Chapters “What a beautiful day to take a walk around Ponyville!” Twilight Sparkle said as she walked around the corner of Sugarcube Corner. She started humming a tune as she trotted down the sidewalk.
As she walked past the entrance to a back alley, she caught a flash in the corner of her eye and her trotting and humming came to a grinding halt. She looked to her left down the dark alley with a startled “huh?”
“Hello? Is somepony there?” She asked, somewhat nervously.
No response came from the darkness.
“I'm starting to believe Spike was right about me being crazy. Oh well.” She said with a distressed voice.
She was ready to pretend that didn't happen and walk away happily, until she heard a moan from the alley, behind a dumpster. The possibility of her imagining that moan was zero, she wasn't crazy... well that is debatable.
“Hello? I know somepony is back there! Show yourself”. Legs shaking and body sweating, Twilight inched toward the dumpster. Who or what was behind that dumpster? She just had to find out.
A black hoof quickly reached out in front of the dumpster, scaring poor Twilight motionless and speechless. The hoof slowly dragged the rest of the body out from behind the dumpster, and the black-as-soot mare looked up at Twilight with redder-than-blood eyes. The mare's mane and tail were the longest ones Twilight had ever witnessed. It may have been possible to wrap the mare's body fully with the mane. The tangled, dirty mess of a mare slowly closed it's eyes with a tear and stopped moving with a huge sigh.
“Oh my Celestia! Oh, what do I do!? Uhhh... uhhh... I g-g-guess I'll teleport with her back to the library and let her rest up and cover her wounds... Ohhh, this is bad! Why do I always get myself into these messes?”
Frantically, she ran and grabbed her hoof and used her horn to teleport back to her library.
A couple hours later, the strange mare finally opened her eyes. She was laying in a bed in what seemed to be a tree house.
“ehhhhhauuuugh”. The black mare slowly opened her eyes. “Wah? Where am I?... Dear God WHAT am I?”.
She looked around the room, everything she saw, even herself, looked foreign. Trying to get out of bed, she staggered and fell with an “augh!”. Her back left leg was wrapped with bandage.
That purple creature. She thought, Whatever it was, helped me. Is this the feeling of gratitude I've heard so much about? Interesting... I have to find her and tell her I... appreciate...
Her thoughts came to an abrupt end as she heard something come up the stairs. Could it be that purple being that gave her this new feeling? She could only have her hopes up.
knock knock
The door opened as Twilight looked upon a helpless, upside down mare with “embarrassed” written all over her.
“You appear to be in quite a predicament, miss.” Twilight said with a face as straight as a straight line.
“uhh... yeah... could use a hand here.”
Use a hand.
“Hand? I don't believe I follow. You're obviously a pony, yet you speak like a dragon.”
“Pony. Huh. So THAT's what I am? A pony? Figures.” The mare said as she rolled her eyes.
“I take it you're not from Equestria are you?” Twilight said, raising one eyebrow.
“Equestria? Where's that? I have no idea where I am. I am not originally a... pony... either.”
“What? Then who are you? What's your name? Where are you from? I need answers!” Twilight began to sound impatient.
“My name... I don't have one officially, I was called something, but I'd rather not bring it up. As for location, I am originally from America, which is on Earth, to let you know.”
“No name? I guess I can come up with... Wait... EARTH?” Twilight nearly jumped on her with a shout.
“Well, yes, they do, in fact. Most humans I knew were nice to me, but one... I can't even say his name. He saw to teach the newly born ultimate power evil, and use it to delete everyone who didn't like him. I was sent through a phase distorter that a doctor gave me to avoid his wrath, but he is very persistent, and even here, in another dimension, I still don't feel safe.” The mare looked around and out a window.
“That's hard to believe. “Phase distorter”? “Ultimate power”? Please. That just sounds like a tale from a book.”
“Then ignore my story. Believe it or not, that man is after me, and everyone I know.”
“Everypony.”
“What?”
“The correct term is “Everypony” here.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh yeah I need a name for you.”
“Can you give me examples of names here? I'm kind of hoping they aren't as cheesy as I imagine.”
“Uhhh... Well my name is Twilight Sparkle, there's Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie to name a few.”
“... Could be worse. Could be “Albert Andonuts”. So what name will you give me? Don't be too cheesy.”
“Well, a pony's name usually reflects either their personality, looks, or Cutie Mark, which is near your back leg on both sides of your flank.”
“Heh. Flank. Anyways, what do I have on my...?”
Nothing. Blank. She was a “blank-flank”.
“Nothing. I have nothing. Why do I have nothing, what was it, Twilight Sparkle?”
“Well a pony earns theirs through a special talent. What are you good at?”
“Uhhhh... I don't know. I don't really have anything I'm good at. Never did.”
“Well, you'll find it eventually. Anyways, names. Red hair... Red eyes... Almost pitch black body...”
“Call me anything related to fire and I will hurt you.”
“How about... Ruby Black?”
“... Not bad. I'll take it for this world anyway. Oh yes, Twilight.”
“Yes?”
“I'd like to thank you for what you did. I appreciate you not letting me cry and rot in that alley. You... Uhhh... Made me feel appreciative for the first time in my life toward anyone. Nobody cared enough to help me.”
“You mean you never had any friends? That's horrible!”
“I thought I did, but... It turns out that they hated me more than anything...” A tear ran down her face as she stared the ground down.
“Ruby, that's a horrible feeling. Let me be your friend, I'm very friendly.”
“You... Would do that for me? I bet you wouldn't if you knew the real me. This? This is just a shadow of my true self.”
“Shadow? What's the real you like?”
“I'd rather not talk about it. Those days are gone, though.”
“Listen, Ruby, let me introduce you to my friends in Ponyville. I'm sure they'd be glad to meet you! So get up and let's get going!”
“Really? Well, if you say so.”
Ruby attempted to stand back up and walk, but fell flat on her face.
“... Can I get some training on walking on all fours first?”
“Looks like your fairing well so far. Keep it up, Ruby.” Ruby Black was still a little wobbly when it came to walking like a pony.
“Alright, I got this now. So, where we off to?” Ruby asked. Twilight nodded her head left.
“We are going to Rarity's fashion shop. You need a serious mane-cut.”
“Gee, thanks. Taking me to the fashioner friend first, I see.” Ruby said, rolling her eyes toward Twilight.
“Well, sorry. A mare needs to keep track of her looks around here! Honestly, long hair doesn't suit you, and it's all floppy. Rarity can fix you up and make you look like a model! That's her talent of course.”
Ruby looked up to see a shop with dress posters on the windows everywhere. Twilight led her inside the store with a ring of a bell when the door opened.
“Rarityyyyyy! I'd like you to meet a new friend I have!” Twilight shouted throughout the store.
Hoofsteps were heard coming down a somewhat creaky staircase.
“Hello, Twilight, dear! You wanted me to meet somepony, hmm?”
“Yeah, Rarity! I'd like you to meet Ruby Black, a new pony to town, and for that matter, Equestria!” Twilight moved out of the way to introduce Ruby to Rarity, but even before Ruby could say “hi” Rarity was up all in her face.
“Oh my sweet Celestia! That is the most beautiful shade of red in a mane I have ever laid my EYES upon! It goes TOO well with your eyes as well, honey!”
“Err... Thanks? Twilight told me to get a hair... mane-cut.”
“Oh, my dear, I simply can't help but agree! As beautiful as your mane's color is, it is way to long and it kind of just flops off your head. I, with my sense for beauty and fashion, can fix you right up and make you look like a MODEL! Yes! That is what I shall do! You will look simply DASHING after this, I can tell. However, a pony's mane is even more flashing if it fits the person! I simply MUST get to know you, dear! Twilight, how's about we take this graceful image of a pony out for lunch at Sugarcube Corner for a little “get to know you” meal?”
“Sure! I was getting hungry anyway. That sound good Ruby?”
“Umm... Sure... I guess. I could go for a bite.”
“Fabulous! Oh, dear me. Please excuse me for one moment, I must tell my little sister to watch the shop while I'm gone. Be back in a minute!”
Rarity trotted up the squeaky stairs.
“Wow. She sure is dramatic. Almost too dramatic, especially with that accent.”
“Yeeeah, but you'll get used to it, she is a very nice mare, and she's always there for me... unless it involves her getting dirty in any way.”
Rarity came trotting down the stairs, now with a pretty purple striped scarf on.
“Was that scarf there before...?” Ruby asked.
“Well darlings, let us be on our way!”
Off to Sugarcube Corner they went, only to remember Pinkie Pie worked there.
__________________________________________________________________
“OMIGOSH! A new pony to town!? What'syourname?Doyoulikeparties?HaveyoumetApplejackyet?Thisissoexciting!Woo!”
“PINKIE! Calm down! Honestly, you need to learn a calm approach!” Rarity snapped at the poofy pink pony.
“Oh, did I do it again? Poo! Sorry! What's your name!? I'm Pinkie Pie! Are you a friend of Twilight's!?”
“Pshh, and you said MY mane needed caring. Anyways, I'm Ruby Black, I'm new to this country. So I don't know a lot of things about--”
“Your new to Equestria!? Well, welcome!! I guarantee you will find a lot of good friends here, ESPECIALLY in Ponyville!”
“Yeah, umm... I guess you could say I'm friends with Twilight. I met her not too long ago though, so I'm still not too familiar with her, or anyone for that matter. At least Peopl-- Ponies are nice here.”
“Oh yes! Everypony is so NICE here! I'm nice too, and spare me your feelings. I know. It's obnoxious to be around me for too long. That's why I'm off to bake a free cake for you! A welcome-to-Ponyville-free-cake-of-super-awesomeness-and-dashes! Pinkie Pie, away! Vroooom!”
Like driving a car, Pinkie zoomed into the kitchen and there was a large CRAAAASH followed by an “I'm okay!”
“Well, she sure is a character.”
“Yeah, she's Pinkie Pie. If she ever says anything that sounds “off”, just ignore her.”
“You mean stuff like 'you in front of the screen reading this' or something along those lines?”
Twilight's face grew skeptical as she glared at Ruby.
“Yeah... she says that a lot... How do you know that?”
“It's hard to explain. Anyways, Rarity, you said you wanted to do something about my mane? What kind of design did you have in mind?”
“Oh dearie, I'm glad you asked! What I personally think suits you is waaaaay shorter hair coming down both sides of your face with a little bit of an obvious gap between the hairs. Your sweet color is just too much of a smooth, blood red to make it in any kind of pony tail or curl.”
“So, like this except with a shorter cut?” Ruby put half of her mane to one side and the other half to the other side and cut it with her front-right leg at a short point.
“Yes, I believe that could work!”
“Alright. I can appreciate that idea!”
Appreciate.
“I GOT CAKE! WEEE!”
Pinkie rushed to the table with a slide, and served it by sliding by. The cake was pink and had yellow letters on it that said “Welcome to Ponyville” on it.
“Wow! Impressive, Pinkie Pie! Looks delicious!”
“THANK YOU!” Pinkie squeaked. “It's my goal to make everypony that comes to this town happy!”
Ruby took a bite of the cake, and as soon she did, her blood eyes widened to at least twice their normal size.
“W-W-WOW! You've done your job quite considerably! This is DELICIOUS!”
Suddenly, Ruby stopped. Something had awoken in her, something she had never experienced before: joy. This new feeling made her grin and laugh like she was being attacked by the tickle-monster.
“Aha! Wow! So this is what it's like.”
“What what is like, darling?” Rarity and Twilight stood puzzled, staring at Ruby.
“What JOY is like! What fun, love, and laughter is like! I've... Heh... Never felt these before. I was never taught these things by anyone...”
Ruby was ready to EXPLODE with all the excitement inside her, and to quote the movie “The Grinch”, her heart grew 3 sizes that day.
“You've never had ANYPONY to teach you that? EVER?” Twilight was shocked to see someone who had never experienced happiness.
“Nnnnnope! Pinkie Pie! Thanks, girl! You really opened my eyes. I think it was your attitude... and your cake.”
“I'm no unicorn, but my cake is magical!” Pinkie Pie threw confetti into the air, which seemingly came out of nowhere.
They all talked and laughed as they ate, as Ruby explained all of her stories of Earth, even if they didn't believe her. Not just her, but Twilight told the story of Nightmare Moon and Discord. As they finished up, Pinkie said goodbye and took their trays.
As they trotted out the door, all 3 ponies smiling, Ruby had one last thing to ask.
“So, Rarity. How's about we get that awesome mane design going?”
“Wow, Rarity sure did an amazing job on my mane! She really IS fashion born.” Ruby Black said cheerfully that evening, Playing with her new mane-cut.
“Well, it is her dream to become the greatest fashioner in Equestria.” Twilight put, simply.
“I'd say she already is! Oh, hey, I'd like to ask you a question. Are there any... ehem... bars... here in Ponyville?”
“Bars? Like where they sell drinks? We have one, but it's quite rough. Why? Did you go to bars a lot back wherever you came from?”
“Went all the time! Not to get drunk, mind you, just for a relaxing, late night drink.”
“Well, Punch Cavern is next to Sugarcube Corner. Good luck not getting beat up. Also, if you want any kind of drink, you're gonna need these.” Twilight handed over 15 golden coins.
“What're these?” Ruby asked with a puzzled look.
“Bits. They're Equestria's currency. Drinks are 5 bits. And... Please... Don't get yourself killed. It's a dangerous little joint.”
“I've seen arcades filled with gangsters, this isn't gonna be that bad. Well, I'll be back later! See ya!”
_______________________________________________________________
“Punch Cavern. This must be it! Ah, finally. Some relaxation... I hope.”
As she walked in, Ruby was stunned of how old fashioned the bar looked. A lot of it was made out of wood, and somehow, Ruby knew, something was going to go haywire in here.
“Hey! Who're you, red mane?” A voice came from Ruby's left side as she was looking at the menu of drinks. She looked left to see a very light green unicorn with smooth green and white mane hair. Beside her was a yellow earth pony who's mane looked like pink and purple cotton candy.
“Oh! Hello, I'm Ruby Black, new pony to town. Heard there was a bar in this town, came to check it out. Can't say I'm disappointed.”
“New ponies NEVER come here. Name's Lyra Heartstrings, and this is my girlfriend, Bon Bon.”
“'Ey! Get a Blueberry Punch for this girl, Big Mac!” Lyra yelled to the red stallion, who replied with an “eeyup”. The drink flew over to Lyra across the table.
“Have a seat! – oh ho! Not there! That's Berry Punch's seat!” Lyra warned her with a chuckle.
“Berry... Punch?” Ruby was confused, she guessed she was a regular that got drunk a lot.
“Yeah, nopony steals Berry's seat and gets away with it. I recommend you get out of it before she--”
“HEY!”
The bar went silent. Everyone looked at an angry, tipsy, purple earth pony staring directly at Ruby. She was petrified in the seat.
“Who said? WHO BUCKIN' SAID, that it was okay for you to sit there? That's MY seat.” The pony slowly moved toward Ruby.
“Well, sorry! Lyra here was just telling me to get out--”
“Well LYRA should of told SOMEPONY first before ANYTHING to sit there. YOU EVEN ORDERED MY SPECIAL DRINK!” This pony was blazing mad. There was almost nothing to calm her down, unless Ruby could...
“Sorry for being a newbie here! This is a public area so how the HELL would I know not to sit here!?” Ruby was purposely making this mare mad.
“Oh, I see. A newbie here, huh? Newbie's don't come to my bar usually, because their dumb flanks usually get handed to 'em... by ME: Berry Punch.” She started to sound snooty.
“You don't wanna know what I can do. I've destroyed a whole dirty gang on the streets single-han—hooved.”
“Oh you've crossed the line! YOU'VE CROSSED THE LINE! I'm gonna lay a beating on you, Miss Tough-Pants!”
Ruby was laughing. “Pffft. I can destroy you with mere phrases.”
“Prove it, smart-flank!” Berry was taunting her to no end.
“If you insist.” Ruby slowly opened her mouth.
“PK Thunder alpha”. The words came out of her mouth as a bolt of electricity seemingly came out of nowhere and zapped poor Berry Punch.
“Wha? No unicorn magic, ya cheapskate.” Berry was so angry she could explode.
“Unicorn!? Please point out my horn. Tell me. Where is it? Look, here! I'll even move my mane! I don't have a horn! PK Freeze alpha!”
Suddenly, Berry's limbs froze, unable to move.
“WAH!? How are you using magic? You're not a unicorn!” Berry was very worried now.
“It isn't magic. It's PSI, or Telekinesis, or psychic power for dull-ones. You look cold. Let me warm you up! PK Fire alpha.”
Berry's arms combusted and were burnt.
“Who the hell ARE you?” Berry looked up at her with begging eyes.
“I'm Ruby Black. Remember it. Sorry about roughing you up. Just thought I needed to teach a lesson. PSI Life-up Omega.”
Suddenly, the burns, frostbite and mane hair returned to normal. All eyes were on Ruby and Berry. Everyone had the most surprised look on their face, as if they saw Princess Celestia in a bathing suit.
Berry got kind of scared, and tried to word her way out of the situation.
“At this point in movies, the owner of the bar would kick you out.” Berry Punch said with heavy breathing. “However... That was... very impressive. I like the way you think. I'm lettin' you stay. I got respect for you, Ruby. You sure showed not just me, but all of us! Enjoy your drink, Ruby.” Berry was smiling, accepting her defeat with honor, something nopony had seen before.
“Heh. Thanks. Oh yeah, here. Have your seat, I'll just sit on this couch...” As Ruby got up, Berry gave a surprised look.
“Wait, you mean your giving what the loser wants to them? Why would you do that? I tried to assault you over a star-damned seat!”
“Just because I won doesn't mean I'm going to be a jerk to the loser. You like this seat? Have it, I don't mind.”
“Uhh... wow. You're more nice than I thought. I... I don't know what to say... Uhh... Thanks!” Berry transformed from terrifying brute to a shy little girl.
“No it's fine. I'm not the person to make others suffer so I can benefit. C'mon, it's fine, sit down! I also think it's funny the whole bar is watching us.”
“Eheh. I don't care anymore. If they call me weak, I can kick their flank out.”
Rather than sitting in her special seat, Berry Punch sat on the couch, next to Ruby no less.
“I could get used to you y'know? Wait a minute... do you hear... music? I swear to Celestia if it's those new age retro hip-ponies with a beatbox again, I don't know what I'll do...”
“No... I know that music... this could be bad.”
Ruby grew nervous to the point of shaking. She knew what was coming and stood in front of the door and yelled PSI Shield Omega.
BOOOOOM!
The door was blown up as strange ponies dressed as pigs barged in with what seemed to be ray guns.
“Squeeee! We know she's here! Give her to us!” The pig-horse squealed as he threw a device that said “shield-killer” on it. As expected, the shield vanished.
One pointed his ray gun at Berry Punch. “WHERE IS SHE!? Snort!”
“Don't hurt my friends, stupid Pigmasks! Let me handle these dumb-flanks! PK Fire Omega!”
The Pigmasks' limbs burst into flame as their weapons instantly exploded in front of them.
“PK FREEZE GAMMA!”
Their limbs were now frozen to the ground. All the ponies but Berry Punch and Ruby were hiding.
“You got a police force? Call 'em! I know these fella's. They want me dead!”
“I'm on it!”
Berry rushed to the phone and typed in a number faster than the eye could see.
“Hello? Ponyville police? We've got 2 mentally ill ponies dressed as animals attempting murder... huh?... Where?... Punch Cavern!
The next five minutes felt like an eternity, as Ruby kept them backed up against a wall. When the police arrived and arrested the 2 Pigmasks, and everyone had calmed down, Berry signaled at Ruby across the room.
“Hey, Ruby! C'mere, I'd like to ask you something in my office."
__________________________________________________________________________
“Earth, huh? From what I saw 30 minutes ago, I believe you one-hundred percent.”
Berry Punch and Ruby Black sat on a couch watching tv in Berry's office within the bar.
“I like this place much better, though. Really made me wake up to make me see who I really am.”
“That PSI stuff, how'd you learn it?”
“My mind is stronger than some peoples... or as I should say now, ponies. Basically, I think how I want my spell to work. Kinda like when I used my PSI Life-up to heal your wounds. I don't think any unicorn can do that.” Ruby said, boastfully.
“How neat. Wish I could do something like that. Oh yeah you mentioned a man was after you. I'm guessing those are his cohorts?”
“Pigmasks.” Ruby's face turned angry. “They follow their master, who wants the evil power to be unleashed at his will.”
“Who is this man? I like to know names.”
Ruby Black paused for a moment and closed her eyes. She sighed as she said the name in a tone harsher than any tone possible.
“Porky Minch.”
“Porky Minch? What does this stupid Porky guy want with the evil power?”
“He wants to rid the universe of everypony who doesn't like him.”
Berry chuckled. “Well with a name like Porky I'd probably do that, too.”
Berry paused with a puzzled face and quickly looked at Ruby.
“Wait... If he wants the evil power, why is he after you!?” Berry was getting an answer, whether Ruby liked it or not.
“... It's inside me.”
“Inside... you...?”
“The evil power of evil powers is kept within me! I can't run any further! He wants my old self released! I'm a doomed pony!” Ruby was now hooves to the head bawling. After who'd she met in Ponyville, she thought she'd never cry again.
“Well, then. I'ma go tell that ass-clown to go buck himself! He doesn't need that power! A lot of ponies don't like me, either! Yet, I live with it everyday! Nopony lays a hoof on my friend as long as I live!”
Suddenly, Ruby stopped crying and looked over to Berry.
“Friend? You consider me a friend?”
“I know you better than anypony in the world right now and you saved my flank from pig-ponies with laser guns. I had the best time in the world tonight! Finally, I got myself something to live for. Took long enough...”
“So in one night, you've decided me your closest friend and your going to help me rebel against the biggest threat to the universe?”
“Uhhh... Yep. Pretty much covered it.” Berry looked over with the most harmless smile anyone could possibly pull off.
“Oh thank you! Your so much nicer than ponies make you out to be!” Ruby leaped on Berry and gave her a huge, warm hug.
At that moment in time, they knew that Berry Punch and Ruby Black would be the best of friends, and were both in for one heck of a ride.
“You got a place to stay Tonight, Rubes?”
“Nice nickname you gave me, Berr. Twilight Sparkle let me stay in her house, library, tree thing for a while. It's nice and cozy there and her little assistant is fun to talk to.”
“Heh, Spike? He's a character, alright. Well, hey? You wanna hang out tomorrow at the park? I wanna tell ya a couple things about this town you may want to know. Also, talk to Lyra about Earth. She's crazy about those humans that live there.”
“Sure, and will do... Holy crap its 11:35! That's pretty late... Twilight might get mad at me...”
“Well if she kicks ya out I work here till 1:30 AM.”
“Hah! Thanks. Well, I'll see you tomorrow!”
“Bye! Don't get killed by pig ponies on the way back!”
With one final wave, they both turned around and smiled. Unaware that at the same time they thought the same thing.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
It had been 4 months since Porky's last action against Berry and Ruby at the bar. Twilight Sparkle was able to convince Princess Celestia to give Ruby a home in Ponyville, and Berry and Ruby had become closer friends than the mane 6. With some success, Ruby had been tutoring Berry in the ways of PSI.
“PK Thunder alpha!” Berry yelled as a electric shock zapped a flying target.
“Good! Now try freeze. PK Fire alpha.”
A patch a grass in a field they were in was set on fire.
“PK Freeze alpha!”
The fire was instantly cooled.
“Amazing! I'm impressed, Berr! Not many regular ol' ponies can learn PSI. I'm proud of you, girl!”
“Thanks, Rubes. I might start trying Beta soon.” Berry was very confident of her abilities to try Beta.
“Don't get too far ahead of yourself. People don't just learn PK Starstorm Omega in a month. I am just gifted with the power to do all these things. I use it merely to defend myself from Porky and his army.”
“It's time I asked you something, Rubes. I'm not leaving here without an answer.”
They both grew silent for a minute.
“Ruby. What's your old name?”
“My... old name?” Ruby obviously didn't want to answer it.
“Yes. When you weren't in control of that evil power that rests inside you.”
“... Giegue.” Ruby answered slowly.
“Giegue? That was your name?”
“Giegue, yes. But many called me Giygas. I... don't like to remember those times.”
“I know, but I just need to know the real you to feel like you really are this close of a friend to me. I need to know why I'm helping you protect yourself from Porky.”
“This power of Giygas that lies inside me, I cannot control it well if it is released. It does what it thinks is right, what it's been taught. It barely resembles me at all. That is why I must not fall to him. I cannot be in his control.”
“You'll never be in his control. You aren't Giygas anymore. Your Ruby Black, my bestest pal! Porky is hunting for nothing.” Berry was trying to sound encouraging, and it was working.
“Thanks. Your the nicest pony I've ever met, and I'm glad you're sticking with me until the end like this. I'm going to try my hardest to never let anything bad happen to you. Because if something does happen to you, I know it'll be my fault...”
“I never forgive ponies who give up and hurt themselves over it. It's together that we're gonna turn Porky into bacon.”
“Oh will we ever. Whenever this fat bastard decides to strike again, we'll be ready with a PK Fire and a plate!”
“That's the spirit! Now c'mon, miss almighty power, let's go get some lunch.”
They were all ready to go get some delicious food at Sugarcube Corner, until Ruby got a call on her new, spectacular cell phone. A very bad call. She grabbed the phone out of the saddlebags she had been wearing.
“Ruby! It's Pinkie! Some weirdos have us at laser-gun point! They said they want you, or they'll blow up Sugarcube Corner with everypony in it! Just hurry over here! Oh yes, also... they got a giant robot. See ya!... Beep”
“Well doesn't that sound familiar? What was that about a giant robot? Who cares let's just kick their flanks!” Berry was ready for an ultimate showdown.
“That may not be the best option. I think I know what they mean by “giant robot”.”
“It means they have a giant robot. It also means we can scrap it!” Berry was still pumped up.
“Not if it's...” Ruby paused for a moment. “...The Natural Killer Cyborg.”
“The Natural Killer Cyborg? What's so natural about a cyborg?”
“That it's killer.” Ruby said, acting ridiculous.
Berry facehoofed. “So what are we going to do about this 'Natural Killer Cyborg'? If we fight, we might end up destroying the town, but we can't just give up!”
“What option do we have? Sometimes, there are no good options, there are only options. Either way, we are putting lives on the line, and there's no way out of it.”
“Why did it have to be NOW!? Of all times, this stupid guy picks now, the time where we're having the most fun!”
“Because he's smart! He wanted me to get comfortable with this town so this would happen! He's trying to break me. He's Porky Minch, the greatest threat to the universe!”
“SHUT UP!!”
Whack! Berry smacked Ruby with all of the anger she had in her.
“C'mon, you pansy! Stop doubting yourself! That's the road to defeat! He may be the greatest threat to the universe, but we're the greatest threat to him! Do you hear me? Get your stupid flank up and let's go wreck a giant robot!”
“I... but... You're right, Berry. I started to act weak, and I am not weak. Alright! Let's do it! Berry, show your tutor what you have learned!”
“That's the attitude that I wanna see!”
They high-hoofed with determination written all over their face. What were they determined for? To have hot-dogs later that day.
“So, what's the battle plan?” Berry asked.
“Heh. Glad you asked that, Berry. Glad you asked.”
____________________________________________________________________
The door to Sugarcube Corner slowly opened with 3 green pigmasks with laser guns pointing at the door. Behind them was a gigantic pig robot, seemingly turned off. Ruby yelled she surrendered as she walked in and put herself against the wall, hooves up.
“Squeee! We got her! Master P. is such a genius!”
Suddenly Ruby gave a small smirk, and shouted.
“Hey! What's that over there!?” She pointed to the back door to the shop.
“Snort?” The Pigmasks looked to where she had pointed and saw Berry Punch standing on the counter.
“'Sup losers? PK Flash alpha!”
And that's just what happened. A bright flash of light blinded the Pigmasks, Immobilizing them.
“Squee! Can't see! Where's the Natural Killer Cyborg remote!?”
“Now, Ruby!” Berry shouted.
“Right-o! PK Freeze Omega!”
The Pigmasks' bodies were frozen solid, except for their head. Had they won?
“Hah! Thought you could scare us with a giant robot? You idiots couldn't even get it on!” Berry Punch boasted in front of their sweaty masks.
“Porky really needs to make sure he knows who he is hiring for these ingenious ideas.”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind them, next to the robot. While foreign to Berry Punch, it was all too familiar to Ruby, and made her cringe with fear and anger.
“Nwehehehehehehehehe! Think you've won, girlies? Look who's got the remote to this beast of a robot!”
The 2 heroines turned around to see an ugly stallion with a black mustache holding a banana for some reason. The ugly beast took a huge bite of the banana and threw the peel on the ground, next to the robot. In a very harsh voice, Ruby turned around with an angry face and groaned a word at him.
“Yoooouuuuuuuuuu... I HATE you, you know that? You just HAD to be here.”
“This wouldn't be a party without Fassad, now would it? Let's see how you handle me controlling the beautiful creation here, known as the one and only Natural Killer Cyborg! Nwehehehehehe!”
That's One "Nwe!" and Eight "He"s!
“Ruby? Who's this ass-head? He's bugging me already.” Berry had battle in her eyes, ready to take this “Fassad” down.
“Nwehehehe! So feisty! I'm Fassad, Porky's most treasured assistant! Why am I telling you this? Because Mr. Natural Killer Cyborg here and I shall rrrrrip everything you know from your mind! Prepare to be erased!”
Fassad clicked a button on the remote he was holding. The Natural Killer Cyborg's eyes turned on and it made a noise as the top dome of the robot opened. Fassad was lifted into the machine and took control of it.
“Time to play, kiddies!”
The cyborg's long arms became electrified and the mouth opened to reveal a giant laser beam gun.
“Let's hustle for pride! Nwehehehehehehehe!” The arm came hurling toward Ruby and grabbed her, shocking her with deadly voltage. The cyborg threw her against a wall, injuring her.
Dammit! Ah... Grrr... What can I do!? I can't let Ruby down! Ah!... Maybe if I... Berry tried the only thing that came to her mind.
“PK Fire beta!” Berry's attack was barely damaging at all. The cyborg turned to Berry with it's mouth cannon directed toward her. Berry's face went blank. “Well, shit.”
“Nwehehehehehehe! So, Giygas has taught you PSI? Interesting... let's see that PSI take on THE END OF THE CENTURY BEAM!... NWEH!”
An arm wrapped around Berry, shocking her, and lifting her toward the cannon. Ruby lay on the floor, unable to help.
“You were hopeless from the start! Nwe! Say goodnight! Giygas! Watch in horror as your friend you worked so hard to teach is exterminated before your very eyes!”
“No... NOOOO!” Ruby was glowing, her eyes blank white.
“NOT... THIS.... TIME!”
“Silly Giygas! What do you possibly hope to--”
Fassad stopped, looking in awe at the meteors headed toward Sugarcube Corner.
“Oh... my... Pork. What is that?” Fassad couldn't move. He didn't even try to move the cyborg.
With what small energy she had left, Berry said with struggle “That's... *cough* my bestest friend in the whole world, you egghead. That's also your head on a silver platter.”
Pinkie understood the meaning of what was about to happen and took immediate action.
“Quick, everypony! Follow me out the back!”
All of the ponies followed Pinkie Pie out the back door and waited anxiously.
Ruby had lost it, but somehow, Berry sensed she was in control.
“FASSAD! YOU'VE... HURT... FRIENDS... Gah! GYAH!” She twitched in the air as the earth shook. “NOBODY.... HURTS... GIYGAS... FRIENDS! GWAAYAGH!”
The meteors edged close as the earth shook even more.
“Nwe... Heheh... You've may have defeated me, but you have also doomed your friend I hold!”
“No. Silly... Fassad! Giygas... never let... friends.... down! I... shield... friend! She teach Giygas... Gyagh!... to... love! Fassad... go... BYE-BYE... NOW!”
“Unimpossachievable! Nwe! This isn't the end of Fassad Yokuba! I see you in your darkest of times! But for now, I bid you a “nwe”!
The meteors were so close that Berry had blacked out and Fassad had his eyes closed. Ruby had pulled off the PK power she never thought she could pull off; PK Starstorm Omega. The meteors were within 150 yards of Sugarcube Corner. Time had slowed, and it kept slowing more and more down until... Time had completely stopped.
Ruby had pulled off one of the most dangerous, idiotic, and most daredevil move ever...
...and it was spectacular.
“.................................Hey! They're waking up!”
“Oh thank Celestia they're alright!”
“I wouldn't say that just yet...”
“They're alive!”
“Quick! Someone get a doctor!”
Ruby Black and Berry Punch started to come to their senses as ponies surrounded them, jumping for joy that they were alive. No surprise, they were in a field of rubble, and metal chunks.
“Ruby... are we alive?”
“I... I think so...”
They both stood up and looked around, but before long Ruby fell down again in tears.
“Oh my God... what have I done to this town? I've destroyed Sugarcube Corner and anything within 200 yards!”
Anything within 200 yards.
“OH NO-ho-hoooo! Berry! Your bar!”
The bar was non-existent. Not even planks of wood were found. Berry stood staring in it's direction, emotionless. Not even anger was upon her.
“What have I done? Curse this monster inside me! Why must I be tormented by this power of evil? DAMMIT!”
Ruby kicked some pieces of brick into the air and collapsed again.
“I'm nothing but a nuisance to this town...”
The ponies surrounding her now know the truth. They felt bad for her and wanted her to be comforted, but were too shocked and nervous to try.
“... It ain't your fault.” Berry said, still with little emotion, and still facing her once-was-a-bar.
“What? Yes it is! I'm amazed somepony like you can even stand to talk to me after what I did. You should be angry at me.” Ruby was speaking with her her head in her hooves on the ground.
“It ain't your fault, Ruby... and also, I am mad. I'm blazing mad. I've never been madder... at Porky.” She finally turned around when saying that, but kept the same straight face.
“But... but I ruined your only money making business and nearly got you killed!”
“If Porky Bitch wasn't after you, this never woulda happened. You would have never “snapped”. These buildings wouldn't be rubble! He's the one that caused you to do this! He's the cause, and he's gonna get his flank handled to him if it's the last thing I do!”
Berry Punch turned to the crowd of ponies, still nervously shaking. She spied Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity in the crowd.
“Don't you see, Ponyville? She isn't the threat! The Pig-ponies are! That's what they want her to do! They want her to release her power so they can abuse it! It's their leader, Porky! He's the one we should be fighting right now!”
Silence was among the crowd. Nobody wanted to talk, but someone had to speak up.
“...I agree.”
Everypony turned toward the middle, and looked at Rarity.
“I didn't believe her stories of Earth and humans at first, but now... I believe her. She's never had a friend, and bad people were teaching her the wrong things. She was helpless, and now it's time to help. I join them in this war against this “Porky” character!”
Ruby looked up, tears still dripping down her face, sniffling and crying.
“I, too join. We've defeated Nightmare Moon, Discord, and the queen of the changelings! We can beat Porky and his minions if we team up.”
Twilight Sparkle joined their side.
“Me, too! Sugarcube Corner blew up, so what? I can rebuild it! What I can't rebuild is the world of Pork-Fork takes over! I join the war too! It will be a fun, exciting adventure!”
Pinkie Pie hopped over to their side, as well. That sparked the outbreak.
“I join!”
“Count me in, too!”
“Death to Porky!”
“Let's win this war!”
“Did somepony say humans?”
Every pony in the crowd looked at Lyra Heartstrings, who had a smile big enough to fit across 2 faces.
“Yes, Lyra, we did. Would you like to help someone from Earth save the world?” Berry was encouraging Lyra.
“Oh, HELL yeah! Let's do this thing!”
“Then it's settled! Let the war between Equestria and Porky Minch BEGIN!” Berry put her hoof in the air as the crowd wailed and put their hooves in the air as well.
“Derpy Hooves! Yes, you, Derpy! Your the mailmare, right? Well I got a message you need to deliver to the princess. Tell her everything that went on here. You can't screw this up, Derpy!”
“I'm on it!”
Derpy flew off toward Canterlot.
Ruby was on the ground, still crying. However, she was smiling with joy this time.
“Alright! Get up, Ruby!”
Berry took her hoof and helped Ruby up with an epic smile.
“We got some work to do.”
Everypony was working their manes off to repair the damage PK Starstorm Omega had caused. All the ponies kept weapons inside their house in case the Pigmasks cared to strike again. Derpy had delivered the message to the Princess successfully, and just so you know, it doesn't matter how socially awkward one is when they are needed to deliver the message about the fate of the world to their leader. Celestia had sent her best guards from Canterlot to help defend Ponyville.
However, it wasn't just the damage they were re-doing, they were making Ponyviller bigger, larger, and fancier. The buildings were being buffed up completely, adding at least a couple stories to almost every building, even Bon Bon's candy shop. This wasn't Ponyville anymore, they were making a city. A city with a new name, and Ruby Black and Berry Punch were the ones to cut the ribbon to finish it. What was the new name of the city? It couldn't be easier for Ruby to name. Maneside City.
However, things were not all fine and dandy. There was two things they forgot to protect; Fluttershy's Animal Daycare, which the young pegasus Fluttershy lived in with happiness, and the Everfree Forest, which Fluttershy lived next to. Here Ponyville feels safe, but it takes one thing to set the town off. In this case, it was a fire.
Fluttershy was running as fast she can through the streets of the soon-to-be Maneside screaming.
“HELP! HELP! FIRE! THERE'S A F-F-FIRE! My animals have been kidnapped and there's a FIRE!”
As she was running through the streets, she tripped and fell, with ponies rushing to her, concerned of her safety.
“p-p-please help. My animals... are in the Everfree Forest, kidnapped... and the Forest is burning!”
Everypony started to run to the forest to help the animals and put out the fire. Suddenly, out from a house, Ruby had overheard the commotion outside and rushed toward the crying pegasus as soon as she saw her.
“What's wrong, Fluttershy?” She said with a heart beating the speed of light.
“M-m-my animals... kidnapped... taken to Everfree Forest, burning...”
“Oh sh--” Ruby looked at the crying pony who looked up at her with huge, sad eyes. “I mean... Oh pony feathers. Don't worry, Flut. It'll be alright. I'm heading off to the forest, you don't have to come.”
“....I'm coming with you. I can't just leave my animals behind!”
Fluttershy had become Flutterbrave. She got up with a serious look on her face and nodded at the same time as Ruby and headed off for the forest.
____________________________________________________________________
Fluttershy and Ruby were frantically searching for any bunnies, squirrels or any small animal with Fluttershy's ribbon on it. Ruby could barely keep up with Fluttershy anymore. There were no animals to be found.
“Oh, no! This is horrible *cough*. ANGEL!? ANYPONY? WHERE ARE YOU!?”
Fluttershy, in the corner of her eye, caught a glance of a rabbit that hopped into the bushes.
“Bunny? Wait, don't leave!” She chased after it as fast as she could, leaving Ruby behind.
“Fluttershy, WAIT!” she had ran so fast, she tripped on her own leg.
“Ouch!” she said as she fell on her face, closing her eyes... until she heard a shriek.
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!” came from in front of her.
“Hold on, Fluttershy! I'm coming!”
Fluttershy stood motionless, eyes huge, and her mouth gaping open.
“What are you stari--”
There he stood. A Pigmask, with a flamethrower. The fire was not natural.
Ruby's face had gone to the angriest it had ever been, piercing through the mask, looking directly at his face. He was scared crap-less.
“Oh, son of a bitch. Hell. NO! PK THUNDER OMEGA!”
The Pigmask's body was shocked the biggest electric bolt in existence, and his body was instantly reduced to ash. Ruby was already kicking the ashes, unaware of what was going on behind her.
“Berry! HELP! MMPH!”
Ruby turned around only to see the thing she wished she never saw. An escape helicopter above a Pigmask General pointing a laser gun to Fluttershy's head. She had been blindfolded and her mouth had been sealed.
“You ignorant bastard! LET HER GO!”
“Squee! I don't think so!”
The Pigmask pulled out a grappling from his belt, and fired it up at the helicopter. He was pulled up by the ones in the copter.
“SQUEE! Make a move and the pretty one dies! See you later, Miss Ultimate Power!”
“No! DAMMIT! FLUTTERSHYYYY!” She reached out toward her with a hoof as Fluttershy tried to call her name.
“Woobfee!” Fluttershy called. It was the last thing Ruby heard before the door closed and the helicopter flew away, with the Pigmask's theme playing.
Fluttershy was gone.
Since Fluttershy had gotten abducted, the city had been a tad more quiet, especially the mane 6. However, that didn't stop them from building the city. They would build it in the honor of Fluttershy. That meant they were going to work the hardest they had ever done. Through the weeks and months, no work was let up, and nopony complained. They worked until at every corner, there was a building ridiculously big standing before them. The opening ceremony of Maneside was taken place in front of the new and improved Punch Cavern.
At the ceremony, Ruby Black stood on a podium, announcing the opening of Maneside City.
“As we all know, a main contributor of the building of this city was abducted by Porky's army not but a week or two ago. That pony was Fluttershy, a pony so innocent she couldn't cause harm if she tried. Who knows what they've done to her? I shudder to think about it, and here we are, opening this city to the world. We've persevered through the toughest of times to achieve our goal, and we've finally done it. Let us use this spirit that we have to persevere through this war! We will find Fluttershy, and put an end to Porky and his minions once and for all!”
The crowd of ponies cheered and raised their hooves in the air with spirit and attitude.
“Then let it be so! Let the city of Maneside be OPEN!”
The crowd cheered and started clapping, but the clap rather sounded like a clop. Ruby smiled and stepped down to greet her friend.
“You're quite the public speaker, Rubes.” Berry said as she nudged Ruby.
“Heh, thanks, Berr. Nothing left to do now but win a war. That pork-copter that abducted poor Fluttershy... it headed north. I've informed our Princess of this and she has already sent her best spies north to see if anything resides there.”
“Hopefully so, 'cause I wanna kick their flanks!” Berry said enthusiastically, punching the air with her hooves.
“Yeah, me too, Berr, me too.” Ruby said while looking up at the building. She saw Fluttershy in her thoughts.
Please be okay, Fluttershy.
“... Oh hey, Rubes”
Ruby's thoughts were popped as she heard Berry call her name.
“Wha? Oh, yes, Berr?”
“Sorry to break your thoughts, but because you are the designer of most of this town, does this mean you're gonna be the mayor?”
Ruby was shocked, she didn't think of that.
“Oh, uhhh... I honestly don't know. Never crossed my mind.” Ruby began thinking of her being a mayor of a huge city. What an adventure that would be.
“Well, I think you should! You're very protective, loyal and trustworthy! I'd think you'd make a great mayor! I'ma tell the people that we need a mayor, and that destined pony is you!”
“Well, Berry, wait a minute...”
Too late, Berry was already up on the podium, and everypony grew silent and stared at her. Berry grabbed the microphone confidently.
“Y'know, it crossed ol' Berry's mind here that we forgot to cover something. Can anypony guess what that is?”
All the ponies looked at each others, unable to figure it out.
“A mayor! We need somepony to run a huge city!”
The ponies' eyes opened wide, as a bunch of “oh yeah”s and “forgot about that”s were heard through the crowd.
“Ain't it obvious who we need for our mayor? Nopony else can do it but the designer herself, Ruby Black!”
Now a lot of “yeah”s and “Go Ruby!”s were in the crowd as cheering got louder gradually.
“Ruby's gonna make this city the real deal. She hasn't had a job since she entered Ponyville, and she had the potential to order the making of a city bigger than Manehatten. She's also our key for winning this war. A pony with as much knowledge as her is more than qualified for mayor!”
Now it was decided, Ruby wouldn't just be the lead planner for the war, she would be the mayor of Maneside City. Now it was time for the ceremony to be over. Ruby and Berry headed straight for the place that made them the most happy, Punch Cavern.
______________________________________________________________________
“You really changed this place up, Rubes. I gotta hand it to ya.” Berry Said as she took a sip of blueberry punch.
“Hey, thanks, Berr. Ever since PK Starstorm Omega, everything's been going wacko for the better, excluding the kidnapping of Fluttershy.”
“Don't blame yourself for anything bad that has happened. It's all Porky. Honestly, I've had nightmares about him. I even saw him once I think. It's like he controls my dreams.” Berry shivered.
“Saw him? What did he look like?” This peaked Ruby's curiousity.
“He... was in a spider like robot with scythes. I couldn't see his eyes, his ugly, long mane covered them. He looked quite chubby, as well.” Berry was trying to remember the faint memory as well as she could.
“How old did he look?”
“Old. Very, very old. Like, 80 years old. Old fart.” Berry's eyes squinted as she took another sip of punch.
“That's because he's... immortal.”
Berry put her punch down and looked at Ruby with an agitated face.
“...You're shitting me. How are we suppose to kill somepony who CAN'T DIE?” Berry slammed her punch on the table.
“We imprison him. We imprison him to a place where he can't get out.”
“And where might that be?”
“The Lost Underworld, where he tried to control me. I can banish him there if I use all of my strength.”
“If it means risking losing you in the process, I'm not letting you do it.”
“I shouldn't be lost, PK Starstorm Omega is my true power, and banishing a fat man to a realm really shouldn't take much more than that.”
“Well, alright, if you say so. I'm getting really worried 'bout Flutty. I hope she's alright...” Berry looked down with a stressed face. Ruby reached over to give her a comforting hug.
“It'll be alright, we'll find Flutty.”
“That's what I'm concerned about. We will find her... I'm just worried we'll find her as a lifeless body...”
“To be honest, I can't make any promises there, but one way or another, we'll find her.”
“What an innocent pony. Porky really is a dick.”
Ruby finally let go of the hug, but kept a hoof on Berry's shoulder.
“Kill him or not, we're gonna beat his ass. I assure you that.” Ruby had a big smile on her face. A smile of reassurance.
“Thanks, Rubes. Hey... uhh... do you mind if you... stay with me tonight?” Berry was very shy saying that, as if the words hurt coming out.
“Huh? Why do you ask? Your voice, it isn't like you to ask a question like that.”
Berry slowly whimpered her answer. “...I'm scared... of Porky...”
“We all are, and that's why this war is being fought.”
Ruby would have responded with a yes naturally. However, this wasn't like Berry, and Ruby suddenly thought she didn't know her friend as much as she thought she did.
“I... I don't wanna be alone knowing that I could become Fluttershy... I... I need somepony with me, to remind me I'm safe. I'm not as confident as you may think I am...”
“Berr, why would you act so confident then? Why didn't you tell me long ago you needed somepony?”
“I only wanted you to think that I was strong enough to protect myself, so you didn't have to waste your time to make sure I'm okay... I'm sorry... I only wanted to impress you...” Berry looked down, ashamed of herself. Ruby took one hoof and lifted her face back up.
“But you have impressed me! You've learned up to PK Beta casts! No normal pony can do that.”
“No, I mean a pony that can stand up for herself. That's all I wanted anypony to think of me as.”
“Berry Punch, you've been the most amazing friend anypony could ask for, and for that, I am in your debt. Who cares if you're shy? Be yourself. That's more brave than a lot of ponies are. Being brave is not about protecting yourself, it's about being yourself. Get a hold of yourself and let's head back to your place for the night. I'll be there if anything happens.”
“I... uhh... thanks. Thanks a lot, Ruby.” Berry grew a huge, happy smile and hugged Ruby. Berry had called her “Ruby”. It was never Ruby. It was either Rubes or Rube or something like that. This was the real her.
“Anything for you, Berr, anything for you.” Ruby gladly accepted the hug and smiled. A tear ran down Berry's cheek. A tear composed of absolute joy.
Later that night, back at Berry's cozy little home, around 2:30 AM, the two ponies were ready to head off to bed, but they were too tired to even leave the couch they were sitting on. So Berry reached over and grabbed some covers that were hanging over the couch and a pillow that was on the couch for comfort, and the two ponies leaned against each other, cuddling.
“Y'know, Rubes, it's been the adventure of a life-time with you. I'm so happy that I met you, even if Porky wins, I'd die happy knowing I met you.”
The 2 ponies weren't even looking at each other, they were looking out the window, at the beautiful night sky, smiling.
“I could say the same about you. You made my life a masterpiece, and it's not even over. There will be sad moments and heartbreaking scenes ahead of us, I can tell. For me, though, all that matters is that I had the best adventure anypony could dream of with the friendliest pony I've ever met.”
“Win or lose, this is one adventure that will go in the books, with our names in them. I look forward to reading those books and reliving this amazing adventure.”
“It isn't over yet, Berr. Not by a long shot. Yaaaawn. I'm sticking... with you... to the... very... end.”
Ruby slowly closed her eyes.
“No, it ain't ruby. It ain't over 'til the... fat pony's... banished.”
With that, the two ponies had fallen asleep on each other, wrapped in each others' arms, blankets covering them, waiting for the beautiful sunshine to wake them up in the morning. There was no greater bond in the universe at that moment than the two ponies, cuddling up together in a house, in the middle of a huge city. There were no couples that shared the same bond. There were no other living beings with the same feelings. The two ponies, fighting an evil man set on world destruction, and hunting a lost girl, were the happiest they could ever be. The friendship of these two couldn't be matched. Their friendship was indeed Magic.
Tomorrow would be the turning point of the war, Ruby and Berry knew it. Their knowledge of that point spread across town. The city ponies knew it, somehow, and prepared for tomorrow. It was time to win a war, and everypony was more confident than ever, especially Berry and Ruby. With the power of trust, anything is possible, and it's one thing Porky and his minions lacked. The bond between them was not strong enough. Either way, Porky was to lose the war, and the evil being knew it, it was just a matter of how much he could make them suffer. He probably felt like a mischievous, successfully evil man by kidnapping Fluttershy, but that ended up making Maneside stronger than anything in the world. Ruby's side of the war was unbeatable. All she had to fulfill now was her inevitable victory, which meant finding Fluttershy.
The rays of the morning sun slowly awoke Ruby and Berry, who were snuggled up tight on the couch. Their eyes both opened at the same time, and both ended up facing each other.
“Good morning, Berr! How was your sleep last night?” Ruby asked with a very positive attitude. It was so positive it was almost annoying.
“...Warm.” Berry replied, still waking up.
Ruby giggled. “Have any bad dreams about Porky?”
“No, but I dreamed that you and I kicked his flank. You just bring good luck to me when you're around I guess.”
All of a sudden, Ruby's cell phone went off on the table left of the couch.
“Twilight Sparkle. She always has something important to say. Beep. Hello?”
“Ah, Ruby, was hoping you'd be awake!”
“What's up?”
“The spies have returned from searching. They've found something! Come over to the library, quickly! The spies' special forces leader, Rainbow Dash, would like to tell you and Berry about it. Click.”
“Oh, boy! This sounds good! I can't wait to hear what she has to say!” Berry was jumping up and down.
“Me neither! C'mon, let's not waste any time! Off to Twilight's tree, house, library thingy!”
Out the door they went, running to Twilight's house.
__________________________________________________________________
Knock knock. The door opened as the 2 mares rushed in, greeted by a pegasus with a rainbow mane and a serious face.
“Hello, Ruby. Hello, Berry.” the pegasus said.
“Hi Rainbow!” Berry said excitedly.
“You're Rainbow Dash? Glad to meet you! I heard from Twilight your forces found something worth mentioning?”
“Wonderful to meet you in person, mayor, and yes. We have found something, rather north-west to the forest entry, about a mile. Discovery credit goes to private Cloudchaser. Activity of Pigmasks was certain. They appeared to have been making a base within a cave. We would have investigated further, until a masked mare showed up.”
“A masked... mare?” Ruby looked at Rainbow funny.
“Yes. She wore a gray helmet, worn low enough that the face was unrecognizable. She also wore a jacket, undershirt and orange pants to cover the body. She has been reported by scouts to be wielding a golden sword.”
“The tail, could you recognize the tail?”
“Not necessarily, it was very smooth and pitch black, obviously dyed.”
“Interesting. Anything else?
“About the mare? No. However, we did find a patch of pink hair that was revealed by DNA scanners to be our missing Fluttershy's.”
“Flutty might be there!” Berry shouted with nervousness. “We have to go-”
“I wouldn't do that, Berry.” Rainbow Dash had stopped her. “If that Masked Mare shows up, that could mean the end of you. We had to retreat out of the location several times because the Masked Mare saw us through the bushes, and shot lightning at us once through that crazy sword.”
“We can't just leave Fluttershy there!”
“It has not been confirmed Fluttershy is being held there! For all we know, she could be on the other side of Equestria! Don't get ahead of yourself, Berry.”
“Then what kind of approach do you think we should do, then!?”
Rainbow Dash looked up. “The only one those Pigmasks are stupid enough to fall for.”
___________________________________________________________________
Berry and Ruby sneaked up behind two Pigmask guards guarding the entrance to the cave, which was told by Rainbow Dash to be their base. The guards started to talk to each other.
“Dude, like, why couldn't our costumes be, like, lions or something?” The right one said.
“I dunno, dude. Maybe our leader's name being “Porky” has something to do with it.” The left one responded.
“Speaking of our leader, dude, like, I'm not trying to question his power or anything, but, like, why'd he pick a native of these lands to be our commander? I mean, she has pink hair, and her name is FLUTTERSHY. “Commander Fluttershy” just doesn't go.”
Commander Fluttershy.
Ruby and Berry heard all of it. Both on the edge of crying, but they needed answers, and fast. They jumped out of the bushes and PK Freeze'd their bodies frozen, except for the head. Ruby roared in the right one's face.
“Before I melt you, spill it. Why is your commander Fluttershy!?”
“Uhh... Uhh... I mean... Squee! One o-o-of our groups abd-d-ducted her and M-M-Master P. brainwashed her in there! Please! I didn't do anything with her!” The Pigmask was sweating a storm.
“And just how do you break this brainwashing? SPEAK!”
“There is no cure! The brainwashed ones serve Porky and his goals until they die, no matter what! They're robots! Please don't take it out on me! I'm sorry that's not what you wanted to hear!”
“You ain't dying, but I need your suit.”
“Wha--?”
WHAP!
The Pigmask was knocked unconscious. Berry hit the left one soon after, and then they both stripped them of their suits.
Berry looked at the suit with disgust and said from the bottom of her heart “This is gonna be wrong. This is gonna be so, so, SO wrong.”
Ruby looked at her friend. “I couldn't agree more.”
“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.
The Masked Mare's mask was removed. Her eyes were big and bulgy. Her mane was long and pink. It was Fluttershy. For a moment, Fluttershy gazed at Ruby.
Fluttershy shot an intense bolt of lightning at her own chest and fell to the ground, nearly dead.
“NO!” Ruby rushed toward her. She picked Fluttershy up in her arms. “Fluttershy, why?”
“Ruby, Fluttershy is gone... dead... this body has no more need to function.” Fluttershy said, smiling, eyes barely open.
“No, you're in my arms! You are Fluttershy! Why would you let this happen?” Ruby was shaking her.
“This body has done too much evil. I'm going to go to the place where spirits go now. I'm sorry it turned out like this. Don't blame yourself. It was destined. Thank you... for being a... friend.”
Fluttershy gave her final breath.
Ruby buried her head into Fluttershy's chest.
“Why? Just... why?” Ruby sobbed.
Berry limped over to Ruby and hugged her. “She will never be forgotten. She will go down as a hero, I'll make sure of it. Poor Fluttershy, she never deserved it.”
“No, she didn't. This girl died, because of a dumb, greedy BASTARD!”
The dreaded old-pony voice came back on the loudspeakers.
“OHOHOHO! AHAHAHAHA! OH, it's TOO funny! I love it when I'm right! Wheeze. Stupid heroes! Now you see what justice causes? It's so funny I'm crying! AHAHAHAHAHAHA – cough cough... wheeze. Oh, that's rich. Well, I don't feel like letting you live today. I'm just going to make this whole base explode with this button. You'll never get out so roughed up! See you in hell, Giygas! AHA!”
An alarm went off throughout the base as it started shaking.
“Berry, I said I'd stick with you until the end.” Ruby said.
“You did say that. Is this the end, then?” Berry asked, with big eyes.
“Hell no it's not. Porky forgot about one thing. Give me your hoof.”
Berry grabbed her hoof as Ruby grabbed the hoof of the lifeless Fluttershy next to her.
“...PK.... Teleport... Beta!”.
Just in time. The base was blown to smithereens. Berry and Ruby had been teleported outside the base, near town.
“Ruby, you saved my life... again! I didn't know you could do that!”
“It makes my head hurt. I try not to use it often.”
Berry looked at Fluttershy's body. “So... how should we tell them?”
“The way movies do; carry her into town slowly. It brings out the emotion in people.”
“Then let's go.”
_________________________________________________________________
Back in Maneside, a crowd of ponies awaited the return of Ruby and Berry. One of them spotted the two mares on the horizon.
“Hey, look everypony! They're back!”
The crowd was going wild. Many cheers and hoorays for the two ponies, until one saw it and screamed. Fluttershy's lifeless body was on Ruby's back. When the crowd realized what the mare was screaming at, they all gasped. Their faces had froze with sadness, they couldn't speak. Some started crying. Some just looked in horror, and the others just fell silent. Ruby was full of cuts and wounds, while Berry's leg and chest bone were broke.
Ruby knocked Fluttershy's body onto the ground. It landed with a sound that felt like an earthquake. Ruby pointed to the body and looked at the crowd.
“What do you see here, ponies I say WHAT do you see? Wanna know what I see? I see a hero. Porky had brainwashed her into doing his bidding, and she broke free. She broke free a tad too late. Her name shall echo upon the greatest of heroes. Do you now see the potential of Porky Minch? Do you SEE what he can do? Do you SEE what he is trying to do!? He's playing with out minds! I heard Fluttershy's last words. That moment is when I decided it's time to find him. Let's do it! Tomorrow, we go on a Porky hunt!”
With anger in their voices, the crowd cheered, followed by chanting: Death to Por-ky! Death to Por-ky! Death to Por-ky!
“Ready yourselves, Maneside! Tomorrow, we fight! We fight and we CONQUER!”
The crowd outside on the Maneside streets was huge. Porky had nowhere to run, now. The fat man was in a small, new base next to the old one. The Pigmasks that survived the explosion at the old base were there with him, which meant about half of what it once was. Berry had met up with Ruby at Punch Cavern.
“Are you ready for today, Rubes? Are you READY... to banish a fat man to the Underworld?” Berry was super-mega pumped up for the occasion.
“I guess. Kinda nervous. It's like a first date nervous feeling, except my date is an epic battle. I'm expecting for there to be an all out war at the base. I'm more than prepared for that. Fifteen minutes away, and we march with our weapons to battle. Never would have thought it would have come to this.”
“Awww, Rubes! Get pumped! Attitude! You've been waiting forever to kick his ass, and now's the time! I'll be by your side, fighting with you to the very end! I've been practicing my PSI shield, counter, and life-up. I got Beta down and I'm up to Gamma with Freeze, Fire, and Thunder. I'm ready to kick some flank.”
“...You're right. I'm ready for him! I'm ready to kick some Porky ass!” Ruby said confidently.
“Hell yeah! Now let's get out there and send our people to VICTORY!” Berry shouted.
“Wait!” Ruby shouted.
“What?”
“Wanna have one last drink in case we don't return? I'll chug it with you!” Ruby smiled.
“...I love you sometimes, ya know that? Best friends forever, you and me. 2 Blueberry Punches for the battle of a century, Big Mac!” Ruby called.
“Eeyup!” Big Macintosh replied, sending 2 drinks coming their way. The 2 mares picked up the drinks and toasted.
“To a battle that will fill the Equestrian history books.”
“Amen to that.”
Clink!
Ruby was up on the podium she gave her Maneside speech on, to give a short, energizing battle speech.
“MANESIDE! It is time we put the heathen Porky Minch to rest! Him and his stupid Pigmask army don't belong here! It's time we settled this! Celestia has sent her best fighters and top guardsponies to help us, but we all know our real power is our bond! We have the trust among ourselves in which Porky and his minions do not possess! It's time we showed Porky our power! It's time to show Porky our potential! It's time to show Porky our friendship power! IT'S TIME TO MAKE SOME STAR-DAMNED BACON!”
A big “YEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!” came from the crowd. They rose their knives, swords and even some guns.
“Let's rock and roll! Off to Porky's base!”
It was a stampede, a roaring stampede, and at the front of the pack was Ruby Black, Berry Punch, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, who was wielding a chainsaw.
They ran through the forest, trampling all bushes, plants, and even animals that stood in their way. An unstoppable force. Ruby signaled a halt of the stampede before a big building. The building was silver, and had a big dome over one section of it.
“Brace yourselves, ponies! This could be the last time you go home to see your families. However, let us see to it that the Pigmasks don't go home at all!”
The crowd cheered with energy once more.
“Surround the entrances. They are almost all probably waiting inside for us to strike!”
The ponies scrambled around the building, until they made a nice circle around the building. Ruby yelled at the top of her lungs at the building.
“PORKY MINCH!” She started “YOUR EVIL ACTS SHALL BE DONE IN TODAY! NOPONY SHALL LIVE THROUGH YOUR MAD SCHEME ANY LONGER! MANESIDE! CHAAAARGE!”
They rushed to the building. They all headed in toward the entrances, with the exception of some, and Pinkie Pie, breaking the window to get in. Ponies rushed past Ruby and Berry to the entrance.
“GO! GO! SHOW THEM WHO IS GOING TO BE THE VICTOR OF THIS GAME.” Ruby yelled.
Berry looked at her. “Girl, you need a better battle shout. KICK THEIR F*CKING ASSES! HIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAA! WOOOO!”
Berry took out her sword and grabbed Ruby. She ran into the entrance and to no surprise, Porky's army had been waiting. There were cries, shrieks, squeals, and gunshots. But oddly enough, as the edged toward the middle part with the dome, a saxophone was added to those sounds.
“HEY, BERRY!” The only way to get her attention was to shout as loud as she could. “DO YOU HEAR SAXOPHONE, OR AM I CRAZY?”
“I HEAR IT TOO! YOU AREN'T CRAZY!”
As they edged toward the middle, the saxophone got louder and louder until they heard something they never wanted to hear in their life again.
“NWEHEHEHEHE! MY PRETTIES! I AM BACK!”
Fassad came flying down off jet-packs. He was half robot with horns coming out of his mouth. As he spoke, tenor saxophone notes came out as well. Fassad was blocking the entrance to the dome like room.
“Nwehehehehehehehehe! That's one “Nwe” and eight “he”s! I said I wasn't through with you back in your adorable little town!” Fassad took out a banana, and ate it!
“Why did you have to show up! Go Ruby! Go! I can take care of this testicle-less stallion!” Berry shouted at Ruby.
“But, Berry--” Ruby was cut off.
“I SAID GO! Porky must be defeated! KICK HIS ASS, RUBY, OR I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!”
That message got through to Ruby like a bullet. Ruby nodded and ran. She jumped through the silver door. It was a throne room. Gold statues everywhere. And in the middle, was the throne. In front of the throne was an old stallion. An old, old, old, old stallion in a robot shaped like a spider.
“Porky...”
“Cough Cough. Ahh, Giygas. It's been a while since we've met in person, yes? Come closer, let me see your face up close. It's okay, really. I'd just like to know what my little tool looks like. The ultimate evil. Ahahaha. No tricks, I... Cough... promise.”
Ruby inched near him, very nervous of his next move. The robot was overwhelming in appearance and size. Had he built it himself?
“You have quite the... Cough... cute face for a pony, Giygas. I must say, you've been lucky to be graced with beauty. It's a pity that when my plan is to take action, that beauty disappears.” Porky smiled with the most ugliest old man smile one could make.
“Ruby.”
“Ehh, what now? Ruby? I don't grasp the--”
“Ruby Black. My name. Ruby. Black. Giygas is not my name. It's a memory, fiend.” Ruby snooted at the beast.
“You attempted to start a new life? Cough. How amusing. You just don't get it do you?” Porky shook his head... slowly.
“What? What do you mean?”
“You're Giygas. That never changes. You'll always be the power of ultimate evil. Nothing more than an almighty IDIOT! Cough Cough. Wheeze.”
“...Then I'm an almighty idiot with friends, something you'll never have.”
“Feisty, Giygas, feisty.” Porky smiled and chuckled.
“After you're gone, nopony will ever call me Giygas again.”
Porky sighed and turned his machine to the right.
“Listen to you, using their native language, like you were born one. A sign of weakness, hiding your true self. It's the road to defeat.”
“You grasp that concept wrong, Porky.” Ruby was correcting him.
“And just what is that concept, Miss Know-It-All! Do share!” Porky began to sound frustrated as he edged toward Ruby. Ruby bravely stood still and confident.
“Being yourself isn't being like others. Being your true self is unleashing the real you to the world. Your real personality, your real goals! You aren't showing your true self, Porky. Your trying to be like others.”
“BAH! Cough. Ehem. Idiot! I'm trying to rid those people of this putrid universe! The ones who can't accept me!”
“They don't accept you because your a shadow of your true self! All you need is to find someone that will be your friend.” Ruby stated, proudly.
“There isn't anyone in the universe for me! They were all so mean! I try to tell them my interests and they never listen! Friends are worthless!! So mean! Well, now. How does it feel to be picked on? HOW DOES IT—Cough! Hack! Gag! Wheeze, Wheeze, Gasp! Gasp!”
“It feels horrible, and with that, you have done evil that is unmatched. There's no way around it, Porky! You lose this war!” Ruby shouted.
“Maybe I will, maybe I will not. We'll just see about that! Pork Walker! Annihilate her!” Porky ordered.
The robot's eyes grew red as it shifted toward Ruby, and opened it's mouth.
All too familiar. Ruby thought.
“PSI Counter Omega! PSI Shield Omega!”
Just as she thought. A laser came out of the mouth, much like the Natural Killer Cyborg. Ruby's PSI Shield minimized the damage and the Counter sent it back. It was a direct hit. The Pork Walker did a flip in the air and landed on it's feet and backed up.
“How interesting... Cough.” Porky said. “Try this on for size!”
What did Porky do!? Ruby was suddenly dizzy by some hypnotic ray that hit her from a camera type device that ejected from the Pork Walker's left side. Ruby couldn't tell which way was which. The Pork Walker rammed into her, sending her into a wall. Porky taunted Ruby.
“Don't you see, Ruby? I was destined to win this fight. I am the master! I'm MASTER PORKY! DESTROYER OF ALL THI-- Cough, Cough, Cough. Wheeeeeeze.”
Ruby got right back up. That wasn't anywhere near enough to stop her.
“That is debatable, Porky! PK Rockin' Gamma!”
Suddenly, a blast hit Porky. Not known what kind of blast, just... a blast. It sent the Pork Walker's back to a wall.
“Impressive! How about this?”
Porky did something! Rockets came streaming out of the Pork Walker.
Ruby gasped. “Ah! PSI Counter Gamma!”
She held up the barrier to reflect the rockets, blocking most of them, one came up from behind and surprised her, breaking her counter barrier and sending her flying into the Pork Walker, only to be combo-d by it's claw and hit against a wall. The slash immobilized Ruby.
“Ahaha! Ruby, you wanted me to call you? Ruby, dear... Look at you, and look at me. Sadly, you aren't me, but inside, you wish you were. You wish you were winning. You say it's a matter of good versus evil... but who is truly the evil side? It could be either of us. Look at you, your side is cut, and you're bleeding. You look helpless. If the good side always wins, then allow me to show you who is really the evil one! Ahaha. AHAHAHACOUGHcough, cough. Gasp, wheeze.”
The Pork Walker raised it's scythe like claw.
“Let me show you who the good guy really is, Ruby, and watch as all your efforts for a new life fade away!”
Ruby closed her eyes. Is this the end?
A voice came from the right.
“Aww, hell no! It ain't the end 'till the fat man is banished! PK Freeze Gamma!”
Ruby opened her eyes, the Pork Walker's scythe had frozen.
Porky got angry.
“What? How...? Who...?” Porky got nervous.
Ruby looked over to see Berry Punch standing in the door way.
“PSI Life-up Gamma!”
Most of Ruby's wounds were completely healed, and Ruby got up and ran to Berry to stand by her.
Porky was angry as a wild boar.
“Who are you to use PSI? You're nothing but an average native dweller!” Porky yelled at Berry.
Berry responded with a chuckle.
“Heh. Maybe I am, but I'm lucky to have a friend that sacrificed her time to teach me the ways that just ended up saving her life.”
“Gah! Friends! They're all worthless! Cough! Friendship! What a ridiculous idea!”
“A ridiculous idea that's about to kick your ASS! C'mon guys!”
The room was swarmed with ponies almost instantly. Porky was backed up against a wall.
“W-w-what!? Who are all of you cretins?”
Pinkie Pie riled up her chainsaw.
“We're her friends! We stand with her to the end!”
“What is this? You cannot possibly know all of these creatures! Giygas! This is impossible!” Porky was scared out of his mind.
Ruby spoke up.
“You've been an ass, Porky. You've caused trauma on our city, and scarred many children with your acts! Do you know what happens to jerks?”
“I'm afraid to ask.”
“WE BEAT THEM UP! GET HIM! TEAR HIS MACHINE APART, but leave the body to me! GO!”
The crowd roared as the ran to Porky.
“N-n-no! Stay back, cretins! I am the ultimate ruler! I have a destiny! I'M PORKY MIN-- Cough cough cough.”
The crowd was on him. The Pork Walker was getting bucked to shreds. The camera shattered, the missile launcher jammed. He couldn't even move.
“Alright! It's time! He's beat! GET BACK EVERYPONY!” Ruby shouted.
“W-w-what are you doing, Giygas!?” Porky was unable to move anything.
“Showing you the power of friendship by SENDING YOU TO THE LOST UNDERWORLD!”
“You fool! I know my way around and out of there!”
“Well then I'm sure your amazing machine that can fix itself can get you out of there! It's no problem! But enough fooling around! It's time for you to GO, and never return!”
Porky was sweating.
“Hngh... T—this is IMPOSSIBLE!”
Ruby started to glow red and float as her mane flew up, as if she'd been struck by lightning. With a roar, a red, unknown gas filled the room. The red gas made a face of sorts that was rather stretched. Ruby looked down at Porky, who was weeping in terror of seeing the creature Giygas once again. Ruby spoke from her heart and soul completely in another voice
“GIYGAS... NO... LET... PIG-FACE....HURT...FRIENDS! YOU GO.... BYE BYE... NOW... NOOOOW! GYAAAAAAAAAH!”
Porky was surrounded by the red substance. It started to wrap around him.
“Gyah! You haven't heard the last of Porky! You're all... nyeh... Jerks! Jerks, jerks, JERKS! Mark my words, I'll be back! I will rule this stupid planet! I will! I'm the master! I'M PORKY MINCH-- cough, cough.”
The redness has completely enclosed on Porky. With one last yell, Porky vanished into thin air. The red substance retreated back into Ruby, who's glow faded and landed on the floor, unconscious, and unharmed. Victory was theirs. Porky was gone.
The war against Porky was over.
Later on the night of Porky's defeat, fireworks and celebrations were in order until dawn, and it wasn't even 9:00. Most were outside, enjoying the fireworks, or in the new dance club, Club Trotiboo. However, Berry and Ruby were in their normal little second home, Punch Cavern, having a drink. Berry was in the restroom when Ruby ordered their drinks. Ruby grabbed both their drinks and sat them down at the table. Ruby sat down comfortably in the seat.
As Berry came out of the bathroom and saw Ruby in the seat, she couldn't help but say it for old times sake.
“'Ey, red-mane! That's MY seat! WHO said it was okay to sit there?”
Ruby was looking around and saw Lyra having a romantic drink with Bon Bon. As they were about to kiss, Ruby called it.
“Uh.... Lyra said it!”
Lyra turned around with a scared jump.
“I didn't say anything!” She gasped.
“Relax, I'm only kidding, Lyra. The moment was too perfect, though.”
Lyra turned around as she muttered something. “I swear if I had fingers...”
Ruby and Berry had a good laugh and moved to the couch.
“This couch is where it all started, y'know, Berr?” Ruby said as she nudged Berry.
“Yeah, except this is a replica, the other one was destroyed.” She said with a laugh.
“Still sorry about that. What is of Fassad?”
“After I blew off his saxophone horn things, he's did his weird laugh and ran. The Pigmasks have been arrested.”
“Good... I... I can't help but think of Fluttershy.”
“She's in a good place now, Rubes. I'm not worried about her. I'm just glad that I found the bestest friend anypony could ever ask for, and that I can spend the rest of my life talking, interacting, and drinking with the coolest pony around. You truly are the best friend ever.”
A sparkle appeared below them from somewhere. It startled them both.
“Ah! What was that, Berr?” Ruby asked, looking around.
“I dunn-- OH, RUBY!” Berry gasped.
“What!? WHAT!? What is it, Berr!?” Ruby asked, frantically.
“You're flank! Look!”
“Huh?”
There it was. It was on her flank. 100% real. 3 red hearts had appeared off the side of her flank. After the whole adventure was over, Ruby Black finally obtained her cutie mark.
“Oh! A cutie mark thingy! Took long enough.... Hearts? I have hearts? Why?” Ruby asked.
“Rubes, the hearts obviously mean caring and compassion. Your special talent is being the bestest friend of all friends!”
Ruby blushed. “I... I don't know what to say...”
Berry looked at the table and back to Ruby.
“I know what to say.” Berry said, in a suggestive way.
“...What might that be?” Ruby asked.
Berry grabbed her extra large blueberry punch and shouted.
“Drinking contest! Whoever gives in first loses!”
Ruby picked up her drink and looked at it with a “thinking-hard” expression. She pondered the cons of this game. She counted so many, she couldn't bear to think about them all. So she answered in the only way she thought she needed to. She smiled and chuckled.
“...You're on.”
