The Everfree forest was, a sanctuary, of sorts. Despite being undisputedly treated as the most dangerous place in Equestria, it still followed a few rules. Never travel too far from the forest. Not to dirty the only river that runs through the entire forest. Not to mess with the Ursa Major that had been living there for longer than they've been alive. And lastly, to never mess with the Timberwolves.

The last one was always weird, yet every creature followed it. Though, if you knew why, you wouldn't be so surprised. Timberwolves were, essentially immortal against most opponents. And because of their nature, just killing them wouldn't suffice. One had to completely destroy them, to make sure that not a single part of them remained alive. Else, they'll just get right back up. Of course, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as the incredibly powerful fire breathing hydra. But, one thing always stopped the hydra from acting.

Timberwolves, were protectors of the Everfree forest. That was exactly why the Everfree is called a sanctuary. It is, and always will be, free from the control of others. It's a place where nature thrived, going by its own rules and never following others. And Timberwolves, they are always the ones at the forefront. They are the ones that hunt at the outer edges of the forest. They are the ones that chase away the ponies that dared to set hoof onto its precious grounds. By all means, they are the sole reason ponies haven't taken over the forest.

*Awooooooooo*

That one single howl rang through the skies. Despite it being nothing special to others, this one single howl spread throughout the entire forest. The forest, infinitely vast with its magical properties, that very forest heard that howl as loud as every other animal that lived there.

It shouldn't have been different, it wasn't different than any other howl that ponies have heard before. It was just a bit longer than normal. Yet, all the residents of the forest knew. That howl was, arrogant, prideful even. It was full of refusal to follow orders, its very existence called out to the forest that the one who cried that sound, would stand above all that lived in the forest, and would become Emperor among Kings.

This sound was an insult. Yet, not one dared to stop such nonsense because, if it came true, would it truly be considered nonsense?

And the scene that played. It certainly seemed possible.

It was a battlefield. It was chaotic enough that it could possibly make Discord proud. Fire was burning on ice as the ground flowed like water. Corpses of all kinds were littered throughout. Mud was mixed with blood as bodies of every material that could be were laid wasted. Surprisingly, amongst these bodies, one single being remained alive.

*Huff*

*Huff*

The breath was scarce as the injuries were severe. This wasn't a normal battle. This one creature was practically cursed at this moment. He had gone against the very rulers of the forest, proved himself to be worthy. This one single act, would already grant him the prestige of being one of the strongest. Well, if he hadn't cheated that is. Still, he himself doesn't know how he cheated, he still did. It's the only reason he's had to fight such an unfair battle.

Despite all of this, only one thing mattered. In this region, he is the undisputed king. And not a single other from this part of the forest can stand against him. Well, of course, there's always one.

"Hmm." Suddenly, a deep feminine voice echoed through the area. "I was wondering what creature would dare to declare something so dangerous to oneself. To think it would be a single Timberwolf, a king at that."

A Timberwolf King, not the. That didn't matter much to the wolf.

"Really interesting, how did you manage to deviate from your race's path so immensely?" The voice was curious, yet she also didn't seem to find the wolf troubling at all. "Well, you certainly have more potential than the arrogant ones that have declared a cry before. Though, you're still not strong enough for me. Feel free to seek me out again after you find yourself enough. But, since this is quite important, I'm willing to give you one chance, one. If you defeat me, I'll bow before you, but don't expect to come out alive if you're too weak. I do have a child after all." She added the last part with a small chuckle.

But she didn't just disappear without a gift.

*Bam*

Coming down from the skies, a single beam of light hit the wolf. With his wounds already severe and nothing around him for him to use to heal himself, he was about to die off just like that. Of course, he wouldn't have declared to be Emperor if he didn't have a few tricks in his bark.

It was nothing too special. To be able to absorb magic. It's not something you get to learn subconsciously. Still, he's known it since birth. With that knowledge, he shed his defenses. His outer shell fell down as his mane of leaves shed away, leaving a vulnerable yet complex system of connections. A few different colors ran through him, painting the body with colors. Now, a deep blue was slowly added in.

"Yes, truly. You're the only one that could actually accomplish your goals. Make sure not to travel to the other areas. I'm likely the only one to be this lenient with you." The voice came again, with that warning, the last of the beam faded out.

When silence descended, the wolf king stood shakily. Its body was seemingly vibrating, shaking the grounds. Until one last boom.

*Boom*

When that explosion happened, he had almost lost his consciousness. Yet, he bore through it while gritting its teeth. With all that he's done for the day, he simply wanted to relax. Still, one needed a proper place to rest if they wanted to relax.

*Awooo*

This time, a much weaker howl. Not one meant to declare much, only to call a few. A few, dozens, of dozens. Basically a small army.

If you've worked so hard, you've gotta reap the rewards after all. For now, Harkon didn't feel like moving by himself.

"I am being as straightforward, as possible right now. If you spread that news, I will personally destroy your entire business, and ban you from the press forever. Or, I could just label your business as nonsense, and have you thrown into a dungeon for both blasphemy and treason. It is as simple as it could get. Am I clear?" Blueblood was showing his full bravado as he threatened a a terrified stallion.

"C-crystal, your highness." The stallion nodded fervently as he truly feared for his life.

"Good. Don't mistake this. It's not a simple warning, but I am directly threatening you. You should properly understand the gravity of this. Right?" He asked in a terrifyingly low voice.

"Understood." He nodded one more time as he presented the papers he had already written up. "These are everything, I swear. If you do find more, I didn't know about them. I swear on my life." He said in hopes of being let go unscathed as he bowed deeply.

"Good." Blueblood vaporized the papers in an instant before getting up from the dusty couch. "And clean up, will ya? This place looks like it's been inhabited by nothing but foals." He left that remark before leaving.

"I will make sure, your highness." The stallion was still bowed down, unable to move due to fear until he heard the Prince leave through the front door.

"Shall we take you back to your residence, my lord?" A butler asked respectfully.

"No, take me to the castle." Blueblood gave a short command before stepping into the carriage.

"But sir! You've been working nonstop these last few weeks. You simply must take a proper rest. I insist." The butler was worried.

"Just take me to the castle, Heart. I'll rest when I'm there." He didn't accept any reasoning as he closed his eyes in the carriage, signs of exhaustion clearly noticeable despite not being visible.

Heart could only sigh as he sat down at the coach position. "You heard his highness."

With that, they sped off from the building towards the castle.

"Twily!"

"Shining!" Twilight happily greeted back as they hugged with their necks.

"Oh yeah, you two knew each other right?" Light suddenly remembered.

"They're siblings." Blueblood answered for her,

"Blueblood." Shining Armor suddenly dropped his smile as he glared straight at him

"Shining Armor." Blueblood wasn't exactly scared by him.

The two stepped closer to each other, the air was tense as something was about to go down.

"Shining, not here!" Twilight yelled.

"Bluey, let's just talk this out." Light said sternly.

Their words didn't seem to reach the boys as they were now directly face to face. With the tension growing higher, Twilight and Light shared a glance and were about to do something.

"Once an Empire tried to fall?" Blueblood suddenly asked.

"It's a duty to save them all." Shining replied, confusing the two mares.

Without explaining anything, the raised their hooves. Backhoof, then bump fetlocks before ending in a hoofbump.

"What?" Twilight just said incredulously.

"Oh, were you two in the same frat?" Light asked lightly.

"I played Ogres and Oubliettes with him during my free time." Blueblood explained without saying much.

"You played that stupid game?" Twilight asked bluntly.

"It's not that stupid." Shining gave a small complaint.

"It was the only place that wasn't gonna be flooded with mares once I entered, since, there weren't any mares." Blueblood said with a smirk.

Light laughed silently.

"Hey!" Shining protested. "You say that, but you were acting as dungeon master." He remembered the time.

"Good times." Blueblood's smirk suddenly turned malicious.

"I'll forever remember Sir Bearly. He was truly the best of us when he gave his life stopping that lich." Shining looked to the sky with a sad gaze. "We never figured out why the Kapsilo dignitary called him a bear."

"Oh yeah, so that's what he whined about all night that one time." Twilight remembered a harrowing night.

"We're all foals at heart, Twi." Light said calmly. "So, you're the guards that's supposed to go with us, right?" She asked Shining.

"Yes, ma'am. Me and my stallions will be escorting you all to the camp of one Natural Remedy." Shining replied with a salute.

"Could've sworn the Princesses were calling him Floral." Twilight mumbled to none in particular.

"Well, we should be heading out by now if we want to be back by sundown." Blueblood gave the order.

"Alright." Shining agreed. "Guards! Time to move! Load up the thaumatic reader into a carriage!" He started shouting orders.

"I really don't know what to tell you kid. I don't really have secrets." Moon said with slight annoyance.

"Come on, Ms.Moon. You gotta have something interesting about you." A light blue coated colt insisted.

"Isn't the fact that I'm basically Nightmare Moon enough? Who even are you anyway?!" Moon suddenly realized that question.

"I'm Shady Daze. Staff photographer of the Foal Free Press. My friend is also supposed to be here, but she didn't wanna come into the Everfree." The colt explained with a righteous face.

Moon was a small daze. "Yeah, and she's right. You're also not supposed to be here." Moon couldn't quite bring herself to get pissed at a foal.

"No, I can't just leave yet. This place is the most likely place to find the best news!" Shady was persistent.

"Look, kid. If I show you some magic or some shieerghh-something. Will you just go back?" She caught herself.

"But everypony knows about magic. It's not gonna be good enough to make it to the press, I need something more." He protested.

Moon silently lifted a hoof, a tentacle grew out. Having it dance in the air, Shady was in awe. Shaking himself out of his daze, he snapped a picture.

"Thank you, Ms.Moon!" He gave his gratitude before leaving with a skip in his steps.

Watching him leave just like that, Moon pondered something.

"Am I just not that threatening?" She mumbled in confusion.

"Who was the kid?" Gilda asked and landed down next to her.

"Uh, Shady, something. He apparently works for the news." She answered with confusion.

"But, he was a kid?"

"Yeah, I was confused about that part as well." She confessed. "How's that scar doing by the way?" She asked and touched a gash running through Gilda's beak.

"Eh, it's fine. It's only on the outside, doesn't affect anything." Gilda wasn't affected much.

"Scars, not sure they're something to be that proud about." Moon felt slightly bad about it.

"You can't say that when you have that giant ass one on your leg." She retorted.

"Couldn't help this one, Floral wrapped it with fucking leaves and whiskey after cauterizing it." She said with a chuckle.

"Sounds painful."

"It absolutely was." She spoke like it wasn't a problem. "By the way, do I not seem threatening anymore?"

"You definitely are when you're fighting. What about it?"

"Well, that colt was just not scared. I don't get it. Ponies usually were terrified of me, or wanted to fight me when we first meet. So I'm just confused now."

"Eh, the whole Ponyville knows you're here by now. They might've gotten used to you just, being around." Gilda theorized with a shrug. "But come on, who cares? I got the herbs and shit Floral asked for. Also, Fluttershy sent you a letter. She's apparently terrified of something." She said and gave Moon a letter.

"Oh, nice." Moon was more excited about the letter as they started to head back. "So, Gil, what do you think heading to high school?"

"What?" Gilda was taken back.

"It's just something Floral and me were talking about. He's off to get some trees from the outer edges of the barrier, says it's better to have these ones near us in case we needed it fast." She gave a normal explanation as she stored the letter in her mane.

"Why the fuck would I go to school now? Besides, it's expensive as all hell." She wasn't exactly keen on the idea.

"You're still young, Gilda. You'll probably want to do something other than just sitting here your entire life."

"No way. I was just planning to keep staying here until I die."

"An entire life is a pretty long time, kid. What's a griffin's age, it's like a thousand right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Floral's. Hmm." Moon wasn't too happy about it either. She gave a sigh. "Floral, is eventually gonna leave us. Whether we get to actually get to break this barrier or not, Floral is still just a pony. Considering him, at best he'll live to be a hundred and twenty. Considering his unusual traits, maybe a hundred and fifty. That is being extraordinarily generous. Even Z will leave much earlier than you."

"What about it then? It's still like fifty years away no?"

"Fifty years, it's both a long and a short time, Gil. Trust me, being an immortal, I had to get used to others dying of old age. Nocturnal magic can't make somepony immortal after all." She said with a slightly heavy expression. "Well, that convo went out of hoof real quick. Just, talk to him about it." She tried to forcefully brighten the talk.

"What about you? I'm not immortal."

"That's up to me to deal with, kid. Come on, I actually liked that soda thing you were talking about." She led the way.

Gilda followed, but her mind was heavy. Death wasn't something to think so lightly about after all, especially when it concerned one close to you. In the end, she could sigh in defeat before pushing the thought back.

"Just don't drink too much of it. It's pack to the brim with sugar." Gilda gave a warning.

"You really think I don't get enough exercise just by living here?" Moon retorted with a smirk.

"Wait, holy shit. I should be eating sweets as much as I want." Gilda suddenly realized just how much she moves around.

"I would not advise that, for the effects are quite bad." Zecora told them as they reached the camp.

"Why not? We do so much physical shit every day." Moon asked back.

"Your hydration level could fail, leaving you quite frail. Your liver would become vulnerable, which is easily avoidable." She gave enough reasons."

"Okay, you made your point. I won't eat too much." Gilda accepted it easily enough.

"I'm back, and I've brought guests." Floral announced himself as a group of ponies appeared behind him.

"Take point! Set a defensive position!" Shining immediately commanded the guards as they hurried to their assigned posts. "Glitter, Nova. Unload the thaumatic reader."

"Hey guys." Light gave a bright greeting at the three.

"Oh, the referee." Gilda recognized her.

"Hello." Moon was rather indifferent.

"I don't think I've met you, I'm Joyful Light." She introduced herself and held out a hoof to Zecora.

"I am Zecora, and I live amidst this flora." Zecora gave a short greeting as she accepted the hoof. "It is great to meet a pony as cheerful as you, and I hope you have a good reason for coming with such a crew."

"Ooh, the rhymes. I've heard it's in your culture to speak like that, but it's fun to hear it personally." Light was getting carried away by the conversation. "Those guys are just for protection. If anything happens, Bluey can scold them."

"Prince Bluey ey? Aren't you pretty good at flirting." Gilda commented from the side.

"Nah, I'm not that good." Light gave a shy reply. "Anyways, you're Gilda right? How did you end up getting into a fight with the Royal Guard?"

"Eh, this and that happened."

On the side, Blueblood finally got to speak with Floral.

"So, Remedy, or do you rather Floral now?" Blueblood asked with a simple smile.

"Whatever suits you, though, Floral seems to be the trend lately." Floral gave a shrug and cracked a grin.

"Alright, who am I to control that." Blueblood was fine with it. "I had wanted to talk to you again after, our first talk. But, the festive aura around last time didn't give much of a chance."

"Yeah, it definitely wasn't the time to talk so seriously." He responded as he glanced at Light. "So, Bluey, huh?" He asked with a questioning grin.

Blueblood chuckled at that. "I suppose nothing really gets past you huh?" He asked in a joking tone. "You were right. I tried a few different things I never tried before, found things I liked, some I didn't."

"Still, you found the most important one." Floral commented with a slightly proud smile.

"Yeah." He replied. "Don't smile at me like that, it makes you look like a proud parent." He gave a joking comment.

Floral let out a laugh at that. "Well, you certainly changed from your stiff attitude."

"So, Purple Bitch is finally back." Moon commented, grabbing the attention of the others.

"Seriously, you're still calling me that?" Twilight was exasperated.

"Yes, ever since you shot me with that spell. Purple Bitch is officially your name." She was adamant about it.

"I'm not even a dog, so why is bitch in my name?!"

"Because, why not?"

"Then, uh, then you're Goth Bitch." Twilight immediately thought of a comeback.

"Wha-I'm not goth you fucking prick!"

"Aren't you? With the whole shadow thing, apparent cusses and excessive drinking?"

"I can't help that shit! And the shadow thing is straight up a race thing! You're being racist!" Moon rebuked as well.

"That's not being racist! You're a pony as well!" Twilight wasn't willing to let up so easily.

"I'm a half pony! Half! The other half is Nocturnal you racist fuck!" They were straight up butting heads now.

"So what!? You can still fix your drinking! And stop cussing so much!" Twilight was somehow equal in strength. "If anything, I'm not racist! I'm, Moon-ist! Specifically against you!"

"That's not even a proper word you sorry excuse for a scholar!" Moon retorted without letting up.

After glaring at each other, Moon finally pulled back with a small smirk as Twilight fell straight forward to the ground.

"Uph."

"Hmm, fine. Make yourself at home." Moon said dismissively before throwing a tentacle to the treehouse and disappeared.

"What did I just witness?" Blueblood talked as if he doubted his own eyes.

"So she did want to check." Floral mumbled to himself.

"Twily!" Shining instantly ran over and helped her up.

"I'm fine Shining. I didn't fall that bad." Twilight stood up with no problems as she glanced at the treehouse with a weird feeling.

"Seriously, what's wrong with her?" Shining was muttering with a frown.

"I hope you're not bad mouthing her, Captain." Gilda said from the side, a small glare present on her face.

"I believe that it's fair, that she does not care." Zecora commented as she took a small sip from her cup.

"Hmm." Shining was still a bit apprehensive towards Gilda.

"Shining, I'm fine." Twilight interfered with a small smack behind his head. "I, think, I started something."

"Ow. Why'd you hit me?"

"Just because." Twilight shrugged in response.

"What did she want to check?" Blueblood asked Floral.

"I guess it's something like, courage?" Floral responded half heartedly.

Suddenly, his ears raised up as his eyes scanned the area.

"Prepare for a fight." He said as he tapped Blueblood on the back. "Try to stay in the backlines."

"Got it." Blueblood became serious as he remembered last time.

"Ah, shit." Gilda cussed and stood up with a small stretch before flying up.

"Uh, what is it?" Light asked.

"It is quite unfortunate that your visit, would be ruined by something so vicious." Zecora said with a small sigh as she took off the rings on her neck.

"Should I be worried?" Shining asked as he stared straight at Floral.

"Pull your stallions in for a more tight formation. We don't know if the enemy is coming in multiples or not." Floral gave a command.

"I see a bunch of dazzling stuff from that side, and there was also something moving from the opposite side." Gilda gave a report as she landed next to Floral. "It doesn't seem right though, don't we usually get attacked by a shit ton of them when there's a visit?"

"Hmm." Floral let out a dissatisfied sound as he was reminded of a concern he had. "We'll figure that out later. For now, prepare to fight."

"These are all the potions I have brewed. I would have made more if the timing hadn't been so rude." Zecora was slightly frustrated as she presented a bag of bottles. "The green ones are to erode, whilst the red ones do explode."

"I'll be fine, give more to the others." Floral spoke first.

"I need a weapon." Gilda frowned as she remembered her bow.

"The bow's broken, right?" Floral asked.

"Yeah, I think I lost it somewhere during the last fight." She replied annoyedly.

"If you need a weapon, take one of the guards' backup swords." Blueblood suggested.

"Have mine, I mainly use magic to fight anyway." Shining unsheathed a blade that gleamed in the light to Gilda.

"Yeah, thanks." She gave a word of gratitude.

"I'm a bit scared. Is this the usual for you guys?" Light asked and stood next to Blueblood.

"Yes. Take a potion, it might just save your life." Floral had already taken control. "Watch your backs, and make sure you know it's your teammate that's behind you."

With words of acknowledgement coming from the group, they were now prepared for a fight as Zecora stood next to Floral with a golden staff.

"I'd ask you about that if it wasn't for a fight." Gilda commented as she swung the sword a few times to get used to the feel.

"They're coming!" Floral shouted as the air was now tense. "Hold your positions!"

"Wait, isn't Moon coming down?" Twilight asked nervously as she prepared to fire off spells.

"She'll come." Floral assured her.

"They're close, we got ten guards! Are you sure we should just hold?" Shining asked as he was already done with a barrier.

"Hold it." Floral gave the command as he kept checking the positions.

"They're bulls!? Why are they attacking us!?" Twilight asked loudly.

"I don't think those shiny looking horns are supposed to be a bull thing." Gilda commented as she thought about her fighting strategy.

"Just a bit more." Floral stated as he lowered his body.

"Coming in awful close. They're gonna crash into us any second now." Blueblood spoke as his horn glowed brightly.

"I know a few terra forming spells. Maybe I should try to stop them." Light suggested as she nervously looked around.

"Just a few more seconds." He muttered before letting out a deep breath. "On your call!"

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

Suddenly, dozens of dark spikes shot out from the treehouse, creating a small dome as the charging bulls were crushed down.

"Fight as you please!" Floral shouted before running ahead, the shadows going away as Moon looked out of the treehouse.

With a leap, Floral focused on his own battle.

*Bam*

Landing on a bull, he broke its bones. Grabbing both its horns, he judged it a proper length before breaking both of them off. He took a deep breath as he cracked a few bones as he stared forward. A small army of various monsters he knew of had gathered as he started to hear several dozens of spells being used behind him.

"Alright, I guess I'll handle you folk." He muttered as he ran straight forward.

With two sharp horns made of precious gems in his hooves, he used it like daggers as he charged forward.

It was a slaughter as Floral danced through the beasts. Dodging everything as hundreds of projectiles missed him. He shouldn't have been able to stop so many, yet they all seemed to want to kill him specifically. Once his weapons broke, he would simply acquire new ones. The jaws of a wolf. Claws of a bear. Antlers of a deer. Anything that could be used, they were his to take.

Tearing the head off of a cragadile, Floral used it as a blunt weapon and broke a gorilla in half.

"These guys, they're weak." He mumbled as he looked around.

Observing a bit closer, it was kind of a ridiculous strategy. More like, there wasn't one at all. The beasts weren't exactly running in blindly, they were, waiting. Just going in, one at a time as the ones throwing projectiles didn't even do that much. They weren't stalling for time or anything. They weren't exactly aiming to only capture Floral either. So, they were just that weak.

"These guys are fucking weak!" Moon shouted over the battlefield. "They go down in like, one hit!" She said as several tendrils kept bashing monsters over and over again.

"Rah!" Gilda suddenly appeared next to Floral as she stabbed through a giant snake whilst landing. "Wait, really? I really thought it was gonna do something else." She mumbled and turned to Floral. "Something's going on here right? I didn't even have to use the potions Z gave us." She said and rested the sword on her shoulder.

"These monsters, they're not just weak. They are extremely weak." Floral mumbled as he put his hoof up.

*Thud*

A stone fist hit it, yet Floral didn't even budge. Without looking, he grabbed the fist and pulled it in before smashing the head of the gorilla. The head broke off, turning into fragments.

"Okay, I know they're just that weak, but how the hell do you actually break stone like that?" Gilda asked as the stone body fell to the ground.

"I'm an Earth Pony that trained himself to the fullest, crushing stone actually becomes, pretty easy at that point." He explained as he scanned the battlefield. "Have you seen or broken a core?"

"Uh, no. I don't think so. In fact, these guys have been dying pretty easily. As in, they die like how things are supposed to die." She confirmed as she around again. "Why the hell would that spirit of the forest or whatever fucker send weaklings? The asshole should know by now that we won't just get tired and lose."

"It's something else. In the midst of this fight, we might've missed something important." Floral theorized as he kept sweeping the battlefield.

His gut feeling seems to be just screaming at him as he tried to figure out what it was.

*Boom*

An explosion erupted in the midst of the monsters. Floral was about to dismiss it as one having used the potion, but he stopped himself. Looking through the smoke that rose, it was clear that it was different. Right as that thought went through his mind, another explosion erupted right behind him.

"DUCK!" Gilda screamed as the two jumped down.

*Whish*

Something flew past both of them, disturbing the air in the process.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Moon was shouting in the distance as she held an arrow in a tentacle.

Soon, more and more eruptions rang out through the camp.

"Gilda, go help the others." Floral commanded as he looked at his opponent, the wooden puppet.

"You sure? That thing doesn't look too easy." Gilda asked as she brandished the sword.

"Positive." He answered as he thought of his options. "And give me the sword."

"What?"

"I'll get you something better, give me the sword for now."

"Fine, it ain't mine anyway." She complied and tossed him the sword before taking off.

"Let's see. Metal bow with glowing parts, she'll like it right?" Floral muttered as he lightly swung the sword a few times.

In response, the enemy pulled back the string on the bow. An arrow made of fire materialized on it as it took aim.

"What makes you so different from the others?" Floral asked coldly as he rushed in with a burst of speed.

The ground broke beneath him as an arrow whistled straight at him. He leaned to dodge it as he reached the archer in an instant. Without waiting, he swung the sword straight through.

Floral had a questioning gaze as the wooden pony was split in half. Without waiting, he swung in multiple directions, cutting it up as he finally found the core.

"Why is it so weak?" He mumbled as he grabbed its bow. "Shiny." He commented before hanging it around his neck.

With that, he turned around to the others. It was a mess, a slightly controlled mess but a mess nonetheless. The guards were actually doing something, holding the monsters back without taking any casualties. Of course, there was something else.

*Bang*

"Fuck you!" Moon cussed as she slammed down with shadows coating her hooves.

A wave of spikes flew through the battle, killing several dozens before stopping at one more enemy. After several more spikes try to pierce through it, Moon stopped as she realized.

"The fuck are you supposed to be?" Moon asked as she stood before a giant.

With a big hammer, it stood as tall as four ponies with a metal shell. The hammer alone was at least twice the size of Moon herself, a low fire was burning around the edges. Flames were blazing from its chest like an open furnace, and smoke naturally covered it. It stood on two legs, and had a ball like body without a head.

"Alright, so, melt then blow shit up. Right?" Gilda asked and pulled out two small bottles.

"I'll deal with it! That Purple and others won't be able to hold them off." Moon was confident as she aimed her dagger. "I'll kill it quick, so just buy some time for now."

"Got it." Gilda nodded and was about to go away. "Ah, shit."

"What is it?" Moon didn't take her eyes off her enemy.

"There's a lot more of these things." She said nervously.

"Shit." Moon muttered. "Go help em."

"Aight, good luck." She said before taking off.

"Light! Help me lift the sword one!" Twilight shouted tiredly as her horn glowed even brighter.

"Crash it to the shield!" Light yelled back as she was breathing deeply.

With their combined magic, an armored giant was lifted above the ground, before being thrown at another one holding a shield.

*Bam*

*Boom*

Every movement let out a terrifying sound, shaking the ground.

*Creak*

The joints of the metal giant cried out as flames burst out of its body. And the shield was raised high up before being slammed down onto the defense line.

"IT'S COMING DOWN!"

"MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!"

The guards screamed at each other as they scrambled to move during the chaotic fight. Their movements restricted by the normal beasts still running straight at them.

*BANG*

Right when hope seemed to be lost, one pink wall stopped it in its tracks.

"Gah, that's heavy." Shining clenched his teeth through the pain as cracks formed on his barrier. "Move!" He managed to let out a command.

"Drop it!" Blueblood shouted as he shot a large burst of magic forward.

Right as the barrier disappeared, the burst of magic shot at the shield, knocking it away.

*Awoooo*

Suddenly, a howl rang through the destroyed camp.

"What was that?"

"No way, don't tell me we have to fight Timberwolves too."

"Fucking hell. Ugh." Moon groaned slightly as her head rang painfully from using too much.

*BOOM*

An unexplainable pressure bore down, forcing everypony to the ground. Except for two.

"Not this time you fucker!" Moon shouted as she was forcing herself to stand with her magic.

"Hmm." Floral held a heavy grimace as he picked up his new weapon, a plate of metal twice his size with an edge on both sides, and used it to prop himself up.

Just as it had last time, two eyes opened in the sky. It cast a light as the camp had thousands of tiny little balls of magic. Without any explanation, the sky suddenly turned dark. Millions of glittering stars appeared one by one. And the pressure seemingly melted away.

"What?" Twilight muttered in confusion as she found herself standing.

"Ugh, my head. What happened?" Light asked as she looked around.

"That was quite the surprise, one that was not so nice." Zecora commented as usual as she rubber her head.

"How permanent were the effects of overexerting my magic again?" Blueblood asked as he lightly rubbed his burnt horn.

"Seriously, just how do you physically pressure somepony without touching them?" Shining asked as he got up with a tired face.

"You good?" Moon asked as she appeared next to Floral.

"I'm fine." He replied rather coldly.

Despite the relief, Floral was all but happy as he glared at the sky. The eyes, they hadn't left. They were fiercely glaring somewhere, maddened with anger.

Without an explanation, the metal giants stopped fighting. Instead, they started to walk away as the last of the beasts were killed off. Trees grew back, flooding the camp again as the scorched grass became lively again.

Seeing this, the guards were overjoyed as the fight was over. Floral wasn't having it.

"They're trying to save resources." Floral muttered. "Quick, try to destroy as much as you can! That bastard's plan or something must've gotten fucked over somehow!" He gave a command with an explanation.

"Got it." Moon responded as she focused on her magic.

Pulling out a large amount, she slammed it to the ground as several tentacles dug themselves out of the ground. Without warning, they instantly shot towards the fleeing giants.

*BOOM*

Most retaliated by self destructing, making a large explosions and such in hopes of inflicting damage.

"Ugh, those fuckers." Moon muttered as she flinched every time one of her tendrils took damage.

*Bang*

"Hell yeah!" Gilda shouted as she shielded herself from an explosion whilst playfully tossing and catching a red bottle of potion.

Looking around, Floral was looking for his next target.

"Go kill that one." Moon told him after noticing and pointed a hoof.

"Thanks." He said casually as he prepared to swing his new weapon.

*Crash*

The trees in range all fell down with one swing, crashing into the ground. Floral was emotionless as he evaluated his new weapon. "It'll work." He mumbled and prepared to go after his target.

*Growl*

Alas, he didn't get the chance as the metal giant was suddenly pushed away.

*Awoooo*

The howl was heard once again.

*Awoooooo*

*Awoooo*

*Awoooooooo*

Several different cries came from around the forest, making Floral let out a chuckle.

"The fuck is happening?" Moon asked as she nervously looked around.

"Looks like our Harkon went and found himself a pack." He replied with a chuckle as he looked around. "Looks like we'll have to chop and uproot some trees if we wanna have space." He stated as he started to chop away at the trees.

"I thought that was a new weapon, not a gardening tool." Moon commented tiredly as she stood up while cracking a few bones.

"It's both."

"AAAAAHHHHH!!!!" A terrified high pitched scream rang out.

"Right, we should probably deal with that too." Floral chuckled as he picked up Moon from her scruff.

"Shining, stop screaming." Twilight demanded with an exhausted tone, before smacking him to shut him up.

"Are you one of Floral's pets?" Blueblood asked curiously as he patted a Timberwolf twice as big as him.

"Oh my Celestia! He's like a big puppy!" Light was beyond excited as she buried her face in the deep and luscious mane Harkon had around his neck. "So soft."

"Where'd it even come from!?" Shining asked as he warily glanced at Harkon, who was wagging his tail whilst creating a dust cloud.

"Oh to have such high energy, it's something I only have in memory." Zecora was equally exhausted as she was leaning against a tree while breathing heavily.

*Crash*

The nearby trees were being felled as Floral arrived at the camp whilst chopping away.

"Should exercise more then, no?" Moon asked jokingly as she dangled from Floral's back.

"However that statement may be true, I do not want to hear it from one as lazy as you." Zecora shot back without hesitation.

"Whatever Z. Where's Gil?" Moon backed off in one sentence.

"Here!" Gilda shouted as she appeared from behind a tree, dragging something behind her. "I want whoever the fuck that knows how, to make that bow around Floral's neck do the same shit this one was doing." She said very excitedly as she revealed a hammer.

"Ugh, later." Twilight spoke for the rest of them as she was rubbing her head.

She'd exerted herself too much, and she had a few thoughts haunting her.

"If you're so damn full of energy, go get the whiskey." Moon told Gilda with a smile.

"Oh fuck you." Gilda cussed back, but still ended up going.

"I feel like I'm dying." Light seemed to be on the verge of collapsing as she heavily leaned on Blueblood.

Harkon seemed to decide that the matter was no longer worth losing sleep over.

"It's surprising. Those enemies we, fought. It took everything we had to fight them. But you guys seem like this is your average Tuesday." Twilight talked slowly. "I don't even remember the last time I completely ran out of magic like this, and still be conscious."

"If you've seen half the fuckery we had to deal with, you end up learning a thing or two." Moon rebuked as she got off of Floral.

"I'm not sure what you're learning should exactly be learned by, you know, the common ponies." Blueblood said with a small frown as he looked around. "Deaths, although I didn't see a casualty on our side, it's not something you should get used to."

"Hmm, come on! We just won another fight, let's brighten up!" Light tried to hold a cheerful air.

"We fight because we needed to survive, there shouldn't be anything sad about living after all." Floral gave a few words with a chuckle as he made a clearing.

"We only got one barrel left." Gilda informed as she landed softly on the ground, several cups along with a barrel in her grip.

"It'll be enough." Moon assured with a grin and opened it as he dunked two cups in. "Here, it'll take your mind off of it." She calmly spoke and directed one cup to Twilight.

"No! Absolutely not!" Shining instantly stepped in with a furious expression.

"Let her have it, Armor. How long you gonna hold her back for?" Blueblood asked lightly as he poured for himself and Light.

"No, under no circumstances, will she drink alcohol! Not before she turns at least thirty!" Shining was vehemently refusing for her.

At his outburst, the others were just staring. Floral had a mix of amusement and respect. Zecora found it pretty funny. Gilda was just confused. Light was having a fun time as Blueblood didn't seem to care that much.

Twilight was just exhausted. Moon looked at him with a blank stare for a few seconds.

"Who are you again?" Moon suddenly asked with an incredulous expression. "I know you're somehow related to Twinkles over here, but I don't know you."

"What?" Shining was dumbfounded. "Seriously? We've met, uh, actually. No, wait, I don't think I've actually introduced myself before." He slowly came to the realization.

"Great, tell me in the morning. Cuz I won't remember tonight." She dismissed it calmly and gave it the cup to Twilight. "Don't think too much on it, Purple." She gave a chuckle as Twilight received it.

"Wow, to think I'd see the ever pure and dorkish Twilight take a swig." Blueblood cracked a grin as Light smacked him in the back.

"Take it slow or you'll find yourself in a trashcan." Gilda said with a smirk.

"I'm not sure if this is a good thing, it just feels like one bad fling." Zecora voiced her concerns.

"She'll be fine, I'll stay sober." Floral assured her, but his voice seemed to be thinking of something more serious.

"Twily, absolutely not. Think of what Mom would say!" Shining was trying his best.

With this kind of environment, Twilight was having a very hard time concentrating. She was exhausted to a limit she didn't know she had, and her magic reserve was so empty she couldn't even hold a cup with her magic. In the end, both mental and physical exhaustion aided her decision.

"Oh, buck this." She let out a small statement before chugging the whole thing in one go. "Gah! Bitter!"

"Twily!"

"HAH!" Moon let out one loud laugh. "Gil! Bring the chocolate over!"

"I guess it's a party." Blueblood said without much thought.

"It's a good way to relax right?" Light asked casually as she took a small sip.

"I don't know why, but I half expected that pink creature to suddenly appear before us." Gilda muttered calmly as she took a stretch.

Floral gave a shrug as Gilda joined the others. Zecora easily noticed it.

"What seems to the problem? May I help to cull them?" She asked softly.

"I've been thinking about it. The difficulty of these monsters keep getting higher and higher. I just thought our enemy was getting increasingly stronger monsters, or some kind of circumstance was stopping them from using their full power. Then suddenly, the difficulty dropped." Floral explained as a hidden anger seemed to flash through his eyes. "It's, hmm, well." His emotions suddenly felt hollowed out. "Something extra happened today, changes may come sooner than we expect."

"I see, these surprises plague you, but I believe, you won't mind a few." Zecora answered as calmly as ever. "Well, as much as I call this a fling, I can not refuse the pleasant aura this brings." She said with a cheeky grin before walking for the whiskey.

Seeing them all enjoy the small party, Floral was busy thinking over his problems. With a hidden wrath, he clenched his hooves and grit his teeth. "Weak, was it?" He asked nopony in particular. "I guess I can't push you off any longer." He muttered as his hoof glowed with a green aura, the tiniest of a flower bloomed on top before withering away.

Author's Note

Yo! I know, I know, I was a bit late than my usual schedule. Honestly, it's hard to even call it that. But anyways, I'm writing way into the night because I might not be able to write for a while.

Test weeks here, and I got plenty of assignments. So, wish me luck. I probably won't be able to post for a week or two. I'll try to reply to comments though.

Anyways, was it just me, or did this chapter itself feel like it was dragging on a bit. I'm too tired to make a valid assessment, so, I'll just see it in the morning.

See ya!