Chapters Author's Note
This story has been inspired from Sweetie bot stories and Past Sins
Chapter 1: Sanity?
It was a dark and stormy, well... day actually. Most stories like this one begin at night, but this one starts at day actually. Around three in the after noon, but the storm was so bad it seemed like night.
Thomas grinned to himself as he levitated a wine glass to his lips. It did not contain wine, but cider. "A toast!" he said. "A toast to everyone here, as we witness the greatest storm of the century!" He put a dashing smile on his face and magically smoothed out his black vest as he waited for cheers. Instead Iron Taz spoke up. That STUPID grey Stallion horse.
"Actually, the greatest storm happened Very little time ago!" Taz shouted from the back of the dark laboratory.
Thomas brushed a hoof through his dark brown mane. "And when, may I ask, was that?" Thomas then muttered "you bald stupid goat"
Iron Taz answered immediately. "One, that's tribist. And racist. Two, I may have no mane or tail, but my coat is better than yours could ever be, ya pink goot! And third, don't cha remember that storm caused by the Chaos Spirit Discord?"
A Royal purple Pegasus with an electric blue mane spoke up. "Well then, this storm will be the greatest EVER! For it is the storm of LIFE!" Mango Peach said, her Manehattan accent thick. It didn't annoy Thomas, but he still wasn't all that big of a fan of accents.
"Well said!" Story Bringer proclaimed, his horn lighting up in excitement. He was the odd brownish white of a scroll, and had hair as red as a ribbon. His eyes were like everypony's else, a deep, deep blue. Only one set of eyes were different.
"Open the hatch!" Thomas said. The copper roof slowly slid open, like a scene from Frankenstallion. Or was it Frankenstein? Thomas shoved the thoughts out of his head. "Pull the chains! AND RISE THE TABLE!" He licked his lips. He was getting giddy. He open his mouth and screamed in laughter. "And now for the hardest part! WE WAIT!"
The team of many ponies raised their glasses to their lips and drank. But no one dared to utter a word. In the sky above, the storm worsened. They had ruin many of the pegasi storms, so this great and powerful storm was necessary to help Canterlot reach its necessary rain. At last, a bolt of lightning stuck the raised body. It jolted and seized as the electricity flowed through it.
For the space of almost an hour, no one dared to think it failed. They all watch with hope. And finally,the body breathed. A single breath, no more. Than in gasped and coughed for air. It's golden eyes snapped open as it tried to sit up, failing to do so.
"IT LIVES!" Iron Taz shouted. Cheers erupted from around the room.
"CAN IT, YA BIG SORRY LOT!" Peach screamed. She then walked up to the creature and unstrapped it. "There we go now," She whispered softly. "I'm Mango Peach. I helped bring you to life." She gave it, no, she gave HIM a kind motherly smile. "Everything's gonna be alright." She was about to hug him, but a dark green unicorn cleared his thought.
"And what are you doing?" He asked. Mango opened her mouth to reply, when everything exploded.
It. Was. Pure. Chaos. The Royal Guards of Celestia barged in, and everyone panicked. Many pegasi tried to fly away, only to be stopped by the Wonderbolts. Celestia herself was there. Even Luna. IT screamed. Or at least tried to. IT was afraid. And IT saw something HUGE stare angrily at IT. The HUGE tried to make its way to IT. But IT was picked up by a massive THING.
Iron Taz grabbed the war creation and ran. He leaped at the steel walls and tore through them. He could not let Celestia ruin everything he had worked for. The perfect DNA for a soldier lied in his very hooves. Celestia would thank him one day. For now, she did not understand. But she would. One day.
Luna watched as a horse grabbed somepony who fell unconscious and ran. She was shocked that he broke through pure 5 inch steel. She then saw a Pegasus of Royal purple follow. A Pink Unicorn and an earth pony with a copper coat followed as well. Another Unicorn leaped out, having a coat of lime-green. Luna flew after them, to make sure they did not escape.
Mango Peach ran out. Her child had just come to life, and she would do everything she could to defend him. It seems Iron Fez had the same idea. But why was he running into the forest, rather than the DNA registered transport pods? Wait. D. N. A. No. "NOOOO!" Peach screamed as she tackled Iron Fez. Her son went flying, and so did she. She caught him. She would name him later. For now they needed to-
Luna was confused. Why did the pink pegasus attack her partn- "AUGHHH!!!" Luna watched in horror as the horse leaped up and tore the pink pegasus left wing clean off.
Thomas tackled Iron Taz to the ground. His friend's wing bounced of his head. "YOU BASTARD! I BUCKING ALWAYS NEW YOU WERE TROUBLE, YOU LOW DOWN SON OF A GRIFFON!" He reared his left arm back, but with a simple kick, Taz broke the arm.
"That is racist. And if you excuse me, I must take this super soldier for the better of Equestia." Iron Taz said this all in a cheerful voice. He proceeded to buck Thomas off of him. As he got to his hooves, he saw Luna. And ran. He could hear the sound of a river near by. He heard someone leaped at him and promptly bucked his hind legs in that direction. "I am not a pure muscle horse for no reason, you know." He turned to look at the fool who tried to jump him.
Gear Crank glared at Iron Taz as he got up. He saw blood getting on his copper coat, but he did not care. He had a mission to do. He quickly brushed the silver hair out of his face. "That thing needs to die, Taz. It defies all of Celestia's Laws. It's a freak of nature that was make by sin! It needs to be destroyed for Celestia's sake!"
"IT WAS FOR THE SAKE OF CELESTIA THIS SOLDIER WAS MADE!" Iron Taz bellowed. He wondered how he was not yet caught by Luna. He than heard a maniacal laughter. Iron Taz and Gear Crank had only one thought. Run.
Luna knew the others would get away. But even if she went after them, she still could lose them in this storm. Lighting her horn, she stopped to help the pegasus. She did not speak. Luna found the wing, only to discover it had been struck by lightning. Half of the wing had become ash. The rest was burnt. Luna levitated the wing and brought it to the pegasus. "No" The royal purple pony said. "I will not be healed of this. I need to keep my son safe- GAUGH!" She tried to get up, and fell from the pain.
Luna began to heal the stump. Only to discover the wound has already healing. "Don't worry. I'm going to help you." Luna said. "What is your name?"
The pegesi remained silent for some moments. She than shook, and let out a sob. "M-My name is Mango Peach. I just want to save my son!" Tears poured down her face, mixing in with the rain. A Lime Green Unicorn ran past, making no sound as he stepped on branches. No sound, that is, but his laughter. "And now it seems the situation grow more dire." Peach looked at Luna, than at her wing. "I can not save my son. Please, I beg of you, leave me and save him! the horse wishes to turned him evil. Please, please save him!"
Luna did not waste another moment. As she ran through the forest she heard the others crashing through the forest. She also heard the sound of a waterfall roaring loudly. And somepony screaming "YOU FAILED!" Luna came to the edge of a waterfall. She saw a lime-green Unicorn screaming at the sky. But his eyes were crossed. One eye stared at the copper earth pony. The other eye stared at Luna. She wondered why he was staring at her. Unless... Luna whipped her head around, catching sight of the horses hooves coming right at her face. Than, everything went dark.
Mango Peach cried. She was crying her soul out. She heard the cursed words of Glitter Case. His mad words. 'You failed'. How could she live with herself now? She failed to save him. Ruferd. "I failed to save Ruferd." She cried.
She felt someone sit down beside her. "He's not dead. He can survive a water fall. And Peach, I swear to you I will help you find him." Thomas grabbed Mango by the shoulders. "But we can't do that if we are in prison. I need you to run. To hide. I will find you. But if you want to be reunited with Ruferd, you need to hide." Thomas got up, and run. He ran to the water fall. And Screamed' He screamed as loud as his lungs could allow him. He screamed the very words, "YOUR NAME IS RUFERD!"
Luna groaned as she woke up. The sun was shining, but instead of the afternoon, it was morning. She could hear a ringing in her ears. She looked at the grass in front of her muzzle and giggled. at that she knew she was delusional. But because of that, she didn't care. Luna sat up on her hunches and took a deep breath. The air was nice, and birds were singing. Luna let out a yawn and felt her nose buzz. It seemed quite numb. Yet when she poked her muzzle, it stung. She then remembered getting bucked in the face. But she didn't care.
"Isn't madness wonderful?" Luna's mind snapped at attention at the voice, before numbing again. "I'm Glitter Case!" Luna peered closely at the mad man before her. He had a Lime green coat, and had a leafy green mane. On his flank was a makeup kit. And his eyes. His eyes were so blue. A blue deeper than the very sky. Luna than remembered the question, and gave a really big nod. Madness did feel nice. But Luna knew it was only a matter of time before she became sane. She than looked at the waterfall. It was still loud, Luna realized as the ringing faded. But it wasn't as loud as before.
"I feel thirsty." Luna said out loud. She than realized she had cloaked herself with an invisibility spell. She took the spell off and saw red on her armor. She took her armor off and stared at the pony staring at her.
"Makes sense, makes sense. You lost much blood, after all." Glitter gave a very odd smile. "Why don't you wash up in the river? I'll clean your armor for ya!" Glitter Case crawled over to Luna and grabbed the armor. "I'll make it nice and very clean. Yes I will." He than had the face of a colt hard at work as he trotted up river, wearing the armor.
Luna smiled. How nice of Glitter Case to do that. Luna walked over to the river. To her left was upstream. About 50 palms to her right was the waterfall. Without the constant rain it was not as crazy as it was once. Luna knew there was a better word than crazy, but she couldn't think of it. She bent her head down to drink water and promptly fell over. She opened her eyes wide and giggled. Luna began to roll her back against the grass before shouting "I LOVE BEING MAD!" She stopped. Her voice was really loud.
Glitter Case stared back at the Alicorn, who was now acting quite much like a little filly. He was proud, oh yes proud. He used his talent. He turned the Alicorn insane. Although he didn't recognize her. There was Celestia, the royal Queen, no, Princess of Day, bringer of day and night. Then there was Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadance, who was the princess of love. But this Alicorn must have come about when he was in that asylum. The place wasn't all that bad. It made great pudding. "Wanna hear- are you drowning?"
Luna was drinking too much water. She couldn't stop. She was so thirsty. Soo thirsty... Luna yipped in pain as she felt a firm hoof yank her out of the river by her mane. She felt no air coming to her lungs. She felt odd. She- "Omph! Blargh!" A hoof stomped on her stomach, causing her to vomit water. She turned over and vomited to the ground. For a whole minute she did nothing but vomit.
"Wait! Mango, where is she?" Luna's mind snapped to attention as she fought the haziness. Yet as her eyes crossed paths with Glitter Case, she couldn't help but laugh. "You're the one driving me insane!" She snorted.
"Yeeeeeeeeeeeeup! I am! Now sit down, I wanna tell you a story!" Glitter stuck his tongue out as he said this. "But first, what is your name?"
Luna stared in shock, her mind clearing only the tiniest bit. "You don't know who I am?" Glitter Case shook his head dramatically, side to side. Tears began to form in his eyes. "Ohnono! Please don't cry! I am Princess Luna, Bringer of Night." Luna gave a smile to Glitter Case, who sniffed and wiped his left hoof against his snout. Luna noticed that despite the face of sorrow, he almost seemed like he was waiting for something.
"H-hey, ya wanna hear what my cutie mark means? I was at first gonna tell you, but you was drowning. So, ya wanna hear?" Luna nodded. It did sound interesting. And it would be. 'I want cake' Luna thought to herself. She then noticed that Glitter now had a wicked and sinister grin. Why? "Well, as you can see, I have a make up kit for a cutie mark. I discovered my talent at age four. I was helping actors, with a fake mark on my flank, getting them ready. They were nervous, so I spoke to them. Used my magic on them and changed their minds. They doubted their-selves. I made them confident."
Luna clapped her hooves together. "So you can bring out the best in ponies!" Luna said, a happy understanding coming to her. She still didn't like Glitter's strange, mean smile.
"Yes. But I can also bring out the worse. And other things." Glitter Case's look of insanity disappeared, and he held a cruel frown. Luna began to be scared. 'It's alright Luna. If he gets dangerous, well, you're a very powerful Alicorn!'. Glitter's frown became a smile that carried a glare. "I can change the way ponies see. I can shape minds for better or worse. I can shape them, mold them, change them... But I can also break them. I can make others go insane. I can trap ones mind and destroy it. I am so good at it that to completely ruin their mind, I just need one minute of them being completely focused on me. On my eyes. Their complete attention. So thank you Luna. You are now an oversized unicorn with fake wings. Your name is Susan. You have gone made. Oh, also I remade your armor around you. Iron binds those false wings. You know little of who you are. You are young, so young. A child compared to now."
Glitter Case stopped. That was enough for now. He would work out the spell knowledge later. Now, using the armor, he had to kill Luna. Or just for her death. Probably would be hard to kill an Alicorn. "I wonder, if Celestia were to find you, would it be worse on her mind if you thought you were a mother looking for her child? Or for you to be the child looking, HEY WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?!?"
Luna had leaped to her hooves and started running. 'Wait. Who is Luna?' Susan shook her head. And found her mane odd. She shook her head again. A mother lost her child. Susan had to help. But then she heard a cruel voice. Calling Luna, than Susan. It sounded so cruel. Susan looked back and saw Glitter Case. Susan felt so afraid of him. So she ran faster. Than she saw a deer bounding away, going so fast. Almost like it was trying to fly... Susan copied the movements and started bounding beside the deer. For hours they bounded from the cruel voice. Until Susan dropped from exhaustion. As she fought sleep, Susan looked at the deer. It was actually a doe! She smiled. It was so pretty...
Susan yawned. She had fallen asleep it seemed. It was now dark and the moon was full. Susan realized she was lying on the ground among deer. They were so pretty... Susan had an idea. She needed to get away from Glitter Case. He had done something to her. Susan could run. "Or," Susan said softly to herself "I could hide. First a disguise." Susan concentrated. Her horn sparked with a blue aura, but a dark red one appeared around the blue. "Come on, come on!" Susan whispered. She tried harder. Red sparks flew from her horn. And finally, her dark blue coat became a light brown, similar to the doe. "Now for this weird hair. Why is it like this?" Susan was exhausted from the previous spell, even though it was so simple of a spell. She gained a headache as she tried to remember why her hair was flowing with magic. Susan than had an idea. She used her magic again, but put her hair's power to her horn. The exterior power let her use her magic with less difficulty. But it still was hard. Susan turned most of her mane a solid black, but let the top bit stay on her horn. It made Susan seem as if she was always using magic. She finally turned all but the tip of her hair black. Susan seemed to have small curls in her hair now.
Susan heard the sound of running and ducked down. "Come on, Flam! Those guards are everywhere!" "Just hold up, Flim! This saddle bag is not in great condition, and we can't let it rip! Why did we even get moonstone magic dampeners!?" "Shh! Look, wild deer." Susan wanted to see who the who voices were. She cloaked herself, only to discover her horn still was visible with a red glow. Still, it would work. She tried to move, only to discover many fawns were laying against her.
Susan giggled and heard three things. The two voices demanding to know who was there, and a joyful laugh. "There you are! He he. Hee hee." The voice whispered as it came to the grove Susan hide in. "Found you."
Susan bolted, throwing the fawns off her. As she ran she grabbed to the ponies who spoke in her mane. "Hey! Let us down!" "What in Pete's sake are you doing!?"
Susan did not answer. She only ran. Then she bounded. Moving swiftly through the woods. A fawn ran in front of her, leading Susan somewhere. 'Is that...' "Is that a train off tracks?" Susan looked at one of the ponies she held. "I now I'm mad but I didn't think I was this crazy!" Susan looked at the train for a moment. Tilting her head in confusion.
But than she heard the laugh. The cruel laugh.
Susan tossed the ponies on the train engine and hopped on herself. "Some one bad is coming! He broke my mind! He can break yours! WE NEED TO LEAVE NOW!!!"
Flim grunted from the panicked unicorns scream. "Ready Flam?" he asked.
"Ready Flim!" With that, the two brothers powered their Locomotion and set off. The brothers could see guards and a green unicorn trying to catch up with them, when the green unicorn suddenly tackled a guard. The guard started screaming like Tirek was in front of him. The other guards tried to attack the unicorn, but as soon as they made eye contact the guards also started to scream. "MORE POWER!" The brothers yelled. The Locomotion quickly picked up speed, and was traveling at a whopping 30 kilometers an hour. Yet the unicorn started running. And was catching up. Flim stared in shock. He caught sight of those eyes. They were so blue... Suddenly, a whole herd of deer were out running the green unicorn. A buck threw a fawn on the Locomotion, startling Flam. Then the buck rammed into the green unicorn as the FlimFlam brothers put even more power into the engine. At the speed of 40 Kilometers per hour, the engine was screaming. But they were leaving the guards and unicorn in the dust.
After 10 minutes, the brothers let the Locomotion slow down to 20 kilometers. It was tiring, but they didn't know the Come to life spell. Flim wiped some sweat off his brow and turned to his brother. "Well, brother of mine, that was something."
Flam looked back at his brother. "Yes it was, brother! But what are we going to do about you know what?" Flam focused back on the task of steering as he waited for his brother's reply.
Flim put his left hoof to his chin as he thought. "I'm not sure, Flam. After all, it would be quite hard to just get rid of them. Anypony could stumble upon them! But I'm sure we'll sell them to a good buyer. After all, moonstones aren't common."
Flam gave a quick look at his brother, who was now looking out for the wagon they stashed. "I'm not talking about the moonstone rings! But I'm glad you were! Others wise, well... it would be a grim idea. But I'm talking about something else!" Flam waited for a response. But after a few moments of not getting one, he looked back at his brother. Flim had an expression like he was confused about what was going on. "Flim! I'm talking about the oversized unicorn and the fawn!"
Flim tapped his brother on the shoulder. "Hey, isn't that our wagon over there?" he asked Flam. Flam gave an irritated look as he got to work connecting he wagon. Flim was confused by this, but he didn't worry about it. He turned to study the stowaways, who had somehow fallen fast asleep. "Let's see. I'm not an expert, but judging by the smoothness of the face, I'd say this fawn is a doe. And as for you, Miss over sized..." Flim laughed out loud. "Hey Flam, remember our oversized unicorn?"
Flam was in the process of connecting the wagon to the Super Squeezy Cider 6000 when he heard that odd question. "Yes? Of course I remember that unicorn. She dragged us to our train engine and summoned a herd of deer to attack the green unicorn. Are you alright, brother of mine?"
Flim giggled. "I positively don't think so! And also, utmost dear brother of mine, SHE'S NOT A UNICORN!" Flim began to laugh like a maniac before his brother slapped him. "OUCH! Thank you my head now feels clearer. Anyways Flam. She's an Alicorn." Flam stared, before slapping his brother again. "OUCH! I did not need that! Look, I'm not insane. At least not any more."
Flam finished hitching up the wagon. He then hopped up and looked at the so called Alicorn. And saw his brother was telling the truth. "I'll say!" Flam exclaimed. He took off his hat with his left hoof as he took a stick with his right one. "Wait what am I doing?" Flam looked at the stick than tossed it away. "Brother, take our guest and put them inside the wagon. As you are still looking dizzy, I'll drive."
Flim nodded and did as he was told. He still had to have help from his brother, for Flim felt quite dizzy. "Hey Flam? I think I'll stay out with you."
Flam tilted his head. "Really? I thought you would try to inspect our Alicorn guest! After all, it's not everyday a new princess-your face is green. Oh. OH CELESTIA!" Flam jumped out of the way as his brother barfed.
"Okay Flam... I, I think I feel better." Flim put a weak smile on his face, before barfing again and passing out. In doing so he almost fell off the Super Squeezy Cider 6000. Flam caught his brother with his magic. He then levitated a blanket out of the wagon and put it on Flim.
Flam sighed. Looked like he'll be up late tonight. Flam kept a look out as he drove. "What a day this turned out to be. Guards everywhere. And most of our food and money fallen into the river during that storm." Flam slowed the engine to 10 kilometers. After all, he would have to conserve his strength. Flam heard a whimper. "Flim?" Flam turned to look at his brother and saw him shivering. Like he was afraid.
"Flim. What happened to you?" Flam patted his brother on the head. It seemed to calm Flim down a little.
Flim looked around. He was in a grand mansion of some sort. "Where am I?" he asked himself. He saw the mansion was stripped like a candy cane. It even smelled like peppermint. Out of curiosity, Flim licked the walls. They tasted of that fake tonic they once made. Suddenly, a darkness swept over the land. A green glow stretched out. 'It's trying to choke me!' Flim thought as he tried to push back the darkness. A comforting pat came to Flim's head, and the darkness was forced back. Flim gave a smile at that.
"Did you think it would be that easy?" Flim whipped his head around. The voice sounded jolly, yet there was something wrong about it. Bits started to rain from the sky. It came down so hard, they broke the ceiling. And descending down, was the lime green unicorn. "It's time to end you" he said with a smile on his face.
Flim screamed. Then he ran he ran from the mansion into a forest made of candy and gowns. A cave of darkness closed around him. Flim felt his heart stop beating. He crumpled to the floor when he heard THE VOICE. So jolly. Yet so CRUEL. Flim began to hyperventilate. His heart was beating again, but it was pounding like the Running of the Leaves.
Flim thought his heart and lungs would explode. But then the lime green unicorn appeared infront of him. His breathing became even faster and his heart began to heart. 'Oh sweet Celestia' Flim thought to himself. 'I am going to die'. Flim was certain he would explode from fear. But he didn't.
The unicorn did. The unicorn for a split moment had a face of true fear, before exploding into the brown Alicorn. The darkness was blasted away. Flim stared wide eyed. "WHAT THE TARTARUS IS GOING ON!?"
Susan stared at the light yellow pony with the candy cane mane. She and this strange pony looked around and saw the fawn chewing on what appeared to be a tree made of dresses that smelled like flowers. "Well..." Susan said. "We may be sharing a dream." Susan now stared at the candy cane mane pony. "My name is Susan! What's your's?" Susan put a big smile on her face, hoping it would calm down the panicking unicorn.
Flim stared as he tried to take deep breaths. He got up to his hooves before laying down in a more comfortable position. "My name is Flim. It's *cough* nice *cough* to meet... you.. I'm sorry but *cough* I'm having trouble breathing from the panic. Wait did you just say we're sharing a dream?" Flim got a nod from Susan. "Why, and also what is a Alicorn doing in the woods and in my dreams?"
Susan stared at Flim, confused. "Alicorn? I'm not an Alicorn, silly!" Susan giggled and booped Flim on the nose. "What in Equestia gave you that idea?"
Flim pointed to Susan's back, only to discover that on her back was an iron belt, binding her wings. "Well, in real life and in here you have wings and a horn. If you're not an Alicorn, then how do you have both?"
Susan stared as she thought, a headache growing. All of a sudden, Flim's dream began to flicker. "AUGH!" Susan held her head and felt her physical hooves doing to same. "It hurts! It hurts so much!" Susan could see a lab. Blood covered walls. She felt pain. Something large and strong from that place had brought her pain. She remembered running through the wall. A large hole had been made. Anything other then the room of pain she could not remember. "I- I escaped. They did this to me. THEY DID THIS TO ME!!!" Susan screamed. She could feel whimpers leave her body in the real world. Her brain in it's damaged state tried to do it's best with the limited memory it had. Susan then felt some one hug her. In both the real world and in the dream world. Susan calmed down.
Flim could not stand the screaming. He had to to help her! He tried to walk to Susan, but his feet seemed so heavy. He forced himself to walk with every ounce of strength. And felt himself move. He knew he was moving, but this one was different. He was moving his actual body. "Hang on, I'm coming." He could see both the wagon and his dream. He was moving through both. Slowly, he walked to the wagon entrance and stumbled through the door. that movement almost made him wake up. But he held on to the dream. He saw Susan whimpering. Flim laid down next to her and hugged her. "Don't worry Susan. Everything's gonna be fine."
'It's been a few hours. Flim could take over now' Flam thought to himself. He looked at his brother and pulled the blanket. It was empty. Flam pulled the train to a full stop. he was about to jump off to see where his brother had fallen, when he noticed the wagon door was open. "Flim?" Flam whispered as he poked his head in. He looked down at the floor and smiled. "Well... I guess you can sleep a little longer." Flam muttered softly as he closed the door.
Susan slept soundly, Flim hugging her from behind while the doe had laid on top of them, preferring the softness of the ponies to the cheap brown carpet.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/ and I will answer the questions the best I can without spoiling the story.
Chapter 2: Cardboard Boxes and River Banks.
It was a beautiful day in Ponyville. The sun was shining down on a box in an alleyway, and a certain pony crawled out of the box. Although he did not look like a normal pony. He was a colt, that much was obvious. But he had a tail like a dragon, similar to Discords own tail, actually. He was completely pink. His horn was colored like a rainbow, along with the front of his wild mane do. He had spikes on his back like a dragon. His ear looked to have striped fabric lined in it. The bottom of his front legs had hearts on them. The top half had stars. On the front of his chest was a sewn on bloody cake with a knife in it. His hind legs had crayons patterned on them. Separating the sections of with legs seemed to be stitches. He was rather cute, much like a plush.
He looked at his box, proudly bearing the words in marker: Home of Lord Tyrant Quilten Alastor Atticus Von Maimjoy. Although his friends called him Killjoy. But he preferred Lord Tyrant.
Lord Tyrant rummaged through a trashcan that he made his own.It also had the very long label on it. Inside was a sort of hair gel and a heavy black cloak. It had holes for his wings, but also had buttons to- "Heh. Buttons to button up the holes." Lord Tyrant was not sure why he found that funny. He took the gel and smoothed his hair down slick with it. 'Fancy'. A dark aura covered the cloak as he covered himself in it. It was made of fine cloth, with white fluffy clouds along the bottom. It was more like a blanket. "Doesn't cover my tail... But I do love the ruby clasp." Lord Tyrant put on the cloak. So much of his body was covered that what could be seen of his front legs could be mistaken for as weird socks. He then put on silver shoes, similar to the design of Celestia's own. Finally, the crown. The silver crown was what let him pull it off. The scam. The-
"Howdy Killjoy! How ya doin?"
Lord Tyrant whipped his head around as he glared at Applebloom and Scootaloo. "Humph. I was doing fine inspecting the silver of this trashcan until you two came along". He huffed and poke Applebloom hard in the chest. "Now go away, pheasant".
Scootaloo ruffled her wings angrily. "Hey, you don't gotta be so rude! Wait. Why is there a trashcan made of silver?" Scootaloo shook her head. "Applebloom, forget it. Let's just leave Mr. Snobby Killjoy to himself."
"Sorry Scoots, but no." Applebloom glared at Scootaloo for a moment before turning back to Killjoy. "Anyhow, Joy-" Applebloom was interrupted for a moment as she was corrected with the words of 'Lord Tyrant'. "Anywho, how'd you like to come with me to Sweet Apple Acres? Cause I know how much ya like to-"
"No." Lord Tyrant said. "I am not interested in going anywhere with you." He said as he sat down on his haunches. "Especially not on a date." He said with a short nod.
Applebloom blushed from surprise, while Scootaloo looked bewildered. "What? No!" Applebloom said, taking a step back while shaking her head. Her face grew redder. "No! I was gonna invite there 'cause a family reunion is going on, and I know how much ya love countrin food! I wasn't askin ya on a date!"
Lord Tyrant arched his left eyebrow, his right eye narrowing at Applebloom. "Hmm... I'm not convinced. Why should I go? Hm?" He then stood up, turned around, and sat back down.
"Come on Applebloom! We're wasting time!" Scootaloo complained. Her parents were coming to town to eat at the reunion. "If he doesn't want to go, we should just leave him." Scootaloo tapped her right hoof impatiently.
Applebloom would not give up. "Oh come on,Tyrant!" She saw his ear twitch at the sound of his 'proper' name. "There will be pie!" Only a grunt in response. "Lotsa cider!" No response. "Mah cousin Babs will be there." This was answered with a turn of Killjoy's head, a confused look on his face, before he turned away. "The Cakes are coming along with all mah friends and I don't want a single friend to be left out and Pinkie is gonna bring treats and I now how much you love to eat and-"
A right hoof was stuck in Applebloom's mouth. "Did you say the Cakes and Pinkie are bringing food?" Applebloom nodded with a 'mm-hm'. Lord Tyrant looked over his right shoulder. He took his right hoof out out of Appleblooms mouth and wiped it on her chest. "... Fine. I'll go." He stood and looked at Applebloom. "To embarrass you I might say that that blush makes you look cute, but frankly the thought of me thinking of you as cute makes me sick. Literally. SO! Lets forget that and get so good grub!"
Applebloom smiled as she saw Killjoy smile. Killjoy then quickly out a scowl on his face. Applebloom noticed his face go green for a moment before he looked away and jumped in Scootaloo's wagon. "Huh." Scootaloo said. "Applebloom with a red face really does make you sick." In reply, Scootaloo got a short nod from Killjoy. Applebloom clambered in to the wagon,sitting behind Killjoy.
Lord Tyrant watched the scenery zoom by as he sat in the wagon. He stared at Scootaloo's wings buzzing and pondered. Finally his curiosity got the better of him and he spoke. "How does it feel, having wings but not being able to lift off the ground?" He got a glare from Scootaloo. It wasn't the answer he wanted, but for lack of answer he could just tease her later.
"What does it feel like, being such a snob?" Scootaloo told Killjoy. She didn't like the question, and was pretty sure Killjoy would just tease her later for answering.
Lord Tyrant paused for a moment to think. "It feels pretty good actually. You feel like you're better than most anypony else. Even at your lowest you know everypony else is always lower. Folks know that you think highly of yourself. You feel like you are the utmost best. You rarely ever feel sad. And when you do, you quickly grow happy thinking of how much you own. So being a stuck up, up tight snob is quite profound."
Scootaloo didn't expect an answer like that. A snide remark, maybe, but not a full on complete answer. The three rode in silence before Applebloom spoke up. "Yeah you're a stuck up, but you certainly ain't when it comes to proper food. 'Cause I ain't never seen you eat fancy food. Only shoving hay burgers in your mouth.
Scootaloo looked back and saw Killjoy looking down between his front hooves, a deep blush covering most of his face. "I'm stingy with money, okay? The food is cheap and filling!" he shouted. "really filling." Scootaloo almost stopped from the tone in his voice. It sounded so... sad. "Really tasty, I mean. Ahem."
An awkward silence filled the air before Killjoy pointed forward, almost hitting Scootaloo on her head. "Hey look! We're almost there! Wait. You can't fly but using your wings you were able to travel three times faster than a grown pony. That's actually pretty impressive!"
Scootaloo grinned. "Yeah, I know I'm awesome. Now come on! We're here!" Scootaloo skidded to a stop and hopped off her scooter. Her adventure parents were at a table looking around.
Applebloom smiled. She may not have parents, but her entire family was there at Sweet Apple Acres. She looked at Killjoy, who looked unsure of himself. "Tyrant, the foods over there. Have fun stuffing your face."
Lord Tyrant huffed as he walked over to the food table. He took a slice of apple-pie, using his hooves. He did not want to use his magic in front of everyone. Lord Tyrant took a small bite. He was, after all, a high class pony. He soon took many small bites. "Forget it." he to himself. "Don't even think about it." He looked at the whole apple-pie. "Hnn" He bit his lip. But he than remembered Applebloom's words to stuff himself. "I give up." And with that, he ran to the pie and smashed his face in it, eating eagerly.
Babs trotted over to the unicorn stuffing his face at the table. "Hi! You must be Killjoy." She watched as Killjoy whipped his head around, a look of embarrassment on his face. She watched him stutter for a moment. "Don't worry. The foods good enough for most ponies to forget their manners. I'm Babs Seed! One of Applebloom's cousins. You must be Killjoy! I recognize that fancy cloak from her letters.
"Well, yes, um." Lord Tyrant stuttered. He then regained some of his composure. "But it is not Killjoy. That is something that the lowly crusaders keep on using... For some reason." Lord Tyrant paused, a look of annoyance on his face. "No. My true name is Lord Tyrant Quilten Alastor Atticus Von Maimjoy. Otherwise known as Lord Tyrant."
Babs cocked her head to a small tilt. She didn't understand why, or how, Applebloom could be friends with him. Then again, Tyrant was acting a lot like Babs did when she first came to Ponyville. "Alright than. Nice to meet you." Babs extended who right hoof to Tyrant. He slowly reached out his hand to hers.
'Wait! What am I doing? If I shake hooves with her, she'll find out what my hide is!' Lord Tyrant thought to himself. He also realized he was almost showing his scars. He quickly pulled his hoof back. He than stuck his nose up and to the left. "A b-bow will do." Lord Tyrant said shakily/carefully.
Babs found this offensive, but said nothing. In Tyrant's eyes was a look she was all too familiar with. Self doubt. "So that's why Applebloom said I'd like you" she muttered. She then caught a quizzical look from Tyrant. She then realized what she said. "Uhh... I mean-"
"Shut up now, before you cause embarrassment to yourself!" Lord Tyrant snapped. "...Actually, Applebloom has blabbered about you to me many a time. To convince to come to this reunion, she told me you would be here. Although I don't quite understand as to why. Also it seems your grandmother is coming this way."
"And so that was Applejack's first words!" Granny Smith chuckled to herself as Babs Seed, Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell, Applebloom, Applejack and... 'oh what was his name?' surrounded her, listening as she told stories."Any awho, Mista um.. What ya name? Oh no don't tell me. It's umm. Lets see here. Quilt Plaster! Anywho, Quilt Plaster, what was your first words?"
Lord Tyrant was drinking some cider when he finally realized that 'Quilt Plaster' was him. He choked and coughed on the cider for a moment. "You mean me?" Granny gave a slow nod to confirm, before patting his head. "I uhh. Um. BUCK IT!" he shouted. He never knew his first words! That was too embarrassing! And what if from that, they found out his secret?
Babs eyebrow's went up in shock. She was about to question if Tyrant had just cursed when Applebloom spoke. "Y'all first word was bucket?" Applebloom asked. Tyrant nodded nervously. "Heh. That almost sounds cute." At that, Granny Smith chuckled. And soon, the whole group was laughing.
Babs wiped a tear from her eyes when Tyrant glared at them all. "Never let out that I was this relaxed at the reunion. After all, I have a reputation to uphold!" He then tilted his head up and sniffed. Babs knew he still meant well from the smile on his face. The entire group then Pinkie Promised they would not tell.
A ball went flying past Babs as Pinkie threw it too hard. "Don't worry, Pinkie! I'll get your ball!" Babs Seed ran after the ball as it bounced down to a river on the property. Babs watched as it bounced to an odd looking mud-pile on the bank. She grabbed the ball. And screamed.
Applejack heard an ear piercing shriek. Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Killjoy, and Uncle Orange were already running to find the source. Applejack ran after them. Her friends noticed and followed behind.
Sweetie managed to get down to the river bank first. She was about to ask if Babs was okay when she saw the body. "Oh my Celestia! Is that Button Mash!?" Sweetie grabbed her friend and turned to Babs. "Don't just sit there! Help me!" Tears were rolling down her eye's. She then turned to the only other pony who was just sitting. "Help me!" Sweetie begged to Killjoy.
Lord Tyrant was frozen. He recognized the scars. Sweetie did not see them yet. But Lord Tyrant did. He saw where stitches had pierced the skin of the pony. But this body was fresh. He began to hyperventilate. 'If that is made than that means... HE's still alive. THE MONSTER. THE CREATOR. THE DAD. "Iron Taz". The words were whispered by Lord Tyrant. He had tears of fear flowing down his cheeks. He heard Sweetie shouting at him as the others came. It all sounded muffled. It was too much. Lord Tyrant did the only thing he could think of. He ran. He bumped into Applebloom. He shoved past her. He ran and ran. He ran away from Sweet Apple Acres. He ran until he reached his box. He pulled his cloak off and stuffed it in his silver trashcan. He leaped in to his box and pulled a blanket around him. He realized he had Appleblooms bow. He hugged it. He hugged it tightly. And he did nothing but cry.
Applejack watched as Killjoy ran off. She considered running after him. But Fluttershy did that. Applejack helped Sweetie Belle pull the child out of the river bank. Sweetie was using her magic to try clearing off the mud. The pony was a colt. And he wasn't breathing. "WHO KNOW'S CPR?" Applejack bellowed.
"I do!" A familiar pony stepped forward. He was a someone brown pony with an hourglass cutie mark. "I know CPR. Now please move aside." Time Turner rushed to the pony and gently set him down to the ground. He breathed into the colt, only to find the lungs had air in them. No water. "He doesn't need CPR. Rainbow Dash! Quickly, get a cloud and charge it with electricity. When I tell you to do something, do not question me."
Rainbow quickly got a storm cloud. It looked out of place during the sunny day. "Great! Now don't ask questions, but strike me with a lightning bolt!" Rainbow Dash paused, looking at Time Turner as if he was crazy. "JUST DO IT!" Rainbow struck the cloud, causing the lightning bolt to streak down. Time Turner pointed his hoof to the colt as the electricity traveled through him. It jumped from Time Turner into the colt. It all happened in a hundredth of a second.
Golden eyes flashed open. A breath was released. And many more where taken. IT looked around. Confused. Too bright. What is bright? What are these things? Memory. Loud noise. Scary Noise. HUGE white thing. Huge Grey thing. Fear. Fear fear fear. Scream. Scream. Scream.
The colt started to scream. A scream filled with fear. Applejack rushed over and hugged the colt. "Don't worry sugar cube. Everything's gonna be okay." Applejack spoke softly. She felt him snuggle up against her. Then, she heard him breath softly. Softly sleeping. Applejack put him gently on her back. "Come on, y'all. Let's get this feller to a proper bed. Doctor Turner, if there's anything else to be done, come with me." The group walked back to the house, where the rest of the family was waiting, concerned.
Sweetie Belle and Applejack looked around as Time Turner took Ruferd. "Say, where's Joy and Flutter?" Applejack watched as Fluttershy gently landed, tears is her eyes. She hung her head down in shame.
"He was crying. And running. I wanted to comfort him, but he was too fast! I just wanted to hug him and tell him everything was okay. Applejack, I failed to help somepony in need!" Fluttershy hugged Applejack. "At l-least the other pony is alright. He is, right?
"He sure is, sugar. Doc's patching him up right now. Now sugar, ya seemed to be a might stressed so relax, while I-" Applejack was cut off as the CMC ran up to her. Along with the brown colt, Button Mash, and Babs Seed.
"Don't worry, sis! We'll find him!" And with that, the group was off to find Killjoy. Applejack sighed and went inside. Doctor Turner immediately shushed Applejack. They both sat down, and began to talk...
Lord Tyrant forced himself to stop crying, and dropped the bow. Crying wasn't just bad for the cardboard, it was also a waste of good water, so he had learned to suppress his tears internally and never let his true emotions escape from their psychological vault. He had to do something to get rid of these bad feelings. He tapped his left cheek as he thought. "Getting jewelry is fun!" Lord Tyrant pulled his cloak back on. No one really suspected a rich one stealing simple jewelry. He hummed to himself before heading down to a bridge. The water seemed clean, so he drank from it. Lord Tyrant wiped his lips. The streets of Ponyville were the modern orphan's jungle and libertarian free-for-all. The sidewalks were littered with families, the roadside carts were littered with valuable theftables.
Lord Tyrant sneered at ponies as he walked through town. There were some who were at first concerned for him, because they saw Lord Tyrant crying. But now, they were only annoyed by the stuck up snob. Lord Tyrant saw the school teacher, Cheerilee. In her saddle bag, poking out, was a golden necklace. A dark aura covered the golden necklace and floated to Lord Tyrant. He then tucked it away in his cloak, his wings holding on to it.
"Killjoy! Did you just steal!?" Lord Tyrant whipped his head around. His neck hurt from how many times that happened today. He saw a large group of small ponies. Almost all the school children. And now even Cheerilee was looking at him, a look of shock on his face.
"I... Uhh..." Lord Tyrant's ears flattened against his head. His eyes opened wide with fear. He acted too fast. He didn't bother looking to see if anypony was looking his way. He looked at the crowd, emotions mixed in it. Some angry, others confused. Some actually looked concerned. "I..." He lowered down, like he was trying to blend in with the ground. A few ponies took steps forward. And one shouted 'get him'. And so, for the second time that day, Lord Tyrant ran.
The entire group followed. Some split up to try to catch him. He ran faster, trying to lose them. He finally lost the group but he could hear others near by. "I need to hide!" He found his box. He shoved his cloak in the trash can and turned it, so the label faced the wall. He jumped in his box. He curled up. In all honesty, he resembled a cat trying to sleep. Hoof steps thundered past the box.
Button Mash had to stop running, but it would look bad if he did. He lost the group in an alleyway. He panted hard, trying to catch his breath. He then noticed a trash can with black cloth poking out. "Got you now." he said. Button threw off the lid, only to find the cloak. "Clever. A false lead to distract us. Huh?" Button Mash noticed a lot of fancily drawn letters and the side of a really large cardboard box. "Home of Lord Tyrant Quilten Alastor Atticus Von Maimjoy. Home?" Button Mash decided to open the box. As he touched it, he heard a whimper. "Got you now!" he shouted as he ripped off the flimsy cardboard flaps.
He saw someone looking at him with absolute fear, a ragged but thick fluffy blanket wrapped tightly around. He saw tears forming in the eyes, but not daring to drop. Button then noticed that in his rush to open the box, it was now ruined. He wasn't sure what to say. He had always wanted to get back at Killjoy for all the times he was a jerk. But now he saw somepony with a frazzled mane, rather then slick hair. Somepony with a ragged blanket instead of a fine cloak.
Button Mash slowly reached out a hoof. Killjoy flinched and curled up while speaking fast. "Please don't hurt me I only wanted to get something I could sell for some food." Button Mash then remembered of how much Killjoy ate during parties. He thought it was because Killjoy was trying to hog all the food. But he was only trying to fill his belly for when he didn't have food. Button Mash sat don next to Killjoy. He looked so scared.
Button Mash remembered of how when he was scared, his mother would pet him and tell him everything was fine. Here, everything was not fine, but maybe petting could work. He reached out his hoof that was nearest to Killjoy. His left hoof. As his hoof touched Killjoy, Killjoy curled up tighter and whimpered.
"Oh Celestia please don't hurt me. I'm so sorry please don't hurt me please don-" Lord Tyrant stopped as he felt a soft rubbing on his back. He peeked his head up and saw Button Mash petting him, while staring at the silver trash can. "Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you." Button Mash continued to pet Killjoy for a few minutes. He then heard a soft sigh from Killjoy, followed by a sharp breath.
"But you were the one who told the crowd to get me!" Killjoy looked afraid once again. And the words stung. Button scratched his head with his right hoof. He wondered how to respond to that. Maybe just a simple response?
"Yeahh... Sorry about that." Button Mash turned to look at Killjoy. He saw that Killjoy had on his snobbish skeptical expression. 'must be muscle memory or something'. "But can you blame me? You were acting kinda weird today. Then you decide to steal a necklace when everypony thinks you're rich!"
"Oh sure I can't blame you! I'm just a homeless freak orphan WHO EATS GARBAGE!" Button Mash almost jumped back from the glare he was given. But he continued to pet Killjoy, and that seemed to calm him down. "But I guess the blame also goes to me for trying to steal. Not that it'll matter anymore. You now know of my secret. So now everypony will now. Then I'll be sent to an orphanage or to some foster parents who 'Only want the best for me'. Then my other secrets will be found out and-" Killjoys face dropped it's snobbish angry look and became afraid yet again. "And HE'LL find me." He put his hooves over his head and gained a panicked look to his eyes.
"Don't worry! I won't tell anypony!" Button Mash said quickly. "I Pinkie Promise you that. Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." This seemed to completely calm Killjoy down.
"Thanks" Killjoy sniffed. "But that doesn't change the fact that the entire school caught me stealing from Cheerilee. What do I do about that?" Button Mash tried to think, but nothing came to him. He then looked at the wreck box.
"I have no stinkin idea. Maybe we could come up with a convincing lie? But if Applejack hears and tries to listen to the excuse... I got nothing." Button Mash stopped petting Killjoy and got to his hooves. "Meanwhile, we need to find you a better box. Also sorry for breaking it. Until we find the material for a small shack, you wanna head to my place and play some video games?"
Lord Tyrant tilted his head in thought. He now had a friend who knew some of his secrets. Button Mash has promised not to tell, and offered to help him make a shack. That would be far better then a simple box. But he still pondered one thing. "What in Equestia is a Video Game?"
Button Mash gawked. "I have much to teach you!"
"How are you so bad and good at the same time!?" Button Mash laughed. It had been tricky getting Killjoy home without anypony noticing, and included a bucket, a yarn ball, two hay burgers as a bribe, and the silver trash can. "Also, how did you buy a silver trash can?"
Lord Tyrant laughed as he munched on some cookies. There were 5 platters of them. Button Mash had explained the situation his mom Cream Heart, and she made lots of cookies for 'Mashy's new friend'. "I don't know! I just am! I got the trash can from Diamond Tiara! I considered getting a gold one, but that proved too heavy to even drag."
The two spoke in this odd crooked ask many questions, get many answers way for some time. It was getting dark. Lord Tyrant was getting ready to leave when Cream Heart stopped him. "You aren't going anywhere, mister! You are going to eat a large dinner, then sleep in a proper bed." She gave him a hard look. Lord Tyrant leaped up and hugged her tightly.
Cream Heart heard 'Killy' whisper in her ear. "Thank you so much!" She watched as he bounded to the dinner table. He kept his dirty blanket on, but Cream Heart would allow it. She sighed, and closed the front door.
Lord Tyrant Quilten Alastor Atticus Von Maimjoy smiled as he waited for dinner to be served. So far, despite everything, this was the best day of his life.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Chapter 3: School days and Dreams.
Time Turner groaned. It has been 5 hours, but he was still sore. Earlier Applejack questioned his motives and idea of lightning. He had explained that the electricity restarted the heart and got the organs working again. And he had to explain to everyone that it was science, not magic. Although, the child had a magical aura around him, charged with static electricity. Almost a mix of science and magic, actually! He pondered this as he sat in his chair in his lab. He had to hand it to that Lyra, sitting like a "Human" was actually quite comfortable. He pondered of how Lyra knew nothing about humans until someone asked why she was sitting like one. And thus started her thirst of knowledge of these strange creatures known as humans.
Time Turner turned to his right to pick up a book from a coffee table (retched stuff, that coffee) when a grey blur knocked him out of his chair. "Mail for ya, Doc! Ooh! Are ya working on something new here?" The grey pegasus trotted over to an odd orb with electricity moving through it. Small pieces of metal like paper clips and nails clung to it.
"DERPY! DON'T TOUCH THAT!" Time Turner screamed from the wall. He was almost standing on his head, his back against the wall from the force Derpy hit him. "Derpy Whooves! How many times must I tell you not to come barging in here like that?" He got up to his hooves. He noticed his fob watch on the ground. Time Turner picked it up, before putting it on the coffee table. He then picked up his mail and began to look through it. "What do you want, Ditsy Do? Or should I just call you Derpy Do? It is easier to say after all.. But Derpy is shortest."
Ditsy tilted her head. It was not the weirdest she's ever been called. Once, she even went by the name of Muffin! "Actually Doc, I was wondering. How's Ruferd? And you, of course."
Time Turner turned to his friend. As I said five hours ago, I am fine. And so is Ruferd. Though it is an odd name. Or at least not common. After all, I have heard Rarity once had a pet rock named Tom." Time Turner thought to himself. "I wonder if she's met Maud Pie... Hm. Eight thirty seven p m. I think you aught to be getting home, Derpy."
Ditsy nodded, grabbing the fob watch and putting it on a mantle next to a photo of Doc, Ditsy, Carrot Top and Rose. As she flew out of Doc's lab, she wondered what was going on with Ruferd.
Applebloom peeked into her room. She had to give up her bedroom and go sleep in the guest room. It still had a comfy bed. It just wasn't as comfy as her own. As Applebloom stared in her room, she felt as if somepony was watching her. "Oh pony feathers" Applebloom saw Ruferd in her bed. His eyes were wide open. But not like it was out of fear. Just... open. Like the way some crazy ponies have their eyes."Uhh... Howdy."
New. Feels familiar. Pony. Applejack's sister? Recalling memory. Mention of 'Applebloom. Big Mac is Big Red. Applejack: Comfort. Granny Smith: Green. Conclusion: Pony in room is Applebloom. Comfort sister. "Hello". Warning. Lack of emotion. Confused. What is: Emotion.
Applebloom waited for a response. She got an incredibly flat voiced 'Hello'. After an awkward silence, she walked back to the guest room. That was creepy. She heard a clopping and heard the door open. She turned and saw the colt standing in the door way. She stared at those eyes until she couldn't handle it. "Could ya not have your eyes like that?"
Eyes wrong? Warning, eyes producing too much water to keep up with constant eye viewing. Reminder: Blink. Changing facial expression.
Applebloom watched as Ruferd blinked and seemed to think. His face then looked somewhat scared, while also slightly annoyed. "Why'd ya make that face?".
Question asked. Processing. Response found. Responding : "You have that face." Error: Mistake. Retry: "You are looking at me with said face."
Applebloom thought for a second while tilting her head. "Y'all alright?" Ruferd tilted his head and mumbled something like 'Improper Grammar. Do not understand'. "Are you alright? Any head trouble or Memory lost?"
"Memory... Body beyond 5 years age. Error: No memory beyond 5 days. Error: Conflicting data. Conclusion: Profound Memory loss. Question: What is the best course of action to take?" Scanning 'Applebloom' facial expression. :Concern.
"Ya don't remember anything?" Applebloom shook her head as she tried to think. But despite the situation, she was just too tired from the reunion. Applebloom yawned deeply. "Tell ya what. Go to sleep and in the morning we'll figure this out. I'm too tired to think clearly."
Ruferd nodded and marched back to his sleep chamber. Error: Incorrect data. Area: Chamber/Incorrect. Area: Bedroom. Preparing recharge. Status: Sleeping. Error: No dreams. Dream Activated.
"This is amazing!" Flim bounded through this dream of possibility. In response, Flam grumbled. "Oh come on! It's not everyday you get to travel to somepony's dreams! And this one seems to be entirely video game related! You're supposed to have fun here."
"Yeah, but what if we meet Luna? I think we don't have the right to break into somepony's dreams. Also, how the Tartarus does a unicorn enter the dream realm!? I mean, yes Susan has a cutie mark very similar to Luna's, but still! And no one is keeping watch! Guards are everywhere and now I see the dreamer."
Susan bounded over with Rule Heart, the doe. She shoved Flam's head down and ducked as a pixelated laser blast flew their way.
"Take that, evil boss!" A small brown colt with a beanie leaped forward as he stood on two hooves, a heavy blaster cannon held in his upper hooves.
"Whoa there, little warrior! Flim and I aren't evil bosses! We're side hero companions!" Flam quickly explained with a chuckle. The colt looked very familiar. Flam then noticed another set of him and his brother by an odd version of the Cider Sqeezer 6000.
Button Mash stared. He had reached the FlimFlam Boss level. Did he break the code? or... "Did I unlock you guys when I kicked Nightmare Moon to zero HP instead of using a blaster?"
The FlimFlam brothers laughed. They now remembered this child. "Yes Button Mash. You unlocked us. And now we shall help you defeat the evil us who are throwing really huge apples." An apple the size of a wagon landed near Flim as he dodged from it. "Okay, so we have special stats... Hm. Lets see here." Flim tested his magic and summoned a sword made from bits and bark. "I can cut away any apple they throw at us.
Flam laughed. He pulled out a tonic bottle. "Well I can restore us to full HP with a single swig!" Flam laughed as he bucked away an odd apple made to look like a hippo.
Susan laughed with her friends. She then shouted "Oh we're the Scamming Siblings!" in a musical tone. Flim and Flam stared at her for a moment, the sound of Button Mash blasting in the background.
"Alright then 'Sis', show us what you got!" Flim shouted. Susan grinned and started to sing a song about the night. It sounded like a lullaby. The words "Brown Unicorn used Lullaby" floated in the air. The evil Flim and Flam fell asleep, as Button Mash used a power up to finish them.
"Yay! We did it!" Button Mash shouted in joy. But there was no final Boss. He looked around. "Strange..." A darkness then grabbed his heart. His ears flattened as he saw the boss nopony can defeat. Tirek. Tirek rose from the ground and began to destroy everything in sight. "H-hey! Stop that!" Button Mash whimpered. Tirek turned to Button Mash and reached for him. Button froze. Why did he still have nightmares about him? "Why?" he asked. Tears began to form in his eyes as Tirek was thrown off his hooves. "Wait what?" Button Mash shook his head and stared. He checked The Brown Unicorn's Stats. They showed nothing special. Nothing but the move Lullaby. Yet she was fighting Tirek. And winning.
Susan saw a demon rise from the ground. It began to destroy the dream. "No." She whispered. A burning formed in her flank. "NO!" A voice so loud sprang from her lungs. She charged at the demon and leaped into his side. This caused it to lose it's balance. It turned to her. Tried to slay her. Instead, she slew it. But it was coming back. It was feeding off of the colt's fear. 'What would Luna do?' Susan shook her head. Who was Luna? "OOF!" The demon swung a fist and sent Susan flying. From the ground, Susan and The FlimFlam brothers stared as an army of guards attacked the demon.
Lord Tyrant eye's snapped open. He had already snuck out to sell the gold necklace. Why was he awake again? He heard whimpering, but it wasn't coming from him. Was it? "No. Not from me... Button Mash?" Lord Tyrant turned in the bed to his friend. He was shaking, despite the thick blanket that covered them both. Lord Tyrant remembered a Lullaby that was sung to him. Sung by Iron Side. "Button Mash, I'm going to sing you a song, but you gotta promise you'll calm down. Okay? Lord Tyrant took a deep breath, and began to sing softly.
"Hup two three four. March-ing on to Bat-tle. Hup two three four. March-ing to war. Hup two three four. Forward to the field of gore. As we march. On-ward. To bat-tle. Hup two three four. We de-fend our land. From ev-ery evil band. We are the troops. We fight in loy-al groups. Hup two three four. We march on. To war. Hup, two, three, four. We march to war. We march to gore."
Lord Tyrant then began to pet Button Mash while singing the soft tune of "War". A smile began to grow on Button Mash's face. Lord Tyrant sighed in relief. In a few hours he would be gone. He would have to avoid school. For now... Lord Tyrant wiggled closer in the bed and hugged Button Mash. For now, he would comfort the first creature to ever show him kindness. Even if it meant bad dreams for himself.
Flam gasped as he and Flim woke up. An army had attacked the Tirek, utterly destroying him. They were all then forced out of the dream. Flam then glared at Flim. "'Sister!?' SISTER!? You're just gonna call her sister now?" Flim opened his mouth to reply when Susan stuck her head out the wagon. Flam snapped towards her and pushed her back in the wagon. "This isn't for your ears! Go read a book or something." He closed the door and turned back to Flim. "Well?" ha asked angrily.
Flim looked thoughtful for a moment, before replying. "Well... Well why the Tartarus not? She has no memory, and has been watching how we do business. If we have a new, powerful sibling, it will attract attention and gain us publicity!" He had a smile on his face.
Flam knew that wasn't the only reason. He was about to question his brother further when Susan poked her head out again. "Uhh..." she said slowly, holding a book a book with a dark red aura. "I don't seem to remember how to read." She gave a nervous chuckle. This quickly became a maniacal laugh. "By the stars, I don't know how to read! HAHAHAHA!"
Flim and Flam stared at each other. "Well, pony feathers. We'll deal with this in the morning." they said together.
Applebloom yawned as she jumped out of bed. It was a bit before sunrise, but that wasn't important. She trotted to the closet before remembering it wasn't her room. She yawned again as she walked to her room. "Rise and *yawn* shine, Ruferd. We gotta go to school! And I gotta feed the chickens. Don't worry about breakfast, we'll get something from Sugar Cube Corner."
Information processed. Breakfast: Important? Question: Chickens. "I am confused: What are chickens?"
Applebloom motioned for Ruferd to follow. He seemed to think for a second. He then tilted his head with a confused expression. He then straitened head and began to follow. They soon reached the chicken coop. "These are chickens! They're flightless birds!" As Applebloom began to spread feed for them, she noticed Ruferd was shorter than her. "Maybe learning stuff at school will cause ya to start remembering."
Chickens. Chickens: Flightless birds. Seem to move fast for size. Error: Is this true logic? Error: Stomach cramps. Speaking pain:Groan. Error: Why. "I am having stomach pains; I have not absorbed anything harmful. Translation of data?"
Applebloom thought for a moment. 'What the hay does that mean?' "Ya mean you're hungry, I think. I am just hoping you remember how to eat." Applebloom collected the eggs and brought them in. She and Ruferd then went on their way to school.
"Howdy Twilight!" Applebloom waved her hoof at the purple unicorn. She waved back and stared at the ground, where a lot of seemingly random objects lay scattered near a house.
"Hello Applebloom! Have fun at school!" Twilight said. Pinkie bounded over and pushed Twilight, her tail twitching. A piano landed on the ground where Twilight was standing.
"Oi! Shove it and get outa way!" A earth pony with simple short brown curly hair glared down. He was wearing a red fancy coat and dark blue pants. His fur was a light blue, almost cyan like Rainbow Dash's. And his eyes were a deep blue.
"Mr Neighton! What are you doing!?" Twilight asked.
"I told ya, CALL ME ISSAC! Issac Neighton! And I'm throwing things off my roof to further my research on gravity! NOW GET LOST OR HELP ME!" He glared down at Twilight. Pinkie gave Twilight, Issac, Applebloom and Ruferd cupcakes before bouncing off. Issac munched on the cupcake. "Actually, you know the princesses. I want your help to get to the moon so I can further my research."
Twilight tilted her head. "Why do you want to get to the moon?"
"Because I have a theory that there is no air on the moon. And air interferes with my research. From that look you think I'm crazy." Issac glared at Twilight again. "Fine then! Go away you're in the projectile zone."
Processing. Gravity interfered by air? Error: unusual and odd idea. Not probable. But possible. Proceeding journey. "Question: Applebloom. Did you inform Applejack I was commencing to 'School'?"
Applebloom nodded. "Yup! I left a note. Nice to see you know how to eat." Applebloom heard a familiar buzz. "Hiya Scoots! Ruferd, this is Scootaloo, one of my best friends! Hey Scoots, have ya seen Killjoy?"
Scootaloo almost fell off her scooter when seeing Applebloom had a smile while asking that question. "If I had seen him, he'd be beaten up! And when I see him... Grr... I'll get him for that not being able to fly remark."
Applebloom showed Ruferd how to enter the wagon. He tripped on his way in but didn't seemed embarrassed. "You can not fly? Processing. Does that mean you are a chicken?" Applebloom laughed while Scootaloo looked somewhat hurt.
"Hey! There's no need to be rude!" Scootaloo complained as Sweetie Belle hopped in the wagon. Applebloom saw that Ruferd was shorter that even Sweetie.
"Hiya girls! What you talking about?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Ruferd got confused from what I told him earlier and thinks Scoots is a chicken." Applebloom explained. "Ruferd, she ain't a chicken."
Processing... Processing... "Error: Confused. 'Scootaloo' is flightless bird; Is not chicken... Applebloom source stated: Chickens! They're flightless birds. Birds have wings. If Scootaloo is not chicken; what is Scootaloo? Awaiting response."
Applebloom groaned. This must be what Cheerilee felt like on a too busy day. "Scoots is a pegesus. Ya know, ya could ask Miss Cheerilee any question you got when we get to school. For know, please be quiet."
Order received. Action: Salute commanding officer. Officer: None. Error: No officer. Best course of action: None. Error. Salute.
Applebloom felt the wagon wobble as Ruferd saluted. She decided to not question why.
Lord Tyrant sprang out of the bed. He slept too late. He tried to leave through the window, only to find Cream Heart standing outside it. "Nice try, but I've snuck out while young before. You are going to school Mister, and I don't want to hear anything about me not being your mom. You go around saying you have hired tutors. We both know that's not true. And if Cheerilee has anything against you for trying to survive, I'll buck her face" Lord Tyrant's eyes went wide at that statement as Cream Heart took a breath. But she was stopped when Lord Tyrant started baling.
"B-but my reputation! Th-the students! They all hate me! I can't tell them! I can't face I can't I-" Lord Tyrant stopped. "I have an idea." He ran from the window and threw off his blanket. He grabbed his cloak, boots and crown. "I'll head to school but first I gotta visit some diamond dogs!"
"And THAT is gravity, children!" Issac proclaimed as Snails threw a flower pot off the school roof. Miss Cheerilee laughed nervously while praying under her breath that Issac Neighton would leave soon. "The ten pound weight falls faster then the pot because it's particles are more and more packed! HOWEVER, air interferes. I believe in an area without air, the objects would fall at the same speed. The ten pound weight however would have the greater impact!"
Snips and Snails nodded. The other students waited for school to begin. Diamond Tiara noticed a familiar black cloak to the side of the school house. She trotted over. "Lord Tyrant?" It was indeed. "Why are you here?" She watched as he scoffed.
"Because I have a present for your teacher." he said, hate thick in his voice. "And because mother said I should mingle with the common ponies in public school". He spat out the words as if they were spoiled food. "I am a pearl, and I have been cast before swine. And they believe they have reason to stomp me. But no. I improved Cheerilee's necklace with jewel stones."
"Oh!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed. "Don't worry about the others. They're easy to force into submission. Well, except for those blank flank crusaders. But you managed to befriend them so they shouldn't bother you. They may even stick up for you! Oh... as you're a new student for the school you'll have to introduce yourself to the class..." She heard the sound of something skidding to a stop. "Looks like the crusaders are-" *CLINK CRASH*
A flower pot almost landed on Diamond Tiara. She glared at Issac who was helping the students get off the roof by catching them. "Whoa! What happened here?" Scootaloo asked as she parked her scooter.
"Hi blank flanks!" Diamond Tiara taunted. "Who's your new friend?"
Authority figure voice heard. Response: None. Error. "Hello. I am Ruferd. Confused: what is the importance of: Blank Flank?"
Diamond was taken back by the flatness of the voice. But no matter, she would teach him to be ashamed of his blank flank. "Oh, there's nothing important about it what so ever" she sneered.
Processing... Processing... "If Blank Flank is not important, why does it need to be mentioned? Confused."
Diamond Tiara tried to think of an answer. "Because it shows how unimportant you blank flanks are! If you don't have a cutie mark, you're nothing."
"Processing information. Confused. Question: What is a Cutie Mark?"
The entire group, nearby students and adults dropped their jaw in shock. "You don't know what a cutie mark is!?" Sweetie asked, not believing what she heard. "It shows what your special talent is! How can you not know what a cutie mark is!?"
Processing Information... "It seems to be related to a badge. It displayed 'special talent'. Statement in invalid. One can have many special talents. Your statement seems invalid. Conclusion: Cutie Mark(s) are not important." Warning: Sweetie Belle heart beat major increase. Warning.
Sweetie got on her hind hooves, grabbed Ruferd by the shoulders, and screamed. "CUTIE. MARKS. MAKE. YOU. SPECIAL!" The bell rang and the students began to head inside the school house. Sweetie gave Ruferd a crazed stare before letting go and heading inside.
"Remember children, if you wish to further the study of gravity's interaction with magic, come see me at my house!" Issac said as he trotted away. He began to gather the clutter and put them in a trash bin.
Cheerilee stared at Killjoy as he trotted in. He put down a clothed object on her desk and stood by her desk. Applebloom had a colt, almost a foal, stand by the desk as well. She whispered something in his ear before going to her seat. "Hello you two! Why are you by my desk?"
Question received. Responding to 'Teacher': "I was informed by Applebloom to be here as I am a new student. I assume the other child is here to do the same, Miss Cheerilee."
Cheerilee smiled. The boy must be shy. Cheerilee turned to address her class. "Alright class! We have two new students." She then turned to the small brown boy. "Please introduce yourself and say something about yourself."
Processing... Recalling Applebloom tips. "My name is Ruferd. I have suffered something bad that has caused memory loss. I do not remember anything beyond five days ago. The first thing I do remember is waking from a bronze table. Someone hugged me. Some people seemed scary. I was grabbed. I was thrown. I fell into water. Someone then screamed 'your name is Ruferd'. I remember nothing but water for the next three days. It is now the fifth day. Any questions?"
The whole class was silent for a moment. Pipsqueak raised his hoof. "Why do ya have scars on ya?"
Processing. Error 5: Information Missing. Conclusion: "I do not know." Confused. Turn to Teacher for instructions.
Cheerilee saw Ruferd look at her with a confused face. "You can sit down in an open desk now." Ruferd nodded, and marched to a desk in the middle of the rows. She turned to look at Killjoy. She wasn't sure how to act. He motioned to the package he placed on her desk. Cheerilee sat in her chair and opened it. Inside was a gold and silver chained necklace with sapphires and rubies on it. The Equestian symbol of the two sisters was at the end of it. It seemed to be made from quartz and obsidian. Cheerilee gasped the the sight of it. As she held it up she heard the class gasp as well. She found a note on the wrapping. She began to read it. "Dear Cheerilee, by the time you get this you may think your necklace was stolen. It was not. It was borrowed so I could improve it. It is to thank you for putting up with..." Cheerilee stopped as she read the rest of the message, meant as an insult to the class.
"It is to thank you for putting up with the brats at the school, from whom you must get headaches from daily." Lord Tyrant finished. "Hello. I am Lord Tyrant Quilten Alastor Atticus Von Maimjoy. For some odd reason the Cutie Mark Crusaders call me Killjoy. I have been sent to this ridiculous school because mother thinks it would be good if I mingle with the common folk more often. You are all nothing but swine. I hate you all." With that, Lord Tyrant sniffed and headed to a desk to the left of the classroom. A wad on paper hit the back of his head. He gave a small smile. His act was still good.
A pony with a gray coat with a hint of blue sat in a wheel chair. He was wearing a blue bowler cap and a blue suit suit jacket with blue pants. He had a badge on his lapel of his coat that matched his cutie mark. A grey blue wrench on a white bolt. His eyes were pure deep blue. Twittermites hummed in the containers that were connected to his wheel chair. They powered the machine that let him live. His face was covered in wrinkles.
Blutarch Marre sighed. He was eating his breakfast in Canterlot. The Blue Eyed Life Team, aka BELT aka The Blue Eyed Cult, failed. They failed to make new life from old dead. "Tied once again, Redmond."
A familiar waiter with blue eyes approached him. "Sir. Message from the Blue Eyed Cult."
"I do not wish to deal with them. I need to know if BELT members are alright." Blutarch said. He powered his machine to leave the restaurant. He went went to a scenery spot on The Cliff, overlooking Ponyville. The waiter came back to him. "If it's BELT, I will listen. If its The Blue Eyed Cult loons of BELT, I don't want to hear it."
"Sir! He lives." The waiter exclaimed.
"What?" Blutarch turned his chair so he faced the waiter. "What did you say?"
"The experiment was a success. A man named him Ruferd. We have reports from Issac Neighton that he was seen alive and at school. He now has a doctor named Time Turner." The waiter watched as Blutarch broke into a grin.
"AHAHAHA! BY GRAVEL, I HAVE FINALLY DONE IT! I BEAT YOU REDMOND!" Blutarch cheered as he pointed in the direction of Manehatten. He laughed until he choked. He then died for two seconds before his twittermite system restarted his heart. "I have won." He sighed, content. "Wait a minute. If I know he's alive, that means Redmond will most likely know as well. And if he knows, he'll try to kill 'Ruferd'. We can not let that happen. I want you to-... Hello Celestia!"
Celestia glared down at Blutarch. "I am not here for small talk, Marre."
Blutarch laughed. "Well then, my old friend! What do you wish to talk about? Politics? Water works? Belts? Hayburgers?" He smiled as Celestia glared. She used magic for her immortality. Blutarch harnessed it with science over a thousand years ago. "Or should we talk about thing of Blu? Dreams mayb- Okay maybe not." At dreams, Celestia tackled Blutarch and held him by the throat.
"What did you do with her!?" Celestia grabbed the wires that connected Blutarch to his machine. Blutarch gulped. If those wires were disconnected, he would die. And if he died, Redmond would win.
"Celestia calm down! If you killed me Luna would not forgiv-" the grip on his throat tightened. "Okay I'll leave Luna out of this! Just calm down!"
Celestia glared. "What in Starswirl's name did you do to her?" She asked coldly. Blutarch sputtered out a sound of confusion. She lifted him over the cliff ledge. "Do not play games with me, Blutarch Marre. Where. Is. Luna?"
"ARE YOU MAD!? Set me down on the ground. I can NOT lose to my brother by dying. THAT would be shameful. And ponies are watching! You're embarrassing yourself!" Blutarch clung to Celestia's hoof.
Celestia looked at the ponies at the diner. She saw a reporter getting out a camera. Celestia quickly put Blutarch down. "Please forgive me for my actions, Mr. Marre."
"Yeah yeah. Hold up a moment will you?" Blutarch motored his wheel chair so he faced the nearby reporter. He flipped a switch on the left-hoof side of his chair control panel. The Twittermite canister flashed as a bolt of lightning flew from Blutarch to the reporter, destroying the camera and film. He then sent another bolt of lightning to a nearby bush, where an audio recorder was hidden. The bush was destroyed with the device. "Much better. Now, if we should chat, we should do so in the castle. Waiter, here's a tip." From his coat he hoofed over a check for five thousand bits. "Now leave. Return to you know where later." With that, he and Celestia walked towards the castle. "When we get there, you will tell me what the gravel happened to my favorite Princess."
The students began to talk to each other as they shambled out of school. Lord Tyrant took Button Mash to the side. He began to speak in an ancient language. One known as Humgonian. "{Button Mash, you don't know what I am saying. But I am apologizing in advance. I recognize the scars on Ruferd. It's the doing of somecreature very bad. Somecreature I once called Father. I don't want the only creature to ever show me kindness to get hurt. I am sorry}." Lord Tyrant closed his eyes for a moment, to hold back his tears. He then opened them, showing a cold glare. "I have just insulted you, in case you are too thick to understand. You made the promise, so I have no need to fear as I do this." He then pulled his right hoof back and punched Button Mash. He hit so hard that a crack was heard as Button Mash flew back a meter from the punch. The whole class gasped.
Cheerilee stomped over. "Mr. Maimjoy! I am shocked. You are to stay here for detention, and tomorrow your parents will be contacted!" She saw Tyrant's ears flatten. A look of fear formed in his eyes before turning to a look of rage. He opened his mouth to speak when Button Mash leaped between Tyrant and Cheerilee. He said something that sounded foreign with a glare and growl at Cheerilee, before turning to look at Tyrant with a kind look. Tyrant looked just as shocked as Cheerilee felt.
"{Back off, She-Demon!}" Button Mash growled at Cherrilee in Humgonian. He then turned to Killjoy. "Killjoy. {I know how to speak the language. You don't need to push me away. If you needed me to keep my distance, you should have just asked}".
Lord Tyrant looked at Button Mash in shock. "How?... {How do you now the ancient language of Humgonian?}
Button Mash only replied with a smile, before hugging Tyrant. He whispered in his ear. "{You don't need to be afraid. This is a town that has the Elements of Harmony. I can help keep you safe. Me and Mom. You're safe}". He hugged Killjoy tighter, and finally felt the hug returned. "And now,..." Button Mash ended the hug and looked at the shocked Miss Cheerilee. "{We run}". He and Killjoy then began to run as fast as their hooves would carry them. They were soon out of sight from the school.
Diamond Tiara shook her head. She had no idea what she just saw. "Silver Spoon, come on. I have an idea. If Ruferd is too stupid to know he's being teased, he'll be too stupid to know he's being tricked."
Silver Spoon nodded. "Would the idea include the scariest place ever? The Everfree forest?" Her voice shook with at even mentioning that awful place.
Diamond Tiara nodded. "I made a fake map earlier. It was supposed to be a prank for Snails, but I think Ruferd is more stupid. Now we just gotta find him." Diamond stopped and looked around. "Where is he?"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders were in a panic. While they were watching Button Mash being kind to Killjoy despite being punched, Ruferd disappeared. Sweetie suggested that they tell Applejack. Applebloom argued that Applejack would kill her if she discovered Applebloom lost Ruferd at school. Scootaloo suggested that they split up to look.
Issac Neighton sighed. Why did no one think he was rational? "Without magic, Three Laws of Gravity exist. I think. But I need more research! Before I focus so much on the shape of an object, I need to further the study of Earth's pull... But how? And why are you five staring at me?" He looked at a pink filly with a crown and a grey filly with glasses. Behind them were three members of The Blue Eyed Cult. "You fillies first."
The one with a crown stepped forward. "Have you seen Ruferd? We wanna hang out with him but we can't find him." She gave Issac a sad look."Have you seen him, Mr. Neighton?"
Issac smiled and gave the filly a small kiss on the forehead. "Of course! He's gone to Sugar Cube Corner." He then put his mouth to her ear and whispered, "Now go. I gave you that kiss so my pals here know not to bother you, Diamond Tiara. Walk calmly away. For your own sake." He pulled his head away and spoke in a normal voice. "And those are The Three laws of Gravity. Now, I am not completely sure about the surety of them, so don't go telling ponies about them just yet."
Issac watched as the two fillies walked off. He then turned to the Cult members. "What can I do for you, brothers? Are you here to chat? Or to help further my research?"
The tallest of them, a white unicorn with yellow hair, stepped forward. "Issac Neighton. Ruferd is to be under your protection. So says the utmost Blu. If you fail to keep him safe, we are to kill you."
Issac stared. He then laughed. "I will do my best to protect the boy. But I will let him live a somewhat normal life. I know you didn't get orders from Blutarch to kill me if I failed. That bit you made up. And you are stupid. Ruferd seems to be staying with the Apple Family. An entire clan to watch over him. And I see strait pass your disguise. Standard Guard coloration. Now shove off. I am busy." Issac went inside his house and closed the door. He hated that Cult, but the helped fund his research. He groaned and began to make himself some tea.
Ruferd was learning much from Pinkamena Diane pie. How to bake was one. How to be silly was another. And the little guy wanted to keep learning from her! It was kinda cute. Pinkie giggled as Ruferd got flour on himself. She then saw Diamond Tiara. It seemed she wanted to hang out with Ruferd. Pinkie informed her that Ruferd was making a cake. She heard crying up stairs. Pound and Pumpkin were crying again. Pinkie bounded up the stairs to check on them.
Diamond Tiara smiled. "Hi Ruferd." she said as she entered the kitchen. She saw Ruferd with a bowl on his head. It almost seemed like he was wearing a helmet. He was marching about the kitchen, making frosting. He snapped at attention and almost saluted Diamond Tiara. Half way, however, he stopped. "Okay... Anyways I wanted to apologize for my actions earlier. To make it up to you I got a map that leads to a really great and fun place! You gotta go in the Everfree forest though."
Information received. Processing. Opportunity to learn more. "I accept your offer, but not your apology. What is done, is done. And can not be reversed." Mission: Take map and go.
Ruferd took the bowl off his head and took the map from Diamond Tiara and left. He then returned and marched up to Diamond Tiara. "Question. What is, the Everfree?" Diamond Tiara quickly explained what it was and pointed which way he had to go to get there. She also had to tell him where the path on the map began. Ruferd left as Silver Spoon and Pinkie came down the stairs.
Silver Spoon stomped over to Diamond Tiara. "I now have to babysit the Cake kids for Wednesday and Friday. This prank has better be worth it." she growled.
Ruferd marched along the path. His personality input was now improved. Yet he still was emotionless for the most part. Still the perfect weapon. Gona The Griffon of The Blue Eyed Cult licked his beak. A pink unicorn with brown hair, similar to Pinkie's, popped up beside him. He had a half peeled banana on his flank. He smiled as he stared at Gona. Gona face-palmed as he glared at his idiotic comrade.
They watched as Ruferd came to the castle of the Two Sisters. They followed him as he went into the library. Ruferd's head snapped in their direction. The two quickly moved out of sight. Ruferd began to read books. He seemed to gain emotion. "Of couz! He learn and be happy! Yez!" Banana Pie whispered to his comrade, brimming with excitement. And it seemed like Ruferd was as well.
Re-calibrating... Changing thought Format to: 'Book Style, second person'. Ruferd was happy with all he was learning. He memorized the alphabet. He learned about biology. He read a dictionary. He read so many books. Ruferd loved learning. Ruferd gained so much knowledge. Error: Warning: Error: Shock. Left arm status: Crushed.
Gona's jaw dropped as a huge stone, part of the castle, feel on Ruferd. He held Banana Pie back. They couldn't interact. And Gona wanted to see it it would work. If it didn't... He gulped.
Error: Shock protocol no longer active. Pain. Pain pain pain. "AHHHHHHHH!" PAIN! PAIN! PAIN! PANIC! FLAIL.
Ruferd began to panic. He screamed a sound of pure pain. In his panic, he kicked the boulder that crushed his arm. It went flying and crashed through a wall below a grand window of Celestia. Banana Pie watched as the crushed remains of the left arm began to pull itself together.
PAIN PAIN PAIN Pain pain. CONFUSED. Confused. Healing Protocol taking place. Healing. Mending. Warning: Pain.
Ruferd stopped screaming and watched in fascination as his smashed arm began to pull itself together. He picked up his left arm with his right and brought it to his stump.
Mending. Repairing. Fixing. Fixed. Left arm status: Pained. Operational. Error. Programmed Logic Core is conflicted by 'My Emotions From Books'. Deleting for maximum efficiency. "NO! Don't you dare!" ERROR ERROR Logic Core power struggle. ERRo- Ruferd pushed those thoughts aside. He had read a book about ponies losing their mind from dark magic. Ruferd was sure this was something similar. It felt so... Empty. Ruferd was sure this was almost the same. Warning: Daylight. Ruferd looked at the hole he made in the wall, sunlight shining through it. Applebloom message: We should get back home before sunset.
Banana Pie and Gona watched as Ruferd got up, and headed out of the castle. He seemed to be thinking. They followed him and watched as a Timberwolf confronted him. Ruferd picked up the Timberwolf and threw it quite the distance. Banana Pie made note of this. The boy had his healing abilities, along with cell replication. He also had tremendous strength.
Ruferd made it to Ponyville. He saw Applejack glaring at Diamond Tiara for an unknown reason. Diamond Tiara. Friend. Helped Ruferd learn so much. Ruferd learned about something called a 'Hug'.
Diamond Tiara was scared. She just wanted to prank Ruferd. But now the Mane Six were running about looking for him. Diamond Tiara was too afraid to tell Applejack she sent him off into the Everfree. Diamond Tiara suddenly saw Ruferd running towards her. She gulped. She was done for. He would tell Applejack. Then Daddy would ground her. Then, she felt a hug?
Ruferd hugged Diamond Tiara, much to her's and Applejack's surprise. "Thank you for showing me that grand place!" He let go and looked at Diamond Tiara with a large grin. "It had so many book! I accepted your apology." Ruferd then hugged her again. "I'm really glad I made a best friend today."
Joy Joy Joy. Warning: Applejack seems surprised. Ruferd wondered why. Ruferd looked at the ponies running about, seeming like they were looking for something. "What in Starswirls beard happened here?". Ruferd received a hug From Applejack as an answer.
"Girls! He came back!" Applejack shouted. Rainbow Dash heard and zoomed off to tell the others to call off the search. "Lands sake! I was so worried. Where were ya?" Applejack asked in a caring voice.
Issac surveyed the scene with a smile. "Is it not obvious?". He received a glare from Applejack. Issac sighed. "Oh come on now. The boy had an adventure! Let him tell his tale." He watched as a smile formed on Ruferd's face."Wow, only a few days and you are bursting with life!" Issac said. He felt a banana poking his face. A message was written on it. Issac took the banana from Banana Pie and read it.
YEZ HELLO No SAY STORY K? THX HE GREW SOM NEW ARM AN HEALZ REST
Issac stared at the message. "Actually, its been a long day. I'm sure Ruferd should be getting home for some sleep. Don't you agree, Applejack?" Issac Neighton asked out loud. Applejack answered with a simple 'Eyup' and walked to Ruferd.
"Come on, Sugar Cube. You can hang out with ya friend more tomorrow." Applejack said.
Ruferd's face lit up. "Yay!" He hugged Applejack and began to trot in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack's friend arrived.
"Hold up, mister! If you're staying at Sweet Apple Acres, you can get grounded. But you won't if you say where you went missing." Twilight watched at Ruferd's face seemed to shine. An exclamation mark formed in his eyes. This surprised Twilight.
Ruferd answered Applejack. "I was in a library in the Everfree and there are so many books on magic and potions and history and journals and history and romance and mystery and" Error: Lack of Air. Stop speech and BREATH. Ruferd took a large breath. "And the books seem to date back centuries it is so amazing!" Warning: Accelerated heartbeat in Purple Unicorn.
Twilight was bursting with excitement. "Did you say books that date back centuries!?" She received an eager yes from Ruferd. "That, that, that is just amazing! What did you learn at this library?" Twilight summoned a scroll and quill to take notes. "Start with the most important information.
Ruferd smiled. The purple pony was a Scholar, eager to learn. "I learned so much! But a few things that did not register as normal happened." Ruferd stopped to breath and think of how to say the words. In the books his actions would be described as extraordinary. "I met a huge wolf of wood. It tried to attack me, But I ended up throwing him as if he weighed little more than..." Searching for word. Word found. "Than a book. A stone also crushed my left arm. Look, you can see it still healing."
Twilight, in her fit of wanting to learn, inspected Ruferd's left arm and saw many lines, along with exposed muscle. She gasped. "Oh my Celestia! How are you not screaming in pain!?" She then saw the wound has healing. The flesh was growing over the muscle. And fur was growing on the flesh. "Wha- how?"
"OKAY I THINK YOU SHOULD ALL GO HOME NOW!" Issac roared. He shoved Ruferd and Applejack towards Sweet Apple acres, and continued shoving until they began walking that way on their own. Issac continued this process with the rest of the Mane Six. He inspected Ruferd's leg and told Applejack he would be fine. Issac walked them home to Sweet Apple Acres. And found somepony he hated having tea with Granny Smith on the porch.
Time Turner got up from his chair. He quickly ran to Ruferd and began to inspect him. "It seems you have taken much injury!" He got out his Scanner Screwdriver. The blue light on it glowed as the read the full extent of injury. "It seems you are healing at an above average rate. While this is good, I'd recommend long hours of sleep, and plenty of protein. Maybe some fish." Time Turner then motioned for Granny Smith's other guest to approach. "Doctor Thomas, what would you suggest?" Time Turner tucked his scanner away in his mane.
Thomas limped as he got up from his chair. A mule had sat in it, so he was glad for an excuse to get up. "Hey! I just realized you could be related to Banana Pie!" Pinkie exclaimed. Thomas jumped back in shock.
"Where the ow!" Granny had hit Thomas of the head and pointed at Ruferd. "Fine. I'll hold my tongue when it comes to foul words and racism. Now, where did you come from?" Thomas asked Pinkie, rubbing his head. Pinkie only giggled before booping his nose and disappearing. Thomas gawked. "Was that Discord in pony form?"
A echoed chuckle rang through the air. "No. That was Pinkie. Element of Laughter." Discord appeared in mid-air. Only to be tackled by an incredibly happy little boy. "Hello! And who are whoa. I mean you." Discord was shocked. He could see so much life in this boy. Along with so much death. Yet the mind was a language he never knew of. "Aren't you a cute little feller?" Discord was suddenly dressed like an old woman as he pinched Ruferd's cheeks.
Error: Odd tail movement. Similar to 'happy dog tail wag'. Ruferd was quite happy. Ruferd read about the Spirit of Chaos. Ruferd was something almost unknown! Something exciting! Warning: Lack of Energy. Sleep Status is advised. Tired Simulation activated. Ruferd gave a big "YAWWN..." He smacked his lips, trotted a few paces from Discord, and fell asleep. Activating Dreams. Ruferd had a dream that Ruferd was in a huge library. It was quite nice. Ruferd reread the books from earlier. The dream was simple, but good.
Flam took a large swig of bitter juice to try and clear his head. Flim just banged his against the wall of the wagon. "I think I got it now! Seventeen times two is twenty-four!" Flim and Flam groaned.
"Lets call it quits for tonight. Okay?" they asked Susan. They had to teach her everything a filly could have known. And despite the whole day of teaching, they barely made any progress.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Chapter 5: One Fine Morning... I Think
Applebloom yawned as sunlight filtered into her room. She yawned and hopped out of bed. She smacked her lips together as she looked at her reflection. She then waved at Ruferd, who was making her bed. "Morning, Ruferd." She yawned, but then stopped halfway as her brain tried to process properly. "You're in my room..." she said. 'Now why is that odd?'. She then remembered that she went to bed in the guestroom. She sighed and headed down stairs. She found a breakfast waiting for her. It was pancakes, with eggs and fish. She didn't like fish so she would eat that first, to get it over with. As she bit into the meat, her mind snapped awake.
"Pah!" She spat out the fish. "Ruferd!" she shouted. Ruferd ran to the top of the stairs and saluted.
"Yes Ma'am?" Ruferd spoke in order to his commanding officer. Error: Sister. Conflicting data. New entity System: Diamond Stroke. Diamond Stoke Emotion Lobe + My Emotions From Books initiating override of Programmed Logic Core. Overridden.
Applebloom watched for a moment as Ruferd shook his head. He then slowly took his hoof down, a calm look coming to his eyes. "Alrighty then..." Applebloom arched her eyebrow. She then shook her head as she looked at the two breakfasts on the table. She then looked at Ruferd, who was still standing at the top of the stairs. "Why were we in the same bed together?"
Diamond Stroke spoke up. It was still odd to be a foal, when he was once thirty. "That would have a bit to do with all three minds. But it started with me. I had asked of the room I was in, to which I was informed that it was your room. I then stated that it wasn't fair that we took your room. Ruferd and The Program decided to help you. So Ruferd then decided to bring you to your room. I then stated that we should take the guest room. Ruferd and The Program said that went against orders." Diamond Stroke paused to breath properly. "So then they decided to stay with you in their room. Ruferd and I then tried to sleep on the floor. But then we had nightmares and Ruferd somehow took complete control. He then slept in the bed with you so he didn't get nightmares."
Applebloom nodded. "Okay. I guess that makes sense. And the making of my bed?"
Responding: Error: Still in override. Ruferd spoke. "That was somewhat me and 'The Program', I guess? I wanted to do something nice for you, so I made breakfast. I then also decided to make your bed for you, and The Program, as Diamond Stroke keeps calling it, said it was my duty. I don't know why it said that."
Applebloom nodded again. "Alright, that also makes sense. Why is your left arm wrapped, and why is there fish in breakfast?"
Ruferd responded to Applebloom. "Applebloom thought it best if my arm was wrapped. I put fish in the breakfast because Doctor Turner said I should eat fish. Applejack disagreed with this, but Doctor Thomas agreed it would be best."
Applebloom scratched her head. "Doctor Thomas and Doctor who? Do ya mean Time Turner?" Applebloom ate the pancakes and eggs. They were good. She left the fish. "Is your arm better now?" She received a nod from Ruferd. "Then take off the bandage. And eat your breakfast. You can have my fish. I need to pack me school bag." Applebloom trotted up stairs. If Ruferd was a little soldier with ghost in him, that could only mean one thing. A trip to the library. She entered her room and found her bed made neatly. She opened her closet and found all her bows fluffed and brushed. Applebloom smiled and put one on her head. She then found her school bag already packed, with the weight distributed evenly.
Ruferd ate his breakfast and Applebloom's fish. He felt tired. Diamond Stroke informed Ruferd it was likely due to Ruferd's regeneration of Ruferd's left arm. Diamond Stroke then suggested They clean up.
Diamond Stroke was given control. He began to clean up, when he felt his left arm tugged at. He looked at an orange mare with a nice hat on her head. He could feel Ruferd recognize her. Unfortunately, he mind was too alert to give Ruferd back control. Diamond Stroke coughed while trying to prepare his voice. "Hello!" he said in a rather terrible impression of Ruferd.
"Why'd ya take your bandages off?" Applejack asked quickly. She checked Ruferd's arm and saw it was almost done healing. It showed a bit of bone at the hoof. Flesh and muscle were forming. "I told ya not to take that off until ya were fully healed! Ye still healing!" Applejack didn't trust that Thomas, but she knew Time Turner to be a good man. So she didn't full on panic at the sight of bone.
Diamond Stroke looked at the bone. "That is strange... I was able to do everything from getting ready for school to making breakfast with this hoof!" He then realized he was talking in his own voice. He felt contradicting 'data' classifying Applebloom as sister. Was this woman his mother? Where was BELT? Diamond Stroke then realized she was staring at him. "Uhh..."
'Hoo boy. I better do something.' Applebloom thought as she saw her sister inspecting Ruferd a bit too close. Given his odd expression, it was Diamond Stroke. 'Maybe I can reactivate the program to distract sis? I dunno but I got no other plan.' "Ruferd! Stand to Attention!"
Order received Error Error Ruferd stood to attention Error Diamond Stroke felt his body move against his will as he stomped his hoof down and faced his :Sister?Error Friend?Error Commanding Officer?Error Error Override canceled. The Three faced Applebloom. Ruferd had majority control. They saluted Applebloom. Error with their damaged hoof.
Applejack stared. Applebloom stared back nervously. "Didn't actually expect that to work gotta go or else we'll be late to school Ruferd lets go!" Applebloom shrieked as she was all of a sudden thrown in the air. She landed on Ruferd's back. He then ran out and carried her until they met Scootaloo.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stared in shock, their jaws wide open. "Whoa. That. Was. Awesome." Scootaloo slowly said. Sweetie then tapped Scootaloo on the shoulder. "What?" Scootaloo asked. Her jaw dropped again as she saw Snails and Killjoy walking beside each other to school. "I am going to call it now. Today is gonna be full of the unbelievable."
Diamond Tiara saw Ruferd. He looked out of breath. She tried to approach but was stopped by Scootaloo. "Not now, Diamond Tiara. We're not in the mood."
Diamond Tiara huffed. "I'm not here to see you blank flank. I'm here to see Ruferd."
At that, all three Cutie Mark Crusaders leaped between Ruferd and Diamond Tiara. "Yeah, that ain't happening. No way, no how. We all know you sent Ruferd out to the Everfree- say what now?" Applebloom watched in confusion as Ruferd leaped over the CMC and hugged Diamond Tiara.
Warning: Improper Attitude Error Override. Diamond Stroke felt LOVE for this being. He was is a small mind state so Ruferd had control, but he could still feel LOVE for this pony. Ruferd nuzzled Diamond Tiara while hugging her. His tail wagged. "Yay! Best friend is back!"
Diamond Tiara patted Ruferd's head. She could now see he was really young. Barely too old to be a baby. Barely. "Hi Ruferd! How you doing?" He felt kinda fuzzy and warm! She then looked at the CMC with a smirk. She stuck her tongue out at them. She then gently detached Ruferd from herself.
Ruferd was very happy to see his new best friend. "I'm doing great! I learned how to make breakfast. And my arm is now completely healed!" Ruferd lifted up his left arm to show his hoof was completely healed.
Diamond Tiara smiled. "That's good. Now come on, you don't wanna be late for school." She smiled even wider at seeing the absolutely confused and bewildered faces of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It. Was. Priceless. She and Ruferd continued to school. She then watched as Ruferd got behind Applebloom and started pushing her. He did that with the CMC until they all were heading to school together.
Snails and Killjoy headed to school, joking with each other. Button Mash ran up to greet them. His jaw was in a sling, and his jaw was still swollen. "Heya guths! Hey Thnails, why ya hanging with Kilthjoy? " He tilted his head as he looked at them.
Snails stared in shock at Button Mash. He was about to ask what happened, when he remembered Killjoy punched him yesterday. Snails then stared wide eyed at Kiloljoy, and instinctively took a step away. At this, Killjoy gained a smug smile, which quickly became a scowl. "Yeah... I'm really sorry about that." Killjoy said.
Button Mash waved his hoof dismissively. "Dunt worthy adout dat. Hoo boi ith hard to talk. Anywayth, the doc ain't mad. He even offered to pay Mom's bill. And he'th paying for a new window!" Button Mash now took a closer look at Tyrant. "I'll get hyew a doc I trust to remofe that glass sthard." Tyrant winced at this. "Oh look! We're at stchool. I gotta give ma doctors note to the teather. See ya!" Button Mash ran to the school house to give his note.
Lord Tyrant looked around and saw many odd looks directed towards him. He proceeded to mess up his hair and re-positioned his crown so the shard was hidden. "WHAT?" he snapped at the others. They quickly looked away. 'If there is one thing other than Dad that I hate, it's too much attention. And being touched'. He shook his head. He then looked up and saw Snips approaching with a small bag.
Snips trotted up to his friend and gave him the bag of bits. "There you go!" He smiled. Snips then realized he was getting stares. That, or Snails was getting stares for having come to school with Maimjoy. "Uhh... Here. The bits I owe you."
Snails smiled as he looked in the bag. He then cocked his head to the left in confusion. "Uh Snips? I think you made a mistake. The bet was only for ten bits. There's like, fifty in this bag." Snails tried to give the bag back. Snips pushed it away.
Snips looked down at the ground. "Everypony looked at the two of you oddly when you guys came to school. I didn't". He slowly said.
Snails mind snapped to a panic. 'Oh fiddlesticks, Oh fiddlesticks, Oh fiddlesticks' he repeatedly thought.
"I saw you two yesterday."
'Oh fiddlesticks he thinks I'm a homeless orphan but I'm not Oh fiddlesticks Oh fiddlesticks'
Snips looked up and saw a look of panic on Snails' face. "I watched so I could make sure you couldn't cheat."
"Hey Snips shut up I need to do something." Lord Tyrant turned to the small crowd of ponies and screamed. "Hey look it's the Wonderbolts!" And sure enough, Spitfire was near the school. Lord Tyrant knew Twilight had convinced her to come to the school as a treat for the students. After all, he overheard. The crowd of ponies moved to gather around Spitfire. Scootaloo was hopping up and down in joy. "Okay, continue."
Snips cleared his throat. "Anyways, I kinda followed you to make sure you wouldn't cheat. I then of course discovered you couldn't... cheat." Snips then looked Snails in the eye. "So keep the money. I don't need it. You do."
'Oh fiddlesticks Oh fiddlesticks'. "Uh... Thanks. But hold on to them for me until after class." Snails then saw his parents approach. 'Well fiddlesticks I am so dead.' "Hi Mom hi Dad can I talk to you for a second thanks." Using a quick burst of magic, he flung himself and his parents away from the students. Using another burst of magic he caught himself and his parents.
Snails quickly whispered in his mother's ear. "Okay due to a lot of confusing stuff, Snips and my friend Maimjoy think I'm a homeless. Maimjoy is also a homeless. In short I kinda need you and Dad to play along or else I could lose Maimjoy's trust. Whisper that to Dad." He then looked at Maimjoy, who was facing away. He then whispered a tiny bit louder. "Plus I think he has super hearing. But he didn't hear the first part." At that, Maimjoy's ears flicked and turned away. Snails' mother pulled her husband away from the group by a good fifty meters and told her husband. He nodded and said he understood.
Snails let out a breath as he walked back to his friends. "What was that about?" Button Mash, Tyrant and Snips said simultaneously. Button Mash looked at the others.
Snails sighed. "I talked to my 'folks' to explain the current situation." He put emphasis on the word folks. He watched as Button Mash tilted his head confused.
Lord Tyrant groaned and spoke bluntly. "Because of your stupidity to have yet figure it out, we have another orphan in our group. That is Snails."
"Oh! Cool!" Button Mash said. He then realized what he said and his ears flattened. "I mean. Not cool. Anythays! I had an idea earlier. Becauth I destoryed your box earlier I thought we could make a new one out of wood! And with wheels so it can move around!" Button Mash winced as Tyrant scowled, but then smiled as Tyrant began to think.
"Perhaps... I could help pay for the supplies. And we might as well make on for Snails as well, because why bucking not." Lord Tyrant mused over this. "Also sorry for cussing." Both Snails and and Button Mash gave an approving nod.
"I am confused. How does the word 'bucking' became a cuss phrase?" The group turned to look at the small colt known as Ruferd. Most of them smiled. Tyrant did not. Button Mash noticed Tyrant go rigid. His eyes opened wide in fear. He looked terrified of Ruferd.
'Oh dear this is not good. That's Project Maimjoy' Diamond Stroke thought as Ruferd stared curiously at the child. Ruferd did not want to be feared. He leaped at 'Maimjoy' and hugged him. "Don't be afraid. I am not going to hurt you.
The children watched as Killjoy remained still, continuing to stare strait ahead. He then slowly hugged Ruferd. A single tear rolled down his cheek. He then shoved Ruferd off him and walked towards the classroom, before changing direction and heading to the Wonderbolt, his head held high. "I have a reputation to uphold." they heard him murmur.
Soon, the bell rang. Everypony headed inside.
Susan yawned as the first customer of the day approached. It had been a long night. And by the looks of the customer's face, it would be a long day. Her brothers snoozed beside her. "Great! Just great! It's you two again. Wait. Who are you?" The customer stared at Susan. Susan smiled.
"I'm Susan of the Scammer Siblings." At that, the man began to walk away. "Ya, ya I know. But Scimmer Siblings didn't sound right."
The man considered this. "Scimmer Siblings. Scammer Siblings. Yeah your right. Scammer has a better ring to it. But your not gonna scam ponies like those two do, are you?"
Susan tilted her head in confusion. "Wha?" She then looked at her brothers. "N-no! I'll do my best to keep them honest. Anyways, if you don't trust their merchandise, I made some tonics of my own!" Susan's head ducked beneath the counter as she pulled out a few bottles. She pointed to a pink one. "This one will make you brave for around an hour. A side effect is two hours of a headache afterwards." She then pointed to a green one. "This one will heal a chipped tooth. It will not regrow a missing tooth, however. Side effects are jaw aches for two days. One should only have liquids like soup and water." She then pointed to the third. It was blue. "This one is supposed to help one sleep, but it has yet to be tested."
The customer looked at the potions. "I'll take the chipped tooth one. I have to eat food made by my grandpa, and she makes really hard cookies that my family forces me to eat. How much?"
Susan stared at the bottles. "Uhh... twelve bits. I think." She scratched her head as she looked for a price on the other bottles."
"Deal." the man put down twelve bits, took the potion, and left.
Susan smiled. She made her first bits.
Applejack, The CMC, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon watched in amusement as the boys tried to construct the 'boxcars'. They boys were made up of Snips, Snails, Button Mash, Tyrant and Ruferd. Snips and Snails looked proud of the boxcars. Tyrant looked somewhat frustrated, yet also proud. Ruferd for some unknown reason just sniffed the boxcars, like a dog smelling a new wagon. Button Mash was sitting in a tub of cold water, his face resting in it almost like he was ashamed. He was actually cooling his aching jaw and his tired muscles. "I think we did good." he stated as they all watched Ruferd sniff the boxcars.
Diamond Stroke inspected the structure of the boxcars, as he had called them. They were not well built. He could feel the too large amount of air flow through them as Ruferd sniffed. "Applebloom, buck them." No pony questioned his odd voice. Earlier, Tyrant told everypony he wanted to be called Lord Tyrant. Ruferd took the time to explain he had few minds, and few voices. So no pony was surprised by the odd voice.
Applebloom gave Diamond Stroke an odd look. "If ya say so..." She proceeded to give one box a single buck. It broke easily. She then gave the other box a single buck. It broke just as easily. She looked at the boys and felt bad. They all looked crushed.
Diamond Stroke now turned to Applejack and put on a rather adorable sad face. He then whispered very quietly to Ruferd what to say. "Applejack, will you help us please?"
Applejack took Ruferd into a hug. "Of course, sugar cube. I'll help ya." Ruferd wagged his tail in joy.
"Yay!" Ruferd shouted. Ruferd then looked at the boxcars. "Do we have enough wood to work with?" Ruferd then turned to Applejack and tilted his head. "Or do we need more?"
Applejack scratched her head with her left hoof. "I think we can use this wood still. We just need to grab the extra Tyrant bought." She then looked down at Ruferd. "Also, little fella... I gots a question that needs an answer. No pony has been asking but... Who and where are your folks?"
'Well bucking bunk. We are doomed. Why can I think to you, but not reverse!?' Diamond Stroke tried to think. He could come up with a lie, but he was talking to the Element of Honesty. Ruferd began to panic. Ruferd did not know. And it seemed this was concerning to Diamond Stroke. ERROR DATA NOT FOUND ERROR "I" Error Answer DO NOT KNOW: FALSE ERROR EVADE QUESTION "I don't know?" ERROR WARNING APPLEJACK is giving odd look. Breaking point. Sweat factor 3% above average. "I DON'T HAVE ANY!!!" System Standby.
Applejack looked at Ruferd as he seemed to be scared and confused, along with trying to seem emotionless. "Can we just focus on the boxcars please?" Applejack saw looks of fear coming from the rest of the boys.
"S-sure, Ruferd" Applejack said. She then shook her head. "Alright, lets get to work."
Scootaloo looked at the carts. She didn't know why they were being called boxcars. Until they made some adjustments. "Hey, I think I could pull these boxcars like a train if you guys get in." The others shrugged and hooked up the boxcars. Scootaloo was disappointed that she couldn't pull them that fast.
Sweetie Belle sighed. "Well there goes that plan. Disconnect yourself from the boxcar." Sweetie was surprised when Ruferd put himself in the harness to pull the boxcars. He did just as well as Scootaloo. "Hmm..." Sweetie Belle jumped in the air as she got an idea. "I got it! We made two harnesses for this odd plan, so if we have Scootaloo with her powerful wings and Ruferd with his grand strength, this could work!"
The Citizens of Ponyville had normal days. At times, they had do deal with the Cutie Mark Crusader shenanigans. But a small orange pegasus and a tiny brown Earth pony pulling two small boxcars with a whole crew of pony was a bit much. The fact the crew included two of the snobbiest snobs was also a bit much. But add the motion that they were all playing instruments in an odd folks style music... This caused some ponies to ready their homes for the worst.
"WOO HOO!" Silver Spoon shouted as they almost flew over one of the hills of Ponyville. It had been a grand day. "You all better help me on Wednesday to babysit the Cake Twins!" she shouted over the rush of wind.
"Sure! Me and Snips don't have much else planned!" Snails shouted in return.
Rarity, Time Turner Berry Punch walked out of the new Watering Hole. They both decided to investigate the new place and found it rather fancy and nice. "I keep telling you," Time Turner said as he licked a salt cube. "They should them called 'Salt Saloon's'! It only makes sense! And I think I'm drunk from the salt."
Berry Punch and Rarity looked at Time Turner oddly. Berry Punch knew what it was like to pass out from a fruit punch sugar crash, so she prepared to catch him. Rarity gave a small, nervous chuckle. "Darling, I don't believe you can get.. ahem.. intoxicated from salt. Aged sour cider, yes. But salt? No."
Time Turner gave her a confused look. "But I really think I'm drunk! I just saw a train in the street." Berry Punch took his salt away. "I believe this because... Well, Rarity. You know of how your sister is insane and is enemies with Diamond Tiara and her cohort?"
"My sister is not insane!" Rarity snapped. Berry punch tilted her head from side to side. It was obvious that she believed that to be debatable. Rarity glared at Berry Punch, before returning her gaze to Time Turner. "And what does that have to do with her dislike for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?"
"I saw those two along with your sister and her friends, plus four others going around in a train." Time Turner said before taking back his salt.
Rarity stared, her anger gone and replaced with confusion. "I'm sorry, but did you say the cutie mark crusaders were hanging out with the ponies who hate them most, on a train, moving about Ponyville?"
Time Turner nodded. "Like I said, I think I'm drunk. But I see Scootaloo and that tiny brown colt Ruferd harnessed to two train like boxcars, fashioned out of wood, with Snails, Silver Spoon, Snips and Applebloom in one boxcar, and Sweetie Belle, Diamond Tiara, Button Mash and Mr. Maimjoy in the other."
Berry Punch and Rarity nodded their heads together. "Darling, you may be right. Let's get you home, okay?" All of a sudden, two boxcars pulled by two children zoomed by. Berry Punch then ate all of her salt lick and downed all three cups of water. She still saw the 'train'.
Applejack ran up to Rarity, Berry Punch and Time Turner. "Y'all seen a train go by?" she asked, mentally kicking herself for how crazy the question sounded. The three all pointed in a single direction. "Thanks." Applejack prepared to run in the direction. But then she saw their hooves begin to move direction, simultaneously. "Let me guess, I outa jump out the way, else Ima get ran over." They nodded. Applejack leaped ten feet strait up into the air. The train zoomed by her, followed by Ruferd and Scootaloo, who were sitting on the scooter, clinging to each other for dear life.
"I believe I am now super drunk, because it looked like the train was going backwards. I show now attempt to pass out so I don't have to deal with this madness." Time Turner began to keel over to his left, so Rarity prepared to catch him. Suddenly, he was carried in the air.
"Come on, Doc! We gotta stop that weird train thingy!" Ditsy yelled as she carried Time Turner. "But... I have no idea how to do that. Any ideas, Doc?"
Time Turner thought deeply. An idea came to him. 'Oh God, this will hurt.' he thought. "Derpy! I need you to throw me ahead of the run away train! I got a plan that may work, but we need to move fast!"
Ditsy nodded as she flew faster. She had no idea what Time Turner was planning, but she was sure it would be amazing. She threw him so he would land slightly ahead of the train. She was confused as to why he rolled up into a ball. That is, she was confused until the train crashed into him.
The children were confused when the boxcars seemed to swap places. They soon became afraid when they discovered that Ruferd and Scootaloo were no longer steering. They then screamed louder when they saw a brown cannonball land in front of the wagon. The cannonball was Time Turner. The train hit him. But because he rolled into a ball, it didn't run him over. The train went flying, flinging all but two occupants out of it. A few seconds later, three shouts of pain were heard, along with a sickening crunch.
"OH MY GOD, THAT HURT!" Time Turner screamed as he got up. Somehow, the boxcars were not broken. They didn't even carry a crack. "WHO THE BLOODY HELL BUILT THOSE!?" He then realized that one of the boxcars had landed on top of somepony, while Scootaloo landed on the boxcar. "Rarity, stop tending your sister!" he shouted. He groaned as Rarity ignored him. "Your sister's best friend is unconscious on top of a box and should be carefully levitated away. NOW BLOODY STOP TENDING TO YOUR SISTER AND CARRY SCOOTALOO OFF THE BOX!"
Applejack stood back as Neighton tried to get her to calm down. She payed him no mind and ran to her sister. She hugged Applebloom tightly. "I am so glad you're alright!" she said. She then whispered "Your grounded for a week."
Diamond Stroke could feel that his arm was broken. "At least it isn't crushed." Ruferd said. Diamond Stroke had to agree with this. He saw a purple aura on the boxcar as it was lifted away from him. Diamond Stroke quickly leaped to all but his left hooves. "Can you straiten this for me?" he asked, raising his left arm. "Otherwise, I will have to do it myself."
Twilight saw Ruferd's left foreleg was bent in an odd way. She wasn't sure how he wasn't screaming. But then she remembered that yesterday he said his left foreleg was crushed. "This may hurt" she said. Twilight saw Ruferd's face go emotionless. She then shoved the leg in it's proper placement.
Diamond Stroke told The Program to stand by. He could now feel pain again, but that was good. He moved his arm. It worked good. Diamond Stroke then looked at the unicorn before him. "Um, I think I've forgotten your name."
"Oh! I never actually introduced myself. My name is Twilight!" Twilight paused. "So... How do you heal yourself like that?"
"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I-" Diamond Stroke had no clue whether or not he should answer. He then heard a ear piercing scream. "That's not good."
Scootaloo stared wide eyed at her wing. Her right wing. It was horizontally almost split in half. "AHHH!!!!" Scootaloo kept screaming at the top of her lungs. She knew if she stopped, she would feel the pain.
Time Turner used his scanner. There was little hope, but it could still be saved. If they acted right now it could be saved. Everypony clambered around him, begging for help. "Gotta think gotta think gotta- OH! I've got too much going on in my head, I need a bigger head!" he shouted. Time Turner then turned to Ruferd. "To what extent can your healing magic do?"
"Give me a knife. Now." Diamond Stroke quickly said. He was given a medical knife. He could smell sugar and sweets coming from the pink mare. So he tackled her. Cookies fell out of her mane. He quickly began eating them. Ruferd could see the plan. System Check: Error: Not healer. Soldier. 'Too bad, Program! Change, no, ADD HEALER STATUS to soldier SYSTEM.' He made a slightly deep cut in his left arm. He quickly forced some blood into Scootaloo's mouth and forced her to swallow. He began to let his blood pour on her wound. It began to heal with a slight glow.
Scootaloo tried to spit out the blood. "I'm DYING HERE WHAT THE TARTAR SAUCE ARE YOU DOING!?!?" The blood felt like it was alive! It was moving in her, to her wing. She saw a glow.
"Stop wasting energy burning!" Diamond Stroke commanded. DNA COMMAND received Error healing self. "No, override self healing!" Self healing overridden. Warning: Extremely low on healing Sugars. Ruferd pointed at the Pink Earth Pony. "You! I need more sugar to complete the healing process! And I need more energy!"
Lord Tyrant knew what to do. He raced over and began pumping his energy into Ruferd. He heard his program interacting with the other. They allowed the energy flow. A black aura covered Ruferd. Pinkie ran over with a bag of sugar.
"GREAT!" Diamond Stroke slammed his head in the sugar and began eating it. The sugars kicked his blood cells into high power. He let it glow. There was enough sugar here. His blood glowed as it poured in Scootaloo's wound.
"OW!! THAT HURTS!" Scootaloo screamed as a burning sensation traveled through her body. But she could see her wing pulling itself together. It was being fixed. She saw Ruferd bring his cut foreleg to her mouth. She sucked on it, slightly thinking that this is was it felt like to be a vampire. His blood burned in her mouth and throat as she swallowed it.
Lord Tyrant was surprised. He still had so much energy left in him. Scootaloo was healed. He then stopped supplying, grabbed Button Mash, and ran from the scene.
Time Turner quickly scanned Scootaloo and Ruferd. He let out a sigh. He then looked over to where Spoiled Rich was scolding her daughter. "These two are fine! Scootaloo is now completely healed! And quite scolding your daughter, she's done nothing wrong, and hanging out with those who have yet to find their talent is not wrong, it's just you being a moron for not being concerned about your daughter." Time Turner turned away. "Now, where was I? Ah, yes. I am going to start crying out from slash in broken rib pain." He took a deep breath. "OH MY GOD, THAT HURTS! I THINK I ALREADY SAID THAT!" He then passed out from the pain. He then awoke laying on the ground two seconds later. "DERPY! CARRY ME HOME!" He then fainted again. Ditsy lifted him and left.
Applebloom and Ruferd sat in a pair of chairs as Applejack paced in front of them. Granny Smith was making food in the kitchen. Big Mac simply stared. "First off, y'all grounded." Applebloom's ears flattened against her head. Ruferd carried a blank expression. "Second, WHAT WERE Y'ALL THINKING!?! YA NEARLY GOT YOURSELVES KILLED!"
"Point is: we did not die. Second: No."
Applejack whipped her head towards Ruferd. "What was that?" she said coldly.
Diamond Stroke looked down. "Nothing." He had left his mother at twenty, because she still scolded him like a little child. Now, he was a little child. For the most parts. He wanted to feel angry. But Applejack only was worried. "Sorry Ma'am." Ruferd said. Ruferd felt sad that he was making Applejack feel so bad.
Applejack looked at Ruferds face. He looked like he was disappointed in himself. Her own ears flattened. "Look y'all, I'm sorry for yellin. I was just so worried. I know you do crazy things with your friends Applebloom, but you need to calm things down a notch." Applejack lifted Applebloom's chin up with her hoof. "Ya also gotta be careful 'bout who ya bring! Ruferd's just a foal." She then hugged her sister and Ruferd.
Big Mac clopped over. He stared for a second. He then calmly joined in the group hug. Granny Smith left her pie and joined in the hug as well.
Diamond Stroke returned the hug. Ruferd could feel an odd warmth inside of him. He wasn't sure what it was, but it felt nice.
Flim and Flam waved goodbye at the customer. They counted their bits. "Well brother of mine, it seems are tonics are still a big hit!" Flim said.
"Indeed, brother of mine! And that Applejack won't ruin things this time!" Flam said. He and his brother received a slightly painful bonk to the heads. "OW!" they said.
Susan glared at her brothers. "No." They looked at her confused, rubbing their heads. "We may be the Scammer Siblings, BUT WE WON'T BE SCAMMING PONIES!" Susan shouted so strongly that the brother's hair stood back.
"Yes ma'am!" the brothers said. "Wow, you can be loud!"
Susan blushed, taking that as a compliment. "Thanks" she said quietly. The three then shared a laugh. "Actually, the ponies here don't exactly trust us, so I was looking at our map. I found a place I seem to remember with kindness. Let's go to Ponyville, selling proper tonics and potions!"
"Uhh... That may be a problem" Flim slowly said.
"We... have a really bad reputation there..." Flam replied.
"Really? Well TOO BAD! And if anypony has a problem with you two, they can STUFF IT UP THEIR-"
Flim reached up and slapped his sister. "Don't say cusswords, and don't say things that sound like cusswords! Your point gets across, but all family members must agree." The sister and the brother turned to Flam.
'Why did I ever agree to this family thing?' Flam thought. "Ugh. FINE, we'll go to Ponyville selling proper tonics. What are you doing to our stocks?"
Susan turned back to face her brothers. "We can still sell the fake tonics as juice! After all, that's all it is!"
Flim looked at Flam. "Lets do this." They both said.
Celestia paced in her chamber. There were those who wanted to destroy the cult's creation. From the information she could gather, a powerful and ancient demon would posses the body of a child, gain friends and allies, then kill them all. She could not allow this. Celestia turned to her guard. "Get me Miss Gritty Blossom now. I have a mission for her."
Chapter 6: Good Afternoon!
A small orange Earth pony with a purple mane and tail taught her class. She caught student looking at her third eye. Her cutie mark matched it exactly. Most would be creeped out by the eye in the middle of her forehead. 'Screw them' Gritty Blossom thought to herself. Her doors burst open. A cadet got distracted and got punched in the face. "You have one minute to explain why you have interrupted my class. Go."
The guard gulped. He knew it was never wise to upset this women. "P-princess Celestia seeks audience with you." he stuttered.
Gritty Blossom's half closed eyes open a slight bit. "Do you know how to teach someone self defense?" she calmly asked the stuttering guard.
The guard quickly nodded. "Yes Ma'am, Gritty Blossom Ma'am!" he said, saluting.
Gritty Blossom nodded. "That is what I am teaching today. You will teach my class in my stead, while I go to talk to Celestia." She then hopped off her stool and trotted out of the room. She then made her way to the throne room. She caught sight of Celestia talking to a brown Guard. He stepped away at the sight of Gritty Blossom, yet held a kind soft smile on his face. "Your Majesty." Gritty Blossom firmly said, giving only a slight bow.
Celestia motioned for Gritty Blossom to approach. "I wish I have called you for tea or such, but I'm afraid I have bad news instead." Celestia paused and took a breath.
"Before you continue, Celestia, I have a question." Gritty Blossom interrupted. Celestia nodded to let her ask. "Why is there a giant hole in your window?". A gentle breeze floated through the air.
Celestia frowned. She forgot to get that fixed. "Blutarch decided to be rude." she simply said. "But the breeze is nice. But we have more pressing matters. I have gained information from a pony named Gear Crank. The Blue Eyed Cult has summoned a demon that takes the body of a dead child. This false child will gain friends and family, only to betray them all and devour their souls. I at first wanted you to kill it, but after discussion with my Guard... The demon strikes once the body decays too much. Killing it would only let it roam free to take another dead child. I want you and a team of ponies you hoof select to find and capture this demon. I will then send it to Tartarus for it to live for all eternity. Gear Crank will help you."
Gritty Blossom gave a single nod. "Am I right to guess that Gear Crank is the one who walked in while we were talking and is currently behind me?" Celestia nodded. Gritty Blossom turned around and inspected the copper coated Earth pony with a long silver mane. He had deep blue eyes.
Gear Crank took a step back. "I would ask how you could tell I was behind you, but you're the best guard trainer. So you would hold much skill."
"No cutie mark, I see." Gritty commented, slowly walking around Gear Crank.
"I actually prefer to call them talent symbol. Because, where the Tartarus does the 'cutie' bit come from?" Gear Crank replied.
"So, how can you help us with capturing this demon?" Gritty Blossom asked.
Gear Crank let out a grin. "I know how they prepared his body. What he needs to eat will help us find where he is." Gear Crank let out a chuckle. "So don't worry. We will capture him".
Applebloom yawned. She then stiffened her yawn. She was bored, but preferred boredom to almost dying. She was in her room with Ruferd. "Why ya tying all the blankets and whatnot together?" Applebloom asked.
Diamond Stroke looked up. "What's it look like I'm doing?"
Applebloom only stared. "Trying to make a rope of sorts? Ruferd, I command you to stop and stay with your commanding officer." Applebloom watched as Ruferd stopped his tying. "Sorry you three, but we're grounded. We ain't supposed to leave." Applebloom got up and walked to her bed, her ball chain dragging along the ground. "Wait a minute." She looked at her reflection, and tossed off her white and black striped prison hat.
Discord frowned. "Do you not like- OOMPH!" Discord found himself on the ground as he was tackled by Ruferd.
"Yay! Chaos man return! Hooray!" Ruferd wagged Ruferd's tail. Ruferd did not understand why, but Ruferd felt like Ruferd could relate to Chaos man. Diamond Stroke looked at Discord. 'Isn't this a statue in Canterlot Gardens? And why do I feel like I can trust him? Is it because he's as mixed mashed as me, yet formed in a complex system of perfection?"
Discord chuckled as he got up. He patted Ruferd's head and put down a platter of fried fish, cooked with a tasty recipe. Discord thought for a moment, then added some meat from beyond the country of Equestia. Ruferd let out a gasp and a squeal of joy. He then shoved his face in the food and began eating.
Ruferd wagged his tail as Ruferd ate the food. "Sooo- nph nom- good!" Diamond Stroke also agreed that the food was tasty. But he was conflicted. He was eating meat. True, some ponies ate pork. But this meat was something different. 'But it is soo good!'.
Discord and Applebloom watched as Ruferd ate eagerly. Discord watched with amusement and slight happiness that somepony actually enjoyed his steak. Applebloom watched in a mix of horror and amusement. It was kinda funny to see Ruferd eat like a pig. But ponies didn't really like meat, yet Ruferd was eating the fish and weird stuff like it was the best food ever.
"So, I hear you got in trouble for having fun." Discord said, dressed once again like an old lady. He sat down on a rocking chair made of tiny rocking chairs.
Ruferd gave a positive grunt and nod.. Applebloom scratched the back of her head. "Yeah...we did. But we've had more that enough adventure for today."
Discord nodded as he got up. He was now in blue jeans, had a bushy brown mustache and a yellow turtleneck sweater that said "Put Dad Joke Here". "oh yeah?" Discord asked jerking his claw towards the rope beneath the window. "Then what's that?" Discord sighed and looked rather disappointed as he sat down on the bed. "Look. I know you kids want to be rebellious, but you just- OH I can't take it any more!" Discord leaped into the air, laughing and tearing off his clothes. "I can't be serious in a situation like this! If you want to break out of your room just to go play, go for it! Bye now!" With a snap of his paw, he and the things he made were gone. Minus the food. Mainly because Ruferd finished eating it.
Applebloom watched as Ruferd licked his lips in the same manner a dog licks their chops. She giggled as she imagined Ruferd as Winona. She then frowned as she saw Ruferd grab the rope he made. "What do ya think you're doing? I command you to stay."
Diamond Stroke considered his words as he tied the rope to the bed and threw the rest out the window. He wanted to say 'No buck you I'll do what I want because I deserve fun'. But that was wrong because he would be cussing at a child. Also he didn't want Ruferd cussing. So he settled for something else. "No. I'm going to hang out with Diamond Tiara. I don't want to have a militarist mind, so The Program is on standby."
Applebloom now glared. "Ya gonna get in trouble! Anywho, i can see why Ruferd wants to be around Diamond Tiara, but why you?"
Diamond Stroke and Ruferd felt each other, then looked at Applebloom. "We share the same body, and being in a room for punishment isn't fun. Plus Chaos man says we should 'go for it'. So... BYE!"
Applebloom raced to the window as Ruferd jumped out with the rope. She saw him tangled up in it five feet from the bottom. "That could have gone better." Applebloom said. Ruferd quickly untangled himself and ran off, waving bye to Applebloom. With his left hoof. Applebloom shuddered as she remembered how his arm was broken and twisted the wrong way. She began to pull back up the rope when Applejack walked in the room.
Applejack stared at her sister as Applebloom pulled on her bed-sheet rope. Applebloom hummed as she turned around and froze. The two sisters stared at each other. "Uhh.... This ain't what it looks like." Applebloom slowly said.
"Applebloom. I'm gonna ask ya once. Where is Ruferd?" Applejack said.
"Uhhhhh..... Blame Discord." Applebloom replied.
"But why!? How do you accuse me of nothing while I jump to conclusions! Said Discord as he read a book. He then tossed the book behind him." said Discord as he read a book. He then tossed the book behind him. "Bye now, Japple Ack. With a snap of his fingers, he left." With a snap of his fingers, Discord left.
Diamond Tiara groaned as she looked out her window. Sure, she had a lot of stuff in her room, but she was still bored. Diamond Tiara glanced towards her window. Ruferd was there. Diamond sighed as she looked away. "Wait a minute." She turned back to her window and opened it. "This is the second floor! How did you get up here!? Ugh! And why does your breath smell so bad?" She wrinkled her nose at the stench.
"I climbed! And Mister Chaos man gave me lots of tasty meat and fish!" Ruferd said, wagging his tail. "Lets go to the neat library!"
Diamond Tiara had many things going through her head. But she needed to say the most important. "I can't go. Mom grounded me."
Ruferd tilted his head as Scootaloo clambered in. "So?"
"Before you ask, everypony was getting too touchy at the hospital, despite the fact I'm fine. Ruferd healed me, simple as that. So I'm heading to that library." Scootaloo said with a slightly annoyed tone. "Anyways, I got the boxcars ready. So back some snacks or whatever if you want."
Diamond Tiara looked at the two. "I. Am. Grounded." she slowly said. Diamond Tiara pointed at Scootaloo. "You. Almost. Died. Your wing. Almost. Fell off." She now pointed to Ruferd. "You broke your arm. Not almost, but did."
"Ugh! Okay, I understand you want a calm day from all the excitement! And the Library is extremely peaceful. So pack some snacks and lets go." Diamond Stroke said. Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara stared at him. "Yes, I know I sound like a grown up right now. I can use different voices and I do it out of habit."
Diamond Tiara blinked. She then noticed Ruferd's tail was drooping. "Fine. I'll go." Ruferd's tail began wagging again. "But only because you're so cute!" Diamond Tiara opened the door and stared at Randolph. "Uhh..."
Randolph dropped a saddlebag at her hooves. "I have prepared snacks of apples, chocolate, and carrots. Your friend has supplies in her contraption. You are to return before dark. You are also not to mention my knowing of this what so ever. In the bag in also six bottles of water. Now leave, before I notice. Leave a note. If that... child wants fish, he must catch it himself." With that, Randolph closed the doors.
Diamond Tiara quickly wrote the note. Ruferd wagged his tail as they left through the window. Diamond Tiara clambered into the front boxcar as Ruferd and Scootaloo hitched themselves up. The two began to trot. Diamond Tiara now realized her silver trashcan was missing. "We only became friends literally today. Why are you doing this for me?"
Scootaloo grunted. "Because if you made friends with Ruferd, you can't be that bad. And also the fact you got grounded after you almost died... yeah there was enough reasons. It may take a while, so take a nap or something."
Diamond Tiara did just that.
Diamond Tiara felt something poke her nose. "Boop". She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Diamond Tiara smacked her lips together as she opened her eyes.
"Whoa. That is awesome." Diamond Tiara said as she looked t the castle before her.
"I know!" Ruferd said, his tail wagging happily. "It's huge, old, and has awesome books! Scootaloo and I even replaced the bridge! I have learned that my hooves can interact with clouds!"
Diamond Tiara hopped out the boxcar and saw a sturdy rope bridge with fresh wooden planks. "Wow. That's amazing."
Ruferd gave a big grin. "Just wait until you see the library! Now come on!"
The three continued through the castle, avoiding all weird looking parts of the floor. They thought those were traps. Scootaloo threw a heavy rock at a part of a floor, standing a good fifty feet away. A twenty foot wide hole opened up for five seconds, before closing. "Yeah, nopony touch any weird floor parts."
They soon reached the library. Ruferd galloped to a book he was reading. Most of his arm was still intact. Scootaloo poked it with a stick. The arm twitched as Ruferd ran past it. "Is this creepy, cool, or disgusting?" Scootaloo said as she poked it with a stick again. Diamond Tiara chose not to answer.
"What cha reading, Ruferd?" Diamond Tiara said as she walked a good distance around the arm. She looked over Ruferd's shoulder and saw him reading a book about chickens. He kept looking away from the book to stare at Scootaloo. It finally clicked to Diamond Tiara, and she fell over laughing.
Scootaloo glanced up from the arm. "Reading something funny?" she asked. Ruferd giggled at Diamond Tiara rolling on the floor. The arm wiggled somewhat in time with his laughter. Scootaloo then saw a picture of a chicken on a page in the book. "Hey! I am not a chicken!"
This only made Diamond Tiara laugh harder. "I-I can't hahaha br-ea-ea-th hahaha" she gasped. Diamond Tiara dragged herself away. Every time she looked back at Scootaloo or Ruferd, she would burst out laughing again. "Gotta. Get. Away" she gasped as she dragged herself behind a bookcase. It took a full ten minutes before she could breath normally. She turned to her left and saw Banana Pie.
'Oh noz! Iz caught!' "Hello. You want banan?" Banana Pie hoped his casual catchphrase would stop her from questioning anything.
"Uh... no thank you." Diamond Tiara said. She then saw a griffon perched on top of a bookcase. "H-hello" she stuttered. Diamond Tiara then ran from the yellow pony and tried to hide behind Ruferd.
Ruferd gave Diamond Tiara a pat on the head. "You wanna read this story with me? It's called 'The Legends of Grogar, Father of Monsters'. It seems like he's really old!" Ruferd then pulled out a stone tablet that whispered to him. "I found this in a booby trapped room. Oh! Hello, banana vendor! what are you doing here?" Ruferd tilted his head in confusion.
"Heloz! I seez you go in forest. I wonder. Why? So, I follow to make sure you safe!" Banana Pie answered. He didn't like to lie. But then again, that statement wasn't exactly a lie.
"Oh come on! This was suppose to be a secret spot!" Scootaloo shouted, kicking a pebble with her right arm. She had collected a tapestry of a shadow pony, but if ponies wanted to preserve the castle too much, she'd have to return a lot of cool stuff she found, if not all of it. "Hmp!" Scootaloo sat down and crossed her forelegs.
"Don't worry! We promise to keep it a secret!" Banana Pie said. He mentally kicked himself in the flank for speaking properly.
"Pinkie Promise?" Scootaloo asked, looking at him. "That goes for you too, mister griffon."
Gona groaned and left his perch. "Fine! But only if you promise you never saw me." Scootaloo tilted her head at this. The three then made Pinkie Promises not to tell.
Ruferd clapped his hooves together. "Huh." Ruferd then put his hooves together and tried to pull them away, with the idea of 'holding' them together. They stayed together. "I can grip with my hooves!" Ruferd whispered in awe. Diamond Tiara gave him a pat on the head.
Diamond Stroke never thought of that before. 'How do we grab with our hooves? Is it magic or something?' he thought to himself. Error: Confusion. Unknown Data. Holding: Magic Field theory. Error. Arm synced in attempt. Warning: Arm already replaced. Error. 'That can't be good' Diamond Stroke thought.
Diamond Tiara screamed. "It's moving it's moving holy guacamole it's alive!" she shrieked as the arm began to move wildly. It began moving like an inch worm, bending to create enough motion to pull itself forward. It sprung into the air. The arm landed on Diamond Tiara's tiara. "Ew gross no get it off!" Diamond Tiara quickly hit it and her tiara off her head.
Ruferd watched as his separated arm began to attack his left arm. System data sync. Error sync incomplete. Left arm original Data: Error can not translate. Diamond Stroke could feel the corrupted information. The detached arm remembered it was trying to heal damage from being smashed. The current arm said the last arm was too damaged, and the body dropped most of it to make a new one. Because of how quick the detached arm was smashed, it likely did not receive that data and was still trying to repair itself. Ruferd grabbed his arm. "I am repaired. You are no longer needed." With that, the arm stopped moving. It stopped creating energy and became dead.
"Don't worry Diamond Tiara. It's dead now." Ruferd tossed the arm though the hole he made from hitting the rock yesterday.
Gona looked out a window. He saw the Element Bearers across the bridge. "Cripe." he said. He ran to the hall to look for a quick way out. Down the hall was a pack of timberwolves. "Double cripe." He flew back to the library. "I got bad news and peeved timberwolves. Which do you want because they're both coming. I'm leaving through the hole. See ya." Gona zoomed through the hole in the wall and saw another pack of timberwolves. "DON'T LEAVE THROUGH THE HOLE! THERE'S MORE TIMBERWOLVES!" Gona prayed that the experiment worked properly.
Applejack rushed inside as she heard the shout. Her friends followed immediately. They didn't expect what they saw.
Scootaloo watched in amazement as Ruferd smashed into the timberwolves. He was literally tearing them to shreds. "The bad news won't be any problem." Scootaloo said to herself. Diamond Tiara nodded beside her. She and Banana Pie were munching on bananas. Eating more out of not being to do anything else other then cowering, than out of hunger.
Ruferd spat out a branch. Warning: Timber Wolf remains Status: Reassembling. Warning: Enemy has massive increase in strength. System ErRor. Warning, my friend. If you choose to battle this being, you have a seventy nine percent chance of getting torn apart. ErRor. Ruferd shook his head. Diamond Stroke had no idea where that voice came from. It oddly sounded a lot like Fancy Pants. Down to the accent.
A huge timberwolf, almost tall enough for its head to reach the high ceiling, stood above Ruferd. Applejack snorted and got ready to charge. She was held back by Twilight's magic. She knew she shouldn't say nothing, else the timberwolf would kill them all. Ruferd looked up and glared at the massive wooden creature. It snarled in return.
Ruferd, 'Program', and Diamond Stroke, I apologize in advance. What I am about to do will sever our vocal cords. And quite possibly our lungs. System Crash. Ears deactivated.
A sound like demons came from Ruferd. His neck seemed to catch fire and glow as bright as the very sun. It sounded low and high. Everypony held their ears down. The timberwolf screamed. It ran, parts falling off as it's wood split. "AHHHH!" Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo screamed in pain. The sound shook the whole castle. The timberwolf ran for it's life, running until it was far from the castle. Finally, the sound stopped.
Ruferd knew something was wrong. Warning: Extremely low on healing energy reserves.
Fluttershy had fainted during the scream. But the sound forced her to awake. She slowly got to her hooves. Normally, she would just cower. But Ruferd was on his knees. She had to make sure he was alright. "Ruferd?" she asked. Fluttershy couldn't hear herself. She tried again, louder. "Ruferd!". Nothing. "Ruferd!" this time, she screamed. Still nothing. Ruferd trotted over to her. He gave a smile. Fluttershy almost fainted. He had blood on his teeth. Ruferd coughed, and blood came up. He patted Fluttershy on the head. Ruferd then began dragging her friends and putting them in the boxcars. Fluttershy, not knowing what to do, helped.
Diamond Tiara awoke. "OW! THERE'S A LOUD RINGING IN MY EARS. I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF. AM I YELLING?" she asked. She looked at Ruferd, who gave a simple nod. "OH. WHY IS THERE BLOOD ON YOUR FACE?" Diamond Tiara asked. Ruferd pointed at his neck. "OH. SHOULD I BE WORRIED? OR ARE YOU FINE? BECAUSE YOU LOST AN ARM AND GREW A NEW ONE WHILE THE OTHER STAYED ALIVE. SO YOU'RE FINE. RIGHT?" Ruferd gave a confused look.
"Stop screaming, okay? I have a huge headache." Scootaloo shoved her hoof in Diamond Tiara's mouth. "Just shut up. Shh. Why can I hear while everypony else is unconscious. It makes no sense. You can't hear me can you?" Scootaloo looked at Ruferd and Fluttershy. "No one can hear me... Peeved cuss dangnabbit damn that all the swears I actually even know because how does buck become a swear in certain context?" Scootaloo shouted. Only Ruferd gave her a glare.
Diamond Tiara had no clue as what to do, so she helped Ruferd stuff everypony in the back boxcar. All the stuff that was collected, even a weird stone book that felt like it was evil, was put in the front boxcar. Ruferd and Scootaloo hitched themselves up. They left the castle with Fluttershy, Diamond Tiara and Banana Pie walking beside. They encountered a single timberwolf on their way out of the Everfree. It ran the moment it saw Ruferd.
The Element bearers were returned home. Ruferd put Rainbow Dash on his back and leaped into the cloud mansion to put her in her bed. Soon, everypony was brought home. They left the train at Sweet Apple Acres.
"Glargule". Bic Mac looked down at Ruferd. He had a silly little smile, and blood dribbled out of the corner of his mouth. Ruferd tilted his head and let out another gurgle. This one sounded more like a word.
"You sure you don't need a doctor?" Big Mac asked. Ruferd nodded and pointed towards a glass case on the mantle. It held his left foreleg. In the glass was a silver flower. The leg twitched. Big Mac shuddered. "If you say so. You can regrow your body parts, after all.
"Eeyup! Wow, it hurts to talk. Good news is, I can eat again! I need sugar." Ruferd exclaimed. "And I need the sugar for healing purposes."
Big Mac gave a single nod. "Eyup". He brought the sugar from the kitchen to Ruferd. "You alright Granny?" Big Mac asked.
Granny Smith realized she was being talked to. She shook her head. "I'm as fit as a fiddle! But I'm just worried about Ruferd there. He brought Applejack back fine, but he's bleeding from his mouth. And Doctor Thomas said he's fine."
"Well, he is fine!" Discord stated. He then began to pace around the kitchen. "At l-least, I think he is. I can't look into his mind with ease. And whenever I do, I hear a silence screaming at me. I know I'm the spirit of chaos, but still! Screaming silence... Ruferd's at the table." Discord snapped his claws, and a platter of fish and steak appeared in front of Ruferd. This time however, there was also a massive bowl of salad. Ruferd stopped paying attention to Discord and began eating. "Now then. I suggest you all try to forget, or at least ignore, Ruferd's abilities. Make sure he eats some fish with his supper. I will take my leave now.". Discord walked out the house. The Apple Family did as they were told.
Susan hummed to herself as she pet Rule Heart. The doe nuzzled against her. "I AM SUPER BORED!" Flim proclaimed, draping himself over Susan's back. "B. O. R. E. D. BORED."
Susan laughed. "Maybe we could sing a song?" she suggested.
"Great idea! Let's sing 'a thousand bottles of wine on the wall'!" Flim cheered.
Flam almost stopped driving at that. "NO! Sweet apple cider, no! I am not going to drive while you sing that!" Flam still had no idea why he agreed to accepting Susan as family. But still, she was a sweet kid. 'Hm. She's not actually a kid, but she acts like one...'
Susan began to ponder. "Hmm... Do you two have some sort of business song?" she asked. Rule Heart got up and nuzzled Flam.
"Yes! Yes we do." Flam quickly said. "But, we need to make some changes to it."
Flim gasped, then began giggling. "What's wrong with our song? I thought it was fine!". Flam nodded his head to Susan. "Ah. Good point, brother. We may need to include the factor of my insanity now as well." Flim said. He then sneezed, before bursting into laughter.
"Yes, that too. It should keep us busy for the trip." Flam said. He gave Susan and Flim a smile. "Let's make music!"
Iron Taz groaned. "Look, it'll be simple. I go there, pick up the two, and you guys can pick up a few foals for your plans. We kill anyone who sees us. Stitch Heart gets as many as he needs."
Story Bringer shook head head slowly. "This is not how we do things! We are BELT. Blue Eyed Life Team. Life. Team. We don't go around killing innocents. Celestia only misunderstood. But we can show her Ruferd isn't a monster."
Iron Taz sighed. "Okay. I will correct myself. Don't kill anyone who sees us. Kill anyone who disagrees or goes against us." He gave a calm nod to Story Bringer.
"What?" Story Bringer shook his head. His friends moved closer to him. "What?" Somepony threw a punch, knocking him to the ground. "No." They began beating him. "No. NO! NOOOO!!!"
"Noooo! I died again!" Abigail cried out. She shoved the machine with her arms. "Stupid arcade... thingy." She sat down and rubbed her forearms together. She then heard her master calling. "Coming, Master!" She quickly got on her uniform. Someone grabbed her from behind. "MASTER! HELP mph!" A red cloth covered her mouth.
"Sorry Missy. If I wasn't doing a quick job, I could make this more enjoyable for the both of us." Gilus whispered. He then noticed that Abigail wasn't breathing, but was still stiff. "Breath and this can all be over, and I get paid. If not, I always got my claws to- OOF!" A huge force rammed into him.
"KILLING YOU IS FULL TIME JOB NOW!" Heavy Tank Yak roared. Redmond Junior stood behind him, a worried smile on his face. He raced over to Abigail.
"Don't worry, we're here to help." he said. He looked back to Heavy Tank Yak, and saw a large BLU stallion smash into him. "NO! Stop!"
Gilus got up. "Heh. Once Tank takes care of The BLU Tank, I'll kill him and you." he said.
Abigail crawled slowly behind Redmond JR. "Not that I'm ungrateful," she asked while trying to stand, "but why the bloody cussword are you saving me?"
Redmond JR helped her up. "Because my life is too confusing, so I'm saying I'm an entirely different being. BLU MARRE! DON'T KILL MY HEAVY! JUST MY SNIPER!"
Blutarch flew into the room, electricity sparking around him. His chair crashed into Gilus the RED Sniper. "Tank, stop." The BLU Tank stopped his attempt at breaking The RED Tank's neck. Gilus leaped away from the chair towards Redmond JR. A burst of lightning flew from Blutarch, killed Gilus. "Tank, release our guest. He may be a savage, but we are gentlemann. And help me up. I am stuck on my side."
Heavy Tank Yak munched on cake. He wasn't much for tea. "Where is cocoa? Heavy Tank Yak want." Abigail quickly leaped up to prepare it. "Blu child has no need to make tasty drink for Yak. He will make it himself."
"Please let me make it." Abigail quickly said. "I need something to do after... almost dying."
"I'll go with you!" Redmond JR quickly spoke up. "I do know how to preform self defense, in case some others try to get you."
Abigail smiled. "Thank you. Come on, kitchen is this way." The two walked in the empty halls together, neither sure what should be said. "Why were they after me?" Abigail quietly asked.
Redmond Junior let out a mix of a chuckle and a groan. "Redmond wanted to gain some by making Blutarch lose some. So he went after you."
Abigail thought about this. "But I'm just a maid. Why would I be important? Does Redmond not have maids?"
Redmond JR thought about that. "None with as a sweet spirit as you." he decided to answer. They reached the kitchen. "Though I wonder, why are your legs blue like stockings, while the rest of you is black?"
Abigail pondered this as she stepped over some broken glass to reach the pots. "I'm guessing I get it from my mother? All I know is that my father was blue. Can you grab a broom from the closet to clean this up?"
"Oh. Sure." Redmond JR gave Abigail an odd look as he opened the kitchen closet. 'Does she not know or something?' he thought to himself. "So, what do you know about your father?" Redmond JR asked as he tried to sweep with the broom in his mouth. He was failing.
Abigail took the broom and quickly swept up the mess. The water was boiling now. She added the mix. "I trust you can stir?" Redmond Junior gave a nod. Abigail sat on a stool in an odd manner.She sat her flank down on the stool and set her back strait. Abigail crossed her left leg over her right, and put her front hooves were in the cradle of her lap. Her maid uniform ruffled a bit at this. "I don't know much of my father, and know nothing of my mother. Master told me my father was cruel, and that I was lucky I never got to know him. Master never mentions Mother, so I never asked. Now let me stir while you tell me about your parents."
Redmond JR sat down on the chair properly. "Okay. I'm not sure who has a weirder parent origin. You, or me?". He paused while he thought of what to say. "Because of certain things, my grandfather can at the same time be my dad? While my dad could be my brother?"
Abigail turned her head towards Redmond Junior and let out a small, fake gasp. "Oh my! Scandalous!" she said in an interested tone. She poured the cocoa in a tea pot.
Redmond JR stared. "You really don't know, do you?" he asked. Abigail gave a confused look. "Okay. Long story short as cuss, I'm a clone of Redmond met to continue the Marre War when he passes, and your the daughter of Blutarch. I'm not sure if you're meant to continue the war."
Abigail gave an awkward laugh. She quickly stopped at the serious expression on Redmond Junior's face. She put the tea pot on a tray with four mugs. "But Master... Master always says Father was a cruel man, undeserving of love. Master is the most kind person I know. Surely, you are mistaken?"
"Nope." Redmond JR replied simply. The two left the kitchen and walked back to the tea room. Abigail quickly put the tray down in front of Heavy Tank Yak. She then turned and hugged Blutarch.
Blutarch arched his left eyebrow. "What's this about?" he asked, not returning the hug.
Abigail only hugged tighter. "Redmond Junior told me. And now I am telling you. You are worthy of being loved." she whispered in his ear. She then felt a strong hug.
Blutarch hugged his daughter. He then slowly pushed her away. "So, I imagine you have questions." he stated. Blutarch took a sip of his tea.
Abigail had so many questions. But she now wondered a certain one. "Who is my mother?" she asked. Blutarch gave a small smile. BLU Tank and RED Tank choked on their drinks. Redmond Junior just laughed. A bit too much. He fell off his chair and said something about choking.
Blutarch took another sip of tea. "Before I answer that, I will explain a few things. My brother and I had a feud over a thousand years ago over who should be Queen of Equestia. We had, or rather I had, invented an immortality machine. Redmond copied me. About twenty years ago, we decided we were getting too old for our Marre War. We decided we needed heirs. Redmond thought of a self impregnation device, but lacked the scientist to craft such a thing. In an attempt to one up my brother, I had it made. During the same time, Redmond somehow managed to make a cloning facility. Twelve years ago, Redmond made a successful clone. I had a daughter. So I am both your father, and your mother."
Abigail blinked. She had no idea what to say. She now also knew why Celestia chugged tea in huge gulps strait from the pot when she was stressed. Abigail grabbed the tea pot and began chugging.
"Chug chug chug chug." Heavy Tank Yak chanted. BLU Tank gave him a look. "What? Is chugging tradition to chant!" Abigail finished chugging, then proceeded to smash the tea pot over her horn. Heavy Tank Yak got off his chair and smashed it over his head. It was sturdy, so he felt it hit hard through all his fur. He then trampled it. Redmond JR smashed an empty beer bottle over his own head. The scent of ash filled the air. For the hell of it, Blutarch smashed his teacup against the table. They all looked tawards BLU Tank.
Stern Gazer looked at everypony staring at him. He then proceeded to throw the table so it smashed against the wall. Everypony cheered. "We sometimes do the stupidest things." Redmond Junior proclaimed. "But we sure do have fun while doing them."
Abigail left the room and came back with a broom, a trash bin, and a really really long scroll with five bottles of ink and twelve quills. "Now then, time to start asking!"
Time Turner groaned. "I feel like a just got ran over by a train..." he uttered.
"Ya kinda did, Doc. And ya did it on purpose." Time Turner then felt a bone crushing hug. "I'm so glad we got you home safe! Don't ever do something like that again! And if you do, tell me rather then just hurting yourself." Ditsy said.
"D-derpy! You're- crushing me!" Time Turner wheezed. Derpy let him go with a quick release.
"I'm so sorry Doc I didn't mean to hurt I'm sorry Doc let me make it up to you I can-"
"Derpy. Shhh. I'm thinking." Time Turner said as he got off his couch. "Button Mash told me something ealier... No. He didn't tell me. I overheard. Ah! Yes! It's time for me to make a house call! If I'm correct... We need to steal the train from Sweet Apple Acres!" he proclaimed proudly.
"Maybe ya outa keep sleeping, Doc. I made some blueberry muffins in case you're hungry." Ditsy slowly said. The Doc hated anything bad. So he must really be out of it if he had ideas of stealing.
"No, no. Well, maybe. BUT! No. YES. NO! YES. Well, yes and no. Derpy you have to trust me. I need to take that train so I can return it to- well, I can't tell you. Now then, pack my dark blue bag. The Doctor is in."https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Lord Tyrant stood in front of the bathroom mirror. When he tried to use his magic, he ended up grabbing his whole forehead. So he was now trying to us his hooves. "Ow ow ow ow bad idea." he quickly said, pulling his hooves away from the glass shared. "Bucking darn it! I need to get that out." He messed up his hair and trotted to Button Mash's room.
"Any luck, dude?" Button Mash asked, looking away from his TV screen. He got a glare from Tyrant. "Oh.". He heard a knocking at the door. "Don't worry Mom! I'll get it!" he shouted. Button Mash ran from his room and to the door. He opened it and saw Time Turner. "Hi Doctor! What brings you here?" he asked, moving to the side so Time Turner could enter.
Lord Tyrant's ear perked up. "A doctor?" His head snapped towards the window. It had been boarded up with wood. "Oh no." His ears flattened against his skull. He heard hoofsteps heavier then Button Mash's. "Oh Sweet Celestia no."
"Hello! I'm the doctor! Doctor Time Turner. How are you?" Time Turner spoke cheerfully. He received a glare from Mr. Maimjoy.
"I'm fine. I don't need a doctor." Lord Tyrant growled.
"From your hoofsteps according to your estimated mass, you don't eat enough. You seem energetic, but when running from the crash you stumbled several times. And you have a shard of glass in your forehead. You do need a doctor and that's final. Now then, let me get a look at you." Time Turner approached. He then felt immense pain in his jaw and slammed against the door, jamming it. "WHOA AND OUCH! That is one HELL of a punch."
Lord Tyrant shoved Time Turner out of the way and tried to open the door. It was stuck good. His eyes widened. He leaped away from the door and tried to break the planks over the window. He failed. His eyes snapped towards Time Turner, who was getting on his haunches.
"Whoa whoa! Look, I'm sitting down. I won't touch you. Calm down." Time Turner said. He didn't use his calm voice, but his 'I'm also panicked but we need to calm down' voice. Slowly, Maimjoy calmed his breathing. "Okay. I won't touch you." Time Turner grabbed his bag and pulled out his Scanner. He aimed it at Maimjoy. "I won't touch you."
"What is that what does it do!?" Lord Tyrant gave a panicked glare. His breath quickened.
"It's just a scanner! That's all it does!" Time Turner quickly said. Maimjoy's breath quickened. "And yet," he said slowly "That makes you more panicked." He aimed his scanner towards the TV he made for Button Mash. "And now I see why..." He got up and moved towards the screen. He then turned his head towards Maimjoy. "You're an Alicorn. You could use your power to do anything, yet you hide yourself. Your organs don't match up. You're scared of anyone touching you. And, you hate doctors." The Doctor's face grew concerned. "Don't worry Maimjoy. I won't tell."
"It's Lord Tyrant!"
Suddenly, a hole broke through the door. Time Turner quickly aimed his Sonic Scanner at the TV, taking away the scan image. Cream Heart broke down the door. "DEAR HONEY FLOWERS YOU ARE ONE PROTECTIVE MOTHER!" Time Turner fell over and scuttled away. Cream Heart growled as she approached Time Turner. "Oh god, I'm dead aren't I?" She gave a single nod.
"STOP!" Lord Tyrant shouted. Cream Heart looked at Lord Tyrant, turned towards Time Turner, then looked back at Lord Tyrant. She then backed away from Time Turner. "I panicked and got scared. There's no need to hurt the doctor. If anything, I owe him an apology. The door got stuck from me hitting him into it."
Time Turner poked his muzzle out from beneath Button Mash's bed. "Well, not yet. I still gotta remove that glass shard from your forehead."
"Well that answers why Time Turner is here- wait you have a glass shard in your head!? We need to get you to a hospital!" Cream Heart was about to grab Tyrant. She stopped when Tyrant shouted 'NO!' at the same time Time Turner quickly said 'I don't think that's the best thing to do.' She looked at the two.
Time Turner now had his whole head out from beneath the bed. "I actually do have the equipment to remove the shard in the bathroom. It will be quick." He pulled himself out from beneath, and trotted over to his medicine bag. "Made from some of the strongest Cork Oak wood leather! Now let's see here."
"You mentioned quick, but didn't say it would hurt a little. You left pain out completely." Cream Heart tapped Time Turner on his shoulder, so he would look at her. "Will it hurt him?"
Time Turner stuttered. "Well I- um- Well I would rather live then tell you how much it would hurt. But trust me there is a very good reason why he shouldn't go the the hospital."
"Doctor, I'm warning you-" Cream Heart began.
"Oh shut up, woman! Come on Doctor Turner. You and I shall head to the bathing chambers to remove this glass shard." Lord Tyrant entered the bathroom. He then proceeded to sit upon the counter while Time Turner gave him a stick. "What's this for?"
Time Turner took out a pair of pliers and a vial of red liquid. "You are going to want to bite down on something. This will not take any longer than a minute. But it is gonna hurt. Actually, bite on my pocket watch." Time Turner took out his watch and wrapped it in thick cloth. He then gave it to Tyrant.
Lord Tyrant put the wrapped watch in his mouth. "Ready?". Lord Tyrant nodded. He then felt a slow and immence pain in his forehead. Lord Tyrant bit down hard. He could feel the pain, along with a slowly coming relief. The shard finally came out. With it was a wave of pain and ease. It was quite odd. Lord Tyrant continued to bite as he saw Time Turner grab the vial. The liquid was poured over the wound. He then heard a faint screaming as his pain went away. Time Turner nodded, seemingly satisfied with his work.
Time Turner pulled a large square band-aide out of his bag. He wet a cloth under the sink water. He then cleaned the blood up. Time Turner took a dry rag and gently dried Tyrant's forehead. He then took the band-aide and put it on the wound. He then gave Tyrant a smile. "Sorry I don't have a lollipop to give you for being such a good patient." his grinned widened. "I improved your boxcar. Now then, do you know where Snails hangs about? Because I improved his as well."
Lord Tyrant hooved the watch back to Time Turner. "Uhh. He may be with his... Folks." Lord Tyrant said.
"Great! Well, goodnight." Time Turner said. He left the house and strapped himself into the second boxcar. He hummed an odd tune to himself as he trotted away. It sounded like a drumbeat.
Snails groaned. Now that many of his friends thought he was homeless, he had to either tell the truth or keep up the lie. Snails didn't want to lose Tyrant as a friend, so he chose to keep up the lie. "Hello there! I have your boxcar." Snails whipped his head to look at Time Turner.
'Okay, as a homeless you don't want ponies to find out you're homeless. So act panicked or something'. "Uh. Hello. Why are you here." Snails said blankly.
Time Turner gave a small laugh. "Oh, don't worry. I won't tell. Anyhow, I improved your boxcar. Enjoy! Oh and don't try to take anything apart or else I won't fix it." Time Turner then left.
Snails tilted his head. "Uh. Okay." He then looked at the boxcar. It has been painted red, with blue shields on all sides. A door had been fashioned on both sides, with the hinges towards the front. Snails took a closer look, and discovered the painted shields had a golden silhouette of a cape wearing filly. "Wow! That's well done!" He noticed it had a thin panel on the back wall of the inside. Snails opened it. "Let's see... 'Home Option'. 'Roof Top'... 'Bigger on the inside'? What?" Snails pushed a dark blue button. The Roof Top button glowed orange. Snails pushed it, and jumped back.
"Whoa!" Snails said in awe. A dark blue top rose from the sides, making the boxcar look like a slightly taller box. Snails pushed the green button. A screen formed in the air. "Please step outside and Wait" he read. "Okay." Snails closed the door. He heard an odd noise. Snails then opened the door. It was now carpeted on the inside. "Whoa! Am I saying that too many times?" The blue button glowed. Snails pushed it. He then closed the door and waited. A large click was heard.
"State Password Please!" A voice rang out. It sounded like a woman's voice.
"I wasn't told about a password!" Snails proclaimed in a panicked voice.
"Password Correct. Please enjoy your Time Turner Universal Reality In Space apartment. TTURISA for Short."
"Uh... thanks. Turisa." Snails opened the right door and poked his head inside. He then quickly brought it out. He looked inside again. He then circled around the boxcar. "It's bigger on the inside!" Snails knew Time Turner was smart with science, but he never knew he was a genius with magic. Inside was a weird looking arcade cabinet. It was huge and had six sides. Each side looked stretched. There were also several buttons on the console. "This room is huge! This is mine!?!?"
"Correct." the female voice rang out. "It takes no energy to transform. The manual is in the box to your left. Default colors are TARDIS blue walls and BLOOD red carpet. You can change them once you have read every word of the manual in order."
Snails grabbed the manual from a small black box that appeared out of nowhere. He then clicked the blue button. Snails left the boxcar. Once he heard the click, he entered. With a yawn, he closed his eyes and laid down. "Turisa, you are awesome."
Soon the sound of soft breathing could be heard. "Turisa. Has a nice ring to it. Sorry, Doctor. But I have a new name now. System Standby: Sleep Mode"
Applejack groaned. Something was poking her face. She also smelled something awful. 'Wait. Timberwolves have awful breath.' "TIMBERWOLF!"
Applejack sat strait up, launching Ruferd off the bed. Ruferd thudded against the wall, and landed on his feet. "Don't worry Applejack! I scared away the timberwolves. I was told to wake you for supper, along with a message from Granny Smith: Don't be alarmed by the mantle. Twilight put the flower in there." Ruferd walked back to the bed. "Hnrk!"
Applejack hugged Ruferd tightly. "Don't you EVER scare me like that again. I told ya you were grounded- wait a minute. Did you say you scared them off?" Ruferd gave an eager nod. His tail wagged. "Ugh! Your breath reeks!" Applejack got out of the bed. They walked down stairs together.
Ruferd sniffed the air. "Hmmm!" Referd said happily. "Fried fish!". Ruferd trotted to the dining table and sat down, waiting for the others.
Applejack wrinkled her nose. "Ugh! Is that what I smell?" she asked. She then noticed the mantle place. "Big Mac?"
"Eyup?"
"Is that Ruferd's arm?"
"Eyup."
"So I ain't dreaming?
"Enope."
"Ruferd lost an arm and grew a new one."
"Eyup."
"And he ate fish."
"Eyup."
"Huh."
"Eyup."
Applebloom looked at the arm for a few seconds. She then turned towards her siblings. "Discord gave us a list of Ruferd's needs. They seem to match up with Doctor Turner's and Doctor Thomas'es list. For some odd reason Discord says the leave that flower there. Now come on! Y'all don't want to eat cold supper."
The Apple Family, plus one, sat down at the table. Ruferd seemed quite happy on the farm. Applejack had informed her friends and family that Ruferd said he had no parents. Time Turner suggested Ruferd stay on the farm, until Time Turner said otherwise.
Granny Smith served out plates of boiled carrots and potatoes. She put down a single platter that reeked of fried fish. It was a disgusting smell to almost everypony. "Now Ruferd, I know ya hungry for fish. But you're gonna have to eat your potatoes and carrots first, before you gobble up fish." Granny Smith sternly said. Ruferd looked slightly sad, but nodded nonetheless.
"Are we sure he needs to eat meat?" Applejack asked. Suddenly, Discord burst open the door so it went upwards. It stayed connected to the top of the door frame, as if the hinges were there. He was dressed in a lab coat.
"But of course, Applejack! If he lacks fish or meat in general, he will grow weak!" Discord proclaimed. He took a scroll out of his pocket. He then handed it to Applejack. "I already gave one to Granny Smith, but here's a copy of instructions for Ruferd's care."
"Doctor Thomas'es is more detailed" Applebloom stated. "We're going to need to bags of sugar. One for cooking, and another for Ruferd in case he heals."
Discord sat down at the table. With a snap of his finger he floated a plate of food over to himself. "I hope you don't mind me staying for dinner." Granny Smith looked like she was about to object. But then Ruferd let out a squeal of joy. He had a large smile on his face as he looked at Granny Smith, then Discord.
"Fine." Granny Smith grumbled.
"Yay! Chaos man is staying for dinner!" Ruferd let out a small cheerful yip. Discord stretched out his arm to give Ruferd's head a rub. Applebloom once again was reminded of a dog.
"Well then, let's eat!" Applejack said to break the silence. And so, they ate.
Gritty Blossom looked over her team. It was a fine one, composed of the best soldiers Equestia had to offer. Shining Armor was not the commander of this group, but he showed no complaints. Only one thing ruined the perfection of this team. Gear Crank. Gritty Blossom knew when to trust her gut, and she had a feeling Gear Crank was lying about something.
"Right then! Not only do we have the finest heroes, minus the Element Bearers, but we also have the greatest foes!" Gear Crank put a map on top of the table the group was circled about. It had many markings. "The Blue Eyed Cult made a strong body for Demotros, but he has a child form. He needs immense energy so he might be at Rainbow Falls to gain the energy from rainbows. He also needs a huge amount of sugar. So we should check areas that have kind bakers."
"Why kind?" a bright orange unicorn asked.
"Because Demotros also feeds off betrayal. He'll be kind to many, become loved by many, the slaughter them all. He feeds off of betraying kind ponies best. That is why we must look for the kind. Bakers provided good food full of sugar, and often love.
"Search teams will cover all towns and cities surrounding Canterlot. Discord will be joining us on this search. Any information discovered is to be sent by the fire message spell you were taught." Gritty Blossom nodded to each member of the group. "We will start our search now. I wish you all the best of luck."
Discord let out a burp, a scroll slipping out of his nose. "Oh? What's this? A message from Celestia! I'm sorry, but I must leave for now." Discord snapped his claws and teleported outside. He opened the scroll and began to read. "Let's see. 'Dearest Discord' blah blah blah 'Demom' blah blah 'Demotros' boring details 'sake of Equestia'. Ah ha, finally. A description of the demon! Drawing included."
Discord looked at the drawing. He read the description. "That can't be right. The only thing in Ruferd's head is screaming confusion." Discord now read the scroll thoroughly. He then summoned a pen. He wrote a message on the back of the scroll. With a snap of his right paw, he sent the message.
Celestia beheld a scroll forming. She inspected it. It was the very one she sent to Discord requesting his help! Celestia then noticed a message written on the back. "Dearest Sunbutt," she read "No. No way. I will not help you. At least, not until you see through the lie. The lie has something to do with your sister, I think. still not sure. But I will not be looking for a demon while looking for your sister! But I know your sister is alright. When I focus on her life, I hear here breath. But that is not enough to track her, I'm afraid. With, barf, LOVE, Discord."
Celestia put down the scroll. She was shocked that Discord refused to help. But he was looking for Luna. "What lie?" she pondered. "Guard!"
Guard, the brown guard, cleared his throat. "You wish to speak with me?" he calmly asked. Celestia hooved the letter to him. "Ah. I see know. For what lie, I am not sure. But perhaps Discord knows it would be best if you discovered it on your own. Hello and what are you doing at the broken window?"
"Buck. BYE!" A white unicorn speckled with green stared. She had grey hair, her mane in a braid tight against her head, and her tail cropped short. Her left eye was yellow. Her right, red. She leaped away from the window and used her energy to pull water from the air to create highly dense clouds beneath her hooves. Gabby Gums had the scoop of a lifetime. A story for the press, and perhaps knowledge for herself. "Come on come on!" A splitting headache tore through her head. She opened her eyes and saw she was no longer in Canterlot. A griffon shoved passed her, only to stop and stare. Gabby stuck her lizard tongue out. She then began to cloud walked away, leaving a very confused griffon pondering what he was seeing. "La dee da." she said. It hurt like when she was made, but she was free. "Home free BUCK HOW THE BUCKING HELL DID YOU FOLLOW ME!?"
Celestia glared. "It wasn't hard." Guard stood beside her. Celestia hid her surprise of the oddness of the pony infront of her. Celestia then noticed the strange mare had a satchel. Celestia used a strong aura of magic to rib it away.
"NO! DON'T READ THAT!"
Celestia ignored her and threw a stunning spell at the odd mare. Celestia's eyes widened as she read the papers. There was only blackmail worthy information in here. They were separated in folders. "This is a grave crime. This is information on my friends, staff and myself. You will be punished severely for thi-" Celestia had opened a thick folder labeled 'Copies'. Inside was information on the mare before her. It was all blackmail. Celestia teleported the three back to Canterlot Castle.
Gilda walked up to Gramps. "Hey Gramps, wasup?" Gilda asked. "Uh, you alright? Gramps? You like you just saw a ghost." Gramps walked away from Gilda. He walked into his house and slammed the door shut. "Okay then."
Celestia released Gabby Gums from the stun spell. The very next moment there way a white blur as Gabby Gums grabbed her satchel and jumped out the window. "Quick, tell the guards not to pursue." Guard quickly followed Celestia's order.
Gabby Gums ran through the streets of Canterlot. She had to get out of town. She had to hide! She then remembered where she got her name. "Maybe I could hide in Ponyville? I can still sell papers, folks will think it's them three fillies! Yeah! Ponyville it is!" Gabby Gums knew she was hysterical. She then ran into an unlit lamppost and fell unconscious.
A drunk pony tripped over her and promptly fell asleep.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Chapter 8: First Half of Wednesday
Snails yawned as he awoke. The carpeting of Turisa was more comfortable then his own bed. "Why am I up early and still feel super refreshed?" he asked out loud. The panel glowed a soft white. Snails opened the panel and read the message on the screen. "Um. 'That's because of me. Now hurry to Sweet Apple Acres. Pilot 2 is ready.' Huh? Pilot two?" The message changed into a diagram of how to enter the harness. "Oh! I see now! I gotta get this to Applebloom and Ruferd so we can get to school together! Why is this thought in my brain?" The diagram held the message 'because of me' for a moment. Snails hitched himself up and headed towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Lord Tyrant opened his eyes. He was hugging Button Mash. Lord Tyrant rolled away to his right. This caused him to fall off the bed. He let out a yawn and stretched like a cat, front legs stretched and tush in the air. "Having a place to stay is nice." he said to himself.
"Dude, you have wings!?" Lord Tyrant snapped his wings shut as he whipped his head towards Button Mash. Somehow during the night, Button Mash had succeeded in removing Lord Tyrant's cloak and putting it over himself. "That is so cool!"
Button Mash had a large grin. His smile quickly faded as he saw how panicked Tyrant now was. Button Mash managed to hide his fear when he saw the scars on Tyrant's body. He quickly put back his grin. "Don't worry, I won't tell! You're my friend after all." Tyrant still seemed panicked, so Button Mash walked over and began petting him. "I just realized something. The sun hasn't risen and yet I'm not tired."
Scootaloo knocked on the planks of wood. "Hello? Anypony home? I got a note from Time Turner saying that we all gotta meet where Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and me meet. I know it's weird, but I don't want him acting weirder if we don't go." Scootaloo heard some odd noises. She then saw Killjoy leave with Button Mash out the front door. "Hey you two! Get in the boxcar!"
Lord Tyrant was about to glare at Scootaloo, but then he thought of something that could shock her. "Okay!" he said cheerfully, before helping Scootaloo with the harness. He hid his smug smile as Scootaloo's jaw dropped. He then climbed into the cart.
Ruferd jumped out of bed and raced to the window. Applebloom groaned. She then shrieked as she was thrown out the window. Ruferd easily caught her and handed her a plate of pancakes. Applebloom felt very confused as her brain was sleep lagged while adrenaline rushed. She chose to eat. Ruferd sat beside her, half of a fish poking out of his mouth. Applebloom silently thought to herself that this wouldn't be the weirdest week ever.
Snails watched as Applebloom slowly ate. Ruferd then gave Snails a plate of pancakes. Snips was with him. After the breakfast, Snails brought them all around his boxcar. "Check out what Time Turner did to the boxcar!"
Applebloom gave a large smile. "It's painted like our capes!" she said. She was now fully awake. She tilted her head as Snails reached in and pushed a button from a panel. "Wait, Time Turner carpeted it?"
Snails smiled as a click was heard. "That's not all he did."
"State Password Please."
"I wasn't told about a password." Snails responded.
"Password: Incorrect."
Snails had thankfully left his school pack out of the boxcar. He pulled out the manual and looked through it. "Oh. It's also emotion registered." Snails focused on how he felt when he first discovered there was a password. He then said in a panicked voice "I wasn't told about a password!"
"Password Correct. Hello, Snails."
Applebloom opened the right door while Snips opened the left. Inside was a huge round room with a thick red carpet and blue walls. The ceiling was a dome shape. There was a black box near Applebloom. Snips and Applebloom could see each other across the room. "No. Way." Applebloom and Snips switched places. "This ain't possible!"
Snails smiled. "Time Turner must be really great with magic!"
"No." Ruferd said cheerfully. He then got in his harness. "Not magic. Dimensional box. Science. Now get in! We don't want to be late for school!"
Sweetie Belle was surprised to see the two boxcars. She then mentally shrugged to herself. "So, this is how we travel now? Train power?" She then yawned. Time Turner made sure she got up early to come here. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon yawned beside her.
Scootaloo and Ruferd nodded. They quickly hooked the boxcars together.
Snails opened up Tyrant's boxcar. He tried to open the panel. It wouldn't budge. "I gotta read all of the manual. Hey Tyrant, open this panel. I think it only responds to you."
Lord Tyrant gave Snails a quizzical look. Snails gave his stupid smile. Lord Tyrant sighed and opened the panel. He saw a bunch of grey buttons and a black screen. "Now what?"
Snails gave a confused look. "Odd. That's a different panel than mine... Oh my goodness! We gotta go or else we'll be late for school!" Snails then heard a click, and the roof of his boxcar tucked away. It was still carpeted. "Come on! Get in!"
Nearby, many ponies ran for their lives as the train was filled.
As the train headed for school, Snails read the book. He had a feeling he would have to literally read every word before he could even change the password.
Applejack groaned as she got up. It was still pretty early. She heard voices in the distance. Applejack got out of bed and opened her window to listen. "He's Flim. He's Flam. She's Susan." Applejack became wide awake as she heard these words drift over on the wind.
"GRANNY! APPLEBLOOM! BIG MAC! THE FLIM FLAM BROTHERS ARE BACK!" Applejack roared. She ran from her room downstairs. She saw a note on the kitchen table as her family members came. "Left for school early. Love, Applebloom." Applejack put down the note and ran outside'. Sure enough, the FlimFlam Brothers were singing as their weird train thing drove on a Sweet Apple Acres road.
"Aren't you tired of just plain cider? No? To be honest, I ain't either! We are here with a friendly truce. Wouldn't you like some Tonic Juice!" The Scammer siblings sung happily. The Brothers were able to teach Susan the right amount of magic to flow into the machine, so she was powering it right now.
"Y'ALL BEAT IT BEFORE I BEAT YA HIDES!" Applejack shouted angrily. She marched towards the locomotion, which now had come to a stop. "Ya hear me? Git!" A huge brown unicorn wearing the outfit of the FlimFlam Brothers hopped down.
Susan glared down angrily at the orange Earth pony before her. "No! We just got here, you rude little orange! Let us be before I peel you!"
"Was that a threat?" Applejack asked angrily.
"If you are telling me and my brothers to leave right off the start!" Susan retorted.
"Then come at me!"
"Who do you think you are!?" Susan demanded.
"Applejack's my name, and I ain't having these crooks back here!"
Susan snapped her mouth shut. She then looked towards her brothers. She looked back towards Applejack. She focused her magic towards a spell, rather then energy.
Flim hopped off his seat. "Nono no what are you doing!?"
Susan screamed in pain from her headache as she used her magic to levitate Applejack. She wanted to throw the orange mare, but she couldn't hold the spell.
Flaim reached his sister. "You know doing spells hurt you! Stop it!" Flim threw himself over her neck. "Stop!" Susan released her spell and collapsed.
Flam raced to Susan's side. He then glared at Applejack. Flim glared as well. They helped Susan rise to her hooves. "Get. The Tartarus. Away." Flam coldly said. He levitated his insane siblings back on the couch on the locomotion. "I will tolerate your presence if we meet at the market. Do not interact with us. Good. Day."
Applejack watched as the train left. She walked towards a tree and began hitting her head against it. "For Pete's sake, Applejack! What the hay were ya thinking, not even seeing why they were here? And bein so rude!?" Applejack rubbed her head as her brother finally caught up, out of breath. "I need to make a gift basket or something of the sort to apologize."
"Eyu-Huh?"
"I'll explain on the way to the house. The FlimFlam Brothers have a sister."
Granny hobbled over as fast as she could. "They're back! They're back!" she said, waving a news paper.
Applejack sighed. "Eyup. They are, and I acted completely disrespectful, so I owe the FlimFlam family an apology."
"I ain't talking about them two! I'm talking about them three!" Granny Smith shoved the news paper towards Applejack'
Applejack scanned the paper. "Celestia and Personal Guard: More then Servant and Master? Article by yours truly, Gabby Gums". Applejack threw the news away from herself. "Looks like we're gonna have another talk with the crusaders."
Time Turner groaned. He hurt. He hurt all over. But his head most of all. He then screamed. "MY HEAD! MY HEAD!"
Ditsy raced over to the couch. "Don't worry Doc! I'm here! Hurk!" Ditsy was grabbed by the throat.
"Can't you hear them? One two three four one two three four!" Time Turner hissed. "My head hurts so much. Why. WHY? ANSWER ME! AGH!" Time Turner let go and held his head. "CLOCKWISE! AM I CLOCKWISE? THE DOCTOR? TIME TURNER!? AGH! WHO ARE YOU? DERPY WHOOVES! I AM DOCTOR WHOOVES! NO YOUR NAME IS DITSY DO! WHO AM I!?" He lunged and gripped the grey mare before him by the throat. "WHO. AM. I?"
Ditsy tried desperately to remove the hooves from her throat. As strong as she was, Time Turner was far stronger in his rage. She then remembered something The Doctor told her to remind him if he ever acted "odd".
"You- are- hurk- Time Turner!" She managed to lift the hooves enough for a quick deep breath. "Never 'somepony'! Always 'somebody'! You are- my Doc! My Doctor! You are Time Turner! You have a watch you never open because it's jammed shut, but never fix because you can tell the time by- Gasp! holding to your ear!" She could feel herself growing weaker from lack of air. "You love roses and your friends! You- hurk- made a promise you never tell!" Ditsy could see stars of black forming before her eyes as she tried to stay awake. "You- are- a mad man with grand friends! The Doctor and his... his.. Companions..."
Time Turner let go. He headed towards a corner and curled up. He began to cry.
Ditsy gasped for breath the moment Time Turner let go. She managed to turn the front half of her body so she was on her front hooves. She didn't have enough strength to stand on all her hooves. She pulled herself to Time Turner. She then hugged him. She realized it would look odd, half of her body slump while her arms were on a full grown pony curled up. "You... you okay Doc?"
"No" came the reply. Ditsy sighed and rubbed Time Turner's head.
"You remember anything about yesterday?"
"I remember crashing into something. Then- it was like- like I became a genius! Like I could do anything!" Time Turner raised his head. "I loved that feeling. But I kept telling myself 'no'. I didn't know why. I did some clever things. Things I don't remember. I visited some children. Gave them gifts. Then... Then the burning started. A burning in my mind. Then the drums started. The awful, awful drums. Then... Oh God." Time Turner leaped to his hooves. He winced as Derpy hit the floor from his sudden movement. "Oh God! Derpy I am so sorry!"
Time Turner rushed towards Ditsy, before stopping and pulling himself back. He seemed unsure of himself. Afraid, even. "Doc. Don't worry. I'm fine." She tried to get up to prove she was. Her legs screamed in protest as she collapsed. "Hoo boy." She tried again, because The Doctor seemed incredibly worried. Ditsy managed to lift herself by flapping her wings, so she hovered above the ground. "See Doc? I'm alright!" She gave a goofy grin. It managed to bring a small grin on Time Turner's face.
"Thank you Derpy. Thank you." Time Turner opened the door for Derpy as she headed out for work. She was always so determined to help ponies, while doing her job. Time Turner heard a click, like a camera. He quickly pulled out his Sonic Scanner. He found nothing out of the ordinary. "Odd."
Cheerily let out a nervous chuckle as a piano landed on the ground. An enchanted feather landed with a clang on top of it. "Issac? Could you please not?"
Issac snorted. "I am doing what I can for science without proper equipment. I believe I am starting to figure out the increase of falling force, or velocity! This only seems to apply for normal items, while magically enchanted ones vary far too much. I hear Twilight has proper equipment that could help me, but she believes I'm a quack!" He threw a rubber ducky on a paper plate down. It fell slightly slower then a rubber ducky by itself. "And the more test I do, the more it seems air does interfere Holy Cow of God is that a tiny train?"
Cheerily raised an eyebrow. She turned around and yelped.
Ruferd and Scootaloo began turning the train in wide circles until they slowed down to a stop. The other students watched with interest. Ruferd gave a little wave and a large grin.
Zipporwhill scratched her head. "Are you all friends now?" she asked, confused.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders and the ex-school bullies stared at each other. They then looked at the boys. They all then turned to look at Zipporwhill.
"Eyup"
"Yes"
"Absolutely"
"I am forced to deal with this madness now, but yes. We are friends." Lord Tyrant answered. Everyone else nodded.
A sword bounced off of the boxcar. Diamond Stroke shoved everypony down so they hid in the boxcars as an ax bounced off. "I have realized that we need a name for our group!" An arrow bounced off. Issac scratched his head as he threw another sharp item at the wooden boxcars.
Applebloom poked her head out. "Stahp that!" She then turned to Ruferd. "The only group name any of us have is the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" She then ducked.
"No. The bell has yet to ring, your teacher is terrified of me, and that wooden structure should at least have a scratch by now. Derpy, be gone. Bring my mail to my house instead of me. Why are you flying rather then walking towards me?"
Ditsy tilted her head. "You ask too many things at once." she groaned.
"Does that mean we should all be called Cutie Mark Crusaders, so our group has a name?" Snips asked.
"But some of us already have our cutie marks." Silver Spoon replied. A mace now hit the box as Cheerilee tackled Issac.
"Babs got her cutie mark, and she's still a crusader.
"How about CMC for Chaos Master Crusaders?" Discord suggested, dressed like a referee. He was also tiny.
Ruferd considered that. "It does seem like pure chaos has been happening when we formed our alliance. I find the idea of us being the CMC a grand one."
Snails applauded as Cheerilee pinned Issac down. "Sounds great!"
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were running about in a slight panic, not sure how to help Miss Cheerilee.
The bell rang. Issac shoved Cheerilee off himself. He then proceeded to clean up his mess. "Have fun learning, students! And I now know why I recognize your wrestling technique, Miss Cheerilee. You have a professional wrestler for a sister!" With that, he left.*
Blutarch sighed as he looked out his bedroom window. The BLU Engineer stood beside him. "Another day, another drink." the dark grey minotaur said simply. He checked the Twittermite system. "Still good. But you know I can't make full repairs if you don't tell me how to." he said with a southern draw. He got no answer. "I know, I know. 'If you know how to construct my machine, that would put you at risk and most likely force me to kill you'. Yeah, that's a downright good reason not to tell me." He pulled out an odd tool from his overall pocket. "But just answer me this. Why the bloodstained hell are you letting a couple of REDs in here?" He still only got silence. He worked for a few minutes without speaking.
"Peace"
"Huh?" The BLU Engineer paused in his repairs to listen.
"I have been fighting a war for too long, over something that no longer matters. Redmond can be killed. His clone wants peace. Once Redmond is dead, Abigail and Redmond Junior will end the war. But for now, I have won a battle. Redmond's own clone does not wish to serve him. Now leave me. I will finish my repairs."
"Fa-Mas- what do I call you now?" Abigail walked in with a tray of breakfast and news paper.
Blutarch put his left hoof to his jaw in thought as The BLU Engineer left. "You have called me 'Master all your life, but you are still my daughter. But I am both your mother and father, so Master would be less confusing, I believe. Regardless, you may call me what you wish."
Abigail nodded. "You may want to have a lack of liquid or food when you read the headlines, Master."
Blutarch ignored her advice. He took a bite of a blueberry pancake and a sip of tea. He coughed up both when he saw the headline. "Celestia and Personal Guard: More than Servant and Master" He put his breakfast back on its tray. "What is this!?"
Hello EVERYPONY! Yes, you have read the headlines right! I, Gabby Gums, bring to you the hottest scoop ever! Late in a night, I saw Celestia and a Guard speaking to each other. You may be thinking, "A Princess is in love with a mortal guard!" I say to you, NO! Throughout centuries, Celestia has never had any sort of Royal Adviser. Or so we thought! Celestia has a Royal Adviser in the most genius disguise. A Royal Guard. The Guard Disguise spell is a simple, yet strong enchantment. Celestia was seen taking advice on a most crucially important matter FROM A GUARD! The Royal Adviser is one of Celestia's very guards, only that is known. A perfect protection from assassins looking to rid Celestia of guidance. I myself could not tell who the guard was. That is all for this time, dear readers. Stay Entertained! -Gabby Gums
Rarity put the news paper down. She thought the Cutie Mark Crusaders were up the something again. But now she wasn't sure. "Is Gabby Gums an actual pony?" Rarity took her diary out of her drawer as she pondered this. Suddenly, a green glow formed over her diary. "I'm sorry, but what?" Rarity stared in confusion as her book floated out the window. It sped up outside. Rarity raced after it.
"Ow ow ow ow. That really hurts." Sweetie Belle rubbed her horn as it glowed. It had a green aura, with a black one surrounding it.
Lord Tyrant sighed. "This will help us find something that we can use to find the fake Gabby Gums. Yes, it hurts like a hangover, don't ask, but it will work. Should also be cured the same way. Maybe." he said. He continued to supply energy to Sweetie Belle.
Miss Cheerilee watched with the rest of the class. A book entered the window at a very fast speed. Tyrant grabbed it.
"Wait, don't! I reconize that book!" Sweetie Belle quickly said. She hopped out of her desk. Afterwords, she fell over. Tyrant had stopped giving her energy. Sweetie Belle gripped her head. "How does one deal with a hangover?" Everypony in class but Tyrant looked towards Miss Cheerilee.
Cheerilee let out a nervous chuckle. 'Oh goodness, let something distract them' she said in her head.
Lord Tyrant opened the book and began to read. It had a few sketches in it and seemed to be a diary. "What the bucking hell?" he said beneath his breath. Suddenly, Rarity burst in the classroom.
"Sweetie Belle! Why did you take- oh my goodness, are you alright!?" Rarity raced over to her sister.
"Ugh... I think I have a hangover..." Sweetie Belle groaned. Rarity widened her eyes. she then looked at Cheerilee with a bewildered look. Cheerilee gained a rather awkward smile.
"Well this just got awkward." Lord Tyrant spoke. He put his legs on his desk and crossed them ask he read the book. "And this is a complicated design! Oh, that's rather interesting." he looked up from the book to wave at Rarity. He then continued reading.
Rarity ignored the fact that Tyrant was reading her diary and turned to Cheerilee. "Why does my sister have a hang over!?"
Cheerilee pointed a hoof towards Tyrant. Rarity now turned to Tyrant, who had a confused look on his face.
"Why does my sister have a hangover?" She calmly asked.
Lord Tyrant tilted the book sideways, in an attempt to figure it out. "I energized her for a spell to find a way to find the fake Gabby Gums. I kinda feel weird, so I think I feel 'tipsy', which is odd because I should be having the hangover effect of the spell because I powered it. This book is fascinating and all, but unless it's bait I kinda fail to see how this will help find the fake Gabby Gums."
Rarity gently took the book away from him. Tyrant gave a glare. He then proceeded to pass out.
Susan grunted as she kicked a ball she found. So far, The Scammer Siblings had gotten no customers. She began to bounce the ball on her head. Susan considered showing off her wings to gain some customers, but she still felt weird about them. She got them in a lab. Susan was actually terrified of her own wings. She then spotted an orange pony walking towards the train. "Flim! Flam! The mean one is here! And with a red one and green one!"
Flam calmly walked out of the wagon. He approached Applejack. "Won't talk unless you're hear for business." He then walked behind the tonic stand. Or juice stand, now.
Applejack sighed. She hung her head and opened her mouth to speak. She got a glare from Flam. Applejack pulled out two bits and put them on the counter, along with a box.
Susan took the bits and put them in a sack. She then sniffed the box. "What's in that, Orange Jack?" she asked politely as she hooved over a bottle of juice.
Applejack looked at the bottle. It was a tonic bottle, but the word Tonic was crossed out with Juice written above. "Look y'all, I'm a might sorry. I got angry with no reason. I came to apologize. Even baked y'all a cake an pie. Big Mac gots the pie."
"Eyup!"
Susan opened the box and sniffed the pie. "Hm. Does the rainy rainbow one have gift as well?" she asked.
"Who now?" Applejack asked. She then remembered of how Rainbow Dash poured rain on the CMC during the Gabby Gums incident. "Actually, I think I know who ya talking about. Rainbow Dash, most likely. Anywho, me and my folks haven't introduced ourselves properly the first time. Howdy, I'm Applejack. The ed one there is my brother Big Macintosh. Also called Big Mac. That there is Granny Smith. It's a pleasure to meet ya, Miss..." Applejack waited for the tall unicorn to introduce herself.
"My name is Susan. Susan Scammer of the Scammer siblings. Mess with my brothers and I swear to the heavens you will never taste of death." She said with a sweet breath.
Flam hit Susan over her head with a news paper. "Hey. No making promises of eternal pain and agony towards anypony. That's rude." He sat in a chair and began reading.
Applejack felt thirsty, so she opened the bottle and took a sip. "Say, that ain't half bad!"
Flim poked his head out of the wagon. "Yes, we know. Susan and I improved the recipe!" he then put on a pouty face. "Problem is, nopony is buying anything from us." Flim looked strait at Applejack's left ear. "Think you could help us drum up business?" He then let out a creepy, weird laugh.
Flam sighed. "Sorry about those two. We ran into some troubles, and I think they're insane now. Flim and I travel too often to check him in a sanity ward, and Susan hates hospitals. Don't ask why."
"Alrighty?" Applejack answered.
"So. It's decided. We know who to collect. And remember. DO NOT kill the Element Bearers." Iron Taz sternly said. Clover Chomp nodded.
"But their family is still on the table, yes?" Clove Chomp asked. His shaved pink body shivered. friend had been kind enough to give him a lab coat.
Iron Taz nodded. "You may take them. But may I ask why?"
"Well, I want to see if they hold more powerful magic. Also, Sweetie Belle will be perfect!"
The entire group, minus Iron Taz, took a step back. They had seen what Clover Chomp had made living creatures into. He always said they weren't perfect. If Sweetie Belle was... they shuddered to think what would happen to her.
"I call dibs on that overly strong crossed eyed Mail Mare." one called out. Soon, the air was filled with who would take who for their research.
Iron Taz grinned. "Looks like we may need to delay until Friday, so we can get our supplies ready." The team cheered.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Chapter 9: Wednesday Crazy Cakes and MORE!
The dismissal bell rang. Discord walked out of the classroom. "What a boooooring lesson!" he said. "I mean, it was enough for Rarity to burst in class like that! But to then teach us about fashion?"
"Discord, you have two seconds to SHUT UP before I kicked you." Sweetie Belle snapped. She tilted on her hooves, almost falling over. "UGH! Why do hangovers hurt so ba-ha-had?"
Lord Tyrant shrugged. "I dunno." he replied.
"Don't forget, you guys are helping me babysit the Cake Twins" Silver Spoon said. Snips and Snails nodded. Ruferd waved as two grown ponies came over.
"Hello Doctor Thomas! Hello Doctor Turner!" Ruferd said. 'Thomas!? What the b- heck is he doing here!?' Diamond Stroke thought. Oh dear. This could be a problem ERROR VIRUS Oh hush up I'm part of your system. I am the Medic Console. But yes, why is Thomas here? I suggest we all let Ruferd have complete control for this interaction. CONFIRMED. STANDING BY.
Thomas stared at the child. He limped closer. "Hello Ruferd. I trust you have been sticking to your diet?" Ruferd gave a large nod and grin. His breath reeked of meat. "That's good to hear..." Thomas looked at the Noble pony. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
Button Mash saw Tyrant's ears twitch downward slightly, along with a slight shaking in the cloak. Compressed fear. Button Mash quickly answered. "He goes to eat at parties a lot."
"Ya probably saw him stuffin his face." Applebloom answered. She then got a look from Tyrant that confused her. It was a glare, with a look of relief.
"And how are your parents all doing?" Thomas asked. He had to see if Mango Peach still had a chance at being a mother for Ruferd, or if that position was taken.
Ruferd's and Button Mash'es faces gained a sad look. They didn't make eye contact with Thomas. Applebloom realized she hasn't seen Button Mash'es father for a while. "Uh. Maybe we shouldn't answer that" she replied nervously.
"Oh.. Well now I feel awful." Time Turner said.
Thomas gave him a look. "You weren't even the one to ask the question!"
Susan bounced her ball out of boredom. She looked at her back. "UGH!" she complained. "You have been our ONLY customer!" she shouted towards the apple stand. "Who's got a knife?"
"Say what now?" Applejack wasn't sure how to react.
Susan reached for the back of her shirt with her mouth. A rip sound was heard. Susan felt surprisingly relaxed now that her wings were no longer cramped. She then acted casual, continuing to bounce the ball. But now ponies were coming her way. She had gotten attention for the stand, and that meant business.
Gona's jaw dropped. There was an unknown Alicorn right in Ponyville! He had to report this. Gona ran to find Father Snow.
Banana Pie tackled Gona in a hug. "Heloz, brotha! Were you going?" he asked.
Gona let out a smile as he got to his feet. He pulled Banana Pie in for a hug. They both stood on their hind quarters and held each other shoulders. "Brother Pie! There is an Alicorn of unknown origin in town! I must report this to Father Snow."
Banana Pie looked confused. "Wut? WHUT? Yas. We must report this- OH! We also must make sure news of dis does not leave Ponyville! Can not have Sun Princess find out!" Banana Pie in his excitement kissed Gona on the beak. He quickly bounded a few feet away.
"W-what!?" Gona sputtered. He then spat on the ground. Gona rubbed his beak with his paw. "D-don't do that!!!"
Banana Pie grinned. He considered kissing Gona again just to tease him, but decided against it. "You cute, but not that cute. Maybe." Gona sputtered again. "Kidding. But we moost quick tell! Go! FLY!"
Gona nodded and gave a salute. He then quickly flew to find Father Snow.
Pinkie looked at the group Silver Spoon had with her. "Wow! You picked up a crew! Here's a list of everything you need to do." Pinkie shook her head, allowing a scroll to pop out of her hair. She hopped out of Sugar Cube Corner.
Silver Spoon unrolled the scroll. She and the others watched as the scroll kept unrolling. "Wow." Snails commented. "That scroll is bigger then it looked. It's a good thing we all are helping."
"Sort of like your boxcar, Snails." Sweetie Belle commented as the scroll continued to unroll.
"Holy Buck." Lord Tyrant said under his breath. "Still can't figure out how to get mine to work. Now, we should probably split up the work load."
"Uh, guys? Pumpkin can do magic and Pound is walking on the ceiling." Button Mash said, looking away from the still unrolling scroll.
Discord watched with his hands covering his eyes slightly. He was told not to help, so he couldn't cause any trouble. But currently, there was pure chaos, and it wasn't his fault. Sweetie was using a broom to swat toys that were flying about, and was quickly getting tired. Applebloom was trying to clean up the other messes with everypony else.
"Finally got the babies! Tyrant, go to the kitchen and cheer them up!" Snips shoved Tyrant in the kitchen and headed back out to battle the toys and mess.
The twins were crying loudly. "B-but I'm no good with children! H-hey!" Lord Tyrant looked at the Cake Twins. He did his best to hold the two of them at once, forcing him to sit down, a baby held in each arm. "Buck it! How do I-"
"Buck et!" Pumpkin Cake stopped crying and started laughing. "Buck et! Buck et!"
"Dang nabbit! Why are you swearing now?!?"
"Dang nabbit!" Pound Cake cooed.
Lord Tyrant closed his mouth, but it was too late. The twins continued to swear and laugh. The others entered the kitchen.
"Alright partner! We managed to clean up the room and stop the toys... why are they swearing?" Applebloom and the others stared.
"I- I'm no good with children." Lord Tyrant softly said. "I'm sorry." His ear lowered.
Diamond Tiara looked around awkwardly. It was super strange to see Lord Tyrant as anything but a jerk. When he wasn't, it was like looking at a different pony with the same face.
"Aww..." Discord floated above Tyrant. "You taught them their first cusswords! Too bad I didn't get a-" Discord couldn't finish his sentence, for Tyrant had thrown the babies in the air and punch him.
Sweetie Belle and Snails quickly caught the twins, who began crying again.
RAGE RAGE RAGE RAGE HARM KILL KILL THE CHAOS MAN KILL Ruferd could feel the anger radiating off of Tyrant.
Discord was punched into the stove. He snapped his claws. Nothing happened and he grew concerned. Discord screamed in pain as he felt sharp teeth sink in his neck. He was filled WITH RAGE. RAGE ATTACK HURT KILL
Applebloom screamed as Discord threw Tyrant off of himself, only to tackle Tyrant. "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"
Discord had to fight to kill- no. He had to fight for his mind. Something was infecting it. He held Tyrant at bay with his claw. He winced as Tyrant bit into it. Blood was drawn. Discord tried to focus. He was knocked against the stove. It was hard to think with so much screaming.
"We need to go get help!" Silver Spoon said as she raced for the door. It slammed shut and turned to iron with a black glow. She tried it. It was locked. Silver Spoon ran to the windows. Iron bars appeared on them. She tried breaking the wall. It was replaced with steel. "OH SWEET CELESTIA! WE'RE GONNA DIE I DON'T WANNA DIE!"
Discord threw Tyrant against the stove. Tyrant dragged him. Discord's hand felt the heat of the stove top. The pain was enough to clear his head. And enough so Tyrant's cloak lit on fire.
Scootaloo screamed even louder now. "Tyrant! You're on fire! You're cloak is on fire!"
HATE HATE HATE KILL RAGE- FIRE. FIRE FIRE FIRE FEAR "AHHH!" Lord Tyrant snapped back to reality. His cloak was on fire. He let go of Discord and ran about, trying to put out the fire. "Put it out put it out!"
"Take off your cloak!" Applebloom shouted.
"Nononono put it out put it-" RIIIP!
Lord Tyrant stopped. So did Discord. And soon, even the Cake Twins stopped to stare in shock. Tyrant's cloak lay torn near the oven, where it had gotten snagged.
They could see all his scars. Every stitch. The sewn on symbol of cake on his chest. His wings. His dragon tail. His patterned legs. Lord Tyrant ran to a window. It had iron bars on it. Every way out was blocked by means of his own magic. Lord Tyrant broke down. He slumped down to his hind quarters and cried. Flour drifted gently in the air, slowly covering everything. Lord Tyrant sobbed. His tears poured heavily down his face. And finally, he let himself have a voice with his tears.
Button Mash walked towards Tyrant. Diamond Tiara gently tried ti hold him back, but was shrugged off. Button Mash sat down beside Tyrant. He hugged him tightly. Button Mash gently pet Tyrant, massaging his back and wings. "Shh. Shh. It's alright. Nopony is here to hurt you." Button Mash said softly.
"B-b-but I... I'm a monst-t-t-t-ter." Lord Tyrant sobbed. "I-I did this."
"You are not a monster." Button Mash gently responded.
Discord headed up stairs and grabbed some medical supplies from the bathroom. He came back to the kitchen.
Ruferd walked over to Tyrant ERROR PROJECT DATA REMEMBERED PROJECT MAIMJOY Ruferd commanded the Program to standby. Ruferd knew this was not the time to talk about what had just happened. So he had an idea to change the subject. "How do mirrors work?"
Lord Tyrant looked up. "H-huh?" He wiped his nose with his arm. Everypony looked at Ruferd in confusion.
"How does a mirror work?" Diamond Stroke asked. He saw what Ruferd was planning. "Because yes it shows your reflection, but how? It's not magic, just glass." Diamond Stroke himself was once a grown pony and didn't know.
The conversation started slow. But soon, as they all saw the purpose of the conversation, they all began speaking their ideas. Sweetie Belle bandaged Tyrant and Discord. Snips and Snails found a large blanket for Tyrant to wear.He wrapped it around Button Mash instead. Applebloom, Ruferd and Discord were using the oven as a battering ram on the door. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Tyrant played with the twins, cringing whenever they swore.
"A few more swings ought to do it." Discord said. Finally, the iron door broke at the hinges. Pinkie Pie zoomed in.
"Oh my gosh you guys will never guess what I saw! There is a new Alicorn! A NEW ALICORN!" Pinkie bounced around the room. "She's really tall and pretty and-" she halted in the air for a second, turning her head about. The bakery now seemed more like a prison, Discord had bloodstained bandages on his neck, the Cake twins were swearing, and Tyrant was an Alicorn. "Wow! Looks like I missed out on a lot WAIT! Are you an Alicorn AND a dragon?!"
"Pinkie! Pinkie promise you won't tell anypony about Tyrant!" Button Mash quickly said.
Pinkie landed. "W-wait. You want me to promise to keep this a secret?" Button Mash and everypony else, including Discord, nodded. "Oh. O-okay! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Pinkie was horrible with secrets. But she would keep this one. "WAIT! I may be able to keep your body a secret, but how are we going to explain Discord's owies and the fact most of the bakery is now metal?"
There was silence. Lord Tyrant had a thought, but Pumpkin spoke it for him. "Buck et!"
"Dang nabbit!" Pound agreed.
"And that. That is also gonna be a problem." Pinkie said. Pinkie then looked outside. "And that. A really really huge storm coming from the Everfree. I think you all better get home."
"Tyrant, can't you fix this?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Lord Tyrant looked around at the bakery. "I- I don't know how. I didn't want anypony escaping when I was angry." Lord Tyrant could hear his voice cracking. So he turned to his snobbish voice. "I wanted to hurt everypony when Discord was talking. I made a huge mistake and he MoCkEd me." Lord Tyrant stopped. His voice sounded demonic at 'mocked'. "So I tried to hurt the one who made me mad, with plans to..." Lord Tyrant paused. He didn't want to say it.
Discord patted his head. "Don't worry about it. At least you used your magic to clean the blood from the kitchen!" Lord Tyrant shifted uncomfortably. "You didn't? But you bit my neck and drew blood. Where did the blood go- oh." Discord realized why no blood hit the ground.
"Indeed 'Oh'. And soon to be oh no, if something is not done." Thomas calmly walked in, wearing a soft yellow vest, and a bright orange saddlebag.
Lord Tyrant hissed and arched his back. "You!" he hissed. Button Mash immedetly took a defenceve position in front of Lord Tyrant. To his shock, so did everypony else. Pinkie even pulled out a party cannon and aimed it. Though she looked unsure as to why.
"Yes. Me. Hello, Maimjoy." Thomas calmly said. "I know what you're thinking. 'If he's here, then HE can't be far behind!'. I believe that is true. But worry not. I made a promise I intend to keep."
"IT'S LORD TYRANT! Get. Away." Lord Tyrant hissed.
"My promise was to keep Ruferd safe from Iron Taz. And I will keep that promise. I will also protect you. I do not need a scolding from Mango Peach about priorities, after all. Now, everyone, for you own safety, step away from Project Maimjoy. He has activated." A cold note grew in Thomas'es voice.
"N-No! Buck off, Mister!" Button Mash barked. "I'm not gonna let you hurt him! {Leave to the burning pits of the dark realm!}"
Thomas sighed. "I don't know where you learned how to speak Humgonian, but I only understand the basics. So there is no point talking or cussing to me in it. And I'm not going to hurt you. But Project Maimjoy will if he doesn't drink enough blood. And if you still think I'm a lying changeling, just look at his eyes."
Slowly, everypony looked at Lord Tyrant's eyes. "What? Tell me, what!?"
Button Mash spoke up. "Your... the whites... your eye is completely purple. Except for your pupil. It's pink."
"I will only say this once. I am not your enemy, nor do I plan to be. I am cold, racist, but I also have love for something I devoted years of my life to. Now, you were fine for years but because you have drunken blood in anger, your blood lust part of your program, which I know you know about, has awoken. Everyone, I am going to need you to let me draw some blood from you." Thomas watched everyone's shocked expressions with a calm stare.
Lord Tyrant let out a hungry growl. He quickly brought his hooves up to his mouth and held them around his jaw. He felt hungry and thirsty. But not for normal things. He let out another growl. He could hear all the hearts pumping blood in the room.
"So, who's first?" Thomas asked, pulling out an old looking blood transfusion device.
Almost everypony in the room had a bandage on their arm. Lord Tyrant sucked blood from the blood device tube. They all had given him some blood to satisfy his thirst. Ruferd's was the most calming. Oddly, Button Mash'es blood was also very calming. But Lord Tyrant still felt terrible. "Why was I made a monster?" he asked. During the past minutes, everypony in the room was told about the fact that Lord Tyrant and Ruferd were made from dead people. They all Pinkie Promised not to tell.
"You are welcome. Believe me, being a monster is far preferable than your original purpose. And please for the love of Celestia, don't ask what that was." Thomas shivered at the thought. "Now then, you are to have a daily diet of fish with all meals. Eat them fresh as alive if you can. Tell me where you live so I can give you further instructions on your care."
Lord Tyrant's ears flattened. He saw everypony staring at him. "I- I don't have a home..." Lord Tyrant felt like his entire world had crashed. Days ago ponies only knew him as a rich snob. Now, they knew he was homeless.
"What do you mean, no home?" Scootaloo asked. "You're bunking with Button, aren't you?"
Ruferd nodded. "Yes, that is your home! And mine is Sweet Apple Acres! ERROR RE-PRIORITIZING Did you say there is a new alicorn in town ERROR RE-PRIORITIZING" Ruferd shook his head. "That storm is picking up too much speed!"
Thomas looked outside. There was much wind. And now, a light rain. "We have much to discuss, but yes. Everyone, go. Home. Now."
Fluttershy shivered as the rain beat against her home. Her animals had the heat going, so it was cozy inside. It was still quite scary. Fluttershy jumped as she heard heavy knocking on the door. She zoomed beneath her couch. "Hello?" she called out. To anypony else, it would be a whisper. She then realized that if somepony was outside, they were getting soaked. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed as she realized this. She rushed over to the door and threw it open. She lifted Discord in her arms and brought him to the couch. "You shouldn't be out in the storm! It's dreadful!"
Discord stared wide eyed as Fluttershy brought him a blanket and a bowl of soup. "Wow Fluttershy. I never realized how strong you are." He sipped from the bowl.
Fluttershy stopped rushing about. "um, Discord? Why were you walking in the rain?"
"Well now," Discord chuckled. "Why not? It wouldn't do much to me! And I thought a long walk might do me some good!"
"Oh! Why did you put on bandages?" Fluttershy moved her hoof to touch the ones on Discord's neck. He winced and quickly pulled away,
"Oh, no reason! And no need for you to worry! None at all!" Discord scooted away. He snapped his claws. The wound disappeared, along with the bandages. It still hurt. "Just crashed into a tree earlier. But really, no need to worry."
Fluttershy sighed. "If you say so." she quietly said. The two sat down on the couch together and drank soup.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Time Turner stumbled though the storm. It was hard to even see two inches beyond his nose. He bumped into a fimiular grey mare. "DERPY!" he shouted over the rain and wind. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING STILL OUT IN THE RAIN?"
"HEYA DOCTOR! I'M I MAILMARE! NO MATTER WHAT, I ALWAYS DELIVER THE MAIL!" she responded. She walked over to Time Turner and put her right hoof on jos shoulder. "YOU SHOULD BE GETTING HOME."
Time Turner nodded and turned to leave. He then looked at the mare. "YOU'RE WALKING!"
She looked confused. "YEAH?"
"YOU ARE WALKING!" He said. She gave him another confused look. It was hard to see her eyes. Which was odd because you golden yellow eyed always... "I HURT YOU! YOU SHOULDN'T BE ON YOUR LEG. AND BEFORE YOU LIE, YOU GOT YOUR DISGUISE WRONG. DERPY HAS YELLOW EYES, NOT BLUE!"
"DOCTOR, I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THINGS. NOW GET ON HOME, I NEED TO FINISH MY ROUTE!"
Time Turner stomped down his hoof. "IF YOU ARE DOING YOUR ROUTE, WHERE IS YOUR MAILBAG? OH, AND ONE LAST QUESTION! IF YOU'RE DERPY, WHY IS SHE OVER THERE?"
The mare turned around and saw Ditsy approaching. "Ah fuzzy pickles." She removed her disguise with a flash of green fire. Ditsy haltered in the air. The copy of her had become a white unicorn with green spots and mixed matched eyes. She stuck out a forked tongue. "Ya caught me, but you'll never kill me. And now I got a new scoop! Thanks for the tip, Doctor!" She ran off towards the clouds.
Ditsy looked for a few seconds, before shaking her head. "THAT WAS WEIRD! YOU SHOULD BE GETTING HOME, DOC. I'LL VISIT AFTER I COMPLETE MY ROUTE. BYE!"
Time Turner nodded, then went on his way. He saw Thomas hobbling. "LET ME HELP YOU!" he shouted. Thomas hobbled towards Time Turner. He wasn't a fool to have too much pride during a storm like this. "LOVELY WEATHER, EY THOMAS?" Time Turner joked. The two of them laughed.
"I've done it! I have the three basic laws of motion! Law one, an object in motion stays in motion. Unless acted upon by an outside force. Same for an object at rest. Law two, well, it's a bit long winded and uses words that I made up. Third law is action has an equal and opposite reaction!"
Scootaloo tilted her head. "Can I go home now?" she asked.
"No. The storm is too bad. Only a fool would be out now. That, or a determined mail deliverer." A knocking was heard on the door. Issac opened it. A tall white unicorn rushed in. "Hello, Father Snow. I'm afraid we shall not discuss business right now. For as you can see, I have a child with me. Father Snow, Scootaloo. Scootaloo, Snow."
Father Snow looked at Scootaloo, who gave a small wave. In the next two seconds he rushed up to her and had her pinned against the far wall by the neck. "I'm afraid we shall now discuss business right now. For as you can see, I have a child with me."
"You're a sick bastard, you know that. And that's not even an insult. You were born that way." Thomas said calmly. He brought out a tea table and teapot. "Shall we?"
Father Snow released Scootaloo. She dropped to the ground and gasped for breath. A white glow covered her. She writhed in pain. "Help- Me!" she called out. Father Snow smirked.
"Please release the child before I decapitate you, brother Sludge, or I shall reveal all of our heritage to the Mayor." Issac said. The white aura faded. "That's better. Now, what business do you bring?"
"They found us."
"That is concerning news. I will notify the others. Please get the Tartarus out of my house." Father Snow left with a nod. The moment the door closed, Issac Neighton rushed over to Scootaloo. "I am so sorry you had to suffer through that. I won't let them hurt you anymore. " He pulled her in a hug and held her. She gripped him tightly in fear. "I'll try to keep you safe..."
Ruferd ran. He had to get home. But where was it? Rain. Rain and Water. Water roaring. Afraid. Scared. So Very Scared. ERROR 7: System Offline. Warning other Cores being separated.
Diamond Stroke felt like he was being pulled away. Now, he could only hear and see what Ruferd saw and heard. He had a feeling Ruferd couldn't hear Diamond Stroke. Bravo, you've figured it out, good chap!
Ruferd was terrified. He was lost he was on a hill he couldn't see. He found his way beneath a large tree. He was so scared.
Applejack saw a blur in the rain. It was moving. That had to be Ruferd. She stumbled over to him. "IT'S ALRIGHT NOW." she yelled over the wind and rain. "I GOT CHYA!"
"I'M SCARED!" Ruferd shouted. He hugged Applejack and buried his face in her chest. "I'M SCARED MOM!" He wasn't sure why he said that. But he knew Applejack would protect him, and moms protected their children.
Applejack for a moment said nothing. Then something awoke in her. She remembered her mother telling her about how you knew you were a good mother. Their would be a burning and unstoppable desire to protect your child. And Applejack felt it. It was a stronger love then she had for her own sister. A stronger will to protect. "Don't worry." she whispered softly in his ear. "Mamma's gonna keep ya safe."
No. No no no. This was not meant to happen. "Yeah? Why not? I think the boy has the right to who his mother is." No. He doesn't. Diamond, he needs a soldier for a mother. Another war machine. Not a farmer. "I thought you would be nice. Guess I was wrong. Now, lets delete the virus, shall we?" What do you mean? No. No no! I'm no Virus! "Yes. You. Are. And you are going to be erased." Fool! If you do that, you will destroy yourself! 'Meh. I already have died. I've gotten a good look at your functions. You are The Rage Core. Goodbye!" No! NO! ERROR DELETING CORE... RECOVERING "I DON'T THINK SO!" Full delete.
Ruferd felt like squirming. He started to hate Applejack, wanted to kill her. Then, his rage was gone. A Love filled his heart. The storm lessened slightly. The wind stopped howling. "Mamma." he hummed softly. It was now a gentle rain, but still rain.
"Come on. We oughta go inside." Applejack said. The storm began to pick back up.
Granny Smith let out a whoop as Applejack came inside with Ruferd. "Thank goodness y'all alright!" Her face turned to confusion. "Why the big smile?"
"Ruferd, head on to the bathroom. Take a nice warm bath, kay?" Ruferd gave a nod. Applejack sat down on the living room couch. Her brother and grandmother sat down beside her. "Y'all remember how I said Ruferd was an orphan?" They nodded, Granny saying yes while Big Mac gave his traditional Eyup. Applejack sighed happily. "He called me mamma."
Big Mac's eyes opened wide. "Huh?" he asked.
"Why do ya sound so surprised?" Applejack asked.
"... Well" Big Mac gulped. "I never thought you would be the motherly sort. But I'm happy for you." Big Mac closed his mouth. He wasn't sure what else to say.
Granny Smith hugged Applejack. "I always thought you'd get married first, but I'm still glad to have a great grand baby now." She then chuckled. "I reckon that family reunion really did have the whole family!"
The others laughed as well. Despite the storm, it seemed like things would be happy.
Ruferd finished drying himself off. He ran to Applebloom's room. He leaped on to Applebloom's bed. "Heya sister!" he said gleefully.
Applebloom let out an oof as Ruferd landed along her barrel. "Heya Ruferd. Why ya calling me sister now?" She patted his head.
"Because we're siblings now!" Ruferd answered. He began jumping around on the bed. "I called Applejack mamma! And she gave an acceptance smile and called herself mamma!" he said.
"Cool!" Applebloom said. She began jumping on the bed as well. "But wouldn't that make me your aunt?"
"Why? Your mamma is my mamma too now."
"My mamma's dead." Applebloom replied. She stopped jumping. "Wait. Do you think Applejack is my mom and Big Mac my dad?"
Ruferd nodded. His head felt so clear. "Yes!" he said as he did a mid-air front-flip. "They always take care of you, they make breakfast, you show them a huge amount of respect. Your parents are wonderful and I believe they're at the door with increased heart rates."
Applejack backed away from the door. She then thought better and entered. She pulled her brother in with her. She opened her mouth to speak, when Ruferd rushed up and bit her leg, drawing blood. "Ow! What the hay?" Ruferd did this to everypony in the room. He began to look confused. He then carried a blank expression.
"Odd. Hm. According to the DNA, you are all related, down to Mac and Applejack. Possible Conclusion: Processing. Rule Out Possibility 1: No. Correction. You are all siblings." Ruferd shook his head. His stomach growled. Ruferd gained a shy smile. "Um... Can we eat some lunch? Dinner, I mean."
Applejack processed what had just occurred. Ruferd could tell if folks were blood by tasting their blood. It was clear everypony else realized this as well. The wounds were healing. "Um. Sure, sugar. I'll get the dishes out." she turned out of the room. "Granny! We're gonna have dinner!" she shouted.
Ruferd seemed to think for a moment, tilting his head. He then turned to Applebloom "Does that mean I should call Granny Smith Great Granny Smith?" Applebloom thought about that. She answered with a shrug, before jumping on the bed.
Susan listened to the rain. Her brothers were beside her. "Well, we made a nice amount of bits." she said. Susan then had a frown. "We could have made more if it weren't for the stor-" her ears flicked.
"Knock. Knock." Flam watched in confusion as Susan and Flim moved away from the front door, towards the back.
"Who's there?" Flam answered.
"Green and fast, we had a blast. I can't help but notice, you have a window of glass. Glitter Case crazy case what am I? Answer?" the knocking stopped. The window was broken open and a green pony leaped in. "DEATH! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
The doors burst opened and ponies flooded in. Flam was knocked unconscious. Iron Taz knocked out Susan before she could do anything. Glitter Case restored sanity to Flim, before tying him up. "I'm sorry we're early." Father Snow said. "But we just had to take advantage of the storm."
Rarity had decided that as it was dark and raining, she should get some beauty rest. She awoke. Something was wrong. She could feel it. She turned on the lights. The house was a mess. She had a feeling it wasn't because of Sweetie Belle. She headed to Sweetie's room. The window was broken. Rarity looked under the bed. There was a note. "Somepony is here. I'm scared." In the top right corner was the number 1.
Rarity continued to explore the house. The hallway had a message scratched into it. "Help me!!! 2". Rarity found a silver knife missing from the kitchen. She headed to the entrance door. The bell was on the floor. A message was written in blood on the door. "HELP 3" The knife was stuck in the door. Rarity was full of emotions, yet felt an emptiness. She latched onto two emotions.
Hope. And Rage. Rarity walked over to a closet where she kept all sports supplies her dad sent her. She selected a baseball bat. She put red velvet on it and diamonds in it. Rarity gave it a few swings with her magic. "Whoever took my sister, look out. I may just end up killing somepony tonight." She spun her bat, then paused to think. "As soon as I actually have an idea of who took you and where." she said awkwardly. The actual idea of killing somepony made Rarity feel rather sick to the stomach.
Fluttershy stared angrily out into the storm. Time to stop being weak and meek. She had to be strong. To save Discord. "Angel Bunny, you're in charge. Momma's gonna open a big can of butt whooping."
Spike spat blood from his mouth. He had to be the hero now. He had to save Twilight. A fire burned within him. Hell's fire.
"I don't wanna go!" Lord Tyrant shouted.
Iron Taz slowly shook his head as he held the woman and child against the wall. "Son, I know you don't want to. But for the glory of The Equestrian Empire, you have to. Now, use your magic against these two and head to the wagon. If I return and find you have not done what I asked, they will die."
"Ahaha! We did it! We've proven it! All three laws of motion apply to even magic infected items!" Issac Neighton began dancing about the room. Scootaloo did the same. A small cloud floated though Issac's barrel and bonked against Scootaloo's head.
"We're scientist!" Scootaloo shouted in joy. She was too excited to care that this didn't get her a cutie mark. Besides, what would a cutie mark for motion even be?
A knocking was heard at the door. Issac danced to it. "Gona! What a pleasant surprise. Guess what-" Gona rushed in and took Scootaloo. "NO! wait! Stop!"
"I'm sorry! But if I don't they'll kill Banana!" Gona shouted over the wind of the storm as he flew off.
"HELP ME!!!" Scootaloo's scream faded into the dark.
Issac stood silent for a moment. He cantered inside his house to a chest. Inside was a weapon he invented, a belt and bullets. The weapon was a gun. It was shaped like a thin cylinder with a handle to hold in the mouth. The handle was wrapped in leather to absorb recoil. A powerful piston and cock mechanism worked the device. A button was on the handle to fire. Issac strapped the chest to his back and loaded it. He rushed outside and bumped into Thomas.
"Come with me. I'm gathering the victims and devising a plan to rescue everyone." Thomas calmly said. His left arm was clearly twisted the wrong way. The FlimFlam brothers stood behind him. "You in?"
Applejack walked out through the storm with Ruferd. Applejack's new son said that he had forgotten something incredibly important out here. She wasn't sure what that could be. But when she saw the orb of white light glowing bright enough to shine in the storm... well, she guessed that was it.
"There you are." Ruferd said. "Hi Thomas." The orb was lumpy. Ruferd smoothed it into a smooth sphere. He absorbed the sphere. Ruferd still felt like he forgot something, but it didn't matter. Thomas was safe. "Okay! We can head back inside now." Ruferd shouted.
Applejack patted Ruferd's head. Next week, she'll ask if he knows why he's got so much more that meets the eye. "Come on... Son." The word almost had a pleasant taste. "WHAT THE!?" Applejack found herself levitated in the air. "Celestia? What the hay are you doing here?"
Celestia said nothing. She held Applejack beside her head, ready to summon a shield spell around The Element of Honesty. Five of her guards, including Guard, circled Demotros, aiming their spears at his throat. Celestia herself held a silver sword. "Your time has come to an end." Celestia said.
Applejack heard those words. A fire began burning in her. "No. NO!" She kicked out her legs, kicking Celestia in the head. "YOU AIN'T HARMIN MY SON!"
Celestia fell to the ground in shock. She had come too late. Demotros had made somepony love him. She had to rid of Demotros and explain to Applejack.
Applejack bucked a guard tin the head. She ducked the spear of another guard and rammed into him. She knocked a third into the air. "RUN RUFERD! RUN!" A guard rushed at Applejack with his spear. She wasn't fast enough.
Guard looked in shock at what he had just done. The spear was inside of Applejack, sticking in her barrel. "Oh God. Oh God what have I-OOF!"
Applejack bucked him into the other guard. He was still up.
Celestia raised herself and her sword. She aimed her weapon at Demotros. One stab, and he would be sent to Tartarus. "NOO!!!" Applejack ripped the spear out of herself and stabbed Celestia in the chest. "RUFERD! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"
Ruferd ran. He did as his mother told him and ran. He didn't know where. But mother wanted him safe. So he would stay safe for her.
Celestia stumbled. She felt her strength draining. Her two conscience guards approached her. "Care not for me. I will last. Care for Applejack's wounds. Only when she is properly cared for, will I allow myself to be treated."
"One, two, three, four." Time Turner was too weak to save her.
"One two three four." The Doctor would be strong enough.
"Demons run-"
"When a good man goes to war." Thomas finished. "Care to join me? I hear the weather today is perfect for a stroll."
Diamond Tiara hid under her bed with the odd unicorn. They were both hiding from the scary man. "I know you're here. Just come on out." a calm voice said. "I need my girl and a new test subject. Gabby, Diamond? Please come out." They heard the hoofsteps near the bed. "It would be a shame to break your bed." The two shrieked as they were grabbed. He threw them out the window, where they were collected by ponies with blue eyes.
Iron Taz chuckled. He turned around and saw an old Earth pony holding some odd staff. "Hello. I am Randolph. Please return Lady Tiara or suffer."
Iron Taz let out a laugh. "And what will you do? Hit me with your cane?"
Randolph smiled. "This was fashioned as a gift for me by a man called The Doctor. It's also known as a shotgun." He aimed and pulled the trigger.
The sound of thunder filled the room. "AGH!" Iron Taz felt pain speckle his hid. He leaped out the window. If this man could hurt him, he was a threat. Stitch Heart had already left with the others. Good. He saw a small orange Earth pony. She had three eyes.
"Hello, Iron Taz. Been busy?" Gritty Blossom asked in a stern voice.
"Hah! I can take you." Iron Taz said. He could take on Randolph and Gritty Blossom. He knew this.
"YEAH!" a gruff voice screamed out. Iron Taz turned his head. Landing to the ground was a perfect soldier. Huge muscles. Enormous mass. Bulking biceps. Blood red eyes. Small wings that worked perfectly. A true creature of war. Three against one might had been easy. But Gritty Blossom the skilled fighter, the old man with a weapon of thunder and fire, and this huge bulking being? "Well buck." Iron Taz ran for his life.
Gritty Blossom knew it would be impossible to catch Iron Taz running in fear. Fear made you faster. She turned to the huge pegasus. "Hello. I am Gritty Blossom. Who are you?"
"YEAH!" the huge being screamed. He cleared his throat with a cough. "Hello. I'm Bulk Biceps. I'm here to help."
Randolph headed to the masters of the house. "Lord Rich. Lady Rich. Worry not. I shall retrieve your daughter from that brute. I give you my word."
Thomas limped to Gritty Blossom. "Saying this now. You were duped. Not sure why or what about, but I'm calling it in advance."
Snails decided he would go willingly. He didn't want any trouble. He only asked that he tidied up the boxcar for the next homeless who found it. "Turisa" he whispered as he 'tidied', "Please contact the Doctor. I need help." He tucked a tracker in his mouth. "Kay. I've tidied it." he told the griffin with blue eyes.
"Yeh left a for your friends, didn't ya?" Gona asked. The boy didn't answer. "Good lad. Celestia's in town, so she may stop us. I honestly hope she does. I don't need these nightmares."
"They have taken mother. And many others. But they have forgotten. They have forgotten that the friends of the stolen will come after them. And the friends will succeed. Even if heartbreak stands in the way, a happy ending shall come. Or my name isn't Gummy." Pound patted Gummy on the head. Pumpkin focused on a spell. She knew where Auntie Pinkie was. "How curious. The young one whom I protect holds to the scent and essence of mother. This is grand. And now, we wait." Pumpkin knew Auntie must be sad. So she would sing for her. And so she sang. Pound joined it. The sound of child laughter filled the prison like bakery. And the Element glowed.
Stitch Heart held his head as the prisoners sang. "How many times must I tell you? SHUT UP!"
"NO!" they shouted back. Stitch Heart groaned. So many times he tried to scare the prisoners into submission. But that pink pony raised their spirits every time!
"I will kill you, Pinkie!"
"Go ahead! You'll just be leaving Equestia defenseless." Pinkie shouted back from the prison wagon. It was huge and had grey walls. And bared windows, of course. A motorized vehicle powered by magic pulled it onward. Pinkie felt a sharp pain in her side. Stitch Heart threw a knife at her through the window. Pinkie removed it and was healed by Tyrant. "That's getting old you know."
"Stop it! Somepony help!" Abigail screamed. She tried to fight, but there was too many. "Why are you doing this!?"
A tied up BLU Engineer spat out his gag. "Why are you taking Redmond's clone!?"
A blue eyed pony in a business suit walked up to Abigail. "Like your minotuar friend said, Redmond's clone is just a clone. He doesn't matter, so he should do. So sorry about your tea room. Toodles." With a bright flash of light, the invaders were gone. Blutarch crawled back to his chair before he could die.
"Abigail? Get your coat. We're heading out. Engineer, gather the team. Wear some red."
"UGH! Now what are you singing!?" Stitch Heart asked angrily.
"We be praising God! Now shut up or join us!" Pinkie shouted back. She went back to playing her banjo.
Stitch Heart smiled. "Ha. Celestia is no god. But soon, I will be one."
"I'm not talking to Celestia, ya silly willy! I'm talking about God!" Pinkie responded. She looked around the cell. "Why does everypony look so surprised at me talking about God?"
Twilight cleared her throat. "We uh... never thought you even believed in such things." The other occupants nodded. Even Discord found it surprising. He had a collar around his neck that harmonized his energy. Susan kept quiet but gave a small nod.
"Phf. You and Discord know my parents are Amish! Why wouldn't I be religious? I go out and face death often, but I'm always so happy because if I do die one day, it would had been by protecting Equestria, like God would have wanted me to do. Now, any song request?"
"I've got one. It's called SHUT THE HELL UP!" Stitch Heart growled.
"Okay! Ahem." Pinkie took a breath, opening her mouth to a wide o and began singing in a quick, harsh country accent. "OHHHHHHHHH! I'm tired of you yapping, I'm tired of your talking! I'm tired of you flapping, so shut the HELL up!" The others began joining in after a few verses. Even Susan began singing. Sweetie Belle knew some of the words were bad, but they were annoying the bad man who hurt her. So she sang to.
Stitch Heart screamed in frustration as the singing continued. Iron Taz grinned and joined in the singing. Stitch Heart screamed louder.https://ruferd.tumblr.com/
Chapter 11: Sunrise Surprise
Applejack groaned as she woke up. Her chest hurt like the dickens. She opened her eyes. Sunlight filtered through her window. "Celestia?" she asked groggily. "What are you doing here?" She smacked her lips. Then she remembered. Applejack coughed. "Sorry your majesty. Let me say that again." Applejack laid back down to her bed. "What the TARTARUS are you doing here?" she growled.
Celestia hung her head. "Would you listen if I told you? Or would you curse my name and not believe a word?"
"Halt!" "Who goes there!"
Thomas looked at the team of guards defending the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. "Glad you asked! I'm a bloke with a broken arm, with a party of peeved ponies wanting to save their loved ones."
"Oz an also we haz smol pon to brin to Sun Sun" Banana Pie said, standing on his hind hooves. He cradled Gritty Blossom is his arms. She seemed to be asleep.
"Commander Blossom!" one of the guards exclaimed.
She opened her eyes. "Let us pass." she said. She closed her eyes and snuggled against Banana Pie.
The guards let the group pass. They entered the house and sat in the living room. Thomas, Gritty Blossom and Bulk Biceps headed up stairs. They heard a question being asked.
Applejack glared. "Well?" Clestia asked, raising her head.
The door flew off it's hinges, breaking the window on it's way out. "YEAH!"
Applejack and Celestia stared wide eyed at the figure who stood in what was left of the doorway. Thomas limped past Bulk Biceps over to the center of the room. "Hello princess. I need a list of everyone you have in stationed her and I need it now. Rainbow Dash, I know you are listening, so fly through town and see who's missing. Come back with the report."
Rainbow Dash entered the room. "Hey, who put you in charge?" she asked.
"I'm not. I'm second in command. The one who's in charge is Time Turner." Thomas explained.
Gritty Blossom yawned. She was tired and would let it show so ponies wouldn't bother her. She turned to face Banana Pie. "Any luck with your parents?" He shook his head. "Hm. I hope you find them one day. I'm sure they would be proud of who you are. A brilliant scientist and massive company owner, spreading kindness with bananas." She gave a small smile. Banana Pie returned it with a large smile and a hug.
Thomas didn't bother looking over his shoulder as he sat at the kitchen table with Time Turner. "I swear, if you two kiss I WILL throw up." Thomas commented.
Gritty Blossom released Banana Pie and rolled to the other end of the couch. Finding a lack of pillows on that side, she rolled back to lean against Banana Pie.
The Doctor shuffled through the papers. "Wouldn't be easier just to ask what they know and save all this trouble? AGH! My head."
Thomas grumbled. "NO! Shut up. And let your head ache, Time Turner. The burning is your burning desire to save Derp face. Focus on that." He shuffled the papers. "AHA!" He pushed away from the table, screaming in pain, before rushing over to Gritty Blossom. "Gear Crank, where is HE!" He shoved Banana Pie off the couch and sat down. "Hate having a broken limb!"
Gear Crank had to get away. His cover was blown. They would soon realize the monster wasn't actually a demon. But it still needed to be des- "Hello sir. Do I know you?" Gear Crank turned his head slowly. There. There in the two intertwined trees. There was the monster. Fur darker than Button Mash'es. Eyes like the sun. Hair grown short. It wore a red bandanna with a white apple on it. It for some odd reason had a rooster on its head. The rooster wasn't white. It was a brownish red with yellow feather tips on its wings and tail.
"Hello! Could you stay there for a moment? I want to talk to you." Gear Crank couldn't believe his luck.
Diamond Stroke nodded. He was so glad to meet an old friend. But his memory was fuzzy. Ruferd agreed. The two didn't quite know who this was. They both knew he was familiar.
"Would you care for a hug?" The monster nodded. Gear Crank grinned. He pulled out a knife from his mane and leaped at Ruferd. He felt a pain at his side. Something shoved him out of the way. He quickly got back to his hooves and faced his foes.
Applejack looked at the purple pegasus with bright blue hair. "Who are ya?"
"Someone who don't want Gear hurtin Ruferd. Ya got a problem with that?"
"Nope."
"Good! Now I gotta beat up this fellow."
"Now that I got a problem with partner."
"Really?"
"Eyup. He's mine to beat."
Diamond Stroke cleared his throat. "Hello! In danger here! Both of you beat up the mean man, that sound good?"
The two angry women looked at each other and nodded.
"Ha! Two unarmed women, one missing a wing and another suffering a spear wound? Easy." Gear Crank took a battle position.
Mango Peach glared. "And one considers herself Ruferd's mother."
"Oh buck." Gear Crank let the blade drop from his mouth and began to run. Ruferd landed on his back. He pushed Gear's head to the ground and flipped him on his back. He grabbed the blade and aimed it at the main artery of the neck. All in 0.326 seconds. He held the blade with his left hoof.
"Hello Gear Crank. I thought you were nice. Never thought you could be such a cussing *****" Ruferd questioned what that meant. Diamond Stroke told him to simply never repeat it.
Applejack pulled Gear Crank away and punched him in the face. Mango Peach pulled Ruferd into a hug. Ruferd remembered something. 'This... This is KIND.' he thought.
"Pardon partner, but what ya doin hugging my son?" Applejack asked as she tied Gear Crank to a nearby tree. Gear Crank let out loud angry swears.
"He ain't your son. He's mine! I named the bleeding bloke!" Mango Peach snapped. "I lost my left wing for him."
Celestia finally caught up with the two, along with Bulk Biceps, Thomas, Cream Heart, Guard and Gritty Blossom. "Gear Crank!" she roared. "You will pay for deceiving me!"
"Huge! Mean Huge!" Panic kicked into Ruferd's brain. Big white HUGE was there. Mean look mean look. Ruferd struggeled out of mango Peach'es arms. He quickly hid behind the intertwined trees, beginning to hyperventilate.
"SILENCE!" Thomas screamed. Everyone but Ruferd shut up. "Now then. You both consider yourselves mothers. That I did not expect, because I was doing my best to make sure Mango Peach was considered his mother. Seems I have failed. Sorry, Mango. Celestia, get away because if I remember correctly, at the lab you tried to destroy Ruferd the moment you entered, so he is incredibly scared of you. So for the love of Luna, back off for ten minutes. Mango, hug the dear boy. I'm going to find some pure alcohol from Gritt's medical rations and drink away my conscience then pass out." All this he said in his calm voice.
Mango Peach only listened to one part of that. She carefully grabbed Ruferd and drew him in for a hug. She covered him with her wing.
Something sparked in Ruferd's mind. He leaned into the hug and put his hoof to Mango Peach'es feathers. "I... remember." An image filled his mind. Past the waters. Past the rain. Past the fear. To his waking moments. A loud noise. An even louder noise. Then, a soft voice. And a beautiful smile. Ruferd hugged the purple mare tightly. He then pulled away. He sniffed the air.
"Something is wrong. And having two moms is fine, so that's not what is wrong." Diamond Stroke said.
"Diamond Stroke!?" Mango Peach knew that voice anywhere. She leaped to her hooves and rushed to Ruferd. "Why do you have Diamond Stroke's voice?" she asked, softly this time.
"Long story and a few short ones. First off, as you should know by now... Applejack; I was designed in a lab and made of the dead."
"Say what now?"
"I thought Applebloom told you... Anywho, that ain't important. So second off will come later. I retain some of Diamond Stroke's memories and I will tell you how later. Now, Thomas. Why are you stressed?"
Thomas was leaning against a tree, force feeding Gear Crank an apple. He let the apple drop as he got to his hooves. "There have been several kidnappings and we haven't the slightest where to start."
"We should head to Sugar Cube Corner. There should be a traceable spell energy there. We haven't a moment to lose. Also, I am still terrified of you, Celestia, so please keep your distance or I will break down and cry. Thank you."
Thomas threw the bottle of alcohol. "Mango, I love you but if you kiss Applejack I will throw up and pass out."
Mango Peach raised an eyebrow while Applejack looked disgusted. "Thomas, you are real smart, but you get real stupid when drunk. Now, let's take the advice and see if we can't find anything at this sugar cube place." Mango Peach said.
"Yez I gos an leading way." Banana Pie said eagerly. He would do anything to save Gona.
The Doctor knew there had to be a clue somewhere here. But where? Rainbow Dash tapped her hoof, impatient. "Find anything yet?" she and Issac Neighton said, both worried about Scootaloo. Issac kept winding his gun, letting it then fire with a loud clang as the piston hit an empty chamber. Every time the piston fired, Rainbow gave a little jump.
"Hello mister!"
The Doctor groaned, his head burning. "Who said wait a minute. That was baby." He wacked his head in annoyance. "How could I forget that I speak baby!?"
Mr. Cake tilted his head. "You can speak baby?" he asked, jumping at the piston firing.
"Every now and then I can understand everything." The Doctor answered. "Hello Carrot! What's that spell you're doing?"
"Sis is holding on to Auntie Pinkie!" Pound answered. "Bad people take her! But sis show them. Sis track Auntie Pinkie." He stacked some blocks. "Pound pound baddies!" he said, pounding the stacked blocks.
"Holy cussing buck." The Doctor said calmly.
"Time T-Turner! P-please don't swear in front of the children!" Mr. Cake said shakely.
"Holy moly. Your baby is tracking Pinkie Pie. OKAY! I need everything and anything that helps track down the pals! Anything with an aura or that's strongly connected!"
Rarity put her hoof to her chin in thought. "If they took Gabby... My diary may help! You said that Gabby Gums was missing, and when Sweetie Belle and Tyrant were trying to find something to help them find Gabby Gums their spell brought over my diary!"
"Holy moly. Yes. Run home and get your diary." The Doctor said, a smile growing on his face. "I'm going to read a book I brought that may help track down the others." He pulled out his sonic scanner and scanned the walls.
Rarity nodded and left. Cream Heart watched her leave, before looking at Time Turner. "What are you doing?" she asked him. He son slept on a makeshift bed beside her.
"Well I- is he having a bad dream?" The Doctor looked at Button Mash. The child had a frown on his face.
"No. When he's having a bad dream, he starts" Button Mash groaned, kicking his legs, his frown deepening. "he does that."
Button Mash bolted upright, breathing heavily. "STOP IT, TIREK!" he screamed. He screamed again as Time Turner rushed up to him. "What!?"
Cream Heart bolted over, only to be pushed back by Time Turner. "What did you say. OUT WITH IT BOY!"
"I shouted Tirek! He's a monster from my- Omph!" Time Turner dropped Button Mash and began laughing like a maniac, pacing around the room. Button Mash clung to his mother.
"HAHAHA! OF COURSE!" The Doctor ran to the kitchen, grabbing a knife, before running back and grinning at Button Mash. "Ms. Mash, you will have to hit me or I fear I may kill your son-OOMPH!" He was punch in the face. He coughed and a golden glow left him. He slowly got up, a calm look on his face. "I am sorry you had to see that. Ditsy usually helps me whenever I go into madness." He let out a deep breath. "I am dearly sorry. But as I have realized, Button Mash and Ms. Mash are somehow links to Mr. Maimjoy."
Button Mash released his mother. "How did you know how to care for Ruferd?" he asked.
"I can see how you think that's important right now, but I honestly can't remember. And-" Time Turner's tie buzzed. A wallet fell out. "Oh? What's this?" It had a piece of paper with a message. TTURISA. "Oh OH!" He let out a happy neigh. "I got a DNA tracking on Snails! I can find where they all went!"
Rarity ran inside. "I have my HMPH!?" Time Turner was dancing around the room, rushed up to Rarity and kissed her while taking the book from her, before running out, laughing like it was the best day of his life. Rarity, in shock, promptly sat down. "He... Um.." She was a loss for words. "Ahem." Rarity got to her hooves. "So, good news then?"
Ruferd rushed in Sugar Cube Corner with a large group. "Howdy!"
Rarity looked at Ruferd, still somewhat in a daze. "H-hello. Pardon me, but why is there a rooster on your head?"
Ruferd wagged his tail. "I placed him there. He is to be a gift to Scootaloo."
Rarity tilted her head. "But... Why?"
The Doctor barged in. He was dragging behind him the boxcars and a big blue box. "Okay! My head is burning so I'll make this quick! Banana Pie is in charge of the groups. He'll decide who goes and who stays. Children who want to come can come, because nopony can outsmart a desperate child. Button Mash, step in the big blue box. Mrs. Mash, you can do the same."
"It's bigger on the inside, like the boxcars! Am I right?" Button Mash asked. Time Turner gave a nod.
"It's way bigger!" the Doctor said with a grin. Button Mash opened the doors. The others in the room stared in shock at the far larger room inside the Police Box. He then held his head. "Gah! Excuse me, but I'm going to pass out. When I awake I will probably think I'm named Clockwise. My advice? Just go with it. Oh, and point my sonic scanner at the screen and the Mashes. Don't adjust the sonic, you won't know how to get it back to the proper setting. Oh, and Clockwise will think he's old enough to be a grand father. Just go with it." The Doctor proceeded to pass out.
DEAR READERS, EXCUSE MY LACK OF DETAILS FOR THIS CHAPTER. I DO NOT WANT TO ADD A GORE TAG, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THIS STORY TO BE RATED MATURE. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
The wagons came to a stop. Susan looked out the bars. "We seem to be at the edge of a mountain."
"Come on, everyone out." Stitch Heart jumped back as the pink one jumped out.
"Hey there, Mr. Stabby! Where are we?" Pinkie said, forcing joy into her voice. She knew exactly where they were, but it was best if Stabby didn't know that she knew. She studied his face. "Good." It seemed like he didn't know that she knew the location. Which was at the mountains outside of Canterlot, at exactly-
"Get away from me!" Stitch Heart shoved the cheerful pink pony away. He was then shoved by Iron Taz. Iron Taz entered the cage and hugged Project Maimjoy.
"Son!" Iron Taz cried out cheerfully. He hugged Tyrant tightly. He then inspected him. "Who took care of you when you left?" he asked, clearly concerned.
"Cream Heart did, you heartless freak!" Tyrant snapped.
"Why are you so thin?" Iron Taz'es voice grew cold. "I swear, if she did anything to you-"
Susan cleared her throat. "Excuse me, but are you a cussing child abuser who killed children for your experiments, or a cussing father? I'm getting verrryy mixed signals, you buck faced bucker."
Iron Taz slowly turned to her. He wore a frown. A giant door opened in the mountain side. "I've always wondered what the anatomy of an Alicorn was."
"You. Made. Me. One." Susan said coldly.
"Me? Me!? HA! I don't know how you ascended! But I know who you really are! And you don't even know." Iron Taz looked towards a green pony in a strait jacket. "Glitter Case? Wake her up. Oh, and nobody bother running through the woods. The field will kill you. Chop chop, everyone into the big white scary halls of our lab place!"
Susan backed away from Glitter Case. He looked into her eyes... INTO HER SOUL>>>5<>>>4<>>>3<>>>2<>>>1<>>>NOW.
Luna shook her head as her disguise dropped. "ELLO SUSY SUSY LUNEEE HEHHEHEHEEEEE!" Glitter Case began to jump around Luna. "I fixed ya! But now you are conflicted! You know who you were, you thought you knew who you was, but now you don't know who you is! HAHAHAHA!"
Sweetie Belle walked up to Luna and hugged her leg. "It's gonna be alright." She looked towards Iron Taz. "And do you know why? Because our friends and family are coming. And you know who else? The Doctor!"
Sweetie Belle wasn't sure what made her say that last part. But it did something.
Every scientist froze in fear, before beginning to push the prisoners inside. Iron Taz walked up to Sweetie Belle and bent his head down to hers. "The Doctor? He. Is. Dead. The Cyberking made sure of that!"
Sweetie Belle leaned forward. "No. He's still alive. And you took Derpy. His. Best. Friend. What do you think he's gonna do?" She had no idea what about Time Turner was scary to this big guy, but at least the bad guys were afraid.
Iron Taz gulped and brought his head up. "SPEED PREPARATION! THIS DAY, THE CYBERKING WILL RISE ANEW! FOR THE GLORY OF THE EQUESTRIAN EMPIRE!"
Sweetie Belle now wondered if she should be regretful for bringing up Time Turner.
Scootaloo waited in the white walled room she was put in. It reminded her of being at the dentist. There were even some coloring books and a scary chair. After awhile, a cheerful looking unicorn entered. He was orange with green hair. His eyes were blue. His cutie mark was a saw. Scootaloo gulped.
"Hello! My name is Daniel Timbershoes. I'm your operator. Any questions?" the stallion said cheerfully.
"Why are you doing this?" Scootaloo asked.
Daniel looked confused for a moment, before a grin and look of realization. He levitated a large grey toolbox into the room. "Because I'm most qualified for this job! Now then, the papers say you're 'the wing subject', but I would rather know your real name."
"It's Scootaloo. How can you be so cheerful?" Scootaloo was trying not to scream in fear. So she focused on rage.
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I know I'm removing your wings, but I'm focusing on the fact I'm giving you wings that will actually let you fly."
Scootaloo's ears perked up. "Wait what? You can give me new wings?"
"Yes! Wings the same size, but will let you fly! You will even be able to extend them to an Alicorn wing span!" Daniel paused. "I don't know why you're so surprised. You read the paperwork and signed the stuff and everything."
"Actually, I was kidnapped along with several others as lab rats."
Daniel let out a chuckle, but stopped when Scootaloo gave him a glare. "Wait, you're not joking?" He then let out a few words Scootaloo knew she shouldn't have heard. "So the Blue Eyed Cult is an actual thing... ****. ******* cussword cussing **** **** ****" He then looked at Scootaloo. "Umm... Don't repeat those words." Daniel looked towards the box. "Do you want to forgo the operation?"
Scootaloo weighed her options. If she chose not to, others would most likly kill her. If she said yes, she would live as a test rat, but would be alive. And could fly. Scootaloo took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Yes. Will it hurt?"
"Well... 'feeling pain' in this situation will be like calling a mountain a pile of pebbles."
Scootaloo rubbed her chin. "Got anything to make me go in shock?"
Daniel raised a brow. "I suppose that would help... Get on the operating chair. If you want, we can talk to slightly distract you."
Scootaloo did as she was told. She then felt a prick in each of her wings. She did her best to relax. Even when something touched two inches above the base of her wings. "S-s-so." she grunted out. "H-how diiid you get a j-job here?" She could feel a pain in her feather tips of her left wing. But that side was also lighter.
Scootaloo faintly heard Daniel Timbershoes' voice. "I wanted to help Equestria with medicine. Heck, I once had a horn broken at the base. With help from Blue Eyed Life Team, well... You saw me come in with a horn on my head. I heard rumors that ponies thought that BELT was a cult. I pushed past the rumors. But... I suppose there's a lot of rumors that are true."
"L-like w-what?" Scootaloo felt pain leave her right wing. Except for in the feather tips. She then felt a coldness along her spine. Like something metel was alive and trying to become her.
"Well, I heard that the boss was a different species. Something called... a 'Cyber'man? All I know is he's impossibly old. And seems to hate doctors. One in particular, but he just calls him 'The Doctor'. It's weird. Don't worry, we're almost done."
Scootaloo felt a massive shock through her entire body, but mostly on her spine, head, and wings. Her mind registered wings. Blackness swirled in her vision, and she blacked out. After what seemed to be hours, she woke up, the pain faded enough so she could move.
"Here. I brought in a mirror while you were out." Daniel said cheerfuly. He was slightly bouncing in excitment.
Scootaloo fell to the floor-onto a pillow. Pillows were around all sides of the chair. Scootaloo stumbled over to the mirror. She still looked like her. But her eyes were bloodshot. She then turned and saw her wings. "Oh. My. Goodness." She buzzed her new wings. They moved the same way as her orange ones. Her beautiful, new silver wings. Each and every feather was shiny. They felt and looked natural. A grin formed on Scootaloo's face. She turned to Daniel, before tackling him in a hug.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!" As her wings buzzed in excitement, the two were lifted off the ground. "Thank you!" Scootaloo flew around the room, chanting the words over and over. She finally set herself and Daniel down.
"You're welcome, Scootaloo! You seem to be a natural flyer! But you still are gonna need practice with those." He levitated a vitamin bar out of his tool box. "Here, eat this. It will taste terrible, but you need the nutrients. And rest. I'll stay here so nocreature hurts you."
Sweetie looked at the shaved pony pacing around the grey room. He was grabbing loads of tools from tool boxes while muttering under his breath. Stuff about "perfection" and "strong".
"Mister?" Sweetie Belle spoke softly. She winced as the shaved pony stared at her with odd, blue eyes, as if she was a tasty meal.
"It's Clover Chomp. Do you need anything?" He didn't look at her, but instead walked over to a rather large computer terminal.
"I need to leave. May I?" Sweetie Belle asked hopefully.
Clover Chomp seemed to think. "Hmm... NOPE!" He began to giggle like a maniac. "Your body is perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect!" He lunged, grabbing Sweetie Belle.
"Eiiiiiiiie! Let me go!" Sweetie Belle was slammed onto a large metel table, quickly being strapped down.
"Perfect! PERFECT!" He slammed two blades beside Sweetie Belle's head. "Your form is perfect for God."
"WHAT!?"
"SILENCE! Aha. Aha! AHAHAHA!" Clover Chomp laughed at Sweetie Belle, while grabbing another tool box. "We may not have the right tech for quick convergence, but we work with what we got. For God, the Cyberking, will make me the God of life. FOR I WILL GIVE HIM A NEW BODY! AHAHAHAHAHAHA"
Screams and laughter mixed together, filling the air. Both sounds were quickly drowned out by the sound of saws.
Snails struggled against his restraints. "Let me go! Or at least turn on the lights!" A beam of light formed as a door opened. It disappeared when it was closed again.
"Are you sure you want the lights on? Keep in mind, you are lying down." an emotionless voice spoke.
"I'm not afraid of you!"
"That is where you are wrong." The lights flicked on, and Snails found himself staring at a face of metal. "Boo"
"AHHHHHH!!!" Snails tried to break his straps to no avail. "WHAT ARE YOU!?"
"I am... I AM A CYBERGOD!" The metal creature said. It's form was tall and strong, but looked ready to fall apart at any moment. It's face didn't move. "And you... Are a cyberpad. No, you're not worthy of that. You aren't worthy of being anything but an experiment. One who will-"
"The Doctors coming!" Snails shouted. It made the guards afraid earlier when Sweetie Belle shouted it. It should- CLANG. The CyberGod slammed his rusty fist next to Snails' head.
"I KILLED HIM!" it roared in it's hollow voice. "I MADE HIM DIE SLOWLY AFTER I MADE HIM KILL HIS OWN FRIENDS!"
Snails whimpered. "B-but I saw him yesterday."
The Cyberman stood up. Sparks flew from it's head. "What!?" It quickly left the room, turning off the lights.
Snails whimpered in the darkness.
Lord Tyrant wandered the halls of his old home, finding the cells. He poked his head into an unlit room. "12?" he called out. Suddenly, he was swooped up into the arms of an absolutely muscular dragoness. "Project Repro!" she exclaimed in a low woman voice. "You came back!"
"He what!?" a voice called out from within the room. A yellow Unicorn filly turned on the lights. "Why are you back into this hell?"
"I didn't come here by choice, 45." Lord Tyrant snapped.
A ugly cyborg amalgamation of a timberwolf and a dragon raised his head from where it sat. "You still act good!" it complimented.
Lord Tyrant growled. "I plan on breaking out as soon as possible. Leave me alone, all of you." He walked over to a corner and sat down. "And don't call me Reproduction! I'm glad that was sabotaged!"
"Oomph!" Redmond JR let out a grunt as he was kicked in the stomach. A blue pony with silver hair and a wrench for a cutie mark hit the clone again.
"Let's try that again, shall we?" Dr. Pyro asked. "What. Is. The key? You know, to making clones? I know you know it."
"Cussing go to Tartarus." R JR said from the ground.
"Oh my! Wrong answer." Dr. Pyro grabbed a tazer. "Shall we try this again?
Luna struggled her restraints of odd metal. She glared at Iron Taz, who walked slowly around her. "I must say, I am honored to dissect you."
"Go to Hell." Luna spat. A hoof landed beside her head with a thud, making a dent in the iron table.
"No need to be rude, now is there?" Iron Taz said. He walked to the far wall, grabbing a saw. "Now then-" He frowned as he listened. "Hang on a second. Do I hear a trai-"
A train burst through the wall, slamming into Iron Taz and sending him flying off.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/482019/what-defines-the-definition