Author's Note

This is not really the end... just the chapter title... we have a long way to go aha!

If you could not tell by the giant Surprise picture.... yep, this is in Surprise's POV. Now before you say "Venomblast WhAt ThE hEcK R u DoiNg" let me explain.

Each chapter will now be put in a character's POV so you know who is thinking things... what they are feeling and so on. Aaaaaaand, because I am feeling a little chaotic and want to mess around with our friendly neighborhood ~~planet enslaving~~ cyborg. Also if this chapter seems anger based... that's because I am losing a shipping war and I am TAKING IT OUT on these poor imaginary characters! So, excuse me for grumbling... and throwing darts at a wall.

The order will be this: we will start with Surprise, then Pinkamena and then lastly Pinkie Pie... this order will NOT change unless I absolutely must do so. Even then I will give a heads up and the order will go back to normal.

Now, I am going to post this chapter and then go binge myself on Cracker Barrel's green beans, and watch Total Drama on Netflix. Good day.

The Beginning of the End

Surprise

Surprise took a deep breath, as something clanked together. Her eyes felt sore and they throbbed as a light shined from her left eye. Thousands of pictures and controls could be seen from her vision, as her eyes picked up on heartbeats and heat signatures throughout the dungeon she was trapped in.

"What... what is going on... I-I am so scared, I-I can see things I have never seen before! W-What... I-I..." Surprise stuttered as her eyes looked downwards to see something exposed and beating! Her chest was pried open, with a living and pumping heart glowing underneath metal prods. Her eye started to form words in her vision: New installment, rib and chest plating, bullet protection and missile range increased.

Her only friend and her AI spoke softly. Pony approaching, age fifty-eight, weaknesses include frail heart and injured humerus bone that has not healed properly. Best strategy advised, to aim for weakened angles.

"I don't want to kill, I don't want to kill anymore... please!" Surprise begged, her raspy voice hoarse from the last time she went through this. A pony walked in, his face etched with lines from age and his mane scraggy and withered from stress. His pelt was a dark red, with a faded gray mane with streaks of silvery gray in them as he came up to the exposed Surprise who was crying softly on the table. "My l-legs and... eyes... w-what did you do to me?"

The stallion's name was Crimson Desert, said to turn deserts into rivers from the blood of the enemies he defeated. A master in weapons, and the brain behind the greatest achievement he has ever created. Two other ponies dressed in all white pulled behind them a young stallion who was nothing but a bag of bones. His ribcage poked through his fur, as chains wrapped around his throat and his hooves.

"You've been upgraded, to where you will be forced to listen to my commands. We cannot allow you to have free will anymore after you sent fourteen of my researchers to the hospital."

Surprise tried to lift her forelimb, only to have something beep and shock her. "AH!"

"Don't try and resist, each time you make it difficult we will make it extremely… mmm, painful for you." Crimson said as he tapped a watch on his chest allowing the latches to release Surprise as she tumbled to the metal flooring.

Instantly she popped up and forced her forelimb to evolve into a massive machine gun. Crimson was calm, as the researchers behind him shifted in fear. Surprise jumped when a scope formed in front of her eye, as the firearm activated on the victims that would be blown to pieces.

"Annihilation 2.0 deactivate weapon." Crimson said clearly, as her AI beeped. Command received, deactivating hostility. She squeaked as her only defense lowered itself, as her hooves sealed themselves on the floor refusing to move until given another order. "Bring the captive towards you."

The poor pony's chained body was wrapped in thick yellow light, as Surprise used her telekinesis to bring him over to her muzzle. She sat him down, as he stared at the open chest revealing her beating heart within the metal cage of her exoskeleton. Her robotic eye focused, the materials inside zooming in and out as her face remained emotionless with her posture tall preparing to be addressed.

"Let's have a field test, with her new upgrades." Crimson said, as he flicked his hoof and shooed his researchers behind a glass bulletproof wall. He ran his hoof through his mane, before tapping his watch and allowing the captive's chains to fall and clang on the metal flooring.

As soon as he was freed he tried to bolt, but his tail was snatched by the iron grip of Surprise. She brought down her hoof, easily breaking his spine without so much as a care. He was cast to the cold floor, a gigantic and sickening dent in his back, as Surprise slowly brought her head up and waited for commands.

"Try the non-voice command again, this time make it more clear." Crimson said, as he watched intensely from the safety of his one-sided mirror. "Tell her to play with him a little."

Surprise's ears flicked, as words appeared in her vision. Break him, but leave him alive and then cease all activities The pegasus dragged the injured pony behind her, by snatching his tail in her mouth before throwing him into a wall, smashing the metal like soft clay with her own force. The pony screamed in pain, as Surprise approached the now paralyzed pony who would never recover.

Surprise ceased her actions before something appeared in her vision once more. Terminate the ex-soldier of Blackheart.

"And here the real test begins, let us see if she can regain control of her own brain." Crimson sneered, as Surprise faltered for just a moment before lifting her head to meet the eyes of the soldier.

Her foreleg transformed into a painful and deadly spinning saw, as she blinked and cocked her head. She hesitated but said nothing, before bringing down the stirring blade on the soldier.

"Excellent." Crimson laughed.

When Surprise's vision unblurred, all she could see around her was devastation. Fire flickering in the silence of the night, and the smoky sky brought a lump into her throat. Without needed her AI to explain, she held her breath when watching words auto type across her vision. AI temporarily was unavailable, went offline, rebooting Subject 'Surprise' accessible to commands. Her focus brought her attention to Pinkamena, once the red shade melted back into color and her brain could focus.

She felt something soothingly stroking her cheek, as her eyes peered into Pinkamena's soft red gaze. Surprise's pupils shrank when she noticed the dripping wound and green goop flowing freely onto the clouds. Her spine was tense, and her muscles clenched from a battle she no longer questioned was real.

Surprise started to hyperventilate as her hoof gently touched Pinkamena's wound making the Demi-God shriek. "Mena.. Mena I am so sorry! I-I can't control..."

Pinkamena panted. "Surprise its fine, calm down-"

"They... they altered me... I-I cannot stop its bloodlust... they... created me to kill, it goes rogue... I almost killed you..." Surprise said as fat and heavy tears slid down her cheek.

Pinkamena hushed her, as she hung her head refusing to look into the demon's eyes. "I have been through the same thing, where I was controlled by something else. The ones in charge of your robotic side still have you programmed to follow the orders you were given. I know very little about robots, but I do know that once it is created to do something... it is very hard to tell it to do something else without the right tools."

Surprise nodded wiping her cheek with the back of her hoof. "W-When I... I... stopped Blackheart... I unknowingly killed the ones in charge of my command center so they couldn't give me commands anymore. But... B-But the way to rewire it died with them... and so... I am stuck like this. Firefly was able to create medicine that could keep me in check, but I could go savage at any second."

Surprise looked down to her beating heart. The words echoing in her head, making her ears flick. "And here the real test begins, let us see if she can regain control of her own brain." The most powerful pony created in existence, yet her strength could only go so far. She had no control over what she did when her AI went offline, causing the Annihilation Gen-1 2.0 to become active. When it did, no ponies were not able to get her to stop... but Pinkamena did.

Surprise cocked her head. Mena... is special. I-I sensed it when I first met her, but something about her.... is different than any other pony I have met. She... makes me feel... happy? Truly happy, and safe. Pinkamena was something else... but what that would be, Surprise couldn't comprehend.

Surprise has implants scattered along her brain, but one kept her from having any care for pony-life. It made it easier to kill, to make choices without having emotions get in the way. Over time she was able to fight off these careless thoughts, but still, she never got to the point where she cared about any pony... where their death would bother her. But, when she pictured Pinkamena dying... she felt... heartbroken.

She didn't understand this... she hardly knew her, yet she felt so close already.

She felt a wing stretch over her shoulders, their smooth texture and warmth spreading across her back. Pinkamena's onyx wings gently guided her from her rooted stance, but her hooves felt like sandbags. "Mena... why are you being so kind to me? Why are you not scared of me? Every pony that saw me.... l-like this... fears me, t-they call me a sadistic pony... I-I am not that way... I promise b-but no pony believes me."

Pinkamena pressed the cyborg close to her side. "I know Surprise. I do not fear you because you seem like a pony who is haunted by a past... like me. When I was lost, the Pinkie Pie in my world helped me find my way. You deserve to be loved and not feared, you just have to work on showing ponies they have nothing to be afraid of."

Surprise felt a strange sensation. She could feel wires sparking, as her AI flashed words across her vision. New chemicals identified, unknown biological changes occurring. Stand by, potentially hazardous. Well that is new, am I getting an upgrade? No, I have to manually infuse new changes... what kind of chemicals are my body producing?

Pinkie Pie nuzzled her cheek, "Are you okay Surprise?"

The cyborg swallowed thickly when she felt slight tingles spread across her back from the contact of Pinkamena's wing. What is this... new feeling? I... want to protect Pinkamena... I... I want to be closer to her. She had become quite obsessed with touching Pinkamena when she first met her, she tries to be touchy-feely to unlock those pony-like traits that separate her from artificial. But.. this was different, once she locked onto Pinkamena.. she couldn't stop, it was like every second she denied her cuddles it was painful!

This never bothered her before, no pony denied her affections... but when they were uncomfortable with her, they tried not to show it but even knowing they hated it Surprise could have cared less. It killed her inside when Pinkamena shoved her off, and it drove her CRAZY! Why did it matter? Ponies were like bugs to her, easy to squish and forgotten about within the next minute. Pinkamena seemed to be much more important to her if even her robotic side bent to her will, and listened to her before taking the pill.

What is so... different about this Demi-God? I have met Gods, but their presence has never frazzled me just by giving me a soft smile... what kind of power does she have over me?

"Sorry about your house Pinkie Pie, I can rebuild it, but it might take a while." Pinkamena said as the pink pegasus joined her side. Pinkamena took her wing off of Surprise, ripping the pegasus away from her deep thoughts.

She saw the demon wrap it around Pinkie Pie. Hey! Pay attention to me, not her! Surprise's ears flattened, and she heard a low growl escape her lips before catching it in shock! Why did that rub her the wrong way?

Solve the issue... so they stop CUDDLING! Why is she affectionate to Pinkie Pie anyways? What did SHE do to deserve all the cuddles? Pinkie doesn't get any parties anymore... no parties or hugs from me EVER!

Surprise popped up above their heads as they stared at the cottage now in tatters while Pinkie spoke. "It's okay Pinkamena, at least our friendship is stronger than it has ever been!"

Pinkamena chuckled. "Sure, as long as Surprise doesn't go zonkers again."

"I can fix the house!" Surprise said quickly before she fell in-between them both forcing Pinkamena to retract her wing to avoid the pressure from straining her muscle. Surprise felt herself spreading her wing, inching the two mares away from each other as she sat in-between them.

Surprise dug something out from her mane, as she held a little glowing perplexed cube in her hoof. The colors were bright blue and green, with a bumpy squared surface as she inspected it before tossing it out onto the ruins of the cottage. Pinkamena screeched as she took cover by spreading a forcefield around her and Pinkie Pie, making Surprise oddly grow annoyed.

Pinkie Pie was shivering in Pinkamena's forelimbs. "You think its another nuke, Mena?"

Mena?! I gave her that nickname, you can't steal it STINKIE PIE! Surprise's ears flattened, but she was glad they couldn't exactly see her temper rising. "Actually it's not a bomb, its a house that adapts and I thought you would be super happy to have a house instead of living in a cardboard box hee-hee!"

Her voice was a little rugged, almost like she was forcing out the little laugh at the end... which was strange. Surprise took a deep breath, she shouldn't be bothered over a few hugs... but she was... immensely. Why was it so easy for Pinkamena to have physical contact with Pinkie Pie but not her? The only time Pinkamena had even willingly touched her, was when she went bananas and almost destroyed the earth. Every other time, Pinkamena basically avoided her like the Black Plague!

Surprise harshly sat down on the clouds, before her forelimb opened up to reveal her control panel. The green screen lit up as she touched it with the tip of her hoof. The cube burst with white light before the mares shielded their eyes and waited for the cube to do its work. Once the light faded from view, a futuristic house stood on the clouds made of polished white marble and shiny black glass.

It was bubbled, instead of boxy like most houses in the early eras. It had a medium-sized garden, with several hybrid apple trees and flowery willow trees. It had a fountain with a statue of an elemental dragon, along with four floors and several bedrooms.

"That isn't a house, that is practically a mansion," Pinkamena said.

Surprise gave her a confused look. "Not really, this is what I go camping in silly goose!"

Pinkie Pie yawned. "Thanks, Surprise, really I mean it... I was wondering where we would sleep for the rest of the night."

Surprise bounced over to Pinkie Pie, before wrapping her wing around her side. "No problemo, I can even program it to look like your old cottage if ya want!"

Pinkie Pie was practically falling asleep before she leaned on Pinkamena for support. Surprise ripped of her wing in disgust, as she watched Pinkamena chuckle. "Knowing the Pinkie Pie from my world, it is way past your bedtime. Come on."

Pinkie Pie nodded groggily, as Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie headed inside. Surprise followed behind with a lowered head and a quiet growl, Pinkamena had JUST met Pinkie Pie.... and look how close they were! Sure she went a little bonkers there for a while, but even Mena had said that she deserved to be loved and not feared! Were Mena and her even friends? She considered Pinkamena to be her best friend, but she was not sure the Demi-God returned the same mindset.

Pinkamena whispered something to Pinkie Pie making her laugh, making Surprise's fur stand on end! I am being left OUT, that is exactly what is happening! Pinkamena probably thinks Surprise is a monster, and therefore won't even try and get to know her after that little stunt she pulled! She did a frustrated dance, stupid... stupid Surprise.. you had ONE shot, and you blew it!

They went inside, and Pinkamena helped Pinkie Pie up the carpeted stairs. Surprise mumbled behind them, as she dragged her wings on the ground thinking up of a way to make it up to Pinkamena. Once they made it to a bedroom, Surprise was shocked when the door was closed right in her face! Her muzzle bumped the metal door, as she heard them laugh about something Pinkamena joked about!

Surprise clenched her teeth, before letting out a muffled scream! She huffed before storming off if they wanted to snuggle and laugh about jokes by themselves FINE! Wait... no, it was not fine, Surprise zoomed back up the stairs as tears pricked her eyes. She halted her hoof by the door, please don't leave me out... I am sorry for what I did! She held her ear by the door, before wiping her eyes.

"Goodnight Mena, thanks for being my friend."

"Its hard not to, you are exactly like my Pinkie Pie!"

Oh! Oh, so THEY are friends, so easily? How was making friends with Mena so easy for her? What does SHE have that I don't? Surprise wanted to be angry, but she was just upset at herself. She ruined her chances at being friends with Pinkamena when she met her, and she put the nail of the coffin when she went berserk! I hate myself, I hate everything I am... robot, pony whatever the HECK I am!

Surprise dragged her tail behind her, letting her tears drip down her cheeks as she followed her trail of shame. She passed by a large mirror, before taking in her pathetic sight. There was that haunting red eye staring back at her, like the tales of the creatures from nightmares following you with their red gaze hidden in the darkness. She was a monster, there was no doubt about that... her fur was smoked and missing around her metal skull, along with her metal ribcage containing her beating heart.

She felt something heavy and jabbing down by that organ, it hurt... a lot!

"Check for possibility range of myocardial infarction." Surprise said aloud before something flashed across her vision responding to her commands. No problems reported for the circulatory system. If it was not a possible heart attack... what was that crushing and stabbing feeling? It was almost unbearable, making her want to curl up in a fetal position and sob for days!

Was this.. despair? Was she even capable of producing this kind of feeling? She had never experienced it before, or the sense of caring so much about an opinion a mare feels about her. How could she change Pinkamena's view on her? What do I have to do? She does not like cuddling with me or talking to me... I would bet my entire world on the fact she hates me. Surprise went into her tinkering lab, where she spends time working on her robotics or throws things together to create something new when she was stressed.

She sat on a seat, as she let a giant mechanical arm auto piolet and start reattaching fur to her skull. She cried quietly, for she was hopeless on starting a friendship she had already ruined. This was why no ponies wanted to be her friend, even though Mena had said she was not scared of her... she knew the truth. She didn't blame her, after seeing her murderous wild side any pony would be terrified that she would go off again.

Something beeped, and Surprise rushed over to a mirror hoping the hideous creature she was earlier had gone away. Her purple eyes blinked back at her, with bright white fur covering every inch of her body like it always had. Unfortunately, they already knew what was hidden under her "huggable fur," and it was not what she would describe as warm and fuzzy.

Even though she looked normal again, her heart was heavy as she dragged her hooves out of her workshop and into the living room where she climbed on a pillowed window seat. She rested her chin on the circular window, looking up at the stars before huddling herself and letting herself cry out all her frustrations. How could she repair the damage she has done? Could a pony built for destruction and death truly change her ways, she would in a heartbeat, but would they believe she was trying her hardest? She couldn't control her programming, not without a pony that was able to re-write the rights to her command center.

What did ponies do for other ponies when they knew they messed up bad? She saw in movies they would give flowers... or write a card, and talk it out once they gave it to them. Knowing Pinkamena she didn't seem like the talkative type, Surprise was meant to pick up on bodily signals so she had figured out a few things. What she had picked up was that Pinkamena was guarded, proven by her stance when she stood, or when she avoided eye contact. Her muscles tensed up when Surprise touched her, and her lungs held in air when any pony was close to her.

In curiosity, Surprise would monitor her bodily functions, and slowly she would learn what bothered Pinkamena. Her heartbeat would increase when talking about her past, and she noticed Pinkamena tried really hard to convince others she was wanted in her early years. Surprise had no doubt that she was popular among the stallions... but why would her AI say she was lying? Pinkamena was powerful, smart, and... pretty... but, at the same time, she made it seem obvious that she was hiding something about her romantic life.

She also monitored her chemical balances, her health, and her genome. Surprise studied her carefully when she was not watching, for what she found worried her. Pinkamena's health was declining rapidly, with several blotches of negative grey matter in her brain and excessive amounts of cortisol being released. To combat her high-stress levels, her adrenaline is being massively produced as well, which is impacting her heart.

Her cell count was low, probably from immortality. But, she couldn't help but notice even though the cells that divide and split over time that cause aging were still there, they rarely repaired themselves to help heal issues in her body. This made her try and figure out why that was, and that was when she found her organs and overall physical health were not at all in good shape. She was malnourished, dehydrated... and overall starving... like she rarely allowed herself to eat.

In conclusion, she was not very healthy... because she had found Pinkamena was secretly very, very, sad. The chemicals she was producing, the malfunctions of her organs from starving herself... it all added up and it worried her.

What was Pinkamena hiding?

She wiped her cheeks so she would be free of tears before she felt a hoof on her shoulder. Surprise's whipped around in both shock and fear that some pony had seen her cry, and any pony other then Pinkamena. Please be Pinkie Pie! Unfortunately the fates were not on her side that night, and when her eyes met Pinkamena's she instantly tensed up with fearful eyes.

"Relax Surprise, trust me I don't like crying either but sometimes it is necessary," Pinkamena said softly. The Demi-God hopped up on the window seat, before staring off in the distance towards the moon. She was silent, while Surprise tried to calculate what to say next, and was miserably failing. "What's on your mind, Surprise. Why are you upset?"

Lie... tell her you were remembering... your party when no pony came. Surprise tried to speak, but her mouth was as dry as cotton. The cyborg just sat there, opening and closing her mouth like a beached fish while making small squeaks as Pinkamena continued to stare up at the stars.

Surprise felt something rising up in her throat, no... NO... don't do this Surprise, I can't say something embarrassing right NOW. It was coming... she called it word vomit, where she would spit up something her body was feeling but tried to keep hidden. She could never stop it no matter how much she tried. In a flurry of words and a cracking tone, she spilled out the question she has been wondering all night. "Pinkamena are we friends?"

She could see Pinkamena's ears flatten before she took a deep breath. "Honestly, no we aren't."

Surprise felt her heart shatter into a million pieces, even though it was the answer she knew was coming. She must have made a devastated face that she couldn't hide very well, because when Pinkamena saw her eyes, she saw a flash of regret.

"-Well I mean... not yet, I-I just... take a while to warm up to ponies!" Pinkamena defended. Surprise tried to choke back her tears, and she quickly hid her face.

She does hate me... as much as ponies hate pineapple on pizza! But... I want to be anchovies... the greatest anchovies that could ever be on her pizza! Surprise bit her lip so hard she tasted blood trying to keep her tears from falling, but when the feeling overwhelmed her, she fell apart.

She refused to look at Pinkamena, as she buried her face in her hooves. Her head was down in shame, and her tail tucked underneath her as she heard the demon scrambling to fix her mistake.

"Sorry Surprise! I-I really didn't mean to make you cry, I really didn't!" Pinkamena said. For some reason that just made the cyborg cry harder, as she desperately tried to stop embarrassing herself. "I didn't say we would never be friends... I-I just don't know you very well!"

The more she talked, the more she felt her heart being ripped out, as she heard Pinkamena stammering and trying to keep the pegasus from continuously crying.

"Please... Surprise... please stop crying I am sorry! What do you want from ME?" Pinkamena shrieked as she placed her hooves on her head in distress. Surprise couldn't help it, she just couldn't... she was so upset, but she tried to force herself to stop crying on many occasions only to fail and cry in an even worse manner.

Suddenly she felt something lift her head, and she was shocked when Pinkamena placed her cheek on her chest! Her tears fell on the dulled pink fur of her teammate, as she looked up at the mare wrapping her strong wings around her body. Pinkamena didn't make eye contact, and purposefully was staring at the ground with her eyes darting all over the place. Surprise gently put her hoof over Mena's foreleg supporting her weight, before perfectly nuzzling her nose under her jaw.

She's so warm, and her wings are so sturdy and powerful.. mmm... Surprise felt Pinkamena flinch when her breath tickled her neck, but Surprise didn't see her pull away. I needed this... so bad, and it was just as amazing-erific as I thought hugging her would be... no wait, it's so much better then I thought eeeee! Surprise didn't let Pinkamena see this crazy smile she was producing, as she hid her creeping blush with her own wing.

Surprise could just forever stay in this position, for she longed for physical contact from Pinkamena... and she knew once she pulled away she would never get it again. Pinkamena did indeed smell like cinnamon, but it was more of a sweet cinnamon mixed with sugar and dough... just like a cinnamon roll... how did her scent get so intoxicating? It was addicting really, and she wanted more of it... but Pinkamena quickly pulled away before she could lose herself in her aroma.

Surprise caught herself making a dreamy expression, and she shook her head quickly to knock out all the fog in her brain before Pinkamena met her eyes.

"Yeah... um, I hope you feel better because I am not doing that again."

Surprise was looking at her deep red eyes as she looked off to the side. How are her eyelashes so long? Also... her red eyes have like... sparkles in them... they are so... so... Surprise found herself getting off topic, before she jumped like she was suffering from vertigo! "Huh... what... what did you say? I-I was not staring at you, why would I do that... that would be weird ahahahaha!"

Her awkward laugh was piercing before she crossed her forelegs and gave a forced smile.

"It's okay Surprise... I know my appearance is kind of... unique and weird. Probably even weirder getting a hug from an anti-social demon too." Pinkamena said, chuckling a little bit as she brushed a piece of silky hair from her forehead.

Unique... well yeah she was unique! Waaaaay different then any pony I have ever seen, she's brave... kind... amazing, but totally not weird! She's special... so, so, so, special... but, I don't know why she is to me.

"So... I hope you feel better and will not cry anymore... sorry... I didn't mean to be rude... really." Pinkamena said softly, almost awkwardly so as she slid off the window seat and started to slowly advance back upstairs.

Surprise didn't want their bonding time to end, she had to do something she was leaving! Surprise gently snatched the demon's tail but nearly jumped at how soft and silky it was! Woah! What in Equestria does Mena use? She smells amazing... and has tail like velvet cloth? Wowie... she wouldn't mind if I pet her.... a little... right? Pinkamena seemed to jump three feet when she felt Surprise's touch, flicking her tail out from the pegasus's grasp.

"W-Wait... c...can you stay with me a little while longer?" Surprise asked, a small blush appearing on her cheeks as she fiddled with the edge of a pillow. "I... just... really enjoy your company."

Pinkamena sighed... loudly... making Surprise's chest fill with sharp pains. Her ears flattened, her muzzle wrinkling in embarrassment as she scolded herself harshly. Why did I ask her that? She is already annoyed with me and HATES my cotton candy filled guts... the least I could have done was wait until morning... stupid, stupid, stupid! She was blushing furiously now, and scared that the Demi-God was going to walk away... but she stayed.

Pinkamena turned around and flicked her head. "I have a better idea... it's almost morning, let's take a little flight."

Surprise was almost speechless that Pinkamena didn't decide to go back upstairs even after she groaned like that! She could see her conflicting with herself by the way her muzzle twitched, but even so, she allowed herself to spend one on one time with just her! Surprise could feel herself melting, but she quickly bounced off the window seat and joined the demon's side as they exited the home.

The night air was refreshing, as Pinkamena stretched out her wings. Surprise's muscles were tensed up... as she clenched her jaws nervously. Please... whatever you do Surprise... do NOT mess this up... you mess this up, and you are never allowed to taste anything with sugar in it again! Brussels sprouts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Pinkamena lifted off, her speed into the clouds flawless from a perfected technique. Surprise almost forgot she was supposed to fly too, and she had to slap herself to refocus on her mission. Perhaps she could impress Pinkamena with some cool fireworks, or cool aerial stunts... but her finesse was hugely underdeveloped compared to the grace her Demi-God teammate had.

Surprise took a deep breath before lifting off when she came above the clouds Pinkamena was waiting for her. The cyborg nervously smiled, as the mare lead the way but making sure to go at just a cruising speed. The two flew next to each other in silence for a bit before the Demi-God decided to break the silence.

"Do you know any cool tricks? I know pretty much the whole book after trying to show up Rainbow Dash many times in my world." She chucked, demonstrating by doing a quick spinning backwards flip and hovering in front of Surprise.

Surprise swallowed. Do I know any tricks? Who am I? What is my purpose if I cannot even think of ONE I can do... didn't I learn to fly backwards... no... that's not enough... it has to be amazing... Why am I even a pegasus... I fail at LIFE! Overloading system... please wait... ARGGG.... just do something Surprise! Fly through a hoop of fire... or... or blow up a building and fly through THAT... Jeeze! Even doing a back-flip over a rainbow will due... but there are no rainbows... I am doomed! Dooooomed! Critically overloading system... please bucking stop.

"Did... your AI just say-" Pinkamena said in confusion, as Surprise's head started to spark. "Woah... woah... calm down, this isn't flight school... chill, if you do not know any tricks I am not going to fail you or anything."

Surprise's head stopped sparking, you are losing her... I am LOSING her... do something! "I can fly backwards!! I can do it without looking behind me, and I can do it for hours!"

Pinkamena gave her a strange look. "No you can't... it takes around two hundred muscles alone to just hover backwards.. and actively flying backwards just for a few minutes takes years to practice... so flying backwards for HOURS.. ha... lies."

The demon was giving her a taunting look with a smirk... she was challenging her. Surprise returned her smirk, flying around Pinkamena as the demon's eyes followed her. She turned around and crossed her forelegs, as she let her body hover backwards with a victorious and smug snicker. Pinkamena playfully cocked her head, before flicking her hoof to gesture her on to prove herself even more.

Surprise tipped her chin to the side, before flapping her wings in an estranged position. Mostly when a pegasus tried this for the first time, they were in serious risk of ripping a tendon... but she was an expert. Surprise began to move backward, and her pride grew when she saw Pinkamena's smirk falling. The cyborg playfully stuck her tongue out before picking up speed and watching Pinkamena grow annoyed.

"Come on slow poke... you coming?" Surprise teased, still keeping her forelegs crossed as the demon scowled.

"Okay fine... you can fly backward... but the REAL test is if you really can do it for hours."

Surprise didn't mind doing this for hours... since it gave them time to talk. Sure it would be pretty painful when she kept it up... but it was worth it to tease Pinkamena and to be able to look at her without seeming weird. Ha.. Mena basically just invited herself to spend even more time with me... this was actually a good idea! Well, sort of.... the strain in her muscles was starting to bother her... but she wouldn't let Pinkamena see her flinching.

Perhaps... I could offer to teach Pinkamena this trick... she seems jealous. It was true, Pinkamena's eyes were locked on Surprise... almost hoping she would fail... must be a little bit of her competitive nature coming out. Her eyes squinted, watching every movement almost with a bit of frustration. Oooooh yeppie yep... completely jealous!

"Yooou know... I could teach you how to do this! It will be really fun!" Surprise sang, nervously awaiting her response as Pinkamena looked to the side. "Seriously... I wouldn't mind!"

The Demi-God snorted. "I am sure I would have learned it by now... if I was meant to learn that trick!"

Her voice was bitter as she flew past Surprise picking up a little bit of speed. Surprise didn't let her escape so easily though, as she flapped her wings harder to match her speed. "Why do you say that? I am sure if you practiced a little and I taught you.. you'd be fantastic!"

"Sure, kid." Pinkamena grumbled.

Surprise's muscles were hurting very bad at this point, but she refused to stop flying this way. "Mena... what's wrong? Have you tried this trick before?"

Pinkamena's ears flattened, "Yes and that is all I wish to speak of it."

Surprise flew in front of Pinkamena before pressing her nose into the demon's. "Okie Dokie, then it's settled.. I'll teach you! I promise I will get you flying backwards in no time! Then we can be backward flying besties!"

Pinkamena hovered along with Surprise. "No thanks... I have a painful reminder of last time. Just drop it, okay?"

Her eyes flashed... almost like she was re-living the pain. Surprise watched the pupils in her eyes tremble... as the Demi-God quickly looked away and avoided the closeness of them both. The cyborg pulled away, giving her space as she cocked her head and watched Pinkamena put up defensive barriers. Suddenly Surprise hesitantly brought out her hoof... this was a major leap of faith... but she was going to do it.

Surprise placed her hoof on Pinkamena's cheek, before bringing her head to look into her eyes. "I wouldn't let anything happen to you... not flying backward... not anywhere else. I promise."

Her heart froze, watching Pinkamena's eyes widen just a bit. Surprise had never been more serious... she meant what she said. I am going to protect you Mena..., and I am going to make you happy again... if it kills me... I promise. She has so much trauma, Surprise could sense it... even though she knew very little about Pinkamena's past. Mena was special... and like anything a pony sincerely valued, Surprise was going to protect it... and take care of it.

Surprise felt the warmth radiating off of Pinkamena's cheek... making her heart quicken just a bit. Is she going to slap my hoof away...? She's just staring at me.... what do I do? Did she believe what I said? Does she know how much I meant it? OOOOO, please say something Mena... I am growing icky grey mane streaks from all the stress this is making!

A bright golden light washed over them both, gently kissing both their faces as the sun started to peak over the clouds. Pinkamena ripped her gaze away from Surprise, temporarily staring at the distraction... but Surprise... didn't look towards the sunrise. Her eyes were glued on Pinkamena... and no matter how hard she tried to look away she couldn't, and at this moment she didn't want to.

The golden light spilling on Pinkamena's fur made it look so radiant, with the sun finding little glitters across her body like hidden crystals. Her mane reflected the colors brightly, making the gold dance around Surprise's vision in a beautiful and hypnotic rhythm. A tune echoed in her brain resembling a harp, like the gates of heaven had opened up aiding her in a lost daydream the more she stared. She couldn't believe... what she was seeing.. how did she NEVER notice how stunning Pinkamena was? It intimidated her.... a lot... making her breaths grow short, and her muscles freeze as she struggled to continue flying backward or even staying in the air at all!

Pinkamena didn't notice her gawking, which Surprise assumed was because she was looking at the sunrise. The cyborg's mouth parted in a medium sized "O" as she continued to take in this sight. Her mane gently blew in the breeze, spilling off that sweet cinnamon aroma that swirled around the pegasus overwhelming her senses. Her gaze was hooked on her deep eyes, giving off a soothing vibe and a comforting one. Her eyes reminded Surprise of a rose... gentle and loving when needed, beautiful and graceful... but delicate and guarded by thorns.

They were sparkling... intensely... like a blanket of starry skies.. she was breathtaking.

Surprise was hyperventilating... warmth spreading across her entire body. What is this... she's so... beautiful... I knew she was pretty.. b..but... why do I feel this way?

Suddenly Pinkamena turned to lock eyes with Surprise. "You okay there bud? Flying backwards isn't as easy as you made it sound huh? Out of practice, I guess?"

The demon laughed, but Surprise didn't join in. No... the reason why I am struggling to fly is because I was totally not looking at you... and wanting to just create a hologram of you and stare at it for the rest of my life aha! Nope I am not weird... totally not weird... this is normal... this is NORMAL!

Her legs were struggling to grasp anything that could keep her from falling, as her throat turned as dry as fall leaves. She tried to force out a giggle, but it turned into a pathetic squeak.... and then she felt something coming up. No... No... please... please NOT NOW! No word vomit... no word vomit! Keep it in Surprise! Keeeeep it innnnn!

Alas... the fates were STILL not on her side.

Surprise choked on the glob of words coming up as her eyes teared up from the pain of keeping it in. Unfortunately, she lost her battle and once again in a flurry of words she confessed her mind's most private thoughts."Youaresobeautiful!"

Pinkamena lurched back, doing a double take as Surprise turned crimson... and her body began to freak out. I am an IDIOT, why did I say that??? She is NEVER going to take me seriously again, she's going to think I am a psychopath! Well... I-I am a psychopath... but about ninety percent MORE a crazy pegasus because of what I said! I am so embarrassed... I want to crawl in a hole and just bury myself in icing and never be seen again!

Surprise nearly dropped out of the sky right there and then when Pinkamena laughed. "Seriously? That's a new one... but trust me... I'm not... you don't have to lie."

She felt herself getting... angry! Umm.. excuse me MENA... I literally just almost passed OUT, and you are calling me a liar-liar mane on fire? You are honestly the most beautiful pony I have ever seen... why would I lie about something like this? Do you not see how amazing and potentially dangerous your looks are?

Surprise felt hot air rising in her chest before she growled. "I am not lying."

"Yes, you are."

"NO I'm NO-" Warning... projectiles fired, two seconds until impact. Surprise felt her heart beat once before her instincts took in and in a split second, she knocked Pinkamena out of the way.

Her body was constricted by a tight metal net, as she felt the wires wrap around her entire body before trapping her wings against her side. She yelled out in alarm, before her body plummeted down below with the cyborg wrestling with the trap until she collided with the earth. Pinkamena dive-bombed towards Surprise, reaching out her hoof to try and help untangle her. The demon touched the net, and in seconds she lurched back and screeched in pain.

Her hoof was sizzling... almost melting, as Pinkamena cried out in agony.

"I can get out of this... stay here!" Surprise yelled as she created a saw out of her forelimb. The blades ran over the metal, slicing up the net but not in time. She slammed into the rocky landscape that was far from the territory of Cloudsdale, yelling out in pain as her wing bent up. Her head knocked against a boulder, smashing it to bits as the net weakly slid off of her throbbing body.

Her saw went back into her body as she groaned. Her vision was blurry as a pink blob landed in front of her and shook her shoulders. She could hardly hear Pinkamena as her head lolled, and her mind failed to grasp what the Demi-God was telling her.

Suddenly something green slithered into view, snatching Pinkamena's body and ripping her away from Surprise. That action cleared up the cyborg's mind, as she forced herself to get up. Her vision was repaired, as she saw a python-like creature constricting the Demi-God.

Its scales had the pattern of a peacock, as a pony-like body cut off at the waist leveled itself to Pinkamena's muzzle. The demon screeched as something cracked from the pressure of the creature squeezing her rib-cage.

"This is the mighty Demi-God Athena favors? The one who took out Mother Earth... and Lucifer all in one lifetime? Mmm... I am going to enjoy looking in your eyes when you die.. they are quite... revealing."

Surprise opened fired at the creature, careful not to hit Pinkamena as she aimed at its pony body. The bullets ricocheted off of the beast as if they never made contact, making Surprise grow even more livid. Pinkamena was helplessly being held against her will, as the pony reached out her hoof.

"Tell me Pinkamena... do you know who I am? You, mortals, have forgotten about us... I doubt you even know what powerful presence you are in." The creature cooed, squeezing tighter as Pinkamena gasped for air.

"A...A... l...l...lam...ia." She choked, as Surprise got out another gun.

"A lamia... yes, but a Goddess. Did little Athena warn you about what was happening on Mount Olympus... do you not see the storm clouds above you?" The Goddess cackled, as she lifted Pinkamena's chin to view the raging storm above them and the growing static in the clouds. "Your little guide will never survive, and to aid Ares I came down here to slay those against him myself."

"I'll kill YOU!" Surprise yelled, suddenly wielding a chainsaw as she rammed it into the Goddesses' side. She seemed unfazed, as she plucked Surprise from the ground with telekinesis and threw her back into the rubble.

"I don't have time for you... Pinkamena is all I need for entertainment." The lamia said as she opened her jaws. "One bite from me... will end you... Zeus can no longer protect you from what you did to my son and my wrath."

The Goddess snickered before leaning towards Pinkamena's neck. Surprise was being pinned by some magical force, but that didn't stop her from desperately fighting against the lamia's power and clawing her way towards them both. Surprise used all her strength to form a nuke in her forelegs... Pinkamena would reform... but it might kill her too.

I don't care... I don't care how many die... as long as Pinkamena is safe and that Goddess is DEAD! Surprise aimed... before she was stopped by a thick lightning bolt. When the static cleared, and the lamia stopped her actions to look at what had landed from the sky... she hissed when a white griffon held a golden spear in her right claw.

In the left, she held a Greek shield, with an owl embedded on the front. The griffon made a war cry with the shriek of a hawk, before stabbing the lamia in between her coils. The Goddess shrieked, before unwrapping Pinkamena and charging at the griffon who smashed her shield into the ribcage of the lamia. The Goddess was knocked over, her snake-like body crashing on the ground until she slithered towards the griffon with immense rage!

She spat gas-like venom, which the griffon deflected with her shield before flying up and tackling the pony-like body of the Goddess. The creature tried to constrict the warrior but failed to do so with her strategy to duck in-between coils until the lamia was too tangled up from being distracted by the enemy's movements.

The Goddess hissed, trying to untangle her body as the griffon used this moment to stab the chest of the lamia with her sharp spear.

The lamia hissed once more. "Athena you... you... horrendous excuse for a Goddess! You should have died on Olympus! With the others!"

Athena bashed her shield into the Goddess's face making her tumble onto her back. "I knew Ares was planning to overthrow Zeus with you Hera... you betrayed your own mate, for power!"

Hera grinned. "So are you here to kill me...? You want to kill your own kind? For the sake of the mortal race? I raised you... like my own child!"

"The child you left to die in the war you caused... with the blood you have spilled in your own home.. and you have the audacity to ask me if I will not kill you?"

Hera snarled, before blowing venom in Athena's face which she deflected with ease. Unfortunately, when the dust settled Hera had fled leaving the battleground empty with only the side of justice to recover. Athena scoffed, before approaching Pinkamena who was yelling out in pain while struggling to breathe. Surprise didn't hesitate to scoop up the demon and hold her close as Athena jumped when the cyborg growled at her.

"It's okay I am on your side, I need to examine Pinkamena if you will." Athena said gently, as the pegasus wrinkled her nose but allowed the Goddess to see her. "Hmmm... this isn't good."

Athena touched Pinkamena's ribcage, making the Demi-God form tears in her eyes. Surprise felt her own tears forming seeing Mena in such pain! I was not strong enough... Hera... she did this to her! I... I couldn't.. stop her!

"She has an entirely broken ribcage, and I am assuming the reason she cannot breathe very well is because the bone shards have started to lodge their way into her lungs... and if her lungs fill with blood..." Athena trailed off.

Surprise activated her scanner, looking at the fragments of bones scattered inside of her body. She could see Pinkamena's lungs heavily trying to grasp for air, as puncture wounds spread all over the soft surface of her organs! No... No... why is she not healing? She can heal... why can't she repair this???

Athena picked up on Surprise's expression and watery eyes. "Surprise... Pinkamena cannot heal wounds that have been dealt by Demi-God's or Gods. As long as a God's blood runs through her attacker's veins, she will be mortally wounded. I assume Hera knew about the kind of weapons mortals can wield to harm Pinkamena as well... sanctified weapons damage her demon side... and that net..."

Athena picked up Pinkamena's hoof, seeing the nasty burn peeling her skin and denting the limb!

"What do we do... I-I can't lose her... I'll do anything!" Surprise cried, watching as Athena tapped her chin with her claw.

"We will need ambrosia and lots of it. For now, we need to go to my temple where the Gods cannot find those who chose to fight against Ares... for we do not agree with his ways. I will carry Pink-"

"No!" Surprise shouted, causing the Goddess to jump! "I... I'll carry her... I'll keep her safe... I have to."

"Very well. My old friend Hephaestus is bringing Pinkie Pie, we should be safe in the temple. If you will please follow me, and be gentle with her.... one wrong move can be fatal." Athena said, as she tucked her wings back and carefully walked forward with her spear at the ready.

Surprise gently brought the demon onto her back, Pinkamena was groaning as a tiny trail of red liquid flowed from the corner of her mouth. Don't worry Pinkamena... I will save you... and then... I swear... I'll kill Hera for what she did! Pinkamena rested her chin on Surprise's shoulder blade, as the cyborg sharply scanned the area in a fifty-mile radius for any threats... she was not going to let this happen again. Never.

I said I was going to protect you... and I mean it.