Equestria Bound

“I can't believe I have to wear this horrid thing.” Berry was complaining about the Pigmask suit she was wearing.

“Berry shut up. We need to find Fluttershy. That Pigmask had to be lying, there's gotta be a cure.”

As they walked around into the Pigmask base, a Pigmask general stopped them.

“Ah, no. 323 and 621. Our commander has just called for you, she sounded angry and rushed... you haven't done anything to upset her have you? That's reeeeeally bad if you have.”

“Oh, no, general. She probably just needs us to check up on something.” Ruby answered in a deep voice.

“...Your voice is different, soldier... but now is not the time for that! Our commander calls you, privately. Take the elevator down to the bottom floor over there.”

“Thank you, general.” Ruby nodded and headed toward the elevator with Berry. Inside the elevator was a robotic maid... with huge hips.

“To which floor, sirs?”

“Bottom floor please.”

“Sure thing, and stop staring at my hips.” The maid said, pushing the lowest button on the elevator. The elevator dropped slowly and awkwardly, and after what seemed like an eternity, it reached the floor.

“Here we are, sirs. Bottom Floor 6, Commander's floor. Don't kill yourselves!”

“Uhhh.... Thanks.” Berry said as they stepped off the elevator.

The room was empty and unfinished, and had an ominous feel to it.

“For some reason, I believe this room will haunt our memories for years. It has that feel to it.” Berry said, shaking.

A voice from the loudspeakers in the room made them both jump.

“Well, well, well. What have we here? Cough, wheeze. You think you're all sneaky, don't you? Welcome to the hideout of the Pigmasks! I'm your gracious host, Porky Minch. I know why you're here, girls. You're here to try and hopelessly save your friend, who just so happens to be my new army commander! Giygas, Berry, take off those sweaty uniforms, I'd like to see your faces. Go on. I already know what you both look like, and it's not like anybody doesn't know.”

Angrily, they took the suits off, swearing in their minds.

“Oh is that your appearance? Charming. Cough. You're here to save your friend, correct? Well, too bad! Spankety, Spankety, Spank! She's my robot slave! She does whatever I say! She doesn't know anything about who you are! Aha! Ahahaha Ahahahaha-- Cough, Cough, Cough, wheeze, wheeze. Oh, you can try. You can try as hard as you want! Just try and free her! I've ordered her to kill you, so it's either you, or her. Ahahahaha! Bring her in!”

The rocks ahead of Ruby and Berry slowly scratched their way open to the side, revealing a black passageway. In front of the passageway stood a lifeless, enslaved pony with a helmet blocking her eyes. She was holding a golden sword. She looked up at Ruby directly. For a moment, time had stopped. The sheer intensity of the moment had paralyzed Ruby and Berry.

Slowly, the Masked Mare drew her sword slowly and glared at Ruby and Berry. They had tears running down their cheeks. They could do nothing. Fluttershy was no longer with them. Ruby and Berry stood still.

The Masked Mare attacked. She swinged her sword from left to right and pointed to Ruby. An intense lightning bolt flung to Ruby, knocking her back. Berry stood and said nothing. Ruby got up and spoke quietly.

“Fluttershy....”

The words failed to reach the Masked Mare. The Masked Mare attacked again, this time, physically with her sword. It flung Ruby against the wall again and left her bleeding. Berry remained still. Ruby got up again, shaking. She tried to talk to her again.

“Fluttershy... Stop this... Please...”

The Masked Mare paused and looked around, as if searching for something. She shook her head and continued to pound on Ruby. Every blow hurt Berry more than it did Ruby. Berry closed her eyes, weeping.

The Masked Mare fired another lightning bolt at Ruby. Ruby stood half way up, barely supporting any weight. She spoke again, crying.

“Fluttershy, stop this... you aren't Porky's robot... you're our friend!”

The Masked Mare put her hooves to her ears and started squirming as if in pain. She got up and stomped the ground. She started glowing. The Masked Mare tried PK Love Omega.

“Ruby, look out!”

Berry jumped in front of the attack to protect Ruby. It was a direct hit. Berry flew across the room and slammed against the rock and fell. The Masked Mare turned to Berry and pointed her sword at her.

“Fluttershy, I'm sorry it ended this way. I just wanted you to know we've been looking for you. I've finally found you, Fluttershy...” Berry smiled.

The Masked Mare started glowing again. The Masked Mare tried PK Love Omega.

Berry took major damage from the blow.

The Masked Mare stared at Berry's unconscious body. The Masked Mare let out a scream.

Ruby saw her damaged friend against the wall. She had suddenly got the strength to stand up again.

“Fluttershy, you're our friend... we love you... don't do this...” Ruby was standing firm, crying as hard as she ever has.

A tear ran down the Masked Mare's cheek from under her mask.

“Fluttershy, I'm sorry I let you get captured. It was my fault. I'm a horrible friend to you.” Ruby looked down.

The Masked Mare attacked with her sword. She missed Ruby, who was standing still.

The Masked Mare dropped her weapon.

“Please, Fluttershy, come to your senses. It's me, Ruby. Ruby Black, and that's Berry Punch.”

The Masked Mare dropped to the floor and whimpered. The Masked Mare ended up pulling herself up and leaning herself against the wall. The Masked Mare put her hooves to her mask.

The Masked Mare slowly lifted up her mask.