Shooting Star: Six Points of Light

Eldroth was looking into a pool,"So then I said, that's not a watermelon, that's a cucumber!"

"Oh, I love that joke!" Pinkie said with a giggle.

Eldroth let out an eep,"I'll get back to you." She turned to the others,"Ah, you've returned."

"Anything important?" asked Scanlan.

"No I just get extremely bored here." She smiled,"speaking of boredom, Earthbreaker Groon wishes to see one of you."

"Who?" asked Applejack.

"One of Vassleheim's greatest warriors and the Dawn Marshal." Eldroth said,"You must've done something amazing to get his attention."

Grog smirked and flexed his muscles.

"I... see." Eldroth smirked,"You should go look for him in the Trial Forge near by." She handed them a map.

Pinkie gasped, "There's a Heydonalds near here!"
.
"Yes, they have great burgers."

As the team made their way to Earthbreaker Groon, Applejack began to think, "Did wer really impress him hat much?"

Twilight looked at her,"WEll, you apparently killed a god... without us."

"Sorry about that," Applejack said.

"Don'tworry Twilight, next one we'll save the leftovers!" Grog joked.

"IT's fine, I suppose." Twilight said.

A large earth pony stallion with a grey beard sat in the temple, looking at them,"You've arrived."

"My word," Rarity said with a gasp as she noticed the muscles on the stallion.

Applejack nodded, "Yeah, why did ya call us?"

"Is this a challenge?"aksed Grog.

"In a way, yes." Groon got up,"Meet me in the arena." He pointed at both Applejack and Grog,"You two may bring one ally each."

"Applejack looked back at Dash, "Come along speedy."

"Heh easy."

"Well, come along Vax. Payback!" Grog said, pulling vaxc by the tail

Vax yelped,"The tail, really!?"

"Applejack told me this was the best way to keep arrogant ponies in contolr," Grog said.

"That little..."

Groon waited for them at a ring, simply sitting down.

Grog landed with a thud, followed by Applejack. Thowing his weapons away, Applejack put her hat somewhere safe and glared. Rainbow, shrugged, "Eh, this is easy. Watch. I'll just race at him at super speed and take him on-"

"Rainbow wa-" Appljeack said, only to slow down as Rainbow Dash ran at top speed.

Dash smired as she ran at her fastest, pulling back her hoof to deck Groon. Only to look on in horror as he...

Opened his eyes.

The world returned to speed as she flew bacl ."-it."

"Did he just punch out Dash?"
Vax nodded,"Yep." He clicked his hooves together before speeding off. Then he flew back,"He saw me!"

Grog and Applejack high hooved each other before both ran at the stallion with an arm bar.

The stallion leaped up and kicked them both in the head.

Grog tried for a right hook after recovering while Applejack went for a leg sweeo

Groon dodged both before slamming two hooves into them. He grabbed a dagger with his teeth and threw it back.

"Wait, how did he do that without cutting his-"Vax didn't have a chance to ask before the dagger cut into his shoulder.

Rainbow Dash flew into the air and began to speed up to charge a sonic rainboom

Groon stepped under Dash.

"OH, is he begging me to hit him at top speed?" Dash chuckled, "Fine then,let's dance!"

"Rainbow, wait,"Applejack shouted, only to watch as her friend sped at sonic rainboom speeds at Groon.

There was a loud sound as Groon punched Rainbow,"Where do you find your strength?"

"Wha-" Dash asked stunned.

Grog let out a roar as he charged from he side, Letting Applejack come in wiht a flying kick

The kick hit Groon, before he punched Grog.

"HA!" Applejack said with a smirk, before landing on the ground and uppercuttting him into the chin.

Groon looked down at Applejack,"Where do you find your strength?"

"Right here!" Applejack shouted as she spun and bucked Grog in the face.

Groon looked at her, before punching her to the side.

Applejck let out a grunt as Grog came in with three punches to the chest while Dash and Vax jumped onto hie shoulders for a double kick.

Groon grabbed both pegasi and used them to smack their friends,"Where. Do. You find your strength?

"Did, he..." Dash asked struggling to get back up.

"Just use us to beat the other?" asked Vax,shaking his head and running a hoof through his wing to knock out some feathers, "Yeah."

As the others got slowly back up, Applejack whispered, "Not...quitting."

"I'm...with her," Grog said, readjusting his foreleg before walking slowly towards him

Groon smirked,"IS that it?"

"You know, I almost forgot where my strenght comes from," Applejack said, cracking her neck, "AS strong as I am. I'm still weak without them by my side. Im weak without my friends at my back."

"I'm starting to see that too," Grog said, "As long as someone is supporting me, I'm still stronger and we never will quit."

Groon sat down and nodded,"Good."

Grog paused, "Wait, really?"

"Yes." Groon said.

Applejack panted, "Oh, well now I feel a little silly. I should've figured out that in the first place."

Groon nodded,"Come back to me when you're a little stronger.

"Will do," Applejack said tipping her hat and walking away.

Grog remarked, "Aw, and I was gonna use Vax as a bat."

Vax frowned at this.

"Eh, you wre going to be a bat," Dash mocked Vax.

"And mayve dash as the ball," Appljeack remarke

Twilight walked up to them,"Well that was... eventful."

"Oh, that looked painful. Are you all ok?" asked Fluttershy.

Vax walked up to Fluttershy, patted her on the head, before collapsing.

Keyleth walked ove to Vax and helped him to his feet. She smiled a little at him and his sleeping form, "I'll help him to bed."

"YEah, let's get to an inn, I think we all had a long day."

Vax held up his head, "No, we are strong and full of health." he then fainted again.

"Come on, brother." Vex helped Keyleth as they went into the inn.

{}

Twilight looked at her map.

Dash tried to snek up quietylwih Pinkie to gt behind Twiligt.

Das placed a hoof oto Twilight's head and began to fuss with her mane, while Pinkie shouted, "MORNING TWILY!"

"Gah!" Twilight shouted,"Pinkie!"

"Yessss?" Pinkie asked with a cute face.

Twilight frowned,"By Celestia..."

"No, by Pinkie!" Pinkie said, bringing out a pie and some waffles.

"... Thanks." Twilight grabbed the waffles.

"It's hard to be grumpy around her." Percy frowned.

Applejack nodded as she sat down to eat, "Trust me, I know."

"Okay, the prophecy says we need to see the fire fallen king." Twilight said.

Keyleth gasped,"Oh, I know where that is!"

"Oh, that name sounds a little harsh," Fluttershy said.

"You do?" asked Vex.

Keyleth nodded,"They say a fallen king was imprisoned in the plane of fire, which is guarded by the Fire Ashari!" She grinned,"Oh, I need to go there for my Aramente!"

"Isn't that thing you mentioned you needed to go for to prove yourself?" asked Dash.

Keyleth nodded.

Pinkie cheered, "Great, we can do two things at once!"

Keyleth gulped,"Yep!" She shuddered,"I'm not nervous, I'm not nervous..."

"IT's ok to be nervous Keyleth," Fluttershy said, smiling, "We'll be here."

Vax put a wing over Keyleth's back and smiled, "Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."

Keyleth looked at him and blushed,"Thanks..."

Rarity quickly began to write in her notepad.

Keyleth walked to the exit,"I know where it is, I'll lead..." She shuddere.d

Vax walked ahead for a bit, keeping close to her.

Vex decided to walk with Percy.

Rarity began to scribble furiously.

Scanlan grinned as he walked next to Pike.

Rainbow Dash flew next to Flutters, while Rarity scribbled faster

Twilight looked at Rarity,"That paper's going to burn at this rate."

"It's ok, we'll just buy some more at the next town," Rarity said. "Shipping must be fufilled.

Twilight let out a sigh."

They walked down the road when they heard several large hoofsteps in front of them.

A giant pony with two heads stomped slowly towards them.

Pike gasped,"It's an ettin!"

At that point the ettin felll over, dead from several burn marks. An armored pony stood ontop of the bodyl.

"Hey, I called dibs!" Grog said to the armored pony.

The pony looked at them.

"Wait, that's the pony who saved us!" Twilight said.

"And the one who fought that god in Ponyville." Rarity said.

Twilight teleported to her,"Okay, who are you!?"

Samus looked at the little group, "Samus Aran. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get going."

"Hey," Pinkie asked, "Since you helped us, why don't you join us?"

"..what?" Samus asked.

"Look, I've seen images of the past. I saw that armor of yours. It's important somehow, so we need you to join us!" Twilight said.

Scanlan walked up,"I mean, we are a fashionable looking group!"

"You look like a ragtag team of adventurers brought together through circumstance and began to learn to love each other through a trial of fire," Samus said, looking at each one. "I'm sorry, but I do my best work alone."

"Yeah, nopony should work alone." Twilight said,"And I know your armor is connected to this somehow, so you need to come with us!"

Samus paused, and then looked into Twilight's eyes, "Wich one of you is going to keep annoying me until I say yes. You or the pink one?"

Twilight smirked,"The pink one."

Samus took a moment ot look at Pinkie, hearing from her, "And I feel peppy tonight!"

"My services don't come cheap," Samus said.

"What's the payment" Vex asked.

"Catch me," Samus said.

"Catch you?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, Catch me," Samus said, taking a few steps back, "It'll help me test you and it will give you some excersise."

"Alright, but you're at a disadvantage!" Twilight smirked.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, you're outnumbered!" Twilight said.

Dash blinked and noticed she was gone, "What they..."

Samus appeared behind the group, "You have a minute to get ready, and you wasted 10 seconds talking to me."

"Oh." Twilight said,"Well guys, let's get going!"

The group nodded and befan to split up as the game began. Samus appeared behind Scanlan, "Care to play some hunting music?

"With pleasure!" Scanlan brought out a lute.

"Thank you," Samus said, backflipping away and running into the woods.

Dash took to the air with Vax right behind her, "Ok Emo, you go from he left and I hit her right!"

"When did I take orders from you? I go left and you go right!" He went to the left.

"Because I am the fastest thats why!" Dash yelled.

Samus leaned over her,"Fastest, but not the smartest."

"Is that why you are..." Dash tried to reach up with her fore hooves while saying quickly, "Abovemelikeafool?"
.
Samus rolled into a ball and rolled away.,

Vax frowned, "She can't do that, she isn''t allowed!" he said, speeding off to try and catch the little ball.

The little ball went into a hole.

Vax poked his head down the hole, "HEY!"

There was a small round glowing object inside.

"..."

There was an explosion. Vax pulled his head out, face filled with soot.

Rainbow Dash fell back onto her back laughing at Vax.

There was a similar object next to Dash.

. "Oh for Celestia's sake!" Dash grumbled.

Twilight muttered,"Okay, our two speedsters aren't working."

Vex flew up to a cloud and looked over the forest.

Rarity looked up, "Vex dear," she said with some magic, "See anything?"

"She's crafty. I don't see her anywhere here..." Vex muttered.

"Hey, this sure is a cute bear here," Samus said from below.

"Trinket!" Vex shouted.

"I mean, he is a cutie," Samus teased.

She flew down to Trinket and Samus.

Samus lept up, cutting down a tree branch to strike at Vex.

"Oh darn." The branch hit her.

Samus slammed ahoof against a Tree, seeing if she could knock Rarity out.

Rarity looked up at the tree,"Oh, darling." She used her telekinesis,"That's not going to work on me!"

Samus smirked, "Oh really?"

"Indeed, I'm quite well versed in moving things with my magic! It helps with making dresses."

"I bet you are just a master at being precise."

"Oh yes!" Rarity said

"How precise are you at moving targets?"

"Well, that depends on the size." Rarity said,"Why do you ask, perchance?"

Samus took off into the woods

Rarity scoffed,"Don't ignore me!

"Then shoot me, mule," Samus taunted.

"..." Steam came out of Rarity's nostrils,"Why you little-!" She threw the tree at her,"I am not a mule!""

Samus smirked, using aspeed boost to dodge, relying on Rarity's anger to distract her.

"Stop. Dodging. And Fight!" Rarity shouted.

"I would mule, but you keep missing.

Rarity screamed as she ran at her, only for her hoof to get caught in some rope,"Oh!" She let out a yelp before the rope strung her up.

Twilight and Percy popped their heads out of a bush,"Darn, wrong pony!"

Samus appeared behind the two, "So what's the plan?"

Twilight frowned,"Well, we were going to catch Samus in that trap while she wasn't looking."

"Oh, neat," Samus said, "So what's the next plan?"

Twilight put a hoof to her chin,"Well, we could build a cage above a spot where Samus is unlikely to see it."

"That sounds clever," Samus said.

Percy nodded,"Indeed. We also need a good camouflage."

"Maybe if you covered it with leaves of the trees," Samus said.

"Good idea, she'll never see through all that." Twilight said.

"Oh, maybe an invisabilty spell!" Samus said.

"YEah, that'll work!" Twilight said.

"That can only fail if she has truesight." Percy said.

"She probably has no idea what that is," Samus said.

"That's when a creature can see through illusions with ease."

Twilight frowned,"That sounds bad.

"Yeah, I believe in you," Samus said.

They feel like she doesn't really believe in them, plus there might be something screwy going on here.

"She's right next to us, isn't she?" Twilight asked.

"Yep." PErcy sighed.

"Yeah and I used an ice beam to freeze he ground behind you both," Samus said, backflipping to hit the ground. She then turnd towalk away.

Percy sighed,"Damn it."

"Come on, I'll fly you out." Twilight used her magic to pick Percy up.

As Samus ran off, she began to look up and detect who was coming after her next.

Applejack leaped at her from the bushes.

Samus stepped back, "Wasn't expecting the muscle to be trying stealth."

"Ah'm just the distraction." AJ smirked.

Samus paused, "Distraction?"

Grog appeaered above her.

Samus turned into a ball and rolled back, letting Grog trippping over her.

Grog landed on AJ,"Woops!"

"It's ok," Applejack groaned in pain.

A small butterfly came over and flew towards Samus.

Samus paused and looked at it.

The butterfly then turned into Keyleht as she grabbed at her.

Samus high jumped onto a tree, "Always suspect the butter fly"

"Um..." Fluttershy squeaked next to her.

Samus looked at her, "Your friend Rainbow Dahs is suffering from wounds."

"I'll go..." Fluttershy flew away.

Samus smirked, "And cue Pike right above me."

Pike swung her mace above her.

Samus moved too the side.

Pike fell out of the tree into the ground.

Then came the twang of a violin.

Samus looked towards the sound.

Scanlan was near her, playing a violin,":Hello."

Samus waved a hoof, "Hello." she could hear Pinkie faintly sobbing, "Why is she sad?"

"Because her heart hurts, and I am trying to fix it with a song!" Scanlan said,"I know we can't beat you, so I am focusing on something else."

Samus raised her hoof, but was stopped when Pinkie sniffled, "All of the others have great gifts and outsmart you. What chance do I got."

"Well, there are a few tricks you could do," Samus argued, "Just got to put your mind in the right spot."

"All I can do is offer this tasty cupcake. IT's strawberry," Pinkie said, holding up a cupcake with a cute strawberry slice on it, pink frosting, and a chocolate base.

Samus shrugged, unabe to resist the taste of strawberry. "Eh why not. If it'll make you feel a little better."

"IT does," Pinkie said, givving it to Samus. "And what's more..."

It took Samus about a few seconds to realize thatt Pinkie got her in the hears, and her pink hoof was on her leg.

"Youuuuuuuuuuuu're IT!" Pinkie said, with a giggle as she bounce back and hugged Samus, "I WIN!"

Scanlan responded with a bow.

"You cunning little-"

Twilight smiled,"Figures, who could predicct Pinkie..."

"Maude," Pinkie said, "She says that big sister sense overrules pinkie sense."

Twilight blinked,"That... okay."

"Isn't Maude a laugh riot?" Pinkie giggled.

Percy raised a hoof, but Dash stopped him

Twilight walked up to Samus,"So, we win."

Samus sighed and nodded, "Yeah yeah. You earned my coming along. So, where are we going?"

Keyleth walked up to her,"We're heading to the Fire Ashari!"

"So we are purposely heading to a place near a bunch of flames and fire monsters? Sweet."

Another monster fell down in front of them.

Twilight smiled,"You know, with an armored tank around, things should be easier!"

"I called dibs," Grog shouted at Samus.

Samus lookd back, "I saw him first."

"Help!" a grey coated mare ran to them,"My caravan's in danger!"

"Wha?" asked Keyleth/

"Whats going on?" asked Dash.

"Some monster attacked us, I ran to get help!" The mare said.

The group, sensing side quest, ran off. Samus paused and began to investigate.

Samus began typing on her helmet as the other made their way to the scene.

There were several bodies near a turned over caravan.

The mare gasped,"No! We were too late!"

Pike and Fluttershy immeaditally went to look at some of the ponies, while Samus began to look back at the mare.

The mare looked at her, scared,"Those bandits were animals!"

Vex walked over to some of them, noticing cauterized burn marks on their body. They were lacking in limbs and heads.

"Tehy're monser," Fluttershy whispered to herself.

Samus, on the other hoof, looked at the mare, "Why areyou still here?"

The mare blinked,"Well, I-I might need to bury them, they're my friends after all!"

"No, why are you alive," Samus asked.

"I managed to get away in time. I'm a very fast runner."

Percy looked curious, "Samus, what are you thinking."

"There was a bounty hunter," Samsu said, walking around her.

"What are you doing?" The mare asked.

"History lesson," Samsu said, "There was a bounty hunter who would find a strong hold and disquse themselves as an opertative so well, they would trick them before striking the target. You would know if they had arrived by the trail of bodies they would leave behind without heads or limbs. Right, Oct?"

The mare's disposition switched to a cruel smirk,"I see my reputation proceeds me as much as it does you, Samus Aran." She chuckled,"I was hoping to keep the charade long enough to get rid of your primitive friends, but I can't get anything past you.

Samus walked around her, "What bring you here."

"Did she just insult me?" Gog asked, having no idea what primitive means.

Pike frowned,"She insulted all of us, Grog."

"There's a price on your head, Sammy." Oct said, circling her as well,"I, and a few others, aim to collect it."

"Who made it?" asked Samus.

"That new Space Pirate leader that's been running around. He seems really out to get ya."

"Tell him to join the club," Samus said, "Anyone else par of your little group?"

Oct held up a hoof,"Spoilers."

"You know, I wonder how bad you are when you are cornered. Never heard you fight."

"Because I like to play on the element," OCt's head was covered by a black helmet covered in tentacles,"Of surprise!" A red bladded tentacle came out from the ground.

Vax jumped out of the way and threw two daggers at the tentacle. Twilight began to charg an ice dagger and sent it flying at her.

A suit of armor came over her as the dagger struck,"Ooh, magic." She pulled out a large gun,"I see you people started the Flintlock stage. Shame, you won't get to see how this works!" She fired a grenade at them before moving away.

Rarity and Twilight caught the gernade in thir magic, "Darling, care suggest where to thrwo this?"

"Somewhere in the sky?" Twilight suggestedd.

Dash looked, "I see no pegasi. Do it!"

Twilight tossed in into the air.

Oct disappeared on the road.

Samus looked at the place where Oct stood, "Darn, where did she go?"

A tentacle appeared behind Samus and attacked.

Samus leapt to the side and fired a shot.

The tentacle was shot off as a grenade came her way

"Another one?" Samsu asked as she leapt outof the way.

This time the areea became encased in smoke.

Rainbow Dash and Vax flew to the sky to begin to blow away the smike

A tentacle came up at Pike/.

Pike slapped at it with her mace, while Scanlan screamed, "Scanlan,"she said, running t him as he was tentacled.

"Mmmm, save me in a sec," Scanlan moaned.

Oct winced,"Somehow I knew someone was gonna get turned on by this!"

"My you have such big strong tenctacles. Shame I had better."

"I mean, you are stong, but a little slow to get ip to speed."

"And you are big, but a little thin."

OCt let out a wince,"Gah, damn it, that mockery is vicious!"

Scanan took a bow as Samus fired a few shots at Oct.

Oct screamed before going into the ground to disappear.

"Where are you?"

OCt's voice came out,"Like I'd tell you. Remember, I enjoy the element of surprise."

"ME TOO!" Squeaked Pinkie. "Do you also like cakes?"

"Actually, yes! I'm great with making cakes!"

"Oh, what kind?"

"Chocolate, strawberry, death..."

"Death is a horrible flavor silly," Pinkie said with a giggle.

"You're a strange one." Oct said.

"Not as strange as you are!
Scanlan shouted.

"Gah!" Oct leaped out of the ground.

Samus and Grog jumped back, Grog wrapping his forelegs around her, "Peekabo!"

Oct struggled against Grog's grip.

"How's your timing," Samus asked, aiming a rocket at Oct.

"Eh, I can take i!" Grog said with a big grin

Oct stared at her,"You wouldn't!"

"Oh come on," Grog said, "You havent been hit by a fireball right?"

"No, I haven't!" Oct shouted.

Grog had a smile, "First time for everything."

"The first time's always the hardest." Scanlan said.

Samus let a missile fire from her forehoof cannon, erupting in a giant ball of fire. As the fire began to clear, Grog was still standing, holding onto Oct. With smirk, he pulled back and did a suplex onto the bounty hunter, slamming her head into the ground.

The helmet broke, showing a bald, skinless head. Oct panted as she got up, blood coming from her lip,"You..."

Samus stepped forward, "What?"

She laughed,"There'll be more after me..." She coughed.

As Pike went over to both heal Grog and to repremand him for being reckless, Samus looked at her, "I had a feeling. You don't get to be my level and not have the best after me. So, who is it? The top ten? The 20?"

"I'd hazard a guess and say... top ten." Oct said.

Samus let out a low sigh, "Great, that's not goofd. Just one of them could take out a small armada of pirates, and they all have eyes on me. Perfect."

Oct smiled,"But... I thank you... if I had to go down... I'd rather it by your hoof..." She fell lifeless to the ground.

Samus frowned, and shook her head. Pike walked up behind her and took a crystal but was stopped by Samus, "Trust me, she wanted something like this. She...never really had much of an identity beyond being a huntress. No home planet, no family, no anything. She never even knew her race, wich is why she became a master of diguise."

"That, that's so sad," Fluttershy whispered.

"It's why I think she wanted to go after me, to get an identity," Samus looked away and walked on, "Come on, we got places to go."

Percy walked over to the dropped grenade launcher for a brief second. He frowned.

"What's up?" asked Applejack.

"..." Percy sighed,"I knew what I made would drastically change the course of history." He frowned at the thing at his hooves,"That there were creatures out there that may have made worse than my gun..." He picked the weapon up,"I'll need to dispose of this thing."

Applejack sighed, "You know that won't completely stop somepony from making something like that one day here."

"No, but it'll delay it." Percy muttered.

"You did what yu had to do," Appplejack said, "You can't be too sure of the consequences of your actions you know? The thing is, what will you about it later."

"I never thought about that." Percy mutttered,"My mind's focused on revenge, but I never thought about what came after..."

"You never did. There's always something afterwards," Applejack said, "You can't become too swallowed up by one thing in life you know. You don't get anywhere that way."

"Hmph, maybe you're right." Percy turned and walked away.

Applejack shook her head, "Guy really needs to learn to look away from revenge."

They followed Keyleth to a large mountain with smoke coming from the top. Up ahead several creatures were milling about.

Pinkie, ever the greeter, smiled and stepped out waving hi, "HELLO ALL YOU PONIES>"

The ponies turned to her, and waved back,"My, how friendly!" One of them said.

"We brought friends!" Pinkie said.

A unicorn stallion with long red hair appeared,"I see." He smiled at Keyleth,"Ah, I was wondering when you'd appear, Lady Keyleth!"

Keyleth blushed and tried to act with as much diginity as she could, as in not much.

The stallion laughed,"My name is Cerkonos, the Headmaster of the Fire Ashari."

"And I am Keyleth but you knew that and these are all of my friends," Keyleth said, intorducing her team.

"Ah, greetings." He bowed to them

Tey all bowed back, as Rarity walked forward, "I must say, your entire town is very impeccable and quaint. I was expecting a lot more, fire as it were."

"WEll, we're not going to live in a place that's on fire, that would be impractical." He said with a smirk.

"Of course," Rarity said with a chuckle.

"So, what is she supped to do?" asked dash.

"She must go into the elemental plane of fire, and follow the hoofsteps to a great stone spire." Cerkonos said,"We will wait for you there."

"That doesnt sound too hard." Fluttersht said.

Keyleth gulped,"That's what I said when I went into the Earth Plane..." She shuddered.

"What happened then?" asked Fluttershy.

Keyleth grinned as she entered the plane,"I can do it!"

A few moments later, Keyleth came back with a magic stone, but her entire body was smashed,"I did it..." She moaned.

"Pain." Keyleth said.

Vax patted Keyleth on the shoulder and smiled a comforting look a her.

Keyleth looked at Vax,"... I can do it!"

Rarity muttered something along the lines of "Kiss her on the cheek you emotionally stunted half deer."

Cerkonos led them to an area in the center of the village,"Come through this portal." His horn glowed as a large red portal appeared.

"Twilight, got a cooling spell ready?" asked Applejack.

Twilight nodded,"Always."

The group followed Keylteh in.

The area around them was bright red. Flames erupted around them as a long rock road stood out in front of them.

"My, don't we head to the nicest of places," Rarity said.

Keyleth looked around,"Well, at least we're not in too much danger?"

A large red dragon flew overhead.

"... I'm going to pretend I didn't see that."

Fluttershy stepped closer to Dash, "HE's big."

"As long as he doesn't come down, we're fine," Dash said.

Scanlan looked up. A few moments passed,"Huh, nothing happened."

Pinkie held up a number 4.

"Yeah,pretty much." Scanlan said.

Dash flew up a little higher, "MAn this place is unreal.

"Be careful!" Twilight said,"We don't know what else could be in here!"

Dash flew ahead, "Oh come on, whats the worrst they could be sending out?"

A pillar of flame erupted in front of Dash, turning into a face that chomped at her.

"Hey!" Dash shouted, befre trying to buck it with her legs.

Rainbow's hooves catch fire.

Rainbow Dash flew back and blew on her hooves.

Twilight looked up at Dash,"Rainbow, why did you think that was a good idea?"

"He looked punchable," Dash whimpered.

"He's a lava monster!" Twilight said.

Dash growled, "And I'm a punchy girl/"

"Dash, if there's a lava monster, you don't hit it!" Twilight said,"Only an idiot would do that!"

Grog then began to charge at the monster with his shoulder at the front.

Twilight let out an annoyed sigh.

Grog then attempted to grapplethe fire elemental.

Somehow The lava monster was grabbedc.

He slams the thing into the ground behind him.

Twilight stared blankly at this display of strength,"What..."

Twilight blasted it with ice,"Let's keep going before my mind breaks."

"No big bad fire elemental burns my friends," Grog said, walking by Pike, "Um...Pike, is something burning?"

"Oh my goodness!" Pike ran over and used her hooves to put out the flame on his fur.

"Thank you," Grog said.

Scanlan smiled, "Hey um, Pike, I'm a little on fire too, maybe you could rub your hooves on me?"

Pike lookedc Scanlan over,"You look fine to me."

Vax patted Scanlan on the back, "Nice try, Purve

Scanlan shrugged,"Eh, you're right."

Keyleth led the way down, when a red unicorn stallion appeared in front of them.

Pinkie waved hi.

The stallion smiled,"Hello...

"How are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine, except, well, I've been trapped in here." The stallion said.

Rarity looked at him, "Why were you trapped?"

The stallion frowned,"Because some ponies were very cruel to me."

"Oh, I am so sorry," Fluttershy said.

"Thank you, miss?"

"OH, I'm...fluttershy."

The stallion blinked,"Come again?"

"Fluttershy

"I couldn't catch that."

"Fluttershy," Dash said.

"Oh, I see." The stallion said,"I am... Kadroht."

Vex asked, "Why did they ut you in here?"

Kadroht ffrowned,"I was framed."

Grog began to look around the not obiviously thordak that you have to be an idoit not to see while Samus asked, "Framed?"

"Yes, I was accused of being a monster when I was innocent." The stallion said.

"Anything we can do to help?" asked Vex.

"Where' your frame?"

Well, you can help me out of here." The stallion said.

Pike patted Grog on the leg,"Not like that, Grog."

"How do we do that?"

"I believe that there is a test you must pass? That'll be the way I leave."

"You think so?"

"Yes." The stallion said.

Keyleth frowned a bit.

"Don't worry, helping is whay we do," Dash said as they prepared to conine

Vax aked, "Are you all right?"

"Something doesn't feel right." Keyleth muttered.
.
Keyleth frowned,"I don't trust him."

"Why not?" asked Vax

"IF he was trapped here before... why didn't my mother save him?"

Vex looked down, "Maybe he didn't get to her?"

Percy frowned,"IT's possible he's lying."

"Most likely liying," Vex said.

"Yes, so we should keep our guard up." Percy said.

"Hey, slowpokes, stop planning and move on!" Dash shouted.
.
Percy sighed in frustration as he moved forward.
"Slowpokes the lot of ya," Dash taunted.

Up ahead was a large stone pillar with a small red orb inside of it.

Applejack grabbed Rainbow's Tail, "Just in case."

"Just in case what?" asked Dash.

"Jus in case you want to rush in half cockd to grab it and end things quick," Applejack said.

Dash frowned, "Oh, do I look like...that smirk says it all."

"Rainbow, you tried to punch a lava monster earlier." Twilight said.

"Yeah? AAnd?" Dash asked.

Twilight just sighed.

Keyleth walked overr to the gem and looked it over. At that point, several flames erupted around them.

Pinkie, in turned, pulled otu marshmallows

The fires held out hands, cooking the marshmallows.

"Thanks," Pinkie said.

The pillars of fire then began moving towards them.

Pinkie held up a stop sign.

The elementals stopped.

"Tha worked?" asked Dash.

Twilight stared at this,"That's it, I don't care anymore."

Pinkie then held up a sign that pointed to the rgith and a one way sigh.

The elementals went to the right.

Keyleth looked at this,"IS this the test?"

Applejack, holding a hooof over Dash's snout, said, "Well, at least it's eas.y."

At that point, the stallion began to laugh,"Thank you."

"You are welcome sir," Rarity said.

"Now the gem is mine." His voice got deeper.

"And there goe the betrayl," Scanlan said.

The stallion turned to them, eyes glowing red as his body turned into scales. Wings sprouted from his back as four long talons came from his hooves.

"A dragon?" Samus said, smirking under her helm, "And ere I was hoping for somethign scarier.

The dragon laughed,"I'm certain, creature, that you've fought worse than me."

"Believe me, I have mr..."

"Thordak, The Cinder King." The dragon said.

"Impressive name," Dash snarked.

"Thank you, little worm." Thordak said.

"What do you want with that gem?" Twilight asked.

"I need it's power." Thordak said.

"To escape right? How?" asked Applejack.

"Simply put, it'll make me far above other dragons." Thordak said.

"And what makes you think we'll let you take it?"Dash asked

"Do you have a deathwish?" Thordak frowned,"Actually, I'm not interested in killing worms. How about a contest?"

"A contest, what kind of-"

"What kind of Contest?" Dash asked, her tail swishing happily.

Thordak looked at the area around them,"I will let you leave with this... if you survive the Four Who Are One."

"Bring it," Dash said.

Thordak snapped his claws as four large giant ponies, larger than even Grog came from the lava surrounding them,"You lose, you die." He flew off.

"Well, that's obivous ass!" Dash shouted.

The giant ponies snorted as they looked down upon them.

"So, how do ya wanna do tis Twilight?" Applejack asked.

"Split up?"Twilight said.

"So, wo's taking who?" Dash asked.

"Well, some of us take the stupid one, others the other stupid one..." Twilight said.

"And I get the stupid one," Grog said, chargin with his ax.

One of the giants slammed his hoof near Vex.

Vax moved out of the wayand threw two daggers at the giant's eyes. Twilight stood back, allowign blue mana to cover her body

The giant screamed in pain before stepping back.

Ywilight aimed at two and fired a cone of cold

The giants roared in pain before slamming their hooves at her.

Vax moved Twilight out of the way asApplejack bloccked the slam.

The giant pressed down on Applejack.

Applejack heldo back and smirked, "LEft yurself open." Grog then headbutted the giant in man's greated design flaw.

The Giant let out a squeal of pain.

"Ha! Anymore males among ya?" asked Grog.

One of the giants covered himself.

Scanlan paused and looked to the giant next to him. As he looked closely, he whispered, "Something, Something, nothing. OH!!!!!!!!"

The giant winked at him.

"So, been fighting long?" Scanlan asked.

One of the other giants said something to the female. The female scoffed something else that can be attributed to,"I can date who I want, Dad!"

Vex fired a shot as she looked up at the two giants arguing.

"Hey!" Grog punched the giant in the kneess, "Stop messing with your daughter!"

The giant let out a roar of pain.

Scanlan smiled at the girl giant, "Hey, do you really think you need to be out here fighting. shouldn't young thing like yourself be looking for a hunk of a man?"

The giant looked away.

"How about you go and pretty yourself up and I'll help later.

The giant left.

Applejack looked at the other two, "Who's left."

The other two looked at each other, noddedx, and then pulled out two large burning clubs.

Samus aimed her horn cannon with Twilight, "Cold shoulder?"

"Cold shoulder!" Twilight said firing the shot as Dash shouted,

"LAME!"

Percy muttered,"I liked it..."

This sprouted a histle from everyone.

The giant roared as it fell back.

Samus looked at the last one, "And..."

The giant sighed, before leaping away.

Dash cheered, "And that is tat! HA!"

Thordak flew overhead,"Catch." He threw the gem at them.

Rainbow Dash flew up and grabbed the gem in mid-flight, "TOUCHDOWN!

There was clapping from most of them.

Vax looked at his hoof,"8 out of 10."

Rinbow Dash flipped a wingtip at him

Keyleth let out a relieved sigh,"Let's get out of here..."

"Think he's gonna try and escape?" asked Fluttershy.

Percy frowned,"Most likely."

Pinkie zoomed in, put a cupcake into PErcy's mouth, and looked at him, "Ah, none of that. We won, Keyleth is closer to becoming a leader, so lets go and celebrate."

Percy let out a muffled,"Fine..."

"There, see, no frowns with a cupcake!" Pinkie said with agiggle before bouncing away.

There was a group of ponies welcoming them back.

Cerkonos smiled,"Ah, you're alive!"

"Was there any doubt, the doe is awesome," Dash said

Keyleth let out a squeak,"I-I've never been described as awesome before..."

"Better be prepared for more of that," Applejack said with a smile.

"Come, you can tell me about your adventure during our party!"

Pinkie smiled, "Did you say party?""

"Wait, where's Scan;an.?" asked Vex.

Scanlan walked out of the portal, his hair a little singed as he waved by to the the two ladies, "Talk later."

Twilight blinked,"That, had to take some doing."

"Well, princess if you like to know the details.

"No, I'm good..." Twilight stopped,"Although, I am scientifically curious..."

Rarity shook her head, "I do not tink that would be the best idea."

"But science!"

"No," Applejack said, Pulling Twilight away.

"Aw..."

And so the party commenced!

A green unicorn mare watched from afar,"Hmm, maybe you can leave later..." She put a hood on and left."

Applejack sat next to twilight as the party continued, "So where too?

Twilight thought about the poem,"Well, we're supposed to be shown the body of a kraken..."

"That would be near the coast." Cerkonos said,"My apologies, I couldn't help but overhear."

"I'm surprise you can hear with how loud Scanan and Pinkie are rockin."

"I have two toddlers." Cerkonos said.

Everyone nodded in sympathy.

Cerkonos then handed Twilight a map,"Here, there's a museum dedicated to that kraken."

Pinkie popped up behind Twiilihg to look at the map, "OH MY CELESTIA!"

"What!?" Twilight asked.

"They have a sale on tickets and free consessions!"

"..." Twilight sighed,"Sometimes, you confuse me, Pinkie."

"And that's why you ove me!" Pinkie said with a giggle before booping Twilight to go back to the party.

"All we need to do now is party, and then rest up." Twilight pulled out a small calender and frowned.

"Problems?" Dash asked.

"I just get nervouse whenever I think about how long we've got."

"Hey we're making good time."

"We only have four items. And only four alicorns are down... I... " Twilight rubbed her head,"I need some sleep."

Dash sighed and put down her drink, "Look Twi, you are putting too much thought into this. We're together right?" when she nodded slowly, Dash smiled, "And you know what I always say, when we're together like this, then aint nothuing we can't do. And besides, you know you got the fastest thing here.

"Second!" Vax shouted from afar.

Rainbow Dash stuck out her tounge at Vax, "And besides, we got a whole other group of awesome guys with us. I think if anything, we'll finish this with plenty of time."

"Right... right..."

Pinkie popped on top of Twilight's head, "And besides, the queen didn't say she'll kill us if we fail. The worse that'll happen is we get exiled, but hey/ New home party!" she giggled.

Twilight's eyes widened,"What!?"

"Actually she was going to mobilize her forces on her own. She wasn't going to exile us." Percy said. However, Twilight began to run around the area, screaming,"Blast."

"Pinkie, you didn't need to scare her like that," Applejack said, watching as Pinkie puled out a pillow and some bedding, "And what's more...what are you doing."

"Shhhh," Pinkie saidd, "Wait for it" she said watching Twilight continue to run in circles until she neared the bed.

Twilight collasped onto the bed.

Scanlan appeared and gave her a small lullaby.

"She needs to rest," Pinkie said.