Chapters The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
Author's Note
[Attention]
This is NOT a generation four story; this is generation FIVE! The entire lore will be different, and if you do NOT want spoilers for the next generation, please skip this story! I have put together rumors and leaks to form this story! None of this is guaranteed to be canon! I have attached a picture of what the mane six will look like (probably) in Gen Five below... but anyways here is some information you will need to know:
Applejack and Twilight ARE earth ponies according to the leaks.
The world (according to the leaks again) is going to be multi-dimensional, meaning each "race" lives on their own world. The worlds like the dragon world, pegasi world, and unicorn world and others are connected by the Tree of Harmony which grows in Equestria home of the unicorns.
Last thing! According to what we know, all races can use MAGIC! That means even earth ponies can use it! You do not need a horn to focus it anymore! I know this had angered many people, but I mean... it's Gen Five they were bound to toss around new ideas.
This story revolves around the pegasus Pinkie Pie, where it shows her journey befriending the Mane Six because they are NOT best friends right away! Remember guys, this is just my opinion and me stitching together the rumors and leaks to make the story! This could turn out to be completely different from the series when it drops!
You do not need to read Pinkie Pie's Shadow to read this, Pinkamena's story will be explained throughout the story! However, for those that are reading the story, major spoilers guys!
Gods Among Us
A small Pegasus sat on a balcony overlooking a city with bustling billboards and lights blinding the citizens from afar. Beyond the city was a deserted wasteland with millions of abandoned buildings and mutilated robots scattered across the thickened sand. She looked bored, leaning her head into her hoof as the levitating cars beneath her strolled along a metallic railing without skimming the ground even once.
"Oh yeah Surprise, become ruler of the world! Ooooh, it will be so fun! Boring is what it is..." The Pegasus said, waving off a yawn as her white feathers fluttered against the heat wave.
She suddenly flinched as a holographic image pixeled around her mouth, and she was suddenly biting on a party favor. Surprise blew into it, causing a sad little sound to be played among the noises of the city she watched from above.
"There's nothing to do... we have everything but at the same time nothing! The war is over, there is peace.. yet, I still feel like everything is a lost cause! The ponies around here are big meanie... meanie pants! They never smile, or come to my parties!" Surprise yelled, waving her forelimbs dramatically over the railing keeping her from falling off.
Surprise thrust her hoof forward in frustration, causing a string of lightning to crash into the side of a building. The destruction was massive, as the building's side collapsed onto the populated street! Surprise leaned over the railing cringing, as the ponies ran around scattering the harmony that used to be present.
A pony blinked from the doorway as Surprise apologized from above frantically.
"Sorry... Sorry! I will bring flowers to the funeral... oops! Uhh… I am not sure your leg is supposed to bend that way! Well you should have come to my party... MIKE!"
"Is... this a bad time Surprise?" A pony asked as she cleared her throat to gain the attention of the Pegasus chewing on her hoof nervously.
Surprise whipped around, "THEY'RE FINE! I SWEAR!... I-I mean... they should be... if they get.. medical attention. It's not my fault this time..! Blame it on Mike... he did this... horrible.. horrible tragedy..."
The pony looked over the balcony looking at the metal lodged in the magnetic pathways carrying the cars to their destinations. Wires and chunks of stone from the damaged building had fallen and destroyed most of what lied below it, along with many injured ponies. Soldiers were already shoving the ponies away from the scene as they cleaned up after Surprise, emotionlessly wrapping up the reports on the casualties.
"Surprise... you are the most powerful pony in the world.. you own everything here.. you don't need to hide anything. We all serve you anyways, so you can basically do whatever you want." The pony said rubbing her forehead tiredly.
"Oooo, boo! What's the fun about being powerful when no pony can stop you? I'm bored Firefly!" Surprise whined, before popping up in the air and poking her general's nose. She suddenly had her party favor again and blew it energetically in the other Pegasus's face! "I need a vacation! Perhaps visit some other generation! Yeah... yeah! With a new world... and new ponies! With... with... adventure!"
Firefly flinched when Surprise threw her white wing around her shoulders, "Well... it is never boring with you around.. but I can understand if ruling isn't your thing... what do you mean about a new generation though?"
Surprise squealed, dancing in place as lightning sparked around her hooves.
"Well... this story is going to put me in a new generation! A whole new universe, Generation Five to be exact!"
"Generation.... five? Story? What... What do you mean by story-"
Surprise stuck her hoof in Firefly's mouth, with a face-breaking smile.
"Duh it's a Pinkie Pie tradition to break the fourth wall... you other secondary characters and the Mane Six will never understand. Basically, I am going to visit a new world... sometime... so now I wait!"
Firefly ran her hoof through her blue and messy mane, "Fourth Wall....? Mane Six...? Who is Pinkie... never mind... Surprise, I always knew you were a little... odd.. but are you feeling okay?"
"Fine and dandy!" Surprise sang as she hopped onto the railing spreading her wings. "I wonder what kind of friends I am going to make eeeeeee! I am so excited!"
Pinkie Pie spread her wings, her light pink feathers lightly dusting the tops of clouds as she giggled when flying upside down! The fresh air of the Pegasi world where she was known to roam along with every other Pegasus was flowing freely along her puffy and unkempt mane! This was Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter ... and part of the Elements of Harmony known for keeping the realms safe! Her mission along with her friends was to fight off threats that pop up all over the worlds connected by the Tree of Harmony.
They all wielded special magic that was special to each one of them.. but... some would argue hers was not precisely... useful. She shook this thought out of her head, now was not the time.... after all, sunset along Cloudsdale was one of the most beautiful sights one could see! Cloudsdale was the central city in her world, where Pegasi of all sorts came to learn where they belonged! It was pretty great, but at the same time... it was a little overwhelming feeling like if you didn't succeed Cloudsdale would chew you up and spit you right on out!
The colors of the sun falling behind the fluffy clouds always calmed her inner thoughts as she swooped under the massive white city forming her daily playground. Once her wings had tired themselves, she decided to plop right down on the most comfortable cloud she could find and snuggle within it.
She felt herself growing groggy until something landed next to her.
The rainbow wings... the rainbow mane, the stern look... yep... it was Dashie! She rolled over exposing her stomach as she gave a happy and cheerful smile!
"Hey, Dashie! Want to have a race?" Pinkie Pie giggled, trying to soften the glare her angry friend usually possessed.
"No Pinkie Pie, stop goofing off! Twilight needs us, and here you are leaping along clouds like a foal!"
Pinkie Pie jumped when her Cutie Mark started glowing profusely, vibrating like it was going to pop right off her flank! Rainbow uncovered hers and motioned towards it sternly, proving that she was right.
"Oh... I... I'm tired Dashie! We just fought off a leviathan three hours ago! Come on... five more minutes!" Pinkie Pie grumbled, burying her face into a cloud with a defeated sigh.
Rainbow Dash plucked the pink Pegasus from the clouds, before spitting out Pinkie's tail from her mouth.
"No! This is our job Pinkie Pie! You are a Pegasus, we are known for being fierce warriors! Quit acting like a filly and come with me!"
Rainbow Dash took off in a rainbow blur, causing a whiplash of wind to nearly knock Pinkie off her cloud! Well, she didn't exactly expect any different from the fastest flier in their world... no joke! Everypony could agree that Rainbow had the most powerful wings, and the coolest feathers... and could beat any pony without batting an eye! Hooves down!
Perhaps... perhaps she was gone now? Pinkie Pie looked around her, and didn't see any sign of Rainbow Dash... so she must have been miles away by now! Pinkie grinned and giggled mischievously, as she snuggled into the warmth of the cloud... five more minutes never hurt any pony!
Before she could doze off, her body was lifted from her cloud with her pitiful cries.
"Come ON, Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash mumbled as she carried the limp pony to their destination.
This happened often, so Pinkie Pie was sure Rainbow was used to her weight by now. Her wings were not the only powerful muscles in her body... her forelimbs weren't bad either! Pinkie Pie flapped her wings uselessly, as her best friend held her stomach with the grip of a vice.
The large wings carried her beyond the clouds that were famous for covering Cloudsdale, as she tiredly dangled her golden hooves from beneath her. So... so tired... It was sunset, how many monsters did they expect her to fight every single day? Elements of Harmony or not, it was exhausting! She didn't have the stamina that Rainbow Dash had, even though Pegasi naturally had stronger endurance! Perhaps she just didn't have it in her, or it might be because she eats a lot of sweets? Dashie had always griped about her eating habits, so she had to eat in secrecy!
Her Cutie Mark still seemed to nag at her to fight whatever it was endangering the realms... perhaps the Dragon Realm was in trouble? Erm... Unicorns? Earth Ponies? Sheesh... who was it THIS time?
Perhaps she could doze off... right here-
Oof, never-mind! Rainbow Dash had dropped her onto the clouds of the main city of Cloudsdale! Her eyes rolled as she shook the drowsiness away from her foggy mind, and picked herself up. The buildings made of materialized clouds used to make a solid surface towered over Pinkie Pie, as she rubbed her loose eyelids.
"Come on Pinkie Pie you are embarrassing me! The entire reputation of Cloudsdale actually! Pegasi are known for being-"
Pinkie Pie groggily interrupted, "Yeah... fierce and..." She stopped for a moment. When she realized she was dozing off, she snapped back to focus her attention on a glowering Rainbow Dash. "-ruthless warriors that can fight off fleets of endless enemies with ease! I heard it all in....... AK! HUH? High-school... I was not dozing off I promise Dashie!"
Rainbow Dash straightened her posture while un-furrowing her wings from her sides, "As a Pegasus you have natural warrior blood! So quit being... Pinkie PIE!"
Pinkie Pie's head was down as she snored softly before Rainbow Dash knocked the back of her head with her wing.
"Huh.... what? Are the cupcakes burning???" Pinkie screamed, causing Pegasi to hush her angrily!
"Gah... you are hopeless... I am so glad you didn't sign up for patrol!"
Her body was hoisted onto Rainbow Dash's back, as her friend stomped towards what she assumed was a sapling from the Tree of Harmony connecting their worlds. Each world had a sacred sapling that was gifted to them from the Tree of Harmony, which had magic power. Equestria... home of the Unicorns happened to be the center of all the realms, with the giant Tree of Harmony as the lifeblood for all the worlds.
Under the protection of the Tree, the realms were under peace, but these darn monsters keep popping up everywhere! So the Elements of Harmony were formed to preserve the continued peace among the domains, which meant lots of traveling... and lots of fighting.
Pinkie Pie couldn't keep up anymore... too much... she was just a baker! She turned away the job of being in some sort of army for the Pegasi a long time ago! Even though it was super respected around here, she just didn't think she cut it... and decided to approach a different path instead! It didn't help that Dashie was always on her plot about it! Saying things like "Pegasi don't need more bakers! We need warriors!" Or "You have to learn to defend yourself when a monster comes are you going to throw a cupcake at it?"
Dashie's back is warm... hehe! Almost like a warm and soft... mmm... so tired.
Rainbow Dash approached the portal connected to the Tree of Harmony that would take them to any of the realms. Well, the ones that were deemed "peaceful" that is. Changelings were nasty creatures, and the Pegasi had to repel them often after trying to invade the earth ponies.
Ugh Pinkie Pie... always goofing off when things needed to be done! Why couldn't she see she had a job now! Fighting off several monsters a day was not that HARD! Rainbow did this pretty much every hour, being a patrol pony and captain of the force kept her busy. Even though Pinkie Pie had grown up with her, she never exactly liked her personality.. being silly and non-serious all day and night didn't sit well with her!
She had just learned she was chosen by the Tree of Harmony.. the most mystical thing found across all the realms... to form a bond with six ponies more powerful than any magic! It was a little surprising that different races were thrown together in some massive adventure and destined to be best friends! When she learned Pinkie Pie was one of them, Rainbow was a bit... relieved... at least making "friends" with her wouldn't be too hard.
Yeah... their bonds were not very strong yet... but she would eventually befriend them all... somehow.
Rainbow Dash stepped into the sacred garden in the middle of Cloudsdale, before nodding at the soldiers keeping order within the city. She hauled the now sleeping Pegasus wrapping her forelimbs around her neck towards the center of the garden where the large sacred tree's roots opened up to where a swirling portal was visible.
She walked into it, letting the sucking magic pull her into its colors until she popped out onto the other side. The portal had spit her out into Equestria, home of the Unicorns... where her friends Twilight, Fluttershy and Rarity lived. She had always wondered why Twilight moved away from the earth ponies, but then Twilight had reminded her she devoted her life to learning magic. Even though all races could learn magic, Unicorns naturally could focus it better than any other race.
Equestria was thriving like any other day, magical artifacts and potions were lined up in shops and being sold by merchants as she looked for Twilight in the town square. When she caught sight of a few ponies gathered up with glowing Cutie Marks she immediately brought her attention to them. Her blue hooves clopped on the concrete as she brought her sleeping companion to the side of a humming Fluttershy.
The yellow unicorn was gently lifting up a butterfly with her hoof, she always seemed to attract them for some odd reason. Rarity was brushing her purple and white mane, while Twilight was laying down with a spread out map in the middle of them. Applejack had an unreadable expression as she watched Rarity groom herself for the hundredth time today.
"Oh fantastic, you are here Rainbow Dash!" Twilight greeted, without looking up from her map.
"Yep I brought Pinkie Pie too," Rainbow Dash replied, before bumping the Pegasus off her back.
Pinkie Pie smacked her chin on the concrete before bouncing up in alarm! "Wha! Where.... Where am I?"
The group ignored her before Rarity spoke up. "I do love the attention of being a protector of the realms don't get me wrong, but honestly all these creatures consistently attacking on a constant basis is tiring!"
Fluttershy giggled with a softened voice that reminded the group of a settled lake, "I rather enjoy helping ponies. They have faith we will keep them safe, isn't that enough to keep you going?"
Her hoof guided a blue butterfly towards a gust where the wings of the creature easily caught the wind, as Fluttershy smiled back at them. Applejack was quiet, as she brushed her blond and braided hair from her emerald green eyes while steadily leaning over Twilight the only other earth pony in their group.
Twilight tapped her hoof onto the withered paper, "The Tree of Harmony asked me to gather you all so we can fight off a threat aimed towards Equestria. Something about...a hydra...? It is trying to invade the lands to the west."
Pinkie Pie swallowed thickly, a hydra huh? Cut off a head, two more come back... Ugh. Something told her that would be the first thing Rainbow Dash tries to do, screwing them all in the long run.
"So I guess we might as well get going... right?" Applejack asked, fiddling with her hooves.
Yeah, the tension in the group was still not unsettled... no pony was exactly friends yet. They just thought of each other as "co-workers," at this point... some of them were closer than the others.. but not by much. Applejack and Twilight apparently went to college together and lived in the same city at one point... until Twilight moved to Equestria.
Twilight wanted to learn more about magic since even though she was not a unicorn, her magic was very strong and it was unusual. So the little purple earth pony went to the unicorns to focus her magic and drown herself in studies, where she became familiar with Fluttershy. Rarity seemed to favor Fluttershy the most out of the group, while Twilight and Applejack were more accustomed to each other's personality.
Rainbow Dash didn't seem to like any of them, yet made an effort to try and get along... while Pinkie Pie befriended all of them! Pinkie Pie was zoning out... her head bobbing while she tried to keep herself from the dream realm. Twilight's powerful magic was definitely needed in their squad, while Rainbow Dash's strategic mind helped point out their enemy's weak points and raw strength knocked them off balance. Rarity's defensive magic was able to block fire, lightning, ice you name it! She created shields with her magic, while Applejack used her own personal magic to manipulate the environment to their advantage.
Fluttershy could summon animals at will, while also solving problems by speaking to just about every creature afterward and helping them understand what they were doing was wrong. Fluttershy could also control trees with her magic, and manipulate plants into constricting the enemies they faced. Rainbow didn't exactly like to use magic, but when she did she was able to change the air patterns and use the electricity in clouds to shock opponents!
Now that left Pinkie Pie... she didn't really consider herself a fighter! When she found out she was part of this elite squad, she had to wonder why! She had no magic power... and when she says NO magic power she meant zero, zip, zilch, nada! The most magical thing she could do was convince other ponies to smile, and the Pegasi seemed to get annoyed when she tried it! So most of the time, she ran around trying her best... but grounded or flying.. she was not much help.
She tried kicking with the most strength she had! But her hooves just bounced right off the hide of the creatures she faced! She tried flying and trying to summon the power of the weather, but the magic within her just wouldn't... come OUT! Honestly, it was embarrassing to see Rainbow Dash giving her the stink eye everytime she tried to just distract the enemy. What did Rainbow want her to do? She didn't have magic, the next best thing was distracting the enemy to where the others could charge up an attack unnoticed... she really was trying!
"Come on girls, we've got a little road trip ahead," Twilight said.
She rolled up her map with focused magic, before levitating the ancient scroll into her saddlebag. Pinkie Pie was about to fall over, as the group left her in the dust... except Rainbow Dash who was just staring at her.
"Pinkie Pie, honestly... am I going to have to carry you again? "
"What no... I can... I can walk, just... I'll dream myself there... mmm."
Rainbow Dash neighed while screaming, "Wake up!"
Pinkie Pie cried out in pain as she rubbed her throbbing ears before her tail was snatched in Rainbow's mouth. Her body was forced to bend her friend's will, as she just gave up and let the Pegasus drag her to wherever she was going. She could hear Rainbow Dash muttering, probably questioning why she even tried so hard to carry her around everywhere... which didn't make Pinkie feel any better!
The group traveled for some time, even though Rainbow Dash didn't seem to be weighed down by the extra weight. They were able to come to a dense cloud billowing out of a cave, as the hydra snored loudly while Twilight fanned the smoke from her face.
"I assume this is the hydra?" Rarity said, holding her nose. "Terrible breath I might add."
Rarity's words caused Pinkie Pie to perk up from her state, smelling the stench from the breath of hydra. "Oh jeez, Dashie is that you?"
Rainbow Dash mumbled an insult back but ignored her as Rarity created a beautiful white and blue shield in front of her. Applejack shrugged and followed her "friends" inside, as Rainbow Dash left Pinkie Pie to snuggle within the dirt and fall asleep without noticing. Twilight parted the smoke with her magic before the group was swallowed by it leaving Pinkie Pie to snore loudly and finally give up on trying to stay awake!
Mmmm… cupcakes and cake... they are so fluffy and delicious. Fire exploded from the cave, as Pinkie Pie kicked in her sleep humming happily. Ooo, the oven is so warm! So toasty! Rainbow Dash screamed, patting the fire from her mane as she burst from the cave. Pinkie Pie bounced on the ground from the creature's steps still asleep; as the creature lumbered from out of the shadows crushing boulders beneath his four limbs!
His three heads roared, as Rarity gagged. "Oh my... so ugh! Girls, I am going to put a protective bubble around me, or I am going to pass out from the stench!"
Twilight's magic burst from her hooves, as the powerful blast zapped the thick plating of the monster! He screeched, his saliva slathering the ponies beneath him! Fluttershy's body suddenly was wrapped in a thick ball of combined plants, that shielded her from the mass of spit hurtling towards her! Applejack was surrounded by spiked rocks, as they provided a roof over her head leaving poor Twilight to run away from the waterfall coming down!
Applejack broke free from the surrounding rocks, before stomping her hooves gently on the ground. The hydra was unable to keep his footing on the newly dismembered terrain, as large rocks and gaps formed under his claws. Fluttershy lit her horn, and a thick vine suddenly slithered out from the forest surrounding them. Like a long python, the vine constricted the off-balance hydra by wrapping around his dancing claws, and squeezing them together!
Rainbow Dash swooped out from the sky, as the hydra was knocked to his chin with one final push by the Pegasus! Her hooves came crashing into one of his heads, causing the claws keeping him upright to bend to the vines and fall over! He roared, before collapsing on his stomach and spitting fire at the ponies who had messed with him! Rarity jumped into action as the team formed a wall behind her, as her magic shielded them from the fierce blast! The molten lava-like breath scorched everything around them, as Rarity held strong.
Pinkie Pie snorted, kicking as a small flame licked her sensitive hoof! "No... No.. Gummy, you know I am.... ticklish!"
The pink pegasus was still out cold, as her friends wrestled with the hydra without noticing she was not active. Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and activated her magic, blowing away the flames with the wind she summoned and saving the forest from being burnt to a crisp! The hydra's tongue lolled out of his three mouths, as the heads thumped helplessly on the ground unable to pick himself up.
Suddenly one of the heads locked onto the weak and defenseless pony cuddled up to her own tail, and his eyes flickered with revenge! With a sudden inhale, Rainbow Dash picked up on his plan and followed his trail to Pinkie Pie who wouldn't survive the breath of a hydra!
"Pinkie Pie! Look OUT!" Rainbow Dash said frantically, as she sped towards the sleeping pony with everything she had! The fire warmed the back of the hydra's throat before the flames engulfed Rainbow's path to Pinkie Pie but she flew through the fire and snatched Pinkie before the flames swallowed her! Pinkie Pie woke up as the rainbow pegasus held her above the wreckage panting heavily from the flames that had scorched her pelt!
"Wha… What did I miss? Did my party cannon explode again?" Pinkie Pie asked rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"NO Pinkie Pie, you fell asleep and almost got yourself KILLED!" Rainbow Dash screamed, her veins popping from her neck as she harshly dove towards the ponies below her.
Fluttershy was giving the defeated hydra a tongue lashing, as the creature withered beneath her gaze!
"You march on up to the villages you damaged and use your strong muscles to help them rebuild! I don't want to see you causing any more trouble mister, do you understand me?"
Rainbow Dash grunted as her harsh burns made her muscles ache, forcing her to drop Pinkie Pie accidentally. She clenched her teeth as she scanned over her ash-covered pelt, and gingerly touched the burns that rubbed her flesh raw.
"Yikes darling, you don't look so good! Do you want us to-"
"NO! I am fine... don't touch me, I am fine.. just... just let me rest." Rainbow Dash replied to Rarity swatting her hooves away as she sat down on the ground and winced.
Pinkie Pie felt awful, as she slowly crept up to her friend and nuzzled her head. "Dashie... I am really, really sorry I was just so tired-"
Rainbow Dash seemed to be trying to keep her temper under control as she seethed with frustration through her clenched teeth. "Pinkie PIE not NOW! Just please... please leave me alone for a while, okay? You cannot just apologize all the time and expect for things to be okay! I just got cooked because of you!"
Pinkie Pie's lip quivered, she wanted to defend herself but now was not the time! Suddenly Fluttershy was holding a balloon in her mouth with a slight smile. She gently let the string slide out of her teeth, as she nudged Pinkie Pie's cheek.
"Go play with the balloon for a minute, we will talk to Rainbow Dash. You are such a sweetheart, I know she won't be mad for very long, give us some time." Fluttershy said softly, motioning for the pegasus to chase the slowly drifting balloon. Pinkie Pie suddenly lit up thinking Fluttershy out of all ponies could defend her and help her out, so she obeyed and galloped after the pink balloon Fluttershy always carried around when she got upset!
She hummed her happy tune with her heart full of hope, it couldn't be that bad? They had to understand she couldn't keep up with every pony... it was hard, and she was doing her best! After Rainbow Dash and her went back to Cloudsdale, she promised herself she would help Dashie heal by applying special cream on her wounds!
Pinkie Pie playfully nipped at the string dragging along the ground, until she heard angry whispers behind her.
"This is the fourth time I GOT hurt because SHE cannot do her JOB!"
Dashie... is that you? Pinkie Pie thought. Wow, she sure sounded angry, but she shouldn't eavesdrop that would be rude.
Pinkie Pie continued to walk away when she heard Applejack's sweet and slight southern voice speak up. "I hate to admit it girls, but like... Pinkie Pie is doing more harm than good, ya know?"
Pinkie Pie's ears picked up on what she said... and now she felt herself being drawn towards their conversation. She leapt into a bush and perked up her ears while flattening her wings to her sides, and held her breath.
"Pinkie Pie is the least liked pegasus in Cloudsdale because she can't commit to anything serious! I haven't said anything to her about it, because it would CRUSH her! I have heard all the ponies calling her annoying and a bother, but I never really considered it to be true until she started fighting with us!" Rainbow Dash yelled in a hushed whisper.
No... that... that can't be true! Every pony loves me.... they... must have been talking about some pony else! Pinkie Pie thought, biting her lip to keep herself from calling Rainbow out on it.
Twilight sighed. "Strategically speaking Pinkie Pie isn't the best to have around. I agree, but she is part of the Elements of Harmony for a reason, I do not know why as of yet... but she is and therefore has a place on the team."
Fluttershy hid under her long pink mane. "I hate having to use balloons to distract her so we can talk about this after every fight... please girls, don't make me lie to her like this... I feel awful!"
Fluttershy is using balloons to get rid of me? All this time? I thought she did that to make me feel better when I messed up! What a liar-liar mane on fire! Pinkie Pie thought as she felt herself tearing up!
"Guys... I am concerned for her safety! She is useless to the team, to Cloudsdale, and anything that has to do with responsibility! Any more of this, and one day she might not make the smartest choice and get herself killed! This was never her style of life anyways, we should just go on a few missions without her... and give her a break." Rainbow Dash suggested as Rarity shook her head.
"Although your opinion is valued Rainbow, we cannot just abandon a team member! I-I think... is that against the rules?"
Twilight shrugged her shoulders, "I don't see how it could be when it is just a few missions. Pinkie Pie needs time to rest, I think it will be healthy for her to take a break."
I had heard ponies saying nasty things about me behind my back... but my own friends, my TEAM saying them! How.. how awful, I feel so heartbroken!
Pinkie Pie whimpered, before creeping out of the bush and dragging her tail behind her sadly. Her heart felt punctured, even though the ponies she "befriended," didn't seem to call her a friend back. They may not have said it, but they might as well have kicked her off the team! She was useless, she had to admit... no magic, strength, wit or grace was infused in her talents, and all she could do was fly a few miles... which Rainbow dash could do faster and more relaxed than her.
Why did she even try to be friends with any pony? They all thought she was weird, annoying... and clingy! Yeah... she had been called these things all her life, but she felt when she got out of college it would be better! it was not, even though Rainbow Dash got all the fame and fortune she wanted... leaving Pinkie Pie to scramble for just the tiniest slim chance of being appreciated.
Don't get her wrong, she was not jealous of Dashie! Nope, nope, nope! Rainbow earned her way to the top and deserved everything she got, but she felt a little left out... knowing she could never achieve the same greatness. Were there trophies and statues built for bakers? Not really, unless you counted the ones she made out of cupcakes when she was alone.
She was a pegasus that partied... that was it.
Plenty of ponies partied in college, but once they got out and got jobs... they didn't seem to enjoy it anymore. Her semi-close friends grew up, moved, grew apart, or ghosted her once they graduated to where only Dashie was left. The rainbow pegasus she was fond of never seemed to get her personality though, and often avoided her when she could. Sure Rainbow Dash would make up excuses for missing picnics or flights she planned, but she knew the truth when she saw Dash ditching her to spend time with others.
Element of Loyalty.. hmm?
She had abandoned her team a long time ago, before taking flight among the clouds for a while. How long had it been? Hours? Equestria was a big world, but she memorized most of it... after spending so much time wandering the streets and skies alone... as always. Why did she seem so abnormal to everypony? Was it so wrong to not want to be a war veteran like every pegasus dreamed of? Was it so crazy to want to live a peaceful life, trying to make others smile and cheer them up when they feel down?
She was the Element of Laughter for a reason... even though ponies mocked her every chance they got! Element of Laughter ha! They would say things like: "What power does laughter have? Are you going to tickle us to death?" Or "That is the most useless element I have ever heard of!"
Yes, it was perfect to her, but... not to them. She still questioned how her element was important, how it fits in with the others... what was her purpose?
Her golden hooves touched down on Canterlot the capital of Equestria and home of the Unicorns, as she strolled along the magical city and looked at the golden structures rich with flowing waterfalls. She kicked at freely moving leaf as it blew past her hooves and away from her vision.
Pinkie Pie fluttered her lips, before continuing to stroll up to the castle extending bridges across a giant lake. The depressed pegasus didn't notice the enormous group of ponies gathered around the town square until her ears picked up on their shouts.
"Somepony get help! P-Please... we were attacked... by a creature I have never seen before!"
Was that Fluttershy's voice? Pinkie Pie snapped her focus to the crowd of ponies before flying over them and spotting the yellow unicorn! She was in a horrible condition! Her hide was slashed like something had raked its claws across her, and stabbed her with some object! Her horn was chipped, along with a mangled pile of ponies struggling to breathe behind her.
"Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie cried!
The yellow unicorn seemed relieved when she saw Pinkie Pie, but then her face melted into anger! Pinkie landed beside her as the crowd scattered to get medical attention, as Fluttershy coughed and collapsed onto the ground.
"Pinkie Pie... where were YOU! We were screaming, begging you to go and get help... but you never responded! A... A horrific minotaur-like creature..... he came... and wiped us out with magic so much more advanced than anything we could go against!" Fluttershy wheezed, as Pinkie Pie carefully lifted her head.
"H-Hang on Fluttershy, help is on the way!"
"It took... all of my magic to get everypony here... I-I might.... be too late!"
Rainbow Dash's wings were torn and snapped like something had tried to pull them off her back! A sword was lodged in Twilight's side, as Applejack's mane was burnt and dismembered. Rarity's beautiful pelt was a mess, and her horn was singed after trying to defend her life!
Stretchers were brought out, as the Elements of Harmony were hauled onto them and taken away. Fluttershy screamed in pain when she was moved before giving Pinkie Pie a frantic look.
"You have to warn the villagers to evacuate! Tell them to run, get away from that creature!"
Pinkie Pie swallowed hard, and lifted off into the sky in a panic! They must have been confronted where the hydra was, and she would have to go back.... and make sure that creature didn't harm any pony else! She was terrified, the damage it had done on her friends was gruesome! It looked like... it wanted to... play with them!
Then it left them alive... for some odd reason! This monster... what was it? It was so powerful it was able to wipe out the Elements of Harmony so easily! Her wings carried her across the vast lands of Equestria, as her heart thundered in her chest unable to keep her anxiety down! What if I run into him?
She was hyperventilating, as her hooves galloped along the air. What... What if that THING is waiting for me? Pinkie Pie thought, but she shook the fears from her head. Fluttershy gave her a mission, her job was to look out for the safety of the ponies within the realms... she had to make sure they were evacuated!
She made quick work of her journey as her mane flapped against the breeze when approaching the ex-lair of the hydra. She poked her nose downwards and soon landed on the scorched ground where the hydra had recently laid. The ground was still warm... but were those swords and axes always there?
Lodged in the ground were dozens of swords and dull axes from a lifetime of action, as something dragged itself from out of the darkness! The aura.... it was so dark, and dooming... like she had walked into a battlefield where both sides laid deceased upon the ground. It was awful, but so, so, powerful... freezing the chirps of birds around her, and causing the air to grow horribly hot!
A hoof stomped upon the ground before another joined it with the butt of a spear. The golden war spear sparkled from the glare of the sun, as the hooves picked up their pace before looming over a cowering Pinkie. The figure's golden eyes swept over Pinkie's trembling body, as tears pricked her eyes! The spear was jagged, meant to rip limbs to ribbons and to slice through any kind of hardened bone!
He wore a spartan helm that was spoken only in legends, along with a long and flowing red cape that took up half on his covered shoulder! Two large and sharp horns curled outwards looking sharp enough to gouge thick plates of steel, as his shaggy black fur blew in the breeze. His muscular arm carried a broad ax, while the other carried his terrifying spear. His legs were covered by leather armor that was stitched all the way up to his knees.
His chest was exposed, with enough strength in just his breath to blow away mountains! A ring connected his nostrils, as his bull-like tail whipped behind him.
The minotaur squinted and hummed, "You mortal. What is your name?"
"P...P...P.." Pinkie Pie stuttered as the spear slammed into the ground.
"SPEAK up, you are in the presence of a God!" The minotaur said with a gruff and battle-born voice. His voice was as sharp as the spear he wielded but as rough as the harshest winds blowing across Cloudsdale!
"P-Pinkie P-P-Pie," Pinkie Pie choked. As the minotaur suddenly plucked her off the ground with his mighty hand and held her in front of him. He was careful not to harm the little pony, as his claws ran across her flank and traced her Cutie Mark. "H-Hey.... that... that tickles!"
"Hmm... so you were the pony those weaklings spoke of. I commend your bravery for coming to face me, so I shall not slay you where you stand!" The God grunted, before placing the pony down on the ground.
"W-Wait... I am not going to fight you! That's a really, really horrible idea!" Pinkie Pie said shaking her hooves in the air to push the thought out of the God's head.
The spear appeared in his hands before the minotaur gave a hearty laugh. "HA! I knew that it was my way of joking! What kind of imbecile would face the great God of War! Your measly planet would be reduced to rubble from just the sound of my war cry! You mortals really have become mindless!"
"Why... Why did you attack my friends, they didn't do anything!" Pinkie Pie asked the God.
"Because little pony, I felt like it! They spoke as if they were of high power, forgetting the Gods that forged their own world from the palm of their hands! You fleshlings have become cocky, no longer worshipping us and taking down our temples across your realms! You have ANGERED us, and so I have come to teach you, mortals, a lesson!"
"G-Gods... I didn't even know they existed?" Pinkie Pie admitted.
"I do not blame you small child, but the others have failed to appease us! Generations after generations have gone by, and for every child born.. a piece of us is forgotten! Do you no longer remember when your ancestors prayed to me for strength against their enemies? How I slew thousands of ponies to build the home you walk on? I GAVE you the Tree that protects your realms after your kind begged me to stop the chaos killing the races!"
Pinkie Pie swallowed thickly as a claw was pointed at her making her squeak.
"AHA! You amuse me, so weak and fearful... like the heroes I used to train! My spear carries with it the blood of millions of soldiers across the galaxy, yet they all have failed to defeat me in battle! Your friends were boring, but I let them live hoping you would come... see me little Pinkie Pie."
Pinkie Pie's mouth fell open a bit, "M-Me?"
"Yes YOU, you FOOL! Aries himself is interested in you, SHOW some respect!" The God Aries boomed, causing Pinkie Pie to fall on her stomach in fear! "That's better, now little fleshling... I have seen your life, by looking into your memories. You are the most pathetic and sad little mortal I have ever seen! Your friends disown you, your own Element wants nothing to do with you... yet my Tree chose YOU! I wonder why..."
Aries licked his fangs, as he threw his ax into the ground beside him. The blade sank into the ground, before causing flames to burst from its metal making Pinkie Pie gasp!
"T-Thanks... I really needed that boost today." Pinkie Pie said before tears started to fall from her face. Even a God admitted she was just a useless piece of fluff!
"Ugh enough with the weakness, LOOK fleshling! Your friends are cocky, powerful in a way... but unamusing and not worth my time... but you!" Aries tipped up Pinkie Pie's chin with his claw before looking into her sky-blue eyes. "-YOU are worth my investment! I was here to wipe out your entire race and send their souls to Lucifer, but... I might stay and help you... if you agree to one thing."
"You were going to-"
"Hush now little pony, I will not kill any of your realms as I did with others... before that STUPID pegasus thought she could run me out of her world... ahem , anyways you want to be needed... powerful even? I can make you the most powerful pony in the universe, with the powers of a GOD !"
"B...But my friends... you hurt them!" Pinkie Pie said, summoning up a little bit of anger.
"Are they dead?"
"Well... no... b-but-"
Aries laughed, "Then they learned their lesson and won't be so cocky next time! If I were to give you my power, you could heal them in a heartbeat and show them you are useful! Isn't that what you want, to become... wanted? "
Pinkie Pie swallowed, with this power... every pony would respect her finally! But... was there a wrong side to this
"What.. what do you want in return Aries?" Pinkie Pie squeaked, as the God leaned on his spear and snorted mist from his nose.
"I want entertainment, I want to be worshipped! If I make a pitiful pony like you more powerful then any force, my reputation would be much greater then the other Gods! We thrive off of the love and respect of ponies, and I crave war but I guess watching you go around and carry my flag into your battles is good enough too."
Was she really considering making a deal with a God? Well, her friends did want her stronger... and like he said with his power she could heal them.. so what was the harm? Something in the back of her mind was screaming at her to walk away, but she was just so dang excited... she couldn't hear it!
"Wowie! My friends are going to loooooove the new me! I wonder what kinds of things I will be able to do?" Pinkie Pie squealed! Jumping up and clicking her golden hooves together as the God watched with an amused smile.
"Your power will be legendary, nothing will be able to stop you! Take my hand little pegasus... and make my name known!" Aries said with a honeyed tone, as he brought out his claws for her to shake.
As soon as Pinkie Pie obliviously took his hand, the deal was done.
A pony shot up with a tight and exaggerated breath, as her ears popped up and flicked around suddenly. Her flat pink mane fell over her face as she swiftly paced, flicking her dragon-like wings and murmuring to herself as green light surrounded her walking hooves.
Suddenly a rainbow-maned pegasus burst from the window, "I came as soon as Gummy reached me."
Rainbow Dash sat next to Pinkie Pie, as a changeling named Chrysalis traced the pony pacing in front of her.
"Pinkie Pie... how long has Pinkamena been pacing like that?" Chrysalis whispered as the distraught earth pony shook her head.
"Three.. four hours? I tried to get her to eat her favorite cupcake, but she wouldn't even look at me!" Pinkie Pie said, throwing her head in Rainbow's chest and crying softly.
"Pinkamena! QUIT being a jerk and pay attention to Pinkie Pie, you know how she gets!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
Twilight shook her head and sipped on her tea, as she replied. "She is picking up on something... dangerous! Listen to her mutters."
"An imbalance… in the universe...? A... Another world... Lucifer had mentioned other realms... my magic senses danger... a rival..."
Suddenly a ball of light appeared, and Luna stepped out into the room. "I got the word from Shadowbound... something wrong with Pinkamena?"
A centaur named Tirek leaned into the window before speaking. "Something is always wrong with that Demi-God... what is it this time?"
Pinkamena's red eyes faltered, as she cringed from a massive migraine. "What... is this disturbance I feel? It... It is calling me... wanting something from me..."
"Someone give this mare a snickers," Chrysalis mumbled. "Like seriously this is bumming me out, I am BORED!"
Luna hushed the changeling, making her wings flutter in surprise!
The hissed hush brought Pinkamena out of her trance, as she picked up her head. She blinked when she saw all her friends leaning in to listen to her voice worriedly.
"How... long have you all been there?" Pinkamena asked cocking her head.
"Exactly four hours and three minutes." Pinkie Pie and Twilight said together correctly.
"Umm... why? You know I have to use my magic to make sure the balance of the galaxy isn't threatened... this is nothing new." Pinkamena said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah... but darling this time you sensed something! It seems it is quite... umm what does Pinkie Pie say again..? A doozy?" Rarity replied as she snuggled within the ridiculous pillow she had brought to watch over the warlock.
"Yes I did.... but not from our galaxy... some universe that isn't within our own realm! I don't know why my magic would care, I can't travel dimensions!" Pinkamena muttered before Pinkie Pie ran over and threw her forelimbs around the thinking mare's neck.
"You're Pinkamena, daughter of Lucifer and a Demi-God! You can do anything!" Pinkie Pie chirped.
"Yeah.. if any pony can figure it out its definitely Pinkamena." Chrysalis beamed proudly.
"Well, she did stop a genocide almost single-hoofed, and defeated Lucifer and Death," Luna said with a wink.
"Helloooo, does everypony not remember I DIED?" Pinkamena yelled.
"-Buuuut, you came back, so it doesn't count." Pinkie Pie replied, tugging on her friend's ear.
"That doesn't matter, I still don't know how I am going to solve an issue I can't reach!" Pinkamena said with a pout as she threw her head down onto the wooden flooring.
"Jee-whizz Pinkamena be patient you are going into another universe in chapter two! You will solve your issue when you are thrown into Generation Five! Don't worry silly, an essence of me will be there and everything!" Pinkie Pie said without a clue.
Pinkamena picked her head up. "Chapter two...? what in the actual-"
Rainbow Dash blew a razzberry. "Remember Pinkamena, Pinkie Pie spouts nonsense from time to time."
"This isn't nonsense... ugh, it is really frustrating you all don't have this power! Oh... look at that, some pony heard the fourth wall break... eeeee this is exciting!"
Pinkamena squinted in confusion. "Pinkie Pie... I think you might be delusional."
"I heard it!" Surprise screamed! The white pegasus fired herself off of the balcony and opened her wings scanning over the city beneath her. "The adventure will start soon! Hehe! Exciting isn't it Firefly?"
Something pixelated next to the flying Surprise, as the unprepared general suddenly appeared. She dropped out of the sky before summoning the strength in her wings and flapping up beside her empress.
"Wha… What? Surprise... please, please, stop summoning me like that!"
"Oh you stinker, it's funny, and you know it!" Surprise gleefully teased, before flying upside down and giving her friend a large and strange smile. "Hey... will the world be okay with me gone for a while?"
"No... everything would fall into chaos! You can't leave, I couldn't imagine what would happen if the empress left!" Firefly said almost stumbling out of the air when Surprise spoke!
"Well then you will just need a new ruler... and I think you would be just perfect!" Surprise said as she bopped Firefly on the nose still hanging upside down carelessly.
"W-Wait a minute Surprise you cannot j-just-"
"Too late, you are the ruler of the world! I'll see you later gator!" Surprise said before zooming off.
"SURPRISE!" Firefly screamed, but the Pegasus was long gone!
The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
Surprise! It's Pinkamena!
Pinkie Pie flexed her hoof before a golden spear appeared in her forelimb! She then lowered her hoof, and the spear slid back into her body by fading into her pelt! She laughed excitedly, as her other hoof wielded an ax when she wanted it too, or a sword, or a shield whenever she saw fit! Once she had shaken the God's hand, he vanished in a puff of smoke, before her entire body felt brimming with magical energy! She squealed when she switched between a sword, ax, shield, and even a mace at blinding speeds before settling with a sword.
She poked the sword at the air and puffed out her furry chest, "I am Pinkie Pie fear me!"
She giggled to herself knowing no pony could hear her, as she tapped her sword to her chest playfully. She arched her back when looking at a rock, before eyeing it like it was a foe she had been fighting for years.
"Hello boulder we meet again, and here we are to face off in a legendary battle! You have blocked my path for eons, and now it is time for payback Pinkie Pie style!"
With a swift movement from her outstretched limb, the sword sliced through the rough stone like a hot knife cutting through butter! The blade sank through it effortlessly, before bending to the strength of its master! Pinkie Pie noticed something was wrong when a giant ball of energy formed where her blade made contact!
A sonic boom caused the rock to explode, blowing back everything within its path! Pinkie Pie's hooves gripped the dirt under her, as her solid body stood against the force easily, which shocked her immensely! She shielded her muzzle with her wing, as the energy ate away everything it touched, including the vegetation! When the light died down, all that was left was a graveyard of trees burnt to stumps! Pinkie Pie blew out her cheeks in embarrassment when looking upon the devastation from just one single swing!
"Wowzers…. did... did I do that?" Pinkie Pie said flattening her ears.
She decided to blow back the gathered dust on her wings that were collected from the event with a flap of her wings, but that was not what happened. With one twitch from her feathers, the wind gathered at the base of her chest and formed into a vicious cyclone of air! The hurricane caused by one flap of her wings ravaged the poor beat up forest before tearing up the cave where the hydra used to resign! Pinkie Pie tried to dodge a boulder flying in the tornado, but she was too busy staring at the destruction to move quickly!
It is going to squish me like a pancake Dashie sat on! Pinkie Pie thought, before swallowing nervously!
She prepared for impact as the piece of the cave barreled into her! The boulder crumbled into pebbles as soon as it made contact with her fur, making the little pony leap just about four hooves in the air! Did... I just break a rock just by standing still?
Pinkie Pie watched the cyclone continue to rip the environment apart, "Oh please stop! If Fluttershy found out about what I did here, she will never ever forgive me!"
Like a loyal companion under the call of its master, the tornado ceased. It whipped around suddenly before vanishing and dropping what it had collected onto the ground. Pinkie Pie was agape, did the tornado just listen to her? Pinkie Pie stood very still, perhaps if I don't move I won't cause any more destruction!
Her power was fun but difficult to keep under control... how would be able to fight monsters for her friends? If she even moves just an inch, she could break a cave in half! She took a deep breath, p erhaps if I meditate I can help get my energy under control! She always hated meditating, a pony like her can't keep still after all! When she exhaled, she yelled out in surprise when her breath shot out FIRE!
"What in Equestria! Ak, I am a dragon!!" Pinkie Pie screamed, as her fire encased the ground around her hooves! "How... How do I turn it OFF!"
She reared, as the fire continuously began to leak from her muzzle and drench the unfortunate landscape!
"Tell it to stop."
The voice that had spoken was soft and loving like a coo from a Song Thrush, the most beautiful singing bird in all the land. Pinkie Pie didn't know where it came from, but the fire was starting to make her throat throb! She gagged, before spitting out her words when she could!
"Please... Please, stop!" She pleaded, and the flames obeyed!
Her muzzle became cool from the gusts coming in from the north, as the fire dispersed. She sat down in relief only to have the ground crack beneath her! She shot up in surprise, and looked at the dent in the earth!
"Wow my friends were right, the cupcakes WERE going to my hips!"
Something hooted, and she turned to see a beautiful white owl flutter its wings above her! She had never seen a snowy owl before.. or she thought that was what it was... she had heard Fluttershy talk of them. They were extremely rare but almost impossible to find where it was not frigid! Why was one here? It was a breathtaking animal, ooo its wings are so pretty and its eyes are blue like mine! Pinkie Pie didn't dare move in fear of scaring it, as it perched its claws around a scorched branch before folding back its wings.
"Hey there little guy... umm, I am a little under the weather today... and when I mean under the weather I mean I can literally create weather that can destroy forests accidentally tee-hee! So you might want to consider doing me a wee little favor and make friends with me later!"
"I am well aware, my brother was blabbering his mouth about it back at Olympus. I thought his idea was peculiar so I came down to catch a glimpse of his achievements myself."
Pinkie Pie stumbled back, being caught off guard by a talking owl! Wasn't Fluttershy the only one that could hear and speak to animals? That... That owl just spoke to her clear as day! Wait a minute... it sounded like a girl... and she told me something about her brother!
"B-Brother.... do you mean that grumpy grump Aries?"
"Ares, Mars, Aries... even Areios if you want to get technical. He goes by many names, and never seems to settle with just one, it is really annoying I might add. Dear one, do not be afraid I come to offer you wisdom. My name is Athena, God of well... wisdom.."
The owl preened her feathers, before settling back on the branch and cocking her head.
"Yikes, I must really look like a mess right now, huh? I am really sorry about the forest, I reaaaaally didn't mean to do all this..." Pinkie Pie said smiling sheepishly.
"More or so yes, but I do not mind... Gaia might give you a few loathsome speeches about it, unfortunately."
Pinkie Pie blinked with a curious smile. "Gaia? Ooo, ooo, is that your sister?"
Athena waved the question off with her wing. "I do not trouble myself with her, and I warn you to steer clear of that Goddess. Anyway, I see Ares had already given you his godly power... I assume he already gave you quite a political lashing about our arguments on Olympus, yes?"
Pinkie Pie shook her head. "Well he just said something about us not worshipping you anymore and that you were angry!"
Athena giggled, her voice as silky as a velvet cloth. "Did he now? Forgive his crude behavior, he is just livid that the mortals across the universe no longer wish to serve him after his criminal feats. I had told him time after time, that the creatures that roam the earths we created need to be nurtured and in return, they will love us for it."
Athena opened up her wings before swooping downwards and landing on Pinkie Pie's back, and gripping her spine gently with her claws.
The owl nuzzled Pinkie Pie's cheek. "Unlike the more peaceful Gods that watch over the realms, Ares is impatient and prefers to think with his sword instead of his brain. He assumes that making ponies fear him will have them obey, and shedding blood upon the grounds of their homes will appease his bloodlust. So he causes wars wherever his cape skims, but instead of earning respect he only gains resentment."
The pony with the Goddess on her back quivered, "That sounds awful! He sounds really mean!"
Athena shook her feathered head. "Not mean just mislead. I fear his wrath had ended many of the planets we created, and so I simply observe his actions from afar. I enjoy helping mortals, and so now that you had so foolishly agreed to aid Ares, I must now watch over you."
Pinkie Pie bit her lip. "I-I didn't mean too I just wanted to... be strong. "
A feather tipped her head to stare into the cerulean eyes of the owl gently. "You were deceived young pegasus, I do not blame you for your choice. You only wanted to stop being overshadowed from those around you, and Ares saw the weakness within you before striking. Making a deal with a God like Ares is dangerous, for he double-crosses those that fight by his side. I must ask you, what did he ask in return for his power? Your firstborn perhaps...? A deal that will one day become something paid by blood?"
"He... just asked me to carry his flag into battle... I guess he just wants to be loved?" Pinkie Pie replied.
Athena hummed, "Ares does not wish to be loved. I fear that he may be using you, for my hateful brother brings nothing but shame upon the rest of the Gods. My father does not wish to invest in the savage god of senseless war, for he is detested for murdering beauty and passion that we create. I have sat upon the edge of the cosmos for days recalling his past battles and sensing his growing restlessness, and I eventually came to a conclusion."
Athena used her beak to push a bothersome hair from Pinkie Pie's eyes as the pegasus gasped, "Is... is he going to destroy us all like he said? D-Did he lie about leaving us alone?"
"Rest your worries child, I shall not allow harm to come to any more planets under his reign. He had challenged Zeus for the throne once before, I put my faith in my mind... and I trust that my assumptions are correct. If I were to guess, he is trying to create an army to take down the Gods. You sadly have been dragged in an ongoing tension between forming sides. I sense the good in your heart, and I hope you will aid me instead of the God that will eventually turn his back on your world."
Pinkie Pie stared at the owl, "Aries is trying to overthrow you guys?"
Athena nodded slowly. "Yes, he thinks we are lazy and unfit to rule and showing mortals kindness instead of having them fear us is wrong. He wants to have a champion that will help him grow powerful by as he said 'carrying his flag into battle,' satisfying his need for war. The Gods gain power off of love and worship, but Ares prefers the cries of battle and prayers from ponies that wish to gain power. If you let ponies know of your power, he will gain attention and grow bigger. You must keep your strength a secret, or ponies will regain their jealousy of the ones above them... causing your planet to go into war."
"H-How can I keep this a secret? How can I avoid my world going into war?"
"When I fought my brother to end the war raging your planet, he planted a tree to keep the peace among your realms. With his defeat, he left your worlds before feeding off of other battles on other planets as well as planting other trees within more galaxies. These trees became corrupted, eventually providing Ares with the last laugh and causing these planets to wither and die. The Tree of Harmony standing over your Equestria is the last one in the universe that remains un-corrupted, because of the love the ponies supply it with."
"D-Do you want me to give it daily hugs? Because I-I can do that!" Pinkie Pie said quickly.
Athena shook her head once more, "I wish that would help. You must keep the bonds between the Elements of Harmony healthy, because once they fall... the tree will begin to become corrupted. Once the Tree has had a taste of the dark power Ares has, it will start to create feelings of hatred among all races... before your galaxy is ridden with war! The Tree picked you because you are the only one who can save it, the most powerful element of all."
"Don't let any ponies know of my power, so they don't become corrupted, and start a war. Don't let my friends grow apart, or there will be a war... uhhh, got it?"
The owl giggled. "Do not worry you will not be doing this alone. Do not forget I am the God of Wisdom and Warfare! Ares is not the only one who can swing a sword, you know! Your laughter and fun personality is the only way to bring ponies together and avoid the feelings rising to the surface! I understand you believe that these qualities have not worked for you for a while, but out of all the ponies in the universe... the Tree had decided you were the only one fit to carry this burden!"
"Why... Athena, I heard my friends.. and the ponies of Cloudsdale, they think my element is ridiculous and that I am annoying! How... How will I bring them together? How will I keep the Tree from being corrupted when they will not even listen to me when we fight?"
Athena stood tall, "When you started to doubt yourself you stopped doing what you loved. You tried to be some other pony to please others, losing sight of your own purpose... and your Element. Be yourself young one, for it is the most important thing needed for your world."
Pinkie Pie started to think. She had changed, stopping her partying... fighting alongside the Elements and forgetting what she was good at! The ponies around her used to smile and laugh, until recently... was the corruption already starting? She chewed her hoof, what if Athena was right? Was her Element their last hope at keeping the corruption that destroyed other worlds at bay?
"I-I don't think I can do this... I cannot even control the power I was given! W-What if Aries finds out I am double-crossing him? Can he sense me not using his power w-what if-"
Athena stroked her back soothingly. "I am a strategic God, follow my directions and accept my protection and you will survive. The corruption has already started in many places once your bond with your friends was in danger, for your tree hangs on a thin string. Feed his lust by fighting the corruption that escapes in secret, and do as he says while I give you directions on the side. You may fight alongside the Elements of Harmony, but I warn you not to use your power or Ares will latch onto them like a leech."
"F-Fight?? I-I will do it, b-but as you can see I am not really a fighter!"
"I am glad you will fight by my side, but I understand your concern. As Ares had picked his champion, I have already picked two of my own. They will have my blessing and help you on your journey to avoid the corruption of your world. They both have fought off Ares's power and successfully saved their own worlds from their doom. I have watched them from afar for some time, and I will gift their power for your usage."
Pinkie Pie watched as Athena lifted up into the air, before landing on a branch and eyeing her from a tree. "What... What kinds of ponies are they? A-Are they really going to be my friends?"
Athena hooted. "One is a pony with the power of a God herself, destroying the corrupted tree in her own world. She is one of the three most powerful ponies in the universe, able to regenerate herself when blown to pieces and a savior. Another is a sadistic warlord that was enslaved at a young age and genetically altered to where she can use robotics in battle. She was created to kill the enemies that were corrupted by Ares and causing a war ripping apart their planet. This pony ended the war by destroying both sides and taking the mantle of the ruler, in a reality millions of years in advanced to yours."
"W-Wait, the second pony, sounds a little evil, I-I don't think I want to meet her!"
"Yes... I am afraid she is not on the righteous path. You must remain warry with her, for she enslaved her planet after she ended the war. Ares himself tried to stop her from ending the war, but he was badly wounded from his encounter with her and ended up being fed ambrosia from a tube for a good decade."
Pinkie Pie cringed, this pony sounded crazy! She wondered what they looked like! She probably had claws... or, or had massive fangs used to... to... Pinkie Pie rubbed her tender throat.
"We must summon them at once, I trust you will befriend them. You make up one in the trio of strongest ponies to exist, surpassing even some godly deities out of the three thousand one hundred and forty-two Gods and Goddesses."
Athena flapped her wings, and suddenly the ground under Pinkie Pie evaporated! They soon stood on a fluffy cloud, with light mist brushing against their feathers. Am I in Cloudsdale? Perhaps an area I haven't flown in? The owl carried her body towards the pony, before landing on her back gently.
"I must return to Olympus, the Gods are in a quarrel once more about those in power. I am afraid they have begun taking sides, we do not have long before the overtaking will come. I shall gather the Gods who wish to rule with love, against those that wish to rule with an iron fist beside Ares. I will come and check on you, remember young one, do as Ares asks of you... but heed my words when I give them to you."
The owl lifted off on Pinkie's spine, before gradually ascending upwards with a few last words of wisdom.
"When you wish to summon my champions, say: 'To save my world from sudden doom, I summon to me from the trio, two.' and they shall come."
The Goddess Athena was gone in a brilliant light of gold, as Pinkie Pie sat on the clouds to put together the puzzle. So Aries... or as Athena called him Ares, planted the Tree of Harmony after being defeated to end the war he caused. But, it will soon become corrupted and throw my planet into the war that once tore apart the realms? I remember reading in a book about the terrible war between unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies and others a thousand years ago... was that really caused by Aries?
Pinkie Pie hummed, If I were to show my power... other ponies would want this power for themselves knowing it was the power of a God, and they will start to get corrupted themselves! So I have to keep it a secret, all the while fighting off the corruption already starting without my friends knowing? Not just that, she also had to keep her friend's bonds strong, or the Tree will fall to Aries!
She truly did need a team, she didn't think she could do this all alone! The ponies Athena talked about, one a warlord and the other a savior... would she be able to befriend them truly? I have to try, my world is in danger! Athena is the Goddess of wisdom, she wouldn't steer me wrong right?
She stuck out her hoof, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead and making her back damp. She felt like her heart couldn't go any faster, as she gathered her voice. "To save my world from sudden doom-" something stirred in front of her, swirling into a ball of darkness. "-I summon to me from the trio, two."
The sky suddenly changed into a dramatic shade of garnet, as three realities and universes collided. Even though she was in the clouds, the world was trembling like it was pulling apart! The ball of darkness stretched above Pinkie Pie's head as she flinched from the sharp wind tearing at her fur! The darkness split into two different ovals before it became dense like it was a hole within the sky! Pinkie Pie was screaming, as she threw her body to the ground in fear that she had done something wrong! My world is going to end, this is doomsday! I'll never get to lick the icing off of spoons again!
Something dropped from one of the ovals, before slamming on the clouds and scattering the fog with her harsh and heavy landing! Pinkie Pie trembled when she looked up and met a glare reduced to slits, with the horrifying color of spilled blood! Her irises, they... they are RED! Never in Pinkie Pie's life had she seen such a hardened stare, with the bad omen of blood-tinted eyes. Pinkie Pie gaped when the mare arched her back, and leaned on a metallic scythe while her mane blew in the vicious wind.
She reminded Pinkie Pie... of herself in a way. Her colors were a duller match of her own, yet no frizz was present in her mane, it was as flat as a board! Her tail was no exception, a bland pale brilliant raspberry with her pelt being a grayish pink. Pinkie Pie continued cowering as demon-like wings black as the heart in her chest protruded above the clouds, symbolizing her status as the powerful warlord Athena had warned her of!
The sky turned back into the calm weather that she had recently entered, as the wind died down. The two portals sucking the ponies from their worlds remained open, as the pony remained postured tall while sweeping her gaze over Pinkie. The pegasus quickly threw herself at the mare's hooves, before sobbing uncontrollably.
"P-Please mighty warlord... p...please don't destroy my world! P-P-Please don't enslave us all, I am sorry if I woke you up from your nap... I am so, so, so, so, so sorry! Y-You, see Athena told me I-I had to summon you!"
The mare squinted. "Warlord? What on earth? Enslave? Well yeah it would be nice if I got some respect by having a pony run and get me my coffee in the mornings... but I wouldn't enslave a planet... what kind of psycho does that? Pffft hahaha!"
The mare pouted when she saw Pinkie Pie continuing to hug her leg for dear life, she rolled her eyes before lighting her hoof with green magic. The pegasus was suddenly brought up from the clouds and gently set upright as the mare lightly brushed the mist from her frazzled mane.
"You probably have me mixed up with some pony else... my name is Pinkamena. I heard you say something about Athena, is your world perhaps in trouble?" The mare named Pinkamena asked.
The friendly mage tried to give a cheeky smile, but Pinkie Pie continued to burst into tears.
"Please don't KILL ME!"
"Dear GOD, I am not going to kill you I am not an evil TYRANT!"
Pinkamena took a deep breath and tried to continue calming down the hysteric pony with a smile, but as soon as Pinkie Pie saw her fangs she ran for cover!
"AH, you are going to eat us all! I don't taste like cream cheese, t-trust me!"
Pinkamena frowned, "Sorry I forget my demonic appearance isn't cuddly to some." The mare cocked her head when gazing at the pegasus trying to cover herself with clouds. "Hey... you look familiar, like some pony I-"
Pinkamena picked up on her high toned voice, and energetic body language.. the bright colors and the random comments the pegasus made.
"OOOOH, I get it now... you are Pinkie Pie in a different timeline.. an alternative universe! I never existed here, your story... and life is completely different from MY Pinkie Pie! Ha, I know how to handle Pinkie Pie any day." Pinkamena said confidently as she strolled over to the pegasus pretending she was unseeable
Pinkamena's hoof suddenly held a cupcake covered in a magical essence, as she sat down next to the heap of clouds before patiently awaiting for the aroma to hit Pinkie. Her muzzle poked out of the clouds before she started to sniff... and her mouth started to water. What is that delicious smell? I have never... ever experienced such a yummy mmm-tastic mouth-watering smell like this! Never ever!
The Pegasus with her consistently sniffing muzzle allowed her blue eyes to pop out, as she looked at the smug pony waving the cupcake above her. Pinkie Pie forgot about her fear as her stomach rumbled hungrily, trying to grab the morsel from her tormentor's grasp weakly. The delicacy vanished before appearing in the other open hoof of Pinkamena, as she taunted Pinkie Pie by bringing it close to her muzzle!
Snap!
Her teeth missed it by an inch, and she couldn't take it anymore! Pinkie Pie sprung out of the clouds and ran towards the cupcake, only to have her nose stopped by a strong hoof.
"I'll give it to you don't worry, but first I would like to know why I was taking a morning walk... and suddenly thrown into cloud-land. You mentioned Athena, so I assume the Gods are involved in your world... and needed me here for a reason."
Pinkie Pie's eyes watered because she wanted that dessert! Sure Pinkamena was plenty scary, but her fears could always be overlooked if something delicious was at stake!
"AthenatoldmethatmyTreeofHarmonyisindangerandthattheGodsarechoosingsidesbecauseofAries!" Pinkie Pie spat out so quickly that Pinkamena had a hard time registering it!
Pinkamena nodded her head while processing it, before giving Pinkie Pie the cupcake! Knowing the pony, she covered her body with her wing as the icing splattered all over her shield. She chuckled, before lowering her wing and watching Pinkie Pie dreamily lick her lips while grinning.
"So.. your world has a Tree of Harmony that is not yet corrupted. A war between the Gods... a very concerning claim by Athena, much more dangerous then what I thought my Black Magic sensed. This is a doozy if the Gods go to war not just your world would be destroyed.. mine... the human world... all of them would be doomed!"
Pinkie Pie bounced, "Yeppie yep! That's why I had to summon you... but if you aren't the warlord... I can't imagine what the actual mare would look like!"
Pinkamena shrugged. "I think it was a bad idea to summon a pony that enslaved a planet, but I can handle her if she gets out of control... even though she must be a terrifying and bloodthirsty-"
"WEEEEEEEEE!" Something screamed from the second portal, as a blur of white and yellow slammed into the clouds behind Pinkamena!
THUMP!
Pinkamena jumped when she heard a sickening landing, as the small pony behind her didn't move. Pinkie Pie blinked in both shock and worry, as the flattened pegasus motionless on the clouds still didn't move. Her white wings were ruffled as her limbs hugged the clouds displayed in a splattered position.
"Is.... is she alive?" Pinkamena asked, as they approached the silent and still pegasus.
The poor mare had landed on her face, as her striking yellow mane lay scattered around her head. Pinkie Pie pushed Pinkamena forward, as the mage gently poked the head of the fallen pony.
"MMMPPHH." The pegasus grunted.
Pinkie Pie continued to push Pinkamena forward as she spoke. "Poke her again I think she said something!"
Pinkamena gulped before pressing the tip of her hoof lightly into the pegasus's temple.
Suddenly the head popped up with a wild expression and bright and glossy purple eyes. "SURPRISE!"
Confetti from an unknown source blasted their faces, as Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie yelled while falling backward! They were a mess of tangled limbs, as they heaved heavily! Pinkamena had her hoof on her chest as she tried to calm her breathing and gain control of her heart once more, as Pinkie Pie struggled not to pass out! They were extremely startled, unable to gather words as their mouths remained open in a silent scream!
The pegasus bounced on the clouds, releasing her wings as they fluttered and kept her airborne for a few seconds. She had a full and crazy smile as her purple irises looked at the world around her.
"OOOOOO, am I in heaven? Look at all the clouds and the sunshine and ohmygodthisisamazing! Wowie there is so much to look at..... okay I am bored, where is all the singing and the dancing? This place is too quiet, perhaps it's me that is talking too much? No waaaaay, I can't be the one talking too much because if I were then this place is reaaaaaally boring! What is hell like... do they have parties there? Hahaha, look at your faces you look like you had a heart attack! Is that how you died? By a heart attack? Nah that's silly, we are already in heaven you can't DIE in heaven... I think? OOOO, so many questions and mysteries!"
Pinkamena slowly rolled off of Pinkie Pie before glaring at the pegasus oblivious to her malicious stare. "Who do YOU think you are, you just screamed surprise in MY EAR, you idiot!"
The white pegasus stopped bouncing, "Whataya mean who am I? I just told you silly goose! I am Surprise, I practically yelled it, you couldn't have missed it! Hee-hee!"
She snorted with laughter as she started to bounce once more. Pinkie Pie recovered before looking at Pinkamena who was debating whether to throw her back into the portal!
"Yeah I think you summoned the wrong lunatic," Pinkamena said with a chuckle.
Surprise slung her forelimb over Pinkamena's shoulder before blowing a party favor in her ear. "Nopey dopey, you've got the right pegasus for this party!"
She blew the party favor in Pinkamena's ear again, this time making her scream in anger! The Black Magic warlock snatched the favor out of Surprise's mouth, before burning it with a hoof of fire!
Surprise's forelimb suddenly pixilated before transforming into what looked like a mini-cannon! Pinkie Pie's mouth fell open, as the pegasus lifted her limb into the sky and shot out a ball of confetti!
"Look I made it rain CONFETTI... look, look, look! You aren't looking... seriously look! Stop being a party pooper, red-eyed Eeyore!"
"You... Y-You can use advanced robotics... You... You are the sadistic warlord Athena talked about?" Pinkie Pie gasped, as Surprise frowned while hugging a furious Pinkamena.
"Sadistic...? That's crazy talk, I got a negative ten percent on my psychological test... so that means I am even lower than zero percent a psychopath!"
Pinkamena threw Surprise off of her with a growl. "You moron, the lower percentage you get..., the worse your brain is from the percentage of ponies on EARTH... how is it possible for you to get in the negatives?"
Surprise either didn't hear her or didn't care, as she bounced over to Pinkie Pie. "So didja summon me to help save your world, huh, huh? Are we forming a CLUB? OOOO, we could be like a super secret cult like you see in the movies... ya know, with like special hoodies and a wicked awesome symbol!"
Surprise was dragged away by green magic, as Pinkamena took her spot and leaned her muzzle to Pinkie Pie's ear.
"I don't think this sunshine child is the warlord Athena wanted you to summon. Send her back to whatever rainbow-infused world she came from."
Surprise popped up above their heads, before squeezing them tight in a bone-crushing hug. "Oh silly willy, my world doesn't have rainbows anymore not after the war! Everything is kinda dry and dusty now! But ya know... your world is reaaaaaaally pretty, I haven't seen natural clouds in forever!"
"Get OFF!" Pinkamena yelled, before shoving Surprise off of them causing her to tumble into a pile of clouds.
Error, error! Friendship rejected, annihilate threat! A robotic voice said piercing Pinkamena's ears as she held onto her throbbing head! Surprise started to shift before her forelimb transformed into a large metal cannon with a giant white skull painted on the side. Surprise squeaked, before trying to pull the weapon away from locking onto a mad Pinkamena.
"Abort, abort...! DO NOT annihilate my new friends, please! That would be just awful! Pretty please with a cupcake on top?" Surprise whimpered, as the scope shot a harmless red laser at Pinkamena before obeying the voice of its user. Weapons of mass destruction deactivated.
The cannon defused, before making a low sound with a hiss and melting back into the regular forelimb of Surprise.
"So fantastic we've got a demon Demi-God and a gigantic ball of fluff that apparently has weapons of mass destruction...? I don't buy it, go home little pegasus you are obviously not well in the head." Pinkamena laughed, making Surprise shake her head and grin.
"I have plenty of weapons on me! I am called a cyborg in my world since I have coolly advanced robotics infused within my exoskeleton which is just under my cuddly and warm huggable fur.... right here!" Surprise said pressing against her ribcage as she continued. "We use technology mostly which gets super duper boring! But... it does make planning parties and walking distances easy breezy!"
"Technology pffft… it can never beat magic! Trust me when I went into the human world, it was nothing special... texting is just annoying when I can just poof right to the pony I want to talk to. Or YouTube for that matter, there is much better quality entertainment than watching humans run into cacti. I can just use my magic to make it rain cacti all over a whole town! AHA! Now THAT is entertainment!" Pinkamena said.
"Actually it can, magic is considered primitive where I am from! But don't worry, I love your magic even though it isn't useful!"
Pinkamena seemed to be extremely offended! "PRIMITIVE? and not USEFUL?"
"Yippie do da!"
Pinkie Pie tried to hold back Pinkamena, as the white pegasus still seemed oblivious to her growing rage. "Pinkamena, relax! Try and take some deep breaths, oh I wish I had a balloon!"
"Can your magic pick up thousands of pounds?" Pinkamena challenged.
"Telekinesis was acquired over the course of hundreds of years, its considered a scientific development upon the pony race! With this super special implant I have in my brain, I can pick up plenty of heavy things! It focuses on the telekinesis I already have and makes it stronger!"
"F-Fine WELL, can your magic control other ponies?"
"Oooh, you funny bumfuzzle! That's called mind control, not magic! I have contacts infused with my cornea that make it pretty easy-peasy to do that!"
Pinkamena stamped her hoof. "Can you regenerate limbs when they have been cut off?"
Surprise froze before humming and tapping her chin. "Not without immediate urgent care, and it takes weeks to grow a new limb if it is gone! No pony can regenerate limbs like a lizard, that's ridiculous! Hee-hee you are funny Pinkamena!"
"Well, I matter-of-factly can!" She turned to Pinkie Pie and smiled. "Ha, told you all magic was cooler than technology, let's see Surprise try and compare herself to me now- AGHGHHHHHHHH!"
Pinkamena screamed when Surprise stood behind her with a sharp blade infused into her forelimb. Her blade had cleanly and suddenly cut Pinkamena's leg right off! Surprise leaned over the severed limb, staring at it with a smile before looking up and blinking innocently at Pinkamena who was screaming in agony!
"What on earth!!! Surprise why did you DO THAT?" Pinkie Pie cried. She helped Pinkamena immediately, as the mare leaned over the pink pegasus and kept screaming bloody murder.
"Do what?" Surprise asked with confusion as she bounced in place. "Ooo, I love guessing games!"
"YOU CUT OFF MY LEG!!" Pinkamena howled! As she looked at the stump that was starting to glow green.
"Oooo yeah that, you've got to be clearer on what you mean! I wanted to see you regenerate, it seems like a really cool power!" Surprise chirped!
Pinkamena swallowed painfully before grunting. Her leg started to glow green intensely, and before long it extended outwards and faded into a pinkish color that matched Pinkamena's other legs. Her injured leg was now good as new, while she stuck out her forelimb and her signature scythe appeared in her hoof.
"You are going to regret messing with-"
"Oh wow! You have a favorite weapon, so do I! Lookie here!" Surprise said proudly as a futuristic gun appeared within her forelimbs. It had a large barrel on the front where a two sectioned scope locked onto Pinkamena while glowing energy vibrated within glass channels infused within the metal. Purple lights ran in sync throughout the gun, as the heavy handle was gripped steadily by Surprise while her hoof remained clear of the trigger.
Weapon detected, threat targeted. 'Party Time' activated. The gun said before the lights turned a nasty and dangerous tint of red with a whirling sound. Surprise gasped, "Wait... Wait no! It's not that kind of party!"
Heat signatures acquired, hostility identified. The gun replied as Surprise tried to pull the gun away from Pinkamena... but it was locked on permanently!
"Just you try it!" Pinkamena hissed, before pushing Pinkie Pie out of the way for her safety.
"Stupid... AI! I can't... ngh!" Surprise said as Pinkamena charged.
Surprise yelled at her to stop, but the gun had already shot out a giant beam of energy! Pinkamena was swallowed by the light, before bursting into a million chunks of ash!
Pinkie Pie screamed in terror, as Surprise's ears flattened with a horrified look.
"Oopsie…."
As fast as she exploded, the ash swirled together and regenerated back into flesh! Green goop sewed the limbs together, as Pinkamena reappeared with her scythe!
"COME HERE!" Pinkamena yelled as she tackled Surprise! The Pegasus squealed fearfully, as Pinkamena put her into a painful headlock while twisting her back leg!
"Safeword!! Safeword!!" Surprise yelled as she thrashed under the strength of her foe! The pegasus weakly flapped her wings, as Pinkamena continued to wrestle her without mercy relentlessly!
Pinkie Pie was super glad Pinkamena was okay, but it looked like the fight was one-sided now. She was about to intervene until her Cutie Mark started to glow softly. Huh...? Is my Cutie Mark summoning me back to my friends? She lifted her back leg and looked at her balloon mark on her flank.
Pinkamena was biting Surprise's wings with her fangs before they stopped suddenly and both looked at their Cutie Marks. The Demi-God spoke up first, "What is this sorcery?"
Surprise looked at her purple balloons. "Duh, it means party time! Just a private party for all three of us!"
Pinkie Pie suddenly felt something warm above her head, and when she tipped her chin upwards, a map fell on her muzzle. She sneezed, as the scroll fell from her nose and onto the clouds that supported their weight. Pinkamena released Surprise from her grasp, as the pegasus relaxed when the tension from her stretching limbs was released.
The trio's Cutie Marks were all glowing together in perfect harmony, causing a wave of mass confusion. Pinkie Pie lowered her body until she could read what was on the map. The scroll had an extensive display of the realms in her world, with a golden and thin light connecting one spot in Cloudsdale to another spot within Equestria!
"What is that icky black spot over there?" Surprise asked, as she slid next to Pinkie Pie and pointed with her hoof towards what looked like a bleeding ink stain. "Ewwww gross, I got some on my hoof... I wonder what it tastes like."
Surprise licked her hoof before covering her mouth to keep from vomiting, as Pinkamena tapped her chin. "I assume that is where the corruption in your world is starting. You might want to keep that from spreading, or something really bad will happen... I can promise you that."
Pinkie Pie swallowed. "I think the Tree of Harmony's corruption is being spread through the roots keeping the realms together! I don't think it has reached the base of the tree yet, but if we don't stop it... and keep Aries's power from reaching ponies and the tree... my world is doomed!"
Surprise gathered the two ponies together for a group hug, as she gave them a toothy grin. "Weeeeell, then I guess we better go and save your world, right? We are a team now aren't we?"
Pinkamena looked sick. "What was Athena thinking... teaming me up with this psychopath!"
"Because we are destined to be best friends!" Surprise purred, before nuzzling into Pinkamena's cheek.
"You have two seconds to get off before I banish you to forever swim in River Styx."
Surprise released Pinkamena before sitting on her rump with a closed-mouthed smile. Pinkie Pie picked up the map, which had mini-clouds, and rushing as well as wet rivers running within the paper! The clouds moved when Pinkie Pie brushed her hoof across them, as the bumpy landscape felt like actual earth!
"This map... what kind of magic does it use?" Pinkie Pie asked Pinkamena as she leaned over her shoulder.
"Not magic, see the etch of an owl when you put it up to the sun? It's Athena's enchanted map, I assume she gave it to you so your hunt will be easier."
Pinkie Pie nodded her head. "Oh okay, but... how do we activate it?"
"Ask it nicely!" Surprise said as she pushed her head in-between the two ponies huddled together.
"That's stupid Surprise, there is probably a certain way you are supposed to hold it o-or something," Pinkamena said as she thought of a way to get them there.
Surprise pushed her whole body through the couple, before landing on the map and snatching it up in her hooves! "Hey... Mapie, do me a big 'ol favor and take us to that gross tasting pile of goo there will ya?"
Pinkie Pie blinked. "I don't think that's how it works Sur-"
Their bodies were instantly sucked into the map, before being spit out on top of each other. Pinkamena was unfortunate to be under Surprise, as the pegasus cheered happily when she realized she was on top. The map floated beside them gently, before landing on Pinkie Pie's nose.
Boom!
Thunder clashed above them, as a black storm mercilessly ravaged Equestria! Pinkie Pie looked above her to see pegasi trying to fight it, but even with their skillful flying, they were no match! Rain pumped down from the sky, as something roared from above, showing a long snake-like body in a shadow from a lightning bolt.
The creature in the core of the storm seemed to be causing the destruction, as unicorns scrambled to take cover in their houses and shops! Pinkie Pie picked herself up, before looking at the map that did not seem to be soggy even though it was made of golden paper!
"This is where we are supposed to be... I think. Our Cutie Marks are glowing... I think... I think Athena wants us to fight whatever that thing is up there!" Pinkie Pie said looking up.
Pinkamena bumped Surprise off her back before stretching out her leathery wings. "Fine with me."
Surprise once more hopped on Pinkamena's back. "Yeah! This chapter was getting boring anyways!"
"Get OFF!" Pinkamena barked, before bucking the pony off her back!
"I don't know guys... I am not very strong... I can't fight!" Pinkie Pie yelled over the rage of the storm.
"Come on Pinkie Pie, we've got your back!" Pinkamena said. The Demi-God leaped up into the air before ascending upwards into the clouds easily fighting off the wind with pure skill.
"Weee! Adventure! Wait for meeee!" Surprise called, as her feathery wings caught the wind. She scooped up the frozen pink pegasus before squealing excitedly and taking her up into the clouds to meet Pinkamena.
Surprise created a thin holographic shield in front of her, that faded in and out of eyesight as it protected them from the hail blasting their faces. Pinkamena lead the way, as she dodged crashing lightning bolts that made her fur stand on end! Surprise swung the limp pegasus in her forelimbs, as she danced in the air oblivious to the oncoming danger that lurked within the storm.
"Aroooooo!" The creature howled. Pinkamena stopped abruptly only to have Surprise slam into her from not paying attention, and dropping Pinkie Pie!
The pink pegasus opened her wings and was able to stay airborne, as Pinkamena watched something slither among the thick blanket of black clouds. Its body was long like a python with two arms and two back legs all the way towards its tail, with bright sapphire blue scales. It had two long whiskers and a head that looked like a dragon as its mouth opened up revealing sharp jagged teeth fizzling with electric-blue lightning!
"It's Shen-Lung! He's a dragon in myths that was said to be the master of storms!" Pinkamena cried.
"Shen-Lung? Aren't we doing Greek mythology here? No switcheroos!" Surprise said but was ignored.
The dragon's eyes were wild... and leaking a purple trail as he whipped around and shot lightning at Pinkamena! She was not expecting it, as Surprise jumped in front of her with a screen barrier! The bolt bounced off the shield, as Pinkie Pie avoided the debris from the attack! Pinkamena swept up into the air, before shooting a blast of Black Magic from her hooves! Shen-Lung roared before curling into a ball and absorbing it with his scales, before unwrapping and floating at blinding speeds towards the mares!
"Don't get too close, the static from his scales will kill any mortal that approaches! His power matches that of the Gods, so be wary!" Pinkamena warned as she divebombed downwards to avoid the long body of the serpentine dragon!
"Oooo, the scales are sooo pretty! I want one!" Surprise whined as she approached the corrupted dragon.
"No Surprise!" Pinkie Pie yelled, tackling the pegasus out of the way just before the scales zapped her!
Pinkamena's hoof lit with magic before she delivered punches into the dragon's jaws. "Unlike them, I can get up close and personal, go Demi-God power!" Her hoof smashed into Shen-Lung's cheek, cracking some of his fangs as he whipped around and slapped Pinkamena with his long and rough tail!
Surprise made a strange sound, before casting her body downwards to catch Pinkamena before her body broke through the storm wall. The white pegasus's forelimb transformed into a large cannon before something slid over her eye creating a scope. She held the recovering Pinkamena in one forelimb, before focusing on her target with a laser catching Shen-Lung's gaze.
"No pony hurts my FRIENDS, NO PONY!" Surprise yelled! She clenched her teeth angrily, and she let out a war cry before the cannon blasted a ball of combined energy towards the dragon! The sphere hit her target, shocking him heavily while his scales cracked and muscles spasmed! The clouds shied away from the energy eating away at the giant creature, as Surprise kept releasing shots without so much as a care that it might be too much!
Shen-Lung gathered lightning into his claws, before letting it discharge! The electricity caught Surprise, overloading her system with more energy then she could handle! System offline, rebooting. "Stupid AI come on! Oh... so very, very tired... I think I am just going to take a little nap-ie."
The dragon opened his maw to scoop up the falling Surprise and Pinkamena, as Pinkie Pie cowered. Come on Pinkie Pie... they need you... they need me! I-I have to help them! Pinkie Pie swooped forwards, before catching Pinkamena and Surprise in her grip! The dragon's jaws snapped but missed the ponies, as Pinkie Pie easily carried them upwards avoiding the gaze of Shen-Lung.
"Uuuuuh, why are there so many stars circling my head..?" Pinkamena muttered, as her eyes rolled around in her head loosely. "-Why am I upside down..?"
Surprise was snoring, as Pinkie Pie clutched her new friends close to her chest. "Wake up guys... I can't beat him on my own! He's as strong as the Gods!"
Suddenly her hooves leaked golden light, before trickling towards the ponies she carried. The magic cleaned Surprise's pelt until it no longer looked like she tried sticking a fork in a toaster before Pinkie Pie heard a voice say: System rebooted, subject Gen-1 experiment 2.0 online. Her magic also leaked to Pinkamena, who shot up as soon as the light touched her forehead!
Before Pinkamena could speak Surprise burst from Pinkie Pie's hold with a shout. "I feel like I just drank three cans of Redbull!"
"I-I really can heal others!" Pinkie Pie said in bewilderment, as Pinkamena pushed her forward.
"Let's see what else you can do, join us this round."
"Yeah! Let's combine our power like that fusion dance in that one show....? I think the name fits this situation pretty well, but I cannot for the life of me figure it out! You are just a big stinky failure Surprise.. boo you!" Surprise said.
Pinkie Pie smiled when her new friends joined her side.
"RYOOOO!" Shen-Lung howled, as he bared his fangs.
Weapons of mass destruction activated, target acquired. "Everypony ready? Tee-hee! This is going to be a PARTY!"
Pinkamena rolled her neck. "It really has been a while since I've had a good fight."
"Uhhh… I am ready if you are!" Pinkie Pie said with a chipper tone. She gave them a determined smile before Surprise's forelimbs were pressed forwards with hundreds of devices and rockets aimed at the dragon!
They charged!
Pinkamena wrestled with the dragon's tail that he swung like a hurricane, as she used her wings to cause a gust to push her teammates forward! He came down aiming his jaws at Pinkie Pie, only to have Surprise back her up by shooting bullets at the dragon's head causing him to retreat his bite attack! Pinkie Pie flew under his massive maw, before continuing forward and reaching his chest.
She pressed her hooves forward before forgetting... she couldn't touch his scales! When her hooves made contact, an explosion caused the serpent-like dragon to be thrown towards the clouds and swallow him up! He roared, as Surprise kept him from returning with hundreds of rockets exploding behind the barrier and tearing up his remaining scales! When they heard nothing but the echoes of the mare's rockets bursting, they wondered if the battle was over.
"I think Aries's power technically makes you God-like! Wow cool, you're a Demi-God!" Pinkamena said with a playful shove. Pinkie Pie giggled, as the group cheered with their victory... only to hear something stirring.
Warning, growing energy detected. Expect heavy static, and decreased chances of survival rates.
Surprise's ammunition automatically upgraded to her favorite canon, while her eyes never left where the dragon fell through. The lightning around them cackled, cracking together sharply as the wind gathered and shivered the group down to their bones! Frost started form on their wings, as Pinkamena shivered from the temperature that suddenly dropped even further down!
Shen-Lung burst from the other side of the clouds, before opening his jaws! Sharp shards of ice went flying towards the group, as Pinkie Pie shielded herself with her hooves! A wall of flames suddenly formed in front of her, as Pinkamena and Surprise gathered behind her not wanting to ask questions! The ice and hail was evaporated as soon as it hit Pinkie Pie's shield which she was still not aware of!
The dragon cocked his head, as Pinkie Pie opened her eyes.
"Woah did I do that?" Pinkie Pie asked as the wall dispersed.
The group nodded with a smile before she started to get a little... excited! Pinkie Pie grinned, as her team awaited for her to join them... which she was glad to do! She extended her forelimb and allowed the spear Aries was fond of to slither into view as her head covered itself with a spartan helm.
She charged forward with a new found adrenaline rush! Woah... Is this what Dashie feels when she does those death-defying stunts? This... is... totally... awesome! She rode the wind with an aura of fire, as the dragon's pupils grew to the size of ants! She swung her spear slicing across the dragon's thick hide with the blade, as the strength from her swing knocked Shen-Lung backward! His scales broke, blowing off from the whiplash of her movement as she spun around and kicked him with a strong hoof!
The flames encasing her hoof scorched the cheek of the dragon, as he panted weakly unable to crawl away from this battle! He spat out lightning from his mouth, but Pinkie Pie shielded herself with her wings and absorbed the attack before lunging forward and colliding with his horns! They broke and shattered immediately, before Pinkamena barreled her body into his chest, making him limply fall from the storm he created.
The group chased him out of the battlefield as they followed his falling body towards the hard ground below. With a mighty crash in an empty field, he lay still with white eyes and an agape expression. Pinkamena, Pinkie Pie and Surprise landed as the white pegasus deactivated her weapons and kicked at the unconscious enemy.
"Well... he's going to be taking a long nap! I guess that means Demi-God wins this round against Gods!" Surprise cheered gleefully.
Suddenly the map appeared again, this time Pinkie Pie caught it. She glanced at the black ink and found it retreating back within the map, along with the black haze over Equestria depleting! She let out a content sigh, as she sat on the grass and allowed herself to laugh excitedly.
"I did it... I actually fought something and won!" Pinkie Pie giggled.
"Yeah, I guess that is pretty cool... So I guess this is why I am here, huh? I don't mind it, I like this place... it seems pretty pimp with all these mythical Gods running around heh." Pinkamena said, brushing her straight mane from her weathered face.
Silence settled over them until Pinkie Pie felt an itch at the back of her mind. She tried to uncover it... but what could her brain be trying to tell her?
She popped up! "OH, my friends! I have to go heal them! They must be in so much pain! We must go there right now! I nearly forgot!"
Pinkamena sighed loudly. "UGH I hate Pinkie Pie's friends, even in THIS dimension I know they still suck!"
"Come on girls, I promise it will be fun... I will tell some stories on the way back!" Pinkie Pie offered. Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie started to walk off, until they noticed Surprise reaching out towards the fallen dragon.
"Surprise don't touch the scales, you will die... how many times do I have to-"
Pinkamena was cut off by the pegasus. "He's sleeping... I don't think the rule applies when the dragon is dreaming... shhhh or he will wake up! Hee-hee!"
Pinkamena rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
"Just one teensy-weensy scale...." Surprise said greedily.
"UGH come ON SURPRISE! I SWEAR to God.. I mean GODS!"
The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
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.
View Online
The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
"I do NOT want to be in an alliance with HER!" Athena 2019
Author's Note
HOOOZAH!
Hello my dear friends.... are you ready for some God drama? Are you ready to finally hear why Pinkamena is such a ~~stick-in-the-mud~~ about love? Yeah? Well here you go... all of Pinkamena's thoughts and 🔥 anger 🔥 thrown out into the open for your perverted mind to read!
HOOOZAH!
I even went so far as to get a picture for this chapter... so you can see the Gods in their natural habitat! (Tell me if you cannot see it... for some reason they keep going missing <.<)
I had to say my favorite God to write for was the Goddess of Beauty, but Nike and Demeter were fun to write for in other rough drafts.. hehehehe...
Anyways, this is Pinkamena's chapter so YES it will be chaotic... and YES it will be drama filled and YES it will answer your questions. Here is my advice: Pay.Attention.To.The.Riddle
Did you see it? No? Okay, wipe those streaks off your screen.
The
Riddle
Is
Important
Remember it, clues will be scattered all over the next chapters released. Every single word in that riddle means something, literally or figuratively!
Now my friends, sit back, relax.. and enjoy the ride... because dear God... we are going into drama land... ~~*clicks your seat-belt*~~
Three.
"I do NOT want to be in an alliance with HER!" Athena 2019
Pinkamena
Pinkamena was in so much pain... the crushing feeling of her weighing lungs filling up with blood and the struggle to breathe every second made her want to sob. Unfortunately sobbing required air... air she didn't have, and she could only wheeze and limply drag her hooves along Surprise's rib-cage like a paralyzed slug.
This is embarrassing... I cannot even speak, I just have to be carried like a stupid bag groceries by a crazy cyborg who cut off my leg! I STILL remember that Surprise... and even though I cannot glare at you very well, I am going to angrily twitch my lip at you and hope you get the message! Pinkamena weakly tried to curl her lip when Surprise looked back at her, and she internally growled when the pegasus grinned.
"Just keep smiling Pinkamena... we will get you all patched up! I'll even fix you up a nice warm stew!"
Buck you... I... well I do not hate you... but I am not excited about your existence. Pinkamena looked towards Athena who was climbing over cracked stone stairs as she parted jungle-like leaves with her spear. The griffon was unique, for Pinkamena had never seen one like her. Probably because she was well... a Goddess... but a purely white and black griffon? Strange indeed. Pinkamena would have assumed Athena would have been some giant owl, with those pesky red and yellow eyes staring at you while beating you over the head with a book and saying "See my glasses? I know everything!"
"Should we take a break and check on Pinkamena?" Athena asked, as the cyborg nodded and turned to her with a soft smile. "Place her gently on this bush here... we will make sure her condition has not gotten worse."
Surprise lifted Pinkamena off her back with telekinesis as the demon was sat on a scratchy bush. I swear to the Gods Athena... if you let this psychopath touch me... I will personally let Poseidon and Medusa into your temple and let them bang again! Surprise gently ran her hoof along Pinkamena's side but the Demi-God had no strength to move or revolt against it. Don't touch me.. I know karate, judo, jujitsu, kung fu, and twenty other dangerous WORDS!
Words she couldn't say at the moment...
"I scanned her... all this movement going up the mountain is only making things worse... what do we do Athena?" Surprise asked as she stroked her stomach affectionately making the demon internally scream.
"We will have to be creative and think outside the box, we cannot get to my temple without going up the mountain and I assumed flying there would only make it worse from here."
I am sorry... you want SURPRISE to think outside the box...? She cannot think inside the box or outside the box.. she does not even know where the BOX IS!
"Well... we could always attach her to one of my rockets and send her up there... or... possibly that might... rip her apart... painfully... ummm." Surprise said, tapping her chin as Pinkamena mentally face-hoofed.
Dear God... this... THIS is the sperm that won?
"You're an odd screw Surprise... but I appreciate the enthusiasm." Athena giggled, as the Goddess looked up the mountain where a large swirling vortex of storm clouds invaded the land from the north. "We must hurry, the longer we are out here the more we are exposed."
She's not an odd screw... the whole freaking toolbox is gone, Athena. Pinkamena felt a sharp pain in her chest, which caused Surprise to rush over and examine her. If you touch me... I will personally ask the fates to give you a heart attack during a party when you decide to play charades. Surprise opened up her control panel before her cyborg eye became active again. A giant red light burst from the socket, dividing into sections as Surprise invaded the demon's privacy and started to go low... a little too low. You go any lower... I am going to donate your robot parts to an orphanage so they can make you into something USEFUL.
"Mena... please stop glaring at me like you want to hurt me... I am just trying to help.. I had no idea this would happen... I'm so sorry." Surprise said with a quivering voice, as her ears drooped along with her head. "I.. I promise I will fix this... I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you... and I take that very seriously."
Yeah WELL, I would slap you but I am paralyzed and hitting you would be animal abuse... so I guess you're off the hook. Pinkamena stirred when Athena flew up into the air and collected a few globs of clouds that were not sectioned off with the massive storm brewing.
"Ah here... we can make a comfortable transport made of clouds... that shouldn't irritate her condition, as long as we push with an air draft... because touching it could scatter the materialized water vapor and drop her." Athena explained, as the griffon gently brought the raft of clouds to Surprise who shaped it. "Place her on the clouds and then use your wings to gently push an airflow through the cloud to move it. Careful you do not let her bump into the mountain... I mean it."
Pinkamena was placed onto the cloud, as Surprise gently flapped her wings to cause a slight gust. The cloud moved, as Athena carefully watched the cyborg before redeeming that her plan was working and continued leading.
"So... Mena... we didn't really get to talk much when we went for a flight.. do... do you think we could do it again? I want to know more about you... I want to become friends... even though I know you really don't like me.. I always seem to mess things up." Surprise whispered, as Pinkamena mentally snorted.
You enslaved your planet... you kill for fun... and to top it off, you have no moral compass. You honestly think you are just messing up? I don't make friends with warlords, especially ones that care nothing about the ponies around them. You do not fool me Surprise, I am sure you had plenty of allies in the past.... but once they ticked you off you disposed of them.
Surprise looked upset. "Your eyes are so revealing Pinkamena... you cannot keep your emotions hidden very well. I... know what you are thinking... you probably are questioning my past... and the actions I make... b..but... I swear... I only act this way because I don't know any different..."
Really? You don't know any different? You have NO clue to not kill innocent ponies, or to have the common decency to resort to something other than violence? I saw that nuke... do you know how many ponies you would have killed? You didn't even think twice about it... you have NO morals Surprise! If I stood in-between you and a pony you despised, you wouldn't put the gun down.. you wouldn't have the strength... you'd SHOOT me to take him down! You don't make friends, you create pawns!
Perhaps Pinkamena's thoughts were a bit harsh. Fortunately there isn't a giant group of individuals reading my every thought and judging everything I am thinking! Phew! But seriously, Surprise gave her that giant sob story and for a while there Pinkamena had a bit of a soft soft. When she saw that nuke, immediately she knew it didn't matter if she was under the control of that artificial whatever. She was not any different.
Killing for no reason... killing for fun... killing for pleasure was what Surprise did.
That nuke would have blown up Hera, and Pinkamena herself. I don't want to hear any of that... I was in the moment crap either, no pony would reach for a planet-destroying NUKE!
I am no fool Surprise... you will never change.
Surprise was staring deep in her eyes... almost like she understood everything she was thinking even though she knew that was impossible. Pinkie Pie had always said my eyes were the magnifying glass to my emotions... to my soul, where small font words were printed across my heart for her to read. Another reason I couldn't stay in my world... I promised I would never leave her... but it's too painful... being around her anymore. She could tell Pinkamena was off ever since.... that incident...
Don't think of it Pinkamena... every time I do... I get even more depressed. At least the Pinkie Pie here is like a fresh, clean slate... no epic adventure, no confusing feelings, no scars from words she had said, and that incident never happened... it's as close as she can get to the Pinkie Pie before all that.
But her eyes... always betrayed her... she was an open book when it came to emotions.
"What are you thinking about, Mena?" Surprise asked quietly, and gently, as the Demi-God watched her teammate guide her cloud wheelchair up the mountain after Athena. "Don't worry... I won't judge, I never will."
Leave me alone. The last pony I'd want to talk to would be you. Besides, I did this... I did this to Pinkie Pie because I was scared... I did this twice... because I am a coward! Her biggest enemy was never Celestia, or the Tree, even Gaia or Lucifer... it was herself... a foe she has not yet defeated.
Pinkamena felt her cheek growing wet but was unable to wipe away the tear. She was a little shocked when Surprise gently used the back of her hoof to caress her cheek before doing it for her.
"Please... please don't cry... why are you so sad? I know you are hurting... but... I don't know why. I want to make you happy again."
HAPPY? You know what would make me happy? For you to run into a wall! Dear God... ponies are so ungrateful they have no idea how much patience it takes for me not to hurt them! Suddenly Pinkamena's eyes grew wide, but she was unable to make a sound of alarm as her cloud rammed itself into a wall. I hate karma.
"Ooops! Ugh... I just keep messing up... I get so distracted!" Surprise yelled out in frustration, as she caught Pinkamena's limp body in her forelegs. She reformed the clouds with her telekinesis before placing the furious demon back on her throne of embarrassment. I wish I could roll my eyes at you or at least ask you to do it for me... in the sense of a miracle you might find a brain back there too!
Athena poked her head out from behind the rocky wall. "You let her hit the mountain, didn't you."
Surprise gave her an annoyed look, as the Goddess tapped her spear on the final step. She gestured towards the golden temple at the tip of the mountain, with the storm clouds miles and miles away but a gentle rain falling from the grey clouds above them. A shiny orb of magic covered the temple, which Pinkamena assumed was because it was protected by Athena herself as a safehouse.
"Come. The Gods are waiting for us, and it looks like Hephaestus is already making himself at home... in my temple.." Athena said with a bit of a snarl. "I spent eons planting those olive trees in there... his smoke better NOT be killing them!"
Hmmm.. Hephaestus is the God of fire, metal-working, and smithing. I heard he was so ugly, he was thrown from Mount Olympus by his own parents... touchy... Pinkamena was taken into the temple, before being swallowed by the thick smoke the God was producing. Ugh, I can't see anything... what is he doing smoking a massive jo-
Pinkamena nearly cringed when she heard a deep voice balling deep within the temple. Pinkie Pie was carefully and awkwardly stroking the claw of a massive black dragon, who was snorting smoke from his nostrils. He had an obsidian scaly skin, along with two black and jagged wings clamped to his sides. Two horns curled downwards and then out from his head, along with two fins flapping against his skull when he took a breath.
His arms covered his orange and red eyes, as his mouth opened revealing jagged and sharp teeth. His tongue looked like it was covered in glowing lava, even though no fire was present.
"We... are all going to die!" Hephaestus yelled as Athena waved the smoke from her face. "All because my MOTHER is a crazy and insane Goddess that poisons her husband after she seduces him!"
"Ahh quit yer cryin, Hephaestus. Hera was always a little loony, with Zeus cheatin on her and yee being disowned after standing up for the mortals... she was bound ta pop her lid bwhahaha!"
A bulky earth pony leaned against a bar counter, with about a million shot glasses piled around him. He had a drunken blush, with a short milk chocolate brown coat and shaggy dark brown hooves. He had a build a lot like Rockhoof, with a white streak running down his muzzle and a lumber-jack like beard. His mane and beard were dirty blond, along with the symbol of a God as a Cutie Mark which was made up of a vine-like leaf reef wrapped around a beer mug.
"Dionysus are you honestly intoxicated when there happen to be a war raging the planet and on Olympus, that is imperiling the Gods and mortals like my friend here?" Athena accused, rubbing her forehead with her claw as the dragon continued to bawl curled up against the temple's wall.
"Yee askin the God of wine if he's drunk? Yer crazy if you think I am not going to drink at a time like this. Zeus has been slain, and so I am drinkin in his honor. Or I'm not... just tryin ta de-stress a little like the big 'ol cry dragon over there."
Dionysus took a swig out of a bottle of whiskey before unknowingly spilling his drink all over his chest and beard. Athena flicked her claw and the bottle was magically slapped out of Dionysus's hooves, causing the God to give her an odd look before whipping out another bottle.
"Yer just going to frustrate yourself, yee know I brought spares."
Athena growled. "Okay... moving on, Hephaestus do you transpire to have ambrosia? My friend Pinkamena was assailed by Hera, and she is very wounded."
"In stupid mortal, please." Hephaestus said.
"Do. You. Have. Ambrosia?"
Sheesh... Athena's vocabulary is very... intense when addressing the Gods... just must be how they speak to each other back on Olympus. Athena was the Goddess of wisdom, perhaps that little thought about her beating Pinkamena over the head with a book was not completely fantasy... or at least not for Hephaestus.
"Uhhh... actually... I don't... Demeter asked to have mine so she could help the alliance meet back here in the temple. A ton of them still haven't made it out of Olympus." The dragon said, "After all... most of us are very wounded from trying to fight off the Gods."
"We need it stat... Pinkamena is on thin ice." Athena said as Pinkamena was gently lifted into Hephaestus's claws. The dragon leaned over the Demi-God before cocking his head.
"This... This is the Demi-God that fought Lucifer... right?"
"Pinkamena!" Pinkie Pie cried, flapping her wings until she was able to land on the God's claw. "What happened? Are you okay, why aren't you speaking.... who did this to you?"
"Oof, yee have a bad wound there little Demi-God, but don't yee worry yer sweet mane about it. I have a Goddess coming down that happens to be bringing medical supplies, she should be here any minute." Dionysus said, before suddenly appearing next to Athena in a puff of smoke. "Yer gonna love it Athena!"
"I have a baaaaaad feeling about this..." Pinkie Pie said as the metal-working God hid his giant head behind the pink pegasus.
"Who did you invite to the alliance? I told you I am the only one recruiting!" Athena said, pushing off the drunk God as she stared at the door when she heard hoof-steps and humming. "Dionysus, I swear to me... if that is who I think it is-"
The door burst open, as an Alicorn flipped her soaked mane back with a cheeky smile. "What's up bitches? "
Athena and Hephaestus went pale.
The God of wine burst out laughing, before stomping his hoof in amusement. Hephaestus trembled before nervously looking at Athena and whispering to her through clenched teeth. "Seriously.... he brought her? Literally out of three thousand one hundred and forty-two GODS and Goddesses he HAD to bring her?"
The Alicorn grinned. "Hey, ya'll it's me Aphrodite! You know... you know the Goddess that always is a ten out of ten? You know... me... the stunning Goddess of-"
"We KNOW who you are!" Athena snapped.
"Oh phew... because I was a little worried when I didn't see any of you faint from my presence... I mean do you know how annoying that is for every pony to faint when you walk by? I know I am gorgeous but like chill... I just wanna chat and like... eat a low-carb vegan salad with low fat and organic balsamic vinaigrette ya know?
"Please... please throw yourself off the mountain... there's the door." Athena said pointing a claw behind Aphrodite, as the Goddess happily bounced up to the griffon.
"Oh my goodness Athena... have you been using anti-aging cream? I-I mean you look totally great, not a day after fifty! With your wrinkles, that's totally awesome! Good job Thena-bena! Loooove you!"
Dionysus laughed, as Aphrodite bat at the griffon's ear forcing Athena's face to grow red with rage.
Pinkamena was speechless. Aphrodite is the Goddess of beauty, but I have never seen her up close before! She is stunning... and even though I am not into mares... I can't help but be awestruck! The Goddess had long flowing braided hair with fading and bright colors in her mane, along with a cherry blossom pink short furred coat that almost looked white. She had tufts of hair on her hooves that were perfectly styled, along with a long and curved horn coming out from her head.
Her tail was unique, with a long furry base along with black stripes and a gathering of warm fur at the tip that matched her mane. Her body looked so soft, and perfectly shaped with a toned stomach and muscular legs.
Her wings were the most unique though... half butterfly and half feathered... a strange but beautiful combination that Pinkamena had never seen!
"Awww Athena don't look at me like that, I just want to touch your oily feathers! I have something for that you know... tea tree oil does wonders! I can help you look so much younger! We can't all be the Goddess of Beauty, but you can be the Goddess of Wisdom and have semi-beautiful feathers!"
"I swear, if you physically contact me one more time with your ignominious hooves I will break your hoof and proscribe you to live with the Cyclops!" Athena screeched, a hawk-like noise escaping her throat.
"Ooo, big words! Yay, you are the Goddess of Wisdom! Okay but seriously, why do you hate me? I am trying to help you not look like you rolled out of bed and tried to run through the Minotaur's labyrinth." Aphrodite giggled twisting the end of Athena's tail with her magic. "Besides hating on Goddesses is petty and I am trying to help the mortals out... they are sooo cute with their little romances!"
"OH I am petty???" Athena boomed, thunder crackling outside. "YOU slept with Ares our FU-" Surprise placed her hooves over Pinkamena's ears before she uncovered them allowing the demon to listen once more. "-ENEMY and caused a WAR among the Goddesses because you kept INSULTING them and bragging about your LOOKS!"
Dionysus spat out his drink. "Oof, now you've done it..."
Aphrodite puffed out her cheeks angrily. "Okay, first of all, that's not true..."
"It kinda is," Hephaestus whispered to Pinkie Pie.
"Second of all... you act like you are sooooo perfect because you are alllll smart and stuff but let me tell you ATHENA... you are the most petty Goddess of them all!" Aphrodite said, poking her hoof in the griffon's chest. "You are just jealous of me because I am prettier than YOU!"
Athena gawked. "How DARE you accuse me of such a ridiculous accusation-"
"Ummm hahaha, I am sorry... who was the Goddess that turned a pony into a gorgon because she was prettier than you? Cough I think her name was Athena!"
Athena was rising off the floor in rage as she flapped her wings and poked the Goddess in the chest. "I HAPPENED to turn her into a gorgon because SHE was disgracing my name by degrading herself in my temple with Poseidon! Don't you dare pretend to know my struggles when YOU go around degrading yourself just as much as Medusa!"
Aphrodite flapped her wings, so she was level with Athena. "Really? You think Medusa wanted to do all that in your temple... get off your high whatever... she was forced against her will you... you... airheaded oaf!"
"HA! Like you were forced to date Hephaestus?? Huh?? You bounce around from one pony to the other quicker then Dionysus drinks up a bar! You broke poor Hephaestus's heart when you ran off and banged Ares! The greatest day of my life was when you were caught in that net... and the entire domain of Olympus laughed at YOU."
Aphrodite was nearly at the ceiling now with glistening tears in her eyes. "You have no idea what my story is Athena! You have to right to judge my actions! I am the Goddess of Love ! I cannot force myself to be in a relationship that Zeus made because he wanted me to marry someone who would degrade me! My heart is not something that can just be thrown around! I made a mistake and I'm SORRY, but I will not REGRET following the right path for myself!"
"Oh BOOHOO, so what if you're the Goddess of Love? Control your whore mones like the rest of us! We ALL have to suck it up and do things we don't want to do! That's part of being a Godd-"
"LADIES quit arguing! Pinkamena is DYING!" Surprise shouted.
Aphrodite flicked her ears before she wiped her eyes and smiled softly. "W-Wait THE Pinkamena.. nooo way!"
Oh come on Surprise... I could have lasted a little bit longer to see Athena and Aphrodite duke it out! They were sooo close to tearing out each other's fur! I knew the Gods had beef... but sheesh... that was not a cat fight... that was a full-blown war hahahaha! Pinkamena tried to smile but coughed up blood making her groan, but it came out more like a gargle. Aphrodite flew over to Hephaestus and landed on his claw. Wow... even up close she's still breathtaking... her amber eyes are practically glowing!
Aphrodite suddenly had something poof in her hoof as she cheesed at Pinkamena. "Hey there... wow you are really pretty you could almost rival me! Almost... but anyways, it's really lovely to meet you! Here... I've got some ambrosia, it should fix you right on up... and if not.. I'll nurse you back to health!
Pinkamena wheezed as she felt Surprise's grip on her foreleg tightening... Pinkamena turned her head to give Surprise a look of panic. Let go Surprise! Why are you squeezing me so hard.... that hurts OW Surprise... SURPRISE STOP! Surprise had a look of murder on her face... it nearly caused Pinkamena to wet herself... she didn't think the fluff-ball could produce such an evil and twisted glare like this ever in her life!
"Yeah no... Pinkamena already has a pony fixing her up... so if you don't mind giving me the ambrosia, so I can heal her that would be great... so yeah... give it... and leave... please." Surprise said in a low tone.
Aphrodite blinked before turning to Surprise and smiling. "Ooooh, you're the cyborg that turned everyone on your planet into slaves! The famous warlord that rivals even Ares's blood-thirst! Hi! Nice to meet you!"
The Goddess giggled after poking Surprise in the nose, making the cyborg annoyed. Aphrodite cocked her head before gently opening Pinkamena's mouth and pouring the golden liquid in a slow and manageable pace down her throat. Thank the Gods Surprise is letting her do this... that sadistic cyborg would have drowned me! Aphrodite is very gentle... and kind... she seems... misunderstood... in my opinion.
Surprise's ears were flattened as she watched Pinkamena guzzle down the ambrosia. "You aren't doing it right Aphrodite."
"Umm... I-I think I am? I mean... it seems to be working."
"Well, it's not because you aren't doing it right. Give it to me."
"N..No I don't think that's a good idea, only Demi-Gods and Gods can handle this stuff.. so please be patient."
Surprise reached for the ambrosia, but Aphrodite cut her off with her wing. As Pinkie Pie swooped in, "Hey... why don't we all just put a hoof on the ambrosia, so it's like we are all helping Pinkamena! Good idea right?"
Aphrodite, please don't let her win... she'll literally kill me... she is the worst at caregiving... trust me I have been through it before.... many times. The Goddess looked into her eyes... probably sensing her terrified movements and the begging in her eyes.
"Don't worry I got the message," Aphrodite whispered with a wink towards the demon. "Surprise... um... this will... umm... poison you if you touch it... uhhh yeah... like really bad... you'll get... an STD... umm a God STD that causes... rotting.... wings?"
"LIES!" Athena shouted from the back.
I can feel the ambrosia working... won't be long before I am fully healed... and it might be too late... I smell a storm brewing.
"Sooo you're a liar and a heartbreaker... I don't like you... I don't like you one bit. You'll never get a hug from me... or a party... and you sure as heck ain't getting to play with my partying cannon any time soon." Surprise growled as Pinkie Pie landed in front of Surprise who was starting to spark.
"Okay! Well, it was lovely meeting the new alliance members... let's all just relax, and have a cookie! I brought a few... tons actually... oooo, does anyone want to tell fun stories.... please? "
"Well, actually Miss. Robot, I love that you jump on the train to accuse Aphrodite along with the Goddess of needing anger management over there. Buuuut, who are you to judge me... when you literally slaughtered your friends Glory and Bow Tie and forced the nations to follow you when you scared them by piking their government leader's heads on a stake.... mmmm, in my book... that's a little worse than anything I did sweetie."
Surprise glared before a machine gun popped out of her left foreleg. "I am not like that anymore... I've changed!"
"Surprise..." Pinkie Pie nervously said as the lowered gun started to glow. "Seriously... please guys... let's just eat these cookies and have some fun!"
"Really you've changed? If you really have changed, what's the gun for?" Aphrodite asked casually as she pointed towards Surprise's foreleg. "It takes a strong pony to withhold their anger... but a weak pony will act on it."
It looked like Surprise's strongest urges were being severely suppressed, as the cyborg slowly began lifting her gun out of what Pinkamena assumed to be an instinctual reaction. But... she lowered it when it got too high... shocking Pinkamena as the cyborg looked to the ground with a furious gaze.
"I am not that pony anymore..." Surprise said softly, catching Pinkamena's gaze for just a split second.
"I sincerely hope you aren't Surprise, because I would love to be your friend!" Aphrodite chirped, as the Goddess turned back to Pinkamena and tipped up her chin. "You feeling any better, cutie?"
Well the look of murder is back on Surprise's face... what is her deal?
Surprise looked sick for a second before she stumbled over her words when she shouted them. "I could never be friends with a ball-sack Goddess!"
Athena squawked before bursting out in laughter along with Dionysus. "Oh my GODS she knows... SHE KNOWS!"
Aphrodite trembled with rage. "That's a MYTH!"
"No it's pretty much spot on... you were born when Uranus's severed genitals were thrown in the sea." Hephaestus said.
"First of all-" Aphrodite was interrupted by Surprise who had her hooves on her hips.
"Ball-sack Goddess!"
"I can't breathe.... I physically cannot breathe... Oh... my ribs hurt!" Athena cackled, leaning on the God of Wine who was stomping his hoof in a fit of laughter. "I really thought we were the only ones that knew about that HA!"
"FIRST of all, I think we ALL were born that way... be mature guys... it's the CIRCLE of life!" Aphrodite boomed pointing a hoof to the laughing Gods.
"Actually no... I was born from Zeus's splitting headache, you were literally born from a titan's stallion-hood being ripped off and thrown in the wheeze ... freaking OCEAN!" Athena said, with a shortness of breath.
"Yee were born from the white foam... specifically the white sea foam Uranus's er... parts created." Dionysus added, making Surprise and Athena laugh harder.
"Come on guys... can we just please all be friends?" Pinkie Pie asked as Aphrodite scrambled to defend herself.
"Fine... FINE I was born from parts I shall not mention, but at least I was not so hideous I was disowned by my parents and thrown from Olympus! Or a shameless alcoholic, or even a worldwide serial killer with a party cannon, and to put the cherry on top a Goddess that scares away all the males because she talks down to everyone who isn't as smart as she is!"
Hephaestus furrowed his scaly eyebrows. "I feel attacked."
Athena crossed her eagle claws, "Sure we may be all that... but you know what you'll always be?"
I'm getting a little pissed off...
"Don't you say it-"
This needs to stop.
"A ball-sack Goddess!" Surprise cheered, blasting confetti in Aphrodite's face.
Aphrodite sat on her rump and wiped her eyes as tears started to fall down her cheeks. Pinkamena picked herself off of Hephaestus's protective claw and stood on her fours before ripping Surprise away from the Goddess. The cyborg was blowing a party favor at Aphrodite, but the device fell from her mouth when she saw the furious gaze the demon was producing.
"You know what? Enough with ALL of you! You Gods make me sick! Yeah, Aphrodite might be pretty... but that gives you no right to BULLY her whenever you feel like it! She has been nothing but cooperative this entire time, and she is trying her best to be friendly... but all of you pick on her, and it makes me want to VOMIT! Athena, you are the freaking Goddess of Wisdom that has lived for hundreds of YEARS! Grow UP!" Pinkamena shouted, standing in front of the sobbing Goddess as she scanned the room for anyone... ANYONE who dared to argue with her.
Disgusting... this is disgusting! The behavior of these Gods are so childish, so WHAT if Aphrodite was born that way? I know plenty of Gods who were born in worse ways, and she can't help how she was formed! So WHAT if she's stunning, you're going to encourage ponies that have blemishes to love themselves but HATE on the Goddess of Beauty because she looks better than YOU?
"So what if Aphrodite had a relationship with Aries, at least she will admit her mistake when half of YOU Gods won't even try and FIX an issue like being petty over a weaving contest and turning the poor defenseless winner into a SPIDER!" Pinkamena said, turning to rest her gaze on Athena as the Goddess shrank under her glare.
"You are really going to give her grief about this for the REST of her life? You ALL SERVE a God who has DOZENS even HUNDREDS of Demi-God children from sleeping around, and you can bet all of them were born the "natural way" like you bully Aphrodite about not being! Zeus CHEATS on his wife millions and millions of times, and completely IGNORES the children he creates and leaves them to DIE! You all should be ashamed of yourselves, every single one of you have something you've done that I bet all my Black Magic on that it is a thousand times worse then Aphrodite!"
"Look I didn't mean nothin' by it... I was just..." Dionysus was stopped.
"You meant nothing by it? REALLY? I just sat here for an HOUR listening to all of you completely tear apart this poor Goddess over something so ridiculous it reminds me of my filly years! Zeus just died and here YOU are drinking up a storm and have the nerve to point out some pony else's flaws!"
"M....My... Apologies... Pinkamena." Athena said with a quivering voice as her head lowered when avoiding the angry demon's eyes.
"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to the Goddess that has put up with all this bull-crap and still manages to be friendly towards you for reasons I cannot comprehend!"
Pinkamena's gaze landed on Surprise, who seemed scared... as she dropped her ears. "Pinkamena... I... I didn't mean to upset you... I really didn't."
"Upset...? You really think at this point I am upset at you? No Surprise, I am enraged! Ever since I met you... you've been nothing but a complete and utter disaster! You destroy everything you TOUCH, you care nothing about me, Pinkie Pie, or your team! You almost SHOT Aphrodite just because she stood up to you! You're a psycho!" Pinkamena shouted.
Surprise's eyes watered. "No... No! I care so much for you Mena, I-I-"
"You are a LIAR, you're a murderer! A cold-blooded killer! Did you think I would be okay with you NUKING the entire world of Cloudsdale? What were you THINKING? If Athena didn't come down, no pony would have been able to STOP you! You wouldn't have even tried to stop yourself! "
"I... was trying to save you... I was trying to p... protect you..." Surprise wailed, tears freely falling down her cheeks as Pinkamena relentlessly kept going.
"Do us ALL a favor and DON'T!" Pinkamena said, towering over Surprise as she lowered herself to her stomach and cowered beneath the demon. "I will never, be your friend! I will never like you, I will never get along with some pony as ruthless and evil as YOU!"
Pinkamena took off, her wings spreading out as she flew deeper into the temple.
She could faintly hear Surprise crying from behind and yelling after her. "I'm so sorry... I.... I'm so SORRY Mena!"
Pinkamena sharply turned, throwing herself down a large hallway with many statues and fountains neatly lined up in different poses. A gentle light from the sunset tricked down a hole in the roof, as Pinkamena brushed away several vines dangling down from the open ceiling. The Demi-God followed the vines upwards until her wings touched the fresh air and gentle blowing wind from above.
A light misty rain fell from outside as the demon landed on an arched balcony overlooking the mountain. It led to a flat area that was covered in olive trees and griffon statues, along with a bar that Pinkamena assumed was not accessible without Athena's permission.
Whatever... Athena can spare some fancy wine... I need a drink anyway.... I have to calm down, I can feel my pulse racing and my anger rising every time I even try and think! Pinkamena's back was hit with rain every time she went in-between the breaks of the arches, but eventually, she made it to the enchanted garden where she could calm herself.
Pinkamena raided the bar, picking a marinated bottle of wine which had the tag of an old timeline written on it. The demon bit off the cork with her fangs, before settling on a bench and staring at the sunset from the tip of Athena's mountain. She took a small sip, before swishing the liquid in her mouth and noticing its smooth texture and sweet taste. She assumed the wine was made from red grapes with a splash of cinnamon and a tannin finish.
Suddenly she heard some pony approaching, which made her spine stiffen from growing rage. She turned around with a bit of a glare, only to see Aphrodite standing in the rain with her wing over the demon's head. The Goddess shielded Pinkamena from the storm, as the raindrops trickled down her face and muzzle.
"Hey...." Aphrodite said nervously, as her amber eyes slowly looked towards the ground.
"Hey." Pinkamena responded quietly, as the demon looked back towards the sunset.
"Um... I just wanted to say... thank you. I-I.... h... have never had anyone... stand up for me before. It meant a lot to me..." Aphrodite trailed off, as Pinkamena scooted over to show she didn't mind her company.
The Alicorn sat down next to her, still keeping her wing over the demon as the two sat for a moment in silence.
"I would do it again, you don't deserve all the hate you get. You were forced to date Hephaestus as a joke, the Gods wanted to laugh at you... so they put you with the ugliest God there was to make Hera feel better about herself. That.... just infuriates me... Gods are so childish, makes me understand why us mortals stopped worshiping them in the first place."
Aphrodite sighed. "I am... a bit of an acquired taste. My personality is just.... hard... for the Gods to understand. When I was forced to be with Hephaestus by Zeus, I was the laughing stock... I wanted to be free to choose who I loved. That's when I met Ares... he wooed me, made me feel special... and didn't laugh at me like the rest of the Gods... he listened... to all my troubles... and held me at night and let me cry on his shoulder.... but it still didn't make my decision right."
Pinkamena snorted. "Zeus is a complete buffoon, I am glad he is no longer a part of Olympus. He does not have the right to control you like that."
The Alicorn's shoulder gently touched Pinkamena's as she used her hoof to brush her wet mane back. "He... just is... very drunk with power. All the Gods are really... they get cocky and treat each other according to how powerful one is. That is why I like the mortals, you all care for each other... get married... have foals, grow old together... and make unbreakable bonds... I thought I could have that with Ares... but..."
The Goddess had a stray tear dribble down her chin, as Pinkamena watched her sadness grow.
"If I may ask.... what happened.... between you two?"
She sighed, scooting closer to Pinkamena. "You'll laugh at me... I know about your hatred for love."
The Demi-God made Pinkie Pie's signature Pinkie Promise, and the Alicorn smiled finding a small giggle escape her lips as she turned to face Pinkamena.
"Every God knows that Pinkie Promise after hearing your story.... so I know you will not break it." Aphrodite found some confidence in the demon, as Pinkamena respectfully listened. "Before I was betrothed to Hephaestus, the Goddesses decided to have a bet with a stallion named Paris and made him present a golden apple to the most beautiful Goddess. Athena promised him strength and invincibility, Hera offered regions all over Equestria for him to rule... but I knew he wanted none of that."
Aphrodite stopped as a blush began spreading across her cheeks.
"I saw his dreams, his desires... he had his eye on a unicorn named Helen of Sparta. So I went to her one night and told her of this stallion that wanted nothing more than to spend one day with her. The Goddesses are obsessed with power and wealth, they forget about soft and emotional attachments that mortals have. Not every pony wants to be a huge buff stallion with a sword forged from diamond... and a shield made from the heart of a star you know."
Pinkamena giggled, "I wouldn't mind having that."
"Oh hush..." Aphrodite teased. "So I snuck her out from her kingdom, and let them have a night full of love and beauty... and that night he gave me the golden apple for giving him something that truly gave him happiness. He then told me I won for my beauty on both the inside and the outside. Buuuut... Helen actually had already been promised to another suitor, and I may or may not have caused the Trojan War ..."
Pinkamena spat out her wine. "Wait... WAIT, you caused the bloodiest war in Greek history?? Are you serious??"
Aphrodite cringed with a nervous smile. "Okay in my defense I had no idea she was already married!"
Pinkamena rubbed her face. "Oh Gods... stallions.... they are almost as petty as the Gods... killing thousands over a romantic dispute."
"So Hera threw a huge fit when she saw me one day with my apple, screaming at me because I caused the Trojan War. She griped about it, but wouldn't lift a hoof to help stop it... so I went down and helped the Trojans, while Athena helped the Greeks... and with her strategy, the war was easily won. Hera bullied me non-stop, and begged her husband Zeus to punish me for my crimes because she was jealous that she did not receive the apple."
"Yeesh, I know first hoof how angry Hera can get." Pinkamena said, rubbing her still healing ribs from her last encounter with the Goddess. That lamia is a nightmare! What was Zeus thinking when he decided to marry her?
"Hephaestus felt sorry for me, and built a magical trap to make a fool out of Hera which only provoked Zeus's rage. He decided to have me marry Hephaestus since the Goddesses saw me as a threat, for their jealousy was high with Hera. But marrying me to the ugliest God there was... apparently was enough of a joke and punishment to where they were semi-able to let the grudge go... at least enough to where throwing wine on me every time they saw me was enough instead of trying to have me killed."
"Why didn't you just leave Olympus? Why did you put up with all of that?" Pinkamena asked gingerly, as Aphrodite's tears started onto drip onto the marble ground.
"I saw how they brutally murdered the mortals that angered them, I am not as powerful as Hera... or Zeus or Athena... I can't really do anything... if they decided to come after me... so I just put up with it... hoping one day it would get better... it never did... especially when... I met Ares."
Pinkamena saw her tremble. Oh jeez... should I perhaps change the subject?
"I told Hephaestus many times I did not feel the way he felt towards me... he knew I was with him to avoid the Goddesses rage, but he was blinded by his feelings. He is a really sweet God... and he would make an amazing husband for any lucky Goddess, b-but just not for me. Ares came to me one night when I was crying by a river... I expected him to laugh... or to mock me... but he didn't, he spread his cloak over me and listened to me all night."
That must have been hard for Hephaestus... but I understand how she feels... she was forced into this. Pinkamena awkwardly patted Aphrodite's shoulder, hoping to calm down the crying Goddess as she balled messily.
"I... I just like.... after all that time, some God actually listened to me you know? So he promised to come see me every night at that same spot, and every night we would talk... and laugh... he would tell me his struggles, I felt sorry for him... and eventually I started to love him... and it turned into something that I couldn't stop. I burned for him, I needed him... and one night, he kissed me... and it got a little heavy.... and.... and..."
Pinkamena was awkwardly trying to look at literally anything else... as Aphrodite continued to spill out her most private details as she stuttered and tried to continue talking. Pinkamena's cheeks were burning, knowing exactly what was coming next... but kept her mouth shut allowing the sobbing Goddess to continue.
"Like WHAT does... A.... Athena want me to do, read fifty shades of grey with him? I....I was in the moment, we were in love... and I-I... couldn't help my feelings, so yeah... yeah I was going through with it.... I.....I hic let him do things.... intimate things... that Athena nearly passes out when is mentioned. Yeah IT happened, I....I am ashamed I couldn't think through my lovey-dovey thoughts but dammit , I was in love and... and.... and..."
Gods... this is so... so... not my kind of conversation... why.... why did I ask?? I knew what was coming... but still I had to go and ask anyways and now I am sitting here listening to Rarity's other life.
"Woah... take a breath, breathe Aphrodite... you don't have to continue-"
"You know what happened? Hephaestus and Athena built a NET.... A.... A net! It trapped us... I...I...I.... why? They caught us after those things happened, and invited all the Gods to look at us.... literally... I.... I... who does THAT? T...That is so... so... wrong on so.... many l...levels!"
"That is wrong... I am so sorry."
"Then Ares left me when he was tired of his fun.... and moved on.... and tore out my heart."
The two were silent... as Aphrodite continued keeping her wing over Pinkamena never lowering it for a second. So Pinkamena decided to lower it for her and spread her own demon wing to allow Aphrodite to dry off a little. The Goddess brought her head up her eyes sparkling with appreciation, as the demon gave her an encouraging smile.
"So... what about you..." Aphrodite asked quietly, looking up to meet Pinkamena's gaze.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean... what's up with you and your hatred for love... and soulmates... don't think I don't know about that... I am the Goddess of Love you know."
Pinkamena's eyes widened as she choked on her own spit, loudly coughing as Aphrodite giggled. The demon began to panic as her eyes darted all over the place.
"I don't have a STORY... who said I had a story... I have a problem with it because it's stupid and... and... and... I am immortal... and... and soulmates do not exist which I have scientific evidence FOR... and... and.."
Aphrodite put a hoof to the Demi-God's lips. "I want to hear your story... not the excuses you tell everypony."
No... I can't... go through that again... it has ruined my life... and other's lives.... not that they... realize it anymore. Pinkamena glued her gaze on the sunset, the memories, and feelings crushing her all once more as her vision started to ease back into the flashback of what has haunted her for so long.... him.
His smooth horns, and his gentle smile... the red glowing wings like soft embers that never dared to burn her. His face entered her mind, causing her heart to quiver as the heartache and the betrayal ripped the scar right open... into once more a bleeding wound.
"I.... n.. never told a soul about this... even Shadowbound knows very little, and Pinkie Pie knows nothing at all." Pinkamena began, refusing to let the memory bring tears to her eyes... as her skin burned with anger, and her heart began to pick up speed. "I.... had a soulmate once..."
Aphrodite's eyes widened for a second, but she remained silent.
"His.... name was Flawless Flame... a demon... a friendly and loving demon that was like a big brother to Shadowbound, and a knight in shining armor for me. But... he was a LIE... I-I was a fool... and... and... just mentioning his name fills me with so much rage and hate... I-" Pinkamena stopped, gathering herself before continuing without all the fury. "-I... one day when I was fifteen heard of... a spell that the mares in my village were doing. It required Black Magic... but... it was a sweet spell, one th-that would... tell the user who was made for them.... their soulmate."
Aphrodite placed her hoof on Pinkamena's wing, before nuzzling her gently to encourage her to keep going. It hurts... it physically aches... it has been over two thousand years... but the wound is still so, so... deep.
"I begged and begged Shadowbound to help me with it... after reading so many romance books on my spare time when I was too tired to practice my Black Magic... I wanted to... to.. know who was out there waiting for me. It gave me hope... and a feeling of happiness... that there was a stallion... made for... just me." Pinkamena clenched her teeth, her fangs poking the fleshy inside of her cheek as she continued once more. "So... my best-friend agreed, he wanted to see me happy... and I was so excited that night... I held my breath when he cast the spell..."
"But... don't Black Magic spells in that field never give you a direct answer? More of a riddle?" Aphrodite asked.
Pinkamena nodded, her hooves denting the bench from her stiffness. "Yes... it never tells you the name... just clues, and you are forced to put the pieces together yourself."
"W...What did it say?"
Pinkamena's breath caught in her throat. Should I say I do not remember? Even though the words are burned forever into my mind? No... it is time for me to talk about this... it has destroyed me for so long... Pinkamena took a shaky breath, before opening her mouth and repeating the exact lines that she heard that night.
"The one you seek is one so far,
beyond our realm with the hidden scar.
A walking mark for the ponies to fear,
A past that haunts the future not clear.
Power and heat come when they crack,
A devil inside with no going back.
Gentle to one, a non-burning flame,
Oblivious to love, but home to pain.
Sacrifice they will, their head given with the throne,
Forced? Or willing? For you to control every bone.
Protect you they must, so your love will break free,
But hate and doubt fill your heart, so you can’t see.
Knowing this they still go brace your storm,
Hurt, and beaten, from their lover who’s torn."
Pinkamena stopped, giving her bleeding heart a moment to breathe. I remember hearing those words... connecting the dots... the click in my brain when it reminded me of the stallion... the only thing I thought about at night. Flawless Flame... the kind of flawless I wish I could be.
"It made sense... the riddle. He was a demon... far beyond Equestria, from a different realm. He had a scar that he got from defending me when I was younger from an Ursa Major that he fought alone... he hid it, saying he was not strong enough back then... even though without him I would have died. He was a demon, ponies feared them... so the third line made perfect sense... along with his past and his future that was not accepted by the outside world."
Aphrodite seemed deep in thought. I wonder what she is thinking...
"He was a devil... a rebel, but one that I admired... a demon with the power to make dangerous flames but at the same time his power was beautiful, gentle... to me... a non-burning flame... only to... me."
The other demons feared him... for his Black Magic could tear down concrete buildings... and melt mountains... but no matter how hot his flames got... we could dance in them... together... like they were nothing but blades of grass on a summer day.
"I spent more time with him... hoping one day he would develop feelings for me, for my feelings grew each day I saw him... knowing who he truly was to me. One day he told me to meet him on the highest mountain at sunset, and he told me he would like to see me.... in a different way... a romantic way... destroying our friendship but creating something more."
Liar... he's a liar... Pinkamena could feel her Black Magic scratching at her inner walls, responding to her negative emotions.
"A year went by... I fell deeply in love... my father noticed his strength, and thought he would be a good son in law and descendant of our bloodline... even so... he saw him as a great future king. So he offered my hoof in marriage to Flawless Flame... He was to be the king of Everglade one day and me his queen."
Power... that is all ponies care about...
"He was acting off... for the next week... I asked him what was wrong one night stargazing... but he never answered me... just kissed my forehead and told me everything was fine. I got a note from him the next day... asking to meet me in a forest... for he had something to tell me before we were to be married. I trusted him... I was wrong to do so... I..I-" Pinkamena stopped unable to stop a tear from sliding down her cheek. "I-I was a MORON... why.... why didn't I see the signs? Why.... why didn't I allow myself to question things...?! I went into that forest that night... and he... he attacked me... and restrained me...."
Pinkamena dropped her head, choking on her sobs as she clenched her wings close to her sides.
"He tied me to a boulder... I yelled I screamed, asking him why he was doing this... he told me... he wanted both thrones... not just one... he wanted the mortal throne.. and the throne Lucifer would give up one day. Which I didn't understand then... but he had seen my future of when I had slain Lucifer... and would have to be the ruler of the underworld... if he were to marry me, he would be allowed to take the throne... if I were to die."
Aphrodite hugged her side, and Pinkamena brought her head into the Alicorn's chest as she stroked her mane.
"I...I.... knew he was going to kill me... he poured pig's blood on me... summoning the Timberwolves by scent... he told me he was going to lie to Everglade about how I died... saying I was murdered by the Pegasi who ambushed us in the woods... knowing I would be eaten and nothing would be left. He said he.... w... was going to tell my parents that we exchanged wedding vows during my last dying breaths.... and he would be crowned king... and lead my kingdom into a war between the feuding races leading the earth ponies to glory... over my death."
Aphrodite hushed her, resting her chin on the top of the demon's head. "I... I am so sorry Pinkamena..."
"I don't know how... but he k... knew about the fact that I was a Demi-God... he... he bit me... painfully sucking my Black Magic dry... I didn't know what he was doing... but he was stealing Lucifer's power... and... and that was why I had so much trouble practicing Black Magic... he stole it..."
All that time I thought it was just me.... but he was the one that stole my ability to produce Lucifer's power.
"Shadowbound found me... before the wolves could rip me apart... I was too shocked to speak... so he took me back to my kingdom, and my father found out... and ordered for Flawless Flame to be executed by beheading. Even though I begged him not too... still feeling like he could still change... but when I was being held back at the execution, he looked at me while the ax was being raised and said: 'I regret nothing, I never loved you Pinkamena... soulmates don't exist, but you were too blinded by the lie... for you to see the truth. You are nothing but the bastard of a poor stallion's death wish.'
Slice.
Pinkamena flinched still hearing the blade when it came down, as Aphrodite breathed shakily clutching Pinkamena's head on her chest tightly as if she were reliving the pain along with the demon. Pinkamena was too weak to keep herself upright, as she fell onto the ground curling up into a ball and just.... fell apart.
"He... H.. He betrayed me because he wanted a THRONE? He wanted Lucifer's powerful Demi-God magic I... I had? He STOLE my magic... he shredded my heart... he was going to lead my kingdom into battle based on a lie... my... my parents... they would have fought on the f-front lines to avenge me... so many ponies would have died... my loved ones w... would have died... and that sick demon would have been the king! "
Aphrodite came down onto the ground with Pinkamena... brushing her hoof along her side as she gently soothed the demon by humming a beautiful melody and playing with her mane. Pinkamena flinched at the booming of thunder overhead, lighting up the night sky as the Goddess showed her the kindness she desperately needed.
I couldn't go through that again... that is why I never let myself have feelings... for any pony... no matter how much I wanted to... or how much I needed to... or how much.... they.... had towards me. But... still living this way I am not better... I feel worse... I am unable to eat... and I don't want to... I seem strong... but I... I'm not... I can't take it ANYMORE... I am losing everything I care about because I can't STOP being terrified!
Pinkamena hiccuped. Pinkie Pie has suffered so much because of me... I don't want her to know the pain I am going through... how much I want to die... how I let myself fall when I am flying.. hoping something... anything... might allow me to have my final peace... I lost them both... because of my insecurity.... I don't belong in Pinkie Pie's world anymore. Both of my best friends have different lives now... and here I am... unable to move on like them.
My family was murdered, my love was beheaded, my riddle was a lie that had me betrayed... my bond with Pinkie Pie is broken... Shadowbound sold his soul for me.... and I let him... because I was a coward... and now... he sits on Lucifer's throne... with no memory of who I am... and what we've been through... I did this...
Aphrodite met her eyes. "Pinkamena... you need to know something..."
Pinkamena wiped her eyes unable to physically produce any more tears. She looked to the Goddess and sat up as Aphrodite helped free her cheeks from her cry.
"The prophecy the Black Magic predicted about your soulmate... Flawless Flame was lying... your riddle was not false..." Aphrodite said softly, making Pinkamena's rage return.
"A...Are you kidding me? It's bullshit Aphrodite! That kind of stuff... d.. does not exist! Black Magic just tells you what you want to hear... it plays with your feelings because it FEEDS off of your pain!"
The Goddess of love shook her head. "Pinkamena... the reason the prophecy didn't come true... was because-"
"I don't WANT to hear it... do you know how many times Shadowbound tried to convince me that we heard it wrong... or that sometimes fate gets messed up sometimes... IT is a LIE Aphrodite! Goddess of Love or not... not EVERYTHING is a fairytale, love isn't for every pony... not YOU, not ME... ponies like us don't GET happy endings!"
"Pinkamena... hear me out-"
"NO... NO! I am SICK of ponies trying to convince me love is HEALTHY... Love is GOOD... it's EVIL , it BLINDS us! It HURTS too much!!!" Pinkamena screeched, covering her ears with her hooves and squeezing her wet eyes shut.
"Pinkamena! Flawless Flame was NOT your SOULMATE!" Aphrodite yelled, as she took the demon's hooves from her ears and made them both lock eyes. "You went after the wrong stallion... you didn't listen to the whole riddle!"
Pinkamena's eyes widened a little bit, but she harshly wiped her nose. "That's all bull-"
"Listen Pinkamena... listen very closely: Protect you they must, so your love will break free, but hate and doubt fill your heart, so you can’t see. Knowing this they still go brace your storm, hurt, and beaten, from their lover who’s torn. Pinkamena... you didn't have any hate back then... you actually felt love... so it is impossible for the riddle to actually be talking about Flawless Flame!"
"W... What do you mean..."
"Pinkamena... it was not talking about the present back then... it was talking about the future... right now . You... You haven't met him yet... do you know what this means?"
Pinkamena's mouth opened but closed until she was able to squeeze out a few words. "It doesn't matter anymore."
"Your... soulmate... he's still out there..." Aphrodite said gently... watching as Pinkamena angrily turned away refusing to listen. "You went after the wrong pony!"
I don't care anymore... that prophecy was a lie... Goddess of Love or not... like I said, ponies like me don't get happy endings... I promised myself I would never fall in love... and that is a promise I still intend to keep.
The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
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!
The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
Author's Note
Trigger Warning! If you have nothing nice to say, do not say anything at all. Do not read this chapter, if you know you are going to get triggered!
Listen guys.
I am being very serious when I talk about mental illnesses, I have them... and I'm sure a lot of people reading this have experienced them too. Suicide and self-harming are real major issues, that people struggle with every single day. I myself have gone through these very things, so this chapter had really spoken to me when I wrote it.
Pinkamena is not always strong, everyone has their weak points. Everyone had bad days, and things happen that we are sometimes not proud of. I wanted to make her relatable, because SHE has gone through many things that really have messed her up. Not everyone that goes through stuff become suicidal, that is NOT what I am trying to say.
This is her story, these are her struggles. Even if her problems do not seem that bad to you, you need to understand she is distressed over them. I understand not everyone would do something like this... but she has hit an all-time low, and her mind is not there.
She is not there.
In this state, I know from experience that your reasoning is gone. When you have your head in a place, a bad place, sometimes things happen, and sometimes you need help to climb back out. This WILL have dark themes in them, if you cannot handle suicide, self-harm, I ask of you to please skip this chapter. These things exist, they are real sicknesses and like a cold, people get them... and I am going to write about them because they are more common than you think.
Hidden Scars
Surprise
The halls were empty in Athena's temple, as the saddened cyborg wandered throughout the darkness. Pinkie Pie had returned a while ago being carried by Athena, which the Goddess explained her to be too tired to even walk. A strange Sphinx and wolf had seemed to be recruited to the alliance, but Surprise paid them no mind. An ominous feeling hovered over the entire temple, which Surprise had sniffed out while she walked aimlessly with her head lowered.
Her heart was ripped out, physically... she had surgically removed it from her rib-cage to inspect it... wondering why it hurt so bad. When running a diagnostic on it, nothing seemed to be wrong... so she placed it back in her chest and curled up in a ball and cried for hours. Pinkamena was right, and so was Aphrodite... she had killed all those ponies... her friends, it didn't matter back then.
She was hated . Back on her world, she was a dictator if you were to find the right term. They followed her out of fear because no pony had the ability to stop her. She was raised like this, it was all she knew... it was why she was created, she didn't know any different until she met Pinkamena.
That Demi-God fought for justice, didn't kill to get what she needed... it baffled Surprise.. for how could one be powerful without killing their enemies? How could one win a war without destruction? Pinkamena was able to fight with grace... and compassion, traits that Surprise was unable to produce.
Surprise didn't mind being hated... because she had never been loved. She didn't know what love was... she still does not even know the actual meaning of kindness! At this point was she even alive? She had no pony traits left, they were drained out of her when she was created. She was more robot than pony, but still.... she longed to be accepted... not by all... she didn't need or want that... just by one.
At this point what was she going to do? Pinkamena hates her... this time she has no doubt! She can't stop the urge to kill, to attack, to hurt... all these instincts drive the demon away from her. How does she fix this? How does she change what she is? She has never even considered changing her ways even when she was bored on her planet, for she just accepted that this was her destiny... this was her fate.
Now, she sees her emotions... are changing. Instead of wanting to force ponies to come to events she plans, murdering those who she views as toxic to her world... she wants those silly guilty pleasures she never got to experience! Sure, she's tried hugging, snuggling, and joking around before... but that was just to experiment, just to see if her pony side was still there. Her pony side was there... and the only reason she knows this is because Pinkamena brought it out.
Surprise would do anything... to protect her.... she was special. Even though Pinkamena hated her, she was going to do everything in the cosmos to make it right.
Where is Pinkamena? She's been gone all day... it's pretty late, should I.... go and find her? Surprise cocked her head before wiping her tears off her cheeks. No... she'll come back, she is probably snuggled up next to Pinkie Pie... perhaps I should go wait by the door again... perhaps I can give her something better than flowers this time... but what? Surprise walked passed Athena who was curled up in her nest fast asleep, as Dionysus slept on a pile of hay in a room across from the Goddess.
Hephaestus had burning embers under his stomach from lighting Athena's carefully woven nest on fire... which Surprise assumed would anger her in the morning. Where is that stinky Goddess Aphrodite anyways? I saw what she was doing... with Pinkamena... getting all cozy and stuff with the ambrosia... meanie pants.
Surprise wrinkled her nose just thinking of that Goddess... oh how she would love to just stick her gun up her-
Stop it... you are trying to prove them wrong... you can't go around shooting ponies anymore... you've got to remain calm, cool and collected... like a big glob of blue Jell-O. But seriously, perhaps Surprise could shave off a little section of her mane... just a little... she was sure Pinkamena would find that hilarious.
Suddenly Surprise stopped when she heard.... humming. The cyborg quickly jumped, scanning the entire temple for any intruders as her eye typed words. Searching for possibly hostility... searching... searching. Surprise lowered herself to the ground, her foreleg transforming into her signature gun as she prowled towards the voice. Is it Hera? Oh please, oh please, let it be Hera... I'll never forgive you for what you did to Pinkamena... never!
She crept closer, her sharp hearing able to weave out words from the voice.
"I’m alone forever in fear,"
"Hiding alone, drowning in tears."
"These wounds will never heal ,"
"My scars are all but real."
Surprise stopped, the voice... was beautiful! Perhaps... this creature was a siren... drawing me in with pretty words.. and gentle silky voices... but I kinda can't stop listening to it... is that a bad thing? The voice was almost... shaking... like the owner was on the verge of tears... making Surprise even more concerned as she watched her AI update her on the situation. Voice identified, Pinkamena... three hundred feet, emotionally unstable proceed with caution.
Emotionally... unstable? That's strange... usually my AI only detects me when my head gets all wonky... Pinkamena isn't a robot silly... she can't snap and go bananas like me! Surprise was confused by this... her AI never lies, it physically couldn't, but Pinkamena does not have a command center like Surprise where she goes into default mode. Hormone levels drastically high... severity of mentality decreased to zero percent.
Mentality... like her mental state? No.. that's silly... she couldn't be... breaking... like I did when reliving my battle with Blackheart... that would be ridiculous... Pinkamena isn't a robot! Surprise couldn't help but chuckle to herself a little... her AI must be having a few hiccups! First of all, Mena was the strongest and bravest pony she knew... her mentality would never get so low... like Surprise that was not possible.
"My story no one will know,"
"I hide it well, pain will not show."
"Lied to you, through my tooth,"
"I’m sorry I hid the truth."
"I’m ashamed, so confused,"
"I am no longer just bruised."
Wow... her voice is so pretty... mmm... Surprise was in a trance, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks as she nearly floated towards Pinkamena ignoring her blaring AI. Her cyborg eye became activated, almost like she was going into battle... what was going on with her robotics? Stop it! Pinkamena is not dangerous! Jeeze, I am so glitchy tonight... I am going to have to do a hard scan of my system to fix all these issues.
"Not a warrior, was never strong,"
"A Demi-God but not for long."
"I lost this battle, I lost this war,"
"I am too weakened in the core."
Surprise bounced out from behind the wall to happily greet Pinkamena... but something... was terribly wrong. Surprise's ears flattened when she saw the demon looming over an object, and quietly crying to herself as her muscles and body trembled. Her wings were torn... like she had flown and flown for miles, until the leather was unable to keep up and split from the trauma. The cyborg's eye zoomed in on the demon, as she wordlessly commanded for it to search for any wounds other than her wings.
Was she in a fight? Did HERA do this to her? She's so wounded... what happened... I don't care if she hates me for this... I am going to murder whoever dared to lay a hoof on her! Pinkamena was looking at a rock candy necklace, carefully put together with string with a little tag on it that Surprise couldn't read. Did... Pinkie Pie in her world give that to her? It's cute... but... why is she staring at it so much... like she will never see it again?
Pinkamena turned and nearly attacked Surprise when she saw the cyborg standing behind her. The pegasus flinched, dipping her head low as the demon looked at her for a second to realize she was not a threat.
The Demi-God took a long breath, "Gods Surprise... you scared me... what are you doing?"
Better question is.. what are YOU doing? "I was... looking for you... I was worried when you didn't come back."
Pinkamena cleared her throat but her voice still seemed hoarse. "Yeah well it isn't your job to come and find me, we aren't friends! Get lost Surprise, I want to be alone!" Ouch... Mena.
That jab hurt... like she had been stabbed by a dagger making her visibly flinch. Surprise noticed how red and raw Pinkamena's eyes were... and how runny her nose was... just as she had been hours earlier. She has been crying... a lot harder then I was... did... I make her cry? Did that stupid Goddess Aphrodite do this... I knew I should have shot her when I had the chance... stupid, stupid.. stupid Surprise!
"H-Have you been crying? Mena... what's wrong?" Surprise asked, approaching the demon as Pinkamena suddenly opened her mouth and hissed making the pegasus stumble back in shock!
Pinkamena noticed what she did... and calmed herself before looking towards the floor in embarrassment. "It's nothing okay... I am going to bed, don't follow me Surprise!"
Pinkamena got up off the floor as the necklace vanished in a puff of smoke. Surprise slowly watched her... but something seemed off in the way she walked. S... She's limping! It looks like she is trying to hide it too! What's going on... why is she so wounded! Scanning target Pinkamena for any injuries... scanning... scanning... four major areas found with puncture wounds. Located in the hoof and the heel.
She is HURT, some pony HURT her! But... I... can't see anything when she walks... her hoof looks.. fine from where I am standing... what... I don't understand... my AI must be wrong. Surprise squinted, lowering her head to the ground as she looked under Pinkamena's hoof... seeing something green sizzle throughout the keratin! Oh my Gods... she's wounded... and she's hiding it with Black Magic! If she THINKS hiding her injury will keep whatever pony that hurt her safe... she's wrong!
"Pinkamena... why are you limping?" Surprise asked emotionlessly as the demon turned to her and stared at the skepticism on the cyborg's face.
Keep it together Surprise... just for a few more minutes.
"I'm not limping... and even if I were why do you care?"
Surprise was hanging on a thin thread at this point. "Pinkamena... may I please see your hoof?"
"No! I said get lost!"
Surprise stubbornly walked up to Pinkamena trying to keep the anger out of her tone. "Please?"
Pinkamena sighed loudly. "If I give you my hoof... will you LEAVE me alone? I just want peace and quiet for my la... just... just never mind... HERE!"
Pinkamena thrust her hoof forward, as Surprise gently took it suspiciously looking at the Demi-God before turning her focus to the uninjured hoof. Yep... she's hiding it with a spell... something is wrong with her hoof and I am going to find out what it is... and who did it! Surprise looked back up to Pinkamena as the demon glared at her.
"Are we done? Can I go? See nothing is wrong!"
"Activate point A1B." Surprise said locking eyes with the demon as her AI Core responded. Command received breaking illusion spell on Pinkamena.
Pinkamena suddenly had terror in her eyes, as Surprise dipped forward and blew on the demon's hoof... blowing away her magic as the real hoof was exposed. Nails.... dozens... dozens.... of nails were hammered into the flesh and in the extremely sensitive tissue of the sole. Surprise was frozen... all of her hooves... they had this same wound... and they were melted... like some sadistic pony had rammed them in blazing hot.
WHO did this... this is an excruciating torture technique they used in mid-evil times! This pony is getting no mercy from me, not an inch of mercy... I am going to track them down... I will FIND who did THIS! Surprise's cyborg eye lit up, her anger unable to be contained any longer as her ears flattened against her skull tightly.
"Who did this..." Surprise asked softly unable to gather her voice, as she ran her hoof gently along the backs of the nails. Pinkamena looked away, trying to tug her hoof away but Surprise didn't let her. "WHO DID THIS?!?"
Pinkamena was weakened... unable to overpower Surprise as the cyborg kept a death grip on her hoof. Surprise's AI was warning her of an intense adrenaline rush as her head ran with millions of thoughts. Her breathing was heavy, as she clenched her teeth together... Pinkamena must have been in so much pain for HOURS! I was not there to prevent this... I could have prevented this! Some pony tortured HER!!
"S...Surprise... l....let go... please!" Pinkamena begged, tugging her hoof away but her pain and her weakened state made it to where she could not do much against Surprise.
"NO! I AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW THIS! WHERE ARE THEY?!" Surprise's voice was shrill, as she scanned Pinkamena's hoof for any DNA samples. Unable to identify skin particles, target not found. "NO! THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING! Search HARDER!" Scanning... scanning...
The more Surprise stared at the burnt and peeling flesh the more her hatred and rage burned! The pain Pinkamena was feeling would be nothing compared to what Surprise had in store for whatever sick soul did this to her! Scanning... unable to find any traces to follow up on. No... NO! Surprise slammed her free hoof on the ground in pure anger, smashing the marble to pieces as she looked back at a terrified Pinkamena.
"You tell me who did this to you... I promise I will avenge you... I'll take care of you first... but then... then THAT PONY will DIE!" Surprise yelled, watching as Pinkamena's eyes started to water.
"Surprise... this... you can't find this pony... just let me go.."
"NO! I will find them! STOP PROTECTING THEM MENA!"
"You don't understand-"
"Help me understand Mena! I didn't protect you! AGAIN! Some pony out there tortured YOU, and they will pay for what they did... I SWEAR!"
Pinkamena was sobbing, as she desperately tried to pull away. Why are you pulling away? I am not going to hurt you I am going to hurt THEM! Why are you protecting them from me? Don't you want them to pay for what they did? Why are you trying to run away... I can't protect you if you keep running Mena! I can't live knowing this keeps happening to you... you keep getting hurt and it is all my fault! Scanning... Scanning... no results found.
"Tell me Mena! WHO ARE THEY, PLEASE! I can't let them go Mena... I just can't... I'm sorry!"
"S...Surprise... y...you c-can't find them... hic ... you wouldn't understand!"
Pinkamena shook her head like she was fighting with something. Scanning for any and all lifeforms within a hundred-mile radius. Surprise couldn't bear to see Pinkamena's tears... it crushed her... but more then anything it just made her more livid... and bloodthirsty! Keep searching... I want to know about everything around her that moves... they couldn't have gotten FAR!
"Please, Mena... I am BEGGING you tell ME!"
"I can't... I...I can't... p-please.... s....stop... please!"
"They are getting away... I have to FIND THEM!"
Pinkamena screamed out in inner pain, as she choked on her words. "ME!"
Surprise stopped... everything in her body just stopped.
Pinkamena was able to pull her hoof away from Surprise as the cyborg just sat there... unable to breathe... unable to move... just stare. The demon was shaking from head to tail, as she sobbed looking towards the floor as Surprise shook her head in disbelief. Her head sparked, her AI Core silent... unable to process what the Demi-God had said... unable to believe it... but she knew the words were true... or her AI would have called her out on it.
Surprise opened her mouth to say something and even though she had a million words to say she could only say one. ".....Why?"
Pinkamena shook her head and clenched her eyes shut before yelling. "I DID THIS BECAUSE I WANTED TO!!"
The demon shot off towards the ceiling in a burst of green light, before melting into the marble ceiling. Surprise was too shocked to move... too confused to speak... and just sat there... unable to accept what she had said. I... I've never heard of a pony... torturing themselves! I... I don't understand... why... why Mena? Surprise had never encountered this... never in her life... she didn't know what to think... or what to do!
I... I can't hurt Pinkamena... even though I said I would kill the pony who did this to her... because she did it to herself... but WHY... why would she put herself through so much pain? Is there something I am missing... is there something normal about this I should understand? She was in pain... I knew that much... but... not just the outside is hurting... something... something else is hurting!
"I need to find Athena!" Surprise said, as she picked herself up onto her hooves but wobbled. "I have to fix this... I have to learn what this is... there has to be a way to reverse this... to help her."
Surprise galloped towards the Goddess as fast as she could, which only took seconds with her super speed. The cyborg approached Athena, as the griffon nuzzled herself in her soft sticks and breathed out happily. Surprise poked the Goddess a little harshly, making her groan and roll over before she poked her once more a little harder.
"Athena... wake up... p..please... I need your help!"
"Mmmm, it's like... three in the morning... go to sleep, mmm.."
Surprise slapped her angrily, making Athena jump up.
"What in the Gods name? WHAT Surprise... what do you NEED?"
The cyborg licked her dry lips. "W...Why would a... pony... purposefully.. w-want to hurt themselves?"
Athena sighed loudly before patting her branches and curling back up. "You woke me up at... three something in the morning to ask me a psychological question? Goodnight Surprise... go... go bother Pinkamena or something... Nike wore me out and I just want to get some shut eye."
Surprise poked her again, making the griffon's golden eye pop open. "I need to know right now!"
"Uuuuugh... it's a mental illness thing... you know how it goes."
Surprise cocked her head. "Men...Mental illness?"
"Haha, real funny Surprise... go to bed."
Surprise blinked, as the griffon slowly watched her confusion and came to a realization.
"B..By the Gods... you... actually don't know what mental illnesses are... do you Surprise?"
Surprise shook her head slowly as the Goddess looked at her with a saddened look. I... never heard of that before... is it a sickness... how can I cure it? Mental is a word associated with the brain... d... do I need to create a cure?
"Oh dear... S-Surprise... this is a very... very deep and emotional topic... I.... I am going to take you to my library, and I just want to tell you... this world... this... area of knowledge... is very... scarring. It leaves wounds on both the victim... and their loved ones... it is an invisible illness... that can take down the strongest of us..."
Invisible? How... how can something not be seen by me? I have advanced X-rays, perhaps she just forgot about that. Athena beckoned Surprise to follow her, as the cyborg carefully walked next to the Goddess as she lit a way with her claw made of golden light. The griffon took a few turns, guiding them both down the dark temple hallway until they made it to a vast untouched library neatly decorated hundreds of feet upwards.
Athena snapped her claws, as a bookshelf suddenly morphed in front of them to reveal hundreds of books which the Goddess sorted through with her hawk-like eyesight. The griffon hesitated by one book, before gently tugging it out from its snug spot and flipping through the pages. She approached Surprise before pressing the book to her chest and looking towards the floor with a painful gaze.
She gently handed the book to Surprise with words of wisdom. "This is not a sickness that can just be cured Surprise... not even in your world. Please... when you read this, just remember... that what you asked... sometimes leads ponies to... other ways of hurting themselves... and that.... is a dark path to read about."
Athena gently placed her claw on Surprise's shoulder, before leaving her to learn about this... illness that she couldn't cure. My world has medicine that can cure almost anything... ponies live for hundreds of years because of it! I can find a cure... it cannot be too hard... it might take a few days but I am one of the smartest cyborgs in the universe! Surprise took a seat on a wooden chair, as a lamp swung over her head giving her light.
Her tail swept across the ground, as she ran her hoof along the cover of the book.
Disorders: What They Are, What They Do, How They Affect Their Ponies.
Surprise had a bad feeling about the book, just by staring at the cover with a pony crouched in the corner holding their head. The cyborg swallowed, slowly opening the cover as the carefully started to read what was inside with a heart as heavy as lead. Athena had folded a page for Surprise as the book fell into place allowing Surprise to read what the Goddess had left for her.
Many ponies start to experience a decrease in their enjoyment of life, when they enter the beginning stages of depression. This disorder can be caused by many things, or sometimes does not even have a trigger at all. Some ponies go through this when a very traumatic event happens in their lifespan, leading to rare happiness, trouble eating, insomnia, lack in confidence and more during the first few months. Depression affects how ponies think, feel and act. Depression makes it more difficult to manage from day to day and interferes with study, work and relationships. A pony may be depressed if for more than two weeks they have felt sad, down or miserable most of the time or have lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities, and have also experienced several of the signs and symptoms that were listed above. If not treated, it can lead to other severe symptoms like over preening in pegasi, magic blocks in unicorns... and can lead to self-harm in all races.
Thunder boomed from outside as Surprise jumped, she nervously swallowed as she turned the page labeled "Self Harm." So depression... is that what Mena is going through? That might explain why she is not eating... why she walks around at night all the time, and why her behavior is changing so suddenly.
Self-harm can be a variety of things, from forcefully plucking out feathers in Pegasi, to purposefully chipping horns in unicorns, and messing with hooves in earth ponies. Ponies that do this are often seeking to punish themselves, for either an action they did in the past, or the hate they feel for themselves due to bullying by their own mind or other ponies. They can even use this method to distract themselves, alter the focus of their attention. Or regain control over their minds when experiencing pressing, unavoidable and overwhelming feelings or thoughts. The acts of self-injury are so often bloody and horrifying that it makes it harder for ponies to be thoughtful about what these acts mean. There is a tendency to panic when you see somepony you care about bleeding from self-inflicted wounds, or covered with scars. Such panic interferes with thinking, and makes it harder for ponies to understand the motives behind self-injury. Forcefully trying to corner a pony suffering from this will often lead to hostile responses, making the pony trying to help be pushed away... and in this case if not treated or stopped may lead to suicide.
Surprise felt her spine tense up... she did not like that word. I... I don't want to continue... this... this is scaring me... Pinkamena... can't have this... she... would have fought it off.. can she fight this off? Can I fight it for her...? No... I have to keep reading... I have to understand... I have to know how to help!
Suicide is a complex issue involving numerous factors and should not be attributed to any one single cause. Not all ponies who die by suicide have been diagnosed with a mental illness and not all ponies with a mental illness attempt to end their lives by suicide. This is a severe and dangerous thought process, that when put into motion will end a pony's life when completed successfully. A loved one should look for signs in a pony diagnosed with severe depression or has been acting strangely around them while hostile. Signs can range between:
Making preparations for death Dangerous self-harm behavior Recent life trauma Aggressive behavior in strange times, or life crisis Unexpected rage, or strong mood swings And the most common, withdrawal
Withdrawal... doesn't that mean... wanting to be... alone? Surprise's mind suddenly went into a flashback mode, as her brain tried to grasp the song Pinkamena was singing. Her words came back to the cyborg, as the pegasus hung onto every single word.
"Not a warrior, was never strong,"
"A Demi-God but not for long."
"I lost this battle, I lost this war,"
"I am too weakened in the core."
No... Pinkamena... you can't be... But her thoughts kept coming back to her.
"If I give you my hoof... will you LEAVE me alone? I just want peace and quiet for my la... just... just never mind... HERE!"
Her last... Oh, my Gods... No... NO! Surprise slammed the book closed as she started to hyperventilate. I LEFT HER ALONE!!! The cyborg's pupils shrank to the size of pinheads, as she tucked in her head and smashed through the giant stain glass window in the library. She opened her wings before she could fall down the mountain as the rain from the storm blinded her with its harsh howling wind!
"Core find PINKAMENA!" Surprise commanded as the pegasus frantically scanned far and wide for the Demi-God. Scanning... Scanning... match discovered, twelve point five miles located in Dead Stallion's Cove. Surprise's hooves shot out fire as they matched the speed the cyborg needed to get their as fast as possible. She zoomed across the sky, shooting smoke for miles as she dodged mountain tops... and sliced through full grown trees with no intent on changing course.
Pinkamena... please... please don't do this! So many of us need you... I need YOU! Surprise's wings burned, her feathers ripping off but she didn't care! Her mane stuck to her face, as she rammed her way through a stony arch blowing it to pieces as she continued to advance towards Dead Stallion's Cove. Mena... why... WHY... what is causing you so much pain... I'll fix it... I'll do anything you can't leave me... PLEASE!
Surprise landed on a rocky ledge overlooking a crashing and swirling ocean, as she panted and desperately searched the cove for any signs of the Demi-God. Her robotic eye picked up on something swimming underneath the water... something huge... and full of teeth! Warning... hostile threat detected, five thousand and twenty-eight pounds, identified as Greek legend Scylla, best strategy advised: Flee.
Surprise jumped.
With no hesitation, she hit the water, before gathering herself and adjusting her robotic eye to view the ocean's depths. Thousands and thousands of skeletons and pieces of fallen boats were lodged at the very bottom of the pit, as Surprise swam towards the heart of the beast's lair. She saw something... swaying at the bottom, as she focused on the figure... before gasping and losing half of the air she had in her lungs.
There was Pinkamena... with self-inflicted chains around her neck and forelegs, being pushed and pulled by the underwater tide while motionless. Surprise swam as fast as she could towards the demon, before stopping in front of Pinkamena's muzzle staring at the closed eyes of the mare.
"MMMMMMPH!" Surprise screamed, shaking Pinkamena by her shoulders... but was given no response.
Something swam behind her, as Surprise without a second thought activated her gun. She pointed it towards whatever was in the ocean with her... but she saw nothing as she turned back to Pinkamena. The cyborg put away her gun and instead had her foreleg transform into a saw, as she slammed the spinning blade down on the thick chains.
Something slapped Surprise away, blowing her feet away from her target before she recovered and spun back around. The cyborg activated her gun once more, as something sped at her like a torpedo with an open mouth full of jagged mossy teeth! She shot at Scylla, hitting the creature square in the back of the throat as it roared and retreated preparing to attack once more as Surprise forced her way back to Pinkamena.
Oxygen critically low, need to resurface or possibility of drowning increases towards success. Surprise ignored Core, as she once more cut through the chains. One snapped, causing her to free Pinkamena's left foreleg as she put it on her shoulder before tugging the loose chain away from the Demi-God's neck. Pinkamena doesn't have any air! I don't have much... but it should be enough until I can get her out!
Surprise angled Pinkamena's head before pressing her lips to hers and blowing more than half of what she had left into the mare's lungs! The demon stirred but didn't open her eyes as the lack of oxygen started to take it's toll on Surprise causing her to become sluggish.
Scylla burst from the darkness, her thirteen heads aiding the dominant one as Surprise opened fire! The plasma blasts from millions of years of advanced technology ate away at the monster's thick hide making it squeal and retreat once more back into the darkness of the ocean. Surprise was going to pass out... as Core screamed in her ear. Thirty seconds, before complete system failure. The cyborg carefully aimed her saw at Pinkamena's trapped leg attached to a boulder, as she weakly held her saw in place until the Black Magic chains were cut.
Surprise gently held Pinkamena, as she started swimming upwards until her leg was painfully snatched by Scylla! The cyborg yelled out in pain, making her time limit even shorter as she rammed the saw into the beast's nose! The creature refused to let go... the surface so close... as Surprise clutched the Demi-God with everything she had, not allowing Scylla to harm her any further!
You will NOT harm her, even if I have to drown to keep it that way! Surprise summoned a rocket from her side, as it shot through the water and exploded right on Scylla's eye! The monster roared in pain, freeing Surprise's leg as she used all her strength to push herself through the water.
System failure in three.
No... I can make it... just a few more feet!
Two.
Scylla roared and opened her jaws.
One.
Surprise burst through the surface, filling her lungs with air as Scylla leapt out of the water. Her jaws snapped closed, but missed Surprise as she flew away from that monster as far as she could go! She landed on the grass as she placed Pinkamena down on the ground, and coughed and hacked the water from her lungs as she gasped for air.
"M...Mena!" She cried, stumbling over to the silent and still Demi-God. She placed her ear on the mare's chest, unable to hear a heartbeat before she pressed both her hooves over the demon's heart. Surprise put massive pressure on Pinkamena's chest before performing CPR. "Come on Mena... don't do this!"
Do I have anything that could get the water out of her lungs? Why... Why am I so stupid? I have prepared myself for anything that could happen to me... but not for HER! Surprise opened her mouth before blowing air into her lungs and repeating the process. Mena... you are strong, you can get through this... just trust me, I'll save you!
Pinkamena's back suddenly arched as water spilled from her mouth. She was gasping for air, as the Demi-God's eyes remained closed and Surprise's eyes filled with tears. I have to get her out of this rain... she is already wet and cold! The pegasus hauled Pinkamena on her back, as she scanned the entire area for temporary shelter. Area found, twenty meters ahead, no threats detected.
Surprise was weak, but she ran as fast as she could towards the area Core had scanned. She jumped downwards before ducking in a safe cave, as the storm raged outside. Surprise gently placed Pinkamena down, before standing over her and pressing her body against the Demi-God's and spreading her wings around her sides.
Their stomachs were flattened against each other, as Surprise's heaters inside her body activated. Y ou... stupid, stupid mare! Why would you scare me like that... why would you do this? The cyborg sobbed, wrapping her forelegs around her teammate's neck as she buried her muzzle into the demon's neck to check on her pulse. This... heat... it isn't enough! She's a demon, her body temperature isn't that same as a normal pony... I need more heat... intense heat!
Surprise tried to activate something to pixilate into her hoof, but Core reminded her of her damage. Some systems are offline... in need of repair. No... I need heat! If I cannot reach my tools... Pinkamena will DIE! Surprise brainstormed, making a fire and placing her on top of it will not be enough... it has to be a big flame! She was panicking as she hugged Pinkamena tight until she remembered something.
"I can... combust... it will damage a large part of me, but it will produce a large enough flame to keep you warm Mena." Surprise said as she took a deep breath. This is going to be painful... but worth it... I will save your life Pinkamena... and then I am going to figure out what drove you to do this. Surprise swallowed, but didn't allow herself to dwell on the pain... as she activated every single flammable object inside her.
Warning combustion threat. I know... Areas are being severely damaged, recommended to terminate active robotics. I am not going to... combustion in three... two... one... system offline.
Surprise exploded, bursting into flames as she weakly fell on Pinkamena unable to move! The flames ate away at the rock, but she knew these flames would not hurt the demon... as her metal started to melt. I... am burning alive... but this pain... is nothing compared to what you must feel Mena... I am used to this... I live in pain... and I will not allow the same thing to happen to you.
Surprise made sure her wings covered every inch of the demon's body, as the warmth started to make Pinkamena's pulse get stronger. The burning cyborg smiled weakly, as she closed her eyes and tried to ignore the pain... and instead celebrated that Pinkamena was going to be okay.
Surprise sat like this for hours, her flesh and fur burning away for the sake of a demon who hated her. But you know what? She wouldn't trade this for anything in the world, nothing at all... there was no where else she'd rather be. Why she felt this way she had no idea, or why she cared so much she had no clue... but she did... and she wanted to.
Eventually, Surprise's combustion died down, leaving that monstrous sight she hated exposed. Her robotic eye spasmed, along with her fur in patches surrounding melted and dented metal. Her organs were cooked, but the metal around them protected them from the worst as Pinkamena stirred beneath her.
Surprise was able to pick herself off of the demon as Core came back online. System ninety-two percent down, in need of hard repair. The pegasus sat on the stone in front of Pinkamena as the demon's eyes fluttered open, Surprise leaned in to make sure she was not hallucinating as she felt her eyes leaking from worry.
The demon groaned as she picked herself up and looked around. "Th...This... this is not... I... I am... a-alive?"
Surprise trembled with rage. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
Pinkamena jumped when she saw the crying cyborg in front of her. I am furious at you Pinkamena! B...But... I am also scared... and confused... and worried about you! Surprise quivered, as her entire body shook from the aftermath of her adrenaline, her fear, and her pain... as her robotic eye zoomed in on the demon.
"Why... WHY would you want to KILL yourself??? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SCARED I WAS??" Surprise cried, throwing herself at Pinkamena's hooves choking on her gasping breaths. "Tell me WHY Mena... I'll take your pain away if you just tell me what you NEED!"
"Did... Did... you save me? " Pinkamena asked quietly as the cyborg slowly lifted her head to stare at the steady poker face of the Demi-God.
Surprise slowly nodded, but was not expecting Pinkamena's face to twist in rage!
"You should have let me DIE! Now I have to do it all OVER again! You idiot Surprise, I told you to leave me ALONE!"
Pinkamena barreled past Surprise, her weakened body not letting her get very far though. The cyborg couldn't believe what was happening... she was going to go out there and do that AGAIN? What... WHY.. Mena STOP! I am not going to let you go through that again! Just talk to me! PLEASE!
Surprise bit on Pinkamena's tail and tugged her away from the entrance of the cave, as Surprise moved in front of her. "Mena... you aren't going anywhere! You're not thinking straight! You have to listen to me, I care so much for you... Pinkie Pie cares so much for you... you can't leave us we'd be lost without you!"
Pinkamena roared! Warning new threat detected.
"You have no right to tell me you care for me! You care for NO PONY! Pinkie Pie will live without me, I'm no longer going to walk these lands with my curse... and my p...pain! You have NO idea what it feels like to need something you can NEVER have Surprise!"
Pinkamena lowered her head to the ground as Surprise watched the Demi-God start to circle her. "Pinkamena... I know exactly how you FEEL! I've wanted to be normal... to feel loved, ponies have the need to want love... and friendship I don't have any of that.. and I live with the pain every day! I have no idea what needs you are talking about, but I can help... we can get what we both want together just give me a chance!"
The Demi-God lunged towards the entrance but Surprise pushed her back! Pinkamena rolled on her back before popping herself back on her hooves with her fangs exposed.
"YOU have no emotions Surprise! YOU ARE A ROBOT! You kill, sleep, and destroy and that's all there is to YOU!"
Surprise kept her stance as the demon hissed. She's not herself right now... she doesn't know what she is saying!
"I THOUGHT that was what I was... and then you showed me there was more to me! I have so much to offer... you showed me that Mena! You told me I could make friends, as long as I showed them they had nothing to fear! You don't have to fear me Pinkamena! You can talk to me, you don't have to hide from me!"
Pinkamena screeched once more trying to force her way out. Surprise knew Pinkamena would hate her for this... but she had to do something! The cyborg used her hoof to kick the side of the cave, the demon was knocked to the ground when the earth started to shake.. as a giant rock avalanche came piling down onto the entrance of the cave! Surprise's strength made it possible, but she really thought she could talk Pinkamena out of this... to where it didn't need to resort to caging her.
I know you are too weak to dig yourself out right now Mena... but we have to talk.. we have to! Surprise watched as Pinkamena screamed and pawed at the rocks but to no avail, making her fall onto her rump and shake violently.
Slowly Pinkamena's head turned her entire eye covered in glowing blood red.
Major threat detected, prepare for battle. Mena...?
"YOU!" Pinkamena screeched, lunging at Surprise before crashing her hoof into the weakened cyborg's head. The pegasus went flying, slamming into the back of the cave and denting the rock as more of them filled the entrance. Surprise cried out in pain, as Pinkamena charged with no intent on holding back.
"Mena... Mena stop! It's me Surprise! I won't hurt you!"
"I know who you ARE!" Pinkamena responded, as Surprise dodged her deadly hoof as it crashed into the spot she was recently a part of! Oh my Gods... she knows what she is doing... this isn't her Black Magic... this is just her rage! Surprise stumbled back as Pinkamena crawled on the wall to get to her!
"This isn't you Pinkamena! You are kind and loving! I am not going to fight you! I never will!"
Pinkamena lunged again, busting a rock into dust as Surprise weakly rolled out of the way! "Oh yes you will! You LIVE for battle and war, so here you go Surprise! An opponent just as bloodthirsty as YOU!"
Pinkamena spat out fire, as Surprise jumped behind another large rock. The fire washed over the stone as the cyborg trembled. What do I do? What do I DO? Surprise felt something stir as Core responded to the threat. Enemy weakened in lungs, best strategy advised aim for the injured organs. "No! Pinkamena is not OUR ENEMY!"
The demon picked up the rock before throwing it towards the cave wall. Surprise cowered underneath Pinkamena's wild and murderous gaze, as her pupils shook within her eyes.
"I am damn well your enemy! I am going to KILL you Surprise, so get your weapon and fight back! You are a warlord, you aren't soft... you KILL just for fun! Why is this any different!"
"NO!" Surprise yelled making Pinkamena cock her head. "I am NOT going to fight you!"
Pinkamena opened her wings before creeping up on Surprise who flattened herself against the wall. "Only one of us is getting out of here alive... and it might as well be YOU! Do it Surprise... KILL ME!"
Surprise shook her head.
Pinkamena scorched her with flames, but they were not as hot as she would have thought they would be. Suddenly she was ripped up and slammed on the wall, as Pinkamena's claws suddenly appeared holding her neck in place. The cyborg gasped for air... as the demon panted, holding her firm and allowing her hooves to dangle below her.
"DO IT Surprise, I am right here! It's YOUR life or mine! I know you have one more kill left in you somewhere... do you truly want to die a coward's death to prove something so useless as pretending to care? You have never chosen another life over your own! Never! FIGHT BACK!"
Surprise shook her head refusing. "No! I'll die before I hurt you!"
Pinkamena's rage was growing as she tightened her grip on Surprise's neck. "I do not believe a WORD! What are you waiting FOR? Do it already! I know you're charging up a surprise attack or something! Just a little bit more pressure and I'll snap your neck! Do IT!"
"NO!"
"Are you stupid? YOU ARE GOING TO DIE right here right NOW! If you do not FIGHT BACK!"
"You can kill me Pinkamena... but I am never going to fight back! NEVER! I'll never hurt you! I am not your enemy! I'll never be! I owe you everything Pinkamena... even my life... so take it... if you hate me that much, if this will make you happy... go ahead... I won't stop you!"
Pinkamena's snarl relaxed, as her grip loosened. "Y...You really aren't going to kill me... are you?"
Surprise shook her head slowly and sincerely.
Pinkamena let her go, as she slowly walked back. Surprise coughed, gasping for air as she weakly trembled when holding her body weight up. The demon flattened her ears and painfully closed her eyes as she turned her back on Surprise and pressed her head gently on the cold cave wall across from the cyborg. When Surprise recovered, she looked at the un-moving demon silently crying across from her before finding the courage to approach her.
You aren't dangerous Mena... I knew what you were doing... you wanted me to kill you... I did not know if you were actually going to end my life, but I was not going to let you give into.... all this.
Surprise sat next to the demon, as she gently turned her head to see Pinkamena's tears sliding down the cave wall. Surprise used her telekinesis to turn the demon's weak head, as she held the Demi-God's soaked chin in her hooves. She was broken... defeated, mortally wounded where no pony could see her pain... but Surprise did.
"I... I can't fight anymore..." Pinkamena began, as Surprise put her hoof to the demon's lips.
"Then let me fight for you..." Surprise said, as she used the intact feathers of her wing to wipe away Pinkamena's tears. "Let me take care of you Mena.... or at least give me the chance to try."
Pinkamena pondered for a moment, looking into Surprise's raw and purple eyes before... she nodded.
The demon lifted her chin out of Surprise's hooves before giving her a blank stare. A numb one... like she couldn't feel anything at all anymore. The cyborg put out her hoof, before beckoning Pinkamena to do the same which the Demi-God wordlessly obeyed.
Surprise's throat tightened when seeing the nails again, but she quickly got to work pulling them out. She gently wrapped her teeth around the first nail, before tugging it out of Pinkamena's flesh. The demon flinched, but Surprise was gentle as she did the same to the second one. Pinkamena seemed nervous when Surprise touched the third, the nail must have been deep or an emotional scar was made from it. The cyborg put her hoof on the Demi-God's cheek with a smile, as the wounded mare looked deep in her eyes.
"I'm not going to hurt you." Surprise said softly, before leaning back down towards the hoof and pulling out the nail. Pinkamena lurched back with a hiss, as the opened wound started to bleed making Surprise jump into action. "Shh, shh! I'm sorry it was really deep!"
Pinkamena winced, her ears back before Surprise gently tugged the demon's hoof back into the open. Surprise couldn't help but start to cry when looking at the morbid wound that Pinkamena had made. Her teammate looked away, no emotion present as Surprise worked on getting every single nail out from under the mare's flesh. Pinkamena would sometimes scream, bare her fangs... even going so far as to lunging at her when she felt pain... but she always gave back her hoof even knowing that it would hurt.
When the pile of nails rested by Surprise's flank, she looked at the wet, shaking, and broken demon in front of her. Surprise had a lump in her throat, she had been through so many things... but never had something put her through so much pain and heartache as this. The cyborg crawled over to the demon, before placing her chin on top of her head and wrapping her wings around Pinkamena's sides. Her forelegs wrapped around Pinkamena's neck, gently pressing the Demi-God's back into her chest as she cried softly.
"Mena... I was so worried, I thought I was never... going to see you again! D...Do you have any idea h-how much you mean to me? How much I am changing because of you? Stop carrying this all by yourself, I...I'll take it all from you... I want... no... I need you to be happy! We need you here with us... you're a leader... my hero... you turned me into the pony I have always wanted to be... I can feel things now... care, fear, compassion, all for YOU!"
Pinkamena was unresponsive as she slowly lifted up her hooves and looked at the wounds.
Surprise squeezed the Demi-God tighter her tears absorbing into the silky mane of her teammate. "I may be more robot then pony, but I still bleed when I fall down. I understand pain Mena... I was taken apart piece by piece, and had to live as a monster my whole life. B...But this ... what you are going through... I know I can help with! You reminded me that it's not too late to change who you are... and it's not too late to turn something so hopeless into something worth fighting for! You are worth more to me than anything, I'll carry you wherever I have to until you are able to walk again... and even after! Please... your life is a gift to so many of us... without you... without.."
Surprise trembled unable to continue her words as her wings brushed against Pinkamena's sides. She could feel the demon's heartbeat even through her back as the organ hammered like a furious drum. The demon remained quiet, as Surprise gently rubbed the side of her muzzle on the Demi-God's neck.
I am giving her love, true sincere love... a feeling I thought I'd never experience. I want her to have all of it... every single inch that I can produce! Surprise rubbed her cheek against Pinkamena's their tears mixing, as the pegasus closed her eyes feeling the living warmth coming out of the demon's fur. It... feels good to give love... and she's letting me! Please keep taking it Pinkamena... I never... believed it... but they say that love is strong enough to overcome... anything...even this.
The demon's fur was so soft, but Surprise's didn't allow herself to get lost in confusion from all her mixed emotions. Pinkamena's head slowly turned giving her a milky stare, as Surprise cocked her chin to the side looking into the lost and emotionally unstable face of the one she cared so much for.
"You... need medical attention." Surprise said anxiously as she looked back at the demon's severely wounded hoof. Thank you for having trust in me Mena... but now... you have to be trustworthy... please don't make me have to chase you and cage you. "Pinkamena... I need you to listen to me."
The demon was still unresponsive as Surprise brought Pinkamena's head towards her eyes. The cyborg brushed the mane away from sticking on her cheeks, as the demon sniffed.
"I need you to promise me something... and I need you to mean it." Surprise began, as Pinkamena continued to look in her eyes without any readable expressions. "I need to tend to your wounds, so I am going to open up that cave... but I need you to promise not to run... because if you do, I am going to have to restrain you... and I do not want to do that... I really don't Mena... so please don't make me!"
Pinkamena blinked but said nothing.
Regardless I have to make sure there isn't rust in her bloodstream from those nails, and patch up her open wounds... so I am going to put my trust in you Mena... you can't escape me, I won't let you harm yourself! Surprise took a deep breath before her foreleg transformed into a gun. She shot one blast, before the plasma collided with the rocks and stone and bursting into pebbles as the outside was revealed. Please don't run... please don't run!
Pinkamena's wings twitched. Surprise held her breath, when watching her eyes absorb the moonlight from outside. The demon stared at the open vastness of the entrance, before turning to Surprise and growing still.
She's not going to run! She's not running! Surprise couldn't help but truly smile for the first time that night, as she hugged Pinkamena out of happiness! "T...Thank you for trusting me enough to listen." T his was progress... we are making progress through this! I knew you could do it Mena! I just knew it!
Surprise gently approached Pinkamena, before rubbing the top of her head under the demon's chin. She tensed up but allowed Surprise to lift her off the ground with her magic, before levitating her onto the cyborg's back. Surprise held her breath, wondering how she could react but was pleasantly calmed when the Demi-God's forelegs wrapped around her neck cozily securing her grip on the pegasus.
Pinkamena's back legs dangled, as Surprise slowly opened her wings being careful not to startle the demon in a fragile state. The cyborg caught the wind under her wings before gently lifting off into the sky, she didn't like the silence but she did not feel right trying to get words out of the mare. Surprise felt Pinkamena's hot breath against her fur, as she accelerated higher into the storm clouds to avoid the light rain pounding her face.
Once she was above the clouds, she could slowly see static buzzing under her which made a very calming light show. Pinkamena seemed to be staring off into the distance, deep in thought as the pegasus followed the map she had programmed into her brain. Core made notes of everywhere she had been, so she would never be lost trying to get somewhere she needed to go.
Surprise descended downwards until the cloudy ground of Cloudsdale territory could be seen, along with Pinkie Pie's cottage. The house morphed sensing it's master, as it transformed into Surprise's little hideout where she could tend to Pinkamena in privacy. She landed before entering the home, feeling Pinkamena's grip tighten as Surprise tucked her wings and went downstairs where she had many medical tools stored away.
Most of them were robot related, like multi-purpose aerospace scanners... which Surprise used to repair rockets, plasma guns, and many more. She gently lifted Pinkamena off of her back before sitting the demon on a flat table that slowly started to scan her vital signs, before giving a coded report on her overall health.
Hmmm.. she's infected from walking on open wounds, a slight beginning of tetanus and abdominal swelling from her near drowning experience. I am going to have to give her some shots to combat a few of these issues, before giving her some antibiotics so she does not get pneumonia.
A robotic arm responded to Surprise's wordless commands, as it slowly brought up a small gun with the muzzle coated with a halved blue and smooth sphere. My planet evolved way passed needles, good thing too.. I want this to be painless.
Surprised picked up the gun. "Mena... may I please see your chest please? This will not hurt a bit, I just have to make sure the water in your lungs goes away... okay?"
Pinkamena just stared at her, as Surprise moved closer to the demon before looking up to make sure she could continue. Surprise gently rubbed the tip of the gun over the skin, as the medicine soaked into the mare's pores before painlessly breaking through the skin and entering the bloodstream. When the tube filled with the right amount necessary for the treatment was empty, Surprise tossed the gun away as it absorbed into the floor.
Pinkamena seemed to take a deep breath and sigh. It must be working getting rid of the water, to where she can breathe well again. A small wheeled robot bumped into Surprise as it opened a hatch and revealed the next shot needed to help the Demi-God. Surprise took it out before looking at the silent mare staring at her with no emotions at all, before she put her forelegs on the table so she was eye level with Pinkamena.
"I need you to lay down, this will not hurt... it will just feel a little cold."
Surprise placed her hoof on Pinkamena's chest before putting a little pressure, as Pinkamena let herself go down. The cyborg lifted up the first hoof, before gulping at the infected and irritated wound. The jar of medicine the robot had retrieved would get rid of the infection, as well as clean out any diseases in the wound. Surprise dipped her hoof in the glowing purple goo, before picking up the demon's hoof and slathering the goop all over her injured limb.
Pinkamena tensed up as Surprise gently rubbed her hoof in circles to get the medicine deep within the open puncture wounds. The mare seemed to relax, as the pegasus continued to do this on every single hoof until she let the goo do what it was made to do. Pinkamena's eyes were slowly blinking, which Surprise could assume meant she was drowsy... the medicine often released melatonin to get the body to sleep so it could help repair itself.
"Core take us to bedroom B2," Surprise commanded as her house lit up flashing when addressed. Pinkamena jumped, looking around frantically as Surprise zoomed over to calm her. "It's okay, it's okay! My AI is installed in this house... it will help keep us safe... and I will program it to respond to your voice as well. So if you need anything just ask me or Core.. we will take care of you."
Pinkamena relaxed as a gentle glitch caused them to warp into another room. The demon was placed directly onto a comfortable bed, as Surprise appeared in front of her on the floor. She watched as Pinkamena tucked her wings across her sides and curled up into a ball, before staring directly in front of her at the wall. She's still not okay... this is awful... I know she does not like snuggling... but.. I don't think she wants to be alone.
Surprise lowered herself to the ground as she approached Pinkamena scared of how she might react. "Mena... d...do you mind if I stay with you for the night? P...Please?"
This might be selfish of me... but I really need to be around her... to make sure I am there if anything goes wrong. She's in such bad shape... it physically hurts me to watch her go through this, and I'll do anything to make her happy again.
Surprise put her forelegs on the side of the bed, as Pinkamena stared right through her. The cyborg didn't even know if the demon noticed her climbing the bed, as she laid on her side and met the Demi-God's eyes. They stared at each other for a few moments, as Surprise held her breath for the millionth time during this... hoping Pinkamena would allow her to soothe her through the night. You don't have to be alone Mena... I won't let you be alone... at least not tonight.
Pinkamena blinked, before picking herself up. Surprise didn't know what to do, and started to panic. Is she going to run away? No... NO, just give me a chance I promise I'll-
Pinkamena scooted closer before landing back onto the bed and snuggling her face in Surprise's chest. The cyborg was flabbergasted by this move, nearly growing as stiff as a metal rod before her body relaxed when feeling Pinkamena grow still. Surprise wrapped her forelegs around Pinkamena's neck in a gentle embrace before covering the sleeping demon with her soft wing. She rested her chin on the top of the Demi-God's silky mane, before letting relieved and happy tears fall down her face.
Surprise covered them with blankets, before snuggling herself back in position with Pinkamena. The cyborg hugged her tight, crying silently as she felt the demon tremble under her wing. She was in so much pain internally and externally, and Surprise had no idea why! The book had said this could be caused by several things, but Pinkamena seemed too prideful to talk about them... perhaps Surprise could change that.
Pinkamena's breath blew on Surprise's chest as her wing gently brushed against the side of the demon's head. She was careful not to rest her wing on the Demi-God but instead slightly hover it, so it would warm her but not smother her and make it harder for her to breathe.
Surprise picked up her wing just slightly so she could look at her teammate's face. Her eyes were closed in a calm sort a serenity, carefully tucked into the cyborg's chest. Surprise's heart skipped a beat, before she lowered her wing and breathed in Pinkamena's scent. Yeppie yep... I am severely attached to her... like... way more than a pony should be... but I don't mind... I like it! You know what Mena? I never had a purpose that meant something to me before... but seeing you right now... needing so much help, I feel like I am the only one that could actually... help you.
Surprise smiled softly. So I am going to do just that... I don't want to be who I was... I like giving love... and hopefully one day I will receive it. I w... want to spend everyday I can with you making you happy... I don't know how I am going to do it... but I will. I'll get you to tell me why you are so upset, and... and... one day... I'll make you want to live.
The pegasus nodded to herself in agreement. Mhmm.. that's my purpose! That's what I want... that's what I need! I need to help you Pinkamena... you don't have to fight this war alone! Surprise closed her eyes in happiness knowing with her around... she could keep the Demi-God safe. Don't worry Mena... I'll figure this out... you're all I have... and I'll be by your side no matter what.
View Online
The Strongest Element of All (Gen Five)
Just a Trio of Pinkie Pies... Nothing to See Here! Move Along!
Surprise was seriously bothering Pinkamena in this point and time, always trying to snuggle her or talk to her... it was just as terrible as it sounded! She was currently playing "fetch" with her by throwing a stick and hoping she would get lost every time she threw it. With her godly strength the stick was thrown miles and miles away, but as soon as the stick left her hoof Surprise was gone in a cloud of dust! The little bugger kept retrieving it in less then a minute, easily tearing up the distances as if it were a five minute morning jog!
"Here she comes again, how... how does she keep coming back so fast?" Pinkamena winced, as soon as Surprise dropped the stick by her hooves.
"Oooo, I am so, so, so glad you are playing this with me Pinkamena! For a second there I thought you were just trying to get rid of me, but that would be silly... because friends play fun games with each other not run away from them! Friends love having fun, and you are my bestest, most amazing- oooo, there goes the stick again! I'll get IT!"
Zip!
Surprise was gone like roadrunner, easily chasing after the flying stick in a whirlwind of dust.
"I think I have been throwing so hard my shoulder is getting sore, how much longer until we are back to your friends? I think I am getting a migraine from a certain pegasus-"
Pinkamena was stopped as a wing was spread around her shoulders, as she very intensely and deeply growled at Surprise. The yellow-maned figment of lightning itself snorted, "You have a migraine? Wowie those don't feel good at all! here open up, I got ya something!"
Surprise lifted Pinkamena's lip as the Demi-God kept her jaws wired shut. Pinkie Pie could sense the demon's patience growing thin, and literally saw her mane sizzling with green fire! "S-Surprise, perhaps you should leave her alone for just a teensy bit.."
"Nonsense Pinkie! When my friend is in need, there her hero Surprise shall be!" Surprise sang, as she dug through her mane and rattled a bottle before popping a glowing purple pill in her hoof. Pinkamena resisted when she drew her medicine to her, keeping her mouth sealed as Surprise frowned. "Come on Pinkameanie, don't you wanna get better?"
"Not if you're the doctor!" Pinkamena spat. She made a mistake opening her mouth, for the gleam in Surprise's eyes made her regret her salty comment. Surprise shoved the pill in her mouth, and before she could spit it out she slapped her back making her swallow! Pinkamena tried to cough the pill back up her esophagus but failed miserably as she glowered at Surprise who just remained still with a massive smile on her face.
"It is really strong medicine! Super techy and stuff, it shoulda kicked in a few seconds ago!" Surprise said with a leap towards Pinkamena looking at her figure. "You feeling good yet? Huh... Huh? Oh, I am so impatient, I'll stop talking it will work in seconds..... okay I cannot wait anymore, WORK!"
Surprise shook Pinkamena's head, but before she could slap her aside with her wings... something felt wrong. Her cheeks drooped, along with her wings as she collapsed onto the ground.
"Surprise! What did you give her!" Pinkie Pie gasped loudly, as she approached Pinkamena who had her tongue sticking out.
"Silly filly, you can't pretend to nap right now your eyes are open! Hehe, you cannot fool the master at pretending to be napping!" Surprise laughed before bouncing in front of Pinkamena's unmoving muzzle.
Pinkie Pie lifted Pinkamena's head only to see her giving a blank stare. "Pinkamena, what's happening? Do you need me to take you to a hospital? P-Please answer me... I-I had no idea Surprise would give you something bad!"
Pinkamena's pupils were dilated, and her body limp as she opened her mouth to say something. ""When I die don't wrap me up like a burrito. I don't want to die a burrito."
Pinkie Pie blinked. "What..?"
Surprise snorted. "Duh, she doesn't want to be a mummy when she dies. How did you not understand that you ding-dong! Haha! You are a reaaaaally deep thinker Pinkamena, I don't think I wanna be a burrito either!"
Pinkie Pie was holding the entire weight of Pinkamena's chin in her hooves as she nuzzled her nose carefully. "She is really out of it Surprise, what did you give her?"
"She seems normal to me!" Surprise chirped. The white pegasus saw Pinkie Pie's worried look and stopped bouncing before answering her question. "I gave her some painkillers, they work super well! They were from my super secret stash in my super secret hiding place in my mane! Oops, I-I mean not in my mane... you didn't see ANYTHING!"
Pinkie Pie saw the cold sweat on her forehead before staring deeply into the mare's eyes. "S-Surprise I think she isn't okay... tell me more about the medicine you gave her please!"
"Okie dokie! Well, I was given some weird lookin pills a while back, something about needing painkillers when my head gets all wonky! So I was supposed to take some when my thinky thinks aren't functioning correctly... around seven hundred milligrams I think, I am a little fuzzy on that."
Pinkie Pie swallowed. "I dunno for sure, but that sounds awfully high for a prescription Surprise!"
"Not as high as Pinkamena is right now!" Surprise giggled as she pointed.
Pinkamena was chewing on Pinkie Pie's ear, as she mumbled words. "If you come out of the shower clean... why does your towel get dirty?"
"That's a goooooood point!" Surprise said as she tapped her chin. "Also if you drop the soap from your shower on the ground... is the ground clean or the soap dirty?"
Pinkie Pie was extremely confused but decided not to question it. "I don't think she can walk with us to the hospital where my friends are... so I am going to carry her there and get a doctor to look at her."
Surprise bumped Pinkie Pie out of the way before hauling Pinkamena on her back and snuggling within her flat mane. "I'll do it! Ooo, Pinkamena you smell like cinnamon! Like a big warm cinnamon roll on my back.. this is fun, yay!"
The pegasus clopped her hooves excitedly before Pinkamena mumbled again. "We're all going to die a slow painful death and be nothing but plant food."
"I won't let anything happen to you Pinkamena, don't you worry your pretty little head about being silly ol' plant food!" Surprise said gleefully as she let the Demi-God's hooves dangle down her sides.
Pinkamena sputtered nonsense for about the whole rest of the trip until they reached Canterlot. They snuck through the town square even though Surprise was giggling and snorting every time Pinkamena shifted. The pegasus that happened to be the leader of the bunch led the way, before marking a path inside the hospital with Surprise somehow bouncing along even with the extra weight!
Pinkie Pie turned to see Surprise happily leaping behind her while making a comfortable and warm face while gazing at the drooling Pinkamena. Pinkie decided to check up on her before they went in. "Hey Pinkamena, are you doing okay? Please... Please tell me you are doing okay... I-I am so sorry for this!"
Pinkamena lifted her head with a far off look. "Cupcakes are muffins with frosting."
Pinkie Pie gasped. "No they are NOT, they are two completely different things!"
"I mean she does have a bit of a point, even though they are both yummy yum!" Surprise said.
Pinkie Pie shook her head with a stomp of her hoof. "No, no, no, NO, they aren't! See muffins have a domed top... and cupcakes have a flat top for icing... they are different!"
Surprise bounced. "But... if one were to put icing on a muffin BOOM ya got a cupcake! Wow, Mena... I didn't even realize this until exactly two minutes and three seconds ago! Wowie yeeeee!"
"B-But NO, this... this isn't fair they are different!" Pinkie Pie whined.
"I just learned that life isn't very fair, not to me or any pony really, it's bumming me out!" Surprise responded.
"-If life is not fair to every pony doesn't that make life fair?" Pinkamena mumbled.
Pinkie Pie swallowed hard. "We need to get her to a doctor. I think she might have brain damage!"
"I dunno, she doesn't seem out of it anymore... just really, really, smart! Woo!"
Surprise started making siren noises as she knocked on Pinkamena's limp head. The Demi-God almost fell off of her back, only to be re-shifted to where she was secure again. The white pegasus whistled happily, before tapping on Pinkie Pie's shoulder.
"Umm I don't remember or not, my mind is kinda all over the place all the time. Buuuuut, why would we need a plain old doctor when you can heal?"
Pinkie Pie's brain lit up with realization as she whipped around to see Surprise looking at her with an innocent smile. She zoomed over to the mumbling Pinkamena, before brushing her mane from her forehead and tipping up her chin only to see a misty gaze meet her own. Pinkie Pie brought her hoof to Pinkamena's forehead before letting the God Aries and his power run throughout her veins illuminating streaks in the fur across Pinkamena's body.
They were hidden behind a shop within Canterlot, as the mare under Pinkamena gently nudged her cheek. Pinkie Pie focused, feeling very little resistance as her power regained Pinkamena's original state of mind and her eyes began to become sharp again. Pinkamena quickly screamed when she saw Surprise's wide smile and feathers warming her flank as she leapt off of her back and shielded herself with her wings.
Surprise threw her forelegs around Pinkamena, "Wowie good job Pinkie! She looks as goodie as a cookie! Yum, yum!"
Pinkamena threw Surprise away from her. "Keep that DEMON away from ME!"
Surprise cocked her head with an oblivious smile. "Demon? Silly filly, I am a pegasus you are the demon, goofball! But, I would totally become a demon like you if I could!"
"I thought I was a demon until I met YOU!" Pinkamena screeched as the pegasus tackled her in a hug.
Pinkie Pie smiled. "Aw Pinkamena, can't you see she just wants to make you happy?"
"She DRUGGED ME!"
Pinkie Pie flinched. "Well.. she was trying to help-"
"SHE CUT off my LEG Pinkie Pie!"
Pinkie Pie bit her lip as she saw Pinkamena struggling to pry the constricting-like grip Surprise had on her body. They would have to establish some ground rules... to make Pinkamena happy. It was clear Surprise did more harm than good... when she tried to help, she only made things worse. Wait! Where has she heard that before?
Her friends! Sheesh, she really could get distracted really fast!
"I've got to get in there and heal my friends without getting caught, but... I don't know how!" Pinkie Pie whimpered motioning towards the hospital towering over the citizens strolling in the sunset.
"OOOO, you need to break in? I gotcha covered, it will be easy-peasy with my cloaking ability! Dogpile!" Surprise shouted, bouncing on a protesting Pinkamena and tackling her in a hug before clicking her tongue. "Abracadabra... erm.. hocus pocus... umm.. kazoot? No that's not it... oh yeah! SURPRISE!"
With a cloud of confetti, Pinkamena and Surprise were gone, but the noises of Pinkamena's angry shouts were not. "Surprise, that better not be you breathing down my spine get off!"
There was a fumble, but Pinkie Pie was in awe! She couldn't see them at all! "Where are you guys? I can't see a thing!"
She felt something invisible knock their hoof against her head. "I am right here, get this parasite off of me... she won't let GO!"
"Well duh! Don't you know anything about spectrum visibility? I have chromatophores that were artificially implanted into my genome! Orrrr.. in better terms I am 3.2345% cuttlefish, which gives me the ability to change my cells into a more.. umm, well clear-ie sorta color." Surprise chuckled before continuing. "-But Mena, if I let go of you... I cannot artificially create the same effect for you! That's why I am cuddling you... because y'know... CUTTLE get it... a cuttlefish, aha!"
"So to make sense of that whole speech, you aren't letting go are you?" Pinkamena mumbled.
"No way! You are really warm anyways!"
Pinkie Pie reached out towards Pinkamena where she thought she was. "Woah!"
Her body pixelated when she touched something silky. Her hoof ran through Pinkamena's mane before zapping her into an invisible phantom alongside the others. She couldn't see anything, as Pinkamena hooked her hooves around Pinkie Pie's neck allowing the power to be shared as Surprise did the same to her.
"Okay like a pony centipede I am going to take the lead, and you all follow the leader! Every pony don't let go of each other hold hooves like a silly filly, and we should sneak right on by!" Surprise said happily. "Okay, Pinkamena I am going to hold your hoof gimmie it-"
"OUCH, did you just bite me!? That was not even my hoof that was near my tail!"
"Oopsie, I was hoping you wouldn't notice... you just smell like a cinnamon roll, I got hungry."
"Can... we please focus, my friends are really hurt." Pinkie Pie said quietly.
"Your friends can WAIT, Surprise just tried to take a chunk out of my back!" Pinkamena shouted.
"I-I am sorry... I'll kiss it and make it better! Come here! I promise I will heal it!"
"GET away FROM ME! I swear Pinkie Pie, I am about to LOSE my marbles with her!"
With Pinkamena's constant insults that she mumbled under her breath, the group was able to move as one into the hospital without being noticed. It was spacious, with a desk to check in and a hallway that took you deep into the center of the recovery wing. Pinkamena caught the room numbers from a nurse whispering about the "injured" patients that didn't look to be doing too well. So with Surprise leading the way and many unexpected bumps into doctors who started to think they were crazy, they eventually made it into a hallway with very, very, injured patients.
To Pinkie Pie it looked really scary, the lights were dim... blinking at random times, while shadows covered the empty hallway they walked in. Some nurses strolled throughout the wing, their hooves clopping behind them as the group made sure not to attract any attention with their own.
When the hall was clear, Surprise let go of Pinkamena, and her form was back to normal. The cloaking faded off of the pegasus as well as Pinkie Pie before they stood in front of a slab of glass showing five ponies wrapped up tight in bandages. Doctors tended to them hurriedly, as tools and scattered dirty bandages were disposed of in a timely and cleanly manner. The glass was large and stretched out to where doctors could stand by and view the ponies while thinking up of ways to speed up their process.
Pinkie Pie crouched. "We need a distraction to get the nurses out of that room... if we get caught back here there will be some questions asked... and I've already messed up a lot already!"
"Oo? A distraction you say? Alrighty, tighty! One distraction comin right up!" Surprise cheesed before her foreleg extended outwards into a pixilated rocket. She had a devious glint in her eye, as her robotic transformation clicked and beamed a red light towards the end of the hall.
"Surprise NO!" Pinkamena yelled worriedly.
Surprise grinned. "FIRE!"
Pinkie Pie's heart jumped out of her chest as a silent rocket was shot out towards the hallway and controlled by Surprise's wordless commands. The weapon collided with something farther away, as a giant explosion shook the building causing chunks of the ceiling to fall down. The fire alarms were screaming, as panicked yells and shrieks started to fill the ears of the mares.
"Surprise... what the HECK did you DO?" Pinkamena shouted.
"Surprise! W-We might have really hurt some pony, now we have to go and make sure they are okay!" Pinkie Pie said nervously chewing on her hoof.
"Relaaaaax, you wanted a distraction, and I delivered, duh! Don't worry your little manes about the casualties, I used non-lethal gas! They will be okay, just really woozy when they wake up hee-hee!"
Like Surprise predicted the nurses ran to the panicked yells, abandoning the injured ponies in the room because they wanted to reach the disaster. Pinkamena shoved Surprise angrily as the group snuck into the unlocked door when the nurses were too distracted to lock it behind them. Surprise bounced into the doorway smacking her head on the top and crying out in pain as Pinkamena slipped in behind her.
The heart monitors were plugged in, with the ponies in their beds breathing softly. Pinkie Pie would quickly use her magic to heal them, and then slip out as fast as she could before they spotted her! She didn't want to argue with them, or be around when they decide to talk about her again... it hurt too much! She swallowed hard, as she tucked her worries and anxiety back into the depths that it crawled up from as she looked up to see Pinkamena staring at her.
"You seem nervous, what's wrong?"
Pinkie Pie sighed. "This is my fault, I should have stayed by my friends... but I was so upset with them wanting to kick me off the team.. I kind of left them when they needed me the most."
Pinkamena's ears flattened. "Ah, not on good terms with them are you?" Pinkie Pie shook her head before she felt something wrap itself around her shoulders. She looked up to see Pinkamena's toothy grin. "I don't know your story or how strong your friendship was originally but they seem awful for wanting to kick you out, so if I were you, I would give them whatever space they wanted, so they realize that without you... they end up like this."
Pinkamena motioned towards the wounded Elements of Harmony.
"Yeah.. but I couldn't have helped them even if I was there with them when it all happened. I am useless, j-just like they said... no wonder they want to kick me off." Pinkie Pie choked, feeling the tears start to overwhelm her eyes.
"If Athena personally asked you to form a team, and brought you together with the two most powerful ponies in the universe... you are far from useless. I remember you saying your tree was in trouble, and guess who is destined to save your entire planet? If you don't get who I am talking about, it's you Pinkie Pie.. well you, me, and that crazy mare over there." Pinkamena said giggling when she flicked her head over to Surprise.
"I found out how to unplug the heart monitor! Yowza, this thing is older than the Gods!"
"Plug it back in! What the heck is wrong with you?!" Pinkamena growled.
"Ooo lookie Mena, a tube connected under their skin! I wonder what happens if I yank it, do you think it will pop like a confetti popper?"
"Don't touch the IV! Ugh... Pinkie Pie, please heal your friends quickly before she kills a pony!"
Pinkie Pie nodded before focusing her power into her hooves. Golden light surrounded the room, before flowing into the bodies of each pony resting on their beds. Surprise stopped chewing on Rarity's hoof, as Pinkamena loosened her hold on the pegasus's mane and watched the glowing orbs of light swirl around them like fireflies. Surprise tried to catch one in her mouth, as Pinkie Pie let her magic heal the wounds of her friends.
"Woah... that's some powerful stuff right there, the stab wounds are closing up!" Pinkamena said as she watched their scratches and wounds disappear from sight!
Pinkie Pie ceased when she saw Twilight shift and mumble, before whispering to herself. "Thank... goodness they are alright!"
Suddenly Rainbow Dash popped up with a shriek!
Pop!
With Pinkie Pie's cry of alarm, her and her team were sucked up into a ball of magic and shot across space to be dropped into another realm. They all cried out in pain when they landed on top of each other and fumbled on the thickened clouds making the ground of Cloudsdale. Surprise wheezed as Pinkamena's hoof pressed against her soft tummy, and her weight doubled by Pinkie Pie balancing on her back.
"D-Did we just teleport?" Pinkamena asked.
"Wasn't me... I don't know this world yet, I kinda can't teleport around until I know the dynamics of how this universe works." Surprised said.
"Yeah me too... I don't have the ability to teleport in this realm, my Black Magic has been going haywire for a while."
Pinkie Pie felt something stirring within her. Did I actually just teleport myself out of there when Dashie screamed? Her magic must have sensed her fear and zapped her to a place she felt safe.. which was...
She looked up and saw a small cottage.. her cottage. It was now night, and on the outskirts of Cloudsdale in a comfortable spot among the peaceful clouds. Most ponies would think an outgoing party planner like her would want to live in the city, but she eventually got so tired of ponies laughing at her for the wrong reasons. So she decided to live alone in solitude, hoping that time by herself would give her time to lick her wounds but it never did.
She was not very wealthy, being a baker in a small shop didn't pay a lot... but she was happy with it. Her cottage was two floors, with a few rooms and two bathrooms she got it cheaper since it was so far away from the city. The cottage was made up of clouds, with little fountains and a little tower on top that she could sit in and watch the stars.
It was home to her, and even though pegasi had larger homes because of their status, she didn't mind having this as the place she rested her head.
"Wow is this your place Pinkie Pie? It's adorable, it looks like a big fluffy home of cotton candy!" Surprise giggled, while Pinkamena approached the gate.
The Demi-God shook the sturdy wood marking off the yard. "Why do you have a fence, pegasi have wings... what idiot built this, it's like having a magazine in a school for the blind! Both pretty friggin pointless."
Pinkie Pie pawed at the clouds, as Surprise tried to eat one of the clouds making up the walls. She was lonely out here, even though she did it to herself... these ponies that are on her team accepted her, and the only ones that have thus far. Pinkamena seemed super friendly towards her, even though they have never met before... she had said something about having a Pinkie Pie in her world, perhaps they were friends?
Surprise was strange, hyper and a bit over the top kind of like how she was herself... but more. She was not yet sure about the other pegasus in the group but seemed to be accepting enough to where she didn't mind Pinkie Pie's company.
Pinkie Pie put on a smile. "Hey Pinkamena, Surprise. Do you all want to have a sleepover?"
Surprise's eyes bulged. "Well DUH, who wouldn't want to have a super funerific sleepover? What kind of silly question is that? We can all tell scary stories, snuggle, and... and... I actually have never been to a sleepover now that I think about it."
"I wonder why." Pinkamena spat.
"R-Really?" Pinkie Pie asked. No pony has been so happy to spend the night at her house, even if she begged and begged for weeks they were always busy with something or other or tried to avoid the question! "I am so nervous-cited, I-I haven't had a sleepover since I was a filly! Come on every pony!"
Her heart was filled with warm fuzzies, knowing that she had befriended such nice ponies! They were so accepting and kind to her, she didn't get it... for a warlord and a Demi-God from other universes, it was like they were always meant to meet. They got along, well... Pinkie Pie and Pinkamena, not really Pinkamena and Surprise... she would have to work extra hard so they would start to like each other! This was a friend circle, after all, and a true friend circle she was going to keep going until the end of time!
They entered the cottage and immediately Pinkamena threw herself on the couch and stretched. "Clouds are totally the way to go when one wants to relax.. ah."
"Scooch over Mena, I wanna snuggle too!" Surprise yelled before throwing herself on the couch making Pinkamena's spine crack. "You are reaaaally bony for a demon tee-hee, but I'll manage! This is fun... I like sleepovers a whole lot!"
Pinkamena vanished before reappearing next to Pinkie Pie who was pulling out snacks for them all, as Surprise whined about the demon leaving. Pinkie Pie had a hoof-full of snacks, before scattering them on the soft cloud flooring and bouncing on the fluff before settling down in her living room.
"What do you girls want for dinner? I can whip something up yummy pretty fast, or I can run to the store and get whatever you want! Your choice!" Pinkie Pie asked as Pinkamena laughed loudly.
"First rule of sleepovers, you don't COOK okay? That's like really lame, even though I know you are a good cook without even needing to taste anything. This is supposed to be FUN, we are ordering pizza." Pinkamena declared, before crossing her forelegs over her chest. "-I really hope your dimension has pizza because ours did not, and it sucked, I got addicted when I visited the human world."
"Of course they have pizza Mena, jee-whizz how primitive was your world?" Surprise said, rolling on her back and looking at them upside down. "You all have phones right? You know beep-boop, swoosh, EMAIL!"
Pinkie Pie shook her head. "We have enchanted paper that knows where to go when we start writing on it. If I were to write my order on the paper, it will appear in the shop, and some pony will deliver it to us!"
"OOO, I wanna do it! Where is it, where is the magical paper?? I want to write the order, me, me, me, pick me!" Surprise begged holding her forelimb into the air and waving it.
"Ow, alright Surprise sheesh! I didn't want to do it anyways, just let her Pinkie Pie.. please!" Pinkamena whispered, holding her ears as Surprise whimpered.
"Sure Surprise, what kind of topping would you like Pinka?" Pinkie Pie asked.
Pinkamena's ears flicked at the nickname but decided to allow it. "Extra cheese and anchovies."
Pinkie Pie's mouth dropped open. "W-wait you aren't a vegetarian? You eat meat?"
She nodded. "Yeah, so? I am a demon, and here you are worried about me eating a few fish. I can literally suck souls out of bodies, and bring back the dead... but NO, let's focus on the fact that Pinkamena wants anchovies on her pizza!"
"-And extra cheese!" Surprise added from the kitchen as she scribbled something down.
"Well, I guess I will take mine with green peppers and tomatoes." Pinkie Pie said.
"Green peppers and tomatoes gotcha covered, friend!" Surprise confirmed.
"So Pinkamena," Pinkie Pie said as the demon hummed and gave her an attentive gaze. "You mention about being the daughter of Lucifer and a Demi-God, you must have a really cool backstory!"
Pinkamena rubbed her hoof on her chest before looking at it. "I might, were you interested in hearing it?"
Pinkie Pie squealed before piling up a few clouds to form a pillow under her chin, as Pinkamena chuckled. Surprise suddenly appeared next to Pinkie Pie and snuggled with her, as they silenced themselves for Pinkamena's epic adventures.
"Well, it all began two thousand years ago in my world, with my kingdom Everglade. I was the most attractive and beautiful mare in the kingdom all the stallions fought over me daily... I mean like why wouldn't they, I am a freaking work of art." Pinkamena gloated, giving them a dashing smile as she spread her wings.
Surprise seemed intrigued until her AI decided to add something. Target being deceitful.
Pinkamena gave her a glare before Surprise shrunk under her gaze and apologized. She continued, "I was the princess of this kingdom, the most beautiful and elegant mare any earth pony ever laid eyes on. Now, since I am naturally a lust magnet and no stallion deserves me-"
Target still remains deceitful, epinephrine rising, hostility increased.
"SHUT it off Surprise, before I rip it out of your body!" Pinkamena thundered.
"I-I can't control it... I-I am sorry, it just does this when it senses something wrong... like lies!"
"I am not lying! You know what, whatever we need to get to the cool part anyways!" Pinkamena said ignoring Surprise as Pinkie Pie leaned in to listen more intensely as the demon continued. "My father made a deal with Lucifer to have an heir to carry on Everglade's legacy, and that's when I was born. Without knowing I was Lucifer's child, and in no way attached to my father in the slightest... I tried to learn Black Magic for it was what my kingdom thrived on."
"What is Black Magic?" Pinkie Pie asked.
Pinkamena explained. "Black Magic is considered a forbidden and evil magic for how much damage it could do on others and the user. My kingdom was the only place that learned how to focus it without the negative effects, but Celestia in my world felt it was dangerous and had my village destroyed... I... I was the only one left."
Pinkamena seemed to be struggling with the memory, but she swallowed it not daring to go back down that path.
"I gave away the life of a mortal and became immortal, so I could beat Celestia. She defeated me with the Elements of Harmony, and I was thrown into a dungeon under the earth for two thousand years! My adopted sisters found me one day on their rock farm and dug into my prison after the magic wore off keeping me sealed. I created Pinkie Pie so she would be connected to the Elements of Harmony and they would no longer be able to be used against me, sealing myself within her mind."
"W-Wait... you created me..? In another world?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Yes... I was cruel and rude to her for years, breaking apart her friends, tearing down her walls to force her to break so I could take over the body one day. But... on one day, she befriended me... and I followed another path, wanting to protect her instead of using her to get my revenge. I went into war with the corrupted Celestia and the Tree of Harmony, I won... and months passed until Lucifer tried to escape the underworld using an old legend."
"You kicked his big meanie butt right?" Surprise cheered.
"Well yeah... but I died, and Pinkie Pie brought me back to life with something called ambrosia, and it's wicked awesome! Just don't drink it unless you are a Demi-God and surprisingly that's how I found out I was half God aha!"
"You're soooo cool," Surprise said before hugging her foreleg. She rubbed her cheek against her shoulder before Pinkamena shook her off.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, making Surprise jump up and answer it without any hesitation. "Pizza is here, ooo it smells soooo good!"
Pinkamena shrugged. "I guess we can eat now, I was done anyways."
"Here just take this solid gold bar to pay for it and keep the change, here is a plasma gun for your tip... don't shoot it around other pegasi unless you want them to fly up and never come back hee-hee! Byyyyye!" Surprise shut the door on the poor delivery stallion with his new weapon and one-kilo gold bar that was flabbergasted.
Surprise scattered the boxes on the ground and allowed her friends to dig in. Pinkamena grabbed a slice with her magic before stuffing the entire thing in her mouth and hiding her face in embarrassment once she realized how weird that looked. Surprise noticed, and decided to do the same thing but instead did it with two, making a mess but causing the rest of them to laugh as she tried to talk with her mouth full.
"Hey Pinkie Pie, what's your story? I am kind of dying to know." Pinkamena asked the pink pegasus.
"Well, there isn't really much to tell. My parents didn't like my dreams and goals and sent me to a military boarding school where I met Dashie. She was what every pegasus wanted in a daughter, strong, fearless, powerful wings, and a drive to succeed no matter what! I was a little bit of a softie, scared of all the training and the rules and the seriousness of it all. I tried to make ponies laugh at the wrong times, making my drill sergeant pretty fed up with my behavior!"
"How old were you when they sent you off?" Pinkamena wondered.
"I was just a teenager around sixteen, but they never took it easy on us even at a young age! We had icky punishments, like cleaning the entire bathroom with a toothbrush! Not just that, we had to sleep in the woods alone if we did something to mess up the flight sequences! They yelled at me a lot, I got punished a lot... I cried in my room alone, just wanting to go home... it just wasn't for me."
"Did you not have any friends? That seems lonely." Surprised whimpered.
"No... Dashie was my only friend, but even she didn't want to hang out with me. She occasionally would come over and make sure I was okay, but then go right back to leading the pack. I can't blame her, she comes from a family that is really strict, so I never did anything that might have slowed her down. But eventually I got kicked out, being called a lost cause and my family refused to let me come home, so I got a job and moved out here..."
Pinkamena slowly chewed as she looked around the cottage. "I think for a pegasus that chose a different lifestyle, you are doing great! It is okay not to want to do something that is standardized by society, even though the path is lonely and hard you deserve to live your life the way you want to."
Surprise was sniffing at Pinkamena's pizza, "Can... I try a bite?"
Pinkie Pie giggled. "Yuck, you want to eat a fish pizza?"
"Mena seems to really, really, like it! So I wanna try it!"
Pinkamena gave her an odd look, as Surprise stared at her while panting with her tongue out. The Demi-God slowly brought over her hoof and offered the half-eaten slice, which the pegasus gobbled up without question. While Surprise was favoring the newly tried pizza, Pinkie Pie decided to continue chatting with Pinkamena because it was just so nice to have ponies to talk with!
"So who is Lucifer, if you do not mind me asking." Pinkie Pie asked.
Pinkamena brushed off pieces of crumbs from Surprise eating the rest of the anchovy pizza which must have meant she liked it... oddly. "Lucifer is another name for Satan, which Christianity believes punishes those who are evil-hearted in a place called hell. Basically, the underworld manages all souls, but Lucifer is not the one who sits on top of the throne. He is like a regal God, but more like a co-ruler alongside Hades. So I guess that makes me the Anti-Christ according to the churches in the human world, heh... their faces were priceless."
"Whaths the Anti-Christh?" Surprise said through messy chews.
"Well anti means opposed to, so it means I am the opposite of Christ. He is this icon that apparently came inside a virgin's body and stuff."
Surprise swallowed. "Ooo, I came inside a virgin's body too! Right in there, kapow!"
Pinkamena's mouth dropped open, as Surprise blinked innocently and began to eat a few marshmallows from the snack pile. Pinkie Pie shook Pinkamena's shoulders but the mare didn't move, just sat there agape as Surprise looked up and noticed her gawking expression.
"What..?" Surprise asked.
"Y-You... are a mare... how... what?" Came Pinkamena's reply.
"What do you mean how? I was artificially planted inside my mother, who never even came in contact with a stallion. What did you think I was talking about, silly? We are talking about artificial and magical pregnancies, right?"
Pinkie Pie then giggled. "Yeah Pinka, that is like the story of Christ! What were you saying about a mare? Why are you so shocked?"
"That's what I want to know! We were just talking about coming in mares." Surprise said innocently.
The mad blush across Pinkamena's cheeks was quickly hidden by her mane. "Please... please stop saying it like that."
Pinkamena was chuckling a bit as she rubbed the redness from her face. Surprise threw a marshmallow playfully at Pinkie Pie, before doing the same to Pinkamena. She continued doing this with a happy fit of laughter until Pinkamena got annoyed and slammed a pillow into Surprise's head with her magic.
"Well, I guess that leaves Surprise, what is your story?" Pinkie Pie asked the smothered pegasus, as Pinkamena allowed her to breathe by levitating the pillow off her muzzle.
"You want me to tell you my story? Are ya, sure?" Surprise asked. Pinkie Pie nodded happily before the warlord simply shrugged and smiled. "Okie dokie, but I must warn you that my tale isn't as fuzzy and warm as you may think."
Pinkamena sighed loudly. "We all have sad stories, yours isn't any different!"
Surprise suddenly went quiet, before resting on her back and staring at the ceiling. She was still for a while, making Pinkie Pie grow a little worried for she hadn't ever been so silent the entire time she knew her!
Surprise began her story. "My planet was a real stinker and not a nice paradise like ponies dreamed the future to be. We were out of natural resources after a solar flare burned everything away, nothing green grew and water dried up. With our technology ponies survived, but the planet was overpopulated and couldn't share enough of the remaining resources. Nations far and wide started to become real meanies, and eventually started fighting over what was left."
Surprise flinched as something beeped within her body. Psychological mentality state decreasing.
She ignored her AI. "One day a big meanie, meanie pants named Vycter Blackheart decided to use his weapons of mass destruction to destroy the nations. H-He booted them all up because he is a nasty party pooper, but the nations stopped him before he could send them off. I don't remember very well because my mind is all fuzzy wuzzy on it, but when he was defeated the legend says his power came from a God. He was given an army, and with that army, he took over everything!"
Warning, Subject Annihilation Gen-1 2.0 going rogue. Process of overwrite 15% Surprise seemed to be too deep in a flashback to notice something stirring in her left eye.
"S-Surprise?" Pinkie Pie asked as energy sparked around the cyborg's head.
Surprise's tone suddenly didn't seem very silly anymore. "-Blackheart killed billions, dwindling the population of my planet to mere millions. The power he possessed was unstoppable, so the allied nations decided their last hope was to build a super soldier capable to.... ngh!"
Command denied, subject unable to comply. Overwrite 30%
"-listen to commands." Surprise shook her head, and the static around her mane fizzled out. Her voice seemed less robotic as her natural, breezy voice took over once again. "So.. they built me, the one and only super duper cyborg! Well... I was not the only one they built, the others...."
Surprise stopped before Pinkamena spoke up. "Surprise it's fine, you don't have to tell us... actually you better stop for your sake."
"No... I can keep going." Surprise insisted as the static started up once again. "The others were artificially made, and implanted into the surrogate mothers.. but they didn't make it. Each time they learned something, learning from their mistakes until it came time to make little 'ol Surprise. While I was growing in my momma's tum tum, they messed with my genome giving me abilities unnatural to pony kind."
Mentality critically low, overwrite 50%
"When I was born I was not a very wise Surprise, just a little bitty filly that they gave medicine to so it would affect my growth. I became the size of a full grown pony in three weeks, but I kinda didn't develop my thinky muscle correctly. So they surgically implanted a device in my head to where it monitored my mental state and forced me to follow orders. They trained me to become a master at every weapon, and I followed every single thing they said because little bitty Surprise didn't have a choice."
Pinkie Pie was mortified... this was awful! Overwrite 60%
"When the device was overtaken by my brain, I would be in control... but I was so scared I attacked any pony that got close. When this happened they shut me down, and took away pieces of me that made me a pony... over the years, my organs were slowly replaced with machines, making me more of a robot every day."
Overwrite 70%
"Blackheart found me just in time when I was finished and broke into the base without even knocking. I was deactivated, taking a little napie until they told my system to go out there and save the ones who were left. I walked through missiles, bullets, with no choice to stop until I got to Blackheart."
Overwrite 75%
"They told me to kill him, and vaporize his defeated army... for the greater good."
Overwrite 80%
"Surprise... dude stop, there is something seriously wrong with your body!" Pinkamena shouted.
"-I looked at them, and I looked at my victim."
Mentality has reached zero percent, Overwrite now at 90%
"So you know what I did?" Surprise looked at her friends, but no longer had any features that expressed emotions. Her left eye shined brightly like a red orb, as she slowly locked onto them. "I killed both sides, and do you know why?"
"Pinkie Pie, get behind me right now!" Pinkamena commanded as Surprise lifted up a foreleg.
"-Because I was created to annihilate."
AI now offline, system overwritten, Annihilation Gen-1 2.0 active.
Pinkamena's eyes grew wide when a laser pointed at Pinkie Pie before a rocket was shot at her! Pinkamena leapt at it, before kicking it away causing it to smash through the window and explode outside the cottage! Pinkamena opened her wings before charging at the emotionless Surprise, but she was simply slapped aside by impossible strength! The demon tumbled into the wall, before breaking through the sturdy clouds and rolling outside.
"S-Surprise! Stop! We are your friends!" Pinkie Pie shouted, only to have Surprise shift into a cannon on her foreleg.
A light formed at the tip of the cannon before Pinkamena jumped in front of Pinkie Pie. She put up a shield, "Pinkie Pie put up your shield NOW!"
Pinkie Pie obeyed before a sphere surrounded the force field Pinkamena made. Flames brightened the cloud home, before Surprise released a powerful shot, sliding her hooves back.
The technology created for war collided with their power, as Pinkie Pie and Pinkamena worked together to absorb the attack. A ball of energy circulated together, before blowing apart and destroying everything in its path! Surprise was shielded by a holographic wall of light before she opened her wings and flew above the chaos. Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie emerged from the smoke and fire, as the pink pegasus screamed at her cottage now in tatters.
"Pinkie Pie don't worry about your house, I will fix it! Use everything you've got against Surprise!" Pinkamena said as she bounced out of the way to avoid a lightning strike scattering the clouds.
Surprise's scope slid over her eye before she retracted her cannon into a mini-gun! Without any remorse, she opened fire, and tailed Pinkamena who tried to lose her focus by going into the air! The rain of bullets eventually caught up to her, blowing her entire body with thousands of fatal holes! Pinkamena growled, before hitting the ground when her wings were unable to stay aloft.
Pinkie Pie was on Surprise in an instant, before throwing her hoof into Surprise's skull. With a swift movement, her hoof was dodged before Surprise shot Pinkie with a ball of energy. It shocked the pegasus, forcing her wings to lock up and fall down towards the clouds below.
Surprise formed a ball of electricity between her hooves before releasing it!
Suddenly the air felt extremely heavy, causing Pinkie Pie to have to try extremely hard just to breathe! "W-What did she do?"
Pinkamena grunted. "She changed the gravity, we are grounded while she can fly!"
The Demi-God threw herself onto her hooves, while the bullets were pushed from her healing wounds. Pinkamena shook out her sweaty mane, before watching Surprise summon up a pixilated bomb! She held it in her hoof before throwing it at Pinkamena, which she assumed had enough power to destroy Cloudsdale!
"Get the bomb!" Pinkamena yelled, struggling to walk under the new gravity effect. "It's a NUKE!"
Pinkamena threw herself over the bomb before creating a shield over her and the weapon. Pinkie Pie screamed when it exploded with the demon inside! She was blown to pieces, her Black Magic holding firm against the bomb that could take down entire planets! The flames inside the bubble swirled, as they begged to be let out of the prison Pinkamena created. If Pinkamena couldn't hold her Black magic against the nuke, it would destroy everything within hundreds of miles!
Surprise was suddenly behind Pinkie Pie, before her solemn face and red eye locked on its new target. The cyborg's foreleg transformed into a jagged and hooked chainsaw, making the victim gulp! When she didn't think things could get any worse, it lit itself on FIRE!
Pinkie Pie dodged as the teeth ripped up the clouds when she swung. The flames lit up the night, as Surprise swung the chainsaw with the strength the rivaled Pinkie Pie's godly power! Her hoof summoned Aries's ax before she swung to meet the deadly weapon Surprise wielded! The teeth ground on the metallic surface before Pinkie Pie held her stance and let the chainsaw tear itself up on the indestructible weapon!
Pinkamena had released her hold on the now calm bomb, letting the smoke billow out of the force field she created to keep it contained. The Demi-God panted as her limbs regenerated, and she threw herself back into the fray!
Pinkamena created a ball of green flames within her hooves, before commanding them to burn away their enemy! "Pinkie Pie, drop low! These flames eat through anything they touch!"
Pinkie Pie ducked, letting the flames wash over Surprise who gurgled with a robotic scream. Pinkamena felt the gravity switch back to normal, as Pinkie Pie met her in the sky to look at the ring of flames encasing the soulless creature they faced. Something walked out of the fire, making Pinkamena gasp!
Sparks and wires twitched from under the ashy fur that had burned away, leaving a shiny metallic skull to gleam under the rays of the moon. Surprise limped, as her free moving red robotic eye locked onto the two mares flying above her. Pinkamena looked at Pinkie Pie frantically, "Look at Surprise. See the beating thing under her metal ribcage? That's her heart, the metal she has protected her from my most powerful magic... but the spear of Aries might be able to penetrate through!"
Pinkie Pie looked at the approaching cyborg, and realized Pinkamena was right! Something glowing pumped underneath the metal exposed from Pinkamena's flames. The fur that covered the horrific sight was gone, leaving a spot open for her to end the fight! Surprise's right leg was made entirely of metal, while a few muscles could be seen still intact, but she had to aim perfectly towards the spaces left between her ribs!
"I-I can't do this... what if.. what if..." Pinkie Pie was stopped by a hoof.
"Surprise is gone, Athena was wrong... she is too far gone! She destroyed her planet, and if we don't stop her, she will do the same to yours! Get your spear ready!"
Pinkie Pie swallowed her fear before letting the golden spear forged by the Gods appear in her hoof. Surprise shifted into a machine gun, raising her foreleg to where it met the two mares and locking on them with her red eye.
Pinkie Pie threw the spear with all her strength, even though Surprise tried to put up a shield. The spear broke through Surprise's wall of light, before sinking into her side... or so they thought! Once it made contact with the thin metal around her heart, there was a volt of electricity before the spear shattered into golden shards!
Surprise shook her head as her body tensed up, before going back into attack mode.
"That's... That's impossible! Her metal is stronger then the metal used to forge the weapons of the Gods? H-How... what is she?" Pinkamena yelled as dozens of rockets were shot at them both.
Pinkamena dodged a few but was clipped by the explosion of one and burst into blue light. Pinkie Pie put up a defensive shield around her and was encased by holy fire, as the rockets tried to break into her circle. She was terrified, as Pinkamena reformed in mid-air, panting heavily before summoning her scythe.
The metal teeth attached to the exposed left side of Surprise's skull opened up. "Mission 'destroy Blackheart' in pursuit, kill them all no matter the sacrifice."
"Wait... what did she say?" Pinkie Pie asked, as Surprise suddenly formed in front of Pinkamena and shot her right in the chest with a plasma gun!
Pinkamena yelled out in pain, as the goop started to eat away at her fur and flesh. "Ugh, Surprise you never learn, I heal you dumb idiot!"
The demon punched Surprise, only to have her hoof crack and Surprise remain in place like she had just tapped her. The Demi-God's hoof was throbbing as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Alrighty... I'll just not do that again."
Pinkie Pie called out to Pinkamena making her distracted, as Surprise's hooves turned into spikes. She contentiously jabbed Pinkamena with these metal thorns, poking holes all throughout her body. Pinkamena flapped her wings causing a sonic boom to throw Surprise down to the clouds.
"Does she have poison on these spikes? Oh... man... I sense some wolfsbane in this mixture. If I didn't have my Black Magic I would be dead in seconds, Pinkie Pie do me a solid and not get stabbed by those things." Pinkamena grunted, as her wounds sealed up within seconds.
"Pinkamena I think... I think she is reliving her past, I don't think she is doing this on purpose!" Pinkie Pie called.
Pinkamena rolled her shoulder, "What makes you think that?"
"Kill Blackheart, kill the ponies that stand with him, our world must not die."
Pinkamena laughed. "Oh." The Demi-God dodged a path of bullets, as she swooped up and created a barrier with her Black Magic. "Hey, do you know what PTSD is?"
Pinkie Pie hid behind her shield. "Right now I don't think is a good time to be giving me a school lesson!"
"No, listen! When a pony goes through a traumatic event sometimes, it causes them to have PTSD, making just the simplest triggers cause them to relive their past! I... I think when Surprise started talking about her life story her AI was trying to warn her about going into a breakdown! She thinks she is in that battle with Blackheart again, making the robot side of her go into default mode! That's what her AI meant when it said her control was being overwritten! "
"What do we do?" Pinkie Pie asked fearfully. Pinkamena's shield started to crack as she thought, but Pinkie Pie's head lit up with an idea making her gasp! "The pills!"
"What.. ngh… pills?" Pinkamena asked, as rockets and balls of plasma splattered on her shield.
"The pills Surprise hides in her mane! She said she takes them when her head gets wonky, I think this would be a great time to get her to take a few!"
Pinkamena huffed. "I knew they were not pain killers... little liar."
Her shield broke, forcing the ponies to scatter with a new plan in mind. Pinkie Pie's muscles were begging for a rest, but she pumped her wings towards Surprise with the allied force of Pinkamena. Learning how to avoid airborne threats from her time at her military school, she barrel rolled downwards. Surprise shot at her, but she easily avoided the bullets as they slid past her sleek body in the air.
With all the strength she could muster, she hit Surprise right on the metallic skull that was exposed. The cyborg's metal dented, as she was thrown back snapping her neck back. She crashed onto clouds several dozen feet away, as a bottle fell out of her mane and rolled by Pinkie Pie's hooves.
"Oh fantastic you can punch her but I couldn't? Do you have ANY idea how long I've wanted to do that?" Pinkamena complained before swiping up the pill bottle. "How much do I give her... and how do I get her to take it?"
A rocket shot past them, causing them to break up their conversation. Surprise remained emotionless as the caved in metal began to repair itself, as her wires sparked when she summoned up more deadly guns.
Pinkamena summoned up her demonic black armor before a large plating of black metal ran across her body. Her hooves now formed claws, as the armor covered her forelegs. She plucked out a pill from the bottle, before shooting towards Surprise who let loose a hellfire of bullets. Pinkamena just continued to fly, even though her body was riddled with wounds and when all Surprise's ammo was gone she was forced to reload.
Pinkamena panted before looking at the green goop dripping from the bullet holes. "Surprise I am SO over this, take the dang pill!"
She tried to wrench open Surprise's jaws, but failed miserably and was knocked back with a fearsome headbutt! Pinkamena shouted in pain before Surprise stood over her and opened her mouth.
"Finally," Pinkamena said as she reached up to shove the pill in her mouth. She was shocked when a valve made of red lights slid out from under her tongue. Pinkamena gulped, as flames shot out of Surprise's metal jaws! "OH come ON!"
The flames reduced her to ash, but like always she reformed.
She scrambled from the hot flames, as they shot out towards her! "Okay... Okay, she isn't going to take the PILL Pinkie Pie!" Pinkamena said before she flicked the flames out of her tail, and realized something. Surprise may be acting on robotic instincts, but she was still a pony that harbored emotions. She was traumatized, scared even... of what happened in her past and if it was going to happen again. Like Pinkamena had been... a long time ago when her village was destroyed. "Pinkie Pie, call me crazy, but I am going to try something!"
Pinkie Pie shook her head. "Don't get close to her, she will blow you up again!"
"I think I am the only one who can get close, without dying at least."
Pinkamena held the pill tightly in her claws, clutching it with everything she had. The demon approached Surprise, who's head malfunctioned by spasming and sparking. Her scope glitched, as her gun appeared in her hooves and activated with bright purple lights. With one shot Pinkamena's whole left shoulder was vaporized, she grunted but shifted her Black Magic to where it repaired the damage within the new wound.
Pinkamena continued to walk forward, only to have another shot melt her right side. Like always her green goo reattached flesh and bone before she kept coming. Surprise seemed to be running out of options, so she decided to throw a rocket towards Pinkamena who was blown into a fountain of flames! She reformed, feet away from Surprise who was visibly starting to break down.
Her sparks became even heavier, as her robotic eye spasmed unable to generate a strategy against the demon. Pinkamena panted, sweat dripping from her wings and pelt as her muzzle was inches away from the cyborg. Pinkamena brought up her forelegs, watching Surprise flinch before she wrapped them around her neck and brought her into a caring embrace.
"It's okay Surprise, I've been where you are. Scared, and upset over what has happened in my past. Your innocence was tainted and taken from you, and you were forced to live a life that wasn't your own." Pinkamena rested her chin on the shoulder of the pegasus feeling her tense up. "-Pinkie Pie and I won't let that happen to you again, but we can't protect you if you continue to attack the ones who care for you. Your past does not define you, just because you were made to do something it doesn't mean you have to do it. You are your own pony."
Surprise seemed to relax. "-unable to overwrite, mentality increasing."
Suddenly she became antsy again, and something sharp stabbed Pinkamena's chest. The Demi-God swallowed the urge to cry out in pain, as she allowed the blade to sink deeper. "-ngh, Surprise... you aren't in danger, we are part of your team! A pony once helped me out of this state, and so I am not giving up on you... you have to trust my words and come out of this! You can do it Surprise, I know you can!"
The blade slowly came out of Pinkamena's body making her flinch. Surprise's head lowered with a whirring sound, "Mena?"
"Yes Surprise, and me too!" Pinkie Pie said as she landed next to Pinkamena.
Pinkamena continued to hug Surprise as the pony trembled against her. "Listen Surprise, I know you don't want to be this way... you want to make friends right? Well like any friendship both sides have to give it their all, and right now you need to come out of this! The ponies living here are innocent and aren't going to hurt you like Blackheart, we won't' hurt you Surprise!"
Pinkamena pulled away and rested her hooves on the pegasus's shoulder. Surprise cocked her head, her scope glitching before going away as her red eye blinked.
"Take the pill Surprise, and let us show you the friendship you've always wanted." Pinkamena encouraged, as the cyborg blinked and looked at the claws holding it.
Surprise lowered her gaze without emotion. "Friends... not.... enemies..."
Surprise's body became silent, as she gently lowered her muzzle and sniffed the pill. Pinkamena held her breath, as she looked back up at her debating whether to obey Pinkamena's commands. They stared at each other for a few moments, before Surprise's hoof reached up and gently touched the mare's mane.
"Mena.." her voice was soft, regaining her natural tone.
Pinkamena offered the pill once more, as Surprise nodded and wrapped her lips around it. The cyborg seemed calm as she looked at Pinkie Pie and Pinkamena and then swallowed.
