The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)

Pinkie Pie flexed her hoof before a golden spear appeared in her forelimb! She then lowered her hoof, and the spear slid back into her body by fading into her pelt! She laughed excitedly, as her other hoof wielded an ax when she wanted it too, or a sword, or a shield whenever she saw fit! Once she had shaken the God's hand, he vanished in a puff of smoke, before her entire body felt brimming with magical energy! She squealed when she switched between a sword, ax, shield, and even a mace at blinding speeds before settling with a sword.

She poked the sword at the air and puffed out her furry chest, "I am Pinkie Pie fear me!"

She giggled to herself knowing no pony could hear her, as she tapped her sword to her chest playfully. She arched her back when looking at a rock, before eyeing it like it was a foe she had been fighting for years.

"Hello boulder we meet again, and here we are to face off in a legendary battle! You have blocked my path for eons, and now it is time for payback Pinkie Pie style!"

With a swift movement from her outstretched limb, the sword sliced through the rough stone like a hot knife cutting through butter! The blade sank through it effortlessly, before bending to the strength of its master! Pinkie Pie noticed something was wrong when a giant ball of energy formed where her blade made contact!

A sonic boom caused the rock to explode, blowing back everything within its path! Pinkie Pie's hooves gripped the dirt under her, as her solid body stood against the force easily, which shocked her immensely! She shielded her muzzle with her wing, as the energy ate away everything it touched, including the vegetation! When the light died down, all that was left was a graveyard of trees burnt to stumps! Pinkie Pie blew out her cheeks in embarrassment when looking upon the devastation from just one single swing!

"Wowzers…. did... did I do that?" Pinkie Pie said flattening her ears.

She decided to blow back the gathered dust on her wings that were collected from the event with a flap of her wings, but that was not what happened. With one twitch from her feathers, the wind gathered at the base of her chest and formed into a vicious cyclone of air! The hurricane caused by one flap of her wings ravaged the poor beat up forest before tearing up the cave where the hydra used to resign! Pinkie Pie tried to dodge a boulder flying in the tornado, but she was too busy staring at the destruction to move quickly!

It is going to squish me like a pancake Dashie sat on! Pinkie Pie thought, before swallowing nervously!

She prepared for impact as the piece of the cave barreled into her! The boulder crumbled into pebbles as soon as it made contact with her fur, making the little pony leap just about four hooves in the air! Did... I just break a rock just by standing still?

Pinkie Pie watched the cyclone continue to rip the environment apart, "Oh please stop! If Fluttershy found out about what I did here, she will never ever forgive me!"

Like a loyal companion under the call of its master, the tornado ceased. It whipped around suddenly before vanishing and dropping what it had collected onto the ground. Pinkie Pie was agape, did the tornado just listen to her? Pinkie Pie stood very still, perhaps if I don't move I won't cause any more destruction!

Her power was fun but difficult to keep under control... how would be able to fight monsters for her friends? If she even moves just an inch, she could break a cave in half! She took a deep breath, perhaps if I meditate I can help get my energy under control! She always hated meditating, a pony like her can't keep still after all! When she exhaled, she yelled out in surprise when her breath shot out FIRE!

"What in Equestria! Ak, I am a dragon!!" Pinkie Pie screamed, as her fire encased the ground around her hooves! "How... How do I turn it OFF!"

She reared, as the fire continuously began to leak from her muzzle and drench the unfortunate landscape!

"Tell it to stop."

The voice that had spoken was soft and loving like a coo from a Song Thrush, the most beautiful singing bird in all the land. Pinkie Pie didn't know where it came from, but the fire was starting to make her throat throb! She gagged, before spitting out her words when she could!

"Please... Please, stop!" She pleaded, and the flames obeyed!

Her muzzle became cool from the gusts coming in from the north, as the fire dispersed. She sat down in relief only to have the ground crack beneath her! She shot up in surprise, and looked at the dent in the earth!

"Wow my friends were right, the cupcakes WERE going to my hips!"

Something hooted, and she turned to see a beautiful white owl flutter its wings above her! She had never seen a snowy owl before.. or she thought that was what it was... she had heard Fluttershy talk of them. They were extremely rare but almost impossible to find where it was not frigid! Why was one here? It was a breathtaking animal, ooo its wings are so pretty and its eyes are blue like mine! Pinkie Pie didn't dare move in fear of scaring it, as it perched its claws around a scorched branch before folding back its wings.

"Hey there little guy... umm, I am a little under the weather today... and when I mean under the weather I mean I can literally create weather that can destroy forests accidentally tee-hee! So you might want to consider doing me a wee little favor and make friends with me later!"

"I am well aware, my brother was blabbering his mouth about it back at Olympus. I thought his idea was peculiar so I came down to catch a glimpse of his achievements myself."

Pinkie Pie stumbled back, being caught off guard by a talking owl! Wasn't Fluttershy the only one that could hear and speak to animals? That... That owl just spoke to her clear as day! Wait a minute... it sounded like a girl... and she told me something about her brother!

"B-Brother.... do you mean that grumpy grump Aries?"

"Ares, Mars, Aries... even Areios if you want to get technical. He goes by many names, and never seems to settle with just one, it is really annoying I might add. Dear one, do not be afraid I come to offer you wisdom. My name is Athena, God of well... wisdom.."

The owl preened her feathers, before settling back on the branch and cocking her head.

"Yikes, I must really look like a mess right now, huh? I am really sorry about the forest, I reaaaaally didn't mean to do all this..." Pinkie Pie said smiling sheepishly.

"More or so yes, but I do not mind... Gaia might give you a few loathsome speeches about it, unfortunately."

Pinkie Pie blinked with a curious smile. "Gaia? Ooo, ooo, is that your sister?"

Athena waved the question off with her wing. "I do not trouble myself with her, and I warn you to steer clear of that Goddess. Anyway, I see Ares had already given you his godly power... I assume he already gave you quite a political lashing about our arguments on Olympus, yes?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head. "Well he just said something about us not worshipping you anymore and that you were angry!"

Athena giggled, her voice as silky as a velvet cloth. "Did he now? Forgive his crude behavior, he is just livid that the mortals across the universe no longer wish to serve him after his criminal feats. I had told him time after time, that the creatures that roam the earths we created need to be nurtured and in return, they will love us for it."

Athena opened up her wings before swooping downwards and landing on Pinkie Pie's back, and gripping her spine gently with her claws.

The owl nuzzled Pinkie Pie's cheek. "Unlike the more peaceful Gods that watch over the realms, Ares is impatient and prefers to think with his sword instead of his brain. He assumes that making ponies fear him will have them obey, and shedding blood upon the grounds of their homes will appease his bloodlust. So he causes wars wherever his cape skims, but instead of earning respect he only gains resentment."

The pony with the Goddess on her back quivered, "That sounds awful! He sounds really mean!"

Athena shook her feathered head. "Not mean just mislead. I fear his wrath had ended many of the planets we created, and so I simply observe his actions from afar. I enjoy helping mortals, and so now that you had so foolishly agreed to aid Ares, I must now watch over you."

Pinkie Pie bit her lip. "I-I didn't mean too I just wanted to... be strong."

A feather tipped her head to stare into the cerulean eyes of the owl gently. "You were deceived young pegasus, I do not blame you for your choice. You only wanted to stop being overshadowed from those around you, and Ares saw the weakness within you before striking. Making a deal with a God like Ares is dangerous, for he double-crosses those that fight by his side. I must ask you, what did he ask in return for his power? Your firstborn perhaps...? A deal that will one day become something paid by blood?"

"He... just asked me to carry his flag into battle... I guess he just wants to be loved?" Pinkie Pie replied.

Athena hummed, "Ares does not wish to be loved. I fear that he may be using you, for my hateful brother brings nothing but shame upon the rest of the Gods. My father does not wish to invest in the savage god of senseless war, for he is detested for murdering beauty and passion that we create. I have sat upon the edge of the cosmos for days recalling his past battles and sensing his growing restlessness, and I eventually came to a conclusion."

Athena used her beak to push a bothersome hair from Pinkie Pie's eyes as the pegasus gasped, "Is... is he going to destroy us all like he said? D-Did he lie about leaving us alone?"

"Rest your worries child, I shall not allow harm to come to any more planets under his reign. He had challenged Zeus for the throne once before, I put my faith in my mind... and I trust that my assumptions are correct. If I were to guess, he is trying to create an army to take down the Gods. You sadly have been dragged in an ongoing tension between forming sides. I sense the good in your heart, and I hope you will aid me instead of the God that will eventually turn his back on your world."

Pinkie Pie stared at the owl, "Aries is trying to overthrow you guys?"

Athena nodded slowly. "Yes, he thinks we are lazy and unfit to rule and showing mortals kindness instead of having them fear us is wrong. He wants to have a champion that will help him grow powerful by as he said 'carrying his flag into battle,' satisfying his need for war. The Gods gain power off of love and worship, but Ares prefers the cries of battle and prayers from ponies that wish to gain power. If you let ponies know of your power, he will gain attention and grow bigger. You must keep your strength a secret, or ponies will regain their jealousy of the ones above them... causing your planet to go into war."

"H-How can I keep this a secret? How can I avoid my world going into war?"

"When I fought my brother to end the war raging your planet, he planted a tree to keep the peace among your realms. With his defeat, he left your worlds before feeding off of other battles on other planets as well as planting other trees within more galaxies. These trees became corrupted, eventually providing Ares with the last laugh and causing these planets to wither and die. The Tree of Harmony standing over your Equestria is the last one in the universe that remains un-corrupted, because of the love the ponies supply it with."

"D-Do you want me to give it daily hugs? Because I-I can do that!" Pinkie Pie said quickly.

Athena shook her head once more, "I wish that would help. You must keep the bonds between the Elements of Harmony healthy, because once they fall... the tree will begin to become corrupted. Once the Tree has had a taste of the dark power Ares has, it will start to create feelings of hatred among all races... before your galaxy is ridden with war! The Tree picked you because you are the only one who can save it, the most powerful element of all."

"Don't let any ponies know of my power, so they don't become corrupted, and start a war. Don't let my friends grow apart, or there will be a war... uhhh, got it?"

The owl giggled. "Do not worry you will not be doing this alone. Do not forget I am the God of Wisdom and Warfare! Ares is not the only one who can swing a sword, you know! Your laughter and fun personality is the only way to bring ponies together and avoid the feelings rising to the surface! I understand you believe that these qualities have not worked for you for a while, but out of all the ponies in the universe... the Tree had decided you were the only one fit to carry this burden!"

"Why... Athena, I heard my friends.. and the ponies of Cloudsdale, they think my element is ridiculous and that I am annoying! How... How will I bring them together? How will I keep the Tree from being corrupted when they will not even listen to me when we fight?"

Athena stood tall, "When you started to doubt yourself you stopped doing what you loved. You tried to be some other pony to please others, losing sight of your own purpose... and your Element. Be yourself young one, for it is the most important thing needed for your world."

Pinkie Pie started to think. She had changed, stopping her partying... fighting alongside the Elements and forgetting what she was good at! The ponies around her used to smile and laugh, until recently... was the corruption already starting? She chewed her hoof, what if Athena was right? Was her Element their last hope at keeping the corruption that destroyed other worlds at bay?

"I-I don't think I can do this... I cannot even control the power I was given! W-What if Aries finds out I am double-crossing him? Can he sense me not using his power w-what if-"

Athena stroked her back soothingly. "I am a strategic God, follow my directions and accept my protection and you will survive. The corruption has already started in many places once your bond with your friends was in danger, for your tree hangs on a thin string. Feed his lust by fighting the corruption that escapes in secret, and do as he says while I give you directions on the side. You may fight alongside the Elements of Harmony, but I warn you not to use your power or Ares will latch onto them like a leech."

"F-Fight?? I-I will do it, b-but as you can see I am not really a fighter!"

"I am glad you will fight by my side, but I understand your concern. As Ares had picked his champion, I have already picked two of my own. They will have my blessing and help you on your journey to avoid the corruption of your world. They both have fought off Ares's power and successfully saved their own worlds from their doom. I have watched them from afar for some time, and I will gift their power for your usage."

Pinkie Pie watched as Athena lifted up into the air, before landing on a branch and eyeing her from a tree. "What... What kinds of ponies are they? A-Are they really going to be my friends?"

Athena hooted. "One is a pony with the power of a God herself, destroying the corrupted tree in her own world. She is one of the three most powerful ponies in the universe, able to regenerate herself when blown to pieces and a savior. Another is a sadistic warlord that was enslaved at a young age and genetically altered to where she can use robotics in battle. She was created to kill the enemies that were corrupted by Ares and causing a war ripping apart their planet. This pony ended the war by destroying both sides and taking the mantle of the ruler, in a reality millions of years in advanced to yours."

"W-Wait, the second pony, sounds a little evil, I-I don't think I want to meet her!"

"Yes... I am afraid she is not on the righteous path. You must remain warry with her, for she enslaved her planet after she ended the war. Ares himself tried to stop her from ending the war, but he was badly wounded from his encounter with her and ended up being fed ambrosia from a tube for a good decade."

Pinkie Pie cringed, this pony sounded crazy! She wondered what they looked like! She probably had claws... or, or had massive fangs used to... to... Pinkie Pie rubbed her tender throat.

"We must summon them at once, I trust you will befriend them. You make up one in the trio of strongest ponies to exist, surpassing even some godly deities out of the three thousand one hundred and forty-two Gods and Goddesses."

Athena flapped her wings, and suddenly the ground under Pinkie Pie evaporated! They soon stood on a fluffy cloud, with light mist brushing against their feathers. Am I in Cloudsdale? Perhaps an area I haven't flown in? The owl carried her body towards the pony, before landing on her back gently.

"I must return to Olympus, the Gods are in a quarrel once more about those in power. I am afraid they have begun taking sides, we do not have long before the overtaking will come. I shall gather the Gods who wish to rule with love, against those that wish to rule with an iron fist beside Ares. I will come and check on you, remember young one, do as Ares asks of you... but heed my words when I give them to you."

The owl lifted off on Pinkie's spine, before gradually ascending upwards with a few last words of wisdom.

"When you wish to summon my champions, say: 'To save my world from sudden doom, I summon to me from the trio, two.' and they shall come."

The Goddess Athena was gone in a brilliant light of gold, as Pinkie Pie sat on the clouds to put together the puzzle. So Aries... or as Athena called him Ares, planted the Tree of Harmony after being defeated to end the war he caused. But, it will soon become corrupted and throw my planet into the war that once tore apart the realms? I remember reading in a book about the terrible war between unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies and others a thousand years ago... was that really caused by Aries?

Pinkie Pie hummed, If I were to show my power... other ponies would want this power for themselves knowing it was the power of a God, and they will start to get corrupted themselves! So I have to keep it a secret, all the while fighting off the corruption already starting without my friends knowing? Not just that, she also had to keep her friend's bonds strong, or the Tree will fall to Aries!

She truly did need a team, she didn't think she could do this all alone! The ponies Athena talked about, one a warlord and the other a savior... would she be able to befriend them truly? I have to try, my world is in danger! Athena is the Goddess of wisdom, she wouldn't steer me wrong right?

She stuck out her hoof, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead and making her back damp. She felt like her heart couldn't go any faster, as she gathered her voice. "To save my world from sudden doom-" something stirred in front of her, swirling into a ball of darkness. "-I summon to me from the trio, two."

The sky suddenly changed into a dramatic shade of garnet, as three realities and universes collided. Even though she was in the clouds, the world was trembling like it was pulling apart! The ball of darkness stretched above Pinkie Pie's head as she flinched from the sharp wind tearing at her fur! The darkness split into two different ovals before it became dense like it was a hole within the sky! Pinkie Pie was screaming, as she threw her body to the ground in fear that she had done something wrong! My world is going to end, this is doomsday! I'll never get to lick the icing off of spoons again!

Something dropped from one of the ovals, before slamming on the clouds and scattering the fog with her harsh and heavy landing! Pinkie Pie trembled when she looked up and met a glare reduced to slits, with the horrifying color of spilled blood! Her irises, they... they are RED! Never in Pinkie Pie's life had she seen such a hardened stare, with the bad omen of blood-tinted eyes. Pinkie Pie gaped when the mare arched her back, and leaned on a metallic scythe while her mane blew in the vicious wind.

She reminded Pinkie Pie... of herself in a way. Her colors were a duller match of her own, yet no frizz was present in her mane, it was as flat as a board! Her tail was no exception, a bland pale brilliant raspberry with her pelt being a grayish pink. Pinkie Pie continued cowering as demon-like wings black as the heart in her chest protruded above the clouds, symbolizing her status as the powerful warlord Athena had warned her of!

The sky turned back into the calm weather that she had recently entered, as the wind died down. The two portals sucking the ponies from their worlds remained open, as the pony remained postured tall while sweeping her gaze over Pinkie. The pegasus quickly threw herself at the mare's hooves, before sobbing uncontrollably.

"P-Please mighty warlord... p...please don't destroy my world! P-P-Please don't enslave us all, I am sorry if I woke you up from your nap... I am so, so, so, so, so sorry! Y-You, see Athena told me I-I had to summon you!"

The mare squinted. "Warlord? What on earth? Enslave? Well yeah it would be nice if I got some respect by having a pony run and get me my coffee in the mornings... but I wouldn't enslave a planet... what kind of psycho does that? Pffft hahaha!"

The mare pouted when she saw Pinkie Pie continuing to hug her leg for dear life, she rolled her eyes before lighting her hoof with green magic. The pegasus was suddenly brought up from the clouds and gently set upright as the mare lightly brushed the mist from her frazzled mane.

"You probably have me mixed up with some pony else... my name is Pinkamena. I heard you say something about Athena, is your world perhaps in trouble?" The mare named Pinkamena asked.

The friendly mage tried to give a cheeky smile, but Pinkie Pie continued to burst into tears.

"Please don't KILL ME!"

"Dear GOD, I am not going to kill you I am not an evil TYRANT!"

Pinkamena took a deep breath and tried to continue calming down the hysteric pony with a smile, but as soon as Pinkie Pie saw her fangs she ran for cover!

"AH, you are going to eat us all! I don't taste like cream cheese, t-trust me!"

Pinkamena frowned, "Sorry I forget my demonic appearance isn't cuddly to some." The mare cocked her head when gazing at the pegasus trying to cover herself with clouds. "Hey... you look familiar, like some pony I-"

Pinkamena picked up on her high toned voice, and energetic body language.. the bright colors and the random comments the pegasus made.

"OOOOH, I get it now... you are Pinkie Pie in a different timeline.. an alternative universe! I never existed here, your story... and life is completely different from MY Pinkie Pie! Ha, I know how to handle Pinkie Pie any day." Pinkamena said confidently as she strolled over to the pegasus pretending she was unseeable

Pinkamena's hoof suddenly held a cupcake covered in a magical essence, as she sat down next to the heap of clouds before patiently awaiting for the aroma to hit Pinkie. Her muzzle poked out of the clouds before she started to sniff... and her mouth started to water. What is that delicious smell? I have never... ever experienced such a yummy mmm-tastic mouth-watering smell like this! Never ever!

The Pegasus with her consistently sniffing muzzle allowed her blue eyes to pop out, as she looked at the smug pony waving the cupcake above her. Pinkie Pie forgot about her fear as her stomach rumbled hungrily, trying to grab the morsel from her tormentor's grasp weakly. The delicacy vanished before appearing in the other open hoof of Pinkamena, as she taunted Pinkie Pie by bringing it close to her muzzle!

Snap!

Her teeth missed it by an inch, and she couldn't take it anymore! Pinkie Pie sprung out of the clouds and ran towards the cupcake, only to have her nose stopped by a strong hoof.

"I'll give it to you don't worry, but first I would like to know why I was taking a morning walk... and suddenly thrown into cloud-land. You mentioned Athena, so I assume the Gods are involved in your world... and needed me here for a reason."

Pinkie Pie's eyes watered because she wanted that dessert! Sure Pinkamena was plenty scary, but her fears could always be overlooked if something delicious was at stake!

"AthenatoldmethatmyTreeofHarmonyisindangerandthattheGodsarechoosingsidesbecauseofAries!" Pinkie Pie spat out so quickly that Pinkamena had a hard time registering it!

Pinkamena nodded her head while processing it, before giving Pinkie Pie the cupcake! Knowing the pony, she covered her body with her wing as the icing splattered all over her shield. She chuckled, before lowering her wing and watching Pinkie Pie dreamily lick her lips while grinning.

"So.. your world has a Tree of Harmony that is not yet corrupted. A war between the Gods... a very concerning claim by Athena, much more dangerous then what I thought my Black Magic sensed. This is a doozy if the Gods go to war not just your world would be destroyed.. mine... the human world... all of them would be doomed!"

Pinkie Pie bounced, "Yeppie yep! That's why I had to summon you... but if you aren't the warlord... I can't imagine what the actual mare would look like!"

Pinkamena shrugged. "I think it was a bad idea to summon a pony that enslaved a planet, but I can handle her if she gets out of control... even though she must be a terrifying and bloodthirsty-"

"WEEEEEEEEE!" Something screamed from the second portal, as a blur of white and yellow slammed into the clouds behind Pinkamena!

THUMP!

Pinkamena jumped when she heard a sickening landing, as the small pony behind her didn't move. Pinkie Pie blinked in both shock and worry, as the flattened pegasus motionless on the clouds still didn't move. Her white wings were ruffled as her limbs hugged the clouds displayed in a splattered position.

"Is.... is she alive?" Pinkamena asked, as they approached the silent and still pegasus.

The poor mare had landed on her face, as her striking yellow mane lay scattered around her head. Pinkie Pie pushed Pinkamena forward, as the mage gently poked the head of the fallen pony.

"MMMPPHH." The pegasus grunted.

Pinkie Pie continued to push Pinkamena forward as she spoke. "Poke her again I think she said something!"

Pinkamena gulped before pressing the tip of her hoof lightly into the pegasus's temple.

Suddenly the head popped up with a wild expression and bright and glossy purple eyes. "SURPRISE!"

Confetti from an unknown source blasted their faces, as Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie yelled while falling backward! They were a mess of tangled limbs, as they heaved heavily! Pinkamena had her hoof on her chest as she tried to calm her breathing and gain control of her heart once more, as Pinkie Pie struggled not to pass out! They were extremely startled, unable to gather words as their mouths remained open in a silent scream!

The pegasus bounced on the clouds, releasing her wings as they fluttered and kept her airborne for a few seconds. She had a full and crazy smile as her purple irises looked at the world around her.

"OOOOOO, am I in heaven? Look at all the clouds and the sunshine and ohmygodthisisamazing! Wowie there is so much to look at..... okay I am bored, where is all the singing and the dancing? This place is too quiet, perhaps it's me that is talking too much? No waaaaay, I can't be the one talking too much because if I were then this place is reaaaaaally boring! What is hell like... do they have parties there? Hahaha, look at your faces you look like you had a heart attack! Is that how you died? By a heart attack? Nah that's silly, we are already in heaven you can't DIE in heaven... I think? OOOO, so many questions and mysteries!"

Pinkamena slowly rolled off of Pinkie Pie before glaring at the pegasus oblivious to her malicious stare. "Who do YOU think you are, you just screamed surprise in MY EAR, you idiot!"

The white pegasus stopped bouncing, "Whataya mean who am I? I just told you silly goose! I am Surprise, I practically yelled it, you couldn't have missed it! Hee-hee!"

She snorted with laughter as she started to bounce once more. Pinkie Pie recovered before looking at Pinkamena who was debating whether to throw her back into the portal!

"Yeah I think you summoned the wrong lunatic," Pinkamena said with a chuckle.

Surprise slung her forelimb over Pinkamena's shoulder before blowing a party favor in her ear. "Nopey dopey, you've got the right pegasus for this party!"

She blew the party favor in Pinkamena's ear again, this time making her scream in anger! The Black Magic warlock snatched the favor out of Surprise's mouth, before burning it with a hoof of fire!

Surprise's forelimb suddenly pixilated before transforming into what looked like a mini-cannon! Pinkie Pie's mouth fell open, as the pegasus lifted her limb into the sky and shot out a ball of confetti!

"Look I made it rain CONFETTI... look, look, look! You aren't looking... seriously look! Stop being a party pooper, red-eyed Eeyore!"

"You... Y-You can use advanced robotics... You... You are the sadistic warlord Athena talked about?" Pinkie Pie gasped, as Surprise frowned while hugging a furious Pinkamena.

"Sadistic...? That's crazy talk, I got a negative ten percent on my psychological test... so that means I am even lower than zero percent a psychopath!"

Pinkamena threw Surprise off of her with a growl. "You moron, the lower percentage you get..., the worse your brain is from the percentage of ponies on EARTH... how is it possible for you to get in the negatives?"

Surprise either didn't hear her or didn't care, as she bounced over to Pinkie Pie. "So didja summon me to help save your world, huh, huh? Are we forming a CLUB? OOOO, we could be like a super secret cult like you see in the movies... ya know, with like special hoodies and a wicked awesome symbol!"

Surprise was dragged away by green magic, as Pinkamena took her spot and leaned her muzzle to Pinkie Pie's ear.

"I don't think this sunshine child is the warlord Athena wanted you to summon. Send her back to whatever rainbow-infused world she came from."

Surprise popped up above their heads, before squeezing them tight in a bone-crushing hug. "Oh silly willy, my world doesn't have rainbows anymore not after the war! Everything is kinda dry and dusty now! But ya know... your world is reaaaaaaally pretty, I haven't seen natural clouds in forever!"

"Get OFF!" Pinkamena yelled, before shoving Surprise off of them causing her to tumble into a pile of clouds.

Error, error! Friendship rejected, annihilate threat! A robotic voice said piercing Pinkamena's ears as she held onto her throbbing head! Surprise started to shift before her forelimb transformed into a large metal cannon with a giant white skull painted on the side. Surprise squeaked, before trying to pull the weapon away from locking onto a mad Pinkamena.

"Abort, abort...! DO NOT annihilate my new friends, please! That would be just awful! Pretty please with a cupcake on top?" Surprise whimpered, as the scope shot a harmless red laser at Pinkamena before obeying the voice of its user. Weapons of mass destruction deactivated.

The cannon defused, before making a low sound with a hiss and melting back into the regular forelimb of Surprise.

"So fantastic we've got a demon Demi-God and a gigantic ball of fluff that apparently has weapons of mass destruction...? I don't buy it, go home little pegasus you are obviously not well in the head." Pinkamena laughed, making Surprise shake her head and grin.

"I have plenty of weapons on me! I am called a cyborg in my world since I have coolly advanced robotics infused within my exoskeleton which is just under my cuddly and warm huggable fur.... right here!" Surprise said pressing against her ribcage as she continued. "We use technology mostly which gets super duper boring! But... it does make planning parties and walking distances easy breezy!"

"Technology pffft… it can never beat magic! Trust me when I went into the human world, it was nothing special... texting is just annoying when I can just poof right to the pony I want to talk to. Or YouTube for that matter, there is much better quality entertainment than watching humans run into cacti. I can just use my magic to make it rain cacti all over a whole town! AHA! Now THAT is entertainment!" Pinkamena said.

"Actually it can, magic is considered primitive where I am from! But don't worry, I love your magic even though it isn't useful!"

Pinkamena seemed to be extremely offended! "PRIMITIVE? and not USEFUL?"

"Yippie do da!"

Pinkie Pie tried to hold back Pinkamena, as the white pegasus still seemed oblivious to her growing rage. "Pinkamena, relax! Try and take some deep breaths, oh I wish I had a balloon!"

"Can your magic pick up thousands of pounds?" Pinkamena challenged.

"Telekinesis was acquired over the course of hundreds of years, its considered a scientific development upon the pony race! With this super special implant I have in my brain, I can pick up plenty of heavy things! It focuses on the telekinesis I already have and makes it stronger!"

"F-Fine WELL, can your magic control other ponies?"

"Oooh, you funny bumfuzzle! That's called mind control, not magic! I have contacts infused with my cornea that make it pretty easy-peasy to do that!"

Pinkamena stamped her hoof. "Can you regenerate limbs when they have been cut off?"

Surprise froze before humming and tapping her chin. "Not without immediate urgent care, and it takes weeks to grow a new limb if it is gone! No pony can regenerate limbs like a lizard, that's ridiculous! Hee-hee you are funny Pinkamena!"

"Well, I matter-of-factly can!" She turned to Pinkie Pie and smiled. "Ha, told you all magic was cooler than technology, let's see Surprise try and compare herself to me now- AGHGHHHHHHHH!"

Pinkamena screamed when Surprise stood behind her with a sharp blade infused into her forelimb. Her blade had cleanly and suddenly cut Pinkamena's leg right off! Surprise leaned over the severed limb, staring at it with a smile before looking up and blinking innocently at Pinkamena who was screaming in agony!

"What on earth!!! Surprise why did you DO THAT?" Pinkie Pie cried. She helped Pinkamena immediately, as the mare leaned over the pink pegasus and kept screaming bloody murder.

"Do what?" Surprise asked with confusion as she bounced in place. "Ooo, I love guessing games!"

"YOU CUT OFF MY LEG!!" Pinkamena howled! As she looked at the stump that was starting to glow green.

"Oooo yeah that, you've got to be clearer on what you mean! I wanted to see you regenerate, it seems like a really cool power!" Surprise chirped!

Pinkamena swallowed painfully before grunting. Her leg started to glow green intensely, and before long it extended outwards and faded into a pinkish color that matched Pinkamena's other legs. Her injured leg was now good as new, while she stuck out her forelimb and her signature scythe appeared in her hoof.

"You are going to regret messing with-"

"Oh wow! You have a favorite weapon, so do I! Lookie here!" Surprise said proudly as a futuristic gun appeared within her forelimbs. It had a large barrel on the front where a two sectioned scope locked onto Pinkamena while glowing energy vibrated within glass channels infused within the metal. Purple lights ran in sync throughout the gun, as the heavy handle was gripped steadily by Surprise while her hoof remained clear of the trigger.

Weapon detected, threat targeted. 'Party Time' activated. The gun said before the lights turned a nasty and dangerous tint of red with a whirling sound. Surprise gasped, "Wait... Wait no! It's not that kind of party!"

Heat signatures acquired, hostility identified. The gun replied as Surprise tried to pull the gun away from Pinkamena... but it was locked on permanently!

"Just you try it!" Pinkamena hissed, before pushing Pinkie Pie out of the way for her safety.

"Stupid... AI! I can't... ngh!" Surprise said as Pinkamena charged.

Surprise yelled at her to stop, but the gun had already shot out a giant beam of energy! Pinkamena was swallowed by the light, before bursting into a million chunks of ash!

Pinkie Pie screamed in terror, as Surprise's ears flattened with a horrified look.

"Oopsie…."

As fast as she exploded, the ash swirled together and regenerated back into flesh! Green goop sewed the limbs together, as Pinkamena reappeared with her scythe!

"COME HERE!" Pinkamena yelled as she tackled Surprise! The Pegasus squealed fearfully, as Pinkamena put her into a painful headlock while twisting her back leg!

"Safeword!! Safeword!!" Surprise yelled as she thrashed under the strength of her foe! The pegasus weakly flapped her wings, as Pinkamena continued to wrestle her without mercy relentlessly!

Pinkie Pie was super glad Pinkamena was okay, but it looked like the fight was one-sided now. She was about to intervene until her Cutie Mark started to glow softly. Huh...? Is my Cutie Mark summoning me back to my friends? She lifted her back leg and looked at her balloon mark on her flank.

Pinkamena was biting Surprise's wings with her fangs before they stopped suddenly and both looked at their Cutie Marks. The Demi-God spoke up first, "What is this sorcery?"

Surprise looked at her purple balloons. "Duh, it means party time! Just a private party for all three of us!"

Pinkie Pie suddenly felt something warm above her head, and when she tipped her chin upwards, a map fell on her muzzle. She sneezed, as the scroll fell from her nose and onto the clouds that supported their weight. Pinkamena released Surprise from her grasp, as the pegasus relaxed when the tension from her stretching limbs was released.

The trio's Cutie Marks were all glowing together in perfect harmony, causing a wave of mass confusion. Pinkie Pie lowered her body until she could read what was on the map. The scroll had an extensive display of the realms in her world, with a golden and thin light connecting one spot in Cloudsdale to another spot within Equestria!

"What is that icky black spot over there?" Surprise asked, as she slid next to Pinkie Pie and pointed with her hoof towards what looked like a bleeding ink stain. "Ewwww gross, I got some on my hoof... I wonder what it tastes like."

Surprise licked her hoof before covering her mouth to keep from vomiting, as Pinkamena tapped her chin. "I assume that is where the corruption in your world is starting. You might want to keep that from spreading, or something really bad will happen... I can promise you that."

Pinkie Pie swallowed. "I think the Tree of Harmony's corruption is being spread through the roots keeping the realms together! I don't think it has reached the base of the tree yet, but if we don't stop it... and keep Aries's power from reaching ponies and the tree... my world is doomed!"

Surprise gathered the two ponies together for a group hug, as she gave them a toothy grin. "Weeeeell, then I guess we better go and save your world, right? We are a team now aren't we?"

Pinkamena looked sick. "What was Athena thinking... teaming me up with this psychopath!"

"Because we are destined to be best friends!" Surprise purred, before nuzzling into Pinkamena's cheek.

"You have two seconds to get off before I banish you to forever swim in River Styx."

Surprise released Pinkamena before sitting on her rump with a closed-mouthed smile. Pinkie Pie picked up the map, which had mini-clouds, and rushing as well as wet rivers running within the paper! The clouds moved when Pinkie Pie brushed her hoof across them, as the bumpy landscape felt like actual earth!

"This map... what kind of magic does it use?" Pinkie Pie asked Pinkamena as she leaned over her shoulder.

"Not magic, see the etch of an owl when you put it up to the sun? It's Athena's enchanted map, I assume she gave it to you so your hunt will be easier."

Pinkie Pie nodded her head. "Oh okay, but... how do we activate it?"

"Ask it nicely!" Surprise said as she pushed her head in-between the two ponies huddled together.

"That's stupid Surprise, there is probably a certain way you are supposed to hold it o-or something," Pinkamena said as she thought of a way to get them there.

Surprise pushed her whole body through the couple, before landing on the map and snatching it up in her hooves! "Hey... Mapie, do me a big 'ol favor and take us to that gross tasting pile of goo there will ya?"

Pinkie Pie blinked. "I don't think that's how it works Sur-"

Their bodies were instantly sucked into the map, before being spit out on top of each other. Pinkamena was unfortunate to be under Surprise, as the pegasus cheered happily when she realized she was on top. The map floated beside them gently, before landing on Pinkie Pie's nose.

Boom!

Thunder clashed above them, as a black storm mercilessly ravaged Equestria! Pinkie Pie looked above her to see pegasi trying to fight it, but even with their skillful flying, they were no match! Rain pumped down from the sky, as something roared from above, showing a long snake-like body in a shadow from a lightning bolt.

The creature in the core of the storm seemed to be causing the destruction, as unicorns scrambled to take cover in their houses and shops! Pinkie Pie picked herself up, before looking at the map that did not seem to be soggy even though it was made of golden paper!

"This is where we are supposed to be... I think. Our Cutie Marks are glowing... I think... I think Athena wants us to fight whatever that thing is up there!" Pinkie Pie said looking up.

Pinkamena bumped Surprise off her back before stretching out her leathery wings. "Fine with me."

Surprise once more hopped on Pinkamena's back. "Yeah! This chapter was getting boring anyways!"

"Get OFF!" Pinkamena barked, before bucking the pony off her back!

"I don't know guys... I am not very strong... I can't fight!" Pinkie Pie yelled over the rage of the storm.

"Come on Pinkie Pie, we've got your back!" Pinkamena said. The Demi-God leaped up into the air before ascending upwards into the clouds easily fighting off the wind with pure skill.

"Weee! Adventure! Wait for meeee!" Surprise called, as her feathery wings caught the wind. She scooped up the frozen pink pegasus before squealing excitedly and taking her up into the clouds to meet Pinkamena.

Surprise created a thin holographic shield in front of her, that faded in and out of eyesight as it protected them from the hail blasting their faces. Pinkamena lead the way, as she dodged crashing lightning bolts that made her fur stand on end! Surprise swung the limp pegasus in her forelimbs, as she danced in the air oblivious to the oncoming danger that lurked within the storm.

"Aroooooo!" The creature howled. Pinkamena stopped abruptly only to have Surprise slam into her from not paying attention, and dropping Pinkie Pie!

The pink pegasus opened her wings and was able to stay airborne, as Pinkamena watched something slither among the thick blanket of black clouds. Its body was long like a python with two arms and two back legs all the way towards its tail, with bright sapphire blue scales. It had two long whiskers and a head that looked like a dragon as its mouth opened up revealing sharp jagged teeth fizzling with electric-blue lightning!

"It's Shen-Lung! He's a dragon in myths that was said to be the master of storms!" Pinkamena cried.

"Shen-Lung? Aren't we doing Greek mythology here? No switcheroos!" Surprise said but was ignored.

The dragon's eyes were wild... and leaking a purple trail as he whipped around and shot lightning at Pinkamena! She was not expecting it, as Surprise jumped in front of her with a screen barrier! The bolt bounced off the shield, as Pinkie Pie avoided the debris from the attack! Pinkamena swept up into the air, before shooting a blast of Black Magic from her hooves! Shen-Lung roared before curling into a ball and absorbing it with his scales, before unwrapping and floating at blinding speeds towards the mares!

"Don't get too close, the static from his scales will kill any mortal that approaches! His power matches that of the Gods, so be wary!" Pinkamena warned as she divebombed downwards to avoid the long body of the serpentine dragon!

"Oooo, the scales are sooo pretty! I want one!" Surprise whined as she approached the corrupted dragon.

"No Surprise!" Pinkie Pie yelled, tackling the pegasus out of the way just before the scales zapped her!

Pinkamena's hoof lit with magic before she delivered punches into the dragon's jaws. "Unlike them, I can get up close and personal, go Demi-God power!" Her hoof smashed into Shen-Lung's cheek, cracking some of his fangs as he whipped around and slapped Pinkamena with his long and rough tail!

Surprise made a strange sound, before casting her body downwards to catch Pinkamena before her body broke through the storm wall. The white pegasus's forelimb transformed into a large cannon before something slid over her eye creating a scope. She held the recovering Pinkamena in one forelimb, before focusing on her target with a laser catching Shen-Lung's gaze.

"No pony hurts my FRIENDS, NO PONY!" Surprise yelled! She clenched her teeth angrily, and she let out a war cry before the cannon blasted a ball of combined energy towards the dragon! The sphere hit her target, shocking him heavily while his scales cracked and muscles spasmed! The clouds shied away from the energy eating away at the giant creature, as Surprise kept releasing shots without so much as a care that it might be too much!

Shen-Lung gathered lightning into his claws, before letting it discharge! The electricity caught Surprise, overloading her system with more energy then she could handle! System offline, rebooting. "Stupid AI come on! Oh... so very, very tired... I think I am just going to take a little nap-ie."

The dragon opened his maw to scoop up the falling Surprise and Pinkamena, as Pinkie Pie cowered. Come on Pinkie Pie... they need you... they need me! I-I have to help them! Pinkie Pie swooped forwards, before catching Pinkamena and Surprise in her grip! The dragon's jaws snapped but missed the ponies, as Pinkie Pie easily carried them upwards avoiding the gaze of Shen-Lung.

"Uuuuuh, why are there so many stars circling my head..?" Pinkamena muttered, as her eyes rolled around in her head loosely. "-Why am I upside down..?"

Surprise was snoring, as Pinkie Pie clutched her new friends close to her chest. "Wake up guys... I can't beat him on my own! He's as strong as the Gods!"

Suddenly her hooves leaked golden light, before trickling towards the ponies she carried. The magic cleaned Surprise's pelt until it no longer looked like she tried sticking a fork in a toaster before Pinkie Pie heard a voice say: System rebooted, subject Gen-1 experiment 2.0 online. Her magic also leaked to Pinkamena, who shot up as soon as the light touched her forehead!

Before Pinkamena could speak Surprise burst from Pinkie Pie's hold with a shout. "I feel like I just drank three cans of Redbull!"

"I-I really can heal others!" Pinkie Pie said in bewilderment, as Pinkamena pushed her forward.

"Let's see what else you can do, join us this round."

"Yeah! Let's combine our power like that fusion dance in that one show....? I think the name fits this situation pretty well, but I cannot for the life of me figure it out! You are just a big stinky failure Surprise.. boo you!" Surprise said.

Pinkie Pie smiled when her new friends joined her side.

"RYOOOO!" Shen-Lung howled, as he bared his fangs.

Weapons of mass destruction activated, target acquired. "Everypony ready? Tee-hee! This is going to be a PARTY!"

Pinkamena rolled her neck. "It really has been a while since I've had a good fight."

"Uhhh… I am ready if you are!" Pinkie Pie said with a chipper tone. She gave them a determined smile before Surprise's forelimbs were pressed forwards with hundreds of devices and rockets aimed at the dragon!

They charged!

Pinkamena wrestled with the dragon's tail that he swung like a hurricane, as she used her wings to cause a gust to push her teammates forward! He came down aiming his jaws at Pinkie Pie, only to have Surprise back her up by shooting bullets at the dragon's head causing him to retreat his bite attack! Pinkie Pie flew under his massive maw, before continuing forward and reaching his chest.

She pressed her hooves forward before forgetting... she couldn't touch his scales! When her hooves made contact, an explosion caused the serpent-like dragon to be thrown towards the clouds and swallow him up! He roared, as Surprise kept him from returning with hundreds of rockets exploding behind the barrier and tearing up his remaining scales! When they heard nothing but the echoes of the mare's rockets bursting, they wondered if the battle was over.

"I think Aries's power technically makes you God-like! Wow cool, you're a Demi-God!" Pinkamena said with a playful shove. Pinkie Pie giggled, as the group cheered with their victory... only to hear something stirring.

Warning, growing energy detected. Expect heavy static, and decreased chances of survival rates.

Surprise's ammunition automatically upgraded to her favorite canon, while her eyes never left where the dragon fell through. The lightning around them cackled, cracking together sharply as the wind gathered and shivered the group down to their bones! Frost started form on their wings, as Pinkamena shivered from the temperature that suddenly dropped even further down!

Shen-Lung burst from the other side of the clouds, before opening his jaws! Sharp shards of ice went flying towards the group, as Pinkie Pie shielded herself with her hooves! A wall of flames suddenly formed in front of her, as Pinkamena and Surprise gathered behind her not wanting to ask questions! The ice and hail was evaporated as soon as it hit Pinkie Pie's shield which she was still not aware of!

The dragon cocked his head, as Pinkie Pie opened her eyes.

"Woah did I do that?" Pinkie Pie asked as the wall dispersed.

The group nodded with a smile before she started to get a little... excited! Pinkie Pie grinned, as her team awaited for her to join them... which she was glad to do! She extended her forelimb and allowed the spear Aries was fond of to slither into view as her head covered itself with a spartan helm.

She charged forward with a new found adrenaline rush! Woah... Is this what Dashie feels when she does those death-defying stunts? This... is... totally... awesome! She rode the wind with an aura of fire, as the dragon's pupils grew to the size of ants! She swung her spear slicing across the dragon's thick hide with the blade, as the strength from her swing knocked Shen-Lung backward! His scales broke, blowing off from the whiplash of her movement as she spun around and kicked him with a strong hoof!

The flames encasing her hoof scorched the cheek of the dragon, as he panted weakly unable to crawl away from this battle! He spat out lightning from his mouth, but Pinkie Pie shielded herself with her wings and absorbed the attack before lunging forward and colliding with his horns! They broke and shattered immediately, before Pinkamena barreled her body into his chest, making him limply fall from the storm he created.

The group chased him out of the battlefield as they followed his falling body towards the hard ground below. With a mighty crash in an empty field, he lay still with white eyes and an agape expression. Pinkamena, Pinkie Pie and Surprise landed as the white pegasus deactivated her weapons and kicked at the unconscious enemy.

"Well... he's going to be taking a long nap! I guess that means Demi-God wins this round against Gods!" Surprise cheered gleefully.

Suddenly the map appeared again, this time Pinkie Pie caught it. She glanced at the black ink and found it retreating back within the map, along with the black haze over Equestria depleting! She let out a content sigh, as she sat on the grass and allowed herself to laugh excitedly.

"I did it... I actually fought something and won!" Pinkie Pie giggled.

"Yeah, I guess that is pretty cool... So I guess this is why I am here, huh? I don't mind it, I like this place... it seems pretty pimp with all these mythical Gods running around heh." Pinkamena said, brushing her straight mane from her weathered face.

Silence settled over them until Pinkie Pie felt an itch at the back of her mind. She tried to uncover it... but what could her brain be trying to tell her?

She popped up! "OH, my friends! I have to go heal them! They must be in so much pain! We must go there right now! I nearly forgot!"

Pinkamena sighed loudly. "UGH I hate Pinkie Pie's friends, even in THIS dimension I know they still suck!"

"Come on girls, I promise it will be fun... I will tell some stories on the way back!" Pinkie Pie offered. Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie started to walk off, until they noticed Surprise reaching out towards the fallen dragon.

"Surprise don't touch the scales, you will die... how many times do I have to-"

Pinkamena was cut off by the pegasus. "He's sleeping... I don't think the rule applies when the dragon is dreaming... shhhh or he will wake up! Hee-hee!"

Pinkamena rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Just one teensy-weensy scale...." Surprise said greedily.

"UGH come ON SURPRISE! I SWEAR to God.. I mean GODS!"