Chapters The oak plaque on the front of the small local cafe was stained with the words, 'Boxy Cafe'. The establishment was closed for the afternoon, giving those inside the privacy they needed to be as vocal as they desired. Within the cafe, a boy with warm black hair and light blue eyes stared curiously across the table at the docile, thousand-yard stare the whitette continued to project toward the window, sipping from her teacup.
"So... the toaster phobia?" Sora broke the ice, seeing Aoi recoil, coughing up her drink when her focus returned. "Ah, s-sorry."
"It's... *cough* fine, side-tracked again - Christ that was a day..." Aoi shook her head, clearing the rest of her tea from her throat. "Ahem, y-yeah. that, so I kinda realized why half 'that' fandom is creeped out by that chick, she's freakin' psychotic."
"Thank you!" From the bar a few feet across the cafe, a young woman with wild raven hair and green eyes threw her arm up briefly in exclamation, causing the infant in her left arm to giggle in reaction. Then she met the whitette behind the bar giving her a deadpan stare. "What? Between Sparkle jabbing us with needles, that pink chick gave me creepypasta vibes."
"You sound like Zen..." The employee, Summer, shook her head, glancing over at Aoi while polishing glasses. "Sorry, continue, Miles."
Aoi waved her hand, pointing toward her boyfriend, "Sure-sure, so, about the toaster incident..."
Trekking through the Everfree, a blue blur shot through the bushes into a clearing, panting due to the exertion of her body, and the many bruises dotting her brightly colored fur. "Drat, where'd it go now!?" Her magenta eyes scanned the forest frantically, only for an apple core to bop her on the snout.
"You really suck at this whole... 'capturing' thing," Above, a black tail wrapped itself to pick at the bits of apple between W's teeth, the Sarkaz displaying next to no sense of aggression in her tone, practically coming off bored at Dash's attempts to tackle her only to meet the barrel of a grenade launcher, holding the pegasus's frightened gaze mid-air. "Ah-p-p-p, let's be reasonable here."
"Really?" Rainbow half asked slash speculated until the sharp smack of the weapon cut across her cheek, flinging her into the dirt and leaves below while W swung herself onto a higher branch, t-posing to keep her balance as she ran across the trees.
"Pfft, yeah right, like you can be civil!" W snickered mockingly. "You're like a pie that has no filling,"
"Hey, take that back, you freak!" Dash took the bait hook, line, and sinker. Once her hooves came within range, W yawned, then slipped, catching the tops of her boots around the thick branch while her tail snaked upward to snag the stumped pegasus by the tail. Jerking the cyan mare down, the tree shook with an audible 'thunk' , leaves falling as W landed on her feet.
"And she sticks the landing folks, eight points!" W gave herself a clap. From above, Rainbow's spectrum afterimage spun around the trunk, striking W's against the forearm as she wrapped her tail around the cyan mare's hooves to yank them above her rainbow mane, leaving her wide open to W's elbow as it creased into her fur, enjoying how the pegasus' face contorted in pain. "Boop." With a slap to the face, Rainbow found herself tumbling across the dirt, meeting the boot now pressing her muzzle into the mud. "There you are, in the mud where a horse belongs."
"Get off me!" Rainbow threshed her wings, throwing W's foot off to strike the Sarkaz across the cheek, only for her shaken magenta eyes to see her hoof did little to phase the woman, in fact, W's fanged smile grew wider, clamping her fingers around Dash's muzzle. Then, like a bowling ball, she was spun across the Everfree, landing upside down against a tree, eyes spinning.
"Strike!" W whistled, turning toward the thicket only to freeze with a curse. "Holy crap!"
"Nope, I'm Pinkie Pie!" The bubbly pink mare materialized before the Sarkaz, not once phased when the muzzle of the launcher was pressed to her snout, giggling. "Hehehe, that tickles!"
"Y'know you're a trigger away from turning this show M-Rated, right?" W cocked her head, drawing a knife slowly from her jacket.
"Oh, I know that, meanie! But I'm nothing if not prepared for every situation, be it E for Everyone, T for Teen, or M for Mature, or even the spicier stuff, I aim to please!" She saluted, tugging a cord hanging in the air once. W fired her grenade, burning the bush and tear up dirt but no pink monster lay in a pile of gore. "Surprise!" The mare was bouncing behind W's shoulder, the knife striking air as the pink pony simply wasn't there anymore.
By now, W was backed up against the tree, unable to pinpoint the mare that could break reality. She thought it was just some gimmick of the show, but the mare referenced it, that was a red flag. "Damn crimson too..." She breathed.
"I know right, reality's often disappointing," Pinkie hummed in thought above W.
"Wha--"
*Bam!*
"Son of a whore!" W recoiled as her antenna were slammed into her head by what appeared to be a silver box of plastic and metal. Her ember eyes squinted. "Is that a freakin' toaster?" To W's shock, another embedded itself into the dirt beside her, courtesy of Rainbow Dash who held two more in her hooves. "Uh, what?" To say the human turned merc was beyond baffled would be the biggest understatement since the US dropped the sun on her country Twice .
"Whadda say, Pinkie? Extra burnt?" The demon mare with wings grinned, that's when W paled more than usual. Everywhere, they were literally all around her. On the ground, clouds, leaves, and even the trees were lined with the kitchen equipment. That's when that girly giggle sent an icy chill straight to the Sarkaz's tail.
"Oh, Dashie, that's the final boss phase, we're still on phase two," Pinkie grinned ear to ear, eyes closed but that smile held a malevolent aura that would strike fear into the coldest of hearts. "You can start playing Slave Knight Gael now, we'll wait, mean demon creature thing, hehe!"
Rainbow shivered, then stared at W with the rarest spike of sympathy, "I'd start runnin' if I were you,"
"Nope, nope, I'm done, screw that day it never happened, ever! " Aoi shook with terror, a cold sweat running down her cheek. "Every day, every single Goddamn day that maniac hurdled toaster day after day after day at me! "
"Hey-hey, you're okay, she's a literal reality away now," Quickly, Sora rubbed his girlfriend's back to soothe her worries. It was a joke at first, but now he saw it, how deathly afraid she was. "Huh, guess there is a phobia for everything."
"Wow, and I thought I had problems," Taka grimaced, holding her kid closer. "Damn Egghead turned me into her little science project after I had her," Her head dipped to the infant she carried.
Just as the conversation was beginning to change, behind the counter, a toaster popped behind Summer, and Aoi's face lost all color, throwing her arms up. "I SURRENDER!!" Then she ducked under Sora's arms, glaring over at Summer smiling anxiously.
"Uh, sorry about that, Miles."
"I swear, if I ever end up in Equestria again, I'm ending that bitch," Aoi glowered akin to W.
End
Author's Note
Not much of a sequel but an anthology of whatever I can think of should suffice. So, this answers the mystery to W's fear of toasters, Pinkie is... a perplexing entity to put it mildly. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
If you have any suggestions for W's misadventures, even for the likes of Astra, Cinder, or Sora, let me know!
"Do you really have to fight?" The one voice of reason on this fine afternoon, the charcoal filly Astra, stared between the two present on a dirt courtyard surrounded by white archways that led within th buildings of the Castle. She sat on a boulder in the corner of the square lot, a few other Guard ponies present, even some of the Night Guard which was a rare occurrence. All were biting their hooves in anticipation.
"Don't interfere, kid," W spoke up, eyes never leaving her target, licking her lips as her fingers curled in and out with a tremble in her chest.
"This is between us," Cliffheart added, no less prepared, tapping his armored hoof off the ground, red magic sparking at the tip of his horn.
The tense silence flowed for a few more seconds. Then a snap and pop resounded, and a long knife was drawn in W's right with several throwing knives between W's left knuckle. Cliffheart snapped his bo-staff together, giving it a quick twirl to point it toward his enemy.
"And it ends here," W growled, her grenade launcher by Astra as the result would be a lot of unneeded harassment about property damage, unfortunately.
"Okay..." Cliffheart grinned smugly, bending low. "Let's dance!"
Three knives were flung forward, swatted toward the dirt as a silver canister rolled into view, releasing a blast of smoke in Cliffheart's face. He remained calm, twirling his polearm to both defend his front and banish the dark cloud. He grunted, feeling his right side fold under W's boot as she tossed him across the courtyard, bounding on him in seconds with her knife leveled.
Cliffheart rolled, erecting a barrier that shattered on contact with her knife's edge, to his surprise, she withdrew a short sword from behind her back, slashing horizontally to connect with another small hardlight surface. The ponies looked on in awe, seeing their Captain and the 'Beast of the Everfree' exchanging blows, blade met barrier, a polearm smacking off the flat surface of the swords with an errant spark. The pair danced in a thrilling back and forth, furiously pushing for a single connecting blow.
W was being kited toward one of the archway pillars, so she dove back with her feet pressed to the wall, evading Cliffheart's horizontal as she doubled back with a vertical, her body curving left with her blades against his staff as it flung her down. He split the staff, smacking W's across the side, and jabbing her thigh. She rolled away, blocking the flying sticks that circled her, striking like an animal in a cage while Cliffheart rushed her.
Her eyes slit with a sharp grin he knew all too well, his hooves tripped over themselves, diving left as the flash grenade covered his vision in black spots, followed by a solid snap kick to his stomach. W spun in the air, using his body as a springboard to kick the Captain again, slamming him into a pillar himself. "That all ya got, Captain!? "
The answer was simple, judging by the burning sensation around her ankle, a long red tendril of magic swiping W into the air upside down, the polearm rebuilt and aimed for her gut. She panicked slightly but managed to compose her thoughts long enough to toss her knife at Cliffheart, forcing him to divert his staff's trajectory, good. Reaching around her back, she swung the strap of her grenade launcher forward, pulling the trigger hard and fast as a concussion grenade tore up dirt in the red pony's direction, interrupting his magic.
Loading a new grenade, W picked up her sword in time to block an overhead slam, followed by a jab that she side-stepped and shoved away with her palm. The two squared off, grinning away like a couple of children. Cliffheart's horn radiated red ether, while W's locks began to billow from her own cold wind, silvery blades forming a cyclone around her body. Her ribs felt like snapping, and her left arm was twitching from the strain, but the crocodile smile splitting her lips couldn't be further from the pain.
The ground fissured underfoot, W's serrated storm curled around her sword from the right boot, Cliffheart's magic and polearm from the left. Two strong steel objects split the sky, then another from either leg to form two connecting crosses. Their weapons came down hard, connecting the entire way down, creating a ring of scarlet and silver by their feet, arcs of light billowing around them.
Then a simultaneous thrust, pitting the blunt force of a staff against a blade-tip, the brittle tension crackling at the epicenter. They tore past one another, cutting their opponent's cheek before doubling back with a cry on either end, diving to strike with two constant crescents that met at a fulcrum, bleeding red and silver lightning that crackled and burst, blasting the pair away from one another.
It didn't stop, through the lingering luminescence of their magic and arts they slashed relentlessly, cuts formed on either side, squeezing in an attack wherever possible as the heated exchange ramped up higher and higher, the two former enemies yelling at one another before hammering their weapons together twice.
*Tiiiiing!*
It was sudden, and neither realized it until they fell backward from the wind pressure that followed, but both the polearm and sword now lay several meters from them, a few were surprised by this, some made themselves scarce and a few even made sounds of disappointment at the interruption. "Grah, what the hell, we were just getting ramped up you aaaa..." W's voice died in her throat, blinking up innocently to the furious stare glowering down at her, a brow twitching. W waved curtly. "Yo, Sora, h-how's life?"
He lowered his silver swords, sheathing them before addressing the lingering ponies. "Please return to whatever you were doing before this spar - I will overlook this-" That brought a sigh of relief, grateful to the benevolent prince before his glare returned to the pair below. "-but you two... I swear to God... What Were You Thinking!?"
"...that we wanted to spar, duh?" W dug her grave further before standing up to dust herself off with a witty smile. "I think it's safe to say we're all tied up, Capy."
"Y-yeah, definitely ain't getting anywhere," He shrank under Sora's glare. "I-I'll just um, head on back to work... uh, yep, seeya around, Prince, Beast!" He vanished without a trace.
"He ditched me, figures," W rolled her eyes. Then W doubled over with a curse under her breath, a hellish pain erupting in her side for a moment as her left arm went numb. "Hah... shit...!"
"W/Mama!" Sora caught her shoulders while Astra ran to the Sarkaz's aid.
"I told you not to overexert yourself," Sora berated, sitting her down to relax her muscles. His frown was stitched but his eyes were replaced with worrying orbs. "Magic barely works on you, even Mir's potions-"
"Thanks for the tip, kinda figured as much in my first week," W murmured.
"W, this is serious, you could worsen your condition!" Sora raised his voice slightly, holding her biceps tightly. "You think I want that? Or Astra?"
"Of course I don't!" She yelled, pulling away sharply as her hands trembled to push herself onto her feet. "But ya don't get it, Sora! Weeks we've been at each other's throats, and when it finally came down to the wire, all he got was a battered bitch you couldn't even fight back, that's not a victory, all that was to him was a slap to the face, same goes for me!"
W hated it, she wanted to rub that smug Cliffheart's muzzle into the dirt, she wanted to feel beaten and bruised and still come out on top, proving she was the better fighter at the end of their rivalry. Instead, circumstances changed, and before long, Kranon was dead and gone, but neither felt satisfied with that outcome. No, Kranon robbed them of their final confrontation. In the last five minutes, that nagging feeling was gone, a weight disappearing from her shoulders.
The silverette turned away, grabbing her weapons from the training yard. "I'll go back and heal, happy?" She hissed. W wasn't dumb, she gets it, her body needs to heal, and Sora was right to worry, hell, Astra tried convincing the two to call off the match. W was just stubborn, more than anyone could handle.
Limping was the best she could afford, clutching her side as it flared with pain. Then came the soft warm bundle around her right leg, helping to support her leg. Astra used her small body to brace W's leg. Blinking, the same thing happened to her left arm, wrapping it around Sora's shoulders to lean the girl against his side. "You know, watching you limp is really just sad," He didn't look at her, a tiny twitch of a smile etched to the corner of his lips. "I'm gonna kick Cliff's ass later for this..." The Prince grunted.
"I won't stop you," Astra perked up, no less impressed since Cliffheart was the one who instigated the whole sparring match.
W stared between the pair, her tail curling to hold herself closer to Sora as she leaned her head against his shoulder. She was stubborn, but these two could live with it.
End
Author's Note
The two finally conclude their rivalry, even if it ended suddenly by an infuriated Sora, he's really protective that way. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
In and out, that's what W did best when the skies were dark and layered thick for a storm. For five days it had panned out perfectly. W scanned the streets, some ponies, not busy though. She then peered to the skies, no sign of pegasai, good. Nodding to herself, she curled her fingers around the lip of the slanted roof and swung herself down and into the stall. It was a medium-sized box, with a door to the back left where it entered a building, and along the walls with a shelf facing her was her prize.
Potions of various colors and sizes, some were round, others were angular, a few glowed with a mysterious effect. It didn't matter what they were, to W, these were valuable. Win or lose, she'd use them and figure out their effects later. With her duffle bag unzipped, her fingers delicately plucked the vials from their perches, inspecting them before stuffing them into her bag.
"Roses are red-" Her fingers took a thin red potion. "-Violets are blue-" She snatched a pale blue bottle. "-in the end, you will do." She reached for a black one next, faint purple bubbles popping near the cork.
*Bam!*
W let out a grunt as something hot crackled and sparked down her spine, sending her flying into a shelf, breaking the brackets as potions smashed on the floorboards and atop her head, one of which made her muscles feel like lead in seconds. Despite the handicap, her knife was wrenched from her jacket, drawing it defensively against the unicorn in the lantern light.
A pony with a bandana over his charcoal muzzle and a matching hat stood before her, his lime-green magic holding several potions in the air. "You are a terrible excuse for a thief," He grunted, "And a headache," W's eyes narrowed, still suffering from the effects of whatever potion had her body struggle to budge. "A concoction that leaves the user's body feeling like lead, the mindless masses call it a 'Lead Bone Potion', hmph, the foalish title grates more than your insufferable racket every day you skulk around Ponyville."
"You... never... gave me... a choice..." Even her tongue felt a thousand times heavier, sweating up a storm when the unicorn struck her chest with a pale blue potion. Suddenly, W's nose struck the floorboards, hissing in pain before a field of magic grabbed her legs and tossed her like a ragdoll toward the underside of the counter. "He's got me!" Quick to retaliate, she slipped her knife back into her hands, preparing to lunge for the unicorn's blindspot.
Mir stared at the creature for the longest time, he was informed of all the little bits of gossip that spread around the town about her. A vicious monster that can cast magic that leaves destruction in its wake, blades so sharp they can cut the skin with a graze, a body so tough it puts dragon scales to shame. What knelt before him was a desperate, dirty, terrified female with nothing left to lose, grasping at whatever her fingers could snatch away. Those eyes were bleeding with hatred.
"I suggest you keep your head down, now," He insisted, smacking her antenna with a book in time to avoid them being detected by two approaching mares. One a cream color, and the other a mint green. "If you aren't here to buy something, leave."
W tried to protest but froze when she heard the hooves behind the counter. Her brow furrowed strangely at the stallion. "Is he protecting me?" It must've been a trick, right? A ruse to corner her, but she lowered her knife regardless.
"Sorry for bothering you, Mir, but..." Bon-Bon stared at the broken shelf, and the dirt trailed across the floor. "Did something happen? Sounded bad."
"Wow, place is a mess..." Lyra was smacked on the back of the head by Bon-Bon as the vexed glare Mir burrowed into the pair refused to even twitch.
"Bah, another meaningless experiment," Mir grunted, dismissing the ponies above the counter with a hoof. "Your concern is noted, however misplaced it may be."
"Ah, right, just making sure," "Take care, Mir!" The two mares disappeared soon after, leaving a deathly silence by the alchemist's stand.
"Why...?" His deadpanned stare gazed at the woman hiding beneath his stand, her eyes glowering back but hesitance covered the fire. "...why the hell would you help me?"
"Do I look like I have a need for any more trouble?" He stated as if it were obvious, shaking his head with a snort. He returned to levitating the broken glass into a nearby bin, not bothering to spare W a look. "The idea of those Elements or Celestia forbid the Royal Guard breathing down my neck about meaningless questions I have no answers for would be an incalculable waste of time!"
A light chuff escaped W as she sat up. "You sure have a way with words, for a pony."
"Irrelevant!" He threshed a hoof back at her, shoving a note into her face. "If you insist on constantly running amuck, go and be useful, shoo!"
In her fingers was a list of items, names she may have seen in a book she stole. They were herbs. W looked at the note, then to the disgruntled unicorn muttering ingredients and potions that could've been jibberish for all W knew. For the first time since this crap world spat her out into the mud, the Sarkaz cracked a genuine smirk. "Gotcha, just don't say I didn't warn ya."
"Yes-yes, your empty threats are noted, now go," He huffed, hearing her disappear from his shop. The 'Beast of the Everfree' had access to resources that would take him days to procure, if she wasn't as mindless as the ponies made her out to be, perhaps he may find himself with more results than normal. For once himself, this prospect was a little invigorating.
W stared down at the small shop that if you weren't paying attention, you'd miss. It was a dark, cold day, but the mercenary found a reason to release a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "I've gotta be an idiot," She pocketed the list before she took off across the rooftops. "Now, where the hell did I put that book again?"
End
Author's Note
Mir is practical and smart enough to make his own judgment calls about W when they first met. Fun fact, I based him off Asher Mir from Destiny 2, hence the whole 'irrelevant' thing he tends to spout. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
If you could list W's problems in Equestria, you'd be needing a new quill and a fresh pot of ink. The top five would go as followed; The Elements of Harmony, need she say more? The Royal Guard, as stupid as they are, have numbers, so throwing bodies at W was effective. Cliffheart, a sharp hunter who basically hunted her across the country for weeks, and wasn't as dumb as his lackeys. The Infected, Slugs, and Metal Crabs were one thing, but throw in the likes of The Forsaken or Sarkaz mercenaries and it'll be another story. Kranon, a Vex with shapeshifting powers, may be dead, but at the time, he was the core of all of W's strife.
This situation was to be added to the list. "So, uh... hi?" Sitting on a bench in a lovely garden at Canterlot Castle, W looked at anything but the mare on the opposite bench under a white marble gazebo.
Celestia was quietly admiring the fauna, soon addressing W with a soft stare, but the merc saw it, behind those magenta eyes was the full wrath of the sun that could break loose at any moment. She liked her odds, I mean, she did put a failed creation of the Gods six feet under. But the monarch was still a dangerous card in play, and W's hand was empty.
"W-" The Sarkaz sat a little straighter at that smile, she didn't trust that smile. "-I apologize for calling you to meet me while you recover still, I'm aware your injuries were extensive."
Looking down, W wore baggy trousers and her boots but only a grey sports bra as her stomach, and around her arms to her shoulders were mummified, she didn't feel sore but too much strain was a lot for her to handle. "Eh, I've been through worse, I think you'd know," W replied with a shrug, not wanting to press her luck. "Whazzup?"
"Mm, it's about Sora, if you're willing to answer a few questions I had?" Since the silverette didn't answer, Celestia took that as her turn to continue. "How was he? As a companion, I mean?"
W tilted her head thoughtfully, cross-referencing her memories with the Sora of today. "...a pain in my ass, nagged about my actions, kept the fact he's a Prince secret, worried a lot, and stuck his nose into my business," She was flat, unamused, and yet, her eyes softened at her lap. "...but he's kind, gentle, patient to listen to my constant complaints, he could shut me up when I was wrong too... not to mention strong, smart, helluva fighter to--" She froze, seeing Celestia eyed her silently as a pink blush rose to the merc's face, and her tail quickly dismissed the rest. "He's alright."
"Indeed," Celestia mused.
"Sure thing, Zavala," W waved off with a huff.
"My next question," This was when Celestia sat forward with a tiny smile crawling up her muzzle. "What is your relationship with my son?"
"Crap!" W froze in place, antenna twitching as she grinned nervously, scratching her cheek. "A-ah, well, y'know, we're uh, close I guess... uh, guy listens to me and... stuff, yeah! Just um, close..."
"Close how?" She pressed. "I'm curious, I approached him earlier and he tripped over his words, so I imagined a sharp woman, such as yourself, would provide a far more transparent reply."
"Oh, she's freakin' enjoying this!" W was having a mild panic attack. I mean, how do you say to your partner's adoptive mother that you two banged after getting completely plastered in some town at night? "Should I just say it? I mean, worst that happens, I die and awaken in the afterlife, not a virgin, so hey, silver lining," That was about as good as saying she was rich with only two nickles in her pocket. Stomaching a lump of lead, W's cheeks began to burn a little hotter. "We're... t-t-together... r-romantically...?"
The monarch nodded, eyes warm and understanding. "That's great to hear," That one sentence tore down W's facade with a slack jaw stare.
"You're seriously not upset?" She had to get her ears checked later for damage too.
Celestia sat back, shaking her head. "I may be a ruling body of Equestria, and believe me, the safety of my child, blood or not, is my top priority," Then she smiled more openly. "But I won't jeopardize his happiness, you haven't the slightest idea the kind of discrimination he's undergone before you were brought to this world, it scarred him." There. That right there lit the hellish fire W was afraid to unleash herself. A mother with a hatred for those that hurt her child. W felt it herself with Astra so she could relate to a degree.
"What... exactly happened?" W, no longer sweating up a storm, sat forward with a firm stare. "Sora's open but I feel he skipped a few volumes in the 'my life is shit' chronicles."
Not minding the girl's vulgar words, the Princess exhaled tiredly, looking around the pristine garden. "My ponies are wonderful but the societal norm of what's accepted runs deep in all sentient creatures, when Sora first arrived, he was ostracized immediately, nobles were the most vicious, appealing to lock him up or dare experiment on him," That tone dripped with venom that W nearly choked on. "Verbal, sometimes physical abuse, left him pensive about relationships. A few in my personal staff were all he had, Cliffheart and a maid, Swift, were among his closest companions, but romance? I'm afraid I had no solution to that, I was scared he would never find anypony."
"Then," Her harsh gaze vanished, and a kind warmth stretched between the Princess and the mercenary like a summer haze. "I see him demand from the very ponies he was afraid to confront that they hand over a girl who at the time was a threat to the country. Drawing his weapons no less, if not for the complicated circumstances, I'd have smiled, but back then, I was left speechless for I had never felt so happy for Sora," Celestia closed her eyes with a sweet smile. "I do hope you'll keep bringing out that stronger side of him, Miss W."
Hearing all this made the girl blush, unable to word a real retort or simply brush off the compliments. Just days ago, W demanded the Princess give her whatever she wanted, and the alicorn did so without complaint, hell, if W wished it, she could've milked the pampering for all she could gain. And now, she was sitting here, talking about romance with the millennium-old pony like it was a council session.
Rubbing her nape with her tail, W looked the other way with a wavy frown. "...I'll do my best, Sun-Butt," "I can't even be mad, dammit."
"Then once more, I thank you for your understanding,"
There was silence again, W was staring off into space, and Celestia, well, she had a devious look on her face.
"I would like to know one more thing... how far along are you two into your relationship?" As the Sarkaz sputtered and coughed on her own split, Celestia pressed further, raising a hoof to her smile to fake her shock. "I do hope I'm not expecting grandfoals someday."
"Nope-nope-nope-nope-nope-!" W threw her arms into an 'X', then zipped her lips, then knocked wood twice, crossed her fingers, did a prayer, everything before her arm shot out toward the edge of the garden, a white marble wall that lay against a cliff. "Okay, I'm jumping off that lovely cliff over there, hahaha!" W quickly sped walked away, face blood-red as steam rose from her silvery hair.
End
Author's Note
Seems Celestia and W are getting along since Kranon's defeat. W may not be able to look at Sora directly for a while. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
Two Bat Ponies stood on either side of a garden path one late night, both with their flanks to hedges as they stared toward the twinkling stars and the big white moon that refracted the sunlight of the passing day. It was a cool night, but unfortunately, both had to try and remain as stoic as possible for the audience they were guarding.
The bat pony, a mare, to the left felt her lips curl slightly with a humorous deadpan. "...this certainly is an unexpected outcome."
To the right of her was a stallion bat pony, himself using a bandana to cover his own creeping smirk. "Understatement Lotus, understatement."
She cocked her head. "Should we... interfere?" She wasn't sure what to do.
"You want to be the wrench between an alicorn that can move a moon and a creature capable of blasting you there?" His brow rose in her direction, seeing her wave a black wing.
"You, Sir Blake, make a very valid point," Not like the conversation was dull.
Ahead of the pair, Princess Luna sat on a bench facing the cliff face, slamming her mug of apple cider down with a grunt. "Tiss not my fault they chose to vacate to the land of dreams while our - ahem, my night can captivate one just as magically as the sun!"
"Hey, I hear ya, I do, I'm a night owl back home," W waved her tail, finishing her third cider with a faint blush from the heat erupting from her body. "Buuut the world kinda can't survive without sunlight, chief, really puts a damper on the whole 'living world' part."
Luna sighed, dipping her head. "If only for one night, is that too much to ask?"
"Hey, you're the freakin' monarch here, you can just say 'hey, let's make one day of the year dedicated to the night!' seems like a good fix, and no one gets hurt, win-win," W threw her arms wide as Luna's gaze widened too.
"That... may be possible,"
"Girl, you got power, status, and people fear ya, who's gonna say 'no'? The nobles? Those stuck-up glue factories were scared by a sweet little angel and she wasn't even wearing her armor yesterday!" W was referring to Astra, the adorable filly fast asleep by now while W drank away her woes. "Point is, you say the word, they'll have to suck up and deal with it, lord that strength over those pricks, feels great!" She swung her cider high with a cackle.
"Yes, you are correct, my friend!" Luna stomped her foot sharply with a fire in her eyes toward her moon. "If my sister is allowed a day dedicated to her role, then I shall request - no, I will make it so!"
"That's it! Get a fire in your belly!" W cheered on. "Ah, I love it when I win." She smacked her lips and guzzled down her next drink.
"Is she trying to help the Princess or turn her into a tyrant?" Blake murmured with a sweatdrop as Lotus sighed.
"Knowing Miss W it may very well be both."
End
Author's Note
W and Luna are drinking buddies, and once more, W's insistence on lording strength over the weak continues. Nightmare Moon will rise again if W allowed it. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
"The scope of my engineering genius, literally , knows no bounds!" W threw her hand down in complete awe, slapping her forehead. She wore only a pair of dirty black tracksuit bottoms and her vest top as it hugged her chest tightly. She was dirty, sweaty, and wore a smile filled with pride.
Tossing the shovel away into a far corner of the entry hall to the Castle of the Two Pony Sister - or The Bombing Queen's 'Scarlet Keep' as she relabeled with a big red sign out the front, thanks to Zecora for letting her borrow the paint.
Dusting off her hands, W picked up her duffle bag, intending to run herself a nice hot bath after a good day's work. Whistling her own theme song, she took for the right-hand stairwell nearby, or until something made the cans she suspended above the door rattle. Either another stray animal tripped her wire trap, or someone actually fell for it. Probably the latter by the yelp that followed.
W sighed loudly into the empty hall, picked up her grenade launcher, and stomped her way up a ladder she used to peek out of an overhead window that scanned the outside grounds of the castle. To her shock, someone had found the plank of wood she used to cross over the missing bridge. Her flat stare smooshed against the cold stone edge of the window as she stared down at the steps leading to the grand entrance. "What do you want now, Sparkle Butt?"
Twilight gasped before glaring up at the window W waved her tail from, bored out of her mind. "You! Do you have any idea what -- no, of course you wouldn't,"
"Gonna stop mumbling or should I go? I have a hot bath to start running y'know?" W yelled down with little to no enthusiasm.
"You blew up a storefront!" Twilight screamed, her horn crackling with lilac magic. "Four ponies were nearly hospitalized because of your chaos!"
"Butt-Stallion-Butt-Stallion, look, I get it, you've had a long day, two people got injured--"
"Four!!" She shrieked.
"--not the point; so why not turn around, leave my humble abode, and I'll think about not breaking your knees the next time we, unfortunately, cross paths, eh? Sound good?" Twilight opened her mouth to speak but W was already gone. "Good! Goodbye forever!"
"Get back here!" Her muffled voice could be heard as she banged on the doors with her magic. "I've had it with you! Every day you terrorize innocent ponies, steal from them, and make them have to live in fear of what you'll do next! And you just don't care, nothing about you is even remotely redeemable!" Every word bounced off W's ears as she pulled up a chair, grabbed an apple she stole from Applejack's farm, and leaned back with her fingers curled around a wooden lever she had set up prior to this moment.
Eventually, the doors were flung back, almost tearing off the hinges as Twilight's furious face burrowed into W's. "That's enough!" She grunted, stomping into place as W's bored smile lit up, biting into an apple.
"Pull the lever, Sparkle Butt!" Cranking the lever back, Twilight's fury was quickly trampled by fear as the floor under her hooves gave way for a wide, vertical drop through the floor, the carpet pulled back entirely by the lever's pully system.
Twilight screamed, plunging deep into an underground portion of the castle that had flooded from a cave entry not far away. She coughed up water, glaring up at the silver-headed woman peeking down, clutching her apple as she cackled like a jackal. "Y-You should have seen the l-look on your fa-a-ace!! Ah, priceless!" She wiped away genuine tears of joy, stomach trembling as she pointed down, snickering. "Oh, I'd suggest you start swimming, my roommates get real cranky when someone disturbs them, toodles!" W disappeared.
"R-Roommates...?" Twilight turned around to the gloomy dungeon submerged slightly by water. But once her eyes adjusted did her purple fur turn a ghostly white. Several pairs of eyes lit up scarlet in the gloom, and a hissing snarl echoed throughout the cavern. Rows of curved, white teeth concealed by the water, say for the long snouts and scaly bodies that floated through the water.
By Twilight's count, five adult crocodiles were now sizing her up as their next meal.
If the unicorn's screams didn't entertain W before, hearing them combine with the desperation to escape would help the Sakaz sleep soundly tonight.
End
Author's Note
Let it be known, a bored W is an inventive W, oh, extra fact from W herself.
"The five guys living in my basement? From youngest to eldest it's, Vegeta Jr, Jerry, Clem, Sans, and Harry, like 'You're a lizard, Harry', I dunno, he doesn't object to it,"
I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
It was a peaceful day at Canterlot Castle.
*Crash!*
"Fuck!" Slowly, Sora lowered his fist from the door, sighing with a smile at the muffled curse inside that followed the collapse. "How the hell does this work again?"
Sora, with a fool's bravery, opened the door to W's guest room to find quite the perplexing sight. W was standing with her right leg running horizontally across her left knee with her right arm bent toward the ceiling and her left across her chest. She made the oddest of faces, trying to decipher the book propped up on the writing desk with squinted eyes, antenna twitching while her tail swayed to keep her balanced.
"Is this some kinda... ritual to use your Arts...?" His dry tone startled the calm and cool mercenary into falling onto a heap on the carpet like she just failed a game of Twister.
"I-I uh, S-Sora-!" She suddenly spun around to sit with her legs crossed with a nervous smile, her cheeks stained red at her position before. Right now, he saw more of Aoi than the mercenary. "How-how... ahem, how's life?"
"Crashing," He smiled lightly, his black braids swaying sharply as he dodged a book. "Come on, what's up with the whole... I don't even think that legally can be called dancing?"
"It's... a work in progress," She smacked her lips, head drooping. "Okay, yeah, I suck..."
Sora closed the door and took to grabbing the book she was reading. Well, W couldn't read Equestrian, so it was more a picture book, but considering it was for a pony, he assumed she had been trying to translate the images into a human posture this whole time. He understood her concerns, he was the only human until now. Closing it, he crossed his arms at her. "Is this about the party to celebrate the defeat of Kranon? You know Mom said you can just skip out on it after the ceremony, seeing as you hate... well, everything pony-related."
"Hey, I think Astra's adorable, thank you very much," W jabbed her tail at him, making him chuckle.
"Aside from her -- but it's fine if you want to."
Now, W looked to her lap again, hands pressed to the carpet with a firm frown and scrunched up face. Then she made a distraught noise, turning her head the other way as her cheeks darkened. "... I wanted to dance with you..." Sora had gotten used to hearing her this quiet when she was extremely shy or nervous but he prodded, kneeling down.
"What was that?" She shot him a glare; she also knew he knew.
"...I wanted... to dance... with you..." She met his ocean eyes as they crashed into flaming orbs. "Happy now?"
"With you? Definitely," He picked up her left hand, pulling the silverette to her feet while grabbing her right to place it on his shoulder. "Now, I'm a little rusty since, surprise, no human dance partner for yours truly."
"No, really?" Her sarcasm earned her a flick to the forehead. She pouted but stared at their feet as she shuffled awkwardly. His hand still locked with her left.
"Don't look at our feet," She reluctantly stared back into his eyes and that stupid handsome face of his. "I think you know the whole 'dancing like fighting' so just slot that in and follow my lead, okay?"
"Alright... ah," They began to move, and W clumsily followed, moving to nothing but their footsteps. Then Sora wrapped his free arm around her lower back, holding W's steady as she was drawn closer to her partner, mesmerized before she tripped and fell against his chest. "Shit..." She rubbed her nose, embarrassed but Sora didn't even appear phased.
"Let's try that again, you'll get it," He encouraged and they kept practicing.
More and more W made a small mistake or stomped on his foot, but not once did Sora let it bother him, he accepted it, adjusted, and move forward. He was a literal river of tranquility that tugged W along, they bumped and jerked in strange ways but inevitably their pattern was corrected, and their actions formed a smoother journey against the current. And W wasn't glancing down constantly with a nervous twitch, she was dancing, real dancing not that crap at nightclubs that she would never partake in personally.
When W snapped from her trance, Sora was much closer as he took her remaining hand and placed it on his shoulder, wrapping his last arm around her waist until the two were nearly nose to nose. W was caught off guard and stared directly into his gaze, Sora, in one of the rare devious moves had made her flustered for words. Locked in his little trap, she accepted she was played and wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling his breath tease her lips while their dance devolved into a slow spin in each other's arms.
"You know, I think I'll be looking forward to this party for once," Sora whispered, his face a little pinker. "...if you're there."
"Pfft, cheesy much?" W snickered but lovingly pecked his lips with half-lidded eyes. "Good thing you're cute when you do it."
"Like you're any better," Sora argued, tightening his hold around her attractive body. "You go from flirty to girly like it's a split personality."
"And that's a problem?" She raised a brow, leaning closer.
"No... not really," He sighed, admitting defeat to capture her lips again, savoring that sweet flavor she chose for today. The brief kiss reluctantly ended soon after when a knock at the door tore them from their faces.
"Prince Sora, I was told you'd be here?" One of the Guards had found him.
Slowly, he unraveled his arms from W's back. "I only came to check up on you since it was between duties, but I've got a lot to deal with, the city's still on clean-up with all that Originium laying about."
"Get the feeling you wanted more but sure let's go with that little white lie," W dismissed with a wave.
Before Sora could open the door, he was abruptly pulled back to W's side as she hungrily smashed her lips into his, only allowing him to breathe after another knock at the door broke the heated exchange, Sora's face a crimson mess as W's let the scruff of his shirt go, licking her lips. "I-I'll seeya..." He muttered.
"Can't wait, Fly-Boy," With a wink, W was left to her own devices, shadowing how her arms were held by Sora before turning. "Okay, so like this, then back-step, then turn..." She'd never say it, maybe not until tonight, but he was a good teacher. Smiling to herself, the mercenary danced to her own racing heart, memorizing the forms without that useless book.
End
Author's Note
Another lovely moment between W and Sora with some dance lessons. It's fun writing the contrast between them, Sora's a Prince so he has responsibilities to attend to, and W is a complete wildcard who does her own thing. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Renegades!
"Man this sucks..." W was sick and tired of being cooped up for so long. She wanted do something! Astra was somewhere in the castle, and Sora was doing prince things and W knew fine rightly he'd be distracted if she was around, not that she thought that was a bad thing, she was a great distraction. Instead, she wandered aimlessly in search for something to do while her body was on the mend. "Maybe I should take a peek at all the chaos in the city? Shit really hit the fan with that Catastrophe..."
Just then, a loud crash was heard, forcing W to turn left instantly at a crossroads to find quite the sight. One of the maids with a baby-blue coat and a darker shade of blue for her silky mane tied back, leaving her pink eyes exposed with embarrassment and shame. At her hooves was a the shattered remains of a vase. "Wait, people still like leaving vases out on pedestals?" She wondered. But there was on other issue here.
"You disrespectful wretch, these artefacts cost more than what you could make in half your lifetime," A guard was barking insults at her as she shrank under his threatening tone. Brown mane, coat, eyes, yep, definitely ran out of ideas when the world created him, W speculated.
"I-I'm sorry, it was an accident!" She tried to explain but was basically against the wall with Mr Jackass right up in her face.
"You'll be lucky if you won't be fined for this, but I suggest looking for a job elsewhere, you bi-"
"Seriously? You're that bent over a piece of ceramic?" W had heard enough, already strutting over with her arms cross, a flat stare present as the two noticed her. "Swift, come on," W's tail wagged for the mare to come over to her but the guard didn't let her pass, shoving Swift back against the wall. "Oi, just cause you're lonely doesn't mean you take it out on a lady, asshole,"
"That's enough out of you, creature," He snorted, glaring daggers up at the Sarkaz. "Canterlot would be better off without you; both you and the 'Prince', tch, as if he is anything but some creature bucking brat that kissed up to the Princesses,"
W whistled at that, "Wooow, that's definitely scathing, long diary entry about that one tonight," She drawled on, "And honestly, you think anyone's gonna give a rat's ass what your opinion on Sora is? Let alone me, I'm a Goddamn hero to this crap world, they'd kiss my feet if I asked," That made her smile wickedly. "Man, I should've gotten Sparkle Butt and her merry band of idiots to do that, tch, missed opportunity."
Then W asked, "Wait, what's your name again?"
"Rocklock-"
"Hear that?" W raised a hand to her ear, looking around with mocked surprise. "No body cares, funny that." With an easy-going smirk, W stepped close enough to use her tail to yank Rocklock's hoof back for Swift to quickly move in behind the mercenary. "You stick with me, Swifty,"
"T-thank you, W-W," She smiled anxiously up at the silverette who watched Rocklock draw his sword.
"Really? A sword?" W was really not in the mood for this.
"The Princess should've killed you while we had the chance, something like you doesn't deserve to be here, any of you! The Prince, that little silver-eyed brat, hmph, Cinder is better off dead-"
*BAM!*
Swift jumped in fright as the wall next to Rocklock's head was splintered by W's fist, blood dripping down from her knuckle as she burrowed her hellish eyes into the stallion's own, pinprick orbs. The demonic pupils dark against the radiant inferno in her irises. "You don't get it, I hate this world, I hate almost ever living creature on this disgusting planet, so if you think you're safe from me because I'm living under the same roof as some bitch who moves the sun then you're woefully underestimating what little patience I have left,"
She leaned closer, wrenching the sword from his hoof and tossing it down the hall. Then, with her right hand, W latch it around the brown pony's throat, dragging him up the wall as his hooves kicked against her sore spots but she didn't even buckle. "Cinder is more of a hero than you could ever hope to be, I could never be like him, so if you dare insult his memory, I swear to you that I'll make you pay-" One last clench forced a strained gasp from Rocklock as hell burned in her eyes. "-and it's gonna hurt ,"
Like a sack of bricks, W left Rocklock gasping on the floor as her smile returned, ruffling Swift's mane. "Come-Come, Swifty, we'll get this straitened out - but seriously, who still likes vases presented so precariously? Get a shelf people,"
"Not that I'm not appreciative, but, are you okay?" She asked as W walked in silence for a moment longer. "W?"
"I figured not everyone was happy about me being right, and what I said is true, I won't ever feel comfortable in this place," She motioned to the walls. "But, there's some that I like, congrats, you're on that list, Swifty,"
Swift blinked then let out a small giggle behind her hoof. "Well... the feeling's mutual," Then she scooted closer. "Soooo..."
"What?" W cocked her head at Swift's mischievous smile.
"Duh, you and Sora, come on, he's been avoiding me about the details, spill," She huffed, adamant about finding an answer.
W, for her part, was staring blank for a moment, then, she scratched her pink cheek with a nervous laugh. "W-well... uh, let's just say our first meeting was... deadly,"
"Oooh, go on," Swift wasn't letting up now.
"Oh boy..." W realized staying in her room might've been better for her after all.
End
Author's Note
Been a while but I did say this was just a place for random takes about Renegade. In this short we see that not everyone likes the awesomeness that is W, shame, and is rightfully put in his place. Anywho, hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya next time, Renegades!
Something was terribly amiss; the halls were quiet, maids worked away to keep things neat and tidy. Soldiers were on patrols per usual, yet, Sora had this unnatural, sinking feeling in his gut. It had been three days since Kranon's defeat, there was a lot to be done and yet to be planned to put in action, but this didn't dull his senses.
"Is something the matter?" His mother inquired, walking alongside him, seeing the furrowed brow and tense look on his face.
"No... well, it's just, does... something feel 'off' to you?" Sora inquired as they approached the main doors to the conference room, which was just the throne room with a big table and several chairs set out for important visits or discussions.
She tapped a wing to her chin in thought, "Not particularly; I can imagine this concerns..." Celestia trailed off, seeing her son nod.
"W, yes, she's been... quiet, which is good, she needs her rest to fully heal, but... I can't shake this feeling she's up to something again," Sora wasn't paranoid, this was just how W always acts. Keeping her still wasn't easy. Sora waved an arm wide. "I mean, just last night I was informed by two of the Night Guard that W... is a terrible influence on Aunt Luna..." That hand came around to rub his forehead with a heavy sigh.
Celestia giggled to herself, "Yes, my dear sister was delighted to give me all the details, but I'm glad somepony is willing to encourage her to not entirely close off her inner feelings; less history repeats itself," Something she'd never wish for.
"But advocating for the... removal of certain nobles is what concerned me most." He deadpanned, feeling he'd have white hair in no time cause of her.
Reaching the throne room, the two guards glanced at one another worryingly but quickly saluted the two and pushed the doors open with their magic. "U-um, excuse me, Princess," The left guard bowed with a nervous look on his face. "J-just a word of warning, um, the meeting m-may have gone... o-off topic,"
"'Off-topic' how?" Sora asked, but with the doors wide open, the noise and commotion soon answered his curiosity.
"You'll see, Prince..." One muttered in dismay.
The table was seated with various nobles, some were decent ponies, others... Sora would have many colourful words for if not in his mother's presence. But their focus was on the throne itself, and the mocking laughter emanating from its perch.
Sora's face fell to a mixture of disbelief and horror. "You've... got to be kidding me,"
"Hm..." Celestia merely hummed in response, surprised herself.
"Ahahaha, so, uh... who are you again, what do you do?" W pointed down with her tail from the throne, laying to one side with her legs up on a stool as she fiddled with her grenade launcher.
One of the nobles looked up at her, appalled. "How dare you address me in such a way! I am the very pony who runs the banks of this kingdom! Sir Golden Hea-"
"Ah, good-good, just the dirty rat I needed," W interjected with a wave of her hand, dismissing the noble's stupefied rage. "Tell me, how's my transaction comin' along for my boi Courier? Been a lot of backlog from what I've gathered," She casually waved her weapon towards the pony, even though it was without ammo for the time being, the sight of the destructive weapon made many duck or freeze in place. "You wouldn't happen to be, I dunno, just spit balling here , blocking my transaction intentionally... would you?"
"W-w-well, I have a lot to sort through and-" Golden heard the safety flick, W's finger on the trigger as Sora face palmed with a disappointed groan.
"Ah-p-p-p, see, I don't frankly give a shit about how your kingdom stands currently. My job's done, you're all under my services now, seeing as I'm on the throne and all, so I sure hope that transaction of mine finds its way to the right people, we clear?" Her eyes burned like hot coals, a fanged grin splitting her lips. "We'd hate to have someone of your position suddenly... need replacement cause he failed to do such a simple task, wouldn't we?"
If the fear of God wasn't already instilled, W's less-than-subtle threat more than hammered that nail in flat. The once high-and-mighty noble shrunk, nodding shakily up at the Sarkaz lording over them like a queen to her pawns. "Ye-ye-yes Ma'am, it'll be done b-by the end of the day!"
Her face brightened up, slapping the side of her weapon. "Wonderful! I'm glad we could come to a beneficial agreement, don't you?" Giving a dismissive wave, the pony made himself scarce when W's scorching eyes finally clocked with Celestia's humorous expression, and Sora's twitching right eye. Giving them both a big wave, revealing the bandages still wrapped around her left arm. "Heeey, Sun-Butt, Fly Boy, negotiations are going by as smooth as butter- I'm freakin' great at politics!"
"W... Aoi... what are you doing!? " Sora demanded through grit teeth, his eyes shooting between her and his mother capable of moving a celestial object without breaking a sweat.
She blew a raspberry, leaning to one side with a stretch. "What's it look like? I'm running this dysfunctional kingdom into their golden age, duh," She sat up, one leg crossed over the other, adjusting the little crown she... 'borrowed' from the treasury, atop her head. "I've already sorted all the issues with the banks and funding toward reconstruction and temporary housing issues,"
Listing off with her fingers, her tail gesturing to each one. "Got those Diamond Dogs to round up supplies from nearby farms to help with recouping supplies to the populace-"
"Y-You said you'd burn our grape fields if we didn't-" One noble tried to excuse, believing their Princess would step in, only for W to slam her foot down.
"Don't interrupt me!" She snapped, face returning to normal. "Where was I...? Ah, right; so materials for reconstruction's last phase are already on-route as we speak-"
"She threatened t-to use our property a-as spare m-materials..." Another skittish mare quietly spoke to avoid being yelled at.
"And... oh! Any minor tasks I threw at Cliffheart, he'll have 'em run by competent people when he finds them..." She looked at her watch that wasn't there. "Whenever that will be, still pending."
"W has suggested she was more than qualified to handle a hoofful of my duties while we had a chat, it appears things have gone quite splendidly," To Sora's complete shock, his mother was giggling behind her hoof. Princess Celestia, the reigning monarch of the entire kingdom, had approved of someone as unqualified as W to take up her mantle temporarily!?
"Gods, being in-power really is addicting, no wonder dumbasses kept tryin' to run this place themselves, feels freakin' phenomenal!" W cackled atop her lofty throne, having accomplished what many a would-be conqueror and country-level threat had failed to do in the past. A mere human displaced as a Sarkaz mercenary had taken the throne without even throwing a single punch.
Growing tired and just to stop himself from finding the whole situation ridiculous, Sora wore a wary smile, staring flatly up at his girlfriend now suffering from a power trip. "...and she's lost it- alright... everyone, thank you for your time, you can leave." A number of nobles were very responsive to the offer.
"Hail to the Bombing Queen, bitches! I'm freakin' untouchable, hahahahahahaa!!" W was in hysterics until the very end.
End
Author's Note
A new monarch is in town! Surpriiiise~! I'm back! Or, for the time being. I've been brought back to this site at the bequest of another, we'll be seeing why in the near-ish future, I assure you. For now, enjoy a little gift from yours truly.
I may have more to come, perhaps, who knows... ;)
Bow before your new Queen, W👑!! I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!💥
Despite the morning being relatively peaceful for Ponyville, for some, they found it hard to enjoy the everyday routine they had built up over years. In the space of a month, the threat of anarchy festered at the borders of the Everfree. The scourge that could frighten even the hardiest of creatures, the Monster of the Everfree. And it relished it.
When Spike sat down on the sofa, he wasn't expecting to see Twilight already in rant-mode, she had done so more frequently since W's first appearance, it wasn't worrisome... most days. Spike just took it in stride and did what he could to support her. But deep down, this obsession was worrisome for the young drake.
"Spike! I can't take it anymore! Every day, or rather, every time W shows up, things are in disarray! She blew up another house yesterday, just because 'it would be funny' ! Funny!? How is that funny!?" She exclaimed, pacing angrily.
"Wasn't that because Rainbow fought her?" Spike raised a claw.
"Maybe...? I don't know, it's... it's more complicated than that, she's like Discord, everything she touches just... explodes! Literally sometimes!" She snorted, tapping her chin in thought. "How does she trigger explosions without that device she carries? There has to be magic involved, but... argh, it's not levitation magic, I don't even know what she is, or what a 'Sarkaz' is, or this magic of hers that's clearly not magic!!"
Whilst Spike followed Twilight, physically that is, his eyes couldn't help but solely focus on one of their windows slowly widening by the push of a red-tipped tail. Last he checked, no one he knew had a tail like a dragon's, rather, no dragon he's ever met had a tail like that, period.
As silent as a mouse, the head of the Monster of the Everfree poked inside, looking around to inspect their surroundings when she spotted Twilight having her muttering spree, completely oblivious to W, and to the little drake who stared, wide-eyed at the creature that held up a finger to her lips, signalling him to be quiet whilst she slipped inside, waltzing over to the bookshelves nonchalantly.
"-she has injured us on numerous occasions, despite my best attempts to reason with her, she just... ugh, it's been driving me nuts for weeks!" Twilight ruffled her mane in her hooves, meanwhile, Spike sat, mouth ajar as W pulled a face at that, rolling her eyes and continuing to search the bookshelves.
W plucked at a book, giving the cover a hard, critical stare, then scoffed silently and pushed it back in its place. She tried several more, each unsuccessful. In the midst of Twilight's ramblings, W pointed at Spike who sat up sharply in his seat, then watched W looking around for a moment, eyes lighting up when she spotted what she needed.
"-worst is how crafty she can be for somepony so unbelievably violent and barbaric! I doubt she even understands Equestrian, wasting all those old books for... tinder or something!" Twilight continued in growing frustration. "I knew I should've gone and collected all the books from the castle!"
"Yeah..." Spike was a little distracted watching the Sarkaz work.
Grabbing a quill from a nearby table, she scribbled down a basic outline of what she wanted, holding it up for Spike to see. It was a simple drawing of a book, then of her own head with a question mark above it, she even wrote in English, hoping Equestria had some nonsensical way of translating her words. 'Need beginners book' .
Glancing at Twilight, then to W, Spike really wanted to avoid any form of conflict, so he just opted to point in the general direction of what W needed whilst Twilight wasn't looking... or wasn't paying attention. W followed his claw, then quietly hopped over, scanning the books with the speed and precision of the wind itself.
"-who knows what she's planning to do next? I don't want to disappoint Princess Celestia, but... how can I capture her when she's destruction incarnate!?" Twilight blew a raspberry, smiling sardonically. "Not like she'll just come waltzing up to my door to surrender! Ohohoho, nOoOoO , she's just blast the door off its hinges!"
"Uh, Twi...?" But Spike's words fell on deaf ears, eyes following W who grinned brightly, procuring the book she needed... then just shovelling about five into her dufflebag, hoisting back over a shoulder, giving the little drake a two-fingered salute, then giving... just her middle finger toward Twilight's back.
"I'm so hooped! If Princess Celestia finds out I've been having this much trouble- all of us -I don't think I could look her in the eye for the rest of my life!" The unicorn bemoaned, running her hooves down her face, finally addressing Spike with a sigh. "Sorry, Spike, I... just needed that off my chest."
But he just blinked, still pointing a claw dumbly at the Sarkaz who walked out of the kitchen with an apple in one hand, a bite already taken out as she scooted toward the window. "Man, first-world problems gotta suck, huh?" W finally announced. "Then again, what would I know about those, right, Sparkle Butt? Since I'm clearly an inferior being to you equines."
Like a deer in headlights, Twilight spun around in a stupor as W was half out the window again, giving a cheeky wave with her stolen goods. "Yo-you... give those back! You thief!" She flared her nostrils in anger, magic crackling up her horn.
That only incentivised W's grin to sharpen. "Egghead! It's a public library, Egghead, I can do whatever I want with them- byyyyye~! " And she fell backwards out the window, disappearing with a slap of her tail to shut the window.
End
Author's Note
Not stealing if its a public library, even if it wasn't public... W would still steal them. Decided to go back near the start for this one, showing that despite their heads being tampered with by Kranon, W is still a step ahead.
Since its short, I had it done fairly quickly. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!
The following day, after the events of Kranon's attempt to reforge his original body, and subsequently consume the realm Equestria resided in, many were left injured during the battle. Some left in critical conditions, others with minor scrapes or magic fatigue. It was a gruelling war to save their world.
But some... simply got lucky.
Knocking on the door to one of the medical wing doors, Sora poked his head inside. "Hello? W?" He had been freed from his duties to finally come and check on her.
Ever since she passed out and was taken back to the castle, Sora had been worried for her well-being. He was told she wasn't in any life-threatening condition, but she was bleeding when he carried her back, the battle having taken a toll on her. Astra was taking it easy and only needed rest, the strain of inheriting the power of a Displaced as strong as Cinder, and using that very power to its fullest was a lot for one little filly to handle.
When Sora did eventually step inside, he was met with a familiar, vexed tone of voice.
"No, impossible...! Impossible!"
"Huh, that's a new record," W remarked, staring at the walls, or any other miscellaneous object that caught her eye, utterly bored beyond comprehension with this 'health check'. She had bandages around both arms at certain spots, the neck, forehead, and other places that were hidden by her clothes, expression the epitome of boredom. Noticing Sora at the door, she gave the most unenthusiastic wave possible. "Heeeey Fly Boy, come to finally check-in on lil ol' me? I'm touched~"
Fixing her a flat look, he rolled his eyes. "You look terrible."
"I'm fine, Mom , geez, everyone's out to make it sound like I had half my face blown off or something." Her orange eyes rolled, bringing a knuckle against her chin, utilizing her tail to gesture to where Mir was busy mulling over her leg propped up by a stool. "Cranky over here won't get off my case about it though."
"Taking into account the quantity of explosives you had used, to level a creature of the Vex's size, I hypothesize the equivalent thermal energy you had produced could destroy the castle we currently reside in, and to do so with minimal damage to your skin, let alone internal organs, is simply unfeasible." Mir's right brow hadn't stopped twitching, levitating his notes to jot more ramblings down for further study.
W, as laid back as ever, raised her arms wide with a smirk. "So I'm just built different, so what's it matter now?" Then she winced, her left arm retracting to rest in her lap, inwardly wincing when she felt Sora's presence directly next to her.
Giving her arm a hard look, that same expression rose to her pout, turning the other way to avoid his critical stare. "W..."
"I'm fine, alright? I just ache still, kinda a given when I fought tooth-and-nail to be sitting here today," She deflected, Mir's own, displeased look not going unnoticed, giving a huff as he moved toward a nearby desk to read through his notes. Now, W was forced to glance at Sora, concern expressed in how she felt his fingers glide into her open palm.
"They're not going to hurt you-"
"Yeah, where have I heard that before...?" She cut in sharply. Sora watched her tail curl instinctively around her waist. He remembered how W acted on the eve of battle, she only fought to settle the score with the reason they were brought here, to protect their home realm. this kingdom- no, all of Equestria, it was just lucky to be in the crossfire. "You have a screw loos if you think I'll trust them."
Exhaling quietly, he squeezed her hand in both now, leaning forward so his eyes caught her reluctant gaze. "Then... do for Astra, for me, please." She tried to look away, but he caught her chin so she'd look at him properly, unable to tear her jaded eyes away, nor hide the fear behind those cross-like pupils. "I'll be right beside you, no one will hurt you again, I give you my word."
"...you have your own issues-" She tried to shake off his offer, but felt his hands tighten around hers, followed by a breathy laugh.
"Well, as I've learned from someone else... fuck that," Catching her by surprise, Sora watched in amusement when W giggled, fixing him a smirk. "You're more important, plenty can cover for me until you're better."
"Wow, dunno how Sun-Butt's subjects will feel knowin' the Monster of the Everfree's corrupting their poor prince, might sound like I'm attempting a hostile takeover," She answered daringly, supressing the heat building in her heart and spreading throughout her aching body. "...fiiine, fine, okay... only when you're here."
Smiling brightly, Sora's reaction made it harder for her to look away. "Deal!"
"If you two are done..." Remembering Mir was present, their hands seperated, both looking a little hot under the collar. The bemused alchemist barely batting an eye. Within his lime-green field of magic, out from a sachel appeared several, colourful vials and potions of various sizes and shapes. "I have a number of remedies if these so-called 'medical professionals' are unable to treat the wounds of a creature highly disruptive to the natural state of magic."
That prompted W to tilt her head toward the grumpy unicorn. "Now there's the million Yen question, Mir, ever dug up why this badass bod of mine seems to make magic deflate like balloon around me?" Ever since she first discovered the ability when she manifested Silver Wind, she never did quite deduce a concrete answer.
"You said it might've been due to your Arts, right?" Sora pointed out, the silverette nodding with a hum.
"Problem is, never had anything better to consider, which is why I left it will this ray of sunshine." She jabbed her tail toward Mir who looked away from his notes again, throwing and smacking W in the face with a small potion vial. "Ah , worth it."
"To answer your grating remarks... I hypothesize your unique 'magic', Arts, due to its origins, directly interferes with what we commonly know of magic and mana," Mir paced amidst his ramblings like a crazed stallion. "It does not rely on an intake of mana, and due to its exotic nature within our world, it likely distorts and shreds down mana surrounding you. The greater your output, the stronger that distortion becomes."
"You can weaken magic...? Then again, even Kranon's attacks directed at you seemed to do little to impede you..." Sora realized, he simply chalked it up to W's insane level of durability and sheer reckless fighting style.
Both turned their attention back on the demon-like girl, who was toying with one of her antenna-like bangs, flicking it with a sharp, smug grin. "Told ya, built different."
"Or built incorrectly..." Sora breathed flatly.
"I concur, Prince." Mir expressed as much.
"...can I go now?" She again asked.
"No."
End
Author's Note
W can't seem to catch a break, her injuries in the aftermath of her explosive finish against Kranon is met with a series of questions about just what makes her so durable. Suffice to say, she doesn't know either. Still, hope you enjoy enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!
Sora had to admit, in all his time living in Equestria, he had to hand it to the populace, they knew how to set up a party. The vast room was illuminated by enormous crystal chandeliers, their prisms casting a soft, magical glow across the space. The light is golden, tinged with ethereal hues of lavender and silver that shift and dance as if alive, responding to the movements and murmurs of the guests below.
Grand arches span the walls, tapestries woven with threads of gold and silver hung between them. Tables lined with fine crystal goblets, polished silverware, and platters of exotic fruits and rare delicacies that would make even the most stoic person's mouth water.
It was an evening to help raise the morale of the whole kingdom. Much remained to be done, so to help ease the hearts and minds of the people, the Princesses saw it fitting to invite everyone to give back what the castle had to offer. And to also award those that played pivotal roles in saving Equestria; I.E. The very 'monster' they had feared and some had scorned.
"You look tense," Startling Sora from his trance, hiding by one of the archways, Celestia approached with a warm smile. "Expecting somepony- or rather, someone ?"
"W-well, the chances of her actually showing up are low- this is W we're talking about, and all this-" He gestured wide to the many nobles that were easy to pick out amongst the common populace. Always look for who had the most sheen to their attire, his Aunt had said once- "Is grounds for her to make herself scarce and probably try to take over the throne again..."
That had Celestia laugh behind her wing, bringing it forward to pat her son on the back. "It was a fun little prank; but I do believe W has her own intentions for coming tonight, little Astra is certainly enjoying herself."
Speaking of the filly, she was seen speaking with Cliffheart and Swift across the hall. The charcoal pony wore a cute, lilac dress with decorative constellations running down the fabric, glimmering just like her silver eyes that occasionally shined when she giggled at something Cliffheart was describing, Swift rolling her eyes.
"She deserves it, they both do," Sora replied, leaning against the archway. That's when Celestia began to walk away. "Mom?"
"Oh, sorry, I have some preparations to attend to, Luna would never let me hear the end of it if I threw all the work atop her," Celestia gave a small wink. "Enjoy yourselves."
"Huh?" Raising a brow at what she meant by that, for a split second, he felt another's presence dangerously close to his.
"Wow, never would've taken you as the 'hide by the punchbowl' type at these fancy-ass parties," He knew her voice a mile away, drawing his attention to-
In that moment, Sora felt his heart stop for the first time in his second life at one of these social gatherings.
W's silky-white skin was shown more, her arms bare, same for her back and even her sides, daringly revealing some of her collarbone and the sides of her breasts. Adoring her body was a midnight-black dress that seemed to sparkle with stardust, transitioning into a thigh-high skirt, black tights and matching flats. A golden necklace stood out against the collar snug around her neck. Lastly, some of her hair was pulled into a messy bun at the back.
Putting one hand against her nape, she placed the other on her thigh, giving him a flirtatious grin. "Likin' the view, Fly-Boy? And they say a 'Monster' can't be stylish, hah, shows what these glue factories know-"
"Beautiful..." He murmured, making her blink a few times to register his words. "...there isn't really a word that I can think of to describe how you look, Aoi..."
A faint pink crossed her cheeks, lowering her hands with a chuckle. "Don't go overloading your brain now, Astra's my last line of salvation to stick this out- let's stick with 'Oh My Gods, you're the most beautiful woman in the world' , 'kay?"
"Ye-yeah, that'll suffice," He found his voice again, his throat feeling dry as he coughed. "So, I-I guess our lesson wasn't for naught?"
She blew a raspberry, swirling the wine glass slowly with her tail. "I said what I said, even if this is waaaay out of my comfort zone. I get to lord over these ponies and reap the benefits a little more, what more could a girl want?" She walked closer, emptying her glass with a light smack, tapping the Prince on the nose, seeing him jump slightly. "Well, perhaps I also wanted to see the look on your face when I rocked up in this, best savour it, won't last forever."
"How... haha, where'd you even find this?" Sora gestured to... all of her, admiring W as she gave a little twirl on a heel.
"Thank some tailors, once they caught wind this whole morale-boosting party was mainly to reward yours truly, they saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to model a female human for a change. And I'll admit, those girls know their stuff- guess fashion sense is one win I can give 'em."
"I'm surprised you stuck it out." Sora smirked, seeing her hop her hip to place a hand upon, raising a brow.
"Wooow, I'll have you know, my patience is amazing, I could've committed plenty more crimes in my early days in this cesspool of a world, thank you very much," Rolling her eyes, she eyed her empty glass, setting it down on the table next to her. "I need another drink to get me through this..."
Instead, her antenna-like bangs twitched, eyes catching the hand offered to her, and the cute, weird boy that offered it. "How about... we make good on our practice," Smirking when her eyes widened, and glanced around at the guests, some sparing the Sarkaz looks since she arrived. "W, would you care to dance?"
A groan left her lips, but was unable to hide a smile. "You've been dying to use that line, haven't you?"
"Is it working?"
Her slender hand brushed against his. "Lead the way, Prince before I change my mind."
♫If only you knew what it looks like from here♫
Guided to their own empty space on the floor, not front and center, but just off to one side that wasn't completely out of the way. The music played quietly, slow and steady, its rhythm weaving around them, muffling and tuning out any discourse in their surroundings. They stood close, one hand finding the other’s, fingers interlacing with a shy familiarity.
♫Staring into your eyes lost in your labyrinth♫
W placed her free hand lightly on Sora’s shoulder, feeling the warmth of him through his blazer. His hand settled at the small of her back, careful and grounding, as though they had all the time in the world and he wanted to make sure she knew it.
♫And countless stars glow from countless miles away♫
They began to sway, barely moving, their feet shifting almost instinctively. Sora’s eyes searched hers for a moment before they drifted away, his gaze focused somewhere over her shoulder for a moment, he could feel his mother's and aunt's gazes on them. She looked up at him, smiling slightly at the way he concentrated on ignoring some of the looks thrown their way, how he moved with gentle grace, far better than her occasional misstep.
♫They put on a grand show but all I could see is you♫
"Hey-" She caught his gaze with her fiery eyes- "Eyes are here, Fly Boy."
"I've, uh... n-never really done this," Lack of appropriate dance partners, he was ashamed to admit.
"And you think I'm any better?" She smirked, listening to him whisper a laugh.
"First times all around then," Sora focused on her again, solely on the silverette that infected his mind and kept him hooked.
♫I watch as the night bloom into a vast wonder♫
W only smiled, and without thinking, she shifted her hand, moving from his shoulder to the back of his neck, feeling his breath hitch as her fingers brushed through his hair. She could feel the faint tremor in his grip, could sense the awareness between them, delicate as the music filling the room.
♫Stars of ancient past have gathered here to find you♫
"Let them gawk, I already caught some that looked oh-so-eager to see me disappear," W grinned, whipping her tail behind her to curl around them without touching either of their bodies.
"I know the feeling all-too-well," How many saw him as some creature, maybe it wasn't exactly the same as W's experiences, but he could understand the feeling, and tell when others watched on with spite. But right now, he could hardly care, pivoting a little faster, surprising W who jumped a bit, then grinned daringly back.
"Oh, you're enjoying this..." She could see it in those stupid, mesmerizing eyes.
♫But it's so unfair for them, don't you think?♫
They continued to sway, less a dance now and more a simple closeness, a quiet comfort they both seemed to sink into. Time drifted, the world around them fading, leaving just the slow rhythm of their steps, the soft, shared breath, the press of their hands together.
♫They're all outshined by the most beautiful one♫
After a while, Sora leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper, his heart racing a mile ahead. "So... is this more toward the preferred Isekai adventure you wanted?"
Realizing the situation they were in, it did settle into one of those key moments in a fantasy novel didn't it? It was no secret that W still held resentment for Equestria, but, she'd be lying if there were a handful of benefits and pleasant, unforgettable memories along the way. And where she was now? Well, what girl could complain?
♫And I don't know if you've realized it♫
W's head came to rest against Sora's shoulder, her eyes slipping closed. She felt his cheek brush against her hair, the subtle shift in his arms as he pulled her a little bit closer. "...more than you know." Her voice travelled, gentle and warm.
They swayed in silence, forgetting the world and all its problems, lost in their own serenity, letting the music carry them along.
♫But darling it's you, the most beautiful one here tonight♫
End
Author's Note
Finally got to see the fruits of W's labour in 0-7, she and Sora whisked away into their slow dance for the whole kingdom to see. A Prince of another world, and the Devil that stole his heart. Super sweet this one! I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!
And if you were wondering what song they danced to, here it is, enjoy.
Mica Caldito - Night Bloom (Lyric Video)
Just keep running, that's all she had to do was keep moving, they'd be behind her, one step away. Aoi needed time, needed a place to take stock of her situation, then she could plan her next move. Stumbling through the Everfree, she knew none had the balls to come in here, they all called it 'unnatural' or 'untamed', like forests weren't that already. Aoi scoffed at it but continued to stomp through the mud and through bushes, fumbling around in the gloomy woods; once more, thankful for W's sharper vision.
Next move? What was she supposed to do now? They wanted her captured and thrown away to be prodded, most likely, but she couldn't survive out here on nothing. A light laugh caught in her throat. "I mean, not like this is real... honestly; ponies, magic, being W? I'll admit, wild dream..."
She was self-aware, so naturally, she should just wake up, right? But nothing happened, the longer Aoi stood there, the longer the pitter-patter of rainfall reverberated in her ears, the more subtle sounds of the unseen woods caught her attention. The faint taste of copper on her tongue.
Shaking her head, she tried to pinch herself. "Ah, seriously? Okay, then..." Looking around, she approached a nearby tree, then, threw a punch full force into its side.
It didn't hurt nearly as much as she expected to, but the jarring blow to something solid sent a horrid vibration up her arm, causing her to yelp and curse at the pulsing sensation. All this pain was real, the burns Twilight's magic gave her body, the beating to the ground by Rainbow, all of it was too real, far too real to be a dream... but... it was a dream... wasn't it?
"No-no-no..." Refusing to admit it, Aoi instead clenched her fists. "Fine, I'll do it the hard way."
*Bam*
Shaken by the knuckle across her cheek, Aoi stumbled, hand pressed against the nearest tree. She felt a shaky laugh escape her cracked lips. "No... no-no-no-no, this isn't real... just a bad dream, come on, you have self awareness, you can wake up..." She did it again, feeling the sting to her left cheek this time, applying a little more force into the blow.
Still lost in a forest, wet, cold... as W the mercenary.
"There's... there's no way I'm actually in Equestria, come on! This is crazy, hehehe..." But no one was laughing but her, so she slapped her cheeks lightly, pulling them down her skin. "Time to wake up! The hell I'm a-actually here!"
"No... hehehahahaa, this isn't real, wake up," She smacked herself again. "Wake up!" Again. "L-let me go, let m-me go!!" Again, her breathing began to quicken sharply. "I-I-I don't want this...! Pl-Please, please... let me go home...! " Again, again, again, again, againagainagainagainagainagainagainagain-
"Wake Up, DAMMIT!!" She screamed to the pouring heavens, her heart threatening to burst as her right hand slammed into a tree, causing one side of it to heat up and glow a bright, molten orange.
*BOOM!*
Shaken by the blast, Aoi was thrown into the mud in a heap, shakily pushing up with her hands to see what remained of the tree was a charred, burning stump, the rest having been blown away. Aoi's breathing was unsteady, a look of horror and shock written across her face, lifting her palm that had been touching the tree mere moments ago, almost afraid of it doing the same to her.
Looking at her palm, soot dripped off with the rain, but her hand was fine. Arts... she had just used W's Arts...
Her fingers dug into her shirt, feeling an intense, overwhelming surge of anxiety crawl through her chest. Aoi felt dizzy, a cold sweat breaking out over her foreign body as an icy sensation pressed against her chest. It was hard to breathe, feeling her words sputter out of her mouth.
She was really stuck here, in a foreign body, in a land that automatically made her out as the monster. A selfish, egotistical side of her saw this as a great opportunity, how many could really say they got to live through an adventure in another world? And as someone new, no less? It was every nerd's wet dream.
Only, all Aoi felt... was anguish and panic fill her chest, she spoke of grander ideals; 'don't fuck with a Sarkaz mercenary'? Like she really wanted that, she only said whatever it took to get them off her backs. Now... now she really was all alone, she wasn't waking up, no one was coming to save her...
Looking around on her knees, Aoi slumped, tears streaking down her pale expression, pupils shrunken down to pins. "...no... mom... dad..." A whimper, followed by her fists balling up in the mud. "Yrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
Both slammed the mud with a shriek that slowly fell apart into a blubbering sob, the young girl curling up on herself as she screamed, but no one would hear her.
And come tomorrow, W would have them pay...
When W's eyes adjusted again, she was staring at the campfire from her makeshift sleeping bag. She sat up, it was still night out... looking over, a third figure was sleeping soundly against a tree, using its roots as a cubby. Right, today she and Astra ran into another Displaced, Sora.
Sora was his real name, he never had to hide behind a false one, did he? A light huff escaped her, how conflicting both their experiences must've been when they arrived to this hellhole of a world. Laying down, she stared at the quiet flames, raising her hand to shadow her eyes.
Aoi was still who she was, W was her shield against all the conflict she's endured, but cracks were starting to show, weren't they? Much as she wanted to deny it, memories that weren't her own started to creep up on her, so that begged the question. Would Aoi still be in here, or will someone else take her place?
"One problem at a time..." W murmured, curling up beneath her cover, trying to get some dreamless sleep, she had enough to worry about come the morning...
End
Author's Note
The day Aoi hid away, and W took center stage, all to shield a scared little girl from the world out to get her. A handful of these parts to the anthology would've made it into Renegade if I had thought of them at the time or they didn't conflict with the pacing.
But aw well, still fun to write and bolster these little fragments. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!
The morning sun could be seen creeping over the Everfree, not a pony-sized soul to be seen. So it marked a good day compared to W's latest ventures to that Gods-forsaken town. She was bitter about it, extremely so, but she at least had the comfort of knowing not everyone was deluded into believing she was this demonic monster that crawled out of the pits of hell.
So instead, she focused on her newest problem... as part of the ceiling to her room crumbled at her feet, followed by the Sarkaz clicking her tongue. "Yeaaah, this isn't OSHA compliant... tch, gonna need some serious maintenance if I'm gonna be stuck out here for... however long," Panic briefly crossed her eyes, but she dashed it away for a scowl. "Focus, I need supplies, stat, and before nightfall... wood's a good start, gonna need fortified areas first and foremost, work my way from there..."
*Boom!*
Not even five minutes after leaving the Castle of the Two Sisters, W watched with satisfied glee as one of the trees swayed and soon tore from its stump, crashing to the forest floor, spraying leaves through the air. She flicked her launcher, rummaging through her dufflebag to retrieve a new impact grenade.
"Hypothesis was right; whatever type of grenade I need, the bag just spits it out, and I tinker with them too," How W knew exactly what she was doing with explosives was beyond her, but she wasn't complaining for the free intel imprint. Breach-loading, she gave the launcher a quick flick and fired, gouging out another hole through the closest tree, it too starting to sway and buckle. "Timberrrr!"
Looping the strap of the launcher around her right shoulder, she gave one of the logs a tug, finding her grip, as well as her strength, far greater than the scrawny girl she used to be. Hoisting it into both arms with ease, she gave a sharp whistle. "Damn, girl, you're one helluva upgrade!"
All was well and good, until she heard a distinct growl behind her. Dropping the log, she spun on a heel and drew her launcher high toward several pairs of pale, green eyes. Keeping calm, she rummaged through her bag, finding what she needed to load into the weapon without breaking eye-contact.
Large, canine-like creatures emerged, all made from literal wood, sticks and leaves, bark making up their hide and structuring their bodies. W didn't need Captain Obvious to tell her what they were, after all, what Displaced hadn't tussled with the pack hunters of the Everfree in their Isekai lives? Timberwolves.
For a moment, she felt a flat stare fall into place, lowering her weapon. "Honestly, I thought I was in trouble there... what? Pissed I'm wrecking your home? Sorry, pups, I'm setting up shop now, so scram before I turn you into firewood." Then her head tilted, she did need firewood...
Her mistake was believing these were smart creatures, if even the 'sentient' ponies were hive-minded to seeing things in only black and white, suffice to say, the wild animals of this world were even less perceptive. That's right, as W adjusted her posture, her fangs beginning to show. This was the wilds, she was in their domain uninvited, just like this whole world.
No, no she needed to make an example or she'd never have a moment's peace, even in some dusty ruins. These wolves... the whole forest would bend the knee to her whims, she didn't need to enslave the masses, all she had to accomplish was a simple show of dominance. And with that strength at her fingertips, hell, who could blame her for feeling a little bit unstoppable?
The first wolf lunged, fangs dripping with sap, but it didn't make it very far, having left itself open whilst airborne. Pulling the trigger, the grenade tore through the back of its throat, exploding into a fiery inferno, consuming the rest of its body in a frightening explosion that startled the pack.
"One down, who's next" Through the descending embers, W's eyes burned like hellfire.
Stalking around the trees, a second Timberwolf dove forward, claws inches from the Sarkaz who disappeared from sight, only for the wolf to yelp as her right foot shot upward, striking from below and sending it higher. Only for her to snap her fingers, setting off the C4 glued to its bark, scorched splinters showering the lot.
The rest were hesitant to move, but with only three remaining, they instead fought as a group, circling the devil who loaded a new round and held a grenade in her left hand, dancing on a heel to evade a lunge, tossing the grenade high as she ducked, evading another pounce whilst firing at the ground ahead, the grenade erupting with hundreds of pellets, splitting the Timberwolf's hide with numerous cuts and dents, leaving it reeling.
Above, the grenade went off, releasing a blinding flash of light, paralyzing the two at her sides long enough for W to throw two grenades at their feet, reducing them to piles of bark and splinters. When the remaining wolf's eyes adjusted, it growled as it was kicked onto its back, pinned down by a strong boot, and staring down at it were the eyes of a monster wearing a devilish smile.
"Last one standing, lucky you- so I'm gonna play nice..." Leaning down, she pointed the muzzle of her weapon straight into its snout, seeing those eyes of its flicker in fright. Good, it learned already. "Come near this castle again, and I'll wipe your species off the face of the forest. Got that?"
She kicked the wolf aside, watching it growl quietly, but ultimately choose to back away into the woods before it too was reduced to burnt chunks of tinder. Exhaling with a slight, nervous shiver, W slung her weapon back into place, looking around at all the free firewood and the carnage she had made, the area had been flattened out a little.
Giving the area a quick sweep, she pursed her lips. "...maybe a minefield? Bet Sparkle Butt's never seen those before, hehehe..." W had a lot more work to do... she needed to steal a notebook when she went into town later.
End
Author's Note
W's early days in establishing her home in the Everfree, and... meeting the locals. I might do more on her starting days, getting the castle modified to her benefit. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!
1-5 Operation: Anime Bath Scene Trope!
"Gods, this place is like self-inflicted torture against my retinas," W had many colourful ways to describe her experience skulking through Ponyville, but out of every location, the tailors that was Rarity's home had to be the most tacky. Sighing to herself, W shifted through the bushes toward an open window. "Let it go, W... you got shit to do."
Poking her head inside, and ignoring some of the most... extravagant dress designs, she tried not to physically throw up. Inspecting the main room, all clear, so she slipped in like a ghost, keeping to the wall as she travelled with the grace of the wind, reaching a storage closet. Freezing, she heard movement upstairs, back and forth, back and forth.
Certain all was clear, W swung the door open fast to avoid the hinges creaking, and grinned ear-to-ear at the vast array of fabric rolls, pattern designs, sewing equipment, the works. Moving with purpose, W checked the small lock boxes, her fiery eyes shimmering when she came to find an assortment of finely cut gemstones of all shapes, sizes, and colours.
Her tail held up a list she made on a notepad, nodding and checking the various crystals. Some were too small, others the wrong colour or felt cold and dull. She was worried Rarity, in all her annoying, prissy ways, lacked the key item W required. "Come on, Bitch, I know you'd have something like- tch, checkmate."
Plucking from its own secured lock box, W held up a crystal that fit into the palm of her hand, already, she felt the heat building on her skin, but her Arts were far hotter. It was a brilliant, fiery-coloured crystal cut in an angular, oval shape, the texture practically shifted as though raw flames were crystalized within. Thermal Crystals.
Checking it off, she grabbed the whole lock box, hurrying out of the storage closet when she heard movement towards the stairs. In a running dive, W slipped between two mannequins, dolphin diving out the window and headfirst into a bush, her acquired item in hand. "Nailed it."
"Twilight, this feels a little excessive..." Spike voiced, giving the unicorn a strange, concerned look when she finished setting up the magic sensors at every window.
"It's just some added protection, that's all, Spike." She smiled.
"So... what do they do exactly? I thought magic doesn't work on her that well," He voiced, seeing the studious mare nod almost in gratification at her work.
"Simple! These would normally pick up on magic nearby, they're meant for reading a pony's magic aptitude in exams, but since W's magic has this strange, disruptive nature, I can effortlessly detect when she's nearby!" She'd weaponize the monster's own strength against it. "With this, she'll never get the drop on anypony again!"
Meanwhile, behind them both, three floorboards lifted up together by a hand, W slipping out of the cubbyhole she had built, leaving the trapdoor open as she inspected the bookshelves nonchalantly. Her Equestrian was still... in practice, but she knew what she was looking for. "Water maintenance... water maintenance... Ugh, Sparkle Butt, Yuellaghh ... where's a book on water maintenance?"
"Oh, 'W' section, second to last shelf on the far right," She answered without even questioning it.
Three seconds passed before it sunk in, and she yelped in fright with Spike, seeing the silverette pocketing the book with a sly grin. "Huh, never thought I'd say this, but thanks, saved me a lot of trouble, buh-bye~" With a jolly wave, she took a step and hopped, falling down into the trapdoor's pit, grabbing and slamming the hatch shut.
"W!!" Twilight's screams could be heard echoing down the tunnel, so W giggled and picked up the pace before the purple creature decided to smoke her out.
Across town, and to escape Twilight's unending ramblings like some preacher, W made a final, important stop on her shopping list of stolen goods. Her head poked out upside-down from an apple tree, scanning her surroundings closest to the barn. Coast was clear, so she slithered down the trunk and scurried to the barn, slipping inside where many a farming tool could be found.
Dufflebag under her left arm, she checked the racks of all their tools; hammers, saws, pickaxes, all rustic tools of the trade for a fantasy world... if that world was unfortunately infested with talking ponies. She grabbed and tossed what she needed into her bag, wanting to make a break for the Everfree while she had the chance. W had to admit, the thought of being hunted at this moment due to her pissing off the main cast was always a heart-pounding event.
"Alright, check," With that, she smiled and marched over to the ajar doors of the barn, scooting out to make her way back toward the apple trees.
*Bam*
"Ah, sorry/Gomen." W and Applejack both blurted out, having run into each other. The Sarkaz played it cool, strolling past the farmhand.
"Wait a darn second, what're ya doin' 'ere!?" Crap, W winced, turning slowly on a heel to the irritated earth pony who looked ready to come to blows. "Whatcha been snoopin' around 'ere for now!?"
"Hm, stuff, got a science project I'm working on," She patted her dufflebag for good measure, offering a two-fingered salute. "Would love to go into the ins and outs of it, but I doubt that country brain of yours could handle the complexities of it, even if I used smaller words."
In hindsight, pissing off the horse capable of knocking a tree down with a kick probably wasn't the smartest choice in the world, but it was also so worth seeing the look on AJ's face when she was insulted. "Now ya askin' for it!"
"Duh, that's why I'm insulting you, ya got apples for brains, partner? " W sneered in a mock impression of Applejack's voice, seeing the steam coming out from under that cowboy hat. "Not a fan, huh? Eh, everyone's a critic- honestly, we really doing this again?"
With speed that would put Crash to shame, Applejack did not skip leg day, her back hooves slamming into the Dufflebag raised to tank the brunt of the kick. Sadly, W was not as sturdy, lifting off her feet as she was sent flying straight through a tree, showering splinters and bark in every direction, a number of apples thumping to the grass around her, followed by the heavy crash of the tree atop her.
"Is that... what it feels... like to... be nailed with a shotgun...?" If so, W sorta felt bad whenever her dud grenades nailed someone at point-blank. Wheezing, she crawled out of the bush that was the fallen tree, twigs and leaves sticking out of her clothes and hair, pocketing apples as she crawled, hearing Applejack stomping over. "Geez... let a girl... rest before you... start back up..."
"No more games, ya hear? Yer not runnin' away this time," She swore, green eyes burning into W's form, so much so, she tunnel visioned when a small object rolled across the grass between them.
"Now where's the fun in that?" W grinned, coughing still before closing her eyes, snapping her fingers. "Boom!"
A blinding flash left Applejack reeling in pain, rubbing her eyes, only for a solid leg kick to pull the air from her lungs, sending the mare tumbling across the field, providing W her opportunity to high-tail it back to the Everfree, wheezing the whole time. She didn't want to stick around to test if her brother's kicks were worse.
It was almost nightfall when W stood back to admire her handiwork, sighing heavily for the last time. "Finally, and they say the internet doesn't teach ya anything." She remarked smugly to herself.
She had tested it, comparing to memory to ensure the quality was as close to the original as possible. Sat in the corner of her room, was a new bathtub. It was square in shape, spacious but functionable. Thermal crystals heated the water nicely, steam rising from the water she had gathered, so it was a good workout. Thick wood made up the structure, layered with tiles on the inside that she also snatched up in town, took ages to get them to fit and seal them.
Lastly, W even made a basic 'plug' to drain the water once she was done, being a plumber is not on the table, so she'd stick with what she had and be grateful. Testing the water with a hand, it was hot, and soapy too thanks to Mir giving her soap. "Finally, I can smell like a person again..." She could almost cry.
Wasting not a second more, W stripped down entirely, a cool breeze tickling her skin before she simply hopped in without a care, creating a small splash as she surfaced. "Aaaaaah..." Groaning in delight, her skin burned in all the best ways, slowly sinking until just her head rested against the edge of the bath, a blush forming on her cheeks as the sweet feeling of bliss crashed against her aching body. "Sweet, merciful Gods, I've missed this... arigatō, watashi..."
Nearly two weeks of cold river water was worth it for this moment. And all it took was a mass robbery to get it...
End
Author's Note
We started Renegade with the merc relaxing in a hot bath, so it only makes sense to showcase how she came to acquire such a luxury in the middle of an untamed forest. How we've come full circle yet again. Also, AJ kicks freakin' hard.
This'll be the last upload for the time being, but I do have a follow-up that I hope you'll like next year. So, I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; see ya next time, Renegades!
And Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year! 🎄🎉
Canterlot was still in a state of constant repairs when the sunlight broke through the stained-glass windows of its renowned castle, which, if you asked certain people, really chose a terrible place to be built along the side of a mountain.
Maids kept up their work, ensuring not a speck of the castle’s halls were left unpolished or dusted, guards stationed and patrolling in neat, orderly rotations that had been mapped within only a day. Everything had a system that was easy to exploit, to plan around accordingly.
“No wonder I broke out so easily, idiots have learned nothing, surprise,” Rolling her eyes, a single creature like none in Equestria roamed those halls, expertly evading everyone, her eyes squinting from how bright some halls had gotten.
The human woman’s silvery hair reflected rays of light away from her demonic, ember-tinged eyes, the crosses for pupils wide with boredom. Curling up, her red-tipped, onyx tail flicked the antenna-like, red strands away from her face, brushing by the similarly shaded horns framing her temples.
Despite her most recent setbacks in saving the ungrateful world, her attire was spick-and-span. A pair of charcoal sneakers with red soles, grey leggings, and her black combat skirt with splashes of red over each side and on the underside. Her favourite black jacket, adorned with two red buckles dangling from each shoulder, a red arrow running down each sleeve to a red cuff.
Lastly, a grey t-shirt and a black scarf tucked around her neck, oh, and her weaponry, can’t be too careful in this day and age.
“W!”
“That’s my name,” She gave a lazy reply, turning slowly on a heel to meet… someone special. Possibly the only other human in this world to boot. “What does Prince Sora of Equestria want with a merc like me, hm?”
His skin was tanned with freckled cheeks, a nice fit to his aqua eyes to contrast her fiery gaze. Warm black hair with a short braid running down the left cheek, fading to an aqua colour. His outfit consisted of an olive coat, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows with shoulder pads, and a dark grey belt.
A collared shirt and light red bandana laid beneath, as well as a pair of black trousers tucked into dark red boots. And poking over each shoulder, a matching pair of silver longswords. Practically the image of an adventurer.
W continued with a flirty expression. “Or did you just want to see me?”
“No- yes, not the point, you should be resting,” He sighed, and watched her slowly turn to continue walking, tail gesturing for him to follow. “Your injuries-”
“Are perfectly healed now, Mom , I just wear them to keep these walking glue factories off my case,” She smirked, patting a flexed arm. “Fit as a fiddle, so you can stop having a mild panic attack when you see me going outside to touch some grass, ‘kay~ ”
Shaking his head, he tried not to look too stubborn about it. “Just take things slow, for me?”
Her eyes froze up for a moment, a softer smile forming. “Y’know, the pouting only works with Astra,” But she glanced at him, winking. “I’ll take things in stride, Fly-Boy, alright?”
Finally, he smiled again, finding her hand inviting his to hold it. “Thanks.”
Their comfortable silence wouldn’t last forever, taking only another left turn, heading for one of the castle’s gardens when W’s ear twitched, yanking Sora back, whatever question he had fell to silence, seeing the steely expression etched into her face.
In an instant, W drew her grenade launcher in the direction of the presence, directly in front of them. “You got about five seconds before I bring half this corridor down on your head Zer0, come out, now. ”
A blue circular portal swirled into existence, humming and pulsating with power. It hummed a little bit more before the portal rippled and out came a humanoid figure. They landed on the floor with a: “Superhero landing,” The figure said, their voice indicating to W and Sora that this humanoid was a girl. The girl stood up to their feet, revealing them to be standing at a height of five-foot-nine. The girl wore a pink patchy potato sack as a hat and around her torso, acting like a shirt, was a closed pink vest. She had baggy shorts that were the same colour but her shoes were a nice black. The girl had tan skin, black hair, and shiny cyan eyes. “Hiya!” She waved eagerly, a grin plastered on her face.
“Another one?” Sora murmured under his breath.
“Dunno, don’t care,” She whispered back, keeping her sights trained on the girl. “Smart not hiding like another pain in my ass entity I knew, still, who and what are you?” Not even a week and W was dealing with more cosmic BS, must be her birthday.
The girl continued waving, “Hi, I’m Tina and I,” she took a bow towards the duo, “Am an Eliatrope. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance,” she raised her head to look at them, “Mercenary W and Sora.”
Staring at her for several seconds, W lowered her weapon, giving Sora a pat on the shoulder. “Well, bud, this seems like a job for the Prince of Equestria, Im’ma take up that suggestion and rest.”
“Wait, don’t leave!” Tina exclaimed, her hands outstretched, “I’m here because you were invited, W!”
“If that invite ain’t a way back to my realm and far from this nightmare of a realm, not interested, even if you are from a cool French anime.” W waved over a shoulder.
“The reward is a wish!” The Eliatrope yelped, “It can be anything! As long as it’s not evil. Also, you get money, a lotta money!”
Sora slowly pressed his hand to his face. “Oh, you said the ‘M’ word…”
Like gears grinding to a halt, W spun slowly on a heel, brow raised. “Not one but two things you just said that rings well in my ears… alright… Tina, what’s the catch? Always a catch with this stuff.”
Tina waved a hand, “There’s no catch , perse… Ya just kinda…” she put her hands in her pockets and pursed her lips together, “...Well, ya just gotta fight in an eight-man fighting tournament with other people like you; Displaced. Removed from Earth and placed in Equestria as fictional characters.”
Her words slowly digested in W’s half-awake brain, blinking slowly, then she snorted a laugh. “Okay, that’s totally not sketchy and out-of-the-blue…” Rolling her shoulders, she clicked her fingers. “Astra, come out, no threat.”
A charcoal filly poked her head out from hiding behind a curtain, looking at Tina for a moment. “Okay,” She hopped around to stand between the two semi-humans. “She looks like you two…”
“Yeah, lucky us, at least it ain’t another Goddamn equine,” Pinching the bridge of her nose, W sighed. “Alright, you got my attention. So this… competition, I just have to kick the crap out of a handful of guys that got saddled with this-” She gestured to her own, inhuman body. “-and if I win it all, I get whatever I desire. That about sum it up?”
“Yes, you get whatever you desire… From a magical talking dragon that is totally dope and cool,” Tina nodded, “Yes. But, I will get this out of the way before you ask; every hour in my home – where you will be fighting – is one minute here. So, at most, you will be gone for ten hours. You can bring guests too, and everything is paid for when you arrive. You have rooms, you have all these other fancy stuff, food is free, the bar is free–”
As Tina listed everything off, Sora whispered to W who stared blankly at the Eliatrope. “This sounds more like an all-paid-for vacation than a fighting tournament.”
“Yeah, that’s the part that’s sketchy to me, I mean, come on, when has life been anything but a stick up the ass for us?” W murmured back, shaking her head. “I mean, a chance at a ticket home, money to boot? That screams ‘trap’, right?”
“It does sound like fun…” Astra perked up between them, the merc looking down at the filly, her silver eyes staring deep into Tina’s soul. “She’s been honest, her spirit isn’t giving off anything malicious. I think… it could be a good idea.”
W considered this, tuning back into what was being said. “Tina-” She cut her off mid-sentence. “I win this, and ask to go home, no strings attached, right?” But this time, a fire was burning behind W’s eyes, the kind that weren’t meant to be crossed.
Tina’s smile dropped and she nodded, taking in the serious air and absorbing it like a sponge. “No strings attached at all. And if anything endangers you, and especially your friends while you’re staying, our Commanders will rise to the occasion and protect you. By any means necessary.” She put a closed fist over her heart to emphasize.
All three considered this, Sora glancing at the pensive woman beside him, tapping her tensed hand. “Hey, your call,” Offering a soft smile.
Staring between him and the filly hugging her leg, W met with Tina’s eyes again before letting out a deep breath. “What’s a fighting ring to a realm devourer, am I right?” Slowly, a kindling smile tugged at her lips, giving the little visitor a sharp smile. “Alright, hell with it, I’m in.”
Tina clapped her hands together and brought a fist to her side, “Yes!” she cheered to no one but herself. “You’re not gonna regret it, it’ll be fun, the people are nice, and there’s a lot of cool things in my world. Including the internet and music from the human world, so you can jam out to some stuff, anyway, portal!” Her palms glowed bright blue and the portal behind her grew bigger to fit the trio. She stepped aside, giddy, “Ooh, I’m gonna win the race, I just know it.”
“‘Race’? Y’know what, I’ll figure it out,” W replied, turning to look at Astra and Sora. “Have no clue if I can win that golden ticket, but wanna find out? I’ll try not to destroy this world too, Sora.”
“You saying that worries me more,” He grimaced. “But sure, lead away.”
“I’m coming too!” Astra hopped forward. “I don’t remember much of my world, so seeing another is exciting to think about.”
Tina’s grin grew ear to ear, “Ooh, man, this is gonna be fun!” the portal hummed and swirled in different patterns before making a rippling effect. Inviting them in.
W stood at its edge, contemplating her choice. She just got done saving this world, reluctantly, now she’s off to fight in some crossover tournament? Being stuck in this world wasn’t boring, at least. Even if there was something to consider a threat, she’ll just handle it like she’s always done
“Let’s do this…” Cracking her neck, she leapt through first. “Goodbye, Equestria, thank God!” She vanished in a flash of cerulean sparks.
Tina winced and turned back to them, “...I probably should have mentioned the tournament takes place in an arena in Ponyville, shouldn’t I?”
“I… apologize now for anything she does,” Sora bowed his head quickly to her. “But, I guess you might’ve already figured that if you came to invite her personally, I guess?”
“Shit, man, our King invited her because she’s unapologetically her. He expects explosions. I hope she blows up Justin, though,” Tina chuckles, “Can’t wait to wipe that grin off his dumb, stupid, ugly face.”
Not quite the response Sora expected, but it did get a chuckle from him, watching Astra hop through after some hesitance. “That so? I might sound biased, but you'll certainly be in for a show with her around.” If his own experiences have taught him anything. W doesn’t do things halfway.
Tina shrugged, “She might find something in common with some of the participants, or one of the Commanders, I know a few that like bombs. Explosions especially.”
“W’s right… too good to be true,” Sora sighed but resigned himself to this. If W needs it, he’ll be there, same for Astra. “See ya on the other side then.” With a quick jog, he leapt through after the girls, the first time in years leaving Equestria.
Tina smiled, “Ah… She’s gonna love Bullet,” the portal closed and she created another portal under her. Without flinching or screaming, she fell through.
Author's Note
That's right, this is why I returned last year! Someone had dragged me out of retirement back into this fandom for a collab project I was not expecting to fly my way. This thing called a 'Displaced Tournament' with several other ~~victims~~ competitors in it to win a single wish from a giant, wish-granting space dragon...
...honestly just sounds like an Ahamkara when I say it aloud. Point is, if any of you have interest in seeing a little more of W and her misadventures, then check out the story linked. And mind you, each writer in here has their own style and quality of writing, and not everything will be everyone's cup of tea.
And don't worry about needing to know the other characters, plenty of interactions and events will help fill those gaps. So enjoy the ride, if you're interested!
With that long entry made... I appreciate the support, see ya in the tournament, Mercs!
Displaced Tournament
