My Little Convicts - Crime is Magic

Chapter 4 - A Long Walk

“Well, who would’ve thought that giving an entire kilogram of meth would kill a manticore,” Twilight sarcastically told Fluttershy as her crew stood before the grave of the manticore Henry, who died from cardiac arrest due to meth overdose. “And now are ride’s gone and we have to spend ten whole minutes burying said ride because yellow autism over hear wants to give him a decent farewell.”

“Geez Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said. “That’s a little too… much don’t you think.”

“Hey show him a little respect!” Fluttershy shouted surprising everyone. “Henry was a good manticore and was kind soul even when everypony wanted him dead. He never had anyone to call a family so I promised him I’ll be there for him until the end.”

“All right… alright!” Flash broke the fight. “I think we should get going.”

“Yeah, I bet the ponies that shot us down aren’t far,” Applejack agreed.

They then continued their journey on hoof this time and soon they were crossing what seemed to be small mountain’s Cliffside. While they were trotting Flash asked Twilight. “Weird isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?” Twilight whispered.

“Where are they?” He replied. “The cultists. We spent a good ten minutes at the heli’s crash site and another ten burying the manticore but we haven’t encountered a single one of them.”

“Then there’s a good chance we’re being followed,” Twilight said as her eyes scanned the tree line above the Cliffside. “Keep your eyes peeled.”

“Ohhhh pretty!” said Fluttershy as she gazed over to the forest overlooking the Cliffside.

“I know right!” Rarity replied. “You don’t get to see beautiful things like this in Manehattan.”

“Pretty Lights!” The drug induced mare pointed at a faint light heading towards them.

“Wait!” Rarity said. “What lights?”

“Lights?” Flash Sentry asked as he rushed to the edge of the cliff. “RPG!” He shouted as the projectile zipped past his head and slammed into the mountain side. The blast cause chunks of rock and a cloud of dust to fall down on Twilight’s crew. A large rock slammed on the ground beside Twilight causing the ground below her hooves to collapse. She was about to fall down with it until a hoof caught her.

“I got you!” Applejack said as she held on to Twilights hoof as she hanged over the cliff.

“Don’t let go!” Twilight shouted.

“Then don’t look down,” Applejack replied. She attempted to pull Twilight up, but to no avail. “Listen, Twilight. This may sound crazy, but I need you to let go!” She said as she looked at Twilight’s freighted eyes.

“What!” Twilight shouted. “Why would I want to let go and die. No! No, no, no, no!”

“Trust me!” Applejack said. “Or we’re both going to die.” She continued as her hind hooves began to slide forward.

“Why?” Twilight asked as she tightened her grip on to Applejack’s hoof.

“Are you a pussy Twilight?” Applejack asked. “Because you look like you’re about to piss yourself.” Applejack chuckled.

“What! I’m no coward,” Twilight replied.

“Then why’re you too afraid to take a leap of faith?” Applejack asked.

“Fuck YOOOOUUUUU!” Twilight shouted as she let go of Applejacks hoof and fell. She closed her eyes and screamed as she waited for the inevitable. But then she felt something catch her.

“Fuck you’re heavy!” A voice said.

Twilight opened her eyes and looked up to see Rainbow Dash carrying her. “What the?”

“You seriously thought we were gonna let you die,” Rainbow Dash grunted as she held on to Twilight.

“I… I don’t understand!” Twilight said still surprised that she’s alive.

“I know right!” Dash replied. “She’s a smuggler yet she told you the truth, this group is full of surprises!” Dash carried her until she finally dropped her when they were back on top. Twilight inspected the condition of her crew, they were all relatively fine except for Flash who had his left wing busted.

“You okay?” Twilight asked the agent.

“Yeah!” Flash replied. “Don’t worry, I’ve had worse,” He said as he looked at his wing.

“Hey Applejack!” Twilight called out.

“What?” Applejack asked.

“Thanks,” Twilight said. “For telling the truth.”

“No problem sugarcube,” She replied.

“Also, Fluttershy. Sorry for being a dick earlier, I hope you can forgive me,” Twilight said as she looked at the yellow mare.

“Oh it’s fine,” Fluttershy said. “There’s really no point in dwelling in the past. I forgive you.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said. ‘Twilight what are you doing!’ A voice in her head told her. ‘Do you remember why you decided to never have personal attachments to your crew! Do you really want to go over this again?’ The voice continued.

“Are you okay Twilight,” Dr. Pie asked as she waved a hoof at Twilight’s face.

“What!” Twilight shouted. “Oh! I’m fine. Really! There’s nothing to worry about,” She said nervously.

“It’s the voices isn’t it?” Dr. Pie asked.

“Huh?” Twilight cocked a brow.

“Don’t worry I have them too,” She said. “Just remember. You don’t always have to do what they say.”

“Okay,” Twilight replied. “I’ll uh… keep it in mind.”

“All right ladies, I think it’s time to move,” Flash said. “We wouldn’t want to get hit like that again don’t we.”

“Okie-dokie-lokie!” Pinkie replied as she hopped along.

------[T]/------

While they were walking Flash trotted to Twilight’s side and handed her his Five-Seven pistol. “Here, I want you to take this.”

“What, no. You know how I feel about guns.” Twilight replied.

“I know about that.” Flash said. “It’s just… I feel like something bad is gonna happen to me. So I want you to have this just in case I fall.”

“Just give it to someone else,” Twilight said. “And Flash, you are not going to die, we’re going to make it through this, all of us are going to. I promise!”

“Okay,” Flash nodded. “But still I need another gunmare in this team just in case. Who would you trust with a firearm?” He asked.

“Give it to Applejack,” Twilight said.

“Huh!” Applejack said as she heard someone call her name. “Somepony calling me?”

“Here, take this,” Flash said as he handed Applejack the gun. “Twilight says she trusts you to carry a gun.”

“Thanks boss, I won’t let you down,” She said as she holstered her gun inside her suit.

“Hey Flash!” Dash called Flash. “Since you’re now giving out guns, can I have your .357?”

“What!” Flash said. “What makes you think I’ll just hand out Lucky Lenny.”

“Lucky Lenny?” Fluttershy asked.

“This is Lucky Lenny,” Flash said as he showed them his .357 revolver. “This is the luckiest gun in Equestria. I would’ve died on five separate occasions if weren’t for this gun.”

‘Oh God, he names his guns now!’ Twilight thought to herself. ‘What’s next? I he gonna tuck them in bed and tell them a bedtime story.’ She continued her line of thought.

Applejack was about to say something when she tripped. Her face fell flat on the ground that had some strange colored liquid in it. “It’s blood, sweet Celestia it’s blood!” She shouted when she looked at the hoof she wiped her face with.

Twilight casted a light spell to see what Applejack tripped on. To their horror it was a severed pony head that was wearing a royal guard helmet.

“AHhhHHHHhh!” Applejack screamed in horror while Rarity vomited on the floor.

Flash Sentry settled on an aggressive stance with his rifle. “Twilight I need some light.”

“I’m on it!” Twilight said as her horn glowed violently white. Twilight looked back at Flash who had a horrified look on his face as he starred upwards. “What’s the matter?” She asked before she looked up and gasped in horror. Hanging silently on the trees were about nineteen stallions in royal guard armor. They were motionless with eyes wide and tongues lolling out.

“My God,” Flash muttered. “It’s Celestia’s house guard, t-they’re all d-d-dead.”

“I guess you could say that these guys were… hanging out!” Fluttershy said. “Okay I’m going to shut up now.”

“I w-wanna go home!” Applejack cried. “I don’t wanna die!”

“Listen to me you’re not gonna die,” Twilight said. “We’re gonna make it out of this together.”

“Shh. Did you hear that?” Flash asked as he settled back into an aggressive stance. “We’re not alone.” He muttered as faint sounds of demonic laughter came from the forest around them. Soon after pairs of glowing eyes and a smile that could make your heart stop began appearing on the trees around them.

“We’re going to die!” Rarity screamed causing panic.

“Mommy!” Rainbow Dash cried as she curled into a ball.

Flash Sentry fires a three round burst at one of the trees before realizing that his attack was no use. He looked over at Twilight who was still in shock. “Twilight! What do we do.?” He asked receiving no reply. “Twilight what are we going to do?”

“I… I…” Twilight mumbled.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Came a laugh from the darkness. “I say, what a marvelous display you have Nightmare Moon! I am appalled.” The voice said as she began to clap her hooves.

“Pinkie Pie!” Shouted Everyone in confusion.

“You guys seriously fell for this shit!” Dr. Pie said as she approached one of the trees while giggling creepily.

“Pinkie Pie stay away from that thing!” Twilight shouted as she attempted to rush towards pinkie before being stopped by Flash. She looked at Flash in confusion.

“Wait Twilight, look.” He pointed at Pinkie who was wiping the face off the tree with a handkerchief.

“Seriously guys!” Pinkie laughed. “It’s just paint see.” She said as she threw her hankie away.

“But-but-but- “

“You should learn to laugh at challenges before crying to them Dashie.” Pinkie interrupted Dash who was stuttering.

“So its fake right!” Applejack said. “Whew, I thought the bodies were real for a second there.” She laughed nervously.

Pinkie didn’t say a word, she walked over to the severed head and licked the blood red liquid. She smacked her lips and rolled her tongue before talking. “Nope! This is a real head alright.”

“W-what!” Applejack stuttered.

“And judging by the shit piles below those bodies, those are real corpses as well.” Pinkie said as she pointed at the piles of excrement below the corpses of Celestia’s house guard.

“I think I’m going to HRRGGGHH!” Rarity vomited once more.

“Why does that corpse have three hind legs?” Dash nervously asked as she pointed at one of the hanging bodies.

“I think we should move.” Dr. Pie said as she began to push her friends away from the hanging bodies. “Before we discover things that… shouldn’t be discovered.”

------[T]/------

They continued their journey before they eventually stopped in front of a wide river. They couldn’t cross it because of the thundering rapids that could easily drown them.

“I can fly to the other side,” Dash said as she inspected the river. “But what about you guys?”

“Well shit!” Flash said. “Guess you’ll have to carry us one by one.”

“There has to be another way to get to the other side,” Twilight said as she scanned the river. She spotted a large silhouette in the distance. “Wait a minute, is that a sea serpent I see? Dash can you go check?”

“On it boss!” Dash saluted before she flew off.

“Are you sure she won’t run away?” Flash asked Twilight. “You know, none of us can chase after her right?”

“She wants her freedom Flash,” Twilight answered. “And she has a golden opportunity. I can assure you, she won’t run away.”

“You trust her?” He asked.

“Maybe,” Twilight shrugged as she watched Dash make a sharp U-turn and land in front of them.

“Yup, it’s a sea serpent. A gay sea serpent,” Dash said. “But maybe he’s just flamboyant or something. Anyway he seems pissed about his… her… its mustache.”

“Okay,” Twilight replied. “Let’s see if we can get us a ride to the other side.”

They walked down the riverbank until they reach the sea serpent. He was crying dramatically as he stroked his ruined mustache.

“Hey, what the matter?” Flash asked in a friendly manner.

“Oh it’s simply horrible!” The serpent said. “A band of hooded ponies came and tore the left side of my mustache. Oh the equinity!”

“Cultist!” Twilight muttered. “Can you get us to the other side? We have a score to settle with those ponies who tore your mustache.” But the serpent didn’t hear her over the sound of his weeping much to Twilight’s annoyance.

“Excuse me mister serpent, can you spare us a moment?” Rarity asked politely.

“Yes?” The serpent responded.

“I see that your mustache is ruined, but it isn’t,” Rarity said.

“What do you mean?” The serpent asked. “I’m hideous!” He said hysterically.

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Rarity said. “With a quick makeover I’ll make you look divine. I’ll even do it free of charge! What do you say?”

“Hmm,” The serpent rubbed his chin.“Alright, might as well give it a shot.”

The serpent lowered his head so that rarity can reach it and she began to think about what she’s going to do. After she made up her mind she immediately set to work and began cutting and styling what was left of the serpents mustache.

“All done! Tell me what you think,” She said as she handed a mirror to the serpent.

The serpent inspected his new toothbrush mustache. “I. Look. Absolutely. FABULOUS!” The sea serpent squealed. “I feel inspired all of the sudden,” He gasped as an idea ran through his mind. “I should probably go back home and finish art school, I’m sure I’ll make it through this time.”

“That’s a wonderful idea dear!” Rarity agreed. “You should always follow your dreams. And even if you don’t succeed I’m sure life will push you to a better path.”

“Thank you dear,” The sea serpent said. “Now allow me to carry you and your friends to the other side. It’s the least I could do to repay your generosity.”

“Why thank you!” Rarity replied as she hopped to the serpents back. Twilight’s crew immediately followed her. The serpent swam towards the other side and dropped them off before saying goodbye.

“How’d you do it Rarity?” Twilight asked.

“Oh Twilight, showing a little bit of generosity through free service always comes with a favor in return,” Rarity explained. “I may be a scammer, but I don’t always lie to get out of my problems.”

“Uh-huh,” Twilight replied.

------[T]/------

After another round of walking they finally saw their destination. The ruins of The Castle of the Two Sisters were now in sight. There was just one tiny problem.

“That is one deep chasm!” Flash said as he whistled at the sight of the deep and wide fracture on the ground. “And looks like those assholes wrecked the only bridge,” He said as he pointed to the remains of the rope bridge that was rolled neatly on the other side.

“Dash you’re the only one who can fly that has a straight head, no offence Fluttershy,” Twilight said. “I need you to fly on the other side, unfurl the rolled up rope bridge and bring the other end back here.”

“You got it boss!” Dash said before she prepared to take off.

“Wait! Dash I have something for you,” Flash said as she approached the mare. “I want you to take Lucky Lenny. Just in case you encounter somepony on the other side.”

“I’m honored.” Dash said sarcastically as she took the revolver.

“Just give it back after you’re done okay,” He replied.

“You bet cha!” Dash said as she flew to the other side. Immediately after she landed on the other side a heavy fog rolled up.

“Dash are you still there?” Twilight shouted from the other side.

“Yeah.” She said as she began to unfurl the rolled up bridge.

There was a long period of silence on the other side of the chasm. “What’s taking her so long?” Applejack asked.

Just then three continuous gunshots could be heard coming from the other side. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted.

They saw a figure flying through the fog. Flash aimed at it with a rifle before he realized it was just Rainbow Dash carrying the other end of the rope bridge. “What the hell happened over there?” He asked the Pegasus as she tied up the bridge.

“I think it’ll be easier to explain if you see it for yourselves,” Rainbow Dash answered as she gave back Flash’s gun.

Twilights crew immediately crossed the bridge, eager to find out what happened on the other side. When they reached it, they found three dead bodies. They were wearing what seems to be a dark mock-up of the Wonderbolt’s uniform.

“You shot them?” Applejack asked.

“Yes,” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“They told me they were with Nightmare Moon,” Dash answered. “Before they could say anything else, my henchmare reflexes kicked in and I opened fire without warning.”

“Did you say your clichéd one-liner?” Dr. Pie asked.

“Yes ma’am,” Dash answered.

“That’s a good henchmare!” She replied as she patted Dash’s head.

“So Twilight, we’re almost at the castle,” Flash said as he inspected his rifle “Do you have a plan?”

“Actually, I do!” She answered as she took the file Blueblood gave him. “I made it on the way her so don’t expect it to be elaborate. But first I need to check on something!” She said as she closed her eyes and began to concentrate.

“Hey what are you- “

“Shh, I think she’s meditating,” Dr. Pie shushed.

Twilight began scanning the area for a specific form of magic energy. One of the many abilities of unicorns included a sixth sense that could be used to detect the flow of magic in the air if you concentrate hard enough. She waited until she found what she was looking for, a faint signal of magic underground that could only belong to a ghost.

“There are ghosts below us,” Twilight said.

“Ghosts!” Rarity gasped.

“Hold on,” Applejack said. “What do ghosts have to do with your plan?”

“Wait, if there are ghosts underground. Then that that means…” Flash Sentry said.

“There’s a crypt or a dungeon below us,” Twilight said as she showed Flash a detailed blueprint and a map of the castle from the file Blueblood gave her. It showed a complex system of tunnels that extended far out from the castle.

“Still what does it have to do with your plan?” Applejack asked.

“Oh right, the plan,” Twilight said as she placed a map of the castle and its surrounding forests in the ground. After doing it, she stopped and stared silently at Flash.

“What?” Flash asked.

“We might not make it out of this alive Flash, and you’re the only one who’s not required to risk his life here,” Twilight said. “I won’t think any less of you if you were to go.”

“What!” He shouted. “No, I won’t leave you guys. I’m all in as well.”

“Are your sure about that?” Twilight asked.

“Like a friend of mine once said,” Flash said. “You can stand me up on the gates of hell, but I won’t back down.”

Twilight smiled. “Hell huh! We might as well call ourselves the Suicide Seven now!” Twilight took a stick and pointed it somewhere on the map. “First things first, Rarity you’re on me since you can teleport and do magic. The rest of you will serve as the distraction. Here’s what I want you all to do…”

------[T]/------

A unicorn cultist sitting on her guard post was snoring peacefully while her partner was sharpening his lance. It they have just greeted the three pony ‘Shadowbolts’ squadron that was supposed to strike a deal with one of the ponies sent to kill or capture their lady, Nightmare Moon.

“Hey… hey wake up,” The cultist guard said as he poked his partner with the bottom of his lance.

“What?” The cultist grumbled as she rubbed her eyes. “Have they returned?” She said as she looked down the road blocked by their checkpoint.

“No, they’ve been out for quite a while,” Her partner answered. “I think we better ch-arrggh!” The cultist shouted as an angry squirrel jumped on his face and began scratching it. His partner was quick to react and shot a magic bolt at the squirrel killing it instantly.

“What the hell was that?” The mare asked.

“Shit if I know,” The cultist said as he inspected the dead animal. Its eyes were wide open and there were bubbles coming from its mouth. “Wait… Did you hear that?” He said as he heard a rumbling sound from a distance.

“Where’s it coming from?” The unicorn cultist asked as she heard the sound.

“Over there!” The cultist pointed his lance at a large dust cloud down the road. “Oh lord!”

There were about fifty wild beasts of different kind thundering down towards them. Their eyes were bloodshot red and their mouths were frothing as they let out a drug induced roar of anger. Standing on top of the elephant leading the charge was an equally drug crazed Fluttershy who was holding a spear. “Charge my pretties!” She shouted. “Leave none alive!”