Chapter Thirteen

“Is the coast clear?”

Asked a rather enthusiastic Gilda, who was shuffling in place on Robert's shoulder.

“Gilda, steady yourself. Just because it's late at night doesn't mean anyone isn't still up. They also have a dog, who barks at anything that moves. The last thing we need is for that whole farm to be lit up like a birthday party, over me breaking a tree branch or simply walking. All we need to do is get in and out, without attracting unnecessary attention. Do you remember the way back to the castle?”

Robert inquired and in the soft moonlight, Gilda nodded vigorously. “Sure do, but what's the plan again? I kinda tuned you out by sleeping through it.”

She admitted awkwardly, making him facepalm.

“Maròne, were you listening to anything I said at all?” Robert pressed, as Gilda merely shrugged.

“I turned my brain off not even halfway on you,” Gilda said repeating what was said previously.

Rubbing his face in slight Irritation, Robert went over their plan for the second time.

“Pay attention this time, Gilda, or else I'm doing this myself,” Robert enunciated.

Clearing his throat, Robert began going over the plan he made by himself. But since Gilda was acting like a child he chose to explain it, on a fourth-grade level.

Pointing towards the farm with his free hand he began to explain the scheme.

“We will enter that place, which grown-ups call a farm. Please try to be nice and quiet once inside, others of your grade level are trying to have their nap. Once you and I are inside that farm, we are going to put small things called seeds in these saddle bags. And you'll fly them back home to unload what we plundered. However, if we find barrels or sacks of food I'll be taking those by hand.” Robert ended, with his free hand softly ruffling Gilda’s feathers for an added measure.

Glancing over, he added to his statement.

“Did you get the plan now? I even dumbed it down, so your itty bitty bird brain could understand it.”

Giving him an annoyed scowl, she wouldn't allow him to make a mockery of her intelligence, so Gilda fired back, hard.

Shoving his hand off, Gilda started with her response. “Maybe don't be so damn boring next time! Your constant blubbering is perfect white noise. That includes the sounds of the Ever-free forest, with those two forces working together, overpowered my will greatly.” Gilda hinted with a sly grin forming on her beak.

Letting his arm fall back to its original position, Robert was less than surprised at her attempt to make him feel like a dunce. As she had done this, many a few times before, but he chose to be the bigger person. And this? This was one of those times Robert dropped it.

‘I’m going to just end this here, because if I don't. We will look like school kids killing each other in this damn treeline.’ Robert mulled, as she released a small giggle knowing she had won.

“You know when you go quiet like that, it tells me I've bested you. What's the matter, Robert? Can't out-think this dumb Griffin?” Gilda mocked, showing off her real intelligence.

‘You know what? You lost shoulder riding privileges, you oversized Bird.’

Releasing an annoyed grunt, Robert seized Gilda, and one surprised squawk from Gilda later, that being his answer to his successful snatch-and-grab method.

As he removed the slightly annoying griffin from his shoulder.

Holding her at eye level he spoke back to Gilda.

“No, you didn't ‘win’ anything. I'm ending this now before we verbally tear into one another. Let's do this raid first, then we can kill one another as we stuff our bellies with our spoils back home. Deal?"

Giving a swift nod, she freed herself from his loose grasp, and floated beside his head, the soft flapping of wings overtook the sounds of crickets and other more night-orientated prey creatures.

“I would love nothing more than to take a lit torch to that farm, but a freakishly tall creature, whose frame might be on par with a young adult dragon, is stopping me from doing so,” Gilda stated, giving his head an annoyed tail flick.

The feeling of Gilda’s tail fur was far more coarse and even a little bit dull. Due to the lack of proper upkeep for her fur and even feathers, regardless of her shortage of self-care, Robert pushed her floating form off to the side before continuing her statement. This time, with his own more rational Input.

“I've told you countless times. I do not wish to ruin their livelihoods if the apple farm is no more. We won't be able to steal fresh produce, I also rather take my chances here for stealing a decent meal than in Ponyville. Plus, far fewer witnesses; and I have done you the liberty of doing the math of how infrequent the odds are to be uncovered. So in strategy, we can almost rob them blind. But I won't condone burning it to the ground or bankrupting them. Got it?”

Aggravated, Gilda nodded in slight defeat.

“Ugh, fine let's just get started in twenty minutes, if not, I'm going home. If we wanted to sit here all damn night, Star gazing. The both of us could have stayed in the courtyard, you know that. Right?”

Deciding to just clown around with her for the current moment, Robert continued off of what she started.

“Which one? I remember there being four of them.” Robert guessed but Gilda was quick to correct him.

“Five. Equestrian Nobles back then believed the more land surrounded by their walls, the more power and wealth they could flex. To allies, and political enemies.”

Shrugging, Robert continued.

“Whatever the case may be, It was a pain to clean them all. Despite that, let's go over the list.” Robert began making Gilda groan in suffering.

“I swear to the Arbiter of Justice if you made a fucking list Robert. We're stealing from them, not shopping in the market!”

Gilda started, but Robert wouldn't allow this debate to continue much further.

“Listen, Gilda, I don't want to make this a constant habit of us going back and forth between the Castle and the Farm for supplies.

The more we steal, the more suspicious they will become. And even try to catch the person or creature stealing their hard-grown produce.

Ponies aren't fools, that I’ll give them. But it does take them a while before they connect the dots. And when they do, I fear we will be less than welcomed near the farm, or Ponyville. Before this happens, I want us to be as self-sufficient as physically possible.

And I don't want us to be caught with our pants down, so to speak. Not to mention, we are barely avoiding the Royal Guard patrols as it is;” Giving a light shudder, Gilda added to his statement.

“Don't forget about those cursed Thestrals! If we include the Lunar Guard patrols and add the Royal Guards, They have the forest on a near round-the-clock searching for us. Putting both of us in a tight spot. Sooner or later it's either going to be the ‘Bloodsuckers.’ Who finds us or some poorly paid conscripts, and I hope it's the latter that finds us.” Gilda admitted shuttering from what Robert assumed to be anxiety.

‘That's a shock, Gilda doesn't fear much of anything. Well, that's similar to her size I mean. Do Thestrals creep her out? That's a line of inquiry for another time though. Time to be Vikings for a day.’

Astonished by this sudden show of fear, Robert decided the wait was over; he decided to warn the Griffin before suddenly pushing her out of his way.”

“It's showtime Gilda, also watch out. Move or get pushed out of my way,”

Moving quickly she dodged his approaching form, making way for him. It was time to begin a second raid on the Apple farm, but this time. Robert would be getting help; using his large hands, Robert pushed past the tree Branches, as for the Bushes they provided little resistance. Robert began his slow march toward the apple farm.

“Remember this Gilda, we need seeds. Besides the obvious, If you find any grain or fruit they are integral to our survival. Fit as many seed packs or containers into those saddle bags that you can physically carry and get back to the castle. If there are any barrels of food, even sacks, show me and I'll carry them back.”

Giving a quick nod Gilda zoomed off into the Apple farm, disappearing into the horde of Apple trees. Like a ghost in the wind, Robert on the other hand, went for the more obvious and second objective of this raid.

‘Now where are the goods? Show me the money.’

Shuffling through the simple dirt pathways the Farm had, Robert did his best. Not to compromise this little stealth mission, just by simply moving.

Still thanks to it being spring, there was still a light nip in the air during the night. But it wasn't too harsh to stop plants from growing, which Robert was very delighted about.

‘My plan of going off the grid will be soon and fully self-sufficient in time.’

Yet Robert sighted a light down the main pathway and it stayed still unmoving. Was he seen, no. He couldn't have been, taking a closer look. He found that it was indeed a pony, more specifically a mare.

Thanks to either sheer luck or some divine protection, she hadn't been looking down the main pathway. And instead was looking in a different direction, leaving him in a pony’s natural blind spot.

‘Why is she up at this hour? I purposely postponed the raid until roughly two in the morning! Don't tell me they were all asleep and me and Gilda stayed up for nothing!’

Deciding to keep out of sight, he quickly but orderly dived back into the shadows of some orchard trees, Robert effectively hid himself from the apparently night owl pony.

Avoiding the lamp light’s warm orange glow, as if it would burn him. Robert moved cautiously and gradually among the orchard trees, thinking this pony could peer in his direction at any moment and spot his hulking frame.

Yet it seemed the oblivious mare hadn't heard his approach and continued shuffling in place, seemingly in need of certain assistance. Managing to wiggle closer, he had a better view of who it was.

Applejack for some reason, was out this extremely early and still she seemed anxious about something before trotting towards his direction.

‘Shit, shit shit. I'm going to be spotted! This whole mission is fucked! And I don't have apples to throw at her this time.'

Staying as still as humanly possible, Robert did his best to blend into the trees around him.

Still, the steady peace of hooves on dirt continued up to and passed Robert, if a little strained. But, Applejack had been muttering to herself despite it being muffled. It became more audible as she approached,

“C-Celestia damn mah Secondary heat cycle! Ah, can't sleep until it gone.”

To say he was bewildered by this had been an understatement.

‘Why would the tree not inform me of this? Let alone, Gilda! One of these times. I'm going to get killed or hurt because someone forgot to inform me. Or thinks I already know it, when I really don’t; what part of not from around here do they not understand?’

Besides being slightly ticked off, he did his best to keep his cool. To do this, he remembered what his Nonno always told him. After Robert started getting angry. ‘Don’t stay mad for too long, or you'll become a hot head. And when hotheads get mad, they get stupid.’

Taking a soft but deep breath, Robert held it for a few moments before releasing it.

Meanwhile, the ‘heated’ farm mare trotted by, Robert still chooses to remain still.

She apparently didn't hear his exhale, but he also caught a whiff of Applejack's second heat. The smell was; strong, to the point Robert felt like he just walked headfirst into a wall.

‘What the fuck Applejack?! You're choking me out while not even being close to me.’

Reaching up, once he was out of Applejack’s peripheral vision. He immediately tried waving his hand back and forth, attempting to get some fresh air that didn't have her scent dominating it.

But once it had cleared, thanks to her now being further away. Robert took a moment to get the precious air back into his lungs; now that he fulfilled this basic need.

Robert got himself ready to continue following, after that sudden assault on his senses.

Worming through trees and avoiding low-hanging branches, Robert continued to tail Applejack. But this time refusing to get so close so that her scent didn't hit him like a freight train.

Yet to his dismay, the trees around him began to thin out as they seemed to not have needed much of them in this area of the farm.

The trees got so thin to the point, that Applejack could glance back, and spot him without much issue.

‘Now I’m really in a tough spot. You know what? Fuck it. Risking it for the biscuit,’

Stepping onto the very same disturbed earth made him hesitate, watching Applejack as she continued walking to this unknown location, seemingly unaware of his presence.

However, the thing that stunned him was her obvious tunnel vision. Robert was creeping through the shadows, like a rat. And still, Applejack’s hearing seemed to be failing her.

Was it because of her heat? Was she half asleep walking, possibly? But Robert wasn't complaining, stealing a quiet glance at three, possibly four White buildings. One of them being her apparent target.

‘This is new, I don't recall passing by this on my last visit. Possibly I overlooked it. Regardless, time to figure out what's inside, hopefully, it's all the food we've been looking for.’

Taking a second but proper glance at the modern structures, it stunned him when comparing them to the whole low-tech farm. Astonished Robert if only slightly more about the equine world.

‘How the hell did I miss these Barns? They stick out like sore thumbs wrapped in glow sticks. I can only imagine what Gilda is finding on her side of the farm.’

Waiting he merely watched Applejack fiddle with some keys, before unlocking a pony-made door. And disappearing into one of the buildings,

With his path now clear, Robert walked up to the smallest of them, Robert attempted to take a peek inside. But thanks to it having a roof, he really couldn't see inside. Once that failed, he went for a more physical approach.

Getting down low, he looked through the window of the building to discover a kind of gym. With all its necessary testing equipment, like weights of varying sizes. And treadmills.

Glancing around the small room, Robert did not spot the items he so wished for.

‘No luck, on to the next one.’

Slowly moving towards the next one, Roberts' ears picked up the sound of constant shuffling to even chirps and other more soft animalistic sounds.

‘I don't think that's food, I guess Applejack has a petting zoo now? Or maybe some kind of repair section for her barn. If so, let's see her inventory of animals.’ Robert was in for one shock of his life,

Peeking through a slightly reinforced window Robert expected to see something related to the last barn. But instead of being spacious and full of exercise equipment. Or items needing repairs, instead. There were three wooden walls, well built but that itself wasn't the issue.

The last thing he expected to see was a human face staring back at him, her blue eyes wide in fear.

Glancing back, but instead of fear Robert's brown eyes held shock in them. Slowly and gradually reacking out, Robert tried to interact with the naked woman on the other side of the barred window.

She watched his approaching hand with fear and anxiety, until it finally reached the protected barred glass.

Gingerly he tapped on the glass, resulting in her fleeing from fear. Into a darker and covered side of the room,

‘I wouldn't blame her, so we're even on that.’

Now with his view unobstructed by the stunned woman, he viewed her living conditions. To which in his terms, were less than on par with his view on standard living.

‘Two maybe three walls, some hay to sleep on, and water?! That's all they fucking get. Shit, this is just like being in the fight pits but with more leg wiggle room.’

Crawling to another one of these apparent cell windows Robert had a similar encounter but with a young girl. Yet the same cell as the last,

‘What the fuck is this place?’

Getting up from his tiny adventure through the dirt, Robert didn't bother going to the next window. He didn't want to see just what the hell was in it,

He went to the next building, this one resulting in similar results. But instead of being human females, they were men.

‘I should burn this place to the ground. And leave nothing but smoldering ash,’ Robert by this point was angry, something rare to be sure. But when it happened it wasn't for without just cause.

Moving toward the last building, he heard multiple rather lewd Winnies escape from a hole in the metal roofing followed by Applejack’s pungent scent.

‘Found where Applejack went; I almost regret following her.’ Doing his best, Robert tried to tune out her constant moaning, but to no avail.

“That's it!~ Ya big Stud, Breed me! Ah~ right there~” Applejack's breathless voice wailed as the not-mistakable sounds of sex were heard.

Robert merely scrunched his nose in disgust, not wanting to constantly smell the thick odor being produced from this one mare and human tango.

As Applejack's moans and groans of delight continued followed by the deep grunts from the human male she had been screwing.

This two-creature tango didn't stop, it would regretfully trigger something, that Robert most preferred to be buried and forgotten.

‘That is bringing back very unpleasant memories that I'd very much liked to forget about.’

Despite being reminded of his time of being ‘flirted’ with; from his time back in the pits. Robert stayed away from the hole in the ceiling that in his eyes, housed such a detestable action.

Tiptoeing as best as he could manage, Robert instinctively made a fist, the sounds of intercourse especially the idea of interspecies breeding. Just didn't sit well with him, after all. It was wrong, Animals weren't people they couldn't speak or do things a human could do back home.

Yet in this world, everything he knew, everything that was right and wrong on Earth. Was flipped onto its head, here in the cursed lands of Equestria and possibly other parts of this planet. Mythical creatures could have sex with a human, kill a human. And not worry, about any kind of physical punishment or repercussion.

Making his way to the last White Barn, without trying to murder Applejack for her foul actions, Robert didn't find what this side quest was all about. Further fueling his anger.

‘Fucking fuck, I wasted nearly an hour, on my side of the Apple farm. Besides that, I had to listen to Applejack getting railed. For the better half of eight minutes For absolutely nothing?!’

However, not too far away, Robert could faintly hear Applejack’s wails of satisfaction slowly shift into sighs of relief, as she changed from throwing words of encouragement to her partner. Now, she was giving the male praise for helping this In-need mare.

The majority of her words, thankfully we're inaudible due to his current distance. This was a clear sign that now he needed to double time The hell outta there, and now wasn't the time to dwell on his past. Particularly out in the open near Ponyville. Or with a full-conscious pony who could walk out and spot him.

‘I’m going deeper into the apple farm. I refuse to leave this place empty-handed,’

Ultimately, sneak walking by the same White building. Robert could hear them starting up again, resulting in Applejack to begin moaning once more.

“B-bits well Spent! On this breed!"

Applejack screamed as the sounds of lovemaking started up again.

Only one word appeared in Robert's mind during this act of ‘nature.’

‘Gross.’

Moving towards his next and most obvious target, the large red storage barn.

Robert discovered a chain and lock around the door handles. Yet, that isn't what. Perplexed him.

‘Why do Ponies have a door with handles? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to have slots to put their hooves into, and simply push the door open or closed? Again, I never said they were the cleverest tools in the shed; scratch that, a few of them are rather bookworm-like or regal. But not many,’

During his trip back, Robert had cooled off, if only slightly. But still, he eagerly wanted to blow off some steam, how better than destroying something?

Gingerly lowering himself to not alert the rest of the farm's inhabitants, Robert took the rather large-looking lock into his hand.

Now holding this small lock, he merely added downward pressure onto said piece of metal; it resisted valiantly, as the groans of metal echoed forth, but ultimately snapped into two pieces.

Tossing the now useless lock away, the chain it secured fell loosely, clashing against its wooden door.

Besides it sounding like a warning bell to Robert, breaking something they owned. Felt oddly satisfying; it wasn't enough. But for now, it would stop his anger.

‘Shit, sssshhh!’

Robert mentally hissed as he slowly pulled the chain out, the linked metal moved as if it was a snake gently moving across a tree branch.

Once freed from the metal handles, he flung it away as if it was said branch, as it landed somewhere among the grass Robert pushed open the barn, and slowly got up. However, he remained in a crouching position so walking was still possible.

Entering the barn like a tall hunched back, he discovered large tools such as earth plows and simple wooden carriages.

Besides that, Robert found a near mountain of hay bales. But soon his eyes spotted his target, barrels.

‘Bingo.’

Reaching out and snatching a barrel, Robert gave it a light shake. And hearing nothing inside, he merely popped the lid off, only to discover it was empty.

‘No big deal, there's nearly thirty of these Barrels in here. One of them is bound to have something inside that's food-related.’

Robert’s hope of finding stored food grew smaller and smaller the more he searched, it had gotten to the point that he wouldn't even open a barrel. And instead would merely shake it, to see if anything was inside.

‘You gotta be kidding me, there's not even a crumb of food in this damn Barn. We're the fuck is the food stash?’

Backing out and looking around, Robert would see that his stealth mission had yet to be compromised; so without taking a moment to step back and relax, to think clearly. He instead decided to investigate behind the three-story home, yet. His only real concern was of the Apple family’s prized canine.

Robert didn't dislike Winona generally, but given the current situation, along with his current mood. He would have preferred her to be non-existent at this time.

Using the late-night moonlight as a natural flashlight Robert carefully and gingerly tiptoed his way toward the lone wooden house.

The closer he got, the more quiet the world around him felt. And to be completely honest with himself, Robert believed if he breathed wrong the whole house would be a light like a hornet's nest.

Robert could have sworn he saw the little demon dog in the window, which made his heart nearly stop. Prompting him, to try and level with what he thought was his greatest enemy. Or better yet, think towards it.

Keeping his movement slow, and nearly on par with a snail's maximum movement speed. Robert had his legs pointed slightly towards the direction of the Everfree, in the event a pony shouted. Or the dog started barking, Robert would have left immediately If Gilda hadn't caught on that the mission went south, Then she was screwed.

As he drew closer to the windows, he could have sworn he saw a still unmoving silhouette of his main enemy. The dog was unmoving, silently watching him,

This resulted in Robert's heart beginning to beat faster, his anxieties adding additional stress to Robert’s already pressured body.

‘Winona I know we got off on the wrong foot last time we met. But this time is hopefully our very final interaction before I go completely off the grid. So be a good pup, and don't wake anyone the fuck up!’

Making it past the large window, Robert gave the very window he thought he saw the pup’s still silhouette, the bird; like a child, Robert was going to scurry away back into the darkness. But his rational thought won back control and kicked in accordingly.

‘You Fottuto Idiota! Why the fuck would you piss the living Alarm bell off. Now everybody and their Mother is going to wake up!’

Robert’s rational mind screamed. Yet, for some reason, the dog didn't start barking her little head off.

‘Wait a second.’

Deciding to risk this whole stealth operation, Robert went back and did a double take. To confirm his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him,

He ultimately found out that they were. A simple but unnecessarily large purple hat with yellow spots was in the spot where his eyes saw the still outline of the dog.

Robert was less than happy about his fear and anger clouding his judgment, especially twisting his mind into seeing things that weren't there.

‘Fucking hat, who the hell would wear a hat that big? This isn't the desert, I see no practical use for it; that hat deserves to be burned.’

Robert shook his head at the unnecessary amount of fear caused by a simple misplaced hat.

Stealth walking away from the home and leaning against a tree for a moment. Robert took a second to stop his heart from drumming inside his chest; once getting it under wraps.

He continued past the home of the family he was currently robbing.

Upon reaching the back of the three-story home he froze for a second time. Spotting a light on within the first floor,

He followed the same tactics as before and entered the trees for cover.

Robert hid within the trees. Until getting passed the bright kitchen light, however, someone else was far less than stealthy to alert him.

Landing onto his shoulder, with an audible *THUD* Gilda gave him a light punch to the head so she could snatch Robert’s attention.

“Surprise!”

Gilda shushily added to her sudden ambush.

This resulted in her larger friend jumping, in surprise. And nearly sending his griffin friend into the dirt below, his reaction made Gilda confused thinking he had heard her flapping wings.

“Asshole. I thought I told you to go home first with the seeds!”

He merely snapped, back at her in the same hushy tone. Laning against a new apple tree, he tried to shake off suddenly getting jumped scared, causing her to wave away his concern.

“Yeah, yeah. I didn't follow your plan to the letter, cry about it. Anyway, I got all the varying seeds you wanted, I also found the food stash but it's locked up tight. You’ll need to break us in and then we can leave this dump.”

Giving a light scoff, Robert hushed his response to her. “I couldn't agree more, Gilda.”

Giving a simple but light grunt to show she heard him, Gilda simply stretched her tired wings out a bit. Trying to relax them,

Robert in the meantime continued to talk. “Where is it? Take me there. So we can be on our way,”

Sensing he was in one of those, ‘Don’t fuck with me and find out.’ Moods, Gilda sighed, before taking flight and guiding him to her selected side of the Apple farm.

Once there, he was greeted by another large red barn. And similarly like before, Gilda used his shoulder as a resting spot. Much to Robert's disapproval.

‘About fucking time. I need to blow off the rest of some built-up steam,’

Shaking Gilda off much to her displeasure, Robert studied the door and discovered it was similar to the last barn he failed at looting.

But after what he heard, and the prison-like conditions he saw Applejack’s humans in. Robert thought it prudent to show the farm ponies the error of their ways. How better than breaking this door,

The door also had a simple but large lock on its handle. Instead of breaking said lock much like the first one, he instead grabbed onto the closest of these double doors.

'Let me show them how a pony door should really look!'

Making a fist with his free hand, Robert punched the door with a heavy amount of force. Splitting it, but not completely breaking the wood.

However, he gave it another hard punch, but this time his hand went through. Pulling his hand out, and repeating the process for the other door. Robert effectively had two holes to pull the doors from.

Putting his arms through, he grabbed on before beginning to pull.

Its simple design had been its downfall as the wood around the hinges began to splinter all around the door, as Robert continued to pull it off the large wooden frame.

Finally, with a loud metallic snap, the doors slumped down against him. Pushing the broken wood away. And merely pointing to the inside of the barn, Robert spoke up.

“Find anything we both can eat and roll it out, or drag it out. I’ll carry it back,”

Nodding, Gilda went inside. But did her best to cool him down, how better than trying to joke with him? “A creature after my own heart! I knew you had a ‘Raider spirit.' Inside of you somewhere.” She joked, but Robert wasn't having it.

While she searched the barn, Robert picked out the splinters of wood that had gotten stuck in his hands during this food heist.

'That's a big piece.'

He grimaced, having to extract the fairly decent-sized chunk of wood himself. Thankfully, it didn't snap off during the extraction process.

Disappearing for a few moments, and popping her head back out Gilda gave a sheepish smile before telling him the bad news.

“I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but there's not much left in here food-wise.”

Giving Gilda an annoyed snort as her reply, Robert waited for a moment before he decided to use his voice.

“Then we're taking a third of what's left.”

Nodding a second later, and disappearing for a few moments. she began hauling out barrels and sacks of various foods that were ok for both parties to eat.

‘I should take it all, and let them starve. But I, no. We, need to be better than the Ponies. So taking only a third is more than enough, I just need to give a reason as to why we can't stay.’

Glancing down at the necessary goods, Robert felt like he was carrying enough supplies to last them until their own harvest.

‘Not a good enough reason.’

Looking skyward the slow yet silent moon was gradually setting, more than enough to end this raid. Besides, it was starting to get a little heavy. Clearing his throat to grab Gilda’s attention. Robert spoke up,

“We have what we came for, let's withdraw.”

Baffled at the current load of cargo he had, Gilda protested.

“But Robert! There's not much left in here. Why not just take the rest?” Gilda pressed, displeased at the current quantity.

‘Here we go with that Griffin greed again.’ Robert scowled,

“Because we have enough. To last, need I remind you, Gilda. The sun is soon to rise, and we won't make it back for another run. Not to mention this whole farm will be pretty hot with Guards the moment they realize what has happened.

Not to mention, the forest is still very full of Monsters, I need to either scare off or kill them; Kinda hard to achieve that with your hands full of barreled and sacked food you recently borrowed.”

Robert snarled, making Gilda cringe slightly having never heard him this ticked off before.

She looked afflicted for a moment but eventually spoke up. “Alright fine; let's go back,” Gilda responded. Not wanting him to turn her into a bloody stain,

The two left relatively unopposed as birds began to sing their morning songs, signifying the coming dawn.

For the most part, they traveled in relative silence until it was broken by Gilda.

“Alright; I'll bite, do you want to talk about what ticked you off so bad? I've never seen you like this before. Especially, one as level-headed as you.” Gilda asked, sticking close to his head as they traveled the bowls of the Ever-free.

Providing her a light scoff, Robert spoke up.

“Something you don't need to worry about.” He answered, but she simply Shrugged.

“Alright, now I know that's bullshit. You can't say that it isn't either, because of what you did to that barn door not too long ago.”

Releasing a sound of irritation, Robert just decided it best to ignore Gilda’s question until later.

“Fine, Don’t spill. I'll let you be a hardass on your own time. But before I fly on ahead and leave you to cool off, I just want to let you know why there aren't any patrols yet; currently, we are in a gray period. So therefore, no Royal Guards of any kind should be in these woods for another hour or so."

Giving him a farewell head pat, as if Robert was a dog. Gilda flew off a bit before looking back and giving him another jackass remark,

"Enjoy the walk home, hopefully, you cool off by the time you get back! Stay out of trouble." Now having stopped her little button pushing, Robert had the chance to cool off.

“fottuto coglione.”

Robert continued to walk until roughly halfway before stopping.

Taking a deep breath, and letting it out.

Robert put down the stolen food and just sat next to the small pile of loot. By this point, day-active animals were out and about doing their daily survival necessities. Such as foraging, or grazing.

He didn't want to give it to her, but he needed his alone nature time right now.

After that little run-in with Applejack’s attempt to beat her heat. It triggered an aggressive response from his body,

During his time in the pits, this false aggression would have usually kept mares and stallions away from him.

And for a while, it worked. Until it didn't,

The rare few who took the risk or were just so pent up, that they didn't care if he would kill them or not.

And those who found out that it was just a mere ruse to keep them all away, had broken the floodgates.

Instead of being the occasional one or two had tripled seemingly overnight moving forward. After each pit fighting match, it had gotten so bad that the pit workers had little time to wash the blood off of his weakened frame.

‘Those sick fucks, they will get what's coming to them!’ Robert inwardly seethed, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

He sat there for a few moments, his larger-than-normal hands still shaking like leaves in a wind gust. Robert on the other hand, was doing his best to calm himself despite his abrasive internal outburst.

True, they didn't know of his real intelligence.

But at the same time, they weren't innocent either. Most of those ponies who sought his company were often ones of a higher class or had been wealthy benefactors to said pit fights.

‘Then why did I have such a response toward her? Applejack from what I know, is nowhere close to being nobility. Nor does she have near limitless amounts of bits,’

Shakily reaching up and rubbing his face for a moment, he had been completely beside himself. As Robert never really reacted this way before, had it been some form of post-traumatic stress? Or some kind of behavior picked up from his time being treated like a wild animal.

‘I don't know. But, I think I know how to treat it for now.’

Robert pondered, before slowly reaching over and grabbing the ancient drinking horn.

Popping the lid off, with relative ease, Robert proceeded to down the alcoholic contents.

The burn brought Robert back to reality as the liquor eased his angered and shaking response and replaced it with merriment. Releasing a happy sigh, he spoke up.

“The devil will now be an angel.”

Getting back up, Robert merely shook his head at the statement he made about himself. After this episode, he merely stored his empty horn. Before picking up all of the dropped goods, he continued on his way back home.

“Now with that out of the way, Goodbye Ponyville. I hope to God I don't need to go back there, and hello embracing Isolationism.”

If he ever needed something from town, the goal was to hopefully get Zecora to go into Equestrian Civilization and procure anything Robert needed.

But for now, it was time for bed. Robert had been up all night and sleep sounded a lot better with a belly full of grog and a pleasant mood.

One week later.

Now with the needed Supplies, Robert had been hard at work making these old ruins just a tad bit more liveable.

The work was hard, Gilda for the most part just watched him slave away. This went on for the better half of this week, yet on Thursday things came to ahead.

After threatening to not give her any food for a month, she suddenly had a 'Burst' of energy to help.

'If the feathery happy meal wants to eat, she needs to work just like everyone else.'

Despite this small verbal disagreement, Robert even informed Zecora of his current plans and on her part, she dropped by a few times to assist, and give tips on how to keep certain crop-eating pests away.

Along with helping on making the place just a bit more safe, mainly from larger predators.

But after witnessing a few large spiders land on her cloaked frame.

That itself startled her Beyond Zecora's wits, yet after killing the few that landed on her she went to investigate their true numbers; needless to say, it wasn't anything good.

Hatchlings named ‘Star Spiders’ as both his companions called them, had begun hatching along with the older generations waking up after winter and had come out to play so to speak.

Needless to say, Gilda and Zecora were busy most of the week trying to decrease their numbers. And in Robert’s opinion, it was a losing battle.

While his friends toiled with the eight-legged insects, Robert was more focused on their more important matters, growing food was his only main focus now.

So far, each cleared courtyard has been focused on mostly one or two types of plants. As to not choke the land or drain it of natural nutrients and minerals too quickly,

The first plot’s main focus was to grow carbs, so cabbage and celery. We're sown into the land, along with flowers that Zecora suggested to keep bugs and small animals from eating them.

The flowers had been from the other side of the Ever-Free, where more insects had been known to reside.

But the more interesting fact about them was that in a pinch could be eaten by ponies or griffins, just the taste would be terrible. And if eaten in excess, it could be harsh on the gut.

Yet, if the natural repellent properties did work. There would be little reason for either to eat these blossoms.

The second plot’s main focus was going to be protein. but since most of the plant seeds Gilda grabbed weren't exactly high in protein-yielding crops, that left it fairly open to different varieties.

Instead of letting it go to waste and with Zecora's guidance, Robert changed it to be the medical plot, and with the help of Zecora, she planted the best-recommended herbs from Ever-free and Ponyville.

Most of them had been simple but effective medical herbs, something to stop a headache or runny bowels.

One could even slow a pony or griffin's rapid blood loss, or ease any swollen, or inflamed limb. While another, could act as a sort of organic-smelling salt.

Even a plant root, if allowed to reach adulthood and grind and brewed together with its cherry blossom like roses.

Could make an effective healing brew, just the taste was bitter if not allowed to age properly.
Zecora had been more than willing to make these brews on two conditions.

The first, Robert would supply her with bits or items to sell on his behalf in Ponyville, in exchange.

She would use a third of its profits to buy bottles to store the freshly made healing potions.

And second condition, for all her brutal labor she requested thirty-minute ear scratches.

Pretty fair deal if you asked Robert.

The last of the vacant courtyard had been planted with the same flower buds to keep any small pest away.

'All natural medical supplies, Are both good. But bad, as it doesn't have a stable shelf life, like say pills or other lab-made pharmaceutical products.'

Passing by a slightly small hallway, Robert saw a two-tone streaked tail.

Bending down to look, he found a rather exhausted Zecora in the hallway so he spoke up to her.

“You're going to war with these Spiders. Aren't you Zecora?” Robert asked the seemingly annoyed zebra.

Giving an annoyed Winnie she responded in kind.

“Their numbers know no end. Yet soon, they will face the end.”

Zecora declared, seemingly ticked off at the sheer number of these bugs. As her tail lashed rather sporadically,

Giving Zecora a nod and a wave she went back for possibly her tenth round with the pest bugs. As Robert got back up onto his feet,

‘I don't know why she's even bothering, they aren't dangerous. And I don't mind them. I find them rather nice to look at, if they mess with my crops then it will be a different story. But for now, I think the score is Star Spider five, Zebra zero.’

Going to the third strip of walled-in land, Robert had left it open for more physical and aerobic activities.

The fourth courtyard, better known as ‘Nightshade Hall.’ Had been plants that Robert believed he alone could eat.

Due to them being a part of the Nightshade family, things like tomatoes, peppers, and even Potatoes had a spot here, Due to how they were known back home to be dangerous and toxic to any four-legged friend to the point of death; or severe sickness.

No matter how many times Gilda and Zecora told him. That it was safe for both of them to consume, Robert didn't want to risk killing either of them or hospitalizing either one by mistake.

So to play it safe, and not accidentally poison Gilda or Zecora, he kept these apparent toxic plants away from them.

The idea was simple, the farther away these sprouts were the less likely chance it was for them to contaminate or spread to other plots. And risk someone getting sick or dying,

Now with the farming plots all set up, Robert and everyone else were at the mercy of the nature.

It hadn't rained at all, for nearly the rest of the week making him resort to improvising, which was just him hand-watering the lands he wanted to cultivate.

‘It isn't much, but it's honest work.’

Giving a nod to the prospect of the coming harvests in the future, Robert left to check on the seemingly last thing he needed to check.

Going to the first courtyard he ever cleared out, Robert first spotted its ever-red leaves attached to the bone-white sapling.

Moving around the fountain he moved by hand, for aesthetic purposes. Robert had big plans for this one specifically, Depending on how large the tree became.

He was going to splash out on designing this one up, and really spruce it up. First, Robert would need to work something out with a certain friendship tree about her old friend.

Grabbing his horn that had been filled with water, and removing the lid. Gingerly he began watering it despite it not needing it.

Soon the whispers became more audible, they always were ineligible ramblings. Something he alone couldn't translate just what the voices had been saying, this little piece of insanity and chaos threw off the idea of him making this specific courtyard special.

Shuttering at it for merely speaking in tongues, Robert finished watering the chaotic little plant before stepping away from it.

‘I hate being near this plant, I swear I'm going insane when I'm this close. I'm too sober for this, I miss my grog, the only way I can be near this thing is if I'm buzzed.'

Shuttering, Robert wasn't the only one who heard faint whispers near the apparent cursed plant.

Gilda wanted to burn it, and Zecroa wanted nothing to do with it. Under the pretense of the tree sapling being something not to mess with.

‘Whatever the fuck that means.’

Leaving the cursed plant, Robert traveled through the winding and still slightly dirty halls heading back toward his shared bedchamber it was time to visit a certain pair.

Passing by Gilda who had been using the star spiders as target practice, with her new collection of barrowed throwing knives.

Zecora looked like she was about to lay an ostrich egg from how frustrated she was becoming.

Gripping a long wooden staff firmly in her muzzle, she was smashing these spiders wherever she found them. Even those unlucky egg sacks that had yet to hatch weren't spared, and instead, we're sliced up by Gilda.

‘Geez you two, are going full guerrilla warfare on Spiders. That's something you don't see every day,'

Shaking his head at their antics he merely spoke to grab their respective attentions.

“I'll be back with you two, try not and break the castle ruins more than they currently are,” Robert suggested but with a simple.

“Uh-huh.” From Gilda, and one ear twitch from Zecora later.

Robert was off, to visit two friends.

Going back the way he came, but instead going for the exit and making a quick pit stop. At the ever-growing bone pile, Robert grabbed two Manticore ribs before arriving at Tanks and Athena’s burial sites.

Two wooden crosses marked where he laid them to rest, at best it wasn't their full bodies and instead was a just chunks of them.

The cold truth as he couldn't find their full remains, that blasted hydra had crushed them into bits. All he could find was mere small broken wooden pieces.

'That Hydra did show me the pecking order of the Forest. So wherever I am stationed, it's somewhere above a Hydra.' Deciding that wasn't the time to decide his station was, Robert merely.

Performing the sign of the cross, shortly after that he laid the bone offerings on each grave. Before moving in between them,

Gently sitting beside them, he was able to spot the castle and even Ponyville through the trees in the distance from this little sanctuary away from everything.

Deciding now was a good time, Robert opened up to those two.

“I don't know if you two can hear me; Hell. Maybe you can’t, but I'm just running with the impression both of you can, so let me make this short and quick; since you two aren't around the castle anymore. I thought I'd drop by, and give you two a run down.

Gilda is; well, still Gilda.

Not much changing her is there?”

Robert started, before giving a soft chuckle knowing how the mixed relationship was between her and these timberwolves.

“We've managed to do another raid on the Apple farm too, thinking back on it.

The whole thing seemed. Disorganized, sure we had a plan but not the numbers.

I wouldn't have minded having you two in that, but midway through the ‘great raid’ on Applejack’s farm, I heard something that I often don't like to think about. And I'm speculating that hearing it, triggered some kind of ‘traumatic episode.’ I'm not a psychologist, but I never had one before arriving here.

That was a week ago, I'm doing better now thankfully and we've gotten pretty established presently.

Farm plots have been made, and Zecora is also staying with us temporarily to remove a bug problem. She calls them a pest but I think they are pretty nice to look at,

Speaking of which, it hasn't rained for this whole week, not that either of you two cares now. And yes Tank, I know you loved rain Athena on the other hand doesn't."

Looking skyward for a few seconds, Robert would see nothing but the clear sunny sky.

Despite it being spring, it's hardly raining here. This is greatly concerning and I've resorted to hand watering virtually all plants, but I'm also not trying to overdo it so when it does eventually rain they don't drown. All I'm asking from you two is to do your best to put a good word with the man upstairs. I could use a miracle down here.

Deciding that now was the time to return, he heaved himself onto his own two legs.

Giving a light stretch, and the resulting pops were music to his ears.

Stepping over their makeshift graves, Robert stopped deciding he couldn't leave them hanging.

"I'll be back sooner or later, see you around little turds."

Gradually moving away from them. And going full steam toward the castle, Robert spotted rising smoke from his home.

He hoped no one could see the rising smoke at this time.

But thanks to it being windy, the smoke didn't stay too long.

'I might as well go see what those two are doing. If that building is on fire I swear, I’m gonna dump them both into Moat water. To get their common sense back, why is everything lacking sense in this world? Can I just have one day where everything is just normal, and not some topsy-turvy fucking mess?’

Choosing to just walk back instead of running back, Robert had begun betting on what most likely transpired.

Not even through his front gateless wall, he spied Gilda using an old spear. The said weapon had moon spiders impaled onto that stick,

While Zecora had been messing with a small but smoky fire, upon hearing his footfalls she turned to face him.

“Ah, returned at the perfect time you have. We just had gotten done, my most master plan.”

Zecora beamed, before pointing a hoof at the steamy fire burning the remains of the dead bugs.

Glancing toward Gilda she merely explained further.

“Zecora here decided to scare off the majority of the Spiders with smoking branches, the rest who stayed were merely massacred.”

Giving a light but hearty laugh, Robert spoke up. “I can gather as much; tell me. Did you both agree to no Quarter? For our spider residents.”

Both gave a victorious cry as his answer. Over the shared victory over the eight-legged bugs,

“We did indeed! We are just burning the small remains. The ash is very good at helping plants grow.”

On the other hand, Robert watched Zecora work, she merely took the spear from her griffin assistant, removed the large dead bugs from the taken spear, and tossed them into the roaring fire.

Scowling at her, Gilda Flew up towards him, Gilda then added onto her original statement.

“That's a Zebra belief, in Griffin lands we think that's bullshit and a complete waste of time. After all their culture is inferior and lacks backbone."

Reaching up Robert merely rubbed his face in disapproval.

‘Great. Now she's racist, can today get any worse? I refuse to have this under my roof, so I'm ending this needless schism here.’ Robert contemplated as the solution appeared in his head.

Reaching up and gesturing to Gilda that she should land she did so.

With a nod and a lazy flap, she did. But not close to her apparent temporary ally.

“Zecora, Gilda, pay attention to what I am going to say.”

Despite not looking at him, the zebra kept an ear swiveled in his direction showing she had been listening to him speak.

Gilda on the other hand decided to face him directly, tail lazily swishing left to right.

“This place is going to be a home, for those who don't have one or those who've lost everything to the point of feeling outcasted. That being said no matter their walk of life, great or small. Bloody or clean; big or small. Crude or logical. They are welcomed here if only they follow the rules.”

Sneering, Gilda launched a question his way. “Oh yeah? What kind of rules are we talking about here?”

‘Hardball huh Gilda? Alright, I’ll play.’

“Rule one, No matter a creature's past. Good or evil, they get a second chance here, a clean slate if you will.

And a chance to live peacefully no one here can judge them. For their culture, or religious beliefs, and of they have a notion for improving this happy home's current situation they are allowed to say it. That being said anyone here shouldn't be persecuted under this rule."

Giving a light snort, Gilda stayed quiet.

"Rule two, the first time they walk through that archway they are a Guest. And should be treated with respect, doesn't matter if they are royalty or a street sweeper. Everybody is equal here,"

"And lastly, no cursing on the premises in front of kids of any age. Theirs a million different words out there and if anyone has to resort to 'Fuck this,' or 'Fuck that,' is just ignorant and lazy."

But Zecora on the other hand, had her tail swishing. "Clever action from you, a healthy home you can definitely do.” Nodding her way Robert decided to wrap things up,

“We all can go over the details at another time but for now, I'm going to rest. I am beat.”

Getting up from the smooth stone below he merely went off to bed, hoping the one rule that he made would keep Gilda’s beak shut.

‘Knowing her it would take time if one thing she told me is true. Griffins take a grievous amount of time before they obey any rules.'

Entering the room that he and the said Griffin shared, he spied his rather large bed. It merely had been made from the extra Manticore pelts, meticulously tailored together and stuffed with dried leaves, and other soft and dried foliage.

Needless to say, the contents of this bed weren't the best of qualities. But Robert was happy enough to have somewhere to merely lay his head,

‘It's been a year, and I finally have a bed. I can only imagine what my bones look like on an x-ray.’

Laying down with a soft tremor, Robert got comfy for his much-needed rest.

Giving a light sigh, Robert closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Yet back in Ponyville, within the library, they had been talking about the earlier in the week raid.

Giving a sputtering laugh Rainbow Dash spoke.

“I can't believe that big guy would raid AJ’s farm! Who knew he had it in him?” Rainbow Dash commented through her laughing, as Twilight immediately stepped in on his behalf.

“Rainbow Dash, this isn't funny. But all that is currently known about him is that he's alive and a solitary creature who's very gifted in avoiding detection.

From either magical aid or pure talent, anything else is still currently unknown or hearsay at this time. But it may be possible, that he is a type of ‘opportunistic scavenger.' He must have seen either Big Mac, or Applejack entered the barn and possibly saw the food, or even smelled it.”

Fluttershy merely nodded in agreement, before softly speaking up. “It's true, Mr. Bear does steal other animal's food, from time to time, and when he does. I need to punish him, so I won't defend his recent actions. But girls do not go overboard if anything let me do it please."

To stop this constant rambling, Rainbow Dash merely produced a loud fake snore, to show how tiring this was evolving to. As she rested her head against her hooves.

Giving another snore, she merely stopped once everypony was staring at her.

“Who cares? I say we find’em and merely take it back!” Rainbow Dash offered as Applejack seemed all too willing to agree.

“Darn tooting, that varmint is going to learn not to mess with this family!” Applejack seethed, refusing to let him take even just one barrel of apples.

Fluttershy on the other hoof, didn't want to see Applejack or Rainbow Dash be grievously harmed. But the idea of them squaring off with a giant frightened the shy mare.

Seeing what Fluttershy was trying to get at, Twilight merely gave a nervous chuckle and stepped in again.

“Remember Applejack, he is possibly four times your size. So if you plan on getting physical with him there's not much that can stop him if you instigate an aggressive response. Need I remind both of you that, he took down a Hydra almost single-handedly?

And also stopped a hoard of infected humans from wiping Ponyville off of the Equestria's map." Twilight precautioned, as Applejack grumbled in frustration.

“Well if he wasn't so gosh darn big! Maybe I could have rough'em up, to the point he couldn't walk for a whole month.”

That ultimately made Fluttershy finally step in.

“P-Please Applejack, I know you're furious at him but please refrain from becoming violent with him. He is still, very much a wild animal who's been through some difficult months, I'm surprised he's even amicable to Ponies.” Fluttershy squeaked,

Having halted her apparent warpath, Applejack turned back towards Fluttershy not understanding what was said.

“What do ya mean Fluttershy?” she persisted, but Fluttershy’s shyness took hold forcing her to go silent.

“Applejack.”

Twilight called, deciding that now was the time to leak what Shining Armor and her dad had found out.

Glancing towards her she merely nodded waiting for the explanation.

“From what my brother has told me, including Dad’s connections. Our ancient friend didn't have the best of welcoming parties,” Twilight did her best to censor the more gory details. But that launched Pinkie Pie into a fit of distress,

“How could Anypony not have a good welcome party?! I'll fix this immediately!” She shrieked, but Twilight was able to grab her hyper friend before she zoomed out the front door.

“Not that kind of party Pinky,” Twilight said rather solemnly. Releasing her magical hold,

“Then what? Just tell us for Celestia’s sake!” Rainbow Dash huffed, as Rarity joined in.

“I must agree with Rainbow Dash on this, you can't leave us ladies hanging with that sort of cliffhanger. I still may dislike it, but now you've even piqued my interest.”

Rarity chastised, as the mare in question cleaned her front hoof with a simple brush, being held in blue magic.

“I will, but first. ” Twilight said, her head on a slow search looking for Sompony specifically.

Spotting her target she narrowed her eyes toward him.

“Spike head to our room. I don't want you to hear any of this,” Twilight made clear, but immediately he protested.

“But Twilight it can't be that bad! If Shining Armor told you! Including Grandpa Light. It surely isn't that bad,” Spike persisted.

“That is because I'm far older than you, Spike. Please just go to our room, do not make me force you to.” Twilight pleaded.

Giving a grumpy grumble, Spike complied with Twilight's request as he climbed up the steps of the library followed by the soft click of their bedroom door.

And to make sure he did, the same mare checked with her magic to see if he was either hiding in the hallway or had gone into the shared room.

Giving a defeated sigh, Twilight broke down the limited and least redacted info.

“In the rough few months that he was missing and assumed to be dead, he was subjected to the whims of human pit fights and inadequate living standards, along with starvation. But this was not the only thing the pit workers did; at first, they did private matches, with notable VIPs.

And slowly expanded into more public showings, Bit’s were rolling in, yet he often never delivered on what was expected of him. And so illegal substances were often used. As for his failure to obey, punishments were often severe and painful, he would be whipped and starved for long durations of time.

Or vile mares that sought his company behind closed doors would be allowed into his cage.”

Rainbow Dash sputtered at this, raising a question. “Wait, wait, hold on. You're telling me they whipped that big guy? How come he doesn't have any scarring?”

“The most plausible reason is he's hiding it, or they have an abnormal healing time. But now do you see why we can't attack him? If we do, that action will break any forming trust or second chance he's even humoring for all of Equine kind.” Twilight further explained as Applejack brought up another point.

“But Twi, he stole from ma farm. Supplies are one thing, but he also took two of my trees! To the apple family, that's like foal napping.”

Providing an empathic look, Twilight continued.

“I understand Applejack, but you'll need to think of a different way to punish him. Fluttershy, do you have any ideas, that she can do so without a physical altercation?”

Giving a gentle nod, Fluttershy interjected. “If you need to discipline him, do the same as if you were punishing a foal. Use your voice, not your hooves.”

Processing the information, before her Applejack decided that was enough. “Fine Fine. I won't lay a hoof on him, Yelling is all I’ll Do.”

The rest of Twilight's friends seemed to be stunned at this truth, Pinkie Pie’s once unruly and bubble-like mane deflated. As she truly pitted him,

Rainbow Dash looked like she was about to kick some flank, as her cyan cheeks grew red from anger.

Rarity on the other hoof, seemed sympathetic which was odd. Whenever Twilight and her friends talked about him she always left the room or ignored it.

But even she knew that was too far, and that giant didn't deserve to go through Tartarus and back.

“Now remember girls, what I have told you all does not leave this room. Not so much as a peep, got it?” a few nods, and even a pinky promise from Pinky Pie later.

With that being concluded, and seeing that no pony had more questions, Twilight went back and simply rescued Spike from the boredom of their room.

“With everything being settled, is everypony ready to enjoy this trip to the spa?”

Everypony seemed eager, all but one.

“Twilight the day I get anything spa-related, is the day I stop trying to join the Wonderbolts. You're lucky I’ll even enter one!” Rainbow Dash protested as her cheeks slowly went back go their normal cyan color, but Rarity was quick to speak up.

“You won't be saying that darling after your first hoofacure, you'll be heading back every other week to relax.” Rarity insisted as the group traveled out to enjoy this fine spring day.

Yet hidden forces were plotting and scheming, especially in the badlands.

“Operation RIAH is a green light my Queen everything is falling into place.” The spy reported, seemingly from the one-way changeling device.

Giving a devilish grin, Chrysalis merely rubbed her forehooves together. “Perfect, keep an eye on them. Very soon we shall commence the switch.”

Ending the transmission to her disguised drone, a changeling approached, unfazed and unbothered. She spoke to it, “I have told you countless times unless it is something worth hearing. Lieutenant General, do not bother me during my infiltration meetings," Chrysalis merely spat.

“My Queen, we have found his dwelling and yet, it seems far more intelligent than the dusty old books claimed them to be. As he appears to have a concept of basic construction, and irrigation, even some mastery of engineering.”

Surprised that her brood found the last of the giant's dwelling, she merely nodded her head in approval.

“Well done, for this I shall forgive the General's earlier transgressions against my crown. But now what to do about the last living Giant,” She hummed tapping her hole-ridden hoof against her chin.

“Shall we dispatch the forces to eradicate it? If it serves no purpose.” The large changeling drone offered, but she merely stopped him.

“I rather not waste a perfectly good and potential asset, Study and observe from afar. But do not interfere with what it does or handles things, I want to know how it handles itself.”

Giving a nod and a salute, the armored drone departed leaving her to dwell on her plans.

‘I’m glad we found him before those cursed, Alicorns did. Now I can not squander this home-field advantage. The sooner I know more, the sooner I can get that slightly narrow-minded brute on my side, and the sooner I can take all of Equestria!”

With a wicked laugh, she merely continued to plot against the old empire of Equestria.

Author's Note

What's this? You missed an Easter egg.

Let's open it up.
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It's a new chapter!

I doubt you guys want to hear about my personal life, but all I'm gonna say.

It's like riding a rollercoaster without the safety harness on.

Enough about me though let's go over the usual, if you find something mostly grammar mistakes or errors point them out and I will fix them!

If you have a suggestion, and it works out I'll change it to that.

That being said I wish you all had a good Easter, all fixes will be done tomorrow.

And this story isn't done unless I day it is! Remember that.