After his laughter, Xolotl walked away, leaving Ahuizotl looking at his brother with anger. When he was gone, Ahuizotl approached a set consisting of a water jug and some glass cups. He picked up an empty glass cup that was closest to him, and with his bare hand, crushed it to pieces with his anger, the glass shards scattering onto the floor. He then turned his attention to where his father and brother exited.

“Some day...I will get even with them.” he whispered to himself.

****

“It sounds horrible," Fluttershy said with compassion, "The way your father and brother treated you."

"A likely story," Daring Do said in a huff.

Hearing what Daring Do said, Fluttershy flew right up to her with an agitated look.

“Daring Do! Don't be rude! Unless you want the stare again!" Fluttershy flustered.

Daring Do covered her mouth. She is more afraid of Fluttershy's stare than any of Ahuizotl's death traps.

"Sounds like you were from an abusive family," Megan said as she wrapped her right arm around his torso.

Ahuizotl put his hand on Megan's face and said, "Your concern for me touches me, Megan."

"And believe me. I know what it's like to have a brother who gets under your skin a lot.” Megan said, "But I'll tell you about it later. What happened next?"

"One day, my father called me to an important task..."

****

Ahuizotl goes to his father's office, where he was writing proclamations for the Moochik. He trembled as he approached his father.

"You called for me father?" Ahuizotl asked.

"I have. I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself worthy to be my son," Duke Coatl said, "I convinced the Moochik to enroll you into the Tambelon School of Knighthood. I’m sending you in to obtain the Medallion of Knighthood."

"Why?"

"It's the one thing the Moochik always touches for magic. Once I have it, I will use it to channel the Moochik's power into my being. I'll be powerful enough to rule Tambelon with an iron fist, and you, along with your brother, will be at my side. Do we have a deal?”

Ahuizotl took a moment to think about it. He had mixed feelings about this. He wants his father to be proud of him, but he's afraid of the Moochik and what he'll do for such treachery should he find out. However, Ahuizotl made a decision that will change his life, but not for the better.

"When do I pack for school?" he sneered.

School Life

Chapter 7: School Life

Megan and Fluttershy put an ice pack over Ahuizotl's arm as they listened to his story. Daring Do was pulling on the wedged rocks in the opening, hoping they would budge.

"I know where the rest of this story is going, Ahuizotl," said Daring Do, "You got into the school and became the biggest bully in the Tambelon School of Knighthood."

"That reminds me," Fluttershy said, "Why did you become a bully if all you had to do was show you are worthy of the Four Codes to get the Medallion?"

"I guess it was either anger toward my father or some part of me doesn't want him to hurt the Moochik," Ahuizotl said as Megan put a cold compress on his head, "Oh! Thank you, Megan."

"You're welcome. But what caused you to set fire to Scorpan's farm?" Megan asked.

"All the pressure of having Duke Coatl for a father was getting to me...”

****

After my friends and I camped at Windfall Valley, I saw the farm house Scorpan lived in. When I peeked through, I saw what his family life was. His family dinner showed how much he and his father and brother care for each other. Their bond made me angry and jealous about never having that with my family. That night, my friends and I decided to burn a nearby corn crop to express how angry we were. We never wanted to destroy the whole farm or hurt its residents. Unfortunately, the fire got out of control. We tried to put it out for fear of what would happen if the Moochik ever found out. We tried water, dirt, and other methods to put it out, but the entire farm caught on fire until it reached Scorpan's farmhouse. Then, for some reason, I rushed over and ran into the farmhouse. I reached Scorpan, who was sleeping in his bedroom downstairs and dragged him out of bed and out of the house. It was too late to help his father and brother. Then, my friends and I ran after. Unfortunately, the fire left a mark on my back.

****

"So you saved Scorpan from the fire?" Megan asked.

"I surprised even myself, Megan," Ahuizotl said.

"A likely story," Daring Do said in disbelief.

"But why continue being a bully to him?" Fluttershy asked.

"I had to keep up the façade to hide my true intentions," Ahuizotl said, "It wasn't easy for me being the big bully on campus though. I heard what the students there were saying about me..."

****

Young Ahuizotl was walking through the hallways when he sees the way the students were staring at him. They looked at him with anger and resentment. Then, he heard some lizard kids talk about him.

"That Ahuizotl is such a creep," one lizard kid said.

"Yeah. He thinks he's so entitled just because his dad is on the council," the second lizard kid said.

"Good thing I have a monster-fighting class," the third lizard kid said, "I want to learn how to beat that bully up."

Ahuizotl shed tears as he heard every complaint. No one else ever noticed.

****

"Oh you poor dear," said Fluttershy.

Daring Do just blew her mane out of her face and glared with cynicism. Megan put her hands on Ahuizotl's face as she gave him a look of sympathy.

"Seems like you got bullied by both your family and the students," Megan said.

"I was, my dear," Ahuizotl said as he shed tears, "It was from all that that I lost my chance to...to..."

"To what?" Daring Do said gruffly.

Ahuizotl sighed as he looked down to the ground and said, "To be the knight I wanted to be."

After Ahuizotl said that, and as Megan had her hands on his face, his tears soaking them as they dropped down from his eyes, she felt so heartbroken in finding out how everyone was treating him in his school and home life. She felt like she could shed tears to show her sadness for him, but she held herself from doing so to not let her feelings be public to everyone.

Inferno In and Out

Chapter 8: Inferno In and Out

Fluttershy put some pain relieving salve on Ahuizotl's arm, while he had the hand of his good arm holding Megan's hand.

"Oh, you poor thing," Fluttershy said, "You got a lot of negative attention at home and at school."

Daring Do was busy drawing a line to keep her enemy and his pets within bounds.

"Fluttershy, don't tell me you believe him," Daring Do shouted, "He's trying to play mind games so you would give him the Idol out of pity!”

"Until I see otherwise, I believe what I believe."

While Daring Do and Fluttershy argue, Ahuizotl cuddled on Megan's shoulder. Megan could not help but feel how comfortable his fur is and how bad she feels that he's been dealt a bad hand all his life. Each of them looked into each other’s eyes, captivated by something about the other.

What intrigued Megan was that, under his villainous exterior, there was a heart of gold hidden away from the world, waiting to show itself, and it came out as if she was the one who unlocked it. And she loved it.

What enchanted Ahuizotl was that, out of all the creatures he has seen, none of them were ever like her. Something about her made him feel free from his villainous shell of anger, pain, and greed. Her care towards him being a large factor. It made him feel like a new canine, and he loved it.

Then, he didn’t know why, but he gained a feeling of familiarity. He felt like he had seen Megan's heart and spirit somewhere before. But where? Ahuizotl gently put his tail hand around Megan when Daring Do interrupted the moment.

"If it's true about your life, Ahuizotl, then why did you abandon Thorne in the Dragon Fields and try to attack Scorpan during the ceremony of his knighting?" Daring Do pointed her hoof on his chest.

"As I said before, Daring Do," Ahuizotl growled, "There are two sides to every story...

****

"...You already know of how I tried to cheat during the final exam. When that Inferno started, and Thorne was trapped in a ring of fire, I wanted to help him because he was the only friend who understood what it's like to be an outcast because of your bloodline. I was going to save him when Father summoned me by telepathy..."

A young Ahuizotl was about to run into the fire when he was stopped by a familiar voice in his head.

"Ahuizotl! Leave that puny weakling! You have to get that medallion!" yelled the voice.

"But father! Thorne is my friend!" Ahuizotl pleaded.

"Our kind has no need for friends! Only the strong survive while the weak perish! Which is what will happen to you if you don't do as I say!" his father screamed.

Ahuizotl was at a loss on what to do. Should save his friend and fail the exam? Or leave Thorne and destroy his friendship with him? Ahuizotl had no choice but to leave his friend. Otherwise, his father would "discipline" him. The thought of it was much to his resentment. He ran for the finish line.

"...After I failed to get the medallion, got expelled from school, and my Father lost his position as Duke, he and Xolotl were furious with me..."

"The power of the Moochik could have been in my claws by now, and my idiot son went and ruined everything!" screamed Duke Coatl.

"Nice going idiot!" Xolotl said.

Ahuizotl shivered as his father glared at him with fiery eyes and a sword in his hand. Instead of striking him with the sword. Ahuizotl covered his head and ducked as he squealed. However, instead of striking him with the sword, his dad put it in his hand.

"Huh?" said a confused Ahuizotl.

"Since you failed to earn the Medallion, you are going to take it from that worthless farm boy...no matter what it takes," Duke Coatl said, "And you better get it right, or else exile will be the least of your problems."

Ahuizotl looked at the sword and thought for a moment. If he kills Scorpan for the Medallion, he will be exiled from Tambelon, but if he doesn't, his father will do worse to him. But as he thought about what his father would do, something happened to him, something snapped. He felt that this was the last straw.

"I'll do it, Father," Ahuizotl said as he picked up the sword with a hung head.

“Brilliant!” Duke Coatl exclaims.

“But not for you!” Ahuizotl suddenly says as his eyes became angry and hate-filled.

Without warning, Ahuizotl suddenly swung his sword at his father, and gave him an injury that would scar him for life: a scar above his eye. Coatl screamed in pain from the sudden attack.

Xolotl, who immediately saw what was happening, grabbed a sword that was sitting a dresser behind him.

“Why you little...” he said.

He then ran to him in full on attack mode, screaming as he did, ready to take him down like he always had in training.

But Ahuizotl was ready for him.

When his brother came, the swords of the two canines clashed with a metallic clang. Each of them fought with all the fury and ruthlessness in their blood, until at one point, their swords clanged against each other to where none of them could move them, and all they could do was use their weapons and strength to try to push one another down.

Using all his might, Ahuizotl got the best of Xolotl and pushed him back. Then, he used his sword to slash and wound his brother’s arm before he could have a chance to recompose himself. The pain caused Xolotl to scream and cringe, dropping his weapon as he did.

As he looked around himself at what he just did, Ahuizotl breathed heavily, his weapon still held tightly in his grip. After all these years, he gave his father and brother payback for the pain they caused him. He stood there, before finally, he ran off in search of the medallion to accomplish a new goal he made himself and not by his father. As he ran, his family watched him leave as they clutched to the wounds he gave them.

****

Megan felt shocked. Ahuizotl, the very guy she went out on a date with in Manehattan, had actually given his father and brother payback for what they did to him! She felt like she could never look at him the same way, but yet, she understood why he did what he did. She understood that he didn’t want to be pushed around or bullied by them anymore. She sees it as a reason his heart of gold was hidden.

Fluttershy also felt shocked, as she had never thought that he would do such a thing to them. But she too understood why he did that, and found it to be a reason why he came to be who he is.

But Daring Do, well, to her it only proved her point in that he was nothing put a villain to no end. The only sign she made to show what she thought was a roll of the eyes.

“So...you attacked your own family because of how they treated you?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes. But looking back on it, I’m not sure whether I should have regret or satisfaction for what I did.” Ahuizotl answered.

“But, if you weren’t going to give the medallion to Duke Coatl, what were you going to do with it?” Megan asked.

“In contrast to what my father planned to do with it, I had only one intention for if I defeated Scorpan and acquired the medallion: to destroy it.”

“Destroy it?” a shocked Megan says, “But why?”

“I let my anger control me,” Ahuizotl told her with dismay, “I was not only angry towards my father and brother, but also at the medallion for being the main reason my father put me in that school, and for turning me into something terrible.”

Through his words, Megan and Fluttershy found that so much more was becoming clear. He fought Scorpan not to channel the medallion’s power, but to destroy it! And that was what made him go into exile from Tambelon!

Wanting to show that she believed him and understood his reasons, Megan smiled and extended her hand to his good hand like she did before, and held it gently. Ahuizotl, finding Megan’s message through this action, warmly smiled back at her and grasped her hand in turn.

Fluttershy also smiled to show that she too understands him and believes his story. When Ahuizotl saw that, he smiled in turn, because he felt glad that even one of Megan’s friends’, and an Element of Harmony, found him to be someone different than what she already knew of him.

Daring Do, of course, remained with the same kind of behavior that she had since he woke up. Believing that he is only trying to deceive everyone so that he could gain sympathy.

"I think we all know how that part went," Daring Do huffed, "You lost to Scorpan and wound up banished for your actions."

While his ears were perked high when he heard what Daring Do said, he didn’t direct his attention to her, but instead spoke to Megan to comment on that.

"I guess the knights have been talking about me," Ahuizotl said.

"Yeah, but I prefer to hear both sides before making judgements," Megan said, “Anyway, what did you do after you were banished?"

That part of my story is about how I met some certain...acquaintances.”

New Henchmen

Chapter 9: New Henchmen

“Tch. Getting banished is more than you deserved after the horrible choices you made," Daring Do mumbled.

The others weren't paying attention to Daring Do though. Megan was busy doing checks for broken bones while Fluttershy was busy feeding Ahuizotl's cats some kipper treats she carried in her bag. Daring Do crossed her hooves, perturbed that nopony is listening to what she thinks.

"So what happened after you were banished?" Fluttershy asked after feeding Princessca.

****

"I wandered as I traveled away from Tambelon. I didn't know what I was doing or where I was going. I kept walking tirelessly without rest."

As the young Ahuizotl trekked across a desert, hopelessly weak with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, he felt like he wouldn’t be going on for much longer. But, before he could even collapse, he spotted a village up ahead, and from the distance, he saw ponies going about their daily lives.

"But just when I was beginning to lose hope, I came across a village full of ponies in the desert. I found myself in Southern Equestria, and came across the town of El Potro. I was starving, thirsty, hot, and extremely tired."

Ahuizotl then walked on to the village. But he stopped when he realized one thing: he had no money to suit his needs. There was only one thing he had to in order to keep himself going. It wasn’t like he had a choice anyway.

"I had no money on me, so I was forced to steal what I needed in order to survive."

****

That is, until one day, I stole from the wrong pony...

At a marketplace, ponies were being terrorized by a group of thugs. They smashed carts, stole food, and scared the innocent without a care. All were being lead by a unicorn with a black shirt and jacket, black mane, tan coat, and a cutie mark of a crown with lightning in front. All he did was watch with a smug.

Young Ahuizotl was also watching the chaos that was being stirred. But he didn’t care, all that really mattered to him was taking something from this pony: a piece of gold from the shirt pocket of the unicorn. Slowly, he began to reach for it. Then, with a lightning fast grab, he takes the gold and makes off with it like a dog taking its bone. But not without the unicorn realizing he was being robbed.

“Hey!” the unicorn shouts angrily, “Hey! Stop right there! Come back with my gold!”

But Ahuizotl didn’t stop, he just kept going. Glee written all over his face.

Just before he was in the clear though, two muscular earth ponies pounced him from the side and tackled him to the ground. They held on to him tight. Ahuizotl struggled to get free, but it was no use. The unicorn by then came in front of him.

"The pony I stole from was none other than Malefico Palmero, the most notorious crime boss in Southern Equestria and Leader of the Picaro Potro, the most notorious gang of traders and smugglers of black magic."

"You seem very cunning and big, Little one," said the pony, "I could use someone like you in my gang."

"For years, I learned all I could from Malefico, including knowledge of artifacts and how to use them to obtain power. I also learned about crime and how survival depends on everything involving it. I thought I was finally living the life."

****

"But my view on Malefico changed on the day I was riding a cart while smuggling dark artifacts that were stolen from a caravan to Canterlot..."

Ahuizotl was riding a cart with the smuggled artifacts covered in the back. He was crossing a bridge when the Royal Guards of Canterlot and Wonderbolts appeared out of nowhere, including a very young Shining Armor dressed as a cadet. The captain of the Guards was next to him.

"Take note on what he's doing, cadet Shining Armor," said the Captain as he pointed hooves, "Nopony smuggles dark magic into Equestria."

"I will," Shining Armor saluted.

****

"I wound up in the Canterlot dungeons along with four certain ponies who tried to steal gold bits from Celestia's treasury. I think you remember them from your adventures, Daring Do."

"Cabelleron and his gang?" Daring Do with a raised eyebrow of interest.

"Exactly. That is where I met them...”

****

"They told me that Malefico had double-crossed them and sold them out, and that they also overheard him mention me. Cabelleron told me that once Malefico gets what he wants, he double-crosses his henchmen and gets rid of them. I soon realized that...all the loyalty...all the trust I gave...and that hay breathed horn-head left me holding the bag! It filled me with...rage."

In the same kind of anger Ahuizotl had with his father and brother, he smashes his hand on the stone ground with a yell, causing it to have cracks and the ground to shake.

Caballeron and the others shook from the sudden quake and covered their ears from the scream.

****

The scream and smash were so loud and hard that it disturbed Celestia in her throne room while she was sipping some tea. Spitting it out at the sound of the yell and the shake that was caused.

She looked around herself and her surroundings as if something would pounce on her any minute.

****

As stunned as Fluttershy and Megan were about the double-cross that Malefico pulled on him, they soon found that it was another factor behind how he came to be a villain: outside of his family, there were others who also didn’t treat him with kindness or love, no one in Equestria he was able to make a friend with.

“What happened after that? Did you ever escape or something?” Megan asked with curiosity.

“I didn’t escape, my dear. I stayed in the dungeon until my release a year later. After that, I thought it was time to show Malefico what I learned while serving my sentence, so I challenged him for leadership of the gang..."

****

Ahuizotl, Cabelleron, and their henchmen returned to town with furious looks, marching for Malefico like that of an angry mob. Ponies screamed and scattered with fright at the sight of this less than welcome sight.

“Malefico!” Ahuizotl yells, “We know you are here! Come out do that we can see you!”

On cue, Malefico and his followers came in view of Ahuizotl, Caballeron, and the others. Malefico snickered and laughed at the sight of his ex-henchmen.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the suckers in crime! Come back for your jobs?”

"We have come back to make you pay!” Ahuizotl shouted.

Immediately threatened by Ahuizotl’s challenge, Malefico unleashed a spell that would cause his enemies to disintegrate, a cloud of dust being made on impact. But it had no effect on them, much to his chagrin. Ahuizotl then strolled toward him like nothing could go wrong.

Malefico tried every unicorn spell and form of dark magic he could think of, but still, Ahuizotl kept coming. When Ahuizotl came face to face with Malefico, he used his hand to push him down on the ground, put his foot on top of him, and grabbed his horn with his other hand and broke it off with all of his strength. His gang gasped when they saw their boss with a broken horn. Malefico stood dismayed and defeated as Ahuizotl chuckled.

"Now hear this!" Ahuizotl shouted, "I am your new master, and I offer you all a choice: follow me, and you will be rewarded with wealth beyond your wildest dreams! But, if you remain loyal to Malefico, you will not receive the same amount of mercy I gave to him! What shall it be?!”

Taking his offer, nearly all of the ponies who worked for their old leader bowed their heads to show their loyalty to him. Only Malefico and the two muscular earth ponies remained standing before they ran off in fright. Ahuizotl watched his enemy leave.

Ahuizotl chuckled and said, "The two that are with him will be back working for me by next week."

"You said it, Boss," Cabelleron said.

Save the Cats

Chapter 10: Save the Cats

Daring Do took a peek at the small opening, hoping to find Rainbow Dash with help. Then, she turned and saw Ahuizotl surrounded by his cats, Megan, and Fluttershy. She sighed with frustration and flew toward the group.

"So you defeated Malefico with your natural strength and took control of the Southern Equestria crime rings," Daring Do said with a cynic tone, "What happened next?"

"The next chapter of my story tells how I met my pets...”

****

Ahuizotl and his gang were celebrating with cups of cider all around. They even had a toast to their wonderful victory.

"After I took over Malefico's operations, my boys and I decided to celebrate by attending a show. That is when we came across Ringo Ringaling's Circus of the Elements..."

****

Fluttershy interrupted the flashback and yelled, "Wait! Did you say Ringo Ringaling's Circus?"

"You've heard of it, Fluttershy?" Megan asked.

"The Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures have been protesting against that circus for some time. That circus is ill-famed for using animals for inhumane acts to make a profit. They also use cruel methods to train the animals into being vicious enough for their acts. Thinking about it makes me so angry, I could scream!"

Fluttershy took in a really big breath, but instead of a scream, she let out a long, soft squeal, much to the confusion of everyone as they raised eyebrows and looked at her with concern.

When Fluttershy finished "screaming", Daring Do asked, "Any better?"

"No," Fluttershy said.

"Unfortunately, the young Pegasus is right," Ahuizotl said, "I got to see Ringo's act for what it was...”

****

"For his performance, he had five cats on stage, each about to do a feet involving an element. There was Stripes, a tiger who was about to jump through five hoops of fire; Maverick, a jaguar who was trapped in a tank filling with water unless he can get five keys; Duma, who was to test his speed against falling boulders; Snowy, the lynx who was to dodge debris as the wind blows some; and then there's Princessca, the ice skating kitten. I was appalled when I saw how Ringo makes them do the cruel acts they were assigned. It was a lot like how my father used to treat me..."

When Ahuizotl, Cabelleron, and their henchponies arrive at the circus, they saw a white unicorn with a black mustache, top hat, and ringmaster attire at the center ring with the spotlight on him.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! Feast your eyes on the magnificent wonders of the Circus of the Elements!" Ringo shouted to the crowd, "Tonight, five cats will put their skills to the test as they fight against the elements of fire, water, earth, wind, and ice!"

First, the spotlight was shone on a nervous tiger as the five hoops in front of him flame up into circles of fire. Then, the spotlight showed a black jaguar in a tank with two pipes underneath. Then, another spotlight showed a scared cheetah with boulders hanging above him. The fourth spotlight showed a lynx in front of a huge fan in front of him with heavy objects hanging above them both. The final spotlight showed a white kitten in a pink dress, slipping on ice. Each of the cats had muscled unicorns with zapping prods. Ahuizotl was not happy with what he's seeing, and neither is the rest of the crowd as they booed and hissed.

The tiger quivered at the sight of the fiery hoops until the pony behind him prodded him with one zap. He jumped through all five hoops, but panics when he saw a flame on his tail tip. He dipped it into a nearby pail of water. Then, Ringo got out his whip and whipped the poor tiger.

"Get back and do your act right!" Ringo yelled.

Ahuizotl growled with anger as he saw more of what was happening.

The jaguar got the key, but the tank filled with water quickly. He held his breath until he unlocked the tank with his key, opened the tank, and took a huff of air while wet.

The cheetah dodged at lightning speed as the boulders dropped on until he made it to the end. The poor thing was panting until a pony prodded him.

The lynx pawed the small debris that was blown toward him by the fan. Then, he quickly dodged the bigger debris. He wasn't even focused on how tired he was.

Meanwhile, the poor kitten was slipping on the ice, struggling to lift her hind legs up when she got prodded. It meowed in pain.

Ahuizotl growled with fury as he watched the poor cats get mistreated by Ringo and his goons. Just watching these animals being put through such misery reminded him of how his father used to mistreat him. He knew by now that somebody had to do something that was far from watching, booing, and hissing. And he knows who.

****

"After his horrid show, I decided to have a few words with Mr. Ringaling..."

After the show ended, Mr. Ringo was counting how much money he made off of the tickets that were sold. But his counting was cut short when he noticed a shadow was looming over him.

Ahuizotl grabbed Ringo by the neck and slams him against one of the cages. Ahuizotl was rearing his teeth with his henchponies beside him.

"What do you want from me?" a scared Ringo shouted.

"We want those five cats from your show!" Ahuizotl screamed.

The five cats quivered in their cages as Ahuizotl screamed at Ringo.

"I-I guess we could give these rejects away for the right price..." Ringo said as he sweated.

"We are not buying them! We are taking them for free!" Ahuizotl said gruffly.

"Right!"

Ringo opened the cages and released the five cats. The five cats jumped Ahuizotl and started licking him as he laughed.

"Stop! That tickles!" he said while laughing.

Nearby, Caballeron and his gang watched the scene before them with a smile. Not even they liked Ringo’s circus acts.

“Pleasure doing business with you.” Caballeron said to Ringo.

After he said that, Caballeron flicked the ringmaster’s hat off of him before he and the others left. The ringmaster could only pick up his hat and watch with scorn because of what just happened.

Ahuizotl and the others left the tent and stopped just outside the entrance. He turned to face the cats that he had rescued from that ghastly place.

"I have room in my gang for ones like you. You cats interested?"

The five cats nodded yes. Princessca started cuddling Ahuizotl at his feet and meowed. Ahuizotl chuckled as he picked her up and petted her.

****

"On that day, I gained a family I always wanted," he said as his cats cuddled him.

Fluttershy and Megan smiled at each other, warm-hearted to know that Ahuizotl found a family in the cats.

Daring Do of course gave the same kind of expression that she kept up. Although, on the inside, she will admit that what he did for his cats was pretty grand. And maybe she believed him on that, but she still thought that he was far from a saint.

Secrets

Chapter 13: Secrets

The four returned to Griffonstone with the griffons. Twilight was performing a healing spell on Ahuizotl's arm, despite Rainbow Dash's objections.

"I can't believe your helping Ahuizotl after all he had done!” Rainbow Dash complained.

"Rainbow Dash, didn't Fluttershy lecture you of how important it is to help others?" Twilight said.

Ahuizotl could move his arm without pain once again. He rubbed his elbow to make sure.

"Ahh. Much better. Thank you, Your Highness.” he said to her.

At first, Twilight was a little surprised, as she did not expect him to say thank you to her. But, she took it as an act of gratitude and respect for helping him, and she felt glad he did so anyway.

“You’re welcome.” she responds.

Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, just looked away from what she was seeing, and rolled her eyes in distrust and annoyance of Ahuizotl.

Meanwhile, Daring Do, Megan, and Fluttershy were talking over with Celestia, Gruff, Gabby and Gilda about the Idol of Boreas. Gilda and Gabby were shocked that the idol was not gold.

"All that trouble for brass?" Gilda said with shock.

"Aye, Gilda," Gruff said, "It's true. That thing is said to be a piece of King Grover's bed post."

"But why would King Grover deceive the rest of the Griffon Kingdom?" Gabby asked.

"Every griffon was fighting over bits and treasures, and in the process, turning against one another. That caused the Aramaspi to take a few of our kind down easily. King Grover created the Idol of Boreas to bring us a symbol of our Griffon Pride, and remind the griffons that we are one kingdom and should be united as such. In fact, it was our unity that protected us from the Aramaspi."

"That's another reason why the Aramaspi wanted the Idol of Boreas.” Celestia commented.

Everyone in the group, with the exception of Gruff, looked toward Celestia, a little confused on how she would also know.

“King Grover told me of his plan on how to unite the griffons. We were close friends before his demise later on and before the griffons lost the idol.” Celestia explained.

"My fez off to you for helping us, even if we don't deserve help from other species," Gruff said as he tipped his fez.

"The pleasure was ours, Mr. Gruff," Daring Do said as she tipped her hat, "Now we have Ahuizotl to take care of."

"That's what you think, Daring Do!" Ahuizotl shouted.

At the sound of his voice, everyone turns around to find that Ahuizotl created a portal. Before they could make any action, he and his cats hurried into it. An evil laugh could be heard before and after it closed. Daring Do threw her hat down in frustration as she showed her teeth.

Megan just looked onward with empathy on her mind. She thought about how badly Ahuizotl was treated because it reminded her of how badly the animals brought to Paradise Estates were treated. Like a light bulb turning on, the remembrance of home gave her an idea.

****

A while later, at Twilight's Castle, Spike was in the library reading Daring Do's latest book when Megan came in with a scroll.

"Hey, Megan," Spike greeted, "What do you have there?"

"I have a letter that I need you to send," Megan said, "Can you do it, even if you don't know who it's for?"

"Sure, as long as it has the name to send it to. Who is it for?"

"It's for a friend I met in Griffonstone.”

"A secret love perhaps?" Spike said with a clever smile and suspicion in his eyes.

Megan blushed and had trouble getting words out until Spike giggled.

"Don't worry," Spike said, "Your secret romance is safe."

Spike blew green fire on the scroll until it vanished in a green puff of smoke.

“How was Ahuizotl able to win you over anyway?” Spike curiously asked.

“I don’t know, it just...happened.” she said.

As she said that, she not only kept blushing, but also played with her hair in nervousness and embarrassment.

Spike giggled a little at the sight before him.

****

That night, Megan was in the White-Tailed Woods, waiting for someone to come. She paced with her nerves frazzled.

"I feel bad not telling my friends, but after all that's happened, I don't think they’ll understand," she muttered to herself.

"You don't know the ponies and knights as well as I think," a familiar Spanish accent said.

Megan turned around and saw Ahuizotl and Princessca. She ran up to him and hugged him.

"You got my letter," Megan said.

"Indeed,” he says before hugging her back, “It wasn't easy. Grogar put me on probation at the palace, so there were guards all over the place. What did you want to talk to me about?"

Megan and Ahuizotl then let go from their embrace.

"Ahuizotl, when the ponies find a way to send me home, I want you to come with me."

"What?" Ahuizotl says with slight confusion.

"You've been mistreated by everyone your whole life. Your father, your brother, Malefico, Grogar. If you come home with me, you can have a new life in Paradise Estates. You can live with me and my family as long as you do your share on the farm."

"But what of your family? And my pets?"

"I'll talk to my family the moment we get home. My mom is very understanding when it comes to why I bring lost animals. As for your pets, they can live in Paradise Estates. We also take care of wild animals of all kinds. A lot of them are abused circus animals like them."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'll make sure you have the family, home, and life you deserve," Megan said as she touched his face.

Ahuizotl, touched by the human girl's offer, pulled Megan toward his body and hugged her. He petted the back of her head and felt the warmth of her hair as well as her heart. Megan also returned the embrace, warmly smiling in comfort and taking in the feel of his fur. The two felt like they never wanted to let go, and be like this forever.

When they let go, Ahuizotl then dug into his bag with his tail hand and took out the yellow scarf Megan used to mend his broken arm.

"I wanted to give back the scarf you gave me," he said, "I wanted to do something to repay you for your kindness."

Ahuizotl wrapped the scarf around Megan's neck. When he put it on her, and as he looked at her, his heart could only speed as he gazed at the girl who matched the scarf she had on. Then, before both their eyes, the scarf glowed yellow like Fluttershy's coat.

"The scarf," a surprised Megan said, "I-it glowed...like Fluttershy's coat."

"But what does it mean?" Ahuizotl asked.

"I don't know," she said.

"I know you'll figure it out. In the mean time, let's enjoy our time together."

Megan and Ahuizotl sat down close together to enjoy the beauty of the woods and the stars. Ahuizotl wrapped his hand around Megan, and in turn, she wrapped her arm around him as they watched the night sky. Princessca meowed with dreamy eyes, happy to know that her master found the one for him.

Returning Home?

Chapter 11: Returning Home?

Megan sat herself next to Ahuizotl and petted him on the head. Ahuizotl purred like his cats as she petted him behind his ears.

Daring Do looked at Megan with suspicion as she wrapped her arm around Ahuizotl. When she cleared her throat, Megan shyly took her arm away and blushed. She looked away from everyone to hide the blush.

"So that's how you met your kitties," Fluttershy said as she nuzzled Snowy, "But what made you join up with Grogar?"

Ahuizotl suddenly became quiet and depressed. “That is the part of my life I wish I could forget...

****

"I spent the next couple of years, stealing wealth and treasure from every known part of Equestria until I became the most powerful creature to rule it. I became so powerful that the native ponies worshipped me as a deity of power. I wanted to prove to father how devious I was, and rub it into his face. So, despite my exile and what could happen if I return, I journeyed back to Tambelon, but when I returned, everything changed..."

Ahuizotl and his pet cats traveled back to Tamblelon with their pride and new-found wealth via cart, and Caballeron and his men are behind them, dragging the cart like carriage horses, much to their dismay and back aches.

Caballeron pants with his men and said, "Easy for them to act proud. They do not have to drag so much weight."

They reach a hill to see how far from Tambelon they are. When Ahuizotl and his cats saw the city, they gasped in horror to what they saw. Tambelon had lost it's golden shine and became gray and bleak. Not only that, dark clouds have covered the valley. Ahuizotl and his cats ran to the city with Caballeron and his men dragging behind them.

****

When Ahuizotl and his gang walked into Tambelon, everything was a mess. The buldings looked cracked and crumbled; stores and markets were boarded up, and no one was on the streets. A cold chill was down Ahuizotl's spine as he walked down the square, trying to find life.

“Hello!” Ahuizotl shouts.

As if responding to his call, an open window on a building slams shut, like someone didn’t want to see them. Then, shadows appear as people come out of the building in rags while looking pale and sick. They looked at Ahuizotl with resentment and anger.

"You! You dare show yourself after all you have done?" yelled a cat creature.

"You brought the monster into our kingdom and had our home turned into a shadow zone!" yelled a lizard.

"You will pay!" said a dragon.

Ahuizotl and his gang ran so fast, they left the cart of wealth without thinking as the mob chased after them. They ran until they ducked into an alley. They were catching their breathes when Caballeron asked, "What monster are they talking about?!"

"I don't know! I haven't been home in years!" Ahuizotl said.

They suddenly saw spears pointing at them by lizard guards. They reached for the sky quickly as they sweated.

****

Ahuizotl, Caballeron, and the rest of them entered the throne room where Ahuizotl saw a dark blue mountain goat with black horns sitting on top of the throne. Finding who was before him, he grins maliciously with a chuckle.

“Welcome to Tambelon, my fellow villains.” the goat greets.

Ahuizotl growled and asked, "Who are you? Who dares to sit upon the Moochik's throne!"

"It's my throne now, Fool!" the goat said, "I am Grogar, the new ruler of Tambelon!"

"Grogar!?! As in Starswirl's greatest enemy whom he used the exile spell on?" Caballeron screamed.

“Yes,” Grogar answers, “And also the one who is right now a mere ghost in this world because of that infernal wizard!”

"You're the one who caused all this?! What happened to the Moochik? And why do the people think I invited you in?"

"You have your brother and father to thank for that, Ahuizotl."

"You know my name? What have you done with my father and brother?"

"Your family is somewhere in my presence. As for how I know you, you are well-known as the scourge of South Equestria. You have been known for your traps and knowledge of artifacts. You and your gang could be useful to me."

"How is that?"

"I need your help in finding the right magic to get me back into Tambelon. I also need help in finding rebel scum, including four certain knights who rebelled against me. I believe you know them very well."

"I do?”

"Do the names Scorpan, Catrina, Rep, and Thorne sound familiar?"

"Ahhh. They were inducted the newest knights of Tambelon since the day I was exiled.”

"They also inspired a number of rebellions after they disappeared with Star Swirl the Bearded's time spell. They went one-thousand years into the future, and I know that because I used a crystal ball to track them. I will need your help to track them and find my dark artifacts. Serve me, and the people of Tambelon will worship you like the Native Ponies have. Refuse, and you will have to feed Crunch."

"Wh-who's Crunch?"

The guards bring out a massive Rock Dog (literally made of rock). As it came in chains, a rat obliviously ran in front of it to pick up an old bread crumb. Seeing the little mammal in front of it, it bit the rat on its tail, and the rat quickly turned to stone. It then turned its attention to Princessca and was about to bite her when Ahuizotl made up his mind.

“STOP! I'll do whatever you want! Just don't sic that thing on my cats!" he shouted.

"Knew that would get you to join," Grogar chortled.

“But I have one condition.”

“What?! What condition could you possibly have?!”

“Just one simple request in return for my alliance,” Ahuizotl answered, “This city we are standing in brings back too many painful memories to me, and the lack of color is not making it any better. I, and the rest of my companions, would like to live somewhere that isn’t Tambelon. Not even close to it. If you do not accept, then you will have another band of rebels to worry about besides the knights, Crunch or no Crunch.”

The giant rock dog growled when Ahuizotl said his name like he was no big deal.

Grogar gave a look of frustration and growled as well, his teeth showing as he did. He should have remembered that hiring another mastermind, even by force, would be like trying to make a trade with a dragon. Taking in his request, Grogar thinks it over, tapping his hoof against his chin as he did so. He found it to be something reasonable that a minion like Ahuizotl would want. The last thing he wanted was more rebels anyway.

“Very well. Your wish is my command.”

Satisfied that he complied, Ahuizotl and Caballeron smiled and gave a fist and hoof bump to one another. Their smiles disappeared though by a shout from Grogar.

“Enough of this chit-chat! We must find the knights and capture them!”

"Just how are we going to find the knights if they are in another period?" Ahuizotl raised an eyebrow.

"With my own time spell!"

Grogar unleased a beam from his horns and made the entire castle glow. It was not just the castle though. The entire city of Tambelon glowed dark purple like his beams. The city slowly fade until it was no more. Then, it reappeared at the same spot one-thousand years later, much to the astonishment of Ahuizotl, Caballeron, and the rest of their group.

****

"After we traveled to the future, my pets and I took up residence in a place of our choosing: an old temple in the middle of a jungle in Southern Equestria. Caballeron and the rest of his gang chose to travel a lot and not remain in one place all the time. Grogar sent me to track his artifacts and find any means to break his spell. Lucklily, the native ponies of the current time worship me like their ancestors did. With their help, I was able to find magical artifacts, but as you can see, a certain pony kept getting in my way and foiling me each time. Much to my chagrin..."

Ahuizotl is sitting comfortably on his throne, victoriously holding the Sapphire Stone while doing an evil laugh.

“With Daring Do out of the way, the world will suffer mightily at my hands. I am victorious!” he says before doing another evil laugh.

But just when things were looking up for him, Daring Do swoops down with a vine and snatches the Sapphire Stone out of his hands.

“I'll take that!” she yells after grabbing it.

“Huh? Wha—?” he suddenly finds the artifact was gone, “Noooooooo!”

After swinging on the vine, Daring Do lands on top of a cliff.

“Better luck next time, Ahuizotl!” she tells him.

“Curse you, Daring Do!” he yells before sobbing.

Griffins to the Rescue

Chapter 12: Griffons to the Rescue

“Now I understand how you came to be the way you are,” Megan said while scratching his neck for him.

Ahuizotl was content and happy at feeling Megan's soft hand on his fur, feeling like nothing in the world could come between the comfort being given to him. However, it wasn’t until Daring Do spoke up in a rude tone that it ended quickly.

"Oh please! Even if your life story was true, it doesn't change the fact that you have done so many horrible things!" Daring Do yelled.

Fluttershy gave her the stare again, much to her fright.

"Daring DO!" Megan shouted defensively as Ahuizotl's cats growled.

"No, Megan," Ahuizotl said as he raised his tail hand, "She's right. I appreciate the kindness that you and the yellow Pegasus gave me, but I have to take responsibility. Personally, it doesn't matter if Daring Do and others don't buy my life story. I have done terrible things that even you couldn't imagine."

Daring Do glared at him, thinking he is only putting on an act. Fluttershy and Megan meanwhile felt depressed that Ahuizotl was to carry the burdens of his actions and his past. Megan in particular felt very crestfallen.

"Still, now that you got to know me," Ahuizotl said, "How's about if I get to know you? Why not tell me about yourself and your home?"

"Well..." Megan said.

Megan was about to tell Ahuizotl about her life outside of Equestria when the sound of the rocks falling caught their attention. They turned toward the entrance and saw that someone had cleared the rocks. Immediately, Megan ran to the entrance to see who it was that freed them.

"Rainbow Dash must have found help," Megan said as she peeked out.

Suddenly, she was grabbed by a giant gray hand and screamed.

"MEGAN!" the three screamed.

Ahuizotl, Daring Do, Fluttershy, and the cats ran outside and saw the three Aramaspi with one of them holding Megan. Megan struggled to break free from his grip, but it was no use. His hand was giant, she can't reach down to bite it, and her arms couldn’t even hit him because they were trapped by his grip. Plus, she was too high up.

Ahuizotl and his cats growled and hissed at the Aramaspi for kidnapping Megan.

"We know you have the Idol of Boreas, Blue one!" the Aramaspi holding Megan said, "Give it to us, or we will crush this creature!"

Ahuizotl shook with fear. If he gives them the idol, Grogar will inflict his wrath on him and his pets. If he doesn't, he will lose the only one who was kind to him, and the girl of his dreams. Then, he looked at the scarf she used to tend his arm. Ahuizotl did what he needed to do. He dug through his bag, took out the idol and threw it to the Aramaspi. They caught it in return.

"Take it! It's yours!" he yelled.

When Megan saw what Ahuizotl just did, she felt so astounded. He was willing to give up the idol and face Grogar’s wrath to save her! Her heart flew at the noble act he did for her.

The Aramaspi took a good look at it and growled with fury.

"Is this a joke?!" he angrily shouted, "This is a brass statue!"

"Brass?" What are you-?" Ahuizotl said.

Just then, a beam of magic hit one of the Aramaspi at the back of the head. Everyone turned around to find an army of griffons, along with Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Princess Celestia appear in the sky.

Twilight and Celestia blinded the three giants in their eyes, causing the one holding Megan to drop her. Ahuizotl jumped and caught Megan by the vest with his mouth like a fox. Gently, he put Megan down on the ground to where she could stand. She turned to face him with a grateful look.

“Thanks.” she says with gratitude.

“It is no problem, my princess.” Ahuizotl responded with a bow.

Megan couldn’t help but blush and smile when he called her that.

The griffons, including Gilda, Grandpa Gruff, and Gabby, threw rocks at the Aramaspi while Fluttershy and the cats kicked them in their legs with help from Rainbow Dash. With a roar, the tiger used his jaws to bite one of the Aramaspi on its foot, making him scream in agony.

Then, using a rope that they found in Fluttershy’s backpack, Ahuizotl and Megan pulled the rope away from one another, and held it out tightly straight. One at a time, the trio of giants fell on their backs, flopping onto each other like a stack of pancakes.

Then, Celestia appeared before the dazed giants, standing in front of them with a look of stern authority, and said, "Griffonstone is under the protection of Equestria! If the Aramaspi should attack, Equestria will declare war on the giants!"

"Yes, Princess!" one of the Aramaspi said nervously.

The three giants ran away screaming. Rainbow Dash zoomed in front of Megan and Daring Do and said, "Told you I'd bring help!"