Author's Note

I am releasing two chapters today since I actually have ten finished, they just need to be edited. Sorry for the long wait, hope you can forgive me... but did you notice the new tags? Yeah... there's a reason they are there. The next chapter is going to be dark, very... very dark, and if you do not want to read it, PM me so I can just catch you up on what went down. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Broken Friendships

Pinkie Pie

Pinkie Pie opened her eyes, gently fluttering her eyelashes until her vision un-blurred. Pinkamena was tucked in her wings, softly snoring as the demon snuggled within her feathers. Pinkie Pie had seen her wandering the halls of Athena's temple and angrily crying in the darkness late last night, and when she approached her the demon almost bolted. Pinkie Pie tried to convince her to talk to her about it, but she was severely upset to where she couldn't even speak.

It took many hours of convincing to get Pinkamena to calm down enough to where she'd listen to her, and the Demi-God eventually fell asleep when Pinkie Pie warmed her with her wings. That... nasty fight Pinkamena had with the Gods and Surprise still made Pinkie Pie a little uneasy... but she understood why Pinkamena snapped.

Pinkie Pie didn't like the Gods picking on Aphrodite either, but she felt so small in the room full of legends and didn't feel like her say was worth anything. Pinkamena's rage... she didn't understand why she had so much of it... even though she was standing up for Aphrodite... there was so much hate. She didn't just stop the issue... she kept going... even going so far as to making the Goddess of Wisdom run off and cry when she was gone.

Poor Surprise... the cyborg got the worst of it... It still made Pinkie Pie cower at what the demon had said to her. Hephaestus had tried to cheer her up... but she said nothing... just left the temple and vanished down the mountain with a flap of her wings. Pinkie Pie felt torn, she didn't want her friends to fight... she didn't want all this tension and anger!

Pinkamena stirred away from Pinkie Pie, curling up on Athena's nest made of soft branches that she had previously made for the alliance to sleep in. The pink pegasus spent all night checking on Pinkamena, and soothing her when she saw the demon trembling from a nightmare she couldn't see. Pinkie just wanted the Demi-God to speak to her... she was not very different from the Pinkie Pie in her world... as Pinkamena had said... so perhaps she could get to her easier than anyone else here.

Pinkamena... you are in so much pain... but why? I'm your friend... I want nothing more than to help you... She brushed her hoof along the demon's mane, feeling the hairs that were sticky with sweat.

"Perhaps... I should go get you some breakfast! That always cheers me up on a gloomy icky day!" Pinkie Pie giggled, as the branches cracked and twisted when she gently pushed herself out. "Shhh, Mena... don't wake up okay... your Auntie Pinkie Pie is going to be riiiiight back.."

Pinkamena groaned, her wings twitching but her eyes did not open. Pinkie Pie went to the door, before slowly opening it and looking back at Pinkamena to make sure the demon was not aware of her leaving. She turned her head back towards the doorway when she was positive she was going to stay asleep until her eyes met the red and raw eyes of a certain cyborg laying down behind the open door.

Surprise picked up her head but her face was emotionless, as Pinkie Pie gave her a smile. "Hey Surprise whatcha doing over here so early? Well like they say the early bird gets the worm... but like why would any pony want a worm... imagine waking up early and being rewarded with a nasty slimy worm for breakfast... eww-ie, except for Athena... she might like it... since griffons are half bird and all!"

Surprise pointed a hoof at Pinkamena's sleeping body.

"I am reaaaally sorry about your fight with Pinkamena, but she might not wake up for a while... and ponies get extra grumpy when they are woken up before they want to. So.. you might want to come with me and do something fun until she wakes up... we can play 'I Spy' or ooooo, we can see who can jump the highest or... or... wait how long have you been there?"

Surprise put her head back down. "All night."

The sadness in her voice was heart-wrenching, making Pinkie Pie's mouth turn into a slight frown. Awww.. poor Surprise, she has stains on her cheeks, and her eyes are as red as that chili pepper I tried to eat to impress Dashie... and as red, as my tongue was after I drank two gallons of milk.. hee-hee! But... seriously... this is so sad.. perhaps I should do something... but what?

Suddenly Pinkamena's head popped up, and her face was slowly revealed as her eyes hit the sunlight. Her eyes had bags under them, and her mane was messy with strands poking out everywhere. Her fur was rugged, along with her face burning with what looked like rage... making Pinkie Pie's confidence in the percentage of getting the demon to talk to her dwindle significantly into single digits.

Pinkamena approached them both, her head down and definitely not welcoming at all.

Surprise picked herself off the ground quickly, as something appeared in her hooves. Pinkie Pie jumped when just about a hundred perfectly bloomed flowers overwhelmed her sight. The sweet aroma of the flowers filled the room, making Pinkie Pie sigh as Surprise flattened her ears and cautiously darted her eyesight to Pinkamena and then back onto the flooring.

Wowzers... Surprise must have spent hours picking those tasty looking flowers! Not one of them is wilted, or damaged... they are all perfect, she must have gone through and found only the nicest-

Pinkamena took one look at the flowers, before she slapped them out of Surprise's hooves!

Oooh yep she's not over it... nopie nope... not over it at all...

She went even FURTHER, by lighting them on FIRE... and stomping on the ashes once she reached them! Surprise was flabbergasted, watching the demon give her the angriest and most threatening glare she could muster before storming off. Pinkie Pie watched Surprise slowly drop to the floor and bury her head in her hooves, as the pink pony gently stroked her shoulder to soothe the crying cyborg.

"H....How do I...I get h-her to stop hating me... I'll do anything!" Surprise wailed, as Pinkie Pie shook her head.

"No Surprise, Pinkamena doesn't hate you that would be silly-" she was stopped as the spot where the flowers were innocently murdered exploded from extra Black Magic Pinkamena had put into her spell. "-Umm.. okay hate is such a strong word... she just really, really, really dislikes you...a... a lot."

Surprise's head sparked. Severely dehydrated, lacrimation levels requiring ninety percent of system's water stand by, calculating best action. "I don't care Core... unless you have an idea to fix this... please don't remind me about how unhealthy our system is."

She named her AI? That's something I would do... after all, I have named all my seventy-eight stuffed animals. Pinkie Pie tapped her chin. "I'll go talk to Pinkamena, p.. perhaps she just wants a sincere and heartfelt apology to make it all better!"

Surprise didn't reply as Pinkie Pie bounced after Pinkamena catching up to the sulking mare in a matter of minutes. The demon was trudging down the hallway scowling, as she kicked at fountains and hit her head on just about every wall she came across in frustration.

"Hey Mena.... so.... how's your morning? Want to grab something to eat... like some nice fruit! I heard Cloudsdale has this amazing place that has apples imported from the earth ponies! They are soooo cool, didja know they have natural abilities to grow the biggest and juiciest fruits?"

Pinkamena stopped, as Pinkie Pie continued bouncing next to her with a cheerful smile. The demon slowly turned, her muzzle wrinkling from holding so... so many urges back.

Pinkie Pie shrank under her gaze, but Pinkamena took a calming breath. "Sure."

She kept walking as Pinkie Pie let out a breath she did not know she was holding! Pinkamena could have yelled at me... I could see it in her eyes... but she held back for some strange reason... perhaps our bond is special back on her world.

They went into the main room of Athena's temple where the griffon held a mug with her claws, and sipped on some green tea while Aphrodite hummed and brushed her long hair with a happy smile. Dionysus had a large beer mug that was bubbling over the top, as he watched Hephaestus hammer away at a dented sword with intense focus.

Athena was reading a book, awkwardly trying to drown out Aphrodite's singing as the Goddess of Beauty perked up when seeing Pinkamena approach. "Good Morn-" Pinkamena picked up her head, scaring the Alicorn as she dropped her brush and gasped at her appearance. "-ing..."

"Not all of us are morning creatures." Athena said not taking her eyes off her book, as she waved Aphrodite off.

"She kinda had a rough night..." Pinkie Pie giggled awkwardly, as the demon dragged her hooves towards the fountain. "Like a really rough night..."

Aphrodite seemed terrified, as the Alicorn shook from head to tail. Athena looked up and saw the Goddess's teeth chattering as the griffon rolled her eyes and slapped the back of Aphrodite's head.

"Don't be rude, not every pony can wake up and look like you... she just didn't get time to brush her-WHAT IN HADES NAME IS THAT THING!?" Athena shouted, as Pinkamena lapped up the cool water from the fountain ignoring the griffon's cries of fear as she hid behind Aphrodite. "I have never seen such a bloodthirsty beast!"

Pinkamena growled, licking the water off her fangs as she slumped back into the darkness watching from afar with her red eyes.

"Yeesh, Pinkamena seems to be doin' a lot worse from yesterday... perhaps one of you girls should go on over and help 'er out." Dionysus suggested as Athena pushed Aphrodite forward.

Aphrodite had wide eyes, as Athena followed closely behind with her shield using Aphrodite to protect herself.

"Oh will you quit it Athena.. she isn't going to attack you!" The Goddess whispered angrily.

"Look at her for a good ten seconds, and tell me honestly if you think she doesn't want to hurt me." Athena replied, as Pinkie Pie playfully rolled her eyes and approached Pinkamena who was sitting under a marble statue.

"Come on Pinkamena... today is a beautiful day! Let's go have some fun!" Pinkie Pie said gleefully as the demon looked towards the ground and thought for a moment.

"Today... I... I just want to be alone..."

"That's a splendid idea!" Athena yelled from behind Aphrodite as she turned tail and tried to flee, only to have the Goddess snatch her tail casually to stop her. "Oh come on... she's freaking me OUT okay?"

Suddenly Pinkie Pie's Cutie Mark started to glow, making her jump three feet in the air! Athena stuck her head out from behind the Alicorn as she lifted her ears to listen to the sounds it made.

"Huh... that's not from my map... I know that for sure!"

Pinkie Pie looked at the soft glow before gasping. "No... nononono! This is the summoning of Twilight... she is calling a meeting... oh nonononononononono! I can't... I-I can't face my friends not now... not EVER!"

"Awww you poor soul, you look so nervous! Don't worry, we won't let you go alone!" Aphrodite cooed, wrapping her monarch butterfly wing around Pinkie Pie as Athena lifted a claw.

"Excuse me... we are Goddesses, we don't exactly blend in..."

"Well that IS true for me... but luckily for you, your appearance isn't like... striking or anything! So you should blend in just fine!" Aphrodite said happily as the griffon's beak dropped open.

"Did you just insult-"

"Ladies please... arguing will not help Pinkie Pie." Hephaestus butted in, as Athena gave him a sharp glare.

Pinkie Pie turned to the demon and nervously laid herself down by the Demi-God's hooves. Pinkamena gave her an odd look, but this was what pegasi did to express their innermost insecurities. When a pegasus presses their stomach to the ground, it is symbolizing their trust in the other pony... for a pegasus cannot stay grounded for long and it is an instinct to be as close to the sky as possible.

She was showing Pinkamena that she needed something from her, it was considered an alpha and omega position at this point..., and she had never seen Dashie do it... but Pinkie Pie wanted to show the demon how much she needed her.

It was the most respectful position she could put herself in, spreading her wings to touch the ground as Pinkamena scrunched her nose in confusion.

"Pinkamena... please... please come with me... I am... s...so scared to see my friends. I don't know what they are going to say to me... if they are going to yell at me... but... I know you will protect me... and I feel safe with you."

Pinkamena's eyes softened. "I'll always protect you Pinkie..."

You truly are special... I never... had any pony as loyal as you... and I've even met the Element of Loyalty. Pinkamena helped her up before giving her a sweet smile, which caused Pinkie Pie to nuzzle her happily as she looked back at her Cutie Mark.

Pinkie Pie took a deep breath. They are probably summoning me to kick me off the team permanently... or to yell at me for something... this is going to be a nasty reunion.

Pinkamena spread her wing over her, making Pinkie find the confidence in herself to meet up with her friends. Athena scratched the side of her head, as Aphrodite gave Pinkie Pie a nod of encouragement.

"Okay... how do I get to Cloudsdale from here?" Pinkie Pie asked, as Athena tapped her claws on the ground.

"Simple really, Gods can teleport pretty much anywhere in the cosmos." The griffon said, as a light swirled around the two Goddesses and Demi-Gods before zapping them back towards Pinkie Pie's.... wait... is that her cottage? It was completely repaired, not an inch of it looked out of place! Wha... I thought it was destroyed!

"Hmmm... I guess Surprise was serious when she said she could make it look exactly like your cottage when you wanted..." Pinkamena said, nearly seething with hatred when just mentioning the poor warlord's name.

Aphrodite bounced up to the door and ran her hoof along the cloud-like door. "Oooo, so soft... wow, imagine if they made clouds into a beauty blender... do you have ANY idea how soft your face would be?"

Athena tapped Aphrodite's shoulder. "Might want to disguise yourself, Alicorns here are rare and might bring up questions... after all, we do need to keep a low profile. We do not need rumors being spread around that Gods are starting to appear in the realms, that will bring danger to the mortals."

"Ohhh, pfffft... fine." Aphrodite said, before being swallowed by a light pink light. The Goddess revealed herself to be a cute unicorn, with golden and smooth shoes on her hooves and her rose and heart Cutie Mark exposed a little more without her giant wings getting in the way. Her mane was tied in a large and swirly braid, along with her tail as she posed for her friends to view her. "Hopefully I am still beautiful and charming... right?"

"No." Athena said grumpily.

"Yes!" Pinkamena said quickly.

Aphrodite playfully stuck her tongue out and winked at the demon, as Athena rolled her eyes.

Suddenly a group of ponies started to approach them, making Pinkamena strangely start to produce strange black smoke from her body... as her throat rumbled with a low growl. Pinkie Pie was the only one to catch on... she looked at the demon's eyes... they were focusing in and out, like she was struggling to contain.... something.

Athena and Aphrodite came to Pinkie Pie's sides, as Pinkamena stood next to her and Athena. Twilight's head appeared first in the sunlight, before Rainbow Dash's wings sparkled along the morning sun. Fluttershy was nervously trailing behind the group, avoiding any and all eye contact as Applejack followed the pegasus general from the back. Rarity seemed a little nervous as well, her mane for the first time looking a bit messy from stress.

The group stopped in front of Pinkie Pie, as Rainbow Dash landed. Oh.. no... she does not look happy... she is giving me that Drill Sargent stare... like I when I filled the fountains with dish soap back at the academy... Her eyebrows were furrowed, her magenta eyes darkened with unknown emotions as Twilight gently pushed through Applejack and a stiff pegasus that never took her eyes off of the cowering pony.

"Pinkie Pie... we've been trying to find you... but no pony has seen you for days! A strange presence is taking over the realms... mythical creatures running wild... heroes and myths only spoken in legends are being spotted... and to top it all off we were attacked by a Minotaur we believe to be... a celestial being!" The purple mare said calmly, even though none of the other mares seemed to be too calm.

"Yeah... attacked Pinkie Pie... remember, we were hurt and bleeding in a hospital... but ya know, how could you know that when you NEVER decided to come back and check on us to make sure we didn't you know... die!" Rainbow Dash added through clenched teeth and a low hiss.

"I agree with Rainbow Dash... we are a team, where have you been dear? Luckily the magic from the Tree of Harmony healed us according to Twilight... but none the less you should have been there!" Rarity said, approaching Pinkie Pie with a bit of a disappointing gaze.

"But she wasn't!" Rainbow Dash said pointing a hoof into Pinkie Pie's chest. "-Because you can't take anything seriously, and probably got distracted and forgot about your mission... like FINDING the village Fluttershy told you to defend from that Minotaur! I bet five bits you didn't even go!"

"I...I went! Honest!" Pinkie Pie defended with watery eyes.

"Well... umm... Rainbow Dash went to check on the village... and.. umm... they said you never... showed up. B-But... perhaps you did show up but... never... talked to them or something. I am sure she did what we asked Rainbow Dash, we don't need to start an argument...please." Fluttershy whispered.

Aphrodite parted Rainbow Dash away with her hoof with a charming smile. "Actually, Pinkie Pie wanted to stay out of your way this time... so she on her own initiative sought out me and my friend Fluffle Feathers here."

"Did you just name me Fluffle Feathers?" Athena harshly whispered to Aphrodite as the Goddess gave her a sharp 'play along or we are screwed look' making Athena clear her throat. "Yes, my name is Fluffle... Feathers... and this is my partner.. umm... Plastic Hooves. We are researches, and Pinkie Pie recruited us to help find the reason behind the strange occurrences around the realms since you all were recovering in the hospital. She also wanted to avoid a fight, and last time she seemed to have caused more harm than good and left you all angry."

"Researches huh? What university did you two graduate from?" Twilight asked with a bit of a glow in her eyes as Athena stuck her head up tall with a bit of a gloating posture.

"Well I actually happened to-" Athena was cut off by Aphrodite.

"We... both graduated from different academies, but that is beside the point... basically our job is to study and record unnatural occurrences like these beings sighted all over the realms. We are very acquainted with old legends, and Greek lore, so Pinkie Pie came to us to learn more about the Minotaur since their species originates in Greek mythology."

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "I don't believe a word of this... I know who you two truly are... impostors!"

"I beg your pardon?" Aphrodite said with a raised eyebrow.

"First of all griffons work alone, so I find it highly suspicious that you two would be partners. Second of all how did Pinkie Pie know about the 'strange occurrences' when we just NOW mentioned it. You couldn't have known about them since only us five knew after the Tree of Harmony told us about it, and she was absent! Third of all, your magic is strange... ancient.... and I know for a FACT that you do not use modern spells once I sensed it. So who are you... and why are you hanging around Pinkie Pie?"

Oh wow... her military training and her ability to pick up on small details make her very, very smart... I do not know how she managed to pick all that out! Aphrodite looked towards Athena, "Good job Fluffle Feathers..."

The griffon mocked her before Pinkie Pie took a deep breath and faced Rainbow Dash. "Why do you care who I hang out with? I heard what you all were saying behind my back... you were going to kick me off the team! So I am solving my own problems my OWN way... since I always seem to just mess up YOUR way!"

"We were not going to kick you off the team, we were going to give you a break!" Rainbow Dash yelled, pressing her muzzle against Pinkie Pie making the demon beside her darken. "-Well we WERE going to give you a break, but you have shown you care nothing about your JOB. So until further notice Twilight has agreed to have you suspended from The Elements of Harmony until you can get your act together!"

"Woooow... you must be a Scorpio..." Athena said crossing her forelegs.

She just... actually kicked me off the team... Dashie... why are you being so mean? Pinkie Pie's eyes watered, as she cowered beneath Rainbow Dash by lowering herself to the ground. "B... But I am trying... I do care about The Elements of Harmony! I-I..."

"I don't want to hear it Pinkie Pie! Your whole life you have never taken any of my advice, and you shame the entire pegasus race! I had faith in you.... you let me down... all of us, but mostly me." Rainbow said as Fluttershy whimpered.

Pinkie Pie's head lowered... until she heard something growling beside her. She turned to see Pinkamena parting Rainbow Dash away from Pinkie Pie with a dangerous and challenging glare.

"Who are YOU to tell Pinkie Pie she shames the entire pegasus RACE!" Pinkamena boomed, as Rainbow straightened her spine to tower over the demon, only to make her rage intensify. "You have the boldness to stand here and insult this pegasus in front of ME?"

"I'm sorry... who are you? I don't remember asking for your opinion on the matter, this is Elements of Harmony business, and last time I checked you were not a part of it." Rainbow Dash said poking a harsh hoof into Pinkamena's chest making the demon bare her fangs.

"Dashie... seriously... you need to stop..." Pinkie Pie warned, as black smoke started rising from Pinkamena's wings and back... like her Black Magic was seeping through her skin! "Dashie... you need to back down... please... just walk away... I am fine being kicked out... please, please just go!"

"Don't call me that Pinkie Pie, you left us for days... never checking on me to make sure I was okay! What the heck! I would have spent the night at the hospital to make sure you were okay! Some friend you are!" Rainbow Dash said, glaring at the grounded pegasus as Pinkamena stepped in front of her to cut off her gaze.

"Oh! Really? Some friend she is? Do you have ANY idea what hell she has been through because of what YOU so-called 'marks of friendship' bestowed on this poor pony? You BULLY her because she does not have advanced magic, you have NEVER even cared enough to come to a sleepover or hang out with her... because you are busy hanging out with some pony else! No wonder she is making new friends, you all suck! Especially you Crash!"

Rainbow Dash's eyes flickered, wavering for a second... when that nickname was mentioned. Pinkamena loomed over her like a starving hawk, drinking up her fear as the pegasus started to show signs of weakness.

No... No Pinkamena... how do you know that nickname? No pony... ever has dared to call her that after what happened, how do you know about that? Dashie tried everything to bury that secret.... and made me swear not to tell a SOUL... Mena... she'll go nuts!

"You... TOLD HER?!" Rainbow Dash screeched, her eyes wild as Pinkie Pie shook her head desperately.

"No... No, I'd never Dashie-"

"NEVER call me that again!"

Pinkamena spread her wings to make herself seem intimidating as she guarded Pinkie Pie, her smoke billowing from her body even more fiercely. "What's wrong Crash... you don't like being bullied? You don't like feeling helpless? You don't like feeling like a piece of dirt under some pony's hoof? Now YOU know how it feels!"

Applejack prevented Rainbow Dash from lunging, as the demon stood firm without even so much as a flinch. The southern earth pony took Dash's place in Pinkamena's face.

"You need to quit it, before you say something you regret." Applejack warned, her green eyes flashing with sound scorn as Twilight stood next to her to stand up for her quivering pegasus friend.

"You come any closer and you'll learn how deep regret can go." Pinkamena responded, her hoof dragging along the clouds as her smoke become heavier.

Rainbow Dash couldn't take it anymore as she shoved passed Applejack and Twilight. "Go to HELL!"

Pinkamena darkly laughed. "Where do you think I came from, Crash?"

She made a demonic screech as her fangs gleamed in the sunlight. Athena and Aphrodite quickly held the demon back, as Rainbow Dash glared at her with no intent of backing down.

"Pinkamena... enough... stop IT!" Athena hissed, as Aphrodite started to hyperventilate at the growing hostile tension. "Seriously you are going to BLOW everyone's cover! Let.It.Go!"

Pinkamena... you just told Surprise to handle things without violence... why are you so angry? What is that smoke coming from your body? What's wrong...? Pinkie Pie hugged Pinkamena's side, breaking her out of her staring contest for a split second as she slowly shook her head. "Please... they are just hurt... and confused... they don't understand."

"You'll just get your plot kicked... go home... I am the officer of the pegasus army... and you are just some strange looking pegasus that walked into the wrong neighborhood. Apologize for what you said, and perhaps I may consider letting this go!" Rainbow Dash taunted.

Pinkamena lunged, but Athena and Aphrodite's godly strength was able to restrain her... just hardly. The griffon had a death grip on the demon, as Pinkie Pie used all her strength to hold the Demi-God's hooves onto the clouds and root her in her stance for Dashie's sake!

"Rainbow Dash quit taunting her! You are better than that!" Fluttershy shouted, "I hate violence... please just stop... please! I do not want a fight!"

"This will not be a fight... this will be a plain murder!" Pinkamena growled.

"That's really dark Pinkamena... why are you acting like this?" Pinkie Pie whimpered, as the demon hissed at the Elements of Harmony. "Mena... stop!"

"Okay, that's enough! I was taught to never throw the first punch, but I will not allow you to threaten my friend!" Applejack said, standing in front of Pinkamena and pressing her nose against hers. "You apologize right now!"

Pinkamena laughed. "Make Crash apologize first, and I may consider letting her keep her wings afterward!"

Pinkie Pie saw Rainbow Dash beginning to crack. Mena... stop... she will fight you... and she has NO idea what she would be getting into! You would really, really hurt her! "Pinkamena please I am begging you... don't do it!"

Pinkamena's reasoning was gone... she was barely holding herself together. Athena's lion paws were being dragged across the clouds slowly as Pinkamena's growing strength started to overpower all of them combined!

"Pinkie Pie... do something! Her Black Magic is getting out of control! Something... something is making her magic feed off of her rage... she will become a hazard for all of us if this does not STOP!" Athena whispered quickly to the pegasus grunting to hold the demon back.

"Call me Crash one more time... I am giving you one more chance to walk away!"

Pinkamena stopped, as Pinkie Pie's heart thundered so quickly and fiercely in her chest she was afraid it would pop out! The demon turned to her... almost pleading for her to have the strength to hold her back... which Pinkie Pie knew she didn't have. Pinkamena seemed to calm herself, looking into the caring and sweet eyes of Pinkie as she slowly shook her head to tell Mena that she could walk away.

"Don't look at Pinkie, face me like a pegasus... you coward! I have no idea why Pinkie Pie would be friends with such a bad apple like yourself!"

Dashie NO... she was going to walk AWAY... you... you featherbrain! WHY!

"CRASH!"

Rainbow Dash roared, before slugging that demon as hard as she could! There was a fleshy smack, as Pinkamena's head moved to the side about two inches... but that was all the damage that was done.

Athena was nearly so scared Pinkie Pie could have sworn she was going to lay an egg! "Oh Gods... you are so... so... screwed."

Pinkamena's head slowly turned.

"I can't watch!" Aphrodite squeaked, hiding behind Pinkie Pie as Athena backed away.

Pinkamena's eyes were completely iced over with redness, as her lip curled exposing the throat-ripping fangs that she hid when not in battle. Pinkie Pie saw Rainbow Dash's shocked expression from her hit not doing anything at all... but the last thing that flashed across the pegasus's face.... was regret and fear.

BOOM!

Pinkamena's strength from her hit sent Rainbow Dash flying until her head cracked into a boulder! The rock was split in half by the force, as the pegasus's body limply fell onto the clouds and her wings lay motionless at her sides. Twilight gasped before running over to Rainbow Dash and shaking her still body.

Eventually due to tough training in the army... Dashie stood up, but not without a serious bleeding bump on her head. She was panting, groaning intensely as she shook the dust from her mane and glared at Pinkamena. The demon had held back... but Pinkie Pie was not sure if her second hit would be so merciful!

Rainbow spread her wings and charged. Dashie... don't make me do this... stop! The pegasus had tears in her eyes, from the pain? From the whipping wind? Pinkie Pie couldn't tell, as she advanced towards the demon standing her ground. You have to stop... don't make me choose! Pinkie's gaze drifted from her old friends... to her new ones in a ping pong like style as she started to sweat. I have to... I am so sorry!

Pinkie Pie tackled Rainbow Dash before she had a chance to reach Pinkamena, throwing the general towards the clouds as the pegasus bounced from the recoil.

"Wha..?" Rainbow Dash said as she recovered, spinning around to face a saddened Pinkie Pie who landed in front of Pinkamena and looked towards the ground. "Pinkie.... why..."

Pinkie Pie was silent, as Rainbow Dash's tears fell down her cheeks. Betrayal... she had chosen Pinkamena... over the friend she thought she knew... and Dashie had seen it first hoof. I had to choose... you don't understand... it was the best way to protect you... I am s... so sorry. Pinkie Pie refused to look up to the panting pegasus, as Rainbow trembled from both rage and the urge to cry.

"FINE you chose your side... you CHOSE your friends... I hope you are happy losing your team... your nation, the Elements of Harmony.. a....and... ME!"

Rainbow Dash took off with Twilight and the others running after her, leaving the Gods and Demi-Gods alone. Pinkamena's smoke died down, and her eyes turned back into normal, as Pinkie Pie quietly sobbed on the clouds allowing Athena to spread her gentle wing over the pegasus to comfort her.

Pinkamena met her gaze, and she saw her regret... but nothing could change what was already done. I lost my friends... forever... I lost Dashie... forever... I betrayed them, because I picked YOU! Pinkamena slowly reached out a hoof, but Pinkie Pie avoided it by buying her face in Athena's chest.

"Pinkie... I...." Pinkamena began.

"No Mena... I don't care how mad you are... I don't care what you did today... I am not upset that you punched Dashie... or that I lost my friends... I am MAD that you let it get to that point! Your Black Magic feeds off of your negative emotions... and you LET it, and I have to suffer for that! You should have just talked to me that night when I saw you crying... this could h... have been avoided! Y-You you angry at everyone that cares for you... you are pushing us away... why... WHY are you so angry Pinkamena???"

"I don't want to talk about it!"

Athena angrily looked towards the Demi-God, "Well you better START talking! You almost blew my cover, I thought I was going to have to teleport all of them to another part of Equestria! What has gotten into you? This happened on your world... you were pushing everyone away... why Pinkamena?"

"It's NONE of your business Athena!"

"Is it about your soulmate? Or the past loves you had? I know you had more than one..." Aphrodite whispered quietly and gently as she looked towards Pinkamena in a loving way. "Pinkamena.. you have to open up... this is destroying you.."

"SHUT UP! I didn't love her... I NEVER DID!" Pinkamena yelled, her eyes dangerously close to crying.

"I never said her... Pinkamena." Aphrodite said calmly, as the Demi-God's hooves started to light with green fire.

"Pinkamena... talk to us... talk to me!" Pinkie Pie begged, as the demon shut her eyes and screamed.

"I can't PINKIE PIE , I can't talk about IT... if I have to lose every single ONE of you to keep you safe that's exactly what i'll do! This is my CURSE, it has always BEEN! Leave me ALONE! I can't live like this ANYMORE!"

Pinkamena was gone in a sonic boom, her green fire blinding the group for a split second until her body vanished higher into the levitating clouds overhead. Pinkie Pie yelled out, desperately trying to get the mare to come back... but she was long gone, the only thing left being the trail of clouds she sliced through.

Mena... please come back!

Athena shook her head. "I... I do not know why she is acting like this. First on her world the Pinkie Pie she connected with suddenly became an enemy to her, slowly Pinkamena grew hostile towards her. She moved out of their house, slept in the woods, avoided Pinkie Pie for days.... breaking the poor mare's heart."

Aphrodite seemed a little frustrated when she spoke up. "Don't you see Athena? She was in love with some pony... recently... but something happened."

"You have no proof !"

"Really? I have no proof? Then explain her behavior and what she said!"

Suddenly the group was jerked upwards by a light, as Athena yelled out in surprise as they were sucked into a vortex and spat out somewhere far away. Pinkie Pie was thrown into a fluffy bush, as Athena bumped into a tree and Aphrodite casually drifted down from above before landing on the grass.

"Oooops, sorry man... running into nature can be a real bummer sometimes." A voice said, as Pinkie Pie spat out leaves from her mouth and looked at a creature laying on a rock and twisting a vine between its paws.

"Demeter! I swear to the Gods, you cannot summon me like this anymore!" Athena barked, rubbing her tender head as she ripped her claws across the vines dangling down from the willow trees.

"Where are we... it looks like we are in some amazing garden!" Pinkie Pie asked, as the creature giggled.

The Goddess was a wolf, with a happy smile on her lips. She had a furry mane, twisted and braided like some native tribe would have done to their members. Demeter had large wings, with flowers and vines weaved throughout her feathers along with a faded light green tipped base around the edges of the wings. Her eyes were electric blue, and her fur short but fluffy with her mane tied with tribal feathers.

Her fur was a gentle emerald green color, along with her stomach and wings bright white. Demeter's nose twitched as she rolled onto her back and thumped her thick tail.

"That's because you are chickadee, this is where I grow my herbs... and become one with nature. You dig?" Demeter said, her voice lax and drug out with a sparkling tone. The Goddess seemed cheerful, but her personality was chill as if nothing in the world could get to her or bother her at all.

"Demeter! You look fabulous, do those natural treatments for you fur make it look that soft? You've got to teach me your grooming techniques, babe!" Aphrodite said, as the wolf made a pointing gesture with her claw and clicked her tongue.

"So like, what was up with that chick and uptight general. Like their fight was totally ruining my flow here, like why can't they just chill and make love, not war." Demeter asked, twirling her mane with her claw before hiccuping.

"Use a thesaurus to find another word other than like please." Athena said, approaching the Goddess as she blew a raspberry. "Don't sass me Demeter, how many shrooms have you had?"

"Like... totally not many... I was just sitting here in my own vibes. Then like boom, I heard some major arguing that was totally tripping out all my plants. I totally was going to get up and ask them to lower their voices, because all their tension was blocking up my chakras... but then like out of nowhere I got this urge to let that Demi-God have her space, you know? Because... she really needs to discover her innermost insecurities until she can become like.. totally laid back and cool again, right?"

Pinkie Pie blinked. "You talk funny, I like you!"

Aphrodite leaned towards Pinkie Pie's ear. "That's just how she talks... 'cause you know... Tree Huggers and all."

"In other words, she's a Hippie." Athena added.

"Duuuude, labels are such a drag man. I prefer the term 'One with Mother Earth' and I am a totally chill Goddess like so chill... sometimes I forget I have divine powers and stuff. All this war and arguing is soooo not good energy, why can't the Gods I dunno... go with the flow and not make a hassle of like everything."

Athena snapped her claws. "Demeter focus, where are the other Gods... what happened on Olympus after I left?"

"I dunno, I'm totally spacing right now. All I know is that Ares and Hera took over Olympus which is so faaaaaar out. I totally did not see it coming, like at all... just bam, suddenly Ares is snuggling on the throne and everything isn't cool anymore."

"So Ares took over Olympus officially... that isn't good.." Aphrodite said.

"Yeah he flipped out when Athena escaped, and sent Hera to go find her. That Goddess gives me the creeps man, she's totally flaky... and is messed up in the head! All these negative vibes from her has my head all fried, so to combat the negative energy I put some gas in me, and I am so totally floating."

Athena sighed. "Okay girls, Demeter is too high to ever come back down... so we are just going to take our leave."

"Awww Thena, don't be a burnout... this is just how I de-stress. Gimmie a sec, I brought you all gifts since we are going to be roomies for a while. We are going to have so much fun, being young and wild and free chickadees!"

"I'm not a...a.. BURNOUT!" Athena said with a huff, as Demeter gracefully jumped off the rock and hummed as something appeared in her paws.

"For Thena, I have this totally lit book, read it chickadee... trust me you'll like it." Demeter said in a sing-song voice as she pressed the book against the griffon's chest.

Athena squawked before trying to casually open the book, but her excitement kept her from being cool about it. The Goddess strolled to Aphrodite before handing her some cream which made the Goddess of Love squeak like a little filly.

"For my totally rad chick Aphrodite some organic cream that I made myself, enjoy babe."

Demeter stopped in front of Pinkie Pie before rubbing her paw on the top of her head. "So your name is Demeter? What are you the Goddess of?"

"I am the Goddess of the Harvest, and the earth and stuff... no biggie..."

Demeter smelled of cedar wood, as she flattened her ears and looked around her. She seemed to be sensing something as she wobbled over to Aphrodite and pointed to something with her claw.

"You totally see all those wonky colors, right?" The wolf asked as the Goddess of Love shook her head.

"No... Demeter... seriously how many of your special shrooms have you had?"

"You know... I kinda just had the munchies and ate like... my whole garden. I was told to wait here for like... a totally strong Goddess to join us and I was hungry... Hephaestus apparently vouched for her and all... so like... I am totally down to make new-"

"UUUUUUUGH, I am stuck with THESE loser Goddesses? Come on Hephaestus, I thought I would be with creatures that could pull their own weight!"

The voice sounded very, very annoyed... as Athena sighed. Aphrodite puffed out her cheeks as something blocked the sunlight before slamming their sickle into the stone Demeter recently sat on. Pinkie Pie shielded her face before something chuffed like a tiger, swinging its tail around as their claws sharpened themselves on the stone like a giant scratching post.

"Like really? I am stuck with the Goddess of Boring, the Goddess of Plastic, and the Goddess of Wouldn't Hurt a Fly? Laaaaaame, thank the Gods you all have me... I mean you would physically get murdered out there! Don't worry now you've got a real advantage against the God of War... helloooo Goddess of Victory you can all grovel now... no seriously, I deserve it..." The Goddess of Victory said as she sat up and revealed herself.

Yikes... she is pretty prideful. Pinkie Pie saw the Goddess when she looked up, and immediately recognized the body shape of a Sphinx. The creature had raven colored short fur, with the head of a female lion and a faded red muzzle that blended into their light ruby colored nose. She had matching whiskers that fit her muzzle, and a shaggy punk-like mane style that blended together between red and gold, along with her lion tail. Her claws slowly dragged themselves against the rock, as the Goddess taunted the group with her warrior status.

Her wings were black with red tips, and her eyes slit with a deep gold color. Her eyes matched her odd markings all across her black pelt, as she stretched and yawned revealing her sharp canine teeth.

"Aww bummer man, she's totally not who I wanted to hang with." Demeter huffed, as the lioness pounced, knocking Athena to the ground as the Sphinx laughed.

"Get off Nike! I swear to the Gods you are so annoying! Like a little uncultured sibling that needs a good spanking from their parent!" Athena growled as Nike's paw pressed down on her throat. The Goddess squinted before giving her a toothy grin and picking up Athena's eagle claw before slapping her cheek with it. "Ow... Nike... OW, freaking STOP YOU-"

"Why are you hitting yourself, Athena? Stop it... you look ridiculous!" Nike cackled, slapping Athena's cheek with the poor griffon's own limb. "Ah... I'm bored, where's Ares's little pet?"

I need to hide... perhaps behind this tree with do! That cat is so scary! Pinkie Pie quickly hid behind a thick tree trunk as Nike's eyes swept the forest hungrily. Pinkie shivered behind the shield before she heard the lioness purring as her paws crunched on the leaves when she started to advance.

Pinkie Pie swallowed when the steps stopped. "Aha! Found you, you little runt!"

"EEEEEEEK!" Pinkie squealed, as the Sphinx pounced on her. The poor pony was knocked to the ground, as Nike's scary cat eyes gleamed mischievously. I wish Pinkamena was here... I wish we never fought... I just wish today never happened The Goddess sat on her stomach, before opening her paw and allowing her claws to shoot out as she twinkled them and debated on what to do next.

"So you are Ares's champion, do you know what he actually does to those he favors, little pony?" Nike laughed, tracing her claw down Pinkie's soft stomach as Aphrodite gathered her courage.

"Leave her alone Nike! She has already had a bad DAY!"

"Oh shut up barbie, she deserves to know the truth!" Nike replied, turning her head slowly back to Pinkie as the poor pony struggled to breathe from the Goddess's weight. "I heard all about you, weak, puny, and defenseless until Ares came along and gave you power... but the champions he picks... he lies to."

"Knock it off Nike!" Athena warned as the Sphinx flicked her tail.

"You see Pinkie Pie, Ares has never been worshiped he's hated. So he just walks on up into your world one day..." Nike said as she walked two claws up Pinkie Pie's stomach gently. "-and when he spots a mortal he views as weak, he gives them everything they want in life... which is power. All mortals want is endless glory... and Ares helps them give into this sin, and day by day he allows them to grow... and to conquer, and to slay. But.. when Ares is done feeding off of their endless bloodshed... do you know what he does?"

"Dude seriously this is totally not cool," Demeter said as she cowered under Athena.

"I.... I am not going to conquer o...or slay... I was never going to do any of that! So Ares cannot feed off of my actions! T...That means I am s-safe right?"

Nike stopped her claws right on Pinkie's beating heart. "Oh no my friend, you are far from safe. Ares knows you are conspiring with Athena, and when he finds you... the pain you will feel with be more excruciating than a thousand deaths. He will look you straight in the eyes, as he slaughters everyone you love... burns down everything you care about. Right when you have nothing left... he'll leave... he'll wait... until at the last minute he comes creeping back... slowly... silently... following your shadow..."

Pinkie Pie had terrified tears in her eyes as the Sphinx licked her fangs. "S-Stop I do not want to hear anymore... p-please stop!"

"Then he will take his axe-" Nike said slamming her claws down onto Pinkie Pie's neck making her yelp as the Goddess's sickle appeared in her other paw. "He'll bring down his weapon onto your head, popping it right off of your shoulders! Then he will destroy your entire world and everyone in IT. Down your world falls! All because you FAILED to protect them, all because you FAILED to see through Ares's plan... it will be all YOUR fault!"

Nike sliced the sickle across the top of Pinkie Pie's head purposefully missing her, as Pinkie Pie sobbed. The Sphinx rolled off of her laughing as Aphrodite and Athena gave her a look of pure hatred.

"Aw man, I never get tired of scaring weak mortals like you... HA! But seriously little scamp, Ares is as dumb as a rock... sure he took over Olympus and killed Zeus, but that old geezer had it coming! When I slay Ares myself, all the mortals will worship me as their new ruler because I am freaking amazing and could beat that Minotaur with one paw tied behind my back! You have nothing to worry about, yeah he might come after you... and kill a whole lot of mortals in the process but who cares... kinda the whole point of war am I right?"

Athena threw a rock at Nike's head, as the lioness turned to her with a smirk. "Quit being cocky Nike, you keep talking like that Ares will have you killed in minutes!"

The Sphinx waved her claw with a yawn, before flapping her wings and flying casually around Pinkie Pie. "Yeah, yeah... we all know you are a pussy cat Athena... but you don't understand we have Hephaestus. He may look like a rhino's underside, but he knows every single weapon each God wields... and, my dear... he can make more."

"Like did I totally just trip and hear her suggest we make more weapons of like mass... harm?" Demeter asked, as Nike chuffed and snorted before swirling around the terrified pegasus.

"Demeter if you really think this runt-" Nike stopped as she picked up Pinkie Pie by her tail and shook her before continuing. "-is going to make it she ain't! Not unless she goes through some intense training and upgrades her skill level. She is not going to take down any God with this toothpick!"

Nike pressed her claw into Pinkie Pie's stomach making her summon her spear out of reaction. The Goddess flicked it out of Pinkie's hooves for her grip was pathetic compared to the strength of the lioness. The spear clattered on the grass, as Nike pressed her paw on it crushing it to pieces.

No! My spear! I thought it was forged by the Gods? How could Nike break it so easily? I-I really am a pathetic warrior compared to these others Gods... Pinkamena would have trained me... but now she hates me... Pinkie Pie sighed when thinking of Pinkamena, that poor Demi-God had so much rage... and now it was directed to her too.

"Listen Pinkie Cry, if you want to survive and learn to fight I'm your gal. If you want to whine about getting dirt on your hooves go talk to Aphrodite or if you want to learn to fail at flirting and sex appeal go to Athena."

"I object this claim I have a very good-" Athena was stopped by Aphrodite.

"No dear you don't... just... just... let her have this one... don't make it worse for yourself."

"Ares is coming... for your world... and for YOU! These prissy Goddesses can't protect you... I can, but I'll be too busy hunting down Hera to do you any good little kitten. So you've gotta learn to take care of yourself, and pull your own weight! I'll teach you... but the road will be bloody!"

Pinkie Pie swallowed. "P-Perhaps I'll just... stay out of all this... I-I'm not a good fighter haha.."

Nike furrowed her brows before roaring in Pinkie Pie's face and snatching up her tail. Pinkie Pie screamed as she was dangled upside down by the furious Goddess.

"Listen you cute but measly inferior being, Ares is getting ready to force every single creature in your world to worship him and the other Gods... do you KNOW what happens when they get worshiped? They grow in power... and when they grow in power they can conquer, and when they conquer, ponies DIE!" Nike boomed, shaking the squealing Pinkie by her sore tail as she continued. "I don't care how you feel! I WANT to be noticed so I am training your plot if you like it or NOT! So get your butt in gear and let's go do some training and crap! Move, MOVE, I am going to make you bleed so much you'll... you'll... ummm... be... in... umm.."

Athena laughed quietly to Aphrodite. "The warriors never have any intelligence."

"What did you say you walking book of disappointment?"

Aphrodite laughed at Athena when she was addressed and nearly peed as Nike yelled at her.

"Oh, you think that's funny? When I am done with you Aphrodite I am going to recycle you.. since I am going green and reusing my plastic! So get your plots over here, ya'll are training too along with tree humper over there!"

"I don't hump trees I love on them... plants need social interaction too man..." Demeter defended, as she wallowed over to Nike along with Athena and Aphrodite.

Nike dropped poor Pinkie on her head, as she whipped around and lowered her face to hers. Pinkie Pie swallowed hard as the cat's eyes focused, staring deep into her soul with a mischievous smile.

"Listen well shrimp, you are going to learn how to be a Demi-God. We are going to train, and train, and train because your strength is bad and you should feel BAD!"

"I'm s-sorry!"

Nike pressed a claw into Pinkie's nose. "You are going to eat NAILS for breakfast and we will get to the point where you won't need any milk with it! You are going to be tough... not... not.. whatever this is!"

"O...Okay! Eeeep!"

"Stop being adorable you are a WARRIOR, now get up... we are leaving... I said GET UP!" Nike yelled, making the pony jerk up onto her hooves and stiffly join the group's side. "Good. Follow me, we are going to go hit our heads on rocks!"

The group groaned as Nike lead the way and Pinkie Pie bit her lip nervously. I thought making new friends would be fun... this isn't fun at all!